Gratitude

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.   

Meister Eckhart 

  

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.  

William Arthur Ward

There are times in life, when feeling gratitude is the natural outflow of one's current experiences. Watching a baby smile, or experiencing a beautiful sunset are just two examples. Sadly, there are also times when finding something to feel grateful for can be a whole lot more challenging.  As we are swept up in the emotion and drama of it all, we forget that, even when they are hidden, there are blessings to be found in every one of the experiences life holds for us.  There is always something to be grateful for.  We just have to be able to quieten our minds enough to find it.

It is at times like these, after I've first been caught up in it all and then recognized what I was doing, that I reach into my trusty toolkit.  Either on their own, or in combination my essential oils, Bach Flower Remedies and Reiki continue to help me through. On many occasions over the years they have brought me the solace and relief, strength and courage, insight and determination I needed to come back to that place where I can once again experience Peace and Gratitude.  That place where I can be truly ME again!

Mindfully inhaling a single note essential oil, or a synergy especially created for the situation can be very helpful.  Combining this with nurturing touch in an aromatherapy massage takes the experience even deeper.  Taking a Bach Flower Remedy, with Remedies specifically chosen to alleviate the emotional challenges, helps one move more easily and surely through the emotional quagmire.  Those of you who know me, know I'm a bit of an 'energy junkie'.  I love being able to let go of the need to control and make things happen.  Letting the energy wash over me brings me exactly what I need in the moment leaving me with a sense of gratitude and peace.

While I recognize that life's twists and turns are unpredictable and that there will always be challenges, having these tools makes my journey so much more enjoyable and fruitful.

Whether you are at a time in your life where you are facing challenges, or whether you are looking to deepen your sense of being at peace and more truly yourself, or just looking for an experience of rest and relaxation, I would certainly appreciate it if you considered one of the services I offer as being part of your journey.

May 2013- Highlight on Seated Chair Massage

Many airports, malls or trade shows have an area set up for people to receive a relaxation massage while sitting in a massage chair. The ease of setting up the chair makes it very adaptable to use in many different situations and it can be a quick and easy way to relax.

In his book Therapeutic Chair Massage Ralph R. Stephens says:

There are two major paradigms of massage, relaxation and therapeutic.  Both have the aim of invoking a relaxation response from the client's nervous system.  The relaxation paradigm uses non-specific techniques and routines to create a general, systemic relaxation.  The therapeutic paradigm uses muscle or region-specific routines to create localized relaxation in individual muscles or tissue groups, which then also contributes to an overall systemic relaxation.  The therapeutic paradigm begins with general techniques to warm and soothe tissues, just like the relaxation paradigm does.  But it continues beyond to examine and treat tissue specifically, attempting to elicit a significant change in a particular spot or area.

Because of our familiarity of seeing the chair in many public settings we don't always remember that having a seated chair massage can go well beyond the realm of just relaxation and in fact elicit a truly therapeutic result.  Here the client will have those pesky trouble spots specifically addressed while at the same time experiencing real relaxation and lasting relief.

Read more on the Seated Chair Massage page and come in and experience this for yourself.

Bach Remedy - Beech
The remedy for irritation of all kinds.  For those who feel the need to see more good and beauty in all that surrounds them. And although much seems to be wrong, to see the good growing within. Beech is for intolerance of all kinds. People who are constantly making criticisms, intolerant of other people’s shortcomings and unable to make allowances. They find it hard to see the good in others. They are picky. It can also be helpful for dealing with allergies - which could be seen as a type of cellular intolerance.

Essential Oil - Spikenard
Spikenard’s botanical name Nardostachys jatamansi has its roots in the Hindu word Jatamansi which means “lock of hair.” The use of this aromatic has been recorded in a number of cultures over the years. Medically the herb is used in Ayurvedic Medicine where it is traditionally considered to calm the nerves and promote awareness and strengthen the mind. It is in the same family as Valeriana jatamansi (Indian valerian) and was sometimes used treatment of hysteria. It is mentioned several times in the Bible, twice in the Song of Solomon 1:12, 4:13, 14 and in the accounting of the washing and anointing of Jesus’ feet in the New Testament. (Mark 14:3; John 12:3).

Psychologically, spikenard has calming, sedative properties and is useful for insomnia, nervous indigestion, migraine, stress and tension. It can help to calm restlessness.

On the physiological level, spikenard has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, cell-rejuvenating properties and is useful for allergies, rashes, psoriasis, inflammation, wound healing and mature skin.

On a subtle level, spikenard embodies wholeness and promotes a sense of hope. It comforts and balances the heart, especially for people who take on the cares of the world.