Wednesday, January 8, 2014

My Year on the Road: How I Found True Happiness by Living My Dreams


By CathyHarrisSpeaks.com

At 57 years old, I count my blessings every day and feel really blessed on how my life has turned out - so far.  I have had a lot of successes in my life such as two daughters graduating with Master's Degrees and are now business owners; I helped protect black women international travelers from my co-workers when I became a federal whistleblower; I won my discrimination lawsuit against my job and retired at the age of 48; I started my own empowerment and publishing company in 2005 and now have 20 books released and offer some of the best self-improvement seminars and workshops in the country; and now -- I spent one year on the road traveling, building my company, AngelsPress.com, and living my dreams - just to name a few.  Can it really get better than this?

Change brings about happiness in your life, but why are so many people afraid of change? Last year in December 2012, I decided to purge my life of things which I realized would allow me more energy to focus more on what really mattered in my life.  

I realized the reason I had been so successful in my life, so far, was that I was never materialistic. So purging my life of things was easy for me and it allowed me to move even closer to my dreams.

Some people need things to validate their lives (beautiful homes, beautiful cars, beautiful clothes, etc.) and they rather spend valuable money to get these things while they ignore the one and the most important thing in their lives - THEIR HEALTH.  

Many people live their lives eating bad foods -- feeling sick, sluggish and run-down. They are surrounded by beautiful things that they can't really enjoy because they ignore their health. Many are empty inside because they have nothing of value to offer the world and I never wanted that to be my story.

After my daughter's car was stolen from in front of my place when she visited me in Atlanta, GA and after I experienced two attempted car thiefs in my area myself, I realized my neighborhood wasn't what it use to be and it was time for me to move on or out of that area. When neighborhoods go bad, it's just time to move on. I had never lived around crime and I was not about to start now - not during my Golden Years!

Not only did I move out of the area, I decided to move out of the city totally. What I was preparing to do with my life was bigger than Atlanta and it needed to be shared with the world. And because of this decision, I was able to manifest even more joy and happiness into my life by moving even closer to my dreams.

Traveling has always been a dream of mine. After all, that's why I had joined the military years ago. Because I was in my 50s, I realized I still had 40% of my productive life left still left ahead of me so I realized it was time to take the steps necessary to find even more happiness in my life.  

Because of purging my life of things and concentrating on what I really needed and wanted for my life, I was able to make the following dreams come true: 
  • I was able to see the country by creating a humanitarian tour "Cathy Harris Humanitarian Tour" and traveled by car to 15 states.
  • I was able to meet some of the people that I had been networking with on the internet for 10 to 15 years.
  • I was able to build my business, AngelsPress.com, by building my audience with my empowerment lectures, seminars, and workshops.
  • I was able to release a line of empowerment non-fiction easy-to-read e-books and paperback books for the entire family, which can be read by 12-year-olds and above. 
To purge my life and get on the road -- it really wasn't that hard. To get on the road as a Speaker, Author, and Coach, you have to be healthy; eat healthy foods along the way; get regular exercise along the way; have a good running car; have a GPS; figure out where you will stay (family, friends, extended stay hotels, etc); and set up events.

I had dreamed 5 years earlier about getting on the road. I visualized it but there was a lot of obstacles in my way. I had these terrific friends that I could not leave. My mom was elderly and I knew if I left Georgia, I probably would not see her again - plus I was also unhealthy.

After becoming housebound and bedridden in 2007, and self-educating myself on how the human body works, I became a Holistic and Natural Health and Wellness Expert and launched the "National Non-GMO Health Movement" and wrote a line of health books about my experience.  

Once I got healthy and after my friends and mom had passed on, it was just time for me to do what I truly wanted to do with my life. However, had I gotten on the road 5 years earlier, I would not have had access to all the great information that my company now offers especially the health seminars and the line of empowerment products. 

What was really one of my determining factors that made me realize now was the time to make my life-long dream come true of getting on the road was  -- after reading the book "Eat Right 4 Your Type."  

The book was the icing on the cake for me and it helped me reach my maximum level of health and I eventually came up with my own wellness program "Cathy Harris 12 Steps to Wellness Programs," which are the 12 chapters (12 steps) in my first health book "How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Becoming Healthier Over the Next 30 Days (Series 3)."

Once I read the book and implemented the changes and started eating foods for my blood type, within a matter of days, I had a major surge of energy. Because I was eating good food, not only did I get a surge in energy, but my brain even worked better which allowed me to come up with my own plan of action to make my dreams come true.

Next, I sat down and compiled a list of every city that I wanted to visit and the people that I had been networking with over the years on the internet that I just had to meet.  

I then looked at my living arrangements and since I had a relative in the Detroit area, I decided to go there first because of all the cities in the U.S., the city of Detroit had major issues, but I knew my company could make a difference with our line of empowerment lectures, seminars, and workshops.

So on Jan. 2, 2013, I sat out on my journey to make my life-long dreams come true of being a Speaker, Author, and Coach on the road and because of this -- I loved every minute of it.  

The scenery was absolutely beautiful along the way especially from Youngstown, OH to New York. The green trees looked like the trees in the movie "Gorillas in the Mist." Sometimes the horizon ahead was so blue it looked like you were driving into an ocean but it was just the sky meeting the ground.   

And what about the color of the trees around Halloween and Thanksgiving - the bright red, orange and yellow colors. I had never seen anything so beautiful in my life. All of it made me think of my home in Georgia and I thought about how lucky I was to have spent the first 17 years of my life as a homesteader - working the land.  

Even though the city of Detroit was extremely cold and it looked like a wasteland, in my neighborhood outside of Detroit, the view of the snow looked like a beautiful postcard. You just have to learn to see the beauty in everything.  

I was raised in Georgia in the south, 2 hours outside of Atlanta, and had never in my life lived in snowy cold weather except when I was in Germany in the military in the 80s. I had never driven a car in snow so I had prepared to stop at a hotel if the weather got bad on my trip.  

But all the way from Atlanta to Detroit, it was easy sailing. Even though there was snow on the sides of the roads, I had missed all the major snowstorms. It was like I was being guided by a force to live my dreams.  

It was as if someone had made everything easy for me because when you step out on your faith to change your life and the people around you, everything will fall into place. Everything was happening to me in divine order. 

I could have exited any of those exits in my one year travels on the road and set up my home. If you have a car and money coming in, you can actually move anywhere. Some people might not be able to get their lives together because they might be in the wrong city. Your family is not just your family. Your family could be the people you have met in your lives that have touched your hearts.

I love meeting people and don't know if I will ever get off the road. The biggest joy that I have experienced along the way on this tour is during my seminars and workshops when I see the light go on in my audience eyes especially young people when they realized they could indeed change their lives.  

Now that I made my life-long dream come true of being on the road in 2013 by launching "Cathy Harris Humanitarian Tour," I can't wait to see what 2014 will bring but I have a good idea because again, I have already visualized it "Cathy Harris Empowerment Tour." 

What I am saying to all of you is if you want your dreams to come true in 2014, keep walking in the directions of your dreams every day but come up with a plan of action to make them come true, but don't forget to put your health first. Embrace change and in return, it will embrace you with joy, peace, and happiness and I am living proof of that...Good luck!

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Thursday, January 2, 2014

Don’t Go to the Gym – Do a Detox Program First!



(Excerpts from “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Becoming Healthier Over the Next 30 Days”) Series 3
Did you know that many people will start the New Year off by joining a gym and by the month of March (some by Valentine's Day) they will already be out of there?

 Why You Should Engage in a Detox Program?

If you are apparently overweight with very low energy, then don’t go to the gym but instead engage in a detox program first.  This process will take anywhere from 1 to 2 to 3 weeks depending on the type of detoxification program you choose from a health food store. 

 Remember your health begins in your colon so a colon cleanse (detox) should be a priority while you work your way up to a liver and kidney detox.

Detoxification (detox for short) is a natural healing process needed more than ever in today’s toxic world. Just as the outer environments in which we live can become polluted with trash, violated with industrial chemicals, our inner environments (our bodies) can become filled with toxic garbage as well.

Many of these toxins come from our diets, drug use, and environmental exposure.  By engaging in a detoxification program we are actively assisting and supporting the body in its own natural cleansing actions to help in ridding the body of substances that may be detrimental to our health.

 Learn how to find all the health food stores in your neighborhood and the type of detoxes you should purchase by reading the article at the end of this article or the health book.

Couch Potato Lifestyle

It’s estimated by many experts that this will be the first generation that WILL NOT outlive their parents.  The main reason is Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) found in 90% of foods in grocery stores which have no nutritional value and leading a sedentary (sitting posture) lifestyle.

A sedentary lifestyle or “the couch potato lifestyle” has contributed to over 200,000 PREVENTABLE deaths a year.  The leading causes of death for people with heart disease, cancer, stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes are most strongly influenced by lifestyle.

What to Do Before Starting an Exercise Program

Before starting any type of regular exercise program see your doctor first to make sure your body can take working out.  Remember to always start off slow (start off walking) then work yourself up over the next few weeks and months to a more intense form of working out, if and only if, you are in shape for that type of workout.

If you have been sedentary for some time, try exercising in water.  Water aerobics are excellent for those who are overweight or who find walking or running difficult.

 Some easy ways to add physical activity to your daily routine include:

  • Park the car farther away from your destination.
  • Get on or off the bus several blocks away.
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
  • Take fitness breaks instead of cigarette or coffee breaks. Walk, stretch or do some office exercises.
  • Perform gardening, yard work, heavy house cleaning, or home-repair activities.
  • Exercise while watching TV.  For example, use hand weights, a stationary bike or treadmill, stretch, or perform body-weight exercises such as crunches, push-ups and squats.
  • Keep a pair of comfortable walking or running shoes in your car and office. You’ll be ready for activity wherever you go.
  • Walk while doing errands.

Know the Dangers of Working Out in a Gym

Many people will start the New Year off by joining a gym and by the month of March they will already be out of there.  Why?  Because they should have engaged in a detox program first so they could gain the long-term energy they will need to pace themselves.

Did you know you can freeze your membership at most gyms if you don’t plan on attending for a while?  Fitness gyms have memberships for $20 or $30 a month and you don’t have to sign a contract (LA Fitness, Gold's Gym, YMCAs, etc.).  But be careful when working out in a gym.

Some of the dangers of working out in a gym include:
  • Underqualified staff or physical trainers (untrained staff members pretending to know what they are doing)
  • Bacteria on equipment (including exercise mats so bring your own or clean off mats) and in showers (always wear shoes)
  • Faulty equipment (many persons have been paralyzed from using faulty equipment at gyms so pay attention and don’t exercise when you are sleepy or too tired).

Wear the Right Equipment to Work Out

It’s very motivational to have on the right equipment when you are working out especially your shoes.  If you plan on starting a walking program then invest in walking shoes.  

 Sports Authority has a great selection of workout clothes and tennis shoes for under $60.  If you have a foot injury then chances are you will stop working out altogether so invest in expensive socks so your feet can feel comfortable.   

 If you plan on starting an aerobic program then buy cross-trainer shoes.  If you plan on running everyday then invest in running shoes.  

 Don’t forget that water bottle so you can sip water throughout your workout.  Wearing the right equipment will help you feel good about yourself and will help you get results even sooner. 

Warm It Up

Make sure you warm up before exercising. Your warm-up is just as important as your workout, however, with busy schedules, people forget to stretch and heat up their bodies. Many just settle for a few toe-touches which can leave them in pain or injured.

A good warm-up will provide increased flexibility and will activate the necessary muscles for training and competition. It also speeds up your blood flow and causes your core temperature to rise, which will prepare you to train at your highest levels. Good preparation makes for a great workout.

Preventing Soreness When Exercising

Getting sore after exercising will not only keep you from continuing to exercise, it might make you stop all together.  Therefore, to prevent soreness remember to use natural remedies for soreness versus the over-the-counter creams that can leak into your blood system and cause your body to become toxic.

For instance, always keep Epsom salt by your bathtub to use when you go home from the gym and for muscle cramps rub pure, unprocessed olive or flaxseed oil into your muscles before and after strenuous exercise.

The Right Way to Lose Weight

In order to lose weight, you must exercise.  When you look at the people that are successful at losing weight and keeping it off, they are active, plain and simple. 

 Being overweight is caused most often by overeating and under-exercising.  Excessive weight can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer, diabetes, and gallstones.

Get Some Type of Cardiovascular Exercise

The more fit you are, the longer you are likely to live.  Being fit usually means you engage in some type of “cardio” or “cardiovascular” exercise.  Cardiovascular exercises are any type of exercise that gets your heart rate up and keep it up for at least 20 to 30 minutes.

Everyone should be engaged in some type of cardiovascular exercise (fast or power walking, running, aerobics, swimming, bicycling/spinning, etc.) at least 3, 4 or 5 days a week for 30 to 45 minutes.

Learn more by reading my health book “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Becoming Healthier Over the Next 30 Days” (available as an e-book or paperback book at www.AngelsPress.com) or read the e-article below.

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