I had to quickly come to terms with how I was feeling about my body and how I looked to myself and others. I found myself thinking about what my grandmother had instilled in me growing up, always look your best in public and always act like a lady. I had to chuckle as that filtered through my thoughts of how family does shape us and how hard it is to break lifelong habits. I made up my mind that despite how I was feeling about my body, that I was going to enjoy my time in Sedona, AZ. I happen to be a very stubborn woman and do not let personal health stop me from enjoying everything around me.
I had the chance to do quite a few things, one the things I really enjoyed was a play called “A Woman’s Hand” – a special live theatrical production filled with music, laughter, tears, and a whole lot of pioneer women’s soul. Written by Dev Ross, it is a colorful Old West living history that shows the hard work, challenges, triumphs and everyday hardships of women in the 1800’s. The result of tireless research by Dev Ross and historian Kate Ruland-Thorne, the show featured women who helped weave the fabric of Sedona and the Verde Valley. Their stories are heartwarming, often heartbreaking, and rich with spirit. We enjoyed seeing the historical women come alive on stage – the first African-American woman to own a business in Jerome, a saloon hall Soiled Dove from Flagstaff; a Chinese singsong girl; Latina Apolonia Chavez and Sedona Schnebly. It was truly a local history lesson coming to life right before our eyes – one that made me think of the difference between women of our past and the women of today. I had to imagine what it was like for these historic women of our past and wonder if they had issues with the way their bodies looked or if it was all about the basic law of survival.
After seeing the play I really wanted to experience Jerome AZ. Jerome is built into and on top of copper mines; it is a ghost town and the home to the Jerome Grand Hotel. It used to be the hospital for the town and for the mines but now it’s a large haunted hotel. Even there l was very careful as to what to wear. Sometimes I feel as if I am putting on a costume to hide behind so no one truly sees the real me. I feel as if I can dress in an elaborate or nice way people won’t notice my size and won’t have a chance to judge me. I did have a blast during the ghost hunt where my special abilities certainly came into play and the kids that were on tour, thought I was the best thing since chocolate chips. We did a complete tour of the hotel and I discovered several different orbs and some seemed to follow me as I walked around.
I wonder if people back in those days had the same body issues we try and cope with today.
I had a chance to attend the drum circle at Oak Creek Brewing Co. where it was that I realized that no matter what my own body limitations are, it doesn’t have to affect the beauty of my spirit and that spirit is really what shines through. I was able to soak in the positive, beautiful energy of the evening to prepare myself for my own attunement.
My first attunement in becoming Reiki Master was done during a full moon which was a lunar eclipse at Airport Mesa energy vortex. It certainly changed me. Since my attunement I feel more in touch with my spirit, my mind and my body, less afraid of what I look like on the outside.
I experienced star gazing, beautiful country side from either a train ride which was amazing, or our own exploration of the area around us. The people I saw in Sedona were laid back, relaxed, and did not appear to have many issues with how they looked for the most part. The locals seems more in touch with themselves and nature around them. I certainly left Sedona a different person from when I arrived and I was then ready to experience the part of my journey into the strange and wondrous world of Las Vegas. Stayed tuned for next month’s addition for the rest of the story and find out how Las Vegas can transform you.