A Life That Lets Me Breathe

In this final podcast episode for 2019, I share my desire to find stillness this time of year.  There is a season for outward activity, as well as a time to come inside and experience more quiet and solitude.

This episode will bring inspiration to your life as you may be experience deep change and transformation.  Living a free spirit life is about being authentic.  It's about staying connected to your intuition.  

It's really hard to listen to the messages of your heart when you are in a constant state of busy.  I find it challenging to grasp what my heart is saying when my mind is constantly running, when my fingers are constantly scrolling, and when I'm tending to the needs of everyone else without making my own needs a priority.

I see you.  

I know you sometimes feel alone.  I know that you are going through change right now and that it can feel scary.  I know you may feel like resisting it.  I know you may feel open to it.  I know you feel like you you're going back and forth between the past way of being, and the change you are so ready for.  I know some days you feel really good and some days you get knocked down and not sure how you'll get back up.  I know how unsettling change can be.

I hope these words speak to you today.  Whatever change you are feeling, honor it.  Wherever you are in this moment, embrace it.

What do you need most?
Where is your heart guiding you to go?

Visit A Free Spirit Life to  learn more about my 1:1 Live Awakened Reiki Sessions and 2020 retreats.

Be well and listening to your heart!

 

Get full access to Shannon Kinney-Duh | The Evergreen Table at shannonkinneyduh.substack.com/subscribe

In today's show you'll meet Reiki Master, Speaker and Teacher, Micara Link. Micara teaches intuition workshops, Reiki trainings and hosts retreats.

Micara has a wealth of knowledge about the world of intuition and Reiki healing energy.  We talk about how to determine when your head is making the decisions and when your heart is leading the way. We dive more deeply into how to connect to your inner voice - the whispers of your soul.

Our intuition is a teacher and is here to help guide you in life. In this beautiful conversation with Micara, we explore how to listen to your intuition, how to trust where it's leading you and how to find the courage to follow it.  We also share our love of Reiki and talk about how this form of energy work is deeply relaxing and healing for your mind, body and spirit.

Enjoy the show.

To learn more about Micara visit her site, www.micaralink.com.

You can learn more about my Reiki sessions here.

Thanks for listening!

Get full access to Shannon Kinney-Duh | The Evergreen Table at shannonkinneyduh.substack.com/subscribe

In today's show, I am honored to bring back an interview from my Mindful Mama Movement podcast archives with one of my favorite authors, Katrina Kenison.

Katrina is a mother of two young men and has been writing about motherhood for over 20 years.

I especially love that Katrina is authentic, honest, vulnerable, and shares her real life in such a beautiful way. Her words have the power to make you feel as if you’re living her life right beside her.

In this episode, we specifically talk with Katrina about her experiences writing about her life as a mother (and what her family really thinks about it), She shares her tips for writing a memoir of your own, how the ordinary moments are truly the greatest gifts, her self-care practices and how to choose love over fear.  

To learn more about Katrina and her books, visit www.katrinakenison.com.

Thanks for listening!



Get full access to Shannon Kinney-Duh | The Evergreen Table at shannonkinneyduh.substack.com/subscribe

In today's show, I share where my spiritual journey has taken me now.  

I recently returned from hosting another powerful retreat for a beautiful group of brave women. I say brave, because it certainly takes courage to go on retreat.

For 3 nights we step outside the "norm" of our every day life to enjoy rest, relaxation and some tender loving care. Most of the time the women come not knowing anyone, yet shortly after retreat begins we all feel as if we've been friends for life.

And every time I go on retreat I learn something new about myself. Listen to the show to hear more about that.

This show will inspire you to pay attention to where you need boost some confidence in your life. Do you have a new dream unfolding or are you being guided outside your comfort zone but feel nervous about it? 

Remember your power lives within you.  Enjoy the show!

Introducing: Intuitive Awakening Sessions

I like to think of these sessions as the bridge that will help you cross to a place with more peace, meaning, clarity and the understanding about the path you're on and the direction you want to go moving forward.

In these sessions, we will work to clear the mental, physical, emotional and energetic blocks that are no longer supporting you in life. These are old negative thoughts, doubts, fears and trepidations that are keeping you feeling tired, stuck or lost.

It's time you enjoy more energy, and the joy that comes from living a balanced, connected and authentic life.

These sessions can be done virtually through Skype or locally in person. Think of it as life coaching, guided meditation, Reiki, affirmation card reading - all in one session!

Sessions are 90 minutes in length.

Life Coaching:
We will spend the first 30 minutes sharing and talking about the blocks you are currently feeling in your life. This is the life coaching portion of the session.

Reiki:
We will begin the Reiki session with a personalized guided meditation for the first 10 minutes. This deep relaxation will lead into the 45 minute Reiki energy healing portion of the session. (Click here to learn more about Reiki distance healing.)

Tarot / Closing:
We will wrap up our session with an affirmation Tarot card reading. Think of Tarot cards as simply a symbolic picture that affirms what you already know intuitively. They offer powerful reminders of what our intuition is already telling us.

Visit www.afreespiritlife.com and click on "work with me" to learn more.

Get full access to Shannon Kinney-Duh | The Evergreen Table at shannonkinneyduh.substack.com/subscribe

In today's show, I'm bringing back one of my favorite interviews I did for the Mindful Mama Movement podcast.  Karen Maezen Miller is a wife, mother, author and Zen Buddhist priest at the Hazy Moon Zen Center in Los Angeles, California.

Maezen has written three books and several anthologies about spirituality in everyday life. She leads retreats around the country and we feel blessed that she's with us today to share her valuable insights on motherhood and life from a Zen Buddhist perspective.

Maezen became a mother at 42 years old and prefers to call the transition into motherhood more of a cotastrophe and she explains why in this episode.

Maezen shares how important it is to be very clear about your life, and what is actually happening, at each moment in time. Without doing so, she feels you can never truly be open to the answers life provides, understand the energy you project onto those around you, or be able to handle situations that don't go your way without becoming depressed.

Maezen uses this philosophy when parenting her own child, and admits that it's easier said than done, in order to not make herself the center of her daughter's life.

Maezen also uses her expertise to offer tips for those looking to start meditating.

Maezen's ability to step into herself and take full responsibility for her thoughts and feelings are an inspiration. I adore Maezen and know you will as well.

Some quotes from the show: "Your life brings to you exactly what you don't want, because you need it. You need to be able to learn and grow... As many parents realize, our children are their teachers."   "Understand that your power lies in that moment of response and reaction. That's where your power and responsibility lies."   "We hear so much talk about living in the moment, so I'm going to bring it back to this... We really have to be so clear where that moment is. It's always right where you are. Although in our mind we think so much is happening at once, but actually not that much is happening at once.   If we slow down our thinking we will see more clearly that there is a flow to things. And the things we might be hyperventilating about right now, we can probably give them more time and more information will appear. Especially these decisions that have to do with our children's lives. I think we are so smart and have so much information but we have all made, and certainly I have, a critical error in placing ourselves at the center of our children's lives, instead of our children at the center of their lives.

Thanks so much for listening. Warmly, Shannon   www.afreespiritlife.com

Get full access to Shannon Kinney-Duh | The Evergreen Table at shannonkinneyduh.substack.com/subscribe

In today's show, I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my conversation with Author and Conscious Parenting Coach, Catherine Weiss.  Catherine wrote the book, The Present Mother, and she is passionate about helping women grow and develop their ability to be more present, conscious, and connected with their kids and other loved ones.

Starting a family led Catherine to take her regular mindfulness practice off the yoga mat and into her mothering life. She has found great joy in the possibility of harnessing “The Power of Now” as she and her husband raise their children. She practices being present each day by using her upsets with her children as the invitation to go within and heal, grow, and empower herself and her kids. 

Catherine shares a few of the awakenings she's experienced that led her to this moment, and how that when we are triggered in our lives, those are rich opportunities to love each other and ourselves.  

We will explore how we can pause, breathe and be more present, even during the challenging times, so we can experience the fullness and joy of life. We talk about tools we can practice daily to deeply listen to our intuition so we can be more available, present and connected to our Authentic Self.

There is so much goodness and powerful wisdom in this episode!  Grab your favorite drink and give yourself the time and space to soak it in.

Also, this is the last week to register for my November 2019 retreat. Check out the schedule here.

My new online course, Live Freely: finding peace, courage and clarity through mindfulness, meditation and self-compassion, starts September 3rd and registration is now open! 

This is a great course for anyone who is sick and tired of being sick and tired.  You are ready to break free of what's wearing you down and draining your energy.  It's time to make change and be present and celebrate the life you are living.  If you are ready to show up in your life and explore the gift of mindfulness, meditation and more.  Visit here to learn more.

Thanks for listening and thanks for being you!

Warmly,

Shannon

www.afreespiritlife.com

 

Get full access to Shannon Kinney-Duh | The Evergreen Table at shannonkinneyduh.substack.com/subscribe

I am back with a new podcast episode after a full summer with my boys.  My youngest son started kindergarten this week and I'm seeing just how fast life is flying by!

It's such a reminder that NOW is the time to show up in our lives.  We need daily reminders that life is flashing before our eyes because we are here to share our gifts with the world, and not be stuck in fear.

We need to awaken and manifest the dreams we are dreaming about. We need to break free of stress and overwhelm because we aren't here to suffer through it.

It may feel scary, but YOU have to show up in your life.  You must continue to nurture your inner life, believe in your dreams, connect to your intuition and find the courage to be your true self.

Feel inspired today to take mindful action and pair it with your inner dreams and desires today.

Check out new retreat dates here and learn more about my brand new e-course, Live Freely - find peace, courage & clarity through mindfulness, simple meditation and self-compassion.  

I would love for you to join me! Email me [email protected] with questions.

Warmly,
Shannon

 

Get full access to Shannon Kinney-Duh | The Evergreen Table at shannonkinneyduh.substack.com/subscribe

Hello beautiful.  Thanks for being here.  

In today's show, we continue our exploration of new beginnings and how to continue making changes in our lives, especially when it feels like nothing is happening.

Remember that underneath the soil of a vibrant garden are the seeds taking root.  It appears from the outside that nothing but dirt is there. Yet, beneath the surface is where the rich, fertile, vibrant life is taking form.  Think about that in your own life.  It's your job to tend to your inner life - to take good care of your heart and soul.  Your dreams are the seeds of your life.  But they need a healing foundation in which to flourish.  What weeds (old thoughts, patterns and habits) are keeping your garden (dreams) from growing?

What do you need to tend to? Can you let the flowers bloom in their own timing, yet still tend to the soil of your life?
That's my inspiration for you today.

With love,

Shannon

www.afreespiritlife.com

Get full access to Shannon Kinney-Duh | The Evergreen Table at shannonkinneyduh.substack.com/subscribe

In today's show, we're talking about new beginnings. I'm going to share what SPA stands for when using it as a mindful practice to help you check-in, so you can find the courage to listen to and follow your heart.

Spring is in the air and it's a great time for new beginnings.  It's a time to clear out the old - the regret, guilt, worry, fear and self doubt -so you can prepare the best foundation for new changes to unfold.

This moment - right here and now - is a new beginning.  It's a fresh, clean slate.  You have turned a new page in your life.

We tend to write that new page with our worries, with past regrets. with the things we think might happen and with our fears.  We think we know what's going to happen in the future.  We think we aren't ever going to get out of "the story" we're living now.  We tend to hold on too long because it feels comfortable, even when we know it's time for a change.

Your life is a work of art.  Today is a new day.  This episode will inspire you to make mindful changes in your life.  It will also give you a simple mindfulness exercise to practice as you prepare for, trust and allow these new beginnings to take shape.

If you are interested in joining me for my New Beginnings online experience in April, 2019 - send me an email for details.  

Thanks for listening and for sharing this episode with your friends!

Shannon

Get full access to Shannon Kinney-Duh | The Evergreen Table at shannonkinneyduh.substack.com/subscribe

If you are listening to this March, 2019, you can enter to win 2 free relaxing organic eye pillows!  Listen to this episode for details or visit me on Instagram here.  Share a photo on your Instagram feed and tag it #afreespiritlife or tag a friend on my Instagram post and you'll be entered to win.  I'll announce a winner on March 15th!

In today's show we'll talk about how to create a simple, consistent beginning meditation practice.  Let's explore meditation and how it brings deeper awareness to your life, how it helps with focus and concentration, and how it brings you more closely connected with your heart, intuition and inner peace.

If you're feeling distracted, plagued by life's daily stresses and are tired of being tired, you will love the quiet relaxation that comes when you take a pause in your day to be still and practice meditating.

The tips I share in this episode are about getting started and keeping a simple practice.  You don't need anything to begin, just an open, curious heart and a few minutes each day to close your eyes and listen to your breath.  The gift of quieting your mind and going within are so numerous and will spill out into all aspects of life.

Enjoy! Send me an email and let me know how it goes.

With love,

Shannon

www.afreespiritlife.com

Get full access to Shannon Kinney-Duh | The Evergreen Table at shannonkinneyduh.substack.com/subscribe