GRATITUDE IS GOOD MEDICINE

december

uplifting humanity

january

health & wellness

february

heart-centered living

learn about marketing opportunities at: 570-350-4590

Gratitude is Good Medicine

by Madiha Saeed

Stress, work and family routines can trap us in a pattern of negative thinking that feeds on itself and creates stress and unhappiness. With our internal and external worlds being bombarded these days with negativity, being optimistic is more important now than ever before.

Gratitude is not just a feel-good word. It is an emotion expressing appreciation for what one has—a universal concept in nearly all of the world’s spiritual traditions. Practicing gratitude daily is proven to have actual physiological consequences. It helps lower inflammatory markers, influences epigenetics, improves the immune system and even helps the heart, adding years to life.

Optimism has been found to correlate positively with life satisfaction and self-esteem. “Heartfelt” emotions like gratitude, love and caring produce coherent brain waves radiating to every cell of the body, as shown by technology that measures changes in heart rhythm variation and coherence.

Our subconscious governs 90 percent of our thoughts and actions. It shapes our every behavior. But the subconscious mind is nothing other than neural pathways that have been established in the brain as a result of past beliefs and conditioning. Our subconscious does no thinking of its own, but rather relies on our perception of the world around us, interpreting verbal and nonverbal cues.

When we consciously turn negativity to positivity from the inside-out, the neural pathway associated with negativity will take time to come down fully, so it is critical to practice gratitude regularly. Upon waking in the morning, say 10 things that you are grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal. Put sticky notes all over the house with gratitude messages—on photos, light fixtures, fans, exercise equipment—to create a zone of subliminal positivity.

Remember that our perspective can reflect either our pain or our power. That choice is in our hands. Know what you are grateful for each day.

Madiha Saeed, M.D., ABIHM, is the bestselling author of The Holistic RX, an international speaker, founder of HolisticMomMD.com and director of education for KnoWEwell.

Spiritual Steep Book Group – 6:30-8:30pm. Held 11/2, 16 & 30. November’s Book: The 4 Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz. $15. Firefly Hollow Holistic Wellness, 200 Farm Ln, York. 717-814-9136. FireflyHollowWellness.com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

YogArt Chakra Mandala Workshop – 6-8:30pm. Also Nov 4. A creative mix of mind, body, spirit exercises that bring you into the flow to create mandalas that speak from spirit, removing blocks and empowering your best life. The Balance, 2201 Forest Hills Dr, Ste 9, Harrisburg. Pre-registration required: BalanceIsYours.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Friends of Fredricksen Online Silent Auction – Nov 4-17. Bid on 100s of items including gift cards, experiences, decor and more. Get your holiday shopping done early while supporting the library. Fredricksen Library, 100 N 19th St, Camp Hill. 717-761-3900. FredricksenLibrary.org. YogArt Chakra Mandala Workshop – 6-8:30pm. A creative mix of mind, body, spirit exercises that bring you into the flow to create mandalas that speak from spirit, removing blocks and empowering your best life. The Balance, 2201 Forest Hills Dr, Ste 9, Harrisburg. Pre-registration required: BalanceIsYours.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Basic Glass Fusing Class – 10am. Learn the basics of fusing glass: tools used, design techniques, types of glass. Create a unique one-of-a-kind piece (appx 2” x 1 1/2”). All supplies provided. $20. The Center of Balance LLC, 29 N Jefferson St, Greencastle. 717-643-1404. TheCenterOfBalanceLLC.com. Intuitive Tarot Readings – 10am-4:30pm. Also Nov 19. With Judy Winfrey.Receive messages that offer clarity and guidance which can help you with everyday life as well as help open you to your own potential. $80/hr. Gracefull Heart, 1953 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle. Pre-register: 717-240-0400 or Info@ Gracefull-Heart.com. Tarot Readings – 10am-5pm. Reader John Tucker answers questions through the tarot in these private sessions. Hour or half-hour options. $100. Alta View Wellness Center, 4814 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg. Pre-registration required: 717-221-0133 or AltaViewWellness.com. Inner Peace Holistic Expo – Nov 5-6. 10am6pm, Sat; 10am-5pm, Sun. Enjoy free lectures and demonstrations, holistic and natural products and services, and more. $10/weekend. Hamburg Field House, Pine St, Hamburg. 610-401-1342. InnerPeaceHolisticExpo.com. Gendai Reiki: Level I – 11am-5pm. The techniques of reiki are amazingly simple to learn. The ability to use reiki is not only taught, but also transferred to the student during a reiki class. $175. Firefly Hollow Holistic Wellness, 200 Farm Ln, York. 717814-9136. FireflyHollowWellness.com. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Mystic Sound Immersion – 11am-12pm. Come relax, release and recharge as Jennifer Rabenstein guides you through a mystic sound immersion by playing a variety of crystal singing bowls, rattles, drums, gongs, chimes and more. $22. ReWeaving Balance, 5 Harrisburg Pk, Dillsburg. 717-943-4833. ReWeavingBalance.Earth.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Psychic Readings – 12-7pm. Psychic William Stillman connects to the spirit realm to bring forth messages in private, 1-hr sessions. Bring photo of loved one (living or deceased). $200 cash only. Alta View Wellness Center, 4814 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg. Pre-registration required: 717-221-0133 or AltaViewWellness.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

savethedate

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Cumberland County Women’s Expo – 9am2pm. The Women’s Expo brings together women of all ages for shopping, mini-spa treatments, entertainment and learning about products and services. Exhibitors will represent beauty, home, health and wellness, fashion, shopping, finance and more. Free. Carlisle Expo Center, 100 K St, Carlisle. 717-285-1350. AGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com.

savethedate

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Full-Body Reflexology Certification Course – Nov 12-13. 10am. Learn techniques in the Natural Electro-Magnetic Process for head-to-toe alignments including hips, tailbone, shoulders, pelvic and more. These techniques help to align the body and, in most cases, offer immediate relief of pain. NCBTMB provider #155. 12 CEUs. $425. Health Quest Holistics, 1517 N 7th St, Lebanon. 717-228-0612. HealthQuest4Life.com.

Archangel Michael, Mother Mary, Padre Pio

Channeling – 10am-4pm. With Pat Cassel. Messages from Archangel Michael and the Angels, and potent healing energies from Mother Mary and Padre Pio are awaiting you. $100/hr, $60/30 mins. Gracefull Heart, 1953 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle. Pre-register: 717-240-0400 or Info@Gracefull-Heart.com. Holiday Artist Market – 10am-4pm. Wide variety of artist vendors: watercolor/oil paintings, jewelry, candles, pastries, dog treats, handmade alpaca wool items, stones/crystals, recreated furniture, pottery, herbal teas/remedies, body scrubs/butters, local honey and more. All local. Discounts on Gift Certificates. Free admission. Carlisle Bowen Works, 616 W Main St, Mechanicsburg. 717-386-8279. CarlisleBowenWorkPA.com. Walk-In Acupuncture – 10:30am-12:30pm. 2nd Sat. A 20-min seated acupuncture treatment using ear (auricular) and head points. Donation. Blue Mountain Acupuncture, 5521 Carlisle Pk, Ste B, Mechanicsburg. 717-516-1080. BlueMountainAcu.com. Tea & Tarot – 1-5pm. Held monthly on 2nd Sat with Pat Dumas. $65/25mins, $110/50mins. Firefly Hollow Holistic Wellness, 200 Farm Ln, York. 717814-9136. FireflyHollowWellness.com.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Reflexology and Ion Foot Cleanse – Nov 16-18. 9am-6pm. Lynn Diehl offers private reflexology sessions and ion cleanse foot baths. $75/reflexology; $40/foot bath. Alta View Wellness Center, 4814 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg. For appt: 717-221-0133. AltaViewWellness.com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17

Daughters of the Hollow – 7-9pm. Join us for our monthly women’s gathering facilitated by Reflexologist and Wild Women Circle Facilitator Tanya Gore. $40. Firefly Hollow Holistic Wellness, 200 Farm Ln, York. 717-814-9136. FireflyHollowWellness.com.

Shamanic Journey and Sound Healing Around

the Stargate – 7-9pm. With Linda Gareh-Applegate, Holly Blyler, Sharon Askey.Relax, rejuvenate and rebalance with potent sound healing. Sound can provide an opportunity to breakdown patterns no longer serving you. $20. Gracefull Heart, 1953 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle. Pre-register: 717-240-0400 or Info@Gracefull-Heart.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Intuitive Tarot Readings – 10am-4:30pm. See Nov 5 listing. Gracefull Heart, 1953 W Trindle Rd, Carlisle. Pre-register: 717-240-0400 or Info@ Gracefull-Heart.com. Psychic Readings – 10am-5pm. Psychic William Stillman connects to the spirit realm to bring forth messages in private, 1-hr sessions. Bring photo of loved one (living or deceased). $200 cash only. Alta View Wellness Center, 4814 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg. Pre-registration required: 717-221-0133 or AltaViewWellness.com.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20

One-on-One Mediumship and Intuitive Sha-

manic Healing Card Readings – 9am-4pm. With Melissa Colucci. Whether your reading facilitates discussion, promotes forward thinking or assists in dealing with everyday worries, your cards are truly meant for you, and you only, to act on. $75/$133. ReWeaving Balance, 5 Harrisburg Pk, Dillsburg. 717-943-4833. ReWeavingBalance.Earth.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25

Black Friday No Tax and The Wreathery Fresh

Wreaths Event – Nov 25-Dec 24. 10am-6pm, Thurs/Fri; 10am-4pm, 1st, 3rd, 5th Sat. Have a cup of warm holiday punch, a treat and find the perfect unique gift for yourself or someone else. The Center of Balance LLC, 29 N Jefferson St, Greencastle. 717-643-1404. TheCenterOfBalanceLLC.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Small Business Saturday at Alta View Wellness

Center – 11am-4pm. Join Alta View practitioners for mini-sessions and readings ($25/20 mins), gift certificates, shopping and more. Alta View Wellness Center, 4814 Jonestown Rd, Harrisburg. 717-2210133. AltaViewWellness.com.