Tag: Life

  • The Nose Knows #4: Scent of Liberation

    By Tracy Schruder

    I’ve been untangling the threads of family – expectations, silence, love unspoken. And guess what I’ve sniffed out?

    Freedom. Like rain on reclaimed cedar, it washes away what’s not meant to be. My nose leads me to now, where mountains whisper truths and kitties purr wisdom.

  • Forest of Life

    By Tracy Schruder

    Walking through the forest deep
    The sky so dark, the moon so bleak
    The crusted snow crumbles beneath my feet
    With each step forward, closer I become
    To the grand opening before me

    High up above, streams trickle through your walls
    Each sound and twinkle leading to the falls
    Bare feet in the snow, and feeling no cold
    Toes dig in slightly, leaving a melted hole

    A slow, deep breath, lungs full and grown
    Exhale ever so slightly, keeping my head in my goal

  • My Shadow And I

    By Tracy Schruder

    My shadow is my friend. I am not my shadow, yet it is a part of me. I bring into the light that which is hidden. Not revealing her means certain darkness.

    I face all circumstances and situations that come to mind – the dark places where I’ve caused harm to others, and the even darker places where harm was done to me.

    I move forward into my mirror, I break the looping horrors dead in the head.

    I let the pain and fear wash through me. I learn what true forgiveness is. I let it be, intentionally.

    My shadow is my friend, my darker, harder friend. We carry on together, to reach a higher high and to bleed tears from our faces, because we alone know why.

  • The Soft Breeze Between My Feathers

    By Tracy Schruder

    I often find it difficult to express my gratitude to those who fuel my enthusiasm with their love and support. I never feel I’m giving enough.

    The rewards in my life are many, continuously unfolding into the next present moment, ideas anew, downloading from the cosmos, inspired by folks like you.

    A simple like on my blog and your supportive comments warm my heart. It’s the tiny things that stir the breeze.

    A successful Reiki student or a client in relief, all take place beneath my feathers, so deep. When I see you don my jewelry around your necks and wrists, you carry with you my wish that it can always bring you bliss.

    I fly so high above in the sky so icy blue,
    Because of the soft breeze sent to me, from you.

  • A World Where Food and Water are Human Rights: A Hypothesis

    By Tracy Schruder

    My students and I, recently explored a bold hypothesis: what if food and water were considered fundamental human rights, being accessible to all?

    This idea sparked this blog post within we discuss the possibilities and implications of this vision, and how we can work together to make it into a reality.

    The Hypothesis

    Imagine a world where every person has access to nutritious food and clean water. A world where communities come together to grow and share food together and independently, fostering solid connections and a sense of accomplishment. To manufacture a new world where crime rates decrease, and people are free to pursue their dreams and goals, rather than struggling to survive.

    This vision is built on the idea that every individual has the right and entitlement to basic necessities like food and water. It envisions community-led initiatives, urban agriculture, and green spaces that provide fresh produce and promote environmental sustainability.

    The Power of Collective Consciousness

    As we explored this hypothesis, it became clear that a change in consciousness is necessary to make this vision a reality. We need a complete shift from a scarcity mindset to one of prosperity and abundance. We clearly recognizing the inherent value of all individuals and the interconnectedness of our world.

    Just by envisioning and discussing this possibility, we’re contributing to its emergence into reality. Through our thoughts, emotions, intentions, and conversations can shape the world we live in. As one of my students put it, “This dream starts with me.” I seconded that motion with a confident “Me Too!”

    Creating Change

    So, what can we do to bring this vision to life? We can start by cultivating a change in consciousness, recognizing the value of community and cooperation, and prioritizing human well-being and planetary health.

    Some potential strategies include:

    • Community-led initiatives and urban agriculture projects such as planting fruit trees along sidewalks and in public parks
    • Education and training in sustainable agriculture and food preservation such as revisiting how grandma canned food and dried food relearning how to preserve
    • Cooperative models for community gardens and food systems such as building the technology to organize and assemble sustainable watering systems and greenhouses
    • Advocating for policy changes that support food and water as human rights by recruiting members of parliament or becoming members changing policies and laws

    The Role of Spirituality and Personal Growth

    As we work towards creating systemic change, it’s essential to prioritize personal growth and spirituality. By cultivating inner peace, compassion, and clarity, we can sustain ourselves through the challenges of creating change and become more effective agents of transformation.

    A Call to Action

    We invite you to join us in exploring this vision and working towards a world where food and water are human rights. Share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with us. Let’s co-create a future that prioritizes human well-being, community, and the health of our planet.

    Final Thoughts

    As we conclude this exploration, we’re reminded that the power to create change lies within each of us. By envisioning a better world and taking action, we can bring about a brighter future for all. Let’s continue to imagine, visualize, inspire, and co-create a world where everyone has access to the basic necessities of life.

  • The Vibrational Energy of Singing

    By Tracy Schruder

    “I’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that singing brings desired realities into form. This intuition likely stems from the songs of the Irish elderly women in my family. They embodied the rich tradition of singing while they work. Their songs were an instrument that amplified the power of music. Through the songs that accompanied every task, everything from domestic chores to working in the fields.

    As I sit back and remember, I can almost hear my mother’s voice. Every word – up beat and full of charm, and chime.

    I remember the way she would sing while cooking, adding her voice as a special spice. Mom always sang over the food she was preparing. Her songs sang during cleaning, or tending to the garden, often had word’s filled with inspiration and instructions. Our days were often filled with song. Even her criticisms and humor were laced with melody. It sounded as if music was woven into the very fabric of her being. It was a way of life that infused every moment with meaning and connection.

    Me and mom

    This tradition of singing while working is a legacy that dates back centuries in Ireland, where women played a vital role in keeping music alive.

    They would sing while spinning, weaving, and working on traditional crafts, their voices lifting the spirits of those around them. The songs they sang told stories of love, hardship, and everyday life, preserving Irish culture and tradition. For these women, singing wasn’t just a way to pass the time; it was a way to create, to manifest, and to connect. It was a way to bring desired realities into form, to weave magic into the everyday. And it’s this legacy that has stayed with me, influencing my own understanding of the power of music and its ability to shape our lives.

    In the end, it’s clear that singing is more than just a form of self-expression – it’s a powerful tool for shaping our reality. When we sing, we tap into a vibrational energy that resonates with our deepest desires and intentions.

    We weave a spell of possibility, casting a net of sound and vibration into the universe. And as we do, we begin to notice synchronicities, coincidences, and unexpected opportunities unfolding before us. It’s as if the universe itself is responding to the frequency of our song, bringing our desires into form and manifesting our dreams.

    In this way, singing becomes a sort of magic, a way to alchemize our intentions into reality. And it’s this magic that I believe we all have the power to tap into, whenever we choose to sing.”

    💫✍️💫
  • Crones Amongst Us

    By Tracy Schruder

    “I come from a long line of spiritual and holistic women, whose homes were centered around the warmth and love of the hearth. In our ancestral homes, cauldrons would simmer on wood-burning cook stoves, filling the air with moisture and fragrant aromas. Every item was handmade with love and care, from the brooms to the remedies.

    My birch bark Bassoon (broom)

    Our family’s treasured book of teachings was passed down through generations, containing recipes, notes on natural plants and their healing properties, and secrets of teas and potions.

    Homemade Tea
    Some herbs and spices
    Homemade smoke sticks
    Lavender smudge
    Spell kits

    This sacred book was typically entrusted to only two female members of each generation, and my mother was one of them. She passed it down to my sister and me, and with it, the responsibility of carrying on our family’s traditions. As holders of the hearth, we’ve been blessed with special abilities that have been passed down through our lineage.

    My Tarot
    My pendulums
    I make bracelets
    My Red Pine wand

    We can see auras, read tea leaves, and tap into the wisdom of tarot cards. We’re oracles, sensing things that others might not, and we’ve learned to cultivate kindness, empathy, and compassion.

    These gifts came naturally to us, and I’ve been honored to continue my mother’s legacy.

    Moms staff -an ancient Hollywood tree root

    When mom passed away, I received her trusty staff, her poetry, and her writing. I inherited her recipes and secret spice list, and I’ve been working to preserve her traditions. But what’s even more remarkable is that my mother stayed with us for at least two years after she passed, watching over us from just out of sight. We’d catch glimpses of her from the corner of our eye, and I even captured a sign from her in a photograph – a message in the clouds that let us know she was okay.

    Look closely says mom and I see an image of her in there too.

    My mother used to share with us her dreams of her mother and grandmother, who would visit her and guide her through life’s challenges. During a surgery, she told us that she saw her mom and grandmother, who waved goodbye and told her it wasn’t time yet. These experiences have deepened my connection to the spiritual realm and my understanding of the mysteries of life and death.

    My beautiful mother

    For me, the hearth represents a place of love, nourishment, and spiritual growth. Besides my Reiki practice, I find joy in creating teas and homemade remedies, and I love crafting spell packages for my clients and customers.

    I’m guided by my reverence for the universe and the divine power that flows through me. Though I’m just a spark of the divine, I’m proud to be a part of this lineage, carrying on the traditions and wisdom of my ancestors.”

    Meandering Oil and acrylic on canvas painting by me
  • Some People Can’t Handle Love

    By Tracy Schruder

    Have you ever poured your heart out to someone, only to watch the relationship crumble before your eyes?

    As a member of Generation X, I was raised with values that seem almost foreign in today’s world. We were taught to be kind, helpful, and compassionate towards others, especially those with greater challenges. We were encouraged to lend a helping hand, to love our neighbors, and to look out for one another.

    But somewhere along the line, things changed. The world shifted, and values that were once second nature to us seem to have been lost. We’re now living in a world where brokenness is normalized, and genuine love and support are often met with skepticism. People are self-excluding, ghosting, and scoffing at boundaries. It’s as if we’ve forgotten how to receive and give love without conditions.

    When you pour your heart out to someone, and they’re unable to receive it, it can be an incredibly hurtful experience. It’s like speaking a foreign language. In a world where vulnerability is often seen as a weakness, it’s no wonder people are shutting down, toughening up, and pushing others away.

    But here’s the thing: hate doesn’t exist. It’s not a presence; it’s an absence of love. It’s a space where loneliness and confusion reside, a void that seems impossible to fill. But I believe that void can be filled with love.

    My generation may have been bruised by the world’s changes, but we still know how to love. We still lend a hand to those in need, still show compassion to the less fortunate, and still have a deep respect for our families. And I believe that’s what will ultimately heal this world.

    To those who can’t handle love, I haven’t given up on you. Together, we can raise the vibrations of this planet and fill that empty hole with the love we all deserve. Just look at the sun; it shines brightly, giving us light, warmth, and life. It radiates its loving energies through us all. There’s only love. I love you all.

  • The Great Detachment

    By Tracy Schruder

    The internet has become a source of detachment, stripping away the essence of human connection. Initially designed to facilitate anonymous sharing, including controversial content, the internet has evolved into a tool that both unites and isolates. While it enables rapid communication and convenient shopping, it also facilitates disconnection and theft – not just of material goods, but of meaningful relationships.

    I’ve lost touch with numerous individuals from my real world, some significant, some not. The internet has diminished the value of genuine human interaction. Our words, actions, and true intentions are often lost in digital translation. I’ve come to realize that online messaging, though useful, can never replace the depth of in-person connections. We can’t replicate the nuances of human interaction – a glance, a tone, an energy – in a digital format.

    The internet promises anonymity, but at what cost? It takes courage to be vulnerable, to show up authentically. Instead, we’re often left with “keyboard courage” and a false sense of security. This detachment enables us to ghost people, cutting ties without consequence. In contrast, real-life interactions demand accountability and respect.

    It’s time to reclaim our humanity and redefine the internet’s role in our lives. We don’t need the internet to dictate our relationships or define our connections. Let’s use it judiciously, for purposes that uplift and unite us – like humanitarian efforts and knowledge sharing.

    We deserve better. Let’s rediscover the joy of genuine human connection.

    Head out to the library and actually pick up a physical book and read it. The feeling of the pages as they become unstuck from your fingers as you turn the pages is a delightful sensation.

    Go shopping, even if just to browse. If you see someone you know, say hi and ask them how their day is going. Enjoy the freedom of actually seeing, touching and feeling what you are buying. Make a lunch date and actually go out to your favourite restaurant to enjoy a meal with another person. Call a friend or family member today. Visit someone who may have drifted apart. Engage with the world around you. Reclaim your humanity and find freedom in authentic relationships.

    We do not need the internet. We not only survived but we thrived without it. Person to person connections are extremely important and we must remember that we are human. We have feelings and emotions and they cannot be shared effectively on the internet. We need each other in more ways than we realize. Turn off your computer or cellphone today and get out in the world. Be alive with the beautiful energy of connection.

  • Awakening Intuition: My Journey with Tapping and Energy Healing

    By Tracy Schruder

    Tap in to Tapping

    I’ve always been an intuitive person. Feeling other people’s emotions, physical pain, and seeing or feeling the outcome of their situations. I’ve often been called an empath, but I honestly can’t label it for myself. It’s just been something I could do or have been. For most of my childhood, I believed that everyone was like that, although maybe other people had better control of it. Now I know there is a difference.

    I’ve done a lot of watching over myself and my mysterious abilities. I chose not to deny them but to learn all I could about them and use them to the best of my capabilities. So, I became a Reiki grandmaster teacher/practitioner, enabling me to teach others like me to use their abilities to their highest potential as well as soothing suffering for those who need it.

    One thing I found especially interesting about the various different healing techniques out there was the tapping technique. I’m only two years into this practice, but it has worked wonders for me. My first experience with this technique was to activate my third eye. I always believed my third eye was wide open and fully functioning my whole life, but this idea was challenged when I did a third eye tapping technique.

    I closed my eyes every day for seven days and tapped between my eyebrows on my third eye for 46 taps. The first three days, I would see through my mind’s eye a dark spot tapping over and over the Ajna chakra. On the fourth day, I saw black cracks like glass cracking in front of a bright orange glow. I was ecstatic! I knew something was breaking. The following days were amazing, at the least. I slept extremely well, had informative and magical dreams.

    The following days, as I tapped my third eye, I would see a dark blue oval with bright blue and white ripples spanning across my forehead and out towards my temples. I had no idea my third eye was blocked, as I mentioned before. I’m so grateful for finding the tapping techniques! I’m more clear than before, am a better teacher, coach, healer, and person overall. My intuition is firing like never before, and my abilities have improved exponentially.

    Tapping Techniques to Heal and Open Chakras 

    Daily Taps 

    1. Root Chakra (Muladhara): Tap gently at the base of the spine or pelvic area to ground and stabilize. Tap 65 times-front and back. 

    2. Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): Tap below the navel to support creativity and emotional flow. Tap 88 times. 

    3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Tap above the navel for confidence and personal power. Tap 88 times. 

    4. Heart Chakra (Anahata): Tap center chest for love, compassion, and connection.Tap 33 times. 

    5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): Tap throat area for communication and expression. Tap 44 times. 

    6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): Tap between eyebrows (as described in my experience) for intuition and insight. Tap 46 times. 

    7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): Tap top of head for spiritual connection and enlightenment. Tap 88 times. 

    Special Considerations are that 

    Individual Experience: Effects can vary; explore techniques mindfully.

    Practice Regularly: Consistency may deepen benefits.

    Combine Modalities: Tapping can complement other healing practices like Reiki.

    Conclusion

    Embracing our innate intuitive abilities and exploring healing modalities like tapping can catalyze profound shifts in awareness and capability. For me, tapping has been a transformative tool, unlocking deeper clarity and enhancing my work as a healer. I continue to integrate these practices, witnessing their power to clear blocks and amplify connection to our inner wisdom.

    Thank you for reading my blog. 

    🩵❤️Tracy❤️🩵