Thursday, May 3, 2012

Potato Chip

Well a long while ago one of my many teachers Tom Halliwell did a development class with us,  the meditation was on a potato chip.  Tom has since passed away and I have all of the worksheets that we used.
I am now a teacher of spiritual things and have a development group.  The past couple of weeks I have been encouraged by Tom through meditation to go to the papers and use them.  Well I did and oh my, the reaction of the people in the class was not what I expected!

I had the bag of chips on my desk and the everyone wanted to know why the bag was there.

I announced group was going to start and started passing out napkins and chips.  Well the giggles and the "are you kidding me" comments were all around.  However what happened next was amazing.
In the quite and with instruction we began the "Potato Chip Meditation".  Everyone was writing in their journal, the pens were going and going.  I keep looking in amazement.  Some were giggling and smiling some were tearful and somber.  After about 15 min some began to finish and in their amazement some had serious stories about their chips! 

It was truly amazing that so much has come of the "chip".  Some had experienced sadness when they had to finish, some were left with a longing and needing more.  Some were reminded about how much they did not like it and some were reminded of childhood memories, good and bad. 

There was an enjoyment in stories of the beginning of the potato and the end result.  The salt and crunchiness of it to the greasy and eventually tasteless potato that has been fried.  

I applauded all in the class because it was such a simple task and yet it was so hard because of the emotions and healing that was happening, who knew.  And all I did was set out to help them learn how to "be" with the chip, in the moment and not think of anything else.  It opened up many old wounds and reminded people that they stopped eating them and they won't have another.  While some wanted chocolate to go with it ! LOL

Well on to the next class and to the next development!  

Have a great night!

Monday, April 9, 2012

When things are off and yet right on time!

Yesterday Easter Sunday is usually a day for people to come together, pray together and eat together.

This year my Easter Sunday was quite different and yet wonderful!

Six months ago Madeleine was in town and played for us at the Woodbury Meeting house.  As she was leaving we planned the next time she would be in town,  neither of us looked at a calander and saw it was Easter.
When I realized that I didn't want to change the date.  Let me explain.

The first time Madeleine was in town I had her at the Grange in Mullica Hill.  She got a flat and "happened to pull into the Grange not realizing it was the Grange which was great cause she found us.....However when we started to unload we realized that the Grange was almost full, and more were coming, of a youth group.  The woman who ran the Grange forgot to switch the dates.  It all worked out!  The woman who ran the youth group got rides for almost 40 kids and took them somewhere else.  The night moved on and the flat was fixed, by a stranger (not! LOL) and the night was a success! 
The second time Madeleine was in for us we hosted the event at the Woodbury Meetinghouse....
it was raining, turn out was low. However those who were supposed to be there were there.  AND The woman who was to unlock the Meetinghouse for us was late.  We waited in the rain....She got there opened up and the night was a success!

Now this is the third time, it is planned on Easter, people are not coming because it is Easter.  I did not want to change it because of the other experiences we have had so I kept it on Easter despite my family traditions.
People were disappointed ... So on with the day!
Well we were in  and ready to go BUT Madeleine wasn't' there....HUMMMMM.....now I think great do I have the wrong day!  We have communicated so I wasn't sure...I called Madeleine and there was a different time on her calendar...She got right in her car and came right over...However there are no accidents! It took me a while and usually it does.  After I get over what people think about it and my own ego getting in the way.  I see the bigger picture.

An old friend stopped by who was in town for Easter from Afghanistan, he works there.  If Madeleine was playing we would not have been able to talk....Another friend was running late and would have gotten there after it was well under way...Another needed a moment when she came in!  Everything was in divine order!
Then since I didn't have anything planned to speak about I was encouraged to speak while we waited.
Spoke on forgiveness and letting go....feeling it within ourselves and making room for new things.
Others shared, Madeleine arrived and the day continued.

As we sat and listened to the beautiful playing, singing and the lessons.  So much more was happening .  I looked around the room and was thankful that we had the Meetinghouse, the friendship and the music.
So many who were there either didn't have diners to attend or didn't have family near by.  Or simply did not partake in any kind of tradition because of many different circumstances.  I thought how lucky am I to be able to see these people today, share with them today and be a part of their Easter!

In reading FB today It was driven home even more for me!  One said it was the best holiday she has had in a long time, and we (the gathering) were part of her day!  That one statement made it all worth it....
Another said it was the most memorable time in his life and when he listens to the cds he will always remember this day!

The Universe orchestrated all of this to happen.  For each and every one of us to be a part of each others holiday.....For Madeleine to be late so we can reconnect and others were on time!
It is amazing...When we let go and realize it is okay to break with tradition because we can touch so many lives.....Tradition is wonderful however if we take the time and spend the time every day with family...have diners and celebrate life all year....why wait for 1 day a year....or a couple...why not celebrate family, life and love with on another on the other 364 days a year.  Christ sacrificed. although this is not the same sacrifice but it is a sacrifice to give up what we do for others.  I have to say  I was blessed yesterday.  It may not have been the norm.  And  I did fit in tradition....we can do what we "need" to do maybe not in the time we are use to but we do it always gets done....and like a good friend tells me all of the time....You know like you know, like you know!  I know that I am on the right path, I know that this journey is a good one!
I thank you all for being a part of it !

Thank you for all who attended,  for those who could not I appreciate your energy. 

I am looking forward to again seeing Madeleine in October.  She is here through April 28th.
On the welcome page of my website ( www.yourguidetoserenity.com/ )there is a  link for her website....Check it out, do yourself a favor and check her out....


Have a beautiful day!
Love Judy

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Young Living Oils discussion group

Tonight we had a good night at the Young Living Oils discussion group.

The purpose of getting together is sharing our experiences with them.

We talked about how Lemon oil help with concentration especially when studying and then taking
tests.  How it is also a refreshing addition to water.  (always use stainless or glass cups when using essential oils in water). 
How to apply Thieves for antiviral  and antibacterial effects. 

We discussed layering, what neat means, and how to apply.

We also used thieves and peppermint oil to help one of the girls get rid of a headache.

There is so much good information and we are all willing to share it with everyone.

We also talked about using blends and single oils. 

We discussed SARA, Exodus II, Thieves cleaning products. and so much more.

I encourage you to come out to these groups they are a wonderful way to experience the oils and share with eachother.  Share what works and how we can apply them in our everyday lives.

Always check the website to see when the next discussion group is.

http://yourguidetoserenity.com/

Have a great night

Judy

Chirldrens Dream catcher workshop

What a great way to start your Saturday....I had 7 children and 3 teens come and make dreamcatchers.

The kids were wonderful...They were full of energy and it was a lot of fun.

Sometimes the counting was a bit of an issue! LOL  We had to count six around and thread the ring, well it was easier for the kids than it was for some adults!


The idea of the dream catcher workshop came up because of kids experiencing bad dreams.
With the dream catcher hung over your bed legend has it that when the catcher is hung above the bed
that  bad dreams are caught in the webs and that the good dreams come though the center and flow down into our minds. 

We also enhanced the catchers with some crystals.  The kids used glue and string...it was a wonderful day!
Check out the album on NjSpirituality on Facebook!