Adventures With Elaine #12

Hi Family and Friends,

My December travels have taken me from Phoenix to Dallas to Santa Fe, where I stopped to dig out my winter coat as I headed for Chicago, and now Michigan to visit family and friends. I am sort of adjusting to the colder temperatures of the mid-west and am grateful my drive was so easy and filled with enjoyment of the stillness and quiet winter brings. 

I would like to wish each of you beautiful holidays celebrated in your own unique ways. Be grateful to those who made your life more meaningful and your spirit more vibrant. May we each greet the New Year mindful of our blessings and committed to sharing our gifts with the world in a way that honors peace, unity and love.

Happy Holidays,

Elaine

Adventures With Elaine #11

Hi Family and Friends,

Well, my favorite holiday is upon us and I am not sure how it got here so fast! I am still hanging out in Arizona and cringing for my family and friends in the Midwest and Northeast as you are slammed by snow storms and freezing temperatures.

We enjoyed a scrumptious early Thanksgiving meal at my oldest daughter Laura's home in Michigan early in November. With all three daughters present, it was a special moment. During our time together, we acknowledged six of our birthday's, but the one we celebrated, was Allyson's, as she hit a special number!!

We also journeyed up to Frankenmuth, MI for the Bavarian Inn's famous chicken dinner and a visit to Bronner's, the biggest Christmas store in the world. Frank and I began this tradition over 35 years ago when our kids were small, and even though I have had more than enough chicken to last me several life times, I still love seeing the grand kids' excitement for the whole experience, especially the littlest ones.

I went back to Phoenix on the 13th, and some really pleasant, non-scorching temperatures. (Apologies to those back east!) This past weekend my grandson, Cody, was off to a party while the rest of us got ready to attend a national women's volleyball tournament that Kimberly's college was competing in.

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I appreciate how simple, yet meaningful a holiday it is. I realize how life's small moments really matter in the present and in the long run. As soon as we make something complex, it loses its essence, its heart. Black Friday has encroached on one of the best holidays of the year, but I am noticing a wall of resistance building, as several businesses are refusing to participate. The commercialism is way over the top now... but all it would take is our lack of participation to restore some common sense and value to Thanksgiving Day!

Sitting on a rock in the desert, I reflected on how much wonderful time I have been spending with my daughters and their families. As I drive around the U.S. dealing with the unexpected and unknown,
I am learning what 'going with the flow' really means and feels like. I have learned how detaching from a desired outcome allows me to fully embrace the process and the unplanned directions that process may take me in. I am appreciative that my daughters have so lovingly allowed me to 'flow' in and out of their homes.

I am learning I not only don't need control over much, but more importantly, I don't have control over much. Acceptance of this wisdom really allows me to be in the present moment with little or

no expectations. Yet, the irony is, the more I let go the more I receive!

Kimberly, family and I saw an amazing national volleyball championship game in Phoenix. Her College, Glendale College, seeded 10th, played Parkland College from Illinois, who were seeded 1st. The family and I saw the semi-finals were they lost the first two games and came back to win the last three!

WOW! My daughter and I went back to watch the finals the next day, and saw a repeat were her team lost the first two games and came back to win the last three and so, the championship! It wasn't so much about their victory, it was the magical process of shifting from being overwhelmingly nervous to being in the 'zone.'

It is hard enough as an individual to move yourself out of high anxiety into a place of high alignment with your wholeness; but to see 13 individuals do it cooperatively was 'a thing of beauty!'
I am interviewing them on Wednesday and will share what I learn from these highly motivated young women who inspired not only themselves, but all who were watching, to reach for the impossible!

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving!

With Gratitude,

 Elaine

Adventures With Elaine #10

Cathedral Rock, Sedona, AZ

Hi Family and Friends,

Although I am back in the Southwest and loving it, I have realized that Autumn, pretty much anywhere, is a great time of the year. After a couple weeks in Santa Fe, I was joined by Allyson, my youngest daughter, for a marketing tour of New Mexico and Arizona selling her newly published, The Wisdom of Soul Trees Oracle Deck.


We visited stores in Taos, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque before moving on to Flagstaff, Sedona and Phoenix. Allyson, enjoyed good fortune as her deck was purchased by several stores for display and sale; and, also by several individuals. The trip offered us some wonderful one-on-one time thanks to Ally's husband, Malcolm, and his mom, Seiko, who helped watch their two little villains! It was really a trip of inner and outer discovery. One does not have to do much in the southwest to consciously journey ... its mystery and magic inspires and as it does, we begin to want to find those places within ourselves.



During these last few weeks, I have begun writing my second book.  It will start off with me riding with my son-in-law, Virgil, on his Harley from Pagosa Springs, CO to Farmington, NM. It was a 101 mile ride which stunned me into realizing just because I was turning 70, I didn't have to look for a rocking chair!! Well, that ride ultimately led to my trip to South Africa early in 2014 and a lot of discoveries and adventures in between, which I will share in the book.


My road trip here in the U.S. which I started in May, 2014 has contributed to continued unpredictable insights and adventures. It has been such a remarkable experience I wish everyone could take a few months or years and just follow your heart's desire. It is so intoxicating to meet yourself unfettered by the noise of schedules, work, mental clutter, superfluous expectations, etc. It is so incredible, that I am now beginning to wonder if we have gotten caught up in a maze of unreal moments and we can't distinguish them because we have no reference point. That is what I have given myself since May ... a reference point; a point of comparison and contrast; a context for my life I don't believe I knew with such clarity before.

Well, I head for Dallas tomorrow for a VISTA training and then fly to Michigan for an early Thanksgiving with all my daughters present. This has not happened in years so I am excited. In the meantime, Halloween was filled with sweet moments with my grandson, Andrew, Kai the Jedi,
who carved a pretty neat pumpkin.

As we head into the Holiday Season, my wish for all of us is many mindful moments sharing kindnesses and gentleness with each other.

With Gratitude,
Elaine

Adventures With Elaine #9

Saguaro National Park, Tuscon, AZ

Hi Family and Friends,

Well, I left the lakes and Autumn colors of Michigan and headed to the Southwest, which is an entirely different beauty, raw and spacious. I did intend to visit the Northwest corner of Arkansas, but life happened and I did not make it there.

I did receive some super advice from my friends, Randi and Michael, which I have filed for my future visit. You made Arkansas sound so inviting, it remains on my bucket list. Thank you!

There is something that happens internally to me when I return to the Southwest ... the crystalline, blue sky which at some point seems to merge with the earth offers a remarkable view of the horizon and just rolls my socks down! How fortunate I am that Michigan calls to my heart and the desert calls my soul! To be offered the opportunity to enjoy both, pretty much whenever I choose is truly a wonderful gift, especially at this point in my life.

I am staying with my daughter, Kimberly and her family and catching up with Andrew, my 10 year old grandson. He is ready for Halloween and I am hoping I can accompany Kai the Jedi trick or treating!

Last week I experienced my first sand / thunderstorm here in Phoenix. It was a frightful experience that left us and many without electricity. It is amazing to see how the sand gets swooped up into the clouds by the wind. 
Nature's force never ceases to astonish, if not shock.

Last Saturday, Kimberly and I took a day trip to the Saguaro National Park West and had a wonderful time. When we travel together we seem to manage to do something 'unusual' without meaning to. I am not sure why this is peculiar only to this daughter, (must be same skill or lack of skill sets) but we were just commenting on how nothing out of the ordinary occurred that day. Shortly, after the comment,

Not sure how the camera shadow showed up!!

we realized we had driven 22 miles past our exit lost in conversation. As always, we laughed, turned around and proceeded home!

November will find me in the southwest with brief trips to Dallas for work, and Michigan for some family time. I have started doing some volunteer work related to better understanding the gifts the millennial generation offer our world and why we need to support and not criticize them. I have some radio shows scheduled and will be doing some YouTube videos about them and so look forward to this work.

I am also getting ready to write a new book which has been inspired by the adventures and experiences of the last two years of my life. In preparation, I am wondering if you would be willing to email or FB me with the answer to this question: Are you consciously living a life that will become a legacy for those who follow you? If yes, what will your legacy be? If no, would you be willing to share why you are not?

With Gratitude,
Elaine

Adventures With Elaine #8

Hi Family and Friends,

I am back in Michigan after doing some work in Philadelphia and Dallas. I have been kept busy with webinars, appointments and some fun and laughter with Laura and her family. I came back to Michigan to celebrate my granddaughter Megan's 17th birthday and watch her cheer for her high school football team.

I had a great evening at the Piano Guys Concert at the Fox Theater in Detroit with Laura, Harold and Elizabeth. The Guys are incredibly talented, humorous and humble. A good time was had for sure and I thank you Laura and Harold!

Megan nominated me for a 5-day Gratitude Challenge on FB, and that turned out to be a great reflective time for me. I try to be conscious of the gifts in my life, but this was really five days of just recalling, remembering and realizing the blessings in my life. I suggest you try it! I think you will find it up uplifting and meaningful. Five days of conscious gratitude really opens one's heart and spirit.

Elizabeth is home from college and sort of getting ready for a semester of study in Spain. It has been amazing the conversations and activities the two of us have gotten into. She asked me three years ago if I would get a piercing with her and I said, "No piercing!" Then I said I would consider one in my ear but that is it. Well guess what? On September 5th we went for our ear piercings...an Opal stud! Not a big deal, right? Wrong! Even though I asked for titanium, I had an allergic reaction to the metal and had to take mine out 3 days later. However Liz E still has hers in and will wear it for both of us...I am done with anything metal!!

A few days later, a gorgeous, Michigan, autumn day arrived and Liz and I went bike riding to Sterling State Park. I haven't ridden a bike in awhile, but, as we all know, that skill comes back pretty quickly. Trust me, Liz looked better in her get-up than I did, but that did not

stop her from posting our pics on FB! We rode around the lake and along a marsh area that was being visited by a lot of Egrets. It was  really a beautiful time with nature at its best, and a fun-loving granddaughter at my side.

It has been a light-hearted visit with Laura, Harold, Megan and Elizabeth and one I will enjoy recalling. I realize yet again, how the simple moments with family and friends, the ones that make us laugh over the silliest things are really special.

At least twice a week, we eagerly waited for Meg to come home from her job with a bag full of pretzel-bites that were still warm from Mrs. Field's. Making a fire at night in the fire pit in Laura's backyard, sitting around it eating s'mores in the light of the full moon was a peak moment for us. Laura heard about a super movie, The Hundred Foot Journey, a PG-rated movie that we enjoyed so much, we recommend it as a must see.

Going through Meg's graduation pictures and trying to pick 'the' best one, became quite the challenge as we all liked different pictures, of course; driving to the grocery store with Liz several times gave us time to discuss life's major challenges but then we would get distracted by something silly like, what I was wearing ("you look like an Easter egg")! I enjoyed listening to Elizabeth's views on sustainable business, but I really enjoyed watching her pretend to get ready for her trip to Spain!!

Thursday, I will do a presentation for parenting grandparents in southeastern Michigan; and, Friday, I leave for Arkansas and then back to the southwest. I will be wearing a big smile as I reflect on my three weeks in Michigan.

With Gratitude,

Elaine

Adventures with Elaine #7

Hi Family and Friends,

Look who followed me into a gas station near Chelsea, Michigan!! I was pumping gas and when I turned around four Sandhill Cranes greeted me. I looked up the totem meaning of cranes:

"When a crane comes into your life as a spirit teacher or totem you are being asked to use your past as a source of strength in the present.
Cranes appear in the lives of people who are well served by some degree of secrecy in their lives. The crane teaches keeping your own counsel, protection of family and balance in life above all else".

It is amazing how messages of wisdom come to us. The cranes where nowhere in sight when I pulled into this gas station and yet, here they are! They stayed the entire time, and actually I left before they did. The message of balance has significance for me. I have been traveling doing VISTA trainings a good deal of July and August. I realize I am a bit out of balance right now, even though Sedona was so re-vitalizing. I need to anchor more consisitency with my well-being practices and I am grateful to the cranes for the reminder.

It seems so much in life is not in balance right now. If you watch the news, you realize that

immediately. However, even on a day to day basis I am seeing imbalance in our communications with each other, and less reciprocity in our relationships.

I have noticed a lot of would-be conversations sound more like monologues. One person talking and the other person looking kind of bored, if not trapped. I notice many people, whether in person or on the phone, don't even need a response or an affirmation that they are being heard! They just keep talking!!


Think about it: When was the last time somebody asked you how you are doing; what is going on in your life and really stopped to listen to what you had to say?  Are you talking more than you are listening? Are you curious and inquiring of what is happening to others? Are you taking or giving in your relationships ... or both? Think about it!

Stopped in Chicago to celebrate Sophie's birthday. This 6 year old granddaughter left me speechless, yet again! When she was asked to make a wish before

blowing out her birthday candles she said: "I don't need to make a wish, I have a happy life and I don't need an upgrade!"

I will be off to Philadelphia for a training and then to Michigan for some work with parenting grandparents while visiting with my daughter, Laura, and her family part of September. Around the 19th I will head to Phoenix to visit Kimberly and her family and will meander through Arkansas and a few other places that are also calling me. Enjoy the end of summer as it merges with the beginning of Autumn ... a very beautiful time of the year!

With Gratitude,
 Elaine

Adventure with Elaine # 6

Hi Family and Friends,

When I last wrote I mentioned I was heading for Albuquerque to pick up my oldest grand-    daughter, Shelby, from the airport. Well, we headed right to Sedona and Jerome, AZ 
for a couple of days of relaxation amidst the mystical red rocks.

Shelby did a lot of climbing, including Bell Rock and I did a lot of watching and waving to her as she ascended. The energy of this area was palpable to both of us, as it spiraled around and through us.

I realized how important it is for all of us to have a place where we are so comfortable and the beauty is so riveting that the experience is very healing for our mind, body and spirit. I also am clear one must live in or frequent the places where the Earth calls to us. Even though this was only a two and a half-day visit it was filled with peak moments!

The short trip was made more special when we met my daughter Kimberly 

and her family for dinner. They drove up from Phoenix and we met somewhere in between the two cities. As I have traveled this summer I am realizing I am really getting to see my daughters and their families a lot. This is definitely an  adventure bonus!

Shelby and I had a few more days together so we returned to Santa Fe and visited one of our very favorite places, Ghost Ranch. We have established a little routine of having lunch outside the ranch house, then Shelby takes a hike or climbs a mesa and I take more pictures of scenes I have already taken many pictures of!! It was one of those sweet, breezy, sunny days in the light air of New Mexico that makes your heart and soul want to sing!

I am also seeing a lot of wonderful friends along the way. Shelby and I enjoyed dinner with my dear

friend, Rebecca, in Santa Fe. We spent the evening outside, sitting under her ramada, catching up on our lives as we listened to the gentle sounds of water cascading down the rocks of her fountain.We also watched a spectacular sunset.

Our trip was all that it could be for a 'Gramme and Granddaughter!' I am so happy we could take this time together and enjoy heart-felt conversations, smiles and laughs, and the grace of being together with ease in some of our mutually, favorite places.

Now the reverie is over ... Shelby headed back east for her last year of college and I am now in Denver for another VISTA training. I had a brief visit with my pals, Jean and George, who you met in my last newsletter. George's flower garden is even more exquisite and here are the newest blossoms.
Till next time ...

With Gratitude,
Elaine