Mastermind Blog

I've been studying and exploring collage work for a while but recently have gotten serious about it and have set a tentative date to take a SoulCollage ®  facilitator class at the end of February.  Once I've done that, I plan to do a Collage Exhibit, hopefully using the Burley Hall.  The exhibit is intended to showcase what I have done with my collage work and present the collage workshops I've been working toward.  I've been studying on this off and on for a couple of years now and still find it to be one of the most powerful tools that I have used for my own self-growth. Below you will see three of my newest creations.  Because I've been working with the SoulCollage ® format I've changed my collage size to 5 x 8 to fit with Seena Frost's course. Even though I will become a SoulCollage ®   facilitator, Seena Frost's method is only of the 3 styles of collage workshops that interest me. Seena Frost's method is very involved and revolves aroun...

Good Morning Everyone, I want to be crystal clear that I did not write the article you are about to read.  I put the link in this text so that you may explore more of his website if you would like.  I have enjoyed the writings of Rob Brezsny for several years now.  He has an optimism that is close to sainthood.  He is also incredibly funny at times.  Reading his book Pronoia off and on again, and yet again, shakes up my reality, puts me into a state of resistant surrender, and in general makes me feel like I've done some heavy house cleaning in my head with very little effort on my part. It makes me understand how important it is to shake up the rigidity of thinking even if it's my attachment to being right.   The things he writes about the Beauty and Truth Lab are imaginative and healing.  This particular article is inspiring.  What at first seems to be 100% tragedy is just another rejuvenating life experience.   Sincerely...

I copied this from Teia's e-mail to me. Charles Steed is part of a Dr. Joe Dispenza advanced group. Notes on the subconscious and other stuff… The subconscious mind responds to belief, enthusiastic belief. Your conscious mind feeds your subconscious with any and every word you utter so be especially guarded of what you say and your tone or attitude when you say it. Stop for a moment and imagine that belief is a commodity. The more belief you have, the stronger that belief becomes. Most people are aware of the benefits of affirmations; however, again, most people leave enthusiasm and belief out of the equation. Strong belief along with strong desire is required for virtually all manifesting. Various ideals related to your desires must align in your subconscious. Among these ideals we find Truth, harmony, peace Love, along with anything that is right and good. Right and good might be considered virtuous or honorable. Consider creating a working metaphor for your life whereby the...

Hello Interested Readers! I learned about detachment in Al-Anon.  I learned that we can't save the alcoholic.  There is no intervention from us that solves anything.  I learned that the highly charged "conversations" were manipulations and designed to engage me in a tail chasing situation so that the alcoholic could keep blaming me for his problems. Detachment is a powerful tool in transformation.  It is an over-used word that means very little until you actually attempt to practice it.  It is one of the most important elements in a 12 step program and probably the most side-stepped concept in recovery.  I use it frequently these days as a form of being objective. Imagine that you are in the room with a person who is watching the news.  This person is triggered by a topic and simply begins yelling at the TV.  This person is not detached.  They are attached to the way they feel when they are yelling.  They are getting a dose of chem...

Good morning! Today I have challenged myself to put our mission and goal into a few simple paragraphs. The Mastermind Group Mission Statement We are not defined by our circumstances and we believe in each other unconditionally without criticism, helpful tips, tricks, or advice. The Mastermind Group Meeting Guidelines When we hold meetings in person we use a method that allows everyone a chance to speak on their progress and after each speech we applaud their efforts and notice their success.  We divide the minutes in the meeting by the people at the meeting to decide a time limit for each person.  A person can choose to just listen. Progress can include telling about a great speaker, book, or event that you attended, a goal you set and achieved, a life changing personal epiphany, or a photo of your favorite rose in bloom.  This group is about your growth and understanding, not your sister, or your hated neighbor.  If however, you have creat...

Carmen to Carmen, Nose to nose Can I take my own blows? Can I duck and parry each critical remark or thought I make to myself? Can I hug myself? Can I see my own beauty? Can I see the light in my own eyes? If I can't win this fight with me, maybe I will compromise. Sometimes it can be my way and others it can be my way! Carmen to Carmen Nose to nose.

I look in the mirror and I am unhappy with the way I look.  I look at my stomach and I am unhappy with the way it is.  I look at my house and I am unhappy with the arrangement.  I look at the yard and am seeing that it needs to be mowed and the belt is broken on my lawn mower.  It will take about 10-16 hours to mow everything with the push mower.  This thought makes me unhappy.  The leaking roof in the summer kitchen makes me unhappy.  I look at the piles of logs that have been gifted to me and am seeing my trail blocked and a lot of work which makes me unhappy.  I see my broken motorcycle and I am disappointed in myself. Thirty minutes of noticing all of these things can cause me to feel unhappy, especially if I know that people will see my mess and say judgmental things or question my ability to do the jobs in the future. It takes less than thirty minutes to turn all of that around and see what I have been blessed with.  I start by visu...

Love is a simple word with a complex existence.  It means something to everyone, from loving food to loving our mother.  Without love our existence is barren.    We all love something even if we are grouchy.   We all love something even if we have buried it so deep that we can't express it.   Gratitude falls right into line behind love.  Gratitude unlocks the door to our love.  With gratitude our love can magnify whatever we put our attention on.  On the days when we struggle to express or feel love, we can find something to be grateful for on purpose .  If you flushed a toilet today you can express gratitude for running water.  If you are struggling to be grateful for flushing a toilet, imagine squatting over a hole to do your business.  Maybe that hole is tile-lined and maybe there is a huge tub of water with a dipping pot so that you might throw water at yourself to clean up.  Your American great-...

I found a loose sheet of paper today.  It is a few very short notes on one of our mastermind meetings.  They are almost as powerful for me this morning as hearing them the night of the meeting. Notes from Holly's speech: Loving our way back. Comparison is the thief of joy. Forgive them their disconnect. Note from Phyllis's speech: Forgiving yourself enough to love yourself.

What does this mastermind meeting do for me? The idea behind “mastermind meetings” is to bring several minds together to create new ideas or solve old problems.   There are more versions of mastermind meetings than I can wrap my mind around.   When I began my quest for “partners in believing”, I stayed very close to home and chose only women who were already my friends.   I know for a fact that each woman I chose was perfect for being a “partner in believing”, but my long-term vision doesn’t limit us to my little meetings.   Every single one of you has a circle of family and friends who benefit from your ideas and way of living. Every positive action you take toward another person, yourself, or a situation, reverberates exponentially around you.   Each person who is affected by you also spreads that energy exponentially around them. No matter what is going on in my life, the first Thursday of the month brings my attention back to believing in m...

I have to laugh because I totally forgot about my Mastermind Post for July!  It has been a busy time for me.  Not busy in that I've been doing a zillion things, but busy in the way my mind has been growing and wrapping itself around quantum leaping.  I may use phrases that don't set well with people because they have notions about "New Age" phraseology.   I grew in in a right-wing-christian-conservative environment that was ruled at home by a woman who believed all women and children should be sheltered and not know anything.  We girls were also not allowed in the kitchen except to do dishes.  We were not taught to be homemakers but were expected to KNOW what we were supposed to do.  All in all it was a very limiting environment therefore I struggle with the phraseology of born again Christians, or republicans, or lifestyles where the man is totally in charge.  I'm not judging the people who have these belief systems because I deeply believ...

Please read the post before this one for the real June letter.  Thanks. If you feel that another woman would benefit from these blog posts, feel free to pass on the link.  I know that some of you are very shy to put your thoughts here, but you are very strong on supporting others growth, so please don't hesitate to put your kudos in the comments.  If you are concerned about your anonymity use a fake name.  I'll still read comments sent by Big Foot, Barn Owl, or even Little Beaver.   It doesn't matter what our names are.  What matters is that we are finding support for our growth and change and acknowledging that others are on that same path.   This may seem like a small step for women but it is much larger than you think. Sincerely, Carmen 

Dear Readers, The first Thursday of June passed without me even noticing it.  I still believe Mastermind Meetings to be very important.  I also am willing to admit that my chaos is not conducive to good meetings.   Over the last month I've gone from sidling through a chaotic mess to shifting the chaos all over the place.  In the midst of this mess the Phoenix, who is me, is rising higher with more colorful plumage than ever.  As the grass grows taller and the flowers bloom, I am surrounded by a ragged but beautiful environment.  Twice I have forgotten that my riding lawn mower needs a battery.  I finally put that on my list today. The restorers have finished their part of the job on my home and now it is my turn.  I have been sifting through years of accumulated junk for quite some time now.  As I toss the unknown things away, I vow not to accept other people's garbage.  That doesn't mean I wouldn't take a used bird ...

Over the last two days, Teia has sent me some truly great links.  These short presentations don't take long to listen to and are well worth it.  This is what I'm looking for as we share with each other.  Teia has embraced change even though it is terrifying for her and she feels that she is a failure, she keeps standing back up and giving it another go.  I am proud of you Teia!   This article is not in her voice.  It is about the links she shared with me. I learned a lot about Gaslighting during therapy sessions and have been surprised at how much of this has gone on in my life.  It is so much easier to let go of the opinion of others now.  I also learned that anyone challenging my intelligence, my heart, or simply trying to coerce me by forceful speaking, is not interested in my well being.  These people are serving their own agenda and the longer and louder they try to convince me, the more certain I am that I need to step ba...