WELCOMING THE UNKNOWN

by Marlaina Donato

Ushering in a brand-new year can be filled with hope, but it can also feel as daunting as a blank sheet of paper. We might pause at the threshold with pen in hand, recounting past mistakes and failures, hesitant to make our mark. The unforeseen is like a stranger, easy to mistrust. Dreading the unknown can be a self-sabotaging habit that obstructs the view and keeps us wishing instead of living.

Nature’s great gift is her constancy of seasons, but she thrives on change. Despite the human propensity for clutching what is familiar and predictable, we do best by leaving the door ajar for the unexpected. If we are fortunate, we will have 12 more months to have another go at it.

Setting a place at the table for delight shifts our frequency from resistance to receiving our highest good, and swapping anxiety for excitement can be a spiritual practice during our most uncomfortable moments. Instead of making a resolution, what if we made the simple decision to not believe our fears?

With no concept of limitation or worry of scraped knees, we once learned to walk, happily undiscouraged when we stumbled. That first spark of eager curiosity remains deep in our memory, not confined to youth. Embracing possibility this year can be a subtle, mantra-in-motion as we go through our days, a cellular willingness to expect an outcome tailored specifically for us. Here are some prompts for embracing possibility:

n On scraps of paper, write down 12 things you have postponed doing or trying and keep them in a special canister. Pull one out each month and follow through with joyful anticipation. n Witness the sunrise once a week and designate it as an opportunity to open your heart and mind to the new and glorious. n Change things up in the kitchen: Buy new dishes and donate the old to a local thrift store. Try a new food every week and explore herbs and spices not usually in the cupboard. n Notice something in your daily surroundings that might have gone unnoticed before.

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

Intuitive & Healing Arts

Unlock The Body’s Healing Power

Bernadette Bloom

Author, medical intuitive, energy healer, teacher and holistic physical therapist Bernadette Bloom is offering a class, titled Energy Medicine for the 21st Century Part 1, from 9:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on February 5 in Chappaqua and virtually via Zoom. In this introductory class, which is open to everyone, Bloom says that students will learn to bring balance and ease to the body, mind and spirit via the alignment and attunement—aka the antahkarana, or rainbow bridge—using high-vibrational energy healing techniques from Tibet called esoteric healing.

Students will learn how to evaluate and treat the chakra system and how it influences us mentally, emotionally and physically, as well as how to support and strengthen the immune system. In addition, the difference between the soul and the monad will be discussed and experienced.

“Whether you’re interested in becoming a professional practitioner or would simply like to learn how to unlock your body’s healing power to improve health and vitality, you won’t be disappointed,” exclaims Bloom. “This is an amazing journey, and it’s fun and practical.”

Bloom also offers energy healing services in person in Chappaqua and long distance by phone, Zoom, Skype or Facetime. She is also president of the nonprofit JJ Esoteric Foundation and the founder of Center for Aligned Healing.

Cost: $250 on/or before Jan. 22; $357 on/after Jan. 23. Location: In person in Chappaqua, NY, and virtually via Zoom. For more information, email bernadettebloom8@gmail.com or visit TheEsotericBloom.com.

ASTROLOGY

Pam Cucinell

Phone, online & in person 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com

ENERGY MEDICINE

Bernadette Bloom, MI

Energy Healing & Teacher 239.289.3744 TheEsotereicBloom.com

NEW AGE STORES

Persephone’s Pearl

1014 B Main St., Peekskill 914.737.3460 PersephonesPearl.com

Universal Healing Arts

Metaphysical, Crystals, More! Cortlandt Manor, NY 914•737•HEAL SoulConnectionShop.com

One Light Healing Touch

Penny and Ron Lavin, MA Sessions and Schools OLHT1.com/845.878.5165

INTUITIVE ENERGY HEALING

The Temperance Center

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

HEALING SANCTUARY

Moss and Moonlight

Workshops, Yoga, Reiki, Women Circles, In-Person & Virtual Hopewell Junction, NY MossAndMoonlight.com

PSYCHIC MEDIUM

Celestial Touch

Laura Schek, Psychic Medium, Reiki Master 7 Arch St, Pawling, NY 845.244.1767 CelestialTouchllc.com

REIKI

Balancing 4 Life

Anne Bentzen, Jikiden Reiki Certified Teacher/Practitioner 25 Broadway, Pleasantville, NY 914.588.4079 Balancing4Life.com

Laura DeToia

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

Edit Babboni, CHC, RYT-200

Reiki Healing. Health Coaching. Yoga. 61 Lakeview Drive, Yorktown Heights, NY 917.721.2529 Yoga.ZenGarden@gmail.com

INTUITIVE HEALING

White Lotus Grace

Healing/Dance/Readings 845.677.3517 Millbrook & Remote WhiteLotusGrace.com