Reflexology For The Spirit

spirituality of one's health

Self-Care is Kindness to Ourselves

Self-Care asks us to give the same kindness to ourselves that we give to others.

When you have negative or critical thoughts about yourself, stop for a moment and ask yourself this:  “Would I say these things about a good friend?”

The chances are that you would not.  You would not be unkind to someone else.

Now, try being as kind to yourself as you would to a loved one.

The next time things go wrong, accept the event for what it is.  Then, apologize for what happened if that’s appropriate.  Then, forgive yourself.

Learning from mistakes and moving on is a positive way to get through life.

Forgiving yourself is what allows you to get through life.  When you forgive yourself, you are being nice to yourself.  It’s easier to be happy that way.

When you forgive yourself, you are offering self-care.  This sends nourishing messages to the brain about your self-worth.

Try, every day, to care for yourself in every way possible.

When stress accumulates, this facial massage meditation will relieve muscles and leave you feeling better.

     Facial Massage Meditation

For many of us, the day’s stress accumulates in the muscles of the head, face, and jaw.  Massaging your face and head can smooth the tiny muscles and nerve endings.  Stress and fatigue will have a chance to disappear.

Begin this meditation by finding a quiet place where you will be undisturbed for a few minutes.

Lie flat on a chair, bed, or floor, with your face up.   If that is not comfortable, find a comfortable chair or recliner to sit comfortably.

Cover your body with a light blanket or sheet so you won’t get cold as your body relaxes and cools.

Take several deep breaths.  Begin these breaths in your abdominal area.  Breathe in deeply and hold the breath to the count of three:  1 – 2 – 3.

Now slowly release the breath.  When you exhale, you release toxins and stress.

Repeat these inhalations and exhalations 1-2 minutes.  As you inhale, you l breathe in healthy air.  With each exhalation, you release toxins and stress.

Become aware of your forehead.  Mentally relax your forehead to erase wrinkles of expression…the space between your eyebrows becomes bigger.  Your eyelids are heavy.

Move your fingers to your forehead and slowly massage it in small circles.

When you feel that your forehead is becoming relaxed, move your fingers to your temples and gently move them in clockwise and counterclockwise motions.  Feel this area relaxing.

Notice the tension behind your eyes, and around your eyes and release it.

Now, place your fingers on your temples and move your fingers in small, gentle dime-size circles for a few minutes.

Move your fingers down to your chin and gently, gently pinch your chin and along your jawline to your ears.

Now, move your hands to your cheeks.  Massage your soft cheek tissue in a circular motion.

Now, move your hands to your ears.  Gently massage along the edges of your ears for a couple of moments.   Now, give your ears some long, luscious pulls.

You are finishing your facial massage now.  Notice any thoughts, feelings, or sensations you experience now.

Stay quiet for 1-2 minutes while you enjoy and refresh from this experience.

It is time now to return to the present time.

It is okay to return to this place of calm whenever you need.

The goal of this meditation is to experience calm and relaxation using self-touch.

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Thank you for reading this article.  I sincerely hope it helps you feel better about yourself and those around you.

Please forward this post to your friends and relatives who might enjoy it.  Please forward it to your favorite social media network and to your friends.

For more information, check out my books on thurmangreco.com.  They are available in paperbook and ebook both.

Connect with me on Facebook.

This book is now available as an ebook and should be available as paperbook before December 15th.   Order it on thurmangreco.com.

I host “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”, a program aired weekly on Woodstock’s own educational TV channel 23.  This show is an informative, upbeat hour with no rehearsals.

My guests are various people whose lives have brought them to Woodstock for a day, a week, an hour, a decade, or more.  Let’s Live has been running for over 15 years with an occasional intermission, now and then.  You can find some reruns on YouTube “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”.

Renee,  our channel wizard adds new programs weekly, usually on Tuesdays..

The Friday evening show airs in Woodstock at 7:00 in the studio located in the Woodstock Community Center on Rock City Road for an hour.

Renee and I both look forward to new subscribers.

 

Leaving Baggage Behind – No Regrets

Have you ever thought about spiritually cleaning out your closet? cleaning your house?

I got up early this morning because I wanted a few minutes to clean out a closet.  Yesterday I promised a friend that I would share some gently used items for her fund raiser.

When I make a promise like that, it’s best that I set a few minutes aside and then work like crazy to get rid of things as quickly as possible.

Working in a fury, I stuffed items in a bag so quickly that I couldn’t overthink the situation.  I also knew that I didn’t have time to put things back.

I just grabbed:  a white blouse I hadn’t worn in years, a pair of slacks that were never comfortable, 3 T-shirts I was never going to wear again.  A new winter coat.

On and on it went.  I didn’t give myself time to think I just might, in a pinch, wear one of these items again.  I even threw in a pot plant that was still pretty but quickly growing beyond my skill level.

As I stuffed these things in the car, with the plant perched on top of the clothes, I thought about maybe I should have done something like this with some of my other spiritual baggage.

Specifically, I thought of off those regrets I’ve been reliving lately.

We all carry it.  Baggage.

Sometimes I feel like I would like to just leave it all behind me as I go through life:  Grudges, resentments, painful memories, regrets.

I’ve been carrying all this baggage around with me for decades and decades.  Then, a young woman reminded me that we all have baggage.

Sometimes, I just want to leave it all behind.

Other times, getting to a place where I can let go is difficult.

One thing she taught me:  forgiveness is a large part of the journey.  Leaving all these parcels and bags and boxes of regret is hard.

But, so was gathering all the experiences that became painful memories.

I’m hanging onto all this negativity.  It’s making extra weight which I carry around all day, every day,   I tried to think of what might be a good way to do this so I went to my roots.

What is going to work?

Eureka!  Forgiveness will be important here.

I went to my roots for success!  I got out my asphidity bag!

When I’m working on healing an issue, I write a description on a small paper and put it in my asphidity bag.  I wear it around my neck to remind me that I’m healing.

Freedom is a goal!

When I have my healing goals in my asphidity bag, I know it’s time to schedule extra weekly Reiki therapy and Reflexology sessions.

If you have friends who might enjoy this post, please forward it to your favorite social media network and to your friends.

For more information, check out my books at thurmangreco.com.

Most of my books are available in ebook  form as well as paperbook.  “But for Gabriel” should be available in December.

Renee posts new segments to “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” on Tuesdays.  are posted.  Let me know how you like them!

Thanks again!

Thurman Greco

What to do When it all Gets to be Too Much: Switch Off The Day

The times are overwhelming.  It’s as if everyone is “always on”.  I find that when I’m always connected, things can quit working.  When I’m always connected, I find myself staring at screens, answering every door bell and phone ring.

When things quit working, one of the most effective  things I do is switch everything off.  This includes me.  I switch off – both physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

I turn off electronic devices.  The phone goes off.  The computer shuts down.  The TV is off.  I turn off all the lights.

And, you know what?  almost everything works better after I’ve unplugged it for a few minutes.  And, that includes me.

And, then, I get in my most comfortable chair and  give myself a Reiki therapy session.

I begin the session with the symbols and three hand positions to my head.  My intention is to relax so that I won’t be so fatigued and overwhelmed.

Now…I know that switching everything off can be difficult.  In some cases, it’s impossible. I also know that there comes a time when saying “no” is not selfish.

An important lesson I had to learn as an adult is that when everybody is getting oxygen masks, we sometimes each need to get our own oxygen mask first so we can make sure everyone else is being properly cared for.

So, becoming comfortable with “no” and “off” is something that I had to learn in life.

A life lesson I had to learn was that some people stress me out.  Learning to recognize  stressor people and situations was (is) important.  Once stressors are are recognized, it is easy to avoid them.

Life is more pleasant, less complicated,  and easier when stressors are recognized and minimized.

Reiki sessions help.  Both Reiki and reflexology promote relaxation and a more positive outlook.

Emergency Reiki sessions are a dramatic improvement.  They work even better when they are a supplement to regularly scheduled Reiki therapy sessions.

I invite you to connect with me on Facebook

If you who have friends and relatives who might enjoy this post, please share  it to your  favorite social media network and to your friends and relatives.

For more info, check out my books at Thurmangreco.com.  every title is available in hard copy and ebook with the exception of the first edition of “But for Gabriel”   This book is available as an ebook only until December.

PLEASE don’t forget to schedule regular Reiki therapy and reflexology sessions.

Please check out the YOUTUBE channel show.  New episodes are released on Tuesdays.  “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” is a positive, entertaining series of interviews which I’ve conducted throughout the last 15 or so years.  There have been a few intermissions along the way, but not many.

My guests enjoy being on the show and many ask to return.  One thing they all have in common:  we’ve all met each other somehow in Woodstock, NY

Join us soon!

And, let us know how you like the shows.

Finding Time

My schedule is packed.  It’s jammed.

But, that’s okay. It’s an uptown problem.

Each day, I know I’m going to find some real jewels throughout my schedule.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is this:  When my schedule is totally out of control, the universe will deal with the situation.  Someone will cancel or something quirky will happen which will result in a beautiful hole.

Finding time is like finding a wonderful, shiny object.

It’s not so important to worry about what or when or how much time you’re going to find..

Those are details.

What’s important is to be prepared…

Know what you’re going to do when you find a few extra 5 or 6 minutes or maybe even a whole hour.  These are perfect moments in your day that can be used however you want.  Make your “found time” list.

Get lost in a book.

Go for a quick stroll.

Sip a tea.

Meditate.

Plan.

Journal.

Stare out the window – even if you’re not in front of a window.

Disconnect.

Switch off.

Whatever you do with these “found” moments, the important thing is to carve out these pockets of time for yourself.

Thanks for reading this article.  Please forward it to your favorite social media network and share it with your friends.

Please check out the YOUTUBE channel show.  New episodes are released on  Tuesdays.

“Let’s Live with Thurman Greco is a positive, entertaining series of interviews which I’ve conducted throughout the last 15 or so years.  There have been a few intermissions along the way, but not many.

My guests enjoy being on the show and many ask to return.  One thing they all have in common:  we’ve all met each other somehow in Woodstock, NY.

Join us soon!

And, let us know how you like the shows.

Find out more at www.thurmangreco.com.  While you’re there, see what books might interest you.  Every title is available in hard copy and ebook with exception of the first edition of “But for Gabriel”.  This book is available as an ebook only until December.

 

But, whatever happens, get reflexology into your schedule.

 

 

Now is the time to focus self-care on flu prevention.

I went over to the Village Apothecary yesterday and got a flu vaccine.  Two weeks ago, I went over there and got the RSV injection.

With our busy and overcrowded lives, vaccines are easy to push off into nowhere.  That is not a good policy.  So, I’m here to remind you:

Don’t forget your vaccines.  Now is the time to prevent flu, RSV, and Covid.

My recommendation is that if you are 60 or older, you should get your RSV vaccine NOW.

You can even get both the RSV and your flu vaccine at the same time.

I opted to get my two vaccines two weeks apart because I got the “high dose” version of the flu vaccine.

I scheduled a Reiki therapy session after each vaccination.

Get your COVID vaccine as soon as it is available.

Hopefully a big demand will emerge in your community with your pharmacy going gangbusters for a couple of weeks.  And, hopefully there will not be a need for an appointment.

After you’ve gotten your vaccines, please do three more things:

Mark your calendar to receive your boosters in April.

Get your shingles, and pneumonia vaccines. ,

Collect herbs which you feel are relevant to your good health and put them in a small bag or tie them in a small cloth.  Now, place this bag, in your asphidity bag, and wear it around your neck or keep in a pocket.

Finally, do a fun thing.

And, one more thing.  Give yourself a treat!

Thanks for reading this article!  If you want more info, contact me at thurmangreco.com.

Please forward this article to your social media network and to your family and friends.

Regular Reflexology and/or Reiki therapy sessions offer healing.

If you enjoy the blog posts, you’ll enjoy my weekly shows on YOUTUBE.  This program has been running, with a few timeouts, now and then, for over 15 years.  My program is an entertaining and informative hour with no rehearsals.  You can find it on Woodstock’s own TV channel 23 or on YOUTUBE.

My guests are people whose lives have brought them to Woodstock for a day, a week, an hour, a decade or more.

I can truthfully boast that my guests report they enjoyed the experience and will be happy to return.  Both the blog and the show are a means to healing for viewers and healers.

Check out my books at www.thurmangreco.com.  They make wonderful gifts.

This book has gone out to 36 countries so far.

Thank you to everyone who got 1 or more copies!

4 Things to Do for a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is crucial for your good health.  Sleep brings self-care.  It repairs and restores your body.

4 THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

Schedule a healing bodywork session weekly. 

I prefer reflexology or Reiki. There are hundreds of different modalities to choose from.  If a weekly session is beyond your budget, learn Reiki.   Then, you can offer a session to yourself weekly OR you can do regular exchanges with another Reiki practitioner.

Explore and sample herbs and teas.

Cut back on coffee or caffeinated drinks in the afternoons.  Substitute decaffeinated beverages.  There are so many options that you’ll be able to spend several weeks sampling different teas and drinks. Enjoy!

Create a happy and peaceful place for sleep.

During the coming week, do everything you can to create a quiet and cozy atmosphere.  Your goal is a minimal decor with dim lighting, subdued colors and a comfortable bed with soft sheets and blankets.  Relocate anything which induces irritability.  This includes computers, televisions, and anything that generates electromagnetic fields and positive ions.

Stretch Yourself to Sleep + a Snack 

About 30 or so minutes before you go to sleep, focus on unwinding and relaxing tensions.  Prepare yourself to sleep:

Breathe deeply and rotate your head gently from side to side.

Slowly raise your arms above your head and stretch them to the sky.

Rotate your spine in different directions while gently moving your head and arms in opposing directions.

Give yourself a few extra minutes to relax.

Have a cup of yogurt for a snooze snack.

You can discover more information on sleep in older posts of this blog.

Thanks for reading this blog post!

This book is available on www.thurmangreco.com.  Copies of this book have traveled to readers in over three dozen countries.

Visit the website, www.thurmangreco.com, and see what other books might interest you.  The first edition of “But for Gabriel” is available now as an ebook.  It is also being read on YOUTUBE.

This ebook is available at www.thurmangreco.com.  Bookmarks are available for the asking.  You can also hear the story at “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”.  ENJOY!  “But for Gabriel” is a story based on the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ written for those who don’t follow and may not believe.

This video guides you through a basic reflexology session.  It explains how reflexology works and what you are doing for the recipient’s feet and body.  This video is available for you to use whenever you need it.

You can reach it at www.thurmangreco.com.

You may also enjoy the YOUTUBE shows:  “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”

I hope you have aa chance to visit this YOUTUBE channel.  “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” is a positive, entertaining series of interviews which I’ve conducted throughout the last 15 or so years.  There have been a few intermissions, but not many.

My guests enjoy being on the show and many ask to return.  One thing we all have in common:  we’ve all met each other somehow in Woodstock, NY.

Join us soon!

And, let us know how you like the shows.

Connect with me on Facebook.

If you have friends who might enjoy this post, please forward it to your favorite social media network.

Thank you.

Thurman Greco

 

Looking for a Wellness Secret? – Here’s One

Our long-term health and longevity rests in our hands.   Genes play an important role, but it’s the things we do every day which add up to long-term health and wellness. Our day-to-day living carries us to good health throughout our lives.

A Secret

I’m happy to share this secret with you.  My daily breakfast is the most important meal of my day.  But, it’s not just any old breakfast.  It’s my muesli breakfast!  Not just oatmeal.  Historically, Muesli was a specific cereal blend which kept the Swiss healthy in World War II when food shortages were common.

So, what is Muesli?  Muesli is an easy-to-prepare-and-serve meal made up of rolled oats, seeds, dried fruits and nuts.

 My Morning Muesli

1/2 cup muesli mix

2 tablespoons plain yogurt

1 scoop collagen peptides protein powder – I purchase mine at Village  Apothecary here in Woodstock, NY.

1/2 cup of half-and-half or juice or whipped cream

Scoop ingredients into a small bowl and cover with liquid.

Enjoy!

I eat this cereal at room temperature.

Some History

When I began eating this breakfast, I bought boxes of muesli in the cereal section of the grocery store.  It wasn’t long until I was mixing my own blend from  raw ingredients I found in the bulk section of the grocery.

Now, my Muesli includes rolled oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, crispy rice cereal, raisins and other fun raw grains and dried fruits.  I make large batches of my breakfast mix  and just scoop it into a bowl or cup.

I enjoy adding chopped apples, bananas, blueberries, etc.

When I work all night, I prepare my muesli breakfast before I go to work and then eat it on my 4:00 am break.

I love this breakfast because it’s easy to fix – no matter what the situation.  I also like it because it sticks with me.  I never get the before-lunch hunger pangs.  I also like this breakfast because my experiences with it have taught me that the ingredients are magical.

The oats and other raw grains found in Muesli are filled with vitamins, minerals, antioxidents, protein, iron, and omega-3’s.

The ingredients in my breakfast muesli help me fight off diabetes, and high blood pressure.  They encourage a good energy level and they motivate my immune system to work better.

What more can I ask for?  The cereal is easy to prepare, fun to eat, and keeps me healthy!  This is a win! win! win!

Find out more about Thurman Greco at www.thurmangreco.com. Purchase Thurman’s books in both ebook and paperbook form.  ENJOY!

This book is available at www.thurmangreco.com

Reiki therapy and Reflexology sessions work well with other health activities. Receive a session whenever you can..

..

Interested in learning more? “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” showcases  interesting and fun people who live and work and visit in the Woodstock area.  New shows are loaded on Tuesdays and cover a wide variety of topics.

Thanks for reading this blog post.  My intention is that each article you read can be a conduit for your spiritual growth and healing.

Please share it with your friends and family and forward it to your preferred social media network.

Want more information on self-care?  Check out other articles in this blog.

Thanks!

Thurman Greco

 

An Asphidity Bag is a Self-Care Health Boost we all Need

 

When I’m at the weekend Mower’s Meadow Flea Market in Woodstock, I always take a short walk around the grounds to see what treasures and goodies are available.  Last weekend, I found several handmade asphidity bags in the back corner booth.

They were just sitting there on a table among the Western Boots, Turquoise jewelry,  pre-owned furs, and pillbox hats.

WOW! – I haven’t seen one of these in years.  No, I correct myself.  It’s been decades. I immediately bought three.  I’ll fill them with herbs and spices and give them to my daughters this coming December.

Actually, I shouldn’t wait until December.  Summers are really hard on everyone.  Maybe I should give these bags to them now.  After all, today’s challenges are very real and December’s worries aren’t yet on the horizon.

When I was growing up – a long, long time ago – my grandmother had an asphidity bag.  She filled it with herbs and spices which she changed to meet the needs of the season, or the situation.  She kept her bag tied to her underclothes.

Fasting forward to today, my daughters are having trouble sleeping this year.    An asphidity bag can be created just for this situation.

Do you have trouble sleeping?  Well, make an asphidity bag just for yourself and your situation.  Here’s how:

Begin by describing exactly what a perfect night’s sleep means to you.  How long do you want to sleep?  How deeply do you want your sleep night to be?  What do you want to dream about?  How do you want to feel when you wake up?

In Step 2, you select the herbs which smell fragrant and calming.  For me, these herbs include lavender, chamomile, rose petals.  I also include  peppermint and lemon in this list. Your list may be different.  (That’s the beauty of the asphidity bag).

Now, make a cloth square measuring about 5 inches.

When your square is cut, place your herbs in the center of the square.  Using a ribbon, tie the herbs as well as your good intentions in this bag.  Visualize all the good things you need for a successful night’s sleep.  Draw these elements toward your sleep as you tie them in your asfidity bag along with your herbs.

Place your asfidity bag inside your pillowcase.  Or keep it in a pocket in your clothes.  Wherever you keep your bag, when you go to bed at night, close your eyes and visualize the details you’ve gathered for your best sleep.  Focus on your breath and the scent of your asfidity bag to launch you into your intentional sleep.

Finally, embrace your sleep!

Thank you for participating in this article.  Please share it with friends and family.  Forward it to your preferred social media network.

 

If you enjoy the blog, you’ll enjoy my weekly shows on YOUTUBE.  This program has been running, with a few time-outs now and then, for over 15 years.  My program is aired weekly on Woodstock’s own TV channel 23 and on YOUTUBE.  This show is an entertaining and informative hour with no rehearsals.

My guests are various people whose lives have brought them to Woodstock for a day, a week, an hour, a decade or more.

I can truthfully boast that my guests report they enjoyed the experience and will be happy to return.

Both the blog and the show are a means to healing for viewers and healers.

Thanks for joining in!

P.S.  Whenever I use an aspifidity bag, whether it’s for sleep or combating an infection or offering solace to my intestinal system, I schedule reflexology and reiki sessions.

Find out more at thurmangreco.com.

 

 

 

For Self-Care: Visualize a Successful Day

Take a little time each morning visualizing a successful day.  These few moments will create a mental picture you can use to create your real-life action throughout your day.

Take a few deep cleansing breaths.

Perhaps you may want to listen to meditation music.

For a few (3-5) minutes, use all of your senses to visualize your dreams and desires coming to life.

End this short meditation with a few more deep breaths.

As you practice this daily visualization, it will become more powerful.  The visualization will become bigger, brighter, and louder.

When you have made this morning visualization a habit, you may notice that your visualization becomes more real to your mind.

At the end of each day, write down your observations.    Are you feeling more positive?  Are more opportunities coming your way?  How is your visualization  becoming more real?

With these morning success visualizations, you will be on track to achieve the success you visualize.

Support your visualization intention by taking an action each week to help you progress.  Your inspired weekly action toward your goal of a successful day will energize you to achieve your goal.

Thanks for reading this blog post.  If you think it’s appropriate, please share it with friends and family.  Forward it to your preferred social media network.

If you enjoy this blog post, please watch “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”.  This show is a positive, entertaining series of interviews which I’ve conducted throughout the last 15 or so years.  There have been a few intermissions, but not many.

My guests enjoy being on the show and many ask to return.  One thing they all have in common:  we’ve all met each other somehow in Woodstock, NY.

Join us soon!

And, let us know how you like the shows.

For information about my books, please go to www.thurmangreco.com.  You can also find readings from some of my books on the YOUTUBE videos.

This book is available at www.thurmangreco.com.  Visit the website and see what books might interest you.

When I write the blog posts, it is my intention to be a conduit for your own healing.

 

Use a Little Self-Care to Live Mindfully & Look After Yourself.

I don’t know about you, but I have days that get away from me.  Sometimes, the idea that I can take a few minutes out for exercise, or meditation, or whatever, is just flirting with non-reality.

So, what do I do to assure that I have given myself some much-needed self-care even in times of chaos and stress?

I keep a gratitude journal.

This little book takes almost no space on my desk or in my purse.  It attracts little attention.  But, this little book is powerful!

My gratitude journal:

makes sure that I don’t take blessings for granted.

prevents me from getting so caught up in my daily life that I forget to appreciate what I have.

encourages me to become aware of all the ways I am fortunate.

I may not write paragraphs or essays in this journal.  Some days I write down just a few words.  These words may include hugging a loved one, seeing the little bunny chew a flower in my garden, or eating a delicious red grape.

Words are not always necessary.  Sometimes my gratitude journal is a page with colors:

It’s the little things that change my thoughts and bring peace to my world.  While relaxation is not the end goal, it’s a common side effect of a gratitude moment.  This quiet, sometimes secret, moment changes how my body is feeling.

This moment helps understand the experience.

This is gratitude.

“A Healer’s Handbook” is available at www.thurmangreco.com.  This book is in it’s third edition and has gone out to three dozen countries.

Thank you for reading this article. My intention is that each blog post you read can be a conduit for your spiritual growth and healing.

Please share it with friends and family.  Forward it to your preferred social media network.

If you enjoy these blog posts, please subscribe.

Find out more about Thurman Greco at www.thurmangreco.com.  Books are available in both ebook and paperbook form.  ENJOY!

I hope you’ve had a chance to visit the YOUTUBE channel, “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”.  It is a positive, entertaining series conducted throughout the last 15 or so years.  There have been a few intermissions, but not many.

Guests on this show enjoy the experience and many ask to return.  One thing they all have in common:  Woodstock.

We add new shows weekly.