Circles of Healing Center

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:08:47 +0000

C. Rosemary Marmouget

Remember the famous line from the movie, Forest Gump, “Life is like a box of Chocolates? Have you ever thought about the way you choose your candy? This Valentine’s Day, millions around the country will be receiving chocolate in the now familiar heart shaped box. But before you dive in, you may want to know that how you choose your piece can be a reflection of how you make other decisions in your life.

Take for instance, the person who likes to poke those irritating little holes in the bottom of each piece. These are people who don’t like risk. They want to be in control and know what they are getting before they make a decision.

Or how about the one who studies the box carefully, calculating the risks and proceeds cautiously before choosing the easily recognized and safe caramel or nut. Something safe that does not require much risk or forethought.

Then there is the one who simply eats it all without thought to the consequences or regard for anyone else. Their thoughts never stray any further than their own instant gratification. They tend to be the ‘takers’ in life and wonder why they have difficulty in their relationships with others.

Next, we have those who, before choosing their own piece of chocolate, turn to those around them and offer and allow them to choose first. These may either be very generous or they may be the ‘followers’ who want to see what others do first and then do the same. They are afraid to make any decisions on their own for fear of being judged negatively by those around them.

Lastly, we have the one who simply sees the blessing of the moment and quickly siezes the opportunity presented grabs any piece, thanks the giver and goes on their merry way.

Gratitude seems to be their strongest virtue and they appear to enjoy each moment of life.

They have learned to accept whatever comes along and make the most of each day.

As you reach for that next piece of chocolate, pause and ask yourself, if life is like a box of chocolates, what can I do with the piece I get?

The Tumbleweed Tree House

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:07:28 +0000

C. Rosemary Marmouget

As the quiet days of summer passed in 1959, my friends and I were on top of the world unaware that the storms of life were gathering over head. I remember well that Saturday afternoon, in the middle of the Mohave desert, when, like most children on George Air Force Base, we were walking home from the movie matinee. We had just watched the Disney production of the Swift Family Robinson. In the movie, the family is shipwrecked on an island and they set about building this elaborate tree house. It was the perfect fantasy for four twelve year olds, Linda, Joan, Cheryl and I. We imagined what it would be like if it were our family shipwrecked together. Suddenly, one of them came up with the brilliant idea of building our own tree house.

“Have you seen any trees around here lately? All we’ve got is the Joshua trees,” I said. My friends looked at me as though I just said that we were ’grounded’ forever. I was the dream maker of the group. If I couldn’t imagine a tree house, then surely, it would be impossible. I felt as though I had burst their bubble and let them down.

After thinking about it for a while, I came up with an idea. “Wait, we may not have trees but we have plenty of tumbleweeds. Let’s make a tumbleweed house.” I suggested.

My friends thought it was a great idea and so, after church and dinner the next day, with canteens of cool water strapped to our belts, we saddled our bicycles like Indian ponies and made our way out into the desert to collect tumbleweeds. We rolled them along like snowballs and stacked them up to make walls and then plied up three exceptionally large ones on top to form the roof. Next, we gathered pockets full of broken pieces of glass in a rainbow of colors, shapes and sizes. These were to become jewels in our mosaic floor in the center of our ‘tree house‘. To four innocent young females, it was so cool! Wow! We did it. We were able to bring our dream to life. Our very own tree house.

Next, we hiked to the river bed and hauled back some smooth stones to use for seats. We placed them in a circle around our mosaic. For four young girls, it was a tree house as beautiful as any seen in the movies. We spent the rest of that hot summer planning adventures on the floor of the desert within the shade of our tumbleweed tree house. We packed picnic lunches of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Kool-aid and cookies, we told stories, went on treasure hunts and even tried once, unsuccessfully, to talk our parents into letting us spend the night. It was magical.

As the quiet days of that summer passed, we were on top of the world unaware that the storms of life were gathering. Just before school started, Cheryl’s father died suddenly of a heart attack. Death wasn’t suppose to invade the playful lives of 12 year olds. It just wasn’t something we had ever expected.

I remember attending the funeral. It was the first one I had ever been to since my Grandfather died when I was five. How my heart ached as I filed past the open casket and turned to face my best friend and how I wept that night alone in my bed. I felt guilty that I still had my father and she didn’t. I wondered why God had taken him home now, when she still needed him. I thought parents were supposed to always be there for their children.

In my grief, as I helped Cheryl, her brother and mother packed up their belongings preparing for the move off the Airbase, I contemplated on how unfair life could be and came to believe that tree houses and fairy tales only existed in the movies. Linda, Cheryl, Joan and I made one last trip to the tumbleweed tree house. It was here we promised to be friends forever as we said good-bye.

We each moved away one by one as our fathers were transferred and it was only a short time until we lost touch but as the years have passed, I have come to understand how important hopes, dreams, tree houses and fairy tales are in our lives. Everyone needs a dream to hang onto when those unexpected storm clouds begin to gather in life’s sky. I understand too, that when life doesn’t give us trees, tumbleweeds work just as well.

I don’t know what happened to our tumble weed tree house, but I like to think that the mosaic, covered by the sands of time, will one day reappear just in time to restore hope in the lives of some young children and change their lives as it did ours one Mohave summer.

Jesus Christ: A Marketing Dream

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:04:34 +0000

John 4; 43-54

As I browsed the internet, I came across an article in the newsletter for the Pennsylvania Senior Center of Fayette County, PA.* It was titled, “Learn the ABC’s of Marketing.” In the article it spoke to the effectiveness of advertising techniques used to promote businesses or nonprofit agencies. As I reflected on the excessive amount of dollars spent on selling an idea or product to the public, I couldn’t help thinking about a poor obscure carpenter from a small village in the Middle East.

I wondered to myself, how was it that Jesus, who had never been photographed, was able to market him self and his teachings becoming the most recognized face in the world? Or how is it that his name, which is acknowledged by millions as being above every name, is whispered sacredly in prayer two thousand years after his death?

Jesus didn’t need ad specialty products such as refrigerator magnets, tee shirts, pencils, pens, post-it notepads or billboards to promote his ideology. Nor did he need to be interviewed on the late night talk shows or have his words plastered on bumper stickers.

So how did Jesus promote his message? What forms of marketing did he subscribe too?

Jesus first of all was an expert at ‘networking’ which is the marketer’s way of telling us to become more interconnected with our community. Jesus was out mingling with his public everyday. He knew that primitive lesson that quality outshines quantity.

Jesus’ grassroots marketing reflected commitment and motivation. He took advantage of, ‘mobility and opportunism’ making do with the supplies he had on hand. For example, when the crowd gathered on the mount and he used the loves and fishes to feed the 5,000 gathered for this unplanned rally.

Jesus was able to succeed in getting unsolicited testimonials from several of his recipients. Unlike today’s businesses, Jesus did not ask the person offering the praise for permission to share their comments but rather asked that they tell no one about what had taken place. (Was Jesus an expert in psychology as well?)

And lastly, let me just say, that, according to the above article, “word of mouth advertising has long been called the best kind of advertising. Word of mouth advertising is perhaps the most difficult aspect of public relations and marketing to measure and manage, yet it can also be the most effective tool in sharing your message. Remember, generally satisfied individuals tell three/four of their friends and relatives of their satisfaction. The best promotional campaign in the world cannot overcome negative words.”

In today’s reading, the royal officer was Jesus’ word of mouth advertising. He was not a likely customer nor a believer in the product Jesus had to sell until he experienced a free sample for himself. He then shared his new found faith in the product and he and his family became believers.

Lastly, Jesus had zeal, “as Webster’s Dictionary defines it, zeal is “enthusiastic, diligent devotion in pursuit of a cause, ideal, or goal.” This is exactly the right spirit to bring to grassroots marketing.” Jesus spread his message of the Father’s love with zeal, and has become the ultimate marketing dream, still able to promote his product well into its second millennium.

So, what does all this have to do with our relationship with Jesus? We might ask ourselves, how do we fit into his ‘marketing plan’? Are we part of his network? Do we continue the grassroots movement by sharing our faith with our family and friends? Are we committed and motivated? Do we speak about Jesus and his love with zeal and enthusiasm and most of all, do we spread the good news by word of mouth? If we can say yes to all of these, then we can be assured that we are continuing to make Jesus a ‘marketing dream’ for the next millennium.

*Compiled by Fayette County Community Action Agency, Inc. 2003

140 North Beeson Ave., Uniontown, Pennsylvania 15401

How to Schedule a Group or Class

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:05:27 +0000

Cost of a Group-Class is $15 per person with a 20 person limit

Please wear comfortable clothing as you do not undress for a healing touch session.

To attend a class

Please Call: Rosemary Marmouget @ 417.234.5726

Email: CirclesofHealing@yahoo.com

Introduction to the Chakras

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:50:56 +0000

Introduction to the Chakras
(must have completed Intro to Healing Touch)

7pm-9pm Group Calander
Call (417) 234- 5726
Email: CirclesofHealing@yahoo.com
Cost $15.00

Chakras are our energy centers. They are the openings for life energy to flow into and out of our aura. Their function is to vitalize the physical body and to bring about the development of our self-consciousness. They are associated with our physical, mental and emotional interactions. There are seven main energy centers that play an important part in healing. Learning about your Chakras and how to keep them open will help you feel energized, reduce stress and facilitate healing.,

Content:

These groups are limited to 20 people per group to facilitate individual attention and learning.

Please wear comfortable clothes

Complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water will be served along with light refreshments.

Respect of each individual and group Confidentiality is expected

If Springfield schools are canceled due to bad weather, groups will be canceled and rescheduled.

Introduction to Guided Imagery Prayer

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:49:40 +0000

7pm-9pm Group Calander
Call (417) 234- 5726
Email: CirclesofHealing@yahoo.com
Cost $15.00

Guided Imaging is a form of meditation in which one is helped in reaching a state of relaxation while visualizing a place where in they can commune with their God in a more open state of consciousness. This prayer for is especially good in helping to facilitate forgiveness, let go of painful memories and reaching out to God on a more personal level. The meditation is led by the group facilitator who can help the participants to let go of worry and stress while focusing on being able to commune with God in a safe, confidential and non threatening environment.
Special: Four Groups for $50.00 when booked at the same time

Content:

What is Guided Imagery
How is it used in prayer
Experience a Guided Imagery Prayer: Walking with Jesus
Process the experience with the group

These groups are limited to 20 people per group to facilitate individual attention and learning.

Please wear comfortable clothes

Complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water will be served along with light refreshments.
Respect of each individual and group Confidentiality is expected

If Springfield schools are canceled due to bad weather, groups will be canceled and rescheduled.

Introduction to Healing Gemstones – the Christian Perspective

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:48:25 +0000

7pm -9pm Group Calander
Call (417) 234- 5726
Email: CirclesofHealing@yahoo.com
Cost $15.00

Since the beginning of mankind, the healing properties of gemstones and their beauty have been acknowledge and utilized in medicines, as jewelry and as protection.. Gemstones were frequently worn and carried by ancient Egyptians as amulets and charms. Greek mythology frequently refers to gemstones, and many have been discovered in the tombs of Chinese rulers. Gemstones were used extensively in ceremonies and initiations by the Native Americans, the Mayans and Aztecs. The breastplate of the Jewish High Priest was set with precious stones; it conveyed power to the wearer. Jesus healed the blind man by mixing his spittle with sand. Learning how to harness the healing properties of these precious gems is both exciting and educational.
Content:

What are Gemstones
Gemstones in the Bible
Healing Properties of Gemstones
Create you own Gemstone Bracelet

These groups are limited to 20 people per group to facilitate individual attention and learning.

Please wear comfortable clothes

Complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water will be served along with light refreshments.

Respect of each individual and group Confidentiality is expected

If Springfield schools are canceled due to bad weather, groups will be canceled and rescheduled.

Introduction to Meditation

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:46:55 +0000

7pm – 9pm Group Calander
Call (417) 234- 5726
Email: CirclesofHealing@yahoo.com
Cost $15.00

Meditation has been a central focus of most spiritual traditions and religions for centuries. Jesus, we are told in Scripture, meditated upon the psalms. “Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the reflexive, “thinking” mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. Meditation often involves turning attention to a single point of reference…. “
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation )
There are many methods that have developed over time to help us to still our minds and open them to the Devine. This group will focus on the use of the Mandela form of meditation to help us to focus and open our minds to our inner self which in turn allows us to be open to our dreams, our gifts and our individual spiritual growth.
Content:

What is Meditation
How does it facilitate healing
What are some of the different tools used to facilitate meditation
Experience a meditation exercise using a Mandela
Receive a framed Mandela to take home for meditation
Process the experience with the group

These groups are limited to 20 people per group to facilitate individual attention and learning.

Please wear comfortable clothes

Complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water will be served along with light refreshments.

Respect of each individual and group Confidentiality is expected

If Springfield schools are canceled due to bad weather, groups will be canceled and rescheduled.

Introduction to Spiritual Reflection

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:44:04 +0000

7pm -9pm Group Calander
Call (417) 234- 5726
Email: CirclesofHealing@yahoo.com
Cost $15.00
According to the dictionary, reflection means something that is given back such as the return of rays of light, heat, or sound or an image of an object given back in a mirror. Thus, spiritual reflection is the return of the light of Christ reflected back to us through simple every day objects when contemplated in a meditative environment. Spiritual reflection helps us to see more clearly what God is saying to us. It teaches us to ‘hear’ God voice through every day happenings and Scriptural Readings.

Content:

What is Spiritual Reflection
How does it help you listen to God and Self
Experience a Spiritual Reflection Exercise
Process with the Group

These groups are limited to 20 people per group to facilitate individual attention and learning.

Please wear comfortable clothes

Complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water will be served along with light refreshments.

Respect of each individual and group Confidentiality is expected.

If Springfield schools are canceled due to bad weather, groups will be canceled and rescheduled.

Introduction to Aromatherapy

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:41:30 +0000

7pm -9pm Group Calander
Call (417) 234- 5726
Email: CirclesofHealing@yahoo.com
Cost $15.00

Aromatherapy is the use of pure, natural, aromatic essences of plants and flowers called essential oils and hydrosols. These essential oils can have a broad range of therapeutic effects on the body. You may be surprised to know that many of the products you use around the house contain essential oils such as toothpaste, hand creams, shampoos and conditioners. Learn about essential oils, how to combine them for their healing properties. Content:

What is Aromatherapy
What are Essential Oils
How are Essential Oils used in Healing
Learn how to mix Essential oils
Receive a free bottle of oil

These groups are limited to 20 people per group to facilitate individual attention and learning.

Please wear comfortable clothes

Complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water will be served along with light refreshments.

Respect of each individual and group Confidentiality is expected

If Springfield schools are canceled due to bad weather, groups will be canceled and rescheduled.