Remembering Alan Hans, DVM
angel with bird
We gathered at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation last Sunday and grieved together. Not really. We were, actually, each in a separate bubble, remembering Alan.Hans
The Rabbi sang prayers a capella. The crowded room included family and friends, community members, employees, and others.
We each felt special. We each felt a unique connection to the memory of Alan Hans. Several individuals spoke – each person relating what she felt was a “secret” experience shared with Alan Hans..
These short, shared stories made the guests feel more comfortable with the person who had a larger-than-life connection to his community. Guests felt a sense of togetherness in the moment.
This energy shift was important to the grief experience.
Really, Dr. Alan Hans was much more than the father, uncle, friend, veterinarian, employer. He gave character, strength, and color to a group of people who call Woodstock, NY, home.
Throughout his career in Woodstock and Port Ewen, I don’t think Dr. Hans sought his place in the community. He just settled into this spot…through his daily connections with people in the community.
During the service, a few people sat alone, on the back row or along the wall. They were as close to invisible as they could get. The grief was overwhelming.
I think that happens in situations like this. .People are recognized – family, friends, neighbors.
But, when the deceased honoree is a person of the community – an entirely different group huddles together individually or collectively.
The situation cannot be avoided. Unless the person or persons go to the family and identify themselves, not much can be done.
They are outside the circle of family and friends but inside the circle of the community. Though often unidentified, the grief is just as deep, just as disturbing, and just as captivating.
Grief offers us an opportunity to hold and comfort each other more closely. Our remembrances are shared as treasured thoughts.
To those sitting outside the circle and along the wall, let us reach out from our hearts to yours with love, with sympathy, and with caring.
Our hearts and minds are thinking of you at this difficult time.
Thurman Greco
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angel with cat
Eight Ways to Fight the Fear
To be honest, things are becoming more and more confusing as the days go along. Every time I greet a friend or neighbor or anyone, for that matter, she talks to me as if we are all lost.
And, maybe we are.
It’s hard-to-impossible to figure out sometimes where this year is headed. Some of my friends and acquaintances are solving their dilemma by simply not reading papers or watching TV.
Others choose their channels with care, blocking out everything that seems to be problematic.
Still others are becoming information junkies, focusing their lives on a particular channel offering information they can understand and accept.
On the home front, our Woodstock community is undergoing gentrification. We’re all facing the fact that we’re living in a place far removed from the community we chose to live in when we moved here.
And, this situation comes on the heels of the stresses of Covid and everything that went with that.
Our home is hardly recognizable.
And, I haven’t even brought other news: economic, climate change, the election, our local schools – and any other thing you can imagine.
Then, there are all the economic and social changes in our country.
Sometimes, I think that each of us is on our own, private, Yellow Brick Road.
And, that leads me to the whole reason for this blog post: Fear
The Fear is palpable.
It has an odor.
I see it on the street in the way people walk and the way they talk and the way they dress.
There are some things we can do as we make our way forward into a future many of us are having trouble even imagining.
ONE. Speak Your Fear. As soon as you begin to share your fear, it begins to lose its power over you.
TWO. When fear covers you with an invisible tent, practice breathing exercises. Include meditation sessions. Find what works for you and practice it regularly. When this breathing exercise becomes a part of your life, you should be able to find calm which will send the panic running.
THREE. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise slows down the fight-or-flight reflex. The options are open here. Do what you enjoy.
FOUR. Seek out friends you can chat with who will have a calming effect on you. This step has been helpful for me. When I’m upset, I call Carey and we chat. Sometimes she calls me. Over the last few months, I’ve gathered a few friends who call me. We’re an informal support group.
angel with flowers
FIVE. Enjoy Reiki, or other bodywork modality, regularly I’m watching healing groups form in the area. People gather regularly to share and exchange their sessions. I cannot tell you how important these groups are. Peace. Calm. Lower Blood Pressure, Sleep………….
SIX. Get the what-ifs out of your life and your mind. These lists of fears can wreak havoc on your day. And, they will not save your situation. They are a waste of time which will get you nowhere. Instead, focus your energy on things you can manage.
SEVEN. Write something. This can be a memoir, a journal, a diary, a letter to the editor, a note to a friend you haven’t seen in awhile – whatever works for you. If you’ve never written anything before, now is a good time to begin. Don’t worry. Everybody has a first sentence or chapter or essay. I had one. I never wrote anything but my name before 2013. And, now I have 2 blogs and several books – one of which has been purchased by people in over three dozen countries!
When you begin to write, don’t be afraid of a blog. My first 2 blogs certainly kickstarted my career. I bought a book by Nina Amir: “How to Blog a Book”. I read this book and followed Nina Amir’s instructions.
EIGHT Stress and what-ifs are good invitations to develop our spiritual and religious lives. This is a good time to meet fear with a renewed trust in your spiritual and religious beliefs.
Sometimes reality can be downright scary. This week, meet the uncertainty and fear in your life with a renewed calm. Work your way down the list and see what item helps you the most.
And, finally, thank you for reading this blog post!
Thurman Greco.
Find out more at www.Thurmangreco.com.
You can also find out more about healing and many other things at this blog. Let’s Live is a program airing weekly in Woodstock, NY for about 20 years. Guests on the show are people who have become a part of Woodstock for a day, a week, a decade, or a lifetime.
I look forward to hearing from you about how you like the show.
Find out more about the books at www.thurmangreco.com
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How About a New Year Detox?
This year, my daughter and I gave my spouse an iPad for a holiday gift. We were all excited. Barry is now going to get to enjoy connecting with the world while sitting in his recliner with his feet up.
This piece of modern technology is a win for all of us. He’s enjoying the world and I’m enjoying seeing his feet elevated!
Technology makes so much of his daily experience: he is constantly on the phone, checking emails and social media pages, typing reports and filling out forms.
He is also continually absorbing electromagnetic waves from his electronic equipment.
Now, by the end of the day, he appears bleary-eyed. His skin looks pale. I’m willing to bet that his mind is on overload also. From the looks of things, his new iPad has a down side as well as an upside.
We finally all agreed with him that things were not necessarily what we hoped for. Having his feet elevated while entertaining himself was a goal but he was paying a price for all this fun.
He finally decided to schedule periodic brakes and time-outs. He scheduled detox brakes.
So, now, at a certain point in the day, he turns off his phone, iPad, laptop and all other electronic equipment. He removes his equipment from his area.
Now, instead, he takes time to visit with us, review his day, or reads a book or the New York Times.
This break refreshes him. He feels that he’s grounded and he realizes that there is more to his life than the contents of a screen or speaker.
A periodic digital detox works for us all in different ways. For example, if you’re working from home, it’s important to take detox breaks throughout the day to maintain your work production.
Actually, whatever project you may have going throughout the day will benefit from a digital detox break. If nothing else, leave your project for a few minutes and have a glass of water. Water has energizing effects which we all need throughout the day.
Beginning and ending your activities with a 10-minute Reiki or reflexology session will improve your project results. Even a short break is good to promote homeostasis, something our bodies all need.
Reflexology sessions relax, balance, and heal the whole body.
Everything always goes better with reflexology!
If you want to learn more about reflexology, check out our downloadable video “Reflexology for the Spirit”.
Download this reflexology video for a small donation. ENJOY!
Thanks for reading this article! My intention is that this blog post can be a conduit for your spiritual growth and healing.
Please share this post to friends and relatives. Forward it to your favorite social media network.
If you want to communicate with me, you can reach me at thurmangreco@gmail.com.
There are both reflexology and reiki segments on the YouTube channel.
This download is available for a donation. ENJOY!
If you haven’t read “Healer’s Handbook”, this may be a good opportunity for you to order a copy of either the 2nd or 3rd edition (Wellness for All).
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..
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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
3 Ways Self-Care Helps + 5 Things to Ease Your Toxic Overload
Self-care is part of my daily life. Practicing self-care develops personal happiness. It honors a balance between personal life and career.
Self-care offers things that are important in daily life. But, that’s not all. Self-care activities diminish burnout, stress, and fatigue.
Occasionally, I review my physical, mental, and spiritual toxicity to boost my self-care agenda. Actually, a toxicity review is good for everyone, whether or not self-care is the issue.
To pamper myself, I’ll declare a detox week.
Your body continually self-cleans. But, sometimes this process needs a focus and boost because of the hordes of chemicals confronting the liver, lungs, kidneys, fat cells, intestines, bloodstream, and skin.
Toxins come in many forms: too much sugar, caffeine, and processed foods.
They also invade us through pesticides in the produce we eat, formaldehyde in carpets and cosmetics, plastics, and paper products.
I’ll start off a detox week with a water flush, drinking filtered water to cleanse my tissues. (I normally drink filtered water but, with a detox week, I’ll add a variety of waters which I get at the health food store. I also drink some of the Saratoga Springs Waters.) And, I’ll alternate my water with herbal teas to support my liver, lymphatic system, bowels, urinary tract and skin.
DRINK 8 GLASSES OF WATER
DRINK 2 CUPS OF HERBAL TEA
For a fresh-air treat, I go to my local garden center and buy a new plant to help detox my home. I love ferns. Truthfully, I love any plant that I can grow. I started growing houseplants during the pandemic. I definitely don’t have a green thumb but I’ve managed to collect plants which are surviving in my home. The oxygen they produce is important.
GET A PLANT FOR FRESH AIR
My detox week includes a daily cleansing walk, a short 20-30 minute walk I take in my neighborhood to breathe fresh air and enjoy my community.
TAKE A 20-MINUTE WALK
Finally, I include breathing properly to dispel toxins and wastes. When I celebrate a detox week, I set aside time each day to practice deep, slow, rhythmic breathing. This clears my mind, lifts my energy, and boosts my mood.
TAKE 10 CLEANSING BREATHS
SCHEDULE A WEEKLY REIKI OR REFLEXOLOGY SESSION
Reiki and Reflexology work well with a detox week. Include one session for the week or, if time permits, include a daily session.
Thank you for reading this article. Please share it with your friends and family. Forward it to your favorite social media network.
Find out more about Thurman Greco at www.thurmangreco.com. You can purchase Thurman’s books in both ebook and paperbook form. ENJOY!
So far, “A Healer’s Handbook” has gone out to readers in over 30 countries.
Explore more about self-care in “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” YOUTUBE productions.
SARATOGA SPRINGS STATE PARK
PS – Because I live in the Hudson Valley of New York, I’m close enough to Saratoga Springs to benefit from the many mineral springs located throughout the Saratoga State Park. If you ever get the chance to visit this area, just north of Albany, be sure to visit a few of the springs. Maps are available as well as descriptions of the waters found at each one.
Tours of the springs are scheduled regularly. Join in the fun if you are in the area!
www.parks.ny.gov
Your Third Eye Chakra
Your third eye chakra has a lot to do with trust. The first thing you do with your third eye chakra is trust what you see. This means you develop trust in what is going on around you and what you focus on.
I don’t think what I just wrote is that clear to everyone but, a developed third eye chakra uses your grounded, logical thinking along with your intuitive experience.
This combination is necessary because if you rely exclusively on your logical thinking and reject your intuition, you won’t get the full picture.
A lot of your successful decision-making in life depends on knowing and understanding a wholistic set of facts and events leading up to the decisions you make.
This wholistic approach develops your mental clarity.
Wholistic decision-making works with your third eye chakra because your pituitary gland is located between your eyebrows in your sphenoid bone.
Much of your successful third eye functioning depends on practice – practice and trust.
I did two things to develop and trust my third eye chakra when I learned Reiki therapy from Mary Ruth Van Landingham in Vienna, Virginia.
Second, I developed and trusted my third eye chakra when I studied tarot card reading with a professional tarot card reader while I lived in Virginia.
I didn’t realize what was happening at the time but after several years, I couldn’t deny reality any longer.
All those mornings studying with Shoshana and all those Reiki classes with Mary Ruth Van Landingham changed my life.
Reiki therapy was instrumental in developing my trust and decision-making in life. Reiki taught me what I know about healing and the healing process.
Reiki taught me to see the world in a full spectrum way which included absorbing wisdom and information around me. I learned to connect to my inner energy to see things from different perspectives.
Tarot taught me about the importance of questions and the importance of the process.
Developing your third eye chakra can facilitate your inner knowing and your higher self.
When you work on your third eye chakra, meditation, and yoga can help.
And, finally, don’t overlook your need for clean, pure water.
Thank you for reading this article. Please refer it to your preferred social media network and share it with your friends.
You can find related information in several YOUTUBE articles.
You can also find more information in “Healer’s Handbook – Wellness for All”
Find out more at www.thurmangreco.com.
Many Reiki books are available. When I first studied Reiki therapy, I found fewer than half a dozen. Now, it seems there are thousands of Reiki books available..
I recommend two Tarot Card writers: Rachel Pollack and Avigayil Landsman.
Rachel Pollack’s books are fascinating. It’s hard to put one down when you begin reading it. That says a lot. Her books are filled with pages and pages of information.
A good first choice for Rachel Pollack’s books is “Tarot Wisdom.”
I also recommend Avigayil Landsman’s book, “Letters from Heaven.”
If you have a question or comment, please contact me at thurmangreco@gmail.com.
Thanks again!
A Throat Chakra Meditation – Know your Truth
Get comfortable and relax into peace and calm.
Take a few slow deep breaths.
Inhale slowly through your nose.
Exhale through your mouth.
As you breathe deeply, close your eyes. Encourage your whole body to settle down into the calm.
As you let go, feel lighter with each breath.
As you continue your breathing, you see an iridescent, pale blue light surrounding you. This light is encasing and protecting you.
You look around and see you are floating in the air while this light protects you. You drift higher and higher. You float through large puffy clouds.
You float even higher.
Soon you see the earth below as you float higher and higher in your own inner space. You continue your journey surrounded by a cocoon of bluish white light.
You feel comfortable in this cocoon.
As you float higher, you feel this bluish white light filling you with love and light and harmony and peace.
As you look around you, you notice a group of shadowy faces which are familiar. As you look more closely at these faces, you see glimmers of a person you love who has passed over. Then, you notice a face you know who is a guide for you. Everyone is smiling to see you.
You know in your heart that these beings have a message for you. You listen quietly and absorb healing wisdom and feelings.
You are blissful in a holy space of truth and wisdom. You feel blessed.
You accept the gifts of love and light and truth which you receive in this iridescent light space surrounding you.
You pause for a moment to receive a message of truth and wisdom now.
You take a moment to thank these beings for the truth and wisdom they share with you.
You feel a sense of gratitude. – You feel this gift so strongly that you send your gratitude forward as a healing to the earth.
You envision peace and calm and good health for all beings on earth.
The special blue light surrounding you begins its descent into your space now. You are grateful for the wisdom you experienced on this journey.
You know it is time for you to return to your room now. It is time for your special iridescent blue bubble to merge with the air of your place.
You know you can return to your special light of wisdom and truth whenever you want.
You send feelings of gratitude for this experience.
heart with wings
Thanks for reading this article.
More information about chakras can be found in previous blog posts.
Healer’s Handbook also has information about chakras.
Please forward this article to your preferred social media network and share it with your friends and relatives.
Find out more at www.thurmangreco.com.
You can reach me a thurmangreco@gmail.com or on Facebook.
Taking Charge of Your Health to Make a New Life
Take charge of your health.
An important decision you make for yourself, it’s one I celebrate! I want us all to become more conscious of ourselves and take charge of our own health.
Some of us reach this decision because of an event: injuries resulting from an accident or diseases experienced.
Some of us reach this decision because of experiences lived during the Pandemic.
And, some of us mature into this decision as an attitude toward our health.
Whatever the catalyst, deciding to be in charge of your health shifts your life’s path. It’s a reason to rejoice.
But now, what are you going to do about it?
Sometimes people come to my table after deciding to be in charge of their health. The idea is to give up the physician and replace her with a reflexologist. Frankly, this is not always the best decision.
When this happens, you are simply trading one coat for another. And, when this happens, you should be putting yourself in charge, not a reflexologist or acupuncturist or herbalist.
I have been in charge of my health care for years and rely on the training and wisdom of a nurse practitioner. Not only do I seek information and advice from her regularly, I tap into her information bank with every visit. She does blood tests. She schedules MRIs or x-rays or other tests.
She offers information, advice, and wisdom at every office visit.
And, certainly, if you are putting yourself in charge, you may find yourself going to a physician or reflexologist or acupuncturist or herbalist as often (or even more often) than before.
So, then what do you do?
BUILD A HEALTH CARE SUPPORT TEAM
This is a group of professionals who support you in your search for lifelong good health.
My team includes, among other specialists, a Reiki practitioner, a reflexologist, a massage therapist, a physical therapist, a yoga teacher, a podiatrist, a dentist, a periodontist, an allergist, a dermatologist, a sleep specialist, a fitness expert. a pharmacist.
I think you are getting the picture here.
LEARN HOW YOUR BODY WORKS
Buy some anatomy and physiology books. You are embarking on a new and wonderous journey!
Don’t be overwhelmed. Anatomy and physiology books come in all sizes and stripes. They even come in coloring books. Try them all. Especially the coloring books.
You may even want to take a class or two.
You’ll learn much.
While you travel on this wonderful spiritual journey, you are now on a path to learn things about yourself that you never even knew you might need to know.
Definitely use the skills of a reflexologist or reiki practitioner regularly. Weekly appointments are preferred.
Homeostasis opens many doors!
EAT THE BEST FOOD YOU CAN BUY
An important step to take when you manage your own health is to eat real food. A cornerstone of good health is the proper diet. There are many, many diets out there. Until you feel certain that you are eating the correct diet for you, rely on foods which have no additives, preservatives, colors, etc.
I’m sure you understand what it means to eat real food.
I’m certain that when you do finally feel you are eating the correct foods for your body, you will rely on real food.
MOVE
Your body was made to move. When you manage your own health, you know how important this is.
AND ON AND ON AND ON
The bottom line is that, as you take charge of your health care, you will develop resources and you will probably never stop learning.
Welcome!
Thank you for reading this wellness article. There are many related articles found in past blog posts.
You can also find related information on You Tube at “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” or “Take this Bread with Thurman Greco”. You Tube videos include interviews with nutritionists, reflexologists, Reiki masters.
Subscribe today and never miss an update on the latest, as well as vintage, shows.
My book “Healer’s Handbook” has wellness information for you. It’s both interesting and readable.
You can also reach me at thurmangreco@gmail.com.
Please refer this article to your preferred social media network. Share it with a friend.
Thanks again!
Thurman Greco
Dieting? Water Works to the Rescue! – 5 Tips and 2 Secrets .
DO NOT FINISH
So, what does that mean?
Finding the best beverages to support your weight loss is crucial. Like everything else you eat or drink or do, there are a few pointers: Water works!
- Stop drinking anything with calories.
2. Get sodas and diet sodas out of your life today!
But, it’s one thing to read Do Not Drink Sodas or Diet Sodas. It’s another thing altogether to replace this habit with something better.
3. Begin by drinking water, infused water, and/or strained, homemade broth.
The truth is that you have more options than you thought. All those different brands of water on the shelf have different flavors. Check them out. Find the one you like best.
Beyond that, stevia drops can enhance your water choices.
Try out decaffeinated herbal tea and broths prepared without MSG.
When I lived in the Washington, D.C., metro area, several friends of mine were patients of a weight-loss physician. He guided them through a successful diet program.
His secret? Drink 50 glasses of water a day, every day. Can’t go his guideline?
4. Drink at least 80 ounces of fluids daily.
So what does that mean? Water works!
It means you carry a water bottle and drink from it all day.
5. Skip beverages during meals because liquids can move your food out of your stomach too fast. When this happens, you have a smaller opportunity to feel full from your meal.
6. Does food make you thirsty? Wait 20-30 minutes after your meal and then enjoy your water to your heart’s content.
TWO WEIGHT LOSS SECRETS:
Begin every meal well-hydrated. You feel less hungry when you are thirsty. Water Works!
Begin each meal with a reiki therapy or reflexology session. It doesn’t have to be an hour long, or even a half hour long. A 10-15 minute session, or even a 5 minutes session can be enough to calm your mealtimeCalm meals encourage a more successful diet.
Thank you for reading this blog post.
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Thurman Greco
reflexologyforthespirit@gmail.com
