Soulful Features
May 2003

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Your Authentic Self.

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart."
--Carl Jung

This month, our Feature Articles are looking at the theme of "Your Authentic Self: Living an Authentic Life." We will learn how to live more authentically and purposefully with the help of ten experts who offer us sage advice and guidance for discovering and honoring our authentic selves.

I, personally, believe that living authentically is the most important aspect of living soulfully. There is nothing more important or meaningful in life than honoring your authentic self--your true nature--and expressing it in the world. When you honor your most authentic self--your Spirit--you are allowing your Light to shine and touch the world. Living authentically, in its simplest terms, is living your Truth, the truth in your heart and soul. It's allowing yourself to be guided by Divine Truth and Wisdom, each and every day, and doing your Highest, most authentic work in the world. It's joyfully creating and living your Highest purpose!

Living authentically is not always easy. It can be hard work, but the rewards are worth the effort. It requires the courage to ask yourself the hard questions and be completely honest with yourself about what is truly important to you in life and how you can live your Highest Good. It's following your heart's wisdom, living your Truth, and being real in every sense. When you are living an authentic life, you are contributing your soulful nature and gifts to the world and, thus, creating a better, more authentic and soulful life experience for us all.

May peace and joy be yours, as you discover and honor your authentic self.

"Let the beauty you love, be what you do."
--Rumi 

Soulfully,
Valerie Rickel
Founder and Soul
 SoulfulLiving.com

THIS MONTH'S FEATURES:

"Authenticity"
by Carol Adrienne, Ph.D., an internationally-known workshop facilitator and author whose books have been translated into over fifteen languages. Her books include "The Purpose of Your Life," "Find Your Purpose, Change Your Life," and her newest, "When Life Changes Or You Wish It Would." She also co-authored with James Redfield, "The Celestine Prophecy: An Experiential Guide." (www.caroladrienne.com)

"Living Full--Living True: The Authentic Life"
by Suzanne Zoglio, Ph.D., an executive coach and motivational speaker,  who has worked in the field of human development all of her adult life… as a teacher, counselor, corporate trainer, team consultant, and self-development writer. Her books include "Create A Life That Tickles Your Soul," "Teams At Work," and "The Participative Leader." (www.tickleyoursoul.com)

"Living the Authentic Life"
by Laura V. Hyde, co-founder of Infinite Wisdom, author, and national speaker. As a regular contributor for publications across the US and Canada, she writes about human awareness and spiritual growth. Laura is the author of the widely acclaimed book, "Gifts of the Soul" and is the creator and teacher of various personal growth programs. (www.laurahyde.com)

"A Gathering of Goddesses: Our Girlfriends Keep Us Real"
by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway, an interfaith minister who is often called upon to teach, speak and write about women’s spirituality and The Feminine Faces of God. She is author of the new book, "A Goddess Is A Girl's Best Friend: A Divine Guide To Finding Love, Success and Happiness." She is also the resident "Romance Reverend" at SoulfulLiving.com, where she is a monthly columnist, writing on the subject of "Soulful Love." (www.goddessfriends.com)

"Living an Authentic Life"
by Kay Nuyens, certified clinical hypnotherapist, healer, author, speaker, teacher and a certified JOY practitioner. Kay is the author of "Invitation to Greatness--A Workbook for Personal Growth." Kay’s goal is to empower people to find their inner connection, healing issues through awareness, compassion and the power of love. (www.changingfocus.net)

"Thirty Minutes That Will Save Your Dream"
by Suzanne Falter-Barns, author of "How Much Joy Can You Stand? A Creative Guide To Facing Your Fears and Making Your Dreams Come True." Her free ezine, The Joy Letter, brings you a crisp, fresh burst of inspiration for your dream every week or two. It will teach you exactly what you need to know -- and think -- to create the stuff you dream of in life. (www.howmuchjoy.com)

"Moon Struck"
by Donna Henes, Urban Shaman and editor and publisher of the highly acclaimed quarterly, "Always In Season: Living In Sync with the Cycles." She is also the author of "Moon Watcher's Companion" and "Celestially Auspicious Occasions." She has offered lectures, workshops, circles, and celebrations worldwide for 30 years. She is the director of Mama Donna's Tea Garden & Healing Haven in Exotic Brooklyn, NY. (www.donnahenes.net)

"Recovering Our Authentic Selves"
by Meredith Young-Sowers, a spiritual teacher, intuitive healer, counselor and author, who has published six books, two of which have become best-selling classics. Her newest book is "Wisdom Bowls." She lectures, leads workshops, offers teleclasses, and is also the founder and director of the Stillpoint Institute and School of Advanced Energy Healing, and co-founder of Stillpoint Publishing with Caroline Myss. (www.meredithyoung-sower.com)

"Surrendering to Yourself: You Are Your Own Soul Mate"
by Iris Krasnow, author of the new book, "Surrendering to Yourself: You Are Your Own Soul Mate." Her previous books include "Surrendering to Motherhood" and "Surrendering to Marriage." Her work is featured in many national publications, including The Washington Post and Parade magazine. She is the Writer in Residence in the Washington Semester Program at American University and lives in Maryland with her husband and four sons.

"The Playful Way to Knowing Yourself"
by Roberta Allen, author, artist, teacher and coach, who has helped thousands of people. Her latest books are "The Playful Way to Knowing Yourself" and "The Playful Way to Serious Writing." She is on the faculty of New School University, has taught in the writing program at Columbia University, and in many private workshops. She is also a visual artist who has exhibited worldwide, with work in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (hometown.aol.com/roall)

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