Author: Charla Dury

Below is an insightful post written for Mind Key last year by Tara Ann Lesko. Even though the post talks about 2015, this New Year is no different (and DragonTree is offering a new version for 2017). While many people use the New Year to create resolutions, we prefer to create goals and to make plans. Just changing the terms we use make our thoughts more concrete. Use your time wisely this new year and check this planner out! *************************** 2015 went by in a blur, as years often do when you are 30 or 40 plus. We are all familiar with the clichéd New Year's resolutions made in late December while we're entwined in tinsel and credit card debt. You know the type; lose weight, save...

planning

Connecting in December with Mind Key – Wrap Up

December 30, 2016

Career, Lifestyle

As 2016 winds down and December ends, we’d like to reflect on the month’s theme of connection. We've spotlighted several people and many services that can help you feel more connected to the world. No matter if it's loved ones, friends or strangers. We focused on topics that bring deeper meaning to feeling united during a divisive season. We encourage our readers and members to use their unique gifts to inspire and give back to others. [caption id="attachment_5079" align="alignleft" width="200"] Once Upon a Time[/caption] Featured subthemes related to connection have included: trusting one’s intuition and sharing resources to facilitate growth and healing. Mind Key always plays a role, connecting you to services and products. We began the month by announcing the launch of our new Etsy store. You...

Radiance Coaching with Barbara Steingas

December 21, 2016

From inspirational author and speaker to radiant life coach and reiki healer, Barbara Steingas incorporates her own life experiences in all she does. Barbara’s battle with, and eventual triumph over, Crohn’s disease, an immune disorder of the intestinal tract, revealed the optimal path for her own health by utilizing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual strategies. Barbara believes life path involves sharing those strategies with her clients. Barbara’s inspirational self-help books include; Solving the Crohn’s and Colitis Puzzle, The Healing Puzzle and Germans are Funny, Too! Her one-on-one coaching sessions mirror the tips and tricks from her books, leading her clients down their own paths toward enlightenment. Depending on the session, Barbara can also perform reiki healing and crystal chakra balancing, an intuitive transfer of healing energy....

Vertical Gardening with the Rodale Institute – Snapshot

July 6, 2016

Grow up, not out Vertical Garden! Build your growspace Vertical Gardening in Urban Environments Many urban centers across the U.S. have been labeled as "food deserts" where city residents do not have access to local, fresh produce. Food is transported to city centers by the truckloads from miles away, oftentimes arriving close to or past their expiration and in questionable condition. As a result, city residents, who account for 81% of the U.S. population, are provided with low quality produce. Urban gardening and farming has risen in the last decade. However, increasing green spaces and food production in urban environments is not without challenges and risks. Rodale Institute has designed a number of prototypes for vertical gardening called "Growing Towers." Advantages of using growing towers include creating space vertically...

snapshot

Polyface Farming – Video

July 5, 2016

Fully sustainable farming is possible with animals maintaining the land and creating food. But it takes many hands and many animals to make this work. Check out the video below created by USA Today and posted on YouTube. ...

sustainable food

Parenting – the ultimate adventure in paying it forward

June 22, 2016

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...

giving back smile

Meditation for accepting another’s path

June 21, 2016

Energy, Lifestyle

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...

give back meditation relationship with self

NJ Event – Drum Circle tomorrow night!

June 17, 2016

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...

NJ snapshot stress relief

Dadpreneurs!

June 17, 2016

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 snapshot

Giving Back through Taboo Words – Guest Blog by Jessica McWhirt

June 16, 2016

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...

give back

Paying it Forward – volunteering time and experience

June 14, 2016

Career, Currency, Lifestyle

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...

give back

The tragedy in Orlando

June 13, 2016

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...

giving back

NJ Event and Gardening Tips

June 13, 2016

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...

tips and tricks

Global Event – Kylan Fischer Yoga Retreat

June 10, 2016

Energy, Health, Newsbreaks

“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...

RI Event – Kids, decorate a cake for Dad

June 9, 2016

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 ...

Portsmouth RI

PA Event – Soil Biology for Gardners

June 8, 2016

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 > ...

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

June 6, 2016

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,...

outdoor yoga

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

June 2, 2016

Career, Lifestyle

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...

giving back tips and tricks

BBQ season is here – Recipe!

June 1, 2016

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...

snapshot tips and tricks

Newport, RI Weekly Event – Kids’ Corner and Food Passport Program Every Wednesday

May 31, 2016

Mind Key loves and supports families and natural growing things, so to find that the Aquidneck Grower's Market is creating a program for kids this summer makes us giddily happy! Make sure you bring your kiddos and check it out. Every Wednesday this summer in Newport, RI. A Kids' Corner and Food Passport program are coming to the market! Aquidneck Community Table is pleased to announce a new program for our Wednesday summer growers market in Newport: we will hold a Kids' Corner from 2-6 PM with fun activities for our littlest customers! In addition to games like corn hole and fun coloring pages, the Kids' Corner will occasionally feature special activities such as planting seedlings. We will also hold veggie tastings for our Food Passport Program, in which kids will...

Newport RI

Connect the Dots – Release and Detox

May 31, 2016

May’s Mind Key Issue was Release and Detox Release verb re·lease ri-ˈlēs : to stop holding (someone or something) : to allow (a substance) to enter the air, water, soil, etc. Detox noun, often attributive de·tox ˈdē-ˌtäks, di-ˈtäks : special treatment that helps a person to stop using drugs or alcohol : to remove a poisonous or harmful substance from (something) There are so many types of and ways to detox or release. You can go literal with it and physically release clutter in your home or office or toxins from your body. Or you can go figurative with frustration, stress, anger, preconceived notions, and societal expectations. Detox is a word and a concept that is bandied around a lot on the internet as a way to “clean out” your system and...

snapshot

Global Event/Contest – #LipSexArt with Colin Christian

May 30, 2016

In an effort to give our Mind Key community of talented artists and friends another outlet to release their babies into the wild, see below for an amazing contest opportunity to be featured in a gallery show! Remember to Hashtag (#) #MindKey and tag @Mind.Key (on Instagram) also when you participate! We'd love to see what you come up with! ********************** In celebration of the new, exclusive "Lipsex" by Colin Christian, AFA Gallery and the Artist invite fans to participate in a social media photo challenge! Print the lips from our website, feature them in an original photo, and share the image on Instagram and Facebook via the tags: #LipSexArt @AFANYC @ColinChristian One person will win a pair of mini candy apple red lips by the Artist. (Please remember to keep...

photography

5 Products that could save you from a hangover – Tips and Tricks

May 30, 2016

Good timing with Memorial weekend at hand, here are some hangover remedies we found to help you though that AM slump. ******************** Hangovers are nature’s not-so-friendly reminder that too much of a good thing isn’t always all that grand. Even so, we’re not ones to let that deter us from enjoying our glasses of Sauvignon Blanc, or imbibing an Old Fashioned. And while there may be a ton of do-it-yourself remedies out there to help you beat the aftermath of a night out, sometimes you’re in need of something a little stronger, and more formulaic, than some greasy food and a Gatorade. When that’s the case, here are the products that will let you have your wine and drink it, too. Prime There’s no reason that a (really) fun...

never too hungover tips and tricks

Denver, CO Event – Yoga Rocks the Park Opening Day Tomorrow!

May 28, 2016

Don't miss out on this awesome experience! Last year's YRP was a wonderful, friendly and comfortable experience communing with our bodies and nature at the same time. Yoga Rocks the Park (OPENING DAY) presented by prAna +Denver Yoga Festival Kindness Yoga presents Jack Cuneo w/ DJ Sundragon May 29 8a - 12p Sunken Gardens Park Downtown Denver FREE ADMISSION Yoga Rocks the Park is now FREE ADMISSION/by donation (benefiting Food Bank of the Rockies) thanks to generous sponsor and studio partners. YRP is a Denver summertime yoga + live music tradition which includes an all-levels, live music/DJ yoga class, guided meditation for peace, Kids Camp hosted by Radiant Beginnings (Ages 5-10 MUST PRE-REGISTER) and an after party complete with wellness vendors, food, drink, three free 45-minute mini-workshops and live music.Don't miss opening day with Kindness Yoga's Jack Cuneo and beats by Denver's own...

outdoor yoga

Tappan NY Event – Exploring the Seven Chakras – June 3

May 26, 2016

Hove you felt blocked recently? Find release by learning about the 7 chakras of the body with Rita Gigante on Friday, June 3rd. ...

Newport, RI Event – Spring Forth Festival Friday 5/27

May 24, 2016

Community gardens are important both for the Community as well as for the individual. They can be a source of food, a source of exercise, a source of pride and of belonging. Come out to Aquidneck Community Table's Spring Forth Festival at the Great Friends Meting House this Friday and claim your source!...

Newport Rhode Island

Colorado Summer Yoga Calendar – Events

May 24, 2016

Uncategorized

There is so much going on in the Colorado Yoga community! I know my son and I (Charla) signed up for the 8 class series of Yoga Rocks the Park being held at Sunken Gardens Park in Denver. Come join us for some wonderful outdoor yoga. Connecting with nature through your toes on the grass in the early morning air is inspirational! Like last year, registration is free because of generous donations, so it won't cost you a thing. Just click. The rest of these events are also worth checking into. Happy summer! Wise Women’s Yoga ~The Inner Flow Every Friday 10a – 11:30aDouble Rainbow Ranch 6541 N 63rd St Niwot CO$25 - Pre Registration Required A class for women to open into connection with the sacred beauty within. This practice is...

outdoor yoga Yoga

Listen to your elders

May 23, 2016

In talking about release and surrender of thoughts and things that don't serve you this month, I'm reminded of a conversation I had with my grandma a few months ago. We were talking about my frustration concerning my "weight loss journey". I put it in quotations because...

stress

Meditation for Release and Forgiveness

May 20, 2016

Energy, Health

I will release all the negative thoughts and moments that I have experienced in my life Making way to my path of light before me I ask my soul Only to hold the love And walk forward in love only Forget what you are walking from But remember what you are walking to Forgiveness *************************** Thoughts to Awaken the Spirit 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 that angels were working with her during healings. She has since learned to step back and allow her angels to come forward and work through her. ...

meditation

Newport, RI Event – Community Garden Building 5/21

May 19, 2016

Mind Key fully supports all sustainable living endeavors and this group embodies it all, involving community at every turn in the Newport, RI area. Community Garden Building at the Great Friends Meeting House You may have seen Aquidneck Community Table's video for our Community Garden Initiative (if not, you can check it out here)--here's your chance to actually get your hands dirty! From 12:30 PM to 5 PM on Saturday, May 21st, you can join us outside the Great Friends Meeting House (21 Farewell St) in Newport to help build raised beds for the community garden plots. Since we will be providing lunch, we need an accurate idea of who will be attending, so please RSVP on our Facebook event or by emailing info@aquidneckcommunitytable.com(you can also email this address if...

Newport RI sustainable

Morristown, NJ Event – Gallery Show: Ethereal Worlds

May 19, 2016

Elisabeth Ladwig, a popular contributor to Mind Key's successful second anthology: Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance continues to release her babies into the world, participating in a new gallery show at the trendy 70 South Gallery in Morristown, NJ. Please support her and her stunning works of art by attending between now and July 8th. ...

Let it in–Acceptance of Opportunities

May 17, 2016

Energy, Health, Lifestyle

The above meme might seem cliche, but this month's theme of release can come in many forms. One thing that you can release are preconceived notions of who you are and what you can or can't do. Until you're faced with a situation, there's no way to know. I say this because recently, my husband and I had the unthinkable happen. Danielle and me in NYC. I was on the phone with the travel company. We planned our 20th anniversary dream trip to Europe. We were going to visit Budapest, Hungary and Prague, Czech Republic. It was going to be incredibly romantic, walking and biking everywhere together, hand in hand (not on the bikes). We were going to go on planned tours and explore on our own and...

growth

West Milford, NJ Event – Helping Hands Yard Sale Fundraiser May 21st

May 16, 2016

While many criticize, I have found a large contingency of today's youth to be very socially conscious. Social media encourages relationships across countries and continents and because the "digital world" is so small, news of need across the globe and here at home is in the palm of their hand as soon as it happens. Come out and support the youth of this community in their desire to lend a helping hand to two very worthy charities. ...

NJ West Milford

Littleton, CO Event – Veteran’s Passport to Hope at The Melting Pot during the month of May

May 16, 2016

In June, Mind Key will be featuring stories of giving back and paying it forward; why we do it and how it affects us. This month-long event being held at The Melting Pot in Littleton, CO was too good to pass up posting right now, however. Mind Key throws our support wholeheartedly behind the Veterans who serve this proud country. If you're in or near Littleton, support veterans by visiting The Melting Pot in the month of May and start giving back to those who would give everything for you. Locations ( Littleton ) Our Events Create Your Night join us during the month of May for our Charity Wine Dinner benefiting Veteran’s Passport to Hope. Veteran’s Passport to Hope 's primary mission is to raise awareness within...

giving back veterans

Kutztown, PA – Rodale Institute Upcoming Events

May 14, 2016

Rodale Institute, a local organic farm, store and learning facility, is putting on events and sales for farmers/gardeners of all ages and skill levels. Join us to support sustainable living and growth through the Earth's great bounty! UPCOMING EVENTS Make Your Own Rain Barrel May 14 Register to learn the benefits of rain barrels, installation and maintenance for different types of rain water harvesting systems, as well as hands-on construction of a rain barrel using a 55-gallon food grade reused barrel that attendees will take home. Register > Organic Plant Sale May 20-21, 27-28 Can't wait to get your hands dirty? We have everything you need to get your organic garden going and growing. Certified organic plants, compost, seeds, tools and more! Self-guided tours are available. Learn More > Vermicomposting June 4 Join us for an introductory class...

PA sustainable food

Rhinebeck, NY Event- Collaborating with Nature Workshop June 3-5

May 12, 2016

Sometimes letting go means letting go of our old ways of healing. This fabulous workshop, happens only once a year. In it, you will learn how to let go of your old ways of thinking, recognizing that you CAN heal the environment, and at the same time heal yourself. WORKSHOP Collaborating with Nature: Experience Mutual Healing Between Trees and You! June 3rd to 5th, 2016 Click HERE for more info and to register. Collaborating with Nature: Mutual Healing Between Trees and People The Two-Way Street for All to Flourish on Earth · Exchange mutual healing: Give Tree Whispers - Receive trees' life-force-based transmissions. · Enjoy profound intuitive and sensory encounters with Trees and other Nature Beings. · Experience Earth, Air, Fire, and Water as interactive forces or elemental Beings. · Move from "me" to "we" with 5 steps...

letting go NY

Portsmouth, RI Event – Rhode Island Day – May 14th

May 11, 2016

Buy and eat local, Rhode Island. Clements' Marketplace 2575 E Main Rd. Portsmouth, RI (401)683-0180 www.clementsmarket.com ...

Portsmouth Rhode Island RI

Global Event – The Story Triangle with Marisa Goudy Wednesday May 11th

May 10, 2016

Career, Newsbreaks

Storytelling is a form of creative release. Join Marisa at her Story Triangle webinar tomorrow. You have good work to share with your community. You want to build and audience and build a business. You're on a mission to make this world more beautiful, bearable, and bold. It's time to become a stronger, more confident storyteller. … That’s how I open my invitation to the Story Triangle webinar. Does this describe you too? Yes? In that case, I hope you can join me for the free online class coming up at 1 PM ET on Wednesday, May 11. To watch live, please visit: http://marisagoudy.com/story-triangle-webinar-2 This is a live encore presentation of the webinar I offered last month. If you joined me then or watched the replay and enjoyed it, please share the event...

storytelling

May in the Garden – Tips and Tricks

May 9, 2016

May in the Garden What to do now: Lettuces love this weather--grow them now! Wait to put veggies like tomatoes and peppers in later in the month. There are still many seeds you can start now--come see what just came in. Start weeding now while the plants are small. Weed when the soil is wet--it's a lot easier. This week should be great for weeding! (Use a hoe to make it even easier.) In the perennial garden, put peony rings and other grow-though supports out now before foliage gets too big. You can divide your late summer and fall blooming perennials now if you have to, before they are too tall. Mulch your beds to keep moisture in and weeds out! Don't mulch up the sides...

tips and tricks

Coloring for stress relief

May 6, 2016

Have you seen the coloring books for sale touting "Stress Relief," "Coloring for Adults" or "Zen Feeling?" I have. I asked for one for Christmas last year and I love it. There are times when I have come home from work stressed out. After dinner I give myself permission to block out my family and focus instead on creation. I can't say that what I create is life changing, because it's not. But just the power over creativity, the choice of colors and mediums (pencils or pens or markers) gives me a feeling of contentment. There is so much swirling in my world, so many pieces for which I grasp, but this one, I can embrace and conquer. This one thing is mine and mine only. And I...

Playwrights–let your babies go

May 5, 2016

As artists and writers it's easy to hold onto your work, crafting, editing, polishing, repeat. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just let it go. Rhino Theatre is offering playwrights the opportunity to do just that. Before you can get your work out in the world, you have to let it go. Best of luck! You've been slaving away over that manuscript...

NJ Pompton Lakes snapshot

Connecting the Dots – Finding your Medicine

April 29, 2016

This month our bloggers wrote about "Finding Your Medicine" -- and the many different types of medicine available, and how they each connect physically, spiritually and emotionally. Danielle kicked off the month by talking about what it means to Find your Medicine. From there Vera talked about how Shamanic Extraction Healing can release and remove negative energy, and how we all have the keys to bring our physical, spiritual and emotional/mental aspects into balance in When you have the right pieces you can heal yourself. During Spirituality week, Tara discussed how Finding Green Tara, and her own spiritual path, became her medicine, while Kathleen talks about love as medicine in her meditation from Thoughts to Awaken the Spirit, and Danielle shared a snapshot of a simple moving meditation...

meditation

Personal medicines change over time

April 28, 2016

Dogs are awesome My husband saw a meme on Facebook recently. I couldn't find it to post here, but it said that "Cyclists are the only people who understand why dogs stick their heads out windows of cars". I don't know if I agree that we're the ONLY people who understand this phenomenon, but we certainly do understand it. I realize that technically, while riding, I actually feel very little "wind in my hair" since I have it in a pony tail and stuffed under a helmet, but the meme is still true. I love to feel the air on my face, the speed of it, the smells that go by so quickly that I'd call them fleeting. I love to feel the power of the bike...

new medicine Yoga

An Open Letter to Wheat and Dairy

April 26, 2016

Sometimes finding your medicine means discovering what doesn't work. That discovery (and then the process of avoiding that which isn't working for you) can be infinitely more difficult than discovering what does. TaraLeigh There's a connection between everything; what you eat and how you feel physically, emotionally and spiritually. Friend of Mind Key, TaraLeigh Weathers, posted a spectacular open letter that we want to share with you! Dear my Beloved Dairy and Wheat, I loved you from the moment I met you. I thought you loved me too, but the way you treat me is no way to treat someone you love. Throughout the years you’ve hurt me over and over again. When I was a child you gave me hives, stomach issues, seasonal allergies and chronic sinus infections....

Profiles for Success – Marisa Goudy

April 20, 2016

Marisa Goudy is a writer who helps emerging thought leaders tell stories that matter. Through coaching and online courses, she empowers therapists, healers, and other creative entrepreneurs to write content that connects. In 2016, Marisa is showing her audience that it's possible to easily and confidently create online content with her #365StrongStories project (discover the stories by searching the hashtag or following Marisa). Marisa says that she was born a writer who lost track of that for many years thanks to a graduate degree in Irish lit and a career in academic library administration. As it is for many folks, a shocking and unexpected life event propelled her to make a change. Marisa's book. Grab your free copy HERE "Though I’d always suspected there was something to...

profiles for success storytelling

Yoga as a creative endeavor

April 18, 2016

We've all seen the pictures of the un-doable poses. The poses where the person looks like a freshly baked pretzel, all malleable and stuff. The folks who are flexible beyond normal person flexibility. Pose I can't do Suffice it to say, that's not me. I have some physical limitations. My left hip flexor doesn't open and I have some chronic pain. I work on it, but there's only so much I can do. Yet, I do yoga. Another pose I can't do Why, you may ask? Because I love it. Because yoga helps my creative juices. I'm not talking Wii fit yoga poses on the balance board that I do in my bedroom as the Wii trainer lady counts for me. I'm talking about an actual yoga class in a...

Yoga

Meditations from the Other SIde

April 14, 2016

Energy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Even though it is the most simplest of things to do To just love seems to be the hardest If we can spend our time only loving And nothing else All of our problems would disappear To just stop and feel love And the light within you You will see and feel How it changes your world ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thoughts to Awaken the Spirit 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 that angels were working with her during healings. She has since learned to step back and allow her angels to come forward and work through her. ...

meditation

Weehawken, NJ EVENT – Shamanic Drum Circle on Friday 4/15

April 13, 2016

Energy, Newsbreaks

...

NJ shamanic healing

Everything is 100%

March 31, 2016

Charla Dury: The Grounding Rod - Focusing your energy in the present moment **************************** The Symbol for Yin and Yang resonates with me. It always has. In fact, I have a tattoo with a yin yang symbol in the center. Not even kidding. I was looking around as I was thinking about writing this blog and I noticed that everything is whole. And I'm not just talking about an uneaten pizza or other circle shaped things. Even non-circle shaped things are always 100% because there's always a balance. The earth provides balance. When one thing is less, others are more. When a glass is half empty, its technically 100% full, even if only 30% is water. The other 70% is air, but the glass is technically 100% full. My son...

Yin and Yang in Acupuncture

March 15, 2016

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses Yin and Yang (pronounce yang rhyming with gong) and the body's meridians as the primary foundations for diagnosis and treatment. According to this article on SacredLotus.com, all phenomena can be reduced to Yin-Yang and the earliest mention of it was in the I Ching in 700 BCE. Yin and Yang relate to specific parts of the human body and every treatment modality aims to either Tonify the Yin or Yang and/or Disperse excess Yin or Yang. In TCM, there are six pathogenic factors. Yin Yang ---- Wind Cold Heat Dampness Dryness ---- Summerheat I visit an acupuncturist and he is a great believer in TCM, using the flow of Qi along the meridians of the body and specially mixed herbal remedies to increase and/or decrease the...

Yin and Yang is kind of like Left and Right brain thinking

March 11, 2016

In talking about balance and Yin and Yang, I can’t help but think about right and left brains. I took one of those stupid Facebook quizzes recently and it told me that I'm 76% Left brained (focusing on Symbolism) and 24% Right brained. I am a very linear thinker. Things are orderly. Numbers don’t lie. I am not flowery, I am squarely in “the box” so when someone says to think outside the box, I'm at a loss. Make up something on the spot without parameters, I don’t think so. So 876% left sounds about right (or correct as the case may be.) “So, if you’re so left brained and non-creative how can you be a poet and so successful at Charlapalooza?” you might ask. If...

Yin and Yang

NY Event: Crystal Singing Bowls and Toning March 11th

March 9, 2016

meditation NY

Mind Key is open during construction!

March 1, 2016

Energy

Jon and I for Christmas pics 2015 Hiya! My Name’s Charla Dury and I’m the editor here at Mind Key. I wanted to introduce myself. While you’ve probably seen blogs from me, I don’t know that I’ve taken a chance to actually say hi. So hi. Now that that’s done, I want to let you know that Mind Key is in a bit of a transition period. We’re working hard to build a diverse group of folks on our blog (both regular columnists as well as guest bloggers) to give you a wide range of material to help you on your journey. We want to be sure to hit on all of the aspects of Mind Key that you’re here for; Health, Spirituality, Creativity, Connection and...

Health

Relationship wrap up

February 29, 2016