The other day, I went shopping for a monument.
A mausoleum, to be exact. It's a very sobering experience. When you stand before a granite en�closure, with its religious and floral designs, and realize that you're going to be "in there" one day, it inadvertently makes you philosophical; how much leg room does this thing have, and how hot does it get in the summer? Do they have something with a view? Regardless of the wisdom concerning life after death, of heaven and hell, the down-to-earth, bottom line fact is that when you're screeching toward home plate, in a blaze of glory (no pun intended), you want to complete your final run not just with dignity, but also with class. You want to be the awe of your neighbors. You may have lived in a shack, a one-room apartment, or a rented house all your life, but in death, you demand better. A mansion�like building, with pillars like the Parthenon. That's the stuff! No metal, funeral home markers for you!! After you're dead, you want both the living and dead to eat their hearts out!
When I walked into the monument shop, I was faced with a roomful of nameless stones, angels, and flower vases. I suppose the "shadow of death" can do weird things to your mind because as I
Was looking, I got to thinking that just last week, I was shopping for a car. In some bizarre sort of way, I began to wonder if there was a correlation between the two.
When you shop for a mausoleum, there are no tires to kick, no statistics on city or highway mileage, no racing stripes, no airbags, or anti�lock brakes. By the time you slip into a mausoleum and try it on for size, you're definitely not going anywhere (unless you're a vampire or something)! But, thankfully, though in a mausoleum, the seat is always in a recline position.
Rather than being like shopping for a car, buying a mausoleum is more like buying real estate. Like a house, in a mausoleum, you look for one, two, or three stalls, one story or two. You look at roofs. You want to keep the water out. If you buy a walk-in style mausoleum, which looks like a small house, you look at front doors and maybe a stained glass window in the back. NON that's more like it; at least you get a good view of the cemetery. You want to be ready if visitors stop by. If you've got a front door, why not a doorbell, too?
(We're not home right now, but if you'll leave your name and number..... )
I enjoyed my mausoleum shopping spree (but then again, we horror/gothic fans have macabre tastes). It's wise to be prepared, though, because you never know when you'll have to take a test drive in eternity. With a mausoleum, when you finally settle down to that final snooze, you can put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the front door.

YES! We have managed to pay all our bills!
That's why VOICES is back. But it costs $600 a year to produce & mail our magazine. so, any donations to help are appreciated, even postage! However, be aware Ne aren't non profit so donations aren't tax deductable. Maybe some day!

We are quickly approaching a new millenium.
Personal and planetary growth is changing at such a fast rate that we can only guess what the future holds for us.
One area that seems destined to lead the Nay in these changes is personal growth and healing. The 90s and beyond will show us that in order to improve as a planet we must, by definition, improve as individuals, and one of the simplest, most profound tools for personal growth and healing is a system called
Reiki (pronounced Ray-key).
Reiki has recaptured the simple and graceful act of healing through touch. this ancient healing energy is not only a powerful healing tool but is a profound spiritual discipline as well. Reiki ranks with yoga, tai chi, and meditation as a method of strengthening the body, quieting the mind, and connecting with the Spirit.
Reiki is a form of healing that uses the same Universal life Energy that we call Love. In fact, the word Reiki means Universal Life Force. This is the same healing energy that great healers like Christ and Buddha have used throughout time. The beauty and simplicity of Reiki is that the energy does the work (as it does with all modalities), the healer acts as the channel, the conduit through which the energy (often experienced as a warm loving feeling) moves. As this energy moves through the healer to the healee, a dynamic occurs between the two people and their higher wisdom. It is this higher wisdom that guides the energy throughout their beings.
Receiving Reiki gives each person a jump start on the path of healing. The body then uses Reiki energy in the most effective means necessary. It is a universal truth that all healing happens from within. Using Reiki merely aids the healing process by balancing the body's systems so that the innate healing wisdom can do its job of healing and rejuvenation.
Reiki is well known for relieving stress, promoting relaxation and providing a deep sense of inner peace. As effective as Reiki is as a natural healing method, it is also a powerful spiritual and personal growth tool. Reiki is a transformational practice that can take you on the journey toward enlightenment. When used daily (for a minimum of 15 minutes) the energy begins to still your mind and deepens your connection with Spirit. You also begin to gain greater clarity and understanding of your emotional and mental worlds. These aspects are often overlooked but Ne feel that they hold the greatest gifts for us. Reiki is, first and foremost a meditative practice that connects us to the quiet voice within.
We feel that Reiki is ahead of its time. It is a 21st century tool that has been given to mankind early to assist with the changes taking place in the world today. Find out how Reiki can assist you in all areas of your life and see how it can help bring serenity into a chaotic world.
Debra and Daniel Paige have 14 years experience working with Reiki and using it as their spiritual practice. They teach Reiki in a sacred way. They are available for consultations. You can reach them at (303) 665-7159 or write to them at P.O. Box 713, Louisville, CO 80027.

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