 A Season of Grace  Something feels different about this holiday season to me. Recently I read that food banks in the area and charities that collect gifts for children in the social services system are reporting a dearth of donations compared to last year. It’s understandable. It can be hard to give when one’s own resources feel so limited. Yet, in spite of the problems all around, there is something else that seems to be stirring. I hear people talking more this year about their connections to family, friends and each other and less about shopping, the hectic flurry of holiday parties and what to wear on New Year’s Eve. We seem to be holding a collective breath waiting to say goodbye to 2009 - a truly challenging year on so many fronts. What’s wonderful though, while we are all waiting to exhale, is that this truly is the season of grace - when small acts of kindness and connection really make a difference - when we reach out to each other with wishes for a brighter future and good fortune in the year ahead. This year the gift for all of us I think is that gift of grace - that gift of remembering what really matters and how celebrating that never goes out of fashion. In difficult times, grace is always present, just waiting to be discovered - a precious gift in plain wrapping that soothes the soul. So, to all my wonderful readers, may you be blessed this season with grace, peace and the true joy and love of family and friends. May you keep your heart open to greet the new year and plant beautiful seeds this winter of hope and desire. You have greatly blessed my life - may yours be blessed in turn.  SALE IN THE SHOP! If you are looking to give someone a gift of peace, relaxation and restoration or if you know somone who is looking to make more time in their day for meditation, then my new CD From Stress to Serenity might be just the thing. Until Christmas I am offering the CD at a 10% discount. Click here to order from the SHOP section of the website.  This month’s free mediation is about using the dormancy of winter to plant seeds of the soul. The winter solstice is coming soon - the shortest day of the year and a time, historically, to retreat within. Use this month’s meditation to plant and nurture the seeds of your soul on a daily basis.
All free downloadable meditations of the month are available in the SHOP section of the website. Opening to the Divine Seminar Program Starts December 29th! You still have time to register for the wonderful Opening to the Divine Seminar Program running for five weeks beginning on Tuesday, December 29th at 7:00pm EST. I am so excited about this program. The participating teachers and authors have so much wonderful information to share and our moderator, Kala Ambrose of ExploreYourSpirit.com, is a vibrant new addition to the series. Kala has also added a free gift of a beautiful Spirit of Hawaii Meditation for all registrants. Just click on the banner to hear a special message from Elizabeth Harper and to register for this wonderful seminar series!  If you are still undecided if this program is right for you, sign-up for the FREE INTRODUCTORY EVENING this Thursday, December 17th at 7:00pm EST. Elizabeth Harper and I will review the program, the speakers and answer questions. You can register HERE for the free introduction to the seminar.
There is a new woman’s group forming in Croton for the new year. The group theme is THERE IS LIGHT and is the creation of therapist and reiki master, Catherine Anesi, LCSW. The following is from Catherine’s flyer on the group: “Sometimes life seems so dark. It doesn’t have to be that way. In this group we will create a safe, nurturing, and honest environment where you will have the opportunity to let go of limiting beliefs that are holding you back from the grand life that is waiting for you. If you are willing to do the work, expect your life to take off. You will be expected to put a personal daily discipline in place in order to support you in the process of discovery. This is a closed group limited to six to eight woman who are committed to the process of exploration of self and spiritual growth.” The group will meet over a four-month period for eight sessions. Insurance of various types will be accepted for the program. To learn more about the group, contact Catherine Anesi at (914)589-8853 or via email at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).   Cathleen O’Connor is an inspirational speaker, writer, and consultant providing workshops and mentoring services to individuals and organizations on new and effective approaches to work and life balance. Her unique five-part approach recognizes five key ingredients necessary for a fulfilling life experience: vital health, meaningful relationships, meaningful work, creative play and spiritual practice. One of the favorite aspects of her work is mentoring other women in business to help them fully express their unique gifts. As a 30-year veteran of corporate life, Cathleen loves to assist women in developing effective techniques in leadership and management that naturally flow from who they are. Whatever business you are in or trying to start she can help you crystallize your vision, develop your message and even provide marketing content for websites, brochures or speaking engagements. Cathleen has a private counseling/coaching practice in Westchester County, NY and continues to speak and write on a variety of topics which support personal and professional growth and development. |
