This new year is rapidly moving forward, and so must our hearts and minds. It is time to move on with life. Reflexology is a lovely and kind way to nudge us onward. Hear the call of your feet? Well, we laugh but maybe we should listen.
Sharon West, RCR
Newbern, TN Dyersburg, TN 731-627-0053
We have so much to be thankful for–life, family and friends, and great food. May your Thanksgiving give you time to think about all those great things, plus a piece of your favorite pie.
Thank you, Lord!!
There is a time to ask for help and a time to push through your stress. It is never easy to let go and ask for help. It is never easy to just “keep-on-keeping on” either.
Lately, I have needed to do both. I have been overwhelmed in one area of my life. Other areas were just fine. The stress shadow fell over my life. Only grace, good friends, practical help and time seem to be helping. Personal stress is what drew me to reflexology in the beginning. It is doing that yet again. I, too, need to break my stress patterns and Relax With Reflexology.
There is nothing like a good story and I was surrounded by the best of the best at the International Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN last weekend. I was blessed by the school to be able to attend. Because it is so experiential, it is hard to describe all that I heard, saw and felt during the storytimes.
The little town explodes with people from everywhere and then we gathered into circus-type tents to not only listen, but to become part of an oral tradition that has existed forever. That choice somehow bonds you to each other and you become part of a vast family if only for awhile.
Before going, I found out my cousin has been going to storytelling festivals for years and that her parents sometimes go as well. I got great information from her about the tellers they loved and practical advise. Rhonda suggested taking a blanket for the cool night sessions. My uncle had mentioned that he had always wanted to take Granny ( his mother, my grandmother) to the festival at Jonesborough, but it had not worked out during her lifetime. Granny told us stories all the time about growing up in Middle Tennessee and life. She made up Christmas stories and put us in as characters.
As I was trying to decide what blanket to carry, I was drawn to a blanket that was my Granny’s and I believe even crocheted by her. Of course, it had to go to the festival with me! Granny went with me in spirit and warmth. I felt the warmth of the cloth as well as the warmth of the memories of Granny, as I huddled with others under the open chilly night sky for ghost tales or inside the big-top tents. Our stories keep us connected, don’t they?
There is so much more detail I could tell of running into an old friend that I had not seen in fifteen years and getting to share in the festival stories as well as our own. Then, there was the mountain creeks I have so missed since moving back to West Tennessee. It was specially wonderful to get a couple of precious hours at a supper rendezvous with my son and to meet his girlfriend. What great storytelling that was. Alas, I must move on and do the things of this day.
So remember to share your story and listen as those precious to you share theirs. It will relax you and enrich your own story.
Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist
Newbern, TN Dyersburg, TN 731-627-0053
What a great way to relax on Saturday–with reflexology. I did two sessions today. What fun! I hope both of my clients had a chance later to catch a nap as well. It was a lovely day for one.
I started my day before dawn wrapped in a blanket in my rocker, waiting for the sun to arise and the Son to arise in me. He told me act like I believe what I believe. What makes me think I have some sort of responsibility to worry? Later, I made apple crisp, so tomorrow maybe I’ll do apple crisp and coffee. Sounds like a great way to start a Sunday.
Watching the hummingbirds, fragile and fierce, never ceases to amaze me. I did attend the Strawberry Plains Audubon Society Hummingbird Festival and got to touch a hummingbird!! After a hummingbird is banded, it is handed off to a child to release. As the bander completed his job, he asked if we would like to feel the heartbeat of the hummer. All our index fingers went out as he gently placed the tiny bird’s chest against each one. It felt like the purr of a cat, because it was so fast–about 500 times a minute when resting.
Today, I slept a little later ( just doing a pajama morning) and headed out to the porch with my coffee. The hummers were wild and hungry. One hovered briefly over me from my rocker observation point. I finished my coffee and refilled all the feeders. The same little bird again hovered over me for a full ten seconds as if to say, “Thanks.” A little later, she returned and for the first time that I have seen, fed from the potted geranium less than two feet away. Too cool. I felt so blessed and connected to the wild things. The postman came up with the mail and we had a great conversation about the hummingbirds that come to his backyard. They bring people together, just like at the festival.
How do I find this relaxing to me? Well, stepping beyond my little world of sometime chaos helps me to re-focus. While they protect “their” feeder with ferocious behavior, I sense they have no fear–not of the future, nor of each other or me. I would do good to learn from them. Peace, from the touch of gentle fury.
Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist
Newbern, Tennessee Dyersburg, Tennessee 731-627-0053
Be there or be square! What fun! I plan to attend and be amazed again by God’s tiny wonders. You just can’t be stressed when blessed. What blesses your heart?
The festival is September 9 (Friday) until September 11 in Holly Springs, MS. The Strawberry Plains Audubon Society website for more info is :
http://strawberryplains.audubon.org/
Sharon West, RCR reflexologist in TN
Newbern, TN Dyersburg, TN
731-627-0053
Last night was the 40th Reunion of the DCHS Class of 1971. It was a pleasant, fun and chilled-out time. I think we’ve mellowed over the years. It seems impossible that it has been forty years! Goodness. How did that happen? We missed the ones who were not there and sure hope they are doing ok.
If you love hummingbirds, you just have to see “First Flight, A Mother Hummingbird’s Story.” (www.hummingbirdstory.com ) It is so worth the money. It has incredible footage, and I’m using it as my library lesson this week. I am so concerned that too many children have lost ( or perhaps never developed) their sense of wonder. You can’t beat nature when it comes to amazing us.
Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist
Newbern, TN Dyersburg, TN 731-627-0053
Orion was shining brightly as I walked out on the porch for some quiet time. We are heading out soon to attend the Titans pre-season game in St. Louis. Adventures in traveling! I haven’t been out of town much this summer, and we are all so ready for a break.
As went to sit in my rocker, the stars beckoned me out further. There I stood, gazing at half moon, surrounded by stars and a streak of a cloud that made it look like the telescope photos of the Milky Way. Too cool. I went back and sat down to eat my banana nut bread muffin (a gift to my parents and shared with me) and drink my coffee, then giggled as struck with the notion, “I’m having breakfast with the stars, Lord!” They dance across my heavenly skies every night and so often I just ignore them. I’m so grateful I got up early for this moment.
Pondering the day, I looked up and there was this blob on the upper part of the porch, up by the rafters. What is that? I didn’t remember seeing it earlier but then, I was star gazing. A frog, maybe? It was still too dark to tell. I got up and turned on the porch light. Yep, it was one of the little fellows that scared me silly jumping out of the flower bed one afternoon as I watered. I guess he was looking for some breakfast, too. I hope he eats wasps 
The party grows.
Hey, what a day already and it is only 6 a.m. I hope your breakfast is as exciting. Relax today and enjoy. You never know who will show up to bless your day.
Sharon West, Registered Certified Reflexologist in Tennessee
Newbern, TN Dyersburg, TN 731-627-0053
“Meriama” is the name of the woman at the well in John 4. That is what Jesus told me this morning. That’s what sitting on the porch at at 5:30 gets you. Believe it of not, I just listen and write it down. She prays for me. Wow! She prays for women like me and it releases much power, much healing. Thank you, Meriama.
