Clarity of Vision

It’s been awhile since I posted anything. Been working on some projects. One of those is now published!

Horse as Teacher: The Path to Authenticity is Now Available.

The stories in this collection will move you to tears, make you laugh, remind you of your first brush with love (in the form of a horse), and most important, connect you with your soul; because that’s what horses can do when you are willing to embrace what they so naturally and beautifully reveal to you.

The authors come from a variety of horse backgrounds, but there is a common thread – they all see the simple truth that these magnificent animals, through their presence and grace, can raise our consciousness, peel back the layers to uncover our true selves, and show us how to shine with brilliance.

Only $19.95 US! Click here to purchase your copy!

This morning I read an article by John Canzano, sportswriter for the Oregonian, Portland’s daily newspaper. The article was an update to a Christmas day column he wrote about 24-year old Katie Shearer, who died Sunday after a lengthy battle with melanoma.

By the end of the article, tears were pouring down my face. Here was a young woman who was at peace with her death because she had already lived a full life. The lesson Katie shared is that we are all mortal. In fact, she had thought about having a tattoo with “Memento Mori” (remember you are mortal) lasered onto her wrist. Katie understood what life is about… evolving, learning, looking at life as the journey, rather than death as the destination; enjoying each moment that remained and living life to the fullest.

What would you do if you knew you had a week to live?

Most of us trudge through life looking more critically at what we haven’t accomplished than what we have, at what might not happen instead of what is happening right now. What a way to live life. I know, I’ve done it. Katie’s story reminded me that the present is really what it’s all about. Each moment is full of joy, if we embrace it. Instead, we regret the past and fear the future. In the meantime, we miss what’s happening right now.

If you knew in this moment that the next moment would be the end of your life, what would you do? Would you be worried about the economic uncertainty in the world? Would you treat people with more respect? Would you laugh until your ribs hurt? Would you revel in all you have done in your life? Would you by happy or sad? Would you just be in that moment?

What would you do with this moment if you knew you it was your last?

Why wait?

A few years ago, I attended a college graduation ceremony. I don’t remember the speaker’s name, but I clearly remember the story she told. She had graduated with a degree from the college she was now addressing. After a few years of working in that field, she knew it wasn’t a passion of hers.

After months of soul-searching, trying to decide what to do as a profession, she was standing in front of a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf full of cookbooks, picture books of food, and travel books related to eating. Her husband walked into the room and asked her what she was doing.

“I’m trying to decide what to do with my life,” she replied. “I just don’t know what my passion is.”

Her husband rolled his eyes, looked at the wall of books, and suggested that she look more carefully at what was filling her library.

Message received, she went into the food industry and is now one of the leading authorities in her field.

A few weeks ago, after having read The Passion Test by Janet Atwood, I stepped in front of my bookshelf to see if it reflected a direction I might follow. What I saw were shelves of books on spirituality: The Bible, texts on Buddha, the Baha’i, Native American, Jewish, Mormon, Islam, Shamanism, and many, many more. Alongside of those were books on healing and personal and spiritual growth. Almost as many, were books on writing and publishing.

This may be an odd time with the economic chaos surrounding us for me to take a leap of faith, but I am driven to follow that passion.

For the past 12 months, I tried to mold myself into a teacher of social media, then to meld that with writing, looking more at the “business” end of my business (read: follow the money). The result has been a feeling of frustration, emptiness, and regret, all resulting from my fear that using my genius and talents in a way that honors my desires and purpose would be a financial risk.

Ironically, the other path didn’t really bring that much financial return, because it’s hard to attract something you want into your life when the vibration of energy isn’t there.

The recent upheaval in the world due to the illusory picture of the economy has been the final piece that is leading me to move to a business that encompasses healing and spirituality. Ironically, what the world needs more of right now are those who can help bring a message of change to help shift perspectives, reduce stress, and come together as a global community to help make our way through this scary time. It’s a time for healing, personally, in our communities, and in our world.

My vision for years has been that leaders become healers and healers become leaders. I have been inspired by the changing paradigm to stop dreaming about it and take an intentional leap of faith that healing and bringing that message of healing leadership to others is truly what I am meant to be doing in my business.

For those of you who are looking for more information about writing, I am most definitely going to continue to bring that knowledge and experience to my readers and clients. More than ever, the messengers of transformation and healing need to know the strategies and vehicles that will bring their voice to life.

For those of you who are looking for information from me about social media and how to use it to build your business, I will still be using those tools on this new path, researching what works in this fascinating world of technology, and will continue to pass beneficial learning on to you.

You might say it will be an eclectic mix of discussion, information, and sharing of perspectives.

I welcome you to join me. Please enter your comments at the bottom of this post. Leave your information, so others can find you. Let’s connect. That’s what the internet and social media is all about – the coming together of like minds to share information. And remember to subscribe to the RSS feed so that you know when a post or comment is made in response to yours!

Thank you for letting me take a moment of your time to share my path with you. “As Gandhi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” It is my renewed intention to follow that wisdom.

I hope you will stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Marilyn

Ever been in overwhelm? I can say that usually, I’m not. Years ago, I restructured my life so that I was only saying “Yes” to exactly what worked. That brought a lot of ease and fun into my life.

The last few weeks, I found myself in that old, familiar place: Too much to do, and not enough hours in the day.

What brought this on? Well, I asked for it, and I got it. I’ve been asking the universe for prosperity, making dreamboards, practicing wealth-building techniques. Doing all the mind work, and following up with specific steps. So, that part is working.

What I didn’t know was that the universe would reply ten-fold — all at once. So, it’s a joyful overwhelm, but overwhelm none-the-less.

Maybe spirit wanted to shake things up a bit, clear out some old to let some new in. It seems that’s the case.

Here’s what’s been happening, and why I haven’t been posting to the blog for awhile…

On July 5th, in preparation for my fourth vision quest in my shamanic studies, I submitted my intention in a ceremony. What was my intention? To live in abundant grace, elegantly, effortlessly, devotedly and with passion using my genius and talents to live my life’s purpose to honor all that spirit has provided to me in my life. Seemed simple and easy, don’t you think? Judging by the response, I’m getting some clear messages about what that purpose is all about.

On July 9th, a healing space for my shamanic practitioner work became available at a popular store in Portland, called Healing Waters & Sacred Spaces.

On July 12th, my significant other and I found a beautiful, old hunting lodge that is perfect for a retreat center. We decided to take the plunge and make it a place for spiritual workshops and classes.

On August 1st, I signed the papers for the healing space. I immediately began to get calls for sessions, and have had a number of new clients in the past month.

On August 2nd, we signed the papers for the Raven Lodge. We are in the process of renovating and moving. Lots of clearing away of stuff that I don’t need anymore. Not fun, but refreshing.

My vision quest was from August 19th - 25th. That was the most relaxing, peaceful part of the entire month!

In between everything else, I’ve been doing my best to keep up with business at Clarity of Vision.

This hasn’t been a typical August, by any stretch of the imagination.

So, as I’ve advised many of my clients to do, I’m stepping back to assess everything and see what all these changes mean, not only to me, but to my loved ones, clients, and business partners.

Why am I writing about this in my blog, instead of giving business advice? Well, when I was complaining to my partner that I hadn’t even had time to blog in the past month, the response I got was, “Why don’t you blog about what’s been going on in your life? Isn’t that what a blog is for?”

So, there you have it. There’ll be more advice in the coming posts. For now, I’m going to go breathe…