Emotional Baggage? Try clutter clearing.

I once worked with a client who felt extremely overwhelmed and stressed, and the holiday season had several triggers for her that would bring her spiralling down into sadness and depression. She missed how her family used to get together at Christmas. She missed her parents who had crossed over. She missed the parties, the sing-alongs, the cooking and the traditions. She loved decorating for the holidays and was an avid collector of snowy village scenes, and she mentioned that her house was filled with boxes upon boxes of decorations.

We started disentangling her thoughts and her feelings through Holographic Reiki sessions. One image that really stood out for me was that when I placed my hands over her Sacral Chakra, I received a clear image of my client in a place that looked like an airport. She was trying to go somewhere, but she had too much baggage. Looking around in this vision, I saw hundreds of stacked boxes that belonged to her. All this baggage was overwhelming for the airport staff; there was no way to catalogue or scan all of these boxes of stuff and memories. A feeling of panic and hopelessness accompanied the vision. I knew that this vision was a metaphor for the emotional baggage she carried, and I knew that a Reiki session could only go so far without her taking action to clear physical clutter in her life.

My mentor, Denise Linn, teaches that clutter clearing is modern-day alchemy: it's the fastest way to transform your life and shift energy in a space. According to Feng Shui principles, clutter stops good energy from circulating in your home and as a result you will feel bogged down, disorganized, stuck and even depressed. It can even manifest physically as excess weight! Think of it: if your clutter constantly reminds you of all those old emotions, beliefs and hurts weighing you down, you'll find it very difficult to find joy and to create abundance in your daily life.

Are you ready to take action and shift toward greater joy? Your task this week is to de-clutter one area of your home or office. Start with one drawer or one closet. Decide how much time to want to spend de-cluttering, and set a timer. Use the following 3 principles to help you go through your stuff:

• Love it: Pick up an item and determine if you really love it, and if your energy goes UP when you touch it. Does the item still fit who you are, and who you are becoming? If you really love it and it brings you joy, make sure it's in good shape. Make necessary repairs and find a way to display it in your house without creating clutter. If you can't repair it or if it will create additional clutter, pass it on to someone who can love it as much as you. 
• Use it: Are you still using this item? Will you miss it? Does it support you in your personal and business arenas? Does it support your dreams and desires? Are you using it with love or with a feeling of "having to"? Is it in good repair? 
• Release It: If you don't love it and don't use it, then it’s time to pass it on. Discard, recycle, donate. 

I have been de-cluttering my entire home since August - when the dishwasher decided it was time to renovate the whole kitchen... I love the feelings of joy, empowerment and creativity that are increasing in my household. I can feel stagnant energy leaving the house, and I can feel my inner heart-space shifting and expanding. It's not always easy work to get rid of old stuff... but the exercise is well worth it!

Are you up for the challenge? You'll soon find that your joy increases and your soul sings! Share your experience with me.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

A fresh perspective brings fun and joy

I am feeling such joy to be host-mother to a teen girl who arrived from Australia last week. Today, she is experiencing snowfall for the first time. I am smiling from ear-to-ear thinking of her "oohs" and "aahs" and "it's soooo pretty!". She tasted a snowflake on her tongue and felt proud of it. She threw her first snowball. She is taking lots of pictures to send back home, where they're currently experiencing the hot days of summer. She is thrilled with the snow, and her joy is contagious.

Like many in this region, I often tend to welcome this cold season with resignation and a "you again! Grrr..." I might comment on how early it gets dark and how cold are my feet or how annoying it is to remove snow from the car when we're in a hurry to leave.

But not today. Today, I'm smiling and feeling cheerful. It's like I'm experiencing the beauty of snow and winter once again thanks to our guest's fresh perspective. I actually feel like spending some time in the snow today, then warm up with a blanket near the fire drinking a hot chocolate. I remember how fun winter used to be when I was a child. I remember the snow forts I built with my sisters. I remember the toboggan rides with my parents. I remember the pyjamas warmed up in the dryer just before bedtime so we felt all cozy.

I am so grateful for this fresh perspective today! My energy is up and bubbly!

In chakra work, it is said that the Inner Child sits at the Sacral Chakra. One of the functions of the Sacral Chakra is creativity, joy and zest for life. This week, if you feel stuck in a rut or if you're trying to solve an issue at work, ask a child how they would solve the situation. Or treat yourself to a hot chocolate (or other childhood treat) and place a hand just below your belly button as you reconnect to who you were as a child. Remember your curiosity, remember your creativity, remember how you would put things or concepts together that defied grown-up logic. It won't take long that you'll find an answer to your situation if you look at it with fresh eyes. The best part is that you might enjoy the process of looking for the solution, and you'll feel more cheerful and uplifted too!

From the weather to a work problem - what are you willing to see with fresh eyes today?

Do you need help getting started? I'll be your sounding board and help you find a fresh perspective on an issue you've been mulling over: click here to make an appointment in-person, by phone, or via Skype. It's my treat!

Sending you blessings of Love!

Crystals that resonate with the Sacral Chakra

One of the purposes of the Sacral Chakra is to find sweetness in life.  I do feel like I'm taking my sweet time writing this article for you...  I've been away from home most of last week, attending a conference in Toronto and I returned home on Saturday just on time to welcome a student from Australia who will be staying with us for the next three months.  Monday, I still had some shopping to do to select the sink and faucet for the new kitchen.  Needless to say, I'm feeling a bit tired.  Instead of pushing through my to-do list that's been accumulating, I took the executive decision to rest and take care of myself so that I can write from a place of joy instead of a place of "having to".

And I do feel better now - I've gone for a nice walk with my dog Maya and I have used sea salt to clear my energy field.  I even played a few games to switch my mind from business-thinking to a more creative flow.  I am now lighter and more focused.  Now, when I close my eyes, I can clearly see the crystals I'd love to introduce to you in the context of the Sacral Chakra.

The first one is Carnelian.  I love the joy-filled orange of this polished heart-shaped pendant.  Holding it in my hands, I can connect to self-nurturing and self-appreciation.  Wearing it could help enhance positive self-talk and set the energy for harmonized joy in our life.  It is believed that carnelian can also help alleviate lower back pain and help the kidneys regulate water energies through the body.  I simply enjoy its soft power and wisdom.

I also want to share my love of salt lamps.  Yes - salt is a crystal!  Himalayan salt is carved from mountains; these mountains were once deep in the ocean floor.  Salt helps regulate water energy in our bodies, and when salt is projected in our environment - with the use of salt lamps, for instance - it is calming and soothing.  It helps us release what no longer serve our highest good.  It helps "clear the air" in more than one way.  Moreover, its orange glow fosters peace, relaxation and authentic social communication.  It's a wonderful lamp to have in an office, a living room and in the bedroom.

The Desert Rose is elegant, fragile and powerful.  The specimen at my shop is rather, er... feminine in its shape and I find it's an excellent piece to reconnect with our Divine Feminine - the archetype of the Sacral Chakra.  The Desert Rose is selenite shaped with the help of water, sand, wind, sun and time.  It embodies many aspects of magical and metaphysical creation.  As such, it can help us re-imagine and re-create our beliefs, values and attitudes.

This week, remember to take your sweet time to enjoy life.  Savour each moment.  Reflect on areas of your life where you would like to create differently, or on areas you would like to clear so you may continue on your journey with joy and contentment.  Enjoy discovering the world of crystals and their playful energies.

I am surrounding you with peaceful and joy-filled orange light.

If there's an area in your life where you feel stuck, and you would like to explore with me how to transform it to joy and flow, click here to make an appointment in-person, by phone, or via Skype.  It's my treat!

Sending you blessings of Love!

4 Tips to balance the Sacral Chakra

Our journey through the chakras continue, from our Root to our Sacral centre. As the energy moves up from the tailbone to the sacral area, just below the belly button, imagine you are stepping out of the colour Red and into a wonderful Orange. Take a deep breath now and imagine yourself in front of a large body of water like a lake or the ocean. As you look to the horizon, the sun is setting and is illuminating the water with the vibrancy of orange. Gaze into this sunset and allow your body to soften. Use all your senses to imagine Nature tinted in orange... what do you see? What can you hear? What are the scents? Take a moment to invite joy into your life. Invite peace and creativity. If you wish, invite your Muses and even Fairies to come to you to help you create more joy and laughter in your life, and in the life of those around you. And breathe... And smile...

Haaaa..... don't you feel better already? I do. I love this quick visualization. It tricks my brain into producing the good-feeling hormones - endorphins - which elevate my mood and state of mind. Can you feel a release of endorphins too?

Endorphins and feeling happy are linked to the Sacral Chakra. One of the lessons here is to learn to find joy and happiness within ourselves. It's about learning to transform the raw energy of the outside world into something that can support our life in a joyful way. Think of an artist taking a chunk of marble or wood and carving it into a statue. Or a project manager taking raw data and input from the business and lifestyle sector to create an amazing project. When we create, we feel empowered - and that feeds our happiness.

Many have not learned yet to empower themselves to create a life they enjoy. They often experience the shadow side of the Sacral Chakra when they look outside of themselves for meaning, joy and happiness. When you give your spouse or your children the responsibility to make you happy, you're in shadow. When you develop addictions to sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll, you're living in the shadow. When you turn to food in unhealthy ways to fuel your happiness or fill in an feeling of emptiness, you're living in the shadow. When you live in fear and worry about the future, and when you live in guilt about the past, you are blocking your capacity for joy and creation. There is great strength to gain and life lessons to learn from the shadow side of the Sacral Chakra... but as you know it's unhealthy to stay there for a long time!

Here are some of my favourite ways to move the energy up and through my sacral chakra:

1. Salt bath: Pure indulgence! I make it a ritual where I reconnect with the Ocean. To cleanse my energy field, especially when I've been feeling stressed, I add up to 3 cups of sea salt to the tub. In the winter months, I help my skin by also adding 1tsp baking soda and 1tsp almond oil. I often add 10-20 drops of essential oils too. For the Sacral Chakra: vanilla, orange, ylang-ylang and/or sandalwood. Use a scent that makes you feel yummy.
2. Dancing: Pure fun! I listen to the music I loved growing up and dance in my kitchen or living room! This adds fun to any task or chore. Especially for the Sacral Chakra: move your hips and pelvis. Pretend you're a belly dancer and shake what your momma gave you. 
3. Art: I take out my acrylics and canvas, and I just paint. Just for fun. It doesn't even have to be pretty. The release of energy (and release of endorphins) here is through the act of creation.
4. Board Games or night out: It's important to connect socially with family and friends! We need to get out of our own little world and catch up with one another in person - not just through social media! We need to laugh together too, so any activity that makes you laugh, smile and act silly together is good :)

Have fun this week as you start moving energy through your Sacral Chakra! Go to my Facebook page to share your tips, your favourite technique or a joke to make us laugh. Post a photo of you dancing and acting silly. Let's share joy all around!

Next week, I will introduce you to crystals that resonate with the Sacral chakra, and I’m looking forward to sharing this article with you!

In the meantime, if you have specific questions on the health of your chakras, or if you would like a chakra-specific Oracle Card Reading, click here to make an appointment!

Sending you blessings of Love!