Reflections on a Christmas Wreath

This "wreath" caught my eye while hiking a high desert trail last year in southern California. The coil of rusted barbed wire with a cactus growing inside represented the area where we were living: a land of ranches covered with desert vegetation. I put a brilliant red bow on it and voila! – it became a Christmas wreath.

When I looked at this image the other day, another meaning, reflective of current developments in my life, came to mind.

The barbed wire symbolizes limiting beliefs that restrain my talents and creativity from fully expressing and flourishing. Reaching its branches up and out, the cactus represents my desire to grow, expand, explore, discover and shine. Yes, the plant’s expansion along the ground is obstructed by the coil, but it has not let that stunt it.

Instead of staying within the confines of the barbed wire coil, the cactus shoots upward and then begins to spread outward beyond its limits.

I have the same choice. I can choose to live within the boundaries of the beliefs that hold me back or I can embrace thoughts that lift me up and encourage me to stretch, grow and expand.

I know my choice. I opt for beliefs that nurture my desire to fully express my talents and creativity, and to flourish! This will be my grand Christmas gift to myself.

Does This Story Sound Like YOUR Life?

"Beach Lesson: The Ever-changing Ocean Beachscape Mirrors My Life," an essay written by yours truly, has been posted in the Creative Input section. I would love it if you would take a few minutes to read the essay and share your thoughts.

Is something similar going on in your life right now? If you experienced this in the past, please let us know what resulted!

Reminder: New contributions to Creative Input are listed at the bottom of the Creative Input page. (Just click on the Creative Input tab at the top of the blog to go to that page.) While I enjoy sharing my creative adventures, I would much prefer to see the Creative Input section full of contributions from you and other readers!

This is your chance to shine. Get brave and do it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunset over the salt marshes along Hunting Island, South Carolina.
Photo credit: David Muenker

May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with love, laughter and blessings!

I think of Thanksgiving as the day we amplify our gratitude and appreciation for the all the good in our lives. We're more apt to say our thanks out loud. Even so, I know that we all say "thank you" many times, in many ways, without being aware we're doing so. The power of gratitude, though, is in consciously recognizing and acknowledging our blessings by saying them out loud or, better yet, writing them down.

Here are key gratitudes I wish to express today.

• I am deeply grateful for each one of you.
• I am deeply grateful for the gift of the Writing from Source.
• I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share the inspiring, insightful and powerful Writing from Source process with everyone who chooses to experience it.

Thank you! And many blessings to you!

Do You Respect The Body That Holds Your Inner Wisdom?

Writing from Source is all about tapping into the power within us – inside our physical bodies – for guidance, insights and solutions. We recognize, respect and count on that power when we do the Writing from Source process or connect with it in other ways.

But how about the physical body that contains our power? Do we nurture, support and respect it? Or do we let messages out there about body image veer us off course? I know that I for one have to ward off the media's horrendous messages. And I fall prey to them more than I care to admit.

That's why I especially appreciated reading Betty Holthe's article, "Love the Body You're In," in her recent Foodsense Coaching newsletter. I took solace in being reminded I'm not alone. And the tips on how to shift from a negative body image to body gratitude and appreciation are super helpful and powerful.

So I asked Betty if I could share her article in the Writing from Source website. She graciously said yes. You'll find it under the Creative Input tab. Read on (click here) and learn how you can strengthen your respect for your body!

Writing From Source Blog/Website Launches 11-11-11

I am so excited to announce the official launch of the Writing from Source blog and website on this propitious date of new beginnings and possibilities: 11-11-11!

During the last 12 months, I have watched and marveled at the powerful, positive impact of the Writing from Source process during the free, monthly teleseminars I've hosted.

It's time to get Writing from Source out there in a big way!

This interactive blog/website is the first step. These pages share lots of great information about Writing from Source. Plus they give you a place to share your experiences and creativity.

• Blog posts keep you up to date on happenings and perspectives. You can voice your thoughts and perspectives too in the Comments section.
• What It Is describes the Writing from Source process and includes comments from several participants.
• Teleseminars describes current offerings to help you start and expand your experiences with Writing from Source.
• Experiences features the aha's, insights and guidance that participants and I have had around specific situations.
• Creative Input features essays, poems, articles, photographs and other creative contributions by Writing from Source participants.

So take a moment to explore the pages. Join this site so you'll always be on top of its latest information.

And please give Writing from Source a warm hug on its launch date by saying "hi" in the comment section below. 

Thank you! Many wonderful conversations and heartfelt sharing lie just ahead!