Sunday, September 12, 2010

Extra! Read All About It! - Class on How To Open Your Own Healing Practice!

About a year ago the idea of offering a class on how to open your own healing practice came to me.

After being asked numerous times, "how did you do it? ...go from 'there' (the corporate world) to 'here' (energy medicine?) and repeating the same answer over and over, the 'aha' light-bulb-moment came. I'll just answer the question in a group setting, I'll offer a class!

The Universe was calling; more inquiries came. In addition to being asked the 'how did you do it' question on a regular basis, I was being approached by several people (many also from the corporate world) about mentoring them to work in the field of energy medicine.

In March I proposed the idea to the event coordinator at the bookstore where I teach other classes and, with great enthusiasm, she immediately said, yes, do it, we need that! With the economy down and people looking for new ideas and opportunities, it is needed, she added. We were in agreement! Next step was to submit a proposal.

Although I submitted the original proposal last spring, it was decided to postpone so I could focus on my other classes through the summer. Postponing, it turns out, was serendipitous indeed; it allowed the idea to brew a bit more where I had the thought to invite a friend join me in teaching the class. When I asked my friend, Betsy, she thought it was a great idea and was excited to be a part of it! We got to work on tweaking the original proposal and resubmitted to the bookstore. Now, nearly a full year after the initial idea came to me, a new class is birthed.

The class is now, at last, scheduled! It will be held next Saturday, September 18 at 10:30 AM at East West Bookshop of Seattle.

My partner for class is a good friend and colleague, Betsy Gutting, Intuitive Life Coach. And we are thrilled to be offering a "2-for-1", doubling the knowledge of two people in one class! Betsy has a similar story to mine; like me, she left her corporate job to work in service to others. Together, we bring a wealth of knowledge on how to move toward creating the work you love!

If you or someone you know is looking for some inspiration to start a practice, this class will provide valuable information on what steps to take. Come learn from our lessons, gain wisdom, and move through that one thing that may be holding you back!

Betsy and I will each share our experiences with regard to "how we did it". To give you a little taste of what to expect, below is a sampling of some of the things I will share with regard to "how I did it".

1. Training. After completing an intensive Reiki workshop, I was attuned at the Master level. This provided the launching pad for me. I will share information on where to receive Reiki training and make suggestions on other energy medicine modalities.

2. Business name. What would I call myself, my practice, my new business? After a few minutes of asking myself some basic questions, what am I doing, where am I doing it, and so on, the name 'Seattle Energy Medicine' came to mind. From there, I bought the domain name, obtained a city of Seattle business license, and traded the name with WA state trade association. I had no idea how to do any of this! It was literally one step leading to another.

3. Insurance. Did I need it? Yes!

4. A space. Many people are quite successful and comfortable working out of their home, but this didn't appeal to me. I had no idea how to find a space; again, I took the first step, which led to the next. I found my space. I will share what those steps were and provide all my resources.

The above are but a few items to be discussed at the class. Please join Betsy and me as we share all our resources on how to help you be successful in your ventures to start your own practice!

Further event information is available by visiting East West Bookshop at 6500 Roosevelt Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98125 or by phone at 206-523-3726. You may also read more about the event and pre-register online for $20 (a savings of $5) at http://www.eastwestbookshop.com. Cost is $25 at the door. Register early to save on costs and reserve your seat!

Hope to see you there!

Ruth's web site: http://www.seattleenergymedicine.com/
Betsy's web site: http://www.betsygutting.com/

Saturday, September 11, 2010

September Newsletter: Chakra Talk! - Creative Expression

Irony and Paradox. I love these words and the curious stories behind them. Recently, I found them to be especially appropriate to sum up a funny thing that happened. I had to miss my chakra class in August - "Chakra Talk! Creative Expression" for a very "creative" reason. And the "creative" energy quite literally kept "creating" more changes and opportunities for others! The Universe proved its power as one thing after another manifested, "because of" the thing before it; sort of like the butterfly effect I guess.

All the while as I was planning my lesson for class, in the back of my mind I was thinking, what if I can't make it, what if I have to cancel, what will I do, what will the bookstore and participants think? Even though my intuition told me I'd be missing the class, I used 'creative visualization' to see myself there; walking back and forth in front of the class, talking about chakras, the participants listening to every word, me answering their questions, feeling the space, in a room which I was so familiar. I really imagined myself there with all my might. With enough will and determination, I thought, perhaps I could influence one of God's most powerful creations. My class on 'creation' was scheduled for a Tuesday at 7:00. My daughter was admitted to the hospital on Monday where she 'created' (gave birth to) a beautiful baby boy that evening at 6:02 PM.

Late Monday afternoon I called the bookstore where I was to teach the class and gave them the news: my daughter would be delivering her baby that evening and I'd be unable to teach the following day. They, of course, completely understood and expressed their complete joy and happiness for us. But I also had a "creative' solution and asked if they were interested. Before I called the bookstore, a 'creative' idea bubbled up in my mind. I would contact my friend Kathleen, who also teaches classes there to see if she and a musician friend of hers would be interested in a last minute 'gig'. They hadn't held a class together that I knew of, but I imagined them as a natural fit. I had just attended a wonderful concert at Kathleen's cottage where Mark entertained us all with his lovely music and taught a wonderful chakra workshop. I was hopeful that this might be a better-than-perfect solution!

Turns out, Kathleen and Mark had been discussing the idea of "creating" and partnering on some classes! When I spoke with Kathleen we laughed at the irony of it all. They had been discussing the idea of creating an event together and my slot for teaching a class on the 'creative' second chakra was vacant because a baby was about to be birthed (created) in my life. Wow! She contacted Mark and within a few hours called me back to say, yes, they'd do it!

The class was a huge hit and the bookstore was very pleased for not only filling a hole in their schedule, but to fill it with such awesome talents!  I didn't have to cancel and had arranged an ideal backup plan - I was so relieved. I wanted to be there for my daughter with no distractions or the burdensome feeling of letting someone else down. Everything worked out beautifully for everyone. But I am disappointed that I missed Kathleen and Mark's first class together (I was busy supporting other creations, you see). They are both 'creatively creative' and share their wisdom with others in the most loving and honest approach I have ever witnessed. They are the 'real deal'. Keep an eye out for them: Kathleen Carerra and Mark Stanton Welch - bringing authentic joy and love into everything they create!

To maximize creative energy we must not allow potential roadblocks to interfere with our flow of ideas, insights, and wisdom; our intuition. When something seems like it isn't going to work out exactly how you have it in your mind, stop for a minute and ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen?

For example, I was worried about the timing of events, but I accepted the fact that I might need to cancel my class. In the big scheme of things, what was the most important thing? To be with my daughter where I wanted and needed to be. What was the worst thing that could have happened by choosing to be with her? The class would have been cancelled, would-be participants would have been disappointed, and the bookstore (and me) would have lost some revenue. The worst part though, was the idea of letting down the participants. This bothered me the most. But, still, I knew it would be OK, it had to be. I surrendered, turned it over to God, and many more wonderful things were created because I did.

If I had stayed home on the previous Saturday and not attended the workshop and concert with Mark at Kathleen's cottage, I would never had the idea to ask them to take my slot and teach. I woke with a terrible headache that morning and called my friend to say she'd have to go without me because I was just too ill. But there was a powerful, nagging, urge inside me that said I must go. It wouldn't let go. I took some pain meds, slowly got dressed, called my girlfriend back and said I'd go. The day was filled with healing, friendship, love, and was at the heart of the additional upcoming 'creative' events.

If I had said to my daughter, I'm sorry but I can't help you on Tuesday, I have to leave for several hours to teach a class, the outcome would have been less than perfect. I would have been heart sick at leaving her and the energy would have felt forced, and blocked, during the class. The class would not have been the best for the participants and my daughter would have felt my absence in her time of need.

I stepped aside. The Universe forged on - brining it all together perfectly.

I ended up spending the entire week with my daughter and her family. Bonds were deepened, trust was reinforced, and memories were 'created' that I'll cherish for a lifetime.

The lesson in this story is about not resisting the natural force of creation. Sometimes we simply need to step out of the way, our own way, to allow something different to manifest; something for the greatest good of all involved.

Sometimes, it's just not about us, when all the while, it is.