Magickal Happenings with Oshuyn...

What a calming yet energizing day today!  I took a nice hot cleansing and calming shower, put on some Lorenna McKinnett, lit some Wtiches Brew incense and put on some witch made oil.  I feel calm and energized and ready to take it all on!  Not too much planned except for work.  At the moment my mundane plate looks a little clear (knock on wood) which wouldn't be bad to get some studying done and work on my master thesis (yikes!) or my tarot outline project...hmmmm, decisions.

We sit in the 4th quarter today, Capricorn which transitions to Aquarius at 5:24 CST today.  Capricorn is a time to develp stong structure and focus on traditions, responsibilities and obligations, a good time to set boundries and rules.  Aquarius brings in a rebellious energy, a time to break habitsand make abrupt change, time for personal freedom and make individuality the focus.  Today is particularly a day to work on eliminating obstacles to wealth power and fame. Thursday is the day of expansion, money, prosperity and generosity.

So...enjoy the energies of the day, what is to leave and what will be coming in with Aquarius!

In Light & Love

Oshuyn

Meditation can be practiced when you wake in the morning to start the day and also at the end of the evening before you fall asleep.

The mind enjoys repetition and is quick to set up a pattern to follow.  When you first begin to meditate, you might find your mind wandering, but regular practice will make it pregressively easier to ettle your mind and reap the benefits of a quiet, relaxed space.  Very soon, the simple act of lighting  acandle or sitting quietly will repaidly trigger a meditative state.

Allowing your mind to unwind

You will discover that meditation feels very pleasant - especially if you allow yourself to go with the flow and do not place high expectations on yourself.  Most people need several sessions before their mind becomes accustomed to slowing down.  This is why a regular time and particular place are helful

After meditation, you will feel relaxed and peaceful, and you should take a few minutes to enjoy this state before resuming activities.

Who can benefit from meditation?

Meditation is perfectly safe and suitable for anyone, even children.

* To get the most out of meditation, avoid noisy environments, and switch off your telephone as sudden, loud noises can pull you out of your meditative state, making you feel disoriented.

* You can still meditate safely if you are taking prescribed medication.  Avoid alcohol, hoever, as this can affect your ability to maintain focus.

* Ensure you will not be disturbed by members of your household so that you can fully relax.

* Make sure you keep to a time limit of 10 - 20 minutes for meditation.

Your First Meditation Exercise

This gentle meditation exercise is easy to perform and requires only a few minutes of your time.  With practice, you'll discover how to empty your mind and find peace.

This exercise is easey and gentle.  Prepare your meditation space, then experience the tranquility that is gained by meditating on your breathing.

1. Sit Quietly

Make sure that you are comfortable and will not be interrupted.  Take three deep breaths, exhaling fully, then breathe in your natural rhythm.  Feel yourself begin to relax.  Allow passing thoughts to drift away without paying attention to them.

2. Focus On Your Breath

Become aware of your breath as you breathe in and out.  As you breath in, imagine that you are becoming filled with a sensation of light and peace.  As you breathe out, allow any tension and anxiety to melt away with the exhalation.

3. Flow With Your Breath

Follow the rhythm of your breath as it flows, gently and regularly.  Feel yourself becoming increasingly relaxed and peaceful.  Become aware of your breathe as the life-force that sustains you, relaxes you, and energizes you.  Ignore any distractions that come into your mind, and you will find that it becomes easy to sit and concentrate on your breathing.

4. Find  A Special Word

Now repeat a word that has significance for you.  For example "peace," "harmony," "healing, " "gentleness," or "love."  Repeat your word inwardly with both the in-breath and the out-breath.  You will feel the emotion assocated with that word becoming infused into your being.

5. Ending Your Meditation

After a minute or two, return your full attention to your breathing.   Take three deep breaths then bring your attention back to your body and your surroundings. Wiggle your fingers and toes, stretch a little, then slowly open your eyes and take in your surroundings. 

Some may choose to ground and cleanse at this time.  Sending any energies that you have lingering back into Earth herself.  This is done in many ways such as placing your palms on the ground and simply sending them downward, some visualize a white light shine down into your crown chakra and fill your body passing through all the chakras and as it leaves your base it shines to the core of the Earth, another way is to visualize a flow of water wash over your crown and completely covering your body washing you clean and flowing to Earth. 

6. Enjoy The Benefits

Sit quietly for a few moments to accustom yourself to your everyday state of awareness.  Put some music on if you wish.  GIve yourself some time to enjoy the feelig of calmness before returning to your daily activities.

Follow this meditatio exercise step by step to relieve daily stress and tension.  They more often you meditate, the more focused you'll become.

In Light & Love

Oshuyn

You'll see that there are several new categories added to my blog site which leads to several new and exciting posts to come (which I will also put into the forums)!  After a pretty rough start to my morning and a long rant in my personal journal it seemed like my rant turned into creative new entry in my journal of all the things I am capable of doing.  After stepping back, putting the book and pen down, and reading back through what magickally transfered from my energy to my journal I had a new feeling of 'accomplished'.  I am and will be accomplished.  Shouldn't we all? 

Everyone no matter what their situation, lifestyle, beliefs, backgrounds or issues should be and become accomplished.  Every minute of my day I am going to be accomplished.  Now, this does mean that at times I may be accomplished at eating a big bowl of my favorite chocolate-something ice cream while comfortable relaxing on the couch...but I will be accomplished as I do it! 

Side note:  The typical American consumes 10 pounds of chocolate per year and the typical Brit consumes 30 pounds.  (Saw that on TV last night)  I way blow past that 10 pound mark, that's how accomplished I am!

Point being, make it your goal to be accomplished in whatever manner.  Yes, things don't work out the way we want or plan but you may not of been meant to go down that path yet, your Higher Guides may have other ideas for you at the moment, maybe you weren't ready.  Don't fret, that time will happen if it is meant to.  But know that you were accomplished and faced that moment and will learn what you needed to to continue to be accomplished.

It's 10:30am...I have laundry started, organized some important witch stuff, journaled, have supper planned (smoked pork chops are in the crock pot with cream of mushroom (I really dislike them but the family love it), green bean casserole and baked potatoes), have my work email looked through and sorted so I can start on that, got breakfast put away that I made for the kids and hubby and dishes done, vacuumed my office, left a little note on the kids white board down stairs to remind them I love them and am updating my blog to let you know to watch out for some great informative posts that will start to fill all the useful categories you see!

I feel accomplished!

In Light & Love

Oshuyn

Once again we're blanketed with a fresh new layer of the cold white stuff, the dreaded and forbidden nasty 4 letter word...SNOW!  I know, it's one of the beautiful gifts that the Universe has graced us with and I'm all for it, I'm just meant to be somewhere tropical and warm and sunny with the sweet smell of the ocean near by. I'll just hold that thought and all that is included in that though in my minds eye and feel the sand and sun and water and hear the breeze and smell the sweet air and try my hardest to stay inside today!

Here are some common symbols and their means...

The five-pointed star within a circle is the most common Pagan symbol,and it is typically used to identify oneself as a Pagan or Wiccan. Thefive points represent the 4 elements plus the spirit, and the circleconnects them all. A five-pointed star without the circle is sometimescalled a pentagram, rather than a pentacle. Based on numerology, thefive points means the pentacle symbolizes the Earth element and can beused as an Earth symbol on an altar.

The inverted (or upside down) pentacle is a symbol of some reputation.It is typically associated with Satanism, though that is not acompletely accurate description. The true emblem of the Church of Satanis the sigil of Baphomet, which is a symbol with a goat's head and aninverted pentacle. Within Wicca, the upside down pentacle stands forthe 2nd degree in some traditions.

Yes, this is the symbol from the popular TV show "Charmed". Why theychose the triquetra for their Book of Shadows, I would say for theprotection the symbol carries, or possibly because it's exotic withoutbeing threatening. Like the triskele, this Celtic symbol embodies thesacred number 3, as seen in the 3 phases of the Goddess (maiden,mother, crone) and the 3 elements of nature (land, sky, sea). Duringthe period of early Christianity, the triquetra took on further meaningas the Holy Trinity. This symbol is also seen with a circle goingthough it.

The triple moon is a Goddess symbol that represents the Maiden, Mother,and Crone as the waxing, full, and waning moon. It is also associatedwith feminine energy, mystery and psychic abilities. You often see thissymbol on crowns or other head-pieces, particularly worn by HighPriestesses.

The short and traditional meaning for the ankh symbol is "everlastinglife". This symbol is a hieroglyph seen in countless ancient Egyptiancarvings, usually held in hand by Gods and pharaohs to show how theypreside over life (in other words, are immortal). In these images, theankh is held by the loop rather than the base. The ankh is a popularsymbol among Pagans, likely due to the similarity to a Christian crosswhich makes the ankh much less shocking to others, as compared to apentacle.

The seven pointed star has a few names: septagram, septacle, Elven staror fairy star. The number seven corresponds to the spirit realm, whichis why this symbol is associated with elves or fairies. There are noset representations for each of the points, but they are sometimeslabeled: earth, air, fire, water, above, below and within. Theseptagram is also associated with astrology because the classical viewof the sky contained seven planets.

The unicursal hexagram is a variation of the 6-pointed star. The moretraditional way of drawing a 6-pointed star is in the double trianglesof the Star of David. But Aleister Crowley created his own design, tocreate a symbol that could be drawn in one continuous line. The number6 represents unity and balance, specifically balance between man andthe Divine.

This maze-like symbol is associated with the triple aspect of the Greekgoddess Hecate. She is considered a 'dark' goddess by some, and rulesover cross-roads and the Underworld. Hecate is also known as theGoddess of the Witches. This isn't a particularly common symbol amongWiccans, but you do see it occasionally.

The Eye of Horus can be a bit of a confusing symbol. It is seensometimes as the right or sometimes as the left eye. The left eye isEye of Horus and is connected with the moon. When it's the right eye,it's the Eye of Ra, and associated with the sun. Though some sourcessay there is no distinction at all. The Eye represents the eye that waslost by Horus when he fought with Seth over the murder of his father,Osiris. The symbol is worn for protection and to ward off evil spirits.

There are many variations on the basic triskele (or triple spiral)symbol. The one illustrated here is very simple to illustrate the basiclook of the symbol. The triskele is a Celtic symbol, and symbolizes thepower of life and rebirth. It combines the spiral (often used toillustrate the cycle of life) and the number 3 is a sacred number, asseen in the phases of the triple Goddess. This symbol is also referredto as a triskelion.

For those of you enjoying the bitter coldness and the blanket of white I'm very happy you are enjoying it.  For those of you who are glaring out your window and wishing for warmness, I feel your pain.  For those of you who are feeling sand between your toes and the sun and water that my soul longs for...I would LOVE to visit you!

In Light & Love

Oshuyn

I think that technology is a great thing.  I'm not sure that I would be able to function properly without my laptop and blackberry.  Take these things away from me and you just might have to sedate to get me through my withdrawals.  I'm sure after the initial shock of it all wore off I would be fine, but still sounds very stressing. 

These tools allow amazing things to be right at our fingertips at any given moment.  I have many things that I'm thankful for due to the internet and technology and I look forward to all that it will bring my way in future.  But, there is still something about the natural side of it all that is truely magickal. 

My daughter was doing some homework last night and often I would hear sighs coming from her direction.  I would glance over and see her glowing face, not glowing because of sheer happiness but glowing from the light of her laptop.  She was 'taking notes' from a few chapters in her book.  When I did homework it was my trusty notebook and pen and my artistic lines and curves that added a touch of interest in rereading my notes. She thought I was crazy when I made the suggestion to maybe write it out.  Loony-woman talk!

The art of writing seems to have slipped away in the past years.  It was always nice to receive a letter in the mail from my friend Claudine after we went our separate ways as 'adults' after high school.  I would get excited to see what color of ink she used and what paper her energized words were gracing.  I could tell her moods by the curve of her Os and the pressure or slant of her lettering.  I could feel the happiness in her smiley faces and expression marks.  I could sense the love of our friendship in the hearts she drew and the underlines under 'I MISS YOU'.  Although we both have families now and busy lives and don't get the chance to play catch up, our prefered method to this day is the trusty pen and paper. 

I know technology makes it handy, how else can I be typing this and push my little button and deliver it instantly to your eyes for your viewing pleasure (well at least hope so).  How simple has techology made it to type up your Yule/Christmas letters to send to all your family and friend and tell your computer to make 20 copies.  I have a great journaling software on my laptop that has some great features, enough to even set up a nice BoS in but it just doesn't feel the same.  I don't think I've opened that program for months now.

I think that when we sit down and take the time and put the effort forward in writing it out our creativity starts to flow and our energies are being imbedded in what we are creating.  As a Witch I journal on a regular basis and am constantly writing something down somewhere and probably several times and know that this is not a waste of my time.  Yes, I know I can type it up and make multiple copies and print it in beautiful perfect fonts on a multitude of papers and staple, 3 hold punch, bind, glue, tape or just shoove it in somewhere but it just doesn't feel the same...it just doesn't feel like 'me'. 

So thumbs up for the power of technology, I know that I would be lost without you, you're my window to other worlds sometimes.  But, thumbs up for the magick of the pen and paper, allowing me to put my magickal mark and energies down and 'make it so'. 

In Light & Love,

Oshuyn

I'm having an organizational day I guess. 

I decided to write about an encounter I had with this older gal, Nancy, while I was out the other night.  I thought I would jump back in to my blog so I wrote this great post and after I pushed the 'publish' button I received an error and of course it didn't save a draft..so here's the condensed version of the story.  She was an energy that you couldn't miss, I picked up on her right away when I walked into the bar/eating place.  She was a little gal, older, wasn't too sure at first glance if she was a she or he, but the energy that she was sharing was vibrant and alive.  By the end of the night she had adopted me, played with my hair, gave me candy, kissed by cheek and would break out in what appeared to be psychic moments of sight right in the middle of converstation.  You could tell there werent' too many people that there that were welcoming to her.  The bartender even apologized to me for Nancy buggin me.  If you couldn't have found some sort of smile in an encounter with her, there had to be something wrong with you.  Yes, she was a little out there, but at least she wasn't like everyone else sitting there at the tables acting like something someone else wanted them to be.  I am very blessed to have met Nancy.  I think that every encounter we have adds to the steps in our journey, every minute is a minute to learn, every second is a moment we have been gifted to move forward.  Nancy added a very energetic spark to my journey and I am thankful for that.  

I organized my tarot binder today, getting it ready to put all my notes in it and gather all my thoughts and feelings up about the cards.  My plan is to make my own deck to publish.  I have so many and am very bonded with a few but still yearn for 'my' deck.  So, forward we move with the creativity.

I use the Seasons of the Witch Daily planner AND the Llewellyn planner.  If I could only incorporate both of them into one, how close to perfect would that be.  I've been going through them both today, looking at them, trying to decide if I want to take on the task of writing the notes from the Llewellyn over into the Seasons?  A lot of work, yes I know, but then I'll have it all in one nice place.  I'm an organizational junkie, so I'm sure I'll figure something out soon. 

Just wanted to drop a note, drop some thoughts and ramblings.  The sun is shining today and it actually got warm enough to try and melt some of the snow we have.  Good luck with that when we have 5 foot and drifts that are 10 foot tall!  Till the season I guess.

Ok, done with my break and done crying over the loss of my 'Nancy' post, I guess it wasn't meant to be shared today.  Back to work and organizing...

In Light & Love

Oshuyn

The Path I Walk...

The path I walk may seem unclear to some who stop and stare,

It may seem twisted, desolate, crazy or may look bare.

You may question why I choose to take each unknown step,

I don't question, I just move towards secrets that are kept

by those who tread before my feet and lived a life like mine,

Who smiled upon the Elements and Spirit and all Divine.

Who embraced their child-like spirit and held firmly true to their heart,

Who walked their path, each unknown step, never from their path depart.

My path my appear to be different, to some it may seem absurd,

but it is mine, I'm not alone, my questions all are heard.

The answers lie in every step, in every embrace that's made,

between my feet and Mother Earth, the foundation is being laid.

Our energies all merge and meld, the spells are being cast,

this lends me aid and support and wisdom that will last.

My steps are comfortable yet unknown to me, but not for long,

the gifts of those who passed before bless me with their song.

The words they sing surround my soul and allow me to feel free,

I'm blessed I walk a path so pure, my journey, So Mote It Be!

by Oshuyn

01/19/2010

Who has the authority to define 'normal'?  An interesting conversation came up this morning in my house about what normal is.  Is there really such a thing?  Everyone experiences a different reality so how does 'normal' fit in?

It's been brought to my attention that I am not a 'normal' parent when it comes to the expectations I have for my children.  Many things flooded my active mind when I was hit with that.  First thought, 'define normal and tell me how you came that definition'.  Second thought, 'good job, I'm not normal'.  Third thought, 'wait, is me not being normal good or bad'.  Forth thought, 'ok, what do you want that you know I'm gonna say no to'.  And the growing thoughts circled around and passed through and multiplied for a while. 

Seriously, who gets to define normal?  I look around my bedroom/office/sacred space and giggle.  Is this the typical bedroom/office of a 'normal' person?  My bedroom is quite large so it functions well for what I use it for.  Do normal bedrooms have a large altar and bookshelves filled with witchyness?  Does this mean I'm not normal?  Or do we get to choose what parts of our lives are or aren't normal? 

I believe we are who we are, you can't pick and choose what parts of your life you want to show to reflect your normalcy or lack of. 

My expectations are higher than 'normal' parents (so I've been told)...if normal represents status quo or the average then sure, think of them as high.  My plan is not to add another individual in this world who can't be an individual, who thinks they have to be like everyone else.  It seems that the average teenager absolutely knows who they are and what they want and that they are an individual and unique but they don't realize that that is the same exact mind set of so many around them.  I know this doesn't apply to everyone, but the normalcy of today's high school life seems to portray this.  My expectations for my children are to be happy in their skin, in their life and to have their own ideas and open mind and to become a better person than myself.  What is wrong with that?  Should that be what you expect from your child?  Is this not normal?

The mind at 15 years of youth can be confusing and difficult, but only if you let it.  It seems that girls at this age, in this day and time find answers in counseling sessions, eating disorders, misunderstood acts of 'love', bodily harm to make it 'all better' and what ever else is out there (which I'm sure would make my jaw drop).  It blows my mind that acts such as these are somewhat considered 'normal' behaviour. What happened to sitting around with your parent over a chocolate malt, hot dog and fries at the local food shack...wait, that would mess up the anorexia and we can't do that.  My Goddess times have changed!

I'm thankful that my children have a pretty good head on their shoulders and are great kids, one's that I am proud of.  And it makes me giggle that the attention is drawn to me for not being a normal parent.  Those who do not set expectations are sure to reach them, what a way to be successful!  I'm going to continue to not be a normal parent and have beautiful expectations for my children which I hope will in turn have a beautfiul influence on the world and Universe someday. 

If you can honestly define the word normal...please keep the answer a secret.

Merry Meet and Blessings to you on Turkey Day!

I've never enjoyed this time of the year, always seems to wear me out...and that's putting it mildly.  I never knew why this time of the year turned my feelings sour until a few years ago when I realized I was an Empath.  Being an Empath is a tricky thing, leaving many feeling like there is something wrong with them, that they are strange or crazy, that they are alone and there is no where to turn or no one who understands.  I facilitate an Empath class at Sacred Mists where you learn...you are not alone. You learn tools and exercises designed to understand your gifts and to function everyday with them. 

I thought I would share some info to help you destress as an Empath during the holiday seasons, so Blessed and Happy Holidays!

Take care of Yourself

HOW CAN I NURTURE MYSELF DURING THE STRESS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON?

Here are some really basic self-care tips & reminders for highly sensitive& empaths:

TOP TEN HSP & EMPATH HOLIDAY DESTRESSERS

1. Take an epsom salt bath. The benefits of the warm water are obvious;however, the lesser known benefits of epsom salt are of adding both magnesiumand sulfate to the body (epsom salt is known scientifically as magnesiumsulfate). Research from the National Academy of Sciences shows that mostAmericans are magnesium deficient, which contributes to a host of problems suchas joint pain, depression, and migraine headaches. This element has beendepleted from the soil due to harmful modern farming practices. Magnesium isnecessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, the feel goodchemical in the brain. Sulfate has the added benefit of helping to detoxifyfrom environmental contaminants. Vitamin or pill supplements are not ideal becauseneither magnesium nor sulfate are easily absorbed through the digestive tract.Thus, the best way to get these minerals is to take an epsom salt bath (twocups of epsom salt) two times a week. Light a candle to make this an even moresensory de-stressing experience.

2. Use essential oils. You are missing out if you are not regularly takingadvantage of the many healing benefits of essential oils. Researchers haveestablished that essential oils have the some of the highest frequencies of anynatural substance known to man (between 52 Hz and 320 Hz, depending on theoil). That may be one contributing factor as to why they have been shown to bepotent anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer agents. Essential oils arederived from plants and are typically smelled, ingested, or applied topicallyto the body. You can smell them directly from the containers (the smell goesdirectly to the olfactory centers in the brain). You can also get aninexpensive diffuser to spread the smell around your house. Some oils can evenbe ingested (e.g. a drop of peppermint in your tea or coffee adds an additionaldestressing sensory experience that is hard to beat!). I use lavendar to calmin the evenings, peppermint to clarify the mind, citronella to clear unwantedenergy from others, and tea tree oil or rosemary as an anti-biotic for theskin. Make sure whatever you buy is "100% essential oil" and notsynthetic. Watch the labeling - manufacturers can be misleading. Finally, youmay want to consider giving sample oils and/or a diffuser as a unique andmuch-appreciated gift. I've given loads of these to my parents, grandparents,and siblings.

3. Stretch. Endorphins, the body's feel good chemicals, are released through amere 30 seconds of simple stretching in all directions. A simple head to toestretch is one of the simplest forms of yoga. Stretching as high as your handswill go - and adding a left to right stretch - will help stimulate &massage all of your organs, particularly the liver & kidneys which areresponsible for eliminating toxins from the body. Stretching is a naturalanti-depressant, immunity booster, and anti-aging practice. It provides betterposture for the body, reducing the load that the joints must carry, andprovides natural cardiovascular benefits such as lowered blood pressure andincreased blood circulation. All these benefits, and more, from a mere 30second stretch!

4. Listen to your favorite healing music. Calming music such as jazz,classical, or new age music has been scientifically proven to have healingbenefits for both the mind (producing a meditative state) and the body (slowingbreathing & heart rates). Also, there is a specific subset ofscientifically produced music called binaural beats that is designed to changebrainwaves, and thus, induce relaxation.

5. Chant or Sing! This is especially good for empaths with throat chakraissues. It doesn't matter what you chant, the mere act of engaging the vocalcords will clear your throat chakra. This is done by the same principle ofexercise. When you engage the vocal cords, you increase your intake oflife-giving oxygen, and more blood is pumped to the throat area to stimulatethe contraction and expansion of the muscles. A mere 60 seconds of chanting thesound OM is practically guaranteed to change your mood.

6. Touch, Be Touched, & Bodywork. Partner up & give your loved one ahealing massage. Or, treat yourself to a session of bodywork. Times are tight,I have heard the stories from many of you, and bodywork is not cheap. However,think of bodywork and being touched as an investment in yourself. The betteryou feel, the more productive you will be. The better you feel, the moreself-esteem you will project to the world, and thus help you attract morefinancial or career abundance. The skin is the largest organ in the body - andit is what helps protect us from the sometimes unwanted energies of others.When the skin is properly massaged and is given proper attention, it will doits job better. The skin, when nourished, will help you possess a more balancedidentity; better physical and psychological boundaries when interacting withthe energies of others. Additionally, massage has so many benefits too numerousto mention - reduced pain, better circulation, elimination of toxins.

7. Get a pet. If you can make the investment in time and money, pets willsoothe a highly sensitive person's soul. Those of you living in small spacesmay consider getting something like a hamster or a rat, each of which requireminimal maintenance. (By the way, for those who might be wary of rats, theymake excellent pets. They are social, highly intelligent creatures who,contrary to their image, are obsessively clean. They also are easily trainedand actually form emotional bonds with humans). Studies have shown that havinga pet is a better lowerer of blood pressure better than medication! Having apet (especially dogs) also encourages you to get exercise, and they are a greatway for those of us who are introverts to become more social. Often pets areone of the first things a person will comment on in your environment, leadingto easier social interaction.

8. Laugh! The health benefits of a good belly laugh are staggering. Not onlydoes it exercise the diaphragm muscles, which time and again I see are the mosttightened muscles in most of my client's bodies, but it's contagious! You willattract more of good, kind people around you when you are able to laugh,especially at yourself. Laughter reduces the stress hormones cortisol andepinephrine (adrenaline). Additionally, research shows that the act of engagingthe facial muscles, even in a fake or pretend smile, stimulates the vagusnerve, which plays a huge role in the conduction and healthy function of theheart. (Just curious, any other rabid "Curb your Enthusiasm" fans outthere?).

9. Clean Your House. This is an underappreciated form of stress relief.Cleaning one's house or personal space offers much psychological relief: notonly does your space look better, it will save you time and also contribute toa better feeling living area. The physical act of cleaning also producesbenefits such as increased respiration and taking in more oxygen while therepetitive motions used in cleaning can induce a meditative state.Additionally, as a highly sensitive person, you will benefit from the changedenergy in your environment. Whenever I suffer from a writer's block feeling oflethary, I will clean my bedroom and throw away un-needed things. This isusually all I need to get focused again.

10. Drink a cup of warm tea. Hot fluids naturally calm the nervous system andthe effects go straight to the heart. Green or black tea contains vitalantioxidants that combat stress and premature aging. Studies have consistentlyfound that tea drinkers have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lowerlevels of cancer, and higher immunity than non-tea drinkers. Green tea can alsomake a unique holiday gift.

Empath Connection Newsletter

We've had a group of kittens, well they were kittens the beginning of last winter, scattering around the yard.  They are wild ones, ones that we've only been able to touch when they were really little and too slow to run and too hungy to try and run.  We always throw our scraps from cooking out for all the wild cats in our area in a certain place away from the house.  We live in the city, next to trees and just a handful of other houses. 

We've watched these 3 little kitties grow up from a distance.  It seems like the neighbor, whom we really don't know that well (we have spoke to him a few times, but I think he prefers keeping to himself) have kinda taken these cats in.  I'm really not sure if it's by choice.  He has several broken windows on his porch and they seem to have 'claimed' it. 

My son, who is 14, has always had a connection to animals and seems to be very good with cats.  They trust him and sometimes no one else.  There was a cat at my parents farm that always lingered around.  Dad would always say he saw 'the cat' and we would always try and convince it we were friendly with food, but never had luck.  One day when my son was maybe 8, he came into my parents house and was talking about Cage.  No one knew what or who he was talking about.  We asked and he said 'Cage, the cat'.  The wild one?  He's not wild mom, come and look. 

My son could pick this cat up and play with it and carry it around.  It followed him everywhere.  No matter what we all did, the cat would not let us come near it.  So, he's always been able to connect to animals.  Here is a picture I took of Cage and my son..

So, my son once again this fall, gaines a friendship with one of these now grown-up kitties.  It was so thin and would always get chased away from the scraps of food.  It was weak and so fragile.  The kids begged their dad to let them take the cat in for the winter to help it.  Their dad is not a cat person, AT ALL.  He loves the fact that they keep the mice away, hence letting the kids feed the cats the scraps of food, but at a distance from the house.  After weeks of begging he did give in and say that I should pick up some wormer or something for it. It was now to the point that the cat would come up on the deck and sit at the sliding door and look in, watching for him. 

I picked up some wormer, vitamins and soft food for it.  Against my hubby's wishes, I fed it on the deck by the door.  Slowly this cat has come to love and trust us all.  One day I heard my husbands truck pull in from work and looked out the window.  He was carrying a small 'dog house', a cat house that one the guys from work made for their outside cat (which had gotten ran over).  So now, the cat which is appropriately named Lucky, resides on the deck right outside the door. 

Lucky is now plump and happy, enjoying a daily vitamin, a can of soft food in the morning followed up by hard food in the afternoon, and lots of love and affection.  I actually think she was a dog in a former life.  It rolls over like a dog, and sits right at the sliding door like a watch dog.  It stretches and plays like a dog would, and wiggles its tail.  It even 'jumps' up at your leg with it's front paws when you are going to wak away from her, like she's saying 'pet me more!'.  All its mannerisms are dog like.  I have found out that I do not have cat-like reflexes.  The two purple bandaids that I've collected this week on my hand can prove that...but it's all in good fun!  She's quick, ouch! 

Now I'm just wondering how my sons gifts with the animals will progress...