Gaia Community: Laurie's Blog

How did you get to where you are now?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:00:33 GMT

By listening with my heart, of course.

Tags: Q&R, journey, life, reflections, path

What is the relationship between health and spirituality?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:48:16 GMT

From my perspective there is a direct connection between health and spirituality (relationship with Divine Love). We are not just biological in nature. We are body, mind and spirit (mind encompassing mental/thinking and emotional/feeling). All of these aspects are interconnected. We function as a whole. We heal as a whole.

Health is not merely the absence of disease, it is a balance of all the different layers of one's life; transforming individuals from within; from the intelligence of the heart.

Tags: Q&R, health, spirituality, life, homeostasis, disease, dis-ease

What role does community play in your life?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:36:07 GMT

In the Gaia Community I interact with people who are environmentally and spiritually conscious -- we share and/or respect each other's beliefs and intents.

Because of my profession, in my local community I interact with people who share similar ideas about the approach to health and wellness.

Just last evening we attended a benefit for the TibetCenter in Evanston, Illinois where Joan Borysenko, PhD spoke. Even though we didn't know very many people, that, too, was a community of like minded/hearted people.

Community is local. Community is global. Community is in-person. Community is on-line. Community is reaching out to another human being.

The photograph is of the corner of Brink/William Streets in historic downtown Crystal Lake where I live. It's common for people to say, "Let's meet at the clocktower."

Tags: Q&R, community, life

Friday Five in the Kitchen

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:27:02 GMT

Len is the main cook in our family. He plans the menus, does the shopping and cooks the meals. I clean the kitchen afterwards (he's a flamboyant cook) ...

What is you favorite utensil?
Tongs

Do you like non-stick pans?
Not on your life!

Have you ever made your own waffles or pancakes?
Both

Do you use/ like cloth napkins, no napkins, or paper napkins, or paper towels?
per napkins, even when we entertain (we're real down home). Our kitchen is the most popular room in our home.

What are you having for lunch, if you're not having lunch, then what's your favorite food?
I love Asian-style cooking!

Tags: Kitchen, Entertaining

What is your personal definition of spirituality?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:41:03 GMT

Different than religion, spirituality is my connection -- my relationship -- with the sacred; with what is Divine.

Where do I place, find, or create spirituality in my life?
In Latin, the word for breath and spirit is the same, "spirare." The word "spirit" in the Hebrew language or "life-force" can be translated into the word "breath." About 16 to 17 times per minute I say "yes" to Spirit. In other words, Spirit -- the Divine -- is quite literally my life.

Tags: Q&R, spirituality, spirit

What does personal freedom mean to you?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:02:12 GMT

Freedom is not something which can be given to you by someone else. It is something that you have inside of you, a way you choose to be. This was never portrayed more beautifully than by Viktor Frankl, a long time prisoner in bestial concentration camps where he found himself stripped to naked existence. Even in the degradation and abject misery of a concentration camp, Frankl was able to exercise the most important freedom of all - the freedom to determine one's own attitude and spiritual wellbeing.

Tags: Q&R, freedom, free, personal freedom

When I think of someone caring, who comes to mind?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:34:46 GMT

The first person that comes to mind is my friend Sylvia. She is kind, thoughtful and gentle, but not weak. She is strong and can be tough as nails if the situation calls for it. Sylvia is helpful and considerate, loving and sensitive. It's as though the sun comes out whenever she's around and I am blessed to know her.

Tags: Q&R, caring, compassion, care, kindness

When do you feel the most self-confident?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:36:39 GMT

I feel most self-confident during times of meditation. When I intentionally connect with Spirit I am bathed in quiet strength. Time spent like this that allows me to flow with assurance throughout the day.

Tags: Q&R, confidence, self-confidence, quiet-strength, assurance

What, for you, has been the best thing about getting older?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:58:36 GMT

I love being 52. The passage of time has afforded me the opportunity to whirl around the block a time or two and get some living under my belt. I have some [oh all right, a lot] gray hair to show for it. A few of the most important things I've learned in over a half-century of living:

Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.

Life is a series of choices and consequences, so it's important to make good choices. However, it's equally important to know that you can learn from poor choices.

Always listen with your heart.

Laughter is the best medicine!

Tags: Q&R, age, aging, maturity

What is your favorite role to play?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:18:04 GMT

I wear many different hats (i.e., wife, mother, friend, healer, teacher, writer), but perhaps my favorite is learner. I am a student of purposeful living.

And who knows? The speed of my flight around the moon tonight may be so darned fast that it actually turns the clocks back an hour ...

Tags: Q&R, mask, persona, self, ego

Friday Five of the True Heart

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:58:46 GMT

Do you talk to your own "heart" (conscience, inner voice, true self)?
Yes, and I listen with it as well.

Name one thing that helps clear your mind and heart.
Intentional connection with Spirit.

Pick three words that describe how you feel when in sync with your heart.
Peace of mind.

Do you think you have strong intuition?
Oh Yes!

Do you feel peaceful while cleaning dishes like Santiago in the book, or annoyed or just wet?
I feel peaceful.

Tags: Heart, True Heart, Alchemy, Alchemist, Friday Five

If you had to found a museum, what would it be about?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:53:06 GMT

A museum of toys that were handcrafted before the days of mass production. Toys that were made by hand -- one at a time -- with a specific person in mind.

Tags: Q&R, museum, history, preservation

Have you been blessed with good luck?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:20:43 GMT

If we define "luck" as the intuitive means of success on all levels; and we define "intuition" as a knowing that results from paying attention/being aware ... then yes, I have been blessed with good luck.

I guess you could say that I keep from being smashed on the rocks by paying attention to the Light.

Tags: Q&R, luck, good fortune

What weather are you today?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:21:34 GMT

Today I am warm and sunny with bright blue skies and high sparse clouds. The perfect day for a hike.

Tags: Q&R, weather, mood, emotions

It's obvious that ...

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:23:59 GMT

... if I sat on my hands, I wouldn't be able to talk.

Last night I taught Gemstone Elixirs & Essences at the Infinity Foundation in Highland Park, Illinois. It was a fun, interactive class with a great audience!

Its Circular

It sounds like this

It interesects here

Just like so

And dont forget this

Tags: Gemstone Elixir Class, Infinity Foundation, Teaching

What would you most like to teach?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:41:45 GMT

We are all interconnected. Our thoughts, words and actions affect other people. In light of this, we each -- individually -- need to live with heart-based intention.

Tags: QAR, teaching, learning, gifts, wisdom

What is easy for you?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:26:50 GMT

Listening comes easily to me. I pay very close attention to what people say. I also listen "between the lines" and hear what is not spoken aloud.

I listen with my heart.

Tags: Q&R, ease, easily, listen, listening

A Weekend with Your Novel – Writer’s Conference

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:14:34 GMT

I had a wonderful time at the writer's conference at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. And even though it was specifically meant for fiction writers, there were a lot of takeaways for me -- the only non-fiction writer in attendance. I took four classes with Laurel Yourke, author of "Take Your Characters to Dinner:"

- Arc the journeys of your characters - especially your protagonist.
- Use symbolism to whisper your theme
- Plot your plot with hooks
- The last one was an in-depth discussion on Ian McEwan's book, "On Chesil Beach." I was confident it was going to be used as an example of how not to write. I was wrong, and apparently the only person who did not care for the book.

Note: This photograph is of the capitol building which at night is under-lit in lavender. The roof is up-lit in white, showing off the green patina of weathered copper.

Tags: Writer's conference, Madison WI

How do you define power?

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:55:55 GMT

It is my belief that the greatest power is Divine love.

Tags: Q&R, power

Friday Five of Alchemy

http://HolEssence.gaia.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:50:37 GMT

Do you believe in miracles?
Absolutely!

Name one place that you have been that has felt magical, brought you peace or comforted you?
Loch Ness

Name one thing you treasure?
Peace of mind

In one to five words, name one place, person, event or thing that has felt magical to you or cheered your heart.
The Highlands of Scotland

In less than 10 words, if you had one wish to go to somewhere or be with someone, from any time where would it be or who would you visit?
A small croft in the Highlands of Scotland

Tags: