Affirmation of the Day

I have unlimited potential

Just A Thought

Affirmation of the Day

Breathe

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1.I Skyped another art session with my friend. Distance and weather sometimes makes it difficult for us to get together. Skyping is the next best thing. We can talk, work, share all from the comfort of our own home.

2. Attended the first incubator workshop. A fun day. Met some new people and worked with new methods of learning. A fun day was had by all.

3. I saw a pair of cardinals. Haven't seen them since.

4. The big storm we were supposed to get went South of us. We didn't even get a snowflake. No complaints. I'm tired of all the snow.

5. A perfectly good day turned pear, but I saw a rainbow towards evening.Perhaps a message from the Universe that everything will work out. Or maybe it was just ice crystals reflecting the sun light.

How was your week?

Affirmation of the Day

Every day you wake up is a beautiful day - John Wayne

Affirmation of the Day

Make Time for Yourself

The Cardinals

Last week, I saw a male and a female cardinal in the honeysuckle vine outside my kitchen window. The male went further into the depths of the vine and stayed there for a few minutes looking into the sun room. The pair then flew away.

I was happy to see the flash of color, a welcome sight from all the white snow and grey leafless branches. And I didn't give the bird sighting another thought until Sunday. I saw a Facebook post about the meaning of cardinals. "A cardinal is a representative of a loved on who had passed away. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. They usually show up when you most need them or miss them. They also make an appearance during times of celebration as well as despair to let you know the will always be with you."

My parents both passed away last year. Dad in August at the age of 94 and Ma in November at the age of 95. When Dad wasn't able to drive, we hosted the family gatherings in the sun room if the weather was nice. Dad's birthday is coming up on 17. March. I think the Ma and Dad cardinals were checking to see if preparations were being made for Dad's birthday celebration.

Affirmation of the Day

Wabi Sabi: Nothing is Perfect. Nothing is Permanent. Nothing is Complete

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. I got my ears lowered.

2. Went out to lunch with my friend, Teague.

3. And Teague surprised me with a Willow Tree Angel, "with affection."

4. Did a good deed and took my elderly neighbor, Prissy to the bank.

5. Finished the commission I was working on before the client deadline

Fire

The representation for fire in my meditation corner is a candle. (Very original! (-; ) Since I have a cat who loves to push items off tables, a candle isn't safe or practical. Several years ago, I found some tea lights at Michael's that use watch batteries and have a flickering bulb. All the ambiance of a candle without the worry of an open flame.

I re-purposed the wine glass I used to use when I lived at home with my parents. It's cut glass crystal and has a blue rim. The stem of the glass broke and even though it's been glued, it can't be used to drink from. The glue melted when the glass was washed. Wabi Sabi. The glass makes a perfect candle holder. While meditating or praying, I like to place the "lit" tea candle under the glass. I like the way the light flickers through the cut glass and at the reflection in the blue vase.

Qi Qong

Taken at Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA

Beef combines Reiki and Qi Qong for stress relief. Qi Qong focuses on developing inner strength or Chi which is universal life force. The exercises have minimal movement. In nature, trees appear to stand still but their energy is focused on growth.

I can't always remember the Qi Qong exercises Beef showed me, but I found a site that has a 10 day program with easy to follow video. For free! http://developyourenergy.net/zhang-zhuang-chi-kung/chi-kung-the-energy-exercise/

I've been trying to make the Qi Qong exercises part of my Reiki meditation routine.

Air

My nephew gave me a few Willow Tree angels. This one with her sunflower represents my favorite season, Summer. Her sunflower looks like the sun radiating energy, too. On the meditation tray, she represents Air.

The Hands

The 21 stones Master Beef gave me, reside in a candy dish shaped like a pair of hands. As a child, I really loved this knick knack of my mother's and I hoped one day it would be mine. But somewhere along the 70 years my parents were married, the dish broke. I found the pieces in an upstairs room. I glued the pieces together as best I could. One of the fingers is missing. No matter. Wabi Sabi. The dish is still useful, still beautiful to me, and serves as a reminder how central hands are to Reiki.

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Did some heavy shoveling of snow and as expected, was quite sore the day after. Took some Reiki time for me, and was amazed I had no pain. For real or all in my head? No matter, it worked and I was pain free.

2. Had a three hour breakfast with friends. Our girlies went to elementary school together, and we haven't seen each other since the girls graduated high school. Lots to catch up on.

3. A client was pleased with the rough I sent. Got the go ahead to work on her commission. Always good to have work you love to do.

4. Had an art session with a friend over Skype. We hope to do it again next week.

5. Skyped with The Young One who is on an internship in CA this quarter. She was having a trying week with members of her team. I think she felt better after venting to me. I'm thankful she confides in me.

How was your week?

Wabi Sabi

I came across the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi, while reading a karate discussion group link over Himself's shoulder. (Himself is a 4th degree black belt)

The principles of Wabi Sabi are: nothing is permanent, nothing is perfect, and nothing is complete. While the karate people were discussing this concept  in terms of perfecting their forms, I found it related to my art. So many times facing a sheet of white paper was daunting. What would happen if I made a mark, but it was a mistake, and I wrecked the paper?

Wabi Sabi was a breath of fresh air. It removed the fear and worry, and replaced it with freedom. As I practiced my art, I would continue to grow. I could aspire to perfection, but never worry I never would achieve it. That was okay.

To every thing, there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3, KJV

Earth

When I completed my Reiki levels, Master Beef gifted the class with items that would mark our passage through the levels. After Reiki I, I received a bag of 21 small stones. These were to represent the 21 days that Dr. Usui spent during his time of enlightenment. At Reiki II we were allowed to choose a quartz crystal and at Reiki Master, we were given a metal hand with a heart cut out. The stones, crystal, and metal hand are not only reminders of my Reiki journey, but are gifts from the earth.

Water

With the hope chest in place, I could gather some items I liked and put them on top of the hope chest. But what if I needed to get into the hope chest. My mother stored curtains and linens in her hope chest. As of yet, I haven't been able to bring myself to go through and get rid of the items I don't need or want.

If I had a tray, I could place my items on it. If I needed to open the hope chest, I would just have to remove the tray and not disturb all the items. I had found a half dozen or so silver trays in my parents' house. My mother loved all sorts of knick knacks. I found an octagonal tray and liked the unusual shape. As I polished it, I could see a beautiful shell pattern engraved  in it.

I thought I would gather items that would revolve around the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. The tray had the shell pattern and now that it was polished it had a reflective surface like water.

Meditation Corner

I thought it would be helpful to have a dedicated place to meditate/pray. Maybe I would be more mindful to meditate every day.

I wanted light and airy so that meant in front of a window. I had also seen from Pagan friends they had an altar with items they changed seasonally. I liked that idea, too. Only I didn't view it so much as an altar, but as a focal point.

I had recently inherited my mother's hope chest. I thought I'd put that under the window and place favorite items on it. I moved the furniture around and the hope chest didn't end up under the window as I thought. When you live in a dollhouse, there's not much space to be had. No worries. I liked the arrangement and had the start of my meditation corner.

Affirmation of the Day

I Make A Difference

Just a small reminder that we all make a contribution

Affirmation of the Day

I'm Wicked Smart

A small reminder to value our own talents

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week:

1. I was able to observe a Reiki 2 class and attunement. Very helpful to me as a new Reiki Master.

2. New books arrived from Amazon.

3. As Chip would say, Ten degrees down bubble.

4. Perhaps have some new work on the drawing board. Waiting for confirmation.

5. Valentine's Day. Any excuse to eat chocolate.

How was your week?

Affirmation of the Day

It''s All About The Journey, Not The Destination

The Ocean

I find the ocean to be a soothing place. The rhythm of the waves, the sound, the play of light on the water, all are calming to mind and spirit. You can feel the tension leave with the tide.

With snow on the ground and more predicted for Thursday, this 30 second video shot at Old Orchard Beach, Maine will have to do.

Does being at the ocean lift your spirits?

Affirmation of the Day

Listen

The Animal Whisperer

This video is amazing!

The Friday Five Good Things

For the New Year, a friend of mine decided to start a Good Things jar. Every day, she would write down something good that happened so she could keep a positive outlook. It didn't matter if was a big thing or a little thing. I liked the idea, but I'm keeping a journal. Here are five good things that happened this week.

1. I picked up the dining room chair from The Antique Doctor (he also does furniture repair and the furniture doesn't have to be antique.) You can't even tell the arm was repaired.

2. I got my idea for The Graceful Envelope Contest. Hopefully, I can get the envelope done before the 24. March deadline.

3. Sunday, the washer leaked. Sears came out on Tuesday and fixed it. And I didn't have to go to the laundromat to do the laundry.

4. The college where Himself and The Eldest work closed because of the storm on Wednesday. We had another snow day with everyone home safe and sound. Too bad, The Young One had to miss the snow day. She's still out in California working on her MQP.

5. On her day off, The Eldest asked me if I wanted to watch TV with her. Twenty-somethings don't always want to hang out with the old lady. It was nice to be asked.

How was your week? And if you have a Reiki/spiritual blog, send me your link and I"ll be happy to put your blog on a blog roll.

Affirmation of the Day

I can forgive and can let go

Affirmation of the Day

I only control myself