Michael and I celebrated our 36th anniversary this week. Three + decades of relationship! Could it really be possible and have gone by so quickly? What will the next 30 look like? I have been reminiscing about our relationship and have noticed that it has changed and expanded over the years, as have we. What are the keys to our marriage continuing and deepening, and what have been our challenges? Here are some of the secrets we’ve used for a successful Marriage. Over the next few weeks, I will share my simple “ABC’s” that I believe have helped us stay happily married.

This week - the A’s!

My Wedding Day

AFFECTION. We still hold hands – even in public! Hugging brings us closer and balances our energies. And kisses, from sweet to passionate, keep romance alive.

APPRECIATION. We don’t take each other for granted. Michael still thanks me for each meal I cook, each batch of clean clothes that appears in the closet, each painting I create, and the way I nurture him, our son and our families. I appreciate his wisdom, his “consulting” our friends and family with questions in their lives, that he makes me a perfect cup of tea, and that he found this beautiful home we live in.

ADMIRATION. We admire (out loud) the many facets of each other. Not a day goes by without Michael telling me how beautiful I am and me admiring how handsome he is. We admire each other’s commitment to family and friends. Michael recently sat in the back of the room of a workshop I led and the admiration he expressed for me was amazing. I admire his brilliance on so many topics (he’s my personal Google!), and his visionary outlook on life. And we admire the way each of us uniquely implements our spiritual practice into everyday life.

We are human and have had our fair share of bumps in the road, as do all relationships. Check back next week for the “B’s” that have gotten us through those challenges!

Photos courtesy of: Fiona Nagle and Wayne Houston.

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Oh, no! I need more Summer!

I have been thinking and feeling this so strongly. And I hear it expressed by others in the bank, grocery store and around town. So, what did I not get enough of this summer, or what do I not want that comes with Autumn and Winter?  To me, Summer means swimming, going barefoot, less structured time, picnics and canoeing… things that represent fun physical activities, being in nature, friends and family, and the joy of being outside with minimal bodily covering. You could boil it down to Nature, Fun & Freedom!

So, the questions I ask myself and you are, “How can we keep this alive as the Summer moves to Autumn (and beyond)?” “How can we experience this essence regardless of the temperature or season?”

For myself, feeling fun and freedom begins within me. I bring it to my day with the conscious choice of connecting with the beauty of Nature. It is as simple as looking out the window, stepping outside and breathing fresh air, and feeling the breeze. I appreciate Mother Nature’s ever-changing raiment, adorning each season with different jewels – dewdrops, colorful leaves, snowflakes, tulips… and the seasons, they go round and round.

Today, I love and celebrate summer! I will continue to honor these “End of Summer Days,” and then, I will celebrate and love Autumn.

I may need to be reminded about this when we get to Winter!

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Spending two weeks with my family and attending my high school reunion has me thinking about my strongest root systems: family, friends, and Mother Nature!

Majestic Maple on Our Golf Course!

I grew up on a 90 acre golf course in Wisconsin, and a big part of who I am is linked to that beautiful piece of land with its grass and trees, bubbling creek and pond, and big sky. The beauty of the natural world has impacted the way I look at life and the way I create art. I feel a deep-rooted connection to our Earth and all living beings; I am renewed when I walk barefoot on dew covered grass; I see “paintings” in the sky with sunrises, sunsets and clouds; I hear symphonies with the wind over the corn fields and the songs of the birds. Being in nature is good for my soul, restores my body, and expands my vision.

I am the oldest of 9 children and my parents are both going strong at 82! Most of my family still lives in the area, and I got to be with them both individually and collectively. Being part of a family clan has melded me into a person who understands and appreciates unique points of view, who experiences having someone to help or listen whenever needed, who knows the power of cooperation and collaboration (how true it is that “Many hands make work light,” Mom!), and who feels lucky to have siblings as friends. Having a large and loving family inspires me to see the world as a “global family” and have the vision of Peace. We could see that beneath seeming differences are similar hopes and dreams for a better future for our children and grandchildren.

At my high school reunion, I realized that as graduating 18 year olds, we headed off in many different directions.  Still, when we return home, we have lots of experiences to share while maintaining our strong roots. This trip home exemplified what having roots means to me.

I tap into the rich soil of my roots: the Earth, my family, my friends, and my classmates. They are a fundamental part of who I am and how I am, and have nurtured me in so many ways. And each place I have lived and each person I’ve met along my journey is another rich root system I’ve developed. What a wonderful array of nutrients and grounding I’ve received over the years! Thank you, all!

My Dad on Our Golf Course!

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And when I feel another’s compassion for me, it opens up space and a renewed sense of freedom in me. Someone offering me their seat on the train, or holding the door for me when my arms are full. All these simple gestures of compassion fill me and allow me to see the world in brighter colors, breathe deeper, and expand my space until, again, I am free to be myself – my REAL self, that is.

What if there is a dance of Freedom and Compassion going on here?

What if we are all partners in this dance of life and when we are attuned to the rhythms and circumstances each of us is bringing to the dance, we could adapt, step up, let go? We could offer a hand, a smile, and an understanding that we’re in it together. Turn up the music! Lets dance beyond limits!

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You will gain access to the Goddess within and learn how to empower yourself in the midst of the circumstances of life. Spend a weekend creating a unique vision for your life grounded in essence, and uncover pathways for manifesting with synergy and joy. Expand your connection to The Source, or The Divine, and establish the spiritual practices that will have your soul sing. Learn to empower yourself and connect to those who have blessings to offer you. Establish a strong connection to Spirit and the Sacred Community of Sister Queens.

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Keeping the focus on our center results in balance.

The continuous equalizing of “out of balance” and “back in balance” brings us closer to our own equilibrium. Those things that seem to push us out of balance are the real teachers in our life. Discovering our own ways to return to equilibrium is a lifetime task and an expression of creativity.

Walking in our truth and wisdom aligns us. Being swayed by the opinions of others can move us further from balance. Stretching when the time is right and relaxing when it is needed are ways to maintain balance in our growth as conscious human beings. A careful tending of our inner life leads us back to ourselves and to perfect balance.

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When we tap into our inner reservoir, we find peace.

That place of no turmoil, no doubt, no fear – that is the palace of peace. The world around us can be uncertain and appear quite treacherous, but when we connect with our own inner peace, our state of mind remains calm and clear. Peace has the power to uplift and transform difficulties into opportunities. Peace is the ability to realign conflict to cooperation.

When we open ourselves to inner peace, we can walk into each situation of our life with strength and courage. Peace is our guiding light in these times of distrust and violence. Peace is our gift to those around us, for when we radiate our peace out into the world, it harmonizes and elevates the vibration of our planet. Peace!

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You will gain access to the Goddess within and learn how to empower yourself in the midst of the circumstances of life. Spend a weekend creating a unique vision for your life grounded in essence, and uncover pathways for manifesting with synergy and joy. Expand your connection to The Source, or The Divine, and establish the spiritual practices that will have your soul sing. Learn to empower yourself and connect to those who have blessings to offer you. Establish a strong connection to Spirit and the Sacred Community of Sister Queens.

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