My recent experiences (with being released from work, and dreams which pointed me to my new kitten companion) remind me of a client I knew who had an amazing dream that changed her life: “I was riding around town in my father’s car.” Doesn’t seem like much, but I asked her what kind of car it was: “A Chevie Impala.” Knowing that an impala was an animal, I encouraged her to look it up in an encyclopedia: “An animal able to leap great distances to avoid danger, but only if it can see where it is going to land.” This was, basically, her father’s motto: “Never quit one job until you have a new one lined up.” She had been driving around in this car, this motto, even though her current job was sapping her energy, her strength, her joy for life. As soon as she read about impalas in the encyclopedia, she went and resigned, and within a couple of weeks she had her dream job. May we all be so blessed!

Most rainbows look like they are coming to earth far away. A few years ago I saw one in Spring Green, WI, that seemed to be landing just behind the hill right in front of me. Last week (1/11/12) I saw a double rainbow in downtown Asheville; the inner, brightest one looked like it was coming down to earth just yards from me, as though I could step right into it. I feel like, since being “released” from my job, I have stepped into the labyrinth of joy which is leading me directly into that rainbow. I am aware of increased energy, and others are commenting on it: “You’re more animated,” “You seem happier,” “There’s something different about you—definitely in a good way.” I don’t know what’s next; only what is NOW, and NOW is pretty wonderful.

I’ve been taking Trip outside on a leash (he’s too small and impulsive to let him go alone), and he acts like a Jack Russell terrier—leaping and straining against the leash, and pulling me along to a path in the underbrush where I have seen rabbits run. A far cry from the meditative walk I used to take in the labyrinth with other cats, primarily Willow. (See picture.) But I absolutely love Trip’s enthusiasm and energy, and use it as a reminder to engage that energy in myself whenever possible.

What promises to be “The Labyrinthine Trip of 2012″ actually began somewhere around Thanksgiving of 2011, when Clive, the cat, disappeared, leaving a huge space in my life. Another huge space was created when, on December 26th, I was released from my part-time job at a fabric store. Although I had thought I needed that job (for its salary, and its employee discounts, which fed that part of my life where I’m a fiber artist), in the moments immediately following my release, and ever since, I have felt quite ecstatic and grateful. I immediately took some time to rest and relax, and then think about how I wanted to fill that space which had been created. I’m still working on that, and will be using this blog to write about how this part of my journey develops. The next major development came on New Year’s Eve day, when two friends, separately, emailed me about discounted adoptions at the local humane society. I discovered I had only 2 hours left to take advantage of this and, although I thought that after nearly 2 full days most, if not all, of the cats would already be adopted, I took a shower and drove over. I began by looking for Clive look-alikes, and there were a couple, but both were too stressed out to be able to take them out of their cages. It wasn’t until my 3rd time through that I finally became aware of a 4 month old black male (my favorite type of cat) who was the spitting image of a former cat companion at that age. And his name was Trip! How could I not take him home with me, where he has brought in an energy I haven’t experienced in over 20 years—the kind of playful enthusiasm usually only exhibited by the youthful members of any species. He purrs incessantly, plays constantly, and brings one of his toys over to me when he wants interactive play. To put it succinctly, he is a trip, and I expect I am in for quite a ride this year, with Trip as one of my guides.

I hope 2011 came to a good end, and that you are now welcoming the New Year and new growth.  Bonnie and I are gearing up for a great new year by setting some intentions for ourselves!  One is to ignite “couples” to avail themselves of the opportunities the Transformation Game has to offer.  Our focus is to encourage the idea of “tending” relationships with self & others.  Relationships can be of all kinds: mother/father & daughter/son, self & partner, self & parents, self and boss, self and the past……   We are always in relationship!

Our Game schedule will offer players some new days of the week to play.  And of course, we are still doing G.O.D.- Games on Demand!

Another intention we have set is to facilitate a minimum of 10 games this year. We’re hoping you will help us get the word out.

Wishing you all a very good year,

Laurel

Currently scheduled game dates:

Jan. 28th  12:00-5:30pm

Feb. 11th  1:00- 6:30pm

Feb. 20th  1:00-6:30 pm

Feb. 26th  1:00-6:30pm

I hope 2011 came to a good end, and that you are now welcoming the New Year and new growth.  Bonnie and I are gearing up for a great new year by setting some intentions for ourselves!  One is to ignite “couples” to avail themselves of the opportunities the Transformation Game has to offer.  Our focus is to encourage the idea of “tending” relationships with self & others.  Relationships can be of all kinds: mother/father & daughter/son, self & partner, self & parents, self and boss, self and the past……   We are always in relationship!

Our Game schedule will offer players some new days of the week to play.  And of course, we are still doing G.O.D.- Games on Demand!

Another intention we have set is to facilitate a minimum of 10 games this year. We’re hoping you will help us get the word out.

Wishing you all a very good year,
Laurel

Scheduled Game dates for 2012 (so far) are:
Jan. 28th  12:00-5:30pm
Feb. 11th  1:00- 6:30pm
Feb. 20th  1:00-6:30 pm
Feb. 26th  1:00-6:30pm

The labyrinth is not only my favorite tool for meditation, but it is a basic metaphor for all of the work I do—as a coach, fiber artist, and writer. The labyrinth brings us in to our center where we find our light, wisdom, joy, and the leads us back out again. Whether you walk it, trace it with your finger or eyes, or simply lay one across you, the energy of this ancient pattern is palpable. Let it help you live your life from the inside out.
Follow_The_Light_clip (Find more of Daniel Barber’s music at: http://www.danielbmusic.com/)

The holidays are fast approaching, and I have just the thing to help make those days, and your life, more fun and meaningful—a Transformation Game. Either participate in the next scheduled game on December 5th (4-9:30pm; $100 covers the game and a delicious meal), or schedule one of your own with some like-minded friends. Call 828-215-7424 to register.

This is an Insight Card message from the Transformation Game, a card which I draw fairly regularly. Sometimes it is a reminder of what I need to do; sometimes it is a pat on the back for how I’m living my life in that moment. When I drew it this past Sunday, as Bonnie Cooper and I were offering Earth Fare goers a taste of the Transformation Game, the card had multiple meanings. When we were finished with the Game and checking out with some food, we witnessed a cashier who was living this message in the moment, and his energy was exhilarating and contagious; both Bonnie and I wanted to dance right there. The next day, something happened (with my car) which I initially allowed to depress my energy, until I remembered the night before, and the message: You laugh a lot, dancing along your merry way. The rest of the day I attempted to stay true to that message and, the next day, the problem with the car was easily (and cheaply) resolved.

A friend has asked me to make him a quilt, adding, “I am surrounding myself only with things I love, that make me laugh, or remind me of friends.” What a wonderful way to live your life. Obviously there are things that are practical or even necessary, but my friend’s list is a helpful addition for anything beyond practicality. But even practicality can mix with other values. . .as when another friend said to me, “If it doesn’t feel like pajamas, I’m not wearing it.” There, comfort was the issue, and my friend loves comfort. I like a house which is neat and clean, but more than that I love doing what I love to do—which, more often than not these days, is sewing and making beautiful things to look at or which carry loving, supportive energy.