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by Kris Krueger  The chakras are points or energy centers within our field; we picture them as spinning disks of energy that correspond to our physical and emotional bodies. When our chakras are out of balance, we may experience difficulty processing emotions or letting go. We may feel stuck or even have physical unease or distress. As we begin to balance and align our chakras, we may experience a general sense of well-being both emotionally and physically; we may feel present in our bodies and more aware of our emotional state. While there are many energy points within the human field, we primarily work with the seven chakras set within the physical body. They are as follows:
One way to work with our chakras is by focusing our attention on each area while in meditation. An easy way to do this is to call upon the universal light to enter our bodies. Using our inner senses, we will follow the light as it moves from the top of our head through the soles of our feet, letting it ground us to the earth. We then use our breath to expand the light throughout the body and energetic field, allowing it to fill in any depleted areas within. Once we feel ready to continue, we bring our inner senses to each spinning chakra, one at a time, focusing on any pressing issue relating to that chakra. For example, as we focus on the root chakra, the feeling of being unsupported may arise. When we concentrate the universal light on the spinning chakra, it penetrates and infuses into this energetic center, addressing and releasing any connections or blockages related to that feeling. We can visualize healing through our inner senses as the red of the root chakra becomes clear and vibrant. Once we feel that the process is complete, we move our attention to the Sacral chakra, where we repeat the exercise until we have moved through each of the remaining chakras. At the end of the meditation, we move our attention to our energetic body, visualizing all the chakras spinning together in unison as each color expands and blends with adjacent energy until they become one light, blended, white, and pure. We give thanks to the universal energy, our bodies, and our energetic field. — Kris Krueger CMHt Kris offers Chakra Balancing through hypnosis, using guided imagery as well as Transpersonal Hypnosis and QHHT (Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique) and Intuitive Support for Spiritual Transformation. Learn more on her website, www.kriskruegerhypnosis.com, or contact her at kriskruegerhypnosis@gmail.com.
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 These days it may be easy to forget about kindness. The media shows us all that is wrong with the world, and the news on social media can often separate and discourage us. But there is good news. Kindness is happening everywhere; we just need to remember to notice it.
Every day a teacher goes in to work with their students, that is a day filled with acts of kindness. The doctors and nurses that are caring for our friends and families in hospitals around the country are performing heroic acts of kindness for 12 hours at a time. Firefighters, police officers and EMTs are answering our calls and showing up for us. There are neighbors helping each other, families fostering and adopting kids, animal lovers rescuing dogs and cats, and strangers volunteering at shelters. There are people hosting displaced families, parents helping other parents with childcare, and kind people in stores ready to help us find what we are looking for. We are listening to each other and caring for each other with patience and understanding. Millions donate on funding sites to help strangers, and many commit their time and resources to finding new ways that support all. Kindness is all around us, and we can find it if we are looking. Make it your goal to notice and spread kindness. Each kind word counts. Each kind act counts. Appreciate others for what they do, and lend a hand when you can. If we can practice, notice, talk about, and celebrate kindness, we will feel better and more hopeful, and we will be part of the change we wish to see. by Lisa Litzsinger  This is a wonderful time of year. We get to imagine and hope for a brand-new year filled with the experiences and people we love the most. No matter what is happening right now, the new year brings a new start, and we are invited to consider what we would like to create and invite in for the next 12 months. We are all familiar with New Year’s Resolutions, and the push to be better in some way; more disciplined perhaps, or more efficient, to eat differently or exercise more. Though we know — and most gyms will confirm — that the excitement is usually over by the end of January, most of us will still come up with 1 or 2 things we promise to do. Along with those promises, or instead of them, consider the simple commitment to Love Yourself More. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity -- this is an active commitment. You will likely get the chance to do this on a daily basis, and if done well you will not want to quit by the end of January. Here are some suggestions for this resolution: Let no negative self-talk pass through your mind unnoticed. Challenge each and every thought about yourself that is less than kind, and consider if there is truth to it or if it has simply been told to you or repeated so many times in your head that it feels true. If untrue, banish it. If it warrants consideration, love yourself as you are and then decide if you would like to show up differently. Tell the truth to yourself and others. Are there things you do that you really don’t want to do? Do you ignore that small inner voice that says “No” when you are saying “Yes”? Do you deny your preferences and go along with the requests of others because it’s easier? Do you have feelings that you never share? This is not a vote for selfishness -- it is an invitation to ask yourself “what do I really like/want/need/prefer, and how would I like to do more of that?" Often the people in your life who love you will support you and be happy to help. Be patient with yourself -- especially now. It has been a tough few years in so many ways, and many of us are having trouble being our best selves. We may be more emotional, feel angrier or frustrated with others, or be using food or online entertainment to soothe and escape. A promise of greater self-love says “I recognize this behavior, and I love and forgive myself for it.” Sending love to yourself will often make space to feel or behave differently when you are ready. Treat yourself as you would your best friend or your child. Most of us find it easy to be kind, compassionate, and unconditionally loving to our children and good friends. Yet with ourselves we may be neglectful, judgmental, and disregarding. Accept and honor your needs and your deepest desires (which are often hiding beneath anger at others). Some say that the core of anger is a need unmet. When we get in touch with these needs, anger will often dissipate, and we will have more energy to create and attract happiness. In case you were taught that taking care of others is more important that self-care, please be assured that the more we love ourselves, the more love we have to share and the better we are as partners, parents, siblings, or friends. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2022. May Love and Peace begin with you and spread out in all directions, with the hope that everyone catches it. — Lisa Litzsinger
 For many people, this past year has been a hectic time. We hope that however you're celebrating this winter, your holiday season is filled with joy, warmth, and plenty of time with your loved ones. Stay safe & healthy, and we'll see you again next year!
 If you are experiencing anxiety, you are not alone. Anxiety is a common emotion for people of all ages, that can often feel uncomfortable and unwanted. A teenager or child will likely have a different experience of anxiety than an adult, so it is important that each person take the time to really explore their own symptoms and triggers. The first step to easing anxiety is to learn what it is and how to recognize it in yourself. So, what exactly is anxiety? It is a sense of worry and apprehension -- a chemical response in your brain triggering physical symptoms and frequent unwanted thoughts. The next time you feel anxious, pay attention to what you are thinking, to what you are feeling in your body, and to how you are behaving (i.e., talking quickly, yelling, frozen in place, etc....). Then, label it by stating “I am feeling anxious right now.” By accepting and validating your emotion, you are preparing yourself for coping with it. Healthy coping skills for anxiety are important to develop early on. Coping skills should address the negative anxious thoughts, as well as the physical responses to anxiety. There are common types of anxious thoughts that people experience. By gaining control of your thoughts, and directing your focus, you can reduce your anxiety. The physical responses to anxiety often involve tension in the muscles, increased heart rate, and digestive issues. Learning how to relax your body and use in-the-moment relaxation strategies can reduce the intensity of these sensations. TIPS FOR MANAGING ANXIOUS THOUGHTS
TIPS FOR RELAXING YOUR BODY
by Jade Perry  Typically, people seek out Shamans when all other conventional avenues -- like therapy, medical intervention in some cases, counseling, affirmations, shifts in lifestyle (way of eating, exercising, and caring for one's self) -- have been exhausted and the desired results or change of being have not yet been achieved. As one who has studied a variety of healing and energetic practices, I love Shamanic Healing because it ties it all together and can be used in tandem with other energetic modalities and ways of returning to the True Self. It offers clarity, healing and insight on levels from physical to spiritual in very real and practical ways. People often seek Shamans when they are at the beginning of an awakening, this has been especially true for me in my practice. I often act as a guide, confidant, and channel for those experiencing an awakening so that they can return home to themselves and live as Soul no longer burdened by the weights of this world and the problems it presents. That’s not to say that it’s magic and all our worries, problems and troubles have been erased, but that we have a deeper understanding of their roots in our lives, how we can move past them into a greater state of awareness, and begin to create from a place of love, rather than trauma or fear.  To me, the most powerful benefit of Shamanic Healing is having a greater and clearer knowing of who one truly is as Soul, as an infinite multidimensional being. This often shows up as medicine during a session in the form of power animals, soil medicine, words of wisdom, and gifts which all represent and act as reminders of this knowing. It is an opportunity and calling to view one's life through the eyes of Soul.
 We are more powerful than we know. It may not seem true right now, and certainly there is a lot that we cannot control, but we have the ability to affect almost every aspect of our lives. The key is to be intentional with our words, actions, and thoughts. What are you seeking to create? Do you set an intention for your day, for your meals, for your interactions? When you do, you are changing the energy in all ways.
Start with your day. What do you hope for this day? If you say “May I notice the gifts and blessings of this day, and may my heart be filled with gratitude,” you are likely to experience the beauty all around you and have a positive day. How do you hope to show up with your family, friends and even strangers? If you say “May I be a source of Love for all that I encounter,” this blesses your day and your interactions in a powerful way. As you sit down to eat, if you declare “May this meal nourish, support and heal my body for its highest good,” you are changing the vibration of the food and how it is received by your body. Another favorite of mine is “May I hear through ears of love and see through eyes of love.” This truly affects your perception of others and the information that comes your way. So much of what we think is happening outside of us is being filtered through our perceptions. When you line up with love in your own self, you will experience others differently, and you may become aware of information that does not feel loving and decide to dismiss that. Prayers and Intention can be similar, but one difference is that with intentions YOU have the power. You are saying “I choose to be, to feel, to give, to receive in this way.” You can set an intention for everything! If there is a person you do not get along with, you may say “May our hearts be open, and our words be kind.” If you have set dietary goals, you may say “May I eat in a way that loves my body and creates wellness.” Living with Intention is fun, joyful, and powerful. Line up with what you hope to create in your life and become the powerful creator that you truly are. by Paula Smith  One of the things I love about energy work is the fact that it is so fluid; it doesn’t fit into a box and there isn’t just one way to practice it in order for it to be profoundly effective. In the past year and a half, energy workers such as myself have had to adapt to the circumstances with our work and how we energetically support ourselves, our families, and our clients. Everyone is in need of extra support in this environment and one of the ways energy practitioners can do this is to offer distance healing.
Those who don’t understand how this works may question the efficacy of it, but it’s actually quite simple: it works with intention and the channeling of universal life force energy. We are all energetic beings with a frequency and a vibration. A qualified practitioner can easily connect in with a client’s energy field, regardless of either’s location. I accomplish this in my practice by using Reiki and/or Archangelic Light to read the energy in a client’s body; then I focus the healing energy where it is most needed. In order for my client to get the most out of a remote session, I first connect in to my client with a phone conversation. After we talk, I ask my client to lie down in a comfortable space in their home to receive the session, we hang up, and I conduct the session and record any session messages on my phone. Finally, I have a wrap-up conversation with the client afterwards to address how the session went and how they are feeling, and I send them the session recording. Besides the energy session, I offer my clients easy tips on how to stay centered and balanced in their daily lives, as everyone is under extra stress these days. Earthing is one really good and simple tool I use often. The theory behind Earthing (or grounding) is that the electrical charges from the earth create a positive healing effect on the body. There are many ways one can do this, but the way I earth is to stand or walk barefoot in the grass or dirt in 10 minute increments throughout the day. For me, this practice feels soothing and makes me feel more connected to the world around me. Light walking and exercise, such as yoga, also helps to keep one centered and balanced between the mind and body. As soon as I feel like I am too much in my head, I know it’s time to get the energy flowing with some movement and grounding. Paula Smith is available for in person sessions at the Sagewood Center or remote sessions as well. She can be reached at 919-637-1000 or pksmith919@gmail.com.  Do you notice feeling heavy or constricted when you encounter an angry person or stressful situation? Have you noticed feeling a sense of disappointment or regret after agreeing to plans that didn’t really interest you? Or feeling your energy lift when an idea seems especially interesting? This is your body and your energy reacting to your world and giving you valuable clues that can help you be healthy and well, and to make decisions that line up with the best outcomes. Tuning into this information can guide you in many ways.
A great place to start to access this energy is the Yes or No question. First, close your eyes and say Yes, Yes, Yes, and notice what you feel or see. You may see a symbol, such as a Green Light, or a Sunshine, or something else that feels like a Yes. Then close your eyes and say No, No, No, and notice what you feel or see. You may feel your belly contract, or a slump in your shoulders. Once you have a sense of your Yes and No symbol or feeling, you can start asking questions. It is important to ask very specific questions. If you are wondering whether a food is right for you, ask “Is this apple beneficial for my body right now?” If you are wondering about a purchase, you might ask “Will this item help bring happiness to my home, or will I enjoy it for many years?” The key is to know what you really want. “Should I buy this?” is not specific enough. A pendulum can be also used to answer these questions. With a little practice and a bit of trust, you start to receive answers to your questions in every area. The next step is to notice subtle changes in your energy as you move through the world. Are there friends that “drop your energy?” Do you feel sad after going to the grocery store and you don’t know why? Your energy is reacting to people and places and associations all day long. The key is to trust your intuition and your feelings and act on them. Commit to protecting and supporting your highest energy levels. If you are deciding between 2 foods, feel them and see which feels stronger. If you are making plans and you feel your energy drop, take a step back and allow yourself to make a decision that lifts you up. If you have a co-worker that acts nice but feels bad, trust your instincts, and create some distance. Sometimes a change in mood is an energy issue. Knowing what lifts and drops your energy will help you be empowered to move yourself back to balance on all levels. Tune in and let the wisdom of your energy be your guide. by Sue Nicol  How is your Self-Care Practice? Energies are intense and self-care is so important these days. Everyone is feeling it and we need to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves. Sometimes turning inward is the cure for the stress of what is happening in the world. The more you are connected to your own Inner Light, the less you will be affected by outside influences. Find what brings you joy, what fuels you, what you are passionate about, and what brings you purpose, and do more of those things. No matter what you are doing make sure you are aligning with your truest self and doing it from your heart. Let go of what you can’t control. This does not mean remain complacent or apathetic, but just accept what you can’t change in the moment and remain as neutral as possible. Have fun, play and get out into nature. This will raise your vibration and you will experience more joy, which may inspire others to do the same. When you start to feel tired, or overwhelmed by life events, take a step back and pause a moment. Take a few deep breaths and try to put your feet on the earth. When you are grounded, you feel stronger in every way. Do what your heart calls you to do. Always follow your own truth and do what YOU feel is right. Align with your most authentic self. Be yourself and SHINE YOUR LIGHT!!! — Love, Sue Sue Nicol is the owner of White Dove Healing. She is a Holy Fire®III Reiki Master/Teacher, an Archangelic Light Practitioner, a Core Shamanic Practitioner, and a Beyond Quantum Healing Practitioner. You can contact her at whitedovehealingnc@gmail.com or on her website, www.wdhnc.com.
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