Thursday, August 31, 2017

September 2017 Snake Oil/So Sensitive

September 2017 Snake Oil
So Sensitive


I was hanging out with a long time friend a few weeks ago when I told him that I experienced a night during my last vacation where I drank way too much alcohol. I usually have one drink a night when I go to Las Vegas for the three day and night trips that I take every other month. The bartender in the Diamond lounge over-poured my Courvoisier to make it more like three drinks. I figured I was on vacation and not driving, so what would it matter if I indulged beyond my normal limits? Of course my intuitive, and practical self told me that it was not a good idea. I foolishly ignored those wiser voices. I drink infrequently and very little when I do, so this heavy amount made me a bit drunk. Like most intoxicants it was fun for a few hours then quickly followed with a headache and other discomforts. I crashed in my hotel room early that night and had a lousy night of sleep. I woke up every two hours to urinate, and I did not feel well rested when I got up the next morning. I felt crappy for most of the next day and I couldn’t seem to drink enough water to feel comfortably hydrated. Indulgence in any form usually has a expensive price tag attached to it. I began to regally understand in my mid twenties that the fun of indulgence isn’t worth the after effects.
The buddy I told about my brief indulgence with alcohol is Mormon. I told him that I think the Mormons are right about the negative aspects of intoxicants like alcohol, drugs, and caffeine. He was thrilled that I validated the wisdom of an aspect of his religious and spiritual convictions. He is a good friend, and my designated driver when we go out to bars, or other events a few times a year. Even though I often don’t actually drink most of the time, his willingness to be a driver is greatly appreciated. Seeing him light up with appreciation reminded me that I often forget to verbally acknowledge the wisdom and value of my friends. I have great friends and that’s why I hang out with them in the first place! This experience reminded me to make a point to compliment them more often.
My sensitivity to certain foods, drugs and alcohol became noticeable in my early twenties. I gave up fast food at about age 23. “Diet anything” ended the first time I tasted something with artificial sugar. It always tasted lousy to me (Crystal light nightmares of my mother trying to sell us on its benefits and tastiness, because she was often trying to lose weight!) and any product that contains it never appeals to me. In my late teens and early twenties I briefly experimented with a few harder drugs like cocaine, and even ecstasy once, but they were never things that I was truly comfortable with. I always found that the toll of these substances on my body, spirit, and wallet didn’t justify their value. Even over the counter medications like allergy medication and pain medications have always made me feel uncomfortable. They would temporarily fix what was wrong, but ten other negative things would be the uncomfortable price I payed for using them. The only “drug” that never seemed to really bother me or cause me any real ill effects was marijuana. I am guessing this is because it is a natural plant from the Earth and less harsh to the body. I was happily stoned a lot while I was in college and experienced very little adverse effects. 
In my early thirties my tolerance for alcohol began to wane as well. I would be fine when I drank top shelf alcohol and good wines and beers, in small doses. I discovered that I was able to drink reasonable amounts of alcohol if I had a bottle of water between drinks (now when I drink it’s usually 2 bottles of water for each alcoholic beverage). Caffeine became far less tolerable when I got into my early thirties. When I would return to New York to visit friends and family the straight (not cut with decaf) coffee we would drink would leave me feeling irritable and uncomfortably wired for hours. At home when I make coffee it is generally 75 percent decaffeinated. Now that I am in my forties, I even have difficulty ingesting too much sugar. Over time, I have definitely become a “Sensitive Suzy.”
I have already discussed the emotional and psychological influences of intoxicants in previous Snake Oil columns. Things like alcohol, tobacco, sugar, caffeine and other “drugs” all mask uncomfortable feelings. Like fear, anger, feeling unlovable, and a bit of everything - respectively. If we are moderate with these types of things they actually can be enjoyable and not necessarily damaging to our bodies. Yet, when we begin to develop spiritually there are other difficulties that can surface as we awaken. Not only do our physical bodies become more sensitive, but our emotional and intuitive bodies become increasingly sensitive as well. Hard to absorb substances become not only uncomfortable, but difficult people, environments, and many other things can also become toxic to us.

Many years ago I noticed that when I am in bars, or places where people are “checking each other out,” that I often have to frequently urinate. Even if I haven’t had a lot of liquids, I still notice this frequent need to eliminate. Often when I get home I still find myself going to the bathroom more than normal when I am trying to sleep at night. When people are attracted to us or simply energetically “poking around” this can be pressure on our second chakra. The second chakra is the energy center below our navel that governs relationships, balance, and much of our sexual energy. I find a similar thing happens when I am around couples that are fighting or arguing around me. This area of my body gets uncomfortable and instinctively wants to release more than usual.

On a more positive note, as we develop our intuitive abilities and our vibrational level increases (we become more enlightened) we can become more tuned into knowledge of how to avoid toxic environments and difficult people. Our increased intuitive development can help us to avoid things that can harm us. We link our intuitive and instinctive centers in a more cohesive and productive way. There are many different benefits that can come from developing our intuitive abilities. While we can train ourselves to allow negativity to flow through us, this is not always easy to do. 
Although I have never been able to completely commit to a vegetarian diet, I do respect and understand why vegetarians have chosen this path. Eating meat that is pumped up with antibiotics and other toxic substances can be extremely hard on the body. Much of the meat most Americans ingest is also from animals that are treated quite poorly. To a large extent the energy of cruel conditions, animals being killed in inhumane ways, and the fear they experience becomes part of their meat and by-products and can be energetically and physically uncomfortable to put in our bodies. I have committed to eating a lot less meat over the years. When I do buy and cook meat I purchase free-range and organic meats. It is a bit more expensive, but worth it. I find that the meat I eat at some restaurants and buffets where the meat is a poorer quality often ends up making me sick.
It may seem that we are not becoming weaker as we develop spiritually and the extra sensitivity to certain substances limits us in some ways. Other people may see us as “too fussy” because we can’t eat certain things or avoid some people and places. Yet the benefits to the increased sensitivity and fussiness will often allow us age a lot better, become less likely to develop illness, and we will become healthier physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The good news for most of us is that no matter how “selective” or ‘”fussy” we become we can still have a little indulgence from time to time if we keep it reasonable. My “bad thing” is an occasional cigar. I tilt a bit heavier with enjoying a number of cigars during casino trips. I balance this with doubling my water intake when I do. The buzz from tobacco is a little hard for me to handle, especially if I smoke before going to bed. Still, an occasional good cigar is just so good, and if I go there I only smoke high end tobacco. Not surprisingly, the cheap cigars make me physically sick. One of the great things about being alive is to enjoy the sensual delights of this world. Even if you are becoming more and more of a “sensitive Suzy” like me, you can still enjoy an occasional indulgence. It can be a bit of a balancing act, yet it can be done! And, no matter how much more sensitive I become I am never going to give up cheese, eggs, bagels, coffee, and really good chocolate - damn-it! I have learned that adding weekly cleanses once or twice a year is just the right balance for me.
Jim Ventura 3-2013
Notes

This Snake Oil column originally ran in early 2013.
This was a Face Book post from a few weeks ago: 

“I woke up last night at around 2:30 am with some noticeable pain on my right side. It wasn’t excruciating but it reminded me of 15 years ago when I woke with really, really sharp pains to later find out that it was a kidney stone(s). Very unnerving to have even a mild version of this again. But practically I have noticed that this was already beginning to be a mild bother in the past few weeks and coincided with some guttural emotions and anger surfacing at the beginning of July. Louise Hay mentions in her book “You Can Heal Your Life” that kidney problems are “Criticism, disappointment. Shame, failure, and reacting like a little kid.” She lists the Liver as “Seat of anger and primitive emotions.”
All definitely fitting emotions that surfaced a few weeks ago. On the practical side, I am not drinking nearly enough water and my drinking a half pot of coffee EVERY day is likely a trigger also.
Picked up some lemons and lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. Will have to drink this mess for a few days and limit the coffee intake for a week or so until it clears up. Fortunately I like tea also and easier for my body. I have already solved the internal anger dilemma and feeling peaceful again. I also researched online at 3 am last night and found acupressure points to work with for liver and kidney so I trust I will dissolve anything really problematic like I typically do.”

Followed a week later with this post:
Just finished my first cup of coffee after an entire week without coffee. A week that involved a bit of a difficult cleanse. Lots of extra lemon water, a concoction of lemon juice and apple cider vinegar every day (ugh), a not-very-pleasant tasting liquid herbal supplement called “stone Free” for kidney and gall bladder. I also ordered a tea made from “Chanca Piedra root” that a friend suggested that should arrive tomorrow as a make-sure-this-crap-is-gone insurance (it did arrive and really worked well!). I had one the other night two days after I posted this last week of real discomfort for about two hours on my right side. It was mildly terrifying to say the least, but I also intuitively knew that what I was in the process of doing would solve the issue. The herbal and acupressure cures I am using to solve this aren’t generally instantaneous. They can take a little longer but often actually solve the problem as opposed to masking the symptoms. Some really uncomfortable childhood memories surfaced in addition to some really healing dreams. The emotional and spiritual base of the forming kidney problem surfaced and because I was willing to recognize these issues, I have been able to release much of these uncomfortable hurts and beliefs. Angel cards, Runes, and my Lakota Indian cards also really thankfully lighted the way. I will be sharing this new knowledge and insight from my experience in more detail in a few months in my monthly Snake Oil column and of course use the insights gained during the difficult period to help my clients to transform similar blocks that they may be having for the rest of my life!
Ah this coffee tastes so good, and it is so nice to have almost cleared this discomfort without having to use traditional medicine. Cost of the herbs and stuff I needed to break up the potential forming of kidney stones total $46.00.”

The issue has completely resolved and I am feeling much better. I will make a point to do a cleanse like this once or twice a year! It is now early September and Fall is on its way. Summer started a bit earlier this year and I am hopeful that Fall will now come sooner. That seems fair, right? My favorite season is the Fall and I am really looking forward to the cooler weather on its way.
Wishing everyone a Cool September. Cheers, Jimmy V

It’s “Virgo” time so I think I need to post some positive and clarifying information about booking sessions:

I am making a slight adjustment to my rates for personal sessions this month. The price for my 45 minute sessions will go up $5. My really short phone mini’s (15 minutes) will drop $5 though, so no real increase. I don’t mind going five or ten minutes over in any session (I can be very chatty) but when they go longer than that I have to charge more. Booking a short 15 minute phone session that goes to a 45 minute session will be charged as a 45 minute session. Booking a 45 minute session that becomes a 70 minute session is pretty much a 70 minute session. If you like the longer sessions than book a longer session when requesting your session to make sure I have the time so you can avoid feeling rushed or getting cut off because of time restraints when we are really doing some positive work. .
I also will firmly charge a $25 no show fee to rebook if you miss your booked phone, or in office session. Unless there is a crisis or another valid reason for missing a session this is my standard fee for both regular clients in my Regular Client Program and non-regular clients. I never mind and I completely understand when someone contacts me a few hours or even 15 minutes before a scheduled session to cancel or reschedule. Sometimes car batteries die, conflicting scheduling issues happen, traffic is obnoxious, or other mild crisis surface in life. I do not charge the fee for situations like this. But, when I am left sitting around waiting for a client to show up or call, my time is valuable. I typically wait about 20-25 minutes and then assume the client is a no-show. If I miss or screw up a session (has happened a total of two times in the past 17 years...) I will discount your re-booked session $25 for my mistake. Unfortunately 2017 so far has been a bit too heavy with no-shows, really-late-for-sessions situations, and a number of no payments for phone sessions, so I will be far more strict with my fees now and in the future.
The vast majority of people in my Regular Client program are really good at staying consistent in coming in regularly for sessions. Overall I am really happy with my current Regulars at many levels! My only discomfort is a bit too often if I send an email telling you that I you are scheduled for your next monthly, or quarterly session I do expect an actual response. I have no problem and recognize that we all get busy, overwhelmed, or money is tight, so there is never a problem with delaying a month or so, but the key is to let me know. Not answering a reminder about your next session email for more than a few weeks (I will also always send a follow up email about a week or so later in case you didn’t get the first emails. Emails do occasionally get lost) to me means you are exiting the program consciously or unconsciously. This is not a problem, but much healthier to let me know. If this happens you absolutely may in the future book sessions at your own pace, but I will no longer send you email reminders and the benefits of the program and the heavily discounted Regular Client rates will no longer apply.

For the most part my rates have been the same for a little over 8 years now. I understand that there are many people who would love sessions but may not be able to afford them. Keep in mind that local in-office clients receive $5 off listed rates for cash or check payments for 45, 70 or 90 minute sessions. If you receive my monthly Snake Oil newsletter there is a $5 discount off 45-90 minute rates as well. Face Book friends (or LinkedIn) and followers receive an additional $5 discount, mention this when booking. My Regular Client Program (if you sign up for it) receives discounts of $20-45 off listed session rates! Another suggestion would be that if you pass along my columns, current listed specials etc.. to friends or through social media outlets, you’re assisting me in building my new client base and will be rewarded for it when referrals book. I always ask where a referral came from with new clients. Every six months or so I send out $10-$25 discounted rate offers for EACH referral (who books and has a session). Check out all the information in each month’s newsletter because every few months I run specials. I also send out a discounted Birthday special for each sign once a year. So there are many, many ways to get discounts to have sessions with me. 
2017 - 2018 Rates before applicable above discounts:
Full session (70 minutes) $110.00. shorter session (45 minutes) $85.00. Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00. Mini phone consults (15 minute, no discounts apply to these sessions) $30.
If you are interested in joining my Regular Client Program contact me for more information.

Regular Client discounted rates for 2017-2018:
Quarterly (approximately every three months) Regulars:
Full 70 minute sessions $90.00 shorter sessions $65.00 Extended sessions $105.00 Mini 15 minute phone or email consult $20.
Monthly Regulars: 
Full 70 sessions $80.00 shorter sessions $55.00 Extended sessions $95.00 Mini 15 minute phone or email consult $15.
In office monthly or quarterly current Regular clients can also take advantage of the added $5 discount for cash or check payments from these already discounted rates.
Regular clients can also take advantage of:
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PREPAY 3 OR MORE SESSIONS YOU RECEIVE AN EVEN BIGGER DISCOUNT. 
(prepaid three quarterly sessions: (3) - 45 minute sessions $175. (3) -  70 minute sessions $240. (3) - 90 minute sessions $285.
(prepaid three monthly sessions: (3) - 45 minute sessions $150. (3) - 70 minute sessions $210. (3) - 90 minute sessions $250.

Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.” William James
“When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?” Sydney Harris

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Unfortunately many of them are now out of print, but I still have a huge collection and will share some of the best material I have collected over the years.

In his channeled book Alexander talks about the different stages of development and the focus from early childhood through old age. A piece of his chapter on the elderly and getting closer to the death transition:

“...The elderly know this. They know that for all the frantic corporate ladder-climbing of middle age, such amounts to virtually nothing when taking stock of a life. As the elderly feel that fresh influx of energy from the nonphysical realm, cushioning their approach to physical death, they are naturally infused with the very wisdom of the ages, of their greater entities. Your professional achievements count for very little in the ledger of the universe. You do not hand your resume to your greater entity upon death and consider that the mark of meaning of your life.
What matters is how you lived. First, did you love yourself? Did you pursue those avenues of interest to you, regardless of the opinions of family and friends? Did you stand your ground when tempted to compromise your principles and integrity? Did you hold true to your beliefs? Did you treat others with respect? Did you find time to love? Did you listen to your children? Did you encourage, nourish and support them on their unique and private paths, not hampering them with meaningless strictures? Did you contribute to the life of your community? Did you make yourself available to your neighbors, to the extent they desired? Did you respect the natural world? Did you live a life attuned to the natural order? Did you make an effort to maintain contacts with those in every stage of life, from young children to the elderly? Did you listen to them? Did you seek out avenues of fresh experience and learning? Was boredom unknown to you, busy as you were exploring a world that can never be fully known? Did you laugh, long, hard, and often at yourself? Did you live?
These are the questions the greater entity seeks answers to when you pass into spirit. Your fancy car, your fancy house, your fancy title, your fancy clothes-dust...”
From Whatever Happened To Divine Grace? Ramon Stevens


“In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.” Jiddu Krishnamurti

Snake Oil Radio

Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be one live broadcast this month)
My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, September 7th at 3:30 p.m. mountain time (same as Pacific time now). Most Thursdays you can catch a new show. Each 45 minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to call in live (or chat with other listeners in the chat room) with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the web site’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on I-tunes (download my pod-casts there).
To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to the site and type “Snake Oil” into the search option. You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments.

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” Lauren DeStepfano, Wither

New Client Special 2017:

January 1st 2017 thru November 30th 2017 Special: New Client introductory offer
$10-15 off listed rates for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Ask for the special when you email
Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates!
My current rates (new clients can subtract the above discounts from these rates): 45 minute sessions $85. 70 minute sessions $110. 90 minute sessions $130. Sessions can be in-office or by phone.

“Relationships based upon need, are based upon how to avoid losing. When you resist loss, you draw it to you.” Dick Sutphen

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (best method for contact).
Phone calls: (602) 957-3035 text only: (602) 349-0746 

Information about the different sessions and types of readings and services, past Snake Oil columns, and how to order my books and audio CD’s can be found at my website: Http://JimVentura.com 

“Friend” me on Facebook to get other extra offers and in between column extras! Signing up for my fan page will get you even more extras and first shot at reading specials. Simply click on “like” on the fan page and you will automatically get my weekly updates. 

You also may want to check out my posts on Tumblr.com: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/snake-oil-blog

All sessions/readings for 2017 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $85.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each, although no other discounts will apply).  Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. 
All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices for any 45-90 minute sessions (except when using a special discount promotion). Local in office visits receive  another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments. 







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