Tag: #greatergood

Finding wisdom in nature

emyminzel

The leaves are turning a stunning array of vibrant colors here in Minnesota. Once the trees are done changing color, they shed its summer shelter releasing what no longer serves it. We can learn a lot from trees, and the cycle of nature. Allowing ourselves to let go of what has lost purpose in our lives makes room for what does!

It a great time to release relationships, behaviors, emotions, careers, and other goals you may have pursued at one time but no longer have passion for. Humans have a lot of feelings about everything. It can be difficult to let things end that you have put so much time and effort into creating.

Nature doesn’t seem to have a problem letting go though. She takes her time and lets it happen in its own rhythm. Yet, when I look out my window. I wonder if it is painful and laborious to change seasons? Somedays it is for me! Witnessing the effort Mother Nature puts into growing in the spring; only to watch it die and disappear in the autumn must feel arduous in some way.

We can feel that way when it’s time to let things go in our lives. Still, if we pay attention, we know that the cyclic nature of Mother Earth reflects in our lives too. If we edit the parts of our lives as ruthlessly as she can. We could see how detached from the outcome she is. She trusts that it is the way it is supposed to be.

Underneath the fallen foliage is next year’s seeds germinating waiting for the right time to burst forth and bloom. If this is the case, why then would it be any different for us? Why do we resist releasing what does not serve our greatest good every once in a while?

Is it only me or do you also have trouble deciding to let parts of your life just wither and die? Sometimes it is easy to let go if you are excited about what’s next! Maybe that is the most important ingredient of it all? Attitude and trusting in the process of life to unfold as it should, undoubtedly will help.

Mother Nature is not worried about the fall because she is ready for her winter rest. I’d like to think that is the case anyway. Nothing in life blooms all year and that is true for me and you, too. We need time and space to rest in the years fresh compost of our experiences to germinate our new beginnings.

My random introverted contemplations help me move through fluctuations in my life. Like the leaves signaling the change of seasons. If I simply allow nature to do its job while harvesting the apples of wisdom I grew through the summer. Life will flow effortlessly into the next beautiful transition of a new year.

Like Mother Nature, I look forward to the changing season. I trust the landscape of my life to be transformed into the divinely guided journey that is our own unique natural cycle of existence. I must allow people, places, feelings, and things to come or go as they please. With a deep knowing that I have no control even if I wanted it. Let go and let God.

Trusting my life to the nature of destiny is easy as I witness the ever-changing landscape from my window year after year. Finding the beauty in every falling leaf of my life lessons is how I give thanks and let go for my own good.

What has nature taught you? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Sending peace, love, and success!

Blessings to you!

Emy Minzel

EmyMinzel.com

Small Wins have Big Impact

emyminzel

After an emotionally long month on the campaign trail, I finally had a big win. We (my campaign team and I) have been working tirelessly to keep our forward momentum going, and at times it is overwhelming with all to-do’s that need to get done for the campaign, on top of work and home life. Last Friday, we had a fundraiser, at a local business that supports Minnesota’s native environmental restoration and invited many people from my community. I was humbled and felt blessed by all the support of other local business owners, advocates, and neighbors that attended.

I was not nervous at this event and felt that I delivered my speech very well. No note cards needed, it all came from my heart, and thankfully I found the words I needed to express my thoughts and issues I wanted to address that evening. I met many wonderful people, who often told me, “Thank you, for running. We needed you to do this for us, we appreciate your hard work, keep up the good work!” I’m not one who fishes for compliments or praise but for some reason all the thank you I received, really helped me to see that my effort is very much needed and appreciated. Who doesn’t like to be appreciated occasionally?!

It got me thinking, that even though these past months I had been working sun up to sun down, I have also been meeting many wonderful people I would have never had the chance to if I weren’t pursuing this political position. I had a great time at a community picnic I was invited to at the northern end of my district. I was so thankful to be invited and get to meet more people and have the opportunity to make more friends.

I have this habit where I tend to over think, over analyze and stress myself out over things that haven’t happened or (I think) might happen, which has gotten to be quite annoying. You know it’s bad folks when you annoy yourself with your own bull. I think it’s a human trait to make a mountain out of a mole hill when I don’t want to do something. I will procrastinate until I finally give in, only to realize it really wasn’t so bad after all. Why do I do that to myself? I make more stress and anxiety for nothing sometimes.

For example, as a candidate, it is a practice to go “door knocking” to make direct voter contact with your constituents. I haven’t knocked on a door since I was a Girl Scout selling cookies. I was certain, selling cookies, was a much easier sell then selling myself for the State House of Representative seat. Turns out, I was wrong! Door knocking was quite enjoyable, I got to meet more of my neighbors, and get exercise, while also hanging out with a few awesome Emy for House Volunteers that came with me!

I was putting off door knocking because the thought of it made my eye twitch. I have come to find out after I tried it a couple times, that I really like it! Isn’t that funny how we can want something so much but be so resistant to some of the things that move us out of our comfort zone?

Like public speaking, I was terrified at first but after a few times it does get easier. Once I learned to just trust my heart, my words, and to allow myself to be authentically me it was much easier. Going to meetings, community picnics, fundraisers, door knocking, fairs, parades and all the other events and festivities that allows me to meet voters can seem overwhelming, but once I get there, I end up having a great time and I feel energized to keep on keeping on!

Even after a long month of hard work, I have concluded that this political journey is worth all the emotional ups and downs, lack of sleep and sometimes even sacrifice of me time and family time. To be able to work towards the greater good, serving others, seems to be what fills my soul with purpose and joy.

Now if there were only another 12 hours in the day so I could spend more time with my family and loved ones, that would be great! But there is not, and this is the path I have chosen. I have put myself “out there” for my community and for the environment I wish to protect. This path is exactly where I am supposed to be, even when it feels hard, I know it is right.

I am thankful for all the folks who continue to support me and the people I meet that turn into Emy for House Supporters after we talk. Friday’s fundraiser was the emotional reward that I needed to keep carrying on. I am thankful for the moments of Joy that keep me dedicated to winning this election for my community. I am thankful for the opportunity to be so well received while being authentically me. I am feeling very blessed.

Wishing you an abundance of joyful 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

 

How will you be different?

emyminzel

On the campaign trail people ask me how I will be different then other legislators that have come before me. I often talk about how much we all have in common, and it is the issues that separate us that I have to work on. I talk about how our current representative is a career politician, which I am not. Her career has led her to where she is today, voting the party line only, not choosing what is best for all her constituents. I would be different, because I believe, this is what our political system sorely needs.

If I disagree with my party, because I believe the issue doesn’t benefit my district, I will do what I think is right. Even if it goes against what “my side” wants to see. It’s called compromise. Something I believe politicians haven’t been willing to do in many years. This “my way or the highway” business doesn’t work for the greater good of the people. I wish to represent all my community, even if we may see things a little differently from time to time.

I know a lot of great people who are not in my political party, I know a lot of great people who refuse to be in any party at all, because then they feel we are divided. The whole point, of the two-party system, is to work together so we can see things from a different perspective. The way I see things, may not be how you see things, but this does not make either of us right or wrong. We need compromise and to practice acceptance of each other and our way of doing things; if we are going to move forward to a brighter future. I believe by working together this can happen.

My goal is to bring both sides, right and left, together. Let’s meet in the middle of that empty isle and work it out. We are all in this life together. The least we can do is work collectively to get to a conclusion that works for all of us, not just some of us. I do not understand what is so hard about that.

The idea of your team and my team only creates friction and competition to win. When really…. we are ALL on the same team whether we like it or not! We share this district, state, country and planet. Let’s stop acting with selfish intent and make it work. Kind of like a marriage! Sometimes we must fight, but in the end, we love each other and want to make it work for our greatest good.

Right/Left side duality is a real and true embodiment of life. The right side is often called the masculine side, the side associated with work, war, power and providing. The left side is called the feminine side and associated with nurturing, creating, love and growth. We all need both of these qualities to be balanced people.

Our country is no different. We cannot be represented by only men, and expect women’s needs to be fully supported, because often men do not truly know what women’s needs are and vice versa. I believe our representation should be well rounded to better the communities they represent; this includes women, people of color, different religions, backgrounds and cultures all at the table of the political world. We must acknowledge the importance of our differences and learn to get along for the greater good beyond our egos.

When we can overcome the negative narrative provided for us by the media and remember who we are in our hearts, that’s when real progress can be made. I know that it is the “bad eggs” who get all the press and it is easy to think that we are surrounded by things we should fear. But the reality is, most people are good people!

Look around your life, your neighbors, your family, your friends…we are mostly good. Good people just don’t get the press that creates the fear that sells all the newspapers. We must remember that most people are good at heart, even when they don’t think the same way as we do.

This is how I will be different. I know that I have friends and family who may vote differently then me but I also know they are darn great people. I know that to represent my community means representing both those different then I am and those who believe the same things I do. Most people have duality that is flexible and flowing and sometimes contradicting because we are all human.

I also know we all have the same needs, no matter how different we may seem. Clean water, good food, a job to provide for our families, roof over our heads and the freedom to be who we are no matter how different we want to be. This is the America I know and love and want to represent.

I do not wish to fight with any of my community. I want to listen to them, hear their points of views and talk about how we can meet in the middle for the greater good of our community that we share and love. I am not your typical politician because I have no desire to be. I have seen for many years where our two-sided approach is separating us. Pointing fingers solves nothing and I do not like it! We must grow, do something different if we want to get better. Just because this is the way we’ve always done it, does not make it right or how we must continue to do it in the future.

Let us learn from this conflict and grow from it. Let’s learn to separate the hyped-up media from real life. Stop projecting your fears on random strangers you make assumptions about. Stop sharing your perceptions as fact and start open dialogue to communicate. When we better understand one another, it often is not nearly as scary as we may have thought. Let’s be better humans and work together for the greater good. This is how I am going to be different and my goal when I am elected.

Wishing you an abundance of joyful 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

Untamed

emyminzel

It’s snowing again, it’s the second week of April in Minnesota… will it ever end? The snow seems to fit my mood today. I have been feeling very anxious about the drastic changes in my life that have abruptly altered how I spend my time. Campaigning has been a fun and adventurous undertaking with many positive experiences meeting great people. I feel like I have been dropped into a circus ring. There is a big show going on and I am the wild lion attraction with trainers and everything. Today is the first day I feel like eating my trainers, so I can escape back into the wild.

Is it fear that makes me feel like running? You betchya. Fear of leaving my old life behind to burst into a new way of living my days ahead. The time I get to spend with my family and friends has been drastically modified. My days went from the relaxed peaceful pace of writing and working in tranquility of my home; to chasing my tail and everyone else’s around three counties day and night, working from the time I wake up until way past my bedtime. Endless email chains, demands on my time from people whom I just met and endless flow of information seems to keep pouring into my head.

Currently I have three jobs, I work from home as a massage therapist, I write several weekly blogs while working to completing our three Adventure Sisters book proposals due next week, then I work on campaign duties daily and nearly every weekend. Which means I write and craft my political message while working to meet people who are politically involved in the community. I am listening carefully to their concerns, so I may be better able to help them if elected to The House of Representatives.

One of the best parts of campaigning is hearing from so many of the great citizens from my district and surrounding areas, because I am truly concerned for their wellbeing and happiness in our community. I must remind myself this is the reason I am dedicating my time, attention, and serious effort to move forward in service of my community. Although it is great fun and I am learning so much, it can seem very overwhelming at times. I guess this is what happens when you toss an introvert into the middle of the ring at a circus!

Even though it is uncomfortable, I know that the purpose of it is extremely important to the future of my community. It is a dedication to public service for the greater good, it is the hope of be involved in something bigger than me, that keeps me in the ring so to speak. I know without a doubt that there needs to be progressive change and regular people like me in positions to facilitate it. I realize I am blessed to be able to pursue this crazy political path, I am thankful that it seems to embrace me even more when I am hesitant.

Today I will keep putting one foot in front of the other, checking off items on my ‘to do’ list, knowing that no matter how hard I work or how long I try there is still be more to be done; that is why I will persist even when I want to resist. I will not allow the animal like instincts in me, chase away or eat the trainers that are truly helping me accomplish my goals of representing my community in a nurturing way. I will work on taming my highly-spirited instincts because it is for my own greater good of accomplishing my goals and winning this election. When I win, then I can truly be the change I wish to see in the world.

So, here I am a little wild, full of fight and in the ring at the circus because that is where God/Higher Power guided me. I will use my untamed passion and naturally persistent characteristics to realize I can do this, I am doing this. I got this.

~And so it is!

What do you do when feeling overwhelmed? What keeps you persistently chasing your dreams and goals?

I would love to hear how others people handle their emotions and actions when life paths take a hard left into the unknown forest of life. I love to hear other life experiences so feel free to share them with me!

Wishing you an abundance of joyful 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

Something bigger than myself

emyminzel

For the last five years, I have been extremely introverted, focusing on bettering myself, nurturing better relationships with my friends and family. I busied myself making my new house a home, growing gardens, writing books and dreaming of how I want my future to look. Sometimes I would feel glum about this fabulous life I was blessed with, and I didn’t understand why. What do I have to be so down about? What is the reason behind the emotions that where affecting my energy and my attitude in negative ways?

I have a wonderful family, a career I truly enjoy, a brown house with several gardens that I love. From the outside looking in, one would say I had it pretty darn great. Yet, this feeling of melancholy was heavy as a weighted blanket just not as useful. I would meditate, drum journey in the garden, exercise and write about how I was feeling. I hoped this would help me move through the uncertain feelings I was experiencing but didn’t understand where they were coming from.

After reading books and watching documentaries about living more sustainably to help the environment, I chose to implement changes in our household and my lifestyle. This led to growing a greater interest in politics, learning what I could do myself to help the greater good. I read self-improvement books, went to classes that helped me process my feelings. I would try to fill up my life with more love by fostering dogs and manufacturing busyness tending to my family and animals seeking to fill a persistent void that seemed like an endless tunnel.

Why was my fabulous life not enough to make me happy? I read a book called ‘The Hope’ by Andrew Harvey and it changed my direction just enough to lead me to where I am today. I believe that I do have more to offer the world, I am a nurturer by nature. It is in my blood to care for others, except my daughter is now grown, my husband is very self-sufficient, and my dogs are good boys who don’t require much doting either.

This left me with tons of nurturing instincts inside and nowhere to use it; I realized this is where my frustration came in. I contemplated fostering children which clearly is a much bigger commitment then dogs. This didn’t seem like the right time in my life and my intuition told me this was not where I would find what I am looking for. I know inside that I am connected to the earth in some way and here to foster in a new way of caring for it. I just did not know what I was supposed to do or how I was going to go about it.

I believe when you want to make the world a better place you start at home. You nurture your relationships, cherish and care for your community and do what you can right where you are. I picked up trash on the county road, became more politically involved and vocal, and I joined the local Friends of the Sherburne County Wildlife Refuge Advocacy committee, so I could have a small part in nurturing a tiny part of the world I hold so dear. Let me tell you that the moment I realized I do have the power to be the change I wish to see in the world, doors seem to fly open, life seemed to hand me magical opportunities to do even more good!

Adventure Sister Stacy tells me this is what happens when you are on the right path of your true-life purpose; what you came to earth to do in this life time. I sincerely hope she is right. I am having the best time moving forward with purpose and laser focused direction to foster in a cleaner, kinder community around me.

Wouldn’t you know it? That feeling of melancholy has dissipated, I wake up each morning excited about what life holds for me. I no longer wonder what to do with my abundance of passion that stokes my desire to care for something bigger then myself. I found it. I am thankful.

Wishing you an abundance of joyful 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