"If you don't know where you are, you don't know who you are." Wendell Berry
Hello,
Unexpected. That seems to be the word that wraps up 2020. Each time things shifted, it was always followed with unexpected deep lessons to learn. For almost everyone, it's been a time of re-evaluation -- both of who and where we are.
Back in March, when people were asked to "shelter in place," I heard so many people struggling with feeling grounded or stuck someplace. And that's how my "Grounded in Place" challenge came to be. I wanted to give people practices and tools they could use to feel more connected to wherever they were. In the opening video lesson I explained, "When you gain a sense of place, you're never going to feel alone, because you're always going to be with it." And by "it" I meant place. You're going to have an ongoing relationship that grows and evolves.
This connection rang true again this week when I offered an expanded version as a professional development program hosted by the National Association for Interpretation called "Grounded in Place Pro." Interpreters and educators from all over to the world gathered and were surprised by the connections they made to places right where they live. Before starting, some said they felt disconnected and adrift regarding their sense of place, and by the end, they said they felt joyful, creative, centered and ignited. The program sold out in a few days, and I'm offering it again next month. Join us here!
Today, I'm going to share a few paths to peace that I hope can help you as you move through this time of year. One I want to highlight is a wonderful blog written by Christina Campbell called the "The Healthy Knitter." Each December she writes about peace, and this year, after participating in my Sense of Place Writing Class, she decided her theme would be "Peace in Place." She entered class with the question, "How can you feel connected to a place you don't love and don't feel like you belong?" Her blog spotlights her answers, and today it features a short interview with me. You can read it here.
Stay well,
Erica
5 Paths to Peace
1. Free gift: download this winter song. (A gift from me.) Grab a hot drink, curl up & listen. https://senseofplaceconsulting.com/cdstore/song-for-a-winter-night
2. Read this Blog. Christina writes about peace, knitting, nature and wellness. Just to glance at her blog is to experience peace! Her interview post with me is on December 19th. http://www.thehealthyknitter.com/
3. This weekend listen to/watch The Paul Winter Solstice Concert. Listening to this on Solstice Eve is one of our favorite things to do in all the world. This year they're doing a video performance. Cozy up and take a sacred journey. https://solsticeconcert.com/winter-solstice/ Or get the CD. Listen to track #24. (The Rain is Gone and Over) One of the best songs...ever. You need this song right now.
4. Do this journal prompt: What happened that was unexpected this year? Start with "I didn't expect ..." Be sure to list the joys as well as the sorrow.
5. Come to my next monthly virtual campfire on Sunday, December 27th. Feel nourished by the company, comfort and ease -- plus the great stories that are discovered and shared. Free. Register with link.