Simply Authentic...Your Soul Voice is Calling. Appreciating a Great Life

Appreciating a Great Life It rained like crazy here over the Christmas season; many areas of Portland (not where we live in Lake Oswego) were submerged in record—breaking floods. With the uncharacteristically wet weather, being married to the theatre performance week, and coming down with my first head cold in over two years, I drifted away from my regular Godwalk practice. I suffered the consequences…low energy, felt creatively dried up, missed Mother Nature, didn’t sleep as well and started to get cranky. As I’m penning this entry, the day before New Year’s Eve., I was delighted to see mud-lined dry streets and a clear blue sunlit sky in 30 something temps. I donned a warm jacket, extra pair of pants, sunglasses, scarf and gloves for my Godwalk. It was beautiful outside, crisp and invigorating. I almost always get my best ideas when I’m walking, and today was no exception. I found myself filled with a sense of gratitude and appreciation, which doesn’t always arise when I’m sitting at the computer, on the couch watching a holiday movie, or in the kitchen chopping vegetables for a meal. I even said aloud, “My God, I love my life.” I took a huge pay cut to work from home and have more flexibility in my time and enjoyment in my work. It was a conscientious decision, yet there are still times I am almost overcome with gratitude and joy in the life I lead now. My friend Katherine called me with an invitation to meet her at New Renaissance bookshop tomorrow (we had discussed this on Christmas Day) and I was able to say, “Sure – I can be there around 2:00 after my speech over the noon hour”, without asking anyone but my own calendar. I just moved up my grocery shopping for New Year’s Eve. dinner by a day! The house George and I live in isn’t fancy, but it perfectly meets our needs, came with all the specifications we outlined upon our decision to move in together, and the guy who owns the house is terrific. People feel comfortable here – there’s great mojo in this place. We snagged it up a day after it came on the rental market in one of the those random happy “coincidences” which drop into your lap when you maintain high level thoughts and set a clear intention. You can find me randomly walking from room to room, saying aloud, “I love this house!” Somehow, the house and everything in it, like the plants (most certainly Lady Jane the cat,) knows my feeling and responds warmly in-kind. All kinds of interesting things to write about, and random happy memories, came to me on my walk today. One – the time I spent a weekend at Bob Hope’s house in Palm Springs – will need to wait for another post. For now…what in your life now brings joy and gratitude? Focus on that as much as you can in the new year – and if you haven’t already, consider starting a regular Godwalk practice! The thoughts we hold determine how we experience whatever is happening, so why not hold high quality thoughts? –Laura Handke If you’ve always wanted to take an acting class, would like to improve your acting, speaking or communication skills, or simply become more emotionally present…register for Authentic Performance starting the second week of January! It’s a great investment in yourself. Toastmasters get a 10% discount. “I highly recommend any class Laura Handke teaches. She not only helps you become a better performer on stage, she has a special way of helping you identify and express your actual authentic emotions.” –Glen A. “This class far exceeded my expectations. I was apprehensive going in and was left wanting more and more upon completion. The experience was extraordinary!” -Kimberly W. “I got more than I expected from this class. Thank you for your encouragement.” –Jesse M. “In case I haven’t mentioned enough, I LOVE class. It has been so fun and fabulous to jump out of comfort zones and join in the playground. Thank you for all you do!” –Megan G. “Laura is an amazing & gifted teacher. She balanced our time with clear & specific instruction, sprinkled with her incredible intuition and the result was pure magic.” -Robyn K. “This class far exceeded my expectations. I now feel like a looser and more authentic speaker. I appreciated the safe, nurturing environment to grow, take risks and learn acting.” –Bob B. Authentically Yours, Laura