A Book Review

Have you ever picked up a book, opened to a page and found the answer to a question that you had asked, probably silently, just a little while ago?  Scott Blum’s new book, Summer’s Path is like that – a guide to life’s questions on living, dying, reincarnation and healing lifetimes – all in 209 fast reading pages.

Some of you may have read Scott’s first book, Waiting for Autumn about Robert, a seemingly homeless man on a mission and Don, his black Lab puppy who meet up with Scott (no coincidence with the name) who is on a journey to heal.  This is the prequel to Autumn.  This is the tale of how Robert and Don meet, Don’s death, both of their walk-in experiences and their quest to heal the lives, past lives and bodies.

As a reviewer, I am challenged to condense this book down to 149 character sound byte.  There is too much love and life in this book to simplify it

It is a primer for those just beginning to seek their path and those seeking to remember it when faced with a hectic, fast-pasted existence.  Summer’s Path answers questions on topics not easily googled; and certainly not with the love and attention that Scott puts into explaining non-threateningly concepts like walk-ins and why they are here and how walking-in differs from reincarnation; how to help people to cross to the next life and how to heal life time patterns of guilt and abandonment.

I particularly like Scott’s placement of centering exercises right before his characters had to dealing with healing lifetimes of karmic issues.  From a teaching perspective, and I will be using this book as a personal growth primer, it’s a great reminder that healing is not just about experiencing past memories.  It is also about preparing the body at all levels for the change and growth that’s about to commence.  As healers and teachers we sometimes forget this critical step.  So Scott’s placement of the centering section before the healing section was so stellar.

Would I recommend this book?  Even before I finished the book, I loaned it to a friend who was seeking answers.  Because I trusted Scott’s information, I gave her the book and; on reading it, she found peace of mind.

If you are looking for answers, Summer’s Path will guide.  And remember, Waiting for Autumn is another great read.

 by Tisha Morris
 
In the documentary film, The Story of Stuff, Annie Leonard examines our national obsession with stuff and how it all began.  She attributes our consumption addiction to the post-World War III economic policies that propagandized the notion of buying stuff.  Our insatiable appetites haven’t been able to stop since.  That is, until now.
With the decline of the economy – whether directly affected or not – we have all started to take pause before making a purchase.  More importantly, we are beginning to take inventory of the stuff that we do have.  Even more so, we are beginning to feel taken over by all the stuff that we have accumulated over the decades, which is why so many of us are having the urge to purge or declutter our homes.
But is it as easy as making some runs to Goodwill?
Of course not.
Why?
We have become addicted, or emotionally attached, to our stuff. 
Buying and accumulating stuff is just another way to distract ourselves from our present lives.  Like cigarettes or alcohol, it is a quick fix to feeling good.  But when the high wears off, we are left with an icky feeling.  But we need the icky feeling so that we can punish ourselves and perpetuate our guilt.  And then we need the high again so that we don’t feel the pain, and the circle continues. 
Is this an overreaction to buying a new toaster?  Maybe.  But consumption can be an addiction (or at the least an emotional attachment) that, unlike cigarettes and alcohol, is hard to recognize because it is so affirmed by our friends, family, media, and government. 
So how do we detach from our stuff?
Knowledge is power.  Knowing what and why we are attached to our stuff or certain items will oftentimes break the emotional attachment with our stuff.  For some of us, having a lot of stuff is simply a distraction from our everyday life.  A cluttered space results in a cluttered mind, which is exactly what some of us want, at least subconsciously.  In the same way alcohol makes things fuzzy, having a lot of things in your space will do the same.  And on some level, that is the desired outcome.  If this resonates with you, then bring awareness to it.  (If you are highly resistant to this idea, then you might want to take a second look.) 
For many of us, it is certain items that are difficult to part with.  It may be books and magazines for some or old pictures, clothes, gifts, collections, etc. for others.  Either way, if you don’t love the item(s) or don’t use it, then it is time to part with it.  If you are still having resistance, then it’s time to acknowledge an emotional attachment to the item….
Start asking yourself questions.
What am I feeling right now?
What memories does this item bring up?
Who gave it to me?
Why did I originally buy it?
Who does it remind me of?
Do I feel guilty getting rid of this item?  If so, why? 
Why?
Why?
And Why?
Be your own detective… or therapist.  Get to the root of why you are hanging on to an item that you know would be in your best interest to get rid of.  You may be surprised.  What you thought was just an old hairbrush may actually be a reservoir of past emotions that you and your sister shared when she helped you get ready for prom.  Or maybe the green gingham shirt with the price tag on it conjures up guilt for buying things that are on sale and never wearing them.  Until acknowledged, the shirt will hang in your closet serving only to attract the pattern for more guilt.
Once you have awareness around an item, you will be amazed at how easy it will be to let go of it.  If you have the awareness but still don’t want to get rid of the item, then it may simply be too early.  See how you feel the next round of decluttering. 
To start the process of decluttering, I recommend working in baby steps with attainable goals as I set out in 5 Steps to Clearing Clutter.   You will build up the confidence that will keep you going through the long haul.  Once you realize that life will go on with fewer items, you will not only want to clear out more stuff, but will start to feel free.
And when you feel this sense of freedom you know you have mastered the art of detaching from your stuff.

Title: 27 Things To Feng Shui Your Home
Author: Tisha Morris
Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 978-1-59652-567-2
Price: $9.99
184 pages
Self-help genre
Purchase on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1596525673/?tag=writeoncreati-20

 
Back cover:
 
“If you want to change your life, move 27 things in your home.” This ancient Chinese proverb speaks of the powerful connection our homes have with our lives. In 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home, Tisha Morris shows in creative, basic steps how to use the art of feng shui to create an inviting, personal atmosphere in your home that will renovate your life.
 
Discover how to:
•         Manageably clear clutter to optimize space
•         Use lighting, color, and simple objects to create good energy flow
•         Space clear to promote good health
•         Integrate the five elements into your home to create harmony

By Joy Heartsong
Are you a winner? Some of us have never won any event or competition. Most of us are not Olympic champions. However, we can all adopt a winning spirit.
 
So what is a winning spirit? Consider for a moment what makes one person a winner in life and another one not. You may feel it’s related to how many “gold” or “silver” medals one wins. You may think it’s related to good health, wealth, supportive relationships, loving families or perfect opportunities. Maybe you equate it to talents, abilities, skills or “intelligence.”
 
When I think of “winning spirit”, I think of positive attitudes, courage and an unwavering belief in possibilities. I also think of Scott Hamilton, a former Olympic gold medalist in figure skating. Some of you may remember Scott. Between 1980-1984, he won fifteen consecutive championships. He even had a series of specials on television during prime time and was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
 
But did you know that Scott also has had a series of challenges in his life? At age two, Scott became ill and stopped growing. It took years before doctors were able to correctly diagnose the rare illness that was paralyzing his intestinal tract and restricting his breathing. With diet and exercise, Scott began regaining strength and growing. He was told once he was too small to compete internationally.
 
Scott was dismissed from the Ice Capades because he was a male, so he created his own professional ice skating show. He was diagnosed with cancer. His response was “I feel 100% confident that I can overcome this disease and be back on the ice in a few months. He had chemo and surgery and was back on the ice in months performing well. Then the brain tumor appeared. Once again Scott met the challenge and came out on top.
 
Scott’s message: It’s important to meet a challenge, embrace life, move forward and know you can get back to your better self even after a life-threatening illness and treatment. Scott is a small man with a truly big heart and a winning spirit.
 
So what’s your story? Are you stuck in blaming, negativity or self-pity; or are you determined to feel better, do what makes you happier and meet your life challenges with courage and a positive “can do” attitude? You don’t always get to choose your life circumstances, but you do get to choose how you think and feel about them and how you respond to them.
 
It’s up to you. Are you ready to be the winner that you were born to be? We can all cultivate that winning spirit. We all make choices that either strengthen it or weaken it. Increase your awareness of what you do and think that makes you feel better and what makes you feel worse. Believe in yourself and your ability to know what makes you feel like a winner. Practice thinking happier thoughts and doing what brings you joy; and I’ll see you in the Winner’s Circle.
 
You are a winner!

This article was first published in the March Tiger Talk and is reprinted with Joy’s permission.
Joy is a Healing Touch Certified Practitioner and intuitive. In her private practice, she specialiizes in relieving your pain, stress and allergies. She is passionate about helping you claim your true power by connecting with the wisdom of the Tiger within. Her message is that we all have the power to heal that comes from a higher source manifesting through each of us. Her writing includes stories, insights, and techniques from successes with her clients and her own healing journey.

This column is in honor of Erma Bombeck.  Erma was the first person to explain to me the subtle differences between men and women.  Growing up in the 60s and 70s, my concept of men was based on television dads like the kindly Hugh Beaumont (the Beaver’s dad), then like the unflappable Fred MacMurray in My Three Sons and finally like the opinionated Archie Bunker in All in the Family.  Those were my motley role models.

Add to it that my generation was being told “Men were from Mars, the Warrior Planet; and women, Venus, the world of love and romance.   No wonder, I was confused.

And then I discovered Erma Bombeck in the morning newspaper.  She was equally confused about the changing gender roles.  Sometimes, she was mystified about the how June Cleaver (the Beaver’s mom) found time to cleaned her house in white gloves and pearls -  while Erma hid things, so not to have to dust and sweep.  She wasn’t a gloves and pearls kind of lady nor a bra burning woman – uncomfortable in both worlds, striving to create her own – one that she fit in, one that made sense.

She used her column to work out some of the inconsistencies in life, especially the communication conflicts between men and women.  She tried to explain the subtle differences between the sexes, while making it ok for men to be warriors and women, lovers.  Even if I didn’t always understand the differences, she made me laugh.  Erma gave me hope that when I was her age (and as a teen, that seemed impossible) I would understand that there are differences between the sexes and I would laugh about them too.

One of my favorite columns talked about how couples get ready for bed.  In honor of Erma, I’ve up-dated the couples nightly ritual.

My husband rubbed his chin, looked at the cat sleeping peacefully under on his lap, under his lap top and said, “I think it’s time to go to bed.” to whomever was listening.

Agreeing, I started closing down programs on my computer, sending off last minute emails, checking the family’s schedule for tomorrow – our collegiate’s, our high schooler’s, our married daughter (quick check of her blog will tell me where she’ll be tomorrow), my husband (remember to remind about a hair cut) and mine (3 meetings – will need to get up early to prep).

Then it’s a quick trip to the laundry room to either put a load into the dryer or hang up a load to dry.  Before going upstairs, I pick up dirty dishes, clean clothes/towels and anything else that needs to go up.  After climbing the stairs, I put the dishes in the sink, clothes in the upstairs basket and towels in the linen closet.  Then, back to the kitchen to turn on the tea kettle, feed the puppies a quick snack and put them out.  While waiting on them, I remind our teen that it is time to turn off her computer and go to sleep.  I turn off extra lights, the dogs’ music and let the pets in, locking the door and, making sure they have fresh water.  The tea kettle boils just as I tuck the puppy into her kennel.  I make a quick hot drink for my husband and me and carry it downstairs.

After handing the cup to my husband, I feed and water the cats.  On finishing our drinks, I collect the mugs and put them out of the kitties reach.   I, then, turn the bed covers down and start getting ready for bed.

My husband slowly lifts the cat off his lap, puts his laptop aside, rubbing his chin again, he say, “I guess it’s time to go to bed” and I agree.

( Editor’s notes) This is a great self esteem building article. It teaches with practical advice how to be a better you, a more focused you. Rachel is a great teacher who has only the best and highest intention for teaching women to be great women.
by Rachael Jayne Groover
There are women who are noticed by many every time they walk into a room. They have an air of authenticity and confidence about them that is attractive. Others who frequently comment, “No one remembers I was even there.” One has ‘presence’. One does not.
Strong personal presence is cultivated by a combination of many things. It is not a simple formula. In my opinion, the three biggest factors are:
1. Being present in the moment
2. Being present in your body
3. Being present in your feminine essence
When a woman is present in the moment, she does not dwell on the last time she was judged by someone else. Nor is she consumed with thoughts about what others will think of her. She is not overcome with ambition and more concerned with what she can get from the interaction. She simply walks into the room and she is there. Energetically she says, “I want to show up fully and authentically, with no agenda that takes precedence over being present and alert.”
What takes you out of the present moment when you walk into a room? Is it fear of what others will think? Is it incessant thinking about what you have to do later in the day? Do you feel being there is a waste of your time?
The passageway out of these distractions and into the present moment is witnessing your thoughts and emotions. Sometimes I catch myself not being present with someone because I am consumed with a thought. In those moments I take a step back in my mind to first witness the thought, and then let it slide right past. When I witness my mind I’m not fooled into believing I am the mind. I then come back to putting my attention on that person and the energy between us.
When I connect to my center of gravity, which is what I call my ‘energetic power center’, I instantly feel present and strong. This point is what many yogis and martial artists call ‘dantien’, and is found approximately two inches below and behind the navel. This is the first place I go to when I want to be present in my body. When a woman is “in her body,” she is grounded to the earth and not floating away with thoughts about tomorrow. She feels the physical and energetic sensations pulsing through her. There is ‘aliveness’ to her that others pick up on. Actors and dancers often have a lot of personal presence, as they understand the importance of having a strong sense of physicality. When a woman is connected to her body, she has better posture and moves more fluidly. This increases presence. Feeling your body is a great anchor if you ever have trouble being present in a situation. Put your attention on the physical and energetic sensations you feel in y our body as you read on.
A woman’s power and magnetism grows when she connects with her feminine essence. Often women will fill themselves with masculine energy in order to gain respect from a room. This does not work. It is easier to give a woman attention and respect when she is in her feminine. We all have masculine and feminine essences, but for the majority of women the feminine essence is dominant and is her authentic nature. When she is disconnected from that feminine essence, she is disconnected from her vibrancy and her radiance, and as a result, is noticed less. Make time every day to practice breathing, moving and loving your feminine essence. You will feel your presence expand. You will also love the compliments that come your way.
What would happen with your friendships, intimate relationships, and business connections if you became more present? How would your life shift if you consciously paid attention to increasing your personal presence?
Being present is inherently joyful. Being present is also the gateway to our emotional freedom. Practice presence, not just to attract more attention and feel more feminine, but to experience more enlightenment.