Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Fireside Journal Newsletter - January 2014


The Fireside Journal
News from the Soulful Cricket
January 2014
Edition #4
   


Namaste.  Welcome to the fourth edition of The Fireside Journal.  

You may sign-up to receive the newsletter (and interim announcements) by using the "Receive Announcements & Newsletters via Email or Feedburner" box in the right column of the website or by sending me your email address.  Once you've signed-up, be sure to check your inbox to verify your email address.

Announcements

Space Rentals Available!  The Soulful Cricket began taking day-use reservations for the downstairs spaces!  There are several rooms available, including the dining room, den, living room and great room.  To see more information about the rooms go to What We Do on our website.  For pricing, please call 610-444-2629 or email for a quote.  Many weekends are already filling in, but don't forget that weekdays are a good option, too, especially for off-site business meetings!

Fabulous Partnership!  The Soulful Cricket is so happy to have the opportunity to work with Sue Bara and her own business expansion into Kennett Square.  Sue is the owner of Nature and Spirit and DandeLion Grove.  She will be taking appointments for Reiki Sessions, Herbal Counseling, Stress Counseling and Holistic Health Counseling here to serve the Kennett Square area.  To make an appointment, please call Sue at 302-722-4476 or by email.  Keep an eye for other classes that Sue will be offering here, as well!

Do you have a passion?  Is there something that you'd like to see us offer or do you have a passion that you can teach to others?  Email me and let's talk!

Schedule of Events
For the actual calendar, please Click Here.
Be sure to check the website often, as updates will appear!
 
• Holistic Moms of Southern Chester County - Wednesday, January 15th, 7pm - 9pm.  Meetings are open to the public.  "Our goal is to develop a thriving local community of holistic parents with a wide range of interests.  Come on out, get connected to other like-minded moms and dads, and catch the excitement of our community!"  For more information, please visit their website.  
JANUARY'S TOPIC:  Teenagers and Vegetarianism.  Guest speaker, Grace Myers, is a Junior in high school and has been a vegetarian since she was nine years old. 

Tea-Table Talks

     The beginning of a new year is a time when many people commit to making changes in their lives.   I've always found this to be an interesting thing, because in my experience I have found that when people commit to something, they commit with the idea that what they are committing to won't change.  Yet, at this time of the year, we deliberately commit to making changes.   Maybe that's why so many of us are unsuccessful with our New Year's Resolutions.

    Buddhists believe that suffering comes from our not wanting things to change when in fact, everything is changing all the time.  In the Buddhist perspective, by not accepting change we actually cause suffering.  This is why Buddhists practice meditation... to live in the moment and appreciate it for exactly what it is, because the next moment is different.

     Sometimes we cause suffering because while we know things will change, they don't always do it in a way we expect.  Yet again, Buddhists teach us to not have expectations... just accept what is.   This doesn't mean that we can't do things to improve ourselves, or create positive change, it just means that often times our expectations are not met through our exertions.  The Rolling Stones summed it up probably the best way, "you can't always get what you want, but sometimes, you get what you need."  The expected outcome may not have been what you needed.  The actual outcome may be.

     So, we need to take a look at our views of commitment.  If we do, in fact, look as commitment as adhering to something that won't change, then we are setting ourselves up for failure/suffering.  What if we approached ALL of our commitments, not just our New Year's Resolutions, knowing that what we are committed to will be changing?  We need to continue to honor our commitments, but allow it to flow with the inevitable fluctuations that will occur.  We need to allow ourselves to work hard to adjust to that flow and allow it to become what we need, even if it doesn't seem that way.  Notice I said work hard?  Without hard work, then we haven't fully honored those commitments; but the results are worthwhile, as we will grow, find ourselves and end up being stronger for it in the end.

     I currently have many opportunities arising for directing some changes in my life.  Some of this does affect The Soulful Cricket.  The Holistic Moms of Southern Chester County will still be meeting here the third Wednesday of each month, Sue Bara is still taking appointments here and rooms are still available to rent for meetings, events and appointments.  The only real difference you'll see is that I will no longer be offering classes.  Third-party classes will still be available as the opportunities arise, so keep checking the schedule!  In the meantime, I am working to see that the commitments I have made will continue to flow with the changes that are occurring around me.

     May you have a blessed 2014 and may you be able to initiate changes that allow you to continue growing as a good person, honor your commitments and serve others.  Embrace the changes that happen this year.









 The Soulful Cricket
140 Thompson Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348  •  610-444-2629  •  http://soulfulcricket.blogspot.com  •  Email
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