In this week’s podcast, we take a look at the differences in how the cow and the buffalo deal with the storms that come into their lives. If you haven’t heard the story of the buffalo before, then this is one you will want to hear. And of course, the show contains this week’s Signs of Hope story as well. So, listen to the audio podcast for the full version, or continue reading for a summary of today’s lesson.
Many times, we choose to run and hide from the storms in our lives. And that may be a good solution at times, but eventually, the storms will catch up to us. When they do, they are still going to hurt. They are inevitably going to be painful. So, the question becomes, is it better to face the storms as they happen? Or is it better to avoid them as long as we can?
Let’s discuss the story of the cow, the buffalo, and the storms. They say that the cow can sense the coming storm, and they will turn and run away from it. The buffalo can also sense the coming storm, but they will turn and run directly into the storm. At first glance, it appears that the cows are smarter than the buffalo. However, upon further study, scientists realized that the buffalo were not merely running into the storm. They were running into and through the storm.
The buffalo were making the time they spent in the storm shorter. They knew that if they stayed strong and pushed through the storm that the sunshine was waiting on the other side. Meanwhile, the cows were expending a lot of energy to avoid the storms. They were constantly running and trying to stay ahead of it. Yet, eventually, the storm would still catch up to the cows.
The question today is – who are you?
Are you like the buffalo? Can you stand strong and push through the storms in your life? Are you able to deal with the pain and difficulties that a storm brings? Or are you like the cow? Are you constantly trying to avoid the storms in your life, prolonging the depression and despair?
There’s an argument in favor of being more like the cow, but I prefer to be like the buffalo. The choice is yours.
The latest Faith Beyond Podcast features an intriguing topic, Near-Death Experiences. Special Show Guest Sherman O’Bryan was leading a normal life. He served in the military, worked a variety of jobs over the years, and then adversity hit, and everything changed.
You can read about 5 other Near-Death Experiences here. But what do I think about it? Well, there’s something major I have learned in life, and it is this – do not judge something you have not yet experienced yourself. If you have never eaten toast with grape jelly, then how do you know what it tastes like? Sure, others may tell you what it tastes like, but that is not the same as you knowing, on a personal level, what it is like. That is very simplistic, I know. But, how can I have an opinion on Near-Death Experiences if I haven’t experienced it? I can’t.
With that said, I do find it fascinating. If you believe we move from this body on into a new existence after we die, an existence that extends beyond this earthly plane, then Near-Death Experiences seem like a logical step in that process. Check out Sherman’s story this week on the Faith Beyond with Tim Maceyko Podcast and decide what you believe and/or think for yourself.
And be sure to check out more podcast episodes here. If you would like to become a sponsor, please check out that option here or email me at Tim@FaithBeyond.org for business sponsorship opportunities.
On this week’s Faith Beyond Podcast, I get to share an inspiring story about three little children who spend a day at the beach with their family. It’s a valuable lesson about choosing how we face adversity in our lives. What child are you? Be sure to check it out below.
In the Signs of Hope segment, we get to hear from several parents about how their children have told them about interactions they claim to have had with a deceased loved one. Some things just cannot be explained! Have you experienced a Sign of Hope yourself?
If you are feeling alone, depressed, or need additional reassurance, you may want to check out the previous podcast episode, You Are Not Alone.
Disclaimer: Music clips in this episode includes songs “Let’s Go Now” by Beza and “Our Time” by Bex. The song of the week is “I’ve Been Searching” by Grace Mesa. All music contained in this week’s episode is licensed through an agreement between PremiumBeat.com and Tim Maceyko for the Faith Beyond Podcast.
Ayurveda: The Hidden Gem of Self-Care from Ancient India
Self-care and healing are the two cornerstones of a peaceful life. Unless your inner self is taken care of, you won’t be able to radiate positive energy into the world around you. Therefore, in order to take care of our families, children, friends, and careers, we must reflect on how well taken care of we feel internally.
We are seeing people go back to traditional ways of healing, like yoga and orthodox Chinese medicine. These methods are considered effective to this day due to the balance they can bring to one’s life.
Ayurveda, although somewhat less popular in the Western world, is one such healing method that predates all others. Translated as the “Science of Life,” Ayurvedic self-care methods were born over 5000 years ago in India and are widely accepted as a legitimate treatment method all over the country.
In fact, many nature-based healing systems in the West, for example homeopathy, actually stem from Ayurveda itself.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a self-healing principle that places great emphasis on the need to create balance in one’s life through food, lifestyle, and the mind. It believes that, like fingerprints, everyone has a unique balance of energies that affect their emotional, physical, and mental features.
The balanced state for each person is different, and it is determined at the time of their birth. When this constitution is in its balanced state, we are at peace and healthy. However, external factors such as stress, trauma, climate change, or lack of good food can negatively affect this balance.
Through Ayurveda, we can understand the energy that our constitution is made up of and work towards the balance state that our soul requires.
As per Ayurveda, our body time, personality, and behavior is determined by the proportion of the three Doshas (constitutions) in us. The three Doshas are called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, and usually, one of them is more dominant than the others. This dominant dosha, according to Ayurveda, is what defines us and our balanced state.
Understanding Ayurvedic Doshas
In the ayurvedic understanding of the world, the entire cosmos is made of five elements: Fire, Water, Space, Air, and Mass.
Khapa is the interaction of Mass and Water. The energy that forms, as a result, is responsible for structure in one’s body. Vata is the interaction of Air and Space, which control movement and occupation. Lastly, Pitta is when Fire and water come together, which give us heat and fluidity.
These doshas, and their proportions, perform all the core functions in our body. Therefore, any of these doshas being out of balance would result in an unhealthy body and mind. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha can become out of balance due to climate, stress, food, or genetic reasons.
Hence, unlike Western medicine, health is directly correlated to the balance of one core element in Ayurvedic philosophy. It says that at birth, we are all born with a dominant dosha.
A Vata body type is usually lean, dry, and cold, with a lot of movement and unstable eating habits. Their mind also tends to be fickle, and their memory can be weak. However, they like to stay active and constantly think of new ideas too. Vata types are the creators and dreamers.
Pita types gave well-proportioned bodies that can build muscle quickly and are always warmer than most people. They are usually prone to anger tantrums but are also very sociable, bright, and good at processing their thoughts, making them good leaders.
Lastly, Khapa body types can be slightly heavy bodies with strong bones with a strong love for sleep. They can be shy and highly opinionated but are generally calm and composed in even the most stressed situations. They are also super loyal and loving.
How can Ayurveda provide healing?
When you understand your Ayurvedic body type, you can create a lifestyle that will make sure all your doshas are in balance. It focuses on prevention by addressing the root causes rather than all your symptoms. For instance, if you have a Vata dominant body type and live in an arid area, your Vata is likely to be imbalanced. Understanding these imbalances and the constant flux your mind and body are in is the first step towards wellness through Ayurveda.
There is a wide variety of resources that can guide you in maintaining your Vata, Pitta, and Khapa balance. For example, suppose you learn that you are Khapa dominant. In that case, you can balance it by getting a lot of exercises, avoiding heavy foods and dairy, maintaining a good sleep cycle, and keeping active.
For Pitta, you should avoid exposure to steam, limit your salt intake and adopt an exercise routine in a cool environment. Lastly, for Vata, you should live in a warm place where you can practice calmness, avoid cold foods and try to avoid a busy, hectic routine.
Practicing Ayurveda to Achieve Fitness and Wellbeing
As I said, this is just the start of understanding your Ayurveda journey. The 5000-year-old wellness phenomenon is enriched with a plethora of knowledge for you to explore.
However, you must keep in mind that while Ayurveda is professionally practiced and acknowledged throughout India, it is not considered an alternative to western medicine. On the contrary, ayurvedic practitioners themselves recommend using it simultaneously with western medicine as they both have huge benefits.
You, too, can begin to understand your core better with Ayurveda and learn what can bring you peace. Doing this will help you identify what is hindering your wellness and how you can change it.
When you put yourself first, your body will start to heal. Your mind will start to clear up and you soul will start to feel energized. I hope this article has ignited a curiosity about Ayurvedic practices for you. If so, I also hope you can use it to give your body the attention and love it needs!
This article was provided as part of the Faith Beyond with Tim Maceyko Fitness and Health Series.
This week’s podcast is titled, “You Are Not Alone” and is in honor of my son, Seth James Maceyko, who died on March 20, 2013. I kick off the new Faith Beyond Podcast series with a solo show in which I discuss the pain of being alone after extreme adversity hits. You may have support early on, but eventually you will find yourself alone and that is when things may get the most difficult. On the show, I get brutally honest about how I almost didn’t go on after losing my child. A story straight out of my Child Loss 101 book called is featured, and a power ballad, “Mountains in Your Way” by Bex adds to this week’s dramatic episode. And we finish up with a “Sign of Hope” story to round things out.
If you have ever felt alone, you do not want to skip this show.
Disclaimer: If you are feeling suicidal or are in crisis of any kind, please call the National Suicide Hotline by dialing 988. You are not alone – call.
All music played in this episode has been licensed through an agreement between Tim Maceyko and Premium Beat. Song clips include, “Let’s Go Now” by Beza and “Our Time” by Bex. The featured full song of the week is “Mountains in Your Way” by Bex.
If you believe in what we are doing and our efforts to bring high quality supportive content to everyone, then please consider buying me a coffee. If you would like to do more, then check out our monthly podcast sponsorship option.
For those who have lost someone special in their life, Christmas can look much different than it once did. I made a list of songs that reflect the pain of loss, but they also express the hope that we all can hold onto. We will never forget, but we can keep the faith. If you need some ideas on surviving loss and the holidays, see my article on that topic here. Otherwise, enjoy my Top 5 Christmas Songs of Loss & Hope.
#1 Christmas Song: The Sweetest Gift – Piano Guys featuring Chris Avery
The song I chose to put in the number one spot on my list of the Top 5 Christmas Songs of Loss & Hope, is The Sweetest Gift. In all fairness, several of the other songs on this list could have made it to the top spot, but as a bereaved parent, this song speaks to me in ways that most songs can’t.
This particular version was recorded by The Piano Guys, who are known for putting a special twist on songs by using just a piano and a cello. Their music has been viewed and/or listened to online over a billion times, and many of the traditional Christmas songs they have done are outright incredible. However, when it comes to hitting on everything a bereaved parent may feel this time of the year, this song is a must-have
The history: In 2016, Jon Schmidt’s daughter Annie went missing. Annie had gone for a hike and failed to return. She was eventually found at the bottom of a cliff, her death ruled as accidental. As one can imagine, the loss of their child affected the Schmidt family and shook them to their core. But it was through their faith that they found a way to survive and keep going.
During the grieving process, Jon heard a song that described exactly what he was feeling and he knew he needed to record it. So, The Piano Guys teamed up with Craig Aven for a song that still speaks to me. I dedicate this one to every parent who may be missing their child this Christmas.
#2 Christmas Song: Different Kind of Christmas – Mark Schultz
In 2014, Different Kind of Christmas was released and quickly became a song that was shared around the world. Mark Schultz wrote the song after he lost his father-in-law. Mark stated that the family was close and the loss was hard. One day as the holidays were approaching, Mark’s wife came into the office. She was still reeling from the loss of her father and told her husband, “It’s just going to be a different kind of Christmas.” And from that, the song was born.
Mark was quoted as saying that while writing Different Kind of Christmas he came to understand that mourning is real and it’s alright to feel the way you do. It’s also okay to celebrate the lives of the ones we miss.
I find that this song allows me to reflect on the ones I miss the most each holiday season. It’s heart-wrenching but provides me hope and that’s the reason it comes in at number two on my list of the Top 5 Christmas Songs of Loss & Hope.
#3 Christmas Song: One Last Christmas – Matthew West
The number three position is held by a song that will require you to get a box of tissue ready. There is no doubt you will need it once you understand the meaning behind this song. In One Last Christmas, Matthew West shares the true story of Dax Locke, a less than two-year-old child with leukemia. Doctors weren’t sure Dax would make it through the year and so, understanding that his time was limited, Dax’s family skipped Halloween and went straight to their son’s favorite holiday. They created their version of Christmas but did it in October. Once the local community heard what the family was doing others quickly joined in. And almost instantly, an entire town transformed itself into a Hallmark-like movie. They celebrated the most joyous time of the year earlier and longer than ever before.
This is an inspiring story in itself. The song causes me to tear up as I watch the video, but it will always remain one of my favorites. One Last Christmas serves as a reminder of the way the world should be. I love seeing little Dax and being able to share in the personal moments of his life. A special thank you to the Locke family for letting us enjoy their child. Dax will forever hold a special place in my heart, just like my own son will forever do.
#4 Christmas Song: Christmas in Heaven – Sarah Schieber
Christmas In Heaven was written by Paul Marino and Jeremy Johnson. Singer Sarah Schieber recorded it in 2009 as part of an album she was working on and it ranks as my number 4 choice for the Top 5 Christmas Songs of Loss & Hope. This one really hit home for Sarah as she had lost her husband, Chad previously, and his death meant she was left alone to raise their three young children.
Sarah told CBN.com, “Paul shared the song with me a few months after my husband Chad died. It became a very sweet part of my healing process. I didn’t dream that I would have the opportunity to record it this year. I pray it will comfort those who have lost loved ones and are facing the holidays alone.”
Others have recorded Christmas in Heaven, but there is something authentic and special about hearing this version. You can feel the connection Sarah has with this song, and that’s why I keep it on my list.
#5 Christmas Song: Christmas Will Be Different This Year – Gary LeVox
Rascal Flatts’ frontman, Gary LeVox, put words to the melody written by pianist-songwriter, Stephan Moccio. The song was actually a collaboration between Moccio, Levox, and Natalie Hemby. Interestingly, the three artists were said to have used Zoom to collaborate and create Christmas Will Be Different This Year. It encompasses how Covid changed the world, but it goes well beyond just that.
The lyrics are about the difficulty of a changing world and how life doesn’t remain the same for any of us. LeVox stated, “I think this song encompasses what the holidays will be this year, and not just because of Covid and all of that, but kids going away to school. The world as we once knew it is different. And I think this year Christmas will be different for everybody.”
I couldn’t agree more. It’s not just losing a loved one in death that affects us. Our kids grow up, loved ones move away, and things are different. As we age we may even find ourselves alone during the holidays. This song earned its spot as the number five song in my Top 5 Christmas Songs of Loss & Hope because of the deep meaning it has. I think you will agree once you listen.
So, there it is, my Top 5 Christmas Songs of Loss & Hope. I’ve learned to embrace the pain, the joy, and the gift that is the holiday season. These are just a few of the songs that exist, so feel free to share your favorites with me. And Merry Christmas to all.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
