Women – Page 2 – HEAL MY VOICE

Build Your Throat Chakra to Speak Your Truth!

speaking with sound wave

former Heal My Voice Board Member

As a woman, cutting a new path for myself and (I hope) my clients, I have always loved the quote from Black, womanist, civil rights activist, mother, warrior, poet Audre Lorde: Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.

That, dear friends, is the highest work of the throat chakra: to communicate our truth, self-knowledge, choice, and authenticity. When your throat chakra is open and balanced, you are able to express your needs, desires, emotions, thoughts and feelings…able to speak your truth at all levels.

The throat chakra is the bridge between the lower and higher chakras, and, as our center of communication, it indicates just how well our other chakras are functioning. All of our spoken interactions with the world, all our expressions of our physical, emotional, and spiritual experience, are filtered through this chakra.

On the physical level, it’s associated with breathing, with the senses of hearing, smelling and taste, and with the regulatory functions of the thyroid gland. Thanks to the hormonal dance between the thyroid, the adrenal glands, and the hormones of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, the throat chakra is also intimately connected to our sensual/sexual presence (sacral chakra) and our ability to deal with stress (solar plexus chakra).

Isn’t it interesting that here in the US there is such a high incidence of thyroid problems?. Could it be that as a society we fear speaking our personal truth, showing up in our wholeness?

So at the deepest level, balancing the throat chakra is really a process of balancing all the chakras…and this is most evident when we look at helpful foods…

Foods: In Chakra Foods for Optimum Health, Dr. Deanna Minich discusses how food for the throat chakra brings together the elements of lower chakras within the food.

Sea plants (bond between the root and sacral chakra) – nori, dulse,kelp, arame, agar
Soups (bond between the root and sacral chakras)
Juices and high water fruits such as watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and grapes (bond between throat, solar plexus and sacral chakras; green juices also adds in the heart chakra)

To activate the throat chakra on the energetic levels, use any of these tools…

Blue Gemstones and Semiprecious Stones: lapis lazuli, blue topaz, sapphire, aquamarine, turquoise, blue quartz, chrysocolla and sodalite.

Aromatherapy Scents: lavender, geranium, spearmint, and blue chamomile

Yoga poses:

Camel pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/688)
Fish Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/786)
Plow Pose (Link to http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/479)

Activities

Anytime that you do these, you will have a subtle effect on your throat chakra…and to increase that effect, you can choose to do them purposefully.

Do breathing exercises
Chew your food consciously, taste your food consciously
Express gratitude before you eat
Wear clothing that is blue in color
Do visualizations: place your hands at the hollow of your throat and communicate with your body, visualizing your chakra glowing warmly and beautifully, opening like a lotus into full bloom.

Sit in meditation, simply listening to the sounds around you (your heartbeat and breathing as you’re alone in your room…the noises of the natural world in a park or at the beach…the noises of the office or the city as you eat your lunch at work)
Explore your mind/body/spirit experience in your journal, or start a blog to share your thoughts with the world
Speak up at work, at school, on your parish or community council or civic organization. Consider joining Toastmasters!
Sing in the shower or in the car – or join a local choir or chorus

Affirmations

You can say these mentally if you choose, but it is so much more effective for this chakra of speech when you voice them aloud!

I express myself truthfully and clearly
I know when it is time to listen
I listen to my body and my feelings to know what my truth is.
I have a right to speak my truth

And remember – in this world, your voice is needed! You bring a unique perspective that – if silenced – cannot be replaced. You are more than worthy, you are necessary!

Cassandra Herbert — holistic nurse psychotherapist, wellness educator, healthy eating coach, speaker and author — who supports you in integrating your body, mind and spirit in a rapturous three part harmony to embrace all life has to offer. Cassandra believes you are a full and complete person and assists in uprooting the core issues that cause mental blocks and/or illness and dis- ease. She is passionate about assisting you with tapping into your inner wisdom and strength so you can heal. Her two businesses are Zest and Harmony Counseling/Coaching and Just BEE Wellness. Zest and Harmony provides individual and group coaching and counseling around nutritional wellness – things that nourish your body, mind and spirit. Just BEE Wellness is an online community which inspires and supports you on your wellness journey so you can have a balanced, empowered and energized life.

http://www.zestandharmonycounseling.com/

www.justbeewellness.com

https://www.facebook.com/ZestandHarmonyCounseling

https://www.facebook.com/Justbeewellness

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 Connection With Ceremony And Ritual

By Beth Terrence, Heal My Voice Author, Facilitator And Board Member

One of the greatest diseases of our times is the sense of disconnection that is felt with ourselves, others and the world. By bringing ceremony and ritual into our daily lives, we can begin to reconnect to the sacredness and beauty of life. It can be a way to rediscover ourselves, to align with our soul purpose and to deepen our sense of connection with all things. In many ways, we can view our writing as a ritual and we can also incorporate ceremony and ritual in our lives in a way that supports our writing.

Many people come from backgrounds where ceremony and ritual was some part of a religious upbringing. For some, that is something that is continued on special occasions , during religious services or maybe even in daily life. For others, it is something that may have been abandoned as life progressed in new ways. For some, it may not have been part of growing up at all. Writing is a way we can reconnect with ourselves, too. By being intentional, we can use our writing as a form of ceremony and ritual or we can also create ceremony or ritual to support our process of writing.

In our Heal My Voice programs, we take time to honor our choices and transitions. We suggest using ceremony and ritual in a variety of ways to enhance writing and life. We encourage participants to create ceremony and ritual to support their process of healing and transformation, to celebrate their stories as they are emerging and ultimately upon completion. Although most Heal My Voice circles are a virtual experience, it is clear that during this time we enter into sacred space and upon completion we emerge back into the world “a new woman”.

Using ceremony and ritual is a way to honor and acknowledge the changes and transitions that we all experience in life.

Some of the ways that ceremony and ritual can support us include:

Paying tribute to important life events and honoring our transitions
Being in harmony with the seasons and rhythms of nature
Creating sacredness in our lives
Honoring our ancient traditions or creating new ones
Releasing attachments to energies, relationships and situations, which are no longer serve us
Calling in energies and intentions we wish to bring forward
Evoking an ecstatic state of being and connecting at a soul level
Helping to heal our fundamental spiritual wound – the illusion of separateness from creation
Supporting specific healing for ourselves, others and the world
Aligning our energy with the present moment
Helping us to be more fully conscious and awake
Gaining clarity and understanding our experiences
Accessing spiritual guidance and wisdom

Ceremony can be something we do individually, with others or in community. However we choose to create it, ceremony is a way to step out of the busyness of our lives and the world of linear time into sacred space where deeper understanding, healing and wisdom resides. Ceremony, in and of itself, is a paradigm shift. It can help us to focus on our visions and intentions and begin to draw them into the world of matter, allowing them to become manifest.

Rituals are specific rites or tools we use as part of ceremony. They can also be used to create sacredness in any moment. Many shamans begin the day by honoring the directions and connecting with the elements of nature. Many people begin their day with meditation or prayer of some kind. Whatever it is, beginning the day with some type of ritual or spiritual practice is a powerful way to move consciously into your daily life. Some ways to create ritual include:

Lighting a candle
Setting an intention
Burning sage or other healing herbs such as sweet grass, yerba santé or cedar
Setting up an altar and arranging spiritually meaningful articles or pictures on it
Drumming, rattling, chanting, singing or listening to music or sounds of nature
Reciting prayers silently or aloud or reading from a sacred text
Cultivating a meditation practice
Being in silence and honoring the sacredness that comes from that space

As a practicing shaman and healer, ceremony and ritual is a core practice for me. It is not based on any one religion or tradition but on generating a strong connection with spirit, receiving guidance and living in an intentional way. Whether you choose to practice ceremony and ritual with others or on your own, it is important to create practices that support you in the present moment. Here are some questions to consider in creating a ceremony or ritual practice:

What is your intention? What is the reason for the ceremony or ritual?
Will it be personal, with another person or group?
What elements or tools need to be gathered? What preparation needs to happen?
What will the structure of the ceremony or ritual be? Who will perform it? Where will it be done?
Are there any prayers, readings, songs, poems, and dances, etc. that you wish to include?
How will you open and close the ceremony?

Ceremony and ritual can be a beneficial part of daily spiritual practice. It can help to align our energies in the present moment and to bring increased harmony to our lives. Take some time this week to consider what you would like to create in your life and how ceremony and ritual may support that process. Explore whether there is some ceremony or ritual that might support your writing process, too. Whether it is creating a ceremony with a specific intention or incorporating a ritual into your daily life, notice how this experience invokes a deeper sense of connection with yourself, others and the world.

Many Blessings,

Beth

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.

Beth’s Take A Break Summer Special Offer:

20% Off All Sessions By Phone/Skype Or In Person In Annapolis, MD Thru July 31st…

Integrative Healing Sessions may include Shamanic Healing, Bach Flower Remedies, Zero Balancing, Body/Energy Therapies, Meditation, Holistic Self-Care and other holistic resources to support transformation and healing on all levels – body, mind, emotion and spirit.

Learn more about Beth’s Take A Break Summer Special Offer and Integrative Transformational Healing Services in July’s Discover The Healer Within E-News…

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

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/

Cultivating Leadership

There was a period in my life where I discovered the rich experience of cultivating leaders vs being the person in charge who had all the answers. The experience of working as a Girl Scout leader for 10 years changed the way I saw my role as a leader and expanded me as a person. I learned that my style of leadership was to find ways of empowering others and create an environment for them grow into being more of who they are. I learned when to stand on the stage and when to stand quietly in the background. I learned how to hold a space for someone’s leadership skills to emerge.

One year, a mother of one of the girls from my troop was organizing a court of awards ceremony at a large community event. Our troop was to provide Girl Scouts and flags from our troop for the ceremony. One of the Junior Girl Scouts named Mariam came to me and said she would like to be in the ceremony. She would like to carry a flag. When I mentioned this to the mother who was organizing the ceremony her immediate response was no because Mariam was too loud and boisterous and would never settle down for this serious ceremony. The mother said that Mariam would embarrass our troop by joking and laughing.

I disagreed with her. She was right about Mariam’s energy being loud and boisterous. Mariam had a big personality and she liked to push this limits. She was oozing with power and enthusiasm and was still learning how to channel it into creativity. She was a very talented artist and was full of life. For five years, I had watched her grow as she learned how to harness and use and direct her personal power. I believed that if she said she wanted be a part of this ceremony she would be able to focus and do the job. I knew my role was to support her and provide another experience that would lead her to become a powerful young woman. It was not to create a perfect ceremony. I stood up for Mariam, talked to the mother about giving each of the girls a chance to develop leadership skills and told her this was an opportunity for Mariam to stretch herself into a new situation. The mother reluctantly agreed.

I talked with Mariam about her desire. I let her know that I believed in her and that I stood up for her. I let her know that it was up to her to show us what she could do. This was her opportunity to be a leader for our troop and in the community.

On the day of the ceremony Mariam was excited and nervous. I gave her a hug, looked her in the eyes, told her I believed in her and encouraged her to enjoy the experience. Serious did not mean she couldn’t have fun and enjoy it. I was so proud of Mariam as I watched her stand up straight and proudly carry the flag. There was a moment when Mariam’s friend Katie, who was carrying a flag in the ceremony and walking next to Mariam, began to giggle. No one ever imagined that Katie would be the one to disrupt the ceremony during a moment of silence in the room. Mariam did not react. She stayed focused on honoring the flag, the ceremony and herself. She led the way and demonstrated a new leadership.

Experiences with the Girl Scouts is what helped me to form the structure for Heal My Voice programs and the Board of Directors for Heal My Voice. Creating environments for women to be leaders in the same space. Excavating desire and fanning the flames of that desire. Witnessing the emergence of a fuller expression of their leadership through writing, speaking and greater visibility on social media. Knowing when to listen, when to speak and when to shout my message from the mountaintop. Being inspired by the brilliant shining lights of women and receiving their inspiration.

(Photo of Authors of Heal My Voice project: Fearless Voices: True Stories by Courageous Women. )

I am grateful to all of the Girl Scouts and parents who provided such a rich learning experience for my own leadership to emerge. I am grateful to the women in Heal My Voice programs (over 100 women now!) who have trusted me to hold some of their most vulnerable, precious thoughts as they write a story to heal. In August, I am taking all of those experiences as I travel to Sweden and meet with Heal My Voice Sweden women in person.

What are you noticing with your leadership style? What is shifting and changing? What are your experiences? Post in the comments. We want to hear Your Voice!

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