Have you ever heard of the term electrolyte balance? Take a careful look at the word ‘electrolyte’? What does this term suggest? Simply stated it’s a reference to the electrical current or electrical charge that results from the salts found in the food itself. Salts are chemical compounds made up of atoms that carry electrical charges. Dissolved in water, the components in a salt exist as ions. Collectively, these ions are called electrolytes. Your body uses two main kinds, namely positively charged electrons and negatively charged electrons – and both types of particles readily dissolve in water.

The main positively charged electrolytes in the body are sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, while negatively charged electrolytes include chloride, phosphates, and bicarbonate.

In order to maintain the right electrolyte balance your body is constantly transferring these mineral salts within the cells and between the cells to ensure homeostasis and health.

When you eat fresh living foods, you are giving your body the perfect combination of intact salts in the correct quantities to ensure it’s ongoing electrolyte balance. How come? Because every living food has it’s own perfect balance of these salts or ions to provide your body with the electrical current it needs to function optimally. So that is why I refer to living foods as high voltage foods. Living foods are the only foods with the capacity to transport energy to your cells in the right balance and the most optimal way .

I like to think of us humans as electro-magnetic-bio-chemical-processing energy beings. The healthier you are, the higher your internal voltage, the more ill you are the lower the voltage. Think about it. When you feel ill, what happens to your energy levels? Perhaps there is something to food as energy after all!

If you enjoyed this, there’s more on it’s way in my upcoming e-book: ‘Revitalized on Raw – a three-phased approach to more healthy food choices’ – to be published by the Fall 2012

I experienced a soul-feast a few Saturdays ago when a gifted, local young musician entertained a modest audience at a local coffee shop called Cuppa Joy Café. Her name? Tatiana. Tatiana has the talent of five performers wrapped into one! She entertained us all evening with a suite of her own songs, delivered from her soul. She composed them, wrote the lyrics and performed them. Wow!

I’d heard Tatiana on the drums and had experienced her the first time as a passionate djembe drummer. On this second encounter I was blown away by her musical versatility. Tatiana plays piano, guitar, flute, violin and the djembe drum! Her talent is her gift to the world and she sparkles!

Are you aware that you too have our own kind of sparkle? You do! And if you reflect on the last time you felt it you’ll probably agree that you were relaxed and doing what you most love to do. Not so? When you’re in that self-connecting and congruent state, connecting to your true genius, it all feels easy. Right? In fact so easy and natural that you don’t even have to think about it. You go with the flow of the moment and you shine! And, in those moments you feel so aligned with your inner being, in touch with yourself, your talents and your joy that it resonates and radiates from your core. Well, that is where your essential self lives. And when you’re in touch with that deeper part of you, you cannot help but sparkle!

So, here are a few of questions for you to ponder over the next few days: When last did you experience someone else’s soul? What was that like? And as importantly, when last have others experienced yours? In what ways? How was that for you?

Action focus: How might you express your genius and gifts more frequently so you touch others with your soul?

PS: If you’re reading this blog today and would like to experience Tatiana’s music and soul, tune in to radio station CJSF 90.1 FM this evening May 1’st. Tatiana is the guest performer on The Melodies and Mind radio show tonight between
8 and 10 pm.

‘I’ll meet you at the local coffee shop next Thursday at 8am, on 17’th’ she said. ‘Sure’ I’d replied, aware that she was pressed for time and that an early meeting was the only way I’d get to connect with her in person. that was our arrangement. Easy, 8am on Thursday at 17′th.

Thursday arrives, I follow through and seat myself at the large table I was lucky to find. Eight o’ clock arrives. Ten past eight rolls by and still no client. ‘Ten minutes, hmm. Anything could have delayed her. I don’t have a next appointment till 11, so I can wait a little longer.’ That’s the conversation I have with myself as I watch the clock and the coffee shop door. This table is so perfectly positioned. I’ve been counting the people as they arrive to get their kick-start for the day.

Another five minutes rolls by. Still, no sign of my client. Thankfully the age of technology places quick contact at our fingertips. So, I call her and reach the office answering machine and leave my message: ‘Hi. This is Deborah Rossouw. Just checking if we’re still on for this morning and if I got it right? I’m at the coffee shop on 17’th and Lonsdale. Give me a call.’ And I leave my mobile number and hang up. In addition, I send her a similar text message – just in case.

Twenty five past eight, still no client and no calls. ‘Well, it’s clear she’s not arriving’ I tell myself as I pack up and head for my car. Just as I’m about to turn on the ignition, my mobile phone rings. ‘Good morning, Deborah. Are we still on for this morning? We were to meet at 8, not so?’

‘Yes’ I say, ‘I’ve just left ‘S’ coffee shop on 17’th and Lonsdale.’

‘Oh, she says, I’ve been waiting for you at ‘S’ on 17’th, but it’s 17’th and Marine Drive in West Vancouver.’

Neither my client nor I had checked our individual assumptions about the location we were to meet at because we both believed we knew where it was.

‘Oh no!’ I reply, ‘we’ve both been waiting, but at two different coffee shops! I’m so sorry for the misunderstanding. Would you still like to meet?’

‘Yes, and I’ve a client at 9am, so if you can get here as soon as possible it’ll give us a  few minutes.’

‘I’m on my way,’ I reply. Let me check – where exactly would you like me to meet you?’

‘In my office,’ she says.

‘Just so I make sure we connect. Remind me again of the location of your office?’

‘It above the Coast Capital building,’ she says.’

Great. I’m on my way. Thank you.’

And as we finish speaking I look at the number on the phone display and notice that it’s different from the one I had for her. ‘Aah, this one must be her cell phone. Good to know!’ And I immediately add it to her name in my phone contacts. ‘And,’ I continue my internal conversation, ‘the building above Coast Capital, mm, that’s not the office I met her at last time. Now that I think about it, I recall she’d told me she works from two different locations. I’m glad I asked her that.’ I mutter to myself ‘One assumption is enough!’

Now, what are the chances of the same franchise would have two coffee shops on 17’th Street in two adjoining suburbs? Well, perhaps that’s a no-brainer question, especially as that particular enterprise positions itself everywhere it can! But I digress…

I’m pleased to report that our meeting was a success and that she confirmed the team-building event that she wants me to facilitate for her team. It could however have been very different! This was a close miss that I’d hate to repeat.

How easy it is to make assumptions! When last were you caught unawares by thinking you knew what the other person was referring to?

What one strategy can you use to reduce or eliminate assumptions?

Here’s the one question I’m going to use: ‘Let me check, do you mean….? This one important question would have made an enormous difference to me and my client this Thursday morning. I hope this one important question will make a difference to you too!

What kind of effort did your goal require of you? Who was alongside you supporting you to achieve it? How did they support you? Did their approach ‘feel supportive’ to you? Hold that thought. this will begin to make sense in a bit.

Today was my ninth spinning class – yep I’ve been counting. I had promised a girlfriend that I would pass my training log on to her as she plans to do the same ride next year, so I’m tracking my progress and activities.

This thought of goals and what helps us reach them was prompted this morning at my early morning, hour-long bike spinning class. My goal is to build my endurance so I actually make the 240km ride I’ve committed to doing in June. And this is where Sarah comes into the picture.

Sarah is our Thursday-morning spinning class trainer. She’s like pure sunshine the moment she steps into the gym. Her bubbly energy is contagious.

Above the music Sarah calls out the instructions with enthusiasm: ‘We’re building endurance today, so we’re going to climb. Find your 6’th gear. We’ll start with a warm-up: 45 seconds in the seat, then gear up a quarter turn and hover and then back on the seat, keeping the same speed, if you’re able to.  We’ll do this for four sets. Okay, ready in ten seconds. Let’s go!’ The direction and expectation are clearly set.

I notice that I feel encouraged by the manner in which Sarah has set mini-milestones for us to reach. But even more than that, I notice how her full commitment to the goal herself, serves to encourage me to stick with the program. How do I know she’s fully committed? Because I can see the amount of resistance her legs are pushing as she powers through her pedals.

Perhaps I should explain the set-up in a spinning class, as it’s occurred to me that not everyone has necessarily participated in one of these. The instructor’s bike is set on a raised platform that has a mirror behind it. This helps riders around the room have a view of the trainer indirectly if their vision is blocked. The bike I use is in the back row of this mini-gym. I don’t have a direct view of Sarah, but her reflection reveals her effort. Intermittently Sarah’s voice calls above the music: ‘Drive those legs!’ as she drives her own. Her shoulders are relaxed and down. I notice mine are tense and bunched into my neck. Automatically I drop them down to mimic hers.
‘Halfway there’ she adds with a smile, still pushing those pedals to a steady circular rhythm. ‘Just 30 seconds.’ Beads of sweat glisten on every rider and I’m grateful that the noise of the fans and the music drowns out my effortful huffing and puffing.
‘Just ten seconds, give it your best! Five seconds. Gear down.
‘Awesome everyone! Awesome!’

I feel a sense of deep satisfaction. I actually kept up!

I again hear Sarah’s voice above the din of the music, ‘Take fifteen more seconds and we’ll climb another hill. Find your 7’th gear…’

And so the rest of the class progresses, and for me it’s the very first time that I feel I was able to keep up reasonably well.

Sarah displays what she says. When I see her driving her legs, I’m encouraged to drive mine. When I see her shoulders dropped and relaxed, I’m prompted to drop and relax mine.

Today’s class reinforced the importance of congruence, especially from those who teach or lead. Leaders and teachers who ‘Say it and display it’ gain far more trust and respect than those who do not.

So, here’s a related coaching question for you to reflect on:

In what one area of your life do you need to align what you say to the actions you display? Pick just one. Stay open and curious about how you can ‘Say it and display it!’

One sentence caught my attention: ‘You want to approach this with calm breath. And at the end, be breathless.’ What a concept! And of course it got me thinking. Breathlessness is a good thing in the context of fitness, especially when followed by a short recuperation period to restore your equilibrium.

So while keeping my legs spinning and exerting effort on the uphill climb, I allow my mind to wonder. How might Colleen’s comment apply to our relationships at work and home? Colleen’s instruction: ‘You want to approach this with calm breath’ resonated deeply, and it got me thinking. ‘Calm vs breathlessness. Mmm. In what other situations can you apply this?’ And of course I immediately think of how we relate to ourselves and others.

I think you’ll agree that breathlessness in our communication with others, is not the goal. It conjures images of someone who is out of control, with a raised voice and temper unleashed with chaotic energy that can set others off or cause them to withdraw from fear. The out-of-control person can be said to speak with forked tongue, rather than with calm breath. In contrast, calm breath reflects that you’re in touch with your inner core which enables you to speak with self-control, self-respect, clarity, and stay intentionally focused on a mutually agreeable outcome.

As I reflect on this, another equally compelling idea comes to mind: ‘Ending also in a state of calm. Wouldn’t that be a worthy goal?’ I include this because I know I can get excitable or reactive sometimes. If you already approach and end all interactions from a calm state, I can learn from you. I know I don’t, especially when it comes to  learning new technology. I get triggered and thrown off-center a lot. Perhaps reading this will confirm that you are on track, and likely easy to be around. For people like me who get reactive under certain circumstances, I need the reminder. If you do too, see if you can recall one situation or relationship in which you get triggered, and apply this to that.

Imagine what your everyday interactions might be like if you approached them from a state of calm and also completed them in a state of calm? What one benefit would this have on your well-being and on the quality of your relationships, at work and home?

My invitation is this: Approach each conversation with calm breath, and complete it also in a calm state. And then begin to notice the results you get.

You’re already ten minutes into the class. Besides your thumping heart-beat and music, you hear the next instruction ‘Okay everyone, get ready, we’re about to climb that hill. Turn the gears up to 90% tension. Stand, and let’s go!’

So, you brace yourself and inwardly query: ‘Why am I doing this again?’
But, in the moment, you ignore the question because you know that nobody told you to get up at sparrows and be on the bike before dawn! It was all your own doing. So you try to seek some sort of reassurance and tell yourself: ‘Only another 50 minutes and I’ll be done for the day’ and you push the pedal harder and huff and some more, as you continue your inner dialogue ‘She wasn’t kidding about the uphill!’ Yep, you’re getting some insight into my experience!

Just in case you’re wondering, my reason for going to spinning classes is twofold: To get fit and to be eligible to participate, because I signed up to do the 240km Ride to Conquer Cancer bike ride, from Vancouver to Seattle in June. It’s a big goal and one that I want to achieve.

It’s my sixth spinning class, but my first experience of Sarah as our bike trainer. I like that she came around to each of before the time to check that our bikes were appropriately set for our individual needs. I now know how to position my seat and pedals next time – it’s all good.

Sarah, similar to the other spinning-class trainers, lets us know what we’re going to do prior to each segment of the workout. While this is helpful and important to know, the thing I really appreciated this morning was the manner in which she encouraged us.  Now don’t get me wrong, all the trainers encourage us – and what I love is that they all do it in their own way. Sarah’s way includes three simple that left an impression on me: ‘You’re nearly there!’

Here’s why I think her words had impact: she made it personal; she gave hope, and she focused on our target. True, our goal was imaginary – nevertheless, receiving encouragement along the way was significant to get us to keep reaching for it.

In your life, at work or home, what target are you striving to achieve with others? What phrase of encouragement can you use to make it personal; give hope, and focus on the target?

Let me encourage you, like Sarah encouraged me: Every tiny step towards reaching your goal is a move in the right direction. ‘You’re nearly there!’

He got it! His kid brother was not hurt, he just got a fright and that is what made him cry. And so he empathized.

How often when we witness an incident, do we perceive accurately what the impact might be for the other person? Expressing empathy effectively is a skill that serves as a bridge to let others feel understood. It requires us to observe accurately so we can reflect that back to the other person – like this six-year-old did.

If a six-year-old can get it right, so can you and I!
This week, see how many times you can express empathy for others, by naming the impact they experience. Doing so will strengthen your communication and will invite others to open up more to you.

Copyright © Deborah Rossouw of DebSpeaks.com 17 February 2012 – All rights reserved

So, here I am, out on my Saturday morning bike ride in perfect riding weather – overcast, calm and cool. I’ve completed one round of the ten km route and because the conditions are perfect, I decide to do it all again.

So, a third of the way into the second 10km lap, I come across two runners whom I had passed on the first lap. This time they’re on the return leg of their run. They look good. Each runs with an easy gait. As I ride past I say: ‘Onto lap two –it’s perfect weather for it’. And they both smile, nod and then stop. It’s a welcome rest. I find out that Gord and Ken are both training for a full marathon. Gord is training for the Vancouver Marathon in May, and Ken’s training for the Tokyo Marathon in a few weeks. ‘And it’s snowing there right now!’ adds Ken, with a playful smile. It’s evident that regardless of the conditions, he plans to run!

It turns out they’ve both done a number of long distance runs, as well as long distance bike rides. Gord looks at me and asks: ‘Have you had your bike fitted out for you?
‘No,’ I said, looking down at Old Trusty, ‘I’ve just changed the seat and the bike was given a tune-up’

‘Well,’ Gord continues, ‘You really want to consider getting your bike fitted-out for you, before you do a 240km ride.’

‘So,’ I ask: What’s it like to ride that kind of distance?

Gord responds: ‘We only trained for about a month before the ride. The one thing I learned is you’ve got to get used to being on a bike seat.’

‘I agree,’ Ken adds ‘It’ll make a huge difference to you, especially at the 100km mark – that’s when you start to feel it!’

That’s the fifth time I’ve heard that kind of comment in the past three weeks. ‘Get used to your bike seat!’ I’m learning to pay attention to ‘the echo.’

So, here’s another invitation for all of us.
What message have you heard echoed recently, from a colleague, client or loved one? And, what action can you take this week to heed the echo? It may require less effort than getting used to a bike seat for a long distance ride, but it too might just ‘save your butt’!

Copyright © Deborah Rossouw of DebSpeaks.com 12 February 2012 – All rights reserved

Now you’d think that I might have considered why it had happened. Well, I did, but only fleetingly. Well, guess what, when I took the bike out for a long ride, today, the chain did not come loose – it snapped! That got my attention! Fortunately it was only five minutes into the ride, and close enough to the bike repair shop. It was definitely my lucky day as I was the first customer when the doors opened at 10am. The chap first did a quick fix of my broken bike-chain. Only when I began to ask a few key questions, did I realize that because it was tighter, it might snap again. As I’m training for a long distance bike ride in June, I need a reliable chain, not one that will strain and snap again. So, I bought a new one and asked for it to be installed instead.

But here’s the important question: Where else in my life, do I ignore the tiny warning signs that something is under strain? What is the chain of events that is silently playing out, that I’m not paying enough attention to? And for you – what is the chain of events silently playing out, that you might not be paying enough attention to?
Are there any warning signs you need to notice in relation to your health or energy levels? Likewise, are there any tiny warning signs in regard to your home or work relationships? What about your spiritual well-being?
What chain of events has already played out that you’ve not slowed down to assess?

As happened for me, does the situation need to snap, before it gets your attention?

You know the thing about our health, spiritual well-being or our work and home relationships, is that we don’t have the option of ‘buy a new one’. Under normal circumstances, we get to work with what we’ve got!

So, my invitation to you and me, is to ask the above question through this coming week so we have the opportunity to reduce any strains and thus avoid any snap!

Copyright © Deborah Rossouw of DebSpeaks.com 10 February 2012 – All rights reserved.

I must confess that this year I did not make any resolutions on New Year’s Day, as mine have often ended up being unrealistic promises. So, this year I decided on a different approach, namely to clearly identify and commit to a couple of practices to take me to the next levels of possibility in my life. How about you?

So, I began by not making any resolution on New Year’s Day.
Instead, I took some time to explore what was missing before. And what came was two words ‘consistency’ and ‘pull’.

While I may have had sincere intentions to follow through with past resolutions, the reason for doing them didn’t have enough ‘pulling power’ for me to keep my commitment to myself.

So that got me thinking about work I’d done in numerous organizations on values, and how values drive behaviour. Bingo! Values are the often-neglected element in resolutions. If you truly want to make a commitment to your goals there needs to be some ‘pull’ from your values.

So, this year I’ll be experimenting with this concept. I’ve identified two domains in which I want to take my game to the next level, namely in the spiritual and the physical. In both of these domains I’ve failed to be consistent. So, this year I have chosen one action I can do per domain to establish a consistent practice.

For example, in the physical domain – we all know that following a regular exercise routine helps to improve one’s level of fitness. So, that’s one area I’ve chosen. Which value does this align with for me? Excellent health. What are the benefits of excellent health as I see it? I want to be able to enjoy walking and jogging and cycling and kayaking with ease, well into my mature years. I want to be able to enjoy travel without stiffness, aches, pains or medication – if possible.

So I figure that increasing my level of fitness on a consistent basis now, will help me achieve greater all round health in the future. Holding that vision is a strong incentive for me to exercise on a more regular basis. Some who know me may argue, ‘oh, but you’ve always been one to exercise’. Well, that’s not quite true. What is true is that my exercise has been sporadic rather than consistent – even though it has included three half-marathons in a period of eighteen years – as you can see, it’s hardly a track record for consistent exercise. It’s consistency that I am now aiming for.

With regard to the spiritual domain, deepening my connection to the Sacred is a deep desire, and yet I miss the mark more often than I like to admit. I’ve come to think of it as my ‘appointment with peace.’ Nothing compares with it! And so, this year by aligning ‘my appointment with peace’ to my value of Spirituality provides me with far more compelling reason to keep my commitment than merely wanting it. Living my values more consistently is how I can take my life to the next levels of possibility. And so can you!

So, here’s my tip for you:
Reflect on the resolution(s) you made on 1 January 2012. And, if you’re having difficulty keeping it, assess if there is a value that you can link it with, so that there’s more ‘pulling power’ to help you to keep your commitment to yourself. The more compelling the value, the more traction your ‘resolution’ will have – but don’t take my word for it. Test this for yourself.
Align a value with the resolution. Align your intentions with your values and actions. And, then, re-visit your value-based resolution on 31 December 2012, and see how you did!

Copyright © Deborah Rossouw of DebSpeaks.com  22 January 2012 – All rights reserved.