La Lady Luna Me Inspira

The feminine presence of the full moon, in all her glory, reminds us to flow with the tides of life. 

The moon holds her power safely within herself. She shines her light today and tomorrow will return again to darkness. She reflects the light of the sun and controls the great waters of the earth, she is authentic power made manifest. 

Her feminine presence births the rhythm we all live and die by. She moves us, simply by being herself- unapologetically and without reservation.

Relax into the rhythm of the breath and allow all things, people, events, thoughts and situations to be as they are now- without trying to change or manipulate them in any way. 

It is safe to be powerful, like the moon, to be birthed anew with each cycle of life. She teaches us not to fear the darkness since we too have the power to reflect the Light of the Son in this world. 
Shine on.

Have Faith

The energy of gratitude can lift One up from any situation. When we feel grateful before healing occurs, our faith is revealed. 

Faith is the energy that allows for more to come into life; more love, more joy, more health, more peace, more friendship. Even if only a little faith is possible, the act of feeling grateful can open the heart, and in this vibrational frequency, healing can occur. 

Life gives us the divine gift to practice being grateful in our darkest hours so that we may become faithful. Being faithful in life is the ability to give thanks and trust that any obstacles that arise in life are divine encounters here to show us the way to our truth and light. Being faithful is trusting that we are being led in the right direction and that our highest truth will be given to us if and when we are an energetic match to it. 

So, breathe into the pain now, and be grateful for your healing because NOW is the time to have faith. 

Here comes the sun

www.teacherjenniferan.com

Today I am contemplating an idea presented by some of the most successful people to have ever lived; Eleanor Roosevelt said, "You must do the thing you think you cannot do." and Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Always do what you're afraid to do."

I have recently started reaching out to some of the most inspiring people I know, people that are sharing messages of love, peace, unity and purpose. It has been a dream come true to have the opportunity to interview people I have known and admired for so many years but it requires me to step outside of my comfort zone. I want to create a platform for people who desire to learn and apply natural health principles and meditation to their own lives but speaking in public is a very difficult thing for me to do. Each teacher, doctor and mentor I interview on my podcast presents me with the opportunity to 'feel the fear and do it anyway'.

Growth is not comfortable, but it is necessary. Where in life have you not been willing to grow because of feelings of fear or discomfort? Make the choice today to take one step in the direction of your dreams and conquer your fears so you can live the life of your dreams.

What I've learned from Denise Iwaniw

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Yesterday I had the opportunity to interview Denise Iwaniw on Organic Living's podcast. I was so nervous and excited to talk to someone I've admired and learned from for so many years; it was truly a dream come true. The best part about talking with Denise, is that she's so comfortable in who she is and the message she has to share, that she is able to hold a space for understanding and healing to occur naturally in her presence. I was honored that she took time out of her day to pull cards with me and talk about ancient knowledge and the practical application of these truths for everyday people. 

I asked her about her own practice and what she does when she's confronted with uncomfortable emotions, difficult life events and vices; her answer was simple, "be quiet". We, as a society, often get caught up in the noise of the world and have been taught to numb the pain we feel with distractions. Denise suggests we also have the option to spend time in nature, ask for guidance from a higher power and be still enough to listen. Our connection with Mother Earth is like a reset button for mind, body and spirit and when we make the choice to breathe and surrender to this moment, we're inviting divine wisdom and messages to show up in our lives. 

The pain we feel is often a call for growth and we'll need to let go of what no longer serves us before we can move forward and grow. The seed in the soil, that she referred to in the podcast, already has within it everything it needs to grow and break free of the darkness. Is this not then true for humanity as well? When we stop frantically searching for something to numb the pain and escape the darkness, we might then realize the great potential for growth that is here for us, and the darkness, in fact, provides the perfect environment for us to grow and reach the light.

I am so grateful for all the wisdom Denise has shared, and I hope this has also encouraged you to look within and find refuge in Mother Earth the next time you're in pain and are asked to grow. 

Love & light, Jennifer An

How to save a life

Have you ever experienced kindness from a stranger, no strings attached, nothing expected or hoped for in return; simply kindness for the sake of kindness?

I had this experience recently when I met a young woman outside a tea shop downtown Chattanooga; we talked for a few minutes and exchanged numbers. On my way to Michigan she invited me to coffee and she had put together a travel bag with essentials for my trip to India in it. She wrote a letter to explain what was in the package and included a bracelet to pass on to another traveler after I returned.

I barely knew her but she touched my life and my heart in a way that she will never know. My perspective of love has been very limited, I believe in conditional love and kindness, the type I have to earn. This brief encounter encouraged me to reevaluate my beliefs; she gently reminded me of all the love available in this world and that I am not alone.

Be kind today, a smile could be all it takes to save a life.

When life gives you lemons, laugh!

www.teacherjenniferan.com

One of my favorite things about traveling is the people I meet along the way. One evening in Shi'an, Emily and I decided to spend our evening in the hostel and it was there I met our roommate Matt from England. He was going through what he called a "mid-life crisis" so he was spending a month in China to "find himself".

I remember feeling his hurt and sadness but also feeling excited for him and the opportunity he had to redefine who he was and create the life he truly wanted. His pain was forcing him to step outside of his normal routine, look inside himself and consciously decide what he desired to do and create in life. 

Some people think Laughter Yoga is a way of escaping life or pretending the pain isn't there, but it's not. Life happens, the human experience itself implies pain, loss and suffering but how we choose respond to each situation is where our freedom lies. The body doesn't know the difference between "real" and "fake" laughter, by choosing to laugh, you're making a conscious choice to rewire neural pathways and release "feel good" chemicals in the body. You are actually able to create an environment in the body conducive to healing by making the decision to laugh despite outer circumstances. 

One simple step to happiness

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How do you remember to be present in even the most mundane moments of life? Last night I went to bed and wondered where the day had gone. 

Children and pets are the best at living in the moment and milking the most out of life. My dog, for example, takes a great big down-dog yoga stretch each time she gets up, and she does it with joy. 

Imagine doing this yourself. Each time you get up from sitting or lying down, the first thing you do is take a big stretch and a long, deep breath with a smile on your face. 

How would your life change from this simple exercise? 

How much more comfortable would it be living in your body and how much more enjoyable?

Stretch. Breathe. Live.