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9/28/2016 0 Comments

The Scent of Water

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Collage: "Help is all around you."
“Hello, nice to see you….” she said with a warm smile and twinkling eyes peeking out from under a red baseball cap. “Are you ready to work?” We nod slowly; weary with the residue of a long day of travel. “Ok, good because we’re going to work. Let’s talk about hell. The stuck places of darkened dreams. . .”  

This was how Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes began the training that I recently attended called “Original Voice: Getting Unstuck—Journey Through Hell to the Hidden Heart.” Over the course of five days, roughly 100 people made a deep dive into “hell” with Dante’s famous work The Divine Comedy and Dr. Estes’ 30+ years as a Jungian Analyst as our formidable guides. Although Dante wrote in the 14th century, his work is applicable today as an archetypal story describing, in detail, the perilous journey and accompanying pitfalls that we are called into to recover the true Self. The classic story begins with Dante finding himself lost in mid-life. Who of us, that have been fortunate enough to make it this far in life, can’t identify with this feeling of being lost in some ways—if not entirely? The dreams that we once had for our lives have been replaced with another form of "reality" and we question who we are and what our life is really about anyway. This is a crucial threshold in our lives and if we choose to enter it consciously, we are offered an opportunity to become, as Dr. Estes says, Ser hermano—to become true human beings. 


Together we journeyed through Dante’s Nine Circles of Hell, taking pause inside each layer in order to carefully examine our own lives in relation to the particular form of hell described. We asked the hard questions of ourselves and spoke the answers to each other: How did I come to get stuck in this place? Why do I remain here? What will I do in order to move out of this place? This radical kind of truth telling begins to free the creative spirit within us so that we are able, again, to use our precious life force on behalf of the unique callings that each of our Souls came into this world promising to fulfill. The symptoms of being trapped in hell are many—fear, anger, violence toward ourselves or others, jealousy, shame, addiction, etc., while the result of making our way out of hell is single-purposed: to be free to create what is uniquely ours to create. 

For your own consideration this month, I will share with you the three most important aspects of Dante’s Divine Comedy that you can apply to your own life. These relate to the three main characters of the story: Dante, Virgil and Beatriz. I suggest reflecting in your journal on these questions:


  • Dante represents the hero of the story and as I already mentioned, he admits that he is lost. We are all lost about something(s) in our lives. Where do you feel lost at the moment? Describe it in as much detail as you can.

  • Virgil is Dante’s guide into the descent of hell. The wonderful thing about Virgil--and this inspires me endlessly--is that he is A POET. Virgil represents the aspect of ourselves that remembers our dreams and is able to see in a different way; this is the wise, knowing one. Where is your poet? What are your dreams?

  • Beatriz, the one who called Dante into hell, represents the eternal sprit of Love. She is the Divine, all loving, all compassionate aspect. Also, interesting to consider, that it was LOVE that asked this difficult journey of him. It is the spirit of Love within each of us that asks us to create on its behalf. Where is this spirit of Love within you? Where is the impulse to help or heal in your life? What pain or tragedy moves you into action without thinking twice? Are you daring enough to follow the call?

While I am certain that I will have much more to share about this profound experience as I assimilate all that was transmitted directly into my own Soul, I'd like to offer a poem that I wrote upon returning home that represents, in one way, my personal journey.


Its roots may grow old in the ground
and its stump die in the soil,

Yet at the scent of water it will bud,
And put forth shoots like a plant.
~Job 14:8-9

The Scent of Water

What begins as a barely detectable thirst,
when ignored,
becomes the drought that sends us on our way.

The search for water, 
a taste of the life 
that lives just for us,
presses in on every side.

Narrowing vision,
thirst turns our pain
into a prayer.

We pass through the valley 
of hopes shattered
and dreams abandoned 

like dusty old towns 
gone extinct.

Pausing in the desolation
to honor the aborted ones,
the evicted innocence;
the dry bones of what never came to be.

Tears softening the cracked earth,
a stuttered cry for that 
which no longer lives.

Tracking truth--
traversing the desert of 
not-yet-ness.

Liminal wonderland of 
the unseen,
pre-formed, 
just a thought
passing on the wind.

Sweat forms. 
Moisture molecules
giving way
to the surface of things.

Just when I thought
it was over--
not another drop 
to be given,

She appears to me.

A mirage of beauty,
the definition of Grace,
I meet her in the middle
of my unknowing.

She says nothing 
but takes my hand
to lead me forward.

I give myself completely,
relieved to have such a 
magnificent companion guide.

At last we reach the end 
of the desert and she ushers me
to the edge of a mighty shore.

Silent, she makes her way into the sea~
for a moment she looks over her shoulder 
and smiles at me.

As I begin to reach for her
she disappears.

I bow down to the water
at my feet,
Her wordless command 
gave me all that I needed to know.

My tears, my sweat,
my hopes and dreams
washing over me
in a single billowing tide.

For the first time,
​I behold my true reflection.


I am born again
from the secret, 
living water.



How do we move through the stuck places of darkened dreams? The answer is two-fold to begin. First, ask for help from the benevolent forces of the seen and unseen worlds--supplicate, ask, pray, knock, seek. Second, take some kind of deliberate, intentional action. Move in any way that you are able--walk, run, crawl, jump, step. If you would like help in navigating the stuck places in your life and are seeking guidance in freeing your creative spirit, I would like to invite you to consider my unique 8 week coaching program called "The Courage to Create: Awakening to an Authentic Vision for Your Life." It is designed to walk you, step by step, through a transformational process that will lead you to discover what you have been called to create in your own life and offer the tools to support you on your journey. Please go to my "Services" page for more details. 
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9/20/2016 0 Comments

Tending the Fire

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Self -care is just this: lovingly meeting ourselves exactly where we are and allowing things to be as they are. When we can hold ourselves in this way, our inner world starts to become softer, gentler. We start to trust our own basic goodness, and we even come to learn that irritation, aversion, doubt, and resistance aren't to be evicted through our self-care; they are to be allowed and included by it. ~Sara Avant Stover

This morning, as I type, the smell of banana bread is filling the kitchen. It's Monday morning--the kids are back to school and the house is quiet. Rather than tackling my to-do list or diving into emails, I baked. Instead of pushing myself through some foot pain to do my usual 3-4 mile run, I rolled out my yoga mat and spent a half an hour attuning to my body and breath through flowing movement. Then I stood for a few minutes barefoot on the grass and felt myself ground into the earth and I offered a simple prayer for today: "May I be forgiven for all of the ways that I have knowingly or unknowingly hurt myself or another. May I remember Your Love and Grace in all that I do today. May I show up wholeheartedly and do my best. Thank you." I let the spirit of gratitude fill me. I felt ready for the day. My daily practices, even though they may shift according to my current needs, are a "non-negotiable" in my life because they anchor me into feeling grounded in my body and connected to something bigger than myself.

The photo that I chose for this month's post came from my summer sabbatical on Lake Ontario. It reminds me of the importance of tending well to my own inner fire so that I can give to my family, work and relationships from my very best self. My annual vacation prompted me to recommit to my own radical self-care. Even the things that we love and rely on the most for our well-being--our loved ones, exercise habits, creative projects, and spiritual practices--can become depleting rather than nourishing if what we are really needing is simply rest! The women whom I admire the most are creative, productive and respectful of their needs for healthy downtime. I am re-examinng my relationship to rest on a daily basis and finding ways to incorporate it into my busy life rather than counting the days until next summer.

As women, often in a caregiving or supportive role for others, we give from our desire to help, nurture, champion, and affirm those people and projects that we love. We do this naturally, as we are neurobiologically wired with this maternal instinct. Research has shown how our brain patterns change in response to our babies distress signals. Thanks to this instinct we know how to respond to our babies and maybe even our businesses, but we have forgotten how to use it for our own flourishing. The good news is that it is within us, we just need to access the feminine wisdom we carry.

​It is through truly knowing and being in touch with all aspects of ourselves that we can experience real nourishment. In my life coaching practice I have seen women from various backgrounds struggle with the very same issues regarding self-care. Our families and culture  have taught us to ignore our needs for rest and renewal by rewarding high level productivity at any cost. These same messages are responsible for making us feel guilty for taking time for ourselves. It is our responsibility now, as women in touch with our femininity, to challenge these expectations and fiercely protect our precious life energy so that we can live from our sensitively attuned inner knowing.  It's not enough to just take a day or week or even a month off if what we need is deeper than our physicality. We need to nourish on all levels. Holistic nourishment looks something like this:


  • Restoring a connection to my body and her natural cycles and rhythms so that I can discern times of productivity and letting go.
  • Renewing my mind by cultivating awareness of thoughts and beliefs that undermine and erode my self-worth or empower and fill me up.
  •  Developing a discipline (literally becoming "a disciple") of listening to my feelings and trusting their wisdom as energetic signposts along my personal journey to help guide me toward that which is in alignment with my truest values and deeper visions.   
  • With a solid foundation of good self-care, my creative essence can naturally flow into my life and my inspiration is given a supportive framework so that my cherished dreams can be nurtured into reality. 
  • Strengthening my connection to Source or the Divine through reading sacred text, prayer, meditation, going to church or being in nature.
This may sound like a lot, but ultimately the things that offer us the deepest fulfillment are rarely grandiose or costly. They are the simple things that satisfy our real hunger: taking a walk, gardening, reading a book, watching a movie, connecting with a friend, turning off the electronics and being present with your children, taking a nap, or trying a new recipe. To make intentional space within our hectic lives to include these little luxuries can feel like a revolutionary act. Start a list of all the things that nourish you and begin to include a few of them into your week. 

We certainly need more role models of women who are doing self-care well. If you would like support in making self-care a priority in your life or would just like a designated time each week to be, please join me for a brand new Women's Wisdom Circle beginning October 4th at One Yoga and Fitness. This four week series will provide authentic connection to other women in community by holding "circle space" for each other. Each week you will be guided through specific practices that will become essential tools that you can easily integrate into your everyday life . For more details on this event or to register go to: Nourish. 
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    Jenny Clarke

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"I know that “life changing” is a bit over used but it best describes how I feel about what Jenny Clarke offers with "The Courage to Create" course. She uses the metaphor of the labyrinth. A twisted turning path with hidden chambers that takes you to the center and then back out again with new insights. I took the private version of this program. The weekly lessons took me to the core of who I am. Along the way looking into some long closed chambers where we cleared out a few ghosts and discovered some buried gems. At the end of the course I emerged forever changed with a new understanding and appreciation of who I am. You can not get lost in a labyrinth as long as you keep moving forward. The journey begins when you take the first step. I highly recommend that you take the first step and sign up for the Courage to Create!" ~L.H.

My experience with the circle was amazing. I have been told that circles have power. And I am now a believer. I felt like my intentions of gaining insight and tools for my life and the lives of those I am blessed to work with were fulfilled. It confirmed so much of what I have learned over the last few years. I felt validated. The way the materials were presented was so well thought out and simple to follow. I gained so much support from the souls inside the circle and I gave a ton of support to them. That was also my personal intention for class. My experience was life changing. Jenny has changed my life for the better MANY times through her work and healing. Thank you Jenny Clarke ~Kevin S.

The series was an experience like none other! What was covered and how was truly impressive. Our group of participants were amazing – a small intimate, non-judgmental group. As a domestic violence survivor, I have participated extensively in many avenues of self-awareness and growth; individual cognitive therapy sessions for years, specialized group therapy sessions, read many books, am part of online groups and researched endlessly many self-growth and psychological disorders and topics online. I’ve done a lot of this work on different levels but this series really encompassed everything I have worked on and more in one workshop in 6 weeks. It put it all together (plus more) in an easy streamlined way. I was able to start to understand that I am my own life expert and I realized that I was seeking external advice or validation instead of listening to my own inner compass. I liked having a partner and the group circle. We did some hard inner work and I think sharing with others cultivated acceptance and moving forward. The group created a non-judgmental space that welcomed this. The struggles shape us into who we are. I was presented with the opportunity to give and receive support. It was interesting to hear others perspectives of me. I realized I do not see what they see in me (strength, courage, openness etc.) and that has stuck with me. Because of this, I realized I need to be easier on myself. I can’t wait for the next circle! 
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"Jenny’s coaching was full of gentle reinforcement that inspired me and provided loving guidance  to help me create a connection to my heart by taking small steps toward my desires. I get so much from her feedback emails after each session. The practical skills and wisdom (both personally and professionally) are exactly what I needed during this time of flux. Jenny really helped me stay focused on the details of the moment without getting confused or losing sight of the big picture." ~K.E.


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