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A Journey into Thought & Spirit

5 Ways to Keep Your Ego in Check

1/28/2020

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As humanity progresses into 2020, there are many people awakening to the fact that ego is what has ruined much of mankind. From war to violence, when an unchecked ego and uncontrolled emotions unite, abrasive, abrupt and unpredictbale behaviors occur. 

As stated in the video below, the ego can be seen as "Edging God Out." When not controlled, we become our own gods and defies the law of nature and spiritual creations and laws from God, the Creator. 

The true essence of our spirit on planet earth to grow, evolve and learn how to give and receive love.
 Here are some thoughts to ponder on how to keep the ego in check. 

You Are Just "One Grain of Sand" on the Planet

Humans are like grains of sands. There are billions of us scattered around the world, and each of us are here for a mission. That mission may be to advance humanity, or to discover how to be a good parent in this life. In today's modern "me" culture, we have forgotten that we are in fact are dust or walking beings of chemistry. This has made us forget who we are and our fellow man. The world, other people and the planet's problems often times are much bigger than our own issues. 

Appreciate Those Who Helped You

Bees are fascinating creatures because they all work together to create the honey comb. Human life is no different where many people who have entered our lives have helped us get where we are today. Maybe it was a teacher, or a friend, or a colleague, somewhere in life, (a) human(s) has navigated us to our own success. Even the negative experiences in life are somehow blessings in disguise because they've guided you to heal, mend, triggered or forced you to grow in some way. 

No One is Better Than You

We live in a material world where people think that the rich and famous are "better" than the normal folk. Some people maybe more intelligent, be famous or have more money, but that by no means that anyone is better. The only way someone is "better" is in fact those who are blatantly evil, cruel, violent or abusive to other people. Those individuals are operating out of fear and in the insecurities of their ego. They require tons of soul development. 

Understand the Underlying Lesson

Abrupt changes are difficult in life. Whether you get fired from a job or dumped by your partner, it is common for people to want to fulfill their ego in many ways. Some of the most drastic and unexpected endings are some of the biggest and greatest lessons of the soul. Maybe there is a lesson to learn. Maybe life is making space for something better. Maybe God has a better plan for you, or pushing you out of your comfort zone. The ego wants all the answers. It wants to cry, "Why me?" The ego gets irritated, angry, frustrated and sometimes violent. 

Don't let your ego get the best of you. Self actualization during times of hardship is necessary to see the silver lining or the underlying message. 

Empathizing with Perceptions and Perspectives

The ego believes it is always right. This mindset lacks empathy and the ability to see, or perceive life from another person's shoes. We all have life experiences that shape our perceptions and perspectives. Just because you've never been through something doesn't give a person the ability to discredit another person's emotions, thoughts, feelings or experiences. You may not understand, but you can at least empathize with the person's life experiences. 

​Your way of doing things, or thinking, is not the only way. People don't know what they don't know. 

How do you keep your ego in check?

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Kale, Beet + Blood Orange Dressing Salad

1/22/2020

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Winter season is here, and what better way to eat fresh this chilly season  than with a winter-harvest salad. In the world of holistic nutrition, everything happens for a reason and a season. There is a reason why we crave dense, hearty, comfort foods in the winter and cool, refreshing and lighter foods in the summer. 

Although it is the season to consume more warm and cooked foods, it is still ideal to eat raw food to aide our digestive tract. I believe we need a combination of raw and cooked foods throughout every season. And this salad is ideal to consume raw foods that are harvested during the winter and cooler months. Enjoy! 

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Kale, Beet + Blood Orange Dressing Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2 large, 4 smaller salads

Salad Ingredients:
1 bunch kale, washed and chopped
1 bunch rainbow chard, washed and chopped
1 golden beet, grated
1 carrot (purple), grated
1/4 sunflower seeds

Dressing Ingredients: ** See Note
1/3 cup blood orange juice (1-2 blood oranges depending on the size)
1-2 tbsp grape seed oil
1 tbsp maple syrup
pinch of salt

Directions:
Wash and dry the chard and kale. Remove the ribs and stems and chop to your desired size. Place in a large bowl and rub some oil on your hands. Next, massage the chard and kale with your hands. This breaks down the roughness of the leaves. 

Grate the carrot and beet.  Mix all of the remaining vegetables into the bowl. In a small bowl, mix the dressing ingredients together. **Note: If you'd like add apple cider (or another flavor of) vinegar to taste for more zip.**. Once the dressing is mixed, pour into the salad and mix until well combined. 

Let's Connect! Love oranges? Try my other orange-inspired recipes. 

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Agave-Mandarin Roasted Rainbow Carrots
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Vegan Blood Orange Cake w/ Blood Orange Frosting
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Vegan Upside Orange Cake
Yum
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Sunspiration #130: Find Joy in 2020

1/12/2020

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Some claim that finding happiness is not what we seek in life, but rather it is to find joy and to appreciate the small things in life.

It is easy in the material world to focus on the big things in life. We are fascinated by the largest creatures, but fail to realize the microscopic beings on this planet are some of the most important species alive. Whether its a simple act of kindness, or being awestruck by the beauty of nature, there is beauty in simplicity. 

​For most people, the lack of joy in their life results from the discontent in life, or a disconnection from the spirit. Building a relationship with God is very necessary to seek the simple joys in life. 


Psalm 94:19 New International Version (NIV) "When anxiety was great within me,
    your consolation brought me joy."


As always, inspired by the sun, 
Elizabeth

Join Mind Body Soul Food Every Sunday for some inspiration, or Sunspiration, where we analyze quotes and sweet nothings in 150 words or less. Get inspired everyday with our Instagram account, sunspiration_everyday with inspirational quotes, motivational messages & sweet nothings.
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5 Spiritual New Year Intentions

1/9/2020

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The New Year is here. In fact, this new decade welcomes the opportunity to start fresh on a good note. It is the perfect time to set an intention for the year. In the past, people have had good intentions of setting a resolution, but failed to achieve these goals. Many of the goals were superficial in nature. Lose weight. Look better. Get fit. 

That sounds great, but what about the inner work? What if we aimed to change or enhance our character, personality, ego and spirit?

Instead of setting a resolution, why not set an intention? Intentions are more achievable and do not cling onto specific results.

​Here are five intentions to set for the new year.  
AIM FOR PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION
As mentioned in former Youtube Videos, it is important, when making changes, to focus on the small one-percent changes. We live in a world of perfection. People want the perfect body, the perfect photo, the perfect set of teeth. Our materialistic desires do not match we reality of life. Instead of making something, or finding someone perfect, focus on the small, one-percent improvements. Every step or effort you take leads to big results. 
CHANGE PERSPECTIVES AND PERCEPTIONS
In a world where empathy is on the decline, trying to see things from another person's shoes not only increases empathy, but allows you to see situations and scenarios from other lenses. One way to personally grow is to "see" things from a holistic or spiritual lens. For example, instead of looking at food from a caloric perspective, look at food from a medicinal lens that food is medicine and is healing. 

​Changing perspectives and understanding how other people perceive things improves conflict management and can resolve issues in a diplomatic manner. 
CLEANSE YOUR PHYSICAL, MENTAL + EMOTIONAL BODY
The human body is an ecosystem. In today's marketing world, America has become obsessed with juice detoxes. Detoxes are healthy, when done properly. In some sense, this is also a form of a spiritual cleanse to rid of the toxins, emotions or things that no longer serve you. 

​One doesn't have to do a juice detox in order to cleanse. Eating more raw foods and powerful herbs and spices contribute to the detoxification process without starving oneself. Meditation and yoga are additional tools to aide the cleansing process. 
FINDING CONTENTMENT + GRATITUDE IN LIFE
Life is not easy. We all go through hardships and trials and tribulations. If you find that your basic needs are met, and are broke because of consumerism, this is a good time to reprioritize your budget and gratitude list. While some people worry about the perfect set of snow shoes, somewhere else in the world a person doesn't even own a pair of shoes. 

It is so easy to take our things, people and our very own life for granted in the western world. We are never satisfied. We always want more. We want more money. We want a better job title. We want a bigger car. We want so many things that most of us don't know how to appreciate what we already own. Gratitude lists, along with meditation, is a great way to enhance our appreciation in life. 

BE OF SERVICE
We live in a selfish, egocentric society. One way to break the pattern or mold of "thyself" is through the act of giving and being of service. Science has shown that people who give or are of service are generally happier. Giving is part of our human nature and most people feel good about giving. Christmas is the season of giving, and that spirit should last throughout the entire year.

What is your New Years intention? Good luck and don't beat yourself up if you get off track. That happens in life! 

Let's Connect!

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    Author

    Elizabeth Rae Kovar M.A. is  Author of her memoir, Finding Om and is a Fitness Trainer, Yogi, Reiki Master, Presenter and Lover of Life. To view her portfolio please visit www.elizabethkovar.com
    Follow her travels at: lemontreetravel.com

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