Lifestyle

By Wendy Watson-Hallowell Do you believe that we are responsible for other people’s reactions to us? If we are told we are hurting others, is it true? Can we really hurt others by simply being ourselves? Or is this just another way of giving away power? So then what is our true power? Power Responsibility Expecting others to help us feel OK because we helped them feel OK is a sure way to lose touch with our true responsibility and how we give our power away to others. What if the reality is that we are only responsible for our response to others? Does this mean that you can’t be ‘hurt’ by anyone else? Quantum physics demonstrates that our experience really is all about our relationship with ourselves – not about...

relationship with self spirituality

Manifest a Happy and Healthier You with Mindset Reprogramming

July 4, 2017

Are you having trouble staying motivated? Moving past slow and low moments in your life is difficult without the proper mindset. Mentality, or mindset, plays a large part in the development of life, emotions, and actions. With a negative outlook, you may never see the beauty of the life around you. Therefore, a negative mindset won’t take you anywhere except deeper into that dark cave your mentality settled into. Rather than staying there, let’s dig out. There is no better time to reprogram a positive mindset and manifest a healthier you then today! Why not test it out? There are so many ways to improve your way of thinking and ultimately produce positive outcomes. It all starts with the brain… literally! Brainwaves: The key to...

meditation spirituality

Understanding Manifestation: Our July Issue’s Overview

July 3, 2017

By Danielle Rose Manifestation is the law of attraction. Merriam-Webster defines “manifestation” as a: the act, process, or an instance of manifesting. b(1) : something that manifests or is manifest. b(2): a perceptible, outward, or visible expression (ie: external manifestations of gender). If you believe in the palpability of energy, then you understand if we can visualize something, we can bring it into our lives. There's more to the phrase "what you see is what you get" than meets the eye. When we "see" something in our mind's eye, that's what we move toward energetically. And when the energy-self moves, the physical body follows. How to manifest If we seek to bring something to us -- be it love, money, career ...

environment mental health relationship with self spirituality

May is for Manifestation – Bring on the Positivty

May 1, 2017

Lifestyle

If you look up the term manifestation in the dictionary, the definition that most resembles what we're talking about this month is: "an event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something, especially a theory or an abstract idea." Manifestation within your life can mean something as simple as finding a twenty dollar bill on your afternoon walk when you need money. Something as complex as calling a new relationship into your life. Even balance can manifest itself in your life. Positivity is a powerful tool and the basis of positive manifestation. When you believe you can have something and invite it into your life, there's a chance that you can manifest it. Conversely, negativity and self effacing thoughts can force what you purport to want away...

manifestation

Teaching financial literacy can secure young people for a future with more choices

Invest in the future by investing in our children’s financial literacy

April 24, 2017

Currency, Lifestyle

by Christopher Hallinan, Fall 2016 graduate of William Paterson University, NJ Student loan debt. The cold black mass that hangs over college graduates and follows the millennial generation around like an decrepit, stalking butler. The debt is here to stay, and for many young professionals can be a death sentence, a foot in an early grave if they let it. However, teaching financial literacy may be the key to eliminating this debt completely. A 2017 article published by Student Loan Hero, a resource helping student loan borrowers understand their student loans and make intelligent repayment decisions, found that college loan debt has reached a staggering: $1.3 trillion, or $37,172 per student. A figure that even the best-versed in financial literacy find disheartening to think about, and which...

family & kids finances

Spending and your child: The effect of advertising on our youth

April 20, 2017

Currency, Lifestyle

By Amanda Hollenbeck “I want, I want, I want.” Every parent has heard these words ad nauseum. They’ve also heard how and why everything their children have seen on the television or via Youtube is something that they should own. Once children own the item they were yearning for, they usually lose interest in it, and move on to the next thing that they want. What role does advertising play in this dance, and are children more susceptible to advertising than adults Parents want to know how to avoid spending money on things kids only think they want while finding a better kind of currency to help children grow into happier, healthier adults. Research concluded that children who are eight years old or younger as especially vulnerable...

mindfulness money

Financial freedom does not always come from the simple idea of money

Why your financially secure job may not bring you financial freedom

April 5, 2017

Career, Currency, Lifestyle

By Wendy Watson-Hallowell How many of us have gone down a career path we didn’t care about, stayed in a job we hated, or worked for someone where we could not be ourselves with the idea it helped us to stay safe and somewhat free? Happiness and financial freedom are a tricky combination. I have compromised many of my own dreams and personal values to make more money, and to ensure more money would come. However, I was always driven by a subtle fear of not having enough money, and felt like I was constantly jeopardizing my safety and freedom. Many of us have given up on our passion, pleasure, and self-respect in the ongoing struggle to make the almighty dollar. We feel we have to...

career finances money

Planting trees benefit India and humanity

Trees benefiting humanity–Bringing healing, hope and rain to India and the world

March 28, 2017

By Amanda Hollenbeck Trees are not simply an aesthetically pleasing aspect of warmer climates, or an ideal backdrop for an outdoor picnic. They benefit the environment, and our daily lives in many important ways. Trees benefit humanity and the environment According to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), about 31% of the planet is covered with trees. These trees produce oxygen that is vital for the survival of Earth and humanity. They also play a crucial role in regulating carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. WWF hypothesizes that about 15% of greenhouse gas emissions are a result of deforestation. Deforestation poses an immediate threat to people living in areas without significant tree and plant life. According to a 2016 report from the Institute for European Environmental Policy, people who are located in cities...

alternative healing environment renewal

Renew your talents by understanding your past lives

Renew Your Innate Talents Through Understanding Past Lives

March 27, 2017

Creativity, Energy, Lifestyle

By Carlie Currier In January, we featured an article about past life hypnosis. Some believe that individuals who have recalled past life memories have somehow tapped into a higher consciousness—one that can often lead to the development of new talents and creative abilities. Creativity can also help us in understanding past lives. In a 2014 study reviewed by the American Psychological Association found that those who reported having past life memories scored significantly higher on a variety of creativity measures. No matter how we use our creativity to achieve a flow state, we can all reach a similar realm of creation to draw inspiration and open up our minds to new concepts. Channeling creativity and the transcendent Kerstin Zettmar, professional artist and holistic healer, has witnessed...

art spirituality

Can’t Afford a Vacation? Self renew with shamanism

March 24, 2017

adventure and travel alternative healing Lifestyle manifestation relationship with self spirituality

by Vera Remes When I hear the word renewal, I picture a battery-operated toy running out of juice, and the batteries being recharged or replaced so it continue on its way. For some people a massage offers a renewal, for others it’s a good night sleep. I have felt re-charged, renewed, after a Caribbean vacation. What if we could renew ourselves whenever we felt we needed it? I haven’t had a vacation or massage in years. I think I figured out how to self renew without even knowing it. Everything is energy and energy is everything. With his famous equation E= mc2, Albert Einstein proved that, when you come right down to it, everything in the universe is energy. Both the physical reality of matter, and...

Nature Deficit Disorder is a true problem in our tech-advanced society

Nature Deficit Disorder—Could You Be a Victim?

March 23, 2017

by Julia Booth, a Fall 2016 graduate of William Paterson University, NJ Could you be a victim of Nature Deficit Disorder? Are you spending more time inside in front of the television/computer screen instead of enjoying the green scenery of nature? Are you noticing a sense of hostility and change in behavior throughout the day? If your answers are yes, you may be suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder. What is Nature Deficit Disorder? Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD) is not something characterized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Although not included in this book used by psychiatrists and psychologists to diagnose and treat mental illnesses, NDD is something very real. Richard Louv, an American author and founder and chairperson of the Children and Nature Network, and...

environment

Reduce the negative impact of stress by using outdoor stress relief remedies

Outdoor Stress Relief: How Nature Helps You Heal

March 22, 2017

Health, Lifestyle

That nature provides the resources we need to relax our bodies and counteract our stress levels may seem obvious. Then why do millions of people suffer from such stress-related conditions as heart issues, high blood pressure, and tensed muscles. Outdoor stress relief is one of the most natural cures for stress-induced health issues. In this new age, people are beyond strained. A 2014 poll conducted by NPR and the Harvard School of Public Health found that one in four Americans had suffered a great deal of stress. Many people understand that being in nature can have a positive impact on our bodies and our minds. Too many, however, ignore these understandings because they do not know the underlying processes of how nature helps. Dr. Doni...

environment

Spring cleaning: Overcoming the vestiges of winter

March 21, 2017

Lifestyle

By Charla Dury A couple of years ago I wrote the following blog. With March’s theme of renewal, I look back again with a critical eye, noticing the trends that the Denver Metro area goes through on an annual basis. Renewal is an exciting time to shed the old, and blossom once again in the warmth. To come out of your winter shell and wear bright colors. I find this particularly interesting to note after last week’s discussion on addiction, particularly considering the kind of trash commonly found under the snow. Renewal and spring cleaning--both physically and metaphorically--is such an important part of recovery, and overcoming the winter blahs. Wear your bright colors again, Denver! [caption id="attachment_5675" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo by Charla Dury[/caption] Spring cleaning: Liquor bottles and the...

environment renewal

Spring renewal--the blueprint for recreating your life experiences

Hatching seeds: A blueprint for recreating your life experiences

March 20, 2017

Today is the first day of spring. With the abundant imagery of seeds bursting forth, things hatching, and leaves unfurling, spring renewal is the perfect time to imagine blossoming into our fullest expression of self. In her post, “The Blueprint,” business consultant and wellness coach, Rebecca Polan, offers her perspective on how the human blueprint is incredibly similar to that of a seed’s. We can use this understanding and imagery to break free of our own fears and barriers. Then we can become the “we” we dream of becoming. Spring Renewal: A blueprint By Rebecca Polan Seeds are potential plants. The seed is at the same time a little package of information about what it will become...

alternative healing renewal

Alternative Addiction Treatment for Alcoholism: Natural and Holistic Options

March 17, 2017

Energy, Health, Lifestyle, Relationship

By Danielle Rose Alcoholism and addiction is often considered a disease. From this angle, as with all diseases, there is more than one way to approach a plan of healing. If recovery feels too clinical, consider working with your recovery team and adding alternative addiction treatment in order to connect and heal through the process of self-renewal. I’ve pulled from my research and personal experience working with those recovering from addiction. In conjunction with expert clinical advice from Dr. Lisa Avila, we've create a shortlist of some all-natural and alternative addiction treatment methods to support a recovery program. This list is by no means all-inclusive. Additionally, these methods should not be attempted without a broader action plan and support group in place. Alternative addiction treatment through dietary...

addiction alternative healing Lifestyle relationship with self

children of addicts must make their own way

Children of addiction: Love, abuse, resentment and recovery

March 16, 2017

by Melissa Cassiano, William Paterson University, NJ student writer About 28 million Americans are children of substance abusers, 11 million of whom are under the age of 18, according to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACA) Children of Addicted Parents Fact Sheet. The fate of an addict’s children, is directly intertwined to that of the parent. Children of addicts, specifically those addicted to drugs and alcohol, are not destined to become addicts themselves, nor do they always grow to resent their sick parent. How addiction affects families The possibility of abuse is a concern for children of addicts. According to the NACA, an overwhelming number of child welfare professionals claim substance abuse is the number one cause of the dramatic rise in child maltreatment, and that...

addiction family & kids relationship with self

10 resources for addiction recovery

March 15, 2017

Health, Lifestyle

A Mind Key follower shares ten well-known addiction resources he has worked with, and offers his personal perspective. As someone still struggling with addiction, we have chosen not to share his name. Perhaps one or more of them could be a resource for you, or someone you love. #1 Alcoholics Anonymous One resource I found many times inspiring, and just the same many times boring, was a type of AA meeting [caption id="attachment_5662" align="alignright" width="300"] There are many different kinds of AA meetings. Try a few to determine which one is the best fit for you.[/caption] called the Commitments. They’re comprised of two or three people who are typically long term AA members. They have worked all 12 steps and are many years invested into sobriety and AA itself....

addiction relationship with self

understanding addiction goes a long way in recovery

Understanding addiction: More than just a disease

March 14, 2017

Health, Lifestyle

by Danielle Rose Understanding addiction goes a long way in discovering and mitigating the source of the disease. There a several different types of addiction, and many related causes. Renewal is, in part, uncovering the root cause of our present situation, and using that understanding to create new behaviors and patterns. Impulsiveness as a means of understanding addiction A number of studies indicate a strong connection between impulsiveness and addictive behavior, particularly in substance addiction. A 2017 study published in the journal, Addiction, confirms that delayed reward discounting—a clinical measure of impulsive behavior—was highly associated with not only the quantity and frequency of addiction, but the severity of the addiction, regardless of the behavior in question. For example, a 2009 study published in the journal of Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior...

addiction relationship with self

changing limiting beliefs leaves you free

Change your limiting beliefs: Change your life

March 6, 2017

By Wendy Watson-Hallowell The limiting beliefs we carry inside can create enormous levels of stress, struggle, and strife on the outside. Ultimately, this keeps us from making the changes we desire. Changing limiting beliefs to ones that work in our favor can be tricky when those beliefs lie hidden in our unconscious awareness. Yet… beliefs are just thoughts we keep thinking until they become true for us. When we challenge and change the beliefs that are working against us, we can create what we desire, with little effort, in every area of our lives. The key is to move our attention away from controlling ourselves and everything around us. Then we can move our focus to what we have real control over—our beliefs—and the feelings, actions and circumstances...

Lifestyle relationship with self

March’s issue: Renewal, a recipe for achievement and growth

March 1, 2017

Career, Creativity, Energy, Health, Lifestyle

Renewal marks a change in our lives. It means to start anew, freshen up lifestyles, ideals, ways of thinking and even our relationships. Sometimes we can become stuck in broken connections or repeating patterns. Renewal becomes an opportunity to shed the skin of old and to become the person you were meant to be. There’s no better time to do this than when the earth is doing the same. In spring, we revel in the scent of fresh air, the sound of birds singing and the wonder of nature being reborn. After the hibernation of winter, spring is (excuse the pun) a breath of fresh air. It’s easy to allow the new energy to envelop us and take us with it. And why shouldn't we allow it? We...

addiction growth renewal

sexual dysfunction is usually stemmed in spirituality and energy issues

Sexual dysfunction: A physical or energetic representation of health?

February 24, 2017

Energy, Health, Lifestyle, Relationship

by Dr. Lisa Avila [caption id="attachment_5543" align="alignright" width="244"] To truly express our sexuality, we must release any latent judgements we may have been conditioned to believe about what’s acceptable or unacceptable sexually. Art by Sean David Wright[/caption] When I first read this quote by Caroline Myss, one of my earlier teachers and mentors, I didn't know what to do with it. Most of my life has been devoted to finding the root causes of what ails the body and the mind. As a healthcare practitioner, I found endless opportunities to explore the validity of the above quote. Later in my career, I spent time exploring the bridges between physical discomfort, emotional/spiritual distress, and body chemistry balance. In examining sexual dysfunction, I learned that the interplay between sex...

family & kids Love and sex relationship with self

Sex in two worlds: A Middle Eastern perspective on intimacy

February 22, 2017

By Colleen Jennings If you are from a Western country, you probably have never stopped to consider the amount of contact you have with the opposite sex throughout the course of your daily life. You went to school with boys and girls and spent all your days with friends and family members of both sexes. Sex, and the understanding of it, is flavored by each of these experiences and encounters. However, if you grew up in the Middle East sex no longer looks the same, as contact with members of the opposite sex was most likely severely limited. How does understanding this perspective offer our more open culture insight into improving the quality of the sexual experiences? In most Middle Eastern countries—but particularly in the more conservative,...

family & kids Love and sex relationship with self

teaching kids intimacy and healthy relationship boundaries

Teaching your teen about healthy relationship boundaries

February 21, 2017

by Charla Dury As a mom of growing young men, I struggle with parental boundaries. It is difficult to know when (and how) to give my kids advice about romantic relationships, let alone teaching kids about intimacy. I enjoy watching my boys happy in their relationships, but as with the rest of life, that’s not always the case. I’ve also watched with disappointment as each of my boys have cultivated codependent tendencies. Knowing that they learned these relationship “moves” from me and their dad makes me sad. As a parent in today’s society, we’ve all heard that kids learn by example. It has never been more apparent, however, than it is when watching as your child makes the mistakes you had hoped that they didn’t see. The times...

family & kids relationship with self

Changing your relationship with the world: The Power of Positivity

February 15, 2017

by Paola Scaduto, Mind Key intern and Fall 2016 graduate of William Paterson University, N.J. Are you happy? Do you have good energy around you and do positive situations occur for you? Are you depressed? Do you feel like your negative feelings might result in negative situations? Positivity is important for not only us, but for those around us. Self-help gurus talk about manifestation In his book, “The Light in the Heart,” Roy T. Bennett writes, “The more you feed your mind with positive thoughts, the more you can attract great things in your life.” Barbara Frederickson writes in her landmark paper that negative emotions are when extreme, prolonged or contextually inappropriate behaviors, “produce many grave problems for individuals and society, ranging from phobias and anxiety disorders, aggression and...

manifestation

how we relate to ourselves leaves us either connected, or alone

Live and Let Live: A philosophy for strong relationships

February 13, 2017

by Vera Remes [caption id="attachment_5425" align="alignleft" width="206"] art by Kennedy Shenberg[/caption] Everyone we meet, if only for a minute, we relate to in some way. Think of yourself walking in the mall, throngs of people passing to the left and right. You think very little about them, don’t even look them in the eye. You’re in live and let live mode. But if someone fell, would you step over them or help them up? If someone stole your wallet, would you chase them, struggle over it or let them have it since they must need it more than you. Whatever you do, you are “relating”. Personally, I like the “live and let live” way of being. I can honestly look at a situation unfolding before me--a parent...

When relationships hold you back–Letting go of the limiting beliefs, not the connection

February 10, 2017

Toxic relationships take energy away from our personal path of growth. Ending a relationship that no longer serves us, however, can be a difficult journey. Someone once said to me, “Some people are easy to love, as long as they are in Australia.” Some people I can only love as long as they live on Mars. The point is that sometimes toxic relationships make it impossible to do that which we love. When that happens, we have two choices: try to change the relationship, or change the way we experience it. Wendy Watson-Hallowell, Mind Key’s own Belief Coach, shares how we can self-fulfill that which our relationships do not provide, and thereby forge a richer relationship with ourselves, and with those we love most. Letting go of toxic...

family & kids letting go Love and sex relationship with self

Looking in the mirror: All relationships reflect our relationship-with-self

February 8, 2017

The toughest and hardest relationship we will ever have in our lives is our relationship with self. The inner child that lives within has hurts and fears that dictate how we react and relate to others over the course of our lives. That which we dislike and have not embraced inside ourselves gets mirrored back to us by others we encounter. When we are upset by other people’s actions and words, we must look in the mirror to discover what we are not loving about ourselves. Letting go of the past The more we let go of past hurts, not take things others do personally, forgive our faults and stop believing untruths about ourselves based on what others have told us, the better off we will be. When...

relationship with self

attachment style is formed in youth, and follows us into adulthood

Heal the wounds of youth through romantic relationships

February 6, 2017

Falling in love means devoting energy into what another person is thinking or feeling. Research indicates that the childhood attachment style we develop have a lasting effect on our adult romantic relationships. Intimate partners often resemble either, or both parents in a variety of ways. Childhood experiences, whether positive or negative, impact the attachments formed in adult relationships, as discussed in a 2005 study published in the journal of Attachment and Human Development. How childhood relationships affect intimacy as an adult According to the Center for Disease Control, 40-50% of first marriages end in divorce, meaning that few children witness healthy relationships and conflict resolution, leading many to fall into the same conditioned habits and behaviors of their parents. According to a review published by R. Chris Fraley of...

family & kids Love and sex relationship with self

February’s Issue–Relationships: from business to love, and everything in between

February 1, 2017

Social interaction is a basic and essential human connection. Building healthy and productive relationships helps us in every aspect of our lives. What can we do when we can't seem to connect with others on the levels we desire? How do negative connections affect our physical, mental, and emotional well-being? Enter our theme for February -- Relationships. [caption id="attachment_5380" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo Courtesy of Charla Dury[/caption] Relationships come in all shapes and sizes...

networking relationships

The best time of year to travel – look to the weather

January 23, 2017

I love to travel. From visiting nearby cities and states, to traveling far away, the experience of travel is worth its weight in gold. If you were to ask me when would be the best time to travel, I’d say any and all the time. I do understand, however, that some times of year are seen as better than others. Many base their choices on the weather. [caption id="attachment_5264" align="alignleft" width="300"] Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - Image by Charla Dury[/caption] How can the weather be so important, you ask? It’s all about preference. Wouldn’t a vacation be more enjoyable during calm weather when you can enjoy excursions? I know I would prefer to drive on clear roads instead of ice if I have the option. While some desirable destinations such...

adventure and travel environment

Using a Journal – Making the most of your time

January 19, 2017

Creativity, Energy, Lifestyle

By Rebecca Pall [caption id="attachment_5333" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Ferris Beuller's Day off , the iconic film of looking around and smelling the roses[/caption] “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” This quote from the 1986 movie, Ferris Beuller’s Day Off, rings true in today’s day and age more than ever. People have so much going on in their lives that it’s sometimes hard to sit down and really appreciate the time or good experiences that we have in life. One of the best ways to keep track of memories is through a journal. It doesn’t have to be a long entry but, having a journal to keep track of the specifics of a couple special memories, can...

journaling

Five Time-Saving Tips for Smartphone Users

January 16, 2017

Career, Lifestyle

[caption id="attachment_5248" align="alignright" width="310"] 2014 Smartphone trends study from the Pew Research Center[/caption] I own a smartphone. You probably own a smartphone. Almost everyone I know (except for that one guy who is permanently stuck in the middle ages) owns a smartphone. In fact, as of April 2015, the Pew Research Center reported that two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone. According to a 2012 poll conducted by the analytics and business consulting company Gallup, 58% of adults between 18 and 29 self-reported feeling that they feel they are spending too much time using their smartphone or the internet. So, while I’m older than the adults in this study (my age bracket reports 30% of us believe we are on our phones too often), I’m certainly not alone in wasting...

smartphone

Rock Your Year with Taraleigh the manifesting unicorn

January 12, 2017

Taraleigh Weathers is a manifesting unicorn! I didn’t know what that meant, either, until I took her four week manifestation course. Taraleigh speaks with authority and clarity, offering real-time, realistic tools for creating what you want in your life. During her Manifesting Unicorns course, I watched the dreams of the course’s other participants unfold, and watched myself lay the groundwork for Mind Key’s next adventure. Now Taraleigh is offering her next course, “Rock Your Year,” to help you attain all of your New Year’s dreams. Don’t have time for another “course?” The best part about taking strides toward your goals is that the more you do, the more time seems to be available to do it. That’s because the universe believes in you, and believes in your...

manifestation

Shifting the patterns of time–Look for the positives

January 7, 2017

Featured image: Adara's Hands by Sean David Wright Regularly taking time for yourself, even with something as simple as a cup of tea, invites time to be more friend than foe. by Barbara Steingas Time is man-made illusion. It is relative to how we perceive it. I’m sure we have all experienced when minutes seem like hours when we’re waiting for, or anticipating something. Conversely, we have also all had time fly by when we were having fun or when we are busy. It’s our perspective that determines if time feels like a friend or a foe. We have the ability to choose and control how we feel about the passing of time. When I cram too many things in a time frame, then I feel pressured and stressed....

January’s Issue: Time – How do you view it?

January 2, 2017

Career, Creativity, Currency, Energy, Health, Lifestyle, Relationship

[caption id="attachment_5204" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Time is a clock in the sand begging to be overlooked - It's only a "thing" if we make it one.[/caption] We depend on time for everything. We are so conditioned to run on or by it, that there's a sense of jealousy or confusion for those who don't know or care. But what is time? We as a society measure it in linear terms. We adhere to this linear definition so tightly that we find it difficult to even be open to a different interpretation. How do we find the time to do all that we hope? Can we manifest more, or bend it? What does it mean to "spend our time wisely” and why is it so important to "stop to...

time

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...

5 ways to rock your year for real this time

December 29, 2016

Mind Key affiliate, Taraleigh Weathers, from the amazing TaraLeighLovesYou and leader of the Rock Your Life movement is doling out tips on making 2017 your best year yet. Mind Key is all about your success. Following TaraLeigh's insightful tips and even signing up for her Rock Your Year Program can be the catalyst for your accomplishing your goals. Her three-week intention-setting and action-taking guided course can help you take 2017 by the unicorn horn! ************************************************************************************** Do you want to have the most magical and amazing year ever? Are you ready rock some goals and take a gander into something amazing and fulfilling? [caption id="attachment_5161" align="alignright" width="526"] TaraLeigh is a dreamer[/caption] It takes focus, action, perseverance, support and a little magic. It might not always be rainbows and unicorns, but I know you have what it takes....

The true meaning of Santa Claus – Giving

December 23, 2016

[caption id="attachment_5147" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Photo courtesy of www.theconversation.com[/caption] In this age of commercialization, how do we teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas? Perhaps you’re a parent who is considering telling your children the truth about Santa this year. This can be a tricky subject, especially when determining the appropriate age. In an article by Good Housekeeping, Caroline Picard describes a story about a parent who tells her child that Santa Claus exists in all of us, and it’s their time to become “a Santa” by giving an anonymous gift to someone they love, teaching the lesson of unselfish giving. “In our family, we have a special way of transitioning the kids from receiving from Santa to becoming a Santa. This way, the Santa construct is not a lie...

family & kids

Giving back all year long – Stories of Altruism

December 22, 2016

[caption id="attachment_5156" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Giving back with the Mind Key Community[/caption] We see need everywhere. On the news every day we see stories of adults and children struggling to make a living, to feed their families and especially around this time of year, to provide a good holiday season. The holidays are about children, and kids aren’t blind to the need around them--it’s important for them to see it. Studies, such as those published in PLOS and Psychological Science, and Development Psychology have shown that giving to others is our natural human state. What’s more, a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that helping others has been proven to improve health and longevity. Social Science and Medicine published a study showing that...

Rhode Island

A local’s guide to gift giving–Rhode Island

December 20, 2016

Currency, Lifestyle

Mind Key Rhode Island (Rhody) is growing as fast as The Mind Key Project itself! In one of my many articles for the Newport Daily News, I was asked to write a story describing all I want from Aquidneck Island, the heart of Mind Key Rhody. We hope those of you in our local community support these local businesses this season as well. For those of our readers who don’t live here, consider this an opportunity to visit someplace new (let Danielle be your tour guide--email me to learn how), or to pick up some of the global services these business offer online. [caption id="attachment_5115" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Photo courtesy of Dave Hansen, Newport Daily News[/caption] The ocean has always called to me, so last December I finally...

family & kids Rhode Island

The symbols in our dreams, with Jefferson Harman

December 15, 2016

[caption id="attachment_5068" align="alignright" width="153"] Jefferson Harman[/caption] Jefferson Harman started interpreting his own dreams as a young child. Over time, he came to learn a universal symbolic language which applies to any aspect of life, waking or dreaming. This is when he began to read the symbols present in others’ lives. Through this interpretation, he is able to help others identify specific challenges and how to overcome them. For the past six years, Harman has been interpreting dreams live on the air on “Life Unedited” on WCHE Radio 1520 AM. He also has internet TV show called “Dreaming With…” on StarDreamsCafe.com, in which he interprets for a variety of artists, writers, and entertainers at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="960"] image by Kennedy Shenberg[/caption] Looking...

spirituality

November in a Nutshell

November 30, 2016

Career, Creativity, Currency, Energy, Health, Lifestyle, Relationship

By Carlie Currie In honor of Mind Key’s third anthology, Tempest: Life Upturned, the theme of November has focused on riding out the storms of our lives that can brew during this season. Although this time of year is often seen as a preparation for the happiness of holidays, it can often bring about stress and turbulence. However, sometimes a sense of misdirection can lead us to learning more about ourselves and can be an opportunity for growth. The first theme of this month was mental health awareness. In Tamara’s article, “Art Therapy to Treat Mental Illness” art therapy is used as a creative outlet to cope with mental illness and stress. In addition, her article “How Mental Illness Affects Family Dynamics,” discusses the impact of...

addiction

Using the energy of the forest to heal

July 15, 2016

by Vera Remes We are well aware that the rain forests, often referred to as Nature’s Medicine Cabinet, contain plants from which medicines are derived. Some 120 prescription drugs sold worldwide today are known to contain ingredients derived directly from rain forest plants. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, more than two-thirds of all medicines found to have cancer-fighting properties come from rain forest plants. Examples abound. Ingredients obtained and synthesized from a now-extinct periwinkle plant found only in Madagascar (until deforestation wiped it out) have increased the chances of survival for children with leukemia from 20 percent to 80 percent. Even the air and smells of the forest have been known to have healing properties, as proven by the popularity and efficacy of a Japanese...

environment Lifestyle spirituality transitions

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

June 27, 2016

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...

spirituality

Meditation for accepting another’s path

June 21, 2016

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

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

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

Let it in–Acceptance of Opportunities

May 17, 2016

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

What it means to hold on/let go

May 2, 2016

What are you holding on to? We all hold onto something: Physically, emotionally, physically, it's human nature to hold-on. I used to hold onto things. I held onto every little thing I could. Wrapping paper, old dishes, screws, wires, toys, scraps of wood. Everything can be reused. Everything had sentimentality. There was energy in everything I owned. This was as a child. As I grew, so did my collections of things. I realized I couldn't hold onto everything anymore. We accumulate so much. Then there's nothing to do but let go of it or let it consume you. The first things I remember struggling with letting go of was gifts. I remembered every single gift given to me, and couldn't bear to let go of them. I held...

letting go

Natural Medicine – A short story

April 21, 2016

Creativity, Energy, Health, Lifestyle

She ran from the house, her skin cold against the balmy summer air. It could have been late afternoon, the full weight of sun and humidity pressing down against her, and it wouldn’t have mattered. Nothing could warm her now. Her hurried steps brought her to the small patch of woods not far from the apartment. Gnarled limbs, heavy with Spanish Moss, provided sanctuary as she wove her way around the trees. Most of her friends were leery of this place, leery of the creatures that called this swampy spot home. She was far more concerned with the human creatures she left behind her, specifically the so-called friend that climbed on top of her while she was passed out. She woke up to find his hands...

Where Shamans negotiate with the gods

March 25, 2016

Vera Remes As the founder of and practitioner with Raven Reiki, Vera Remes offers Usui Reiki with nuances of Shamanism and psychic intuition. She also offers Shaman Oracle and Angel Card readings and is a certified H3 Energy Healing Therapist. Vera's column will focus on the many aspects of Shamanism. *************************** For a long time I didn't feel comfortable cruising the Upper World. I resonated with animals and the earthy feel of the Lower World and was comfortable there. Many of my friends were exactly the opposite, identifying with angels and shunning the Lower World. Having been forced in a recent Shamanic seminar to repeatedly journey to the Upper World, I found it compelling and a source of great wisdom. I encourage everyone to journey to the Upper World,...

The energy of the equinox

March 21, 2016

Today I'd like to talk about faerie energy. We at Mind Key chose to talk about yin and yang and balance this month because March heralds the spring equinox, which happened yesterday (March 20th) at 12:30 AM (EDT). The equinoxes (one in the fall and one in the spring) occur when the earth's axis is almost perpendicular, the sun shines directly on the equator, and we experience an (essentially) equal amount of light and dark over the course of one day. The equinoxes remind us of how humanity, like Mamma Earth, experiences a brief period of balance in our lives. Those moments may or may not coincide with the equinoxes, but these are good points in time to reflect upon those moments, and to recognize how fleeting...

Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang – What does it mean?

March 7, 2016

As you can see, the symbol means so much, both within its origin, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and throughout the world. All of us have each of these characteristics within ourselves. Although some characteristics might seem awkward or downright offensive (dirty?) they're certainly not meant that way. They're just meant to show opposites on either side of a whole. The trick is balance. As the symbol above is split in equal parts, so should we. Any time we are out of balance, our bodies and souls show signs of wear, of dissonance. Those signs could include (but are certainly not limited to:) Illness Depression Lackluster Anger Clouded thinking Finding true balance is incredibly difficult. I certainly haven't found it. I strive each day to incorporate more harmony into myself. Have you found your harmony?...

Traditional Chinese Medicine Yin and Yang

Mind Key: Creating the balance you need to thrive

March 2, 2016

Creativity, Energy, Lifestyle

Recently, Mind Key has had some wonderful support from a variety of different people and different backgrounds. Everyone resonates with the need to find and follow your own path. Some of us are just beginning to understand that only by using our god-given talents are we truly being of service to ourselves and to the world—and that those talents are the very things that make us happiest. The question is how to take those passions, talents, and happy thoughts and meld them into something amazing that can sustain us, sustain others, and bring abundance into our lives—in every sense of the word. Tackling this question is a huge undertaking. So many books, websites, coaches, and more have game plans for how to do this yet none of...

Spirituality and “higher-self”

February 22, 2016

This month, we've explored relationships of all varieties—family relationships, romantic relationships, and the ever-changing, relationship-with-self. For our last week, we're going to explore the not to be ignored important relationship-with-higher-self. The definition of higher-self varies from individual to individual. Some define it as god, the universe, spirit… some recognize it as power from without, and others as power from within. Our higher self is comprised of our angels, our guides, our inner wisdom, those who have passed on and are still with us, sentient beings we connect with, innate knowledge, intuition, and yes, our god(s)/goddess(es). There are so many more. I could go on and on. The one thing that binds all of the above concepts is that our higher selves are connected to the greater fabric of the...

relationship with self relationships spirituality

Thriving in a Blended Family

February 17, 2016

Lifestyle

There are different kinds of family units. Single parent, the Traditional family, and now the Blended family, a recurring situation where couples merge and raise a family where biological and un-biological children come together. Writer and Mind Key member Tamara Rokicki, shares her blended family journey through her personal blog. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blended Family: ‘a family consisting of a couple and their children from this and all previous relationships’. I often get asked how I manage to survive—and thrive—in a blended environment. Many people expect this arrangement to be frustrating, something that either works or completely falls apart. I’ve met parents who automatically assumed there is a ‘resentment’ component among our children—biological, adopted, or step. The latest question has been, “Is it hard to be in a blended family...

family & kids

Love isn’t about need–It never was

February 12, 2016

Lisa M. Avila, D.C.is a new contributor at Mind Key. As a Certified Applied Kinesiologist working and living in New York, Lisa brings her unique viewpoint to bear on the Mind Key Community. *************************** I read a Facebook post recently that gave me tremendous pause...

family & kids Love and sex relationship with self relationships

Motherhood: The ultimate relationship-with-self

February 5, 2016