Looking for Space....A Call to Inspiration

(Originally published in "A Call to Inspiration" Blog on June 30, 2010)
By Andrea Hylen

After spending several hours writing and researching information for the blog this morning, I added a picture to the blog and all of the words were lost. For a moment, I sat here with my mouth open in shock and then opened to a new inspiration. Change is like that. Awakening is like that. Walking down the path, adjusting to a change, finding new answers and living in the moment.

I will re-write that blog in the future. For now, I am going to change direction and share a simple song from John Denver.

Looking for Space was released in Feb 1976, during my first year of college, almost 35 years ago. The words have expanded in depth over the years. As I meet people in person and on-line, I see the song as a theme for the world. The words connect with all ages, genders, and cultures. We are living in extraordinary times. Music is one of the healers and awakeners.

I found a beautiful video on Youtube with the song and nature scenes. The words remind me that we are on a journey of life. All of us have moments of soaring like the eagle and weeping in despair. We can connect with the center of our heart, Spirit, and nature to awaken and remember who we are.

Here are some of the words:

On the road of experience, I'm trying to find my own way.
Sometimes I wish that I could fly away
When I think that I'm moving, suddenly things stand still
I'm afraid 'cause I think they always will

And I'm looking for space
And to find out who I am
And I'm looking to know and understand
It's a sweet, sweet dream
Sometimes I'm almost there
Sometimes I fly like an eagle
And sometimes I weep in despair

All alone in the universe, sometimes that's how it seems
I get lost in the sadness and the streams
Then I look in the center, suddenly everythings clear
I find myself in the sunshine and my dreams


Link to John Denver's Looking for Space:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWfxuzJYNgY


Embrace the adventure,
Andrea

Grief Transformation With Music

Grief Transformation With Music:

The Gift of a Tape Player That Led to a Health Recovery

Music has always been a powerful healer for me. Songs are linked and woven into the memories of joy, sadness, and change woven into the memories. Music and sound opens my heart to bring forth the tears or anger or other emotions of loss.

Many years ago, I was diagnosed with an automimmune condition called polymiositis. My immune system began to attack my muscles. I became weaker and weaker. I was so physically weak that walking down the street and tripping on a crack in the sidewalk would send me hurtling forward. Several times my face landed with a  smack onto the pavement. I am amazed I didn't shatter the facial bones. I also took 3 hour naps every day just to function. My daily goal was to keep my one year old daughter safe during my nap and to cook dinner.

After two years of holistic and traditional medicine, I was lying in a hospital bed suddenly unable to walk at all. I was in an isolation room because the doctors thought I had a bacterial infection and if they didn't find the source I might die. I knew in my heart and soul that I was having a reaction to a new medication that I had started taking three weeks earlier. I just had to wait for them to figure that out and for the drug to leave my body. For a week, I was allowed to have visitors but was isolated from the other patients.

One day, a friend of mine named Lucky Sweeny brought a portable tape player, headphones and a tape of Kenny Loggins singing songs from "Return to Pooh Corner" to the hospital. If you have never heard of the CD it is listed under CDs for children and adult contemporary. Some of the song titles are Rainbow Connection, Return to Pooh Corner, and a Neverland Medley.

I had never heard the music before, but as I played the tape I began to sob. Huge tears fell from my eyes and I sobbed on and off for two days. All of the layers of pain and frustration broke open in my heart. I grieved the loss of my health, the 60 lbs I had gained on prednisone, the loss of control of my life, the quality of time with my children, and the failure to heal. Through the tears, I released the gunk that was surrounding my heart I was so frustrated and discouraged. In the sobbing, I wondered what was wrong with me. Why couldn't I heal? No matter what I did, it seemed like I was getting sicker. I had fallen to my knees over and over again for two years. I thought I had surrendered and released. In my gut wrenching sobbing, I asked, "God, what else do you want me to do? What do I need to learn from this?"

I took the prescription medication and listened to the advice from the doctors. I tried a wide variety of vitamins. I had weekly acupuncture that included therapy focusing on the emotions and clues from my body. I prayed, and ate healthy food. I wrote about my emotions in a journal. I had daily rituals of affirmations and a positive focus.

People were praying for me.

It seemed like nothing was working. As I look back now, this is what I believe happened. I had been actively doing and being the inner work. I was doing exactly what I needed to do to fully experience a health crisis. And the last huge piece was to end up in the hospital and grieve. I had to let go of a picture of my life and release the vision I was trying to control. It took time to do that. It took time... The wounds were deeper and required a journey deep into my core center.

In the hospital, the music and the words of the songs on the tape pierced my heart. I opened to more love. I connected with my heart and completely surrendered. I released through tears. There were elements of forgiveness, gratitude, self-love and letting go and the willingness to let go completely.

 

At the end of two days, I experienced a light bulb flashing moment. I knew that I was going to get well and I was going to start home schooling my kids. I stopped feeling like a victim and I woke up to the power that is within me. I had taken a deep dive into the pain and had emerged with a new vision for my life.

It was one of the most powerful moments of my life. With the help of the music, I had shined a light into the core of my being. I discovered something new and I emerged to heal and live a fuller, richer, deeper life.

Day 8: No Stopping (Photography and Doodle Inspirations)

I was asking for guidance, "What is the next step with Heal My Voice?"

Here was the answer ...

Here was my inspired doodle:

Day 7: Giraffe Energy (My summer: Photography and Doodle Inspirations)

This sculpture is in someone's front yard in Toluca Lake, CA.

Giraffe Energy: Balancing speech with silence, open to the bigger picture, stay connected to the earth, open your 3rd eye for wisdom, increase your perspective by looking in all directions.

A closer picture...

The inspired Doodle:

Day 6: Dragon Energy (Photography and Doodle Inspiration)

Day 6 of a Photography and Doodle exercise to explore creativity and self-expression.

On Riverside Drive, there is a magnificent dragon scultpture in a courtyard surrounded by offices. The dragon totem is described as a powerful guardian and guide and supports the Power of Change and Transformation

Here is a closer picture...

Doodling the dragon and water and fire...

Day 5: Roots...(Photography and Doodle-Inspired Self-Expression)

I love the trees on Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake, CA. I am fascinated by the depth and twisting and turning of the roots. They remind me to connect to the Earth and stay grounded.

The Doodle and the words I feel in the roots of this magnificent tree.:

Day 4: Clouds (An August Break with Photography and Doodling)

When I walk the mile to Priscilla's coffee shop once or twice a day, I have developed a meditative practice.

I walk along the street opening and closing my eyes. Eyes closed for 5-10 steps connecting to my heart and breathing and feeling the impact of my feet on the pavement. 

When I open my eyes, I listen to my heart and I look to a place where I feel guided to look. I observe nature, the sidewalk, the skyline. I might stop and touch the leaves of a tree or stop to observe bees and butterflies pollinating a group of flowers. I notice a red flower growing in the midst of yellow and white petunias.

I notice things. I look into the eyes of the people I pass on the street. Words pop off a sign. U Love. The world has an aliveness that could have been missed by swiftly walking and thinking about what I will do when I get to the coffeeshop or when I get home.

A view of the skyline:

Doodling late last night. The words Freedom and Rich came to me. Combining all of the parts of life as I open to the inspiration on my walk.

Day 3: Butterflies (Inspired by Photography and Doodling)

Butterflies...seems to be the theme of the last 24 hours. From Jason Mraz singing the song Butterfly to finding a butterfly on this bush of flowers to a Virtual Tour of Oregon with the Yellow Swallowtail on Facebook Page Live a Life Worth Celebrating.

Below are two photographs and the doodle.

Here's the bush:

The Butterfly:

The Doodle: Freedom to Fly and Transform

Day 2: Photography and Doodle: There's a Wishbone in my Tree

Outside the window of my apartment, there is a wishbone shape in the tree. The first time I saw it was a month after I moved in. This was a year ago. I was talking on the phone with my friend, Sherryl Frauenglass. All of a sudden I stopped and I said, "There is a wishbone in my tree!"


Look at the picture...do you see the wishbone?

How about now? Do you see it?

 Look closer...Now...make a wish!

 My Doodle: Make a Wish!

Day 1 Photography and Doodle-Trader Joe's is an Event

Two or three times per week, I walk about a mile to Trader Joe's. I purchase whatever I can carry in two cloth bags or I swing by for samples. The samples make this an event.

On the way into the store, select a shopping basket, not a cart.

Make a beeline to the far corner in the back and get a free sample of coffee.

Check out the sample.

Walk around the store, shopping and drinking coffee.

Find a new food and read the label for possible future.

Grocery shopping is an Event!

Trader Joe's is an Event!

Doodled the Adventure of Trader Joe's

Heal My Voice: Inspired by Photography and Doodling

Heal My Voice launched the first official project at a women gathering in Baltimore/DC in May 2011.

In June, twenty-one women said, yes, to a nine month project of writing, speaking and leadership growth. We spent the first month listening for the story that wants to emerge.

Doodle from your heart.

 In July, we added Doodling, inspired by the colorful, creative, Melissa McClain. (We were focused on Discovering the story.) You can find Melissa on Facebook to learn more about the Doodling Challenge every month.  http://www.facebook.com/melissaAnneColors .

In August, I am going to combine the Doodling with Photography. This month in Heal My Voice we are Exploring the story. The other night, I was weaving around Facebook and found something called the August Break 2011 on Amy Miyamoto's page. (http://www.facebook.com/AmyMiyamotoPage)

Amy wrote a blog about how she was joining a "No rules. No pressure. August Break from regular blogging."  The idea was created by Susannah Conway. (Link to her blog: http://www.susannahconway.com/the-august-break-2011/)

Words from Susannah's blog:

"Okay, here’s the plan for the August Break: you simply share one photo (or more!) per day on your blog – Monday to Friday, or every day. Or whenever you feel moved to share. Using any camera – DSLR, compact, Polaroid, Holga, iPhone (my choice), Instax, film or digital – with or without words – anything goes! – for the whole of August. No pressure – just looking at August through your camera lens as a way to be more present this summer. And to have a little break from the pressures and expectations of regular blogging.

There are NO RULES, people! Just sunshine (hopefully) and a bit of fun. And lots of lovely photos to look at."

So, I am totally inspired by the combination of the two. As I walk around Toluca Lake, CA every day, I am always inspired by words, nature, people and more. I am thinking about Doodling the Photograph of the Day.

Join me for some creative expansion during the month of August. Or anytime... Post your doodles on Facebook: Heal My Voice Page or Jonas Watch Page.

Heal My Voice: The birth of a non-profit organization

Heal My Voice emerged out of a book project with Evolutionary Women in 2008. The book, "Conscious Choices: An Evolutionary Woman's Guide to Life" was a compilation of the voices of 44 women who wrote a personal story about their lives.

 

 

Creating the non-profit organization, Heal My Voice was the next step. It was created as a way to collaborate with women in organizations to heal a story in their lives while building a strong community around the project. Heal My Voice is the space holder for collaborative containers  of creativity, support, healing, and sharing leadership.

"A woman’s voice is the seat of her power and her compassion. A woman’s word can heal or destroy; it can be a balm and a ballast, or it can be a source of divisiveness and destruction. A woman’s voice is the seat of her power not only to choose her own destiny but also to manifest it. A woman’s voice is a woman’s choice." -Yogi Bhajan...

As each woman heals a story in her life, she can take the next step into leadership in her family, community and the world. We are committed to creating tribes of leaders who can all fully express who they are and their unique gifts.

Our mission is to: Empower women and girls to heal grief, loss, and trauma, and reclaim their inner authority, so they can develop and use their leadership skills in their homes, communities, and the world, by developing collaborative projects that encourage leadership, community building, and the reclaiming of each woman's voice.

 

 

Join us in our mission to help each woman discover her voice.

For more information, go to http://www.healmyvoice.org/

Interactive E-book Club...Series 1

Interactive E-book Club...Series 1
(Sept 2010-Sept 2011)

September 6, 2010

Here is a lasered blog with the membership details and two video links (at bottom of blog) describing the essence and purpose of the club.

Membership is $22 for the Series (For a short period of time the price is $17)

*You will receive 8-10 chapters per month, e-mailed in pdf form.

*At the end of Dec 2010, April 2011 and Sept 2011, you will receive a complete E-book in pdf document. (3 full length e-books)

Book 1- 24,000 mile journey Part 1 (Approx 40 chapters)
Book 2- 24,000 mile journey Part 2 (Approx 40 chapters)
Book 3- The journey of leaving Maryland to move to California  Part 1 (Approx 40 chapters)

* Reflective questions at the end of each chapter to help you activate your own dreams and explore your own inner journey.

*Monthly survey: Your ideas, your input, voting for the book cover and book title, and more...

*Monthly drawing with prizes like books, posters and goodies.

*Teleseminar type event on ustream, blog talk radio or telephone conference 3 times during the year. Scheduled after each completed book. Topics will emerge out of discussions and surveys. For example, "How to create and follow a dream"

*The Club is for all Ages. Wisdom from teens, adults and elders is ALL welcome! (posting a video with examples of wisdom from all ages on this journey. Coming soon!)

*Facebook Page: An Evolutionary Woman's Journey Series.

Watch the videos to understand more about the IDEA! Thanks for watching... (See below)

Go to my formspring account, if you have more questions: http://www.formspring.me/andreahylen

Introduction to An Interactive E-Book Club: Click Here for Introduction

Membership details: Click Here for Membership Details

Longer blog with excerpts from the book: http://bit.ly/membdescription

Click here to sign up now! www.opentoinspiration.com

Discover your own inner journey in an interactive e-book series

Discover your own inner journey in an interactive e-book series
September 3, 2010

I love the fall! New ideas! Bursts of energy! And a preview of the coming year. During Sept, the month before my birthday, this always happens. Ideas come to me and I work on them over the next year. Maybe it is the conditioning of the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. Maybe it is seasonal. Maybe it is related to my birthday and the promise of a new year!

Whatever it is, 2 project ideas have arrived! I am going to tell you about one of them today.

Many of you know I traveled to 45 Jonas Brothers concerts during the summer of 2009. Hannah, my youngest daughter and I drove 24,000 miles in 11 weeks.

A few days ago, I surrendered to the impulse to share this book. The book involves 45 Jonas Brothers concerts, but there is a deeper story underneath. I felt called to do something that summer that made no logical sense and I lived on the edge financially to do it for three months.  Every time I was ready to give up, be responsible, come back to Baltimore, there was a paradigm shift.

*An invitation to dinner in Portland from a mother who was following the journey
*A 3-minute conversation with a woman in Minneapolis telling me the blogs were a lifeline to her 13 year old daughter
*A job to film Jonas fans playing Bop-it
*A mother who became a lifeline to my daughter in Los Angeles
*Tickets and hotel rooms that appeared from musicians and a bus driver who was driving the back up band.

It became a quest. With limited money,  I had to think differently to make it to the end.

Isn't that what we are all being called to do right now? Think in a different way about all of the details in our lives. Everything in the world is changing. Jobs, housing, banking, education, government and healthcare.  This is not the time to give up. This is the time to dig deeper, get a new perspective, awaken our creativity, and collaborate with one another.

Here is the beginning of my vision. It will continue to evolve this year:

I am creating a membership called An Evolutionary Woman's Journey series (this came to me as I drove through the mountains in 2008. Another story!)

The membership time period is Oct 1, 2010-Sept 30, 2011. The cost is $22. (If you sign up now, the cost is $17 and you will receive the first excerpt of the book on Sept 22, 2010)

Three e-books will be released this year:

Book 1-45 concerts Part 1
Book 2-45 concerts Part 2
Book 3-Living on the Road: A One-year journey

Here is what you do:

1. Go to this link to sign up: http://bit.ly/ewjourney

2. Every month 8-10 chapters of the current book will be e-mailed to you on the 22nd. I will mail the first chapters on Sept 22. It will be a pdf file. You can read it on your computer or print it out.

3. A survey will arrive 2 weeks later asking you for your opinion about things in the book.

4. Every month there will be something for you to vote on- Title of the book, Cover design, Book structure. I will supply the content of the book, but you will be building it with me. There is a book series called, "Choose Your Own Adventure." There may be elements of that added to the book. Sections about making choices in our lives.

5. There is a Facebook page to join called An Evolutionary Woman's Journey Series. There will be discussions. Anyone can join the FB page, but the books will only be shared with people who have a membership.

6. More ideas will emerge! And many of them will come from you.

7. If anyone has a business or a website, there will be space in the back of the book to advertise. E-mail me at opentoinspiration@gmail.com for advertising info.

8. If you have more questions about the program before signing up, write in the comments section of this blog or go to my formspring account. http://www.formspring.me/andreahylen

9. A monthly drawing with prizes like posters, books and goodies. More ideas will emerge...

                            ******************

Here are some of the lines from the book- Part 1:


*Concert 5-:  I started thinking about the impact we can each have on the people and the world around us. I talked with many fans who felt that the Jonas Brothers music had healed their hearts. They felt sad or unloved in their lives. This sadness could be from the loss of a loved one or an illness or a disappointment in life.

As I sang the songs in the concert tonight, I began to imagine that I was a light beam in the world. I was feeling the love and the music and then I was imagining that I could spread that love to the section I was in and then to the rest of the arena and out into the world.

What if that is true? What if whenever we felt love we began to radiate love to the world? Try this. Think of a situation where you have felt love. Feel the love and imagine that it can flow out of you, like breathing in and out. Breathe in the love. Breathe out the love. As you feel the healing of you own heart, breathe that out into the world and then breathe it in again. Maybe that is the greatest gift of following the Jonas Brothers. The love we feel radiated to ourselves and each other.


*I ask myself, "Why can't I trust life to support me? Why must I worry and fear that things will not work out? Why am I holding onto the details of life so tightly when I have so much proof that I am supported?

*Am I here to watch the movie of my life or am I here for the ride? I choose the ride.

*Concert 6- Tacoma, Washington. I needed silence. My mind was racing with questions and I wanted to find a stillness to hear the answers. For me the silence is best in nature. I take a quiet walk or sit and watch the birds, the flowers, the trees, the wind, the clouds and the sky. As I sit in that still connection between myself and something greater than myself, the questions begin to appear.

*(talking about the impact of songs from the bands traveling with the Jonas Brothers) From the Honor Society is the song, "See U in the Dark." This is stirring something in me that is ready for the next chapter in my life. I am closing the chapter of homeschooling Mom. Widow of Hurley. Baltimore resident. I am excited to move into the next chapter and it is scary at the same time. The words from the song, "I'll never see you the same, The veil has been lifted, now I see you're gifted, My whole perspective has changed." This summer I want to explore the questions, "What are my gifts? What is the next step for me? How do I support Hannah in the last two years of school and begin to explore my own new life?" What's next?

*Concert 9: Provo, Utah. My victory is your victory. My YES! to the Universe, is your YES! to the Universe. My adventure leads you to your adventure.

It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone and risk everything. I am learning to relax more on this evolutionary edge and follow the ideas and the guidance. Every step leads me to the next step.

*This is funny. As I write this blog, the ad on my Facebook page in this moment reads, “Be more than a Leader. Be an influential leader. Learn how to create solutions that make a difference!”

                                                                     ********

 I hope you will join me on the journey this year, as we create something together. Here is the link to sign up: http://bit.ly/ewjourney

Moved to another blog for the summer/fall 2010

Hello community of supporters and life travelers!

I wanted to let you know that I created another blog for the summer and fall of 2010.

The name of the new blog is A Call to Inspiration. Initially, it will be one blog a week until I submit my book to a publisher.  I would love if you would go to the site and become a follower.

The focus will be the call to inspiration I am observing in the world. The blogs will include music, film, art, spiritual leaders and inspiration. Examples of hope and infinite possibilities.

Please comment your own experiences as a way to share and inspire each other. Please share the new blog on Facebook and Twitter.

http://calltoinspiration.blogspot.com/

Embrace the adventure,
Andrea

Day 108: On the road-Spiritual Authors Part 8

Spiritual Authors: Part 8

This is the last blog in a series of 8. The five authors in this last blog were all people I connected with through the contest and Facebook. My body is energized from listening to the messages they are each bringing forth.

The Next Top Spiritual Author Contest has been a calling for 3000 people to share their gifts with the world. With this kind of passion and enthusiasm, imagine what we can do to heal, transform and create a shift in consciousness?  Peace within creates peace on Earth.

Here are the authors:

36) Laura Cannon and Tim Mulosmanaj. Laura and Tim are a happily married couple who have committed themselves to helping other couples create connection, purpose and growth in their relationships. They are filled with joy, passion and laughter. I already feel that Laura is a soul sister. She is a member of On Purpose Networking in Baltimore, one of my favorite places on the planet. The name of their book is Creationships: Transform your romantic relationship into the ultimate tool for growth and fulfillment. Watch their video here: http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=532

37) Mahri Best.  Mahri is a live-er of life. She has followed her inner guidance throughout her life to a variety of jobs and travel. After watching her video, I felt more connected to myself. She delivers a passion of beautiful words and a feeling of unlimited potential. I have so much I want to say here about her! I suggest you click on the link and read the description of her book. Her message carries a powerful energy of healing. Her book is called, "Soul Talking: Wisdom in Rhyme to make a difference through her words and music." http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2156

38) Marguerite Piazza Bonnett. Marguerite's life could easily be made into a Hallmark movie of the week. Her mother was a famous actress. Her father was a socialite who died when she was 7.  And the stepfather spent all of their money while her mother was battling cancer. With all of that, Marguerite went on a path of discovering who she REALLY is! Now, she wants to help you do that, too.   She radiates so much light. The name of her book is: 12 New Thought Steps: The Secret to Releasing Old Patterns And Creating a Life You Love Living.  View the link to her video here: http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=256 

39) Michelle Casto. At the bottom of Michelle's bio is a quote by Osho, "A master cannot teach, but she can invite you." This is the perfect description of Michelle. When I read her facebook page or the words on her author page, I feel invited into her space. She is a consciousness catalyst who ignites the inner fire of anyone who is willing and enters into her space. I would describe her as a spiritual mover and shaker! The name of her book is, "The Destiny Decision: Integrating Choice and Grace on your Sacred Path of Purpose" http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2107

40) Stuart Rosen. Stuart is an author, speaker and has hosted 3 radio shows, EnLighten Up, Manifesting the Positive, and Dare to Be Your Best. By watching his video, I know that the book he has written about a man who lost his job and is at a spiritual crossroads is going to be entertaining. Stuart is a cat lover.  From the hairdresser cat, to the yoda cat, to all of the beautiful cat expressions in his video, he had me at, "So I was telling my hairdresser all about my new novel." The name of his book is , "Dare to Be Your Best" Click on the link to watch his video http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2339

Enjoy the spiritual wisdom, and heart centered connection of the authors and Vote! Thanks so much.

My book is Open to Inspiration: The summer a woman discovered herself with a teenage daughter and the Jonas Brothers on a 10,000 mile road trip.  http://www.NextTopAuthor.com/?aid=49

Top 250 authors go to Round 2.

Day 106: On the Road Spiritual Authors Part 7

This is the last week of voting for the Next Top Spiritual Author contest. May 3, 2010 midnight. Don't wait! Vote now!

I decided to devote a blog to five of the male authors in the contest. All five of the men are writing books that inspired me in different ways. All 5 of them were on Tambra Harck's radio show Joy of Love and Life. When Tambra finishes the last few shows this week , there will be 13 shows with 4-6 authors on each show. Here is the link to all of the recordings:
http://joyofloveandlife.com/NTSAseries.htm

And here is the link for Tambra's book, Sacred Truths: http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2109

Now on to the men:

31) Brad Williams. Brad is an astrologer and a spiritual counselor. He believes that we each need to embrace the inner feminine to support the transformation in the world to balance the mind and the heart. His book is called Thinking Man's Dreamer, Based on a true story: One man's journey finding balance in the divine feminine. Click here to listen to his book video: http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2827

32) David Wodtke. David is a deep lover of nature and animals. Watching his video with his calming soul and pictures of nature, I felt peace. David is peace. His book talks about seeing the external environment, including nature as a part of us. The name of his book is Awakening the Heart's Natural Love. To view his video, click here: http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=44

33) Michael Brown. Mike is a spiritual coach who helps people turn their blocks into blessings. He is so passionate and full of laughter and love.  The name of his book came from the words his mother said to him throughout his life. It wasn't until he was about 34 that he began to feel that what she said was true about each one of us. The name of his book is: You are a Gift to the World: A Message from my Mother. View his audio here: http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=1878

34) Michael David Lawrence.  Michael is a Residential Coach at a therapeutic boarding school for teenage girls. I was really inspired by his message, the work he has been doing for 35 years and his commitment to help people heal. His book was written to help you get in touch with your wounded inner child and how to recover from trauma. The name of his book is, "Emotional Health: Freedom From Suffering and Trauma." Listen to his audio here http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2627

35) Paul Terrill. Paul is a Conscious Living Coach. He lives and breathes his passion to live life with joy and purpose and gratitude. In his book, he uses real life stories of people he has coached and the steps to live life empowered. His book is called, "Applied Empowerment: A Manual for Conscious Living" http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=1898

Enjoy the spiritual wisdom, and heart centered connection of the authors and Vote! Thanks so much.

My book is Open to Inspiration: The summer a woman discovered herself with a teenage daughter and the Jonas Brothers on a 10,000 mile road trip.  http://www.NextTopAuthor.com/?aid=49

Top 250 authors go to Round 2.

Day 101: On the road Next Top Spiritual Author contest Part 6

April 22, 2010
Happy Earth Day!

Here is Part 6 of the Introduction of 5 more authors in the Next Top Spiritual Author contest. I am so grateful for the divine way I have been led to each of the authors. Some of them I have known for years and others have crossed by path in the last week.

Enjoy the journey and adventure with each of these pure souls.

26) Carol Woodliff. Carol is a hypnotherapist and a speaker. She has had an amazing career and background.  Her book emerged from a conversation with a voice within that asked her to write this book. All of her life experiences led her to this moment.  I met Carol through my book buddy, Anna Stookey. Anna spoke of the incredible spirit of Carol and I agree. Her book is called, "From Scared to Sacred: A Skeptic's Journey of Hearing, Accepting, and Living from the Voice Within. Listen to her audio here: http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2127

27) Cerena Mary Lauren. Cerena Mary is a professional social worker and a Minister of Spiritual Peacemaking.  I met her through the network of ministers from the Beloved Community and James Twyman. She is devoted to helping people heal deep wounds from their past. Her book is called, "Sacred Release: How to change your stories and reclaim who you came here to be." View her video here:  http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=634

28) Cynthia Reiber. Cynthia is a Minister of Spiritual Peacemaking and co-founder of an organization called Home: Healing Our Mutual Earth. Her resume is a mile long.  She is one of the most generous ministers in the Beloved Community and is always leading groups and sharing her time. Her book is called, "Becoming an Alchemist: Tools for Understanding and Developing Your Connection to the Divine" Listen to her audio here:  http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=245

29) Maria Gamb. Maria is a former Fortune 500 executive trailblazer who worked in corporate America for more than 20 years. Another powerful woman with a long resume. I met Maria at the Freedom Formula Experience in Los Angeles in 2009. The way I would describe her is powerful, heart-centered and passionate. She is absolutely a leader who is blazing a trail for healing.  Her book is called, "The Healing of Corporate America: How to create powerful values based leadership that gets results." View her video here:  http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2343

30) Margie Marketta Myllari. Margie is a Minister of Spiritual Peacemaking who is devoted to the Divine Mother. Her hometown is in the Arctic Circle in Lapland, the official city of Santa Claus. She has an incredible vision to build a Peace Chapel there. Her book is called, "Maria Magdalena in my Heart: Margie's Courageous Journey to Maria Magdalena.   http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=233

Enjoy the spiritual wisdom, and heart centered connection of the authors and Vote! Thanks so much.

My book is Open to Inspiration: The summer a woman discovered herself with a teenage daughter and the Jonas Brothers on a 10,000 mile road trip.  http://www.NextTopAuthor.com/?aid=49

Top 250 authors go to Round 2.

Day 100: On the road-Dramatic Adventure and the grant writing process

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Dramatic Adventure Theatre shares the journey of the Pepsi Refresh Challenge

                                              The Application Process

I had a conversation with my daughter, Mary K., co-owner of Dramatic Adventure Theatre. We went through the process of filling out the application and gathered experiences to share with you.

Here is the link to the Dramatic Adventure Theatre idea. They need DAILY voting for the next 9 days:

http://www.refresheverything.com/dramaticadventure

If you are specifically interested in applying for this grant, the first thing I would do is click on the link above. Then, After voting! Click on the following words:

How It Works
anyone can submit their idea
Download the toolkit

The toolkit lists the step by step instructions and lists the dates for applying. This is the most critical piece to understand.

Here is some advice from Mary K. about the application:

1) Go into the site and pick a few "ideas" to follow. "Ideas" is the term that pepsi uses throughout the site. 

2) Look at the ideas in the Top 10 spots and the bottom 10 spots. Look at the presentation of the ideas.

3) Make a list of things you like and don't like. Think about things you already have created for your organizations website. Do you have pictures, a solid mission statement, short videos? Do you have a "why" for doing this?

4) There are 10 winners every month in the $5,000, $25,000 and $50,000 categories. The top 10 ideas with the most votes.

5) The $250,000 category is awarded to the Top 2. She feels that you need a really solid support system in place to receive enough votes to reach that level.

6. When applying for a grant take the lower category instead of reaching for a higher number. For example, if you have an idea with a budget of $30,000, select the $25,000 level. In the budget notes, make a note that you will be raising the additional $5,000 for the project. Someone may see that note and donate money to you. Do not add an extra $20,000 to your budget, if you can do it for $30,000.

7. Your application is also your "idea" website. So, it all has to be ready when you submit it.

8. Mary K and Jesse applied on the first day of the month, at 12:00 am (midnight). They received confirmation at 12:08 am. When they checked something at 12:28 am, the application process for the month was closed. 1000 applications were received.

9. The first picture you upload becomes the lead picture on your site. You can't change it. Choose the picture that best reflects your idea.

10. On that note, Mary K. was noticing all kinds of typos, even on an organization's name. Review all of the information well. This will be the face of your organization for the entire month. You can not change it once it uploaded and the voting begins.

11. If you are an individual applying for a grant vs an organization, select one of the lower amounts of money. *one important note for an individual. Write the description like a biography in 3rd person. It brings more credibility to the project. For example, you have a quilting project and you need funding for materials. "Dana has been a quilter for 20 years. Her greatest passion is providing quilts to people who are in hospice. The quilts provide warmth for the patient who is dying and the quilt goes home with the family member as a memory of the last days of their life. The quilts created by Dana will provide..." Mary the presentation from 3rd person is more powerful and compelling. Instead of writing, I have been a quilter for ... I will provide...I have done...

12. This last piece can be a little confusing. I am going to break this down into bite-size pieces.
-You have applied for the grant and your application has been "received"
-You will receive notification of final acceptance around 6am on the first day of the month.
-The pepsi website shuts down 8pm-midnight on the last day of the month.
-Basically, you will prepare everything and still you don't know if you are accepted until the day the voting begins.

Timeline example:

Idea site is completed by Feb 28 at noon
Application submitted at 12:01 am on March 1
March is the month to prepare your idea site with information and videos and pictures
April 1 6am (approx time) you receive the Yes! that you are accepted and everything goes LIVE.

I hope this was helpful to some of you who will be applying for this grant or another grant. Next week, we will list things Dramatic Adventure Theatre did to prepare for the voting.

All of the preparations made their organization stronger. Even if they had not been accepted for the grant process, they created a momentum in their company. They have all learned and grown so much this month.

More information next week. Thanks for voting!

http://www.refresheverything.com/dramaticadventure

Day 99: On the Road: Next Top Spiritual Authors Part 5

Next Top Spiritual Authors Part 5
April 20, 2010

My intention is to introduce you to 5 more incredible authors on Tues and Thurs through May 3. This has become a spiritual journey of receiving inspiration from all over the world.

As a reminder, you can vote for as many people as you want to in Round 1. I have voted for approx 40 authors in the contest. Top 250 go on to Round 2.

21) Lynn Serafinn. Lynn is a Transformation Coach who has used her personal story to help people unlock their own. She is an author, radio talk show host and has a passion to help other spiritual authors unlock their own passions. I heard her story on Tambra Harck's radio show and felt inspired to reach out and connect with her. Her book is called, The Garden of the Soul:  Lessons from four flowers that unearth the Self. The link to her video is here: http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2016

22) Margaret Adams. Margaret is a retired nurse and widow who is sharing wisdom in her community. I met Margaret at a women's gathering in Conway, Arkansas when I was invited to share insights from a book I co-authored called Conscious Choices. Margaret has been a well kept secret up until now. Being in her presence and talking about life in a very simple way, I felt transformed from listening to her stories and connecting with her deep wisdom. Her book is called, Messages of Love: My spiritual experiences. Click here to watch her video-  http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=206

23) Sandy Harper. Sandy considers herself a Mommy first to her 3 yr old miracle baby Jake. She was inspired in prayer to create Gratitude Boot Camp. I first heard of Sandy on Tambra Harck's radio show. I love gratitude and felt a connection to her book. The book is called:  Gratitude Habit: Live in Gratitude and Create the Life of your Dreams. Her video link is here:  http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2649

24) Shamim Sadiq.  Shamim is a physician by profession and a curious soul searcher living life around the world. One of my Facebook/networking friends connected me with Shamim. She talks about the journey of life in her book. Her book is called: Aim Vertically not Horizontally. Listen to her audio here. http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2738

25) Wal Achmueller. Wal is an artist and a communicator devoted to encourage creative Self-expression. Connecting with her was one of the inspired examples of this contest. I accepted a friend connection from her on Facebook. A few days later I felt inspired to get on the Author share site. She had shared the link to her video and a few inspired quotes that I connected to personally. I watched her video and decided to vote and ask if I could include her on the blog. Then I realized that we had been crossing paths for 3 days. Cool, huh? The title of her book is Sanctuary of Creativity: A Quest Into Self and the Creative Flow. The link to her video is here:  http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=1978

Enjoy the spiritual wisdom, and heart centered connection of the authors and Vote! Thanks so much.

My book is Open to Inspiration: The summer a woman discovered herself with a teenage daughter and the Jonas Brothers on a 10,000 mile road trip.  http://www.NextTopAuthor.com/?aid=49

Top 250 authors go to Round 2.