tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34589340754320643452024-03-14T02:26:09.343-06:00Holistic Energy WorksThank you for taking a moment to learn a little more about Holistic Energy Works and about me. I was just voted best Reiki Practitioner in City Magazine (www.citymagazineonline.com) I offer multiple modalities for healing and helping you with your mind, body and spirit connection.Rhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-6626534042149557982011-02-14T12:37:00.001-07:002011-02-14T12:39:19.137-07:00I love...I love you. You love me. We’re a happy family…. Ok so I am not going to go into a purple dinosaur sing a lot with you, but what we are going to talk about is love. One of the things we in America are raised by is the “Golden Rule” to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Though we have taken that in some respects to an extreme and we do not put ourselves first, for some we are seldom put ourselves first.<br /><br />Even if we have not been in a plan, we have heard someone joke about or make reference to the oxygen masks coming down and to make sure you have your mask on before helping someone else. In short, if you ain’t breath’n you ain’t help’n anyone. Even the person we love. Yet it seems ok in day to day life to put ourselves last. Yes the “Golden Rule” says that we to help others, but it does not say to help others and then help yourself. It says not to treat someone as you would treat yourself.<br /><br />Why would you treat someone else better than you treat yourself? It happens and we have all done it. Though I am not suggesting that you change how you live and interact with others all together, what I am asking is to look at how you treat yourself.<br /><br />Look at it this way:<br /><br />You just barked at your BFF and called them a lazy fat-butt (keep’n in PG) and a good for nothing slob. That they do not deserve to be treated fairly because they did not get the laundry done or the kids ready for bed in a timely manner, and then do not feed them all day because they have to play catch up. Force them to eat a greasy burger fixed by a stranger in a kitchen you may or may have never stepped foot in and ask them to eat it really fast before you get to pick up the kids, because you have just denied them food all day.<br /><br />I could give a scenario all day of examples of how we treat ourselves, but I will save you from that. I will however ask you to start treating yourself with kindness and treating yourself as you would someone else. In the end if you do not treat yourself proper, then you really are not giving someone else all that you can. Because while you are standing there helping someone cross the street you may be thinking your stomach is growling or feeling bad about yourself because you did not have time to fix dinner last night.<br /><br />One thing I have learned over the past year is that the more fitness and health that I gain the more easily I am able to take care of things at home. Then I am not so exhausted afterward and I am able to actually enjoy the home or yard I just worked in.<br /><br />Time has passed already since New Year’s Day, so I ask you on this Valentine’s Day to love yourself and make a commitment to yourself to love yourself. To see you are as worthy as your friend or a stranger.<br /><br />Happy Valentine’s Day – Be your Valentine!<br /><br />—Be kind to yourself. You are worth it.—Rhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-69952705623341825742011-02-04T11:10:00.004-07:002011-02-04T13:18:31.275-07:00Reiki Classes 2011Happy February! <br />It is amazing how time flies when we are having fun. The new office is fantatic and if you have not been, please make an appointment today. You will truely be transported to a relaxing place and I look forward to seeing you soon.<br /><br />There are a few classes and workshops that I will be hosting around town in the near future. Listed below are a few already scheduled and also the only Reiki classes to be offered for 2011. These will also be the last Reiki classes for at least a year and a half, so please if this is a path you were going to take and I am a teacher you wish to learn with this is the last opportunity for a while. <br /><br />I will continue to hold smaller workshops and stay tuned for each of those as the dates are set. Thank you to each of you who attended the pendulum class and I look forward to seeing at one of the workshops or classes that are on the way.<br /><br />Workshop on Altars<br />March 5<br />1-2:30<br />$12<br /><br />Reiki 1<br />Thursday, March 10<br />10-5<br />$125<br /><br />Reiki 1<br />Thursday, April 7<br />10-5<br />$125<br /><br />Reiki 2<br />Tuesday, May 10<br />10-5<br />$225<br /><br />Reiki Mastership<br />Saturday & Sunday, June 11 & 12<br />10-5 both days<br />$300<br /><br />Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about any of the classes, times, locations and so on. You can respond to either this email or contact me at holisticenergyworks@gmail.com<br /><br />Joy and light,<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-2357350955319144042011-02-04T11:08:00.000-07:002011-02-04T11:10:14.592-07:00New Years ResolutionWe have all done it, do it or planning it. A New Year’s Resolution to lose weight, to once and for all be skinny or however you phrase it. I know I have done the same thing and still in the process of losing weight or getting healthy. I prefer the term releasing the weight that I no longer need and creating a healthier me.<br /><br />Here is why I phrase it this way. If I lose something, then my subconscious might say “heck, what did she lose? Weight, well goodness we can’t lose something. Here it is back and here is some more in case you lose it again”. Sound familiar? How many of us can say, “I’m really good at losing weight, I’m not really good at keeping it off”? This is why I say that I am letting go of the weight I do not need any more.<br /><br />Why did I need it in the first place? I was unaware that I needed it, but created the protection for whatever reason. If I have extra fat around me then, nobody can hurt my feelings. I will fill the void with food. I do not have to feel anything if I distract myself with food. I cannot have what I want and I want this candy bar so I am going to eat it, because I can have this. These are all the emotional things that I subconsciously thought while mindlessly eating.<br /><br />This year maybe try on a different New Year’s Resolution. “Each week I am going to positively improve some part of myself”. This goes deeper than improving the outside appearance. Because many of us who are obese, morbidly obese or overweight are that way for a reason and it is not just because we like food. It is because we have an emotional thing going on. <br /><br />Here are a few of things to look at for your monthly, weekly or even daily goals in creating that over all positive improvement of yourself in 2011:<br /><br />1.I will give myself an opportunity to help in my community for 4 hours of my month over to a non-profit. You can donate 4 hours of wages or go do volunteer work.<br />2.I will give myself a healthy new food to try each month.<br />3.I will give myself permission to be loved.<br />4.I will give myself a new outlook about work this week.<br />5.I will read once a month a book on spirituality<br />6.I will allow someone to help me.<br />In the end our health is not limited to the outside of our body. It is our body, mind and spirit that make up our total package of who we are. By looking at our weight as something we do not need as protection or a filler to mask something, then we are better able to let it go and keep it away. After all our health is not limited to our physical appearance it is about the inside and out.<br /><br />This year how about making your New Year’s Resolution to be more interactive and not just mentioning that this is what I want the end product to be, but to set different steps to achieve that goal. It is easy to say this is what I want, but without smaller bench marks along the way it is easy to lose sight of the bigger goal or to know there is a deeper reason behind our actions. Sometimes what we are looking at is not really what we are trying to fix in the first place.<br /><br />New podcast coming soon, I can speak better now.<br /><br />Happy New Year!Rhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-43954410036602878132010-10-30T05:48:00.003-06:002010-10-30T06:00:18.362-06:00Moving againSorry, but yes I am moving to another location. The location I am moving from had been absolutely wonderful and Joyce has provided a peaceful setting. Though when the elevator broke it became difficult for many people to make it to an appointment. <br />It is important that healing, stress reduction and personal time to be as carefree as possible, which prompted me to look for a new office space. Then the perfect opportunity came when a friend said she was looking to share her office space and voila, we have a new office. <br />Please, make your appointment today, you will enjoy the new space as much as I will and look forward to becoming nestled and begin working with each of you. You will not have to alter your driving too much, I will be right behind where I currently am in the Carriage Glenn complex. When you make your appointment I will give you exactly how to find me, as the new space is tucked away in an almost private feeling space. <br />I look forward to seeing you soon. Do not forget while you are shopping for everyone else in the upcoming weeks to take some time out for you, because you are worth it.<br />The first class to be offered there will be the weekend of November 6, 10-6 both Saturday and Sunday is Reiki Master. You can take it as an audit or for the first time (must have completed Reiki 1 & 2, at least 21 days prior to the class). If you are interested in taking a Reiki class, please feel free to contact me. It is a wonderful energy to work with and a great way for you to connect to your divine purpose.<br />Happy healing,<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-60806517569008936302010-10-05T07:32:00.001-06:002010-10-05T07:32:47.541-06:00Upcoming Reiki ClassesThere is a weekend of Reiki coming up in November. The weekend of the 6th from 10-6 both days, with a lunch break. Please bring water, snacks and wear comfortable clothing. It is a fun class, with a lot of one on one instruction. You sit with other students and you are guided in how to teach and the different ways in which you can use your Reiki energy.<br />If you have not taken Reiki 1 or 2 and wish to take this class, please contact me immediately.<br />The cost of Reiki Masteship is $300 (please do not let the price turn you away, talk to me first if you are lead this way)<br />I look forward to learning Reiki with you!<br />Peace and joy,<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-45056980847742333532010-08-19T08:38:00.002-06:002010-08-19T08:50:36.923-06:00NatureOften I find myself nestled in nature, while running, walking or riding outdoors. I am often doing this solo. While running I am slow, very slow, almost sloth slow, "is she really moving" slow, though I keep going. <br /><br />During the wee dark hours of the morning I am sitting there completely alone in the darkness with only a glimmer from the headlamp I wear. I am the only person that can get me through those dark scary moments alone while the others run in front of me.<br /><br />One thing that I have learned in participating in triathlons, races and such is that the only person to get me through it, is myself. I have friends there cheering me and giving me words of encouragement, but without the strength of will in my heart I am not going to go anywhere. I have to believe in myself.<br /><br />This is why when I run or ride during the daylight I look for the crane or blue heron standing in the river. As in much of life we stand to learn something from our surroundings. <br /><br />I have watched a crane standing in the water for hours, seemingly in the same position each time I run or ride past. It looks as though standing still or sleeping while standing, a crane is fully alert and ready for what is to come.<br /><br />We all look at the wolf and their strong toughness and seemingly mystical connections to worlds unknown. Or the eagle that soars miles above our heads with sharp talons ready to grab a meal. Though if you sit and watch a crane they are brave, strong and on the mark and they are fully present. <br /><br />The crane stands there with certainty that their food is going to swim by when they need it. Their strength comes in, not fighting or defending territory, but will move onward when their safety is threatened. <br /><br />Be the crane, wait patiently, but be fully present and alert at what you might miss.Rhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-76258099839315441482010-07-14T14:15:00.000-06:002010-07-14T14:16:11.158-06:00Understanding Space ClearingSpaces much like people have energy. In Chinese cultures there is a practice called Feng Shui that states that certain parts of your house are linked to areas of your personal life. In addition to that, there is the energy of a house too.<br /> It is a saying you hear once in a while, “if walls could talk”. Well they do. Have you ever stepped into a vacant office, house or room and felt welcome right away and felt warm and fuzzy all over? Or just the opposite you walk in and feel sad or mad in the space? This is the energy of the space, often of the previous occupants of that space. <br /> We all have energy, it is called chi and much like electrical lines that run all over the city so do our chi lines in our bodies and in our living spaces. So many different things affect our chi and the chi around us. We can have lots of joy, chaos, sadness, celebration and so on, that is emitted from our body. You have heard people say, “I just feel safer when she is around” or “he brings such joy to a room”.<br />For example; when you are talking to someone and you say something that makes them mad, you may feel a “shutter” in your body, that is them assaulting you with their energy (that is a different topic all together, stay tuned). This energy can also stay in that space. If a space has constant sadness, then it can begin to feel heavy and when outsiders enter they feel tired.<br /> I went to one house to visit a client and instantly felt like I needed a nap. I wanted lots of sugar right away. The family had been sick and the sickness caused a lot of resentment and anger between the couple. As a result it made their house feel heavy and dark. Their health was not improving and one of them slept a lot of the time. After their space clearing, each noticed a difference in each other and their increased energy. Because of their constant illness, their clearing needs to happen more often than some.<br /> While one client had just moved and began to feel like there were bugs crawling all over them and had a host of health issues to show up including insomnia, just as they moved into their new house. They did have something bugging them, their house was bugging them and after a space clearing they could sleep more restful and their health returned back to how it was before moving.<br /> These are only a few occurrences, but keep in mind there are some things you can do to help with the energy of your home. <br />• Keep it physically clean as possible of clutter and dirt<br />• Candles, incense and crystals help to aid energy flow<br />• If you have broken appliances or burned out lights, get rid of it<br />• If you have not used something in the past year, you most likely will not, toss it, unless it is something you love<br />• Try not to block door ways<br />• Keep the toilet lid down. No it is not a woman thing. Think of your and the energy of your house being flushed down the drain<br />• Do a house clearing at least once a year or when you notice it feels different. We just had a sick puppy, so a clearing will soon occur in our house.<br />• Make sure there are no gas leaks or other chemical leaks<br /><br />A space clearing cannot fix everything, but it can fix some things. Start with cleaning it up and then look at clearing it up. A clean slate is always a good place to begin in any space.Rhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-20702340522438339272010-06-14T08:44:00.004-06:002010-06-14T09:01:19.829-06:00Welcome Summer and a summer specialSummer is almost here and it is time to get ready. Spring is a time of rebirth and of waking from winters slumber. It is no surprise that the element for summer is fire and the organs associated with summer/fire in Chinese medicine are the heart and the liver.<br /><br />Our hearts provide such a diverse level of function. It is not surprise that when our hearts are not well we have so many other physical and emotional problems to occur. Our hearts supply the blood to our bodies, gives the it what it needs for joints, muscle building and so much more. <br /><br />A well balanced heart leads us to a more total healthy body, mind and spirit. Our hearts do so much and feel so much, that is why it is important to pay attention to our heart health. With that comes healthy eating, exercise, reducing stress and loving ourselves.<br /><br />In honor of summertime being just around the corner I am offering 12 gift certificates for reflexology for $21. First come, first pay, first receive a great offer at almost 50% off a regular visit. Let me know and I will let you know when I will be in the office or make other arrangements with you. Start your summer off right, love yourself, love your total Body (body-mind-spirit).<br /><br />Happy almost summer!<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-78404734080730566672010-05-14T07:36:00.001-06:002010-05-14T07:36:35.562-06:00Karma Part 2Now we have looked at instant Karma, but there are so many other ways to look at karma and the path or paths that we take in our day to day lives. The general idea of how karma works is the general “cause and effect”. If I do this, then that can happen and so forth, but for many traditions of spiritual and religious beliefs this carries over from life to life.<br /> Let us look at this life and how some of the things in past lives can carry over. I have a thing that when I take a nap, I wake up hungry, like I did not eat before I lay down. I am like that when I wake up. This could be from left over time as a nomad roaming the country I would nap and eat when I could before continuing onward. I do not know for certain, but recognize this as a pattern and a possibility. <br /> Pay attention to repeat patterns that may seem unusual to you. Not in comparing ourselves from others, but if we do something currently that you cannot find a direct link in this life. These could be connections to our past lives. Just like many of the famous composers of music, many were young children writing masterpieces that we still enjoy today. It is said that they would reference that they have done this before and now we are able to recognize their past life connection. <br /> Karma can be seen as a positive and a negative force in your life. Truth is it is all positive as a path for our soul’s progression, though the path we take on Earth may not always be one without trials or tribulations. We all have choice to enable our personal growth where we need it, some choices are easier than others to accept.Rhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-68138723685051970152010-04-22T08:08:00.002-06:002010-04-22T08:11:08.152-06:00Karma Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zGcLn6oBtfJHmeX8S686qUBecbqYL-8dzhl3WN8vQNCNJ4TcnjkNDDplm_q3YfSIsGnbSdrhGpmSCZC5UsYKFvVykZnM4ZAhyxTzfMXXdTPlrP-zmMOUI4TCqYUi3MYsGjr6iGIfE_U/s1600/me+at+the+HU+chapel.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zGcLn6oBtfJHmeX8S686qUBecbqYL-8dzhl3WN8vQNCNJ4TcnjkNDDplm_q3YfSIsGnbSdrhGpmSCZC5UsYKFvVykZnM4ZAhyxTzfMXXdTPlrP-zmMOUI4TCqYUi3MYsGjr6iGIfE_U/s200/me+at+the+HU+chapel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462963980607261810" /></a><br />Karma<br /> Instant Karma<br /><br />Welcome to the next few weeks as we talk about Karma. I will try to avoid jokes and puns involving Karma. In this instance we will also talk about Karma in this life and the past lives, in reference to our interactions with those around us. Grab your open mind, let go of your dogma and let us go on a journey into a world we do not always understand or openly want to accept.<br /><br />John Lennon sung, “Instant karma’s gonna get youGonna knock you right on the headYou better get yourself togetherPretty soon you’re gonna be deadWhat in the world you thinking ofLaughing in the face of loveWhat on earth you tryin’ to doIt’s up to you, yeah youInstant karma’s gonna get you” <br />I’ll even share the youtube link… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2opHHNFd0Mg<br /><br />I do not claim to be the all knowing or have an upper hand, but I do try to look at the whole picture. Over the next couple of weeks, I hope to spark your intrigue and quest for more knowledge on the subject of Karma. This week will look at Karma or instant Karma in this life.<br /><br />It is so easy to go about our lives and pay no attention to those around us and our interactions. We are online, on our phones, in books, conversations and otherwise distracted and caught up in our own little world. I know there are days I end at a destination having chatted all the way there and could not tell you a thing I passed. That says to me an accident waiting to happen, because was I going the speed limit, how many street signs did I pass? I was on autopilot. Not cool!<br /><br />Or how often do you say, there is always tomorrow, I will start tomorrow or I will finish tomorrow or reach out to someone tomorrow. Why? Because we do not look at how our interactions affect other people. What we may think is showing concern, can seem like confrontation to another person. It is hard to know exactly how someone is going to take something we say or do, that is why when we act impulsively sometimes people get hurt. <br /><br />So often we are left with decisions of reaction and action. On this Earth Day 2010, are our actions toward the earth taking into consideration the affects of people with us? There is an Iroquois saying, "We cannot simply think of our survival; each new generation is responsible to ensure the survival of the seventh generation. The prophecy given to us, tells us that what we do today will affect the seventh generation and because of this we must bear in mind our responsibility to them today and always." Are we making choices so that those after us know the beauty and the wonder that surrounds us now? <br /><br />In our day to day actions we encounter quite a number of people. Your action to the lady you passed on the way into that store can affect how she reacts later. Nope, everyone will not be happy or full of joy that does not matter. What matters is your heart and spreading love and happiness when you are out and about or general interacting with others. I once said good morning to a person at a front desk in a building where I worked, 5 days a week, twice a day for three months. Then one day, finally I heard a whispered “morning”. That good morning became less strained and I eventually saw a smile, but many people thought this person was mean. Actually, nobody took time to know that they were having a hard time and had a low self-esteem. I was glad I had a moment to show that I cared, because when I had tears in my eyes one day, I was greeted first with a good morning. That just warmed my heart beyond all words.<br /><br />Next time you go to do something, ask yourself. How will this affect someone? Will my actions hurt someone? Will my actions help someone? Look back at things you have done and see how they affected people around you and around people they will encounter. When you went through the drive-thru did you say thank you smile and ask about their day? Your reactions can transfer to the car behind you and may snowball.<br /><br />Go out and try to spread joy!<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-40189616135010944042010-04-04T05:50:00.001-06:002010-04-04T05:51:25.139-06:00The Art and Relaxation of MeditationThe Art and Relaxation of Meditation<br />April 22, 6:30 – 8:30; $10 in the Holistic Energy Works office<br />Have you ever sat on the balcony at the beach watching the waves and the sunrise with a cup of hot coffee in complete silence, then felt a complete peace and calm afterward and for much of the day? Or have you sat and watched the twinkles of the Christmas tree lights blink and change, later to notice you are more focused? Or looked for shapes in the cloud on a partly cloudy spring day, feeling an inner calm as you got up to go home?<br />You may not realize it, but you were meditating. For that moment that was the most important thing for you to do, whether you realize it or not. Meditating helps us to gain focus, lose weight, rest and a host of other things. Though meditating has this whole crazy expectation of people sitting on cushions or folded into a strange positions or whatever you have heard, so you did not realize it. There are all sorts of ways to meditate, but most of us do not know this most of our lives. <br />Meditation is simply removing thought from your head for a few minutes each day. I know easier said than done and hard to recognize the value until you do it on a regular basis. Meditation has helped me to do all sorts of things that I would not have been able to do as easily before I had a regular practice of meditation. <br />On April 22, I will hold a meditation workshop from 6:30-8:30, to help teach you several different types of meditation. It is a $10 class that will also include a guided meditation, instruction on different types of meditation and better understanding of the benefits of meditation.Rhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-22243537665868969032010-03-12T07:15:00.002-07:002010-03-12T07:26:36.377-07:00PerceptionIt is funny how our perception is different from time to time. I had a friend mention to me the other day after being excited over 50 degree weather in March, that in July it will seem to cold. Though in March I was going without a jacket, but sure to put one on in July.<br /><br />So yeah our perception does change, as we grow up, have different experiences and so on. After all, how many times have you mentioned to a sibling or a close friend about a shared experience and you have almost two different views of what happened. A saying we have in our house is "self perception is everything" and it is, though we have to remember how others perceive us. Mainly the small ones in our lives and who cross our path.<br /><br />How many times when you were a kid did you hear "do as I say do and not as I do"? I heard it a lot, because I wanted to also eat a glob of peanut butter on a spoon like my Mom or have a drink in the living room. Why the double standard I thought? So as soon as I became old enough I did, just those things. I ate gobs of peanut butter on a spoon and took drinks to sit in front of the TV, because that is what grownups do. <br /><br />Well at 300 pounds this grownup was looking at a lot of impending health issues at 32 and started making some necessary changes. Though it has been slow going, I have finally reached a point where those changes are becoming more of who I am and not just an idea. It is tough to break the ideas and habits that we create in our mind growing up.<br />For me one of the hardest things to break was eating out. My perception growing up was that you were "poor" if you eat at home all the time. Now I recognize that I do not have control over what goes into my food if I eat out. I am constantly asking what ingredients are in the food I am being served and looking more closely at what I eat. Now I recognize it is "poor" to eat out all the time, because the quality of the food at most places these days are not the healthiest options for me. They do not care, they do not have to worry with paying chemotherapy bills or to pay for a heart attack or stroke. <br />Remember that your students, children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren and so on are watching you and you have the ability to change their perception of health and how to be healthy. So change your perception and make informed decisions and become a good steward of your health, your life depends on it.<br />Peace and joy,<br />RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-496241956989417692010-02-22T07:26:00.002-07:002010-02-22T07:37:30.632-07:00upcoming classes and moreLast week the post "Mentors and Growth" went out. It was nice to see how many people were touched by what was said. Now I ask; How many of you stopped to send a card or a kind note to someone who has been your mentor or teacher to thank them?<br /><br />There has been some changes to some upcoming classes and I want to let you know to avoid any further confusion. <br /><br />Reiki 2 Certification (must have Reiki 1, does not have to be from me, but you do need your certificate) $225 with $50 deposit and registration a week prior to class start.<br />March 6, 12-6<br /><br />Finding your Mandala<br />March 18, 7-9<br />$15 most materials provided (if you have something you wish to create a piece on, then bring that.)<br /><br />Reiki 1 Certification<br />$125 with $50 deposit and registration a week prior to class start.<br />March 30 & 31, 1-4 both days<br /><br />More classes to come, so stay tuned.<br /><br />Peace and joy,<br />RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-78246088279141404832010-02-17T06:55:00.003-07:002010-02-17T07:09:51.315-07:00mentors and growthThroughout history whether it be mythology, fiction or true life, we have all had a mentor or mentors in our life. King Arthur had Merlin, Harry Potter had Dumbledore and so on. Each President when they take office state who their primary influence was to get them to the top office our our country. Those teachers that have guided us and inspired us and they can come form all walks of life, family, celebrities and so on. Those that could inspire our academic pursuits such as Madam Curie to Thomas Jefferson or athletically Dara Torres to Lance Armstrong or socially like Billie Jean King or Freddrick Douglas. Everyone has had role models or people that they look up to, none of us are exempt. At the same time our role models can come in and out of our lives and be there only when we need them.<br />At the same time, we have also been mentors to someone at some point in our life. We are also still learning. Everything that we do, we should consider that we are still in a practice, because ultimately we can never perfect anything. All that we do will always have room for growth. As well as helping others to grow. <br />Even though we may not have children running around our house to motivate, inspire and teach, we at some time in our life will do just that to someone or we may do that on a daily basis and not realize it. This is why we treat others how we wish to be treated and we help others to succeed and grow, just as others have helped us. Remember there are vast amounts of potential out there and as others grow around us, so do we. As we help one another our world around us becomes a more peaceful and grand place to live in.<br />Grow and be enlightening!<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-86298284428448550942010-01-20T08:11:00.000-07:002010-01-20T08:15:07.139-07:00Happy Vday planningAs we begin looking at the month ahead, the month of love and broken hearts. How can one single day have the ability to do both? It is simple we set expectations and they are popped somehow. We have all done it and it is easy to do. Though we get disappointed when we do not get extra sparkly ring or the white table cloth dinner, we do not have the same level of disappointment when we let ourselves down even though we do on almost a daily basis.<br /> So this year for Valentine’s Day instead of hints or tips that often only we recognize, try stating outright, “Let’s go…” or “Let’s look at” or plan something exciting together. It can be more meaningful if you share in the experience from the beginning. A surprise can be a part of dinner or a peaceful picnic by the creek with a fire or whatever you decide to do to share your moments together. <br /> Remember to also treat yourself to something special, you deserve it. It is all a part of self love that is important to do, because if we do not love ourselves then who will. Take yourself out to lunch one day that week or buy a latte you have been keeping an eye on or get a massage or whatever you think of that is a treat, that you do not do all the time. <br />Happy V-day planning!<br />-Rhonda<br />*Next class is January 30, 12-6, Reiki 1 Certification ($125/student-full-time student rate available) registration due one week in advance (gotta order the books and make the copies).Rhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-77937866532604807762009-12-28T08:48:00.000-07:002009-12-28T08:49:10.224-07:00ResolutionsResolutions<br /><br />Here is to your 2009 wrapping up with lots of health and joy! <br />This week we are going to all embark on a brand spanking spiffy fresh New Year’s Resolution. Though I did not make it all the way through 2009 with my resolution next year, I am once again setting a goal to floss at least once a week. I know, daily is suppose to happen, but if it is more than once a quarter than it is an improvement. At least I am honest.<br />The advice I have for you and your New Year Resolution is to try and look at the whole of you and all aspects of your life. Set goals and set specific changes to help you achieve those goals. I am buying new flossing agents, flavored too and finding what makes it easiest to happen. <br />Maybe with this fantastic dawning of 2010, you look at how you can improve your life and not take away things. Yes it feels amazing to step on a scale and see the distance it revolves around or counts up to decrease feels amazing. However, our subconscious can see that we are losing something. How many times have you lost and regained, plus some? It is because we do not like to lose things in our life.<br />Try to set goals, such as to become healthier, to complete a 5K or to eat more veggies. It feels better when we reach our goals and we do not “lose” things. We are creating a whole new healthier self. Try to give to yourself and not take away from. Make it about the reward and not the punishment.<br />In a church I use to attend we had a “Healing Candle”, with that part of service we would light a candle (obviously) and say a mantra or a prayer or whatever you want to call it along with light a candle. I would like to share that with you. It is a good way to look at ourselves and where we might have a place to focus and also away to find where our strength is. I invite you to look at ways in which you might have disease or dis-ease or fear living in your life. Let it go and live with love.<br />Healing Candle<br />Disease is so limited: It cannot cripple love. It cannot shatter hope. It cannot corrode faith. It cannot eat away peace. It cannot destroy confidence. It cannot kill friendship. It cannot shut out memories. It cannot silence courage. It cannot invade the soul. It cannot reduce eternal life. It cannot quench the Spirit. It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection. In god’s love we rest. Amen.<br />Peace and joy,<br />RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-59293329974098775992009-12-23T07:27:00.000-07:002009-12-23T07:28:17.018-07:00Winter 2010 Classes!Reiki classes for winter 2010 announced!<br /><br />Learning about Chakras<br />February 11 6:30-8:30<br />$10<br />Registration requested!<br /><br />Finding Your Mandala<br />February 27 12-2<br />$15 (some materials provided)<br />Registration requested!<br /><br />REIKI 1<br />January 30 12-6<br />February 24 & 25 12-4<br />March 10 & 11 6-9<br /><br />All Reiki 1 classes are $125, with $50 deposit due one week before class<br /><br />REIKI 2<br />March 6 12-6<br />All Reiki 2 classes are $225, with $50 deposit due one week before class<br /><br />Reiki Mastership<br />Coming in late spring 2010<br /><br />+Ask about full-time student rates.<br />++Ask about hosting a Reiki class.<br /><br />www.holisticenergyworks.comRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-37710304316238937212009-12-21T07:24:00.003-07:002009-12-21T08:14:21.412-07:00December tip #3Wishing you a joyful and peaceful Winter Solstice!<br />With the Winter Solstice comes extra activity from the spirit world. This may be an active time for you to be thinking about your family members that have passed on. Not only because the holidays bring this out more, but also the Winter Solstice. <br />It is so throughout other times of the year, but more so at this transitional point in the year, it is easier for you to talk to those on the other side. They may also come to you more in your dreams and interact with you.<br />Let your loved ones know you love them and you think about them and talk to them. It is possible. You can also ask for a sign, but make it simple and somewhat common. <br />Here are my suggestion on how to help you. Remember that now your loved ones are angels now and may not be readily available, for they may be watching over you or someone else in your family. So be patient your symbol or sign may not come right away. Sit somewhere private and quiet, outside might be good, for different reasons, but be comfortable. Talk to them and let them know what you are thinking. They may not be able to reply back the way you would like, but there are things you can do to help you to know they heard you. One thing I use is a feather. You will be amazed at where the symbol you asked for will show up. I've gone to the restroom in a department store and found a feather sitting there on the holder for the toilet paper. I hope that was not a TMI thing. haha! I also had a friend in spirit play a song constantly in department stores, restaurants, elevators and so on to let me know he was with me for a few days. It was nice and made me smile. I have not heard it since, unless I play it specifically on my iPod. Remember though that something you relate with your loved one may not always be the thing that they would think of so maybe make it a neutral thing. That is why a feather has worked for me.<br />There are a lot of other examples, like a client would get a stitch in their side every year on their birthday. Their brother would "goosy" them from behind when he was here in his physical body, so as an angel they got a stitch every year on their birthday on the same side. So our loved ones are around us, we just have to stop and pay attention to how they talk to us. We also have to be willing to know they are there too and talk to them.<br />Peace and joy!<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-35303546899715375102009-12-14T07:44:00.001-07:002009-12-14T07:44:36.245-07:00stress reduce tip #2Happy Hanukkah!<br />With us well on our way through December the malls are full and people are running here and there to find the perfect gift. It can not only add stress to you for getting out in the hussle and bussle, but can add to the stress to your financial budget. Take time this year and maybe consider a few of these gifts.<br />1. Kiva.org or Global Giving - You help people in other countries or even this country to support their organization or to help fund their new business adventures. They have various denominations of gift certificates you can choose from and is certainly a gift that will feel good to give.<br /><br />2. Try something homemade, whether you bake or make something, it shows you took time and it came from the heart. Not to mention you can fill whatever you make with your love. Here are few ideas: Cookie jars, bake a loaf of bread or some cookies, paint or some kind of artistic adventure.<br /><br />3. Pampered stuff, everyone likes to feel good. Get a nice bar of soap so they can feel special and smell good.<br /><br />4. Volunteer or donate to a local organization in someones name.<br /><br />5. Always give from the heart and not out of expectations. It will help you feel more fulfilled and less stressed.<br /><br />Enjoy the weeks ahead!<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-75705992662219059452009-12-01T06:58:00.002-07:002009-12-01T07:46:40.942-07:00Happy December 2009!Happy December!<br /><br />The weeks ahead of us are full of joy, sadness, stress, frustration and laughter. I cannot think of a month throughout a year that brings so many different emotions and often very strong. I hope that these next few weeks of discussion will help you through these most trying weeks of Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanza and the dawning of 2010.<br /><br />I get caught in the expectation of the holiday season and remember the joyous carefree times of my childhood. So I get sad when it does not have the same feeling of running down the hall, in my jammies, bed head, morning breath and all, to look at the excitement of what Santa left me. You see until I was older and had some sort of concept of money (though this was not until recent years, LOL!) how incredibly stressful this could have been on my parents. <br /><br />Not to mention that I have mammoth stocking that my parents would try to fill every year. You see, I came home on Christmas day in 1972 in that red stocking. Now it fits like a long tube sock, but at one time baby Rhonda was snuggled down inside. To fill that stocking is impossible as not only have they, but Tammy too has tried to fill this stocking. All to come up with a lot of extra stocking at the end. If it was a bag of chips, we would be good to go with some snack-mosphere. <br /><br />Now that red stocking, tho full, does not have a physical thing inside of it. It is full of joyous memories and with love. Though many of the memories involve people in my life that have moved away or passed on, but they are still in my heart. My grandmother laughing at my bear claw bedroom slippers and putting them on and motoring around with her walker wearing bear feet or my friend Walt who wore a Santa hat and a big grin almost all of December.<br /><br />So this holiday season, try to remember what and who you do have and not what you do not. Let those around you know they are important and not just during December. It is easy to not appreciate what we do have until we do not. Especially when there is love involved and a warm and fuzzy memory of years gone by. Do something special in memory of those no longer with us and let them know that you love them, chances are they are not to far from hearing. (I buy a poinsettia and give it to someone in memory of my grandmother and always wear a Santa hat on Christmas Eve with a big grin.) They are most likely a guardian angel looking over you and they too love you too. You'll know that something special to do.<br /><br />Happy December!<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-68538278055882183912009-11-20T09:54:00.004-07:002009-11-20T10:21:40.932-07:005 weeks and 5 precepts week 5First off, I want to let you know that from next week through the holiday season I will be offering tips and suggestions to help you get through this season with less stress and more joy. For many it is a stressful, sad and unhappy time for many reasons, so these are to help increase joy and love all around us. Another exciting thing I am going to start on Monday through the first of the year, is to post on my status, some tidbit of holiday trivia, for the first person to correctly answer the question, you will win a free 30 minute reflexology appointment. Only one opportunity to win throughout the season, so everyone has an opportunity to feel the joy of winning. So pay attention, have fun and good luck!<br /><br />I have enjoyed the past five weeks. As I have enjoyed learning new things and being reminded of things, I hope that you have too. Now for the fifth precept.<br /><br />5. Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films, and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body or my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society, and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger, and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self-transformation and for the transformation of society.<br /><br />Well, there is a lot to cover. In short, this can be a lengthy discussion and has so many different branches to look into ourselves with. Take a moment to digest what the fifth precept is saying and a moment to reflect. It does wrap up the five weeks in connecting our mind and our body to the overall health of ourselves and our society.<br /><br />The base belief is to be mindful of what we put into our body, this includes the things we entertain ourselves with. If we watch a lot of violence, this energy is put back into the world, just by our reactions and by saying it is okay to continue to make movies and television programs with unnecessary violence, not to say any violence is okay. As mentioned in an above precept. <br /><br />Now I can go into the organic foods and pesticides and the chemicals that are on or in our foods, but I am not. Just know that there are harmful elements within food that is not organic. <br /><br />The long of the short of the five weeks is to be mindful and think of the impact that we have on our society as a whole. All of our actions impact others, even if we are not in direct contact with them. The best is to love and respect all.<br /><br />Peace and joy,<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-57828720790291039602009-11-12T07:47:00.000-07:002009-11-12T07:52:07.852-07:005 weeks and 5 precepts week 4Please keep the same respect as we have kept the past three weeks. Enjoy the journey and hope you have learned something new, with one more week left. I know I have learned a lot and have seen how it is linked to other spiritual practices.<br /><br />“4. Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I vow to cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn thins of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.”<br /><br /> So; were you picked on in school by a bully? Told by someone you love you won’t amount to anything? Called fat, ugly or some other scaring name? <br /> Then; have you been praised? Gotten a pat on the back? Told that you did a good job and inspired someone?<br />If you are lucky, you have only experienced the latter, but for many of us we have been picked on possibly still are and those words never really leave the back of our minds. For many it stays in the front of their minds and they may never able to achieve their maximum potential. While others are able to push through, because they had one person to believe in them and their potential and they have gone on to do amazing things.<br />Words of hate are spoken out of fear, for whatever reason. How many bullies have you watched on a school play ground, run to a car with a greeting parent to hear the same “bully words” spoken to them? Sad but true, many bullies are picked on by someone they love. This does not make it okay to say or do these things, it shows that patterns are created and continued. Even just by watching what someone may say or do and they see the reaction that can be received.<br />Sadly there have been many people to have died at the words of a bully or someone to have taken the words spoken by someone seriously even if it was meant as a joke. Sometimes the actions of words are taken to extremes and become violent. I am reminded of Matthew Shepherd, bullied and beaten to death for being gay, James R. Byrd Jr. bullied and beaten to death for being black. The many unspoken names of people who gave up and committed suicide and this can go on. <br />There are many people who have succumbed to hate speech in some form or another. Many just give up on themselves, while others have a different fate. Our words have energy and they pack a mighty punch and may impact more than a fist. Remember this next time you find yourself angry, afraid or otherwise about to speak something negative. <br /><br />Peace and joy,<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-37965546589263270952009-11-09T15:31:00.001-07:002009-11-09T15:38:23.679-07:005 weeks and 5 precepts week 3This has been quite an interesting couple of weeks, we are entering week three and I hope this opens your mind and heart as much as the previous two weeks has mine. <br /><br /> Same levels of respect as the two previous weeks are appreciated.<br />“3. Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families form being broken by sexual misconduct.”<br /> Oh wow! How many times have we sent hat happen to someone we know or to us? Life happens and we are human. We have human feelings, thoughts and reactions. So many various situations, experiences and occurrences can put us into situations that can be difficult. <br /> This goes back sort of to the first precept in that it is important to respect ourselves and others. To recognize that our actions do not only for some brief moment in time satisfy whatever it is that we may be craving, but it can and does affect the lives of may other people around us. <br /> This kind of goes with the exercise we are given as a child growing up to deal with or temper. Stop, count to ten and think about what can happen, who is affected, and how it can affect your life and the life of others. <br />It goes without saying that we are all connected, we are all one and we all take care of each other. We have to remember that our actions and reactions do not just affect us. <br /><br />Peace and joy,<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-69586870815901788632009-10-29T11:44:00.006-06:002009-10-29T12:10:07.501-06:005 weeks and 5 precepts week 2Welcome to week 2 of discussing the 5 precepts. Thank you Deb for your thoughtful input and contribution to the discussion.<br />As with week one the same levels of respect still apply with this week and the following weeks. Please and thank you.<br /><br />The 2nd Precept:<br />Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I vow to cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of people, animals and plants. I vow to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent others from profiting from suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.<br /><br />2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami: I observe the precept of abstaining from taking that which is not given.<br /><br />This precept has several levels to it, just as the first and can have many focal points of interpretation. My brief interpretation is to do you work well, do it honestly and respect others along your path. One view is being honest in the work you do and to honor the people you work for and the people who come to you for assistance (wherever you work). <br /><br />In addition to the practice of respecting one another in our interactions of our employment it also includes the work done to assist the community in which you live. That it can be seemed as selfish to not share of your time, resources or knowledge to create a better world around us. This interpretation can also help in the Buddhist practice of non-attachment. By not being afraid of losing things, money and so on, it helps to not create unhappiness at the possible moment of loss. This is more complicated and a whole discussion of it's own, but none the less here is something to look at.<br /><br />Take this to the extreme way of looking and thinking of this precept. Imagine if it was okay for us to steal. Let us say that we were like Robin Hood and we were taking from the rich to give to the poor. This does not give any right to privacy and at what point does it become okay to cross to others to steal from. This could then create a state of turmoil and injustice, causing many levels of unrest.<br /><br />Remember that any look at ourselves and the lives around us in a different way can seem absurd, scary and may seem insulting. I invite you to continue on this journey of looking at yourself and seeing how you can apply the precepts to your life or your current spiritual practice. The key word there being practice, because we are continually in a state of change and self improvement. Our will, is constantly challenged.<br /><br />Peace and joy,<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458934075432064345.post-57254700825689927012009-10-22T10:15:00.006-06:002009-10-22T11:04:47.808-06:005 weeks and 5 precepts week 1Those of you who know me, also know that I react to signs. If something crosses my path more than three times or I also use feathers for signs, but either way I got a sign. Something crossed my path now three times and I finally stopped to listen and decided to share it with you. It is not something new, but I recognize it was something I had forgotten.<br /> <br />I also recognize that there is a possibility that it may offend you or not be in your spiritual belief system. I invite you to read on any how and see how similar it is to whatever believe system you have. I have had "The Five Wonderful Precepts" cross my path and over the next five weeks will be sharing each of the five with you and invite discussion with you on these. Please remember as you share your thoughts, that you do not pass judgment on someones belief or try to force your belief on someone. It is a non-biased conversation about a spiritual belief. Maybe offer a similar belief in your spiritual practice. <br /><br />Buddha gave us the five precepts as kind of a way to live, but they are not considered to be the Buddhist version of the ten Commandments, but ways of which to live our lives and in using a Buddhist term reach Nirvana. This is the simple way of describing without getting into a whole discussion of several other Buddhist concepts that it has been considered connected to.<br /><br />The version of the precepts I will use are taken from Thich Nhat Hanh after a retreat in 1991, replacing the do not's from the original version to a more positive affirming phrase. Though I will include the original form.<br />" 1. Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people, animals, and plants. i am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking and in my way of life.<br />Original Sanskrit and direct translation version:<br />"1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami: I observe the precept of abstaining from the destruction of life. "<br /><br />This is kind of obvious on some point in that for us all to live in harmony we recognize all sentient beings as having feelings and deserving of respect. A sentient being is someone who is able to feel, basically any creature living or breathing. In Buddhism plants and trees are considered sentient.<br /><br />In short, we watch after each other and help each other and all of God's creatures out wherever we are able. Remembering that as humans and thinking beings, often times those around us have to go through their own path in life, even though it may be difficult to watch. It is their karmic path for this life, we just offer what we can<br />. <br />We pass this love and compassion and respect onto our pets and family and even friends. One sentient being we often forget is ourselves. Interestingly enough, it took me almost 10 years to realize this myself. Even though I had been practicing non-violence toward others (The practice used by Martin Luther King and by Ghandi)it was not until I was reading a book, until I realized that the compassion I gave others, I was not giving myself. I put myself down, did not give myself the same level of respect I gave others, although I was and am just as deserving. So remember that as a sentient being you have all the right to treat yourself with compassion, love and understanding that you give others. <br /><br />This is the first of five precepts. All as kind of a "lesson plan" for living a more fulfilled life. I hope you enjoy this glance at the five precepts and it helps you to look at places in your life where you might be able to enrich you and brighten the light within you.<br /><br />Peace and joy,<br />-RhondaRhonda Chattinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17387467967843952804noreply@blogger.com2