Chaos & Stillness

May this week find you discovering inner peace.

Om Shanti,

Tammy

Truth and knowing

This week has been a funny/peculiar one for me.  It's been and interesting time of seeing, sensing, feeling truths.  Some of them aren't that pleasant while others are so entertaining.

What am I going to do about the truths I've discovered?

Nothing that's what! LOL

Seriously I'm just going to sit back, wait and watch what happens next.

I do believe that is the best we can do.

Remember sometimes the inner knowing is only for you and not to be shared.

Be silent and know.

xo

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

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!!

Peace begins with me meditation

I can't believe how fast this month has progressed.  I just realized I haven't made space to blog for so long.  I have had a nice time this month - been busy art journaling, writing and also teaching. 


This past week I was teaching meditation to my students and thought I'd share this one with you also.  This technique comes from Gabrielle (Gabby) Bernstein who has a Kundalini background.


Warning!  This will make you feel relaxed & enhance your wellbeing!!!


You begin by taking your thumb and touching each finger in turn.  As you do so you add in a mantra (japa) a silent repetition of the sentence, "Peace begins with me".


Take your thumb and touch your index finger and say "Peace"
Thumb to middle finger, "Begins"
Thumb to ring finger, "With"
Thumb to baby finger, "Me"


Here's how I taught it to my classes:
What I love about this is you can do it with eyes open or closed!  You can use it while waiting for a scheduled meeting, your turn in line or anywhere you choose.


1st time through spend several minutes connecting words with movement.


Next:
After several minutes change the timing according to your breath.  One repetition per inhale.  One repetition per exhale.


After several minutes change it again to two repetitions per inhale, followed by two repetitions per exhale.


Then lengthen it one more time to three repetitions of the phrase, "Peace begins with me" per inhale and three per exhale.


It feels simply amazing!


Have a great week.
Much love,
Tam
x


PS.  You normally do this with both hands but if your hands/fingers are feeling tender while doing this just skip the finger portion but keep the repetitions going mentally.

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

Peace Blossoms

 I'm finally feeling more at home in my larger journal and have even had some time to play with markers and pencils.  I do enjoy the paint more but this was a fun little doodle to explore:

It was a challenging week to have to say goodbye to Maya Angelou.  I read in class "I know why the caged bird sings" poem.  The first class I read it in, I didn't get through it.  It is the first time in all of my years of teaching that I cried in front of the group.  Her work and life was something I so connected with.  And I, like many others, will truly miss her.  

"My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return." ~Maya Angelou

Planning

Here is a journal page I just started last night - love the beginnings of this Owl.... now I have to decide what medium I'm going to complete it with.

Below is a journal of so many possibilities!  The left hand side of the page is one of my favourite Rainer Maria Rilke quotes from his Letter's to a Young Poet .  I just read the whole thing yesterday and highly recommend it.  I definitely need to re-read it again as there were so many nuggets of wisdom in there.  Here is the quote with more to it....

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke

And here's one from last week that was fun (and really messy)!   Food and art.... the messier, the better I say!  LOL

The right hand side quote is... 

"There is a seed of peace, joy , love and wisdom in each of us." ~Iyanla Vanzant

Soothing

This art journal entry came about while I was journaling thoughts that I found soothing.

It doesn't matter who we are we all have 'one of those days' when we need things to help us feel better.

I was surprised to see the cat jump out of this painting. I was about to Gesso over it when my husband's eyes begged me not to harm the kitty! Thanks to him, the kitten lived on and I'm happy I left it in there - so cute!

Anyhow as you can see I find cats, tea and yoga all things that make me feel better on days when I'm not 100% - there were other things too but this is the full expression.

Enjoy Soothing:

Right side

Left side

 Full page

PS. It's a shame the lightening in this picture is so poor - its actually quite vibrant in real life.

PPS. What do you find soothing?

The Sound of now

Do you ever stop and pay attention to the sounds of life within your home?

This week I've been practicing much present moment awareness. 
I practice what I preach mostly because I know it works. 

Sometimes it's not as evident and has an effortless flow.  Sometimes I really have to work toward listening to myself.  This has been one of those weeks.  A week where I need to practice to be present.  A challenge with my inner self.  I've chanted....

I am, here now.
I am here.
Here I am in this present moment.
There is only this moment.
And I breathe.

It's been a process of forgetting in one moment.  A wave of anxiety.  A moment of remembering.  A soothing state of rest of relaxation.

Another tool I've worked with this week is listening to the sounds around me.

Here are some sounds which have brought me into the now....

-Fish tank water cycling.
-Sophie screeching for someone, anyone to throw her ball for her (yes she is one strange cat).
-Bella meowing beside her window (this is one Russian Blue that adores her window time).
-Rodney Yee's Yoga Burn playing in the living room.
-The Oracle's struggle with downward dog (he secretly hates down dog).
-Vishen Lakhiani's Envisoning Method Meditation playing.

I adore the sounds I live with.  Who knew how wonderful and blissful these sounds are?
It's been working albeit slowly.  Give it a go.  Listen then repeat after me:  "Every sound I hear draws me more into the presence of this moment."

And so it will be.

Wishing you much peace,
Tammy
x

PS.  A few changes over on my Etsy page - from its name to some new additions:

Mini journal covers....

 

 

And a book to journal in....

 

 

This is so adorable!  And a great reminder of what is needed this week.

 

Rise.  That's right....rise above it all.

 

Om Shanti Love

 

 

Nice thoughts to take us into the weekend

May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.

May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

May all beings dwell in bliss.

May all being rest in great equanimity.

And may all beings wake up to remember their true nature which really is aum-azing!

Shining much love & light beams to you to into your weekend!

Namaste,
Tammy
x

 

PS.  This is a great meditation technique with eyes open or closed simply repeat the above sentences and send your light into the world!

 

Peace Love Happiness (*Metta*) Meditation

This is a technique you can use to meditate - eyes open or eyes closed.

I know that sounds funny but one of my teachers, Lil an 85 year old Yogini, said she never closed her eyes to sit down and meditate.  She revealed that everything she did was done in a meditative way.  (Including being seated and putting her leg straight up by her ear.... I still have no idea how she could move in some of the ways she did... guess that's why it's all about practice).  Anyhooooo..... yeah and if you watch to the end you'll see some art from my brand new Esty shop!  Exciting times indeed.

Enjoy & Namaste,
Tammy



PS.  Here's the link to my shop and mini journal https://www.etsy.com/listing/154433910/40-day-mini-healing-and-gratitude - let me know if you have a shop too and I'd love to follow along and see what you create! 
 

Loving yourself is the key

The Secret to life....

all you have to do is be happy.

Do you know how to do that?

Just be happy!

“And you? When will you begin that long journey into yourself?” ~Rumi

May you allow it to begin in this moment?

"Every leaf that grows will tell you: what you sow will bear fruit, so if you have any sense my friend, don’t plant anything but Love." ~Rumi

Understand my dear?

Love
Tam
xo

PS. And Rumi said, "If all you can do is crawl, start crawling."

Begin to use this key today!
Repeat after me, "I love you!"

Use your own name say, " _____________ I love you" Repeat it again and again until you really mean it.

Sometimes this process brings wonder-filled tears... let them flow as you let you, love you!

OM Shanti

Truth about 2012 and where we are headed....

Deep Zen

Often I am asked about meditation products: what books should people purchase & what software/meditation cd's they should spend their money on.

So when I came across the Deep Zen Audio Meditation Program I couldn't resist seeing what it was all about.

You can receive a free 10 minute demonstration of the product by signing in with your name & email address. It's well worth it! So many people ask how to be guided; that's the best part about this product, all you have to do is listen....couldn't get any easier if you ask me.

Click Here to check it out!

You'll be glad you did.

Enjoy your day

How to Meditate

I was watching Utube last night and came across several video's on meditation. They were so amazing its gotten me fully excited about meditation again. The process has never really left my life. I was introduced to it years ago and have practiced many different aspects and variations of it. One of the things I've wanted to do for awhile now is to add some free meditation downloads onto reikiandyoga.com Over the holidays I made time to actually set up this page. If you haven't seen it yet you'll find it by exploring the site. Today, my intention is to upload another free meditation using Chakra clearing. I truly hope you enjoy it. This free meditation emphasises some of the work that helps us to find peace, happiness and harmony in our lives. If we are already thinking peace, happiness and harmony we are sure to reap and get more of these wonderful things. Enjoy this free gift and this Monday!

My Christmas Wish for you

Expect many miracles, happiness, peace and laughter this holiday season and it will be! We only have a few short days left to prepare for the festive events. As you are working toward being ready for the day, remember these days are not about gifting; it is about feeling. Give yourself permission to feel each and every moment. Permission to embrace your loved ones and family -giving and receiving love to those you share your life with will bring many festive moments.

Photo by Harry Heidelberg, Kandersteg, Switzerland.

Let's start today with ordinary miracles!

Happy Holidays!
Om Shanti
TL-C