Vicki kennedy

...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!

 

YES. WE. CAN.

                   Hope. Diversity. Peace. Vision. Us.

"This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is the opportunity to make that change." - President-Elect Barack Obama, November 4, 2008.

"Government cannot be theirs to run, it is ours to run."

We truly do live in the greatest country on earth!

“Let’s prove to our children that they really can reach for their dreams,” Obama’s wife, Michelle, once said at a rally. “Let’s show them that America is ready for Barack Obama.” 

Every Morning...

Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four brand-new hours to live. What a precious gift! We have the capacity to live in a way that these twenty-four hours will bring peace, joy, and happiness to ourselves and others. Thich Haht Nahn

My girl is much better... the coffee is on and it's Friday! What more could I ask for!

 

Nice Butt Little One!