Carnival of Healing #232: Healing Holiday Stories
Today, I want to share with you the submissions for this carnival of healing. There were a lot of new blogs represented. But rather than rejecting these and asking some of my veteran bloggers to submit high quality works, I thought to actually look at what’s there. And actually I could love what I found.
Granted, not everyone gave me their crown jewels to look at, and some are better writers than others, however, what’s special, what’s uplifting in all of these, is genuineness. Authenticity.
For those who know me a bit, one of my most commonly used phrased to clients, students, my family, my neighbors,… yes.. everyone, is: to be the best you can be is … TO BE TRUE TO WHO YOU REALLY ARE ON THE INSIDE. Authentic.
Being authentic is one of the Reiki principles. Often loosely translated from Japanese as ‘Do your work honestly’, this principle fundamentally makes you work from the honest, or authentic, you.
So, below you’ll find a collection of rather genuine writers, of real people who write their story. Yes, I read all articles and provided commentary for your use. I welcome to discuss any article with you, through the comments below.
Featured Blogs
Note to article-submitters: if you are featured in my Best "Healing Holiday Articles" line-up, go ahead and show it off… Here is your badge, just for you, to post on your website. It will link back to this blog here.
The Healing Holiday Stories
LIFE CHALLENGES
- Melissa Greene presents Resignation Tendered posted at Get to the Inside.
A Lee: This is a ‘WOW’-article on spirituality. I have to confess I nearly cried as I could so relate to it! You see, living in Italy is not easy, even though it may sound like a wonderful romantic dream to you. It is that too. But there are indeed so many sacrifices and frustrations to go through for the sheer honor of living in this slice of paradise, following my dream of realizing a healing center of sorts. Sigh…
Thank you, Melissa, for your great biblical, spiritual and human perspectives offered in your article. The street I live in is called ‘The Martyrs of …’, which is about BEING the sacrificial lamb… I never liked this idea, so I have been studying what throughout time, it has meant to be a martyr… (not referring to nagging moms who give the best bits to the kids and then complain about it ;-)).
EMPOWERMENT
- Laura Grace Weldon presents an article on empowerment, entitled http://lauragraceweldon.com/2010/11/27/fostering-the-flip-side-of-gratitude .
A Lee: I want Laura on my team. Great gal! You can tell from the way she writes, and what she writes. She speaks with conviction and kind heart. She takes random acts of kindness a step further and then goes on expressing gratitude-letters whenever she spots some goodness. And then, as a women on a mission, she take the next step … Read up what she does when services provided are ‘not ok’.
MEDITATION
WP Ho presents a Body, Mind, Spirit – article http://theconsciouslife.com/are-you-meditating.htm
A Lee: I like this thought rather. It ponders the difference between meditating and daydreaming… Long time ago, one of the ‘We Are One World Healing’-participants who has already passed to the other side of the veil, wrote an article on Meditation. Him being an elder from India, the article was quite advanced, I felt, and talked about ‘choiceless awareness’ and other such concepts.
Given that at that time, I had little on the topic of meditation, I felt the need to offer a complementary article ‘How to Meditate: Meditation is Simple’ oriented to a more beginning meditation audience. I think you will enjoy reading it, particularly after reading WP’s.
- Axel presents http://axelg.com/meditating-in-japan.html
A Lee: Feels like a genuine journal entry by Axel about him going on a working/meditating retreat in Japan, complete with the aces and pains and joys. (This is an experienced blogger, btw, and you can tell by the quality of the work there.) I think he learned and contemplated a lot more than he is mentioning in this article, and I’m sure that’s elsewhere on his blog, which is all about meditation.
I lived in Japan for several years, so I know what it’s like, although I never worked in rice fields. What an experience! Japan is gorgeous and it’s a challenge. Seems like Axel witnessed both. Like him, I cherish the special Japanese moments one can spent in tatami-mat covered temples of peace and beauty. Now go check out what he has to say. You might like his blog.
- Charles Chua C K presents http://www.allaboutlivingwithlife.com/2010/11/be-mindful-every-moment.html
A Lee: An short and sweet article on how to be mindful every morning. List of great tips. Will use.
- Charlotte presents http://www.inspiredbeing.com/2010/11/teaching-life-skills-to-yourself.html.
A Lee: Charlotte submitted several stories, and I am showcasing her best. It’s on self development, and presents six new helpful friends: 3 ‘what’ and 3 ‘how’ life skills. She says: “The mental awareness state you get in using those skills is an integration of emotional and rational mind and goes beyond them. By adding intuitive knowing to emotional experiencing and logical analysis. The feeling can be described as “going with the flow”. Or we can call it a wise mind. “
I dig the title of this article, because it is about self-responsibility, i.e. we are response-able.
AROMATHERAPY
- Liani presents http://www.aromatherapy-at-home.com/essential-oils-for-christmas.html
A Lee: It’s an article on aromatherapy, or rather holiday smells. Beyond the article, Liani actually has goodies on her blog, such as this wonderful recipe to make your own scented bath salts . “Peace of Mind” it’s called: Love it.
Actually, I LOOVEEE aromatherapy and work with it all the time.
If this is your interest also, here are some other Essential oil blend, recipes & tips:
_ Aromatherapy for chakra healing
_ Myrtle for bronchitis, coughs & other respiratory ailments
_ Mood-enhancing Blend Recipe (no more winter blues)
_ Idaho balsam fir – what to do with that?
_ Lemon essential oil: GOOD for your health (and weight loss)
_ Fun article on how to use aromatherapy oils safely.
For the holidays, I recommend the mood enhancing & stress reducing aromatherapy suggestions above.
- Jennifer Mannion presents a very long interview http://jennymannion.com/healpain/2010/11/interview-with-robin-easton, author of “Naked in Eden; My Adventure and Awakening in the Australian Rainforest.
A Lee: I had never heard of Robin Easton, and I visited her blog as well. I like it!
FOOD & HEALTH
- Sean Burrows presents http://www.what-is-personal-growth.com/vegetarian-complete-protein-guide.html.
A Lee: OK. After reading this article, you may wish to rethink your Turkey dinner for Christmas… In this article Sean shares his favorite plant-based complete proteins. There are many other great sources of protein for vegetarians/vegans, but this article will only outline the specific ones that contain all the essential amino-acids.
Furthermore, I want to let you know that this is a new blog by one young gutsy writer to watch! He writes passionately from the heart. And he seems to have a good brain too. Besides this ‘veggies are good’ article, he submitted another article for an adult-only audience. I think this article is very useful and I think also that it’s great that it’s written by a male. I can not post here as this is a family-friendly blog. However, consider reading his thoughts on root-chakra related issues.
- Susan Liddy presents an article on healthy living: http://www.secretstoultimateliving.com/this-is-what-grocery-shopping-should-look-like target=”_blank”>.
A Lee: Susan says that healthy eating is critical to feeling confident and empowered. As eating mostly veggies is what she basically suggests, I think I’ll stick going to my organic farmer. “Bruno” is his name. 15 km (say 10 mile) drive round trip, but my car is full, and so is my wallet, still, after shopping. Yes, lucky me.
On another note, this article is a reminder to plan ahead and make a list for holiday lunches & dinners. Include all you need.
This avoids you, at the last minute, rushing out and buying food for all the possible dinner ideas you had in your mind at one point or another, plus some extras… I know… happened to me before.
Actually, I have a funny story about Christmas dinner that supports Susan’s case:
When we were still living in Canada, a month or so before Christmas, we were out of power for a long time while it was freezing cold. We curled together around the fire place and all slept in the living room, one night, two nights,…. I cooked what would fit in 1 pot in the fire place…. Yes, quite a challenge when unprepared. Fortunately not the entire town was out of power, just our neighborhood, so we went to warmer pastures after those first few nights. However the drama of the event gave me the BEST CHRISTMAS DINNER TIP ever, and that is: MAKE IT AHEAD OF TIME, and just freeze it. It’s a complete avoidance of Christmas stress. I love it, and yes, I’m going to do it again this year, even though the weather is not as harsh as in Canada…. still, it’s nice to have ‘no stress’ for the holidays. Prepping ahead also makes for slightly healthier choices and I’m sure you approve, Susan!
Al right.
This concludes the Carnival of Healing #232. The last carnival was hosted by Jenn Givler at blendedyoga.com/carnival-of-healing-231/2010/11/06/ . The next one, on January 1, 2011 will be hosted by Dee Savoy at reikified.com. The carnival of healing is an initiative by Phylameana-lila-Desy from About.com. Many thanks to all parties who contributed to this carnival.
(I know I promised that I would include an article on my favorite books on healing … Well, I will, but give me a day or so to prepare it, as doing this carnival, well took many hours more than allotted.)
LINK & DIG IT
As I mentioned before, a link back is mandatory for article submitters, and thank you for doing so. I made it easy for you by creating a code box in the top of this article. As well, to market ourselves as a collection, if everyone in this article gives it a DIG/FB/Twitter/other social media mention we actually can be found by many new potential readers for our respective blogs. I’ve done my best to showcase you. Now it’s up to all of us to take the next step of promotion. Many thanks.
Wishing You
HAPPY HOLIDAYS !
& Wonderful, Refreshing 2011.
May all who visits this blog
walk with me
on the path of most light.
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * announcement WE ARE ONE WORLD HEALINGIn 2 weeks, Sunday December 19, we will have another session of our monthly worldwide meditation group. We would like to cordially invite you to join in. For 1 hour (9-10 am San Francisco time), participants from many countries place our energetic focus on realizing a healed planet with a healed society. If you want to be part of this powerful meditation group (aka Reiki group with many Reiki masters), join us.
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Photo Credits: hoover over image to display name and title of each work. Many thanks to the artists/ photographers.