~ July 2013 ~

In This Issue
"ADVERSITY: AN INVITATION FROM THE SOUL"
WAKING DOWN IN MUTUALITY
INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING
SOUL CARE FOR CAREGIVERS
WRITING FROM THE SOUL
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 "ADVERSITY: AN INVITATION FROM THE SOUL"

  

  

I have been up to my ears in caregiving with my mother, my mother-in-law has been very ill and is in the final days of her life, and I broke two fingers on my right hand 2 � weeks ago. I've also encountered some glitches in the last phase of getting my book ready for publication. Clearly, this is one of those challenging periods - difficult to be sure, but truly rich with lessons and possibilities for growth. 

 

I'm focusing on the "gifts" in this newsletter because I find that deeply acknowledging how we are growing and changing in the midst of adversity strengthens and empowers us. We begin to see the deeper meaning in all of our experiences and find that we are more than unfortunate victims of circumstance. At an earlier time in my life, I might have leaned into acknowledging the "positives" of unwanted situations as a way to avoid frustration, grief, sadness, or fear. This is what spiritual bypassing is all about. We may turn to our spirituality, for example, as a way to rise above the difficulties in our lives rather than fully being with the many dimensions of every life experience. I am no longer one who "flies to the light" to escape the messiness of the human condition. Light, dark, our infinite nature, our embodied human nature - it is all divine, all sacred. 

 

I've been reflecting on the important shifts that have occurred for me over these last months. I rely on intuition a lot in my life, but have noticed that my attunement to and trust in my deeper knowing has increased exponentially. Many times a day, sometimes many times an hour, I've had to unhook from fear-based thoughts that have me worrying about catastrophic outcomes, trying to figure out what's next, coming up with strategies to control the uncontrollable, and more. Letting go of this mental turbulence whenever possible, I direct my attention again and again to the wisdom at the core of my being. At times, I bring questions: How can I best serve Mom today? What do I need to do to be in my center when I'm communicating with John's sisters? What are my lessons with regard to my broken fingers? In other instances I just turn to deep knowing without a specific focus and listen to the benevolent, ever-present guidance that invites me to relax, be still, focus on the spaces between breaths, perhaps sit in the backyard for awhile. The guidance I've been receiving has been spot on and I feel strongly anchored in my knowing these days. What you feed, grows! 

 

The broken fingers have been teachers for me. I'm right handed and writing (long hand with a fountain pen) and fine line drawing are my primary mediums for creative expression. Writing poetry, journaling, and drawing are spiritual practices for me and, typically, a day doesn't go by that I don't spend anywhere from one to four hours engaged in these activities. For the first time, I'm not able to do any of these things, and I won't know until the next x-ray when I can use this hand again for these endeavors. The other limitations of not having a functional right hand pale in comparison to this. I've let myself feel frustrated and sad about this loss, but, for the most part now, I've surrendered to what is so and I am much more peaceful as a result of letting go of these attachments. I used to wonder what would happen if I couldn't use my right hand, so sure that I truly wouldn't be okay if I couldn't write and draw. Well, I can't and I'm just fine. 

 

There are many more soul gifts that I could share, but I will end by writing about the gift of service. Serving others without expecting anything in return opens the heart and deepens our connection to Being. My mother's health has been declining for the past two years, as has her capacity to fully bounce back from flare-ups and setbacks from a number of ailments. I knew the day would come that more time and energy would be required of me, and was quite worried about and resistant to this eventuality. This has come to pass, at least for now. In recent months I have been praying and wishing for the willingness and capacity to heartfully serve her in whatever ways were needed. I am now more involved with my mother than I can ever remember, almost all of my resistance has melted away, and I just want to serve her in any ways that I can. One of my fears was that this new investment of time and energy in caregiving would consume me, that I wouldn't have enough time for my work, my creativity, or my grandkids. Truth is, for the most part, I've had all the time I need. I know that part of the reason for this is that I am committed to self-care and, in addition, I've learned to cultivate good boundaries. Mostly, though, it is due to the power of love. The walls around my heart with regard to my mother have softened. I feel blessed to have had my hopes and prayers answered. 

Sunflowers in field

 

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.

 

SITTINGS

 

*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.

 

Sittings in San Rafael (contact me for address)

Saturday, July 27

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

 

Sitting in El Cerrito - 1036 Leneve Place

Monday, July 15

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 [email protected] or

(415) 721-0766.

For more information about Waking Down in Mutuality, see

www.wakingdown.org

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INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING

 

 

INSIGHT TO ACTION 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. Sessions are available in person, via Skype, or phone.

Contact me if you'd like a FREE CONSULTATION

(415) 721-0766 or [email protected].

 
 

Glue green white flowers with design  

SOUL CARE FOR CAREGIVERS
  

 

My book, Soul Care for Caregivers: How to Help Yourself While Helping Others, is going to be released this summer.  I will send out a separate mailing when it is available.

 

This book addresses the emotional and spiritual needs of family and professional caregivers and offers practical strategies and creative processes for self-care.  Some of the content includes:

  1. How to manage the challenges and stressors of caregiving
  2. How to identify the "soul gifts" of caregiving
  3. Ways to prevent burnout and "compassion fatigue"
  4. Why it's important to have healthy boundaries and how to set and maintain them
  5. Why creative expression is good medicine for caregivers
  6. How to access intuition to assist you in caregiving
  7. Personal anecdotes about my own caregiving journey
  8. Resources for information and support
And more....... 
Tiger Lilies
 

 

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 [email protected] or (415) 721-0766.

 

Blue sky wht clouds

 

 

For information or to sign up for courses or free consultations, contact me at [email protected] 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 Soul Care for Caregivers.

A Free Consultation is available. You can also sign up for my free newsletter.

 
to sign up for a FREE CONSULTATION with Susanne West