Return and Reclaim

Returning to Creative Dreams


Our creativity is an important part of being a well-rounded human being. For many of us, this has been shut down.

As children, many of us entertained fantasies or even goals of being an actor, singer, dancer, artist, or musician. In some cases, we received enough encouragement to develop our abilities in those creative arenas, but somewhere along the way we stopped. This stopping may have been due to circumstances beyond our control or to our own unconscious acts of self-sabotage. Being creative can be scary in a world that seems to value logic over imagination and practicality over dreaming. We can forgive ourselves for shutting down or turning our attention away from our inner artist, but perhaps we can also take steps to reclaim our dreams.

In certain times and places, developing a creative ability was considered an important part of being a well-rounded human being. It was not necessary to be a professional or a masterly genius, because the act of creativity was valued in and of itself. It gifts are manifold—from the sheer pleasure of allowing our imaginations free reign to sharing and enjoying the fruits of our labor. Children share drawings and songs freely, without self-consciousness, and there is no reason why we cannot do the same thing. You may already be remembering some lost form of expression, such as making jewelry or writing songs. Your soul may be responding with an energetic lift as it feels its way back to a time when it was allowed to express itself freely. Your brain, on the other hand, may be throwing up obstacles, like the idea that you are too old or do not have the time.

The truth is, you are not too old, and if you have time to pick up a pen, you have time to make a doodle or write a haiku. Recognize that the obstacles you find before you have arisen from a place of fear and that they will wane in power every time you do something creative. Each creative act takes you deeper into a realm of beauty and magic, a realm that you have every right to return to and reclaim.

(Source: DailyOm)

Want to embrace your creative self? Check out the HeART and Soul art group we're offering!

this is the time - we are the ones

Maintaining the Flow

Maintain the flow of your energy -- creative, spiritual, physical, mental, emotional -- by attending some of the classes and groups we offer, or ask us about our wellness services!

A Clear Current

A strong and fluid energy field is the key that unlocks the doors of self-healing and peace of mind.

The essence of all being is energy. Our physical and ethereal selves depend on the unrestricted flow of life energy that is the source of wholeness and wellness. Though the channels through which this energy flows are open systems and influenced by factors outside of our control, we ultimately choose what impact these will have in our lives. It is up to us to identify and clear blockages in the energy field to ensure that flow is maintained. A healthy, grounded individual absorbs some portion of the energy emitted by other people and the environment, but this does not interrupt the continuous stream of balanced energy sustaining them. The same individual copes constructively with stress and upset, and they are not subject to the stagnation that frequently goes hand in hand with negativity. When we keep the energy in and around our bodies flowing harmoniously, we are naturally healthy, vibrant, and peaceful.

Life energy flows through us like a swift stream when there is nothing to obstruct it, but various forces such as trauma, downbeat vibrations, and disappointments act like stones that impede the current. If we allow these to pile up, our life energy is thrown off its course or blocked entirely, causing illness, restlessness, and a lack of vigor. If, however, we take the time to clear these forces away, we rob them of the power to impact our lives. When we cultivate simple yet affirmative habits such as taking regular cleansing baths, practicing meditation and breathing exercises, smudging, and self-shielding, we protect ourselves from outside influences that might otherwise impede our energy flow. Likewise, we lessen the impact of inner influences when we clear our auras of unwanted attachments and divest ourselves of blocked emotions.

A strong and fluid energy field is the key that unlocks the doors of self-healing and peace of mind. Your awareness of the flow of energy sustaining you empowers you to take charge of your own well-being by taking steps to unblock, correct, and enhance that flow. Fear will likely be the culprit when you cannot identify the source of stagnation—you may simply be afraid to let go of what is obstructing the flow. Letting go can be challenging, but the exuberance you will feel when the flow is restored will be a welcome and blessed reward.

(Source: DailyOm)

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our newest Reiki I graduate, Connie T. I am so pleased to have been able to have been a part of your journey, and so grateful that despite the truly inclement weather, we were able to complete your training!

Welcome to the Reiki path.

Namaste,
Carolyn

Secrets of Achievement & Change

Do you have something you want to change or achieve in your life? Maybe you'd like to...
=> start a business
=> strengthen a relationship
=> have more money
=> feel comfortable in your own skin
=> organize your house
=> or something else

No matter what you'd like to change or achieve, the secrets to success are the same...

#1: Get clear. As specifically as possible, decide what you want. The more clear you are on what you want in your life, the more likely you are to achieve it.

#2: Get perspective. Most people don't tell anyone what they want or about their struggle. Because they don't share, they don’t have an outside perspective.

#3: Get support. Very few people (if any) achieve anything great alone. Sports stars have teammates and coaches. Be willing to ask someone to support you.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TUESDAYS: Life Coaching Sessions
with Kim Tedford, M.A., 30-minutes/$30
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Do you have something SPECIAL, something important for you to change? If you want to speed up your success rate, then I'd like to help you do it with a 1-on-1 personal coaching session where we'll work together to...



=> Create a crystal clear vision for ‘ultimate success’ so you know exactly what you want, where you're headed, and what you need to do to make it happen.

=> Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging your ability to make changes that last or that are slowing down your progress

=> Leave your session renewed, re-energized, and inspired to finally achieve the change you seek - once and for all

If you’d like to take advantage of this results-oriented 30-minute coaching session, email me your answers to these questions…

1. What do you most want to change today?
2. Have you tried to change this before?
3. What have you attempted in the past that didn't work?
4. Why do you think it didn't work?
5. On a 0-10 scale, how important is it for you to achieve change today?
6. What other areas of your life do you want to change (if any)?
7. Full Name
8. Email Address
9. Phone #

Check off the areas you’d most like to work on…
__ Career
__ Health
__ Intimate Relationship
__ Finances
__ Home
__ Family & Friends
__ Personal Growth
__ Physical Environment
__ Other

Since I’m only at Three Sisters’ Spirit on Tuesdays, I can’t guarantee a coaching session for everyone. I’ll take as many people as I can and then start a waiting list. You can expect to be contacted to schedule your session within the next 2 business days. If you don’t hear from me, it means I’ve received more requests than I can handle right now and if something opens up I’ll get in touch with you at a later time.

Again, to take advantage of this offer, simply click reply and send your answers to the questions listed above.

Warmest Regards,

Kim Tedford
http://www.integralembrace.com/

PS: The sooner you send your answers, the more likely you are to get a session. Click reply now.

"heART & soul"

As women, we are all naturally & intuitively creative, and we all have a creative gift that is authentically ours, wanting to be expressed.

That’s where “heART and soul” comes in!

Coming in August of 2010!!

Facilitators:
Dani Sutliff, MS, RMT
Rev. Martina Schmidt
Carolyn Gaar, BA, RMT

A heart-opening, soul enriching creative experience where we will:

• Play with juicy collage images, textures and technique to discover and express our “heART & soul” in a journal (book) form.
• Embrace our intuition and soul’s voice to express and record ourselves out onto our pages.
• Explore ways of using words, text, quotes, and poetry in our creative journals to express what our heart needs to say.
• Discover ways to incorporate artful expression and creativity into everyday life.
• Deeply, richly and soulfully connect with other women in an inspiring, creative, nurturing environment.

What if I’m not creative or have never done art journaling before?

First off, let us assure you that if you are woman, you are creative! Inherently, intrinsically, intuitively creative! You don’t need experience of any kind to attend this group – everyone (and we mean everyone) is welcome to come play and explore with us! The only thing you need is a blank book, (your choice) an open heart and the willingness to explore your vast, limitless, and for some, untapped creative potential.

“heART & soul” isn’t about artistic perfection or pretty pages, or even creating great works of art, (although that often naturally happens) either. “heArt and soul” is about learning and exploring who you are, and from that discovery, creating pages of texture, color, image and text that say, “This is who I am and how I saw and lived in the world.” Our journals will be a living, breathing, expression of as many facets of our lives that we choose to not just create but also record.

What can I expect from this group?

• self discovery and exploration
• opening up to new possibilities
• accessing intuition
• expressing and processing feelings
• setting goals
• increasing self love
• healing and transformation
• being more present in our lives

“heART and soul” is an on-going group that will meet monthly, and each month’s page will have a focused theme. As facilitators, we’ll offer interactive, “hands on” instruction, share our own personal pages and projects for ideas and inspiration, and (most important to us) offer gobs of time to play, experiment and get messy as you dive in and create your own unique and juicy pages!

What do I need to bring?

Participants will be given a basic supply list of what to bring - all other supplies & materials for each month’s initial page will be provided.

from our heARTs to yours….

Our commitment is to provide you with equal parts of support, nurturing and challenge so you may begin the journey back to your inherent creative self. We believe that creative expression is a powerful tool in walking the path of spiritual growth and self empowerment.

We bring you “heART and soul” from our own practice and belief in the importance of creative expression. In other words, we “walk our talk”. In the busyness of this all too often harried and hectic world and the stresses and demands of our everyday lives, we have each made a commitment to enriching ourselves mind, body and spirit by making and taking time for our intrinsic and intuitive need for creativity. This (and more) is what we now offer to share with you – from our “heART and soul” to yours.

Making the time to connect with your creative pool renews your soul, heals your spirit, keeps your inner spark alive and allows you greater intimacy with the full depths of your being. You will discover a deeper sense of meaning and purpose for yourself and your life; reconnect to your childlike joy and imagination; find a voice for what has been silent, and find a community of women to journey with you every step of the way!

Time for Wellness

A Self-Healing Day


Set aside a day for focus on yourself. Start the day by setting the intention that you are dedicating this time to healing yourself.

Human beings carry within themselves the seed of healing. Our choices affect us more than we realize, and it is because of this that we tend to place responsibility for our wellness in the hands of others. As beneficial as regular visits to a healer can be, we have the power to heal ourselves at will. When we dedicate a day to the pursuit of wellness, we can relax and renew ourselves in a nourishing and comfortable environment. A sincere desire to open ourselves to the highest realities of our physical and spiritual selves is the key to self-healing so that healing energy can flow into us unimpeded.

A self-healing day should address the vital needs of the self as a whole while directing healing energy where it is needed most. Solitude is an important part of the process as is the ability to take refuge in a space that is both beautiful and peaceful. Start your healing day by setting the intention that you are dedicating this time to healing yourself. Flowers, candlelight, incense, and music can guide our focus toward a more tranquil state. For a more intense session, try listening to music through headphones since tuning out can help you tune in. It is up to us to decide what we need to do to cultivate wellness in our lives. For some, it may be time spent in reflection. Others will turn to calming activities that help them remember their purpose, such as journal writing, being in nature, or studying. Our healing may even take a more direct form as we use color, sound, or crystals to balance and ground ourselves.

Ultimately, your wholesome intentions transform what might otherwise be a simple day of rest into a day of healing. Grant yourself permission to relax and savor the stillness. If you attune yourself to the calm around you, worldly distractions will be minimized and the unadulterated flow of your consciousness will reestablish itself in the forefront of your mind. The needs of the body, the heart, and the soul will then be revealed to you, empowering you to tap into the essential healing energy of the universe. The mechanism you use to channel this energy will be dependent on your shifting requirements, so each day of healing you enjoy will be unique. All will replenish you, however, allowing you to recreate yourself in a perfect image of health.

(Source: DailyOm)

Tonight's Reiki Share

Eventually you will come to understand that love heals everything, and love is all there is. (Gary Zukav)


Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people's souls. (Melody Beattie)

Thank you to Annette, Donna, Alida, Cathy, and Joyce for another wonderful Reiki Share this evening! Facilitating this group each month is one of my greatest pleasures. I so enjoy the opportunity to discuss with all of you all the things that come up as we walk the Reiki path.

Reiki share is our opportunity to come together and to offer one another healing and to sit in a circle of support to discuss our experiences, our questions, and our hopes. Thank you to all who’ve come, and to all who will come.

In gratitude,

Namaste,

Carolyn

Underneath the Noise

Hearing the Whisper


The whisper that reassures us everything is okay delivers its message with quiet confidence. Once we hear it, we know it speaks the truth.

You may have noticed that if you want to speak to someone in a noisy, crowded room, the best thing to do is lean close and whisper. Yelling in an attempt to be louder than the room’s noise generally only hurts your throat and adds to the chaos. Similarly, that still, small voice within each of us does not try to compete with the mental chatter on the surface of our minds, nor does it attempt to overpower the volume of the raucous world outside. If we want to hear it, no matter what is going on around us or even inside us, we can always tune in to that soft voice underneath the surrounding noise.

It is generally true that the more insistent voices in our heads delivering messages that make us feel panicky or afraid are of questionable authority. They may be voices we internalized from childhood or from the culture, and as such they possess only half-truths. Their urgency stems from their disconnectedness from the center of our being, and their urgency is what catches our attention. This The other voice that whispers reassurances that everything is fundamentally okay simply delivers its message with quiet confidence. , and oOnce we hear it, we know it speaks the truth. Generally, once we have heard what it has to say, a powerful sense of calm settles over our entire being, and the other voices and sounds, once so dominant, fade into the background, suddenly seeming small and far away.

We may find that our own communications in the world begin to be influenced by the quiet certainty of this voice. We may be less inclined to indulge in idle chatter as we become more interested in maintaining our connection to the whisper of truth that broadcasts its message like the sound of the wind shaking the leaves of a tree. As we align ourselves more with this quiet confidence, we become an extension of the whisper, penetrating the noise of the world and creating more peace, trust, and confidence.

(Source: DailyOm)

The Vow of Emotional Independence

When you have emotional independence, you want for nothing because you have everything. Just take a deep breath and think about this. Imagine feeling so full and so completely at peace inside yourself that you have the freedom to love and be loved, to give freely and to receive abundantly, to expand rather than contract, to move forward rather than stay stuck, to live in joy rather than suffer in misery. Emotional independence allows you to be in control rather than to be controlled by the unhealed emotions of your past and will support you in being nourished and filled with faith rather than diminished and weakened by fear.

Today is the day that we can stand together and take The Vow of Emotional Independence. So close your eyes and have the intention that you can be free, that you can be loved, that you can be abundant, that you can be healed, that you can be inspired, that you can be passionate, and that you can help change the world. And then open your eyes and please join me in taking the vow:

The Vow of Emotional Independence

I, ______ ________, am committed to living free of the strangulating grip of fear, shame, doubt, worry, anger, and sadness.

I promise to give my power to the force greater than myself rather than some food, substance, bad habit, or disempowering craving.

I will stand for my highest expression rather than allowing others' judgments to define who I am.

I will always make sure to please and take care of myself instead of succumbing to any people-pleasing habits.

I will listen to the voice of my soul rather than listening to the voice of my critical internal judge.

I will find joy in each and every day of my existence rather than get caught up in the insanity of my world.

I will take care of my planet and let my voice be heard instead of waiting for someone else to do it for me.

I will choose powerfully each and every moment to make choices that leave me feeling inspired by myself and will graciously let go of my self-defeating behaviors.

I take this vow NOW as a positive stand for my soul's highest expression and for every man, woman, and child on this planet today.

As I set myself free, I am freeing myself and others from the violence of my darkest thoughts, my negative projections, and my limiting self-image.

And now I ask all the powers that be to support me in living this vow each and every moment of each and every day.

As I surrender my will for the higher will, I know that I will be guided from my darkest thought to my greatest dream, from my head to my heart.

Today, I commit to living in full accordance with this vow.

And so it is.

Live as if this is your birthright and your destiny - because it is.

Take a deep breath. Read this vow to yourself and allow it to nourish you. See yourself filled with all the light of the world. And if your heart desires to share it, send it on to others.

With love and blessings,
Debbie Ford