As I write to you from my home in Canada, the soft air of spring is making its way into North America, while our colleagues and friends in the Southern Hemisphere are gently making their way into Fall. All seasons are an opportunity to open our hearts to receive the marvelous gifts of our precious Earth. Each day is also an opening to live in the foundation of being Heart-Centered, our second Core Value.
Being Heart-Centered
Recently I attended a Level 3 class as a helper. As I re-read some of the required reading from Barbara Brennan's book "Hands of Light", I was reminded that heart-centered living is crucial for anyone aspiring to be a healer.
What exactly does being "heart-centered" mean? For me, it encompasses the qualities of loving-kindness and compassion. These, I believe, flow from forgiveness of self and of others. It's not surprising that the emotional body or layer is right next to the etheric body. There is, as we have learned, much influence from emotional turmoil and trauma, as well as unfinished business, which affects our physical bodies.
Acknowledging, accepting and then taking action to address issues that may require forgiveness (of either ourselves or others...or both) is often scary and overwhelming. Rarely can we accomplish this alone. Whether we seek the assistance of professional therapists or the strength of support groups, doing this part of our work brings a calm centeredness that enables us to move forward, and outward to others.
As I have journeyed along this path of healing, one of the most significant books has been Joy's Way. In it, he give us a fail-proof outline to help develop loving-kindness and compassion. These are the three injunctions:
1) Make no judgements
2) Make no comparisons
3) Delete the need to understand
When I focus on my own personal growth and issues that need attention, I keep myself out of others' business. With family, friends, colleagues---and generally speaking, the world---this is a good idea! I am able to focus on being a better human being---to listen patiently, and if appropriate, to respond with kindness. It doesn't cost anything except a few moments of my time. I have learned that I don't necessarily have to agree with everyone or everything, but can state my beliefs quietly and with poise. Of course, those of you who have had the opportunity to present me with unexpected challenges, know that I don't have a problem letting you know what my boundaries are either!
When I was in Ireland last year, as part of Brian Luke Seaward's Tour of Ireland, I discovered one of the audio meditations on his CD "Sweet Surrender". It is entitled the Four-chambered Heart, and is one of my current favourite ways to focus on aspects of heart-centered being/living.
Whatever your choices, I hope that you incorporate some aspect of heart-centered being and living into your daily practice. Like the ripples in a pond, each of us has the opportunities on a daily basis to create a more positive environment if we but take the time to do so.
Marketing Mastery 101
Have you signed up yet for Marketing Mastery 101? It's Healing Beyond Borders' new online marketing education and training program. It was developed in response to many members' requests for help in growing Healing Touch in private practice as well as in a clinical setting. What might be challenging for some is the balance between expanding the work in the name of service, and perhaps feeling uncomfortable with 'marketing' or 'selling'.
Consider marketing as a heart-centered service. If no one knows who or where you are, how can we be of service?
What's wonderful about Marketing Mastery 101 is that it was designed specifically for Healing Touch practitioners, instructors, students, mentors and class coordinators. It’s steeped in our Heart-Centered Core Values and it will help you expand your reach to help grow Healing Touch in your neighborhood, community and around the world. We have teamed up with Red River Productions to bring you a professional program deeply rooted in our core values and mission of service. You can learn at your own pace and will receive step-by-step instructions on everything from the basics of social media, to creating a marketing blueprint you can use every year. It's perfect for the marketing novice and those who already use tools such as social media. It's easy and includes monthly live calls with the CEO of Red River Productions so you can ask questions and get answers in 'real time'.
No time to watch the videos or to ‘do the homework’? Once payment is received, you can watch modules whenever you like or watch them again and again. If you pay for all 12 modules at once (at the member-only rate of $300) you can watch these informative videos when it's convenient for you. If you choose to pay monthly ($30/month at the member-only rate for 12 installments) each module is available monthly (but again you can watch them more than once). Marketing Mastery 101 is available to paid subscribers for one entire year from date of purchase. Please note the $300 annual and $30 monthly fees are the member-only rates, and are for a limited time. The cost of this program will increase. Non-Members are $380/year or $38/month for 12 installments.
And did you know each subscriber to Marketing Mastery 101 supports Healing Beyond Borders? A portion of each subscription benefits our organization.
So sign up for Marketing Mastery 101 to learn how to reach more people who need you and help spread healing, light and love. Go to our website: www.HealingBeyondBorders.org and sign in as a member. After signing in, scroll over the ‘Members Area’ tab again, and there you will see the page for Marketing Mastery 101. Select that page, and you’ll see instructions for signing up.
2015 Conference
"The Joy of Healing" is the theme of this year’s Annual Energy Healing Conference. If you missed the Conference keynotes highlights in the last Perspectives in Healing (PIH), here's who's coming to help us celebrate and learn: Lucia Thornton, Th.D., RN, MSN, AHN-BC (creator of the Whole-Person Caring & recipient of the Norman Cousins award); Melanie Roche, BA, MA (a faculty member of the Barbara Brennan School); Leah Curtin, ScD(h), RN, FAAN (declared a ‘Living Legend’ by the American Academy of Nursing); Ginny Hunneke and Jennifer Maurer from the Fun Conspiracy; and Heidi Svoboda, Gong Artist. I have also been invited to offer a presentation. You can secure your hotel room now steps from the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico by going to www.HealingBeyondBorders.org and scroll down a bit to see ‘Latest News’. Click on 2015 Annual Conference. Registration will open soon. See you there!
Blessings and Gratitude,
Mary-Cathrine