exploring pathways to inner peace, health & healing

www.esswellness.comjanuary 2011

transform your life

2 www.esswellness.com

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FROM THE EDITOR by lynn S. laFROTH

VERY YEAR Essential Well-ness features some aspect of holistic psychology/psycho-therapy. I think this is one of the crucial healing arenas of our times because many

(not all) of our physical ailments stem from emotional and mental issues. Counseling, coaching, and psychotherapy are a way of helping us to get out from the repetitious patterns where we’re stuck. In the past, especially in the Mid-west, seeing “someone” was kept on the down low because you didn’t want anyone to know you needed help; the stigma was that you were weak-minded if you couldn’t solve your own problems—the old Mid-western model and ethic of self-reliance. Moreover, the “keep it close to the vest” belief system also worked against getting psychological help.

My STORy Let me share with you the story of where I had to have some sense knocked into me—literally. In the winter I usu-ally light a fire in my living room fireplace every night because I love the psychological warmth, not to mention it adds good heat to my great room. Chopping and stacking wood is part of my wintertime chores. Last winter I had neatly stacked rows of wood on the ground next to my second-story deck. The quickest way to transfer the wood onto the deck—which is where I stack a smaller amount for quick-access supply—was to stand on the woodpile and throw it from there. The stack was probably four feet high but you could climb it from one “staired” side made of logs. It was a bit wobbly but I took a good solid stance near

the top where I felt balanced before starting to toss the wood. My weight shifted the stacks with every throw so I kept on readjusting with some near-miss rebalances. On one readjustment I fell backwards off the pile and hit my head on hard icy ground. The thought that played in my dizzy head was: “When you fall off your horse, you get right back on again.”

REpEaT pERFORMancE I wasn’t thinking straight, a bit woozy, but hard-wired programming from who knows where propelled me to get back on the wobbly wood “horse” upon which I immediately lost footing again and fell back even harder—hitting the back of my head. I laid there for maybe 30 seconds, dazed, realizing this get-back-on-horse plan was probably misguided. Besides, I felt sick to my stomach and could barely make it to my outdoor stairs to sit down. (No, at that time I did not know about concussions…only after the media cover-age of Natasha Richardson’s death did I realize the severity of what had happened.) I sat there in the cold for maybe five minutes until I could get up the where-withal to go inside, all the while feeling very nauseated and “out of it.” I lay on the sofa the rest of the day, not because I wanted to but because I really could do nothing else. Eventually it became apparent that

I couldn’t see very well out of my

left eye. Things were fuzzy but I wanted to give it at least three days before I called

my ophthalmolo-gist because some-

times things heal on their own. It would

never have occurred to me I needed to see a physician as well. I

did see the eye doc who said I’d loosened the vitreous membrane in the eye because of the fall and that things may return to normal—or not—within a few months. My left eye healed a bit but my sight never did return 100 percent clear in that eye.

ScHOOl OF HaRD knOckS Sometimes we are not aware of the internal programming which works against us until we attend the “school of hard knocks” such as I did. But other times we struggle with thoughts that spin cycle over and over; this is when we must get help from “someone.” It’s not weakness; it’s the mark of a healthy person to know you need help to overcome the glitches in your programming. The Twin Cities and Upper Midwest have an abundance of coaches and counsel-ors with high integrity who are heart-cen-tered in their desire to help others. Please review some of the resources in this issue.

Lynn S. LaFroth is managing editor/co-publisher of Essential Wellness and can be reached at info@esswellness.com.

Don’t wait to get hit on the head to “get it”

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january 2011 3

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inside

transform your life2 Don’t wait to get hit on the head to “get it” by LYNN S. LAFROTH

4 Trust your heart by MICARA LINK

6 Allow a life coach to help you through change by ANNE BRADY

7 What will happen when you choose love over fear? by SAGE LEWIS

8 DIRECTORY OF AREA COACHES/COUNSELORS

10 Dear Grace by JANET HOVDE

11 You can change: Create a plan by LISA RENEE

12 You can create miracles in your life by LYNN WOODLAND

14 Finding Me Again: A Journey to an Authentic Life by NANCY S. KAY

15 Calendar

please visit www.esswellness.com digital edition

4 www.esswellness.com

APPY 2011! We are defi-nitely in for a wild and won-derful ride this year! In the months and years ahead I am continually told by my higher self that it is impera-

tive we live from our hearts. It’s time to leave ego behind and step forward in the light of our hearts living, breathing, and existing in a space of love, unity, and com-passion. I realize this is a lot harder said than done. Most of us have spent years living from the space of logic, ego, and structured mental concepts. The heart space does not look concrete, logical, or even rational at times, so it can be quite a shift, but here we are entering a time when living from the space of the heart is our new reality. It is my intention that by reading this article you will take a peek inside your heart and listen to any guidance and messages it has for you. As you transition into the space of the heart, I offer some guidance to help ease the process:

1) EMbRacE yOuRSElF Fully! We all have parts of ourselves we don’t like or try to deny. I often see people try-ing so hard to be something they aren’t. Whether we are trying to be someone our parents, bosses, or significant others think we should be, or even the perfectionist ide-als that we put on ourselves. Take time this month to embrace who you are completely. Stop trying to be something or someone you aren’t. In truth, who you are right now is perfect! Yes, your core is love but you are also human and experience emotions such as anger, resentment, and fear. That’s OK!

It’s all part of this human experience. Let go of the idea that you need to be the “per-fect” spiritual being at all times. Embrace both your spiritual self and your human self. Embrace your wholeness.

2) TakE TIME TO lISTEn TO yOuR HEaRT. What does it want to tell you? Some ques-tions you might ask are: “If my heart had a message for me, what would it be? Who do I need to forgive? What can I let go of now? How can I love myself even more? How can I live from my heart space rather than my ego space? If I lived from my heart, how would my life be different?” Our heart communi-cates to us through feeling, so as you ask these questions notice how you feel. It is in your feel-ings where you will find the answers from your heart.

3) bE gEnTlE anD kInD TO yOuRSElF. The energy on the planet is intense right now. We’re all feeling it whether we are conscious of it or not. You’ve probably expe-rienced a lot of personal changes this year and will probably be facing even more in the next couple years. Be gentle with your-

self during this time. Take time to relax, rejuvenate, and become present. When you do these acts of kindness and love for your-self, you’ll notice that the transitions you experience won’t be as intense and you’ll be able to move through them with more ease and trust.

4) yOu’RE HERE FOR a REaSOn. You’re meant to share your gifts and shine your light with the world. It is through

the path of the heart that your soul’s guidance, life path,

and answers will be revealed so you

can fulfill what it is you’re

intended to do. Trust your heart. It knows the answers to all your deepest

questions. I wish you many

blessings and joy-ous experiences this

year and in the times ahead. You have all my love

and support as you move gently into your heart space and embrace your light.

Micara Link is a professional psychic intuitive, certified soul coach, and reiki master. She cur-rently resides in Fargo, ND working with cli-ents, holding workshops, and writing for a local newspaper, The High Plains Reader, on mind, body, spirit topics. To learn more about Micara visit www.soulspirationsbymicara.com

TRanSFORM yOuR lIFE

Trust your heart

Hby MIcaRa lInk

january 2011 5

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HIS IS an incredible time, not just because of the new year, but the energies of change that so many are immersed in right now. Questions we ask ourselves:

“why is nothing happening?” or the won-ders about why nothing seems to be mov-ing forward, why people are getting on your nerves, etc. It’s a time to reflect on who we’ve been in the past and who we desire ourselves to be as we’re moving forward. It’s a call to live more authentically. The universe is telling us the old ways simply won’t work anymore and change is definitely afoot. As a spiritual coach and intuitive I am fortunate to assist many people while they are walking through this time of unearth-ing the old and seeing the new. We are sur-rounded by mirrors, they’re everywhere and in everyone we meet. I’m constantly telling my clients, “Right now, nothing is about anyone other than YOU.” If people are annoying you ask yourself, “What is it about that person’s behavior that ignites a part of me?” “What am I not liking about them and how or where in my life do I display that same behavior?” You can tell yourself it’s not true, but the universe will only laugh and give you a louder, clearer message that a part of you is being reflected in your face,

and you probably don’t like it. Our guid-ance systems are working over time to get us to see our old patterns, limiting beliefs and unserving values. It’s time for change! We can’t move forward through this ener-getic shift if we’re still digging around in the same old stuff. The good news is that the changes and shifts we are experiencing are happen-ing faster and closer together than ever before. It would seem there is urgency in the work we’re doing and many of you are feeling that as pressure. Relax—all in its own time and remember—only we track time in our consciousness, the universe has no time. It is all simul-taneously emerging and unfolding and surrender-ing and beginning again. Evolution is a constant, it’s like the old adage, “the only thing that remains constant is change.” Coaching can provide many tools to assist people in doing their work more effec-tively, efficiently, and comfortably. I thor-oughly enjoying watching people light up when reconnected to a resource or a piece of themselves that has been forgotten. There is

no greater joy for me than to walk someone to a perceived edge, a place they believe they can’t pass through. This may be changing an old habit or adopting a new behavior or belief system—a place they see as a huge challenge—only to teach them that their limit was just a perception and the vastness of the land in front of them is beyond measure. We are a ll Divine energy and accord-

ingly have no limits other than the ones we p l a c e o n ourselves. Coaching for me is about providing ways to connect people to that Divine nature in all aspects of life and encouraging them to live through it to their own definition of joy and success. So during this excit-ing time of change, accept graciously the lessons that are placed before you and remember, there is always help nearby.

Anne Brady is the owner of ONE Ho-listic Wellness providing services in Spirit-based coaching, hypnosis, In-tuitive readings, and Shamanistic prac-tices. Contact her at www.oneholis-ticwellness.com, or 320-250-9402.

TRanSFORM yOuR lIFE by annE bRaDy

Allow a life coach to help you through change

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january 2011 7

T’S SO cold out that it feels like I can see my breath even before I even get out-side. Getting in my car, I head toward the highway to make my way to the nearest

food co-op to get something organic that costs more money than something that’s not. I can afford it. I work hard and earn a healthy living. Setting my plump grocery bag in the passenger seat, I notice a bunch of bright yellow organic bananas peeking out to say hello. I tuck them back in, turn up the heat, and switch the dial over to public radio. Nearing home, I spot a woman wearing less than half of what I have on, and carrying a cardboard sign that’s been handwritten with a black marker to read “Need money for food—god bless.” She’s not wearing any mittens, but she’s wear-ing a smile.

EVERy MOMEnT a cHOIcE I have a decision to make. Will I choose love or will I choose fear? Love says, “Dig into your heart, Sage, and let her see into you.” Fear says, “I hope the light turns green so I don’t have to stop and have eye contact.” How we choose to live our lives is no different. In every moment, we have a choice of whether to choose love or fear. Will we be held back by our inner critic or saboteurs —those nasty little voices that tell us we’re not good enough, not rich enough, not pretty enough and so on? Or will we swat at those voices, persevere, and move for-ward?

It takes courage to live a life of love — to swat your fears out of the way one by one, walk through them, kick them out of the way and stay true to your life pur-pose. Your purpose is to live from a place of essence—pure spirit.

lIVE FROM lOVE Who are you when nobody’s look-ing? Who are you when everyone’s look-ing? Are you living your life from essence or are you trudging through your days with an inner critic on your shoulder? What would your life be like if you swatted all those inner critics away and lived from love? What are you waiting for? As I dug deeper into my heart, I smiled back, reached into my grocery bag and grabbed a banana. Rolling down the window, I reached out and shared a spirit-to-spirit glance that I’ll never forget with a woman I doubt I’ll ever see again. It was love. And in one single moment she shared her entire essence with me. Grasp-ing the organic co-op banana in her mit-tenless hand, she raised it up to the sky like the Statue of Liberty and squealed with exuberance, “GOD BLESS CALCIUM!!” I’ve yet to see a smile that big. Yeah, I know, bananas are filled with potassium, not calcium…and lots of love.

We get to choose how we live our lives in every moment—from a place of love or fear—acting or reacting. What will you choose today? Sage Lewis is the Creature Teacher with Dancing Porcupine and is a certified life coach, animal communicator, Level 3 Cer-tified Tellington TTouch® Practitioner, shamanic practitioner and fun person.

Sage hosted the radio show, The Pet Playground

and is one of the featured authors

in Dogs and the Women Who Love Them. She is the author o f J AVA : T h e Tr u e Story of a

Shelter Dog Who Rescued a

Woman, the true account of the trials,

tribulations, and incred-ible triumphs of her work with her

dog, Java. As a 16-year teaching veteran. Sage’s passion is guiding and supporting the excellence in all creatures. www.dancingporcupine.com

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TRanSFORM yOuR lIFE

What will happen when you choose love over fear?

by SagE lEwIS

by SagE lEwIS

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REbEcca cOnnOR, lMFTwww.rebeccaconnor.comRebecca@rebeccaconnor.com612-877-10813507 Lyndale Ave S.Minneapolis, 55408Licensed psychotherapist; specialize in individuals, couples, attachment, anxiety and communication. Trained and experienced w/trance, trauma, mindfulness, Jungian, dream work, hypnotherapy and experiential. Women’s and Couples retreats at Christine Center. Regular Saturday morning Couples Communication skills Workshops. Most insurances accepted.

lucy DOTTE’Certified Life Coachwww.lifecoach4today.com651-353-4283As a certified life coach and Spiritual Response Therapy (SRT) facilitator it enables me to have a unique approach to coaching. Many individuals have deeply entrenched programs and subconscious beliefs that can be affecting their relationships, prosperity, productivity, and spiritual well-being. Through the SRT clients benefit from the assistance of High Self.

TRENA BOLDEN FIELDSBreakthrough Professional Services, LLCwww.breakthroughlifecoaching.com612-396-8190Breakthrough life coaching provides coaching for parents who are looking to get their children involved in modeling and acting as well as actors who are beginning their career and looking for a little extra help.

THE METa InSTITuTEwww.Metainstitute.com Meta@metainstitute.com952-831-6382The Meta Institute is a MN Licensed Adult Career School. Provides services and certification courses in the area of Therapeutic Life Coaching, Reiki, NLP, & Hypnosis. Our Therapeutic Coaching® Program is a 500-hour, comprehensive, hands-on certification course that will give students a multitude of tools for working with others. The course provides five certifications.

REVITalIZE lIFE cOacHIng, llcKaren Carr, MA, CPCCwww.RevitalizeCoaching.comKaren@RevitalizeCoaching.com651.426.5123Since 2001, coaching individuals toward greater happiness, better health, and more fulfilling lives. “My clients take big leaps, one step at a time.” If there is something you’ve been putting off doing, and you know you want it done sooner, rather than later, hire a coach.

JuDy STEElE, MTpLife Coaching, Counseling, Healingwww.schoolforliving.orgjudy.steele@earthlink.net612-590-3193St Louis Park, MN 55416Assisting you to accomplish the changes you choose in your life. Flower essences, homeopathy, Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT)®, Dynamind, sound healing, and more. Master of Transpersonal Psychology. 35+ years experience; in-person and phone sessions.

DIREcTORy OF aREa cOacHES/cOunSElORSFeatured this month are resources to help you shift out of patterns that no longer serve. Coaches and counselors are invaluable during this time of transformation indi-vidually and on the planet. Below are a few area practitioners trained to assist in you becoming who you really are.

january 2011 9

10 www.esswellness.com

Readers may submit questions to Janet Hovde for the “Dear Grace” column by emailing them to deargrace@janethovde.com Ques-tions/answers are printed as space allows. Although her advice is not meant to displace conventional healthcare knowledge and di-agnosis, Hovde can offer a different slant, an intuitive perspective, regarding the “energy” of your healthcare issue. Please see a health practitioner for chronic health problems.

Dear Grace,I have a friend who is going through a very difficult time. How do I support her and at the same time, maintain my energetic boundary (stay grounded). —Haley

Dear Haley,When I look at your energy field, I notice blocked energy at your throat chakra. An area of blockage often accumulates more blockages, just like a log blocking the flow of a river accumulates more branches. It is pos-sible that you feel tightness in your neck or a sore throat after being supportive to this friend, related to your own energy imbalance. You are correct that staying grounded is a key in maintaining energetic boundar-ies. With your particular energetic pattern, it would also be useful to strengthen your throat chakra. Wearing blue clothing and appreciating blues in your surroundings is one approach (since the throat chakra is most commonly associated with the vibra-tion of sky blue or turquoise blue). Of the stones which support the throat chakra, lapis lazuli looks like the one most ben-eficial to you. You might wear jewelry with that stone, or put a small piece of lapis in your pocket or on your desk. Another way

to strengthen your throat chakra is to sing. Sing alone; sing with others; sing a prayer . . . play with your voice and sound. Being supportive to your friend is about listening (also a throat chakra activ-ity!) This is something you do well, and are likely to do with more ease once you address your own energy patterns.—Grace

Dear Grace,Thank you for your column! I have expe-rienced migraines for almost 20 years. My chiropractor blames my neck, my dentist blames TMJ, acupuncture did not work, massage therapy helps but I still get four to six per month. I can’t take it anymore. I have literally tried every-thing! I am holistically minded and have changed my diet but I still think there is an undiagnosed issue there. How I can finally rid myself of this burden and not have to rely on pharmaceutical drugs for any relief?—Greta

Dear Greta,From an energy per-spective, the fifth layer of your aura, the etheric template, is entangled on all sides of your head. I am inviting healers in the spirit world to untangle and repair this template. There is clearing needed at your brow (third eye) and crown chakras. There is energy from a previous oppressive relationship literally

pressing down on the top of your head. I am again inviting healers in the spirit world to dissolve and clear the energy as needed. I am now inviting the presence of flower essences to soothe your energy. When you read this, if you state aloud, “I choose to fully receive this healing,” it will activate the process of bal-ancing your energy as stated above. Your job then is to breathe, be grateful for any shift in sensation around your head, and repeat the statement/breathing/gratitude five times. I invite you to write back about your experi-ence. There is another layer of healing avail-able to you at that time. —Grace.

Janet Hovde, MA, OTL, CHTP, is celebrat-ing the 12th year of her healing practice, with appointments available in Roseville, MN & Hudson, WI. She enjoys watching her clients learn to care for their energy system and ac-cess their own inner wisdom. See website for her classes and fiber art: www.janethovde.com. Email your Dear Grace question to deargrace@janethovde.com. 651-487-2744.

Dear Graceby JanET HOVDE

january 2011 11

RIDGING THE gap between where you are and where you want to be requires more than a clear vision. It requires engag-ing your mind to create a

strategy for bringing that vision to real-ity. Until you can clearly see how it can be achieved, you will not be able to ignite the motivation, discipline, or desire necessary to move you to action. You can easily define a strategy using this simple 4 Step Process. Because we tend to be most familiar with the last two steps, I focused on the first two. As you engage in this process it is important to stay within yourself and allow your answers to surface from inside.

SteP ONe: What do YOU ideally want? I say ideally because change, no mat-ter how small, requires time and energy. It is human nature to be more invested in change that has a greater benefit. Oth-

erwise, why do it? If it just makes things a little better, rather than making them great, why go through all the effort? So…if you are going to make the effort, why not go after what you truly want? Now test it. State your ideal out loud and see how you respond. Do you feel ener-gized, alert, and alive? Do you feel moti-vated to take action? If not, you are prob-ably limiting your ideal and you need to go back and make it truly your ideal!

SteP tWO: Why do YOU want it? You are feeling energized and ready to take action, but it is important to not act on anything just yet. Instead, channel that energy into handwriting a list. Ask yourself “Why do I want my ideal?” Make sure you answers are coming from within and are not the expectations of others, the shoulds of society or outdated cultural norms. You want to know why it matters to you. Do not attach yourself to just one or two reasons.

Exhaust all the reasons you have for want-ing your ideal. Later, these reasons will pro-vide motivation when you need a boost and will help to keep you focused in your efforts when progress seems slow or stalled. Now read over your handwrit-ten list and cross out any that managed to work their way in that are really others’ expectations, societal

shoulds or cultural norms. It is normal to have a few, so don’t be concerned if some got on your list. Keep the crossed out items on your list since these have the potential for creating obstacles.

SteP tHRee: What do YOU need to do to bring about what you want? The key being you. This may involve letting something go, trying something new, or reconsidering something previ-ously decided.

Step Four: How do YOU do what you need to do? Once you’ve gotten this far, your options for the how are significantly lim-ited to a few. Since trying to make any change in our lives can cause all sorts of inter-nal defenses to surface, it helps to have a professional skilled at facilitating the change process from beginning to end. My Well-Being Assessment quickly identifies perception vs. reality and aligns where you are off, while creat-ing an all-encompassing framework for defining what you want. Building a strategy that incorporates the big pic-ture ensures the changes you make in one area do not negatively impact any other areas. Lisa Renee is the “I” behind I Simplify. Since 1997, she has been releasing the potential in her clients using her unique action-oriented, leadership-based process to strategically align and empower individuals to get the desired results in life and business. Call 952-404-1440 or visit www.isimplify.com.

TRanSFORM yOuR lIFE

You can change: Create a plan

Bby lISa REnEE

12 www.esswellness.com

HE FOLLOWING is an excerpt from Lynn Wood-land’s new book to be released this month: Hold-ing a Butterfly—An Experi-ment in Miracle-Making.

This book is about consciousness, time, quantum science and God, all woven into a series of practical experiments in miracle-making.

THE ExpERIMEnT bEgInS This book is an invitation to suspend disbelief, let your mind be boggled, and have an experience of reality beyond what you think you know for certain. Miracles are more readily found in the slightly unsettling territory of paradox than on familiar ground so, if you’re game, let the experiment begin right now by imagining the earth shifting just a bit underfoot and that nothing you see is what it appears to be. The more of this book you read, the more deeply you will enter into a miracle-making experiment. Modern science, as you will learn, is showing that we can’t change our minds without affecting the world around us and, as easily as reading these pages, your minds, and your world, are changing. If it’s your choice, you will become a miracle-maker. And if you’re feeling excited, it’s already begun. Proceed a little further into the exper-iment by imagining that you’re not alone as you read. Change your mind about the normally solitary experience of reading so that you are now, simply through your intention to do so, linking with every other mind who is reading these words. As we’ll explore in greater depth, all consciousness

is connected. To quote one of the pioneers of modern physics, Erwin Schrödinger, on the nature of consciousness, “The overall number of minds is just one.” To wade a little more deeply into the fuzzy edges of reality, let go of what you think you know about time. Einstein proved in his theory of relativity that time and space aren’t a fixed, neutral container for matter and can be altered by what they contain. Time is a more fluid thing than we realize, as Helmut Schmidt, one of the early researchers of mind over matter, dis-covered in his extensive work with random event generators. He not only found statis-tically significant evidence suggesting that consciousness alone can indeed affect mat-ter, but also that consciousness can affect matter in the past. More on this later. For now, without quite understand-ing how, imagine that your mind is tran-scending the fluid boundaries of time and space to connect with every mind that has in the past and will in the future read these words. This is happening automatically simply because you’re thinking it. (You don’t even need to believe it; just imagine what it would feel like if you did.) Picture this joined consciousness as clear, beautiful, and only positive. As we join minds, we leave behind the clutter of small, weak thoughts that so often cloud our attention and we rise into a Higher Mind that is wise and wonderful. In this Higher Mind, we amplify each other’s power for good and automatically repel harm. You may already feel a difference. Your senses may be a little sharper; you might feel warmth or tingling or goose-flesh. Perhaps you’re a little more awake.

You may notice that you’re body is relaxing and you’re breathing more deeply. You may feel nothing at all, the real magic happen-ing outside of your conscious awareness. It doesn’t matter what you perceive. Just imagine what it would be like if you felt certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that miracles are normal and starting to unfold in your life. Now, for a moment, hold the deepest, most heartfelt intention that every reader of these words, past, present, and future, receives something wonderful, and imag-ine that just by reading this page, you will too. Hold this thought lightly and with wonder, like you would a butterfly that just alit in your hand. Hold it gently… no need to strain… and let it go. Just as anonymous prayer has been shown to have a definite

TRanSFORM yOuR lIFE

You can create miracles in your life

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Butterfly continued on page 14

by lynn wOODlanD

january 2011 13

FEBRUARY 2011 • WELLNESS PAGES

HOLISTIC DIRECTORY

contact Dee 715-259-3047 sales@esswellness.com

A great value for multiple placements!

• ad + listing in the print magazine

• ad + listing in the online digital magazine. The digital (flip-page) edition is also included in our twice monthly e-blasts & can be accessed through Facebook

• the listing will stay in our online Wellness Directory for 6 months, the online listing includes a free jpeg photo or logo & a weblink!

14 www.esswellness.com

TRanSFORM yOuR lIFE by nancy S. kay

healing effect, even when the recipients are unaware that prayer is being offered on their behalf, just this easily, a power-ful prayer has now been set in motion on your behalf. After you have done this, if you notice a waft of rose scent that has no discernable source or you see butterflies, feathers, or some cherished symbol wher-

ever you go, just say thank you. As you’ve opened yourself to God, God is showing Itself to you. And now you’ve become more than a passive reader—you’ve become part of this book, reshaping matter and calling forth miracles for yourself and countless others whom you will never know.

Lynn Woodland is a Minneapolis-based author whose first book, Power, Effectiveness and Spirit, published in 1999, won two awards from the Midwest Independent Publishers As-sociation (first place: Spiritual category, Merit Award: New Age category) and her second book, Holding a Butterfly, is scheduled for release in January, 2011. www.lynnwoodland.com

Express your authentic self

Butterfly from page 12

An excerpt from…Finding Me Again: A Journey to an Authentic Life by Nancy S. Kay

HEN YOU find the place in your life where you know you belong, you are truly living. You are

engaging the world with your mask off and implementing the four pillars of an authentic life: Hope, humility, forgiveness, and grati-tude, which will be discussed in future chap-ters. This fullness of life is found in the jour-ney of going deeper into your soul and then getting emotionally ‘naked’ with a few close people in your life. Fully living begins in the arena of self-acceptance. Until you are willing to accept the unpleasant truths of your life, you will rationalize or deny responsibility for your unhealthy and even damaging behavior. Freedom to allow your heart to accept your longings comes with self acceptance from asking the harder questions—and taking responsibility with the answers you find…. During therapy and coaching ses-sions….I have seen how certain patterns of thinking seem to fuel depression and move one away from reality. The two that surface most are hopelessness and self-loathing. Self-loathing is a pattern of thinking in which

you believe you are failure, not worthy of being loved or valued. Many times, profes-sional counseling is needed if the symptoms of depression are severe and/or thoughts of suicide are present. Antidepressant medica-tion may be necessary at times. In cases not as severe coaching is an alternative. Counsel-ing focuses on providing information about depression and treatment options, facilitating grieving unresolved losses, healing past emo-tional traumas, changing unhealthy thinking patterns, and encouraging alternative ways of coping. Coaching focuses more on cor-recting thoughts about self, others, and life, changing unhelpful patterns of thinking, and teaching coping skills. Interestingly, research has shown that successful counseling/coach-ing can help correct chemical imbalances in the brain as much as antidepressant medica-tions do, only more gradually. All professional treatment is primarily geared to increase hope. If you need a jumpstart, you might consider professional help to get your journey started. But what can you do to live a more hopeful life on your own? Living a life that is true to who you are can give a certain amount of energy to see life through a different, more hopeful lens. Finding Me Again: A Journey to an Au-thentic Life by professional counselor and life coach Nancy S. Kay focuses on how to access and express your authentic self in order to live your

life with greater satisfaction and purpose. Kay, a licensed professional counselor, life and executive coach, shows you how to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. An international lecturer on emotional health, relationship dynamics, and personal growth, Kay reveals how to focus on your unique emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects. You can choose your own future, Kay asserts, by knowing who you are and by acting on your needs and desires. By understanding your own values, you can better construct the life you are truly meant to live. FFI: nancy@prosperitascoach-ing.com or visit www.prosperitascoaching.com.

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ONGOINGMonDaYs & TuEsDaYs aT 6 pMMassage & Shiatsu career Info SessionsDiscover how you can have a rewarding career. CenterPoint Massage & Shiatsu Therapy School offers exciting programs for you to become a professional bodywork therapist. Call today! 612-617-9090. Visit www.CenterPointMN.com

JANUARYJan. 8adult cpR This American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR course teaches basic life support techniques to use on adults. This 4 hour class includes participation. Call: 612-617-9090. Visit www.CenterPointMN.com

Jan. 8First aid This American Heart Association First Aid course covers the basics of emergency response. This 4 hour class includes participation. Call: 612-617-9090. Visit www.CenterPointMN.com

Jan. 8Superconscious Meditation IExpand your awareness & calm your mind! Learn the basics of the science of meditation, the finest tool for physical, mental, & spiritual growth. Taught by Ma Devi. $40 or $35 pre-registered. 10 am. Call IHT: 651-645-1291, www.ihtyoga.org

Jan. 15Shiatsu basics workshopDiscover how simple & effective Shiatsu Therapy is for relieving headaches, backaches, & stiff necks. Learn the basics to share with family & friends, or to explore a new career. 10 am–5 pm. $75. Register at 612-617-9090. Visit www.CenterPointMN.com.

Jan. 15 peace is possible, It needs To be FeltVideo event featuring, Prem Rawatt, who speaks about the possibility of finding peace within. Free. 2 pm. Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S., Mpls. www.minnesotaconnect.net

Jan. 15The Spirituality of cooking & EatingMa Devi will teach the basics of Indian Yogic Cooking subzi, rice, dahl, ghee, & paneer. You will share in the preparation & eating with your fellow cooks. 10 am–noon. Cost: $30; with pre- registration $25. Call IHT: 651-645-1291, www.ihtyoga.org

Jan. 16Free lecture on QigongWith over 15 years of qigong practice, Peng has gained the ability to read physical ailments. He’ll discuss basic qigong concepts & how his form of qigong may benefit your health & well-being. Call 612.708.0753 or email peng@formlessformqigong.com to register. http://www.formlessformqigong.com

Jan. 19beginning psychic Development classDiscover & develop your own psychic gifts. 10 weeks starting Jan. 19. $30 per session. Presented by the four members of Psychics in the Cities. For more information see http://psychicsinthecities.com, email thecircle@thecircle.com or call 612-860-9196.

Jan. 22you are not your DnaFind out what the latest research is revealing about your destiny through the study of epigenetics with Dr. Ian Grunberg. 10 am–12:30 pm. Cost: $25; with pre- registration $20. Call IHT: 651-645-1291, www.ihtyoga.org

Jan. 22 & 23Healthy life ExpoMinneapolis Convention Center. Hundreds of exhibitors, three stages of speakers, demonstrations & entertainment. This is the largest show of its kind, don’t miss the opportunity to exhibit or attend. See it all at: www.ExpoGuys.com or for exhibitor information call 952-238-1700.

BEginning Jan. 22 & 23Spa & Resort Massage45 hour Continuing Education, NCBTMB. 3 Weekends, Jan. 22/23, Feb 19/20, Mar 19/20 • 9 am–5:30 pm. Massage Therapists: Discover the healing effects of Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, Heated Stone Massage, & more!. Call: 612-617-9090. Visit www.CenterPointMN.com

FEBRUARYBEginning FEB. 23psychic Development classLearn to consciously access & work with your soul’s guidance, clarity & wisdom. Practical tools/information to help you manage your energy effectively & reclaim who you are with compassion. Wednesday evenings, February-November. Cindy Lehman – 612.669.1861, cindy@cindylehman.com or www.cindylehman.com for more information.

FEB. 26 Twin cities psychic & Healing SymposiumAt the Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center. 9:30–6. Over 80 vendors: intuitive readers, holistic healers, aura photos, unique gifts & more! Keynote speakers. Free Parking. Exhibitor information: Dee, dee@edgelife.net, 715-259-3047. Tickets & FFI: www.edgelife.net

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