Inspired by Earth Newsletter, Issue #17! January 2018

Happy new year. Happy new month. Happy new day.
Om shanti shanti shanti
Love and light to all of you in this new year!

We, again, find ourselves at the dawn of a new year being asked the ever-popular question, "What's your New Year's Resolution?"  I, myself, am not a fan of setting resolutions, because they set you up for failure.

Most websites that offer a definition of the word "resolution" seem to get their definition from Wikipedia, which is: "A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually."

That is depressing!  I don't think the intention of resolutions is to start the year off with a depressing thought, but there it is.  The word seems flawed from its very definition! Why are we only reflecting on self-improvements once a year?
What a waste of 364 other days!

According to staticticbrain.com citing from the University of Scranton  Journal of Clinical Psychology, 12.13.2013,
"Percent of people who are successful in achieving their resolution is  8%."

Check out the following quotes; it is not a surprise that resolutions fail.
" A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other." 
~Author Unknown
"May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions.”

So why do we set resolutions? I think it is so people have an answer when someone else asks them what their resolution is! Let's be honest... if you are setting a resolution to lose weight, starting (arbitrarily)January 1st because you are so concerned about your weight, why wouldn't you start being healthier the second you thought of the idea for your resolution?  You had to know on December 28 you wanted to be healthier. You probably knew it after gorging on Thanksgiving Day. So, what makes people wait and put themselves further down their own to- do list?  Nothing magical happens on January 1st. In fact, the New Year has not always started on January 1; and it only begins on that date for cultures that have a 365-day solar calendar.

Now, let's look at the word intention.  It means, "an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
It's something you mean to do, whether you pull it off or not."

Ellen Goodman wrote, "We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched.  Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...
not looking for flaws, but for potential."

I think she is on to something.  When most people write their resolution, it is negatively stated..."I want to lose weight," "I will stop drinking," "I will stop smoking."  The reflection of those statements shows us our flaws, for surely those comments reversed must mean, I am overweight, I drink too much, and I have bad unhealthy habits.

The challenge is in knowing what we truly want and learning to state our intentions as clearly and positively as possible.  See the possibilities of 2018 as opportunities, opening yourself up to each and every one.
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Yoga Class Schedule/Workshops
*Gentle/Restorative classes every Wednesday evening from 6-7:15pm.
Healing Arts Metaphysical, 4 E Wilson Street, Batavia (parking lot in back)
All Levels, Walk-ins, $15

*Gentle/Restorative classes every Sunday from 10-11:15am.
Healing Arts Metaphysical, 4 E Wilson Street, Batavia (parking lot in back)
All Levels, Walk-ins, $15

*Inspired Vinyasa (Level 1), Tuesday's 10-11:15am, 1 E Benton St,, Aurora, downstairs. Parking in back or on street. $12/class, walk-in, all levels. Even more exciting, I will be making a monthly donation to the Aurora Food Pantry as part of the agreement for using this space.  Work out, find peace and give back all at the same time!

*NOTE: For the month of February, the Tuesday morning class will be held at my house due to construction at the Benton location. Email or text me for address! [email protected], 630-803-7366


*Workshop: Reiki in the Salt Cave    Friday, Jan. 19   6-7pm   $50
Must call Naperville Salt Cave to pre-register, 630-718-1111, Only 10 spaces available
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FYI- Rodrigo is offering a class to learn how to wire wrap your stones into jewelry.
I want to learn...come join me!
Tue, January 9, 2018, 12pm – 2pm at Healing Arts Metaphysical in Batavia
Description
In this class you will learn basic techniques for wire wrapping. We'll be wire wrapping a stone, bring in your own stone or purchase one in our shop. We provide the tools and the wire you'll be using in this class.
Fee:  $35
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FEATURED HEALING STONE:  CITRINE
by Maryann Sanfilipp, Crystal Writer Extraordinaire
 
At the New Year, many people wish and hope for abundance--- abundance of wealth, health, happiness, peace and love.  With that in mind, citrine is a beautiful stone to help you achieve all of these in the coming year.
 
Citrine is a powerful cleanser and regenerator as it carries the power of the sun.  It is warming, energizing and very creative.  This is one stone that does not need cleansing.  It absorbs, transmutes, dissipates and grounds negative energy so it is protective of the environment. 
 
It is one of the stones of abundance that manifests and attracts wealth and prosperity, success, and all good things. It encourages sharing what you have yet helps you to hold on to your wealth.   Citrine also raises self-esteem and self-confidence.
 
All in all, citrine is an excellent stone to utilize to start your new year off in the right direction.

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To schedule a private yoga, reiki or tuning fork therapy session, email me at [email protected].