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June 2016

Mind KEY / 2016 / June

You don’t have to be rich to pay it forward

When I retired in 2012 and moved to Pennsylvania, I kept telling my friends this would be my time of giving back.  I started volunteering at a therapeutic riding center near my home.  Started learning Reiki, something I had wanted to do since my twenties. Volunteered at the local Food Pantry and a local Humane Society.  I even offered my Reiki services to the senior citizen facility in town but they weren’t keen on the “new age” stuff. Over time I cut down on my activities.  Cleaning a litter box the size of a kiddie pool at the Humane Society “cat” house did a number on my asthma.   The local Food Pantry had so many volunteers we kept stepping all over ourselves.  I still volunteer...

Parenting – the ultimate adventure in paying it forward

  When you become a parent, either by nature or nurture, you wipe its butt just like your parent wiped yours.  We feed the child, clothe them and teach them by our actions, watching as the milestones pass.  We kiss boo boos, worry about them, lose sleep and hope for their future. We follow in the footsteps of every parent, not just our own.  The actions we remember as perceived parenting missteps from our own childhood, we're sure to do differently if we can resist the pull of history and genetics which, at times, might be too strong. No handbooks come with a new baby.  They should.  Every piece of advice ever given should come with each new child as downloadable content, straight to your brain.  Kind of like Neo learned Kung...

Meditation for accepting another’s path

  If I have never walked the path of my brother If I have never felt his pain If my lessons have not walked a darkened path If I hold every thought every feeling every lesson within my soul I will hold every judgment on this path that I embark on now In my own evaluation Will I reach my hand out to my brother Only seeing his light Remembering only the love As we reach out light to another soul We will allow that connection of light The connection of our own soul to another Both of us becoming part of the universe Connecting Being Both taking our rightful place Leaving all darkness ***************************      Kathleen Santora teaches meditations and self-healing through the understanding of one’s own personal energy. A spiritual healer for the past 30 years, Kathleen began trance healing later when she became aware...

RI Event – The party that’s giving back

Looking for good music, good food, and good times this weekend? Look no further than A Party for the People, happening Sunday, June 26th in Middletown, RI. The day is about creating a sense of community and goodwill for all of us who have given back in some way to help others, event organizer and owner of Good Time Productions, Michael Hayes, said. "Everything that happens impacts the next person because [on the island] they're so close," Michael said. "I wanted to give something back to everybody.  We are always struck by tragedy, but I wanted to do this for a positive reason." Over the past decade, Michael's watched friends battle cancer, lose their loved ones and homes unexpectedly to tragedy, and time and time again, he's seen...

NJ Event – Drum Circle tomorrow night!

Reflecting on recent losses, near and far, I know it's ever important to celebrate life. So, let's make some noise! If you haven't already, please let us know if you're coming. Looking forward to spending this time with you, Ruth         Drumming with others is an ancient practice that people have used for millennia all over the globe to connect, heal, learn, witness and celebrate with each other. It’s only been in the last few hundred years that many people in our modern cultures have stopped connecting in this way.    Drum Circle Facilitator Vera Remes will lead us as we use various forms of vibration, such as simple clapping, drum, and rattle rhythms to create deep relaxation which allows the mind and body to become quiet.  Circle may include group...

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Dadpreneurs!

Thanks to Ann Noder at Pitch Public Relations, we found out about these awesome Dadpreneurs and in the spirit of a stupendous Father's Day, we wanted to share them with you. Jon Sumroy, dad of four, is the brains behind the new mifold - the most advanced, compact and portable child car safety seat in the world - ten times smaller than a regular booster seat. Rather than "boosting" kids up - the seat brings down the seat belt to a child's size. It’s so compact it can even fit into a back pocket! The company is now in manufacturing to meet massive customer orders after exceeding its Kickstarter goal. Edward McCloskey has launched the first chemical-free baby wipe (new to the U.S market) after struggling to...

Giving Back through Taboo Words – Guest Blog by Jessica McWhirt

Today, guest Blogger Jessica McWhirt, shares how it feels to give back to the community through the empowering performance of this collection of risqué monologues. *************************************As the word “vagina” broke from my lips, the audience’s eyes widened a little, mouths opened slightly, and wine-filled glasses hung midair awaiting my next words. Even though my words make my audience recoil in their chairs, I know we’re creating awareness. It’s not easy to hear taboo subjects, let alone repeat forbidden words in front of 600 eyes. My Vagina Monologues cast and the hundreds of casts throughout the world swallow uncomfortable topics and silences to raise awareness of violence against women. The money we raise from these performances goes directly to an organization that works to end violence against women within...

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Moments with Dad

Dads give so much for their families.  This Father's Day, we're giving back by sharing our favorite Dad moments and the best Dad advice. What are your favorite fathering moments? Here are some fond memories from our Mind Key Community via Facebook. "One of my favorite things - sitting in the backyard on a summer afternoon, listening to the Yankees on the radio with my dad...

Paying it Forward – volunteering time and experience

My young family (Step Dad, Mom, little brother, me and our son) right before my high school graduation. I was a teen parent.  While my husband is the father of all of my boys, I had our first child when I was 15 and we didn't get married until I was 22.  I attended a school for teen moms during my pregnancy and the semester after I had our son.  After returning to mu home school for a year and a half,  I graduated and went on to college with the help and support of my mom and step dad.  While being a teen parent was difficult, I thank God for that experience.  That broadening of my horizons.  The flip flop in my world view. The paradigm shift. The...

The tragedy in Orlando

  Photo credit to Yahoo.com (here) We at Mind Key grieve for all of the lives touched by the mass shooting at Pulse, an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, FL over the weekend.  Fifty lives, including the shooter's, were lost and fifty-three people remain wounded and hospitalized, some fighting for their lives.  Living in the Denver metro area in Colorado, I have borne witness to several local mass tragedies, starting with the shooting at Columbine High School (about 6 miles from my home), and most recently with the Aurora Theater shooting, which is near where our oldest son lives.  I know the sheer panic of wondering if someone you know has been affected, hurt, or even killed by acts of terror like this.  Photo thanks to Kara Bedard (via Facebook here) As...

NJ Event and Gardening Tips

Pollinator Week is coming soon!  June 20th through the 26th, 2016.   National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them."  We are celebrating by putting all of our native plants on sale all week, as well as any 'pollinator' plants.  To kick off the week, we will be hosting a Butterfly Gardening Class on Saturday June 18th at 2 pm with educator Carol Gurney. Explore the butterfly's life cycle, receive information on host and nectar plants, make your own butterfly cage, receive a Painted Lady AND a Monarch chrysalis to take home and then watch as they emerge into butterflies. Monarchs are having a rough time these days-come give one a good start! Pre-Registration...

Global Event – Kylan Fischer Yoga Retreat

  “Sun-Kissed Yoga Bliss” Retreat   to be Offered at CostaBaja™ Resort and Spa Experience Blindfolded Yoga, SUP Yoga and More with Kylan Fischer Chicago, IL -  One of the nation’s most popular yoga instructors, Kylan Fischer, will host a five-day wellness retreat for those seeking to unwind from everyday stresses and find their bliss.  The retreat will be offered July 25-29, 2016, at the spectacular CostaBaja Resort and Spa, an all-inclusive property just 10 minutes south of downtown La Paz, the capital of Mexico’s Baja California. “Treat yourself to this opportunity to sweat it out, let it go and relax,” offered Kylan. “This tropical getaway enables you to detox from deadlines and dreary daily routines. You’ll feel the exhilaration and pride of gently pushing your yoga practice to new...

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RI Event – Kids, decorate a cake for Dad

  Giving is always great when it's for someone you love.  Clements in Portsmouth offers kids a creative way to give back to Dad with a Father's Day gift that looks great and tastes good too.    Clements' Marketplace  2575 E Main Rd.  Portsmouth, RI  (401)683-0180  www.clementsmarket.com ...

PA Event – Soil Biology for Gardners

Our friends at Rodale Institute hold many incredibly useful and interesting workshops.  Visit Rodale Institute to check out their many offerings. Soil Biology for Gardeners June 11 10am-1pm   Do you ever wonder what the term "healthy soil" really means? Learn more from Rodale Institute's soil research staff and about what's really going on under your feet (and all around your plants' roots).   Register > ...

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Putting together your healing puzzle pieces

            When I was initially diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease about thirty years ago at age twenty-two, I had no idea this was the start of my life’s purpose. Although, it would take me some time, many years in fact, to realize this.  Had I known from the beginning, I would have kept a detailed diary so I could share more of the specifics of what I was going through, the ups and downs, all the things I tried that worked and didn’t work, etc., but I was so ill and just wanting to survive that I didn’t have the energy or where with all to keep a written record.             However, I remember enough to share the top strategies I used physically, mentally/emotionally & spiritually that...

CO Events Update – Pollinators, Yoga and free things to do!

Hudson Gardens is more than just beautiful flowering gardens located near Denver.  Hudson Gardens is an event center, a beekeeper's dream, a concert venue and a wonderful garden center.  Check it out!   Pollinators, Yoga, and Free Things to Do!   Pollination Fascination Lecture Series Celebrate National Pollinator Week by learning how to become a pollinator steward in your own backyard. June 8 | Spotlight on the Bumblebee June 15 | So You Want to Be a Beekeeper? June 18 | Meet the Beekeeper (Free) June 22 | Habitat Hero: Wildscaping 101     Yoga in The Gardens Every Wednesday, 9-10 AM June-September  Start your Wednesday mornings right! Awaken your senses with an outdoor yoga class amidst the natural beauty of Hudson Gardens. Walk-ins welcome.  View the calendar for info on class style and instructor.     Meet the Vegetable Gardener Select Tuesdays,...

Mind Key: Giving back to the community at large

In June's Mind Key Issue we will be sharing stories of giving back and paying it forward. Sometimes this is referred to as karma, but we prefer to look at it simply as energy.  We receive what we put out, which is why the best way to change the world is by changing your personal world.  This creates an incredible ripple effect that touches the lives of others, who then pay the good energy forward.  Not only that, but it raises your individual vibration so that you attract more of what you give into the world back to yourself. I like to compare this to the phenomenon of love.  No matter how much love you give, it never diminishes, only grows.  Giving back works the same way. We feel fulfilled and...

Waking up motivated and staying that way – Tips and Tricks from Arthur and Alex

I know lists are my greatest tool.  With weekdays and weekends being so packed at my house, if I don't make a list for my days, I will inevitably fail at getting all I want done.  Lists are my friend and knowing that Arthur and Alex suggest them makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.             ************************************   I don't know about you but when I wake up in the morning my eyes are totally unable to open fully.  It didn't use to be that way but now that I am older some things just don't work as well as they used to.  Know what I mean? But this has been a blessing in disguise for me and whether you are the same or not, the lessons I learned from it has...

BBQ season is here – Recipe!

Recipe of the Month Birtha DeBlues BBQ Sauce Visit Savory Spice Littleton, CO for an easy kit with all the ingredients pre-measured to make this sweet and smoky sauce. Ingredients 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 Tbsp Medium Chili Powder 1/2 tsp mild yellow mustard powder 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp ground allspice 1/4 tsp cayenne 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 1/8 to 1/4 tsp hickory smoke flavoring* 1 1/4 cup ketchup (preferably Hunt's) 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup water Notes *Hickory smoke flavoring is strong, so use it sparingly; start with 1/8 tsp and add more while cooking if more smoke flavor is desired. In place of the dry smoke flavoring you can use 3/4 tsp liquid smoke (or more to taste); add it to the liquid ingredients. Directions Combine dry ingredients together in a small bowl. In a...

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