Creating a Charmed Life #6: “Build Soul Equity” by Victoria Moran
Posted by michellemoquin on July 15th, 2008
Today felt like a day for ‘Creating a Charmed Life’. So this morning I randomly flipped open the book and when I read the title on the opened page it immediately brought a smile to my face. The title is called, ‘Build Soul Equity’. I had no idea what it was about since I am a few chapters shy of finishing the book, but the title intrigued me. And the two sentences below the title told me that with all the many changes happening on this blog, with all of the information that we are so lucky to be privy to….this was the perfect subject to write about today.
‘No matter what an experience looks like on the outside,
there’s soul gold in there somewhere. Find it.’
I love that…’Soul Gold’. It sounds like spiritual jewelry….priceless experiences that as they are gifted to us we drape them on our bodies and wear them proudly in the form of little Jewels of wisdom, courage, and faith, and whatever else feels good to our souls. They are always there for us to remember, admire, and appreciate. Our ‘Soul Gold’ needs to be taken care of and cherished….After all we paid a dear price for our teachings and trials in the form of experience and time, the most precious commodity that we as humans have.
As I began to read the chapter, I realized that my statement above was not far off from Victoria’s. She says that, ‘Everything around us has varying degrees of worth.’ Meaning…everything has an appraised value but that the replacement value is always higher. For instance when you by your house it costs one amount but when you add an addition you increase the value of your home. (I think this was written before our present housing crisis:) But more importantly, when you have many memorable times in that home, such as a birth of your beloved dogs puppies, or the wedding of your child, the perceived value can become priceless.
Victoria says, ‘Just as a realtor, an insurance adjuster, and a homeowner can place different values on a house, our ego and our soul place different values on our daily activities. It is tempting for the ego to let the boring, difficult and unpleasant aspects of our lives convince us that our life is largely boring, difficult, and unpleasant.’
Oh I know what she means. I think we all fall in that trap at one time or another and maybe more frequently than we’d like to admit. Whether it is dealing with traffic on a daily basis or learning how to type correctly (moi!), our soul, our inner essence can use the trials and the tedium to our benefit. How? By living and learning through them we build what Victoria calls building ‘Soul Equity’. And she says its worth more than money in the bank. Hmmm…are we talking millions or billions? :)
Anyway she goes on to say that, ‘Once you’re convinced that you’re here to learn and grow and expand your capacity to love, know and experience life, you’ll start to value everything you do and everything that happens to you in terms of ‘soul equity’. Then you’ll feel less pressure to radically alter your life or yourself.’
So how do you build ‘soul equity’ exactly? Well by first recognizing the lesson, learning from it in every experience, and then most importantly remembering what you learned so that you can apply your expanded insight to similar circumstances when they come up later. I have to say that I just want to shoot myself when I make a mistake, learn something from it and then I make the same mistake again. They are usually not any big deal, nothing really detrimental to my life (or if it was I would shoot myself:), but when I does happen, I am more irritated by my carelessness more than anything else. Hence, one of my favorite mantras, ‘Haste makes waste’. It is just so true!
Victoria says, ‘Look for the metaphors around you, majestic truths packaged inside modest events.’ I just love that too. Her example is if you see a squirrel collecting acorns for the winter and it reminds you that you ought to really save more for your retirement, then pay attention to this gift in nature and not shun it off because you think you shouldn’t get investment advice from wildlife. I laugh as I write this because I look at the metaphors that life presents me all of the time and sometimes I really think I am being silly when I take them on. I’m trying to think of one to share with you but oh well, nothing is coming to mind yet.
So, are you taking stock of your ‘soul equity’? She says it’s in there….All of your experiences that helped you acquire patience, perseverance, wisdom, humor, faith etc. are all priceless assets whether they are from your uphill climbs or your most joyous moments. ‘Suiting up’ for the good things in life; being ‘present’ for those experiences, are just as important as ‘showing up’ for the more challenging ones…Remember there’s ‘soul gold’ in each and every one. Find them and appreciate them as they all figure prominently in your net worth.
And I’ll take my words of advice ’cause I am such a lover of jewelry. I’m going to continue to cherish and honor my ‘soul gold’, and wear all of my little jewels close to my heart. After all, to date, I believe the totality of my experiences brings my assets up to at least a few million in the ‘soul equity’ department :) – How about you? What is your net worth? Blog me.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hi Doug, and Zen Lill: Thank you for the congrats and the kind words. ZL…Interesting. I’ll have to check out that bone you have to pick.
Hi Tal: Thanks for the congrats too; from everyone.
I’m off to build my net worth in ‘soul gold’ – have a good one!
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle ?
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Ah Mischa – I love this one, and I think I heed the advice pretty well and gather ‘soul gold’ could be why I dig nature and greenery so much, I get better at this taking in life’s little tid-bit’s all the time, even in the city. It’s a more peaceful and zen way to be, takes practice though and I have to renew the commitment daily. I also laugh, a lot, at myself and situations, etc…it’s helpful. A pal sent me this quote, thought of me,
I think laughter may be a form of courage. As humans we sometimes stand tall and look into the sun and laugh, and I think we are never more brave than when we do that.
— Linda Ellerbee, American Journalist, 1944-
So, see, what can be mistaken as me taking things lightly is not that, it’s bravery, yeah that’s the ticket…
The only time I get seriously side tracked is that PMS ‘don’t tweak my nerves’ time, TMI men.?.tough s**t, you try livin’ it, you’d be whining the entire time. Earthling girls share the secret for bypassing this, would you? Anyway, sipping on Jack Daniels seems to bring me back to a good zen place but swilling on a flask at ten am just seems weird : )
re: a post fr: health info, seems that from the oil biz to telecom biz to the health HGH snake oils – big biz is willing to take a fine of a hundy mil or more to make big ‘bills’ Peter Rest, author of Whistleblower, confessions of a medical hitman. (He totally ripped off the title but whatever…)
A q: I was reading about bloggers in LA Times on Sunday (actually I read news on-line, a pal handed me the article) the important part to me was addressing (in the political arena) getting out the new voters (and getting young ones interested, if they’d stop gaming long enough…) and also what to do about those bought disenfranchised votes? that’s was another nod to Madaline and Boggzy’s commments fr days ago. I thought it was interesting so thought I’d share that.
Tal, thanks for your response, yes, all girls new or otherwise are eager and well read, and FYI I have/had no intention of encouraging or converting my friend or anyone else, that’s not my style anyway. i’ll discuss anything but attempt to convert no one, we all have different learning agendas while in our current ‘suits’ here.
Ok, Mischa, you’re curious about my bone to pick with anonz, hahaha, here it is http://edgy1.wordpress.com/ ‘Politics and telling like it is…day two…’ hope you enjoy it, there’s some redeeming ‘soul gold’ in there for the ‘sweet pea’ should he decide to live a charmed life, hahaha…
Luv, Zen
July 15th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Michelle,
What a joy to begin the day reading this entry. It is so appropriate for, not only my life at this time, but I am sure given the circumstances of the global economy and such, that nearly everyone is able to step back and review their “soul gold”.
I had a wonderful exchange of emails with my mom recently to which we discussed just this topic, albeit in different verbage, but the content was just the same. One must see the value in their own trials and tribulations. Find the jewels of hope, love, and experience and take that with them through life to the next phase of more trials and tribulations. Through learning do we make it to the next “level” so we can learn and experience more, creating more “soul gold”.
There is “soul gold” at the end of each rainbow…
July 15th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
How to Treat an Infection ?That’s Not Responding to Antibiotics
It’s one of the most alarming health problems today: Infections that used to be easy to treat are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Even worse, many of these infections are caught in hospitals and doctors’ offices. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 90,000 people per year die from infections they caught in the hospital!
But here’s good news: You can boost the germ-killing power of any antibiotic, simply by taking an ordinary nutrient you can buy at any health food store. That nutrient is bromelain, an enzyme that comes from pineapple.
Bromelain has been proven effective in several studies. In one study, 53 hospitalized patients took bromelain in addition to the standard antibiotic therapy. These patients were suffering from a wide range of infections, including staph infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, and abscesses.
Twenty-three of these patients had already been on antibiotic therapy without success. But when they added bromelain, 22 of the 23 got better! And the improvement was across the board, for every type of infection!
The doctors doing the study were flabbergasted. They had no idea they could get such amazing results with such a simple remedy.
To protect yourself next time you have a bacterial infection, take some bromelain with your antibiotics. The recommended dose is 500 milligrams, 4 times a day.
July 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Mischa ok, boo hoo, I called anonz out re: black atty’s and I was half right, half wrong…it’s just that I was feeling like it was a prejudicial Freudian slip and well, he did cop to that part & then laid out the reality, which I admit is the ugly truth. Didn’t mean to stomp your feelings there, sweet pea, but I think you’re not on the defensive anyway, which is very cool on your part, most men usually try to defend themselves/their positions no matter what. I’m glad your ego can handle it, you’re a cool man : )
Now, anonz, babe, you’re being paranoid, partially…
My friend was not referring ONLY to you re: stalkers, she was referring to the fact that I post my real name, area where I live and worst yet (to her) my private e-mail address. She thinks I shouldn’t do any of the above, oh brother, like a stalker is going to come to my house…’and what?’ I asked, she said, ‘hurt you and we can’t have that.’ I agree with that sentiment, but I don’t worry about crazy things like that, perhaps I should? Maybe some male private e-mailer’s are weird like that…I’m going to erase that comment, she’s already po’d bc she wants all our convos ‘off the record’ had no idea you’d think it was meant just for you…sorry, my bad, should’ve named the Italian, hahaha…
You’re so funny though, you go totally dark and then you come back with long comments, you are a thinker, aren’t you?
Listen, anonz, you go do what you must with your face, when you’re happy with yourself, we’ll meet. You’ve seen me, I don’t think I’m all that great looking but I do have a face some call pretty, natural looking or as I like think, maybe interesting…? My zen attituide is this: if and when you’re ready to reveal yourself to me, you will, and if you don’t ever want to – well, I think that might be both our losses…
I have to find the link to a post i wrote when I thought you were dead, kind of summed up my general approach to people. I’ll post it when when I find it.
ciao, bello, have a nice very un-paranoid afternoon : ) Zen
July 15th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
ZL,
If someone wants to find someone, they can be found no matter whether there is much, if any background information on this person via email, addresses, etc. It doesn’t take long or much if any money…I can show you next time I see you if you are interested! ;-)
July 15th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Want to Exercise at Home?
Colin Milner
International Council on Active Aging
Not long ago, home-exercise equipment was for young guys preparing for a summer at the beach. Today, men and women of every age are benefiting from treadmills, dumbbells and other home-exercise equipment.
Bulging biceps are no longer the main objective, though building up arm strength can indeed be helpful to people over age 50. Exercise equipment can also help improve your cardiovascular system, strengthen respiratory functions and help you lose weight.
Exercising on home equipment can have big advantages for people who don’t enjoy the atmosphere of health clubs or for those without a club nearby. It’s also a plus for people who live in areas with cold winters, where outdoor sports — or even walking — are difficult.
Even if you’re a member of a health club and live in a warm climate, home equipment has the benefit of convenience. It allows you to exercise in the middle of the night, before breakfast or any other time you want.
Important: Be sure to consult your physician before you start an exercise program.
BUILDING A HOME GYM
Don’t make the mistake of buying lots of equipment right away. Start with basic devices to gain strength, and then — if you still enjoy exercising at home — work up to more demanding and sophisticated equipment. Road map…
Step 1: If you haven’t exercised regularly in a few years, start again by increasing your strength. That type of exercise is relatively easy, the equipment is inexpensive and building strength will give you the ability to go to the next step — cardiovascular exercise.
Resistance bands are the simplest type of upper-body equipment. These are bands of expandable materials with hand clasps at both ends. Stretching the band builds up strength in your arms and upper body.
Dumbbells are also effective in building up muscles in this area, and they’re usually preferable to barbells. Reason: Dumbbells are weights lifted individually by each arm. Since you’re probably stronger in one arm than the other, a dumbbell lets you concentrate on the weaker arm.
That’s nearly impossible with a barbell, which is one long bar with weights at each end. Moreover, if you lose control of a barbell, it could fall on your chest and even roll back on your throat. If you have problems lifting a dumbbell, you can simply drop it on the floor.
Weight-lifting guideline: Start with about 70% of the greatest amount of weight you can lift. Then increase the amount slowly — one pound a week, for example.
As you improve your fitness, also consider a “multigym,” a device with one or two weight stacks, plus attachments that let you exercise arms as well as legs in many different ways.
Step 2: Once you’ve increased your upper-body strength, work also on improving your cardiovascular system.
Pedometers aren’t usually thought of as a piece of gym equipment, but they can serve in that role by encouraging you to take more steps, even around the house.
Some pedometers, including Digi-Walker, record the number of steps you take and estimate how many calories you burn. Most people over 50 take about 2,000 to 4,000 steps a day, and only taking 1,000 steps more is known to improve heart and lung functions.
Treadmills can be an even better way to burn calories and improve the cardiovascular system. You can adjust a treadmill to move at varying speeds, so you can start at, say, one mile per hour (mph) and slowly increase the pace and/or the length of your exercise.
Stationary bicycles and recumbent steppers (which exercise your muscular and cardiovascular systems from a sitting position) also help improve the cardiovascular system. They are safer than treadmills, which present the risk — however slight — of falling.
General rule: If you have a problem with balance or if you haven’t exercised in several years, opt for a stationary bike or recumbent stepper.
Elliptical machines (motion is similar to a bike but you pedal while in a standing position) are a good addition to your home gym once you’ve worked out for several months — or if you’re already physically fit. By requiring you to move in elliptical patterns, this relatively new device gives you the opportunity to improve your cardiovascular system while also getting a particularly safe workout as you stand.
If you doubt that you’re exercising at the right level, use the “talk test.” If you can’t talk comfortably while exercising, you’re probably pushing yourself too hard.
TEST, THEN BUY
With so many different types of exercise equipment on the market, it’s easy to spend big bucks for a device that winds up as a coatrack. The solution is to visit retailers that sell exercise apparatus, and try out different types of equipment.
Major retailers are usually listed in the Yellow Pages under “Exercise Equipment” and include Gym Source and OMNI Fitness Equipment, Inc. Exercise devices are also sold by Sports Authority and other large sporting-goods outlets, as well as by Sears and Wal-Mart.
Most stores have several types of exercise equipment set up on the floor and allow customers to try them out there.
Look for equipment that challenges you but doesn’t cause pain or require exertion that you can’t perform. Be cautious of machines with expensive gadgets that you’re unlikely to use, such as a treadmill device that tells you “how far you’ve gone,” just as though you were on a track. All you really need is a timer and speed indicator so that you can pace yourself at, say, four mph for 20 minutes.
But, if you enjoy using gadgets, they could be valuable motivators that inspire you to work out.
Don’t fall into the trap of buying equipment that’s difficult to use on the theory that you won’t benefit much without a major challenge. In fact, equipment that’s overly demanding often falls into disuse.
Instead, consider devices that let you start with easy exercises and then work up incrementally to more demanding ones.
Example: A weight-training machine that starts at 10 or 15 pounds and allows you to work up in five-pound increments.
What about exercise equipment advertised on TV? The problem is that you can’t test it like you can at a store where you can compare three or four types of equipment.
My advice: Never buy anything advertised on TV unless you have the right to return it and get a complete refund, including shipping charges.
Regardless of where you shop, the cheapest equipment will rarely be as long-lasting as more expensive models, but the most costly devices will probably have unneeded bells and whistles. Even though you don’t need to buy the most expensive equipment you can find, it’s still worth investing in good quality. So expect to pay up to $2,000 or $3,000 to get something durable that has what you need.
Be sure that you have room for the equipment in your home. It’s easy to underestimate the space you’ll need, especially when you try out equipment on a large showroom floor. For a treadmill, make sure that you have at least five feet between the device and the wall behind it. That will prevent the treadmill from pinning you against the wall in case you should fall down on it.
July 15th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Michelle
Sir
You asked about the gas crisis. How about the plot by the bush administration and the General motors to undermine the union and to shift the company to China entirely.
The plan is for GM to go bankrupt and to only operate it China facilities. After about 18 months of operating only their overseas plants they will reenter the american market with GM cars totally manufactured in China.
These traitors are only interested in the profit line. They will teach a communist country all the technological tricks that would take them years to learn and master in a few months. The chinese will use this knowledge to eventually challenge america in the field of battle and to spy on and control their people.
Anonz
A low profile is in order for you. You have pissed off some ruthless people. Murder is just a word to them. Your NSA and CIA buddies have turned against you. You need to as they say “stand down” for a while. Put your whistle away so that you may live to blow it another day. We may not always have your back and they have long memories.
Sir
Madaline
July 16th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Hafa adai Michelle
I am writing from Guam, where America’s day begins. I would love to be among the chosen to go into space. To meet Tal or Michelle’s Dr. Spock as we affectionally call him would be fantastic.
You have a following in Guam. We are young, tough Michelle’s girls. We read your column late in the evening. Guam is 18 hours ahead of San Francisco time during your day light savings time period.
I have often seen space ships over my island. It is thrilling to be apart of the universal family of beings. Thanks for making a place that brings us together.
Lisa
July 16th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Zensational
You can call me out any day. You can call me in too if that is your desire. Just Call me baby.
You could never stomp my feelings as long as you still feel I’m your sweet pea afterwards.
Come on sweetness, I know that she was not “just” referring to me. Actually I am very pleased that she sounded the alarm for you. One can never be too careful today. Especially a beautiful woman like you. You should be a bit more careful. If someone did harm you, I would spare no expense to bring him to justice. My justice.
Tell her she has my thanks for putting you on alert. But I’m curious why she is so shy, surely she can’t think that someone would discover who she is by your quoting her. Try to convince her that her comments are of benefit to us all. Hey two, three or more minds are always better than just one man’s/woman’s opinion.
A thinker, my father used to accuse me of plotting the takeover of his companies when I was 11 years old. I guess i’m just guilt of pondering a bit too long.
My face, again. yes it is a wee ugly and I have to do something about it soon while the scars are mendable. And yes put the modest aside you are that good looking.
Oh, I’m ready to reveal myself to you alright. I just need to be sure that you will be able to accept me without the wince I’ve become accustomed to when someone views the left side of my face. I can hardly blame them; shrapnel scars are not pretty.
Madaline
Thank you for your concern. I am taking precautions. But I know that if the government wants you dead, silenced, or made to look foolish, criminal, or whatever, it will happen. So I do what I must while I can.
I hope you are taking your own advice.
Anonz