Best Is Yet to Come

I turned on my computer this morning and opened up the web browser to Yahoo, where the glaring morning headline was "Worst is yet to come". The brief article was about how our unraveling economy would mean changes in our lifestyles and difficulty for years to come. The article touched on the gloom and doom that we have come to hear regularly almost everywhere we turn; however, it did note that "the end of rampant consumerism is ultimately a good thing."

It can be difficult and often scary for us in these times of seeming uncertainty. I say "seeming" because the uncertainty and shakiness has been there for a while in an economy that was false and built upon credit spending, but we could not see it then, or perhaps most people just didn't want to see it. The uncertainty is more about our perception than anything else, and as soon as we realize that and get real, things will become more certain. I recall several years ago hearing and reading about the serious problems at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but those warnings were ignored by our congress - those who are responsible for such oversight - the same people who now claim that they "inherited" these problems, as if they had no power or ability to do anything before the implosion! Many consumers try to sidestep the accountability in similar fashion, by denying that they had any say in the debt that they built up, even if it was for things well beyond their means or trinkets and luxuries that were not necessities.

We have been taught by our leaders and each other to simply point the finger when things go wrong, but in doing so, we miss the opportunity to look inward, grow, and correct or improve our ways. We miss the opportunity for something better that may be there for us. Sometimes difficulties are actually a message to us to change our ways, collectively or individually. In going within, we can reach the place of our souls, where we are real beyond our possessions, and come to find our true selves amidst the turmoil. Accountability is a tremendous growth tool, but we often find it so much easier to blame others or make excuses that we never truly get to the growth we need in order to learn what we came here to learn or be all that we came here to be.

Instead of looking at these times expecting that the "worst is yet to come," look at them as an opportunity to find what is truly important, to make our lives leaner and therefore, more real and genuine. It is a gift to us all, if we will take it to heart. In that light, you will come to understand that the "best is yet to come," if you will embrace it and allow it. Finding your true self and your true purpose will bring in the best of times and the best of you.

Trying Acupuncture

I recently decided to try acupuncture for overall health benefits and for seeing if it help me additionally with sinus and allergy problems that I seem to have fairly consistently. I had had great results from Reiki, to the point that even though I had some sinus and allergy problems, none were severe and rarely caused me to have to use the over-the-counter medication as I had been doing daily prior to that. I had read about acupuncture being beneficial for so many things, both physical and spiritual, and decided that it would be a good thing to experience and learn more about. My intention was to work on some minor physical problems and to achieve deeper spiritual growth, or get back on track after distractions of the holidays and other events.

I came upon an acupuncture place in Asheville (The People's Accupuncture of Asheville) offering community style acupuncture, meaning that the service is rendered in a group room, allowing the practitioner to serve several recipients at once, and allowing the energy and intent of the group to strenghten the overall benefits for each. I have learned that this community style is actually how acupuncture was intended to be practiced and is the setting that is most beneficial, so there are no "losses" in choosing the group method, but actually gains. This group setting also makes the service more affordable to the individual, as obviosly the costs for the time and facility can be spread among several clients. This group that I went to has a mission to provide an affordable service on a sliding scale that can be utilitized by all without undue hardship. It is a noble cause and one that could contribute to answers to our rising medical costs. I was very impressed with the energy of both my practitioner, Elizabeth, and the energy in the room.

From what I have learned, acupuncture is also something that needs consistency for best results...in other words, having a series of treatments is best for maintaining any gained benefits, rather than one "fix it" session. It makes sense to me, considering that our learned habits or energetic norms need re-setting or reconditioning. It has been noted that one needs 30 days to truly break a habit, so it is perfectly understandable that one would need some repeated acupuncture, or any natural healing modality, in order to reset and heal the body's patterns. (I find it interesting that some people will have no problem taking certain medications routinely and consistently, but will then expect any alternative healing to happen immediately!)

I have set myself up on a once a week schedule for now and have just completed my third treatment. I noticed very quickly that my sinus congestion was improved and I was not waking up as congested. I also felt very spiritually energized from the sessions, which was my greater objective. I would so strongly encourage anyone and everyone to try new non-traditional healing options that are becoming so much more widely available to us now. These would include such practices as acupuncture, Reiki, meditation, and others. I have personally felt the impact of Reiki and have witnessed it in others that I have provided it for, and I have also felt the impact of meditation, acupunture and other spiritual based healing methods. I can tell you that they are beyond what any pill can provide.

More information about The People's Acupuncuture of Asheville:

The People's Acupuncture of Asheville provides group/community acupuncture treatments on a sliding scale of $ 15-$35. Herbal consultations are a flat rate of $30. All with additional $10 fee for first visit.

Visit their website for contact info/address: http://www.peoplesacupunctureavl.com/default.html

For information on community acupuncture in othere areas, visit the Community Acupuncture Network (CAN) site: http://www.communityacupuncturenetwork.org/