For me, last month was a challenging end to the year 2011 since I broke my left arm by tripping and falling. There were many lessons to be learned from the experience, however, it was a challenge it try to look at the lessons while in pain and with limited functional capacity. I have learned to show more gratitude for a body that is normally fully functioning. I have learned not to be afraid to ask for help with even the simplest tasks. I recognize the importance of taking care of self and making self a first priority.

I have thought often of those who have disabilities, especially wounded soldiers. I am grateful my problem is short term while many have lost complete limbs. I now understand their struggles to do even the simplest everyday task.

I am grateful for all who sent love, light, healing energies, prayers and offered their physical support for whatever I needed. I also appreciate all who made the effort to show me they cared by checking on my progress.

It really is quite easy to be of assistance when others are going through a challenging time. Even saying prayers for a speedy recover can make things easier for anyone struggling with an issue. Metaphysicians often say “love heals all” so sending love can also be a help. In addition, some physical assistance like running errands, walking a dog, helping with dishes and laundry, and drives to appointments can be a great help. Calling to check on someone is a great boost to the spirit.

Whenever I receive notification that someone has a body, mind or spiritual issue, I immediately send love, light, blessings and prayers. I often ask for a spiritual healing committee to be assigned to help the individual through their challenges. I know you will find many opportunities to be of assistance to others.

I had hoped to share a different topic this month but typing right now is difficult for me. Fortunately, someone on FaceBook posted this fabulous blog by Marc and Angel Hack Life with their Practical Tips for Productive Living. Their post: “30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself, “ says all I could say and more. Enjoy!

http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/18/30-things-to-start-doing-for-yourself/#more-404

Have you ever seen someone grab the shoulders of another to get their attention?  They are bringing that person out of a daze of thoughts and emotions and into the present so that they can focus on what is going on around them.

The recent earthquake in my area showed me what it was really like to be in the present moment.  Just before the earthquake began, I heard a roaring, rumbling sound.  Immediately, I focused on the sound.  Where was coming from?  What did it remind me of?   What could it be?

Then as the shaking began, I was totally aware of where I was, what I was doing, what I was thinking, what I was hearing, what I was seeing, and what I was feeling.   I was totally in the NOW.  When the shaking stopped, I found myself shifting out of the NOW moment and into the past, replaying what had just happened.   The clarity and focus that the earthquake had triggered vanished, and I missed the feeling of perfect peace and perfect clarity.

Oprah said, “Being fully present automatically lifts your spirits. Clears your mind of distractions.  Brings clarity.  Even some joy.”  Wow!  That is a lot to be gained from taking a moment to be in the NOW.

There are many other times when I could be in the NOW moment if I chose to be.  I could choose any moment in the day to really focus my attention on what I see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.  I could create for myself the unforgettable, never recaptured moments of being fully present.   What if out in nature I focused on the present moment?   How would my perception of being in nature change?

What if I focused on the NOW while traveling, wouldn’t it create a joyful moment for me to remember later?   Reconnection to such moments helps you to easily visualize and create pleasant moments for yourself in the future.

What if I chose to be in the NOW with another person.  This helps to let them know that they are heard, appreciated and validated.   What an amazing gift to give to someone!  It can lift them up and make a difference in their day and maybe even in their life.  Wouldn’t you like to be heard, appreciated and validated?

What if you were to allow yourself to be fully present in the moment on a regular basis?  Could you find moments of joy, moments of complete focus, moments that leave you feeling refreshed, and moments that make a difference in the lives of others?

Hopefully, it is not going to take another earthquake to bring you or me into the NOW.  Let it be a frequent conscious choice to be in the NOW and soon it will become a habit that brings you pleasure, focus and joy.

No Half-Wits Allowed

While preparing to do a teleseminar about Brain Balancing with my friend and renowned  psychic, Christopher Reburn, I was reminded about how much you are missing if you are not brain balanced.  Each side of the brain processes information differently.  If you are only using one side of your brain you could be considered a “half wit.”  You would not have access to the many benefits available by having both sides of your brain working together.

Let us look at what you may be missing if you are predominantly using one side of the brain.  If you are in the left or male side, this is where you access:  your wealth of knowledge and your conscious mind; use language; do analytical thinking; see the details; think in terms of the past and the future; form strategies; keep yourself sequentially organized and on time; weave facts and details into a story; generate brain chatter; excel at academics; and know, “I am separate” from you.

Those are all good things but look at what you are missing if you are not connected to the right or female side of the brain:  your wisdom;  your feelings;  your intuitive and holistic thinking; your ability to be in the NOW; your inner and authentic self;  your ability to see the whole picture; your ability to see possibilities; your spontaneous, carefree and imaginative side; the part of you that can interpret non-verbal communication; and this is where you are cognizant of the fact that “We all are one.”

Now, do you really want to go around being a “half-wit” by using only half of your brain?  The two hemispheres of the brain complement and enhance one another’s abilities.  Being brain balanced with each side communicating with the other has many benefits for you.

Think of being Brain Balanced as having a great inner marriage.  Communication is essential for a marriage to be considered a true relationship where each individual is allowed to fulfill their potential.  Sharing ideas and suggestions with each other helps you to see things from a different perspective.   It makes you realize that there is more than one solution to problems.  Without this balanced communication, you begin to feel stuck, anxious, burnt out, and want to run away.

While brain balanced, you have access to more information for your decision making.  You will become more peaceful, creative, productive and joyful.  It will help you to stay grounded.  It will prepare you to face challenges with the ability to see the whole and its parts.   Since your mind and your body are intimately connected, you will also have a better functioning immune system.  You will develop better focusing and organizational skills, thus helping you work to your full potential.  You will be more open to change and more consistent in your actions to achieve your goals.

The benefits of being Brain Balanced are hopefully all the motivation you need to make the decision to take two minutes every morning and frequently throughout your day to balance your brain.

Below I provide the instructions on how to do Brain Balancing:

1. Place right hand above right eyebrow and left hand on back left side of the neck.
2. Hold for 30 seconds to a minute.
3. Reverse hands by placing left hand above left eyebrow and right hand on back right side of the neck.
4. Hold again for 30 seconds to a minute.

You’ll find that having a fully functioning and balanced brain is helpful for all of your decision making and will give you a healthier body, mind and spirit.  Please, no more half-wits!  J

I have provided additional written instructions on my website athttp://www.healinggateway.com/brainbalancing.php

You can also find my video on YouTube about brain balancing:http://www.youtube.com/alterra1#p/a/u/0/GElyrmHR6q8

To hear an in depth discussion about brain balancing with me and Christopher Reburn listen here:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thepsychic/2011/05/18/brain-balancing-with-christopher-reburn-sherry-dmytrewcyz

If you want more information contact me, sherry@healinggateway.com

“If you want something done, find a busy person.” I read that once. The idea was that a busy person knows how to organize their time so they can help you. While this may be very true in some cases, often times these busy people just can’t say, “No.” They will sacrifice their time to please another. The one person they are not satisfying is themselves.

No is a very short word but carries a lot of power. It has the power to allow you to set limits and also the power to say yes to taking care of your personal interests. Think about what they tell you on the airplane concerning the oxygen masks – “Make sure to secure your own mask first before assisting others. ” They are telling you to take care of yourself first and then you have the needed energy to help others.

Taking care of yourself is about deciding what is most important to you in your life. What is important for you, is really what is best for you. There is a part of you that just knows in your heart what the answer to a request should be. Listen to your heart.

Know that some people will try to flatter, guilt or bully you into saying “yes.” They are pushing your boundaries. This is disrespectful. Boundaries are not always meant to be stretched or crossed.

Exercise your ability to refuse a request by saying, “Sorry, I can’t right now.” or “I’m not taking on any new responsibilities.” Know that you do not owe anyone any additional explanations. Anyone who asks for more details is pushing your boundaries.

If you are really unsure what answer is best, say “I don’t think so; let me check my schedule and think it over.” However, once you make a decision, refuse to reconsider. You need to stand your ground. You have the right to say, “I made my decision; this discussion is over.”

Be aware that when you say “No” to others, you are saying “Yes” to:

• Honoring yourself and your existing obligations.
• Freeing up time to care for yourself, your personal life, or career goals.
• Leaving you time to pursue true interests.
• Allowing others an opportunity to step up and shine.
• Helping you feel more confident and in control.
• Avoiding stress so you are not constantly juggling where to place your time and energy.

When asked to do something for another, be aware that the more you say “No” to what you don’t want, the more you say “Yes” to your personal wants and needs. You are not being selfish but you are being respectful of your own needs. You have the right and the obligation to come first.

Angel Heart

Angels are all around you, and you may even act as one for others on a regular basis.  When you speak or act from the heart, you are showing unconditional love for the individual regardless of who or what they are.  This is the act of an angel.

How often have you found yourself feeling better from the kindness expressed toward you when you are feeling down?  Maybe a kind word or different perspective helped shift you to a calmer or happier state of mind.  Perhaps a person encouraged you to pursue your goals or sat and listened when you needed to vent or mourn.  Maybe a person helped you when you were struggling. Or perhaps they were there to welcome a new family member, or pet.  Then again they may have just helped you celebrate your victories.  All of these are angelic acts that help us through this journey called life.

Perhaps you think these are the acts only of friends, but they can be the acts of mere acquaintances or perfect strangers.  Has someone ever shoveled the snow from your walk, held a door for you, assisted you with carrying a load of packages, or helped push your car?  Often these angelic acts were performed by someone seeing that you had a need and stepping in to be of assistance.

I recently read that the journey from the head to the heart is called “The 18-inch Journey.”  This acknowledges the distance from the head, where you recognize a need, to the heart, where you are led to act out of caring and compassion.

When acting as an angel you make this journey often throughout your day.  Maybe you were unaware of the difference that simple acts can make in the life of another.  Anytime you act as an angel you recognize the value in that person’s life and help to boost their self-esteem.  They may even have an “Ah ha” moment that influences the rest of their life.

Make every day one in which you let your Angel Heart lead you to soften the journey for another, letting them know they have value to contribute to the world.

Don’t bother looking under the Christmas tree for your greatest gift.  You won’t find it there, or anywhere outside of yourself, for your greatest gift lies within.

You are attuned to the noises of daily living, but often forget to tune in to your inner spiritual voice.  You spend your time busily seeking happiness, but not finding it.  You need to accept that you are who and what you are seeking.  The only way to find yourself is to look within.  Spending time alone with yourself puts you in touch with who and what you are and helps you connect to your inner guidance.

When going within, you begin to hear what your heart truly thinks and believes, instead of what others have conditioned you or told you to believe.  Once you are able to just BE and access stillness, you will be able to look at the world around you with greater perception and discernment.  When you are more at one with yourself, you are able to recognize the external influences on your thinking from friends, family, and your surrounding environment.

Going within also helps you to access information not normally available.  You will begin to hear the voice of your Higher Self providing answers and direction. All answers lie within.  Enlightenment does not come from doing but from BEing silent so you can tune in to guidance.

You can consciously cultivate your inner voice.  Sit or lie in a quiet location where you will not be disturbed.  Close your eyes, focus within your heart, and ask to connect  with your Higher Self.  Let your mind go blank.  Just BE.  Note the thoughts that come, but don’t dwell on them.  If they are negative or fearful thoughts, know that your ego is trying to control your thoughts.  Your ego is not your true voice. Send love to your fears and negativity, then release the thoughts and send them on their way.

In quiet contemplation there is happiness and joy where you are able to realize who you are and your magnificence , then you can easily recognize and appreciate the unique magnificence of all around you.  Once you find your inner peace, then you are able to assist others to find their inner peace and ultimately you assist in achieving world peace.  What greater gift could there be?

May you find your greatest gift within that brings you joy, peace and enlightenment!

The Coin by Sara Teasdale



What Kind of Example are You Setting?

Most religions and philosophies talk about being good examples. Many in the Christian faith have heard the expression, “What would Jesus do?” (WWJD) This is to serve as a reminder to imitate Christ in all thoughts, words and deeds. Pondering this phrase assists one in moving things into a more loving and compassionate view of others.

Jesus was not our only example of the way we should behave. We have had many examples throughout history: Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Linus Pauling, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela. It is important to note that every one of us serves as an example for others.

There are so many sad stories in the news of people deliberately doing things that hurt others. I know that these individuals are in need of all the Love, Light, Blessings, Prayers and assistance that we can send them and their victims. Don’t people understand that we ALL ARE ONE? Our actions send out a ripple effect, like a pebble in a pond, affecting more people than you can imagine.

Remember the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” When living by this rule, all are treated with consideration since we each appreciate just treatment for ourselves. In addition, we don’t wish to have poor choices cause us future karmic backlash.

Setting an example is something that we do on a daily basis, even when we are unaware of who is watching or listening. If you doubt this, watch little children and listen to what comes out of their mouths when you didn’t know they were paying attention to you.

It is important to remember that YOU CAN ONLY CHANGE YOU. By changing yourself, you become a better example for others. At the end of each day, try reviewing the experiences you have had and see if there was any place where you did not apply the Golden Rule. Then visualize how you could have shifted things into a more loving light. This will help you to break out of negative patterns to become a positive example. You may even want to journal your experiences so you can look back later and see how much you have changed.

Spiritual growth and evolution involves a process of differentiation of one way of looking at life and oneself into another way of perceiving oneself and the world. BE THE EXAMPLE of what you wish to see in the world, and eventually we will all see the results, not only of you changing you, but of others changing, too.