Vicki kennedy

Saturday Morning

Sit Rest Work. Alone with yourself, Never weary. On the edge of the forest Live joyfully, Without desire. -the Buddha

The rain has stopped maybe I can ride this beautiful Saturday morning. Thanksgiving is on Thursday... I can't believe it... seems like we just did this!

Then Christmas... I always get a little blue during the holidays. So here are some things to do to chase the blues away;

Take time to enjoy the season
Get plenty of rest
Eat healthy foods
Breath
Spend time with family, friends and pets
Take a walk in the woods
Stay out of Wal Mart!

Happy Saturday to you!

 

It's Been a Long Challenging Summer....

 

 

  Dharma and Rosie on one of our trips to the coast to see the kids. They love to go!

"The longest journey you will ever make in your life is from your head to your heart."

-Unknown Sioux Indian

The Summer has been a challenging one kind of like trying to climb a giant Redwood Tree... you stand at the bottom and look up... you start the climb and know that it will take time, patience and skill... and you wonder if you will ever reach the top.

My summer has been spent healing my heart strings... my girls! Siempre still healing from her tendon injury... my Dharmafrom her encounter with a Squirrel and a lead pipe and then surgery and me with my cracked ribs (no laughing matter). Rosie seems to be the only one staying healthy.

Sometimes you just have to retreat from the rest of the world... That's what I plan to do for the next few weeks. I love driving up my dirt road to my little loft in the woods and leaving it all behind. It's been that kind of summer. My girls and I, and the quiet healing energy of the woods, the trees, the birds, nature. Barefoot in the dirt, coffee on the deck an early morning walk with the girls. And hope  September is a better month.

...and I whispered to the horse; "Trust no man in whose eye you do not see yourself reflected as an equal"

...and I whispered to the horse; "Trust no man in whose eye you do not see yourself reflected as an equal"

Don Vincenzo Giobbe circa 1700

 

Americans report more stress than last year, turning to massage for relief

Many people think of massage as an indulgence or luxury... while a good massage can feel like pampering and be extremely relaxing, there's also ample evidence that hands-on massage can benefit many health condition, from anxiety and back pain to sports injuries and tension headaches. Massage increases blood circulation, it can ease aching muscles and stiff joints. It lowers levels of stress hormones. And it boosts production of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers as well as serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood. Massage can even enhance immune functions!

Massage Therapy Use Holds Steady, Despite Lagging Economy

Americans report more stress than last year, turning to massage for relief

(Evanston, IL – September 24, 2008) – As stress rates increase, more people are turning to massage therapy for relaxation, according to the 12^th annual consumer survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association^® (AMTA^®). The survey found that 59 percent of Americans are more stressed this year than last year, and stress and relaxation are the top reasons Americans received their last massage. These survey results are announced in advance of National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, October 19-25.

“People continue to seek massage because it provides multiple therapeutic benefits, including stress relief, at an affordable price,” says M.K. Brennan, RN, AMTA president. “Massage therapy has not only been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, but it can also relieve stress symptoms like chronic migraines and high blood pressure.” Read More

Breathe in Your Own Healing Energy

  Take a breath... feel your own healing energy. Create the life you want, create your own peaceful world.

• Be happy.
• Laugh a lot.
• Take time for yourself.
• Say no to what you don't want.
• Say yes to what you do want.
• Do what you love.
• Find your passion.

Love life, love it, glory in it with not apology and no shame. Life is good... it's all good!

She Gives the Best Kisses!

 

I love this horse! This was my morning greeting yesterday... it was cold and foggy... and she was warm and snuggle! It doesn't get any better than this! 

Rudy... You will be missed!

 

Rudy James Knight Feb.8, 1953-Dec. 20, 2008. The man with the Unconditional Smile. You will forever remain in our thoughts and our hearts. We love you! www.thebluesbox.net 

It's All Good...

 

As always the days are evaporating... there are only 9 days left until Christmas. We have had snow and rain the past few days... so it might be a White Christmas in sunny California. And we need the weather! California has been in a drought! It was a long dry summer.

However it does make Christmas shopping a bit of a challenge. The roads are wet and icy and I just want to stay home with the dogs by the fire... Siempre has been in her blanket for several days now... and our last ride was Saturday. Hopefully we will have a break and a little sunshine on Wed. so we can go for a snowy winter ride.

This morning I am baking cookies, (7am) with the help of the dogs of course... I will take some to the barn this morning for my some of my horse friends. And a few this afternoon for my clients at the office.

Looks like we might have more snow coming... "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas".

Breathing for Life

 One of the things I forget to do while riding is to Breathe... (it also looks like I am forgetting to smile in this photo) I tend to hold my breath... which creates tension in my body and that tension travels straight through to my horse... sheimmediately feels it and  starts looking around trying to see what is wrong. She starts looking for the horse eating monsters in the bushes making her mom tense up... so she tenses and she starts doing what I call fancy foot work. We don't need fancy footwork! She is fancy enough!

What we need is to take a deep breath!My horse has taught me alot about breathing! Breathing involves the whole body, the whole being. Breath is life! We must breath in order to relax fully. So breathe deeply, relax and enjoy the ride.

Stress Free Holidays??

 

You can thrive, not just survive, and create a wonderful holiday season this year!

Celebrate Life: Breathe

Keep your expectations rational, take of yourself, get a massage, go to the gym, or take long walks. Take control of your time and limit your commitments. Embrace your family and friends! Holidays are about giving not receiving... and being grateful for what you have, not what you don't have!