Upcoming Events

On the calendar:

February 9 - Energize for 2013 - an Artist's Way Mini-Retreat at North Olmsted United Methodist Church from 12-4.

February 23 - So, You Want to Be a Writer? Workshop at North Olmsted Public Library from 2-5.

March 31 - Artist's Way one-day retreat in Dundee, Michigan

Spring TBA - Geneva Wineries Tour

May 31-June 2 - Spring Word Lovers Retreat at the Idlewyld in Lakeside

Fall TBA - Sandusky Wineries Tour

October 4-6 - Sharing Our Gifts in Lakeside, an Artist's Way Retreat

November 1-3 - Fall Word Lovers Retrea at the Idlewyld in Lakeside

I can send detailed information with flyers if you're interested.  E-mail claudia.taller@yahoo.com.
 

Writing From the Heart

Fall Word Lovers--The second writer's weekend of 2013 will focus on "Writing from the Heart." Writers will work with spiritual writings to delve into their own belief systems. The writers-in-residence will focus on writing deeply and connecting with the audience with personal essays and memoir. A special session on writing for children will be included. More details at http://ignitingpossibilities.blogspot.com/ in the late summer.

More on the February 9 Program

Nurturing the spirit is increasingly important in a world of distractions. We want lives that make a difference, but we lose our focus and fail to set goals that will move us forward toward our dreams. What do you want to do with your one and only life on Earth? How do you get there? How do you find your way to the right path?

We have had many teachers who have tried to show us the way, among them are Jesus, Mother Theresa, The Buddha, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Yoga Tradition, and Thomas Merton. We listen to their voices, we pray, we meditate, and live well, but we often miss what it is we truly need and want from life. Opening ourselves to possibility and the creative spirit within us, delving into the meaning of life, we gain momentum. When we nurture ourselves, we can become energized to set broad goals and then take small steps toward them.

First, we’ll share a meal. Then we will listen to the voices of the teachers, set intentions for our exploration, meditate, and clear out those things that block us from living as well as we can. In the spirit of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, we’ll embark on some creative exercises to energize our body, mind and spirit. We’ll laugh and talk and move. We’ll speak our missions and gifts out loud, and then we’ll get them on paper in affirmations and poetry. Finally, each of us will come up with small steps toward our dreams. As Julia Cameron said, “When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator’s creativity within us and our lives.” 

The cost is $40 for non-members, a portion of which will be donated to North Olmsted United Methodist Church to continue its missions. If you bring a friend, two pay $70. Contact Claudia Taller at 440.554.6406 or at claudia.taller@yahoo.com with questions. Please pre-register by sending your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address with the workshop fee to Igniting Possibilities, 26408 Chapel Hill Drive, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070.

Begin again. Renew. Nurture your body, mind and spirit, and energize for a new year filled with possibilities. Spend an afternoon with creative people and captures some of their energy. Share your gifts with the world. This could be our best year yet.

Writing, and Making a Difference

Spring Word Lovers--Spend a weekend of writing with two writers-in-residence who will cover fiction adn non-fiction topics. Writers are encouraged to spend the entire weekend and make arrangements for a critique session with special guest Les Roberts. Programming can be found at http://ignitingpossibilities.blogspot.com/ by early Febraury. The theme is "Writing Your Best Words to Make a Difference."

Winter Energizer -- An Afternoon Event

Five years ago I started the tradition of gathering people together on a Winter afternoon to focus on what they'd done the previous year and what they wanted to do in the future. I called it "Caring for Our Authentic Self" and focused on self-care and future possibilities. I brought in a yoga instructor who led some of us through yoga.


The yoga wasn't so well received but the creativity exercises, lunch, and conversation seemed to bring people together. They left the retreat ready to embark on new adventures, girded by the group's support. During hte last couple of years, I borrowed the book Eat Pray Love because it was the story of a woman's journey out of the void and into a world in which her heart was open to possibility.

What are your goals?  What do you want to do with your one and only life on Earth?  Are you ready to begin?

From 12-4PM on Saturday, February 9, join us at North Olmsted United Methodist Church, 4600 Dover Center Road, North Olmsted, Ohio, to share a meal, talk about your gifts, experience ritual, feel creative, and renew the spirit. We'll begin anew and have our best year yet.

The cost is $40/person or $70 for two.  Send me an e-mail at claudia.taller@yahoo.com to RSVP.