JULY 2020
Friends and companions,

You each have been in my heart as my husband and I have traveled 3,000 miles across this amazing continent. Because of COVID safety issues, we tent camped from Virginia to Fidalgo Island, and it has been a wonderful gift inviting hours of solitude driving across the great plains.

We have all faced a paradigmatic shift regarding solitude with stay-at-home orders mandated at the beginning of the COVID crisis and with so much uncertainty ahead.

As we are moving through the phases of reopening (or not), it is important to remember the transforming power of solitude that is the hidden Gift of this unique time in history.

Imagine Well Being exists to cultivate individuals and communities seeking wholeness, meditative practice with shared values of compassion, wisdom, service, love and acceptance of ourselves and our neighbors.  

As our nation engages in dialogues about racial justice and reconciliation, the importance of solitude, inner awareness, and self-compassion with love is a critical starting place for just action in our daily and communal lives.  

All change begins within oneself as we recognize the inner wisdom that mindful, compassionate inner listening with self-awareness invites. 

I encourage you to make time and cultivate the compassionate inner wisdom that meditative community invites. You will see the July offerings below.

Dave and I hope to see you some Sunday morning from 11-11:45 am for Meditative Gifts of Nature with amazing gifts in nature on our journey.

If you have an idea or gathering you want to share through Imagine Well Being, please let me know.

Blessings and solitude with love,

Cathy Norman, Curator
Imagine Well Being

"The more faithfully you listening to the voice within you, the better you will hear what is sounding outside. Only he who listens can speak."  Dag Hammarskjold - Swedish statesman
Helpful Zoom Instructions

Imagine Well Being has faced some challenges as we have moved from face to face gatherings to Zoom gatherings. We are now using password protected Zoom links that are sent by our event organizers to RSVPs only. The Zoom link will not be posted publicly. The password is embedded in the link so you will not need to enter a separate password. We have given you the password if there is ever a need to use it. 

Please follow these instructions so you will receive your Zoom link once you RSVP to the event you are attending:

  1. Once you RSVP the private Zoom links will be sent out by your organizer the day of the event or the evening before. 
  2. The email will come from your Meetup event organizer or Cyndi Colbert and the subject line will say: Imagine-new announcement or Let's Take a Hike from Suburbia-new announcement.
  3. Please check to see your Meetup email notifications are on (we cannot do that) to be sure you will receive the private Zoom links once you RSVP. All of the emails are sent through Meetup and not the organizers private email.
  4. Please check your junk mail if you do not receive your Zoom link the day of your event and be sure to change your personal email settings if this happens.
  5. Zoom is very easy to use if you are a first timer. Here is a one minute tutorial. Remember the navigation bar is at the bottom for sound and video.
Hope in Action Newsletter

Here is a link to the Hope in Action- Summer Acts of Service with ideas of ways you can serve in the community.
YOGA & MEDITATION
Cross Country Meditation in Nature with Cathy & Dave
Sundays, July 12 and 19, 11:00-11:45 am

Join our 2,800 mile cross country tent camping trip from Bluemont, VA to Anacortes, WA. Along the way we will celebrate the gifts of nature through meditation, reflections and the practice of gratitude on Sunday mornings.

"This will be an online Zoom meeting. TO RECEIVE YOUR PASSWORD PROTECTED ZOOM INVITATION, YOU WILL NEED TO RSVP AND WE WILL SEND THE LINK VIA EMAIL.”
Sundays, July 19, 7:30-8:30 pm
Mondays, July 13 and 27, 6-7 pm

Together, we will sit in silent
meditation for approximately 20-25 minutes, followed by an opportunity
to share how the practice is unfolding in our lives. Our intention is
to inspire one another toward regular meditation practice, while
sharing the direct, rich experience of sitting in communal silence.

"This will be an online Zoom meeting. TO RECEIVE YOUR PASSWORD PROTECTED ZOOM INVITATION, YOU WILL NEED TO RSVP AND WE WILL SEND THE LINK VIA EMAIL.”
Sundays , Register Here.
Mondays , Register Here.
ONLINE Mindfulness Meditation Community Gathering
Monday, July 20, 6:00-7:30 pm

This experience will focus on mindfulness meditation and community conversation to inspire and equip first timers or experienced meditators in evidenced-based mindfulness meditation.

"This will be an online Zoom meeting. TO RECEIVE YOUR PASSWORD PROTECTED ZOOM INVITATION, YOU WILL NEED TO RSVP AND WE WILL SEND THE LINK VIA EMAIL.”
ONLINE Integral Hatha Yoga
Every Tuesday, 7-8 pm

This gentle yoga class is designed to integrate mindfulness and Hatha Yoga in the evidenced-based tradition cultivating more calmness through mindful breathing and movement in daily life.

"This will be an online Zoom meeting. TO RECEIVE YOUR PASSWORD PROTECTED ZOOM INVITATION, YOU WILL NEED TO RSVP AND WE WILL SEND THE LINK VIA EMAIL.”
ONLINE Restorative Yoga
Wednesdays, July 15 and 29 1:30-2:30 pm

This class is designed to introduce Mindful Restorative Yoga as a practice to boost your immune system and increase mindful stress reduction and relaxation.

"This will be an online Zoom meeting. TO RECEIVE YOUR PASSWORD PROTECTED ZOOM INVITATION, YOU WILL NEED TO RSVP AND WE WILL SEND THE LINK VIA EMAIL.”
ONLINE Chair Yoga for Stress Relief & Renewal
Wednesday, July 22, 1:30-2:30 pm

Chair yoga is a great way to relax from head to toe without the stress of getting out of your chair. Target areas will include the systems of the body, digestive, nervous andendocrine: most importantly, the Lymphatic system to boost immunity and cleanse the entire body. 

"This will be an online Zoom meeting. TO RECEIVE YOUR PASSWORD PROTECTED ZOOM INVITATION, YOU WILL NEED TO RSVP AND WE WILL SEND THE LINK VIA EMAIL.”
COMMUNITY GATHERINGS
ONLINE Connections, Don't Be Alone: Support & Community
Tuesdays, 4-5 pm

Are you stressed out, sad, lonely, angry, isolated, angry, fearful, confused, overwhelmed? You don't have to go it alone. Let's come together for an hour in a safe facilitated meeting to share experiences, feelings, coping strategies during this crisis time. You'll find compassion, support, and knowledge that you are not the only one.

"This will be an online Zoom meeting. TO RECEIVE YOUR PASSWORD PROTECTED ZOOM INVITATION, YOU WILL NEED TO RSVP AND WE WILL SEND THE LINK VIA EMAIL.”
Tuesdays, Register Here.
Beer, Conversation and Spirituality

Taking a break for the Summer. Will back in September.

ONLINE Weekly Spiritual Gathering: 
Finding Wholeness in Community
Wednesdays, 7-8 pm

Each gathering will begin with a period of silent meditation. We will then explore different spiritual topics, share our thoughts and responses in a small group setting, discuss how we will work towards the integration of spiritual teachings and practices into our daily lives, and close each meeting with a period of guided meditation and reflection.

"This will be an online Zoom meeting. TO RECEIVE YOUR PASSWORD PROTECTED ZOOM INVITATION, YOU WILL NEED TO RSVP AND WE WILL SEND THE LINK VIA EMAIL.”
ONLINE Weekly Book Club
Thursdays, 4-5 pm
When was the last time someone read a book to you? You may be surprised at how very restful it is during this strange time of isolation. Join us weekly for our Audio Book Club. Ebooks or "real" books are options to choose from.

"This will be an online Zoom meeting. TO RECEIVE YOUR PASSWORD PROTECTED ZOOM INVITATION, YOU WILL NEED TO RSVP AND WE WILL SEND THE LINK VIA EMAIL.”
MINDFUL RESOURCES
Support local farmers and safely pick up fresh veggies and fruits!
Chair Yoga Practices

Video resources for calming chair yoga practices. Gentle chair yoga is designed to support immunity and calming response.

Serenity Prayer Meditation

Serenity Prayer breath prayer  presented by Cathy Norman (audio) is a wonderful way to relax and let go.
Breathing Practices by Nancy McGovern

Lion's Breath - This is a great exercise to release some pent up energy or to get a little energy if you need it!  

Candle Breathing - This is an incredible gift to help kids and adults calm down on the spot. 

Starfish Breathing - This is a great exercise to help calm down.
CREATIVE CORNER
Please share any pictures, poetry, photos or inspiration with the larger Imagine Well Being community by emailing   imaginewellbeing@crossroadsnova.org.

Since Del Martinez began to attend Imagine Well Being he has renewed a love for creative writing. I have asked Del to share some of the 300 poems or reflections he has written over the last year. This is a time to awaken and share your creative gifts for community renewal and healing.