The Vision Quest Chronicles: Tales of Living One's Vision

How important is a partner’s support to the success of our visions?

I’ve been playing around with this question for some time now. Back in August I reported that I was in love. Unfortunately the relationship did not work out. I will spare us all the gory details, but one of the ways in which this relationship was not healthy for me is that it did not support my Vision. In fact there were many ways that it had a negative effect on my Vision. Most of that is and was totally on me. I think it came down to picking someone who reflected negative aspects of my identity and self esteem. Looking back I think in a way I chose someone who was going to make it harder to realize my full potential. Why would I do such a crazy thing? FEAR…yes fear again. It just keeps rearing its ugly head (s).

On my Vision Quest I have encountered the 1000-headed monster called Fear in several guises, but one face that occurs most frequently is the fear of taking up my true power. Because of this fear I have reached for things that have helped to keep me down and keep me small. Sadly this recent relationship was one of those things. Rather than picking someone who would act as a mirror that reflected my truly beautiful and powerful self I picked a person who reflected my small shadow self, the self that thinks I don’t deserve love and success.

I don’t regret this relationship at all because it was necessary to confront this negative picture of myself in order to challenge it. Ending the relationship was an important step in saying “NO!” to that negative shadow side of my identity. That ending was another starting point for me in the endless quest to realize my true self. The work now, day by day, is living as the woman I am becoming. It is pretty challenging in many ways but also really exciting.

Are there ways in which you are keeping yourself small? Drop me a line and tell me about it.

(first posted 1.9.10)

Nicole Cutts

Happy New Year Visionaries!

I don’t know about you, but I am feeling excited about 2010 and beyond.  Don’t get me wrong, I had no problem with 2009.  A lot of exciting things happened in this year also. I’m just particularly excited right now because I turned in my story, Book I of the Adventures of Isabelle, for Many Paths, Many Feet: An Anthology of Women’s Stories by our deadline on the last day of 2009! It was down to the wire so I was really buzzing right after I hit send.  It felt really good though. There is more to do before the book drops in March but getting the story finished was a pretty big deal.

I’m already on to Book II of The Adventures of Isabelle but that is another story for another time. There are a lot of other exciting things in the works for 2010 i.e. my non-fiction book about women living their visions of success and conducting the Vision Quest Retreats, but right now the German Shepherd on my new barking dog clock (my mom’s x-mas gift to me) reminds me that it is time to get to work.  I have a lot of exciting ideas for Book II that I promised myself I’d outline today.

I hope that 2010 is the year that all your wildest visions come true.  Please drop me a line and tell me about them.

If you want to participate in the Vision Quest Project click the magic link. To learn more about it see below…

(first posted 1.2.10)

 Do you believe in Carl Jung’s theory of synchronicity?

Power Gives Birth to Passion (Cutts, 2008)

Jung offered synchronicity as conclusive evidence for his concepts of archetypes and the collective unconscious and felt that it described a governing dynamic that underlies the whole of human experience and history–social, emotional, psychological and spiritual.

On the journey of living my Vision I have had many intense experiences of synchronicity. I could, I guess, dismiss them as mere coincidence but I see them as clues to my destiny, signs that I am on the right path. According to one of my favorite teachers, Deepak Chopra, “When you live your life with an appreciation of coincidences and their meanings, you connect with the underlying field of infinite possibilities.” He calls this state “Synchrodestiny” and says that when you are in this state it becomes possible to achieve the spontaneous fulfillment of our every desire.

The Power of 10-Tuesday night was one of those times of intense synchronicity. I was facilitating a Women’s Vision Quest session in Charleston, WV. It was a particularly powerful night and you could feel the energy in the room. I sat with a group of 10 women sharing their visions with one another. They came from all different walks of life and had very different visions but there were so many themes that kept coming up again and again; following your dreams no matter what, overcoming fear and inertia, a drive to find their purpose, fear of success/failure, the struggle between putting others first vs themselves. But there was also another theme that kept cropping up; 10. Woman after woman kept saying things like, “it was 10 yrs ago”, or “I’ve known you for 10 yrs, or “I thought about this 10 yrs ago but have only acted on it now.” We all started to notice this and began commenting. 10 just kept coming up again and again. We noticed that there were 10 women in the group, then I recalled that 10 had been my magic number, the number of women I hoped to attend!

What does this all mean? Is it merely coincidence? I might say so except for the fact that whenever I am experiencing a high degree of synchronicity it is always a sign that I am firmly on the right path. Everything feels right and a magic hangs in the air. As I drove home the next day through the gorgeous mountain terrain I also decided to take this as a sign that 2010 is going to be a great year!

So what do you think…mere coincidence or synchronicity with a deeper meaning?

(first posted 12.18.09)

I’m up early this morning working on my story for the women’s anthology Many Paths, Many Feet. Major revisions as the story was getting too long and cumbersome. To learn more about this project click Many Paths, Many Feet: An anthology of women’s stories.

I’m off tomorrow to Charleston, WV where I’m conducting two visioning sessions. Looking forward to what promises to be a beautiful, if somewhat long drive, through some lovely new territory. Especially looking forward to meeting the women at the first session and hearing their stories. Click to learn more about Vision Quest Retreats

The sun streaming in the window through the pine trees outside my kitchen window reminds me that I need to do my sun salutations before showering and heading out for the day.

How are you living your vision? Drop me a line and let me know.

(first posted 12.14.09)

DON’T DIE WITH YOUR MUSIC STILL INSIDE YOU.

I love the above quote and frequently remind myself of this when I want to give up or am wondering why I do half the work I do.  When I was very young I decided that I do not believe in regrets and therefor I do not want to get to the end of my life and look back and say I wish I had tried to accomplish something.  If you are a reader of this blog you know that two of the main projects that I’m working on are putting together a retreat for women to help them clarify and achieve their visions of success and a book about women living their visions. (If you would like to contribute to this project click this link to take the Vision Quest Survey) The book, which has been in the works since last February, is a non fiction book.

At the end of October I was asked to contribute to an anthology of women’s stories. This book, Many Paths, Many Feet: An anthology of women’s stories, is due out in March 2010 and will contain works of fiction, non fiction and poetry.  I am contributing a short story. I don’t want to say too much about it as it is in progress but… it’s a fairy tale about the adventures of a half mortal half g*ddess princess. This has been a very interesting and challenging endeavor for me.  I typically do not write fiction so it is also a new experience for me.  Writing this, I realize I could write an entire blog on the process of writing this story but instead I will put that energy into the story itself.

On the retreat front, I am going to West Virginia next week to conduct a Visions session with a  group of women and one for a non-profit organization.  I am looking forward to this, but realize that this weekend is going to be a very busy time for me getting ready.  I just wanted to write a quick update and find out how you are living your visions.

WILL YOU DIE WITH YOUR MUSIC STILL INSIDE YOU?

(first posted 12.11.09)

Allegheny Mountains, WV

Do you believe that the amount of abundance in your life is directly proportional to the amount of gratitude you have?

Consider this quote from Deepak Chopra in his book “Synchrodestiny” “the best way to have all your intentions realized is to align your intentions with the cosmic intent, to create harmony between what you intend and what the universe intends for you. Once that congruence comes into being, you’ll find that synchronicity takes on a larger role in your life. The best way to create that harmony is by nurturing an attitude of simple gratitude. Acknowledge your gratitude for everything in your life.” (p. 210)

The following is a synopsis of what I am grateful for today…My family, my little mommy who decided that she wanted to take us on vacation to the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs WV nestled in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains (a place that holds many fond memories for me), my sister and brother, their spouses and my nephew and two nieces.  They are the most adorable set of kids ever (and no I am not prejudiced). My awesome loving father, who is no longer with us in the flesh, but who brought us here when we were children. The train ride to WV yesterday that took us past farms, through the trees, over streams and into and out of the mountains. Breakfast this morning in the gorgeous dining room of the hotel.  My eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and perfect Hollandaise sauce. The fire in the fireplace in the lobby…going for a trail ride this afternoon in the cool late fall air.  My horse’s name was Rex (the same name as my beagle!) and he kept wanting to trot, which was fun. Getting straight off the back of the horse and heading to the spa for a soak in the sulphur bath and then a great massage. Catching tea time after this and scarfing down a bunch of really good little pastries and some nice hot tea. My friends, my health, food and clean water to drink, a roof over my head, being gainfully employed and a career that I chose and love. My dog Rexford who is a great cuddly companion.  Hearing the lonely whistle of the train through the mountains just now. All the lessons that I have learned and am learning and last but not least wireless Internet in my room so I can write this blog and stay in touch with my friends 🙂 I am wishing you many blessings today and always.  Feel free to drop me a line and tell me what you are grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(first posted 11.26.09)

After a period of struggle I feel as if I have reached the oasis. In many ways this is quite literal. I have come away to the Deleware shore to do some writing. In addition to the book on women living their visions I am also working on a fiction story and really felt the need to get away to be able to focus. A friend of mine directed me to the Bellmoor Inn and it’s perfect. I took a quaint room in the garden. Even as I write this I am looking out over the garden from my room and can hear the trickling of the rock fountain there. My room feels like home. A cozy beach cottage feel and tastefully decorated. It is about a two block walk to the beach. They have a fireplace in the library and they have a spa on premises. I am happy to report that I have been able to get a lot of writing done on my story.

My physical surroundings, however are not the only reason why I feel that I have reached an oasis. I am also experiencing a great deal of peace, having integrated some new (but actually old) parts of my identity. I do not think this latest spiritual growth spurt is over but I am enjoying what I see thus far. I am taking good care of myself. Trying not to force things. Taking in things that are good for me like Deepak Chopra’s Synchrodestiny (I highly recommend it), walks on the beach, good food and good clean work.

I guess it is like something I heard the other day about sea glass. We are like pieces of sea glass; broken bits that start out jagged then over a long time of being tossed and turned and pummeled by water and sand we become these beautiful smooth magical things. The good news for us, I think though, is that we are not always being tossed around but rather go through periods of calm as well. I am currently enjoying a bit of the calm.

I am wishing you well on your journey and as always invite you to drop me a line and tell the readers of The Vision Quest Chronicles your story.

Nicole

(first posted 11.21.09)

The Journey Begins (Cutts)

In my last post (#59: The G*ddess in the Desert), having just embarked on a period of psychic renovation, I was in a state of confusion.  Attempting to root out the demons (With the help of a coach and hypnotherapist) had only served to rile them and make them dig deeper into their crevasses. This was an intensely uncomfortable period but one I knew I would come out of better for it.  After having knocked down some internal (subconscious) supporting structures I am now in a period of rebuilding (re-integration).  I have to say this phase of the renovation project is a lot more enjoyable and far more exciting.

I am nearing what appears to be an oasis in this desert and from here it looks cool and inviting. I can spy lush greenery and a crystal clear pool with light glittering off its surface. I can already feel the security and power in this place.  I look forward to bathing in its cool water and sunning myself on a rock.

In his book Synchrodestiny, Deepak Chopra says “In our time here on earth, this individual soul will not be fulfilled unless it completes its mythical quest, which we can think of as the Grand Plan around which our destinies are organized. Inside every human being there is an overarching theme, a template for heroic living, a god or  a goddess in embryo that yearns to be born.” (p. 148)

And so it is that I find myself on this quest sometimes racked with the pains of laboring to give birth to this g*ddess. Privileged to be able to participate in this archetypal heroine’s quest.

I am wishing you well on your paths and as always invite you to drop me a line and tell the readers of The Vision Quest Chronicles your story.

Nicole Cutts

(first posted 11.18.09)

While in my yoga class on Sunday I felt the need to give thanks for Ashtanga Yoga 

I bow at the foot of the lotus. Saluting the Sun in mindful repetition. Warming my body. Stretching to and past my limits. Exercising my strength and power, never ceasing to breath, steady and rhythmic. The heat builds, circulating my blood moving energy clearing toxins (the poison of samsara), making the tight places looser and the loose weak places stronger. Extending always extending into space, relaxed energy, directed and focused but never rigid.

Honesty with self about limitations, fear only in the mind, pushing it out of my body. The sweat like a river carrying it all away. Balancing all my energies, never sacrificing form for ego. No matter the asana we continue to breath. At times wanting to give up and accepting this…accepting it all. Slowing when my body says so. We adjust. Honoring the precise moment in which we find ourselves. 

Always moving and flowing, un-damned energy, fresh and alive.  Finally… finally assuming the pose of the corpse, a reward after a long, arduous, beautiful life.  We are allowed to rest now, released, the breath is free…we are free and we revel in this truth. My practice and all the attendant awarenesses…a metaphor for life.

I thank my body and the spirit that illuminates me.

Namaste

(first posted 11.9.09)

The Journey Begins (Cutts)

It has been some time since my last post in which I asked the question “What is your emotional, physical, or spiritual equivalent of jumping out of an airplane?” I wish I could say you had not heard back from me because I was completing a jump, but the truth is I am actually writing you during my free fall. My landing is not even in sight! You see for me my emotional and spiritual equivalent is doing whatever is hardest and most needed in any given moment. After a long period of avoidance I finally took the jump and have been going inside to wrestle with some demons that directly affect the living of my vision. I have written about all of them over various posts but I am going to go ahead and name them here.  These demons are called Ego, self-doubt, and fear, and they have been dogging my every step for some time. Somehow I manage to move on with them but the time has come to address them seriously.  So what am I doing to face them?

I am stepping up my spiritual program; have employed a coach, a hypno-therapist and am doing some intensive self study, through reading and meditation. The result of all this work? I wish I could say that I am at peace, but the truth is, as I poke at the demons they seem to be digging in, flaring up and acting out! I am feeling unclear, unsettled, irritable and uneasy! I guess they are not going to go quietly…but this is okay. By living my vision I get to participate in the archetypal heroine’s quest, in which these battles are never easily won.

Frankly it makes it difficult to write when I feel all over the place but I felt that I must at least attempt in an effort to be true to this blog and ultimately to my vision. So in many ways I feel as if my journey begins again…and again and right now I am in the wilderness.  If you have any experience with this I’d love to hear about it.  Please leave a comment here

(first posted 11.7.09)