Change your life with Affirmations!

As many of you know I am a HUGE fan of affirming positive change in our lives.  

Affirmations are a wonderful way to manifest ANYTHING you want in your life.  Here are a few simple guidelines to help make your affirmations the most effective. 

✓Keep them in the present tense.  "I am…"

✓KNOW they are already happening….RIGHT NOW.  

✓Always keep them in the affirmative.  Try not to include words like "don't" "won't," etc.  Also be aware of the consequences of words like "all" and "never"...

✓Keep them clear and concise. The easier to remember the better.

✓Have fun and be creative.  The sky is the limit!

       I always start my affirmations with "I am so happy and grateful…"  I have omitted this from the beginning of every one, however, I believe gratitude is the very basis for any manifestation.  Being grateful for all that we are and have is the first step for making change in our lives.  The only other thing we need to create the life we want is belief.  KNOW this or something better is on the way.  Yes, it is that simple. Have fun.   

Here are a few of my favorite….

I am so happy and grateful...

I am in perfect health and every part of me is healing in every moment. 

I easily, freely, and gently release all that no longer serves me. 

I am in total balance and living in the flow of the universe. 

I make a wonderful living doing only things I absolutely love. 

I know I live an abundant magical life. 

The universe guides me, protects me, and goes before me preparing my way. 

I love and accept myself exactly as I am. 

I have a wonderful memory, I remember all I need and want to know. 

I am an excellent  listener. 

I receive clear, loving, and gentle messages from the universe. 

All of my relationships are full of love, joy, peace, and consciousness. 

I easily heal myself and others. 

I eat and crave only foods that nourish me deeply and wholly. 

I am full of confidence and courage. 

I trust in the universe. 

I know all of my thoughts, my words, and my actions all come from my inner place of knowing. 

AND MY VERY FAVORITE...

I am on a magical transformational journey to the next dimension of pure unconditional love with compassion for all beings. 

My last day in Cusco...

I love Cusco!  I love Peru! This is the only place I've ever been where they start every day with fireworks. Every day. To scare away evil spirits. Yep. I love it. 

And one of the only places you will never find toilet paper in any public bathroom. Yet toilet paper, is most likely the only disposable paper product you will find anywhere and you use it for everything. Everything.  

Ok, so occasionally at a restaurant you will find a one-ply square of tissue thin paper served as a napkin...that will remind you of, yes, toilet paper. 

This is a magical place. A cosmic energy vortex where anything can and will happen. When you are here, you understand why people are drawn here and have been for eons. People come for a visit and never leave. I get it. Life is simple here. And life is beautiful. 

I know, I know...where have I been??? I went into yoga teacher training and fell off the blog-faced world.   Well, I have been studying and working with medicine women, taking Zen Shiatsu courses, Reiki I class, Reiki 2 class, and of course making magic wands. (Pictures to come as I finish my first 8 highly-charged creations.) 

Quite frankly, I have been too busy to journal about allll the magic and write a blog. 

But alas, today is my last day here and I find myself being drawn back into a completely different world. Launch "preparation for re-entry" sequence. 

As I pack up my things (my how they have multiplied in almost four months)...I am excited and sad all at the same time. Many new adventures await me in other lands, but a piece of my heart will always remain here in Cusco. 

Until next time....

Namaste 

Yoga!

Just before heading to Puno, I decided to enroll in yoga teacher training/certification here in Cusco. The past month has been filled with an intense mixture of Ashtanga-Vinyasa Asanas, Pranayamas (Breathing techniques), Mantras, yoga philosophy, and everything in between.  It was absolutely fabulous!  There is something about studying all the cool stuff you already do and think about that makes you feel like you are totally on the right path. My yoga has improved to a point where I feel excellent about my ability as a student and now, a certified instructor. I passed my exams on Saturday and right now I am preparing to teach my first official class. Lookout Cusquenos. 

There is not a permanent teaching position open right now at the school, so I have decided to do some more traveling. My first stop? Back to the jungle of course! This time I will be visiting a different part of the jungle instead of going back to Iquitos. I am not exactly sure where,  but I have no doubt the universe will guide me to the perfect place.... Until then...

Pachamama ...

Lake Titicaca 

Today I climbed to Pachamama. The hardest part by far was making my way through the twisting and turning paths of the pueblo. You are basically snaking around everyone's homes and gardens but there are many turns and they all look the same. 

Needless to say, I was super proud of my navigational skills when I literally walked straight to town. From the Plaza, a stone path goes up and up and up through several stone "arcos" and eventually up to a point where you turn left to go to Pachatata or to the right to Pachamama. 

It took me about an hour to get up here and the early hour is totally worth it. I have the whole place to myself. From several viewpoints up here you cannot see any signs of mankind. On one side is the village and I see terraces for farming in several directions. But mostly I see miles and miles of the highest elevation lake in the world, uninhabited islands, and mountains. Mountains everywhere in the distance, 360 degrees. Some are in Peru, some belong to Bolivia. Some are roundish and smooth looking, many are jagged and pointy. Then, there are the Apus. The mountain spirits... The highest snow covered peaks are the Apus, and they are just as sacred and majestic as you would think them to be. 

This place is a vortex of energy. People have been coming up here for ceremony for eons. I see why. 

I can feel it. 

Lake Titicaca

Yesterday I took a bus to Puno, home to the highest lake in the world... Lake Titicaca. I spent the night in town and then took a small boat to several islands. The first island I visited is a floating island. They take the local reeds that grow in shallow water and tie them all together to form giant islands !  Seriously!  And lots of people live on these islands year round.  We got to see exactly how they made the islands and how they live.  It is absolutely astounding.

Then I got back on the boat and they dropped me off at Amantani island where this wonderfully sweet woman, Flora, was waiting for me. We walked to her house which was about a thirty or so minute walk up and down little paths, around rock walls, through garden plots, and neighboring villas. Me... With a giant backpack, a little backpack on the front, and a waist pack.  Why was my load so big and heavy, you ask? Because I was afraid there wouldn't be enough water...on an ISLAND...so I hauled almost 5 liters of water...bananas, oranges,  a kilo of sugar, and stupidly, a kilo of quinoa (I didn't know they grew it here! It was supposed to be a nice gift.)Hmmm. 

So what was for lunch? She made me delicious quinoa soup. She had actually grown the quinoa herself. Oh well. You can never have too much quinoa. 

My Spanish is improving and we can communicate fairly well. However, sometimes we have conversations that I have no idea what we are talking about. And the niños! I couldn't understand why I did not have a clue as to what they were saying but later learned that they mostly speak Quechua mixed with a little Spanish. That was a relief actually. I was thinking I just didn't speak child. 

In the afternoon, I rejoined a few of the other people that came over on the boat with me and we hiked up to Pachatata (The male energy ceremonial place at the top of one of the two mountains on the island.  The other is Pachamama...mother earth).  

I didn't realize how cold and windy it would be at the top. Luckily for me the pathway was filled with local women selling the hats, gloves, and sweaters they make with the local alpaca and wool. I broke down and bought a hat from the woman at the very top...she lugged all her wares alllllll the way up to the top of a very steep mountain!  And now I get to look cool just like the locals. 

Ahhhh...la comida de Peru!

Today, Barb and I decided to venture out on the town.  We walked all over the streets, the Plaza de Armas, and everywhere in between. We found ourselves outside of the touristy area when it was time for lunch.  We asked a local for a good recommendation and they pointed to a blue door. We went inside and the place was absolutely filled with people.  There was even a waiting list. We thought this was a good sign and Barb managed to get us on the list. 

Well. Boy, we were in for a local treat indeed. There was a show getting ready to start just as we sat down. Of course we didn't understand anything they were doing but that wasn't the main attraction anyway. 

The menu was by far the most interesting thing going on in there (see photo).  Of course by now, in Peru as a vegetarian I am in complete acceptance of the fact that my meal in a restaurant may be limited to the choice of papas fritas or maybe just papas... (French fries or boiled potatoes).  But this menu was mind boggling. I'm just happy they had one in English. There is no telling what I might have ended up with. Aaaahhhh... La comida en Peru es muy interesante!

"Ceremony of Sound"

I was honored to be a part of a "Ceremony of Sounds" in the Macchu Picchu pueblo one afternoon. A local shaman, Hebert Lira, performed a beautiful ceremony using every kind of instrument imaginable. Drums, rattles, bells, flutes, and the most powerful voice you have ever heard. 

It was a healing ceremony and each of us were blessed with Agua de Florida and a special blessing. I was sitting directly in front of Hebert and the sounds were so powerful and loud my entire body was vibrating. I am pretty sure I left the planet yet again!

After the ceremony it was time to board the train back to Ollyantaytambo.  On the train, we were entertained by Inka "clowns" (see photo). If you are one of those people with the very strange phobia of clowns, stay away from these. They are particularly creepy. 

IntiPunku

The second day in Macchu Picchu began with a hike to IntiPunku otherwise known as the sungate. This is essentially the last segment of the Inka trail and was only several miles long in one direction.  It is a beautifully maintained trail, paved with large stones and mostly 4 or 5 ' wide. 

About halfway up we stopped to listen to a local guide talk about a flower that was growing on the side of the trail. It was the most beautiful wild orchid I have ever seen.  

Then I saw her. A sweet American woman stopping to rest at the same place in the trail. I asked her where she was from and she said Tennessee, near Nashville. I laughed and told her I knew the area well, as I had gone to college and boarding school near there. As it turns out her son had attended the same (very small) boarding school as I had graduated from.  

He had been killed five years ago in a tragic car accident. She was traveling to Macchu Picchu with her son's friend because it was on his list of places he wanted to go.  I was so filled with grief and happiness for her all at the same time. I felt her deep sadness.  This trip for her was such a huge release as well as a renewal.  Anita, wherever you are, I applaud you and send you healing,  loving energy!

Full Moon in Macchu Picchu

 There are not enough words to describe the energy in this amazing place. Although I only spent two days in this ancient city, I somehow felt as though I had always been here. All I can say is, this is place worth the effort to come and experience for yourself. This energy is real. Are there 426 places to buy hats, bags, and "Macchu Picchu" shot glasses? Well of course there are. But there is also something very real here as well. 

After a thrilling walk all through every sacred nook and cranny of the ruins of Macchu Picchu, we enjoyed another lovely meal of "veggie pizza" at the Inka Wasi restaurant.

 If you are just now joining me, you will not get the humor of the term "veggie pizza" which translates to, no Spanish necessary, round white bread with cheese. The best part about dinner in this highly-decorated restaurant was the amazingly beautiful and slightly comical art (think Jesus at the last supper with his 14, yes... fourteen friends...with two fingers forming a peace sign) and all the Inkan rulers plastered all over the walls.  And last but certainly not least.... A great band with almost enough room to dance to...

After dinner a few of us walked up to the thermal hot baths (the town IS called Aguas Caliente after all...) and had a healing ceremony under the light of the full moon. Wow was that powerful. Floating around, head mostly submerged, in mineral rich warm water (sure it smells like sulphur...what do you want, flowers?) while bells are continuously ringing under the water.... 

Yep, I am pretty sure I left the planet for a while. 

Ceremony with the Q'ero Indians

This evening I was honored to be a part of a  "despacho" ceremony with two Q'ero Indians. It lasted about two hours and involved many blessings to "Pachamama" (Mother Earth) using coca leaves, "agua de florida", and lots of little packages of local grains, seeds, and various other accoutrements. After all the goodies were put into a beautiful little bundle and wrapped in white paper and a "mesa" cloth, we were each blessed again by the Q'ero elders. It was a powerful  ceremony that I will not soon forget. I am so grateful to be surrounded by this amazing healing energy.