May 8th, 2012
It’s easy and safe to fit in, to conform, to do what everyone else is doing. And yet for many of us, that is no longer working. It is time to step outside the crowd, to stand out, to shine and bring our gifts to the world. Staying small isn’t serving anyone.
I work with lots of people and organizations who are ready to play bigger in the world. Just recently I sent an email to a client and asked them to dream ‘boulder’ – of course the spelling should have read bolder. And yet, boulder seemed more fitting. In order to stand out, to really stand out, we may need to move the internal boulders holding us back.
What boulder are you ready to move out of your way? What would it take for you to stand out?
{Permission to share photo taken by my friend Clarance Dickinson}
Tags: Be Bold, Business, Coaching, Creativity, Motivation & Success, Organizational Coach, Stand Out
Posted in Storytelling | Toning the Om
May 4th, 2012
I had the opportunity to go back to my college and give a workshop. It had been twenty years since I had graduated and the campus had tripled in size (including the parking lots!). It was amazing walking around the college campus and taking in the energy of students preparing to finish a semester and others getting ready to graduate. I had some time before the workshop to walk around campus, visit with some professors, check out the new academic buildings, and (happily) purchase a new college t-shirt.
As I walked passed one of the buildings, an older woman was sitting on a bench with a big smile on her face. I walked over and introduced myself and she said, “I’m Sr. Rita Margaret.” She seemed thrilled that I was there to give a rhythm workshop and that I was a proud alumna. Sr. Rita Margaret started telling me many stories, including one about the founder of the college – a brilliant woman who had a vision of a (women’s) college and fought to make it happen. She went on to tell stories of the many dreamers and brilliant minds that made the college the incredible institution that it was and still is. We laughed and shared stories about our lives. She was curious about my work, my dedication to service and healing. She apologized for not being able to come to my workshop, but she explained that she gets tired and instead, she would say a prayer for me. I told her my rhythm circles were a form of prayer so we would be praying for each other.
After more than a half hour together, I stood up to go for one more walk before preparing for my workshop. I thanked her and she said, “Come, give me a hug.” We exchanged hugs and I walked slowly around the campus. All I could think about were Sr. Rita Margaret’s stories of the history of the college and her smile. When I made my loop around the building back to where I started, the bench was empty. Sr. Rita Margaret had left – she left the bench, but not my mind and heart.
She gave me the gift of her time, her knowledge, her wisdom, and her smile. Sr. Rita Margaret taught me about being present, generous, kind, gentle, and loving – a lesson as an undergrad I took for granted. Twenty years later, it was the best class I ever sat in.
Thank you Sr. Rita Margaret and Caldwell College.
Mary Anne
This is dedicated to my beloved friend and mentor, Kathy Detlet. I also want to extend my gratitude to the many Sisters for my excellent education and for modeling service and faith.
Posted in Storytelling | Toning the Om
May 2nd, 2012
If we listened to the rain drops, what would they say?
If we listened to the flowers, what would they say?
If we listened to our heart, what would our heart say?
{Photo taken by: Mary Anne Flanagan}
Posted in Life | Toning the Om
April 30th, 2012
As you close your eyes and soften your body, I invite you to shift your spine long and tall.
Allow your shoulders to drop away from your ears with your out breath.
See your chin floating above your chest – your body completely aligned.
How does it feel to realign your body – to physically and mentally realign your body?
Notice your body breathing. Notice your mind breathing.
With great mindfulness, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
There it is – body and mind breathing as one – another realignment.
The invitation is to hear the mantra: my body and mind breathe as one.
My body and mind breathe as one. My body and mind breathe as one.
How are you connecting with your body and mind?
Is there a shift you need to make in order to be more fully aligned?
Shift it.
By realigning yourself, you have realigned everything around you.
Invite a body and mind breath in and out. Notice yourself in this space.
Nothing to do except breathe. And breathe. And breathe.
With your eyes open, breathe in and out:
my body and mind breathe as one.
Breathing more consciously, take a good look at the world around you.
We are one. You are one. It is all one. Body + Mind = One.
Attune to that alignment and notice – just notice.
Mary Anne
Posted in Meditation | Toning the Om
April 25th, 2012
As I walk through the city, all I keep noticing are the many amazing flowers – bursting with color.
I have been listening to the question: What is coloring my world these days?
As I sit and listen to that question, I am curious: What is coloring your world?
{Photo by: Mary Anne Flanagan}
Posted in Life | Toning the Om
April 18th, 2012
As my partner and I listen for where our next ‘home’ is, I see this as an opportunity to listen to the vibration of the word. I explored the energy of the word home in my meditation.
Home. OM. Home. OM.
You have the blueprints of your home inside you.
You already have the lights, furniture, and keys you will ever need.
The front door is always open.
Hand over the keys over to the universe.
You have love – home.
You have peace – home.
You have an oasis residing in you – home.
Listen to your New Home Mantra:
I am here.
I am home.
I have arrived.
Home.
I am ready for my home outside to match my home inside.
Mary Anne
Posted in Meditation | 1 Comment »
April 17th, 2012
Mother Earth is speaking.
Are you listening?
Mother Earth is listening.
Are you speaking?
{Photo by Mary Anne Flanagan}
Posted in Gratitude | Toning the Om
April 13th, 2012
In a recent shamanic session with my friend and shamanic healer, Joe, I wanted to explore some healing about my feminine side. As more powerful feminine energy began emerging, it felt time to deal with some past beliefs about my feminine side – the parts I have rejected for a long time.
As the shamanic drumming began, I moved into a deeper level of consciousness. The drum beat changed and I shifted out of ordinary reality. I was able to go deeper inside myself – inside my womb, my ovaries, and my sense of being a woman. My intention was to accept my feminine side, which I rejected at 15 because I knew I was not going to bear children. It was a huge discovery knowing that I would not be “a mother.” I was overcome with grief and thought I would disappoint my parents.
This disappointment and grief went into my “beingness” and I have been carrying that inside me ever since. I felt ready to release this lifetime of grief. As I took my next in-breath, I felt my mom’s presence in the room with me (she passed away in 2000). During the session I felt her and heard her voice, a soft whisper speaking to me: You were my miracle baby. I knew you would be a strong woman in the world.
I reminded her that I am not having children and I have rejected my feminine side for a long time. My mother’s words were so clear: You have birthed so much life in the world. You have mothered many. You have given birth to so much love in the world. You have mothered many. Go birth and love yourself in the same way. Birth yourself, again. You have mothered many. Thank you for giving so much life and love in this world.
You have mothered many. My dear daughter, you have mothered many.
With tears streaming down my face, I knew what my mother was speaking of – this wonderful feminine that has mothered many. I just had to be reminded of my Divine Feminine.
Who would I be with my Divine essence fully in the world?
I would be Mary Anne – a mother to many.
Posted in Storytelling | Toning the Om
April 11th, 2012
Some of my most productive meetings have taken place in bodegas, street corners, coffee shops, and at times, the ladies room. I have found that engaging in visionary conversations is easier when in it’s in an informal environment. Everyone, including myself, lets their guard down. Informal meetings and conversations have provided many rich and vulnerable exchanges.
Capturing my most creative ideas happens the same way – in free-spirited places and with inspiring people. I write my ideas on whatever is in my pocket – my iPhone, a business card, a napkin, my hand, a notebook. It’s fun to have to translate various scribbled notes on papers stuffed in my pockets or in my bag. Years ago, I had a boss in the South Bronx who drafted his best ideas and proposal outlines on paper towels or napkins. When he had an idea, he wanted to make sure he captured it. I remember many meetings with his ideas scrolled out on paper towels.
Twenty years later, and I still find myself writing ideas and notes on napkins. I love capturing my creativity in the moment with whatever is at hand. I know there are many good ‘apps’ that would probably work just as good as the napkin method. Then again, maybe it’s time for a napkin app.
How do you capture your best ideas? What is your creative process?
And if you see me, I may just need to borrow a scrap paper or napkin.
Mary Anne
Posted in Learning | Toning the Om
April 9th, 2012
Meditation: Turn your awareness to your breath.
Breathe easy in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Ask your hand to go somewhere on your body that needs attention.
Breathe more fully where your hand is. Close your eyes.
Feel the space in between where your hand is not there.
Notice parts of your body where your hand is present.
Breathe light and kindness. And more kindness…
Allow yourself to breathe kindness through your hand.
How are you transmitting kindness?
What is your message of kindness? Just listen.
Take a deeper breath in and out – kindness.
Open your eyes and see the world with kind eyes.
See the world with kindness – what’s possible?
How kind of you to gift yourself more kindness.
Radiate kindness with every interaction.
To a kinder, gentler you, Mary Anne
Posted in Meditation | Toning the Om
It’s easy and safe to fit in, to conform, to do what everyone else is doing. And yet for many of us, that is no longer working. It is time to step outside the crowd, to stand out, to shine and bring our gifts to the world. Staying small isn’t serving anyone.
