Munay-Ki Workshop: Be As Thou Art

The Munay-Ki are the nine great rites of initiation of the medicine way. The word munay means "I love you" or "be as thou art." The Munay-Ki are the nine gates that heal us and transform our human energy field into that of homo luminous.

The prophecies of the ancient Americas speak about a new human appearing on the planet - one who lives free of fear and resides in his or her transcendent nature. The nine Munay-Ki rites are the codes for the new human. They are delivered in the form of energetic transmissions.

Each rite initiates another level of transformation in your energy field, which continues to evolve as you nourish and grow the seeds of these rites. It is recommended that you take time after receiving each rite to be present with this transformational process, support integration of any shifts occurring in your energy and awareness, and come into deeper relationship with the gifts and blessings of the rite.

Participants are invited to align with their inner guidance to determine their personal tempo and timing for learning about and receiving each of these rites.

For more information about Munay-Ki, please visit the www.Munay-Ki.org

Foundation Rites
The first 4 rites of the Munay-Ki are foundational rites, which work together synergistically to heal and strengthen the foundations of your being.

Healer's Rite & the Bands of Power
Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 10am
Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 10am

Harmony Rite & the Seer's Rite
Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 4pm (at Mount Shasta)

Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 10am

Lineage Rites
The 3 Lineage rites align you with lineages of Spirit beings, who step up to support your Luminous Becoming and call you to join them in service to the luminous evolution of humanity.

Daykeeper Rite, Wisdomkeeper Rite, Earthkeeper Rite
Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 10am

Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 10am

Pachakuti Rites
The year 2012 is a threshold of this new era in human consciousness which will be unfolding for the next 10,000 years. This time of great transformation is called a pachakuti. The ancient prophecies of the Americas teach that we are entering into a new stage of human evolution, which will allow us to fully manifest our transcendent nature. The two Pachakuti rites help you to align with this process of Luminous Becoming.

Starkeeper Rite, Creator Rite
Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 10am

Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 10am

Cost: $225 per person

($100 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot)

Location: Outdoors / Maria’s Home
(Address provided when you register)

During the 4 sessions, you will:
• Receive the 9 Rites of Munay-Ki
• Learn how to open Sacred Space
• Receive energetic protection
• Receive intuitive guidance
• Be gifted a pi stone
• Participate in fire ceremony
• Connect with Spirit
• Open your heart
• Receive deep healing
• Align with your Authentic Self

Words cannot fully describe how powerful these energetic transmissions can be for your life. Bringing these enlightenment vibrations into your being can accelerate your own spiritual path and connect you with support you never knew you had. Whether you feel more meaning in life, more support around you, an increased connection with Spirit, or even specific messages with each of the rites, there is no doubt these rites can provide insight into your life. Individuals who receive the Munay-Ki rites sometime experience how problems magically get resolved in their lives, without having to do anything at all! Though the focus is on the internal healing journey, bringing in the Munay-Ki vibrations can change what is happening around you as well.
The Munay-Ki will assist you in the way that you are ready for, so if you are drawn to participate in receiving the Munay-Ki, set your intent to be open for miracles!

NOTE: This training prepares and empowers you to set up and run your own Munay-Ki training. You don’t need to know anything about the way of the shaman to do this course. You need no special skills - just the desire to make a difference, and the willingness to play with idea that you can!

A Message From Dr. Masaru Emoto

Dear Friends,

Below is a message from renowned Japanese scientist, Dr. Masaru Emoto, who brought attention to the power of thought/prayer on water crystals. He has a special request for assistance TODAY (March 31, 2011) 12 noon in whatever time zone you're in.

If this message resonates with you, please lend your intentions also.

Remember to center and ground and set the intention for the highest good.

We have a huge opportunity to test these ideas in the all-too-real world tragedy that recently struck Japan.

Here is Dr. Masaru Emoto's Message:

"Please send your prayers of love and gratitude to water at the nuclear plants in Fukushima, Japan!

By the massive earthquakes of magnitude 9 and surreal massive tsunamis, more than 10,000 people are still missing…even now… It has been 16 days already since the disaster happened. What makes it worse is that water at the reactors of Fukushima nuclear plants started to leak, and it’s contaminating the ocean, air and water molecules of the surrounding areas.

Human wisdom has not been able to do much to solve the problem, but we are only trying to cool down the anger of radioactive materials in the reactors by discharging water to them.

Is there really nothing else to do?

I think there is. During over twenty year research of hado measuring and water crystal photographic technology, I have been witnessing that water can turn positive when it receives pure vibration of human prayer no matter how far away it is.

Energy formula of Albert Einstein, E=MC2 really means that Energy = number of people and the square of people’s consciousness.

Now is the time to understand the true meaning. Let us all join the prayer ceremony as fellow citizens of the planet earth.

I would like to ask all people, not just in Japan, but all around the world to please help us to find a way out the crisis of this planet.

The prayer procedure is as follows…

Name of ceremony: “Let’s send our thoughts of love and gratitude to all water in the nuclear plants in Fukushima.”

Day and Time: March 31st, 2011 (Thursday) 12:00 noon in each time zone

Please say the following phrase:
“The water of Fukushima Nuclear Plant, we are sorry to make you suffer. Please forgive us. We thank you, and we love you.”

Please say it aloud or in your mind.

Repeat it three times as you put your hands together in a prayer position.

Please offer your sincere prayer.

Thank you!

Dr. Emoto (author of The Masaru Emoto: The Hidden Messages in Water) "

PS: Here is Dr. Emoto’s message in Japanese: YouTube video

Reiki & Meditation Nights: By Donation

Reiki Healing and Meditation Night

Maria Haswell, Reiki Master/Teacher, is hosting Reiki & Meditation nights at the Danville Yoga Center every Wednesday evening in January.

Reiki and meditation are excellent paths to enriching your spirit, rejuvenating yourself, and helping you create a more restful life.

Reiki is an ancient healing art that balances energy, reduces stress, opens up creativity, calms your mind, and increases focus and productivity. It enables your body to heal itself naturally by encouraging balance, and creates an overall state of harmony and well-being.

Relax and quiet your mind in the meditation space while listening to soft music, before and after your Reiki treatment from trained Reiki practitioners.

Danville Yoga Center

125A Town & Country Drive

Danville, CA 94526

Click Here for directions!

Wednesday evenings: January 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 7:15PM-8:30PM

Open to the community - no advance registration required

Suggested Donation: $10.00 and up

50% of the proceeds go to Danville Yoga Center - to cover facility costs.

50% of the proceeds go to SpreadKindness.org - a 501(c)3 Local Non-profit organization encouraging others to do acts of kindness in their daily lives.

Introduction to Mediumship: Connecting with your Spirit Guide 6-Week Workshop

Introduction to Mediumship:
Connecting with Your Spirit Guide

Course Outline
In this fun and interactive workshop, you will learn how to blend with the power of the spirit, and work within this power to obtain clearer and more concise messages from your spirit guides. You will be inspired to push the boundaries of your own mediumship skills, whether you are a beginner or an advanced student. You will learn that you are capable of more than you realize, utilizing your own intuition. And, in your day to day life, you will begin to enjoy all the wonderful guidance of your spirit guides as a result of your stronger connection with them.

Embracing the Spirit is about more than mediumship - it's about awakening and nurturing the spirit within, and appreciating that we are all part of the same divine family, bonded by spirit.

This workshop will include tutorials, lectures, discussions and demonstrations. Although the classes will be centered on speaking to your spirit guides through your own mediumship development, we'll be looking at other ways of receiving spirit communication and all the wonderful and diverse ways you and the spirit world can come together.

I will be on hand to help, encourage and guide you in your development and will offer plenty of creative feedback and useful advice on how you can improve, expand and build on the unique abilities you already possess.

This is a 6-week workshop full of fun, laughter, music and inspiration, in a warm and supportive environment that will encourage you to be yourself. I look forward to working with you and helping you with your growth.

Dates:
6-Week Workshop: Every Saturday
Week 1: August 21
Week 2: August 28
Week 3: September 4
Week 4: September 11
Week 5: September 18
Week 6: September 25

Time:
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Location:
Danville Yoga Center
125A Town & Country Drive
Danville, CA 945826

Payment:
The cost of the 6-week workshop is $240
Space is limited -- Please contact me ASAP to register.
Printed learning material is included with your payment.

Testimonial:
"Maria Haswell has a very natural way of nurturing and inspiring growth in people, regardless of their filters and phobias. Connecting with my spirit guides - this is a delicate topic in itself for me. 1 part yearning, 1 part skeptic and 3 parts trying-too-hard but Maria embraced all of that was in me and focused on guiding and teaching me patiently. Maria saw and spoke to the potential that was in me. The safe environment she continuously encouraged throughout the class provided me the security to learn and grow in an area I was unfamiliar and unsure of. Learning to trust without reservation was the crucial point for me in this journey. It was at that point I started to have breakthroughs in leaps and bounds. I now enjoy connecting to my spirit guides and teachers and receiving their guidance on a regular basis. Maria has impacted & enriched my life so extensively it is difficult to quantify. I'm so grateful to have Maria Haswell as my teacher."

- Virna Low

*************************************

"Maria, thank you so much for helping me advance in my spiritual development. I made more progress in the six weeks with you then I had made in 4 years previously in working with my spirit guides. You rock as a teacher!!"

- Roseanne

Do You Have The Winning Ticket?

"I live in a loving, abundant, harmonious universe, and I am grateful."

The current jackpot for the California Mega Million lottery is $266,000,000 - and I hold the winning ticket for tomorrow's drawing! (sigh) Perhaps! ; )

Fantasizing about great wealth is a frequent pastime for many of us. How wonderful it would be not to worry about paying the bills, to be able to be spread kindness to the world, to be able to buy whatever we want, and have the freedom to travel as often as we'd like. It's a lovely fantasy, but how realistic is it, really?

The one mistake that many of us make is to believe that money will solve all our problems, and our lives will become smooth and serene. Not true! Having more money might help ease certain struggles, but it will not transform our lives. If anything, having a lot of money can bring on a new set of problems beyond anything we might imagine.

Before we will TRULY be ready to handle increased abundance of any kind, we need to develop certain qualities within ourselves.

Do you truly feel that you deserve abundance? If we struggle with poor self-esteem and don't have a positive self-image, we continue to push abundance away when it presents itself. In this case, we might need to work more on our sense of worth before we can accept true abundance.

Remember that we create the quality of our own lives, moment to moment, and it all begins with our thoughts. Thoughts become reality. If our present lives don't resemble the lives we'd rather be living, we can choose to examine the reasons for it, take responsibility for our actions, and make a commitment to improving our circumstances. While this can be a lot of work, realizing that it's all within our power to create our own reality can be very powerful!

Feel abundant now, and be thankful for what you already have. Always stay true to yourself and others around you. Believe in the ability of the universe to deliver to you the abundance that you desire.

Don't forget to purchase a lottery ticket tonight, for the fun of it - and if you win, that would be AWESOME! But if you'd don't, hey, better luck next time.... :)

Peace & Joy,

Maria Haswell
Spiritual Medium / Tarot / Reiki Master / Certified Hypnotherapist / Intuitive Life Coach

"There is a thought in your mind right now. The longer you hold on to it, the more you dwell upon it, the more life you give to that thought. Give it enough life, and it will become real. So make sure the thought is indeed a great one." - Ralph Marston


"Riches are not from abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind." - Mohammed

Happy Spring! Creating Change In Your Life

Life is good, really good! I have an amazing husband, two teenage kids that make me glow with pride, good health, the best dog I could ever ask for, and on top of that, two amazing and rewarding jobs: as an Intuitive Counselor, and founder of SpreadKindness.org. I have a lot to be thankful for. For the past few years, "Thank You" has been my meditation as I start my day.

But the truth is, life was not always this good. It wasn't that long ago when my life looked radically different. At one time, my life was filled with nearly everything that people try to avoid. From bad relationships, bad health, and the financial hardship I experienced, it was time to do something new.

Enlightenment and epiphanies can show up in some pretty strange ways. The Buddha found it under a Boddhi tree; Nelson Mandela found it in prison; spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle found it in the sound of a chirping bird outside his window. For me, it was a clear message from my Spirit Guide one morning, while working on my laptop, telling me I needed to pursue my calling as a spiritual medium. And a few years later, I woke up one morning with a simple desire to spend a day performing acts of kindness that resulted in the formation of SpreadKindness.org.

In those moments, I felt an overwhelming sense of change and transformation starting in my life. In the days and weeks that followed those realizations, the world looked different to me. It felt like Spring!

This Spring, as we transition from cooler temperature into the warmth of longer days and the promise of new growth, remember to sow the seeds of kindness that are ever present in our hearts.

As you look around and enjoy the changes that Spring brings - morning dew on the grass, tiny buds on trees and bushes, lovely scents of blossoms in the air, the sweet sounds of birds returning north - be encouraged to also look at how you can change the way you treat others, and create change in your life.

I'm grateful for your friendship and your continued support with my spiritual work and SpreadKindness.org. Thank you for allowing me to share my newsletter with you. I invite you to come to any of the upcoming events below. I'd love to see you soon!

With Love & Gratitude,


Maria Haswell

P.S. My Spiritual Circle meetup group is a sponsor for Holostic Living Expo on April 25th in Pleasanton -- Please stop by and support me and my meetup group. Print FREE Passes, CLICK HERE! Please pass along the free passes!

"IGNITING YOUR INNER GUIDANCE"
Free Presentation given by yours truly at The Holistic Living Expo on April 25th at the Hilton Hotel

Attend the expo and get inspired! FREE PASSES, Click Here!
Time of Presentation: 3:30pm - 4:00pm

Description:
It's time to flutter your third eye, spark your sixth sense, and begin to follow your intuition. It's time to let go of any preconceived ideas surrounding what you believe intuition to be, and become more intimate with your own natural abilities. Believe it or not, everyone is intuitive!

During this presentation, Maria Haswell will show you how to discover your own intuitive abilities by fine-tuning your connection, and listening to your inner guidance. She'll also share some of her experiences as a spiritual medium and intuitive counselor, and will inspire you to ignite your own inner guidance.

Please spread the word about this event. Looking forward to seeing you there!!

Upcoming Events

Intuition & Holistic Expo
Saturday April 10, 2010
10am - 5pm
Stanislaus County Fairgrounds
900 N. Broadway Blg E-5 Turlock, CA95380


Crystal Fair Walnut Creek
April 17th - 18th
Saturday:10am - 6pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Civic Park
Community Center
1375 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, CA


Holistic Living Expo
Sunday, April 25th
10am - 6pm
The Hilton Hotel
7050 Johnson Drive Pleasanton, CA 94583

Free Passes: CLICK HERE

To check out more upcoming events, visit my website!

About Maria Haswell

Love is in the air...

We've all heard it countless times before, "To experience true love, we first must love ourselves," or some variations of such. Remember that we are all created out of love. We accept and love other people, animals, nature, all that comes from the same source as we do. We too then, are worthy of our own love.

In celebrating Valentine's Day, I wanted to write about love (it's in the air we breathe!). Loving yourself is about fully embracing oneself, realizing the strengths and accepting the flaws. Self love is not about being self-centered or egotistic which is based on insecurity and not knowing one's true self.

Think of it this way, if we truly love ourselves we know that we do not need to be the best looking, most talented, or have the most possessions. When we love ourselves, we are able to give love freely to others without fear of being hurt or used. We love ourselves enough to not allow others to take advantage of us. And, when we are secure in our love of self, we attract the love of others.

To learn to love yourself, treat yourself the way you treat those you love. Here are some ideas for you to think about:

1. Be kind to yourself, giving yourself all that you need to be happy and healthy.

2. Show yourself a good time by doing things you like.

3. Eat well and take care of your body.

4. Say nice things to yourself (post-it notes with positive affirmations around your house is helpful!).

5. Compliment and praise yourself, just as you would a friend, family member, or lover.

6. Encourage yourself when you're feeling down.

7. And most importantly, say the words that we all long to hear. Look in the mirror and tell yourself, "I love you." This can be difficult, but it's a powerful tool in acceptance and self love. It may not be easy, you may feel foolish at first, but you can do it. Even if you don't feel it right away, keep doing it.

Love yourself first and you will be able to truly love others and to be truly loved in return. Remember to always follow your heart, listen to your inner voice, continue to become your own soul mate, and stay open to love that come your way.

The journey of finding of finding a relationship, whether it is for friendship or love interest, begins with being in good relationship with yourself.

Have a happy Valentine's Day with lots of self love and loving others...

Happy New Year!!

I was walking along the cool winter breeze with my "oh, so cute!" companion dog, Charlie in my neighborhood earlier today. I couldn't help but notice how beautiful the day was! The future stretched out ahead, in the valley, hills and mountains that surrounded me. The past was there too, but earlier today, I chose to walk forward: to live and focus "in the now", the present moment. I truly saw all the great things the Universe offered and was inspired to fully embrace the moment. The air was cool and breezy. Fluffy clouds floating high in the bright blue sky, and the sunlight glittered and shined off the houses and cars in the distance. There were a few people out walking and some with their dogs too. I noticed them talking and laughing together, as they enjoyed the day of new beginnings. What a beautiful and peaceful scene it was!

As Charlie and I reached home, we went inside our warm and cozy home, closed the door, and gave thanks for the gift of "now". It has taken a long time to find it, and although I can't seem to keep it with me, all of the time, I know how to open the door again, when the time is right. I know that whatever the new year will bring, there will be joy, and enough treasures of "now" to help me through any challenging times that we all must go through at times throughout the year.
My heart is full of joy as I remember that it is New Year's Day -- A perfect time to start anew. I feel the overwhelming gratitude for crossing paths with you, my dear friends and family. Thank you so much for your continued support, your constant encouragements, and your helpful feedback. I'm always inspired by you and the great life lessons you teach me daily. I love what I do for a living and I have you to thank for that!

Remember to have some fun in 2010, and most of all let the music of your heart color your experience with joy every day.

Let this new year be better than all the others. Have a very happy, abundant, and exciting new year!

Giving Thanks...

Being thankful everyday is a blessing, and in each moment there are many things that we can be grateful for. The world opens up to us when we live in a space of gratitude. When we appreciate and express gratitude, the universe glows a bit brighter and showers us with even more blessings.

There is always something to be grateful for, even when life appear to be challenging at times. When times are tough, whether we're having a bad day or stuck in what may feel like an endless funk, it can be difficult to take the time to feel grateful. YET, that is when gratitude can be most important. If we can look at our lives, during periods of challenge, and find something to be grateful for, then we can transform our realities in an instant.

There are blessings to be found everywhere. When we are focusing on what is negative, our abundance can be easy to miss. Instead, find what already exists in our lives that we appreciate and notice the change we see in our world. We start to notice one blessing, and then another.

When we constantly choose to be grateful, we notice that every breath is a miracle and each smile becomes a gift. We begin to understand that difficulties are also invaluable lessons.

The sun is always shining for us when we are grateful, even if it is hidden behind clouds on a rainy day. A simple sandwich becomes a feast, and a trinket is transformed into a treasure.

Living in a state of gratitude allows us to spread our abundance because that is the energy that we emanate from our beings. Because the world reflects back to us what we embody, the additional blessings that inevitably flow our way give us even more to be grateful for. The universe wants to shower us with blessings. The more we appreciate life, the more life appreciates and bestows us with more goodness

Thank you to my wonderful clients, my family, and my friends for all your loving support. I am very blessed to have you be a part of my life. I love what I do, and I'm thankful everyday for my daily blessings...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Peace & Joy,

Maria Haswell

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos
D a y o f t h e D e a d
A look at how we can celebrate life...

From the beginning of time, man has felt the need to explain the mystery of life and death. Many civilizations and cultures have created rituals to try and give meaning to human existence. Death does not have to mean the end of life. It can be seen as a new phase of life in which the spirit is freed from the body. This concept is at the center of the Mexican ritual known as "Dia de los Muertos", or Day of the Dead.

They honor the memories of friends and family members by telling stories, decorating gravesites and creating altars. While the special day is reflective, it is not a day of sadness. Instead, the day exists to celebrate the lives of loved ones and to lighten our fear of death with lightheartedness. Using the rich traditions of Day of the Dead, you can honor the lives of loved ones in a meaningful and loving way.

Day of the Dead dates back some 3,000 years to the traditions of native Mexican people.

The essence of this beautiful ritual is to lovingly and happily remember the dead relatives, their life, and in this way, give meaning and continuity to human existence. The Day of the Dead is a grand celebration of life itself.

Let's honor those we know and love in the spiritual realm and say a little prayer for them. Remember all the fond memories and take the moment to celebrate Life!

How to Create an Abundance Altar

How to Create an Abundance Altar
Vastu Altars To Increase Abundance & Prosperity

1) Make sure the area is clean and your surface is against a northern wall or window, or in the north sector of your home or office.

2) The colors gold and green should be used on some pieces on this altar.

3) The water element in the northeast can be fresh flowers in colors that correspond to the altar. You can use a vase that is clear or lightly colored.

4) Use a green or gold candle in the southeast, or an oil lamp.

5) Use stones or crystals in the southwest in green or gold colors. You can use a statue of Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance, a plant, or anything from nature.

6) For the air element in the northwest, use a standing wind chime, incense, a fan or a feather.

7) You can hang a green colored Austrian leaded crystal on a red string in increments of nine inches over the center of your altar to keep the abundance you desire moving in your direction.

8) Add a dish or small plate in the center of your altar to act as a place for your offering. Use gold or green.

9) You can add a Shree Lakshmi Yantra to your offering dish for an extra boost of positive energy or a Ganapati (Ganesh) Yantra to remove all obstacles to your abundance.

10) On an unlined piece of paper that can easily fit onto the Offering Tray, add a handwritten word, an Angel Card, or some other symbolic representation of the abundant feeling you would like to receive from the Divine.

11) Include a Personal Symbol in the center, in back of the offering tray of your altar. It can be a statue, photograph, collage, or picture that inspires feelings of abundance.

This is reprinted from Altars of Power and Grace: Create the Life You Desire by Robin and Michael Mastro.

For more information visit VastuCreations.com

Money Energy

How you perceive money has much to do with how much you have and are able to create. While it's not healthy to be preoccupied with money or lust after it, it is important to appreciate its value and the positive things it can do for your life. And, like anything, the more you appreciate something, the more you invite that into your life. So, if you express appreciation and gratitude towards love, health, and money, you'll attract more of those things into your life. Likewise, it you have a negative attitude towards such things; you'll attract less of those things into your life. So, if you're constantly worrying about the lack of money, you'll constantly have money woes, even if you earn a good income.

Be conscious of your thoughts towards money. Do you feel like you deserve to have money? How were you raised to deal with money, were you always told to save and never spend, or were you always told there was never enough?

There is energy in everything and money is no exception. The energy of earning manifests itself in the money, and the energy is exchanged through spending. Therefore, it's important that we not only make money, but that we spend it as well. Anything that is static will never reproduce and that includes money. Still, you want to use your money to not only take care of your needs, but to help others as well. Be as generous as you can with those less fortunate and you'll be circulating your money so that more comes back to you.

Introduction to Mediumship: Connecting with your Spirit Guide 8-Week Workshop

Course Outline
In this fun and interactive workshop, you will learn how to blend with the power of the spirit, and work within this power to obtain clearer and more concise messages from your spirit guides. You will be inspired to push the boundaries of your own mediumship skills, whether you are a beginner or an advanced student. You will learn that you are capable of more than you realize, utilizing your own intuition. And, in your day to day life, you will begin to enjoy all the wonderful guidance of your spirit guides as a result of your stronger connection with them.

Embracing the Spirit is about more than mediumship - it's about awakening and nurturing the spirit within, and appreciating that we are all part of the same divine family, bonded by spirit.

This workshop will include tutorials, lectures, discussions and demonstrations. Although the classes will be centered on speaking to your spirit guides through your own mediumship development, we’ll be looking at other ways of receiving spirit communication and all the wonderful and diverse ways you and the spirit world can come together.

I will be on hand to help, encourage and guide you in your development and will offer plenty of creative feedback and useful advice on how you can improve, expand and build on the unique abilities you already possess.

This is an 8-week workshop full of fun, laughter, music and inspiration, in a warm and supportive environment that will encourage you to be yourself. I look forward to working with you and helping you with your growth.

Dates:
8-Week Workshop: Every Fridays
Week 1: October 2
Week 2: October 9
Week 3: October 16
(No workshop on 10/23)
Week 4: October 30
Week 5: November 6
Week 6: November 13
Week 7: November 20
(No workshop on 11/27)
Week 8: December 4

Time:
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Location:
(Address provided when you register)
San Ramon, CA 94583
Phone: 877-542-1192


Registration:
Please register by contacting me via RSVP through meetup or email me by September 25th. (4 spots left)

Payment:
The cost of the 8-week workshop is $200. Please bring cash or check (made payable to "Maria Haswell") on the first day of the workshop. Credit card payment is available only via PayPal prior to the event (There is an $8 PayPal service fee). Please contact me at mariahaswell@comcast.net if you would like to arrange pre-payment, or discuss alternative payment methods.

Happy Friendship Day!

Did you know that the first Sunday of August is Friendship day?

Friendship Day is a day to nurture relationships, new and old.

Start the day by getting in touch with some old friends. Start early. Phone calls, emails, Ecards, are great tools. See if you can make plans for lunch today, or some other day (soon).

Then, catch up to some of your current pals and buddies. Make sure to do some interesting things with them before the day is through. As you go through the day, be ever vigilant to spot an opportunity to make a new friend. Finding new friends today, is a real feather in your cap.

One thing is for certain...... if you put your all into the spirit of Friendship Day, you will have a great, great day.

Happy Friendship Day to all of you!

Trusting the natural flow of Energy

The most difficult time to be generous is when we ourselves are feeling poor. While some of us have experienced actually being in the red financially, there are those of us who would feel broke even if we had a million dollars in the bank. Either way, as the old adage goes, it is always in giving that we receive. Meaning that when we are living in a state of lack, the very gesture we may least want to give is the very act that could help us create the abundance that we seek. One way to practice generosity is to give energy where it is needed. Giving money to a cause or person in need is one way to give energy. Giving attention, love, or a smile to another person are other acts of giving that we can offer. After all, there are people all over the world that are hungry for love.

Sometimes when we practice generosity, we practice it conditionally. We might be expecting to "receive back" from the person to whom we gave. We might even become angry or resentful if that person doesn't reciprocate. However, trust in the natural flow of energy, and you will find yourself practicing generosity with no strings attached. This is the purest form of giving. Remember that what you send out will always come back you. Selflessly help a friend in need without expecting them to return the same favor in the same way, and know that you, too, will receive that support from the universe when you need it. Besides, while giving conditionally creates stress (because we are waiting with an invisible balance sheet to receive our due), giving unconditionally creates and generates abundance. We give freely, because we trust that there is always an unlimited supply.

Being aware of how much we are always supported by the universe is one of the keys to abundance and generosity. Consciously remember the times you've received support from expected and unexpected sources. Remember anyone who has helped you when you've needed it most, and bless all situations that come into your life for the lessons and gifts they bring you. Remember that all things given and received emanate from generosity. Giving is an act of gratitude. Plant the seeds of generosity through your acts of giving, and you will grow the fruits of abundance for yourself and those around you.

Moving Into A New Phase

Every one of us lives a life mirrored by individual and changing experiences, perceptions, needs, and desires. We connect with others, becoming friends and confidants, most often because they share something with us, such as an interest or need. But as time goes on there is change, and the bonds that brought you close to a treasured friend may not be enough to sustain the relationship. You may find your lives have gone in wildly different directions and you no longer share the same aspirations, or you may have changed on an energetic level. It is not unusual in such a situation to find that the comfort you found in the other person has vanished and that you have trouble relating as you once did. Outgrowing a friend can be confusing or painful, but it is a natural part of one's personal growth.

You have a right to choose to surround yourself with those people who understand you, are helpful and compassionate, and put you at ease. Months or years into a friendship, you may find your friend no longer seems like the same person he or she once was. The change may have been within them, but may also have come from within you. Moving on does not mean that your past shared experiences were not meaningful or important to you both, but rather it acknowledges your needs in the present.

Ending a friendship can be difficult. You may not feel comfortable explaining your reasons for doing so. Even so, you can still be kind, respectful, and considerate, and simply state that you can no longer devote time to the friendship. When you have made the conscious decision to let go of the relationship, it will most likely happen naturally.

The people who are or have been a part of your life each taught you something. Some friendships are long-term while others are brief. In all relationships, however, it is important to embrace changes and to let go of regrets. While you may outgrow the need to maintain a friendship with someone who was once very special to you, that person will nonetheless always occupy a place in your heart.

Small Acts: Large Impact!

We often feel that we don’t have the time or energy to extend ourselves to others with the small gestures that compose what we call common courtesy. It sometimes seems that this kind of social awareness belongs in the past, in smaller towns and perhaps, “slower times”. Yet, when someone performs an act of kindness to us, we always feel touched.

By doing something simple like helping someone with the groceries and can make n impression because many people just walk right by. Even someone who simply makes the effort to look us in the eye, smile, and greet us properly when entering a room stands out of the crowd. Common courtesy is a small gesture that makes a huge difference. An important component of common courtesy is awareness and common sense—being aware outside yourself to see when someone needs help or acknowledgment.

As a courteous person, you are aware that you are walking into a room full of people or that your waiter has arrived to take your order. Then, allow awareness to lead to action.

It is usually quite obvious what needs to be done—open the door for the woman holding the baby, move your car up two feet so another person can park behind you, acknowledge a shy person with a smile and some conversation, apologize if you bump into someone.

A third component is to give kindness freely, without expecting anything in return. People may not even take notice, much less return the kindness, but you can take heart in the fact that you are creating the kind of world you want to live in with your actions. When you are out in the world, remember to be aware of others, lend your hand when one is needed, and give this help without an ulterior motive. Through these small acts of kindness, you make this world a better place in which to live.

Affirmation: 3/27

The thoughts I choose to think and believe right now are creating my future. These thoughts form my experiences tomorrow, next week, and next year.

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Today, I give my best to that which I do, knowing that when one experience is complete, I am led to even more fulfilling and rewarding experiences.

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I only give out that which I wish to receive in return. My love and acceptance of others is mirrored to me in every moment.

Visit SpreadKindness.org

Worries Be Gone

I went to Cost Plus today. I love Cost Plus - they have so many beautiful things....

I purchased a beautiful decorative box today, not the one pictured here, but my own perfect box to put my worries in.

There are times when our minds become too full. Our to-do lists, worries, plans, and dreams may be so crowded together in our heads that we don’t have room to think. We may believe that we are somehow taking care of our desires and concerns by keeping them at the forefront of our minds. We think that we're maintaining our mental hold on every detail, however, this is not really what's going on. We may actually be delaying the our hopeful dreams and the resolution of our worries, fear, or anxiety because we won’t let them go. They are constantly in our minds.

At times such as these, we may want to use what I call a worry box. A worry box allows us to let go of our worries and desires so the universe can take care of them for us. We write down what we want or need to happen and then place the note into a box.

By writing and placing our thoughts in the box, we are taking action and letting the universe know we need help and are willing to surrender our feelings. We are giving ourselves permission to not concern ourselves with that problem any longer and trust that the universe is taking care of it.

The box I purchased today will be very special to me, as it will carry all my worries so I can let them go. I think that if you decided to get a worry box, it should be a sacred container for your worries. By doing this ritual, it will not only free up space in your mind by letting go of our worries and desires, but you are giving your burden over to a higher power. Once we drop our worries and desires into the worry box, we free our minds so we can be fully present in each moment.

Surrendering our worries and concerns and placing them in the hands of the universe doesn’t mean that we’ve given up or have been defeated. Instead, we are releasing the realization of our desires and the resolution of our worries and no longer concerning ourselves with their outcomes.

I think it'll be really fun in a couple of months to go back and pull the slips of paper (folded sticky notes) out of the box once your requests have been granted. And as you could imagine, it would be amazing how quickly problems can go away and dreams actually come true when we finally let go and allow a higher power to help us.