By now, the world has heard of the shooting in Orlando, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around this horrific tragedy.  I held my kids a little tighter tonight, because its so difficult to process, and they needed to feel safe in a world that seems so unsafe lately. A couple of them cried, and the others were quiet, I'm  guessing trying to comprehend how such a horrible act of cruelty and violence could occur, and shocked that it is happening too often it seems. Even once is too often, and yet, unfortunately we're hearing  about it more and more.
The energy of the world has become unstable and rigid. Coming to grips with the idea that this may be becoming the norm, doesn't settle well with me. Its rattles the soul and creates a feeling of illness emanating throughout our spirit. We hear of something like this, families being ripped to shreds by a disgusting human that decides to take lives from this Earth, and we're rocked to our core.  How can we not be? It makes us think. Think about what if. What if it were me that was there that night? What if it was someone I knew and loved? What if something happens to me like that? What if... How empty the families feel, how they will never see or hear from their loved ones again. How scared the survivors must have been. How they will never again be the same, because of one mans' decision.
We can never make this go away, nor can we erase all the other tragedies that we've gone through and heard about. So what can we do? How can we wake up tomorrow and not feel sickened by what happened? You can't. Because you're human and a wonderful feeling human at that. But what you can do is this. Feel. Grieve. Love and say a beautiful healing prayer for them. Help the families get through this the best they can. Feel the pain in your heart, instead of pushing it down, and then send it off with love and healing and guidance. And then warm your heart with tenderness. Heal yourself, and move forward. We need more love in this world, and by you doing this, and telling your friends to do this, you create the positive energy that this world so desperately needs. Feel the light in your soul as it radiates outward, touching lives and bringing people together. Help to heal them with your warmth and your illumination.
One of my favorite positive energy healers is Laurel-Bleadon Maffei, and her work is not only amazing but crucial to the healing of this planet.   She is so in touch with the energy of this world, and works everyday using her never ending positive light to create a foundation with which to turn when feeling lost. She takes you back to a positive place and reminds us that we are the light of this world and we need to join together to make this planet a better place with which to live.
So blessings to you this week and hold your loved ones just a little tighter.

Cheers.

First, I apologize for all the time that has passed since my last blog! It has been an absolutely crazy insane month! I have had a ton of emails asking me when the heck am I getting back online. Again, I do apologize. I am studying for my boards which are in October, I just put out a new book, and I'm working on not only another health and wellness book, but I'm finishing up a Middle Grade Literary Fiction book! Whew! So, that's what's been going on. Annnnd, it's Summer. Which means all my kiddos are home  and I'm trying to keep them busy.
But enough of that and here I am. I have so many things I want to talk about, but one of the topics that has been coming up a lot for me lately, and I have had quite a few people ask me about is yoga and the art of breathing to reduce stress. While there are millions of you tube videos, books, seminars, etc etc about this very subject, sometimes all that can be quite overwhelming. Where do you start?  I think the first question you need to ask yourself, is what is your ultimate goal? What do you want to accomplish?
I have been practicing yoga since forever. Since well, since I was about 5ish years old, so about 36 years now. Ha! There's my age! Anyway, I know for me, yoga has changed it's form over the years, depending on what I need it for at the time. When I was younger, yoga was a great means to exercise and stretch out. As I got older and had my kids, not only was it amazing for that, but it also gave me the time and space to relax and pull myself together even if it was only for five minutes, because when you're kids are small, there's no way five min could even happen! But that's when it's most important. 
I've found that the older I get, the more I seem to need those quiet times. Those relaxation times. Those times when "Mom, just needs to  get away for a little bit" It has made a really big difference in my life. And as the world seems to be changing and becoming, what feels like to me, more out of hand and stressful, I believe its critical that we really come back to ourselves and de-stress. I know how hard that can be, but you need to do. Focus on your breathing throughout the day, relax.
If you already meditate, that's awesome!! Keep going!! Keep on keepin on! If you don't, now is the time to start!  Find something that works for you. There is a woman who I have listened to for years and I find her relaxing and soothing. Her name is Doreen Virtue and she has some great CDs out that cover a lot of bases. From abundance, to healing with angels, visualization, to relaxation. I love her stuff! Her voice is very calming and I will more often than not, fall asleep listening to her.
Just remember, find what works for you. But, the most important thing is to just do it! Make a plan to make it happen. You are important. You are needed everyday and put on this planet for a reason. Now is the time for you to make yourself feel important by taking the time to do something for yourself!  
Enjoy your weekend and Namaste!!

Cheers!