In energy language, female organs are located in the 2nd chakra (the second energy center) in your body. This chakra is the center of your emotional needs, your creative powers and drives. This area of your body is where your power of creativity is stored. When you experience blocked creativity or stagnant emotions, when your creative actions or emotional needs are striving to be ‘birthed’, or when you lack the drive towards the outer world, this chakra with all its associated organs and systems deeply suffer. Dr. Northrup sees fibroids (benign growth) in female uterus [and benign prostatic hypertrophy in males] as wake up calls from your body urging you to listen and tune in to your creative and emotional endeavors.  If not tackled properly, Dr. Northrup argues, these benign growth can easily turn malignant: ovarian/breast cancer in female [or prostate cancer in males].

Health in this area of your body entails listening to body messages. Women who ignore the repeated signs of PMS or the early disturbing symptoms of menopause are compromising their safety. Thousands of years back, elderly women were honored for their wisdom; and menstruating time was regarded as powerful enlightened time of the month when women are highly attuned and connected to their spiritual side. Ask your grandmother or great grandmother about these times of their life, they won’t mention anything about mood disturbance or uneasiness. Conventional medicine wants to convince us that PMS is a ‘normal’ part of female hormonal cycle, that we, women, shouldn’t be a ashamed of. Well, we shouldn’t be ashamed of, for sure;  but, the ‘normal’ bit is the part I totally disagree with. There is nothing normal about getting crazy, angry, shouting and yelling at the kids and the poor husband just because ‘it’s this time of the month’. If your PMS is disturbing you, heed the warning, your body is trying to deliver a message. You need to listen!!!
I’ve met tens and may be hundreds of women suffering from PMS symptoms and met tens who barely notice their period approaching. There was only one thing in common among those who didn’t suffer from mood alteration: They were all leading a highly creative and meaningful life. This doesn’t in anyway mean that they didn’t have any problem or challenges. Of course they did, but they were always seeing the Big Picture, they had a clear vision and a well established mission, they stepped out of their comfort zone and added challenges and liveliness to their life. They lived with passion!!!
Stop for a while and consider: What is your passion? What will make you jump out of your bed every morning looking forward for the new day? Do you have a clear vision of your future, your ambitions, your mission in life? If not…then it's time to Listen to your body before it begins to 'shout' !!!


Finally, I have to emphasize here that spiritual approach to PMS, or to any physical discomfort for that matter, is never enough. We need to tackle our four sides: body, mind, heart and soul to achieve ultimate balance, health, and healing. So here are some other measures to take into consideration:
Body measures:
• Eat healthy well balanced diet. Increase your intake of fresh vegetables and fruits. Switch to whole grain carbohydrates for their content of vitamin Bs, E, and fibers.
• Eat food rich in potassium like bananas, tomatoes, and whole grains and cereals.
• Add essential fatty acids to your diet. These can be found in nuts and seeds, avocadoes, fatty fish, and whole grains.
• Your body needs calcium and magnesium. The best source of calcium is milk and dairy products. It is also found in dark green leafy vegetables, canned fish with bones, seeds and nuts. Magnesium is available in nuts and seeds, pulses and brown rice.
• Avoid caffeine, fatty and sugary food, and empty calories snacks.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. This does not include your intake from juices and herbal teas.
• Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!!! Cannot stress it enough. Aerobic exercises, among tens of other benefits, release endorphins into your blood. These are your inner morphine-like chemicals that elevate your mood and give you a motivational boost.

Mind measures:
• Your mind needs constant challenge, constant intake of new information and knowledge. Read new books, learn new skills, teach what you know to others, join a book club…

Heart measures:
• Build a support system. Women thrive in social and community settings. We need to have friends and family around us all the time. Connect to your family and friends, serve your community, volunteer to a charitable cause…

 

We all need reminders. In Arabic human being is called Insan from the root of nasia which means  to forget. We need to heed our steps and learn from our everyday lessons. Every morning, grab your journal and start by writting your intention. Adjust your intention for the day. Seek sincerity an God will help you reach it in shaa Allah. Then write first three things that cross your mind that you feel grateful for. Start your day with gratitude, this really makes a difference.

At bed time, grab your journal again and now write five things you are grateful for. five things that happened today. Our list of gratitute are endless, but sometimes we need reminders to keep us aware and mindful. Then end your day with a love thought. A love message that you send from your heart. It can be to anyone you choose, it can even be to yourself. You may need to send a forgiveness note too. A reminder to clear and purify your heart before retiring for the night. Love, Gratitude and Forgiveness are the best healers for the heart. I'm not just referring to the emotional side here; love, forgiveness and gratitude heals your physical heart too. Their healing effect works on a quantum level, a level undetected and yet-to-be understood by our modern scientific technology. They restore the energy in every cell of your body. Studies show that they purify your blood, boost your immunity and strenthen your heart resolve.
So, grab your journal and reclaim your daily medicine.

Another year just flew away...2010 is soon ending and we are welcoming a new year. This is the perfect time to stop and reflect. Look at your past year:
 First, with a grateful eye:
- What are your achievements for 2010 that you should be grateful for?
- What gifts showed up in your life. Please take your time and reflect on this question in a deeper and higher meaning. There sure are new gifts and blessings appearing on our Path everyday not just every year. We just may not be aware of them.
Think about your health, finances, family, education, kids, spouse, partner... think about your spirituality, closeness to your Creator...Think about your feelings, peace of mind, safety... The list is endless.
- Record all your blessings and boons. How could you express your gratitude? How could you use them in a good cause?

Second, I want you to look at the past year with a repentent eye. A humble eye that seeks forgiveness for all its wrongful thoughts and deeds. And, while seeking forgiveness, let's forgive. Forgive anyone who offended you, forgive anyone who hurt you. Find excuses for him/her. Send them love and peace. Carrying grudge and rancor hurt no one but yourself. It's a heavy load that stain the heart and burden the shoulder. It affects you energetically, emotionally and even physically. It cripples you and prevent your growth and advancement.
Forgive and seek forgiveness. Repent to your Creator and start the new year with a fresh promise and a renewed intention. Intention to sincerely seek your Right Path and follow your mission in life, promise to spread peace and love in the world, to be useful to yourself, your family, your environment and to the whole world.

It is really rewarding to do these reflections in writting. Journaling helps you understand your emotions and connect to your feelings. It helps you explore new terrotory and arrange your thoughts and plans.

Next, I want you to reflect on the coming year 2011. Are you ready to face this New Year of your life?
Do you have a clear vision, a big dream. A dream that will make you jump out of bed every morning feeling fresh and challenged? Are you  willing to do all what it takes to fulfill this dream? Are you ready to take serious steps towards achieving your goals?
Well, if not, no better time to start than now.
This time of the year, I usually take time to revise my last year plan and devise a new one. My New Year plan reflects my visions for the upcoming 12 months, my dreams, my intentions, my hopes and goals.
Planning our year in advance prevents our actions from being void and aimless. It helps us focus on the important stuff, holds our priorities straight and keeps us going. Planning also provides an important tool for evaluation and accounting along the way. It helps us stay on track.

Think of what you would like to achieve during the next year. Consider all your life, all your hopes, your dreams. Take your time.

Include all of the following fields:
1. My Nation: What am I adding to the world? To my nation (My Ummah)? To my people? Your contribution can be in any field be it scientific, entertaining, educational, physical health, charity work, financial, media….it could also be your intention in raising your kids or being an active, respectful member of your community that reflects a great example of a Muslim... your options are limitless.
2. My spiritual development: How am I improving or evolving spiritually and religiously? My worshiping acts, my ethics and values, heart and soul purification, …
3. My health: How will I take care of my health this year? How will I improve it? This should include exercise plans, healthy eating habits, healthy sleeping routine, dealing with any addictions or bad habits…
4. My family: How will I improve/add to my relationships with my spouse, children, parents, relatives…
5. My social life: How will I improve/add to my relationships with my neighbors, friends, society, environment…what will be my social contributions this year? How will I add to/improve my surrounding, my community?
6. My personal development: What new skills/knowledge I intend to learn this year?
7. My work/ career: What are my ambitions and what steps will I take this year towards fulfilling them? Even if you are a non-working mother, raising your children is a very important and significant task, how are you going to improve your skills in this field? and if your children are at school in the morning, how are you going to invest your free time to add new meaning and challenges into your life? you can join a charity organization, a community developing project, volunteer work...
8. My life: In this field you can include any other miscellaneous items of your life: your savings, improvement on the ways you earn/ spend money. How to make the most of your time and avoid wasted time. Any entertainment or fun activities you would like to have this year like new places to visit, camping…your reflections on your future… the sky is the limit.