happy valentine's day

this is the song that played immediately after receiving a valentine's text pic from my daughter on valentine's day.... of course the flood gates opened...no surprise. thank you baby... <3

coming soon......

.....Little Star Reiki's own blog.....stay tuned <3

http://littlestarreiki.blogspot.com/

logo redesigned by R. Duarte

dancing

i like

ok...it's been a while. i will admit.... but while i have been gone from blogging...i have been doing alot of spiritual healing of sorts. more on that as we progress.

here is a video that has touched my soul.



umberto has the most expressive face i have ever seen. i listen to this song at least 3x a day. tell me what you think.....

A - Z

A to Z of what's right with America - The list

A is for Alternative medicine - Although the Associated Press hasn't figured it out yet, alternative medicine is cheaper, safer and more effective than pharmaceuticals and surgery.

B is for Breastfeeding - Because the best milk is mother's milk.

C is for the Constitution - Without it, this website wouldn't even exist and free speech would be stifled.

D is for Democracy - Despite all its shortcomings, Democracy is still the best form of government the world has come up with.

E is for Education - Although it's not perfect, we still have some outstanding schools and teachers teaching our nation's youth some important skills and knowledge.

F is for Farmer's Markets - The last place in the country where you can still buy real food grown by real people.

G is for home Gardening - Turn your lawn into a garden and you'll have your own food supply!

H is for Herbs - The best medicine, made by Mother Nature.

I is for Internet - The last medium of freedom. Without it, we'd all still be plugged into the Matrix.

J is for Juicing - Because drinking raw, living vegetable juices is perhaps the single best thing you can do for your own health.

K is for Kayaking- And all the other stuff you can do in the great outdoors across America's amazing national and state parks.

L is for Liberty - While we still have some left, it might be a good idea to protect it.

M is for Meditation and Massage therapy - Both are really healthy, relaxing activities available all across America.

N is for Nutritional supplements - Even though the FDA has tried to destroy the industry, you can still find an amazing assortment of nutritional supplements across the USA.

O is for Organics - Thank God we have chemical-free foods and personal care products available -- and an organization working to protect them (www.OrganicConsumers.org).

P is for the People - Without whom this nation would not exist. The American People have amazing diversity, creativity and resilience.

Q is for Quantum shift in consciousness - It's happening right now, and it could help uplift the nation into a whole new paradigm soon.

R is for Random acts of kindness - Despite all its problems, America is still a place where you can find kind, compassionate people who are willing to lend a helping hand.

S is for Superfoods - America offers a huge, diverse assortment of medicinal superfoods. Just visit any health food store!

T is for Traditional Chinese Medicine - Okay, it doesn't sound truly American, but the fact is that TCM is achieving wild success across the country, and now many American TCM practitioners are helping people heal with the power of medicinal herbs and acupuncture.

U is for YOU! - YOU are what's right with America. Keep up the great efforts. U ROCK!

V is for Voting - Although it isn't perfect, it's still the best way we have going for people to exercise some control over the laws of the land.

W-X-Y-Z ------ <3

Frog Buddah

In Native cultures frogs have stood (or sat) for symbols of renewal, rebirth and purification. They are said to hold divine powers of transformation, and when we embrace our shadow and face our wounds (kiss our inner frogs), the healing begins. As frogs shift from one world to another, water to land, tadpole to frog, they teach us that change is not something to fear but to embrace.

more on frogs

the newest addition to the labyrinth area, this frog has important symbolism in my life. it is not a coincidence that i was drawn to it as soon as i saw it, not knowing the history of it's meaning. the contest is on to name it....not sure if it's a he or a she....but IT is.....

think about it

What if the word victim could be redefined into something closer to Hero, recognizing that the path some have tread will spare others from the same?

mala beads

A Mala is a string of beads used to count mantras (Sanskrit prayers) in sets of 108 repetitions.

A mantra is a word or series of words chanted aloud or silently to invoke spiritual qualities. Chanting is used as a spiritual tool in virtually every cultural and religious tradition. In the yogic tradition a mantra is a Sanskrit word that has special powers to transform consciousness, promote healing or fulfill desires.

The practice of chanting a mantra is used as a form of meditation. Sitting in a comfortable position, with the eyes closed, the mantra is repeated silently or aloud. The mind is focused on the mantra, the thoughts are let go of and the breath is slow and deep.

Hold your mala in your right hand and use your thumb to “count” each mantra by touching the bead during the recitation and then lightly pushing the bead away on completion and moving to the next bead. The index finger is extended and should not touch the mala. The large meru (mountain) bead should not be counted or touched by the thumb and is used as a starting and ending point of the recitation. If you have a wrist mala of 27 beads you will need to repeat this 3 more times. Continue by pulling the beads and going backwards until you again end at the meru and continue until you have done 108 repetitions, or multiples of 108.

To empower the mala and the mantra used, japa (mantra meditation) should be practiced each day for 40 continuous days. When the mala becomes empowered it can be worn or lightly placed on oneself or others to transmit the energy of the mantra as well as the energetic qualities of the mala. When you use a new mantra with a mala, this energy becomes replaced, so it is recommended to use a new mala with each mantra if possible.

When not in use, store your mala in a special, clean and preferably sacred space. The best place to store a mala is on a personal alter or statue of a deity.

Choosing a Mantra
A mantra is either given to you by a teacher or chosen by yourself. When selecting a mantra, be clear on what your intention is, and use your intuition over your intellect. You may want to try out each mantra for a few repetitions to see how it feels to you and choose the one that feels like it fits best for you.
yogabasics

sacred evening

in spite of the overcast last night, the full moon did poke through the cloud cover to illuminate the labyrinth area. two sisters of the universe joined me in the walk as we meditated and connected with the universe.
i've been doing alot of research on chakra clearing and learning about the 7 energy centers of our bodies. i felt my solarplexes chakra vortex spinning last night as i aproached the center of the labyrinth...indicating to me that this energy center was open, unblocked and simultaniously giving and recieving the energy of personal power, sensitivity, clearing of anger, augmentation of joy.

Nov 2nd Full Moon Labyrinth Walk

the 2nd annual full moon labyrinth walk-tonight from 6-7pm
join us..rsvp..ccdchocolate@yahoo.com

peace and love

words of encouragement to my children...

lately hiking

hiking lately at Boarderland State Park in Easton, MA and Gertrude Boyden Wildlife/Nature Refuge Sanctuary

making a list...checking it twice

it's that time of year again....the time where you have to ask your kids for a "wish list" for holiday gift giving-recieving. the dreaded list. it usually amounts to more than has been alotted from the christmas savings account. the account that you stash a bit of moola away each week to build up a reserve for holiday gift giving-receiving. blah. how did it come to this? we have succommed to society and have lost the meaning of Christmas....kinda-sorta. i have decided to not ask for the "wish list" i'm going to make up my own "wish list" for them. it will be a list of things that i would wish for them. practical things. things that are useful and/or thoughtful. things that a momma and dad don't mind spending moola on. so there! sorry baby...you'll get what you get and you'll like it. i love you

...I couldn't resist

by the light of the moon

sunday, october 4th is the night of a full moon. we will be having a labyrinth walk by the light of the moon. you are invited...rsvp to ccdchocolate@yahoo.com (we all need a little chocolate in our day)

blood, sweat and always tears

the labyrinth is complete.

it's labyrinth time

Labyrinth walk scheduled for September 19th...contact me for details.

Bliss Life Yoga's Puja & Satsang with Shiva Kumar and Goddess Yogi Karendayal

that's me..second from the right in purple tank top