Mastering the Art of Living: “Improving Vs Changing”

                                           

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  (This applies to work, relationships and family)

 

Let’s examine the possibility of a simple attitude adjustment in how we look at  improvement in living as the way to move forward rather than change.  Why?  Change implies bringing all the baggage of the past along.  That means allowing for the “we cannot know what we do not know” we explored before in Ho’oponopono.  This often includes letting go of “stuff”, such as the voices of your youth; of the you cannot do that; should not do that; are you kidding me”, and negative thoughts of others, that fill our psyche with negative energy.  We end up fighting not just the desire to change but the voices that have haunted for years as to why we can’t.   So change becomes an exhausting endeavor?  And when humans are exhausted they are prone to give up and believe they have failed.

 

Thinking deeper; when you decide to select improvement in living you bring forward yourself and the “definite intent” of your being front and center.  You leave the other “stuff” behind because all of us strive to improve and are happy when we do.

 

Defending this prognosis:  Change has two responses either reactive or response.

First, reactive meaning looking for what’s wrong.  Second ,response meaning looking for what’s right. See the difference!  Subtle change, major shift towards moving forward with hope which now flows as a quiet stream as we move through our day. 

 

Word to the wise:  Make time for cherishing each other.  

Hint:  Knowledge is a result.  Going backward is a result.  Incomplete is a result.  Begin every task with the “intent to finish”.  Why?  So you do not get caught in the circle of repeat.

 

These principles called mastering the art of living are aligned with the laws of attraction and the art of forgiveness called Ho’oponopono.  “Attitude is everything, there is nothing else!”  Nani

 

 

Emotional Detox

Stinging Nettles are a wonderful spring tonic rich in vitamins A, B complex, C, K, calcium, potassium, iron and many other trace minerals. Because stinging nettle is true to it’s name, I suggest wearing gloves to harvest and not eating it raw or juiced. Hollow hairs on the leaves and stems inject folic acid into the skin, causing an intense stinging sensation. Stinging Nettle is also a valuable medicinal herb. A tincture or tea of dried leaves and root are used for menopause symptoms, blood building, hay fever, allergies, urinary tract infections, strengthening kidneys and nourishing the nervous system. Compresses or creams of stinging nettle can treat joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, and insect bites.

In Oriental Medicine, spring is associated with the wood element and the liver and gallbladder organ energy systems. The imbalanced emotion is anger and the balanced state is the ability to think through, make decisions, plan and put them into action. Have you noticed that when your plans get thwarted, the most common reaction is anger?

On the flower essence level stinging nettle offers support for coming out of the fog of living in a way that can’t support your true Being. In this kind of situation is it common to feel angry, powerless and incapable of changing the situation. As your body responds to these feelings, it may manifest physical imbalances such as allergies, tiredness, foggy unclear thinking, being more susceptibe to colds or other illnesses, arthrisis and other joint issues, to name a few. Stinging Nettle Flower Essence also aids in making clear choices especially about changing toxic situations. This can be on any level – a relationship that no longer serves you, negative thinking about yourself and your life, addictive habits – anything that does not support your true being. Spring is the time for cleaning the house of your body/mind/spirit. It is the time of renewal and new growth. Stinging Nettle Flower Essence will help you clear out toxic influences that cloud your way.

This Month’s Featured Essence

Expanded Definition as spoken by the plant:

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) — Support for coming out of the fog of living in a way that can’t support our true Being. Aids in making clear choices especially about changing your relationship to toxic situations.

I AM clear decision making about life choices.

Medicinal, Food & Wildlife Qualities

Stinging nettle is a common perennial herb to 8 feet found on moist forest edges, meadows and disturbed sites with rich soil. Hollow hairs on the leaves and stems inject folic acid into the skin, causing a stinging sensation. A valuable plant to humans for food, medicine and materials: Harvest young leaves and tender stems (wear gloves) in Spring. They are high in vitamin A, B, C, K, calcium, potassium, iron and many trace minerals and can be eaten when steamed, sauted, added to soups or stews. Do not eat raw. Tea of dried leaves and root or a tincture are used for menopause symptoms, blood building, hay fever, allergies, urinary tract infections, strengthening kidneys and nourishing the nervous system. Compresses or creams of stinging nettle can treat joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, and insect bites. Historically, the late season fibrous stems were used in making strong cord for use in basketry, ropes and fishing nets.

Symptom

Use Stinging Nettle Flower Essence when you lack the ability to recognize an unhealthy, toxic or abusive situation. You may feel angry, powerless and incapable of changing the situation. As your body responds to these feelings, it may manifest physical imbalances such as allergies, tiredness, foggy unclear thinking, a weakened immune system, arthritis and other joint issues, to name a few.

Action

Stinging Nettle Flower Essence helps to clear your thinking so you can see and respond to unhealthy, toxic or abusive situations more appropriately. This can be on any level – a relationship that no longer serves you, negative thinking about yourself and your life, addictive habits – anything that does not support your true being. Stinging Nettle Flower Essence may help with menopause systems if they are being fed by the above situation.

Small drusy quartz crystals, which energize and stabilize the essence and your subtle bodies, were placed around the outside base of the bowl when this essence was made.

These Essences are another valuable tool in my “Universal Tool Box” of Becoming “Who I Truly AM”! I do hope you will give them a try!

What are Flower Essences

To learn more about how you can request a consultation from Diana to see what Flower Essences would work best for you and your unique situation Click Here

I would be grateful if you would mention Gifts Of Enchantment when you call so I might receive acknowledgement for referring you. Thank You

What’s Unique about Asperger’s Disorder?

History

Asperger’s Disorder was first described in the 1940s by Viennese pediatrician Hans Asperger who observed autistic-like behaviors and difficulties with social and communication skills in boys who had normal intelligence and language development. Many professionals felt Asperger’s Disorder was simply a milder form of autism and used the term “high-functioning autism” to describe these individuals. Professor Uta Frith, with the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience of University College London and author of Autism and Asperger Syndrome, describes individuals with Asperger’s Disorder as “having a dash of Autism.” Asperger’s Disorder was added to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in 1994 as a separate disorder from autism. However, there are still many professionals who consider Asperger’s Disorder a less severe form of autism.

Characteristics

What distinguishes Asperger’s Disorder from Autism Disorder is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. Children with Asperger’s Disorder may be only mildly affected and frequently have good language and cognitive skills. To the untrained observer, a child with Asperger’s Disorder may just seem like a normal child behaving differently.

Children with autism are frequently seen as aloof and uninterested in others. This is not the case with Asperger’s Disorder. Individuals with Asperger’s Disorder usually want to fit in and have interaction with others; they simply don’t know how to do it. They may be socially awkward, not understanding of conventional social rules, or show a lack of empathy. They may have limited eye contact, seem to be unengaged in a conversation, and not understand the use of gestures.

Interests in a particular subject may border on the obsessive. Children with Asperger’s Disorder frequently like to collect categories of things, such as rocks or bottle caps. They may be proficient in knowing categories of information, such as baseball statistics or Latin names of flowers. While they may have good rote memory skills, they have difficulty with abstract concepts.

One of the major differences between Asperger’s Disorder and autism is that, by definition, there is no speech delay in Asperger’s. In fact, children with Asperger’s Disorder frequently have good language skills; they simply use language in different ways. Speech patterns may be unusual, lack inflection or have a rhythmic nature, or it may be formal, but too loud or high pitched. Children with Asperger’s Disorder may not understand the subtleties of language, such as irony and humor, or they may not understand the give-and- take nature of a conversation.

Another distinction between Asperger’s Disorder and autism concerns cognitive ability. While some individuals with autism experience mental retardation, by definition a person with Asperger’s Disorder cannot possess a “clinically significant” cognitive delay and most possess average to above average intelligence.

While motor difficulties are not a specific criteria for Asperger’s, children with Asperger’s Disorder frequently have motor skill delays and may appear clumsy or awkward.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Asperger’s Disorder is on the increase, although it is unclear whether it is more prevalent or whether more professionals are detecting it. The symptoms for Asperger’s Disorder are the same as those listed for autism in the DSM-IV; however, children with AS do not have delays in the area of communication and language. In fact, to be diagnosed with Asperger’s, a child must have normal language development as well as normal intelligence. The DSM-IV criteria for AS specifies that the individual must have “severe and sustained impairment in social interaction, and the development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities that must cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.”

The first step to diagnosis is an assessment, including a developmental history and observation. This should be done by medical professionals experienced with autism and other PDDs. If Asperger’s Disorder or high-functioning autism is suspected, the diagnosis of autism will generally be ruled out first. Early diagnosis is also important as children with Asperger’s Disorder who are diagnosed and treated early in life have an increased chance of being successful in school and eventually living independently. To learn more, see Consulting with Professionals.

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=life_aspergers

 

Autism FAQ

What is autism?

 

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. Autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees.

 

What are the most common characteristics of autism?

Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. They may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Their communication is often described as talking at others instead of to them. (For example, a monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments).

People with autism also process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits:

• Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
• Difficulty in expressing needs, using gestures or pointing instead of words
• Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language
• Laughing (and/or crying) for no apparent reason; showing distress for reasons not apparent to others
• Preference to being alone; aloof manner
• Tantrums
• Difficulty in mixing with others
• Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled
• Little or no eye contact
• Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
• Sustained odd play
• Spinning objects
• Obsessive attachment to objects
• Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
• No real fears of danger
• Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity
• Uneven gross/fine motor skills
• Non-responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf, although hearing tests in normal range

 

What is the difference between autism and PDD?

The term “PDD” is widely used by professionals to refer to children with autism and related disorders; however, there is a great deal of disagreement and confusion among professionals concerning the PDD label. Diagnosis of PDD, including autism or any other developmental disability, is based upon the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) (American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC, 1994), and is the main diagnostic reference of mental health professionals in the United States.

According to the DSM-IV, the term “PDD” is not a specific diagnosis, but an umbrella term under which the specific diagnoses are defined.

 

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

What distinguishes Asperger’s Syndrome from autism is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. Children with Asperger’s may be only mildly affected and frequently have good language and cognitive skills. To the untrained observer, a child with Asperger’s may seem just like a normal child behaving differently. They may be socially awkward, not understanding of conventional social rules, or show a lack of empathy. They may make limited eye contact, seem to be unengaged in a conversation, and not understand the use of gestures.

One of the major differences between Asperger’s Syndrome and autism is that, by definition, there is no speech delay in Asperger’s. In fact, children with Asperger’s frequently have good language skills; they simply use language in different ways. Speech patterns may be unusual, lack inflection, or have a rhythmic nature or it may be formal, but too loud or high pitched. Children with Asperger’s may not understand the subtleties of language, such as irony and humor, or they may not recognize the give-and-take nature of a conversation.

Another distinction between Asperger’s Syndrome and autism concerns cognitive ability. While some individuals with autism experience mental retardation, by definition a person with Asperger’s cannot possess a “clinically significant” cognitive delay, and most possess average to above-average intelligence.

 

Why is early intervention so important?

Early intervention is defined as services delivered to children from birth to age 3, and research shows that it has a dramatic impact on reducing the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. Studies in early childhood development have shown that the youngest brains are the most flexible. In autism, we see that intensive early intervention yields a tremendous amount of progress in children by the time they enter kindergarten, often reducing the need for intensive supports.

 

Where is the closest ASA chapter to me?

Please see our interactive map to locate your nearest ASA chapter.

Visit the Autism Info page.

Learn the signs of Austism

The characteristic behaviors of autism spectrum disorders may or may not be apparent in infancy (18 to 24 months), but usually become obvious during early childhood (24 months to 6 years).

As part of a well-baby/well-child visit, your child’s doctor should do a “developmental screening,” asking specific questions about your baby’s progress. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) lists five behaviors that signal further evaluation is warranted:

• Does not babble or coo by 12 months
• Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp) by 12 months
• Does not say single words by 16 months
• Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months
• Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age

Having any of these five “red flags” does not mean your child has autism. But because the characteristics of the disorder vary so much, a child showing these behaviors should have further evaluations by a multidisciplinary team. This team may include a neurologist, psychologist, developmental pediatrician, speech/language therapist, learning consultant, or other professionals knowledgeable about autism.

Characteristics of Autism

Autism is a spectrum disorder, and although it is defined by a certain set of behaviors, children and adults with autism can exhibit any combination of these behaviors in any degree of severity. Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act completely different from one another and have varying capabilities.

You may hear different terms used to describe children within this spectrum, such as autistic-like, autistic tendencies, autism spectrum, high-functioning or low-functioning autism, more-abled or less-abled, but more important than the term used to describe autism is understanding that whatever the diagnosis, children with autism can learn and function normally and show improvement with appropriate treatment and education.

Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals who are mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. They may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Their communication is often described as talking at others instead of to them (e.g., monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments).

People with autism also process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits:

• Insistence on sameness; resistance to change
• Difficulty in expressing needs; using gestures or pointing instead of words
• Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language
• Laughing (and/or crying) for no apparent reason; showing distress for reasons not apparent to others
• Preference to being alone; aloof manner
• Tantrums
• Difficulty in mixing with others
• Not wanting to cuddle or be cuddled
• Little or no eye contact
• Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
• Sustained odd play
• Spinning objects
• Obsessive attachment to objects
• Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain
• No real fears of danger
• Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity
• Uneven gross/fine motor skills
• Non-responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf, although hearing tests are in normal range

For most of us, the integration of our senses helps us to understand what we are experiencing. For example, our sense of touch, smell and taste work together in the experience of eating a ripe peach: the feel of the peach’s skin, its sweet smell, and the juices running down your face. For children with autism, sensory integration problems are common, which may throw their senses off (they may be over- or under-active). The fuzz on the peach may actually be experienced as painful, and the smell may make the child gag. Some children with autism are particularly sensitive to sound, finding even the most ordinary daily noises painful. Many professionals feel that some of the typical behaviors of autism, like the ones listed above, are actually a result of sensory integration difficulties.

There are also many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to popular belief, many children with autism do make eye contact; it just may be less often or different from a neuro-typical child. Many children with autism can develop good functional language and others can develop some type of communication skills, such as sign language or use of pictures. Children do not “outgrow” autism, but symptoms may lessen as the child develops and receives treatment.

One of the most devastating myths about children with autism is that they cannot show affection. While sensory stimulation is processed differently in some children, they can and do give affection. However, it may require patience on the parents’ part to accept and give love in the child’s terms.

What is Autism

The following information contained on this page is copyrighted © Autism Society of America (ASA).

To view their policy about reproduction of their content please click HERE.

To visit the Autsim Society of America please click HERE.

Defining AutismAutism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.

Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”

The five disorders under PDD are:

 
• Autistic Disorder 
• Asperger’s Disorder 
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) 
• Rett’s Disorder 
• PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which been outlined in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

  Prevalence of AutismAutism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007). Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise.

  Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

  Autism knows no racial, ethnic, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle, or educational levels and can affect any family, and any child.

  And although the overall incidence of autism is consistent around the globe, it is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls.

   

  © Autism Society of America - ASA

I am Autism

I Am Autism

You never know how true it is until you have a kid or two with Autism..

Hello. Allow me to introduce myself to you. My name is Autism. Perhaps you know me or know of me. I am a condition, a “disorder” that affects many people. I strike at will, when and where I want. Unlike Downs Syndrome or other birth “defects,” I leave no marks on those I strike. In fact, I pride myself on the ability to infiltrate a childs life, while leaving him or her strikingly handsome. Many people may not even know that I am there. They blame the child for what I cause him or her to do.

I am Autism and I do as I please.

I am Autism. I strike boys and girls, infants and toddlers. I find my best victims to be boys around the age of 2, but any child will do. I like children and they are always the true victims, though I take hostage the others in the child’s family as well. It is a bit like getting two for the price of one. I affect one child and infect the entire family.

I am Autism. I strike rich and poor alike. The rich combat me with education and therapy. The poor shut their children away and cannot afford to fight me. I am able to win in the lives of poor children more than I am of the wealthy, but I will try to take root anywhere.

I am Autism. I am an equal opportunity disorder. I like whites, blacks, Mexicans, Ukrainians, Russians, Poles, Slavs, Japanese, Koreans and Fins. In fact, I strike everywhere on earth. I know no geographical bounds.

I am Autism. I do not discriminate based upon religion either. I strike Jews and Christians, Muslims and Buddhists, Atheists and Agnostics, Hindus and Rastafarians. I do not care what religion a person is or what beliefs he may hold. When I strike, there will be little time for any of that anyway. When they find me, they will question everything the believe in, so why would I strike any one group? I have affected followers of every religion on the planet.

I am Autism and I am strong and getting stronger every year, every month, every day, every minute, and every second. I am concerned that money might be alloted to combat me and my takeover of children, but so far I have little to fear. Some countries, like Kuwait, are spending quite a bit of money to assist those who I have targeted and some, like the United States, would rather spend money on such ludicrous things as discovering the number of American Indians who practice voodoo, as opposed to combating me. In an atmosphere as that, I can flourish and wreck havoc at will. In places such as that, I rub my hands with glee at the problem I can cause to children, families and to the society at large.

I am Autism. When I come, I come to stay. I take the dreams and hopes of every parent and trample them with glee. I see the fear and confusion in the eyes of my victims and I see the formation of wrinkles, worries and ulcers and the pain on the face of their parents. I see the embarrassment their child causes because of me and the parents unsuccessfull attempt to hide their child and, me. I see tears and the parents cry and feel the tears of their child.

I am Autism. I leave sorrow in my wake.

I am Autism. I taketh and give nothing but bewilderment and loathing in return. I take speech and learning, I take socialization and understanding. I take away “common sense” and if I am allowed to flourish, I take away all but their physical life. What I leave behind, is almost worse than death.

I am Autism. I fear nothing except courage, which I thankfully see little of. I fear those who take a stand against me and attempt to fight me and bring others into the fight as well. I fear those who try to make it safe and easier for my victims in the community, and their families. I fear those who push ahead, despite the fact that I am in tow. I fear the day that I will be eradicated from the planet. Yet, I do not fear too much right now. There is no need.

I am Autism and I bet you know me or know of me. If you don’t, you probably will soon. I am marching forward faster than I ever have before. I am looking for new children all the time. I dread the day I will be looked on with pity, or worse yet, understanding, for that day, is the day I will begin to die. But, I don’t think that will happen for a long long time though, do you? In the meantime, I prowl onward, looking to cause pain and suffering wherever I go. I have so much work to do and thankfully, no one is stopping me.

Hello my name is Austim. Perhaps you know me or know of me……………………………

written by: © Marty Murphy

Marty Murphy is an adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder who was born and raised in central Illinois. With her personal insite and presentations on autism across Illinois, Marty has made a tremendous impact on how parent, teachers and administrators look at our children’s futures.

How do you deal with losing it with your children

A real source of pain and shame for mom’s is losing it with their children. Learn how to create a learning opportunity and get out of the problem. Because it involves getting emotionally hyjacked, it is so very difficult to know how to learn from this problem.

Claudia Luiz is with us for this very important show to help us mothers learn how to learn from our emotions.

Rebekah shares her own stories as well and how she feels guilty when she gets upset with her children.  Kim is now a grandmother and she shares her own experiences with the differences in patience with raising her own children and now being a grandmother and how they differ.

Childhood Trauma

Being a survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse I know how devasting it can be on your total outlook on Life in general… I am just now Healing from what happened to me over 50 years ago!  When I started using Diana’s Flower Essences it seemed like doors just started opening up to me. I have become more “Aware” now of things that the Universe is placing in my path for my Higher Good and my Healing. Before it was like there was a heaviness surrounding me and even though I tried to focus on the things that were good in my life - Bad things kept happening to negate any progress I was making in my healing.

When I started taking the Flower Essences and getting “In Tune” with what my body or Spirit was needing to get back into alignment with the positive “Flow” of the Universe I saw a tremendous change in the way I handled things that were trying to sabotage my progress and I started focusing more on how I could overcome being a victim and I WAS in control of my own Destiny!

These Essences are another valuable tool in my Universal Tool Box of Becoming “Who I Truly AM”! I do hope you will give them a try!  What are  Flower Essences?

To learn more about how you can request a consultation from Diana to see what Flower Essences would work best for you and your unique situation Click Here  I would be grateful if you would mention Gifts Of Enchantment when you call so I might receive acknowledgement for referring you.  

This Month’s Featured Essence

  Expanded Definition as spoken by the plant:

Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor) – Decomposes the energetic structures at the cellular level that hold the memories of childhood abuse or trauma that no longer serve your personal and spiritual growth.
_________________________________________________________________

I AM breaking down of barriers that keep you encased in childhood trauma patterns.
__________________________________________________________________

Medicinal, Food & Wildlife Qualities: Mushrooms are the fruit of mycelium that grow underground or in trees. Turkey tail mushroom has a tough shelf-like shape that is striped like a turkey’s tail with a range of colors from buff to reddish brown.  The underside is covered with a cream to buff spore layer. Turkey tail is one of the most common mushrooms and grows in boreal, temperate, subtropical and tropical regions worldwide.  It is found mostly on dead hardwood trees and can also thrive on conifers. It is a decomposer and breaks down the cellulose of the dead tree or limb.

Turkey tail mushrooms have been revered in Europe and Asia for hundreds of years for their healing properties. They were boiled to make soups or teas as way to extract the natural medicine. Modern research is finding that turkey tail mushroom and its mycelium have significant anti-cancer and immune system building properties. It is also highly antimicrobial.  In additional to their healing properties for people, turkey tail mushrooms are also being used in ecological restoration to stop the progress of invading blight fungi in forests and to absorb mercury from water.

Symptom:

Use Turkey Tail Mushroom Essence when you are ready to break down and release the patterns and memories of childhood abuse or trauma.  For a time these may be necessary for survival.  However, continuing to hold these energies after they are no longer useful can lead to physical symptoms such as fibromyalgia or autoimmune disorders, or emotional symptoms such as fear, powerlessness or disassociation.

Action:

Turkey Tail Mushroom Essence is a powerful essence that works deeply through the energy circuits that influence the chemical structures holding the imprint of childhood abuse or trauma at the cellular level.  It is a potent decomposer that has asked to be used in combination with Comfrey Flower Essence.  As the Turkey Tail Essence decomposes, the Comfrey Essence works through the energy circuits that influence the body to rebuild cellular structures that support your continued healing and growth.  And it aids healing the wounds of your soul. Because of this symbiotic process, we sell Comfrey Flower Essence with Turkey Tail Mushroom Essence. Generally 1 drop of Turkey Tail Mushroom Essence is taken with 2 to 3 drops of Comfrey Flower Essence.

This essence was made by the “no-pick” method.  Drusy quartz crystals help to energize and stabilize your subtle bodies. The actions of the gemstones inform the way this flower essence seats into the physical body.

Sticks and Stones. Words too?

Sticks and Stones and words.

My youngest, who has autism, brought home a note from her teacher that said my daughter had called her stupid. This is my child’s favorite word lately though I do not use it and have had numerous chats with my kids about not using it, ever.

I spent the weekend quietly with my boyfriend who seems to have come down with the flu again. We had a minor tiff over something that I’m researching in order to stay home and bring an income. He said only one sentence but those words had many implications and hurt me.

When my kids came home today from their dad’s house, they were actually being fairly polite but couldn’t seem to get along with my mom who lives with us. She can raise her voice when she’s upset and it’s scary even to me at this age.

So, when my oldest daughter came and helped me with making some of the products I sell. I made sure to tell her that I appreciated her and her help.

I’ve found several groups of people online lately who offer such supportive and helpful words in the form of written chat rooms and typed posts.

Words can carry so much weight and no matter what the old saying says, I can not ignore that.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Words are how we as humans communicate. We don’t wag our tales or rub up against others as our dogs and cat’s do.

We talk or yell or scream.

How have you used your words today?

Jenn Brockman

www.paintedlaydies.com
www.mamabags.com

Does your child have autism

Today’s special show is about autism.

Autism covers a wide range of “categories”, Rebecca White will be talking about Asperger’s Syndrome and Melody Ravert author of Silent Angel will be one of several guest speakers who will be talking about their life as parents of autistic children.

Join us as we talk about the daily challenges, the joys and the way our children look at daily life with a new aspect that makes us appreciate the world around us more each day. 

Show sponsored by:

Brain blank

I was going to write something poignant and meaningful and timely today.

The idea came to me while on the massage table yesterday while the masseuse tried to beat my body into submission. I spoke to Rebekah about it last night briefly stating that I had an idea and would post again tomorrow.

Several things happened before I got to this point, right now in time. My daughter had a couple of breakdowns and it overwhelmed me. I packed up some orders that needed to get out. I wallowed in the misery of my monthly hormones and feeling of utter helplessness with my child and finally gave up after sending a giant and urgent request to the universe for some karmic retribution to the drunk driver who sent my body into the downward spiral it has been in for the last 4 years.

Then I slept.

 Got the kids off to school after watching Clifford the big red Dog with them first.

 Then I slept some more.

After all that, and dinner and family therapy, I don’t remember what I wanted to write about today.

Good thing I have such an interesting life or there really wouldn’t be anything to post about!  :lol: 

Our Kids with Autism

This week I interviewed Rebekah White about her two sons with Aspergers syndrome. Our 2 youngest at the ages of 6 have been diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum so we had a lot in common.  If you aren’t familiar with Autism, I suggest you look into it, or better yet listen to our show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Special-Needs-Kids and to Rebekah’s show  thttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/healyourselftalkradio which airs today and will focus on autism as well.  

There are so many challenges when you have a child with autism but there are so many great things as well. For instance, though my child is very stubborn and gets “stuck” on an idea that has to be told or acted out before she can move on, she has one of the brightest minds I’ve ever seen. She is so intelligent and funny when she can get around the bumps in her road!  Rebekah and I both have high functioning autistic children which can cause even more issues. They seem normal and so their symptoms and behaviors can be easily brushed off as being a bad apple, or lazy, or any one of the negative things associated with difficult children.  

It is simply not true of these kids though. They process the same information that you and I do, but they do it in a different way and so they may have to do things in a different pattern than we do in order for them to get to the same end result. These patterns may look out of the ordinary to others and may not fit in with a structured situation like school or work.  

Social situations can cause problems, because while the autistic child looks to be interacting with their peers, they might not be really connecting. They often times have a story in their head already and they cannot play along well if their peers don’t follow that story line.  Do you have an autistic child?

 Please share your thoughts with me. We all need support.

  Jenn Brockmanwww.paintedlaydies.comwww.mamabags.com 

Understanding Reiki

With all the stresses brought by the modern world, it is only common to people to look for alternatives in relieving their stress. Aside from resulting to medications and other treatments that give the promise of comfort and relaxations, people are now resulting to ancient means of relieving stress such as Reiki.

The Japanese word “Reiki” refers to a unique technique that is used for reducing stress. Ultimately used to relieve aches brought by too much stress, Reiki is also used to aid relaxation and healing not only of the person’s physical body but his or her soul and spirit as well.

Administered by “laying on hands,” this technique for healing is believed to be effective through the use of an invisible force of life energy that flows in every living and breathing individual.

In the concept of Reiki, it is believed that when the level of a person’s life force energy is incredibly low, he or she will likely to be stressed out more often and have a higher tendency to get sick or ill compared to those people with high level of life energy force.

In Reiki, it is also proven that those people who are living healthy, stress-free and happy lives possess high level of life force energy which enable them to have positive outlook in life. These people also have greater capability to face the challenges of everyday living.

Developed by Mikao Usui, a Japanese Tendai Buddhist in the year 1922, Reiki has been a very popular form of relieving stress to people all over the world. Since its discovery, the technique Reiki has evolved in various forms and has been practiced by numerous Reiki masters across the globe.

Reiki as a means of healing

More and more people are into Reiki in the previous years because the technique has shown great and incredible results. For most people who have tried it, the treatment is a wonderful solution to relieving stress. This is because they don’t have to spend so much money in buying medication that can have grave side effects and they don’t also have to undergo through painful body exercises and unhealthy regimens.

Reiki is considered as a wonderful means of relaxation because it uses the innate warmth and energy in a person. This energy is then converted to a “purer” form of energy—free from the busy schedule and toxicities of modern living. People who have tried Reiki say that the technique does not only treat the person’s physical body but also alleviates the burden in emotions, lessens the clutter of the mind, and nourishes a deteriorated spirit.

When a person is free from all these physical and emotional burdens, he or she will benefit from a relaxed in almost all kinds of environment because the feelings of calmness and serenity are infused within his or her system.

Unlike other techniques for relaxation, Reiki is one of the most simple and all natural means of healing a person’s spirit. In fact, it is so safe that almost all people can make use of it. When used properly and trained religiously, Reiki can be an answer to all the health and emotional problems of people.

But, in order to make use of the Reiki properly, one must attend a class where the ability is transferred. Using “attunement” conducted by a Reiki master, one can easily learn to convert his or her innate energy into a healthy and beneficial use.

Here, the student is guided by the master in tapping the limitless source of energy and use it to improve his or her quality of life.

The Background of Meditation

Meditation generally refers to the state of concentrated focus on an object of thought or awareness. The background of meditation stems from the aim to get into a higher state of consciousness. It is usually based from ancient beliefs that make up the component of eastern religions. Its practice has bee going on over 5,000 years.

When it comes to meditation, different beliefs hold different spiritual and psychological practices in order to develop or achieve a higher degree of mental consciousness and awareness. Many religions have developed their own method and technique of meditation that allows their adherents to arrive at a higher state of consciousness.

The differences of the techniques used may be classified according to their focus. There are certain techniques that focus on a certain perception or experience while there are others that focus on a specific object to achieve a higher consciousness. There are also some forms of meditation that combines the use of open focus and the use of a specific object for focus in their practice to achieve a higher state of consciousness.

One of the popular religions known to practice meditation is Hinduism. It is considered as the oldest religion that focuses on meditation as a spiritual and religious practice. There are several forms of meditation that is practice in the different Hinduism sects. Principal of them is the Yoga, one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. It provides several types of meditation that Hindu believers and even a number of Western adherents have learned to practice.

On of the many forms of Yoga is the Raja Yoga which states the eight limbs of spiritual practices, with half of them classified as meditation. Then there is the Vedanta which is a form of Jnana Yoga. The Surat Shabd Yoga uses a form of meditation that uses sound and light to achieve a higher state of consciousness. There is also the Bhakti Yoga which practices a form of meditation that focuses on an object of love or devotion. The Japa Yoga which practices a form of meditation  where a mantra is being repeated aloud or silently. There is also the Hatha Yoga where different postures and positions are used in meditation in order to raise one’s spiritual energy.

In Hinduism, the object of meditation is to achieve a calm state of mind. In the Yoga Sutras, there are five different states of mind being described. There is the Ksipta which describes an agitated state of mind that is unable to think listen or remain quiet. Then there is the Mudha, a state of mind where no information seems to reach into the brain.  The Viksipta is considered as a higher state of mind where information may reach the mind but it is not able to process it. In this state, the mind moves from one thought to another and in a confused inner speech.

The Ekagra is another higher state of the mind characterized by calmness but not asleep. This state allows a person to stay focused and pay attention. Probably the highest state that a mind can achieve is in Nurodha where the mind is no longer disturbed by erratic thoughts and is completely focused and totally centered in what a person is doing. This will provide you with a basic background of meditation that will allow you to understand better how it is being practiced.

Life in Alignment