stress management

depositphotos_148424227-stock-photo-mercury-zodiac-horoscope-symbol

November 11 2018

Dr. Toni Dr. Toni's Five Minute Tips career change coaching, change management, chaos, crisis management, fear of change, lie purpose, stress management 0

“Everything is numbers and to know numbers is to know thyself.”

Pythagoras (580-500 BC)

Over 2500 years ago, (c. 580 – 500 BC) the Greek philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras, believed that the world was built on the power of numbers. According to Pythagoras theory, everything in the universe is composed of mathematical patterns that have an effect on human nature; meaning that all things can be expressed in numbers that correspond to universal vibrations. These vibrations interact with the electromagnetic field of humanity. In this way, Pythagoras believed, numbers are the keys that unlock the secrets of the universe and nature.

I have been studying the influence that numbers have on human beings for twenty- five years. It is one of the reasons I include it in a soul blueprint session with my clients. By calculating a person’s life path number, destiny number, heart’s desire, public persona, and personal year vibration, as well as their astrology chart, I can best observe repeating themes in their soul contract. Further, there are also numbers that affect mass consciousness. As some of you may know, the entire planet has been experiencing the personal year vibration of 11.

11 is a master number, the number of light and light workers. Many people in the “lime – light” who end up as humanitarians are born under this number – Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy, Anthony Robbins, and both Barack and Michelle Obama.

So today we celebrate the 11/11 vibration with an added power to it, as it is in an 11 year. When we add these numbers up, we get 33, the number of the Christ Consciousness. Developing the Christ’s consciousness comes down to one simple notion: “bring love to it.” Whatever the thought, bring love to it. On this auspicious day of 11/11/11 (2018 – 2 plus 1 plus 8), practice moving your thoughts to love and when you fall back into the ego’s trap of judging, love that, too!

In my book, The LifeQuake Phenomenon, after we have discovered what you are here to do next with your life purpose in stage five, I introduce the concept of sacred geometry for manifesting the new design. I give as a tool to repeat certain master numbers in order to manifest your greatest heart’s desires. One of those is the phrase: “I now vibrate to the frequency of 11/33/44”. This will take you to the Inner Self and so will just repeating, “I am 11/11/11”.

This week we have a lot of planets moving signs or changing direction. Jupiter just went into its home sign of Sagitarrius for the next year. This should be a lucky year for those with personal planets in the sign of Sag. If you are a writer aspiring to get a book published, a teacher, or world traveler, Jupiter going into its home sign can be lucky for you. It also rules the law and law suits. Mercury officially goes retrograde on Friday, Nov 16 although it is already in its shadow (making its mischief with my mail, missing items from UPS like shower curtain hooks, and movers who damaged the property I am renting). On the very same day, Venus goes direct. So, it becomes ok to fall in love again, just don’t sign any contracts until mid December!

If you can hold off doing your Christmas shopping until around the 10^thof December, I would pass on Black Friday, that is of course unless you are moving homes and the deals are just too good to pass up! Wink, wink. I moved my primary residence to Asheville, NC and have no furniture yet except a desk and a bed. I will still be traveling back to the West Coast occasionally to see friends and clients but Asheville is my new home and my work will continue as it has been, predominantly SKYPE, ZOOM or by phone.

And speaking of homes, one of the best things we can do for our physical and mental health is to reduce or eliminate our exposure to often hidden toxins in our home environment. It isn’t enough to eat organic food if your home is making you tired or off balance. My dear friend and colleague Beth Greer has an online course that will teach you how. Here’s the link to register. It starts this Tuesday night! healthyhomecourse.com

So in summary, lots of shifting energy this week, folks. If you spend some time every day between Nov 11 and Nov 17 focusing on merging whatever your ego identifies your self worth with into BEING divine love, you will have access to great vibrational quickening that not only opens your heart more fully, but allows for greater resilience as we move through this intense shift taking place globally . A portal is definitely opening. I felt it last Wed, Nov 7^thwhile I was teaching a virtual class. My body went through quite a download of new energy that I am excited to share with you both on the one on one through coaching and a new course starting after the next big Solar Eclipse on Jan 6, 2019. As you move through this week, remember that in all quickenings, first there is chaos as the old form dies and then rebirth for all of us.

Enjoy the ride!

With great love and affection,

Dr. Toni

Order your copy today! www.LifeQuake.net

depositphotos_4499348-stock-photo-stone-bridge-panoramic

September 6 2018

Change Management Astrology for This Week

Dr. Toni Dr. Toni's Five Minute Tips career transition, change management, dream interpretation, fear of change, life purpose, life transition, meditation, stress management 0

Four Astrological Tips For Managing Change This Week

What an in between time this week is! We all should be roaring to go now that Labor Day is behind us and yet … the ambition, drive, and even vision is still blurry…

Here’s why:

Several planets are moving out of retro. I offer you here some direction on the highest mastery in this transitional time through these four tips:

1) The moon is waning, time for completion of projects. Wait until after next Sunday to initiate new ones.

2) Although Mars and Mercury are now direct, they are still moving very slowly. Mars ordinarily moves a degree in a day and a half. It will take a week for it to move one degree.

Mercury usually moves about 14 degrees in a week and it moved ten this week so it is slowly gaining momentum.

3) Saturn, the taskmaster (sometimes inner slave driver in us) which has been retrograde for five months, stations direct on Thursday. Saturn will move a half of one degree by Sep 30. Saturn rules the father, authority figures, responsibility, being an adult, and the career domain. It also rules what we have brought in as karmic restriction from previous lives that has us compelled to work hard at something or where we are inhibited or insecure. For example, people who have Saturn in their money house usually have money because they work very hard at attaining it, but never feel that they have enough. I have seen Saturn in the house of writing and communication in the charts of famous authors who never thought that what they had written was good enough or that they had done enough drafts.

Although Saturn will take a little while to gain its oomph, “the planet that rules where we need to be disciplined” will at least no longer be retrograde. What that means is you will feel a little more drive I predict after September 10 when it can get some help from Mars ( the assertive part of us) that will finally leave Capricorn next week and moves into the air sign of Aquarius. Saturn is in its own sign of Capricorn for another two years and three months. This is the time to career redirect or refine your life purpose if you are going to thrive in the next economic correction. When Saturn moves into the next sign of Aquarius, the universe and Saturn will not let you lie to yourself about your purpose here without paying a big price so I advise getting started now so you don’t incur a LifeQuake later. Two years goes by fast.

4) Use the new moon on Sunday after 11:00 AM PDT to set your intention for the month. With the new moon in Virgo, I would suggest looking at a place in your life that needs more critical analysis. Where can you reassign that noisy nag the egoic mind, (also called your inner critic), a job that doesn’t hurt your self esteem? Clean out a few closets and get ready for a change of seasons or edit something you’ve written to completion and then send it out or begin incorporating more warming foods with the seasonal change.

Another way to use the part of you that is both Virgo and Capricorn is to note where you are fearful or inhibited. Everyone has Virgo ruling somewhere in their horoscope. Further, this is the house placement for the new moon this month in your personal chart. It could be in the area of how you parent, how you take care of your home, how you show up as a partner or friend, and how to spiritually parent yourself so that the inner critic doesn’t have to do the job so severely.

Verbalizing intentions give them much more power and verbalizing them in a group consciousness even more power. When you go deep into either a guided or individual meditation, access where the energy in your body is blocked, bring light into that area for healing, go to the Higher Self for direction and THEN take action, this is Saturn at its best, the very nature of Spiritual Adulthood. I will sharing tools for this in the program launching Sunday eve.

We have a few slots left in our Activating Miracles on the Monthly New Moon Series still open for anyone ready to melt those old Saturn patterns into monthly breakthroughs that will build on one another into the new year of 2019 and our next Solar Eclipse on Jan 6. Contact me to register: 310-890-6832.

We will be clearing Saturn blockages in this program through the healings that Daniela and I will be activating in each person during these programs. In esoteric astrology, it has been said that the rings around Saturn reflect the inner barriers we come into this life with, based on past life actions.

Traditionally, one had to work hard to clear the karmic debt brought in by Saturn. Case in point, I have a client who is a very big star in the acting world and has the planet of luck, Jupiter in his career house, but he has Saturn in the house of family and he has had to support his family since he was a teenage actor, including both his parents. I have been working with him on his beliefs mentally, emotionally, and physically through reprogramming his ancestral DNA. If you clear the beliefs, you clear the karma. I am very excited to share this spiritual technology with the group that is gathering for the New Moon.

I invite you to join us if you feel at all pulled. There will be recordings to replay after for those who can’t make it in real time. Call now – 310-890-6832 to register.

So, in summary, formulate new goals after Sunday’s new moon but allow your Higher Self to guide the visioning process in the dream time now. For those registered or drawn to register for this new program on Sunday evening, pay attention to your dreams as we build the energy toward Sunday’s new moon.

Beginning five days before each new moon, is a period called the dark of the moon. If you can, refrain from having any surgical procedures during this time or as I mentioned above, launching any new projects.

Completion is the operative word, mindful completion. You will feel more energy next week but with 6 planets in earth signs, the call is to move forward with grounded mindfulness and patience with all the people around you who aren’t moving very fast, either.

It is all about intention, baby. Set your intention before sleep for the acceleration you want to see happen and then find like minded people to share them with, out loud. Pay attention to how it feels in your body when you declare out loud what you want to achieve this month.

I am also offering a career/life purpose coaching package for new clients who prefer personal attention that is 20% off and amounts to 3 sessions at no cost, only until September 30.

Happy Virgo New Moon!

With great love and affection,

Dr. Toni

August 21 2018

Change Management in my Third Act Career

Dr. Toni Ask the LifeQuake Doctor career transition, change management, fear of change, stress management 0

Ask the LifeQuake Doctor/Sep-Oct Counselor Magazine

Dear Dr. Toni:

I am not an addict so this may not be your typical letter asking for advice. My wife, however, is a newly licensed psychotherapist who carries this magazine in her office.

To give you a little back story: she went back to school when our kids got into high school and then was an intern for two years and now is a full fledged therapist in her first office. Our kids are away at college. I am a businessman. There is a 10 years age difference between us. Not only is she in private practice, but she also is a political activist for children’s rights.

I have had a very successful career but at age 60 but am wanting to gear down more and possibly retire in two years. We can well afford it. My wife on the other hand, is ready to go big in her career. I have been having disturbing dreams in which I find out she isn’t a therapist but has become a famous actress or is being pursued by men closer to her age or younger. I also have had dreams about being naked in public and feeling uncomfortable.

I trust my wife. She has given me no reason not to trust her but I have become increasingly insecure lately. Sometimes she makes plans that don’t involve me with her girlfriends on the weekend and doesn’t consult me first and it bothers me. She has always been very independent, even as a housewife and mother when our kids were young but I did feel she needed me more then.

I don’t know if I should talk to her about this or work it out myself. I don’t want her to think of me as being unmanly or hung up on aging and I don’t know, quite frankly, what she can do about it anyway.

What do you think, doc? Should I talk to her about this?

Confused in Newport

Dear Reader:

Part of having a truly intimate relationship involves sharing your vulnerability. Your dream about being naked in public and feeling uncomfortable indicates that your persona is changing. You are being called by your soul to be more transparent and it feels scary. I would encourage you to first sit with this vulnerability without trying to change it at all. Breathe into it and allow it to feel safe with you, unjudged. Notice if it shifts. As you become more comfortable with your “emotional nakedness”, bring her into your awareness. Call upon your higher self (the full potential you) and ask this part to speak non-verbally to your wife about your fears. Notice how she responds in your mind’s eye. How does that feel now on a scale of 1-10, 10 being strongest?

If your anxiety has dissipated to a 3 or less, then it is time to share your process with your wife.

When a couple becomes empty nesters, it is time to redefine the contract you have had and update it. As your wife is becoming more visible in the community and thus having greater commitments, there is an opportunity for you to explore personal development of your own. I recommend getting the catalogue for Esalen in Big Sur, California and The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York. As you become less of the hunter/provider, workshops could provide opportunities for inner exploration. As you grow, you have something to bring back to your relationship to share that in some ways is a part of her world too since she is professionally going into the world of psycho-spiritual growth.

I would also recommend that you think about a trip that would be an adventure or spiritual quest of some kind that you do solo. All of these experiences not only will evolve you but also provide the material for juicy conversations when you return to one another that maybe your business life did not. Having the economic freedom you now have can allow you to take on your bucket list while still staying connected to your spouse.

Given that she is a therapist and not an actress (lol), she will most likely find your curiosity and enthusiasm for your newly created life very attractive. All people are attracted to people who have lives that turn them on.

There is a great Act 3 waiting for you and opportunity for you both to grow as you shed the roles of Mom and Dad as a predominant theme in relating to one another. In my work as a career coach, I love working with people who are entering what I call Act 3 – the final 1/3 (hopefully) in their lives. Most babyboomers do not want to retire in their 60’s, but like the Millenials want their lives to have meaningful purpose. Keep the dialogue between you open as you both make this transition and I see great things ahead for your marriage and your individual paths.

Dr. Toni Galardi is a licensed psychotherapist, author of The LifeQuake Phenomenonand a well known consultant/expert on career repurposing as part of recovery in the addiction field.

If you have a question for The LifeQuake Doctor, you can write to her through: drtoni@drtonigalardi.comor by calling 310-890-6832. She works by phone and SKYPE in private practice. Her website is http://www.thelifequakedoctor.com

August 21 2018

Advice on Love Addiction – Counselor Magazine july 2018

Dr. Toni Ask the LifeQuake Doctor addiction, change management, crisis, fear of change, stress management 0

Dear Dr. Toni:

I am a recovering love addict and per my program took a year off from dating. I went online with a dating service and have been really shocked at how quickly men expect you to show physical affection toward them. Granted, I am 60 and my generation were much freer about sex in our college and 20’s years but darn, 60 something year old men want to kiss you on the first date and get mad because you want to get to know them and see if they are friend material first. I’ve been doing this for 6 months now and am getting discouraged.

My question is this, am I wrong for wanting to spend 3 months developing a friendship first? Will I never meet some one if I don’t give out within the first month? Should I think about women as an alternative choice?

Exasperated in Minnesota

Dear Reader:

First off, I want to applaud you for going one whole year into sobriety. That is a huge first step for a love addict. Secondly, given that you are now past your first year, perhaps there might be people to meet who also are sober dating. Do you go to meetings for any other twelve – step programs? You might consider going to Alanon meetings if you have co-dependency issues as well. Many love addicts do. There may be people in this culture who will have more respect for you.

You might also consider being bold and putting in your profile on the dating site that you are in recovery and seeking a man who is willing to go slow and develop a friendship first. You might not get as many people interested, but it will weed out the guys who have a different pace than you.

Another possibility is to do some research on non-profit organizations and volunteer your time at charity events that are raising money for a cause you believe in. A man who is humanitarian might be the type to also volunteer. I hope this helps.

Do not give up faith that you will meet a man who is the right match for you. Keep your intention clear and your self value and self respect high, you will magnetize that person.

Dear Dr. Toni:

I think I might be agoraphobic. I do go out but I prefer to stay at home. I live alone and sometimes I get lonely but crowds make me nervous and group functions drain me. I do like one on one interactions in my home with friends but people like to meet you places and do things and I end up getting tired after about two hours and want to go home so I am thought of as a drag. I have a job but I work from home using the internet as part of my work. Is it wrong to prefer to be at home rather than out in this crazy, chaotic world we live in? One of my friends thinks I need meds for my social anxiety. I don’t have panic attacks when I’m out, just feel mildly uncomfortable. I would say what bothers me the most is that I am single and you have to go out to meet people. Do you have any suggestions as to what to do about this?

Home Confinement Addict

Dear Reader

Well, I don’t think you are agoraphobic from what you have described. It doesn’t sound like your anxiety reaches unmanageable levels. What may be going on is that you are an HSP – Highly Sensitive Person. HSP’s are drained by groups and have to clear their energy upon returning home from being with people.

HSP’s are often highly creative and introverted. Georgia O’Keefe the painter was an HSP. Many great artists spent large amounts of time away from the world but used the time to create great works of art. With FaceTime and Skype you can meet people online and screen them before ever meeting them. When you read people’s profiles, pay attention to what they like to do. If they are a very active person physically, delete. If the person appears shy or introverted, talk to them on the phone or above mentioned apps, and see if they too are highly sensitive. There are seminars and conferences designed specifically for HSP’s. Check them out. These may be the friends and lovers who would have the most empathy and compassion for your inclinations. Some people are just home bodies. It doesn’t necessarily mean you are addicted to your home. Empaths just feel more comfortable in environments that are quiet and calm. The key is to tell the truth in your profile if you do decide to do online dating. Being authentic will draw the right people to you.

Dr. Toni Galardi is a licensed psychotherapist, author of The LifeQuake Phenomenon and is a well known expert on career repurposing as part of recovery in the addiction field. Dr. Galardi also trains therapists to be coaches in her method of career repurposing coaching.

August 14 2018

Solar eclipse in Leo Healing Fear Newsletter and Recording

Dr. Toni Dr. Toni's Five Minute Tips change, chaos, crisis, economic crisis, life purpose, life transition, stress management 0

Wow! What intense energy has been coming through everyone’s lives lately, no? Yesterday, we began the next and final solar eclipse for the year in the sign of Leo. For the next few days, we are in the power of a super new moon energy. This is a good week for starting new projects. If you can wait util next week, even better when Mercury goes direct.

If you haven’t set your intention yet for the next five months, here is another opportunity attached here through the replay of the solar eclipse healing transmission that I co-led with Daniela Carraro, a very gifted Qi Gong teacher and healer. We began weaving the intentions of everyone who participated days in advance right up to the program.

Even if you participated, I invite you to listen to it again and feel a deeper restructuring of your body/mind/spirit. Due to technical glitches, we had to re-record the opening and closing ( thank you Mercury!). The deep hypnotic state this recording produces will allow you to put clear, deeply relaxed, unblocked enthusiasm behind your intentions.

Please make sure you have a glass of water and something to write on and with (along with your written out intentions for the rest of the year).

There will be an opportunity during Daniela’s healing transmission to speak your intention out loud so please listen to this when you are in a quiet place and can be alone without phones or computer going.

On some people’s computer, the replay will give you a choice of apps, click on Music player for Google Drive. There is a little arrow at top on my iPhone that you click on after clicking on the link below and then it immediately takes you there.

We are launching a new program that includes this recording as the first, which is our gift to you. You are invited to further participate In a once a month tune up on the new moon for the next five months that will include the first Solar Eclipse of the new year on Jan.6th, 2019.

As every new moon is a new cycle for beginning new intentions, you will have two hours with us each month where you will have an opportunity to ask questions and/or share your intentions with the group support each month to help you launch a solid yet agile foundation as you move into the “rock and roll year of 2019” which really begins on January 6, not January 1st, astrologically speaking.

We have an early bird discount of $197 for the entire 10 hours with two powerful Italian healers. Heh, my mission is change mastery, Italian style so you get to experience two blonde Italian teachers for the price of one! This price is only good until Monday, Aug 20. The price will go up to $247 until Aug 27 and for anyone signing up after that until Sep 9th, the day of the next new moon, the cost will be $297. Although we are so gratified that we had such a big response to this program yesterday, we really want a select group of people to get personal support from us for manifesting miracles this year. The participants in this program are people who are committed to having a breakthrough, so we are limiting the number to 30 people total.

Although these will also be available on replay, (no more new moons during a mercury retrograde, yea!), here are the new moon dates: Sunday, Sep 9th 7:00 PM, PDT Monday October 8th at 7:30 PM, PDT, Wed. Nov 7th 7:00 PM PST, Friday Dec 7, 9:00 AM, PST, and the next Solar Eclipse, Sunday January 6, 9:00 AM, PST 2019.

The next new moon program on Sep 9th will begin just a few days after Saturn goes direct. I have been advising my clients to work with the Saturn retrograde on where your internal blocks to success live now. I will be teaching you how to use rather than be abused by Saturn (rules the father archetype in each of us, how do we provide and protect ourselves, as well as, our mission and purpose in life) for achieving your deepest dreams tangibly. Daniela will then give us a healing transmission for releasing the karmic barriers that Saturn extends in our soul blueprint and you will have an opportunity to verbalize to the group and the world your intentions for that month.

To get the early bird discount and save $100, go to drtonigalardi.com/products and scan down to bottom of page to pay on Activating Miracles on the New Moon Series.

I am also extending to anyone reaching out to me from this newsletter, a full soul blueprint reading or 90 min healing session with me for $300 (normally $400), until the end of August.

Here is my complimentary gift to you. May it heal you in the best possible way!

Remember, if you are listening on your computer, click on the open arrow to access Google Drive.

The last healing can be listened to over and over for deeper transmutation.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EGLIpFu-zPZpQGVp51VVfJ8HnoKvqHgD/view?usp=sharing

Con Molto Amore,

Dr. Toni

March 7 2018

How to Dance Soulfully With Mercury As He Dances Backwards

Dr. Toni From the LifeQuake Desk Soul Centered Astrology, stress management, tips for mercury retrograde 0

As we move closer to the time of Jupiter beginning its retrograde in Scorpio and Mercury entering its shadow on the very same day, a subtle gearing down of the winged messenger and the god of all things in abundance begins. We are being called to go within yet again. When Jupiter transits a planet in our chart in its direct motion, we often either experience its blessing of tangible gifts or its curse of arrogance, overextending or overindulging ourselves.

However, when Jupiter is in retrograde motion, it asks us to explore our inner terrain. What part of our soul wants to expand? Further, because Scorpio rules sex, death and transformation, what parts of the ego do we need to release for our own personal resurrection? Perfect timing with Easter on April 1.

The past 2 years I have been called to witness what you might call “medical life quakes”. Nine members of my family have either passed on or are facing grave diagnoses. When I was in the thick of it last week (one sudden death of my 49 year old cousin and my parents who live in different parts of the country being given terminal diagnoses) I started to absorb everyone’s suffering to the extent that I thought I was going over the edge.

After clearing them all with the help of my dear friend and colleague, Dr Jacqueline Chan, I realized today that I am being given the ultimate lesson around my relationship with suffering. When we are unable to provide a container for our own suffering, we cannot be with another’s, so we try to fix them or judge them so we don’t have to feel their pain or our own around their impending loss.

When I was told by my stepmother today that my almost 91 year old father was going to do chemotherapy, I got triggered. I ranted on facebook about the racket that oncologists have going preying on elderly people because medicare will pay for it. I then went for a walk and went into self inquiry. What was at the bottom of my being angry at this doctor and further, what have i not learned that this lesson of family suffering is still here to teach me?

I realized that if you are truly in the state of love, you dont take on your loved ones suffering and suffer. If you hold suffering as a high state of quickening, there is nothing to change.The astrological archetype of Scorpio is exemplified so beautifully through the transformation that takes place inside an oyster when through its encounter with grit and sand, the friction produces a pearl. My sense is that these 12 months of Jupiter in Scorpio ending in late October will bring many issue out of the shadow into the light around sexuality, ( The “Me,too” campaign launched that but there will be more to learn on this subject), our financial structure, and how we manage chaos. Are you on a Phoenix bird journey or like the scorpion, do you stay attached to how things are, holding on,resisting change until it poisons you?

I will talk more about Mercury retrograde as we get closer to it but I invite you to get your computer and other technological devices up to speed now. Make decisions that you can’t put off until mid April when Mercury goes direct, NOW, like before March 7th if possible. On March 8th, Jupiter calls us home to our inner teacher as it also rules higher knowledge and gurus and on the same day, Mercury asks of us also to turn within and work with our shadow selves as it literally enters its shadow before officially going retro.

On the lighter side, use this time to discover what brings you joy… now. Although it is one of my exercises in helping people find their next life calling to look into their lives at where their energy goes up, I invite you to play also with leaning into suffering. Notice what makes you suffer. Is it traffic or your lunch order getting screwed up or someone else’s pain? Here is another possibility: breathe into wherever your body is constricting and do your version of “let go, let God” or if you’re Italian, Che sara’, sara’. That was my agnostic Italian grandmother’s version of surrender. As you soften into the pain or discomfort, it will slowly melt. If you practice this throughout the entire retrograde of Jupiter into mid summer, when it turns direct, I promise full enlightenment! (just kidding, my metaphysical Billy Graham coming-out there). As I let out my full Jupiter before the retro, I will swing out and say, that if you don’t waste your suffering by merely suffering and instead lean in with the light behind you, joy is bound to follow. Why else would we have so many Jewish comedians?

In closing, I invite you to come play with me on the one on one. Of all the things I do professionally, personal coaching is my favorite because of the intimacy and trust that it takes for people to allow themselves the gift of transformation. To all of you who have worked with me and to those who will work with me ( in some undefinable time and/or dimension), I thank you for having given me the opportunity to serve you and support the pearl of a soul that you already are! Let’s all hold for each other, a lovely journey home this month…

In deep gratitude for you,

Dr. Toni

July 3 2009

Ask the LifeQuake Doctor Advice Column

Dr. Toni Ask the LifeQuake Doctor change, chaos, creative problem solving, crisis, economic crisis, stress, stress management, the lifequake method, tough economic times 0

LifeQuake™

Ask the LifeQuake™ Doctor

Dr. Toni Galardi

Dear Dr. Toni:

I am an entrepreneur who was doing quite well in my business until last year. I know I need to give up the freedom I’ve had in my career and get a job, but every time I think of letting go of my business, I get a panic attack. I don’t want to go on medication. I’m afraid that if I see a doctor, that is what he/she will recommend. Can you suggest the best way for me to handle the stress and chaos I am experiencing during this career transition?

Terrified in Toronto

Dear Friend:

Before you can resolve the outer decision about your business, it is important to learn how to quiet the mind and the nervous system so that you can access your inner wisdom.

When we are at peace within, not only are we able to get to our gut intuition, but we can open to a universal intelligence. Albert Einstein spoke about the idea that there is an unlimited force in the universe that we can tap into for answers. Here is an exercise from my book The LifeQuake Phenomenon and The LifeQuake Method CD that can help to calm your brain and nervous system to allow for greater access to creative solutions.

Re-patterning Your Blueprint Meditation

Read the exercise in its entirety first. Sit or lie down comfortably in a position that supports your entire body. If you’re on the floor, put pillows under your knees. If you’re sitting, make sure your back is supported and your feet are touching the floor.

Now close your eyes. Breathe in to the count of five, and then out to the count of five. With each breath you take, feel yourself becoming more deeply relaxed. Now allow your awareness to move to the top of your head. Begin to experience your radiant light energy entering the top of your head. This begins the recognition of your full potential self. With each breath you take, set the intention of allowing this light to enter your brain.

Continue breathing in and out. As you breathe in now, allow your entire brain to be bathed in this light. If you find it easy to visualize, see it gently entering into the top of your head and permeating the entire circumference of your brain. If visual imagery doesn’t come readily for you, simply allow for a feeling to emerge as light enters into your crown and surrounds your head. This light is imprinting a new pattern into the neuropathways of your brain. Now allow this light to expand and spread through your entire nervous system. You don’t have to know how to do this. Just breathe it in with your intention.

Now breathe the light deeply into the front of your head, relaxing your temples and forehead. As you breathe in and out, your body goes even deeper into relaxation. Next allow the light to permeate and embrace your jaw, relaxing it. Keep focusing your breath into each body part, allowing for a gentle softening and release.

Now move to your neck and your shoulders. With each breath you take, this radiant healing light releases all tension, replacing it with a deep sense of harmony and balance.

Now move to your chest. Allow this radiant light to move into your lungs. Breathe in and out. Next move into your heart, filling it with light. As you do this, set the intention that your innate intelligence is transforming every cell of your body, releasing any and all past programming based on fears of the unknown. Repeat the following: It is now safe to change. When I make changes that are authentic, I always win. I can trust myself to move forward into the unknown.

Return your focus to your heart and ask to be shown a symbol that represents an answer to any question you have about making changes now. When the symbol appears, ask to be shown its message. What is the next step?

Now take another extra deep breath into your heart. You’re now releasing the structure of your old life with positive expectancy. A new behavioral groove is developing. Throughout the day ahead, if you experience fear, you can automatically take a long, deep breath, relaxing your body. You can now ask for guidance from universal intelligence, listen to the message, and act in accordance with its wisdom. If you don’t hear anything, set the intention that the answer will come spontaneously at another time. Just know that you are now imprinted with this new pattern as you deal with stress.

Now bring your awareness back to your heart, placing both hands over it. This is your anchor. From now on, when you place your hands over your heart, it will center you and allow you to use your breath to soften and receive. With daily practice, this will allow you to adapt more easily and effortlessly to both expected and unexpected change. You now make changes and resolve conflicts much more rapidly because you are in the flow. As crises present themselves, you now access solutions through a nervous system that has been programmed for adaptability. You respond with humor and lightness to what would have once triggered fear of loss. You’re now spreading this light to every person you meet. At the end of the day, experience yourself feeling more balanced. You can close with this affirmation: I am now at peace. I am now in deep gratitude. I experience the world as the same. And so it is done.

Ask the LifeQuake™ Doctor

Dr. Toni Galardi

Dear Dr. Toni:

Terrified in Toronto

Dear Friend:

Before you can resolve the outer decision about your business, it is important to learn how to quiet the mind and the nervous system so that you can access your inner wisdom.

When we are at peace within, not only are we able to get to our gut intuition, but we can open to a universal intelligence. Albert Einstein spoke about the idea that there is an unlimited force in the universe that we can tap into for answers. Here is an exercise from my book The LifeQuake Phenomenon and The LifeQuake Method CD that can help to calm your brain and nervous system to allow for greater access to creative solutions.

Re-patterning Your Blueprint Meditation

Continue breathing in and out. As you breathe in now, allow your entire brain to be bathed in this light. If you find it easy to visualize, see it gently entering into the top of your head and permeating the entire circumference of your brain. If visual imagery doesn’t come readily for you, simply allow for a feeling to emerge as light enters into your crown and surrounds your head. The key is to have the intention of receiving your full potential self. This light is imprinting a new pattern into the neuropathways of your brain. Now allow this light to expand and spread through your entire nervous system. You don’t have to know how to do this. Just breathe it in with your intention.

Now move to your neck and your shoulders. With each breath you take, this radiant healing light releases all tension, replacing it with a deep sense of harmony and balance.

Now move to your chest. Allow this radiant light to move into your lungs. Breathe in and out. Next move into your heart, filling it with light. As you do this, set the intention that your innate intelligence is transforming every cell of your body, releasing any and all past programming based on fears of the unknown. Repeat the following: “It is now safe to change. When I make changes that are authentic, I always win. I can trust myself to move forward into the unknown.”

Now bring your awareness back to your heart, placing both hands over it. This is your anchor. From now on, when you place your hands over your heart, it will center you and allow you to use your breath to soften, receive rebalancing, and adapt. With daily practice, this allows you to adapt more easily and effortlessly to both expected and unexpected change. You now make changes and resolve conflicts much more rapidly because you are in the flow. As crises present themselves, you now access solutions through a nervous system that has been programmed for adaptability. You respond with humor and lightness to what would have once triggered fear of loss. You’re now spreading this light to every person you meet. At the end of the day, experience yourself feeling more balanced. You can close with this affirmation: “I am now at peace. I am now in deep gratitude. I experience the world as the same. And so it is done.”

To submit questions for Ask the LifeQuake Doctor, contact Dr. Toni Galardi through www.LifeQuake.net or DrToni@LifeQuake.net (no period after the Dr). For those seeking private consultation, Dr. Toni can be reached at 310.712.2600. This column appears in Vision Magazine on the stands and online – http://www.visionmagazine.com/archives/0907/Lifequake.html

June 13 2009

Interview by Betty Confidential

Dr. Toni News addiction to alcohol, drinking wine to undwind, mothers under stress, stay at home mom, stress management, women in transition 0

Moms Who Drink: Why and When It’s Time to Put Down the Glass

Dr. Toni Galardi weighs in on the trend -Julie Ryan Evans

As part of our series on Mommy Medicine, we asked Dr. Toni Galardi, a licensed psychotherapist, to give us more insight and a professional opinion as to why so many mothers today seem to be embracing alcohol.

JRE: It seems there’s an abundance of stay-at-home moms who use alcohol to help them manage the stress of motherhood. Have you noticed this, and why do you think it is?

Dr. Galardi: Part of this is sociological, not psychological, in origin. I think at-home moms have increased their drinking for a couple reasons: Women are more educated today and often [have] had a career before becoming a mom. And those who drink may not be so stimulated by the conversations at playdates and birthday parties. Alcohol is used to numb their boredom, or so say the moms I work with. Also, to be a stay-at-home mom, your husband is usually working very long hours to support the financial needs of the entire family. There is more isolation today than when the nuclear family lived with extended family members like a grandmother or an aunt. At the core of the problem is the loss of identity that comes with the role of moms who stay at home.

In the U.S., so much more is being expected of parents in child-rearing today. Children have schedules like adults in terms of number of activities they go to after school and on weekends, and a lot more homework and demanding, intricate school projects; the parent at home has to be highly involved in all of this, as well as fully participatory in school activities. Well, if you had a life before children, becoming this selfless with an expectation that motherhood will be a fulfilling identity in and of itself can lead to finding joy in a wine bottle because it is so socially acceptable. And for a moment it gives you that serotonin high that you don’t get from all the responsibilities you have to your kids and husband.

JRE: Can you give us some examples of mothers you’ve seen turning to alcohol?

Dr. Galardi: One of my clients was a fashion editor before becoming the mother of two children and wife of a successful clothing manufacturer. Her drinking began to escalate as her husband was spending more and more time traveling for his business. To abate the loneliness, she would have people over for dinner quite often and would start drinking as she was cooking, and that would extend through dinner. She was also hosting many of the playdates and birthday parties for her children as well as her friends’ children. She had a big house, so people were thrilled to have her be the social maven. Her lifequake hit when she found out her husband was having an affair, and that was when she stopped drinking and went into therapy to look at why she had been drinking in the first place.

Another client of mine was not formally educated but had been a successful artist in Europe before marrying and having children. She used alcohol to “access the muse” after a long day of child-rearing. Her only time in her studio was at 10 at night, and wine became a way of relaxing her from a stressful day with toddlers. I gave her guided visualizations and other meditation-type techniques to help her get centered at the end of the day. This allowed her creativity to expand even more.

JRE: It seems to be acceptable for mothers to drink at playdates, children’s birthday parties, “Baby Loves Disco” gatherings, etc. Do you think there’s any harm in this mentality?

Dr. Galardi: I don’t think a function like a child’s birthday that is geared to kids is the place for alcohol consumption. A barbecue that includes both children and adults, and in which the kids are not the main event, is fine, but even there, we need to be aware of what we are modeling for kids, not to mention putting them at risk when you get behind the wheel to go home.

JRE: So, how do parents’ drinking habits affect children? Is it bad if they see us drinking at a weekly playgroup or daily at dinner?

Dr. Galardi: Having a glass of wine with dinner as a part of a meal is fine. Wine in and of itself is not the problem. It becomes a problem when you model for your kids that this is the only way Mommy knows how to feel good. I grew up in an Italian family, where wine was at every dinner, but it wasn’t used by my parents to numb out.

JRE: Is there room in a mother’s life for wine? Can it be part of a healthy unwinding or “mommy medicine”, as we like to call it?

Dr. Galardi: The place for wine in anyone’s life is what it was originally intended for: to supplement a meal or to be part of a spiritual or religious ritual. Yes, there are health benefits to drinking wine. A glass of wine with dinner to complement the meal is good for digestion, cholesterol, etc. It is only a problem when it is being used as a way of self-medicating rather than part of a meal. Taking 15 minutes at the end of the day before dinner to do some yoga stretches or deep breathing, or dare I say meditation, is the best modeling you can give your kids. When you become dependent on alcohol as your only way to de-stress, it is dangerous; the body adapts and needs greater and greater quantities to unwind.

JRE: So, how would a mom know if she has a problem, especially if she’s drinking like everyone else?

Dr. Galardi: The key to judging whether it’s a problem is not quantity but dependence. If you were asked to go without it for a week, what emotions would it trigger? Ask yourself what feelings do you NOT have to feel when you drink? For example, when your husband comes home, do you drink to deal with his stress level from work? Do you drink to deal with your boredom around cooking? Do you use it as the only reward you give yourself in the course of the day? Is it numbing out your real desire to be more involved in a professional area besides raising your children?

JRE: And if someone feels it may be a problem? Dr. Galardi: If you feel that your wine consumption is being used to mask deeper issues, get help. Contact a therapist who deals with addiction issues, or go to a local AA meeting. It is quite humbling and ultimately liberating to have to admit that you need help in addressing this issue, and there are people who want to help. If you have a friend who is drinking too much, offer to go to a meeting with her or find a therapist she can talk to.

Dr. Toni Galardi has been a licensed psychotherapist in the state of California for more than 20 years. She currently resides in Los Angeles. In her new book, The LifeQuake Phenomenon: How to Thrive (Not Just Survive) in Times of Personal and Global Upheaval, she asserts that alcohol and other addictive substances can be symptoms of a person’s resistance to change as a cycle ends and a new life purpose begins. For more information, go to www.lifequake.net, or call 310-712-2600 for a private consultation.

May 25 2009

Changing Careers in a Bad Economy

Dr. Toni How to... career change coaching, career transition, career transition coaching, creative dreaming solutions, sleep deprived, stress management, volunteerism 0

Conventional wisdom and the media would have you believe that if you have a job, thank your lucky stars and don’t even think about leaving it. In previous blogs, I have been giving stress management techniques for handling a crisis driven workplace and they will work to get you calmer and perhaps even help you to turn within instead of to the office muffins or donuts.

But, when we are not learning anymore, challenged anymore by our current career and there is no lateral move to take within the company, what does one do? Here are some tips:

1) The first key to a successful career transition that manifests from your heart instead of your old mental pictures is to strengthen the muscle of intuition. The first step in building this muscle begins with what you put in your mouth. Food or liquid that has caffeine or sugar will accelerate adrenal function. Our adrenals stimulate the nervous system to go into a fight or flight response. In other words – anxiety or other fear based emotions. Consuming food that balances your blood sugar such as protein and complex carbohydrates will also balance brain function. I cannot say enough about the need to get at least 800 mg of magnesium into your body every day. It is magnesium not calcium in milk that is calming. We are a magnesium deprived nation. The kind of magnesium you take is also important. For example, Magnesium glycinate is absorbed by the body more easily than magnesium oxide which can cause loose bowels if taken in high quantities.

2) 30-40 minutes of some kind of exercise that works the whole body: walking, jogging, yoga, a dance class, etc will get your endorphins going and also release stress that would prevent you from hearing the wise voice inside.

3) Notice your feelings as you go about your day. What job responsibilities, life events, and people give you energy or passion? Write it down for three weeks. These are the clues to what is emerging as your new life purpose.

4) Discipline yourself to sleep 7-8 hours a night. Turn off the tv, don’t read books, magazines, or newspapers that stimulate your mind right before bed. The more rested you are, the more apt you will be to feel confident about making a career change and the more access to your intuition you will have to come up with out of the box ideas for how to proceed with less conventional strategies. Also, when you get adequate REM sleep between 3-5 AM you are more apt to remember your dreams. Setting an intention before sleep to show you in your dreams, a creative solution, can bring you ideas you never considered. Many great inventors got their AHA! moment in a dream.

5) In your down time at night, instead of watching television to relax from a frustrating day, reach out to social communities like Facebook and Twitter with a research intention and let people know what you are looking for.

6) Consider starting a business from home while you still have a job. Begin to notice what products are missing in the marketplace and think in an entrepreneurial fashion. Ordinary people have come up with simple ideas that made them a fortune without a business background.

7) Volunteer. Do your research on companies or non profit organizations who court the kind of patrons that you want to network with. By volunteering for charity events or giving even 5 hours a week of your time to a cause you believe in could turn an avocation into a new vocation.

8) To go back to the beginning of this article, another strategy for building intuition and emotional stability in a time of change is to spend 15 minutes a day in stillness. If you can quiet your emotions, in a state of calm, ask the question, what is the highest next step I should take to create more fulfillment in my career? The answer may lie in staying in your present work but reinventing it in some way. And it may mean taking a risk and following your heart. Just remember, it is only the next step, not the five year plan you have to implement.

Dr. Toni Galardi is a licensed psychotherapist, career coach, columnist, public speaker, and author of The LifeQuake Phenomenon. She can be contacted through her website, http:www.LifeQuake.net or her office at 310-712-2600.

May 8 2009

Adapting to Sudden Upsets: Today, your life, tomorrow, the world

Dr. Toni How to... anxiety, breathing, crisis, peace, prevention, psychotherapist, stress, stress management 0

See the products page for the whole CD.

Implied in the words “stress management” is the idea that the key to calm is controlling your stress. As an advocate of prevention, I know that the key to managing stress is having the ability to handle whatever is being thrown at you – to say yes to sudden change. Easier said than done, right? As great as the best breathing techniques are for anxiety when breakdowns occur, there is a better way, a shortcut you might say.

What if you didn’t go into fear and resistance at all and thus have to do the extra step of clearing yourself?

Here is a five minute technique from my book and CD The LifeQuake Method. As you are waking up in the morning before coming into full consciousness, set an intention that you will say yes to whatever happens throughout the day. This does not mean agreeing to injustices hurled at you, it means simply responding, rather than reacting to the crisis. In your mind’s eye, experience yourself in the flow of life events. Whatever you do when you get out of bed: make the coffee, pick up the house, feed the dog, etc you will do gracefully, peacefully, devoid of frenetic rush you may find yourself usually falling into. Imagine having your first meal with the focus on really tasting what you are eating and letting it nourish you.

Now imagine you are driving to work or if you work from home, sitting at your computer and something happens you didn’t count on like coffee spills all over your desk, someone cuts you off in traffic, etc but you stay remarkably calm. Now imagine an even bigger upset, something you really have been afraid might happen like losing your job or a big client. Feel the feelings that come up around this, now breathe into them until it releases and declare that something amazing is going to come from this. Repeat this phrase again, “something amazing is going to come from this”. Now scan through the rest of the day and all the task you have to do, imagining yourself doing them with joy and gratitude. Imagine your state of being having an infectious effect on all you come into contact with even in the midst of a crisis. Now imagine getting into bed, scanning the day you just finished, amazed that on a really challenging, crisis driven day, you claimed peace as yours. Now, open your eyes, and feel your body moving with great agility and light footedness. Believe it or not, this is all you have to do to have an impact on world peace, not to mention your nervous system and over all health.

Dr. Toni Galardi is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and public speaker. She can be reached through her website at http:www.LifeQuake.net

stress management

Dr. Toni

Trusted by: