Breakthroughs and Connections:

A Monthly E-Newsletter from the desk of Patti Ashley

December 24, 2006

Volume 1, Number 1

“Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth…...” Rumi

Coming in 2007:

1. New Millennium Moms: Mothering Beyond Image April 13-15

2. Moms at MoJos every second Sunday of the month

3. Sacred Circles of Self: An Introduction to the Mandala January 27

Happy Holidays!

As I was doing my holiday grocery shopping today, I felt the affects of the Denver blizzard of 2006. Empty produce and meat counters, left barren due to the trucks that hadn’t been able to arrive to bring our often taken for granted bounty of plenty. I wondered if we ever really appreciate what we are able to walk into when we go to our local grocer. We live in a country of abundance and we so often don’t even stop to think about what it must be like in other countries that are not so fortunate. We rush around and attempt to finish our Christmas shopping in order to have the perfect Christmas on the surface of our lives. What about the meaning of Christmas in our hearts?

Christ came to earth to restore the feminine. For several thousands of years we have lived in a patriarchal culture that has in many ways lost connection to the feminine spirit. Christ taught us to look for the Kingdom of Heaven within and to love unconditionally. That is the feminine spirit in all of us. It is always heart-warming for me to witness how people come together to help each other out in a crisis situation. On Thursday morning when I went out to face the three feet of snow that had completely buried my car, I had several neighbors whom I had never met bring shovels and assistance. Together we got the job done. I always wonder why we so readily come together in need, but stay distant in the normal busyness of our day to day life.

As the seventh year of our new millennium approaches, we should ask ourselves what our lives would be like if the shelves in the grocery store were completely empty and we would have to fill our desires from another source. If we were to focus on the endless abundance of love in our hearts and know that we will always have everything we need, how would our lives change? Would we connect more often to each other? The classic story of Stone Soup illustrates the power of this deep connection:

Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day a wandering soldier came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.

"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "Better keep moving on."

"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.

By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the soldier sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their skepticism.

"Ahh," the soldier said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."

Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Capital!" cried the soldier. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."

The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the soldier a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell and traveled on the next day. The moral is that by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.

As the New Year begins for me, I am feeling called to bring the deep feminine spirit into my psychotherapy practice in a more profound way. For the past twenty-six years of my adult life, I have attempted to work within a traditional model of psychotherapy and education. I have always been afraid to let people know that the truth of who I am involves a very deep connection to my spiritual self. I realize now that I have been robbing my clients of an opportunity to connect with the truth of who they are as well ~ spiritual beings having a human experience.

The changes in my work will be subtle, yet powerful. In addition to my current psychotherapy practice, I will be offering one and a half hour sessions that will allow you to connect to your inner self through guided meditation, in-depth dream work, mandala drawings and assessments, and other intuitive guidance techniques. The cost is only $125.00 and will not be covered by insurance. I am offering my current clients a $25.00 discount on the first session. Call or e-mail me if you would like more information. 720-565-3388 ~ pashleyphd@aol.com

Up-coming Workshops:

New Millennium Moms: Mothering Beyond Image

This workshop was designed to provide a safe place for women to connect more deeply to themselves as mothers. The five themes that emerged in my research project are the focus of this experiential journey of mothering. Using guided imagery, art, music, dance and small group discussion, women are able to bring to consciousness what has been hidden for many years in our patriarchal culture. Through making the unconscious conscious we heal ourselves and the planet. For mothers with children of all ages. Location: TBA; Cost: $125.00 Dates: Friday, April 13 7-9 PM; Saturday April 14 10 AM- 4 PM; Sunday 12-3 PM

New Millennium Moms at MoJos

The second Sunday of the month discussion group continues at MoJos Coffee House in Lafayette. This format allows for in-depth conversation around the five themes of my research. For mothers with children of all ages. Dates: January 14, February 11, March 11 from 3-5 PM Cost: $5.00 (Optional workbook is $10.00)

Sacred Circles of Self: An Introduction to the Mandala

“The circle is one of the great primordial images of mankind, and in considering the image of the circle, we are analyzing the Self.” Carl Jung

I am very excited to be offering workshops on the mandala. The next workshop will be a Saturday afternoon, January 27 from 2-7 PM. I have used the mandala to heal many areas of deep pain in my life as well as to bring insight into areas of inspiration and creativity. The afternoon will include an overview of the mandala and an opportunity to make your own personal mandala. Cost: $75.00

Here are two possible New Year Resolutions:

1. Love yourself more and know that you are enough.

2. Let go of blaming yourself and others.

Patti Ashley, Ph.D., L.P.C.

3393 Iris Ave.

Suite 208

Boulder, CO 80301

720-565-3388

pashleyphd@aol.com

I’m on the Web!

www.pattiashleyphd.com

This past October I spent back in Virginia celebrating my oldest daughter’s engagement. Here is a very playful picture of my four children from left to right: Michael age 21; Elizabeth (the bride-to-be) age 26; Brian age 18; and Laura age 20. I am very blessed to have four healthy, happy, conscious children who all have a desire to make the world a better place.

Monthly Newsletter

This is the first monthly newsletter that I will be e-mailing at the end of each month. Please let me know if you would like to be removed from my e-mail list, or e-mail me if you know of anyone who would like to be added to the list.

Suggestions?

I love hearing from you. Please e-mail or call me with any suggestions or ideas you might have for the newsletter and/or upcoming workshops.

****Also note that sometimes e-mails do not get to me……so if I do not respond to your e-mail, please call me…720-565-3388****

Happy Holidays and Blessings in the New Year!