Turning 60

By the time you read this article, I will have turned 60! Yikes! But the truth of the matter is I’ve never felt happier and healthier at every level of my life. It’s pretty amazing. So, I am going to take this chance to share with you what keeps me going.

The first significant factor is my meditation. But it’s not just any meditation. It is this particular meditation school called Clairvision. I have been meditating for over 40 years now. I have tried many meditation techniques. This one is the best ever.

Every few months I notice changes in myself. I feel more compassion for others. I have more fun. I even find myself more intelligent. I can feel people more. And yes, I am just so much happier! It’s great. The only thing that hasn’t been addressed is that I am still so forgetful! I have found myself calling up people and forgetting why I called them. It’s because my mind goes so fast I lose track of my thoughts. Even this can be addressed once I get down to it.  In this vein, I would like to invite you to a Clairvision meditation weekend with instructors from Texas and Hong Kong at Rockwell. Luna Garden on Jan. 11 to 12, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first day and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second day. Just bring mats to make sure you are comfortable.  We are giving a very special discounted rate for students — P1,000 just to cover the cost of food and venue, P5,000 for normal attendees, P1,500 for repeats, and P2,000 for the academe.

My commitment to my spiritual practice has been key to my growth. Without fail, as in totally without fail I meditate every morning at least an hour. I am like my father in that way. He did Zen meditation. He had discipline in his life. When he committed to doing something, he did it with discipline. I am like that with my meditation. It’s because again and again I have felt the difference it makes in my day.

Next is my health. This is oh so important. I am totally careful about what I eat. No white sugar, no white flour, no chemicals and no preservatives. This includes my shampoos and conditioners. Oils, makeup — the whole lot — I make it a point to use only natural things on my body. It makes sense to me and it feels so much better. Every time I eat white sugar, I get really tired. When I eat a lot of rice, I get sleepy. When I eat heavy at night, I gain weight. Through life’s experiences I have figured out a way to be fit.

My health regimen: I “oil pull” religiously twice a day. This is swishing coconut oil in my mouth on an empty stomach for 20 minutes, and sometimes 15 if I am in a rush. This has been invaluable for my health. Since I started I have not gotten sick once. No cold, cough, fever. Nothing. And I go to the esteros regularly. The process sucks the bacteria from my system, and then I spit it out. Just don’t spit it in the drainage because it will clog up the pipes. I spit it in the trashcan. Then I brush my teeth and gargle. I have great VCO (virgin coconut oil) for oil pulling in G Stuff — my store in Rockwell in the 3rd floor beside Academy of Rock. It has added clove and tea tree (that’s my preferred), which increases the antibacterial action. If you are sensitive and fussy about the taste, there is lemon grass-flavored or peppermint-flavored. I find the antibacterial action of clove and tea tree to be more intense.

I brush my teeth with healing crystals. This has addressed my pain, which prevented a root canal operation from taking place. When I started taking flavored tooth powder, the pain came back so I am back to the pure salt. Try it. It’s the best.

I now put anvil oil (also in my shop) daily. It addressed a nerve pain I had for several months — and in five days the pain was totally gone. The oil is amazing. I give it to anyone with any kind of pain. It addresses it almost immediately. It’s not expensive. The ingredients are local except for the carrier olive oil. The most important thing is it works.

I drink VCO daily. This helps in my bowel movement.

I put VCO on my skin daily.

I use Nuvo Hair treatment, which I learned from Fanny Serrano. I have been using this for over two years now. It keeps my hair from falling and has even thickened my hair. I love the product.

Even my nail polish is natural. I use Sparitual. I love the product line. I will also carry it in my store. They source the ingredients with reverence. That is so up my alley. They have the best nail polish. It doesn’t yellow the nails and the colors are great!

I also like the hair line which my cousin, Bettina Osmeña, sells especially aloe vera shampoo. It is available at Watson’s, Landmark and Rustan’s Supermarket. The name of the brand is Aloe Derma shampoo, conditioner and hair tonic. These are all made up of to 70 percent organic aloe vera juice and price ranges from P225 to P280.

I have taken to eating six duck egg whites daily. The organic duck eggs come from Calauan. Dr. Viloria told me that it has the most calcium. He advised me to  throw away all my pills and just focus on eating six duck eggs. Because my system can’t take all those eggs, I just take the egg whites which is easy for me especially if I put a little coconut milk, coriander and garlic. Yum!

Hormones — I take hormonal creams given to me by Rapha Medical located at the 5th floor of Greenbelt (757-3335 or 0917-8920849). The hormones are plant-based and they give me a kick in energy! This makes total sense because hormones are one of the things that get depleted as one gets older. Cory Quirino is on the same regimen and look at her.

I have begun to use the facial massager recommended by Suzanne Somers. If you see her, she looks wonderful for her age. I have been at it for a few weeks and I do feel a youthfulness in my face. We don’t live forever, so why not look good while we are still alive. You can order this from the net.

I have been remiss lately but when I do it, I feel good. My rebounder. It’s called a cell exerciser. You can get this from Rica Villalon (0917-8397839). This is a great gentle way to get needed aerobic exercise and it only takes 10 minutes a day. I also use the Power Plate, a vibrating machine that is good for my bones.

I drink only Kangen water when I am in Manila. This is the best-ever alkaline water. The machine is a little pricey but the health benefits make it worth it. You can pay in installments. Email toniegm@yahoo.com or call/text 0917-5166111 starting January 3, 2014.

I love what I am doing. I try to keep myself true and aligned with my principles. I try as much as possible not to carry any “baggage.”

My message as I enter the world of “20 percent discount” is: we have a short span of time to live life well. We won’t live forever. Let’s not pretend and live like we will. This doesn’t mean being tense about every second, it just means being careful. Not doing things carelessly, hurting people needlessly. It means being open to learn, always wanting to grow and get better, being open.

I had an astrological chart reading the other day. The lady told me, 2014 will be good for me if I am more “yin,” more “moon,” meaning being more receptive, more open to what is there. As I turn 60 and embark on what I know will be a better future, this might be a good thing to share with you: be open to what is there. Be open to life’s guidance. Cool like the moon when we receive from life. Fiery like the sun when we want to get things done.

I wish you all the best that life has to offer. In a way my readers have been with me through many of my life journeys. We learn, we move, we travel together. We make a difference together. Be happy. Make the right choices. Life is what you make it to be.

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I can be reached at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com.