By Tracy Schruder

I firmly believe that everyone should understand that our words have consequences. We can never escape our tongues so, use it wisely. Communicating honestly through talking is the best way to show our true selves. Being truthful in our interactions is paramount. Truth is a divine energy that exists for our highest good, and it’s unchangeable.

Dishonesty or lying is detrimental to our overall well-being, not because of external consequences, but because of the internal toll it takes.

When we lie, we don’t just create a false narrative; we also have to maintain it. We have to remember the lie, the backstory, and the details that support it. This is an extremely draining process. The fear of being exposed, the guilt, and the shame that follows can be overwhelming. We judge ourselves on our readiness to defend the lie, and this constant stress pulls us out of the magic of honesty in our lives.

On the other hand, honesty brings freedom. When we speak truthfully, the right words come to us naturally. We don’t have to worry about maintaining a facade or defending a lie. We can be present, and we have faith in our words because we know they’re true.

Lies can deeply hurt people, not just the person being lied to, but also the person telling the lie. When we’re on the receiving end of a lie, we can feel it in our gut. It can be emotionally draining to listen to the lie and the elaborate story that supports it. Sometimes, it’s hard to confront a liar, especially if it’s someone we love. We might feel embarrassed for them or worried about causing a rift.

Telling lies about someone else is a destructive form of communication that often stems from jealousy or feelings of inadequacy. It can wreck reputations, destroy relationships, and once trust is lost, it’s hard to regain.

Being honest with ourselves is the first step to being honest with others. When we lie to ourselves, we create a disconnect with our higher selves and others. It’s a dirty feeling with a host of negative side effects. On the other hand, purging lies and telling the truth can be incredibly rewarding. When we become truthful, we can be forgiven, not just by others, but also by our higher selves, as well. We come to understand the value of honesty and its freeing energy.

The truth always comes out, and it’s essential to respect its power. Reality is what it is, and it has its own power in truth. We fall short of that power when we try to manipulate it. I believe that honesty is something we should all strive for, despite any perceived gains we might think we can achieve by bending the truth.

By Tracy Schruder

To me, being a kid at heart means living in a state of wonder and awe. From my experience, kids typically live in the present moment – that is, if they’re untouched by harm and abuse. I remember my childhood as if I never grew up. Growing up in the seventies, I learned valuable lessons.

My parents, raised with strict discipline, were taught “spare the rod and spoil the child.” They were disciplined through violence and, as young parents, they could only raise us with the knowledge they had.

However, they learned and grew. Through their own suffering and heartache, watching their children struggle, they realized that there had to be a better way. It hurt them deeply to resort to physical discipline, but they did what they thought was best. As they grew older and wiser, they adapted their approach. By the time the fourth and fifth child came along, they had mellowed out significantly. Grounding and making us sit out special events became the new standard, and discipline was wielded with compassion and understanding.

I was fortunate to have experienced a shift in their parenting style during my childhood. As a result, I was able to enjoy my youth and develop my own personality. My sense of curiosity knew no bounds, and I was a vacuum, soaking up every experience and capitalizing on them.

I became a very creative child, with an imagination that often left me in a state of awe. I loved living in the moment, accepting each one with wonder and excitement. Painting, crafting, and taking pictures were favorite pastimes, and I enjoyed writing long, imaginative stories.

I never lost that sense of wonder, and I believe that’s what it means to be a kid at heart. It’s about embracing life with curiosity and awe, never letting go of the magic that makes childhood so special. And, as they say, being a kid at heart just means I’ve got a bigger imagination – and now I have an income to indulge it!

By Tracy Schruder

What would I wish for if I had three magic genie wishes? I know that true fulfillment doesn’t come from personal gain. I believe that it comes from the well-being and freedom of all. The three wishes that spoke clearly to me today, echoing from my heart are –

💫 Wish #1: That Everyone Has a Full Belly

I imagine a world where no one has to suffer from hunger or thirst. Where every individual and creature, has access to nutritious food and clean water. For people, a place where mealtime is a time for joy, connection, and gratitude. This wish isn’t only about sustenance; it’s also about dignity, health, and building thriving communities. If everyone has a full belly, we can create a foundation for a more compassionate and conscious society.

💫💫Wish #2: That Everyone Has a Warm, Loving Home

A home is more than just a roof over our heads: it’s a sanctuary where love, safety, and support reside. My second wish is for every person to have a warm, loving home that provides comfort and security. Imagine a world where families can gather around the dinner table, where children feel safe to dream, and where the elderly are cherished. Providing a loving home for all members of the community.

💫💫💫Wish #3: That Everyone Becomes Conscious and Free from Bondage to Money and Material

In a world obsessed with material wealth and possessions, it’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of consumption. My third wish is for people to awaken to a more conscious way of living. I visualize a world where people are free to pursue their passions and live in harmony with nature. Giving up listening and responding to the ego. Free from the materialism dictating their worth. By breaking free from the bondage of money and material possessions. We have the potential to rediscover what truly matters: love, connection, and the beauty of the present moment.

These three wishes are interconnected and interdependent. When everyone’s basic needs are met, and they feel safe and loved, they are more likely to cultivate a deeper sense of consciousness and purpose.

By Tracy Schruder

I would like to describe a very dear, member of my family, my cat Tygrr. He is a Flampoint Himalayan cat. He is the little brother to my older cat Gracee.

Gracee came from the same breeder. We got her in 2011. When they just started out in the business. She’s so sweet!

Tygrr came into our lives on October 08, 2015. We rescued him from this breeder, who wanted to put him down. 😔 I had to have him. Tygrr was the result of over breeding and had a host of biological issues. However, he didn’t have any problems serious enough, that he couldn’t be cured or treated. When we brought him home he was only for weeks old. We had to feed him cat milk for six more weeks, every four hours, every day. He was very weak and very small.

It was a bit of a bonding experience for me. Because I had to feed him every four hours, including throughout the night, I felt like I was caring for a baby. I managed okay but I had some tired days at work until it was done. It made me love him even more. I was happy to see him get stronger. I was even happier when he started eating solid food.

Once he was strong enough, he went to the vet for his first of two surgeries. After each one, he would need eight weeks to recover. We tried to put a cone on him, to prevent him from chewing on the stitches but he wouldn’t have it. He was very good and never bothered the stitches. He was able to recover in tip top shape.

He grew quickly and began to live – a somewhat normal – life. That was until last year. We took him in for his yearly check up and after blood work & X-rays, it was determined that he had a breathing disorder. Turns out that the over breeding had caused him to be born with a very flat face. His nasal passages are very small and his skull, very thick.

He has to take steroids to help him breathe. It’s working well but eventually, we will have to change over to a ventilator. It’s okay because I don’t mind caring for him. It’s not okay because it didn’t have to be this way, had the breeder not overbreed his animals. I know this because Gracee is absolutely perfect in breed and in health.

He always looks a mess. It doesn’t matter how much I wash his face or comb him out. His eyes are very weepy and they need constant attention. This is because of the flat face, I’m told. We do our best to keep him handsome. I guess you can call him a handsome mess 😹. Gracee doesn’t have the same issue, she’s very low maintenance. She’s so pretty 😻.

Tygrr is very loving and playful. He has a very gentle personality. He doesn’t like other people much but he loves me to pieces. Very cuddly but doesn’t like to be picked up. He comes to you. He loves catnip and teasing his cat – sis. He always steals the attention, jumping up to steal the spots on the couch beside me and pushing Gracee out of the way. Sometimes, she will give him a little swat and refuse to move. That works out too. I guess that I couldn’t write about Tygrr, without bringing up Gracee. The are good buddies and lifelong pals. I love my fur family. 😻

By Tracy Schruder

My favorite form of physical exercise is Qi-Gong (pronounced “chee-gung”), an ancient Chinese practice that harmoniously combines slow, flowing movements, deep breathing, and meditation. This powerful combination cultivates balance in the body’s energy source, or “qi,” and has the potential to improve physical health, enhance balance, flexibility, and strength. The slow, meditative movements calm my mind, relax my body, and improve my focus, concentration, and overall mental well-being.

Here are some of my favorite Qi-Gong exercises, along with step-by-step instructions:

• Embracing the Tree: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms relaxed, and breathe deeply, feeling the energy flow.
• Wave Hands Like Clouds: Move your hands in a wave-like motion, palms facing down, to balance and harmonize your energy.
• Golden Rooster: Stand on one leg, arms extended, and focus on balance and inner stability.
• Sweeping Arms: Hold arms at shoulder height and sweep them in a wide circle, promoting flexibility and energy flow.
• Turtle Breathing: Sit or stand with hands on belly, breathing deeply and slowly, like a turtle.
• Eight Brocades: A series of eight movements that promote balance, flexibility, and inner energy.

Through regular Qi-Gong practice, I’ve noticed significant improvements in my concentration, mental clarity, and overall my physical fitness. The slow, steady movements prepare me to face the challenges of the day ahead with physical and mental strength, calmness, clarity, and confidence.

By Tracy Schruder

How much would I pay to go to the moon? The cost of going to the moon is much more than financial. It could cost you, your very life. I have a deep respect for astronauts and their bravery. I don’t think that, even if I was filthy rich, I would rocket out into space in a tin can. I just don’t have that kind of grit.

There’s a admiration inside me for the timeless beauty of the moon. I have photographed it, on several occasions and at various stages. I could stand outside, all night long, just looking at it.

The moon is both mysterious and powerful. It has the power to move oceans. It has the power alter moods and perceptions. When it’s full, lunacy becomes us. We are all affected by the moon’s cycles. Although, in some people, it’s more evident.

I’ll opt out of this one. I’ll just remain here on Earth 🌍 I’ll keep my money. Although, I will enjoy the mystical beauty and mystery, of the moon from here.

By Tracy Schruder

The food that I would say is my specialty is my homemade spaghetti sauce! It brings out my Italian side when cook it. I start my sauce with a batch of fresh plum tomatoes. After they are boiled down, I start adding my secret blend of special herbs and spices. Most of which I’ve grown or made myself.

I can’t share my herb and spice recipe because – like an old Italian mob boss might say, “You could be dining with the fishes!” As the old saying goes, “if I tell you I’d have to kill you!” 😂

Whoa, that’s funny, my Italian side just manifested. Yes, a tiny side note to proclaim that I have Italian blood running through my veins. My great grandmother was a Carbino, and anyone who’s watched a good mob movie knows that name.

Back to the sauce – After blending my tomato base with my secret herbs and spices, I brown up some medium ground beef. Once combined, I then cook up some red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, sweet onion, and garlic separately for a few minutes or until the onions are soft. I put it all together with a can of tomato paste and simmer it all day until super time.

Next, I make up my garlic butter. This is done by wrapping a clove of garlic, drizzling it with some olive oil in tin foil, and roasting it in the oven for fifteen to twenty minutes or until the garlic pops out of the skins with no effort. I mince it and add it to a half pound of room temp butter and add some parsley. I toast Italian bread and cover it in the garlic butter I prepared. Then I grate some mozzarella cheese and put it in the toast, then it’s in the oven to broil until the cheese is browned.

I put a pot water on the stove with a tablespoon of olive oil and some salt and bring it to a boil. I add the pasta. I use spaghettini because it’s delicious and only takes eight minutes to cook – the same amount of time as the garlic bread takes to brown up in the oven.

Add a healthy helping of Parmesan Cheese, sprinkled on top to finish off this tasty meal.

This is always a hit meal for my family. I’ve made it for my extended family as well, and everyone, even my sister who doesn’t like tomatoes, loves it.