Co-Creative Mentoring Sheryl Harrell, MAA.B.S.; BCC
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Meet Sheryl

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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.




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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". 


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.


Let's Co-Create...

Are you ready to love and accept yourself?
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Connect With Sheryl:

Phone: 970-221-3898

Location:



149 W. Harvard St.
Suite 401
Fort Collins CO 80525

Serving Northern Colorado and
Southern Wyoming, including Cheyenne
and Laramie.

Click Say Hello for map.


    Questions? Comments? Contact Sheryl and she will get back to you, pronto!

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