This is my friend Beth, who has been dealing with enormous adversity, which is completely out of her control, for over a year now. She has consistently maintained a positive attitude, utilizing humor and self growth as a way to get through it all. She is a continual source of inspiration to me.

The adversity of life is one of the richest area for deep learning and positive growth. Of course, how we deal with that adversity is the biggest cause and effect to what we get out of it all.

There are several possibilities for how we can respond. Denial, acceptance, anger, or curiosity are all options and will lead us in a certain direction.

Sometimes just sitting down and having a good cry before we do anything is what we need the most! I use this one often as it seems to be the release valve that I need to get to the more real stuff, to the bottom of what is really going on.

Tip #1-Feel the feelings, then deal with the dealings!

Once the emotion is released, it then becomes easier to think things through and decide what's next. Ask yourself, what is the opportunity here for me? How can this adversity help me to grow, to move me forward, to make me stronger?

Taking it to a deeper level, what is your soul asking of you? How can you utilize this challenge in your life to motivate a necessary transformation in your life?

Tip #2-Take responsibility for all that is yours and do what needs to be done to move on. Learn from your lessons so you don't have to do it again!

Resistance is futile. When we deny the truth of what is really going on we are only harming ourselves. Chaos and challenges are a perfect indicator that it is time to get still and listen to what is asking to be called forth. Is the chaos caused by your resistance to change, accept, embrace, and be real? Or even to just listen to your souls calling?

Adversity, challenges, chaos, change...all of these are the sign posts for transformation, growth and self development. So, go ahead, take a deep breath, be still, feel your feelings and open yourself up to all it has to show you!

I recently became inspired to consider what core fundamentals were operating in my life these days, and if they were appropriate for these times we currently find ourselves living in. I discovered that I needed to adjust my thinking in some areas to accommodate for the changes and to make way for continued success in my life and business. I realized that I had indeed been sucked into the fear of "things to come" and that this completely took me out of the present moment, and my ability to enjoy each moment for the wonderous gifts they are.

While there are a lot of things out there to be concerned about, and it is important to stay informed, we do not need to let any of it determine how we show up each day, nor do we need to let any of it ruin our individual bliss. We can lose material possessions, jobs and bank rolls, but we don't have to lose our spirit, our passion, our compassion, our connections with others or our spiritual path.

Knowing the core fundamentals that keep us inspired, hopeful, on track and present to each moment are touchstones to which we can return.

Take a moment to jot down 3-4 items, small catch phrases or affirmations, that provide a foundation for you. You may find, as I did, that you will re-access certain ideas or ways of being so that you can navigate more easily-this is the idea! Allow for these fundamental elements to flow forth from your authentic center-there are no should's or have to's here, only a desire to be more connected to the essence of your "Living Bliss", whatever that is for you.

Here are my 4 core fundamentals that I am currently working with:

* Live with passion and joy
* Trust the process
* Be authentic
* Put yourself out there

What are some of your core fundamentals that can keep you happy and a float these days? I would love to hear what's working for you.

In addition, check out the "Harvesting Hope" teleclass coming up this week...it's a place to go to ignite hope and possibilities in these challenging times.

Recently I spent a very wonderful day on The San Pedro River with a dear friend of mine. We haven't hung out together in a long time, for various reasons to detailed to go into here, and it was so wonderful to reconnect.  A perfect desert fall day-not to hot, with clear skies and a soft breeze-gave us a perfect backdrop. And, of course, it is always sweet on the river.

We bushwhacked through some weeds, after walking along an old railroad track for awhile, to find ourselves at a delicious bend in the river. The water was still burbling along clean and clear and there was a grand sand bar just inviting us to sink in, to rest our hearts here, in this spot together. We did. Pulling out snacks, taking off shoes and socks, we began the process of rediscovering a magic that is only ours together.

Six hours later we said goodbye. Our conversation, and the meeting of our hearts, had flowed like the river we sat next to-meandering, gentle, and singing a soft little tune of nourishment to our souls. The leaves in the cottonwood that shaded our little picnic fluttered in the breeze, and there was such a sense of peace that it was very hard to leave.

As I drove away from our meeting spot, leaving a trail of dust behind me, a sense of bittersweet rolled over me. I realized I live in a world where it is not acceptable to share a deep heart connection with someone who is not your "partner", or whatever you want to label that role of your primary intimate, and that in some peoples eyes our beautiful experience together on the banks of the river, on a gorgeous desert day, was "wrong". This leaves me with a heavy heart.

Being a womyn of integrity and responsibility, I know with a fierce pride and deep understanding, that I have the ability to honor necessary boundaries, and I will, as I always have in this case. But I struggle against the yearning to be authentic and honest with my desire to know this person more. He struggles with the same, which is why we haven't seen each other in a long time. It just got to hard to not be in our truth, to be imprisoned by the rules of our culture.

In my culture, in the world I want to create with those that I love, we would be encouraged and supported in our connection, and it would be honored and celebrated, not feared and condemned. Not everyone is there however, although there is quite a movement afoot to change this. This stark reality washes over me like the dust on the road behind me, leaving a dry taste in my mouth and an ache in my heart.

We made a commitment to no longer let our truth have us hide from one another, and to be authentic in our expressions with one another "out there in the world". The truth is though, that due to the rules of society and the circumstances of what is, the fullness and depth of our connection will never be realized. This is not to say that our relationship will not be deep and meaningful, for it already is. It is just to acknowledge that our hearts will be restricted, unless we are able to navigate new levels of understanding and acceptance in the world around us.

This is a tall order, and it is an item that is constantly on my agenda in various ways in my life. I believe the universe is really calling upon us at this time to seriously evaluate how we are in relationship with one another, what roles and boxes we find ourselves in that just don't fit anymore, what the rules of intimacy and connection are, and how we can evolve to a higher level of love.

For myself, I just know that I want to love with out restriction, without anyone telling me who I can love and how much. I want to celebrate those I love loving others, without us getting caught in the traps of jealousy, ownership and possession. I want to experience intimacy and connection in authentic ways, without being bound by rules of what is supposedly appropriate. I want to hug those I love long and hard, and often. And I want to follow my hearts yearnings for exploration without having to hold back.

I want to walk on the river with a dear friend hand in hand and know it is absolutely and completely OK. And when we say goodbye for the moment, I want to leave awash with joy and celebration, not bittersweet sadness.

                                                                  The big day is quickly approaching. Unless you are dead, or simply not paying any attention what so ever, you are aware of the energy building as we approach this monumental time. Since I don't watch any TV, or pay much mind to main stream news, I'm not caught up in the hype factor. For me the energy has more to do with the big questions we are facing as a nation, what's really going to happen (vs what they are hyping us up for), and what will be the result of what happens? My belief is that this is the most important election I will possibly see in my life time.

Living a life of Whole Health incorporates our contribution to the community around us, and places a positive value on the sense of purpose gathered from that contribution. Acting on our given right to vote is a powerful way to contribute to the health of the world around us. I hope each of you will be taking the time to place your vote this coming Tues, Nov 4th and thereby making your contribution, a contribution I might add, that does matter. Get informed. Learn about the propositions and political candidates in your area and know that you are making a difference.

In the meantime here is a poem I recently came across in the We'Moon calender, by Diane Bergstrom, that really speaks to me right now.

Remind Me
Darkness always births the light.There is no insanity without surfacing reason, Apathy can give way to conviction and action.

Remind me.
There is no suppression with eventual uprising. Public silence unleashes individual voices. Where there is death there must be life.

Remind me.
Where there is waste, growth will be forged. Narcissistic leaders incense empowered communities. Censorship spurs collective voices.

Remind me.
Senseless occupations cause people to question. Unjustified spending arouses investigations. The pendulum always swings.

Remind me.
Hopelessness, despair, intolerance and fear can debilitate. belief, anger, purpose, education, and faith can facilitate. What can I do?

Remind me.