SIMPLE ACTS CAN

Simple Acts Can Change the World

by Julie Peterson

It’s easy to feel small and helpless in a world full of big problems, but there are simple, daily actions we can take to change it for the better. BE THE CHANGE. If the park needs more shade, ask permission to plant a tree. If there is trash on the sidewalk, pick it up. An eyesore building could be a community art project. The possibilities are endless. Sometimes the very things that we complain about can be turned into action items, improving conditions for everyone. Fix something. CHOOSE GRATITUDE. It’s difficult to miss the news as it pops up on phones, computers and TV. But media outlets can offer a repetitive loop of negativity and conflict. When exposed to this for hours, it can erode faith in humanity and hope for the future. To prevent feeling a sense of soul-crushing doom, we must tune out of the constant chatter. Select 30 minutes every other day to read news. We will become more positive if we spend the former news time listening to music or writing in a gratitude journal. Appreciate the good. FIND COMPASSION. When there is no shortage of road rage, angry customers and political divisiveness, don’t engage. We never know what another person has gone through in life or earlier that day. Don’t be a judge; be a vector to peace. Let the driver merge, let others be right, let our buttons get pushed without escalating the situation. Loving kindness for others involves wishing them health, happiness and safety. It doesn’t need to be outwardly expressed; it can be an internal thought. Respect everyone. BE KIND. Perhaps there is someone that would appreciate a meal or help with chores. Offer time without expectation of a reward. Random acts of kindness can be done anonymously: pay the toll for the next car, deliver a care package, donate supplies to a local nonprofit or simply smile at strangers. Give freely.

Every time we fix, appreciate, respect and give with a genuine heart, there is a ripple effect. Everyone we touch feels better. Moving forward, these people likely will be kinder to others. Envision each genuine act pouring forth like a wave of light, gathering momentum as others add their light. Imagine it can wash over the Earth, touching everyone. We can make a difference. Start now.

Julie Peterson is a Random Acts of Kindness activist (RAKtivist.com), an assistant to the Wisconsin Kindness Angel and an advisor for Kindness Bank, a nonprofit invested in improving community health and well-being.

Intuitive & Healing Arts

Reiki Practitioner Specializes in Mental Health

As we recover from the uniquely stressful events of the past year, Reiki can be a powerful natural tool for relieving lingering depression, says Laura DeToia, a certified Reiki II practitioner who specializes in helping and healing people with mental health conditions.

Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing. DeToia uses use a technique called palm (or handson) healing, through which a Laura DeToia “universal energy” is transferred through her palms to the client in order to encourage emotional or physical healing. She calls Reiki “a very simple yet profound technique” for combatting conditions like stress and depression.

“For depression I work on the seventh chakra, which is the crown chakra,” she says.

While doing energy work on people with mental health conditions, DeToia doesn’t talk to them. “I do the symbols on them and I let the energy do the work,” she explains. “Usually when you do Reiki with the symbols, the universal energy knows where to go to heal the person.”

Relieving stress allows the body to use energy more effectively and to support its natural healing processes, she says.

“Whether you are feeling stressed out from daily life or you have a chronic disease made worse by stress, Reiki can help calm the parasympathetic nervous system, giving your body time to rest and heal,” she says.

As owner of Merkaba Peace Reiki Services, DeToia works with people in their homes in Putnam, Westchester and Dutchess counties, providing energy healing through 30-minute one-onone sessions and offering long-distance Reiki to those for whom in-person sessions aren’t an option. She’s also a public speaker for the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, having volunteered for NAMI Winchester’s In Our Own Voice Program for 10 years.

In addition to earning Reiki I and II certification from Universal Healing Arts Connection, in Cortlandt Manor, DeToia has a master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education. She’s been a Reiki practitioner for five years. She donates a percentage of the proceeds of each Reiki session to charity, to support mental health education.

For more info, call 914.645.7704, email Detoialaura@gmail.com or visit MerkabaPeace.com.

ASTROLOGY

Pam Cucinell Phone, online & in person 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com

ENERGY HEALING

Elizabeth Pasquale, CST, NLP Bemer, Cranial, Lymph, NLP At home, office or remotely WellOnTheWay.org; 607.351.7024

ENERGY MEDICINE

Bernadette Bloom, MI Energy Healing & Teacher 239.289.3744 theesotericbloom.com

INTUITIVE ENERGY HEALING

The Temperance Center Merrill Black, LCSW Reiki Master/Instructor Light Body Quantum Healings 914.793.2600 TheTemperanceCenter.com

INTUITIVE HEALING

White Lotus Grace Intuitive Healing, Readings & Dance Millbrook + Virtual Sanctuary 845.677.3517 whitelotusgrace.com

NATURE & FOREST THERAPY

Nature’s Whispers Guided Meditative Walks thru Nature Dutchess/Putnam/Westchester 845.489.7250 MeditativeWalks.com

NEW AGE STORES

The Soul Connection Crystals. Jewelry. Books. More 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor, NY 914.737.HEAL soulconnectionshop.com Synchronicity Psychics/Crystals Candles/Tarot/Sage 1511 Route 22 Brewster @synchronicityny 845.363.1765 SynchronicityNY.com

PSYCHIC MEDIUM

Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique 12 West Main St, Pawling, NY 845.493.0432 AngelAuraBoutique.com

Celestial Touch Laura Schek, Psychic Medium, Reiki Master 7 Arch St, Pawling, NY 845.244.1767 celestialtouchllc.com

QIGONG

In Balance Concepts Qigong. Tai Chi. Meditation 2505 Rt. 6, St. 108, Brewster 845.803.1992 Inbalancetaichi.com

REIKI

Anne H. Bentzen, MSOT Jikiden Reiki Teacher/ Practitioner West Harrison, NY 914.588.4079 balancing4life.com

Edit Babboni, CHC, RYT 200 Reiki Healing. Health Coaching. Yoga. 61 Lakeview Drive, Yorktown Heights, NY 917.721.2529 yoga.zengarden@gmail.com

Laura DeToia In person and Long-Distance Reiki 914.645.7704 MerkabaPeace.com

NEW

WELLNESS BOUTIQUE

The Healing Collective NY 267A Central Ave. White Plains Shop & Heal: 914.236.HEAL thehealingcollectiveny.com