What a week

Between the Pepsi fiscal, United Airlines, Sean Spicer, Syria, CBS's Survivor it's been quite a week.  And I'm probably missing a few things.  I think one thing we're learning in this 'new age' is the power of social media.

The movement's are important for change.  We can have a voice as a collective and it seems "be the change we wish to see".    

Now if we could only do as much with our personal relationships.  We can't force change in interpersonal relationships even if we'd like to.  

There will be those in our lives who will ignore us, not speak to us, not respond to text messages or other forms of communication.  Now we could spatter these thoughts all over the internet.  Or we can sit the experience, not post them on social and see where our attachments lie.

Are we attached to the people, the experiences, the precious moments of the past?  If we sit with these uncomfortable personal experiences we may begin to grow.  We may learn some individuals are teaching us (even if we don't wish to be taught).  

Maybe we are learning lessons of healthy personal boundaries or self love? 

I think the best we can do when it comes to those who are challenging us is breath into the moments of peace (or count to 10 - 10x ..LOL).  Stay present and true to self.    

As you spend time with your loved ones this weekend, remember sometimes you are being taught.  And sometimes you will teach. We can force change or we can allow... which will you choose?

Wishing you a great long weekend & Happy Easter to those who celebrate.

Tam

x

PS.  For those of you who love Rabbits (and colouring)  go buy my book!  

 

One of those days

Have you ever had one of those days where everything feels like it's going wrong?  I had one of those on Monday.. well, the morning anyhow.  My bedside alarm wasn't set for daylight saving time which meant I woke up one hour late. And I received a text message which I thought was real, but turned out was a dream.  I spent that extra hour of sleep trying to figure out how to respond without rudeness or ego (which was a struggle to be honest).

Then into the kitchen where I grabbed a yogurt for breakfast and ended up dumping it all over the floor and inside the fridge.

My husband on the other hand got an additional day off and a promotion.

The day was spiraling out of control.  It took awhile but I realized a few things...

I decided I got to sleep in an hour later, was happy to check my phone and realize I did not receive said text message and I then had a clean kitchen floor and fridge.

On those days when life starts to spin out of control, sit with it.  And revise your expectation and your opinion of it.  I for one can say it made all of the difference!

In shifting the perspective,

Tammy

x

PS.  Enjoy horsing around!  Buy my colouring book - whether you are born in a Year of the Horse or simply love these gentle beings, this was created for you!  In gratitude

Embracing this moment

Sadly we had a death in the family this week.  It was my Grandmother's brother.  The loss of my Great Uncle means there is no longer anyone living from that generation.  All of my Great Aunt's & Uncles on both sides of the family are gone.  That is so hard to get my mind around.  (Or maybe it's the fact I'm growing closer to 50 that is hitting me harder.)

Death is like that, isn't it?  It makes us stop and think of how we are living.  It can make us face our own timelines.  It's stopping and asking ourselves... am I really living?  Am I experiencing this moment to the fullest? 

Time passes and we tend to fall back asleep and return to our auto-pilot ways; until the next death occurs.  

It is a reminder to be here now and to open our hearts to a deeper experience of this moment. 

Love as fully as you are able... even from afar.  Breathe into this time and trust that it will all work out in the end.  Bottom line we are all headed to that transitional place at some point albeit hopefully later than sooner.  It made me revisit this Jerry Seinfeld quote....

“Life is truly a ride. We're all strapped in and no one can stop it. When the doctor slaps your behind, he's ripping your ticket and away you go. As you make each passage from youth to adulthood to maturity, sometimes you put your arms up and scream, sometimes you just hang on to that bar in front of you. But the ride is the thing. I think the most you can hope for at the end of life is that your hair's messed, you're out of breath, and you didn't throw up.”

Love,

Tam

x

PS.  Oh and I almost forgot... my latest colouring book in the Chinese Zodiac series entitled, "I'm a Horse" is all ready to go!  Go buy your copy 

All you need is love

You know I just can't help myself... I love to create things.  Artwork, meditations, asana practice, crochet... the list goes on and on!  Here's my latest creation:  Present Moments... it's my new facebook page.  Come and check it out... like, share or comment!  I'd love it if you did.  And all we need is love!

Enjoy,

Tammy

xo

https://www.facebook.com/welcomeintothenow/

PS.  I'm sure the page will evolve over time... I've yet to get some good paper to play with.  This stuff I'm using now is all smudgy and doesn't turn out the greatest.... it's all good, in time it will get better! 

Astrology

I'm a Sagittarius and love Astrology.  I love to hear YouTuber's discussing what elements of the planets are effecting us each week.  And find a lot of the time the advice is worth listening to.  Sometime it's exactly what you need to hear.  A number of years ago I did a poster series on each Zodiac sign.  Here's my Aries poster... you can find all of these over on Pinterest:

I've taken the original posters, made them grey scale and added 'my girls':

This one is actually the cover of My Secret Amazing Delightful Life book and not included in the new book, but gives you an idea.  One for each of the signs with areas to record birthdays etc.  Here it is!

Inside there are the 12 signs (traits, elements, qualities, gemstones and more), other influencing planets (Venus, Mars, Neptune etc.,) as well as their main traits and the 12 houses featuring their main themes. You'll find descriptions of the Four Elements (fire, earth, water air) and the Qualities (cardinal/fixed/mutable). 

Artwork is simple, easy and whimsical. There is space to record your personal details or areas you may use to journal. Keep track of important dates to remember ; birthdays, anniversary’s or other dates.  

Would love you to have one!  It would make a great gift also.  Please share & thank you for your support!

Love,

Tam

x

PS.  This version is 8.5 x 11 and there is another which is smaller but exactly the same.  The small version is 5 X 8 so it's easier to store for those dates you don't want to forget!

Topic... Ganglion cysts

This is a gross one, but i discovered 8 cysts on my right foot some time ago and had a look online to see if there was anything I could use to get rid of them.

If you've ever seen a Doctor about these they will tell you they need to be surgically removed. Now I'm one of those... don't cut into the body unless it's an absolute must kind of people. Sometimes cysts will appear, then disappear. And sometimes they are not cysts at all, but fluid pockets which built up on tendons to protect them which can disappear.

So I found a site that was for essential oils which claimed (beyond slamming a book on the cyst..far too aggressive and not sure if that would even help) to get rid of them.

The recipe is: Frankincense, Oil of Oregano, Lemongrass and Thyme

I didn't want to buy the product online so I decided to give it a go myself.

I already had Oil of Oregano here so that one was first. Only a tiny amount of shrinkage, but they were still there.

Next I tried Lemongrass... again I had it here and the result was the same as the Oregano Oil... some results but not enough to get rid of it.

Off I went to buy Thyme which I could only find White Thyme. As I'm not an aromatherapist I have no idea if this one would work, but gave it a go along with the Oregano and Lemongrass. After two weeks there was a noticeable difference but they were still there.

So I gave in and went to buy the Frankincense.

Wouldn't you know it after three weeks they are all gone except for one! The original site I got this from said to apply it two times a day for results. As all of the places I work at are scent free I didn't want to show up smelling like oils so I put it on once a day before bed.

I'm hoping to see this final one leave me soon!

Last week I talked to a Doctor from India who has a cyst on her thumb. When I told her about it she didn't believe me and asked to see my foot. She confirmed that yes that is a ganglion cyst and wrote down the recipe.

Give it a go! I'm telling you it works! Even amounts of each of the oils should do the trick!

Have a great one!

Love

Tam

x

PS. I'm working on a new colouring book! It's under wraps until it's complete... but check out my other books on Amazon. You can look inside of them by clicking on the books cover. Then hit "suprise me" at the top to see more of the books! Go buy one for yourself or as a gift for someone you love

PPS. I'd appreciate a share or two on social for the books or via this link (right click, save as, share away!) Thank you in advance.

Word for the year

Many new age thinkers & motivational teachers suggest we choose a word or phrase to be incorporated to set an intention or sankalpa for the year.  

I really struggled with this one.  Call it a post holiday funk, a realization of how much I have changed, not busy enough to be back to work fully or me overthinking... but I really couldn't come up with a great work that reverberated for me.

Then I found it.

Felicity http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/felicity

That's such a great word.  And the more I think about it the more I'm loving it.  2016 was full of felicities.  

plural fe·lic·i·ties

1. 1a :  the quality or state of being happy; especially :  great happiness felicity

>b :  an instance of happiness

2:  something that causes happiness

3:  a pleasing manner or quality especially in art or language felicity

 with words>

4:  an apt expression

I decide on it, then go back to my email to find Etsy had just sent through an email with "9 Ways to make this year yours" in the subject line. 

The first image in the body of  their message?  

Not sure if you can see it without clicking the link.  But it says, "Follow your arrow" And now I'm laughing out loud!  Arrow... OMG... seriously?  Arrow... the popular American TV show based on the DC comics character Green Arrow.  His girlfriend in the show is named Felicity Smoak!  

The universe is hilarious.

Felicity it is then with all it's synchroncities!

Love

Tam

x 

  

Trump Towers

Hey all!  Well it's been awhile since my last blog post.  I figured I'd add in here some of our holiday from the end of last year.  For the first time in 5 years we got to go away.  One of the things we did, beyond the cruise which I'll get to at some point is surprise my partner, Lyle, with an overnight at Trump Towers International in Miami to celebrate his 50th birthday.

                                                        

What a gorgeous location!  Here is our view of Sunny Isles Beach from the 14th floor.....

My folks here.....  Dad watching TV and Mom counting her pennies.  This is the view from the front door of our room.  The sweetest little kitchenette then we had the room beside it as well so we had 1/2 of the floor with an ocean view side. 

It was a nice introduction to the cruise as we could see water everywhere!  The naked eye can see 20 miles.  Here is the view from our bedroom.  To be honest it almost felt like we were on the cruise ship already albeit without the sway.

And the other side of the room.  I adore turquoise... and the lime green accents were so modern in colour.  The bathroom.. I didn't get a great shot of the jacuzzi or shower but here is the vanity...

  

And the beach was amazing from the guacamole to the excellent service to the wonderful walk Mom and I took; while Dad & Lyle sat at the bar enjoying the wonderful breeze.

  

  

  

Such great memories  thanks for letting me share them with you!
Hope you enjoyed the view
Love
Tam
x

Dedication to Camp David

We've decided to change the name of our cottage from "Trent View" to Camp David.  Oddly enough Dave had always called the cottage this so it's fitting.  He'd already had this sign in the our forest (yes we have a magical forest) and on a sign he made called the "Cottage rules".  Anyhow so I made him a present for his upcoming birthday and also so we could enjoy it.  Here it is:

Now I can't take full credit for the entire sign.  I did get the idea for the crane/bullrushes from this sign on google:

I did decide to add him in on the far left fishing as this is one of his favourite things.  And the cottage is ours, along with our dock, firepit and Dave's first truck.  I also added in a Canadian flag which we've intended to put up for the past 11 years (lol... we'll get to it).

Anyhow... Happy Birthday Dave

I hope he enjoys it.  He came to me in my dream last night and gave me the biggest hug.  And he told me he isn't dead.  I said, "Thank god!  That was an aweful dream!"  Then I woke up.  Could still feel his hug.  And sadly realized that he is not alive in our known human form.  But I'm still happy he's alive somewhere.  

So much love baby brother
x

Happy June

Wow has the time simply flown by or what?


It's so hard to believe that my brother has been gone since March 13th and we are now looking at June.  I guess that's how it goes, life does go on.  I remember how much I've hated hearing those words over these past weeks; but it is the indelible truth.


The ebb and flow of life and time.


I've been very blessed and am so grateful to be surrounded by such loving souls.  Here's what one person just said yesterday, "Very happy to see you today. It made me realize what a beautiful, and special person you are." 


So nice to hear.


Wouldn't it be amazing if everyday we were supported in this truth?


Wouldn't it be nice if we could tell ourselves how great we are without ego or self centeredness, but to simply come through with greater amounts of self love?


Wouldn't it be a great if we loved every inch of our minds and our bodies?


And if you believed you were such a beautiful soul what would you do today to feel even better than ever before?


Just some food for thought before I go and find some actually food.
Lunchtime... I'm hungry


Cheers & much love,
Tam


http://www.reikiandyoga.com check out my site if you wish ...
TL-C

Got through it

The first holiday without Dave we got through.  It was pretty much as challenging as I thought it would be.  There were moments when we thought we wouldn't get through, then were other's that had an easy flow.


We met for Quesadilla's which is what we going to eat on the 14th; the day that was to be the collective party and turned into the shock of Dave's passing.  We had a birthday cake for Zach and talked to Dave's wife about where she is at.  I know how hard this is for me sharing 44 years with him.  I can't begin to imagine her experience, he was her everyday.. wow.


I still haven't had a day when my cheeks have been fully dry.  I wonder if today is that day?  It's only been 25 days without him.  I'm still smelling the cigarette smoke occasionally, but it has eased way off from what it was (this has been a sign to me as I quit smoking in 2012... Dave was a heavy smoker especially since he had lost his job in Jan).  He doesn't feel as close as he did a week ago though.  People say he'll say with me so long as I need him to.   It's a nice thought. 


I know he's in a better place, pain free and that in itself is wonderful.  But being here, with all of the pains left, and problems yet to be solved is overwhelming.


I guess this is how we learn.  How we are forced to move ahead.


One moment.  One breath at a time.


I'm in awe of our time shared, feeling so blessed to have had him around yet at the same time feeling so broken and wonder when that will heal.


Thanks for listening.

Universal Humour

The Universe has a good sense of humour - I've said this for awhile now and keep getting confirmation.  Like yesterday... I was in line at the Dollar Store.  There were two people ahead of me.  The man paying for his merchandise was 10 cents short.  So the young man in front of me gave him the money. 


The man was so full of gratitude with a ton of, "Thanks a lot buddy!"  and "I owe you one buddy!"  "Thanks, Thanks!"


I smile thinking how nice it was to see the young man ahead of me act like that... an act of kindness.


It was then his turn to cash out.  It came up to $5.10


"Ah... I just gave my dime to that guy!"  He said motioning to the door!


"That's hilarious," I said to him.  And offered up a quarter to pay for it.  The cashier wouldn't take it, she too was going to offer the dime to her til.


You couldn't get rid of ten cents in that store!  LOL


Today is Valentine's Day.  My husband and I couldn't decide where we were going to go for dinner.  Every year we've lived in this town we go to the same place.  So this year neither one of us could decide, but wanted somewhere new.  So I said let's put some ideas on slips of paper.  We'll toss them into a paper bag and let the universe decide.


In went 6 different locations including our usual location.


My husband said, I'm shaking it!  You pick it out!"  He took the bag and shook it with all his might! 


Out of all the slips of paper I chose the same place we always go to! 


Apparently it's meant to be.


Too funny,
Tammy


PS.  Happy Valentines' Day if you are looking for us, you'll know where we will be!!

Yoga etiquette and healing tears

Wow what a week it's been.  I cried twice.


Both times it was from students or clients sharing how much they love my classes. 


Sometimes as a teacher you wonder if you have it all together and question if you are even close to getting through to the students. 


Both times I said to them, "Don't make me cry!"  Didn't work though... those healing tears were there on the surface and needing to come out.


I was challenged this week also - I too had teachers.


For example for the first time ever I had three people leave one of my classes.... The first probably shouldn't have come in the first place she had an injury.  The second left because she didn't want to be late for lunch and in hindsight realized it was unnecessary to leave.  The third is new to yoga and simply followed the others.


It brought to mind some things to revisit as far as yoga etiquette goes....


1)  If you have to leave early tell the teacher before the class begins or at the very least wait for a good opportunity to do so.


2) If you are leaving because you feel uncomfortable - know this is the best time to STAY in the class. Why?  It's an opportunity for you to observe yourself in a setting you wish to flee from.  Instead of leaving observe your reactions... watch your mind.  With this laser-point of focus you may learn something about yourself .... maybe you'll even have a mental breakthrough on how you act when you are challenged off of the mat.


2)  When arriving to class (particularly if you are late) undo any Velcro outside before coming into the yoga space or leave it until the class starts.... do not let it rip during savasana.  People complain a lot about that one!


3)  Chatting before class for me is fine - some teachers wish silence.  I realize yoga is a social event for some... just keep it quiet.  Some students don't really care to hear about what you ate before class, idle gossip or how your bathroom reno is going.  Remember.... Whisper's work wonders.


4)  If you came to a class and the teacher is guiding you in one direction don't do your own thing.  It is distracting for the others.  I personally don't have an issue if you need to stretch or move in a way the rest of us are for a moment.  However there are many others in the room that are concentrating and find your in-attentive "I'm doing my own thing because I want to" way to be distruptive.  Especially if you do this for the entire class... makes us wonder why you came to class in the first place?


5)  Drinking water... ah those crinkley, snappy water bottles.  Essentially if you are dehydrated fine ....drink.  But overall you won't see water in most gentle yoga classes.  Best to drink it before or afterwards to keep the heat in the body - aiding you to burn off those nasty toxins.


Just some food for thought.


I adore my job and am so grateful to be able to help people achieve their goals - be that mentally or physically.


Namaste
Tam
x


PS.  I also realize no one can "make you cry" you do that to yourself.  Only you are in charge of you - let's emo-on (insert high five) shall we? 

It's Official

I finished Christmas yesterday!  I'm so happy now all of the presents are either made &/or purchased.  I still have a few things to do though - for example I bought the wrong size pants for someone so I have to go and return those, but it will be done today.

I'm not so prepared that anything is wrapped.  I love to leave that part to the last minute.  That way it feels like Christmas. 

My husband and I celebrate Yule so it's nice this year as it's on Sunday the 21st.  Then we have two other celebrations one with his family & then mine.  It's always a lot of traveling but so much fun.  

I'm looking forward to it.

And today we are putting up our tree!!!!

Source:  https://www.facebook.com/princesssassypantsco?fref=photo

I know two little fur babies who love tree time!  Then they can pretend they are mean outdoor cats... well, the one anyhow.  The other likes to hide under the skirt!  LOL  She hates it when it's cold.  

Have fun!  I'm off to decorate, then paint.

PS.  I was busy this month over on Etsy and have added several planners.  Be sure to buy one for yourself or someone you love!  I'll be adding one or two more over the next few weeks!

 https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MindfulMelody

PPS. Why buy a planner?  If you don't have a plan you will most certainly get there.... no where that is!  Plan it out, now is the time!

Intuitive Blast

As some of you know I offer Reiki treatments as a portion of services for my business (http://www.reikiandyoga.com).

I'm never surprised during a Reiki session when I 'feel' someone's back or arm or physically what is happening with them.  Everyone is different.  For me I feel within my own body what is going on in the client's.  Not everyone is like this though.

Often times I'm given further direction on what is happening which I normally share & sometimes keep to myself depending on what it is.

Intuitively this week though things have been out of this world!  I can't believe how intense feeling, seeing and sensing have been.

For example, I was working on someone and 'saw' a glimpse of ArchAngel Michael.  He was about 3 feet tall (tiny little thing... LOL)  with his flaming sword out infront of him.  It was really intense!

I shared it with the client saying, "Do you ever talk to ArchAngel Michael?"
"Oddly enough, yes.  I was just talking to him today."

.... nuts!   I love it when these things happen.  Even if every now and then even I get shocked by what occurs in these sessions!  I told her it was time to, "cut the crap".

This morning I trip over to Instagram and what do I see there?  Doreen Virtue had posted  - you guessed it - ArchAngel Michael! 

Source:  http://instagram.com/doreenvirtue

How kewl is that?
Now, wouldn't it be sweet if I could channel, sense or feel lottery ticket winnings?


PS.  So maybe the message I 'saw' wasn't only for the client?

About to get real

This is a theme I've seen presented again and again this fall.  I keep watching people and having conversations with folks who are so super focused on what is happening around them.  They are spending little time looking inwardly.  This is where all of the answers to the questions are... inside of you. 


I know this sounds cliché and we've heard it for years but it's so true.  It's like the quote I posted over on TLC Services Facebook page the other day:


"Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don’t have to like it—it’s just easier if you do.”
 ~Byron Katie


So all of those folks you've been spending your time focusing on, thinking of and talking about - how many of them do you think are doing the same for you?  I'll answer that... none (ok, we can cut them some slack maybe a few).  But for the most part the world is not sitting back worrying for you or about you.

Isn't it time you started?  All of these things are happening through you for a reason.  It's about time you start paying attention.


Focusing your energies on who said what or who is doing whatever has nothing to do with you.   You came to this planet to work on yourself so why my friend are you not doing exactly that?


So yeah this shit just got real - it's time to stop wasting your precious life moments on everyone else and bring the focus back to where it belongs ...............you.


Much love,
Tam
x


PS. And you know what they say.. if everything is a mirror showing ourselves what to work on then I'd say I've got some work to do too.


Lucy?......I'm home!

Self Compassion

There's a quote that says, "if your compassion doesn't include yourself its incomplete".
I believe this comes from my friend and fellow meditation teacher Jack Kornfield.


One technique he teaches is to connect with one consciousness in meditation.  Allow your awareness to fly into the sky and allow it to expand to how large it is.  This is not about an out of body experience, although some may liken it to one, but rather allowing yourself to connect with mind space.... you know the one, the final frontier?  LOL


Connect to the part of you that is all expansive, all knowing and all aware.  This is the part of you that is the highest vibration.  Now from this space look down upon yourself and offer loving kindness and compassion for the 'little you'.


The little parts rather that are not necessarily your best qualities, but at the same time make you, you.  This may be connecting to negative emotions, the part of you which emits jealousy, dislike, anger etc.,  or maybe its the part that has to have a coke a day, or some chips when this goes against what you are truly wanting.  (aka... that nasty little new years resolution to release those 10 pds that are still on today). 


Offer all of the parts of yourself love.
Offer all of the parts of yourself compassion.


And know it is perfectly OK to be you in the here and now.
Release all self judgement and remember....


In this moment, everything is already OK.
OM Shanti - peace
Tammy

First week

Ok... well my first full week back to work is almost over.  It has been a couple of zany week's to be honest.  But it has been nice to have a schedule to stick to.  I'm rather like a child this way I guess I do enjoy my routine. 


Here is a copy of my latest newsletter for you to read if you wish...
http://www.reikiandyoga.com/42.pdf


I am going to work toward digging to get some real writing and other work completed over the next few weeks.   Mercury is about to go into retrograde so it's time to hide, put the nose to the grindstone and get some serious work done.


I haven't had time to paint much lately but my heart is looking forward to doing so soon.


I'm off for today and thought I'd leave you with some feel good video I stumbled across this morning... this is a must see!







365 Grateful Project | Hailey Bartholomew | TEDxQUT

Pink Lemonade

I've been craving pink lemonade.  Is that weird?  I can't even remember the last time I had pink lemonade. I decided to make some.  It was really easy...


water
lemons
cranberry juice
sugar


Who knew it was that easy? 


I did add a little too much cran so it was pretty tart & very pink, but we really don't need so much sugar anyhow.  Next time a little less of it will make it a better colour.

I'm so happy - just like Bells...

OMG... isn't she the sweetest?  Sometimes Bella is an absolute doll!  Anyhow the happy is because I teach for 2 more hours and then I'm on holidays until Sept.  Woot!

 Have a great one and enjoy some lemonade on me!
Tam
x

*Art Journal* Flip Through

I really am in need of a new camera!  This one is aweful, but at least I can show you some of what I've been up to.

Cheers!
Tam

x