Inspired by Earth Newsletter, Issue #42! February 2020

An Empty Plate
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

I went to MSU to visit my son. I compared and contrasted what college had been like when I went to IU a million years ago: no computers, no cell phones, no Googling. At the time, I was enchanted with my electronic typewriter because it had a window about 1"x3" to see what I was typing and it could save my papers so I didn't have use white-out or start over. When I lived in the dorm, daily cafeteria menus listed 2-3 items to choose from. You would pick up a tray and walk through the line. Your plate would be passed down and you would indicate what you wanted put on it. It was very common to end up with things on your plate you did not want to eat, whether by being misheard or lack of choice. My son's cafeterias have stations where you can choose from a plethora of items; he is apparently well-known at the quinoa station (so much for mac' n cheese!).  I started thinking about how the empty plate is an analogy for each day in our lives. Let's say you ask for rice but get mashed potatoes splattered onto your plate instead. You say nothing and move on to add other items. You ask for the grilled chicken but end up with fried. The green beans you pointed to became green peas sprawling over the mashed potatoes. You go sit down.

How many times are you willing to accept what other people dump on your plate...you day? Exactly which non-ecofriendly straw is the one that will break your camel's back?

When people want to  dump their issues on you, stop for a moment to consider your well-being.  Is this a friend needing to vent? Is it a stranger having a bad day, creating chaos in their path? Does it matter??

If you cannot see your plate through the lunch items upon it, you do not have the capacity to hold someone else's stuff. You come first and you need to clear your own plate that day. I am all about kindness and compassion but not to the detriment of you. You do not have to accept other people's emotional baggage when they bring it by for you to sort through. You are allowed to kindly establish boundaries. Your plate is allowed to hold only what you choose. Some days, our plates are overflowing with our own stuff. Other days, we can gleefully see a lot of white on our plate and that feels freeing because there is time to be, to manifest, or to even do nothing.
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 YOGA OUTINGS!
February-
Alien Encounter Room- Friday, February 7th 7:30pm
ipanic Escape Room in St Charles
Should be a few spots left! Follow link to sign up!
http://www.ipanicescaperoom.com/home.html
 
March-
Sunday March 8th at Healing Arts after Restorative Yoga.
Amber will guide us through making drawstring oracle card holder
bags (or for other purposes!) See below.
(Not everyone needs to bring a sewing machine!!)
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Yoga Class Schedule
*SUNDAY'S: 10-11:15am, Gentle/Restorative 
Watch my website- may need to cancel Feb. 16!
 
*TUESDAY'S: 10-11:15am, Inspired Vinyasa (All Levels)
*WEDNESDAY'S: 6-7:15pm, Gentle/Restorative
 
ALL CLASSES at Healing Arts Metaphysical, 4 E Wilson Street, Batavia
All levels, $15, Walk-in's welcome
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FEATURED HEALING STONE: Rhodochrosite
by Maryann Sanfilipp, Crystal Writer Extraordinaire

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it is nice to examine a stone that is said to emanate the most tender and loving energies of any stone.  The name is derived from the Greek word meaning pink.  The stone can be traced back to the Incas who called the stone “Inca Rose.”  According to legend, these pink stones formed the blood of kings and queens which was turned into stone upon their deaths.  Rhodochrosite was formed in the Incan silver mines after they were abandoned in the thirteenth century.  Other specimens have been found in Colorado.
 
As a stone of the heart chakra, Rhodochrosite assists the self in emotional healing and enhancing the courage to look at old wounds, suppressed feelings and trauma of childhood to release pain and destructive habits that may have served as a coping mechanism.  It soothes the heart and comforts the soul to help one become everything one was meant to be.  It vibrates the frequencies of inner peace and self-forgiveness. 
 
Rhodochrosite forms a bridge between the lower chakras of Fire and the upper chakras of water.  Because of its relationship to both elements, it has the capacity to cool emotional heat and provide insight into issues of the heart and will thus restoring one’s sense of wholeness and confidence to use one’s will in creating one’s reality. Because it resonates so closely with the inner child, it helps one to reclaim joy and playfulness, creativity and innate talents that may have lain dormant. It inspires a dynamic and positive attitude, as well as a courageous heart capable of taking action to express love and emotions and to pursue one’s dreams. 
 
So, no matter what brand of love you are looking for, be it romantic, love of family, friends or self-love, this is a great stone to help you to reach these goals in this area of your life.
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FEATURED QUOTE:
In February there is everything to hope for and
nothing to regret.
Patience Strong