Find Your Treasure and Claim Your Essence

This morning on Facebook, Ryan Means, my dear friend and chiropractor who helped me out of the abyss where I stumbled to get back on my healing path posted this on Facebook:

Facebook needs a quantum field check-in - cause you're here with me. This is part of a beautiful exhibit titled "Humility and Majesty" at the Sichuan Museum.



I know what he meant. I felt the same way about him at last week's Boston Magazine's Best of Boston Chinese Edition Launch.

I was able to claim my essence through my poetry. It had been buried under the rubble and ravages of paralytic polio and trauma but it was always there! And now, every day in every way my essence shines brighter and brighter as we slough off the roughness of the past through the power of positive touch and polish the beautiful diamond that is uniquely me.

For decades I was terrified to go into that cave of my past. Memories would surface and emotions would erupt but until Dr. Ryan, there was no one there to facilitate the healing of those memories in my body and in my heart and no one to give me the tools I needed to heal.

My poetry takes on even more meaning as I re-read the poems in "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life" (available on Amazon). I imagined my healing and since meeting Dr. Ryan, we are bringing that healing into physical manifestation!



Here are two selections for you to enjoy:

"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them." -Marcus Aurelius

Born to Run

Born free
born to run
run free
unencumbered untethered unshackled
pouring energy into my running form
liquid gold once fired in the crucible
now my treasure born of my Spirit molded with alchemy
refining
my precious treasure once buried
the map safely tucked away
X marks the spot
a new starting line.

Poised and ready
to go the distance
all out without hesitation
all is healed at last
my pace swift
Mercury and Hermes pace me on winged feet
I AM
born to run
running free
joyfully crossing the finish line with ease.

Foot Strike

Each strike struck a chord of fear
helplessness
terror.
How would I ever reclaim my life?
Holding onto hope
waiting for the day
when memories would no longer weigh heavy
free to run my own race.
Stomping in anger
striking back
shadow boxing with the thief
who stole away childhood innocence
a no win.
Each foot strike ignites my soul
fired up to run my best race
taking the lead
breaking finisher’s tape

today I won my race.

"We can either watch life from the sidelines, or actively participate. Either we let self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy prevent us from realizing our potential, or embrace the fact that when we turn our attention away from ourselves, our potential is limitless." ~Christopher Reeve

"Our running shoes are really erasers. Every step erases some past failure. Every mile brings us closer to a clean slate. Each foot strike rubs away a word, a look, or an event which led us to believe that success was beyond our grasp." ~John Bingham

Have courage and go where you must to find your treasure and claim your essence.

Following Their Bliss: Metal And Hide Designs

Kyle DiMare and Courtney Klimowicz met casually at first at the Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine. Kyle studied Sculpture and Courtney studied Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design.

Kyle's mom, Karen is a friend of mine. We were having brunch together last Sunday and I admired her stunning earrings and necklace. She told me that they were made by her son and his girlfriend Courtney. I reached out to them wanting to feature them and their story on my blog. They embody the philosophy of journey well by following your bliss.

Kyle and Courtney both graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Kyle left school with the intention of getting a Master's degree and focusing his career on teaching art. Kyle discovered that teaching art was far afield from his goals and his true passion. He had to make many sacrifices to pursue a master's degree; the biggest sacrifice was that he no longer had the time or resources for what he terms "making." Working with his hands is his life's passion and he had to put it on hold in order to pursue something he didn't like.

After graduation Courtney was fortunate enough to get a job as a goldsmith's apprentice. She worked only a few hours a week but the experience the goldsmith afforded her was priceless. It completely informed the work she's making for Metal And Hide. Courtney needed to take odd jobs to make ends meet, and one of the most lucrative jobs turned out to be the worst for her heath. She worked as a server in an excellent restaurant, but the long hours, the lifting objects and the constant standing took a toll on her physical and spiritual well being. She couldn't find time to "make".

They left Portland, Maine to look for jobs that would allow them to make. As they got to know each other better, they realized that they had a shared vision and developed Metal And Hide, an art and design company where they design and construct handmade, wearable and functional craft objects.

Their mission is to bridge the gap between the often inaccessible, high-end goods and the trendy products everyone enjoys. They focus on providing exceptional craft in all of their products to showcase a lavish elegance without the luxury price tag. In searching for their ideal job, they realized that they didn't need to look any further than their own passions and vision. Their concept for Metal And Hide came together and they decided to launch in February. Metal And Hide uses timeless materials for timeless quality, crafting wearable art and artistic accessories. Kyle and Courtney's creations honor the duality of their experience in making art, their personalities and the materials they use. When their paths crossed at the Maine College of Art, they couldn't have possibly predicted that their relationship would lead to a successful business partnership. They focus on unique handmade craft objects where the process of making each unique piece is strongly reflected in their designs.

Here is a sample of their beautiful creations that are more magnificent when you experience them in person:





They name their one of a kind creations that are all hand made, and made right here in Massachusetts.

You can shop for their designs on Etsy

Be sure to love their Facebook page.

And follow Metal And Hide on Instagram and Twitter.

Journey well!

My latest book, "Journey Well" is now available on Amazon along with all of my inspirational books. 50% of book proceeds are donated to the Massachusetts Resiliency Center, a safe, welcoming space for survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing to heal and stay in touch with one another; a virtual hub for a widely dispersed community whose lives have been impacted by the tragic events of April 15th and the events that followed.

When terror struck the world's oldest and most beloved marathon on April 15, 2013, it was a defining moment in Mary McManus’ life and the lives of all those in Boston and around the world. It was her wake up call to return to the sport and community that have been medicine and a lifeline for her throughout her marathon of healing the late effects of paralytic polio and experiencing 9 years of domestic violence as a child and adolescent. Mary captures the essence of Boston Strong through her experience of the 2014 Boston Marathon and as she profiles the people who are Boston Stronger. Through her blog posts, poems and journal entries woven together with excerpts from her memoir, “Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility,” you will experience, through one woman’s journey of transformation and healing, that no matter what happens to us, we can all learn to journey well.