6 Secrets About Climbing that Mountain

"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life." ~Eckhart Tolle

Hello Beautiful,
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After the last post, I want to thank everyone who reached out. You made me feel loved and accepted exactly where I was.

The reason I wrote my story was because too often, especially with social media, we're bombarded with perfect scenarios and everyone else's life seems to be way better than our own. Well, I just wanted to point out that it just isn't true. We all go through the ringer a time or two in our lives.

I was actually not going to post anymore. Then, all week I kept hearing (from many different sources) "Don't quit before the miracle."

Well, I just got back from a seven-mile walk to the post office. There is nothing like a good walk in the fresh air to get clear on what needs to be said.

On my seven-mile walk, the first half was downhill. Perfect, I got to look around, take in the scenery, listen to the birds, and hoof it down the mountain. It was Beautiful! I made it there in 20 minutes. There was a breeze, shade, and no problems. Life is like that sometimes.

But then...

Book Review: Henrietta the Dragon Slayer

Henrietta the Dragon Slayer is filled with action and intrigue!

 One thing I really love to do is help other writers and entrepreneurs reach their dreams. Recently, I had the chance to read Beth Barany's Henrietta the Dragon Slayer.

What a wonderful story and cast of characters! Beth weaves the story through a fantasy world where the main character has slayed dragons and has seen her fair share of war for such a young woman.

     As Henrietta stumbles out of a tavern after hearing tales of her heroics, she meets a pushy knight named Franc, who insists that she return with him to the Islands of Oro to face the Emerald Dragon, Mimoto. However, Henrietta has other plans when she hears that her master has fallen ill and only the Dragon’s Dracontias stone can save him.

     Henrietta is a strong female role model who is on her hero’s quest with some unexpected and unlikely traveling companions. The young witch, Paulette, adds personality and innocence to the band. The pushy Knight, Franc, is stoic and harsh, yet finds his compassion in this quest. The Jester, Jaxter adds comic relief and helps blend all of the characters’ personalities. Beth creates a story of intrigue. The book is an action-packed fantasy with moments of real human emotions and turmoil. I adore Henrietta’s no nonsense, warrior ways. She has a sharp tongue and attitude befitting her legendary status as a dragon slayer.

    Henrietta the Dragon Slayer flows and is easy-to-read. You won’t find offensive language or sexual content, though there is some mild violence that stirs the action, but no overwhelming details. Throughout you’ll hear Henrietta mention in thought and deed that she is tired of killing. Beth’s fantasy world is detailed to the point that you can picture yourself in the tale, the mark of a good fantasy writer, yet she doesn’t get the reader mired down in too much fluff.

     As far as young girl fantasies goes, this is a GREAT read! Super-empowering for females of all ages. Perfect for your summer reading list! I can’t wait to read book 2: Henrietta and the Dragon Stone!

What are you reading this summer? Tell us in the comments below.

About Beth Barany
Award winning author, Beth Barany writes in two genres: young adult adventure fantasy and romantic fantasy. Inspired by living abroad in France and Quebec, she loves creating magical tales of romantic adventure to empower women and girls to jump into life with both feet and be the heroes in their own lives.
     In her off hours, Beth enjoys walking her neighborhood, gardening on her patio, and watching movies and traveling with her husband, author Ezra Barany. They live in Oakland, California with their cat named Leo, a piano, and over 1,000 books.
When not writing or playing, Beth runs her own company helping novelists as a book midwife, coach, and teacher to help them write, market, and publish their books.

PS. This is not an affiliate link. I just really loved the book.

It's Always a Good Day When...

"Do what you LOVE, LOVE what you do."

Polar Bear's Magic by Tracy Whichard    What's your magic?

I absolutely LOVE that statement, because it sums up how I feel about my work in the world. As a book and website designer for Artists, Authors, Healers, and Magic Makers, I get to meet some amazing people.

This week, I'd like to introduce you to Tracy Morgan Whichard! She is a newly published author.

Tracy came to me with big dreams of publishing a children's book. In her words, "I didn't have a clue what I was doing." I helped her write the story and then designed the book for her. We walked hand-in-hand and step-by-step through the entire publishing process.

Tracy is now a published author!

Her book Polar Bear's Magic is available on Amazon!

Come on an adventure with Polar Bear to discover the magic of each animal from Owl to Buffalo and Seagull to Honeybee. Polar Bear learns that there are no mistakes and that everyone has a different kind of magic.

Whimsical and fun illustrations

Perfect bedtime story

Great for beginning readers

Repetitious sounds

Adorable animal characters

What's your magic?
Join me in throwing the confetti and having a virtual glass of champagne by leaving a comment and congratulations for Tracy below! Woohoo!!!!

About Tracy:
Tracy is an experienced mixed media artist and the founder of Ladybug Studio and Fearless Girl Art (art expression for kids), "I feel compelled to share my passion for art, animals, and nature through creativity, intuition, and self-expression."  Tracy encourages children (adults, too) to believe in themselves through a sense of "wide-eyed" magic and wonder. She is constantly dreaming of ways to make art fun for all ages. "I believe the need for laughter and humor is a must!"

Face-to-Face with YOU

"Fear keeps us focused on the past and worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay." ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Porcupine brings a sense of joy and curiosity to bring you out of the muck of grief.
Engage Porcupine Medicine to help you stay afloat through troubled waters.

When I lived on a farm in Kentucky many years ago, we had a cistern for our water needs. About once a month or so, we had to put a stick into the cistern to see how much water we had left. There were various measurements on the stick to determine the amount of water in the cistern.

In the last month, I did a test on myself and found that my Energy Cistern was running on low or very low, which invited a big bunch of Fear to come visit me. It was the general sticky like Velcro kind of Fear. I worried. I had anxiety. I couldn't sleep. I was in full-blown panic mode. Two weeks ago, my warrior-Self was ready to do battle with this monster. It was almost an obsession to "get to the bottom of why I was feeling these feelings." That's a lot of "doing" and not a lot of "being." Sitting with Fear is no joke. Luckily my intuition stepped in and made me realize that I had to get very clear on what is real and true for me in this moment.

How to Go Where Spirit Leads

 

How to Go Where Spirit Leads...Wo-manifesting Your Dreams!

 

Hey There Soul Sister,

Holy-schmoly what a month! I just packed up my entire life and my young bloods and moved across the country. It was freakin' scary. I did it anyway!

If you missed last month's newsletter, I explained that a move had been in the works for a while. I talked about the heartbreak and synchronous events that led to the big move.

Would you like to hear the "why?"

When I was in my late 20s, I was living in a teepee in northern New Mexico. One dark night, we were visited by a bear. Strong earth medicine, no? She was and is my healer and protector. She connects me to the Great Mother. That night, I had a dream about a beautiful piece of land that I remember in detail to this day.

There was a small simple cabin with fruit trees, a garden with herbs and vegetables, some animals, and a small river behind the cabin. I saw myself walk out of the cabin toward the gardens. My hair was long, gray, and braided down the back. It swayed in the wind as I walked. There was peace in this place and within me.

I intuitively knew that there had been an apocalyptic event, but it didn't seem to matter in this sacred place. I looked up from my gardening chores and noticed a rag-tag group of people coming toward me. They were skin and bones. It was obvious that they had not eaten in a long time. I welcomed them in and had them sit around a fire to warm up. I gave them fresh baked bread, dried fish, cheese, and handmade blankets.

Then, I looked up on the mountain where three men stood. Two of them I knew were my sons. The other man was unknown (and still is). They all had long hair and beards. They had killed a deer and brought it back to camp. There was enough for all of us. I gave thanks to the Deer and Great Spirit for this clean kill and food to nourish all of us. And the dream ended.

I have never forgotten that dream. When the dream took place, my twin boys had not been born. I wasn't even pregnant. Sometimes the dream has been on the back burner simmering as other things in my life took place. In a recent journey, Spirit reminded me of this dream and said "it is time."

So, I began plans to move where Spirit led me...New Mexico. Even as a child, I was drawn to the southwest and perhaps now, I know why.

To me, it's important to follow where the Great Mystery leads me, even though I often question the method and choices.

This is why I moved. I know it's time. The land, Mother Earth is calling me in a very insistent way. I know in my heart and soul that this retreat center will happen and probably not in any way I can possibly imagine.

Any thoughts and prayers for its manifestation are greatly appreciated. May it be a place of refuge for all sisters and brothers.

How do you wo-manifest your dreams? Tell us in the comments.

Find Your Place and It Will Nourish You

Hummingbird Medicine brings Joy, Happiness, and Love. Find your place and it will nourish you.

 "We are Divine enough to ask, and we are important enough to receive." ~Wayne Dyer

Hiya Gorgeous,

Phew...what a month it has been! Spring is showing me what rebirth is really all about, and it's not necessarily all sunshine and roses. I've been in a releasing and death phase for the past two years. Finally, the Phoenix is rising from the ashes of my former life. The stories I believed in are no longer valid, and I had to break my heart in order to regain my soul.

Last year was a test of human endurance, confidence in myself, and trust in the Divine.

Love Note #13

Are you ready to be a disciple at the feet of your own heart?

You are on the path that is meant for you, because the path doesn't matter. All paths will lead to the destination of your truth.

PS. Your heart knows what is true for you.