It’s that time of year again–Andy Williams singing, strange blow-up Santa’s on people’s lawns and I’m selling “Shiny Green Shoes” in the Christmas story anthology, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
The story centers on a black child of the Depression and her unlikely friendship with an aging white actress. Where did the story come from? I’ve rarely told the origin of the idea because people might think I am a little crazy (like that’s something new.) I’ve used the audio version as Christmas card in the past. A friend’s husband (fine Christian fellow) once asked me where the story came from and I told him the truth. I never got invited to their home again.
But, maybe times are changing. I recently received my Reiki Master Certificate from the local community college. Hospitals are offering Reiki treatments. People are now calling me for Reiki treatments. When Bette Lee Crosby invited me to guest blog at her site today and talk about HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS, I decided to reveal the Reiki connection to the story’s inspiration.
The mare looked pretty good until the wise horse trader opened her mouth. She was declared “Too long in the tooth.” No sale.
People, like horses, can get “long in the tooth”–gums recede, teeth loosen, and ultimately fall out. Want to avoid such a fate? Here are a few suggestions to add to your dental hygiene that just may save you a bundle of money, pain, and–your teeth!
BRUSH AND FLOSS— Hopefully you’re already doing those everyday. Commercial toothpastes have improved dental health over the decades. While there is controversy about fluoride, most of us are taking our chances and seemingly tolerating any toxicity in our favorite squeeze. Flossing is essential for getting in between the teeth where food particles gather and decay. But, that is simply a good start!
TEA TREE OIL CHEWING STICKS— Triple action Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Toothpicks deliver therapeutic grade Melaleuca alternifolia oil between teeth and at the gum line, help remove debris and plaque in places where brushes can’t reach and leaves breath fresh and clean. Uniquely designed from renewable, fast-growing birchwood trees, each toothpick is infused with a powerful array of natural plant extracts, including peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, fennel and menthol. Infused with a powerful array of natural plant extracts, including peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, fennel and menthol. Trace your gum line with these toothpicks after brushing and you’ll be amazed at the plaque still to be removed. The tea tree oil kills bacteria at the gum line. If you’ve had a history of bleeding gums, you should definitely add this step to your dental cleaning routine. Freshens breath also! Available in health food stores and on-line.
BAKING SODA —Want to make your mouth feel squeaky clean? Brush with basic baking soda occasionally. The natural oxidizing agents in baking soda whitens stains. Not recommended on a daily basis, due to the abrasive nature it may have on enamel, but a couple times a week is fine to add a nice polish to your smile.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE— At a cost of about $2 a bottle, hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive whitening and disinfecting agent. Use as a mouthwash a few times a week to cleanse the mouth. It doesn’t have much taste and fizzes!
Don’t become like an old nag who is long in the tooth!
As time goes by, maintaining healthy gums are the keys to retaining teeth into a ripe old age. Adding a few minutes of additional care for your gums can lead to a life of pleasureable eating and dazzling smiles.
The post I ran last August on Akashic Records is one of my most-viewed articles. Several people I know have made appointments with Helen at Ripples of Light for Records Consultations. Here is a revised version for your information:
What are Akashic Records? Metaphysical literature is rich with references to the records. I’ve seen them called a Heavenly Library— a center where all the history of the universe is contained. Lately, analogies to the Internet have been appearing. Some believe the Biblical Book of Life is actually the Akashic Records. Everyone has a separate record that contains their individual history of all their past lives, relationships, life contracts, and between life events. You name it, it’s in the Records.
I realize this represents a tremendous paradigm shift for Westerners who still believe this is the one go-around on the earth plane. After that, it’s heaven or hell for eternity. If you firmly stand in that camp, then the Akashic Records are the stuff of fantasy. If you can entertain a different point of the view—read on.
Is an Akashic Record reading like a Psychic Reading? Yes and no.
Akashic Record readers certainly must have psychic abilities. It is the source of their information that should be clearer than the psychic on the corner. The AR Reader knows how to go to the guardians and guides of the records and communicate with those entities. It’s akin to going to the National Library and seeking the assistance of the Head Librarian.
What’s the value of an Akashic Record Reading?
Picture going to counselors who know everything about you before you ever enter their office. When I say everything—I mean everything. Not that they will tell you everything; being wise they edit their comments. But they have access to information that can shed light on puzzling life situations.
For instance, perhaps there is a troubling relationship—somebody who holds unexplained animosity and causes continual turmoil. An Askashic Record reading might reveal a past life where you transgressed and hurt that person. You might gain a broader understanding of what is happening between the two of you and figure out a way to heal the relationship now that you know you are not merely an innocent victim of unfair treatment.
In another situation you may have a sudden feeling of recognizing a total stranger, an odd attachment out of the blue. A Reading could reveal that person was in your family circle. There is the concept of Soul Families, where people often incarnate repeatedly, playing different roles in each other’s lives. Discovering someone has been a spouse, child, or sibling can explain a lot. Record Readings can also shed light on habits, ruts, and destructive patterns. When you feel the need for a soul check-up, an Akashic Record Reading can be an enlightening experience.
How to prepare for an Akashic Record Reading: It’s best to prepare a list of questions. Go through the various areas of your life–relationships, finances, personality quirks, health, career, and talents. Here’s a few ideas
What is my life purpose?
What lessons am I here to learn?
Why am I dealing with this particular life issue?
Why do I have conflict with this person?
What am I suppose to learn from this relationship?
Why do I have this fear?
Is there an area that I haven’t considered that I can gain helpful knowledge about?
Who offers Akashic Record Readings? Learning to read the Records requires training. There are actually established associations to certify intuitives as official Akashic Record Readers. Obviously, it requires a certain psychic talent that is refined in the training process. You can find more information on the web with an Akashic Record search and see the various places that offer training and certification.
Like selecting any professional from a plumber to a doctor, due diligence is recommended before engaging a Records Reader and investing in a session. I highly recommend Helen at Ripples of Light. She sets up appointments by phone and Zoom at a reasonable price. You will enjoy her gentle spirit, insights. and lilting British accent.
Candess Campbell, Ph.D., asked me to preview her book on energy medicine a few months ago. I was very impressed with the broad range of subjects the book covers. Dr. Campbell is part of the growing vanguard of physicians creating a new paradigm of treatment. Her book is now released for the general public. If you’re serious about taking charge of your health, 12 Weeks to Self-Healing Transforming Pain through Energy Medicine is an excellent place to start.
“If you’re tired of feeling sick and powerless, grab a copy of 12 Weeks to Self-Healing: Transforming Pain through Energy Medicine by Candess Campbell, Ph.D. This book offers a comprehensive explanation of the mind-body connection and presents practical ways to break old habits that lead to illness. As an energy worker, Campbell understands the dimensions beyond accepted Western thinking, and yet is well-versed in the advances of modern medicine. This is a book that will help people transform their lives.” Dana Taylor, Reiki Master and author of Ever-Flowing Streams: Tapping into Healing Energy
In my novel, Portsmouth A Love Story, I wrote a scene where the main character, Severine Champagne asks God why she isn’t with the husband she longed for all her life. It’s a question many women and men have asked themselves if they’ve reached their 40’s and the right partner is not a part of their life yet. As she walks on the beach, she hears the wordsForgive the Past. She thought she had forgiven and released the past. The reality was she wasn’t with a loving partner, something she truly wanted, which meant her desire was blocked. But why? Fears or old wounds still lingered in her soul. I think that’s true of many things in our life that seem blocked. A Course in Miracles says that any time there is dis-ease there is an unforgiveness. Pain about not being with a partner or the right partner is evidence that there is dis-ease and a need to uncover an unforgiveness.
I have mentioned many times in my blog posts that I love to walk on Wallis Sands Beach in Rye, New Hampshire. I’m blessed to live near the seacoast. I try to walk every day. At the end of Wallis Sands, there’s a flowing body of water called Stinky Creek which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. I don’t know this for a fact but I was told it got its Stinky name, because there’s an old ship wreck under the creek which doesn’t allow for proper drainage and circulation of the water flowing down from the mountains of New Hampshire. Many days, the water pools and there’s a very noticeable odor emanating from Creek.
As I approach Stinky Creek during my daily walk, I pick up a rock or two on the beach. I say to myself, I forgive and release…(whomever is rubbing me the wrong way that day) to God, and throw the rock into the creek. A Course in Miracles says that all it takes is a Little Willingness to forgive. By taking something I possess–a rock containing the negative energy of my unforgiveness, with intention, I toss my stinky unforgiveness into Stinky Creek…and it’s released. As many spiritual teachers will tell you, releasing an unforgiveness is more for the person doing the forgiving than it is for the person forgiven. Some days, you have to forgive yourself, and that’s Ok. If you don’t have an ocean nearby, you go to a park and throw a penny into a fountain and release your unforgiveness.Whatever works for you.
She hadn’t spoken to her mother for many years. As a young woman, she had made several attempts to draw a line in the sand as to the level of negative energy she would take from her before she would finally leave the relationship. After many attempts, she had to admit that the woman was completely unconscious. To stay and continue interacting with her would be submitting herself to an emotionally dangerous environment. Her mother knew her weak points and most of all, how to extract guilt.
What she had learned after studying about spirituality was that manipulation and control is not love. There was no obligation to stay in a family that was harmful to her spirit.
Severine thought she had successfully let go of her toxic past but now it was coming back to haunt her. She was told there was still a lingering unforgiveness blocking her path.
I have no interest in opening that old can of worms again. I can’t see how that would do any good. I can’t change her. I just need to INTEND to forgive her. Not that I believe my mother was right about anything. That’s for sure. I’m doing it for ME…and my future.
At sunset, to mark the occasion, she returned to Wallis Sands and headed over to the point where Stinky Creek emptied into the Atlantic. She took a rock from the beach and said out loud, I forgive and release my mother to God.
In a split second, she decided to pick up another rock. She threw the rock into the water and watched it sink to the bottom and said, I forgive and release Peter Nicholas to God.
With sincere intention to surrender all past anger and any lurking unforgiveness, the rooms of her Spirit were swept clean. She was now ready to embrace a new family, whoever that might be.
Many people buy a juicer with good intentions and then relegate to a dark cabinet to gather dust. I admit to often being one of those people. A couple of months ago, after a summer of vacationing and eating over-cooked, lifeless food my system was feeling the abuse. A mysterious and persistent stitch grabbed my side. The afternoon bloat seemed to be getting worse.
Time to dust off the juicer.
I went on a two-day juice fast, running a variety of red, green, and yellow foods through the machine. Watermelon was in season and made a great juice base. Almost anything is palatable mixed with sweet watermelon juice. I ventured to the local Saturday morning Farmer’s Market and came back laden with sprouts, beets, Swiss chard, tomatoes, and juicy melon.
Juicing has once again become part of my weekly routine. Best of Juicing sites these benefits from juicing:
Increased absorption of nutrients–no chewing required
Beneficial Enzyme intake–these little soldiers do so much work of the body, especially digesting food
Antioxidants–grab those nasty free radicals that age you
Enhance the immune system–stay strong, baby
Enhance metabolic rate–burn, calories, burn
After the first week I ran into a friend at church I hadn’t seen in a while. She said, “You’re glowing! Are you in love?”
I laughed, thinking an outbreak of acne probably heralded the last time I’d fallen in love. “I’ve been juicing.”
My skin, hair, and overall health has improved these last few weeks. The stitch in my side disappeared. My digestive tract has cleansed. My energy level has improved.
People object to juicingmainly because it is admittedly messy. The cleanup takes a few minutes. We’re used to drinking juice out of a carton–no muss, no fuss. Develop a different mindset. Think of it as cooking, without the heat.
You chop, you juice, you clean up. Get a stiff brush to speed up the process of getting small particles out of the mesh of the juicer. From beginning to end the process takes half an hour or less. You’re worth it!
The story centers on a black child of the Depression and her unlikely friendship with an aging white actress. Where did the story come from? I’ve rarely told the origin of the idea because people might think I am a little crazy (like that’s something new.) I’ve used the audio version as Christmas card in the past. A friend’s husband (fine Christian fellow) once asked me where the story came from and I told him the truth. I never got invited to their home again.
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