Sherlianne

Our Soul Story and April, 2012 Events

"There is in each of us an ongoing story. It contains our meaning and our destiny....This is our "soul" story...and our deepest meaning is to stay with that story."  Al Kreinheder in Spot of Grace, Dawna Markova

I just took two workshops on story telling and creating a hero's journey story. I wrote my soul story and plan to perfrom it soon. It opened my heart and brought a flood of tears, so healing!

You're invited to two events on Sunday, April 15 , 12:30 to 1:30 pm: Third Sunday Poetry Reading and Open Mic, at Coffee Catz, 6761 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.

Kooch Daniels will read from her book, Theater of Karma, A Novel of Tarot, Mystery, The Occult, and Romance.
    Each chapter portrays a major arcana tarot card using the card’s keywords to depict emotionally loaded life events.  But
just as the cards ultimately come together to illuminate a spiritual journey, so too do the chapters in Theater of Karma combine to tell a super natural tale of love, tragedy, suspense, and ultimately hope.

Kooch has been a life long professional intuitive and student of mysticism.  Some of her work includes doing readings for twenty-five years at the northern and southern California Renaissance fairs. She's also given readings in the corporate world for many high profile Fortune 500 companies and has worked as a reader at hundreds of private events in the San Francisco bay area.
     Her writing credits include her newest released esoteric novel, Theater of Karma, (Tarot Media Co., 2012) and The Art and Magic of Palmistry (2011). With her husband Victor she co-wrote Tarot D’ Amour (Redwheel Weiser, 2003) and Matrix Meditations (Inner Traditions, 2009). Also, she has written a computerized program that divines personal readings presently being sold on-line by Astro Communication Services called Tarot Reports (ASC 1987).

Book Preview and To Order:
 http://tarotmediacompany.com/2012/02/theater-of-karma-kooch-daniels/
 
Kooch’s website:  www.cybermystic.com

Four minute open mic: bring a poem or very short story to share if you like. $5 and up donation. Hosted by Sher and John Christian www.lusciouspoetry.typepad.com

**Special offer until June 20. Those who buy my book of poetry, Star Kissed Shadows for $18 (including tax) or our CD Sweet Tongue for $20 (including tax) receive a quarter hour complimentary intuitive phone consultation valued at $25. Or-buy a book and CD for $38 and receive a half hour session valued at $50 or a copy of John's original music CD Behind the Mask. We will have books and CDs with us at these events.

Be

Stop a moment.
Look at surroundings.
Soften your eyes to observe light and dark;
sunspots and tree shadows on the floor,
white lace curtains lifting with breeze.
Listen to prosaic sounds;
husband munching cereal,
the creak of our chairs,
a ticking clock, bird chirps.
Find the divine pulse that beats in all.
Feel your breath move in and out.
Touch your face, arms, and legs.
Note muscle and bone.
Smell the fragrance of your skin, a flower.
Perceive the miracle of your aliveness.
Open to being.

©2004 Star Kissed Shadows
Sher Lianne Christian

Sunday, April 15, 3:00 to 4:00 pm:  “Stories to Bring in the New" at The Wellness Center, Whole Foods Market, 390 Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa. Free. Inspiring stories read by Sher Christian, accompanied on keyboard by John Christian. Share your own story about bringing in the new. Sher offers voiceover, stories for shut-ins, presentations for gatherings, and intuitive consultations to transcend challenge. www.lusciouspoetry.typepad.com

"It takes a thousand voices to tell a single story." —Native American saying

Warmly,
Sher Lianne Christian
Book: Star Kissed Shadows & CD: Sweet Tongue, Poetry & Music
To hear audio samples from our CD
http://kiwi6.com/file?id=56jk2fb094
Then click: Download File
Voiceover & Classes with Healing Stories

The Magic of Transcendence

My daily practice of reading inspiring stories to my husband brings sustenance and encouragement to persevere through challenges and deepens our loving connection. Stories and poetry help us live from Spirit with a focus on the magic of transcendence rather than the difficulty of obstacles. 

My poetry readings and story presentations give me opportunities to connect with others as I express my passion for the healing power of language and provide a place for others to find inspiration through sharing their own stories.

Our events for March, 2012 are:

Sunday, March 18 , 12:30 to 1:30 pm: Third Sunday Poetry Reading and Open Mic, at Coffee Catz, 6761 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Featured reader, Lizann Bassham is a writer, musician, and theatrical producer with novels, "Barefoot" and "One of Another,"  CDs of original indy folk, and plays, "Breastify!" "Voices" and "Stories Seldom Told". She is working on a series of poems called "In Praise of Aging." www.frontporchspirit.com Bring a poem or very short story to share if you like. $5 and up donation. Hosted by Sher and John Christian

Sunday, March 18, 3:00 to 4:00 pm:  "Using Story to Let Go" The Wellness Center at Whole Foods Market, 390 Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa. Free. Inspiring stories read by Sher Christian, accompanied on keyboard by John Christian. Share a story of letting go. Sher offers voiceover, stories for shut-ins, presentations for gatherings, and intuitive consultations to transcend challenge.

I also have a special offer until June 20. Those who buy my book, Star Kissed Shadows and our CD Sweet Tongue receive a complimentary intutive phone consultation for one half hour valued at $50. Email poetrysher@gmail.com for ordering information.

"No one else can speak the words on your lips. Drench yourself in words unspoken. Live your life with arms wide open. Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten."
Natasha Bedingfield from the website, Joy of Quotes

Story Love, Love Stories

My love of stories continues to deepen as I read and tell stories on a daily basis and learn about their power in our personal and collective lives. I'm doing monthly presentations on the healing effects of stories. My next one, "Stories of the Heart" is Tuesday, February 14, 4:30 to 5:30 P.M. Enjoy loving stories accompanied by John on keyboard. Come celebrate Valentine's Day. Bring a personal loving story to share.

The Wellness Center at Whole Foods Market, 390 Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa. Free.

"The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them and learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive..."Barry Lopez

I offer stories for shut-ins, presentations for gatherings, and intuitive phone consultations that bring clarity and inspiration to move through challenges through poetry and story.  I help others reach their goals through consultations and classes that combine intuitive expertise and the healing power of stories read with vocal mastery. I am available to create personally tailored presentations for your group meeting. Email me at poetrytalks@neteze.com for scheduling and to purchase Star Kissed Shadows, Divining Poetry and CD Sweet Tongue, Assorted Poetry and Music.

Passionate about the Healing Power of Stories

    Stories have captured my heart and passion with their juicy possibility for enjoyment, connection, and transformation. I agree with Janet Litherland who said, "Stories have power. They delight, enchant, touch, teach, recall, inspire, motivate, challenge. They help us understand..."
    I’m loving doing presentations on the healing power of stories at the Wellness Center at Whole Foods in Coddingtown. My next one, "The Star of Destiny Revealed through Story", is on Sunday, July 17 from 3:00 to 4:30 P.M. I will share inspiring stories, and participants will have opportunities to explore their unique life purpose through poetry and story.
Wellness Center at Whole Foods Market, 390 Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa. Free.

I help others reach their goals through consultations and classes that combine intuitive expertise and the healing power of stories read with vocal mastery. I am available to create personally tailored presentations for your group meeting. Email me at poetrytalks@neteze.com for scheduling and to purchase Star Kissed Shadows, Divining Poetry and CD Sweet Tongue, Assorted Poetry and Music.

"If you don’t know the trees you may be lost in the forest, but if you don’t know the stories you may be lost in life." —Siberian Elder

The Healing Power of Intuition, Story, and Vocal Mastery

Experience the healing power of intuition combined with just the right healing story and imagery from your own process. I am thrilled the way these inspirational phone sessions magically bring together my passion, talent, and years of experience in intuition, language, and vocal expression to help others transform their lives.

Are you ready to move happily through your current challenges, let go of limitation, and live your vision? E-mail poetrytalks@neteze.com to schedule your session, then call me with questions about areas in which you need help. You don't need to do it alone. Don't be at the mercy of situations. Find peace, ease, and well being in the midst of difficulty.

Phone consultations are half the normal price through the month of March. A one hour session is now $45 (normally $90) and a half hour is $25 (normally $50).

I have 30 years experience with intuitive work, 20 years with language arts, and 10 years of passionate vocal expression.

"See life through the lens of your spirit to move past limitation. Keep returning your focus to the truest vision for your life." Sher Lianne Christian

I LOVE to read inspirational stories and poetry out loud. It is a joy to use emotions through my voice and make the message come alive, to help listeners enter the narrative with a sensory experience that is experiential. When I read, it feels like my soul speaks through me.

The daily ritual of reading to John has become a major part of our spiritual growth. We can dissolve into tears and laughter that transform our approach to life, challenges and all. John has been my sweet audience of one.

Stories can connect us to our wisdom, provide nurturing and encouragement, ease the pain of lonliness and depression, strengthen the immune system, speed healing, as well as entertain. If you know of anyone who could benefit, I'm happy to have referrals. I will also share a story for your group or organization as an inspirational speaker.

Email poetrytalks@neteze.com to schedule your session.

Warmly,
Sher Lianne Christian
Book: Star Kissed Shadows & CD: Sweet Tongue, Poetry & Music
http://lusciouspoetry.typepad.com/
To hear audio samples from our CD
http://kiwi6.com/file?id=56jk2fb094
Then click: Download File

Best wishes for much love and happiness!

 

 

"Another Kind of Gratitude"

I love this article I received in an email. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiiving filled with gratitude for what you give and receive.

"Another Kind of Gratitude"

"In the lunchroom of a busy workplace, groups of employees were eating and visiting with one another at a dozen different tables. Suddenly one man stood, panic in his eyes. He was choking and couldn't call for help. As he began turning blue, alarm spread through the crowd. But for several agonizing moments, no one stepped up to help him.

All at once a man came forward and gripped the choking fellow around his ribs, squeezing him in a series of tight jerks until the food was dislodged. Amazement and joy swept through the onlookers as they felt a rush of appreciation that someone knew the Heimlich maneuver. The man embraced his rescuer in a moment of true thankfulness.

But there was another kind of gratitude at that moment. It was humble appreciation, on the part of the hero, that he had the knowledge and the strength to be able to help in an emergency.

It's one of life's great truths that the giver of selfless service feels just as much joy--and just as much reason to be thankful--as the receiver. Whenever we are in the right place at the right time to help, we feel an overwhelming sense of thanksgiving to our Maker for using us to bless someone in need.

We often give thanks for things we have received. But we should not overlook this other type of gratitude: thanks for what we can do for others. American poet Edwin A. Robinson described these two kinds of gratitude as "the sudden kind we feel for what we take, [and] the slower kind we feel for what we give."1

Being able to make a difference in the lives of others, to be useful, to be kind, to help, is a blessing that fills our hearts to overflowing with humility and gratitude. As we take count of life's bounties, let us remember and give thanks not only for our families, our good fortune, or our health but also for the marvelous ways God can use us to bless the lives of others.

1 "Captain Craig," in Captain Craig: A Book of Poems (1902), 5."

**Here is an opportunity to give and receive this Christmas season:

INTUITIVE PHONE SESSIONS with Sher Christian: Does a challenge have you stressed and/or stumped? Understand and transcend life challenges, fulfill potential, meet goals, increase well being and pleasure through attunement to the inner voice and poetry of the soul. Is there something you would love to accomplish, such as discover and fulfill your life purpose, move a situation to the next step, enjoy your life journey, manifest your heart’s desires in relationship, home, income?  Sher is adept at helping you connect with your inner wisdom to know what is needed.

HOLIDAY SPECIAL through December: Receive a complimentary gift certificate of equal value with your paid session.

$50 for a half hour session and $90 for a one hour session. Sliding scale available.
Satisfaction with the consultation guaranteed.

E-mail poetrytalks@neteze.com for your appointment for a phone consultation and to learn more. Check out Sher’s blog at www.lusciouspoetry.typepad.com/

*Sher Christian has 20 years experience with intuitive coaching. She is a Certified Flower Essence Practitioner and iridologist and has studied aromatherapy. She is the author of "Star Kissed Shadows, Divining Poetry" and co-creator with her husband John Christian of their CD "Sweet Tongue". Sher and John have hosted the Third Sunday Poetry Reading at Coffee Catz in Sebastopol, California for over two years.

Sher taught creative writing and poetry courses for Sierra College. She was a highlighted presenter at The International Flower Essence Conference in Australia and was a core leader of Nourish, the successful women's retreat in Sonoma.

**Sher's books and CDs make wonderful, affordable gifts. Mail $40 postpaid to Sher Christian for a copy of Star Kissed Shadows, Divining Poetry and Sweet Tongue, Assorted Poetry & Music. E-mail poetrytalks@neteze.com for address.

To hear samples, go to
http://kiwi6.com/file?id=56jk2fb094
Then click: Download File, (green text)

Happy Holy Days!

The Power of Intuition

When we use our intuition, or the wisdom of our hearts, to guide our choices, we put the power of spirit behind our actions, and a chain of beneficial results is created.

I had a sweet interaction that began when I received a business e-mail that had this quote at the bottom of it: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”  Mahatma Gandhi

My intuition said that the sender might enjoy one of my poems. I chose one for her, intuitively of course, and she found it very meaningful, even printed it to put on her desk.  Who knows what the next positive result will be from her sharing the Gandhi quote and me sharing a poem. It is a joy to be inspired and to be an instrument of inspiration for others.

This is the poem I sent:

Quiet Settles Softly

Quiet settles softly as down on a cloud.
My soul hungers for this silence
which feeds a deep need
to know this moment.
A coyote hurries along the sloping hill,
leaving thoughts of his medicine,
a trickster reminding us
how we fool ourselves,
resist authenticity out of fear.
Awareness softens muscles,
sinks into my body which contains the truth,
not always easy to embrace,
but freeing, nonetheless.
A tiny bird poises on the tip
of a leafless poison oak
which bends with her slight weight.
The trees are still and await nothing,
content to live.
Branches drink in the sky,
not to take, but to graciously
receive and give,
simple as breath in and out.
Quiet settles deep like roots underground.
I find all is well.

Star Kissed Shadows
©2004 Sher Lianne Christian

Please post a comment if your intuition guides you to be part of the inspiration chain.

I watched a movie last night that had the following Gandhi quote as its central premise. “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.”

I wish you a life filled with joy.

Sher

Note: My book Star Kissed Shadows has 111 pages and is a paperback with color cover, 79 poems and 7 photos. It is $20 postpaid. Our CD Sweet Tongue has my voice with my husband's music and sound effects with many of the poems from the book and some new ones. (Quiet Settles Softly is on it.) E-mail me at poetrytalks@neteze.com if you would like an mp3 demo with some short clips from the CD. It is $22 postpaid. The CD and book together are $40 postpaid. E-mail for the address at which to send a check.

I am also available for voice-over for your audio projects such as audio book, pod cast, web site, and more. My husband John Christian does music and sound effects for voice overs, videos, music CDs, commercials, etc. We have a full studio with synthesizer keyboards, accordions, Hammond organ, drums, and mouth harp. E-mail poetrytalks@neteze.com for an mp3 demo.

Feelings

Feelings

    I'm back from a blog hiatus for a few months, since I had a temporary full time job. Let's just dive in. How are you feeling at this moment? Recognizing and feeling emotions are two of the most essential skills required to live a healthy, fulfilled, successful life. My intuition has long been telling me to feel my feelings. I thought I was doing that, yet I've noticed a strong tendency to "go new age on myself" when an unpleasant emotion arises. For instance, I recently felt angry at unfair and unkind treatment. First I thought "Let go of it, It's not  big deal." Then I had a flash of insight and mirrored my feeling, said to myself, "You're feeling angry about what she said, and it is understandable." That simple shift in my way of being with anger was so powerful that my intense allergy to grass pollen that month released its miserable hold on me the next day. The physical congestion that had resulted from not allowing my emotions fully had cleared to such a great degree, that my allergic reactivity amazingly decreased. I have felt tortured by this allergy for over 20 seasons and tried all kinds of remedies.

    Here are two acrostic poems inspired by this topic. (Acrostic: a composition in verse in which the first letters of the lines spell a word or name.)

Feel

Flow; Let your feelings move through.
Each one contains a message.
Each one just needs a
Little loving kindness.

Allow

Just let yourself
Open to feel.
You will discover joy
Omnipresent
Underneath
Sadness and anger.

Sher Lianne Christian
©2010

    Here are two acrostic poems inspired by this topic. (Acrostic: a composition in verse in which the first letters of the lines spell a word or name.)

Feel

Flow; Let your feelings move through.
Each one contains a message.
Each one just needs a
Little loving kindness.

Allow

Just let yourself
Open to feel.
You will discover joy
Omnipresent
Underneath
Sadness and anger.

Sher Lianne Christian
©2010

Happy Poetry Month

My heart is full, as I facilitated my mini workshop, “The Power of Writing to Connect with Spirit” at Dare To Dream, the coaching center for Heidi and Jim Noh-Kuhn and Kashi Ananda's Devi Yoga Center in Sebastopol. The evening was rich with joy and self discovery as we went on a luscious journey to grace through the magic of language and music, intuition, and spirit. We did divining with my book Star Kissed Shadows and writing exercises that opened the door to our wisdom and magnificence.  The music of my husband John enriched my poetry and the experience with delightful keyboard accompaniment.

   *I am available to facilitate this process for your groups, businesses, and families. Contact me at poetrytalks@neteze.com to find out how this experience can improve relationships, help you get better results from your efforts, and increase cooperation. I have special prices on my programs until June 21. There’s also a special offer for our CD Sweet Tongue, Assorted Poetry and Music: Try it with no obligation. If it's a keeper, pay for it ($20 including tax). If not, return it to me. In addition, our CD (as well as my book) is available at Copperfield’s in Sebastopol, and they have a demo you can hear.

    Kashi shares, “Dear Sher ~ I love your poetry! I like to read to my son (age 11) before bed. Last night we read some of your poems. We both loved Spider Thoughts and Quiet Settles Softly was perfect for entering into sleep. I could feel the effect that your poems had on my son as his body began to release and relax and he became very peaceful.
    This morning I shared in class your poem, Silence. What a beautiful poem. I will keep this with me all day.”
Her testimonial is, “Sher Christian is a crystalline spirit being whose poetry is infused with the Divine. I joyfully participated in a workshop with Sher in which we got to experience receiving answers through her poems. It was a lovely experience and surprising as the poems spoke deeply and directly to the question at hand. I appreciated the gentleness and presence that Sher demonstrates while guiding us through the different exercises."

Kashi Ananda, Owner/Director
Devi Yoga Center  http://www.deviyogacenter.com/
Certified Senior TriYoga Teacher/Yogini

      *Heidi, Jim, and Kashi have wonderfully powerful offerings and their office, studio, courtyard is a magical, sacred space to experience. I highly recommend their work. Go to www.daretodreamvisioning.com and  http://www.deviyogacenter.com/ to learn about their heartfelt programs, classes, and free lecture series. They are looking for presenters in our community.

     *The Don Giovannis, the heart-lifting Italian band John plays in are busy this spring. They have some gigs open to the public in April and the first Saturday in May. They will be live on KSRO radio, 1350 AM, at 5:00 pm Friday, April 9. Check their website for events and to view them performing. http://www.thedongiovannis.com

    Look for news about our exciting featured readers, Marguerite Dean and Tom McCurry of Beloved Harmony performing their poems as well as those of Rumi and Hafiz with guitar accompaniment at our next Third Sunday Poetry Reading and Open Micat Coffee Catz, April 18, 12:30 to 1:30 pm. Not to be missed!!

Celebrate National Poetry Month! Enrich and heal your life with luscious poetry!

You Can’t Have Everything

but you can have a tongued velvet kiss beneath tall cedars and oaks flushed with new leaves. You can have a graze of caress up your th

Christmas Season

This Christmas season was a mix of happiness and sorrow, as my dad passed away on December 6. I found I wanted to be done with the grief after a period of time and discovered it has a life of its own. My body became congested when I tried to control the sadness, so I am learning to let it flow as it arises.

Dad’s death has reminded me to cherish life and has rekindled my desire to serve others through my deep ability to connect with intuition. As the holiday season comes to a close and you welcome a new year, I wish you a life that is fully lived. May you embrace the joy that each moment holds, in spite of obstacles encountered along your way. Happy New Year!

The Miracle of My Life

I ache and sunshine lights my home.
I despair and awareness coaxes me
toward other choices.
I complain at unfairness and failure
while opportunities for learning abound.
I yearn for more,
yet my cupboards burst with belongings.
I resent unkindness while loving compassion
beats against the inner walls of my heart.
I grieve for mistakes and losses
and the miracle of my life shines
like a Christmas tree, twinkling.
I yearn for something different
and the moment contains
a fullness of grace and wonder
that waits to be received.

copyright 2004, Sher Lianne Christian
Star Kissed Shadows, Divining Poetry