Stresswell

An Exercise In Choosing What I DO Want

Make a decision of what you want, give your attention there, find the feeling place of it — and you’re there instantly. There is no reason for you to suffer or struggle your way to or through anything.—Abraham [Excerpted from the workshop: Kansas City, MO on August 29, 1999]

When I initially woke up this morning, I noticed that my attention was centered on something I had already decided to not do today. I still felt good about the decision I had made. And yet, I was also aware of something inside keeping my attention on that thing. As if I somehow needed to justify the “not doing”.

While finishing my coffee, I recalled the above quote that had graced my early morning email.

I gently invited my attention to the activity I had chosen to undertake today, inviting a fresh sense of the “feeling place of it.”

I noticed first an inner sense of ease and gratitude. Followed by some unexpected openings along a path that also allowed the creation of this brief post.

Have YOU made a decision today (no matter how small it might be) about something you want? I’d love to hear about it – either in the comments (below) or in a private message.

by mary elaine kiener Leave a Comment

Now Is The Time

Now is the time–
A promise needs to be kept.
A decision needs to be made.

An earlier dream morphed into current disappointments,
with new opportunity “gifts” that need to be weighed–
and there’s a heaviness on my heart.

May I be filled with Loving Kindness
May I be peaceful and at ease.
May I be whole.

A list of pros and cons is still…..merely a list…..
My presence matters,
amidst infinite choices of how and where to be present.

Yet, how do I choose–what’s to keep for myself,
and what’s to give away?
Is there a way to let my own light shine,
and allow another’s light to shine as well?

May you be filled with Loving Kindness
May you be peaceful and at ease.
May you be whole.

My CHOICE matters…..
It is for me to believe (and do) what I must.
How will I know?

Asking within —
where all is held;
sensing when heart space responds
to a simple “yes” and simple “no”.

Decision now clear, it’s time to follow through.
And welcome spirit’s unexpected gift.

May we be filled with Loving Kindness
May we be peaceful and at ease.
May we be whole.

by mary elaine kiener Leave a Comment

Being “Live” AND “Memorex”–At the Same Time

Back “in the day” of cassette tapes, there was a famous series of commercials with the tag line of “Is it live OR is it Memorex™”? [The point of the commercial was to laud the high quality of Memorex™ recordings that were “barely” indistinguishable from the live event.]

Decades later, technology allows us to accomplish all sorts of “as good as being there LIVE” opportunities–especially for learning and growing. Human-made boundaries of time and space grow increasingly blurred–and I’m lovin’ every minute of the adventure.

Fast forward to Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 12 noon (Eastern time). At that time [thanks to the graciousness of my colleague Elizabeth Scala over at Living Sublime Wellness] I am offering a presentation that’s both “live” AND “Memorex™-ed” – and y’all are invited to join along with us.

[NOTE: My presentation, entitled, Focused Self-Care: Resilience for Life at the Edge is one of TWELVE different (and awesome!) presentations included in Elizabeth’s Rejuvenation Collaboration that starts on Tuesday, June 5 and runs through Thursday, June 14. You can register to listen “live” to all the presentations–for free, plus there is an upgrade option if you want access to the recordings and other goodies.]

Rewind to a couple of months ago => I was so excited to receive Elizabeth’s invitation. Yet, when I looked at the dates for the series, I realized that they coincided precisely with my upcoming trip to Argentina where I’ll be doing a presentation at the 24th International Focusing Conference.

I know technology can work wonders and allow communications from around the world–but I wasn’t willing to risk a technical glitch if there was a feasible alternative. And, I didn’t want to simply “pre-record” a dry, didactic presentation, if there was some way to include an interactive component.

Here’s how we solved the dilemma:

Last week, we pre-recorded the presentation–with Elizabeth as a “live” participant. It’s in a webinar format – complete with web-camshots of each of us, along with powerpoint slides and handouts.
On Thursday, June 14 (at 12 noon!) – while registrants are watching the pre-recorded webinar–I will be sitting at the Detroit airport (having just arrived back in the US that morning), interacting LIVE on the special Rejuvenation Collaboration Facebook page.
Plus, after June 14, (for those who have purchased the Rejuvenation Collaboration Series Upgrade Package) there will be continued opportunities for discussion and feedback about participants’ “live” experiences of the “Memorex™-ed” version of the presentation.

Is that fun, or what? I’m so looking forward to this!

I hope to “see” you there, too! Whenever!

Oh, by the way – why not REGISTER NOW!

by mary elaine kiener 2 Comments

When We Listen…

What happens when we listen to another?

What becomes possible when someone listens to us?

When we listen, we offer with our attention an opportunity for wholeness.

Our listening creates a sanctuary for the homeless parts within the other person.

That which has been denied, unloved, devalued by themselves and by others.

That which is hidden.

In this culture, the soul and the heart too often go homeless.

Listening creates a holy silence.

When you listen generously to people they can hear the truth in themselves, often for the first time.

And in the silence of listening, you can know yourself in everyone.

Eventually, you may be able to hear, in everyone and beyond everyone, the unseen singing softly to itself and to you.

Rachel Naomi Remen

Could YOU use a good listening to?

Twice each month, I host a Virtual Changes gathering (by phone), that offers simply this – an opportunity to both listen and be listened to. There’s never a fee.

You can get more information and a list of scheduled gatherings here.

I look forward to having you join us AND to listening!

by mary elaine kiener Leave a Comment

Louie Schwartzberg: Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.

I happened to see a stunningly beautiful short video this evening while taking a break from the day’s tasks.

Wanting to share it with a friend, I searched online and found the video included as part of a TEDx talk from last year. It was so lovely to learn a bit more about Louie Schwartzberg, the film’s creator that it made sense to share both his introduction and the video itself [the entire clip is just under 10 minutes long].

Louie Schwartzberg is an award-winning cinematographer, director and producer who captures breathtaking images that celebrate life — revealing connections, universal rhythms, patterns and beauty.

by mary elaine kiener 2 Comments

Safe Home, Tom

Saying good-bye to Tom Pigott was NOT on my agenda for today.*

Then again, I’ll readily admit that hearing news that someone I care about has died is not something I would easily put on my “to-do” list for ANY day of the week.

For as Mary Oliver writes in her poem, The Summer Day:

Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?

I met Tom in June, 2010 while I was on a tour of Ireland that was directed by Tom’s company, and hosted by my friend (and colleague/mentor) Brian Luke Seaward. It was indeed an enchanted (and enchanting) trip for me – and for a lot of reasons.

And, meeting Tom–this bigger-than-life, huge-hearted teddy-bear of a guy with a lovely voice to boot–was an unexpected bonus. Our paths had crossed at a time–and in a way–that magically captured a piece of my heart. In this You-Tube clip, you can get a taste of Tom–the tour guide, story-teller and singer.

Tom sure seemed to have figured out what to do with his “one wild and precious life.” He had a profound love for his native Ireland, an unbounded pride in being Irish and a special gift for sharing Ireland’s music, language and stories.

And, perhaps even more importantly, he was able to reach the end of his life in the same way he lived it. I’m told that he died of a heart attack while participating in an Irish Music cruise in the Caribbean. A Facebook update reported that:

He was feeling good and laughing with all of us just minutes before he passed. We were listening to an Irish session which was what he loved and enjoyed.

Earlier this evening, a number of us who had participated in the Summer Soul-stice Riff Raff Tour of 2010 gathered virtually under our respective view of the moon–each in our own way to offer Tom our wishes for safe passage, love, and peace on this new phase of his journey.

For many of us, those moments included a song that had bound us together throughout the trip and afterwards, entitled Safe Home by Johnsmith.

The lyrics seem especially appropriate for the occasion, especially the chorus:

Safe Home, Safe Home, Safe Home will you go

May the light of the moon smile down on your road

Safe Home, Safe Home, Safe Home will you go

Until I next see you, safe home will you go

Rest in peace, my friend!

* First published 5 February, 2012.