She began her own personal healing journey at 17, when she was struggling to overcome depression, an eating disorder, and the effect addiction was having on her life.   At 19, she packed her little red car and headed south, to California, to start a new life.   Shortly after arriving in the Bay Area, she read The Tao of Pooh, and The Peaceful Warrior, which resonated deeply with her, and helped her to know at a very deep level that there was more to her than a physical body, and the symptoms that plagued her.

In 1996, she attended East West College of Healing Arts whereshe studied massage and continued her healing.  It was during this time that she awoke more deeply to her purpose as she learned about body-mind medicine and the power of holistic healing.  Her quest continued over the next 3 years as she traveled the U.S. and studied with spiritual teachers from all over the world.  In 1999, she met Sidi al Jamal, the Guide of the Shadhuli Sufi tradition, from the Mount of Olives in the holy city of Jerusalem, and she knew then her searching was over – She had found her spiritual home and the path she would follow.  Sidi carried the deep love and containment she had been searching for, and it has been through these teachings that she has been able to heal, and completely transform her broken heart.
Jenn is a gifted, insightful, merciful healer and is thankful for the opportunity to offer these sacred and ancient teachings to others who are ready to take the next step in their healing.  When she isn’t helping others, Jenn can be found roaming around local farmer’s markets, or chasing her 18 month old son around the neighborhood.

Jenn will be starting an 8 week Tending the Garden of Your Heart series on January 2, 2010.   The group will meet weekly in Portland from 930 am -11am.  The program cost is $199.00.  Early bird registration by December 15, is only $149.00.  Mention Flourish and receive an addition $20.00 discount.  She recently participated as a facilitator of a beautiful and insightful meditation process using clay at our Flourish Life on Purpose Retreat.  It was a life changing experience for several attendees.

Jenn’s website, www.AHeartCenteredLife.com, is currently under construction, but she can be reached via email at Jenn@AHeartCenteredLife.com, or by phone: 650.430.4115.

Wanting to know a little bit more about this wonderful woman, we asked Jenn a few fun questions.  Here’s what she had to say…

Who is your hero?
Women around the world who spend every day gaging their worth against negative images and social mores that devalue, exploit, or repress the feminine, are my heroes.  It is an honor to be part of a tribe that holds the key to creation and carry such deep and holy wisdom.
What is your favorite quote?
“When you find the Love, you find yourself…”
-Sidi al Jamal
If you were a pair of shoes, what kind would you be, and why?
I would be a favorite pair of slippers – One’s you can’t wait to slip into.  They are cozy, keep you warm, and bring comfort after a long day.   They are soft, with memory foam insoles, and a solid sole that supports you, and allows you the freedom to travel out in the world while wearing them.
What keeps you flourishing?
My own personal healing and spiritual awakening, the joy I get from witnessing my 18 month old discover and learn about the world around him, the support of my loving, patient, gentle and understanding husband, the connections I have with my women friends, anything that has to do with sustainability and doing our part to make as little of an impact on the world as possible, good food, travel, and helping others Remember how holy and sacred they really are!
I can’t wait to…
Finish my book, and take the teachings that are in my heart and soul out into the world!   I long for the day when I can reach a broader audience and participate in women returning to, and owning how beautiful and sacred they are.

Thank you Jenn!

“Just trust yourself, then you will know how to live.”
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

“Today, try to find a picture of yourself when you were about ten … travel back in time … age ten was probably the last time you trusted your instincts … Try to contact the girl you once were.  She’s all grown up now.  She’s your authentic self and she’s waiting to remind you how beautiful, accomplished and extraordinary you really are.”

In preparing for our upcoming Life on Purpose Retreat our team was looking for just the right image of a woman filled with purpose and inspiration.   It wasn’t as easy as it should have been, but we finally chose this beautiful photograph.  We felt the power and saw the beauty.   Looking closer, we realized it wasn’t a woman, but a girl.  At that age when we were still so sure of our own power, before we gave it away or hid it.   At Flourish we’re out to reclaim that power for ourselves once again.  Fearless, feisty, fabulous, flourishing.  Come join us!

“Perhaps loving something is the only starting place there is for making your life your own.”  Alice Koller

Britain’s oldest newlyweds Les Atwell, 94, and Sheila Walsh, 87 on their wedding day at Oldway Mansion, Paignton, Devon Photo: SWNS

Les Atwell and his girlfriend of four years Sheila Walsh married in front of friends and family to become Britain’s oldest newly-weds.

The couple, from Paignton, Devon, met after Mr Atwell’s cleaner turned matchmaker and suggested he meet her friend Miss Walsh.

They then arranged a first date at a café in a branch of Tesco and four years later Mr Atwell took her back to the same supermarket – to propose.

They are now Britain’s oldest couple to marry – beating the previous record of a combined age of 179 years.

Mrs Atwell said: “A friend told me about Les and I thought he sounded nice, but then she told me, ‘he’s 90′, and I thought ‘oh no I’m not sure’.

”But when we met, that was it, it was love at first sight.”

Mr Atwell said: ”It doesn’t sound romantic to propose at a Tesco but it was where we first met so it was only right that I should ask her to marry me there as well.

”’Once I popped the question it didn’t take us long to organise the wedding. When you get to my age you can’t hang around.”

The couple married at Oldway Mansion in Paignton in front of family members including Mr Atwell’s son Stewart, granddaughter Catherine and sister Mary.

They will enjoy a two week cruise for their honeymoon in the Mediterranean, including Barcelona, Rome and Athens.

If life is to be a party, then we need to share the singing, dancing, chatting and laughing with those around us.  Loretta tells us that the more people we draw into our lives…the more interesting, varied, lively and fun the party will be.  I don’t know about you, but I always love a great party.  Especially the kind with funny hats and noisemakers.

Connect with kindness, compassion, empathy and good humor.  Life is truly worthy of a celebration.

Here are ten easy ways to start connecting (or re-connecting) today.

1.  Smile and share eye contact with the person in the elevator or behind you in line.

2.  Give someone a compliment – and mean it.

3.  Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time just to say hi.

4.   Spend time talking with your family during dinner.  Bring back the family dinner table.

5.  Start a conversation with the person behind the counter at your coffee shop.  Learn something about them.

6.  Call your mother!

7.   Invite someone you just met to lunch.

8.  Give a gift for no special reason other than you think the recipient would enjoy it.

9.  Tell people how much you appreciate them and what they do for you.  Go out on a limb here – your mail carrier, a fireman, your child’s teacher.  Make their day!

10.  Be thoughtful.  Hold the door and smile to the person behind you.  Let someone merge in traffic.

We are all in this together.  How much nicer a world this would be if we could all remember that.

The month of October is all about getting our ducks in a row so we can finish 2009 with a grand flourish.  We’re going Zen in 2010 – finally realizing that a huge part of our success is recognizing the need for balance.   Some days, it seems like we are way off the path and need a little motivational pep talk to reel us back in, and we found a great website called ineedmotivation.com (can it get more specific than that?) that we visit often and usually find the perfect words of wisdom for the moment.

Last week we found this great article that reminded us of how important words are in how we shape our lives and our journey to success.  Our thoughts and our words really do create our reality.

Here’s to flourishing together!

Negative self talk can do a great deal of damage to your self esteem. Words can shape our thoughts and help determine our actions. This means that there are words that you should eliminate from your vocabulary so that you can remain upbeat and positive. Taking these words out of your vocabulary can really change how you feel and your outlook.

• Try. This word should be replaced with “will”. When you say you will try to do something it rarely gets done.

• If. This word conjures up a great deal of doubt and uncertainty. Using it too often it can erode your self confidence. This word can also keep you from your intentions.

• Won’t. The word won’t will close the door on your actions. This word implies an unwillingness to act and also that your mind is closed. Using the word “won’t” will harm your self growth.

• Never and Always. There are very few times that these words are actually true. These words are absolute and also indicate closed mindedness. You should replace these terms with non-absolutes that are more realistic and less limiting.

• Someday. This word shows a serious lack of commitment. It is too indefinite and should be replaced with a definite time and date.

• Maybe. Use maybe only occasionally. It is too indefinite and should be replaced with definite statements such as “I will” or “I won’t”.

• Should. This is one of those words that imply guilt. Saying I should get this done implies that you should feel guilty about not doing something. If you are not going to do something say “I choose not to do it”.

• But. But takes away from everything said before it in a sentence. An example is: “I want to go to law school, but it will be hard work”. Use the word and instead.

Reprinted from ineedmotivation.com Thank you!

Here’s a thought… since we do have 90 days left, let’s just pick ourselves and that list of goals up, dust them off, and get going.   Take another look at that list.  Do your goals still feel right?  Maybe some need to be tweaked or removed altogether?   But, here’s the point…instead of thinking “too late for this year” and crawling back under the covers, why not think about what you can still create?  Now…while it’s still 2009.

Ask yourself “What one thing can I do right now?”   Start with something small and then DO IT.   Then ask the question again and you’re on your way.  It really is easy and it really does start with taking the first step!

Here’s another great idea.  Start getting your ducks in a row now and make 2010 your breakthrough year.   

Register for the  Life on Purpose Retreat.   We guarantee you’ll get those duckies lined up and paddling into high gear.

]]> http://flourishpdx.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/90-days-left-time-to-reclaim-your-goals/feed/ 0 flourishpdx iStock_000004638277XSmall Life on Purpose Retreat FINAL Postcard FRONT-1 http://flourishpdx.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/joyfilled-dance-of-life/ http://flourishpdx.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/joyfilled-dance-of-life/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:38:32 +0000 flourishpdx http://flourishpdx.wordpress.com/?p=880 ]]> Flourish serves up inspiration in many forms but this UTube video is the ultimate.  If this amazing woman doesn’t get you up

salsa grandma

and moving…well maybe your butt has been secretly glued to the couch.  It is never too late…you are not too old.  Most of us may not be able to dance as elegantly and beautifully as this amazing woman, but I believe that we all have a little music within us.  So, give it a try when no one else is looking.  Turn up the music and shake it – just a little.   How good does that feel?   Our bodies were meant to move.

Put your dancing shoes on and get going!  It’s Salsa time.

Jenn Cohen is one of those women.  She discovered the healing power of circus when she was just 13, while on a family vacation at Club Med and she’ll tell you that it changed her life.  Jenn has been involved in circus performing in one way or another for 20 years and it’s taken her all over the world.  She also just completed a Master degree in process oriented psychology.  And, she’s only 33 years old!  By combining her passion, a unique set of skills and a deep desire to make a difference, Jenn created The Circus Project initially as part of her Master’s thesis, but she says she has found her true calling.

Jen knew that the skills and self discovery gained through circus performance, could enable homeless and at-risk your to develop stronger physical and emotional integrity.  The Circus Project was born from Jenn’s inspiration, vision and much hard work and it is making a difference in the lives of many young people in Portland.

Last weekend, we had the honor to attend “Animare”, a Circus Project production and an outstanding display of talent, hard work and breathtaking aerial artistry performed by Jenn’s graduating students.  What a brilliant reminder that one person truly can make a difference in the lives of many.

Here’s an invitation with more details or go to the Flourish website and sign up.