Seeds for Change Wellness

Girlfriends

2008-05-27T08:20:00.005-04:00

THE SISTERHOOD
I come from a family of three children, two brothers and myself. Although this has been a fantastic journey, the biggest piece missing was that close connection with another female sibling growing up. Through the years, I been very fortunate to find a few very good, very close girlfriends. We refer to each other as sisters, to be exact as The Moonsisters. The interesting thing, is they don't have a sister either, so our bond is extra special.

We have celebrated our sisterhood over time in many joyous, fun ways. Not entering into this bond lightly, we had a special ceremony, held on an evening of the full moon, many years ago to formally establish and honor our Sisterhood.

We selected a weekend get-a-away from family and husbands so we could start this off in style. The ceremony was well thought out, and fun..we had a specially designated moon drink, we played moon music, had a special menu, and designed special hats for each other. Since there were four of us, we put our names in a hat, several months in advance to pick the sister we would honor and give a special tribute to on our initiation weekend. The funny thing...we did this way before the Red Hats and YaYa Sisterhood appeared on the scene.

These women have a special place in my heart...we have shared so many things...we have been there for each other through the good times and the challenges. Here is a piece written about girlfriends that I found in my files and would like to share. It sums up for me what this all means.

GIRLFRIENDS
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.

Love waxes and wanes.
Hearts break.

Careers end.
Jobs come and go.

Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Men don't call when they say they will.

BUT girlfriends are there,
No matter how much time and
How many miles are between you.

A girlfriend is never farther away
Than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley,
And you have to walk it for yourself,
Your girlfriends will be on the valley's rim,

Cheering you on,
Praying for you,
Pulling for you,
Intervening on your behalf, and
Waiting with open arms
At the valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you. Or come in and carry you out. My daughters, mother, Moonsisters, sisters-in-law, mother-in-law, aunts, nieces, cousins, extended family, and friends bless my life! The world wouldn't be the same without them, and neither would I.

When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Thank you to each of you for gracing me with your light!

If you have a special Girlfriend story, please share it with us!
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8 Keys to Maintain Your Balance

2008-05-23T14:15:00.003-04:00

KEEPING BALANCED DURING THE SHIFT

"As consciousness shifts, there are certain requirements for those who choose to shift as well. Those requirements are of Universal Law, and cannot be denied. These necessities can be done only from the heart, for if from a mental nature will fail as untruth combative with perceived truth. As considered, these are also keys to the ascension process. They are not that which is new, but that which has always been. Only the perceptions of lack, of less than are new.

These keys are based upon the sacred geometry of the star tetrahedron, each key being a point of the star. Eight truths which are eternal. Each without the other is only part of the whole, just as you are part of all that is and has ever been."

The Keys Are as Follows:

We must acknowledgement our self perfection – We are and always have been of the One both in Source and within our Journeys.

Accept the journey for which we have come – why fight the very things which we have come to learn?

Maintain Personal Integrity – That truth which is ours amongst all other things, that opportunity which we give ourselves to find the truth within us, not that which we have been conditioned by others to perceive.

Be that which you are, not that which you perceive others would see – You are created of light, of Grace, and of that there cannot be imperfection, only that which is of Spirit. You do not need to improve yourselves, only to acknowledge that which is your God self, your perfect being.

We must acknowledge our value – This is different than accepting perfection. Your value is how you fit within the world within and the exterior world in which you exist. To perceive that your value is greater than another’s, or less than someone else’s brings you to lack of everything else.

Accept Your Power – You are great and mighty. True Power comes not of ego, but the collective One of our Spirit. True Power is Gentle Power. You are of the light and in its seemingly nebulous construct is the essence from which all things are made. To fear inner power is to suggest that you are less than all other things. In Truth, power is of Grace, not of abusiveness or negative use and your Grace is born of unconditionality. True Power is that which is Love, the intentional living as co-creator from within all opportunities that are offered you.

Take Your value, Your perfection, Your power, Your Grace into your world – In the Now that always is, change only comes from practice of change. What this means is that to effect change we must embody it. You must walk your talk, not hide that which you know. Historically, that which is hidden is viewed as heresy in relation to the accepted norm. To change this, it is to create a new accepted norm with ease and Grace by virtue of your walking within the very light from which you are created.

Love yourselves and touch everyone you encounter with love – As all energy exchanges, what will You accept from others and what will you leave behind? You can see all others as mirrors of yourselves, that their pain also resides somewhere within us, that their joy is in our hearts as well. This is why random acts of kindness make such a difference. How many times have you said “There by the Grace of God go I”? It is true. It has always been so.

And of course, as we embrace these keys, we must remember to breathe. Our breath serves more than the purpose of oxygenating our body. Our breath clears and nurtures us energetically. Each breath is a cleansing and as weare cleansed, our energy system moves more easily and with greater clarity of communication within the universal consciousness, communicating what our experience is as well as what our experience may be. When we do not breathe because we are tense, our energies compact, becoming more and more sluggish. As a result, our manifestation becomes sluggish or even stalled.

Source: Spirit Light Resources Author: Dr. Meg Blackburn Losey

Two Wolves

2008-05-13T23:25:00.004-04:00

An Old Cherokee is Teaching his Grandson about Life....

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride,superiority, and ego."

He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity,truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Source: The Spiritual Network

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Awaken Your Divine Power

2008-05-13T02:38:00.004-04:00

Don't Miss this Very Powerful Opportunity!
If you know someone in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or the surrounding areas who would be interested in participating in this special occasion, do them a favor and let them know about this Free Seminar.

This seminar will take place the day before an unusually powerful full moon. This is important because Philadelphia is playing a critical role this year in helping the United States of America reclaim her Divine Destiny.

Please join with us, and add to the Light of the world as you awaken your Divine Potential.

FREE SEMINAR - AWAKEN YOUR DIVINE POTENTIAL

Presented by Patricia Diane Cota-Robles

SUNDAY, May 18, 2008

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Doubletree Hotel

37 South Broad Street,

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107-5686.

Can you feel the winds of change stirring in the deepest recesses of your heart? This inner prompting is coming from the part of you that knows you have the ability to improve your life. It is coming from the highest aspect of your consciousness, the part of you that knows abundance, happiness, vibrant health, loving relationships, fulfillment, joy and purpose are within your reach. All you have to do is listen, and remember this Truth.

This free seminar will teach you how to do just that. It is a Gift to you. Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Space is limited so to guarantee seating please call to register now! Toll free number is 1-888-310-4488.

Website: http://www.eraofpeace.org/

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Food for Thought

2008-04-25T05:38:00.008-04:00

Daily we are surrounded by opportunities
for growth, seeds for change, and lightbulb
moments. What we do with each of these,
is simply put, a matter of choice. The choice
can span a wide range of responses. Some
may be familiar to you:

"I don't see, hear or feel a thing!" [Other wise known as Complete Denial]

"Oh, that's nice!" [Hmm, maybe you need this, but I'm just FINE!]

"I'll get back to this someday" [Ding! Ding! Ding! Alarm bells sound, but not ready yet]

"I need to do Something!" [ Dive into exploration...read...attend classes...join groups..etc]

"I'm ready and I surrender" [You begin to empty out, so you can fill up]

So here is a QUOTE that provides some food for thought:

“We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”

—Carlos Castaneda (1925-1998), author, philosopher

Any thoughts on this?

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Views of April

2008-04-24T08:08:00.010-04:00

Garden Journal: April 24, 2008
As I sit here this morning having a cup of coffee, I decided to download some of the garden photos I took yesterday. These are pictures from sections in the Elemental Garden. (Photo to the Right: Wild Violets)

These violets make my soul smile...they are pure love and beauty. Last year as I was clearing the space for the garden, there were a few of these beauties.

It was decided to make room for them, invite them in to spread, and see what would happen the following season. I can not even begin to tell you how gorgeous they look and how abundant they are. So in this garden, as well as many of the other beds on the property, they are one of the first flowering arrivals to spread their seeds of happiness.

The Elemental Garden
She is awakening for the first time. Last summer she was created with much love and focus, as I worked together with the Deva of the Garden to create a retreat for the Elementals who have worked so hard to keep our skies overhead clear and our land flourishing with abundance. If you are interested in the full story about the origins of this amazing space, read Elemental Garden Retreat Project.

I have been amazed at the ease of preparation as I cleared her beds from the long winter's nap. Also, I am so excited and anxiously awaiting each new development as I see who pops up each day.

So why not grab a hot cup of whatever your choice is and join me as I share just a few of the photos from the Elemental Garden.

PHOTO: Meditation Bench

I am thrilled with this section and can't wait until it is in full bloom. A trellis was placed at each side and then bamboo laid across the top. Last year's clematis is coming up nicely, and will travel up and over to create a shelter from the strong afternoon sun. In front of the bench are two woodlike tree cravings, each with grasses planted beside them. Two Tiki Torches are also placed in this area, so we can sit out at night and enjoy the garden under the moonlight!

PHOTO: Tool Shed

What a joy it is when I can take something that was trashed or is soon to be trashed and give it a second life and purpose. It thrills me to take on the challenge of creating something from seemingly nothing.

It was becoming a hassel to constantly run back and forth from the garden for all the tools I needed while working, so I dedicated this back section to house the tools.

Using an old section of fencing that my husband found on the side of the road, we cut it up to form a small enclosure. Hooks were put inside to hang the tools. There is space to stack some empty plastic pots inside on the ground. The wire fencing that surrounds the garden also provides storage for the assorted piles of stakes and bamboo poles that can be weaved into place there. A piece of plastic tarp covers the top but it is rather flimsy. This year we are upgrading to a roof, my husband the great trash finder, has a discarded plastic roof from an old golf cart that he will attach to the top.

PHOTO: Tiled Storage Unit

This unit is off to the side of the Tool Shed. We got this old beat up

cabinet from a garage sale last summer, then using grout and tiles,
covered the top. It was my first attempt at a tile project and I
am proud of the results. It is used to store the smaller stuff...seed
packets, scissors, ties, lables, pens...It blends in nicely with the
surroundings.

PHOTO:

Center Garden: Section 1

The garden was started with the intention of just being a small center circle. Agh, that's not enough! So four small beds surrounding the center circle were added. Agh, now that needs more defination, so four more sections were added, with a pathway between the center circle and the outer surrounding beds.

This photo is the first bed outside the center circle. I put together a trellis system out of bamboo. This will support morning glories. Last year I did this and it was strikenly beautiful. The problem was the bamboo trellis design was not strong enough to support the weight of the flowers and at times any strong wind that blew through. This year I slighlty altered the design and provided additional support with more stakes...I think I have a winner.

Well my coffee has long been done and I need to move along with the work of the day. Thanks for joining me. Hope you will stop by again soon to see what's new.

Let me leave you with this Seeds for Change Thought to ponder:

"Criticizing another's garden doesn't keep the weeds out of your own" .

Now go ahead and make it an amazing day!

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Let the Weeding Begin!

2008-04-23T13:01:00.009-04:00

Garden Journal: April 23, 2008
A Weeding Meditation

Here is one view of the outside of the Elemental Garden in need of weeding. Off in the back right corner is a shed we constructed last year out of a piece of old fencing. This is where I keep my tools stored so it isn't necessary to run back and forth out of the garden. A piece of plastic tarp that was laying around was used for the top. Worked ok for last year, but this year we are headed for an upgrade. My husband has a piece of used roof from a golf cart that we will place over top. The advantage...we won't be sticking our head into the tarp with each entry into the shed.

Inside in the foreground is a wooden bench and anchored beside it on each side is a wooden trellis. Last year a clematis was planted at the base of each late in the season. So they have come back this year and are looking strong and healthy. Laying across the top are just bamboo poles sitting on the top of each trellis. The plan is to have the clematis grow strong and hardy up and across the trellis providing a natural bit of shade to sit under on the bench, as well as something beautiful to look at.

To the left and right of the bench I planted quite a few perennials last year that hopefully will make a strong return this spring. The paths were a challenge to keep weeded. Don't be fooled by those beautiful magazine photos! I have tried, unsuccessfully to discover the Lazy Gardener's Way to Weeding, and frankly, I don't think it exists. There are techniques that can be done to help make the task less labor intensive, but it will never be weed free by wishing.

So after many different ideas and approaches last year, I decided to work smart and settled on laying thick layers of newspaper and cardboard boxes down on the paths. This was then covered with pine bark nuggets. It blew my initial budget out of the water, with the purchase of the mulch, 'cause I was determined to do it for pennies, but like I said, I decided to play it smart which meant not being penny wise and dollar foolish. It overwintered well, and requires little in the way of maintenance at this point. This year the plan is to pull back some of the bark, add more cardboard and newspaper, then reapply the mulch.

One trick I learned was to have a big barrel of water beside me and soak the paper and cardboard before laying it down. This kept it in place and made it easier to work with. Also this approach has the benefit of recycling material as well as creating more of a barrier between the weeds and mulch. Weeds do make their way through, but hand picking regularly when the weeds are small and few in number keeps it manageable.

So the last few days I have been spending my time doing what I call Weeding Meditation. First I connect with the Deva of the Elemental Garden so we can work together and have asked to be guided and inspired as I do the clearing. This activity is helping me to empty my mind of all the clutter and baggage I am carrying around and get in tune with the energy of the land. This will help to set the foundation of what to plant and where to plant it once the weeds are clear.

I have already filled in the compost area rather fully and am asking for guidance and suggestions on how to get this compost down to a manageable useable state in just a few weeks.

( To the Left) This compost pile that runs the length of the outside of the garden fence, contains all the weeds, leaves and sticks from the various beds and gardens around the property. My husband, when I wasn't paying attention, put all this years compost on top of last years, now I need to go back and reassemble the compost piles...like I said, really no easy way... Guess I'll be doing Weeding Meditation alot longer than I originally had anticipated!

( To the Left) Here is one of the overflow compost piles that needs to be cut up into smaller pieces . This contains mostly cut off branches from shrubs and of course our Christmas Tree.

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Garden Season Officially Opened

2008-04-22T10:54:00.003-04:00

Photo of the Elemental Garden, Summer 2007

After much anticipation...waiting, and waiting for the weather to change and my blood to warm up...Spring Has Arrived in PA and I am now working almost full time outside. I started a few days ago, but my body went into major retaliation. After basically laying dormant the past few months, each muscle loudly protested the spring baptism into manual labor. But now, with 3 days under my belt, things are under better control.

So here's the scoop, we have 10 major beds surrounding our property that need to be cleaned out, spruced up, and worked. In addition to that there is my treasured Elemental Garden, started last year, two long stretches of what we call tiger country, and a golf green. All of this is nestled onto one acre of land.

My goal is to move away from the traditional lawn and into a naturescape...to work with the land to grow food, herbs, spices, flowers, fruits, and natural habitat for all the critters that reside in our neighborhood. So in the upcoming season most of this blog will be devoted to the adventures of planting these seeds for change. It is a daunting task, but a definite labor of love.

I will be adding photos of what is being done as well as commentary along the way. We work organically...to fertilize, to correct imbalances, to build a healthy soil. I also like to use sound environmental practices for the hardscape...using recycled materials as much as possible, and to keep the costs manageable.

Hope you will stop by and visit on occasion to see what is new and developing in the daily adventures of Gardening with Seeds for Change! Well off to work, see you in a bit!

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Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

2008-04-20T09:51:00.004-04:00

This is a poem by Portia Nelson that just nails it in regards to the way many of us do things in life. If you have a re-occuring life pattern that keeps popping up, creating a challenge for you, then I encouarge you to carefully read Portial Nelson's words. Reflect on them. And see what Chapter you currently are reading!

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost.
I am hopeless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't beleive I am in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.

Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in; it is a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5
I walk down another street.

Isn't that just the most profound way of putting it? This hits me at a deep level. I found this poem several years ago, and it has helped me tremendously. It creates a reminder for me and helps me see what I am doing. I hope you find it useful as well.

10 Steps to Inner Peace

2008-04-11T11:15:00.003-04:00

Here are 10 Symptoms of Inner Peace, as described by Wayne Dyer's from a talk at a conference in Arizona,these were handed down to him, now they are being passed off to you.

These can be described as providing food for the soul, so take some time to reflect on each statement, examine each closely in relationship to your personal situations, and then pass them through the heart center, to notice what your are feeling. If you like, share a bit of your thoughts with the rest of us.

STEPS TO GAINING INNER PEACE
1. Displaying the tendency to act spontaneously, less planned.

2. Showing the ability to enjoy each moment.

3. A loss of interest in judging other people.

4. A disinterest in explaining the behavior of others.

5. A decision to give conflict a ‘pass’.

6. You’ll stop watching/reading the news — sources of negativity & conflict.

7. Loss of the ability to ‘worry’.

8. Frequent episodes of appreciation & connectedness with people & nature.

9. Frequent ‘attacks’ of smiling.

10. An increased susceptibility to the love provided by others & an uncontrollable urge to love others.

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Professional Perspectives: Fluoride in Tap Water

2008-04-10T19:21:00.003-04:00

Fluoride...What Do You Really Know About It?

Watch this interesting video and then if you want to read more information, read the post The History of Fluoride.

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Random Acts of Kindness

2008-04-04T10:22:00.006-04:00

SPREADING SEEDS FOR CHANGE
Join me in spreading Seeds for Change....simple ways to bring about balance and harmony to make ourselves and this world a little better each day. So for today's debut...let's give a warm round of applause for:

Random Acts of Kindness...This concept has been around for quite a long time. These are those sweet or lovely things we do for no reason except that, momentarily, the best of our humanity has sprung into full bloom. So as we head more fully into Spring, how about dedicating some time to Random Acts of Kindness.

Here Are Some Suggestions for Practicing Acts of Kindness:

Leave a kind note for someone close to you in their wallet, lunch, car...saying how much you appreciate them

When baking or making something yummy in your kitchen, do a double batch and share with someone else

Let the person behind you in the grocery store line go ahead of you, even if they have more than a few items.

Print up a few pages of business cards that say something like Thanks for The Great Service! I appreciate your hard work to make my (fill in the blank) enjoyable. Leave them behind for your waitress/waiter, housekeeper at the hotel, actually any service person you encounter.

Smile warmly, look at another clearly, and share some genuine words of thoughtfulness, it can be as simple as that.

We are only limited by our self imposed restrictions...go out and make it a great Day of Kindness. And, yes....do get back to us and share what you are doing to make other peoples days beautiful!

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Container Herb Gardening

2008-04-02T15:38:00.001-04:00

Container gardening is a great way to grow plants, vegetables and herbs without needing a lot of space. Herbs do especially well and can be grown right outside your kitchen door. In this video, you'll learn how to use an old farmer's market basket to make a great container garden. Fill it with your favorite herbs and your cooking will be full of flavor all summer long.(6 minutes)

A Very Important Question

2008-03-30T22:41:00.003-04:00

Today I attended a dowsing meeting and the speaker was a wonderful healer by the name of Nancy Russell. Although she spoke beautifully on many things, the most important point I got from her presentation was, at the end of the day ask yourself this question:

Am I bitter or am I better?

She spoke about the need to have fun and enjoy life. As I was taking my walk in the park this morning I was meditating...thinking about how every morning when I wake up I have the choice to make it a great day or not. I like to announce to the universe when I am showering that my choice for the day is that Today is the best day of my life! When I approach the day from this vantage point it is much easier to start off with an attitude that will take me forward. I am not suggesting that as the day rolls on I never am challenged because of this approach...but it does have an impact on my choice of how I decide to respond to my state of challenge.

When the day is started also with the intent of having fun and enjoying the moments, we see things differently. During my walk this morning, I enjoyed the sounds flowing through the air, I enjoyed watching the flights of the bluebirds as well as watching the fisherman on the banks of the stream, taking the time to feel, see, and smell my surrounding more deeply. This joy also allowed me to forget, that sometimes I rather be laying in my warm bed rather than walking outside on a brisk spring morning...so as I prepare to go off to bed tonight...I ask myself, am I bitter or am I better? I am better because of all the wonderful experiences I encountered in my life today. So how was your day?

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What Will Matter

2008-03-25T13:37:00.002-04:00

What will matter is not what you bought,
but what you built;
Not what you got,
but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success,
but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned,
but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity,
compassion, courage or sacrifice
that enriched, empowered or encouraged
others to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence,
but your character.

What will matter is not
how many people you knew,
but how many will feel
a lasting loss when you're gone.
What will matter is not your memories,
but the memories that live
in those who loved you.
What will matter is how long
you will be remembered,
by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters
doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance
But of choice.
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Dance Like Nobody's Watching

2008-03-24T12:08:00.001-04:00

ONE OF MY FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL PIECES
Jeff was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jeff was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jeff was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation .

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jeff and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jeff replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jeff, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or You can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be in a good mood.

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Jeff, said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."

I reflected on what Jeff said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that Jeff did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jeff was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jeff was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body. I saw Jeff about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he said, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Want to see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jeff replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jeff continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man.' I knew I needed to take action." "What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jeff. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!'

Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'" Jeff lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.

- Work like you don't need the money
- Love like it's never going to hurt
- Dance like nobody's watching
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10 Steps to Forgiveness

2008-03-23T10:55:00.005-04:00

For many people forgiveness is one of the hardest steps of all in our progress toward freedom of spirit. Yet it is essential. For as long as we are unable to forgive, we keep ourselves chained to the unforgiven. We give them rent-free space in our minds, emotional shackles on our hearts, and the right to torment us in the small hours of the night.

When it is time to move on, but still too hard, try some or all of these steps.(Note that these steps are appropriate for events resulting from an ongoing relationship with anyone. They may not all be appropriate for the random act of violence from a stranger.)

1. Understand that forgiving does not mean giving permission for the behavior to be repeated. It does not mean saying that what was done was acceptable. Forgiveness is needed for behaviors that were not acceptable and that you should not allow to be repeated.

2. Recognize who is being hurt by your non-forgiveness. Does the other person burn with your anger, feel the knot in your stomach, experience the cycling and recycling of your thoughts as you re-experience the events in your mind? Do they stay awake as you rehearse in your mind what you would like to say or do to 'punish' them? No, the pain is all yours.

3. Do not demand to know 'why' as a prerequisite to forgiveness. Knowing why the behavior happened is unlikely to lessen the pain, because the pain came at a time when you did not know why. Occasionally there are times when knowing why makes forgiveness unnecessary, but they are rare. Don't count on it and don't count on even the perpetrator knowing why.

4. Make a list of what you need to forgive. What was actually done that caused your pain? Not what you felt, what was done.

5. Acknowledge your part. Were you honest about your hurt or did you hide the fact that the behavior hurt you? Did you seek peace by reassuring the perpetrator that it was all right? Did you stay when you could or should have left? If so, then you, too, have some responsibility. (Here you start to move away from being a victim.)

6. Make a list of what you gained from the relationship, whatever form of relationship it was. Looking back you may be focusing on the negatives, the hurts. Yet if they were repeated, you must have stayed to allow the repetition. You did not remove yourself. Why? There must have been some positives if you chose to stay around. What were they?

7. Write a letter to the person (no need to mail it). Acknowledge what you gained from the relationship, and express forgiveness for the hurts. Allow yourself to express all your feelings fully. Do not focus only on the hurts.

8. Create a ceremony in which you get rid of your lists and the letter, so symbolizing the ending of the link between you. You may choose to visualize placing them on a raft and watching it drift gently away down a river. You may prefer to burn them and scatter the ashes. You may invent some other form of ritualized separation.

9. Visualize the person you are forgiving being blessed by your forgiveness and, as a result, being freed from continuing the behavior that hurt you.

10. Now that you have freed yourself from the painful links and released the pain, feel yourself growing lighter and more joyous. Now you are free to move on with your life without that burden of bitterness. Do not look back in anger.

Source: Diana Robinson, Coach University

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Progressive Relaxation Points

2008-03-15T08:48:00.003-04:00

Progressive relaxation involves tensing a muscle group to a point where the group is tight, but not to the point where it’s quivering, and holding that point for a count of five. Then let go and let the muscle group relax.

An easy way to practice this technique is to tighten your arm muscle while sitting in a chair with someone holding your hand. Then, have your partner try to lift your arm while it’s tensed. Assuming that your partner isn’t a weight lifter trying to prove her strength, she shouldn’t be able to lift it if you’re tensing it correctly. Then close your eyes, let your arm relax, and see if your partner can lift your hand.

Call your fully tensed position a hundred, and your relaxed position zero. That range of
tension is what you are trying to achieve with all of your muscle groups. You should go from one group to another according to the following plan:

Separately tense individual muscle groups

Hold the tension for five seconds

Relax the tension slowly, and say to yourself, “Relax and let go.”

Take a deep breath

Breathe out slowly, silently saying “Relax and let go.”

One arm at a time: push your hand against the surface on which you’re resting

One arm at a time: from a straight position, make a fist and slowly bend your elbow, pulling your fist toward you while tightening your arm.

Chest and Lungs:
Take a deep breath; while holding, tighten your chest muscles.

Back:
Arch your back. Ideally, while lying on your stomach with your hands on the small of your back, arch your back so your head and feet are off the floor

Stomach:
Tighten your stomach area. Push your stomach area out. Pull your stomach area in.

Hips to Feet:
Tighten your hips.Push your heels against the floor or footrest. Tighten your leg muscles below the knee. Curl your toes down (try to touch the bottom of your foot). Curl your toes up.

. And here is the rest of it.

Stones and Crystals

2008-03-13T10:49:00.003-04:00

UNDERSTANDING CRYSTALS
Through the past years I have come to work closely with a variety of stones and crystals to help augment the energy work I do on myself or with clients. I am attracted to working with these friends of the Earth because they are simple yet complex, gentle yet powerful.

Everything has its optimum vibrational frequency. If I am sick, my vibration begins to slow down, if I am healthy and energized, it is higher. " The human body is a symphony of sounds. Every chakra, every organ, every bone, every tissue, every cell has its own resonant frequency, its own sound. Together, they create a unified or composite frequency, with its own sound, like the instruments of an orchestra coming together. Ideally, the individual sounds and frequencies comprise a harmonious whole. That is when the body is functioning as it should, in health. However, when an organ is out of time or out of tune with the rest, then the entire body is affected. This disharmony leads to states of disease and disintegration." Massagetherapy.com

Each stone and crystal has its own unique vibrational frequency signature. When our body gets out of balance, we look for ways to restore harmony. Through the use of stone therapy, we can help to re-align the body, so it moves back to that state of homeostasis. So how does this happen? Through the entrainment process. For example, if you would line a wall of a room with a number of grandfather clocks, each one's pendulum would be swinging at a different rate. With in a short period of time, they would synchronize and all be swinging together in harmony. This is due to entrainment.

The same occurs when using stone and crystal therapy. If I dowse an area of my body and find a spot that is energetically showing a restriction in flow, I can place the correct stone or crystal at that spot. After a period of time, the energy in the restricted area begins to respond to and entrain to the level of the vibrational frequency of the stone. This process helps to re-energize the body.

Clear Quartz Crystals
Although I do work with a variety of stones, the clear quartz crystal is my favorite. When one first looks at quartz crystals they may notice they are different, but not realize the importance of these differences. Each one has it's own distinct personality, with unique personality traits, just like you and I have.

For example, when you first hold a crystal in your hand, you become aware of your physical and emotional response to it. It may speak to you loud and clear, or it may not leave you with any particular impression. As you study the physical characteristics of the crystal you begin to notice differences. Some have a point on each end, others have just one. Some are cloudy, some clear, some mixed. The largest face of the Crystal will vary, some have 5, 6 , 7, or 8 edges surrounding them. Some will have raised indentations, mineral inclusions, small growths, specific shapes. So what does all this mean? Well, each is a characteristic. Once aware of these particular meanings, it allows you to work with more knowledge and understanding.

Let me give you an example. Some crystals are very clear. This attribute would be considered Yang, or masculine. This type of crystal is said to represent actions, power, force, strength--male energy qualities. Other crystals are cloudy or milky in appearance. These would be Yin or feminine, and are said to represent receptivity, love, communication, negotiation, sensitivity--female energy qualities. Knowing this information is useful for yourself or when working with others using Stone Therapy. If you or another person is experiencing an imbalance of either masculine or feminine energy that is affecting the body, working with the crystal of the more depleted energy, helps to restore balance.

So when working with crystals, first learn about them--what are their qualities, attributes, vibrational frequencies, how do they look in raw form as opposed to cleaned and polished? Clear and cleanse the stones and crystals before using. Connect with their energy. Feel what they are saying. Follow your intuition, it will guide you to ways you can work with them.

For an introduction into this topic, consider signing up for my Stone and Crystal class. It covers the main characteristics of the clear quartz crystal, with many samples of each type to study. You receive a booklet with detailed descriptions and a sampling of stones and crystals. We just had a wonderful class again last night. Check back for the next scheduled event.

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Now for Something Different: Biodynamics

2008-03-12T11:55:00.005-04:00

By Scott Anderson

Biodynamics is a science of life forces- a recognition of basic principles at work in nature. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) is known as the "father of biodynamics". Steiner was born in Austria and lived most of his life in Germany. This man was involved in politics, agriculture, drama, teaching {he did over 6,000 lectures}, and spirituality; he was a real renaissance man.

In 1919, he founded the Waldorf School in Germany. Local branches exist in Princeton, NJ, and Kimberton, PA. These schools focus on many things: balancing artistic, academic, and practical work; educating the whole child, hand and heart as well as mind. Worldwide there are over 800 schools and over 150 in the U.S.-Steiner's insight and influence carries on today.

My first exposure to biodynamics was at the Nature Lyceum in Long Island, NY. I drove up to the building where a course in organics was being taught, and I was kind of confused by the grass parking lot with concrete bumpers and the conventional handicap parking sign in the lawn. I thought, "This is strange."

Later that morning the instructor asked if anyone noticed the parking lot? Well, that led into the topic of biodynamics. Apparently, for over three years now, the once gravel parking lot has been treated biodynamically. It has stayed green and healthy, including during the drought a few years ago and during the winter.

I've since gone on the Internet to find that biodynamics is huge in the organic world. A lot of vineyards in California, and worldwide, are growing biodynamically without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Biodynamics embraces the concept that all living things are believed to be open to and formed by influences from the depths of the earth to the heights of the heavens. Cosmic rhythms contribute to the life, growth, and form of all living things on earth.

It also recognizes that the soil itself is alive. Its vitality supports and affects the quality and health of plants that grow in it. The health of the soil is build and supported through the use of natural and organic components, especially composting, and the use of various biodynamic "preps" developed by Steiner.

From what I've read, plants grown in this manner have shown more resistance to insects and disease, both of which are triggered by disorder. Healthy "life force energies" are natural repellents. It is said that destructive insects will avoid healthy systems, as the insects are not programmed to go there. Sir Albert Howard, author of The Soil and Health said, "healthy soils = healthy plants= healthy people."

Biodynamics and the Rock Dust Phenomenon

Our soils are generally devoid of trace mineral through years of cropping and/or mowing. The addition of rock dust minerals along with organic fertilizers or compost have shown to improve the health of numerous crops, horticultural plants, and turf by feeding the soil. Soil bacteria feed on natural volcanic rock dust, stimulating the "soil food web" and improving many things: the soil structure, disease suppression, water holding capacity, natural aeration, thatch decomposition, nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere, and nutrient cycling. All the while, 70 minerals are added to the soil. Rock dust minerals are also used in bioremediation of contaminated soils.

Certain volcanic rock dust minerals (para magnetic) are said to attract and build "life force energies". I recently read that Great Britain just approved money for the study of this phenomenon. Here at home, a Delaware Valley College student under my employ grew bentgrass in the greenhouse with about 10 other treatments. The results surprised everyone. Rudolph Steiner's "horn manure biodynamic prep" and volcanic rock dust came in first and second in germination trials by as much as two days.

I realize that some of these theories may seem strange. To put it in perspective, I was asked, "can you see gravity?" Well, my response is, "do you have to see life force energies?" We must all find our own truth.

Look into it. I think it's too widespread to be ignored.

About the Author: Scott Anderson is an instructor at Seeds for Change Wellness Community and has been the golf course superintendent at Huntingdon Valley Country Club since 1983. Scott has been utilizing organics in building sustainable soils, while reducing the need for adding synthetic products.

A graduate of the Green Gorillas Organic Program at the Nature Lyceum in NY, Scott’s practical experience and concerns for the environment provide a new perspective as well as useable knowledge on how to bring your home care program into balance with nature.

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Spring Cleaning for the Soul

2008-03-11T09:53:00.008-04:00

It is March Already--
Spring it Just Around the Corner

One day you open your front door and are greeted by the signs of spring. You notice the daffodils and crocuses have burst into bloom. The air around you feels noticeably lighter. The world of nature and all its creatures are stepping forward to begin the process of rebirth. You take in a deep breathe and feel exhilarated! Each smell is warm and inviting. Daytime is emerging from the shadows of winter, lasting longer, casting a green-golden light on all that is touched. Yes, this is the day you notice spring has arrived! Maybe you are taken back into time, to a memory of a spring day as a child. Suddenly you feel energized, ready to face the days ahead with new desire and enthusiasm.

Many of us welcome springtime with annual rituals. We often feel a strong urge to freshen up, organize, and make changes in our living environment...namely our homes. I would like to suggest that as you begin spring cleaning, whatever that may involve, to seriously consider taking time for yourself and do some spring cleaning of the soul. Approaching this annual event on a holistic level will engage your complete self—body, mind and spirit—in the renewal process.

Thomas Moore in Care of the Soul said “It is impossible to define precisely what the soul is. Soul is not a thing, but a quality or dimension of experiencing life and ourselves. Soul is aligned with love, care, genuineness, connectedness, compassion, intimacy and inner communication. Simple gestures that seemingly take place on the surface of life can have central importance to the soul.”

Often with the hectic schedules of our modern day lives, we forget our need to connect with spirit on a very personal level and that is when our troubles begin. All to often we become buried under situations, events, and emotions. Over time, this small pile of experiences becomes larger and heavier. We begin to struggle for breath. Eventually, we may feel a sense of loss, as if a piece is missing,. We feel a longing for something, but we can’t quite name what that something is. Solutions that used to work for us are no longer effective coping strategies. All these things happen because we lose that connection with our true Self.

It is when we take the time to look deeply into our Self and start to sort through the clutter, that we begin to dig our way back up to the surface. Our self image is programmed in our mind and memories, creating a reflection of who we think we are. This image begins to formulate early in life and is often build upon the good intentions of others—parents, spouses, children , friends. As time progresses, we grow and develop. What was once necessary, may now longer be needed, and in actuality may hinder real progress in staying connected to who we really are. Although it is never an easy task to look closely in the mirror because we may not like what we see, it is an essential task if we want to discover the true meaning and purpose of our existence. Make a clean sweep this season, by following some of the tips of personal spring cleaning listed below.

Personal Tips for Spring Cleaning
Soul Searching is a term one occasionally hears reference to when looking for answers. I have heard the terminology used more in conjunction with an individual who has gotten into trouble of some sort and the authority in charge suggests, in a very forceful manner, that the person better do some Soul Searching! The following checklist contains suggestions if you are beginning the quest of looking for your real Self that may be buried deeply in the foundation of who you. The tips do not contain anything you are hearing for the first time. The point is not to dazzle you with new ideas, instead it is simply, an opportunity to remind you of some beneficial strategies when reconnecting with Spirit

Pay Attention:
What feelings or emotions are creating stress? The first step in any process of growth is to accurately identify the issue. The question to ask yourself: Is there a prolonged emotional state or mood that I find myself trapped in for which I can not find a satisfactory resolution? Without knowing the real cause, you are only grasping at straws in seeking the solution.

Search for Meaning:
After identifying the issue, it becomes necessary to find the meaning that is attached. In this step we must experience the feelings here and learn their significance, only then will we be able to make changes in our behavior and attitudes.

Repattern Outdated Behavior
When reflecting on the state we are in and the meaning attached to it, we need to examine our current responses. Old patterns usually prove to be ineffective and do little to resolve the conflicting states we find ourselves in, so we then become obligated to repattern. If the old techniques no longer work, then we need to stop spinning our wheels. It is through this reflecting of past events and becoming open to the future, we become empowered by the insights and understanding that we gained through our struggles.

Suggestions to Help Shift Old Behavior Patterns:
Appreciate: Be grateful, express appreciation, give thanks.

Revise Your Assumptions

Energize Yourself- take the time to care for your needs in a way that will help you connect with your feelings, emotions, body and spirit

Replace Negative Self-Talk: use positive imaging and affirmations

Feel the Interconnection to everyone and all things in the universe

Visualize What You Desire

Release and Let Go of that which is not serving you in a beneficial way

Choose Your Attitude: Choose to replace feelings of helplessness and doubt with feelings of empowerment and connectedness with your Higher Self

The search for who we really are is a lifelong journey of discoveries. It is a path strewn with many emotions, struggles, and opportunities to learn our own particular lessons of truth, that resonates within each of us. It is through this ongoing process of self investigation that we are able to transform the meaningless into the meaningful and find peace, happiness, and the Divine in all that surrounds us! So why not prepare for some deep spiritual spring cleaning this time around?

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Oh No! Not Health Food!!!

2008-02-29T23:19:00.004-05:00

Cleaning Out Old Files...I Came Across This Experience
From a Few Years Back

A friend of mine called this past month suggesting we get together for lunch. I thought great! This is just what I needed. It would be nice to get out, take a break from work and share a good meal with a wonderful friend. In the next breath, she said, “Let’s meet at Arnold’s Way”. My heart sank as visions of boring, dull, tasteless food danced in my head. I mustered up a “Sure, sounds good!” with the most enthusiastic response that I could get out. .

Now don’t get me wrong, I had heard a lot of wonderful things about Arnold’s Way, a raw foods café in Lansdale, PA, but mostly from people who found there way there due to a major health challenge and who were looking to make nutritional changes in their diet to help them through the healing process. I even met Arnold when he stopped by our table at the Holistic Health Fair in Jamison a few months back and was planning on making a stop there at some point in time to check it out…not for myself of course, but to see what he had to offer that would be beneficial to clients I work with.

All the way there I was feeling disappointed about the luncheon choice I agreed to, basing this on some previous experiences I have had with health food, wondering what strange ingredients I would have to wolf down. Could I do so without making an embarrassing scene gagging? Was there going to be all these quirky type health food nuts sitting around talking doom and gloom stories about people who eat the dreaded protein packed diets?

In my head everything was tofu laced (a food that I just can’t seem to get a liking for, even when my brother who is a gourmet chef, creates what looks like a very appealing tofu dish). To my surprise, once we arrived at Arnold’s I loved the look and feel of the small, intriguing café. There were all sorts of people crowded in there milling around, and they looked as normal as anyone. The store was filled with a wealth of information and healthy products. Hmm, maybe this won’t be as painful as I thought! I could easily distract myself by checking out all the interesting things in the store.

We sat down at a table, and a very pleasant young man came over to give us menus and see if we wanted something to drink. It was a cold day so I asked what kind of herbal teas they had (I figured I wouldn’t make the faux pas of asking for coffee, I was smarter than that). The waiter, with a twinkle in his eye, said “we don’t have herbal teas”, by the look on his face I quickly came to realize when it says Raw Food Café, it means nothing is cooked or heated, not even the beverages. So much for avoiding the faux pas!

I don’t remember what the name of the item was that I ordered, I just followed my friend’s recommendation. I think it was called Sally’s something or other. When this dish came out, I was impressed by how pretty it looked on the plate, and was even more taken back by how delicious it tasted. It contained cut up red pepper, onions, zucchini, other veggies that I can’t recall right now, avocado, green olives, nuts and Arnold’s homemade burger chopped up (don’t know what’s in it but it isn’t meat) served over a bed of spring mix greens. I was hooked!

Our visit to the raw foods café involved a lively discussion with Arnold and a few others and ended up being more than I could ever have imagined in my wildest speculations. Since that visit a little over 3 weeks ago, here at the Anderson house, we have moved into a healthier, more nutritional approach to our diet. We are moving toward vegetarianism gradually, and incorporating raw foods into our diet daily.

My body type needs heat and warmth, so I know that a total raw foods diet would not work for me personally, but we have moved from a 75% take-out diet to about a 90% home prepared meals program that incorporates mostly vegetables, grains. beans and fruits, with an occasional piece of organic chicken or fish.

I gauge how well we are doing by how often I need to empty my compost bucket…rather than a once a week routine, it has become a daily one. My kids are not completely sold on this approach so I am taking it at a slower pace with them, but the one thing I have got them hooked on is Arnold’s Green Smoothie which they have every day. (recipe below.)

Since we have made these changes, I am feeling more energetic, less stressed and my complexion has improved. I have listed the link for Arnold’s Way under the website recommendations section. If you have never been to Arnold’s, I would encourage you to drop by and find out about this jewel of a café in our local area, you just might be as pleasantly surprised as I was! Or if you have a close friend or loved one that is dealing with a health challenge, this should be one of the places on the top of their list to research. If you do stop by, drop us a line with some feedback about what you think. If you know of any other restaurants/cafes in the local area that you would recommend, send us in a review. - Susan

Green Smoothie
2 oz dates
4 oz dark leafy green vegetables
1 apple cut up
2 frozen bananas
10 oz. water
ice cubes
Place all ingredients in a regular blender, blend up and enjoy! I also boost our drink with powdered super greens.

Arnold recommends that you drink these smoothies 2 times a day.
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Biodynamic Tomatoes: My Jack & The Beanstalk

2008-02-16T07:06:00.010-05:00

DO YOU REMEMBER JACK?
As a child I loved it when someone would read me the fairy tale, Jack and the Beanstalk. I jumped right inside the pages of the storybook and tagged along for the adventure with Jack, climbing up that sturdy, massive stalk. My heart would race as we would be running around the castle in the sky. And I would always exhale a huge sigh of relief upon our safe return.

Well last spring I came up a website called McKean County Biodynamics. The master gardener L.A. Rotheraine proclaimed you could grow a cherry tomato plant that would reach the heights of 11 feet and produce over a thousand tomatoes. Just send $2 in a self-addressed envelope for a package of seeds.

NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY
Well I have to tell you, I got so excited about this! Visions of Jack in the Beanstalk re-emerging from the recesses of mind, egging me on. I told my husband Scott, somewhat apologizing to him. How can a single plant produce over a 1000 cherry tomatoes? I knew I was once again falling for a too good to be true story, but what the heck, the investment was only two bucks.

I sent away for the seed. They promptly arrived, along with planting instructions. Just so you know, my thumb has never been green, I’m more of a brown thumb kind of gal, but Scott and I planted these biodynamic tomato seeds from L.A. Rotheraine. The packet had so many seeds we had three pots going.

Never have I had any luck growing plants from seed. The seedlings always pop up looking strong and healthy, then it seems once they catch a good breath of air they agh! agh! agh!, sputter, cough, and flop over…dead as a door nail.

To my amazement our little biodynamic tomato seeds DID NOT do this. Hooray! I’m jumping for joy! I have seeds turning into little seedlings. I have little seedlings getting stronger turning into plants. Suddenly, we find ourselves with 3 pots of astonishingly vibrant tomato plants.

Come planting time, we handed out tomato plants to several people and kept one pot of plants for ourselves. We decided to plant one according to the directions, and the others we would scatter around our property in different beds, without following the special instructions.

OK, SO JUST WHAT ARE THOSE INSTRUCTIONS?

We had to dig a hole 2 ft x 3ft and fill it with compost, food scraps, green material, leaves and whatever else that could breakdown into viable nutrients. (View complete details, instructions, photos- scroll down page). Also when we put our tomato plant in the compost hole, we put a
½ cubit Slim Spurling Ring around the stalk, to give it additional energy. The other remaining plants were either placed in beds or pots, scattered about, but with no special planting procedures, except pure intention for good growth and abundant harvest. Now it was time to just sit back and wait for The Truth to come out about these plants.

SOMETIMES WHEN IT’S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE…
Sometimes when it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t! We had an amazing production of cherry tomatoes! As promised, we reached well into the thousand mark. As promised, they were the size of golf balls. As promised, they were the best tasting cherry tomatoes we had ever had, as sweeet as candy!

The problem we had was our limited thinking. We had not really expected the results that were promised, therefore the staking system we had was not sufficient and came tumbling down under the weight of the plant after some time. It then sprawled outward, covering just about the entire bed we had it planted in. The tomatoes were like the energizer bunny, they kept on coming. We were picking our last tomatoes in early November. The plant itself still had a lot of fruit on it at that time but we could not keep it from succumbing to the ever lowering temperatures of our area, about one hour south of Philadelphia.

The other plants we had scattered around were strong, healthy and prolific as well, but not to the degree that this special planting one was. The size and taste of the fruit was pretty much equal. The big difference was in the size of the plant, although they outsized any prior cherry tomato plants we ever had, they were not the Jack and The Beanstalk size of our beloved special planting.

WILL WE DO IT AGAIN?
You betcha we will. It was the best $2 investment I ever made. As soon as I am finished typing this post, I am ordering my packet of seeds for this year. Scott and I are so excited about doing the planting again. Only this time we will be better prepared. Our special plant will have a dedicated site, all to itself. The staking system will be vigorous enough to support the growth we know it is capable of achieving. The other plants, we will scatter around the grounds just as we did last year. So my final word is…go to the website, read the material, watch the video, and then order your seed packet for $2.

Check our some more of our tomato plant pictures from July, you need to scroll to the bottom of the page.

Video:

Growing Tomatoes from Garbage (15 minutes) Biodynamic principles can be applied to gardens or farms of any size, as well as larger areas or whole ecosytems. The following video illustrates how well biodynamics works on single tomato plants

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Remember to Remember...

2008-02-14T13:57:00.005-05:00

YOUR LIFE IS YOUR SACRED JOURNEY

Be still
And out of the silence
Will come your knowing

Be still
And out of the stillness
Will come direction for your journey

Be still
And the One will guide you
In the perfection of your character

Be still
And you will
Remember to Remember
Who you are
And who all the others are around you

My Favorite Photo

2008-02-13T09:31:00.007-05:00

As I sit here listening to the pitter patter of slushy rain outside falling on the dusting of snow, I am longing for the face of spring. I decided to travel back in time to last spring to view some of the pictures I took while on a maddening 3 month creative explosion. The picture above is what I call my Angel in the Sky,she showed up one day as a confirmation to me about the work I was doing.

It all started around the end of January 2007. I was in an energy funk. I didn't want to leave the house. Had no interest in anything. Was physically exhausted. But was not depressed. Was not happy. Just was. Sort of just hanging with no expectation or emotion, but knowing in time things would shift dramatically. Didn't know how. Didn't know what. Just trusted the gut feeling, knowing it was right.

As time went on I realized these were the Ascension Symptoms and my body was adjusting to being in this new, higher vibrating frequency. It seemed like forever before the period of transition subsided, but when it did all hell broke loose.

First I started working on a photo essay called Project Blue Sky, with the purpose of determining if the sky over my home and local neighborhood was indeed being bombarded by chemtrails or was I just imagining this. For the entire month of April 2007 I took photos. See my earlier post explaining this. At the end of the month I decided I needed to create an Elemental Garden.

So what is an Elemental Garden? In my mind it was a small garden space for the elementals, especially the air slyphs, to come to rest and restore their energies, for the work they do to help the planet. Once I started on this journey, it was like initially deciding to go for a walk around the block, then changing your mind and walking across the country instead. I became manic, fully driven to put this garden in as a tribute and retreat for the elementals. Some days working 10 -12 hours or more in the garden. All else was pretty much put on hold. I couldn't break away from this project even if I wanted to.

This can become a real annoyance to those I live with, when I am in my manic mode. Fortunately, I never go depressive...after manic, it is normal behavior. My mood doesn't fluctuate in either state, just my attention and focus to task. Yesterday my oldest daughter, a senior in high school said to me, "Mom, I have analyzed you, and finally figured you out. When you get involved in a new project that becomes your world until you can get the work done, and most times it means dinners aren't gonna be that great." I chuckled, knowing I was busted!

Anyway, the elemental garden is a wonderful journey, that many have enjoyed reading about and following. It is way to long to post here, but I want to link to it...if you are curious, if you need a break from the winter doldrums, if you want to see some interesting photos, grab a cup of coffee or tea and travel with me through the Elemental Retreat project.

Looking back through this today is making me excited to begin my planning work for the garden this year, and yep, gotta get my order in for the Biodynamic tomato seeds. After last year, we now know better that a mega staking system is needed in order to harvest the thousands of tomatoes we harvested.