What Would Feel Good To You?

"What do you want? What would feel good to you? Ask yourself that question often as you go through your day, as you live your life.

When you don't know what to do next, when you're not sure how to find the path that's right for you, ask yourself what you want and what would feel good. That's how you'll discover what's right for you.

What energizes you? Which friends feel good to be around? What work excites you, infuses you with passion? Which hobbies interest you? How do you want to spend your time? We have endured have to long enough. We have pushed ourselves through should too many times. There is a better and different way.

Learn to recognize what lifts your spirits. Become conscious of not only what you need, but also what you want and like, what feels right to you. At first, doing what you want and what feels good to you may be uncomfortable, especially if you've spent much of your life doing what doesn't feel good to you. Learn to be comfortable with the new energy. Learn to become comfortable choosing what energizes you. By following your heart, by following your passion, you will find your path and you will find joy.

The possibilities for joy are limitless

if we can do what feels good to us—

in work, in life, in love, in play. Learn

to become comfortable with joy by choosing

what feels good to you. The time for 

joy isn't later. The time for joy is now."

-Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart

She Needs A Bracelet

This summer has been one filled with stories, travels, healing and friendships revisited.

Last week I was so lucky to get a phone call from a friend that I used to work with. She moved from Austin to go take care of her mother over 6 years ago. It was supposed to be a quick visit back home to help her mother get back from a medical crisis. Well, the chapters continue and her mother is in her 90’s and my friend is still there taking care of her. We all pray for a daughter like Dottie!!

Now my friend and I use to have so many good laughs, share books, and both of us would encourage each other to start writing as we struggle through some of our bumps and lessons in life. My years of teenage parenting parallel her years of caring for her mother. Interesting how so many of our chapters are the same challenges and lessons even though the players are different ages and in different stages.

Well, my friend Dottie was in town visiting her daughter. We don’t always get to see each other when she visits. Her time with her daughter is so precious and my schedule is usually full with random things like work, family, etc. But, last week she caught me and we were able to sit down and really talk. We laughed, she shared what was on her heart and I shared what was on mine.

As Dottie shared her latest challenges and funny tales…the words that always come to me repeated themselves… “She needs a BRACELET!”

Now, I know not everyone wants to wear a bracelet…but, for some reason this is still my favorite thing to say, do and share…I wonder when the day will come when the simple round wood beads and the knots of elastic cord will be replaced with something else to share my heart and give comfort…but, for now it keeps giving and giving. My husband says to me often, “Now, Corinne, you cannot talk about Healing Knots all of the time. Not everyone is really that interested.” Oh, I know he is right…and I try to keep this piece of my heart and life in check. But, I keep finding one more person that needs a bracelet.  Just one more…to share that what they are doing is changing someone’s life and touching someone’s soul in a really special way.

Today I opened my email and found this precious note from Dottie….oh, it warmed my heart as I sipped my coffee. And if only for this one day, I celebrate that love can still be shared with wood beads on an elastic cord…with knots, to hold you along your journey. A bracelet to show love, support and care that what you do each day is making a difference.

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Dottie's Email to Corinne:
"Sasha loved her bracelet. She absolutely teared up when I handed her the bag; because I had talked about the packaging before, she knew what it was. She couldn't wait to show her husband and daughter 'their' beads. 

I don't think I ever told you this....

A couple of months ago we were talking about a friend of Sasha's who had just lost her mom. I mentioned my bracelet and the initial inspiration for Healing Knots, and got the first bracelet you made me to show to her. I gave her my bracelet and told her to send it to her friend.

She did, along with her written version of the Healing Knots story. A week later, her friend said she had gotten the envelope Sasha had sent, but that it was empty. Sasha was sad, but remembered that perhaps someone else had needed it more. That afternoon, I got out my meager assortment of beads and string. Sasha and I both made her friend a bracelet. Our version of knots and spacing overall look were far from your gifted eye, but 'it's the thought that counts', right? Sasha's friend did receive that package and has told Sasha that she wears both bracelets all the time...one for herself and one for her mom." 

Dottie's Story

"During my latest trip to Austin, I met Corinne at her house. She poured each of us a cup of tea from an adorable teapot, we both added honey, then moved to the table to visit. I was telling Corinne tales of my 94-year-old mother who I take of with the help of sitters. The stories ran the gamut of funny sayings, poignant moments, frustration, and how unreal it is to be the parent to my own parent. I shared moments spent with our sitters, especially Sasha. She has become part of our family, since she almost spends more time at our house than her own. I told Corinne about Sasha's precious daughter Rayven, her adorable husband Robert and how Sasha keeps me sane on days that major Crazy envelops our house. Corinne casually said that Sasha needed a bracelet. I totally agreed and out came the bead box.

I chose a blue bead to represent Robert, a red bead to represent Sasha and a pink bead for Rayven. Corinne so dearly suggested that we put a shiny gold bead on it to represent Sasha's sister, who passed away in February. Sasha teared up when I gave her the bag from Corinne, addressed to Sasha and tied with a satin ribbon. Inside was the made-with-love bracelet, a one-of-a-kind gift from a total stranger, given simply because I told a story to my friend Corinne." 

Sasha, Rayven and Robert with their Healing Knots bracelet.

___________________________

Dottie, thank you for sharing.  Thank you for being with me along your journey.  Your courage and love is amazing.  Happy Thursday to you and all the Healing Knots friends!!!

Fresh Start

"The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson."

-Tom Bodett

Love, Light, Laughter

These beads hold lightness for me. The herbs celebrate growth. And the heart is one of my purest treasures, straight from an angel and I cherish it dearly. 

-Marci 

In the Here and in the Now

This is one of my favorite meditations. Just a beautiful reminder to stay in the present and live from the heart. 

-Marci 

The Purples

Marci is a dear friend of Healing Knots. She has been there to laugh, cry and help sort beads when new shipments arrive. Her story is so moving and powerful that we are going to share some of her words here. Thank you so much for sharing your light and words with us, Marci!

____________________________

These are my "purples". My son has Cystic Fibrosis and purple is the CF color for awareness. These beads represent peace in the face of the storm. When Connor is sick, I wrap him up in the prayer scarf and we hold the beads. 

They are a beautiful reminder that we are not alone in this disease and together we walk through it. 

The miracle of this journey is you don't just appreciate each day. You see that each breath is truly a gift. 

Healing Knots in Massachusetts

In honor and celebration of a son and brother. 

Mother and daughter in Massachusetts wear their Healing Knots to honor their brother and son, Will.
May your bracelets remind you of how powerful love is!

Thanks for sharing your photos. 

What I Learn From Dandelions

In the face of adversity, angry mob, or when unwanted - show up and shine bright. Again and again and again.
Be yourself.
Amongst the masses, show up anyway, you will be seen.
Family has deep roots.
A break in roots will give strength to grow more.
Look closely, look alikes have unique differences.
Even unwanted flowers have beautiful color.
There is something to appreciate in the unwanted things that pop up in life. See the gift.
Unwanted weeds are healthy for us.
Sometimes benefits are way underneath the surface.
You can't always see everything everyday.
You can be next to something and not see it, even when seeking it.
Life continues. Creation keeps happening.

-Kimberly Martin, 2014

Healing Knots in Marfa

Healing Knots in Michigan

Anne M. sent us these gorgeous pics of her bracelet during a trip to Higgins Lake in northern Michigan. Thanks for sharing!

Where do your bracelets take you?

Who Is On Your Team?

When you hit a wall and you need help…who do you call???

When you need to hop in a car and drive 9 hours to go get someone you love that sounds like they need help …who do you call???

When your heart already feels fragile and you are faced with something you have already felt in your life and it did not end how you wanted it to…who do you call?

When the people you love the most are also frozen by what is happening ...who do you call?

I wish the answer was Ghostbusters….for those of you that remember that fabulous song and movie from the 1980’s….but, I am talking about life. And those moments when you are presented with something that you must step into and face. Sometimes you realize your tool kit is empty, your gas tank has run dry and it is your life and you have to step up anyway.

So…what do you do?  I received a phone call this week from someone I love with all of my heart and soul.  And I could tell they were asking for help. They needed to be scooped up and taken away from where they were. Well, it has been 6 years and I have been waiting for this call. But, on the day that I took the call I was tired, had just returned from a long trip from out of town that was filled with emotion…and going into “action girl” was not on my radar. Well, isn’t that interesting…welcome to life.  It is this strange thing that happens…and it goes like this...are you awake or are you asleep? When someone you love needs you – do you listen or do you pretend you cannot hear??? Do you live life in such a way that you must plan everything and make it perfect or do you realize that you must just GO?

Well, sometimes life is about that moment. And sometimes that moment does not fit your plan.

So I said. I am coming. I packed my suitcase. I woke up to hit the road at 5am.

Made coffee, packed my beads and running shoes, put on my bracelets, backed the van out of the garage. Programmed the address in the GPS. And off I went.  IF you did not notice…the suitcase is still sitting by my backdoor. Interesting. Sometimes when you are on a mission…..a suitcase is not necessary.  Is that why Superman only wore a cape and a Lycra bodysuit???? I ask myself….

I drive…and drive. It is 9 hours of time in the car…My head starts spinning and I realize. I need support.  And then my brain starts spinning my Rolodex. I probably need to explain that to some of you…it is how we use to store our friends names, numbers and addresses. Now it is a cellphone contact list.

I thought…who will be there for me…to answer the phone, understand my mission, give me advice that will help me show up and perform to the best of my ability. In this moment…today.

Mostly, who will be my team to take me to this chapter in life. This meet, this game, this match. How can I show up prepared, confident, filled with knowledge that will help bring a positive outcome? What will make me feel safe, prepared and assured that I have covered all of my bases?

It was an easy list…My team line-up was full of “All Stars.”  They had been with me before to face one of these challenges.  And my roster was not long…I only had 9 hours to pull this game plan together…and the phone calls began.  It was an “all-conference” team because it covered 4 states. It was Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and Texas. What amazing athletes they all are. They specialize in caring, loving, jumping when life needs you and most of all answering the phone when they hear a certain ring that sounds like…. “I need you on a really big mission…right NOW.”

I have not decided what their jersey numbers will be or what our actual team name is…but, these girls all showed up for me and gave me amazing words, advice and encouragement.  When I got to the field to complete my journey…I was ready to play.

I want to thank each of them…and I hope all of you have people like this on your team when you need them…maybe you have not spoken in months or years. But, when you need your line-up…you need your line-up.  The right players will jump and suit up and hit the field I promise…just ask they are there.

Here is the Line-up…Please hold applause until the end.

Linda, from Alabama – She called me back in 10 minutes…she googled my problem, she read about ideas, advice, and ways to show up. She read. I drove and listened. And the best advice was from her own heart and life experience… "Corinne, just meet him with love.” So simple. So pure. And she gave me that same glorious feeling. Thank you.

Chris, my sister-in-law, from North Carolina - She called me back and said, “You have great instincts. If there is anyone that can do this it is you.” Pure support and compassion!!! Thank you.

Karen, college friend from Florida-She told me about being “focused.” She explained to pay attention to one thing do not dilute yourself. She mentioned so many ways to seek strength, healing and guidance. She sighed in the phone as we spoke and held the space for me to feel pain, be vulnerable and to keep hope alive. Thank you.

Emily, from Texas – she laughed with me about the horrible food snacks I had chosen. She kept calling and asking what state I was driving through. She stayed present with me and gave me the inspiration to fill up my tank with laughter and joy that this was going to work…no matter what. Thank you.

My team served me. I showed up feeling calm, full of joy, no fear, just being present. 

I arrived at my destination around 3:00…when I saw him…he was smiling…and he hugged me and wept. It was simple to just show up. All it took was love and a team of support that had filled my tank with love. Applause to all of you!!! I hope that one day I can do the same for you!

Remember that the next time you are scared. All anyone ever needs is love. And a really good te

am of support!!! Wear your bracelets and know love and healing is in the air this week. Celebrate your team of support they are all angels!

You have work to do. Begin it.

"What I want to say to you, my dear, is this: Just for today, live the passionate truth of who you are. Stop looking at what is undone, what you haven't achieved, where you've fallen short. Look, instead, into your own full heart. If your journey brings you to a choice between love and fear, choose love. Vulnerability is its own grace and its own gift. Offer it. Be brave enough to be vulnerable. Allow yourself to be seen—dancing, and falling, and failing, and trying again. You are loved, and all that you have to offer is deeply needed. Your own presence is a force of healing. Be present. There is more going on than you know, more guidance and support surrounding you than you can even begin to imagine. Trust it. Your own strong roots are in place—in your own body, in the earth, in the ongoing story of your life, just as it is. Put your faith in those roots, and allow yourself to go with the flow. Let go and breathe into the goodness that you already are. Move with the current, not against it. Resist nothing. Let life carry you. You have work to do. Begin it."

-Katrina Kenison, Magical Journey

We couldn't have said it better ourselves. 

Knots in Asheville

Corinne spent the last several days in Asheville. Throughout that time, she sent me a few bracelet pics from her trip.