Five things I Like about Myself

Dear Friends and Family of Mari Hall and Wisechoices

The 21 day Virtual Usui Retreat will start in just 10 days from now on June 21, 2006. It is our 10th Anniversary. I do not believe that we had any idea when we started this retreat where it would take us or for how long. There have been profoundly deep moments coming together as a group that have benefited our earth and certainly all of the earth’s inhabitants. It has always been our intention that you choose the amount of time that you wish being part of the retreat. Each moment you hold the focus of love for the world is precious. If you would like refresh your mind on the purpose or practice please follow this link to the main Usui pages. http://www.wisechoices.com/usui.asp

Please invite your friends, family and support groups to join with us to celebrate Usui’s message, honor our past and look forward to the future together. People can go to the http://www.wisechoices.com/ page and look on the left side of the page for the newsletter link, fill it in to get their own notification.

I was interviewed last week by Bronwen Stein of the International House of Reiki in Australia. You can listen to the interview by following this link. http://www.reiki.net.au/copy.asp?id=PodcastMariH

To get us ready for the Retreat I have provided an exercise for us to do for this next week…after a few wise words from a lovely man and trainer here in Houston; Jim Spivey. There are some more pearls of wisdom and an invitation and then Jim's contact information following the exercise.

Note: Really take the time to do the exercise …you are worth it!

"There is overwhelming evidence in the world that we human beings do our best work and get the most, if not the impossible, done when we feel good about ourselves. When we do the right things and gain (or regain) our own forgiveness, healing, self-respect, etc., it unleashes tremendous positive energy that gets the most important things in our lives done, and done well. Doesn't it make sense to build communities and companies and families that focus their energies on each individual's effectiveness and well-being, such that great results get produced for all - customers, employees, family members, owners and society as a whole? Anything less produces less. In whatever capacities or roles we find ourselves in, let's always put and keep the things in place that let us do our best work.

When we forgive others…it sets them and us free. Remember: "Holding onto resentment of another person is like taking poison and waiting for them to die."
Jim Spivey


Listing Magnificence
Five Things I Like About Myself

Our primary relationship in life is with our selves. No one else goes through every experience in life with us. We are our one permanent companion, yet we are often our worst critic. To remind ourselves of our magnificence, we can do this exercise: "Five Things I Like About Myself."

Begin by writing down at least five things that you like about yourself. This is not the time to be modest. If you are having trouble coming up with a total of five items, you know that this exercise can really benefit you. Be sure to include more than your physical attributes on your list, since our bodies are only part of who we are. If you are still struggling with what to include on your list, think of what you like about your favorite people, because these traits are probably qualities that you possess too.

Another way to complete your list is to think of five things you don't like about yourself and find something about these traits that you can like. Continue this process for a week, thinking of five new things you like about yourself everyday. At the end of the week, read the list aloud to you while standing in front of a mirror.

Instead of looking for flaws to fix, allow the mirror to reflect your magnificence. You may feel silly about standing in front of a mirror and reading aloud a list of your admirable attributes, but it might just bring a smile to your face and change the way you see yourself. Remember, it is when you feel the most resistant that this exercise can benefit you the most.

Because we are constantly looking at the world, instead of looking at ourselves, we don't often see what's magnificent about ourselves that others do. When we take the time to experience ourselves the way we would experience someone we love and admire, we become our best companion and supporter on life's journey.


Power In Numbers
Sending Our Collective Light To The World

Like tiny ripples that merge to form great waves, combined human intent is worth more than the sum of its parts. A single individual can initiate worldwide improvement by emitting conscious frequencies of love, beauty, goodness, and wisdom. A group of people focusing their energy on sending out light to the world can set the stage for positive global transformation.

All of us possess the ability to channel love energy, to heal, to be a conduit for white light, and to positively influence our fellow humans from afar. Yet one person can only do so much. Imagine if each one of us took a few moments at the start of each day to send out light to the world from our hearts. Mother Earth would be quickly eased and the planet, as well as every organism and being on it, would be bathed in loving light. The world would be an infinitely beautiful place.

You can help bring about an earth where love triumphs over violence, air and water are nourishing in their purity, and people take pleasure in simply being alive. Alone, the light you emit is a wonderful healing tool, but when you join with others who share your intent to shine compassion and positive energy over the world, a powerful force is created. Your collective consciousness and collective light will wash over the planet, enveloping people, communities, cities, countries, and continents.

Inviting others to send light with you can be a daunting task. People may question the benefits of sending light to an already broken world. You will likely need to explain that each person's light joins with every other, and through the joining all are strengthened. Assure them that what matters is not technique or what religion or beliefs you hold but intent. As more people come in mindfulness to send their collective light to the world, the power of their planetary gift will increase exponentially.

You may already be affiliated with groups that would gladly participate in such a noble project. Children, who often feel incapable of influencing their world yet are reservoirs of innate power are usually enthusiastic about sharing their collective light. As you gather together willing people, your individual intent will become a great and powerful wave, and you will see results in your fellow humans, in the news, and in your daily life.

Note: This is what we are doing in the Reiki Retreat, coming together and sending LIGHT, LOVE and REIKI (it is all the same)


Attitude

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today."

So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "H-M-M," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today."

So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."

So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!

Attitude is everything.


Reiki for Africa- an Invitation

What is invisible, weighs nothing, can only be used for good and lasts a lifetime? Reiki, you all reply. Of all the foreign aid we send around the world, can you think of one that requires no technology, no start-up funds and can be mastered in days even by children? Again the answer is Reiki. Reiki often is the answer.

When we hear about the HIV/AIDS devastation in Africa good-hearted people want to do more. Apart from giving our pennies and urging national politicians and the U.N. to send drugs and food there is something profoundly important we can contribute: Reiki! Many are sending distant healing. But we can also, literally, get Reiki into the hands of the people who need it most.

You ask how; by sending them Reiki Master-Teachers of course. Who trains these teachers? We do.

Where do you find these adventurous souls? Start by asking around, ”Do you know of anyone who is going to Africa?" A surprising number of folks are headed to there these days, many to lend a hand with the crisis. Some of them will respond to the message ”There's something I want to send to Africa. It's beneficial and won't take up any room in your suitcase." The first person I approached replied "I don't believe in that (meaning Reiki)." Yet she also found my first (enthusiastic) student who recently went off to her new job with full Reiki training and all the teaching materials copied onto a few CDs.

Brainstorm with your Reiki family; ask each of them to spread the word to their personal contacts all the organizations they belong to--churches, service clubs and the like. Your own family, coworkers and neighbors can help extend your reach. As well, universities have associations of foreign students that could put you in touch with overseas students in education, community planning or public health who could see the potential of a free gift of Reiki for their people back home.

Hand out self-printed cards with your contact information. Ask to include a notice in your church bulletin, office or club newsletter. Talk up the idea, even with strangers at the bus stop. There are only six degrees of separation from the person you are looking, as the saying goes.

True, not everybody is a Master-Teacher. But what if your Reiki share group were to offer treatments for donations so that together you could train a Master who would do pro bono work? There is no stopping a good idea.

If you are so fired up by this idea that you decide to go to Africa yourself there are a few extra words of advice. Experienced aid workers all say don’t leave home until solid arrangements are in place with a clear written understanding of expectations on both sides. So in addition to the recommendations from your travel agent and guide book, you will need a local host with connections to 'back home'. This could be the counterpart of your faith group, service club or an agency or development project that you support already established in-country. Their knowledge of your cultural assumptions, of local conditions, plus the practical advice and contacts they can offer, will make all the difference between success and failure.

If the above suggestions are more than you can do right now, would you just keep the thought spreading? Eventually it will come to the right person. As Reiki so often reminds us, we are each an important link in the chain of humanity.

In Love and Friendship,

Marlene Jones,
Victoria, BC


Contact for Jim Spivey
Jim SpiveyRevolution Consulting
2219 McDuffie
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 854-4848
www.revolutionconsulting.com