Co-Creative Mentoring Sheryl Harrell, MAA.B.S.; BCC
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Finding Stillness in the Storm

3/21/2020

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The Vernal Equinox finally arrived on the 19th—earlier than it’s

been in over a century ! I love this time of year, when light and

darkness are in balance before the light grows stronger. This is

the time to celebrate new opportunities, a time when all inner

and outer resources are brought into harmony; a time of new life

and rebirth, as well as the end of winter. Can you feel the

energy shifting? Can you feel the fresh, invigorating, inspiring

energy of Spring blowing into your life? This season represents

a time of powerful cleansing and transformation.


Maybe you don't feel it YET...but you will. That's the promise of

Spring!


In typical fashion, a day after it was hot enough to wear shorts,

the first day of Spring where I am in Colorado brought a blizzard

with wet, heavy snow, weighing down tree branches and

covering the landscape.  This unpredictable season can be

challenging.  The winds of inner and outer change are blowing,

(I've noticed lots of blustery days recently) and that can make

things feel a bit topsy-turvy.   You may even feel a little

restlessness with all of this new energy.  Don't be surprised if

this is a bit of a wild ride.   “All great change is preceded by

chaos”   Deepak Chopra As the earth turns away from

darkness, the shift from Winter to Spring is preparing us to

radiate more light.


Even if you’ve been feeling SO READY to leave Winter behind

and for Spring to arrive (I know that's how I’ve been feeling), it’s

important to remember that we’re letting go of the past and

opening to new life. The Vernal Equinox is a time of balance

between Yin energy--Winter's inward-focused darkness &

incubation – and Yang energy--Spring's external, outward-

focused world of light, activity, and rebirth. As the daylight hours

lengthen, we still need restful, nurturing energy. There is huge

growth & transformation coming in the days, weeks, and months

ahead. In order to embrace the changes, you need more rest!

There may be a silver lining to this period of physical distancing

and "cacooning" (reframing "isolating"): It gives us the gift of

time. So ... consider this your permission slip for giving yourself

time to rest, even when you're pulled toward activity. Give space

to the quiet voice asking for gentleness, for radical self-care, an

act of loving yourself that contributes to manifesting your

preferred future.

Picture
In my back yard, the Tete’ a

Tete’ daffodils are showing off

their bright, yellow blossoms. 

Just like the new growth we

see around us, the dreams

we envisioned earlier this

year are emerging.  It's a very

intense time of transition, not

unlike giving birth.  There is

powerful seasonal energy in

the air that brings all your Winter dreams to life. This is the time

for aligning yourself with the changes that are coming, for

revisiting your Vision 2020, and for committing to bringing

yourself into deeper contact with your own magic. What you

envisioned for yourself a couple of months ago may not be your

vision now. Has your Vision changed since January? What do

you want to be born into your life this Spring? This year? How

do you want to feel today? This month? This year?


This is a powerful time for co-creating our individual and

collective future. How we align our energy right now, especially

as conscious, aware, intentional people, really matters. Where

we focus our attention and intention will impact the whole, and

add to the collective love, hope, kindness, and compassion. It

takes an immense amount of courage to let go of the past we’ve

cherished and open to an uncertain, new future. I believe there

is something new arising from this time of unpredictability and

uncertainty. I see a willingness to move together and be

available to what is needed. I have great hope for what will

evolve out of this global situation, out of this season of change,

tumult, and rebirth.  You are called to trust that life is working for

you, for all Beings. When you feel overwhelmed or pressured,

remember that going inward is a wonderful way to regenerate

yourself. Connect to your authentic self and ask yourself what

you need to let go of in order to become more calm and

balanced so that you grace-fully weather the changes.



How do we find stillness and peace when "life happens", when

people and events pull us out of our center?  Rebecca Abraxas

offers three easy, powerful ways keep peace alive.


This Co-Creative Mandala—“Anticipation” reminds us that we

are preparing to radiate more light and we have the power to

make a difference.  I like the energy of “Anticipation” because it

encompasses both our imagination and action.
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Like the transition from winter to spring

Let go and embrace new beginnings.

Allow the transformation that

Harmonizes mind, body, and spirit.

Align your intentions with the

Expanding energy

That brings your Vision to life.

Anticipation Exercise:

In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate

harmonizing mind, body, spirit in anticipation of shifting from

constriction to expansion. Our thoughts, words, and actions

change the world. When we embrace the unfolding and trust the

process, we remember that we are being supported.  Life is

always moving toward expansion.


Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive deeply

into this exercise. Meditate, journal, create and bless your

sacred space.


Make this exercise your own. Invest your time and attention.


Don’t rush.


As you sit quietly in your space, light a candle that welcomes

“Anticipation”.


Close your eyes. Bring your awareness to your breath; just be

with your breath. Take a deep breath in. Breathe out. Take

another deep breath in. Breathe out. Notice the sensations as

you exhale—without judgement.  Feel the body breathing. Bring

your body into stillness.


Open your eyes and bring your attention to the mandala; allow

the mandala energy to fill your heart; be with whatever is there.

Invest a few minutes toward allowing the “Anticipation”  energy

to flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra & extending far into the heavens.

Imagine the “Anticipation”  energy flowing through you and

down deep into the earth. Imagine it radiating from your heart

and extending out in front of you and behind you. Imagine the

“Anticipation” energy is a radiant ball that encircles you. Now, sit

with this energy for a few minutes.


What about the mandala captures your attention?


Notice and Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know?


Relax into your body and its quietness. Be with the energy, be

present, listen.


Scan your life, think about a situation that you're feeling

constricted (rather than expansive) about.


Now, ask yourself:

  1. "What do I need right now?"
  2. "Who do I want to be, my best version of myself, in this situation?"
  3. "How do I demonstrate that?"
  4. "What if everything is already okay?"

Allow yourself to hang out in this powerful inquiry and see what

shows up.  No need to rush. 


After you've reminded yourself that life is moving toward

expansion,


Ask yourself

  1. "How can I serve?"

Listen to the answers you receive and act on them from a place

of love and compassion. 


Repeat this exercise as often as you like.


Is it difficult to find your Wholeness—the Stillness in the

Storm, in the midst of all the uncertainty  that comes with the

current global crisis?  One energy modality that I've found to be

gentle and effective for when I’m triggered or stressed is

EFT/Tapping. By tapping on meridian acupoints, EFT/Tapping

sends a signal to your energy system to let it know you're safe.

It's a very effective technique for clearing the energy system of

of the disruptions that happened from past experiences or

from worry about the future. When we feel safe, we can see our

our human experience through a compassionate and optimistic

lens.


I offer 30-minute complimentary EFT/Tapping Sessions by

phone. I'm here to support you on your journey.


I hope you enjoy all the new beginnings as the Great Mandala

turns toward Spring!!


Sending you the blessings of love, light, and stillness,

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The World Needs Your Love

2/29/2020

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Even though Valentine’s Day is behind us and today is the final

day of February, we’re keeping the spirit of love for self and

others alive beyond February and throughout the coming

months! 


The Ancient Greeks had six words for love. One of the words is

Philautia, self-love in its healthiest form. Not the unhealthy

variety associated with narcissism.  Self-love enhances your

wider capacity to love others.  If you love yourself and feel

secure in yourself, you will have plenty of love to give others (as

is reflected in the Buddhist-inspired concept of “self-

compassion”). Or, as Aristotle put it, “All friendly feelings for

others are an extension of a (person's) feelings for (her)self.”



Self-love is our ability to self-nurture--like putting the oxygen

mask on ourselves before we put it on the other person.

Regarding yourself with friendliness and care enables you to

reclaim your inherent goodness and overcome self-defeating

thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes.  Self-love is “a state of

appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our

physical, psychological, and spiritual growth” (Khoshaba, 2012).



Another Greek word for love is Agape . This is “universal loving

kindness” in Buddhism. According to this article there is

growing evidence that Agape is in a dangerous decline in

many countries. Empathy levels in the U.S. have declined

sharply over the past 40 years, with the steepest fall occurring in

the past decade. Collectively, we urgently need to revive our

capacity to care about strangers, which begins by expanding

our capacity to love and care for ourselves.



Even if we don't watch the news, we still experience the state of

collective consciousness and the effects on the world. I recently

found some comforting words for the state of the world from

Bruce Lipton, a scientist who proposes through his research

that we are on the cusp of a tipping point. He believes that there

are enough of us humans who are "awakening" and that we will

reach a tipping point where this new level of consciousness will

become the norm. I’m willing to trust that his assessment is

accurate.

Picture
He compares what is

happening to humanity

(and the world) to the

journey of a butterfly in the

chrysalis stage where

there are old cells

disintegrating and new

cells emerging and if you

were to open the chrysalis you would encounter chaos. We are

in that chaos moment now, it may last for a while but eventually

the sheer quantity of people tuned into a “new” way of living a

lighter, gentler, kinder way, will emerge. Even though I

sometimes feel despair because it seems we're in the darkest of

times with little hope that light will return, I believe these "worst

of times" are positive and transformative. I also believe that we

need each other, our communities, our kindred spirits more now

than ever.



In one of my favorite quotes, Mother Teresa writes: "If we have

no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to

each other."  We are hard-wired for belonging and we flourish

when we are nurtured and nurture with love and compassion.
Picture
I recently participated in Tara

Brach's Radical Compassion

Challenge, an online event

during which we explored

loving ourselves and each

other into healing. She

reminded us that it's “not the

survival of the fittest--it's the

survival of the nurtured”.  She asked us this powerful question:

“How can we take action to bring the power of compassion to a

world in need of healing and to contribute to a saner, gentler

world”?  Compassion toward ourselves, each other, and a

widening circle of compassion for the world is what Jon Kabat-

Zinn calls "Heartfulness" ,  the attitudes of kindness and

friendliness towards ourselves and others.  “Heartfulness” is an

act of self-love that softens the hard edges, the tendency to be

judgmental, and creates a nourishing, restful, joyful atmosphere

in our lives and in the world.



This Co-Creative Mandala, “Philautia”  invites you to pause and

come home to your “Heartfulness”, especially in times of stress

or chaos, and opens your heart so that you step out of reactive

patterns and engage in loving and accepting yourself and

extending love and compassion to the world.
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May all Beings know happiness.

May all Beings know kindness.

May all Beings know compassion.

May all Beings know peace.

Buddhist Metta (Lovingkindness) Prayer

Self-Love Exercise:


In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate

loving and accepting yourself.
 

Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive deeply

into this exercise. Meditate, journal, create and bless your

sacred space.


Make this exercise your own. Invest your time and attention.

Don’t rush.


As you sit quietly in your space, light a candle that welcomes

“Heartfulness”.


Close your eyes. Bring your awareness to your breath; just be

with your breath. Take a deep breath in. Breathe out. Take

another deep breath in. Breathe out. Notice the sensations as

you exhale—without judgement.  Feel the body breathing. Bring

your body into stillness.


Open your eyes and bring your attention to the mandala; allow

the mandala energy to fill your heart; be with whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the “Philautia”  energy to

flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting

through your crown chakra & extending far into the heavens.

Imagine the “Philautia”  energy flowing through you and down

deep into the earth. Imagine it radiating from your heart and

extending out in front of you and behind you. Imagine the

“Philautia” energy is a radiant ball that encircles you. Now, sit

with this energy for a few minutes.


What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know?


Relax into your body and its quietness. Be with the energy, be

present, listen.


Scan your life and pick a challenging or difficult aspect of your

life right now. What's going on and how do you feel about this

situation or relationship?


Now, ask yourself "What would love do?" 


Allow yourself to hang out in this powerful inquiry and see what

shows up.  What would you do if you allowed love to lead the

way?


Listen to the answers you receive and act on them from a

place of love and compassion.  Repeat this exercise as often as

you like.


Make a commitment to do something - even for a few seconds -

that will keep this practice alive every day.  A simple way to do

this is to write down "What would love do?" on sticky notes and

put the reminder in places that you see throughout the day.

When you're faced with a challenge, are feeling stressed,

overwhelmed, or out of sorts--are perfect times to be present

with love. The more you practice, the greater the shift will be, for

yourself and the world.
 

Wishing you the blessings of love and compassion,

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Happy New Year:  All Great Beginnings Start in the Dark

1/1/2020

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Blessings for the new year and new decade ahead! Going into

2020 is particularly magical and filled with new energy and

infinite potential. The transition from one year to the next is a

powerful time for setting intentions and to begin again. This is a

great opportunity to co-create new possibilities, to jump start

your self-care and healing practices, and to really get clear

about what you need and want in the coming year.  Harnessing

the power of this time takes a leap of faith, trusting that you can

make the changes that will renew your body, mind and spirit.



Do you want to start the new decade with powerful intentions

that serve your highest good? Making lasting, positive changes

takes more than just scribbling a list of resolutions in a

notebook. Change is possible, but usually things like new year

resolutions come and go. Consider investing some time toward

visualizing what you want, imagining what it feels like to be

living the life that you want, the highest vision for yourself. But

first...



2020 Hindsight


All too often we leap into the new year without clearing up

events from the past year and don't invest the time to reflect on,

appreciate, and honor All our experiences and our feelings: The

highs and lows, the ups and downs, the triumphs and mistakes.

This is the time for reflecting on the past year with gratitude.

This isn't the time for taking a "spiritual bypass". This article,

"Spiritual Gaslighting",  challenges us to take stock of both

what felt constricted and what felt expansive about the past year

and reap the benefits of reflecting on all experiences, people,

and events with gratitude. For me, 2019 was quite a year; a

year for surrendering and letting go.  I’ve come to realize just

how important it is to invest time and attention toward honoring

the changes and challenges that shape my current reality.

Fortunately, there are three simple steps we can take for the

Reflection, Release, and Vision necessary for creating our

preferred future.
Picture
The following Reflection exercise

is a process; take as much time

as you need. Be gentle with

yourself. Journal. Sit with a

trusted friend who will hold

sacred space and listen.


The following questions can be

helpful for getting you started:


1. What was the past year like?

2. What mistakes did I make?

3. What/who was helpful? Not helpful?


Notice and allow your feelings to emerge without judgement.

You may feel discomfort as you recall the events from the past

year. There may be events from 2019 that you'd rather not look

at or you want to keep hidden away.  That's okay. Trust yourself

and your process.



Once you’ve revisited 2019, the following Release exercise will

address any unfinished business that needs to be resolved.  


Begin by calling forth  one event, one thing, one issue. Notice

and allow your feelings. Repeat this process for clearing all the

unfinished business.



When you feel ready, begin letting go of what no longer serves

you. Just like clouds passing by, let the thoughts and feelings

that arise float by. Come back to your breath and keep

breathing.  


Ask yourself:

1. What is one thing I would have changed in 2019?

2. What did I learn?


This is an opportunity to use a modality to clear out the

constricted energy that may still linger. I've found that Emotional

Freedom Techniques-Tapping (EFT) is very helpful for creating

the space to love and accept myself and shift my perspective

about the events and circumstances. In this video Carol Look,

EFT Master, created a short tapping sequence for releasing

blocks associated with unfinished business.



When you give your emotions time and attention, it's possible to

move into the new year from a place of peace.

Picture
2020 Foresight


We are what we do, how we think,

and what we believe. If I want

something to be different, I have to

change my actions, thoughts, and

beliefs.  The beginning of 2020

brings to light how the new year is

deeply embedded in our psyche as a day to make commitments

to change.  If you are familiar with the concept of morphogenic

fields – the habits of nature that get stronger the more they are

repeated, then you can see that there is a powerful field around

new year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, there’s also a powerful

collective conscious energy around failing to maintain those

resolutions.



In order to sustain lasting change, your intentions have to be in

alignment with your values, with your true nature. Often people

set intentions for change, based on society’s goals – their

conditioning of what they and everyone “should” aspire to.

However, if that’s not in alignment with what you truly want and

value, then you aren’t going to make the lasting changes you're

looking for.



What's going to be new and different about 2020? For me, it's a

renewed commitment to self-care and getting clearer about

what I need and want. By putting myself at the center of my day,

every day, I set the tone for the day, the month, the year, the

decade. I'm making a commitment to myself to take small,

incremental, achievable steps every day that support shifting my

energy and releasing old beliefs. 



This mandala, “Vision”, represents the energy for setting the

intentions that support making lasting changes in life. The

following exercise provides a pathway that reminds us that

we have the power to create the life we want.
Picture
Help us ever to be

faithful gardeners of the spirit,

who know that

without darkness

nothing comes to birth,

and without light,

nothing flowers.

May Sarton
Vision Exercise:


In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate

your Vision 2020 and honor your intentions. You can bring forth

your vision at any time by focusing on your feelings associated

with your intentions.


Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive deeply

into this exercise. Meditate, journal, create and bless your

sacred space for doing this exercise throughout the year.

Come back to this exercise as often as you like. You can do it

any time you feel inspired to renew your intentions for the year.


Make it your own.


As you sit quietly in your space, light a candle that welcomes

the feelings you want to bring in to your life during 2020 and

beyond.


Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush.


Close your eyes. Take several deep breaths. Bring your body

into stillness.


Now, place your hands over your heart for a minute or two.

Now, open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Bring your

awareness to your breath, without judgement; just be with your

breath. Now, bring your attention to your heart; allow the

mandala energy to fill your heart; be with whatever is there.


Invest a few minutes toward allowing the “Vision” energy to flow

to and through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting through

your crown chakra & extending far into the heavens. Imagine

the “Vision” energy flowing through you and down deep into the

earth. Imagine it radiating from your heart and extending out in

front of you and behind you. Imagine the "Vision" energy is a

radiant ball that encircles you. Now, sit with this energy for a few

minutes.


What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know?


Relax into to your body and its quietness. Be with the energy,

be present, listen.


Now, ask yourself:

"What do I want to feel at the end of today?"

Allow whatever comes up as you connect with feeling. What do

you notice, what feeling arises?


Now, send that feeling forward to the end of January, to the end

of June, to each month throughout 2020.


Now, ask "What am I going to be celebrating at the end of

2020?” Allow whatever comes up as you connect with feeling.


What do you notice, what feeling arises, what do you see?


Now, ask yourself:


"What tiny step can I take today that supports this feeling? What

brings that feeling alive in me? What intention do I choose that

supports this feeling?"


Allow whatever comes up as you connect with the feeling. What

do you notice? What feelings arise, what do you see? Repeat

this exercise as often as you like during this powerful, magical

time and throughout 2020.



Celebrating your vision and honoring the feeling associated with

your vision allows your intentions to come forward. This is self-

love in action. Loving yourself aligns you with your true nature

and gives you the energy and focus to keep the promises

associated with your intentions.  This is the time to make

commitments to yourself that renew your body, mind, and spirit.



Wishing you the blessings of peace and joy in 2020 and

beyond,

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Winter Solstice: The Blessings of Namaste'

12/22/2019

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For those of us in the northern hemisphere, we are in the midst

of the shortest days of the year.  This is a time when many

people turn toward personal reflection and spiritual practice. It's

easy to get caught up in the busyness that comes with the

season, forgetting that this is a natural time for rest.  As

humans, we are intertwined with the cycles and rhythms of

nature. As with all things in nature, we need a regenerative

cycle that re-calibrates and restores our energy.  Being quiet

and still is the natural way to be, particularly at the darkest time

of year. It's crucial to align with the seasonal energies of the

Winter Solstice, the return of light, as the sun turns once

again toward lengthening the daylight hours.



All the world stories, myths, and science tell us that light is the

source and beginning of life. From sacred traditions we hear

about the presence of Source (or God or Christ or the Buddha

within), the many names for Wholeness. They are reminders

that are never separate from light, the presence and expression

of our true nature. This is a time for us to intentionally focus on

celebrating and remembering the light that is always with us; for

honoring our inner light and lighting our inner candle.



All humans share the ability to generate light from within, even if

we don't always express or acknowledge it. This power is

released through love; this love creates the space in which light

can manifest. When we love and accept ourselves and extend

that love into the world, the world begins to glow. Our inner light

evokes light; our light changes the environment--like bringing a

candle into a dark room. Letting our light shine often requires

intention and practice.  The more conscious we are, the greater

the overflow of light. The more intentional we are, the more our

inner light blesses everyone and everything around us.

Picture
Our destiny is about co-

creating with the material

world and bringing forth

our inner light by

remembering our

Wholeness so that others

remember theirs. Focusing

on bringing our inner light

to the world around us is the expression of Namaste'--"the light

in me, my overflowing light, connects with and honors the light

in everyone and everything around me."
We're at a time when many of us feel the call to bring our inner

light into the world. Even the smallest acts can bring blessings

and lift up the energy around us. We know it when we

receive/see it--a smile, a caring word, a kindness that stays with

us long after the encounter. Recently, I was in a long line at the

post office, waiting to mail a package. I was feeling antsy

because it seemed like the line (there were at least 25 people

ahead of me) was at a standstill or at best moving along at a

snail's pace. As I was feeling a bit cranky, a woman in front of

me began chatting with the people around her, making jokes

about how long the line was, and sharing funny stories.  The

tension in the air softened as everyone around her laughed and

started chatting and before I knew it, we were at the end of the

line (in this case, reaching the end of the line was a good thing).

When she finished her transaction--the woman turned to the

people still in the long line, waved her receipt in the air and with

her contagious joy said--"You can do it! Don't lose hope!" I

noticed that many people smiled and laughed. I can't help but

think that her playfulness stayed with those people beyond the

line at the post office. I know I still feel the glow of it and the

memory makes me smile.


Sometimes we may think there's nothing we can do to help our

world. Simple acts of kindness and being a loving presence are

always possibilities. It's not always easy to love, but we can

choose to. It comes down to consciously choosing to love

ourselves and extend our "love-light" in to the world. This Co-

Creative Mandala, “Inner Light” invites you to honor the light

within. The following exercise offers an opportunity to remember

your Wholeness and extend Namaste’ to the world.


Picture
The love within us is meant to extend outward.

The closer we grow to our inner light,

we feel a natural urge to share it...

by which the energies within us

might flow out to help heal the world. 

Marianne Williamson



Hospitality Exercise:*


In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate

your inner light and extend it to others. You can bring the light

to the world anytime by offering this Blessing of Hospitality.


Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive deeply

into this exercise. Meditate, journal, create and bless your

sacred space for doing this exercise throughout the season.

Come back to this exercise as often as you like. You can do it

any time you feel inspired to extend your inner light to the world.

Make it your own.


As you sit quietly in your space, light a candle that welcomes

peace, love, inclusivity, and community.


Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush. Close your eyes.

Take several deep breaths.


Now, open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Invest a few

minutes toward allowing the “Inner Light” energy to flow to and

through your body.  Imagine that energy bursting through your

crown chakra & extending far into the heavens. Imagine the

“Inner Light” energy flowing through you and down deep into the

earth. Imagine it radiating from your solar plexus and extending

out in front of you and behind you. Imagine the "Inner Light"

energy is a radiant ball that encircles you. Now, sit with this

energy for a few minutes. 


What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know?


Relax into to your body and its quietness.


Now, imagine that you are hosting a gathering in your home.

Extend you inner light, a feeling of welcome, so guests feel safe

and surrounded by love. Extend the spirit of hospitality into all

the rooms around you, fill the space with your inner light. 

Welcome into the space the individuals who may be feeling a

sense of fear about the world around us--imagine who they are

and what they might be afraid of. Invite and welcome these

people into a space of loving hospitality, embraced by calm,

safety and appreciation of who they are. Extend a spirit of

blessing, honor who they are. Let your inner light, the spirit of

hospitality and caring flow out to them. Notice what is happening

in your body, as you offer welcome and caring for their well-

being.


What do you notice, about yourself and who you called forth?


Now, let them go. Trust that the hospitality, the love, caring,

peace, and warm embrace you offered goes with them and

extends to each person on our beautiful planet.


Lifting the spirits of everyone around is co-creation in action. At

the end of the day, your inner orientation, tending to your inner

light, loving yourself, and being a "love-light" for others is up to

you.  You aren't alone. Even though it is up to each one of us to

tend to our inner state of being, thank goodness we have each

other. Remember the reach of your kindness, your smile, your

joy, your light makes a difference in the world.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart.


Namaste’,
Picture
* Adapted from a presentation by Julie Spangler
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Blessings of Grief & Gratitude

11/28/2019

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Mia culpa! It's been nearly six months since I sent a newsletter.

I've missed connecting with you! This is a good time to let you

know that I appreciate you. I'm grateful for your presence--

whether you're nearby or far away. Since the last newsletter, we

had the good fortune of a experiencing a beautiful summer and

a bountiful harvest that we're still enjoying. We have a lot to be

grateful for.


I've noticed that many blogs, posts, and books are talking about

gratitude – the positive effects it has for our lives.  November is

National Gratitude Month and today is Thanksgiving in the US.

There are so many ways to practice gratitude, from journals to

lists. Gratitude is a mindfulness practice that brings your

attention into the present. The here and now is the moment in

which you can fully experience joy, love, compassion, and

peace.  I wonder if you consistently express it to yourself or

others? What if it's hard to find the gratitude?



This time of year offers an opportunity to bring the power of

gratitude into your life and awaken to the amazing blessings in

and around you.  And, it can be challenging. It's that time of year

again when the days are shorter and the nights are longer.  We

are physically shifting more deeply inward: spending more &

more time indoors as the days grow darker & colder.  In

Colorado we've had record setting snow fall. We're spending

less time out in nature (we don't ski or participate in other winter

sports). For some of us, this time of year can be very

challenging. The fall months are about darkness, and shadows,

and letting things go. It's a time for transitioning from the

outward-focused season of summer, into the season of drawing

our energies inward, focusing more on our inner-lives.  Often

when the shorter days come, we have that time of adjustment,

when we don't feel as bright or as grateful as we'd like to.

Remember, the seasonal energy is supporting you, and

encouraging you, to  look inside – at your own inner darkness &

shadows. Because right now, at this dark time of year, you can

see into your shadows – you can see things hidden away there

– in ways that you can't during the brighter times of year. 



This is the time to embrace death as a part of the growth

process, because new life can't grow without letting the old

things die. Just recently my sweet partner reminded me of that 

when we were clearing out the gardens for the winter months

ahead and I was feeling sad that the gardening season was

over--"it's because of this that we'll see all the beauty and

growth next summer."  Death is a crucial component of life, and

of growth, a process that should be honored, rather than feared.


Picture
Just like the maple tree releases the

bright and beautiful fall leaves, this is

the time to let go and release our old

"belief leaves" to make room for new

growth and life in the spring.


And with all death, there's a process of

grief & mourning that we go through.

Even when a death is ultimately good for us, even when we're

letting bad habits die or challenging old beliefs ... there's still a

grieving process we need to experience.  We held onto these

things for a reason & it's sad (and scary) to let them go.



This is the season to do the work of letting things go from our

lives and grieving the things we're releasing – so we can truly

grow & evolve. Beginning with the Winter Solstice in a few

weeks… we'll plant our hopes & dreams for the coming year in

the new space we've co-created.



This season I’m working on letting go of the old, outdated

stories I tell myself, false limiting-beliefs I’ve lived with for years;

stories that aren’t even true. They're not even mine. Other

people planted them in my mind when I was too young to

challenge them. I'm working hard to identify all the ways I hold

myself back. What are the stories I tell myself that keep me

trapped, keep me playing small in my safe, familiar little bubble?



Those stories, those old beliefs were useful for keeping me

safe. Slowly, over time I'm noticing a shift in my energy from

grieving the loss of those beliefs and outdated stories to

gratitude for the ways those beliefs once served me even if they

no longer serve me now.


This Co-Creative Mandala, "Blessings" offers an invitation to

embrace the process of letting go, of grieving the loss of old,

outdated "friends", and welcoming more life affirming, expansive

beliefs. I'm grateful for this opportunity to begin again and live

my best self, embrace all shadows, remember and appreciate

my goodness and the goodness of all beings.
Picture
All that I am,

all that I see,
,
all that I've been and

all that I'll ever be,

is a blessing...

and I'm grateful for it all.

- Nimo Patel & Daniel Nahmod


Blessings Exercise:

Fall has always been considered as a time for introspection and

letting go; of going inward and honoring the shadows; of

embracing the cycle of death.  If changes need to be made in

your life, this exercise is going to set that in motion. It’s

designed to help you honor what is and leave behind whatever

doesn’t serve you, grieve the loss, and experience gratitude for

all parts of yourself.



Give yourself plenty of time to dive deeply into this exercise.

Meditate, journal, create your sacred space for doing this

exercise throughout the spring season. Come back to this

exercise as often as you like. Make it your own.



Find a quiet place, without interruptions. Light two candles, one

for that part of you that is holding on and one for that part of you

that is letting go.

 

Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush. Close your eyes.

Take several deep breaths. 

 

Open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Invest a

few minutes toward feeling the “Blessings” energy traveling

through your body & all your chakras. Imagine that energy

bursting through your crown chakra & extending far into the

heavens. Now, feel the “Blessings” energy entering your

body through your crown chakra. Sit with this energy for a few

minutes, feel yourself connected to the mandala energy.


 
What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...

 
I wonder what it wants me to know?



Begin asking yourself the following questions; acknowledge

whatever is holding you and holding you back. This helps train

your brain to cultivate gratitude for the blessings in your life.
 


1. What am I being invited to let go of?

 
2. What has stopped me from releasing this?

 
3. How is this influencing my life?

 
4. What is something I can do to begin letting this go?



The cycle of death has begun. This is the season of

death and release. Right now, these energies are combining to

make this a time of grieving and gratitude.  In order to make this

change a reality, first appreciate what is. Then cultivate the

power of blessings. Believe that by honoring your grief for all

that you're letting go of you are supporting your growth and

evolution.



You may have difficulty with this process. I know when I first

started intentionally shifting my attention to the cycle of death,

I thought I was focusing on the negative and wasn't being

spiritual.. That seems odd to me now, but I was invested in the

limiting beliefs that come from resisting what is.  I think I was

afraid to let go and honor grief as a pathway to gratitude. I invite

you to be gentle with yourself and trust the process. You've

been living with these beliefs for a lifetime; they've protected you

and kept you safe. It's important to acknowledge and honor this.



One energy modality that I've found to be gentle and effective

for working with limiting beliefs is EFT/Tapping. By tapping on

meridian accupoints, EFT-Tapping sends a signal to the energy

system that you are safe.  It's a very effective technique for

clearing our energy system of the disruptions that happened

when the experiences we had created the limiting beliefs.

When we feel safe, we can see our human experience through

a compassionate and optimistic lens.



I offer 30-minute complimentary EFT/Tapping Sessions. This is

a perfect way to begin exploring and releasing limiting beliefs as

you move toward a life of Eternal Optimism.


Peace and Joy to your seeking heart,
Picture
0 Comments

Light Your Inner Fire

6/20/2019

0 Comments

 
Well, I'm not sure what the weather is doing where you are. In

Colorado, we're definitely showing signs of the changing

climate. This week I've worn shorts AND fleece! We've had

pouring rain, temps in the 80s, snow in the mountains, hail,

fierce winds and flood alerts! It seems like a perfect time to write

a blog post!


And, to wish you Happy Summer Solstice! For those enjoying

the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, this day is

the beginning of lots of sun, fun, and play (hopefully). I know I'm

ready for all that summer brings--sunshine, abundance,

adventures, a beautiful and bountiful garden.  I invite you to join

the long history of cultural celebrations from Central America

(Mayan and Aztec) to England (Stonehenge) by honoring the

gifts of the sun.


It's also the time to celebrate that you've made it to the

midpoint of the Great Round! Take a moment (or two or three)

and pause, notice that you have come halfway around the cycle

of nature, and acknowledge where you've been and where

you're headed. Where were you at the Winter Solstice? What

intentions did you set at the New Year? What seeds did you

plant at the Spring Equinox—the season of rebirth, new

beginnings and a time of hope?


Today,  the sun is at its PEAK (even if it's cloudy). Its fire is

flooding you with extra energy & power. And, you can use that

energy to invigorate & inspire your spirit. This time of year you

can more easily access all this fiery energy & use it to make

meaningful progress on the intentions you planted at the Spring

Equinox.  Just like all those seeds I planted in our garden in

April that have taken a while to germinate, I'm beginning to see

the potential become reality.


The Summer Solstice is a time to celebrate the light of

consciousness within ourselves, each other, and the Source -

where we are united as one. As the astronomy experts for the

Farmer’s Almanac say, “The solstice happens at the same

moment for everyone, everywhere on Earth.” I love this. It

reminds me that I’m part of a global community. It makes me

feel connected, for a moment, to everyone and everything on

Earth.


I particularly love this photo of a zinnia--one of the first flowers

blooming in our garden is so vibrant and fun. Look closely and

you'll see a honey bee is gathering nectar and pollen, all in

anticipation of co-creating something new. Bees and flowers

benefit one another. Flowers provide bees with nectar and

pollen, for feeding their entire colonies. Bees provide flowers

with the means to reproduce. Without pollination, plants can't

create seeds, there won't be a bountiful harvest.

Picture
Despite being about 10 days

behind with planting our

garden, I've noticed

everything is growing really

rapidly right now. All of nature

is experiencing an inner drive

to develop & mature–to

fulfill its purpose on Earth.


And the Summer Solstice energy is pushing you in the same

way. This is a time of coming into maturity and abundance.


You can use all this powerful seasonal energy to gain a clearer

understanding of your own life’s purpose. You can use the sun’s

fiery energy to uplift you, and energize you; and fuel your

growth–in all areas of your life.



With all the excitement for possibilities, we may forget that

giving birth & bringing new things to life can be super frickin'

hard, really messy, work. It's exciting; yes. It's positive; yes. It's

inspiring; of course. AND … it's really, really HARD.


One of the hardest parts is all the self-doubt & uncertainty that

can creep in when you're setting intentions for  changes in

your life. And, fear.  Fear of change. Fear of the unknown.


Recently I've been facing some changes and challenges that

are shaping my current reality (and the future) in unexpected

and unwelcome ways. As I've been moving through this time

I've had moments of being absolutely paralyzed by fear, grief &

self-doubt as I move into the unknown.  The wisest part of me

knows this is the time to notice those feelings and honor their

presence.


It took a while, but fortunately, I had the presence of mind to ask

my Co-Creative Mandala Oracle cards:


What do I need right now? And, how can I move forward?


The two cards I pulled were both surprising and comforting.
Picture
The cards answered:


What I need right now is

the balanced flow and

energy of the Sacral

Chakra--passion, self-

care, and creativity.

Going with the flow with

confidence and patience.

Embrace it all. I need to

nurture myself and allow

creativity to flow. And to

love my body, my life,

and all my experiences.


OMG! How many times have I said those exact words to my

clients?
Picture
And, the other card--

Wholeness--was

reversed. It reminds

me that I'm not seeing

the truth of my power

and presence and

believe that someone or

something else is in

control of my well-being.

I'm afraid to trust myself

and the Universe. This

card invites me to

remember that I am

whole and complete,

that I have the inner

resources and support from the Universe to co-create the life of

my dreams.


WOW! What a breath of frickin' fresh air! What a huge weight off

my shoulders. What a beautiful way to reframe the start of a

new season--in my life and in Nature; what a powerful message

that reminds me to that I have the personal power and inner

strength necessary for moving toward  living the life I want to

live.


We’re the closest to the sun that we’ll be all year. That means

we are being bathed in the energy of the sun.


That means there is an absolute abundance of that rich fire

energy available for you & me to soak up, too. 


This Co-Creative Mandala, "Abundance" invites you to embrace

Summer's Fiery Energy and Light Your Inner Fire.  The spiritual

journey of the Summer Solstice  is one of feeling fully awake,

energized, and open to the light. Now is the time to embrace

your fiery badass self. To soak up that energy and let it fuel you.
Picture
This is the time for celebrating your own Inner Fire--

That badass part of yourself that is super fierce.

Use your Inner Fire to burn away anything that

no longer serves you.

Abundance Exercise:

After the sun completes its cycle and reaches its peak, we begin

letting go as the days start getting shorter again. It’s life’s

beautiful cycle of growing, reaching the peak, and then letting

go in order to change and grow. Sometimes we are excited and

so ready to let something go. Other times, its sad. And

uncomfortable. And we feel resistant. But, when something has

completed its purpose in your life, you need to let it go so you

can change and grow.


Give yourself plenty of time to dive deeply into this exercise.

Meditate, journal, create your sacred space for doing this

exercise throughout the spring season. Come back to this

exercise as often as you like. Make it your own.



Find a quiet place, without interruptions. Light two candles, one

for that part of you that is holding on and one for that part of you

that is letting go.

 

Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush. Close your eyes.

Take several deep breaths. 

 

Open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Invest a

few minutes toward feeling the “Abundance” energy traveling

through your body & all your chakras. Imagine that energy

bursting through your crown chakra & extending far into the

heavens. Now, feel the “Abundance” energy entering your

body through your crown chakra. Sit with this energy for a few

minutes, feel yourself connected to the mandala energy.


What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...

 
I wonder what it wants me to know?



Begin asking yourself the following questions; acknowledge

whatever is holding you and holding you back. This helps train

your brain to cultivate abundance...
 


1. What has my Inner Fire helped me accomplish so far this

year?


2. Recall moments when I felt really connected to that

part of myself.


3. What do you love about her? Acknowledge the ways she

has given me energy to co-create abundance in my life.


4. Take a moment to acknowledge the abundance in your

life. What are you grateful for?




The cycle of life is once again turning toward new growth and

change. This is the season of fiery hope. Right now, these

energies are combining to make this a time of growth &

evolution. Cultivate your Inner Fire--your gift to the world!


Peace and Joy to your seeking heart,

Sheryl
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Spring's Eternal Optimism

3/20/2019

0 Comments

 
What a difference a week makes. This time last week Colorado

was experiencing "snowcopalypse”—bomb cyclone winds,

blowing snow, and road closures. We hunkered down at home

and watched as snow blew sideways and branches fell to the

ground around our house. The first day of spring is

promising to be sunny and warm with most of the evidence of

last week’s storm melted away.



In the northern hemisphere, we enter a new season as the

spring equinox welcomes new life. Whether you're in the north

or south, the change signals that the season before is dying so

a new one can be born. Although there are aspects of each

season that I enjoy, I particularly love this time of year!  Our

garden is full of snowdrops and crocus and every day new

things are popping up and surprising me. The lovely snowdrop

is one of the first flowers to appear in the spring as it warms the

snow around it and works its way through the snow to bloom.



The spring equinox is a seasonal, astronomical event caused by

the Earth's axis tilting neither toward nor away from the sun.

Twice a year, at the Vernal (spring) and Autumnal (fall)

equinoxes (equal light), the Earth's tilt is in perfect balance. Day

and night, light and dark, are nearly equal in length. Springtime

is a time of growth, renewal, new life, and balance.  We begin to

feel more energetic and open to allowing changes – both big

and small – into our lives. This is a time to examine our

lives—inner and outer and make room for the new (think “spring

cleaning”).  Across cultures and traditions people are called to

positive thinking at this time of year. How can anyone not be

inspired by the spirit of optimism that spring brings?

Picture
The darkness of winter is ending &

we’re moving into the warmth of the

light. Nature is coming alive after

months of being dormant.  The same

thing is happening to you.  Your

attention is drawn toward your

intentions for what you want to plant,

grow, and nurture within. The end of

winter can sometimes feel a little unsettling. The energy shifting

from an inward to an outward focus and the transformation it

brings may bring a feeling of being out of balance. Where do

you feel out of balance in your life? Where do you feel

balanced? What are ways to bring balance in to your life?
One way to bring balance in to life is by shifting our perspective.

Research in to the new and growing field of Positive Psychology

shows how important emotions such as hope, joy, and

excitement are to our wellbeing.  

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.

The founder of Positive Psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman, and

others have determined that one of the key elements that has a

major effect on wellbeing is optimism. Their research shows that

optimistic people are happier, healthier, recover from illness

more quickly, and even live longer.



Optimism is having confidence in a positive future or success of

something even when an optimist encounters a difficult

situation. She makes course corrections toward a desired

outcome because of her positive perspective.  This indicates

that an optimist accepts the situation, even the obstacles to

success and continues to work toward accomplishing her goals-

-Growth Mindset in action (see our March 14th post).



Psychologists also believe that optimism can be learned and/or

can also be genetically inherited. If an individual is taught to see

the positive aspect of each situation and cultivates the belief in a

positive outcome from childhood, this becomes a lifelong habit. I

see myself as an optimist (most of the time) and believe that I

both learned and inherited optimism.



For as far back as I can remember, I heard my mother's words

"Things always turn out for the best". I didn't always believe her

when things didn't turn out the way I wanted them to. But those

words have echoed in my mind and heart for decades, thanks to

my mother. In case you think she lived with her head in the

clouds, never seeing "reality" the way the people around her

did, allow me to tell her story.



She was the oldest of four children, born to farmers in rural

Georgia. From the stories I've been told, I learned that she was

a happy and healthy baby. When she was nine months old, she

became infected with the polio virus. Shortly afterwards, she

was sent 200 miles from her home to a hospital in Warm

Springs, Georgia where she would spend the first five years of

her life. Not only was she separated from her family (my

grandparents couldn't afford to leave the farm and travel to visit

her very often), she was isolated and underwent very painful

treatments, including time in an iron lung. She had very little

comforting, physical touch. The disease left her paralyzed on

one side. I can’t image how she felt or how she survived and

thrived.  I've come to believe that her attitude, her mindset, was

her pathway to living a long and fulfilling life. Much like Viktor

Frankl's examples in Man's Search For Meaning, she choose to

see the "glass half full" even under such devastating

circumstances. She chose to see the present and future from a

positive perspective.



The Positive Psychology approach also recommends building

optimism by habitually recognizing and challenging pessimistic

thoughts – something made much easier by the new season in

which we can throw open the windows, and let in the fresh air

and soft sunlight.



Spring is all about opportunity – a time for cultivating optimism,

for accepting ourselves, finding balance, strengthening the

belief in ourselves and our ability to overcome obstacles,

including our own fear.  This Co-Creative Mandala, "Optimism"

invites you to embrace Spring's Eternal Optimism and step into

the unknown. The spiritual journey of the spring equinox is one

of discovery.  Remember, savor,  and build on optimism

throughout  the year.
Picture
Let go of fears, old habits, and stories.

Throw open the windows and let in the fresh, vibrant

energy of new life.

Infinite possibilities are available to you.

Expect success!

Embrace the beginning of something new!

Optimism Exercise:

Spring has always been considered as a time for change and

personal evolution. If changes need to be made in your

life, this exercise is going to set that in motion. It’s designed to

help you honor what is and leave behind whatever doesn’t serve

you and to support allowing your goals to manifest.



Give yourself plenty of time to dive deeply into this exercise.

Meditate, journal, create your sacred space for doing this

exercise throughout the spring season. Come back to this

exercise as often as you like. Make it your own.



Find a quiet place, without interruptions. Light two candles, one

for that part of you that is holding on and one for that part of you

that is letting go.

 

Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush. Close your eyes.

Take several deep breaths. 

 

Open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Invest a

few minutes toward feeling the “Optimism” energy traveling

through your body & all your chakras. Imagine that energy

bursting through your crown chakra & extending far into the

heavens. Now, feel the “Optimism” energy entering your

body through your crown chakra. Sit with this energy for a few

minutes, feel yourself connected to the mandala energy.


 
What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...

 
I wonder what it wants me to know?



Begin asking yourself the following questions; acknowledge

whatever is holding you and holding you back. This helps train

your brain to cultivate optimism...
 


1. What does optimism feel/look like to me? What does

optimism mean for me in me spiritual journey?


2. Where do I feel optimistic in my life?


3. Where is there pessimism? Do I feel out of balance in any

aspect of my life?


4. What can I do to bring optimism to that part of my life? 

This is one thing I'm willing to do that brings optimism to

my life.



The cycle of life is once again starting. This is the season of

new beginnings. Right now, these energies are combining to

make this a time of growth & evolution.  In order to make this

change a reality, first appreciate what is. Then cultivate the

power of optimism. Believe that anything is possible this time of

year. Celebrate spring because it reminds us that our optimism

eternal.



You may have difficulty with this process. I know when I first

started intentionally shifting my attention to being optimistic,

I thought I was "betraying" reality. That seems odd to me now,

but I was invested in the limiting beliefs that come with

pessimism. I think I was afraid to let go and allow optimism to

guide my life. I invite you to be gentle with yourself and trust the

process. You've been living with these beliefs for a lifetime;

they've protected you; pessimism has kept you safe. It's

important to acknowledge and honor this.



One energy modality that I've found to be gentle and effective

for working with limiting beliefs is EFT/Tapping. By tapping on

meridian accupoints, EFT-Tapping sends a signal to the energy

system that you are safe.  It's a very effective technique for

clearing our energy system of the disruptions that happened

when the experiences we had created the limiting beliefs.

When we feel safe, we can see our human experience through

a compassionate and optimistic lens.



I offer 30-minute complimentary EFT/Tapping Sessions. This is

a perfect way to begin exploring and releasing limiting beliefs as

you move toward a life of Eternal Optimism.


Peace and Joy to your seeking heart,
Picture
0 Comments

The Power of...YET

3/14/2019

0 Comments

 
We invite you to join us this year as we explore the magic of Co-

Creative Mandalas and the blessings that each season brings. 

Just like the seasons affect all animals, plants, trees, insects,

and flowers--all living things on Earth, we believe the seasons

also have an effect on our mind, body, and spirit. We feel

different energy at different times of the year. For instance, our

energy is much different at Summer Solstice than it is at the

Winter Solstice. Co-Creative Mandalas represent a microcosm

of the greater mandala that is seen throughout the year with

each passing season.  We are thrilled to share insights and

practices that support your journey toward increased peace and

happiness.

Even though the first day of spring is less than a week away

(WAHOO!), it’s still winter outside (as evidenced by the blizzard

that blew through Colorado yesterday leaving snow in our front

yard, sub-zero wind chill, and icicles hanging from the gutters).

The Earth is quiet throughout the winter months, sleeping and

preparing for new growth. It’s also a time to rest and invest time

toward preparing internally for changes we envision.


This runs counter to the energy on January 1st  which invited

me to commit myself to fresh beginnings and new intentions. I’m

pretty sure that many of us translated the spirit of these

beginnings into resolutions, setting goals, making plans, and

moving into action.  We begin with feeling motivated and

energized; we envision our best possible self and set intentions

and create goals to support the changes we hope for.


Every year I say to myself "This year will be different. I'm going

to finish all the projects I made resolutions for last year". For a

while I’ve been trying to figure out why I can stick to my

resolutions for a while and then slowly drift back to the habits I

had before that pesky New Year came along putting pressure

on me to clear out closets, eat healthier or join a gym all in

service of “new year, new me” . Even if I manage to stay the

course for a while, all those good intentions for mind, body, spirit

improvements often fade in the rear view mirror in a month or so

and I go back to the habits I had before I envisioned clean

closets, de-cluttered desks, and a slimmer, trimmer body.


Research shows a third of resolutions don’t make it past the first

month.  Why is that?

Picture
Some experts say we set goals

that are too lofty or not

connected to our values or are

based on outside approval.

Others say it’s because our

goals aren’t S.M.A.R.T. or

because the goal takes too long

to achieve. I can see how those


reasons may be barriers to achieving our goals.


And…I think there’s a deeper reason that we abandon our

resolutions, goals or intentions--particularly the ones we make

at the end of the year.


I hold the belief that the movement toward action at the New

Year may run counter to the seasonal energy present at that

time and throughout the weeks of winter. Have you noticed that

your energy is different in January than it is in June? More on

this later.


Sometimes when I don't achieve my goals or master a

challenge as rapidly I like, I get frustrated. I lose motivation; I

feel impatient. Full disclosure: I’m not a particularly patient

person. Many years ago I told my more patient friends (who

urged me to be patient) that “patience isn’t a virtue, it’s a waste

of time”. They laughed; I laughed. But I was (and still am)

serious about that, some of the time. Even though I strive to

change my ways and be more patient, there’s still a kernel of

truth in that statement (a story for another time).


I recently saw a FRUSTRATION HAPPENS bumper

sticker--(why didn't I think of that?). I admit I smiled when I read

it.  Each day I find plenty of good reasons to be impatient--long

lines. Telemarketers. A goal isn’t materializing “fast enough.” I

can drive myself crazy (crazier than I already am), be irritable,

feel victimized, or try to force an outcome--all self-defeating

behaviors. Or, I can learn to cultivate the power of Yet--a type of

hope that reminds us that just because we haven’t achieved our

goal yet, we’re on a learning journey and we shouldn’t give up

even when we’re faced with challenges. It’s an exciting concept.

I love the Sesame Street song!


Dr. Carol Dweck has made it her life’s work to research how

learning happens. Although she’s primarily done her research in

education, I think her results point toward understanding how

our mindset supports achieving our goals.  As I understand it,

she identifies two mindsets: Fixed and Growth. These mindsets

are based on the stories we tell ourselves when we’re faced

with a learning curve or waiting to achieve our goals.


The fixed mindset stories are based on limiting beliefs we have

about ourselves—“you’re not good enough”, “it’s safer not to

try”. The growth mindset stories are based on realizing we have

a choice about how we approach challenges and obstacles “I

am good enough”, “I’m willing to give it a try”. At the heart of

growth mindset is patience—the practice of waiting, watching,

knowing when to act and learning along the way. Patience

attunes us to our intuition. It is self-care in action.


So, how are the power of YET and patience connected to the

seasonal energy that’s present in the winter months? So glad

you asked!


There is a special stillness in winter. Everything seems dead &

frozen, but life is quietly unfolding deep in the darkness. It’s a

time of turning inward. It’s a time of rest.  A time when anything

is possible. New possibilities are born within us at this time of

year, even if we can’t see them--yet. Winter is a time of

envisioning new beginnings. As we move from winter to spring,

we’ll begin looking forward to the projects & plans we’ll bring to

fruition over the months ahead. Patience is the energy that

winter invites us to cultivate; it's the foundation upon which our

goals and plans are built. Patience draws us inward toward

wisdom, our Wholeness. It invites us to trust ourselves, our

intuition, and the power of...yet.
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Possibilities are quietly unfolding in the darkness.

Change is happening deep within even if you can't see it.

Nurture the seeds of new ideas and intentions.

Trust in the order of all things.

Patience Exercise:

Bring your dreams to life. If changes need to be made in your

life, this exercise is going to set that in motion. It’s designed to

help you honor what is and leave behind whatever doesn’t serve

you and to support allowing your goals to manifest.


Give yourself plenty of time to dive deeply into this exercise.

Meditate, journal, create your sacred space for doing this

exercise throughout the remaining days of winter and in to

the spring season. Come back to this exercise as often as you

like. Make it your own.


Find a quiet place, without interruptions. Light two candles, one

for that part of you that is holding on and one for that part of you

that is letting go.
 

Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush. Close your eyes.

Take several deep breaths.  
 

Open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Invest a

few minutes toward feeling the “Patience” energy traveling

through your body & all your chakras. Imagine that energy

bursting through your crown chakra & extending far into the

heavens. Now, feel the “Patience” energy entering your

body through your crown chakra. Sit with this energy for a few

minutes, feel yourself connected to the mandala energy.

 
What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...

 
I wonder what it wants me to know?
 

Begin asking yourself the following questions; acknowledge

whatever is holding you and holding you back. This helps train

your brain to cultivate a growth mindset...


1. What has changed in my life over the past 6 months?


2. What do I need to let go of now in order to freely move

forward in my life? What beliefs or assumptions are holding 

me back?


3. What changes am I currently experiencing in my life?


4. What is newly beginning in my life?




This is a transformative time in your life as you begin

implementing all the changes & plans you dreamt about over

the winter . Right now, these energies are combining to make

this a time of growth & evolution.  In order to make this change

a reality, first appreciate what is. Then cultivate the power of

Yet, your gift of patience, and invite transformation to effortlessly

unfold.


Imagine re-reading your answers to these questions 12 months

from now. How will you feel? Are you going to re-read it and feel

like nothing has changed? Or are you going to look back and

say, “WOW! This last year has been filled with patience, so

much more self-love and greater abundance!”


Trust that everything is unfolding in the perfect way. Allow

yourself to open to the greatest possibilities the coming spring

holds for you. Trust that you are on your path and exactly where

you are meant to be. Open to all the blessings that you co-

create with the Universe.


Peace and joy to your seeking heart,
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Let Your Light Shine! Part 2

12/21/2018

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Gratitude is one of the most powerful forces in the universe.

Today I'm brimming over with gratitude...Gratitude for you and

the exquisite circle of spirit-friends who are part of the Co-

Creative Mandalas community. So thank you, thank you, thank

you for all you do to remember your Wholeness and to bring

your Light to the world! Thank you for sharing your gifts

generously with the world, in whatever way you do. I feel

comforted by your presence.


I'm grateful for our collective wisdom that brings us to this

precious moment of waking up; and for life filled with

opportunities to grow; and for our strength to dance with shadow

& Light. So a shout out to you all (each and every one)...may

gratitude open and fill your heart on this Winter Solstice and

throughout the holiday season...


What better time to offer a simple  "Wow!" and "Thank You!" 

than this time of year. November brought the opportunity to

celebrate Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity during Diwali; the

beginning of December gave us Hanukkah and the celebration

of light  and today, in the Northern Hemisphere, is the Winter

Solstice. I love this time of year with all the opportunities for

celebrating inner and outer Light.


The holidays don't hold the same meaning for everyone, even

though many traditions celebrate the Light during this time of

year.
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I've been celebrating Winter

Solstice for nearly 40 years.  The

first celebration took place with

friends who lived outside of

Roseburg, Oregon. Martha and

Alan laid a cedar bough spiral on

the ground, under a star-lit sky, with

one lit candle standing in the center

of the spiral, a reminder that even in the darkness there is

always the Light. Each of us walked the spiral to the center and

lit our own candles. As we returned around the spiral, we carried

our candles, placing them somewhere along the spiral. When

we each had completed our journey to the center and back, the

entire spiral was illuminated with our individual and collective

Light. It was magic!  Such rituals are done all over the world on

the longest night as the darkness is vanquished and the Light

returns. Magical, indeed.


Christmas is also magical for me, even if it's a bit more

complicated--what with the commercialism that often begins

before Halloween, the expectations for the "perfect" gift or

event. I love transforming our home with sparkling lights

and color, of sharing love and the joy of being together, and

bringing gifts to each other. It's a time set aside to remember

that we are all sparks of Light and Love walking the planet. I still

send handwritten holiday greetings because it's a time of

thinking of others. 


For those of us keenly aware of the cycle of the seasons, the

Winter Solstice is the day on which the rest of the year

pivots...At the Summer Solstice, I experienced all the abundant

energy that comes with bright sunlight and long days, which

called me outside and into activity late into the bright night of the

longest day of the year. Now, the journey around the sun

inspires me to breathe in and sit with myself and enjoy a time of

reflection and stillness when the world sleeps, and I slow down

in preparation for the returning Light.


As we enter the winter season, we remember that it's like the

chrysalis stage in the evolution of the butterfly. This is the time

when the caterpillar is wrapped up quietly, in the dark of her

cocoon. It doesn’t look like anything’s happening. Deep inside, a

quiet transformation is beginning. The caterpillar is evolving,

preparing to emerge as a magnificent butterfly.


All of nature, including us, is undergoing this same

transformation throughout winter. To the outside world life is still

& quiet. The days are short; the trees are bare; Earth is asleep.

Everything appears to be dead or frozen. You can't see that

something meaningful happening. Hidden inside you or deep

underground, a magical transformation is occurring.  Whether or

not  you can see it in nature and in your life, your spirit and

Earth are undergoing a significant transformation.


I invite you to be like the caterpillar. Wrap yourself snuggly in

your cocoon, and simply rest. Rest. Rest. Rest. No work is

required.


This inward stillness offers an opportunity to envision changes I

want to see in my life, for clearing inner and outer clutter and

creating spaciousness. Every time I pause, reflect, and let go of

what no longer serves me, I see well-being in all areas of my

life.
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The journey around the sun is nearly complete.

Embrace the grace and ease of the season.

This is the time of Restoration.

Allow the stillness to guide you.

Restoration Exercise:

Bring your dreams to life. This exercise will help you open

yourself to the positivity & possibilities of the holiday season and

the coming New Year. It’s designed to help you honor and leave

behind whatever doesn’t serve you and to bring your Light to the

season and to the New Year.


Give yourself plenty of time to dive deeply into this exercise.

Meditate, journal, create your sacred space for doing this

exercise throughout the holidays,  the winter season and in to

the New Year. Come back to this exercise as often as you like.

Make it your own.


Find a quiet place, without interruptions. Light two candles, one

for that part of you that is holding on and one for that part of you

that is letting go.
 

Invest your time and attention. Don’t rush. Close your eyes.

Take several deep breaths.  
 

Open your eyes and focus on the mandala. Invest a

few minutes toward feeling the “Restoration” energy traveling

through your body & all your chakras. Imagine that energy

bursting through your crown chakra & extending far into the

heavens. Now, feel the “Restoration” energy entering your

body through your crown chakra. Sit with this energy for a few

minutes, feel yourself connected to the mandala energy.

 
What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--Something in me is feeling...

 
I wonder what it wants me to know?
 

Begin asking yourself the following questions; acknowledge

whatever is holding you and holding you back. This helps train

your brain to see yourself in a different light.
 

Reflect on the year that’s ending & your hopes for the New

Year.


     1. What do you want to leave behind with the old year? What

no longer serves you? What keeps your Light from shining in

the world?

 
Let your Light encase all that you are holding on to. 

Honor whatever is holding you back and remember that it

served you at one time. When you're ready, allow yourself to let

go.


     2. What do you want to keep that supports your next journey

around the sun? What are your strengths and gifts? What ways

do you bring your Light to the world?



    3. What are your hopes & wishes for the New Year?
 

What are you already starting to dream about? What ideas are

coming up for your life in the New Year? What ways will you

share your Light with the world?
 

Get really clear & very specific about what you’d like to draw

into your life. The clearer you are the more power the exercise

will hold. Read your hopes and wishes out loud.


This exercise is an act of self-love, the cornerstone of a

miraculous life. During this holiday season it may be hard to let

your Light shine when you’re stressed about money, worried

about gatherings and tensions in your family, or burned out with

end-of-the-year deadlines.


Here’s a quick suggestion to bring you back to a place of self-

love in an instant….no matter how stressed you feel:

Simply close your eyes, put your hand on your heart and

breathe into that area. Then silently ask yourself the question,

“What’s the most loving thing I could do for myself right now?”

Your answer might be something as simple as taking some

deep breaths or drinking some water. It might be saying “no” to

a recent request or speaking up for yourself. Or it might be to

come back to the "Restoration" mandala as a reminder to stop,

breathe, and appreciate the gift of this season.


It may seem odd that I'm suggesting that you stop and ask

yourself this question when you’re in the midst of so much to do,

but it just takes a few seconds, and it brings you back to your

heart and to your Light. And when we take care of ourselves,

everything else flows more easily and we have more space to

let our Light shine.


May your days be filled with love, deep peace and Light during

this holiday season and beyond.


Blessings, 

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You Deserve a Life of Great Fullness

11/22/2018

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Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S. This is a powerful time of year

to do the really important work of exploring your limiting beliefs.

Understanding what your limiting beliefs hold is a critical part of

growth & evolution. Clearing limiting beliefs is a lifelong process.

I’ve been working on finding ways to clear limiting beliefs for

many years and have found that Emotional Freedom

Techniques (EFT/Tapping) and Co-Creative Mandalas help you

to safely explore limiting beliefs, give thanks for the ways those

beliefs have served you in the past, while still being honest

about your current situation.


And ... you have to be brave enough to really look at those parts

of yourself–all those parts you want to hide & push away.

Uncovering and clearing limiting beliefs is your pathway to

Wholeness and peace—to a life of Great Fullness.


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What are Limiting

Beliefs?


We all have limiting beliefs.

Most of them are hidden

within us.  These beliefs

are often so subtle that we

are unable to recognize

them. Like chameleons,

they blend in with the background. A belief is an idea about your

experience that you hold to be true. Such an idea guides your

actions, filters your experience, gives or denies you permission

to act and lets you know what things mean. Sometimes these

beliefs are useful and sometimes they aren’t. When they work

for us and bring us what we want we can think of them as

empowering beliefs. When they work against us they can get in

the way of our progress and make life much harder than it

needs to be. In these cases we call them limiting beliefs. Rather

than decide whether a belief is right or wrong it is more useful to

consider whether it is helpful or unhelpful, limiting or enhancing.



How Limiting Beliefs Are Formed?


So much of who we are now and how we perceive the world is

shaped by our early childhood experiences. This is particularly

true when it comes to our beliefs about our potential for success

and happiness, as well as our faith that we’re deserving and

capable of living a passionate life. As we grow up, traits

associated with “being good” are accepted, while others

associated with “being bad” are rejected. As children, when we

expressed certain parts of ourselves, we received negative cues

from our environment that threatened our basic needs for

safety, security, and/or belonging. We adjusted our behavior to

gratify those needs and learned to adapt to the external world.


As a child grows older, goes to school, and interacts with peers,

the carefree passion that was once natural and easy is now

tempered by social or peer expectations, subtle shaming, and

criticisms. As a child moves into adolescence, she may begin to

believe the negative feelings she has about herself. These

learnings form our beliefs and expectations about the world and

become the “writing on our walls” i.e., the longer we hold on to a

belief or fear, the more ingrained it is in our minds. These beliefs

once served a very important function: They kept us safe. They

protected us from experiencing pain. As adults, who are in

charge of our lives, limiting beliefs no longer serve us.
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Benefits of Finding and

Clearing Limiting Beliefs


Talking about and working on

limiting beliefs isn’t a popular

topic. Who enjoys looking at

her limiting beliefs that show

up as procrastination or self-

sabotage? Focusing on our

strengths is more enjoyable and life-affirming.


Exploring our limiting beliefs, however, gives us tremendous

opportunities for growth and development, for noticing and

acknowledging those parts of our self that are afraid. So what

are the benefits?


1. You become more grounded, human, and whole. When you

can accept your own darker parts, it is easier to accept the

shadow in others and you won't be triggered so easily by other's

behaviors.


2. As you clear your limiting beliefs, you’re approaching your

authentic self. You’ll see yourself and others and evaluate

situations with greater clarity, compassion, and understanding.


3. You liberate a tremendous reservoir of energy you were

unconsciously investing in protecting yourself. This can improve

your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.


4. It unlocks more of your creative potential. Creativeness, as

psychologists like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers found, is a

spontaneous occurrence in mentally healthy (integrated)

individuals.



Tips For Engaging in Limiting Belief Work


1. Center yourself. Before you begin working with your limiting

beliefs, you want to be in a calm, clear, neutral space. Focusing

on Co-Creative Mandalas and breathing into your heart will help

you be centered.


2. Cultivate self-compassion. It is helpful to cultivate a sense

of unconditional friendliness with one’s self. In Buddhism, it’s

called Maitri. Start by accepting your own humanness.


Remember that we all have limiting beliefs—everyone is in the

soup together, as Jung used to say.


3. Cultivate Self-Awareness. Foster nonjudgmental

awareness--the ability to stay aware of the present moment

without involving the inner critic.


This Co-Creative Mandala--"Great Fullness", invites you to

express gratitude, acknowledge the yin/yang of life, and 

honor all parts of yourself.
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Embrace the joy and the suffering that is all of life.

Be still, notice and sit with the beliefs

that hold you and hold you back.

Dance with your human and

your divine nature.

Great Fullness Exercise:


Give yourself plenty of time to dive deeply into this exercise.

Meditate, journal, create your sacred space for doing this

exercise throughout this autumn season. Come back to this

exercise as often as you like. Make it your own.


Find a quiet place, without interruptions. Light two candles, one

for that part of you that is afraid and one for that part of you

that is courageous.


Close your eyes. Take a couple of deep breaths.


Now, open your eyes and take in the energy of the

mandala...focus on each part of the mandala--the center, the

colors, shape, and texture. Allow yourself to feel the vibration of

Great Fullness.


What about the mandala captures your attention? Notice and

Wonder--


Something in me is feeling:


I wonder what it wants me to know?


Now, begin asking yourself the following questions to

acknowledge the beliefs holding you and holding you back. This

helps train your brain to see yourself in a different light.



1. What is your most debilitating limiting belief?


We all have many limiting beliefs, but isolate one that really

interferes with your growth or impacts your ability to take action.

You don’t feel good enough? You don’t make enough money?

You’re not smart? You aren’t pretty enough? You aren’t

lovable?



2. Why do you have this limiting belief?


This is a question you should ask until you run out of answers.

Write down every reason you can think of, starting with the main

one that probably occurred when you were small. Write these

reasons down so you don’t forget them.



3. What evidence do you have that undermines your

limiting belief?


You might feel a certain way about yourself, but that doesn’t

make it true. And even if there were truth in the original belief

and feelings, you have lived a lot of life since then. There are

hundreds of reasons why you are smart, lovable, attractive, etc.

Write those down too.



4. What would you do with your life if you no longer had

this limiting belief?


Imagine the belief disappeared instantly. How would this change

your perceptions of what you can do and how you can change

your life? What goals would you set for yourself?



5. Would you be willing to write down your limiting belief on

a small piece of paper and seal it in an envelope for a

week?


Could you operate in your life by putting this belief “on hold” for

a week and act “as if” it didn’t exist? Write it down on a piece of

paper and assign a number to it between 1-10, with 10 being

“extremely limiting” and 1 being “not very limiting” based on how

you feel about the belief now.



6. What are 3-5 small, manageable actions you could take

on your goal this week while your limiting belief is sealed in

an envelope?


Acting “as if” you have no limiting belief around your goal, create

a few actions you will commit to take in the direction of your goal

and write them on a calendar.


Now that your limiting belief is isolated, undermined, and locked

in an envelope, use this time of freedom from the belief to take

action. Commit to the actions you outlined and marked on your

calendar.


You will likely see how taking these actions further loosens the

grip of this belief. Open your envelop and assign a number to

the belief again as you did in question 5. How has it changed

for you?


Continue working through your limiting beliefs this way,

acknowledging, addressing, releasing them, and taking forward

action in the direction of your Great Fullness.


You may have difficulty with this process. I know when I first

started exploring limiting beliefs they were subtle and hard to

find and let go of--kind of like trying to pin down Jell-O  Be

gentle with yourself and trust the process. You've been living

with these beliefs for a lifetime; they've protected you; they've

kept you safe. It's important to acknowledge and honor this.


One energy modality that I've found to be gentle and effective

for working with limiting beliefs is EFT/Tapping. By tapping on

meridian accupoints, EFT-Tapping sends a signal to the energy

system that you are safe.  It's a very effective technique for

clearing our energy system of the disruptions that happened

when the experiences we had that created the limiting beliefs.

When we feel safe, we can see our human experience through

a compassionate and loving lens.


I offer 30-minute complimentary EFT/Tapping Sessions. This is

a perfect way to begin exploring and releasing limiting beliefs as

you move toward a life of Great Fullness.


Peace and Joy to your seeking heart,

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