Remembering Mary Kapper

Some people are more than they appear . . . .

About 10 years ago I meet a woman at church. Her name was Mary Kapper.  She was small, demure, and looked like a really nice old Grandma.  But when we started talking, my opinion changed quickly.  Looks can be deceiving.  She was a powerhouse, opinionated, feisty, and not afraid to put in time volunteering for a cause she believed in.  (And there were many). She had such a peaceful ease about her - between that and her social activism I immediately liked her and we became friends. We weren't the kind of hang out and talk on the phone friends, but we were "glad to see you" kind of friends.  She was a mentor and a role model for me.

On November 25th she died at 86 years old.  It was so sad to get the news.  I went on line to read her obituary and I read an amazing story.  I knew she was something special, but I didn't know the half of it.

Mary earned a degree in English Literature in 1947 from St. Joseph's College.  She got married and raised 10 children!  In the 60's she worked for civil rights causes and women's issues.  She helped establish the Akron Women Against Rape in 1974.  In 1978 she earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from Case Western University and became a dialysis social worker.  Then in 1988 she moved to California and received her Master's Degree in Divinity from Starr King School for Ministry.  She became an ordained Unitarian Univeralist Minister in 1989.  She was pastor at a church in Minnesota and then Chaplin for Pathways Hospice in Oakland California.  In her 70's she returned to Akron, Ohio to retire and be closer to family.

That's when I met Mary.  I knew some of her history, but not all.  I knew she had 10 children and she was a retired UU Minister but . . . . who knew!  As I read her story I was overcome with gratitude for having known this amazing woman.  She was a small, unassuming woman who showed her family and all that were lucky enough to know her that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.  She was as real as they come and always ready to speak her truth.

Thanks Mary for being an example of faith in action. As a guide for living a full, meaningful and authentic life.  And teaching us that anything is possible and age is no boundary.

You will be remembered,

Cindy

High Desert Bloggers Meetup

Blogging Goals 

Today was Blogger Meetup day!  I always love to meet with my new blogging friends.  Just getting together and sharing ideas and knowledge is so motivating.  It reminds me how great the group process is, I love it.  Today we discussed each of our individual blogging goals.  Since I have been working on my "Right Brain Business Plan", I was prepared and shared it with them.  It was my commitment to this group two weeks ago that motivated me to get it done. The feedback was great.  They loved the idea of a visual map for the vision I have for my business.  It is pretty cool.  I will share it with you soon.

It took me a few moments to decide whether to add the picture or not.  Some of my old "fat mentality" stuff was coming up and gave me a moment's pause.  But I forged ahead, thankfully living outside of my old "fat mentality" and accepting myself just as I am today --sick with a cold, having a bad hair day, hearing a shirt that is too big -- and enjoying myself.  That's what's important!

When I envision my goals, about blogging, my business, or about my life, it's what's inside me that I bring to the table.  A spirit and an energy that is mine, unique to me.  Today I am celebrating that!  Also am filled with gratitude for Angie (on my right) for starting this Meetup.  It has added a wonderful new dimension to my life.

In case you're interested, the next High Desert Blogger Meetup is Saturday, December 17th, 9:00 am at the new Starbucks at Hwy 18 and Dale Evans Pkwy.

In the spirit of community building,
                                                           Cindy

Awaken, Emerge, Create! New Meetup

Edwene Gaines

Spiritual Discussion Group 
Starting December 28th


During the late summer I went to a workshop by Edwene Gaines at Agape International in LA.  During her talk she said she was so tired of "seekers".  She loved that people were seekers, but when did it end?  When did people become "finders" and start sharing what they have learned with other people! Everyone laughed. We all knew that being on a spiritual path was a life long journey.  But, I realized what she meant - sometimes you are the student and sometimes you are the teacher.  Take your turn.

This line of thinking fell right into alignment with some other revelations I had recently.  First and fore most it was time for me to stop trying to FIX myself (which was part of my seeking) and accept that I was perfect just the way I am!  Accept that I had done loads of soul searching, learning, healing, growing and evolving and I really understood a lot.  It was time for me step into something bigger.  I knew I had information to share and recognized that part of my life purpose was helping others awaken to their own greatness (wholeness, divinity, etc.)  So move on girl!

In the wisdom of Edwene I am venturing forward as a teacher.  This is really nothing new to me, teaching.  But what is new to me is the motivation behind the teaching.  Now I see it from a different perspective, before I was seeking and taught what I desperately needed to learn.  Today I am teaching what I have learned from my heart, for the growth of my soul and the fulfillment of my life calling. The urgency is no longer there, but the calling is deep.  It is a peaceful, yet exciting place.

To start it off I have set up a new Meetup called AWAKEN EMERGE CREATE! Spiritual Discussion Group.   It will meet weekly beginning Wednesday, December 28th at 7:00 pm.  To find out more click here.  It is free, open to anyone interested in spiritual growth and will be a topic based discussion.  A kind of consciousness raising group based on learning to live your best life.  That is the CREATE part - learning to create a life that truly matches your authentic spirit.  That makes living a joyful experience!  I know it's going to be interesting and I can't wait to get started.

So, if you live in the High Desert and want to join me in some great discussions, then please join the Meetup and bring a friend.  If you have never heard of Meetup and what to learn more, read my blog entry at High Desert Blogging.

Hope to see you on the December 28th!

In the spirit of sharing,

Cindy

Blooming in November

BLOOM: Awaken Emerge Create


Over the summer I had an awakening and realized that there was something big missing in my new life in California.  Work.  I miss my work. Not just having a job, but following my life's purpose kind of work.  The work I was doing in Ohio - life coaching, leading workshops, developing classes, and working on my Body Belief workbook.  It was an important part of my life. And now, I feel it is more important than ever!  I have things to do!

With this new insight, I decided to come up with a plan.  Over the last year I kept running into Jennifer Lee, a business coach. And by running into her I mean, finding her website when I was looking up a recipe for crock pot stew, then seeing her book at Borders, or reading a blog that had a link to her site, then randomly viewing her on YouTube. It became clear to me that the Universe was trying to tell me something - so I ordered her book, "The Right Brain Business Plan". Right down my alley, being a right brainer myself (creative type).  


For the past few weeks I have been working with Jennifer via her insightful and fun book and I am putting a plan together for my new business called BLOOM: Awaken Emerge Create. The kick off is in January. (However, I am returning to my blogging, starting today!)


So in preparation, I am doing some hard work, looking at what I want to offer and how to promote it in my new environment.  Over the weekend I have been doing some exercises from the book.  The one I finished today was "Make a Card Deck of Your Values".  In this exercise, she suggests focusing on personal values and narrowing them down to 5 to 10, then making a visual collage of each one.  It was so much fun and also very telling.  I was totally engrossed and realized these values are the truth of who I am in all areas of my life.  Here they are, in no particular order of importance: Creativity, Courage, Compassion, Relationships, Health, Spirituality, Peace (world & personal), Knowledge, Organization.

I am off to a good start and look forward to my next step - creating "The Big Vision Collage".  I'll be sharing more of my journey soon!


In the spirit of purpose,
                                               
Cindy

21 Day No Complaining Challenge

No Complaining for 21 Days!  Can you do it?

On Sunday I went to Agape International Spiritual Center to hear prosperity teacher Edwene Gaines.  She was amazing.  She reminded me of my grandmother Amy and great-aunt Grace, but with a message that was nothing they would ever speak.  She talked about prosperity using stories from her life, which brought them to life for all of us.  She was motivating, empowering and gave me an entire new outlook on life.  She has a book called "The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity" and I highly recommend it. (Although I have only read the first 10 pages! Trust me.)

The other thing she challenged us all to do was to go 21 days with out complaining, judging, or criticizing ourselves or others.  Wow, that brought a big laugh from the crowd!  But she was serious!  She said start the first day and go as long as you can with out complaining and if you catch yourself complaining, start over at day 1.  Geez - it could be a long 21 days!

On the drive home I thought about it and realized how much I do complain.  Whether out loud or in my own self talk and mind chatter.  Just the awareness of it made me want to do something.  How would my life be better in 21 days if I stopped complaining, judging and criticizing?  It could be transforming.  But could I?  So I have decided to take the plunge.

Starting today I begin my 21 Day No Complaining Challenge.  Anyone out there want to join me??

In the spirit of acceptance, Cindy

Blue Ribbon at the County Fair!

It's time for the San Bernardino County Fair!  This year opening day was the busiest in 7 years - record crowds!  And I was one of them.  There was a good reason - I was checking to see if any of the three art projects I had entered had won any ribbons.  Jeff and I scoured the Community Building filled with hundreds of projects --everything from gems to quilts --baked goods to antique collections -- woven plastic to fine jewelry.  It is a huge building!  Finally we found my stuff.  There is the case was my little folded book called "CREATE" and along side it was a blue ribbon! I was thrilled!  My second item a necklace called "Apple Valley Memories" didn't win - too much competition, but my third item, a encaustic painting called "Bloom" (inspired by my friend Thea) won an Honorable Mention ribbon.  Not too bad over all.  I was pleased!

The reason I decided to enter the fair this year was for old time sake.  When I was a kid growing up here in the desert I belonged to our local 4-H club.  Instead of raising animals I did the homemaking stuff - cooking, sewing and home decorating.  Each year we were required to enter our projects into the fair.  I made baked goods, clothes, aprons, placemats--all kinds of things.  It was a great experience and fun winning ribbons for my work.  It gave me a real sense of confidence and pride.  And the part I liked most was going to the fair with my Mom and looking at all the booths and seeing all the ribbons.  It was a special thing we shared.

So this year I did it to celebrate that memory and I am glad I did!  It was so much fun that I think I will do it again next year!

In the spirit of good old times and creating new memories,  Cindy