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Issue 3 ~ April 2003 Spring Cleaning & Time for Laughing, Crying, Healing
"Meditation practice is regarded as a good and in fact excellent way to overcome warfare
in the world: our own warfare as well as greater warfare."
- Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
In late March, my husband Ken and I took a long weekend at a
Bed & Breakfast in Mystic, Conn. The inn had no televisions. We could therefore, not
"tune-in" to the recently launched war in Iraq. The simple absence of TV news for
three days had such a calming and healing effect on our spirits.
This issue, we remind you to "tune out" the massive dose of fear the media is
bombarding us with these days. And "tune-in" to LAUGHTER, TEARS, and MEDITATION.
We also remember Earth Day this month with some organic alternatives to toxic household
cleaners. And for anyone coping with a broken heart, Rev. Laurie Sue offers up some sound advice.
Blessings for Peace,
June Soyka Cook, Founder
Self-Healing Expressions
"The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter."
-Mark Twain
Finding Laughter During Difficult Times
By Lynn Shaw
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Dare we laugh during difficult times? As our nation engages in war and I reflect upon my own
"laughter meter" in recent weeks, I realized that I have had several moments of
weeping and many moments of laughing. This reminded me that laughing and crying are on the
same continuum - both designed to offer release and relief. During tough times we may think
that laughter is inappropriate or an indication that we're not as serious as we
"should" be. My belief is that it is in tough times that laughter is especially
helpful to move us from intense introspection to connection with others, perhaps through
service and outreach.
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Laughter is about connection, and I can't think of a better time to
connect outside of self than during difficult times. So go ahead and laugh - and weep -
simply because you can. And, if you need a jumpstart, here are some ideas to help get you
laughing...
[continue reading]
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"Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the self-same well from which your laughter rises
was often-times filled with your tears."
- Kahlil Gibran
Breaking up: Tips to Get Over A Break Up or Romantic Loss
By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
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It's not easy to lose in love, or lose the one you love. Breaking up can initially leave you
almost comatose and as numb as a death in the family might. There is only one way I know of to
get to the other side of the pain...crying. There will be many times daily that you will have
to hold it together and pretend you are fine, but for the sake of healing your broken heart,
be sure to set aside time every day to cry like a baby! Here are a few ways [and music] to
encourage crying out those healing tears...
[continue reading]
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"Household cleansers are the major source of home toxins. Approximately 500,000 tons of
liquid cleaners are washed down U.S. drains annually. Most of these products rely on
petroleum-based surfactants, solvents and other chemicals, some of which are known to be acutely
toxic in large doses. Others have been linked to reproductive illnesses and cancer. Most of these
chemicals have not been tested for their impact on human health."
- Judy Morgan, Environmentalist
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Organic Household Cleaners: Healing the Environment Begins at Home
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Clean with Vinegar? Baking soda? Club soda?
Considering the threat to one's health and the environment that common household cleaning
products pose, it just makes good sense to use organic products for household cleaning tasks.
Organic products are more affordable, not detrimental to your health and kinder to the
environment! Here are some homemade organic products we like...
[continue reading]
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This Month's Healing Recipe
By Julianne Koritz, RD
As strawberries begin to re-appear in mass at the marketplace, enjoy this yummy and healing
smoothie with strawberries, yogurt, and wheat germ. This healing beverage is high in Zinc,
Potassium and Vitamin C.
Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in almost every cell. It stimulates the activity of
approximately 100 enzymes, which are substances that promote biochemical reactions in your body.
Zinc plays a strong role in a healthy immune system, is needed for wound healing, and helps
maintain your sense of taste and smell...
[ continue reading and find recipe here.]
Last month's raffle winner was Jennifer. She won the e-course
Living Deliberately ~ Guided by the Wisdom of Thoreau
by author Marianne Parady.
Jennifer had this to say about this Thoreau e-course:
"The words, ideas, and lessons are so wonderful. Thank you! This journey, in the past few
months, has been quite lonely and tiresome. The support and honesty in the lessons, along with
'the thoughts for the journey' have helped so much and have eased the pressure at this time in
my life. I am trying to apply what I am learning to my everyday life. My hopes and dreams of the
future I know will come to the light. Life is learning everyday for me - it is constant. Sometimes
it's hard not to get caught up in all the hype and negativity. I know I am not alone in finding
another way...Thanks Henry."
Featured Products this Month
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See you there!
Are You Facing The Loss Of A Beloved Pet?
In this email course, bereavement counselor Marty Tousley helps you examine why pet loss hurts
so much and how it differs from other losses. She offers suggestions to explain death and
euthanasia to children; how to plan ahead for the death of a pet while honoring your own values
and spiritual beliefs, and ways to memorialize your faithful friend.
More Power To You
Who programmed me? How do I re-set that old program? Am I reacting or responding? Am I creating
solutions or depleting my energy? Examine these and other questions & answers. Be guided towards
self-empowerment and living a purposeful life through this powerful self-help email course.
Closing Thoughts
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
Psalms 30:5
This Month's Holistic Prayers
Dear God,
Please forgive us
for our inability
to live as one.
Amen
~ Marianne Williamson
Hold on to what is good even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree which stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here.
Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go.
Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you.
~ Pueblo Blessing
The earth is our mother, we must take care of her.
~ Lakota chant
Yours in Peace & Prayer,
Your Friends at Self-Healing Expressions
If you find value in "Holistic Expressions," we invite you to forward this newsletter on to others.
Disclaimer
About Self-Healing Expressions
Self-Healing Expressions
provides self-paced email courses on holistic and personal growth topics. Site features
guided meditation and healing prayers. Course topics include Romantic Resumé, Grief Healing,
Pet Loss, Nutrition, Laugh Therapy, Healing the Earth, Wisdom of Thoreau, More Power to You
and more. Its popular (free) Holistic Prayers email course contains interfaith prayers,
worldwide prayer vigil announcements and inspiring quotes.
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