I took this super short video when I was sitting by the creek today. Being in nature is medicine for my soul. The fresh air, sunshine, falling leaves, and rushing water nourish me deeply.
My happy place 🙂
Many of the maladies that I see in today’s world seem to be rooted in malnourishment of the soul. The rat race drain us gradually over time and we might not even notice we’re bone dry until our health fails.
I’m not sure what your soul medicine is, but I bet you do. That thing you long to do but maybe haven’t made the time for in ages. That thing you imagine doing on vacation or when you retire. It could be singing, painting, playing with your kids or dogs, or cooking a favorite meal. It might be simply sitting on the porch to read a good book or talking with a dear friend.
Whatever it is, I encourage you to make the time to fill yourself up so you can carry on in good spirits and optimal health. These things usually require some determination and effort to plan as it’s easy to let our calendars fill up with busy-ness and meaningless distractions.
When I talk with clients about doing this, there’s often a sense of hopelessness, that they can’t do the exact thing that they desire, so why bother trying?
I have a few things to say to that. We bother trying because it matters. We matter and so does our health and happiness. And just because we can’t go from A to Z overnight doesn’t mean we can’t find some small way to tend to our dreams.
Ten minutes is a great starting point. Maybe it will quickly evolve to 20. Maybe it will get whittled down to 5. Still, over time we can accumulate nourishment. And the more nourished we are, the more likely we are to make decisions that benefit our well-being and the well-being of those around us.
Today is the perfect day to take just one small step in the direction you wish to go.
I took this super short video when I was sitting by the creek today. Being in…
Have you ever held a time slot for an event that got cancelled? I’m guessing we all have. In that process, we’ve possibly declined other conflicting invitations. When the original plan falls through, it’s natural to feel frustrated at having missed out on opportunities, some of which might be long gone.
What if, rather than ruining a potential girls’ night out, concert or Reiki circle, that canceled event was doing you a favor? What if it was just a placeholder, taking up space on your calendar so that you wouldn’t RSVP to requests that were not in your best interest? That perhaps there was something altogether different that was a better use of your time, something that you didn’t know about until later? It could be as simple as having quiet night at home to catch up on your reading or a last minute invitation for something fabulous.
This happens to me all the time when clients cancel appointments, some of which had been on my calendar for weeks. Then just moments later I learn about a class I’d love to attend or another client has an urgent situation and the now-open slot works perfectly for them.
I’ve learned to trust in divine timing and believe that the universe really is looking out for me in ways I don’t always understand. Learning how to let go of the desire to understand, btw, is a pre-requisite to living a soul-led life. Sometimes clarity arises in hindsight, but not always. I’ve learned to assume that many things are simply above my pay grade and simply follow the breadcrumbs.
This is not to say you need to tolerate consistent abrupt changes of plans that are simply bad manners from a friend or business associate. It’s true that some people are simply inconsiderate and might need a talking-to about respecting your time. I’ve had my share of this type of cancelation and have had to learn to stand up for myself in this regard.
And… sometimes, especially when your Spidey senses are tingling or magical synchronicity results, you can take note that something bigger than you arranged for an alternate experience.
The more we notice, acknowledge, and express gratitude for such interventions, the more likely they are to occur. The more we’re able to accept that we just don’t have the perspective to always know what the best thing is, the more easily we can go with the flow.
So when the maintenance crew’s truck is blocking the driveway and I’m delayed a few minutes, or the garbage truck is ahead of me and I choose to take a different route to avoid the fragrance, it’s entirely possible that I’ll benefit in unforeseen ways.
When there’s a guy sitting on my favorite bench by the creek and I walk a bit further to find the perfect log right next to the water, it’s obvious that the unexpected change worked in my favor. I don’t always have such obvious proof that this is the case, but there are so many examples that have demonstrated benevolent intervention that I’ve begun to trust that most of the time, the universe is orchestrating events on my behalf.
In case you’re in need of a tune-up or a recharge, a slot just now opened up in my schedule for tomorrow. Use the link below if you want to book yourself a much-needed Reiki session, either in-person in Philly or a remote Reiki treatment wherever you are. I suspect you also just had a cancellation that leaves you open at just the right time.
Have you ever held a time slot for an event that got cancelled? I’m guessing we…
It served me well, but after 10 long years, my super duper blender kicked it today. I knew it was coming- there’s been an unpleasant sound for the past several months and I’ve been keeping it together with Reiki and prayers.
But the end was inevitable.
Today the unpleasant sound was way worse, followed by a poof! And then smoke. Sadly, my smoothie was not yet smooth.
But I was prepared for this and already had a plan in place. They offer certified refurbished models online with a 5 year warranty. And a trade-in offer if I mail in the old motor base.
While chewing my not-so-smoothie, I hopped online to place my order before my next appointment. Sound hasty? Maybe, but I use this machine almost every day. It’s a big part of my healthy eating strategy.
I popped my order in the shopping cart and entered my personal info. The “next” button that should have taken me to the payment info page was a dud. Nothing happened, even after several attempts.
Hmmm… I always take note when things like this happen. When the well-oiled cogs of a corporation fail to take my money, I pause. And I reviewed the trade-in offer page. In order to get $100 back from returning the old machine, I had to place my order by phone. The offer would not be valid if I placed my order online. I was stopped in the nick of time from loosing a good chunk of change.
I call this sort of mishap “Divine Intervention”.
I could have pushed through and placed my order if I persisted, no doubt. I’m always free to reject the assistance that comes my way, after all. Sometimes I do, unaware that I’m doing things the hard way till hindsight kicks in.
But today, I paused. And investigated. And saved myself $100!
Not every obstacle is a blessing in disguise. But perhaps some are worth taking a moment to explore.
It served me well, but after 10 long years, my super duper blender kicked it today.…
I had an epiphany last week, spurred by a bagel of all things.
Not a “the earth revolves around the sun” kind of epiphany, yet still pretty fascinating. To me at least. 🙂
It will sound silly at first, but hang with me. In truth, it really has nothing to do with the bagel; just as gravity has nothing to do with apple trees. It’s really about the message, not the messenger.
For the first time ever in my 52nd journey around the sun, it occurred to me that I could (perhaps should!) put the bagel’s cut surface down in the toaster oven. You might already know that this produces a much improved end result.
Not exactly groundbreaking news, I know.
But what it points to is the questioning of autopilot behavior. I consider myself to be a reasonably intelligent and self-aware person. But somehow I live for decades without even considering a simple alternative way of doing something so very basic.
I was reminded of a transformative lightbulb moment I had in college. Sitting in the dorm lobby one day, I met a girl who blew my mind.
Melinda. She was a good friend of a good friend, a self-proclaimed Dead Head who dressed the part. Melinda’s leg were unshaven. She’s probably telling the story of this weirdo girl who stared at her legs in disbelief so many years ago. But until that fateful day, it never ever, not ever, occurred to me that it was possible for women to simply not shave their legs.
Shocking, right?! Liberating too. My inner rebel had a field day.
That was my introduction to the concept of how cultural programming shapes our minds and limits what we believe to be real about the world.
But the bagel was different. We didn’t have bagels when I was growing up. Or a toaster oven for that matter. I never watched anyone in my family or community, or TV for that matter, toast a bagel.
Curiously, I discovered bagels’ crispy delightfulness about the same time as I met Melinda in the NYU dorm. And now these two seemingly unrelated events are forever linked in my mind as exposing my assumptions about “this is how we do things”.
Not a big deal in and of itself. But consider the implications! How much of my life is run on autopilot? A lot, and mostly that’s a good thing. Imagine needing to use the same level of concentration every day that you did as a kid when you were learning to tie your shoes. Or write a sentence with legible penmanship or drive a car. We’d be so focused on the simple, everyday tasks that nothing important would get done!
Autopilot isn’t a bad thing. Neural network grooves help us concentrate on the trickier, more advanced aspects of adulting.
Yet, somewhere in between mechanical compliance and re-inventing the wheel, there lives a middle ground.
I’d like to spend more time there, questioning the limiting beliefs and behaviors that I’ve adopted, often without query. It seems to me that these are the potentially pivotal moments when transformation is truly possible.
Having a daily Reiki practice is what has helped develop my sense of clarity and wonder. If you’re wanting to have Reiki superpowers to use for getting out of your own ruts, join my mailing list to be informed of future classes, both online and in-person in the Philly area. Or sign up for a session and let’s see what we can shake loose together.
I had an epiphany last week, spurred by a bagel of all things. Not a “the…
Summer holidays are not my thing. Particularly July 4th. Why do fireworks need to be so darn loud? What about the poor animals? Where does all that debris go?
And…
I get cranky when it’s hot and humid.
Mosquitos love me.
I am uncomfortable in crowds.
This makes the holiday a nightmare for me.
This year I decided to work and invited several of my clients who have difficulty finding time to come during my normal hours.
I was tired at the end of the day plus all of that other stuff I already mentioned. Heat, insects, crowds, and loud noises. UGH!
And…
It’s been over a decade since I’ve seen a fireworks show. I wanted to have some kind of Independence Day experience.
I sought out some sparklers and took them to my front porch. Instead of feeling like I was depriving myself of the typical experience, I created a miniature magical version that delighted my inner child.
Isn’t it amazing what a shift in perspective can do? Sometimes during the healing process nothing much changes on the external level, but how we relate to whatever is happening can change and all of a sudden our experience is completely altered.
If you want some help finding a new perspective that will be more supportive for your overall wellness, consider booking a Reiki session. That’s the tool that’s helped me the most over the past 20 years. It’s gentle, but powerful, and can help us get to the next level of clarity and comprehension.
Summer holidays are not my thing. Particularly July 4th. Why do fireworks need to be so…
ohmygosh! I just found this article buried in my files. I wrote it four or five years ago while serving on the Health and Wellness Committee at my local food co-op. I have since learned that my personality is not a good match for committee work, but still the words I wrote then ring true today.
Cultivating Wellness
Just as we all have our own gifts to share with the world, we each have a unique recipe for cultivating our own wellness. There are countless paths to choose from. While it may seem like an impossible feat, every action taken towards wellness brings us closer to our goal. If we are willing to pay attention, our bodies make requests for the nutrition, movement, rest, connection, and pleasure they require. Sometimes these requests arrive as symptoms informing us of having lost our way.
As an adolescent, I suffered from low back pain that ranged from uncomfortable to debilitating. It interfered on a daily basis with my activities, and looking back it was one of the best things that ever happened to me! It may sound absurd, but this seeming tragedy changed the trajectory of my life in a dramatic way that led to tremendous growth. When western medicine was unable to help me, I sought out alternatives. I began to understand that wellness was something that I could cultivate with my behavior and thoughts.
Understanding health as more than just the absence of major disease, I began to explore techniques that would improve my comfort and vitality. I discovered the joys of yoga, affirmations, and meditation. I soon realized that spending an hour in the morning practicing self-care set me up for feeling centered and energized throughout the day. I became interested in nutrition, the concept of food as medicine, and an anti-inflammatory diet. I enjoyed so many benefits from receiving bodywork that I went on to study massage and Reiki.
I’ve noticed that choosing activities which bring me joy are easily incorporated into my daily routine. Those that I think I should do but dread have no staying power. I’ve experimented with a wide variety of wellness therapies over the past two decades and have learned that will power is limited, but devotion to fun, harmony, balance, freedom, and vitality comes easily. Just as symptoms alert us when we have strayed from our wellness path, joy points us in the right direction.
Over time my back pain dissipated and now occurs as a message from my body that something is out of balance. When I feel that first twinge of discomfort, I’ve learned to slow down and check in with my thoughts, words, and actions. Where am I not honoring myself, my values, my health, or my intentions? How can I take better care of myself? Rather than ignoring or suppressing this valuable clue, I investigate it as an effect pointing me toward an unhealthy cause.
Remember the Chinese proverb, “A thousand mile journey begins with just one step.” Why not begin today?
ohmygosh! I just found this article buried in my files. I wrote it four or five…
I’ve already chosen self-compassion as my theme for 2023. I’m guiding a group on New Year’s Day in my Meetup group, and figured I should do my own work ahead of time. I chose the solstice for my introspective inventory of what’s going on in myself and in my life and what I’d like to call in for next year.
What came up for me is a desire to be 100% on my side, 100% of the time. I saw so clearly how I sometimes reject my feelings when they are uncomfortable or inconvenient and how very unkind that is. I had the image of shoving a lollipop in a little girl’s mouth with the intention of stopping her tears. NOT how I want to be responding to my own emotions!
I made short video of a process that I use to cultivate compassion. It’s so simple! And we don’t often see it modeled in our culture, so it might seem completely foreign. I feel confident that everyone can learn how to do this with some practice.
If this resonates with you, you might be interested in an upcoming event, an installment of my Holistic Wellness series, which will focus on self-compassion. You can learn more and sign up here. If that’s not your thing, I hope you’ll at least take the exercise from the video out for a few spins and see how it lands for you.
I’ve already chosen self-compassion as my theme for 2023. I’m guiding a group on New Year’s…
A quick update on my Slowing Down for December intention. The universe heard my request and has responded with half of my clients cancelling appointments this week and last. It’s a good opportunity to let go of the ancient fear of not having enough, to re-examine the wisdom of the “careful what you wish for” maxim, and to renew faith that things always work out, often in unexpected ways.
For the greater part of my days, I’m camped out of my Bio-Mat, surrounded by a stack of books that I’ve wanted to read for ages, a cup of tea, my journal, and an array of colorful markers. There’s something about having a beautiful notebook and great pens that makes the task of inner exploration seem less daunting. As do my comfy pajamas- it’s hard to take things too seriously when you’re covered in lemons and wearing your favorite fuzzy socks. 🙂
I do have some structure provided by guided meditations and written exercises designed to help me uncover what’s beneath the surface identities that I present to the world. The process of letting go of attachments and conditioned beliefs can be unpleasant, and I have a circle of friends with whom I check in frequently. It’s helpful to hear that they are facing many of the same challenges, and like me, continue to show up and face whatever arises, nonetheless.
Curiously some physical discomfort has amplified-or is it that I’ve removed enough distractions that I can actually receive the messages my body is sending? I’ve pulled out some massage tools to apply gentle pressure andstimulate circulation. (This is key! The goal is not to punish muscles for misbehaving or to beat them into submission, but to give them some loving attention and bring awareness to postural and movement patterns. More on this in an upcoming post.)
I ventured out to the farmers market for some produce and have been getting out most days for walks, so I’m not entirely reclusive aside from work. The goal has really been to clear my schedule so I can tune into my needs and desires with minimal influence from those insidious “shoulds”. As it turns out, I prefer books and trees to small talk, media of all forms, and shopping. No surprises there!
Basically, I’m playing detective and discovering what I can let go of and what I can cultivate in order to move into the new year in the most authentic way. Being present with emotions and sensations seems to be the only way to get an accurate reading on what to keep and what to release. Being still and quiet supports the inquiry.
We’re really in the darkest of days here in the northern hemisphere as the moon wanes and the winter solstice approaches. It’s really no hardship to stay tucked inside my cozy little apartment as much as possible. While it’s not exactly easy either, I am grateful that I decided to give myself this gift of doing things my way. It’s my hope that you’ll lean into doing things your way too.
A quick update on my Slowing Down for December intention. The universe heard my request and…
Once again, nature is slowing down during these short winter days. Most of the plants are stripped back to the bare minimum and many animals are hunkered down in their dens. I feel the same impulse to stay at home and do less. When I do venture out, I’m moving slowly and intentionally.
I’ve cleared my calendar of all extraneous events. Easier said than done, I know! I’m also looking at my daily rituals and habits and wondering which can be paused for now. At first glance, everything seems essential, but I know that’s not entirely true. Which of these tasks are fueled by “shoulds”, such as what society informs me is necessary or from my own ego, clinging to an identity that may no longer be valid?
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be wiping the slate clean. Letting go of who I think I should be, who I think I am, and who I am expected to be in order to allow the truth to emerge without the imprint of conditioning. The activities I engage in will be flavored with this sense of inquiry and intention of releasing old patterns. For example, this post is still being written (obviously!), and aligns with December’s exploration and my desire to share the processes that support me.
(I’m fascinated by how much of life can fall into the “both this and that“ category when I let go of “either this or that“ thinking.)
While I do still have responsibilities to meet and bills to pay, I’ve created a spaciousness that will allow me to slow down. The goal is to be more present with what arises in each moment in order to be more mindful of my inner landscape. Ideally, this awareness will help me let go of all the embedded beliefs that prevent me from experiencing and expressing my essential self.
I imagine a backpack that contains all the beliefs I hold about the world. Some of these concepts were dropped in before I had the capacity to object and others snuck past my defenses when I wasn’t paying attention. It’s my hope to empty this backpack, examine those beliefs, many of which I’ve been carrying around since the 70’s, and carefully choose which to keep and which to discard. Ideally, I will be more discerning moving forward, and only collect items that align with my desires and values.
I’m very much looking forward to lightening my load!
If you have access to Reiki, it can be a helpful tool for analyzing your belief system. I find that activating Reiki when I’m doing any sort of introspection helps me remain in the present moment, focused on the task at hand, without getting too caught up in memories or projection.
Reiki also helps me calm my nervous system, reduce the impulses to run away from the discomfort, and accept myself just as I am, 40-year-old baggage and all. My go-to technique is to turn on the flow of healing energy, place one hand on my heart and the other on my belly, and state my intention. I do this at the beginning of my process and whenever I feel the urge to do the laundry, check my emails, or any the other distracting/avoiding/numbing strategies that are so familiar. I return to this hand position and my intention, allowing the Reiki to help me find my center again, as often as necessary.
Is there just one thing you can let go of this month that is no longer serving you? I’m choosing to stick firmly to my work schedule and stop making minor adjustments to accommodate clients. There are parts of me that feel afraid that this will affect my income, but I have trust that the clients who are meant to work with me will adapt, and those who aren’t will move on, making space for new ones who are more compatible.
I did such a good job of letting something go last year that I can’t even remember what it was! Several years ago, I stopped rushing. That’s one goal that I can recommend wholeheartedly. I allowed more time in between appointments, especially if traveling was involved. I also stopped filling up every last moment with some sort of activity. Now, when I find myself with five minutes until my next client arrives, I take the opportunity to sit quietly and meditate rather than the trying to squeeze in a chore. It’s been great for cultivating a calm feeling within me.
I’d love to hear how you’re slowing down. Maybe next month we can truly claim to be moving like molasses in January.
Luminous Heart Reiki & Massage 