Living Our Dreams

Branch of Hope and Intention

Last night we held the Introductory Evening for Living with Cancer: Visions of Healing and Hope.  It was a truly an honor to sit in a sacred circle listening to stories of courage, determination, hope. 

Tears were shared as fears and concerns were released, yet there was also laughter, as the women found humor in the midst of their dark nights of the soul. It was the laughter that touched my heart the most.

Although I have had many friends who have struggled with this seemingly rampant disease, I have not personally been impacted by cancer. As one of 3 women in the circle, who has not had a diagnosis of cancer, there was a part of the road I could not walk with them to some degree. 

My co-facilitator Diane Kenney who is recently out of treatment, was able to hold that space and was interestingly the one who opened the circle to laughter. I sat in awe as I watched this beautiful woman, short sassy hair, living her dream...a dream of giving back to others, in recognition of love, support and tender care she received during her time in treatment. All without any prior experience in facilitating a group! Diane spoke from her heart and her personal experience and she held the sacred space for the women to share openly and honestly, leading by example. I was in awe. 

In the photo above, you see the branch of hope and intention we created as a group last night. Each leaf holds a word of hope and an affirmation for the next 6-months. It hangs in the studio, a reminder of our evening and our hopes and intentions for Spring...

Ladies...Diane...you are my HER-oines....thank you....

The Morning After...

Sheri on left dressed to the 9's, in an AWESOME outfit from Corky Woods. You girls made me look good!

The Super Model is coming down to earth and re-entering her Mountain Gal persona. WOW fellow Feisty Females, I have to tell you, this might have been the best thing I have ever done for my self-esteem. There I was on stage, with some REALLY high fashion priestesses and I felt absolutely FANTASTIC and VERY SASSY! 

I had a pretty rough week last week, with a lot of late nights-not my forte these days-2 floods on different days of the week and between clients in my studio from the restaurant above me and a crisis of faith when it became clear, we jumped the gun a bit and Living with Cancer Program likely won't be funded for the first 6-weeks of programming. Suffice it say that 4 hours before runway walk, I was in tears with my co-facilitator and wondering WTH I was taking on this enormous new studio. 

Yes gals, it happens to me too some days. I am not immune to the eventual break down of faith that comes with stretching out of the old skin, when making life transformations. My co-facilitator Diane, talked me down from the ledge-and reminded me of what is REALLY important-she is a breast cancer survivor newly out of treatment, which sure puts things in perspective. She told me that she believes in the dream, the work and in me. We all need people like Diane in our lives, so when those ledges show up, there is someone with a bull horn waiting at the bottom. 

Being authentic takes courage. I was surrounded in this event with about 6 current and former clients and many more in the audience. This took being my bona fide and genuine a WHOLE new level, including changing backstage in mass. 

As I walked on stage in my first line (see photo above) to the cheers and screaming of my community (and my cute hubby in the background) I was jolted awake, this IS what HAPPENS when community comes together. This is what HAPPENS when we BELIEVE.  

After the show, as we mingled, a client came up to me and said, "I shouted out, that's my THERAPIST!" Her friends said, "Wow, she really walks her talk! How cool!" If I am gonna preach it, I better be ready to LIVE IT!

Something new is awake within my heart this morning-and I don't think it's just the coffee...Let's take a moment today and IMAGINE POSSIBILITIES WE NEVER DREAMED EXISTED!!!

Remember it begins with, YES I CAN! and sometimes involves fakin' it till we make it!

Dare to be FEISTY...it ROCKS! 

2 

To the cast and crew of this extraordinary event. My heart to everyone for their efforts. To my dear SWIRL sister Lynn Aliya, thank you for making me a star and supporting my dreams all these years. To Amy Kimberly, Ro Mead and the rest of the wild tribe over at CCAH, I am in awe! 

Milestones: Fifty Feisty Bold Steps

Copyright: 2010 Sheri Gaynor, The Rite of Spring Fashion Show
Sneak Preview: Hoops

How better than to step into Feisty Fifty than with fifty bold steps for 2010. I've crossed off learning hand drumming and tonight I cross off a long held fantasy, that of actually being a Broadway singer/dancer. Yep, I am saying it publicly for all the world to hear. Growing up in the BIg Apple, and attending Broadway musicals conjured up some pretty BIG childhood fantasies of becoming a singer and dancer. Watching Tommy Tune tap and strut made my heart beat faster.

I always wanted to be in the high school musicals, but because of my spacial dyslexia, I was always going one way while everyone else was going the other, not to mention that I was so SHY, I could hardly speak. So, needless to say, I was never invited into the club. I gave up after a few attempts and decided to head down other paths. Meeting my friend Lynn Aliya, awakened this idea, but I never thought I would dare to take the leap. 

I think this dream has lived buried under a few layers for quite some time now. Last year when I attended the first Green is the New Black Fashion Show, and had my mind completely blown, I set an intention to model in 2010. I actually made the it through this years audition-which thanks to my good friend Lynn Aliya, was a runway walk and nothing more-so tonight I am strutting my stuff on the runway in in The RItes of Spring Fashion Show and modeling four lines. In one of these lines, I am actually doing something really bold...but I can't reveal that quite yet, you'll just have to come and see for yourself. 

Yep, tonight is one of those, H--Y S--T moments, where I am stepping into some REALLY scary terrain and risking it all for the sake of redemption, ala bright lights, performance and music, just so I can say "I'm FEISTY FIFTY, YES I CAN!" 

48 bold steps to go....

Here's a video from last years Green is the New Black!

Where's Sheri?

My goodness! It's been 10 days since you've heard a peep from me. My life is buzzing faster than a bee makes honey and I fully confess, I'm having a bit of trouble keeping up!

I am getting ready to put together a March update filled with updates and happenings, so make sure you are on our mailing list or check back on Wednesday for all the juicy news!

In the meantime, I am VERY PROUD to announce our latest program Living with Cancer: Visions of Healing and Hope. I will be Co-Facilitating this wonderful series with friend, and breast cancer survivor Diane Kenney. 

Photo Credit: Sue Drinker, Putting a Face On Cancer

Diane is an amazing and talented artist. Following her recent treatment for breast cancer, Diane was determined to find a way to "give back to other women, going through this difficult experience." We are teaming up to create a nurturing, healing and creative experience for cancer survivors. Please visit Diane's site to see some of her beautiful and inspiring ceramic work. 

 

Please join us for our Introductory Gathering, 

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 

at The Mandala Studio (in the Fleisher Company Bldg)

I've uploaded the flyer (Download LWCFlyerfinal). If you know someone who might be interested in attending our Introductory evening, please pass this on, or send them to the Introductory Gathering, web page. We have also created a Facebook Living with Cancer Group page, where women can gather and share their stories.

7If you are interested in becoming an  LWC Angel sponsor or donor, please contact Diane, for more information.  

We hope to see you soon!

Studio Location in the Fleisher Company Bldg (Gateway Plaza): 

View Larger Map

Enter through double doors to the left of Independence Run and Hike. First left down the stairs. Bottom of stairs are the restrooms. Across from the woman's restroom is our studio. 

March Art of Intention

As we move into spring, my intention this month is to expand beyond the current borders of my imagination. Where are you going in March? Join us.... 

 

It's DreamTime Monday!

March roars...time to get out your Book of Dreams and create an intention for the month. I'll be dreaming later today in the studio...let's create our realities, not simply live them....

Think renewal, replenish, soften, surrender! 

It's Mile Marker 3 of the online Expedition and we're dreaming BIG and viewing new horizons! I've had some requests for another online class. If your interested, send me an email, with the subject line, "Expedition Inquiry." Include your personal email address (not NING) and phone. 

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.  ~St. Augustine

Join in on the fun by posting your Art of Intention for month here in our community Salon. 

 

Here's a little inspiration for you to get your creative juices FLOWin and GOin. I found it on Dancing Down Serendipity Street,  JUICY blog by new Salon member Jamie Burch!  Stop by Jamie's profile, say hello and thank her for the inspiration! Happy DREAMing everyone... Your fearless dreamer.... Sheri