Archive for the ‘Resources’ Category

Healthy House Building

Friday, February 24th, 2012

With my recent diagnosis of moderate MCS, and my realization that the rental we currently live in is making me sick, I found a great book at the library called Healthy House Building for the New Millennium, by John Bower. John’s wife has MCS, and he’s a construction worker and home system design guru. So now he designs and builds houses for people like me. People who want to be healthy in their own homes. People who want to go Green, and those with MCS. This book shares his safe-house-building wisdom with folks who want to build a healthy home for themselves.

Two things that really stand out about this book (at least for me) are that I understood everything he was talking about, and that he put one kick-ass list of resources at the back of the book. This author translates construction/builder code into functional standard english. And his resources cover a variety of challenging materials for folks with MCS. Furniture, clothing, home systems, home finishes, water purifiers, curtains, paint, etc etc etc. And since every person who has MCS reacts and suffers a little bit differently, getting to read about a variety of building and furnishing materials, safe home-building techniques, AND where to actually buy the things YOU need for YOUR MCS… it’s a really big relief.

It is my dream to someday live in a Healthy House that I get to design (and help build) for myself. When I reach that goal, Healthy House Building will definitely be the first thing I buy.

For a list of the books you can find on my professional shelf, and other books I might just suggest as “homework” someday, please visit my website, and check out the link to Brooke’s Books.
Be Well.

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Sometimes

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Sometimes the nourishment and warmth of drinking tea is just what I need to change a grumpy day into a gift. But today, I just noticed my tea mug sitting by the keyboard, and realized the tea is cold now, and I  hadn’t even sipped it yet. Having that beautiful hand-made mug by the keyboard was all I needed to create my “sitting down to write for a spell” reality, and stay on track.

…but sometimes? Sometimes the act of picking out dried medicinal herbs, filling the iron teapot with filtered water, watching the steam rise and smelling that first burst of yummy that comes when the hot water hits the tea leaves… Sometimes it is the act of making the tea that tells me I am special, and today is special. It reminds me to appreciate what is, to look for the beauty I’ve been too busy or too stressed to notice (a whole flock of tiny grey Bush Tits all a-flutter in the tree nextdoor). It reminds me of all that I’ve worked to hard to become in the past few years.

You see, learning to make herbal tea from raw dried herbs as medicine was one of the first skills I gained in my efforts to take control of my own health and well-being. I was tired of needing someone else to make me well. I was tired of living on the edge between healthy and unwell. Now, I  have herbs for headaches and bodyaches, herbs to improve my immune system or give me added nutrients and vitamin-C. I have herbs that smell and taste delicious, and that sooth my stresses or boost my confidence. I have herbs for sore throats and dry nasal passages. Herbs that cleanse, that break fevers, promote loosening of flegm, heal burns and sooth strained muscles. I have a whole arsenal of natural wellness, and I get to brew it on my own stove, whenever I know I could use the support, at my own discretion, and IT TASTES GOOD. It’s tea.

So for me, making a cup of tea is a bit of a spiritual act. It’s proof that I think my own well-being is worth the effort. It’s both relaxation and medicine. It’s community and independence. Self-expression and an intimacy of connection to the Earth herself. Like I said, sometimes drinking tea can be a healing act, but sometimes, I just need to sit with the herbs and the hot water and the clay mug, and remember who I am.

Be Well.
ps– If you’re interested, I’m currently on a Chamomile-and-Parsley kick.

| Posted in Blessings, Resources, To Your Health, authored by: S. Brooke Elliott | Comments Off

Walking on Alligators

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

I’ve been sorting through my books, and remembering how many awesome books I have, and how useful they’ve been at different points in my development. And I’ve decided that there are a few worth revisiting.

For example, Walking on Alligators is A Book of Meditations for Writers, by Susan Shaughnessy. She says that “It takes a certain fearlessness to do this. Truth is not to be approached lightly. If what you’re writing makes you squirm and wish to wriggle away, you are probably on the right track. …It is not enough to describe cleverly or depict vividly. A story must also unfold– a story in which truths are caught in a way the reader never saw before.” (pg 158) And on page 44, she quotes Gustave Flaubert: “Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.”

And Walking in the World: The Practical Art of Creativity, by Julia Cameron. She also wrote The Artist’s Way. On page 24 of Walking in the World she says, “Faith moves mountains, and when we see art as an act of faith, then we begin to see that when we commit to our art, mountains may indeed be moved as a path becomes clear.” …It might be time for me to work through this book again, with where I am NOW in mind.

There are many more amazing books on my shelf, but for now, I’m off to enjoy the out-of-doors, and possibly also a late lunch at my favorite Thai restaurant, with a good friend this afternoon. Rediscover your own resources. Find new ones. Remember, you don’t have to struggle forward alone. This is about receiving support, moving forward with Grace, and enjoying what is.

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.

| Posted in Get Involved/How-To, Resources, authored by: S. Brooke Elliott | 1 Comment »

Candle Making Moment

Saturday, December 17th, 2011

About once or twice a month, I take a few hours and make candles. I love doing this, but it requires a certain outlook (energetic and cheerful), and a certain level of energy flow (very connected).

Today, I’m feeling that cheerful energy, so it is CANDLE TIME. I really enjoy creating something so beautiful from scratch. Adding the extra energy to charge and set intention for each candle is actually even more fun for me. I love knowing that this resource will go out into the world and support someone’s well-being as they burn it. I imagine the candle lighting the way.

I actually get great feedback about the candles being in wide glass canning jars, with lids, too. Portable, protected, practical, beautiful. Off to make candles. So happy about my work these days!

Be Well.

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The Seven Senses of Story

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

Several months ago, I sat in a lovely tea shop, munching on something tasty, with garlic in it, and I thought about the workshops I was offering, or planning to offer. There was one missing. Something accessible and personal, and not quite so intense as most of the workshops I offer. Something that might grow a sense of community and belonging as we worked. Something I could do, too.

I remember how incredibly helpful my mentor and friend, Vanessa Timmons’s journaling workshops have been for me– transformative and lovely. And yet, journaling allows us to explore our inner self at our own pace, and has room for us to connect with the rest of the world at the same time. Coincidentally, I’d just read a wonderful book about Ix Chel and our society’s need for a more open, more personal form of community gathering for sacred ceremony. As I worked with these ideas, The Seven Senses of Story was born. A journaling workshop that offers monthly full-moon opportunities to gather and write about our connection to the season and the Earth. And I get to write, too! I’m really excited about this workshop. It’s even donation-based, so everyone can take part. The suggested donation is $20.

And it’s a workshop I can also offer as “Special Senses” at particularly sacred times of year (I mean ’sacred’ in terms of rare moments where our individual spiritual connections to Mother Earth and All That Is are easier to feel.)– the Lunar New Year in January and the Summer Solstice in June, for example. The fee for this workshop is $30. Finally, I’m offering a deep self-counseling toolkit form of the Seven Senses of Story workshop, which I offer once a year as a formal Masterclass for $85.

The first of these Special Senses workshops is available December 18th, from 10 am to noon, at the SisterSpirit Office in Portland. We’ll be focusing on the Winter Solstice, the winter season, your traditions (good, bad, private, shared, etc) and the darkest night of the year. December 24th is the new moon– I call it Hunger Moon– and true Winter Solstice on my calendar. But I’ll be busy honoring the things that feed me on that day– family, friends, food, the darkness before the light, the Night of the Mothers, and other sacred traditions.

Crafting the format for this workshop at a tea house that smelled wonderfully of garlic gave me some lovely insights. We’ll write and connect to the seasons with all our senses, not just our eyes, but our ears, too. We’ll taste the season, inhale it, embrace it.There are, after all, at least six senses that we know about– and at least one that we don’t. So stretch your legs, stretch your mind, stretch your arm out to grab some paper and a pen… and join me for the December 18th Special Senses journaling workshop.

By the way, with all this talk of holidays and sacred ceremony, I thought I’d clarify:
I don’t tell people what to believe. We each find our own path and our own connection to What Is. And if I respect you, I need to respect your beliefs and your connection to What Is, too. I figure you’ll always know what’s right for you better than I can. So I offer tools and resources, but its up to you to use them, or not. Bring your journal and a couple of pens or pencils or crayons– what ever you want to write with. I’ll see you on December 18th.

Be Well.

| Posted in Resources, Workshops, authored by: S. Brooke Elliott | Comments Off

The Power of Thought

Friday, December 9th, 2011

I have a wonderful partner. He’s compassionate, intelligent, works hard, etc etc etc. And he is a great example of how powerfully what we dwell on is drawn to us. You see, he spends a lot of time recounting all the things that have gone wrong in his life. He hoards those memories like I hoard …uhh… like I hoard… well… like some folks hoard gold. (I was going to say “like I hoard home-dried fruit,” but I realized it would take a while to explain just how much I value home-dried fruit. Gold is a much more universal example of something worth hoarding.) And he spends a lot of time thinking up all the bad things that might go wrong next. And telling anyone who will listen what terrible wrong his life may hold next, and the history of why.

And sure enough, with all that energy and thought he puts into it, bad things do happen in his life. Frequently. Little bad things that can be fixed, mostly. Of course, good things happen too, but somehow those aren’t as important. Because you know what? HE WAS RIGHT! ALL THAT WORRY, AND HE WAS RIGHT TO WORRY! Myself, I see this as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I mean, sometimes things go wrong in my life, too. But I plan ahead for real life contingencies, and I trust my ability to handle whatever comes up unexpectedly. And I spend a whole lot of time and energy thinking about all the stuff that has gone right, and that might go well for me in the future, and I stay open to the unexpectedly GREAT stuff that life might bring my way. And you know? I do pretty well, really. My life is full of wonderful serendipities and unexpected gifts and beautiful moments where everything goes so very RIGHT.

So I’m sharing all this with you because I want you to know that your thoughts have power. What you dwell on becomes what you have. Why not pick the good stuff?

Be Well.

| Posted in Resources, authored by: S. Brooke Elliott | Comments Off

Advanced Energy Management

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

I’m so excited! And I just can’t hide it! (Sorry, I was channeling music from my 80’s roller-skating days there for a minute.)

I teach this workshop called Energy Management for Healers and Empaths. Like so many of my offerings, I’ve tried to break it down into manageable chunks. So there are three levels in this twelve-workshop-and-growing series. Energy Management One offers the basic tools that I’ve learned to utilize as a Sensitive, an Empath, and a Healer– to keep my sanity and my sense of Self intact, while giving or interacting intensively with others, or while doing my own inner work to shed light on those dark closets where we all keep our emotional baggage. Level One is about grounding, centering, and managing your personal energy. It’s about having the strength, stamina, and safe space to figure out who you are, how you got that way, and where you want to take yourself next. It’s about personal safety and resources for Sensitives like us.

Level Two is about professional energy management. Learning to work intentionally and consciously with your own energy, and set boundaries for yourself and your clients when you are working in your professional capacity as a healer. (Read: teacher, physical therapist, social worker, masseuse, counselor, minister, call-center guru, yoga instructor, personal trainer, etc.) It’s about getting solid with your Self, and having the tools to stay there no matter what crisis walks through the door, explodes in Grandma’s living room, or stands behind you in line at the mall.

So many healers burn out before they’ve had a full and glorious career because they give themselves away, or they don’t know how to set effective energetic boundaries (think woo-woo here), or they ignore the emotional overlap of the problems their clients have, and the problems they have at home. We can fix this. Energy Management Level Two offers the tools and resources to help you stay energetic, whole, and excited about the work you do in service to your clients– and in relation to your coworkers, clients, family, etc.

Then there’s Energy Management for Healers and Empaths, level three! THIS is what I’m really excited about today. I’ll be offering this Masterclass series of four workshops starting in January of 2012, and again in August. One class a month, at my Hood River office. The Energy Management Masterclasses last for about three hours each, and they include homework (but no due date). Each class stands alone, and while they do tend to build on the break-throughs of the class before, you can choose to only take the one that calls your name right now. But remember, if you miss one, you’ll be waiting a while for me to offer it again. $85 each. You MUST take Energy Management One or Two to take any Energy Management Masterclasses. Call me.

So here are the Energy Management Masterclasses I’ll be offering next year:
(I’m SO EXCITED!!!)

– Getting Out of Your Own Way (At some point, we all need this class. I know I’ve been wanting someone to offer it for years now, so *I* could go.)
–Live Intentionally: Organizing and Prioritizing Your Lifeway.
–The Art of Discernment: Energy, Integrity, Community, Prosperity.
–The Seven Senses of Story: An Introduction to Intuitive Journaling.

For those of us who are working toward a healthy balance of work, home, and way-of-being-in-the-world… These workshops offer vital tools and resources for blending Energy Work and Life Work. I’m really looking forward to offering these workshops, and these particular tools of mastry.

Be Well.

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Collaging… with SAND!

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

So I spent a day at the beach last weekend. It was amazing– warm for October, and we kept not-quite getting rained on. In fact, there were definite glimpses of SUN. Pretty awesome, really. We definitely lucked out. And even better, my friend and I each separately decided to bring collaging materials, just in case.

And since we were both so very prepared (except the glue. Only one glue. For two very focused collagers. Not so helpful, really.)… we collaged. And I mean, we did some deep inner work, and then started cutting out images that struck us as related to our intention for the collage. And then we went and had a really yummy rice-pasta-and-tomato-bean-sauce meal (gluten-free!), and a walk on the beach (sand!), and then… we did some serious gluing. And realized that we had the fixings for about six collages between us.

Hers was all about the wonderful things her life COULD include, if she let it. Mine was all about my sense of home– the home I yearn for. And my other one was about what I offer (or will offer) to the world through my lifework. As much time as I’ve spent THINKING about the Healing Sanctuary space I eventually want to build, and the buildings and grounds and forest paths and bird feeders and the commercial kitchen and organic herb gardens etc etc that I want in that space– it was so nice to have the INTENTION of my life work visually represented like that. Because the intention is to create a healing retreat space, and then to retreat into it as much as I can. Another opportunity for my clients to come to me for healing– instead of me going to them. Only in a completely safe and supportive healing space. Right down to home-grown organic meals, filtered water, and glorious abundance. It’s quite a goal– and I hope you’ll be there to celebrate the opening with me someday.

And if you should ever get to Level 3 of The Self-Centering Woman workshop series, I’ll help you create your own collage of a beautiful life yet to be lived. Your life, imagined in color. Beautiful. There’s something about having a visual representation of a life-goal or an intentional life-way, a representation that is in the real world, that holds amazing power to call those possibilities into being. Beautifully.

Be Well.

| Posted in Resources, Staci Says... | Comments Off

Going Green the Mother Earth Way

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

I’ve been working to pull together a workshop on Green Living for about six months now. But it never felt quite READY, so I haven’t actually offered these workshops. And now that I know what I’m doing, I’ve got some serious updating to do on my website. www.BeWellmedicine.com

At first, I had a series of four workshops that functioned as an intro to all things Green– food, cleaning & furnishing a home, building green, etc. But I realized that the folks most likely to attend such a workshop probably already had their intro years ago… So then I added a fifth workshop on the Spiritual element of Green Living… which was more exciting to teach than the other four combined.

And finally, it hit me. I’ve done a ton of research on going green, but it’s become relevant to my life in the past few months because I’ve been struggling with new food allergies and new chemical sensitivities. And as a result I HAVE to go green. From my perspective, its as though Mother Earth decided that if I was going to be serious about protecting the Earth (it’s the only one we’ve got), I’d better live my life by Her standards. Clean UV-filtered water. Local organic produce. No artificial preservatives. No artificial fabrics, either. Natural cleaners and soaps and detergents. And I’m purchasing a cotton-filled Thai Massage floor mat as my new “bed,” because my regular bed gives me hives.That’s the easy stuff.

So, finally, I know what the workshop series is supposed to be about.
I’ll be offering this series for the first time in January/February of 2012:
The Mother Earth Way. And we’ll talk about food and allergies and health. We’ll explore resources and alternatives for folks with chemical sensitivities (or who want to avoid getting them!). And we’ll talk about the building and decorating materials in your home and your furniture that are slowly poisoning you– and what to do about it all– on almost any budget. This is my offering to the Earth, so I’m asking $20/workshop –which is a total steal– the fees cover the basic space and materials for the workshop. While my other workshops might make your life more worthwhile, this series will keep you alive long enough to do that.

And instead of pretending that all this is separate from my real life, I’m making it personal. This is about what I’ve learned, what I’ve tried, and why– and that includes my responsibility as one of Earth’s Protectors. It’s about my physical health, my mental health, my emotional health– and my spiritual health. And now, through The Mother Earth Way workshops, it’s about your health, too. I hope you’ll join me in January.

Be Well.

| Posted in Research/Info, Resources, Staci Says..., To Your Health, Workshops | 1 Comment »

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