Spirited Woman Blogger Team

Standing on Creativity Watch

We are proud to announce that we have a new Spirited Woman Blogger, Sue Sutherland-Hanson. She will be covering the beat of "creativity" for us. Go, Sue, go!

I am eight-years-old with the wind off the Straights of Juan de Fuca blowing through my hair on the outdoor stage of the culminating performance of Port Townsend’s Summer School of the Arts. I am the fairy with the flaxen hair pointing my finger convincingly at the wicked witch - early signs of my eclectic and life-long interest in creativity expressed as a teenager in piano, voice, trombone, painting, sculpting, to university studies in the arts and literature.

A career in teaching English as a Second Language offered ample opportunity to bring creativity to bear, but my connection to the arts waned in my adulthood.  I realized that I was feeling burned out and needed something to energize and sustain me. That something was creativity, a divine life-line that infuses energy into all aspects of life. In my 40’s, I intentionally chose writing as my creative outlet. I took all the writing classes my college offered and signed up for every workshop I could afford. I especially love poetry as a medium that can reveal the awe and mystery of this good hard life.

When I turned 50, I decided to go back to school earning a Masters of Divinity at Earlham School of Religion, a Quaker seminary. This Indiana school not only offered a low residency program, but it also included the option of a writing emphasis. The Quakers hold that a light burns within each human and that light looks a lot like creativity to me. Not surprisingly after contact with students from around the world, comparative religion and interfaith dialogue fascinated me. These studies gave language and historical context to what I knew from experience: humans are rich in spirit, wisdom, and creativity.

Mid-life has offered me a chance to synthesize my eclectic interests and discover that creativity includes spirit, art, play, and diversity – some of our best assets. In this blog, I’ll be looking for ways to engage and raise our awareness and appreciation for creativity both in our communities and within ourselves. 

I am thrilled to be blogging about creativity for Spirited Woman. I resonate with its mission to celebrate and encourage spirited women’s strength, resiliency, and of course, creativity.  I look forward to reporting the musings and sightings as a result of standing on creativity watch for spirited women everywhere.

Sue Sutherland-Hanson
Click here to read more of Sue's posts.

Seeing Through a Different Lens

We are delighted and thrilled that Pam Hale is the newest member of our Spirited Woman Blogger Team. Her beat will be wisdon and wellness - now I am sure you can't get enough of that! Welcome Pam.

When I was a young, brash 30-something (as opposed to a mature, still brash almost 70-year-old), I walked into the office of the editor of the Los Angeles Times and informed him that I wanted to write a column.

He said I had guts.

His editorial staff said that although my 14 sample columns proved I could write, a column required a kind of fortitude and longevity that I had not yet proven. I didn’t get the gig.

Almost 40 years later, I have a column-like-gig! Thanks to Nancy’s confidence in my fortitude and longevity, I’ll be offering you weekly blog posts on my thoughts on wisdom and wellness—a combo that promises an endless supply of material.

I’m delighted for many reasons, in addition to finally having a column of sorts. The first and most obvious is that wisdom and wellness is what my work is all about.

I’ve been a seeker all my life, and concerned with wellness. Trying to figure out what was wrong with my mother (an undiagnosed bi-polar alcoholic), I told God at a young age that I wanted some kind of scanner that would reveal the causes of all mysterious afflictions. (Another example of brashness?)

Years later, I prayed for that scanner again when I found out I had the breast cancer that killed my mother and grandmother. Miraculously, I was led to some wonderful doctors and also to some healers—in both the spiritual and material worlds. Believing that my real healing was a spiritual quest, I began my “second life” as a spiritual healer and counselor, using “scanning” techniques with my clients and teaching others how to see “through a different lens.”

My journey has been unconventional and wondrous, and so I am excited about sharing some of my adventures with you, including what I learn from experts. There is so much on the cutting edge of healing and spirituality now!

For instance, I just finished Eben Alexander’s Proof of Heaven, and agree with him that we have concentrated on the wrong world for solutions. Seeing and honoring ourselves as spiritual beings is the key. It's all about the world within. Do you agree?

I just finished a workshop with Gregg Braden, who said that ours is the first era where change is happening so fast that we’re being asked to change lenses in a very quick, resilient response to unprecedented events.

And changing lenses--one definition of resilience-- is a big key, I believe, to both wisdom and wellness.

Can’t wait to get started!

Pamela Hale, http://www.ThroughADifferentLens.com
Click here to read more of Pam's posts.

Tom Evans - Wizard of Light Bulb Moments

Roll out the drums. Blow your spirited triumphet - author Tom Evans is the "first guy" to be on our blogger team. It's a terrific balance to read things from a male's perspective and finally after a four year search - we've found our man in London. Look for Tom's posts weekly, and please support him with comments! Welcome, Tom.

I am an ex-techie broadcast engineer and internet consultant turned author, healer, wayseer and wizard of light bulb moments.

I am as surprised as anyone at how I came to this place at this time. I don’t possess a doctorate in metaphysics or comparative religion. I haven’t been near an ashram or sweat lodge. I haven’t  come through any dreadful life trauma and subsequent awakening experience.

I have however lived a charmed life. I possess an inquiring mind and have been blessed with an amazing gift for explaining the complex in ways everyone can understand. I also have been blessed with the gift of being able to heal across time and space (and with anyone anywhere in the world over Skype!!)

Some years ago, I started meditating after leaving corporate life behind and weird things started happening. For example, I began to see past and future lives in peoples’ auras (and have learned how teach others to do this too). I have both levitated and jumped time, although I have done both spontaneously and haven’t learned how to repeat or teach these tricks just yet.

As an engineer, I started to research how these odd things could possibly have happened. What I uncovered is that each of us is capable of performing what looks like magic – until you know how the tricks are done.

On my travels, I was gifted a pile of esoteric material which I am in the process of untangling and representing in a modern day context everyone can both easily embrace and utilise. What I have uncovered is a veritable treasure trove and just some of the keys to the wisdom of ages. I am fascinated about the true nature of thought and how not all thoughts are the same. Many come from outside our brains and they can be both blocked and encouraged to come in. What unfolds as a result is tapping into a rich seam of creativity, inspiration and wisdom.

As a natural teacher, my aim is to share and teach other teachers how to pass on and share the secrets of how to do this to others. I am also having the best fun ever in doing so in my life.

I am truly delighted to be the first man on the Spirited Woman Blogger Team and I look forward to hearing more from you. 

Tom Evans, www.recipesforfreshthinking.com, www.tomevans.co
Click here to read more of Tom's posts.

Introducing Molly Rosen - Our New "Life's Stories" Blogger

Old enough to know better and young enough to do something about it.

That statement sums up my story of mid-life, and underlies all the stories in Knowing Pains: Women on Love, Sex and Work in Our 40s. This book, an anthology that I developed with 32 women in 11 states, provides brutally honest, touching and funny essays about today’s woman in mid-life. 100% of all book profits are donated to Breast Cancer Action, a breast cancer non-profit. 

As I approached my 40th birthday, five years ago, I sensed some major changes happening. I had twenty years of experience at work behind me. My kids were no longer babies. And I felt more self-assured than ever, though without the cockiness of youth. There was no mistaking it though – I was getting older.

When I talked to friends about life in their 40s, what I found is that just about everyone had an opinion on the topic, usually a strong one.

So, on my 40th birthday, I decided to take a one-year hiatus from my career and I quit my job. I knew it was really just one more day – that nothing had really changed that significantly. But I needed to work on something new, develop new parts of myself.

I started to ask "real" women to tell me their story about life in their 40s. What they experienced, how they felt, and what they chose to do in this decade. The outcome eventually became Knowing Pains: Women on Love, Sex and Work in Our 40s - a series of true stories by women from a variety of backgrounds in education, business, and the arts.

For the first time ever, I am going to share these stories on a blog. I have chosen Spirited Woman, because I like its spirit and sense of life. I will also become Spirited Woman's first-ever "Life's Stories"' blogger.

In my posts, you will meet Natalie who reports on her “hair experiment,” and Ona who tries a different kind of experiment through a love triangle. Get inspired by the passions of Nancy and Ana. Share the heartache of Maria and Regina. Elizabeth talks about her acceptance of God. Elaine talks about her rejection of retail store dressing rooms.

These are the women in our lives who get more interesting, more kind, and more powerful as they navigate rocky relationships, social expectations and their own dreams. Some are married. Many are not. Some have children. Others do not.

There are experiences in everyone’s life that cause us to “find our voice” and compel us to pause and reflect on how we got here and how it feels. These writers have found their voice and they tell their stories. Through these stories, I have found inspiration, companionship and a lot of humor – and I think you will too. 

I invite you to read them, react to them, tell me what you think. Consider what is YOUR story. Perhaps we’ll run some of them and keep this Knowing Pains series alive!

- Molly Rosen  www.knowingpains.com
Click here to read more of Molly's posts.

Connections

We welcome Andrea Chilcote to our blogger team. Andrea, we're very excited to have you as our new relationship blogger.

Thank you Spirited Woman for the opportunity to share my experience and create a dialogue about a topic so important – our relationships.

For many years I have sought a way to explain my work -- what I actually do. I’m an executive coach, a leadership development expert, and a writer. When I say that, people often respond, “But what is it that you do?” The popularity of life coaching has helped somewhat, though even that doesn’t always convey why companies hire me to do this type of work.

Here’s what I really do. I help people build relationships – all kinds of relationships. The common denominator that defines my work is the connections we have or seek: with ourselves, with other people, with the natural world, and with the minute-by-minute opportunities afforded us by the grand existence called being a human.

Connection is a primal need, particularly for women. That’s why there’s so much distress in organizations when personal agendas and misplaced hierarchical boundaries trump inclusion and collaboration. It’s why, in one-on-one relationships, we seek to be heard and understood first and foremost. The basis of trust is the feeling that one is safe with the other -- and trust is required for engagement of any kind. Perhaps most important is a connection with ourselves; an eyes-wide-open type of awareness that stems from honest self-examination. This leads to two things: a state of being called “settled in self” as well as on-purpose action.

In the coming months I’ll be blogging about building upon the relationship you enjoy with yourself, with key others, and your animal companions. I’ll include that oh-so-important relationship you have with time -- the moment at hand -- as that is where the magic begins.

As you “relate” to my posts, I invite you to begin a dialogue. Share your own stories and reflections to spread the spirit among all of us.

Andrea Chilcote, www.morningstarventures.com
Click here for more of Andrea's posts.

It's All About the Experience

Nancy Adair is the newest member of our Spirited Woman Blogger Team. Her beat us travel. Welcome Nancy.

If you grew up in a large family, then you may share my childhood travel experience - nada. But, like a lot of kids, I dreamed big. I stuck with French through college and picked up some Spanish along the way. I would be prepared when my big travel opportunity came.

And it did. During my sophomore year of college I fell in love with Mister Wanderlust - my future husband. On our fourth date we drove twelve hours to Washington, D.C. and several dates hence we took a steamboat trip on the Ohio River. The ease with which we just picked up and went ignited my travel spirit.

My husband’s career in the Foreign Service took us to exotic lands and challenged our adaptability. In a world replete with terrorism, we learned to blend in and not draw attention to ourselves.

To emerge ourselves in new cultures, we learned by doing, by walking in someone else’s shoes. We shopped at local markets and ate local foods - well, except for flying fox, fufu, and termites. We invented our own entertainment. I sang in international choirs, studied languages, volunteered at Mother Theresa’s orphanage and traveled. My kids learned hacky sack, soccer, boule and marble games like mancala. We made friends from all over the world and entertained often, covering the dinner table with local textiles and center pieces.

In the Foreign Service we say, there’s no bad experience, just learning experience. And I am so thrilled that The Spirited Woman has given me a second travel opportunity—to share my learning experience with you. This is a privilege as well as an important psychological outlet for me because I just can’t stay home.

- Nancy Adair  nancyadair2002@yahoo.com
Click here to read more of Nancy's posts.

The Art of Letting Go

What a pleasure to join the Spirited Woman team as one of your life inspiration bloggers. If you are the woman who is constantly surprised at life’s unexpected twists and turns, then I’d love to hear from you.

Early on, life revealed the humor of me designing plans that would change on a dime. Most were small detours but some left me gasping for air and wondering how the heck to get back to normal. In retrospect, the path (and plan) was always perfect and placed me in the position to flourish. The emerging lesson was that in order to thrive, one must let go of the past, release expectations and look for opportunities waiting to happen.

Now as a speaker, trainer and author of inspirational books, it’s my joy to empower people to be their best, despite their age, education or circumstances. My newest book, Upside: How to Zig When Life Zags, is a hands-on guide about tapping into your resilience, developing a sustainable plan for success that can withstand change and utilize your core talents.

My own life is an inspiration for the book, since I’ve been downsized, laid off, qualified for food stamps, championed over Stage 4 cancer and married into a blended family. I divide my time between my permanent home in Florida and my home state of Alabama to care for elder parents. It’s been a roller coaster ride, and one I wouldn’t change for all the chocolate in the world.

My intention with the Spirited Woman blog is to share ideas, observations and life lessons with you -- ideas on being at peace in a world of chaos, observations on letting go of the old to make room for the new and lessons that Spirit brings us in every encounter. Along the way, I hope you’ll share your own thoughts and stories. Together, we are the Spirited Woman team!

- Allison Blankenship, http://www.allisonspeaks.com,  http://www.UpsideTheBook.com
Click here to read more of Allison's posts.

What Is Your Life's Purpose?

I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Health and Wellness Blogger for Spirited Woman. Having been surrounded by males growing up (I was the oldest with five brothers) I am now so appreciative of the women in my life and love to be in the presence of the creative and healing feminine.

My work in the world encompasses a range of activities and I wear many different hats. As a 30-year teacher of yoga and meditation, a fitness professional (one of the early women bodybuilders in the US) and a natural nutritionist, my message is one of balance. My husband, Dr. Mehrad Nazari, and I lead yoga and health retreats around the world and our lives are dedicated to helping others grow and flourish even as we continue our studies with great teachers.

Over 30 years ago, my interest in health and wellness began when I started my truth-seeking journey. From the moment I became aware that my belief system was limited, great mentors and guides came to me to help me along the path of higher health and well-being and to point the way. What I learned above all is the importance of balance. To strive to improve ourselves on all levels, physically, mentally and emotionally. When we are balanced in these foundational areas of ourselves, Spirit brilliantly shines forth.

Although my new book, The Tenth Door: An Adventure Through the Jungles of Enlightenment is the story of my journey on the Path, it is, in fact, everyone’s journey. As we grow, there are certain stages that we all pass through on our way to achieving the best that we can be: Looking at ourselves clearly, choosing the positive over the negative, and asking the potent question, What is my life’s purpose?

My intention in blogging for you is to share with you what I have learned on my journey toward wholeness -- tips to help you stay balanced in the midst of life’s ups and downs--in the hope that it will shine light on your path as you shine your light for others.

In Health and Well-Being,

- Michele Hébert, www.rajayogis.net
Click here to read more of Michele's posts.

"Spirit Shots" from Shiloh Sophia McCloud - Part Meditation, Part Power Boost

Greetings Spirited Women!

I'm Shiloh Sophia McCloud, the new blogger of "Spirit Shots" - little doses of spirit infused with woman-powered words and images. My hope is that when you need a dose of something sweet and sassy for the soul, something to make you feel better about your day - you will come on over and visit my blog at Spirited Woman.

I have been following Spirited Woman for a few years now and feel so blessed to participate in the women's work that Nancy and the SW team are sharing with the world. I have been writing and teaching and painting since the ripe young age of 22. This year when I turned 40 I looked back at my life (as women tend to do when they turn a decade) and I looked at what I was proud of and what stood out for me - as in - what have I been doing?

Well, it was my creative work - and the work I did in women's community that made me feel like I had chosen well. Sure, it was a risk - but one I am so glad I took!. And it has led me to this fantabulous moment in my life! Like the poet Mary Oliver asks us - What will you do with your one wild and precious life?

One of the favorite parts about my work as an entrepreneur is that it is my JOB to encourage us to live our dreams, to pursue our visions, to build our own legends, to invent ourselves. We aren't just stuck with the story or the DNA we came in with. We have some CHOICE about how our lives turn out, we can be active participants in this journey - but first - WE GOTTA CHOOSE IT.

Choosing ourselves, our identity and our lives is a profoundly creative and self-loving act. It takes boldness and courage. A shot of spirit. A lot of community support. And a willingness not to turn back once we have set our feet on the path ahead of us. Spirited women aren't women who fit in the box, follow the rules or do what others do to fit in. Sometimes though, we need encouragement and to know we are NOT alone. Communities like this are profound reminders, lifelines even, that there are other women out here on the path who have chosen to think for themselves. And to that, I say, YAHOO!

Friendship! Adventure! Culture! Environment!

Friendship! Adventure! Culture! Environment! FACE the world head-on! This is how I travel.

As both a Spirited Woman and a world traveler, I’ve developed a philosophy regarding my presence in the world at large that I’m excited to share. Let me start by saying that I’ve been to all seven continents, including Antarctica, and still feel I haven’t hit the tip of the iceberg in terms of the “best” ways to travel the planet. I’m always learning new tips and finding new back roads I want to follow, but I have definitely decided that there is a distinction between TRAVELING and VACATIONING.

Traveling, to me, is about the opportunity to get outside of my own worldview, my comfort zone, and to experience a culture, a location and a way of living that is different from my own. In traveling, I live out my policy to FACE the world – to experience Friendship, Adventure, Culture and to take care of the Environment while I’m at it. Vacationing is about getting away from home, relaxing and recuperating from the business that life requires of us, while travel is about changing ourselves through our encounters with the world. I’m a fan of both. Sometimes I go somewhere in order to vacation and sometimes I ditch the idea of vacationing on a beach with a margarita in my hand and go deep into travel /adventure mode where I find myself in new ways.

When I travel, I live close to the ground, to the average person in, say, Panama. I try to eat what they eat, get around the way they get around and frequent the shops and businesses that they frequent.

As the new Spirited Woman travel blogger, I’ll be sharing with you what I’ve learned about how to travel in a gritty, culture-sensitive way, how to plan for such experiences, how to roll with the unexpected surprises that can happen whenever we leave the comfort of home, and how to do it all on a shoestring.

I'm excited to get started and look forward to your tips, comments, and advice!

- Cami Ostman, www.7marathons7continents.com, www.camiostman.net
Click here to read more of Cami's posts