The Disconnection of Connection
I had a situation occur within the last couple of weeks that solidified my discomfort over computer or technology-based connections. Facebook, e-mail and texting have become the new way of creating community in many facets of society. Don’t get me wrong, I have engaged fully in this. Isn’t it so easy to just send a quick text or email? To join a group on Facebook? The lure of the smart phone and computer is hard to escape and yet we are losing core, fundamental abilities to really “connect”. I remember spending hours on the phone with friends, boyfriends, family, etc in the 80’s and...
Read MoreAn Invitation To Being
Ahhh … it’s the new year. Are you like many people who set resolutions? May I ask if that actually works and why you only commit to self-empowerment once a year? Don’t you think you are worth 365 days each year? I had a light bulb moment when I realized I had been living in finite constructs instead of as the infinite being that I am. I started allowing myself to experience every emotion, every memory, every thought that came into my mind, and I became comfortable with the discomfort. After all, we are so used to living with the soundtracks of others in our heads that we have forgotten...
Read MoreMeeting In The Middle
Last month, I went through a profound shift in the way I view my relationships. I have recently been certified in Access Bars®, a healing modality that facilitates a release of blockages by gently applying pressure to 32 specific points on the head. Every one of these points corresponds to some aspect in life (control, creativity, awareness, etc). Since being introduced to this in April of this year by a dear friend, I have had the most amazing revelations about the way I have been conducting myself in life. When I was 17 years old, I met my future husband. It was love at first sight – a...
Read MoreAn Aromatic Dream Come True
It is 6:30 am on Saturday, April 25 and I can hardly breathe. You see, I have waited 12 years to meet renowned aromatherapist John Steele, and this is the first day of his workshop. This is a man who is not only an aromatherapist, but also an archeologist specializing in linguistics. I need to get there early for a front row seat! As the noise in the room comes to a dull roar, I notice that he appears nervous. Here is a man who is a pioneer, has given several presentations, written scholarly papers and has the respect of his top peers. My first thought was how graciously humble and accessible...
Read MoreA New Line In The Sand
Wow … what a week. I had experienced some unpleasant energy over the last week and thought I would check in with others to see if I was alone. I wasn’t. Many people I knew, including myself, had experienced something fairly unpleasant and yet indefinable at first tinder. As the flame grew and then dampened, it became clear what the common thread was. Boundaries! No matter how old we are, how many experiences we have had or how clear we believe we are, there is always a need to revisit and redefine our boundaries. Personally and professionally, these change over time. New...
Read MoreShame On You?
Growing up, I didn’t have much. My parents did the best they could, but I had second-hand clothing that never fit and was not in style. I wasn’t permitted to wear makeup or have my ears pierced as most girls did. Children and teenagers can be really mean – I was often made fun of and as a defense mechanism, I developed a keen sense of humour and often pointed the humour away from myself. Thankfully, it worked for me, but not everyone has coping mechanisms in place. Lately there seems to be a rampant use of shaming (sexual, pets, drought, wealth, poverty and affiliation). Why on earth is...
Read MoreDemystifying Fear
It is the middle of the night and I am awake – again. Like many people, I have a thousand thoughts rolling around in my mind and most of them are fear based. What is fear anyway? 1. to be afraid of something or someone. 2. to expect or worry about something bad or unpleasant. 3. to be afraid and worried. Hmmm … I think I’ll take door #3. Fear, like any other negatively perceived emotion such as anger, cannot be defined without referencing the more pleasant or positive emotions such as bliss or happiness. So why do we run from it? I have decided to run towards it and dig in. What...
Read MoreSpring Fever
I don’t know about you, but love is certainly in the air for me … Spring evokes a freshness, a newness, and reminds us that we are alive. Have you noticed all the buds popping on the trees? The flowers in the garden are just waiting to burst open, giving us the joy of their color and scent. There are certain elements that definitely give us joy on this earth, reminding us of life. They are, in no particular order, love, essential oils, happiness and sex. Sex can be an expression of love; it can smell great and it definitely makes us happy! Interesting … that is all encompassing!...
Read MoreKeeping Your Cup Filled
You’ve just had a great holistic treatment and you are feeling restored and like a glorious puff of smoke. Now, you are back to work for a day, a week, two weeks and feeling that subtle creeping in of tension and stress. But, it’s not THAT bad. You can stand it a little longer and cash is still tight after the holidays. Don’t I know it. But can you really? Studies show that daily massage can decrease stress by 24% – wouldn’t that be wonderful to have? However, even monthly massage can significantly decrease the high cortisol levels in the body that significantly contribute...
Read MoreAromas From Ancient Egypt
Aromatherapy is a healing art which utilizes essential oils extracted from aromatic plant materials to treat many conditions holistically. This includes physical, mental and emotional conditions. There are many uses for aromatherapy including: headache and migraine relief, muscle tension/pain release, immune stimulant, hormone balancing, dealing with grief and loss, stress relief, regulating digestion, treating infections/wounds and enhancing sensuality. The word “aromatherapy” originates from the Greek word “aroma” meaning fragrance, and “therapy” meaning...
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