The Holidays are Upon Us - Let's Enjoy Them Mindfully

Long before mindfulness was popularized by John Kabat-Zinn, Herbert Benson & Thich Nhat Hanh and a slew of other philosophers, we had John Steinbeck. In his seminal book Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck stated; “the best laid plans of mice and men to go awry”. Maybe John Lennon said it in a more approachable way for our present culture; “life is what happens when we are busy making other plans”. As we enter this beautiful holiday season, I am trying to be mindful enough to treasure the moments in between the plans.

I recently hosted international visitors for ten days. As they rarely get to visit the New York area, we have been experiencing many activities and events that I would not normally have time for.  After a particularly long, fun day, we had just finished a late supper at home.  As we sat down for a cup of tea after the kitchen was clean, one of my friends looked outside and noticed that my dog, Satch was rubbing his face on the back porch floor boards. As we puzzled about what he could be trying to accomplish, I opened the door and let him in.  The reason hit my nostrils like a ton of bricks.  Satch had been skunked.

complements of SkunkOdor.net

So many thoughts and emotions flooded me. I know some of you have been there.  I did not want to end my Sunday night giving my really smelly dog a bath at 11:30pm when I was tired.  But as some of us know, when your dog gets sprayed by a skunk, there really is no choice. Life is happening.  My husband and I grabbed the tomato soup, took him upstairs, put him in the tub, and started scrubbing.  We ended up having some unexpected laughs as we turned our white doggie red.  For additional tips on removing skunk odor, click here. 

And this is the gift we were given in those moments.  We are learning to treasure each moment while we are living it.  

This year, some of us have experienced great joy, shocking news or tough times.  Some of us have experienced tragedy and loss.  There have been professional and personal challenges.  Some are within our control to change and others are outside our locus of control.  For some of us this was just another year.

A dear friend of mine passed away in August.  His daughter read the poem The Dash, by Linda Ellis, to commemorate her father’s life.  It is sweet and I encourage you to read it too.  Here is the link to The Dash.  It is another take on savoring each moment and enjoying life and those around you.

http://www.linda-ellis.com/the-dash-the-dash-poem-by-linda-ellis-.html

Just as we do with our students, our children and our animals, I was able to see my world through the eyes of my visitors and found it interesting and new.  May the coming holidays be ones of great joy for you and yours, and may you find something fascinating in the everyday.  May you feel camaraderie and take comfort and support from those around you.  May your challenges bring unexpected opportunities, and as your best laid plans go awry, may you find that your life is joyous, unexpected and new. 

Nine Star Ki Astrology Nov 2 with Sharon Rothman in HoHoKus, NJ

Hi and thank you if you were able to attend our open house at 18 Sycamore Ave in HoHoKus. NJ.  We shared a beautiful afternoon of friends, refreshments, discussion and meditation.  As promised to those in attendance, I am including information about two upcoming events.  If you live nearby or plan to be in the Northern New Jersey area and would like to attend, please inquire or register with Mary Beth at mbdelbalzo@gmail.com. 

Nine Star Ki Astrology with Sharon Rothman

Saturday, 2-4 pm November 2

 

Fridays, 6-7:30pm - January 10 – Feb 28 

Mindfulness Based Relaxation Response Classes with Mary Beth Del Balzo

 read on for more information about both events.

Saturday, November 2

Nine Star Ki Astrology with Sharon Rothman

 Join us for the return engagement of Sharon Rothman, as she reviews our 9-Star Ki Astrological charts.   The last time Sharon joined us, participants were amazed by the spot-on readings and assistance in discerning life events and navigating decision-making. Sharon's direct and gentle way safely opens our hearts and puts our minds at ease.

The group event will be held on Saturday, November 2 from 2:00-4:00pm in Mary Beth's space, 18 Sycamore Ave, 2nd floor, HoHoKus.   Cost is $60 per participant.  Space is limited so please RSVP now to Mary Beth at mbdelbalzo@gmail.com.

more about 9-Star Ki

9-Star Ki guides by charting the movement of energy through time.  9-Star Ki - Feng Shui Astrology is the most ancient and comprehensive of astrological systems, based on the vibrational archetypes of the I Ching.  The vast star cycles and planetary orbits create and influence the natural cycles of time - day and night, months and years, seasonal growing cycles and the flow of tides and atmosphere that govern all aspects of our lives on Earth.

Each of us is born into one of the nine aspects of Ki, which determines our basic nature, the way we express our emotions and the spirit with which we do things in life.  Each year, month and day charts our place in time and gives us our own personal weather report so we can plan our activities according to the prevailing cosmic aspects. There are times for planning, tasking action, achievement, prosperity and recognition; and times for letting go, receiving, reflection and recharging.

We can chart our own destiny, acknowledge our true potential and dance through life with wisdom and clarity when we move with the ebb and flow of cosmic time.  Our relationships with ourselves and with our loved ones are enriched by this new understanding.

About Sharon Rothman - Sharon also does intuitive consultations in Feng Shui and 9-Star Ki Astrology, as well as Energetic clearings for spaces, house blessings, dedications and ground breakings.  Sharon Rothman is a certified Feng Shui consultant and 9-Star Ki astrologer, much sought after for the remarkable results she achieves for both residential and commercial clients.

January 10 – Feb 28 

Mindfulness Based Relaxation Response Classes with Mary Beth Del Balzo

 On Friday evenings this winter from 6-7:30 pm, join Mary Beth Del Balzo, LSCW, CHt, Psychotherapist and Certified Hypnotherapist for group mindfulness based relaxation response for decreased stress, better focus, confidence and peace. You will learn techniques that you can use in everyday life to defuse the effects of stress on your body, mind, emotions and spirit. You will experience increased peace and vitality, decreased aggravation and better rest. Cost is $25 per class or $175 for all 8 classes in advance.

 Dates include:
Fridays 6-7:30pm
January 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28

Did you know that 60-90% of doctor visits are due to stress related illness?  Mary Beth draws on techniques including self-hypnosis, meditation, the work or Jon Kabat-Zinn (Professor of Medicine Emeritus and founding director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School), Herbert Benson (Founder of the Benson Henry Institute at Harvard Medical Center and author of The Relaxation Response) and others.

 

For questions or to RSVP, contact Mary Beth for all workshops and classes at mbdelbalzo@gmail.com. 

Open House Oct 12 in HoHoKus - Help Us Welcome Autumn with meditation, refreshments and relaxation!

Help us welcome Autumn! 

Join us for a casual reception of meditation, socializing and refreshments. 

Saturday, October 12 from 3-6pm at the office of Mary Beth Del Balzo

18 Sycamore Avenue, 2^nd floor, HoHoKus

(enter through middle front door)

Meditations will be held at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30

Each meditation will last for about 15 minutes.

Please feel free to

join us for any and all of these!

Meet our friends and colleagues

Mary Beth Del Balzo, LCSW, CHt, Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist

Paul Lamb - Energy Medicine Practitioner, NJ licensed Massage Therapist, Certified instructor of Tai Chi and Qigong, Reiki Master

 

Jennifer Chaparian, NCMT - Personal Fitness Trainer and NJ Licensed Massage Therapist, Professional AMTA Member Insured

Reiki Share Group

Joan Donohue -Energy Healer and Spiritual Medium (Joan will not be available to attend but will be with us in spirit)

RSVP by contacting Mary Beth at mbdelbalzo@gmail.com or 201-394-2319
or visit 
https://autumnopenhouse101213.eventbrite.com

Crosspost from Angel and Marc Hack Life - 10 things Happy Couples do Differently

Couples often ask me, how do we just get along?  What is missing?  What am I doing wrong?  What is my partner doing wrong?  How do you stay married for so many years? (my husband Jim and I have been married for 32 years).  All couples have their rhythm, but those with long term success do things that some people give up on, or can never quite get to.  My own personal suggestions?  Pick your battles.  Have compassion for your partner.  Understand that we all learn and grow and change and so do our partners.  Try to get on the same page with how to care for and raise your children, if you have them.  More than anything, STRAP IN - prepare yourself for bumps in the road.

Our non-negotiables - no hitting, no cheating, mutual ground rules for both.

Angel and Marc's piece, below, gives a number of good suggestions for a happy life together.  Read on for details.  I'm giving a brief synopsis here, but for the complete piece, go to their blog, Angel and Marc Hack Life, an edited version of which follows here. 

"All intimate relationships are built on a foundation of honesty, trust, and attraction, but what do happy couples do differently to keep their love thriving in the long run?

1.  They make plenty of time for each other.

2.  They don’t beat around the bush.

3.  They meet in the middle and work together.

4.  Their actions consistently backup their claims of love.

5.  They respect each other’s humanness.

6.  They focus on what they like about each other.

7.  There is far more between them than physical attraction.

8.  They resolve conflicts through love, not retaliation.

9.  They open up to each other, especially in trying times.

10.  They are committed to growing together.

Afterthoughts

The best relationships are not just about the good times you share, they’re also about the obstacles you go through together, and the fact that you still say “I love you” in the end.  And loving someone isn’t just about saying it every day, it’s showing it every day in every way."

Again, for the complete piece, well worth reading, feel free to visit the original blog,  Angel and Marc Hack Life.

Crosspost from Jamie Kilstein - an alcoholic guy with an eating disorder - amazing point of view piece

Jamie Kilstein

This blog tells it truly - worth reading. 

Crosspost from Kenyon Farrow - 50 Years After the March On Washington and Still Fighting for Jobs and Freedom

2013

It is hard to believe it has been 50 years, on August 24, since Martin Luther King Jr and so many others risked their lives to further civil rights in America.  Please read this piece.  Kenyon Farrow talks about keeping this from being a pop culture happening, and remembering there is still incredible need to fight for freedom for all. Farrow contends that, in many ways, civil rights have been rolled back, and that "there are many struggles we'll be carrying into the future."

1963