Week 6: Walking A New Path

This pause in my life wasn't about a foot injury. It was to help me reawaken my creativity. It was to help me do what I came here to share with others. I don't believe our purpose necessarily needs to be tied with a job or career. Sonia Choquette told me I am a messenger, and I have thought about that. I started a clutter clearing certification course and the beginning is a deep dive into your ancestry and personal history. I answered questions on my childhood and what I wanted to be at that time. I thought back to what I did when I was younger. I was always writing, drawing, and pretending I was a teacher. When I was a teenager I was writing, and drawing. What I was meant to do, I always knew (we all do), but somehow along the way I didn't recognize that I could do something I loved for a living. Even going to an art school for college, I still didn't believe I could do it.

I have been writing more and with ease, and working on my businesses more. This six week hold on my life has brought more joy that I could have imagined. There is a blessing when something happens to stop us in our tracks, so we can reflect on our lives and immerse ourselves in the things that make us happy. Even taking a break for self care is so vital. Resting, rejuvenating, and refreshing yourself can be a lifesaver.

I started writing a children's book over this six week rest. It was something I have been holding for eight years. Yes, for eight years I couldn't give myself the time to work on this! I knew I had some notes I had written, and some sketches. I searched around my office but couldn't find them. Through Sonia Choquette's Ask Your Guides course, she teaches about all of the guides around us. I completed this course in 2016, and have used this wisdom ever since. We have "runner guides" who help us. This may sound way out there, but that's me! If you need a parking space, ask the runner guides to find one for you before you reach the store, or if you need an easier spot in line, ask (and always remember to say thank you after!). Since I couldn't find my notes, I asked for help. Within less than a minute, I had a thought to check a drawer to see if I had filed it. I found a page! I thought again to recheck that drawer, and I found a folder marketed "Writing" with pages of notes and sketches! 

What would you do if all of the things you say you "have to do" weren't in your way? I see now that I put them there. I was stopping myself from doing what I really wanted to do. It is more than ok to put yourself on your to-do list. It is vital. Don't ever leave yourself out. I certainly won't make that mistake again.

I went back to the Integrative Healing Institute on Saturday for more healing therapy. I didn't lose weight this week and I talked to Kim about my self sabotage. She treated my foot with more reflexology, which felt fantastic, as well as lymphatic drainage on my legs and chakra clearing with Reiki. When she was working at my crown chakra, I felt a wave of energy flow down my body. It really is such an exhilarating, yet completely relaxing experience! The next day my weight was down a pound and a half, too. 

I mentioned last week about Mona Lisa Schultz's book Intuitive Advisor and how it suggested seeing an acupuncturist and a Chinese herbalist. Kim brought up acupuncture during our session so I asked if they offered it, and she told me Elizabeth at the front desk is an acupuncturist and I should also ask her about herbs too! I set up an appointment for next week and I can't wait for this new experience in holistic therapy.

My foot feels so much better. It's not perfect, there's still a little bit of pain, but certainly nothing I would get six surgeries for. I'm still grateful for that visit to the podiatrist though. He got me off my feet for awhile, showed me that I am the best determiner of what to do about my health, and propelled me into a much more exciting and fulfilling future. There is something good in every experience.

I ordered some good shoes (Brooks Ariel '18) for flat  feet, plantar fascitis and other foot issues, along with exercise bands (TheraBands) to help rehabilitate my foot. I found some exercises online to help with posterior tibial tendonitis and to make my feet stronger.

Getting back into my life again, everything is changed for the better. I am not doing for others unless I have taken care of myself first. I'm not talking about emergency situations and I don't mean this at all in a selfish way, I mean it in a way that I am not using that as an excuse not to follow my dreams. 

So even though these six weeks are finished, this is only the beginning of this new path, and I will be continuing to share my journey with you.  Thank you for walking along with me.




In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Book Review: The Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines

My sister-in-law and I are huge fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines' HGTV show Fixer Upper. We even made the three hour drive to visit their Magnolia store in Waco, Texas. Their store is beautiful and they have made everything so family friendly. I visited again with a friend when it happened to be the grand opening of their bakery. Everything was so yummy! We also visited their bed and breakfast, and it was as beautiful as it appeared on the show.

When I heard they were coming out with a book, I immediately thought of my sister-in-law and bought it for her as soon as it was available. I didn't buy it for myself because I thought she would definitely enjoy it more than me, and I already had a book pile and online course load a mile long. I am also quite immersed in the spiritual theme for books as you can see from the majority of my blog reviews. My sister-in-law read the book and told me how great it was and that it was all about their lives. She asked me if I wanted to read it, and since it sounded pretty light and positive, I happily borrowed it.

The Magnolia Story is a wonderful book. First of all, I love the way it is written. It is as if you are sitting with them listening to a conversation about their lives. When Joanna is talking, the font is bold and when Chip is talking it's a lighter type face so you can tell the difference. There is an ease to the conversation as well as a palpable feeling of love and respect that they have for each other.

The sweet surprise for me was realizing that the book was truly spiritual. Joanna recognizes and is grateful for the synchonicities and steps in their journey that brought them to where they are now. You can feel her strong faith and belief in a higher power. God can have a greater plan for us than we could ever have imagined for ourselves, and when you let go of your plan, the real magic happens.

With humor and honesty they share how they met, their growing family, the kindnesses Chip shares with other people, flipping houses, how they got the show, and helping other to be successful. The don't sugar coat anything, Joanna tells of her perfectionism, and the story of Chip as a new dad will be thoroughly relatable!

This book shows a family with strong values, and how they learned along the way. It is a powerful example of never giving up, because you are closer to what you want then you think " And if we'd given up, if we'd walked away, if we'd crumbled when we were at our lowest, we would never have made it around the corner to see all of the blessings that were about to come due."

The Magnolia Story is also about realizing that everything was perfect and part of a higher plan, as is all of our lives. "We both realized quickly thereafter that this was no a fluke. It had been the story of our life together, ever since we'd met. From the very beginning. I feel like we had encountered miracle after miracle that allowed us to get by and survive. Now it was happening on a much larger scale - in hundred - thousand - dollar increments. But maybe we should have been paying attention to all those little miracles all along. We were now both out on that limb and we looked up and saw God right there with us." Are you paying attention to how your life is unfolding? This is the perfect book to open you up to your own possibilities and see how guided and held you always are.

To order the book: Click here
Magnolia Market at the Silos: Click here
Silos Baking Co.: Click here

In Gratitude & Love

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Week Five: Re-Birth Day

Sunday was my birthday.  When I was having a brief "moment" about my age, my husband said I'm beginning again, and he was right. This is definitely a new beginning for me. I feel like I am starting everything anew.

My master plan had always been that once my kids were grown I would work full on with my businesses and writing. Although I've made some steps towards it over the years, I was putting it off fully until then. I was already working full-time at home, and I didn't want any more time to take away from my sons. I have no regrets for that decision, I wish I had even more time to spend with them. But now that I'm here, it feels different. When I was planning for a couple of decades in the future, I didn't consider that I was going to feel a little bit older! But part of that is from not taking care of myself, and not putting myself first or even in the running at all (these foot analogies come so easily without thinking). I think another piece of this is fear. Once finally faced with making that change and diving in, it can feel scary. 

These past five weeks of self care, not trying to fix everything, hanging back and letting everyone take care of themselves, and me, has been a life changer. I'm grateful that it wasn't more serious, but even more grateful that it happened so I could be forced to take a look at myself, my life and how I was neglecting myself. 


Every week before I start my new blog I think, nothing is happening, what am I going to write about? Then literally moments later a flood of new, wonderful things happen! It has happened every single time. It has shown me clearly that our needs are always taken care of and we're never alone. It isn't just about writing my blog, it's about life in general. We just need to ask, believe and receive. The help and answers might not always come in the package we expect, but we always get help, and it's always what we need. When I'm struggling with my writing, I look to the reminder I have on my desk. I have a statue representing Archangel Gabriel. Any time I ask for him to help me with my writing, so much comes to me. The writing is effortless and I am always so grateful for the help.

A few days after speaking with Sonia Choquette about my businesses and writing, a HUGE tidal wave of abundance came my way. I mean HUGE! It was something unexpected that will help me give readings to people as I had talked to her about, as well as many, many more ways to help people. It all is in line with where I have been headed, and it was a gift from the universe telling me I'm on the right path. If you start to notice the little synchronicities and signs that you are being given, it will open a floodgate. I have done this by prayer, meditation, writing in my gratitude journal daily, and saying thank you for these blessings often. I also continue to read and do courses by authors who speak the messages I am seeking. I believe this is possible for everyone. And it doesn't have to be for a spiritually-based business. We all have our gifts and reasons for coming into this world. Whatever it is that lights you up, ask for more of it. And be prepared to receive it!

Among others, I am currently working Sonia Choquette's Wake Up Your Spirit Course. Her courses are very motivational and inspiring. It gets you back in tune with yourself. I also read the Third Chakra section of Dr. Mona Lisa Schulz's book Intuitive Advisor. She described me to a T and provided helpful advice, including seeking the help of an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist for my weight issues.

Sonia's mention of my foot being about changing my path has made me feel lighter, more joyful, more positive that what I truly want is here. I feel tuned into it. I know this will happen. I just know. And I feel lighter and more energetic than I have in years.

These falls we encounter, like my foot injury are such a gift. It is not why is this happening to me, it's why is this happening FOR me. I am still giving it the rest it needs, using the massager, Epsom salt baths, meditating on its healing, and eating healthier by listening to my body. I'm down 7 1/2 pounds. It's funny how the foot seems so minor in these later blogs, but I know it was really just something to stop me in my tracks to catapult me further.

Thank you for sharing my my journey. Til next week...

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Book Review: We Consciousness by Karen Noe

On August 30, 2015 I was in my kitchen cleaning, when out of the blue Dr. Wayne Dyer popped into my head. I thought about meeting him "by chance" in 2013, and being able to thank him in person for changing my life. I finished my cleaning, went into the living room, opened up Facebook on my phone and read Doreen Virtue's post that he had passed to spirit. 

I knew my sudden thought of Wayne was his way of telling me he was in another form. There are many stories from other people who loved Wayne that are similar to mine. Amongst many tears and gratitude for all he gave in his life, I thought about his years of writing, and how I always looked forward to his next book. His books became more and more spiritual over the years, reflecting his ascension in this realm. I was sad thinking I would never read a new book from him, and then I thought, maybe somehow I would.

I learned of psychic medium, spiritual counselor, healer and author Karen Noe through following Wayne Dyer's daughters on social media. Wayne connected with Karen after his passing and had messages for his family. Karen provided profound readings to his wife and daughters, giving "without a doubt" messages from Wayne. When I heard about this, I started following Karen Noe on Facebook and Instagram, and I hoped somehow Wayne would write a book through her.

We Consciousness: 33 Profound Truths For Inner And Outer Peace is the book I was hoping for! Karen Noe has channeled Wayne Dyer and the higher consciousness he... well...hangs out with, called the We Guides. The We Guides include Jesus, St. Francis, Lao Tzu and many others. Wayne had a huge affinity for St. Francis, and I recall one of his trips to Assisi where he was lecturing in the church and felt overcome at one point by St. Francis' spirit. He spent a year living the Tao, and his resulting book "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life reflect the path he walked honoring the teachings of Lao Tzu. He has quoted A Course In Miracles which is said to be channeled teachings of Jesus, and ended all of his lectures with one of the quotes "You can be a host to God, or a hostage to your ego." I can also see how Karen Noe is connected to all of this too. She felt a close connection to Wayne's teachings as well as a deep tie to St. Francis. She is a huge lover of animals, and believes in being an instrument of peace.

Wayne came to Karen on a New Years Eve while she was in an altered state of consciousness, and told her that she would be channeling a book not just from Wayne, but also St. Francis, ascended masters, and angels. They would be sharing 33 Profound Truths of the We Consciousness. This was helping Karen accomplish her mission on Earth, to spread the message of peace with the world.

The book begins with the 33 Profound Truths and a short explanation of each. This alone will raise your vibration, but Karen includes many chapters on how to make yourself an instrument of peace. It is truly a beautiful book, and shows how each of us can lift the vibration of the planet in how we treat ourselves and others.

We Consciousness also includes a question and answer section with Wayne. I love this part, if feels like you are sitting down with Wayne for a chat. There are also stories from his daughters and wife, prayers for peace, quotes on peace, and organizations & websites for peace.

This is a much needed book on this planet right now, and I am so grateful to Karen Noe for being an example of peace and for opening her heart to hearing the continuing wisdom of Dr. Wayne Dyer and the We Guides. And I am most grateful that Karen is sharing it with all of us.

To reach Karen Noe: Click here
To buy We Consciousness: Click here
For many of Wayne Dyer's books: Click here
Dr. Wayne Dyer's website: Click here

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Week Four: Shooting The Breeze With Sonia Choquette

I had a phone call this week with Sonia Choquette. Yes master, intuitive psychic Sonia Choquette. It came about unexpectedly, but it seems to be in sync with my spiritual inquiries these last few weeks. More seems to be opening up as I keep paying attention and allowing myself to learn about the healing I need. I am open to seeing the synchronicities and how the universe is always working in our favor to help us. The more I keep myself receptive and aware, the more flows my way.

I really was excited and nervous getting ready for the call. I needed to calm down so I took 15 minutes to meditate. I always pick a card from Sonia's Ask Your Guides oracle cards after I meditate. I have a bit of a routine that works for me. I ask Archangel Michael to clear them, then I ask my spirit guides to show me through the card I pick, what they most want me to know for the day. For the first time ever I forgot my ritual and started shuffling the deck. I pick a card through a number I intuit either before or while I'm shuffling. I heard 5. When I stopped shuffling, I picked the fifth card. I then realized I hadn't cleared the deck, so I put it back without looking at it, and started over. I want the cards to be clear of any prior energies so the reading is accurate. This time after having the cards cleared, and talking to my guides, I asked them what I needed to know about this upcoming reading with Sonia. I pulled my card, and brought it to my homeoffice to prepare for the call.  I lit candles, saged myself, prayed, pulled out talking points, pen & paper to write any notes, set up my recorder so I could listen back, and tried to relax.

It was such a gift to hear Sonia Choquette's voice on the phone! Sonia told me that my soul priority right now is to put my self first. She said it doesn't mean "me only" but that I need to have an active self awareness and self love. This certainly is what I have been writing about these past few weeks, that I need to let go of control, and let go of feeling like I need to do everything. It was also the same thing that the medical intuitive told me, that I try to do for everyone else, and I need to find another way. I am being hit with the same message over and over again. It makes me feel extremely grateful that I recognize these signs, and that all the help I need is here always. It is here for everyone.

Sonia told me that I am a deeply intuitive person. My blindspot is that I think everyone else should be too. She said most people aren't. She said I have a deep and profound awareness, and what I see, I feel should be obvious to most. But it isn't. She told me that I am qualified to do soul work. That made my day.

I talked to her about my business and blog and asked if I was on the right path. She told me that I have only four toes in, I need five. She told me that my ambivalence is holding me back and it's rendering me invisible.  Sonia said I need to own what I'm doing, and be centered in self, and then the creativity will flow freely. I asked her if what I was choosing to do was the "right thing." She said there is no right thing. She told me that I am a messenger, and I can be a messenger in any way I choose.  She said this way was probably good for me because I don't have to pick up other people's energies. She said that I am already dropping seedlings of inspiration with my writing.

Sonia told me to be lighter, like dancing, and to get out of my head. I asked her if I would be able to do readings if I wanted to, and she said yes. 

I asked her about my foot, if the injury was all part of this, and she said yes. She said it is because I am changing my path. Changing my path! I didn't even have that one on the list!. She told me to receive now (as others are helping me), to balance giving and receiving. She said not to fight it, that people want to help. 

Sonia made two foot references before I spoke about my injury. When we talked about me being intuitive, she said I didn't have two feet in. When I talked about my business and blog she said she could see it but I only had four toes in, not five. It gave me some more clarity about my foot pain, It seems that this injury is also guiding me to be fully committed to what I really want to do.

I just finished her book Diary of a Psychic. It's about her journey from childhood to adulthood in the psychic world. It's a great read, as are all of her books. In it she talks about her purpose to help others understand their purpose and karma. So my purpose is being a messenger, but next I wanted to know what my karma was. And karma is not a bad thing, it's a lesson we still need to learn from past lives. She told me my karma was to learn to not be responsible for others. And with that I heave a sigh of relief. I am only responsible for me.

After the reading I started to go back into my head again, exactly what she told me not to do. I started questioning things and wondering if all of this was real. She told me I was deeply intuitive, was it true? Then I glanced over to the card I picked before the reading...

"The door to your Inner Child is opening, and she walks through giving you the gift of intuition." "The message for you is: 'Trust me.'" Well there I have it. I need to stay out of my head and just know.

On Saturday I had my next appointment at the Integrative Healing Institute. This time I had a lymphatic drainage and another reflexology massage. I was feeling anxious for a couple of days before my appointment. Not for any particular reason, my body just felt nervous. As soon as I walked into Kim Krost's room, the tension was gone. This place is just a little piece of heaven. It feels so relaxing and healing there. Kim worked on the lymphatic drainage first. It sounds gross, but it really is a gentle therapy. She worked by pushing and manipulating very gently the lymph nodes in my legs, underarms, sides of my chest, neck, face, and head. It should cause the toxins to be expelled from my system and can even help with my weight loss. She started with my upper legs in the groin area and worked her way down to my feet. When she got to my feet she worked reflexology on both of my feet. My sore right foot needed it, but my left foot has been bearing all of the weight while I'm hobbling around in my boot and zipping along on my knee scooter. My feet felt wonderful after she worked on them. 

Next she went back to working on my lymphatic system by working on my underarms and sides. We chatted while she worked about the origin of this type of therapy, the light within us, and more. I brought up past lives and told her about my conversation with Denise Linn about whether my foot pain was from a past life. As I've mentioned in my blog before, Denise said she could see me quite a long time ago in either Poland or Russia. I was a refugee all alone walking in the cold dirt and snow barefoot. I was feeling hopeless.  After I described this to Kim, a pain shot up in the inside of my foot where it normally gets sore. It was hot, it felt throbbing, and I could see bright red in my mind. I stayed quiet as I did with the Reiki that had caused a pressure in my chest when she worked on my third chakra.  As she worked on my head and neck, the pain disappeared completely. It felt like another release of something that needed to work its way out of my body.  It was pretty amazing.

I left lighter and brighter as I had with my first session and I'm looking forward to going back in two weeks. By Sunday I was down 6 1/2 pounds total. I'm keeping on my plan of listening to my body and eating or not eating accordingly. All is well.

Till next week...

Sonia Choquette's website: Click here
Ask Your Guides oracle cards: Click here
Diary Of A Psychic: Click here
Integrative Healing Institute: Click here

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Book Review: Diary Of A Psychic by Sonia Choquette

I have been listening to Sonia Choquette's weekly Hay House radio show for years. She has dispensed invaluable advice with the help of her guides, as well as the guides of those who call in to her show. She has a deep and compassionate wisdom combined with a knowing that you can feel is coming from her connection to higher levels of consciousness. 

I have read many of her books including Trust Your Vibes, Walking Home, and her latest Waking Up In Paris. Her books never disappoint. She takes the reader along with her through her beautifully descriptive scenery and characters. She propels you into different realms of being, thinking, and feeling. 

Diary Of A Psychic: Shattering The Myths takes things to a whole different level. Reading about her journey in the psychic world from childhood to adult was mind blowing. Sonia has a gift and she shows us how she nurtured it to become such a powerful psychic and teacher. She grew up in a household where her mother was psychic and helped cultivate Sonia's interest in the spiritual realm. 

Sonia Choquette leads us through her colorful clients and how she helped them. She brings us along to meet the teachers who trained her. She even brings us to the scene of a murder that almost curtailed her journey. There were times throughout the book that I felt pangs in my heart about the very adult situations this then teen psychic was presented with. But it was also heartening to hear about how she came to know her guides, her relationships with her family, how she manifested a prom date, and later her soul mate. Most importantly, this is a first hand account of someone living their true divine purpose.

Sonia is a skillful writer. She writes from her heart. All of her books bring you right in so you are walking her journey with her, and Diary Of A Psychic is no exception. She also has a delicious sense of humor and a palpable joy for life. Sonia found her gift of finding people's soul plan and purpose, and she is still continuing to share that gift with the world now. This is a must read.

Sonia Choquette's website: Click here
Diary Of A Psychic book: Click here



In Gratitude & Love,


Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Week Three: The Ceiling Came Down

After two weeks of resting my foot, I was still going to the gym four days a week. I would wear the walking boot and not do anything that put pressure on my right foot. After each visit though, my foot was aching so much that I couldn't wait to get home and tear the boot off. I tried giving up seated leg exercises, but I was still in pain. I wasn't sure if the boot was causing the pain, or having any weight on my foot was doing it. 

I didn't want to waste any of these 6 weeks trying to figure it out, so I decided to take a break from the gym and completely rest my foot. I am doing floor leg exercises and my dumbells at home, but that's it.  

But there is still the weight issue. More Googling and it looks like the people that primarily go to the podiatrist for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis are runners and overweight middle-aged women. Guess what category I fall into? After two weeks of eliminating sweets, treats, fast food, and soda, there has been no weight loss.

I firmly decided at the beginning of this week that I had enough and was going to lose this weight. What is the point of resting my foot, only to re-injure it as soon as all this weight is applied back onto it? I wondered why the podiatrist didn't suggest losing weight to avoid surgery, since it is listed as one of the contributing causes. By Wednesday I dropped 3 1/2 pounds just by letting go of a small amount of what I had been consuming. I felt a bit light-headed, but I have experienced that before when starting a diet. I figured I'm going through a bit of a detox and my body is reacting to less calories.

I didn't feel cravings for anything bad to eat. The cravings are usually my downfall.  I felt different, not obsessed with losing weight, but comfortably leaning into it. I also haven't been thinking about food incessantly like I used to. I have been able to go hours without wanting something to eat. I know this may sound ridiculous to most, but it really was a problem for me. I thought back to my Reiki, chakra balancing, and reflexology massage at the Integrative Healing Institute, and wondered how it impacted how I was feeling. Kim Krost did do some lymphatic draining on my right leg, which can cause weight loss. Could this have had such an impact on my body?

I had a day where I considered not wearing the boot anymore. It seemed to be causing me pain when I wore it for just a few minutes. I tried just using my sneakers with the orthotics and my foot was not in pain. It felt a bit weak, but I would make sure I was thoughtful in my steps, walking the way Gary Ramsey taught me, from my heel to the outside of my foot, to the ball of my foot, instead of the usual walking on the inside of my arch. After a day I had regret that maybe I would hurt it, since overall my foot was definitely feeling better. So I'm wearing the boot when I'm walking, and I take it off whenever I sit down or use my knee scooter. I also cancelled my 3 week podiatry check up. I'm deciding whether to give this doctor another try in 6 weeks, or find someone else. 

So now about the ceiling. We had a leak in the roof almost two years ago. It ended up leaking right into the ceiling in my office. We had the roof patched back then, and things seemed fine. We had some rain this past week and the leak came back even more furiously. The textured ceiling came down right onto my chair. Do I think this was just a coincidence in all of this foot drama? Of course not, I see meaning in everything. I know that leaks and plumbing issues are a symbol for something internal, just about every issue you can have in your home is really about yourself. Most everything that occurs is really just life holding up a mirror to yourself, to show you something you need to see. I now see a parallel between the roof leaking two years ago and the naming of my car Jophiel, along with the subsequent craving for yellow (both about my third chakra issues). I wish I would have seen all of this sooner. So, what does a leaking roof mean? Here's a few I found:

• Water represents the flow of our emotions, so a leaky roof could mean feeling emotionally overwhelmed.
• In Feng Shui it can indicate health issues, specifically blood flow in the body.
• A leaky roof can also mean that any negativity in the home is releasing.
• Water is also associated with our career or journey. It can mean career or life path could be unchecked, all over the place, or there's lack of direction or focus. 

For me, I know had been feeling exhausted emotionally and physically. Since this was happening in the room that I work in, I also believe it has to do with my career path. Overall I see that my third chakras issues were showing me that I needed to take care of myself before everything (the ceiling) caved in. I need to contemplate this more, so I will of course meditate, meditate, and meditate some more. 

I'm still using the massager twice a day, taking epsom salt baths, meditating, and grounding myself while using my chakra stones as Kim taught me. I still need to use the sage sticks to clear my aura too, I'll incorporate them next week. I'm relaxing, writing daily in my gratitude journal, reading, and working on my businesses instead of worrying, doing too much, and stressing. It all feels good.

By Sunday to start my fourth week, I'm down 5 1/2 pounds.I know this is quite a bit in a week, but it is my first week. I'm also not really dieting, not counting calories, I'm listening to my body for the first time in, well, forever. It is easier this way, I'm not feeling deprived, I'm feeling in balance.

Until next week...

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Week Two: It's All About Balancing (Chakras, That Is)

In my second week of healing my foot (and my soul), I'm working on a combination of inner and outer work.  I have been Googling so much about my injury that a massager advertisement appeared in my Instagram feed to help with my issue. It looked really good, like a deep tissue massage, and it was something I could do myself.  I ordered it for same-day Amazon delivery. That just amazes me that I get get something in one day, but I did!

It works great, and has all of these accessories that you can massage your whole body, even a facial massage, which is perfect for my TMJ (from years of teeth grinding from anxiety & stress). So I use it daily on both feet and calves and they feel great! I also have been using the facial massager tip with lotion and my face feels wonderful!

I found some exercises for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis and have been doing the ones that don't put any stress on my foot. I'll do the weight-bearing exercises after 6 weeks to strengthen my calf, ankle, and arch. I'm still debating cancelling that 3 week foot doctor appointment and maybe going in after 6 weeks. I'll figure that out next.

For the first time in a really long time I feel rested. I have been well taken care of and it feels really nurturing. It also feels wonderful not to feel so responsible for everything. I know I have been divinely forced into this situation by knocking my feet right out from under me so I could see this. I don't need to do so much. Everything will be fine. Everything is fine. I could feel myself heading towards all of this, but I kept pushing myself. Now I hope that this rest is enough, because I really don't want surgery. I mean I REALLY don't want surgery at all.

I am still meditating and it feels fantastic to be back in that flow. It was another thing I often gave up because I didn't have the time. I pushed the things I needed to do for myself to the back of the line because of that feeling that I wasn't doing enough for everyone else, that everyone else's needs were more important than mine.  I knew better, I just couldn't do what I needed to for myself until I was forced into it by this foot injury. I am grateful for it, I know it was necessary. I'm grateful that what took me out wasn't more serious.

After lamenting the prospect of surgery, someone dear suggested I try holistic methods since that's what I gravitate towards. Honestly, I gravitate, but I've never tried it for a health issue before. But of course I should try it! So I once again Googled like a maniac and found holistic health practitioners in my area. I found this incredible integrative medicine center nearby called the Integrative Healing Institute, and I was like a kid in a candy store (well, I was actually like ME in a candy store) browsing through their online menu of services. I picked out two to start with: a reflexology massage and chakra balancing (to work on that third chakra). The reflexology description mentioned that it was great for foot pain and plantar fascitis, so this seemed like a great place to start. I booked them back to back and looked forward to the appointments. Although I had some butterflies in my stomach, I had a very good feeling about this place and the healing it would provide, and I know that is important to the outcome. When I had the remote intuitive healer pull the inflammation out of my foot, I know part of the reason it worked, was because I was visualizing along with her that the healing was occurring. It is law of attraction at work. Expect what you want the outcome to be and feel the feeling of what you want. We can create our outcomes, that's why the placebo effect works. If we think something is helping us, it will.

So a few days later hubby brought me to my appointment. The waiting area was a spiritual paradise with crystals, essential oils, jewelry, holistic creams and more. There were cozy chairs and a couch, relaxing music piped in and friendly staff at the desk. After I filled out a few forms, I hobbled around a bit to check out the crystal tables. I eyed a set of chakra discs that looked great. I placed them down, hoping the other woman looking at the crystals wouldn't buy it before I came back from my session. But I didn't want to be impulsive, if it was meant for me, it would be there an hour from now.

Soon Kim Krost appeared and introduced herself (I found out later that she is the owner of the healing center). She was friendly and kind, and I knew I would be in good hands. I left my husband amongst the crystals and sleep inducing sounds and was led to her room. It was a calm, dark, heated room with gentle music playing. The room was small but it fit a couch where I sat, a desk and chair, as well as a massage table in the center of the room. We talked for a bit about my issues. Obviously she knew my foot needed help with the giant boot I was wearing. I told her I was trying to avoid surgery and she spoke of the various clients she has seen with foot issues. It felt reassuring that she has dealt with this before. I told her I also was trying to lose weight so if she had any thoughts or could work some reflexology magic, I would appreciate it. She talked about juicing, and eliminating gluten from my diet and the impact it has had on some of her clients. I appreciated her help.

Next I took my left shoe off and my right boot and gently hopped up on the table and lay down face up. A wedge was under my lower legs. Kim decided to do the chakra balancing first. She placed the same type of chakra discs I spied in the waiting area around and on me. The lower chakra discs were placed towards the right of me on the table. She said as long as the crystals are near the chakras, they help activate them. She placed the heart, throat and third eye chakra discs on me and the crown chakra disc behind my head. She also placed two clear quartz crystals on either side of my head under the pillow I was resting on. She took the sheet underneath me and pulled it to cover my arms. I was cocooned and ready! She was very descriptive about what she was doing and told me she would be employing Reiki in the session. Reiki is an energy healing I have wanted to learn myself and I have thought of getting certified. It so happens she also teaches Reiki! 

Kim told me that the energy that flows through the body starts in the right foot and flows up through the body and down through the left foot. So this aching foot could be a part of a block. She showed me with a pendulum as it swayed back and forth that my chakras were closed. She worked her way up with her hands, applying very light pressure. When she was at my knees, it felt like a current was flowing down my legs a few times. When she got to my third chakra, I felt uncomfortable. I was scared for a moment thinking I was having a panic attack. I was thirsty, maybe it was too warm in there. This is going to sound odd, but here goes. It felt like my chest was a solid thin piece of bone instead of ribs. I'm not sure why that popped into my head, but that was what it felt like. It felt like I had a pressure on this solid piece of bone. I knew this would be good for me, so I said nothing. Most of the time I kept my eyes closed, but I watched her work on my third chakra, and when she was finished, the pressure was totally gone. She moved up to the remaining chakras and then finished by circling around my body with some hand motions. I asked her about it all after and she explained some of the symbolism behind opening and balancing the chakras, as well as the "stitching" she was doing of my aura at the end. It all felt like a beautiful ceremony. I felt very relaxed. She used the pendulum again across my chakras and it spun in circles as it is supposed to when they are functioning properly. We spent quite a bit of my appointment time on the chakra balancing, but I know I needed it. 

The reflexology massage was wonderful too. It was very gentle as she applied pressure to specific points on my foot and calf. I felt no pain, and my foot felt great after. She also did a lymphatic drainage on my right leg. This would help with inflammation. It was also very gentle and pain free. It was one of the options I was considering when booking the appointment, because it detoxed the body and can help with weight loss. She told me it usually helps more with inches but she actually had a client who lost 7 pounds in a day from it. She applied some Kinesio tape and said next time she'd tape up my whole foot to help align my foot better. She told me to use a soft roller under my foot at home to loosen the fascia.

 Kim told me she would email me some information about gluten free bread and flour, steps on keeping my chakras balanced, and some other info (which she did right after I left). She walked me to the waiting area and I felt nothing short of euphoric. My entire body was calm, I didn't have a care in the world and I was pain free. I seriously felt spectacular.

Kim gave me some lymphatic cream to try and I found the chakra discs waiting patiently on the table I left them at. My sweet husband managed to keep himself from being lulled to sleep by the music, and headed outside to swing the car around so I wouldn't have to walk far. 

I thanked Kim for her help and set up an appointment for two weeks from now for another reflexology massage and the lymphatic drainage. I can't wait! The next day Kim responded to my email response and mentioned the Reiki classes again. I signed up to get my Reiki 1 certification in November. 

The journey continues next week...

For more information:
Integrative Healing Institute: Click here
Chakra stone set: Click here
Body Massager: Click here


In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com