Be part of the planetary shift through heart-based living. Check out the Global Coherence Initiative group here in the Gaia Community.

We are all one.

The last “thing” I asked for was a necklace (see picture). If you’ve read my profile, you are aware of my affinity with trees. “Often seen in folklore, the Tree of Life is a strong symbol of our deep roots to the earth and our continuous branching-out into the world. Though new technology is being developed every moment and we seem to move faster and faster each day, we are all still like the trees, unfurling new leaves while rooted to what sustains us. This necklace is a nod to all things ''green,'' a reminder to take pleasure in nature and hold dear all who live here. The lovely sterling silver Nature Walk Pendant is hung on an olive green organic cotton cord, a gentle reminder to stay true to your roots.” And did I get it? I have the feeling I will receive it for my birthday in early autumn when nature puts on her most brilliant show of color. From bright yellows to vibrant reds, she transforms and shows off her rich and vibrant hues--her spendor.

When I became a mother.

If this week were a scavenger hunt, what would it be for?
Time.

Where are you finding your clues?
In letting go.

Time Flies
As the spirit of wild flowers, wrapped in her countryside cloak, gently blows soft breezes to encourage the 'nature's clocks' to spread their seeds across the land, each little seed is transformed into a tiny faerie.  The soft down becomes their delicate wings as they are borne on the wind to far off places to carry out their vital task, spreading the seed of hope far and wide.  A new generation is 'borne' on the wind to continue life's cycle, as it has been, and will be for all time.  Often when children see a dandelion seed go floating by they exclaim in great excitement "Look! A faerie - a faerie"! 

        - Josephine Wall

 The last time I took a major risk was when my husband and I purchased a building to open our healing studio -- HolEssence.  That, coupled with the fact that he left the corporate world (financial safety net) to join me were but some of the ingredients that made for many sleepless nights.

Bottom line on top
It has been well worth the risk.

Listen with your heart,

- Laurie

 

My favorite tree.  There's a niche in that tree that I sit in to ponder.  It's the rarest of friends who gets to share that space with me.

Spring Leaf Green!

How do you celebrate Mother's Day?
My mother is no longer living, so our Mother's Day celebration revolves around me - also a mother. We typically enjoy a wonderful brunch.

Pick three words that describe your mother or an inspiring woman in your life.
My True North

What qualities do you think are important for a mother? (pick 2 or 3)
To be able to listen (really hear what your child/ren are saying), and then remain quiet (unless, of course, we have been asked for a response). 

Do you have children? 
Yes - one son (and now a lovely daughter-in-law).

What is one thing you admire about your mother?
My mother taught me by example that how we live impacts how we die.  She lived a life of courage, beauty and integrity; she died in the same manner.  

 

I am most comfortable relaxing in my chair with a cup of Lady Gray tea and no time constraints.  I get up early so that I do not feel rushed.  This morning, for example, I'm watching a storm starting to brew.  I get to leisurely enjoy this with my companion animals before I head out the door to HolEssence.

 

It was in Joan Borysenko's book, "Pocketful of Miracles," that I learned the concept of adding "and so am I" onto the end of thoughts or judgments that I make about another person.  As you can well imagine, this practice has caused me to look for the very best in others!

I had the privilege of attending a Soul Visioning workshop facilitated by Susan Wisehart. In it, she uses holographic time to take people forward to see their future self. In addition to running toward a chronologically older version of myself--the package I am currently contained in--my body temple; I am also running toward an even better version of my inside self--my higher self--my soul.

 

The aspect that says can't, shan't, wouldn't, couldn't and shouldn't.

This morning I received an email from a friend who is enjoying the bliss of a fresh relationship and traveling with her partner.  In it she said, "I love living this new lie!"  Intending to type "life," she inadvertently left out the letter "f."  The accidental sentence does, indeed, give one pause for thought ...

Am I authentic?  Or am I merely a reflection of what I perceive others want me to be?

 

I am a regular contributor of holistic health and wellness articles to publications such as Sibyl Magazine, Evolving Your Spirit and The Monthly Aspectarian.

"The Color of Wellness" is featured on page 45 in the May-2009 publication of The Monthly Aspectarian - enjoy!

 

I want to be a world traveler.  I want my laptop and a publisher that keeps sending emails that say, "Send more!" 

Travel light; travel fast!

- Laurie

It is not so much a topic or circumstance that I am sensitive to.  Rather, it is the energy signature of other people that I resonate with. The same is true with plants and animals.

I would like to delve deeper into my mind - conscious and subconscious.  Specifically my thoughts - both random and intentional.  I would like to investigate the correlation between thoughts as things and outcomes. 

Taking that a step further ... how do my thoughts tie into the Collective Consciousness.  Is it a one-way flow, or does it flow both ways - a give and take?  And how does "intellectual property" fit into the picture?

 

1) Name one thing you want to celebrate about your life.
I was selected as an Anchor Writer for 2009 by Sibyl Magazine - whoohoo!

2) Do you like to celebrate birthdays?
I love to celebrate birthdays - mine and other peoples.  I will be 52 this September.  I have lots of silver color throughout my hair and wear them proudly like a badge of honor!

3) Do you like confetti, fireworks and balloons? 
The more, the merrier!

4) What's one of your favorite ways to celebrate a big event in you life?
One of the couples in our circle of friends has a gigantic barn on their property.  When any one of us has reason to celebrate, we have a barn party.  Lots of music, dancing and great food!

5) When did you last go to a party and what was it for?

The last barn party was a combination celebration for five people with April birthdays.

The legacy I inherited from my mother enriches my life.  She taught me by example that how we live impacts how we die.  She lived a life of courage, beauty and integrity; she died in the same manner. 

 

May 16, 2009

Loving What Is - Byron Katie

Infinity Foundation - Highland Park, IL

The Byron Katie "Loving What Is" workshop that we attended today was phenomenal.  If I had to distil my notes down to the most important bullet points I would say (and I hope you didn't have to be there to appreciate these - taken out of context they may not make sense):

The four questions to ask yourself about any belief that you have are:

1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that it's true?
3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought?

We are all performers (actors) seeking love, approval and appreciation.  We fear disapproval. 

We each need to take 100% responsibility for our own suffering.

A woman in the audience believed, "The more you suffer, the more you prove your love."  Byron Katie's response to that was, "That's whacked!  Suffering is suffering; there's nothing loving about suffering."

A woman in the audience believed that she was less than worthy because she didn't live up to someone's expectations.  Byron Katie said, "It's what you believe about something that causes your suffering."

"When you're not loving what is, you're suffering.  Celebrate what is!" - Byron Katie

"What you believe about the world is the world you live in." - Byron Katie

What other people think about you is none of your business.

An open mind is the key to your heart.

A woman in the audience said, "That's all I can do right now."  Byron Katie responded, "Then you've given it your best because ALL you can do right now is your maximum."

Death is not terrifying.  It's what we believe about death that is terrifying.

It's okay not to know.

"When we believe what we think, it costs us the state of grace." - Byron Katie

After working with one woman in the audience who shared her belief that, "My son is not doing what he needs to do to make his life work."  The woman realized and shared:

• "I need to get out of myself and actually listen to my son."
• "I need to see the things he's doing right instead of the things he's doing wrong - I only see what he's doing wrong."
• "I only look at what I want for him; what I believe is best for him.  I need to stop acting like I know everything."
• "My job as a mother is to love my son and listen to him."
• "It's a lot of work for me to stick my nose in his business."
• "I thought that without my input he could do nothing.  Now I see how disrespectful that is."

"An open mind is a state of grace." - Byron Katie

   

I work to maintain a healthy balance.  Balance between too much assertion and not enough.  Balance between the needs of others and my own.  Balance - the amount that allows me to stand serenely in my own power, while remaining compassionately aware of all that is going on around me.

 

I would like to surrender to WHAT IS.  Not in a complacent, resigned sort of way.  Rather, in an honest, joy-filled, embracing sort of way.

This morning I would like to be choosing between vacation spots to go to.  Which country should I go to?  And should it be in the mountains, in the desert, or by the ocean?  Aaah, yes - that's the kind of choice I would like to be making this morning.

 

I do not know how much I weigh.  To know that number would drive me crazy.  I know what size clothes I wear and I am aware of when they feel loose, tight or just right.  But I do not know how much I weigh.  I live much more comfortably without that piece of information.

 

My perfect week is one where time moves at a normal pace instead of at warp-speed.  All necessary personal and professional tasks are completed in a leisurely manner without rushing.  My brain flows with original thought and creativity and it's captured on paper in a clear and engaging manner.  Friends come to our home and enjoy beautiful music, a delicious meal and great conversation. 

The piece de resistance would be all of this occurring in a rambling farm house in Provence, France at the height of lavender season!

What are you thankful for and how do you live your gratitude?

 

There's nothing like the welcome-home committee that greets me in earnest with wagging tails each evening when I get home.  My absolute favorite 15 minutes of the day are when I am in the midst of enthusiastic paws, licking tongues, and curious muzzles that are snuffling my clothes on the lookout for any interesting scents I may have picked up during the day.  After the initial greeting I am herded over to a big jar on the counter that is home to the dog cookies and actively reminded that it's time to hand out treats.   

 

We went to Trout Point Lodge in Nova Scotia last October.  The leaves were at their peak of color and it was stunning!

 

Without a doubt, the fiddle!  The type of music would be down home toe-tapping, foot-stomping, knee-slapping, hip-swinging, hand-clapping, finger-snapping, get up and dance music!