Meet Sheryl
Finding My Voice. Speaking My Truth.
Writing this bio was, and continues to be, interesting. As in
the Chinese curse, "may you live in interesting times".
This process has taken months to complete. Finding my
voice and speaking my truth has been a
challenging, lifelong adventure, so it comes as no
surprise that writing about myself reflects that.
Although I've read a few, there are hundreds if not
thousands of examples and at least that many
opinions about how to write a "good" bio. I've broken
some of those rules in this bio. This isn't the first
time I've broken rules, and likely won't be the
last. Authentically speaking my truth matters to me
more than following the rules. Even though bios are fundamentally self-indulgent, I hope what I've
written will be helpful for your journey.
Practical Spirituality.
For the past four-plus decades I’ve looked for (and found) ways to live, thrive, and make a difference in the world.
Hope for my future and the future of the planet defined my twenties. I felt optimistic about my life, my place in the
world, and the future of the planet. I was passionate about causes: the Environment, Civil Rights, Women’s Rights,
and the Peace Movement. I was ignorantly blissful and naïve and believed in our potential as humans to be good
and do good things. I didn’t have a clue about the complexities of the personal and global problems we faced. I
loved that people came together united in a common purpose. We were connecting to something that was greater
than we were individually. In retrospect, I realize how in tune we were to an unseen and deeply felt collective
consciousness.
Even though there were only a few spiritual teachers and very limited publications or self-help sections in
bookstores, I found ways to stay centered in the midst of chaos. I feel fortunate that I learned Transcendental
Meditation (TM), a practice that has been part of my daily routine for over four decades. I think of this practice as
"practical" spirituality. The ritual of meditating and the benefit it brings to daily life are more important than
following rules or dogma that sometime accompany spiritual paths. I tend toward irreverence and I'm a bit
rebellious. Because of these traits, I have a very eclectic approach to personal growth. When I'm exploring a
particular path, I ask: Is the approach practical? Does it feel good in my body? Does it help me find and stay true to
my truth? Does it lead to feeling calm, relaxed, and peaceful?
Balancing Self-care and Service.
While my peers were going to college, earning degrees, and choosing careers, I was less focused on the world of
work and more interested in self-development, believing that by following a spiritual path I was making a positive
contribution to the planet. Inspired by the idea that enlightenment was a possibility (even if I wasn't quite sure what
enlightenment was, I knew it was something I wanted to experience), I made choices that put spiritual practices at
the center of my life. From 1975 until 1980, I lived and worked at retreat centers in northern California and
Washington State. Daily TM practice, along with yoga and personal retreats, and immersion in a culture that
focused on the evolution of consciousness taught me the importance of being grounded in self-care. The time
invested in living in an intentional community softened most of the hard edges that defined who I was. I also
experienced how deeply fulfilling and joyful it is to be of service to travelers on their paths to enlightenment. I set an
intention for myself to act from the heart of service in everything I do. This deep desire to change the world through
service is at the center of all the personal and professional choices I make.
Writing this bio was, and continues to be, interesting. As in
the Chinese curse, "may you live in interesting times".
This process has taken months to complete. Finding my
voice and speaking my truth has been a
challenging, lifelong adventure, so it comes as no
surprise that writing about myself reflects that.
Although I've read a few, there are hundreds if not
thousands of examples and at least that many
opinions about how to write a "good" bio. I've broken
some of those rules in this bio. This isn't the first
time I've broken rules, and likely won't be the
last. Authentically speaking my truth matters to me
more than following the rules. Even though bios are fundamentally self-indulgent, I hope what I've
written will be helpful for your journey.
Practical Spirituality.
For the past four-plus decades I’ve looked for (and found) ways to live, thrive, and make a difference in the world.
Hope for my future and the future of the planet defined my twenties. I felt optimistic about my life, my place in the
world, and the future of the planet. I was passionate about causes: the Environment, Civil Rights, Women’s Rights,
and the Peace Movement. I was ignorantly blissful and naïve and believed in our potential as humans to be good
and do good things. I didn’t have a clue about the complexities of the personal and global problems we faced. I
loved that people came together united in a common purpose. We were connecting to something that was greater
than we were individually. In retrospect, I realize how in tune we were to an unseen and deeply felt collective
consciousness.
Even though there were only a few spiritual teachers and very limited publications or self-help sections in
bookstores, I found ways to stay centered in the midst of chaos. I feel fortunate that I learned Transcendental
Meditation (TM), a practice that has been part of my daily routine for over four decades. I think of this practice as
"practical" spirituality. The ritual of meditating and the benefit it brings to daily life are more important than
following rules or dogma that sometime accompany spiritual paths. I tend toward irreverence and I'm a bit
rebellious. Because of these traits, I have a very eclectic approach to personal growth. When I'm exploring a
particular path, I ask: Is the approach practical? Does it feel good in my body? Does it help me find and stay true to
my truth? Does it lead to feeling calm, relaxed, and peaceful?
Balancing Self-care and Service.
While my peers were going to college, earning degrees, and choosing careers, I was less focused on the world of
work and more interested in self-development, believing that by following a spiritual path I was making a positive
contribution to the planet. Inspired by the idea that enlightenment was a possibility (even if I wasn't quite sure what
enlightenment was, I knew it was something I wanted to experience), I made choices that put spiritual practices at
the center of my life. From 1975 until 1980, I lived and worked at retreat centers in northern California and
Washington State. Daily TM practice, along with yoga and personal retreats, and immersion in a culture that
focused on the evolution of consciousness taught me the importance of being grounded in self-care. The time
invested in living in an intentional community softened most of the hard edges that defined who I was. I also
experienced how deeply fulfilling and joyful it is to be of service to travelers on their paths to enlightenment. I set an
intention for myself to act from the heart of service in everything I do. This deep desire to change the world through
service is at the center of all the personal and professional choices I make.
Lifelong Seeker.
I came to realize the importance of finding balance between attending to my inner life and earning a living. When I
was 35, I enrolled in college, earned a bachelor’s degree at 38 and a masters in Applied Behavioral Sciences (the
MA/A.B.S. behind my name) just before my 40th birthday. I didn't have a clear vision or plan for my future, I simply
sensed the importance of pursuing formal education. Over the years, I've attended many workshops and devoted
countless hours to personal and professional development opportunities, including completing EFT-CERT-1, Dave
Ellis's Falling Awake Coaching Program, and Rebecca McLean's Circle of Life Health and Wellness Coaching
Certification. I've also studied with Byron Katie, who developed The Work. My choice to be a life-long
learner has led to several opportunities as a helping professional including director of a non-profit, organizational
development consultant, management coach, trainer, counselor,
academic advisor, and health/wellbeing/life coach.
While attending college, I discovered that I have a natural talent for
teaching. Over the years I deepened and refined my abilities.
Currently, I teach courses in Acupressure Tapping Techniques
(Emotional Freedom Techniques--EFT) in a holistic health
professionals program at a community college in Fort Collins,
Colorado.
A Zig-Zag Path to Enlightenment.
Fast forward…I’m now in my mid-60s. I’ve lived a few lifetimes in this life. I've made mistakes. Often, I learned from
them. Sometimes it took more than one mistake to "get it". I've made wise and not-so-wise choices. As I look over
the landscape of my life journey I see peaks, valleys, scenic routes, and both intentional and unforeseen detours. It
looks like a zig-zag, spiral path. Life has been a process of elimination...I didn't always know what I wanted, but
eventually I figured out what didn't work for me and adjusted my course accordingly. Sometimes it felt like I was
waiting for happiness to come from outside of myself. That's a painful space to be in. The life I envisioned and
believed to be possible four decades ago is still evolving. The changes and challenges that shape my current reality
include a painful divorce, deep depression, chronic illness, and weight issues. I've learned to embrace
disappointment and discouragement and see the "shadow side" as a very important, and necessary, part of my
journey.
I’m grateful for clarity and contentment. I realize that enlightenment isn't a destination, it's an unfolding that occurs
everyday in every encounter, experience, thought, and feeling. Sometimes the unfolding appears to be "positive"
and sometimes it appears to be "negative". I've learned that they both contain insights that support my next steps
along the path. I've discovered, and continue to find, ways to tap into inner and outer resources that remind
me that, no matter what it looks like "out there", I can choose to respond with ease, harmony, and grace "in here".
I came to realize the importance of finding balance between attending to my inner life and earning a living. When I
was 35, I enrolled in college, earned a bachelor’s degree at 38 and a masters in Applied Behavioral Sciences (the
MA/A.B.S. behind my name) just before my 40th birthday. I didn't have a clear vision or plan for my future, I simply
sensed the importance of pursuing formal education. Over the years, I've attended many workshops and devoted
countless hours to personal and professional development opportunities, including completing EFT-CERT-1, Dave
Ellis's Falling Awake Coaching Program, and Rebecca McLean's Circle of Life Health and Wellness Coaching
Certification. I've also studied with Byron Katie, who developed The Work. My choice to be a life-long
learner has led to several opportunities as a helping professional including director of a non-profit, organizational
development consultant, management coach, trainer, counselor,
academic advisor, and health/wellbeing/life coach.
While attending college, I discovered that I have a natural talent for
teaching. Over the years I deepened and refined my abilities.
Currently, I teach courses in Acupressure Tapping Techniques
(Emotional Freedom Techniques--EFT) in a holistic health
professionals program at a community college in Fort Collins,
Colorado.
A Zig-Zag Path to Enlightenment.
Fast forward…I’m now in my mid-60s. I’ve lived a few lifetimes in this life. I've made mistakes. Often, I learned from
them. Sometimes it took more than one mistake to "get it". I've made wise and not-so-wise choices. As I look over
the landscape of my life journey I see peaks, valleys, scenic routes, and both intentional and unforeseen detours. It
looks like a zig-zag, spiral path. Life has been a process of elimination...I didn't always know what I wanted, but
eventually I figured out what didn't work for me and adjusted my course accordingly. Sometimes it felt like I was
waiting for happiness to come from outside of myself. That's a painful space to be in. The life I envisioned and
believed to be possible four decades ago is still evolving. The changes and challenges that shape my current reality
include a painful divorce, deep depression, chronic illness, and weight issues. I've learned to embrace
disappointment and discouragement and see the "shadow side" as a very important, and necessary, part of my
journey.
I’m grateful for clarity and contentment. I realize that enlightenment isn't a destination, it's an unfolding that occurs
everyday in every encounter, experience, thought, and feeling. Sometimes the unfolding appears to be "positive"
and sometimes it appears to be "negative". I've learned that they both contain insights that support my next steps
along the path. I've discovered, and continue to find, ways to tap into inner and outer resources that remind
me that, no matter what it looks like "out there", I can choose to respond with ease, harmony, and grace "in here".
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Life Happens.
When life throws the unexpected at me, I’m sometimes surprised that “life happened”. Sometimes I hear an inner, critical voice that says...“That’s not supposed to happen,” or “I should know better,” or “How come I didn’t see I was out of balance?” or “What did I do to bring this on?” and I know that I’m beating up on myself for “attracting this” into my life. Like many of us, I sometimes have an active “spiritual tyrant”. It's that voice that tells me that when life happens I'm not spiritual enough, or my karma is bad or it's my fault that life isn't “perfect”. There has to be another way... I hold the belief that there are no accidents. Believing that nothing is random brings with it a need to take responsibility for what’s going on in my life without judging myself. With fresh eyes, I see that there’s a gift in everything that happens if I choose to look for it. When something’s not working, I can judge myself or I can ask: “What’s the message in this?” or “What’s this event, person, or circumstance trying to tell me?” or “What’s the old story I’ve been telling myself, and listening to?” or “What can I do differently so that I don’t have to get this message in such a painful way?” I delight in thanking the universe for the awesome way it works and in remembering that it’s all good. We’re not meant to suffer, although I can choose to…and that’s okay, too. Getting the message, seeing my choices reflected back from "out there" offers opportunities to love myself anyway, choose again, and move on. So What? How does knowing this about me help you? Maybe you'll see something of yourself in these words and remember we're kindred spirits. Maybe you'll know that you're not alone. Maybe you'll be curious to find out what I've learned and how I use my unique talents, gifts and life experiences to support your journey. Maybe you'll trust that I will help you remember that you're not broken, you don't need to be fixed, that you are whole and complete, perfect just the way you are. I'm drawn to work with people who are tired of listening to the inner, critical voice that tries to convince them that they aren't brilliant, sensitive, whole, complete, and amazing. I'm inspired by the words of Thich Nhat Hanh (Cultivating the Mind of Love): |
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We have within us a miraculous power,
and if we live our daily lives in mindfulness,
if we take steps mindfully, with love and care,
we can produce the miracle
and transform our world
into a miraculous place to live.
and if we live our daily lives in mindfulness,
if we take steps mindfully, with love and care,
we can produce the miracle
and transform our world
into a miraculous place to live.
Let's Co-Create...
Are you ready to love and accept yourself?
Are you ready to love and accept yourself?
