Becky’s Blog

Spirits connect

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:23:06 -0500

How do you explain when someone in your life just connects with you? When among the many acquaintances you might have in a lifetime some just stand out. No blood relation, not even what you'd call close friends, but a connection that each time you see each other you light up with mutual smiles.

That was my relationship with the wonderful Michael Clinton. Knowing him since he was a small child, mostly through my years of working at school, but also because his mother and I have that same connection. 'Mikey' as I liked to call him had the most honest and innocent charm of any young man I've ever had the privilege to know.

My youngest son perhaps put it best, "He never changed, he was the same kid always, he even basically looked the same as he did as a young kid." That perhaps was part of what made Mike so lovable, but also was the fact that when Mike loved you, knew it. There was no holding back, his hugs were always ready and willing, no matter where he was.

To have a spirit that large be removed from our physical realm, is of course an extreme loss, especially one so young. But Michael left a legacy that some living to a ripe old age never achieve. Mike knew that life was to be lived fully and with great passion, for the people he loved and the things he enjoyed doing. He had much to teach us and those of us who received those special moments and connections with him are forever blessed.

The last time I saw him he was perched on the edge of a roof, working. He smiled that beautiful smile as he greeted me as he always did. I even thought for a moment he could be a cherub sitting there, and that's how I will remember him!

His lifetime was short, but he is forever imprinted on my heart.

Raindrops keep fallin on my head

Thu, 5 Jun 2008 12:17:27 -0500

The weather of course is never a new topic of conversation, for it is one experience everyone has in common. Here this spring, so far it seems, we are observing our own version of what eastern countries experience as monsoon. It seems to be able to rain at the drop of a hat (or perhaps rain bonnet), and unfortunately, with the ground so completely saturated, it causes immediate concern of flooding.

Again, and again area fireman and law enforcement agencies are called out to help evacuate or sandbag, or protect in whatever area needed. People who have previously experienced this danger, sleep very lightly if at all during rain forecasts. The growing feeling, for some, of permanently leaving those flood prone areas gives way to the realization that it now becomes very difficult to ‘move’ that kind of property.

Every area of the country is seeing strange weather patterns, or at least what appears as extreme. For the residents of Parkersburg, the threat of tornado or the sound of a siren will forever send shivers down their spine. Their town now goes down in the record books, for one of the most destructive tornadoes in weather history, not the kind of recognition anyone would desire.

For the southeast, it is continued draught and praying for just a small proportion of the amount of moisture we have seen. Water here washing away valuable topsoil, and creating difficulties for farmers, while farmers there can’t even think about getting any crop production as their soil becomes the consistency of concrete.

I certainly don’t have any answers to it, weather is something we will never control and no amount of complaining changes it. My yard is more beautiful and lush than it has maybe ever been, so I look out my window each morning with pleasure. That’s how the whole weather phenomenon seems to work, what is joy for one person may create distress for another. Either way, it appears, we have to accept what is, for the only option is frustration - which only results in higher blood pressure.

I keep an umbrella at hand, pray for those experiencing problems, and give thanks for the wonderful roof over my head.

Reply to; bhefel@guttenbergpress.com

The hills are alive

Mon, 19 May 2008 09:38:03 -0500

If you haven't had an opportunity to drive through the hills to Guttenberg lately, you must. Perhaps, it is was the long cold winter that makes me so much more aware this year, but everything is incredibly beautiful.

There is color in the hills, albeit, varying shades of green, but the textures of the lacy leaves, as they unfurl to catch the sun's warmth, are breathtaking. It is almost like they are collectively letting out a sigh of pure joy.

Apparently, it has been a perfect spring for flowering trees for many are so laden with blossoms they almost appear weighed down. The colors are vibrant and maybe it is the short time of their beauty that makes me want to capture them in picture. How many pictures of blooming trees can one have? Yet, next January, it may be that picture that gives us hope.

I have always loved May, it for me is the perfect month. I'm not crazy about the heat of summer so, in May I find great energy and renewal. The soil seems to reach up in anticipation of the plants I put into it, eager to help them grow. Each day brings a visible change as flowers bloom and old growth emerges. Not to mention the joy of hunting and digesting morel mushrooms, asparagus and rhubarb. What not to love about this month.

Hopefully, you can find, or better yet, take the time, for you are worth it, to get out and appreciate the joy and beauty of Mother Nature. Your life will be all the better for it. Blessings!

Replies-bhefel@guttenbergpress.com

The New Earth

Wed, 7 May 2008 09:57:57 -0500

I have been a fan of Eckhart Tolle since his first book several years ago and was delighted to hear Oprah choose his new book, ‘The New Earth’ for her book club selection. Then when she announced the 10-week web-seminar that she and Eckhart would be holding on the book, I was totally amazed.
I have felt for sometime that the world is ready for change, perhaps it’s all the bad news we hear daily from global warming to cult religions with over 400 innocent children as victims. So, this web seminar felt like confirmation that we are ready for a change of consciousness.
I’m wondering how many of you out there followed the process as Oprah and Eckhart worked through the book on their weekly web shows. Millions of people tuned in each Monday to watch it live or downloaded it the following day. I did both, hoping to continue to ruminate the information given in each class.
It has certainly made me aware of my thoughts, and the ‘monkey mind’ as it is called in many Eastern cultures. Everyone who has suffered through a sleepless night because they couldn’t shut off their minds, knows why it’s given that name. Tolle offers amazing wisdom on the subject, but obviously it is a foreign sounding procedure for some. To think of ‘ourselves’ separately from our mind is not something we are taught, but it resonates with me. Observing the ego’s involvement in every aspect of our lives has been interesting for me since first reading his book. It is not an instant moment of awareness but does become ‘habitual’ and freeing in many aspects. I hesitate to say it makes sense because as Tolle explains, it is not something that can be understood by the mind.
Hopefully, I’ll hear from some of you who also followed along. I’d love to share your thoughts and feelings with other blog readers as well. Enjoy each moment!

Reiki

Mon, 5 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Several years ago I was introduced to the ancient Japanese technique called Reiki. Having always had an interest in natural healing and indigenous ways of creating health, I was amazed at my first session. The first syllable of Reiki, ‘Rei’ means universal, the second ‘ki’ means energy. So, Reiki is universal energy of which everyone and everything is made.
A Reiki session helps to relax, release stress and feel rejuvenated. Even though the client lies on a massage table, Reiki is nothing like massage. The client is fully dressed and most times the practitioner does not even touch the client. The energy is generated through the hands and knows where to be distributed in the body. The end result of a Reiki session is complete relaxation, and a general feeling of well-being.
Reiki is starting to be used more in conjunction with modern medicine. There has been evidence of it being extremely helpful for ADHD, helping kids/adults to relax and require less medication. That is just one of the benefits of Reiki and you can find much more info regarding it on the web if interested.
A couple weeks ago, the high school held a health fair and to my joy I was asked to participate. What a progressive sign to see Reiki, Aromatherapy, Massage and Tai Chi included in this health fair put on by students and teachers who make up the Wellness Committee.
What a great experience to have all the energy and curiosity of youth to share my practice with. After the first brave student said she’d ‘try it’ the flood gates were opened. Students lined up as they told each other of the experience. Many of them couldn’t believe they had dosed off so quickly and felt like they’d had an hours nap. I, of course, was only able to do about 5 minutes with each of them compared to the 30 minutes a session normally takes. I can’t always explain what happens during a session except to say I am only the channel for the energy, I used the example of a satellite dish to explain to them. Sometimes, during a session I receive words or visions from their energy and when I asked a couple students some things they looked at me in total disbelief at the knowledge. Some of them walking away and looking back as if they’d encountered a little black magic or something.
I was a little hesitant when I first decided to become a practitioner, Reiki is a common healing modality in many parts of the country, but pretty strange sounding to the folks of this fine small town. If, like the students, folks are willing to give it a try, they are often totally amazed by the results.
Reiki is one of my passions, writing another, so today on this Blog I am getting to share them both.
Thank you for that. I would love to hear your experiences with Reiki or any other natural or alternative healing experience. I’ve always believed Mother Nature provides many ways of healing for us, physically and mentally when we are introduced to the options. Blessings!

New Orleans

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Having just returned from a trip to New Orleans I thought it would be interesting to see what some of the favorite vacation spots of our readers are. Loving to travel, it’s always interesting to hear recommendations. Please share some of your experiences with us.
As for New Orleans, what can you say about a city that really never sleeps and is a party waiting to happen on every corner, of Bourbon Street especially. I’m afraid I couldn’t keep up with that, but it is one very interesting city.
Two of my nieces and my sister-in-law accompanied me to help my nephew Travis celebrate his birthday. Travis lives there and it was great fun to see his world and meet his friends. I like to be able to visualize my loved ones in there surroundings, when we talk on the phone. Travis’ friends accepted Aunt Becky as their own, and I look forward to visiting with them many times.
At the airport on the way home, I was in the restroom washing my hands, the sink on my left was ‘out of order’ there was a lady washing her hands on the right of me. I realized she had lathered her hands but appeared to be waiting to use my sink. Making conversation I said, “apparently this is the only working sink today.” She smiled and said, “Either that or I’m dead and you’re alive.” If she could see my shock, she didn’t appear to be surprised by it. I replied with, “That’s an interesting comment.” She only smiled.
I left that restroom, wondering what had just happened. Who says things like that? She was a very ‘normal’ (I don’t like that word, but in New Orleans it is possible to see anything) looking little ‘old’ lady (probably my age). Still pondering such a unique response as I boarded the plane, I told my niece Katie about it. A lady across the aisle from us said, “ You’re in New Orleans,’ as if that explained it and perhaps it did.
One of the things I love most about traveling is meeting interesting people. The ‘reporter’ in me, wanted to get out my notepad and ask her twenty questions, but I refrained. For now though, it is just one of the many memories of a fantastic trip to New Orleans. Safe travels!

Becky

bhefel@guttenbergpress.com

Greetings - new beginnings!

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:52:53 -0500

Hi Bloggers,

Our webmaster whiz, Austin Greve, took me seriously at our office meeting when we were discussing updating our website. As the saying goes, “be careful what you ask for.” I jokingly said we could have ‘Becky’s blog’, and here we are!! Bear with me on this, for I am not a seasoned blogger and hope you will give me some pointers. We would like to see this site be for discussion of national and/or local matters of interest or just some good old food for thought.
Please feel free to email me with your thoughts, ideas, suggestions and we will add your reply. You must be willing to sign your name and address though, please.
One of my favorite things is having a dinner party, with good food, interesting people and good discussion. Well, we’ll be missing the good food, but we can sure have some interesting discussions. Consider this blog as your invitation to my dinner table.
Last week, my son and I learned of sixteen neglected horses up for adoption by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. Having so often talked of having horses again, we decided to check it out. I have written about the experience in this week’s Press. Suffice it to say, we are now the owners of two wonderful horses. They bring an energy back to my life that I didn’t even realize was missing.
This concludes our official launching of Becky’s blog; thanks for checking out our newly updated website. We are looking forward to many other exciting ideas we have planned for the net. It is an exciting new frontier for us, and we appreciate all ideas and suggestions.

Becky bhefel@guttenbergpress.com