Monday, December 31, 2012

Out with the old, in with the new year

Today is the last day of 2012. This day often brings with it the mixed feelings of both letting go of the old, and welcoming the new. It is a day that offers us each a chance to start fresh tomorrow in a way that truly feels like a clean slate. Beginning a new year can also welcome a new version of you. Many people set new year's resolutions at this time of year, projecting ahead the goals they would like to reach during the cycle of days that await. 

I invite you to set intentions for your new year rather than resolutions. Intentions offer us a frame of mind that encourages hope for ourselves. We can set goals at the beginning of the year, but these goals must be lovingly attended to in order for them to manifest and come to fruition. With this in mind, intentions allow us to set ourselves on whichever track we intend to follow for the brand new year ahead, knowing that we must check in with ourselves around these intentions as we travel further away from the new year.

This year my intentions are:

-Kindness. Be kind to all who I come into contact with. As Plato said, "Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."

-Trust the process. Have faith that what is happening is happening exactly the way it is meant to, and that I am well equipped for what is yet to come.

-Learn how to be a mama. Those of you who know me know that I am expecting my first child in 2013. There is much to learn!

What are your intentions? Please share!


Monday, November 26, 2012

Keeping a Pocket Full of Gratitude (Even After Thanksgiving Has Passed)

The one day per year for gratitude has passed with the leftover turkey, right? 
Well it doesn't have to. 

A friend of mine on Thanksgiving shared this quote:
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." -Eckhart

Experiencing gratitude in your mind, body, and soul has many benefits not just for the object of our appreciation (who doesn't love being appreciated, right?) but also for your mental outlook and well being. When we choose to see our world through the lens of Gratitude, we shift our focus from a place of deficit to a perspective of abundance. Not just noticing things, but actually being GLAD that they exist, and celebrating their existence with gratitude brings them into the forefront of our focus. This allows our brains to grasp reasons for igniting the 'happy drug' in our system, helping us to feel more peaceful, joyful, and appreciative.
How, you may ask, can you get started with a practice of Gratitude? Below are a few easy ways to bring gratitude into your life:

1) Make a gratitude journal:
Each day create a special time (mine is in the morning with my cup of tea) to write a list that fills an entire page--or two--of the things you are grateful for in that moment. This list can be silly or serious, soulful or generic. It can span from feeling grateful for the iPod you rock out to, to the healthcare that keeps you alive, to the puppy dog eyes that stare up at you from your cocker spaniel. Nothing is too silly to skip over. If you're grateful for the good night's sleep you had last night, speak that gratitude into your journal. If you're grateful for the fresh air outside, express your gratitude...and on and on until you've filled your page with reasons to LOVE the life you're living through the lens of gratitude

2) Make a card for someone you are grateful for
What could be better than letting someone know how much they mean to you. Even if it's thanking your neighbor for picking up your mail while you were on vacation, everybody needs to feel valuable and appreciated for their efforts...big or small...
Don't be shy. Shout your gratitude from the rooftop. I guarantee it will make you both feel good.

3)Create gratitude art
Without worrying about what it looks like or how sophisticated your artistic skill base is, just create an image that comes from the place in your heart that feels and appreciates this magical world we live in, and those who live in it. See if you can call to mind a color--or a few colors--that represent gratitude to you, and go from there. Use lines, shapes, colors, and images to touch into what gratitude actually looks like. If you could channel the energy of gratitude, what would it look like? Bright or earthy? Flowing or layered? Maybe your vision of gratitude is a tree with purple feathers as leaves, growing toward a sunshine made out of goldfish...use your imagination and try not to judge the creation that comes out of you.


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

A Reminder About Patience

If you're anything like me (or most of us, for that matter), patience is an ongoing process that takes constant practice and gentle reminders. What could better exemplify the difficulty and the reward of patience than this image:
Some things just take time...and they are worth waiting for!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

The Surprise of Chinese Bamboo

I learned something exquisite today:

Have you ever seen or walked through a bamboo forest? The stalks of bamboo are enormous; towering above our human height by 30, 50, 100 feet. It appears, however, that once the seed has been sown for these incredible trees, nothing apart from a tiny shoot can be seen for about five years' time. During these five years, all of the plant's growth takes place beneath the surface where a highly complex root system reaches in all directions, establishing itself. Then at the end of the fifth year, the tiny shoot begins to shoot upward out of the soil and grows up to 82 feet!

Imagine the patience, persistence, and trust it must take to wait those five long years with no perceptible growth. Now, imagine all of the growth you have within yourself that has yet to be realized...

Thursday, September 6, 2012

How Nervous is your Nervous System?

We all know what it feels like to be nervous. 
Anxious. Jittery. Fired-up. Antsy. Stressed. Startled. 

The image above shows just part of the complexity that is the Nervous System in our human bodies. This is the system that red-flags us to let us know that we are unsafe, unsure, or unstable. We need this system to keep us protected and regulated in this hustle-bustle world we all live in. Though important, it is also crucial to know how to tame the nervous system so that it is not constantly in alarm-mode. Here are some skills to use to chill yourself out:

-4-Square Breathing: Breathe in to the count of 7. Hold your inhale for 5 counts. Breathe out to the count of 7. Hold your exhale for 5 counts. Repeat 10 times.

-Talk to someone who listens. Processing stress can help eliminate it. 

-Call to mind a calming color, and imagine breathing it in with each inhale. Then imagine breathing your stress out in the visual form of smoke with your exhale. Do this for 10 breaths with your eyes closed.

-Plug in to your iPod or other music device and listen to calming music.

-Sensory Presence: Notice 5 things you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel in this present moment.

-Soak in a warm bath (with lavender aromatherapy if you have it) or shower.

-Take a break from technology. Believe it or not, the screens of our TVs, phones, computers, etc. can actually stimulate our nervous system. 

-Blow off steam with exercise. Not in the mood for a full-blown workout? Try a 15 minute walk.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Trust These Things




Partake fully in this experience. Fully.
Feel the change.
Experience a sense of sweet detachment, knowing always to keep your heart open. 
Love yourself.
Become a conscious dreamer. 
You are intrinsically worthy of this, and all things.
Trust the power that holds galaxies together. 
This is all on purpose.
With seeds and tides, life is a sacred journey.
Growth is just seeing it sooner. 
See beauty in everything.
Be true. Create what you’ve imagined. 
There are a million worlds out there waiting for you.
There is light even when you can’t see it.
Spirit reaches to us from the earth below and heavens beyond.

That which you cannot describe, but which exists, makes life extraordinary.

Decide to rise. Stand on your sacred ground.
It’s only for a moment that we are this.
Look from the center. Enjoy your inner world. Use every moment to see more clearly.

View the lessons as perfect.
Awaken. Feel the fullness.
You don’t have to know.

Open to gratitude for the millions of the ways you are blessed.
There is just the right moment for everything.
Nature loves courage. In this world, everything is flowing.
Dance when the wind blows. You are life. 
Get near the heart of the world.
Stillness is pleasure. Express and unfold. Everything has the power to transform us.
Did you know that you are a chalice? Trust the rhythm. Your inner wisdom knows the purpose.
You are a full participant and it is all a choice. Be the way.
Something is calling you. Be at ease and just observe.
 As you plant your own truth, more truth comes to life.
Imagine; even in the struggle, you are loved.

Live creatively. 
Feel the quiet power and trust that what we seek is here.
We have guardian angels and thousands of teachers. Thousands. See possibilities.
Let life be deep and become unbound all at once. Maybe even anchor into your core.
Speak your mind by telling all of your heart.
Send love. You never know when something new is being born.
We are humans, giving as we receive. 
There is magic in the power of seeing what is truly there.
The time is now. Make room for miracles and they will come.
Release yourself and bring light to the shadows, knowing that the honey is always there.
Feel the great turning. Just feel it.
The forest evolves as a whole.
If you chose to, you can become the sun. Become the moon. Be both at once.
The pathway is open. 
Find your flow knowing that the first peace comes from within.

Now you know.
Trust these things.







Mystic Mamma & Kate King, 2012

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The Invitation

I Met with someone today who reminded me of this great poem, and I wanted to share it with you. If you like the poem and want to read Oriah's elaboration on its meaning, check out the book (image above).
          The Invitation  
 
It doesn't interest me what you do for a living
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dreams
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life's betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your
fingers and toes
without cautioning us to
be careful
be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand on the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes."

It doesn't interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after a night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the center of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

Friday, July 27, 2012

TWO FREE SESSIONS

As a way to support the Colorado community during the devastating shooting in Aurora, I would like to offer 
TWO FREE SESSIONS  to anyone who feels they need support for the emotional and mental repercussions of this horrible experience. Please contact Kate at katekingtherapy@gmail.com to schedule.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Mind of a Killer

I send my thoughts and prayers to all those who were affected by the Aurora shooting, and to those who have lost loved ones in this senseless tragedy. In response to such an event, Psychology Today has a host of articles to help us understand, cope, and heal from this nightmare experience. In "The Mind of a Killer" you can click here to read articles such as:

Nightmare in Aurora

Monday, July 16, 2012

Opposing Tides

In the resort town of Skagen you can watch an amazing natural phenomenon. This city is the northernmost point of Denmark, where the Baltic and North Seas meet. The two opposing tides in this place can not merge because they have different densities.

In what ways might you experience "opposing tides" in your own life? Perhaps there is a certain relationship, experience, or memory that just doesn't flow. In this case I ask: Is it possible to simply accept that blending may not be the ultimate goal? Perhaps existing side-by-side is not only acceptable, but potentially an amazing phenomenon all by itself...

Friday, July 13, 2012

Read The Signals and Trust Them

Check out this lovely piece from Mystic Mamma called "Read The Signals and Trust Them" Click here to read

My personal favorite image from this writing is:
“There is a web that connects each of us with everything that is….The ancients honored the web over everything, worshiping the Moon Goddess as the weaver of destiny: a giant spider sitting at the center of the universe, creating the universe from her center. From her belly she spins something form nothing, everything from the empty space within…” 
To read more about this beautiful article Click Here

Monday, July 9, 2012

Fairy Tales Are For Adults



It is no mystery that fairy tales encourage our minds and souls to venture to faraway magical lands where dragons, nymphs, and elves dwell. Many adults, however, only come into contact with these mystical stories when reading them to their children before bedtime. Many adults are surprised to find that the value of fairy tales stretches far beyond childhood, and can be a guide and metaphor for the trials and challenges of life here in our modern world.
Consider the character of the Evil Queen. How many of us have an evil, controlling, powerful person in our lives who we often feel tricked by and fearful of? What about the good witch character—an unexpected friend with words of wisdom can be found in this world at times when we most need help. The list goes on and on: the handsome prince, the damsel in distress, the power-hungry king, the kind and helpful animal, the joker, the hero, the wounded child, the judge, the magician, the guide…
How, you might ask, does this apply to you? With a little investigating a great deal can be learned about oneself through this metaphor. 

If you are willing to try an exercise, consider one the following journal entries:

1) Choose 5 significant relationships in your life (positive or negative relationships), and see if you can identify each person with a fairy tale character or archetype. Then create a story with yourself and these individuals as a fairy tale.
This can be a way to identify the dynamics of relationships, as well as give you the opportunity to write your own ending to this story. Take the reins here and allow your characters to follow the narrative of your choosing.

2) Choose a fairy tale character that you relate to. Take the opportunity to re-write the way this fairy tale traditionally ends to encompass your own needs and desires.
For example, if you identify with Snow White, perhaps when awakened by Prince Charming Snow White thanks him genuinely and continues on her way to find the best friend she lost many years ago. They then together travel the world and offer gifts of healing to animals in faraway lands…

Friday, June 29, 2012

Children are Creators

Check out this very cool article that demonstrates that absolutely genius, abundantly creative, and comedic inventors of our future. Kids are so full of imagination and possibility...this article demonstrates it in full.

Click here for article

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Faith in Humanity

Check out this list of great photos from buzzfeed.com that is sure to remind you about the beauty and goodness in human beings. Sometimes it seems that our world and daily lives are flooded with stories and images of crime and wrongdoing, but hopefully this article will warm your heart and plant a sweet reminder of our inherent goodness.

Click here to see article

Monday, June 18, 2012

20 Amazing health tips

 Ever find yourself wondering how, amidst all of the modern diet crazes and rumored "health" tips, you will ever know how to eat for health and wellness that will last? This article is a really good source for how to eat healthfully and keep your body lean and your and mind sharp.

Click here to read article

Monday, June 11, 2012

Wabi-Sabi

Wabi-Sabi is the Japanese view that things/people/experiences are beautiful and perfect in their imperfection.

What can you relate this to in your life?

We are often so critical of ourselves for not meeting unrealistic standards; for not being perfect. For being flawed.

Today can you harness the viewpoint of Wabi-Sabi in your own life? Perhaps this is a chance for you to see your life and your self as you truly are, cracks and all. And in this perspective, actually love the cracks; be thankful for the cracks; treat the cracked parts as beautiful, as valuable, and as crucial to your being.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Think Like A Tree

Those of you who know me well know my fascination and love for trees. I wanted to share this poem with you today by Karen I. Shragg:

Think Like A Tree

Soak up the sun
Affirm life's magic
Be graceful in the wind
Stand tall after a storm
Feel refreshed after it rains
Grow strong without notice
Be prepared for each season
Provide shelter to strangers
Hang tough through a cold spell
Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring
Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky
Be still long enough to
hear your own leaves rustling

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Trust the power that holds galaxies together








Have any of you heard of the website MysticMamma.com? It's fabulous. Check it out. This is one of the posts that I thought was particularly heart warming and insightful.
Click here to read the article

Called "Trust the power that holds galaxies together" about surrender.


Monday, May 21, 2012

The Pride and Challenges of Graduation

To let them fly or keep them safe?
To trust or to fear?

These are just a couple of the questions many parents might be asking themselves around this time of year when their kids (young adults) fly from the coop once more and graduate from High School or College. Check out this interesting article from Psychology Today about letting go:
Click here for article

Monday, May 7, 2012

Healthy Nest Nutrition - Holistic Nutrition Therapy in Denver

Hello out there,

I wanted to let you Denver people know about a fantastic holistic nutrition therapist who specializes in working with clients with a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, as well as perimenopause, weight loss, attention and concentration, and "the blues" to name just a few. Robin is a holistic nutrition therapist who is not only passionate about helping the people she works with, but is highly knowledgeable and experienced with providing appropriate supplements, dietary modifications, and lifestyle improvements to help her clients gain health, stability, and balance...which translates into FEELING GOOD.

What we eat affects how we feel on so many levels. Your depression, anxiety, physical symptoms, and emotional experience could be related to nutritional needs that are not being filled. Robin can help. To learn more about Robin's practice, Healthy Nest Nutrition, LLC, click here

Saturday, April 28, 2012

A Near Death Experience that Cured Cancer




Wow everyone. This interview with Anita Moorjani is absolutely incredible. For those of you who believe in near death experiences, and those of you who don't...please take the time to watch this powerful interview about a woman who was declared medically dead with lemon-sized tumors from lymphoma cancer before she had a life changing (and life saving) spiritual experience. To watch the interview click here

Monday, April 23, 2012

Make a JOY list

Have you ever written a joy list? Why not give it a shot? To read the article and find out how to create a joy list click here

Thursday, April 19, 2012

More Mandalas

In the spirit of the sand mandala post I shared a few weeks ago, I wanted to share a few of my own mandala drawings made of pen and ink:


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Parenting Impact On Your Kid's Brain

Ever wonder how much parenting affects kids on an intrinsic, chemical level? Check out this enlightening article:
Click here to read article

Monday, April 9, 2012

The Ostrich Effect

What are the stories we tell ourselves? Check out this interesting article from Psychology Today about how we use the "Ostrich Effect" to divert our attention from a displeasing reality toward a more appealing story to mask our true experience.

Click here to read article

Monday, April 2, 2012

Sand Mandalas: Intricate Creation and Spiritual Tradition

I wanted to share the ritual of the Tibetan Sand Mandala with you as a beautiful embodiment of both patience and impermanence.

 The sand mandala is a Tibetan Buddhis tradition of both the delicate creation and destruction of an incredibly detailed mandala made on large-scale from grains of colored sand. Once the mandala is completed after countless hours of dedicated work, various ceremonies and viewing rituals proceed before the mandala is destroyed to symbolize the Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life.

Historically, the mandala was created with granules of crushed colored stone. Today, plain white stones are ground down and dyed with inks. Before applying the sand, the monks assigned to the project will draw the geometric measurements associated with the mandala. The sand is then applied using small tubes, funnels, and scrapers, until the desired pattern is achieved. Sand mandalas traditionally take several weeks to build, due to the large amount of work involved in applying the sand with such intricate detail. 

The destruction of a sand mandala is highly ceremonial. Even the deity syllables are removed in a specific order, along with the rest of the geometry until at last the mandala has been dismantled. The sand is collected in a jar which is then wrapped in silk and transported to a river, where it is released back into nature. For this reason, the materials keeping with the symbolism are never used twice.

To see a video of the making of a sand mandala please click here

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Gift of a Birthday

Birthdays have always seemed sacred to me.
For one reason or another, the ritual of aging often brings a great deal of emotion, expectation, and trepidation for many of us. This may be because our culture values both youthfulness and wisdom simultaneously, so these cultural polarities can evoke deep reactions from within us related to the many levels of our identity, as well as our perceived place in our world.

My birthday was this week. With the coming and going of my sacred day of transition I became aware of the many facets of the experiences encapsulated in this journey I call "life." With so much to be grateful for, along with such hope and opportunity for growth, I was aware of my own perceptions of what a birthday means to me.
This is what I came up with:

-Each birthday is a rite of passage that allows me to move forward in a measurable way on my life journey.
-A birthday is an opportunity to celebrate myself! One day exclusively (in my world, anyway) about me!
-A birthday is a day to accept love from others.
-A birthday is a day to give thanks to Mom and Dad for bringing me into this world.
-A birthday is a day to reflect on birthdays past, lessons learned, and growth achieved.
-A birthday is a day to envision days yet to come, and to set intentions for goals, desires, and ideas about the future.
-A birthday is a day to express gratitude.
-A birthday is a gift that reminds us that we are ALIVE in this world. That we are a part of this beautiful, complicated, exquisite life on this Earth...and that we have a part to play in this existence.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Amazing new book on the inner-workings of creativity

I love this book. I want to recommend it to anyone who has ever been struck by a creative thought, has been inspired by the creativity of others, or has simply wondered where creativity comes from.

A quote from the book:
"We'll learn about Bob Dylan's writing method and the drug habits of poets. We'll spend time with a bartender who thinks like a chemist, and an autistic surfer who invented a new surfing move. We'll look at a website that helps solve seemingly impossible problems, and we'll go behind the scenes at Pixar. We'll watch Yo-Yo Ma improvise, and we'll uncover the secrets of consistently innovative companies."

Love this stuff? click here to link to the book on Amazon

Friday, March 16, 2012

Brain Storm: Exciting exploration of the brain through various creative methods

Check this out! Take a look to learn about a phenomenal performance utilizing a variety of creative media to explore the complex world of Neuroscience.

Click here to read 'Brain Storm'