Hi, I’m Mary Elaine Kiener – the “ME” in ASK ME House. As the Creative Energy Officer (CEO) of ASK ME House, LLC, I gather and share simple, yet elegant resources that help my clients to care for themselves as well as they care for others.
No doubt you have one or more questions for me. What qualifies me to do this work? What experience do I have? Why would (or should) you want to work with me?
For those who prefer to start with relevant credentials, here they are (in chronological order):
- As a registered nurse (BSN, Marquette University, 1973) for nearly 40 years, I have worked with thousands of clients and students within a wide variety of settings.
- A major scholarly interest of mine has been related to facilitating change and especially the inner healing process (including earning my PhD in 1983 in Urban Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee).
- In 1995, I began recommending Juice Plus+® to my clients and started my own Virtual Franchise®.
- In 2006, I earned certification as a Holistic Stress Management Instructor from Brian Luke Seaward, and became an authorized facilitator of Laura Berman Fortgang‘s Now What Life Blueprint™ Coaching Program.
- Also in 2006, I became a certified Wellness Inventory™ facilitator, followed in 2008 with certification as a Wellness Inventory Coach.
- In 2010, I became a Certified Focusing Professional and Trainer with the Focusing Institute, specializing in Inner Relationship Focusing with Ann Weiser Cornell.
On a more personal note, my own life experiences have offered me countless opportunities to learn and practice the art of self-care amidst challenging circumstances.
I won’t bore (or overwhelm) you with the details. Let’s just say that after being born in 1950, I have lived what one friend described as “an enormity” of a life. Not necessarily “major” losses (in and of themselves), but enough in number and variety to take their toll when piled on top of each other–especially when I wasn’t “paying attention”–and before I had learned to deal with them. Not surprisingly then, about 20 years ago, I found myself adrift in life–having lost touch with my health and sense of purpose.
I understand far too well the struggle to honor one’s own uniqueness within a world of self-proclaimed gurus and cookie-cutter solutions. Ever the Resource Queen, I found myself searching far and wide in order to create a way back to myself, while also tending my late husband and long-distance caregiving with my mom.
I remained single until age 41, when I married Alex (he’s the “ASK” of ASK ME House, as his full name was Alexander Stanley Kruzel). Then, widowed at age 55. [btw--did you know that's the average age that women become widows here in the US?] No “birth” children, but lovely sets of “bonus” children (both “step” and “god”) and grandchildren.
My husband, Alex and I shared a love for singing and acting. [Here is a photo from our work together in The Crucible.] ForAlex, theatre was a great social outlet. By nature, I tend to be someone who likes to “dig a little deeper” into life. So, I’ve had a lot of musical training (both piano and vocal) and even immersed myself within a method acting workshop for nearly a decade. I haven’t done live theatre lately. Still, I usually find a way to integrate some aspect of expressive arts into my work.
My mom would probably tell you that I “like to live life on the edge.” [At least, that's what she told me once!] She also says that I am “supposed to be a teacher, ’cause I read so much.” And, my oldest brother once marveled at how I somehow “always manage to cultivate roses even (especially?!) when I’m buried in a manure pile.” [By the way, I was the youngest child--and only girl with three older brothers--which probably already explains a lot right there.]
During college (1968-73), I had intuitively gravitated toward early expressions of wellness and holistic philosophies of care. However, during the first 20 years of my professional career, I found myself increasingly bewildered and frustrated as I tried to find my voice within the jungle of disease-focused allopathic health care traditions. By my early 40′s, the mismanaged stress within both my personal and professional lives collided, culminating in a fairly major health “meltdown” in 1993-94. [In this photo, I’m in costume for a role as an 80-something woman. Although my chronological age was actually 40, I believe my overall health status (inner age) at that time more closely resembled the character I played.
I know what it took to learn what I’ve learned during the past 20 years. And, while we each have our own unique needs and ways of doing things, there’s absolutely no need for you to struggle to find the way that fits best for you. Nor do you need to stumble through a parth of trial and error without support or guidance.
So, here is what I can offer to you:
As I invite you to sense fresh thoughts and feelings, I will cherish your vision, honor your choices and witness your unique journey as you create your own richly meaningful life.