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Be The Light
“December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come.”
- Fennel Hudson, A Meaningful Life
The 21st of this month marks the winter solstice, which brings us the shortest day and longest night of the year. The origin of the word solstice comes from the Latin, solstitium – sol, which means sun and stitium, meaning stoppage.
Solstice celebrations have been observed since ancient times and there are many ways to celebrate the significance of winter solstice. Here are a few:
Embrace the darkness. As the sun sets, turn off all electronics and lights. Consider using candles as a tranquil light source and reflect on the darkness. Use the dim lighting to help you turn inward and tune into your internal, quiet voice. Be grateful in your meditation as you focus on the gift of life. Enjoy this opportunity for quiet contemplation and perhaps set an intention for the coming year. Invite the impending light into your heart and vow to live joyfully and thankfully.
Light up the night. An ancient proverb advises, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Why not celebrate solstice by chasing away the darkness? Gather around a large outdoor bonfire (safely) and celebrate the return of light. You may wish to take this opportunity to write down anything you may want to let go of, tossing it into the fire. Releasing it into the past. Bask in the warm glow of the fire as you welcome the new beginning.
Be festive. Solstice doesn’t have to be a meditative, quiet and/or somber experience. It can be joyful and lighthearted, too! Build a cozy fire in the fireplace and gather friends and family for a festive evening of food, drink and fellowship. You may even encourage costumes, such as sunbeams and stars. Decorate your home with the seasonal gifts of nature such as fir branches, pine cones and holly.
However you choose to celebrate the solstice, take a moment to offer up gratitude for the gifts in your life. We here at Healer Within Foundation are so very grateful for the gifts each of you bring to the HWF community.
Be well and be the light,
Your friends at the Healer Within Foundation
5th Saturday Gathering On December 29th
December 29, 2018 is the final 5th Saturday Cloud Gathering of 2018. Please join us for Gongfu Tea Ceremony complete with tea pets, tea, tea paraphernalia, tiny sipping cups, and endless hot water. Tea ceremony is a time to gather with friends, get “tea drunk” and have a tea conversation where you tap into what is true for you - not necessarily about tea! 
This year our theme is renewal. Renewal is the art of starting over and bringing something new to the endeavor. Renewal is a great opportunity to apply what you have learned or a chance to do something differently. We will share some renewal stories from great literature and poems (Tao de Ching, Red Pine, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and very possibly more!). If you are inclined to share with the group, we invite you to bring a story of renewal from your own life or a favorite short (100-word) passage from your favorite literature to share.
Gatherings on the Cloud begin at noon PST/3:00 pm EST and last for approximately 90 minutes.
If you haven't already, please sign up now to RSVP for this special series of Zoom* meetings to make friends, get support, and stay in touch with others who lead practice and care about health and wellness! Space is limited so secure your spot on the cloud today!
Our Gift To You: Full Access to the 5th Saturday Recordings of 2018!
We've had some remarkable 5th Saturday Gatherings so far in 2018 and we'd like to share them all with you! Access the video recordings HERE and feel free to share them with your friends and family. Enjoy!
*access by computer with video or by phone
Reflecting On 2018
What a wonderful year it has been! 334 New Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leaders were certified! A total of 18 trainings were held in Arizona, California, Florida, New York, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, and India. How might you help us expand trainings and Tai Chi Easy™ dissemination in all 50 states and internationally, too?
A special shout out to all the Senior Trainers who participated in the 2018 training events. We (literally) could not do it without you!
Special thanks to Marcia Schrotenboer - who served as Local Project Manager for two TCEPL trainings held at MetroHealth this year. She was Co-Leader at the March event and Senior Trainer at the November training. In 2018, a total of 45 new Practice Leaders attended training in Michigan. Wow!
Also, kudos to IIQTC Graduate, Michael Fortier. Not only was Michael the Local Project Manager and Co-Leader for the most recent TCEPL training in The Woodlands, Texas, he has also set up a donation-based Community Practice Group in the area. Michael has taken the lead in establishing the group, and participating in the HWF Leadership Circle with a portion of donations coming to the Foundation in support of the Tai Chi Easy™ Dissemination Sustainability plan.Thank you, Michael!
Thank you all!
Welcome New Practice Leaders!
More photos of these and other HWF events may be found at our Flickr page.
Still Time To Give
Although we have had a busy year of positive growth and outreach, we continue to strive to meet fundraising goals in order to sustain our current programs. We're also working to develop new offerings and opportunities to better assist those in the Healer Within, Qigong and Tai Chi Easy™ community. Can we count on you to help as we continue living out our mission? Please donate today!
- A gift of $35 provides a one-week stipend to support a community practice group.
- A contribution in the amount of $140 supports a community practice group for one month.
- A donation of $250 provides a partial scholarship for Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader training, and the scholarship recipient's pledge to establish a free or low cost community practice group!
The Tai Chi Easy™ Dissemination Project is the catalyst of our goal, “Training thousands to improve the health of millions.” Your support makes it possible for the Healer Within Foundation to bring community-based Qigong/Tai Chi and other self-healing body-mind-spirit-practices to greater numbers of people.
Positive Feedback
Each new Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader is asked to complete an evaluation form, gauging their overall satisfaction with the training event, curriculum and instructors. This feedback provides HWF with valuable insight which is used for program refinement and future development. We also receive an overwhelming amount of uplifting and positive comments. We are proud to share a small sampling of them with you here:
 "My expectations for the quality of the TCE™ Practice Leader class were far exceeded. The four leaders for that class were absolutely superb and simply oozed enthusiasm and professionalism." - Dale A., Tennessee
"Overall, I am a brand new person than when I walked in." - Erin B., Michigan
"The amazing health benefits, the breathing, the gentleness...and anyone really can do it. It has already made a huge impact on my life and I look forward to sharing it with everyone!"
- Debra N., New Jersey
"This class will improve your connection to yourself and others, and help your own healing in the process." - Lidonna L., Louisiana
“I feel empowered to share this amazing Healing Practice with my community. So much growth in just a few days. Amazing!” - Ellen M., Michigan
"Extremely enjoyable, collegial and fun!" - Anonymous, Wisconsin
Let Us Help You Organize A Tai Chi Easy™ Training Event In Your Area!
Did you know it is fairly simple to organize a Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader training event in your area? Anyone can organize a Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader Training event. Yes! YOU can - and HWF will be happy to help you make it happen!
If you would like to know more about organizing a Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader Training event or have questions about the process contact Christie Ward for information.
Click HERE for a full list of Practice Leader training dates and check back often as new training opportunities are being added regularly.
Healer Within on Facebook and Flickr
Please follow the Healer Within Foundation Facebook and Flickr pages. Find our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/HealerWithinFoundation/ Our Flickr albums can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/healerwithinfoundation/albums
 
Login Instructions - Please Read!
We'd like to invite you to explore the Healer Within Foundation website! We continue to add new content, most recently launching the HWF Blog, which we hope you will read and add your comments, too.
To login, you will first need to set up your password. Click here to update your Password. Once updated, you can login here, using your Username - - and new Password.
While you are logged in, please complete your profile (it is searchable to help other HWF community members find you)! Logging in allows you to make a donation securely, see our community member-only content such as the files on the Organize an Event page and to sign up for events such as the Gathering in the Cloud meetings.
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