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"THE GIFT OF SADIE"
One of my granddaughters, Sadie, has Down syndrome. She is one of the greatest joys of my life, and I deeply cherish her. It is as if we have a little Buddha in our family.
Sadie doesn't live out of her head like we do. She doesn't strategize, manipulate, worry about the future, or ruminate about the past. She has no guile. She doesn't analyze her feelings or restrain her expressions of joy and love. She does cry and get angry, and it's always clear why she's upset. She is wildly exuberant about the smallest things, and loves to laugh. My daughter Heidi calls Sadie her anti-depressant.
Something that I practice when I go to visit Sadie (and, ideally, would practice in all life situations) is leaving my agenda at the door. I keep making the choice to relax in her presence and attune to her wavelength. I feel and move with her, aligning myself with her rhythms. I surrender (not always, of course!) to the moment, and these are some of the most fulfilling hours of my week. Sadie flows with life. She is spontaneous and fully present with whatever's in front of her. She doesn't hold on to grudges or grievances. If one of her siblings takes a toy away, she may get upset, but the feelings move through quickly, and then the incident is completely forgotten. She's very friendly, always smiling at people and saying "Hi," and sometimes hugging them, especially other children, whether she knows them or not. If someone is sad she often picks up on it, and moves over to console them in her sweet, gentle ways. When her baby sister fusses, she pats her, makes cooing sounds, and puts the pacifier in her mouth. My eyes fill with tears every time I witness these acts of kindness. Someone told me that folks with Down syndrome have the "love gene." I'm quite sure they do.
For me, Sadie is a teacher of love, especially with regard to allowing full demonstrations of love and generosity. I've become more aware than ever before of how often we "normal" adults hold back our feelings of care and love for each other. We subdue our emotions, we're appropriate, afraid to be too effusive lest we be deemed weird or strange if we walked around hugging strangers. As for me, I'm letting myself be more weird and strange, and it's very freeing.
There is, of course, a dark side to Down syndrome. I don't want to paint a purely rosy picture of a serious disability. Sadie definitely has her difficult days, but she is high-functioning and, so far, doesn't have to contend with the serious health issues that befall many DS children. Almost one half of all children born with DS have a congenital heart defect and half have problems with hearing and vision. Some have thyroid problems, respiratory conditions, and seizure disorders.
My world has expanded greatly since Sadie entered our lives. Every time that I see a child with DS or any type of disability, my heart opens wide. I never turn away or feel tentative about how to respond. Before Sadie came into my life, I was somewhat awkward when I encountered folks with developmental disabilities. Theirs was a foreign world to me. Now, when I see someone with Down syndrome I feel like running up to them and giving them a big hug. I live in a much bigger world now.
I asked Heidi if she would like to write a paragraph about the gift of Sadie in her life. This is what she wrote: "If I had to describe Sadie in one word it would be "perfect." But because I am allotted a few more words here, I will expand. Sadie doesn't look like my other kids, but her beauty exudes from her every pore, which makes her a beauty queen. I call her my koala bear because when she hugs you it's a whole body hug - arms and legs wrapped around you. It's bliss. I could watch her all day. I stare into those beady little eyes and wonder what her world is like and how she experiences life. She's pleasured by the simplest activities: drawing circles, dancing, cuddling, and singing. She's always so proud of herself. I will never forget the first time she walked. She was entirely overtaken with joy when she finally did it. Sadie has to work hard to learn. I took for granted how easy it comes to typical children to walk, talk, sit - most everything in Sadie's world takes more time and patience. She's taught me to get out of the race. I just love her and don't know how I could ever be without her."
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UPCOMING COURSE
GUIDED IMAGERY TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
Telecourse and Free Introductory Teleseminar
In this 5-session certification telecourse 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 if you are a helping professional of any kind.
Nurses and hypnotherapists will receive CEUs.
You will learn:
Specific Imagery Techniques for Intuitive Decision-Making
How to Access the 'Inner Entrepreneur', 'Inner Artist' 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
... and more
The telecourse begins Thursday, October 18 and continues on Thursdays for five weeks. Each class begins at 5:00 pm PT, 8:00 pm ET and lasts for 90 minutes.
All classes will be recorded, so if you miss any, you can listen via recording.
The fee is $257 before October 12 (single payment) and $287 after that, which can be paid in one, two or three payments.
FREE INTRODUCTORY TELESEMINAR CALL -
"Imagine Creativity"
The creative force is the life force. It is the deep river of aliveness that can course through your being and awaken joy and life-giving energies in you if you welcome it into your life. Creative expression is not reserved for writers, musicians, and artists. You can express creativity in parenting, cooking, gardening, or building a business. You will smile and shine more in every area of your life if you open the doors to your imagination and innovative spirit.
In this FREE introductory teleseminar, you will learn how to use guided imagery to awaken and enhance creative expression in any area of your life. You don't have to be enrolled in the telecourse to sign up for the free teleseminar.
Thursday, October 11
5:00 pm PT, 8:00 pm ET
45 minutes
For information, or to register for the Free Introductory Teleseminar and/or Certification Telecourse, contact me at
susannewest888@yahoo.com or (415)721-0766
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WAKING DOWN IN MUTUALITY
Individual Sessions and Sittings
Waking Down in Mutuality is an integrated, whole-being spirituality that includes body, mind, feelings, and spirit. In this work you embrace your humanity and your divinity. Spirit is not seen as separate from the body or our world. Our full humanness is experienced as sacred, as is all of life.
I offer phone or in-person individual sessions, a 45 minute FREE Introductory Session, and sittings in San Rafael and Oakland, California.
*A 10 minute period of silent meditation
*Gazing Meditation - Being to Being meeting, in which the teacher briefly connects with each participant through eye contact
*Personal Sharing Time - Each person who wants to, takes time to share. This can include speaking about what is currently important to you in your spiritual life, sharing an "edge" or area of exploration, or asking questions.
Sitting in San Rafael (contact me for address)
Saturday, September 15
10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Sitting in Oakland 5990 Skyline Blvd
Monday, September 10
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fee for Sittings: $20
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
FREE 45 minute Introductory Session
One hour phone or in-person sessions
Sliding scale of $55-$75/hour
Contact me to reserve spaces for sittings susannewest888@yahoo.com or
(415) 721-0766.
For more information about Waking Down in Mutuality, see
www.wakingdown.org
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WRITING FROM THE SOUL
Writing for Creative Expression and Spiritual Growth
In this ongoing, drop-in group 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 (Call for address)
Alternate Thursdays
7:30 - 9:30 pm
All levels of experience and all types of writing are welcome
INDIVIDUAL COACHING SESSIONS (phone or in-person) to assist you in any or all stages of the writing process:
- Start, develop, and/or complete writing projects
- Learn how to ignite and sustain motivation
- Overcome writer's block
- Discover your natural writing voice
- Develop confidence and ease in writing
- Create attainable short and long term goals
A FREE CONSULTATION is available. You can contact me at susannewest888@yahoo.com or (415) 721-0766.
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INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING
Individual Sessions and Sittings
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 for individual sessions are based on a sliding scale. A coaching package is available, as well.
Contact me if you'd like a FREE CONSULTATION
(415) 721-0766 or susannewest888@yahoo.com.
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For information or to sign up for courses or free consultations, contact me at susannewest888@yahoo.com or (415)721-0766.
Click here to visit my website if you'd like to learn more about my phone or in-person Insight to Action Coaching, Waking Down in Mutuality, 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. |
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