Category: Uncategorized

What makes a good neighbor?

By Tracy Schruder

I live in the country. I moved here to enjoy the privacy that goes along with it. I’m a nature lover and spend a lot of time, outside in my beautiful backyard.

The location is perfect to watch the sun rise every morning.

My Neighbours enjoy the same things. We share the same ideals when it comes to privacy.

There is a heavy row of trees that separate our properties. Planted by the previous owner of this house.

My Neighbours lived here for thirty years before we moved in. They welcomed us when we moved here and left an open invitation to get together for coffee anytime. If there’s a party going on, there’s always a notification and an invitation. They are nice people. Although we’ve never taken them up on their offers nor they, ours, there’s a silent understanding and a deep respect for the privacy we both came here for. We’ve never had to reach out for help, them either but we are there for each other none the less. To me that’s what makes a good neighbour and I’m extremely grateful to mine.

What could you try for the first time?

By Tracy Schruder

I’ve always admired watercolour paintings. As an artist, I’ve always used either acrylic or oil paints. I relish the idea of creating a painting with watercolour paints. Writing this blog has inspired me to do this today. I have a nice palette of various colours that I’ve never used and today, I will crack the seal. I truly enjoy trying different paint mediums. I’m excited to see the results.

The only question now is “ paper or canvas ?” I think that I will choose canvas.

After preparing all of my supplies; rinsing water, clean water, various brushes, canvas and water paint pallets, I’m ready to get to work. I’ve aligned my drawing table, set up my chair and turned my imagination into high gear. What should I create? A local landscape? Maybe, something a little more unique, like the old, falling down barn from up the road? It has an interesting perspective, like a will of sorts, to keep on standing. Even though it’s foundation has sunken into the ground, deeply on the south side. I imagine the history of that simple building. It once was sturdy and strong. A home for many domestic creatures, over its lifetime. It radiates a memory of days of old, when local farms were abundant, here. When driving up this country road sent odours of cow manure and hay, through the open windows and up your nose. Yes, that’s what I will paint, I will paint the Barn. I will do my best to capture the feelings it invokes and give it the creative credit it deserves. In conclusion, today I will try to paint a painting with watercolour paints, for the first time.

What principles define how you live?

By Tracy Schruder

I live by three sets of principles; work, private and public. The defining factors present themselves as they come.

My work principals come from my extensive training and the rules that govern my reiki practice they are:

Just for today, do not anger, Just for today, do not worry, Just for today, be grateful, Just for today, do your work honestly, and Just for today, be kind to all living things.

My private principles come from living and learning and doing what is best for my highest good. They are,

Self-Awareness, I recognize my strengths, weaknesses, values, and emotions.

Self-Discipline, I practice self-control, self-regulation, and personal responsibility.

Authenticity, I’m always true to myself , my values, and my beliefs.

Resilience, I’m always developing coping strategies and I learn from my setbacks and failures. Gratitude, I cultivate appreciation and thankfulness for life’s blessings and opportunities.

My public principles come from how I respond to the people around me in public places. They are; Respect, I treat others with kindness, consideration, and dignity.

Integrity, I act with honesty, transparency, and ethics in all interactions.

Responsibility, I take ownership of my actions and their consequences.

Empathy, I strive to understand and appreciate different perspectives and experiences. Accountability, I am answerable for my actions and decisions.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

By Tracy Schruder

The Best painting advice I ever received was Trust the medium – Use less.

When I first started painting, some of my canvas pieces finished up like sculptures. I used only oil paints and was extremely inexperienced with that medium. I was heavy on the paint, utilizing the wet-on-wet technique, which involves applying liquid white or black and oil paints directly onto wet paint. I really enjoyed using my brushes, but I especially enjoyed using the palette knife. Like most people, I started out with a Bob Ross tutorial. I learned how to create spectacular skies and would use the palette knife to craft landscape paintings. I particularly enjoyed doing mountain scenes with streams. I often employed the breaking-the-paint technique using my palette knife.

As I was inexperienced, I used a ton of paint, making my paintings beautiful but thick and heavy. I was afraid to use less, I guess. When I sold my first painting, I was ecstatic. It was a landscape scene from a location in Lanark, Ontario. It depicted a beautiful double waterfall cascading off a rocky mountain area, with a lot of rocks and foliage – it was a challenging piece. It was a commissioned piece, and the client chose the location and provided me with a photo. Its size was 80×36 inch canvas. It turned out beautifully, and paradoxically, I learned not to be afraid of the paint and gained the faith to use less.

I bought fresh supplies and a big bottle of paint thinner. It was the first piece I ever completed without it looming like a sculpture. I used far less paint and had greater success; the canvas finished up with texture and depth without that thick, bulky look. Today, I’m much more confident, and I use all different mediums and tools to complete my art.

Today I painted this piece called ‘The Woods’. It’s an 18×24 inch acrylic on canvas.

Thanks for reading 😊

🩵 Tracy 🩵

What things give you energy?

By Tracy Schruder

Hand mudras are my go-to for recharging my energy. They’re easy and convenient and don’t take up a lot of time. They can be done anywhere and anytime. I often use these mudras when I’m required to speak in public, teaching my students or clients, during a regular conversation or simply sitting quietly, in my car, during a traffic jam. They bring me relief during and after challenging situations or disagreements. I clear my mind and am able to offer a more conscientious response to problems. I enjoy using and teaching hand mudras and mantras to anyone who is interested in learning them. I have a lot of faith in their effectiveness because on my own experiences with practicing them. I’ve also observed important people such as presidents and actors use these mudras during interviews and speeches. However, the public often mistakes Hand Mudras for something else, like freemason or devil worship symbols. I can only assume that it’s likely due to a lack of knowledge about this ancient technique, or simply for entertainment purposes.

Hand mudras are symbolic gestures made with the hands and fingers that influence the body’s energy flow, promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. They’re rooted in yoga and ancient Eastern traditions.

Hand Mudras and Benefits;
Energy Recharge:
Mudras can help replenish and balance your energy.
Convenience:
As I’ve noted, they can be practiced anywhere, anytime.
Stress Relief:
Certain mudras help alleviate stress and anxiety.
Mental Clarity:
Mudras can promote a clearer, more focused mind.
Physical Health:

Various mudras target specific health benefits.

1. Gyan Mudra:
   Enhances memory, concentration, and gives a sense of security.
2. Apana Mudra:
   Helpful for diabetes, constipation, and strengthens leg joints.
3. Prana Mudra:
   Prevents hair fall, increases lung efficiency.
4. Surya Mudra:
   Aids weight loss, maintains metabolism, reduces cholesterol.
5. Varun Mudra:
   Helpful for dehydration, clears blood, and promotes skin glow.
6. Apana Vayu Mudra:
   Beneficial for heart problems, prevents heart attack, improves digestion.
7. Shunya Mudra:
   Treats ear-related issues, cures numbness, motion sickness.
8. Rudra Mudra:
   Cures dizziness, lowers blood pressure, burns belly fat.
9. Adi Mudra:
   Increases oxygen flow in blood, gives mental clarity.
10. Anjali Mudra:
    Balances left and right hemispheres, improves focus.
11. Akash Mudra:
    Helpful for migraine, hearing loss, calcium deficiency.
12. Padma Mudra:
    Brings creativity, calms anxiety, balances heart chakra.
13. Ganesha Mudra:
    Increases lung capacity, reduces neck pain, boosts self-confidence.
14. Vajra Mudra:
    Removes muscle stiffness, detoxes lungs.
15. Vayu Mudra:
    Overcomes gastric problems, builds immunity.
16. Shakti Mudra:
    Helpful for sleeplessness, urinary and menstrual discomforts.
17. Abhaya Mudra:
    Helps conquer fear, settles emotions.
18. Dhyana Mudra:
    Deepens meditation, activates brain hemispheres.
19. Prithvi Mudra:
    Aids weight gain, heals body tissues.
20. Bhairava Mudra:
    Soothes anxiety, stress, mood swings.

Practice Tips

• Sit comfortably with a straight spine.
• Rub hands to activate energy.
• Form the mudra with fingers as described.
• Hold for 5-20 minutes, focusing on breath or intention.
• Practice regularly for cumulative benefits.

Conclusion
I use hand mudras and mantras recharge my energy and help me to move forward with confidence and clarity. I also use them during Chakra cleansing or activation sessions. I highly recommend them as a simple and effective technique to anyone who wants to get an energy boost without too much hassle.
Thanks for Stopping by
🩵 Tracy 🩵

What’s your all-time favorite album?

By Tracy Schruder

This is my all – time favourite album. I listen to it when I’m meditating.

I have this album playing in the background when performing a Reiki treatments. I believe it enhances the session by heightening the sensory experiences. Plus my clients tell me that they enjoy it, as well.

I often enjoy listening to it when I’m doing mundane tasks such as cleaning or gardening. This albums beautiful mix of vibrations and tones takes the monotony out my daily tasks.

Thanks for stopping by

🩵 Tracy 🩵

Which topics would you like to be more informed about?

By Tracy Schruder

The topics that I would like to be more informed about are the ones that are about good news. I really miss reading the local newspaper. We used to receive a weekly free newspaper every Thursday in our area, but they shut down three years ago, citing a lack of interest and advertising dollars. I even worked for the company for ten years, off and on, in the distribution department. It was sad to see the end of this company. Hundreds of employees lost their jobs, and thousands of recipients lost their weekly local news.

Within the pages of this newspaper was a classified section, which included wedding, birthday, and other pleasant announcements. There was an events page and local stories about people doing good things and charity work. Before the digital world took over, this is how we learned about the goings-on around our community. I recall black fingers from the ink and the subtle scent of newsprint, passed around among the members of the family until its final resting place down by the wood stove, to be used to light the kindling on cool winter mornings.

I miss the local news stations covering local events and good news about local people. It’s all politics now, so there is definitely a sense of loss when it comes to reading and hearing about good news. My wish is to see the paper come back to town. There is some hope of their return, as they were responsible for providing flyers for local sales at stores. This responsibility fell to our local letter carriers, and we have just been informed that they will no longer be delivering flyers. Someone has to do it, as not everyone uses the internet to seek out sales. Fingers crossed.

If not, then possibly someone else will reopen the plant and start printing the local paper again. I’m on board to be a supporter and even an employee – either as a reporter or a flyer stuffer; it wouldn’t really matter to me as long as it takes off again. In conclusion, I would like to hear more about good news – good news that the paper is up and running again to share all the good news about what is going on in our community.

Thanks for stopping by

🩵 Tracy 🩵

Write about your most epic baking or cooking fail.

By Tracy Schruder

My most epic cooking fail was the time I made pancakes from scratch. I mistakenly used baking soda instead of baking powder . My pancakes had never looked so tasty. They came off of the grill, golden brown and crispy and everyone couldn’t wait to dig into them. My plate was stacked and I admired the butter and syrup as it flowed down the sides and into the fluffy cracks and bubbles. I plunged my knife into them cutting a perfect mouth full but as soon as I put them in my mouth, I spit them out. “Gross!, What the heck! They looked so good.” I exclaimed! ‘What did I do wrong?’ I thought to myself. I headed to the kitchen to trash the unwanted masterpiece and whip up another batch when I discovered the culprit, Baking soda! Argh!

Thanks for stopping by! 😊

🩵 Tracy 🩵

How do you celebrate holidays?

By Tracy Schruder

Holidays aren’t what they used to be. The remarkable women who once orchestrated big, beautiful gatherings – our grandmothers and mothers, the family matriarchs – held a special place in bringing everyone together with joy and commitment. They were the glue that held the family, celebrations, and holidays together. I think back to my mom, who for over 50 years, put together the home, the meal, the dessert, and the entertainment all on her own. There was never a need for caterers or Disc Jockeys. She learned this tradition from her mother and grandmother, and those strong women who came before her. We had profound respect for these amazing women, and we showed up for them.

Since my mom has passed away, no one has picked up the tradition. Our family no longer celebrates together in the same way, though we have our own celebrations with our individual families – and anyone from the wider family who wants to be there is always welcome, come what may. We do our best to make the best of everything, but it’s not the same. Years are flipping by, and children are growing up quickly. Because we no longer gather on holidays and special occasions, we’re no longer as familiar with each other. Children are forgetting who their aunts and uncles are and don’t know their cousins – a far cry from how we were raised.

I’m close with all my cousins, and it makes me sad that this next generation won’t know each other and feel the joys of the friendships and bonds that can be created. I basically celebrate holidays by the seat of my pants these days, with hope that we can all get together again and rekindle the traditions laid out by the matriarchs who built this family.

Thank you for reading 😊

🩵 Tracy 🩵