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   <title>Spiral Visions Blog</title>
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   <link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/atom.xml" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2008://1</id>
   <updated>2008-05-10T22:34:14Z</updated>
   <subtitle>Holistic Healing, Spirituality, Empowerment and Wellness</subtitle>
   <generator uri="http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/">Movable Type Publishing Platform 4.0</generator>


<entry>
   <title>James Twyman Concert in Moline on June 6</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2008/05/james_twyman_concert_in_moline.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2008://1.100</id>
   
   <published>2008-05-10T21:41:47Z</published>
   <updated>2008-05-10T22:34:14Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Sharon&apos;s Christal Palace In Moline, Illinois is hosting a James Twyman Concert on June 6 and &quot;The Moses Code&quot; Workshop on June 7. James Twyman is the best-selling author of ten books, filmmaker and musician. In his new book, The...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[<strong>Sharon's Christal Palace</strong> In Moline, Illinois is hosting a James Twyman Concert on June 6 and "The Moses Code" Workshop on June 7. 

<a href="http://www.myspace.com/jamestwyman">James Twyman</a> is the best-selling author of ten books, filmmaker and musician. In his new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1401917887/phylameanalilade/">The Moses Code</a>, James describes the most powerful manifestation technique ever known to humanity. Hidden for almost 3,500 years.  This powerful tool was responsible for some of the most amazing miracles in the history of the world. When used by groups of people, the Code also has the power to change the world using the laws of Compassion and Peace. In the workshop, you will learn what the <em>Moses Code </em>is, why it is so important today, and  techniques for applying the Code in your life, and in the world.   

Concert - Friday, June 6th 7:00 -10:00 pm. (Cost $30.00)         
 Workshop- Saturday, June 7th  10:00 am.-6:00 pm.  (Cost $125.00)   

Registration Required
Call for more information or to purchase tickets to these events.  Ph. 309-762-8888

Event to be held at  Unity Church of Christianity 5102 47th Ave. Moline, Illinois Church Ph. 309-762-1066                                                                                                                                                                               
  
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<entry>
   <title>Twitter</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2008/05/twitter.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2008://1.99</id>
   
   <published>2008-05-09T19:58:23Z</published>
   <updated>2008-05-09T20:03:15Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Special Invitation - Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/phylameana. What is Twitter? - Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[Special Invitation - Follow me on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/phylameana">http://twitter.com/phylameana</a>. 

<strong>What is Twitter?</strong> - Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? <a href="http://twitter.com/">More about Twitter</a>]]>
      
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</entry>

<entry>
   <title>Body, Mind, and Spirit Studio in The New Tama Building</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2008/03/tribal_attitude.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2008://1.98</id>
   
   <published>2008-03-28T20:37:49Z</published>
   <updated>2008-03-29T04:38:06Z</updated>
   
   <summary> Christine Trochesset, Tribal Attitude Troupe Director, recently invited me to attend the Grand Opening of the Body, Mind, and Spirit Studio earlier this month. The studio is located on the second floor of the The New Tama Building in...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[<a href="http://www.tribalattitude.org/workshops.html"><img src="http://spiralvisions.com/graphics//tribalattitude_blog.jpg"  alt="holistic healing" align="center" hspace="6" border="0"></a><br><br>
Christine Trochesset, Tribal Attitude Troupe Director, recently invited me to attend the <a href="http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/biz-tribalattitude-030908">Grand Opening of the <strong>Body, Mind, and Spirit Studio</strong> </a>earlier this month. The studio is located on the second floor of the The New Tama Building in Burlington, IA. I was unable to attend as I had hoped....but I'm really happy to know about this new "healing place" available in my neck of the woods. I participated in some belly dance sessions taught by Christine at the <a href="http://www.uuburlington.org/">The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship</a> last year. I had a lot of fun jiggling my hips about even if I wasn't the most coordinated participant. I'll have to check out Christine's new location sometime soon. <em><p><a href="http://www.tribalattitude.org/workshops.html">Tribal Attitude</a> is a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to promote various aspects of Middle Eastern, Southwest Asian, and American Tribal Style Dance through the sharing of knowledge. By providing an opportunity for study and research in costuming, music, history, the development of the dance, and culture, the troupe hopes to improve the image of the dance as a performing art form... </em><p>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Living A Life Without Regrets</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2008/01/living_a_life_without_regrets.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2008://1.97</id>
   
   <published>2008-01-24T23:28:48Z</published>
   <updated>2008-01-24T23:35:21Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Recently I became disgruntled when someone asked me a question about the way I live my life. The question itself did not particularly annoy me, but the undertones that I detected in the questioner&apos;s voice put me on the defensive....</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[Recently I became disgruntled when someone asked me a question about the way I live my life. The question itself did not particularly annoy me, but the undertones that I detected in the questioner's voice put me on the defensive. I was careful not to show my annoyance outwardly because I'm just stubborn enough not to want this particular person to know that her pushy demeanor had gotten under my skin. But it DID!

I cannot recall the exact words that this woman used to "attack" me in her question, but the basic theme of her inquiry was whether or not I was happy with where my life choices have placed me. She wanted to know if I was content with my current situation and, if I were to live my life all over again, would I choose to do things differently so that I could be in a better or different place? My answer was, emphatically, that I would not change anything

<strong>Poor Choices Have Helped Build my Character</strong>

The choices I've made in life are behind me and I don't waste time regretting any of them. Do I think I made poor choices at times? Of course I do, but hey, that's what happened. Some of my choices may have landed me in unpleasant circumstances, but experiencing these things certainly built my current character. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for those character-building situations. Take any of those choices out of the equation and I'd be an entirely different person. I don't want to be another person, I like my person.

It became clear to me that this woman, who is privy to some of my personal history,  could not relate to my choices and was curious as to how I felt about them. I felt like I was under a microscope and being examined through the eyes of a careless, meddling, critic. I may have been reading her all wrong, but it felt as if she viewed my life as having little significance and absolutely nothing worthwhile to embrace. She acted greatly surprised when I told her I was very content with my life and would not do anything different, if given the opportunity.

It irked me that she was looking at me with a critical point of view. Basically I sensed that she was flabbergasted with my response. My eyes focused upon her face and saw a look that asked "How could you possibly be okay with the status quo?"  Perhaps her astonishment to my answer revealed more about how she felt about herself than how she felt about me. I wondered if perhaps she might actually be harboring regrets from her own past and simply assumed that everyone else would also.

<strong>Reflecting on my Initial Reaction</strong>

However, now that a few days have gone by and I've had more time to reflect, not on her question, but on my reaction to her question, I realize that I may not be entirely "okay" with how things are with me and my life in general.

I'm certainly not happy when others look at me with critical intention. And although, intellectually, I know that I have no control over the way others view me, I can still get caught up in that old trap of wanting everyone to look favorably at me. As a child it was very important for me to have others think well of me. I took some hard knocks emotionally whenever I realized that someone didn't desire me as their friend. Ouch! I eventually learned that it was okay if someone didn't particularly care for me. I came to this realization only after I thought about certain children among my peers in my grade school classes whose personalities I didn't care for.  If it was okay for me not to like everyone, then I certainly could not expect everyone to care for me. I came to the conclusion that it was okay not to be liked by everyone. You're okay. I'm okay. We don't have to be friends for us all to be okay. 

<strong>Reevaluating Past Life Lessons</strong>

Life has a way of recycling its lessons to make sure we have learned them thoroughly. The insecure child inside me does care what others think about her. "What's not to like?" my inner child says to herself. 

Here I am, only a few weeks away from my fiftieth birthday, and the universe suddenly slaps me with a simple question that awakens in me the unnerving feeling that I need to reevaluate my current state of affairs for a second time. Am I truly walking a "path with heart," as Don Juan Matus would ask?

What do you do when a person for whom I hold no great esteem, suddenly confronts me with words that brought certain childhood feelings bubbling back up to the very surface of my being? Just how deep is the need to be liked by our peers and the greater need to be acknowledged by them for having lived a worthy life buried in my psyche? I wonder.

<strong>Don't Stick a Fork in Me - I'm Not Done Yet</strong>

Now, as I am faced with reevaluating my strong desire to be regarded favorably by others, I have come to realize that I am most comfortable when I am not being regarded at all by people, rather than being regarded unfavorably. "See me kindly or please don't look at me" could easily be my motto. Unfortunately, we cannot all live under rocks and avoid uncomfortable confrontations. I must admit that this woman, who got under my skin with her rude questioning, actually offered me a gift. Now I get to look deeper inside and discover more about myself. Yes, that's a gift. A valuable gift!

But, if you were to ask me the same questions: "Are you happy with your life?", would you change anything or do anything different?", no matter what the tone resounding in your voice, or intention revealed by your demeanor? My answer would be the same]

Yes, I am content with my current life. I would not change a single thing. I take responsibility for all my past choices and value them for the life lessons they offer. Naturally, I'm not finished evolving yet. My life is not at a standstill. <strong>I'm a work in progress, so please don't stick a fork in me. I'm not quite done yet!</strong>
<a href="http://healing.about.com/od/choices/ht/no_regrets.htm">
How to Life Your Life Without Regrets</a>
<em>
Copyright © 2004 Phylameana lila Désy
</em>]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Reiki and Your Sex Life</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/12/reiki_and_your_sex_life.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2007://1.96</id>
   
   <published>2007-12-24T19:39:01Z</published>
   <updated>2007-12-24T19:52:10Z</updated>
   
   <summary> Reiki Body Massage Giving your partner a Reiki massage is an openhearted and nurturing demonstration of your love. For some couples, it may be a good way to arouse each other sexually. For others, it may have a calming,...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
   <category term="49" label="massage" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="8" label="reiki" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
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      <![CDATA[<img src="http://spiralvisions.com/graphics/reikimassage.gif"  align="left" border="0"> <br />
Reiki Body Massage

<p>Giving your partner a Reiki massage is an openhearted and nurturing demonstration of your love. For some couples, it may be a good way to arouse each other sexually. For others, it may have a calming, relaxing effect, easing the stresses from the recipient's body and sending them right into a slumber pose. Whether you use it for foreplay or foresleep, Reiki massage is a wonderful way to be intimate with your partner.</p>

<p>The basic Reiki hand placements are not used while giving a massage. Reiki will naturally kick in during the session. For instance, you can lovingly give your partner a Reiki back rub:</p>

<p>   1. Charge your (preferably organic) massage oils with Reiki energies. Sweet almond oil and jojoba oil are favorites for releasing stresses.</p>

<p>   2. Have your partner lay on her stomach on the bed.</p>

<p>   3. Cover the lower part of your partner's body with some warm towels so she will not be chilled.</p>

<p>   4. Pour a handful of massage oil in your hands. Allow your Reiki hands to warm the oil.</p>

<p>   5. Begin by smoothing your hands in slow, sweeping movements across your partner's neck, shoulders, and upper back.</p>

<p>   6. Begin stroking and rubbing the neck and shoulders.</p>

<p>   7. Continue kneading out any kinks or stresses as you move your hands down your partner's back.</p>

<p>   8. Finish the massage by lightly scratching her skin surface with your fingernails in circular or figure-eight movements.</p>

<p>   9. Lie down and snuggle up next to your partner.</p>

<p>Note: The back rub massage described here should not be used as therapy in a clinical setting or as a healing practice. Such behavior is not acceptable between a practitioner and a client and should be reserved for your intimate relationship.</p>

<p>Copyright © <a href="http://everythingreiki.com" target="_blank">The Everything Reiki Book</a>  </p>
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<entry>
   <title>Waiting for the Fog to Clear</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/10/waiting_for_the_fog_to_clear.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2005://1.56</id>
   
   <published>2007-10-12T18:44:47Z</published>
   <updated>2007-10-18T19:25:39Z</updated>
   
   <summary>I was attending a weekend retreat several years ago when I first heard the expression &quot;I&apos;m in a FOG.&quot; It was then explained to me that being in a FOG represented &quot;F***ing Opportunity for Growth.&quot; Basically it&apos;s a crude way...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[<img src="http://spiralvisions.com/graphics/fogwait.jpg" align="right" border="0" />I was attending a weekend retreat several years ago when I first heard the expression "I'm in a FOG." It was then explained to me that being in a FOG represented "F***ing Opportunity for Growth." Basically it's a crude way of saying that you are facing a crisis or are actually in the midst of chaos playing out in your life. A FOG can be an unsettled legal dispute, a personal health crisis, impending divorce, finding yourself unemployed, or some other unhappy scenario.

The tricky part is not what the actual crisis (FOG) is, but knowing how best to respond to it. It is very easy to become "reactive" when life throws us a curve ball. My tendency is usually to dodge the ball defensively, while others may react more offensively. But, not so fast. FOGs seldom clear away when we react to them in our normal fashion. Taking any action right off the bat is probably not a good idea. Usually just sitting in the midst of the FOG and waiting for any emotional energies attached to it to lift before reacting will be your best recourse. Allow yourself 24-48 hours to have a "pity party," although I don't suggest you invite any guests. But it is okay to have a solitary tantrum in your own private space. Suck in all your "woe is me" energies and embrace any emotional backlash you are feeling. Go ahead and feel sorry for yourself. Curse! Complain! Cry out "Why Me!?!" etc.

Be careful not to get stuck in the "poor me" state of mind for more than a couple of days. A crisis is raging, and you will need to take some kind of action. After the initial shock has worn off it may be a good time to slip into a more reflective state of mind and quietly ask "Why me? Why now?" rather than screaming out "WHY ME?" in despair. But truthfully, even during a calmer, reflective state you may not get a clear answer as to why you are caught in a chaotic situation no matter how connected you normally are to your inner dialogs. That's why it's called a FOG. It's difficult to understand the "why?" of such matters.

You have been gifted with an opportunity to grow as a person... but it won't look like a gift. It may very well feel like a slap in the face. I have often learned from past FOG experiences that, once the FOG has cleared and my life is again flowing less erratic, I will get a better perspective as to why I had to experience the struggles and the emotional stings. It can require a distanced view from the initial impact to see the bigger picture.

A FOG can actually be useful when it knocks us out of our comfort zones in order to nudge us into branching out in different directions. Remember, life is a journey. We're not going to get anywhere if we insist on standing still.

After I was able to re-map my course of action due to the detour that a FOG had forced me to take, I realize I was a better person for it. Surprisingly, I always land on my feet afterwards. The ground I end up standing on might be foreign to me, but I always know that, eventually, I will find my best direction to travel. This is not to say that I welcome FOGs to enter my life. I prefer a calmer existence on most days and, for this reason, I try my very best to pay attention to the quieter messages the Universe whispers gently in my ears. If I listen carefully and pay heed to the messages, there is no reason for the volume to get turned up to a deafening roar.]]>
      
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<entry>
   <title>Carnival of Healing - 100th Edition</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/08/carnival_of_healing_100th_edit.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2007://1.89</id>
   
   <published>2007-08-25T20:54:53Z</published>
   <updated>2007-08-25T21:01:57Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Can you believe it? I hardly can. You&apos;ll find the carnival post at About Holistic Healing . It includes links to some of the carnival&apos;s Mile Marker Editions before this week&apos;s attractions are listed. It was absolutely a mistake that...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
      <category term="Carnival of Healing" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
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      <![CDATA[<a href="http://healing.about.com/b/a/257865.htm"><img src="http://z.about.com/d/healing/1/0/M/0/1/blogcarnival100.jpg"  alt="holistic healing" align="right" hspace="6" border="0"></a>Can you believe it? I hardly can. You'll find the carnival post at <a href="http://healing.about.com/b/a/257865.htm">About Holistic Healing </a>. It includes links to some of the carnival's Mile Marker Editions before this week's attractions are listed. It was absolutely a mistake that I left the "i" out of carnival on the graphic. I would never purposely leave myself (i) out the carnival.<br><a href="http://healing.about.com/b/a/257865.htm">Carnival of Healing: 100th Editon</a>]]>
      
   </content>
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<entry>
   <title>Carnival of Healing #98 Choices</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/08/carnival_of_healing_98.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2007://1.73</id>
   
   <published>2007-08-11T07:16:23Z</published>
   <updated>2007-08-24T00:05:49Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Welcome to the 98th edition of the Carnival of Healing. It has been a while since I hosted the carnival here at my Spiral Visions Blog. For those of you who have visited in the past you may notice a...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
      <category term="Carnival of Healing" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="17" label="carnival of healing" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[Welcome to the 98th edition of the Carnival of Healing. It has been a while since I hosted the carnival here at my Spiral Visions Blog. For those of you who have visited in the past you may notice a few changes. I recently dumped my old blog software that had become bloated and glitchy. I'm still getting the new one up to par. Anyway, thanks for visiting my blog, and I hope you enjoy the carnival today.

<a href="http://healing.about.com/od/community/a/carnival.htm"><img src="http://spiralvisions.com/graphics/carnival_of_healing_tn.jpg"  alt="holistic healing" align="left" hspace="6" border="0"></a>
<strong>The <a href="http://healing.about.com/od/community/a/carnival.htm">Carnival of Healing</a> is a weekly round-up of blogs across the Internet featuring information about healing, self empowerment, and spirituality.
<br><br></strong>

Today's edition was originally to be hosted by <a href="http://greenwomanswisdom.blogspot.com/">Greenwoman's Wisdom</a> but unfortunately Shannee is experiencing techincal difficulties with her blog so I am filling in for her. I hope she can get the problem resolved soon!

I chose the title "Choices" for today's carnival because the underlying theme of the contributed blog posts seemed to focus on personal choices.  And there are plenty of carnival attractions to choose from...]]>
      <![CDATA[<blockquote><strong>Choosing What Foods To Eat</strong></blockquote>

<b>John</b> outlines the <a href="http://www.muscular-fitness.com/importance-of-fiber-in-your-diet.html">Importance of Fiber in Your Diet</a> Pass the flaxseed please!

<b>Aparna</b> posts <a href="http://myblogonbeauty.blogspot.com/2007/07/foods-that-aggravate-acne-pimples.html">Foods that aggravate acne</a> - It's not the chocolate chips in the cookie that causes breakouts, but the milk you dunked the cookie in.

<b>Millionaire Mommy Next Door</b> says she kicked her fast-food habit years ago and offers suggestions in her post <a href="http://millionairemommynextdoor.blogspot.com/2007/08/some-fast-food-for-thought.html">Some Fast Food For Thought</a>. She asks readers to share their favorite fast food alternatives.  I've never been a fast food addict myself, it is rare for me to eat on the run.  Buffet style meals aren't my style either.  If I eat out I want to sit down and be served, I don't have any problem driving by the fast food establishments, but if you do some good advice is offered on how to put the skids on this not-so-healthy eating habit.

Weightloss Dude <b>James D. Brausch</b>, posts <a href="http://weightlossdude.com/?p=155">Why I'm Not A Vegetarian</a>. He's not defending himself for eating meat, but he has certainly put some thought into his answer.

<blockquote><strong>Choosing A New or Different Focus</strong></blockquote>

<b>Scott Lee</b> writes a thoughtful post, <a href="http://www.scottfreethinking.com/index.php/design-your-life-like-a-paint-brush/">Design Your Life, Like a Paint Brush</a> giving his own take on becoming comfortable with his own vision about what he wants his life to be. He also gives a quick outline of The Seven Hermetic Principles.

<a href="http://healing.about.com/od/sound/Music_Therapy.htm">Music therapy</a> on the football practice field is being talked about at <b>FitBuff</b> - <a href="http://www.fitbuff.com/new-york-jets-listen-to-mozart-on-the-football-field/">New York Jets Listen to Mozart on the Football Field</a>. Classical music may not seem like the best sound track for macho football players to be using to improve their moves, but I guess that's the whole point of the post... there's got to be reason behind the idea. I should disclose though that I'm not a fan of classical music myself.

<blockquote><strong>
Choosing Positive Thoughts (or Not)</strong></blockquote>

Our Emotions and Our Thoughts - these two share a strong kinship. <b>Albert Foong, Urban Monk</b> gives us a few lessons on mastering our minds with his post <a href="http://www.urbanmonk.net/108/how-to-remove-negative-thoughts-and-tame-your-monkey-mind-part-1/">How to remove negative thoughts and tame your monkey mind, Part 1</a>. 

<b>Gary van Warmerdam</b> warns against the dangers of optimism in his post<a href="http://pathwaytohappiness.com/happiness/2007/07/18/being-optimistic/">Being Optimistic With Awareness</a>. Hmmm... I never thought of optimism as being dangerous at all, and still don't even after reading his post.  But, his post makes for an interesting read anyway. I can almost get why he thinks this way, just can't quite take the leap to jump onto his bandwagon.  Being optimistic doesn't mean a person can't be practical. I look out for potholes too, but I'm still humming happily as I purposely swerve around.  Gary says "The key is to have the awareness to discern the good optimism from the dangerous optimism.  Awareness keeps you from ending up in emotional denial and making poor choices for your life."

<b>Nancy LaFever</b>, Centre for Emotional Well-Being, reminds us to <a href="http://www.emotionalwellbeingblog.com/2007/07/take-time-for-gratitude-every-day-there.html">Take Time for Gratitude Every Day</a>.

<blockquote><strong>Choosing Alternative Treatments</strong></blockquote>

HomeopathyZone, <b>David Nortman</b>, details the intial interview process between healer and client when considering homeopathic remedies in his post <a href="http://www.homeopathyzone.com/blog/article/the-initial-homeopathic-intake/">The Initial Homeopathic Intake</a>.

<b>Shelley M. Fondren</b> gives instruction for using <a href="http://www.massagemindandbody.com/blog/castor-oil-packs-to-reduce-toxins-inflamation/">Castor oil packs to reduce toxins, inflamation</a>

<b>Derek Brown</b>, A Shark Saved My Life,  dedicates a blog post to <a href="http://lifeonthewww.com/08/07/the-research-proven-alternative-to-ritalin-lets-cure-our-children-naturally/">alternatives to Ritalin for treating ADHD</a> Derek says, "ADHD is a serious condition. It is robbing our children of their education and self esteem. As parents we want to do what's best for our children, to help them succeed in this fast paced world of ours. We depend on our doctors for guidance, but what if that guidance is just flat out wrong?

<blockquote><strong>Choosing New Pathways</strong></blockquote>

<b>Bill Urell</b>, Addiction Recovery Basics,  talks about the connection between his sobriety and his spirituality in his post <a href="http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2007/08/05/spirituality-and-addiction-recovery-are-you-nuts/">Spirituality And Addiction Recovery: Are You Nuts? + Podcast</a>. Bill says "I was not comfortable with the traditional God image, so I had to get creative. I heard of spirituality as being described of as connection. Connection with yourself, with your family and the society and world around you. That, I could work with. My spiritual journey began at year 7 in recovery and it started with simply asking questions. To me, it was the asking that was important, not really the answers."

<b>Anna Farmery</b>, Widow's Quest, focuses on <a href="http://www.widowsquest.com/4-ideas-to-track-your-journey/">4 (writing) Ideas to Track Your Journey</a>. 

<b>Raymond David Salas</b> presents a simply truthful post <a href="http://zenchillcom.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-really-simplify-your-life.html">How to Really Simplify Your Life</a>. I'm never disappointed by Raymond's posts at his  ZenChill Power Tools Blog.

<b>John Hill</b> suggests <a href="http://www.universeofsuccess.com/10-steps-to-raising-your-vibration.html">10 Steps to Raising Your Vibration</a>. 

<blockquote>
<strong>Choosing Action or Non-Action</strong></blockquote>

I just love it when our carnival contributors unknowingly take opposite stances. For example Craig Harper prods us into taking action whereas Tupelo Kenyon suggests our actions "the mad rush to do more and more" possibly leave no time for just "being."  So what are we to do? Better to TAKE ACTION or just BE? Neither, Either, I guess it doesn't matter just so long as "purpose" is the driving force behind your action or non-action.

<b>Craig Harper</b> says "Get off your ass."  Okay, he says more than that and he says it very eloquently.  But, basically he is preaching about what I've known for a very long time,<B> Doing Nothing is a Choice!</b>  Check out his post  <a href="http://craigharper.com.au/2007/08/my-life-five-years-from-now.html">My Life.... Five Years From Now</a> and start making some changes in your life beyond a wish or a plan that never gets acted on.

<b>Tupelo Kenyon</b> posts <a href="http://www.tupelokenyon.com/2007/08/03/action-and-satisfaction/">Action and Satisfaction</a> He says "Balancing the realms of being and doing seems to be a healthy objective - on a personal level as well as on a global level. When our perpetual propensity to do is inspired and driven by "who we are" - the realm of being . . . then our actions bring satisfaction."

Here is another NON-ACTION blog contribution. One of the <a href="http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/four-paradoxes-of-standing-meditation/">Four Paradoxes of Standing Meditation</a> <b>Chris</b>, Marial Development, is <b>Time flies when you're doing nothing</b>. Chris says "Learn how standing meditation produced one of the greatest fighters of the 20th century, and how it can improve your health and fitness today."

<blockquote><strong>
It's Your Choice!</strong></blockquote>

<b>Christine Kane</b> gives us options to choose from in her post <a href="http://christinekane.com/blog/whats-easy-whats-not/">What's Easy. What's Not.</a> - Christine is one smart cookie!

That's it. Thanks for coming!

<br><strong>Looking Back:</strong> Last week the carnival was hosted at <a href="http://www.wellnessthroughwisdom.com/blog/?p=18">Wellness Through Wisdom</a><br>
<strong>Looking Forward:</strong> Next week (August 18) the carnival will be hosted by  <a href="http://reikiblogger.com">Reiki Blogger


<br><br>]]>
   </content>
</entry>

<entry>
   <title>Eco-Libris: a means to balance out the paper in your books by planting trees</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/08/one_book_one_tree.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2007://1.72</id>
   
   <published>2007-08-10T19:34:11Z</published>
   <updated>2007-08-20T06:18:12Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Eco-Libris is an organization that is promoting books being made with recycled paper. They are also suggesting you balance one book by planting a tree. This is a simple equation. One Book = One Tree. It works like this: for...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
      <category term="Earth Love" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="44" label="books" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="45" label="recycling" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[<img src="http://spiralvisions.com/graphics/ecolibris.jpg"  alt="holistic healing" align="left" hspace="6" border="0"></a><a href="http://ecolibris.net/">Eco-Libris</a> is an organization that is promoting books being made with recycled paper. They are also suggesting you balance one book by planting a tree. This is a simple equation. One Book = One Tree. It works like this: for every dollar you send them they will plant a tree. They will also send you a sticker (made from recycled paper naturally) to place on the cover of each book you have eco-balanced to display your Green commitment. Being reminded that every book I read was created via a tree's sacrifice makes me cherish my beloved books all the more. ]]>
      
   </content>
</entry>

<entry>
   <title>Spiritual Blog Reviews</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/08/spiritual_blog_reviews.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2007://1.71</id>
   
   <published>2007-08-10T16:29:01Z</published>
   <updated>2007-08-10T17:16:06Z</updated>
   
   <summary>I had the honor of having my blog reviewed by Darcy, Spiritual Blog Reviews, a few days ago. Her blog is dedicated to publishing reviews of spiritually-centered blogs. Darcy says &quot;All of the blogs reviewed here are good blogs with...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
      <category term="Thank Yous!" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[<img src="http://spiralvisions.com/graphics/eatberries.jpg"  alt="spiral visions" align="right" hspace="6" border="0"></a>I had the honor of having my blog reviewed by Darcy, <a href="http://spiritualblogreviews.blogspot.com/">Spiritual Blog Reviews</a>, a few days ago. Her blog is dedicated to publishing reviews of spiritually-centered  blogs. Darcy says "All of the blogs reviewed here are good blogs with authors that are truly in touch with their own personal quests."

Not only can you stop by Darcy's blog and read the <a href="http://spiritualblogreviews.blogspot.com/2007/07/spiral-visions.html">flattering review she gave Spiral Visions</a>, but she will likely introduce you to some delightful blogs that you've yet to stumble upon on your own. This reminds me, I need to get my blogroll back in place. It went to the wayside when my old blog software went wacky. I wish Movable Type had a built in blogroll widget.

BTW - You'll discover that Darcy has a talent for flattery. I'm betting that she's the type of person who goes out of her way to find something nice to say about everyone, even those stinkers most folks would rather not associate with. I especially like the format of her reviews. She includes a screenshot of the blog that is the subject of her review, and also writes a personal note about "Something that touched me" before getting down the actual review. 

Darcy's spiritual path apparently involves "gathering" -- she's definitely the person I would want to have with me whenever I went trampling through the woods on my berry picking expeditions. I imagine she would have a natural knack for finding the biggest juiciest berries.

Thank You Darcy, for making me feel special!]]>
      
   </content>
</entry>

<entry>
   <title>Email Management: Delete - Keep - Reply</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/08/email_management_delete_keep_r.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2007://1.70</id>
   
   <published>2007-08-09T19:04:50Z</published>
   <updated>2007-08-09T19:06:03Z</updated>
   
   <summary>I&apos;m attempting to get a better handle on my mishandling of emails. My sister told me about her email rule - Maximum of 50 emails in her inbox at any one time. This rule forces her to keep her email...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[I'm attempting to get a better handle on my mishandling of emails. My sister told me about her email rule - <strong>Maximum of 50 emails in her inbox at any one time</strong>. This rule forces her to keep her email from bloating out of control. I opened up my mail program and saw that I had over 6000 emails in my INBOX -- it's a fact that I do get more email than she does, so I'm thinking I may have to use a higher number if I wish to follow her rules, but a reasonable and somewhat managable number -- MAXIMUM of 100 maybe. Anyway, over the past week I've managed to get the number down to 205 emails. How did I do it?  

Much like sorting through items in a closet and choosing to either "Trash" "Donate" or "Keep" each item. I gave myself 3 options for each email "Delete" "Keep" or "Reply." 

<strong>Delete</strong>
I ended up deleting many of my emails. I feel badly, but it is simply too embarrasing to answer emails that are over one year old. Better, the sender think this email was lost in cyberspace I'm thinking.

<strong>Keep</strong>
Emails that do not require a response, but have info in them which I may want to reference later are my "keepers."  These emails are being moved into other mail folders in a loosely organized fashion.   My mail folders are for reference only, I am not allowing myself to move emails that require a response to get filed into other folders where they will be forgotten. 

<strong>Reply</strong>
Anyway, as of this morning I have 205 emails in my INBOX.... but most of them, probably all of them are requiring an answer so it is going to be tougher getting this number down to 100 or possibly 50 (am I dreaming?). I'm challenging myself to make this happen by the end of August.

Wish me luck in moving forward and sticking to this new rule. If I can do this, it will relieve the burden of my feeling guilt over unanswered and unattended email contacts.]]>
      
   </content>
</entry>

<entry>
   <title>Good Karma - Good Books</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/07/good_karma_good_books.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2007://1.18</id>
   
   <published>2007-07-07T16:12:33Z</published>
   <updated>2007-07-08T05:42:17Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Hugs to Isabella I&apos;ve met some wonderful and caring people through being the organizer of the Carnival of Healing. I was surprised this week by Isabella Mori, change therapy - Isabella is a veteran carnival host. She gifted me with...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
      <category term="Carnival of Healing" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="17" label="carnival of healing" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="12" label="karma" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[<b>Hugs to Isabella</b><br><br>

I've met some wonderful and caring people through being the organizer of the <a href="http://healing.about.com/od/community/a/carnival.htm">Carnival of Healing</a>. I was surprised this week by <a href="http://www.moritherapy.org/article/buy-a-friend-a-book/">Isabella Mori, change therapy</a> - Isabella is a veteran carnival host. She gifted me with an e-certificate for a book of my choosing. This was a result of <a href="http://www.dhamel.com/buyafriendabook/">buyafriendabook.com's good Karma, good books</a> initiative. Isabella asked me if her surprise "shocked the pants off of me." My honest answer is "Not really, I am not surprised to get an unexpected gift". But, I WAS pleasantly surprised to have one of my fellow carnies be the gifter. FUN! FUN! I actually do get little surprises, I call them <a href="http://healing.about.com/b/a/257740.htm">unbirthday gifts</a>, fairly regularly. Why? It's probably because I'm a great believer in both "giving and receiving." And, that's kind of what <a href="http://healing.about.com/od/karma/a/karmicrewards.htm">karma</a> is all about, what comes around, goes around. I extend my gift-bearing hand outwards, and eventually the boomerang returns. The return "getting" is not the reason why I give to others, but "getting" is about being grateful and feeling deserving of thoughtfulness. Isabella, FYI, I was able to order 2 books using the ecert. The first was a out-of-print feng shui book that looks interesting. It is suppose to have a lot of great photos according to reader reviews. Good "chi" is as good as good karma! The second was a copy of <a href="http://healing.about.com/b/a/257691.htm">The Four Agreements</a>. I really love this little book. I like to have extra copies of it around to pass on to friends and clients. Thanks Isabella!
<br><br>]]>
      
   </content>
</entry>

<entry>
   <title>Announcement</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/06/announcement.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2007://1.2</id>
   
   <published>2007-06-12T06:15:33Z</published>
   <updated>2007-06-17T00:30:47Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Yes, you have landed at Spiral Visions.com -- I&apos;m in transition. I was experiencing blog bloat and was forced to ditch my old blog. A spanking new default installation of Movable Type is now in place. I have some work...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
      <category term="Messages" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="1" label="announcements" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[Yes, you have landed at Spiral Visions.com -- I'm in transition. I was experiencing blog bloat and was forced to ditch my old blog. A spanking new default installation of Movable Type is now in place. I have some work to do. And wouldn't you know it, my cable went out. I'm at the local library typing out this message. Older blog posts are currently mirrored and residing at <a href="http://spiralvisions.wordpress.com">http://spiralvisions.wordpress.com</a> during this transition.

]]>
      
   </content>
</entry>

<entry>
   <title>I Love You Daddy!</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/05/i_love_you_daddy.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2007://1.19</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-28T05:38:00Z</published>
   <updated>2007-07-08T06:58:32Z</updated>
   
   <summary> This photo is my entry for the Father&apos;s Day Photo Contest posted at Finding Joy in the Morning. If you click on the photo you will be able to see the orignal photo I scanned. I cropped the photo...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
   <category term="30" label="family" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[<a href="http://spiralvisions.com/graphics/daddyandme_original.jpg"><img src="http://spiralvisions.com/graphics/daddyandme2.jpg" alt="Father's Day" align="middle" border="0" hspace="6" /></a>
<hr /> This photo is my entry for the <a href="http://joyinthemorning.clubmom.com/joy_in_the_morning/2007/05/fathers_day_pho_1.html">Father's Day Photo Contest posted at Finding Joy in the Morning</a>. If you click on the photo you will be able to see the orignal photo I scanned. I cropped the photo and created a border using copy and paste cut outs from the actual wallpaper from the original. The photo is of me and my father taken in 1955. This is the only photo I have of just my dad and me when I was a toddler. My plan is to print it out and create a card to send him next month for Father's Day. I have some special memories of my Dad. He taught me how to tie my shoes, ride my bike, shoot hoops, and how to jump rope. He tried to teach me how to pitch a softball.... but I never quite got the hang of that. As much as I thought I was a tomboy, I may just have been a bit too girly to toss a ball very far afield.
<a href="http://healing.about.com/od/spiritualparenting/a/lessonsfromdad.htm">Ten Life Lessons I Learned From My Father</a>]]>
      
   </content>
</entry>

<entry>
   <title>A Gypsy&apos;s Dream</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.spiralvisions.com/2007/05/a_gypsys_dream.html" />
   <id>tag:www.spiralvisions.com,2007://1.10</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-26T05:37:12Z</published>
   <updated>2007-07-08T05:28:19Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Yesterday I ordered this print from Art.com -Gypsy Moon - I&apos;m in the process of decorating my computer room, and since I&apos;m stuck deciding between two colors, either a &quot;green tea&quot; shade or an &quot;iced tea&quot; orangey color I thought...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>spiralvisions</name>
      <uri>http://spiralvisions.com</uri>
   </author>
   
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.spiralvisions.com/">
      <![CDATA[<a href="http://affiliates.art.com/get.art?T=15035428&amp;A=958580&amp;L=8&amp;P=12349353&amp;S=4&amp;Y=27565"><img src="http://spiralvisions.com/graphics/gypsymoonposter.jpg" alt="holistic healing" align="middle" border="0" hspace="6" /></a>Yesterday I ordered this print from Art.com -<a href="http://affiliates.art.com/get.art?T=15035428&amp;A=958580&amp;L=8&amp;P=12349353&amp;S=4&amp;Y=27565">Gypsy Moon</a> - I'm in the process of decorating my computer room, and since I'm stuck deciding between two colors, either a "green tea" shade or an "iced tea" orangey color I thought this print will look nice hung up on the wall whichever hue I choose. Is "whichever" one word or two - "which ever" ? Either way... It's a cool print!
<p>
Edit 7/7/07 - My poster arrived and it wasn't as cool as I thought. The face on the gypsy is actually a green skeleton, I wasn't expecting that. The poster is still cool in a "dark" and kinda creepy way, but certainly not what I was hoping for. I returned it.

<hr /> <strong>A Gypsy's Dream</strong><em>

Wrapped warmly in the burnished coat of the tiger,
Protected, safe in his strong but indifferent embrace,
Her eternal spirit drifts upwards without notice
To soar above the sky and beyond,
Within and without the known continents of space and time
And some unknown, yet untravelledrealms.
Bounding off celestial citadels,
Guided by the stars and the eroded paths
Of those who dreamed these places before,
She dares to enter the next one proudly,defiantly.
"When is this time? Where is this place?"
She sees, as a gypsy reads her tattered cards,
Through darkest portals that open wide
Onto horizons far out of reach
But magnificent in her searching mind's eye.
She flits about, this moth for the light,
From life to life,
From one lonely shore to another
Somewhere, somewhen more distant in space and time,
Forever beseeching the Seers of Then and Now
Who contradict and utter sacred verse obscure,
Tempt her with puzzles and purses of gold,
Then gravely stare in stoic silence,
Unmoved by her passion and wondrous kit of charms
Determined, she stands upon the pinnacle
Of their sublime, ethereal world,
Glimpsing shadows and thrilling by what lay ahead.
Reborn, her flesh exudes a bold blind innocence
And all the while clutching weakly
At her dangerous, impartial earthbound guardian.
Let it go! Throw off this feline shroud!
Stand naked, shivering before the altar,
Brilliant in your glowing sunlit whiteness
And dare to ask:
"Why was I granted this unlikely life?
To what end will it serve, what good?"
Infinite choices have we, or so it seems,
Yet vaguely does she know now as before
That only just to seek within herself,
To turn that wandering, wondering eye around,
Fling wide the shutters of that inner window
And peer intently through the fog beyond,
The answers are awaiting.
The answers are awaiting...</em>

Copyright ©1995 "A Gypsy's Dream" written by Joseph C. Désy, All rights reserved]]>
      
   </content>
</entry>

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