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Igniting Change

March/April 2015

What Are You Waiting For? The Plant-Based Diet Food Cravings?

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contents features 10 13

departments

March/April 2015 • Issue 122

4 6-8 33

13

Healing Modality Reports

Publisher's Note Sparks Holistic Directory

Can a Plant-Based Diet Make You Healthier?

Phyllis K. Kennemer

14

Food Cravings 101

16

A Commitment to Change: Former Nun Shares Her Journey

Collin Ruiz

Kimberly Braun

18

What Are You Waiting For?

21

Beauty IS Skin Deep

22

What Does Your Hand Reveal?

Scientific Hand Analysis

Kristen Moeller

Mary Barghelame

18

Jayne Sanders

24

Lessons We Can Learn from Geese

26

4 Steps to Building a Healthy Relationship with Your Partner

Judith Albright

Laura Garrett

30

Why We Need to Protect the Keystone Species Donna Mazzitelli

30

columns 28

Foodie Corner: Spice Up Your Party with Ginger Soy Wings

29

Inspired Chef: Get a Solid Start with Oatmeal

31

Donna Recommends: Books & Films to Ignite Your Beautiful Spark

Jordan Danz

Alan Roettinger

Donna Visocky

36

If Only God Would Give Me A Sign: Exit Here!

Ellen Wood

The opinions expressed in articles and advertisements are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or other contributors.

BellaSpark Magazine is brought to you by our advertisers. Your support of these businesses and services encourages freedom of choice in health care in our community. Join us in thanking them for their support — please tell them you saw their ad in BellaSpark.

For help with advertising, call 970-219-3297.

www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

1

Published in Fort Collins since May 1993 PUBLISHED BY BellaSpark Productions, LLC Publisher/Editor Donna Visocky, Publisher — Editor@BellaSparkMagazine.com Linda M. Potter, Editor

Advertising Department BVisocky@AOL.com Bob Visocky, Ad Sales VP — 970-219-3297

Graphic Design Advertising Development Specialists, Inc. 970- 223-1743

Staff Editors Judith Albright, Sally Petersen, Jan Waterman

Staff Writers Phyllis K. Kennemer, Donna Mazzitelli

Distribution Team Melissa Windell, Bobie Champlin, Jeff Ginter, Lisa Marie, Bob Potter, Jen Visocky

Subscriptions/Change of Address Subscriptions@BellaSparkMagazine.com — 970-443-0732 Subscriptions are $15 for one year, or $35 for 3 years.

General Information www.BellaSparkMagazine.com — 970-443-0732

Mailing Address 2724 Maroon Court, Fort Collins, CO 80525

Where to Find BellaSpark 18,000 magazines are distributed free in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder, Denver, Wellington, LaPorte, Estes Park, Wyoming and Nebraska.

To have BellaSpark distributed at your outlet or for restocking call 970-443-0732 BellaSpark is also available at www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

Copyright

Karen VonRiesen

Intuitive Healing Practitioner PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, & SPIRITUAL B.S. Psychology, Graduate clairvoyant program from the teachings of the Berkeley Psychic Institute, Reiki and Yuen Energetics Practitioner

In the interest of sharing information about holistic lifestyles, BellaSpark does not copyright any of the material published.

Advertising Rates Please visit BellaSparkMagazaine.com or phone 970-219-3297 for a complete media kit which includes our display rates and electronic file requirements.

Directory Listings: Please visit www.BellaSparkMagazine.com/Directory

Strengthen your communication with and begin to work more fully with your healing angels, guides, and the ascended masters and discover your greatest possibilities when you align with the path of your divine destiny.

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2 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: March 31 for May/June Issue Submit all ads to ads@BellaSparkMagazine.com Visit www.BellaSparkMagzine.com or phone 970-219-3297 for complete media kit.

ARTICLE SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 10 for May/June Issue Submit all articles to submissions@BellaSparkMagazine.com Articles submitted early have a better chance of being published.

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Publisher’s Note

DONNA VISOCKY

Full Circle

I

Sarah M. Babbitt Registered Massage Therapist 19 years of experience Swedish Pregnancy Neuromuscular Trigger Point Lymphatic Drainage Myofascial Release On-site Chair

have come full circle. Twelve years ago, after the death of my daughter Kristi, I began a journey, one born out of desperation and a need for answers, an attempt to answer the age old question of why. Why my child? Why me? What’s the meaning of life? You know how it goes.

My life revolved around my desire to understand.

It changed me, who I was, what I wanted. My seeking led me to quit my job, to start a business and to purchase a magazine. BellaSpark Productions was born to contain these new experiences — our mission to be a catalyst: to stimulate, inspire and embolden individuals and communities in their growing spiritual awareness by providing access to consciousness raising ideas, people and information. Bella means Beautiful and Spark is for the Divine Spark in all of us.

I have indeed experienced that beautiful spark. I have learned, explored and reached a better understanding of the world, growing and evolving in a way I could never have fathomed. I am not the woman I was before my daughter died, nor the woman I was just a couple years ago. So here I am full circle — back where I started some 12 years ago — no longer the seeker. Am I done? No, for as ever evolving souls we are never done, but for now I am complete.

I recognize that I am finished with this leg of my journey, this chapter in the book of life called Donna. Spirit is calling me in a new direction, a new chapter is waiting to be written. It is with both sadness and a sense of fulfillment that I share with you that Bob and I are ready to move on from BellaSpark Magazine. We have decided to sell this publication that has shaped and inspired not only us, but hopefully you who have shared our journey with us. I send this out to you our readers and to the Universe with the desire that if the magazine still has more to offer the world a buyer will come forth. Someone with new energy and a wish to bring a new light to the world. If you are that light, that beautiful spark, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

It has been an amazing journey and we are truly grateful for all who have supported us over the years. Change is the only constant and we have chosen to embrace it. What does the future hold? We’re not sure, but whatever it is, it will be magnificent.

(970) 472-0766 sarahbabbitt.massagetherapy.com

4 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

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5

Sparks

2 New Eco-Friendly Products for 2015 Here are a couple of great products to consider for 2015: • Solpro is a new, energy-efficient way to charge your smartphone by using the power of the sun. Not only will it save you money on your energy bill, but you’ll never have to be worried about getting stranded without a plug. Solpro is conveniently compact and fits easily into briefcases or purses. It’s great for campers, travelers and anyone on the go. www.sopro.com.

• The ecoATM is the world’s first automated eWaste recycling station. It allows you to sell your phone or other device through an ecoATM kiosk.

The system tells you how much it’s worth and then gives you instant cash.

The ATM offers payment for old cell phones, MP3 players and tablets.

EcoATMs also helps with the growing eWaste problem by offering no-cost recycling of other electronic accessories, such as chargers. To learn more, including where you can locate an ecoATM, visit www.ecoatm.com.

2 Ideas for Green, Eco-Friendly Businesses Looking to make a little extra cash? Here are two ideas for eco-friendly business that could go a long way in helping the planet.

• Start a green housecleaning business. With so many two-income families, cleaning the house can quickly fall to the bottom of the to-do list. You can be the green solution to their housekeeping needs, offering everything from light dusting to heavy-duty chores using only approved all-natural and eco-friendly cleaning products. Remember that most housecleaning services use products with harsh chemicals in order to get the job done quickly. Charge an hourly rate or create your own service packages for a flat fee.

• Start a recycling pickup service. So many of us spend hours trying to find places where we can recycle items that our recycle service will not take. Then we spend even more time driving them to the recycling facility. Out of frustration many of us end up disposing of those items in the trash — everything from electronics to batteries to lightbulbs and more. Charge a flat fee, or per item, or by weight, plus your travel time to and from the location.

2 Ways to be a Conscious Consumer The most significant contribution we can make as conscious consumers is to create less waste.

Here are a couple of simple ideas: • Purchase items that are designed to last, both in terms of durability and design. Instead of succumbing to the latest trend or fad, invest in items such as classic furniture that never goes out of style.

• Acquire fewer plastics. Ask for paper containers wherever available at fast food outlets and recycle the plastic ones. For home use, look for biodegradable containers made from plant-based resins that can replace standard plastic containers.

Donna Mazzitelli 6 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

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7

Sparks

Bone Broth Offers Surprising Health Benefits Bone broth is not only simple and flavorful, it offers a range of health benefits good for the whole body.

Nutrient Absorption • Broth is a source of bio-available nutrients in an easy-to-digest form.

• The amino acid structure and high gelatin content make it soothing and healing for the gut, and enhances the overall absorption of nutrients from all foods.

Supports Hair, Skin, Nails and Joints • Broth contains collagen that supports hair, skin and nail health and growth.

• Helps keep skin smooth, firm and reduces wrinkles.

Provides Key Amino Acids • Proline - Important to make collagen, break down proteins and improve skin elasticity and smoothness. It also helps keep arteries flexible and healthy.

• Glycine - Needed for DNA and RNA synthesis and digestive health, it enhances muscle repair and growth by increasing levels of Creatine and regulating Human Growth Hormone secretion from the pituitary gland.

• Arginine - Supports proper kidney function and promotes healthy wound healing.

Gut and Immune Health • The high gelatin/collagen content supports gut health and the amino acids help reduce inflammation.

• Gelatin "heals and seals" the gut.

Want to make some bone broth? A few tips: Use bones with a small amount of meat still attached and roast them first to improve the flavor of the broth. Simmer for 24 hours or longer to remove as many of the minerals and nutrients as possible. The bones should crumble when pressed lightly between your thumb and forefinger.

Source: www.wellnessmama.com

Food Scraps Worth Saving from the Trash Reducing food waste has a positive impact on the environment and your wallet.

To help do your part and keep a few extra pennies in your pocket, try repurposing common food scraps: • Turn the heels of stale bread into croutons. Toast them in the oven until crisp then add a drizzle of olive oil, salt and a bit of your favorite seasonings.

Store in an airtight container. To make bread crumbs, pulse the plain toasted cubes in a food processor until finely ground.

• Wilted greens may not be great in a salad, but they’re perfect in a rice or egg dish. Also add them to a creamy risotto or frittata.

• Take the Parmigiano cheese rind and toss it into sauces and soups for added flavor; remove before serving.

• Clean the bones from a chicken, roast or other meat and place them into a pot with water, vegetables and seasonings to make a flavorful stock.

• Herb stems can be added to soups, stocks or braises for extra flavor. Tie together the stems with a clean piece of kitchen string, then add them into the pot; remove string before serving.

• Take root ends of onions and place them in a shallow dish of water until they start sprouting again.

• Use cereal crumbs from non-sugar cereals to make a great crust for chicken, fish or meat.

Source: www.thedailymeal.com

8 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

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www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

9

Health

Healing Modality Reports The Reconnection brings in new axiatonal lines that reconnect us on a more powerful and evolved level than ever before.

For 2015, BellaSpark challenged the magazine’s staff to seek out alternative healing modalities that they found interesting. We then asked them to schedule a session with a local practitioner and report back to the magazine on their experience.

The Reconnection — Mary Beth Kennedy

By Linda M. Potter I’ve been interested in The Reconnection ever since Eric Pearl published his bestselling book of the same name in 2001. In 2013, I had the opportunity to not only interview Dr. Pearl for BellaSpark, but at his invitation, both my husband, Bob, and I attended his Reconnective Healing workshop in Denver. Working with the Reconnective Healing energies for three days was a powerful experience; so powerful that Bob chose to use what we learned to start a Reconnective Healing practice of his own. It was wonderful having my own personal practitioner that I could access any time I wanted to experience the energies, but I felt like I had only half of the picture.

During our training in Reconnective Healing during the Denver workshop, we were briefly introduced to a slightly different process called simply, The Reconnection. Although it works with

10 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

the same energies as Reconnective Healing, it is a decidedly different experience. This is the process that facilitated Dr. Pearl’s transformation from a working Hollywood chiropractor to an internationally known “miracle” healer. Unlike Reconnective Healing which has been taught through regular workshops to over 90,000 people, and is offered by a growing number of practitioners worldwide, The Reconnection which is “the umbrella process of reconnecting to the universe, our higher selves,” is available on a far more limited basis by a select few facilitators.

Mary Beth Kennedy of Boulder is one of those few. Kennedy has been working with Dr. Pearl since 2003.

One of his busiest facilitators, Kennedy is a member of Dr. Pearl’s Reconnection Teaching Team. If I was going to get The Reconnection done, I wanted to partner with one of Dr. Pearl’s most trusted teachers, and Mary Beth was the perfect choice.

What exactly was I in for? As Kennedy explains on her website, “Originally the meridian lines, sometimes called acupuncture lines, on our bodies were connected to the grid lines of the planet. These lines continued out and connected us to a vastly larger grid, interconnecting us with the entirety of the universe.

Over time, we became disconnected from these lines.

The Reconnection brings in new axiatonal lines that reconnect us on a more powerful and evolved level than ever before. These lines are part of a timeless network of intelligence and parallel-dimensional system. They enable us to standardize unique vibratory levels for healing and evolution.”

Mary Beth Kennedy can be reached at 303-589-8006, marybkennedy@gmail.com or www.marybethkennedy.com.

Past Life Regression — Tammy Carpenter

By Donna Visocky I have long been fascinated by past lives, ever since producing an event with Brian Weiss and reading

However, despite my interest and experiences, I had yet to have a past life regression of my own. It wasn’t until connecting with Tammy Carpenter of Mind Over Body Hypnotherapy that I decided now was the time. Tammy is a NATH certified Hypnotherapist practicing in Northern Colorado. While studying psychology, she did a paper and class presentation on Past Life Regression and became hooked on

In preparation for The Reconnection, I decided to first do three standard Reconnective Healing sessions with Kennedy. The energies, although familiar from the workshop and my sessions with Bob, played slightly differently working through her. Her 12 years of experience came through. The energies were both intense and playful. My right arm and hand became quite animated and moved about without my “permission” throughout all three sessions. I followed the healing sessions with The Reconnection the following week.

It took place during two sessions of less than an hour over two days.

Although I knew that after Eric Pearl experienced The Reconnection he developed amazing healing powers, I wasn’t expecting or even wanting that kind of transformation. I said to Mary Beth, “If I come out of this with a greater degree of clarity about my life purpose and direction, that’s the only miracle I need.” I received exactly what I asked for. The confusion I’d been experiencing lifted and I saw my life with almost brutal clarity. I became more decisive, and I found myself being more blunt with myself and others than was probably desirable. That’s softened over the weeks that followed, but my ability to make decisions and chart my path has increased dramatically.

More information about the Reconnection is available at www.TheReconnection.com.

his books. Often I found myself asking questions such as: Why does this place feel familiar? Was I here before? Have I experienced things in other lifetimes that are haunting me today?

I especially felt a strong connection to Greece last year as I walked the ruins of the Acropolis, the Parthenon and especially Delphi.

There was an overwhelming feeling that I had been there before, the ancient temples and ruins having some sort of hold over me, a remembrance of sorts.

the possible uses of hypnotherapy.

She then attended the world renowned Edgar Cayce School in Virginia Beach and received her NATH Registered Hypnotherapist Certificate.

During a past life regression you are hypnotized, but it is a surprisingly light trance state, so light that I was always aware that I was reclining in a chair and could hear various background noises while at the same time completely engrossed in the past life memory.

HEALING cont. on page 12

www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

11

Health

During a past life regression you are hypnotized, but it is a surprisingly light trance state.

HEALING cont. from page 11 Most memories that surface in past life therapy are of trauma, usually a traumatic death. It is the trauma that continues to affect us emotionally, mentally and physically, causing difficulties in many aspects of our present life. By exposing these painful memories to the light of awareness and understanding the context of the past life and death, the emotional intensity loses its grip. We can finally let go of the past and move forward in our lives.

Tammy gradually led me though my current lifetime asking me to remember first a scene when I was 20, then 15, then 5, then 2, finally taking me all the way back to a previous life time, an ancient time.

She asked me where I was and out of my mouth came the word Mesopotamia. It made sense after my experiences in Greece the year before.

I was able to describe the clothes I was wearing and my surroundings as well as what was happening. Some people may see their life unfolding; others may hear things. For me it was more of a knowing.

Step by step Tammy guided me through the entire journey as I experienced different aspects and events in that lifetime. Afterwards, she said I was one of the most animated clients she had ever had, using my hands and expressions to describe the scenes I was experiencing. That must have been one of my Italian lifetimes bleeding through. I do love to talk with my hands.

For me it was fascinating to be both observer and experiencer at the same time. As I watched that lifetime unfold I was overcome with emotion: sadness and frustration that it ended the way it did, unfulfilled perhaps, that I had not used my abilities to their highest potential. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Tammy also does Life Between Life Regressions, an experience I really want to try next to get an answer to my number one question: Why am I here?

Tammy Carpenter of Mind Over Body Hypnotherapy can be contacted at 970290-9524, www.mindoverbody hypnotherapy.com

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12 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

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Can a Plant-Based Diet

Make You Healthier?

Phyllis K. Kennemer

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

O

ur bodies are amazing! These bodies we live in come with their own internal aptitude for perfect health; they are always striving to maintain balance within the system.

Think about a small cut or scratch on the skin and how quickly it heals. Then think about the things you usually don’t think about — air going into and out of your lungs, your heart pumping blood, and your food digesting.

The body is created to maintain perfect health. If our natural state is optimum health, why do so many people contract chronic diseases as they age?

Can we avoid dealing with hypertension, strokes, cancer, osteoarthritis, diabetes and other ailments associated with our aging population?

Cory D. Carroll, M.D., a family doctor for over twenty years in Fort Collins, Colorado, is dedicated to changing our thinking about health and aging. He maintains that disease is preventable if we make conscious choices about what we eat. He believes the solution lies in embracing a Whole Food Plant Based Diet.

He began to draw conclusions about the relationship between diet and health during three trips to Nicaragua. He observed that most of the people there were healthy. Diseases such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes were rare or nonexistent. Two things caught his attention. First, there were no cars or motorized vehicles, so people walked everywhere, and second, they ate mostly fresh fruits and vegetables — no meats or dairy products.

–Hippocrates As Carroll was mulling this information over in his mind, he discovered a book which became the foundaton of his philosophy and medical practice. The China Study by T. Colin Campbell is based on a comprehensive study of disease and diet conducted in China. The findings clearly indicate that people are healthier in areas where they eat a plant-based diet.

He was also influenced by the film, Forks over Knives (available as a DVD), which is based on the findings of the China study. The film includes correlations relating foods people consume to their health. The China study shows that those who consistently eat a diet of rice and vegetables remain healthy well into old age. The film concludes that

ailments than they are in the prevention of the symptoms in the first place. He said, “There is no money to be made from healthy people or from dead people, so it is more profitable to continue to treat people for chronic diseases.”

Every person’s body is miraculous and unique. People need to find the best foods and types of movement to maintain and enhance their own healthy lifestyles. Carroll is counseling his patients to move toward a more plantbased diet. He recommends that they limit their intake of processed foods and all meat products. He noted that patients who follow his advice “have been able to totally give up medications or they have been able to reduce the amount they take significantly.”

Disease is preventable if we make conscious choices about what we eat. people should eat fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. It recommends that they avoid “all meat, poultry, fish (anything that has eyes or a momma), dairy products and processed foods.”

Carroll expressed concern that medical schools are devoted almost entirely to teaching about diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They devote little, if any, time to teaching about nutrition and prevention of disease. Carroll is concerned that the medical and pharmaceutical industries seem to have more interest in treating people for

Carroll has established a program called “Paradigm Shift for Health” in which he conducts classes and advises people on ways to implement a Whole Food Plant Based Diet as part of a new lifestyle. More information can be found on his website: www.paradigmshiftforhealth.com.

Dr. Phyllis K. Kennemer is a Certified NLP Life Coach, a Certified Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator, and an Educational Consultant.

She can be contacted at pkkbooks@comcast.net.

www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

13

Health

Food Cravings 101

Collin Ruiz

The body is a wondrous organism, designed to create balance, heal itself and thrive. Your body continually communicates with you. The question is, do you listen? One way your body tells you when it is out of balance is through food cravings.

We crave foods that we connect with fond memories.

T

he body needs nutrients to function. Day after day we eat and expect the body to function optimally.

But what happens when we are under stress? We often become disconnected from our bodies and don’t hear its messages. We eat without thinking. We consume foods heavily ridden with toxins. We overeat because we don't pay attention to what our bodies are really hungry for.

Powerful emotional experiences or a past trauma can cause a disconnect with our body.

If ignoring the body becomes habit, the body’s language may become aggressive and cravings hit hard. Clarification and understanding is the beginning of healing and restoring connection.

At your core is your gut, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, a long tube starting at the mouth and ending at the anus. Your gut is home to approximately

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100 trillion microorganisms. Gut microbiota, gut flora, probiotics and friendly bacteria ensure proper digestive function, provide protection from infection, and even synthesize some vitamins. They also provide assistance with mineral absorption and comprise more than 75 percent of our immune system.

When gut flora is compromised, the individual is likely to become malnourished and have multiple deficiencies and food intolerances.

The gut even has its own nervous system, the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). The ENS consists of sheaths of neurons embedded in the walls of our gut with an astonishing 100 500 million neurons. The ENS can work both independently and in conjunction with the brain.

This is the multidimensional world inside you. Problems in the gut can cause more than stomach pain, gas, bloating or diarrhea; they can be the root cause of many chronic health problems. The health of the gut can be linked to obesity, autism, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression and eczema.

What does this have to do with cravings? Many food cravings arise to

satisfy emotional needs, such as calming stress and reducing anxiety. In addition, food allergies or intolerances can affect our moods. If you have gluten allergy or intolerance, consumption of gluten can leave you feeling sluggish or even depressed.

Carbohydrates boost levels of the hormone serotonin, which has a calming effect. Fatty, sugary foods release chemicals called opioids into our bloodstream which also have a calming effect.

Remember, your gut has its own nervous system which manufactures more than 30 neurotransmitters, including serotonin, that are identical to those in the brain. Diet influences levels of serotonin, which regulates disposition. Fluctuations in blood sugar also can change mood. High blood sugar often leads to irritability, while low blood sugar can bring about feelings of anxiety, depression and lethargy. The foods you eat have a profound effect on mood and emotion.

Low levels of vitamins and minerals or low intake of fatty acids can contribute to altered moods and mimic various mental health issues. For example, insufficient levels of vitamin D can lead to mood swings, depression and fatigue. A deficiency in magnesium can result in a craving for chocolate. And if you feel like chewing on ice, you may be low in iron.

Another factor to consider when it comes to cravings is the sensory memories that we form in relationship to food. We crave foods that we connect with fond memories. The number one food craving by American women is chocolate, while the number one dish craved by Egyptian women is meatstuffed eggplant, a popular dish in that part of the world.

The body sends powerful cues that may assist in bringing and maintaining balance.

Next time the urge to eat something hits you, stop for a minute, breathe, and try to think why you're craving this particular food. Are you truly hungry? Try to be mindful about what is happening and how you will feel after you succumb to the craving.

Collin Ruiz, Holistic Nutrition, LLC. Holistic nutrition includes consciously eating healthy

foods that promote vibrant physical and mental health, while supporting a strong immune system and preventing disease. With a Masters degree in nutrition and incorporating muscle testing to evaluate nutritional options, Ruiz strives to integrate a balanced eating plan into her clients’ lives. www.holisticnutritionfood.com

The number one food craving by American women is chocolate

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15

Awakenings

A Commitment to Change:

Former Nun Shares Her Journey Kimberly Braun

What could it possibly mean to be committed to change?

Commitment is staying the course and change is moving in a new direction, a seeming paradox at first glance.

Where that statement fits perfectly is in the area of personal growth. So much so, that a commitment to never change is a recipe for disaster.

Y

Our fidelities all come under the gun in moments when commitment to ourselves demands a change to an aspect of our lives.

et, as clear as this may be, it is not so simple to put into practice.

Our fidelities all come under the gun in moments when commitment to ourselves demands a change to an aspect of our lives. We can so easily cast veils upon the deeper truthful gaze required to grow, often for very rational reasons supported by those around us. It is a false security in these moments to cling to what we have been. I had a momentous personal moment to put this into practice thirteen years ago.

For ten and a half years I was a Carmelite monastic nun in solemn vows; a life commitment. My vows ceremony remains one of the happiest days of my life, embodying my sole purpose to “walk in God’s Presence.” This meant a 24/7 consecration for the world as well, living in silence, chant, meditation and prayer. And for many years I grew within the Carmelite charism.

On June 9, 1991 I left the monastery. “If you loved the life,” many have asked, “then why did you

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leave? After all you had made a commitment for life.”

How do we answer deep questions posed so off-handedly, often by people who do not know the turns of our journey? It gave me a chance to identify the key elements of my choice to leave. What was it? I left for the same reason I entered: for love. I left in order to be faithful to my own personal calling to evolve.

It takes courage because most of the time we are alone in these decisions. It takes vulnerability to lift the veils. It takes a willingness to allow the truth in our own hearts to be the sole guide in our decisions. It is a sword that does not spare us, and yet, gives us the only peace that lasts.

I remember my prioress (the leader of the community) was deeply grieved at my leaving because I was a natural contemplative. In her struggle to help me see this she said, “Before you leave, think about this, how will you feel on your deathbed, walking away from your vocation.”

It sounds so severe, yet her love was deep and all she saw was someone losing their way; she saw

that the commitment itself was evidence of a calling to which I must be faithful. This is understandable isn’t it? Outwardly it looked like a failure.

Before taking such a dramatic leap, I did a few things that were very important defining steps applicable to us all. First, I recognized specifically the growing chasm between me and my community. This brought me to ask, “Is this difference integral to being faithful to myself, or just something to be worked out as a Carmelite?”

Second, I asked questions. I asked if certain options would be available to me as a nun that would allow the following and nurturing of my own development. Many monasteries were doing what I asked for so that told me that the possibility was there.

And third, I paid attention to

where my peace lay. At all times I watched myself and my responses, noticing what happened within as I spoke and acted on what was presenting itself as truth. Peace remained like a rock.

Every attempt I made to dialogue met with a closed door. Blanketed responses like, “This is the way we do things,” defined my direction. My first choice would have been to continue where I was in a new way.

The willingness to engage my leaders in the discernment helped my process, even if it led me to a decision I wish could have been different.

This commitment to be true to myself set change in motion, inaugurated many events that were completely uprooting; unexpected ways in which I needed to adapt.

Gone was anything I might have

leaned on that was familiar as I reentered a world that had continued to change itself at lightning pace for close to eleven years. Yet, my peace has always remained like a sturdy boat upon the ocean, and my love has grown like a constant wind in my sails. Being true to ourselves not only leads us to do what we are meant to do with unspeakable joy, but makes us capable of true compassion, service, and discernment.

Kimberly Braun, M.A., Minister and Reiki Master spent ten years as a monastic nun in North Dakota and Texas. She completed a Masters in theology in 2001 in Washington D.C., with a concentration on the adult spiritual journey. Learn more about her Essence Meditation and other offerings at www.kimberlybraun.com and www.essencemeditation.net.

www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

17

What Are You

Waiting For?

Kristen Moeller

“Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for the wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night…”

—Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! It has been said the journey within is the most important journey of all.

Many of us follow a path, searching for meaning — for something “bigger.”

A lot of us have been doing this for a very long time. We have the skills, we have the know-how; we are wise beyond our years and generous to a fault.

We have attended a legion of trainings, workshops and retreats. We have studied with the teachers, masters and gurus. We may even have become a teacher, master or guru ourselves. With this level of dedication, you would think we would be happy.

It’s time we wake up — and maybe we don’t need an emergency — to remind us of this fact.

M

ostly we are. Then there is that small, vexing voice that keeps us craving what we don’t have, desiring things to be different and hoping one day to arrive at some magical destination just the other side of the horizon. We don’t quite let ourselves rest in who we are or where we are. Instead we continue to seek and search. And all the while, we wait.

Once upon a time, we simply waited for the basics. We waited to earn more money, to have less debt, to get married (or to get divorced), to have children, to retire. Many of us even waited to become spiritually enlightened! We hoped the next new experience or seminar or retreat would give us the answer. We waited for the right teacher to say the right words and hoped all would fall into place. We waited for recognition, to be discovered, to feel safe, to get it right. We waited to feel inspired (one of my personal favorites). We waited until our affairs were in order, our eggs in different baskets, our ducks in a row. We waited for world peace

or the next president or a new car.

Some of us even waited to die.

We live in interesting times and, as the world continues to change, the waiting game changes too. These days we are busier than ever before.

We are clearer about our purpose and why we are here, yet we often sense that something is still amiss. As the earth seems to spin faster and faster on its axis, a craving emerges from down deep, turning into an itch we can’t quite scratch. We look around at all the change, transformation, and upheaval that surround us and, even though we marvel, we find that in our heart of hearts what we really want are some old-fashioned guarantees. We want this wild and wacky world to make sense and even to slow down for just a moment so we can catch our breath. We keep searching for that magic pill — the one that would make us, the world, and everything all right.

At this rate, we could wait forever and ever and ever. This crisis may be WAITING cont. on page 20

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19

WAITING cont. from page 20 subtle in that our waiting might slowly fizzle the life force right out of us, or it might be severe,where we one day wake up and realize it’s too darn late. That’s the thing about waiting — it is inherently sneaky. It seems so eminently reasonable, like the right or wise thing to do given our current precarious state. Then it takes over as a quiet, often unconscious decision that traps us in its murky depths.

The result of all this waiting is that we have lost our freedom to simply be. And, when I say “be,” I mean that deep-down, knowing sense of who we are and what we are made of, that quiet peaceful voice that tells us we are OK, the ease of feeling at home in our own skin.

Instead, we have false images of how we should be, who we should be, what we should be, and, most of the time, in our own estimation, we don’t come anywhere close.

The time has come to stop

waiting. It means we go forth anyway. We go forth into our dreams, hopes, and fears. We live that dream we have tucked away for a rainy day. We take that leap we have always hoped to take even when we don’t know how it will turn out.

We simply come to know ourselves as people who go forth anyway, people who keep moving when all we want to do is quit, people who fall to our knees and get up, time and time again.

You crave freedom — freedom to be and do and to discover yourself. waiting for the world to make sense.

The time has come to stop waiting for life to slow down and things to settle out. The time has come to live our lives anyway — in the face of waiting, of massive upheaval as well as everyday stumbling blocks. If this really is (and I will borrow the profound words of Mary Oliver) our “one wild precious life,” what are we doing about that? Will we live in fear of the other shoe dropping, the bottom falling out, or the house burning down? Or will we go forth anyway, into the unknown, embracing the uncertain and reveling in the wildness of the in-between?

That’s what it means to stop

We also come to know when stopping is the kindest thing we can do for ourselves, and we learn patience for our souls in a way we have never experienced before. This is what real freedom is, to be at peace with ourselves, even in the face of all fears and hopes, even in the unknown while we confront the seductive pull of waiting.

It’s time we wake up — and maybe we don’t need an emergency — to remind us of this fact. Maybe, a gentle knock is enough.

“The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.”

—W.M. Lewis

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Perhaps once we are cleared of some old holding patterns, we really can greet our life with a “Hurrah!” instead of the fear that so often grips us, trips us up, or stops us cold.

Perhaps we can finally accept that nothing is certain, that to be human is to be messy, and that throughout it all, we don’t have to wait for life to be ironed out. Perhaps then we will experience the freedom we have waited for all our lives.

Imagine this: You come to the edge of a cliff. You look down and wonder. Once you might have jumped, but now you play it safe.

Deep down, you know who you really are and why you are here. You crave freedom — freedom to be and do and to discover yourself. You feel called to make a profound difference in the world. You feel the pull of internal peace. Yet, you linger on the edge, unsure of what to do next.

Now ask yourself: Where did you lose your freedom to fly?

Bestselling author, TEDx speaker and “Tiny House” dweller, Kristen Moeller MS, utilizes decades of training in counseling coupled with her own addiction recovery to champion those who become lost in their wild journey through this wacky world. Her latest book is What Are You Waiting For? How to Rise to the Occasion of Your Life. www.kristenmoeller.com

Beauty

Beauty IS Skin Deep Mary Barghelame

H

ow do you define beauty? It’s interesting how not only individuals but different cultures have their own view on what is beautiful. While one values raven hair and moonlight pale skin, another prefers blonde locks and a golden tan.

But most agree a fine, smooth complexion is a desirable attribute in any culture. So why do some people seem to grow old with grace while others wrinkle and have age spots? Part of the natural aging process, combined with exposure to sun and pollution, destroys collagen — leaving many with skin that no longer looks plump and line-free. The good news is there are many treatments available today to help restore and reverse some of the aging that occurs with time.

One of those is CO2 skin resurfacing.

WebMD calls it the antiaging breakthrough of the decade. How does it work? CO2 laser skin renewal uses a carbon dioxide laser for skin resurfacing.

The outer layers of damaged skin, facial lines and wrinkles are precisely removed

to reveal the underlying skin, which is softer, smoother and younger looking with more even tone and reduced wrinkles. This microablative procedure greatly diminishes downtime compared to the old method. The new fractionated process leaves surrounding zones of skin intact around each treated spot, allowing the skin to heal faster.

Looking for options to rejuvenate your skin without any downtime or recovery period?

Try a laser facial. This fabulous procedure uses a laser to stimulate collagen production, thereby helping to tighten fine lines and assist with wrinkle reduction. The treatment is followed by a facial, using products to enhance the results of the laser treatment.

Hydrafacial, a non-laser alternative, is a wonderful pampering treatment that shows immediate results. The new

technology removes dead skin cells and impurities while bathing the healthy underlying skin with deep cleansing exfoliating and antioxidant serums. It’s delightfully hydrating and helps provide a foundation for healthy skin while decreasing signs of aging — all without discomfort or downtime.

No one has to live with damaged skin. Today’s procedures will give you back the smooth, youthful skin you remember.

Mary Barghelame is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C), state-licensed professional and owner of Avalon Arbor Private Spa. Mary is Avalon Arbor’s master professional specially trained in the art of medical esthetics such as Botox, dermal fillers and other treatments that maintain the overall health and beauty of the skin. www.AvalonArbor.com

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21

Spirit

What Does Your Hand Reveal?

Scientific Hand Analysis Jayne Sanders

T

It is NOT fortune-telling, but a combination of ancient handreading and current advances in neuroscience and human psychology.

It’s epidemic. Increasing numbers of people are feeling bored, unfulfilled, stagnant and stuck. Somewhere between 60–70 percent of people are unhappy in their work.

he world is changing, and the environment around us is evolving to one of contribution and meaning … living a more spiritual existence. Working merely to “make a living” is no longer the norm. People are demanding fulfillment, and crave to make a difference. They want to live “on purpose,” and are willing to undergo big transitions in order to do so. But how? What does living on purpose look like for each of them?

Books by the dozen and workshops too, abound to support this quest. And they can be very helpful. But questions and doubts inevitably linger ….” Did I do the exercises correctly? What if my gut feeling is off-base? Is that author or facilitator truly expert enough to ensure the accuracy of his guidance?

Should I really trust what she wrote?

Do I trust myself enough, and that process, to change my life? I need more specific information. This is SO important, I don’t want to make a mistake or head in the wrong direction. How can I figure out what I’m really supposed to do?”

The solution, burgeoning in its awareness and practice, is Scientific Hand Analysis.

Yes, it is scientific. The lines in your hands mimic the neural

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pathways in your brain. Consistent thought and behavior patterns not only mark your brain but also your hands. Neurologists, geneticists, therapists and coaches are fast embracing this compelling, complex and shockingly accurate modality.

Researchers gathered and compiled data for over 40 years, from over 50,000 pairs of hands, to develop this learnable system. It is NOT fortune-telling, but a combination of ancient hand-reading (mentioned in the Bible at least 30 times), and current advances in neuroscience and human psychology.

Your hands contain specific information like a blueprint that uncovers your unique story of who you are and why you are here. In addition to the lines and shapes and the hands, fingerprints provide deeply profound guidance.

This blueprint consisting of lines, shapes and prints, reveals your innate life purpose … how you are meant to make a difference in the world, your challenges and blind spots, special gifts and talents and more. When you think about it, of course God/Spirit/Source would give us a roadmap to our deepest selves, gifts, purpose and issues!

Hand analysis does not depend on the honesty or self-awareness of the

person being read, such as with the popular Myers-Briggs personality test. Hand analysis information is consistent, and is independent of client input. It provides much more breadth and depth about purpose, special gifts and talents, aptitudes, challenges, potential and approach to relationships, work and life. Hand analysis addresses the big Whys in addition to the Hows.

Individuals experiencing hand analysis — committed to living their purpose and making a difference no matter how late in life — describe this technology with these words: life-changing, fascinating, shockingly accurate, mind-blowing, cathartic, jaw-dropping and amazing.

Some of the benefits of Hand Analysis for individuals include: • Learn your Life Purpose and live it (your area / work of greatest potential / fulfillment) • Confirm you are on the right track • Understand your special innate gifts and talents and USE them • Make a more meaningful contribution to the world • Become a better leader, manager, person • Know your Life Lesson; learn from it to make better choices and

improve your life • Achieve more joy, fulfillment, peace of mind and success • Understand your relationship issues and improve them • Discover greater compassion for yourself and others • Increase your intuition and selfconfidence • Give yourself permission to be authentically YOU, and know how to live that life more fully • Answer the big “Whys” in your life There are also benefits for organizations, including: • More effective leadership • Stronger manager performance, productivity, and profitability • Employees and team members placed in their ideal work positions • Higher retention • Improved morale • Greater teamwork performance, productivity, and alliance • More creativity and innovation The pool of Scientific Hand Analysts, and the masters who teach them, is growing, because the

The lines in your hands mimic the neural pathways in your brain.

Consistent thought and behavior patterns not only mark your brain but also your hands. demand is increasing. People want guidance, direction, confirmation and answers, and they want it now.

Hand analysis, conducted by a trained professional, cuts through the doubt, confusion, and vagueness of most other resources.

Before long the epidemic will shift, from those searching to those taking action on the profound information available to them in their own hands. It’s been right there all along.

Jayne Sanders is a Scientific Hand Analyst and Purpose Coach. After an MBA and over 25 years in the corporate world, Jayne grew unfulfilled in her career and began a search for her life purpose. She found Scientific Hand Analysis, and life hasn't been the same since! Contact Jayne at 303-828-8333, jayne@PrecisionWisdom.com, www.precisionwisdom.com.

www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

23

Spirit Lessons We Can

Learn from Geese Judith Albright

People who share a common problem or issue are better able to face adversity because they are doing it together.

Did your parents, grandparents or teachers ever tell you that “many hands make light work?” We probably all heard that at some time, but when we hit the rough spots of life it is so easy to hide behind our pride and try to go it alone. Many of us were taught to “suck it up” and not bother anyone else with our troubles. But when we are invested in “not being a bother” or are too embarrassed or ashamed to seek help or even admit we have a problem, we are like solitary birds trying to fly against a strong headwind. We end up exhausted and battered both physically and emotionally without getting very far. It goes without saying that it’s much easier to face and get through adverse circumstances when we don’t have to do it alone.

W

e have only to watch geese flying to see this principle in action. According to aerodynamic theorists, birds flying in a V formation are able to fly farther than a bird alone. The reason is that flying together in a formation

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decreases the air pressure that pushes against the birds’ wings; the effect is similar to flying in a thermal updraft. In addition, each bird in the formation creates a small area of disturbed air that lessens the amount of exertion for the bird immediately

behind it. Whenever a goose leaves the formation, it immediately feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing to rest and another goose takes its place to fly point. It is an incredible example of teamwork and cooperation that makes the whole process easier for every goose in the formation. Whether we are people or geese, it pays to let others help us and take turns doing hard jobs.

Not only do geese share the workload, they also encourage each other. The birds at the end of the formation honk to urge those in front to keep up their speed. Isn’t that what we do when we cheer on runners and racers who may be growing exhausted from the exertion needed to make it to the finish line?

If a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, two geese fall out of formation and accompany him down to the ground to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either dead or able to fly again. Then they launch out on their own or with another formation until they catch up with their group.

Just like geese, having others to support us during difficult times provides many benefits. Anyone who

has ever struggled with grief, losing weight, alcohol or drug addiction, a life threatening illness, or a traumatic life transition of any kind knows this to be true. People who share a common problem or issue are better able to face adversity because they are doing it together. They can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we can allow ourselves to seek consolation and help from others and stay “in formation,” close to those who are in the best position to support and hold us up. Perhaps we can also learn from geese the value of standing by, helping and protecting each other.

Judith Albright, MA, is a stress management specialist who works both in person and at a distance to help people neutralize stress and change underlying beliefs that are sabotaging their lives. Call Judith at 970 218-8643 or connect via Skype (Judith.albright1) to schedule a complimentary half hour noobligation consultation. For more information visit www.stressfreewitheft.com.

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If we have as much sense as a goose, we will allow ourselves to seek consolation and help from others and stay “in formation,” close to those who are in the best position to support and hold us up.

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www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

25

Spirit

4 Steps to Building a

Healthy Relationship with Your Partner

Laura Garrett

Your partner does not have to agree with how you feel, but you do have the right to be validated.

Remember when Cinderella and Snow White found their Prince Charming, fell in love in the forest, married and lived happily ever after? Well, no one ever tells us much about the happily ever after. In this article you will be introduced to four basic and useful steps for building and maintaining a healthy and long-lasting relationship with your significant other during the happily ever after.

Step 1: Know thy self First, ask yourself, “Why do I want to be in a relationship? Am I running away from something, or from myself? Am I running toward my desire to have a companion to share my life, to start a family and grow old with?” Perhaps you want to be in a relationship because that is what is expected.

Once you discover your reasons for being in a relationship it is important to explore your goals and make sure your partner has a similar vision, whether a long-term committed relationship or a friendship with benefits. Together,

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examine your beliefs about relationships as influenced by your family values. Your expectations and values are also important concepts to consider. You cannot expect your partner to be something that you yourself are not. For example, if you want your partner to be faithful, you might need to consider your own track record with fidelity.

Step 2: Identify a healthy relationship Once you have explored what you want and are looking for, you are ready to learn how to find a healthy, interdependent relationship.

A codependent relationship is one in which both partners are dependent on each other for their identity and the fulfillment of their emotional needs. This type of relationship can create unhealthy family dynamics and include domestic violence or substance abuse.

An interdependent relationship is one in which each partner is whole and complete.

Each knows who he or she is and has developed an independent lifestyle. Now both are ready to share their lives with another independent person. Each individual maintains his or her own individual identity while creating a shared life together.

• Take responsibility for your part in the conflict by using “I”-messages.

These are the four most important steps to building and maintaining a healthy relationship with your significant other.

They’re the start to a happily ever after.

Laura Garrett, M.A, M.Ed, LPC, CACIII is the

author of What Happens after Happily Ever After? She is a licensed professional counselor with an MA in Counseling Psychology. Laura has over 20 years’ experience working with individuals and couples who struggle with relationship, mental health and addiction issues. lbridgeways45@yahoo.com, www.laurabridgeways.com

Clean the Slate and See a Brighter Future for Your Skin 80% of your skin’s aged appearance is caused by the sun.

The good news is… much of this evidence of environmental aging is visibly reversible.

REVERSE is a complete skin care system that combines cosmetic and OTC ingredients to visibly brighten and even discolored skin for a radiant complexion while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Step 3: Learn effective communication skills Communication is one of the key ingredients for building a strong foundation in a relationship. An important skill in communication is the use of I-messages, which are blame-free statements you use when you own the problem.

Following the “I”-message, your partner needs to clarify your statement to ensure you are both on the same page. Once on the same page, your partner then validates your feelings. Keep in mind, your partner does not have to agree with how you feel, but you do have the right to be validated. Following the validation, you and your partner can proceed to problem-solving if warranted.

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Step 4: Become comfortable with conflict A conflict is a disagreement in perspectives, beliefs, values or ideas that generally occurs when one’s needs are being infringed upon or not being met. What causes escalation in a conflict are the strong emotions that are attached to it.

The most effective way to broach a conflict is by using the communication skills that have been briefly addressed, in addition to sticking to fair fighting rules, such as: • Stay in the present and address only the current and immediate problem. Any issue older than 24 hours is “garbage dumping.”

• Deal with one issue at a time.

Jeff Ginter Intuitive Consultant Evidential Medium Spiritual Healing

highplainspsychic.com jegint8@gmail.com 307-509-9739 Cheyenne, Wyoming www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

27

Food Stuff

Foodie Corner

JORDAN DANZ

Spice Up Your Party with

Ginger Soy Wings

D

o you ever notice how in every circle of friends there are one or two people who always end up hosting most of the gatherings? In my circle, it is me and it is completely by choice. There is something so enjoyable about being the perpetual host of the gatherings. I am not sure if it is a control thing, but I like being able to decide the flow of the evening, what we will be eating and what the other attendees should bring.

Most of the time, I am the meat guy.

I decide what protein I am going to make and fill in from there. A friend who is great at making fun and interesting salads brings a salad. We know a couple who likes to bake, so they always bring dessert. The rest of the group fills in with snacks and adult beverages.

It is this dynamic of a group of friends that intrigues me. Over the course of these friendships, we have carved out roles for ourselves that allow us each to shine in our own right. This microcosm of our friends probably speaks on some level to who we are as people and if looked at closely, illustrates exactly why we are such a close-knit group.

As I said, I tend to be the meat guy,

so for a more recent gathering I made a variety of different wings. This recipe was the biggest hit of the evening, and I thought I would share it with all of you.

Baked Ginger Soy Wings 2 ½ pounds of chicken wings 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 teaspoons salt 1 ½ teaspoons pepper 2 12-oz cans or bottles of ginger beer (make sure it is ginger beer as it has a much stronger ginger flavor) 1/3 cup of soy sauce The juice of 4 limes 1–2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (depending on how spicy you would like the sauce) 2 teaspoons grated ginger 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar 2 teaspoons sesame oil 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds Preheat oven to 450 degrees Place chicken wings in a large bowl.

Add vegetable oil, salt and pepper and toss together until wings are evenly coated. Prepare a large baking sheet by covering it with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

When baking wings, you want to raise them off the baking sheet so that

28 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

air can circulate all around the wings.

This allows for a very crispy wing. To do this, I place a baking cooling rack on the baking sheet. Place the wings skin side up, and do not overcrowd the cooling rack.

Cook wings for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the skin is very crispy.

While the wings are cooking, put the ginger beer, soy sauce and lime juice into a medium sauce pan over medium high heat. Add the red pepper flakes and simmer until reduced and syrupy. This will take about 30 to 40 minutes. Once reduced, lower heat to medium, add grated ginger, rice wine vinegar and sesame oil. Cook for another 2–3 minutes. Pour sauce into a bowl and set aside until wings are done cooking.

Add wings while they are hot and toss to coat completely. Top with sesame seeds. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce such as Ranch or Bleu cheese, or you could try a bottled peanut sauce.

Jordan is a home cook based in Minneapolis.

He enjoys cooking, eating and spending time at his local food co-ops and farmers’ markets finding new flavors and ingredients to experiment with. His passion for fresh local ingredients inspires his belief that food has the power to bring people together.

Inspired Chef

ALAN ROETTINGER

Get a Solid Start with

I

Oatmeal

’ve heard — and practiced — many ways of “breaking the fast,” some of which are more like a continuation of the fast than anything substantially different. In Europe, where the food is a near-religious experience, one typically has a cup of (amazing) coffee and some form of bread. In Mexico, it’s common to enjoy chilaquiles, a surprisingly delicious mixture of tortilla chips, red chile sauce and cheese, served with refried beans. In India, a glass of chai with lentils and a chapati might be the first thing offered. I often eat nothing until midday (I read recently that my habit is called “intermittent fasting,” and will boost metabolism — who knew?).

Whatever your preferred breakfast may be, one thing is certain: it sets up your relationship with food for the rest of the day, and this in turn influences how well your day will go.

Fundamentally, there are two important factors: nutrition and enjoyment. Eating a whole food, relatively low-glycemic meal first thing is a good idea. A little sweetness may be welcome, depending on what you ate the night before, but it’s best to keep any actual sugar to a minimum. A favorite of mine in this category is oatmeal, but let me qualify that.

For some strange reason, my mother would serve me oatmeal only when I was sick. It was a slimy mush, made palatable only by the liberal addition of butter, cream and brown sugar. That I ever got well again is a testament to the restorative power of youth, life itself, and — very possibly — oats. Years later, I developed a far more satisfactory way

of making oatmeal. Instead of combining the oats with water first, and then bringing them to a boil (which produces a highly unpalatable gluey mess), I prefer to bring the water to a boil first, and then stir in the oats. I use less water in proportion to the oats, resulting in more of a cooked grain than a gooey gruel. My method also keeps it from boiling over and fouling both pot and stove.

In addition to a redesigned cooking method, I also cook my oatmeal with fruit, both fresh and dried, and after the cooking is done, I add nuts and seeds and a flax-oil blend. Almonds, I’ve read, are alkalizing, and including them lowers the glycemic index of an entire meal. I vary the fruits, depending on season and whim. In this version, I’ve combined mangos and goji berries, but apples or peaches with currants or mulberries are also enjoyable options.

Food taken in gratitude goes down best, and delicious food makes gratitude come quite naturally!

1/4 cup flax oil (I recommend Udo’s Oil 36-9 Blend) 2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional) Combine the water, mango, goji berries, vanilla, optional cardamom and salt in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the oats all at once and stir well. Return to a boil, cover, and decrease the heat to the lowest setting. Cook 5 minutes, exactly.

Remove from the heat, stir once, replace the cover, and let sit about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Divide between 2 bowls, and top with the almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, oil and optional maple syrup. Serve at once.

Alan Roettinger is a writer, food designer, blogger, public speaker, and a private chef with over 30 years of experience. Author of four cookbooks, his primary focus is bringing health and pleasure together in food. Alan is passionate about encouraging and empowering people to “Eat smart, and live joyfully.” Visit him at www.alanroettinger.com

Superfood Oatmeals Makes 2 servings 2 cups water 2 cups fresh or frozen mango chunks 1/4 cup goji berries 1/2 teaspoon ground vanilla bean or vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon freshly crushed cardamom seeds (optional) Pinch of sea salt 1 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup raw almonds 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds ½ cup sunflower seeds

www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

29

Green Living

Why We Need to Protect the

Keystone Species Donna Mazzitelli

A keystone species is a plant or animal that plays a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions.

M

ost of us are familiar with endangered species.

According to Wikipedia, “‘endangered’ is the second most severe conservation status for wild populations, following ‘critically endangered.’” Wikipedia cites that “3079 animals and 2655 plants are endangered worldwide, compared with 1998 levels of 1102 and 1197, respectively.”

According to NationalGeographic.com, “a keystone species is a plant or animal that plays a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions. Many keystone species are endangered, but

what is even more significant is that the loss of keystone species can wipe out both endangered and nonthreatened species along with them.

Without keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.”

The theory that the balance of ecosystems can rely on one keystone species was first established in 1969

by American zoology professor Robert T. Paine. Paine's research showed that removing one species, the sea star, from a tidal plain on Tatoosh Island in Washington State, had a huge effect on the surrounding ecosystem.

There are many types of keystone species, and the list below (adapted from yourdictionary.com) highlights only a few. These are provided to give you a sense of their significance, variety and impact on the environment, and even the future of human beings. They illustrate the interconnectedness of all living beings.

• American alligator: Alligators use their tails to make burrows to stay warm. When they move on, these burrows fill with water and are used by other species. Alligators are also predators and keep the numbers of other species in check.

• Beavers: Beavers are considered habitat engineers because they change the environment by

30 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

•

•

•

•

building dams. This dam building provides still water and sanctuary for many other species.

Bees: By pollinating plants, bees contribute to their survival. The plants are shelter for insects, which are then eaten by other species.

Elephants: By eating small trees, elephants preserve the grasslands, which require plenty of sun to survive. If elephants were not there, the savanna would convert to a forest or scrubland.

Grizzly bears: As predators, bears decrease the members of several species, such as moose and elk.

They also carry and deposit seeds throughout the ecosystem. Bears that eat salmon, leave their droppings and partially eaten remains, providing nutrients to the soil.

Hummingbirds: Pollination is the reason hummingbirds are a keystone species. Fewer hummingbirds mean less plant variety in the ecosystem.

• Ivory tree coral: 300 invertebrate species call this coral home. It is here that fish live, breed and become food for larger fish.

• Jaguars: Jaguars are predators that have a very diverse diet of about 87 different species, which contributes to their importance by keeping the numbers of

these species in balance.

• Mountain Lions: These predators cover large areas and influence many species. Their prey will alter where they eat and live because of the mountain lion. Scavengers are also affected by the activity of mountain lions.

• Pacific salmon: Salmon die after spawning, bringing important nutrients to the place where they were born. Their death provides food for many species in the area.

• Prairie dogs: By eating grass, prairie dogs keep water in the soil rather than the water evaporating from the leaves of plants. Their tunneling helps channel rainwater into the water table, and burrowing mixes different layers of soil, combining it with their droppings and aerating the soil.

• Sea otters: Sea otters eat many invertebrates in the kelp forests, but especially sea urchins, which, if left uncontrolled, would eat and destroy the kelp.

• Sea stars: Sea stars eat mussels and keep their numbers in check. Since mussels have no other natural predators, sea stars are invaluable for keeping the ecosystem diverse.

• Sugar maple: This tree is a keystone species of the hardwood forest, bringing water from lower levels in the ground to share with other plants. It is home to many insects, birds and small animals.

There are exhaustive online resources to give you more detailed information and many more keystone species.

Donna Mazzitelli, founder of Merry Dissonance Press and Writing With Donna, helps writers connect to their stories and craft them with heart.

Believing in the magic of our shared human experiences, Donna publishes works of transformation, inspiration, exploration and illumination.

Donna can be found at www.merrydissonancepress.com, www.writingwithdonna.com, and donna@merrydissonancepress.com.

DONNA VISOCKY

Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

By Richard Bach It’s funny how some things come back around into your awareness. Cleaning out a cabinet the other day I came across the book Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. It belonged to my daughter Kristi. There are her handwritten notes in the margins and certain sections are highlighted. I know Kristi led me to this book and reading it again has so much more meaning. There is an understanding I did not have before, an insight I have acquired after being on this journey for 10+ years. This quote from author Richard Bach says it all: “that we magnetize into our lives whatever we hold in our thought, for instance — if that is true, then somehow I have brought myself to this moment for a reason…”

In Illusions, Bach takes to the air to discover the ageless truths that give our soul wings: that people don't need airplanes to soar... that even the darkest clouds have meaning... and that messiahs can be found in the unlikeliest places – like hay fields, one-traffic-light midwestern towns, and most of all, deep within ourselves.

Donna Recommends

Books & Films to Ignite Your Beautiful Spark

A must read if you are searching for answers to life, and if you’ve read it before, perhaps it will call to you again. There is so much more to understand.

Walking Home

By Sonia Choquette We like to think our teachers have it all figured out. That because they seem to have this connection to their angels, guides, etc. they know how to navigate life and don’t have to deal with all the problems we do. How refreshing to experience Sonia’s vulnerability and honesty as she shares her frailties, her issues, her stuff, as she walks the Camino to find her way home. It is indeed a pilgrimage from humbled to healed. We all are on a journey, whether we walk the Camino or not – finding our way home to our soul, to God, shedding our layers of stuff, old beliefs, patterns, misinformation and fears as we walk. Walking Home is a wonderful read.

www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

31

Panache Desai in Fort Collins

Where in the World is BellaSpark?

Send us your photo with BellaSpark Magazine and let us know where you read it.

Bob and Wilson Potter in Dallas Publisher Donna Visocky with Elvis at the Holiday Fair in Loveland, CO

32 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

Dayna Larson LAc 970-416-0444 Traditional Chinese Medical Clinic, Fort Collins Complete Herbal Pharmacy, Acupuncture Tui Na style Massage www.tcmclinic.org Monique Larson LAc 970-416-0444 Traditional Chinese Medical Clinic, Fort Collins Complete Herbal Pharmacy, Acupuncture Tui Na style Massage www.tcmclinic.org Oliver Pijoan LAc (CO) DOM (NM) (NCCAOM) 970-416-0444 Traditional Chinese Medical Clinic, Fort Collins Complete Herbal Pharmacy, Acupuncture Tui Na style Massage www.tcmclinic.org

ANIMAL/PET HEALING

Annette Kahmann, MA MA CR HTPA 970-407-9973 Energy healing & communication; hands-on & remote Emotional/behavioral/physical issues; non-invasive allowGrace@gmail.com

BIOMAT/CRYSTAL INFRARED THERAPY

Healing Space Massage/BioMat Store 970-484-2507 Provides pain & stress relief, increases blood circulation, oxygenates the cells, removes toxins and helps with chronic conditions. www.suemcshanemassage.com

CHINESE MEDICINE

Dayna Larson LAc 970-416-0444 Traditional Chinese Medical Clinic, Fort Collins Complete Herbal Pharmacy, Acupuncture Tui Na style Massage www.tcmclinic.org Monique Larson LAc 970-416-0444 Traditional Chinese Medical Clinic, Fort Collins Complete Herbal Pharmacy, Acupuncture Tui Na style Massage www.tcmclinic.org Oliver Pijoan LAc (CO) DOM (NM) (NCCAOM) 970-416-0444 Traditional Chinese Medical Clinic, Fort Collins Complete Herbal Pharmacy, Acupuncture Tui Na style Massage www.tcmclinic.org

CLEARINGS & BLESSINGS  HOME, LAND & BUSINESS

Annette Kahmann MA CR HTPA 970-407-9973 Serving Northern CO & Southern WY Spirit removal; negative energy clearing; blessing allowGrace@gmail.com

COACHING  SPIRITUAL, LIFE, BUSINESS

Baker Career & Life Coaching 970-682-6598 Christina Baker, Certified Career Intuitive Coach Reveal Your Purpose in Life, Provide Insight to Your Challenges Develop Specific Solutions for Your Success www.bakercoaching.com christina@bakercoaching.com

COUNSELING/MINISTRY/SPIRITUAL COACHING

Sally Petersen, MA, CCHt 970-330-4375 Individual Transpersonal Counseling & Hypnotherapy Change your mind, change your life. Greeley salpetersen@comcast.net Annette Kahmann MA MA CR HTPA 970-407-9973 Over the phone spiritual counseling; nondenominational Intuitive spiritual solutions for all situations allowGrace@gmail.com

CREATIVITY CONSULTANT

Katrina Pfannkuch 970-988-8404 I guide you to connect with your true calling & market from the heart, helping you bust through perceived creative blocks. www.creativekatrina.com Katrina@creativekatrina.com

CRYSTAL/GEM THERAPY

Sandra Marie 303-520-4552/303-942-6955 Crystal Resonance Therapy (CRTh) Stones and crystal energy offer distinctive vibratory energies for healing & balance Clear chakras, emotional imbalances, & past lives. http://www.alasandrahealing.com

DENTISTRY

Shelby Kahl, RDH PC Integrated salubrious dental hygiene services 420 S. Howes St., Ft. Collins, CO

970-682-2474

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE EFT Judith Albright, MA, EFT-ADV Fast relief for any emotionally based condition www.stressfreewitheft.com Judith@stressfreewitheft.com

ENERGETIC WELLNESS

DeAnna Kay Swetzig, Certified Practitioner MatrixEnergetics/Reiki/Attunements In person/remote Bio Scans/Aroma Therapy/AromaTouch doTERRA CPTG Oils www.joyfulwellbeing.com dk@joyfulwellbeing.com

ENERGY MEDICINE

Annette Kahmann MA MA CR HTPA Hands-on & distance sessions; CO & WY Emotional/physical/spiritual issues; guidance allowGrace@gmail.com

970-218-8643

Directory

ACUPUNCTURE

ENVIRONMENT

Trees, Water & People 970-484-3678 Offset your personal or business environmental impact Purchase paper and carbon offsets! www.treeswaterpeople.org megan@treeswaterpeople.org

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Detoxify Naturally 970-412-6301 Protandim for Life Create Wellness for yourself http://www.mylifevantage.com/michellermiller Michelle.DetoxifyNatually@gmail.com

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy School International 303-440-3717/970-685-4613 Distance education & flexible study options For personal use or homeopathic certification www.homeopathyschool.org

HYPNOTHERAPY

Sally Petersen, MA, CCHt 970-330-4375 Stress, Depression, Smoking, Grief, Fears/Phobias.

Past Life Regression, Cellular Release, EFT salpetersen@comcast.net Linda King, CHt, RM, FEP, CH 970-215-7606 Past Lives, Anxiety, Habits, Fears, Weight Loss, Health Issues, Self-Esteem, EFT, Depression www.Lovelandhypno.com Tammy J. Carpenter 970-290-9524 Life Between Life Regression Creating Less Fear of Death & a Focus on Life Purpose mindoverbodyllc@gmail.com www.mindoverbodyhypnotherapy.com

INFRARED SAUNA

InfraHeal, LLC 970-443-4477 “Heal Your Body From The Inside Out” Relaxation, Pain Relief, Detoxification, Improved Circulation, Lower blood pressure.

Windsor/Fort Collins Area deb@infraheal.info www.infraheal.info

INTUITIVE READING/HEALING/COACHING 970-420-6684

Katherine Skaggs 970-224-9950 Soul Portraits & Sacred Art Soul Portrait-Intuitive paintings to heal the soul www.soulpaintings.com Mary Maniak 970-402-6069 Certified Angel Card Reader. Find your enlightenment within.

The Angels are here to help with every aspect of your life, all you need to do is listen. angels9135@yahoo.com

970-407-9973

RECONNECTIVE HEALING®

Experience the new energies

BOB POTTER

970-686-2721

Practitioner rpotter557@yahoo.com

www.BellaSparkMagazine.com • March/April 2015 • BellaSpark

33

Directory

Baker Career & Life Coaching 970-682-6598 Christina Baker, Certified Career Intuitive Coach Reveal Your Purpose in Life, Provide Insight to Your Challenges Develop Specific Solutions for Your Success www.bakercoaching.com christina@bakercoaching.com Lynda Hilburn 303-939-8832 Tarot Consultations, Tarot Lessons by phone or in person Consultations help you explore your issues.

By appointment. http://tarotbylynda.blogspot.com Karen VonRiesen 307-640-9109 Physical, Mental, Emotional & Spiritual Readings & Healings Strengthen communication with your healing angels & guides Become aligned with the path of your divine destiny as you Connect with your I AM Presence

IRIDOLOGY

Melody Masters C.N. 970-484-2411 Iridology – Iris Analysis, Over 30 years experience Biofeedback, Aura Soma, Supplementation Wellness on Wheels, I come to you! halcyonhealth@q.com www.halcyonhealth.net

I’LL MATETHETE YOU

BASE MOUNTAIN OF THE

loss : from the pain of ss.” lene journey we all walk “Donna maps a the clarity of our spiritual who to and separation en Coh Alan by word ...from the Fore

to rney from grief One woman’s jou CKY ISO V NA ON D

life.

LEARNING DISABILITIES  DIAGNOSTICS & TREATMENTS

MEDICAL INTUITIVE

Irlen Clinic of Fort Collins 970-221-2914 Evaluation of Visual Dyslexia, Light Sensitivity, Reading Difficulties, Headaches, Attention Deficit www.irlencolo.com irlencolo@earthlink.net

LIFE COACH/LABYRNTH FACILITATOR Phyllis Kennemer Life Coaching, Guiding You Through Change Loveland, CO www.Paths4Change.com pkkbooks@comcast.net

MASSAGE THERAPY

Sarah M. Babbitt, RMT Swedish Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofacial Release Trigger Point Therapy, Lymph Drainage, Aromatherapy, & More www.sarahbabbitt,massagetherapy.com sarahbabbittrmt@gmail.com Erin Maranjian, RMT Manual Lymph Drainage & Massage, Reduces Swelling & Pain Stimulates Immune System, Better Sleep, Supports Breast Health Oncology Massage for all stages of Cancer & Cancer Treatment www.withgentlestrength.com

Now Available!

I’ll Meet You at the Base of the Mountain

By Donna Visocky

“This book is captivating, revealing, and insightful, with an appropriate sprinkling of humor. It will deeply resonate with anyone who has lost a loved one, and is a must read for anyone searching for spiritual answers.”

— Geoffrey Hoppe, international spiritual author and lecturer, and founder of Crimson Circle

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY! http://bellasparkmagazine.com/base-of-the-mountain/

34 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

970-622-0858

970-472-0766

970-218-1443

Francesca Fleming Reading down to your genes & up to the issues that encase your body in disease, resulting in a personalized ‘map’ to healing Portland, Oregon www.Be-Joy.net

PSYCHIC READERS

Psychic Medium Dorothy Welsh 215-245-6273 Psychic Readings (in person, by phone, Email or Skype) Clarify issues,Gain focus -Connect with Loved Ones www.MyMoonSpirit.com info@mymoonspirit.com Sarina Baptista, Psychic Medium, Trainer 970-290-9236 Bringing Messages of Hope from the Other Side Loveland, CO www.bridgetohealing.com info@bridgetohealing.com Lisa Marie & Jeff Ginter 307-509-9739 Teaming up to bring you the best Mediumship service in the Colorado/Wyoming area. Readings for overall soul growth. www.highplainspsychics.com lmansell@yahoo.com Melissa Windell 720-490-6171 Longmont’s Psychic, Medium, Angel Communication Child Spiritual Therapy, and Reiki/Energy Healings 9 Years and Still Loving It! 825 Delaware St. Suite P103, Longmont www.earthfeatherhealings.com

PSYCHK®

Judith Albright, MA, PSYCH-K® ADV 970-218-8643 Change subconscious beliefs and change your life. www.stressfreewitheft.com Judith@stressfreewitheft.com

Mary Beth Kennedy, MA 303-589-8006 Practitioner/Mentor/Coach Reconnection Teaching Team In Person & Distance Healing, People & Animals www.marybethkennedy.com Marybeth@marybethkennedy.com Bob Potter, Practitioner 970-686-2721 In person and distance healing rpotter557@yahoo.com

Psychic Development and Education Center 215-245-6273 Psychic Medium Dorothy Welsh Psychic Development Classes & Guided Meditations Download Instantly & Study at Home www.MyMoonSpirit.com info@mymoonspirit.com Standing In The Light™ The Foundation Series 970-472-2029 Lori Rock - Ft. Collins www.iamstandinginthelight.com lori@wisdomfromlori.com

REIKI

SKIN CARE/BODY CARE

Katrina Pfannkuch, Usui Reiki Master 970-988-8404 Based in Fort Collins Restoring physical, mental and spiritual harmony katrinap1@hotmail.com Jennifer Visocky, CRM 970-219-7447 Certified Usui/Tibetan Reiki Master Traveling Reiki, Bringing the Energy to you! crmjv77@aol.com Paula Harrison 508-579-9369 Try Reiki, Learn Reiki 10% Discount w/this Ad Fort Collins, CO www.reikiarts.org Vickie Martina, MSW, CRMT 970-578-0158 Usui Tibetan Reiki Master Teacher Crystal Energy Healing, Intuitive Guidance Healing Mind, Body, & Spirit, Reiki Classes Level 1-4 www.violetlightreiki.com Lisa White 970-232-8902 Usui Holy Fire Karuna® Reiki Master.

Classes and sessions, Loveland, CO www.innerharmonyreikicenter.com

RESONANCE HEALING

Lonnie Nordell 970-221-3890 To create something in your outer world, you must first resonate with it in your inner world. Get clear & unstuck. You can heal yourself & create what matters most to you! Stop looking outside yourself, your answers are WITHIN! Any issue you may have is welcome! www.lonniesresonancehealing.com

SCHOOLS  EDUCATION/ CLASSES/WORKSHOPS

Homeopathy School International 303-440-3717/970-685-4613 Distance education & flexible study options For personal use or homeopathic certification www.homeopathyschool.org Colorado Coaching and Hypnotherapy Institute 303-776-6103 200 Lincoln St. Longmont, CO. 80501 Hypnosis & Spiritual Development Classes www.coloradocoaching.net info@zoilitagrant.net

THE EMOTION CODE

Judith Albright, MA Rapid release of emotions trapped in the body www.stressfreewitheft.com Judith@stressfreewitheft.com

Lisa Marie 307-509-9739 Descendant of Lakota Medicine Men & Women Specializing in Animal Totems or Animal Guides Connecting you & Interpreting Messages from Your Totem www.highplainspsychic.com

TRANCE HEALING

SPAS

ULTRASONIC FAT CAVITATION

SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY

Whole Life Center for Spiritual Living 970-224-1206 2020 S. College Ave. Ste. C1, Fort Collins, CO A Religious Science Community teaching Science of Mind http://wholelifecsl.org info@wholelife.csl.org Creative Center for Spiritual Living 970-351-8122 1113 8th Ave-Greeley Come together to pray, play & celebrate Life! www.CreativeCSL.org RevBarb@CreativeCSL.org Unity of Fort Collins 970-482-1620 1401 W. Vine, Ft. Collins, CO Encouraging Exploration of Spiritual Truth Christ Consciousness through Individual Expression ufcoffice@frii.org www.unityfc.org

STORES/SHOPS  RETAIL

Nepal Tibet Imports 129 S. College - Fort Collins Incense, Music, Statues, Jewelry, Clothing The Heart of the Earth 116 E. 4th Street, Loveland, CO Crystals, books, music, jewelry, incense, gifts gross@frii.com

970-482-8681 970-461-7970

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TOTEM/GUIDEWORK

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35

If Only God Would Give Me A Sign

LINDA POTTER

Exit Here!

I

t’s been said that when God closes a door, He opens a window. But why does that door always seem to hit you so hard in the derriere that it propels you into a brick wall? And why does that open window often end up being a porthole on a sinking ship? Isn’t there an easier way to handle endings and new beginnings?

Consider how many experiences you enter and exit during a lifetime. That’s a lot of doors and windows to deal with.

Yet ultimately, all these exits and entrances are designed to lead you to the next “stage” of your life experience.

Shakespeare expressed it nicely when he wrote “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts.” In short, we have various roles to play in our lives and we are always entering and exiting the stages of our personal dramas.

Understanding how to successfully navigate your way on and off those stages is what personal growth and spiritual evolution are all about. Part of that learning process is being able to recognize

to get off the stage.

Even more curious are the winners who don’t seem to understand the concept of exits at all. Their “brief” acceptance speeches morph into painfully long monologues that threaten to go on for hours. Clearly, they don’t realize that there are consequences for not making a timely exit. They always seem completely startled when, after having exceeded the allotted time by a factor of ten, the orchestra pumps up the volume and drowns them out as the network goes to commercial.

You never want to overstay your welcome. If you fail to make a timely exit, chances are there’s a “hook” out there somewhere with your name on it.

Although it’s unlike you’ll have to deal with a too-loud orchestra any time soon, your hook may show up as heartache, a job loss, a series of financial disasters, and so on.

It’s important to know when you are done with something … or it’s done with you. You always have the option of exiting to a standing ovation or being dragged off stage after being pummeled with rotten tomatoes. How much time

Spiritually, finding the perfect exit for transitioning from one life adventure to another is about asking the right questions. exactly which exit is yours. No matter how much experience you have “on stage,” sometimes identifying the door that needs to shut behind you isn’t easy.

Most of us have caught an Academy Awards show at one time or another.

Inevitably, each year there are at least a half dozen winners who, upon completing their acceptance speech, look like Bambi in the headlights, absolutely clueless as to which way to go

are you willing to spend picking tomato seeds out of your hair?

Although exits are always available, it’s important to remember that you can’t go back out the same door you came in. (Some of those Oscar winners haven’t yet figured that out.) Life is about moving forward, evolving, growing. That original entrance is now closed to you. Exit stage right and look for a new entrance and a new stage.

36 BellaSpark • March/April 2015 • www.BellaSparkMagazine.com

Spiritually, finding the perfect exit for transitioning from one life adventure to another is about asking the right questions: What lessons does this experience have for me? How can I honor and respect other people who may also be involved? Am I prepared to find the “gift” in this experience, regardless of appearances? Am I ready and open to receive what the Universe has for me next?

By partnering with the Divine, we get to squeeze the juice out of every “stage” of our lives, and when we’re done, we get to take a bow, bring down the curtain, and make our exit … gracefully.

We also get to say, THE END with a grateful heart, ready for our next great adventure.* *Portions of this column were excerpted from If Only God Would Give Me a Sign!

Linda M. Potter is a writer, popular speaker, the editor of BellaSpark Magazine, and the author of If Only God Would Give Me a Sign! For more information, to purchase a book, or to schedule Linda to speak at your next event, visit www.lindampotter.com or contact her at lindampotter@comcast.net.

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