Synchrohearts... A Game for Loving Partners

Hi and welcome (back).

If you are in a significant relationship and looking for new and unique, little ways to nurture the depth of your connection together, I've been made aware of a new tool to tell you all about.

Richard and I were gifted with a lovely board game for Christmas, called “Synchrohearts” ... have you heard of it? We hadn't, and so felt grateful for the gift. Here's what the description of the game is from the backside of the box says about it...

"Synchrohearts is a fun new game about love that can help improve relationships. It is a unique game for just you and your partner to play together. A fun and exciting journey for two, where your love becomes one as you travel along the heart-shaped path!

More intimacy, lots of laughs, hugs and kisses, messages from your partner, who knew a game about love could be so much fun!

It takes less than 1 hour to play and we've included some blank cards for you to customize the game for your own relationship.

Why should you get it?
Well if you are like most people, your relationship could always use some tender loving care. If you feel you are drifting apart, Syncrohearts can help bring you closer together. If your relationship is very loving now, this game can help keep it that way - all relationships change over time. If you are thinking about entering into a new relationship with someone, playing this game would be a great way to "test the waters" before getting too wet! "

Richard and I have played it and really enjoyed it. As the description said, this game is designed to be played with just you and your loving partner and is all about deepening intimacy... and it really works!

There are 4 decks of "Special" game cards, entitled;

1. Hot Stuff


2. Couple


3. Insights


4. 4 Fun!

And to give you a little taste of what type of messages are on the cards, here are three examples...

"How often do we use the "quick kiss" to say goodbye to our partners? A common practice in the morning is to plant a quick kiss on our partner before rushing out the door. For the next 7 days every time you kiss your partner, you have to make it last for at least 7 seconds." (Nice, hey!)

"Congratulations, you have won a Spa Day at home! Choose a "relaxing" day within the next 30 days and let your partner pamper you. You get to pick the services such as a massage, foot soak and rub, or a personal grooming service. Remember, a more relaxed partner is a more loving partner!"

"Sit facing each other holding hands and with your knees touching. Look into each other's eyes and without verbally saying anything, send a thought to your partner that they are beautiful and that you love them. Try this non-verbal love communication once per day for the next 7 days."

By the end of our first evening of playing Synchrohearts, both of us felt it had contributed nicely to us being more snuggly, touchy and closer… it was fun, too.

Here's their website, in case you're not able to find it in your community...

http://www.synchrohearts.com/ You can even buy it online.

If your relationship is important to you, invest in finding ways to keep it ever-increasingly alive. Synchrohearts might be a good tool for you, too.

Richard is even recommending it to his counselling clients who are in relationships!

(Thanks Donna-Lynne for this great gift.)

Warmly, Carolyn and Richard, too

George Carlin's Message for Life

This is an important message that I am excited to share with you... which speaks about the current human condition and the task at hand for every individual on this planet today. Have a slow read, then share it around!

A Message by George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less.

We buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak!

And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Quotation by George Carlin

What Does Love Mean to You?

Happy Valentine's Day!

To love and be loved is probably the core desire for every human. Why then, do so many people have such a hard time expressing love and many others not able to receive it?

Our pasts contribute so much to this issue, depending on whether we were shown unconditional love as little children, or denied love for whatever the reason. Some people that were deprived of love become unable to express it unless they are shown love first. How ironic is it that unless we can show love to others, there lacks a flow and so love doesn’t come back, creating a sad cycle of not-knowing-love by not-showing-love!

Some people feel unworthy of love because they don’t love themselves, waiting to accept love only after they have a better self-image. Others are suspicious that displays of affection have sexual intent behind it and hold back for that reason.

How has your past contributed to your ability to express and receive love?

Are you happy with the way that you are able to experience love?

These following distinctions of love may help uncover some information for you.
The Greeks have separate words to express three kinds of love – Eros, Phileo and Agape.

EROS!
This love gets expressed through our sexuality and intimate passion! It is a deep and universal love, but is only displayed in our union with another through sensuality. Eros typically evokes possessiveness. (Valentine’s Day primarily addresses the Eros in relationships!)

PHILEO!
A warm, brotherly type of love, nurturing deep affection for another person, such as a true friend, sibling or a child. Phileo can also extend to loving our community of neighbors, to animals and even a love of wisdom (as in philosophy) and love of man (as in philanthropy).
(It’s fun to acknowledge your Phileo friends on Valentine’s, too!)

AGAPE!
Spiritual love, flowing through all of life and free of emotional and personal entanglements. Expressed through human relationships, it reveals mutual understanding, deep respect, cooperation and high esteem. This universal love grows peace and well-being, eventually transforming into bliss and passing all understanding.

Take this opportunity to ask yourself about your own experience of love in your life.

¤ How well do you know the Eros in your life? Are you as fully expressed as possible?
¤ Who are the Phileo relationships in your daily world?

¤ Do you know the Agape kind of love?

May you know each level of love in as fully expressed ways as possible!

Open your heart and open your arms and get ready to receive that which is inherently yours to have… you deserve it! Valentine's Day is a perfect time to stretch our love. I hug you!


Warmly, Carolyn

Inner Fitness(R) Programs

www.innerfitness.ca

Sawyer Brown's Message About Compassion

Music has a powerful way of moving hearts and souls!

When I came across this video clip and had a listen throughout Sawyer Brown’s song, entitled “They Don’t Understand,” I knew I had to share it with you. What he sings about in the song reflects in ALL of our lives… love and loss, and the lack of tolerance by so many people in our fast-moving world today.

The use of the rushing river and emotional images helps this song to be powerful in imagery, and the words make it a healing song, too. Watch this touching 4:15 minute video clip, listen carefully to each of the words, and ask yourself how you respond when faced with similar situations… crying babies and slow drivers, etc.

Though the last part of the song has an overt message of spirituality in it, I urge you to do as I did... take the greater message of having loving compassion for all persons. Isn't that what spirit is all about, anyways.

I believe that if all of us were to slow down somewhat in our lives, heighten our compassion and consider the drama-filled life stories that others around us are enduring in their lives… we’d create an entirely more loving world to live in.

Thanks to Sawyer Brown for reminding us of this important message. Click on this link to view;

http://www.yallwire.com/player/sawyerbrowntheydontunderstand.html?truveo=y

Warmly, Carolyn

Inner Fitness(R) Programs

http://www.innerfitness.ca/

Perspective Is Everything

Hello again,
I don't know about you but I am really pleased to be a few days into the New Year and realigned with my usual life and work routine!

Sure, the holidays were lovely and the break much needed but there's only so long before I feel the tug of interests and responsibilities pulling at my attention again. With an optimistic outlook and a feeling of possibilities ahead for the year, I'm approaching my tasks and projects in an upbeat way.

Perspective! SO much comes down to perspective, I realize... it's amazing how the laws of the universe work their magic. I received this quote yesterday and have to share it with you. It is written by Ron Rathbun, who writes much profound material... have a read...

"We are all contained within our own mental boundaries, each according to our own individual awareness. Many people live bound by the world outside them because they know not of an inside world. In order to bring a sense of stability into their lives, people cling to the outside world to control how they feel. They try to give to themselves a sense of love and well-being, and yet it is largely beyond their control because their love is based outside them."

There are times when I tire myself needlessly with what I do in my head... always times that I'm too outwardly focussed and out of touch with my heart.

But, when I turn inward again and recall what is truly important in life, reconnect with heart, reconnect with spirit... then I am inspired and move towards great things.

I hope your few days of this New Year are off to a good start for you, too.

Warmly, Carolyn
Inner Fitness(R) Programs
www.innerfitness.ca

Christmas... A Time For Love

Happy sigh...

All of the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations have been completed and it is now time to relax into the real joy of the holidays. For me, that means meeting with the special people that mean the most, our beloved friends and family members I haven't seen in almost a year. The gifting that tends to gets so much focus during this time of year is but a mere token of love's expression... it is the gathering and visiting and catching up that is the important part.

Richard and I celebrated our 26th anniversary yesterday, choosing to marry all those years ago on the first day after the winter solstice because it represents a time of the return of light. We are so blessed to know the depth of love and friendship that we share together. Romance continues to be alive in our hearts and in our actions and I count my blessings every day.

Whatever your plans this holiday, may you too be touched by the essence of love, inspired to meet with those people that mean the very most to you. Richard and I wish you and your loved ones a special time of gentle renewal, heartfelt conversations and celebrations to infuse potential into the coming New Year.

I'll talk to you again after the holidays... blessings to you.

Warmly, Carolyn and Richard
Inner Fitness(R) Programs
www.innerfitness.ca

Changing Your World Changes THE World

How powerfully true this statement is!

“Most people focus on DOING things as the way to make a difference. What they don't realize is that the most powerful way to make a difference doesn't require you to actually do anything at all!
You start by changing YOUR world;
You end up changing THE world."
Quote by Aman Motwane

This is yet another reminder of the difference between doing vs. Being.

Quantity vs. quality.

Inner vs. outer.

Doing things for people can be a thoughtful expression of our kindness, but it is not the act that endears us, it is the heart sentiment, the generosity behind our action that is appreciated and acknowledged.

Instead, when we are being truly authentic with others, this is the greatest gift we can give and the best way each of us can contribute to changing the world.

(C)2006, Photograph by Carolyn J. Clarke, all rights reserved

Become a shining example of consciousness, sensitivity, love and positivity. As more of us work on growing and becoming a better person then share our unique gifts with others around us, we send the big message out that, "The world is indeed a beautiful place."

We all have the potential to be this conscious, sensitive, loving and positive. As we commit to growing and changing, we grasp new learnings in a richly expressive way, put them into "Being" action in our daily life and reap the benefits for ourselves. But be assured, those around us will be watching quietly from the sidelines, observing our changes and will become naturally curious about what we are doing to grow.

I suggest that you keep your learnings quiet to yourself initially, but become a shining example of goodness and positivity... and people around you will stand up and take notice. They will want whatever it is that you have learned. They will become hungry for whatever it is that feeds you.

And at this point, we have the greatest opportunity to help others grow... when we are Being our true self with no NEED to do anything but BE a shining example. We touch people when we are real.

If more people would work to become more authentic within themselves first then share it outwardly, the world would heal. This is the true meaning of being a teacher.



Warmly, Carolyn
your Personal Change Consultant
Inner Fitness(R) Programs
www.innerfitness.ca