I was reminded tonight why I am so committed to spiritual, mental, emotional, physical and relational health.

I, along with some of you I'm sure, watched Michelle Obama speak at the first night of the Democratic National Convention. She told a story about when her and Obama first met and she accompanied him to a community meeting in Chicago. She said that he shared some things at that meeting that she never forgot.

That night, over ten years ago, Obama talked about the fact that there is the reality about how things are, and the ideal of how they could be. He reminded the people at the meeting to always do their best to achieve the ideal and never to settle for less.

I have received some criticism over the years for always pointing out the difference between what is verses the ideal or healthy alternative. The crisp vision between the two has been both a blessing and a curse for me. Bosses, partners and friends would sometimes prefer to live in status quo - something I can't seem to do, unless, of course, the status quo is optimally healthy.

Tonight I feel encouraged that someone I admire as much as Barack Obama is fueled by a similar motivation: closing the gap between mediocrity and potential.

I'm sure some of you have heard of the book, Power vs. Force by David Hawkins. It's a classic amongst self-help junkies like me, and a great book that explores the difference between mental force and spiritual power.

The heart/mind connection I've been studying lately states the same message - that an intention backed by the heart is vastly more powerful than a mental intention alone. To illustrate this, Marci Schimoff - who also spoke at World Wellness Weekend in Austin - had the audience do the following exercise: One person held their hands up with the palms facing one another. The other person was to press their hands back together using strength. This proved near impossible. Next, we were to tune into our hearts and try again - Viola! With heart centered power it was easier to move the palms of our partners together.

Frustrated with my homeowners association and desperate for some help with a problem I've been having - suffice to say roof rats or pigeons are involved, and possibly both - anyhow, I crafted a direct and polite email while paying attention to my heart and sent it off. Rather than being irritated and agitated, I stayed open and heart centered. I have not heard back yet, but I will keep you posted..

In the meantime, I'd appreciate any good vibes sent in this direction, as I could use your support:)

Have you heard of entrainment? It's the synchronization of two or more rhythmic cycles. It was discovered in the 17th century by a clock maker. Before going to bed, he noted that all the pendulums on his clocks were swinging at different rates. In the middle of the night he woke up to discover that they were all in harmony. Perplexed, he got up and set them all uniquely again, and within hours found that they had once again entrained.

Since that time, scientists have observed that the principle of entrainment is universal and exists in nature, architecture, chemistry etc. I've been reading about how it applies to the body in the book, Heartmath, which I mentioned in a recent blog.

The way it works is that all organism entrain with the strongest vibration within the system. The heart happens to be the strongest organ in the body, and when we are entrained (in alignment) the rest of the organs are synchronized with the heart. When we are in sync, the intuitive and rational minds work together beautifully and we are powerful. When we "get ahead of ourselves" or become disconnected we are leading with our heads without the support of the heart. In this case, we lose our power.

In only takes five minutes of giving your mind over to your heart to initiate entrainment. This means five minutes of not thinking - not feeding your head energy so that it is free to get in rhythm with the heart.

You'll notice that you feel whole when you do this - connected, calm and at peace. We've always heard we should follow our hearts, but now we have practical suggestions on how to do it!

Have you ever noticed that when you talk about an inspired idea too early the energy deflates and you lose your enthusiasm? Next thing you know, you're on to something else and can't even remember what you were excited about...

I believe that creative energy needs to be contained long enough to gestate and take form. This involves keeping the new concept (conception) to ourselves until it has had a chance accumulate some energy and momentum, taking on a life of its own.

I'm like a puppy - very excitable and licking everyone I come in contact with. Only instead of licking, I gush all over them, excitedly sharing my latest inspiration. This is such a frequent occurrence that I'm surprised my friends and family don't start rolling their eyes the moment I start talking.

My new motto is "Do More, Talk Less." I will try to refrain from sharing all the inspirations I received in yoga today and just get to work on them. Worry not - I promise to gush all over you the moment they are formed enough to live through it.