The Mary Christopher Podcast

Planting Seeds ~ Inner Peace Guided Meditation for Sunday July 21 2024

Inner Peace Guided Meditation ~ 7 pm PDT, 8 pm MDT, 9 pm CDT, 10 pm EDT
This weekend I volunteered at a Center for homeless families.  These are usually Moms with 2 or 3 children.  The Moms work full-time and are responsible people.  Due to the high cost of rentals or owning a home, these families are sometimes without housing.  They usually stay at the center for 2 to 3 months and have help finding an apartment or a home. Local churches provide dinner 7 days a week and usually stay and eat with everyone. 
Friday evening I was sitting with 3 ladies from a church down the road.  We started talking about community gardens and family gardens.  We all had family gardens growing up.  We learned early that if you plant a specific seed in good soil and take care of it, you can expect to harvest tomatoes, or peppers, or eggplant, or herbs, depending on the kind of seed you sow.  We had a great time remembering the fresh vegetables we grew and ate growing up.
We also talked about how we felt "service" in our community was like sowing seeds and setting good patterns as well as cooking and serving dinners.  So, that got me thinking about how our thoughts, especially our habitual thoughts and trains of thought are like sowing seeds in our Brain.  We know that our habitual thinking creates neurological patterns.  We also know we can generate Endorphins or stress hormones like Cortisol by thought alone. 
I liked the idea of consciously "planting seeds" in my Mind and Brain.  It seemed to simplify the whole process and remove any aspect of good or bad.  I was also aware of what a delightful and fun conversation we had just by talking about gardens, and sowing seeds, and harvesting fresh herbs and vegetables. 
Seems like such a simple and down-to-earth way to practice mindfulness.
Thank You for showing up and for all the good work you do every day.
Have a Wonderful Week and,
Remember to Breathe ... Mary Christopher
 
 
 

The Amazing Blessings of Pollinators ~ Creation Sustains Us All the Time

Remembering to Breathe in the Blessings of Creation every day ... !!!
Mary Christopher

Inner Peace Guided Meditation ~ Finding our way beyond Chaos! July 14 2024

I have noticed over the past few months that many people, including me, sometimes make decisions based on avoiding "Chaos"!  I have also noticed that these decisions do not always create a pathway around Chaos.Maybe we could use our energy and our time a little better if we focused on coherent frequencies such as those in our Heart or those in the alpha and theta brain wave category while making decisions.  We know we can use our breath in specific ways to slow our heart rate and calm our nervous system. We have scientific studies showing how simple breathing techniques can shift our mood, even shift our perception of "reality"!  This is one of the main reasons that I begin our guided Inner Peace Meditation with conscious breathing.Speaking about the value of shifting our perception, I just finished a delightful Young Adult fiction work by Rick Riordan, titled "The Serpent's Shadow"!  Very exciting and well-written, Rick describes the adventures of a teen-age sister and brother.  They are fighting a giant Serpent from Egyptian mythology to stop the forces of Chaos from taking over the World.   I could tell my perception of our current "disorderly world" shifted from being super, super serious to being calmer and "enlightened". There was plenty of fighting with demons and demigods and strange creatures.  However, at critical moments, the heroines and heroes would step away from the frenzy of battle, find the Great Inner Calm, and carry on the battle from there.  Great example, I thought !!!  (They always won, of course!)Thank You for showing up and staying on our Quest for Greater Inner Peace within and in the world.  Trust you are doing well and taking good care of yourself.Have a Wonderful Week and Remember to Breathe ...Mary Christopher

What Do Trees Do All Day ??? Creation Care Podcast for Tuesday July 9 2024

Did you know the root system of trees is the most important part of the Tree?  Roots “grow” underground, spreading away from the tree trunk.  Most root systems tend to be shallow and may spread 25 to 35 feet out from the base of its tree.
This podcast is all about Tree Root systems, how they work, and what they do !!!
"If we want to understand the Creator, we can study Creation!"
Mary Christopher

Remembering to Listen Deeply in a Crazy World ~ Inner Peace Guided Meditation July 7 2027

Did you notice the world just got more chaotic and a bit crazier this week?
I am sure you did.  And, you may be finding it more difficult to think clearly, understand your feelings, or even meditate. 
The main reason is that chaos in the "outer world" can throw our Brain function into a form of panic.  Technically this means that our brain waves may be fluctuating in what is known as high or medium-high frequencies. 
When our brain waves look more like static, we are usually in a state of survival.  We may believe that the sky is falling.  We may feel light-headed.  In extreme cases, people may feel they are having a "heart attack".
So, what can we do about these chaotic frequencies ... ???
One thing for sure we can is to breathe slowly and deeply.  We can also take a walk outside in Sunshine and fresh air.  Creation is usually much more coherent than our brain!  When we are feeling calmer, we can sit in our favorite place and breathe our way back into our special place of Inner Peace.
Deep within is where we find Peace and Calm.  We can get there.  When we get to that place, we have shifted out of high beta, and are moving into more coherent frequencies.  When we are in low beta or alpha brain waves, we are more relaxed and can function much better in our crazy world.
Then we are saner and safer.  And, we are a Blessing to ourselves and others!
Thank You for showing up and for all the good you are doing every day. 
Take Good Care of Yourself, and
Remember to Breathe
Mary Christopher

What Do Our Lungs Need .... ? Summer Podcast for July 2 2024

What does our Heart need?  What does our Brain need?  What do our Blood cells need?  All these cells need Oxygen to work happily and efficiently.  We know we need O2 and we know that it needs to circulate to every cell in our bodies for us to be happy, and healthy, and resilient.
The Happiness part is more important than we realize.  Oxygen fuels all of our cells and keeps our Heart and Brain functioning at optimum levels.  Why is this important?  Because if our Brain Cells are not getting enough O2, the Brain goes into its “distressed” mode and immediately begins signaling that “something is wrong”!  Or, signaling “danger, danger”!  This signaling can sometimes be triggered even when there isn’t any “danger”, just “cellular discomfort”.
In other words, if we are sitting most of the day, either deeply engaged with our laptop or telephone, we are not moving very much.  So, our circulation begins to gradually s-l-o-w down.  Our brain may begin to feel sluggish since there is less O2 circulating.  In addition, we will have a gradual build up of Carbon Dioxide in our whole system due to all systems slowing down.  We may begin to feel drowsy or disinterested in whatever we are doing.  Our attention may wander and we lose our ability to focus.
When you first notice these feelings, it is a good idea to get up and move around.  Even better, get up and move around outside!  Being out of doors can provide Sunshine and Fresh Air being produced by Trees and green plants!  Remember, human Beings are designed to move, even if it is just wiggling our fingers and toes!
As we know, Sunshine is an antidepressant as well as Fresh Air!  In Japan where they still have many forests, people practice Shinrin-yoku, also known as Forest Bathing.  Japanese scientists have done numerous studies and have established the many benefits of Forest Bathing.  Often office workers, teachers, and students will take a walk in the woods on their lunch break instead of going to get fast food or noodles!
We know we are made to move.  All we have to do is watch an action movie or a baseball game or try-outs for the Summer Olympics in Paris!  Young people and seasoned athletes are running faster, swimming longer faster, leaping higher and doing everything better every year.  This is amazing and wonderful to watch.
However, most of us are not aspiring for the Summer Olympics and may find ourselves sitting longer in front of our larger-than-life watching all these amazing athletes.  Maybe we should do more exercise now so we can enjoy sitting with the Olympics!
Unfortunately, our current “modern” society is structured to keep us sitting during the day.  We are either sitting for work, or sitting in a car or truck or bus.  And, sitting for entertainment.  We have gotten too used to sitting.
So, whenever you have the opportunity, or you are feeling bored, or just generally dis-satified with life, get up and move.  Seriously, clean the kitchen cabinets, the closet in the hall, or the neglected flower beds in front.  You will feel better.  All your systems will function better.  Your memory will probably respond faster.  And, you will be pleased with your accomplishments!
If you are not able to move around like you used to or you are recovering from an accident or surgery, then wiggle your fingers and your toes.  Wiggle your nose.  Then smile at your toes, your feet, your legs and knees.  Keep smiling at your tummy and all your internal organs, especially your wonderful Heart.  Remember to smile and appreciate your mouth and jaw, your nose, your eyes and ears and all the sensitivity of your skin.  Pat the top of your head and tell yourself, “Good Job” just for being on the planet.
Then take a few deep and slow breaths, feeling the air moving in and down into your lungs.  You will begin to feel better and your whole body will begin to function better.  All those system alarms related to a lack of O2 will begin to fade.  If you can find something to laugh about, even better!
It is warm outside, but if you can find a way to go out when it is cooler, you will find it is very pleasant and often calming.  Have a wonderful week as you find more ways to move, including your ears!

Inner Peace Guided Meditation for the Whole Wide World ~ Sunday June 30 2024

Finding Our Way Through the Maze ...
With certainty, I think we can say, “This world is a mess right now … “!  I doubt anyone connected to the “modern world” would dispute that! 
So, what do we do?
Well, we could do what Noah and his family did.  They built a better boat, loaded it up, and floated away when it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.  This Old Testament project was based on “divine intervention” and excellent note-taking on Noah’s part.
Probably a better option would be for us to light our candles, get comfortable, find our Inner Peace place within, and create a very coherent field of Light all around us.  One of my favorite sayings is “A rising tide lifts all boats”.  Together we can generate a “rising tide” that can move through and dissipate confusion and darkness.  We have been there and done that.  We know it works.
I also think “We are the ones we have been waiting for …”!  
See you this evening at 7 pm PDT, 8 pm MDT, 9 pm CDT, and 10 pm EDT.  
Thank You for showing up !!!
Mary Christopher

The Power of Gardening and Will Allen, Urban Farmer ~ June 25 2024

Did you know that People who garden are usually happier, healthier, and are often saving money at the grocery store !!!
So, how do we know that People who Garden are usually Happier, Healthier, and saving money?  Some of this is just common sense.  People who garden are usually more physically active.  They are outside more, soaking up Sunshine and breathing fresh air.  We know that Sunshine can easily be an antidepressant.
Gardeners tend to be problem solvers and are more engaged with gardening friends and neighbors who are then blessed with fresh produce.  We know that people who are active and engaged with other people are usually more cheerful and less prone to depression.
A good example is Will Allen, the original urban farmer.  Some people consider him the “modern” George Washington Carver.  After Will retired from professional basketball and a corporate job, he became the director of Growing Power, an urban gardening project in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  He developed this project by getting neighborhood young people involved with gardening.  At first, they were just curious about this “crazy guy” who was trying to grow vegetables in the city.  Then they started helping.
As their efforts at gardening began to pay off, these young people started taking their produce home.  And, here is the best part … if they grew it, they would eat it!  They were eating vegetables that they would not even touch before! 
Amazing … !!! 
And, their families were getting healthy food even living in or near an urban “food desert”!  Not only that, these young people were showing up to work in the garden every day rather than hanging out on the streets being bored and getting into trouble!
So ... gardening is good in so many ways and for so many reasons.  Give it a try even if it is only 1 or 2 pots of Tomatoes or Peppers.  You too can become a famous "famous" Urban Gardener in your neighborhood !!!
Have a Wonderful Week,
Mary Christopher