Committed to helping you create a life of miraculous self-compassion and divine creativity, enabling you to connect your unique gifts with the world's great need.

Greetings Freedom Lovers,

We all practice living our values. We practice democracy. We practice yoga. We practice loving kindness toward ourselves and others. The interesting part is that somewhere along the way the idea was introduced that "practice makes perfect."

Well, I'm here to tell you, that's hogwash. Bull hockey. The cart before the horse. Practice is learning in motion. We don't get done with learning or get perfect at it. We hopefully become more curious, more compassionate, more open and that's why we practice.

Thus, our focus can be not on the dangling carrot of "when I master a handstand, then I will be a good yogini" and rather on "What is unfolding in this moment?" We can participate in the amazing creation happening all around us and through us as we release, again and again, our idea that a certain something will make us better or get us "there." There is no there -- but there sure is a lovely here. Let us ride the ripples what we practice to create freedom on all levels.

Hugs,

P.S. If you know a woman who is struggling to declare her interdependence, why not get her a copy of The Woman's Retreat Book? Sometimes a nudge from a sisterfriend is all it takes.

Self-Care Minder
"Independence" from ARGH = Interdependent Creativity

I am learning to channel my intense creative energy and how to ride the wave of ideas and possibilities that arise in me some days (see my recent blog entry for an example!). I am a big fan of turning to the body for aid because the mind mostly makes things more difficult. For example, I'm working on letting my energy flow through movement even as I write or coach -- a lot of dancing hands and twisting torso results.

I'm also asking for help from experienced creators -- visual artists -- mentors if you will. I met with my daughter's former art teacher last week and it was such a warm blanket of acceptance and encouragement and simple help like using an old phone book as your "gluing book" so you can keep turning pages and avoiding a sticky work surface. Mentors can dissolve stuck places by helping us see answers that have been dancing just out of sight.

How do you find a mentor? Be bold enough and humble enough to identify someone you truly admire and to imagine that he or she would want to help. There are formal mentoring programs out there, some through Chambers of Commerce or economic development organizations. Most arise by introducing yourself and stating clearly, "What you do/say resonates strongly with me because (be specific why you admire what they do). I am in the process of developing my ________ skills and I think you would be a fantastic source because _____. I'd adore your help with ______." Make sure that you make it convenient for them and be clear that mentoring can be a one time conversation!

If someone does mentor you, then for goodness sakes: LISTEN with an open mind. Take notes. And say thank you -- preferably through a hand written note. We are each others best teachers and you don't need a guru, only a clear, caring-hearted person. And do not underestimate how much good it can do whomever chooses to mentors--you are helping them express their gifts and to give back.

Comfort Wishes
Sea foam hearts
form on the wave crests
and invite you to be carried
to illumination.
You go and then
out of sight from shore
you forget
you are already the ocean and the heart
so
you plunge into nothingness.
Lost in darkness, head over heels,
plunging.
Thankfully, you remember, just as you hit bottom
there there is no bottom,
there is only heart.

Comfort Reads
Buddhist Tantra: Teachings and Practices for Touching Enlightenment With the Body by Reginald A. Ray
Love these teachings! I first learned of Ray through a transforming seminar I took in Boulder a few summers ago. He is a truly wonderful teacher.

The Energy of Prayer: How to Deepen Your Spiritual Practice by Thich Nhat Hanh
A gem of a book on prayer, especially vital for those of us who don't get it or don't believe in a God.

Invoking Mary Magdalene: Accessing the Wisdom of the Divine Feminine (Hardcover) by Siobhan Houston
Why not get the best in mentors?

The Red Book by Sera J. Beak
Bright, smart, wise, and aimed at younger women (makes a great graduation from high school or college gift) Sera's book makes me smile. Sure to be a classic!

Two spots have opened up in the Writer's Spa due to a family emergency. Is this the year for you? Act fast -- this week will be the mentoring experience of a life time!

Details here...

The Healing Power of Marketing
Marketing is a painful experience when all you want to do is just bring something beautiful to the world. It's just miserable that marketing is so gross, slimy, manipulative, and hurtful.

Or is it?

Read this article by Mark Silver, The Healing Power of Marketing.

Here's what Jen (the Comfort Queen herself) had to say about Mark's book, Unveiling the Heart of Your Business:

"Your book is blowing me away. This morning, while house-sitting at my friend's house and trying to write my next book, I had this huge realization, and a huge part of it was because of the Receiving Clear Guidance chapter and Creation, Abundance and Neediness chapter.

So I love this and I want to share these exercises, in my own writing and attributed to you, in the new book. What do you think?"

Get a free three-chapter excerpt right here.

Goodies
Check out Cathy Woo. This artist's Connect the Dots series is inspiring my current painting.

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