Beautify Your Life!

Perhaps not so flawless, but . . .

2010-04-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

So, I received the foundation from Paula Begoun and have used it for about a week. I can't say that my skin looks as perfect as my sister's (but then, I guess that was unrealistic - she's had facials, etc) but it is very good coverage from a very light foundation. The upshot is this: Discolorations are covered without looking "made up". And that is a good thing! (Also, it goes on better with your fingers than with a sponge.) If you want to look "dewy", "glowy", or "radiant" though, you'll have to use a highlighter too.

Good product, good price - but not a miracle worker. Have you tried it? What do you think??

Flawless skin

2010-04-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

So my sister and I were in line at 7-11. (Buying lottery tickets - hope springs eternal!) It's daytime, there is sunlight coming in the windows, and the fluorescent lights are blazing. In other words, this is the harshest light you can imagine. My sister is only 1 year, 1 week younger than I. And her skin looked amazing! I told her so and she said that she had tried a new foundation from Paula Begoun. (She's been around for years - a makeup guru who reviews all kinds of makeup and now makes her own line, using what she's learned.)

I ordered some! Hasn't come yet but if you want to try it, here's the URL: www.paulaschoice.com/product/barely-there-sheer-matte-tint-spf-20/Complexion

It's only $14.95 and it's an ounce so it should last about 2 mos or so. Hope my skin looks as great as my sis's!

Bat wings, part 2

2010-04-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the rosemary oil may actually work. But if you don't have muscle there, too, you won't see huge improvement. I do a very physical yoga for an hour and a half, three times a week. My biceps are nicely defined but my triceps . . . not so much! Most exercise programs don't focus a lot on the triceps. There is a good exercise for the triceps: Sit on the edge of a chair with your hands behind you, facing forward. Then lift up and down in front of the chair.

Here's the fun part of this: Science is discovering that when you visualize yourself doing an exercise, your muscles react as if you are actually exercising. Great! My kind of tricep exercise! But first do the actual exercise a few times - I find that it's easier to visualize something that you've actually done.

"Bat wings"

2010-04-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

So, especially if you're a woman of a certain age, you may have noticed that awful flab under your arms that just seems to be growing. Kind of like a blob that seems to be from some science fiction movie. If you are noticing the "wave" under your arms (some call it "bat wings"), you may be interested in what I just read in "Women First" magazine: Put two to three drops of rosemary oil in a dollop of body lotion and rub it in under your arms. It's supposed to increase the collagen in your skin and firm up the bat wings!

I bought some rosemary oil (under $7) at a nutrition store yesterday and did my first "treatment" this morning. Can't give you any feedback yet but hey - it's worth a try!

Yes, I'm older . . .

2010-04-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

I know that it's been a few months, but time flies when you're on the earth a while! Truly. If you haven't noticed it yet, you will. There are even studies being done about how (and why) the perception of time changes when you're on the earth a while. (They haven't really found out why yet - actually, it has to do with one's need to experience as much s possible while one is still in the earth . . . but the brain science is still in its infancy.)

Anyway, got a few things to say in a few new posts - and we'll all see how I experience time in the future!

The Channel says this all of the time . . .

2009-11-16T00:12:00.000-08:00

but maybe you'll believe it more if scientists say it:

The Mantra That Helps You Live Longer
By RealAge

The last thing we all need right now is another doom-and-gloom headline. So try this mantra as an antidote: Good times are coming.

Think it. Believe it. Say it to yourself often -- as often as it takes to put yourself in a more positive frame of mind. Not only could it put more bounce in your step, but research shows it may add miles to your life, too.

Great Expectations: It's all about attitude. And the right one did a lot for the women in a study. Those with the most optimism -- a belief that good things will happen -- enjoyed a 14 percent lower risk of dying from any cause during the study, compared with their most pessimistic peers. And the women who saw the glass as half full were also 30 percent less likely to develop heart disease.

Raising Resilience: The study findings don't necessarily prove that a bad attitude shortens life. But cultivating a positive mood certainly can't hurt you. A positive attitude does a bunch of good stuff for your health -- like setting you up to cope with stress in healthier ways (such as meditation instead of drinking). Positive people may also deal with stress better and live longer because they tend to enjoy deeper social bonds than cynical types do.

Posted at http://www.realage.com/tips/the-mantra-that-helps-you-live-longer

Remember the "grapefruit diet"?

2009-10-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

Yeah, we all remember that one! And people made fun of it or swore by it. Now, researchers are saying that citrus helps raise your metabolism! From www.realage.com:

The research is early, but a new animal study suggests that naringenin, a compound in grapefruit, could help stop the pounds from piling on.

Citrus Secrets

In the study, researchers found that mice with symptoms of metabolic syndrome gained less weight from a high-fat diet when they were on a naringenin supplement. Not only that, but the rodents' cholesterol and triglyceride levels and insulin sensitivity also improved. More support: Check out this human study that found weight benefits to eating grapefruit.

Okay, now it's official - everything old is new again! (But worth a try!)

I know - baking soda again!

2009-10-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

But I love these tips! From TotalBeauty.com:

Four Amazing Uses for Baking Soda

No. 1: As a Clarifying Shampoo: Mix 2 teaspoons baking soda with 1 cup water and use as a final rinse after shampooing.

No. 2: As a Facial Cleanser: Mix 1/2 teaspoon with your favorite cleanser for extra exfoliating (no need to buy a separate scrub!). This is fine for all skin types to do weekly, but dry skin may need to follow up with a rich moisturizer.

No. 3: As a Foot Powder: Sprinkle some baking soda into your workout shoes for stink-free and sweat-free feet. No.

4: As a Teeth Whitener: It has a salty taste but baking soda is a classic tooth cleanser and whitener -- sprinkle on a damp toothbrush and brush as normal.

And it cleans sinks, polishes sink faucets, and cleans stains from dishes, too!

Thank goddess for baking soda! ; )

Vaseline - old fashioned fix!

2009-10-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

When I was in my 20's, I used Vaseline to remove eye makeup. Whenever I told a makeup expert (at a spa, in a department store makeover) that I did this, they laughed at me. Not only laughed at me but called others over to laugh at me as well! So I stopped.

Fast forward to about 10 years ago. My eyelids were "crepey" and eyeshadow looked funny on my lids. So I decided what the heck - I'm not 20-something anymore, I don't care what they think. And so I began to use Vaseline to remove makeup every night. Within a week or so, my eyelids were as smooth as they had ever been. And I've been using Vaseline ever since!

A couple of days ago, I was reading a women's magazine. Lo and behold, they had a makeup tip: Use Vaseline to remove your eye makeup and you'll diminish lines around your eyes.

I'm so glad that the world has caught up with me (and my grandmother)! ; )

Blessings!

Eyeshadow application

2009-09-27T23:14:00.000-07:00

So, this is fun! Paula Begoun has some videos on uTube showing makeup application. I enjoyed this one on eye shadow. Maybe you don't like playing with makeup like I do but it's still interesting! Click here to watch the video

New ideas are always fun.

Brain foods

2009-09-21T00:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, we all know by now that exercising your brain (puzzles, physical exercise) is the way to stay sharp throughout life. And hey - we should all do it. But Dr. Oz (who is everywhere now, courtesy of Oprah) says these foods also help. And if you're like me, it's easier for you to eat your way to brain health than it is to find new puzzles! So here goes:

Blueberries: Compounds in the bright berries may help shield against harmful processes tied to Alzheimer's disease and premature brain aging.

Eggs: This breakfast favorite is loaded with selenium -- a mineral that could help make your brain years younger.

Mustard: What makes mustard so amazing? Turmeric. Getting just 17 milligrams of it a day -- about a teaspoon of mustard -- can help activate genes that control the cleanup of cellular waste in your brain. (Note: I just read elsewhere that turmeric has a compound that starves fat cells - yay!)

Salmon: This pink fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, including the type thought to have the most antiaging effects on the brain. A DHA supplement is another way to get your omega-3s.

Kale: Getting at least three servings a day of dark, leafy greens high in carotenoids and flavonoids can slow mental decline associated with aging.

So play your way to health or eat your way to health - choose whichever you want!

Blessings!

Noetic Science

2009-09-19T17:37:00.001-07:00

I'm just finishing Dan Brown's newest book, The Lost Symbol (which, by the way, is much better written than his previous books - while still being, of course, an exciting read) and I now want to go to Washington, DC. (Read the book to find out why!)

As with his previous books, he's introducing everyone to new "real world" information as well as creating a level of fictional excitement. I had never heard of noetic science and it's a fascinating field. If you'd like to learn more about it, google it or go to http://www.noetic.org/index.cfm and get an introduction to it.

If you're prejudiced against the Masons (shame on you!), you may have some trouble with the book since it revolves around the Masons and likes the organization. Hang in there - the Masons are not what you may think!

Blessings.

Beef!

2009-09-10T14:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know that this is self-serving, but I SO love a good piece of rare beef. (Even typing about it makes me crave a piece!) So I have to share this from an article on "superfoods" from Prevention magazine. You can find the whole list of foods here: http://www.prevention.com/25healthyfoods/index.html

Lean beef is one of the best-absorbed sources of iron there is. (Too-little iron can cause anemia.) Adding as little as 1 ounce of beef per day can make a big difference in the body’s ability to absorb iron from other sources, says Mary J. Kretsch, PhD, a researcher at the USDA-ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center in Davis, CA. Beef also packs plenty of zinc (even minor deficiencies may impair memory) and B vitamins, which help your body turn food into energy.

If you can, splurge on grass-fed. Compared with grain-fed beef, it has twice the concentration of vitamin E, a powerful brain-boosting antioxidant. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Because this type of beef tends to be lower in overall fat, it can be tough—so marinate it, and use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.

Apple Cider Vinegar revs your metabolism?

2009-09-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

According to a Japanese study, one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar a day revs your metabolism and therefore aids in weight loss. Hey - apple cider vinegar cuts gall bladder attacks AND revs your metabolism? Sounds like a miracle food to me!

what happened to me?? : )

2009-09-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back! I was ill (gall bladder - my yoga teacher says apple cider vinegar and oil, I've read the blogs and it seems that apple cider vinegar and apple juice really cuts an attack - i sure wish i'd known that) and then had updates to do. (Which, by the way, is really difficult when you're dehydrated - I lost 6 lbs in a day and a half and most of them came back on, darn!) So now I think I've caught up on everything and I'll be posting again. Geez - no time to be ill. And it seems that it's just like when you had kids at home - everyone wants you to keep doing everything!!

So, tips for today: Again, apple juice with some apple cider vinegar helps your gall bladder - and some say add a little olive oil and the stone passes too. Also, remember when I wrote that you shouldn't wash with soap/lotion in the morning, just splash with water? Well, I read that again in Prevention magazine - but use cold water. Supposed to be even better.

I promise - I'll keep writing. Just hang in there with me! ; ) Blessings!

The Power of food

2009-08-21T17:38:00.001-07:00

I've written about Doves and blueberries, but all of the food that you eat has the power to uplift and energize you. Every day, you make choices about what you eat - and "good" choices make a big difference in your quality of life. I know that the channel says that there are no "good" or "bad" foods - and I know that's the truth. But it does make a difference when you choose the foods that feel good to you. Science says that a variety of fruits and vegetables (5 - 9 servings) are good for your health. You can choose which fruits and vegetables you eat, depending on your likes and dislikes. And 25 - 35 grams of fiber a day gives you more energy and makes you feel "lighter."

So think about the power of food in your life. Your body will feel lighter, your mind will work better, and your spirit will move into the earth with less effort if you eat consciously rather than simply "putting something in your mouth"!

looking more radiant

2009-08-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

I like this - I read it in a magazine yesterday and tried it this morning. Put your (cream) blush on your cheeks before you put on your foundation. Putting your foundation (nothing heavy - it makes you look older) over your cream blush looks more natural. You look like your natural "flush" is showing through. (Which happens when you're younger. Remember when you didn't need blush at all??!)

Try it.

Lipstick test

2009-08-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

I read this yesterday, in Women's Health magazine. Haven't tried it yet but hey - sounds good!

Most of us test the color of a new lipstick on the back of our hand before we buy. Better place: The tip of your finger. Evidently, it more closely mirrors the color of your lips. Worth a try and we have ten places to test the color!

Makeup tricks

2009-08-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

The following are from an article by Bobbie Brown for Prevention magazine. I use these tricks all of the time (especially #4) and really like them. I can't live without my eyelash curler - it really makes a difference!

1. Don't just dab concealer on dark circles. To really look fresh and well rested, you have to counteract the shadows cast by your eyes. To do so, pat on a yellow-based cover-up one shade lighter than your foundation as close to the lash line as possible, blending right up to the eye socket and on the sides of your nose. --Bobbi Brown

2. Always use a lash curler immediately after getting out of the shower; the warm water makes the fragile hairs pliable so they're easy to curl and less prone to break. --Kimberly Soane, New York City

3. Although brow powder fills in sparse spots and looks natural, the formula isn't long-lasting and tends to smear by lunchtime. The fix? First, sweep on a brow pencil, then stroke on your powder; the pencil's wax base will cause the powder to stick in place. --Tia Hebron, Sandy Springs, GA

4. After applying foundation, rub your palms together for a minute, then press them gently onto your cheeks, chin, forehead, and nose. The warmth helps soften the base, making it look like your natural skin as opposed to an obvious layer of makeup. --Sherri Hubner, Snoqualmie, WA

5. A smart way to ensure that you don't overdo your look: Start backward. For instance, after applying your foundation, swipe on your blush and lipstick before your eye makeup. This way your face will appear brighter, so in turn, you end up applying less eye shadow, liner, and mascara for a more natural take. --Ricki Gurtman, Morganville, NJ

Your poor, swollen legs!

2009-08-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

We do an easy pose in yoga that is a great everday movement for your legs, especially when you're tired and your legs/feet are swollen. Lie on your back on the floor and get your butt as close to a wall as possible. Then put your legs up the wall (so that your body forms an "L") for a couple of minutes. The fluid will drain from your legs and feet and you will be mentally refreshed. Our yoga teacher swears that her varicose veins disappeared (I know that she doesn't have any now) after doing this every day for a couple of years.

But if you just want to feel (and look) better, this is a great immediate fix whether you want to keep at it every day or not. If you do keep at it, you may find that there are more benefits for you!

I'm back!

2009-08-10T23:08:00.001-07:00

So, the benefits of a vacation from "real" life were brought home to me in the past few days. You don't have to go somewhere in order to get out of your regular routine, but it helps! Las Vegas may still be in the United States but if you've ever been there you know that it isn't anything like daily life. It's a fantasy world, full of people who are seeking a change from the everyday world - and full of people playing with their money. And that isn't a "bad" thing - it's fun and you get a different perspective on the uses of money energy. How many times do you play with money?

All of this (eating, playing with your money, getting away from daily routine) is a wondrous way to change your energy. And when I say that, I mean the energy of your body and your spirit. Coming back to "real" life means that your body changes (and recharges) and your belief systems can change as well.

So, I'm back - and I'm new!

Don't worry, be happy!

2009-08-06T00:10:00.001-07:00

Remember that song? Yes, it sounds trite but it's true - the less you worry, the more you smile, the better your health and the better you look. It takes an act of will to turn your mind from the stressors of daily life but it's an act of will that's worth it, for your body and your mind. Think about pleasant things (even if it seems unrealistic at the time) and your body will thank you!

Now, I'm off to Las Vegas for a few days; a place where you are supposed to forget your troubles and live in a fantasy!

Boost your metabolism

2009-08-03T15:50:00.001-07:00

I love Prevention magazine and Prevention.com - maybe because they agree with my world view! I don't want to summarize this article because all of it is important. But I do want to encourage you to read through to the end. Whether you choose to do strength training (which can be as simple as walking every day - building your thigh and calf muscles - and lifting water bottles, building your arms) or not, the truth is that you lose muscle as you age. And it's muscle that burns calories (AND makes you stronger AND helps your endurance). So please at least peruse the article at this link - and do at least some of the things they suggest. Yes, it helps weight loss but, more importantly, the quality of your life will improve.

Burn more calories while you sleep!

Washing your face

2009-08-03T00:50:00.000-07:00

I recently took an online quiz re: face care. Anyone who knows me knows that I love product of any kind - make-up, hair product, body product, face product. I experiment with all of them. So I generally use Cetaphil to wash my face, a scrub (usually St. Ives Apricot Scrub), and a mask once in a while. I also use a mild face wash by L'Occitane (I love their products). The key being MILD facial cleansers.

But the quiz suggested that I shouldn't use any "soap" (cleaning product) on my face in the mornings. Yes, wash your face at night to get rid of make-up and pollution from the day but simply use warm water in the morning and follow with a moisturizer. I thought that I'd give it a try.

It's been 2 weeks and I have to say that my skin is softer and there is less "redness" from irritation. Just using warm water in the morning is quicker, easier, cheaper - and better for my skin.

Why didn't someone tell me this years ago?? :-)

Rosemary?

2009-07-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

You know about cortisol, don't you? It's a hormone whose level rises when you're stressed - and it's blamed for the deposit of fat around your middle. (Yes, that's why "mommy" years create a rise in big bellies!) Well, there's a new study out of Japan that suggests that pinching a bit of rosemary (dried or fresh) between your fingers and breathing in the scent lowers your cortisol level - reducing stress. I know that I love running my fingers over a rosemary plant and releasing its scent . . . maybe that's why!

So, lavendar has a run for its money - try rosemary and see how you react!

Your attitude counts!

2009-07-29T23:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it feels as if you are "stuck" with what you have. But this is never true. Whether it's your health, your body, your spirit, or your life, you can always change what you do or are. It may take some effort and time, but there will be an effect. Even (seemingly) small changes, through time, make a difference. You simply have to keep at it - keep going, keep doing. Change your environment, change your exercise routine, change your diet, change your mindset. Whatever it is, try a change.

Change, itself, can work wonders! It's only when you try nothing that nothing happens.

Keeping the calories in control

2009-07-25T23:24:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I read that menopausal women could only metabolize 575 calories per meal. Anything over that would go to fat. I can't find that information anymore, but current thinking is that 4 - 5 small meals a day (with total caloric intake between 1600 and 1900 per day) is the best for keeping your weight where you want it.

I've been doing that (four 400 calorie meals per day) and I'm seeing my weight drop to a normal range. Several small meals a day do make a difference in me. In addition, I've been building muscle mass (I do this with yoga three times a week but weight lifting will work as well). As we age, we lose muscle mass, slowing our metabolism further. And between the two, I've never felt better. Basically, I'm a size 6 right now but, in time, I want to stabilize at a size 4.

So, eat small meals and work out - it's what we're always told and it's what works. You don't have to starve - just be smart about what and how you eat!

Gettin' with "the times"

2009-07-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

So, if you're a woman of "a certain age," you may not know what a bikini or brazilian wax is (Oprah didn't). And you probably haven't had one. You may also clean your hair brushes and combs in a sink with some ammonia (which is what you mother told you to do). But there is an easier and better smelling way to clean your brushes - put a little of your hair shampoo in a sink full of water. It breaks down the hair and oils on your brushes and combs (as well as old product) and it only takes a few minutes.

Want to stay young in attitude/mind? Find new ways of doing things - even the small things!

Beautiful air

2009-07-22T23:26:00.001-07:00

You may know that silk (faux) plants are dust collectors - and people with allergies shouldn't have them in their houses. (I'd say that no one should have the "fake" stuff!) Real plants, however (such as philodendrons, spider plants, and ivy) can actually "scrub" the air in your house, getting rid of indoor pollutants. So add several to your decorating scheme - they'll soothe your soul, beautify your surroundings, and help your lungs!

Dove Promises - a "good" addiction

2009-07-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me know that I eat dark chocolate Dove Promises every day. I love them! And I've always said that they're good for you - that they're my "health food." Well, here's my proof, courtesy of Prevention magazine:

"Dove Dark . . . contains cocoapro cocoa, a proprietary, specially processed cocoa with superhigh levels of flavenols - so high that Dove Dark is used in medical research." High levels of flavonoids are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, lung cancer, prostate cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes, according to the same article. They may also lower your blood pressure and protect against plaque buildup in your blood vessels.

So now we all have a medical excuse to eat 1oz of Dove Promise dark chocolate a day. Now that's a reason to celebrate! (And yes, 1oz is small enough that you don't have to get fat eating it!)

Eat your "superfoods"!

2009-07-17T23:06:00.000-07:00

One of the "superfoods" is blueberries. Just half a cup to a cup a day can protect against dementia, enhance brain function, reduce cell damage that leads to some cancers, help maintain good vision, give you a better complexion, and more.

Such a small amount of a good tasting food - with such great benefits! The better your body functions and feels, the better you can use your power in the world. Superfoods make you a super Being!

Breathe!

2009-07-15T23:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, everyone has to breathe. But most of us breathe shallowly and without awareness. Focusing on your breath and inhaling and exhaling deeply (without making yourself dizzy!) has multiple benefits: you connect with the world around you, increasing your spiritual power; you oxygenate your brain, increasing mental sharpness; you oxygenate your cells, speeding your metabolism and increasing weight loss; and you create a sense of emotional peace and harmony.

It doesn't take a lot of effort to breathe deeply several times a day and the benefits are enormous. So . . . breathe!

Stay healthy!

2009-07-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

In people with a history of squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer, a diet high in leafy greens was associated with a reduced risk of another round of the disease. Read more about this at: http://www.realage.com/ct/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/tip/9027

Time keeps on slippin' slippin' slippin' . . .

2009-07-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

into the past! Did you know that baking soda has more uses than the "usual"? A pinch of baking soda, added to your normal shampoo when you wash your hair, does the same job as "clarifying" shampoo. Use it once a week - it will make your hair shinier and won't interfere with hair color.

Also, try brushing your teeth a couple of times a month with baking soda (made into a paste with a little water). It will whiten your teeth without harming the enamel - cheaper than whitening strips!

Some "old" things are still just as good as they were!

Did you know . . .

2009-07-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

That laughter is good for your mental, spiritual, and physical health? Laughing often oxygenates your blood making you look younger, making your skin brighter and clearer, and helping all of your organs to function better. It also links you to others in a positive way.

Laugh loud, laugh often!

Celebrate your personal Liberty

2007-07-02T23:22:00.000-07:00

I'm off to the frozen North (better known as Seattle) for a few days and won't be able to answer your questions while I'm gone. But all of you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Don't forget to celebrate your personal Liberty on the 4th - you are limitless Power with limitless options. Only your belief systems can stop you from expressing (and living) this. So let go of all limiting beliefs and open to your joys and desires. Live in freedom!

Blessings,

Kathy

It's been a long time!

2007-06-18T00:02:00.000-07:00

It's been over a month since I've written here and we're almost at the Tide Change. So much has happened to me, internally. And, whether you know it or not, so much has happened inside of you as well. When there is a lot happening in consciousness, your physical world is (relatively) unchanged. But once your consciousness has moved, your physical world catches up: It can radically change, quickly.

With the Tide Change, exciting times begin. Don't focus on what those changes may be or how they will effect you - don't worry about whether they will be "good" or "bad." Just know that you can trust both yourself and the universe. Everything is moving you to a happier, easier, and more enjoyable position in life.

Enjoy - and Happy Tide Change!

Blessings,

Kathy

If you can't say sumpin' nice . . .

2007-05-07T23:55:00.000-07:00

don't say nuttin' at all!

If you're a boomer, this phrase was a large part of your childhood. And if you're younger, you have probably seen the movie "Bambi" at some time in your life. In any case, Thumper was right - it's always best to keep your mouth shut if your comments aren't nice - or if they aren't supportive or productive.

This is especially important right now. Because others are on edge (which "edge" differs from person to person but everyone has his or her limits at this time) and they are quite vociferous about unhelpful, or hurtful, words. So please be careful about what you say and to whom you say it! And if you believe that the words of another are hurtful to you, don't retaliate. "Turning the other cheek" is the best course. Not because you are being "better" than someone else but because retaliation simply keeps the hurtful energy going.

You know the world is better when kindness is practiced - this is especially true for the first part of May.

Blessings,

Kathy

All Fools Day - April 1st

2007-04-02T00:19:00.000-07:00

So it's All Fools Day and I have just moved to a new house. What does that say about me and my life?

In the old days, we would say that a new house is a new consciousness. If we follow that line of thought, moving to a new consciousness on All Fools Day (when one should be open and ready for anything - when one should move in new directions, without analyzing) is an amazing thing. It means that a leap in consiousness (no matter what direction the leap takes) will bring huge changes in physical reality. I'll just have to wait and see how the new era and its new "rules" will bend this. But my sense is that the shift in living space will absolutely bring a shift in life. All I know now is that I'm ready and rather excited about what life will bring in the next few months.

What do I hope for you? That your All Fools Day brought some surprises and shifts to your life as well. And if it didn't, I hope that you open your Mind and Heart to surprises and shifts in April. Because whenever you allow it, Life can surprise you with the most fantastic things!

Blessings,

Kathy

The Jesus Tomb

2007-03-05T23:48:00.000-08:00

Many of you may have seen the Jesus Tomb special on the Discovery Channel last Sunday. You can debate the merits of the science in this documentary and you can debate the theology presented in it. But there is a more interesting aspect that I would like to address.

You may have noticed that there has been a lot of press around, and discussion about, the veracity of religious beliefs over the past few years. It's become very popular to question the roots of many religions. I don't think that this is "coincidence." We are in the beginning of a new era and the old religions simply don't speak to the human experience as they once did. In every era (and, often, many times during the era), new religious dramas are presented that capture the essence (or the "rules") of the specific era. The underlying themes of creation are always present but the way they are used in any specific era change. We are undergoing a change right now and it is normal (and healthy) to question the basis of the old ways.

Please don't view the questions as "rewriting history." This isn't the point of the questioning. In exploring a new way of looking at old themes, we are (all of us) providing the fodder for new themes - for a new religious drama. Try not to get caught up in figuring out "what really happened." It's the myth (or religious drama of the time) that carried the Power. And it's the new myth (the new religious drama) that will carry Power. In questioning the old, we are simply deciding what the new drama will be - what it will look like. Every time that you are looking for "The Truth" you are looking in the wrong place. We are really looking to build the framework for a new time by questioning the old framework.

Something to think about!

Blessings,

Kathy

"The Secret"

2007-02-11T23:59:00.000-08:00

Last week, Oprah had a show on "The Secret" - the secret being the Law of Attraction. Of course, the Law of Attraction isn't hidden knowledge but has been widely known for thousands of years. However, this DVD has seemingly sparked renewed interest in understanding one's own power in co-creating the world around us.

Please remember that your world is a co-creation - that is, you are not solely and consciously responsible for your world. Also, remember that you are not here to learn but to experience. Taking on the task of becoming more aware of your co-creations is a wondrous thing if you don't become guilt-ridden by what you see around you. Looking at the world as experience allows you to accept whatever is there and move on. Looking at the world as learning implies that you must figure out what is wrong with you or your world, fix it, and then move on.

This is a new era. Embracing your creations with joy, knowing that they are there because you are receiving something from them, and giving yourself permission to change are a part of this era. Remember: You are a blessing to all others just as you are now. Please don't use "The Secret" to "fix" yourself. When you do this, you are not empowering yourself or your world.

I have made a meditation video (about 4 min long) that reminds you of just how wondrous you are. You can see it at www.kathypinna.com (click on the Videos tab). I have added two more videos - one about getting what you want (under 1 min) and one about the basic beliefs of this era (under 4 min). I hope you enjoy all of them!

Blessings,

Kathy

The New Year TRULY Begins soon!

2007-01-13T17:52:00.000-08:00

On January 17th, the energies of the New Year (2007) truly enter the earth. While it may not be the easiest time for all, it is truly an exciting time. For these energies bring the opportunity to truly create miracles in your life.

In 2006, everyone had the experience of "letting go." This may have entailed your home, people in your life, your possessions, or even a way of life. No one had a choice - Life came in and moved elements of everyday life. This continues through the 17th of January 2007. So you may think that there is a "message" in something "going wrong" (or of something breaking down), but there isn't. Life is simply creating more space in your life.

With the energies of 2007, the last vestiges of any old patterns are wiped from your life. This may involve relationships with everything in your life. But you have been practicing in 2006 and this kind of "letting go" will be easier since you have had practice. And the reward is wondrous - once you have let go of your old ways of doing things, looking at things, dealing with things, miracles occur!

You'll see how this happens in your own life and how it plays out in your daily life. For now, just know that miracles abound for those who are willing to shift. Open your mind, open your heart, open your body and allow those miracles into your own life!

Happy, happy 2007! With blessings, Kathy

Welcome to the Light!

2006-12-22T23:47:00.000-08:00

Throughout the ages, December has been a time to welcome the return of the Light. This has been celebrated as the solstice, Saturnalia, and, in your time, Christmas - as well as using many other names. Whatever it is called, it is a time of preparation and contemplation - preparation for the months to come. It is a time of magic, love, and the celebration of the abundance of life.

Gather with friends and loved ones (physically or psychically), count your blessings, celebrate the abundance in your life (no matter how little you think you have), seek the wisdom of your own Being and well as the wisdom of others. This is how you celebrate and welcome the Light - as well as how you create more Light in your life.

It's a time of magic, of Spirit, of beauty - of seeing and appreciating that which connects us all (in physical reality as well as outside of physical reality).

Welcome the Light!

Kathy

Politics - or energy?

2006-11-16T16:00:00.000-08:00

We know that political activity is purely human. Therefore, we may analyze your political scene but we never judge it.

Your most recent political choices, however, raise some interesting questions. Are you truly changing direction? If so, how will this impact what is happening in your world? If not, are you stuck with one set of future events? Is the future hopeful or does it cause fear? What does all of this mean in the Age of Balance? These are big questions with complicated answers. For now, we would like to address one aspect of your elective process: Fear versus hope.

With the recent election, you did express dissatisfaction with the focus on fear and violence in your nation. For us, this is hopeful. Not because those elected will change everything quickly. Not because they have "the answer". But rather because the language of the political scene will change. And with changes in language, the consciousness changes. With a change in focus, events change. And so, while it will take some time, there is a better (national) life ahead. But don't worry - while there is some change, there is still a lot to shift in your world and most especially in your nation!

Blessings.

The times, they are magic!

2006-10-31T23:56:00.000-08:00

Tonight is Samhain - a time of magic and transformation. Samhain may be a name for something that was begun in the "old days" but this time of year will always carry Power and Magic.

Be sure to keep your eyes and heart open to the magic around you. The Power of this time is a palpable thing and you can see wondrous things (and experience them).

Let's start a list of all of the wondrous things that are happening in our lives. I'll start: Today, I opened to the spirits of the world around me and found great peace and healing energies. Tomorrow, I expect that this will show up in my daily life as a small miracle.

How about you?

Kathy

Football

2006-10-15T00:15:00.000-07:00

I went to a college football game today. (Oh yes, football promotes awareness!lol) Although I am an avid football fan and have watched hundreds (if not thousands!) of games on tv, this was my first "in person" college game since I was in college. (Many years ago!)

What an experience! Thousands of fans yelling and cheering on their team. Lots of smiles (since San Jose State won). So much energy! So much enthusiasm! And why don't we use that energy and enthusiasm in daily life? Why don't we get together and pour our group energy into transforming the world in a "good" way? Maybe because we don't have a venue for it or because we don't have societal encouragement for it or because we don't believe it would make a difference? Well, I'd like to propose that we get together with friends and cheer each other on . . . that we use that wondrous group energy to accomplish wondrous things.

Do you think that's possible? I do!

My book is ALL done!!

2006-09-13T00:14:00.000-07:00

Wow! After over 2 years of writing and 6 months of editing and formatting, I finally delivered my first book. (Cover pictured.) Others may be excited but I'm just relieved - it's done, it's being distributed, and all I have to do now is sit back and watch. I've had some good feedback - people who have read it enjoy it and find it useful. My hope is that it will be a Light for everyone . . . and that it will help everyone use their Light.

Yea!!!!!!!!

You can buy the book online at http://www.lulu.com/content/395818 (Lulu.com). It's a little more for shipping and handling when you buy it online, but you'll get it faster and you can use a credit card. If you want to save a few $$ and want to wait a little longer, you can contact me directly and I'll send you a copy.

The "old days"

2006-08-26T00:09:00.000-07:00

The picture to the right was taken a few months after I began channeling. I have had "psychic" experiences all of my life, of course, but channeling for other people was a new direction for me. It was also helpful in showing me how to use (and, in some ways, control) my intuitive experiences. I look at the picture and think about what I knew then . . . and how much I didn't know then - or now. I think about the journey that I have taken in the intervening years and how much more there is to explore. Life is so open and wide, with so many adventures and discoveries. It is neverending, always changing, and always exciting. The opportunities are endless, no matter where you are in your journey. No matter what you think has happened in the "past" and no matter who you think you are right now, the possibilities are endless. If you remember this and greet each moment as new and open, your journey will be an exciting one!

Hot Summer

2006-07-18T11:53:00.000-07:00

Usually, July is a quiet month in the world of politics, relationships, and weather. The sun is shining, everyone is in vacation mode, and family reunions (rather than feuds) are the order of the day.

This July, as we predicted, is hot in more ways than one. The United States is in the grip of a massive heat wave, fires rage, and the Middle East is in the midst of a war. The "lazy, hazy days of summer" certainly doesn't describe July 2006!

So, will you be a support to the status quo or a force for change? This is a wondrous time to recognize your power in the broader world. And you do have power. Gossiping, avidly watching (or reading) the news, or complaining about what is happening all diminish your power. We know that it is the "business of the news" to scare you, to make you feel that the world is in crisis, if not falling apart. But what you focus on, increases. If you are fearful and worried, you use your power to create more fear and worry in your life. You have no (effective) power left to change the world.

Changing your life into one of peace and innovation, and therefore changing the entire human world, is easily described: Stay away from contact with fear-mongering (the news, gossip). Focus on your daily life and making it good. (Practice relaxation techniques, grow a garden, be with people you love, take care of your body, start a project you've always wanted to explore.) If you can do something about a situation, take care of it. (If you're a firefighter, help put out the fires. If you're a diplomat, mediate.) But if participation in an event is not a part of your direct life, do not involve your Mind. Living in joy and peace, you create joy and peace.

Nothing that is happening now will have devastating effects within the earth. It is all, however, uncomfortable. Your power lies in shunning discomfort and embracing enjoyment, thereby sending the (powerful) energies of joy and peace into the world.

Blessings,
Kathy

Freedom

2006-07-05T23:44:00.000-07:00

This evening, I was lucky enough to see the movie "Good Night, and Good Luck." While the movie closely parallels what is happening now (politically and sociologically) and is inspirational because of the principled stand that the main characters take, it also has personal implications for each of us. It reminds us that who we are and how we project what we are into the world, matters. When we have the courage to act with honesty and integrity, we can change the world and we improve the quality of our lives.

Living with intent, acting with intent, as well as seeking the entire truth of a matter, are the hallmarks of a life well lived. Do you accept what is told (or represented)? Or do you look more deeply, seek more answers, and think about life? Material possessions, relationships, a "spiritual" view of life - none of these make a difference in your level of peace and happiness if you don't live an aware and fully developed existence.

The news the past few days has been full of Korea's launching of missiles. How have you reacted? Do you know that the reach of these missiles is 600 miles? Do you know that Korea does not have the capability of arming them with nuclear devices? Or do you think that North America is in danger of being attacked by nuclear weapons from Korea? Are you living in fear or are you seeking out complete information? Are you living a completely aware life or are you accepting the "sound bites" and opinions of others?

Are you intent on living a free and informed life or are you accepting what others tell you? The "truth" will set you free!

Blessings,
Kathy

Life Lessons

2006-06-29T12:27:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of wisdom all around us. Usually, we don't ask for others' wisdom however. Here, I'd like to ask all of you:

What is the most important thing you've learned in life? How does it help you on a daily basis?

For me, it is the knowledge that life is interactive. This allows me to acknowledge my power in any situation (I am not a "victim," even when it feels that I am at the mercy of outside forces such as waiting for a repairman!) and to therefore use any situation proactively rather than passively wait.

And you?

Blessings,

Kathy

2006-06-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

The Beginning

2006-06-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of Summer - the beginning of a new Tide. This is a fabulous time to focus on your body, appreciate yourself as a human being, and recognize your needs and wants/wishes. If you do this, beginning today and throughout the summer, anything is possible during the next 3 months. Staying with and focusing on your body - the feel and solidity of being - is all you have to do. The universe (and the earth) will bend and shape itself to whom and what you are.

Enjoy this wondrous time!