Tag Archives: healing

Your Powerful Inner Voice & Freedom of Expression

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“Happiness is not something ready made… It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama

During this week’s healing process (from a two week plus flu – 20 days to be exact), I found myself feeling at least 90% better physically (still coughing and very tired), but with a fusion of feelings of concern and appreciation. If you recall my recent blog, I mentioned that I had been without my voice/most of my voice. As someone who earns a happy and fulfilling living using my voice (to speak and sing), this obviously concerned me. I tried to not think about it too much, but had been letting time, and the herbal and homeopathic remedies do their jobs.


According to Louise Hay, author of the best selling book, “You Can Heal Your Life,” she mentions these things:

Throats represent our ability to speak for ourselves. Also represents the body’s creative flow.

When throat problems occur:
- Usually means we feel we don’t have the right to ask for what we want; don’t feel adequate standing up for ourselves.
- Creativity is stifled. Living lives for others; trying to please others.

Sore throats: always anger. Colds: mental confusion too. Laryngitis: so angry cannot speak.

When activity in throats occur:
- Resisting change, middle of it, trying to change
- When you or someone coughs: notice what was said, what is being reacted to

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This concern and appreciation for my voice during this time forced me to reflect on what has been really going on internally, which has actually been helping me develop my strongest voice yet – my inner voice.

Since I’m very detail oriented and analytical, I often have a tough time deciphering what my “inner voice” or “gut instinct” is telling me. My naturopathic doctor referred me to a spiritual counselor who helped me discover it. One of the best things I found in being able to hear and follow my inner voice is that it has given me a freer feeling. The counselor described it as an “airy” feeling, and I much prefer to be in this love-focused and airy place because it sure beats over thinking things (this feeling is full of “stuff” and feels very “tight” and tense) and often times coming to inaccurate judgments of people and situations. I have started to apply this new discovery to practically every part of my life. It’s amazing how forgiveness and compassion naturally come when awareness and openness is present.

Through the counselor, I was also reminded of the ability we have to be whole, complete, happy and fulfilled within our own selves so that no matter what any one else does, it won’t “rattle” us. Of course, it’s easier said than done, and being “reactionary” tends to be a no-brainer. For me, giving my power away by letting myself react to what someone else said or did was just not working for me anymore.

Freedom.

I love:

- Being free to live and enjoy my life exactly the way I want despite what others may say or think

- Being free to not have to live according to other people’s moods, but focus on making my world joyful

- Being free to live, speak and sing from my heart

So here’s to a life of love and freedom to be and express who you are!

Visit www.TraciToguchi.com for previous blogs from Traci.

Internet Food for Thought

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Ah, healing is heaven!

Thanks to those who took the time to send me kind and thoughtful emails regarding my forgiveness blog, sharing how it helped you.

It takes courage and inner strength to look honestly at our strengths and weaknesses, and reflect and seek ways to evolve.

What a blessing in every opportunity to change.

While I’ve been healing and having a “forced vacation,” I had to keep up with my school work.

Wanted to share these postings with you about some of my thoughts about what’s on the Internet. What does this have to do with relationships? These sites help people connect on business and recreational levels…

On Google:
Google is one of my preferred Internet sites and companies because they are the pioneer innovators and continue to evolve and expand their services and revenue. They are successful because their features attract consumers as much as they attract advertisers, so this is a 3 time win (consumers, advertisers, Google).

Google has taken the time to look at problems and missing features in existing products and has provided services including:

- Webmail – Through gmail accounts, more space is provided, with features including being able to automatically send copies of emails to a non-gmail address; auto save is a must have!

- Blogs – Anyone and everyone can be a columnist, reviewer, etc. via this free service that allows people the free option to help promote it via Google’s own and powerful web spiders.

- Grand Central – Free service that lets people pick a new phone number from virtually anywhere in the US. Integrate all existing phones and voicemail boxes into one number that never changes.

- Google Docs – Free web-based word processor and spreadsheet (like Microsoft Word and Excel), which allow you to share and collaborate online, and safely store your work with Google.

- AdWords and AdSense – Allows advertisers to choose searched keywords to advertise their business, and consumers to earn revenue by allowing advertiser links on their sites, blogs, etc.

The features are endless, as Google rules the internet universe!

On MySpace:
It is interesting when I get some friend requests from people that are about 60+. Very cool!

What’s also interesting and a little sad is how people get so into their cyber friendships, that they get I feel a little too focused on how many friends they can get (and most times these are people they may never meet), how many friend requests, comments and emails they receive, and how they show their reaction to you by changing your “Top Friends” placement.

I recall reading an article I believe in the New York Times about how people have gotten into arguments and couples have broken up because of the placement of these “Top Friends.”

When someone drops you as one of their “Top Friends,” that’s a good indication of where you rank in their “world.” If you get deleted as a Friend, that person is really telling you something. Ouch.

On signing up for user accounts:
I feel one of the most challenging things to keep up with is passwords! (Usernames can also be a challenge if you have similar or commonly chosen usernames.)

Some people have told me that they use the same password for everything, but I don’t think that’s the wisest thing to do.

And as websites are starting to require more challenging passwords with uses of numbers and many times encouraging the use of symbols, it makes using the same password not so easy anymore.

Great that we are being required to be cognizant of security and encouraged to be creative with passwords.

May your surfing in cyberworld bring you the fulfilling connections you need!

Visit www.TraciToguchi.com for previous blogs from Traci.

The Greatest Power

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As I’ve been healing / detoxing / cleansing / you name it, between the coughing, hacking and nose blowing, I’ve been praying, meditating, reading and writing a lot.

Since my throat is quite raw and tender at the moment, I have been mostly silent and have found a still presence in me that is listening rather than just hearing.

Have been so blessed today to be able to finally get out of the house and appreciate the magnificence of God, the Universe. To truly see love everywhere.

I believe that it is because I’m in this state of mind that I received this other blessing.

While sitting here appreciating my freshly brewed cup of Yogi Tea (organic Cold Season flavor), I noticed that the tea bag had a message on it. I had no idea! I’ve gone through how many of these bags now? Are they all the same message?

I’ll have to wait for another tea time.

But for now, I wanted to share what brought my eyes and face to smile because it certainly sums up this healing experience:

“There is no greater power in this universe than the power of prayer.”

Visit www.TraciToguchi.com for previous blogs from Traci.

Two Fine Women Together

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Great news!

Two that are among my list of favorite women will be together tomorrow February 6, 2008:

Louise Hay on Oprah’s show

These two amazing women have been pioneers in helping people build and maintain healthy relationships throughout the world.

From HayHouse:
“You Can Heal Your Life The Movie is deeply affecting audiences across the globe. For many, Louise’s revealing story of self-healing resonates, inspires, and literally changes lives.

During this program Louise will share her wisdom, and audience members that have been affected by her work will share their true life stories. This program is certain to be filled with some amazing moments, heart-felt tears, and joyous triumph.”

Got to see this movie at the Diamond Head Unity Church, and it was certainly inspiring. The University of Hawaii is showing it this month. Check your local and favorite new thought venues for showings in your neck of the woods.

Visit www.TraciToguchi.com for previous blogs from Traci.

Healthy Discoveries

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As I’ve been dealing with what seems like symptoms of the flu, I resolved that I will stop my ongoing mucus (Sorry to gross anyone out! Will now refer to it as mcs.) issues.

As a singer, this is usually a dilemma – you need a certain amount for moisture, yet don’t want too much for a clear or somewhat clear sound.

I have been the chocolate, cheese, ice cream, you can list all dairy products here fanatic since I was a kid.

About 7 years ago, something odd happened – I couldn’t speak (but I could still belt out songs!).

It started with me needing to blow my nose, do some hacking (sorry again!), cough, etc. Then it progressed to my needing to do this for longer than a week. Then 2 weeks.

I saw a family physician who prescribed steroids so I could get my voice back, and probably some kind of antibiotic. I got my voice back to sing at 3 Easter services (I woke up at 3 a.m. to warm up for the first service at 7:30 a.m.! Crazy!)

Then I was in the same predicament. Went to see an ear, nose and throat specialist. He told me I had a deviated septum, and recommended laser surgery and of course taking allergy medicine. I certainly didn’t want surgery, and didn’t want to be dependent of medicine for the rest of my life!

My last resort was my naturopathic doctor, who helped me discover that I was allergic to low and behold all my favorite foods! And foods that I ate religiously: cheese, chocolate, bananas, strawberries…

When I looked back, I remembered that I thought I had been better after taking steroids, I ate about half of a pizza, then went right back to where I started. Made crazy sense!

I was shocked and saddened. Did I need to stay away from these foods for the rest of my life?

Thankfully, the answer was no, but that I should stay away from them for at least 2-3 months. Several days later, I was blown away. I felt that I was completely healed!

Fast forward to now.

If I need to sing, I monitor my intake of these foods so I can enjoy them from time to time. During these “allergic reactionary times,” although oddly enough, I can still sing but not speak, I do find that singing in more airy tones is difficult when I intake especially dairy products and chocolate.

Oh, I need to mention that throughout all of this, I do internal work thanks to Louise Hay’s book “You Can Heal Your Life.”

And fast forward to today. I’ve been so proud of myself for eating so much healthier, and wondered why still all this mcs is still in my body. Decided to make this my little (or big) research project to fully cure myself of this.

Found this:

“Certain foods such as milk and bread cause an increase of mucus secretions. These foods have large protein molecules (casein and gluten) which are difficult to digest and are more prone to putrefaction, and may be toxic or an irritant to the body. For many, bread and milk cause sinus congestion.”

http://www.freedomyou.com/nutrition_book/mucus.htm

Also saw this:

“I stopped eating food of mucus – farinaceous foods, meat and milk, and began to eat more vegetables – potatoes, cabbage, beet. Also following Paul Bragg’s tips I began to fast one day a week and it facilitated mucus eduction from the body.”

http://stop-snoring-remedy.blogspot.com/2006/11/mucus-cleaning-as-stop-snoring-remedy.html

No wonder! I boiled some eggs this morning and ate the whites, had tuna with alfalfa sprouts on whole grain wheat bread (as well as soup). Does it have to be bread too?!

Also read this about healing my cold symptoms (also have the fever and body aches, but have been doing internal healing work for that which seems to be doing the trick):

“The best treatment is to wait and watch your child. Runny nose, cough, and symptoms like fever, headache, and muscle aches may be bothersome, but antibiotics will not make them go away any faster.

Some people find that using a cool mist vaporizer or using saltwater nose drops makes their child feel better.”

“Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can be harmful. Each time someone takes antibiotics, they are more likely to carry resistant germs in their noses and throats. These resistant germs cannot be killed by common antibiotics. Your child may need more costly antibiotics, antibiotics given by needle, or may even need to be in the hospital to get antibiotics. Since a runny nose almost always gets better on its own, it is better to wait and take antibiotics only when they are needed.”

http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/files/GetSmart_RunnyNose.htm

So, my journey of healthy discoveries and healing continues…

Here’s to health!

Visit www.TraciToguchi.com for previous blogs from Traci.