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This is the print-friendly version of the April 2006 Newsletter -
Online Issue # 12
April 2006 Newsletter
Online Issue # 12
In this Issue:
See also, the print-friendly version of this newsletter (all the articles are on one web page).
Look for the next issue in August.
The Front Page
To Begin—Experiment
If you've taken one of my classes or worked with me individually, we've probably talked about small experiments you could try. Maybe you've conducted a few on your own, just to see what might happen. To me, experiments are terrific opportunities to discover something about what you want or need to know. Who hasn't had a fabulous idea that, once it was made real, never achieved its imaginary appeal? It might still remain a fabulous idea, but now that you have more information and experience, it's not one you'll be choosing anytime soon. Not every great idea makes your life great, but you often can't tell the difference until you conduct an experiment or two.
Some people are so focused on getting it right or getting started right away, that the prospect of an experiment is viewed as an unnecessary delay and deliberately bypassed. Who wants to discover weak links, missing information or things that need more time, work and attention? Who wants to delay a dream coming true? But on the other hand, who wants to create a dream-come-true nightmare?
Experiments promote flexibility and allow for a change of plan, mind and heart. Ineffectual methods can be modified or dropped, while better approaches can be developed and incorporated. This is often an unscientific, rather organic process of moving along to make something real happen. By focusing on a dream and how the world responds to it, you, the experimenter, need to be present to what is or is not happening in the moment. And creatively interacting to influence the best outcome. As information, impressions and experience accumulate, so does your own inner knowing and confidence.
Whether or not the outcomes are as originally envisioned, something wonderful occurs. Action is taken and stuff happens. Dedicated, focused observation returns rewards. An experiment can be totally convincing—I am going to do this. This is what I want. I love it. Or it can convince in the opposite direction—I will not be choosing this. I'm so glad I found this out before I committed myself further. Or a mixture—I sure am smarter now. I want to rethink this and talk to a few more people. Maybe I need to narrow my focus even more. Regardless, a more informed process emerges from the experiment.
There are things we just can't know for certain in advance. How can we know whether we will love, thrive, prosper and succeed at something we've never done before, without a little "trial and error" experimenting?
Your experiments are like warming up prior to vigorous exercise, stretching and easing into a thing with a mind toward your own well-being. You're not stalling, avoiding or delaying; it's just the opposite. Experiments are proof that you've begun the process. You're doing it.
The experiments you set up for yourself are ways to test the waters before you fling yourself into a sink or swim, do or die, scenario. Sure, experiments are often smaller and less dramatic than the real thing, but they allow you to obtain what you need: experience, information, self knowledge, confidence, support, results. They also enable you to minimize what you don't need: failure, loss, the premature death of your dream and all sorts of financial, legal and emotional reverberations.
Soooo... what ideas are you entertaining these days? How could you set up a little experiment or two to see what happens? Depending on your confidence and experience, it's fine to start small and go slow.
Enjoy a field trip. Volunteer. Attend a conference. Take a noncredit class. Build a cardboard prototype. Share samples. Get feedback. Take lessons. Draft an article. Talk to people. Contact someone who shares your interest. Find a friendly mentor. Take photos. Doodle a business card. Plan a trip. Google your idea. Buy the tools you need. Say yes.
However you do it, begin to try new things and immerse yourself in what you love, in order to find out whether you really love it or whether you love the idea of it—since these are two quite different things. You also need to find out if what you love is attracted to you.
What follows are a few of my own favorite experiments: Painted a table purple. Created a course proposal. Asked for help to envision a retreat. Took a class on creating newsletters. Leased an office for one year, now going on eleven. Sketched a web page.
Here's a friendly nudge for you to consider, if you want. What experiments are waiting for you to act? What do you hope to discover? What do you need to get started? Is 2006 the year to say yes?
To begin—experiment. Since there is value and guidance in whatever you discover, encourage yourself to play. It's one sure way of allowing room for the mystery of what you can't yet imagine.
With gratitude,
Laurie Mattila
Good Books
Trust Your Vibes
Secret Tools for Six-Sensory Living
by Sonia Choquette
Hay House, 2005
paperback, $14.95
Sonia Choquette is a professional intuitive, spiritual teacher and guide whose other books include: Diary of a Psychic, The Psychic Pathway, True Balance, and Your Heart's Desire. Choquette helps people learn to use and trust the guidance of their intuitive sixth sense. Her mission is to increase awareness of this spiritual—rather than physical—sense and how much we need it to "fulfill our life's purpose and to be peaceful and happy."
The book consists of 33 secrets (chapters) with titles like the following: The Sixth Sense Is Common Sense, Go With The Flow, Seek Higher Vibrations, Love The Adventure, Laughing Matters, and Slow Down. Choquette uses interesting stories from her work and life to illustrate the use of simple practices and techniques for developing intuition. Each chapter concludes with an idea for six-sensory practice.
This is an interesting, practical and informative book about a natural ability that can develop our creativity, nurture our spirituality, enhance our lives and increase our sense of well-being.
Also available from Hay House for $15.95, Trust Your Vibes Oracle Cards: A Powerful Tool Kit for Awakening Your Sixth Sense. Contains a 52-card deck plus guidebook.
"Being passionate about life tends to change your vibration from one of resistance and defense to one of attraction and receptivity. When you love life, life loves you back—so when you dive into it with exuberance and joy, life will reach out and enthusiastically embrace you. The more you love life by fully engaging in what feeds your soul, the more you spread that love around, and in doing so you heal yourself and others."
-Sonia Choquette
A New Earth
Awakening to Your Life's Purpose
by Eckhart Tolle
Dutton, 2005
hardcover, $24.95
Eckhart Tolle is a spiritual teacher and author of the best-selling book The Power of Now. Tolle's latest book, again about spiritual awakening, follows his first by seven years which he spent teaching and giving talks around the world. Those years refined and evolved his teaching, but more importantly they highlighted the urgency of a new and more loving way for humanity to inhabit the earth.
A New Earth examines in great detail the current state of humanity identified with ego-based consciousness. Following this Tolle introduces the shift/leap in consciousness that will reveal, and allow us to experience, who we truly are. It isn't until chapter nine—the book has ten chapters—that Tolle touches directly on your life's purpose. But there are glimpses in every chapter of living more freely, more peacefully, more joyfully and true to your purpose.
One chapter in particular, The Pain-Body, beautifully explains how our negative thoughts feed our emotional pain and keep it alive. While reading this chapter (I don't think it was a coincidence) I had the opportunity to both experience and observe this process occurring in my own mind. I found myself feeling afraid and upset when something didn't happen the way I thought it would. Eventually I saw that I was keeping the fear alive with my thoughts. To stop the pain this was causing, all I had to do was stop the thoughts, the ones I was using to feed and keep the fear and pain alive. So clear, yet so difficult; but I got it and I haven't forgotten.
Also available from Penguin Audio for $29.95, as an unabridged set of 8 CDs read by the author.
"There are three ways in which consciousness can flow into what you do and thus through you into this world, three modalities [Acceptance, Enjoyment, Enthusiasm] in which you can align your life with the creative power of the universe....Acceptance means: For now, this is what this situation, this moment, requires me to do, and so I do it willingly....Enjoyment is the second modality of awakened doing. On the new earth, enjoyment will replace wanting as the motivating power behind people's actions....Enthusiasm means there is deep enjoyment in what you do plus the added element of a goal or a vision that you work toward. You will feel like an arrow that is moving toward the target—and enjoying the journey."
-Eckhart Tolle
Inspiration
Your Ultimate Calling
by Wayne Dyer
Hay House, 2006
hardcover, $24.95
Wayne Dyer's newest book, and latest PBS television special, looks at inspiration with a twist on the ordinary. Instead of viewing inspiration as a mysterious, motivating energy that occasionally visits us, Dyer looks at inspiration as how we are called to live: "in-Spirit." How we go about our day, choosing to inspire others and allowing ourselves to be inspired, is what determines whether inspiration freely flows through our lives.
The book is full of Dyer's stories of how he practices inspiration and how he has been inspired by others. His enthusiasm and generosity toward the people he encounters might prompt you to examine your own interactions. Could you be making more of a difference, for others and yourself, in those brief, unplanned encounters that happen throughout an ordinary day? Would you be feeling more inspired yourself, if you reached out more to others? Do you slow down enough to allow situations and others to inspire you?
Dyer likes lists and offers them throughout the book: Ego's Dominating Messages, Essential Principles For Finding Your Way To An Inspired Life, The 12-Step Program to Simplicity, When You Are Inspired.... At the end of each chapter you'll find a section with suggestions for putting the ideas in the chapter to work.
In the Introduction, Dyer claims this is his most personal book yet. Critics might say it is also his most "preachy," pointing to frequent passages where Dyer seems to have it all figured out. In spite of that, reading the book is an opportunity to examine taking a more active role in living a life that inspires you and others, not just on occasion, but in a day-to-day way.
"Make an affirmation that whatever brings passion, enthusiasm, and inspiration to you is on its way. Say it often: It is on its way, it will arrive on time, and it will arrive in greater amounts than I imagined. Then look for even the tiniest clue that will help you be a vibrational match with your affirmation. You'll get what you think about, whether you want it or not!"
-Wayne Dyer
Profile of Lynne Olson
Questions:
“What if all the things that seem so unfair turn out to make sense after all? What if every life drama we needed for the growth of our soul was provided for us?”
Affirmation:
“I am given the circumstances I require for my awakening. Every situation, seen rightly, contains the seeds of my freedom.”
Questions and Affirmation by Joan Borysenko
“White Bird Must Fly Or She Will Die”
Ah. Life. Why can’t it be easy or fair? Why does it have to be so hard? Why? Why? Why?
The challenging, yet sweet and joyous journey of the past 16 years of my time on this planet has been rich with insides out, wrong sides up and right sides down. It’s been a journey of dark and of light, chaos, paradox, mystery and absolute delight. Rarely has it been easy. Let me also say I wouldn’t have done it any other way.
During this time, I’ve been twisting and turning, circling and spiraling, and above all, dancing back and forth along “the path.” You may ask, “What path is that?” Today I’d say it’s the path to authenticity, love, spirituality, and higher consciousness. However, in the beginning I knew only that I had to go on a journey. I sensed it would be of a spiritual nature, but I had no idea where I was going, how I’d get there, or what it would look like when I arrived. But I did know something needed to change.
What I know now – and what I was advised of from the beginning – is that the destination isn’t the goal. The gift is the journey itself. I’ve climbed up the spiral staircase towards the light and I’ve been pushed back down it into my depths – always moving up and down, sometimes resting and never landing on the same step twice. A constant thread has been my writing – the journaling, morning pages, poems, workshops, classes and retreats. It began as a tool, became an avocation and now it’s my vocation.
Leaping In
They say the longest journey begins with the smallest step. I didn’t know it then, but for me it was more like a leap. I had a vague notion that my long submerged authentic voice had started to whisper softly in my mind, but I really don’t know when I realized something was missing. I do remember the exact date when life as I knew it came to an abrupt halt and changed direction, moving toward some mysterious unknown future where I was not the one “in control.”
On August 14, 1990 I had an appointment to meet a psychic in a south Minneapolis pizza parlor. When I walked into the restaurant I didn’t know I’d be leaving it as a woman in turmoil and anguish, an emotional wreck fraught with extreme pain. Who was this stranger who knew nothing about the surface of my life, yet knew too much about my inner life? How dare he unearth the deep psychic traumas, dramas and the debris that I had conveniently tucked away? Yes, it was a painfully tumultuous experience and yes, I chose to do it. In retrospect, it was the “all aboard” call of my own freedom train traveling through a long dark tunnel toward the light.
My world was turned upside down. All the illusions I held about who I was were shattered, and over time I concluded that I needed to heal. Lake Superior called to me. So 16 months after the psychic reading, I moved to Duluth, which I called home for 11 years. The big lake provided the container that held my healing journey. In all seasons, she lured me into a safe yet spirited embrace with her “Big Sky” horizons, magical moods, and splendid sunsets reflected in her waters.
I settled into a sometimes intentional, sometimes “accidental,” and often frustratingly slow archeological dig of my life. Always, I seem to be tested in the continual development of the fine arts of trust, faith, patience, letting go and letting God. I know now that insights are revealed when I’m ready on some level to face them, even though it may not be readily apparent right away.
Forgetting that the “process” is about the journey itself and not the destination, there have been several times when I thought I’ve “arrived.” What the fool, me! The Universe usually responds with, “No, uh uh. Not by a long shot.” So then I’m given an opportunity to dig deeper, usually with a swift kick in the butt and a reminder that I’m not in control of what life sends me, just in how I choose to deal with it.
Heal is Just a Four-Letter Word
Is it possible that I can really boil the process of my journey down into this four-letter word, “heal?” I believe so, because by embracing the healing path I’ve come to experience a journey filled with extraordinarily ordinary moments brimming over with love, peace and joy. Yet concurrently, plenty of pain, shame and fear have “successfully” filled their own moments and here is where I believe the real healing takes place.
One of my most exquisite guiding quotes can be found in Sarah Ban Breathnach’s book, Simple Abundance. She says, “Pain prunes the unessential emotions, ambitions and illusions, teaching us the lessons we either consciously or unconsciously refuse to be taught by joy.” By walking through pain, I’ve been able to unearth the beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that kept me safe and sheltered, not only from life’s storms, but also from its gifts.
Since I began this now lifelong journey I’ve been blessed with a multitude of opportunities from the Universe to drive my growth. A short list includes: relocation (twice), job loss (twice), breast cancer, severe clinical depression, financial instability, and a house fire (not in that order). Add to that mix an amazing, yet sometimes tumultuous relationship over the last two years that has both filled me with a beautiful love and been the mirror I needed for digging into the most secret parts of my psyche. It’s offered some painful opportunities to walk deep into my soul and come out the other side a better person.
On the other hand, there have also been joyous gifts that have provided a rich foundation and evolving toolbox that I can use for traversing situations the Universe tosses me. These include: gratitude, awareness, acceptance and mystery; a deep connection with Mother Nature and the circle of the seasons; discovering the Feminine Divine and the power of ritual; a meditation practice that prepares me for my daily rounds along with life’s potholes and speed bumps; traveling in and out of “the dark night of the soul;” the companionship of a wonderful and feisty dog who took long walks in the woods with me and taught me unconditional love; and so much more.
Add to the list the wonderfully spirited people I’ve encountered along the way. They have been the teachers, guides, angels, supporters, healers and connectors who have enriched my life in ways known and unknown. The old saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears,” has played itself out again and again, all in perfectly elegant timing.
Then there are the words, the eloquent, meaningful and powerful words that constantly swirl in and around my mind. Coming in a wealth of forms including quotes, songs, books and conversations, words have greatly enriched and influenced the sum of my experience. Poet Rita Mae Brown says, “Words exert hidden power, like the moon on the tides.” That simple metaphor is deep in meaning and has begged me to be mindfully aware of the influence my words and thoughts have on the outcomes in my life. My own journey has illustrated to me loud and clear that we are what we think and believe.
The Cage Door Opens
Many of my most profound “aha” moments have their roots in words. In 1997, when I was in a particularly difficult stage of my dark night of the soul, my mind resurrected “White Bird,” one of my favorite songs from the 1970s.
It was an abnormally hot July day in Duluth, midway through a week-long writing course called “Autobiography of the Soul.” I was lying on my bed directly underneath the overhead fan, trying to remain cool. The words I had been writing and hearing that week were having a dramatic effect on me. Wracking, painful sobs emanated from a place – a soul place – deep, deep inside me, when I heard “it” furtively flit across my mind. “White Bird’s” haunting lyrics and melody snuck back into my consciousness and I reached out to grab on tight. It arrived right on time.
White bird
In a golden cage
On a winter’s day
In the rain
White bird
In a golden cage
Alone
White bird must fly
Or she will die **
This experience was another major turning point. The door to the cage I had put myself in early in life was now open, and it was up to me to do the work if I was ever to fly free. Since then it has become increasingly easier to make the difficult choices – when challenges arise – to delve into the murky mud of my existence, having faith and trust that I must walk through it in order to come out the other side. And the beauty of it is that what is on the other side is so ordinary that it’s really quite extraordinary.
Spreading My Wings
How does this spiritual journey I’ve been traveling inform the me I am today? For one thing, life is far richer and more joyful than it was when I began. In “being,” rather than “doing,” my life has slowed down dramatically. It’s simpler and more mindful, allowing me to find spirit, beauty and joy in the mundane experiences that fill my days.
Our culture is hell bent in driving people to be constantly “connected” to everywhere but where they are. My response is to be as present as I can be where I am. Whether it’s the sunlight casting rainbows about my bedroom, the big full moon rising up from Lake Superior, a kitty curled up tight in her bed, or sinking my hands into warm dishwater when I’m chilled, life is filled with sweet moments to immerse myself in. They allow my heart to be filled with gratitude and grace, knowing that I’m blessed.
Always striving to let go of attachment to outcome, I try to live from a place of unconditional love and not get bogged down by the pervasive fear that is everywhere. Fear keeps the buds of our authentic selves from blossoming into the divine expression of who we’re meant to be. Even though I often fall down, I take a deep breath to center myself and pick myself up again, knowing that everything is impermanent and I’m being given another opportunity to learn. It’s not always easy or perfect. But then who is perfect?
My learning has given me strength to handle life’s challenges from what I pray is a place of wisdom and love, turning toward the God of my understanding for support and guidance. Almost two years ago, I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer (which was immediately removed). Rather than turn on my heels and dive down into the dark tunnel of fear, almost immediately I was able to embrace this lump on the bumpy road of life from a place of love and healing. I knew deep in my heart that I was being held in light and that on some level all was well. That doesn’t mean that it wasn’t scary at times, because believe me it was. But the journey through cancer provided me opportunities to be particularly mindful of the language I used as well as to experience and integrate the deepest healing yet of my body, mind, soul and spirit. And so it goes.
We each have our own journey to travel. What works for you, may not work for me and vice versa. Yet we can learn from each other’s stories, for sharing them can confirm, affirm and validate our own journey. Stories give us other perspectives and remind us that we’re really not alone. They can help us know that we’re not crazy, lazy or hazy and that maybe – just maybe – the chaos will ease, making room for us to just be where we are at the moment. Our journeys are what they are – nothing more and nothing less. Therein lies the grace of transformation.
The white bird is finally flying free…sometimes. So be it and so it is.
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. — Anais Nin
written by Lynne Olson
© April 2006
Lynne Olson is an “accidental writer” who has transformed her writing from avocation into vocation. She aspires to write about issues surrounding health care, seeking to be a voice that helps bridge the East and the West. To pay the bills, Lynne is a professional – and published – writer for hire, who helps small businesses and organizations communicate their messages to those who need to know. You can contact her at lynnemolson@yahoo.com.
** Lyrics by Dave and Linda Laflamme of It's A Beautiful Day
Upcoming Calendar:
Discovery Writing: Creating A FutureSM
For NEW Students:
Discovery Writing: Creating A Future
This six-session class uses process writing as a way to explore what you truly desire; it is also a path to follow in creating your future.
Summer 2006
No classes will begin this summer.
Fall Schedule 2006
Wednesday evenings ( 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. )
September 20 October 4, 18 November 1, 15, 29
Saturday mornings ( 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. )
September 23 October 7, 21 November 4, 18 December 2
Winter Schedule 2007
Saturday mornings ( 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. )
January 13, 27 February 10, 24 March 10, 24
Monday evenings ( 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. )
January 29 February 12, 26 March 12, 26 April 9
View the online flyer to learn more about Discovery Writing: Creating A Future
For FORMER Students:
2006 Discovery Writing Weekend Retreat for Women—Celebrating 10 Years
The 10th annual Discovery Writing fall retreat is scheduled for the weekend of October 13-15 at StoneyWoods Retreat Center. In August, invitations will be mailed to all of the women who have taken Discovery Writing classes. Please pencil the dates on your calendar now, if you hope to join us for this special weekend retreat and celebration.
Intentional Living—Meaningful Work SM
A New 9-Month Group:
First came the class, next came the group—inspired by the class—that will meet monthly from September through May. If you have already taken the class, or you find yourself intrigued by the topic and you’re interested in the opportunity to participate in a small group, please contact me for more information. We’ll meet on the second Wednesday evening of each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at my office in St. Paul, MN. Payment will be $100 per quarter, payable in any month of the quarter, for a total of three payments. Limit of 8 students.
Meeting dates (by quarter) include:
September 13, October 11, November 8
December 13, January 10, February 14
March 14, April 11, May 9
About the Newsletter
This newsletter is created several times a year for my clients
and students, and anyone else interested in listening to and trusting
their own deep knowing. It is designed to support your process of
discovery and growth, and to bring you up-to-date about my practice.
It offers encouragement, guidance and resources for you.
You will find new issues posted on my website in the months of
April, August and December. I hope you add my website to your favorite
places and check back when the next issues are scheduled.
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