REM stirs more than oxygen

Brace yourself.  Dr. David Maurice has a controversial theory.  As professor of occular physiology in the Dept. of Opthalmology at Columbia University Medical Centre, he suggests the REM sleep phenomenon, the stage in which the eyes rapidly move and most dreams and assumed to occur, actually has a different purpose than we thought. So much for "cut and dried" sleep explanations!

Dr. Maurice refuses to accept status quo theories that say REM exists to process memories of the earlier day's events during dreams. He prefers to believe the sleep experience of REM enables a supply of much-needed oxygen to moisten the cornea of the eye.  Maurice suggests that the aqueous humor (the clear watery liquid in the anterior chamber just behind the cornea) needs to be "stirred" by the REM process to carry oxygen to the cornea.

"Without REM," Maurice told 21stCentury, "our corneas would starve and suffocate while we are asleep with our eyes closed. This may mean we wouldn't be able to see.  Perception would be altered.

Okay.  REM is strongly linked with many physiological processes that impact changes in breathing, changes in blood flow to brain, and changes in brain activity.  If Dr. Maurice is proven right, his work would certainly enhance human understanding of functions during REM sleep.  Yet, would it be enough to invalidate principles of psychoanalysis? Other experts don't think so. They believe it has a valuable place to treat patients by helping them interpret their dreams.  As for which is the major versus which are the minor functions of REM process, the jury is still out on that.

Imagination is the road to reality

People who feel lost somewhere between fantasy and reality may not realize that imagination is in fact, the road to reality.  Now if you say, "that sounds completely impossible!"  I'd have to say, "Sorry, but you create who you are in your mind, and you create that doubt too."

What this means is that each time you write, you can re-create yourself like you're writing a character into a new story.  If you're unsure about the reality you wish to live, then pick up a pen or pencil and outline what you'd like to be doing and where.  This is not such crazy a thing to do.  After all, if you truly desire to make an experience happen, you must clarify it as much as possible.  This begins as an idea in your mind, but is made more real as you write and expand it.

You don't have to be an aspiring author to benefit from transcribing words and reflectong back.  You don't have to choose to be overwhelmed.  You can choose to use writing as an outlet for thoughts and reflection, as a vehicle for poetic self-expression, as a way to organize your life or to build on and share stories you may have long been storing in your mind.  How you decide to draw from the power of words is indeed, completely up to you.  The force and power of your visions has the power to transform your life.  For whom is up to you. Why not begin right now?

The buck starts when you're ready

Lots of people say they need to make money because they're broke or an unfavorable financial experience left them in debt.  You may have heard whiners complain yet, do nothing.  You may imagine nothing better could happen to you right now than being blown out of your own financial troubles, only to land in a fortune that would leave you, as they say, 'high and dry.'  The lottery?

Imagination alone is unlikely to blow you anywhere.  Even winning the lottery would require you to go out and at least  buy a ticket. But even then, what are your chances?  Creating financial success in your life will happen only when you not only think you're completely ready for it, and expect it, but also when you have learned from what you've done or chose not to pursue before. Devoting time and exerting effort is meaningless if you have no sense of direction or plan.

You may have heard the phrase, "the buck stops here." This may stem from the poker card game in which a process using a marker or counter indicates the person who is next to deal. If this player doesn't wish to deal, he can pass responsibility by passing the "buck," as the counter came to be called, to the next player. In reality, you hold responsibility for your life and this isn't something that can be passed over to anyone else. You must be willing to do what it takes to move ahead yourself. This includes defining what moving ahead financially or otherwise means.

Consider these 7 tips to get the ball rolling in your favor:

1) Write a business plan. Whether or not you had a business that ended, you'll need some kind of feasibility study to map out what you plan to do next, why, for whom and the projected costs.

2) Conduct research. You may begin with Internet searches, but clarifying your business strategy would benefit from networking, joining associations, reading trade journals and seeking mentors. What has been done in your area of interest before? How would you stand apart from the crowd?

3) Reflect on past experience. Determine the hard lessons you have learned when situations have not evolved in ways you had envisaged. Why do you think that happened? What will you do differently next time? How could you apply this experience to benefit your new project?

4) Identify your assets. Regardless of your background, you have developed transferable skills. What do you think they are? Examine your strengths and weaknesses and how they would apply to your new venture. What advice will you need to compensate for your lack of expertise?

5) Isolate potential investors. If you have money saved, you may be your own financial backer. However, many businesses require an influx of capital. Consider prospective lenders, look into which details they would require in a proposal. Look into the kinds of risks venture capitalists and other investors have made and why. Don't be afraid to ask what motivated past decisions.

6) Discuss your idea. Seeking advice and feedback from outsiders can be useful. Not everyone will understand or approve of your tentative business plan. Yet, these people are the ones who could assist you most to fine-tune your ideas into a feasible strategy. Share with people you trust.

7) Build your confidence. One of the most effective ways to gain support and encouragement for your endeavours is to believe in them. As you finalize your plans and set out to make your dream a reality, remember you're your biggest fan. Reflect the enthusiasm you seek to attract.

No such thing as coincidence

You may believe in 'being in the right place at the right time.'  Yet, is there really such a thing? Some people think that what happens to you is directly related to what you choose to see or what you're ready to see happening in your life. If events are unfolding all the time, why is it you feel compelled to approach certain strangers, to notice and apply for certain positions, to attend a specific meeting you saw advertised for the first time on a community bulletin board? 

There may be no such thing as coincidence, but rather, a sense of evolution that enables you to take heed of useful information.Who knows, if you don't feel quite right about someone, guardian angels may even act to draw your attention to some hidden element of fraud.  Who or what triggers your sixth sense? What if everything you notice has perfect timing?

We feel compelled to walk and take other action at particular times because of instinct. And yet, there may also be an element of faith, or clues which draw our attention to incidents we initially brushed past, thinking they were insignificant. While exiting from a movie theatre, you meet a stranger who turns out to have something in common with you and you make a new friend. Do you ask yourself, "what are the chances?" When you realize you forgot your wallet and have no money to park, yet discover someone has left a paid hour, do you assume this is your lucky day? If you have a disagreement with an employer,and find yourself redundant with rent to pay, what happens when you find a new job the next day? Does it mean something is looking out for you?

Such incidents raise questions about your belief in yourself and your ability to move ahead in your life. Invisible helpers may indeed open doors and windows of possibility without you knowing. It's up to you to develop self-confidence and alpha thinking to know you always receive what you need.  Contact us to explore our tailored options for life coaching.

"Coincidence is the word we use when we can't see the levers and pulleys." - Emma Bull 

Saving the world is easier than you think

If you wish to save the world, begin by taking a closer look at yourself. State of mind relates to the state of the world around you.  As you sense what you think, feel and how you act is reflected in the exernal world, you begin to realize saving the world begins with being kind to yourself.  Show compassion. Just to notice thoughts and ability to focus is empowering.

Ask yourself what makes you believe the natural world needs saving. Are you listening to fear-based opinions and allowing this to impact how you feel and what you see? The mind plays tricks to convince you something is wrong where the heart knows everything is actually unfolding perfectly.  Thus, you could recognize that if you think the world needs saving, you are allowing your focus to be controlled by the mind and its limiting filters.

Another perspective is offered by Michael Norton.  He shares a book called 365 Ways to Change the World: How to Make a Difference - One Day at a Time. It draws attention to the importance of how we feel about our individual life choices.  Feelings determine what we see.

This book is full of ideas, some of which you may have heard before as well as others that may surprise you. For example, ever thought of using recycled toilet paper? Maybe not. Yet, rest assured, this doesn't necessarily mean wiping with leaves or sandpaper. Why not become a virtual volunteer and share your lessons learned? What prevents you from giving away items that clutter your home and your life? It's not as hard as you think to help reverse bio-piracy or silently react to Internet spam. Identify how your consumer choices affect wider, natural resource management.

Imagine benefits of performing anonymous acts of generosity, planting trees, watching only non-violent movies, choosing not to buy blood diamonds or products that perpetuate sujugation. Support local craftspeople and fair trade agricultural products, and make a living will. Readers can consult http://www.365act.com for other ideas and inspirations based on key book sources.

If you're solutions-oriented and aim to help the planet, consider these tips:

1) Plant a tree weekly. If everyone on the planet did, we could reverse key destructive processes.

2) Drive less to reduce your carbon emissions. Favor and use alternative energy forms and avoid or minimize carbon producing materials like aerosols, not burning leaves, vegetation or garbage.

3) Re-think your position on water projects, such as dams and other means of redirecting existing water supplies. Favor clean-water generating plans, conservation practices and surveillance. of ground water flows so rain will be more effectively captured to supply underground water.

4) Support urban plans that include more vegetation. Organize petition for council.

5) Rather than favor expanding cities, encourage rural living, explore Internet-based business and other sustainable practices in harmony with nature.

6) Increase self-sufficiency by growing food in backyard gardens and composting.

7) Raise awareness about local environmental issues which affect you directly. Discuss options with other people you think are affected. Cooperate to devise and implement solutions.

8) Encourage education on family planning to and share information about global over-population.

9) Reward children and adults in community/ business as they reduce waste and increase recycling.

10) Learn about the land and balance of local ecosystems. Heed fire bans and prevent bush fires.

11) Support wildlife reserves, conservation an preservation charities and nature associations