Issue No. 6

Dedicated to helping you learn how to enhance your life by honoring your soul and spirit while living day to day.

Article

All in a Dog’s Life

Greetings from the world of fine powdery dust!  As I mentioned last month, my kitchen is in the process of being renovated. The dust lingers in nooks, crannies and on every surface.  The good news is the new floor is in (beautiful) and the cabinets just about completed. By the time you read this, hopefully, the counter top and appliances will be installed.  Everything is progressing right on time; not necessarily my timetable and that’s really ok!

Through all of this I’ve been very attentive to my dog, Jasper, who’s been uprooted from his kitchen sanctuary – the place of his security, food, best bed (he has a few around the house) and favorite sleeping spots (other than the leather couch).  He’s had to get used to a whole new routine from feeding, to going out, coming in, sleeping and having no access to the cats’ litter box (always the gourmet). The first couple of weeks were really tough for him.  He’d sit in front of the blocked door and whine, sigh, groan, yawn, and pout.   I’d tell him, “No, sorry, it’s just the way it is – you can’t go in.”  Contrary to popular belief, old dogs can learn new tricks and he has adjusted pretty well with the help of a few doggie treats and lots of love.

It struck me that I often operate at this same level of a one-track mind that has been conditioned by my past experience.  I forget to exercise my spiritual muscle and instead resist reality by wanting something to be other than the way it is.  I, too, can sit in front of a door that is not opening, expect someone or a situation to be other than the way it is and still not have it be what I want, expect or think it should be until I’m blue in the face!  I get aggravated, pout, whine, complain, judge, fault find, hope and wait for it to be different. When I’m in this place of resistance, life becomes a struggle and I create a self-perpetuating drama.  Can you relate?

Fortunately, I have the capacity to be aware of reality and my reactions and responses to it.  When I sense struggle happening, I’m learning to see it as a sign that it’s time for me to identify the truth and facts of the situation and to sort out my hidden beliefs, expectations, agendas, attachments, fears and wants.  Again, it’s all about exercising my spiritual muscle.  Here’s a simple example of what I mean.

The facts- my house is a mess due to construction and I dislike (detest) housework. (No resistance there, eh?) The resistance - fears, expectations, wants - it’ll be like this forever; I’ll never get it cleaned up; it’ll take too long; I don’t want to have to clean; I want it clean now; It’ll just get dirty again; I’ll have to do it alone, poor me, etc.  The truths/reality: it will not last forever; I’ve had friends offer to help me clean up (thank you!); it could be fun to put the house back in order; it’ll look and feel great when it’s done and yes, it will take some work that will not kill me.  (Ok, so I can be lazy and unmotivated, too!)

While resistance can protect me from deeper emotional issues it can also be an easy way out, a habit of thought that keeps me from growing and moving forward. This simple practice of identifying the facts, the resistance and the truth has me look forward to getting it done and relieves me of the opportunity to feel like a martyr or a victim of dust and myself!  Awareness, patience and reflection allow this pattern to dissolve and frees me to take action.

Jasper has also taught me that just as I make decisions for him with his best interest at heart, there is a Divinity at work in my life doing the same for me. Jasper may not like the decision yet he lets go of what he wants way more easily than I do. Usually.  He showed me a great example of this recently.

We were walking one trash day when we encountered a whole cooked pork chop on the sidewalk.  Before I could pull him away from it (it had a bone in it) he had it in his mouth.  I began attempting to get it from him before he swallowed it bone and all.  I tried prying his mouth open - no luck; pulling it out of his mouth – no way; ordering him to drop it – yeah, right!  Finally I held two fingers over his nostrils until he ran out of breath and had to breathe through his mouth at which point he had to drop the pork chop. I grabbed it and threw it away expecting him to protest but he literally shook it off and we walked on.  I marveled over how easily he let go.  It was done, no remorse, no looking back, no punishing me for taking it away from him. 

How often I perpetuate my resistance by holding on to what I want and think is right for me or worse, for others!  How different would my life be if I learned this lesson from my dear little dog to let go, shake it off and move on knowing the source of Divine love is watching over me and has my best interests at heart?  How would your life be different? I’ll continue to work with this inquiry and would love to hear about your experiences!

Questions to ponder this month:
1. What reality(ies) are you resisting in your life?
2. How is this resistance serving you?
3. How would you/your life be different if you let go and surrendered to the truth?
4. What do you risk gaining?

Post script:
As I’ve been writing this issue Jasper’s health suddenly took a turn for the worse.  At 13.5 years old he’s had many reprieves from heaven’s doggie play group.  This time it was serious.  I spent the night comforting him, both of us sleeping on the new kitchen floor.  Three days ago Jim and I took him to the vet convinced this was it.  After a battery of tests the vet came up with a plan for additional treatment.  I’m relieved to say Jasper has responded well and is returning to his delightful doggie self.  Once again, he is my teacher showing me the strength of his inherent courage, the resilience of the life force that animates him and the depth of compassion, love and feeling I am capable of.  My angel in fur!

Special Invitation!
Would you and your spouse, significant other, friend or partner or someone(s) you know who fits this description like an opportunity to explore what it means to be in a spiritual partnership?

My colleague and business partner, JR and I are holding a free roundtable discussion on April 18th to explore this topic and would love to have you be part of it.  It is a one hour conference call and promises to be an insightful coaching conversation, inquiry, dialogue about how to consciously create a spiritual partnership.  

Note: We accomplish what we do by focusing on the bigger picture of your lives - what you are up to creating that is bigger than yourselves.  This is not couples’ therapy!

If you are interested in signing up, please email me or JR (jr@well.com) with your request and we'll send you back the time and conference line info. 
Please forward this to couples you know who might be interested in exploring this topic. 

Special Announcement!

I am humbled and delighted to announce that I have been given the gift of partnership!  JR Miller and I are creating a joint venture between SoulWorks Coaching® and JR’s company, Tetra.Teams, LLC.  We are working with people who are ready to create something bigger than themselves and experience the essential value, fresh perspectives, innovative strategies and space for exploration our team coaching methodology provides. We work with innovative thinkers in the health care industry and coaches who want to take the value of their business to a whole new level.  Our webpage is under development so stay tuned to learn more about the grounded support, authentic communication and deep inquiry that are yours when you work with us.

Readers Respond!

"Loved the newsletter. It came at just the right time, lots going on in my life in the past few weeks and it was seeming to come to a head. I received your newsletter and I was able to bring my thoughts back to the important ones, "I approve of Myself", "I am OK", "with God all things are possible" and "all is Well". I have to just keep remembering those things. Your issue has helped me to do that, Thanks so much for what you do, I am WELL ( Willing Enthusiastic, and Loving Life) today, and If I feel myself experiencing negative thoughts, I am going to open your Issue and read it again."

Nameste'
Karen

Thanks, Karen- You are SWELL -  Simply Willing Enthusiastic, and Loving Life!

What is the song your soul wants to sing?...

Listen to the voice of your soul...

New Offering:

TeleSoul Coaching Groups! SoulWorks Coaching is now offering group coaching over the phone for groups of 2 to 4 people.  The intimate group setting affords participants the opportunity to benefit from shared experiences, insights and inquiry as well as individual bimonthly private sessions. Call or email Monique for details!

Upcoming Events

Sunday Night Serenity Sessions
Every Sunday
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Beginners Meditation OPEN HOUSE - April 15 7:30-9:00 pm
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Life and Spirit Coaching Open House

Monday April 30 (at Healing Tree) 7:00- 9:00 pm
Come for free introductory evening of coaching!
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Life and Spirit Coaching Group! FULL!

Stay tuned for the next group start date! 5 sessions, every other week

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Create a Soul-Filled Vision for Your Life - details

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Great New Book: 

"Entering the Castle" by Caroline Myss was just released and is superb.  Based on the work of St. Teresa of Avila, a Christian mystic, Caroline speaks to the heart of our desire to know God and ourselves more deeply and provides specific guidelines through this often challenging, and ultimately beautiful process.  If you are called to know your soul, this book is a must. 

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"Soul Full" Moment Mini Meditation

Stop.

Take five deep breaths, breathing slowly into your belly and releasing.

Listen.

What are you sensing in your body?
How are you feeling emotionally?
What is your mind thinking?

What situation, circumstance, feeling, fact or person are you resisting?
What are the facts and truths?
What fears, beliefs, wants and expectations are you hanging on to?
What’s possible if you let go?
When will you?

Now, take five deep breaths, breathing slowly into your belly and releasing.
Go on with your day.

Be with your self where you are because that’s where you are!