I was just thinking of some things I wanted to say to a dear friend that I've known for years when this phrase popped into my head, "You are the Ultimate Healer of Yourself." I mentally uttered it again, and I mentally shook with the power of this statement. It's true, as any good healer or healthcare provider can attest.
Now I have nothing against traditional healthcare, I don't always agree with some of the methods, but I don't agree with all alternative care methods either. And a short jump back in history compared to today can lead to some quite disturbing methods of care based on the knowledge and resources they had and what was commonplace. So really it's always evolving and moving forward.
My point is that no matter what direction or suggestion you are given, you are ultimately the one who has to do the healing. Dr. A can prescribe you a medication to take every day or for so many days, but if you don't take it it won't do you any good. And if you do take it but don't follow the other directives given by Dr. A or Pharmacist B it won't do much if any good either. You have to remember, and you have to take it properly - end of story. The same goes with other methods. If your dietician or nutritionist suggest you lay off this food or watch these levels and you don't, it won't matter what they said. And if you see a therapist, counselor, alternative health practitioner or any other slew of health and healing providers and work against their directions you are unlikely to find yourself anywhere but deep in the hole with your issue, ailment, or whatever problem.
I have to say though, it's a little more than that. Sometimes we carry with us deep problems physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual that just eat away at the core of our strength. They wear on us constantly and we feel as though we can't get away from them. Sometimes even though you'd love to go off the meds you just can't because physically or otherwise you're not equipped to "go it alone". Especially in those cases follow your care plan to the letter, seek help, give the fullest effort you can. But understand it's okay to feel frustrated and that worrying, while understandable, certainly won't help. But forgive yourself, allow yourself to be human and then pick yourself up - surround yourself with support in all the ways that you can and do your best to keep moving forward.
Healing doesn't generally happen in a day. You certainly didn't develop whatever issue is bothering you in a day (even when it seems "overnight") so allow it to take at least that long to let up. And know that healing doesn't necessarily mean that it's 100% gone. Sometimes healing is maintaining and being able to get through the day, feel a bit better, and being able to go on even when you don't otherwise feel like it. Healing is being able to appreciate the good you have, acknowledge the less than good and still be okay about it. It's learning from one's mistakes, and embracing things as they are without becoming victim to what may not feel so great. It's about struggling, releasing, letting go, winding down, moving up and the constant change one may feel throughout life - but still living.
Here's to that wild ride and all the interesting things along the way.
Love & Light,
Naware
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Your Psychic Senses
I was discussing Friday with a dear friend about psychic senses and receiving messages. I pointed out that even though messages sometimes come at inopportune times (when we'd rather be doing something else) the natural, developed ability to receive messages should be appreciated as there are many who have difficulty with the ability.
This led to this post where I want to share my own experience with the psychic sense and its development.
We're all familiar with our five senses, the physical senses of touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing. We are born with them generally at a certain level which develops to what we are used to by school age. While some are color blind to varying degrees, blind, or deaf generally we're all on the same level. We can't develop them further with practice - the range you can hear is the range you can hear. Although with age, illness, and accident we can lose them. And sometimes they can be slightly augmented, as with the case of hearing aids and glasses - but only so much. So really they're rather limited when you consider it.
The psychic senses however usually are not fully developed when we are born, though certainly easy enough to access. As with most things we must learn to use them, and yet most don't. Training with them typically involves protection and learning to sense more closely or fully. But in that we are highly variable. What you may be naturally strong at I may not, and vice versa. The benefit of the psychic senses is that they develop in a way that works best for you. You will receive messages that you are capable of receiving. But in that it can make learning difficult if your teacher or mentor does not receive in the same way. And sometimes we receive in ways we'd rather not, and not in ways we'd like. But even with that we have a lot more freedom and control over these senses than our physical ones.
The trouble is that when we are most open, as children, we often lack the understanding and capability to understand the complexity of the psychic senses. We may innately accept the messages and not differentiate between them and physical reality but the imagination of a child is similarly colorful and at a young age may get mixed up in that too. Many who are empathic have the same problem of having trouble in developing their ability as those working with the psychic senses. While there is literature out there it is directed at adults and based on the ideas and experiences of the author. Plainly put it just may not work for you.
There is no right or wrong way to develop one's senses really, it just takes practice and honest, open observation. We must learn to listen to the signs we are given before we try to interpret them. Then it's important to understand that some signs are not literal but figurative. Certain senses may come through one way but another at a different time. We might find that certain messages are received in a certain way too - like a feeling of danger preceding one, but have something audible happen when spirits are near.
Some tips:
Share with us, in your search and study to develop your psychic senses what have you learned? What has or hasn't worked for you?
This led to this post where I want to share my own experience with the psychic sense and its development.
We're all familiar with our five senses, the physical senses of touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing. We are born with them generally at a certain level which develops to what we are used to by school age. While some are color blind to varying degrees, blind, or deaf generally we're all on the same level. We can't develop them further with practice - the range you can hear is the range you can hear. Although with age, illness, and accident we can lose them. And sometimes they can be slightly augmented, as with the case of hearing aids and glasses - but only so much. So really they're rather limited when you consider it.
The psychic senses however usually are not fully developed when we are born, though certainly easy enough to access. As with most things we must learn to use them, and yet most don't. Training with them typically involves protection and learning to sense more closely or fully. But in that we are highly variable. What you may be naturally strong at I may not, and vice versa. The benefit of the psychic senses is that they develop in a way that works best for you. You will receive messages that you are capable of receiving. But in that it can make learning difficult if your teacher or mentor does not receive in the same way. And sometimes we receive in ways we'd rather not, and not in ways we'd like. But even with that we have a lot more freedom and control over these senses than our physical ones.
The trouble is that when we are most open, as children, we often lack the understanding and capability to understand the complexity of the psychic senses. We may innately accept the messages and not differentiate between them and physical reality but the imagination of a child is similarly colorful and at a young age may get mixed up in that too. Many who are empathic have the same problem of having trouble in developing their ability as those working with the psychic senses. While there is literature out there it is directed at adults and based on the ideas and experiences of the author. Plainly put it just may not work for you.
There is no right or wrong way to develop one's senses really, it just takes practice and honest, open observation. We must learn to listen to the signs we are given before we try to interpret them. Then it's important to understand that some signs are not literal but figurative. Certain senses may come through one way but another at a different time. We might find that certain messages are received in a certain way too - like a feeling of danger preceding one, but have something audible happen when spirits are near.
Some tips:
- Be open. Don't expect your senses to develop in any particular way. Everyone's senses develop in the way that is best for them to receive.
- Observe carefully without expectation. Even after one or more of your senses starts to develop it may be some time before you get a strong message. Do not ignore even things that seem like insignificant messages.
- Practice. As with anything this is a skill, it takes time and effort to develop. And as you cannot necessarily quantify your results it can be hard to measure precisely how much you're doing.
- Tools can help. Many enter the practice of developing their psychic sense by using divinatory objects. These give you a physical middle man through which to receive messages. They may also help with a specific sense.
- Find a community. Talking with others who have or are developing their senses can help you as well. They may point out pitfalls or have suggestions.
- Immerse yourself in learning. While there is not one single "must read" for those trying to develop their senses there are a number of practices and resources that can certainly help.
- Most of all - be patient. You likely weren't born with knowledge of how to do complicated things like driving or communicating verbally, so you will need time for this as well.
Share with us, in your search and study to develop your psychic senses what have you learned? What has or hasn't worked for you?
Blessings,
Naware
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Being Busy
Lately I have been very busy. 2012 has started off with a continuance of the busy-ness of 2011. In December of 2011 I had a lot going on with my store, several custom orders came to me last minute at the end of the year so I put any healing work (not having any clients to attend to at the moment anyhow) I was doing in my center and for myself especially on serious hold. I've done so so much that I was starting to feel guilty about it. I started my healing center to reach out after all and I haven't been doing that at all.
Then again, it's not out of laziness, or even poor planning (most of the time) it's really that I have so much to do. Also let's also mention that in June 2011 my son was born and my schedule (the one I had set) just frankly went to hell - as anyone who has ever had a newborn can attest, babies tend to do that.
It's been on my mind so much that I was about to write a blog post about it trying to explain or even apologize for my absence. However, I read this this evening and changed my mind...
I Fill Myself Up First: A Declaration by Lissa Rankin
I found myself doing a lot of nodding and even feeling a tinge of guilt. Did I qualify as one of those people she mentioned? I surely hoped not. But regardless of that it got me thinking. I know I have felt the same at times, that I have secretly desired to say no to someone's wants and needs because they weren't my own and because they interfered with the many other things I was doing or things I wanted to do. I am sure that I might have "needed too much" for someone else's tastes because they similarly had other things to do. (I know I've felt guilty a time or two for taking up someone else's time too.) As I read I felt the urge to comment, to praise Lissa for steps forward for herself, to comment on things I've thought and share my own wisdom from my own experiences. Then I got to the end, noticed she said that there would be no place to comment and stopped. Maybe I should write her a letter, saying thank you, praising her work...I considered it and decided again not to and instead put some of my thoughts here on my blog.
What Lissa talks about, healing yourself and doing that personal work before you work for others and instead of going to others all the time, is very important for healers and lay persons alike. For many it's just easier to go to someone else who has done it before. To take them on as a mentor (whether they know about it or not) and to want to follow in their footsteps. After all why not follow a successful path that's been tread? But along with the danger that you will be leeching off of someone else, you don't really learn to do the work for yourself. Everyone's path is their own and we must each walk it by ourselves. This doesn't mean that you can't look to others for inspiration or even try things that have worked for them. But know your own road and cherish your path for what it is - your unique experience with trials and tribulations and just as many joys and gifts.
So what have you done for yourself? Do you need to take time off, say no to others, yes to yourself? Have you perhaps asked too much of someone else before? Have you had help declined you before and not known why?
Food for thought...
Then again, it's not out of laziness, or even poor planning (most of the time) it's really that I have so much to do. Also let's also mention that in June 2011 my son was born and my schedule (the one I had set) just frankly went to hell - as anyone who has ever had a newborn can attest, babies tend to do that.
It's been on my mind so much that I was about to write a blog post about it trying to explain or even apologize for my absence. However, I read this this evening and changed my mind...
I Fill Myself Up First: A Declaration by Lissa Rankin
I found myself doing a lot of nodding and even feeling a tinge of guilt. Did I qualify as one of those people she mentioned? I surely hoped not. But regardless of that it got me thinking. I know I have felt the same at times, that I have secretly desired to say no to someone's wants and needs because they weren't my own and because they interfered with the many other things I was doing or things I wanted to do. I am sure that I might have "needed too much" for someone else's tastes because they similarly had other things to do. (I know I've felt guilty a time or two for taking up someone else's time too.) As I read I felt the urge to comment, to praise Lissa for steps forward for herself, to comment on things I've thought and share my own wisdom from my own experiences. Then I got to the end, noticed she said that there would be no place to comment and stopped. Maybe I should write her a letter, saying thank you, praising her work...I considered it and decided again not to and instead put some of my thoughts here on my blog.
What Lissa talks about, healing yourself and doing that personal work before you work for others and instead of going to others all the time, is very important for healers and lay persons alike. For many it's just easier to go to someone else who has done it before. To take them on as a mentor (whether they know about it or not) and to want to follow in their footsteps. After all why not follow a successful path that's been tread? But along with the danger that you will be leeching off of someone else, you don't really learn to do the work for yourself. Everyone's path is their own and we must each walk it by ourselves. This doesn't mean that you can't look to others for inspiration or even try things that have worked for them. But know your own road and cherish your path for what it is - your unique experience with trials and tribulations and just as many joys and gifts.
So what have you done for yourself? Do you need to take time off, say no to others, yes to yourself? Have you perhaps asked too much of someone else before? Have you had help declined you before and not known why?
Food for thought...
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Confession
Throughout various posts you've seen "behind the healer". These posts have been brought on by meditative contemplation of something that happened to me and I felt the urge and need to share here. We learn life lessons everywhere and in everything. Sometimes they are small, seemingly insignificant things - like the need for learning patience and the ability to slow down and be in the moment when we feel rushed. You also learn things in the knowledge you can glean from other people, those you know closely and those you don't. What my post today concerns is something I have learned from someone I consider an inspirational mentor Dr. Lissa Rankin.
She has shown me, and everyone associated with Owning Pink the value and cost of "putting yourself out there". The fruitful rewards of doing so and that the pay off...even if it doesn't seem worth the imagined cost...is more than worth it. You've got to love this woman. She lives her life O-U-T-L-O-U-D for all to see and it's surely garnered her criticism, but more than that accolades. I can't think of a braver person of this age, and with the tragedy and change that's been going on in the world we need a revolutionary like her.
As I sat up late into the night/early into this morning I had a small epiphany. I have not been fulfilling my goals as a healer. In fact, I can say I haven't for some time. When it started I'm not sure, it likely came as such a little thing or based on already set habits so that I didn't really notice or pay attention to it. But it's grown rather enormous and monstrous and I saw it in some repercussions of some actions I undertook in my late night/early morning. It started with a pair of clients I took on a few weeks ago. From time to time I will take "pro-bono" cases. While my rates for the amount of work I do for my clients are more than fair I know some people who are just not of the means to afford something that isn't covered by health insurance. Being and having been of limited resources and means I understand this all too well and ultimately I don't think it's right to deny someone care they really could use and may desperately need over money. In 2011 I myself had a lot of help from friends, close, casual, and complete strangers from donations of baby clothing and food, to sums of money. I appreciate the good will given to me and I am not one to not return or at least pass it along to others. But back to the topic at hand...I took the case and sent the paperwork I send to all first time clients, a number of forms that resemble some things you would find when visiting a doctor's office, but a number of others that you wouldn't see. (I'm meticulously thorough.) The aim of all of this paperwork is to give me a more complete picture without having my clients sit through an overly long discourse trying to remember on the spot every detail that could be deemed important in their holistic care. However, given the large amount of paperwork that this would be, and having it done for a parent & child it didn't quite get finished. Now my perspective is that I will make time for you when you make time for yourself. Doing healing work really isn't work for me - it's part of my calling - and I have a natural knack for the doing part as well as research so I will make time when my client does.
So I put the case off to the side after finishing some initial notes and trusted that if the person in question was truly serious they'd get back to me with the remainder of the information and we'd start then. No harm, no foul. Well it just so happens that I spoke to the person in question last night - we happen to be good friends - and in expressing distress over something I opened my ear and offered my shoulder to them, reminding at the end that I was still waiting on starting treatment. In short the initial information for the child was completed and a pre-liminary plan was set, with information to be gathered and feedback further decision would be made later as to how to proceed.
In starting some meditative research on the matter I chose to review some information written out by another Reiki Master I know personally, Alice Langholt, concerning Reiki and parenting. Given the nature of the relationship I figured there would likely be something positive to glean from her writing. Now I have had the documentation for some time, and the Reiki tradition it works hand in hand with - Kundalini Reiki - I have been trained in for several years now and yet much of the pertinent information contained within both writings I had apparently forgotten, at least temporarily. (Such is a hazard when you put too much on your plate consistently.) Since I had already cleared space to start reviewing my notes and writing up my initial healing plan I thought I would implement as much as possible as soon as possible too. Additionally though, as a parent myself, I saw also that some of what I was reading could well be helpful to myself and family. So I did healing for the four of us and set "appointment reminders" to complete some of the treatments that were done in parts or stages. How long it all took I can't be sure not having noted the time. But I noticed the familiar tingly, spacey feeling of energy work (as the energy rebalanced but before I had grounded) and after it settled I looked about me with amazing clarity to pin point some details that I had let mentally slip. In realizing all of this it came to me that as of late I have not been the healer I set out to be.
Ever the caretaker I always tend to care for others before, if at all for, myself. While this is common among those who care for others be they in the health profession or not it is also a very bad practice. For one, how can you expect those in your care to place value on their own well-being if you don't? For another, if you don't nurture and care for yourself you won't have the strength or energy to do so for others.
Afterwards several other things came to my awareness with startling clarity. Things I was aware of if you asked me but not aware of in a sense of acknowledging the information in a real sense. Being an artist for example my desk often finds itself a mess when I get in "artist mode". I take out everything I need, whether I will be using it immediately or not, and strew it about my work space. Add to this my monkey mind and penchant for working on a number of pieces at a time/during a day and very quickly I find my desk looking more like a small tornado hit it than anything else.
And so I add another intention for 2012, to be the healer I wish to be while accepting my humanity (and it's physical limitations) and ever striving to do better without overdoing it.
What about you? What confessions about your health have you noticed?
She has shown me, and everyone associated with Owning Pink the value and cost of "putting yourself out there". The fruitful rewards of doing so and that the pay off...even if it doesn't seem worth the imagined cost...is more than worth it. You've got to love this woman. She lives her life O-U-T-L-O-U-D for all to see and it's surely garnered her criticism, but more than that accolades. I can't think of a braver person of this age, and with the tragedy and change that's been going on in the world we need a revolutionary like her.
As I sat up late into the night/early into this morning I had a small epiphany. I have not been fulfilling my goals as a healer. In fact, I can say I haven't for some time. When it started I'm not sure, it likely came as such a little thing or based on already set habits so that I didn't really notice or pay attention to it. But it's grown rather enormous and monstrous and I saw it in some repercussions of some actions I undertook in my late night/early morning. It started with a pair of clients I took on a few weeks ago. From time to time I will take "pro-bono" cases. While my rates for the amount of work I do for my clients are more than fair I know some people who are just not of the means to afford something that isn't covered by health insurance. Being and having been of limited resources and means I understand this all too well and ultimately I don't think it's right to deny someone care they really could use and may desperately need over money. In 2011 I myself had a lot of help from friends, close, casual, and complete strangers from donations of baby clothing and food, to sums of money. I appreciate the good will given to me and I am not one to not return or at least pass it along to others. But back to the topic at hand...I took the case and sent the paperwork I send to all first time clients, a number of forms that resemble some things you would find when visiting a doctor's office, but a number of others that you wouldn't see. (I'm meticulously thorough.) The aim of all of this paperwork is to give me a more complete picture without having my clients sit through an overly long discourse trying to remember on the spot every detail that could be deemed important in their holistic care. However, given the large amount of paperwork that this would be, and having it done for a parent & child it didn't quite get finished. Now my perspective is that I will make time for you when you make time for yourself. Doing healing work really isn't work for me - it's part of my calling - and I have a natural knack for the doing part as well as research so I will make time when my client does.
So I put the case off to the side after finishing some initial notes and trusted that if the person in question was truly serious they'd get back to me with the remainder of the information and we'd start then. No harm, no foul. Well it just so happens that I spoke to the person in question last night - we happen to be good friends - and in expressing distress over something I opened my ear and offered my shoulder to them, reminding at the end that I was still waiting on starting treatment. In short the initial information for the child was completed and a pre-liminary plan was set, with information to be gathered and feedback further decision would be made later as to how to proceed.
In starting some meditative research on the matter I chose to review some information written out by another Reiki Master I know personally, Alice Langholt, concerning Reiki and parenting. Given the nature of the relationship I figured there would likely be something positive to glean from her writing. Now I have had the documentation for some time, and the Reiki tradition it works hand in hand with - Kundalini Reiki - I have been trained in for several years now and yet much of the pertinent information contained within both writings I had apparently forgotten, at least temporarily. (Such is a hazard when you put too much on your plate consistently.) Since I had already cleared space to start reviewing my notes and writing up my initial healing plan I thought I would implement as much as possible as soon as possible too. Additionally though, as a parent myself, I saw also that some of what I was reading could well be helpful to myself and family. So I did healing for the four of us and set "appointment reminders" to complete some of the treatments that were done in parts or stages. How long it all took I can't be sure not having noted the time. But I noticed the familiar tingly, spacey feeling of energy work (as the energy rebalanced but before I had grounded) and after it settled I looked about me with amazing clarity to pin point some details that I had let mentally slip. In realizing all of this it came to me that as of late I have not been the healer I set out to be.
Ever the caretaker I always tend to care for others before, if at all for, myself. While this is common among those who care for others be they in the health profession or not it is also a very bad practice. For one, how can you expect those in your care to place value on their own well-being if you don't? For another, if you don't nurture and care for yourself you won't have the strength or energy to do so for others.
Afterwards several other things came to my awareness with startling clarity. Things I was aware of if you asked me but not aware of in a sense of acknowledging the information in a real sense. Being an artist for example my desk often finds itself a mess when I get in "artist mode". I take out everything I need, whether I will be using it immediately or not, and strew it about my work space. Add to this my monkey mind and penchant for working on a number of pieces at a time/during a day and very quickly I find my desk looking more like a small tornado hit it than anything else.
And so I add another intention for 2012, to be the healer I wish to be while accepting my humanity (and it's physical limitations) and ever striving to do better without overdoing it.
What about you? What confessions about your health have you noticed?
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Kalends Messages for January
At the end of 2011 I took a break from working with the healing center to focus on my shop. My purpose was to meet the demands of holiday shopping and with the other intent to catch up on paperwork. With the advent of 2012 we're back in action and looking forwards to checking in with you again and more regularly!
Our plans for 2012 include taking care of some necessary "business tasks" (financial ones and paperwork) but also keeping up on our "book of days" posts on the Guild's FB page. As well as our weekly site uploads for the Book of Shadows.
We hope also to offer some more things in the store, though our primary focus is healing and teachings for the healing center. With the opening of a new store venue on Storenvy for my other shop I'll be featuring some of the healing center's products there (rather than opening another venue right now), though that may be a possibility later.
The only things currently on our queue are two prayer shawls, each a gift for a close friend. Some more paid pieces are being considered for the future after these are finished.
Wishing you a wonderful and fruitful 2012!!!
Our plans for 2012 include taking care of some necessary "business tasks" (financial ones and paperwork) but also keeping up on our "book of days" posts on the Guild's FB page. As well as our weekly site uploads for the Book of Shadows.
We hope also to offer some more things in the store, though our primary focus is healing and teachings for the healing center. With the opening of a new store venue on Storenvy for my other shop I'll be featuring some of the healing center's products there (rather than opening another venue right now), though that may be a possibility later.
The only things currently on our queue are two prayer shawls, each a gift for a close friend. Some more paid pieces are being considered for the future after these are finished.
Wishing you a wonderful and fruitful 2012!!!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Kalends Messages for December...
It seems we have missed the Kalends updates for October & November, much to my chagrin, and my apologies on that.
Feeling that it's time, especially as the end of the calendar year draws nigh, there will be some layout changes and a new look to the blog this month (ensuing shortly after this post is completed). Much of my time has been devoted to my store proper and not to the healing center or it's store as the holidays are generally a time that brings in more sales and a general "rush".
In the last few months however we have finished our large cross stitch, "Reiki Principles Cross Stitch" and the "Earth Fire Water Healing Shawl". The only project currently in our queue is a charity piece, a prayer shawl for a friend.
With the Winter Solstice looming ever closer now is a time of reflection, as the new year dawns and the old passes a way. Again we have a coupon for the healing center's store proper, use code "YUL3" for 20% off your entire order.
Blessings & Namaste
Naware
Feeling that it's time, especially as the end of the calendar year draws nigh, there will be some layout changes and a new look to the blog this month (ensuing shortly after this post is completed). Much of my time has been devoted to my store proper and not to the healing center or it's store as the holidays are generally a time that brings in more sales and a general "rush".
In the last few months however we have finished our large cross stitch, "Reiki Principles Cross Stitch" and the "Earth Fire Water Healing Shawl". The only project currently in our queue is a charity piece, a prayer shawl for a friend.
With the Winter Solstice looming ever closer now is a time of reflection, as the new year dawns and the old passes a way. Again we have a coupon for the healing center's store proper, use code "YUL3" for 20% off your entire order.
Blessings & Namaste
Naware
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Connecting With Our World & Honoring That Connection
This post comes out of two made on a social network for moms I am a part of (CafeMom). I liked what I had to say and thought it was relevant enough to include it on this blog.
In 2009 I attended a sweat lodge for the Winter Solstice and another one during the Autumn Equinox in 2010. It was my first one and it was a fantastic experience which I blogged about here. What was mentioned was the fact that many people are "out of sync" with the world and Nature. Being plugged into the modern has caused us to keep going constantly and often despite what is going on around us. During the Winter life slows down, animals have migrated or are hibernating, many plants die, and the world in general takes a rest. But look at yourself, your lifestyle and the pattern of your year. Many people throughout the year, with some industries having slower portions dependent on the season (like the tourist season & Summer around coastal and resort areas), but in general you're still working. You may luck out and get a holiday off, or opt to take a vacation for family time or just a break from work and schools let out during this time for similar reasons but you don't really slow down. What you do is replace work and school with busy family events as the largest holiday gatherings are around this time - funny how that works out. So you trade one form of busy-ness for another.
In my two posts on CafeMom I mention my issue with insomnia. While it has many factors that contribute to it the bottom line is that it indicates that I am out of touch with the world just as much as anyone else. Yes, the healer needs to heal too. I find that during the Winter it gets even worse. I believe that part of what is going on in my own situation is a general restlessness (which seems to make my insomnia worse) and a desire to be active due to my "monkey mind" - or as I call it the "jack rabbit". I am so used to filling my days up with doing something that I cannot seem to embrace the quiet of the Winter time. In fact it disquiets me. With the Winter also comes the cold or at least cooler weather, neither of which I am a big fan of. This drives me to stay inside more making the cabin fever even worse. (And did I forget to mention I've also been a SAHM during my pregnancy due to having a hard time with it and since I gave birth from being out of work.) It's a bit of a vicious cycle.
So this year, during this time of Nature's quiet I challenge you to connect with the energies around you in whatever way resonates most with your own personal beliefs. Even if it's setting aside a few minutes a day for a week or just a few days to have some true quiet time. Consider taking up a meditation practice or some form of soothing exercise that focuses on gentle movement - like yoga or T'ai Ch'i. Then think about how it feels to work with the energy versus what you might have been doing before. I'd love to hear about your experiences!
In 2009 I attended a sweat lodge for the Winter Solstice and another one during the Autumn Equinox in 2010. It was my first one and it was a fantastic experience which I blogged about here. What was mentioned was the fact that many people are "out of sync" with the world and Nature. Being plugged into the modern has caused us to keep going constantly and often despite what is going on around us. During the Winter life slows down, animals have migrated or are hibernating, many plants die, and the world in general takes a rest. But look at yourself, your lifestyle and the pattern of your year. Many people throughout the year, with some industries having slower portions dependent on the season (like the tourist season & Summer around coastal and resort areas), but in general you're still working. You may luck out and get a holiday off, or opt to take a vacation for family time or just a break from work and schools let out during this time for similar reasons but you don't really slow down. What you do is replace work and school with busy family events as the largest holiday gatherings are around this time - funny how that works out. So you trade one form of busy-ness for another.
In my two posts on CafeMom I mention my issue with insomnia. While it has many factors that contribute to it the bottom line is that it indicates that I am out of touch with the world just as much as anyone else. Yes, the healer needs to heal too. I find that during the Winter it gets even worse. I believe that part of what is going on in my own situation is a general restlessness (which seems to make my insomnia worse) and a desire to be active due to my "monkey mind" - or as I call it the "jack rabbit". I am so used to filling my days up with doing something that I cannot seem to embrace the quiet of the Winter time. In fact it disquiets me. With the Winter also comes the cold or at least cooler weather, neither of which I am a big fan of. This drives me to stay inside more making the cabin fever even worse. (And did I forget to mention I've also been a SAHM during my pregnancy due to having a hard time with it and since I gave birth from being out of work.) It's a bit of a vicious cycle.
So this year, during this time of Nature's quiet I challenge you to connect with the energies around you in whatever way resonates most with your own personal beliefs. Even if it's setting aside a few minutes a day for a week or just a few days to have some true quiet time. Consider taking up a meditation practice or some form of soothing exercise that focuses on gentle movement - like yoga or T'ai Ch'i. Then think about how it feels to work with the energy versus what you might have been doing before. I'd love to hear about your experiences!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Contemplating Our Frustration
When we see something we don't like, or that is offensive to us, like the spider I just noted near my desk as I was sitting there reading through emails and holding my four month old; or experience something unpleasant and frustrating...like moving and knocking over something onto the floor just to have to stop what we're rushing to do to fix it our natural inclination is to become irritated or annoyed. While this may be an "insta-reaction" it's not often helpful and can put a sour note into an otherwise harmonious day.
What I have found helpful in this is stopping to take the event for what it is. A small, seemingly innocuous sign meant to re-direct one's attention to something other than what it is on. A reminder of some undone task we may have been avoiding. Sure, in words that are attributed to Sigmund Freud, "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar". Sometimes a spider in the house because it's Winter is merely that...a member of the arachnid family entering a seemingly warm and safe refuge from the exposure of the outside. And with my thoughts I do not discount this reality. However I do add that when one notices something, there is generally special import. In this case Spider reminds me of many things: 1) putting off de-cluttering around the desk just issues Spider, and various insects, an invitation, 2) be more mindful, as it was purely chance that caused me to notice the decently large (by my standards) Wolf Spider, of how close my bare feet may be to something less than savory; and of course 3) that it is time to consider the meaning of such a totem coming to my attention.
With my artistic side coming out I find that clutter seems to gravitate towards me. With this also comes the piling of things merely to clear them from my way, rather than putting them away. After awhile however such precarious stacking leads to the inevitability that they will fall. When this happens I often instantaneously find myself annoyed, but as of late I have taken note to realize that had said pile not been stack in such a manner - or at all - it would not have fallen. Therefore, it's a signal that I have too many things around where I am working and should rectify this.
So next time you see something as inconvenient, annoying, etc take a moment to step back and consider what other meaning you may draw from it - you may be surprised.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
What is Reiki??? o.O
Recently while perusing our email we came across a query posted on LinkedIn. The question was about explaining Reiki to a layperson. This is definitely an important thing to consider as anyone who goes into a Reiki practice serving the public will want to consider. Often people fear or distrust what they don't understand and there are a lot of myths and just plain misinformation about Reiki. Some of this comes from a lacking understanding of those who have experienced it. But some of it is due to the complex nature that Reiki can be seen as.
It's definitely agreed upon that Reiki is energy and energy work. However to those who work with energy in their personal and religious practice that needs no further defining. As one of Pagan bent I immediately had no trouble understanding that part of Reiki, but I am not the norm and making Reiki understandable will in the end make it more accessible. If you want to think of it scientifically we are all composed of matter. Matter is energy. Our solid forms are due to the specific arrangement and vibration of this energy. The wind has energy as well, as can be definitely felt in the breeze and hurricane force winds, but it doesn't vibrate at the same frequency so doesn't take the same form.
While that may sound like a lot and too complex for the average person to consider when broken down it's seen more clearly. From a personal perspective you can pick it apart like this:
When physically tired you often don't emotionally feel like doing anything. The physical and emotional are both types of energy, along with the mental and spiritual. For many the physical, being the densest of energies and easily noted (via the physical senses) is the easiest to relate to. But you can see the effect of emotional energy through mood and motivation. You're more likely to be nice and helpful when you're happy and in a good mood. We all know that when mom is overly frustrated or tired it's not a good time to ask for any favors. That principle is relative to us all though. Mental energy can be seen in one's ability to think clearly - however that may be. Not necessarily logically, but a definitive "clear thinking" (not willy-nilly, scattered, or otherwise all over the place). Exception may be taken to this if that is how You "normally" think - but that is another post. Spiritual energy is seen through our connection or lack thereof to the Divine. Whatever beliefs we have in relation to the supernatural is part of this energy.
So you get what energy is now. So what? Well all these energy systems as we'll refer to them now are interconnected. You can see this when you are in a poor mood because you're overly tired. When you become physically ill or rundown because of a persistent bad mood. How you may feel "spacey" if you lack a spiritual focus, etc. On a greater scale this relates to others as well. When you're around others who are down it may agitate you or bring you down. At the very least you will not want to be around them. This interconnection goes for places and things as well. They are subject to the energy they are exposed to and soak up. This can be seen when you visit someone's home or some other place that may "feel" uncomfortable to you. Even someone who is not "energy sensitive" can become uncomfortable in these places (depending on the strength and persistence of the energy). Therefore all in all we all are affected and affect our environs and the people and things within it.
Given this exposure to so many influences internal and external one's personal energy system can be "thrown out of whack" as it were. Repeated exposure to unpleasant physical places or people can eventually bring anyone down. You might find yourself avoiding these places and people naturally (think of this like your energy system's immune response almost) or you may feel it in a more psychosomatic sense in which you will feel negative feelings as a result or your dread or distaste of these places and situations even if you've not experienced them yet.
Since the average person's energy sensitivity only extends very vaguely into their personal emotions it can be hard to note the general state of one's personal cumulative (all levels that is) energy system. Regardless of whether you obviously feel all of the things effecting you on a conscious level they are and eventually you will see the result of this exposure as you feel it's effects in various areas of your personal energy system.
This is where Reiki comes in. Reiki is the Universe's "personal" energy. The biggest difference is that it is pure and untainted. It has no ill thoughts or emotions and cannot be negative. Exposure to this type of energy helps re-balance and "fix" yours. Please note this is not to say that you can't have negative emotions. They certainly serve a purpose for perspective and to help release tension and pressure, much like a hurricane releases atmospheric pressure. However, allowing it to build up, dwell in it, or feed it does cause problems - much like the damage and aftermath of a hurricane. Reiki can help correct these imbalances putting your personal energy system back to it's natural, homeostatic state. Homeostasis being defined as " the property of a system that regulates its internal environment and tends to maintain a stable, constant condition" (1). Eg it's natural, normal state of functioning. Not too hot or cold, rested, etc.
Reiki is also the use of this energy in a form of energy healing to accomplish the re-balancing. This can be done in person or distantly, touching the person lightly (no real pressure is applied) or not at all. Physically or with a surrogate (using the self, a doll, or just a picture or the person's name on a piece of paper). Regardless of the physical actions intention for healing and openness to this healing is always present and necessary.
So in short, Reiki is not a religion or funny hocus-pocus. It requires only the knowledge of how to use it, which is given in a Reiki class and with an attunement, and openness to it's use as well as proper positive intention.
To put it simply...Reiki is an energy healing system geared towards re-balancing the personal energy field. Energy is defined here as the "basic essence of one's being" and may be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual in nature. The personal energy field is that energy that is personally associated with you - based on how you may feel physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. Reiki re-balances by adding pure energy from the Universe (Source, All That Is, the Divine, etc.) to one's personal energy system that then re-arranges itself which leads to a mending or filling in of the energy system.
From a more academic perspective...Reiki defined from an etymological standpoint is often described as "Universal Life Energy". For the layperson though this may not elucidate much. It can be thought of as spiritual energy, the energy that is within all things animate and inanimate, the energy of being. Reiki is a practice of working with this energy, to re-balance one's personal energy system by putting pure untainted energy within the system via a Reiki practitioner. Reiki is often thought of as a mindset and can be a way of practicing living but it is by no means a religious or spiritual practice technically. Meaning, you don't have to be a certain background, ethnicity, or religious practice/faith to practice Reiki. You just need to be open to it.
(1) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeostasis
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Kalends Messages for September
Firstly a brief apology on the tardiness of this post. Given the fact that last Saturday we lost power until yesterday evening we had reason to be absent.
Since September happens to have a sabbat falling in it we will also be offering another sale in our store. You can access this by using the coupon code "M4B0N" and you will get 20% off for the entire month of September. (While we are offering this later than the first it will not be extended past the last day of the month.) Visit PhoenixFlame Healing on Artfire to use your coupon.
We will also be updating our official website's store and everything will forthwith be routed through the Artfire storefront rather than have the two separate venues (this allows for greater security and ease of purchase).
Currently in our queue we are working on:
Since September happens to have a sabbat falling in it we will also be offering another sale in our store. You can access this by using the coupon code "M4B0N" and you will get 20% off for the entire month of September. (While we are offering this later than the first it will not be extended past the last day of the month.) Visit PhoenixFlame Healing on Artfire to use your coupon.
We will also be updating our official website's store and everything will forthwith be routed through the Artfire storefront rather than have the two separate venues (this allows for greater security and ease of purchase).
Currently in our queue we are working on:
- Reiki Principles cross stitch - a custom order for someone as a gift.
- Earth Fire Water Healing Shawl (which is about a quarter finished at this point)
This month will also lead to several administrative changes within the center's several websites and other presences. Articles may be re-written, added, etc and there will definitely be a lot of flux, so stay tuned...
Naware
of
PhoenixFlame Healing Center
Monday, August 15, 2011
Do You Practice?
Do you practice? I mean really and truly. As a practitioner of whatever healing method do you walk the walk as well as talk the talk? I know a number of people who don't do this. Are they hypocritical? Not necessarily. And most importantly I know that I am guilty of it.
If you were to ask me about Reiki I would go on about the benefits, how good it is for you, how it supports the body and your practices and overall welfare. But were you to ask me whether I practice on myself often I would have to say no. At outright I have no good reason for this, it just doesn't occur to me. Although the moment I hear of someone who is ill or injured I would offer it. So that reason really doesn't fly. Perhaps it's because I'm too busy taking care of someone or everyone else. The martyr complex. As a caregiver, big sister, true blue friend, and now mother it's in my nature and being to care for other people however I can. But if I am not up to par how can I really and truly be effectively helping someone else? If I am rundown what sort of model am I putting out there for others, surely not a very good one. So that reason is no good either. Maybe it's just because I don't have time. But who has time? Who allots our time for anything? We are not our schedules or duties, and contrary to how some people live they do not rule us (unless we allow). Also it's important the note that we choose what we do with our time. Sure we may feel obligated to pick up extra work, but if it's not essential to life or well-being it's not necessarily necessary. (I would like to point out very importantly that caring for one's children or others who may need physical help or otherwise, or maintaining work to afford one necessities is not referred to here.) And again, if we want to set a good example we need to show that by doing.
So I propose to you to look at your own practice and not just with health but all things. Are you saying but not doing? If you are analyze why and consider if your reasoning is truly worth it. If not, I encourage you to re-evaluate your approach. If you can't make it at a given time, then try at another, rearrange - be flexible.
For my own part I am setting the goal that I will give myself 5 to 15 minutes of Reiki everyday and if I feel "called" to add other practices in, like guided meditation, making a healing altar, or using crystals I will. And I will share my thoughts and reflections on this practice here!
If you were to ask me about Reiki I would go on about the benefits, how good it is for you, how it supports the body and your practices and overall welfare. But were you to ask me whether I practice on myself often I would have to say no. At outright I have no good reason for this, it just doesn't occur to me. Although the moment I hear of someone who is ill or injured I would offer it. So that reason really doesn't fly. Perhaps it's because I'm too busy taking care of someone or everyone else. The martyr complex. As a caregiver, big sister, true blue friend, and now mother it's in my nature and being to care for other people however I can. But if I am not up to par how can I really and truly be effectively helping someone else? If I am rundown what sort of model am I putting out there for others, surely not a very good one. So that reason is no good either. Maybe it's just because I don't have time. But who has time? Who allots our time for anything? We are not our schedules or duties, and contrary to how some people live they do not rule us (unless we allow). Also it's important the note that we choose what we do with our time. Sure we may feel obligated to pick up extra work, but if it's not essential to life or well-being it's not necessarily necessary. (I would like to point out very importantly that caring for one's children or others who may need physical help or otherwise, or maintaining work to afford one necessities is not referred to here.) And again, if we want to set a good example we need to show that by doing.
So I propose to you to look at your own practice and not just with health but all things. Are you saying but not doing? If you are analyze why and consider if your reasoning is truly worth it. If not, I encourage you to re-evaluate your approach. If you can't make it at a given time, then try at another, rearrange - be flexible.
For my own part I am setting the goal that I will give myself 5 to 15 minutes of Reiki everyday and if I feel "called" to add other practices in, like guided meditation, making a healing altar, or using crystals I will. And I will share my thoughts and reflections on this practice here!
Blessings & Namaste!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Slowing Down & Dis-ease
I had this thought come to me awhile ago and do wish now that I had blogged about it then rather than waiting till now (I know I had more in my mind about it at that time which may not have left me... :/.)
I have heard the phrase, "I'll sleep when I'm dead." and while it's marginally funny from a serious perspective it's disturbing. As someone who loves and feels compelled to always be productive I understand this way of thinking. In our society (Western culture, America especially) it is fairly typical to have to get things done to feel of any worth. This fosters a desire and need to be ultra productive or maintain a certain standard that may not be true to oneself or healthy. We work 80 hour weeks (or at least long hours) to maintain the status quo. We have jobs we hate, and demands on our time that far exceed the actual time we have available. A great many people feel the need to meet some grandiose and far off expectation to do everything and be everything to some extent. We have deadlines that loom over us like dark monsters and we ritualistic chide ourselves harshly for not maintaining, even when it's not necessarily what our heart wants.
While this isn't the case for every single person, it's very common, and it's also very sad. The upside is that our bodies know. They know what's right for us, what is enough, and what is too much - if we would but listen...
As is proliferated by The Secret, Wayne Dyer, and a number of other authors and people of various industries who speak on such subject, including the lovely Lissa Rankin of Owning Pink, our bodies constantly tell us what they need, want, and what nourishes them. When you find yourself doing something effortlessly, so much so that time passes without you knowing that's a key right there. Whatever you find joy in, is good for you. (And we mean real live joy, not the "temporary" gratification that can be found is less than good for one practices such as drug use, etc.)
However, even beyond that is the message from our bodies to take care of ourselves. Likes and desires aside there are certain things we all need. In general humans are social creatures, we need to be around and interact with one another. But not just anyone, you need people who feed your soul, who support you, and who are real to and for you. For some this seems like a luxury as it's so easy to find those that do less for us than we do for them, who bring themselves and others down, and just aren't really who or what we need to be around.
Then there is the main point we want to reach here - of slowing down. At the core this aids in solving a great many of the issues we've touched on here. Slowing down and really listening to the world around us, to ourselves within our bodies and thoughts leads to a greater connection with the world at large. Learning to know what we need and how we need it enables us to achieve it on a much greater and fulfilling scale. When we slow down we're much more able to see those signs that are being sent our way in whatever form, including and especially of health. When we perform at breakneck speeds it's hard to notice the twinge in our knee, the weight on our shoulders, or that aching that signals what will later be a doozy of a migraine. Such activity masks our ability to observe and contemplate, while stillness promotes it.
When we put too much stress on our minds and bodies we deplete our vitality and strength. Doing this makes it harder to perform and ultimately puts unhealthy levels of unnecessary stress on our bodies which all the sooner revolt and break down as a result of it. For some illness and injury serve as a big red flag being waved wildly to take stock of their lives. While not every case may me to physically slow down, it certainly does mean a call to attention at what one is doing - both in life externally and internally to one's body.
So next time you're rushing out the door, thinking of all the things you have to do, wondering or concerned if you will get them all done. Take a moment to slow down. Notice how you feel, see where any negative feelings are coming from and really embrace them. What can you change about your actions and perspective to nullify them? Make this a conscious daily practice and notice how these troubles melt away.
I have heard the phrase, "I'll sleep when I'm dead." and while it's marginally funny from a serious perspective it's disturbing. As someone who loves and feels compelled to always be productive I understand this way of thinking. In our society (Western culture, America especially) it is fairly typical to have to get things done to feel of any worth. This fosters a desire and need to be ultra productive or maintain a certain standard that may not be true to oneself or healthy. We work 80 hour weeks (or at least long hours) to maintain the status quo. We have jobs we hate, and demands on our time that far exceed the actual time we have available. A great many people feel the need to meet some grandiose and far off expectation to do everything and be everything to some extent. We have deadlines that loom over us like dark monsters and we ritualistic chide ourselves harshly for not maintaining, even when it's not necessarily what our heart wants.
While this isn't the case for every single person, it's very common, and it's also very sad. The upside is that our bodies know. They know what's right for us, what is enough, and what is too much - if we would but listen...
As is proliferated by The Secret, Wayne Dyer, and a number of other authors and people of various industries who speak on such subject, including the lovely Lissa Rankin of Owning Pink, our bodies constantly tell us what they need, want, and what nourishes them. When you find yourself doing something effortlessly, so much so that time passes without you knowing that's a key right there. Whatever you find joy in, is good for you. (And we mean real live joy, not the "temporary" gratification that can be found is less than good for one practices such as drug use, etc.)
However, even beyond that is the message from our bodies to take care of ourselves. Likes and desires aside there are certain things we all need. In general humans are social creatures, we need to be around and interact with one another. But not just anyone, you need people who feed your soul, who support you, and who are real to and for you. For some this seems like a luxury as it's so easy to find those that do less for us than we do for them, who bring themselves and others down, and just aren't really who or what we need to be around.
Then there is the main point we want to reach here - of slowing down. At the core this aids in solving a great many of the issues we've touched on here. Slowing down and really listening to the world around us, to ourselves within our bodies and thoughts leads to a greater connection with the world at large. Learning to know what we need and how we need it enables us to achieve it on a much greater and fulfilling scale. When we slow down we're much more able to see those signs that are being sent our way in whatever form, including and especially of health. When we perform at breakneck speeds it's hard to notice the twinge in our knee, the weight on our shoulders, or that aching that signals what will later be a doozy of a migraine. Such activity masks our ability to observe and contemplate, while stillness promotes it.
When we put too much stress on our minds and bodies we deplete our vitality and strength. Doing this makes it harder to perform and ultimately puts unhealthy levels of unnecessary stress on our bodies which all the sooner revolt and break down as a result of it. For some illness and injury serve as a big red flag being waved wildly to take stock of their lives. While not every case may me to physically slow down, it certainly does mean a call to attention at what one is doing - both in life externally and internally to one's body.
So next time you're rushing out the door, thinking of all the things you have to do, wondering or concerned if you will get them all done. Take a moment to slow down. Notice how you feel, see where any negative feelings are coming from and really embrace them. What can you change about your actions and perspective to nullify them? Make this a conscious daily practice and notice how these troubles melt away.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Kalends Messages for August (& July)!
With the birth of my son I have had to make everything take a backseat so I took off the remainder of June & July but I'm glad to say I'm back! Things will take awhile to be back to their full swing just for the fact that there is still a lot of flux, but bear with me things will slowly return to "normal".
Things to look forward to or keep in mind for August...
We've got a coupon running in the healing center's store on Artfire, if you are friends with us on FB or follow us on Twitter you've seen it. 20% off on everything in the store, good as many times as you wish to use it but only for August so grab the savings while you can!
From this point on we'll likely be running some sort of sale every month there is a Sabbat and specials during other times during the year so stay tuned for those!
Due to some major changes with Artfire you will also notice some differences in our store front. Originally everything was listed individually and only in quantities of one, but we have upgraded our account and that allows us several options including the ability to list more than one quantity and have many more pictures.
As of this month we will be removing our services from LivePerson. This site too has undergone many changes and it is no longer financially lucrative to work with them. All of the services (healing & readings) we still offer but you must contact us independently. (You can do this via Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or just by using our email!)
We will also be altering our contact number soon so if you have used the prior contact number you can no longer reach us there. We are always reachable via email however!
Until next month!
Things to look forward to or keep in mind for August...
We've got a coupon running in the healing center's store on Artfire, if you are friends with us on FB or follow us on Twitter you've seen it. 20% off on everything in the store, good as many times as you wish to use it but only for August so grab the savings while you can!
From this point on we'll likely be running some sort of sale every month there is a Sabbat and specials during other times during the year so stay tuned for those!
Due to some major changes with Artfire you will also notice some differences in our store front. Originally everything was listed individually and only in quantities of one, but we have upgraded our account and that allows us several options including the ability to list more than one quantity and have many more pictures.
As of this month we will be removing our services from LivePerson. This site too has undergone many changes and it is no longer financially lucrative to work with them. All of the services (healing & readings) we still offer but you must contact us independently. (You can do this via Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or just by using our email!)
We will also be altering our contact number soon so if you have used the prior contact number you can no longer reach us there. We are always reachable via email however!
Until next month!
Naware
of
PhoenixFlame Healing Center
Friday, August 5, 2011
Chakra Throw Blanket!
When we originally made it it was just a "neat idea", but as the project progress we fell in love with not only the simplicity of the design but also the vibrant colors chosen for this piece. We love it so much that we have used it in a few healing fairs we've attended and compliments are always given on it. Well we're proud to say today that it was listed recently in a collection featuring chakra colored items on Artfire! You can view the collection here. Currently we only have one in stock, but more will be made to order upon request. While we'd hate to see it go we know that it will be cherished and honored in its new home whenever it sells! Like it? Grab it before it's gone!
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for stopping by!
Naware
of
PhoenixFlame Healing Center
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Healers are human too!
I recently (and only briefly) attended a meeting about a book (Practical Reiki) concerning Reiki written by a friend and mentor of mine Alice Langholt. In the small portion of the event I was able to attend I can clearly recall her speaking on the importance of intention in using Reiki (and really any other healing for that matter). I start this post off with this note because it sticks in the forefront of my mind as I'm thinking about what I have to say at the moment and how ironic it seems upon reflection...
When I started the healing center and everything associated with it (my practice, it's website, store, blog, and various social networking avenues) I had every intention on devoting some large amount of time and energy to it. However, if you were to ask me what precisely this amount of time and energy was I doubt I could have given a set figure or full description. Now it's two years later and looking back I don't feel that I could say I have lived up to what I was expecting of myself, but that doesn't mean I haven't done well. It also doesn't mean that I don't need to put forth more effort either.
With the birth of my son things have obviously been more than a little hectic. As any new parents out there may well know, being a new parent is a full time job in and of itself and while many juggle full time jobs along with a number of other things and raising their child I seem to be having a bit of a time with it. I could say this stems from having a hard time managing my time. This may come as a shock to those who know me personally or those who have worked with me as I am ridiculously conscientious about getting things done and industrious to a level of insanity it seems. On the other hand, it's not at all surprising given my personal knowledge about myself. I could say that perhaps I'm "in over my head" with my expectations. Afterall, I run two businesses, both of which have websites, blogs, stores, and various social networking presences including Facebook, Myspace (although who uses that anymore!), Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Again this isn't surprising to those who know me well since I always seem to have "too much" on my plate and many don't understand how I can expect to get so much done...You could also say that it just has to do with the chaos of dealing with a new life in the world. One who literally knows nothing and must start from scratch with careful and patient guidance. But there are plenty of people who manage it so why not me?
To be honest I think it's a combination of these things and other factors, some of which I may not really even be in the know about. In the time since I have ventured out on my journey as a healer from deciding to become one many a year ago, to the advent of my Reiki training, and then the addition and study of various other healing related disciplines many things have changed in my personal life that in turn have and are affecting my professional life. I have moved a number of times, moved on from many relationships both romantic and platonic, had some hard times as well as great ones, and find myself rediscovering myself and re-evaluating where I want to be and what I want to do.
Most notably is the venturing out into a program (the "Get Out of Your Way E-Course") created by Lissa Rankin that while somewhat focused on "fixing" your business or professional life in reality it is a true wholistic "re-vamp". What I mean by this is that it can be applied to any and all areas of your life. I'm about half way through the program and then came my son and since then I've taken a bit of a hiatus (somewhat against my will) and I find myself reflecting on the irony of stepping back from something I was "so sure" that I'd be through in a minimal amount of time. I also find it funny that the area of the program I stopped at is right around the part speaking about caring for yourself (specifically your health). I am looking and reflecting a lot on what I want for my own life, as well as observing quietly my health, that of my other half, noting it for some around me and realizing how much more I have stepped back than I realized. What I meant to be a brief hiatus from my breakneck pace has turned into a way of life with several "speedbumps" serving to keep me slowed down (including some ill health, and just being so very tired, as well as being the primary caregiver to my son without having a real break - eg no time to do anything else!)
What all this says to me is that I'm human. The importance of this message is not to be missed out on however since many people who come to health professionals may see them as "above" needing care. Mistakenly thinking that because they practice they have it all figured out for themselves. I can promise you this isn't the case. Health and healing is a full time, life time job and every day we make choices that require us to re-evaluate our health and lifestyle decisions (even though many of us do not evaluate ourselves that much). But this is okay. Really, it is - because being a good healer isn't about being perfect and having all the answers. In fact you could say a big part of it is knowing when you don't have the answer and having the courage to admit it and the will to figure it out (or at least try). The pathway to healing the self is not a straight line but rather a meandering way and it's a bit like a shifting labyrinth for every choice we make affects the end point so it's not even possible to fully map it out - there are so many unknowns. Still, that too is okay. So if you're a healer and finding yourself struggling, breathe, relax, and be gentle with yourself. It really is okay to find yourself in a rut or a lurch sometimes. That's just the Universe's way of telling you to try a different approach. If you are a layperson know that your healer(s) are people too, just like you, with good days and bad days.
Thanks for tuning in!
When I started the healing center and everything associated with it (my practice, it's website, store, blog, and various social networking avenues) I had every intention on devoting some large amount of time and energy to it. However, if you were to ask me what precisely this amount of time and energy was I doubt I could have given a set figure or full description. Now it's two years later and looking back I don't feel that I could say I have lived up to what I was expecting of myself, but that doesn't mean I haven't done well. It also doesn't mean that I don't need to put forth more effort either.
With the birth of my son things have obviously been more than a little hectic. As any new parents out there may well know, being a new parent is a full time job in and of itself and while many juggle full time jobs along with a number of other things and raising their child I seem to be having a bit of a time with it. I could say this stems from having a hard time managing my time. This may come as a shock to those who know me personally or those who have worked with me as I am ridiculously conscientious about getting things done and industrious to a level of insanity it seems. On the other hand, it's not at all surprising given my personal knowledge about myself. I could say that perhaps I'm "in over my head" with my expectations. Afterall, I run two businesses, both of which have websites, blogs, stores, and various social networking presences including Facebook, Myspace (although who uses that anymore!), Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Again this isn't surprising to those who know me well since I always seem to have "too much" on my plate and many don't understand how I can expect to get so much done...You could also say that it just has to do with the chaos of dealing with a new life in the world. One who literally knows nothing and must start from scratch with careful and patient guidance. But there are plenty of people who manage it so why not me?
To be honest I think it's a combination of these things and other factors, some of which I may not really even be in the know about. In the time since I have ventured out on my journey as a healer from deciding to become one many a year ago, to the advent of my Reiki training, and then the addition and study of various other healing related disciplines many things have changed in my personal life that in turn have and are affecting my professional life. I have moved a number of times, moved on from many relationships both romantic and platonic, had some hard times as well as great ones, and find myself rediscovering myself and re-evaluating where I want to be and what I want to do.
Most notably is the venturing out into a program (the "Get Out of Your Way E-Course") created by Lissa Rankin that while somewhat focused on "fixing" your business or professional life in reality it is a true wholistic "re-vamp". What I mean by this is that it can be applied to any and all areas of your life. I'm about half way through the program and then came my son and since then I've taken a bit of a hiatus (somewhat against my will) and I find myself reflecting on the irony of stepping back from something I was "so sure" that I'd be through in a minimal amount of time. I also find it funny that the area of the program I stopped at is right around the part speaking about caring for yourself (specifically your health). I am looking and reflecting a lot on what I want for my own life, as well as observing quietly my health, that of my other half, noting it for some around me and realizing how much more I have stepped back than I realized. What I meant to be a brief hiatus from my breakneck pace has turned into a way of life with several "speedbumps" serving to keep me slowed down (including some ill health, and just being so very tired, as well as being the primary caregiver to my son without having a real break - eg no time to do anything else!)
What all this says to me is that I'm human. The importance of this message is not to be missed out on however since many people who come to health professionals may see them as "above" needing care. Mistakenly thinking that because they practice they have it all figured out for themselves. I can promise you this isn't the case. Health and healing is a full time, life time job and every day we make choices that require us to re-evaluate our health and lifestyle decisions (even though many of us do not evaluate ourselves that much). But this is okay. Really, it is - because being a good healer isn't about being perfect and having all the answers. In fact you could say a big part of it is knowing when you don't have the answer and having the courage to admit it and the will to figure it out (or at least try). The pathway to healing the self is not a straight line but rather a meandering way and it's a bit like a shifting labyrinth for every choice we make affects the end point so it's not even possible to fully map it out - there are so many unknowns. Still, that too is okay. So if you're a healer and finding yourself struggling, breathe, relax, and be gentle with yourself. It really is okay to find yourself in a rut or a lurch sometimes. That's just the Universe's way of telling you to try a different approach. If you are a layperson know that your healer(s) are people too, just like you, with good days and bad days.
Thanks for tuning in!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Kalends Messages for June!
A little behind the eight ball this month as the winding down of my pregnancy makes life a bit hectic as I'm trying to get things taken care of and learning some harsh lessons...but enough about me!
As an advisory note hearkening back to my just made statement with the advent of a new life and addition to my family things may slow to a bit of a crawl here at the healing center. Babies take time and patience so he will be coming first. That said, business here will continue otherwise as normal! (We might even include some information about parenting, babies, and Reiki too!)
As has been our custom since opening the store on Artfire we've been working to add at least one product to the store front everyday. Since our inventory is fairly low compared to the sister store Faith Works one a day is plenty without going to great excess and allows for steady progress.
If you noticed yesterday's post about "Healing Our Feminine Wounds" it seems like a bit of a change from the way things were before. This change was brought on by the lovely inspiration of Lissa Rankin who supports and promotes "being authentically you" all the time. Participating in an e-course with her and several other women about "Getting Out of Your Own Way" has had us rethinking some of the "standards" that have thus far been imposed here at the healing center and is causing us to re-think some approaches. So starting "now" we're going to try and more fully adopt that philosophy here as well as well as personally. What this will mean here is that while we will still strive to remain positive as much as possible you may see notes that relate to the less than positive side of the "human condition". Originally we sought to avoid such posts altogether, not desiring to "spread" any negativity by talking about it - but while we wish to keep part of that up, instead of avoiding the dirty laundry we are going to deal with it as it comes and share it - and with is ways to deal with it via self-care etc.
From last month to this one we've finished our initial edits of the Alchemy Reiki Distance Course. All of the original lesson plans have been made up and pre-typed for future students and as we are able to we will be re-vamping our instructor's manual. (This will include the required reading of the Alchemy Reiki manual itself, re-formatted for neatness and structure but with all of the original information intact, and the addition of our personal write ups for the course, pre and post student evaluations and a space for notes.) While this isn't necessarily relevant to students we want future instructors and other healers as well as students to have the chance to be aware of these changes!
Business hours on LivePerson have continued, though with some recent internet trouble some days have been shaky.
We're also hoping to get to that "more involvement" with our two charity projects that were mentioned last month!
As an advisory note hearkening back to my just made statement with the advent of a new life and addition to my family things may slow to a bit of a crawl here at the healing center. Babies take time and patience so he will be coming first. That said, business here will continue otherwise as normal! (We might even include some information about parenting, babies, and Reiki too!)
As has been our custom since opening the store on Artfire we've been working to add at least one product to the store front everyday. Since our inventory is fairly low compared to the sister store Faith Works one a day is plenty without going to great excess and allows for steady progress.
If you noticed yesterday's post about "Healing Our Feminine Wounds" it seems like a bit of a change from the way things were before. This change was brought on by the lovely inspiration of Lissa Rankin who supports and promotes "being authentically you" all the time. Participating in an e-course with her and several other women about "Getting Out of Your Own Way" has had us rethinking some of the "standards" that have thus far been imposed here at the healing center and is causing us to re-think some approaches. So starting "now" we're going to try and more fully adopt that philosophy here as well as well as personally. What this will mean here is that while we will still strive to remain positive as much as possible you may see notes that relate to the less than positive side of the "human condition". Originally we sought to avoid such posts altogether, not desiring to "spread" any negativity by talking about it - but while we wish to keep part of that up, instead of avoiding the dirty laundry we are going to deal with it as it comes and share it - and with is ways to deal with it via self-care etc.
From last month to this one we've finished our initial edits of the Alchemy Reiki Distance Course. All of the original lesson plans have been made up and pre-typed for future students and as we are able to we will be re-vamping our instructor's manual. (This will include the required reading of the Alchemy Reiki manual itself, re-formatted for neatness and structure but with all of the original information intact, and the addition of our personal write ups for the course, pre and post student evaluations and a space for notes.) While this isn't necessarily relevant to students we want future instructors and other healers as well as students to have the chance to be aware of these changes!
Business hours on LivePerson have continued, though with some recent internet trouble some days have been shaky.
We're also hoping to get to that "more involvement" with our two charity projects that were mentioned last month!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Healing Our Feminine Wounds...
This post is directed specifically to talking about some of my own personal experience as a healer with menstrual issues and how I worked through mine. In putting this out there I'm embracing some of my "authentic self" and putting it on display.
For me I have long been a misogynist. As a woman this almost seems like a bit of a "hate crime". But I have female friends, I have relatives and other female associates that I have no problems with. It's the "gender in general" that irks me. But the truth is not that I really hate women, I hate some of the negative things they engender. The backstabbing, flakiness, oneupmanship and various other conniving and manipulative qualities some use. This is not to say that men don't do the same things at times, and everyone has their "asshole" moments. But as a woman I am intimately familiar with many of the inner workings of the female mind. It honestly sickens me to a good point as well, how could they?! While I tend to shy away from the strictly "traditional" thoughts on the feminine, I do not deny that they for many generations and in originality have been true. The relation of the feminine to nurturing, the elements of water & earth (which nurture and help things grow), and the emotional are true to form in many cases. While men can nurture, when they do it's often not in the same fashion of expression as the feminine. And not every woman is "feminine" in these way. Some are much more detached and model it seems after the traditional masculine forms more than the feminine.
But for the sense of being basic, we'll stick with "traditional" gender models.
This hatred I have long had, and really can't think of when I might have developed it but certain sometime during adolescence. While I won't say that the seeds weren't planted by poor female modeling by my mother, the effects weren't set to bear until later. Needless to say, around such time I also developed some very bad menstrual issues. At the time I was not aware of any connection and knew virtually nothing about holistic health or viewing things in that way. But now it seems "so clear" the issues with the feminine and my physical issues with what biologically makes me female.
For me my menstrual issues came in the form of intense pain at the beginning of each cycle of bleeding. So intense that I had to miss school and work and would write on the floor. I would scream and cry in pain and as it progressed through the year it became steadily worse. I had even gotten to the point where I'd tried to knock myself unconscious just so I wouldn't feel the pain anymore. I often commented that that was one of the one times where you didn't want to see me because I looked so bad. And there was nothing I could do - no amount of over the counter medications would touch the pain and even a narcotic would merely take a small amount of the edge of and make me not care, but if I started moving around too much the pain would come in full force and it'd be just as bad as if I'd taken nothing.
While some things seemed to lessen it, it was more it not being exacerbated as much than it being lessened. While many women crave chocolate (due to it having a chemical in it which is molecularly similar to something which supposedly helps to relax the muscles) for me it causes cramping and thusly the pain to be worse, to the nth degree. Even the smallest amount of it - like a chocolate chip - will worsen the symptoms and the more I have the week prior the worse off I would be. Even though I would often crave it and not clue into why at the time. I also noticed that if I had a lot of dairy it would also worsen the symptoms a bit too. So I learned to try and remember to avoid those things in excess the week before. I wasn't always successful as I would often not even think about what I was doing at the time, but when I did remember it helped. I also tried a supplement for a time called Maca Root - which helped some but again when I remembered to take it and I had to build it up a few days before and with an irregular menstruation it could be hard to tell exactly when it would happen.
However, despite the minimal relief these things seemed to afford me it wasn't enough and it didn't take even half of the issue away. So for years I dreaded the time, tried to remember to avoid certain foods and just take it easy (it's also proven that certain exercises done right before menstruation can cause pain to be worse) and bear it.
Then one day, after I'd come to start working with and studying holistic healing I came across some literature speaking about the relation of certain emotions to the body and illnesses. One example was the Chinese thought of the relation of fear & the kidneys. (And incidentally that year I had been dealing with a lot of fear and had some very recurrent kidney problems...) Continuing with this research I related to the uterus, and general female organs. I gave it thought and realized that my hatred and issues with women were being transferred to my own body and the "female" parts of myself. Also to note all of my life most of my "issues" seem to focus on the left side (versus the right) which is also related to the feminine. The revelation was amazing to me at the time. Despite being a very emotional person it had never occurred to me to connect my emotional state with how I physically felt, even though I knew there to be a connection on some level.
As I worked to come to terms with the issues, to realize my problem with women, acknowledge and sit with it and realize just what it was (that it wasn't really women but some of the negative stigmas I associated with the gender) I found a significant relief in my symptoms. While they are not fully gone, I have really not worked as closely and deeply with releasing these feelings towards women. But the relief is immense compared to everything else I have tried to date.
So while not every woman may have their menstrual issues, whatever they may be, due to the relation of how they deal with and feel about women, it's definitely interesting food for thought. Another connection I've made is with anger and heartburn. I often describe anger as "an acid that eats away at whatever it touches" to clients. And from my severe issues with heartburn I realize that it is lack of compassion due to extreme inwardly turned anger (eg, I don't express my anger so it gets internalized), at myself and others, that is one of the causes of it. Yes spicey foods, and for me too much sugar will also cause it, as will eating and then lying down. But to have it without doing these things, without even have eaten there had to be something else and there it was.
So when you're feeling ill, in pain, etc I urge you to "sit with" that feeling. Looking at it beyond the physical, what thoughts or feelings does it make you think of? What would you relate it to? Shame? Anger? Hate? Sorrow? Betrayal? Think of where you might be harboring that feeling and see if it relates to the body area or a chakra related to the body area in question. How long have you been feeling this? Does it correlate to how long you've had the physical issue? Does it seem to exacerbate it a problem that while it may have other causes, definitely is sometimes worse than other times...? Really sit with and meditate with it and you might be well surprised at what you discover about yourself.
For me I have long been a misogynist. As a woman this almost seems like a bit of a "hate crime". But I have female friends, I have relatives and other female associates that I have no problems with. It's the "gender in general" that irks me. But the truth is not that I really hate women, I hate some of the negative things they engender. The backstabbing, flakiness, oneupmanship and various other conniving and manipulative qualities some use. This is not to say that men don't do the same things at times, and everyone has their "asshole" moments. But as a woman I am intimately familiar with many of the inner workings of the female mind. It honestly sickens me to a good point as well, how could they?! While I tend to shy away from the strictly "traditional" thoughts on the feminine, I do not deny that they for many generations and in originality have been true. The relation of the feminine to nurturing, the elements of water & earth (which nurture and help things grow), and the emotional are true to form in many cases. While men can nurture, when they do it's often not in the same fashion of expression as the feminine. And not every woman is "feminine" in these way. Some are much more detached and model it seems after the traditional masculine forms more than the feminine.
But for the sense of being basic, we'll stick with "traditional" gender models.
This hatred I have long had, and really can't think of when I might have developed it but certain sometime during adolescence. While I won't say that the seeds weren't planted by poor female modeling by my mother, the effects weren't set to bear until later. Needless to say, around such time I also developed some very bad menstrual issues. At the time I was not aware of any connection and knew virtually nothing about holistic health or viewing things in that way. But now it seems "so clear" the issues with the feminine and my physical issues with what biologically makes me female.
For me my menstrual issues came in the form of intense pain at the beginning of each cycle of bleeding. So intense that I had to miss school and work and would write on the floor. I would scream and cry in pain and as it progressed through the year it became steadily worse. I had even gotten to the point where I'd tried to knock myself unconscious just so I wouldn't feel the pain anymore. I often commented that that was one of the one times where you didn't want to see me because I looked so bad. And there was nothing I could do - no amount of over the counter medications would touch the pain and even a narcotic would merely take a small amount of the edge of and make me not care, but if I started moving around too much the pain would come in full force and it'd be just as bad as if I'd taken nothing.
While some things seemed to lessen it, it was more it not being exacerbated as much than it being lessened. While many women crave chocolate (due to it having a chemical in it which is molecularly similar to something which supposedly helps to relax the muscles) for me it causes cramping and thusly the pain to be worse, to the nth degree. Even the smallest amount of it - like a chocolate chip - will worsen the symptoms and the more I have the week prior the worse off I would be. Even though I would often crave it and not clue into why at the time. I also noticed that if I had a lot of dairy it would also worsen the symptoms a bit too. So I learned to try and remember to avoid those things in excess the week before. I wasn't always successful as I would often not even think about what I was doing at the time, but when I did remember it helped. I also tried a supplement for a time called Maca Root - which helped some but again when I remembered to take it and I had to build it up a few days before and with an irregular menstruation it could be hard to tell exactly when it would happen.
However, despite the minimal relief these things seemed to afford me it wasn't enough and it didn't take even half of the issue away. So for years I dreaded the time, tried to remember to avoid certain foods and just take it easy (it's also proven that certain exercises done right before menstruation can cause pain to be worse) and bear it.
Then one day, after I'd come to start working with and studying holistic healing I came across some literature speaking about the relation of certain emotions to the body and illnesses. One example was the Chinese thought of the relation of fear & the kidneys. (And incidentally that year I had been dealing with a lot of fear and had some very recurrent kidney problems...) Continuing with this research I related to the uterus, and general female organs. I gave it thought and realized that my hatred and issues with women were being transferred to my own body and the "female" parts of myself. Also to note all of my life most of my "issues" seem to focus on the left side (versus the right) which is also related to the feminine. The revelation was amazing to me at the time. Despite being a very emotional person it had never occurred to me to connect my emotional state with how I physically felt, even though I knew there to be a connection on some level.
As I worked to come to terms with the issues, to realize my problem with women, acknowledge and sit with it and realize just what it was (that it wasn't really women but some of the negative stigmas I associated with the gender) I found a significant relief in my symptoms. While they are not fully gone, I have really not worked as closely and deeply with releasing these feelings towards women. But the relief is immense compared to everything else I have tried to date.
So while not every woman may have their menstrual issues, whatever they may be, due to the relation of how they deal with and feel about women, it's definitely interesting food for thought. Another connection I've made is with anger and heartburn. I often describe anger as "an acid that eats away at whatever it touches" to clients. And from my severe issues with heartburn I realize that it is lack of compassion due to extreme inwardly turned anger (eg, I don't express my anger so it gets internalized), at myself and others, that is one of the causes of it. Yes spicey foods, and for me too much sugar will also cause it, as will eating and then lying down. But to have it without doing these things, without even have eaten there had to be something else and there it was.
So when you're feeling ill, in pain, etc I urge you to "sit with" that feeling. Looking at it beyond the physical, what thoughts or feelings does it make you think of? What would you relate it to? Shame? Anger? Hate? Sorrow? Betrayal? Think of where you might be harboring that feeling and see if it relates to the body area or a chakra related to the body area in question. How long have you been feeling this? Does it correlate to how long you've had the physical issue? Does it seem to exacerbate it a problem that while it may have other causes, definitely is sometimes worse than other times...? Really sit with and meditate with it and you might be well surprised at what you discover about yourself.
You are the healer, you are the power, You can do it!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Kalends Messages for May!
It's the first of the month and we thought that it would be a great time to blog (and it's our update day too!)
Just moments ago I noticed a fluttering on the desk as I was checking up on our profile on LinkedIn (a website offering networking services to professionals) and saw a spider crawling from monitor to keyboard. Now while preservation of life is a goal of mine being a healer and a bit of a pacifist, I detest spiders (and certain other creepy crawlies, like centipedes, you know the poisonous kind...)
My general rule used to be "live and let live", that was until I woke one day with a nasty bite on my side and couldn't figure out what it was and only a week and a half later figured out it was a spider bite (including a fang still stuck in my skin). After that point I re-hashed my theories on what to do when such things invade my home. Now it goes along the mindset that if they are not bothering me and won't (too far away), or if I can shoo them carefully outside I will. But they are not overly welcome in my home. It may not be very nice, but in the interest of my health and not getting bitten again I find it's necessary.
While I squashed the little thing, it did cause me to reflect on the messages of Spider (and also means that a reference to it will be entered into the Guild's Book of Shadows today as well!) So all in all Spider served it's purpose I believe, even if it resulted in an untimely demise. Spiders in general are weavers, they spin their own silk and build homes, nests, and even traps from it. They have many offspring (which symbolizes a proliferance of their influence), have 8 legs (alluding to numerological references including industriousness, and "getting things done", connection, networking, etc) among other things. The message of course that stands out most to me is that of connections. With their webs they are able to provide homes and hunting grounds, and while to us they may seem frail and fragile proportionally speaking the webs are very strong. But day in and day out at times they must rebuild or repair these webs, they are ever constantly reviving and keeping their connections and there is something to be learned from that I say.
In this technological day and age we too can form connections (and need to) but ours are somewhat removed from the personal structure of that of Spider. While the internet, phones, and other electronic technology allow us to communicate easily and quickly over large distances with people all over the world - there is a certain level of impersonal-ness to the communication. We don't necessarily view the voice over the phone or text from the email as coming from a "real, live person" so much as an entity that we are acquainted with in some fashion. I have commented on the joys and banes of technology before and thusly I feel they are this: (joy) while they allow greater communication with people one otherwise would likely not have come across if you were restricted to merely in person meetings, (bane) they take out the "personal" factor in those connections many times. They also cause us to be lazy about dealing with people. It's that much easy to put off a phone call or an email since either will take seconds or mere moments to complete, whereas an in person meeting takes more orchestration and time. While the benefits and ease of communication are absolutely wonderful, the quality of it is at times lacking.
So what does this all mean? Why am I sitting here going on about it? Perhaps it's time to take a step back or perhaps forward, and re-evaluate your connections. Who are you connected with? Why? Can you strengthen this connection? Should you? Re-ascertain those connections that you do not want or that may not be good for you and release them. Take the time to put effort into those connections that you do want to keep, perhaps even spend a bit more time getting to know or working with them.
In other news...
Just moments ago I noticed a fluttering on the desk as I was checking up on our profile on LinkedIn (a website offering networking services to professionals) and saw a spider crawling from monitor to keyboard. Now while preservation of life is a goal of mine being a healer and a bit of a pacifist, I detest spiders (and certain other creepy crawlies, like centipedes, you know the poisonous kind...)
My general rule used to be "live and let live", that was until I woke one day with a nasty bite on my side and couldn't figure out what it was and only a week and a half later figured out it was a spider bite (including a fang still stuck in my skin). After that point I re-hashed my theories on what to do when such things invade my home. Now it goes along the mindset that if they are not bothering me and won't (too far away), or if I can shoo them carefully outside I will. But they are not overly welcome in my home. It may not be very nice, but in the interest of my health and not getting bitten again I find it's necessary.
While I squashed the little thing, it did cause me to reflect on the messages of Spider (and also means that a reference to it will be entered into the Guild's Book of Shadows today as well!) So all in all Spider served it's purpose I believe, even if it resulted in an untimely demise. Spiders in general are weavers, they spin their own silk and build homes, nests, and even traps from it. They have many offspring (which symbolizes a proliferance of their influence), have 8 legs (alluding to numerological references including industriousness, and "getting things done", connection, networking, etc) among other things. The message of course that stands out most to me is that of connections. With their webs they are able to provide homes and hunting grounds, and while to us they may seem frail and fragile proportionally speaking the webs are very strong. But day in and day out at times they must rebuild or repair these webs, they are ever constantly reviving and keeping their connections and there is something to be learned from that I say.
In this technological day and age we too can form connections (and need to) but ours are somewhat removed from the personal structure of that of Spider. While the internet, phones, and other electronic technology allow us to communicate easily and quickly over large distances with people all over the world - there is a certain level of impersonal-ness to the communication. We don't necessarily view the voice over the phone or text from the email as coming from a "real, live person" so much as an entity that we are acquainted with in some fashion. I have commented on the joys and banes of technology before and thusly I feel they are this: (joy) while they allow greater communication with people one otherwise would likely not have come across if you were restricted to merely in person meetings, (bane) they take out the "personal" factor in those connections many times. They also cause us to be lazy about dealing with people. It's that much easy to put off a phone call or an email since either will take seconds or mere moments to complete, whereas an in person meeting takes more orchestration and time. While the benefits and ease of communication are absolutely wonderful, the quality of it is at times lacking.
So what does this all mean? Why am I sitting here going on about it? Perhaps it's time to take a step back or perhaps forward, and re-evaluate your connections. Who are you connected with? Why? Can you strengthen this connection? Should you? Re-ascertain those connections that you do not want or that may not be good for you and release them. Take the time to put effort into those connections that you do want to keep, perhaps even spend a bit more time getting to know or working with them.
In other news...
- We'll be resuming the management of our Alchemy Reiki course - finalizing some written information about them and re-vamping the distance course some.
- We've set our business hours for both healing work & intuitive consultation on LivePerson.
- And we'll be putting in more work to our 2 charity projects - the Pink Pride Project & our Multi-Faith Prayer Shawl Circle!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Reiki Principles Cross Stitch - Pt 2
It seems that as is sometimes common I had an artistic brainfart and completely spaced out on a design element for this piece. So essentially I'm starting from scratch. The long and short of it is that for one I opted to improperly use my floss (using all 6 strands instead of the typical 2 - which lead to the stitching looking a lot thicker than it's supposed to as well as it using more thread less efficiently). On another note when I originally mapped out the letters I did so by hand with a LOT of graph paper. Needless to say there was some human error involved and I intended to just go with it but then later it turned from one error into many (which becomes frustrating if you tend towards perfectionism with your work as I often do). Later I was graced with finding a cross stitch design program and have only just now recently entered the whole of the graph into it. Before this I had used it here and there for smaller things but was not 100% familiar with all it could do (although I am much more so now). Just as I finished mapping this particular graph out I figured out how to use the chart information given to calculate the finished size of graphs and I confirmed another flaw in my work - the aida I bought was too small (although I figured this out as I neared the end of the first line and was in the middle of a word...)
So with one flaw I could have kept going and fixed it, but with so many errors that eventually would lead to much larger ones I opted to start over and correct everything...the first correction of course would be not only to use the proper type of graph but also a large enough aida cloth...and then of course to use the thread I had previously started with properly this time (meaning I would be taking apart the original piece as well).
Here's to progress....
So with one flaw I could have kept going and fixed it, but with so many errors that eventually would lead to much larger ones I opted to start over and correct everything...the first correction of course would be not only to use the proper type of graph but also a large enough aida cloth...and then of course to use the thread I had previously started with properly this time (meaning I would be taking apart the original piece as well).
Here's to progress....
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Cape Cod Prayer Shawl
First and foremost we would like to say that this is not our pattern and we don't claim any of the rights to it. As such we may have to remove this pattern from our blog but are unsure at the moment. However, we thought that it would be a nice gesture to share it with others so more people could benefit from this shawl!
Cape Cod Shawl
from Barbara St. Cyr
West Yarmouth, Massachusetts
This shawl - the Cape Cod version of the original prayer shawl pattern - came as a result of Barbara St. Cyr's Cape Cod-based Prayer Shawl Ministry misreading the knit three, purl three instructions. Instead of creating the intended Seed Stitch effect, their pattern turned out ribbed - and they liked it that way! It's show here in a beautiful silk and wool yarn, in a colorway that spoke Cape Cod to us.
There are many ways to finish this shawl. With the yarn used here, a simple fringe (see pp. 167-168) gains a unique texture. The group always added tassels (see p. 168) on every rib or crochets a scallop shell edging (see "Finishing" in Nursing Shawl pattern p. 99) continuing the Cape Cod theme. Barbara also suggests knitting two 4" by 5" pockets to sew on the outside of the shawl. Into these pockets, the Cape Cody ministry places blessed medals, charms, mini-rosaries, prayer cards, notes with blessings from the knitters, or card explaining the Prayer Shawl Ministry.
Skill Level: Easy
Finished Measurements: 65" long & 18" wide
Yarn: approximately 700 yd heavy worsted weight yarn
Shawl is show in Alchemy Yarns Wabi-Sabi (66% silk/64% wool; 86 yd/1.75 oz), 9 skeins #86c Slip Stream
Needles: size 11 straight or circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Gauge: 12 sts & 16 rows = 4" worked in pattern
Directions:
CO 57 sts.
Row 1: *k3, p3, repeat from * to end of row, end k3.
Row 2: *p3, k3, repeat from * to end of row, end p3. (Note: You are knitting the knit sts and purple the purl sts to form a ribbed pattern.)
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until shawl measures 65", or desired length.
Block shawl lightly to flatten ribbing because shawl will drawn in considerably.
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