Don't Let Fear of Disappointment Limit Your Success in 2012

Here we are, approaching a new year. For many of us it symbols a time to "start over" and make things better in some way.

We make resolutions to quit smoking or quit procrastinating or to start exercising every day. Of course, few of those resolutions stick through the month of January.

Here's a better resolution for 2012: Resolve to conquer the fear of disappointment.

Psychologists and talk show hosts like to talk about Fear of Failure and Fear of Success, but I've never heard them talk about the other fear that prevents people from reaching for the stars. That one is Fear of Disappointment.

It's tied to hope – or rather, having the courage to hope.

Some who have tried and failed in the past are so afraid of being knocked down again that they're afraid to stand up. They're afraid to hope or to make any effort at all, because it's "safer" to just stay down.

Of course, that means they have unhappy, unfulfilling lives – but at least they're not disappointed. They get exactly what they expect every day.

According to the Law of Attraction, we get what we think about most. Those folks think about failure, so of course they get more of it. The only pleasure they get is in saying "I told you so" to anyone and everyone who has dared to hope for a better outcome and haven't yet found it.

The first step in climbing out of that ever-deepening rut of failure is to have hope – and the courage to try even if failure is a possibility.

If you suffer from this, you might think you're alone. but you're not. In fact, so many do suffer from lack of hope that Feel Bach! created a special blend, just to help you get your hope back. It's called Get Hope Back.

Merry Christmas / Happy Hanukkah from Feel Bach

Here we are, in the middle of the holiday hustle and bustle.

We hope you're enjoying it, but we know that it can sometimes be stressful as well. There are just so many places to go and things to do. And your normal activities don't just stop because you want to celebrate the holidays.

So - take the time to plan some "stress breaks" for you, your children, and your pets.

When you're filling your day planner with activities, pencil in a half hour (or even fifteen minutes) here and there to simply be alone. Sit down and do nothing but breathe.

Take long, slow, deep breaths and let them out slowly. And think about nothing but the act of breathing. Teach your children to do the same.

And of course, keep your bottle of Feel5ive handy to use whenever you start to feel over taxed. If the kids are getting a little too wound up and excited, share it with them.

And... share it with your pets. A few drops in the water dish on days when there will be people coming and going will help them stay calm. Some pets do just fine with extra activity in the house - some even enjoy it. But if yours are going to be upset, you do need to help them.

If your pets are used to being crated, put them in their crates before company arrives. If they're NOT used to it - don't do it. You'll make their stress worse.

Instead, put their beds, toys, and water in a room that won't be used. Then go in or send the kids in occasionally to spend a few minutes with them.

We wish you the best holiday season ever!

Holidays May Not be so Much Fun for Your Pets

When you're too busy to give them their normal share of attention; when you're a bit wound up with trying to remember all you have to do; and when the house becomes filled with strangers, pets can and do suffer.

And that's only if you're staying home. If you're going on a trip and leaving them in a kennel or with friends, their stress levels are even higher.

To prepare for these events, now is a good time to make sure you have two important pet remedies on your shelf: "Feel5ive for Pets," and "Home Alone."

The Feel5ive will help them remain calm while they deal with your unusual behavior and with the strangers in the house. It will also help them stay calm in the car while you're traveling.

Home Alone will help them if they have to go to a kennel. Start giving it a day or two before you leave, and give the kennel operators specific instructions to put it in your pet's water dish every day until you return.

Home Alone is also good to use if you're being away from home for longer periods than normal. (If you have a dog or cat who always suffers from separation anxiety, this should be a part of his or her routine every day.)

FeelBach's other pet product - Thunder Storms - may also be advisable. If your community events (or personal traditions) include shooting fireworks, your dog might panic. So put Thunder Storm in the water dish starting in the morning, and then be sure to keep your dogs locked indoors when the noise starts.
One more thing - don't forget about yourself!

Thanks to Dr. Bach, there's no reason for you to go through this holiday season under stress. Feel5ive may be all you need to stay calm, but if you have other old issues that mar the holidays, do take the FeelBach! questionnaire and get help.

If You're Dreading the Holidays...

If you're dreading the holidays, it's time for a mental and emotional check-up - because you deserve to enjoy every day of your life.

Some experience dread because they love Christmas and/or Hanukkah but don't have time to really enjoy the festivities. They're too busy running from one thing to the next and trying to keep up with all the extra chores.

Those folks need to learn to say no to any activities that don't bring them joy.

The Bach Flower Essence Centaury can help them find the courage to do so.

Some dislike the holidays because their wants conflict with the wants of other family members. This is common with newlyweds who come from families with differing ways of celebrating the holidays. One common conflict is: "Do we open gifts on Christmas Eve or wait until Christmas morning?" The Bach Flower Remedy Beech can help put the understanding and acceptance back into the celebration.

We'll examine a few more causes next week. But meanwhile, if you dread the holidays for any reason at all, get over to FeelBach! and fill out the questionnaire. Then order the blend that will help you put the "Merry" back into "Merry Christmas."

While you're there, be sure to order a bottle of Feel5ive - it will come in handy!

Another Stress-buster From Nature: the Cucumber

We all know that Feel5ive will relieve stress and help us stay on an even keel. But what if you want an activity you can do that will help you focus on unwinding and letting go while it soothes you?

First step: head to your refrigerator or the grocery store… for a cucumber.
You probably already know that sliced cucumber on your eyelids can relieve tired eyes, but did you know that cucumber steam can relieve anxiety?

Tests have shown its effectiveness, so why not give it a try – especially since the cucumber steam will give your face a skin-smoothing, beautifying treatment at the same time.

Just cut up a whole cucumber and put it in a pot of boiling water. Then breathe.

Here are three more ways that cucumbers can help you relieve stress:

1. Avoid stinky breath by cutting a slice and use your tongue to hold it on the roof of your mouth for about 30 seconds.

2. Avoid hangovers the morning after those holiday parties by eating several slices before going to bed.

3. Snack on low-calorie, vitamin-rich cucumbers before the party to help avoid over-indulgence in those calorie-laden treats that make you cry when you see them resting on your hips come January.

We might have to label the cucumber a "super food."

We all know that cucumbers are low in calories, so are a good snack food for those trying to avoid weight gain. Now you know they'll help you relieve stress.
But did you know that they contain most of the vitamins you need every day? A cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

Meanwhile, be sure to tuck that bottle of Feel5ive into your purse or pocket – for those stressful moments when you're away from your kitchen.

Holidays = Stress

There's no way around it. Unless you happily live alone and are independently wealthy, holidays bring stress.

It might start with the money – how to stretch your budget around gifts and the extra expenses at the grocery store.

It might start with trying to live up to other's expectations.

It might start with knowing you'll be spending time with people who love to criticize you.

It might start with trying to fit all the extra activities into an already-full schedule.

And once you're in a "stress mode," things begin to snowball, causing you even more stress. But you don't have to stay in that mode. Instead, you can do two things:
1. Do the "sigh and look up" exercise. Simply let out a big sigh while looking toward the heavens. This helps release pent-up negative energy. It's also a great exercise to do when someone you love tests your limits. Instead of blowing up, just sigh and look up.

2.Take Feel5ive from Feel Bach!

I keep a bottle handy for those times when I need to calm down and get on with life. It even helps to relieve anxiety when you're heading into a situation that you think will be stressful. (Going to a dental appointment, giving a speech, meeting with your child's teacher, going to a job interview, driving on icy roads, or meeting your sweetheart's parents – just to name a few such situations.)
Get your bottle of Feel5ive today and enjoy the holidays!

Oh – one more thing. Your pets also experience holiday stress, so put a few drops in their water dish each day when things around your house begin to get hectic.

When Longing for the Past Prevents Present Happiness

The holidays often bring melancholy to those who long for "the way it used to be." No present celebration brings joy, because today's celebrations are not the same as yesterday's.

People are missing –through death, through divorce, or through children growing up and moving on. Sometimes it's good friends who have moved away and left a void.
Big noisy holiday dinners, with perhaps 20 friends and family members around the table, become a thing of the past. Cooking for only one or two is depressing rather than joyful, and the longing for how it used to be prevents finding new ways to make the holidays special.

Feeling nostalgia for happy times is natural and normal, but when those feelings destroy enjoyment of the "now," they need to be addressed. The sufferer needs to move forward, accept change, and find enjoyment in today while still retaining and cherishing good memories of the past.

Honeysuckleis the Bach Flower Essence that will help re-balance those energies and allow a person to live well in the present.

If you or a loved one is having trouble letting go of the past long enough to live in the present, visit FeelBach! to get your personal remedy. Shipping is fast, so in just a few days you'll be on your way to a happier holiday season.

A Little Gratitude - a Lot of Benefit

As anyone who studies the Law of Attraction will tell you - celebrating Thanksgiving every single day of your life is the best way to attract good things. The more you give thanks for what you have, the more you'll have to give thanks for.

With the shape of the economy right now, that can sound almost impossible, but the truth is, we all do have something to be thankful for, even if it's nothing more than the ability to walk or talk or read or think.

So why not set aside this month of November to create a new habit?

Just choose a time of day when you can be quiet for a few minutes and give thanks and appreciation.

If your life is too full of people and noise and things you need to do, take an extra minute or two in the shower to just think about the good things in your life. If you can't think of anything else, think about that hot water and how good it feels.
If you drive to work, use that drive time to be thankful that you have a job and a means to get to it.

Get a pocket sized notebook. Keep it handy and make notes to yourself about the things you're thankful for each day. Start noticing the little things, as well as the big ones. Give thanks for a sticky kiss or a bright smile from your child or grand-child. Give thanks because you happened to look out the window in time to see a Cardinal or a Blue Jay hop across the yard. Give thanks because you turned on the radio in time to catch an old favorite song.

When you start to look for things to appreciate and feel thankful for, you'll find them all around you.

If you're really down - over the economy, over an illness, over a legal or financial problem, or over a loved one's troubles, try using Get Hope Back from FeelBach!

If you're unable to let go of old emotions that block your happiness,try a few drops of Joy throughout the day.

Let this November be the month that you begin to experience the happiness you were born to enjoy.

Start right now, with giving thanks that you can read this message, and that you can get over to FeelBach to get the remedies you need!

Worried about holiday entertaining?

As the Holidays approach, anxiety can mount.

A season which is supposed to be filled with love and acceptance is sometimes filled with apprehension, especially for those who have unresolved conflicts with family members.

It could be the inability to say no to hosting the big family dinner, or the fear and dread of not being able to measure up after saying yes.

If an inability to say no is making you dread the holidays, turn to the Bach Flower Essence Centaury.

If you are perfectly capable of producing a fantastic feast, but your confidence lags when thinking of critical relatives, begin now to use Larch and Mimulus.

Get yourself in tune with your higher self now - and enjoy the holidays this year.

If you aren't quite sure which of the Bach Flower essences you need, go to Feel Bach! and take the questionnaire.

Protect Your Pets This Halloween

Children may love Halloween, but it isn't the best time for pets.

They face two threats: One from strange people and noises, and the other from candy.

Please remember that chocolate can be deadly for dogs, so if you have children and they bring home a bag full of chocolate after Trick or Treat, be sure to get that chocolate up and away where the dogs can't tear into it after the kids are tucked in on Halloween night.

And as for the people and noises - start protecting them the day before by putting a few drops of Feel5ive in their water dishes.

Be sure to keep your dogs and cats indoors in the days leading up to Halloween. (Especially your black cats) When they need to go out, go out with them and bring them back in when you go in.

If your animals are prone to running out the door instead of away from it when strangers arrive, lock them away from the front door during those hours when children are coming around.

Our fun can be traumatic for our pets - so give them extra care as Halloween kicks off the holiday season.

Is Fear of Disappointment Limiting Your Success?

Psychologists and talk show hosts like to talk about Fear of Failure and Fear of Success, but I've never heard them talk about the other fear that prevents people from reaching for the stars. That one is Fear of Disappointment.

It's tied to hope – or rather, having the courage to hope.

Some who have tried and failed in the past are so afraid of being knocked down again that they're afraid to stand up. They're afraid to hope or to make any effort at all, because it's "safer" to just stay down.

Of course, that means they have unhappy, unfulfilling lives – but at least they're not disappointed. They get exactly what they expect every day. They're living in despair, but they mistakenly think that to try will only make things worse.

According to the Law of Attraction, we get what we think about most. Those folks think about failure, so of course they get more of it. The only pleasure they get is in saying "I told you so" to anyone and everyone who dared to hope for a better outcome.

The first step in climbing out of that ever-deepening rut of failure is to have hope – and the courage to try even if failure is a possibility.

Because this condition is so common, Feel Bach has created a "shelf blend" specifically formulated to bring back hope - and with hope comes the courage to move forward. This product is aptly named "Get Hope Back."

At only $7.95, it could be the best investment you'll ever make in your future.

The Bach Flower Essence We Need in Politics Today

Every time you turn on the news you hear it: Someone spouting hate at those who don't agree with them.

All claim to have the good of the country at heart, but none are willing to even consider the thoughts and opinions of the "other side."

Worse, they launch attacks on their opponents that go far beyond the subject at hand. Personal attacks have become the norm. Hate becomes the over-riding emotion, and some politicians are expert at stirring up "Hate for the other side" in their messages to their followers.

Hate is a destructive emotion – and it harms the hater more than the hated, but those whose lives are focused on hate don't seem to understand that.

There would be no point in telling these politicians about Bach Flower Essences. They probably wouldn't even understand the value of releasing hate in order to get on with working together to solve the country's problems. But, YOU no doubt do know the danger in hate and the value in letting it go.

If you've been influenced by these hate mongers, or if you've begun to hate at a more personal level, here's how to overcome it: Use the Bach Flower Essence Holly.

Holly lets your spirit connect with universal love. It won't cause you to approve of those you disagree with, but it will free you from destroying yourself with hate, so you can get on with loving your life.

When Your Thoughts Have You Feeling Like a Hamster on a Wheel

We've all had times when unwanted thoughts just won't go away, but keep returning, as if they were a hamster on a wheel. This state interferes with work, with pleasure, and with sleep.

Generally, the thoughts are of a worrisome experience or problem. We lay awake, replaying an event in our minds, imagining that we had said the "right" thing instead of whatever we did say.

This is the negative White Chestnut state – when the personality has turned its back on guidance from the Higher Self. Of course, the problems never seem to get solved, because thoughts are too jumbled to allow for a solution.

Chronic sufferers often exhibit a pinched, unhappy face and complain of a chronic frontal headache. And of course they suffer from fatigue, since sleep eludes them.

The Bach Flower Essence White chestnut can help alleviate this state, and bring the sufferer back to a balanced, calm, peaceful and problem solving state of mind.

If you're losing sleep because your mind won't stop replaying an unpleasant event, come to FeelBach! and order your bottle of White Chestnut.

How Bach Flower Essences Can Help You find Employment

The current economy isn't much fun. With the official unemployment rate over 9% and the true unemployment rate possibly double that, it's hard to feel confident when you set out to find a new job.

Unfortunately, lack of confidence could be the very thing that prevents you from landing the job you want.

It's human nature to want to associate with – and hire – people who are upbeat and positive. No one wants to be around others who are down in the dumps. We might feel sorry for them, but we still want to get away.

So – in order to find employment, you need a positive attitude. You need to walk into an interview feeling confident that YOU are the best person for the job. Then you need to convey that confidence to the employer.

If you're thinking "They have 200 applicants, why should they choose me?" then they probably won't choose you.

Unemployment can cause a host of negative emotions, all of which work against you as you try to find new (or better) employment.

Which Bach Flower Essences can help you re-adjust your attitude?

Agrimony helps release anxiety. And worry over your income is definitely anxiety!
Centaury will help you overcome the feeling that you're inferior to other job applicants.
Gentian helps restore your confidence in yourself.
Gorse gives strength to hope for the best.
Larch dispels feelings of low self-worth.
Mimulus will help you overcome the natural fear of going to that interview.
Mustard fights depression.
Pine helps relieve the guilt you feel for being out of work.
Sweet Chestnut will relieve feelings of hopelessness (about your situation or the economy in general.)
Willow will help dispel the feelings of bitterness and self-pity that can stem from this current economy.

Which of these emotions is holding you back?

If you're not sure, visit FeelBach! and take our questionnaire. It will help you choose the Bach Flower Essences that will help you succeed.

Are You Trying to be a Saint?

Are you denying yourself the pleasure of living so that you can live up to self-imposed standards of living?

Do you impose rigid practices that you feel can NOT be broken? For instance, getting up early every morning to run, then heading for the gym before sitting down to a prescribed meal? Do you deny yourself good tasting food and drink because it doesn't fit your idea of what is "good and right?"

And then, do you set mandatory standards on so many hours a day of meditation or prayer?

If so, you're probably frustrated by the demands of daily life, and probably castigating yourself for not being able to measure up. Your self-reproach far outweighs the benefit you might have gotten from hour hours of meditation.

If this is you, you're in a negative Rock Water state, and you've cut yourself off from your Higher Self. You've stunted your own spiritual growth.

Although grouped with the Bach Flower Essences, the answer to your situation is not actually a flower essence. It is Rock Water - water taken from natural springs in areas untouched by civilization. These waters are exposed to the sun, the wind, the vegetation, and the native animal life that surrounds them.

To learn more about Rock Water and how it can free you to enjoy life, visit www.bachflower.org.

And if you're not sure that this is the correct Bach Flower Remedy for you, visit www.feelbach.com and take our questionnaire.

Hurricane Survivors May Need Star of Bethlehem

With Hurricane Irene still not finished doing its damage, feelings are mixed.

Many who thought they'd be harmed were not, and they're feeling like "the hurricane was no big deal." But others lost loved ones and / or lived through some terrifying hours. This terror can come back to haunt them in the future.

Many who live through traumatic spiritual, mental, or physical experiences are able to take them in stride, recovering quickly. Some later suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and are diagnosed and given help through counseling and medication.

Others simply live in fear that the experience will be repeated. Often they will withdraw from life, entering into a sort of mental half-sleep that helps them avoid thinking about the traumatic event. Of course, sufferers become alienated from their Higher Selves.

Note that at times, a traumatic event can trigger a symptom that appears totally unrelated to the event. For instance, a person hearing bad news may lose their sense of hearing. Others, depending upon the source and the severity of the trauma, may develop problems with eating, speaking, walking, or other physical functions.

Whether the trauma is large or small (such as experiencing a close call), Star of Bethlehem can restore the energetic balance and allow the fear to dissipate.

Years ago I knew a woman who should have been treated with Star of Bethlehem. She had been injured in a car wreck when she was driving and refused to ever drive again. This was in spite of the fact that she had been stopped at a red light, so the accident not have been caused by her presence behind the wheel.

Most would call this an irrational fear, but for her it was real.

If you or someone you love suffers from the after-effects of a traumatic event, try Star of Bethlehem.

Life is meant to be enjoyed to its fullest.

We've all experienced the negative Heather state...

But allowing ourselves to stay there can have a disastrous effect on relationships.

In this state, sufferers have a compulsive need to talk and be heard. Whether the news is good or bad, they want you to know it. Getting away from them is difficult, and in fact they may buttonhole you against a wall, because they'll move closer and closer as you attempt to back away.

You may know people who live their entire lives in this state – I certainly do. They not only talk too much and for too long, they tend to "invade your space," making their presence uncomfortable for you.

When you see them coming, you attempt to put a counter, a desk, a chair, or even another person between them and you.

In the negative Heather state, the person is entirely focused on themselves. It doesn't even occur to them to be interested in anyone else. Should you turn the conversation toward yourself or another person, they'll quickly find a way to relate anything you've said right back to themselves.

It's easy simply dislike them. But, thinking compassionately we need to recognize that they are extremely "needy."

The Heather personality in its positive state is an entirely different matter. These individuals are good listeners, filled with empathy for others, and more than willing to pitch in and work hard on group projects.

Don't worry if you fall into the negative state from time to time. It's natural following a traumatic event, an illness, or a financial setback. Just don't stay there. Instead, get the Bach Flower Essence Heather and begin to reconnect with your Higher Self.

If you're not sure what you need to get out of an uncomfortable emotional state, visit Feel Bach! and fill out the questionnaire. Our experts will help you.

The Positive Walnut Personality

As mentioned a few days ago, the Walnut Bach Flower Essence is indicated as an aid to dealing with change.

We should also take note of the strength of the positive Walnut personality.

Doctor Bach himself was a Walnut personality - going forward confidently, despite discouragement from those around him. He knew that his work with flower essences was important and he forged ahead despite ridicule - and despite the fact that he had little money.

Genuine walnut types are pioneers - unafraid to follow their own ideals. They have firm life goals, and as long as they remain in the positive state, stop at little to achieve them. When temporarily derailed by a negative Walnut State, they allow themselves to be distracted, and to doubt the messages from their higher selves. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

The Walnut personality may not stand out as physically strong, but their mental strength is phenomenal.

While most Walnut personalities are not public figures and thus not recognized by the general population, we do have one strong example today: Glen Beck.

He is set on a mission to inform Americans about what is really going on in the world - and to urge them to return to spirituality. And... he has publicly stated that he doesn't care what it costs him. He forges ahead despite death threats, public attacks, and ridicule from those who oppose him.

Do you know a positive Walnut personality? Or are you one?

Image courtesy of Dreamstine

Change is in the Air - Reach for the Walnut Bach Flower Essence

Late this month, parents around the world will see their children move into the next stage of life – going off to college and living without the protection and guidance of “home.”

For both those parents and their children, this change is a dramatic one.

Everyone is outwardly happy and excited, but at the same time, often wishing to hold on to the past just a while longer.

The Bach Flower Essence Walnut will ease this transition time and allow both parents and their children to move forward with confidence and positive expectations – free from longing for the past.
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The negative Walnut state is generally temporary, but none the less debilitating. In this state, a person has a delayed reaction to impulses from the http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhigher self and is unduly influenced by pressure from others. In this state, the sufferer may temporarily lose direction and thus doubt the decision to move forward.

Walnut is also indicated when other life changes occur – both voluntary and involuntary. Use it when moving to a new residence, when going through a divorce, or when dealing with the death of a loved one.

For an extreme state of agitation over a change, additional Bach Flower Essences may be indicated for use with Walnut. Come to FeelBach! and take the Bach questionnaire to see if you should use Walnut alone, or in combination.

Don't hate the fickle person - Help them with Bach Flower Remedies

When you hear talk of someone who is “fickle” what do you assume?

You might think the person is disloyal, self-centered, and uncaring about the people that he or she hurts along the way.

But it could be that the person is simply a Scleranthus personality – and in its negative state.

It could be that the fickleness isn’t limited to personal relationships – but is an over-riding inability to stick with even the most trivial decisions. Those in a negative Scleranthus state have trouble even deciding which shirt to wear or what to order from the dinner menu.

In this state, the sufferer (for they do suffer) reacts strongly to all outside impulses and experiences wild mood swings. They don’t intend to be disloyal to friends or sweethearts – it’s just that one day they think the world of someone, and the next day don’t like them at all.

This indecision – or imbalance – in the mental and emotiohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnal state often carries over to the physical state. The result is an ever-changing litany of physical complaints and such extremes as ravenous hunger followed by a complete loss of appetite. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

As with all emotional maladies, the negative Scleranthus state comes about because of a disconnect with the Higher Self. Since Scleranthus has the soul potentials of poise and balance, those in the positive state are able to maintain balance in all circumstances – and they make and keep correct decisions quickly.

Treatment with the Bach Flower Essence Scleranthus can turn a fickle person into a decisive, loyal friend.

If you think this might be YOU, visit our Bach Flower Reference guide and read more about Scleranthus. Or, visit FeelBach! and take the diagnostic questionnaire.

When Strong Leadership Leads to Dictatorship

Strong leaders are quite often Vine personalities. These individuals are very capable, able to handle a crisis with calm presence of mind, and able to see the path to success.

Used wisely and with love, these traits can lead a family, an organization, or even a country safely through the inevitable trouble spots.

However, when the Vine personality becomes “too full of itself,” begins to believe in its own superiority, and loses the soul connection that creates regard for its fellow man, trouble follows.

Dictators we’ve seen throughout history are prime examples of the negative Vine state. They believe they know best and that their goals are the only ones that matter. They have complete disregard for others’ thoughts and feelings – and even for others’ lives. Think of Hitler and Saddam Hussein.

Negative Vine personalities in business are just as ruthless in their own way. They have the power to destroy people’s financial lives or their reputations – and they use it with no remorse. The negative Vine person truly feels that his or her opinion, career, or future is the only one that matters. Other people are dispensable. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

In a family, the negative Vine state is disastrous. When ohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifne person’s need to dominate overrides their love and regard for family members, relationships can be permanently destroyed.

Do you know someone like this? Are you someone like this?

The Bach Flower Essence Vine can transform this negative state back into a positive. It can allow this person to use their vast capabilities with love, compassion, and wisdom.

In a positive state, the Vine personality can positively serve the interests of the family, the company, the community, or the country.

To learn more about Bach Flower Essences, visit Feel Bach!

With Bach Flower Essences on your side, there's no need to live with energy imbalances that destroy your happiness.

It's Been a Feel5ive Week

The last 7 days or so were supposed to be fun and exciting, but they turned into Feel5ive days.

It all started on Tuesday when I ordered a new computer tower and software. They said the software would be delivered Wednesday and the computer on Friday. That meant I had to be home both days to sign for them.

Wednesday came and went – and I discovered that the driver had used his GPS to find our home, so he ended up at a dead end. I should have warned them that it wouldn’t work, but since I’d gotten deliveries from this company many times, I didn’t think of it.

Who knows why GPS is programmed incorrectly here, but at least it’s consistent with on-line driving directions. They both take people on a wild goose chase.

So… I spent a couple of hours on the phone trying to reach someone who could convey my message to the driver: Use your map, NOT your GPS!

Then late on Friday the computer arrived. After dinner I started setting it up, and before long realized it would not open any of my own domains.

That started a long series of phone calls – one with the company technician lasting 2 ½ hours. And still – no success. Meanwhile, he had me uninstall everything I had installed so far – like anti-virus.

Finally, at 11 p.m. on Saturday night, I discovered the problem. The default settings in the computer firewall were set to block my own domains.

Why? I have no clue. And why didn’t their own technician know this? Again – no clue.

All I know for sure is that my bottle of Feel5ive came in pretty handy as I got through these days.

And now… one last glitch. Until I get to a store, I can’t connect both computers to the Internet at the same time. It seems that a delinquent feline decided to chew on the cable that would allow me to plug in the second computer. I’m just grateful that she only wrecked one of them.

If you have days or weeks like this, be sure to keep a bottle of Feel5ive on hand. It can keep you from “stress overload” and let you enjoy the rest of your life in spite of the frustrations.

Protect Your Pets this Week-end!

As you get ready to enjoy this holiday week-end, remember that it might not be so enjoyable for your dogs and cats.

The sight, sound, and smell of fireworks can set them into a panic. If left outdoors, they can try to run away from it, and subsequently become lost. When working in animal rescue, I found the week after the 4http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifth to be the most heartbreaking as report after report of lost pets poured http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifin. Sadly, most were never found.

If you know your pet is afraid of thunderstorms and fireworks, you probably have a bottle of Thunderstorms on hand. Be sure to start putting a few drops in your pets’ water bowl now. If you don’t have any, use Feel5ive to help alleviate the fear and stress.

Meanwhile, don’t leave your pets outdoors alone this week-end unless you know the fireworks won’t bother them. (We have one dog who will sleep through them.)

If you’re leaving them home while you go play, make sure they have a safe place to “hide” if things get scary. Some want to be under a bed or in the back corner of a closet. One dog I had thought it was safe behind the toilet!

If you don’t let your dogs in the house, put them in the garage, and create a “Hidey hole” with a large box or by stacking boxes around a corner to create a space just big enough to hide in. Include their favorite blanket and/or something of yours to give them the comfort of your scent.

Does Your Dog Need Vervain?

All Vervain types, whether human or canine, radiate energy.

However, in a human, the Vervain energy is focused. It's a "divine unrest" that causes this personality to be driven toward a goal - and not satisfied until he can pull others along with him toward the same goal.

Think of the dedicated individual at the head of a non-profit organization. In a negative state, this person uses too much pressure - annoying others with his insistence upon cooperation.

In a positive state, the Vervain individual is a powerful and focused leader.

In dogs, however, this energy shows up in less desirabhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifle traits. For instance, in hyperactivity. The Vervain dog is always on the go. He or she doesn't rest until completely worn out. This dog can be pushy - jumping on people, chasing after cars, barking at everhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifything that moves, and getting into trouble at every turn.

The Vervain dog doesn't intend to misbehave - he's just too busy looking at the next thing to focus and pay attention to your requests for more than a few seconds. Those who happen to be fond of a Vervain dog will rightly describe them as "busy," not ill-behaved.

If this describes your dog, try adding Vervain to his or her water bowl. With treatment, this dog will be able to settle down and focus on paying attention.

To learn more about the Vervain state in humans, visit the Bach Flower Reference Guide. And if you're not sure if Vervain is right for you, visit Feel Bach! and make use of our questionnaire.

The "Needy Mother" Does Need Help

Jokes are made about the “Needy Mother” and her ongoing manipulations, but what she is enduring is really no laughing matter.

The Needy Mother is a person in the negative Chicory state, and while she appears to be getting everything she wants from the people she manipulates, she is not happy.

In fact, in spite of her family’s continual efforts to please her, she feels unloved, and empty. Her possessiveness and her demands are her way of trying to reassure herself that she is loved – even while she believes that it isn’t true.

The needy mother’s children, spouse, and friends suffer with her. They can never do enough to please and reassure, because she needs more and more demonstrations of their love. Do you know grown children whose spouses and families must meet grandma’s demands before considering their own wants and needs?

One thing to note: In spite of the nickname, the needy mother is not always female, he or she is simply a Chicory personality in a negative state.

Often Chicory personalities endured a childhood in which they either were or felt that they were unloved. As a consequence they are really unable to give love – even while “doing for” those they love in an attempt to show how much they care and to receive the love they crave.

Chicory people have the capacity for great love – once energy realignment allows them to connect with their souls. Then, they are able to lavish the same care and affection on their families – but without the demands and expectations of the negative Chicory state.

To learn more about the Chicory personality and how Bach Flower Essences can help the "Needy Mother" find happiness, visit the Bach Flower Reference Guide.

Poor Digestion? You May be in a Negative Beech State

What does digestion have to do with emotional balance? Well, as we’ve learned, our emotions often manifest themselves in physical ailments, and the emotion that prevents “digestion” of feelings is no different.

In the negative Beech state, a person projects his or her negative feelings onto the outside world – and doesn’t recognize any shortcomings in his or her own personality. Thus, the sufferer becomes arrogant and critical of others. This criticism is always given without any attempt to understand another person’s background or situation in life.

It is said that the Beech personality “Can see the speck in another’s eye, but not the log in his own.”

As with all other emotional imbalances, the negative Beech state stems from a disconnect from one’s Higher Self.

After treatment with the Bach Flower Essencehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Beech, this person lets go of limited value judgments and opens up to his or her Higher Self. From there, he or she has a great potential for knowledge and self-knowledge.

Criticism can be transformed into understanding, while arrogance melts into love and tolerance.

Using the Bach Flower Essence Beech can transform and heal both physical and emotional digestion. So if you think you may be suffering from the negative Beech state, visit the Bach Flowers Reference Guide to learn more.

If you're not sure which of the Bach Flower Remedies is right for you, visit Feel Bach! and take our questionnaire.

With The Strength of an Oak...

When you think of an Oak, what comes to mind first? Two things come to my mind. First is strength. Second is that old saying “Mighty Oaks from tiny acorns grow.”

How does this relate to the Oak personality, and what can happen when it becomes out of balance?

Oak personalities are strong. In fact, they're so strong that they never want to be dependent upon others for any reason. They're often seen as the one person in a firm or a family that can always be relied upon for their strength and their take-charge abilities.

Of course this strength can become a liability, and once in a negative state, it becomes too focused on it’s own outward strength, and loses touch with it’s inner voice. Life becomes focused on achievement, to the exclusion of the playful or gentle sides of life. Before long, life becomes more duty and drudgery than joy, and the negative Oak personality goes into a crisis state.

This could be a nervous collapse or a physical illness.

The good news is that when an Oak personality recognizes that they’re in a negative state, they’re often the kind of take charge person who will take corrective steps. Taking the Bach Flower Essence Oak is one of those steps.

By taking Oak, this personality can remain strong, while allowing the joys of life to accompany the duties. Now they become both as strong and as flexible as an Oak.

If you're not sure that this is the correct Bach Flower Essence for you, visit FeelBach! and take our questionnaire.

You do owe it to yourself to enjoy this life!

Can Bach Flower Essences Replace Pharmaceutical Treatment For ADD?

We aren't doctors and we would never tell anyone not to see a doctor if they felt they needed one.

At the same time, we're wary of using pharmaceutical drugs. Just listening to the list of possible side-effects on the drugs advertised on TV is enough to make us reach for a natural remedy in all but an emergency situation.

It's true that pharmaceuticals can cause an immediate response, and in many cases can save lives.

It's also true that very often, those drugs are merely a band-aid, alleviating symptoms without eliminating the cause of the dis-ease. Meanwhile, they're adding chemicals to the body and causing a host of unwanted reactions.

That's why, if I was suffering from ADD or ADHD, or if I had a child who suffered from them, I'd reach for Bach Flower Essences.

Even if I didn't believe the drugs were dangerous in the long term, I wouldn't want to endure the immediate "spaced out" feeling that many pharmaceutical users report. I'm sure children don't enjoy it either. How can we expect them to learn and do well in school when they're drugged?

Bach Flower Essences have NO negative side effects, and they're safe to use even if you're taking pharmaceuticals.

Bach Flowers work to re-balance energies and remove the cause of distress - not just mask the symptoms with a drug.

They allow the sufferer to reconnect his (or her) physical self with his higher, spiritual self. And that, of course, is the key to putting life back in balance.

Since the cause of ADD is a combination of imbalances, Feel Bach! has created a blend that's specially formulated to address each of them, all in one bottle.

It's called Attention Deficit. If you or a loved one suffer from ADD or ADHD, give it a try.

And he said "It's not my fault!"

When my kids were young they had one friend who always said “It’s not my fault” or “I didn’t do it,” even when no one was asking. He just assumed that if I said something like “It’s time to pick up these toys” that I was accusing someone of leaving them where they didn’t belong, or of not picking them up on time.

That child was a trial to be around.

Unfortunately, many adults play the same “blame game.” And worse, they believe it. They feel like they’re victims, being misjudged and blamed unfairly.

Everyone can get into this negative Willow state from time to time, but for some it’s chronic. I often wonder if that little boy my kids played with has kept that attitude into adulthood.

When the negative Willow state becomes chronic, it can spoil not only the sufferers life, but impact the lives of everyone around him or her. In this state, people are demanding of others, but never appreciative. Nothing is ever “good enough” to please them.

Chronic Willow victims seldom succeed at what they do, and always point outside of themselves for the reason why. In their own minds, they are victims.

Using the Bach Flower Essence Willow can turn this around, although it may take lengthy treatment. This is not only a disconnect between the personality and the Higher Self, but an ingrained habit that must be broken. The first step is for the sufferer (for they ARE suffering!) to recognize his or her own bitterness and negativity – and then to want freedom from it.

To learn more about the Willow personality and how Bach Flower Essences can help, visit BachFlower.org. And, if you aren’t sure which of the Bach Flower Remedies would be most beneficial to you, come to Feel Bach! and take our questionnaire.

Would You Rather Sleep Than Play?

If you've fallen into a chronic state of thinking sleep is better than anything else you might think of doing, you're probably an Olive personality in a negative state.

This can occur after a long illness - when you've used every bit of your physical energy just to get well. It can also happen if you've spent weeks or months caring for a loved one who was ill - or if you have simply been pushing yourself too hard, working too many hours, eating an unbalanced diet, or losing sleep for any reason.

The negative Olive state occurs when you shut off communication with your higher self and fail to heed the warning signs that you're pushing yourself too hard.

Fortunately the Bach Flower Essence Olive can help you regain that lost energy. By putting you back in balance and helping you reconnect with your higher self, Olive acts as a restorative to both your mental and physical self.

Interestingly, while most of the Bach Flower Essences work to bring you back in balance after an event, Olive can help prevent exhaustion. If you know you're going to be facing a long and stressful ordeal, take it ahead of time to stay balanced and full of energy.

To learn more about Olive and the 37 other Bach Flower Essences, visit our Bach Flower Reference Guide at it's new address: bachflower.org

Or, if you'd like to take our questionnaire to see which of the Bach Flower Essences are right for you, visit us at Feel Bach!

Do Springtime Thunderstorms Cause Your Dog to Panic?

Lady was a big Shepherd-looking dog of unknown origin. She came into our lives when she invaded a friend’s house during a thunderstorm. She didn’t know them, but knew she intended to get in somewhere, so she went through the screen door.

She was OK during a storm as long as she could get into the house and under something. But one day we weren’t home when the storm hit. We returned to find every screen on every door and window shredded. Poor Lady!

Why do dogs do this?

Some are simply afraid of noise and want to get away from it and hide. Others seem to be affected by the static electricity in the air. These dogs instinctively want to “ground” themselves by seeking shelter in a bathtub or on a ceramic floor. Our dog Harry always hid behind the toilet during a storm. No attempts to comfort him were successful – while he was a dog who usually liked to cuddle, all he wanted during a storm was to be behind the toilet.

Change in barometric pressure can also affect dogs – these are the ones who try to get to “low ground” so they’ll try to hide in the basement.

The dogs who rule our house these days don’t seem affected by storms or by noise in general, but if they were, I’d be sure to have a bottle of “Thunderstorms” handy.

I only wish I’d had it when Lady and Harry were alive, because I know it would have eased their suffering.

Thunderstorms is specially formulated for this kind of fear and panic, but if a storm arrives before you have a bottle on hand, do give your dog a dose of Feel5ive.

Feel5ive is for use with all kinds of stress and anxiety - so if you're upset because the dog is upset, give yourself a dose as well!

April 16 is National Stress Awareness Day

Are you one of the thousands of citizens who are muddling through every day stressed almost to the breaking point?

Today the news alone is enough to cause stress, even if we didn't have things popping up in our personal lives to add to the pressure.

Recognizing that you're in that state is the first step. Doing something about it comes next, and it IS important. Stress can take the joy out of life from an emotional standpoint, and it can harm your physical health as well.

So try these steps:
* Turn off the T.V. Unless there's something you can DO about radiation leaks in Japan, a missing child in a city 500 miles from you, or a plane crash, just don't listen. Focusing on the bad news will give you more stress.

* Get some exercise. If nothing else, go for a walk.

* Meditate, or do deep-breathing exercises. You'd be amazed how much better you'll feel if you simply take a deep breath, sigh, and look up.

* Spend some quiet time with people you care about. Just making time to connect with those you love can help you de-stress.

* Put a bottle of Feel5ive in your pocket, and use it any time you start to feel tense.

Dr. Bach's original formula will help you get through all of life's stressful moments. From a confrontation with your boss to a dentist appointment, you'll face it more easily with the help of Feel5ive ahead of time. And if the stressful event has already happened, Feel5ive will help you get over it.

Remember, Feel5ive is safe for everyone from your infant to your elderly grand-parent - and even your dog or cat! It can be safely used even by those taking prescription medications, so don't hesitate to use its calming powers.

Is Your True Strength Hidden?

...You may be a Water Violet personality.

"Delicate but upright" is the description given to the water violet, and it fits those with a Water Violent personality.

Why should it surprise us that the power of Bach Flower Essences should reflect the strengths of the flowers from which they are derived?

The water violet's true strength lies hidden beneath the surface of the water in the form of leaves that lend strength and stability.

Translated to human behavior, the Water Violet personality exhibits strength and dignified superiority - choosing their own way without fanfare, and without outside influence.

These are the individuals who are calm in crisis - who can take charge with grace and dignity, and soothe others. Water Violets are decidedly not given to emotional outbursts, whether in negative or positive situation.

Because they are strong, people turn to them for help and advice, and too much of that can put the Water Violet personality into the negative state. This is when they begin to believe in their own superiority and "specialness" - and it causes them to withdraw even further.

But, since we humans do need each other, withdrawal creates a strain, which can lead to tension in the body, and illness.

Fortunately, the negative state is often short lived. The Water Violet person will come back into a positive state with Bach Flower Remedies treatment and a bit of rest.

To read more about Water Violent and other Bach Flower Essences, come to Flower Bach, and to take the questionnaire and see which Bach Flower Remedies would be most helpful to you, visit Feel Bach!

Stuck in the 50's?

Do you know someone who seems "stuck" in the 50's - or the 60's, 70's, or 80's?

Maybe it's you - unable or unwilling to fully accept the present, and longing to go back to the past. It may be a sign of a Honeysuckle personality - and living in its negative state.

It may be regret over growing older, unable to accept the loss of youth. I think of a woman I know who persists in going out for the evening in her young daughter's clothing - which looks fine on a teen, but not so fine on a woman in her 40's.

It may be regret over actions taken - or not taken - and a yearning to go back and do it over. Or it may simply be a strong aversion to change of any kind.

Whatever the reason, the negative Honeysuckle state prevents the sufferer from experiencing the joys and opportunities of his or her present life.

After treatment, the Honeysuckle personality will remember and learn from the past, and may even honor it. But he or she will no longer be tied to it, unable to enjoy the present.

As with all the Bach Flower Remedies, Honeysuckle aids in re-balancing energies and helping the person connect and by guided by his or her higher self.

To learn more about the Honeysuckle personality, visit www.bachflower.org. And if you're not sure that this is the remedy for you, come to Feel Bach! and do the questionnaire.

Japan Now in a Negative Rock Rose State

The Rock Rose state has been described as "A punch in the stomach." And how much harder could a punch be than to be living with the turmoil and devastation in Japan right now?

A person in the rock rose state is under extreme mental or physical threat - usually as the result of a crisis they cannot control. Even those whose families have been found safe and whose homes and businesses have not been destroyed are living with the threat of a nuclear disaster.

Our hearts to out Japanese citizens - and to those in the U.S. who are consumed by the fear that a nuclear meltdown in Japan will cause radiation illness here.

They would all be better able to cope with use of the Bach Flower Essence Rock Rose.

For most of us, the Rock Rose state is temporary and comes about as the result of an accident or an illness. It may manifest after a "near miss" accident when a person sees how close they came to death. It may manifest when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness. It could manifest during a hurricane or other potentially life-threatening storm.



In every case, the symptom is fear - whether or not that fear is founded in fact.

For example, a child who wakes from a bad dream and cannot be comforted - or the parent whose teen-age child is two hours late returning home from an evening out.

The Bach Flower Essence Rock Rose brings the personality back into alignment with the higher self and alleviates the heart-stopping panic.

Visit Flower Bach to learn more about the Rock Rose personality, and how Bach Flower Essences can help you deal with the crisis situations in your own life.

And if you're not sure that Rock Rose is the Bach Flower Remedy for you, come to Feel Bach! and take the questionnaire...

When Emotional Turmoil Manifests as Physical Pain

Bach Flower Remedies work by re-balancing energies. Their purpose is to re-connect body and spirit. And yet, they relieve pain. How can that be?

It can be because the connection between mind, spirit, and body is closer than many doctors would have you believe. Mental and emotional anguish can and do cause physical pain, and sometimes the person being affected doesn’t even realize the source of that physical pain.

That’s why the flower essence Sweet Chestnut can often relieve chronic pain.

Sweet Chestnut is a Bach Flower Essence used when a person has given up hope. When they feel that nothing can resolve their problems, and they have nothing good to look forward to.

This can be an outward, all-encompassing state, or it can relate to a specific situation that the sufferer may have buried deep in their subconscious.

Dr Edward Bach said that Sweet Chestnut was…"For those moments which happen to some people when the anguish is so great as to seem to be unbearable. When the mind or body feels as if it had borne to the uttermost limit of its endurance, and that now it must give way. When it seems there is nothing but destruction and annihilation left to face."

For many, that anguish manifests itself in physical pain – and that may be good news for some. When medical doctors can’t find and cure the cause of chronic pain, Bach Flower Essences offer new hope in the form of Sweet Chestnut.

When pain is caused by a spiritual or emotional turmoil, Sweet Chestnut can be taken internally or used in Floral Acupuncture – applied directly to the painful area.

If you aren't sure which Bach Flower Essences are right for you, visit FeelBach! and take the questionnaire.

Bach Flower Essences - Working Even When You Don't Believe

There are those who feel so hopeless and helpless that they don't believe that anything can help them - not Bach Flower Essences nor any other treatment.

In Dr. Edward Bach's words, they suffer from "Very great hopelessness, they have given up belief that more can be done for them. Under persuasion or to please others they may try different treatments, at the same time assuring those around that there is so little hope of relief."

Fortunately, Bach Flower Remedies don't rely on belief to work their wonders. So those who try the Flower Essence Gorse just to please their loved ones can find relief from hopelessness even though they belief that relief does not exist.

After treatment with Gorse, this personality has new found confidence to face life with feelings of hope and positive expectations.

Often, those suffering from a negative Gorse state are ill in both body and spirit, and as a result, suffer from chronic illnesses. Fortunately, as with many Bach Flower Essences, treating the spirit with Gorse allows the body to heal as well.

Learn more about this healing flower essence at www.bachflower.org.

If you're not sure this is the remedy for you or if you may need treatment for a combination of problems, come to FeelBach! to take the questionnaire and see which of Dr. Bach's flower essences will help you most.

Was Michelangelo a Clematis Personality?

Often, when we hear about the private lives of very creative, artistic individuals, we hear that they were not very much "with it" in regard to their daily interactions.

Some were thought of as eccentric or hermit-like. People marveled at the fact that humans who behaved in such odd manners could create such beauty.

The reason is that they were probably Clematis personalities.

In the negative Clematis state, people seem to tune out the real world around them and live solely "in their heads." They have little enthusiasm for either the good or the negative events in others' lives. In fact, they have little enthusiasm for their own lives. They simply aren't much interested in the physical world.

Doctors find them hard to treat, because they don't possess much instinct to survive. They aren't suicidal, they just won't mind if they die.

Unless allowed to be in a position of creativity, the Clematis person will retreat farther and farther into himself, preferring to sleep as much as possible.

After treatment with the Bach Flower Essence Clematis, this person will find renewed interest in the physical world, and will use his creativity to contribute greatly to those around him. He'll be vigorous in bringing his creative dreams to life, as a painter, a musician, a writer, a designer, etc.

Are You Pulling Yourself in Too Many Directions?

Sometimes, it seems like life hands us too many responsibilities at once - or maybe we just take on too many responsibilities.

Either way, the pride we once felt in "multi-tasking" can turn into a burden that makes us feel like we're not only pulled in too many directions, we're being pulled apart at the seams.

Elm is the Bach Flower Essence that can help bring it all back into balance.

Elm helps nurture sound decision-making skills - allowing us to put things in their proper order, and eliminate tasks that really don't need to be our responsibility.

People in the negative Elm state tend to forget that our primary responsibility is to ourselves. As a result, we can get so busy taking care of everyone else that our own health and mental state suffer.

With a little help from Bach Flower Remedies, we CAN get organized again, pull our scattered pieces back together, eliminate unnecessary tasks, and allow ourselves to relax and enjoy the fruits of our labors.

If you've fallen into a negative Elm state, visit www.bachflower.org today and learn more about the Flower Essence Elm. Then get started on taking your life back!

To learn more about Dr. Bach and Bach Flower Essences, visit www.feelbach.com.

Are You Frightened of Public Speaking?

Most people who are afraid of public speaking avoid it at all costs. But once in a while, there's no way to get out of it.

I remember a required class in college - I forget the name of the class, but one of the requirements was giving a speech of sorts in front of the class about 3 times during the semester.

We had a deadline for "being ready" and then didn't know who would be called each time we went to class. As a result, I went to class every day with a cold lump in the pit of my stomach - terrified that that would be the day. I remember feeling like I could hardly breathe when I got to class.

I got through it, of course. And since then I've learned to speak in front of a group without the terror, but I wish I had known about Bach Flower Essences back in those days.

If you're facing that kind of situation, the Bach Flower Essence you need is Mimulus. This Bach Flower Remedy treats all types of fears and allows you to face life's challenges with will-power and determination. It won't make you enjoy public speaking, but it will allow you to face it without the fear.

If you're new to Bach Flower Essences, visit Feel Bach! to learn about Dr. Bach, and how Bach flower essences can help you - both emotionally and physically.

Making the Same Mistakes, Over and Over?

Have you ever asked yourself "Why don't I learn?" after repeating the same mistake you've made several times in the past?

It might be work-related blunders or associating yourself with the wrong people again and again.

If you're looking for a life companion, you may sometimes feel that you're choosing Mr. or Ms. "wrong" over and over. And then you wonder why you didn't realize that you were attracted to the same traits that eventually made you part with the last companion.

The Bach Flower Essence to help you begin to learn from life's lessons is Chestnut Bud.

Chestnut Bud opens the lines of communication with your higher self, allowing you to identify the situations and learn from them. But just as importantly, it gives you the courage to cut the ties that bind you to your past mistakes.

In children, the Chestnut Bud state may be seen as an attention deficit, because they keep forgetting the same things over and over. They simply seem not to be paying attention to what they need to learn and do. Unfortunately, they may consequently be diagnosed with ADD and treated with harmful drugs.

If you're asking "Why don't I learn?" or if your child seems unable to pay attention and learn from mistakes, try Chestnut Bud. Bach Flower Essences are a safe alternative to pharmaceuticals, and could put you or your child into a state where you can learn from life and benefit from all your experiences.

To learn more about Chestnut Bud and other Bach Flower Essences, visit www.bachflower.org.

Recovering From Traumatic Experiences

In light of the recent shootings, it seems like a good time to talk about the Bach Flower Essence Star of Bethlehem.

This Bach essence helps those who have suffered disturbing experiences or trauma that just won't let go and allow them to get past it. These folks keep reliving the experience in their minds - and re-experiencing the fear.

They're afraid that the same thing will happen again. Sometimes this fear is obvious - as in having nightmares. Other times it can manifest in illnesses that doctors would label "psychosomatic."

My guess is that many of those who witnessed the shooting in Texas are having a bit of trouble with that right now.

But of course, they aren't the only ones. People around the world go through frightening or traumatic experiences every day. Some are dramatic, and some so small that others would simply laugh them off. But if they've had an impact on the energetic system, they'll remain with the person to a lesser or greater extent.

In the book "Bach Flower Therapy" the author tells of a hairdresser who suddenly got notice that she had to move out of her shop within 24 hours. This traumatic event caused her to lose her hearing until she got treatment with Star of Bethlehem.

Dr. Bach called Star of Bethlehem "The comforter and soother of pains and sorrows."

If you or a loved one can't seem to erase the effects of a traumatic experience, turn to Bach Flower Essences for help...

If Working With Others is Painful...

If working with others is painful, you've probably tried to avoid it by taking jobs where you can work alone. You're probably greatly admired for being able to "handle it all" on your own. But, it doesn't get you many friends.

You might be content to remain solitary, even if lonely, but sometimes there is just no choice, you have to interact with clients, or with bosses and co-workers. And worse - sometimes you have to let them do some of the things that you could probably do better.

The Bach Flower Essence Water Violet can help you become more comfortable in situations where you must not only work with other people, but rely on them. In fact, after treatment you may learn that you enjoy letting someone else carry part of the load.

Go read about it. And if you think you'd be a bit happier if you allowed yourself to let go a little, begin treatment with Water Violet.

Bach Flower Essences can make a huge difference in your happiness quotient. So give them a try.

Will Blocked Energies Hold You Back in 2011?

Blocked energies - out of control emotions - and a disconnect from our source energy is quite often the reason why we don't achieve what we wish for - either personally or professionally.

Any time is the right time to take action to correct those problems. But now, at the traditional time of year to make new resolutions and new starts, it's an even better time.

Why not solve those energy / emotion problems once and for all? Why not go into 2011 free from the restraints they place on you?

If you aren't happy today and if you aren't achieving the success you want from life, take time to explore the reasons why. Go to FeelBach! and take the questionnaire. Since no one else you know will ever see it, be brutally honest with yourself.

See what the experts at Feel Bach recommend to help you get past those problems. They'll give you a recommended formula of Bach Flower Essences. When they do, go to www.bachflower.org and look up each of them. See what kind of blocks you may be hiding from yourself.

And then, of course, order your formula and begin using it to make 2011 your best year ever!