New Release! Think Good Thoughts: Positive Affirmations for Everyday Living

I am so pleased to announce that my new CD is now released. Think Good Thoughts: Positive Affirmations for Everyday Living is created just in time to increase your self-esteem and your ability to manifest a happier life. I have 6 other CDs that are Guided Meditation CDs. This new release was inspired by the need to listen to something positive while driving. The graphic artist who did the artwork on the first 6 CDs commented about the statement on each CD, "Do not use while driving." He said, " Margaret, you should create a CD that says 'Use while driving.'"


This CD, Think Good Thoughts, is exactly that - a CD to listen to while you drive to help you maintain good thoughtforms. You can buy it online or in person at The Crystal Garden.


Unfortunately, many of us have worrisome thoughts on a regular basis. When we worry, we have a tendency to attract more of what we worry about. Yet when you change your thoughts and focus on the possibility of something better, miraculously it occurs. This CD is set up to listen to repetitively and to repeat the positive affirmation within or out loud. Thoughts and words create things. So use it often and change your life!



The artwork for the cover was created by Victoria Rose Martin She is an accomplished artist in many media. In fact she is a professor at Palm Beach Community college teaching others. Her husband, Jody Pollard, recorded and mixed the CD for me. He worked on it until it was perfect.

I am so please to have my CDs at the Whole Foods Markets throughout most of Florida. Pictured here on the left are my CDs at the Whole Foods in Boca Raton. Whole Foods also carries them in Aventura, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach Gardens and hopefully soon to be at the Naples and Wellington locations.

I just connected with a sales team who will bring my CDs into North Carolina, Alabama, and into Whole Foods in other regions as well as many other bookstores. All my CDs sell well at Whole Foods as well as at my own store and other grass roots stores around the country. They are very affordable. Only $12 each.

My new release was premiered at the Mitchell-Hedges Crystal Skull Event on January 22, 2009.


The event went so smoothly. I must say that my staff and I are very good at running these bigger events. Here we are on the right.



In this picture with the skull (from left to right) Bill Homann, Tecia Linville, Pam Elliott, Vickie Mitchell, Me!, and Chrissy Clark. I welcome speakers who can draw in up to 300 people. It's good for our community to have the gift of these amazing events.

The Crystal Skull event was so loving and enjoyable. Everyone was in a peaceful space and loving kindness permeated the energy of our space. The event was held at the Boynton Woman's Club in the Grand Ballroom


The Crystal Garden had a booth with a sampling of our crystals and books and much more. Natural Awakenings of Palm Beach County did a fabulous job with articles, ads and press releases announcing the event. Here on the left you will see Leah Lou Patton, publisher of the Palm Beach edition with her sister and colleague, Mishal. Much gratitude to these 2 ladies.



People flew in from L.A, Canada, Mexico, Kentucky, Arkansas, and all over Florida. Everyone had the opportunity to sit with the skull, take photos and experience this profound artifact. We are very grateful.

And, at the end of the night I had my turn with the Mitchell-Hedges Crystal Skull. It was an honor and a privelege to host this event and be a channel for bringing this skull into South Florida.

I could probably ramble on for a while. But I'll spare you . . .

With great joy I sign off for now!

Only a Rose . . .

I love to garden. Gardening is good for my soul, my mind, my heart and my body. As I headed into my garage after a full day of running errands today, my garden called me. I had to see if my newly planted trees needed a drink of water. The roses captured my attention. So I stopped to smell the roses. I ended up trimming the rosebush and picking a few blossoms to place around my home. They graced our table tonight while Vincent and I had dinner. I have another vase of them near me here in my living room as well.

Rose bushes like to be trimmed. I was taught to cut the blossom just above the first set of 5 leaves. It is said to promote healthy growth and more blossoms. It's also important to dead head rose bushes. Dead heading is not related to the Grateful Dead in this case. It means that one should take off the dead blossoms or the rosehips.

It's a similar concept to removing the dead wood or that which is no longer useful. By removing the dead flowers or branches allows for the energy of the plant to go to new growth and creating new blossoms. Likewise, use this gardening tip for your life. Remove what is no longer working or draining of energy so that the new may bloom in your life. There are numerous analogies relating to gardening literally that are lessons in spiritual and personal growth.

A good example of this is the story, The Secret Garden, which is one of my favorite children's novels. Actually it's a novel or story for all ages. This novel has been made into a movie - more than once. The story of The Secret Garden was the inspiration for the name of my store, The Crystal Garden. I wanted to create a place where people could go to heal, to feel safe and to have a magical experience. Take the time to read this book and then visit The Crystal Garden. You'll pick up on the analogy.



It's glorious weather here in South Florida today. I think our high was 71 degrees and sunny. Paradise does exist. If you ever want to have a spiritual vacation, come to Boynton Beach to go to the beach, enjoy the glorious weather and attend all types of classes at The Crystal Garden.

Sending you roses and sunshine,

Margaret

Facebook

It appears I have a new addiction. During this time that I've been resting to recover from Acute Bronchitis, my mind still wants to work but not on "work-work." I've been playing on the internet. Who would have ever thought you can socialize online. I certainly never went there before. Now it's a whole different story.

I've truly embraced and discovered the world of Facebook. I've been cultivating my social network and connections with people around the globe. It's been interesting and something I normally wouldn't have time to do nor is it something that I should spend time doing. Yet as time goes on I have realized it's something I most definitely "should" do!

I've reconnected with friends from high school and college. Now that's really cool! One of my friends lives in Dubai and I was able to see her and wish her a Happy Birthday because of Facebook. I really love it.

There are some marketing advantages as well, of course. I started a group for The Crystal Garden. If you are on Facebook, please join the Group called The Crystal Garden and also become a fan of The Crystal Garden. There is probably a way for me to link this to that yet I've not gone that far yet.

I've posted photos there like this one so people can see the Angel Room. Some of our customers have moved away and miss attending classes at The Crystal Garden so it gives them a chance to visit online.

And I also posted a picture of this Angel Gemstone Oracle Reading. The Angel Messenger Practitioner (TM) Program is coming up in March. It'll be held on March 13, 14 and 15. The Angel Messengers who have completed this course have found it highly beneficial for personal growth but also for the many people they help because of their training to connect with the angels.

I'll be offline for most of the weekend in order to go shopping for gems for The Crystal Garden. It'll be good to step out and away from the computer but I'm sure I'll miss it. That's what happens with an addiction. I guess there could be worse addictions. Back to balancing life . . . that's what needs to happen.

The Gem Show is for resellers to buy for their stores. I love to shop for crystals. We sell a lot of crystals and gemstones at The Crystal Garden. Our shelves are pretty bare. All the big pieces are gone with the exception of one piece so I better fill up my vehicle! Next week the shelves will be sparkling again. (they are still sparkling . . . just not at the magnitude that they normally are. )

I have gratitude to all our customers because unlike most retailers, our sales are up over last year.

Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude!

Home for the New Year!

I guess the Universe has decided I need an extended rest. Not that long ago I blogged about being Superwoman! Ha! That came back and bit me in the . . . Now I have acute bronchitis and I'm required to stop, rest, heal, nurture, blog, read books, crochet, rest, sleep, watch TV and movies, and recapture my essence. This photo is a picture of my rose hip tea. Read on . . . I talk about it further down.

My Mom's Birthday in Heaven is on January 6 so the lung and bronchial challenge can be related to the grief. I'm sure there is more. Perhaps I've agitated a few people so their negative thoughts about me can weaken my energy field. (Yes, being in a boss, president of an organization, a landlord, etc. can cause people to not agree with me or dislike me because of the business decisions that I must make for the highest good. Aaaah - such is life.) Overall, I am well liked and loved by many - Thank God/Goddess!

I believe in the middle road as my friend, Melissa, put it. I use antibiotics and other prescribed medication combined with alternative healing methods. While I'm resting, I do get to search within to uncover or discover how I manifest this pattern of getting ill at this time every year for about 12 years.

So, uncovering these various things plus more that I will not discuss on the Internet, helps me in the healing process and in my own personal and spiritual development. It's called self-observation. Self-observation is a tool to observe my habits, actions and reactions without judgement yet being consciously aware of them.

I also like to use essential oils and herbs to assist in the healing process. My good friend and business associate, Di Knuckle, in Sturbridge, MA owns Earth Spirits - An Herbal Apothecary. She saw my post on Facebook about being sick and she gave me some healing tips while reminding me to apply what I already know. She's sending me some Bronchial Brew and other good things. If you go to Sturbridge, go see Di and her fabulous store. I've taught there and I do hope to return there again. I really like that area and Di and her sales team are really fabulous.

I did take some photos to share with you about my adventures in healing. First, I decided to ear candle. It made a significant difference as it relieved my sinus headache that went along with the bronchitis. I even posted it on Facebook. It shocked some people I think. I understand everyone wants to look good on Facebook. OK, I can see that yet I also want to be me on Facebook. It's a great way to share ideas.

Anyway, removing the excess wax has always helped me clear out toxins and relieve pressure. The mango trees are in full bloom here. I live in an area called Mango Hill. There are groves remaining amongst the homes and backyards of my neighborhood. It seems a bit early for the mango trees to be in full bloom, but a friend of mine told me they bloom in January. So, perhaps it's a month early because it's like springtime here. As long as we don't have any heavy winds or severe drops in temperature it'll be a bumper crop this year. I'll have to learn how to make mango preserves and chutney. That'll be fun!

In the process of figuring out what else I could do, I decided to pull out my reserve of Rose Hips. I personally collected these rose hips high in the mountains in the valley of Durango, CO. My cousin, Maria, and I happily gathered them off the rose bushes by her home and neighboring homes along CR 203 in Hermosa, CO nestled in the valley where the Durango-Silverton Railroad choo-choos by. It's a piece of heaven in my cousins land. Anyway, after collecting the rose hips, we set them out to dry in the sun on a screen. I gathered them into this jar and pull out my stash when I don't feel very well. It's nurturing because of the high levels of Vitamin C, but also because of the good memories with my cousin who I love so much! I do hope to return to Hermosa for a visit soon Perhaps this summer Vincent and I could find time to run over to see her after INATS West in Denver in June.

Well, that's enough blogging for now. It's time to rest again. I love to play on the Internet, updating this and that yet balance will prevail. I'll enjoy a bit of time in my backyard under my 200 year old oak tree as I listen to the waterfall which flows into my pool while reading a novel. How delightful!

Happy New Year!

www.thecrystalgarden.com We do sell ear candles at the brick and mortar location of The Crystal Garden. Most health food stores like Nutrition Cottage in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach or Whole Foods (nationwide) sell ear candles.

. . . 'tis the Season!

Aaaahhh - the joys of the Holiday Season. Or is it just a shopping frenzy? I am so grateful to have The Crystal Garden which is definitely a sanctuary any time of the year yet at the holidays it seems to be extraordinarily special. I've shopped in person and online this year. It wasn't too bad because it appears I either pick the right time to go into a store or people aren't buzzing at the mall this year due to the "shrinking economy."

We must be doing something right at The Crystal Garden. It isn't shrinking at all. It's expanding daily. This year's numbers YTD are definitely up over last year. So why is my business doing well? I'd have to guess because of our genuine intention to serve and help people have a happier more fulfilling life. I say "our intention" because it's not just me! It's my whole staff. Every single one of us - Pam, Dawn, Tecia, Chrissy and myself - we all want to assist you. Not just shopping your way through the store (although that's great and thank you) but to help you feel the love and well-being that each and everyone deserves.

People audibly sigh when they enter our doors. We maintain a "no cell phone zone" and usher people out to take their calls on our front sidewalk with our live lucky cats. They return to continue their shopping with their cell phones silenced so everyone enjoying the store can have a respit from the sounds of cell phone rings!

It also smells so good inside The Crystal Garden. Our customers comment on that all the time.

Many people come to visit with Sha Nay, my blue and gold macaw. She is definitely a character and quite good looking. But Mikael, the white dove, is also a phenomenon! Mikael is 19 years old, flys around the store and laughs and coos. This peace dove has a new trick. He sits on top of the earring spinner rack, removes the peace sign earrings from the earring card and then looks at you and laughs! What a kick!

He's no ordinary bird!!! We love all our animals.

Anyway, it's time for me to get ready for a yoga class. I'm going to try to take today to rest. I'll be working straight through til Christmas. Aaaaaa . . . tis the Season!

Merry Christmas!