Honoring Winter Solstice 2011

Dusk starts folding in shortly after lunch.
Sun’s Southerly arc
Creates spaciousness in early twilight sky.
A single planet arises above Eastern horizon.
Brightness blooms before darkness descends.

From under a welter of initiatives and mountains of missives
Day’s end and cavernous silence
Swiftly inserted as our salvation
Inviting imagination to play.

Ungainly illusions and expectations knock about
Loud as bumper cars on a fenced track.
Seasonality shored up by carnival barkers spitting
Holiday spirit on sale tags increasingly shrill, urgent, alarming.

Breathe the early night air and embrace
freedom in the dark thrill of silence.
Let peace descend as night laps at the edge of Earth’s carpet.
And when all is darkest night
Consider your mission is simple: to shine.
Other dots illuminate the landscape.
Holidays of Light from every tradition mingle –
Uncertain how far that goodwill extends.
And yet the common foundation for the billions of brilliances –
an underscore, an uncommon heritage of souls.

We are the ones called, called to Light, called to illuminate.
We are the ones answering the call.
We are the ones we have been waiting for.
We are the voices at hand to speak up.
We are the bowl vibrating with resonant waves of love on the wind.
We are the candle shimmering to brighten the darkest corner.
We are the book — the sacred tomes — and each soul a story,
And each story, a connection,
And each connection reverberating…

“We are the ones!”

Launching spots to multi-
Dimensions.

We are the ones.

Shine, my friends.
Shine on, blessed
Illuminati of the Divine Heart Center.

Bobbye Middendorf
18 December 2011
Photo courtesy Middendorf-Salovaara

Yes, there it is: Honor Your Dream. How long has it been in hiding? How long have you maintained the silence? How long have you felt “on the verge” of expressing it, yet always pull back at the last minute?

So here sits your challenge: Give It Words.

Does that feel threatening? Scary? Exhilarating? I acknowledge you for even considering that it may be time to open the closet door and dust off the dreams so you can clothe them in words to bring them forth. 

One of the hardest tasks in the world is to tell your own story.

Especially for those of us called to make a difference in the world — to transform, to do something that hasn’t been done, to create anew — bringing forth our message is a doubly challenging endeavor.  The typical models just don’t fit.  It’s discouraging.

Maybe you’ve spent a lot of time trying to create your messages, to shape your marketing, to put together web sites or speaker sheets or articles,  blogs or books. You long for your words to reflect the truth of the potentials and possibilities that are bubbling up inside you.

And yet, you haven’t captured the essence in spite of giving it your best effort. Your words are falling short of saying what you really want to say.

• But how to put it into words?
• How to articulate the ineffable?!
• How to say it so the most perfect people “get it?”
  

How can you express what you do with authenticity and put it out there in words so that your most perfect people hear your message? There’s the rub.

Even as an experienced writer/marketer, I’ve faced the challenge of saying what I do so that people “get it.”  And when they don’t,  that hurts, especially when you’ve put your heart into saying what you do and it just doesn’t connect.

And it’s not only the message. It’s your WHO: your people, tribe, community. Once the message is ready to be shared, you face  the challenge of putting it in front of your most perfect clients, so they will be able to say, “Yes! That’s me. I want some of that!”

For those of you sharing messages of transformation, take a minute to feel into what it might be like to have a partner, a believing mirror, someone who “gets it” and can help you put words around that vision  you’ve been hiding for so long.

As writer, creation coach, and vision midwife, I help visionaries with the words and writing that bring forth the stories, wrap your gifts in words, and give shape and substance to your visions and dreams.

Especially if you are a woman in the best half of life — whose true gifts have been hidden or are only now coming forth — really take in the possibility that you might be able to express your stories and still feel safe. Feel heard. Feel embraced with understanding…Be held in a sacred container of conversation, content, and creation.

What would it feel like if you experienced your visions and messages coming to life in words?

Wouldn’t that change everything?

To open a conversation that just might change everything for you, please send me an email at bjmiddendorf(at)gmail(dot)com.  Give me the 100-word synopsis of your story and dream to make sure this is the most appropriate fit for you and bringing forth your dreams.

Everyone who responds will receive my BEEing Presence Plan Kit for Messengers.

Restorative Yoga + Writing Workshop

with

Monika Andreas & Bobbye Middendorf

Open your inner spaces with Restorative Yoga to release the flow of your writing. Reinvigorate your life with words…Unlock the heart of your writing, messages, and gifts.

Join us on the Inner Vision Quest

WHEN: Saturday + Sunday June 4-5 9:30 – 4:30pm

YOUR INVESTMENT: $250 per weekend; Early paid commitment = $220

One day only: $150; Early paid commitment = $125

WHERE: 3600 N. Lake Shore Drive  Chicago, IL

*Welcoming beginners — writers and yoga students of all ages, shapes & sizes

*Inviting anyone who loves words and self-reflection — including journal writers

*Opening with yoga makes your writing easier, deeper, and renews your creative self

Monika Andreas’ 35 + years of yoga teaching helps you feel safe and at ease in your body,  inviting you to tap your peace of mind and inner healing wisdom.

Bobbye Middendorf, award-winning writer, holds the space for your sacred stories and expressions to unfold.

Email jasbjm(at)earthlink(dot)net for more details about the workshop. Please put “Yoga and Writing” in the subject line!

It’s so exciting to partner with
Yoga for the Seasoned Body(TM) expert
Monika Andreas for an upcoming weekend
of renewal! Details below.

UNLEASH YOUR INNER CREATOR @

RESTORATIVE YOGA AND WRITING WORKSHOP

with

Monika Andreas and Bobbye Middendorf

Renew  *  Refresh  *  Restore  Your
Body  *  Mind  *  Spirit

*  Leading off with deeply relaxing and
restorative yoga, Monika gently introduces
ease for your body and peace for your mind.
This Yoga taps your inner healing wisdom
with therapeutic effects on your heart,
immune, digestive, circulatory, skeletal,
and other physiological systems — AND
your spirit and creativity!

*  Renewing your creative self and
reinvigorating your life in written words:
Like Yoga, writing can heal the heart and
renew the spirit. Bobbye helps you awaken
to your inner gifts and expression. In our
sacred circle, you are invited to bring
forth the stories and truths you are
yearning to share.

Where:    Addison at Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois

Your Investment:   $225 for entire weekend of renewal

Sorry…The Early Decision Deadline has passed.

****Save $$$ with your Early Decision!****
Your investment on or before Feb. 25:
Early Registration (with deposit)  $180

(Individual sessions receive $10 discount
with early registration/deposit by Feb. 25)

When:
Friday, March 4 -   6:30-9:30 p.m.   $ 55**
Saturday, March 5 – 9:30-5:30 p.m.  $115**
Sunday, March 6 -   9:30-3:30 p.m. $ 75**
**Costs per session if purchased individually.

Monika Andreas, with 35 years of yoga wisdom,
responds to the needs of each student.
She has trained with master yoga teachers
including B.K.S. Iyengar, Roger Eischens, Angela
Farmer, and Victor VanKooten among others
during more than three decades as a yogi.

Bobbye Middendorf leads Sacred Story Vision Quests,
convenes circles for writing and meditating, and
mentors people with urgent healing messages.
She is an award-winning writer with an
M.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts
from Columbia College and creator of

http://www.writesynergiescopywriting.com.

Please contact me to reserve your place, as space is
limited. Feel free to email me
jasbjm(at)earthlink(dot)net with any
questions, and we can schedule a
one-on-one phone conversation.

Wishing you an abundance of
Love, Light & Laughter,

Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru

A few years ago, I created a personal mission statement. As a solo-soul-preneur, I am the face and being of my business.  At the end of 2010, I was called to update that document. Usually the word “mission” for me is a non-starter. I’ve read far too many mission statements that put me to sleep.

As the Write Synergies Guru, I teach people the magic of growing their results (in words) greater than the sum of the parts. To do that, it calls for stepping into a level of Being in the World (and in the moment) that can only be expressed as your mindful and conscious Presence.  Sometimes, that Presence yearns to share itself by owning the parts that it encompasses. Maybe my colleagues would benefit by revising their “mission” statements into “Presence” statements…Or what I call the Code.

As a writer and a mentor for those crafting,  honing, and polishing their public messages, writing is one piece of my process. Let me share a secret: Who you are Being, from your deepest essence, is what makes the critical distinction between you and everyone else. So ponder the following questions. Take them to heart. Write your answers. Then share your riches here and with your own community of customers, clients — your circle and tribe.

First, who are you Being?

= From your Being, what is your Vision for 2011?

= What is your process for bringing that Vision to life?

= What are the words, the code that you live by when you are truly expressing from your highest and deepest self?

Please share!

For me, it is out of a place of deep inner space, of silence, of a kind of solitude, of words written by hand and by keyboard.

The Write Synergies Code

Out of the deep inner space of silence and solitude grow discernment, intuition, compassion

Walking a spiritual path, I commit to living these core values:

Listening deeply and with loving attention

Exploring with joy, curiosity, passion

Living mindfully and artfully with health, serenity, abundance

Knowing the sacred flow in all energy exchanges

Promoting peace, creativity, wisdom

Expressing compassion for Gaia, nature, and all sentient beings

Advancing with honesty, integrity, authenticity, gratitude, imagination

Connecting with the highest expression of those intersecting my path

Embodying a focus on the Light within and highest good for all concerned

Such foundational and visionary work is the beginning of declaration — what some might even call the basis for a Manifesto. Rest assured, that is coming. Living and expressing fully from this deep place calls on all our intent, requires that we show up in these new and powerful ways of Being.

I have been able to share, above, acrostic messages as part of my Write Synergies Code. These totems and ways of Being are also part of the code and reminders to me about the deeper forces at play in all aspects of life.

We are being called to wake up and act from a more powerful place. Start by unlocking your Being, shining a light on your Vision, and acting each day in the truth of your Code!

Join me on the Write Synergies Path!
Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru

2010 Pre-Solstice

Brilliant
SunSparkles on snow
mingling my tracks with squirrels’
Fluffed robins drunk on fermented berries
Crows sing raucous verses
The passing V of Canada geese honking refrain
And the gibbous moon
rising midday spectral ghostly blur
waxing toward Solstice full
in blue firmament
Magic is airborne
riding currents of
short days with mid-afternoon dusks
punctuated by window candles
Holiday lights like multi-hued
stars of an earthbound universe

Energies of Divine Feminine
a Shakti blossoming
within perfect
circle of protection
Embracings within yin and yang
the balance unspoken
yet profound
Festivities foretold unfold
celebrating rebirth
of love alive
illuminating
the innermost sacred
center of the heart
Divine Love ignites
whisperings soul to soul
Missives of grace

17 December 2010
Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru

More than What You Leave Behind, Live Your Legacy in Words

I’ve written about living your legacy before.  It’s that important.  The following action points are part of an upcoming booklet of experts sharing insights on “defining your destiny,” a project coordinated by Paulette Ensign, the  undisputed queen of the tips booklet.

My suggestion: Test out these 5 Cs to bring your legacy alive. Use words. Write it all down. Document your process for yourself and others.

1 Center –

Begin by taking a deep belly-expanding breath or several.  Focus on your heart-center.  Listen for your internal wisdom and directions from inside.  Write them down!

2 Contribute –

From that breath-centered mindfulness, focus on the deepest gifts you are here to share.  Who are the most perfect recipients of your gifts?  Write down who you are here to serve and the gifts you yearn to offer.

3 Create –

Hold in your heart both what you are here to offer and who you are meant to do it for.  Envision what it looks like when those two come together, with results for the highest good.  Write that down.

4 Connect –

Bring your inner connections and ideas into conversation.  Invite your most perfect people into your sacred circle with powerful words and intent.  Connect and LISTEN.  Write down their words, what they want.

5 Commit –

Write down the specifics of your intent and commitment to create, connect, and contribute.  It’s your map for living your legacy.  Build it day by day with conscious actions — to make the difference you came here to make.

World-changers, writers, authors, visionaries, and conscious creators partner with Bobbye Middendorf, The Write Synergies Guru, to clarify their healing messages. If you’re ready for results greater than the sum of the parts, if you need the right words so people “get it,” if you want to make the difference you came here to make, then connect with Bobbye to live your legacy in words and “Write to Sell Without Selling Your Soul.”

September Greetings from your Write Synergies Guru!

In this issue:
*Blog Milestone
*Back-to-learning
*<Time Sensitive> Web Site Creation Workshop
Registration tomorrow!
*<Time Sensitive> Self Employment Telesummit
Starts this week!
*<Time Sensitive> No Cost Call for
Family Caregivers
*Tuesday Writing Circles

Blog Milestone
= = = = = = = = =

Just realized that my August 21 post,
honoring my beloved fur child, was my
100th post. Interesting milestone content…
Many thanks to those who have journeyed
with me on this path.

Thanks also to so many of you who
sent kind words on our family’s loss.
I truly appreciate your caring notes!

If you didn’t see my tribute,
you can read it here:
http://bit.ly/aIpY31

Back To Learning
= = = = = = = = =

Even if you think “back to school”
doesn’t apply to you, please reconsider.
If you need to write and are in business
for yourself, the opportunities to learn
and expand on your expertise and results
are a crucial part of growth and success.
As my mentors Judith and Jim like to point
out, you have to grow yourself in order to
grow your business. That is true for your
writing as well.

I so enjoy sharing resources, colleagues,
and classes that have had a profound and
positive impact on me and my work. I can’t
help but recommend these folks who provide
serious value. The  following resources
can make a difference in your business!

<Time Sensitive>
Christina Hills’
Web Site Creation Workshop
= = = = = = = = =

Doors open tomorrow morning for the famed
Web Site Creation Workshop with Christina
Hills. Learn more by reading at my blog:
http://budurl.com/aedp

Or go here to get on the early notification list.
(Early sign-ups are eligible for bonus gifts.)
http://thewebsitecreationworkshop.com/a/?af=976734

<Time Sensitive>
Molly Gordon’s
Self Employment Telesummit
= = = = = = = = =

Molly Gordon is starting her Self-Employment
Telesummit this week, and there’s still
time to register. The experts that she’s
gathered will help even the most reluctant
“Accidental Entrepreneurs” overcome the
fears around being in business while taking
focused action.

One of the big problems with
these kinds of group presentation events
is that they often end with information
overload. Molly is taking care of that –
by helping participants to integrate all
the great information from the workshops
via integration sessions that she will
facilitate.

(And YES! She is an awesome facilitator!)

Go here for info:

http://bit.ly/9LqIXT

OR if you’d like to read what I
posted on my blog, go here:
http://budurl.com/mgSETS

The Self Employment Telesummit is
designed by self-employed
people for self-employed people
to end the epidemic of
under-earning among heart-centered
professionals. Only
3 days left to sign up.

http://bit.ly/9LqIXT

<Time Sensitive>
Betty L. Smith’s
Free Family Caregivers Call
= = = = = = = = =

Author, coach and speaker,
Betty L. Smith, is one of my clients.
If you or any of your loved ones are
faced with the stresses of
being a family caregiver,
then Betty’s free call on Saturday,
September 18 at 9AM Pacific may be
a good fit. She is celebrating
September’s “Healthy Aging Month”
with a free phone call to help family
caregivers increase their health and well-being.

Go here to learn more about Betty’s
free call for family caregivers:

http://www.authorbettylsmith.com/caregivers-preview/

(To register for the free call,
you will find the sign-up box at the
bottom of that page.)

The above are links to resources and
colleagues who have made a difference to me.
Please explore their messages to see if
these are a fit for you at this time.
If you do choose to purchase, I will
receive a referral fee. Please understand
that these are people I really respect, who are
providing work that has helped me.  I
highly recommend them even if I didn’t receive
recompense.

Tuesday Writing Circles
= = = = = = = = =

Chicago-area writers!
(Write in the Garden, weather permitting!)
Gather your resources and start to share
the gifts and sacred stories that are
why you are here. I am offering an
in-person sacred writing circle for
an intimate group on four Tuesdays
(21 and 28 Sept; 5 and 12 Oct).
Cost: $125.
Email me for more details.

I help visionary authors and writers,
and world-changing soul-preneurs. You need to
connect to your tribes/communities with
WORDS — to share your healing
messages and stories so that people “get it.”

Doors Open on Tuesday Sept 14, at 8AM Eastern for Web Site Creation Workshop!

On Tuesday my mentor and teacher of all things WordPress, Christina Hills, opens the doors for registering for her highly popular WordPress Web Site Creation Workshop (including creating your web presence without a webmaster.)

Here’s the early  notification link.
Or here: http://thewebsitecreationworkshop.com/a/?af=976734
She has some bonuses for the first few folks who register!

Christina has created some fun videos, (see links below) but more importantly, she shares a sample of her teaching approach. Go here to get a taste of her style and presentation and get a jump on your web site design:

Fast & Easy Website Design with WordPress Themes

or copy and paste this link:

http://thewebsitecreationworkshop.com/a/?af=976734&p=designs

Then if it’s a fit, I would appreciate if you’d register through my link. Christina overdelivers BIG TIME. I highly recommend you explore this sample class.

I wanted to let you know that tomorrow (Tuesday, September 14th)
at 8:00 am Eastern,  Christina Hills is opening
the doors for her Website Creation Workshop.

If you want to be able to quickly and easily create professional
looking websites, without having to know any HTML or difficult graphics software programs, then you really need to take Christina’s workshop.

Christina has been giving out some great videos on her website
over the past couple of weeks. I wanted to share these links
in case you missed them, or haven’t yet seen them:

Fast & Easy Website Design with WordPress Themes

http://thewebsitecreationworkshop.com/a/?af=976734&p=designs

And here are some fun videos from Christina too…

The WordPress of Oz – The Tornado

http://thewebsitecreationworkshop.com/a/?af=976734&p=tornado

The WordPress of Oz – The Wicked Webmaster

http://thewebsitecreationworkshop.com/a/?af=976734&p=witch

The WordPress of Oz – Dorothy & The Scarecrow

http://thewebsitecreationworkshop.com/a/?af=976734&p=scarecrow

SPECIAL NOTE: Christina will be opening the doors an hour early
(8:00 am Eastern) only to those people on her
early email notification list which you can sign up for at

http://thewebsitecreationworkshop.com/a/?af=976734

Christina has a special bonus planned for the first few people who sign up
for her workshop, so you definitely will want to be on her early
notification list.

Christina really is a first-class teacher. For less than it costs
to hire a webmaster one time and build only one website
for you, Christina will empower you to build as many websites as
you want for your business or personal passions.

Check out the great stuff on Christina’s blog right now, and be
ready tomorrow at 8:00 Eastern,
Tuesday, September 14th when registration opens for the Website
Creation Workshop.
Sincerely,

Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru

P.S. Be sure to get on the early notification list and get a
chance at the special limited quantity bonus Christina has
planned for tomorrow at

http://thewebsitecreationworkshop.com/a/?af=976734

Do you struggle with charging
what you are worth? I know I do.
If you’re satisfied
with what you are charging, then
stop reading right now. If not, then join
me. You, too, can be like a fly
on the wall. Read on to find out how.

My coach and colleague, Molly Gordon,
has invited premium pricing coach
Dave Navarro to discuss why it’s
so hard for artists, writers,
visionaries, healers, and other
Accidental Entrepreneurs to set and get
good prices for your work.
You offer transformation:
Now what’s *that* worth?!

It’s a touchy subject that goes right
to the heart of issues about money,
value, and self-worth. Without the
right price, you can’t have the
security you need to make your greatest
contribution to the world. Yet getting
to that price and naming it confidently
can be a real problem. That’s why
I’m so looking forward to this Thursday’s
free conversation.

[Ready for answers about your pricing?
Go straight to the sign up page
by clicking: http://bit.ly/9LqIXT ]

I’m so excited about Molly’s
upcoming interview with Dave Navarro
on how to set and get premium prices
for your work. Dave is on the faculty
of this year’s Self Employment Telesummit.

In this no-cost preview of his feature
presentation, Dave will share:

*= The inspiration for his work around pricing.
*= The biggest challenges self-employed
people face around pricing, especially
after they’ve been working for themselves
for a few years.
*= The three avoidable pricing mistakes
that can cost you big-time.
*= What you need to know to be comfortable
(and successful) raising your prices.
*= The secret that makes your
price the *right* price.

WHAT: Premium Pricing Secrets Preview

WHEN: Thursday, August 19, 9:00am Pacific/Noon Eastern

HOW: Teleconference

SIGN UP: http://bit.ly/9LqIXT

If you already know Molly’s work, you
know she is deeply committed to ending
the epidemic of under-earning among
Accidental Entrepreneurs. And she’s
hand-picked Dave Navarro to hone in
on this topic to help you get over
The Hump from just getting by to
shining profitability.

To sign up for the call, head on
over to http://bit.ly/9LqIXT.
There’s no cost and there’s so
much you’ll gain.

Come, spend an hour with Molly
and Dave and shift your thinking
about pricing.

Warmly,

Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru

P.S.: This no-cost, content-rich call
is a preview for the 2010 Self Employment
Telesummit. I’m proud to recommend this
event and the telesummit as an affiliate.
I hope you’ll take a minute to learn more
about how the telesummit can help you get
over The Hump when you sign up for the
pricing secrets call at:
http://bit.ly/9LqIXT

P.P.S.: Can’t make the call?
Sign up anyway and Molly will
send you the link to the
recording.

http://bit.ly/9LqIXT

P.P.P.S. Pricing secrets shared!
Don’t miss this.
http://bit.ly/9LqIXT

Hope to “see” you on the call!

Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru