Sunday, May 17, 2009

What's New ... Writing From the Heart

Hi Everyone,

It seems that I'm unable to write more frequently than every two months!

I did have my 3 hour workshop at Alderney Landing Library on April 18,2009. The 9 participants rated it Good, Very Good and Excellent. It was a fun experience for me and I hope it was for the participants, as well. We had a few moments of distraction when we watched the window cleaners outside our window (I have photos). I talked about what writing from the heart means, facts about the heart, what we can do to enhance our creativity, breathing exercises and questions for you to answer to help you identify your uniqueness. The content of the workshop may be on my website, in the near future, for a small fee.

A full day workshop will be arranged for September if enough of you are interested. I will have completed a program called The Heart Essence Method by Susan Castle which helps us remove blocks to acccessing our heart and living in our Heartspace. This workshop will include writing exercises with a critique from myself and class participants. Please contact me through www.jeanneripley.com (see my contact page) to let me know if this interests you.

Recently (May 14/09), I shared a presentation with approximately 20 people at a Spiritual Seekers meeting... www.spiritualseekers.com. It was a sharing of "Things That I Have Learned" on my path to Self-Awareness.

The topic was related to our deeper personal awareness that comes from exploring our past. When we find the courage to "go there", we learn more and more of who we really are and the self-care that is needed to move from our negative patterns into living consciously. It really is about the power of emotional healing.

Knowing who we are at our core leads us to uncover our natural talents, that can lead us to our purpose, and to developing a strong sense of our Self-Worth. Our self worth comes from a deep knowing of who we are and of our unique gifts that we can share with others.

Look for a substantial portion of this presentation on my website in the near future.

Did any of you attend the presentation of Deepak Chopra, in Halifax recently? He told us (among many things) that 35% of our unhappiness is due to our childhood programming. I have been, and still am, dedicated to removing that conditioning and to laughing more.

Smiles and hugs,
Jeanne

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Is Time Really Going Faster?

Everyone I talk to claims that time is moving faster than ever. I have heard it said that is true because the earth is rotating faster.

Well, I can't believe that it has been almost two months since my last post. I have been busy writing and tweaking my website ... preparing for 'branding'. In addition, it is tax time ... not my favorite thing.

Right now, I am preparing for my vacation. R&R, walking the beaches, exploring the Gulf Coast of Florida. This time is for visiting family and friends. Reconnecting is healthy and feels good. I have read in Lynne McTaggert's Living the Field that those who regularly connect with lots of other people live the longest.

Don't forget my workshop at Alderney Landing Library on April 18th,2009 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. It includes basic tips for writing, editing and using available resources. I will review new information about our heart and a breathing exercise that helps us listen to what our heart wants to tell us. Techniques & tips that enhance our creativity are included. I'm looking for plenty of interaction.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

What's Happening ...

It is the last day of January. I am planning a trip to Florida to visit family and friends ... can't wait to be warm again.

We have just had our book, Wings to Fly, accepted into Chapters in Dartmouth and Halifax, NS. It is now available in 35 bookstores or other outlets in Nova Scotia and 2 in BC.

There will be a signing and draw (for a framed print of Joanne Chilton's) on Feb.07th from 1-3 at Chapter's in Bayer's Lake and a signing plus a draw for a framed poem in Dartmouth TBA.

I am doing a brief writing workshop on April 18,2009 at Alderney Landing Library from 10:00am to 1:00 pm that will explore my focus for writing from your heart.

Look for the resceduled Author's night to be held at Mount St. Vincent University, hosted by Lorri Neilsen Glenn, author and Poet Laureate for Halifax, 2005-2009. The public is invited to meet authors of books that were published in 2008. I will be reading from Wings to Fly.

My new website will be available within the next few weeks ...come back soon. If you haven't read my articles, go to my bio and have a look. You may find some valuable information that you can relate to your life. In sharing what we learn and experience, we learn even more. Share any thoughts you have about my writing or just any questions you have. How do you handle stress? Write me at jeanne.ripley@jeanneripley.com

Last evening,during a family/friends discussion, I was told that "My Mom called me and said she was reading Wings to Fly and started to cry because she related to something you wrote."

It felt good to hear that.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Articles

Hello again,

I forgot to mention my articles.

It is my plan to be able to introduce one each month.

To find my article titled: Insights and Strategies for Writing from the Heart...go to www.jeanneripley.com
check out my links page and click articles.

Month by month

What was most exciting about your last month?

Mine was not in one event but in the diversity of events and the many friends & family that I shared time with. I spent time with extended family in a reunion, with several different friends traveling the province with our Wings to Fly book, my grandaughter's swimming meet. I was often tired but felt that I had accomplished a lot and I had fun.

I watched whales off Brier island and was totally fascinated ... especially, the baby whale...it actually played around our boat and swam under it. Much fun.

I still find time to watch Canadian Idol ... read my current book... Awe by Dr. Paul Pearsall, attend meetings and, of course,write.

It seems that many people who have read Wings to Fly are interested in the meaning behind the poems and also, the origin of the images. I am planning a workshop that will explore the "where did this come from?" question(s). It may take a few months but if any of you readers out there are interested, you can let me know by writing to me at jeanne.ripley@jeanneripley.com

In addition, if anyone is interested in monthly inspirational quotes and images let me know at the same address and give me your email address.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Relationships, love...

It's July 25th ... I hope that you are having your best summer ever!

I have been thinking about relationships with friends, family and partners ( or 'would be' partners). We think they should be simple but never seem to experience that.

It does seem that our expectations come from our previous relationships, our early family life and a myriad of other influences such as TV and film.

Love, love, love in all it's forms captivates us and we remain a willing captive. I have no answers, only expressions of related thoughts and feelings. Below is my experience of a loving friendship. If you 'relate' to any of it ...send me your comments.

Our Loving Friendship

It is only you who listens to my pain
who sees my souls nakedness and
does not turn away.

It is only you who stands in my rain
waits for the darkest places to show
the light of day.

It is only your love that sings my song
dances in my dreams
makes me believe that I am Queen.

Your faith holds me safe and strong
guides me as I take flight to places
I have never been.

Do you know that I stand for you?

Jeanne Ripley
copyright 2008

Monday, June 2, 2008

Country Yard Sales; Happening Spots

I had to see for myself! There was a dandelion festival in Wallace NS. The fields of dandelions were left untouched and they were beautiful. My friend and I debated the virtues and beauty of the dandelion. Any comments?

We had a great breakfast at the Tatamagouche Farmers Market. Flowers nesteled in a wreath, maple products...MMMmmm, handmade cards and lots more. The gift shop, coffee shop and accomodations in the old train was something I tucked in my memory bank for a fun weekend this summer.

Hannah's bookstore had 3 authors visit during the 45 minutes that I was there. Linda Little signed her book that I had purchased, Scotch River. They support the arts in a big way.

Back to Pugwash and the Chatterbox Cafe. The owners ,Norene and Greg are friendly and fun and the visitors have the pleasure of her paintings surrounding them along with the good company. You could spend hours at this cafe along with the Hidden Jewel gift shop that adjoins them. And it's not even tourist season, yet!