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07/29/2010
My Boss is a Lazy Jerk
Each week, we invite a different intuitive to answer a question from a reader. If you'd like to submit a question for Anandra please email her directly.

Free Advice from Intuitive Life Coach, Anandra George

Dear Anandra, My manager is a lazy jerk. He thinks we are just there to serve him, and he's often curt with me. I admit I often give him the shortest possible answer to his question, just to toy with him. He tells me he feels sensitive around me, too. I go into work every day promising myself that I'm going to be present and non-reactive, but I get frustrated. My job is perfect for me except for the relationship with the manager, which is driving me nuts. Is this a sign I should move on?

Chelsea

Dear Chelsea

First of all, I applaud your honesty. It indicates a high degree of integrity that you're willing to look at your contribution to this uncomfortable relationship, and self-awareness of your motivations is the first step towards changing how you relate to others.

Before we move into what I see as the real question, I'd like to address your inquiry, "Is this a sign I should move on?" I judiciously avoid making predictions for people, because it doesn't feel responsible to me. Only you can sense deeply into the direction of your inner compass, and follow its course. That said, it's not "a sign" if you're running from an uncomfortable lesson, an evolutionary tension point that if embraced wholeheartedly, could lead to a much deeper experience of self-awareness and true connection with life.

If you would be so kind as to allow me a small word of caution, which I think may be helpful to you and many readers: Often those on the "spiritual" path start using signs, intuition, guidance, etc. to avoid dealing with the sometimes-gritty reckoning of their identity and their unconscious defense systems. While it may seem like the easy thing to do in the short term, it does not do them any favors in the long run. It creates further disconnect and does not support an integrated spiritual life. I could go on, but suffice it to say: Be Careful! Learn to distinguish (the sometimes confusing and distracting) inner voices of fear and defensiveness, from the deeper gut voice of your pure intuition. Hint: Guidance arises from fullness, not reaction. If you need help sorting through your voices, bounce your ideas off someone you trust not to collude with you, someone who'll tell you the truth.

Now, how to deal with the situation with your manager: It sounds like you'd really like to experience more ease and harmony in your workday. Yes! Sounds great, and sounds totally possible, if you're willing to be even more honest, self-connected, and self-responsible.

Give yourself empathy. Before you gloss over your discomfort and judge yourself for not being more saintly, take a bit of time to acknowledge how you feel. Angry, irritated, frustrated, disgusted (with him and also yourself)? Despondent, Hopeless?
Listen to your feelings. They're there there to show you loud and clear what's really important to you. Get curious about what your strong feelings are guiding you towards. Are you...?
a. Angry because you'd like.... (respect, mutuality, equality, connection, and a sense of teamwork in the office?)
b. Disgusted because you'd like... (to trust in your own integrity to stop punishing him?),
c. Hopeless because you'd like... (harmony, to enjoy your workday?)
Savor it. Try it on. What would it feel like if you were having those experiences? Just saying those words to yourself, and imagining feeling them fully gives you some delicious relief, doesn't it?
Own your responsibility. They are universal human needs, and you feel them inside of you, whether your external environment appears to be supporting them or not. That's the key to self-empathy. Even if your outward situation does not appear to be giving you what you want, you have 100% control over how you feel. You can be savoring the feeling of respect, mutuality, equality, connection, and a sense of teamwork within yourself regardless of what your manager does or says.
Be open to experience the situation in a new way. When you're feeling full, you're not looking outside of yourself for satisfaction. And this has a magical effect; your environment becomes charged with those qualities, and you begin to attract experiences which validate them. It is easier to ask for what you want in the external circumstance if you're not dependent on it. (The opposite is also true: If you linger in anger because you're not feeling respected, you'll continue to attract experiences which validate non-respect.)
If appropriate, make a specific, do-able request. It's probably not realistic for you to ask your boss, "Stop being such a jerk!" But it might be possible to say, "When you ask me to do X, would you explain a bit more? It would help me engage the project from a place of connection to its purpose."

Then, experiment with empathy for your manager. Be forewarned: Seeing his humanity will dismantle your enemy image of him as well as the protective fortress of your self-righteousness. But based on your intention of staying present every day, I think it's what you really want.

How do you think he is feeling? You said sensitive. Maybe also nervous, anxious, vulnerable, scared?
What do you think he would really like to be experiencing? Maybe acceptance, ease, respect, equality? (Interesting... some of the very same things you'd like to experience.)

If one dance partner changes their steps, the other is likely to synch up eventually. If things don't improve in the relationship with your manager, at least they will have improved in your relationship with yourself. Then you can consider whether ease is more urgent than further learning within this dynamic, and look for a new job if that's your "guidance" (wink).

I L-O-V-E doing this type of work with people, because I see it as contributing profoundly to peace. (It's based somewhat on the work of Marshall Rosenberg, the author of Non-Violent Communication.) There's much more we could get into of practical import, but for now, self-empathy, and empathy for the other is a great start.

Anandra
Intuitive Life Coach

Disclaimer: Anandra's advice is not meant to override your personal health providers' recommendations/prescriptions, but is intended to offer a new perspective and encourage your inner wisdom to guide the best course of action.

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My Boss is a Lazy Jerk originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Thursday, July 29th, 2010 at 08:00:08.

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07/28/2010
Hospice and Dying

I'd like to point you in the direction of an article about Hospice workers, the dying, and families of terminal patients that I read a few hours ago. This excellent article is titled Specialists Help Dymystify the Process of Dying.

Hospice and palliative caregiving is a loving and supportive career option. And, I appreciate it tremendously whenever death or end of life issues are written about in an open and loving manner. The subject matter of death and dying does not have to be difficult when it is approached in a positive light.

I have not personally witnessed the transition of a person from this life to the next stage but I've heard some amazing and emotional stories from people who have. Have you ever been at the bedside prior to and at the actual time of someone's passing? The transition from this life into the next stage is a sacred moment. Having the opportunity to witness or help ease another person's transition is a special honor... share your deathbed story.

_{Rebecca Emery / Getty Images}

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Hospice and Dying originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Thursday, July 29th, 2010 at 01:08:06.

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07/27/2010
Reiki Poster

What is Wordless Wednesday?

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_{(c) Joe Desy}

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Reiki Poster originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 at 00:10:12.

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07/26/2010
Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves

I recently discovered the book Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves written by Cicely Kent in 1922. This non-copyrighted text is available in ebook format as a free download at Project Gutenberg.

Kent advises beginner seers to "keep calm, open mind, and do not be in a hurry...." He also says "The gift of imagination is of the greatest possible importance in discerning the symbols which are of such endless shapes and variety."

Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves also includes an extensive dictionary of symbols... a few examples:

BACON - Pieces of bacon signify good luck and profitable business.
EAR - A large ear shows you will be shocked by hearing some scandal or abuse; a normal ear means that you receive some interesting and pleasant piece of news or valuable information.
HAMMER - Troublesome little tasks which you are reluctant to undertake.
PAGODA - Foreign travels.
STAR - A lucky sign; if surrounded by dots, wealth and honour are foretold.

If you would like to practice divining tea leaves, peer into Danni's teacup, and see if you can interpret her leaf markings. Danni wants to know about her future love life. Danni sent me a photo of the inside of her teacup yesterday and is anxiously awaiting reader input. But don't stop there, there are few other teacups that were posted previously that you can also take a peek at and share your insights. Have fun!

If you are like me and enjoy browsing older occult texts Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves is a true treasure. Another older text I discovered recently and downloaded for free is Palmistry for All by Cheiro.

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Telling Fortunes by Tea Leaves originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Monday, July 26th, 2010 at 12:10:31.

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07/22/2010
Red Chestnut Remedy Eases Animal and People Anxieties
Each week, we invite a different intuitive to answer a question from a reader. If you'd like to submit a question for Madeleine please email her directly.

Free Advice from Animal Communicator, Madeleine Walker

Hi Madeleine,

Hi... I have a small dog, Alfie, and he has always been very close to me but the last two weeks he keeps following my partner everywhere and crying if he does not stroke him. He now growls at my other dog if he goes near my partner. This started when my partner was away and I needed to work longer hours and they both went to a doggie crèche, they have both been to this lady before. I was reading about another lady and her dog called Shandy and I was intrigued by your answer, my partner is going through lots of stress and I am worried about his emotional and physical well being, do you think it is this or the doggie sitter or a combination of both.

Lesliegh

Oh what a dear little wise soul! I think he is concerned about your partner and I think it would be a good idea for him to talk to someone about his stress, before it starts to affect his health. One of my most conventional hats I used to wear was a stress management consultant! Unfortunately long term stress does take its toll on the physical body. Your beautiful Alfie knows this. I also feel that when you were away and he was being looked after he would have found that quite distressing as he wouldn't have been able to monitor you both emotionally or phsyically, so I think its a combination of the two that has made him a bit reactive. Have a look at Red Chestnut Bach Flower remedy. Red Chestnut is very helpful for people or animals that take on too much or care too much? I do hope this helps and things start to ease a little in your partner's life.

Best Wishes,

Madeleine Walker
Animal Communicator

Disclaimer: Madeleine Walker shares insights derived from animal communication. Any advice she offers is not meant as a substitute for veterinary care or basic dog obedience training.

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Red Chestnut Remedy Eases Animal and People Anxieties originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 08:00:38.

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07/20/2010
Healing with Crystals

What is Wordless Wednesday?

More Wordless Wednesday photos at About.com and the Wordless Wednesday Home Blog

_{Maria Teijeiro / Getty Images}

~ Healing Lesson of the Day ~
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Healing with Crystals originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 at 00:10:06.

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07/17/2010
Is Your Pet a Healer?

Have you witnessed your pet taking on the role of healer for you or another member of your family? Or, are you a healer who owns an animal who assists you in your healing practice? Tell about your animal companion and why you feel it is a healer.

A few weeks ago I asked my readers to tell me if they felt their dearly departly pets have returned to them by reincarnating and finding their way back home. Here are their reincarnation stories. You can still share if you have your own story.

Now, I'm collecting pet healer stories and want to hear about your healer animal companions. I seeded the index by republishing a beautiful story a forum member shared about her Fabulous Nurse Cat.

_{Thinkstock / Getty Images} ~ Affirmation of the Day ~
~ Healing Lesson of the Day ~

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Is Your Pet a Healer? originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Saturday, July 17th, 2010 at 12:38:08.

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07/15/2010
Sweat Lodge Manslaughter Trial Date Vacated
Newest Updates:
Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Warren Darrow who was scheduled to preside over James Ray's trial will be overtaking another trial due to another judge's illness. This will either push the manslaughter case into November or the trial will be reassigned to a different judge.

Sweat Lodge Tragedy Time Line

Many of my readers have asked me to continue keeping them informed on any new developments on this story. So, of course I will continue to report updates regarding the Arizona sweat lodge tragedy that occurred in October as soon as I know about them. I have gathered past reports and compiled this time line. I will expand the time line as additional news to this sad story unfolds. I welcome additional news updates from readers to keep everyone informed. Please post related news you become aware of under comments to help me make this time line current. Thanks!

Sweat Lodge Tragedy Time Line

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