Beauty surrounds me.  As soon as the sun came up I took my camera into the back yard.  This is the first flash of color that caught my eye.  Even in the weeds there is beauty.

When we arrived at HolEssence this morning we were greeted by the police.  It turns out we were one of four businesses in the historic area of downtown Crystal Lake that had our front street signs destroyed.  Within 15-minutes of our arrival, our insurance agent was here.  I always have my camera, and took photos for the police report and for insurance purposes.  The way I see it, the blessings are plentiful:

- Police were on the scene
- Our insurance agent arrived within minutes.
- I had my camera ready and rarin'
- Our building was not harmed in any way
- The ground is not frozen, so our sign company will be able to take care of everything without having to wait for a thaw.

I do wish that the people who did this would have read "Taming the Tiger of Emotion: A Radical Change of Mind" by Gaia's own Bob Bloom.  In it he teaches people how to self-sooth (to calm the mind and emotions) and to act out of values, rather than reacting to emotion-run-amok.  I am currently reading his book and enjoying it very much.

I would thoroughly enjoy the experience of uninterruped time to write.
To sit at my desk and have creative ideas flow freely.
To capture those thoughts in a manner that is appealing and engaging.  

To return at the end of the day and find that the house was spotless; that while I was gone the entire thing had been deep cleaned -- including the windows and the oven.

It's not a person, place or thing that makes me feel safe.  Those can all be taken away.  It's not my health and physical strength; that can diminish.  Rather, it is confidence that I have a Divine spark residing in me; that I will continue, come what may.

I don't ever feel captive.  However, I feel most free when I am physically outside.  I took this photograph on my walk early this morning. It's about three miles from our home. 

You know what?  As I type this comment it occurs to me that there is a time when I feel captive.  It's during the heaviest part of winter when there's too much snow and cold to physically be outside.

Person - My mother
Place - The Caledonian Canal, Scotland
Thing - My Canon Elph camera that uses film as opposed to being digital

We're getting ready to put a compost bin behind the garage, between two very large oak trees.  In determining where the bin is going to go, we've had lots of opportunity to watch the chipmunks gathering acorns.  Every time they pack -- yet another! -- acorn into their cheeks, you can see pure glee in their expressions.

Yes, I am sensitive to other people's personal energy signatures.  For me it's like hearing a telephone ring (I becoming aware) and then choosing whether or not to answer it (become involved).  There are times when it is appropriate and there are times when it is not.  Learning to discern the difference is key.

Tomorrow, 09-09-09, our son will be 26 years old.  This photograph captures four generations:

- Great Grandma (my mom's mom)
- Grandma (my mom on the left as you're looking at the photo)
- Mom (me on the right as you're looking at the photo)
- Son (Eoghan [Evan] as a newborn)

My mother died of breast cancer in 1991 at the age of 53.  I will celebrate my 52nd birthday at the end of this month.  They say the nut doesn't fall very far from the tree.  I look like my mom, and my son looks like me.

Whether I am at the end of a paper letter or email correspondence my closing is always "Listen with your heart."  It is my perspective that the heart is the intersection of thinking (logic) and feeling (emotion).  When these two powerful aspects of self are healthy and used in conjunction with each other we function from a place of wisdom -- the heart.  I do not lead exclusively with my heart and only follow emotion.  Nor do I lead solely with my head and only follow logic.  I use the powerful combination of both and listen with my heart. 

Today -- 09-09-09 -- is my son 26th birthday.  Happy Birthday Eoghan!

Over Labor Day weekend I made the opportunity to read a book written by one of our community members, Bob Bloom.  It was more than worth my while.  As such, I have written the following review --

Do you want to improve your communication skills, minimize misunderstandings and build harmonious relationships in the workplace and at home?  If you answered yes, then you will immediately benefit from Bob Bloom's book, "Taming the Tiger of Emotion: A Radical Change of Mind."  In it, Bob presents user-friendly guidelines to understanding emotion and a step-by-step map for permanent and constructive change.

"Taming the Tiger of Emotion: A Radical Change of Mind" is a fantastic leaping off point for a positive shift in perspective about yourself and your interaction with the people in your sphere of influence.  With a friendly delivery style, Bob keeps his reader actively engaged. He is quick to share applicable solutions that lead to effective communication, minimum frustration and maximum collaboration - three ingredients that result in individual and collective harmony.

If you would like to read Bob's book, you can purchase it through his website.

Listen with your heart,

- Laurie

Tai Chi

The compost bin is 6 feet long, 4 feet wide and 36 inches high -- it weighs a ton!  Len and Eoghan moved it without the final board height (10 inches), so that the weight would be somewhat manageable.  The final board height is an effort to keep Willa (our Irish Wolfhound) out.  It will be added in the morning, along with a stabilizing post on each 6-foot length to prevent bowing.

Giving and receiving forgiveness has been instrumental in my life.  Like the path I walk, it is a fundamental part of my journey.

Did or do you like going back to school?
When I was a kid and HAD to go to school, I despised it.  Now that school is my CHOICE, I thoroughly enjoy it -- regardless of whether I'm taking a class, or teaching a class.

What always reminds you of Fall?
Where I live in the Midwest there are a number of things that say, "Fall is on the way:"
- Huge V formations of geese flying overhead
- Chimney-sweep trucks out in full force getting everyone ready to enjoy winter fires
- Apples on the trees
- A brisk "snap" in the early morning air

Does the Autumn bring about changing leaves in the area which you live?
Absolutely!

What's your favorite Season?
Autumn

What color or colors are becoming most prevalent this time of year?
Burnt Orange, Burgundy, Gold, Brown, Red

The photograph that accompanies this blog was taken in Nova Scotia at this same time last year.  It is quite possibly my favorite photograph that I have ever taken.

Authored by Nicole Krauss, the best story I've heard recently is called "From the Desk of Daniel Varsky."  It is the story of an inherited desk that comes to represent the burden of memory for a poet.  The narrator is telling the story years later and hauntingly finishes with the image of a drawer which remains locked in the desk containing letters she assumes are from the woman who Daniel once composed poems too ...

My worry is not that I won't have enough time to accomplish what I'm here for.  My worry is the speed at which time is passing.  It's way too fast.  Sometimes I feel like I'm meeting myself coming and going.

One year ago today we were in Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia.

Yesterday I hosted a Life Harmony graduation luncheon at HolEssence for six women who completed an 8-month, one-on-one life coaching program with me.  The luncheon was the first time they'd met and it was fantastic - like old home week!

The graduates:

Julie
Giving voice where there is none - our animal advocate.

Carol
Coffee with the gift of a smile - a positive, uplifting, constructive and healing difference!

Paula
A mystical and magical dissertation - with the filter of Harry Potter. 

Cindy
With a heart the size of Texas - cultivating beauty wherever she goes.

Terry
With an eye to the whole person - making a positive and lasting impression in the nursing field.

Barbara
Like a matchmaker, establishing connections - a thread that continues in her published writing.


"Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing."
         - Laurie Buchanan

Listen with your heart

I would go to the Isle of Skye and I would write and tramp about ... and then write some more.

Regardless of the season, my preferred contemplative time is well before dawn so that I can greet the sun. 

This picture was taken last winter.

If a person, place or thing is not for my highest and best good (positive, uplifting, constructive and healing) than I do not find it hard to say no and stand firm -- like pilings under a bridge -- in my decision.

This photo was taken on the Squamscott River  in Southeastern New Hampshire.

Camping.  Swimming.  Travel.  Being given the responsibility to care for their companion animals.  Praise when they do things correctly; patient instruction in the areas where they need improvement.  Teaching them that life is a grand adventure they are to grab by the tail.

This photograph from 2006 is of our son Eoghan and his friend Maya.

Do you prefer country, city or suburban living?
Country

Do you like to grow plants?
Yes

Have you ever had or do you want children?
I have a 26 year old son.  There is a photo of him in my blog today.

Can you name something you think is beautiful in your life?
The old oak tree in my front yard is my friend and my inspiration - I think it's beautiful.

Do you ever meditate or follow the breathe that gives you life?
Daily

I much prefer silence to small talk.

Rather than "How are you?" the first three questions I ask my clients are:

(1) Currently, what is the best thing that you've got going on in your life?
(2) Tell me about the flip side of that coin. 
(3) If you could blink and become any color today, what would it be?

Yes!  The name Laurie means laurel crowned or victory.  Laurel, is an evergreen shrub whose leaves were woven into wreaths by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in various contests.

One year of travel with Len (my husband), with stops off at home base to write about the experience, organize the photographs, recharge our batteries and resituate weather-appropriate gear.

We would steer clear of the 'tourist' areas.  The majority of our time would be spent tramping, writing, taking photographs and enjoying the local cuisine.

One month - Scotland
One month - home
One month - Italy
One month - home
One month - New Zealand
One Month - home
One Month - France
One Month - home
One Month - Greece
One Month - home
One Month - Australia

We would not have a specific itinerary or timetable to adhere to.  We would do what we want, when we want, for a month in that country and then move on.  Because this is a 'dream' vacation - all air travel would be first-class.  Additionally, my laptop would magically appear where/when I want and would work whether there was electricity/internet available, or not.  And we would never give money a second thought because there would be an endless supply.

The ingredients of a good conversation include listening, paying attention, expressing interest, asking questions to gain understanding, and being willing to share your thoughts, ideas and perspectives.  If the conversation is being held in person, make eye contact.

The most important ingredient to leave out is interruption.

This photograph is of a recent conversation that was held at HolEssence.  Six people met for the first time and the conversation was delicious!