Round 1
These past couple of months have been an adventure in the new world of getting published and I appreciate your sharing it with me.
Today, I found out I will not be moving into Round 2 so I’ll be changing my focus back to writing and there is something very wonderful to be said about that. I leave this blog site appreciating all I’ve learned about computer possibilities, myself, and promoting a book… and thankful for the friends I’ve met along the way.
Jeanne
Add a comment May 7, 2010
Hampton Roads Publishing
My conference call with Randy Davilla of Hampton Roads Publishing was interesting, encouraging, insightful, and another push forward in this competition.
It was interesting because I ‘heard’ so much beneath the conversation. His passion to bring positive changes to people’s lives. His open, enthusiasm for writers, the joy of writing, and books. And Robert Evan’s persistent, generous desire to make this competition sing with opportunities for writers to learn about the getting published.
I was encouraged in the presence of everyone else on the phone conference as we learned more about the next round. And pushed because I am now jumping into the second round even as I continue working with the parameters of this current round and haven’t gotten the final word about making it to Round 2. This is where trusting the process comes to guide me. I’ve already had paths open up for me to be in Round 2 and so I’m following them
The insight from yesterday’s telephone conference call came from listening to some of the questions. I recognized that my own questions are a sure sign of how I ‘see’ the outcome of this competition. And my questions are about what next? what do I need to learn? what do I need to do to move through Round 2. My questions tell me I am still seeing myself moving forward. That feels good!
In this past week, I have experienced a shift from where I started. For weeks it’s been about the guidelines of Round 1. Heart, soul, energy, and time have been committed to ‘doing’ what I needed to do. Now, my greatest power in seeking the votes I need in the next 10 days to take me to Round 2 will come from ‘being in that energy’. Right now is the time for me to appreciate all the votes and good hearts that take me to Round 2. Right now is the time to thank my inner guides and earth-dwelling guides… to know the reality of being in Round 2. What I’m thinking is where I’m going.
Tomorrow I get to join others for an Energy Insight adventure. That’s the energy of dream-making for all of us. Thinking about making all dreams come true is part of manifesting my dream for this competition. What I’m thinking is where I’m going.
I’m thinking I need some readers for Chapter 1 of “A Seekers Gathering”. I need feedback beyond my circle of usual readers who are use to my style and know my work. If you want to volunteer, leave me a comment. It’s 6 pages/one-and-a-half spacing. I’d love to have you help me make it better. That’s what I’ll need in Round 2.
Oh. And I need information about outlines for my proposal, if that happens to be part of your world. I want something that is less formal than what I learned in high school. Something that doesn’t make me feel boxed in.
Love to share a piece of tomorrow afternoon with you! 1:00 PDT
712-432-0075 (code 914685)
Add a comment April 23, 2010
Writing Retreat
Aaaah. My own space. My little girl is out in joy because she!!! gets to have her own room. She gets to close the door when she wants quiet time, put her feet on the sofa, leave a mess behind, and giggle on the phone with her friends. She’s a very happy camper.
She’s also tugging in the opposite direction of my intention. I sat down to send everyone the phone number and code for Saturday. She wanted to eat some chocolate sorbet at 9:30 in the morning. I thought I’d finish filing all my loose papers and really get organized. She’s looking at the artwork I have piled on the counter thinking it would be great fun to splash it all over the walls. I can’t tell you who will guide this day.
But I do know we’re both very excited about the free Energy Insight telephone retreat this Saturday at 1:00 (PDT). It’s always fun, relaxing, and so very much a time-out for everyone participating. There are sure to be as many answers as there are participants because that is what energy insights is all about. That includes me. I wonder what I’ll learn about my dream to get published so I can share my energy work with more people?
I wonder what nuggets of insight will come your way?
If you want to join me, call 712-432-0075 (code 914685).
Add a comment April 21, 2010
U-Haul
Moving day is here. It’s not a U-Haul, but the truck is scheduled for tomorrow and today the last vestiges of home comforts in this cute writer’s retreat are about to go into boxes. I feel like I’m taking the seed I’ve planted here and will be placing it in the sunny window sill of our new home. Its going to be great fun watching it grow as my life eases into the comforts of this change and the possibilities of the competition.
I’m noticing that all my writing, even a short note in an email, is filled with exclamation points these days! This move is an exclamation point! I think I’m experiencing such exhilaration, I can’t keep my finger from reaching up to that key to shout my joy. The people I’m meeting! Those close to me who are rallying around me with their time and effort to support this dream! Everything I’m learning!
And, I can’t leave out the feeling of “I did it! I did it. I DID it!”
It’s not that I made it through Round 1. I won’t know that until some time after voting ends on May 3rd. But what I did was accept every challenge along the way. I’ve never done that before when it came to sharing my energy insights or seeking publication. In the past, I have always found very reasonable, excellent reasons to stop short of reaching for my dream. I wasn’t ready.
This time, I DID it! And I think my Hand Analysis with Suzanne Keller made all the difference. By learning what my life challenge is, it lost some of its power to intimidate and hold me back. I knew from the very moment I entered this competition that I would find it difficult to ‘get myself out there’. Knowing this made the hiccups and bumps feel less real. I knew ahead of time they would show up. They were just the ways I was being given the opportunity to stop myself. They were those reasonable reasons for turning away from the challenge.
But, this time, I didn’t!
Add a comment April 14, 2010
Losing it!?
Yesterday, I wrote a long blog exploring evidence that I may be losing it. With so much on my mind, so many learning curves and possibilities, I’m just not my usual self. It’s not good or bad. It’s just a new feeling that comes with being so focused and in the middle of a move.
I rambled on about getting a photo from a dear friend in Norway. He titled it “precious moments” and I wrote back to him celebrating the way his wife hadn’t changed a bit! I exclaimed that I recognized the snack bar and asked who the other couple was. And then I re-read his email before I sent off my reply and realized the ‘other couple’ was Jim and I… in a visit with them some years ago. Felt a little bit like I was ‘losing it’.
But it was at Best Buy that I became convinced. After a round of conversations about all the options, choices, needs, and possibilities of a new phone, I stood with Jim at the counter while we purchased it and happened to look out the window. The familiar Best Buy sign and store front filled my senses and I wondered… how I got back to St Paul? Truly. I got lost in time. I had to look back at the nice clerk to come back to the moment.
Oh, my blog rambled about the silliness and wonder of it all and then I clicked the “publish” button and lost the blog! And that wasn’t enough. I lost my internet service for the next 8 hours. Talking about ‘losing it’! I didn’t know whether I should laugh or cry.
I chose to consider it a direct guide to focus on the video I was going to make for YouTube. It was a video to give the listener an experience of energy insight so they could get an uncommon answer about their personal dream. I hope you’ll check it out!
Just go to YouTube.com and type “Jeanne McElvaney” in the search box. Then click on “Jeanne McElvaney “Talking to Energy”. And would you give me a thumbs up if you like it. Your thumbs up will help me spread the videos to others who don’t read my blog. Let your friends and family know about it if you enjoy it. But don’t tell them the lady in the video has been known to ‘lose it”!
Add a comment April 13, 2010
Old Maggie’s Serendipity
Serendipity was the energy guide that brought me to this competition. Like Old Maggie, I always listen to this best friend.
From a manuscript I wrote about 55 different messages from energy, “Spirit Whispers”.
_________
The young woman was the first to speak. “Why did you stop for me? Now that I think about it, I am not convinced you truly needed help with that bag.”
Old Maggie chuckled and responded with humor. I thought you too thick-eyed to notice, but I am not displeased you could rouse yourself from your deep thoughts long enough to notice my nonsense. As to why I did not simply pass by… I never ignore serendipity.”
“Serendipity?” the young woman quizzed as she took the last bite of her soup.
Old Maggie stood up and took her guest’s empty bowl and tea cup, returning moments later with a plate of ginger cookies and another cup of the healing brew. She sat back down and took her own soup in hand, but she did not raise her spoon. Rather she explained.
“When a string of disconnected events weave together, I know my spirit is speaking to me. Today that happened with you. Though I do not know why we sit here together, I know with certainty it was meant to be. That in itself is reason enough, but there is more. In honoring the messages urging our connection, I am talking back to my spirit, letting it know I am listening and willing to be guided by its wisdom.”
(If you would like to read more of Old Maggie’s spirit whispers, become a fan of Quantum Energy Insights on Facebook.)
Add a comment April 11, 2010
Tired.
Tired today. Just plain tired. And that is part of the journey. Time to pull over at the side of the road and take in the view. Behind my eyelids? I think so. A delicious, unheard of morning nap. That’s what is called for at this time.
This is the kind of time that empowers. Moments stretch into rambling thought, slip around the corners of my feelings and… there it is. An inspired hit I would have missed if I had just kept going.
Add a comment April 10, 2010
YouTube
I had such a great idea for YouTube. I had already posted my competition video pitch. Anyone can see the best I could do in that moment. But, I thought, maybe they would like to see the bloopers, starts, stops, and moments of “aaargh”! That’s the real process going on in this competition. It’s learning something totally new, on the run, when you care so much about the outcome.
The last couple of days, I’ve spent about 5 hours trying to edit my original video to create the blooper version, but it wasn’t happening. And throughout the process, the whisper of insight about my dream got louder and louder. I wasn’t making this ‘good idea’ happen because it wasn’t going to serve my dream.
My dream is about showing others how to experience their own energy insights to empower their choices and shape their days to celebrate their spirit. It isn’t about making people laugh. And so the energy around my dream didn’t line up with my effort. It wasn’t going to happen. And this was ‘for me”.
So I might get frustrated in my hungry effort to accomplished something I thought was a good idea, but when I turned to my dream energy and talked to it, the answer was so very clear, I felt only appreciation. I think trying hard has it’s limitations. It’s in these moments we invite our will and determination to speak louder than the energy swirling around our adventure. And then we are inclined to get lost now and then on a side path.
Today, I’m going to tape another video. Yes! I had put my tripod away and thought myself done with such challenges, but I have learned a video reaches more people and I want to let others know they can join me on April 24th to talk to energy and learn about their personal dreams. This feels like something I can give to those who have helped me with my dream. Imagine being able to ask your dream energy ‘what’s up!’. You’ll learn as much information as you are willing to allow.
If you want to join me, go to A Seekers Gathering on the side bar. When you connect to the website, click on the page “Free Telephone Retreat”. I hope to see you there.
Add a comment April 9, 2010
THank you!!!! Thank you Thank you!
I just got word that I’m still in the running in Round 1 of the competition!!
Each of you have made the difference by voting for me and helping me reach beyond those people I know. THANK YOU! Thank you. Your efforts and heart are making my spirit sing! “Zippity Doo Dah” is coming out from between my toes. Each of you is appreciated. I wish we could share some chocolate chip cookies and a hug.
We’re on our way and, since they have extended the voting until May 3rd, there is 3-1/2 weeks left in Round 1. And so, I sit here in joy, treasuring your support, thinking of ways I might give back to you.
Add a comment April 8, 2010
Quantum Energy Insights
Are you noticing your energy insights? Let me share Old Maggie’s experience. From Paddington Cove in early 1800’s England, wearing red boots and a gentle smile, she will touch the heart of your very modern, every day world. Her spirit whispers are your quantum energy insights.
Excerpted from “Spirit Whispers” by Jeanne McElvaney
Your spirit is the undiluted you.
Persistently… your spirit whispers to you, guiding and urging you to honor your Self.
It celebrates the wisdom and wonder nestled within.
It weaves through your everyday world, quietly speaking to you in a language so familiar, it often goes unnoticed.
This book speaks the many languages of spirit. It invites you to live your potential and grow your possibilities.
You already know your answers. This tale reminds you to listen.
Add a comment April 7, 2010
