July Issue No. 19 ~ Transformations: Trash turned Treasure

Opening Remarks

We share an adjoining yard with Betty, our 75-year-old neighbor. Last month, Betty offered us her old picnic table, which she was planning to throw out. Hmmm… a recycling opportunity, I thought. With school out for summer, Maria (now 9) and I decided a good summer project would be to paint the old picnic table so we went to Home Depot to pick out our paints. We took weeks to sand, then prime both sides of the weather worn table made by Betty's late husband, Frank. Finally we got to the "fun" part of painting it with bright Disney primary colors. Come August, we'll try stenciling on some insects - nothing like a few little ants, ladybugs and butterflies to go with your picnic. Participating in the transformation of this old table has been fun and uplifting. Last weekend, Betty said, "Frank would love what you did with his table." What was once to be trash is now a proud centerpiece in our yard.

May you too experience some positive transformation of your body, mind and spirit this month. We hope the articles, tips and blips below support you on your way.

Blessings for Healing,



June Soyka Cook
Self-Healing Expressions

~ A Green Note ~ By Judy Morgan From 1900 to 2000, the amount of waste generated in the U.S. rose from a few pounds to nearly a ton per person each year! Many of us are not even aware of where our garbage goes. Generally, it now goes to one of two places, to a landfill or to an incinerator. Both have a significant impact on the environment. What can you do? "Reduce, reuse, and recycle." E.g., Avoid buying things on impulse that may not get used and may end up in the trash later on. Shop for quality items that you can use for many years, rather than items that quickly break or wear out and may have to be thrown out. Judy Morgan has worked with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection for 15 years and is the creator of  Healing the Environment: Healing the Planet Starts at Home.

Things That Make You Go Ommm. . .

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The McCain Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act (S.139/H.R.4067) is a bipartisan reaction to the dangers of global warming. This petition urges U.S. political leaders to support the Climate Stewardship Act and its creation of national caps on greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more and sign the petition here.

Holistic Prayers: Healing the Mind, Body and Spirit Through Prayer
Subscribe to this free uplifting Self-Healing Expressions e-course and get a sense of how our self-paced delivery system works while being inspired by interfaith prayers. Enroll now.

Drinking Water: The Ultimate Health Drink By Julianne Koritz

Most of us are aware that the health experts state we need 8 fluid cups daily to prevent dehydration symptoms but that can include other beverages. However, if you are thirsty right now, that means you are already at a dehydrated state. Being dehydrated causes your metabolism to malfunction and leads to dehydration symptoms, such as being lethargic and not motivated to work, play or workout. Dehydration Symptoms include: headache, constipation, fatigue, irritability, depression, weight gain. . . [Continue reading] Julianne Koritz is the author of the course The Healing Power of Food: The Energized Body Plan.

Techniques for Recalling Dreams By Laura V. Hyde

Because of their honesty, dreams are both powerful and healing. They are a priceless means for connecting with our soul. Through dream work, we are able to cultivate a deep and soulful relationship with our true self and unite authentically with others. This month's dream recall tip: Record your dreams as soon as possible, even if it's during the night. Try not to. . . [Continue reading] Laura V. Hyde is based in California and is the creator and instructor for the course Dreams for Healing: Using Dreams as a Pathway to the Soul.

Finding Your Spiritual Soul Mate: July Tip Honor Your Path, Know When To Change Routes By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway The journey to soulful love is ongoing in daily life. Lived with consciousness, each step will count for something. Even the difficult aspects of romantic evolution can be considered "time served" in preparation for true love. No relationship is bad or wrong, as long as lessons are being learned and no one is getting injured. It's important to . . . [Continue reading] Rev. Laurie Sue is the creator of course Finding Your Spiritual Soul Mate: Transforming Your Romantic Destiny with A Romantic Resumé. She is based in NYC.

A Coping Blurb from Art By Arthur Soissons-Segal, Ph.D. ~ Therapist and Brain Tumor Survivor

Serious illness or disability is a family affair. It reaches out and like a powerful magnet it pulls the emotional strings of all who live within its reach. My disabilities affect my wife's daily life as it does mine. We no longer are able to take long walks due to my poor balance . . . [Continue reading] Arthur Soissons-Segal's is the creator and instructor of and instructor of the course The Joy of Coping: Coming to Terms with Cancer, MS, Stroke, Anxiety or Another Debilitating Illness.

Dear Marty ~ Should I Tell My Dad He's Dying? Q & A by Bereavement Counselor Marty Tousley

Question: We know my dad is dying of cancer but apparently he still isn't aware of the truth. I don't find this to be right. I believe he should be told so if he has things he would like to say or do he can say or do them. I don't find that my stepmother is being fair with him. . . My stepbrother has called to tell me that hospice is dropping more and more hints, the signs of his end are more obvious, and it is really only a matter of time now. My sister and I have decided to. . . Find Marty's response here. Marty Tousley is the creator and instructor of these Self-Healing Expressions courses The First Year of Grief: Help for the Journey and A Different Grief: Coping with Pet Loss.

Write A Way: Journey to Creativity Poetic Spam? The Quest for Inspiration By Sandra Lee Schubert

Inspiration can be found anywhere if you look for it. Daily I weed through emails, separating out the friendly from the Spam. This task has frustrated, annoyed and offended me. One day while visiting the Spam folder to see if friendly mail had been sucked into the void I noticed something. . . [Continue reading] Sandra Schubert lives in NYC and is the creator and instructor for the course Writing for Life: Creating a Story of Your Own.

~ Lynn's Laughter Blip for July ~ By Lynn Shaw, Laugh Therapist

In the Midwest, life tends to s-l-o-w down in July, one of the hottest, stickiest, low energy times of the year. Vacations increase and comfortable temperatures decrease fitting the adage, "lazy days of summer." Things can get so slow in Indiana that a person can make a laughing sound "Ha Ha" and be done for the day! Okay, maybe that's stretching the hot weather impact! Unfortunately, sometimes summer heat also brings its share of frustration. . . [ Continue reading ] Lynn Shaw resides in Indiana and is the creator and instructor of the course Laughter for the Healing Heart.

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Closing Thoughts

Soften my heart,
O God of living waters,
that the shower of Scripture
I am about to read
may enrich the soil of my soul.

Rain down your wisdom
in sacred streams
to carry me like an upturned leaf
through the currents of this gray day.
Amen.


~ Edward Hays, Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim


   

Peace, Love and Light,

Your Friends at Self-Healing Expressions



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Self-Healing Expressions Self-Healing Expressions provides self-paced email courses on holistic topics. Site features guided meditation and healing prayers. Course topics include Dreams for Healing, Romantic Resumé, Grief Healing, Pet Loss, Nutrition, Laugh Therapy, Healing the Earth, More Power to You and more. Its popular (free) Holistic Prayers email course contains interfaith prayers, worldwide prayer vigil announcements and inspiring quotes.