Open public doors (like at the Post Office) with the bottom of my shirt
If my face itches, wipe it with my shirt sleeve or neck of my shirt
Wipe my fingers on my clothing after touching anything in public, especially after inputting my PIN during checkout process
Bag my own groceries
Do breathwork, especially after going out in public
Breathe out forcefully (through my nose) several times immediately after leaving a store
Use hand sanitizer immediately upon getting back into the car
Wash my hands thoroughly (when I get home) before doing anything else after going out—thanks to nurse Trina Felber, creator of Primal Life Organics for her informative hand washing video!
Shine my Photonic Health 660nm red light up my nose, in ears, and on my head and neck especially after going out
Use Primal Life Organics’ copper tongue scraper (and drink water out of a copper cup once a day—I believe in the health benefits of copper!
Sing (Self tuning Sound Therapy!)
Move my body often: Pilates, Qigong, Yoga, walk, dance, Yamuna (thanks to ongoing encouragement of my former teachers via their texts, podcast episodes, Facebook groups, and Live videos!)
Log my food and water intake (been doing that for 2+ years)
Weigh in each morning (since 9/19/20) thanks to Florida Blue’s Omada weight management program
Hug my body in new ways
Use self acupressure (nightly routine to beat the nighttime snacking habit and kick it to the curb!)
Hug my husband
Hug my son, his girlfriend, and our neighbors
Strengthen bonds with friends
Stay busy, but take time to rest and relax
Be “Present” MORE
Bring my WHOLE self into my work
Learn new things (Living “Off Grid” has been quite challenging!)
Take cold showers (thanks to Wim Hof and our new “Off Grid” pioneer-like lifestyle)
Released the COVID lockdown weight (thanks to the Omada program and Primal Life Organics weight loss supplements!)
Mood
Yes, I had gained 20 pounds in 3 months due to being stressed and depressed—mood can trigger all kinds of hormonal changes… plus, all the self sabotaging-thoughts like, “we’re all gonna die, so I’ll eat what I want” that seem to crop up when all you hear is doom and freaking gloom crap! But, thankfully, when I got my head back on straight, I released all 20 pounds in about 4.5 months.
Now, I feel so accomplished and motivated to lose the rest of the excess weight I’ve carried on my body for over 20 years! —Read more about what I’m doing here: https://sheilamurrey.net/2020/12/20/integration-diet/
Little things add up!
A bit about me:
Personal Energy teacher with a brand new, 4-week, small group, self-coaching transformational program called, Integrated Spiral. All about transformative daily practices that apply what we have and bring us back into balance: mind, body, spirit, and soul. We expand our perspectives to diffuse tension (within ourselves) and empower (and improve) our relationships—even the ones we think we’ve lost.
An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon.
2020 Year in Review: Challenging, Adjusting, and Healing
I was sooo very fortunate to go on a Yoga cruise (facilitated by Cindy Bartz of Tampa, Florida) in January, just after my birthday. Yep. A self-care gift to ME!
Two of my girlfriends went with me and we had a blast! One brought another friend, so the four of us could pal around. It was aWEsOMe! Little did I know then how much I was going to need Yoga, breathwork, and every tip I picked up there during the days, weeks, and months to come.
In Cozumel Mexico Jan 2020
2020 has been an emotionally turbulent year for me. Physically, we moved from Merritt Island, Florida on Feb. 29th, and then, days later, the emotional rollercoaster of the COVID-19 virus began (with all of its associated fear mongering, misinformation, disinformation, judgmental attitudes, lockdowns, etc. And we don’t even watch the news!), but I hear enough from my own circles of influence.
We had all kinds of plans for 2020. But most got canceled or postponed, and we couldn’t even explore our new area either. And that all set me up for depression, weight gain (and thankfully now, weight loss), along with some extremely tense and emotional days (as we fumbled with adjusting to off grid living).
Minding My Energy became like a cosmic joke—played on ME! (This is a t-shirt design I made in 2019, way before I knew I would have to literally manage our energy when we moved “off grid”!
In hindsight, we shouldn’t have tackled moving off the grid this year, but we really had NO IDEA how cRaZy challenging it would be, or that something called COVID would occur.
My son on the roof of our 5th wheel to cut tree branches so “we’d fit” into our RV off grid spot.
On the other hand, we’re now, considered “preppers,” and fairly self-contained (and ready) to handle whatever comes our way! Haha!
Awakening
I did manage to make it to emcee the Awakening Into the Sun outdoor yoga and music festival the first weekend in March (it’s an annual event). But even that weekend presented issues for me.
Crystal Bay hotel in St. Pete (where we usually stay), was booked solid, so I chose a different hotel near the park and I could walk to the event. That turned out to be the wrong choice for me, because between the downtown traffic, and the fact that it got cold that night and the window wouldn’t close in the hotel room bathroom, I was cold and couldn’t sleep. And though I complained to the front desk, no one came to fix the window.
I love doing emcee work, and the festival was aWEsOMe, but only two of my friends showed up, and there seemed a somber tone hanging over the crowd. We were at a new park this year, much larger, so I remember thinking that was all it was, but just 3 days later we would all become acutely aware of what was going on.
Awakening is such a good word to use to describe all of the challenges I was to experience this year as I managed my own Energy (in myriad ways), and dove into my shadow to shake up the things within me that needed clearing, healing, and balancing.
And while I’m getting there (working my own Integrated Spiral program), I am not as fine tuned as I desire—yet. Maybe I never will be, but that is my work and mission for the rest of my life.
Canceled travel plans
This year, what with all the Stay Home orders, and our secluded living arrangement (though we are camping on the same property as my son), the announcement about COVID, the closing of restaurants and shops, and cancellation of our travel plans, took a toll on my psyche.
My son shaved my head about a month into our living here. No way could I deal with wearing a mask (and not have the rubber bands from in tangle in all my naturally curly hair)! Plus, I felt like I wanted to hang in solidarity with two friends who had lost their hair due to chemo treatments to treat cancer. A show of gratitude and support for them.
Shaving my head also gave me one less thing to think about, as my workload doubled through the summer months too, which didn’t help my stress levels.
List of plans that were canceled or postponed:
Alania’s Gainesville retreat (prepaid)
SoulTreat (prepaid / postponed to Oct 2021)
Rock Your Gift (ticket had been included in price of coaching package – cancelled)
40th High School reunion
Trip to my home state to lay my parent’s remains to rest (which was to occur the week I went home for my HS reunion).
2020: Challenging, Adjusting, and Healing
Family comes to Florida
We were lucky to get to see my husband’s sister and her husband this year! So many people decided not to travel. And many campgrounds closed for awhile, which made those who thought about traveling wary (and weary)!
They booked their camping trip within a 30-45 minute drive from our place, and finding it wasn’t easy, but we made it there, and enjoyed our visit immensely. They also camped at another campground outside of St. Augustine, and we drove over there too for an early evening and dinner. That was a lovely park (and much easier to find than the first one had been. Dang GPS that only lead to a back entrance, which was gated and locked with no attendant).
As well, my husband’s twin brothers decided to drive down to see us for a few days this summer, so that was nice too! And though we couldn’t find much to do (one of the botanical gardens we visited had most of their trails closed), at least we got to sit and visit, eat a few meals together, and watch Animusic on DVD in our RV.
Visitingfriends in Florida
When professional offices reopened, we took a road trip to Merritt Island, so I could have oral surgery on one of my front teeth (which I had put off for more than a year—more about that here).
We were so starved for social interaction (and missed good friends there), that even with my gums bleeding, we gathered with several friends for two nights out at our old favorite hangout.
Later in the year, in December, we took a short road trip to attend one of my best friends Christmas party. I really needed the emotional reassurance by then. But that was it, as far as travel was concerned for us this year.
Making new friends
I was almost remiss in mentioning that we made new friends this year—our neighbors Aaron and Abby! And as well, my son’s girlfriend—who hung out with us most weekends! Rachael really kept me sane, I think!
And we often hung out by a bonfire on weekend evenings, which helped us let go of the stress from the work week. ❤️😉
🔥 Bonfire 🔥
Sacred Celtic Journey
We are sure glad we went to Ireland, England, and Scotland last year! I doubt we’ll be flying anywhere ever again from all the restrictions that may be put in place. For more about our incredible 2019 trip, read all 3 parts, beginning here.
I am also so thankful when I look back on my winning an ENTRY into the neolithic burial tomb Newgrange chamber for the 2019 Winter Solstice sunrise on Dec 18th!!! Because no one was allowed in the tomb this Winter Solstice! That means, I was one of 60 people (picked from 30,861 applications) to be IN that incredible chamber for the last Winter Solstice (hopefully it will reopen to guests soon).
Here’s to a better 2021! My Newgrange triple spiral pendant from Ireland, hanging on my mom’s gold chain with my butterfly 🦋 from my bestie since grade school, Doris.
I joked with a friend recently, that if I didn’t know better, I would think I brought COVID back to the USA from Ireland because I had a cRaZy flu days after returning from Ireland last year!
Looking back, I feel the Winter Solstice that didn’t shine sunbeams into the chamber was meant to warn me of the tumultuous year ahead. And that I would be working on my shadow self this year—and I have. ☯️
Seeing my girls
One of the outings I missed the most this year, was my annual trip to see my daughter and granddaughters in New Hampshire. I love them sooo much! And I miss hugging them, taking the oldest to painting sessions, playing games and dolls, and simply smelling their hair (it’s a mommy and grandma thing, I bet)!
Due to COVID, my daughter and I made the mutual decision it would be best for us not to travel and visit. (Mostly due to her wanting to protect me, since I have had a history of asthma—cleared since 2005, and to safeguard my husband, who’s over age 65). But, PROTECT is still a word I meditate on, because I don’t believe one can protect themselves or anyone from everything. Not really. I mean, Life is terminal. If we aren’t living it, what’s it for anyway? ❤️🦋🌀
Thankfully, I get to video chat with my granddaughters often (the eldest one—almost daily), though not getting together with them this year has greatly impacted me emotionally.
Online classes
Because we’ve been staying home, I’ve had more time to participate in online groups and programs. I’ll share a few next:
I am currently participating in VShred and Activ5 exercise routines. I have been sooo impressed about both of these programs, in particular because of their associated smartphone apps. Read more about that here.
I completed my one year business coaching program that I had bought into last December for my husband and I to figure out how we could work together to showcase his original music, travel, and combine his genius talent, experience, and education with mine. We setup MurreyMakers.com and I include his soft guitar playing within my Integrated Spiral self-coaching, small group transformational program too.
Since I gained weight during the COVID lockdowns, I was offered a really effective diet program through my health insurance. It’s called Omada, and it’s helped me walk more, eat less, improve my mindset and do better with intermittent fasting too! No more counting calories!
Experimenting to find what works
From sitting and gaining weight (going down the rabbit hole, emotional spiral, and my own shadow), I discovered (or uncovered) methods that helped me beat nighttime snacking (hint: essential oils, homemade tinctures and tonics, Activ5, doing my nails and applying Color Street polish, as well as working on creative hobbies); begin and maintain a daily habit of walking outside; and improve my mindset (Everything Resolves to Gratitude).
Winning!
Mid year, I began to think my winning streak was over, but then I won again! It may not sound like much, but I won a $50 gift certificate from author JJ Virgin and stocked up on healthy foods from her website: https://jjvirgin.com
Then, I participated in my Robin’s weeklong Facebook challenge, The CLEPTO Code™ Challenge (her group is called, Overdoers Anonymous), to pick up some new strategies on how to not overcommit.
And get this! The grand prize winner of that challenge, Miles Eddy, gifted me with part of his prize! A $100 gift card! What a complete surprise! We all got so much out of her challenge (aside from the prizes), and I know it’s going to give each of us a boost of confidence to grow and shine in 2021!
You can be a winner too!
Comment on this post to receive a complimentary gift from me to participate in my new transformational self-coaching program!
This small group program helps one find emotional balance and help foster better relationships via improving communication skills. Read more about it here.
I put this new program together to help others find balance because I’m an empath. But, here’s the thing. I thought, until very recently, that I had to fix or save others in order to ease the pain I felt. Not true. I have to process, clear, and lighten my feelings first! Ha! ❤️🦋🌀🎼☯️🙏☮️
First come, first serve. Normally $181 for 4 weeks of small group work (to include individual messages and group calls on Zoom).
A bit about me, your Spiral Sister
An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, both available on Amazon.
I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural fair or festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses. For information on both of my books, visit my Amazon author’s page — Click here.
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As always, I’m your alternative health researcher, joyful wellness guinea pig, and mindful Spirit-Soul-Mind-Body guru! Reach out to me if you need a boost, or a boot, to get yourself back in charge of YOUR well-being. I’ll be offering a new holistic health & wellness coaching program soon!
An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, both available on Amazon.
I can come to your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural healthy lifestyle business for books signings and lectures. For information on both of my books, visit my Amazon author’s page — Click here.
“It can’t hurt” has been a guiding principle for me for many years. A philosophy that I have applied in many areas of my life, in particular to new strategies in business and in health matters.
Health strategies that can’t hurt
Eat more nutritious food
One of the easiest and best things each of us can do to live a healthier life, is simply to eat more nutritious food, preferably quality organic, local, fresh foods. It can’t hurt.
Move more
Another easy way to improve our health is to move more. I’m not talking about going from couch potato to marathon runner overnight, but start with 5 minutes and increase your movement (calisthenics, walking, dance, yoga, qigong, or such), everyday until you can build up to 40 minutes of movement. Measure and monitor yourself. If you ease into movement, it can’t hurt.
Meditate
Yes, the opposite of moving is stillness. Take control over your mind and body to sit quietly for a few minutes each day and focus on your breath. The new science is showing positive results, yes, physical improvements, from simply meditating. Try it. It can’t hurt.
Detoxify
A grand strategy that everyone can do is to detox. Pick your favorite detoxifying method and do it regularly. Once a year, quarterly, or monthly. We all get too many chemicals in us, via breathing, food, water, what we wear, and what we put on our skin. It can’t hurt.
Holistic health & Holism
I was telling my daughter the other day that pharmaceutical drugs always have side effects. That’s one reason I don’t take any—and if I have to, then I always make pharma meds a last resort. My health plan is to always go with the least toxic option first, because it can’t hurt.
Try some new self-care techniques. Speak loving and kind words to your body. The cells of your body are listening! And it can’t hurt.
Connection matters.
My self-care tip: When you go to the bathroom, give yourself a foot massage! Cross one leg over the other and massage your foot including your toes! Switch legs and repeat on the other side. If you work involved standing all day, I bet you’ll thank me for this tip! And if you sit all day, this re-establishes blood flow. It can’t hurt.
Hug yourself. Hug someone everyday. And put your hands together when you pray. It connects the circuits—our circuitry. It can’t hurt.
Sound and light therapies can ease tense muscles, relieve headaches, and improve many ills. Look for some of these to try. It can’t hurt.
Whenever you have a minor health issue, reach for your essential oils, Renew28, ASEA, CBD oil, or other health supplement. Sometimes I find I have the solution to whatever ails me, in my bathroom cabinets! And it doesn’t hurt to apply most of these remedies in new ways—consult your trusted holistic health team for advice if you’re unsure.
Measure & Track your progress
Measure and monitor yourself. Save some money and coach yourself. Yes, I know a personal trainer can show you the proper form and ways to exercise, but once you learn the basics, all they do is motivate you by measuring your weights and time. And you can do that for yourself. Same with personal coaches too.
Write 3 things down on a whiteboard that you want to improve about your life. Assign a number from 1-10 how you feel about each of those things. Give yourself a date by which to accomplish the change you desire. Figure out what steps you need to take to achieve those results. Break the goal into bite-size, measurable chunks, and stay focused on reaching your goal by reminding yourself why you want to change. You got this. And it can’t hurt to try it for yourself before you hire someone else to coach you. You may find that you were more capable than you thought!
Trying to lose weight? Try intermittent fasting. Also a form of detoxing, fasting for 12-16 hours a day or skipping a dinner every other day, has worked for me. And fasting can be especially wonderful for women over 40 (as it resets the metabolism). It can’t hurt to give it a try.
How health impacts business
Stress impacts us before we know it.
You know how business owners and entrepreneurs often get stuck working with clients who drain their energy, demand perfection, or make them feel less than the authority they really are?
Well, what we do is help our brilliant clients naturally attract their dream clients, so they are less stressed and actually are able to love what they do again!
Yes, we help our clients reduce their stress by helping them with their business advertising and marketing. If that sounds interesting to you, check us out at: https://murreymakers.godaddysites.com
My award-winning artist husband and I help small business owners, movement makers, and entrepreneurs to identify the highest vibrational words to craft the content to reach their ideal clients in fun, engaging, and mindful ways, while raising our collective consciousness! Reach out to me if you need a branding boost, or a design reboot, to attract your dream clients and you back in charge of YOUR well-being.
You can view some of his artwork and listen to all of his songs on RichardMurrey.com or check out his latest hit songs here: http://listen4music.com
Be the best version of who you want to be and let us promote you!
As a (mind, body, spirit, and soul) holistic health researcher, I can point you to life-enhancing alternative health methods too! So, if you’ve beat a chronic health challenge by alternative, integrative, or other natural remedy I’d love to hear about it. Send me an email and keep in touch.
Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.
Thankfully, I was schooled by an RN when all this COVID-19 pandemic started—on the ways to wear a mask (if nothing else, a mask discourages one from face touching), and when and how to wear gloves.
HINT: One doesn’t need to wear gloves all the time when you are out and about. Plus, you can sanitize your gloves and reuse them to save money and landfill space. As well, you can double-glove (as doctors do), as an extra precaution during certain circumstances.
Gloves, masks, or both?
I have worn the mask, not the gloves, and use essential oils or Illuminent Results hand sanitizer (when I return to my car after grocery shopping or pumping gas), followed by good hand washing and applying Primal Life Organics Hand Repair when I get home.
Illuminent Results sanitizer and Primal Life Organics Hand Repair
I use the top of the canvas bags I carry into the store and place in that small area of the cart, to cover the cart handle and push the cart. And I use the little veggie baggies while shopping and picking up items to put in and take out of the cart.
When I unload the groceries at home, I wash down the packages, bottles, and cans with dishwashing liquid—the soapy bubbles are enough, before my hubby (who is over 65), touches any of the items.
More than six weeks into this pandemic, I see people doing all sorts of things at the grocery store, but still about half take their children with them and don’t use any form of protection (and these are families, not single parents). But, I don’t want to judge them or live in fear either.
So, I get it. I can only manage my own Energy. ❤️🦋🌀
So, after working out for 12 sessions with a personal trainer, Michael Slotin, I figured out several ways to get my workouts done at home. Good thing too, because we’ll be moving in a few weeks and I will lose my “in person” access to my trainer anyway.
Lifting 200 pounds!
Thank you, Michael Slotin at Fitness Therapy in Cocoa Beach, Florida!
Plus, after visiting another gym, I am not comfortable going to a place full of fit people or highly muscular types. I know how that sounds, and while I am sure they are all wonderful and nice people, I am in my late 50s and don’t feel like I connect. Please feel free to comment and help me improve my mindset about that, as I don’t want to think age limits any of us!
Anyway, here’s the list I have put together for my home workouts, and maybe it will help someone else too!
The list
Remember to speak (verbally or mentally) to the body while working out because the cells listen to us. Also, visualize the movements and outcome you desire pre-workout.
Use Energy Medicine techniques first, to prepare the body for movement.
Walking (swing the arms with the elbow bent)
Yoga
Qigong
Yamuna stretching
Calf raises on a stair or other solid and stable object
Leg curls laying with belly on the floor while wearing ankle weights and gripping resistance bands (though I was up to 160 lbs of weight for these on the MedX machine and I doubt I could find ankle weights of that weight! Haha!)
Leg extensions using Pilates techniques while wearing the same ankle weights and holding a resistance band, though again, I was up to 200 lbs for this exercise on the MedX machine. As an alternate way to get this leg work in, a timed slow standing squat, counting to 10 on the way up, and counting to 5 on the way down for 2 minutes is working well for me!
Standing hamstring stretch by crossing the feet and bending at the waist til head reaches the front knee. Place chair in front for balance. Keep knees straight.
Standing thigh stretch holding each foot (one at a time) with the same hand (right hand on the right foot) and pulsing back 10 times while standing by our kitchen island for balance support.
Figure 8 thigh raises to loosen hips and increase hip flexibility.
Tricep and bicep arm work using 20 pound weight dumbbells.
Inner thigh squeezes, seated, with one Yamuna ball between the knees.
Inner arm squeezes using one Yamuna ball between elbows.
Crunches on my back while squeezing both Yamuna balls between knees and elbows.
Hip raises while lying on back on the floor.
Note: Squeeze the pelvic floor muscles while lifting any weights and doing the hip raises.
Timing
Lift weights up to the point of muscle exhaustion every other day (for the same muscle), so as not to overtrain.
Note: See Adam’s comment in the comments section.
Will continuous participation in physical activities promote longevity?
Regular exercise will slow the aging process down without spending much money. A good exercise program you follow regularly is one of the best ways to lose weight, reduce muscle loss, spare bone density, and prevent or slow any form of heart and cholesterol-related disease.
Recovery
Drink 2 ounces of ASEA post workout to aid faster muscle recovery, improve performance, and reduce soreness.
Drink plenty of pure water after working out. Aim for half your body weight in total ounces of pure water, (or unsweetened tea or clear broth) each day to flush fat and toxins from the body. Remember, that there’s water in fresh raw vegetables too!
And get at least 7-8 hours of sleep.
An invitation
If you are a health coach, or are into the healing arts, please join my private group!
As we are on our individual health journey, we are not alone. This private group is a place to ask questions, and exchange open and honest feedback.
Most of us are healers, health practitioners, researchers, writers, or health coaches. We are here to help.
I am grateful for your participation.
You can invite anyone to the group who is seeking better health. But especially those who are people open to believe in miracles. ❤️🙏
Some of the leaders we learn from in this group are:
Nathan Crane
“One of the weakest areas in most American’s bodies is their core, which leads to all kinds of back pain and poor movement patterns. Since I started @crossfitconjugate I now do multiple core workouts every week which I subconsciously avoided before just because it’s not always fun😂😊☹️. Even 10-15 mins a day can change your life for the better. This is a good one. Accumulate 2mins parallette hold above 3×45# plates.” Nathan Crane
Focused on holistic health and wellness since 2005, I continue to practice all the methods and use all the protocols that made a difference to improve my health and life. The bottom line is that when we help our cells repair and rejuvenate, the rest elegantly falls into place. Would you eat toxic, synthetic food? Not knowingly I bet. That’s why I promote non-toxic products, both for internal and external use.
I am available to come to your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural healthy lifestyle business for books signings and lectures.
I am an Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books:“Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice”and“Energy of Receiving”,both available now.
Concept Wordsmith | Entertaining Speaker & Educator : Profoundly raising consciousness to ease us into living a Wholly Vibrant Life!
My husband is an award-winning illustrator, plus he is a seasoned guitarist, bass player, and songwriter (of over 400 original songs). You can view some of his artwork and listen to all of his songs on RichardMurrey.com or check out his latest 24 songs here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC53E21F-JlTW2iQmPcEIWkQ
I’m an Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books:“Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice”and“Energy of Receiving”,available on Amazon. Plus, I’ve written a new book (in the making for 13 years),Take It Upon Yourself to Live a Wholly Vibrant Life, that’s now available for online sale and distribution (PDF format). Buy ithere.
We help small business owners, movement makers, and entrepreneurs to identify the highest vibrational words to craft the content to reach their ideal clients in fun, engaging, and mindful ways, while raising our collective consciousness! Reach out to me if you need a branding boost, or a design reboot, to attract your dream clients and you back in charge of YOUR well-being.
Bethe best version of who you want tobeand let us promote you!
As a (mind, body, spirit, and soul) holistic health researcher, I can point you to life-enhancing alternative health methods too! So, if you’ve beat a chronic health challenge by alternative, integrative, or other natural remedy I’d love to hear about it. Send me anemailand keep in touch.
2019 Year in Review: Heartfelt, Well traveled, and Winning
2019 was a deeply heartfelt year that created a lot of unexpected opportunities to travel, through loss and gain.
My husband and I drove across the state of Florida for me to emcee the Awakening Into the Sun outdoor yoga and music festival the first weekend in March (it’s an annual event). And this year we were so delighted to have my husband‘s sister and her husband join us! We all stayed at the Crystal Bay hotel in St. Pete and enjoyed a fun time at Caddy’s on the beach with friends too!
Heartfelt travel
Then deep sadness hit me only a few days later. My dad passed away in his sleep on March 8th. I wrote a long and meaningful eulogy for my papa here.
Can’t fly without you.
Papa’s passing prompted my adult son and I to take a fast trip to West Virginia–with me doing all of the driving! I cannot even go into what a rushed and tiring trip this was. And grieving a lot of the way. But, I was glad to see the last property dad had bought, sit high on the ridge in peace and serenity, and have that entire road trip time with my son.
Later in the year, in September, I would find myself on another long road trip. This time, my husband and I took turns driving though. We drove from Florida to Tennessee for our sister-in-law, Mary Murrey’s funeral.
Sacred Celtic Journey
The trip I had booked in 2018 that was supposed to be taken in September 2019, was changed to July. And due to my father’s passing, my husband decided to join me and the group that was going.
It was a little last minute to pay for his ticket, but thankfully we knew before I had bought my airline ticket. And also thankfully, Patricia told us about Aer Lingus flights out of Orlando, and when I checked, they had non-stop flights for decent prices from Orlando to Dublin, Ireland (which was where our tour began). For more about that incredible trip, read all 3 parts, beginning here.
Seeing my girls
Went to NH to see my girls the week of Aug 5th. Only got to spend a week, but the best thing was that I got to sleep in my granddaughter’s room with her (that I couldn’t before without having breathing issues)! We had the best time!
Online classes
I participated in an 8 week class produced by the IONS group.
I thoroughly enjoyed engaging with our small group of 4 ladies in the Conscious Aging with facilitator, Beth Knight. This heartfelt group was sooo supportive and open to share meaningful life experiences!
I highly recommend taking this class if you’re over 50, or if you have any issues for yourself, parents, or other loved ones when it comes to embracing the aging process.
I also watched and bought the Keto Edge Summit package from Dr Jockers.
Near the end of the year, I hired a personal trainer for 12 sessions and astounded myself by how much I learned and what my body could do! I went from lifting 80 pounds to 200 pounds over the course of 3 months (due to illness, I had to skip some weeks), which really impressed me–read about that here.
About this same time, I hired a business coach and began working a one year plan, so my husband and I can work together to showcase his original music and art, travel, live off grid, and really combine his genius talent, experience, and education with mine. Read more about the direction we’re taking here.
Visitingfriends in Florida
Finally, after saying we were going to see Tammy and Rodney for the last 10 years or so, we did it!! We took a weekend and went to Jupiter FL and the best bonus was that my elementary and high school friends, Nancy and husband, Jay, (who have lived in Stuart FL for years) got to join us!
We all had such a grand time that we want to go again!
Winning
I won a ticket to attend SoulTreat in Sedona AZ the weekend of Nov 2-3, 2019!!! I had two days on the red rocks and hike the same vortex behind the hotel where my Sedona siStars group had stayed when Alania and Patricia took us in 2016. I had an aWEsOMe experience and you can read more about that here.
But, before I could go to Sedona, I actually went to Las Vegas for an exciting health product convention! This was also a gift of a surprise when I had been told that my full-time job would end Nov. 30th (It didn’t and I may still be working through January 2020) and I reached out to my product sponsor that I needed to get busy sharing this product, (which my husband and I had been taking for a year). Read about that here.
Big News!
When we all thought my winning streak was over, I won again!
To me, all of this winning seemed to tell me that my papa wanted me to fly for him and enjoy all of the many opportunities in alignment for me. One of my intuitive friends told me it wasn’t only my dad lining these events up for me, but my grandfather! And for me, all I can do is say, “Thank You.” Thank you to all of my loving relatives here and in the Grand Beyond for these incredible and healing experiences!
Yes, I won a rare and highly prized ENTRY into the neolithic burial tomb Newgrange chamber for the 2019 Winter Solstice sunrise on Dec 18th!!! I was one of 60 people picked from 30,861 applications!!!
You can’t make this stuff up!
And the winning continued
At SoulTreat 2019 I bought $20 worth of raffle tickets and envisioned Shari Alyse calling out my name and saying that she was ecstatic that I, one of her SoulTreat winners, WON the Wellness pack worth over $1,000!!!
Well, Shari wasn’t the one who announced my name, but when Anna Pereira read my ticket number (which contained the number 18 that was synchronistic to me because of my dad), at first it took me a moment to realize it was me! Yep! I won this fantastic prize and it included a ticket to SoulTreat 2020!!!
After my flight home to Florida, I stuck to my commitment to present as a vendor at my local Women, Wine, and Wellness event in Cocoa (even though tired from a full day of travel and driving an hour from the airport). And won another gift there of a CBD pack, which I will be writing a product article about here. Stay tuned.
I invite you to stay tuned on the new coaching program I am currently putting together. If you have an interest in health, vitality, energy, consciousness, feeling better, and living a wholly vibrant life, I think you will love what I have in mind!
A bit about us
My husband is an award-winning illustrator, plus he is a seasoned guitarist, bass player, and songwriter (of over 400 original songs). You can view some of his artwork and listen to all of his songs on RichardMurrey.com or check out his latest 24 songs here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC53E21F-JlTW2iQmPcEIWkQ
I’m an Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books:“Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice”and“Energy of Receiving”,available on Amazon. Plus, I’ve written a new book (in the making for 13 years),Take It Upon Yourself to Live a Wholly Vibrant Life, that’s now available for online sale and distribution (PDF format). Buy ithere.
Bethe best version of who you want tobeand let us promote you!
We help small business owners, movement makers, and entrepreneurs to identify the highest vibrational words to craft the content to reach their ideal clients in fun, engaging, and mindful ways, while raising our collective consciousness! Reach out to me if you need a branding boost, or a design reboot, to attract your dream clients and you back in charge of YOUR well-being.
I am available to come to your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural healthy lifestyle business for books signings and lectures. For information on both of my books, visit my Amazon author’s page —Click here.
I’m “The Caring Techie” (changing that tagline in the New Year) and your alternative health researcher, joyful wellness guinea pig, and mindful Spirit-Soul-Mind-Body guru! Reach out to me if you need a boost, or a boot, to get yourself back in charge of YOUR well-being.
If you’ve beat a chronic health challenge by alternative, integrative, or other natural remedy I’d love to hear about it. Send me anemailand keep in touch.
The year of 2016 has been a banner year of self discovery for me!! What a whirlwind of knowledge and experiential learning–and this is my review of such a productive and enlightening year:
After having completed Dr. Alison J Kay’s teleseries which had begun in Dec 2015, but wrapped up in January 2016–see more about that here, I believe it certainly set me up for quite a fantastic 2016! And I highly recommend Alison’s courses to everyone–especially if you want to have a banner year!
I began volunteering in January/February at Awakening Wellness center. I so loved meeting so many people there and being off service. Just the energy of being in a wellness center, where people could come for sessions and I could learn how to help, was such a joy! My heart warmed with each and every connection.
During this time, I met my naturopath and was urged to go back to a diet my husband and I had tried, but had given up years earlier–Dr. D’Adamo’s Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type. Two days after changing my diet, the stiffness in my ankles disappeared! Over the next few weeks I could think more clearly. As the months went on it became easier and easier to avoid the foods that Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo tells me are toxic to my body.
Then in February, I took Rev. Michael Beckwith’s six-week Master class online with Mind Valley. (Cost: About $300) I wrote a blog article especially about the program here.
The following is a brief summary of what I learned:
I learned and implemented the following thought: I cannot stop birds from flying around my head, but I can prevent them from nesting in my hair.
Affirmative and agenda-less prayer and meditation can always shift me back into Gratitude.
Faith, only as small as the size of a mustard seed, is all it takes to move the proverbial mountains in our life. Really.
Stay my attention on the changeless reality of my inner self, don’t look to the external world for fulfillment.
Silently converse with my own heart, commune with joy in my heart.
Meditate or affirm in prayer: I renounce any sense of being bound by personal history, habit, experience, or circumstance. I’m free as spirit is free.
In March, I volunteered and had the ultimate privilege to greet every vendor as they were setting up at our huge Awakening Into The Sun (a Zen festival) in downtown St. Petersburg. I had the utter joy of bringing in two vendors to the event too! Emily Stein and the Breakthrough group.
Throughout the two day event, I kept checking in with them–’cause that’s how I roll! I always want to ensure everyone’s ease and happiness while they’re at this fantastic event. We also bought concert tickets for, and attended, the Awakening pre-show. Both my husband and I immensely enjoyed the entertainers! They were all aWEsOMe!
Emily Stein (whom my husband and I took a class with) was one of the Awakening Into The Sun vendors. And I got to meet Emily’s mom! I love these powerful ladies! Such vibrancy! Beautiful spirits! I’m looking forward to spending more time with them in 2017.
Also that month, my daughter experienced a miscarriage. It was gut-wrenching. And since I’ve never been through it, I was truly at a loss for words. I felt helpless, without any way to offer her comfort. And since I had also signed up for, and was in the beginning of an eight-week class, though I wanted to grab a flight to New Hampshire to hug my daughter, I couldn’t get there until May. To ease the gap, and also to help my daughter in any small way that I could, I remembered that a friend of mine and hypnotherapist, had written a book on the subject of miscarriage. And it’s not a subject that very many people talk about!
So, I bought both of us a copy of Angel Babies and we read it together (via distance) and I believe that helped (at least a little bit) to ease my daughter’s mind, as well as, help myself–as the grandmother–to release my sad emotions and also feel and somehow relate a bit more to my mother’s feelings of loss–as she had lost five babies (my unborn siblings) when I was a child. You can find Patricia’s amazing book “Angel Babies” here. (Cost: Book: $15.95 or less on Amazon. Being able to offer comfort: Priceless)
As for that eight-week voice / energy class, I was able to continue, and I am sure it helped me too (to ease the sadness I was feeling for my daughter) with the Breakthrough Performance Workshop — and it did turn out to be a phenomenal experience!
Every week our little group of would-be singers were given a song to sing, sometimes a song we’d never heard of, and we would break through any mental barriers, stretch our voice, find our courage, and build our confidence by practicing the song at home, and then in front of the group at our next practice. Eventually, we videoed each other and learned what we liked, or didn’t like about each performance to build our stamina, poise, and performance ability.
When the night of our concert finally came, even with a pulled neck (which was my silly fault for trying to get into a way too tight garment) I got to do something I’d always dreamed of–to sing a solo with a live band! (Cost: $1200 plus)
After all of this amazing work, you must know how strong I was feeling, emotionally and physically. I’d been doing Pilates for about a year at this point, so on April 21 when I tripped over an ill placed box of printer paper, it really jolted me. I thought, “oh no, now here we go” and figured I might have really hurt one of my wrists, which I had landed on with nearly all of my body weight. But, to my joy and surprise, I didn’t break any bones and I healed quite quickly–only needed a couple of massages by my friend Tiffiny, and one acupuncture treatment. Read about Tiffiny’s massage therapy here.
(Cost over $200; and never got compensated from workman’s comp)
On May 5th, I was blessed to spend Mother’s Day in New Hampshire with my daughter and granddaughter. How much love! Like a sponge, every time we’re together I always soak in every moment. Lots of laughter, play, hugs, kisses, and singing! However, there was something or other in their hundred year old house that irritated my eyes and lungs, so once I returned home, I coughed for a couple of months and couldn’t sing for a long time.
In May, I also joyfully became a Florida Notary Public. And performed my first official wedding for Jessica and Phillip Walling, May 21st, 2016 at a beautiful outdoor venue. If you know anyone getting married in the Central Florida area, Tampa Bay area, or eastern part of Florida, let me know! It thrills my soul to be able to officiate weddings! I love being able to bring two people together with love and harmony.
The most fantastic news came by June–my daughter had conceived again!! And the most aWEsOMe of news was that… she’s having TWINS!!!!
The summer seemed to keep me busy… I attended several different meetups and finished several books.
In September, instead of my usual pilgrimage to New Hampshire for my granddaughter’s birthday, I’d learned that my daughter’s father and his wife were going to visit. So, that freed up my schedule. And I took advantage of this for ME! I took a once in a lifetime trip to Sedona AZ.
Unlike any other vacation, this trip was just for my Self, with two facilitators I have met and worked with, along with twelve other like-minded ladies, most of whom were unknown to me before the journey, but most became friends! I was full of Energy the whole time I was in Arizona, and felt like a kid again while hiking and exploring!! You can read the blog article I wrote about my Sedona trip here.
The downside was that while I was away, my husband fell and broke his wrist and our fridge quit working. I came home to my hubby needing me to help him get out of a shirt, empty and clean out our fridge, wash dishes (which he normally does), and so on. Our joke was that I climbed five mountains in five days and didn’t even break a nail, but he fell coming into the RV and broke the first bone he’s ever broken in his life. We tried any way we could to make light of the situation, so that I wouldn’t feel bad about having taken my solo vacation, and to help him heal and not feel depressed about not being able to play guitar, and not feel guilty about not being able to do regular household tasks.
However, three days after I arrived home from Sedona, I began coughing. Eventually, and not soon enough, I went to see my naturopath, Maggie. If only I had went to see her sooner, I’d not have suffered for a month or more! I found some relief as soon as I took the first homeopathic remedy–which, I realize, sounds incredible!
Apparently, I’d had several different kinds of things going on. I had markers for viruses, mold, two kinds of flu, and mycoplasma. Physically, I was a hot mess. I made a vow to refocus my attention on getting well–and staying well!
In September, I met Dr. Ronald K. Porter at Miracles bookstore. Ronald teaches Pranayama breathing and yoga and this was a workshop that I definitely needed. (Cost: $10) A nagging nerve pain that I’d had in my right knee was healed during the workshop–only from my focus on learning the breathing techniques!! I was thrilled! I loved the class so much that I started going to Dr. Porter’s yoga classes at Metro and invited friends to join me! Also, when Ronald was teaching the Pranayama class at Miracles again, I invited my friend Karen to go with me–and we had a great time!
Also in September, I attended a free yoga movie night in Sarasota and bought six DVDs directly from the filmmaker ($100). At that event, I met a new friend and she invited to see Sadhguru (who would be in Sarasota a week later). As it turned out, I was given a promo ticket for writing a blog article about Sadhguru’s book launch event, and received a copy of his new book!) What’s really interesting about this, and totally synchronistic was that all of this occured just a week after finding Sadhguru on YouTube while searching for more videos on Pranayama breathing!
November brought more enlightening events. On the 9th I attended a healing workshop at Heatherhoney’s center in Brandon. There I met Veronica, who facilitated the event and used Young Living essential oils to raise our vibration. Now I have been a Young Living essential oils distributor for years, but I’ve only used the oils in my own self-care and to give as gifts when I meet someone in need. So I’m always happy to continue experiencing how I can share these healthy oils–this event gave me more ideas on sharing.
I arrived early to the meeting and talked with Veronica a bit about a friend of ours who is suffering with ALS. Veronica asked me if our friend would be open to Alternative treatments, and if I had heard of the Medical Medium. Anthony William, the Medical Medium, has millions of people listening to him. And now I am too. Naturally, I was super excited to learn that there might be other ways to help our friend, so I passed all of what I learned to our friend to potentially ease her suffering.
Mid November, I took six FREE meditation classes from BKTampa.org – Brahma Kumari’s on Saturday and Sunday mornings in Tampa. Yes, I had to make the effort to drive 20+ miles to attend, but it was so mind expanding! I am grateful that there are teachers who make themselves available to teach meditation to anyone who will take the time to learn.
In another synchronistic meeting, I was invited to, and attended a healing event at the beautiful and energy-filled Crystal Bay hotel in St Petersburg, where I received a word from Dr. Mark Tong about exercising and that I should continue doing so. How could he have known that I had ramped up my yoga and Pilates!! Wow! After the event ended, my friend Terri introduced me to Linda McCarthy. As Linda and I talked, I experienced God bumps, which always validates that a conversation is of utmost importance to me (or perhaps, to my Soul).
Linda and I talked outside of the hotel until nearly everyone had gone. She gave me the audiobook called, The Reconnection. This was only just a week after I had found Dr. Eric Pearl on YouTube!!!
As the year ended, it found me celebrating a full and robust year of learning and implementing many of the new found mind-body and spirit-filled tools, which have increased my confidence, health, and well-being to overflowing!
I continue daily to practice meditation, yoga, Pranayama breathing, Pilates (twice a week), and singing / chanting to reach a higher and deeper sense of self and spiritual connectivity with our Ever-Living, Filling-All-Space, LIMITLESS Creator. Oh what a profound and beautiful year it has been!
I send you all many blessings, in ALL ways for a brilliant and uplifting 2017! Happy New Year!
An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, both available now.
I am available to come to your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural healthy lifestyle business for books signings and lectures. For information on both of my books, visit my Amazon author’s page — Click here.
If you’ve beat a chronic health challenge by alternative, integrative, or other natural remedy I’d love to hear about it.
I am interested in participating in any raw and living food’s festivals in Florida – if you would like to reach out to me to help you get that going!
The book that’s been in the making for 13 years, Take It Upon Yourself to Live a Wholly Vibrant Life, is now available for online sale and distribution (PDF format).
A once-in-a-lifetime experience to meet Sadhguru during his first American book tour!
I–along with 2000 other people–recently attended a book launch event for Sadhguru’s first American book and New York Times Best Seller, “Inner Engineering, A Yogi’s Guide to Joy.”
I totally loved the live musical performances offered while we all gathered in the Van Wezel auditorium (in Sarasota, Florida). And to think, all of the singers and musicians traveling with Sadhguru are volunteers! What a glorious gift! I love how enchanting Indian music is, especially the sitar, which has to be one of the most amazing instruments ever invented! My heart was dancing in the abundance of the vibrations!
Sadhguru will be visiting 42 cities this year, so attend if at all possible. Your ears will be delighted and your heart and consciousness will expand from the profound and practical wisdom shared.
Check this website for the other cities where Sadhguru will be speaking, and get tickets. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to sit at the feet of this gentle, wise contemporary yogi’s feet.
After the musical performances, Dr. Kiran Patel gave an insightful and stirring introduction of Sadhguru. And then the moment arrived…
As Sadhguru was about to enter the stage, a hush fell over the entire auditorium, as such, you could have heard a pin drop! It was like 2000 people were holding their collective breath! Sadhguru meekly, yet with what I would call, powerful command of knowing, walked out and sat down in a “not so comfortable chair”, center stage.
We did not know whether he would speak first, or lead us in meditation, sing, or what! So, we eagerly anticipated… I could feel the Energy in the room–nearly palpable!
Sadhguru began by asking us a question, “How many of you have experienced even one day of joy in your lives?”
Several hands went up.
But, continuing, Sadhguru brought the real issue to the surface of our minds. How to sustain joy.
During Sadhguru’s talk, he used stories from his life to illustrate the variety of predicaments we each seem to get ourselves into, and how we can find the pleasantness–even in the moment of some, perhaps not so pleasant of an experience.
One of the questions I had was whether or not once one reaches “enlightenment”, does everything become, well, easier? And the answer seemed to be “yes.”
Sadhguru explained how he continues to change and grow in the field of pure positive potentiality. Ahh… even after explaining about his childhood and experience of enlightenment, he said “one does not just reach enlightenment and then that’s it.”
I literally took many things away from my experience with Sadhguru, and am continuing to grasp more ideas, concepts, and tools while reading Inner Engineering, but for purposes of this article, I thought I’d share my 7 takeaways from this event:
Most of us have experience joy, but find it nearly impossible to sustain it
Peace and joy are the basis of our life, not goals to be achieved
Pleasantness leads to peace and joy–and other people are attracted to you when you are pleasant
We can never find pleasantness outside of us, if we do not first find pleasantness inside of ourselves. Yes, it is an inside job.
Tools exist that can help each of us find the pleasantness inside–we do not have to “recreate the wheel” so to speak, or “go it alone”–and these simple and powerful tools are explained in Sadhguru’s book, “Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy” which will guide you towards the well-being and joy that you seek.
Only our physical senses limit us. Yoga is not only a physical “workout”, but rather it’s defined as “to yoke” with the “dimensionless unity of absolute perfection” that exists everywhere–We Are All One
What is pleasing to you, may not be pleasing to me, but each together weave a beautiful tapestry when we let go of our need to control each other’s perception of reality
While enjoying Sadhguru’s event, I was in a state of awe, as I had predicted. Not just of Sadhguru as a man, mystic, or master, but of the shared vibratory resonance that occurred in that one place.
At the event, Americans of many different nationalities were tuned human instruments playing a delightful symphony of be-ing. We listened intently. We laughed with Sadhguru as he related funny stories. We sang with him. We clapped. And finally, we meditated as Sadhguru led us in a shared meditation, the likes of which, I had never experienced before. It certainly put me in a pleasant blissful resonance!
Again, here is the link to all of the information about Sadhguru’s continued American tour, so you can see and hear him–but most importantly, FEEL this extraordinary experience yourself.
P.S. If you will be in the Sarasota, Florida area Oct. 20 – Oct. 23, 2016 please check this link and attend a 4 day in-person Inner Engineering program. CME and CE accredited too! The website is here also, for more information.
We Are All Connected. We Are All One.
Amen. Namaste. OM
A bit about me:
An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, both available now.
I am available to come to your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture / chiropractor office, or other holistic / natural healthy lifestyle business for books signings and lectures. For information on both of my books, visit my Amazon author’s page — Click here.
If you’ve beat a chronic health challenge by alternative, integrative, or other natural remedy I’d love to hear about it.
I am interested in participating in any raw and living food’s festivals in Florida – if you would like to reach out to me to help you get that going!
Being Wholly Vibrant 
