Riding the wave

My last blog is printed testimony of my momentary lapse into superiority. I said I was going to try to go with the flow and right after that wave after heavy wave crashed into my personal life. What did I turn to to help me through? Positive affirmations. And they helped. The universe sent me a huge wave of negativity and I faced it with positive reaffirmations. I have chosen not to use the term battle because I believe that you attract that which you battle. The lesson in all this. Try to stay positive people!

Enough manifesting already!

I have always considered myself to be a fairly positive person. Some people would call me a "new ager" because I believe in energy work and a lot of other complementary healing modalities. I confess to buying The Secret and creating a vision board and yes I have read Echart Tolle as well. (Sorry about the spelling but I'm too lazy to look it up). Lately I have noticed a disturbing (for lack of a better term) trend. I am on a few social and business networking sites and have noticed two different trends. First of all, people seem to have opted out from posting anything original (not necessarily personal but not even original).

Everyone either posts 1. an inspirational quote from someone else
2. a manifestation they want to have occur.

I am sensing a big backlash coming from those people who are constantly manifesting. The higher power knows what's going to happen in the future and is sometimes protecting you by not providing what you are trying to manifest. I bet there are a lot of disappointed people who have read The Secret and are still waiting for their ship to come in.

And a note about unwavering positivity! (Don't know if that's a word or not but I'm using it). You need to feel some negativity to appreciate anything positive happening people!

So my New Year's resolution is to go with the flow. Experience the ups and downs and just hope the downs aren't too scary.

I'll repeat my wish for everyone this year. Life is full of speed bumps. I wish you a good suspension package.

Sue

Reflexology for sciatic issues

People with sciatic issues have been popping into my life lately which has given me ample opportunities to determine the accuracy of the sciatic reflex. In all 3 cases that I saw, the reflex gave me a visual cue in the way the area blanched and gave the illusion of being raised. I was able to see this distressed reflex on the plantar aspect of the foot and palmar aspect of the hand of two others.

The hand showed me a reflex just lateral to where it should have been which made me think, if the body is suffering some type of distortion would the reflex reflect this as well? So I worked the reflex in the distorted visual cue area with excellent results.

I had good results with all 3 cases and more people are suddenly developing this issue and talking to me about it. Seemed I should share my findings. So happy hunting this sometimes elusive reflex.

Reflexologist heal thyself!

I did something or I caught something or something. Yesterday I woke up with a wee bit of a knot close to my right shoulder blade. It's a long weekend. I didn't want to take the time to do anything to it, so I popped a couple of acetominophen (I know, not an antiinflammatory but drugs are few and far between in my house). Didn't help. Then I start begging various family members to do the layman's term of shiatsu/acupressure in the area. Temporary relief. Got into the hot tub. Temporary relief again. Every time the pain came back it spread to more and more areas - mostly joints - so I started thinking viral. So then the genius in me said try reflexology! Quel surprise! I am the reflexology version of a cobbler. I don't have shoes or in reflexology speak, I keep on forgetting to treat myself. And since my husband said for better or worse in our vows, I handed him my feet. Yep, there it was. He worked the area for a while which helped considerably. I had a good night's sleep. I woke up this morning with the ball of my foot sore to the touch in the corresponding area. Later in the day my thumb started to ache in the corresponding area. This is a good sign. The issue is coming to the surface to disappear forever. The area in my shoulder itself has a lingering light echo of how it felt yesterday.
I will work the areas on my foot and thumb and put this baby to bed! So remember reflexologists, not all discomfort is related to organ imbalance but muscular issues. Don't forget muscles when assessing a client.

What's wrong with a placebo?

I have been a reflexologist since 1997 and I played with it for years before that. This healing modality has surprised me repeatedly with what it can do. I will be the first to admit that it cannot do all things for all people, but really, what can? Think about it. There are no wonder drugs out there that work for every condition. There are no healing modalities that have a one hundred percent success rate.

My gumption gets riled when people attribute success in healing to placebos. The implication is that a placebo is a false deity. They shake their heads at the people they feel have succumbed to the placebo affect. So let's analyze this placebo affect. The individual is better. They have had a successful response to treatment. In the case of a placebo response to a healing modality that does not involve ingesting medication, they have not taxed their liver and kidneys by processing medications. Personalize it. You are sick, you try a healing modality like reflexology. You feel better. Your friends or family say it is a placebo affect. You are better. I'd take it. I know reflexology works and I know the mechanism is not always placebo affect. But I will embrace these successes as well. The client is better. This is why we offer reflexology. We want people to heal themselves. If the result is through a placebo affect so be it. Let's not make it a dirty word.

Reflexology

I am a member of a number of reflexology groups on facebook. I am amazed at the diversity within the field of reflexology. The definition of reflexology and methods of application are diverse as well. I don't agree with all of them. I am sure some of these members don't agree with my principles as well. The underlying denominator and what keeps us gelled as a group is the underlying desire to help. Notice I said help and not heal. The healers are the people themselves who come to us with their issues. We are simply facilitators. As in all things, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I started thinking about how reflexology has impacted my life. I have a large circle of friends because of my love for teaching reflexology. My family is healthier and has a greater appreciation for their bodies and how they work. I feel less helpless when life throws curve balls at me. Reflexology techniques can help to deal with these. Even as I begin to envision myself in the future as a retiree, I have a picture of myself doing reflexology. I guess I am an addict.

Hello, my name is Sue and I am a reflexology addict. Anyone else out there?

self fulfilling prophecies and legacies

Last February I wrote an email to myself. It is resting in a website (futureme.org I believe)and will be sent to me in February. I sent a self fulfilling prophecy for 2010. I remember one prophecy because it involved a number and unless sales of my correspondence course start to fly I will not see it to fruition in the time frame I gave it. The rest of the email eludes my memory. It will be interesting to read it. I usually snort over past commentaries and wonder what the heck I was thinking and yet I feel compelled to put my thoughts down time and time again. Some stranger out in web land reads my thoughts and forms opinions. Hey, make a comment and let me know you are out there. At worst, these blogs are self indulgent, but it does allow a small window into my world that I am willing to share. So, to whoever is reading, I hope you have a good day and may all of your self fulfilling prophecies be positive and may they come true.

Happy New Year.

touching base

It seems I've been deficient in my blogging. I seem to be suffering from writer's block and a lack of enthusiasm for projects near and dear to my heart. So I have decided to attempt a break through this block by forcing myself to put pen to paper. Actually it would be more accurate to say finger to keyboard. It seems fitting to blog on New Year's eve and to look back at 2009.

It has been a good year I think, it just seems blurry. My children still remain my greatest source of pride as I watch them grow and stumble and find out who they are. My husband has had to summon inner resources and explore his darker side in an effort to do what is right at work. He is learning that a good offense is sometimes a smarter strategy than a strong defense. It's hard when you are a nice guy.

I am still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up and so I feel much empathy for my boys who are asked this question everytime they talk with adults.

My reflexology business was busier this year and I am grateful and look forward to increasing revenue with this.

And so success, a blog has been written. It shall end with a sincere wish that everyone have a healty, happy and prosperous 2010.

schedules

One of my major conundrums is my schedule. I get stressed if my days are filled and I get stressed if they are too open. I seem to work more efficiently in the former but I do enjoy the ability to put off things with the latter. Finding balance has always been my motto but the individual days never seem to be too balanced. I guess I should look at the weeks or months overall in review and decide if they were balanced. Things will be a little more unbalanced now with the holidays coming up rapidly. Oh well, let the ride continue.

Sharing my poem

I wrote this poem ten years ago when I was forty. It's cute. Thought I'd share it with you all.

Reality Bites

I'm perplexed
Well hell, I'm vexed
I'm staring at the mirror transfixed
The image there surprises me
It's not a sex goddess of 23
Instead I see a forty year old
Strands of silver meshed in with gold

I must have smiled frequently
My crows lines are expressive of my geniality
My eyes come with luggage, fully packed
My breasts are compressed instead of stacked
But am I depressed, no siree
My husband has still got a thing for me

I may be forty but I can still jive
My husband is only 35.

Metamorphasis through Renovation

We have lived through a summer renovation. I have been teaching reflexology out of the basement for the last 5 years under less than ideal conditions but there were reasons not to tackle the expensive reno. And then last spring I had had enough. Life and business felt like it was in a holding pattern and I felt it was time to improve my work environment. We finished it last week and the change is already palpable. I have had a sudden increase in interest in my courses and more clients are booking sessions. Many of them don't know I have completed a renovation. I am attributing it to a positive change in energy, or a change in feng shui. The basement is now a wonderfully bright refuge for the kids and for work. I am looking forward to teaching in it. I must invite past students in to see the new space. It shows why so many decorating programs are on television these days. Your environment can affect your life so declutter and pretty it up.

Riding the Wave

I have always considered September the month that marks the beginning of my New Year. I don't know if it is because it is my birth month but pivotal things seem to happen to me a lot in September. The astrology reports for Virgo are astoundingly positive for the next two years. I am a devout follower of astrology when reports are good and I always shake my head when the reports are less cheery. Those are always meant for someone else. In any case, I must admit to feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future. My gut tells me something good is going to happen. I will be happy with a lottery win or with a banner year for all reflexologists. As a community we are sensing good things to come. Our feet are planted firmly on the ground and so our heads are not in the clouds but looking straight ahead at a positive future. September 20 to 26 is World Reflexology Week. So if you haven't tried it you should. If it's been a while, maybe it's time to book a session. Pick up a book and read about it. Check out my website for more information if you like. www.suetoddreflexology.com

Hopefully your September will unravel in a positive manner. Love your feet to help achieve your feats.

Sue

Simple pleasures

I am always fascinated with how different people experience different pleasures. A great example is golf. So many people love this game. I would rather watch the grass grow and the paint dry. Here is a list of some of my simple pleasures.

* the first cup of coffee in the morning
* checking out the news of the day on my laptop
* walking my dog
* having a reflexology session
* receiving email
* getting regular mail in my mailbox
* yakking with a neighbour on the front porch
* a glass of wine
* spending time with friends
* watching any kind of creative process
* writing down my thoughts
* quiet conversations with my husband at the end of the day
* any smile from my kids

What are your small pleasures?

Blog preempted by summer

It seems I have been negligent in completing my weekly blogs. Sorry, the weather is decent so I am living life instead of commenting on it. I'll touch base again with all of my wonderful insights when the weather turns to cooler temperatures.

Take your shoes off and let mother nature perform some free reflexology on you. Enjoy summer while it's here.

Re energizing

Well, back from my first week of vacation. We spent it camping and for the second year in a row the weather chose not to cooperate. Lucky me, I am not dependent on outdoor activity to have fun. It was great to simply watch the woodpecker give himself a migraine, or to watch the chipmunks and birds taunt my poor Lucy. Happy hour was observed with an almost religious fervor and it was great connecting with friends from previous camping years. Of course, we managed to receive the news about Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson and of course a tip of the hat to Bud (a long time camper) who passed away this week as well.

Thanks to whoever invented puzzle books and sudoku. They came in handy this week. I feel somewhat re energized but I am also looking forward to more time off. Hey, is it happy hour again?

Disorganization or Dastardly Plot

If you looked at my office (also known as the family room) you would probably assume I was disorganised. I have marked ownership of one sofa with a plethora of books and papers all piled haphazardly over 2 cushions. My lap top tray is filled with smaller snippets of paper, the t.v. converter and anything else I deem essential. The thing is my area is actually highly organized (as long as my husband doesn't try to organize it). I know where everything is and what project is on the go at any given moment. Nothing irritates me more than pseudo organization. This is where an office or business will look organized on the surface but is actually a hotbed of disorganisation. I have been poked by frequent examples of this lately and of course they have to be linked to my phobia - the doctor's office. I went in for my physical like a brave girl and followed up after my blood work came back with some minor issues. Imagine my surprise when I was called 3 days later to go in again for another reason, and 3 days after that and again today. I have had more spikes in blood pressure occur from these calls then is necessary. I have to admit I lost it with the receptionist. She tried to tell me that all the lab reports come in separately. Doesn't it make sense to wait until they are all in before you call the patient? That would have been 4 separate visits back to the doctor. I am sure OHIP would have been billed for all of them. Is this disorganization or a dastardly plot. I just know I am debating call display so I can avoid their calls.

Karma Kick

I have always believed in karma and have tried to instill a sense of karma in my kids. I have always told them that what you send out comes back to you. I see evidence of it many times in my own life. If I delve into the negative and think nasty thoughts I am usually administered a karmic kick within a week. Somebody out there is trying to make me a better person but I don't seem to be a very quick learner. Why is it so easy to fall back into negative patterns of criticism and gossip?

I am trying, but I seem to have a direct link to whoever administers karmic kicks. Do you think you could pick on someone else for a while? I am starting to get paranoid. I guess whoever is in charge means well. It's just that right now I feel like a student being picked on by the teacher. I'm guaranteed to flub again because I'm being watched so closely.

Here's to me being a better person. My butt is bruised from the recent lessons.

Overcoming Apathy

Apathy comes in all shapes and sizes. Some people are apathetic emotionally, no extremes of emotions for them. Some people are apathetic about their careers, I can claim a bit of guilt there. My biggest form of apathy falls under the heading of "Spending Big Money". The house needs some changes. It is feeling smaller and smaller as the boys get bigger and bigger. Parts of it are showing signs of age. I can relate there as well. I can put off updates on the house for quite a while if I know there are big bucks involved. So, the basement renovation has been on hold for 5 years. My poor reflexology students have shivered down there every winter. I justified it by saying it was keeping them awake for learning. Luckily I teach more in the fall and spring then in the winter. So I'd look at the basement and imagine the thousands of dollars it would take to fix it up and I'd shove that idea aside once again.
How did I overcome this apathy? Well I started pricing a new house. Yowsa. It will cost me over $100,000 for an additional 1000 sq. feet. It will cost me significantly less than that to finish my basement that is approximately 1000 sq. feet. Sold!!!!! I feel like I scored a good deal. Just hope the contractor I hire doesn't suffer from apathy.

Creativity

Creativity isn't an entitlement of the artistic mind. I can remember how I had to knit or crochet or work at some craft in order to feel sane. The creativity of seeing something come together fed me on a deep intrinsic level. I felt calmer, more centered and more fulfilled while working on crafts. I thought that perhaps I was "crafty". Imagine my surprise when I let go of my crafts completely. I had started teaching reflexology and the lesson planning and study aids I developed were satisfying that same deeper need. This was surprising to me. Theoretically, this was work, but it felt like play! I learned that creativity comes in all shapes, sizes, forms and interests. The key is to find the one that interests you. You leave the work energized as opposed to fatigued. I am starting a new project now that should take a couple of years. I am developing a head/neck reflexology course. I am excited and grounded at the same time. Wish me luck and I wish you the same enjoyment I feel with your creative endeavours.

Overcoming Fear

I am trying to be a brave girl. It's not a big thing, just my annual physical that I have managed to push off for 2 years. I can get queasy just thinking about it. My palms get sweaty and I can feel my pulse race. What's the big deal you ask? After all, I am a dental health care provider myself. Well, I have pegged it to traumatic experiences with 2 different childhood surgeries. Neither were life threatening but the experiences were both examples of psychological abuse at the hands of the nurses. Now I know things have changed over the years but I am now conditioned just like one of Pavlov's dogs. I regress to the young child of five and I feel I am giving all of my power to someone else from the moment I think of booking the appointment. Finding the right physician is the first obstacle. Empathy seems to be low on the list of priorities, they all seem rushed to get in and out of the room. I am on my third doctor in 20 years. Liked one but she moved. The second was all business and didn't listen, just jumped to conclusions. I have met my third doctor. She seems nice, more empathetic. My physical is tomorrow. I am facing my fear. Wish me luck.