Ask the Author: Cynthia L. Schaefer
Answered Questions (9)
Cynthia L. Schaefer
Hi Flávio,
Thank you for your question and for reading my book. I had a spiritual breakthrough after reading Eckhart Tolle’s, The Power of Now. His book propelled me into the practice of presence.
I practice presence by clearing my mind or observing my thoughts to help me focus on my senses and appreciate what is going on around me. When I notice each step as I walk or feel the water through my hands as I wash them, these ordinary acts allow me to see the joy and gratitude in being. There is always something to notice.
Meditation relaxes my mind and eases the stresses of the day. Tension has a funny way of creeping in without me realizing it. When I sit in silence for a few minutes, my nerves calm and my energy renews.
Poetry supports my practice by writing what I am seeing or feeling in the moment. Articulating what’s happening all around me or within myself allows me to connect to it more. Plus, later I reread what I wrote, then I gain a deeper understanding of it.
With all things, including my spiritual life, I feel when I take a step forward; I take two steps back. You may have noticed the back step in part 2 and part 3 of my book. While I want to push forward, stepping back is a part of my process. The pull back into old patterns is frustrating and an opportunity to change by choosing to avoid the negative self-talk and show self-compassion. Self-love has been the greatest gift of this journey. The more I treat myself with loving kindness, the better I show up for myself and my family.
Eckhart’s book was one element of the catalyst that combined at a pivotal moment in my life where I was open to listen. Since then, I have practiced presence, meditation, writing, and self-love to further my spiritual growth. Everyone has their own spiritual journey. This is mine and I hope you found my answer helpful.
Thank you for your question and for reading my book. I had a spiritual breakthrough after reading Eckhart Tolle’s, The Power of Now. His book propelled me into the practice of presence.
I practice presence by clearing my mind or observing my thoughts to help me focus on my senses and appreciate what is going on around me. When I notice each step as I walk or feel the water through my hands as I wash them, these ordinary acts allow me to see the joy and gratitude in being. There is always something to notice.
Meditation relaxes my mind and eases the stresses of the day. Tension has a funny way of creeping in without me realizing it. When I sit in silence for a few minutes, my nerves calm and my energy renews.
Poetry supports my practice by writing what I am seeing or feeling in the moment. Articulating what’s happening all around me or within myself allows me to connect to it more. Plus, later I reread what I wrote, then I gain a deeper understanding of it.
With all things, including my spiritual life, I feel when I take a step forward; I take two steps back. You may have noticed the back step in part 2 and part 3 of my book. While I want to push forward, stepping back is a part of my process. The pull back into old patterns is frustrating and an opportunity to change by choosing to avoid the negative self-talk and show self-compassion. Self-love has been the greatest gift of this journey. The more I treat myself with loving kindness, the better I show up for myself and my family.
Eckhart’s book was one element of the catalyst that combined at a pivotal moment in my life where I was open to listen. Since then, I have practiced presence, meditation, writing, and self-love to further my spiritual growth. Everyone has their own spiritual journey. This is mine and I hope you found my answer helpful.
Cynthia L. Schaefer
I didn’t have the concept of Present Peace before I wrote it. After writing 200 poems, I hired a professional at Tell Tell Poetry review and arrange them. Through arranging them, two collections emerged by themes: Present Peace nature/spiritual and Cherished Little One nature/motherhood.
Cynthia L. Schaefer
Oooh! One name, Martha Beck. I was reading Martha Beck’s Finding Your North Star and discovered moments in my childhood that made me realize the joy I experienced in writing poetry. It was something I used to do in middle school through high school. My writing stopped when I was told by a well-meaning aptitude advisor that if I had success in poetry, it would be after I died. I stopped dreaming about that path until my thirties. I thought about it again and again trashed the idea. Martha’s words about following your passion and doing the things you love, plus all her exercises, helped me to understand the value of writing for me. I could be a poet and so I set out to write 100 poems.
Cynthia L. Schaefer
I am working on a companion to Present Peace. It contains backstories, inspiration and writing prompts for my readers. I’ve always been curious as a reader about what the poet meant in their poems, so the companion offers this as backstories. Present Peace is a product of my awakening and I wanted to write more about what inspired this awakening while encouraging my readers to gain their own insights through journalling.
I’m also working on editing my next collection, Cherished Little One: Poetry for Moms with Toddlers, that dives into the ups and downs of motherhood. Beyond the housework and childish meltdowns, there is a quiet space to laugh, love, reflect and unwind. I knew this space as my walk-in closet once the kids were asleep or on my back porch before they woke up. This collection is a tribute to the demanding and beautiful moments of raising toddlers.
I’m also working on editing my next collection, Cherished Little One: Poetry for Moms with Toddlers, that dives into the ups and downs of motherhood. Beyond the housework and childish meltdowns, there is a quiet space to laugh, love, reflect and unwind. I knew this space as my walk-in closet once the kids were asleep or on my back porch before they woke up. This collection is a tribute to the demanding and beautiful moments of raising toddlers.
Cynthia L. Schaefer
Keep writing, reading and growing as a person. Join a writers’ group! My writers’ groups have helped me grow as a writer and entrepreneur. Don’t be afraid to read books in your genre and outside your genre. If you find you are jealous of another writer, read their books and learn from them. You never know where you'll find inspiration. Also, trust your gut. There are many programs out there that prey on authors and want to sell you a dream. Again, trust your gut and don’t buy any program that rushes you to decide. It’s best to pay more later than to buy a program without enough time to make an informed decision.
Cynthia L. Schaefer
The act of writing is the best part. Writing poetry is a practice that helps me slip into the present moment or be with my feelings. It has given me enough insight to have tough conversations or encouraged me to take another leap forward toward my dreams.
Cynthia L. Schaefer
I practice a finding flow exercise that Orna Ross in her Creative in Business Group showed me. Writer’s block for me is another form of resistance within myself, the part that wants to write (creator) and the other part that does not (resistor). I acknowledge, appreciate, and listen to the resistor and the creator. Ask questions to deepen my understanding like, “Resistor, what do you need to feel safe enough to write?” This probing helps me come to an agreement that feels good on both sides. Writer’s block occurs either when I try to write about a topic that scares me or I have an unmet need. This process helps me express myself while staying in alignment. Sometimes it’s about giving yourself permission to rest and take a breath. It’s all about listening to myself and attending to those needs. Thanks for the question!
Cynthia L. Schaefer
Since we are in February I'm going to give you a list of books that are on my list for this year. Devotions by Mary Oliver, Rumi's Little Book of Life, Watery Through the Gaps by Emma Blas, Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff, The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner, and Play by Stuart Brown, MD. Plus the ones I am currently reading like Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. That should keep me busy for awhile.
Cynthia L. Schaefer
This is kind of morbid, but what killed my Australian Shepard rescue? We didn't do an autopsy, but it was sudden and unexpected. It's one of those things I'll never know the answer to and know the answer will not change that he is dead.
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