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Porcupine Spirit

I am a big fan of Erin Brockovich she is an environmentalist that feels strongly about protecting our water. She investigates and researches water contamination, uncovering hidden pollution of our water supply. I love how she is a feisty, strong and determined woman and mother, just trying to do better for the greater good in the future. I feel like this is something we have in common and why I follow her to hear what she has to say.

I like when I meet other women with a little sass. I like women who aren’t afraid to say what they know, feel, see, or want. I was raised by a wonderful community of strong women, my mother, my grandmother, my aunties, and even my adopted aunties were all smart, strong and fierce women in their own ways. It occurred to me recently that since I was raised by these women, I most certainly hold some if not most of these characteristics myself.

Adventure Sister Stacy tells me she was intimidated by me when she first met me at a class we took. She still came up to me after the class to ask for my business card, so we could meet up to practice Reiki together. I am thankful that she was brave enough to see through my big energy and ask me to hang out even though she felt intimidated. Although she did not seem intimidated, and she didn’t tell me this is what she thought of me until many years later after we had become very good friends.

Hearing this statement from my dear friend I laughed a little and thought “Really? I am 4’11”. How intimidating can I be?” Turns out I can be very intimidating when others are uncertain of my character or my temperament. Sort of like a porcupine. Now that I know this I find it useful and at times amusing. I try my best to help people feel comfortable around me. I try to be kind and patient but at the same time, I have my limits and I will not hesitate to let you know my boundaries.

Before I knew that I would be running for Minnesotat State House of Representatives I had a dream I was a porcupine. Isn’t that funny? I didn’t think much of it, but when I told my husband of this dream, he made a face that said “Well…. Imagine that!” He knows me well and thought it very amusing, taking the opportunity to remind me that I had been acting kind of prickly at the time. Isn’t that what husbands and best friends for? To tell you how they see you, to help us grow? I think so, that’s why I took it as a sign not only from my subconscious but from my husband to relax a little.

Now, I don’t think that the intimidating characteristic I have sometimes are a bad thing. I was blessed with them for a reason. It is a way of protecting myself against any bull that comes my way no matter how big it may seem. You don’t see a wolf or lion picking on a porcupine very often now do you? So, when I decided to run as a candidate in this midterm election I felt that this trait will help me in times of conflict if they were to come about. I feel that since now I know this about myself, I can use it in a way that is beneficial and keep it at bay at times it is uncalled for. When you know better, you do better.

I am thankful for my husband and my friend for pointing out this prickly personality that I sometimes have on when I do not need to. I did not want to continue walking around with my energy looking and acting like an unapproachable porcupine! After all I do have a much softer side more like a cat… Which also is known to have boundaries but likes to cuddle on her own terms and conditions. Okay so maybe just maybe, I was given these gifts for the life that I am living for a reason. I needed to know when it is time to be tough, that I am incredibly able to do so when I must.

My new friend and Campaign Manager Kayla stopped by to meet with me this weekend. She had been visiting her father in Wisconsin and while there she came across a pair of earrings she said reminded her of me, so she bought them. Which is very thoughtful and kind because I love earrings! Besides my wedding ring, it is really the only jewelry that I wear, and I am very specific about them as well.

I wear them as a statement or for energetic reasons. I have a pair of raw emerald earrings I wear when I feel that what I am facing that day will need love or compassion. I wear amethyst earring to feel connected to the divine or my higher self. I wear dragons blood stones when I feel I need energy or courage to power through my day.

The earrings that Kayla set before me were beautiful! I loved them instantly. The same woman who delivered the words “You can’t quit the campaign. We need you. You are the light.” Saying the exact words at the exact time she needed to, to keep me in the race just when I was about to change my mind. Wouldn’t you know it?

Kayla laid before me a pair of beautiful handmade earring made of porcupine quills! I love them and will wear them as needed.

Do you have stories of synchronisities? I would love to hear them!

Wishing you an abundance of love and blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

*Photo credit * Porcupine picture courtacy of World Wild Life Organization please feel free to donate or check out this fabulous cause.

https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/porcupine.aspx

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Week 2 meditation update

First of all… Really?! This is only week two? It feels like it’s been a month. So, clearly. I am failing forkin’ miserably at this meditation stuff. No meditation for me! I ain’t got time to bleed, my friends! I know you feel me. I could really use several more volunteers for the Emy for House Campaign. I could use an extra helper or family nanny too!

Is it too much to ask someone to take care of things around the house including me, while truly loving my dogs and sing to my birds while I’m gone?! P.s. I miss time with my husband and daughter. This is a lifestyle change I did not expect. Don’t get me wrong, I am enjoying the people I meet and all I learn immensely. This change is exciting!

Yet, I spent many years constructing my beautiful life of simplicity on purpose. I love working at home, I get to bring my dogs to work with me every day. I like eating lunch on the deck between clients and sneaking in loads of laundry. I also have filled my home with lots of plants and things that take my attention. And what else…. oh yeah, my family, working and writing! These things all need my attention every day.

These ‘things and duties’ are my life that I love! I worked hard to build this simple rural life, and I will not sacrifice the life I love. I am working on fitting the responsibilities of campaigning into my life, as opposed to fitting my life into the campaign. I refuse to let it consume all my time. I know what matters most in this world and it is not a job title.

I want this opportunity to represent my community fiercely because I want to fight for my beliefs. I want a thriving community, I want a clean environment, I want affordable healthcare and so much more for everyone! Yet, I do not feel it would be fair to ask me to sacrifice my health, love and family for the opportunity. I know others agree, but there are a few who seem to expect I put my life on hold to get this position.

This political position does hold immense responsibility. I know this, but if I don’t have family to fight for, if I don’t hold on to the intention to protect what I love; that’s when corruption, self-interest, and debauchery take hold. It is why I consider the love of my family and simple life style so valuable and important.  I hold on to my intention to fight for what I love.

I suppose they don’t tell you this part on purpose. People in congress encourage you to run alongside them. Most of them are wonderful people who have embraced me and try to help me succeed, because the more people you have on your team the easier it is to ‘win.’ Although, I don’t view it as winning. I believe we are all on the same team even if others don’t know it. I do feel like I am being guided to my purpose. I love every opportunity in this life that I have been blessed with!

At the end of the day, I try not to complain. I am a good kind of tired.

A good tired means I worked hard and was purposeful today. It means I feel like I accomplished something, and I believe in everything I did. It means I can sleep peacefully and soundly because even though this exciting time in my life is kinda kicking my butt… Life is darn good!

I am thankful for this good tired, I am also thankful that my days are full of things I love. I will figure this work/life balance thing out like we all must.

Realizing this internal struggle, I see I must make some sort of spiritual practice mandatory in my day, I know it is important. I can tell, and I miss it when I slack. I agree with my Adventure Sister Stacy, that when I try to meditate while laying down before bed, I seem to sleep better. Although then I miss the sudden insights of wisdom that seem to download during some meditations. Divine guidance is so much easier to hear when you are tranquil and awake!

Stacy and I took 2 minutes out of our busy day yesterday to speak to each other and do different sort of meditation. It was short, thoughtful, specific and powerful. We sent our meditative energy towards a specific purpose of love, community, harmony and abundance for everyone. It was almost like praying together but slightly different with the same intention.

This short meditative timeout purposely raised our vibes to love and peace. It was almost like hitting the reset button on my mind. When we were finished we felt lighter, less stress and connected to each other and the Universe. This feeling of peacefulness is how I know and why I know, I must make time for meditation and other spiritually lifting practices in my daily life.

Meditation does help me feel better it keeps my intentions pure and my mind focused.

I will check-in again with week three, I know I can do this! I can find time for everything that is important to me! Mind, body, spirit balance here I come!

Have you been following the Adventure Sisters 90-day meditation challenge? How are you doing with it? I’d love to hear from you!

Remember please check out Adventure Sister Stacy’s blog at www.StacyCrep.com! She has plenty of help and advice to get you started and keeping you on track! Please follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook with the link below!

Sending you love, luck, and most of all JOY!

Wishing you an abundance of love and blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

 

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What if?!

What if’s can be exciting, concerning, scary or life changing. So, when I get to imagining the future it can be extremely exciting or scary depending on how my emotions are at that moment. I have been thinking about where I am putting my effort and energy, it feels exciting! I am putting in a great deal of time, energy and creativity into moving forward to the future I hope to create.

I would love to have a chance to facilitate change in my community as the Representative for my district. I love my community, I love the small towns with great people. I love how everyone I meet truly cares about each other and bettering our rural way of life.

The books Stacy and I are writing have been a big part of our lives for the past several years. We have invested a large chunk time pursing the dream of helping others. It took time to define the purpose of the message we wanted to convey. We did it by supporting each other and fostering strong relationships not only with each other but in all our relationships.

We want the Adventure Sisters philosophy to be defined as nurturing. By learning to love ourselves as we are, leveling up, and encouraging others to be authentic while accepting everyone for who they are too. We promote Learning to love others because of our differences, not in of spite them!

We are all different for a reason, celebrating uniqueness helps others believe in themselves. When you believe in yourself, you believe you can do things others may not be able too. When people are encouraged and supported they try small things to better life, this benefits everyone around you.

These small acts of bravery, kindness, and love multiplied by everyone in the world could and would make the world a better place for all of us. The Adventure Sisters know that even just a little effort helps the world be a better place.

Yet when my imagination gets going, I think what if?! What if I do all this work, invest all this time, money and energy into pursuing my dreams and… I end up being exactly where I started this time next year? What if we don’t end up where we thought we would? Will I be able to handle disappointment if I fail? I will.

What I know is at this point in my life, is that it is scarier for me not to try to succeed doing what I love, then to worry about failing. I have this opportunity to reach for the stars while being brave enough to be authentically me. Choosing to level up by doing more then I thought I could.

I know I must accept the outcome as it is, not how I thought it would look. The thing about life is you don’t know how it will look when you get where you are going. Then when you are finally ‘there’ most of the time you are already reaching for something else.

Is this the point in my story where I talk myself out of the negative what if’s? Is this when I give myself the advice I would give to a friend and say,

“This! This is where you are supposed to enjoy the moment. Enjoy today as it is! Choose to really take in the excitement and emotions of how it feels to take baby steps in the directions of big dreams! It is okay to be terrified and excited all at the same time.”

The uncertainness of my future concerns me. Most days I talk myself into believing I will reach these goals. I tell myself I am emotionally strong, hardworking, kind and big-hearted woman that can do anything I put my mind to.

On the days when I don’t see any progress, reward or feel unsupported, those days feel very different. That’s when the what if’s sneak in. Today I won’t allow my active imagination to scramble the energy of my big beautiful dreams of a healthy happy life, community and world.  The Universe is listening to my vibration, I know it’s best to keep my thoughts positive.

What if I do succeed? What if I do win the election? What if we do get a publishing contract? What if I get the chance to be the change I wish to see in the world? What if my dreams come true? What will I do with my life then? I would then be starting two new careers both very different but truly having a direct impact on the world around me. Holy Moly…. What if?!

What if I get to live the life of my dreams right here in the community I love? Doing exactly what I like to do, by just being authentically me?! That would be exactly what an Adventure Sister would do!

And so, it is.

p.s. We did not win the publishing contest, but we will not let that keep us down. The Adventure Sisters will keep on putting one foot in front of the other until we get to where we are going! Once we get there, well that will be the beginning of yet another adventure!

Wishing you an abundance of love and blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

 

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We have already won

Tomorrow Adventure Sister Stacy and I will find out if we win a publishing contest we submitted our book trilogy in. We have been so busy with other parts of our lives that we haven’t had time to worry or concern ourselves too deeply in the outcome. Although we both sincerely really want to win this contest, we are detached from fixating on the win.

Our success does not rest on winning a contest. Our success lies within the people we help, the readers who enjoy our work and get joy from our message. When we started our joint literary adventure, we were very clear with each other that we truly wanted to help others find joy in their lives.  We have both been through our share of tough times and we wanted to share with others how we chose to cope, heal, and rise above to make it through to today.

The community we build on acceptance of being authentically you, doing our best to level up in our lives by being better and doing better, while seeking joy in our lives every day, even the crap days, is exactly what we wanted to create.

We wanted to create a non-judgmental community of authentic, great, and magical in their own way kind of people, that are willing to accept and cherish others for their differences. The Adventure Sisters celebrate uniqueness. We celebrate eccentric and unconventional people who do what they can to truly stay authentic to themselves while being the best person they can be.

When deciding to write these books of lessons, we kept in mind that most people at the core of their beings are good. Keeping this in mind, we knew that even those with the best of intentions make mistakes in their lives, including us! We believe that in general, most people are doing the best that they can in the time and space they are given when on the journey of life.

This gave us strength to be brave enough and support each other while spilling our guts, our dreams, our fears and our feelings out on to the pages of our books. We keep our Facebook posts and blogs positive because we know that the world is bursting with stories of the opposite. We are fully aware of the energy we send out into the world with our words. This makes us hold each other to not higher standards necessarily but to the standard of joyfulness, to do our best to be the light in the dark.

We see the good in the world because we are looking for it. If we can’t find it, we create joy ourselves. We don’t need music to dance, we beat to our own rhythm inside, we radiate with joy because that is what we also need to feel in our own lives. We understand that winning a contest would indeed be exciting and joyous for us both. We also believe that life will support us on the path to our highest and greatest good.

If we win, we will be ecstatic and overwhelmed with thankfulness! If we do not, we will not be discouraged. We will keep on, keeping on! Because that is part of the adventure too. Together we have learned to trust life to bring us exactly where we need to be. This literary adventure has brought Stacy and I closer than we ever were, I can truly say that I now love my friend/soul sister as if she is family. I view this relationship alone as a giant blessing gift wrapped just for us inside our joint journey.

This is the magical stuff of life. Starting out in the deep forest of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, two hippie chicks just looking for enlightenment one portage at a time, has led us to situations in our lives we would have never even imagined. I believe we will succeed, it may not look like what we think, but I know that no matter what… it’s going to be fabulous, because we will make is so!

Thank you for reading my blog and following the Adventure Sisters as we reach for the stars. We hope that you will learn from our wins, our losses and enjoy our unique views on the world around us. I cannot wait to share the next steps of our adventure with you!

Sending you love, luck and most of all JOY!

Wishing you an abundance of love and blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

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Gus n’ me

People who know me, know that I am an animal lover. I love all animals, even the rodent kind, the crawly kind or big and scary kind. I wasn’t always like this, but I am now and there is no turning back. I am champion of animal rights and the humane treatment of all animals, but my favorite kind of animals are dogs. I love them like crazy, and most of the time I like them more than people.

Dogs are soulful companions that know instinctively if you are mad, sad, happy or just need a cuddle. They live in the moment, and they love without judgment or expectations. It only takes about 30 seconds for me to fall in love with most every furry four-legged friend I meet. It’s easy make friends with a dog, don’t you think?!

I have been blessed enough to have companionship of my bulldog Gus for over 12 years. I tell everyone who has the pleasure of meeting him, that he is my best friend. I even tell my husband that Gus and I are 100%, without a doubt, in love. Gus is kind of a meat head, not super friendly to all dogs, and before he grew old, he had a tendency to run away and chase cars, which scared the crap out of us at the same time.

My husband sees how upset I would get after these events and say that Gus is like a bad boyfriend that I keep coming back to! We laugh about this because I just cannot help but love my Gus for all that he is, we have a bond, and soul connection. He’s a lover, fighter, cuddle bug, sensitive badass, we call him the ‘fun police’ for his intolerance of shenanigans. He is full of character all wrapped up in an adorable mean muggin’ furry faced package.

Yes, Gus and me, we are in love. I will take his side and have his back until his last breath. He is my best friend. I am his. I cannot compare human love to dog mom kind of love. It is special in its own way. Dog moms know exactly what I am talking about.

Puppy love is very much like the love I feel for my own child, just a little different and without the drama and sassing back. Now that I say that…. It’s not true, he does sass back, will give me dirty looks, and when he runs away there is always drama. Because there is so much love between us, I worry. I sincerely consider him my friend.

I recently saw on Facebook that an acquaintance of mine lost her dog just last night. This sweet woman is very much into the dog rescue world and is a rescue rock star for my favorite local rescue organization. Her best friend got out of the house and they could not find her for a whole day and when they did it was too late. Her fur friend was gone, passed over the rainbow bridge to wait for her there.

My heart breaks for her, I know how in love she was with her best fur friend and I know she is grieving the loss tremendously. Not everyone is a dog person, but the ones that are know how significant the love you share with your dog can be. I have lost very special dogs in my life, and I know it doesn’t matter how they go, it matters that they are gone. Your friend is just gone, taking a large chunk of your heart with them.

I will do it again. I will choose to fall in love with more furry friends throughout the rest of my lifetime. After every heartbreak I know the pain of loss is healed by giving more love. It takes time to heal from loss, not just the human loss but any being that touches your soul and seems to always take that part of your heart with them when they pass.

Loss of loved ones makes me know for sure that our soul, our energy, our love, is fluid and moving, for some of my heart is up in heaven waiting for the rest of me when I get there.

Today I will count my blessings, give extra love to all my family and friends, especially my furry friends.

Wishing you an abundance of love and blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

https://stacycrep.com

 

*photo credit Franny Larson