May 17th, 2012
I have been listening to the message of uncertainty lately. There is some uncertainty about some of my projects ending and where to grow in the next phase of my business. I have noticed that when I am in my head, I want immediate answers. And when I am in my heart, I allow the universe to show me where to go next. Blazing the next trail requires me to align my head and heart in both the knowing and unknowing parts of life.
And as always happens when I am open and willing to listen (without solving), the universe provides more clarity and a message. This time it came through my friend’s, Joe Monkman, blog post. He wrote this week:
“Are you open to believing that the next step awaits? Are you open to knowing that the path you have chosen is absolutely in line with your highest good? Are you open to continuing to forge what may seem to you and others to be an unusual path?
The unusual is calling. The extraordinary is beckoning. The road less traveled awaits.”
Yes, the unusual is calling me. I am certain of my uncertainty and open to seeing the next step that awaits. The road of more joy, growing edges, and bliss awaits me – for that I am certain!
Mary Anne
Tags: Joe Monkman, Listening, Meditation, Open, Receive, Spirituality Stories, Uncertainty
Posted in Letting Go | No Comments »
May 15th, 2012
As a lot of grief swept through me the days and weeks leading up to Mother’s Day, I reached out to some friends and spiritual teachers for guidance. One long-time teacher left me a message saying, “Go easy. Be gentle with yourself. Be your best companion to yourself on Sunday because you deserve it.” I am still learning how to be my best companion, especially when grief consumes my heart.
I wrote the words, “Be your best companion” in my small journal as I headed into the city. I wasn’t sure how I could practice this and asked to receive a reminder of my own gentle companionship. As I walked down the street, I happened to look up and saw a building with big letters that read: GRACE.
And grace appeared … a clear reminder.
How could I be my own best companion? It was clear – with Grace.
And so it is.
Mary Anne
Tags: Compassion, Grief, Heart-Center, Spiritual Stories
Posted in Letting Go | No Comments »
May 11th, 2012
World Peace Begins with a Smile.
World Peace Begins with Your Smile!
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May 8th, 2012
It’s easy and safe to fit in, to conform, to do what everyone else is doing. And yet for many of us, that is no longer working. It is time to step outside the crowd, to stand out, to shine and bring our gifts to the world. Staying small isn’t serving anyone.
I work with lots of people and organizations who are ready to play bigger in the world. Just recently I sent an email to a client and asked them to dream ‘boulder’ – of course the spelling should have read bolder. And yet, boulder seemed more fitting. In order to stand out, to really stand out, we may need to move the internal boulders holding us back.
What boulder are you ready to move out of your way? What would it take for you to stand out?
{Permission to share photo taken by my friend Clarance Dickinson}
Tags: Be Bold, Business, Coaching, Creativity, Motivation & Success, Organizational Coach, Stand Out
Posted in Storytelling | No Comments »
May 4th, 2012
I had the opportunity to go back to my college and give a workshop. It had been twenty years since I had graduated and the campus had tripled in size (including the parking lots!). It was amazing walking around the college campus and taking in the energy of students preparing to finish a semester and others getting ready to graduate. I had some time before the workshop to walk around campus, visit with some professors, check out the new academic buildings, and (happily) purchase a new college t-shirt.
As I walked passed one of the buildings, an older woman was sitting on a bench with a big smile on her face. I walked over and introduced myself and she said, “I’m Sr. Rita Margaret.” She seemed thrilled that I was there to give a rhythm workshop and that I was a proud alumna. Sr. Rita Margaret started telling me many stories, including one about the founder of the college – a brilliant woman who had a vision of a (women’s) college and fought to make it happen. She went on to tell stories of the many dreamers and brilliant minds that made the college the incredible institution that it was and still is. We laughed and shared stories about our lives. She was curious about my work, my dedication to service and healing. She apologized for not being able to come to my workshop, but she explained that she gets tired and instead, she would say a prayer for me. I told her my rhythm circles were a form of prayer so we would be praying for each other.
After more than a half hour together, I stood up to go for one more walk before preparing for my workshop. I thanked her and she said, “Come, give me a hug.” We exchanged hugs and I walked slowly around the campus. All I could think about were Sr. Rita Margaret’s stories of the history of the college and her smile. When I made my loop around the building back to where I started, the bench was empty. Sr. Rita Margaret had left – she left the bench, but not my mind and heart.
She gave me the gift of her time, her knowledge, her wisdom, and her smile. Sr. Rita Margaret taught me about being present, generous, kind, gentle, and loving – a lesson as an undergrad I took for granted. Twenty years later, it was the best class I ever sat in.
Thank you Sr. Rita Margaret and Caldwell College.
Mary Anne
This is dedicated to my beloved friend and mentor, Kathy Detlet. I also want to extend my gratitude to the many Sisters for my excellent education and for modeling service and faith.
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May 2nd, 2012
If we listened to the rain drops, what would they say?
If we listened to the flowers, what would they say?
If we listened to our heart, what would our heart say?
{Photo taken by: Mary Anne Flanagan}
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April 30th, 2012
As you close your eyes and soften your body, I invite you to shift your spine long and tall.
Allow your shoulders to drop away from your ears with your out breath.
See your chin floating above your chest – your body completely aligned.
How does it feel to realign your body – to physically and mentally realign your body?
Notice your body breathing. Notice your mind breathing.
With great mindfulness, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
There it is – body and mind breathing as one – another realignment.
The invitation is to hear the mantra: my body and mind breathe as one.
My body and mind breathe as one. My body and mind breathe as one.
How are you connecting with your body and mind?
Is there a shift you need to make in order to be more fully aligned?
Shift it.
By realigning yourself, you have realigned everything around you.
Invite a body and mind breath in and out. Notice yourself in this space.
Nothing to do except breathe. And breathe. And breathe.
With your eyes open, breathe in and out:
my body and mind breathe as one.
Breathing more consciously, take a good look at the world around you.
We are one. You are one. It is all one. Body + Mind = One.
Attune to that alignment and notice – just notice.
Mary Anne
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April 26th, 2012
Excerpt of a channeled message about experiencing your heaven on earth:
As we sit together as one, I want to speak to you about your oneness – what some may call Heaven on Earth. I have heard many speak about ‘Waiting for Heaven.’ Have you listened to that – really listened to the words, waiting for heaven? As we awaken from the slumber we have been living in, we are being welcomed into a new consciousness. I invite you to open to embodying heaven on earth. Heaven in our bodies. Heaven in our breath. That is heaven. You are heaven. You are heaven on earth. There is no need to wait for heaven – for heaven is here, now. You my dear one, are heaven on earth.
It is time to plant this seed into all consciousness – of every living experience from beings to waters to mountains to stones and beyond. This is your mythical journey sprouting – the unfolding of your life. You are awakening to a new relationship with your consciousness – have you felt it? This new cosmic consciousness…this heaven on earth and earth in heaven. Are you awake to your heaven on earth? Breathe that in, dear one. You are heaven on earth.
Excerpt of Channeling for the White Mesa: Cosmic One through
Mary Anne Flanagan
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April 25th, 2012
As I walk through the city, all I keep noticing are the many amazing flowers – bursting with color.
I have been listening to the question: What is coloring my world these days?
As I sit and listen to that question, I am curious: What is coloring your world?
{Photo by: Mary Anne Flanagan}
Posted in Life | No Comments »
April 18th, 2012
As my partner and I listen for where our next ‘home’ is, I see this as an opportunity to listen to the vibration of the word. I explored the energy of the word home in my meditation.
Home. OM. Home. OM.
You have the blueprints of your home inside you.
You already have the lights, furniture, and keys you will ever need.
The front door is always open.
Hand over the keys over to the universe.
You have love – home.
You have peace – home.
You have an oasis residing in you – home.
Listen to your New Home Mantra:
I am here.
I am home.
I have arrived.
Home.
I am ready for my home outside to match my home inside.
Mary Anne
Posted in Meditation | 1 Comment »
I have been listening to the message of uncertainty lately. There is some uncertainty about some of my projects ending and where to grow in the next phase of my business. I have noticed that when I am in my head, I want immediate answers. And when I am in my heart, I allow the universe to show me where to go next. Blazing the next trail requires me to align my head and heart in both the knowing and unknowing parts of life.
