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Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn, a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter. If your mind isn't clouded by unnecessary things - this is the best season of your life.
-Wu Men (Hui-k'ai) 12th century
Hi everyone,
Why is it...that every spring, when we crawl out of our winter caves, we go into a wild frenzy of clearing the chaos that has snuck its way back into our homes and lives? It's like somewhere around October we lost our way, forgot all our good intentions from the previous spring, and find ourselves scrambling again at square one.
As I see it, spring clearing is neither. It has nothing to do with spring, nor "getting rid of."
Clearing our spaces is a journey that starts right where we are. It makes no difference if the spaces are the external ones in which we live and work, or the internal ones that we fill up with a chattering, worrying mind.
All you need to get the energy moving in your home and life is to clear something. A toothpick, a paper clip, a hairball...anything. Every day. With compassionate awareness.
Like a butterfly's wings in one part of the world creating massive weather changes in another, so too can baby steps lead to a sea change in your life - a clearing movement of global proportions.
If you could use a little more direction and practice in cultivating the "Four S's" - slowing down, simplifying, sensing, and self-care (that feels good and is lasting) - keep reading. From on site to online, there is something here to inspire a lifetime of springs... and falls, and summers and winters.
Happy clearing, everyone!
Stephanie
Photo: Jacaranda by Stephanie Bennett Vogt | |
New Way to Clear
52 chapters in slowing down, simplifying, and self-care, this nourishing guide will help you clear your home, quiet the mind, and restore your spirit - in ways that feel good and last a lifetime. |
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Clear Your Home
Clear Your Life
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Spacious in Spain
Clearing Our Selves and Claiming Our Stories
One Week Retreat for Women - September 14-21, 2013
We loved it so much last year, we're doing it again!
Imagine a small group, magical location among the olive, lemon and orange groves, fantastic food, great energy, a sparkling and lighter you!
My colleague Nancy G. Shapiro (certified life coach specializing in personal and professional transitions) and I are teaming up again in one of the most magical, mystical places on the planet.
Everyone gets a private room. Food is cooked fresh from the garden. Wine is local. Lots of space in the day to rest, hang, schmooze, sit by the pool, walk, and ....clear!
Spaces fill up fast. Join us!
September 14 -21, 2013
In the mystical, magical hills outside Alicante, Spain
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To "Do" or "Not To Do"?
While most everyone seems to find my baby-step approach to clearing refreshing and energizing, not everyone is convinced.
Occasionally I'll receive a comment from someone who is mystified by my counter-intuitive invitations to dial it down.
Like this one for example...
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Stephanie Live 
In Greater Boston
Empowering Women TV
Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts, Concord, MA
I will be presenting with
Anita Diamant (author of The Red Tent), Joyce Kulhawik and other bright lights in this first ever live-studio event. We will be talking about empowerment, wellness, relationships, the arts, community and philanthropy,
Sunday April 28, 2013
3 - 5:30 pm
Your Spacious Self - Talk and Book Signing
Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Burlington, MA
What does it mean to clear and be clear? What does spaciousness feel like? Why are most clearing efforts, though well intentioned, not lasting? Join me at the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Burlington, MA and find out!
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Spring Clearing for Your Heart and Home
12 Steps to a Clearer, Lighter, More Mindful You
One of my articles was published this spring as an inspirational photo gallery in the Huff Post's GPS for the Soul. It is a beautiful distillation of clearing in 12 simple steps.
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One Minute "Clearing"
Tuning Into Right Now
 Close your eyes...
Take a nice, easy breath in, then a slow, emptying breath out. Breathe out all thought and tension and breathe in pure awareness and possibility.
Notice and allow all sensations to arise without judging them as good or bad, or doing anything to fix, manage, or change them.
When you feel centered, ask yourself: What is one thing I can do for one minute right now that would put a spring in my step?
Don't force an answer. Simply allow it to bubble up from the clear space in you that knows.
When you feel complete, open your eyes and honor your first impulse.
Time's up.
How was that? Try this one minute practice again tomorrow and the next day for a week. And see if this simple daily practice doesn't lead to new openings in your life that weren't there before.
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- Clear Your Home, Clear Your Life - 28 Day Online Course on DailyOM. Learn more.
- Conversation with bestselling authors Don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. and HeatherAsh Amara. In this rich and illuminating hour we talk about what clutter is, why most clearing efforts (though well-intentioned) do not last, and what you can do right now to feel clear and spacious. Learn more.
- Clearing Clutter as a Spiritual Practice - Find out how clearing things and thoughts that no longer serve you has the potential to be way juicier and more life changing than we even know. To listen to my super-relaxing "one-minute clearing meditation" go to minute 44 on the counter. [Note: please allow a few seconds for the audio to load] Click here to listen.
- Tame Your Overwhelm - Learn a simple process to address a specific challenge that makes you feel stuck and overwhelmed. If you're short on time, begin at the 15 minute mark on the counter. Click here to listen.
- GPS Guide: Spring Clearing for your Heart and Home - Inspiring slideshow message in the Huff Post's GPS for the Soul. Click here
Photo source: Denise Linn
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Calendar
Upcoming Events and Programs
Coming attractions...
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April 28, 2013
Co-presenting at the Empowering Women live studio event with Anita Diamant (author of The Red Tent), Joyce Kulhawik, and other notable women. The Emerson Umbrella for the Arts, Concord, MA. Learn more.
Register online.
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May 3, 2013
Your Spacious Self book talk and signing.
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September 6-8, 2013 Presenting three clearing workshops at the Happinez Festival, near Utrecht, Holland. Details to come
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September 14-21, 2013 "Spacious in Spain" - one week women's clearing retreat co-facilitated with Nancy G. Shapiro, at the Old Olive Press near Alicante, Spain. Learn more
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October 4, 2013
Presenting at the "Celebrating the Spirit of Women" conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Learn more
Photo: Jacaranda by Stephanie Bennett Vogt
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