I love rainbows so much that my "handle" for various things such as geocaching is Rainbow Gal! A book called Trust came in for review a few weeks ago. It is a collection of writings and talks by Osho. In one section, he talks about spiritual seekers and rainbows.
He says that many spiritual folks like rainbows but fail to realize that they have to live all the colors in the rainbow - not just their favorite ones! He said we're not here just to experience the pretty colors. We're here to experience all of them.
This really hit home for me right now. The way I usually explain this to my clients and students is to say that we live in a world of duality - night/day, sun/moon, male/female, up/down, etc.... to think we can live without experiencing both sides of an issue is naive.
Now, I prefer this rainbow way of explaining it. For me, I am getting to experience some hues and colors I haven't seen before - and this is a good thing.
By the way, I am feeling better. In addition to the physician care I am under, I had a distance healing session this week and definitely feel the effects! I look forward to telling you more about that as time passes.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Everyone has a story
An interesting thing that's happening as I share my health journey is people stepping forward to tell me what's going on for them. If you have attended my classes or talks or if you have read my essays, you know I have said more than once that everyone has a story.
We see people in the market or driving down the road and maybe they are acting a little less noble than we think they should. What we don't know is that they or someone they love is facing an illness or challenge. We don't know they just lost their job or spouse. We don't know what is going on for other people just like they don't know what's going on for us - unless we tell them.
It is easier to judge others than it is to be compassionate. It really does come back to treating others the way we want to be treated. Assume the best of people instead of jumping to the worst. If people seem crabby or mean-spirited, give them the benefit of the doubt. Don't you want people to do the same for you.
Although I am keeping up with most of the duties of my life, there are many times during the day when I simply don't feel good. There are times when I am discouraged because I can't do all the things I used to do. There are times I wonder how this adventure will turn out. And I'm sure I don't always act my best self right now even though I try my best. Let's give one another some breathing room and remember everyone has a story - just like you!
We see people in the market or driving down the road and maybe they are acting a little less noble than we think they should. What we don't know is that they or someone they love is facing an illness or challenge. We don't know they just lost their job or spouse. We don't know what is going on for other people just like they don't know what's going on for us - unless we tell them.
It is easier to judge others than it is to be compassionate. It really does come back to treating others the way we want to be treated. Assume the best of people instead of jumping to the worst. If people seem crabby or mean-spirited, give them the benefit of the doubt. Don't you want people to do the same for you.
Although I am keeping up with most of the duties of my life, there are many times during the day when I simply don't feel good. There are times when I am discouraged because I can't do all the things I used to do. There are times I wonder how this adventure will turn out. And I'm sure I don't always act my best self right now even though I try my best. Let's give one another some breathing room and remember everyone has a story - just like you!
Friday, April 28, 2017
Will I run out of blood?
Blood is important and I know we all have a lot of it. But these health practitioners sure want mine frequently. I guess they can tell how much oxygen I have as well as other informative tidbits from looking at my blood. I am getting to know the lab technicians at two different places because each doc has their own lab!
What an interesting profession, I tell them. And I ask them how they got used to sticking needles into people's veins or poking their fingers for other tests. The lab tech today told me when she was in school, all of her fingers hurt. She said they each had a lab-buddy and would practice on one another. That's dedication!
Our world is filled with fascinating people, each of whom contributes in different ways that many of us know nothing about. Part of my journey is getting to know some of these people and appreciating the fact that they chose the professions they did so they could be there for me (or you) when they were needed.
I spoke to a young man at Staples a month or so ago. The store was closing so I asked him what he was going to do - work at another Staples? No, he said, he wanted to do something with the internet. I told him that if I were a young woman in today's world, I would choose one of two careers: technology or medicine. Those are two areas I think will be with us a long time. The more personal the service, I told him, the less likely you are to be replaced by a robot - he agreed! I wonder where he will end up?
What an interesting profession, I tell them. And I ask them how they got used to sticking needles into people's veins or poking their fingers for other tests. The lab tech today told me when she was in school, all of her fingers hurt. She said they each had a lab-buddy and would practice on one another. That's dedication!
Our world is filled with fascinating people, each of whom contributes in different ways that many of us know nothing about. Part of my journey is getting to know some of these people and appreciating the fact that they chose the professions they did so they could be there for me (or you) when they were needed.
I spoke to a young man at Staples a month or so ago. The store was closing so I asked him what he was going to do - work at another Staples? No, he said, he wanted to do something with the internet. I told him that if I were a young woman in today's world, I would choose one of two careers: technology or medicine. Those are two areas I think will be with us a long time. The more personal the service, I told him, the less likely you are to be replaced by a robot - he agreed! I wonder where he will end up?
Thursday, April 27, 2017
What did you do well today?
My dear friend and colleague Marty Marsh, shared something yesterday that I want to share with you! I forget where he got the information so thanks to whoever that is!
Many of us are used to keeping some sort of gratitude journal or list and we know the importance of focusing on being grateful. Here's the new twist. Once a day, ask yourself "What did I do well today?" Far too often we focus on what we have to do and forget to acknowledge what we've done and, especially, those things we've done well. Marty says he now stops around 3:00 every afternoon and thinks about what he has done well that day.
When we don't feel good, it is more difficult to focus on what is going well in our lives. So, I did this yesterday and realized there are a lot of things I am doing well right now. I work every day and stay on top of what needs to be done. I am following doctors' orders even though it means taking medications and I prefer not to do that. I am using my spiritual tools and being true to myself and to my beliefs.
This is enough. I don't have to be Wonder Woman - at least not right now. I am feeling better and I am able to breathe better. This is also enough. And today in the midst of everything else on my plate, I am gifting myself with some time to crochet. I do that well and it makes me happy!
Many of us are used to keeping some sort of gratitude journal or list and we know the importance of focusing on being grateful. Here's the new twist. Once a day, ask yourself "What did I do well today?" Far too often we focus on what we have to do and forget to acknowledge what we've done and, especially, those things we've done well. Marty says he now stops around 3:00 every afternoon and thinks about what he has done well that day.
When we don't feel good, it is more difficult to focus on what is going well in our lives. So, I did this yesterday and realized there are a lot of things I am doing well right now. I work every day and stay on top of what needs to be done. I am following doctors' orders even though it means taking medications and I prefer not to do that. I am using my spiritual tools and being true to myself and to my beliefs.
This is enough. I don't have to be Wonder Woman - at least not right now. I am feeling better and I am able to breathe better. This is also enough. And today in the midst of everything else on my plate, I am gifting myself with some time to crochet. I do that well and it makes me happy!
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Ya gotta keep your sense of humor
Yesterday, I made an unscheduled visit to my cardiologist because things aren't going exactly the way she wants them to go. She's young, petite, very bright and all business. She isn't unfriendly - she's just a woman making it in a decidedly male-dominated world and projects an air of competence. I like her. She reminds me of me when I was young and working in a male-dominated environment where I had to prove myself daily.
Rhonda was with me. Rhonda can have a wicked sense of humor. Here's what happened.
Me to the doctor: I have a friend who wants to use tuning forks to get my heartbeat back in rhythm. My friend says she has the same condition I do and uses tuning forks to get her heart beating correctly. Do you see anything wrong with my doing that? Could it have any negative consequences?
Doctor: I'm not sure what you mean by tuning forks.
Me: Basically, it's using sound to try to heal my irregular heartbeat.
Doctor: It's okay. I doubt it will help you. Just be sure not to do anything invasive, like someone wanting to cut into you.
Rhonda: Then I guess I will have to return the home heart surgery kit I bought yesterday.
Me: The one you got at WalMart?
Rhonda: Yes, the same place I got the brain surgery one.
Doctor - with a barely contained smile: Did you use it?
Rhonda: Yes, on my brother.
Doctor - still trying not to laugh: How'd that work out for you?
Rhonda: I'll know when he's out of the ICU.
Rhonda and I were laughing up a storm and, yes, the doctor did finally crack a smile. I can hardly wait for the next visit.
Rhonda was with me. Rhonda can have a wicked sense of humor. Here's what happened.
Me to the doctor: I have a friend who wants to use tuning forks to get my heartbeat back in rhythm. My friend says she has the same condition I do and uses tuning forks to get her heart beating correctly. Do you see anything wrong with my doing that? Could it have any negative consequences?
Doctor: I'm not sure what you mean by tuning forks.
Me: Basically, it's using sound to try to heal my irregular heartbeat.
Doctor: It's okay. I doubt it will help you. Just be sure not to do anything invasive, like someone wanting to cut into you.
Rhonda: Then I guess I will have to return the home heart surgery kit I bought yesterday.
Me: The one you got at WalMart?
Rhonda: Yes, the same place I got the brain surgery one.
Doctor - with a barely contained smile: Did you use it?
Rhonda: Yes, on my brother.
Doctor - still trying not to laugh: How'd that work out for you?
Rhonda: I'll know when he's out of the ICU.
Rhonda and I were laughing up a storm and, yes, the doctor did finally crack a smile. I can hardly wait for the next visit.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Having hope
So here's something really interesting about this journey. One of the things I love most about my work with New Spirit Journal is publishing the works of other writers. I love sharing inspirational true life stories. I did this in print and online for many years and now publish online only.
Many people have told me how much they miss reading New Spirit Journal as a physical newspaper. Late last year, I realized I could still publish these articles in print form as books and I decided to publish my first anthology. Because so many people seem to be in or close to despair, I chose to publish articles about having hope. I put out the call to writers asking for true stories when people were ready to give up but clung to hope and made it through difficult times. I was able to publish 31 of these stories in The Book of Hope.
Right before my health issues began, the book came out. I hadn't even been able to start the marketing campaign and now I am using it myself! And I am looking forward to feeling better so I can tell more people about the book.
When times are tough, it can be difficult to cling to the hope that things will get better. For me, there are times when I ask if this is the way I will live the rest of my life. Will I ever breathe normally again? Will I ever be able to walk from one end of my home to the other without gasping for air? Will I ever regain my mobility?
And I realize these questions don't take me closer to the desired result. For me, this is about accepting things as they are while also doing everything I can to move in the desired direction - while realizing I don't know the outcome. I am living in the mystery of the moment. Is it uncomfortable? Yes. Do I like it? No. Have I done this before? Yes. Can I draw on those past memories of success in doing this? Definitely!
Quite simply, we don't always know the why of our lives, only the whats. And most of the time this is all we need to know. Accepting what is can be the most liberating and soul-deepening practice of all.
Many people have told me how much they miss reading New Spirit Journal as a physical newspaper. Late last year, I realized I could still publish these articles in print form as books and I decided to publish my first anthology. Because so many people seem to be in or close to despair, I chose to publish articles about having hope. I put out the call to writers asking for true stories when people were ready to give up but clung to hope and made it through difficult times. I was able to publish 31 of these stories in The Book of Hope.
Right before my health issues began, the book came out. I hadn't even been able to start the marketing campaign and now I am using it myself! And I am looking forward to feeling better so I can tell more people about the book.
When times are tough, it can be difficult to cling to the hope that things will get better. For me, there are times when I ask if this is the way I will live the rest of my life. Will I ever breathe normally again? Will I ever be able to walk from one end of my home to the other without gasping for air? Will I ever regain my mobility?
And I realize these questions don't take me closer to the desired result. For me, this is about accepting things as they are while also doing everything I can to move in the desired direction - while realizing I don't know the outcome. I am living in the mystery of the moment. Is it uncomfortable? Yes. Do I like it? No. Have I done this before? Yes. Can I draw on those past memories of success in doing this? Definitely!
Quite simply, we don't always know the why of our lives, only the whats. And most of the time this is all we need to know. Accepting what is can be the most liberating and soul-deepening practice of all.
Monday, April 24, 2017
It started a few weeks ago
Believe it or not, my latest adventure began during the night of April 1st, 2017 - about three weeks ago now. Although I'm a very private person, I've decided to share this journey with you. I'll explain the reasons later.
It was the middle of the night and I had gotten up to use the bathroom. When I returned to bed, I couldn't catch my breath. It came in short, unpleasant gasps. Eventually, it settled down and I thought to myself that maybe I was coming down with a cold. When I got up in the morning, everything seemed okay so I put it off to one of those unexplainable life moments.
How surprised was I when the same thing happened the next evening - up to use the bathroom, back in bed, gasping for air like a poor fish who had been left to die on the shore. "This can't be good," I thought to myself. Anything having to do with breathing is important. I can live without many things - air is not one of them.
The next day was Monday and I had three Keeping It Real TV programs scheduled to record. Keeping It Real is an online TV program at NewSpiritJournal.com. I interview various interesting people using Skype and usually aim for two new shows per week.
Now the shortness of breath was occurring when I was up and active. I decided to call the doctor's office to see if I could make an appointment for after I had recorded my three shows. The doctor could see me at 3:30 - perfect! I managed to make my way through the shows without the shortness of breath showing - I can see it when I watch the shows, but a person would have to be looking for it to notice.
So you understand, I don't go to the doctor unless something is wrong. I was raised not going to the doctor. Everyone who knows me knows that. My doctor knows that. He told me that when he saw I had called for a same day appointment, he told his assistant something must be wrong.
After various tests, my doctor came into the room and said to me, "This is my worried face." Uh-oh. He said I have atrial fibrillation, a relatively common condition and one many people live with for years. It means I have an irregular heartbeat. However, because of this, fluid had built up in my lungs and body and this was causing him the most immediate concern. At least I finally had an explanation for my shortness of breath and, hopefully, now a solution.
Doc started me on water pills as well as some other drugs that are meant to keep me from having a stroke! What? Me, a stroke? Oh, dear. And me who prided myself on not taking any medications when others my age took all sorts of things....ah, pride comes before the fall?
My new shortness of breath coupled with my already existing mobility issues (that's an adventure story for another day) now put me in a near standstill. I mean that literally - it is very difficult for me to walk these days! The doc wanted me to do some more tests and see a cardiologist who wanted me to have a heart ultrasound. Wow. I went from no medical issues or care to full-out visits and tests.
It's been an interesting three weeks and I won't detail all of it here. I decided to start this blog as my way of journaling about this new adventure in my life. I know many of you have dealt with and/or are dealing with medical issues so perhaps my sharing could be supportive and helpful. It is also helpful to know I have the support of my spiritual community. Yes, if you would like to pray for me, do absent Reiki or other healing on my behalf, it would be graciously accepted.
Being the good metaphysician I am, my first thoughts went to the underlying reasons for me to have a heart and breathing issue. Don't I feel loved? Like anyone else, not always. Do I express my love to others? As much as I can. Am I done with this lifetime and ready to move on? I don't think so, but we'll see about that one.
Then there's the entire "I'm not my body" school of thought and karmic reasons and alternate realities and parallel lifetimes plus past lifetimes....all of which adds up to putting me in a state of mind-boggling "who knows!"
For now, I prefer to take the "This is what's on my plate right now so I will deal with it as lovingly as I can" approach, be open to other insights that might come up for me, and see where this little journey takes me.
One of my favorite quotes is one by Helen Keller - "Life is a grand adventure or nothing at all." For those of you who have read my autobiography Anything is Possible, I think you'll agree this is just one more adventure for me.
I'm very glad to have a supportive spouse who is doing everything she can to help me out. Not sure how I would handle this without her! Thank you, Rhonda! And stay tuned as I share more of this adventure and insights with you....Love and Light, Krysta
It was the middle of the night and I had gotten up to use the bathroom. When I returned to bed, I couldn't catch my breath. It came in short, unpleasant gasps. Eventually, it settled down and I thought to myself that maybe I was coming down with a cold. When I got up in the morning, everything seemed okay so I put it off to one of those unexplainable life moments.
How surprised was I when the same thing happened the next evening - up to use the bathroom, back in bed, gasping for air like a poor fish who had been left to die on the shore. "This can't be good," I thought to myself. Anything having to do with breathing is important. I can live without many things - air is not one of them.
The next day was Monday and I had three Keeping It Real TV programs scheduled to record. Keeping It Real is an online TV program at NewSpiritJournal.com. I interview various interesting people using Skype and usually aim for two new shows per week.
Now the shortness of breath was occurring when I was up and active. I decided to call the doctor's office to see if I could make an appointment for after I had recorded my three shows. The doctor could see me at 3:30 - perfect! I managed to make my way through the shows without the shortness of breath showing - I can see it when I watch the shows, but a person would have to be looking for it to notice.
So you understand, I don't go to the doctor unless something is wrong. I was raised not going to the doctor. Everyone who knows me knows that. My doctor knows that. He told me that when he saw I had called for a same day appointment, he told his assistant something must be wrong.
After various tests, my doctor came into the room and said to me, "This is my worried face." Uh-oh. He said I have atrial fibrillation, a relatively common condition and one many people live with for years. It means I have an irregular heartbeat. However, because of this, fluid had built up in my lungs and body and this was causing him the most immediate concern. At least I finally had an explanation for my shortness of breath and, hopefully, now a solution.
Doc started me on water pills as well as some other drugs that are meant to keep me from having a stroke! What? Me, a stroke? Oh, dear. And me who prided myself on not taking any medications when others my age took all sorts of things....ah, pride comes before the fall?
My new shortness of breath coupled with my already existing mobility issues (that's an adventure story for another day) now put me in a near standstill. I mean that literally - it is very difficult for me to walk these days! The doc wanted me to do some more tests and see a cardiologist who wanted me to have a heart ultrasound. Wow. I went from no medical issues or care to full-out visits and tests.
It's been an interesting three weeks and I won't detail all of it here. I decided to start this blog as my way of journaling about this new adventure in my life. I know many of you have dealt with and/or are dealing with medical issues so perhaps my sharing could be supportive and helpful. It is also helpful to know I have the support of my spiritual community. Yes, if you would like to pray for me, do absent Reiki or other healing on my behalf, it would be graciously accepted.
Being the good metaphysician I am, my first thoughts went to the underlying reasons for me to have a heart and breathing issue. Don't I feel loved? Like anyone else, not always. Do I express my love to others? As much as I can. Am I done with this lifetime and ready to move on? I don't think so, but we'll see about that one.
Then there's the entire "I'm not my body" school of thought and karmic reasons and alternate realities and parallel lifetimes plus past lifetimes....all of which adds up to putting me in a state of mind-boggling "who knows!"
For now, I prefer to take the "This is what's on my plate right now so I will deal with it as lovingly as I can" approach, be open to other insights that might come up for me, and see where this little journey takes me.
One of my favorite quotes is one by Helen Keller - "Life is a grand adventure or nothing at all." For those of you who have read my autobiography Anything is Possible, I think you'll agree this is just one more adventure for me.
I'm very glad to have a supportive spouse who is doing everything she can to help me out. Not sure how I would handle this without her! Thank you, Rhonda! And stay tuned as I share more of this adventure and insights with you....Love and Light, Krysta
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