Belonging

ALL OF YOU

Because even your sense of 'not belonging'

belongs so deeply in presence.

And please, do not abandon

that old feeling of abandonment

when it comes again;

commit to never leaving it.

And your unworthiness

is not unworthy,

but an intelligent expression

of the whole!

(Remember it's just a feeling, not a fact).

And your doubts are undoubtedly sacred.

And your uncertainty

is certainly shimmering

with life.

And if you can find

a feeling of lostness,

you can hold it close,

breathe into its delicate heart.

And you can be the home

for the world's homesickness.

So no feeling is a mistake;

feelings come to you for love,

for an embrace as vast as the Universe.

you are the One; your nature is loving; your time is Now.

- Jeff Foster

"Belonging to ourselves means being called to stand alone — to brave the wilderness of uncertainty, vulnerability and criticism. And with the world feeling like a political and ideological combat zone, this is remarkably tough. We seem to have forgotten that even when we’re utterly alone, we’re connected to one another by something greater than group membership, politics and ideology — we’re connected by love and the human spirit. No matter how separated we are by what we think and believe, we are part of the same spiritual story............Belonging is the innate human desire to be part of something larger than us. Because this yearning is so primal, we often try to acquire it by fitting in and by seeking approval, which are not only hollow substitutes for belonging, but often barriers to it. Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance."

- Brene Brown

Notes on LEMON BALM by ANA

Lemon balm is a lemon scented member of the mint family- it looks almost exactly like regular mint and has a mild lemony scent and flavor

It’s native to Southern Europe.

Lemon balm is calming and simultaneously uplifting.

Lemon Balm is another nervine- it tones and restores the nervous system. It’s particularly indicated for those who tend toward anxiety and nervousness (I drink a lemon balm infusion almost every night)

Studies have shown that lemon balm works by stimulating GABA in the body. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter— basically, helping calm nerve cells so they don’t charge as much. When nerve cells are over-charged, one of the things they do is make adrenaline, even during sleep or while we try to relax.

So again, lemon balm can stimulate GABA, which inhibits or modulates this action.

Lemon balm can be taken alone, but it also plays well with others- meaning it works synergistically with other herbs.

It plays a role in optimizing immune health, digestive health and providing a sense of balance for the nervous system.

In the digestive system, lemon balm has historically been used to calm occasional discomfort associated with indigestion, gas and bloating.

In vitro studies show promise for this herb in helping to promote a healthy immune system by initiating a healthy immune response and promoting health of the cell wall.

Lemon balm has also been traditionally used to support cognitive function

As mentioned, I like to make an infusion. I infuse my lemon balm with chamomile and sometimes, I like to add coconut milk, honey and nutmeg for a cozy bedtime beverage.  I call it Moon Milk

Lemon Balm can also be taken as a tincture.

I’ve mentioned Herb Pharm before as being one of my favorite companies to get tinctures from.

If you feel like doing your own introduction for on a marae.                                                       

Ko ____________ te māunga

Ko ____________ te awa/roto/moana

Ko ____________ te waka *

Ko ____________ tōku tīpuna *

Ko ____________ tōku iwi

Ko ____________ tōku hapū

Ko ____________ tōku marae *

Nō ____________ ahau

Ko ____________ rāua ko __________ ōku mātua *

Ko ____________ tōku ingoa

The mountain that I affiliate to is _________________________

The river/lake/sea that I affiliate to is ____________________

The waka that I affiliate to is ____________________________ *

My (founding) ancestor is _______________ *

My tribe is _____________________________

My sub-tribe is _________________________

My marae is ___________________________ *

I am from _____________________________

My parents are __________ and ___________ *

My name is ____________________________