2007

January February March April May June September October

January Reflections February Reflections March Reflections April Reflections Home, Family, Community, World Leisure, Hobbies, Creativity September Reflections Loss, Grief and Letting Go

2006

January February March April May June July August September October November December

Get Your Kicks in 2006 Finding the Love of Your Life Becoming a Living Work of Art Pay Attention to Your Money, Honey Home, Family, Community, World Find Your Art Form What Are You Pretending Not to Know? The Heat Is On A September to Remember Loss, Grief and Letting Go Expanding Your Spirit Catching the Wave

2005

January February March April May June July August September October November December

Staying Awake and Alive in Wild 2005 Finding the Love of Your Life Becoming a Living Work of Art Pay Attention to Your Money, Honey Home, Family, Community, World Find Your Artform What Are You Pretending Not to Know? A New View of Work A September to Remember Loss, Grief, Letting Go and Making Room for More Expanding Your Spirit Catching the Wave

January Reflections

So here we are, nearly half way through January. Have you set a personal theme for the year? A family theme? A professional theme? Got an outrageous intention?

Last year my personal theme started with the single word, “Fun,” and it morphed into “Laughing, dancing goddess having fun.” And I had fun every time I even thought of that theme. When I began thinking about this year’s personal theme in November, I started with a single word: “Living.” With a half-dozen tumors that haven’t gone away, it seemed like a good focus. Then I thought, I don’t just want to be living. I want to be living, healthy. At this moment, it’s: “Living healthy in every way.” Kinda dull, but I know it will evolve into something more zippy.

Our family theme last year was “Fun!” and this year, in its current draft, is “Love and Respect.”

2007 is a “nine” year, which represents coming into completion, the way a baby takes nine months to form. What will you complete this year? What are you done with? For some people, January is somewhat depressing, a let-down after the whirlwind of the holidays. Think of it as a blank slate, ready for you to create the art of your life.

With the intense weather most of us are experiencing, this is a good time to get your January planning onto paper.

In closing, here are a couple of Happy New Year gifts for you:

1. When you are facing a difficult situation, say to yourself, “I know there’s a way through this and it’s coming right now.” This practice has worked wonders in my life.

2. Two ezines particularly help me bring my dreams into reality. One is from Abraham-hicks.com and the other is tut.com. Treat yourself to at least one of these.

I’m ready to be surprised by 2007. Are you? Keep creating the life of your dreams.





















First, some breaking news:



My book is out!
Design the Life of Your Dreams is available in soft cover or as an e-book at iuniverse.com, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com and can be ordered from your local book store. Or click here to order.
With all the material from eight years of newsletters and seminars captured in my book, my monthly newsletters will take on a different look and tone, still reminding you of the month’s focus, but more personal and reflective. Please let me know how you like it.

FEBRUARY REFLECTIONS
By Winnie Shows

Casper: Life Time Fitness

February 15 and 17
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

“Mid-Winter Pick-up: Design the Year of Your Dreams”

My husband and I are gong to continue to use the theme, “Hell, yes!” this year as a couple. It helped us navigate some challenging moments last year.

Stress vs. fascination (March?)
Chinese year red boar






















March Reflections

March has been quite a meditation on beauty, health and fitness for me, as I write from a cancer clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. Earlier this month, numerous new tumors suddenly appeared, and I was led through a series of fortunate events to Dr. Filiberto Munoz and the San Diego Clinic, sdiegoclinic.com. This has been a remarkable experience. See the winnieshows2007 page at carepages.com for a detailed account and for updates. You will need to create a user name and password to access my page.

If you have read my new book and like it, please consider writing a review on amazon.com. Also, please stop by my newly revamped web page, wshows.com, when you have a moment. My granddaughter Jessica Heckel did a beautiful job updating it.

Enjoy spring. I am!

Design the Life of Your Dreams
Using the Unique Energy of Each Month to Enhance the Twelve Key Areas of Your Life
by Winnie Shows





















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DESIGN THE LIFE OF YOUR DREAMS
Using the Unique Energy of Each Month to Enhance
the Twelve Key Areas of Your Life

by Winnie Shows

Order a copy for your favorite moms today at wshows.com.


APRIL REFLECTIONS
by Winnie Shows

Money, prosperity and abundance...I love this topic, and every April brings new lessons. During the past several years, I have expanded my prosperity and simplified my life by recording what I spend, creating a spending plan, and monitoring it. Then I look for ways to use my money even more wisely. One technique I've developed to reduce expenses is to "stare down" my biggest monthly number. One year, I was renting a house and that $1,000 a month was my biggest expense. I wondered how I could reduce it. Obvious solutions were to get a roommate or to move to a less expensive place. I didn't want to do either. But I kept staring and wondering about that number and how it might get smaller. Lo and behold, out of the blue, a family member gave me a gift that year that enabled me to buy a new home for cash! That $1,000 a month disappeared in one fell swoop. I hadn't even imagined something this wonderful. I just kept wondering how that number could change.

Last year, the biggest number on my spending plan was $1100 a month for health insurance for my granddaughter, Grace, and me. I had been fortunate to work for nine months for a local hospital and had received health insurance during that time, but once I left I was on COBRA with this big premium. Because I'd developed cancer along the way, I would not be insurable after the COBRA policy ended, but I refused to focus on that. Instead, I lived in the question, "How can I reduce this number and have adequate health insurance?" No possible solutions came to mind, other than taking a full-time actual job, and I didn't want to do that. Each month, as I tallied my expenses, I stared at that number. I stared at it for about a year, wondering. Lo and behold, I found myself married last August—something I had not expected to happen again. That number instantly shrank from $1100 a month to $150—and I was suddenly insurable! I've continued to stare and to enjoy playing with my numbers. My husband has joined me in staring down our joint household expenses. We have a date every Sunday to review the month's spending and love this time together.

My biggest numbers are now medical and health expenses, and even those have stayed in line pretty much by paying attention. The particular big number I'm staring down at this moment is Herceptin, a wonder drug that I expect will do wonders for my already wonderful cancer treatments here In Tijuana, Mexico. I've known all month that this would be the topic of my newsletter, but I needed things to unfold before writing about this.

As I mentioned on carepages.com (my page is winnieshows2007) a few weeks ago, my original U.S. biopsy indicated I was not HER2 receptive, but a recent cutting-edge German blood test indicates that some of my cancer cells are, indeed. If an oncologist in Wyoming prescribes Herceptin, this drug will be covered by my insurance. In Mexico, it's far more expensive--$5,000 a dose, and I will need about a dozen doses. When I first did the math, I felt so overwhelmed, I went straight to bed to take a nap. Then I got up and took a deep breath. One thought was to launch some campaign to find some black market Herceptin or to approach Roche, manufacturers of Herceptin, to see if I could qualify for their free medicine program. Another idea was to sue my insurance company. Luckily, I stopped and took another nap.

A few days later, when I contacted my Casper oncologist, who I'd hoped to charm into giving me Herceptin, I learned he'd had unexpected heart surgery and is not practicing for a while. His office turned down my request for Herceptin, saying it did not comply with the American standard of care. There were only three oncologists in Casper six months ago. My oncologist's partner died suddenly about five months ago. I'd heard the remaining oncologist has sometimes supported patients who have worked with Mexican clinics. Her office said she will not do anything until she meets me, so .I made an appointment for when I return in early May and will attempt to enroll her in my quest.

I will, of course, do whatever it takes to stay alive and to thrive. There are lots of ways to create $60,000, but most of them involve some level of drama. Beloved friends John and Elizabeth Roberts offered to start a fund, but that felt to me as if I would be voting for/giving energy to this most expensive scenario, and is that really the way I want to spend the energy of my family friends and myself? Far more fun and satisfying would be to find a miraculous way through this challenge. In the meantime, I've taken a page from "The Secret," being clear about what I want, taking what steps I can, but otherwise just putting myself into a place of contentment and joy most of the time. And not making Herceptin the only answer. I showed remarkable progress in my recovery before starting the present chemo treatment and have shown remarkable progress since. It does feel, though, as if Herceptin will be the "cherry on the cake," so I want it.

Lo and behold, there's been some movement in the past week. Burton Goldberg, the consultant who directed me here to Dr. Munoz and his wonderful work, found someone who can supply Herceptin for $3,000 a dose, reducing the drama level by 40%. He also posed a good question, since I'm doing low-dose chemo, if we'd actually need to purchase twelve full doses. As it turns out, this kind of medicine, monoclonal antibodies, has to be used within eight hours of opening, so I do. Burton suggested the possibility of creating a Herceptin homeopathic. A biochemist here in Mexico did this successfully with a bone cancer drug when there was only one dose available. As it turns out, a Herceptin homeopathic is being developed and tested in Europe, but is not quite available yet. Late last week, I heard that a "Herceptin look-alike" has turned up in Europe, so that's another possibility to explore.

This morning, Dr. Muñoz told me that another breast cancer patient in the clinic has turned up HER2 positive. If we're both doing low-dose and share it, the cost will reduce to $1,500 a dose! Still a chunk of change, but way better than before. So, please continue to hold the highest vision with me:

1. I meet Dr. Diane Henshaw in Casper on Monday, May 7, at 10:00 MST and she agrees to continue my present low-dose chemo and to prescribe and administer it in Wyoming. Great-West Insurance gladly pays for it.

2. This is or something better.

I look forward to sharing more as this adventure in abundance unfolds. Enjoy the rest of April.





















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HOME, FAMILY, COMMUNITY, WORLD

by Winnie Shows

May is the month to reflect on your home, family, community, and world. I’ve been looking forward to this newsletter because so much has happened in these areas for me these past several months.

Home

I changed homes, from Colorado Springs to Casper, in August when I moved here to marry. I decided to hang on to the CS house, planning to spend summers there and moving back in four years, after my granddaughter Grace graduates from high school. Initially, Grace and Ev and I squeezed into his home of 15 years as we prepared to sell it. Then, in October, we moved into a wonderful, fun house in the older, downtown section. Our bedroom windows frame a new, wonderful sunrise every morning, and the remodeled kitchen makes me want to chop and dice and create great things. With eleven rooms, lots of light, and a big unfinished basement, it was already very livable, and at the same time, we could see twenty or more enhancements that would make it ours. It feels so good to put down roots in such a big way.

At the end of January my experience of community expanded quite a bit when I got to experience the Hoffman Quadrinity Process (hoffmaninstitute.org). This ten-day intensive workshop, plus two days alone afterward, included no phone, TV, Internet, magazines or newspapers. We were provided with fantastic food in a peaceful and beautiful environment and got to focus on ourselves. Along the way, I got to know my physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual selves and feel now as if I have a team that will never desert me. According to Lee Lipsenthal, M.D., “Social isolation, being separated from family and community, is the number one cause of depression in this country. The majority of Americans don’t live where they grew up and they’re not close to their family. Where the [Hoffman Quadrinity] Process works beautifully is that it gives you a sense of connection with the spiritual whole or spiritual collective. And in doing so, you’re not longer alone…and from that place, there’s not much room for depression.”

I was able to be away from home and family for nearly two months in Mexico because I was fully present to whatever was happening and because I had my mental, spiritual, emotional and physical team with me. The two dozen other people in my Hoffman group have stayed in touch by phone and email, too. I felt a great sense of peace the entire time I was away. And, when it was time to return to Wyoming, I was fully present in that transition.

Coming home was so sweet. From the air, Wyoming gradually morphed from brown to light green. Spring was in full bloom. Ev had hung huge hanging arrangements of supertunias and impatiens along the front and back of our home—a gorgeous, colorful welcome as we pulled up. There was a “Welcome Home!” balloon and a card from the women in a friend’s prayer/quilt group who’d been praying for me for months. My mail included two belated birthday gifts and several cards.

For the first two days, I was somewhat disoriented, readjusting to the altitude and becoming reacquainted with my wonderful home. I had only lived there five months before going away. I wandered through the rooms, rediscovering what I love about this great house. Ev had been busy while I was gone, finishing out the basement, installing a large hot tub, and converting our dining room into a sun room (the afternoon sun on my shoulders makes this an immediate favorite place to read.) I had forgotten how to use our DVD player and which channels on the TV I usually watched. I also couldn’t remember the speed dial for voicemail or mundane things, like where we keep spare rubber bands. I bumped into furniture and walls and slipped on the smooth wooden floor at the top of our stairs.

The first night I became obsessed with unpacking all my bags and getting my nest in order. I couldn’t get to sleep and roamed around the house, arranging things the way I wanted. A half dozen boxes had arrived before I had—a couple with personal items, one filled with raw nuts from a trip to Trader Joe’s, and the rest from amazon grocery filled with some of the other new foods I’ve adopted. I felt compelled to open them all and to put away most of their contents. I needed to have my nest in order before I could settle down. That’s what this month is about—making your home an even more wonderful place to enjoy life that will draw loving family and friends to your side.

As we began firming up summer plan last weekend, Ev and I both realized that we love our new house so much, we don’t really want to leave it for long stretches. A few sentences later, it became clear that it’s time to sell the Colorado Springs house. A friend has been staying there for the past couple of months during a divorce and now it appears that she may want to buy it. This process seems to be unfolding organically and easily. We’ve decided not to worry about losing our foothold in the Colorado market but to go with what wants to happen. These changes feel good to everyone.

Family

Four months after we moved to Casper, my daughter Sallie followed. Casper is a small town (60,000) in a rich state with a sparse population. As a result, there’s lots of help and little or no waiting. There are also lots of jobs. Sallie has struggled with mental illness and substance issues for much of her life, but a week after moving here, she was able to get her medications stabilized and began functioning better than she had in years. Within a month, she had a job, an apartment and a truck. Two months later, Grace began staying with her mom on a trial basis. My increasing illness extended the trial, and now it may become permanent. Grace’s room has become our newest guest room, which we hope family and friends will visit this summer or any time they’re passing through.

We are attending a family reunion in South Dakota with Ev’s East Coast sisters in July, and at the beginning of August, my mom and siblings will arrive for my family’s annual reunion. We’re looking forward to both gatherings.

Community

I’ve been non-stop busy since August with the move to Casper, finishing my book, then moving into our new home, decorating it, and planning our wedding celebration in December. Since 2007 dawned, I’ve been resting and recuperating. I haven’t had the time or energy to begin to create community here in my new town. I was beginning to reach out when events immediately transported me into the San Diego Clinic in Tijuana, where I experienced instant community with a group of people attached to IV drips who shared their stories and offered support. They were from all over the U.S. and several other countries. A few patients were from Mexico. The doctors, the nurses, the staff and the man who drove us to and from the clinic became our family away from home. The spouses, parents and friends who visited became part of this extended community, and we got to know many of them very well. We would help one another, sharing snacks or doing a taco run to the vendors outside. We visited one another in the hyperthermia rooms, talking to help the time go faster—especially during the final, difficult 15 minutes. We swapped books and DVDs, cheered when someone received good news, offered comfort and encouragement when the news wasn’t so good. Some patients stayed for days, and some for weeks. We started an email list to stay in touch, which is how I learned this week that one of our group had passed away on Saturday. In this intense atmosphere, friendships were forged effortlessly because of our common bonds. It made me realize how much I missed having this in my new home town.

Though eager to return home, I felt sad leaving Mexico because I’d had such a wonderful experience, feeling such compassion, care and camaraderie, and I knew I didn’t have this level of community at home. I still tear up at times, thinking about that special group of people in Tijuana. Ev and I set the intention during his final visit to create more community in Casper. We decided to reach out in a variety of ways to people of a variety of ages and to expand our world. Since there isn’t a lot I can eat in restaurants, it makes sense to start creating great meals at home and to invite people over, and a whole new hobby has emerged for us. On my second day home, we got a call from a friend who was traveling through town with his new wife and baby. Voila! We put together a quick scrumptious lunch and had a fun visit. With the warmer weather, more neighbors have appeared, and we’ve met two already. Last Sunday, we began attending a church here in town and saw six people we knew. Ev has joined a cycling club. A friendly grey cat has adopted us, who we’re calling, “Smokey.” And I have a new community, in the chemo room in Casper, where I am writing this newsletter. I hadn’t envisioned this particular way of making local friends, but met one my very first visit last week—and these people don’t live all over the world. I might actually see them in a restaurant or in a store.

My obsession about getting things in order gave way after a couple of days to an appreciation of all the abundance in my life. I got to see my mom and sister twice while in Mexico as well as several other family and friends. I have more than 100 people cheering for me in various ways. I am able to continue most of my therapies here, and my insurance company is paying for Herceptin! The restaurant we like the most will modify their menu to create sugar-free, flour-free dishes I can eat. The weather is gorgeous, and we often eat outside, breathing in the fragrance of lilacs and other new plants and flowers that are springing up in our yard. At night, it is such a joy to be able to sleep in any position in comfort and to be able to drape my arms around my husband as we drift off to sleep. For many uncomfortable months, these simple pleasures were not possible.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by all I have to do, I delight in the many fun projects I get to do, as I have the time and energy. I know there are plenty of both and go with the flow a lot more gracefully. My cupboards are abundant, too—filled with all sorts of organic treats and delights. We love having people over and feasting with them. Life feels so rich!

World

This month’s newsletter is getting bigger, just as my life is. I feel as if I am beginning a brand new expansive chapter and experiencing a greater sense of being at home in the world. That’s the spirit of May and of this time of year. Enjoy it thoroughly!


Winnie Shows people how to design the life of their dreams by carefully selecting and directing their written, spoken and silent words. She is author of Design the Life of Your Dreams: Using the Unique Energy of Each Month to Enhance the Twelve Key Areas of Your Life. To receive her free monthly online newsletter, visit wshows.com. Please share this article with your friends and associates. To update your e-mail address, go to yahoogroups.com, click on My Groups, WinnieShows, and edit your membership.





















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Design the Life of Your Dreams
Using the Unique Energy of Each Month to Enhance the Twelve Key Areas of Your Life
By Winnie Shows


LEISURE, HOBBIES, CREATIVITY

June’s nice weather and the end of the school year naturally turn our thoughts to leisure, hobbies, and creativity. Most people will think about one or two of these areas, but many of us need a reminder to consider all three.

Leisure

For most of my life, I’ve been a hard charger who works until I drop. I even fill my leisure time with activity. The closest I usually come to relaxing is to watch a DVD in the evening when my body and mind are too exhausted to accomplish anything more. I’ve found it hard to just sit around and do nothing or read for pleasure at home. If go on a trip, I can. Also if I’m captive, like in a waiting room or airport or plane.

About six months ago, in an attempt to help me morph into the convalescent lifestyle some of my healthcare providers were strongly recommending, I was given the assignment to “hold still” twice a day for at least thirty minutes. This involves lying on my back in bed and making absolutely no movement, even in my face or mouth. At first, this was very challenging, but the achiever part of my took it a project and told me I was actually getting something done by holding still—I was fulfilling an assignment. What would usually happen would be that I would fall into a deep sleep and not move out of that position. After a few days, I noticed that my body, my thinking, and my way of being were beginning to slow down and I felt a profound sense of peace. One of the happy side effects was more patience and less impulsiveness—huge changes for me.

It was also a huge change for me to stop working during the last year and to resign from all my volunteer work. I guess I have a life of leisure, except that health-related activities like fresh food prep, exercise, therapies, supplement and paperwork management take several hours a day and have become a job of their own. If that’s not enough, my mind is constantly coming up with great new ideas that might masquerade as leisure but actually create more obligation and work. I seem to like it that way. I don’t think I’ll ever be a natural at relaxing the way my husband is. He starts each day sipping a cup of tea and staring out the window for about an hour, while I hit the ground running. Last week I became so driven, I couldn’t stop doing things and realized I was once again damaging my health because of my drive to stay in motion. I crashed and burned and spent several hours Saturday morning praying and meditating about this. I think this compulsion to be busy may be a lifelong challenge for me and I’m committed to managing it better. One of the concessions to slowing down I’ve made is to ask myself what wants to happen next instead of rampaging through a To Do list, feeling compelled by obligations and deadlines. That’s probably pretty key.

How would you rate the leisure in your life? Is it an art form or a wistful dream?

Hobbies

Right now my hobbies are home decorating, restaurants and Netflix. I also love dancing, from rock ‘n’ roll to ballroom. There aren’t many dancing venues in Casper, and they often start about a half hour before I go to bed, so a lot of my dancing takes the form of group lessons, which are a lot of fun with a big assortment of people and offered much of the time year-round. I’m thinking of getting satellite radio at home so we can turn to a dance station and rock out in our sun room.

Water coloring was a big hobby of mine until about two and half years ago, when life suddenly got busier. I’m realizing, with a slower lifestyle now, that there’s actually room to resume, and now that my painting supplies have arrived, I just must make this a priority. I have no more excuses. Except my addiction to busyness.

My restaurant hobby takes the form of researching great places, reading reviews, and, of course, going there to chow down! Not to complain, but we have a challenge here in Casper when it comes to dining out. It’s just not great. I am begging the folks at Chipotle to open here and have even scouted out a location on 2nd St. and Walsh Rd., right next to a Pizza Hut, in walking distance from the largest high school, and in front of the largest church. Each time I drive by this spot, which is now covered with grass, I imagine the first time I’ll walk into Chipotle and order a veggie bowl with pinto beans and extra guac. My mouth waters even as I type this.

Ev and I have found one restaurant, Gegi’s the Art of Food, which is actually a catering company that makes tasty dinners to go during the week and has sit-down service Fridays and Saturdays. Saturday nights right now are sushi night, and Fridays feature a bistro menu with a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts. What I especially like about Gegi’s is that they’ll work with me on my strict diet if I call ahead. One Saturday night, for example, they prepared some sushi rice without sugar. Another time, they got some fresh berries for my desert instead of a pastry. They’ll also substitute seafood for non-organic chicken or beef or pork. Most restaurant menus are like a minefield for me and I can typically eat only one or two items. At Gegi’s, I can feast on food that’s tasty.

I also love movies. I think this affection emerged from growing up in L.A. and attending Saturday matinees with my sister and many double features on Sunday visits with my dad. In theatres or at home, I only want to see the best and seldom watch a movie more than once. I would have said that movies are a hobby, which they are, but I realized this past year that Netflix.com is a hobby unto itself. I used to go to film festivals but often found them exhausting. Now, I can get many of the films from festivals right from Netflix. I like going online, researching them, reorganizing my queue. My mom lives in Palm Springs (a fabulous vortex for film festivals) and gives me early warning about great films coming through, and my friend Robert seems to see everything, so I can always check with him if I want a recommendation.

How are your hobbies? Do you have any? Do you want a new one?

Creativity

When we create some space in our lives in the form of leisure, creativity emerges. We can also create this space by stopping, taking a breath, quieting the mind, or taking a walk. Some of the most creative problem solving occurs when we take a break from the problem. I’ve seemed to be in a stream of creativity for more than a year. No writer’s block and always a confidence that the solution to any problem will present itself. I think it’s a function of how I’ve changed as an individual, Landmark Forum training, “The Secret,” slowing down, insights from friends, and the cumulative wisdom that comes from living life for sixty years. Still can’t quite believe that number. When I do feel blocked about something, I remember the areas of my life where creativity comes easily and mentally move that template or state of mind over to the current challenge. I think I may have tapped something that will be with me for the rest of my life. Maybe I can use this to solve my busyness addiction.

In what ways might your creativity expand this year?

The cool thing about June is that all sorts of leisurely, artsy things start happening: outdoor concerts, art shows, theatre in the park. You book your vacation. Friends call to say they’re coming for a summer visit. If you forget June’s energy, you just have to look around. At the beginning of June I was thinking I’d like more art in my life and that we should become museum members, when voila! Two weeks later, I was walking just five blocks down my street to the Nicolaysen Art Festival (or “Nic Fest) downtown. The art found me, big time. One of the highlights was “Vine to Vine,” a performance by The Living Garden. Visit their web page for a real treat.

I lapped up the continuous live music and a dance performance on my first visit and ultimately went back three more times. On Saturday, something major happened and the energy of June blasted through me. One of the things I’ve wondered about is that, while I definitely prefer to continue living and have a strong vision about the contribution I can make to the world, I haven’t had a driving passion that is me forward with no question into the future. Somehow, I’ve achieved acceptance and peace about the possibility of not being here to help my mom or to write my next book or to grow old with Ev or to see my grandchildren grow up. I’ve wondered about that and suspected this could be the missing element of my healing. My immersion in the arts at the convenient Nic Fest opened things up. The beauty, the live music, the scores of volunteers, and the wondrous interaction with the performance artists reconnected me with this important side of life that I’ve miss so much. As I wandered through the artists’ tent, I was suddenly blasted with a longing and the passion that has eluded me: This is what I want! I want to experience even more of the endlessly evolving forms of beauty that humans can create. I want my life to be about art, beauty and creativity and to devote myself to even higher expressions of these, not busyness. Tucked into a large crowd on a hot day, watching the living fountain move to music and applause, I burst into tears as I felt life itself rush through me along with a full-body resolve to stay here on the earth a lot longer. I don’t really know what this all means. I just know that it’s June and something changed.

What’s been calling you this month?


Winnie Shows people how to design the life of their dreams by carefully selecting and directing their written, spoken and silent words. She is author of Design the Life of Your Dreams: Using the Unique Energy of Each Month to Enhance the Twelve Key Areas of Your Life. To receive her free monthly online newsletter, visit wshows.com. Please share this article with your friends and associates. To update your e-mail address, go to yahoogroups.com, click on My Groups, WinnieShows, and edit your membership.

P.S. I am thinking of doing a “Midyear Check-up” teleseminar in July. If you are interested, please let me know days and times that are most convenient.





















September Reflections

By Winnie Shows

After two months of feeling weak and debilitated, I’m happy to be feeling the joy of living once again, and that happens to be what September is all about—reconnecting with the life force itself. With its numerous cues in the form of changing weather and changing leaves, this month reminds us to reconnect with that readily-available link to the divine and to all possibility—nature. September and May are premier travel months throughout the world, with their optimal weather. Take advantage of this if you can and get out.

I couldn’t get out much, but nature came to me in several forms during the past few weeks. One night still in Wyoming, I had trouble getting comfortable enough to sleep and awakened around 2:00 a.m. I climbed into our hot tub for several hours, breathing in the night’s mysteries and enjoying its comfort. Mainly, it was the night air that refreshed and reassured me. I gazed out over the numerous sunflowers in our backyard and gave thanks for a beautiful summer.
When I first arrived in San Diego a month ago, I stayed in a beautiful palm-lined sunroom at the home of friends. I slept almost continuously during the first twenty-four hours, awakening at various hours to various hues of light and dark on the palms. It reminded me of some old John Wayne movie where he was deliriously recovering from a bullet wound while some lovely senorita looked over him. Sometimes it was day; sometimes it was night. The sunset might be reflecting on the branches, pulling up their red tones. In any case, it was a comfort to be resting in that safe grove. San Diego sparkled, too—such a beautiful city, doing so well. The neighborhood where I was staying reconnected me with some of the flora of my youth and I felt a deep love and longing for all the time I had spent outdoors and exploring fields and yards as a kid. One neighbor even had a plumeria bush—my favorite Hawaiian flower.

Here in Tijuana, I have a wall of west-facing windows that looks out onto a pretty courtyard and garden and brings nature inside, even if I’m just lying in bed much of the time. Stepping outside, I am often shocked at the difference in being actually outside in the fresh air that immediately takes me to another place. That’s the connection most of us get every day, moving into the fresh air or taking a morning walk. I can see several palm trees from my windows, and the sparkle on their branches can seem like another dimension of pure, white light—a peek into the universe. I first noticed that when my Uncle Carl suddenly passed away in Palm Springs several years ago. Exhausted and grieving, I lay on a chaise lounge looking up at some palms. In my altered state, the brilliant white light that sparkled from the fronds seemed to establish a connection between him and me. Look for it.

On weekends I often take the train ride up the coast to my sister’s. It’s so gorgeous to watch the water and to duck in and out of fields with all their variety. One afternoon when Ev was visiting, we took a cross-country drive to Palm Springs through the Hemet area and reveled in the gorgeous afternoon light. Another time, driving with my sister, we marveled at the unusual ring of light smoke the San Bernardino fire had formed above the mountains. It almost looked like a ring, an invitation.

A number of nature ambassadors in the form of animals came to me this month as well. I had already had the great fortune of living with Hootch, the Wonder Dog and master healer. He seems to know instinctively who needs a bit of comfort and play. A few months ago, Smokey, a grey male cat, also entered our lives. He shows up whenever we arrive home or go outside, and the two of them are making family with us. They are especially making family for Ev while I’m away, running out to greet him whenever he returns home, watcing TV together, and sleeping together at night.

On my very first morning in my apartment, I was greeted by a surprise visitor in the kitchen, whom I aptly named La Cucaracha. She was a classic—nearly two inches long. I at first tried to escort her outside, but she began jumping around, so I let her be and decided I had a pet. She didn’t really do much, just moved from one place on the kitchen floor to another while I was at the clinic during the day. She only lived for two days, but I thought this was a great way to get right into the Mexican spirit of things.

The slat curtains along my wall of windows let me adjust the light as needed and sometimes do wonderful things on their own. One afternoon, too tired to do anything except open my eyes, I spied an interesting black and white bird that just happened to land between slats.

The afternoon sun comes in that window and warms my sheets.

One morning I kept hearing the news commentators in San Diego say how lovely the full moon was in the west. I put on a jacket and went outside but couldn’t see anything. The following night, I was awakened by what seemed to be a flashing white light outside my window. The breeze and the curtain slats conspired with the moon, and it was waiting right outside to say hello. Like a visitor.

I grew up in Los Angeles, so it’s felt strange to live away from the ocean for the past ten years and I always love to stop and say hello.My goal one week was to be able to put my feet into the ocean. I’m living about a quarter mile from the beach, but it took nearly four weeks before I could manage that far a walk. I awakened early one quiet morning, confused to hear waves of traffic flowing down our little street. After I while I realized that the breezes had arranged themselves so the ocean could come to me.

I understand that the Pacific has taken quite a temperature plunge in the past few weeks. I wonder what’s up about that. Apparently a new study of California elephant seal pups and their weaning weights predicts that a 25-year Pacific Ocean warming has ended, and the second half of a 50-year cycle has begun to cool the northern Pacific. Historical fish catch data indicate the ocean cooling trend is likely to last until about 2025. In fact, I heard that the Pacific here has plunged 15 degrees in the past couple of weeks. Something is up.
Flowers and live plants are another way to let nature in. I treat myself to a $5 bouquet each week that lights up my little apartment and my life. I arrived in TJ at the height of sunflower season, and these brilliant blooms have been a tremendous grace. Fresh flowers are relatively expensive in Wyoming, but I want to find a way to have more of them in my life when I return. We are planning to build a greenhouse along the south side of our garage and grow flowers and lettuce this winter. I’m so looking forward to this.
One fun connection to nature resides in the back parking lot of our clinic. A fruit vendor shows up every morning with an array of lavish and delectable choices and sells a two-pound bowl for about $3.50. The colors and smells awaken the senses and invite the life force in.

One of the most start contrasts between the U.S. and Mexico at the border is the presence or absence of nature and its colors. Tijuana for the most part is beige. Every resource has been consumed. Cross the border, and I’m nearly blinded by the colors of the freeway foliage. In wealthier TJ suburbs, each person has carved out a little piece of heaven, typically with a gated courtyard and landscaping. Even their sidewalks are unique.

Ev absolutely must be in nature on a regular basis, cycling, fishing, running, hiking, skiing He must spend time outdoors or he does not thrive. For me, a morning walk is often enough. One of my burning visions is to recover and become so physically fit that I can begin climbing.

How does nature want to show up more in your life? This is the time of year to consciously reconnect with the life force that always surrounds us and to bring more of it into the world.






















OCTOBER REFLECTIONS:
Loss, Grief, Letting go and Making Room for More

By Winnie Shows


“Be kind, for every person you meet is fighting a hard battle.” —Plato


Sometimes I hesitate to write the October newsletter or to even enter this month, knowing it’s the natural moment of the year to confront my grief. This includes both the well of grief we all carry around with us and the specific losses that have occurred and are occurring. But I have little choice. The headlines help create the stage, with stock market corrections, homes disappearing into sinkholes, and the passing of people dear to us. Mother Nature chimes in as well. The days grow shorter. Leaves fall. Holidays like Halloween, All Souls’ Day, All Saints Day and El Dia de Los Muertos remind us that nothing lasts.

Ten years ago, when I first offered a twelve-month Design the Life of Your Dreams course, each month focused on one area of life, parallel to my book. Some people signed up for the entire year of topics. Others came to the topics that most appealed to them. The three most popular were:

January: Design the Year of Your Dreams
April: Money, Prosperity, and Abundance
October: Loss, Grief, Letting Go and Making Room for More

Even when I’ve spontaneously offered a grief workshop I’ve felt amazed at the number of people who have shown up and how so many of us are carrying active grief. Our grief wants to have its time, its acknowledgement, its fulfillment. Creating a space for it during the tenth month of the year provides the opportunity for catharsis and honoring that keeps our lives in balance. A number of native cultures have weekly rituals during which the community can discharge its grief and anger. The closest thing I experience to this is the annual temenos retreat in Aspen that I attend. We block out a half day to process our anger and grief, and this acts as an emotional tune-up for me. My intention each year is to become increasingly graceful at those other times when grief taps me on the shoulder for some attention. And it will.

You don’t have to create a special forum for your grief each year. It will come and find you. You job is to then be as graceful as possible at acknowledging it, welcoming it in, and letting it pass through. Here are some recent examples from my life:

A couple of weeks ago I wandered into Templo Evangelico, a radiant Mexican church at the end of my block, for a Sunday service. They played wonderful rock ‘n’ roll for half an hour then brought the house down with a solemn prayer asking God’s help with whatever challenges we were facing. The music opened me up, the prayer touched my soul, and a fountain of sadness suddenly opened in me. I began to cry and could not stop for about fifteen minutes. This life is so hard at times. I am so tired of all the treatments and counting supplements and the lack of energy. The cumulative weariness and frustration of two years’ of washed over me as I released the grief I’d been carrying for some time. I felt surprised. It was just under the surface, yet I hadn’t been aware of it. I’d actually seen several therapists and taken a ten-day workshop to address any emotional issues around having cancer, but that prayer in that little church was what pricked open the surface and set me free. I will probably attend their service every week that I am here.
Your grief can come and tap you on the shoulder any time and anywhere. Last week I was shopping at a new Office Depot a few blocks from my apartment for a small home office in Mexico. I systematically walked up and down the aisles in order to see everything they had and found most of what I needed. I have always liked stationary stores and office supply stores, and it was a lot of fun. As I rounded the corner of the back aisle, I came across all the ‘non-technical” office supplies: ledgers and date books, receipts and other tools for those who haven’t or won’t migrate to computers. All these forms reminded me of my father and stepfather. Both were entrepreneurs, taking care of business until the day they died. Neither would let a computer darken his doorway. A rush of sadness rolled over me, missing them. I felt the love they had for their families and the way they provided for us and appreciated all they had taught me about business. I finished the next few aisles of shopping with tears streaming down my face, honoring the feelings. Yes, it must be October. You’re probably missing someone right now. Take a moment to honor and feel that.

About once a year, I cry for Grandma Winnie Sperry and last night was that night. Grandma loved me so much. There was a light that shone in her eyes when she talked to me, and I learned what unconditional love felt like from her. My mother, sister and I lived with her and Mike (he didn’t want to be called “Grampa”) for several years when my parents divorced and I remained close to them until their deaths in the early seventies.

Last night I was listening to John Prine sing “Hello in There,” about lonely older people. I had created a slideshow for a graduate communications class back in the seventies that featured photos of Grandma Sperry and this song as the background music. I had been having a few tough few days, with food poisoning and a number of aches and pains that made nearly any move or positioning uncomfortable. I felt worn down by the everyday business of life and would have dearly loved to curl up in Grandma’s lap and be held. Life was feeling hard and I missed her. I cried as I imagined her holding me in her arms.

Loss has been on my mind throughout this cancer adventure. Some of my losses have included:

Loss of career

Loss of home

Loss of net worth

Loss of health

Loss of lung capacity

Loss of granddaughter (was not able to continue to care for her in my home)

Loss of energy

When I was diagnosed, I immediately lost the ability to:

Be an organ donor

Be a blood donor

Have life insurance

Apply for health insurance

Have private disability insurance

At the same time, these losses made way for wonderful new developments in my life:

Marriage to a wonderful man

Health insurance open enrollment as a result of the marriage

A terrific home

The delight of living in a foreign country

Seeing my mom more often

The ability to perform miracles daily

Closer relationships with family and friends

More joy, love and contentedness than ever in my life

I feel more happy, fulfilled and content than at any other time in my life. Loss and grief do that: They clear the way for something bigger and better.

My husband Ev and I set the intention that we would become closer than ever and even more in love as a result of our separation. Remarkably, that’s happening and one of the keys is acknowledging the anger, grief, and other negative feelings the separation causes. We have evolved a ritual during our evening phone call. If one of us needs some connection or comforting, we paint a verbal picture for one another of how we are lying in one another’s arms. He will often go to our room and lie down when I call so that the visualization is even stronger. If you’ve read The Five Languages of Love, you know that people give and feel love in different ways. Ev receives it through touch. I receive it through encouraging words.

When he is feeling lonely and dispirited, my description of lying in his arms and touching his face helps him to reconnect. One night he was expressing that he felt marginal in my life, that he was unable to do more for me and to be here in person. I listened and felt his strong body hold me. Words came out of my heart that I’d never shared before. “Oh, Ev, you are my strength,” I said. “You are my foundation and structure.” I felt the tears flow as the power of his presence in my life washed over me. “You’re my trellis, my geodesic dome—the framework on which I can go out and conquer the world.” I cried like a child in her parents’ arms. We’d never felt closer.

I’ve been able to duplicate this exercise reliably. We just hold one another and see what’s up. The other night, I asked him to rub my shoulders and to hold me. I could feel his consistency and his loyalty, his commitment to being a great husband and partner. I was able to decant some sadness at being far apart and dealing with all this on my own. I was shocked at how heartbroken I felt beneath the surface. I am actually a very happy person and seem to be functioning well as an ex-patriot. And of course there would be frustration and grief that wants out. I am thrilled to have a way to access and release it. We’ve practiced this ritual several times since, and always with rich rewards, tapping into grief and letting it go.

So, welcome this time of loss and letting go. Treat yourself to some ignatia amara ( a homeopathic) to smooth the rough edges and welcome the greater life that awaits you.






















Get Your Kicks In 2006
By Winnie Shows

Have you already begun to exhale? The wild ride of 2005 is over and this new year should feel far easier and stable - if we stick to our knitting and do the right thing. 2006 is an "8" year, which represents infinity and cosmic consciousness. Free of major upheavals, we have the chance to bliss out and tap our higher powers if we wish. In fact, taking the high road will be the way to avoid upheavals.

In Chinese astrology, January 29 marks the beginning of the Year of the Dog, described by astrologer Susan Levitt (susanlevitt.com) as "a time of fairness and equality. Controversial issues are given their due, revolutions are successful, politics are liberal, and social oppression is opposed. Integrity and honesty are the values that lead to success under Dog's watchful and just influence."

I'm ready for a low-drama year. How about you? By investing some focused time right now, you can set the stage for the most positive and graceful experience during the next twelve months. In the latest issue of New Millennium Being (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NMBeing), Gururattana says that reclaiming our free will determines whether we experience destiny or fate. Use your free will to design the life of your dreams.

As you plan your year, remember that we are in winter, the time when plants and animals go inside to gather strength for the next stage of growth. Even if it doesn't look like winter your part of the country, you are encouraged to do the same. We begin the month in Capricorn, which represents structure, organization and social accomplishment. What will you structure and how will you organize it this year, so that you can accomplish your goals? What sort of support system will you put into place? Who will help you? This month ends in Aquarius, which represents innovation, originality, and social change. What changes do you want in yourself and your life? Think big!

January, the first month, represents new beginnings and naturally invites us to set our intention and theme. My theme last year of Everyday alchemy was astoundingly powerful as I played in the quantum field more consciously and tapped its magic. A series of major challenges and upheavals (granddaughter moving in, relationship breaking up, breast cancer) honed my skills. When I didn't know what to do next, I'd remember, Everyday alchemy and breathe. 2005 was by far the most remarkable year of my life.

When I first worked on my theme for 2006, I began with the word fun. This has evolved so far to Laughing goddess having fun-an affirmation about extending last year's powers even more effortlessly and lots less seriously! Sometimes, when I think of my theme, it's Dancing goddess having fun. This is the first time a theme has flipped back and forth for me. I'll just go with the flow. Maybe the year will flip back and forth as well. Experiment with your theme this year. Craft it into something that will serve you during this more mellow time.

One powerful ritual during January is to set an outrageous intention. While yearly themes and goals should be posted in some visible place, intentions only need to be visited occasionally, if at all. My outrageous intention this year is: Being paid to speak before 2,000 people. All leads welcome.

In terms of goals this year, I'm simplifying and using single words, like this:

Health: Radiant!

Family: Fun!

Fitness: Consistency!

Nature: Hike!

Career: Speak! Finish book!

I'm looking forward to 2006 and enjoying it enormously. Whatever your theme, your intention or goals, here's to a year of expansion, possibility, and joy for all of us!





















Finding the Love of Your Life
By Winnie Shows

February is the month of love. It begins in Aquarius, the outer visionary sign (which might remind us of the idealism many of us have carried into our relationships with significant others) and ends in Pisces, the twelfth (culmination) sign of the zodiac, which represents social change resulting from inner change. Our inner change can change our relationships and the world itself. Named after Februa, an ancient purification feast, February is the month to purify and purge any attitudes or beliefs about intimacy that limit our experience of love and our ability to bring more of it into the world.

February is the second month, and the number two represents balance and partnership. We can't do life in the best and highest way without love and without partnering with ourselves. In the twelve-step system, the second step states, "Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity." Many spiritual philosophies believe that the term God or higher power or life force or universe is synonymous with love. So, love restores us to sanity. Especially love for ourselves.

Many people seek fulfillment or fill in their missing pieces through another person, but being human, other people eventually let us down. Rather than limit the idea of partnership to a spouse or significant other, you are invited to affiliate (along with your partner) with something much greater. I propose that this greater thing is the love for our selves and the commitment to fully expressing our individual gifts in the world. If we haven't made a whole-hearted commitment to ourselves, how can we expect anyone else to?

When you find the love of your life-when you discover your passion and purpose and fulfill it in the world-you bring a whole person into your partnership. Relationship gurus Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks suggest that if you're having a problem with your relationship, you haven't been spending enough time in your art form. In our culturally-sanctioned laser focus on our current partner or finding the perfect partner, many of us haven't spent a moment even figuring out what our art form is. Instead, we direct our talents and energy into finding and keeping the perfect man or trophy wife. This is the month to redirect your arrows of love.

How might you rephrase your commitment to love? You can begin by committing to your own full flowering in the world, whether you are with a partner or on your own, whether your partner is fulfilling the commitment on a given day, or not. The process is our real lover. This commitment to a higher purpose is somewhat different from survival, security or status-the key reasons we've coupled in the past. This orientation adds new vitality and juice to existing relationships and lays a far more reliable foundation for new ones. It also helps each partner make the space for the other to flower in what might seem to be quite a different way. Partnering to fulfill a higher purpose, rather than filling the holes in ourselves, enables us to love BIG.

Another term for this new way is "partnering with grace." In our most intimate relationship, there's a third party-the higher commitment of the relationship-that exerts an influence stronger than either individual. When they're in conflict, a couple can find a way through by remembering their bigger commitment. They can also literally hand over the conflict to grace.

Let go of all beliefs about marriage and partnership and hold on for the ride of your life! The most powerful aphrodisiac is the brain, and if we can coax our brains into focusing on the ever-expanding adventure of growth and possibility instead of some form of survival, the potential for rich relationship is endless.

Celebrate love this month and experiment with expanding this experience for yourself by partnering with your higher purpose. As a Valentine's gift to you, I am also enclosing the wonderful article by Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks, called "The Real Rules." If you enjoy it, you may want to subscribe to their online newsletter or participate in their "Attracting Genuine Love" online course at www.hendricks.com . Here's to an era of love and expansion and enormous gratitude for being part of it.





















Becoming a Living Work of Art
By Winnie Shows

To Change Your Life, Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions. – William James

March is the time to think of ourselves as a living work of art. March, the third month, is named after the god Mars, the action god, and the number three represents body-mind-spirit (which, incidentally, shows up in the triangle of the YMCA logo). We begin the month in the dreamy sign of Pisces, which represents the part of us that wants to commit to a dream or ideal. What’s your dream or ideal of beauty, health and fitness? By the end of the month, we’ve moved into dynamic Aries, the fittest sign, which bursts forth and represents independence and self-awareness.

What’s the single best thing you can do for your body this year? What’s the single most powerful thing you can do for your spirit? How can you best bring more beauty, health and fitness into your world? How can you experience more aliveness? Here are some ideas

1. Begin to think of yourself and your life as a work of art: Each of us is a unique original and everyone wants a glimpse. How can you best express you? For many of us it means loving and accepting everything about ourselves. For some it means living in possibility instead of focusing on our limits. For others it means giving ourselves permission to imagine that we actually could be a work of art. For all of us, it means fully expressing the divine one-of-a-kind we are.

2. Spend quiet time alone daily: Guidance about your unique expression is easier to hear when you take time apart. In addition, the greater level of body serenity that comes from meditative time makes life work better. Ultimately this shows in the radiance in your eyes, the glimmer in your smile, the glow of your skin, and in the amazing way you move through the world.

3. Befriend your body: Commit to work it, stretch it, strengthen it, rest it regularly. Listen to what it does and doesn’t want to hear, see, smell, feel and taste. Ask it what it wants. Consider it a friend and partner in this life. You'll be glad you did. If you’re over fifty, consider making weights the core of your workout program and be sure to add some yoga, since flexibility is one of the things we lose first as we age.

4. Wear more color: We’ve all been wearing a lot of black the past seven years. Some of us surround ourselves with neutrals. Break out and add some color. You’ll feel and look more vibrant

5. Respect your personal rhythms: Morning or night person? Introvert or extravert? Entrepreneur or employee? Three-meals a day or grazer? Determine which modes serve you and relax into them, accept them, embrace them and don't apologize when they're not the same as those of others in your life. Find a way to meet in the middle.

6. Find your personal style: Wear the colors, fabrics, lines and accessories that enhance your natural gifts. Hire a consultant if this doesn’t come naturally. Wear jewelry that has special meaning to you. If this all seems like way too much, do just one thing and see how you like it

7. Lighten up: Clear from your life all people, places, things, foods, substances, attitudes and beliefs that divert your energy or impede your true expression. Empty your drawers. Take out the trash. Consider Detox Tea, herbal cleanses and colon therapy as practical rituals that support this change.

8. Breathe: Practice belly breathing and when in doubt, use it! Breathe into your challenges. Breathe into accepting what is. Breathe into today. When in doubt, breathe.

9. Laugh regularly: Spend regular time with people and animals who help you smile and laugh. Take an improv class or tango lessons. Plug in something like this every week.

10. Love What Is: Remain unattached as to how things should be in or on your body, mind and spirit and enjoy the ever-unfolding work of art you are.

Here’s to the full expression of body, mind and spirit in all the ways you are.





















Pay Attention to Your Money, Honey
By Winnie Shows

There’s a popular saying: That which we attend to, expands.

So let’s attend (from Latin attendere, literally, to stretch to) to our money this month. The IRS will help us get organized and get conscious and all the publicity about the Social Security System and will provide any needed motivation. We thank them both deeply. That’s a key part of paying attention: accurately seeing what is, right now. April begins in Aries, the rocket-fueled first sign of the zodiac, which represents independence and self-awareness. The month ends in Taurus, resourceful, productive and stable part of ourselves. We first must become aware of our true financial status and our relationship with abundance before we can put systems in place to expand. This is the moment to give our money some focused love and attention.

So, what does your money want right now? Stop. Take a breath. Close your eyes. If you listen, you will hear. Some people visualize the actual dollars in their bank account or imagine their money as a partner and friend. You can imagine it as your children, who need regular attention to grow up well. Perhaps your money wants you to drop any fearfulness you may be experiencing or to adopt a new attitude. A useful question this month is, “How can I create more money?” Each time I ask this, I get new ideas, and the focused attention seems to invite opportunities to fall from the skies. You may also want to play with being receptive to money from unexpected sources. Sometimes we’re so focused on making it happen on our own that we forget that it can come in other ways. Imagine money flowing to you from 360 degrees and in unexpected directions.

Use the holidays around this time of year as a meditation. April Fool’s Day asks how I am fooling myself about money. Earth Day April 22 wonders how I might use my money to benefit the earth so it can sustain me. Secretary’s Day April 26 and Take Your Child to Work Day April 27 remind me of the changing face of the feminine in the workplace and ultimately how companies will be run and money made. How might I support this trend?

Palm Sunday can symbolize the fact that success is an illusion and can change overnight. Passover can invite me to wonder about the ways I have enslaved myself in the quest for financial security, and how might I free myself from any limiting beliefs. Good Friday and Holocaust Remembrance Day are times to reflect on the abuse of power. How have I abused myself or others in the quest for abundance? Have I deferred the joy of everyday living until some future, “secure” time? Easter Sunday asks what beliefs of mine about money must die and resurrect in a new form. It can also remind us that we can always rise again after a financial setback.

And it’s spring! Notice the new life bursting from plants and trees that appeared dead only a few weeks ago. What wants to burst forth in your portfolio? Pay attention. Have fun while you’re at it by adding a ritual or two. When you pay your bills, light a candle and play some favorite music. Send a silent blessing to those receiving your checks and use cheerful stamps for the envelopes as you send them off.

Consider some kind of symbol in the wealth area of your home or property (the back left one-ninth of the area as you enter from the front door). Basil is one symbol of wealth. Plant some seeds or install a plant. Healthy foliage and water flowing toward the inside of your property (not away from) also symbolize the flow and growth of your resources.

Another way to expedite the flow of prosperity is to give money to the people and institutions that feed our souls. If you feel as if you can’t commit to some level of tithing, consider a commitment to tithe on any unexpected income. That will take the pressure off and start some movement. Make your commitment in writing, and watch what happens!

Whatever ritual you use, have fun with it.

Finally, take a moment and give some attention to the many forms of abundance already in your life. How’s your health? Your relationships? Your creativity? Invite a deeper appreciation of everything you already have. No matter how the world appears, we are each capable of creating the biggest, most abundant year yet.





















Home, Family, Community, World
By Winnie Shows

The energy of May is all about our home base and the communities that support us. This is the month to celebrate home, family, neighborhood, friends, world, universe and to expand our relationship with each of these.

May is the fifth month, and five represents change taking place now or very soon. What changes are happening in your world? May opens in the sign of Taurus, which reminds us to slow down and look for ways to expand our resources and stability. It ends in Gemini, which has to do with communicating with and learning from others. Sometimes we need to make our own world stable before reaching out to others.

Many countries begin the month by celebrating Labour Day, which helps us slow down by taking a day off. May Day and Beltane celebrate the life force that renews the earth each spring, and Mother’s Day (U.S.) and Children’s Day (Japan) reinforce these themes. Memorial Day at the end of the month commemorates those who have gone before, our invisible community, who helped make our world a safer place.

The annual rituals of cleaning up our yards and flowerbeds, closets and drawers all support a feeling of renewal in our immediate environment. Since our homes are a metaphor for our lives, whatever we do can have far-reaching effects. What can you do this month to make your home feel more nurturing and welcoming? What one purchase or improvement will enhance your environment? It needn’t be huge—just something that gives you added joy every time you walk in the door. How can you make your home an even safer haven in which to renew and refresh yourself? I get lots of ideas in the feng shui newsletters from Tranquil Spaces (tips@tranquilspaces.com) and Suzanne Metzger (SuzanneMetzger-subscribe@yahoogroups.com). You might want to check these out.

One powerful idea this month is to find your people. If we don’t spend time with like-minded friends, we can feel isolated and alone, even in a family. Perhaps “your people” are athletes or spiritual seekers or artists or politically active. One of my goals last year was to attend at least four intellectual events to expand my circle of intelligent, thoughtful friends. It didn’t happen, but I continued to want that in my life. This year, I’m seeing a professor and meeting more intellectual friends. Don’t give up on the communities you want to create.

I aim to spend time with at least one new group of people each year. If you don’t feel as if you have time to reach out actively, look for opportunities to support other groups, even if passively. You could set up an automatic payment to the charity of your choice. When I visited Ireland several years ago, I was struck by the fact that nearly every business (including the post office) had a jar for a favorite charity. This inspired me to feature a different non-profit on my website www.wshows.com each month that ties in with the monthly newsletter theme. My webmaster has a list and updates the site automatically. What can you put into place to connect you with your larger community on an ongoing basis?

The ultimate home and community is inside ourselves. This is a good month to expand our ability to love and accept all aspects of ourselves. Peace at home and peace in the world begin with our next thought.

So make your home a more comfortable nest, then reach out to people who have not been included in your circle and continue to shape the year of your dreams. It’s almost half over.






















Find Your Art Form
By Winnie Shows

June is the month to consider your relationship with creativity and its cousins, leisure, hobbies, down time and fun. These are the activities that move us out of our busy “doing” lives and reconnect us with our being and the life force itself—that field of possibility from which all creation flows. This is the month to honor your art forms.

June is the sixth month, and the number six represents guidance. It’s lots easier to hear our guidance, our muse, our inspiration when we create some quiet and interrupt our routine. Sometimes this means taking a break. Sometimes it’s a vacation. Sometimes it’s just a deep breath—or even remembering to breathe. How much space do you infuse into your schedule? This is the month of commencement, vacation and the start of summer, which will lead to our full flowering and ultimate harvest. The days continue to lengthen until the summer solstice June 21, when the sun appears to stand still and we enjoy the most light of the year. Perhaps this is the year to let the light in even more fully, perhaps in a new form.

The month begins in Gemini, which represents the part of us that communicates with and learns from others. Who inspires you in the way they’ve expressed their art in their lives? Gemini also represents the ability to hold two different ideas at once (e.g. work and play, vision and current reality). This month finishes in Cancer, the aspect of ourselves that gives and receives emotional warmth and security. Coincidentally, if you’re having any problems with emotional warmth and security in terms of your partner, relationship gurus Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks www.hendricks.com suggest that you spend more time with your art form.

Some people are blessed with obvious art forms. Some people are bursting with art forms, while others give one huge gift to the world. If you don’t have any evident artistic talent, you may have to look deeper, but you may also find even greater satisfaction when you realize you’ve been creating works of art all your life. Cooking can certainly an art form. Athletics, too. So is raising children with high self esteem, or connecting with teenagers.

To find your art forms, follow your pleasure. One of my great pleasures is restaurants. I love reading reviews and finding the most wonderful places to eat. I also love hunting down fabulous eateries when I travel. Another of my delights is movies. I want to see only the very best and enjoy attending film festivals and reading film reviews. I subscribed to Netflix and love that I can hunt down great documentaries that don’t appear at local video stores and films of note that never make it to my city. Another art form for me is color. A few years ago I made a commitment to bring more color into my life and into the world. It elevates the mood of everything. Sometimes your art form finds you.

I think the grandest art form of all is the way we live our lives. We are each a unique work of art with a special message to convey to the world. My message is to be continually fascinated with the choices that optimize every moment, no matter what the apparent circumstances.

When a person regularly embraces their art form, they’re on fire with delight and with life. I appreciate the people who’ve inspired me to find mine by finding theirs and I hope I’ve inspired you to remember yours and to make it a priority. Whether it’s words or a craft, the way you handle money, your relationship, your wonderful body, your profession or life itself, you can accelerate its expression this month. As William Blake said, “He who kisses the joy as it flies, lives in eternity's sunrise.” Find your art form and play with it regularly. You’ll constantly be kissing joy as it flies.






















What Are You Pretending Not to Know?
By Winnie Shows

July is the month to reflect on what you want to learn this year. Did you set a learning goal back in January? If so, how’s your progress? July is the seventh month and the number seven represents beginnings and endings. Perhaps this is the month to begin to learn more about some new area or topic you want to explore. We’re in the early part of summer, when things are growing and blooming. This could be the time for your knowledge to grow and bloom as well.

Several years ago in a management seminar we were all setting goals in various areas of our lives and when I came to “Learning,” I asked the instructor what that meant. Although I had learned an enormous amount about business the previous five years, I was embarrassed to realize I hadn’t actually studied or taken a class to learn something new for a long time. How about you?

During July, we move from the “home” sign of Cancer (give and receive emotional warmth and security) out into the world of Leo (creatively express myself and be appreciated by others). This is the moment to expand and add dimension to your life. The seventh step in the Twelve Step system is about removing all our shortcomings. Sometimes we have to learn what they are before they can be removed. The seventh chakra is the portal to connection with all knowing. This is the time to take off our blinders. To see what we haven’t seen before. To learn. In the U.S. we celebrate Independence Day July 4, commemorating those who had the courage to break from the old and live in a New World. This month we can do the same on an individual level, if we are willing.

The year is already half over. A powerful question to live in this month is: What am I pretending not to know? Stop and ask yourself this right now. You may be surprised at the answer that bubbles up from the depths. Ask yourself this question each day during July. Put it on a Post-It somewhere, so you’ll remember. If you feel inclined, keep a log of the answers. They may provide a framework for the rest of the year.

Last year my main learning goal was to attend at least four “intellectual” events. One, an invitation to a book party, just showed up. It felt so good to be in a room of bright people. Actually, that was the only intellectual event I attended. So, I redoubled my intention this year and in January met a special man who is not only an intellectual but, in fact, is an expert on American intellectual history. Wow! I had no idea what I’d attract when I uttered the “I” word. That’s the thing about learning: you can set the intention to learn more about something and the opportunities present themselves. Setting an intention is especially helpful if you feel extremely busy and can’t find the time to do research or attend a class. Experiment by setting a learning intention for the rest of the year.

If you want to stretch, make it an outrageous learning intention. My outrageous intention last year was to resolve a particular emotional issue/pattern that having cancer helped me to see. This year, with a recurrence, I’m being guided to focus on the emotional and spiritual causes of this disease for me and what I’m learning (about myself) is far more kinesthetic and deep. Please continue to hold the picture of me being healthy in all ways.

You can decide what you want to learn or you can wonder what wants to be learned. Ask yourself, I wonder what wants to be learned? Then watch life events, dreams, patterns, and coincidences for hints. The learning that wants you may also appear in symbolic ways (see wshows.com for the July 2001 article, “Words, Numbers, Symbols and Dreams” for common symbols). To me, two is a pattern. If I meet two people with the same name, I immediately look up its meaning at www.babynamer.com to see what’s up.

On a final note, July is a great month in which to think about and thank your many teachers and mentors. Which people have passed on wisdom that has changed your life and helped you along the way? These learnings may be academic, professional, or personal. Perhaps it’s time to ask how you can return the favor. And perhaps the answer is to pass it on. Shortly before her death, Anne E. Frahm, author of A Cancer Battle Plan, told a mutual friend she was sure the reason her cancer returned after a ten-year remission was because she was unwilling to deal with some major emotional issue. Her words reached across time to me and have helped me wholeheartedly search for any issues that want to be dealt with and healed. This could be the most important learning of my life.

What do you want to learn this year? Decide and take at least one step. There’s a world of information all around us, beckoning us into a richer life. The door is particularly open in July.























The Heat Is On
By Winnie Shows

Things have warmed up considerably across the country and in our psyches, and August may be the hottest month of all. Astrologer Susan Miller (Astrologyzone.com) says this month will feel very serious and somewhat volatile to most people, and I hope to offer a perspective to help us move through the next thirty-one days in the most optimal way. August is the month connected to our work in the world. This year, the meditation may be about the kind of person we bring to our work. We will emerge from this month different from who we are today.

August, the eighth month, is a time of harvest and appreciation of the results of our work. In ancient times, loaves made from the first ripe grain were consecrated at the beginning of August as part of Lammas, the harvest festival, when people celebrated their abundance with ecstatic gratitude. What rewards are you harvesting from all your efforts this year? Did they require some “heat” to come to fruition?

The number eight is the symbol of infinity. Instead of compartmentalizing our personal and professional lives, how can they balance, feed, and flow from one another? How can we live in a more integrated way, being the same person at work and at home? The eighth step in twelve-step programs is, "Made a list of those I had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all." Are there any areas in your professional life where you need to mend bridges or clean things up in some way—perhaps even with yourself? Many of us drag beliefs like Life is hard or I can’t do what I love and make money around with us from job to job, getting in our own way and making life and work far less enjoyable.

August invites us to both reach for the stars AND take care of business. It begins in the “look at me” sign of Leo (creatively express myself and be appreciated by others). This is a good month to create the largest picture you can of what it is you do. Dust off your personal vision statement—the sentence that describes your special purpose and contribution to the world—and remember why you're here. The month ends in the “look at the details” sign of Virgo (analyze, discriminate and function efficiently). How can you modify the way you work to become even more effective?

In August, when many of us take time off and find ourselves outdoors more often, we kick back, let in some space and often gain a whole new perspective on life and on work. I've often noticed how, on vacation, I get a much bigger picture of my day-to-day job. Sometimes, with a little distance from my regular routine, I even come up with new ways to make money. Returning to work, I bring some of this light and air with me—until I get lost again in the doing and busyness. But life and work are never quite the same as a result of taking this time off.

My work has taken quite a new turn in the past few months. This second round of cancer that emerged the end of March has helped me realize that I need to work far less and focus on healing. By rearranging my investments and getting some help from family and friends, I am covering most of my living costs for the next year and only need to bill a relatively small amount each month. I also realized I had to reduce stress, so I rearranged the way I work, taking on a writing partner who contributes to the consulting and does most of the hands-on editing, while I focus on coaching authors and evaluating manuscripts. The first few weeks of this arrangement have been a resounding success, and I reached my income goal with one two-day project.

I have had a sense all along that the cancer experience was going to change who I am and how I work and that I will emerge into a somewhat different and bigger career. One of the results of the extra time I have now is that the first draft of my book, Design the Life of Your Dreams, is done! I am busily working on the second draft, with the goal of publishing it by the end of the year. Peeling away the “reasons” for work stress has shown me how I manage to manufacture stress myself, no matter what the circumstances. My real “work” right now is to heal these patterns in myself.

What patterns do you take from job to job, project to project, and boss to boss? What might change this month? Before we know it, this leisurely month will have flown by and Labor Day will be signaling that it's time to get back to work. September, the "back to school" month, often feels like the beginning of the new work cycle as well. Enjoy these relatively lazy days of summer and, as you do, consider how you want to work differently. This is the month to lighten up and broaden your perspective for the next twelve months with a renewed sense of purpose and joy.

For a great article on harmonious office design, visit http://www.wshows.com/Design/Aug/augfs.htm.






















A September to Remember
By Winnie Shows

September invites us to move to the next level of our relationship with nature. The mornings are darker, the tides closer in, and the weather hints of changes to come. In September, the "back to school, back to work" month, we particularly notice the shift in seasons because our personal season changes as well. Psychologists report that September is the month when clients often say they're now ready to work on some important issue. Perhaps one of the most important ways to "work" on our relationship with nature is to become more aware of its rhythms and cycles.

September is the ninth month, and the number nine represents the end of a cycle. In the U.S., Labor Day marks the end of summer and a return to our normal routines. The month begins in Virgo (Analyze, discriminate and function efficiently) and ends in Libra (Cooperate with others to create beauty, balance, and harmony). I propose that if we notice and analyze our various cycles and rhythms, we can better cooperate with others to create more beauty, balance and harmony.

The ninth of the 12 Steps involves making amends after noticing our patterns. We live more effectively and powerfully when we participate consciously with the rhythms and patterns of life. How finely tuned is your awareness and cooperation with the myriad cycles in which you participate? Certainly, there are the obvious ones: Birth, childhood, adulthood, old age, death, and these can be even more finely granulated.

Can you describe your daily rhythm? My favorite day means getting up early and enjoying high energy for exercise, work and creativity until midday. The afternoon pace is more relaxed and still productive. Sometimes it includes a nap. Around 3:00 my I.Q. starts to slip, so I schedule less mental activities for the latter part of the day. I like to be in bed by 9:30.

Do you have a typical rhythm or pattern when you embark on a project? I love beginnings and endings and lose energy in the middle—similar to my birth experience. Have you noticed a similarity in your birth experience and your approach to life? This subtle connection can explain a number of your patterns and rhythms.

What's your weekly rhythm?

Does it match up with the symbolism of each day of the week (http://www.wshows.com/Design/Jul/julyexercises.htm)? I start out with a bang on Monday and ease up by Friday. If I have plans for Friday night I'm more productive than if the workweek meanders to a halt. I work a bit on whatever I like on Saturday, while making personal stuff a priority. Sunday is wide open. Do you have a monthly rhythm? Some people start out setting goals, do a mid-month check in and evaluation at the end. Certainly, many women— and their significant others(!)—can track the lunar cycles with their bodies, and even if you're not a woman of childbearing age, you can catch these subtle waves. In addition, the moon moves through all 12 astrological signs every 28 ½ days—that's 2 ½ days in each sign—so there are multiple rhythms operating in and on us.

Your meditation on nature this month might involve getting outdoors. I'm hoping to go tubing on the North Platte River this weekend and want to get in one more camping trip before the weather changes. But it already has—Colorado Springs has felt like autumn for the past two weeks, and Wyoming, where I recently moved*, offsets its warm summer afternoons with decidedly chilly mornings and gorgeous autumnal sunsets.

Nature doesn't let us ignore her cycles of life and death. The unusual weather across the U.S. offers up a huge metaphor about lives being upended, struggling for survival and beginning again. How do you conduct yourself when the winds of change blow through your world in ways you never expected? Watch the weather this month and watch your life. They are both wanting to speak to you. Spend a little time in nature soon and make this a September to remember.

*On a personal note, I was married this week to Everett Akam in Casper, Wyoming. We will celebrate with our families during the holidays and will spend summers in Colorado Springs.






















Loss, Grief and Letting Go
By Winnie Shows

October is the natural time of year to reflect on loss and grief. We have an abundance of outward cues: days grow shorter, trees begin to lose their leaves, and the world seems to cooperate as well, with headlines that call forth our tears.

Some of us don’t need any help remembering our losses because they are fresh. But we can all notice the more subtle losses that occur all the time. Each day we grow older and our bodies change. Our children are constantly becoming new people, leaving behind the ones we knew and loved. Many of us have lost a sense of personal and financial security during the past several years. Whatever the situation, we use this month to accept the losses in our lives and to learn to grieve with increasing levels of grace. The holidays near the end of the month reinforce this theme, just in case we missed it: Halloween, All Souls’ Day, All Saints Day, El Dia de Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead in Hispanic countries). It’s the natural time of year to exhale and let go. It might even be the moment to let go of the grief.

This is the tenth month, and the number ten represents new beginnings and a higher frequency of understanding. Every loss brings this opportunity. We begin in the sign of Libra, representing cooperation with others to create beauty, balance, and harmony, and then end in Scorpio, which is all about deep involvements and intense transformation. What an appropriate description for the psychology of loss: we’re thrown off balance and forced to explore inner territory, whether we want to or not.

The pain of loss derives in part from an interruption in pattern. We don’t like things to change. The person or thing that was part of our everyday life is now gone and this has broken the pattern we have come to know and love. Make a list of ten losses you’re experiencing. You may be surprised at how easily you identify so many. Now set the intention of interrupting your own pattern of grieving and holding on. The outrageous move this month is to befriend loss and even welcome it in. That may feel like quite a stretch. If you want to expand even more in the art of grief and letting go, pretend that you asked for your most recent loss. Yes, asked. If you want to be even more outrageous, live in the question, How could this be one of the best things that ever happened to me?

Do what you can. Above all, don’t fight the grief. Surrender gracefully when it taps you on the shoulder or delivers a punch to the gut that knocks you to the ground. Be in it fully. And then let it pass, if only for a few moments. Laurence Hillman can help with his wonderful “electronic altar” to loss, grief and the dark side at http://www.lhillman.com/PlanetarySupplements/Pluto/PlutoTexts.htm. He features art, poetry and even a list of movies that celebrate the transformational Pluto life-and-death energy. I especially like the song, “Let Me Fall,” from Cirque D’ Soleil. You might want to go and play it right now and sing along. This time of year clears the way for greater things. Be in it as fully as you can.





















Expanding Your Spirit
By Winnie Shows

Our meditation on loss and grief in October sets the stage to expand our spiritual practice this month. Spirit fills the hole that grief has excavated in us. We begin November in the sign of Scorpio (deep involvements and intense transformation) and end the month in Sagittarius (explore and expand the horizons of my mind and world). This is the eleventh month, and the number eleven represents the power to creatively express the dynamic balance of self. It is also the higher expression of two, which represents the masculine and feminine, of doing and being. Our spiritual life is all about the balance of doing and being.

I fully expect that my concept of God or my spiritual experience will move to another level each year, as long as I don’t get too fixed or attached to what that should look or feel like. For the last couple of years, my guidance while meditating on this at my seminars* has been to just live life. That’s been a pretty straightforward assignment. This year’s leap has been all about the power I have to create my own reality in the context of having cancer. In a way, the diagnosis felt like a huge joke from the universe that contradicted everything I’d perceived and believed. Many old ideas and ways of doing things died. It’s hard to explain what happened inside, but I found my way along a lonely path back into life in a way that that ultimately made sense of this experience and enhanced my life and many others’. It’s been a great experience. Who knows in what form your spiritual surprise will appear? Expect and invite an expansion in this realm of life, and you will have one. (It’s also fine to ask for one that’s not gigantic and dramatic.)

Look around for reminders of the spiritual side of life. The leaves continue to fall, a visual about letting go of the old. The weather cooperates, too, becoming dark and spooky at times. One of the biggest U.S. holidays of the year—Thanksgiving—occurs this month, reminding us of the spiritual practice of gratitude. Many spiritual leaders say that if you practice gratitude it literally raises your vibration and attracts other higher vibration people and experiences. This month honors All Saints Day and All Souls Day. The U.S. enjoys Halloween, Mexico celebrates Dia de los Muertos, and nature-based religions honor Samhein. These holidays of the dead honor the time in the year when the veil that separates the spirit world is thinnest and we have the opportunity to both honor our ancestors and invite their guidance.

As a culture and as a world, it seems as if we have an exceptional opportunity now to expand our spiritual life. Here are three ideas about how to do this:

* LET GO OF YOUR PRESENT IDEAS ABOUT AND EXPERIENCE OF GOD/SOURCE/HIGHER POWER. If you feel attached to your present experience, there’s no room for expansion. A fixed idea cannot evolve. I’ve heard that most people’s concept of God reflects their relationship with their own father. Could that be true for you? You may have a lifelong concept of God/Source/Higher Power, so the idea of letting go of it may leave you feeling somewhat untethered. Or perhaps you haven’t developed a spiritual life and don’t know where to start. Read The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck or wander around in a bookstore in the religion and personal growth sections until something calls you. Or go see the movie What the Bleep. Perhaps you’ve followed the same religious rituals all your life. Or maybe you have changed and grown in this area and have been happily following a particular blend of practices for some time. Be open to experiencing something new and wonderful. In any case, simply feel the willingness for this area of your life to expand, and then watch what happens during the next few weeks.

* BREATHE. The breath symbolizes the flow of life and is a prayer in itself. It guides us into meditation and in and out of the world. Learn deep belly breathing and how to fill the upper chest. Experience the value of fully exhaling. Consider a seminar about breathing or a weekly yoga class. When in doubt, breathe.

* ACCEPT AND LOVE WHAT IS. One of the gateways to expansion and a sure formula for happiness is to willingly embrace everything that’s happening in your life, while surrendering to the mystery of it all. I highly recommend Loving What Is by Byron Katie http://www.thework.org. Her simple but powerful methodology can transform your biggest problem in minutes and add a level of flow you may not have experienced before.

* MAINTAIN YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR. Laughter and lightness access the soul and the energy of life itself. Don’t take anything or anyone too seriously.

* EXPAND BY GETTING SIMPLER. Over the course of my life, my experience of prayer has morphed from memorized stanzas I didn’t understand, to free-form entreaties, to silent meditation, to simply breathing. I agree with Neale Donald Walsch that every thought is a prayer and that’s led me to realize that every single thing I do is a form of prayer. So my spiritual practice has become living every day life—so much simpler than the routines and rituals I used to follow. Is there some way you might simplify your practice this month?

* LET GO. If you were only allowed to use two words for your prayer, these would be the ones. Pray them often. I was once upset and in tears over some drama in my life, when I happened to see a friend on the street where I was driving. I stopped, he walked over, and without knowing any of the particulars of what was happening with me, he looked into my eyes and said, “Let go.” It was the answer I needed that day. It is always the answer. Let go of controlling others and outcomes. Let go of your agendas. Let go.

* BE WILLING TO BECOME BIG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THIS EXPANSION. As my life has gotten bigger, my spiritual edge is now enlarging my capacity and becoming big enough personally to hold and sustain all the bigger and better things that are appearing. Some of the ways I do that are breathing deeply, creating quiet, contemplative time, and constantly appreciating and giving thanks for everything in my life—even seemingly unfortunate events. I also have to remind myself from time to time that it’s okay for life to feel this great. What’s your edge? What will it take to be bigger?

Fully expect to be surprised and delighted with your spiritual expansion this year. Ask for it. Take a deep breath and enjoy and notice what you do in the next moment, the next time you answer the phone, send an email, greet your child or enjoy a meal. It’s all spiritual practice. And it’s available in increasingly bigger forms for as long as you are willing to invite it in.






















Catching the Wave
By Winnie Shows

When we catch a creative wave, the paint jumps onto the canvas in ways it never has before, and words arrange themselves into paragraphs and stanzas of breathtaking delight. When we catch a cleaning wave, dishes fly into the cupboards and dust balls obediently cluster together in front of the broom. When we catch any sort of wave, we ride the energy of what wants to happen more easily and more advantageously.

December, more than any month, is a time of converging waves. How many of these can you catch?

Wave #1: The Power of Twelve

December is the twelfth month, and the number twelve represents expansion. Another way to look at this is the culmination of a natural cycle for growth and development, as in the twelve months, twelve disciples, twelve steps and twelve signs of the zodiac. The planet Jupiter–largest in our solar system and whose cycle around the sun takes twelve years—is highly visible now and also represents expansion into the next level of life. What were you doing twelve years ago? Whatever was “up” for you or beginning then is ready for the next level of growth. Spend a moment wondering about this.

Wave #2: Acceleration and Intensity

Time seems to speed ahead faster and faster, and the month of December moves fastest of all. Realize that and take care of important things immediately, as soon as you think of them. Write down your to do’s and review them at least once a day. Priorities are constantly shifting and changing, so take a breath and realign yours whenever you’re feeling off balance. Clear the decks (in box, emails, car, rooms) once a week. People are moving quickly and can seem intense and short-tempered. Bring as much peace and space as you can into stores and on the highways. And don’t forget that time is an illusion. Now, more than ever, is the moment to practice playing with time and space. When it appears that there simply isn’t enough time or energy or money for something, create some space in your perspective for the possibility that what you want is still possible. Decide/affirm that you can easily create what you want and watch what unfolds. Above all, have fun! Enjoy this wild videogame we call life.

Wave #3: Review and Reflection

We begin the month in Sagittarius, which represents the part of ourselves that wants to explore and expand the horizons of our mind and world, then slide into Capricorn, which represents structure, organization and social accomplishment, as we move forward once again, only this time faster. It’s a natural time to review the past year and to begin to think about the next one. Catch this wave by doing a brief year-end review of the key areas of life right now. If you can set aside an hour or two for this, that’s great, but many of us don’t feel as if we have that much extra time. Break this into small steps. Consider one each day. You could turn off the radio as you commute to work or think about this as you go to sleep. Even a little attention to each of these steps will reap big rewards.

First make a list of your key accomplishments this year, thinking about what it took for these to come into reality.

Next, list the goals didn’t achieve. What didn’t happen? This may provide the impetus to make these a priority in 2006.

Consider each of these areas of life as you create your lists:

* Significant relationship
* Family
* Community
* Career
* Money
* Health
* Personal growth
* Hobbies
* Learning
* Nature
* Loss
* Spirituality

Finally, recap for yourself the best advice you received and key lessons learned this year. I keep a place on my computer to capture these all though the year. Four favorites from ‘05:

* Every situation can be interpreted in at least three ways.
* Dying is not the worst thing.
* When in doubt, create a new possibility.
* If I can breathe slowly and be totally present when I am completely challenged and not sure what to do next, a path will magically present itself.

Wave #4: Stirring Deep Emotional Waters

The natural expansion and acceleration this time of year, coupled with the darkening days, can feel like loss and grief. As Picasso said, “Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.” Sometimes our life review and the holidays themselves activate painful child and family archetypes and sadness about the life we wanted but didn’t have. Winter itself invites dark nights of the soul for many people. Catch these waves by honoring these feelings when they emerge and know this is part of a natural cycle of the year. Think of these as issues that are up for healing and use this energy to motivate you to make needed changes in your life.

One Christmas, just days before flying to California to see a granddaughter, I was told I could not see her. The shock and grief were astounding. Ultimately, though, I realized that I needed to let go of the perspectives that were fueling the pain. I stepped away from being a victim in the situation, and as a result became more emotionally expansive. It’s hard to explain in words, but a fundamental shift occurred in who I was that has served me ever since. It also dramatically reduced the suffering in my life. So, the way may be dark and scary, but it’s what wants to happen next. Have courage and keep going. The darkness is temporary.

Wave #5: The Return of the Light

Around December 21, the days begin to grow longer and psychically our energy shifts from one of descent to one of increasing possibility. Very often we’re so busy with holiday shopping and entertaining that we don’t notice this shift. People who become depressed during the last few months of the year often report that they feel better in January, once the holidays are over, but in fact the change begins nine days earlier. Stay alert and notice if you can feel this shift.

Wave #6: Gratitude, Sharing, Celebration

It’s no accident that those red Salvation Army buckets blossom outside of stores and fundraising appeals for various charities begin to fill our mailboxes this time of year. Enjoy this natural wave by saying thank you and contributing to the people and institutions that feed your soul. If you find yourself getting grumpy addressing all those holiday cards, stop. Come back to it when you’re back in the wave of holiday spirit. And if that’s not until next year, that’s fine. Give no gifts out of a sense of obligation. If you feel you absolutely must give a gift to someone you don’t appreciate, take a moment to find and feel at least one reason to appreciate them first and imagine sending those feelings along with the gift. It will make a difference for everyone.

Which other waves might you catch this month and always? When I catch the newsletter wave, I seem to produce my most powerful articles. When I act on an impulse to call someone, it’s generally the best moment. When I listen to my hunches that contradict “what I know,” I’m never sorry. Sometimes the waves are subtle currents; sometimes, they’re tidal.

You can also catch waves through time and space, sending love and encouragement to the person you used to be and asking for guidance from the person you will become. I’ll close with a holiday gift to you of one of my favorite poems from my book, Hairball and Other Poems of Transformation. You’re welcome to share it with attribution and the title of the book. Watch for the next wave and enjoy the ride into 2007!


Kaleidoscope
by Winnie Shows

In a desperate moment,
The me I was
prayed to whoever would hear,
and the me I would be
reached back in love
took my hand
and led me to be
the me I would be.

In a desperate moment,
The me I would be
prayed to the me I am,
reaching for me,
knowing I would help.

In a desperate moment,
The me I am smiles toward
the me I will be.

And she smiles back at all of us.

Watch for the upcoming announcement of my second book, Design the Life of Your Dreams: Using the Unique Energy of Each Month to Expand the Twelve Key Areas of Your Life.





















Staying Awake and Alive in Wild 2005
By Winnie Shows

Hang on to your hats and buckle up. It appears we have all embarked upon quite a year, and preparation will be key. 2005 is a "7" year, which represents beginnings and endings, cyclical periods for growth and development, death and rebirth. In Chinese astrology, February 9 marks the beginning of the Year of the Rooster, described by one astrologer this way: Pressure and tension will force change and move the world to a new level. Unresolved conflicts that started in 2004 and will continue for some time to come. Some major wake-up calls and destruction of old systems that are not working. Expect major upheavals, new inventions and entirely new directions.

Yikes and woo hoo! By investing some focused time right now, you can set the stage for the most positive and graceful experience during the next twelve months. January, the month of new beginnings, naturally invites us to set our intention and theme. This year, since it appears we'll be moving into new depths and dimensions, add a new dimension to your intention or theme.

In my November 30 workshop, the theme that emerged for me this year was Everyday Alchemy. I've been playing and more consciously in the quantum field and tapping its magic, and the moment I set this theme, even greater magic began. On December 5, I learned that my 12-year-old granddaughter Grace was coming to live with me (an event I had thought would happen in June). Within the same hour, I received an email from my 18-year-old granddaughter Jessica, who's been out in the world on her own most of the past three years, saying she'd like to come visit. Long story short, she has also decided to move to Colorado Springs! I'm still pretty dazzled and dazed by this fast magic and definitely loving my theme. When I haven't known what to do next in this wonderful and sometimes challenging household rearrangement, I remember, Everyday alchemy and breathe. This seems to be working! Experiment with your theme this year. Make it powerful and mutable and something that will serve you during these intense times.

As you plan your year, remember that we are in winter, the time when plants and animals go inside to gather strength for the next stage of growth, and even if it doesn't look like winter your part of the country, you are encouraged to do the same. We begin the month in Capricorn, which represents structure, organization and social accomplishment. What will you structure and how will you organize it this year, so that you can accomplish your goals? What sort of support system will you put into place? Who will help you? You might want to treat yourself to my Design the Year of Your Dreams seminar or teleseminar during January or to purchase the tape (see information at the end of this newsletter).

This month ends in Aquarius, which represents innovation, originality, and social change, which appears to be magnified in 2005. What changes do you want in yourself and your life? Think big!

One powerful ritual during January is to set an outrageous intention. While yearly themes and goals should be posted in some visible place, intentions only need to be visited occasionally, if at all. My intention for last year was "financial freedom." I had a certain picture of how this would look that involved income and net worth. Instead, I found it after becoming ill and not working for two months and discovering another way to view my work and my resources. It was quite remarkable and quite different from what I'd imagined at the start of the year. This year, my theme so far is Being fully supported in giving my gifts to the world.

Another way to shape your vision for the year is to identify the unfulfilled goals from 2004 that might become a priority in 2005. My leftover 2002 goal of taking a watercolor class opened a whole new world for me in 2003 and expanded even more in 2004. I've now completed more than 30 paintings and have an opportunity for my first exhibit during the first half of this year. You might want to make a list of "what didn't happen" last year to springboard you into the amazing results of this year.

Whatever your theme, your intention or goals, here's to a year of expansion, possibility, and joy for all of us!





















Finding the Love of Your Life
By Winnie Shows

February is the month of love. It begins in Aquarius, the outer visionary sign (which might remind us of the idealism many of us have carried into our relationships with significant others) and ends in Pisces, the twelfth (culmination) sign of the zodiac, which represents social change resulting from inner change. Our inner change can change our relationships and the world itself. Named after Februa, an ancient purification feast, February is the month to purify and purge any attitudes or beliefs about intimacy that limit our experience of love and our ability to bring more of it into the world.

February is the second month, and the number two represents balance and partnership. We can’t do life in the best and highest way without love and without partnering with ourselves. In the twelve-step system, the second step states, “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.” Many spiritual philosophies believe that the term God or higher power or life force or universe is synonymous with love. So, love restores us to sanity. Especially love for ourselves.

Many people seek fulfillment or fill in their missing pieces through another person, but being human, other people eventually let us down. Rather than limit the idea of partnership to a spouse or significant other, you are invited to affiliate (along with your partner) with something much greater.

I propose that this greater thing is the love for our selves and the commitment to fully expressing our individual gifts in the world. If we haven’t made a whole-hearted commitment to ourselves, how can we expect anyone else to?

When you find the love of your life—when you discover your passion and purpose and fulfill it in the world—you bring a whole person into your partnership. Relationship gurus Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks suggest that if you’re having a problem with your relationship, you haven’t been spending enough time in your art form. In our culturally-sanctioned laser focus on our current partner or finding the perfect partner, many of us haven’t spent a moment even figuring out what our art form is. Instead, we direct our talents and energy into finding and keeping the perfect man or trophy wife.

This is the month to redirect your arrows of love.

How might you rephrase your commitment to love? You can begin by committing to your own full flowering in the world, whether you are with a partner or on your own, whether your partner is fulfilling the commitment on a given day, or not. This commitment to a higher purpose is somewhat different from survival, security or status–the key reasons we’ve coupled in the past. This orientation adds new vitality and juice to existing relationships and lays a far more reliable foundation for new ones. It also helps each partner make the space for the other to flower in what might seem to be quite a different way. Partnering to fulfill a higher purpose, rather than filling the holes in ourselves, enables us to love BIG.

Another term for this is “partnering with grace.” In our most intimate relationship, there’s a third party–the higher commitment of the relationship–that exerts an influence stronger than either individual. When they’re in conflict, a couple can find a way through by remembering their bigger commitment. They can also literally hand over the conflict to grace.

Let go of all beliefs about marriage and partnership and hold on for the ride of your life! The most powerful aphrodisiac is the brain, and if we can coax our brains into focusing on the ever-expanding adventure of growth and possibility instead of survival on some level, the potential for rich relationship is endless.

Celebrate love this month and experiment with expanding this experience for yourself by partnering with your higher purpose. As a Valentine’s gift to you, I want to introduce you to the book, How One of Your Can Bring the Two of You Together by Susan Page. I am also enclosing the wonderful article by Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks, called “The Real Rules.” If you enjoy it, you may want to subscribe to their online newsletter or participate in their “Attracting Genuine Love” online course. www.hendricks.com Here’s to an era of love and expansion and enormous gratitude for being part of it.























Becoming a Living Work of Art
By Winnie Shows

To Change Your Life, Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions. – William James

March is the time to think of ourselves as a living work of art. March, the third month, is named after the god Mars, the action god, and the number three represents body-mind-spirit (which, incidentally, shows up in the triangle of the YMCA logo). We begin the month in the dreamy sign of Pisces, which represents the part of us that wants to commit to a dream or ideal. What’s your dream or ideal of beauty, health and fitness? By the end of the month, we’ve moved into dynamic Aries, the fittest sign, which bursts forth and represents independence and self-awareness.

What’s the single best thing you can do for your body this year? What’s the single most powerful thing you can do for your spirit? How can you best bring more beauty, health and fitness into your world? How can you experience more aliveness? Here are some ideas:

1. Begin to think of yourself and your life as a work of art: Each of us is a unique original and everyone wants a glimpse. How can you best express you? For many of us it means loving and accepting everything about ourselves. For some it means living in possibility instead of focusing on our limits. For others it means giving ourselves permission to imagine that we actually could be a work of art. For all of us, it means fully expressing the divine one-of-a-kind we are.

2. Spend quiet time alone daily: Guidance about your unique expression is easier to hear when you take time apart. In addition, the greater level of body serenity that comes from meditative time makes life work better. Ultimately this shows in the radiance in your eyes, the glimmer in your smile, the glow of your skin, and in the amazing way you move through the world.

3. Befriend your body: Commit to work it, stretch it, strengthen it, rest it regularly. Listen to what it does and doesn’t want to hear, see, smell, feel and taste. Ask it what it wants. Consider it a friend and partner in this life. You'll be glad you did. If you’re over 50, consider making weights the core of your workout program and be sure to add some yoga, since flexibility is one of the things we lose first as we age.

4. Wear more color: We’ve all been wearing a lot of black the past seven years. Some of us surround ourselves with neutrals. Break out and add some color. You’ll feel and look more vibrant.

5. Respect your personal rhythms: Morning or night person? Introvert or extravert? Entrepreneur or employee? Three-meals a day or grazer? Determine which modes serve you and relax into them, accept them, embrace them and don't apologize when they're not the same as those of others in your life. Find a way to meet in the middle.

6. Find your personal style: Wear the colors, fabrics, lines and accessories that enhance your natural gifts. Hire a consultant if this doesn’t come naturally. Wear jewelry that has special meaning to you. If this all seems like way too much, do just one thing and see how you like it.

7. Lighten up: Clear from your life all people, places, things, foods, substances, attitudes and beliefs that divert your energy or impede your true expression. Empty your drawers. Take out the trash. Consider Detox Tea, herbal cleanses and colon therapy as practical rituals that support this change.

8. Find your passion: Nothing expresses like the power of passion and purpose. Do you have a personal vision statement? Goals for this year? If something isn’t working in your work life, commit to taking even a small step today and move towards more alignment with what your body, mind and spirit truly want.

9. Breathe: Practice belly breathing and when in doubt, use it! Breathe into your challenges. Breathe into accepting what is. Breathe into today. When in doubt, breathe.

10. Laugh regularly: Spend regular time with people and animals who help you smile and laugh. Take an improv class or tango lessons. Plug in something like this every week.

11. Love What Is: Remain unattached as to how things should be in or on your body, mind and spirit and enjoy the ever-unfolding work of art you are.

Here’s to the full expression of body, mind and spirit in all the ways you are.





















Pay Attention to Your Money, Honey
By Winnie Shows

There's a popular saying: That which we attend to, expands.

So let's attend (from Latin attendere, literally, to stretch to) to our money this month. The IRS will help us get organized and get conscious and all the publicity about the Social Security System and will provide any needed motivation. We thank them both deeply. That's a key part of paying attention: accurately seeing what is, right now. April begins in Aries, the rocket-fueled first sign of the zodiac, which represents independence and self-awareness. The month ends in Taurus, resourceful, productive and stable part of ourselves. We first must become aware of our true financial status and our relationship with abundance before we can put systems in place to expand. This is the moment to give our money some focused love and attention.

So what does your money want right now? Stop.