Your Life Is Art

Today’s piece is two parts- one part point, one part soapbox!

Love you, enjoy.

Your Life is Art

What if you went to a gallery and only stood in one spot for every item? What if you walked through the gallery quickly- glancing at each item- “I like it, I hate it, like, like, hate, hate, hate”.

Art galleries invite us to stop, invite us to take things in, invite us to walk around a piece and take in all of its nuance and to truly experience the piece. Lighting, set up and atmosphere are purposefully orchestrated to have us slow down and focus.

Imagine a situation you have had recently- one with an emotional charge. Put that on the pedestal in your mind and step back. Step back and take a look. Walk around it.

Give yourself different perspectives walking closer and then further away. What do you see? What do you feel? Is it exactly the way you ‘perceived it’ at first sight.

Okay, let’s ground this in a true story.

My daughter is almost 13. Breathe. She gets up in the morning and mopes about, tries to get out of going to school (every morning since she was 6).

On the mornings when I look at the story from 2D – stand in one position I get this “Smarten up, you are messing up my morning by being so grumpy, get your butt to school and with a smile on your face, why do I have to do this every morning!!! AARRGHHH!”.

When I step back and take in the story I see how beautiful she is, I see how funny it is that we play this game EVERY morning, I see that this will not last forever, I see that most of the times she is smirking under the mope and if I don’t focus on the mope the smirk grows and the mope fades. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.

In shifting perspective I can get the beauty.

And one more thing….

Do you like to go to art galleries alone? Sometimes. Often however, we enjoy looking at things with another person. We enjoy sharing the experience and it grows richer.

Truly this is the role of coaches and counselors.

Recently I have heard this sentiment a lot “why are there so many coaches?, everyone and their dog are now calling themselves a coach!” It is an emerging field, but I hazard a guess that there are still more hairdressers then coaches. I can’t think of anyone who would not benefit from having a great coach.

Aileen Gibb puts it beautifully:

“My purpose as a coach is to:

• Be another pair of eyes for my client to see with.
• Be another pair of ears for my client to listen with.
• Be another voice to ask questions my client might otherwise ignore or avoid.
  

Being A Coach, Inspired Future Publishing, 2010

Like a fantastic hairdresser a coach or counselor can be a true gift you give yourself.

Your life is a piece of art- every single moment- **take**it** in**.

Hot Tips for a Happy Life
January 2011


I haven't been inspired to do my newsletter for the last two months but after hearing and seeing the raft of "Top _____ of 2010" I was thinking about what 'tip' made me the HAPPIEST in 2010.

After thinking for a little while, this one story keeps coming back- I think of this comparison often and I hope it's helpful to you too.

I would love to hear your top 'happy maker' in the comment section- would be great to create a list.

Thank You for your support in 2010, it was a year abundant in amazing people.

I am grateful to tears for the conversations and the wise teachers of 2010-
thank you, thank you, thank you.

Blessings to you into 2011,
May your year be all that you want it to be.

Love,
Fawna
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A Big Assumption

The thought that has been most helpful in maintaining happiness this year is

........(drum roll)......

God Loves Me.

I know that all three little words are emotionally charged-

GOD- insert whatever word you like for a benevolent creative force.

Loves- insert a word that you can grasp- caring, compassionate, unconditional positive regard (a counseling term) and

ME- by me I am referring to that changeless perfection- that full value that never goes away- the original you.

I will explain with a word picture- please stay with me as it might not make sense at first.

I trust McDonalds, I trust them so much that when I go to the drive thru window I order confidently, I order and I drive forward. I expect them to deliver exactly what I want and in 5 minutes or less. If they do not provide me with what I want I am MAD!!! No straws? No fries? watch out.


Now, here is me with the Divine. I put in my order, I reword my order and put it in again. I order again, I order again, I beg, I do a bit of bargaining...Sometimes I drive forward, but usually just a bit and then I go back to the order window- "did you get that?", "did you hear me?", "maybe if I light a candle, chant and wear the right shirt?".

I trust McDonalds, I am getting better at Trusting God.

I am getting better at trusting that God Loves Me- it changes the way that I look at everything, it changes what I expect, it changes how I see the people around me.

Now, before I go on, I need to squeeze this metaphor a little bit more.

I don't want anyone to get the impression that I believe that if I order a car, a relationship or a full night of sleep at the Divine Drive Up window that if I just drive forward I will get it. God loves me. She knows what I really want.

At the Divine Drive Inn the menu reads like this:

Faithfulness
Gentleness
Goodness
Joy
Kindness
Patience
Love
Peace.

The price that I need to pay is only this thought

- that I am not worth it-

in all the ways that that this thought shows up (for me it's usually guilt).

If I put in an order for this menu, I will get it- I've tried it this year, if I ask and trust it will be there I will dine on the menu item of my choice.

The funniest part, usually while I am driving forward I look over and- bam- there it is- it was
with me all the time.

Happily Yours,
Fawna

*****************************************************************************************
2011 Events

May 10 and 11 I will be hosting Jason Warwick- a 'Messenger of Peace' and ACIM teacher
He will be doing a Tuesday evening workshop in Calgary
and a day workshop in Longview on Wednesday- with a movie night!!

90 minute healing sessions, flexible times available

More Kitchen Table Awareness coming...

www.fawnabews.com for more details

HOT TIPS FOR A HAPPY LIFE- NOVEMBER

Hot Tips for a Happy Life
November 2010

Hello,

The way this month has gone you probably would have liked a hot tip sooner,
a hot anything!

I have been wanting to write on the subject of today's newsletter for quite a while.

Today, after spending the day in the mall with my 3 children, it is top of mind!

Acceptance: today I had to accept that 13 year olds are not that excited about
Santa pictures, that 12 year old girls do not have a lot of patience, particularly
with 4 year old brothers who ask a lot of questions and change every song to
include the word 'poop' in it.

I had to accept that when shopping with the agenda's of 4 different people the
ability to stay peaceful is less easy.

The last few months the tips have been based around 'noticing' your thoughts.
Once they are noticed the next step to happy is acceptance.

It is what it is,
Love,
Fawna
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ACCEPTANCE

Have you ever felt the frustration of going on a full rant and having someone say
"you just have to accept it". Accept a 'broken' healthcare system, children getting hurt or starvation in Africa???

The clearest I've been able to get on this is that acceptance means looking clearly at
what is in front of you and having a sense that 'it is what it is', taking away the
suffering aspect- the arguing aspect.

This does not mean that you don't notice how something might be improved-
or hold you back fromtaking inspired action on those thoughts. Acceptance is
not necessarily a passive decision.

What has helped me with acceptance are babies and flowers. Babies cannot walk,
they cannot talk, they poop their pants- but are they 'broken'? They are babies.
Flowers grow in a process, when they break through the dirt we are not disappointed
that they are not in bloom- we trust in growth. We trust in growth.

Have you ever considered that our health and education systems in Canada are
100 years old- thisis pretty young in the whole scheme of things.

I just watched a program tonight that described human time on earth as a 'blink'
in earth time- we are young. I heard the saying once "What can we expect, none
of us has been raised by an adult yet". Does that resonate with you?

In most situations if we had ALL of the information we would be able to 'accept' what
we see has happened or is happening. As it is we have a sliver of information with which
to take in information. If we could see it all we would also be able to see that things can
move forward, there is a way to connect to this- but that is another story, . for the purposes
of this article you might just try 'trusting' that if you knew the big picture it would make more sense.

Don't get me wrong- acceptance to me does not mean that something is okay or great.
I would never say to an abuse victim- you just need to accept it- what I have heard from people who have been abused though is that they truly move forward once they come to this decision themselves.

So, what is the problem with NOT accepting? Not accepting is not trusting, not trusting is fear. Fear offersthree options: Fight, Flight or Freeze. These three options have done little to aid our human growth.

I am not implying apathy in any way by suggesting acceptance, I am encouraging trusting a way forward andlooking for your part in it.

Our greatest improvements have been based in people being willing to take a total look at something, offer compassion and offer nourishment. Like the babies and the blooms,
how can you nourish an immature event in your life? A marriage, a frustration, world peace!

Finally, and you can probably predict this- most important is self-acceptance. Our self judgements are not always readily obvious, but underneath most judgment of other people
is the shadow of our own self loathing.

Try this "I Accept Myself, right now, just as I am"- journal what comes out- thoughts, feelings, arguments, agreements. On a scale of 1-10 how close are you to fully accepting yourself. In your minds eye push thatlittle guage up to 10 and see how it feels.

The truth is, you are perfect, just the way you are. Whether you are fully blooming or just pushing through the
dirt, you are connected and part of a perfect whole.

Peace to you as you prepare for Christmas
****************************************************************************
UPCOMING EVENTS

Currently I have no upcoming events, I am happy to come and teach/ share a circle for your group. If you are interested in the area's of 'the ego', 'who am I, truly', the etheric/unseen world, the chakra's/energy world, how to connect to your body, the mind or spirit or how to truly listen- please call me and we will set something up.

Byron Katie Workshop at Highwood River Inn
Author of "Loving What IS"
A trained factilitator of 'The Work'- Paul, will be doing a 3 day intensive in February.
If you truly want to dig out the BS that is interfering with your happiness- this is
the course for you. Contact me for more information.

$60 hour treatments in my cozy cabin will come to an end at the end of this year.
Prices will be going up, If you would like to purchase gift certificates I will make that available on my website or you can contact me directly.

Celebrating Gentle

Celebrating Gentle

When I’m asked “what is CranioSacral Therapy” I almost always use the word “gentle”.

After months of chemotherapy, acupuncture, radiation and every medical test known to man (or so it seemed) I was SO relieved to experience gentle.

Not only was the experience amazing, the results- a return of my energy and freedom from pain, led me to train in this ‘gentle’ modality.

Have you noticed how harsh our North America has become, the commercials, the music, the media? Not a lot of ‘gentle’ reporting on Fox news!

Don’t get me wrong- there is a time and a place for force- opening Ketchup jars, splitting firewood or firemen kicking in doors or instance.

What I am thinking about is balance- let us not save gentleness for babies, small animals and new love.

Like the light touch of CranioSacral (generally no greater than the weight of a nickel), how much more effective might we be if we used kinder and softer words, gentle reactions, gentle self talk?

Draw some gentle into your day today, take a quiet walk, watch your words (yes, the ones in your head too!) embrace yourself as you would a newborn.

In your meditation, or the quiet minutes before you get up – taste the word gentle on your tongue- think the word and try to feel and absorb gentle into every part of you.

My experience is that gentle can be an exquisite form of strength.

In the words of Ghandi “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” And I know that you are a world shaker!

Fear and Public Washrooms

Likely connection right?

This morning I was thinking about fear and wanting a metaphor to ground it for me. I like to do that, think in stories and pictures to make abstract concepts easier to grasp.

So, I was thinking of fear and I asked Holy Spirit (use whatever inner wisdom word you like here) to help me with that one.

Well, as is often the case, the answer that showed up made me laugh.

Fear is like a public washroom, a necessary evil for a time. There are times when you just have to go in, get done what needs to get done and then GET OUT! Don't hang out in there!!!!

It can be nasty in there, it can be smelly and yucky and uncomfortable, get in, get out.

What do I mean by 'do what needs to be done', not in the bathroom- you know that part, but what about fear. There are times on the way Home that you need to sit with your fear, don't ignore it. The metaphor still works here- you will get a stomach ache- or something worse if you just pretend that it is not happening.

Deal with it, go to that place, be there, do what needs to be done. This can be forgiveness, noticing, finding a way to let it go-for me it is remembering where I came from and who I truly am- and wash your hands of what you don't want hanging around. Practice mental and spiritual hygiene.

I mentioned near the beginning that this is just on the way Home, so will this always be the case? NO! Here is the light at the end of the tunnel, a time will come when you are just done with it. When you accept that you are one with all, let go of duality and are in the now, then the public washroom and a beautiful meadow are no different- because you are there. In complete presence you can see and experience the underlying fabric of wonder. You can actually look for it right now if you like- it's always there.

In the mean time, same advice for a public washroom, go into fear (or it's siblings- anger, guilt, worry), do what is necessary and as quickly as possible- get out, back into the light of day.

Any thoughts?

October Newsletter- Hot Tips for a Happy Life

HOT TIPS FOR A HAPPY LIFE
October 2010

Newsletter Items:
Hello
Recap of Ego Workshop
Upcoming Events
Friends Upcoming Events

Hello and Happy October!

A week ago I had just said goodbye to an amazing group of people who
joined me for a day of exploring the 'ego'.

My incentive for doing the course was an answer to my ego's prodding (lying) that
"you can't do courses by yourself".

I spent most of my preparation time 'undoing' and resisting the urge to prepare
and I am so glad that I did.

Today's newsletter will be a recap of the course for those of you who couldn't make it-
DON"T WORRY- it will be very point form and I would like to share a couple of video links with you.

If you prefer to read it later I invite you to scroll down and look at the November 20 course as well
as a couple of recommendations for courses that are coming up.

All about the 'Ego'- the 30 second version of our day

The ego that I am referring to is any thoughts that suggest that you are separate from others.

We started the course out at the End. If you have a chance here is a great exercise to center
yourself and get down to remembering your inherent wonderfulness.

Find a comfortable spot and progressively relax your entire body, when you are relaxed picture yourself
in the safest and most comfortable place that you can imagine. From this place and awareness ask
your inner wisdom this question "WHO AM I?" Do not judge what comes (judgement is the glue that
holds the ego together). Ask the question again and again. Initially you may get a lot of labels, mother- wife,
massage therapist etc. keep asking beyond this and see what you get.

After discussion we did an exercise called "Unpacking the Rocks" (I actually just made that up this very second).

Picture yourself as a baby, the wonder and perfection of that first moment. We talked about how the very first
time that you see or experience something is the purest and the closest to truth. The first time you climb a
hill and the vista before you is beyond words, you breathe deeply and take it all in. The second time you begin
to judge- it's colder this time, I can't see as far etc. Taking you out of this moment and into the past.

The rock exercise involves writing on rocks with sharpie, examining all of the 'judgments' that get put on almost
immediately after birth. It's a girl, she's white, she's healthy or not- and all of the baggage that comes along
with this.

This is not an exercise to induce guilt- we are all in this boat together- it is only for recognition.
We follow through the lifetime and all of the 'stuff' or rocks that get added into the backpack.

Finally- there comes a point when you are reminded in some way that maybe, just maybe- these rocks are
not who you ARE and you begin to disidentify.

Unloading the rocks is a process outlined in tonnes of self help/psychology/spirituality books. In a nutshell-
NOTICE, RISE ABOVE, EVALUATE (true, not true), FORGIVE-LET GO- okay that took me 10 years and
1000's of books to get to, please take it and collapse time- or enjoy the road, either way- you are perfect!

We had a yummy lunch and enjoyed the outdoors a bit and then back to work :)

GOOD WOLF- BAD WOLF story:
There is a story about a Navajo grandfather who once told his grandson, "Two
wolves live inside me. One is the bad wolf, full of greed and laziness, full of anger and jealousy and regret. The other is the good wolf, full of joy and compassion and willingness and a great love for the world. All the time, these wolves are fighting inside me." "But grandfather," the boy said. "Which wolf will win?" The grandfather answered, "The one I feed."

I have heard the story told in many different ways but this is the basic version.

SO, ask yourself- how do I feed my good wolf?


And the other?



This lead to more great discussion and THEN- the bonus of not preparing and
allowing spirit to lead.

My friends from www.legacyartworkbyzinour.com brought their drums and we were
treated to a drum circle- just as we were about to start a carload of First Nations men
stopped in for gas money. I declined to give them gas money, but when they saw my drum
one of them asked to come in. In he came, listened and then played the hand drum and
sang us a song- it was perfect!!! I was so grateful to spirit for showing the wonder that can
come from not listening to ego (which may have said- send them packing!).

We wrapped up the day with meditation once again- asking "Who Am I?" and touched on
the wonder of that brand new baby.

Finally- the best way to stop our addiction to the ego's insistence that we are all in danger, all
separate and this is an every man for himself kind of world-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1g3ENYxg9k

This is a lot of information- hours in 222 kb I would love to do this workshop again- if you are
interested in getting a group together please let me know!

UPCOMING COURSES

The follow up to the Ego Course "Kitchen Table Awareness- Who am I then?" will be held
on November 20th. We will be enjoying that still quiet voice within, touching on the part of us
that is unique but connected- like the facet on a diamond you have a unique light to shine. Behind your
roles and masks there is an underlying 'wholeness'- we will be spending the day teasing it out.
This course will involve creating a connection board (like a vision board) and all supplies will be
included. Course price $60 also includes Lunch.
LOCATION CHANGE- Stampede Ranch For Kids, Big Room- this room will allow us space to spread out
and complete our boards- and it is super cool (Dusty and I were married here).
respond to this email to register or register at www.fawnabews.com

Intriguing Workshops by My friends:

Velva Dawn Silver Hughes of Ancient Aspirations- Longview November 6, 2010
Trusting Your Own Healing Abilities with Dana, Aine, and Ixchel
Edmonton- November 13, 2010
Atlantean Activation~ Dolphins, Crystals, Goddess Workshop
Details at: http://www.ancientaspirations.com/Events.html

Highwood River Inn- an Mother/Daughter sleepover- join at the in Friday for games, movies
and bonfire, sleep over, full day of appetizer cooking and pampering Saturday- all for $125
call 403 558 2456 to book in with your daughter- space is limited.

Legacy Artwork- drum making workshops! A dynamic pair, their workshop will be so much
more than making your OWN drum- an experience not to be missed. Dates and details at:
www.legacyartworkbyzinour.com look under Urban Retreats on the Right hand side of the page!

FINAL REMINDER:
Have an amazing November- you are love, you are loved.
Fawna
www.fawnabews.com

How A Course In Miracles Saved My Anniversary

15 years today! It’s a gorgeous fall day, very similar to our wedding day.

Dusty headed to work and I had gifted myself with a day of solitude and unplanned wandering. The kids were taken care of and I resisted the urge to make plans with anybody.

I woke up with the sun and went out on the deck- welcomed the day and asked for the Holy Spirit to guide and organize my day.

I decided to anchor myself at the Good Earth Café and enjoy a day of uninterrupted web surfing and writing- this and the promise of a green tea latte had my heart all a pitter-patter.

So, you can imagine my dismay when within 5 minutes of the Café Dusty called and requested that I pick him up some building supplies and deliver them to his worksite (45 minutes away)!

His request was met with instantaneous tears. I immediately engaged in whining, asking him if he really needed it, he explained that he did. I told him of my plans and then requested at least 2 hours of my time before I made delivery.

He sighed with relief and said that that would be okay, but that he really needed these items today.

I hung up quickly, still swallowing a lump of tears and began to mourn and rant about the loss of my day, tying it to the loss of my previous chiseled out day and the voice of lament journeyed over the fact that I never get to do what I want, I never get a day alone, he wouldn’t help me this morning and now he just expects me to wreck my whole day for him…and then- HS- thank goodness- threw in a life preserver. “Is this what you are going to choose?”.

Just two days ago I had (once again) begun the Course In Miracles. I have read a lot of authors takes on it, have flipped through it, but have yet to complete the 365 lessons in the workbook. Day two’s lesson was “I create the meaning in this_________” (paraphrased)- this message slipped under the pity party and I felt the beginning of release, I bounced back and forth for about 10 minutes, other words from the course jumped in- urging me towards peace. “I don’t know what my needs are”- I need a day to myself- do I? Is that true? “My brothers needs are my needs”, this was the first that I truly considered Dusty’s dilemma and he obviously had felt and known my discontent. I then remembered that it was this very thought that led me to getting Oprah tickets!!!

So just as I turned into the Good Earth Café I heard the final kicker “Are you going to trust, or what?”. I had given the Holy Spirit this day, and now I was ranting about what a crappy job she was doing of it- me with my limited vision and perspective versus her with the whole picture (very similar to my arguments with my toddler).

I took a big breathe and chose acceptance, trusting that my day would benefit everyone. I congratulated myself on asking for the two hours- in past years I would have chosen the martyr route, going to get supplies with rage and dismay and dropping it off with tears and dramatic flair, maybe rippin’ Dusty a new one when he got home, or more likely choosing icy silence- Happy Anniversary!

I spent my two hours with my computer and my green tea latte and I was ready to move when it was time; the pick up was effortless and at drop off the final sad parts of me were blasted off by the exquisite view and the perfection of the fall day in the magical place that Dusty is currently working.

I took some time to be thankful, picked some Sage and visited the creek, knowing full well that I could have been pouting.

And now I sit here- blogging in my peaceful house, grateful to have chosen love, peace and forgiveness.

Tonight we will spend the evening at a town meeting on the Sewage Lagoon that is being placed adjacent to us- I’m laughing at this as I write, I’m sure this too will all work out. With Love, Fawna