Nurses Moving Forward

Innovation with Heart

Way of Horse

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The Way of the Horse

Restoring Compassion, Renewal and Well-Being
through the Healing Archetype of the Feminine
Horses evoke the qualities of strength, power,
grace, beauty and freedom. They are also
powerful mirrors for what lies deep within our
bodies—the unfinished emotions of fear,
rejection, abuse, loss and grief. They are
windows to our soul. Through the Tibetan
practice of WindHorse, art making, the Tonglen
prayer- practice of giving and receiving,
contemplative practices, and actually going into
the field with horses, we will journey to the
heart to find what has true heart and meaning
at this point in our lives.

Come to relax, breathe,
spend time in nature, find time for yourself and
receive a Reiki healing blessing.

When: February 22, 2018, 9am to 4 pm
Where: Bennett Peak Ranch, Santa Rosa, CA
Fee: $125.00 which includes A personalized
Healing Tool Kit including Ho’ola Essential Oils, a
simple breakfast, coffee, tea, juice and lunch and
time with horses.

Embedded in our bodies as deep as our DNA, are
the wounds of our ancestors. We are the ones
forecasted to take humanity forward into our
wholeness by re-claiming the qualities of the
feminine: cooperation, respect, trust, emotions,
intuition, creativity and innovation.

To Register: Contact Gayle @ gswift@sonic.net

Referred by: Nurses Moving Forward

Singing for the Health of It

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Singing for Health

Can singing be good for your health? Is deep breathing good for your health? Is expressing emotions? How about using postural an abdominal muscles? It is possible. Vibrational stimulation of the sinuses and chest is good. Oxygen is good for you. Relaxing the throat and opening the heart area can be cathartic, release stress and probably even stimulate endorphins.

But you probably are thinking that you cannot sing. We’re not talking about being a hit singer, but rather making your speaking voice a bit more creative and musical sounding. Even if you can’t sing you likely tap your feet to music, hum while you work or serenade yourself in the shower, so in some way you are already on your way!

Learn How to Sing

Here are five singing tips:

  • warm up
  • exercise voice daily
  • breathe
  • open your throat
  • sing with confidence

An internet search reveals many more tips that you may find helpful. There are even fantastic teaching videos!

For instance,  voice finder Felicia Ricci, suggests ways to find your singing voice:

  • pay attention to your own voice when talking- breathy, soft, throaty, assertive – all natural variations to your voice that you will feel in different parts of your head, throat, face and mouth
  • Listen to and imitate singers you like
  • Make vocal sounds like wining and complaining – feel the nasal sensations, this is called “mask resonance”
  • Sing in the mask – now musically speak works as
  • Monkey Hoot whoo whoo a ah AAH A AAAAAH – she assures that this helps with your throat muscles used for singing.

Here are 5 examples of concepts to search for when interested in improving your singing voice. Theses are all teaching videos by Eric Arceneaux.

It may be hard to imagine that lip rolls, buzzing and humming will help you sing better. But look at these teaching videos that teach you to sing using those techniques and more.

How To Sing Better in Five Minutes

How to Sing Better for Girls

How to Sing Well for Men

Did you know that you can learn to control your vocal cord position? If you do it will help you sing higher notes!

How to Sing Really High

More Singing Tips and Exercises

Breath Support Exercises >>>
Open up your voice >>>

Consider Voice Lessons

Learning to use your voice correctly can provide some of the same potential benefits as signing. The two are very closely related. In fact voice lessons may be more approachable for you. Learning to use your voice for improved vocal expression is helpful for speaking and conversation but it may also help ease you into singing.   A potential way to benefit similarly is to have lessons with a voice coach. Nowadays you can take private signing lessons while in your home! You may find a coach singing coach that travels. But you will certainly find one to coach you online or by phone.

If you want lesson from a private voice coach without leaving the comfort of your home try Superior Singing Method by Aaron Anastasi >>>

Or, consider this voice coach, who I found to be very generous and talented Randy Hames. He will call you directly if you request information on his website.

Singing for the Health of It

A discreet way to get some toning health benefits is to hum.  Do this now, to yourself. Feel the vibrations though out your chest You may cough afterwards. That is ok. The back pressure can inflate the deeper parts of your lungs that you do not exercise vey much. Or perhaps you just need to drink water to wet your throat. Be sure to sit up straight and deeply breathe to prepare yourself to hum or sing. You can practice singing in your car to your favorite songs. Whenever you find the right moment…and it may be spontaneous, just go with it!

When you are really ready to liberate yourself, try karaoke! Start by singing with a karaoke video found online. Next try it  or with a group at a party or local hangout. No doubt, you will enjoy the laughter and fun that goes along with it.

When you do get up an sing before a fun crowd of fellow karaoke singers, you may be in for a surprise.  Afterwards, you may feel like something released within. Like you have been freed from something. Because you conquered a fear, you are different. Enjoy and embrace the experience so that you will know yourself in this way. When ever you need courage, just remember your courageous accomplishment and feel the experience again.

Sing Your Song for the Health of It

As Helen Reddy sang, “Sing, sing a song.  Make it simple to last your whole life long. Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing. Sing a son.!” A bit like laughter, singing can be good for your health both emotionally and physiologically. So sing for the health of it!

Finding Focus for Your Life

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What is Your Focus

What is your focus?.  Where do you place your mind and the power of your thoughts? Do you feel fulfilled or depleted by what your daily activity demands of your attention? Do you engage in concentrated work or multitask?  The object of your focus and strength of focus can be related to your overall state of health.

Focus on Age

Focusing you attention is a valuable skill.  Have you ever wondered why in college you could study while listening to music but now you need quiet to concentrate or read? You might have guessed that our ability to focus declines with age.

But you don’t have to be over-the-hill to notice a difference. In fact, according to a study at Simon Frazer University in British Columbia, the processing speed of our brains begins to decline at an earlier age, about 24. Along with this processing decline comes a a reduced ability to mange disruptions and switch from one task or focus to another. (see, multi-tasking can make you less productive!)

In the Focus Zone

The ability to perform deep work, without losing focus, even amidst distractions is a skill of great value for the future.  The distracting world we live in with beeps and buzzes, chirps and jingles, music and motion is likely to demand more of our attention as technology expands into more areas of our lives. In contrast, engaging in a cognitively demanding task can be more satisfying than jumping from task to task such as answering the phone and doing emails, according to Cal Newport a computer science professor at Georgetown University and author of Deep Work.  People seem happier when they are engaged in sustained focus. This used to be called “in the zone”. Likewise, Newport says, “A life defined by fragmented attention can produce exhaustion and anxiety.”

Focus on Health

It is a possibility that constantly taking in small bits of information at a time can make it harder to consume large pieces of information. With the prospects of an even more distracting future quite high, it is up to you to be aware of your lifestyle, environment and what you do with your attention. You might consider living a bit more analog.

What goes up must come down according to an age old adage. After the expansive growth of rock, metal, industrial, rap and other electric music, the concept of “unplugged’ acoustic music rose in popularity. After to boom of cell phones and texts the concept of a vacation from technology became vogue. After generations of children becoming more engaged in techno gadgets and devices, Silicon Valley mothers began raising their children low tech. This trend continues as Silicon Valley parents now say, The Future Is Experiences First, Screens Second. Even Bill Gates and Steve Jobs raised their children tech-free.

Focus on You

Because the ability to maintain focus declines with age, you may wonder if there is something you can do to keep your mind in shape.  There is good news for folks currently in their 50’s and 60’s. In general they are motivated to keep their brains working well and staying focused. For most of their lives they engaged in deep focus and they can regain their ability to focus quicker than those who are younger and grew up in environments with constant distraction. This is good news for those who want to keep on working in a business world that can be age sensitive.

Improve Your Focus

There are six suggestions that an article in the December 2017 AARP Bulletin provides.

  1. Read a novel– According to a study at Emory University in Atlanta, the MRI scans of subject who read at night, reavealed increased connectivity in the language area of the brain. These changes persisted for 5 days after completing the book!
  2. Play an instrument or meditate or write uninterrupted for 30 minutes –According to Harvard professor Joe DeGutis, “Focusing on a single, complex task improves your ability to focus on other tasks.” Making this a habit can help you get into a “relaxed focused state for other activities.”
  3. 3. Work in the morning –Participants age 60-82 performed better in the morning than afternoon, according to a study at Rotman Research Institute.
  4.  Learn a language –Bilingual speakers are able to maintain focus and attention than monolinguals, according to research at University of Birmingham in England
  5. Chew gum — A test of randomly recalled numbers revealed that those who chewed gum responded more quickly and accurately than tose who did not chew gum, according to a study in Cardiff University in Wales.
  6. Volunteer –In a volunteer program where older adults mentored children, age-related brain shrinkage stopped and in fact some brains grew slightly according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research.

 

Join the American Eclipse Meditation

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The Shift Network Eclipse Meditation

 

Join the Eclipse Meditation

With 7 million people traveling to the “zone of totality” and almost 200 million Americans able to see a partial eclipse, the Great American Eclipse will be a massive event for our country.

It’s the ONLY total eclipse to cross our whole country and no other since our nation began!

We see this as a golden opportunity to reconnect with our deeper values and commit to healing, uplifting and unifying our country.

That’s why we’re launching a special American Evolution Eclipse Meditation program on Monday.

We’re inviting people to gather outdoors in community circles for the entire time the eclipse is underway.

RSVP here 
to participate in the American Evolution Eclipse Meditation, August 21, 2017

Our intention is to use this time to connect with our founding ideals, heal our divides, and move forward with positive actions in service to creating an upgrade to American democracy.

Before the total eclipse makes landfall, we begin at 9:04 am Pacific with an 80-minute program featuring inspiring leaders including Marianne Williamson, Grandmother Mona Polacca, Stephen Dinan, Sandra Ingerman, Oscar Miro-Quesada, Rev. Sylvia Sumter, and Andrew Harvey.

They will help you to attune to the deeper potential in this moment, amplify your positive intentions, and understand the eclipse from a higher perspective.

You can then engage in prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices with friends and neighbors to create a spirit of new possibility, closing with gratitude and commitments to action.

Almost every culture ascribes symbolic meaning to solar eclipses, ranging from fearsome breakdowns to unexpected breakthroughs.

We invite you to join with us to use this unique opportunity to support an upgrade of our democracy through small circles of concerned citizens.  And if you live in another country, we invite you to join in solidarity and pray for the upliftment of the United States.

RSVP here to participate: American Evolution Eclipse Meditation, August 21, 2017.

And please do spread the word widely!

PS – We particularly encourage circles that mix people of different races, religions, and political orientations as a fulfillment of our motto, E Pluribus Unum. If you gather in a park, we encourage you to place a sign out to welcome anyone who may pass by so they know what you are doing and that they are welcome.

Together, we can make America a shining example for the world and create an American Evolution to build on the American Revolution!

RSVP here   to participate: American Evolution Eclipse Meditation, August 21, 2017.

5 Ways to Boost your Hospitality Business Reviews

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Boost the Reviews for your Hospitality Business through Reviews

What is a Review?

A review for your hospitality business  is advertising, evaluation and feedback. Reviews are written by hosts based on a stay that a guest had in your hosted space. Some membership platforms for hosting, such as AirBnB, also allow the host to review the guest.

Importance of Reviews for Your Hospitality Business

Reviews are your reputation. They are very helpful to other potential guests to choose a place to stay and help build rapport with you as a host.

Guest reviews are a way to build character and trust so a host can feel comfortable with the guest being in their home.

 

How to Improve your Reviews for your Hospitality Business

  1. Communication
    1. Clear listing description
    2. Accurate photos
    3. Prompt response to inquiries, bookings &
  2. Responsiveness
    1. Respond to inquiries and bookings promptly, courteously and to the guests understanding
    2. While guest is in your space, also respond to requests and assist when appropriate
    3. Provide local information for stores, restaurants, gas, laundry, entertainment
  3. Cleanliness
    1. Even though it is your home, cleanliness is imperative. Wash linens with antibacterial
    2. Drying at appropriate temperatures can be more important according to TIME magazine.
    3. Consider covering all bedding with protective cases that keep out bed bugs and more.
  4. Thoughtfulness
    1. Be helpful to your potential guests who make inquiries, for many people, it is their first time using online booking
    2. Be patient and answer questions clearly – this will save you and the guest from disappointments – you do not need the booking as much as you need to build good relationships
    3. Have helpful items on hand for those guests who forget a toothbrush or need a cotton ball.
  5. Experiential
    1. Simple and practical is always good, especially for business guests.
    2. Home-like, comfort, cozy are always a favorite for folks away from home.
    3. Unique decor, setting, provisions or add on event like guitar lessons.

It is important for you to listen to your guests. Their comfort and safety is important. Providing a clean, reliable space for people to stay is foundational. These basic things will win you good reviews for your hospitality business.

Want to start you own home – based hospitality business?*  Sign up here >>>

Read More >>>

*There is no guarantee of income or bookings and anyone who decides to participate in this hospitality business, does so by their own choice, solely at their own risk, agreeing to hold harmless NMF, any founders, associates, employees, sells, assigns, heirs, etc-  holding only them self responsible/liable for any success or lack of and resulting benefits or damages.

 

The Story of Nurses Moving Forward

Sparked by a conversation between a diversely seasoned nurse and a nursing student that lead to more exciting chatter with other nursing students and colleagues. Then the realization that many nurses were asking the same questions:

  • ~ Why aren’t there any jobs?
  • ~ What’s happening in nursing?
  • ~ What can I do if I can’t get two (recent) years med-surg experience first?
  • ~ Not working as a nurse for 5 years negates my prior 15 active years, so I am not a nurse any more?
  • ~ Don’t we need more nurses?

The exploration and research that followed, lead to The Big Question!

“WHAT’S GOING ON IN NURSING & WHY DON”T NURSES KNOW?“

Read More…

How ‘you’  can PARTICIPATE:

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