Where to folks?

After this long, cold, snowy winter, we could all use a vacation.  Unfortunately, most of us can't just pick up and go when we need a break.  I can just hear it now...How can we afford it?  What about the kids?  There's just too much to do at the office.  There's no one to take the dog.  And of course, I'll have to diet for weeks before I stick my butt into a swimming suit.  There's a simple solution to all those issues right at your fingertips.  Well, actually, on top of your shoulders.  Take a mental vacation.  It's free, it's easy, there's nothing to pack, you won't be molested by airport security and best of all, honey, you absolutely ROCK in that bikini. 

So let's get quiet for minute.  Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world?  Great choice!  Now close your eyes and imagine yourself there.  What is that smell?  Is it fresh clean mountain air or the aroma of burning firewood?  Is it the comforting scent of warm bread baking in the oven or the earthy smell of new growth and decay found in the forest?

What are you wearing?  Can you feel the sun shining warm on your skin?  Or are you barefoot, enjoying the sensation of the sand shifting beneath your feet?  Is the spray from the ocean hitting your face? Or are cuddled beneath a warm blanket in front of a blazing fire?

Wait, listen. What do you hear? Is it the ocean?  Or the noise of a crowded marketplace?  Is it the eagles calling out to one another?  Or the sweet sound of silence?  Sssshhhh, be still and just enjoy.

I'm hungry, let's eat!  Should we have the pasta with fresh mozzarella and warm bread dipped in olive oil?  Or maybe the spicy shrimp jumbalaya and cornbread muffins?  And  since we're on vacation, calories don't count so we have to have dessert.  Let's order the Flan de Leche or how about Blueberry Crepes?  No, I think I'm in the mood for something I'm more familiar with.  How about a piece of pumpkin pie?  Or a gooey chocolate sundae?

You can take a mental vacation whenever you need one.  Use this trick when you're stuck in a boring meeting, riding the bus or to relax before bed.  Expand on a previous trip or make up a brand new adventure but wherever you go, try to engage all your senses to fully enjoy the experience. 

On that note...goodbye everyone, I think I hear Tuscany calling my name. 

The Healing Art of Reiki

Reiki, which means “Universal Life Energy,” is a spiritual energy healing technique that originated in Japan thousands of years ago.  The Reiki practitioner channels this life energy through their hands and into the body of the client restoring balance on all levels; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  Reiki is powerful but yet very gentle and each treatment experience is unique to every individual.

Reiki will…

¨         Manage stress, tension and fatigue

¨         Support in times of crisis, depression, illness and bereavement

¨         Stimulate healing of chronic and acute ailments

¨         Speed recovery post surgery, injury or trauma

¨         Release blocked energy, initiating natural cleansing of toxins

¨         Complement conventional medicine, minimizing the side effects of drugs

¨         Promote self-healing, personal growth, and self-confidence

¨         Provide inner clarity, wisdom, intuition, awareness and enlightenment

¨         Assist in a person’s last moments, easing the death process

Negative emotions, events and memories are stored in the body, blocking the natural flow of energy.  Reiki overcomes this stored negativity and dissolves these blockages.  It repairs and opens the body's energy channels called “meridians”.  It strengthens the body’s ability to heal itself, increases your resistance to stress, resets the resting tone of your nervous system and enhances the function of your immune system. 

Patients find treatments deeply relaxing.  Free of any religious dogma, it connects them to their innate spirituality, strengthening and supporting a healthy mind-body connection. 

While the concept that all living things have energy fields which need to be balanced for optimum health has been a premise in Eastern medical thinking for centuries, it is now being accepted in traditional Western medicine.  Many hospitals, clinics, hospice centers, dentists, chiropractors, mental health professionals, and veterinarians have Reiki practitioners on staff.

Reiki benefits every living thing.  It can be performed on pets to restore physical, emotional and behavioral balances without causing stress, discomfort or pain.  It stimulates the growth of plants, purifies water, cleanses food and can be sent long distances when an in-person session is not available.

Give Reiki a try, it can be a life changing experience. 

It's Just Another Day

It's that day again...That dreaded V-Day.  When I was divorced, nothing depressed me more than being without a partner during the holidays.  Then just when I managed to get through the worst of them, along came Valentine's Day to kick me in teeth & it was back to bed with my tissues, a bottle of wine and a pint of ice cream.  Exactly what every single adult needs smack dab in the middle of the dreariest month of the winter season, a reminder that everyone is in love but them.  But as I learned over those 10 lonely years, it doesn't have to be that way. 

For a great many of those loving couples, Valentine's Day is as much a fantasy as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and good ol' Cupid himself.  They don't purchase gifts, cards, flowers and chocolates as a sincere token of love and affection for their partner; they do it because they know there will be hell to pay if they don't.  How many of those men (and women too I'm sure) waited until the last possible minute to head to the store?  Have you witnessed the panic, smelled the desperation found in the Walmart card aisle at 5:15 on Feb. 14th?  Ahhhhhh, the love! 

If you're sans partner this Valentine's Day, don't let the hype bring you down.  Instead, give yourself the love you deserve, love that is real and not some stale old cliche found in an over-priced Hallmark card that will end up in the trash bin next week.  Go out with friends. Treat yourself to a massage or a pedicure.  Order dinner in and watch a movie (nothing sad and no romantic comedies).  Go ahead, buy yourself some chocolate but make it the good stuff, no coconut please.  Take a long bubble bath then curl up with a new book.  Love the one you're with honey, and that one is you!

And if all else fails, just remember...you can survive anything for 24 hours. It'll all be over in the morning. 



   

Did You Hear the One About...?

We've all heard the old adage "laughter is the best medicine" and in this case, even science has to admit this is true.  Laughter boosts the immune system, diminishes pain, reduces stress, and strengthens our relationships.  Balancing mind, body and spirit, laughter is a wonderfully simple natural healing technique and the benefits last long after the joke is over.

Laughter adds joy to our lives while changing our perspective on difficult situations.  We can't be sad, mad or anxious while laughing, instead our whole body relaxes with the release of endorphins.  Blood flow increases, improving the function of our cardiovascular system and protecting us from a possible future heart attack. 

Socially, laughter can diffuse conflict and heal resentments.  It draws people to us and enhances feelings of camaraderie and teamwork.  We feel freer and more apt to express our true feelings with those around us when we share laughter. 

You'd think something this good would cost at least $49.95.  But wait!  If you order today, you can have all of this for the low low price of...FREE!  And best of all, laughter doesn't cause constipation,dizziness,drymouth,headache,sweating,nausea,nervousness,
insomnia,vomiting,weight gain,blurred vision,hives,anxiety,aggressiveness,
suicidal thoughts,and sexual side effects like those prescription miracle drugs. You may however, pee your pants just a little bit if you take too much at one time. 

So how do you get laughter for yourself?  No, you don't order it from an infomercial but you can take some easy steps to include it in your daily life.

• Go online, http://www.youtube.com/ can provide you with hours of entertainment watching real people doing really stupid things.
• Smile. Now allow it to grow into something bigger, louder and belly busting. 
• Play with a pet, or a child.  Borrow a neighbor's if you don't have one of your own.  Just be sure to ask them first.
• Instead of getting upset, laugh at life's frustrations.  Imagine telling the story to friends, be sure to include some sarcastic commentary and a wild laugh track in the background.
• Watch a funny movie or television show.  Be it The Hangover, South Park or Shrek, there's something out there to fit every sense of humor.
• Listen to a baby giggle. There's nothing more infectious.  Try not to laugh.  Go ahead, I dare ya. 
• Hang with some friends and do something you don't do often or do well; go bowling, rollerskating, visit a comedy club, play miniature golf, or go-cart racing.
• Page through old photo albums.  How could your mother dress you in that purple polyester pantsuit?  Who convinced us that 4" mall bangs were hot?    

Laughter is contagious, share it with a friend and the more you laugh, the more things you will find to laugh about.  And remember, life is short so don't take yourself too seriously.  Just relax and enjoy the ride!