Heal My Voice Blog Challenge

Blogs by Heal My Voice Authors: October 19, 2014

During the month of October, 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, October 19 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:

Kathleen Nelson Troyer

Blogs this week:

Tell Me A Secret…

By Andrea Hylen

http://www.andreahylen.com/tell-me-a-secret/

Rocket Science

By Sandy McDougall

http://www.themaverickedge.com/rocket-science/

Taking Responsibility

By Karen Porter

http://www.mamaporter.com/2014/08/taking-responsibility-2/

On My Mind: Falling Into Winter

By Ann Quasman, Woman Talk Live

http://womantalklive.com/2014/10/16/on-my-mind-falling-into-winter/

My Fibromyalgia Recovery Story: An Interview on CFS Unravelled

By Beth Terrence

http://theheartofawakening.wordpress.com/2014/09/06/my-fibromyalgia-recovery-story-an-inteview-on-cfs-unravelled/

The Top 13 Things I Would Share with My Younger Self

By Kathleen Nelson Troyer

http://gentlymovingforward.net/2014/03/06/the-top-13-things-i-would-share-with-my-younger-self/

Using Blogtalk Radio to Connect to Your Voice: Part 1

For several years before I founded the organization, Heal My Voice, I spent time immersed in writing, social media and internet radio. I was discovering and exploring my voice and asking questions about what was next in my life.

My first experience with BlogTalk Radio was as a guest. After attending an Evolutionary Women Retreat in Santa Barbara in 2005, I became determined to bring the retreat to the East Coast. In 2007 that became a reality.

The co-founders. Lucky Sweeny, Bonnie Kelley and I were invited to speak on a variety of shows. I was intrigued by how easy it was to dial in to the show from my phone and have a conversation with the host. Once I was driving through central Missouri on a road trip with my daughter. From a rest stop, I dialed the number from my cell phone and had an hour long conversation from my car. Lucky and Bonnie in California. The radio show host in New Mexico. Me in Missouri at the side of the road. Connected and having a conversation on the air waves. How cool is that!

The focus of the call was to talk about the next Evolutionary Women retreat which was scheduled for Oct 2008 and BlogTalk was an easy way to promote it. We talked about women waking up on the planet, conscious evolution, Barbara Marx Hubbard and shared the details of how to sign up for the retreat. There was great content and conversation and there was an opportunity to share the info about the retreat and how to sign up for it.

Another radio experience:

In September of 2010. I launched an e-book club to help people discover their own inner journey. I had moved from Maryland to California 10 months earlier and had written a book about my experience of a hero’s journey. One of my sponsors was Kathryn Yarborough, the founder of Flowing with Change.

For Kathryn’s sponsorship, she chose the social media sponsor package. On one of our Skype planning calls, I suggested we coordinate a tele-seminar for her to share more of her work and wisdom and experience. Over two or three conversations, the tele-seminar evolved into a BlogTalk Radio Show called Living on the Edge. We made a one-year commitment to co-host a show twice a month to share a conversation about what it looked like to live on the edge during all of the transitions in 2011.

With all of the changes happening in the world, we took our private conversations and shared them publicly. We weren’t really sure how this would support our businesses but we felt a strong inner calling to share our experiences publicly. Women sharing challenges and solutions.

Getting Started

1) If you do not have a Blog Talk account. Go sign up. I had an account for years just for listening to shows. It is free. It is like signing up for a newsletter or mailing list or Facebook or Twitter account. Set up the account. You cannot change your username but you can change the name for the show, if you decide on a different name.

www.blogtalkradio.com When Kathryn and I started our show. We used my account and changed the name from Andrea Hylen to Living on the Edge.

2) Go listen to some shows. Find categories that interest you.

3) Blogtalk has lots of tutorials and on Youtube you can search and find people offering ideas and suggestions.

Tomorrow I will share some more experiences of using Blogtalk with individuals and groups and I will share another tip.

Share your experiences with Blogtalk in the comments section. We love to hear Your Voice!

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.

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Finding Our Voice, Living Our Heart

By Beth Terrence ~ Heal My Voice Author, Facilitator & Board Member

Being vulnerable doesn’t have to be threatening. Just have the courage to be sincere, open and honest. This opens the door to deeper communication all around. It creates self-empowerment and the kind of connections with others we all want in life. Speaking from the heart frees us from the secrets that burden us. These secrets are what make us sick or fearful. Speaking truth helps you get clarity on your real heart directives.” – Sara Paddison, The Hidden Power of the Heart

It took me until my early thirties to really accept that in order to live a life of authenticity and truth I needed to make a paradigm shift. This shift was based on moving the guiding force in my life from the mind to the heart. I’ve been blessed to have many teachers along the way who have shared their heart wisdom and who have helped me to find the courage and strength to access my own vulnerability.

I grew up in a world where “everything was okay”, all the time. Even when things were really not okay, when they were chaotic and at times, insane, the messages I received were that we didn’t talk about that, we just said, “I’m fine, everything is okay.” Needless to say, it was very confusing and it didn’t take long for me to have the awareness that what people share with the world and what is really going on in the their lives, let alone inside themselves, is vastly different.

The “I’m fine, everything is okay” was my paradigm for a long time. Even as I began to do some deeper work, to explore my inner landscape, and to access my emotions, there was still a part of me who held onto to that pattern. In fact, at times, it still emerges today. I believe this pattern is inherent for many of us and is one of the great obstacles to shifting into the new paradigm.

I see this on both the personal and collective levels. As individuals, when we say, “I am fine, everything is okay,” and it is not what we are feeling, we are denying a part of ourselves and we are denying our own truth. We are also putting a wall around our heart that is then forced to hold in and suppress what our true experience is at that time.

On a larger scale, we all see and experience things in the world that are not okay. And, we do focus on those things and address them in a variety of ways. I wonder what things could look like if we all really spoke up about our true feelings about what goes on in our world. Most often, it is anger that is the driving force to speak up and/or take action. But if we were to go into the depths of our heart, what would we share about our world and what might we feel that really needs to be spoken?

One of the tools I have found that supports this opening is the process of Council, which is based on traditional talking circles used by many indigenous peoples. When we come together in a council or circle, our intention is to share our hearts and our truth, tuning into what is arising in the present moment. A talking piece is used to indicate that whoever is holding the piece is the only speaker at that time and the others circle members are listening until it is their turn to have the piece.

The council process can support communication, self-awareness, collective wisdom, relationship, community building, and peacemaking. Council is one of the tools we utilize as part of the Heal My Voice Chrysalis House Program and it’s principles are inherent in the structure of all of the Heal My Voice projects.

Although Council is usually done in a group, the principles of Council are a powerful tool that can be used in creating a shift into the new paradigm and particularly in breaking the old pattern of “I’m fine, everything is okay”. It is way to step out of the mind and into the space of the heart to access our deeper feelings and allow truth to emerge in a space of safety, respect and acceptance, both with ourselves and others.

Here are some of the basic principles of Council, which can be used to support a group process or as a foundation for living daily life in a more authentic and conscious way:

1) Listen from the heart. Take a few moments to drop down from the head into the heart space. Whether you are in circle listening to others, or tuning into your own heart wisdom, listen with openness, knowing there is no need to give advice or feedback. We often feel that we must have answers for other people and really what we need is to be heard and to have our heart sharing witnessed. So much healing comes from the place of listening and sharing. As we listen from a heart-centered place, we are being more fully present and allowing our own vulnerability to emerge. Also, where we really need to begin this shift is in listening to our own hearts and being willing to hear our own true feelings without trying to suppress, resolve or fix them.

2) Speak from the heart. Take a few moments to be still, to drop from your head into your heart and allow what is true for you in that moment to be arise. This may be something you need to practice with yourself as well as others. Before we are able to become vulnerable with others, it is necessary to be willing to be vulnerable and truly honest with ourselves. Speaking does not have to mean words; it can include sound, song, and even silence. In Council, the intention is to speak what will serve you, the circle and the highest good. This is a great way to think about what we need to communicate.

3) Be lean. Focus on what is important and what is really at the heart of the matter. We often have many thoughts circling round and round in our minds but when we drop into the heart space, it takes few words to express what we feel and what is important. This practice fosters clarity and understanding.

4) Be spontaneous. When you allow yourself to drop into the heart space, you may be surprised by what arises. We often think we are going to talk about one thing and then when we allow ourselves to move below the surface, something very different emerges. Allowing ourselves to be spontaneous and let go of agenda allows for playfulness, real-ness and our true voice to emerge.

One thing I would like to add to this list is patience. Shifting into a heart-centered way of being is a process. The heart moves much slower than the mind. As the energies of our world are moving faster and faster, the need to slow down and drop into this heart space is even greater. I encourage you to take some time to explore your heart, to access your vulnerability and to allow your deeper truth to emerge.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, feelings and reflections.

And, if you are ready to explore this more deeply, I invite you to join me for Love Yourself, Live Your Life Summer Breakthrough Teleclass Program starting 7/22. Learn more…

Beth Terrence is a Shaman, Holistic Health & Wellness Expert, Speaker and Writer. She has been working in the field of Holistic Healing and Transformation for over 18 years. This path evolved from her own healing journey through fibromyalgia and the impact of trauma on her life. Beth found that by taking a holistic approach to life and well-being, she was able to achieve of a state of happiness and wholeness that she never imagined was possible. Her mission is to support others in cultivating a heart-centered, balanced and joyful life through discovering the healer within.

Writing has always been one of Beth’s greatest passions. Since childhood, she has written poetry and kept a journal. Participating in a Heal My Voice project opened the door to Beth stepping forward in the world as a writer. Her stories are featured in Inspired Voices: True Stories of Visionary Women and Harmonic Voices: True Stories Of Women On The Path To Peace. Beth joined the Heal My Voice board of directors in May 2013. Additionally, she is the lead facilitator and program developer for a Heal My Voice program that brings writing and creativity to women in addiction recovery at Chrysalis House in Crownsville, MD.

Beth is available for Integrative Transformational Healing Sessions & Programs by Phone/Skype or in person in Annapolis, MD. She offers a variety of classes, workshops and trainings on Holistic Healing, Transformation, Writing and Creativity in the MD/DC/VA area and virtually. Beth also writes regularly on her own blog, The Heart Of Awakening: Searching For A New Paradigm, an online resource for transformation and healing. To learn more about Beth’s Integrative Transformational Healing Services, visit http://www.bethterrence.com.

Where To Connect With Beth:

Website: www.bethterrence.com

Blog: http://theheartofawakening.wordpress.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bethterrence

Twitter: @BethTerrence

Contact: beth@bethterrence.com

Journaling For Reconnection Podcast

By Beth Terrence

Heal My Voice Author and Board Member

Earlier this year, I was a guest on a podcast hosted by Nathan Ohren of JournalTalk, a wonderful online resource on journaling for passion, clarity and purpose. The topic was “Reconnection To Self”. We had a great chat and it really got me thinking about journaling, which has been a part of my life for a long time. I feel like this conversation is part of what has led me to do some of my recent posts on journaling and writing for health and well-being.

We covered quite a bit during the show and even talked about Heal My Voice and our Chrysalis House project, which supports women in long-term addiction recovery to heal through writing and sharing their stories – journaling is a core part of this program. For today’s post, I thought I’d share a link to the podcast as well as an overview of some of the questions we covered below. I hope you’ll take some time to listen and also, be sure to check all of the great podcasts and resources offered on JournalTalk.

Listen To Podcast

Here are some highlights of the interview:

– When did you start journaling

As a kid, I always like to write and play with words, but I really started journaling when I was in 6th grade. I was introduced to it by a teacher who had us keep a journal and as I had already enjoyed writing, it was a natural fit. I have kept journals on and off throughout my whole life, sometimes writing daily, sometimes dropping off a bit but always coming back to the page.

– How do you like to keep a journal? What do you use?

My journal style has varied over the years. Currently I like to use a large sketchbook which I decorate with collage on the outside as well as on some of the pages. There’s something about the blank page without lines that I love and also sometimes I may add a drawing or sketch an idea out there, too. I like to write everyday but unlike other times when I was set on morning pages or evening reflections, I like to be organic about when I journal. I love it when I have a day when I can head out to the café and have an almond milk chai and do some journaling. Also, sometimes I keep a couple of journals – if I am working on an issue, I may create a specific journal for it and I always keep a separate self-care journal. Also, there are times I like to keep a typed journal, too.

– Do you ever go back and read your old journal entries? What have you learned about yourself?

I do like to go through old journals sometimes to reflect. It is great to see where I have been and where I am now. I find it interesting that in some ways I am very different and in others still the same as when I was younger. I know I have healed a lot of pain. And, I have really grown as a writer.

– What are the top 2 or 3 benefits you’ve experienced about journaling?

I would say the benefits to me are having an avenue for self-reflection, self-awareness, and letting go of what’s in my head ~ it creates a space to see myself more clearly. Also, it enhances creativity and has helped me to explore writing and my ideas. It’s kind of like my own sacred space!

– Typed? or hand-written?

Both, but more hand-written for journaling. For other writing, more typed.

– What’s your favorite place to write in your journal?

Anywhere really. I like to go sit out in nature sometimes, or just on my deck when the weather is nice. Also, I love to go to cafes to journal and write.

– What else is interesting about your journaling style?

I would say that my style varies between free-writing or stream of consciousness and list making, such as feelings, ideas, self-care reviews, etc. I also really use my journal as a working tool in my life for self-direction and for discovering how to flow with my work as well.

Happy Journaling!

Learn more at www.bethterrence.com or check out her new teleclass program starting July 22nd:

Love Yourself, Live Your Life

Summer Breakthrough Program

With Beth Terrence

5-Session Teleclass

Do you want to live more from the heart?

Is it a struggle to be gentle and loving with yourself?

Are you ready to step into your soul purpose from a space of the heart?

Does your inner critic keep you stuck?

Do you want to have a deeper sense of connection with yourself, others and the world?

In this 5-Session Teleclass, you will:

Learn to connect with your heart on a deeper level and live more from the heart space.

Cultivate love and compassion for yourself using a variety of transformational tools including meditation, shamanic journey work, affirmations, self-reflection and creative exercises.

Uncover limiting beliefs and obstacles that prevent you from embodying greater love and compassion for your self and others and also, keep you from moving forward in your life.

Learn to access your essential self and embody your soul purpose from the space of the heart

Begin to facilitate your own process of transformation and healing and create a foundation to continue that process in your life.

Dates: Tuesday, July 22nd – August 19th

Time: 7:00 – 8:00 EST

Where: Wherever You Are – Call in by phone or listen online

Audio replays will be available after the weekly call

Basic Package $97, includes

– 5 weekly teleclass sessions

– an mp3 audio of calls

– weekly transformational resource handouts

– private Facebook discussion group, plus

– 2 special audio bonuses

Register by July 14th for Special Pricing ~ $77

Premium Package $247, includes

– Basic Program plus

– One 1 1/2 hour Individual Session with Beth Terrence in person in Annapolis, MD or By PHONE/SKYPE

– 31 Day May If For Metta Guided Audio Program

Register by July 14th for Special Pricing $227

Are you ready to embrace the truth of who you are –

a being full of loving-kindness and compassion?

How much longer do you want to continue struggling?

Do you want the heart to be a guiding force in your life?

The journey begins with you!

REGISTER NOW THRU EVENTBRITE

Writing as a Daily Practice

By Kathleen Nelson Troyer

Heal My Voice Author and Board Member

I have been wanting to establish a daily writing practice for myself for a long time. A few weeks ago I decided that it was time to listen to and act on this desire. I set a goal for myself to write for a minimum of 15 minutes every day without any judgment or editing.

I haven’t missed a day yet. I find myself looking forward to my writing time every day. Most days, I take some time to meditate before I start writing. I find that it helps me to be grounded, connected, and present before writing. Sometimes the writing topic gets decided during the meditation.

I’m feeling good about this new daily writing practice. There are days when I sit down and the words flow freely and before I know it an hour has passed. And there are days where it feels challenging to complete 15 minutes. This writing is for my eyes only, so I don’t feel the need to edit myself. In fact, the less I edit myself, the more freely the writing seems to flow. Almost every day has had some form of automatic writing. The wisdom that has come through has felt playful, expansive and surprisingly nourishing. It is like my soul is speaking to me through my writing. How cool is that??

Since I can write about anything, I am finding myself writing about all sorts of things. Some days I write questions for myself, take a few breaths and then write the answers to the questions. One day I wrote an outline for the book I am writing this year. And several days I have added items to my to-do list after the writing period was done. Most days, my soul reminds me that I am guided, guarded and protected at all times. That is always a welcome reminder…:)

I am a big believer in doing something every day that brings you closer to your desires, goals and dreams. Developing this daily practice of writing supports my goals and helps me to stay connected to my inner wisdom, which by the way is one of my core desired feelings.

I want to invite you to join me in developing a daily practice for yourself. It may be writing or it may be something else that you desire, but haven’t carved out the time and made the comittment to yourself. There is something magical about being so committed to something that you carve out time every day for it.

How often do you write? Do you write daily? Do you have any rituals that you do to establish a writing space for yourself? Any tips for aspiring writers?

Please feel free to share any questions, answers or thoughts in the comments section below.

Here’s to developing a daily practice of your own!

Kat

Kathleen Nelson Troyer is the founder of Gently Moving Forward and CEO of Jigsaw Staffing Solutions Inc. She works with organizations and individuals as a human resources consultant, trainer, career coach and mentor. She is passionate about facilitating aligned connections between people and organizations. Kat coaches her clients to become more congruent in their work and personal lives.

Kat has been studying human potential, psychology and transformation for the past 25 years. She holds master level certifications in coaching, NLP, and Ericksonian Hypnosis. She has an expansive toolkit of holographic, mindset, and healing modalities. Kat believes in the power of forgiveness, love and gratitude to create massive positive shifts in our lives.

She leads intensive individual and group retreats and facilitates family and systemic constellations. Kat lives in a seaside cottage with a magical garden about 25 miles south of San Francisco near Half Moon Bay, California with her fabulous husband John, their dog and three cats.

Kat has participated as an author in three Heal My Voice book circles: Empowered Voices, Harmonic Voices and Voices of Feminine Leadership. She wrote the blessing for Voices of Love. Her experience with Heal My Voice has helped her to step into greater leadership in her business and her life. So much so that she joined our board.

Kat’s upcoming events:

Join Kat for her 4 week tele-class Gently Moving Forward from Clutter to Clarity this coming September. Tell her that Heal My Voice sent you and receive a free extra coaching session to support you during the program.

Journey Into Being Retreat November 2nd through 5th.

Join Kat and and Empowered Voices Author Coach Elizabeth Love in the Outer Banks of North Carolina as we retreat, vision and align with our ability to powerfully move forward and claim the life we desire. We will explore the natural beauty of Crystal Coast and call on our higher selves to bring aligned clarity into our lives. Expect deep connection, laughter and profound growth, in a loving and safe environment. Space is filling up quickly. Reserve your spot now! It is going to be amazing!

http://gentlymovingforward.net/journey-into-being-retreat/

Gently Moving Forward around the web

Website: www.gentlymovingforward.net

Facebook: Like the Gently Moving Forward Page for daily inspiration.

Twitter: @dailykat

Contact: kat@gentlymovingforward.net