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...