Living In The Moment

Onceagain, my talent for procrastination in writing my publisher’s letter has led me to wander from room to room in my house in search of inspiration before finally landing in our backyard deck.

As I sit here listening to the wind chimes and birdsong while watching the leaves and trees dance in the breeze, the sense of inner peace and contentment from being in the moment allows me to smile. It is funny how quickly removing interference and noise allows the stillness to come in and calm me.

I wish it were quieter, but that is just life happening. I make the effort to digest the noise and absorb it as it is. As I focus on thinking and writing, the noise disappears on its own, and just seems to go away someplace.

This moment with few distractions reminds me, once again, of the miracle of life and living. Perhaps there is something in the interconnectedness of the planets, the stars in the heavens, the rotation of our world, the pathways and order of our universe that humbles me. It reminds me of the gift I have been given. To say I am alive, participating and part of something much bigger than I can imagine reminds me to stay the right size and enjoy it all, every minute, every day.

It calls on me to focus on what is important, which is also always simple. To focus on the good, be part of the good, be kinder, appreciate more, give, grow, hug and love, life, people, planet. To remember I am not as important as I think I am. For proof, I have only to look around to see the miracles happening all the time without my help. But I also need to remember that I’m also more loved than I’ll ever know. And that’s humbling too.

Life has taught me that the quality of my life is in direct proportion to my thinking. Today, right here, right now in a quiet moment, life is good.

With peace, love and laughter,

Publisher Joe Dunne

Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

908-405-1515 • Fax 239-920-5147

Managing Editor Kathy Tarbell

Kathy@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

908-912-4569 • 770-867-2101 direct

Design & Production Kathy Tarbell

Contributing Writer Kiki Powers

Digital Marketing Kristy Mayer

Accounting/Billing Asta Dunne

Asta@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com 908-405-4040

SALES & MARKETING

Joe Dunne • Bedminster, NJ 908-405-1515

Joe@NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

NaturalAwakeningsNJ.com

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Welcome Back, Janet StraightArrow

JanetStraightArrow is a master healer-teacher and shaman who has taught holistic healing and spiritual mastery for four decades. It excites her to share her lifetime of experience with her students for their life journey. She honors each students’ uniqueness as a loving, kind, masterful guide.

This past year Janet took a partial sabbatical from teaching to deepen her teachings and create effective programs for those ready for professional healing and self-mastery.

The Comprehensive Reiki Master Healer-Teacher Training Course begins May 20. Soul Shamanism 101 begins on May 18 and offers a direct connection to one’s soul to integrate current life with the soul’s wisdom and truth. Through accessing this inner place, one learns to master life’s purpose in daily life. It offers profound healing, wisdom, love, and so much more.

The Summer Vision Quest in the Catskills offers women an opportunity to leave everyday life to relax in a sacred space and awaken to the next phase of their life. Preparation emails begin this month. It is a weekend of ceremonies, journeys, letting go, and becoming. Reiki 1 is a two-day class beginning June 3. Janet created an advanced level of this foundational course to provide practitioners with a complete understanding and practice of energy healing for humans, and animals, first and foremost. Everyone can learn this natural healing modality.

Private sessions are offered on Zoom, by phone, or in person at her Chester location. For more information, call Janet at 973-647-2500, email Janet@BeTheMedicine.com or visit BeTheMedicine.com. See ad, page 15.

Spring Into Shape with Hypnosis

Nowthat winter’s over it’s time to get back into shape, especially before bathing suit season. Diet and exercise alone can be a real struggle, however, there is remarkable tool that can help anyone achieve weight loss and keep it off — hypnosis. Healthy change starts in the mind. Attitudes toward ourselves and food lead to our behaviors and physical health. If we can get beneath the surface and look at the psychological factors involved, we can change our relationship with food forever. Hypnosis teaches how to eat satisfying, healthy meals, get to an ideal weight, and stay there. At the Hypnosis Counseling Center, we assess the client’s past experiences and current patterns to identify the subconscious elements that contribute to unhealthy attitudes and develop a plan tailored to the client’s needs. Each client receives a personalized audio tape that reaffirms the positive messages needed to get healthier each day.

Joseph, after losing 105 pounds, writes, “I feel confident that I am not going to gain back the weight…I wish I had attended this class years sooner!” Hypnosis is safe, medically approved, and works.

Location: 28 Mine St., Flemington with additional offices in Princeton and Livingston. For more information, call 908-303-7767 and visit HypnosisCounselingCenter.com. See ad, page 13.

Lavender Madness in June

Get back to nature at Mad Lavender Farm as it opens for its eighth year of goat yoga, hands-on workshops, and “pick your own” lavender.

The lavender fields are in full, glorious bloom from mid-June through the first week of July. Pick Your Own Lavender is offered by reservation only, so book your appointment early through the website. Visitors can also enjoy an array of lavender products such as bath and body products, soap, honey, candles, and cookies in their tiny shop.

The farm also hosts a private picnic area (by reservation only) perfect for gathering with family and friends. For a truly unforgettable day, add a Mini Make & Take Workshop, a Sound Bath Session, or a private Goat Yoga Party.

In addition to workshops in crafting lavender wands and wreaths, they offer workshops in herbology, self-care, and their latest workshop in Mushroom Cultivation which teaches participants how to grow their own gourmet mushrooms at home.

Location: 452 County Road 579, Milford, NJ. Shop hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday-Sunday. For additional information visit MadLavenderFarm.com. See ad, page 14.

Spirit of Ayahuasca: Intensive SelfHealing at Haven of Harmony Denise

Saracco-Zoppi, LMT, CMLDT, is the founder of Haven of Harmony, a sacred space for healing in Newton. Her personal transformational journey with Ayahuasca has led her to open the opportunity for others to experience an eleven-month spiritual healing journey beginning June 11. The teaching program, Spirit of Ayahuasca: Intensive Self-Healing, is designed to personally introduce participants to Ayahuasca/ Her spirit. Be ready to challenge beliefs, fears, and resistances, and experience deep self-love, soul retrieval, and more.

Denise Saracco-Zoppi is a shaman healer, ceremonial master, author, success coach, and author. Those who choose to embark on this journey will apprentice with Ayahuasca directly, and with Reverend Denise as the guide. Students meet in person each month at 11 a.m. on every second and fourth Sunday for approximately three hours at Haven of Harmony. Please apply as far in advance before the start of the program as possible. For more information and to submit an application, visit HavenOfHarmonyNJ.com/Ayahuasca. Applicants will be emailed to schedule a 30-minute interview with Rev. Denise to ensure this teaching program is a good fit energetically.

For more information, email havenofharmony@gmail.com or call/ text 862-268-3213. HavenOfHarmonyNJ.com. See ad, page 26.

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Men’s Wellness Series

Join Natural Awakenings and KnoWEwell for a life-changing series entitled The Healthy Man each Tuesday in June at 5 p.m. PDT/8 p.m. EDT.

Topics

n Lifestyle choices that add years to a man’s life and life to his years n Tips to maintain youthful energy, a desired weight and a healthy libido n Strategies for optimal eye health n Good posture techniques for peak human performance and pain-free aging n Habits that create resilient kids and a lasting legacy

SPEAKERS n Ben Greenfield, human performance consultant and author of 17 books including Boundless Parenting n Dr. Eric Plasker, chiropractor and author of The 100 Year Lifestyle n Dr. Tracy Gapin, board-certified urologist and author of Male 2.0 and Codes of Longevity n Dr. Krista Burns, chiropractor, founder of the American Posture Institute and author of The Posture Principles n Christopher Smith, co-founder of Family Brand and the Campfire Effect, creating leaders at home and in business n Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, board-certified optometrist and pioneer in neuro-optometry n Dr. Tarin Forbes, board-certified integrative doctor specializing in anti-aging and metabolic medicine n Dr. Alan Christianson, naturopathic endocrinologist specializing in thyroid disease and author of The Metabolism Reset Diet and The Thyroid Reset Diet

Admission is $59, which includes all Tuesday evening sessions and a one-year membership to KnoWEwell. To learn more and register, visit Tinyurl.com/NAMen2023 or scan the QR Code.

See ad, page 27.

Dr. Justin Ponquinette, DMD and board certified, practices the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery including full mouth rehabilitation. We can also diagnose and treat facial pain, facial injuries, TMJ disorders, remove wisdom teeth, and perform a full range of dental implant and bone grafting procedures. Our staff is trained in assisting with I.V. sedation within our state of the art office setting.