Clarity
Welcome to ATTUNEMENT, my monthly newsletter!
Each month we “tune into” a theme related to mindfulness
and explore a creative practice and tune based on this theme!
This month of February we’re TUNING INTO the frequency of:
CLARITY.
Image by Nathan Dumlao
I have a tendency to get easily overwhelmed. It doesn't take many straws to break this camel's back! When this happens, everything piles up inside my mind, and I can't think clearly.
Cultivating mindfulness has been a key practice in lessening this overwhelm.
Mindfulness enables me to step back from my thoughts and observe them with a bit more emotional distance. This non-reactive awareness helps me gain clarity about:
the nature of my thought patterns and emotions,
any trauma-related triggers that might be affecting me, and
how I can intentionally and effectively respond to what is happening.
Perhaps it's not a coincidence that one of my favorite songs is "I Can See Cleary Now". The lyrics go:
I can see clearly now,
the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds
that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright
Bright sunshiny day
To be fair, seeing clearly doesn't always feel like dark clouds parting to reveal a blue, sunshiny sky.
Sometimes increased clarity feels confrontational.
When we're able to clearly observe our own mental habits, we might not like what we see! For example, we might notice that we get easily jealous, we are unfairly hard on others, or that our self-talk is extremely critical (or is that just me?!).
The point of clear-seeing is to become more skilled at making mindful decisions (rather than engaging in impulsive reactions).
The point of making mindful decisions is to reduce/eliminate our own suffering, which ultimately benefits all beings.
I still remember one of the first lectures I attended in my Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program. My professor shared a story of an employee who is yelled at by his supervisor and then goes home and yells at his dog. This reminds me of what I'm capable of when I'm not practicing moment-to-moment mindfulness: displacing my feelings about one thing onto something--or someONE--else.
I do better these days, though sometimes it's still too hard to look my own behavior square in the face when pain from the past and the shame in the moment overwhelm me. But increased clarity has helped me see the big picture--that at the end of the day it's important for me not only to be kind and compassionate with others as often as I can, but to be kind and compassionate towards myself.
So when I'm not able to change my behavior in the moment, and I metaphorically "yell at the dog", I can at least reflect on my behavior at a later time, forgive myself for it, and try to repair with the being(s) I hurt.
So in summary,
Clarity is a process, not a destination.
Clarity can be cultivated through the practice of mindfulness.
Mindfulness can be cultivated any time we place our attention on one or more aspects of our present-moment experience.
I love offering creative ways to cultivate mindfulness and clarity, including:
SoulCollage®
Mindful Vision Boarding and Gratitude Art Journaling
Guided forest bathing
Crystal singing bowl Sound Baths
See "Upcoming Events" below for some opportunities to experience these!
If you don't live in the central Ohio area, please email me to inquire about virtual versions of these offerings. I'm also happy to curate creative mindfulness programming for your organization, team, or group that fits your needs and goals.
Creative Mindfulness Practice
SoulCollage® is a creative and intuitive process that involves creating a deck of collaged cards representing different aspects of yourself and your world* (*To learn all about this process and experience its magic, sign up to attend a SoulCollage® workshop with me! See "Upcoming Events" for a couple opportunities in February!).
The Witness card in SoulCollage® is a card that represents the part of you that can nonjudgmentally observe the various aspects of yourself and your life. It represents the part of you that can step back and observe with compassion, detachment, clarity, and understanding. The Witness does not get entangled in the drama of life but remains a calm and centered observer.
Creating a Witness card in your SoulCollage® deck can be a powerful way to acknowledge and honor the part of yourself that can witness your journey without being overwhelmed by it. It is a reminder of the importance of self-awareness and the ability to step back and observe your inner and outer experiences to gain clarity and ultimately insight and wisdom.
Below is the Witness I card I collaged:
➡️ TRY IT! Grab some magazines, search for an image/images that evoke the energy of "Witness/Clarity/Observer/Non-Judgmental Seer, etc..", and arrange it/them on a larger background image. This card can sit in observance of your SoulCollage® process when you create other cards in your deck (and you can bring it to a future SoulCollage® workshop with me!). Feel free to snap a picture of your card and email it to me if you'd like to share!
Upcoming Events
Creative Self-Care with SoulCollage® - Saturday, February 10
SoulCollage® is a creatively mindful practice that connects you to your inner wisdom through the creation of 5x8” collaged cards of pictures and imagery which are unique reflections of you.
Learn about the theory and method of SoulCollage® and be guided in the creation and use of SoulCollage® cards during this workshop. This gathering concludes with a brief crystal singing bowl sound bath to honor our time together.
Sat., February 10, 9:30-11:30am
The Upper Arlington Senior Center, Bldg. 1, 1945 Ridgeview Rd, Columbus, OH 43221Investment: $35 (for UA residents) / $43 (for non-UA residents)
Bohindi Wellness Market - Saturday, February 17, 11am-2pm
Stop by my table at Bohindi's monthly Wellness Market inside their Upper Arlington store (which is beautiful, by the way!). Come make a SoulCollage® card and enter to win complimentary registration at a future SoulCollage® workshop with me!
Sat., February 17, 11am-2pm
Bohindi store, 2134 Arlington Ave., Columbus, OH 43221Investment: FREE to attend!
Breath + Sound + Love: Breathwork, Sound Bath, & Lovingkindness Event - Friday, Febuary 23, 6:30-8pm
Enjoy this love-themed post-Valentine’s Day Breathwork and Sound Bath event. Harness the power of your breath to release stress, find emotional clarity, and show love to yourself. Immerse yourself in the calming harmonic tones of crystal singing bowls. Learn and experience Metta (lovingkindness) meditation.
Fri., February 23, 6:30-8pm
The Be Sanctuary, 3360 Tremont Rd., Ste. 240, Columbus, OH 43221Investment: $40
A Web of Love: Exploring the SoulCollage® Community Suit - Sat. March 9, 9:30-11:30am
In this workshop we’ll explore the SoulCollage® card category (or “Suit”) of Community. This suit honors and celebrates the people, animals, and places whose existence enriches our lives. You’ll be guided in creating and sharing Community Suit cards. If you’re new to SoulCollage®, I’ll email you some background info prior to the workshop and orient you to what you need to know the day-of, so you’ll be set!
Sat. 3/9, 9:30-11:30am
The Be Sanctuary, 3360 Tremont Rd., Ste. 240, Columbus, OH 43221Investment: $40
Soul Seeker Half-Day Retreat (collaboration with Mat Happy Yoga) - Sun., April 28, 11am-3pm
Join my amazing friends from Mat Happy Yoga and me, for a half-day retreat at the gorgeous The Geode Nature Dome in Chillicothe, OH.
The retreat will include:
75-Minute Yoga Masterclass with guided visualization, artful hands-on adjustments, vibrational tuning and temple massage
Luxe vegan picnic
Wander in the woods - alone or with others
SoulCollage® session led by me!
Sun., April 28, 11am-3pm
The Geode Nature Dome, 2467 Rocky Rd, Chillicothe, OH 45601Investment: $249
Creative Ways into Wellness Weekend Retreat - Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5
Get ready to unplug, relax, create, and be rejuvenated! Spend a day, overnight, and morning at lovely Hueston Woods Lodge in College Corner, OH, home to Hueston Woods State Park (and just a few miles from Miami University, my alma mater!).
Your retreat weekend with me includes:
A welcome gift bag and journal when you arrive!
Lunch and dinner Saturday; breakfast Sunday
Private room with 2 queen beds and lake-view balcony
Two SoulCollage® workshops and all materials
A guided Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) experience
Two relaxing crystal singing bowl sound baths
Guided meditations and facilitated soul-nourishing conversations
Time for self-care activities of your choosing (swim, hike, read, etc.!)
Space is limited to 12 attendees, so reserve your spot now!
Sat., May 4, 9:30am - Sun., May 5, 12pm,
Hueston Woods Lodge, 5201 Lodge Rd, College Corner, OH 45003Investment: $497 **EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT EXTENDED to 2/10 (save $50 with coupon code RETREAT)
This Month’s Tune
Each month I share a tune that resonates with the newsletter theme.
For this month’s theme of CLARITY I’ve chosen "I Can See Cleary Now".
Originally written and performed by Johnny Nash, this version is performed by Jimmy Cliff, and this version is by the Holly Cole Trio. I sang this song (and played guitar) at my dad's memorial service four Februarys ago in 2020.
Wishing you a LOVEly February :)
