The Great Escape and the Rule of Impermanence

They're on the run. They, no doubt, made a plan to escape together. Two scaled the wall and made it out, one has been recaptured. It's nothing short of a Hollywood movie with Clint Easwood. Of course I am referring to my grandson's snails. He has built a snail house, added leaves and sprays water on them many times a day, and still they choose to leave. He plays with them for much of the day. Interesting how they appeared to know each other. But like all things, they want to do what THEY want to do. Perhaps they miss the great outdoors? If you saw them, you'd have to admit that they all seem to be getting along.

The snails want exactly what my grandson will be searching for soon, simple freedom. Freedom from watchful eyes, rules and of course staying home. It's easy to see when you're 50+ years old, but not so easy to convince an 11 year old.

Now with one snail still at large it is time for me to tell my grandson about `impermanence.' This is the lecture that we know we need to give to our children but because so many of us refuse to think about it ourselves, it goes untold. But today is the day. Impermanence is that deal where everything comes into our lives and then leaves. It refers to people and animals as well as `stuff.' Like the vase you have coveted for years that was originally your grandmothers. One day you are dusting and it crashes to the floor. In shattered shards on the floor, you weep. When you wake in the morning, it's still gone. That's impermanence. In some ways it `sucks,' but then most lessons do. That's why we call them lessons and hopefully we learn from them so we don't have to learn the same lesson again.

Impermanence. Everything leaves us, everything. Spread the word.

What's It All About

So many times we are feeling physically ill and cannot understand what we ate, or hurt that is creating the problem. Some people think that we all have a `weak' spot where we always hurt when anything happens. Such as getting a headache whenever you are under stress. Most of us understand that what happens in our life manifests in our bodies, when left unchecked. Knowing this helps us to understand why we have a stomach pain and we cannot figure out what we ate that isn't agreeing with us. It could be that we have a problem that is outside of our physical bodies, but because we haven't dealt with it, that problem is now affecting us physically.

The next time you aren't feeling well ask yourself what is going on in your life that you are worrying about, frustrated about, or mad about. Maybe you need to apologize to someone? Think about it, deal with it and your pain may vanish as quickly as it came.

A Little Energy Work Really Heats Things Up

A small turnout for Healing Circle today. Just the 3 of us. It was hot outside, but soon we had the air conditioning on inside to cool things off. Once you start the energy going it heats up very quickly inside. We had a great time and each person had a 20 minute session. Plenty of time to feel the sensation of Reiki energy for both the practitioner and the person on the table. It's nice to have a small group some of the time. It allows plenty of time for discussing what you felt and reminiscing about previous circles and experiences.

Here's to a high vibration!

Veterans Need Healing

I had a wonderful opportunity to have a young veteran in my Reiki I class a few weeks ago. He is back from Iran searching for much. He has married, has a beautiful little girl, goes to college, studies non-violent arts. In his quest to find peace in his life he decided to add Reiki to his talents. The first night after class was very unusual for him and he emailed me about the change. It was simple `no nightmares.' For the first night in 4 years he slept without waking up from his fears. His goal to find ways to help other veterans.

It is nearing the 4th of July in which we will all celebrate the independence of our country. Remember how we got there, keep in mind the alternative, pray for our soldiers, hold space for peace. In doing so you will help to raise the vibration of the world.

Bless your heart.

Head to the Gem Show

Today I went to a small Gem Show that comes to my city 3 times a year. With the economy I expected the show to have fewer venders then usual. I was looking for just a few stones to use in my jewelry. I assumed that I wouldn't be there very long. There were particular venders that I wanted to see as they carry more unusual stones and I have a very unique collection that I work with, but I decided that it was going to be a fun time out and I really needed that.

Well, I was surprised at the size of the show! I picked up a few things that I hadn't intended to buy and was there 3 hours! I couldn't find the few stones that I wanted.

The reason that I bring this up is when we set ourselves up for disappointment we are sure to find it. But if we decide that no matter what happens, we are still going to be glad that we have had the experience, things are bound to better. What all of this amounts to is simply energy. When you change your energy to match what you want, not necessarily what you are thinking will happen, your time will be better. When you shift your emotion to good, you feel better and the universe lines up good stuff for you!

Nature At It's Best

As I walk to the park I cannot help but notice the beautiful snails. Their `houses' are so pretty and functional:) My grandson has carefully brought home 3 snails and built them a snail house. He has brought them leaves to eat and twigs and rock to climb on. Then last night he put a paper towel roll in the house for them. They love crawling on it and inside of it. He spritzes them with water throughout the day. Honestly they seem to be so content even though they are limited on how far they can travel. I am surprised at how entertaining they are.

I can't help but think about the slugs in my garden. I have to say they look a lot like these guys, without their houses:)

Even Mutts Have Look Alikes

A beautiful dog from the shelter rescued my family about 4 months ago. He is a very noticable canine in his red coat, curled tail and `regal' stature. Everywhere we walk him people ask about his breed. What can we say? "The shelter tells us that he is part red chow chow and part lab." We met a trainer one day who smiled and answered "the shelter always says dogs are are part lab." Many people have asked if `Happy' has a sibling as they would like a dog just like him.

Last weekend we went fishing and a couple came to the dock with a matching dog to our Happy. As soon as we saw each other the question came out of all our mouths "what is the breed of YOUR dog?" We all laughed. They had the same story as us "... and part lab."

Well I guess there's just no way to know and frankly we don't care. He brings joy and a high energy to our household. He is a great dog for my grandson too and we are coming along with training.

Now for a little background. My adult son, who is living with us currently, wanted a dog. We spend most of our time in our condo in Utah and my concern was that a dog wouldn't have enough room and no yard. I work a lot and wouldn't have time to walk him much. Well...needless to say, we got a dog. He is 2 years old and we were so amazed that he didn't bark, didn't chew up stuff, didn't bite. But he also didn't `come', didn't `sit', didn't `stay.' The one thing that he DOES do perfectly is sleep most of the time:) He is very `cat like.' I said to my son one day "Happy is perfect for us." To my surprise he said "I don't understand why you are so surprised. I have manifested Happy."

And so it goes. Happy is a perfect manifestation and we love him, whatever he is.

Now you know the rest of the story.

Take a Night Off

Last night I met a couple of friends for appetizers on their deck overlooking the entire valley. It has been raining a lot and the hills were the most beautiful green. As I looked at the foliage meet the blue sky the feeling that came over me was exhilarating! Not only the colors and textures, but the energy coming from the entire scene. It was so peaceful and quiet. Everything was so beautiful.

And then Decker the cat jumped up on the adjacent table to lay in a spot of sun. He seemed to know nothing of the beauty we were taking in, but he was getting his own little spot of peace.

Take time to look around and use all of your senses. It reminds your brain that you're still very much alive!

How Much is Too Much Energy Research

In my Reiki classes I do not have a `reading list.' I'm the only teacher I know that doesn't. There is a reason for that! When people begin getting curious about energy work they tend to do way too much reading about it. By the time they find themselves in my Reiki class they are so inundated with information that they cannot recall where they read what or what did they read? It's common to want more information, but a little can go a long way.

I suggest that if you are wanting to learn Reiki that you stick to Reiki for a while. There are many modalities out there and it's best to learn one at a time, get accustomed to using it. Reiki is a very high vibration, so it's a great modality to work with. If you are looking for more, add some sound therapy using singing bowls. No bowl? Get a CD from Stephen Halpern. You'll love his stuff!

What the Weather has to Offer

The sun is shining today after 3 weeks of clouds and rain off and on throughout the day. The sun has much to offer, but so does the clouds and rain. The clouds change our mood and yet they can be beautiful to watch. As they work their way around the Wasatch mountains and into the valley they change in shape and color and then of course comes the thunder and showers. Needless to say the rain will keep everything growing without traditional methods of watering. All the corners of the yard will receive nourishment, roots will grow deep, plants and trees will grow tall.

Now comes the sun to finish up the job.

Father's Day

What does this day mean to you? Is it a day when you `baby' your dad, husband, uncles? Did you get them a card, tell them how much they mean to you? Did you give them a call?

For some of us this list can get long so we focus on the `dad' that is the closest to us. Unfortunately in the world of emails we sometimes ignore the phone. I'm a real offender, let me confess. It's so easy to send out a quick note. No personal contact necessary for many things, however this is a special day. Tho it may be a day brought on by the card companies or the floral folks, it nevertheless is a day that most of us stop to think about the men in our lives.

Here's just a few of the men in my life that keep me on my toes.

Gotta go make some phone calls.

Reiki in Western Medicine

Reiki will become more popular as time goes on. Right now people are not quite understanding the power of energy. However as time goes on and western medicine begins to embrace hands on healing you will be hearing a lot more about it. An article I read 6 months ago regarding this modality said that there are some, very few, insurance companies that are accepting Reiki as a means of healing and are covering the charge when receiving a bill from RN's in the home health care field. And now this http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/08/AR2009060800537.html

This is an article in the Washington Post regarding Reiki being used in the Maryland Medical Center. Go here and check out. The article and photos are great!

Now I Get It

Today I am `home alone.' In my quiet nest I am thinking about how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to be taking care of my 11 year old grandson for the 8th summer. When I was a child I lived with my grandparents every summer from the time I was an infant? It wasn't until today that I made the connection between the experience of living with my grandparents and my grandson living with us. My grandmother was an early day entrepreneur. She was the town seamstress and had a huge garden where she grew flowers and harvested/arranged/sold them for weddings and funerals etc. As a modern day entrepreneur with a child in my house I find myself a little frustrated not being able to work all summer like I have the previous seasons. After all like my grandmother, if I don't run my business, who will? I have been getting up at 5AM in hopes of having a few hours to myself. Finally after 3 short weeks, yesterday I became paralyzed with exhaustion. In my disappointment in myself for resting much of the day, I apologized to my grandson for not playing with him. He looked at me and said `it's OK Gram, I'd rather you rest.' I realize now how much my grandmother rested each day. She never apologized for it, she just did it. She got up early, stayed up late and took power naps during the day. And yet when we left to go back home for school she would stand in the driveway and weep as she waved goodbye.

Today the men in my house (4 males including the dog) have all gone fishing. I was up with them to make them breakfast, pack a little something to eat in the boat and was back in bed before they left. I heard little footsteps running up the stairs and my grandson grabbed something in his room that he needed, and paused at my bedroom door. `Bye Gram, I love you.'

Now I get it.

Enjoy the Newness of Spring

In nature babies are being born. I live near a wetland, so I see baby ducks a lot. Down the street from me there is a sign that implies ducks are crossing the road so slow down and let them pass. The calves of early spring are now looking soft and furry. The trees are full of leaves. Many blossoms have come and gone and other plants are just starting to flower. As I walk I am seeing tons of snails on the sidewalk and grass. My hope as I pass is that they will soon be outgrowing their shells, and move to new `houses', so I can use their smaller abodes in my jewelry. When a shell or fossil is used in jewelry the energy is much stronger then when stones are used. Or at least that is my experience. Where life has been there seems to be an energy left behind. I also find this in amber that has trapped insects. When the opportunity arises, hold you hands over these and enjoy the feelings of a very different energy.

There is so much to learn on the net and one of the best places I know to head to is Ezine Articles.

Seems like every subject is covered there. The articles are well written and very helpful. In fact I have an article there, just go to http://EzineArticles.com/?id=2366173 and learn about Meditation for Your Health. My second article has just been approved on Healing Energy From Crystals http://EzineArticles.com/?id=2479828 I have submitted 1 more article this week and am waiting for approval. Check it out and leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Keep Family Near Using the Internet

Tomorrow is my cousins birthday. She lives about 1600 miles from me and so internet has allowed us to continue with our busy days and still keep in touch by email. It's so simple as we are both on our computers a lot. We also co-administrate our family website. We add photos and news and all of our family have access to the site and can add comments and information on their family. When we first started this site I used to put photos of our ancestors and have contests to see who could guess the person in the picture. This got relatives talking and getting on the site at a time when people were just beginning to use the world wide web. It has created an incredible closeness between us. Though we are spread across the U.S. we can see each others children and catch up on news. We know who is where and visiting whom.

Keep in touch. It's worth the few minutes to send off an email if you don't take the time to call each other. We are a very `transient' society and if we don't make this effort, certain people in your family can `fall to the wayside'. What a shame that would be.

UP

Today my grandson and I went to the movie `UP.' It is a must see! Walt Disney has really outdone themselves. The story is about 2 very young people who want to set out on an adventure. As their lives go on they save for the experience, but something keeps happening and their piggy bank keeps supplying funds for other things. Finally the wife dies and the husband, in his old age, decides to set out on the plan they had made as children.

I couldn't help but identify, to some degree, with this cartoon. I asked myself how many times I have put off a plan in order to keep everything else in order? Am I still thinking about something that I have 'always' wanted to do but never felt like the time was `right'?

Something tells me that Walt Disney is hiding an adult movie in a kids show. Pretty sneaky, Walt.

Fork Bending

Last night I attended a "fork bending" class. It was my second in the past 2 years. I am not one who spends a lot of time on this sort of thing, but I am glad for the experience and to have the opportunity to do it with other people is half the fun. The class involved some guided meditation. This prepares the mind. The meditation was about 10 minutes at the most. Then we held the fork in our hands as we did particular breathing exercises. Some of it was Quantum Touch, which I am very familiar with and enjoy. With that we attempted to bend the forks. The next exercise was using EFT..Emotional Freedom Technique. This is used for a multitude of healing situations as well, and another attempt was made to bend the fork. For me I was able to bend my fork with the first exercise, a little later on bend a little more, and then nothing:) Though the feeling of being able to bend the fork at all is exhilarating, as with most people, I had hoped to accomplish more.

When I got home with my new `trophy' my husband brought out my first fork from 2 years ago and there was clearly a difference. I had progressed quite a bit.

So what did I learn at fork bending class? I learned how to soften metal with my mind/energy/vibration. I built up my self esteem a little, I was able to enjoy a guided meditation, meet a some new people and most importantly....I had FUN!

Do I Smell Genealogy in the Air?

My phone has been buzzing with genealogy questions today. People are wanting to either connect with living family or wanting to learn about their ancestors. What is bringing this on? It has been many months since this subject has come up and I have received calls for research advice. I am always happy to help with genealogy roadblocks. The researching process is wonderful and makes you stretch your mind and forces us to use our creativity. We need to find out where our ancestors have lived and by accumulating records we can begin to imagine how they lived their lives. Putting together all the pieces is much like a jigsaw puzzle. Because genealogy research is never really done it is as if the last puzzle pieces have fallen onto the floor and hidden from site. We dig, digest and accumulate. Lives are very complicated, records can be scarce.

Working on genealogy is a life-long `hobby.' Begin with good intentions and follow through on your leads.

What Kind of a Day are You Having?

If you are like many of us, the weather is very `spring like'. A lot of rain, cloudy and just wet. Your car is dirty from driving in the rain, your shoes have mud on them, your entry way into your house is full of footwear so's not to track it all in the house. Wet coats are hanging on door knobs waiting to dry. Everything seems damp, even your bed sheets? The dog smells like a dog and yet he has to go out for another walk? The umbrella stands outside the door as if it will dry off out there? Well, if you live in a dry climate, perhaps you can visualize what the rest of us are living.

All of this makes for frustration and for some of us we get downright depressed as the sun continues to hide behind the clouds.

When the sun peaks out I take whatever I am doing and sit out on the deck. That little bit of Vitamin D I get is a help for a better disposition. I don't wear sunglasses during this time, or sunscreen. I'm not sure what the dermatologists would say about that, but the sun lasts such a short time that I think if I stopped to do all the precautionary stuff, I'd miss it! So out I sit for that short period of time and just soak up all the sun has to offer me. OK, I come in with wet clothes from the deck chair, but you can't have it all. The important thing is that I am making an effort to keep the depression `at bay'.

Depression can move in slowly and I can tell that if I'm tired mid morning, that's probably what it is all about. Now to look at the rest of the wet stuff, which isn't helping my mood any as I live in a small condo with 3 other family members and a pretty good-sized dog, Happy.

Each day, hopefully while I'm in the sun, I meditate. For times like this, I change my visualization and focus on something that reminds me of good times. Yesterday I worked on walking through a field of lavender in bloom. In my visualization I was wearing a yellow sundress and was barefoot. Big straw sunhat. As I walked I ran my hands gently across the blossoms of the lavender. The bees were elsewhere in the field and the sun was shining gently on the world. It wasn't hot out, as I do not care for the heat much. There was a gentle breeze and sky was a beautiful light blue. I could see the birds riding on the wind and could hear them call out to me. There was soft music, something Native American. I could feel the sun on my arms and it was the perfect temperature. I basked in my chair for about 10 minutes and then the clouds moved in again. But that's OK.

You don't need to have the sun to meditate on it. You only need your imagination. You body will feel what the mind tells it.

Get outside when you can and when you can't, just meditate on what you WANT it to be like outside. Your day will go better and you will find your work will be less burdensome then when you are tired or depressed.

Energy Between Dogs and Owners

Now that we have brought a dog into our family I spend time to watch dog training on tv. There are several show options and of course one of them is the Dog Whisperer. Because I never watched this show pre-Happy, I had no idea that he talked so much about energy. The energy of the dogs and the energy of the owners. He talks about how the anxiety of the owner can run straight down the leash to the dog. Much of the training he does has to do with the problems of the owner.

We need to keep in mind that everything is energy. Touch your animals with kindness and if you have Reiki in your hands I want to remind you that every time you touch anything, you channel for them. Imagine what the world would be like if everything were vibrating at a high level.

Zenday

What is a zenday?  For me zen is peace.  For me a zenday is not a quiet day, necessarily.  A zenday is a peaceful day.  And today it will be a perfect zenday.  A friend was over this morning and the time just zoomed by!  Tonight my nephew and his children and dog will be here for a late supper, a little hot tub time and a warm bed.  I'm sure the kids will be wild, the dog will be nuts and my nephew will be glad to be out of the car!  

A little hotdish for supper, cake for dessert, and soft bed.

Now this is what I call a zenday!

A Stone is a Stone

Stones have a remarkable kind of energy. Every stone has many metaphysical properties. It makes no difference if the stone is faceted, polished, cut, mounted or left in the raw, the properties remain the same. There are many books available as well as websites to explain what these properties are. If you go to my site, http://www.styleinstone and scroll to the bottom of any page you will see a link to Metaphysical Properties. Click on there and enter the world of stones! This site has most stones, no one site or book has them all...which is why I have 3 books and sometimes still end up looking on the net! Usually between the two I can find what I need.

Also watch for rock shows in your area. They are all year round all over the country. They always have a huge array of stones from all over the world.

Frustration is a Form of Mind Over Matter

I live in 2 different states...not including the state of mind:) Our second home, which we have been living in most of the time for the past 2 years, is no longer `necessary' and in preparation of selling it in the next year, we have had a market analysis done by our realtor. We just wanted to get some idea where we might `stand' when we sell. Who knows what will happen to the housing market between now and then, we just wanted to find out how hard the hit might be. I am quite surprised as my worst fear is not bad enough. Now what to do?

I have decided to compare this time to the 1980's when we built our first home and the bottom fell out of EVERYTHING. I was about 32 years old and this was our first mortgage. When reliving all the worry I had then, I suddenly realized 2 differences. I was now 20 years older and I was 20 years wiser. It's time to stop worrying and deal with it.

Perhaps this is the best advice I can give myself about most things. Fear clouds the reality of the situation. No matter what the final outcome is my state of mind is the most important thing. I can (1) make myself crazy or (2) I can make a plan. One will lower my vibration and make me more vulnerable, and the second will raise my vibration, my mood and put me into an action mode. Sometimes choosing #2 is a good idea.

What a Great Way to Spend a Sunday!

What a wonderful Reiki I class yesterday! All students had hot hands after the attunement and our time spent channeling Reiki was great. The Universe had certainly lined up the perfect group as they worked very well together and had lots of questions. Now they are on their journey of a 21 day energy cleanse. At the end of that time they will decide if they want to go on to a Reiki II class. Regardless of their decision, I know this group will be channeling for their highest good on a regular basis.

It's All In the Preparation

I am in the process of gathering a combination of `vibrations’ for the Reiki I class that I am teaching on Sunday.  I will be using a variety of stones, a combination of styles and sizes of Tibetan singing bowls and several different kinds of essential oils.  It will be a wonderful day, so I don’t mind the preparation.   The group that will be coming are fun and looking forward to the process of learning and being attuned to Reiki. 

Morning is the Best Time of the Day

What is it about the morning that is so exciting? Maybe it is the `new' fresh air? Maybe it is commonly the coolest part of the day and therefor has a different smell? Maybe it is just the quiet of it all? I'm not sure but I know that after a good nites sleep, or not a good nites sleep I enjoy the early morning. In the summer it is nice to work while it is not so hot. I can accomplish a lot between 5 and 8AM. My mind seems to be ready to think.

If I have any time during the morning to take a break. I like to meditate for 5 minutes or so. It seems to refresh me a little and keeps me going throughout my day. On occasion, when I meditate in the morning, I fall asleep:) I don't sleep very long but is seems that I sleep very deeply.

I was watching Sylvia Browne on TV one day and someone asked her "why do I fall asleep whenever I meditate? Sylvia simple stated "because you're tired."

A Simple Request

A simple request came to me today to meet and have a Quantum Touch session.  The session went well and I am happy to say that the recipient is feeling much better.  It is certainly worth the effort on both of our parts to create an environment for healing.

I know sometimes stopping to help someone seems to challenge your work/play schedule, but isn’t the time well spent?  When you come from a place of caring everyone comes away with a feeling of joy.  Let’s spread it around!