Unless you have been living on another planet, you are aware of the devastation occurring in Haiti. The hardship facing the residents of Port-au-Prince is unimaginable to someone living in Canada, though the media has been quite descriptive so maybe it is possible to somewhat imagine the horrendous time that these unfortunate people are going through.
My gratitude and admiration to all who have given their time and and left their comfortable homes to tend to the many victims. They are my heroes.
Like most, we have donated money to the Red Cross so that they can continue giving their much needed help.
One more thing I have done is send loving and healing thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti. I hope that they are somehow comforted in their hour of need, I pray that each one has enough to eat and good water to drink, and I cheer every bit of good news I hear about the good works that have been going on so far.
God bless them all.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Things I learned about hemorrhoids
1. It's not a fun condition.
2. If it's REALLY painful and bigger than a grape, don't wait a few days before going to see your doctor.
3. You won't enjoy seeing your doctor, because he will probably recommend lancing said hemmi at which point you will burst into tears of sheer terror.
4. It is not a good idea to ask your doctor if he is sure he knows what he's doing.
5. It's a bad idea to ask more than 6 times. But you will ask, you just can't help it.
6. The local anesthetic needle isn't as painful (or as big) as you feared. Try not to think about it.
7. The lancing procedure is fine because you are frozen, your anxiety level is returning to normal, the relief from relentless pain is pure bliss. You want to buy your doctor a car, you are so grateful for the relief.
8. The bliss experience is short, however, and when the freezing comes out, you guessed it, more pain. You want to be home, on the couch with your blankie and some pain killers (which may or may not work). Distracting yourself with a good movie is a must at this point.
9. You feel as if you will never see your sense of humour eveeeeer again.
10. You feel heroic. Why? I really don't know, but you feel heroic.
11. Metamucil becomes your best friend.
12. Your sense of humour returns.
13. Life goes on.
2. If it's REALLY painful and bigger than a grape, don't wait a few days before going to see your doctor.
3. You won't enjoy seeing your doctor, because he will probably recommend lancing said hemmi at which point you will burst into tears of sheer terror.
4. It is not a good idea to ask your doctor if he is sure he knows what he's doing.
5. It's a bad idea to ask more than 6 times. But you will ask, you just can't help it.
6. The local anesthetic needle isn't as painful (or as big) as you feared. Try not to think about it.
7. The lancing procedure is fine because you are frozen, your anxiety level is returning to normal, the relief from relentless pain is pure bliss. You want to buy your doctor a car, you are so grateful for the relief.
8. The bliss experience is short, however, and when the freezing comes out, you guessed it, more pain. You want to be home, on the couch with your blankie and some pain killers (which may or may not work). Distracting yourself with a good movie is a must at this point.
9. You feel as if you will never see your sense of humour eveeeeer again.
10. You feel heroic. Why? I really don't know, but you feel heroic.
11. Metamucil becomes your best friend.
12. Your sense of humour returns.
13. Life goes on.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Power of Prayer
Sometimes I forget to pray. I go for days, sometimes weeks without praying. Eventually, this catches up with me and I start to feel disconnected from my higher self. Or from God. Or from Spirit...whatever. I just know that something isn't right, that I am too much of my problems, my frustrations, my worries, my jealousies, my insecurities... too much of day to day. That's when, something or someone steps in and reminds me to pray.
This time it was the book Trust Your Vibes by Sonia Choquette. I was listlessly reading it, agreeing with some of it, and came upon the chapter about praying. ahhha, that just what I needed to be reminded of. Praying.
It's funny how something as simple as a heartfelt plea to make the day better can work. I don't formally pray. I just ask for God to relieve me of my current negative feelings and thoughts, because I so badly need a break. And my prayers are answered. Except for the one where I win a huge amount of money in a lottery (and I get the feeling God does know what's best for me, and apparently winning a lot of money probably wouldn't be in my best interest. I would actually like to test that theory.)
Now we can get all analytical with this and discuss whether God actually steps in and helps, or it's our subconscious responding to our desire, or it's a placebo effect with prayer being a talisman "make my day better" bingo the day is better.
I don't have the answer, all I know, is that when I resumed praying (for a better day, giving thanks for a better day, asking for guidance) my day got better. And I am more at peace.
This time it was the book Trust Your Vibes by Sonia Choquette. I was listlessly reading it, agreeing with some of it, and came upon the chapter about praying. ahhha, that just what I needed to be reminded of. Praying.
It's funny how something as simple as a heartfelt plea to make the day better can work. I don't formally pray. I just ask for God to relieve me of my current negative feelings and thoughts, because I so badly need a break. And my prayers are answered. Except for the one where I win a huge amount of money in a lottery (and I get the feeling God does know what's best for me, and apparently winning a lot of money probably wouldn't be in my best interest. I would actually like to test that theory.)
Now we can get all analytical with this and discuss whether God actually steps in and helps, or it's our subconscious responding to our desire, or it's a placebo effect with prayer being a talisman "make my day better" bingo the day is better.
I don't have the answer, all I know, is that when I resumed praying (for a better day, giving thanks for a better day, asking for guidance) my day got better. And I am more at peace.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Pentacles and Pentagrams
At Moonstone Path we sell sterling silver pentacles and pentagrams. I am embarrassed to say that I did not know the difference between and pentacle and a pentagram. Every once in a while someone would say that they heard that pentacles were evil, a symbol of devil worship. Even though I knew zilch about pentacles and pentagrams, I never sensed that they had dark energies. Pentacles are stars and circles, those two things can't be evil in my point of view.
After looking on the Internet I found some information that clears things up somewhat.
An upright pentagram is a 5 pointed star with one point aligned upwards.
An inverted pentagram is a 5 pointed star with two points aligned upwards
An upright pentacle is generally defined as an upright pentagram surrounded by a circle. The circle represents protection, and the cycle of life.
Both the pentagram and pentacle have similar meanings. In the early days of Christianity, the pentagram and pentacle was worn and used as symbol of Christ. Here's an interesting fact. The inverted pentagram (which is used by Satanists today) was actually a symbol of the divine Christ descending to earth in the flesh.
Both symbols actually were around millenniums before Christianity. These are very old symbols.
The five points of the pentagram have been known to represent the five wounds of Christ. It is also a representation of humankind, the five points corresponding to the head, two arms and two legs.
Nowadays, most people in Wiccan and Pagan circles give the pentacle and pentagram very positive meanings. The pentacle's four lower points represent the elements of the world: earth, air, fire and water. The corner of the star pointing upward symbolizes divine Spirit.
Interesting fact: The pentagram was used by the Hebrews, and was sometimes called the seal of Solomon. More specifically, the pentagram was used as the seal of the City of Jerusalem. There have been fragments of jars dating back to the 4th century BC with a seal impression of a pentagram with the Hebrew letters YRSLM (Jerusalem).
Now I know a little more about pentacles, I can understand how synchronicity worked, by me having the desire to include these wonderful pieces of jewellery as part of our stock even though I knew very little about their history and symbolism.
So if someone asks if pentacles are evil, or of the devil, the answer is a resounding NO
After looking on the Internet I found some information that clears things up somewhat.
An upright pentagram is a 5 pointed star with one point aligned upwards.
An inverted pentagram is a 5 pointed star with two points aligned upwards
An upright pentacle is generally defined as an upright pentagram surrounded by a circle. The circle represents protection, and the cycle of life.
Both the pentagram and pentacle have similar meanings. In the early days of Christianity, the pentagram and pentacle was worn and used as symbol of Christ. Here's an interesting fact. The inverted pentagram (which is used by Satanists today) was actually a symbol of the divine Christ descending to earth in the flesh.
Both symbols actually were around millenniums before Christianity. These are very old symbols.
The five points of the pentagram have been known to represent the five wounds of Christ. It is also a representation of humankind, the five points corresponding to the head, two arms and two legs.
Nowadays, most people in Wiccan and Pagan circles give the pentacle and pentagram very positive meanings. The pentacle's four lower points represent the elements of the world: earth, air, fire and water. The corner of the star pointing upward symbolizes divine Spirit.
Interesting fact: The pentagram was used by the Hebrews, and was sometimes called the seal of Solomon. More specifically, the pentagram was used as the seal of the City of Jerusalem. There have been fragments of jars dating back to the 4th century BC with a seal impression of a pentagram with the Hebrew letters YRSLM (Jerusalem).
Now I know a little more about pentacles, I can understand how synchronicity worked, by me having the desire to include these wonderful pieces of jewellery as part of our stock even though I knew very little about their history and symbolism.
So if someone asks if pentacles are evil, or of the devil, the answer is a resounding NO
Saturday, December 5, 2009
What is my purpose?
I wrote in my last blog about working with a life coach (who was completing the practice part of her training). We discussed my networking fears, how I never have a great answer when asked what does my store sell (it's usually something like this: "We sell...er...crystals...um...and books and ahh...silver jewellery....oh and and statuary, you know Buddhas") Not proud of myself on that. Speaking to my life coach about this issue made me really think what my store was about.
It's about it being an extension of me. I sell healing crystals because I believe they can be useful. Being a skeptic, I don't blindly accept that they can replace conventional medical or psychological care, but I have had enough experience and heard so many stories that I believe with all my heart that crystals have some ability to help us heal be it in little ways or in major ways. It is different for everyone, as we are all unique.
I sell self-help books because they have helped me, and continue to do so.
I sell Buddha's, singing bowls, prayer flags and so on because I have found solace in the Buddhist philosophy.
I sell fairies and fairy doors because it satisfies my whimsical side.
I'm not sure why I sell gargoyles, but I think it's because ancient art has always fascinated me.
Smudging items, native spirituality and the respect for mother earth is profoundly moving.
This is just a sampling of what I sell and why. What it boils down to, is that when I originally conceived this business, it was with the intention to give customers and wanderers different spiritual options without foisting any of my opinions on them. Everyone has the right to choose his/her own path. All paths have meaning to all people.
We all on some level want happiness, security, a meaningful life. Sometimes we have to search for the answer outside ourselves to get to the answer within ourselves. Books, meditation tapes, visual imagery such as statuary, sacred rituals, aromatherapy, conversation and whimsy.
These are the things Moonstone Path offers.
It's about it being an extension of me. I sell healing crystals because I believe they can be useful. Being a skeptic, I don't blindly accept that they can replace conventional medical or psychological care, but I have had enough experience and heard so many stories that I believe with all my heart that crystals have some ability to help us heal be it in little ways or in major ways. It is different for everyone, as we are all unique.
I sell self-help books because they have helped me, and continue to do so.
I sell Buddha's, singing bowls, prayer flags and so on because I have found solace in the Buddhist philosophy.
I sell fairies and fairy doors because it satisfies my whimsical side.
I'm not sure why I sell gargoyles, but I think it's because ancient art has always fascinated me.
Smudging items, native spirituality and the respect for mother earth is profoundly moving.
This is just a sampling of what I sell and why. What it boils down to, is that when I originally conceived this business, it was with the intention to give customers and wanderers different spiritual options without foisting any of my opinions on them. Everyone has the right to choose his/her own path. All paths have meaning to all people.
We all on some level want happiness, security, a meaningful life. Sometimes we have to search for the answer outside ourselves to get to the answer within ourselves. Books, meditation tapes, visual imagery such as statuary, sacred rituals, aromatherapy, conversation and whimsy.
These are the things Moonstone Path offers.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
One good deed deserves another
Recently I agreed to be a practice client for a friend of mine who is training to be a life coach. I didn't know her that well, but she seemed like a nice person, and she needed enough practice clients to do her course, so I said sure I'll help. To re-iterate: I was doing HER a favour.
First meeting went quite well, we became more acquainted, I found her easy to talk to, she set the direction of the meeting, and before I knew it, I was blurting out my insecurities, my doubts, my perceived weaknesses like she was my friend for years. This was not going as I anticipated.
Then at subsequent meetings, she gave me homework. HOMEWORK!!! Work that made me dig deeper into my feelings than I had ever done so in the past. Work that made me really evaluate why I behaved in certain ways that was not in my best interest. That's right UNCOMFORTABLE WORK.
At each meeting we dug a little deeper, and holy epiphany, I had some amazing insights.
One of the things that I consider a weakness, is that I hate going to business networking events. I'm shy and always feel uncomfortable. When I'm approached and asked what is it that I do, I freeze, my mind goes blank and I mutter something about selling stuff. So, my ruthless life coach in training's assignment to me was to come up with something that I could say that would clearly state exactly what it is that I do that I would be comfortable in saying.
You would think this assignment would be a piece of cake, wouldn't you. WRONG. Every time I tried to formulate a clear and smart answer to "What do you do?" I froze up and my mind went blank. I tried and tried, as the deadline loomed ever closer. Everything I came up with sounded stilted, awkward, just...not me.
At the eleventh hour I sat down and after much searching came up with something that at least described my business pretty good, though I wasn't completely happy with the wording. My coach, however was pleased with my effort (which made me feel pretty good) and we proceeded to discuss what it was I was really trying to say.
and BAM, everything cleared in my mind. The answer was so simple! And so true!
Could I have come to the present conclusion without a life coach (even one in training). Maybe. Maybe not. You see, without someone dedicated to helping you get to the blocks in your life, it is very easy to ignore the blocks (especially the ones that are the most troubling) because at the time it is easier to do so than to experience the discomfort of facing these blocks.
I was doing her a favour....naw... SHE is doing ME a favour.
First meeting went quite well, we became more acquainted, I found her easy to talk to, she set the direction of the meeting, and before I knew it, I was blurting out my insecurities, my doubts, my perceived weaknesses like she was my friend for years. This was not going as I anticipated.
Then at subsequent meetings, she gave me homework. HOMEWORK!!! Work that made me dig deeper into my feelings than I had ever done so in the past. Work that made me really evaluate why I behaved in certain ways that was not in my best interest. That's right UNCOMFORTABLE WORK.
At each meeting we dug a little deeper, and holy epiphany, I had some amazing insights.
One of the things that I consider a weakness, is that I hate going to business networking events. I'm shy and always feel uncomfortable. When I'm approached and asked what is it that I do, I freeze, my mind goes blank and I mutter something about selling stuff. So, my ruthless life coach in training's assignment to me was to come up with something that I could say that would clearly state exactly what it is that I do that I would be comfortable in saying.
You would think this assignment would be a piece of cake, wouldn't you. WRONG. Every time I tried to formulate a clear and smart answer to "What do you do?" I froze up and my mind went blank. I tried and tried, as the deadline loomed ever closer. Everything I came up with sounded stilted, awkward, just...not me.
At the eleventh hour I sat down and after much searching came up with something that at least described my business pretty good, though I wasn't completely happy with the wording. My coach, however was pleased with my effort (which made me feel pretty good) and we proceeded to discuss what it was I was really trying to say.
and BAM, everything cleared in my mind. The answer was so simple! And so true!
Could I have come to the present conclusion without a life coach (even one in training). Maybe. Maybe not. You see, without someone dedicated to helping you get to the blocks in your life, it is very easy to ignore the blocks (especially the ones that are the most troubling) because at the time it is easier to do so than to experience the discomfort of facing these blocks.
I was doing her a favour....naw... SHE is doing ME a favour.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Does repeatedly hitting your husband with his computer keyboard qualify as assault causing bodily harm with the intent to injure or maim, or can it be classed simply as mental self-defence? Or a form of anger management - or tough love? That's what happens when the love-of-your-life asks you for the third time how to "poke" someone on facebook.
I have to keep reminding myself, that hubby is new to facebook, and I have much to teach him. After explaining to him the ridiculously simple steps, he proceeded to ask me again...and...again. I rest my case. After all, when I asked my daughter, Laura, who happened to be messaging me on my Facebook, how to poke she only had to tell me once. Anyhoo, Derek is now happily "poking" everyone.
I consider Facebook's social networking application to be a great way to keep in touch with my children who happen to live out of town, or in the case of my youngest, across town. I don't get to see them as much since they have grown up and moved away to begin their own lives. Facebook keeps me in daily touch with what's happening in their lives. I get to see the friendly banter between them, relishing their warped but screamingly funny sense of humour. I communicated with my son when he was in China, and marvelled at the ease of conversing across such a distance.
Nothing beats actually hangin' out with family and friends, but when that's not possible, facebook fills a need. I have seen my youngest chuckling while she is writing something (probably insulting but very funny) to her brother or sister. I have seen jokes go on an on regarding a seemingly innocuous topic as each sister tries to out-do the other.
Ahhhhh, hubby has just poked me...AGAIN...time to poke him back and I don't mean with facebook.
I have to keep reminding myself, that hubby is new to facebook, and I have much to teach him. After explaining to him the ridiculously simple steps, he proceeded to ask me again...and...again. I rest my case. After all, when I asked my daughter, Laura, who happened to be messaging me on my Facebook, how to poke she only had to tell me once. Anyhoo, Derek is now happily "poking" everyone.
I consider Facebook's social networking application to be a great way to keep in touch with my children who happen to live out of town, or in the case of my youngest, across town. I don't get to see them as much since they have grown up and moved away to begin their own lives. Facebook keeps me in daily touch with what's happening in their lives. I get to see the friendly banter between them, relishing their warped but screamingly funny sense of humour. I communicated with my son when he was in China, and marvelled at the ease of conversing across such a distance.
Nothing beats actually hangin' out with family and friends, but when that's not possible, facebook fills a need. I have seen my youngest chuckling while she is writing something (probably insulting but very funny) to her brother or sister. I have seen jokes go on an on regarding a seemingly innocuous topic as each sister tries to out-do the other.
Ahhhhh, hubby has just poked me...AGAIN...time to poke him back and I don't mean with facebook.
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