Month: September 2026

#Magic!ContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine Basket

The way we’ve always done it…

Posted on by sue boardman

If you’re anything like me, you probably grew up with a pretty good dose of just that philosophy. You know… the way we’ve always done it must be the right way because that’s what our elders taught us and they couldn’t have been wrong! Besides, we’re still here!

And it starts long before we have the neurological development to think abstractly, which makes it even more powerful.

Tempting as it is, though, it’s not enough. And, when we’re living that battle, it’s exhausting. Or, as one of my collection of wise teachers suggested yesterday, we wind up feeling like our buckets are too full… like our nervous systems are under siege.

I can relate! And, I went way out on a limb and decided to experiment with a different strategy!!!

As I’m writing this, it’s late afternoon. I’ve written other things, today. I’ve made an illustration – this one in charcoal pencil – for my upcoming tweens and teens book.

I’ve made some progress on the Feng Shui list, including arranging the shelf next to my magic chair so I can reach things more comfortably.

I spent some time in an online meditation experience with my Compassion annointing oil and another wise friend.

And, I spent some time communing with the painting, above, who has just told me her actual name… Our Lady of Fiercely Compassionate Abundance!

Now, here’s the surprising part…

I made a promise. Fifteen minutes of MS NOW with my first cuppa this morning. Then, off! You see, of all the things on my overflowing list for this day, that’s the one I most needed to set aside. I’m guessing you might be able to relate.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I looped the Legendary Husband in on the plan and he graciously agreed to let me know if there was anything actually earth shattering going on. Not the incoherent hissy fit kind of stuff… which I truly didn’t need. And you know what… it helped! In fact, it’s helping still!!! I’ll probably check in about 9pm tonight, just to see what the headlines are. Otherwise, my list. Including things intentionally chosen to help my nervous system feel safer!

In fact, I got a great new idea in that meeting with my wise friend. He asked if I’d tried having a conversation with my body about comfort and safety and such. It was a great question and it reminded me of one of my favorite Medicine Basket treasures!

Two handed journaling. Inquiry with my dominant hand. Breathing. Perhaps even sipping a bit more cacao while listening for a reply. Then, writing what appears with my non-dominant hand. It really is a perspective shift!

After I put another coat of paint on Gloria, the cat! Here’s where we are at the moment…

ps… love for you to leave me a comment, below, and let me know how it goes in your world. Or email me: suesvoice@gmail.com

#Magic!Art JourneyContemplationsGrandmothersMedicine BasketWisdom Cards

Limbs of the family tree…

Posted on by sue boardman

Both my mom’s family, and my dad’s, had people in the way-back days who were named variations on Mattie. I can’t find the details of who and where, just now.

Here’s what I do remember… Mattie-ing on somebody meant something pretty close to herding them. You know – expecting, directing – those kinds of things. And, yes… I’ve been watching the news! (Though not nearly as much as usual!)

Now, I’m no fan of expecting and directing. I’m much more comfortable with intentional questions and suggestions. With noticing and wondering.

At this moment, though, I seem to be the one who needs a bit of Mattie-ing. Self Mattie-ing, to be exact! You see, it’s pretty tempting to just quit trying to make things better. Fires. Floods. Earthquakes. Plane crashes. Murder. Racism. Poverty. Megalomania. You hear me. And I’m hugely aware that I can’t fix it all. In fact, some of it’s way too big for me to fix alone.

What I can do is make what I can reach just a bit better.

That’s where the creativity and Feng Shui come in! (Really!)

The cat-in-progress you just met is a wise voice in my tweens & teens book-in-progress, and she’s coming to life! Layer by layer. (I never tried to paint a cat before!) Her name is Gloria and she informed me, emphatically, that we – you and I – are part of the message Gloria Steinem left for us to carry.

Then, there’s the place where the Legendary Husband and I abide. It hasn’t so much kept up with our changing needs and, for a while, I think we might have been busy pretending we didn’t notice. I’m choosing to notice, again, and it’s getting better, already. Intentionally better!

We’re working hard to make this brick ranch, built in 1962, be safe and comfortable and supportive, here and now. It’s a challenge… though I am starting to feel a smidge more hopeful! (Though the new fridge still needs some help!)

Somewhere, deep in my consciousness, I can almost hear Mattie brusquely suggesting that we stay on the road.

I’m in!

ps… I just rearranged the book shelf next to the magic chair and put some wisdom cards in easy reach. Some from friends. Some of my own! And you can get your very own deck of mine! Just click here for all the info. I’d be delighted and honored to mail you a batch. They really were created to help all of us make what we can reach just a bit better. (Or, maybe… lots better!) It’s that whole perspective and strategies thing!!!

pps… internal book release goal: November 1, 2026!!!

#Magic!ContemplationsFairy GrandmothersRed Madonna

Wow! It’s been a week…

Posted on by sue boardman

A week of mixed emotions, to be exact. Thinking of loved ones who walked on in this season. Celebrating new beginnings for our no-longer Littles. Lots and lots of painting and writing. (And a wrist that’s getting pretty good at guilt-tripping me about that!)

Then, there was the refrigerator.

It had been growling at us in the middle of the night. Loudly! Not every night, but enough for both of us to be short on sleep and concerned about things spoiling. We debated between repair call and shopping. As it really was getting old – and a family member has had a recent similar adventure that went on waaaayyyy… too long, we ordered a new one. Let’s just say the delivery part of this adventure has not been fun. And it’s not officially complete yet.

Fortunately, the Feng Shui Fairies have been in a helpful mood! Think of it like intentional home design! And, yes, lots of things are different, already!

The big one is this… We took a bunch of stuff we already had, some new things I’ve learned, and some teamwork, and shifted things around in our room. And I’m actually sleeping better!!!

I think the biggest thing is setting intentions – like painting – and then including them in our space.

It feels expressive of what we’re trying to do in our world. Well, it does to me. The Legendary Husband says he gets it, too!

In the midst of all the chaos in the world, being conscious of intentions feels comforting and safe to me. In this moment, I’ll take it!

For now, though a hot date for dinner and a Red Madonna call.

Love to hear what’s on your intention list or your heart… just tug on the red thread!