TONIGHT: Live readings and discussion on how to live your passion

This evening, members of the Mind Key Project will be reading poetry, essays and fiction from the Mind Key Anthologies at the Kinnelon Public Library in NJ and there are still spots available for YOU!! 

 

The Mind Key Anthologies are a compilation of art and writing intended to help others discover happiest and healthiest self by following their passion—not just in their free time, but for a living.  The theme of being inspired by art and bringing that inspiration into everyday life runs through each of our publications. The contributors are healers, writers, artists, psychics and more, who are on a path of professional and personal self-discovery and healing.  They each enjoy providing resources to help others do the same.

Mind Key's inaugural book, The Mind Key Project: An Anthology, debuted in June of 2015, introducing art and writing to inspire and encourage passion and zest for life (pictured above.)

Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance (at left) explores both the light and the dark sides of the human experience and how the two are needed to define one another.  Photography, art, poetry and prose combine to illustrate the experience of light and darkness, encouraging the reader to explore their own personal dichotomy.  The cover image is a feature of Kevin Dyer, a professional fine artist who pioneered the medium of paper casting over his 40 year career in the publishing industry. 

To experience samples of the interior of the books, and read reviews of the writing, visit www.mindkey.me/anthology.


The below contributors will be speaking this evening at the Kinnelon Library, and reading pieces from the books:


•   West Milford resident and practitioner of traditional and alternative medicine MD, Kevin Hall, whose essays on love, fate, and growing through the darkest moments speak about his experiences in traditional medicine and how he began training in and utilizing alternative and energetic practices to heal others.


•   Gene Myers, an editor and columnist at the Suburban Trends who is passionate about music, poetry, and how they work together as a whole.

•    Special needs educator at Chancellor Academy in Pompton Plains, Tara Ann Lesko, has contributed to the Mind Key anthologies in several ways.  She is a poet and is also writing a memoir about healing and the role food has played in her life. She will share some of her stories of challenges and breaking the mold of what is considered "normal." 


 •    Kely Luzio-Cardona, photographer and owner of West Milford’s “That’s It! Art Studio,” specializing in art and crafts to open creativity finds beauty in everything and helps others discover the creativity in themselves and in the special moments of life. 


•    West Milford tarot card reader, Sarah Loukos, is a professional at Scanlan Funeral Home in Pompton Plains, and relies on art and nature to bring her grounding and peace.

•    Professional dream interpreter and radio personality, Jefferson Harman, knew he had special abilities as a child and eventually overcame fear and judgement to share his talents for a living.

 
•  And me, Mind Key founder and health and life journalist, Danielle Rose.  I am a mother and writer who believes in faeries and the magic in the everyday.  I will talk about my young adult novel, Chimera, which is being readied for publication.  Writing the novel had a large part in the healing and rediscovering of myself.  Chimera also played a large role in the the creation of Mind Key.  I'll share my belief in never having to work in a job I hate, or dedicate any portion of my day or life to a project that doesn't resonate.


Also contributing are West Milford’s award-winning conceptual photographer, Elisabeth Ladwig and Sugarloaf resident and jeweler, Rachel Bertoni of Bertoni Gallery.

The Mind Key Project does much work online and in the community and are preparing two new anthologies for release in 2016.  We encourage other writers and artists in the community to join us and share their passion by submitting work to our next anthology.

There's still time to sign up for this FREE program.  Visit kinnelonlibrary.org and click on "Programs" or CLICK HERE to sign up for "Do You Live Your Passion?"

Details:
Kinnelon Public Library
132 Kinnelon Rd,
Kinnelon, New Jersey 07405
(973) 838-1321
6:30 p.m.

Visit our event on Facebook to learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/1553942388231166/

Create your most genuine year with the Rituals for Living, Dreambook & Planner

    2015 went by in a blur, as years often do when you are 30 or 40 plus. We are familiar with the clichéd New Year's resolutions often made in late December while we're entwined in tinsel and credit card debt - lose weight, save money, exercise more, quit smoking, quit my job, quit complaining - you get the idea. But how many of us take the time to physically map out and visualize an ideal year?

    A planner, datebook, or journal is an easy go-to holiday gift because who doesn't want to be more organized or have a place to jot down ideas? You've probably given or received one or two, or more. The problem with most of these books is the lack of guidance since most do not have the prompts and questions needed to inspire. Then you're left with blank pages.

    Peter and Briana Borten, creators of The DragonTree Apothecary, developed the Rituals for Living Dreambook and Planner that makes journaling and planning meaningful because it forces you to be honest with yourself. With the use of unique charts, maps, visualizations, and inspirational prompts, the Borten's can help lead you through a fulfilling and purposeful 2016. There are other books similar to Rituals, but for a mere $15.00 dollars, you can download the entire 224 pages as a PDF file instantly. The book is broken down into the following five sections.
 

Sample Page from Rituals for Living - Dreambook & Planner

Connect - consists of a series of genuinely thought-provoking questions that ask you to identify your true core values, your numerous gifts (no matter how significant or seemingly minuscule), and your true life purpose. Skipping this section or BS-ing through it is not recommended.

Dream -  This is where you are asked to stretch your imagination to the absolute limit, if there is such a thing as limits in dreams. Creativity is key here. The Borten's help ensure that what you create speaks to your potential and your authentic self.

Craft - This is the mind map section, with beautifully drawn mandalas as your cores. If you retain more through visualization, this section will probably be heavily tabbed.
 

Ritualize - Do not mistake ritual for scheduling because this is so much more than writing a to-do list on a time chart. This section is about making the process of finding your true self vital, fun, and a meaningful part of your daily life.

Plan - Broken down into year, quarter, month, and week, this last section is where you keep track of your appointments and to-do's. But most importantly, this is where you keep a record of your progress towards your big dreams, you true happiness, and your overall health.

      

The key to the Rituals Dreambook is authenticity. If you are not going to express no-holds-bar honesty, the book will have little impact on what you want to accomplish - reaching your highest potential and your ultimate purpose in this too-short existence.   
 

I thank fear, societal standards, and failures - a discussion of The Heart and Soul of Things

Tis the season to reflect on the pause from the regular routine. Smile through an afternoon of family bantering over mashed potatoes or send tidings of great joy, even if it's via text. But what if we expressed our gratitude for the things that bring us down? That's right. Be thankful for the fears, regrets and disappointments because we can transform that negativity into authentic living.

This is one of the many messages of The Heart and Soul of Things, written simply but beautifully by Jessy Lugo-Rodriguez, appropriately known as Gaia (Earth Mother). The first few chapters of her book bring to light how we have become our own worst enemies. But instead of allowing our inner antagonists to consume us, we should accept those demons. We feel them, harness them, and then kick them in the face until they turn into angels.

Fears, expectations, and lies, according to Gaia, are what keep us from recognizing and experiencing our authentic selves. But instead of denying or dwelling on the negativity, Gaia helps us to see how it can be useful. So if we can use our baggage positively, why shouldn't we express our gratitude for the bad as well as the good?

False

Evidence

Appearing

Real

She devotes a whole page to this simple acrostic that speaks volumes. Our fear negatively impacts the Root Chakra which is responsible for our stability and grounding. If this first energy wheel is not turning the way it should, then the other ones are screwed. Fear is like hot air. It can only rise and cause more misery and suffocation. Gaia blatantly reminds us of the mind and body connection when she discusses the domino effect of fear - anxiety becomes depression, depression becomes gastrointestinal illness, and the tiles keep falling.

Do we need to cut loose the Debby Downers or the Gloom Dooms? More importantly, do we need to stop replacing our excuses with our fears, and vice versa? These are questions she poses, and encourages us to answer TRUTHFULLY. Being honest with yourself is difficult and can generate a huge storm, but think about how grateful you'll be when the atmosphere rights itself again.  

 

"Numbers don't impress me," Gaia said.  This statement stuck out to me when she and I met in October during her book launch. She is aware her book may not sell like hot cakes. As a yoga instructor and spiritual healer, she may be inundated with clients one week and have very little to do the next. She may be balanced and at-peace for a while before having a day or two of batshit craziness. It is what it is. She is living authentically with no concern over expectations from family, friends, and most importantly, society. In her little memoir, she persuades us to do the same because only then can we be free and in tune.

Learn more about Gaia, her practices, services, and teachings at www.LugoYoga.com or check out her YouTube channel simply titled, Gaia.