Becoming More Conscious

Musings

It's been a while since my last post on the blog, and I am feeling the urge to muse  again.

I, like others, go through times where themes emerge about what life seems to be teaching me. I recently was in the "No One Here is Doing It Perfectly" phase and now seem to be entering the phase of "We Get What We Need Here." To me, this simply means the changing of life situations, people, relationships, jobs, medical diagnoses, families and anything else you can think of come to assist in our growth to become our true enlightened selves. Now, that is not to say that I enjoy every lesson or situation or that I always know that I am experiencing another "gift," but it is to say that if I pay attention, there usually appears a higher purpose for what is happening. When I "get" the lesson, it usually signals that it is over and it's time to move on to the next one. 

All of these opportunities encourage becoming more conscious. This is not something I remember being really excited about a child. In fact, I spent a good portion of my childhood, adolescence and early adulthood doing what I could to not be in my body or to not be truly present to what was going on. It was a knee-jerk response for me to be defended against the world and its people and things.

There came a time however when being unconscious no longer worked, and I found myself unable to stay in the fog. It has been a slow and steady process over the years of awakening to a deeper me. And, in this time of gratitude and thanksgiving, I can say I am grateful for all that has come my way.

And, I could not have weathered all the storms and latest developments without people to witness what was happening or who would listen to my perception of what was happening. I have had mentors, teachers, therapists, coaches, bosses, sponsors and many others who have been there for me to process things with. For all of you, I say thank you and thank the Universe for you. 

One of the things I know is how important it is that I offer a safe space for clients to come and process what is happening in their lives that they may not understand or may feel overwhelmed with. Please reach out and I would be happy to support your journey. Call 425-275-2791 and schedule an appointment today.

2 Upcoming Events: Living with Intention

I am once again offering two vision board workshops with the intention of providing a space for each participant to come and create, through the medium of a vision board, a picture of a life you dream of for yourself. Each person creates their own vision board, using art supplies, collage, colored paper and other items that you may bring that are important to you.  

After the vision boards are created, we then will do a group session with the intention of harmonizing each person to the vision they have set for themselves and their lives, allowing time to process the old beliefs and perceptions that stand in the way of our desires coming true. 

The classes will be offered on: 

Saturday, January 25th, 2014
   AND
Saturday March 1st, 2014

Time: 1:30 to 5:30 pm

Where:   8614 238th St SW #105

              Edmonds, WA 98026

Cost: $75 person

What is provided: Art supplies, paper, and beverages

Each class is limited to 4 people, so please let me know if you would like to attend one of these events. Also, please pass this information on to anyone you think might be interested.

Please call 425.275.2791 or visit www.flowingfromwithin.com to hold your space.  

" This course asks one to be honest and delve deep into the heart to find what things truly matter most to your life and what things are blocking you from achieving your best" - Anna, a prior participant

The Wisdom of Dude - Vol 5

This column provides examples of wisdom I learn from my cat, Little Dude, otherwise known as “Dude.”  He teaches me daily about life, love, and how to take care of yourself and trust your instincts. 

What lesson I continue to learn from Dude is the absolute importance of self care. I am not sure a better teacher there is for this lesson than this boy.  As I get moved AGAIN from my office chair by him - it is the most comfortable one and has the space heater blaring high heat its way - I can't help but think this guy is really good at taking care of himself. For him it is instinctual; for me I seem to have to think about it or get tired and think to myself "how did we get here again with too much going on?" Ever feel this way?

I know that I learn what self-care means on deeper levels all the time and that I ALWAYS have a choice about what I am doing. Even getting up to let a cat take my nice warm chair :)

A Shout Out: 

I had the privilege of attending the Midsummer's Night Event this past August at Wolf Haven in Tenino, WA. As a lover and supporter of wolves, this was an opportunity to be in their presence and be with like minded people who care for them as I do. We set up our tents for the night, shared an amazing meal, then went into the sanctuary and spent about an hour visiting the wolves who are on the public tour. We were blessed with a group howl - people and wolves - and then had time together out on the prairie, and then to our sleeping bags. One of the resident wolves, Bart, recently lost his enclosure mate and the staff said he was grieving. During the night, he started to howl. You could tell it was a much deeper and more soulful howl then we had heard from the other wolves. I know I felt touched by his sweet sounds, as did the others as we talked about it the next morning. His brother and sister wolves had joined in as well, almost as if to say "we hear you and we are here with you." I am touched with how the staff at Wolf Haven treat the animals in their care - one can tell they care for them deeply and respect them. The director said they always stop whatever they are doing whenever the wolves start to howl- it is a sacred sound and is treated as such.  

Klondike, one of the wolves on the tour

As the wolves in the wild are having their very lives tossed about by government agencies and ranch owner interests, it is a joy to be in this environment. If you want more information, here is a link to their website:
http://www.wolfhaven.org And you get a special howl in just by going on the site!


Lastly, here is this edition's funny. Be ready to do some serious gut laughing. These dogs are hilarious :)

http://viralcircus.com/30-naughtiest-dogs-youll-crack-up-when-you-find-out-what-they-did/

Peace and Joy everyone!

Terri

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From Darkness Into Light

Musings
It is spring here in the Northwest which is so welcome after the cold, damp and dark days of winter. It is one of my favorite seasons for sure - I love how dormant plants and trees spring to visible life after their long winter's nap. It is a light show of greens, whites and yellows - such a breath of fresh air and beauty. I created a garden space after my first year here. It was a small patch at first which has now grown into 4 small garden beds. And I have learned through trial and error the importance of preparing the soil for precious life. I am reminded of a poem I wrote in 1991 aptly named "On Gardening," which was a metaphor for my personal growth at the time. Here is an excerpt:
"There is a methodical way to prepare this sacred space for life. It's a slow process - nothing worthwhile happens fast they say. And laying a foundation isn't enough. Constant care and feeding of the soul is recommended." 

REMINDER
Upcoming Event: "Our Body speaks Our Mind" 

I will be doing a talk on Thursday May 9, from 6-9 pm, as part of the CommUnity Healing Sanctuary and CommUnity Wellness Temple.

Come and take part in a discussion about our body’s innate ability to have a conversation with us through the expression of symptoms and stressors. These stressors get our attention if we are aware of them and can help us become more conscious.  And with consciousness comes choice. 

We will talk about the subconscious and the conscious mind, how to know when we are operating in a subconscious reactive pattern and how to create change and operate out of a new program or intention for our lives.

Some time will also be spent talking about using Body Mind techniques in healing from trauma and how the BodyMindSpirit conspires to bring into our lives people and opportunities for growth and healing.

The events are held the 2nd Thursdays of each Month, from

6pm-9pm @ Vision Quest Bookstore & Wellness Center  

Located at 3602 Colby Ave  Everett, WA 98201

For More Info you can contact Diane Garris @ 425-971-7878 call or text
or you can contact me at terri@flowingfromwithin.com

The Wisdom of Dude - Vol 4.

This column will provide examples of wisdom I learn from my cat, Little Dude, otherwise known as “Dude.”  He teaches me daily about life, love, and how to take care of yourself and trust your instincts. 

Little Dude loves when the sun and warmth returns too. We have a neighbor cat who lives in the condo right above us - her name is Callie. I rarely see her for the months that are dark and cool. 

But in the past few weeks, in the late morning hours when the sun is shining in the bedroom windows, you will find both Callie and Dude layed out in all their splendor soaking up the rays. In the evening time, you will find Little Dude on the other side of the condo where he catches the late afternoon and evening sun as shown in the picture above. 

Manufactured warmth

The window shelf

I believe their bodies are like mine - they crave the heat and the warmth because it just feels good and it nurtures something very deep in all of us. And when you can't find any sun; you just go anywhere you can find it - right Dude?

Thanks Dude and Callie for teaching me to seek out the warmth wherever we are.  

A WOLF UPDATE

The following quote, which was selected so eloquently by Leslie, one of my fellow Wolf Walkers this past Saturday, really says it all:

“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

We were a small and mighty group who did the Seattle WALK FOR WOLVES on Saturday. Walks were held all over the country to raise awareness for our Wolf brothers and sisters who are again in the crosshairs of the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service for the very right to exist in and on all our land. There is a federal bill that is seeking to delist them in the lower 48 states except for a small pocket of Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. . This would take away any federal protections that they have had since they were introduced into the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone National Park in the 1990's. The delisting increases the slaughter, trapping, and extirpation (to remove and destroy totally) of this most amazing and necessary animal to biological diversity, not to mention a being who has just as much right to be here as I do and created by a loving universal spirit. I do understand the issues as I have done much research on this subject; I know it is a political hot potato. I know the issues smack of much fear, old beliefs, rancher lobby  power and I would go so far as to say hatred with some people. I just do not agree - flat out.  I salute the 1156 fallen wolves to date - well, make that 1157 as another one goes down in Idaho.

So here is one way you can help:

The USFWS is proposing to remove Endangered Species Act protection for gray wolves across most of the country! Tell Secretary Sally Jewell to stop this from happening – the important work of wolf recovery isn’t finished! 

TAKE ACTION at http://dfnd.us/wolflist

Peace Out:

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Conversations and Animal Gifts

Musings

In the light of the killings in Newtown last week, I was reminded of attending a training session for Certified Lifeline Practitioners To Be last August in Chicago. On Sunday, Dr. Darren Weissman did a group Lifeline session for the Sikh community that lost its members to violence the week before. This was done in conjunction with many people and groups across our nation and the world to collectively send love and healing on this day. What Dr. Darren talked about was violence is not something that happens "out there" or "by somebody else." It is the collective out picturing of our collective inner violence, rage and hatred. It is deeper than just a lone gunman going on a killing spree. The morning after the Newtown murders, I was watching television and noticed how violent we are - commercials, sports, politics, numerous TV shows with crime, wars, killing and guns galore. We are a violent people. I think I got maybe for the first time, on an emotional level anyway, that I HARBOR VIOLENT THOUGHTS. I HARBOR RAGE. I harbor rage and intolerance against the "right." I harbor rage and anger beyond words to those who kill, maim and destroy animals. And I have fed my rage and hatred by watching shows that fuel these feelings, or reading Facebook. I was shocked prior to the election to see and read the venom that was spewed to or about those that did not believe as another did. And there were times I shot back. And then felt bad about it and decided to stop.

I had a stockpile of 3 or 4 guns years ago - a couple of pistols, a shotgun, a rifle. I did not think much about it - I thought it was kind of cool to go out and shoot guns at the rock quarry. When someone suggested to me I might want to get rid of them at a time when I was having trouble with depression, I thought he was over reacting. But I did eventually get rid of them. It was not hard to do as a there were people I knew who couldn't wait to get the guns.  

My prayer of late has been to really try and be a loving and tolerant person to everybody and to quit judging. Do you know how hard this is? We do not have an easy task here. 

There is a different way to be, but I believe there is no getting "there" without being able to be "here" in the muck and mire, conscious as we can be. There are old and new hurts, injustices, unbelievable tragedy and limiting beliefs that no longer serve us as a people. As President Obama said, "These tragedies must end, and to end them WE must change." There are way too many changes that need to take place to discuss in this forum, but I offer one way to begin to change from the inside - where it all has to start.

Reach out, talk to someone. Tell them your secrets, what is it you not wanting to talk about?  Is there someone you are concerned about but do not know what to do for them? 

I would like to hear  from you. And, if you think you would like to hear more about the Lifeline Technique, and how it can help to change old ways of being and perceiving life, I am taking new clients and would love to talk with you. 

You can go to http://flowingfromwithin.com/#/contact/4550394001 and send me a message.

There also are Certified Lifeline Practitioners in most states and some countries besides the USA. Click here to find one near you: drdarrenweissman.com 

(Push on the Training tab and select "Find a Certified Practitioner")

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE UPCOMING EVENTS PAGE. I WILL BE OFFERING 2 NEW VISIONING WORKSHOPS; ONE IN  JANUARY AND ONE IN FEBRUARY. I HAVE OPENINGS IN BOTH RIGHT NOW.

The Wisdom of Dude - Vol 3.

This column will provide examples of wisdom I learn from my cat, Little Dude, otherwise known as “Dude.”  He teaches me daily about life, love, and how to take care of yourself and trust your instincts.

Today's lesson: Sometimes you just 

have to take a break from the hustle and bustle 

and lay down in your tube. You know?

This time of year seems busier than most, with all the parties,

great concerts, beautiful lights to see and sounds to hear.

They just all get added to work, self care, hanging with friends and if you listen to yourself you know, there are those times that you have to take a break. Why not take it in your tube? So, once again, thanks Dude!

Animal Gifts and Funnies

Any cat owner knows this would be heartbreaking to a kitty cat :)

A little cat Christmas humor :)

Some Thoughts on Wolves

Most of you know by now how much I love wolves. They are amazing animals in so many ways. And, I am speechless to try and talk about the killings and harm that have come to them this time around with us humans. I thought what they endured during the 1800's when they were made extinct was bad enough. We are a advanced people, right? I do not wish to spend time here giving any more cred to those who are doing violence with them. Instead, I'd like to focus on people that are really living and modeling love for species of all kinds. I offer the latest stories of what is happening at the Earthfire Institute. These people really do inspire me. Enjoy the stories:

http://earthfireinstitute.org/2012/12/a-story-of-interspecies-love/

Please love your families, your children and your animals extra hard right now.
We all need it.

Peace Out

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Holiday Blog

Musings

When I was in Chicago a few years ago at a training to become a Certified Lifeline Practitioner, I woke up in the middle of the night with a racing brain, feeling anxiety in my body. I could not go back to sleep. I tried everything to no avail, so why not practice a mind portal that I was learning about. I asked if I had a "core limiting belief" operating. The answer was yes. As I went through the steps of finding what it was, I was not surprised to learn that this limiting belief had started at the point of my conception. Weird you say? Do you believe we carry energetic memory in our subconscious? I know a little bit about what was going on in my family at that time, and it did not surprise me when I found the core limiting belief to be "hatred." Interestingly enough, I have since had numerous Lifeline sessions and will often have core limiting beliefs that occurred at the point of conception. Think about it - it is when life on this plane begins, and when all the energetic forces of past, present and future come together. It often appears when I am embarking on some change, or know I need to take a step and feel paralyzed to do so. And, with the ability to shift and harmonize this energy, the next right step is there.

 Are you interested in experiencing this for yourself?

 I am taking new clients and would love to work with you. 

You can go to http://flowingfromwithin.com/#/contact/4550394001

and send me a message. 

There also are Certified Lifeline Practitioners in most states and some countries besides the USA. Click here to find one near you: drdarrenweissman.com 

(Push on the Training tab and select "Find a Certified Practitioner")

A Gift Idea

In 2008, I was thinking about a gift idea for a good friend. She was celebrating a milestone anniversary in the month of December.  She is probably one of the most spiritual and kind people I know and I wanted to do something special. The idea came to create what I later came to call an upright version of an advent calendar, to be started on December 1 and ending on December 25, with 25 wise and sometimes funny sayings on small decorative pieces of paper. She was to pick one each day, and take time to enjoy a message of love. As I said to her "Thanks for being my friend, mentor, wise woman and such a model for aging with grace." 

I have to say she loved it and I have since given them to other friends in a beautiful glass candle holder, or decorative jar or box. So, for this season of giving and taking time to be grateful for all that we have been given, I will share a few of my favorite quotes. I hope you take a little time to enjoy them, and savor a little time for you! And maybe this will provide a new gift idea for someone. 

"The really great thing about cats is their endless variety. One can pick a cat to fit almost any kind of color, décor, income, personality and mood. But under the fur, whatever color it may be, there still lies, essentially unchanged, one of the world’s free souls" - Eric Gurney

"Evolved people race to see who can forgive first" – Michael Bernard Beckwith

"It’s been said that the only one who welcomes change is a wet baby" - Jesse Jennings 

"Easter means you can put the truth in a grave, but you can’t keep it there"

 – Anne Lamott

                      "The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook" - Anonymous

"A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimension" 

– Oliver Wendell Holmes

"A young monk asked the master, “How can I ever get liberated?” The master replied, “Who has ever put you in bondage?” – Jack Kornfield

The Wisdom of Dude

This column provides examples of wisdom I learn from my cat, Little Dude, otherwise known as “Dude.”  He teaches me daily about life, love, and how to take care of yourself and trust your instincts.

Lesson #2 

“When you are not feeling well, you hunker down, go inside and tend to yourself.”

About 6 months ago, Dude had an impacted anal gland, and all I could see was he was not his usual self. He was not getting up, he was licking himself constantly and was not all that interested in food. He rolled himself up in a tight ball and would look up when I came near him but that was about it. 

I, of course, was concerned and was debating whether to take him to the ER vet that night or to Dr. Jackie the next day. He did not seem in pain so I decided to wait until the morning and see how he was.  Sometime after I went to bed, he curled his body between my shoulder, neck and head – quite a feat for a long legged 14 lb. cat. He purred and clearly was coming for comfort. Sometime during the night, he opened up the gland himself and when we went to see Dr. Jackie, she was amazed at how he was able to open it up and clean it – all that was needed was time to heal and antibiotics. When we went back several weeks later for a check up, he was all healed up. What a wise little guy.

I have had some recent hurts myself of the emotional kind. It wasn’t until talking to a trusted friend and mentor that I realized how when I am hurt by someone that it is normal to hunker down, be somewhat protective, tend to myself, and want to be where and with those who I get comfort from – especially when it hits one of the very old hurts. And, it is an opportunity to process the hurt and move to a place of healing.  Thanks Dude!

Further Musings:

As Fall gives way to wet, rain and winter, I leave you with some beautiful pictures from the maple trees in my neighborhood...it is like a light show out there!

Magnificent color!

This tree starts to change colors usually in early September, and goes through a transformation like none other I have seen....it is an honor to watch this tree go out in glory every year. I seem to be very aware of when this trees starts to change.

Anyone who is listening as I walk or drive by will hear the "oohs" and "aahs or "oh my God" as the reds and oranges take over. 

What am I grateful for this holiday season? To live in the Pacific Northwest where Mother Nature constantly reminds us that we are connected to her - the wind, the rain, the snow, the cold, the damp. the sunny days that sneak in...it's all good.

Enjoy whatever season you celebrate ..... Peace out.

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