~ April 2010 ~
In This Issue
6 KEYS TO ACCOMPLISHING YOUR GOALS
UPCOMING CLASSES
FREE WORKSHOPS
INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™
WRITING FROM THE SOUL™
Quick Links
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
 
"FREEING THE TRAPPED MUSE" INTERVIEW WITH DEBBIE FORD
 
 
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WHAT BLOCKS INTUITION?
 
I think of intuition as my wise, best friend.  I can bring all of my concerns and questions to this wisdom that resides within me.  We can ask our inner knowing about practical issues in our lives, inquire into fear, feelings, or areas where we're stuck, as well as ask questions about spirituality, meaning, and purpose.  No question is off limits.

Intuition, as the voice of the soul, is available at all times.  This boundless wisdom is the very essence of who we are.  Cultivating a strong connection to intuition is a matter of clearing the obstructions to what is already there.  What are some common obstacles to trusting intuition?

The Mischievous Monkey Mind.  Our usual waking state is characterized by a continuous stream of thoughts.  We are conditioned to latch onto those thoughts, believe them, and be governed by them.  If you're overly identified with your rational mind, intuition will be obscured.  Thought can be a veil that hides our souls.

A quiet mind is a fertile ground for wisdom.  As the Tibetan sage, Milarepa, said, "In the gap between thoughts, nonceptual wisdom shines continuously."  Any activities that help you "unhook" from thoughts will give you greater access to intuition.  Some of these include meditation, yoga, being in nature, drawing, music, or any form of creative expression.

Pushing the River.  We are taught to strive, try hard, and ambitiously reach toward goals.  Here we need to be receptive, to let information come to us in an open manner.  The more you relax and let go of control, the more your wise self will reveal itself to you.

If You Always Want It to Be Springtime.  We can filter out truth if we insist on positive outcomes to all the situations in our lives.  Often, our tendency when we get uncomfortable is to quickly try to fix or change ourselves, others, or the situation.  We don't do very well with pain and discomfort in this culture.  Many of us want to feel good - right away.  This blocks intuition because we may not want to see things as they are if they are not going to be pleasant or the way we want them to be.  Intuition doesn't promise ease and comfort, at least in the short term.  It does, though, keep us on the path of truth. 

Fear of Rejection.  Our intuitive voice will often nudge us to take stands in our lives, to risk expressing the truth rather than conform to others' positions or opinions.  You may need to make choices that could result in conflict with family, friends, or co-workers.  Your connections to others may be jeopardized.  They also may be strengthened.  We need to be willing to "rock the boat" at times if we are to be true to ourselves.
 
Fear of the Light.
  If we heed our intuition, it's likely that we'll become successful in many areas of life.  We'll experience a sense of flow because our choices will be aligned with our souls. We'll spend less time learning the lessons of wrong decisions as we discover our authentic voice.  This positive growth can be scary.  We may have felt cramped in the small box we were living in, but at least it was familiar.  The habitual ways in which we've seen ourselves are threatened.  Expanding our identities also entails a sense of responsibility that we may not want or be prepared for.

Not knowing can seem safe, and because of this, we may consciously or unconsciously choose to remain in the dark about many situations in our lives.  Here we need to be willing to choose freedom and growth over safety.  I love the saying, "Safe is a sedative."

I wish you the best on your journey of discovering and being guided by the voice that is truly yours!
UPCOMING CLASSES
 
GETTING UNSTUCK:
A Transformational Process for Overcoming Blocks

Are you feeling stuck?  Are you in a transition and don't know what to do next?  Do you want to make a career change, but can't take action on your ideas?  Are you procrastinating with regard to a project?

In this afternoon workshop, you will:

  • Get to the root cause of this obstacle
  • Discover your unique key to getting unstuck
  • Clarify the resources your need to move forward
  • Create a realistic and attainable action plan
Sunday, April 11
12:30 - 5:00 pm
Marin County, CA
Fee:  $55



 
GUIDED IMAGERY CERTIFICATION COURSE

In this one-day accelerated certification course you will learn innovative imagery techniques and guidelines for the successful use of imagery for your own healing and transformation and/or to expand the scope of your practice and your work with clients.

You will learn:
  • Specific Imagery Techniques for Intuitive Decision-Making
  • How to Access the 'Inner Healer', 'Inner Entrepreneur' and Other Positive Selves Through Subpersonality Work
  • How to Apply the Healing and Symbols Process to Financial and Career Issues
  • How to Integrate Imagery Into Daily Life
  • How to Use All of the Senses to Increase the Effectiveness of Imagery
  • Marketing Tips and Tools
For helping professionals of all kinds: teachers, coaches, somatic practitioners, hypnotherapists, psychotherapists, social workers, nurses and physicians

Saturday, April 17
9:30 am - 5:30 pm
The Center for Hypnotherapy
Oakland, CA
Hypnotherapists and nurses will receive CEUs

$167 before April 5,  $187 after April 5

For information, or to register for courses, contact me at [email protected] or (415)721-0766
FREE WORKSHOPS
 
BOUNDARIES AND CAREGIVING (NEW OFFERING)
An Afternoon Workshop
 
In this free workshop, we will explore how healthy and unhealthy boundaries can greatly influence many aspects of caregiving.  This workshop is for professional and family/friend caregivers for people with life-altering illnesses.

Topics include:
  • What Are Boundaries?
  • Characteristics of Healthy and Unhealthy Boundaries
  • How Healthy Boundaries Can Help to Prevent Burnout
  • The Power of "No"
  • Creative Tools for Establishing and Maintaining Flexible Boundaries 
Sunday, June 6
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
San Rafael, California
 
OR
 
Sunday, July 11
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Oakland, California
 
Enrollment is limited.  Early registration is advised.
 
 
THE SOUL OF CAREGIVING: Creative Tools for Insight and Wellness
 
This free workshop focuses on 'caring for the caregiver' and is open to healthcare professionals, volunteers and family/friend caregivers for people with cancer and other life-altering illnesses. Participants will explore the meaning and transformational potential of their caregiving experience and receive tools for emotional and spiritual renewal and self care.

Pre-registration is required. 
 
Saturday, June 19 
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
The Wellness Community
Walnut Creek, California
 
To register for any of the free workshops, please contact me at [email protected]  or (415)721-0766 .
INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™
 
A 15% discount on phone or in-person coaching
 and hypnotherapy sessions is available
through June 2010.
 
 
INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™ phone or in-person coaching can help you:
  • Achieve your personal and professional goals
  • Navigate through periods of transition
  • Develop strengths and seed potentials
  • Find your purpose and passion 
  • Overcome blocks and limiting patterns
  • Quiet the voice of the Inner Critic
  • Access inner knowing for decision-making and clarity about your goals and life direction
  • Ignite and sustain your creativity
  • Create action steps that generate tangible results
I specialize in helping clients overcome blocks of all kinds and translate ideas and visions into concrete action.  Fees are based on a sliding scale and time frames are based on individual wants and needs.
 
A FREE CONSULTATION is available.
WRITING FROM THE SOUL™ 

In these ongoing, drop-in groups you will learn processes to free your imagination, develop ease and confidence in writing, cultivate your unique writing voice and overcome blocks to writing.

San Rafael, CA     
Alternate Thursdays    
7:30-9:30 pm
 
Oakland, CA         
Last Sunday of each month        
6:15-8:15 pm

INDIVIDUAL COACHING SESSIONS (phone or in-person): 
  • Overcome writer's block
  • Start and/or complete writing projects
  • Discover your natural writing voice
  • Develop confidence and ease in writing
  • Create attainable short and long term goals
A FREE CONSULTATION is available.
Click here to visit my website if you'd like to learn more about my phone or in-person Insight to Action Coaching, Writing from the Soul Programs, or The Soul of Caregiving. 
 
A Free Consultation is available.  You can also sign up for my free monthly newsletter.
 
to sign up for a FREE CONSULTATION with Susanne West