Jodi Reed – Page 4 – Be in Balance

Why Did I Do That? Episode 1

So I sit here on my couch, at 1:15 am. My feet are propped up and crossed on our coffee table that’s had a long history. (Thirty-plus years ago, my husband and his friend went on a cross country trip and this is one the items he brought home.) Anyway, I sit here wondering Why did I do that?

I awoke to the familiar sound of snoring. I curiously looked up the etymology of snore while writing this. It is from the Middle English for snort. As I picture a hog in his pen, I decide that is a good description of the sounds emitted from his body unbeknownst to him, but quite “beknownst” to me. That body, next to me, trilled with many different snorts – some short, some loud, some that change pitch…I listened for a bit and then began responding to my beloved.

I began to mimic his snores, snorts, sounds. It was as if I was responding to his call. As if we were two birds calling to each other – our very own bird song. I responded to my true love with all the different versions of his call – mimicking each sound back to him. I did this for a few minutes and then smiled and thought Why did I do that? I laughed and popped up out of bed, remembering I the recording I recently made of his snoring. That morning, I let him listen to his beautiful, unique, just meant for me, nightly love song. I wonder what this morning will bring. I’m going back to bed!

Why Did I Do That? Episode 1

Top 5 COVID19 Silver Linings

5 – Generation X-ers and Baby Boomers must learn to use technology! Boy it took me an entire day, but I figured out how to make an animated short. What was it for? Nothing, I just had time to do it.

4 – Friends from all over are texting and messaging to check in! I am getting messages from all over. Lock down, humph! You can’t lock down our connections!

3 – New recipes are being discovered. My husband loves to cook, and has started to get a little creative. Did you know you can make a breakfast pizza? That old can of SPAM in the back of the cupboard? No problem!

2 – No texting and driving to let you friend know you’ll be late. The roads are safe since you’re not going anywhere! Text away!

1 – No drinking and driving, to top item #2 – COVID – the new happy hour: Community Video. This brings us back to #5 – technology – Zoom Happy Hour today at 5:00 with my high school besties, over 400 miles away! This silver lining just may be gold!

Your Place of Peace Meditation

Lie down, sit on the floor or in a chair. Close your eyes or gaze softly at the floor in front of you or up above if lying down.

Your Place of Peace

Relax your body. Relax your mind. Let everything go. What you were doing before this – let go. Thoughts you have about what you’ll do next or another time – let go. Focus on your breath. The simple task of breathing is automatic. Focus on that automaticity. The part of you you can always count on. It is always there for you. Feel gratitude for each breath. When you feel that your breath is relaxed and at a comfortable pace, release the focus on your breath.

I invite you to visualize, or make a picture in your mind, about your favorite or one of your favorite places. Choose a place when you feel at peace, calm, relaxed, where you can just be. Are you at a beach? a lake? a river? Are you in the mountains? a field, a desert? Are you at home, at your grandparent’s farm, or another place you love to be? You’re not doing anything, picture yourself just enjoying this special place. Feel the calmness this place brings you. Feel it in your heart and in your body. Where you feel this tranquility in your body? Now look around you. What do you see? Are you alone or with others? Are you observing others or the landscape that surrounds you? Are you with a special person in your life? What does it feel like around you? Is the sun shining down on you, warming your body? Is it mild and breezy? Can you feel the moving air caress your skin? Are you snuggled in a blanket in your favorite chair? Notice how your surroundings make you feel. Do any special scents or tastes come to mind? Can you smell the brine of the ocean, the flowers in a field or your favorite meal being prepared? Just enjoy this place, this special place of peace for as long as you like. Feel peace. Feel calm. Feel whole.

Know that whenever you want or feel the need to find a calm space, relax and let go for a minute, or many minutes, you can always go back to this place – your place of peace. …or perhaps you’ll find another one…..Enjoy!

Which Pokemon are you?

I am JigglyPuff…

I was given this name by a friend that said it described me to a tee. Jighlypuff has big blue eyes,is cute and happily energetic. Although it doesn’t happen often, when she gets mad she blows up like a puffer fish!

I actually agreed with that friend. We had a good laugh and the next time we saw one another, I had a Jigglypuff keychain!

I am embracing my inner Pokemon! Are you?

Fear

Dive into the joyful waters,

See the sun shine above its surface,

Let the rays permeate through the water,

Let its warmth, fire and action envelope you as you dive deeper,

Deeper, into the water’s darkness,

Meet the fear, the worry, the guilt face to face,

As the warm comfort of the sun’s cloak holds you,

Reminds you that it is with you,

You can feel it, it’s always there,

Just above the surface,

Thank the fear, the worry, the guilt for trying to protect you,

Let them know when you need them again,

You will dive down into the darkness to retrieve them,

Joyfully kick your way toward the light again,

Feel the light holding you while emanating from inside,

Your heart sings its song,

Your unique song of desire, action, adventure, courage and love,

The light reminds you of who you really are,

As you kick toward the water’s surface,

Kick, kick, kick,

You are just an arm’s length away from breaking through,

To feel your true self again,

It was always there,

Your heart’s aria calls to the rest of the world,

As you break through the cleansing water,

and remember.

Past Lives.… Are YOU a Believer?

I recently had a past life regression session in Newport with Kerstin Zettmar. I had been to her group sessions and enjoyed them with friends. These experiences led me to schedule a one-on-one appointment with her. In anticipation of our meeting, I looked forward to once again being touched by her gentleness, enthusiasm and ability to lovingly hold space for people.

After slipping off my shoes at her door, she led me to a beautifully painted room for our time together. We chatted briefly and then got down to it! Kerstin guided me into a relaxed state and then we discussed what I saw and felt. She asked clarifying questions throughout so that I could have a deeper understanding of what I was experiencing. I won’t bore you with all of the details here, just highlight the significant points. Seeing my past life come into my awareness began with, “Do you see or feel something? Where are you?” and I was off…

I saw myself somewhere in Europe, England or Ireland. I thought it was the late 1800s or early 1900s. I wasn’t sure because I’m not historically savvy. I entered a large home, dressed in a full length long-sleeved dress with lace cuffs and boots with small buttons from toe to ankle. I had returned home from my trip to New York City. As a clothing designer and seamstress I was there on business. …I saw a celebration, a marriage… Eventually, I found myself back in New York City, walking down the middle of a street. Kerstin inquired, what year is it now? I replied, “1905, no 1907, no 1911.” There was a huge fire in one of the buildings! Women, young and old, were in the streets, screaming and crying. The fire overtook the building. Kerstin asked me to step forward in time again. I saw myself in a large home in upstate New York with a large number of teens and young adults operating sewing machines. At the end of the session, Kerstin asked me to ask a passed loved one what I learned. My grandmother shared that in this, and in many lifetimes, I helped young people, but always alone. I will again be helping young girls, but this time I will need other’s asssistance in order to do so. (I believe I already know how…now to find the others!)

When I returned home, I felt the urge to research. I searched for pictures of clothing from that time period. Check. Was there a large fire in NYC in the early 1900s? Jackpot! On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire occurred. A factory of primarily teenage girls from Russia, Lithuania, Poland and Italy were sewing Shirtwaist dresses when the building went ablaze. (I am Lithuanian.) Doors were locked for fear of theft. Elevators became overloaded and fell, inoperable. 144 girls either jumped to their deaths or were trapped and engulfed in flames. Devestating. There had also been a previous fire there in 1907! (…the years I mentioned!)

I shared my experience with my daughter. When I told her I saw a building afire on the streets of New York, she stopped me from speaking further. Days prior she had listened to a podcast about the Shirtwaist Fire. I exclaimed, “Yes, that’s the one!” She further explained that she had been quite shaken up while listening to it. Chills ran through her body; her eyes filled with tears and she felt sick to her stomach. I told that that she was there too! We both were!

So… what do you believe?

Loss of a Parent – Gain of a Family

As a leaf blows into the wind, a bud is beginning to form.

“When you lose a second parent you essentially become an orphan,” a friend told me after my mother passed last month. Interesting thought that I’ve been contemplating…. I never considered myself to be an orphan when she passed, although I understand the statement. I did however feel the loss and the loneliness of not having her here on this Earth. It’s interesting that although she lived nearly on the other side of the country, knowing that she was there and happily enjoying the sunshine, warmth and mountains of her favorite state was a comfort to me. I knew she was happy and was where she wanted and needed to be.

In deep gratitude, I have experienced such an enormous amount of love that I haven’t felt like I was alone or on my own. I am reminded that I although my parents and grandparents are no longer on this earth, I have an enormous family, a family full of biology and friendships. We all have this family. We are all connected as one family. We can hold each other up, listen with deep attention, feel with compassion, forgive without apology, and love unconditionally. As I experience loss – deep, heart-wrenching, incapacitating heartache, I also feel the love of my family – those members close and far, biological or not, new or old.

My family is changing, and although I’ve lost, I have gained a family that is ever-expanding.

Loss of a Parent – Gain of a Family

As a leaf blows into the wind, a bud is beginning to form.

My family is changing, and although I’ve lost, I have gained a family that is ever-expanding.

An Unexpected Adventure during COVID19

My husband is able to work outside the house during COVID19. He is a landscaper and can work independently without venturing near others. Since we cohabitate, we thought I’d get out of the house and help him out a little. An adventure…out of the house…freedom….air on my face…the warmth of the sun on my back….working as a team….in Mother Earth….ah….

We were moving along nicely around a client’s pool- trimming tall grasses raking and hauling them to the back of his truck. It felt great to be outside! I had planned to work on some properties this summer, so we had recently purchased some light equipment that I could use. I was excited to use my new leaf blower to get the remnants of the grasses away from the pool.

I whipped it out, started blowing and was having a great time, waving that wand around with a goofy grin on my face. Before I knew it, I felt myself tipping backward and an image flashed in my mind – Tinkerbell – waving her magic wand of fairy dust and tumbling in the air. That was me as I stepped backward into the pool, wand and all.

I quickly stood up, looked over my shoulder at my husband’s shocked face as he looked around a plant. I yelled, “Sorry,” popped back up and started blowing grass again, soaked from collarbone to toe.

I still had that goofy grin on my face as I finished my work, with the warm sun on my wet back and warm air drying my dripping face. It was as if my magic wand had sprinkled its own fairy dust! Who would’ve thought I’d be taking a swim in 50 degree weather at the beginning of April in Rhode Island! The surprise of the adventure, seen through fairy dust, kept a smile on my face all day long!