Living Our Dreams

Hard Days Night

Hard Days Night at Steve's Guitars

While I was back east visiting my wonderful and amazing mom last week, we had more unexpected loss in our community. It has been a very rough Spring here and with a tiny Valley like ours, it is about 2 degrees of separation. Loss and grief touches us all, as the threads are short between all of us.

Out of the 5 deaths, we have seen these last few months, I had a connection in some way to 4 of them.  It is hard not to imagine the pain the families are feeling and my heart goes out to all those who are in the waves of grief.

And to the man who has taught me how to lean into my fear....Happy Birthday Hon! Here's to another 45 together.

Remember each day, live it like it is your last and do one thing today that scares you.

Economic Downturn-Self-fulfilling Prophecy or Reality

From the May Newsletter:

I received a much needed dose of hope and positive thinking today while reading an article entitled, "The Real "new" Economy" by Jurriaan Kamp, Editor-in-Chief of ODE Magazine.

Jurriaan, was a Chief Economics Editor at a leading newspaper in the Netherlands, so my sense is, he more then credible to ask this very interesting question, " Can we stop an upcoming recession by dropping our fears?"  I felt as if Jurriaan had reached out of the ODE pages, to speak directly to me!

As I plan the release of my book and what is next for my business and coaching practice, I have been mindful-perhaps too much-of the ever present conversation about the possibility of a recession. What is
curious about this to me, is that I don't watch the news or television, I don't have cable, and I am conscious about how much I read in the newspaper. Yet interestingly even without a daily diet of media spin and negative input, I like many, find myself fearful of what might lie ahead financially and where
our country is headed.

"When I read Jurriaan's question, it forced me to take a breathe and ask myself, my own questions,"What do I know to be true in my life in this exact moment about my finances and my business?"  "What if the
barrage of constant fear IS what creates the recession?" "How exactly did our country get to this point?"

Immediately following the tragic events of 9-11, our country barely had time to shed a tear or work through our feelings, before we were told to go shopping. We were to fly our flag, be patriotic, spend our money and help the economy grow.  Zero percent financing, no interest loans, and offers of
brand new houses and cars were to be the salve that healed our wounds. The magicians pulled down
the veil, inviting us into a deep slumber.

And now we find ourselves in this moment, with talk of a long deep recession and wondering how this could have happened. We point the finger and look for blame. "It was the banks, the credit card companies, etc."

Over spending is an addiction and as such, we spent our money thinking it would numb the pain, remove the confusion, hide the fear and release the anger. As a person who has faced addiction myself,  I know there comes a moment when every addict has to ask themselves if they are willing to stop pointing the finger and look inward.This is where the truth lies. It is the moment we awaken from our slumber.

It begins with a simple question. "How did I get here and what needs to happen next?" In my mind that is the first step toward change and consciousness. Until we have asked and answered this question honestly, transformation and personal growth are impossible.

When I take in Jurriaan's question from this place, I see two things. The first is to be mindful that I am a part of the process and to know that my actions and decisions will always have an impact on me...as well as those around me. The second is that if I continue to live in fear of the economy collapsing, I am indeed becoming part of the problem.

As I allow this to stir in my psyche, I come to a place of understanding about my fear around finances
and the future.

What is called for is compassion, for others and myself.

What is called for is mindfulness to spending and excess.

What is called for is intention.

In my mind, it comes back to that familiar word we use a lot here at Feisty Females....balance.

PS: Thank you for all the positive and thoughtful comments that arrived in my e-box in reference to this article. My friend Linda called me after seeing this photo of the tree bridge. She is a native Coloradan and told me that recently she asked her father about these trees after a trip to Utah. He told her this amazing story. Apparently, as the Native American tribes traveled through the territories, they would bend cottonwood tree saplings to find their way back to camp. Overtime, the trees have naturally grown in this beautiful arch shape and he believes it is an marker that indicates where they have traveled. When she told me, I got shivers in my spine as this Valley is home to the Ute tribe. A bridge with a doorway into the mystery...those who have traveled before me.

Calling all Locals: Late Breaking News!

Andy Putnam and Big Jack Johnson Clarksdale, MS ©2002

My very Feisty husband Andy Putnam will be playing at Steve's Guitars, Friday, May 2 at 8:30 PM.

Andy is a blues man extraordinaire. He will be playing original and cover music on his brass National Guitar, show in the photo above with Big Jack Johnson. The sound of that guitarwill make you want to tap your purple boots. Joining him will be bass guitarist John Strecher.

If you would like to hear a little preview of Andy's music, click here and listen to Purple Boot Boogie, which Andy wrote and played for my podcast series. Turn up your volume...It will make you wanna get out of your seat and BOOGIE!  Download Purpleboot.m4a 

Steve's is located at 19 N 4th Carbondale 963-3304.  It's also first Friday's, so it should be a rocking good night in Bonedale! Hope to see you all there.

Life Happens Over Coffee

Words, words, words. This is where I was all last week. My feisty guy came home yesterday and found me on the living room floor with scissors, computer and THE WORDS. He snapped this photo of me in mid-edit. I'm proud to say I am still in balance. I walk everyday, sometimes twice a day to keep my head clear and my body happy.

I think I am drinking a little too much coffee, but I still have to have some vices! I forgot about this photo. I took it in the Cincinnati airport while waiting for my flight back to CO. I noticed the sign and loved the quote, "Life happens over coffee, enjoy a YUMMY honey!" Hmmm..... I didn't realize the expression on the woman's face until I saw the image in my photo editing program. The line was VERY long, I was feeling much the same way that morning, because it was a mad and I mean MAD dash to the airport, nearly missing the plane, as the cab company forgot to pick me up!

My friend Toni and I went down to visit the a labyrinth that we created a couple of years ago. Toni was the architect of this Feisty project. It was actually created on city land Guerrilla Girl style. Shortly afterward we confessed to the town. I am happy to report we were not arrested and the labyrinth still stands. It was lovely to see the grass growing up through the rocks we placed and notice the paths worn down. It is somewhat hidden in the park, so you have to stumble upon it. It's beautiful to see her dream come true.

Back to clients this week, with words scattered in-between....

 

Passages

©2008 Passages: www.sherigaynor.com

I have been thinking this morning of passages. I am re-reading  Hero with a Thousand Faces, by Joseph Campbell. In the first chapter, Myth and Dream he discusses the lost art of rites of passage and how important ritual can be in supporting our lives. 

"When we turn now, with this image in mind to consider the numerous strange rituals that have been reported from the primitive tribes and great civilizations of the past, it becomes apparent that the purpose and actual effect of these was to conduct people across those difficult thresholds of transformation that demand a change in patterns not only conscious but also of unconscious life." ~Joseph Campbell

As I complete the book and get ready to deliver the manuscript May 28, I realize I am crossing a threshold of my own. My current rite of passage is the long held dream of "someday" writing a book. Well...someday has now arrived and I recognize the seed that was planted so many years ago. As I look back over the years, I see the path that was laid oh so long ago.

I smile....
my heart swells...
I am filled with joy!

When I work with clients I am very conscious of their rites of passages. I invite them to create a vision for them, to celebrate them and even grieve them when the need arises.

Challenge: Create a piece in your journal dedicated to a recent rite of passage. Post a link of the image and comment sharing what this has meant for your life vision.