Poetic Resurrection

Life with Phyllis Leavitt

Our guest on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast is Phyllis Leavitt, a psychotherapist and author. We discuss her upcoming book America in Therapy where she utilizes her thirty-year practice in psychology and relates it to the state of the country. This is an interesting and informative episode where the dynamics of family and relationships is discussed and applied to what is currently happening in our country.
Phyllis Leavitt graduated from Antioch University with a Masters’ Degree in Psychology and Counseling in 1989. She co-directed a sexual abuse treatment program called Parents United in Santa Fe, New Mexico until 1991 and had a small private practice before going into private practice full time. She has been a psychotherapist treating children, families, couples, and individual adults for 32 years, and has worked extensively with abuse and dysfunctional family dynamics, their aftermath, and some of the most important elements for healing. An author of two published books, A Light in the Darkness and Into the Fire, that focus on her spiritual journey, and she is presently working with a professional editor on the book I have written called America in Therapy. She lives in Taos, NM and she’s mostly retired now, focusing on writing. Her website is www.phyllisleavitt.com.
“Writing has always been my path and my practice. For most of my life, I have sought deeper connection in some form—to myself, a higher consciousness, and a greater understanding of the meaning and purpose of human existence. I have participated in a wide variety of spiritual practices, healing modalities, a deep connection to nature and art, and in the blessings and challenges of relationship and motherhood. I became a psychotherapist over thirty years ago and did many years of therapy myself. Through it all, writing has been my constant companion and guide. It has gotten me through the darkest times in my life, brought me the greatest wisdom and fulfillment, and it is now my primary creative pursuit and the way I seek to share all that has been given to me. I have written two books about my spiritual journey—A Light in the Darkness and Into the Fire—and I have just completed my third book about bringing America to therapy. Both my inner work and all my psychological experience over many years, have taught me that, for the most part, we are as emotionally, mentally, and spiritually healthy as our human environment and the family systems we live and participate in. Some of us make it out of the most abusive conditions despite a lack of support or a map to follow, but many of us do not, and what I have found is that we are all at risk from abuses that go unchecked and continually fuel a cycle of violence. My new book is dedicated to helping make common knowledge everything I have learned about how we can repair our fractured human relations in ways we can all implement in the lives we currently live. My deepest wish is that we both understand the severity of the dangers we face from escalating divisiveness, hatred, and violence, and, at the same time, feel hopeful that no matter what our sphere of influence, we can each play a meaningful part in restoring ourselves to peace, safety and caring reconnection to one another. My deepest hope is that together we bring to the Family of America the same healing we are learning to bring to individual families— and thus to all our children, who will inherit everything we leave them.”
Phyllis Leavitt lives with her husband in Taos, NM. She has three amazing grown children and three beautiful grandchildren and is a lover of art, nature and gardening. She has a Masters Degree in Psychology and Counseling from Antioch University and has had a private psychotherapy practice for over thirty years. She is recently retired and is now focused on writing.
 

Life with Rachel Hanfling

This week on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast we have Emmy nominated producer and motivational speaker, Rachel Hanfling. We had a great conversation about her life and career journey. I learned so much from Rachel. We laughed and had a great time discussing the art of giving speeches.
Rachel is an inspirational media coach and communications coach who has helped countless individuals reach their goals in the world of media. With her vast experience in the industry, she has developed a unique approach to coaching that helps her clients become successful communicators and storytellers. She believes everyone has a story to tell, and it's up to them to find the courage to tell it. With Rachel's help, you can learn how to craft your story in order to make an impact on those around you and achieve success in your career.
Bio:
Emmy-nominated Rachel Hanfling is your guide to clear, confident, charismatic speech. A former producer for Oprah and Anderson Cooper, she's coached clients to land deals on Shark Tank, sell out on QVC, dominate worldwide speeches, generate explosive sales, nail workplace politics and more. She's taught at Harvard, internationally, and across the US. Rachel is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is a mom to twin boys and a dog in New York City. To learn more about Rachel, visit https://www.rachelhanfling.com/
 

Life - World Poetry Day

In celebration of World Poetry Day held every March 21st. I'll be reading some of my poetry and since it's an international event, I will also read them in English and in Spanish.
"Arranged in words, coloured with images, struck with the right meter, the power of poetry has no match. As an intimate form of expression that opens doors to others, poetry enriches the dialogue that catalyses all human progress, and is more necessary than ever in turbulent times." Audrey Azoulay – Director General of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The following poems are from Inspire Me: Raw. The poem Citizen and it's Spanish translation Cuidadana are read and performed. Also, Forget and it's Spanish version Ovide and to add a little humor because not all poetry is dramatic or traumatic, we have the poem Go-Go Boots.
 
Inspire Me Series Book 1 & 2
            Contains Inspire Me: Raw, Inspire Me: Perception and five poems from the upcoming book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams.

Life with Barbara Ann Briggs

Barbara Ann Briggs is this week's guest on the Poetic Resurrection Podcast where she discussed her journey into meditation and how it has helped her with her writing. She also shared a reading of her poem Alone which reflects the power of spirituality in helping to create meaningful content. She also graced us with a reading from her book: Pilgrimage on the Path of Love chapter 11.
She’s currently working on her book: The Secret of Creative Abundance: Alignment with Your Spiritual Nature.
Barbara Ann Briggs believes that meditation can be a powerful tool to help writers unlock their creative potential. Through her poetry, she encourages writers to use it as a way to find inspiration, focus on their craft, and even access higher levels of consciousness
Bio:
Barbara Ann Briggs is a poet, podcaster and the author of two books. She has over twenty years' experience as a freelance journalist and has had numerous articles and essays published in both print and online media. A practitioner and teacher of Transcendental Meditation for over thirty years, Barbara hosts a bi-monthly podcast called Essence of Life, which has a rapidly growing audience. She was on the faculty of the Maharishi University of Natural Law where she developed courses on poetry, art, creativity and consciousness. The Facebook page for her debut novel, Pilgrimage on the Path of Love, has garnered 2,500 likes. Barbara was born in Manhattan, New York. Her mother came from Vienna, Austria and her father from New Orleans. Needless to say, she loves music! Barbara, who currently resides in India, has travelled widely and considers herself a "citizen of the universe."
You can get in touch with Barbara Ann Briggs at the following links.
Living Wisdom - Barbara Briggs
Barbara Ann Briggs Website
Essence of Life Podcast  
Pilgrimage on the Path of Love Book (from human love to spiritual love)

Life - A Poem and Prayer for the Grieving

Life - A Poem and Prayer for the Grieving
I recently lost my mother and even though we knew it was coming, it was still a very difficult loss to accept. This poem and affirmation prayer is for those who are grieving. I've had many suggestions, but one of the most helpful that I have received is to set aside time to grieve. Pick a time and review the experiences, videos, notes, and other communications from the past loved one. May you find healing in this process.
Bound
Sorrow sweeps through my soul like
The sword of yesteryear
Waves of sorrow smash upon my heart
Reminding me of you
                      Of your love
                      Of your kindness
I drown in the eventual stillness, gasping for air
Why was life so unfair to you?
But it's me who doesn't let go
It's me who feels guilty for not suffering your loss longer
If I hold on to that feeling, then the memory
                      Of you doesn't slip away
Miss the feeling of our etheric touch
I dreamt of seeing your soul last night but I had tied a rope to it You kept trying to fly away
But I kept pulling you back—You turned to me, broken
Today I cry and let you go—release you from the earth plane
The rope unties and I see your smiling soul fade away
 
Dear spirit, God energy, higher self, universal knowledge, thank you for hearing this prayer as I need strength during this challenging time. I turn to you for guidance and love.
May I be strong.
May I have the strength to accept my grief.
I understand I feel grief because I have loved.
I know who has passed, would not want me to live in sorrow.
May I cherish their memory and remember them with fondness.
May I find peace.
I understand my grief has pushed other emotions and responsibilities aside. Yet, I can accept it.
May I have the knowhow to work with grief.
May I cope with this endless sadness and constant heartache
May I accept my loved one is no longer suffering.
Help me see the good in my life.
Guide me through my loss.
May I feel loving kindness.
May I forgive myself for the things I've done or not done.
May I accept that there was nothing I could have done to change what happened.
May I heal from the silencing of their voice and touch
May I set time aside to remember their memory
Thank you for having this beautiful soul in my life. I will cherish them and let their soul be free.
May I feel safe.
I send my love.
Thank you for hearing my prayer.
Blessings
 
The poem Bound is from: Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
Music: Parting of the Ways - Part 1 by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4195-parting-of-the-ways---part-1
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
 

Life with William Mackenzie-Smith

In this episode of the Poetic Resurrection Podcast, we have William Mackenzie-Smith. We discuss the various medicinal properties of CBD, CBDA, and THC for healing purposes. We laugh about youth mishaps with cannabis and how everything is dosage. His journey with shamanism, ayahuasca and soul retrieval. A really interesting, informative and enjoyable episode. Tune in!
William Mackenzie-Smith Bio
Described as an alchemist by LA Weekly, William Mackenzie-Smith was a photographer and cinematographer in England before moving to the United States where he began his study of shamanism and ethnobotany. A life-changing trip to the Amazon confirmed his belief in the healing power of plants and on his return, he successfully treated his own skin cancer with topical cannabis. Soon he was making medicine for family and friends and Mackenzie Medicinals was born.
Mackenzie Medicinals supplied major dispensaries in the L.A. area with cannabis oils, oral tinctures, and topical oils for many years. The family owned company has won numerous awards for almost all their products. Full legalization brought changes to the medical cannabis landscape and Mackenzie Medicinals is currently in the process of launching unique and potent formulas that combine CBD and herbs to target specific conditions.
 
You can reach William at Instagram @mackenziemedicinals
 
 

Life - In Loving Memory of Martina Aviles

In Loving Memory of Martina Aviles
Welcome to the January episode. As, many of you might know, I have slowed down the podcast over the holidays. I thought I would get a head start and work on creating new episodes and possibly have more episodes during the month. Well, that didn't happen. On January 3rd I lost my mother and I dedicate this episode to her. She had had dementia for several years but after several falls which lead to brain bleeds, which she bounced back from and we thought it was getting better. On January 2nd I saw my mother at the nursing home via FaceTime and she was being her fisty self and my sister was by her side. My mother had a habit as we were children to always kiss us on the forehead. My sister kissed her on the forehead several times and mom had this big smile on her face. I said "look at her smile", it was beautiful. The feeling that I received from her smile was as if she was stating: "It's okay to go now. I know love." I couldn't sleep that night, but I also accepted that if she wanted to leave us, it was okay. I didn't want her to suffer. Those words are hard to say, but I felt I was being selfish because knowing her personality, she didn't want to live the way she was living. She passed the following morning. To state I miss her is an understatement. I don't know how to feel. There's an emptiness and numbness.
I flew to Chicago for the wake and the funeral. It was surreal. She looked as if she was sleeping in the coffin. I spoke at the wake and told a funny story about my mom and the next day at the funeral I read the poem I wrote about her called "Warm" because that's how she was. The poem which I will read at the end of this podcast states how she kissed me on the forehead. This poem is several years old. Synchronicity is strange, isn't it?
I am mourning. The APA Dictionary of Psychology states "mourning is the process of feeling or expressing grief following the death of a loved one, or the period during which this occurs. It typically involves apathy and dejection, loss of interest in the outside world, and   in activity and initiative. Bereavement and grief are similar in definition but different. Wikipedia states the following: Grief is the response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or some living thing that has died, to which a bond or affection was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, grief also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, cultural, spiritual, and philosophical dimensions. While the terms are often used interchangeably, bereavement refers to the state of loss, while grief is the reaction to that loss."
Death of a Parent - For an adult
As you get older, many expect it to be easy to lose a parent because you have had many years and it's expected. It's not easy. Especially when the parent is loving and caring. Wikipedia: "When an adult child loses a parent in later adulthood, it is considered to be timely and to be a normative life course event. This allows the adult children to feel a permitted level of grief. However, research shows that the death of a parent in an adult's midlife is not a normative event by any measure, but is a major life transition causing an evaluation of one's own life or mortality. Others may shut out friends and family in processing the loss of someone with whom they have had the longest relationship."
 
I've been studying grief and what to expect and work through during this difficult time. I've enrolled in grief consulting, taking a meditation course on grief, and learning to be kind to myself during this process. I know I will dip in and out of grief. As mentioned to me, it never goes away, but it can subside. There was a card made from the funeral home in honor of my mom. My mom was religious, and we picked the following poem to match her beliefs and how we felt about her.
Our Mother's love, had no strings attached.
It was unconditional, truly unmatched.
She stood by us, through thick and thin.
She was strong in faith from deep within.
Everything she did, was with us in mind.
A giving Mother, the unselfish kind.
She lived her life, with little regret.
Our cherished memories, we will never forget.
She put us first, above everything.
For her now, God's angels sing.
Though invisible, to our eyes, thus.
She will always be, watching over us.
She's in heaven now, with all her family who has passed.
She is with her glorious host, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
 
As a lover and writer of quotes, I find knowledge in them. Here are some quotes that have comforted me:
"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." Author unknown
"The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living."Marcus Tullius Cicero
"Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve."Earl Grollman
"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love."Washington Irving
"Grief changes shape, but it never ends."Keanu Reeves
"The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living."Marcus Tullius Cicero
I wish anyone that is going through grief to be kind to themselves. Some helpful self-care tips that have helped me are:
Meditation—there are many great apps that are free I.e., Insight Timer in which I am a teacher there. https://insighttimer.com/sonia.iris.lozada
Prayer–whether religious or secular. There's a healing feeling to them
Wayne Dyer once stated and I paraphrase—Prayer is when you talk to God and meditation is when you hear God. We can interchange God with higher energy, higher self, universal knowledge. Whichever is your belief.
Keep a journal
Keep in touch with family & friends.
Pamper yourself
Be kind and patient with yourself
Seek help
Take it one day at a time.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid using excess alcohol, medications or drugs to mask the pain.
Try to keep up basic hygiene. Remember basic grooming and appearance.
Get enough sleep but if you can't sleep, just lie down, close your eyes, and rest.
Get some kind of exercise. Even walking can help relieve stress and tension.
If at all possible, try to maintain some type of a normal routine such as sleeping and eating at your regular times.
This is the poem Warm from Inspire Me: Perception and also in the newly released compilation book Inspire Me Series: Book 1 & 2
Warm
 
Loving smile
Warm embrace
Gentle forehead kiss
Singing me to sleep
 
Sad child
Needing safety
Warm drops cascade face
She wipes them
 
Years pass
Fragile in time
Wrinkled smile
Love's blank gazes
 
Destiny gifted you
Being loved, a blessing
Devotion everlasting
Ease in loving you, mom
 
Thank you so much for joining me on this podcast. I wish you love, happiness, and many blessings.
https://insighttimer.com/
 
Relaxing Piano Music by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4273-relaxing-piano-music
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
 

Happy New Year! 2022 Yearend episode

It's that time of the year where most of us reflect on what we did or didn't do in 2022. Looking forward to an upward emotion in 2023. I'm hopeful. Even though, like many others, I've had a challenging year in various aspects of my life. I feel hopeful and excited about the new year. It might be a dream, but I'm okay with it. We need to flourish with possibilities.
As many know from my podcasts and blogs, I love comedies, enjoying a quiet evening with family and friends and quotes.
Salvador Dali "Have no fear of perfection—you'll never reach it."
Dr. Seuss "You'll never get bored when you try something new. There's really no limit to what you can do."
Pablo Picasso "Action is the foundational key to all success."
Alan Cohen "Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect."
Antonio Banderas "Expectation is the mother of all frustration."
C.S. Lewis "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
Melody Beattie "The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written."
Taken from the Loving Kindness Meditation
May you be happy, May you be healthy, May you be safe, May you live with ease
Que seas feliz, que estés sano, que estés a salvo, que vivas con tranquilidad
 
I wish you a safe and Happy New Year.

Life, Grief & the Holidays with Adriana Avila

Life, grief and the holidays. During this time of the year is when many of us reflect on those we love who have passed and other changes in our lives where there’s a loss. Be it a family member, friend, pet, or a career. We all grieve in various ways. In this episode, Adriana Avila M.S., LMFT explains what we feel and what we can do to help ourselves during challenging times. A must listen.
Grief, what describes your grief? Grief is unique to each and one of us. There is no wrong or right way to grieve, and it can turn your world upside down. Grief needs to be acknowledged, expressed, and spoken about to bridge our sadness to joy, hopelessness to hope, and powerlessness to empowerment. I, like you, have felt the depth of grief, and when I thought I would never find hope again, day by day, hope started showing up in my life. My relationship with grief led me on a path, a journey, and a deeper connection with myself and others. Because of my life experiences, life led me on a professional grief journey. My trainings include: training with grief expert, David Kessler through his grief educator program, Paul Denniston, founder of grief yoga, trauma informed yoga, and I am also EMDR certified. I have learned to embrace my life journey, and I am humbled by those that I work with in my practice. I guide you to tap into your strengths, your resources, at your pace and your time, with kindness and compassion. I offer individual therapy, group therapy (pet loss groups, healing after loss groups and grief and trauma informed movement groups) and I also enjoy speaking at events. Part of my self-care/self-love is hiking, yoga, reading books, spending time with my dogs, and running.  
 
Adriana Avila, M.S., LMFT-116562
EMDR Certified, Grief Yoga Certified, Trauma Informed Yoga Facilitator
Grief Educator (Trained by David Kessler). 
https://www.traumasensitiveyoga.com/
https://griefyoga.com/
https://grief.com/

Life with Jeanette Yoffe

Jeanette Yoffe is the guest this month on Poetic Resurrection. We discuss her life as an adoptee, her solo show, we laugh and get emotional in this episode. Tune in to hear this amazing woman enlighten us about adoption. November is adoption month.
Jeanette Yoffe, M.A., M.F.T. earned her Master's in Clinical Psychology, specializing in children, from Antioch University in June 2002. She treats children with serious psychological problems secondary to histories of abuse, neglect, and/or multiple placements. She has specialized for the past 20 years in the treatment of children who manifest serious deficits in their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development.
As the Clinical Director of Yoffe Therapy Inc. A mental health center in Los Angeles providing services to families, children, teens, and adults connected by foster care and adoption. Learn more here.
Jeanette's desire to become a child therapist, focusing specially on adoption and foster care issues, derived from her own experience of being adopted and moving through the foster care system. Her personal experience has informed her education and provided insight into the unique stresses involved with these issues. 
For more info visit JeanetteYoffe.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanetteyoffe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanetteyoffe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanetteYoffe
 
These books are available on Amazon and Audible.
What’s Your Name, Who’s Your Daddy?
What’s Your Name, Who’s Your Daddy? Audible
What is Adoption?
What is Foster Care?
Working with Traumatized Children, Teens and Families in Foster Care and Adoption