As I Lay Pondering...

...daily invitations to live a transformed life

"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Literary author Sonya Rudikoff says that "history provides abundant examples of men and women whose greatest gift is redeeming, inspiring, liberating, and nurturing the gifts of others." Anyone who witnesses Kayce Stevens Hughlett's personal story and approach to life will agree she belongs on this list. Kayce is a woman who has redeemed a forgotten childhood, dared to follow her wildest dreams, and liberated a parent's worst nightmares. As I Lay Pondering is the essential witness to this transformed life. Order it today and begin pondering your way to transformation.

PLEASE NOTE:  You do NOT need to have a PayPal account to order through this link.  After you press, "Add to Cart," there are two options:  "Checkout" or "Checkout with Paypal."  Choose "Checkout" if you prefer to use your regular credit card.  Thank you for your interest!  Feel free to email kayce@kaycehughlett.com with other inquiries.

This fresh and innovative daybook hints of a memoir, reads as a guidebook, and resonates with the human experience. Each entry conjures the ineffable with soulful specifics­—some tiny and concrete, others dreamily unreal—always seamlessly present. It is no heavy-handed moral guide to self-improvement; rather it is an invitation into the bigness of life. Filled with inspiration, personal reflections, and simple activities to deepen the pathway to presence, it is the ideal companion for any transformational journey.

“These daily meditations are a treasure, full of wisdom and creative invitations for your own pondering. Immerse yourself in a year of grace through this book.”  Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, author of: The Artist’s Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom

“Content and style are exquisite. Unabashedly riveting and exuberantly rich with philosophical, existential, metaphysical and theosophical inquiries, and introspections—as well as rich, tender, and funny personal insights." Pedro F. Báez, Poet and Transformational Life Coach

 

Announcing the perfect book to begin your new year...

As I Lay Pondering: daily invitations to live a transformed life

Through personal story, poetic prose and tales of epic adventure, As I Lay Pondering captures the essence of being fully present to the inimitable experience of daily life. Sometimes in concrete terms and other moments with a dreamlike quality, this book of 365 daily entries invites us into parallel worlds where we come to believe anything is possible.  Through luxurious text and engaging daily activities, the reader will experience a universe where heart speaks truth and presence conquers the hubbub of mere existence. 

AVAILABLE EARLY 2012 - Order your personal copy today for just $19.95 and receive a PDF ebook with complete entries for the month of January. Enjoy this invitation to begin the new year Pondering.

PDF's will be emailed no later than December 31, 2011 and books will be shipped upon printing - estimated 1/31/12.  FREE SHIPPING on orders over $60.

PLEASE NOTE:  You do NOT need to have a PayPal account to order through this link.  After you press, "Add to Cart," there are two options:  "Checkout" or "Checkout with Paypal."  Choose "Checkout" if you prefer to use your regular credit card.  Thank you for your interest!  Feel free to email me at kayce@kaycehughlett.com with other inquiries.

Author's Note:

To pause and ponder is to consider something—anything—deeply, often through meditation and always with the possibility of bringing greater meaning. Years in the making, As I Lay Pondering began as a venue for my own personal healing.  What was birthed through a series of journal entries has morphed into this daybook of poetry, prose and personal musings with universal appeal.

My love of writing began in the midst of a particularly life-draining period of time.  At that point in my journey, I had two choices.  One—to let the current events swallow me whole and conceal my internal spark forever, or Two—to find my authentic voice by beginning to write.  Writing chose me.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Writing chose me. 

As I Lay Pondering is a culmination of this journey-to-date.  I was compelled to write this book to honor the life-changing moments I have witnessed, and to acknowledge the internal spark I believe each of us carries.  My hope is that the words shared in this thinking person's daybook will provide essential kindling to ignite the flame of your life. May you know the joy of following your own spark. May you be present to the life you have in order to experience the one you desire.  May you pause and ponder—thoughtfully and often.

Fondly,

Kayce

SIGN UP - Exploring Archetypal Energies through Expressive Arts

Inner Work for Soul Care Practitioners

March 25-29, 2012 at St. Andrew’s Retreat House on the Hood Canal
with Kayce Stevens Hughlett, MA, LHMC and Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE

Description

When we are engaged in the care of others’ souls, it is vital that we make time to nourish our own.  Each individual holds personal responsibility for this, and as Soul Care Practitioners we can enhance our work with others by engaging in our own inner exploration.  Each of us contains within us a multiplicity of energies which are rooted in the archetypes. Archetypes help to illuminate our shadow places, call us to step fully into our deepest passions in service to the world, and ultimately bring us to a place of greater internal freedom.  Our ministry becomes a place of joyful service and presence.

Gather with other Soul Care Practitioners (spiritual directors, chaplains, pastors, therapists, etc.) for four days while we create a safe and sacred container to explore the archetypes at work within us through the expressive arts (including movement, visual art, poetry, writing, and meditation).  Some of the archetypes we will explore in this retreat include the Lover, Mother, Sovereign, Orphan, Warrior, and Magician. This will be a time of deep inner work, soul nourishment, and being supported in a community of professional peers.

(For full retreat details and enrollment, click here.)

A Weekend of Rest, Renewal and Delight - October 14-16, 2011

  SOLD OUT

(Please e-mail to be added to waiting list.) 

“Because we do not rest, we lose our way.”  - Wayne Muller

In our busy lives we can get so focused on action, we forget to pause and notice the beauty that surrounds us.  We elude our essential rhythm by moving mindlessly from task to task.  We discount renewal and delight, and in doing so, we lose our way.

During this exceptional women-only weekend, we will retreat to the scenic mountains near Leavenworth, WA.  Nourished by nature, delicious food, and restorative processes we will shed the burdens of day-to-day life.  Then we will reflect and let go of thoughts and even obligations that are feeding the feeling of busyness.  Rested and restored we will enjoy activities of playful delight.

You will return home renewed and inspired to savor your life.   We hope you will thoughtfully consider investing in yourself and join us for this special weekend of rest, renewal and delight.

Meet Your Facilitators:

Kayce Stevens Hughlett, MA, LHMC is known as a soulful and spirited facilitator. In her roles as life coach, psychotherapist, writer, and SoulCollage® facilitator, she invites us to playfully and fearlessly cross the thresholds toward authentic living.  Kayce considers herself a late bloomer in the arts where she has personally discovered fresh ways of being in the world.  She delights in walking alongside others as they explore and unearth their own pathways toward passionate living.

She holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology with additional emphasis in spirituality and experiential learning practices.  Kayce has developed her dynamic facilitation skills by working with groups for more than 25 years in a variety of settings.

Terri Cotts , MEd,  E.R.Y.T.  is a renowned yogini and teacher who comes to us from Walla Walla, WA. Her innate gift and specialty is creative movement, dance therapy and restorative meditation practices. Terri’s teaching is infused with spirit and enthusiasm, as she invites participants to blossom into their most authentic selves. With a special interest in empowering women, Terri offers a ground of safety for deeper exploration into self.  

 

Terri is a certified Experienced Yoga Teacher with 25 years of training and practice in yoga and vipassana meditation.   She is also a life coach specializing in spiritual growth.  Her love of life is contagious, and she is dedicated to helping others find this same joy.

PAYMENT INCLUDES:

• 2 nights accommodations at the idyllic Grunewald Guild near Leavenworth, WA
• 6 healthy, delicious meals prepared by the local chef with garden-fresh produce
• Participation in SoulCollage^® and other experiential activities
• Gentle Yoga & guided meditation to relax your body and soul
• Spaciousness to explore the Guild’s beautiful woods, trails, and studios
• A delicious weekend of rest, renewal & delight

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Your Investment:

Discounted early registration is no longer available $270

Registration (after August 14, 2011) $300

Payments are accepted via Cash, Check or Credit Card. Use Paypal today or contact Kayce or Terri for other options and any questions you may have.

*** The full amount is non-refundable after September 9, unless we can fill your space with someone from our waiting list.

Please note:  All rooms are double occupancy - a roommate will be assigned to you, unless you request someone specifically.

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Other Helpful Information:

*** This intimate retreat is limited to 20 participants, so sign up soon! Your space is reserved as soon as you make your payment.

*** Check-in begins on Friday, October 14 at 4 pm. Dinner will be served at 6 pm followed by our Official Welcome from 7-9 pm. The retreat will end on Sunday, October 16 after brunch at 12 pm.

*** The Grunewald Guild gladly accommodates special dietary needs. You can read more about the food & garden here. Please let us know if you have special needs.

*** Detailed Travel Directions to Grunewald Guild can be found here.

*** If you are flying in to this retreat via Seattle-Tacoma airport and would like to be put in contact with other participants who are flying in at the same time as you, please let us know.

Live It to Give It:

Essential Practices of Soul Nourishment & Self-Care

Program Dates

October 3-November 13, 2011 (6-week online class)

This online class is a part of the Soul Care Institute offerings. Registration is now open to any Soul Care Practitioners (you do not need to apply to the institute to join us).

Description

When we are engaged in the care of others’ souls, it is vital that we make time to nourish our own. Each individual holds personal responsibility for this, and as Soul Care Practitioners we can enhance our work and relationship with others by engaging in the exploration of our inner self and outer practices. Soul nourishment and self-care are developed through both process and practice. Deep nourishment doesn’t happen by simply reading a self-help book or taking a sabbatical once every five years. Care needs to be infused within us, until it becomes as natural as breathing. Just as breath nourishes and keeps life flowing, self-care allows us to deeply nurture our personal mind, body and spirit. Through this practice, we are better equipped to offer unhindered care and compassion to those we encounter in our work and the world. Self-care is an essential practice and one we must inherently live in order to unconditionally give.

During this six week guided online course, we will explore and live the essential practices of soul nourishment and self-care. At the Soul Care Institute we believe these principles to be the cornerstone of caring for others. The course will be presented through a combination of didactical information and experiential activities and practices. It is designed to move through a self-care matrix that will allow the Soul Care Practitioner to enhance and nurture his/her own practice while simultaneously developing skills to share with and benefit those in his/her care and the larger world.

“How can you take care of them when you cannot even take care of yourself?”
– Robert Fisher, The Knight in Rusty Armor

*Limited to 15 participants*

*This educational event provides 30 hours of continuing education that can be applied to the educational hours required by the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc.

Themes include:

Essentials & Ethical responsibility
o Re-writing the story that self-care is selfish
o Compassion fatigue and soul care stewardship

Body Wisdom
o Claiming passion
o Offering permission

Gratitude & Simplicity
o Sabbath
o Physicality of grace

Bringing Presence to Self & Others
o The essential now
o The world as altar

The Art of Beauty
o Process versus product
o Redefining beauty

New Perspectives
o Archetypes
o Pilgrimage

Program Objectives

Participants who successfully complete this course will:

• Have an extensively explored and deepened understanding of self-care descriptions and techniques designed to positively impact the role as Soul Care Practitioner, both personally and professionally.
• Design and practice a personalized plan for ongoing and sustainable soul nourishment.
• Have an increased capacity to care for others through strengthened personal knowledge, awareness and exposure to self-care implementation strategies.
• Establish an ongoing support community with peer participants.
• Be prepared to Live it and Give it!!

Your Guide for this Journey

Kayce Stevens Hughlett, MA, LMHC – visit the SCI Core Faculty page for more information about Kayce.

What is included:

• 6 weeks of three-times weekly emails which contain training materials and reflections on the topic(s) for the week and suggestions for experiential activities to deepen and enhance the Soul Care Practitioners personal practice. Activities may include, but are not limited to, creative exploration, meditation videos and guided recordings.
• Online discussion forum to receive support from the group and facilitators and share personal reflections.
• Weekly group conference calls to supplement and enhance the current theme while building support within the group. Calls are one hour in length and will be recorded for those unable to participate.
• Calls are scheduled to be held at 10:00 a.m. PST each Thursday of the course session.

Program Requirements

• We ask that you dedicate about 5 hours per week to the class which includes active participation in the forum and weekly calls, reading the materials, and engaging in the suggested practices.

Program Fee and Registration

Any participant registering for this class must agree to the Soul Care Institute Policies.

Regular registration fee for all other Soul Care Practitioners.  $375

Reduced registration fee for Soul Care Institute Certificate* students. $350 –

*Please note: you must submit your Certificate application within three days of registering early for the course.

You may pay by credit card using the links above or by mailing a check to Abbey of the Arts, PO Box 23160, Seattle, WA 98102 (please let us know to expect your registration).