Manifesting Your Dreams in the New Year

It's so easy to make promises about the year ahead. We will stick to our diets, spend more time exercising, be more financially responsible, be more loving to our family, But, for most of us, the resolutions made today will be empty dreams six months from now. Why is it so difficult to make lasting changes? Real change happens when we feel genuinely inspired by our heart’s desire and unwilling to settle for anything less. It happens when we commit with all of ourselves to a new way of life.
If we harbor feelings of guilt or unworthiness, how can dreams ever manifest? No matter how hard you try, the result will still come back to sabotaging feeling happy with yourself, relationships, work, etc. Most of the time we walk around not even understanding why we are miserable, stuck or unfulfilled. We yearn to feel connected, happy, living our bliss or to even get a clue what our bliss is.
The ability for us to access our creativity, play and imagination is a direct result of clearing our limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging patterns that hinder our ability to live fully. In other words … lightening our emotional load. When our commitments fall to the wayside, it is not that we want to be quitters but rather that we are unconsciously more committed to an old story about ourselves that is comfortable and safe. Often outdated distorted beliefs will have you return to autopilot, asleep at the wheel, rather than being awake and alert as you traverse the limitless possibility of expressing your heart’s desire and purpose.
A sure-fire recipe for aligning with your true heart begins with facing whatever stories show up in your mind that you believe are the reasons for unhappiness or dissatisfaction with your life. What better way to celebrate the New Year than by revealing these unconscious stories about money, sex, self-care, religion or spirituality, politics, education, health care, what is right and wrong, etc. Once we have awareness of these cloaked beliefs, we are free to make conscious choices from our heart. We have a chance to be happy and create our lives in alignment with truth rather than what we should be doing.
These days prior to the New Year are prime-time moments to review what has past in the last 12 months and commit to the days & months ahead. You can ask a few questions to clear old baggage while guiding your life in the direction of your true heart.
1. A dream is born from our heart’s desire. Take a moment. Close your eyes. Imagine your dreams for the New Year. If you had nothing in your way…money, time, resources, no fears, doubts…where would you be doing? How would you feel? Who would you spend time with? What qualities would you like in your environment at home and work?

2. What are you willing to give up to get them? What habits, limiting beliefs, unhealthy relationships or situations?

3. As you reflect on your life, when did you become unwilling to do whatever it takes to have what you want? And why?

4. What cravings/addictions or unmet needs will keep you away from your heart’s desire?

5. What do you have your faith and trust invested in? Is your faith in line with your true heart and dreams or is it part of the old, outdated support system that no longer works?

6. What structure of support will you need to ensure this new future?

7. Who will help you stay awake and on the track of your true heart and be a loving supportive “kick in the butt” friend, gently reminding you to stay awake?

If you wish to manifest your dreams, begin by setting your vision on a dream you can reach and then create a plan that will be your guide. If at any time you don't feel like following your plan, stop. Take a deep breath. Call forth your vision. Then pick up your phone and dial your friend. Ask him/her to remind you that veering off your path really isn't worth the pain of repeating the past. It will only leave you feeling disappointed, depressed and unhappy in a dark gloomy hole rather than living the bright, amazing and fantastic life that is your birthright!

So today, YOU have the power to choose the course of your dreams, create a plan and stick to it. So gather your courage, strength and commitment and make 2010 the most inspiring year of your life!

Manifesting dreams is just steps away! Instead of making those New Years resolutions this year only to find your self drifting away and dissatisfied, let’s make it work this time! Join me in Manifesting Your Dreams through The 4 Alignments of Self Care ™.
This workshop will be in 3 parts the following Wednesday evenings 6:30-9PM, January 6, February 3, March 3, 2010 at Yoga Passion, Beverly Farms, Ma. The cost is $85/series. You do have the option to attend individual sessions for $35.
Jan 6 - Write your Story
Feb 3 - Purpose & Priorities
March 3 - Treasure Mapping
Workshop practices include lectures, 4 Alignments™, awareness-building exercises, Meditation practices, group interaction. The series ends with an optional journey to the pyramids of Teotihuacan, Mexico from March 25-30, 2010
Contact Grace: 603-651-9642
graceventura1@gmail.com to attend workshops or private sessions in-person or long distance.

The 4 Alignments of Self Care
The Journey of aligning with your true heart to cultivate excellent Self Care

What are The 4 Alignments of Self Care? The alignments are principles & tools which will guide your way home to your happiness & well being.
Our journey begins with the desire to be healthy, happy & well. Next, the awareness of what is in the way of your health & happiness. We can not live our dreams if we don't know what is blocking our hearts desire. Once there is alignment with core purpose & priorities, alignment with your true heart is the result. You will be well on your way to manifesting your dreams & goals!

To know if this is the right program for you, ask yourself the questions.
Do you have the desire to
*Feel a sense of well being, health & vitality
*Increase your energy & vitality
* Stop emotional reactions
* Change core beliefs
* Quiet the voice in your head
* Develop communication and respect in your relationships
* and Create Love, Happiness & wellness in your life

Here are a few steps towards inner alignment:
1. Willingness to look at oneself honestly with the barometer of integrity
2. Acceptance of who you are with no judgment
3. Awareness of the mind’s distorted beliefs
4. Remembering that every reaction/experience is an opportunity to see yourself
5. The world is a mirror. You create your reality from beliefs of whom you “think” you are.

Manifesting Your Dreams Workshop Series
will utilize The 4 Alignments of Self Care principles. You will be guided by Grace Ventura Sardonicus, a Master Toltec Teacher,trained in the lineage of Don Miguel Ruiz & Rita Rivera, in this extraordinary process of self discovery & inner heart wisdom

This workshop will be in 3 Parts the following dates:

January 6, 2010 Part 1: Write your Story
February 3, 2010 Part 2:Purpose & Priorities
March 3, 2010 Part 3:Treasure Mapping

Wednesday evenings 6:30-9PM, at Yoga Passion, Beverly Farms, Ma.
The cost is $85. for the series. You do have the option to attend individual sessions at $35. each

Workshop practices include lectures, 4 Alignments awareness-building exercises, Toltec Dreaming practices, group interaction.

The series ends with an optional journey to the pyramids of Teotihuacan, Mexico from March 25-30, 2010
Click here to view the flyer

Embody Your True Heart

How often are any of us in the experience of genuine feeling vs. thinking about feeling or judgment?
The mind is such a conniving trickster. In a recent session a client said, “I have been doing all the things I think I should do. I am eating right, walking, getting enough sleep, and doing my spiritual practice. Yet I still get sick. How could this be?” I asked how she was feeling emotionally.

I sensed a disconnection between what she thinks she should do vs. how she was really feeling. Through our dialogue she gradually uncovered the exact moment when she decided to stop feeling. Her ego won the battle but her integrity & health lost the war. Does this scenario sound familiar?

What’s more important? Exercising power over the body or truly loving, feeling & caring for oneself? What’s the cost of disconnecting by listening to the mind’s agendas and judgments? How do we find our way back home to our inner knowing? Here are a few steps towards inner alignment:

1. Willingness to look at oneself honestly with the barometer of integrity
2. Acceptance of who you are with no judgment
3. Awareness of the mind’s distorted beliefs
4. Remembering that every reaction/experience is an opportunity to see yourself
5. The world is a mirror. You create your reality from beliefs of whom you “think” you are.
6. Lighten up. It’s just your ego in reaction. Its not really who you are!

Join Grace in aligning with your true heart and cultivating self-care.
2 options are currently available:
Bimonthly meetings of Wisdom & Grace in Beverly, Ma or Embody Your True Heart at the sacred pyramids in Teotihuacan, Mexico March 25-30, 2010

For more information go to Grace's website www.embodydreamprograms.com

Dedicated To One I Love

This morning when I woke up feeling stiff in my low back, I realized how disconnected I have been feeling in my body. I got on my yoga mat and woke up the joints of my limbs and spine. My low back was so tight that the dominant sensation was PAIN. The dominant feeling was loss followed quickly by sadness. Where did I go? Why did I let myself go this far? I thought I had been feeling.

This past month my middle daughter’s dear childhood friend was murdered by her Marine husband after he returned from the Iraq war. She was a beautiful 21-year old with a heart of gold. The memories I have of this young man/boy are that he too was a sensitive kindred spirit.

The immediate response I felt to this news was deep sadness at the thought of never again seeing Jessy, whom I had watched grow up alongside my daughter. Then I was enveloped in judgments about the war, the Marines & our political leaders. How could this beautiful soul be taken so young and so horrifically? I started feeling in my heart and landed in my head in reaction. I wanted to judge, make someone wrong.

It blew me away when her mother expressed no animosity to the boy. Instead she felt deep compassion for his troubled mind. And wanted him to get help. She knew they were in love and happy. She also knew that he returned from the war a changed man/boy. He had left as a sweet soul and returned deeply pained. Now tragedy had struck.

I found it quite a challenge to wrap my mind around this experience and find neutral ground. How can I stay present in my heart with all of my mind’s editorials? It’s so easy to lose track of our way. Heart or mind? How do I integrate both for clear expression instead of either/or, right or wrong?

I looked at a couple of ways I could express my feelings. I could say “I feel deep sadness, loss and pain in my heart for the passing of "J", the lousy war, insensitive Marines who didn’t even call to acknowledge her passing and offer their comrade any kind of support.” Or I could say, “I feel deep sadness, loss and pain in my heart for the passing of "J". I can feel the light that radiated from her smile and laughter. I can feel the sweetness of her gentle heart. I carry her sparkle with me as she is an angel buzzing around sharing her love in the heavens.”

I then I ask myself, how do I feel after each communication? Which one keeps me in my heart or takes me into my thinking/judging mind resulting in feeling negative and like a victim?

We have a choice. We can get hooked into old patterns of drama, gossip, ill-will, fear, negativity & judgment. Or simply feel what’s in your heart.

There is a presence in you that is always experiencing. It is a presence that is separate from your thoughts, from your feelings and from everything else.

This presence is the nonlocal domain from which everything originates. It is the infinite source of possibility and potential. It is you, without name, without concepts, without beliefs, without anything your mind could think of.

When you learn to live from this level of existence you are the one manifesting everything. You are the wizard - and remarkable revelations at this level become almost ordinary and normal. -Tom Herold


What will inspire you to have gratitude and take responsibility for your life?. A loved one dying or witnessing a new life being born? Or you could step out into nature, breathe deep, feel the rhythms of life in the trees, rivers, oceans, the earth beneath your feet and FEEL YOUR PRESENCE connecting your mind and body.

Now I breathe and consciously feel my lungs expanding in my chest. I am waking up my muscles after long weeks disconnected slumber. Boy, does it feel great! I feel life coursing through me again. At once I feel relaxation and energy. I am whole. I am alive. My body is my earthly vehicle. How can I love it even more? When I am connected to all of myself, I feel plugged into all of life.

Ask yourself a few questions. Am I truly feeling today or do I think I’m feeling? And what concrete actions can I take to make feeling life a higher priority than mentalizing life?
Are you trying to put them into a box so your mind understands? Or are you living in presence? The discipline of asking such questions can wake us up to splendor of feeling alive today. From wherever "J" is now, I’m sure she’d agree that it’s worth the inquiry!

At Peace Wherever I Am

A few weeks ago I asked myself, "What is my heart's desire right now?" Without thinking, the words flew out of my mouth....To be at peace wherever I am. In that instant I recognized a couple of things.

1. If this is my heart's desire then I am not living it. If I was living my heart's desire, my answer would have been something else.

2. Being at peace wherever I am has to do with every aspect of my life...emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, my relationships...all of it! I saw how I was not at peace in several areas.

Next was the inquiry. What does it mean to be at peace wherever I am? What would it take for me to be at peace? It begins with putting an end to resistance & fighting with what is. Acceptance with no judgement. It doesn't mean being complacent but rather having trust & faith in life.

If I am trying to sell my house (which I am!) and it isn't happening, I have a choice. I can get frustrated, angry and impatient...the result of which will be unhappiness or I could have so much gratitude for my home, enjoy whatever time I have left there and be happy and at peace.

For the greater part of my life I wanted my body to be different... slimmer, stronger, taller, etc. Through dance, yoga and other disciplines I endeavored to reach the goals I set for my body. Some were easier than others. I haven't figured out how to make myself grow! I have felt frustrated, indifference, hopeless, resentful and unhappy each time I chose not to accept me as I am. The only way to make a shift is from a place of peace. Not war. It is through love & compassion that the greatest and most lasting changes happen both personally & globally.

One other example is the desire for others who are close to me to change. As a Mother, Healer, & Teacher, I have repeatedly witnessed children and clients come against the psycho-spiritual crossroads of not accepting things as they are vs. one's earnest desire for personal transformation. There is a fine line. On the one hand in order to make healthy shifts in one’s life, you need to change certain behaviors, beliefs & habits. On the other hand, if you judge yourself & others by making them wrong & failing to accept things as they are, an inner battle & downward spiral into old negative self-talk & expectations ensues. What's to do?

Step 1 - Acknowledge what is true. I am not at peace. And I want to be.
Step 2 - Take inventory of myself by pulling my energy back inside & reviewing how I truly feel. I looked at my close relationships and knew I needed to step away from others so I could go inside and see where I am. It’s much more challenging to "see" myself when I am with others. Space gives me room to 'see'. I do regular check-ins asking, "What is my heart's desire right now? What would make me happy and at peace right now? How do I feel? "
Step 3 - Give myself what I want. It may be as simple as more rest, a bike ride, movie or a glass of water!
As I am discovering how to continually give to myself whatever my heart desires, I feel at peace. I breathe deeply and sigh, "Ahhhhhhh!”

Join me on a Holistic journey to the sacred pyramids in Teotihuacan, Mexico Embody Your True Heart March 25-30, 2010

with Lynne(Little Feather) Patrice & Peter Sklivas of Yoga Passion

Wisdom & Grace:Exploring The Mastery of Transformation

Please join us bimonthly and bring your friends
to create a new dream of balance, integrity & happiness in your life!
Be the change you want to see plus create an amazing support system.

The desire for transformation is evident as so many changes are upon us
both inside & out. Our inner knowing tells us it is time but how do we do it?
In these wisdom groups we will explore tools of transformation
that will bridge the gap of our desire to 'break on through to the other side!
We will use The Voice of Knowledge by don Miguel Ruiz , author of the best selling The Four Agreements, as our study guide.

Cost $15.00/class suggested donation. The class is open to new participants.

For more info please contact Grace at graceventura1@gmail.com or call 603-651-9642 www.embodydreamprograms.com

Where & When
428 N. Main St.,Wolfeboro starting Monday Sept 28 6:30-8PM

Yoga Passion in Beverly Farms, Ma starting Wednesday Sept 30 6:30-8PM
Classes begin the week of Sept 28 & will be ongoing every 2 weeks.

428 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH 03894 - presented by Grace Sardonicus

428 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH 03894 - presented by Grace Sardonicus

Tests are Negative...So Why am I Still in Pain?

How can we make informed decisions about our healthcare, if we are basing our decisions on external sources that don’t take into account the larger picture of who we are? Heck, we don’t even know who we are. We don’t listen or trust our inner guidance system. When we have chronic lingering pain, most of us call our doctor hoping to glean some Godly wisdom. What is wrong with me? I don’t want this pain. Please help me get rid of my suffering. I shouldn’t feel this way. 9 out of 10 times the answer is, “The tests were negative. So maybe it’s all in your head.” Or, “The tests were negative. But your symptoms suggest you have Fibromyalgia.” The most common remedy is drugs or pain management therapy.
How do people arrive in this desperate place? All of a sudden? Or is it a slow steady downward spiral? The exacerbation of physical symptoms arises when life’s cumulative collection of trauma tips the scale. Emotional stress is the top culprit. Often physical pain is a cry for help from the emotional body.

Recently I had a client who had been taking an anti-depression medication for years. When she got off the drug due to its unpleasant side effects, all sorts of physical pain showed up in her neck, shoulders, arms and hands. What a coincidence. Instead of her healing old emotional trauma, the drug was just masking previous emotional issues. So now this woman had a choice. Begin the work of addressing the cause behind her physical symptoms. Or get her doctor to prescribe a new drug.
As a Massage Therapist for 25 years I have heard hundreds of clients recount stories of being told their symptoms were psychological or lumped into the catch-all diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. The truth is doctors need a category for your pain. Or the HMOs won’t reimburse for the drug company’s latest magic bullet.
So what’s going on here? Why all the pain? Why the exhaustion? The tests were clean. What is happening? From my personal & professional experience, the cause of most pain, fatigue, headaches, etc. is stress. Better yet, resistance. To be perfectly clear, if you are fighting a path of fulfilling your heart’s deep desires, this resistance will be likened to crashing into a wall headfirst, in this case, heartfirst.
Thoughts such as, “I am not good enough. I am a lousy mom or wife. I better hide my fears, doubts, guilt & shame. Or everyone will know what a loser I am.” These are stories in the mind based on lies. Beliefs of how you should be. And if you fail to live up to these beliefs, you will judge yourself as bad and unworthy. Believing such stories will take us far from living in bliss. The flow of creativity and life moving through gets compromised. Then the voices of fear become so loud creating pain and confusion.
Who wouldn’t have a headache with such a commotion rattling in their head?
Yes, the pain is real. The gnawing, sharp aches that run from your neck down your arms are legitimate. And believe me, after carrying 6 children in my womb & arms for years, I have dealt with my share of low back pain. I am sure the physical stresses through which we put ourselves, including hours of driving, sitting at computers or repetitive manual labor are brutal on the body. Then there are the emotional stresses, financial pressures and scheduling challenges which accompany the go-go fast-paced Starbuck lifestyles so prevalent these days. Do you have a sanctuary where you feel peace and serenity? Do you have an outlet to release stresses from your day? If not, it’s likely that a nasty cocktail of these factors will create illness of some form.
What if you are taking care of yourself ... Yoga, stretching, aerobic exercise, eating well, getting enough rest, etc ... and you still have pain? Are you addressing the emotional and energetic body? Often clients complaining about chronic symptoms of physical pain walk into my office after having tried numerous modalities without success. With such individuals I examine the deeper issues of organ or fascia stress or an emotional trauma. This is not to say there can’t be a more serious illness. As I said before, this prognosis is based on “the tests are clear”.
The question now becomes: are we ready to take responsibility for our lives by addressing pain before imbalance compromises wellness? Are you ready to let yourself really feel instead of trying to control/deny what your whole being yearns to express? Here are primary tools you’ll need: discernment, courage, compassionate, faith and honesty. With proper guidance and the proactive willingness to face the pain demons, you will be on your way to a life that is pain-free!