The holiday season has come to a close, and I feel a sense of freshness and elation as the calendar turns it’s pages into the new year. I look forward to my path that lies ahead.

While others had happily immersed themselves in celebrations of the season, my journey took me to a place of much-needed rest and seclusion.  With that rest came awareness of my need for change.  With that awareness came a sense of relief and purpose.

It’s time to leave old patterns, old choices, old ways of being behind me with gentleness and thanks.  They have served me well in the past, but no longer do I need them as I choose new tools to forge ahead on this journey.

I wish you deep peace as you embark on your own journey of newness.

Intention:

With conscious attention, I leave behind the old and open my arms to the joy of new discovery.  I embrace this magical sense of new beginnings with eagerness, consciously choosing each footstep along the path toward a healthier, more peaceful existence.

During the holidays we often allow ourselves to indulge in chocolates and desserts, which can set up the habit of desserting and cravings for more sweets. Here’s my healthier recipe for chocolate pudding to satisfy your yearning while you ease back into a more healthful way of eating.

1 c soft tofu, drained
1 ripe banana
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp carob powder
3 tbsp honey

Mix all ingredients with a hand blender or in regular blender on low until smooth.  Top with a couple of thin banana slices, coconut, or berries and set in freezer or refrigerator to chill.

You’ve heard all the warnings about Sodium Laurel Sulphate and other commercial shampoo ingredients that have the potential to do you real harm. Have you ever wanted to make your own shampoo, but figured it would be a time-intenstive or expensive process? Here’s a simple and easy recipe to make your own adult’s shampoo easily and affordably:

You’ll need:

4 oz. liquid castile soap (any scent you wish)
Handful of fresh rosemary
MSM (Organic sulphur)
Essential Oils (lavender, rosemary, mint or your choice)
Distilled water
Clean plastic bottle

Bring 2 cups distilled water to a boil. Pour into glass container.
Add rosemary to water and let sit for at least a half hour.
After it has cooled, add the MSM and leave sit until the MSM has melted. (approximately 45 minutes)
Strain rosemary mixture and add with castile soap to plastic bottle.
Add 20 drops of essential oil(s) per 100ml of shampoo.
Shake well.

You may choose any essential oils that appeal to you, or try these:
• oily hair: rosemary, basil, tea tree, lavender, lemon, patchouli
• dry or frizzy hair: lavender, myrrh, peppermint

You may also experiment with other herbs such as basil and sage. I’m told that nettles are also helpful in shampoo, but I haven’t tried them.

Make Your Own Natural Conditioner for Dry Hair:

For a nourishing after-shampoo conditioner/rescue for dry hair, try mashing a soft banana together with a ripe avocado and then mixing with a blender or hand blender for several minutes to create a very smooth consistency. Add essential oils if desired. Distribute through wet hair after shampooing and leave on hair for 10-15 minutes or longer. For intensified effect, wrap hair with a warm towel after applying conditioner.

A few months ago, my dear friend Brenda and I were chatting about our life paths and how there seemed to be commonalities between what so many of us are experiencing in our life cycles lately. She shared with me about a book she’d been reading, Remembering Your Soul Purpose: A Part of Ascension by Karen Bishop.

The premise of this book is knowing who we are at the highest level … our special gifts and talents and the unique contributions we make automatically put us in alignment with Source energy and keeps us in a high vibration. When we are in our passion and in our power … in alignment with who we chose to be before we arrived … we contribute greatly to the planet. Everything around us seems to fall into place while we are just being ourselves and in our joy.

While I haven’t yet received my ordered copies of several of Karen’s books, I did visit her website and signed up for her “energy alerts” by email, which have been quite profound. I’ve had many “Wow!” moments while reading these alerts, as they explain many cycles and energetic trends of which I wasn’t aware were being experienced by others too.

www.whatsuponplanetearth.com/

Spirit Circle Thoughts and Affirmations 2-Deck Set (150 cards)

Affirmations have long been recognized as a strong tool for healing of mind, body and spirit. Rejuvenate, awaken, and feel gratitude deep within yourself with our Soul Deck of 75 Affirmation Soul Cards.

Sometimes vibrant, sometimes soothing, each of the 75 messages in the Thoughts Soul Decks speaks softly to your soul, bringing you closer to harmony and balance. Feel more connected to your own inner wisdom and experience a greater sense of Universal peace with the Spirit Circle Soul Decks.

Used together, these decks often will reflect each other’s messages, mirroring the energy surrounding you as you choose your cards.

Great idea for Valentine’s Day – a more soulful, heartfelt gift for your loved ones.

(By the way, on a personal note, I am a huge fan – I use Jim Matson’s mp3’s often myself. I can be quite particular about recordings of this nature, and am especially choosy about the person’s voice and tone. I’ve been telling everyone I know how wonderfully different these recordings are – not only for the absolutely soothing, tranquil qualities of Jim’s voice, but also the words he’s chosen that bring a deep sense of peace, harmony and empowerment. Try one and you’ll see what I mean.)

With warm thanks, I extend my gratitude to you for joining us for this issue of the Spirit Circle Journal. If you’re not yet subscribed by email or RSS feed, you may do so at the top right of this page.

If you’d like to leave comments, please feel free to do so below. It is with informed, intention, conscious dialog that we create positive connections with one another for the greater good of ourselves and our planet. We’d love to hear what you think of our Journal, or anything else on your mind or in your heart – just click the “comments” link below.

Many blessings to you,
Renee

Tags: deep peace, intention, new beginnings, recipes, Spirit Circle decks

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 1st, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Journal Issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.