By Karen Mehringer Preparing for my first church talk, I revised my outline over and over again. It occurred to me that my anxiety about the upcoming event had caused me to attempt to control the outcome by over-preparing. I felt resistance to being in the flow and trusting my higher guidance. As a result, my body was tense, I experienced little joy and the talk wasn’t as powerful as it could have been. It was still “good” as I received positive feedback, but not “incredible” like my last experience at the Women of Wisdom Conference when I was able to get out of my own way and allow for the flow. So, what was the difference? I believe it was my fear of the unknown. Presenting to a church congregation was a completely new experience and I was unsure of myself and what was expected of me. Would my…

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By Karen Mehringer “Creativity – like human life itself – begins in darkness.” – Julie Cameron Parker, Colorado on October 24th, 2007. Fires raging in southern California. Family and friends in the path of danger. Tension in my body. A dark, unsettled feeling. Unable to experience peace. Remembering the trauma of having to evacuate due to the Old Fire in 2003, while living in Big Bear City, California, I feel the energy of anxiety and fear even though I’m several states away from the blazing embers of fire and lung burning smoke. Surrounded by crystal clear blue skies and several inches of snow from the storm last Sunday, I notice the dichotomy to the stifling heat, dryness and smoke of the fire stricken areas. As I walk my dog in the snow, I find myself contemplating how I might lift myself out of this uncomfortable state of being. I want…