Happiest of New Years, beloved friends and family. I am astounded at how fast the number of years passes in a literal blink of an eye. I have a birthday coming in the next month and cannot fathom the decades of living that have gone through the journey of my life. I have lived the most blessed life of anyone I know of, real or fictional. I have traveled the world (nearly) and plan to keep traveling as long as I have interest and heart for it. I have innumerable friends, not the FB kind of friends, the kind that I know their grandmother/grandfather, momma/daddy, siblings, and now their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. I have miraculous health and well-being. I live mostly in a peaceful state of mind and have deeply rooted practices to restore my peace when I slip off into the mind, worry, or feelings to control. I love what I get to do and be both personally and professionally. I get to spend my life with the biggest-hearted, devoted people on the planet. | |
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I have experienced grace, mercy, forgiveness, generosity, joy, and love in extraordinary ways and continue to, on a day-to-day basis. As we enter into a New Year, it is vital that we make more and more choices about how and who we are going to be for whatever days, months, years we have left to live. This choice has become easier for me the past few years as I got more committed to fierce self-compassion and have committed to living as the caregiver of all my “parts,” mind, body, soul, spirit, including the younger abandoned/exiled parts of my self, and the strong, dominate protector/manager parts that strive to keep it all going at any cost.
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"I am the one I am seeking."
— Martha Creek
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From the textbook “Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive” by Kristen Neff | |
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A brand-new take on self-compassion. Although kindness and self-acceptance allow us to be with ourselves as we are, in all our glorious imperfection, the desire to alleviate suffering at the heart of this mindset isn't always gentle, sometimes it's fierce. We must also act courageously in order to protect ourselves from harm and injustice, say no to others so we can meet our own needs, and motivate necessary change in ourselves and society. Gender roles demand that women be soft and nurturing, not angry or powerful. But like yin and yang, the energies of fierce and tender self-compassion must be balanced for wholeness and wellbeing.
Drawing on a wealth of research, her personal life story and empirically supported practices, Neff demonstrates how women can use fierce and tender self-compassion to succeed in the workplace, engage in caregiving without burning out, be authentic in relationships, and end the silence around sexual harassment and abuse. Most women intuitively recognize fierceness as part of their true nature, but have been discouraged from developing it. Women must reclaim their power in order to create a healthier society and find lasting happiness. In this wise, caring, and enlightening book, Neff shows women how to create balance within themselves, so they can help restore balance in the world.
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"The late John Lewis once said, “If you’re not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. You have to take the long hard look and just believe that if you’re consistent, you will succeed.”
“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."
— Zig Ziglar
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From the Audiobook “Self Therapy” by Jay Earley, Ph.D. | |
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Your True Self — The Wellspring of Inner Healing. The IFS method teaches you how to access the Self — the grounded, spiritual center of your being that is the source of all healing. You’ll learn to engage with each of your parts from your Self with open curiosity, compassion, and love. Dr. Earley offers guided practices and step-by-step instructions for healing the exiled parts that carry emotional wounds from childhood, the protectors that try to shield you from pain, the inner critics that judge you and undermine your self-worth, the parts that make you procrastinate or overeat, and more."Each part of us is trying to help or protect us," explains Dr. Jay Earley. "Though they may unintentionally cause suffering by being stuck in the past, we can learn to transform them into caring allies." Self-Therapy is a complete training course in a revolutionary method for inner exploration, psychological self-healing, and cultivating love for your whole being.
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I desire to “Serve those who serve” and am honored to be any part of your return to SELF. I offer private sessions and virtual retreats from 3 hours to 3 days to support your journey to SELF, using several of the modalities I have trained and practiced for decades. marthacreek.com to contact me directly, schedule time to connect, or listen to a bounty of talks, classes, and recorded presentations. | |
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"Inspiration is some mysterious blessing which happens when the wheels are turning smoothly."
— Quentin Blake
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I am adding a new section to the monthly newsletter this year, including what I am reading, watching, and listening to. Also, I’m going to immerse myself in poetry again this year in daily devotionals. I will offer some of my favorites in gratitude for how much it has meant to me over the years and will include a poet or poem monthly. Starting next month, it will be in the “gift” section. For now, here’s my choice that uplifts my year end reflections. | | |
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Poetry of the Month
By Donna Ashworth
There’s a woman in my mirror
And she looks a lot like me,
Though there’s lines around her eyes,
And her hair is wild and free.
She is plumper than myself,
And she is definitely grey.
Did I miss the day this happened
Has she always been this way?
And this woman in the mirror
Has an air of something calm,
Like a tide that’s going out,
And a beach that’s soft and warm.
She has seen the world in color,
She has learned to know the truth.
There’s a wisdom in her wrinkles,
There’s a knowledge brought from youth.
And she seems to move more freely,
As though released from earthly binds.
Is she made of something lighter?
Perhaps the weight she left behind.
Like the press of expectation,
And the need to yield and bend.
I like this woman in the mirror,
She’s fast becoming my best friend.
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I am taking a NEW look in the mirror, a kinder look, a more determined look, a surrendered look, a let-it-be look, and a vow to see and accept all of HER look. How about you?
Deepest love and appreciation,
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Martha Creek
502-905-0783
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My January 2024 Special Gift for You!
And here is my special gift to you this month. Click on the box to open your gift.
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...and there's more (Special Gifts for You!) | |
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If any of you kind souls purchase 10 or more copies of my new paperback "Presence & Potential" from Amazon during the month of January, I will host a one-hour session on Zoom for your group on the topic of your choice as a special gift for your support!!
To order from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Rrx8BQ
Email me at marthacreek@gmail.com with any questions. (More information on the book further down...)
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Martha’s Vineyard (New Section)
Reading:
Letting Go: A Pathway to Surrender, Dr. David Hawkins
Fierce Compassion, Kristen Neff
Self Therapy: Transform Your Stuck Parts of Yourself,
Jay Earley, Phd.
Listening:
Book: Almost Everything, Anne Lamott
Podcasts, Michael Singer
Podcasts, Richard Schwartz
Watching: Movies
The Unforgivable, (Heart strings to a 5 year old sibling)
Beyond the Lights, (Finding Self)
Greater (Resilience)
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Some of you may have noticed the recent addition of video Shorts to my YouTube Channel. We’re excited to bring these messages from Martha to all of humanity. Check them out at YouTube.com/@marthacreek. They’re available on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, and wherever else we're inspired to post. More soon, and be sure to enjoy, like, and subscribe, and let us (and your friends) know what you think!
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Presence & Potential
Experience your Higher Self
and Live in Wholeness
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Presence and Potential is on Amazon now in both digital and print and has already exceeded expectations by becoming a #1 Best-Seller in two categories! And I’d LOVE your support (scroll down). | |
I would be honored if you would support this "endeavor of love" by doing a few simple things: | |
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1. Ordering the digital version: https://amzn.to/46SwpOM
Whether you have an eReader or not, purchasing this copy for only $1 helps the book get more visibility and traction.
2. Ordering a print version:
I’d love for you to get a copy! I’ll autograph it the minute I see you in person. Some of you have already purchased and included giving them as Christmas gifts to leaders and family members. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!
3. Leave a review!
This is a most helpful thing, for many reasons. It encourages others to purchase a copy for themselves. It can be short and simple for now, and you can always edit it later.
The best way to do this is to scroll through a portion of the electronic book (about half or more), OR even read the whole thing quickly. Then, go to your Recent Orders on Amazon and find the book purchase (try the Digital tab, if you don’t see it), then write a review from that area. This shows the reviews as “Verified."
If that’s too complicated, click here or go to the book sales page and scroll down to the reviews. You can write a review directly there.
4. Share, share, share!
You can forward this email, share a post on social media, or tell a friend directly. Here are the links to purchase the book:
Amazon (US): https://amzn.to/46SwpOM
International (outside US): https://www.bklnk.com/B0CJXFP8RD
Leave a Review: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?asin=B0CJXFP8RD
(This email contains affiliate/tracking links)
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Thank you so much! If you have any questions, feel free to ask my book producer and marketer at Michael@michaellacey.me | |
Please consider a donation to continue the teachings of Martha Creek. Many of the classes and workshops are offered by donations only, with suggested donations amounts included in the class or workshop description. We welcome your support. | |
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or visit PayPal.Me/marthacreek if you want to see these teachings and principles reach the world.
You do not need a Paypal account to make a donation. You can use your debit or credit via PayPal if you don't have a Paypal account. If you choose to send a check, please send it payable to Martha Creek and send it to PO Box 1081, Louisville KY 40201.
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