Resting in Uncertainty

Uncertainty is the fertile ground
of pure creativity and freedom.~ Deepak Chopra

 

    Deepak Chopra's quote is one of my favorites.  It's written on the wall of my hall bath and serves as a constant reminder of how I want to live my life.
    But, in truth, sitting in uncertainty is frightening.  It's disconcerting.  And for most of us, it feels unnatural.  After all we are a can do society.  When we don't know what to do, we set about doing something, anything, because we tend to think something is better than nothing.
    However, unless our situation is truly dangerous, when we're struggling with difficult decisions and don't know what to do, often the best thing to do is nothing.  Which, in truth, is the perfect something.  By quietly listening to our intuitive knowing, watching for nudges or signs, we're much more likely to find the best choice for us.  And this takes a lot of patience.  Which is why sitting in uncertainty takes practice.  It is not for the faint of heart but it will lead you home.

     
Are you at a crossroads in your life?
Are you questioning which path is best for you?

     If so, make a commitment to yourself today to begin taking at least 30 minutes each day (or 20 or 10 ~ be kind to yourself, because any time is better than no time.  Just begin.) to do the following four practices.  Trust me; if you begin to do them every day, everything will change.
*    Have you been journaling each morning?  If not, begin today.  First thing each morning, have the most important conversation you can possibly have ~ with yourself ~ by writing and listening to YOU at the beginning of each day.
*    Have you been meditating?  If not, begin today.  Choose one type of meditation that speaks to you (for more info,  order Sarah McLean's amazing book, Soul-Centered:  Transform Your Life in 8 Weeks with Meditation, and commit to meditating at least 5 minutes each day.
*    Have you been spending time in nature each day?  If not, begin today.  Find at least 5 minutes each day to surround yourself with the grandeur of nature.  Sit, walk, be . . . 
*    Have you been walking?  If not, begin today to find at  least 5 minutes each day to walk. 
  
Warmest wishes for a lifetime of quietly resting in uncertain moments . . . and reaping the rewards!
Karen

Sitting with What Is

I woke up at 3:30 this morning . . . wide awake.  Annoyed.  But after tossing and turning with frustration for some time, I was able to quiet my mind using some mindfulness techniques I learned this week.  And once I relaxed into the situation, I was gifted with three hours of reflection, writing, reading, and just "being" cozily wrapped in the darkness.  And it was not only okay, it was delightful, insightful and peaceful.  While I am hoping for more sleep tonight, I am grateful that I went to bed last night with mindfulness on my mind.  Last night was the Q & A from the second session of our 6-session Stepping Into Your Power tele-workshop, which was on mindfulness.  And part of our discussion was on living conscious, being truly present to our own lives, not judging what’s happening but relaxing into “what is.”  Because in that “what is” place is where peace resides.  And that’s what I found well before daylight this morning.  If you have an interest in the topic, I highly recommend any of the following books: The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by Christopher Germer, Coming to Our Senses:  Healing Ourselves and the World Through Mindfulness by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn.  

Getting to know you . . .

In the most trying times (actually particularly in those times) it is vital to connect with things and people that bring you more alive!
One of the things that brings me most alive is the amazing women I meet through A Woman's Way . . . it continues to be an honor and a joy to talk with, meet and get to know so many extraordinary, delightful, beautiful woman from all over the country and the world.   

I'd like to share many of these shining stars with you.  So every month I will introduce you to one of my A Woman's Way friends.  This month it is Gloria Valentino.  Take a moment to read about her and you'll know why she is so special to me . . . and to anyone who meets her!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MEET GLORIA~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gloria believes that "age is only a number; it's the attitude that matters."  In April she will be 74 and defines herself today as "alive, adorable and amazing."   

 

Gloria has participated in two A Woman's Way programs: A Sedona retreat in 2010 that "provided a revealing time for me and made me look at myself and what I like to do.  The other women were fascinating and supportive and I've kept all the material from that program." 

 

And then the "frosting on the cake" for her was joining the 2011 I Have a Dream Tele-group.  "That was the push I needed to decided what I really wanted to do with my life - move to Carmel by the Sea.  It wasn't overnight but by the end of 2012 I was on my way and knew that it was the best decision of my life." 

The single most important thing she'd like to share is "This is it!  Have fun doing what you love."

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ESCAPE:  If you'd like to meet wonderful women like Gloria (and me!) AND get away from the horrific winter weather, then click on details about one of my upcoming retreats.  Both gloriously beautiful venues, filled with wonderful women and devoid of snow and cold!

BIG SUR, CA: March 9 - 14 at the Esalen Institute
For Women Who Dare to Dream:  Finding Meaning and Passion in the Second Half of Life 

SEDONA, AZ:  March 28 - 31 at the Briar Patch Inn
Inspired Living: Creating a Life you Love!

With gratitude . . . 
Karen





 

A magic moment . . .

The moment one definitely commits oneself,
then providence moves too.
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 

As many of you know, I love quotes . . . I collect quotes . . . and my quotes continue to inspire and push me forward on my path.  Like magic.

But one of my all-time favorites is the one above by Goethe.  I know it to be true because I've watched it happen over and over and over again in my life.  When I've got a foot in two worlds (in and out of a marriage, in and out of a job, in and out of a home) then my life stagnates.  When I finally make the difficult decision to move forward, then providence has always supported me in magic-filled ways.  And I know it will for you as well.

THANK YOU
To all of you who sloshed through the survey I sent last week (which I now know was frustrating), I am forever grateful.  The information you shared will be so helpful as I craft new programs.  For those of you who gave up in frustration, I truly apologize.   Because of that, I am offering the 5% discount to all of you.  And a special congratulations to Susan (I do not have her last name but I just sent her an email) for winning 50% off any program in 2014.  So thank you everyone!

MORE DISCOUNTS
Remember . . . for the next 10 days (through January 31st), all 2014 programs are 15% off.  So, if you have your eye on a particular program, now is the time to register.  Click here for a list of tele-workshops and click here for a list of retreats.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES
There is STILL SPACE in Stepping Into Your Power: 6 Practices to Transform YourLife and you can NOW sign up for the entire 6-session tele-workshop for $250 ($212  with your 15% discount) or any one or more of the sessions for $65 each ($55 with your 15% discount).  I would hate to see you miss this opportunity because I believe it is one of those moments when the magic door opens.  So click here for details.

If you're registering for a program and want to use either your 5% discount or your 15% discount, or both, you'll have to call me directly at 928-254-1897 because the website will require you to pay in full.

RECOMMENDATIONS
If you've not seen Her or Saving Mr. Banks, I encourage you to run to your nearest multiplex.  They are both beautiful movies!  And if you're interested in reading an outstanding memoir by a woman who was born in Somalia and became a power in the international human rights movement, than pick up Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.  It is an eye opener and beyond extraordinary!  

With gratitude,    Karen 

A Woman's Way
928-254-1897
info@awomansway.com
www.awomansway.com

2014 . . . new beginnings . . . endless possibilities . . .

Is it possible that it is now 2014?  Especially, when just yesterday it was 1986 and I was 40 and now I'm 67?! 

Time is flying at a frightening rate and I don't know about you but I'm more and more aware of how sacred time is and how much I want to accomplish in my remaining years . . . which I hope our many!

And I don't want to waste a single minute of my time living someone else's dream and being in any way untrue to myself. 

And I believe in you and want to see you step into a new, more vibrant and meaningful life and because of that I have some SPECIAL GIFTS FOR YOU: 

INSPIRING STUFF:  Oh, as a movie buff, I love this time of year.  They finally release inspiring, amazing movies that are made for intelligent adults (where do they think we are the rest of the year??).  If you've not seen Philomena, please rush to your multiplex.  It is such a beautiful, inspiring movie about forgiveness . . . and it includes the always amazing Judi Dench (which I would be happy to watch read the phone book!).  And also don't miss Saving Mr. Banks, the new move about Walt Disney and P.L. Travers (author of Mary Poppins).  It is truly enchanting and you'll leave the theatre singing some of Poppins' wonderful tunes.
 

FREE STUFF:  Because I also believe in the life-changing opportunities presented in my upcoming tele-workshop, Stepping Into Your Power:  6 Practices to Transform Your Life, I am offering you an invitation to attend the first session ~ Silence Your Lunatic Roomate ~ January 6th at 6pm MT, FOR FREE.  You can click here to register for that session now.   Afterwards, I know you'll want to joins us by signing up for the entire 6-month series.  

DISCOUNTED STUFF:  I offered a 15% discount on all 2014 programs in a November newsletter but as a New Year's gift to you, I am continuing that offer until the end of January.  So, click for info on retreats, click for info on tele-workshops and click for mentoring possibilities and call me to register and get your discount before the end of the month.      

With gratitude and warmest wishes for a transformative 2014,    

Karen