By Lynda Shadbolt

There are so many healing modalities that are available to help us lead healthy lives, to support us as we recover from injury or illness, and to just help us through difficult times. I am always grateful for the “constellation” of healers in our county who support us when we need it. The variety of modalities ensures that people can find what works for them.

For years I have read and learned about energy medicine. There are a lot of great teachers out there, and one I’ve worked with is Donna Eden, author of Energy Medicine – Balancing Your Bodies Energies for Optimal Health, Joy and Vitality. I believe our library system has a copy of this book. One of the concepts I learned from energy medicine is that the heart is considered to be the primary system in our body. It is the keeper of rhythm for each cell. We all know how the heart races when we have drunk too much caffeine, and we also know what the heart feels like when we watch a sunrise or sunset, or when we listen to beautiful music or hold a baby in. our arms. The heart influences everything. The heart loves when we feel or experience a certain joy.

I recently did a class with a teacher who said that the heart is like the conductor and that all the other systems like our skeleton, lymphatic, digestive, respiratory etc. are like the orchestra or the choir. The heart drives everything. The heart directs and gives the systems something to align with. What do we want to align with each day? Our highest goodness? Our highest potential? How can we do this with love? What is our life like when love is the guiding force in our life?

As I write this article, my husband is busy packing all of our gear and food. We are leaving on our last camping trip of the year and going to Acray, Barron Canyon in Algonquin Park. We are so excited. I think everyone can relate to that feeling of going on vacation to do something you love. Recharge and refill. I know my heart loves waking up in a tent in a warm, cozy sleeping bag while my husband serves me a cup of coffee (ha ha ha a happy wife is a happy life is the motto I taught her). I like to wake up outside to the fresh fall air and have all of our meals outside. I love spending time with our friends while we are hiking, biking, paddle boarding and bird watching.

One thing I know about myself is that the simpler my life, the happier I am. I remember it every time I camp. Being in nature is good medicine for my heart, the conductor. And when I live from my heart, everyone I’m in contact with can feel it. There are many very simple “energy medicine” routines you can do to calm and calm the heart. Check out the book Energy Medicine or search for Donna Eden on YouTube. Keep your heart happy everyone!