Bitter Sweet May

We wait throughout the winter season, amid freezing temperatures, snow and ice covered roads which create hazardous driving conditions, endure post holiday blahs and long for the sweetness of spring. March welcomes in the season we long for but as any of us who live in the unpredictable Midwest know, March can and does come in like a lion. April can be lovely but there is still more likely than not, a chill in the air. May can bring equal parts of warmth, sunshine and a hint of summer.

For me, May is my favorite month of the spring season. Blossoms abound and the scent of flora and fauna intoxicate my senses, as I long for invigorating walks in nature, appreciating her colorful display designed by the most brilliant designer in the universe...Mother Nature. May is also the birthday month of my dearest friend of twelve years. We have had many adventures and will have many more I am sure.

May also holds bitter sweet memories of my parents, whom I dearly miss. My mother's birthday would be May 19th and my father's May 20th. My mother was a transplanted southern belle who still had a gentle lilt to her voice. I admit to having my moments with mom in my youth but any negative, rebellious feelings have long since passed and I came to respect and love her dearly. She was a marvelous grandmother and she is dearly missed by those who loved and still do love her. I am amazed that it has been almost twenty years since her passing and I cannot help but feel a bit envious at times when others of my age enjoy the company of their mother's. Mother's Day means even more, not only 
because I am a mother myself but this year, my oldest daughter will enjoy her very first Mother's Day. It is a time of joy, yet, I still have a stirring in my heart for my own mother.

How can I describe my dad? He was energetic, silly, sometimes exasperating and stubborn but he also was a social butterfly, good dancer, animal lover and had the huts pah to jump out of a plane at the tender age of 80 (which scared the life out of his daughters) and continued to do so until he was 85, stating "If George Bush can do it at 80, so can I". I believe the town he resided in is a bit quieter without him and I hope he, as well as my mother, are remembered as fondly by others who knew them as they are by their family.

This year, I will bake a cake for them both and wish them a "heavenly" birthday. I hope they look down favorably upon my creative and caring spirit and give a blessing to myself, my sisters and our children and now their great grandson.

May is a time of transformation and transition with cherished memories and the promise of hope and inspiration. For all the special days and special people both here on earth and beyond...celebrate May!

The Art of Healing

There are many ways in which the human body can heal itself. We may seek the knowledge of traditional medical professionals but we must also learn to listen to what our bodies tell us and take responsibility for our own health and well being.

When we seek treatment from our physicians or specialist, we must also take into consideration that other forms of treatment can and do enhance our ability to overcome certain illness and disorders, both physically and mentally.

I firmly believe that everyone should visit a nutritionist at one point in their lives, as what we consume plays a heavy role in a positive, healthy lifestyle. Some of the foods we eat can even be a factor in some disorders and diseases. I would highly recommend that every heart, cancer, and patients with digestive disorders spend quality time with a nutritionist and heed their advice. A good physician understands that they are not the sole answer to most medical issues.

A healthy diet, weight control and exercise (I need to improve those last two) are the ying and yang of daily maintenance to ensure good health. Find a fitness program that works for you and modify fitness programs for those with health issues. If you are not able to do this on your own, get yourself a membership to a fitness center.

If finances are an issue , many of these establishments offer affordable rates and the membership is cheaper than medical bills due to poor health and excess weight.

Holistic health practitioners offer vast knowledge on the subjects of natural healing through the use of vitamins, oils, herbs and offers clients a means of healing without the chemicals found in many pharmaceuticals. For those who seek to work with their physician and a holistic health practitioner, make sure to keep both health care providers informed of any medications prescribed to avoid harmful interaction.

Therapeutic massage is not only very relaxing (well, deep tissue can be pretty intense but purposeful) but works to keep our body in balance through capable hands working the muscles and tissues of our body and reduce stress which can put us at risk of serious illness. I recommend a visit to a great massage therapist once a month at least. It is good for your body and soul.

Note to massage therapists who are guilty of this: I have heard more than a few clients discuss their dismay at looking forward to a wonderful massage, only to have their therapist talk and talk about their problems and hardships. Not only is this unprofessional but it is extremely disrespectful to your client, who comes to you and pays for your services. You are THEIR therapist, they are not YOURS!

We will now go on to what many consider the "gray" matter of healing practices.

Reiki is the practice of energy healing through placement of hands to work with the bodies energy centers to assist clients balance the "chakra" system. This form of healing can bring about awareness, inner peace and tranquility and assists in bringing about good "Chi". There are skeptics but as a Reiki Practitioner myself, I find this practice to be highly effective and frankly, life changing. The term Reiki means "universal life force energy". This practice originated in Japan and has expanded over the years to reach out to other countries. When east meets west, good things can happen. I could go on to explain more about this wonderful art of healing but that would be another article in itself. There is much information concerning Reiki and it's healing attributes. I highly recommend that everyone try Reiki at least once in their lives but remember, you must be willing to accept the healing offered without reservation in order for it to be the most effective. Imagine going to your dentist for treatment and refusing to open your mouth. We all must be active participants when it comes to our own health and well being.

We can aid in our good health by keeping a less toxic home. Natural materials, fibers and clean air filtration are a wonderful enhancement to aid in our health. We can even create a more positive environment with the paint colors we choose as well as a less toxic choice which can be found at most establishment which sell paint products.

For instance, while purple is a vibrant color, I could not image bright purple walls in my bedroom being a sleep aid. Perhaps an accent wall in a less bright color would be lovely but I envision, sage green, taupe, lavendar or colors which create a peaceful atmosphere. Fabrics that are soft and plush create a feeling of comfort and ease when trying to relax and de stress. The environment we live and work in, aid in keeping us on an even keel.

Relationships can be just as toxic as our environment or a disease which invades our body. Anyone in the health care and mental health profession will tell you to detoxify your body (and soul) of anything which causes you harm. Unhealthy relationships are no different. This is not to say your should never speak to your family members again if they are the culprit but you must take charge of how an unhealthy association effects you. You need to set boundaries and limitations and be firm about it. You may also need to look at your own contribution in this matter. Life is too short not to surround yourself with those who are positive and supportive instead of parasitic and negative. Love yourself enough to set necessary boundaries and if counseling is needed than seek it immediately.

We are all mortal and will fall victim to the end of life at some time but until then, let us all take our health seriously and do what we need to in order to live the best quality of life that we can while we take up residence upon this earth.

The Wonderful Thing About Teeger

Ah, the bliss of being a grandparent! Love them. spoil them and hand them over to their parents. When I look at my grandson, Teegan, I see a world of possibilities to carry on the family genetics. Does this sound too scientific? Perhaps but my intentions are not at all based in such logic and reasoning. I simply have hope that a member of our family lineage will bless the world we live in with something we have very little of in these troubled times....Hope, compassion, honesty and community spirit. We as a society are sadly lacking in these values and it is indeed troubling.

As I look into the face of my innocent grandson, I see what can be, what I so desperately wish humanity can achieve and I extend this invitation to the very young and less tainted souls among us to bring about this metamorphosis within our earthbound plane. Why can we not see every child as we see our own children and grandchildren? We all enter this world as innocents and how we choose to contribute to it's success or failure is purely up to us.

We all possess the tools which are necessary to achieve our goals and the irony in this statement is that there are many whom we may find "lacking" in certain areas of life, who, through sheer strength and determination, move past many of us considered more fortunate, to achieve greatness in what is most important, kindness, generosity and integrity. I could not ask for more from my grandson.

Let us all work together to ensure a bright future for all our children and grandchildren. Teach them to respect all living things and to save judgment for those entities whose power is greater than ours. Love is greater than hate and giving is more of a blessing than receiving.

My dear grandson is borne of those who see his possibilities and will guide him gently to achieve his life goals. May he always feel loved and accepted for who he is and not what others expect him to be. Mostly, that he can hold on to just a bit of that wonderful childlike innocence that I find so endearing. For the most wonderful thing about Teeger is, that he is our only one.