Blogging challenge – HEAL MY VOICE

Writing: Finding the Rhythm of Your Voice

By Andrea Hylen, Founder of Heal My Voice

The first time I endeavored to write a short, personal story about my life was for the anthology book of stories by women called, “Conscious Choices: An Evolutionary Woman’s Guide to Life. Even though I had been a journal writer for 20+ years and had participated in book circles with women, I found myself stuck in comparing my writing to others with feelings of being vulnerable and exposed and not good enough to publish my words.

I was stuck in not knowing which story to write, what style to write it in and how to get started.

One day I was driving to New York City to have a short overnight visit with my daughter Mary. It was a three and a half hour drive in the pouring down rain with plenty of alone time in the car. I decided to listen to a book on tape. I had just stopped by the library and picked up an audio copy of Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. As I listened to her voice and her words for hours, I felt her words so deeply in my heart and soul. She is a professional writer who writes with authenticity about her life and feelings.

Something surprising began to happen as I listened and felt her story. Instead of comparing my writing to hers, I was inspired to tell my own life stories. I was inspired to write from my heart; my way with my voice. I thought to myself, that’s her voice. I want to write from my voice with feelings and passion and connection to my own stories.

Listening to the book on tape inspired me to speak and write and learn how to tell my own stories. I encourage you today to read and listen to stories by other people. Instead of being intimidated by someone’s unique expression, allow them to help you open the door to yours.

Reading the words written by someone else is like listening to music. Open your heart and feel. Let your voice emerge from your soul and find the rhythm of your voice.

I did write my story by climbing into bed with my laptop every night for three weeks and letting the words and the feelings and emotions pour through me. I mentored 44 women to write their stories in the book Conscious Choices. I helped the women find the rhythm of their voices and let go of some formulaic way of writing. Three years later, I became the founder of Heal My Voice. In the first five Heal My Voice books, there are now over 100 vulnerable, powerful, authentic, personal stories and poems written by women who found the rhythm of their voice. We have created a symphony of voices.

Your Voice Matters. Find the rhythm of your voice and write your stories today.

To connect with Andrea and learn about current projects go to: www.andreahylen.com

Andrea Hylen believes in the power of a woman’s voice to usher in a new world. She is the founder of Heal My Voice, a Writing and Transition Coach, Orgasmic Meditation Teacher and co- author of Conscious Choices: An Evolutionary Woman’s Guide to Life. Andrea has discovered her unique gifts while parenting three daughters and learning to celebrate life after the deaths of her brother, son and husband. She currently lives in Los Angeles following the inspiration to collaborate with women in organizations and to travel around the world speaking and leading workshops. Her passion is connecting women to support each other in the full expression of who they are.

Creating in the Silence

By Andrea Hylen, Founder of Heal My Voice

“Music is two components woven together: notes and silence. Unless you allow silence, you have no music. So today, listen into the silence beyond words. Simply listen. Ask the wisdom in the silence to speak to you about your life today. I believe that as we do this, each one of us will find that we are part of a miracle just waiting our discovery.”

~Mary Manin Morrissey

In the Heal My Voice Year Long Writing Programs, we begin with listening in the silence for a story to emerge. We ask to have a story bubble up that will heal something and support each of us in the reclaiming of personal power that was tied up in a personal experience from our life.

We listen for clues that are connected to words, music, art, memories, feelings; And we find them by listening and asking the story to find us.

Step 1 is to Listen:

The beginning of writing the story is a quiet path. It is part of an inner journey. And it is a path to self-discovery. Notice what crosses your path and stirs your heart. Let the river of ideas flow from within you. Do not push the river or grab in a feeling of franticness. Take a breath…Listen…Just Listen…

Here is a short audio for more inspiration and ideas for listening:

Heal My Voice Listen

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

The next Heal My Voice program begins on Oct. 1, 2014. A year long program for women. Writing. Internet Radio. Social Media. On-line Community. It is called Sensual Voices: True Stories by Women Exploring Connection and Desire.

To connect with Andrea and learn about current projects go to: www.andreahylen.com

Inspired Voices: A Blessing

For the past few days we have been talking about different pieces of writing to write for the construction of a book. We talked about the Foreword and the Introduction.

One of the traditions in the Heal My Voice Books is to ask someone from outside of the project to write a Blessing.

The intention of the blessing is to:

*Bless the women who have written a vulnerable, powerful story about some part of their personal life journey

*Bless the people who read the stories

*Bless the world

Here is the blessing from Inspired Voices: True Stories by Visionary Women:

Blessings from One

By Marie ek Lipanovska

Inspired is the star on a dark sky at night showing us the way to salvation.
Inspired are the first leaves coming through the surface after a cold hard winter.
Inspired are the birds singing in spring time.

Inspired are the children born on this day and walking on their own within a year.
Inspired are the men working daily to keep their families and communities safe.
Inspired are the women in this book writing a story to heal the world through their own bodies.

This is one inspiring book with many inspired voices coming together as One.
The voices of the inspired One are the voices of those that are In Spirit.
Although they speak with different tunes they are the inspired voice of One.
Inspired is the voice that writes as One, to everyone. Inspiration is the emotion of the contact with One.

It is a complete symphony you are holding in your hand. Music is brought to you with each and every story. Songs are being sung for you. You are listening to the One voice of unconditional Love that are here to heal a story within you. Open up to receive the Love and Blessings from One, through the Inspired Voices of these women.

~Marie Ek Lipanovska, the Voice of One

Founder of Heal My Voice Sweden

Marie Ek Lipanovska is a woman dedicated to empower her own voice by focusing on different styles of listening. She finds her inner wisdom and her strength through meditation, prayer and silence. For sixteen years she has worked with guided meditations. The divine guidance coming through her deep devotion to listen, leads her to share her voice through several shows on her own blogtalkradio and by co-operating with other leading ladies in the field of empowering women. Marie is a passionate writer, sharing her words in books and blog posts, giving lectures, doing webinars, teleseminars and gathering women in circles. !She is a former freelance journalist and also the co-author of Empowered Voices: True Stories by Awakened Women. During spring 2013 two of her books are released in Sweden. One is a conversation with God and the other book contains channeled messages from Christ. !Marie is also leading the first Heal My Voice Sweden book circle for 22 Swedish women. In September 2013 this first Swedish book will be for sale. !www.sjalaglad.nu and www.healmyvoicesweden.se

Fearless Voices: An Introduction

A few days ago, I wrote a blog about the difference between a Foreword, an Introduction and more… You can read the details here:

An Introduction is usually written by someone who has written the book or who has been a facilitator of a project, as in the anthology type style. They share the journey and the history of the creation of the book.

As one example, here is the Introduction in the first Heal My Voice Book:

Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women

Introduction

By Andrea Hylen, Founder of Heal My Voice

During the last nine months, twenty-two women gathered in a circle in the form of a secret Facebook group, weekly phone calls, and in-person gatherings. The focus of our connection was to write a story that wanted to emerge that would heal an experience in our lives.

In the writing, the gentle reading and editing, the listening and support, using vulnerability as power, our voices emerged clearer and stronger. Writing. Speaking. Leadership.

There are a lot of details I could write about our time together, but I am on a mission and I don’t have a lot of time to bring you into the story. So, I am going to get right to the point.

Women are only using a small percentage of their voices. I don’t have any scientific proof like the studies that have been conducted on the brain. You know the studies, the ones that say we are only using a small percentage of our brains?

I will venture to say that women are only using a small percentage of their voices; a small percentage of their infinite potential; a small percentage of their unique, beautiful gifts and wisdom. My proof comes from being a woman, working with women, gathering in community with women, raising three daughters, volunteering as a Girl Scout Leader and a Destination Imagination Coach and witnessing women in all areas of my life.

I have witnessed their brilliance, their hearts and seen how powerful they are when no one is looking, when no one can see, when no one can hurt them and when someone believes in them. I have seen them stand up for other people but rarely for themselves.

Here is what I have also seen:

We apologize when we have done nothing wrong. We are afraid to ask for what we want. We are afraid to take up too much space. We think that other people have the answers for how we should live our lives. We hold on too tight. We give up too easily. We call each other names, put each other down, gossip instead of having direct, honest conversations. We whine, use passive-aggressive behavior, we learn to manipulate, back stab and hide as we go around the back door to try to get what we want.

It is time for that to change and many of us have made the choice to do that. We are courageous. We are fearless. We are healing an old story and we are practicing with our newly discovered voices until it becomes a natural way of living, of speaking, of honoring our words, our wisdom and acknowledging and celebrating each other.

It is time for women to heal their voices in communities where they can practice, feel safe, be seen and heard and heal from the wounds from trauma, loss, grief and abuse. And from that newly healed, grounded place, we are learning to fully express who we really are.

In the Heal My Voice book circles and letter writing projects, we believe healing an old story leads women to a richer expression of their unique gifts and leadership and gives them more access to the full expression of their voice.

When a woman is nurtured in community and given a space to speak about what she feels, thinks and wants, she heals her voice and begins to speak from a place of wisdom. She learns to listen to her inner guidance. She asks for support when she needs it. She taps into her vulnerability and uses it as power. She discovers her innate wisdom.

Why does it matter now?

Things are rapidly changing in the world. We are in a time of breakdown. The old structures are crumbling. And we have the chance to rebuild, rethink, and release things that no longer work. Women standing together and standing side by side with men is what is needed. We need the full expression of who we are. Connected to our hearts; Listening to and acting from inspiration; Joining together to lift humanity. We can’t heal the planet when we ourselves are emotionally and spiritually wounded.

The mission is to empower an army of women who heal a story in their lives, reconnect with their inner authority, and discover the next steps in leadership. Women in community expressing vulnerability, supporting each other, encouraging, laughing, connecting, collaborating and celebrating life.

As Marianne Williamson wrote in, “A Return to Love:”

“Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

We are no longer just saying the words. We have gathered in community, healing our voices, giving each other permission and liberating each other. We are living this now.

This is the first of a series of books that are being created in communities of women around the world. This is a series of Voices individually and collectively breaking through into new territory and a new world.

We begin with Fearless Voices. We are ready now.

To connect with Andrea and learn about current projects go to: www.andreahylen.com

Fearless Voices: A Foreword

By Andrea Hylen, Founder of Heal My Voice

Yesterday I wrote a blog about the difference between a Foreword, an Introduction and more… You can read the details here.

As one example, here is the Foreword in the first Heal My Voice Book:

Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women

Foreword by Claudia Carawan

We asked Claudia to write the Foreword because her song Fearless was the inspiration for the topic of the book. We asked her to write about what Fearless meant to her and to tell us about writing the song Fearless. She did include a short paragraph about the writers because she met them at an event and then read some of their stories. That is not a necessary part of the Foreword.

FOREWORD

By Claudia Carawan

I was going through a time in my life where I was experiencing a lot of change. I had quit my stable office job to pursue my dream of being a songwriter and recording artist. Although it was a time of growth for me, it was a challenging time because nothing was easy. Every day presented new challenges and I felt vulnerable. I recall one day in a moment of frustration announcing to my husband “I’m tired of feeling afraid!”

Shortly thereafter as I was writing in my journal, I heard a new song in my head. It was a melody that demanded my immediate attention, so I stopped what I was doing and sat down at the piano to capture it. The song felt very joy-filled. I knew intuitively that this melody demanded a dynamic lyric –a powerful lyric. I quickly grabbed a pen and started scratching out some lyrics. I was creating what is called in song writing circles, a “list song.” In a state of clarity I listed all the qualities I wished to posses. I tweaked and edited with reckless abandon and soon I was looking at the first draft of a brand new song called Fearless.

Fearless

I was born to live life fully

To let go of regret

To walk the high wire of life without a safety net

To follow something even bigger than my pride

To show up with courage even when I’m trembling inside

I will not worry about what others think of me

and I will not be shackled by the chains of conformity

I’ll break the mold set in the past

Keep pushing til I’m free at last

I’ll follow the path of my heart

and make my life a work of art

Call me fearless. I am fearless!

I will follow the road to adventure everywhere

I’ll let the top down and let the wind tangle up my hair

Hitch my dreams onto the brightest star

on the trapeze of life, I’ll throw my heart over the bar

On the other side of fear there lies euphoria

and a better understanding of who you really are

I’ll break the mold set in the past

keep pushing til I’m free at last

I’ll follow the path of my heart

and make my life a work of art

Call me fearless. I am fearless!

I’ll push outside the comfort zone

remembering I’m not alone

I’ll follow the path of my heart

and make my life a work of art

Call me fearless. I am fearless!

I believe creativity, when expressed is a powerful tool for personal growth. This highly personal song, seemed to be the perfect anthem for me to sing, to help me transition through the discomfort of feeling afraid. I was thrilled with the song and how quickly it emerged with relatively no struggle. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was in the “honeymoon phase” of creation –my joy was short-lived. The next day I looked at the lyric sheet and had a very different reaction.

This song is CRAP, I thought. I can’t sing these words with any integrity.

As I dug deeper to examine my 180 degree shift in feelings, I realized the underlying emotion I was experiencing was fear. I was concerned I would never live up to the lyrics.

I took a deep breath, realizing that I had to (at least) get a second opinion of the song. I recorded a rough draft of the song and sent it to my no-nonsense producer Jody Boyd. Jody is a straight shooter who doesn’t mince words. Jody said “Claudia, I like this Fearless song… I think it’s a hit, and furthermore, I think it should be the title track of your next CD!” Being stubborn and still feeling ambivalent about the song, I sent a collection of songs (including Fearless) to my girlfriend Zita to get her feedback. I simply asked her to listen to the collection of songs and provide me feedback. Zita called me the next day as she was driving to work. She said, “Girl… I’m real busy right now, so I got one word for you… FEARLESS!” “What? I stammered.” Zita continued, “In one word, this collection of music is Fearless, and by the way, I love that song!”

I decided that it was time for me to stop the insanity. Despite my trepidation, I realized this new song was an opportunity for me to push outside the comfort zone and declare my freedom over ridiculous fears. I had written a personal manifesto to help me live a more authentic life.

I recorded the song with every ounce of power and liberation I could muster. The vocal was recorded using a vintage microphone (Neumann M-49) that “queen of soul” Aretha Franklin had previously recorded with. Singing into that microphone, there was no doubt in my mind that I was indeed fearless!

Looking back I find it deliciously ironic that I was afraid of this song called Fearless. I am glad I recorded the song because it has served as a reminder to me (on many occasions) to live large and do my best. Many people have shared that the song was helpful to them as they pushed outside their comfort zones. Fearlessness is about giving yourself permission to be the authentic person you were created to be and showing up with courage (even when you’re trembling inside).

This collaborative book Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women tells the fearless journey of twenty-two amazing women and how they overcame the (nagging voice of fear) to step into their fearless, authentic nature. At the heart of each story is a woman consciously walking through uncertainty to become stronger, fuller and more radiant.

I celebrate with them as together we make our lives a work of art.

Claudia Carawan is a positively soulful singer/songwriter and recording artist who specializes in high energy, inspirational music. She has produced two award winning CDs Out of the Blue and Fearless. Her empowering music and YouTube videos are gaining fans from far and wide and give new meaning to the words – POSITIVELY SOULFUL.

Speaker, Workshop Facilitator and Teacher

Claudia also works as a teacher and mentor to at-risk teenagers in a treatment facility. Using music, story-telling and theater Claudia loves to inspire the hip-hop generation and help them discover their creative abilities.

www.claudiacarawan.com

Constructing a Book: Foreword vs Introduction and more…

By Andrea Hylen, Founder of Heal My Voice

This is a question I get asked a lot by authors who are writing books and adding all of the Introductory Pieces.

What is a Foreword and What is an Introduction? (And what else should I include in my book?)

Foreword: The foreword is usually written by someone other than the author or editor. It can be an “expert” in the field or on the topic, someone who brings credibility to your project and can provide a broader perspective and reflection of your subject.

Introduction: The preface or introduction is used as an introduction to the text of the book. It is usually written by the author or in the case of Heal My Voice books, a co-facilitator of the project. It can include the history of writing the book or the background information. It can provide an introduction to the subject of the book from the unique focus. It can give the reader a starting point of what to expect.

Blessing: There is a blessing in the front of every Heal My Voice book. It is a blessing for the authors and the readers. It is written by someone who is not an author or editor.

Endorsements: This is a short recommendation written by someone who has read some of the stories in your book. The recommendations are placed in the front of the book or onthe back cover.

In the next blogs, I will share the Foreword, the Introduction, the Blessing and some of the Endorsements from Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women as examples.

Keep writing!

To connect with Andrea and learn about current projects go to: www.andreahylen.com

Blogs by Heal My Voice Authors: July 20, 2014

During the month of July, we are shining a light on the Heal My Voice Authors. Every Sunday, the Heal My Voice blog will have a list of blog posts from some of the authors.

So…it’s Sunday, July 20 and week 3 of sharing powerful voices of women! Check out the blogs and leave comments. We want to hear your voice, too.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women

Empowered Voices: True Stories by Awakened Women

Inspired Voices: True Stories by Visionary Women

Harmonic Voices: True Stories by Women on the Path to Peace

Authors:

Blogs this week:

6 Steps That Will Help You Set and Accomplish Better Goals

By Wendy Mata Harper

http://www.mindhacking.guru/6-steps-that-will-help-you-set-and-accomplish-better-goals/

I AM Powered by Orgasm

By Andrea Hylen

http://www.andreahylen.com/i-am-powered-by-orgasm/

On My Mind: Being There

By Ann Quasman

http://womantalklive.com/2014/07/17/on-my-mind-being-there/

7 Ways to Cultivate Love and Compassion for Yourself

By Beth Terrence

http://theheartofawakening.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/7-ways-to-cultivate-love-and-compassion-for-yourself/

Awaken and Stimulate Your Writer Senses

By Andrea Hylen, Founder and Executive Director of Heal My Voice

Writing for healing and self-discovery; here are some ways to open your senses and connect to the richness of a story.

1) Artist Date: In The Artist’s Way, author Julia Cameron talks about taking yourself on an artist date. It awakens your senses and helps to release your thinking brain.

Go to an art museum, a craft store, sit down with a pad of paper and crayons or pastel crayons and draw something or just scribble. See what creative medium is calling to you. Write down words with gel pens, colored pencils or markers. Crayons can awaken the inner child memories. Go to a fabric store and feel the fabric. Take a walk through a farmer’s market and pause to see the colors, smell the foods, listen to the conversations, touch the fruits and vegetables and flowers and feel the sensations in your body.

2. Listen to a variety of music. What were some of your favorite songs during your childhood, as a teen, in your early adulthood? What memories does the music stir and awaken? What are the feelings? Listen to different genres: folk, pop, jazz, rock, classical, country, hip hop and blues. Listen to different cultures: African, Asian, Caribbean, Brazilian, and Avant Garde. Immerse yourself and see what

3) In a journal, choose a scene and practice writing about feelings and emotions and what the scene looks like. How would you describe this to a person who is blind, who is hearing impaired, or cannot smell or taste?

4) Get a different perspective. If you are writing about something that happened with another person, spend time thinking about the story from their perspective. Write a short story from two or three or four perspectives.

5) Sit in a coffee shop or a park bench and make up stories about the conversations that are happening with the people around you.

6) Look at the story you are writing with a microscope and look at it with a telescope. Go in to describe the little details closely and then zoom out for the big picture details. Play with the story from the minute to the broad details.

7) Take walks. Connect with the rhythm of nature. Look for clues along the way. What are you drawn to? Colors, shapes, textures. Do any woodland creatures cross your path? Google the “Animal Speak” message if you see a squirrel, a dog, a giraffe or another animal. Animal speak wisdom for a dog crossing your path is to reflect on the meaning of loyalty in your life. Google the Animal totem for birds, animals and insects.

8) Connect with body-mind-spirit with physical activity to stimulate ideas for your story. Yoga, jogging, swimming. Ask yourself a question or set an intention before exercising. In yoga, I always set an intention to learn or shift something during the session.

9) Read someone’s story in a book or article and see what feelings it stirs up for you.

Wake up all of your senses!

To connect with Andrea and learn about current projects go to: www.andreahylen.com

Sacred Sanctuary Writing Space

A few years ago, I was inspired to create a space for Heal My Voice writers to gather and energetically receive support and consistency for writing. I called it the Sacred Sanctuary Writing Space. Every month, I create 12 audio recordings on the first 12 days of every month with an inspiration and silent time to write.

I cut words and phrases out of magazines and collect them in plastic sandwich bags. Every day, I close my eyes and connect with the energy of the day. Then, I reach in to the bag and pull out a clipping.

I begin the recording with some thoughts about the words and then “open the space” for 25 minutes of silence. At the end of the 25 minutes, I say a few words and end the recording.

It is a tool and a resource for setting up a time and space to write.

Here is the recording from July 1, 2014:

The phrase is ” The Guide: Home”

Enjoy!

Sacred Sanctuary Writing Space:

July 1, 2014

http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=57217512

To connect with Andrea and learn about current projects go to: www.andreahylen.com

Creating a Writing Space

By Andrea Hylen, Founder and Executive Director of Heal My Voice

When I moved to California in 2010, I was in a huge transition. My husband had died in 2005 after a year long illness. I had been a stay-at-home mom and was homeschooling our youngest daughter. I had been out of the work force for 15 years.

Moving to California gave me a chance to start over. For the first 7 months, my daughter and I lived in youth hostels, extended stay hotels, sublet a room until we agreed on a location and found an apt in Burbank.

I found the “bridge” to the next part of my life through writing to heal. Listening to my own voice and following the inspiration one word after another. The first key to writing was to create a writing routine and space.

Here are some of my tips:

*****

Create a writing environment

*Develop a writing habit

1) Writing in the same place

2) Writing at the same time of day

When my daughter and I moved to Burbank, I developed a habit of going to a coffee shop called Priscilla’s. Every morning, I woke up at 5:30am, meditated for 15 minutes, got dressed and walked the 10 minute walk to Priscilla’s. I would write every morning from about 6-9am.

During the walk, the ideas would begin to flow. I would wave a Good morning to the barista while I opened my computer and took out a notebook and pen. The article or blog or chapter would be pouring through me by the time my fingers touched the keyboard.

3) Playing music

Every morning I would play the same song. During that time it was Jason Mraz’s “Make it Mine”. The sound of the song would stimulate ideas and structure for my words.

4) Setting a boundary: Create a boundary with time. In the coffee shop, I wore headphones even without listening to something. I let people know that I was writing. Other ideas around setting a boundary are to talk with people you live with and let them know you are writing during a specific time. Put a sign on the door. Set a timer and write for that amount of time. Make your writing time a priority.

5) Basic security needs: Take care of your basic needs before starting to write. Food, beverage, temperature of the room. Clean or messy space. Whatever helps you to feel physically comfortable and nourished.

6) Supplies: What do you need? Computer, pens, pencils, internet, dictionary, phone, materials for researching. Headphones.

7) Clear all distractions: Phone call you need to make, errands to run, do a brain dump. Make a list and keep it on the table next to you so you can write down things you will do later. The coffee shop worked for me because of the boundaries and the time of day. No distractions from things in my apartment.

8) Senses: What do you need to relax into writing? Think of all five senses, Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, touch. Candles, flower essences, a blanket, lighting, color. Set up a space that works for you.

9) Timing: Allow for a writing flow and take breaks.

10) Creativity inspirations– Observing the environment around you, inside and out. Taking a class, exercising, reading books. Writing prompts. Walking to the coffee shop and the people who came in stimulated me creatively.

Now, find your space and start writing!

To connect with Andrea and learn about current projects go to: www.andreahylen.com