Nikki Starcat Shields's Blog, page 24

Starcat’s Favorites: Nature Walks

The weather has finally gotten warm enough around here to go out and enjoy. I’ve been loving all the walks this week. I’ve walked by a marsh, by the river, at the beach, and down the road, with friends and on my own. Such a delight!

It’s time to start thinking about putting up the hammock. And plan some hikes, and camping trips. I’m so excited about the warm weather season! It’s short enough here in northern New England that it really deserves to be savored.

Even with all the extra nature tim...

I’m Not Rich, Thin, or Young, and I Have a Fantastic Life

But how is that possible? Our culture is dedicated to the pursuit of happiness. That happiness, as we see reflected in the media, means that you are young (or young-looking), with a slim, attractive body, and enough money to do as you like. We might add criteria for further happiness, like fame, a good education, a loving partner, obedient children, and a beautiful home.

We ignore the signs that our cherished celebrities, those who supposedly have it all, aren’t quite as happy as they might b...

Aging Backwards

I was driving home with my daughter last night after her archery class, singing along to the radio (like we do). I noticed that what we were singing was yet another pop song idolizing being young. It seems like it’s a fairly universal human experience to long for a past time when you were young and free, life was simple, and you were unconditionally happy.

But I just can’t relate to that.

I mean, I had a pretty goodchildhood. My family is very loving, and I wasn’t abused or bullied or put thr...

Dear Morning

This is my letter to morning, which is one of the daily prompts from Susannah Conway’s April Love project. I’m a lifelong night owl, and I’ve tried to break up with morning many times. But recently we’ve decided to accept each other the way we are, on our own terms…

Dear Morning,

During much of my life, I never really enjoyed or appreciated you, especially when you first begin. I very much dislike being woken up before I’m done sleeping, and as it happens, my natural biorhythms just don’t lin...

Starcat’s Favorites: Mind Maps & Snuggle Cats

This is the lovely snuggle cat I was cuddling with this morning. I don’t think he wanted me to get up. Sweet Percy Lovecat! He’s definitely on my list of favorites. I’ve also been enjoying spring breezes, chai tea, good sleep, and mind mapping.

I’m in the middle of creating a wonderful project that is part book, part coaching program, and part way of life. It’s called the Heart of the Goddess, and I’m sure I’ve mentioned it a time or two. I have a poster-size mind map just for this project, a...

Escaping The Tyranny of the To-Do List

One of the participants in a recent workshop BlackLion and I co-hosted, while explaining what she wanted to work on, essentially said she wanted to stop being a slave to her to-do list.

Can you relate?

Life is full. There’s work, immediate family, home-tending, extended family, exercise, friends, volunteering, self-care, creative projects, spiritual practice, and oh yeah, you should probably sleep now and then. Phew! Sometimes it can feel like you’re on that proverbial hamster wheel, powering...

My 25 Random Things Post

One of my favorite bloggers, entrepreneurs and online personalities is Leonie Dawson. She’s creative, irreverent, funny, and tells it like it is. She recently put up this post, which hearkens back to when she first started blogging. She mentioned 2006, and since that’s the very year I started this blog, I figured I’d play along and write up my own “25 random things about me.”

Here goes!

1. I often sleep all squished up in a teeny little spot, especially in winter. That’s because I share a que...

Starcat’s Favorites: Winter Wanes

Even though we’ve had a milder winter this year in New England, in terms of the weather, I’m still more than ready for the start of spring. So are the cats, who might have just a touch of cabin fever. I’ve been enjoying going for more walks now that I don’t have to bundle up quite so much. The snow is mostly gone, and we even have some snowdrops in our flower gardens!

BlackLion and I are partnering with our friend Rebecca LaWind to offer an in-person workshop next weekend, on Saturday March 1...

A Practice of Inquiry

Last summer at the Yescapades retreat, I asked in a channeling session about my right livelihood and how it supports myself and others. I was told that (and I’m quoting from my notes in my journal):

“My energy is pleasant and round, but that can keep me from accessing my authentic beingness. I need a practice of inquiry to sift the possibilities, find the ones that are truly juicy. Activate my greedy heart for the deepening, for what the path is. Let go of some of the pleasantness in order to...

Starcat’s Favorites: Those Dark Nights

Although this winter has been much milder in terms of weather, I feel like I’ve really been in the deep, dark, depths the past couple of months. You know those infamous “dark nights of the soul?” Yeah, those are the ones.

I’ve written about my troubleshere already, so I’m not going to go into it too much more, except to say that my family member who was in hospice has made his transition to the non-physical. I’m finally feeling like I have some of my energy back after being so sick, and my Mo...