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Overcoming Fear

3/18/2020

 
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A couple of days ago, I had a friend ask me why I was so calm with a world pandemic going on around me. I am actually a member of 3 different "at risk" groups. I have a heart condition, asthma and an auto-immune disease. Basically I have 3 strikes against me.  I should be terrified and yet I am not freaking out, hording food, toilet paper, or sanitizing products.

For me, it is simple.  I cannot control the pandemic. No one can. By acknowledging I am not in control, I eliminate the stress of trying to control it.

What I can control is how I respond to it. I stopped obsessively watching the news. I watch only in the morning and the evening. If I have questions, I go to the CDC or our state's Department of Health website to get the facts, NOT Facebook. I wash my hands 25-30 times a day.  I stay out of highly populated areas. I have enough food and supplies for 2 weeks. I get outside and walk around listening to the birds sing and see the trees starting to show their leaves. These are the things I can control.

I am grateful. I am able to work from home. There are many people who cannot and do not know if they will have a job tomorrow.  My husband and I are fortunate to have our grown children and their spouses live close by. Our grand-baby brings us such joy even if we can only video chat with her. There are many people who do not live near their families or do not have a strong familial connection. I have a strong network of friends all of whom check in on me and I check on them on a regular basis.  I started sending cards to the elderly patients in a nearby nursing home where they are no longer allowing visitors to uplift their spirits. 

And everyday at 11:11 AM I pray the Serenity Prayer.

Let go of the fear. Look beyond yourself and do something nice for someone else.  Check in on your family, friends, and neighbors. Take charge of only those things you can control and reach out for moral support when you need it (we're here for you, too). 

Journal Topic - Communication

3/1/2020

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Quote
Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble. ~Yehuda Berg


Discussion
The art of communication is dying. We would rather send a text than call someone on the phone. There is so much more to communication than sending a smiley face or thumbs up emoji. We are all losing the ability to “read” people’s facial expressions or understand the tone of their voice, email, or text and effectively respond appropriately. When was the last time you sat down across the table from a friend or family member and had an honest and open conversation? How many times have you misread someone and had your feelings hurt only to find out that was not the intent?

Prompts
Sunday - Read the quote out loud. What is your initial reaction? Why? What about this quote do you agree with? Disagree with? 

Monday -  What does communication mean to you? What types of communication are you aware of?

Tuesday - How does this apply to your life right now in this moment? Do you have difficulty expressing yourself to your family, friends, coworkers, or strangers?  Are you often misunderstood?

Wednesday - When thinking about how you communicate, how can you be more effective? Think of all the ways you’ve mis-communicated in the past, how could you have changed your words or tone in order to prevent disagreements or misunderstandings? 

Thursday - What words did you use today that were negative or hurtful, positive or uplifting? Did someone react differently than you expected? Tomorrow, practice mindful communication. Be careful in the words and tone you use to communicate with others. 

Friday - How did you change how and what you said today? Did you find this difficult or easy? Why? 

​Saturday - After reflecting over the last week, what is your reaction to this quote now? What changed? What stayed the same?

Stone - Chrysocolla

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Chrysocolla is a copper silicate stone that is green, blue, or a mixture of both. It is frequently found in oxidized copper deposits. It is a water element stone which helps with communication and energy. 

Chrysocolla helps open the throat chakra so one can communicate their inner wisdom. It helps us own the power of our words and be aware of how our words can affect our lives. It helps one find the deepest truth of our heart.

Chrysocolla is also know as the teaching stone. It assists one to speak their highest knowledge in order to help others. It helps choose your words carefully and realize the impact they will have. Chrysocolla is helpful to those who have to speak for a living, and to those who are afraid to speak their hearts. 

Chrysocolla also teaches the value of silence. It can help diffuse anger and sarcasm, as sometimes our truth is best expressed through silence. 

You can wear a Chrysocolla necklace so it is close to your throat chakra, or hold the stone and say this affirmation:
“I listen to my inner voice and heart and have confidence to speak my truth. I am aware that my words affect my reality. I am also aware of how my words impact others.”

​Essential Oil/Herb - Lavender

Lavender is known as the ‘go to’ oil. Most people know Lavender for its soothing and calming properties. However, it can also freshen and purify, support respiration, soothe skin irritations, reduce muscle soreness, support the immune system, and support the nervous system. 
On the emotional side, Lavender is known as the oil of communication. It can be difficult to express your true self and communicate your thoughts and desires. Lavender can assist in communication.  It calms fears of rejection of expressing one’s true self. Lavender helps you to be honest with yourself and gives you the courage to share that with others.
Ways to use Lavender:
  1. Rub lavender oil over your heart
  2. Place in a diffuser and do a meditation or journal 
  3. Place a few drops in the tub with epsom salts
  4. Make a blend in a rollerball with lavender and cedar wood. Apply it when you need to communicate openly and honestly. 
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Animal Guide - Toucan

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Toucan people are confident and gifted communicators. They love to be the center of attention. They prefer to socialize in smaller groups of four to six people. They dream of traveling to far off lands but tend to stay close to home in finding their adventures in life. Sometimes Toucans forget how their words can affect others and will speak inappropriately. However, their intentions are always pure, and it is usually just a small misunderstanding of meaning.

Toucan people are also colorful, and unpredictable. They can find peace in small spaces and when they need to rest they will seek out a small cozy nook to relax in. Occasionally Toucan people spread themselves a bit too thin. 
​
  • Speak up loud and clearly
  • Get your ideas and thoughts out there in a way that will benefit those around you
  • Your contributions have value. 
  • You will have to let go of your shyness and speak up.
  • You have a lot of inner wisdom to share with the world. 
  • Use your voice in beneficial ways.
Call upon Toucan to give you the courage to speak your truth.  

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Who Am I, Really? Series

2/26/2020

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Image by John Hain from Pixabay
Who am I, really?

Can you answer this question without thinking about it? Can you answer it at all? I’m not talking about the labels (wife/husband, mother/father, sister/brother, job title, etc.) All of us can do that. Most of us think we know who we are. We claim to know what we like or dislike, what our favorite music, books, TV program, or movie is. We think we know what makes us happy, sad, angry, etc. Many of us work in a job we hate, because it pays the bills and we honestly don’t know what would make us jump out of bed in the morning, excited to go to work. Do we truly “know” who we are or are we mirroring what our family, friends, co-workers, and society in general expects of us? 

This weekly series will look at who “you” are, not what you reflect to people based upon their expectations.  It requires you to be “honest” with yourself even if it becomes uncomfortable to do so. Put aside the expectations of others and the fear of judgement, look deep within to find out who you truly are.

Each week we will pose a question or topic for you to carefully ponder. There are no right/wrong answers and you don’t need to share your thoughts unless you wish.  The intent is to get you thinking about who “you” are.

Everyone has a gift. Do you know what yours is or is a hidden talent you haven’t discovered yet? Think about how you use or would use this gift to improve your life and the life of others.

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Journal Topic - Positivity

1/12/2020

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Quote

In order to carry a positive action we must develop a positive vision. ~Dalai Lama
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Discussion

Every new year people make resolutions to "fix" something about themselves they do not like. Focusing on what is "wrong" with them or something that is "wrong" in their life.  Most resolutions have faded or outright failed since the first of the year because most resolutions are started with negative mindset. Before one can change their life they must change their mindset.

Prompts

Sunday - Read the quote out loud. What is your initial reaction? Why? What about this quote do you agree with? Disagree with? 

Monday -  What does positivity mean for you?

Tuesday - How does this apply to your life right now in this moment? 

Wednesday - When thinking about what you want to change in your life and the reason behind it, how can you make it more positive? Consider the New Year's resolutions you've made in the past and how you phrased them.

Thursday - Watch your internal dialogue. What words did you use today that were negative, that made you feel shame, guilt, sad, etc. Tomorrow practice changing your internal dialogue.

Friday - How did you change your internal dialogue today? Did you find this difficult? Why? 
​

Saturday - After reflecting over the last week, what is your reaction to this quote now? What changed? What stayed the same?

Stone - Clear Quartz

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Quartz has many properties. There are many spiritual beliefs and historical uses of quartz. The Japanese believed it is the perfect jewel and believed it to be a symbol of purity. Many indigenous cultures believed that Quartz were living entities. In Central and South America, skulls made from Quartz were believed to be the dwelling places of deceased gods and ancestors. Quartz can be used for many things: amplifying energies of other stones; meditation and spiritual awareness; opening chakras; and enhancing dreams. 

Quartz is known as a ‘feel better’ stone. It can help bring joy and happiness, and give you renewed energy. It can channel energy, so you can use it to bring positivity and light. It can help one focus.  It relieves negativity. It is also the healing crystal, so you can use it to help you overcome whatever hardship may be hindering you from finding joy and remaining positive. 

Quartz does not have fixed properties as other stones do. You can meditate with it, focus on your intention/goal, and thus ‘program’ it to help you achieve that goal. This makes quartz a powerful stone to help you visualize your goals, remain positive, and attain your goals.  
Affirmation: I am energized. I am positive and dispel negativity. I can overcome obstacles and heal. I can attain my goals. 
​

Essential Oil/Herb - Peppermint

Peppermint oil is a powerful herb. One of its active ingredients is menthol.  It helps relieve indigestion and gastrointestinal issues. It is also a decongestant, stimulates circulation, helps reduce fevers, and relieves achy muscles and joints. 

Peppermint brings happiness and joy to the heart and soul. It helps one not be controlled by fear. It helps one have the strength to deal with emotional issues. When you are feeling discouraged or despair, use Peppermint to help you find joy in every day.

Ways to use Peppermint:
  • Put a drop of peppermint essential oil in your hands. Rub together and inhale deeply.
  • Try a blend of peppermint and lavender in a diffuser. 
  • Drink peppermint tea
  • ​Make a rollerball blend with coconut oil, peppermint and orange for uplifting. 


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Ahhhh! I need a Break!

10/24/2019

 

How are you feeling today?

Are you stressed?
Overworked?
Feeling tapped out?
In a rut?

This is not a late night infomercial. I am not trying to sell you some slick gadget you'll only use once.

No matter how you're feeling everyone needs a "mental break". Our brains are constantly working (even when when you're sleeping). ​
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Here's the Challenge

Pick 3 (or all of them if you'd like) "tasks" from the list and do them today. You can do them all at once or spread them out. Each task is only *2* minutes.  
  • Shake that booty! Dance to the music in your head or turn on your favorite upbeat song and DANCE like nobody is watching!
  • Lay on the floor with your feet elevated on the couch, chair or against the wall, etc.
  • Take deep breaths, slow and intentional - in your nose (2, 3, 4, 5) and out your mouth (HA, ho, 3, 4, 5).
  • Go outside and touch nature...Yes you can hug the tree if you want.
  • Cuddle with your favorite pet if you have one
  • Give your spine a good stretch (arms over your head and down all the way to the floor, it's okay to bend your knees a bit.) 
  •  Take your shoes off and make fists with your toes (Thank you, random airplane passenger in "Die Hard")
  • Shake, shake. shake - No this is not a earthquake! Stand up, feet hip width apart. Roll your head clockwise then counter clockwise (or vice versa if you're a rebel). Roll your shoulders (front to back, back to front), shake your hands, bounce gently, get that tension moving on out!
  • Stop! Look! Listen! at your surroundings. Does your cube mate have a new picture or plant on their desk? Is someone sporting a new hair cut or better yet attitude?
  • Hug someone (preferably someone you know and won't file an HR complaint against you), heart over heart for the whole 2 minutes.
  • Snuggle with your favorite tiny person. 
  • Close your eyes and smell the roses, carnations, dahlias, whatever flower is near. 
  • Write down everything you are grateful for...yep, the whole 2 minutes.
  • Pray, visualize, meditate (whatever that looks like for you).

Journal Topic - Failure

5/12/2019

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Quote

“You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.” ~Johnny Cash

​Prompts

Sunday - Read the quote out loud. What is your initial reaction? Why? What about this quote do you agree with? Disagree with?

Monday -  How do you view “failure”? Do you feel guilty or shameful? Do you see it as a lesson you have yet to learn? What are the driving factors behind how you view “failure?

Tuesday - How does this apply to your life right now in this moment? Do you allow your failures to dictate your life. Do you allow them to stop you from trying again?

Wednesday - Has anyone shamed you for failing or making a mistake? What ‘old recordings’ from your past hinder you from taking a chance, a risk? How did it impact your relationships with others?

Thursday - Now think about the reverse. Have you ever shamed someone for a mistake or failure? How did it impact your relationship with that person?

Friday - We expect children to make mistakes and learn from them. Why is it so different for adults? Give yourself permission to make mistakes. How does that change how you feel about failure?
​

Saturday - After reflecting over the last week, what is your reaction to this quote now? What changed? What stayed the same?

Stone - Tiger's Eye

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Tiger’s Eye is a member of the quartz family. It has bands that can be yellow brown, tan, gold, blue, or red.

Tiger’s Eye is a stone that helps bring balance, calm, and grounding. It helps one overcome feelings of negativity, anxiety, fear, and depression.  It brings courage and helps one with new beginnings. It helps you be in tune to your intuition. It stimulates the root and solar plexus chakra, which helps one take action and make changes, yet stay grounded and calm. It helps keep the balance between extremes; light and dark, joy and sorrow. Tiger’s Eye can help you make it through difficult times by giving strength and the will to push through. It also allows you to see clearly without subjectivity. It increases one’s personal power and self-discipline.

When you are feeling like you have failed, or don’t know which path you should take, use Tiger’s Eye to assist you.  You can wear it, or hold it and say this affirmation:

“I embrace my power and use it wisely to make changes. I am strong and listen to my intuition. I am courageous.”

Essential Oil/Herb - Basil

We all have times when something doesn’t go as planned and we feel the stress of failing.  Although it is a part of life and our learning process, it can leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, tired, and unable to break the habits that lead us to this point.  Use Basil to give you support in these times. It will help you feel renewed, energized, and optimistic.

Basil essential oil is a powerful oil to have in your arsenal. It helps fight bacteria and infections, can reduce inflammation, assists with digestion, helps relieve congestion, improves circulation, and stimulates the adrenal cortex.

Basil is the Oil of Renewal. It can support you when you are stressed, burnt out, and exhausted. It supports your adrenals and helps combat symptoms of adrenal exhaustion like fatigue, feeling overwhelmed, and no drive. Basil can help bring optimism and help one break negative habits.

Ways to use Basil:
  1. Try a blend of Basil, Lemon, and Peppermint to give you energy.
  2. To feel uplifted and invigorated, use Basil, Grapefruit, Lemon, and Wintergreen in a diffuser.
  3. Add some fresh basil or essential oil to your tomato soup or pasta sauce.
  4. ​Add a drop to olive oil, toss with chopped root veggies and roast in the oven for a healthy, uplifting treat.
  5. Make a caprese salad (tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella)

*Please note: Basil should be diluted in a carrier oil when used topically. If using it in a cooking recipe, use sparingly as it is strong.  You can use a toothpick to place in the bottle and then add. Only pure, therapeutic oils should be used internally.

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Animal Guide - Tiger

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​Tiger is saying you have the strength and will power to overcome adversity. Be patient with yourself, persistence is necessary to move past your failures and continue forward. Do not waste your energy on shame or guilt.
Let go of the fear that is paralyzing you from acting.  


You have the knowledge and power to try and try again until you “get it right”. Slow down, sit in silence and allow your intuition to guide you.

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Journal Topic - Dreams/Aspirations

5/5/2019

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Each Sunday we will be providing a journal topic for the week with a prompt for each day. Set a time each day to journal in a place where you can sit quietly without interruption to reflect on your thoughts. You don’t need to answer the daily prompts, they are provided in case you need a little boost to get your thoughts flowing.
​

Quote

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”   ~Gail Devers


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I'll Push You - Book/Video

5/4/2019

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I’ll Push You  by Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck
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My family recommended this book to me as Justin is my dad’s cousin.  

Justin has always been a charismatic person. He is full of love and life.  Justin has a great sense of humor and loves adventures.

Patrick is Justin’s best friend from childhood. They shared many adventures together and were always there for each other. They bring out the best in each other and have a friendship that others strive for. In college, Justin began to have unusual symptoms. He was eventually diagnosed with a progressive neuro-muscular disease. It left him without the use of his legs and arms, and in a wheelchair. Patrick has remained by his side through it all.

Justin heard about people doing a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. He tells Patrick about it and how he thinks it would be an amazing trip. Patrick’s response is simple: “I’ll push you.” This book tells of their trip on the Camino de Santiago. The setbacks, struggles, triumphs, and spiritual realizations. It is a testament to what true friendship, love, devotion, and sacrifice is.  It is a beautiful story that will inspire you and touch your heart. It will open your eyes to how true friendship can change our lives and push us to be a better person.


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Enjoy!
Misty

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Welcome. Come sit for a spell.

5/1/2019

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We all have our own path to walk through in life.  My path is not my "sisters" or "brothers" and they each have their own.  We have discussions, some passionate, some silly, some downright strange.  While open and honest discussion is encouraged, please keep it civilized.  We are not here to judge or criticize. We are here to encourage and lift each other up.

If you have a question, ask it.  We'll answer it if we have one.  If not, we'll help you find one.

If you're struggling, share it.  We'll hold your hand, give you a "hug" and help you through it.

If you are lonely, join us.  We enjoy getting to know new people.  You might make a friend along the way.


Come sit for a spell and join in the conversation.

You can join us over at our Facebook Group too.
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