In This Issue...

Reflections
Upcoming Workshops and Events
News/Announcements
Mini-Reflection Exercise
This Issue's Sponsor

Reflections (by Barb Plunkett, facilitator)

Remember “back-to-school” time when you were a kid -- the excitement of new school supplies, new books and maybe some new clothes too!? Well, that back-to-school energy is great for making a fresh start today. While New Year’s Resolutions are often heavily loaded with “shoulds,” a school year plan can be as easy as 1,2,3. Just think like a kid excited for the school year and ask yourself: What do I want to learn this year? What extracurricular activities do I want to do this year? Who do I want to hang out with this year?

If you’d like to prepare a lesson plan for a great new “school year,” continue with the mini reflection later in this newsletter. Barb Plunkett facilitates “Kids Are In School, Now What?!” which will be offered through MomCamp as well as special teleclass sessions.

Upcoming Workshops and Events

(click on workshop titles to view flyers)

Creativity & Tea: open creativity studio in St. Paul
The first Saturday of each month from 1-4 p.m., the next one is September 3. (Several times also available to groups - perfect for a fun gathering or celebration!) Host: Teresa Thomas-Carroll

Meditation Shawls--Knit with Intent
Consecutive Thursdays, 1-2:30 p.m. (Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29). Also available for knitting groups. Facilitator: Janet Roper

Kids Are In School, Now What? - Make the Most of Your Time This Year
Teleclass. Register for full series or by topic. Offered second Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. Oct. through April. Recommended: Participation in KISNW workshop at Mom-Camp, intro teleclass Oct. 6 or personal starter coaching session. Coach/facilitator: Barb Plunkett

Coming Into Our Fullness!! - A Life Makeover Group for Women, free 1/2 hour consultation prior to registration. Tuesday evenings, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 27-Nov. 29. Facilitator: Lee Truer

From Story to Sense of Sacred - Women’s Circling retreat in northern Wisconsin
October 7-9 (Friday-Sunday) Or book your women’s group for a weekend retreat. Facilitators: Becca Pournoor and Teresa Thomas-Carroll

Expressive Art: Transforming Pain - Gaining awareness of pain as a messenger
Sunday, October 16, 2-4 p.m. Facilitator: Tasha Burg

Print registration form for workshops/events - or- Order Online

Other Purple Crayon Factory presentations:

Mom-Camp, September 29-October 1. Several sessions offered by PCF facilitators:

• Envisioning Your Balanced Life, Teresa Thomas-Carroll
• Kids Are In School, Now What?, Barb Plunkett
• Kundalini Breathwork and Meditation for Stress Management, Tarisa Parrish
• Light My Fire: Oh Mama!, Becca Pournoor
• River of Power Playshop, Lee Truer

News/Announcements

• Purple Crayon Facotry hosts WELLmet, a networking group for wellness, creative and spiritual practitioners to pursue their ideal practice. WELLmet meets the first Thursday of every month from 10:30-noon in PCF’s space at The Well, 2100 1st Avenue S, Mpls. Attend once or every month. Special offer through 2005 only: Receive two WELLmet gift certificates to share with colleagues when you purchase a one-year membership. To receive information, contact 612-722-6931 or wellmet@purplecrayonfactory.com.
  
  
• Check out: PCF's blog to see what's on our director's mind. Comments encouraged!
  
  
• Client appreciation promotion through 2005: Receive a gift certificate to a session of Creativity & Tea! when you book a PCF workshop for your organization or register independently in any two of our workshops. Share it or treat yourself to a fun afternoon.

Mini-Reflection Exercise
(Ready to pull out a #2 pencil and begin. Let’s go!)

1. What do I want to learn this year?
In your school days, you probably spent a lot of time planning which classes you’d like to take and considering who your teachers would be. Give yourself the same gift today. Think hard about what you’d like to learn and explore this year. Do you want to uncover a new career? If so, you might choose a volunteer activity that develops a relevant skill. Or maybe you’re ready to explore your secret passion and take a drawing or writing class. Be proactive. Choose one way you want to grow this year.

2. What extracurricular activities do I want to do this year?
In a typical school year you also made choices about which clubs or sports you’d commit to for the year. This year, be very clear about which extra activities you want to do. If you’re volunteering, consider in advance what you want to give and what you hope to receive in return. Examples of the benefits you may be looking for are making a new friend, using a specific skill, getting fit, having pure fun or getting to know your child’s teacher. Once you’ve chosen your activities, honor them for the real contribution you’re making.

3. Who do I want to hang out with this year?
Every year you rushed to see who was in your class because that dictated who you could hang out with during the day. Today, you can make your own choices about who you’d like to spend your time with. How about setting a monthly evening out with an old friend? A weekly date night with your loved one can have profound effects for both you. And what about some sacred time for YOU? Think of it as a study hall -- those blocks of time built into your schedule that ensure you get done what you really want to do. What about building in a special time each week (or maybe even each day!) for your quiet reflection.

As you plan your “school year,” don’t worry about trying to figure out your entire life purpose. Instead, allow yourself to think through how you want to spend your time just this year. Because remember, a purposeful life is really just a collection of purpose-filled days. Have a fun year!

This Issue's Sponsor

Ready to Take An Adventure in YOU!?
Relax, rejuvenate, learn new things,
connect with others, and have fun!
It all starts at Mom-Camp!
Join us for this one-of-a-kind day camp for moms!

• Inspiring speakers

  Fabulous entertainment
• Hands-on breakout adventures
• Pampering, and so much more

Subscriber Information

Purple Crayon Factory provides unique, refreshing workshops for participants to reflect and creatively think through their personal and professional goals and dreams. Teresa Thomas-Carroll is the author of the newsletter and can be reached at 612-722-6931, at Purple Crayon Factory at The Well, 2100 1st Avenue S, Mpls, MN 55404-2504 or teresa@purplecrayonfactory.com.

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