How did you come to write In Her Power?

In Her Power draws on over thirty years of my experience supporting women. I have been able to have a unique impact on them as a result of the life lessons I’ve learned in overcoming my own struggles with destructive overeating and depression.

The world today is in a desperate place and I believe that the connective power of women can unify rather than destroy nations. That’s why it was so important for me to write this book now and to have more women stand in their power.

What makes your book so different than what’s been written in the past?

My company Creative Expansions, Inc. has been in existence for over a decade and through various forms of media — television specials, one of the premier websites for career women WomenWorking.com, and speaking engagements — I’ve had access to a huge network of women. The book is filled with their experiences as well as my own. Through these stories, in addition to reflections and exercises, readers are asked to go deeper and explore what has been blocking them from fully expressing their power. The book deals with nine aspects of a woman’s power and the veils or false beliefs that get in the way. It also introduces the three Spiritual Power Muscles: Connective, Creative and Courageous.

The Dalai Lama prophesized that “the world will be saved by the Western woman,” and yet despite incredible advances, the majority of women still feel they have not accessed their full potential. Why do you believe that is?

Often we’re locked into false beliefs that don’t allow us to access our full potential and keep us stuck. We’re not thinking big enough about ourselves. The way out is to know that we are bigger than that and to listen to our inner truth, our intuition. We need to break habits that are based upon false beliefs and courageously move into areas that may feel uncomfortable. For many of us, it’s stepping outside our comfort zone to experience our power and magnificence.

Women are routinely faced with the difficult task of balancing their career with their desire for family. What advice would you give women struggling to “have it all” in today’s world?

There’s no such thing as balance. It’s more about navigating between work and life every day and doing it very imperfectly, as Ellen Galinsky of Families and Work Institute has said. I think it’s particularly useful for women to share what works for them and to be open with each other about how difficult it is. The problem begins when we feel isolated, stressed, and try to tackle it alone. We simply can’t clone ourselves into 150 different people. But if we’re engaged in communicating with other women who are going through the same struggle, we pick up tips on how to make it easier for us.

Can you share with readers one of the biggest challenges you faced in your path to success? How did you overcome that challenge?

Suffering from a food addiction, I was 50 pounds heavier over 30 years ago and ready to jump out of a window of my apartment. I didn’t see any hope in things being different. In my desperation I reached out for help and got it from a group of people who had knowledge about how not to hurt themselves with food. I realized that I needed to have more spiritual grounding if I was going to stop overeating for all the wrong reasons. I discovered a higher purpose for my life — to help women realize their authentic power and claim their voice and unique abilities. I started my company, Creative Expansions, Inc. with this mission.

 Helene Lerner’s new book, In Her Power, is available now.

In honor of thanksgiving, some of us in the office wanted to share with all of you what we’re thankful for this year. And from everyone here at Beyond Words Publishing, Happy Thanksgiving!!

“I’m grateful for the air I breathe, for all my physical abilities, for the Sun and Earth and how they support us and allow us to live. For the loving kindness of strangers, my family and friends, and for the staff at Beyond Words and all they do to support our content providers and customers.”

–Cynthia Black, President and Editor-in-Chief

“I’m thankful for the beautiful northwest!”

–Jessica Sturges, Publicist

“Really thankful for the basics this year – our home, our jobs, our family, health, joy, and simple pleasures. I am so grateful for my kids and husband, and for the rest of my family because we always are there for each other. Grateful for my friends, new and old, who continue to walk life’s path with me.”

–Rachel Hayward, Multimedia Production Coordinator

“This year was healthy for me, my family, and friends.”

–Tim Schroeder, Chief Operations Office

 

“I am thankful for my daughter Bethany, dog Mazie, wonderful friends, health, laughter and music (in the form of singing with my CSL choir, writing songs, and playing my wooden and silver flutes). Also, I love curling up with a good book in front of my fireplace during these cold and rainy nights, so add both books and my cozy fireplace to that list!”

–Karen Preston, Sales

 

“I’m so thankful for my family and friends here and abroad. I’m truly blessed to have each and every one of them in my life.”

Judy Oakes, Accounting

 

“I am thankful for my eternally patient husband, loving family, and supportive friends, old and new.”

Leah Brown, Marketing and Publicity Assistant

 

“I’m thankful for my new goddaughter, Harper Elise, who was born on November 17th.”

–Emmalisa Sparrow, Editorial Assistant

 

Whether you are shopping for yourself or friends and family, we made sure to include a little something for everyone.

Happy Holidays!

One of the best aspects of working at a book publisher is that you get paid to read books! What’s better than that? In the office, we are always reading, passing around, and discussing the newest titles coming out. We decided to take the active energy surrounding our books and bring you in on the conversation. So, we’re beginning a new weekly tradition here on the blog at Beyond Words: Staff Picks. Our hope is to provide all of our readers some insight into the books we’re discussing, what we’re saying about them, and, especially, invite you to join in on the conversation. Please post your comments, share you stories, and be our partners in transformation.

Leah’s Pick of the Week—The Code: Unlocking the Ancient Power of Your Birthday

I firmly believe that the key to strong relationships lies in truly understanding and accepting the people in our lives: What makes them tick? What are their strengths? Where do they need support? It can really be a struggle to unlock these aspects of people in all areas of our lives, from co-workers to friends, family members to spouses. Also, we often struggle with simply understanding our selves and the deeper forces that guide our actions in life.

The Code delivers one way to better understand our selves and the people around us. Rooted in the tradition practiced for generations by the people of the Tyrolean mountains in Western Europe, The Code offers an accessible yet profound wisdom that can be applied to every aspect of ones life and each of ones relationships.

In the book’s introduction, our Editor in Chief, Cynthia Black, describes The Code’s method. “It [The Code] combines two dimensions working together: the power of one’s birthdate and the energies of colors.” These two powers are then combined on the Birthday Wheel, which brings in energetic motion and the points of the compass—North, South, East, West, and Center. This combination allows us to see the picture of the whole person. It can unlock the mystery within our relationships. Why does your spouse react in a certain way? How can I better understand and build stronger relationships with my colleagues.

Most important, The Code is not just about who we are, but about who we can be. It’s a system to better guide your life and fulfill your true potential by living in tune with our natural gifts.

It’s a book that can be referenced over and over again for all aspects of ones life and for every member of ones social circle. I’ve decoded myself, my husband, and am now moving on to my wonderful nieces. So far, the results have been nothing less then enlightening.

Unlock your Code here, then read the book to learn more.

The Code Book Signing with Thomas Poppe and Johanna Paungger

When: Thursday, November 3, 2011, 7:00 pm

Where: R.J. Julia, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT 06443

What: Your most important and powerful piece of self-discovery is your birthday. Come and find out how and why at R.J. Julia Bookstore. Thomas Poppe and Johanna Paungger will show you how to discover the root of who you are, and why people in your life function the way they do.

Before the event, unlock out The Code behind your birthday here. Don’t forget to share your findings with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Jessica Maxwell, author of Roll Around Heaven at Ghost Ranch

When: Sunday, November 6, 2011

Where: Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico

What: In Roll Around Heaven, Jessica draws upon the deep wisdom of Judaic-Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Native American traditions gathered first-hand during her travels. She also sees frofound (if sometimes hilarious) visions, hears the voice of God, is regularly visited by light beings, angelic and otherwise, uses Second Sight to help clear people of crippling emotional traumas, and even heals a paralyzed squirrel with prayer.

Jessica will be at Ghost Ranch for a four-day interactive workshop. Learn more here.

Go here for more Beyond Words event listings. 

In a week Book Expo America will take over New York City’s Javitz center and Beyond Words will be right in the the thick of things. Our authors Thomas Poppe and Johanna Paungger will be on hand to teach you about your Code and all the incredible insights it can give you into who you are. If you are going to be at BEA and would like to have a one on one meeting with Thomas and Johanna email us.

Right after we finish at BEA we go to Sun Valley, Idaho for the annual Sun Valley Wellness Festival. Tami Kent, Inna Segal and Thomas Poppe and Johanna Paungger will be giving workshops and presentations throughout the weekend. It’s a unique and uplifting festival that Beyond Words is very proud to sponsor.

Then at the end of June we make our way to the International New Age Trade Show in Boulder, Colorado. Our author Michael Bernard Beckwith will be speaking at the Opening Breakfast to get everyone inspired and energized for the rest of the show.

It’s a full and exciting schedule! Hopefully we will see you at one of the shows. If you are there, come say, “Hello!” We’d love to meet you!

by Catriona Macgregor, author of Partnering With Nature

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.
-Marcel Proust

In this age of technological advancements, our connection with Nature has diminished alarmingly. We are becoming strangers in our home–the Earth. We miss the subtle changes in the wind, the calls of birds, the smell of the fragrant ground beneath our feet. We spend more time indoors on computers and TVs, which leaves little time for deep inner journeys or quiet walks in the woods. Yet, who we are and what we are–the very root of our identity–springs from the Earth.

We are suffering from a lack of contact with nature, a nature-deficit that not only leads to ill health, but also gives us a sense that something is missing in our lives. Our children are especially vulnerable. We are witnessing a whole new generation that is growing up “hooked” to an electronic device of one kind or another. According to a 2010 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, children today are spending practically every waking minute (7.5 hours per day) — except for the time in school — using a smart phone, computer, television or other electronic device”. [1]

It is no coincidence that another study found that Americans spend less than one hour a week outside. Our reduced time out-of-doors is directly linked to the increased time that people are spending in-doors on electronics.

Astonishingly, the recurrence of Rickets, a disorder that weakens children’s bones, and which was prominent in the 17th century, is returning! The cause: children rarely play outside, and without a healthy dose of exposure to the sun, their bodies are unable to create the vitamin D they need for strong bones. A recent BBC news report indicated that 20% of children tested in the UK had bone deficiencies linked to low levels of vitamin D.[2]

Other physical, emotional and even spiritual ailments from lack of nature contact and outdoor activity include:

• Increased levels of stress and illness;
• Obesity and sedentary lifestyle;
• ADHD and apathy;
• Sleep disorders and fatigue; and
• Lack of creativity, and even a loss of a sense of life purpose.

I will add to this list as well those “intangible” but nonetheless essential human experiences of beauty, joy, and inspiration that can come from observing a brilliant orange hued sunset, the shining stars in a midnight blue sky, or a shimmering rainbow.

Our disconnection from nature is, of course, also leading to all kinds of environmental harm. This is why it is vital that we understand not only how important our role is in nature’s sphere, but also how crucial nature’s role is in our lives.  Usually, when we speak about protecting the environment, we speak about habitat protection, reducing carbon emissions, and banning toxins. These external acts are absolutely essential, but without a vision for ethical goodness toward all life, the “environmental cause” is unlikely to succeed in the long run.

We do not need to try to solve global environmental problems on our own; Nature can be our partner in the truest sense of the word. “Partnering with Nature” means opening up to an ongoing conversation with nature, to listen and learn from the smallest living being to the Earth herself.  Solar power is one of the best examples of how we have learned from a natural process – photosynthesis – to create sustainable, non-polluting energy from the sun. Photosynthesis means a “synthesis of light,” and is the amazing method that plants use to create a life-giving elixir, while also producing (as a by-product) oxygen. [3]

John Todd, the founder of the New Alchemy Institute, also studied how nature cleans and purifies water by using all natural processes and living organisms including: sunlight, bacteria, green plants, and animals like fish and snails. The Living Machine® system[4] (based on Todd’s original concept) installed at the Port of Portland will reduce the facility’s water consumption by treating up to 5,000 gallons per day of wastewater. In addition, the beautiful system will educate people about the tremendous ability and cost effectiveness of a natural water purification system.

We will be able to solve problems, such as global warming, when we gain greater awareness about who and what we are in relation to the Earth and other living creatures. We just need to start paying more attention to nature and gaining a better understanding about natural processes and cycles. By learning from and working with the wisdom of trees for example, we can heal and transform our ailing atmosphere. Trees, of course, have been on Earth for over 400 million years. Beyond the miraculous feat of supporting an atmosphere that allows complex life to exist, plants create ecosystems that provide shelter. For example, the presence of trees along a streambed shades the stream water, lowering the temperature, which allows the water to hold higher-levels of oxygen. Higher oxygen levels support more life.

Ensuring that trees are protected and restored is a key step to saving the planet. An innovative and profound new program to clone the world’s most ecologically valuable tree species and plant millions of copies is underway by a group called Archangel Ancient Tree Archive. The trees will store carbon while creating healthful oxygen, preserve ecosystem diversity, and be used for medicines.

Beyond maintaining ecological balance and good health, Nature also offers us an opportunity to connect with the sacred. Nature is a portal to an infinite and timeless realm where we can gain insights into a larger reality that is beyond our day-to-day comprehension. Great spiritual leaders like Buddha, Moses, and Jesus all experienced divinity directly by spending time in nature. Buddha gained enlightenment under a fig tree. The tree became known as the Bo tree (short for Bodhi or enlightenment) and the site was later named The Immovable Spot. Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness. Moses had direct communication with God through a burning bush. For thousands of years, people went on pilgrimages that took them through, and to, some of the most beautiful natural places in the world. Today people are experiencing life transforming benefits from going on spiritual nature retreats and Vision Quests.

For careworn and busy people, a Vision quest or nature retreat may simply offer contemplative and peaceful time — away from demanding schedules and ringing phones. Others embark on a quest as a way to deal with important life passages, such as death, divorce, or change of career. Some people partake in a spiritual based quest as one path of soul seeking. As people unwind in nature, new revelations about their lives and the universe come to the surface.

A series of studies published in the June 2010 issue of the Journal of Environmental Psychology, found that being outside in nature makes people feel more alive. People on wilderness excursions report that just recalling outdoor experiences increased their feelings of happiness and well-being. [5]

The cure for what “ails us” is right outside our very doors!

Are we here to dominate the Earth, and destroy or ignore the “lower” animals and plants?

I do not think so.

Rather, I believe that we have been uniquely endowed to care for the great diversity of life, and even the Earth herself.  I believe that we can bring greater life, joy, and wisdom to the Planet. Our role on Earth is to appreciate, learn from, and care for, the great diversity of life as if it were our own life-because ultimately it is.

By adopting a new paradigm that holds that all living things have innate value, and by applying what we learn from nature about how to live on Earth, we can save the Planet, and ourselves.

I invite you to see the possibilities for yourself and to view nature with new eyes. My hope is that by gaining a greater awareness of your own connection to nature, you will join me in fostering a new ethic-one that reveres all life on Earth. [6]

[1] Tamar Lewin, “If Your Kids Are Awake, They’re Probably Online,” New York Times, January 20, 2010
[2] BBC News Website, “Rickets Comeback Due to ‘Lack of Sunshine Exposure“, accessed on line at   on April 8, 2011

[3] Before the ancestors of plants, oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere was a rarity, and without an oxygen-rich environment, life was constrained to simple, one-cell organisms.
[4] The Living Machine is now trademarked by the Dharma Group Inc.
[5] University of Rochester (2010, June 4). “Spending time in nature makes people feel more alive, study shows.” ScienceDaily.

[6] Some sentences of this article were excerpted from my book, Partnering With Nature.

If you have any questions about upcoming events or would like more information feel free to visit www.naturalpathfinder.com. Californians living in the Bay Area, click here for information on events in April 2011.

Best wishes and blue skies,

Catriona

One book that I think would be incredible for a book group is The Generosity Plan by philanthropist Kathy LeMay. She encourages the reader to use their time, treasure, and talent to change the world through creating what she calls “Generosity Plans.” First you determine what you care about most, then how you personally can help on a regular sustained basis. Kathy’s stories, insights, and encouragement could help transform your book club into a Generosity Club.

Another book that would make a great choice is Most Good, Least Harm by humane educator, Zoe Weil. It’s slightly environmental, slightly, humanitarian, completely transformative. Zoe gives readers tons of suggestions for how to start living a Most Good or MoGo life including living your epitaph and shopping at second-hand stores. And if your group wants to delve even further into humane education Zoe gives online classes through her Institute for Humane Education.

For those intrepid readers out there who have yet to find their literary match, what about a family book club? Our young adult title Generation Fix has some incredible stories of teens who decided they weren’t too young to have a global impact. Maybe this book could inspire your family to be a cause for good. Talk about family bonding! Who needs game night when you could become a team to change the world.

Because of the kinds of books we publish I can’t help but think of the community we are creating with every title we send out into the world. We consider it an honor and strive to support those communities as best we can. With you, we can all be the change we want to see in the world.