Archive for the ‘Get Involved/How-To’ Category

Getting Out of Your Own Way

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

Well, I’ve learned that my Lifeway Masterclass workshops definitely need the full 3 to 3.5 hours to really get through the content effectively. And I’ve learned that the January Getting Out of Your Own Way masterclass feeds nicely into the February Living Intentionally masterclass. One is about finding your personal road-blocks and starting to overcome them. The other is about setting goals and recognizing success in realistic and nourishing ways.

I’ve also learned that my desk computer is now so old and out-of-date that I can’t download the updates to programs that support the online formats and applications I’d like to be utilizing. Like TweetDeck. Sigh. Definitely time for a new computer. And also, my apologies if you normally follow my daily tweets. It’s a technology glitch in the mainframe. And I’m working on that.

Now, I’m off to support the local library with my intentional collage art. We’re offering a workshop for setting intentions in the New Year, and I’m one of the guest artists. Such fun! I actually teach an intensive version of this as part of the Self-Centering Woman series (part 3). And I’m looking forward to that, too.

I think for most of us, Getting Out of Our Own Way requires that we learn to trust the process, and that we learn to take small steps in a chosen direction even though it’s scary. When we really care about an outcome, taking a risk can be scary. When we don’t really care about the outcome, then moving forward isn’t taking a risk. Submitting that paper for review, asking for a raise, participating in an art class, telling someone we love them, telling someone they’re sick and they need help. It’s easy to do if you aren’t really involved in the outcome.

If we have art in our hearts, but we’ve never let it out because– what if it isn’t good enough?! Then attending an art class is a risk. Our lifework, and our dream is somehow on the line. But if we just want to try something new, and we’re there to have fun and learn from our own mistakes and growing experience– then showing up is more about making sure the car has enough gas to get us there.

One way to set your fear aside is to approach that art class (or that conversation with a loved one) as the goal itself. If you do that, then you’ve succeeded, no matter what the outcome. No matter what comes after that. Showing up is actually succeeding. Showing up authentically, and standing in our own power as individuals– that’s the best possible outcome. Even if your art looks silly the first time you pick up that paint brush. Perfection is, after all, boring.

Today, I wish for you that you take heart, and Show Up Authentically in your own life.
Be Well.

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Elliott Wisdom

Monday, December 26th, 2011

I didn’t write this today. In fact, I wrote this bit of wisdom as part of the big book of wisdom I plan to share once I’ve finished writing it… So really, I wrote this months ago. And I wrote this blog entry before Christmas, and set it to publish on the 26th. This is my holiday/family time, too, you know. =)

So, to quote myself:

It is often through personal suffering that we recognize the value of a thing– Bronchitis reminds us of the gift of Breath. Bankruptcy reminds of the gift of financial security. Want describes enough. Pain shows the gift of Ease, and Balance makes us Whole.

So much suffering becomes apparent around Christmas, and other winter holidays. I’d like to offer you my support– a tool for appreciating what is. So, start with a fresh piece of paper, or a fresh page in your journal. On the top of the page, write what it is you’re missing the most right now. That one thing (or person) that you don’t have, and thus it defines so clearly what would be worth celebrating if you did have it.

Done? Okay. Now, draw a line below that, down the middle of the page. And on one side, write a list of what you SHOULD be appreciating and celebrating and giving thanks for right now. Go ahead, get all that angst on the page– all those things you feel angry and guilty and exhausted about because you SHOULD be grateful, or be participating, or be giving to others, but you’re really not feeling it. Get them out of the way.

Now, on the other side of the page, take each thing on the SHOULD list, and counter it with something you actually have in your life (long-term, year-round, or special for the holidays) that you actually are genuinely grateful for. Either because you know how hard life would be without that thing, because you know others wish they had it, or because you yourself feel gratitude and relish its existence.

Time for taking naps, for example. Or baked apples with cinnamon. Or someone to share the holidays with– someone who wants to share them with you. Or a roof over your head this winter. Or a good book to escape into when you take your break at work. Or a job that pays the bills. Or extra time (lack of job?) to actually make this holiday special because of what you do together, and not because of how much you spend. I’m sure your list has a lot more on it. Different things, too.This is the list of things you forgot to celebrate because you HAVE THEM.

Okay. Now, I want you to read aloud the one thing at the top of your page, and actually allow yourself to feel sad about it. It isn’t there, and having it would make all the difference in the world. Family approval? A loved one who has died? More money? All the foods you’re allergic to now? That awesome new electronic gadget that can even tie your shoes? It sucks that you don’t have it. Seriously. Let yourself feel that sadness and fear for a minute. And then move on to the list of things that are actually GOOD in your life right now. They won’t fix what’s missing… but they are true, too.

There is balance here, if you know how to look. Be extra kind to yourself today. You’re worth it.
Be Well.

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Winter Solstice Seven Senses Journaling

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

I received some wonderful feedback about our Special Senses journaling workshop on Sunday. The two hours we spent on focused journaling, sharing, and growing our awareness in relation to Winter Solstice and the holidays just FLEW by. I wanted another hour to really get it all done. And everyone says they look forward to returning for more Seven Senses of Story journaling opportunities.

It’s such fun to offer a workshop that I get to participate in, and that is about our individual connections to All That Is, and our awareness of our own life story– One where we each get to do our own work, and then have community right there to share those “Ah-Hah” moments with. This workshop was focused on a major cross-quarter holiday, so we had some deeper work to do. And in January, instead of the usual Seven Senses full moon journal group, we’ll meet for a Special Senses workshop about the Lunar New Year  on January 22nd (the actual Lunar New Year is on Jan 23rd), from 10 am to noon at the SisterSpirit office in Portland. I hope to see you there.

Be Well.

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Who is Your Audience?

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

Often, we come from a place of desperation. We are completely self-supporting, and don’t have any clients yet (except mom), or we work on commission, and money is tight. I’ve noticed that it is very easy to expand our target audience in relation to the size of our fear at these times. But the reality is that if you broaden your marketing to target EVERYONE, nobody feels that your services are especially appropriate to them. And people pay less for a service that doesn’t specialize in what they need.

Take a look at your target audience. Who do you have in mind when you write your flyer, or define “what you do” in that tagline on your new business cards. Are you trying to appeal to everyone you can think of who might buy what you have to offer? Or are you marketing with your ideal client in mind? The ideal client isn’t just “somebody who can pay me for what I do.” Your ideal client is exactly the kind of person and the kind of problem you ENJOY WORKING ON or WITH. Who gives you that rush of energy and excitement when you solve their need? You want more of THOSE folks in your professional life!

So… what are those kind of people looking for? Let your marketing answer that need. Specifically. I’ve heard all this before, but for me it really sank home when I realized that I teach nearly all my coaching clients how to ground, center, shield, and clean their personal energy so they can BREATHE without tasting other peoples’ problems. Hey– why  not teach that as a workshop?

And then I realized that I have a whole series of workshops to share– Energy Management for Empaths and Healers, I’m calling the series. But really, I have some teachers, writers, a computer engineer or two, a cement truck driver, and a bunch of empaths and massage therapists and chiropractors, etc showing up for these workshops. AND I LOVE TEACHING THEM. And I realized that if I offer these energy-management tools to the healing community, all their clients benefit, too. Bingo. That is my audience. And I love them. I love working with them. I love supporting the work that they do in the world. Perfect.

So today, I hope for you that you can step away from your desperation over enough money coming in, and look instead at getting the right sort of people into your office. The clients who will feed BOTH your budget and your soul.

Be Well.

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All the Excitement!

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

I’ve updated most of my professional website now– just two or three things left to do… Like write the page about Tarot, and the page that gives more specifics about workshops, for example. And I still haven’t had time to explain about my Rosebalm Ointment that works so well on most nerve-related chronic pain… But my newer, better, shiny-er offerings are on the website now. And I took out most of the old confusing content. I’m counting it as a successful update.

Also, if I didn’t mention it before, I’ll be at the RoseSprings Healing Festival this Saturday, July 30th, from 10 am to 4 pm. I’d love to see you there. You can stop by my booth for a free Tarot Card Reading (just one– if you want more cards, there might be a small fee because it’ll take a while), and make sure it’s going well. Plus– how often do you get your Tarot professionally Read?? For free?? Also, there will be lots of cool healer-type booths there, and one of my favorite masseuses, Lindsay Newman might be offering some on-the-go pressure-point therapy. (ask about her bio matt, her hot rock therapies, and Thai massage!) WELL WORTH THE DRIVE. And workshops, presentations… It’s going to be fun.

And if you’re feeling really energetic, you can join me at my own workshop later. I’ll be at Crystal Cavern of Oregon at 6 pm so that you can “Take A Little Magic Home With You” from our workshop there. It’s going to be a great day.

If you’ve suddenly realized that you need more gentle guidance and honest, intelligent feedback than you get at my workshops, I do have one last slot open on my calendar to see individual clients in Portland on July 31st. If you’ve never worked with me before, check out my webpage at www.BeWellMedicine.com … and then select “About Staci’s Work” from the menu across the top. Oh, wait! I haven’t edited that page in WEEKS! Good thing each client I consult with is unique. Good thing that page is mostly quotes from past clients. Those don’t change.

Find what you love, and do that for a while. It’s summer. We’re supposed to be having fun!
(That was me teasing you, by the way. I’m having a blast, myself. How about you? Is your life making you happy?)

Be Well.

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Starting the Basil and Carrot Seeds

Friday, May 13th, 2011

When I was little, my dad would till up the garden every summer, and my mom would plant it with lots of yummy eats. Then, toward the end of summer, there was canning and freezing to do. Of course, I “helped” with all of it.

In my vague memories of those summer gardens, we mostly planted seeds straight into the ground. Watching for the first little green sprouts of each thing was part of the joy of gardening. Today, there are so many “starts” available that you KNOW are healthy and ready to grow even bigger than when you buy them… it isn’t as common to start from seed.

And not only that, but my partner says its more reliable to force the seeds to sprout before you plant them. You wrap the seeds in wet folds of paper towel, and shove the wet paper towel into a plastic baggie to keep it moist. Wait a few days, and the seeds should sprout a root. Wait a few more days, and then plant that root just into the earth of your garden.

Remembering the wonder and mystery and joyful surprise of the seeds and the earth… I find paper towels and plastic bags a let-down. And I keep wondering which is really better, and how accurate my childhood memories really are. How many seeds we really put straight into the ground. How could our garden have been so full and lush every year, if planting seeds is so unreliable? What about our earth or the seed itself has changed?

I keep wondering how much beauty our culture has lost to this desire for reliable high-yield results, and an impatience with nature’s rhythms. Do we trust the earth and our own instincts, or do we force our own expectations on knowing an outcome before we even begin? Do we work with what is and has always been– earth, water, sun, wind, spirit… Or do we forge a new, more direct path to our goal? Rock, paper, plastic, scissors, ceiling wax, string…

Something to ponder on a sunny day. And I suspect the answer is really a little bit of both.
Be Well.

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Workshop Reminders!!

Saturday, April 16th, 2011

My monthly “Take a Little Magic Home With You“ workshop at Crystal Cavern of Oregon is coming right up!

April 23rd, 6 pm (well, okay, 6:15). Join me.

And if that isn’t enough, we’ve PLANNED AHEAD!
You can also join me at Crystal Cavern for workshops in May and June–

May 21st, and June 11th. Put it on the calendar. You won’t want to miss the fun.
And of course, you’ll get to Take A Little Magic Home With You!

(cost $25, includes supplies)

| Posted in Get Involved/How-To, Register Now!, To Your Health, Workshops | 1 Comment »

Ollas, and Other Gardening Awesomeness

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

We’ve been planning our garden. We figure it’s better late than never, and out here, there’s still snow in the hills. So we’re not all that late, really. My partner brought home some stackable frames to make the walls of our raised beds. And we know where we want those raised beds to go in our rocky and underloved yard.

Next, we’re going to make some ollas, for watering. An olla is an unglazed clay pot, with a big base for holding a gallon or two of water, and a narrow neck to prevent evaporation (and mosquitoes and yellowjacket hives– we don’t want those, either). Bury all but the neck in the soil, and plant your garden around them. They “sweat” water into the soil, so you don’t lose the water to evaporation, and you don’t have to refill (to water your plants) more than once or twice a week. It saves time, energy, and resources. And of course, this olla plant-watering technology is thousands of years old.

There are one or two sources for buying the traditional ollas in America right now, which I really support if you can find them. But I’m saving my pennies, and I’m a creative type, so I’ve found two alternatives: Buy unglazed clay planters and use FDA food-grade silicone to glue an unglazed clay plate to the open side… or buy raw red low-fire clay that I can bake in my oven at home, and make some very rough ollas of my own. I’ll keep you posted.

Today’s project is a little simpler. We’re hunting up some buckwheat or cheap white rice to make more microwave-safe heat-packs for our arthritic dog (and to keep my toes warm at night). Apparently, the buckwheat smells nicer than the rice after a year of use. But I’ve got this awesome “Clear the Air” essential oil spray I use to keep my rice-warmer clean and fresh-smelling, so I haven’t ever experienced the “bad smell” everyone keeps talking about.

I’ll write a separate post about making rice-warmers and keeping them fresh, after I get my hands on the buckwheat. In the meantime,
Be Well.

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What Might We Simplify Next?

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

I’ve been catching up on some of my favorite green living, simple living blogs. Folks who’ve decided to go off the grid, cut back, or simply reduce their consumption by doing laundry by hand or turning their yards into suburban garden/farms. Folks who lost their homes in the recession, and find that whatever large vehicle they’ve renovated makes a better home for their priorities now anyway. Folks who quid 9-5 jobs so they could stay home with the kids, and found many ways to save the money they needed to do so. It’s inspiring.

Here are a few favorites, mixed with some recent finds:

http://urbanhomestead.org/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/

http://www.shedworking.co.uk/

http://laptopandarifle.wordpress.com/

http://daisyotinyhome.blogspot.com/ (also, her new blog: http://daisyosafezonehome.blogspot.com/)

http://www.clickclackgorilla.com/2011 (This links to the wagon-home renovation. The rest of the blog is equally interesting!)

http://mobilecondo.blogspot.com/ (This couple chose to stop paying on their home mortgage, and build a home in a box truck. It’s more in line with their personal values and interests.)

| Posted in Get Involved/How-To, Resources | 1 Comment »

Natural Travel Medicine

Sunday, January 23rd, 2011

The workshop on Natural Travel Medicine was great! We all learned a few things, and made small travel kits of the basic essential oils (EO’s) and ointments that might be most useful.

If you’ve never heard of Grape Seed Extract (ask for food-grade!), check it out. Fights Giardia in drinking water, great for adding to wash-water for fruits, vegetables, and raw eggshells. And natural!

By the way, for those of you who enjoy the scent of lavender EO, I forgot to mention that neat lavender (undiluted) has also been shown to neutralize the poisons of some spiders and snakes.

Thanks to all who joined Judith and I at Crystal Cavern of Oregon– it was a wonderful evening. See you next month, February 26th, at 6pm.

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