The godforce in Flow

I have had an interesting series of events in the past 10 days that have rejuvenated and refocused my intentions.

Last week at the union event in Moncton I remembered my deeply ingrained desire to make this world a better place, this is what first drew me towards becoming active in the union. Taking action in someway instead of sitting by and complaining about the injustices in the world. I spent much of my free time last week trying to figure out why I was there, in the end it was to renew my sense shaping the type of world I will see (see Blog Entry).

Mike & my girls picked me up from the train station and I was off right away to the ReDefining Education Family Retreat at Oceanstone. I was able to keep my girls with me for this workshop. What an amazing and magical weekend. Anne incorporated Huna into the children's program, there was alot of talk of connections with the elements (nature) and listening to you instincts.

Seeing an eleven year old sitting on the ocean's edge on a rock in a lotus position for 10 - 15 minutes listening to himself, seeing 3 - 4 year olds running out in the middle of a rainstorm to yell and dance in the rain, to seeing some 7 - 8 year old girls exploring the forest.

Sitting on the lush floor of the forest with all of the children, listening to the secrets that could be revealed to us. One child heard "rain" and it began to rain almost immediately afterwards. Playing tag on a grassy knoll overlooking the ocean. Exploring the beach and the gifts it had to offer. Teaching a sun salutation to a 4 year old who then helped me teach others, welcoming breath, welcoming the sun, embracing the elements.

Ages ranging from 3 to 14, boys and girls both well represented. Learning to slow down and notice their surroundings and their breath. It was pretty amazing.

This weekend reminded me of the godforces in flow, without having their spirit squashed.

Then my first day back from Oceanstone I have my first School Advisory Committee meeting of the year. I am presented with a grant application from the principal who encouraged me to consider my parenting workshop in association with the grant application. This brought it all back for me... my original intention, what began my business Conscious Parenting was initiated and inspired by my sitting on the School Advisory Committee and hearing of some disconnects, wondering if something could be done about it... realizing I could do something about it.

My original intention and inspiration has come back full circle and presented itself in quite a marvelous way.

In the words of Louise, breathing is good... and there is always more.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Somethings I noticed this weekend.

1. I need to take more time to listen to my kids when they want my attention, in that moment if possible.
2. When Mike would tell me I ignore the kids (and him) the first few times they try to get my attention he was telling the truth (who knew).
3. My children are brilliant (as are all of our children) if only we took the time to hear what they are saying.
4. It's fun to let loose and dance in a field when nobody is around.
5. Kids like to run, even when they fall and you are comforting them, they sob out they want to run again.
6. Running with my 3 year old makes me feel like a child again.
7. Remember to always let Jessica be a child and have fun... she is only twelve (oh my god she is twelve already?!?!?)
8. Running into the ocean in your underwear in the middle of nowhere is invigorating!
9. I have more courage than I thought (mice nests, spiders, big ass bugs I can handle it).
10. I have discovered that when life gives me lemons I am automatically choosing to make lemonade. :o) Me an optimist? When did that happen? (maybe in Jan 2006)

Renos on my house are in full swing, I'm exhausted and am looking forward to lying down tonight.

Until tomorrow... when there is always more.

Monday, Monday...

Although I have to work, today is all about Jessica. For the first time I am trusting her implicitly...

No that isn't correct, it isn't about trusting her, it is about me letting go and releasing "control" over my daughter.

Today I am letting go of my fears and my story about Jessica being too young. My gorgeous twelve year old will be walking down to catch the 9:37 ferry this morning and she will be joining me at work for the day.

While there she will probably be planning her "End of Summer Yard Sale".

Although I have lots of work today it will be nice to have her around. We will be able to go for a walk during lunch, enjoy the ferry ride home tonight and our walk home.

At 6 p.m. we have reservations to enjoy a tasters night with some friends of mine, Sarah & Christa. Jessica has been looking forward to doing this with us (although she is very afraid of Sushi)!

As Jessica is getting older, and as I see her more as the individual she is, I am more and more comfortable and happy to be able to share things like this from my life, with her.

I am in constant awe of the young woman she is.

Conscious Parenting Weekend ~ Personal Insights

It has been just over a week since my last Conscious Parenting Workshop. It was a very interesting one for me.

This was the first workshop I had where I was a stranger to the participants (save for one).

This was the first workshop I had where there was a man participating. (That was a huge awakening for me personally).

This was the first workshop where I advertised and where there was so much interest generated. (I have a list of people interested in my next one)

This was also a very unique workshop because of the people who entered the program room.

If you recall an earlier entry entitled Dreams & Energy ~ Men & Parenting I spoke of this woman who had e-mailed me and she and her husband wanted to take my workshop. This e-mail alone was a huge shift for me to realize the self limiting beliefs I held about men being up for a different kind of conversation. Her husband stayed home with the kids and she joined me for the weekend workshop.

(Note to self, arrange some kind of daycare/children’s program)

There also was a single Dad who participated in my workshop that weekend. He was a huge invitation for me to be rid of many things. To me this man is a seeker, he was continuously curious, always wondering, freely expressing, and it called up a filter in me very quickly.

In my past when a man asked questions about what I was saying it was to prove me wrong or prove me incompetent. So when this single Dad became curious, I had to allow breath to come into my body and see it as simply that… curiosity. Curiosity is fantastic; to be genuinely curios is to be continually growing.

For me this was one of the most important things I allowed my self to be rid of this weekend… I no longer need this filter/strategy in place. I do not have to justify myself, my experience, my truth… I can simply state it as my own and stand in the knowledge that I no longer have to shrink (become small) in the presence of a man.

This workshop was a fantastic experience for me… the conversations were more inquisitive, the participants seemed to each have taken something different away from the weekend (of course as they were each there for their own reasons).

We talked a lot about being present for your children. Seeing your children and allowing them to feel whatever they may be feeling, not stopping their waves of emotions but simply inviting them (by modelling) to breath into them.

Not only seeing your children, but allowing yourself to be seen by your children… allowing yourself to take time for you, if you need a time out or a chance to breath. Allowing the information (disappointment, rage, frustration, anger, hurt, sadness) to process before engaging with your child… the experience will be much different, more powerful and less hurtful.

These are just some of the conversations that have stayed in my consciousness from this past workshop.

Another huge lesson for me… honour myself… allow time for myself to recuperate. Sleep… I did not do this after my last workshop and on Friday of last week I crashed. I was so physically exhausted, I was sick, I had a fever, I had a headache, and I had stomach problems… I eventually slept a long undisturbed sleep and woke up feeling like a million dollars.

My lesson for myself is to recharge after a weekend workshop.

Tomorrow is another day… and there is always more.

Letting Kids be Kids

Do you let your child actually be a child? Or do you expect them to tote the barge and pick up your slack.

I often catch myself delegating so much onto my 11 yr old... however I have been learning to let things go. She will only be young once after all. She has her whole life to worry about the major responsibilities.

One fine day she will (if she chooses) have a family of her own. She doesn't need to be burdened with being totally responsible for her sister. I'm struggling with this one. She is almost of age where she can babysit.

She wants to babysit, to have that responsibility (when she is 12 and has her babysitting course) I might have to let go of my fears of my baby, watching my baby. And when that time comes I will have to be oh so aware not to use her... to allow her to still be a child and remain myself the parent.

It is so important to laugh, have fun, play, act silly, be carefree. Let's to burden our children too soon with adult responsibilities.

Let's let our kids be kids for as long as possible.

Tomorrow is a new day and there is always more.

Invitations, Space and Authentic Voice

Today was going to be a big day for me. Having the opportunity to go on a regional newscast to talk about my workshop. I was full of nervous energy.

I spent most of my day excited, nervous yet overwhelmed with a sense of happiness that I would have the opportunity to speak to so many; that perhaps something would stir within them; that something I said would resonate and they would become curious about more in their lives.

I was taken out to lunch by some of my favorite women and tears came down when I thought about how lucky I was to have these opportunities and how many more people my voice will be able to get to. They of course shared in my joy and in my excitement. Laura without fail is always there in my corner.

I left work early today to run some errands. I went to the Shambhala Meditation Centre to look at the space I would be using this weekend for my workshop and to pick up the key.

As I stepped out of my car in the back parking lot I noticed the huge old trees that surrounded the parking spaces. I noticed the birds singing in the trees and I noticed how my nervous energy I was experiencing at work began to dissipate.

The space I have for this weekends workshop The Snow Lion Room is amazing. The whole building is amazing. There is such beautiful things in it. Such a sense of peace. Joyousness. It was very much like my dream the other night.

I explored some of the other rooms, looking at the art on the wall, the tapestries, the quotes, the statues. It truly is a calming space.

After I was done officially securing the space, I went for a bit of a pamper and got my make up done for my interview. I noticed many times during this treat how often I held my breath. I was afraid I was going to "mess things up".

What a metaphor that was... as I thought about it and breathed, this was also where my nervousness came from earlier in the day... I was afraid I was going to "mess things up".

I left with plenty of time to get to the studio, I was greeted by the anchor who was going to interview me and we just talked about what Conscious Parenting meant to me. We talked about the importance of also taking time for yourself as a parent to rejuvenate. In my opinion this has many benefits, not only does it allow the parent to recharge, stay sane, and breathe, but it also models very important behaviour to the children... it is okay to take a few minutes to yourself to relax, cry and breathe. I was told about how my interview would work and who would come and get me when it was time.

I really was surprised with the ease that everyone in that studio moved through a live broadcast. It was much calmer than I had imagined it. I took time to write in my journal and take some grounding breaths before it was time for my piece.

And it was done. It was done with relative ease, I didn't swear (thank goodness) and I didn't stammer or stall. Looking back on the recording I was quite pleased with the message I managed to get across in 4 minutes.

Who knows what this opportunity will bring? I don't, but I'm ready for it.

My hope for this weekend's workshop is that many will be awakened to the unending potential they hold, when parenting, when working, when loving and when living!

Find the fun, find the passion, find the laughter, embrace in the love.

Life is indeed good, and who knows what tomorrow will bring? There is always more.

Conscious Parenting and Moving at Warp Speed

I did things a little differently with this workshop, I advertised in an independent newspaper.



Like much of the Emerging Futures conversations that were happening at Oceanstone a few weeks back I declared my intention and let things be.



I looked for space to hold my workshop and came across the Shambhala Meditation Centre and booked it sight unseen (it felt right). And that choice generated more e-mails and conversations for future workshops, meetings, interviews that I could ever imagine. This choice also allowed me to make huge self discoveries about a judgment I held about men being able to "go there" and understand when I speak of energy and emotions.



By advertising in that independent paper I generated a lot of interest. A reporter from the Daily News did an article about my workshop in today's newspaper, which then triggered a phone call from the TV station asking if I'd do an interview on Live @ Five tomorrow night.

The interest and publicity isn't what is so exciting to me (although it is nice) what is so exciting to me is that by simply putting myself out there all of this has happened and is continuing to happen.

I can't wait to engage with the people who show up for my program on Saturday morning.

Who would have thunk it could be effortless (many of you I know...).

Life is indeed good and there is always more.

Seeing our Children

As I am preparing for my next Conscious Parenting Workshop; talking with a reporter who is doing a story about it; talking with a woman on the phone who saw my advertisement and sees the great need for this type of workshop... who also has that desire within herself to make a difference and impact in some way but does not yet know how; speaking with prospective partners for creating something like this workshop in their centre or community... I know there is something huge here.

I know that I can make a difference, I know that we all can make a difference if we take action in whatever way we can, if we speak our truths and learn from each other.

And I read Louise's blog entry today Cries in the Dark and my tears flowed, my rage surfaced and my determination came forth... this is what it is all about for me, this is one of my main messages in my workshop... take ownership for your lives and for the relationships you have with your children.

See them for who they are, for what they are doing. Witness their tears, their rage, their laughter, and acknowledge them.... without judgment or condemning them. It validates their feelings... they come to know they are worth it. And they feel they are someone.

There is so much we can offer our children by teaching them they are valuable to us as individuals. By also showing our human side to them and letting them know it is all okay.

I'm very interested to see how my next workshop will unfold. As I said many times before, each program experience shapes itself in a unique way because it is all about the women who show up and the energy and experiences they bring into the room.

Life is good... and there is always more.

Meaningful Conversations

It was nice to come home after my time last week at Oceanstone for the Emerging Futures experience. More than a few thoughts and insights entered my consciousness during these 3 days with a few surprises for me.

When considering the WEL-Systems Catalyst and CODE Model Coaching programs for my future growth, I felt a bubbling up of excitement from my solarplex up through my chest to my throat. I also experienced a small sense of fear... am I capable of this?

Yes I am. I am more than capable of standing alone, decloaked for all to see. I have expressed this time and time again in the past year at work, in workshops and facilitation workshops or speeches. I am up for my SELF.

Jessica and I went to the salon early on Saturday morning then picked up Sara and ventured forth to a community barbecue at her school. It struck me that for the amount of children that were there, only a handful of adults were on hand. It definitely saddened me to see that parents are too busy to come down with their children to a FREE BBQ and enjoy 2 hours as a family with others in the community.

For me that speaks loudly of the need for parenting workshops and family events. There is a definite need for families to reconnect with one another. Parents need to make a commitment to take some time out to make time for their families away from the TV and computer, interacting, talking, growing together.

I had a challenge with Jessica on Saturday night. It was a big one which I will not discuss the details (in order to respect my daughter). However the consequences to her actions had to be discussed and understood.

What I also decided to do was to post a few posters on her wall in her room. I have invited her over the next 2 weeks to add to the posters as she sees fit, then at the end of two weeks I will help her for a pledge to honour her SELF.

There are 4 posters on her wall. I can't remember the exact words but they are as follows.

1. What are some words or feelings that describe who the "real" Jessica is?
2. What are some of the things you want to be remembered by? (things you have already done and/or things you will do in your future)
3. What are some things you can do to contribute (or offer) to our community?
4. What are some ways you can make our family have more fun together?

When discussing this with her I told her I don't want anything negative on the wall, I want everything that is positive about her, things that make her feel good, things that may make those around her feel good. I explained to her how we will create a pledge (her emerging future of sorts) afterwards so she can have a nice reminder of the brilliant person she is full of love and compassion to look at on those days where she may not remember it.

Life is good... tomorrow is a new day... there is always more.

Conscious Parenting ~ Weekend Workshop

The first Conscious Parenting workshop was a roaring success (click here to find out what participants thought) and the Conscious Parenting workshop will now be offered on a regular basis.


This 2 day weekend workshop is being offered to parents or parents-to-be to consider a different way of living and nurturing their children’s brilliance and individual expression.


Through these sessions Lori will be inviting participants to discover a new perspective on parenting. Inviting them to find their authentic self and to consider how they can co-create meaningful family relationships with their children.


It is an invitation for participants to recognize their programmed behaviours (unconscious parenting) and to become more actively aware in the parenting behaviours (conscious parenting).

Date: July 14th and 15th, 2007 (Sat & Sun)

Location: Halifax Shamabhala Center, in the Snow Lion Room
1084 Tower RoadHalifax, NS B3H 2Y5

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Sat & Sun)

Price: $85.00 for complete workshop, breaks, workshop manual, 1 CD from the Living WELness Series.


Your workshop guide is Lori Walton, certified WEL-Systems® Master Facilitator and Quantum TLC™ Facilitator.


To find out more please contact Lori Walton at (902) 461-9169 or e-mail mailto:potential@eastlink.ca


Exploring Our Potential Consulting 2007

Conscious Parenting Workshop ~ Testimonials

This course means so many things to so many people. Some thought I was crazy as I asked my mom to join me. What a big difference it has made in our life. We are better able to understand each other and feel where each other is coming from. During the session I had said some things that my mom was wowed about. She knew these things affected me as a child but did not realize how much they still affected the person I was and how it was preventing me from being the person I wanted to be. This enabled her to look within side her own self and feel things she had never felt before, accepted things she would have rather forgotten. And hold her head high as she know felt important.

Me and my mom have always had a great relationship, best friends if you will. Since this course I see my mom doing a 180 on everything she does now. She stopped letting people push her around and she speaks. Man I love her for that………………

Donna Hunter
Dartmouth, NS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just wanted to let you know that I felt your Workshop was a definite benefit.
Although the material being presented wasn’t new to me, I still learned from the experience.

I will definitely continue to promote your Workshop to my clients, as this was an incredible 3 days.

You created an environment where I felt comfortable to express myself without any fears of judgement.

Good Luck with your future Workshops and I look forward to whatever new experience that you’ll be offering.

Amy McNaughton RNCP/RSNA
WEL-Systems® Facilitator

Completion of my first Parenting Workshop

Today was the final day of my very first parenting workshop.

I personally thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The energy that filled the room, the energy that came from each of the participants who showed up through the 3 days was simply amazing.

Each woman in that room brought so much to the workshop, they directed the flow of the days.

I can't begin to fathom the number of insights and awakenings that came into the awareness of each individual and the ones that will spawn from this workshop in coming weeks and months.

Nor can I fully fathom the impact they will have on others in their lives, the invitations they are now for their children and children to be to relax into their authentic self expressing with their own voice.

To know that if they want to, they can choose differently. To know that if it truly feels "right" to them they should say or do it and not worry about what other people think they should be saying or doing.

To step into themselves and welcome it. Welcome that feeling of peace, love, calm. The Bigheadedness is not a bad thing. Self acceptance, confidence and awareness are very different from Ego. To not feel guilt or shame for feeling "right" within your life, but to celebrate ti within your self knowing that this is the signal of who you are in the world.

I know that this is the first of many of this Parenting series of workshops I will offer through my new company Exploring Our Potential Consulting. I also am aware future programs will flow differently.

I am also working on Reconnection Retreats which will allow for participants to learn something new via an invitation for another to come in a provide an evening workshop, and alot of time to have facilitated conversations, reconnection and self reflection over the rest of the weekend.

In a few weeks time I am also very aware that I want to "give back" if you will to my work place. After the Diversity Forum and the planning for the Finance Conference I will take time to create this work event. I have yet to really work out the details but I want to create something at work where people can come and explore and step into themselves.

Witnessing the sacred as each woman discovered their authentic self, as each woman reclaimed a piece of their personal power that they had allowed to be taken from them. To claim their whole self as the brilliant being they are. Simply Amazing.

Tomorrow is another day... there is always more.

Single Moms CD Testimonials

I couldn't wait to purchase and listen to Lori's CD Single Moms: Struggles and Strengths. I did so on Wednesday and to date I have listened to it 3 times. While listening to Lori and Louise's dialogue, I found myself more then a little engaged! I found out many things. One was why I have always had a deep respect for Lori, almost from the time I met her. Her single Mom struggles were not lost on me and now listening to her CD I realized how much her life mirrors my own Mom, who was a single mother during the 70's (not a very socially acceptable time). My Mom did the same things that Lori did, but the money she earned was still far below what she needed to make, to maintain a good life for me and for my sister. She chose to marry a man she didn't love to provide us with a home and security. That is a profoundly hard thing to understand, except when listening to Lori I realized, it was a different form of pride. She had a job, but by providing us with what was perceived as the "proper" family and home, she felt good.
It's amazing how much impact the conversation between Louise and Lori had on me. Lori is so real to me, not just because I know her and she's my friend. She has a way to make the WELness™ series accessible, not only to me, but to so many other women. As Louise put it so well, Lori is the poster child for the WELness™ series . She attained all the goals she set out for herself and she's just keeps evolving! She inspired me to reach out for my dreams as well, and it's an amazing thing to have someone in your life where it's all positive and welcoming.

Thank you Louise for showing Lori this amazing path to self awareness and discovery, you're presentation of the series engaged her to reveal and "decloak" the real Lori, who was there all along. I love what you said about her, who is this amazing 'unmasked woman'!

There are so many different facets to Lori, but the outstanding personality traits are her teaching abilities, her leadership qualities and she's an amazing Mom! I feel like if I had to describe her in one word it would be EXTRAORDINARY!

Again, thank you both.

Laura Beaton
Dartmouth, NS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I finally broke down and decided to listen to Lori Walton's Interview of Struggles and Strengths of a Single Mom. As I was listening to it in the car on my way to work this morning, I heard the voice of a very powerful women. I am constantly absorbing her words even once the car is parked and I am climbing on the ferry for my morning commute to work. I feel the urge to take out my journal and jot down my thoughts. Meanwhile I can't wait to get to work to hug Lori. Hug her to show her that she will never be alone…….hug her to show her how truly beautiful and intelligent she is……hug her to say I am glad you are in my life…..hug her to thank her for sharing…sharing a life experience with me that has so impacted her life and molder her to the confident women she is today. She is a gift and I know in my heart of hearts she has been sent here to us to share that gift of love, courage and strengths.

I too am a single mom. I guess you could say some of us live each day with that fear of society being right, that children who grow up with a single "MOM" are more likely to be high school drop-outs, unintelligent, criminals who will never amount to anything. Far to often we find ourselves pushing our children to the brink in hopes that people will see only the perfections. It breaks my heart that as a single mom, I too hold that fear for my son.

I know what it is like to lose a job because your boss was of old school and said that you had no right to be a single mom. How dare he. So I found myself pregnant for a new baby, a mortgage I did not know how I was going to pay and no job. Talk about a let down. Hanging your head was all you wanted to do. But something in me said "NO", I want my son to know that, that is not what life is about and I pushed to have his beliefs and discriminations removed from the workplace. I never got my job back but he too got to experience the humiliation and the shame he put so many others through.

I have such a sense of pride in knowing that my son loves me and taking this course with Lori has helped me to be a better mom to him at his level not at mine. Even at the age of 6 he can see how hard I am trying each day to be that better person, who loves him unconditionally. It is so easy to let your own fears and anxieties rub off on your children. We need to be strong and teach then respect and confidence…..Love the world and it will love you back.

Donna
Dartmouth, NS

Reflection of Day 1

Since January when I finished creating my workshop out line I have been anxiously awaiting it to begin.

As weeks went by I would think of the things I needed to do in order to put this together, from posters, to target audiences, from room rentals to proposals it all came down to this past Saturday.

On Friday night I got the keys to the community centre to set up for my early morning on Saturday.

After I had the room all set up just how I wanted it I sat in the middle of it and soaked it all in.

I visualized myself there in the morning, with a group of woman, and just allowed myself to let the feeling of fullness back into my awareness. And I breathed it all in.

Saturday morning arrives and the women begin to file in. The location was a little confusing as there are multiple entrances on the building, yet there are totally separate spaces. So many were going to the School entrance not realizing what was behind was where they needed to be.

It turned out just fine. 5 amazing women came into the program room yesterday morning. Some who have taken WEL-Systems certification, some who have experienced a WEL-Systems workshop, some who I have coached and some who can in blind with no real inkling of what it was all going to be about.

I don't remember the words that came out of my mouth, I can't remember for the life of me as each minute passed. It seems as though time FLEW.

The conversations and insights that were coming up for the women were pretty awesome and very intense for some of them. I've come to discover that workshops / programs like these take on a very life of their own (which I knew, but I didn't really KNOW it). Before I knew it it was noon and we hadn't even finished all the models I had planned for the day.

My subconscious mind kept me referring to "tomorrow we will... we can talk about that tomorrow..." etc. etc. This tells me that I would prefer facilitating/guiding an experience where we go for a few days in a row, and I really feel that is right for my future programs.

Things I have learned, go wherever your awareness takes you. If I feel I start talking about something that seems so out of context stay with it until I feel it is done being said... this seems to always prove relevant to someone who is listening in a big way (sometimes bigger than I will ever know).

I felt sad when I had to close the space. I had promised to take my niece & my 2 yr old to see the Big Comfy Couch Live in Halifax at 1 p.m. The conversations needed to continue happening and some big waves came for some people as I was packing up. Note to self for next time... leave at least 2 hrs free after a workshop experience to talk with anyone who needs some more time.

Inhale.

Counting down the days until next Saturday. Riding the waves that are my life.

Connecting with Myself

A Deep Breath.

The kids are gone... I am home.

Jessica went off to school and Sara is at the babysitters, Mike is at work. The cats are curled up in a ball on the chair.

It is raining/snowing and I sit in my flannel jammies with a hot cup of coffee and begin my day.

This is how I will be beginning my days in a few years time. Not having to worry about getting to the office for 8 a.m. simply allowing myself to awaken in a slow and luxurious way. Letting my creativity move through me and deciding in the moment what I want to do.

Today I begin my day reflecting on what days like these are going to mean for me in my near future. Reveling in the feeling of peace, relaxation and excitement in the knowledge that I create my days and how they flow.

My first workshop begins tomorrow. I have facilitated on my own in the past, co-facilitated with others, but never a workshop that I created that will span over a few weeks.

This feels different from Coffee Conversations & Catalysts, this is not just an open forum, it will have structure, yet still the freedom of flow, who knows where the conversations will lead and what will come up for us during these next 3 Saturdays?

There is a group of 7 participants coming in tomorrow morning, some are friends, some are colleagues, some are co-workers, some are parents and people I have not yet met. What I know is the people who are coming will be the right ones to be in the program room at this time.

When I close my eyes and allow myself to consider the outcome of my workshop, I quickly feel myself tapped into the fullness of my Self.

This is what it is, this is what I am meant to be doing at this time in my life.

How many people can I touch by sharing my story, sharing my experiences, presenting a different world view to consider of your own lives and how you are living, by simply showing up?

If I knew how many people have been moved or affected by my words in some meaningful way I know I would be shocked at the numbers (this is not cockiness this is fact). I think we all are unaware of just how much impact our stories have on other peoples lives. I think this is a really important reason to live your live authentically and speak your truth.

Today I prepare, I relax, I reconnect and settle in with the person I am. Tomorrow the world with shift a little more, once again.

There is always more... tomorrow is a new and fantastic day.

Countdown to Parenting Workshop

4 more sleeps until the first day of my parenting workshop "Discovering Authentic Self and Consciously Parenting".

Louise says she and Paul have finished the editing and are in the process of completing the visuals for my CD. Copies are being sent to me as we speak!

I am getting together the final details and supplies. I still have a couple of spaces left (*wink*).

I know this workshop is one that is beneficial to ALL not just parents as it has so much to do with who we really are, authentic self and who we can become, unfolding self, unlimited potential. Recognizing our unconscious behaviors and asking the question... does this still serve me in my evolution of becoming my potential self? Owning the response and acting accordingly.

There is the perfect amount of people already registered and I am really looking forward to engaging with them.

I am also aware of this building excitement inside of me. Just who am I going to become after the workshop is all done? Who knows?

There are many interesting things happening over the next 30 days and it is a good time to be a WEL-Woman in the East Coast! More details for other events in later blogs. Stay tuned!

Tomorrow is a new day... life is good.

Discovering Authentic Self & Consciously Parenting - Exploring our Potential

This new 3 day workshop is being offered to parents or parents-to-be to consider a different way of living and nurturing their children’s brilliance and individual expression.

Through these three ½ day sessions Lori will be inviting participants to discover a new perspective on parenting. Inviting them to find their authentic self and to consider how they can co-create meaningful family relationships with their children. It is an invitation for participants to recognize their programmed behaviours (unconscious parenting) and to become more actively aware in the parenting behaviours (conscious parenting).

Time & Date: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturday, April 14th, April 21st & April 28th

Location: South Woodside Community Centre, Osbourne Street Entrance

Price: $30.00 for complete workshop, workshop manual, 1 CD from the Living WELness Series

Please Register by April 5th, 2007, a non-refundable $10 deposit is requested upon registration.

Your workshop guide is Lori Walton, certified WEL-Systems® Master Facilitator and Quantum TLC™ Facilitator.

To find out more please contact Lori Walton at (902) 461-9169 or e-mail mailto:loriwalton@eastlink.ca

A Success...

Was there ever any doubt?

I attended my School Advisory Council meeting tonight and we discussed my workshop Discovering Authentic Self and Consciously Parenting, the council was very excited about my program and very free with their expressions of personal support and excitement.

I am also called back to my original intention for this program and the inspiration for it. The original thoughts that entered my mind, the thoughts I was forgetting about as I began to get caught up in the details.

My inspiration for creating this space was seeing the need for the parents of my community to become involved. Recognizing my community is not a wealthy community and the majority of the community are part of the “have nots” because they cannot afford the extras such as self improvement workshops, classes and programs.

In remembering this original intention I know that I will be providing this, my first workshop for very little cost. I will be volunteering my time to ultimately target the audience that inspired me.

I attended the Community Centre meeting with the Principle after the SAC meeting for a brief moment to propose the support of the Community Centre by way of donating space for my workshop. The community centre agreed to support my workshop and have provided the space at no cost.

Discovering Authentic Self and Consciously Parenting – Exploring our Potential will be held beginning Saturday April 14th for 3 consecutive Saturday Mornings at the South Woodside Community Centre in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. For those parents who are curious for something more, who decide to wake up and engage in their OWN life. The lives they forgot about, discovering their authentic selves (remembering them) and waking up to their potential. In doing so they will be able engage differently with their kids and begin to create different family relationships.

As I’m creating this program I am also very aware that I want to work with women in particular not specifically (mother’s), this is a program I may create in the future.

Success… Set an intention; create the space for creativity to flow, trust in yourSELF and you will achieve your goal.

Discovering Authentic Self & Consciously Parenting - The Seed is planted

In December at the Women's Writing Retreat I was having a great conversation with two of the women after dinner one night. I had mentioned my participation on my School Advisory Council and how it would be good to do something to assist the children's home relationships.

Celine light up... she had created and done work with her school and community with the parents by way of a workshop.

I was intrigued... what kind of workshop, how did it work. We chatted about what she did and I left enthused with the idea of creating something for the women in my community.

Over the Christmas Holiday Celine helped me outline a program I can offer to my community I've called it "Discovering Authentic Self & Consciously Parenting". I am really excited to get this going. I have tentatively booked space and I am going to presenting a proposal tonight at the Community Center Meeting to see if they will donate space in their facility to decrease cost to target the single mothers or those who cannot normally afford such a workshop.

My intention for the workshop is as follows.
- To create the space and provide a different way of living and allowing your children's brilliance to shine through
- To invite participants to recognize their programmed behaviors (unconscious parenting) and to become more actively aware in their parenting behaviors (conscious parenting)

The workshop will be held in April 2007 on 3 consecutive Saturday Mornings.

If you are interested or know someone who is please have them contact me for more information.

Life goes on, there is always more... and I'm so happy to be living my life LARGE!!!