tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18698621302262295492024-03-13T19:48:17.702-04:00BuddhaflyKathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-90040182830603510812008-11-26T09:44:00.002-05:002008-11-26T10:06:33.221-05:00Giving Thanks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTX0V4Lzvn_KwgNYGKuUCAIk0eQcEsPRGBX36tREPfQWnC0eypnFEivkhXPb7hcjH3v_qw15vaI2E1oWGG3C4D94BLKbhp4EtCm7GnvWyX51sRSO7DfyPPuAYGWzPkPLbQ8pWJM0uHrhN/s1600-h/HappyThanksgiving.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272977229223566610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTX0V4Lzvn_KwgNYGKuUCAIk0eQcEsPRGBX36tREPfQWnC0eypnFEivkhXPb7hcjH3v_qw15vaI2E1oWGG3C4D94BLKbhp4EtCm7GnvWyX51sRSO7DfyPPuAYGWzPkPLbQ8pWJM0uHrhN/s320/HappyThanksgiving.gif" border="0" /></a> The Buddha said "Happiness never decreases by being shared" so be sure to share your happiness and appreciation with everyone around you during this wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend (there's something right there to be thankful for; your weekend starts two days early!).<br /><br />My inaugural post for this blog back in the summer of 2007 began with the words of a song called "Thank U". The writer was inspired by the gratitude she felt since her trip to India. Today I post the lyrics again and wish you the happiest of holidays!<br /><br />How 'bout getting off of these antibiotics<br />How 'bout stopping eating when I'm full up<br />How 'bout them transparent dangling carrots<br />How 'bout that ever elusive kudos<br /><br />Thank you India<br />Thank you terror<br />Thank you disillusionment<br />Thank you frailty<br />Thank you consequence<br />Thank you thank you silence<br /><br />How 'bout me not blaming you for everything<br />How 'bout me enjoying the moment for once<br />How 'bout how good it feels to finally forgive you<br />How 'bout grieving it all one at a time<br /><br />Thank you India<br />Thank you terror<br />Thank you disillusionment<br />Thank you frailty<br />Thank you consequence<br />Thank you thank you silence<br /><br />The moment I let go of it was the momentI got more than I could handle<br />The moment I jumped off of it<br />Was the moment I touched down<br /><br />How 'bout no longer being masochistic<br />How 'bout remembering your divinity<br />How 'bout unabashedly bawling your eyes out<br />How 'bout not equating death with stopping<br /><br />Thank you India<br />Thank you providence<br />Thank you disillusionment<br />Thank you nothingness<br />Thank you clarity<br />Thank you, thank you silence<br /><br />- Alanis Morrisette<br /><br />"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." - Melody Beattie<br /><br />"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."<br />- William WardKathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-73901482915308278772008-11-19T14:12:00.003-05:002008-11-19T14:17:06.644-05:00Flying Hawks Send a Smile from the Sky<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gf7N3FxSVVUgSUwGV4zGXwCXsiu1-tSVaOufPc9RoSehdIkP7OoInL-a2QpuOsFINNuPoAA9XQncKR7oRL2d19P2W-xeb_YZFJr9IqVYbc1lQ0vMJDAtoXvtDuHijQrBRLED3XZvvlkR/s1600-h/GodsSmile.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270448887681241074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gf7N3FxSVVUgSUwGV4zGXwCXsiu1-tSVaOufPc9RoSehdIkP7OoInL-a2QpuOsFINNuPoAA9XQncKR7oRL2d19P2W-xeb_YZFJr9IqVYbc1lQ0vMJDAtoXvtDuHijQrBRLED3XZvvlkR/s320/GodsSmile.bmp" border="0" /></a> Wow, talk about the power of a smile, huh? I hope this photo puts a smile on <em>your</em> face today!<br /><div></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-37948681397735308382008-11-17T21:12:00.005-05:002008-11-17T21:37:31.675-05:00It's About TimeAt one time or another, we've all wished for a 25th hour or a 8th day of the week. So many things to do, but too little time, right? Well, time is the great equalizer; every person has 24 hours in a day. No one has more and no one has less. We are all given the same amount of hours in a day. But how do we most effectively use that time? It is a finite resource. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. So, here are some interesting thoughts on TIME.<br /><br /><em>"The bad news is, time flies. The good news is, you're the pilot." - Michael Althsuler</em><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269816655230812530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxbLZsdmguGEViVU9DvMwLzqS_00u2zk2OPTfRutnq5yPAE4kIUWHg_7M4mzw4-5VDcuxNidS-xhXwdlVhnx4pNTOD2VyPI0nNxiqROwCDM1wm1E4b1BTLx6FCfc6v0T-BjMgcwFYnnA9/s320/ClockWings.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><em>"Time is what we want the most, but what we use the worst." - William Penn</em></p><p><em>"While we are postponing, life speeds by." - Seneca</em></p><p><em>"Until we can manage TIME, we can manage nothing else." - Peter F. Drucker</em></p><p>And one of my personal favorites:</p><p><em>"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. That's why it's called the present."<br /></em><em></em></p><p>And as Jim Croce put it "If I could save time in a bottle, the first thing that I'd like to do, is to save every day 'til eternity passes away, just to spend them with you. If I could make days last forever, if words could make wishes come true, 'Id save every day like a treasure and then, again, I would spend them with you."</p><p>And as one of my favorite singers of all time, Eva Cassidy, so eloquently sang, "(if) Time is a healer, then all hearts that break, are put back together again, 'cause love heals the wound it makes."</p>And as far as managing our time and avoid the procrastination trap? Well, the great folks over at <a href="http://www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk/">Thought for Today</a>, said it best:<br /><br />"Complete everything. A task left undone remains undone in TWO places; at the actual location of the task and inside your head. Incomplete tasks in your head consume the energy of your attention as they gnaw at your conscience. They siphon off a little more of your personal power every time you delay. No need to be a perfectionist, that's debilitating in an imperfect world, but it's good to be a 'completionist'. If you start it, finish it... or forget it. Do it .... or dump it!"<br /><br />To read my earlier posts regarding procrastination, click <a href="http://kmoriarty.blogspot.com/2008/07/procrastination.html">HERE</a> and <a href="http://kmoriarty.blogspot.com/2008/07/one-more-thought-on-procrastination.html">HERE</a>.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-43198668296236938642008-11-13T10:32:00.003-05:002008-11-13T10:33:53.927-05:00Attitude<div align="center">Attitude determines altitude.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9rpWDb4p8C6i1hd26-wXFJc9_zAYDtw5TDbKCbuE1hp_m4HfwhAxTkkD993GeIdwF1AzwFUPhsChRYsIRdPkEtQzwZo_7Ot2eTg-xAEGLnBvWuOE-hu4qJIAMlKC-gpUj1hcMDYMg7YX/s1600-h/airplane-departing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268165512986631330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9rpWDb4p8C6i1hd26-wXFJc9_zAYDtw5TDbKCbuE1hp_m4HfwhAxTkkD993GeIdwF1AzwFUPhsChRYsIRdPkEtQzwZo_7Ot2eTg-xAEGLnBvWuOE-hu4qJIAMlKC-gpUj1hcMDYMg7YX/s320/airplane-departing.jpg" border="0" /></a> How far do you want to soar?<br /><br /></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-91603403831723171912008-11-11T10:45:00.005-05:002008-11-11T12:46:47.628-05:00In Gratitude for Those Who Serve: Veterans DayThe saying goes, "If you love your freedom, thank a vet" and "Freedom isn't free". Today on Veterans' Day, we say with gratitude, "THANK YOU" to all veterans, living or dead or MIA. Regardless of where we stand on the wars themselves, the individual men and women who serve deserve our respect and support.<br /><br />One of the earliest charities I donated to as a young adult was <a href="http://www.dav.org/">Disabled American Veterans</a>. Their mission statement says:<br /><br />"Since its founding more than 80 years ago, the Disabled American Veterans has been dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families. Fidelity to that mission has required DAV to respond creatively and flexibly to changing and sometimes unpredictable problems faced by its constituency. Whether disabled veterans have needed a voice on Capitol Hill, a nationwide service program, a transportation network or unique rehabilitation opportunities, DAV has focused its attention and resources to meet those needs."<br /><br />To send a donation to DAV, please <a href="https://secure3.convio.net/dav/site/Donation2?idb=603213009&df_id=1300&1300.donation=form1">CLICK HERE</a>. For DAV info, <a href="http://www.dav.org/about/history.html">CLICK HERE</a>.<br /><br />Another way to help veterans is to donate clothing and household goods to an AMVETS Thrift Store or to shop there yourself. <a href="http://www.amvetsnsf.org/stores.html">CLICK HERE </a>for a listing of AMVETS Thrift Stores, located in 20 different US states. AMVETS (American Veterans) is dedicated to preserving freedom, supporting veterans and active military and providing community services.<br /><br />For a good movie about what a POW goes through, I recommend <a href="http://rescuedawn.mgm.com/">"Rescue Dawn"</a> which is based on the true story of Dieter Dangler, a US soldier who was taken as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. This film is available on DVD via Netflix and Blockbuster.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-73784819992389519272008-11-10T09:08:00.005-05:002008-11-10T12:05:39.648-05:00Nutrition 101Tomorrow starts another course of <strong><em><a href="http://websites.integrativenutrition.com/KMoriarty/Events/Index.aspx">"Nutrition Made Simple"</a></em></strong> which is a class I teach at the <a href="http://www.bcae.org/">Boston Center for Adult Education</a>. This time around, instead of meeting for 6 weeks, we've shortened it to 5 weeks (one less winter week to brave the cold New England weather!), but participants still get 10 hours of instruction and support for the small investment of $149.<br /><br /><u>This is what one of my graduates had to say about the course:</u><br /><br /><em>"The Nutrition Made Simple is exactly that - making learning about nutrition simple, applicable and personal. This class taught me an incredible amount of information in a fairly short period of time, making it even easier to incorporate into my daily life. I was amazed at the amount of information that I did not know previously, from sugar substitutes to grains, and was extremely excited to learn about different types of products that are healthy, and delicious, that prior to this class were unknown to me. (My favorites were the Ezekiel 4:9 Almond and the ground cherries. I've never even seen them before this class!) Kathleen did a wonderful job of creating an environment that was comfortable to ask questions and absorb the information. I appreciate this class more than I can express.<br /><br />As an aside, since taking this class I have completely cut soda out of my life. I used to drink approximately 4 cans of diet soda daily. I have also reduced the amount of coffee I consume, from approximately 4-8 cups a day (including the venti size Starbucks coffee as '1' cup!), to now having about 1-2 per day each of 8 oz. or less. I really appreciate being given new products to try and statistics that really resonated with me for health reasons (since all 4 of my grandparents had heart attacks, and 2 were diabetic). Thank you for giving me the information that I so desperately needed to jump start eating healthier and eating well. Thank you!"</em><br /><br />So, instead of waiting until New Year's to begin your resolution to change your eating habits and improve your health, start today! There is still space left to register for this class which runs Tuesday evenings 6 PM - 8 PM, November 11th through December 9th. Classes are held in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood in the historic Gamble Mansion near the Public Garden.<br /><br />During this comprehensive 5-week course, participants learn all about nutrition and how to apply it in a practical way. We cover sugar addiction, mindful eating, the virtues of greens, grains and legumes, how to identify organic from conventional from GE foods, the importance of vitamins, minerals, fiber, healthy fats and other nutrients and so much more!<br /><br />So, if you want to stop cravings for good, manage your weight, gain control of your health, feel better in your body and have a remarkable increase in your energy, I encourage you to take this class.<br /><br />To register by phone, call 617.267.4430. To register online, visit the BCAE by <a href="http://www.bcae.org/">clicking here</a>.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-28308437023844833302008-11-05T00:09:00.004-05:002008-11-05T00:21:28.683-05:00The People Have Spoken<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyCCPltNqb3CGw60nFPwiGLvMOYezVIMedWQwiAu_tN38LQO-uoJPCplUuOu72ZawlE1Byv2MIpE-1cdAlr7SqumT3_nvXRZNar8z4ya3InCmh1xp7f7AbMfiyu7NfhACTTQepdLZe9BB/s1600-h/thankyou_banner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265037044929268914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyCCPltNqb3CGw60nFPwiGLvMOYezVIMedWQwiAu_tN38LQO-uoJPCplUuOu72ZawlE1Byv2MIpE-1cdAlr7SqumT3_nvXRZNar8z4ya3InCmh1xp7f7AbMfiyu7NfhACTTQepdLZe9BB/s320/thankyou_banner.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">We did it! We Barack'd the vote!</span></strong></div><br /><br />And in my state of Massachusetts we passed <a href="http://www.protectdogs.org/index.php">Question 3</a> which will end the cruel practice of greyhound racing.<br /><br />And in California, <a href="http://www.humanecalifornia.org/">Prop 2</a> was passed, which will improve living conditions for the millions of animals raised in food production.<br /><br />I am so happy, I wish I could celebrate with <a href="http://madorganica.blogspot.com/2008/11/dreams-halloween.html">one of these cupcakes </a>tonight!<br /><br />America, get ready for the revolution!Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-86660429562006014202008-11-01T15:17:00.003-04:002008-11-01T15:30:44.915-04:00Fall BackDear readers, don't forget to set your clocks back one hour and to check the batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors before you say "Goodnight, Moon" tonight!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263773385480534738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_UZw_us7IJM-N5XSf2K406oJ7CsQuOa43UGVSeIlNJX7B5axyLS3IblkchEkK3MqHXGQiKXoxglGtNpn59DKX8gzhYS3P2YaLc_wu1Pd42hlIx_rNOs7IELGYYgUkExokA-NTPTs76lE/s320/changeclocks.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>What will you do with your extra hour?<br /></p>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-6361823707385825582008-10-30T10:41:00.008-04:002008-10-30T12:31:54.084-04:00Boston Vegetarian Food Festival<p align="center"><a href="http://www.bostonveg.org/foodfest/"><img height="120" alt="Boston Vegetarian Food Festival, November 1, 2008" src="http://www.bostonveg.org/banners/bvff_web_banner120x120.gif" width="120" /></a></p><p>This Saturday, November 1st marks the 13th Annual Boston Vegetarian Society's, <a href="http://bostonveg.org/foodfest/foodfest.html">Vegetarian Food Festival</a>. No, this event is not just for vegetarians! <strong>It is for everyone!</strong> Come down to this free event and learn about the benefits of a plant-based diet. It's not just healthy for you, but it's also healthy for the planet!<br /><br />Besides free food samples and cooking demonstrations, you can also hear from world-class speakers and authors such as T. Colin Campbell MD, Michael Gregor MD, Hannah Kiminsky of "My Sweet Vegan" fame and Sarah Kramer of "La Dolce Vegan", "How it All Vegan" and "Garden of Vegan" fame and many others!<br /><br />This year, some of the sponsors include <a href="http://www.bostonbakedbonz.com/index2.html">Boston Baked Bonz</a>, Boston Organics, Tom's of Maine, VegNews magazine, Whole Foods Market, Lush, Vega and <a href="http://question3facts.org/">VOTE YES ON 3</a> and more!<br /><br />Still aren't convinced you should attend? <a href="http://bostonveg.org/foodfest/reviews.html">CLICK HERE </a>for reviews of past veg food festivals and find out why this event is filled beyond capacity year after year!<br /><br />The festival runs from 10 AM - 6 PM at the <a href="http://www.rltac.com/">Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center </a>at Roxbury Community College, which is located just steps from the Orange Line train (and Commuter Rail) at Roxbury Crossing. It is also accessible by multiple bus lines, including the 15, 22, 23, 28, 42, 44, 45, or 66. For those who cycle, this location is right off the Southwest Corridor Bike Path and for those who drive, free parking is located on-site!<br /></p><p>Need another reason to go? How about <a href="http://wheelersblacklabelveganicecream.blogspot.com/">WHEELER'S BLACK LABEL VEGAN ICE CREAM</a>?!?</p><p>This annual food fest is fun and offers something for everyone! It is very accessible to get to, so I really hope to see you there!<br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>VOTE YES ON 3</strong><br /></span><br />With the election less than a week away, Massachusetts voters will be voting not just for president, but on other initiatives, like Question 3. Although voters might be confused over the facts, I urge you to consider voting yes on 3 come November 4th.<br /><br />PLEASE CLICK <a href="http://question3facts.org/">HERE</a> AND <a href="http://kmoriarty.blogspot.com/2008/08/dog-days-of-summer.html">HERE</a> TO FIND OUT WHY<br /><br />Thank You!<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://protectdogs.org/"><img height="99" alt="The Committee to Protect Dogs" src="http://www.protectdogs.org/images/YesOn3Banner-LandscapeURL.jpg" width="340" /></a></p>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-38822424294678147072008-10-27T11:13:00.010-04:002008-10-27T11:43:48.876-04:00The Economy: From Scare City to A Bun Dance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1joXcF4zge1lGVGT3lqkj-_Ka0vs-M6Fhs2z-sZg-ep-xOWcFPU5AlI1qBGvCNY0oXjR6TNG7CJ4zOFmzsRmsJfdW9UNj9DengV6hwrKXYKgUHJ3C2nnQok0nnaFgxUPCqVH9iurXv_O/s1600-h/Rhymes_with_Orange+NigthmareWallStreet.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261852217241066034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 102px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1joXcF4zge1lGVGT3lqkj-_Ka0vs-M6Fhs2z-sZg-ep-xOWcFPU5AlI1qBGvCNY0oXjR6TNG7CJ4zOFmzsRmsJfdW9UNj9DengV6hwrKXYKgUHJ3C2nnQok0nnaFgxUPCqVH9iurXv_O/s320/Rhymes_with_Orange+NigthmareWallStreet.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Are you as drained as I am, with the constant, <em>incessant really</em>, media coverage of this financial crisis? The reality itself is bad enough, but the exhaustive and repetitive reporting, is just way over the top in my opinion. As <a href="http://retirementlifematters.blogspot.com/2008/10/finance-as-entertainment-doesnt-work.html">Cathy Severson over at "Retirement Life Matters</a>" says, "Finance as entertainment doesn't work". Turn the TV off, she says, and I agree!<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Another excellent way to better understand and overcome the current financial situation we've found ourselves in, is to look at what Alan Cohen has to say about it in his timely article <strong>"From Scare City to A Bun Dance".</strong> Alan Cohen is a writer, teacher, keynote speaker and seminar leader in the fields of personal growth, professional motivation, spiritual inspiration, holistic health, human relations and achievement of work/life balance. He has appeared on numerous national TV and radio shows and is also a faculty member of the celebrated <a href="http://www.eomega.org/">Omega Institute </a>in New York. I find his article fascinating. Here are Alan's 10 vital tips that will help you soar through this period:<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>1. The economy is an expression of the consciousness of those who create it ― all of us. We vitalize the economy with expansive thinking and action, and we deaden it with fear and contraction. You have power over the economy ― especially your own ― by consciously choosing the thoughts you think, the attitudes you hold, and the actions that proceed from them.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>2. The economy is not a fixed entity, but is quite liquid, constantly changing in accord with the thoughts and emotions of those who create it. The economy you see today is a result of the attitudes and actions that sourced it yesterday. The economy you will see tomorrow is a result of the attitudes and actions you think and do today.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>3. You have the ability to create a personal economy independent of the one experienced by the masses. There are always people who thrive in a floundering economy, and people who flounder in a thriving economy. The two greatest architectural achievements of the twentieth century ― the Golden Gate Bridge and the Empire State Building ― were funded and constructed at the height of the depression.. There is always money out there for people who know how to use it. A visionary thrives under all conditions. <br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>4. Engaging in conversations of lack only adds to the pool of thought that creates lack conditions. Talking abundance creates abundance. Join others in only those conversations that affirm what you want to create.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>5. You are wealthy by nature, rich in an infinite number of ways that have nothing to do with money. Money is one thin slice of the greater pie of prosperity. Remember how rich you are regardless of money, and you will attract money to match your wealth consciousness.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>6. In the Chinese written language, the symbol for "crisis" is a combination of the symbols for "danger" plus "opportunity." What opportunity lies before you as an individual and us as a nation?<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>7. This is a fertile time to check and reset your priorities. If you have been distracted by the quest for money or trapped by your business, you can refocus on your family, loved ones, and activities that truly bring you joy. If you end up being truer to values that fulfill you, this "crisis" will have served you well.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>8. Circulate your wealth. The only antidote to financial contraction is to move energy. When you spend money, you become part of the solution. If you don't have money to spend, be generous in other ways. Give of your time, skill, and love. Even giving compliments is a way to stimulate the economy.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>9. Remember that the tide always comes back in. The entire manifest universe functions in cycles. Every wave has a trough and a crest. No wave has ever ended with the trough. There is always a next crest.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>10. Don't wait for the economy to get back on its feet before you can be happy. Find happiness right where you stand, and you will be the richest person in the world. <br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><em>From Scare City to a Bun Dance, indeed, yes from scarcity to abundance!<br /><br /></em></strong></div><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>I hope these 10 steps help you see this situation in a whole new light. I know it certainly did for me!</div><div></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-59811016493872759922008-10-17T12:15:00.002-04:002008-10-17T12:21:53.540-04:00Thought for Today: Thoughts are Like SeedsWhen you sow a thought you reap an action, when you sow an action you reap a habit, when you sow a habit you reap a character and when you sow a character you reap a destiny. Thoughts are like seeds. You cannot sow the seed of one plant and get another: thistles will never produce daffodils! When your thoughts are positive, powerful and constructive, your life will reflect this.<br /><br />To sign up to receive "Thought for Today" in your email in box, please <a href="http://thoughtfortoday.org.uk/">CLICK HERE</a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>* * * * * *</strong></div><br /><strong>SUGAR SOLUTIONS: How to Tame Your Sweet Tooth</strong><br /><br />Believe it or not, there are still some seats left for my Sugar Solutions workshop taking place at Healthworks Chestnut Hill next week, on Wednesday evening, October 22nd. If you are constantly craving sweets and you want to understand why and if you'd like to get a better handle on your sugar cravings, please register to attend this fun and informative workshop. During the 90-minute workshop, participants learn the history of sugar, how it affects our bodies and discover methods to better manage your cravings without willpower or deprivation. You will learn healthier, more natural ways to keep your sweet tooth in check! The outcome? Better mood, more energy and a healthy body!<br /><br />To register, please contact me via my online submission form at <a href="http://www.kmoriarty.com/">www.kmoriarty.com</a><br /><br />Thank You!Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-40634719900781744682008-10-13T17:19:00.004-04:002008-10-13T23:00:21.145-04:00Mark Your Calendar!Here are some important upcoming events, that might be of interest to my dear blog readers:<br /><br /><strong><u>October 14th</u></strong><br />Oprah's topic on Tuesday's show is "Where does our food come from?" and in this case, the type of food they are referring to is animal-based food, such as meat, dairy and eggs. I think that this is such an important topic because so many people are unaware how animal products make their way to your plate. Remember, information equals power; the power to make truly informed decisions. One of the issues they will explain is the term "free range". People are trying to make more thoughtful choices about their food and the humane treatment of animals is becoming a consideration for people who never thought about it before. So, what does free range mean? Are there standards and a system of checks and balances to make sure free range is a kinder choice? Is it a healthier choice? I already know the answer, but if you don't, I strongly encourage you to tune in to The Oprah Winfrey show or set up your DVR to record it.<br /><br /><strong><u>October 18th</u></strong><br />The Peace Abbey in Sherborn, MA will be having a one-day workshop entitled "Creating a Sustainable Future". The keynote speaker is <em><strong>Diet for a Small Planet</strong></em> author and social activist Frances Moore Lappe. <em><strong>Diet for a Small Planet</strong></em> has been an international bestseller since it's original version was published in the early 1970s. For more information about this event at The Peace Abbey, please <a href="http://www.peaceabbey.org/confcenter/nepsa.htm">CLICK HERE</a>. For more information regarding Frances Moore Lappe's work, please <a href="http://www.smallplanet.org/">CLICK HERE</a>.<br /><br /><strong><u>November 1st</u></strong><br />One again the annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival will be held at The Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury. This all day event consists of free food samples, interesting exhibits, discounted shopping and free workshops and so much more! T. Colin Campbell, the doctor and author behind <a href="http://www.thechinastudy.com/authors.html">"The China Study"</a> (an amazing book!) is just one of many speakers who are donating their time to this wonderful event. For a full list of speakers, <a href="http://bostonveg.org/foodfest/speakers.html">CLICK HERE</a>. So mark your calendar and plan on attending this free event, to find out how you can benefit from eating a plant-based diet. Doors are open from 10 AM through 6 PM and is easily accessible by the Orange Line T and multiple bus lines. It is also on the Southwest Corridor Bike Path, for all those cyclists out there (like me!). For those who drive, there is free on-site parking, but be prepared to wait for a parking spot to open up ... this is a VERY popular event!<br /><br />And last, but not least, if you still haven't attended one of my <strong>SUGAR SOLUTIONS</strong> workshops, please register today! Learn how to get a handle of your sweet cravings before the upcoming holiday season wreaks havoc on your diet! Currently scheduled workshops include October 22nd, November 12th and November 19th. For more details on times/locations, please go to my website by <a href="http://portal.integrativenutrition.com/graduates/kmoriarty.aspx?pageid=9">CLICKING HERE</a>.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-35064801068636562022008-10-07T11:57:00.001-04:002008-10-07T11:59:28.191-04:00Too Busy to Exercise?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eBQTaK2dFclW_1Vsn2CGwD1zvPPMTZvmMGPE99Fc5yOf6ObNBSvj0-bKh2V6GCZ9F4bVHeSvAwyTqjKeSASBh988dYyNdTSuwp4pyM_JZv2j2i9sxZ25QnIfFV8LDzSfKkRZ_Q6SPwzl/s1600-h/Exercise+Busy+Schedule.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254442033976061074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eBQTaK2dFclW_1Vsn2CGwD1zvPPMTZvmMGPE99Fc5yOf6ObNBSvj0-bKh2V6GCZ9F4bVHeSvAwyTqjKeSASBh988dYyNdTSuwp4pyM_JZv2j2i9sxZ25QnIfFV8LDzSfKkRZ_Q6SPwzl/s320/Exercise+Busy+Schedule.bmp" border="0" /></a> Well, I guess there's nothing more to say!Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-83361284491389820902008-10-02T09:14:00.006-04:002008-10-02T09:30:52.166-04:00Creating Peace: International Day of Non-ViolenceToday, October 2nd, is the International Day of Non-Violence. The date was chosen because it is Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (1869 - 1948). This observation was established last year by the United Nations General Assembly. Gandhi's non-violent methods of civil action greatly helped his nation and inspired many generations of people. His influence is still felt and his legacy continues to inspire. One of my favorite Gandhi quotes, simply states:<br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><em>"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."</em></strong></div><br />Just as man can create conflict, man can create peace. Sometimes we feel so overwhelmed, as the problem seems so large, we think "What can <em>I</em> do to create a peaceful world?" To that, I say:<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><em>Peace on Earth, begins with Peace within yourself.</em></strong></div><br />Just like Gandhi's quote, this other quote reminds us that the first step to peace is within ourselves. We cannot contribute to peace externally, if we cannot first find peace within.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-80560357968562589592008-09-30T20:32:00.003-04:002008-09-30T21:17:18.284-04:00What's the Deal with Probiotics?Tonight in the class I am teaching at the <a href="http://bcae.org/SearchECat?open&Query=nutrition">Boston Center for Adult Education</a>, we talked about probiotics. Probiotics are generating a lot of buzz in the food industry lately; they're being added to products where they don't naturally occur, as they do in the most famous probiotic source: yogurt.<br /><br />Well, let's start off with explaining what they are and why they're important. First of all, the term "probiotics" was coined to contrast "antibiotics". And it means "for life". Probiotics are a beneficial bacteria that are normally present in the digestive tract. They are vital for proper digestion, but they also serve other important functions such as synthesizing vitamins, supporting and fortifying a strong immune system, detoxifying the liver, alleviating inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn's Disease and for preventing the overgrowth of yeast. For people who've experienced chronic yeast infections, yogurt was seen as a panacea. Anyone who has attended one of my <a href="http://portal.integrativenutrition.com/graduates/kmoriarty.aspx?pageid=9">Sugar Solutions Workshops </a>know my feelings on yogurt. I am talking about the commercial kind, which is full of unnecessary sugars - and lots of it. If people want to continue to have yogurt in their diet, the only kind I can recommend is plain. If you wish to sweeten it, do so by adding your own fruit or a gentle, natural sweetener, like agave nectar. Don't buy yogurt with sugar (most contain added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, fructose and pectin). And remember, yogurt is not the only food with probiotics. There are various sources, all of which are cultured or fermented and they include:<br /><ul><li>sauerkraut (fermented cabbage)</li><li>kimchi (Korean fermented cabbage with spices)</li><li>miso</li><li>tempeh</li><li>soy sauce (choose low/no sodium variety)</li><li>umeboshi plum or other pickled fruit and vegetables</li><li>kombucha tea (raw, not hot)</li></ul><p>Whenever I teach this class, I treat my students to a beverage that tastes great and has many benefits including probiotics and that is the final item on the list above; kombucha tea. The brand I recommend is <a href="http://gtskombucha.com/">GT Dave's</a>, as it contains only raw, cultured kombucha and their Synergy version contains juice from whole fruits; no sugar or other ingredients are permitted! There are other cold kombucha teas available, but they are watered down and contain sugar and other ingredients that reduce the benefits of the kombucha itself. It's a fermented mushroom tea, made in small batches and can be purchased at health food stores, including Whole Foods, in their refrigerated beverages section. <a href="http://gtskombucha.com/">GT Dave's</a> kombucha is all natural, organic, raw, vegan and kosher. It contains no caffeine, coloring, preservatives or additives. This tea has been used for hundreds of years and contains many healing benefits; some people call it miraculous. It's very unique taste will add a twist to your diet. It's the perfect way to add probiotics into your life. Try it today!</p>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-26661220710410014282008-09-23T10:11:00.004-04:002008-09-23T10:44:49.180-04:00I'm a Little Neti Pot .....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB40YuamBtAKaYMfdujPEuHdnMcnZnpuJsinIbDIgIig2fUonMTmgilOGB4pe7ijFe0ZKXHOfX_F95AbROiYrm_fLtSHtK56WLu5HXHXCjFa7t-O5m4RhASNN33PSSpY5H7VXJLVWHHYe/s1600-h/NetiPot1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249219401987341474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB40YuamBtAKaYMfdujPEuHdnMcnZnpuJsinIbDIgIig2fUonMTmgilOGB4pe7ijFe0ZKXHOfX_F95AbROiYrm_fLtSHtK56WLu5HXHXCjFa7t-O5m4RhASNN33PSSpY5H7VXJLVWHHYe/s320/NetiPot1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p align="center"><em>I'm a little neti pot, short and stout</em></p><p align="center"><em>Here is my handle, here is my spout</em></p><p align="center"><em>When you are all stuffed up, put me in your snout</em></p><p align="center"><em>Tip me over and pour me out!</em></p><p>I've been really sick for over a week and I think I am finally starting to improve this morning! One of my homeopathic remedies includes the ancient neti pot; a centuries-old ayurvedic nasal irrigation tool for health. The pot is filled with warm water and salt. The spout is inserted in one nostril, with your head at an angle. The goal is to have the saline come out of the other nostril, thus moving the mucus out of your sinus cavity. This can be tough to master at first; worst case scenario, the water may come down your throat vs. your opposite nostril. This is okay, if you spit the mucus out, instead of swallowing it. This will still expel it from your body, until you finally do it the correct way.</p><p>My mother's remedy for sore throats was to always gargle with warm water and salt. As kids, we hated to do it, but it did work. So, much like the way the saline solution works on clearing the throat, it does the same for clearing the nose. No prescription required! And no side effects!</p><p>Consider adding a neti pot to your medicine cabinet; it might be tricky to master at first, but you will reap the benefits immediately!</p>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-82099640225798386712008-09-19T13:09:00.003-04:002008-09-19T13:23:33.721-04:00Upcoming Events with KathleenHere is a listing of my upcoming classes and workshops:<br /><br /><strong><u>Demystifying the Mediterranean Diet</u></strong><br />Wednesday, September 24th @ 6:00 PM - Boston Center for Adult Education<br /><strong><u></u></strong><br /><strong><u>Nutrition Made Simple</u></strong><br />Tuesday, September 23rd - Tuesday October 28 @ 6:00 PM<br />6-week course at the Boston Center for Adult Education<br /><strong><u></u></strong><br /><strong><u>Sugar Solutions: How To Tame Your Sweet Tooth</u></strong><br />Wednesday, October 22nd @ 6:15 PM - Healthworks Chestnut Hill<br />Wednesday, November 12th @ 6:00 PM - Healthworks Porter Square<br />Wednesday, November 19th @ 6:00 PM - Boston Center for Adult Education<br /><br />For class and workshop descriptions, please visit my website's events page by <a href="http://portal.integrativenutrition.com/graduates/kmoriarty.aspx?pageid=9">CLICKING HERE</a><br /><br />Please join me for one of these classes. I promise that you will learn a lot, have fun and will begin to see how what we eat affects everything. Therefore, when diet changes, <em>everything</em> changes. Ready to make a change for the better? If so, I hope to see you in class!Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-36527171938618319602008-09-11T09:34:00.005-04:002008-09-11T09:43:55.509-04:00Amplify Love, Dissipate HateBack in 2002 while visiting Ground Zero in Manhattan, amid the many thousands of memorials draped over the fence, I came across some home-made stickers, which encouraged observers to:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSWB8Emr7OGchL1y3dXQVEK7lPkoaYIAZHIWacPnoNYYOR8ebPLzb-pVZ8xh-IAUgWCeCE5ZlKrza4syR9ekwV77kduJ3phCQVeuruv2XZleDUYsTmIEZVaDGrEf0G0Nb4oISX8ZbWo-l/s1600-h/AmplifyLove+911-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244757515613987010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSWB8Emr7OGchL1y3dXQVEK7lPkoaYIAZHIWacPnoNYYOR8ebPLzb-pVZ8xh-IAUgWCeCE5ZlKrza4syR9ekwV77kduJ3phCQVeuruv2XZleDUYsTmIEZVaDGrEf0G0Nb4oISX8ZbWo-l/s320/AmplifyLove+911-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>AMPLIFY: to expand, to make larger or greater</strong><br /><br /><strong>DISSIPATE: to break up and drive off, to cause to spread thin or scatter and vanish</strong><br /><br />So, amplify love, indeed. To dissipate hate, a must.<br /><br />Today, on the 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> anniversary of the September 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> terrorist attacks, let us take these simple four words and put them into practice. The sticker I took has been on my fridge since the day I got back from New York back in 2002, reminding me to amplify love and to dissipate hate. I hope these words inspire and comfort you today.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-46743923614575505742008-08-28T12:04:00.012-04:002008-08-30T12:55:34.175-04:00Dog Days of SummerAnyone who knows me, knows that I love animals. Growing up, there was never a shortage of animals in my household; dogs, cats, an aquarium full of fish, parakeets, hamsters, mice, lizards, bunnies. And although I've never had a dog of my own since I left home at 18, I do love them and enjoy spending time with them whenever possible. This past weekend, as I strolled through the city, I met a pug named Lila, a poochie named Boscoe (yes, named after George Costanza's password, the dog's person told me when I inquired) and a pack of poodles who were super cute and super friendly. They were very charming, I must say! My affinity for the doggies is strong, therefore, today I bring you two items canine-related. <div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239721633808276898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtE28pPbzj4F0OJP7EA6g1w31mJ-WTnSS-oPKJBVL6xuBCNu2cqgmD7kD319Nu6vsfCG-JOquZYo2W8fSMa9r3SNAqxj5fIx5VwU9UBaNWf7HOv_GBJa-kLYxw1Pb9m8fwKICLoO3GwQzU/s200/RescueInk.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong><u>HEAVEN'S ANGELS: Tough Guys & Puppies</u></strong><br />In Sunday's New York Times, this article described a group named <a href="http://www.rescueink.org/#HidePreloader">"Rescue Ink"</a> that formed in New York City. You know it's going to be a good article, with the first few paragraphs reading like this:<br /><br /><em>They met on the local hot rod scene. They saw one another at tattoo conventions around the area, comparing bikes. They looked like heavies, a band of Hells Angels, with nicknames equally tough: Mike Tattoo, Big Ant, Johnny O, Batso, Sal, Angel, Des.</em><br /><br /><em>They meant no harm. Clad in leather, inked to the hilt in skulls and dragons, with images of bloodied barbed wire looped about their necks, they shared something else — a peculiar tenderness for animals, and the intensity needed to act on the animals’ behalf when people abuse them.</em><br /><br /><em>“I’m a </em><a title="More articles about vegetarianism." href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/v/vegetarianism/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier"><em>vegetarian</em></a><em>,” said Mike Tattoo (real name Mike Ostrosky), a former bodybuilding champion with a shaved head, great arms covered in art and a probing clarity in his blue eyes. “And Big Ant has in his backyard three guinea pigs, a couple of rabbits, birds, cats — and fish everywhere. But just because a person has tattoos, they wouldn’t come running with us.”</em><br /><br /><em>The group became a little larger over the course of about 15 years, with various animal-loving, tattooed bikers in the New York area joining the conversation. One member, Angel Nieves, a 47-year-old retired city police detective, grew up in the projects on West 125th Street and remembered taking in strays from the streets as a boy, as did many of his cohorts. He owns a tiny, white bichon frisé named Cris.</em><br /><br /><em>Having run in crowds where animal abuse was rampant, often involving pit bull fights, the men volunteered at shelters and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Toward Animals, and they tried to solve cases of missing or abused animals that other organizations had neither the time nor the resources to address. </em><br /><br /><em>Next month, the bikers will begin a program in the city’s public schools to educate children about being kind to all animals, even the less attractive breeds. They will be accompanied by Elwood, a small, hairless Chihuahua mix judged in an annual California contest to be the World’s Ugliest Dog.</em> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239605596450472354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSMYoprhzvSs8AnvOnCsApI7du_MAlrS2ai1jHc7VqgCubkX9yEkdCnlX6bFnUh6sEkEBbnNmsiRR0AD8VWNZDzmLC8wHP8iRBHXVrb9bWj76XvpdY8D_t4nGZJzz5AXkv7wHcuTDSEXA/s200/DoggieBiker2.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>To read more about the efforts of these wonderful men and their commitment to the dogs and cats of greater New York City, continue the New York Times article, by <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/nyregion/thecity/24pet.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1">CLICKING HERE</a>. Also, be prepared for a fun slide-show of the men in action! </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239720527178420978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqghwKZjASSknZTAyQOvddLe-tYQfZ7Gh_x1FeNsk4NiW9SHTvHzXIUeRqZi2No1Z6L0bZ0N3LIAFA95HG_ApXe68qyuswkf-6cgfve7GePsOFGKjxelFXrlCcNuFgYP3oiywMw3pRKJn/s200/KittenRescueInk.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong><u>VOTE YES ON 3: Massachusetts Voters Can End Greyhound Racing in Their State</u></strong><br />As if one could forget, I still urge people to mark Tuesday, November 4th on their calendars. It is Election Day! Not only do we get to vote for our next president, Massachusetts voters have the opportunity to vote to end the cruel practice of greyhound dog racing within our state. As some of you may remember, back in November 2000, we had this question on the ballot. It lost by a 1% margin. 49% of Massachusetts voters wanted it banned. 51% did not. The racetrack owners' budgets were a lot larger than the volunteer organizations' budget and they did a great job campaigning for their cause. Well, luckily, us volunteers collected enough signatures this year to get the question on the ballot again this November. Why should you vote "YES" on Question 3? Here are some reasons:<br /><br />Racing greyhounds live in confinement; they are warehoused in tiny cages for 20+ hours per day. Since each racetrack needs a minimum of 1,000 dogs, they are kept in tiny warehouse-style kennels, where most cannot stand up or turn around.<br /><br />They are injured while competing. These dogs suffer from broken legs, broken necks, paralysis and cardiac arrest. And then they die.<br /><br />They are fed Grade 4D meat, to keep costs down. This meat is not fit for human consumption. You might think, well, what's the difference between this Grade 4D meat and the meat found in commercial dog food? Well, the difference is, the meat fed to the greyhounds is raw. Yes, RAW. That also keeps costs down. With raw meat consumption comes the risk of disease spreading pathogens, like salmonella. Would you feed raw Grade 4D meet to your pet? No, I didn't think so.<br /><br />These dogs compete year-round, in all sorts of weather. As you know, New England has very cold winters. These greyhounds are thin, small dogs with very short, thin fur.<br /><br />When a racing greyhound is lucky enough (and allowed) to be "rescued", adopting them out can be difficult, as these dogs are usually quite timid or very aggressive, from their past mistreatment. They've never been a pet or lived in a house before, so qualified adopters who have the time, patience and ability to help these dogs adapt, can be hard to find.<br /><br />The abuse that takes place at Massachusetts' two greyhound racing tracks is documented. There is no denying it. Also, greyhound racing has experienced a sharp economic decline. People just aren't interested in it and a lot of those people have come around, because they've come to know the inhumane living conditions of the animals and have chosen to cease supporting it. And for the naysayers who complain "What about the jobs that will be lost, if greyhound racing is outlawed?" I have two answers for you: #1 If the ballot question passes on November 4, the racing would be phased out. The ban would not begin until January 1, 2010. Additionally, the <a href="http://www.protectdogs.org/">Committee to Protect Dogs </a>has promised to volunteer it's time to help the displaced workers find new jobs. They are very serious about this. #2 When slavery was outlawed in the United States, jobs were lost. But wasn't it more important to end the cruel and inhumane practice of slavery than it was to displace people who profited from the slave trade? The people in positions of power had options and other ways to make money. The people in captivity had no voice, no choice. We needed to make a law that protected them, not their captors.<br /><br />These days, you see pampered pets everywhere. Dogs have their own spas and get massages. People spend money to stage mock weddings of their dogs (Earlier this week, I saw online, that The Today Show recently had a doggie wedding fashion show on, complete with doggie bridal tips). I see dogs with expensive Coach and Louis Vuitton collars. People will spend oodles of money on organic dog treats, dog walkers and anything else that they think their dog will like. In my hometown of Boston, there are doggie bakeries, yes, bakeries! Just for dogs! Why should we care so deeply and bestow so much love and affection on these dogs called pets, but completely ignore the cruelties that these racing greyhounds face every day of their dismal, lonely lives? These greyhounds needlessly suffer. You, as a voter, have a chance to change that!<br /><br />For more information on why greyhound racing should be banned, please visit these websites and please, VOTE YES ON QUESTION 3 on November 4th.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.protectdogs.org/">PRO DOG: The Committee to Protect Dogs</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.grey2kusa.org/">GREY2K USA</a><br /><br />Thank You!</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://grey2kusaedu.org/"><img height="60" src="http://grey2kusaedu.org/images/banner3.jpg" width="468" border="0" /></a><a href="http://protectdogs.org/"></a></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-85381538657147476232008-08-22T11:15:00.004-04:002008-08-22T11:30:39.280-04:00A Nod to the OlympicsAnyone who has read Eckhart Tolle's <a href="http://eckharttolle.com/a_new_earth">"A New Earth"</a> know what kind of trouble we get into when our ego takes over. The following story, which comes from my <a href="http://www.mentalfloss.com/"><em>mental_floss</em> </a>magazine subscription, shows what happens when people don't let their ego get in the way. From Mental Floss' Olympics issue, I give you this story:<br /><br /><em>At the 1936 Berlin Games, Japanese pole vaulters Shuhei Nishida and Sueo Oe tied for second place. The teammates were offered the opportunity to have a jump-off for the silver medal, but the two friends declined out of mutual respect for one another. For the purposes of Olympic records, Oe agreed to the bronze while Nishida took the silver.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Upon their return to Japan, the teammates came up with a different solution. The pair had a jeweler cut their medals in half and fuse them back together, creating half-silver, half-bronze pendants. The "Medals of Friendship" as they're now known in Japan, are enduring symbols of friendship and teamwork.</em><br /><br />I thought this was a great story because it has it all; action, drama, friendship, sportsmanship, inspiration and a resolution that has now created a wonderful legacy. The Olympics bring about a lot of emotions and a sense of pride and community. To read about another woman's zeal for the Olympics, please <a href="http://madorganica.blogspot.com/2008/08/olympic-fever-taekwondo-update.html">CLICK HERE </a>for Madness Rivera's blog.<br /><br />To read my other postings about Eckhart Tolle, please <a href="http://kmoriarty.blogspot.com/search/label/Eckhart%20Tolle">CLICK HERE</a>.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-76165196776779857212008-08-20T19:46:00.003-04:002008-08-20T20:19:50.810-04:00More Inspiration via DeterminationToday, while reading the July/August issue of <em><a href="http://www.mentalfloss.com/">mental_floss</a></em>, an article regarding the Olympics reminded me of a story I first learned of, last summer. Last July, when I had the pleasure of seeing Jack Canfield in person at the BCA/Cyclorama here in Boston, one of the stories he told was about Cliff Young, an Australian farmer who had never run a race in his life. And in his early 60s, he showed up for the first Westfield Sydney to Melbourne Ultra Marathon. This Ultra Marathon was 544 miles. No, that is not a misprint or a typo. Five hundred forty-four miles! Cliff showed up to the race, no, not in the latest high-tech running shoes, but in workboots and overalls! He believed he could run the race, based on his experience as a farmer, working long hours in the outdoors and sometimes not sleeping for days, due to the nature of his work. He had no training and no previous running experience, except for a few years of recreational running. But what he did have, was BELIEF. Belief in himself and his ability to do it. Well, to make a long story short, guess what? Cliff, at age 61, did complete the Ultra Marathon.<br /><br />And actually, he <strong>WON</strong> the Ultra Marathon. Yes, he came in First Place. Did I mention that this was a 544 mile race? And Cliff's first? And Cliff had no training and had never run a race before? And Cliff wore workboots and overalls? And also, Cliff was a vegetarian since the early 1970s.<br /><br />Jack Canfield told the story in his usual animated way. I don't think I can do Cliff Young's story justice, in my own words here. I invite you to read more about Cliff Young, who died in 2003, in his 80s. Here are two links, you can access by clicking <a href="http://www.my-inspirational-quotes.com/inspirational-stories/cliff-young-a-farmer-who-inspires-a-nation/">HERE</a> and <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com.au/ultra/1997032.shtml">HERE</a>. So, remember, belief is crucial. If you can believe it, you can achieve it.<br /><br />For more of what I learned in the Jack Canfield workshop, please see my prior blog posting by <a href="http://kmoriarty.blogspot.com/search/label/Jack%20Canfield">CLICKING HERE</a>.<br /><br />Believe it, achieve it!Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-66469056401674321362008-08-13T13:58:00.005-04:002008-08-13T14:17:37.716-04:00Inspiration from Someone Else's DeterminationI read this story on MSN's website over a month ago and found it so intriguing. Sandra Welner's accomplishments are so incredible, that at first you might not believe her story. The determination that both she and her mother had just blew me away. Sandra's life inspired many people, including her boyfriend, Jeffrey Lovitky. <em>Prepare to be amazed and inspired!</em><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><u>SANDRA WELNER'S STORY (as appeared on MSN)</u></strong></div>He thinks of her every time he gazes at the painting — a blazing orange sun she drew a few years after the tragedy. It is the only splash of color in his tiny K Street office and it gives him great joy, and a stab of sorrow.<br /><br />He thinks of her every time he plucks a new $5 bill from his wallet and sees the large purple numeral emblazoned in the corner. It reminds him of how he used to sort her money: $1 bills in one envelope, fives and tens in others. And of course he thought of her last month when a federal appeals court ruled on a case that could result in the redesign of the entire U.S. currency. It was one of the great legal victories of 53-year-old attorney Jeffrey Lovitky's career, and he wishes she could have been there to share it.<br /><br /><a name="storyContinued"></a>But had she been there, it might never have happened.<br /><br />For the lawsuit filed on behalf of the American Council of the Blind was never just about discrimination or changing the currency so the blind can distinguish a $1 bill from a $20.<br /><br />It was about a brilliant, gifted woman who changed so many perceptions and overcame so many obstacles that those who knew her never doubted her ability to continue inspiring enormous change, even from the grave. It was about the memory of a smile.<br /><br />In his second-floor office, Lovitky sifts through a well-thumbed photo album. "Here's a Sandy smile," he says, plucking a picture from the page. "And here's one. And this is truly a Sandy smile."<br /><br />The pictures show a petite brunette nestling into his shoulder under a cherry blossom tree, playfully pushing him in an oversized beach wheelchair on the sand, clutching his arm at a black tie event at which she was receiving yet another award.<br /><br />His eyes mist at the memory — Sandra Welner, the brilliant physician whose dazzling smile and tenacious spirit stole Lovitky's heart.<br /><br />He found her after placing a personal ad in a Jewish newspaper — or really, she found him. He remembers the letter she wrote in response — not the words, but the tone. She sounded so intelligent, so lively, so interesting, and yet there was some obscure reference to a disability.<br /><br />"I really must meet this person," he thought.<br /><br />Their first date was in an Irish pub in April 1994. She was already seated when he arrived, and he felt an instant attraction to the radiant young woman with the gentle brown eyes and tumble of dark curls.<br /><br />They talked for hours. She told him about her practice as a gynecologist, running a clinic for women with disabilities; about her parents — Holocaust survivors from Poland who had created a new life and family in Pittsburgh; about her travels all over Europe, Australia and Israel. But there were things she never mentioned in those first few hours. He had no idea that she couldn't see his thinning hair and clear blue eyes, that she could only barely make out the shape of his face. Or that she had called the pub earlier to ask about the menu, so she could pretend to read it when she ordered.<br /><br />It was only when they were preparing to leave, when she stood unsteadily and asked for help in getting a taxi, that he realized that she had difficulty walking. She held out her arm. Grasping it, he sensed they would be together for a long time.<br /><br />Their dates were simple: walks in the park, petting horses at a stables near her Silver Spring apartment, takeout Thai dinners and occasional splurges on extravagant chocolate desserts at the Willard Hotel. She discussed her medical cases. He told her about his legal ones. Devoted news junkies, they often spent Saturday nights by the computer, Lovitky reading aloud the big stories of the day.<br /><br />Gradually, he learned what had happened in those terrible days back in 1987.<br /><br />She was almost 30, already a leading expert on fertility and women's reproductive health. She had a large circle of friends and colleagues, a thriving career as a micro-surgeon and no shortage of suitors.<br /><br />Traveling alone on vacation in Europe, Welner fell ill — so ill that she checked herself into a hospital in Amsterdam. Her family is not certain what happened next except that she went into cardiac arrest and suffered a serious brain injury. Welner's mother, Barbara, 81, still sobs at the shock of seeing her comatose daughter in a foreign hospital. Even if she survived, doctors said, she would be lucky to regain the ability of a 2-year-old.<br /><br />"NO!" the mother cried. Not my brilliant, beautiful daughter, who could paint portraits that belonged in galleries, who played the violin so exquisitely that she was offered music scholarships in high school, who graduated from medical school at the age of 22. This was a child who, at the age of 12, had begged not to join a family vacation to Florida because she had enrolled in college courses instead.<br /><br />Now doctors were saying she should lock her away.<br /><br />"Not my Sandy," the mother said.<br /><br />And so, for 16 days in Amsterdam, she read medical journals and newspapers and played classical music for her lifeless daughter. She talked to her and caressed her — anything to trigger a response. She got none. "The doctors thought I was delusional," she said. Back in the United States, doctors offered the same grim prognosis. Again, the mother said no. And so Barbara and Nick Welner took their child home to New Haven, Conn. They read to her. They fed her. They bathed her. They taught her to count, to swallow, to sit up. They cried with her. Hour after hour, for days and months and years.<br /><br />It wasn't a miracle, her mother says of her daughter's steady, excruciating recovery. It came of a determination so powerful that it burst from her broken body with a force that nothing could hold back.<br /><br />But there were moments that felt like miracles. The day Sandy took her first tentative steps. The day a friend phoned from Israel, where Sandy had worked, and she began speaking in fluent Hebrew. She hadn't forgotten a word.<br /><br />"I was in awe," her mother said.<br /><br />Years later, as Lovitky heard these stories, he too was in awe. But not just of the woman he had grown to love. He was also awed by the older woman who became his dear friend. "Sandy had such spirit and such courage," Lovitky says, "but her mother did, too. Such effort, such faith."<br /><br />This was a woman who had fled the Warsaw ghetto with false papers as a young girl, who with the help of the Red Cross found her way to nursing school in England and eventually married a fellow Polish refugee in the United States. Both husband and wife had families who perished in concentration camps.<br /><br />The Welners raised four children, two boys and two girls. But Sandy was always the star. "There was just this sense that she would accomplish extraordinary things," says her brother, Michael Welner.<br /><br />By the time Lovitky met her, Welner's vision was severely damaged, her hands shook, and she walked with an unsteady gait. But her speech and mind were clear. And her memory was better than ever.<br /><br />Lovitky marveled at her defiance. She refused to use a wheelchair. Instead she would pile the chair with her medical books and push it. Or she would use a cane.<br /><br />She was dependent on others — the stream of medical students she paid to help her read, and write and file, on strangers to help her catch a cab, or spend money. And yet, Lovitky says, "she was more independent than anyone I knew."<br /><br />She went skydiving in Australia, alone. She climbed — inch by inch — the ancient historic site, Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea in Israel.<br /><br />When she eventually moved into her own apartment in Washington, she insisted on cooking great Passover seders for her family. "If Sandy wanted to do something, nothing was going to stop her," Lovitky says.<br /><br />TO CONTINUE READING THIS AMAZING STORY, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25441593/page/2/">PLEASE CLICK HERE</a>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-77819457767089755532008-08-03T11:57:00.006-04:002008-08-03T12:52:43.764-04:00WATERMELON: What a Melon!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-jyOVc1qKNPnm-67POBor12JnpgiwpBMRhj81dEU2dJikN83O8-XWl_ineMalxsghyqnfMsjk2DMZGXyP916hZsgHCEk8flgDB61y7aqWqX6D0oo4FaSq-Tf8MHnis6HcJZ_O7FNawaJ/s1600-h/P1000784.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230334198743456770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-jyOVc1qKNPnm-67POBor12JnpgiwpBMRhj81dEU2dJikN83O8-XWl_ineMalxsghyqnfMsjk2DMZGXyP916hZsgHCEk8flgDB61y7aqWqX6D0oo4FaSq-Tf8MHnis6HcJZ_O7FNawaJ/s200/P1000784.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div><div><strong>Yum!</strong> The watermelon this summer has been delicious and I've been recommending it as a healthy alternative to my clients and especially to those who have strong or frequent sugar cravings. Instead of grabbing that cookie or candy bar, consider this luscious melon! Quite frankly, it takes like candy, but a much healthier and fulfilling version! And it is also one of the more affordable fruits this season.</div></div><br /><p>Here are some interesting facts about watermelon:</p><p>* They are native to Africa and date back to 2000 BC in Egypt</p><p>* Because of their high water content, they were used as a source of liquid in areas where water was limited or tainted</p><p>* They are in-season May through September</p><p>* Best to buy firm and slightly underripe</p><p>* Whole melons will typically have better taste than pre-cut melons</p><p>According to Paul Pitchford's book, "Healing with Whole Foods", watermelon is a cooling food which can reduce heat in the body. So, if you're feeling hot due to the summer's rising temperatures, watermelon is an excellent choice. Also, other forms of heat in the body would include anyone who is suffering from an inflammatory condition, such as arthritis or nephritis and the like. Watermelon is also great for the kidneys and the lungs, so anyone who has a temporary or chronic kidney or lung condition would benefit greatly from consuming watermelon, as it helps to tonify and balance. Watermelon can also be used to treat edema, urinary tract difficulties, canker sores, depression. And though most of us don't consume the seeds or rinds, they too, have benefits, which include dilating the capillaries (which lowers blood pressure), easing constipation and helps with diabetes. If you're looking for potassium, watermelon has as much as a banana. Potassium is micronutrient, necessary to human function, which helps maintain electrolyte balance in the body. Other nutrients that the watermelon provides are magnesium and Vitamins A, C and B6.</p><br /><p>Now go enjoy some sweet, tasty watermelon. The season comes to a close in a mere 8 weeks!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230333574597121714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-M7tgHqXSmbPKVZ2uay5o6u8dEGjFmZX85Gzod440BkMPMyq7ma2bVCCKXZe4dq5hKoG_hmbHYdxyf2aHRmwXv3Djz79xPUNQOc8-wmxGEk5WQVPfgH3XyjU5Dc_SwZlmjkd8Zt19Kcvt/s200/P1000787.JPG" border="0" /> I enjoy mine cut up in squares or chuncks and eaten with a fork. As you can see by my "before" and "after" photos. Eat yours however you like; just be sure to eat it and savor the sweet flavor!<br /><p></p></div></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-47970507541213734082008-07-28T11:36:00.006-04:002008-07-28T11:58:28.922-04:00AN INTERVIEW WITH ANNA MURPHY ~ "Problems cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them."I recently had the opportunity to interview my friend and colleague, <a href="http://practicallyspiritual.typepad.com/practically_spiritual/"><strong>Anna Murphy</strong></a>, an intuitive guide and healer and tarot reader. I hope you find the results as interesting as I did! Please be sure to check out the link at the end of the interview, to read more about Anna and be redirected to her website and thought-provoking and very entertaining blog.<br /><br />HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN STUDYING THE TAROT?<br />I picked up my first deck, the Robin Wood Tarot, when I was 21. At first, I mainly studied out of books like Mary K. Greer's "Tarot for Yourself" and read just for myself for quite a while. I was lucky to meet someone who was an extremely talented reader. She taught me a lot and really encouraged me to come out of my shell.Growing up, doing things like reading Tarot cards was not something that anyone around me ever did. None of my family or friends ever went to see readers, or if they did they didn't talk about it. So it was a strange new world to me, and a very exciting one.<br /><br />WHEN DID YOU FIRST NOTICE YOUR TALENT & SKILL? HOW DID YOU FURTHER DEVELOP YOUR INTUITION?<br />When I first started playing around with the Tarot, I didn't feel like I had any psychic ability. In retrospect, I had always had a lot of the signs of latent psychic ability -- mainly intense dreams and emotional sensitivity, a strong creative impulse. These are qualities that are really discounted or driven underground in our culture, so for most people, myself included, being sensitive or creative felt more like a recipe for unhappiness than as a gift.<br /><br />The best way I found to develop my intuition was just practice, both with the cards and with everyday things. At the time, I was living in Boston and going to art school. I used to change trains at Arlington Station and, while I was waiting, I would try to guess which train would come next -- B, C, D, or E. After a while, I got very good at this and learned how to distinguish between a guess, a hope, a worry, and a real intuition.<br /><br />The less you have emotionally invested in the outcome, the easier it seems to be to predict something. My husband is a big fan of mixed martial arts fighting. I used to be able to predict the outcome of nearly every fight we watched -- but then I started rooting for certain fighters and now I'm terrible at calling fights. This is probably why intuition and gambling don't go together very well.<br /><br />WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?<br />That's a good question. A lot of people seem to think that their fate is sealed in advance, even the choices they are going to make. I've never understood that perception. Maybe people learn too much Greek tragedy in high school, I don't know.From reading the cards, sometimes it seems that certain things are indeed predestined and unavoidable, but they are the exception, not the rule. The world seems to be a lot looser and more pliable than it appears to us.<br /><br />WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST FULFILLMENT FROM WHAT YOU DO?<br />I love hunting down answers and solving mysteries. There was a physicist whose books I love who wrote one called "The Pleasure of Finding Things Out." That's a big one for me.<br /><br />And the Tarot itself is constantly teaching me. The origins of Tarot cards are pretty murky. Tarot scholars will tell you that it seems to have originated as an Italian card game in the fifteenth century that just happened to incorporate some powerful symbolism. But lately I'm thinking that there was a lot more intentionality in its creation than most people believe, because the patterns of its design go very deep.<br /><br />I recently discovered some alchemical and merkavah (an ancient Jewish mystical tradition) symbolism in the Tarot that it's clear were put there on purpose by whoever created the system. I'm surely not the first person to notice these connections, but they are undoubtedly there. I don't think anyone's gotten to the bottom yet of everything that the Tarot represents and after almost six hundred years that's saying something.<br /><br />I think of the Tarot as a map of the unconscious mind, but it's more than that. In the West, it also represents a huge part of our spiritual inheritance. It is a coded message from the pagans, the Qabalists, the Rosicrucians, the alchemists and magicians and Mary Magdalene-lovers whose faith and practices were underground for so many centuries.<br /><br />The funny thing is that these underground traditions are not anti-Christian -- usually they were quite the opposite. Many of them were started by people whose Christian or Jewish faith was so deep that they wanted to get more personally involved in their own spiritual life. That was a very taboo thing to do in those times.<br /><br />HOW DO YOUR READINGS BENEFIT YOUR CLIENTS?<br />Above all, I think a good reading can bring clarity and insight that it's impossible to find anywhere else. It is also helpful to have some psychological insight if you are going to be a reader. I think it's a shame that the psychological community has become very un-magical. Except for the Jungian tradition, most therapists no longer talk about the soul, and this is a big loss. So now readers and psychics do a lot of this work instead, but it's very private and unregulated.<br /><br />Mainstream therapists have gotten into "cognitive behavioral" therapy, which has its uses, but essentially we are training people to just behave better and think better. We're changing the outside and hoping that the inside will change -- and a lot of time, this does work just fine, but it's not enough.<br /><br />As a culture, we seem to have given up on seeking the answers to the deeper mysteries and the really big questions. Bringing up things like the soul or the existence of life after death or what the heck is really happening in our world is kind of a social no-no. But the thing is, these are the questions that people are privately really thinking about and struggling with. They're very important. A Tarot reading is a safe place to bring up and investigate almost anything. I think that's very freeing for people.<br /><br />WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS YOU ARE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED BY CLIENTS DURING THE READINGS?<br />Love and money are always the big questions!<br /><br />WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR A CLIENT TO KNOW, TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A SESSION WITH YOU?<br />Mostly the important thing is to relax and be open. I look at a Tarot reading as a conversation with your higher self. Sometimes when I'm shuffling cards or laying them out, I'll ask clients casual questions about where they're from or something like that.<br /><br />Sometimes I can feel brand new clients tense up when I do this because they've probably seen some Penn & Teller "expose" about how psychics will fish for information from you or that kind of thing.<br /><br />Being able to trust in the process is probably the most important thing, both for me as a reader and for the client. I don't fully understand how the readings work but I see it as a very sacred process. As a client, it's not something you want to enter into if you're suspicious of the reader. I think that's why a lot of clients find me through word-of-mouth. This is actually very smart -- I wouldn't let just anyone read my cards, either. It's an intimate thing in a lot of ways.<br /><br />ARE THERE ANY "DOWN SIDES" TO GETTING A READING?<br />I don't think so, but it is true that readings are probably not great for everyone.<br /><br />One of my favorite Einstein quotes is "Problems cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them." Some people do come to a Tarot reader not wanting to change anything about their lives or themselves -- they just want to know what's in the future. And that's okay and it will work. I'm not there to do an intervention on somebody. What you want to do with your reading is completely up to you. But if you're wasting the present, what good is knowing about the future going to do you?<br /><br />DO YOU HELP PEOPLE HEAL?<br />I do think that the readings are healing. At the most basic level, they offer my clients a lot of reassurance and hope. But they offer a chance for a deep transformation as well. It's all up to the client -- they are in the driver's seat for that.<br /><br />To learn more about Anna, read her insightful and beautifully written blog postings on "Practically Spiritual" or to sign up for her upcoming "Opening to Tarot" class, please <a href="http://practicallyspiritual.typepad.com/practically_spiritual/2008/07/upcoming-class-opening-to-tarot-in-september.html">CLICK HERE</a><br /><br />Thank You, Anna! I appreciate your answering my many questions to share with my blog readers and clients.Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869862130226229549.post-19615428713803736612008-07-13T11:51:00.002-04:002008-07-13T11:54:29.428-04:00One More Thought on ProcrastinationThis is a much more succinct posting about procrastination, compared to Thursday's, but here is a great quote from Pablo Picasso, I wanted to share:<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>"Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone."</strong></div>Kathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05923213822112038049noreply@blogger.com6