Right Place, Right Time

Sunday started out perfectly. I slept until 9:45, which in this house, is the equivalent of sleeping until noon. Had Shay not been in Boston for the weekend I'm sure I wouldn't have done so. It's impossible for that boy to get through that much morning without either playing his electric guitar or pounding on the druns. 

I obviously needed the rest because just the day before, I'd had a venti latte after lunch (I never super-size anything just because the sales person suggests it or because it's a deal, but when the barista asked if I wanted a venti for just thirty cents more than a grande, I was shocked to hear myself say, "Sure." I knew I was tired, not just for drinking the amount of coffee I usually make fun of, but because I proceeded to go home and fall fast asleep. I never, ever nap on a Saturday!

I was happy to have a morning that had only occured rarely in the past twenty-one years since I married a confirmed early bird. In the early days of our marriage, I'd awaken at ten on Saturday mornings to the sounds of "PeeWee's  Playhouse" - by then Hank would have been up for four hours or more and would have grown bored without company - he'd claim that sleeping until ten was as good as sleeping until noon. I never got his logic, but then again he's never understood how I can love sleep so much and I've never understood how he can stand to stay so busy. But I digress.

It was (obviously) a quick morning and then time to take Kit to her Wind Orchestra rehearsal in Albany. After dropping her off, I took myself out for lunch (after sleeping in, the only civilized way to proceed with the day was to keep treating myself well). After lunch, I decided to shop at the Coop (after pampering myself thus far, cooking dinner would have been a travesty, so I wanted to pick up some of their excellent freshly prepared food). Driving there I remembered that this was the day that a practitioner of Donna Eden's Energy Medicine was conducting free half-hour sessions. I'd thought about signing up for one, but the last time I was at the Coop, I didn't know what my schedule would bring. Or really what a free session would entail. It seemed a shame to not pull it together to register, especially since I'm planning on taking a weekend class with Eden at Kripalu in January, but that's the story of my life: although I was interested, I'd let it go.

As I pushed my cart over to the meat freezer, I passed the community room and looked in. A woman looked out and smiled. I smiled back, continued on and grabbed a pound of grass-fed beef so I could make a meatloaf for Hank and Shay (one of these days when I'm actually cooking). A moment later I heard an announcement, "Anyone interested in a free half-hour Energy Medicine consultation, we have one available this afternoon in the community room, starting....now!"

I looked around. Here I was. Outside the community room. No one else was breaking down the door or even standing nearby. Along came the woman who'd smiled at me. I needed no introduction.

And even I know when I'm standing at the right place at the right time. Even I know when I'm meant to act.

"I'm interested," I said.

"Come on in," the woman replied.

Ruth Ann Smalley conducted the session. Donna Eden's method (which she uses) employs energy testing to find what you need. Basically, this entails holding out your arm and having it gently pressed on. When your energy is strong, your arm stays pretty much in place. When your energy is weak, your arm goes down somewhat. This is often demonstrated by someone pressing your arm as you say "My name is....." with your own name - your arm stays in place. Repeat the first part of the sentence with someone else's name, your arm will go down more. 

After explaining a few basic concepts of Energy Medicine, Ruth Ann did some testing. My energy was the same walking forward or walking backwards. I thought this would be a good thing. It isn't according to Eden. Your energy should be stronger going forward (maybe that's why I get nothing done!) Also, my aura was very weak (darn - I'd always been curious about it and hoped I'd have one of those funky psychedelic auras). 

Ruth Ann gave me some exercises to do - thumping below my collar bone and rubbing the inside of my feet, above the heel bones, both to stimulate energy flow for my kidneys and a short routine which looks rather Tai Chi-ish to boost my aura.

The session was gentle, non-invasive and fun. 

Next time, I'll get to more of the principles of energy medicine according to Donna Eden.

Goodbye for now - it's Monday and I've run out of excuses for staying out of the kitchen...