SUFFERING IS SELF-INDUCED

Good morning everyone and happy Thursday.  This morning as I got out of bed I stubbed my toe on the bed post.  Ouch!  Did that hurt! I can blame the darkness if I want but the bed hasn't changed places in the twenty years it has been there.  It will not be the last time I walk into a still object.  It's kind of a habit of mine. 

Did you ever bump into something and blame the something.  "Damn chair!"  Even if the last time the damn chair was moved it was from the Ethan Allen show room to your living room?  That's what we do.  We blame the object instead of our clumsiness.  Let's take this example to a deeper level.  Let's talk about suffering.  Not the most fun topic but something we need to explore.

Most suffering is self-inflicted.  We do things we know we shouldn't do.  We love spicy food but the love is not reciprocated.  We go to places that say "Do Not Enter."  And then when the outcome is bad we blame the situation, the food and the place when it was us who caused our pain.  Today's quote is, "What is it that made you suffer - the answer is nothing - you did it yourself."  Oh the unintentional suffering we cause ourselves.

If only we knew that the situation we were about to dive into would cause us harm we would walk the other way.  Did you ever date the "bad boy or bad girl?"  Our friends warned us but we thought they seemed so much fun until our hearts were broken in half.  This is when we completely ignored our inner voice and our inner wisdom and chose to go with the flow even though we almost drowned.  

If  we look over our shoulder at sufferings of our past, we will see that it clearly is us who should be held accountable for our pain.  Every decision should be made with thought and care but if the tendency is to leap before think, own the pain, accept the results and at least learn from it.

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone! ~Love, Amy


To learn more about me, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co
To schedule an in-person or remote Reiki session with me, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co/private sessions OR email me at amy@amykaufman.co

WEAR YOUR OWN SHOES

Good morning everyone and happy Wednesday.  A neighbor of mine has the most beautifully manicured lawn that's the brightest green I've ever seen.  Her walkway is lined with tall gorgeous trees in full floral bloom on either side.  I don't even have grass.  I have moss.  Lots and lots of moss that's been dug up by lawnmowers and Mia's paws.  I don't have trees lining my walkway but I have ugly bushes in front of my door.  I wanted to get rid of them but they house the bees that pollinate their flowers. 

As much as I admire the neighbor's pristine surroundings I still like the dug up dirt and tree roots that stick out of the ground.  You know why?  Because it is mine.  It is the house we chose to live in not caring if it would ever be on the cover of House and Garden.

Today's quote is, "While someone else's shoes may be beautiful you will come to realize the comfort of your own."  An updated version perhaps of the grass is always greener and a message to appreciate what you have.  Am I thankful for my moss covered lawn?  You bet I am.  Do you know why?  Because it's mine.  Because my husband and I worked very hard to purchase a house that over time has become a home filled with beautiful things, beautiful people and a beautiful dog.  

Over time we have created a home filled with love both inside and out.  The pristine house on view from the street has tremendous visual appeal but I have no idea what is behind those closed doors.  I am unaware of the happiness or unhappiness that may or may not be pervasive throughout all that square footage.  I will continue to walk Mia past her house, admiring her perfect trees and perfect lawn but I will also be grateful for the bees that come to visit, the gnomes protecting my house and yes, the moss that's been dug up by the most beautiful paws I know.


Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone! ~Love, Amy


To learn more about what I do, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co
To schedule an in-person or remote Reiki session with me, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co/private sessions OR email me at amy@amykaufman.co

LISTEN TO YOUR HEART

Good morning everyone and happy Tuesday.  Is there something you believe in very strongly?  Of course there is.  Everyone has firm beliefs regarding what it important to them.  When we  believe in something it runs through our core but stems from our heart.  To have a strong belief in anything requires more than just thought but visceral feeling.  

Today's quote is "Align your beliefs according to your feeling in your heart."  How can you tell yourself you believe in anything without getting your heart involved?  You can't.  Your heart is the one that knows right from wrong and will tell you every single time.  Aligning your mind together with your heart is important when making any sort of decisions as both are needed.  

Think of your heart as your intuition and go with that feeling.  Our emotions, feelings and thoughts are so intertwined.  If you listen to them both carefully and together, you will be sure to make the best decision for yourself.

Have a wonderful Tuesday, everyone! ~Love, Amy

To learn more about me, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co
To schedule an in-person or remote Reiki session with me, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co/private sessions

SPEAKING WITHOUT WORDS

Good morning everyone.  Happy Monday.  You can't see me right now but I just yawned which means I'm tired.  My weekend was fun and busy.  I'm missing my pillow right now but we'll have another date tonight.  Walking into my room at work snaps me out of my tired frame of mind as I am warmly greeted by the smile of my co-worker.  We all know what a genuine smile looks like and feels like and most importantly, we know how it makes us feel. 

We don't always need words to convey our mood.  Our physical movement says so much.  Today's quote is, "We are all multi-lingual - we speak not just with our voices but with our eyes and our bodies."  Our eyes alone speak volumes!  If any one of you reading this has teenagers you certainly understand that!

It is always important to think before you speak.  I'm pretty sure that was said because even before the words are out of our mouths, we've already spoken a full sentence.  Time for a story!  My wedding anniversary was a few months ago. While I was preparing a celebratory dinner, my husband presented me with a beautiful box.  I LOVE getting gifts and I especially love when a box is wrapped with ribbons and bows, almost too pretty to open. 

Well I did open up this box and as soon as I saw what was inside, my husband knew exactly how much I didn't like the necklace he had picked out for me.  I tried very hard to smile but my lips refused.  Without speaking, my expression said it all.  "I love you but not what you bought me."  Did he feel bad?  Yea, but you know what?  This was the first time in 27 years I wasn't happy with my gift.  A pretty impressive record if you ask me!  


Body language is called that because that is exactly what it is....language!  Before you've uttered a single word, your entire being has already spoken.

Have a wonderful Monday everyone! ~Love, Amy

To learn more about what I do, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co
To schedule an in-person or remote Reiki session with me, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co/private sessions OR em
ail me at amy@amykaufman.co

THE ROAD TO NEVERLAND DOESN'T EXIST

Good morning everyone!  Happy Friday.  It is said that we spend an enormous amount of time daydreaming.  Some people do this more than others.  Obviously one best not be daydreaming if handling heavy equipment, driving a car or performing surgery but when those tasks are completed you can certainly imagine yourself on a beautiful beach somewhere.

Daydreaming can actually be helpful.  It is a short mental break from an either difficult or mundane task that usually doesn't last too long and doesn't interfere with our day.  Fantasy on the other hand can be dangerous.  Telling ourselves that we will be a famous writer but we

never seem to finish that book.  Telling ourselves that one day we will make it to Broadway even though we can't hum a note.  Telling ourselves that we will make big changes yet continuously do no such thing.

Today's quote is, "Devotion to fantasy will take you down the road to Neverland."  I think you all know that but just in case you weren't sure I am here to confirm it for you.  There is no Neverland.  There is no yellow brick road either.  There is no magical land that exists where you  blink your eyes and become a famous writer, accomplished musician or baker to the stars.

Nothing is accomplished by daydreaming and fantasizing about it.  Action is what makes things happen.  Dream big and set your sights high enough so they are attainable and within reach.  You may have heard the road to Neverland is beautiful but it also doesn't exist.

Have a wonderful Friday everyone! ~Love, Amy


To learn more about what I do, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co
To schedule an in-person or remote Reiki session with me, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co/private sessions OR email me at amy@amykaufman.co

BREAK FREE FROM THE PRISON BARS

Good morning everyone.  Happy Thursday.  Almost Friday.  Almost the weekend.  That means that if you are stuck in an office from 9-5, 5 days a week, you are about to be set free to do what you want without looking at a clock.  We love our freedom.  Not that there is anything wrong with having a schedule, its just that we are the ones who like making our OWN without having to adhere to someone else's. 

Weekends are when we can hopefully leave our work life behind.  Something that should also be left behind are the movies we replay in our minds from things that upset us in the past.  Memories of unfortunate incidents and the list of people who wronged us.  Was it their doing or did you allow it to happen?  Either way it really doesn't matter.  What matters is the past is the past and that is where it should remain.

Today's quote is, "You are no longer a prisoner - the past is now behind you."   When you throw something away do you look back or do you walk away?  If you threw something out it means it is no longer needed.  Past hurts and upsets are experiences we don't want to revisit yet sometimes we do just that, over and over again leaving us in a sort of prison of the mind. 

OMG - who wants to live there?  I for one don't.  Whatever happened in the past is done.  It's over.  We've all been hurt before and we've all suffered in various ways but reliving that pain will only serve to keep it fresh.  Unclench your mind and set yourself free. 

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone! ~Love, Amy


To learn more about what I do, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co
To schedule an in-person or remote Reiki session with me, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co/private sessions OR email me at amy@amykaufman.co

BE YOUR OWN HERO

Good morning all and happy Wednesday.  My fourth child came to our family six years ago.  OK everyone.  You can close your mouth now.  I'm talking about my dog Mia who we all call "the baby."  Everyone says this about their pet but I swear mine is human.  For a four legged creature who cannot speak she is able to get her every wish not only noted but granted.  Hence the term of endearment, "the baby." 

My son rescued Mia when she was a year old.  She had been neglected and left in a crate with no love or affection.  When a friend asked him if he knew of anyone who could take this dog as their own, my son volunteered.  Saving Mia was the best thing that happened to all of us.  Do you know anyone like that?  A perennial rescuer?  A person who is always saving someone and cleaning up their messes when they themselves could use some help?

Today's quote is, "It is admirable to be a hero but be the first one you save."  Heroism is a wonderful quality to have but if those you save are rising while you are sinking then something is definitely amiss.  If savior is your calling, place yourself at the top of the list. Don't think for one moment you are being selfish because you are not.  All that saving will leave you depleted with nothing left for yourself.

Putting yourself first looks like getting enough rest, eating well and doing the things you enjoy.  Me first is not always a bad thing.  Everyone loves a hero so be one to yourself and love yourself even more.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone! ~Love, Amy

To learn more about what I do, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co
To schedule an in-person or remote Reiki session with me, visit my website:https://amykaufman.co/private sessions OR em
ail me at amy@amykaufman.co