Left to Tell

Yesterday I borrowed the book, "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza about discovering God amidst the Rwandan Holocaust. I had seen the movie, Hotel Rwanda, sometime ago and was intrigued to read more about Immaculee's experiences of surviving the genocide by being hidden in a tiny bathroom with 7 other people for 3 months while her fellow Tutsis (over 1 million)were being brutally massacred - including her parents, 2 brothers and other friends. She turns to prayer (she was raised a devout Catholic)during her ordeal and discovers that forgiving the murderers is her way to salvation and healing. After her rescue by French troops she is given an opportunity to meet the man who was personally responsible for the murder of her family members and she is humbly able to forgive him - even though he and other neighbors had been hunting her down personally and calling her name while she was hiding in sheer terror in the bathroom. She describes how evil seized the hearts and bodies of her former friends and neighbors and led them to commit these atrocities. Her strength, faith and compassion are amazing - she feels she was "left to tell" so that she could model for others how to heal through love and forgiveness. The foreword of the book is written by Wayne Dyer who after one meeting with Immaculee became determined to assist her is getting her inspiring story published. There is also a DVD available, "The Dairy of Immaculee" which I shall have to investigate and see if it's available for borrowing. After all Unity Village does have the largest selection of inspirational and metaphysical materials in the world....

I went on a tour of Unity Village yesterday and watched a video documenting some of the early history of Unity Church founders Charles and Myrtle Fillimore. I am looking forward to the Unity service on Sunday and the opportuniy to hear some lectures in the chapel. Everyone here seems very friendly and happy - the energy is great! Even though I'm talking to anyone; I'm still listening...

I'm not in Kansas anymore

Late yesterday afternoon I arrived in Unity Village, outside of Lee's Summit, Missouri - about 15 miles southeast of Kansas City. I have my own little cottage and access to the villages' inground pool, library, nature trails, 2 lakes, chapels, bookstore, laundromat, and labyrinth. Every day there is a Silent Unity prayer service at 11 am and of course a Sunday service at 10:30. For the next 5 days I plan to remain silent as much possible, meditating, knitting, reading and walking the trails. This is a much needed respite from visiting and interviewing people. Time for integration and rest. While I have loved being with everyone my introverted self is feeling a wee bit overwhelmed and needs time to regroup/recharge.
I may even spend most of day in bed....

I have not taken much of an opportunity to take pictures while on my travels and I must certainly motivate myself to do that now as the village is quite striking in its mediterrain architecture, rose gardens, chapels, labyrinth and groves. I haven't yet gone to visit the two lakes because blessedly last night and today have been raining - much needed in this area (I'm hoping that Kansas and Texas got the rain, too!) So here I sit in the bookstore cafe (they serve Starbucks coffee!)enjoying a music CD by Karen Drucker and the visuals of all the books and gifts in front of me -
one of my favorite places in the world.

The Heartland of America

A few words about my experience in Kansas: it's the first state I have traveled in that allows you to pump your own gas (without the use of a credit card) and pay later inside. This seems to typify the friendly, trusting, (no bars on windows or doors of retail stores here)and welcoming attitude I observed throughout the past few days. Folks are loyal supporters of all things local - including community theater productions, mom and pop owned restaurants/stores, and the local state university football team. A refreshing attitude of a much earlier time, Kansas has preserved some of the best values of small town America. In fact there were times I felt like I was in Thornton Wilder's play, "Our Town" during my visit. Family centered and community oriented Pittsburg will hold a positive memory for me for quite awhile.

As if By Magic

On my last day in Pittsburg, KS, I interviewed Andy and Pat Mason of “As If By Magic” at their office suite which also includes a massage therapist, reflexologist and reiki practitioner. Andy chose the name for his business based upon his childhood delight in a television program called, Mr. Benn(sp?), (a TV program in the UK) who frequently disappeared from view to put on a different costume and “as if by magic” became a new character. In his experience using EFT (www.emofree.com; www.as-if-by-magic.com) with clients has shifted chronic negative behavior patterns (addictions, phobias, depression, low self esteem, etc) through the use of this tapping technique in a magical way – resulting in deep and long lasting changes. Also an experienced NLP practitioner and strategic attraction coach Andy has been providing services to clients individually and in groups for the past 6 years. He has recently developed a new program “Unzipping your Fat Suit” designed to uncover, release and transform the emotional issues blocking one’s ability to shed weight and reclaim a healthy body. This is based upon his personal growth and training – he has recently released over 103#’s (since 11/1/07) and has worked steadily on the emotional issues that have resulted in the excess weight and prevented him from being at his perfect weight in the past. He is a firm believer in making lifestyle changes – not dieting (diets don’t work) and has incorporated daily exercise with the use of Isagenix products to assist in his total transformation. Andy is truly a shining lighthouse of inspiration – especially in the area of emotional recovery and spiritual growth!

Pat, his wife, is an elementary language arts teacher in Parsons, KS, and a passionate feng shui consultant. Raised in a fairly traditional, conservative and religious background the philosophy of feng shui has led Pat to reclaim her natural abilities as an energy worker and share these talents with others. Interestingly enough some of her relatives have had known abilities as “water witches” (dowsing) which is a very acceptable method for farmers to locate the best locations for drilling wells on their land.

Yesterday morning I had a reflexology session with one of their partners, Becky Smith, who is also a gifted healer. This treatment confirmed my commitment to receive bodywork sessions at least every 2 weeks to help my body, mind, and spirit integrate the traveling and interviewing process. Speaking of which I am on way today to Unity Village, world headquarters of Unity Church, for 5 days of personal retreat. Unity is 15 miles south of Kansas City so I may also take the opportunity to checkout this Midwestern city.

Life on the Farm

Every Sunday, (except when they are traveling) Andy and Pat visit her parents on the farm in Parsons, KS(population 12,000) for dinner and a afternoon of playing cards and conversation. Tom and Fern have worked this farm of 80 acres for over 65 years – at one time growing alfalfa hay – and other crops I can’t remember. Once, too they had milking cows, pigs, chickens and a large vegetable garden. Now the garden is still there, tending lovingly by Tom but the fields have been put to pasture and there are still cows but only 35 of them and they are beef cows not dairy ones. Pat gave me a tour of the barns, wells, ponds (man made for drinking water for the cows), the root cellar, electrical fence and old milking stalls. Her brother, Roy, also lives on a farm and his is 160 acres. Over the years both Roy and Tom have had “off the land” odd jobs – sometimes full time; sometimes part time – depending upon the growing season and the prices received at market. Fern is a master quilter; at 82 she has recently quit making bed size quilts and has resigned herself to baby quilts and wall quilts. She is also a wonderful cook, making fresh yeast rolls and full course dinners for any of the family members who drop by on Sunday afternoons. This past Sunday it was a full pot roast dinner with cloverleaf rolls, jello salad, homemade pickles, fried okra, green beans and bacon and of course, several desserts. Tom has been having some challenges with mobility for the past few years, and now relies on a cane to steady himself and make his way to the garden. But traditions die hard and I imagine Tom and Fern will be still hosting Sunday dinners and card games for longer than they are able…..

Oklahoma!

I arrived in Antlers, OK, on Weds pm after crossing the Red River. I soon learned that most of Oklahoma is still owned by the Indians as evidenced by the names of many road and towns - Checotaw, Choctaw, Seminole, Chapula, etc. - as well as the plethora of ads for Casinos and smoke shops. It's a sad reflection that this is the legacy of Native Americans rather than the richness of their spiritual heritage. OK is characterized more by farmlands than ranches - although I did see my first oil rig and well outside Tulsa.

On Thursday pm I arrived at the destination of my next interviewee, Andy Mason, who lives in Pittsburg, Kansas. Pittsburg is home to the Pittsburg State University "Gorillas" - a fact made evident by the local signage and home town pride. With a population of about 19,000 it also has a Starbucks and a Curves - 2 of my favorite hotspots on the road.

Andy is a member of Toastmasters, Intl., Rotary, and the Chamber of Commerce - in addition he serves on many of their committees organizing community events. He is also an Emotional Freedom Coach (EFT - for further info check out Andy's website: www.as-if-by-magic.com and www.emofree.com), Master NLP (neurolinguistic practitioner)and Strategic Attraction coach. Andy's business, "As If By Magic" is located in downtown Pittsburg in an office suite that also offers reflexology, reiki, massage and feng shui. His wife, Pat, is an elementary school teacher in Parsons, KS, but her real passion is feng shui. A native of Parsons she grew up on a farm with her 2 brothers; her father, 85, still raises cows and hay and shares some of the responsibilities with her brother, Roy.

OTR, cont'd

I just published that brief blurb of a post to make sure the publish feature was working correctly before rewriting the entire post and losing it again!

So - back to my interview with Wendy Gail Young(www.posperitypostures.com)She recently sold her business, "Ergo pro" (from her career as as ergonomist expert)and is now spending more of her time developing her manifestation technique and her Ho'oponopono, "iloveu" line of art prints, clothing and gifts. For more information on Ho'oponpono see Joe Vitale's book, "Zero Limits". Wendy believes that her life is guided by divine inspiration and she lives her life as an example of what can happen when you are "tuned into" your intuition.

"Miss Daisy" (the name for my GPS system) routed me away from the 8 line highway Rt 45 to Dallas onto 2 lane country highways thru eastern Texas on my way to Oklahoma. I saw many cattle and horse ranches, stockyards and signs for "whole hawg days" (I guess they mean pig roasts!). It was also a day for road signs - some of my favorites were "Don't mess with Texas"; "Keep East Texas purdy"; "Don't drive into smoke'(later learned that this was a warning not to drive during the frequent burning off of fields); "Keep our land grand" (OK slogan. I was tempted to stop at a road side stockyard cafe; however, I chickened out at the last minute - concerned that I might stick out as the only female yankee in the crowd....

On the road again, cont'd

Well, I wrote a lengthy blog about Wendy, travels through Eastern TX, Oklahoma and arrival in Kansas and somehow lost it all when it got published - armed with another starbucks iced coffee - here I go again....

On the road again

I left Houston on Wednesday, 7/23, after spending the previous afternoon interviewing Wendy Gail Young of http://www.prosperitypostures.com/ Wendy has had an interesting ride as a computer programmer, teacher, ergonomics expert and strategic attraction coach

Mamma Mia

Well, I didn't imagine I would be writing an entry regarding a movie but - seeing "Mamma Mia" last night, starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth inspired me. It's a dream movie set - filmed in Greece on an island. Lots of singing, dancing and mythic themes of love, finding one's true purpose and living one's truth were present. I cried, laughed, clapped and sang -a long time since a movie has created that many feelings all at once... The only dissonant note in the movie is the miscasting, (in my humble opinion), of Pierce Brosnan as the male singing lead - rather incongruous and even though he's certainly easy on the eyes I would have chosen someone different - maybe Antonio Banderas or Andy Garcias - I know Antonio can sing because I saw him in Evita! The movie had happy endings to bout - a real chic escapist entertainment film. And of course Meryl Streep is my idol - I would go and see anything that she's in - I remember seeing her in "Dancing at Lughnasa" a depressing, morose film set in Ireland but she was, as usual, suberb...

The day started with interviewing the stunning Jennifer Brugh (www.jenniferbrugh.com), a self proclaimed idea architect who at 38 has patents approved and pending for her creative retail inventions (an after shower robe called "wrapsher", and a men's wallet named "bing, bing"). Jennifer believes in following whatever her passions and interests are on a daily basis and she has many: technoaerobics, ballet, squash, tennis, creative design, consulting, and her newest service line - "Brand Experience". She developed a prototype for "Brand Experience" while vacationing for 3 weeks at a resort. While relaxing and enjoying the resort she started envisioning how her experience could be even more perfect than it was and she went to work creating a 25 page report on everything from her initial greeting, the accomodations, food, checkout, facility, etc. to present to the manager at the end of her stay. This soon launched requests from other companies to experience their services (at all expenses paid, of course!) to have Jennifer provide acute detail oriented appraisals on how to improve a customer's experience. That sounds like a dream job to me! I wonder if she needs an assistant to travel to the Greek Isles, perhaps staying at the villa that Meryl Streep managed in the movie, "Mamma Mia"?

"Don't Give up before the Miracle Happens"

Patty mentioned casually when I first arrived in town that "the" Lakewood Church was located in Houston. That didn't ring any bells; however, when she mentioned that Joel and Victoria Osteen were the pastors - I immediately knew who they were and that I had to have that experience while I was in town. The Osteens bought a former sports arena which holds up to 30,000 people in downtown to hold their church services. When we went this past Sunday I was amazed at how easily traffic flowed to/from the building and later learned that they lease out 3 - 4 parking garages for their services to accomodate the congregation. The facility is spectacular, air conditioning great, and everything was technically flawless - sound, lighting, video, live orchestra, etc. The service begins with 35-45 mins of singing - all out uplifting, energizing, foot stomping music - helping to raise the vibration of the thousands in attendance. The quality of the sound system and the vocalists was simply amazing.

Both Joel and Victoria "preached"; beginning with a verse from the bible and then began "channeling" their message. Although some of the words were not congruent with my personal belief system I did resonant with how positive and encouraging their talks were. Joel, especially, focused on the familiar message of the "dark night of the soul" and how not to give up before the miracle happens. He expressed that when the intensity of the struggle in our lives becomes really intense this is a sign that we are near to giving birth to a new way of life and clearing the space for rebirth. He used the analogy of a woman going thru labor and how difficult the final stages are to birth the baby. This is often true in alot of areas of our life - he extorted us to become "prisoners of hope" rather than discouragement and defeat. It was easy to be impressed with his charisma and sense of genuineness.

The facility also holds many rooms for the plethora of programs Lakewood offers as well as a cafe and bookstore - many were lined up after the service to purchase a personally autographed book by his sister, April Osteen, and his mother, Dodie Osteen. The church was founded by his father, John Osteen, and Joel's vision is as grand and big as the city of Houston itself.

Houstonians

Well, I've been in Houston since Wednesday evening - this is a city of BIG fun and BIG doings. On Thursday I interviewed Marla Regan, of "Organized Time" and "Shedding News". Marla has lived in Houston for 10 years, hailing originally from Lake Charles, Lousiana. Her passion is speaking, coaching and teaching - on her favorite subjects: time management, organization, and efficiency. She currently offers teleclasses, workshops and her monthly newsletter, "Shedding News".

Yesterday I spent an enlightening afternoon with Alan Davidson, author of "Body Briallance", interviewer extraorinaire, owner of Essential Touch (www.throughyourbody.com) and future climber of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Alan has devoted much of the last 20 years of his life to further his own and other's conscousness - with the intent of healing the planet: individually and collectively. Articulate, learned and gracious Alan chronicles his path, mentors he has learned from along the way and the services he's offering the world as a result. One of his favorite passions is to explore healing from the perspective of the 5 IQ's: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Moral and Spiritual; his first book in a triology, "Body Brilliance" addresses the physical realm. He is currently working on his 2nd book, tentatively titled, "Brilliant Heart, Genius Mind". He also took me to one of his favorite restaurant spots in the Montrose area of Houston, "Baba Yega". This came after a delightfully nurturing and healing bodywork session at his studio, "Essential Touch".

My host in Houston is Patty Walters, inspiration and master strategic attraction coach who has owned her own business since 2004. Patty offers corporate and individual coaching focusing on leveraging the power of positive relationships to bring us more of what we want and less of what we don't want. Some of her programs include, "I - shift now"; "Life is better with a B.O.A. (bold, outrageous and authentic)and "Your Relationship Rx". A vivacious firecracker Patty's presence creates change, magic and transformation. An experienced actress and singer she incorporates her "Improv" process into her coaching practice making it fun, spontaneous and playful. She has been showing me the "town" including dancing, texas barbecue, mexican food and a memorable visit to the Lakewood church. That deserves it's own entry so more to follow....

The Lone Star State

As I was leaving New Orleans yesterday I was struck by the amount of new construction and refurbishing happening in the outlying areas - this probably is in the areas most affected by Katrina. I also noticed that the cemeteries have the crypts above ground - again because of the city being below sea level. Fortified by Cafe du Monde iced coffee and a muffaletta sandwich I headed across Louisiana, through bayou country, into Houston.

I am staying with fellow SACAT and Dreamweaver Coach, Patty Walters in the Garden Oaks neighborhood of Houston. She happened to mention last night that Joel Osteen's church, Lakewood, is nearby and I plan to go this spectular church and service this weekend.

It is again hot and humid - even more so than New Orleans; I got up at 6 am this morning to beat the heat and take a 3 mile walk with
Patty and several of her friends. This afternoon I am interviewing Marla Regan, author of "Shedding News". She is an expert on time management and organization; maybe she can repack my car!

Tomorrow night is country western dancing and barbecue - the best of Texas!

The Big Easy

I arrived in New Orleans late yesterday afternoon. Luckily I stopped at the Louisiana Visitor Center on Rte 10 and rec'd a coupon for a hotel in the French Quarter on St. Ann Street called Place D'Armes. It is beautiful, ornately decorated, complete with wrought iron balconies, chairs, tables and overgrown with ferns, azaleas and other unknown flowering shrubs. Since this is off season the rooms are very reasonably priced; however, after spending a short time walking the streets of the French Quarter I know why.... It is very hot and HUMID - my clothes were soaked with sweat within short order and I fear I failed as a tourist. I did make the eating hot spots - Cafe Du Monde for iced coffee and hot beignets(delicious)and a local 24 hour deli for a po boy shrimp sandwich and fruited bread pudding w/rum sauce for dessert. After walking thru Jackson Square, along the Mississippi and for a ways on Royal Street I called it a night and beat it back to my lovely and cool hotel room. I, unfortunately, noticed I was immune to some of the city's charms due to the heat and my discomfort with it.... The city definitely deserves another visit perhaps during their "winter" - but not Mardi Gras! Way too crowded and boisterous for the likes of me.

This morning I got up early enough to see the streets being cleaned (I wonder if they do that every day?)and sit on the balcony with my coffee (they don't look strong enough to withstand my weight but I did it anyway).

I thought of my grandmother Reiki Master Linda Keiser Mardis who when I was traveling to Paris for the first time shared a 10 page treatis with me on "eating in Paris". I'm sure one could do the same in New Orleans. However I must forgo any more eating pleasures - oh well, maybe a muffaletta sandwich for the road, and that iced coffee at Cafe Du Monde was really good but oh my how can one go there without ordering beignets? Maybe I could bring some to my friends in Houston - do you think there would be any left after 6 hours of driving?

And I must at least drive the famous Bourbon Street before heading further west. Well, maybe I need a little fortitude for that....

Sweet Home Alabama

Over this past week I had the good fortune to visit my brother, Stephen and sister-in-law, Liz at their lake house in Arley, Alabama. Coincidentally it's on Smith Lake... The water is a crystal clear emerald green, natural rock formations mark its shoreline and the water off their boat launch is 85 feet deep. Perfect for diving, floating, and driving the jetskiis. Speaking of jetskiis I made my maiden voyage - while my older bro was dancing around at 65 mph I managed a cautious 25mph -although I did succeed at not flipping it over and getting dumped! Although warm and humid during the day; the evenings were mild, with a breeze and the 3/4 moon cast its shadow over the lake. Stephen commented that the best time is in the cooler Fall, with the changing leaves and the quiet absence of speed boats and people. A very relaxing and restful weekend, gearing up for the next leg of my journey to New Orleans and Houston.

On my way out of town I stopped for breakfast at the Arley coffee shop. I tried hard not to smile at the southern accents, the y'alls, and drawn out vowels - much the same someone from there would think about my "Bawston" accent. I often wonder how accents get standardized and regionalized, each distinct and unique. By the way the egg and sausage were nothing to write home about - but - the biscuit served with it was a winner!

"Hiking Laurel Falls"

On Wednesday, 7/9th, Carol, Janice, Frankie, and I hiked up Laurel Falls. The twist was that the three of us pushed Frankie (85 years old)in a wheelchair for 2 1/2miles up and down the side of the mountain on one of only paved trails in the Smoky Mtns. Did I also say that it is one of the most popular and crowded trails as well? Seems like alot of tourists want to see a waterfall, don't want to have to hike too far and the Laurel Falls trail fits the bill.... So as we were making way for people to pass us up and down the trail we took turns pushing the wheelchair with Frankie in it - having the time of her life! She confessed later that she didn't think she would ever get to see the Falls again - now that she is no longer able to walk any distance. When the going got steep, Carol said a silent prayer for help and within seconds our first angel, by the name of Glenn, appeared. He had seen our little group as he, his wife and two children had passed us. However, shortly afterwards he reversed directions and came back to us and simply said, "please let me help push her". He took over for a good 20 minutes - when we were all feeling fatigued and a bit overwhelmed by our "adventure"....

Periodically during the climb we saw this middle aged fellow and his wife; he was having a hard time hiking the trail as well. At one point he offered $50 for a ride up in the wheelchair (I don't think he was really kidding either....) and it was obvious that he was laboring to finish the hike and probably could have used some help himself. Towards the end, with about 1/4 mile left, this man (later we found out his name was Ransom - and that he and his wife were from West Virginia)came over to us and said he wanted to take over pushing Frankie and finish the last leg of the trip. So here was someone who could barely walk himself pushing Frankie; he seemed to have a burst of energy when he could be of service to someone else.

It was a miraculous day; made even more so when we descended safely, arrived in Gatlinburg for lunch and sat in the restaurant watching an impressive thunder and lightening storm sweep through the area, including where we had just "hiked".

Townsend,TN

I have been off the internet grid for awhile and have some catching up to do about some my activities over the last week or so. At the beginning of last week (Monday and Tuesday, 7/7 and 7/8) I had the opportunity to interview Janice Sullivan and Carol Murray in Townsend, TN.

Janice has been living in Townsend for the past 10 years and was originally from the Manassus, VA area. She has a varied past filled with a myriad of careers including philosophy, women's studies, pro tennis player and teacher, lawyer, financial planner and more. One of her passions is to help create a Department of Peace at the federal level; she has attended many peace rallies, workshops and events to support the formation of an organization that would be devoted to world peace. In conjunction with this she has also been involved in Marshall Rosenberg's work on "nonviolent communication" and has for many years been a member of "Numina", http://www.numina.org/ In addition to being a vibrant and passionate spokesperson for peace Janice loves nature and is committed to her own and other's health. She is an Isagenix (www.isagenix.org) consultant and offers her experience with the product to be "the answer to a prayer" for the improvement of one's health and well-being. In her free time Janice plays tennis and basketball and is currently preparing for the Senior Olympic games of '08.

Carol, is orginally a New Yorker, and her story of how she ended up living in Townsend is nothing short of a miracle. She fell in love with the area the first time she visited a year ago and then returned to where she was living in Florida. Through a series of synchronistic events she found out about an employment option to be a live-in caretaker for a 85 year old neighbor of Janice's and jumped at the opportunity to be back in Townsend. After spending a week there I felt the charms and beauty of the Great Smokies Mtns and the gracious hospitality of the people lving there. Carol is also an Isagenix consultant, a NLP (Neurolinguistic Practitioner), Radiant Heart Practitioner and has created many businesses (travel agency, real estate development, customer service, network marketing) over the course of her career.

Their love of the area was infectious - whether it was visiting Dollywood, driving through the National Park, going to the local Heritage Center, coffee shop or bakery - there was a familiar, small town feeling that pervaded every experience and made me feel welcome.

Pickin on the Porch and Dollywood

Here I am in Happy Hollow (Southern version of small valley) in the midst of the Great Smokey Mtns in Townsend, TN. My friends say that everything is done by "mountain time" here and after a few days I can concur with that sentiment.... On Saturday, 7/5, one of my friends noticed a sign at a local Dulcimer shop that there would be "pickin on the porch" later that night. A group of us went and were enchanted by the music of Joe Collins, the national Dulcimer Champion. What great timing that we were able to hear the sweet sounds of his dulcimer, voice, and guitar by the banks of the Little River in Townsend. Joining us was local author, Frankie Fonde Brogan, who regaled us with stories of her childhood in the mountains as well as lent me a copy of her book, "The Snare of the Fowler" - her personal account of experiencing her son's involvement in a cult and later recovery.

Sunday was devoted primarily to Dollywood, a theme park inspired by, you guessed it, Dolly Parton. It is a beautiful amusement park, wonderfully maintained, clean and landscaped and John Bates (Janice's husband and part time employee of Dollywood) hosted us to a wonderful day of rides, shops, lunch and two musical shows. The day was finished with dinner at Janice's friend and neighbor's home, Betty and Bud Jones. Their home is literally "above the tree line" in the Smokeys; I could sit on their back porch for hours watching the changing clouds in the sky, ridgeline of the mountains and the gathering blue mist.

Tobacco and Horse Farms

Thursday, 7/3, I met with Holly Reese Tomlinson owner of "Healing Horse Farm" in Berryville, VA. In between trips to her farm in Berryville and getting ready for a 2 week trip to Houston Holly met with me at her home in Herndon, VA ; we talked about the beginning of her new business venture, Healing Horse Farm. Recently she rediscovered her passion for horses and has decided to focus it on developing equine therapy programs on the 700 acre farm. She recently acquired 7 horses that were rescued and are currently being fostered in other stables. This will be the beginning of her "team"; she hopes to beginning offering programs in the Fall of '08.

As I traveled along Rte 81 I saw acres of tobacco fields - I noticed, too, that there appeared to be many more smokers in this part of the country than on the East Coast. I guess it's hard to relinquish a habit that has been the backbone of economic prosperity for years..... It reminds me of Civil War history classes and hearing about the laborers working in the fields picking tobacco and the huge drying barns dotted all over the South - haven't seen a cotton field yet but expect I will as I travel further south into Alabama and Mississippi.

Last evening I arrived in Townsend, TN, home of the Great Smokey National Park and saw the blue hazed mountains in view as I climbed the mountains to reach the home of Janice Sullivan in Cutter Gap. Tomorrow we plan to go to Dollywood - Dolly Parton's theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN - what a hoot!

Spiritual Practice

While in NYC on 6/27 I had dinner with a long time friend near her office on W 38th Street. During our meal at "Burgers and Cupcakes" (yes the cupcakes are awesome!) she shared about a relationship that is challenging in her life and explained that one of the compelling reasons to maintain it is that - aside from its positive characteristics and shared bonds - it is the cornerstone of her "spiritual practice". We talked about how it's easy to use the common non-interactive types of practice such as meditation, journaling, yoga, Reiki,tithing, etc. but the "rubber really meets the road" when we utilize our tools in challenging (confrontational, negative, blaming, angry, etc.) relationships.

After leaving NYC I traveled to Maryland to visit with my sister, brother-in-law and my 2 nephews, ages 4 & 7 and niece, age 9. It's been a long time since I have been around children this age for an extended period of time (my daughters are 24 and 26) and it was in every way challenging - sibling rivalry, tiredness, being hot, hungry, thirsty, overstimulated, wanting attention, etc. - were common states of being. Not that it wasn't enjoyable - my special achievement was noting how my 4 yo nephew talked with me during this visit and let me read him stories (last year this would have been unthinkable!); however, it was demanding, all consuming and never ending. Hats off to my sister and other parents for responding to these needs with aplomb, patience and perseverance! During my visit my niece celebrated her 9th birthday - adding yet another dimension to the behaviors of her siblings who weren't the center of attention. I must honestly say that maintaining a sense of inner peace amidst the squirmishes was difficult; I aspired to use the philosophy of Eckhart Tolle, in his book, "The New Earth" - where he quotes a Zen Master who says the secret to happiness is "to never mind what happens - to always be in the present and the now...."

I confess that I was excited to get in my car by myself this am and head off toward Tennessee....

The Big Apple

While I was at Cape Cod visiting my mom there was a natural phenomena occuring regarding the insect called "ciccadas" - they live in the ground and every 17 years they come out of hibernation and fly in the air - the hordes of them make a deafening sound that begins at early dawn and contintues thru most of the day - a low insistent humming reminding one of the whine of jackhammers - in fact I asked the first day I was there whether there was road construction going on somewhere close by? No, just the insistent drone of the ciccadas...

While in NYC there was another kind of ciccadas - the rhythm of ambulance sirens, horns blaring, and the whoosh of people crossing streets or rushing for their train on the subway or railroad. These sounds are also naturally occurring - on a daily basis, only lessening during off peak travel and Sunday mornings....

My time in the Big Apple was exhilarating, stimulating and a bit tiring - one day started at 9:30 am to wait for the Long Island Railroad into Manhattan and ended at 10 that night upon its return. I had the opportunity to interview one of my fellow Dreamweaver's and SACAT coaches, Janet Wise, in Queens and attend one of her W.I.S.E. (wisesolutions4u@msn.com) power luncheons in the City, with a keynote speech by Betty Healey from Ontario, CA, also a fellow
Dreamweaver and Master SACAT(Strategic Attraction Coaches Academy & Training) coach.
Betty and her husband, Jim, are the owners of Road Signs, (www.roadsigns.ca), a company designed to provide insight, inspiration and leadership on navigating the road map of our lives.
Betty handed out a "road signs" inspirational card to each attendee and illustrated how we each attract the "perfect" sayings that speak to where we are in our lives. Fortune cookies without the calories, as Betty quipped.... Mine read "I am a source of inspiration for others".

After hearing about my plans to drive across country and interview people about manifesting their dreams many have commented enviously, "I wish I could do that - just take up and travel" - speaking to the common wanderlust we have in our souls for adventure, risktaking and facing the unknown. This was yet another reminder of how very fortunate and appreciative I am to have manifested this reality for myself and to hopefully serve as an inspiration to others to pursue their dreams.