Magic Branding

In the past, I have found it difficult to articulate the answer to the question, "What is a Magic Party?" Aside from saying, it's a community of women who meet for the purpose of supporting each other, which doesn't really describe what happens or sound all that powerful, my friend Mara encouraged me to write a branding statement and suggested it would help the website designer as we are re-doing our Magic Party website. Well, there's nothing like designing a new website to help one get clearer and clearer about their message. (Oh and by the way, if you know a web designer that has a good understanding of branding as it is applied to website design, who can build an e-store, blog and knows the publishing tools needed to build an e-community please have them contact me.)

So, I thought I'd try out my new Magic Party statement here in the blog.

Magic Parties™ is an ever expanding community of women reaching around the globe who inspire and support each other to dream, grow and leave their own unique imprint on the universe for all time. One girlfriend at a time. Each vision magnified by the others. And of course, a little bit of chocolate makes the journey just a bit sweeter and a lot more fun!

I like it. What do you think?

Head and Heart at Work

Yesterday I flew to Chicago to deliver a leadership workshop for my Vision Quest Consulting (VQC) business. Today I find myself mixing my day with VQC business and Magic Party business. This afternoon we have our first Magic Faculty conference call where 6 faculty (individual healers and teachers who have or will work with our community by presenting a piece of work that furthers the hearts and soul work of our members) I will discuss what's happening at Magic Parties and create together what's next regarding faculty participation.

What's interesting is that my head is full with growing my consulting business as I am very much engaged in developing new VQC clients, delivering to current clients and even looking to expand further and bring on a second lieutenant, (do you know someone who might be interested?) to help me grow the VQC business and run a piece of it. And at the same time, my heart is full with the work required to grow and expand Magic Parties. What I notice today is that my head and heart are engaged fully with my two work venues. And I am grateful to have all of me show up at my work and that I do not have to leave a part of me on hold while I go to work everyday. In David Whyte's book, "Crossing the Unknown Sea; Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity", he talks about leaving our soul at the door everyday we go to work. I have not wanted a work life that feels like I am leaving my soul at the door. And am glad I am finding a way to speak to my head and my heart through and with my work. "The day may be full, we may be incredibly busy, but we have forgotten who is busy and why we are busy. We lose the conversation, we lose our calling....we have to realize that our lives are at stake, the one unique life, entirely our own, it is possible for each of us to live."

Are your days too busy that you also feel like you have lost your calling? And if so, if David Whyte is right and your life is at stake, what will you do about it?

The After November 10th Party

The Party this past Saturday was amazing. Our theme was "our journeys". We started the after noon talking about how each woman's journey is unique....all her own....designed just for her... Here is the bottom line or focus about walking on our journey.....on our path in this world. No woman travels the same path as another. We stand alone, making our way in the world the best we know how. As alone as we are, we can walk together, holding hands and holding each other's hearts; walking alone on our own journey, yet together with the sisters of our hears, our girlfriends!

Jen Cohen, our presenter, did an amazing job helping us to explore our paths, our stories, our journeys through poetry. We read poetry and then we talked about it's meaning in our lives by either writing our own poem or just writing what came to our heart and mind. It was an inspiring afternoon. Here is a poem she shared with us that really inspired me.

When death comes

(by Mary Oliver)

When death comes

like the hungry bear in autumn;

when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;

when death comes like the measle-pox;

when death comes

like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering;

what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything

as a brotherhood and sisterhood,

and I look upon time as no more than an idea,

and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common

as the field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,

tending, as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something

precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say: all my life

I was a bride married to amazement.

I was the bridegroom taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder

if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened

or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

Getting Ready for the Magic Party

The next Magic Party is just days away. There is something magical stirring in the air as each Magic Party approaches. I have started to feel the excitement building the last few days and this excitement helps to guide me towards creating just the right party. This particular Magic Party has a theme of women's journeys...women's stories. I believe that women are meant to share their stories to inspire and heal other women. A sisterhood of support throughout the world.

Over the last few months I have been writing the stories from my life that frame my own individual journey. My stories that have created the woman I am today. I imagine these stories will be part of a book I am writing called "The Magic Party Manual...For the Everyday Woman Who Wants a Little Magic in her Life". I will read one of these stories at this next Magic Party. And my friend Jen Cohen who is a teacher, healer, and spirit guide will be our guest presenter who will also do work with us on our stories and what stops us from being brave and courageous in life.

I know I'm not objective, but this should be an amazing, life changing (in a good way) Magic Party.