Charlaine Hood, MSW, LMSW, LAPSW

Who is Charlaine Hood? A world traveler, speaker, teacher, life long learner, coach, entrepreneur and Reiki Master Teacher with students on three continents:  North America, Europe and  Africa.  These include the countries of the United States of America, Scotland, Germany, Bosnia, Croatia, Israel, and South Africa.

Charlaine is a gifted teacher and coach who specializes in helping folks break free of self imposed limits to begin the journey to their TRUE life purpose.  She offers sessions in:

* Life Path Coaching

* Business Development Coaching

* Reiki – Usui & Shamballa Reiki Master Teacher

* Energy Sessions

* Past Life Regressions

She works out of office space in North and West Knoxville, TN USA and also via skype and phone.

Book your session today!

Charlaine Hood

001.865.216.8142

charlaine@charlainehood.com

Germany 2012

Hello from the cold of Germany. Notice all the layers?

It was fantastic being with teachers from 9 countries where we got to share our expertise and healing modalities. 

I got to both teach the big group and do individual Reiki attunements while there.

Read the blog posts for more details on the fun!

I am now taking new clients and will be offering several innovative classes in the near future.  Watch this space for details.

Who is Charlaine Hood? A world traveler, speaker, teacher, life long learner, coach, entrepreneur and Reiki Master Teacher with students on three continents.

Charlaine is a gifted energy empath who specializes in helping folks break free of self imposed limits to begin the journey to their TRUE life purpose.

She works out of office space in Knoxville, TN USA and also via skype and phone.

Book your session today!

Charlaine Hood

001.865.216.8142

charlaine@charlainehood.com

www.charlainehood.com

Feb 2012

Jan 2012

International Community Building

What have I learned from spending two weeks in Germany?  Well. Glad you asked…..

More about myself than I ever would have without this new fold of international travel.  There were folks there from 10 countries.

On the surface it seemed a daunting prospect to join a group of 30 others, some of whom did not speak English

to begin dialogue around community building, peace, healing and acceptance of each other’s differences.

What I found is that it does not take a shared language to ask:  “Do you want the plate of tomatoes?” at breakfast.

Or to share tears as others spoke about pain experienced first hand during times of war.

 

 

As we became familiar with each other, there were poignant moments of deep sharing, laughter, and fun.

It was facinating to me to watch other healers at work.  Each with our own style and process.

Several of us began to combine techniques and healing opportunities.

Speaking about our learned adaptations and sharing, always sharing, that which would advance the other’s skills.

So what really did I learn about myself?  I’m a gifted healer on any continent.  And that there is no barrier of language when love is the underlying theme to healing.

Peace,

Charlaine

Finding new paths



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Finding New Paths

Yesterday I got to meet many of the practitioners at my new office space ~Rhama Center ~at the monthly meeting.  They are a very diverse, talented group with some huge visions for healing and supporting our world.  Seems like I should fit right in, yes?  

Only, I found myself shy.  I know, right?  You just did a double take reading that, didn't you? Me, shy?  Ms. Extrovert of the year.  Yep, I did. 

The thought was:  "What could I possibly have to add to this group."  The image was of a young girl stubbing her toe against the playground and wanting to be invited to play.  Fascinating!  What an opportunity to look at another piece of benchmarking behavior.  Only that is a topic for a different newsletter. 

As we began to visit and talk, I relaxed and got excited about all these new healing modalities where other folks are so skilled.  As we each spoke of our interests and willingness to support each other, a phrase really resonated:  "We each are healers.  Each of us have our own expertise.  There is no competition.  It's about cooperation."  I like that.      

Turns out I sat down beside another new practitioner, Janice Ledford, RN and certified BioFeedback Therapist.  That is where the real fun started.  We talked at first – clinically – What do you do?  How did you learn?  What is your idea client?

Before long, we had progressed to friends, family, visions for our future and how best to support one another on our newest endeavors.  That sounds more like me, doesn't it?

What Janice does is so cool!  This machine scans us and then tells her places to intervene.  It reports on the biological reactivity and resonance in your body and indicates needs, dysfunctions and vulnerabilities.  Energy that needs to be shifted and new pathways created .  I'm in.  We are going to meet up this week.

 If you want to find out more, I've invited her to join me on The Vibrant Mind on Blog Talk Radio.  This is Thursday's at 3 pm.  All the past shows are archived in a mp3 format if you've missed them.

Find peace within yourself

Rumi tells us: 

What is the body?  Endurance.

What is love? Gratitude.

What is hidden in our chests?  Laughter.

What else? Compassion.

Apply each of those in liberal doses during this winter weather and know Peace.

Secondary Healing

Did you know we got 6 more inches of snow today?  Did you hear the huge sigh from this sun loving person? Dog and I are perched on her ottoman looking out the window at what bits of sunshine are peaking out behind the clouds. 

This morning the logical part of my brain said:  "You knew this was coming.  You even moved appointments for this snow.  Buck up. It's only for a bit.  This is Tennessee."

The non-logical part just kicked her in the shins and went back to bed.  *smile*  Something wonderful about snuggling deep into the covers piled on the bed when you 'should' be working.  

How are you taking care of yourself today in this frozen world of potential?

Me?  I calling:  "Come on sunshine!" 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Magical Possibilities 2011

Remember to join us 1-11-11

Jan 11, 2011 for our New Year goal setting and possibilities workshop.

 

6:30 pm to 9 pm

Where? Unity Church of Knoxville

Cost?  $25

Charlaine Hood, MSW, LMSW, LAPSW

865-216-8142

charlaine@charlainehood.com

www.charlainehood.com

 

 



Finding Space





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Finding Space

Yesterday was a productive day. Wasn't it? (OK, stop laughing) What do you mean that I'm back at work. My body's sleep cycle didn't say so. Here's a truth. Well, mine at least. Yesterday was the first 'day' back at work after the vacation Holiday where I slept in, walked around in my pj's and generally relaxed. 'Cause, Oh, aren't we supposed to? Society give us permission, right?

 

Yes, I did have clients over the holiday season. Really fantastic rocking! Women. Yet, somehow, without my conscious knowing, I started to say: “I'll get to that next year.” Then poof, Monday was next year. OK, where is my list?
Hope you are getting the humor here:-}}

 

Then, I got a phone call. My ½ day retreat client was ill and needed to cancel. Then, within minutes, I got anther phone call where I asked a simple question about space for my upcoming Jan 11 Magical Possibilities workshop. This set off a cascading chain of calls, appointments, meetings and generalized synchronicity that has me looking back today with wonder. What fun to be in this flow of life moving in answer to my request for space.

 

Magical Possibilities & Goal Setting 2011 will now be held at Unity Church of Knoxville which gives us a wonderful space in which to move around, create, write, draw and VISUALIZE our choices for this coming year. There is the business side.

What I also got to do while looking at that space was spend time with a friend I dearly love and chat with her while I helped take down Christmas decoration off a top shelf -cause Oh I'm tall. Hearing about her family, their holiday, her plans and generally catching up. The three wise men had nothing on us as we solved the world's problems! In an hour!

 

I then drove west to look at an office space that I had been considering. Yes, I love skype for those out of state and international clients. Plus, having folks out to my home office to work for ½ and whole day retreats is still my favorite. Huge, much and lots of stuff gets shifted, talked about, moved, decided upon and LIFE changes here. Only, office space in Knoxville gives me another component of privacy to add in meeting up with folks. Coffee shops are fine. Office space allows for that next level of depth to be added.

 

As I spoke with Denise about Rhama, I began to realize that what I had been missing was community. Having ownership of my skills now allows me to move into an inner space where I am ready to engage with a broader, like minded set of entrepreneurs.

Their website reads: “Rhama is comprised of the businesses of professional, experienced practitioners who provide expert consultation, counseling and healing. We understand the importance of quality holistic healing spaces and we are committed to the highest standards of professional services.”

Yep, that's me. My first meeting with the entire group of professionals will be this Sunday for the monthly meeting. I'll keep you posted about my impressions.

 (Not done.  There is more!)

From there, I called another friend to see if she would meet up with me for dinner. She could and there was this lightening round of catching up about just born twin great nieces, flying during a snow storm, being stuck at airports and general oh's, ah's and how was that's- all over delicious soup and sandwiches.

 

Then I went on to our monthly meeting of Complementary Health Education Organization [CHEO] to hear another friend of mine talk about what she loves to do. Meeting, greeting and learning about other healing modalities from fellow practitioners. YUMMY!

 

So the theme through all of this? How much did I get marked off my list? What's your guess?

 Friendships, relationships, being open to seizing possibilities. Being simply me. That person who adds value, layers of ideas, sees opportunity and imagines how I fit into that world. Risking, taking, breathing, laughing, receiving.

Some of the rest of you might have read that and been exhausted. What? You stacked how much into an unplanned day? Who do you think you are? Super- silly? Super-busy? Crazy?

Nope, simply being me.

Others of you might have spiraled under at the call from the client saying they were not coming?

Nope, reschedule. Find this creative space for what wants to fill that time. Reading, writing, traveling, talking. Oh yes, did I mention talking. I do that really well too.

Again, simply being me.

So, here is my call to action: What are you planning to allow into your life for 2011?

What unexpected turn or seemingly disappointment will you expand into unknown opportunity?

How will you be within yourself as your life grows, expands and evolves?  Cause it is. 

 

Remember, I'm here to support you. Let's talk. Schedule some time to meet up – virtually, in person at the coffee shop, in my new office space, or here on the land of beautiful trees.

 

For those within driving distance of Knoxville, Magical Possibilities 2011 will be JAN 11, 2011

1-11-11 from 6:30 to 9 pm at Unity Church of Knoxville. Cost: $25

 

 

Or look for more blogtalkradio.com/thevibrantmind shows to come.

 Remember, WE are not alone.  The whole Universe is conspiring for our happiness.  How will you let it work for you?

Peace,

Charlaine

865-216-8142
charlaine@charlainehood.com
www.charlainehood.com
  

Register today! 
Magical Possibilities 2011
1-11-11 
Tuesday 6:30 pm – 9 pm
Unity Church of Knoxville
Cost:  $25

 




Happy New Year




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Here's to the New Year

 

All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning. Great works are often born on a street corner or in a restaurant's revolving door.
~ Albert Camus

Happy and Grateful to have each of you in my life for 2010. 
I urge each of us to look for the ridiculous -magical- possibilites
that are available for 2011.

Peace,
Charlaine

865-216-8142
charlaine@charlainehood.com
www.charlainehood.com
 


 

May it be a great one.



Stilling the Inner Critic




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'Tis the Season

Spread Joy!  Play in the S-N-o-o-oW!

 

The days after Christmas with 6 inches of snow on the ground and it's still snowing. The dogs and I have tromped around outside making snow angels and generally harassing the squirrels who just chittered at us from the trees. After hot chocolate, we ended up in the office on the meditation cushion on the floor. Princess takes her throne (an ottoman) with her chin on the window sill and Buddy guards the door threshold spreading out and kicking for space as if someone is going to take his claimed spot. Can you tell this is a normal cycle between us three? I create, work, record and type here a lot during the week. Sometimes I grimace in fear that you  will hear the dogs snoring in the recordings I send out. I have learned to remove their collars as we start to record.  They wake up and jingle the dog tags they wear to let me know they are ready to do something else. See even the dogs are critics. Smile

 

This morning's interlude after snow walking was to read more of Julia Cameron's Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance. This book was a gift from Candy who keeps nurturing my hidden artist. On page 61, Julia asks us to sketch, draw or identify our inner Critic. Her critic is named Nigel and she states that her work is never good enough for Nigel. Familiar? Oh yes. She urges her readers to  “Take pen in hand. Identify, name and describe your Censor.”

This was too delicious to pass up. I find my favorite spiral notebook, took pencil with thick red eraser in hand and started developing this character who is so familiar. First drawing with quick, swift darts then more squiggles and shading until it came time to draw in the face. The close set, narrow eyes emerged with pursed lips wrinkled as if to say that something smelled or at the least was not quite right. Slowly the rest of the scene emerged flowing from my hand as I drew. Here is what I wrote after that brief sketch:

Brian the Critic:  Sitting crossed legged at the Cafe table with lips pursed, nose tilted as if something smells or is just not quite right is the Critic. Lips snarled and left hand to face to ward off the full flavor of defeat. Secure in his absolute authority and righteous knowing of perfection. As the whole world comes to his table for approval. Tall, impossibly thin, handsome in slick, city style. All in black with diamond stick pen relief. Sheer Beauty glossed over with sophistication.  Who is this impossible man who rules my inner creative domain?

 It is to this alter ego that I bring myself- slow, plodding, overweight, skin tight with lack of winter care. To this alter of absolute perfection, gleaming health, self directed satisfaction. And I wonder why I never measure up? Why I feel I do not belong? Why I hesitate to even step into this Cafe?

 I justify this meek shadow of unworthiness and say to myself: “Maybe I can just slink into a corner booth and get a secondary wave of non-noticed approval from his cynical happiness directed to another.”  Why do I choose this Cafe to inhabit? To seek my star to shine? Cause he is here. He whose approval I have sought so long. Maybe, just maybe, I can squeeze myself into this box….

 

Only it is a sad cycle of failure. He is here and will never notice me. I do not belong. A country girl who has somehow found this mecca of abundance. Unable to ever claim her place at the table. To sit as an equal.  To sip this strong, bitter, black coffee they all love so well. To grimace and pretend life is oh so blase outside that gritty cafe window.  Is this really the full life I choose?  To be forever limited by this inner critic?

 

In writing, I am realizing how narrow the possibility the Critic offers. Vibrant life offers much more.  Here now the opportunity to leave the Cafe.  To gather my coat, hat, boots, portfolio of ideas, sketches, hopes, dreams and wander on down the sidewalk to peruse other store fronts. They shine so brightly. Casting inviting warmth into small pools of light onto the sidewalk from their open windows decorated for the season. 

Look, there is a bookstore with comfy chairs inviting me inside. On down, a spiritualist shop with interesting smells of musty books and incense floating out the door. Inviting the mystic experience. Then a bamboo fronted yoga shop and now a holistic grocery store. Shops full of vibrant lives and interesting folks.  I keep walking taking in the sites of new homes to house my heart and possibility. Not just limited to another's (Critic) false sense of omnipotence. Each store front offers potential in ways that resonate with different aspects of Self. 

As I walk along there is an empty store front- large windows needing cleaning yet with much hope that I am the one to bring her to life. Just as I window shop, there is a “She” watching potential flow by her store and She gently tinkles the store bell, calling "Do you hear me?" with each resonate note.   

Suddenly, She and I make eye contact. Instant LOVE- support – harmony. We bond over the tinkling of the shop bell. The sound twining our hearts. Binding our DNA together. This found heart space now vibrates and rings out across the Universe. WE have found each other, have found our niche of belonging together. Gentle hearts bonding to bring HOPE to others. Some simply as they pass the happy storefront on the street, to glance in and see the posters in the window of new classes and interesting artists coming in the future bringing a smile to their face. Their busy minds noting this space to come to as time allows. 

Others gleefully busting in the door for hot tea and a session or two. Joining us – She and Me – to bring this new unique us. This happiness flavor of Hope out into creation. Still others bring their shy selves gently into the door – called yet pondering: “Do I really belong here?” Only to be welcomed by She – this bright space, open hearted HOPE.  Bonded sharing – greets them at the door with love, radiance of welcome gently assuring them: “Yes, you belong here. We see you. You can be safe here. Join us.” These folks come timidly at first.   Gradually gaining confidence in themselves and make their way to the upstairs loft to comfy cushions or interesting books to find out more about themselves. Here in this welcoming, gentle, safe space.

 Such a difference in a brief walk down the sidewalk.  Or a brief decision of which inner voice to follow.  Which space to occupy? The sleek rejection of Critic or the sunshine of Hope?

 Which do you choose? Which would you sketch, write, draw or dream today? Take the time and find where your heart resides.  We all have infinite possibilities and joy to create.

 

Peace,

Charlaine                                                                 

** JOIN ME Thursday, Dec 30 at 3 pm Eastern for INFINITE POSSIBILITIES FOR 2011 on The Vibrant Mind on Blog Talk Radio.  Remember to register in advance to be able to download this or archived episodes. 

865-216-8142
charlaine@charlainehood.com
www.charlainehood.com

charlainech 

Small snowflake



Traditions

Hello from radio land.  Charlaine and her mother, Elaine Jones, recorded a rocking Blog Talk Radio show on their shared Appalachian Heritage and Christmas Traditions.

The show is now archived and ready for download:

www.blogtalkradio.com/thevibrantmind 


Peace,

Charlaine