Fall is in the air! The dog days of Summer are long gone. The leaves are changing and falling, football is in full swing and pumpkins and gourds abound. Houses and tables are decorated with lovely fall colors. It is a season of beauty, energy and a time of change.

As I was walking around the block today I was struck by all the vibrant colors of the leaves and the crunching sound they made under my feet. It brought back childhood memories. I remembered as a kid running full blast into a giant pile of leaves and picking them up and trying to throw them. There is also a nip in the air during this time of year that energizes and awakens the senses and renews the spirit.

The change in seasons is a good time to reflect on what changes we want to make in our lives. So now that you have changed the clocks back in your home think about what other changes you may want to make as you strive to give it your “all” this Fall.

Here are some things to think about:

1. What can you do to show your vibrant self this Fall? What do you want right now? How can you be more true to yourself? How can you surround yourself with more beauty?

2. What routine would you like to fall back into? Any old habits or hobbies you should bring back into your life? What do you miss?

3. What is getting in your way? What do you keep tripping over or is making you fall? What out dated beliefs are you holding on to? What clutter can be cleared?

4. What are you ready to jump into this Fall? What changes have you been putting off? What steps can you take towards greater fulfillment? Harness your childhood energy to start something new.

5. What do you need to start saying “no” to? What is zapping your energy? What do you want to stop doing?

Start giving it your “all” this fall by reflecting and making changes in your life. Get yourself in a relax state. Look out your window or close your eyes. What color are the leaves? Are they red, yellow? How long does it take them to drop to the ground? Can you see them blowing around? Take a breath.

Next grab a pen and a piece of paper and start writing down your thoughts.

Do not edit yourself. By pondering the above questions you are taking the first step towards change and getting closer to something you want. Big or small strides it doesn’t matter. What is jumping out at you?

A greater awareness of what we want, what we miss and what we are tolerating is a start. Celebrate this new season by identifying changes you would like to see in your everyday life. Here’s to: getting energized, living a more fulfilling life and to new beginnings. Give it your “all” to get the most out of this Fall.
Go for it! You deserve it all.

How many of us were told as children “It is better to Give than to Receive”? And many of us grew up believing and thinking that the virtue was always in the giving.

Yet the Universe always has a balance. If there is an up there is an equal and equivalent down. The left is balanced with the right. True North is the exact opposite of True South. Everything in the Universe has an equal and equivalent opposite. Yet it is true that some things are more preferable than their opposite. For instance, most people would much rather be happy than sad and most people would much prefer health over sickness.

Yet when one strives to live with an Attitude of Gratitude, the concept of giving and receiving take on new meaning. Being truly grateful for all of the gifts of an abundant Universe means being open to receiving. The true gifts of the Universe are very often not of a material nature but they are more of a more joyous and spiritual nature. The love of our families and friends, the beauty of nature, the joys we find in our work are some of the sweetest gifts we can receive and they are all far from being material items.

Even in our giving of gifts to others we can receive back the gifts of the Universe. Seeing someone else’s happiness when they open up the gift we chose especially for them is our gift to be grateful for. Watching the enjoyment of our families and friends as they partake in the holiday we prepared for them is a gift from the Universe to be grateful for. Enjoying the excitement as the children wait for Santa is a gift to be grateful for.

So Giving is a wonderful thing. Receiving is an equally wonderful thing. Be open to give and be open to receive. Giving and Receiving can be the perfect balance-which is also another gift from the Universe.

When you give of yourself, you can’t help but receive Joy back. That Joy is your gift.

This ancient Chinese herb is an extract made from the leaf of the Ginkgo tree. It is the most well-documented plant extract used to support brain function – there are more than 1,000 studies of Ginkgo Biloba from all over the world. The consensus is that Ginkgo does help many people improve a variety of brain functions. It has been shown to minimize age-related memory problems (affecting learning, short-term memory, and recall), concentration problems, and absentmindedness. It may also help ease dizziness and vertigo, which often accompany forgetfulness, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). A 1995 study found that high doses of Ginkgo helped Alzheimer’s patients as well. Another very rigorous study published in 1997 in the Journal of the American Medical Association duplicated these results: Patients who took Ginkgo for one month enjoyed improved memory and attention span; this improvement was even more noticeable when patients took the herb for three months. However, many experts believe its more significant contribution may be as a preventer of cognitive decline than as a treatment. Ginkgo is very popular in Germany and France, where more than 10 million prescriptions are written every year; in the United States it is available without a prescription.

Ginkgo seems to accomplish its many miracles in several ways. In the first place, it increases the circulation of blood to the brain, which improves the supply of oxygen, nutrients, and glucose. This enables neurons to create the energy and other chemical reactions you need to think and remember. It also boosts circulation to the inner ear, thus explaining its power to help heal tinnitus and dizziness, a malfunction of the nerves in the ear. In the second place, Ginkgo protects against free-radical damage and reduces inflammation. This further improves circulation by keeping your cardiovascular system in shape, and also protects the nerve cells themselves.

It is recommended that you take an extract standardized to 24 percent flavoneglycosides and 6 percent terpenelactones, or capsules of the dried herb. For prevention take 40 mg of standardized extract, or 120 mg of capsules daily, in divided doses. You may take up to three times this dose if you have mild to moderate symptoms. Some people notice an improvement within two to three weeks of beginning treatment, but, in most cases, you need to take Ginkgo for at least three months before you enjoy the full benefits.

Gingko biloba is essentially devoid of any serious side effects. Some people have reported mild headaches for a day or two when starting the herb, and some people have reported mild stomach upset. Do not take Ginkgo if you are on a blood-thinning medication, including aspirin or ibuprofen, because Ginkgo can add to the blood-thinning effect. For the same reason, avoid taking Ginkgo for two weeks prior to any surgery, including oral surgery.