#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsGrandmothers

Of cold and quilts and hope!

Posted on by sue boardman

Let’s be real! It’s been a hard weekend. The news is crazy. Well, most of it. There’s a lot to be mad about. A lot to be scared of. And a smidge of hope in recent election news… at least in my mind.

Frankly, I was kind of surprised when my story & quilt Gramma showed up in a dream. Elsie passed in January of 1989… an adamant, life-long Republican. I often wonder what she’d have to say in these days.

In my dream, though, she showed up with quilt pieces! The Grandmothers’ Flower Garden kind she taught me to love. Scrappy, assorted bits of what was available, hand-pieced by painfully arthritic fingers. Her way of helping people who were cold or lonely.

Those bits and pieces help me, still! And, that, I think, was the message of my dream!

The world is filled with things none of us can fix by ourselves. And, yet… there are things we can do!

Words are one of those things, for me. And, wow, is there a flood of that going on! I’m really excited. And, a wee bit scared. Well, maybe more than a wee bit. Let’s just say there’s more real deal coming through.

There’s also more unknown floating around than I’m personally comfortable with. I’m pretty sure there’s always a lot unknown floating around and I’m just more aware of it than usual, right now.

That, my friend, brings us to CHOICES!

  • A bowl of homemade soup for dinner. Local, sustainably raised bone broth. Organic wild rice. Veg, herbs, lots of garlic.
  • Helping to plan next right things.
  • A new John Lewis sign for the front yard.
  • Prayer dots. Lots!!!
  • A quilt to curl up with.
  • And, a reminder from Walter Brueggemann… Just tell the stories!

Also, encourage the Littles!

A dear friend was at the house today and she asked if her nearly 10 year old boys and their friend could see some paintings. (It’s really hard NOT to see paintings around here!) One of the boys found a favorite… one that kind of reminds me of one of Elsie’s quilts:

“Wait!” he said… “You don’t have to stay in the lines???”

When I assured him that we really don’t, we both cried.

ps… curious about the magic of not staying in the lines… of folded paper, markers, and next right things??? You could be just the person I have space for in my new 1:1 offering! Just click here and the calendar elves will hook us up with 45 min. on me so we can ponder the road to what you’re dreaming. (Fair warning… the next week or two are extra hectic. Patience & flexibility appreciated!)

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Of history and perspective…

Posted on by sue boardman

Yesterday was a challenging and intense day. Strength work for terrified muscles in physical therapy. It helped… and it wasn’t fun!

My chair was calling when I got home. Comfort food. Weighted blankets. Kind of like hibernating!

Then, news.

Witnesses and family members from Minneapolis testifying before Senate and House Democrats. Hard stories to hear. Harder, still, to tell. Renee Good’s brothers speaking, tears in their eyes. Aliya Rahman struggling to express her experience as a differently able person with communication and mobility challenges, detained by ICE without reason, except – presumably – her skin color. And elected leaders, with tears in their eyes. (MS NOW reports that, though invited, no Republicans attended the forum.)

I, too, had tears in my eyes, so I turned off the news coverage and reached for my Medicine Basket. A bit of musing about paintings. Lots of journal notes. Slightly delayed Morning Pages. Anxiety about some unclear questions.

And a tidal wave of memories!

Hungary. Just about now, in 1989. A group of seminary students on an adventure known as Alternative Context. Before the Eastern Block fell.

Russian tanks playing target practice games in farmers’ fields. Being treated like unwelcome radical foreigners in airports. Especially the women among us. Touring a rabbinic seminary where women were “not permitted”. Where frost covered the walls inside the buildings, and adding new books to the library had been illegal since before the World War.

And, for this kinesthetic processor, perhaps the biggest memory of all… of literally throwing our luggage from a moving train and leaping into a snow bank to avoid a border crossing, where we Americans could have been immediately arrested.

Add to all this, the fact that my son was home with neighbors in the Village at Columbia Theological Seminary, postponing his ninth birthday party until my return.

And, yes… these memories show up about this time, every year. (Perhaps it’s the weather!) Today, though, the trigger was the voices of human beings, in the United States of America, trying desperately to talk some sense into the nation, because what was happening, then, in Hungary, is feeling way too close to home, now.

Then I heard it, deep inside my heart.

It’s ALL-IN time!

Frankly, I’d kind of assumed I was already there. Now, I know more!

And, yes… there’s a new book coming. First, though, I need to start over on my #Alchemist painting. And #Mother Nature’s friends, the Manatees, need some more attention.

It really is all part of the journey, if only we have the courage to notice!

Which brings us to questions… what are YOU noticing? And, how can I help???

If you have big questions, too… if you’re ALL IN… let’s talk! I have space for ONE new 1:1 dreamer/client looking for some new tools and guidance along the way. Click here and the calendar elves will hook you up with 45 minutes, on me, to explore possible roads ahead!

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Many voices in my head…

Posted on by sue boardman

News, clearly. Especially the stuff about deciding who can talk and who can’t.

Also, snow. Not much, but enough to make wise Atlantans hesitant to tackle the big roads.

Body messages, too. Let’s just say mine doesn’t seem amused by the phone pointing out that it “feels like zero degrees”! And, yes… I’m huddled under a weighted blanket and glad I’m not in Minneapolis.

If you’ve known me more than about 10 minutes, you probably know that I’ve been a journalist. National denominational news in times of big change. The incredible responsibility of hearing. A growing awareness of all those voices and the huge realization that I had – and have – choices. We all do!

The prophet, Isaiah, was the first voice I noticed rumbling around inside me, Saturday. Context not all that different from this moment! Here’s a bit from chapter 43:

…Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you, for I am the Lord, your God…

Now, the writer(s) of the biblical book many of us know as Isaiah had a lot to say, much of which feels timely in these days, though they probably didn’t know about blizzards!

There were, however, more voices in my heart. The Magdalene, preaching hope on the coast of France. Joan of Arc. My Cathar cousins hiding contextually dangerous hope in Fairy Tales to help keep their Littles safe. And more cousins… witches hanged in Salem. Angela Davis, still carrying the banner. Authors, like Kathleen McGowan, telling old stories in these days. You hear me…

The big thing, in this moment, feels like choice. Well, choices!

Will we choose to claim that we have choices to make?

And, which stories might we choose to guide us?

Back in my knee surgery years, I spent a lot of long dark nights propped in a recliner, listening to Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes tell hypnotic bed-time stories. Now, I’m reading Women Who Run With the Wolves… Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype, consciously. (This way, I can underline!)

It’s both an intentional choice of a feminine voice, and a deep, deep sense of my calling in this context. Dr. E. knows about wrestling fear. And making choices.

This, I think, is the choice of our time…

Which of the voices can we trust???

Which of the voices WILL we trust, enough to take action, each in our own ways???

One of the voices I’m trusting in this moment comes from Grammy’s MetaMod Wisdom Cards! Here’s a peek..

It’s a card from the Symbols & Language category and this is their message…

Powerful, majestic, and rare symbols of strength and leadership, the white lioness is considered, in some lands, to be a symbol of royalty and, with their white coloring, even a divine messenger. They are seen as guiding seekers to their higher selves and aiding in spiritual connections. When a white lioness appears in a dream, she may bring strength, courage, and protection. Imagine them walking with you on your path. What might you ask of them? Ideas, perhaps, for overcoming challenges? Courage to claim your authority?

ps… Yep! The white lionesses will play the 2-handed journal strategy with you! (Write an inquiry with your dominant hand. When you sense a response, write it with your non-dominant hand. Really!) More info, and a way to get your very own set of Wisdom cards HERE!

pps… lioness art by the elder grandteen with inspiration from the amazing Julie Steelman!

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My Brain on Sabbatical!

Posted on by sue boardman

Yes… I’m sticking with it! No… I didn’t expect this particular patch of time to be quite so challenging.

Things are running together in my dreams. News, of course. Paint. A title for a new book. Lots of Grandmother stories. From the ones I loved actually hugging, to the ones 2,000 years ago – around the time we switched from what used to be known as BC time to CE time. Especially the Grandmothers listed in history as name unknown. (I’d so love to find their names!)

Then, there’s cold and ice. Blessedly, very little ice for us!

A new adventure known as Eco-Somatics. (Stay tuned!) Let’s just stick with it having to do with things my bio teacher left out! (And my nursing teachers…)

This next bit probably won’t be much of a surprise. My safe space, when I can’t handle the news, is often old episodes of The West Wing. (And, yes, Madam Secretary is waiting in the wings, too!) Last night was big.

Season 6, Episode 12. 365 Days. Jed Bartlet’s final year in office is just beginning. Leo has healed enough after his heart attack to be back at work. And the question is, “What are we going to do with the time we have left?”

It was broadcast on Jan 19, 2005. Staff was shifting. The Santos campaign was just getting off the ground. And Leo was determined to get some good done in the “old” administration. His proposed goal was to, “Let Bartlet be Bartlet, now!” Or, to re-frame just a bit, “Let’s leave it all out on the field!”

Then came the rationale I hadn’t quite remembered… a quote from Thomas Paine:

These are the times that try men’s souls.

I’d go with people’s souls, but it sure feels like it fits in this moment!

All of which led me to a question… What does leaving it all on the field look like for me, in this moment?

What does it look like for you??? I’m really asking!

A big part of what it looks like for me is my new individual coaching opportunity… complete with a cool new use for an old tool you may know, and some timely questions!

Glinda and I have space for one more traveler on the road. If you’re curious, click the link and ask the calendar elves to hook you up with 45 minutes, on me. Let’s do some noticing and wondering! Who knows? We might even breathe in some anima!

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I need some space!

Posted on by sue boardman

Space from news. From hideous images. From ominous weather reports. From… Well, you hear me! So, I am declaring today to be Fierce Compassion Day, at least in my wee corner of the world.

For me, that looks like turning off the news. Homemade soup for dinner… assuming the power holds out. (And a donation to a community food bank.) Time to paint. To write. To re-set a sacred space with new intention.

It also looks like prayers for those trying to show up for themselves and the world. For you!

In fact, it feels like being Mama Bear, who showed up last night, bringing with her ancient words I very much needed.

She and I are sending warmth and sustenance and HOPE, even if you don’t feel it just now. Light a candle. Write the word on a magic index card and put it under your pillow. Tie a new Red Thread on your wrist. You do you… in your space and your way.

That’s how we claim the cour-age to go on!

ps… dreaming of next right things? I have room for one more determined soul hoping for a buddy on the road to the place where they feel called. Curious? Ask the calendar elves to hook you up with 45 min. on me.

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Learning is fun!!! (Well, sometimes…)

Posted on by sue boardman

From the moment I met Sally, Dick, and Jane, I’ve loved learning! Well, consciously. I suspect I already loved it, at least by the time I was learning to talk.

Sometimes, though, learning is less fun. We seem to be having one of those times in history, just now. For example… MS NOW ran a piece today, filmed at a food pantry in Minnesota, which said, basically, that people are hungry but too afraid for their safety to come get food.

I was horrified! You see, once upon a time, I was one of those people who was hungry. Young, single mom & nursing student, I needed help from Food Stamps to feed my pre-school son. I also needed student loans, scholarships, and HUD housing help. It was really hard. And, we made it.

Now, though, we have a whole lot of people in our country who are terrified. Not just that they won’t “make it,” but that they may not live through it.

Blessedly, I am still learning. In fact, I learned a new thing today. A whole new perspective. Well, consciously! First a bit of context… I’m taking a new virtual class that has to do with neurology and bodies and the whole eco-system of the planet.

We began with movement. Gulp! (Yes… this has not been my favorite thing for quite some time.) Blessedly, our leader was wise and kind and gentle.

The story is too long to share here. Let’s jump to the punch line… the part where the voice in my head claimed:

My body is calling me into new healing… new learning… new relationship… and change involves motion!

I suspect you’ll understand that realizing that was a whole lot more fun than flipping on the news afterward!

Let’s just say that the lunacy goes on.

The question is how we – you & I – get clear enough to claim what we love. What we believe in. What heals the world.

And we’ve never been “here” before. Well, most of us. And we have some learning to do. I have 3 immediate ideas… which may remind some of you of hurricane preparedness.

Non-perishable food & clean water. Back up energy. Determination to help. (Winter weather is headed our way!)

The fourth, big picture idea is HOPE… DREAMS! Kind of like learning to paint!

So why did I pay attention in my class about movement??? Because I have things to do. Things that matter to me and to the world my grandteens will inherit! Things I, frankly, didn’t imagine needing to know!

For now, though, we’re giving a deep freezer we no longer need to a family of folks who do. (And, yes… it also means more space!)

ps… if you have big questions, too… if you hear the sound of the drum… let’s talk! I have space for 2 new 1:1 dreamer/clients looking for some new tools and guidance along the way. Click here and the calendar elves will hook you up with 45 minutes, on me, to explore possible roads ahead!

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Old tune… new ears!

Posted on by sue boardman

I didn’t grow up with this one in my head. Not exactly top of the hymn list in mid-west Presbyterian churches or very Catholic neighborhoods, back in the early 1960’s.

In fact, I probably learned it in my summer camp years from Joan Baez, who might possibly have sung it for Dr. King. And, yes… that’s no doubt why it’s rumbling around my head just now. It’s called, Just a Closer Walk With Thee.

Then, there’s the news. The seemingly endless work still to be done. And, yes, it’s true…

I am tired. I am weak. I am worn…

Blessedly, there are more things which are true, as well. One of those is this…

I am determined!

Another is that…

I can’t do it all alone!

Neither, by the way, can any of us! Which is, no doubt, why the song begs…

…take my hand.

So, I let my very cranky neck choose a new pillow. The cover is in the washer as I type. It’s going to flunk all the Mom rules and nursing school rules for the right way to make a bed and I’m totally okay with that because, if I don’t take care of me, mattering is even harder!

I also had a BIG conversation about my next book and some ways to get the already-books out in the world, doing more good. (Prayers and good juju much appreciated!!)

Here’s the really cool thing, though…

The world needs what you have to share, too! The stuff that lives in the secret box labeled What you are called to do!

Paint. Write. Teach. Adopt abandoned pets. Sing. Feed people. Catch babies. Celebrate weddings. Give blankets to the local shelter. Preach. Vote… you hear me. And I want to hear you! Personally, my medicine basket is all a tingle over some about-to-begin learning in the land of Eco-Somatics and trauma release and regenerative wisdom!

In this moment, I’m looking for two brave souls ready to take a chance on claiming their own magic and putting it to work in the world. You see, that’s my magic! Naming visions and claiming next right things on the road from here to the place where we feel called. (And, frankly, “here” could use a whole lot of work just now!) So, if you’re feeling your special sign of ready – or even intrigued – let’s talk! Just click and ask the calendar elves to hook us up so we can chat. ​ No pressure. No expecting or directing. Just somebody to walk with you, with lots of possibilities and tools for your medicine basket.

And, I really only have space for 2 people!!! Short term. Manageable. Personalized. You’ll know if it’s you! Here’s a timely bit of music for musing…

ps… the first known recording of Just A Closer Walk was made by the Selah Jubilee Singers in 1941. Selah is a Hebrew word which implies intentional pauses – or lifting up – for mindfulness, praise, meditation, and connecting with faith or source!

Amen. Amen. Selah.