Living an Authentic Life...

In June after Bob had his 'cardiac event' I wanted to pursue my interest in health, wellness and holistic healing.

Initiating whatever positive steps I could take to assist in our well-being and vitality; it was then that I became certified as a Reiki II practioner.

I don't use Reiki as a profitable enterprise to earn income, but as a means to be a conduit for health & wellness.

In fact, I haven't shared this information previously, due to the fact there tends to be some preconceived notions that are attributed. And frankly I haven't wanted to take the heat,inquiry, or be put in a defensive position from folks.

However, I feel that how can anyone truly accept, love, value another person if they only know a sliver of the whole individual...so here is the first step to living my authentic life.




What is Reiki?
The International Center for Reiki Training
A Brief Overview

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.

Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.

While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.

Holiday Humor

The 'Law of the Garbage Truck'

I received this great E-mail and felt I should share it because it conveys words I intend to live by.

Beware of Garbage Trucks by David J. Pollay



How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she can get back her focus on what's important.

I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central we were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was friendly. So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they’ll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.

So this was it: The 'Law of the Garbage Truck.'

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.'

I began to see garbage trucks. Like in the movie 'The Sixth Sense,' the little boy said, 'I see Dead People.' Well, now 'I see Garbage Trucks.' I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.

What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

Here's my bet. You'll be happier.


Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so… Love the people who treat you right.

Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe that everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance, TAKE IT!
If it changes your life, LET IT!
Nobody said it would be easy... They just promised it would be worth it!

Welcomed guest's...

I think Mom must have modeled...'full throttle, pedal to the metal' house cleaning, decorating, and other various touches when hosting guests. Bob can't believe what an addict I become when it comes to making everything "perfect". Unfortunately, I am left exhausted and without a lot witty banter. Needless to say if guests are truly your friends or family they are caring, understanding, and just happy to spend time with you.

This seemed to be the case when our friends from Switzerland came to visit, the only thing that put a damper on their visit was when going out to breakfast prior to their leaving town, someone backed into their rental car in the parking lot. That having been said the person had the waite staff find the custodian of the vehicle so she could provide her insurance information and the damage was minor, more of an inconvenience than anything else, we just felt badly that during their hectic business schedule they would be left juggling insurance writ- rot with the rental company.

Suffice it to say that our visit was nice, the house is clean and decorated for the holiday season, and now I plan to enjoy a cup of hot tea and a good book for a much deserved break.