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Christian Meditation—Set Free to Dance

  • Posted on July 2, 2009 at 7:15 am

“Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance”. Sounds like fun. And it is! It’s a song by a group called Mary Mary (the song is “Praise You”, if you want to listen.)

When you hear it, I’m sure you’ll understand why it’s one of my favorites for joyful dancing. It’s great for those times when you have so much inside, you just have to let it out.

Sometimes we see our Christian life as tying us down. Our mind is harsh with us–“No more of this, get busy with that –and for SURE no more of the other!”

But when God works in our lives, He actually sets us free to be the person we were always created to be. Free to dance our best dance, sing our best song, laugh our deepest laughs. Free to open our hearts to experience love…and free to love beyond ourselves.

It doesn’t happen all at once.

Say you’re treading water, making it on your own, doing fine when it’s calm and pretty…but you’re getting tired ‘cause you’re dragging burdens with you, more and heavier as you go along. You know you’re in trouble when it gets stormy, but you’ve made it this far…still, there’s no freedom to dance when you’re dragging chains–and in your heart, you know you’re headed for drowning.

“Saved” is where you let Him pull you into the boat.

But once we’re on board, we don’t have to sit there, safe but dripping, crouched down in our corner or getting in the way of anyone who comes by. Or worse yet, warm and dry, smacking down at those who are still in the water! When the folks still in the water see us there, they should see us dancing and hear the laughter, and long to come on board themselves! Not get near and then get smacked!

Once you’re on the boat, if you’ll stop shuffling around, dragging your chains, and stay still long enough to let Him, He’ll take the shackles off your feet—and off your heart too—so you can dance.

Christian meditation is a time for you to stop, a time to sit down and hold out your chains. And then He will set you free to dance your journey. He will set you free to relish the trip– free to be useful to others on board, and the ones still in the water, too.

It’s a link by link process, being set free, but we dance better every time another one breaks loose.

And as you get free, He’ll show you how to sail into the wind. To experience the beauty of the world you’re in, and trust in the adventure of the One you’re journeying to.

If you’re still in the water—take His hand and come on board.

But if you’re already on board, stop dragging those chains around. Be still for a bit, and let Him take the shackles off your feet so you can dance! And then join me for the party up on the prow.

I still trip and fall sometimes. But my chains are dropping too!

Dr. Deborah Kukal is a licensed psychologist who has been teaching meditation in a hospital setting for more than 15 years.

Dr. Kukal’s Christian meditation CDs will teach you to meditate, and support you in your meditation.

To learn more about meditation, and try a free guided Christian meditation, visit Dr. Kukal at her website, http://www.joyofchristianmeditation.com

Article Source: Christian Meditation—Set Free to Dance

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How to change your mood

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 10:12 pm

Here are some tips to help you change your mood.

1 Go for a brisk walk – get some endorphins (happy hormone) racing round your body. Feel your heart beat and breath quicken as you enjoy a good walk around the block. You will come back refreshed and ready to tackle your next task.

2 Change your environment – This can often help you shift your mood. If you are outside, come inside and vice versa. Try going to another room and having something different to look at. You may like to go to a park or library or sit in a coffee shop.

3 Close your eyes and imagine someone you love is looking at you and telling them how much they love you and how amazing you are and reminding you of all your great qualities.

4 Try a yoga – Practicing exercises that require your concentration as you balance, can help shift your mind. You could simply try standing on one leg with your arms in the air. Imagine that you are a tall tree, solid and strong and immovable. Standing up tall can also help you change your mood.

5 It’s hard depressed, sad, anxious, or in emotional pain. And while it can be healthy not to run away from our feelings, or to be able to feel and express them, it’s also healthy—and important—to not overwhelm ourselves, to not get so stuck in painful emotions that they overwhelm or oppress us, and to give ourselves a break.

6 Listen to some music that makes you feel better. Put your headphones on, close your eyes and take your mind away from your problems for a while and let the music soothe your feelings.
7 Become aware – notice what is around you as you sit or walk. Notice all the little things that you might normally miss.

8 Laugh out loud – Even if it is the last thing you feel like, try to laugh. It may feel strange, but try and practice giggling and laughing. Even if the laughter is not real, you can trick yourself into feeling better.

9 Watch a comedy – If you have sometime, watch a funny movie or sitcom on TV. Limit yourself, so you don’t end up spending the day in front of the box, but make sure you do something physical as well.

10 Write down all your thoughts and feelings – It often helps to write down how you feel. Spend some time writing and drawing and doodling yourself to a better mood.

11 Talk about your feelings – Is there a friend, teacher or close relative that you can talk to? Never be afraid to talk about your feelings. Don’t be ashamed of your feelings. Talking about it could help you feel much better.

12 Visualise yourself in a beautiful environment – Close your eyes and imagine you are in a forest, by the sea or in the countryside. Feel as if you are there and let your body relax in this beautiful setting.

13 Breathe it away – Take in a deep breath and as you breathe out, breathe the negative feeling away. Practice this for a couple of minutes and notice the effect it has on you.

14 Smell some flowers – Some smells can have a powerful impact on our mood. What smells do you love. Take a deep breathe smelling your favourite smell.

15 Listen to How do you feel today? – However you are feeling, there will be some great exercises to help change your mood

http://www.relaxkids.com/library/article.aspx?number=15

Article Source: How to change your mood

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