Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Sally Hyppolite INTRODUCING 4th Featured Artist: ESPERANZA "Nanichi" MARTELL

ENJOY!

My life was forever changed the day I met Esperanza Martell and for that I love her deeply. She is the spirit of love, transformation, justice, and of world peace. Espe is my friend, my teacher, my earth-mother, my mentor, my mirror, my greatest supporter, a fellow artist and healer.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Becoming Whole Again

From DailyOM
Becoming Whole Again

The Process of Grieving

When we experience any kind of devastating loss, whether it is the loss of a loved one, a dream, or a relationship, feelings may arise within us that are overwhelming or difficult to cope with. This sense of grief can also come up when we are separated from anyone or anything we have welcomed into our lives. And while it may feel like we are caught up in a never-ending spiral of sadness and emptiness, it is important to remember that the grief we are feeling is not a permanent state of being. Rather, grief is part of the process of letting go that in many ways can be a gift, allowing us to go deeper within ourselves to rediscover the light amidst the seeming darkness.

The emotions that accompany any kind of loss can be intense and varied. A sense of shock or denial is often the first reaction, to be replaced by anger. Sometimes this anger can be directed at your loved one for “abandoning” you; at other times you may feel outrage toward the universe for what you are enduring. And while there are stages of grief that people go through – moving from denial to anger to bargaining to depression to acceptance – the cycles of grief often move in spirals, sometimes circling forward and then back again. You may even experience moments of strength, faith, and laughter in between. While these emotions seem to come and go sporadically, it is important to feel them, accept them, and allow them to flow. With time, patience, and compassion, you will eventually find your center again.

As we move through our grief, we may find ourselves reluctant to release our pain, fearing we are letting go of who or what we have lost. We may even regard our movement toward healing as an act of disloyalty or giving up. Know that while the hurt may fade, the essence of what you had and who you loved will have already transformed you and forever stay with you. If anything, once you are ready for the pain of your loss to subside, their memories can then live more fully within you. Remember, that healing is a part of the spiraling cycles of grief, and that in letting yourself feel restored again, you are surrendering to a natural movement that is part of the dance of life.

BE WILL!

From Planet Green Dec 26, 2010

You know about antioxidants and you’ve been religious about your daily dose of Vitamin C, but what else can you do to keep that tickle from creeping up the back of your throat or waking up in sweat-wet sheets and a chill shivering along your spine? Here are some efficient ways to keep those sick bugs at bay:

1. Kiss and while you’re at it, have sex!

Yes, kissing can help you fight off colds and flu! By exchanging bacteria back and forth, you are actually enhancing your body’s natural defenses and boosting your immune system. But that’s not to say you should go out and give a big smooch to any sicky around you. Up the ante and have sex once a week, sex has been shown to increase immunoglobulin A (IgA) production, an immune-boosting protein that helps keep pathogens at bay.

2. Listen to music.

Research has shown that those same sex-boosted IgA proteins also rise when listening to music like jazz, bluegrass or soft rock for 30 minutes, particularly during some of the most elevated sick-inducing moments: stress. Even after the beat is turned off, the IgA production goes on for another 30 minutes.

3. Walk Really Fast, But Don’t Run!

Walking briskly for 45 minutes, four or more days a week can improve your immune system and minimize sick days. But don’t run! Overexerting yourself (particularly if you’re already feeling slightly under the weather) can do you in and send you straight to bed.

4. Don’t Blow Your Nose.

When you’re sick you nose tends to get stuffed up with mucus. Instead of fulfilling your urge to do a big hearty blow, take a decongestant or gently blow each nostril individually. Why? Blowing hard can actually push the mucus up into your sinuses,risking getting even more sick!

5. Get Hot!

Studies show that, similar to drinking lots of water when you’re sick, sitting in a hot sauna can detox a cold right out of your system.

6. Avoid the Desert (or any hot and dry climate).

Dry desert air is a breeding ground for colds and flu. The reason? Viruses tend to survive longer in moisture-sapped air, making airborne illnesses more readily present. Have a sicky in your house? Get a humidifier.

7. Drink Hot liquids!

Viruses, in particular that gross Swine that’s going around, take about three days to incubate (in your body) before you know you’ve come down with the dreaded flu. Drinking hot liquids, including coffee can help wash the virus out of your mouth and down into your stomach where it can’t grow due to the acids. Not a coffee drinker? Chicken soup, tea, or just hot water have the same effect. Gargling with very salty warm water can also derail a virus. The other place a flu likes to incubate is your nose. Doing a nasal flush or even just swabbing your nostrils with rubbing alcohol can kill the virus before it takes you down.


Sunday, December 26, 2010

Urine Therapy (Uropathy) - Your Body's Own Best Medicine,

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/urine.htm

Urban Atabex Winter Solstice Celebration, December 21

Hope everyone is having wonderful Holiday and is keeping warm on this snowy day. I begun my Holiday Celebration on December 21, 2010 with the moon eclipse at 3am, spinning and vibrating as I danced with the energy opening up to the cold of winter and my inner fire. In the late afternoon we begun to setup for the Urban Atabex Celebration with our meditation beginning at 6:38 PM at the darkest moment marking the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. We ware and decorated with blue and black. Hanging alters for the 4 directions, honoring the Earth Water Goddess, from different parts of the world. Atabex, Yemaya, and many more, traditionally linked with this time of year. A magical season that marks the journey of the spirit from one world to the next, and the magic of birth, death, and rebirth. Our meditation begun when darkness rules. With our heart beat and inner hum we opened up to the unknown, to the person we wanted to be. We released with sound deep fear, sadness, resentment and regrets into the darkness and open to the joy of being. Our intention was to bring lights freedom into the world. It was a trans-formative meditation. During the dark of winter, we invoked all the forces of pleasure and love which makes life worth living. Over 40 of us meditated and dance experiencing our inner passion powerfully. We worked magic for a healthier planet , world peace. We cleansed ourselves as we burn pine and let go of the pass with fire. We shared wonderful Vegan Dishes made by our community and shared gifts. We recommitted to collective work and responsibility and to transforming ourselves and the planet. As we created possibility and warm ourselves with each others fire/love. It was a wonderful evening that no one will ever forget. Our work has just begun, if you are interested in being part of our Community Healing Circles please let us know, everyone is welcome to our growing community. Goddess Bless and so it is!