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Horvath-Zurn Consulting 507-261-3588 |
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January
2009 |
Volume
1, Number 4 |
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In This Issue · Thought for the Month · Newsletters are Now Available on the Website! · New Year
Resolutions · Oneness Blessing (Deeksha) Event · Workshops · Curriculum Development (under construction) · Significant Holidays, Holy Days and Observances for
January 2009 · Gift Certificates Available · 2009 Prices · God in Nature: “Out of the Woods Photography”
Picture of the month, plus a special offer! |
Thought for January
Return to
the Center
“There is a place at the core of
our being that exists free of regret, free of great expectations and free of fear and anxiety. In this place, this moment in time where we
are our very best selves, we are whole and complete in our being. This place within us bears many names and
is so often beyond naming….Hindu masters call it Atman, Buddhists call it
Dharma, Rilke calls it Inwardness, Sufis call it
Qualb. Theologians call it the Soul,
Jung calls it the Seat of Unconscious, and Christ calls it the Center of our
Love and Joy. To truly know this place
is to truly know who and whose we are, not by anything that lives on the
surface of our being. But by knowing
this place within ourselves through moments of enlightenment, wholeness and
satori—clear living. This is where
light overcomes the darkness, inner beauty meets the outward self and
completeness is all that there is.”
--Kathy
Beasley (Kathybeasley@mccchurch.net)
Used with permission
Horvath-Zurn Consulting Newsletters
You can now read past and present
newsletters on the website. Check it
out! www.horvathzurnconsulting.com
New Year Resolutions
“We can only love others to
the degree that we have opened our hearts to ourselves. It is not selfish to bless ourselves first,
because if our heart remains closed we have nothing to give. The most selfless prayer is to awaken so
that we can serve others and help alleviate the suffering that comes from
ignorance of our unity with the Big Mind of God.” --Joan Borysenko PH.D
Years
ago I met a flight attendant at a party.
My first question was, “Why cover our own nose and mouth first? If the oxygen mask appears, I will take
care of my son, my spouse, and any others around me who needs
assistance. Then I’ll take care of
myself.” I
will never forget his reply. “By the
time you get the mask on your son, you may be unconscious and unable to
assist anyone else. In fact, you may
not get his mouth covered before you pass out. If you place the oxygen mask over your own
nose and mouth first, you can be available to help others.” This
year my New Year’s resolution is to practice good self care. If I take care of myself, I can be
available to help others. SELF
CARE Stress,
tension, worry, anxiety…. Our bodies don’t know “good” stress from
“bad” stress, they only register stress!
It doesn’t matter if it’s thrill or anxiety,
our body’s only know it’s stress. Some effects of stress, left unchecked
include, but are not limited to: headaches, stomach problems, poor
boundaries, poor decision making….failure to thrive
…..etc. I took these effects and broke them down
into the following categories: Physical Mental Emotional Sexual Spiritual I would
like to briefly address each one.
Physical
“Your body is one of your
prime sources of guidance, and it also helps create what you need. Take time today to attend to your body in
special ways. Make it feel attractive,
loveable, respected and appreciated.” --Penney Peirce Our body systems in the simplest form: Cardiovascular: Pumps the blood Digestive : Transforms food into energy Endocrine: Uses hormones to stimulate the
metabolic activities of the bloodstream.
Excretory: The main organ is the kidney. It filters waste and purifies our blood. Immune:
The body’s main defense against foreign substances. Integumentary: This is our skin which protects our insides
and regulates body temperature. Muscular:
The largest body system of all gives us the ability to move. Respiratory: Supplies the body with oxygen inhaled and
exhaled. Skeletal: This is our bones and cartilage
that gives us shape and supports us. These systems are important to our body’s
health! How do we use this system
information to help us reduce the reactions to stress and thus have healthier
body? Researching these systems showed that,
overall, these four things will help each system sustain good health: ·
Eat healthy foods ·
Exercise
regularly ·
Drink plenty of water ·
Get a proper amount of sleep Can it truly be that easy to have a
healthy body? *In
addition, keep regular appointments with your physician, ask about vitamins
(including calcium, iron, etc) that you need daily, and set up a health plan
with him or her. Mental
“I will try to live through
this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once; I will be happy; I
will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own
desires; I will try to strengthen my mind.
I will study. I will learn
something useful. I will not be a
mental loafer. I will read something
that requires effort, thought and concentration.” --Excerpts from the Al-Anon Family Groups “One Day at a Time” Some results of not practicing good
mental health can include anxiety, feeling out of balance, displaced
emotions, negative attitudes, and poor self-esteem. Our mental health is important! Some ways we develop a healthier way of
viewing things include self-talk that includes statements such as: -Let it go -It’s not about me -Stuff happens -I can only own my part Mental health balance is important. There are two halves to our brain: The Right Side: Creative and imaginative! Left Side: Practical and constructive! Just as some are right handed or left
handed, we tend to favor a brain side as well. It’s important to exercise both sides of
the brain because it helps to bring us into healthy balance. Example: The left-brained person sees the snow
falling and grabs the shovel. The right-brained person sees the snow
falling and grabs a scarf, a hat, a carrot for the nose and something dark
for the eyes and mouth! J What a grand thing it would be to shovel
the driveway and sidewalk…warm up with some hot cocoa (the right brained
person will insist on marshmallows) and then go build a snow-person! The
last part about keeping good mental health includes the following: Seek positive mental health by talking with professionals. Keep hotline and warmline numbers available if you’re feeling
low. Reach OUT! Take prescribed medications as prescribed. Keep
working on a healthy attitude about things. Strive for BALANCE! And again: eat healthy, drink plenty of water, get
some exercise, and strive for the proper amount of sleep. Emotional “I view emotions as a
temperature gauge, such as the one found in my car. When I find myself starting to run HOT I
try to stop and ask, ‘What’s this all about’”
Taking the time (even if it’s past the event) to address the issue can
be a coolant to my system that will keep my emotions from boiling over. I believe our emotions are a gift from a
Higher Source—our Creator; it’s what we do with these emotions that can truly
make the difference in our lives and in the lives of others.” -Rev. Dr. Nancy Horvath-Zurn How many different emotions can you think
of? Delight, anger, fear, rejection, relief,
distress, shame, joy, peace, hate, reverence, deceit, rebellious, gladness,
faint, agony, anguish, love, sorrow, dismay, disgrace, exhaustion,
temptation, abandonment, patience, concern, betrayal, cynicism…… Many of them fall under the categories
of: Mad Sad Happy It’s important to get down to what lies
beneath these three. We may say we’re
feeling mad, when what we’re actually feeling is betrayal. We may say we’re feeling sad, but what
we’re actually dealing with is abandonment.
We may say we’re feeling happy, when what we’re actually sensing is
pride. Try to work to identify your
REAL feelings. It may hurt more in the
long run, but dealing with emotions in the short run keeps them from coming
back to bite us later. Also, a reminder that our emotions are a
like a temperature gauge. We want to
deal with them as soon as possible so they don’t do damage to our primary
systems! The emotions are not the
problem---the emotions reflect the problem.
We want to use our emotions as indicators, but not let them control
us. Some questions I ask myself (and
frequently journal about): -What am I feeling right now? -Why do I feel this way? -What got triggered for me? -What can I do about it in the moment? -What can I do about it over time? If emotions aren’t dealt with properly,
recognized for what they are, who pays the price? We
do! Sexual “Sexual Expression is a form
of communication through which we give and receive pleasure and emotion. It has a wide range of possibilities from
sharing fun activities, feelings and thoughts, warm touch or hugs, to
physical intimacy. It is expressed
both individually and in relationships throughout life.” -- Since stress seems to bring out issues
with the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of our lives, it only serves
to reason that it would also affect our sexuality. In this world filled with sexually
transmitted diseases, and in this life when many of us are seeking LOVE, an
OUTLET and an EXPRESSION of ourselves, it’s important to intentionally
practice safer sex. This includes but
is not limited to: Safety: This is a dangerous time to bar hop or
randomly pick someone up on the
internet. Be safe! Don’t get yourself into a situation that puts you in
danger in any way, shape or form!
Trust your partner on a physical,
mental and emotional level. Consider
the wider of possibilities
through healthy sexuality (besides physical intimacy). Admit: Acknowledge any loneliness and look for
healthy outlets. This may or may
not be found through physical intimacy.
In fact, you may feel worse
afterward. Feelings: Trust your gut! If it doesn’t feel right, it isn’t right. Express:
Express your true feelings, at least to yourself. Be careful you don’t
get tangled up in emotion. The old (and new) movies can lead us to unhealthy comparisons of characters who only exist in the
magic of We can then, in our
vulnerability, reach out for love in all the wrong places. Sex is a natural drive! Just be
sure you’re the one doing the driving! Spiritual
“The knowledge that all
things are interconnected is a first step toward spiritual awakening.” Joan Borysenko, PH.D What do you believe about a power greater
than yourself? Do you practice a
specific religion or spirituality? Why
or why not? What do you believe about
Divine intervention, healing, miracles, prayer? Do you practice any spiritual rituals? Do you have an altars
in your home? How is your spiritual beliefs connected
with how you relate to others? Are
there any spiritual books that specifically touch your life? Do you attend worship services? If so, where? Why? Is your higher power male or female or
neither (or both)? Is there a name you
use when you pray? Our spirituality is very personal to each
one of us. I encourage you to take some time to answer some of the questions
above. Journal about them. And if you
would like to set up a mentoring session to talk about them, or others, give
me a call! Summary We have learned that it’s important to
seek physical, mental, emotional, sexual and spiritual health in our
lives. Since there will be times of
stress in the new year, and since our bodies don’t distinguish good stress
from bad stress, it’s especially important to begin practicing healthy
self-care NOW! Then, perhaps we can be
a blessing to others. AWAKEN
TO ONENESS
Barefoot
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Come and
experience one of ·
Ghost
Hunting 101 ·
The Eight
Essentials for a Healthy and Thriving Organization ·
Gender
Bending |
Ghost Hunting 101: Have you
noticed the increased interest in mediums, ghosts and psychics on television
these days? Perhaps you’ve caught an
episode or two of Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters International, or
Monday April 27th 6:30pm – 9:30pm Fee is $15.00
*You must reserve a space through Rochester Community Ed. 328-4000
or www.rochesterce.org/adults
The Eight Essentials for a Healthy and Thriving Organization
Welcome
to a unique new study with one purpose in mind—helping your organization
become healthy and thriving! These
eight essentials can each stand alone, but put in place, together, can assure
your organization, non-profit, small business, church, or other group, a
wonderful success.
Code 7250.231 2 sessions
(6:30-9:30pm) Tues. April 7, 2009 and
Tues. April 14, 2009
*You must reserve a space through Rochester Community Ed. 328-4000 or www.rochesterce.org/adults
Gender Bending We hear the letters on the news and see it
in news-worthy articles: GLBTQIA What do they mean? What is involved in moving us from
intolerant to the celebration of differences?
Come and explore sexual orientation issues in a sfe and open
environment.
2 sessions (6:30 – 9:30pm)
Mon. May 4th, 2009 and Monday May 11, 2009
*You must reserve a space through Rochester Community Ed. 328-4000 or www.rochesterce.org/adults.
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Metropolitan Community
Churches are a forty-year denomination.
www.mccchurch.org On their website, under Education and
then Small Group Studies, you will find three of Nancy’s workshops. These can be downloaded free of charge
and include a complete leader’s guide: |
The Eight Essentials For a Healthy and Thriving Congregation is an eight session class
designed for churches.
The Eight Essentials For a Healthy and Thriving Congregation;
Developing a Strategy for Success is the sequel and provides the ground work for putting
the Eight Essentials into action.
Putting a Little Character into Christmas was written to add some
educational fun to the Advent Season.
Again, it is relative to the Christian church.
Open Hearts, Open Doors; Opening the Doors to the Transgender
Community Again, this course is relative to the
Christian church and available for free download, complete with a detailed
leader’s guide. You will find this one
under Transgender (on the far left column of the website).
If you, your church or
organization are seeking a workshop, please contact me. I can custom write it for you and teach it
myself or write a leadership guide so you can teach it yourself. One such idea is for The Eight Essentials
for a Healthy and Thriving Organization.
This would be the same concepts without the Christian influence and
biblical references.
Curriculum
Development (under construction)
Resurrection Possibilities; Letting go of the past in order to live
fully in the present: Presented with Dawn Gregor
(Barefoot Yoga) in March (TBA).
Significant Holidays, Holy Days and Observances for January
2009 (Compiled by Kathy Beasley and used here with her
permission) kathybeasley@mccchurch.org
January 1
New
Year’s Day on the Gregorian calendar.
A time for renewal and a time that some will resolve to break bad
habits and begin good ones. This is
often a day of deep reflection and renewal as some will take the time to
examine their lives over the last twelve months and plan for the coming year.
Global
Family Day (formerly One Day of Peace and Sharing. We have the opportunity to recognize and
celebrate the global family of all faiths, cultures, races, nationalities and
economic classes.
Temple
Day Oshogatsu (or Shogatsu)—Buddhist.
Many Buddhists of all traditions pay their respects and pray for good
fortune for the New Year at the temple and make resolutions for the year
ahead.
Mary,
Mother of God—Catholic Christian.
Celebrates Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
The
Feast of St. Basil—Orthodox Christian.
Dedicated to St. Basil the Great, father of Eastern monasticism.
Gantan-sai—Shinto. The Japanese welcome in the New Year with
prayers for renewal of hearts, good health and prosperity.
January 3rd
Vasant
Panchami—Hindu. This festival is
dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning.
January 5th
Twelfth Night-Christian. This holiday marks the 12th and
final day of the Christmas season.
Guru
Gobindh Singh Birthday-Sikh. This is
the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. He was a leader of firm spiritual
principles and held an intense devotion to God along with a fearless
dedication to protecting all people from oppression and injustice through the
practice of Kshatradharma.
January 6th
Epiphany—Christian. Commemorates
the coming of the Magi who followed the star in search of the Christ child.
January 7th – 16th
The Feast of Muharram—Islam.
The Muslim Feast which opens the Muslim year of holy days. It bears the name of one of Allah’s four
sacred months mentioned in the Holy Qur’aan.
January 10th
Ashura—Islam. The religious
observance marked every year by the Muslims.
The word “ashura” literally means “10th”. It is the first month of the Islamic
year. Ashura is an ancient observance
that is now recognized for different reasons and in different ways among the
Sunni and Shi’a Muslims.
January 11th
The Baptism of Jesus—Christian
The commemoration of the Baptism of Jesus celebrates and remembers
Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptizer at the beginning of his public ministry.
January 12th
Lohri—Sikh. Marks the culmination of winter, and celebrates
fertility and the spark of life.
People gather round bonfires, throw sweets, puffed rice and popcorn
into the flames, sing poplular songs and exchange greetings.
January 13th
Maghi—Sikh. Honors the heroic
fight of the Chali Mukte, or the Forty Liberated Ones, who sacrificed their
own lives defending an attack by the imperial army marching in pursuit of
Guru Gobind Singh in 1705.
January 14th
Makar Sankranti—Hindu. This
is a mid-winter Hindu festival of India and Nepal that marks the transition
of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the
northern hemisphere. Hindus gather in
large numbers to take a holy dip at Ganga Sagar on this day every year.
January 15th-
February 23rd
A Winter Feast for the Soul.
This annual forty-day worldwide period of spiritual practice brings
people of all faiths together in prayer and meditation for personal and
planetary peace. The inspiration comes
from a three line poem by Rumi:
What nine months does for the embryo,
Forty early mornings
Will do for your growing awareness.
January 18th
World Religion Day—Baha’i. ON
this day we remember that all religions arise from one Source and are
different paths to the One who is known by various names. It is an opportunity to acknowledge that
the journey and beliefs of those among us are real and meaningful as ours are
to us and finding ways to breath, believe and become together.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity—Christian. The theme for this year is:
“…that they become one in your hand”
(Ezekiel 37:17).
January 26th –
February 9th
Chinese New Year. Also known
as the Lunar New Year, this festival celebrates the 2009 Year of the Ox in
the Chinese calendar.
January 27th
Mahayana Buddhist New Year—Buddhist.
The Buddhist New Year.
February 1
Four Chaplains Sunday—Interfaith.
This is an interfaith commemoration of the event in World War II when
four Chaplains of Jewish and Christian traditions (Catholic and Protestant)
gave their life jackets to others as a troop ship sank in the Atlantic.
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Gift certificates are available for purchase! Give the gift that will keep on giving
throughout the year: A spiritual
reading, a spiritual mentoring session, a series of eight structured
mentoring sessions, or one of the beautifully matted and framed “Out of the
Woods’ photographs where Nancy sees the Holy in nature.
2009 Prices
1 Hour 1:1 Mentoring Sessions $60.00
1 Hour 1:1 Eight Structured Spiritual Mentoring Sessions $40.00
1 Hour Spiritual Reading
$40.00
30 Minute Spiritual Reading
$25.00
1.5 Hour Combination of Mentoring Session and Spiritual Reading $80.00
You will see that prices have not gone up this year. I have added a 30 minute reading for those
who would like a basic reading without the opportunity to work, as a team, to
put the “pieces together”. If we reach
our 30 minute time limit, you can easily buy the extra time if you wish.
Out of the Woods Photography
I’ve sold four photos this past month, and it occurs to me that it’s
time to clear out the old inventory in order to make room for new updated
wildlife photos. If you would like to
see the clearance items, contact Nancy for a viewing. Many of these are one of a kind—all are
limited edition. These are wonderful
gifts for the sportsmen and women in your life, the outdoor enthusiasts, and
animal and nature lovers.
ORIGINAL
PRICE CURRENT PRICE
8X10 matted and framed photos
$80.00
$60.00
5X7 matted and framed photos
$65.00
$40.00
Smaller matted and framed photos
$40.00
$20.00
Here is Nancy’s Photo of the month: A Canadian Golden Eagle (taken
at Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
In August 2008:
