Life
is an ever-changing journey and in order to flourish we must
keep our hearts and minds open so we can continue to grow
during the time we have been given. One of my main life goals
is to use whatever talents I have been given, to help make
a difference in the world. I am grateful I have had the opportunity
to do that through the jobs/careers I have chosen over the
years. My professional career began when I graduated with
my Physical Education degree from Montana State University
and began teaching school. Since that time I have been a national
park ranger, and am currently a fitness professional, a circle
facilitator and a photographer.
Fitness
My
fitness company began in 1980 when I realized I wanted to
stay in shape and work with people. The industry has changed
and grown over the years, as has my company. What began with
coed high impact aerobics grew into personal training, and
specialty activities for women such as strength training and
nature hikes. I began to see great value in working with “the
whole person” and started incorporating a mind/body/spirit
component within my fitness work.
Calling
the Circle
My
interest in the mind/body/spirit realm increased when I joined
a local women’s circle and it deeply enriched my life.
I later participated in several kayak trips where I was again
introduced to sharing circles with other women. As my journey
continued, I decided to do some training in circle facilitating
and later began to offer Calling the Circle, a self-discovery
and empowerment group for women, and furthered that work by
offering circle celebrations for special birthdays and graduation.
It soon became apparent that circle principles created a unique
and heartfelt connection between the recipients and participants,
thus creating lifelong memories of the event. These same principles
are currently being used in various venues including corporations
and with groups around the world to help promote deeper and
more authentic communication among diverse people.
Photography
I
developed a passion for photography when my husband and I
lived in Glacier National Park, Montana. The spectacular scenery,
combined with my growing connection with nature, made the
desire to somehow capture nature’s beauty and abundance
a natural creative expression. Some years later, with prodding
from family and friends, I added photography to my fitness
business. Nature photography helps me stay grounded and connected
with our beautiful earth, and I enjoy sharing her beauty with
others. I continually look for creative ways to combine my
fitness/wellness business with photography. On every hike
I lead, each participant is presented with a group photo as
a keepsake. Other photo projects include corporate photo shoots,
images of the historical town where I live, and capturing
nature for various everyday objects such as mugs, luminaries,
magnets and trivets. Custom projects are always fun too, as
my clients see their photos restored or transformed into keepsakes.
Making
a difference
Whether
I am teaching a fitness class, doing personal training, leading
a hike or facilitating a circle, I feel very grateful to have
a career that allows me to work with so many talented and
diverse people, in a kind of reciprocal learning where I believe
I am learning as much from them as they are from me. Making
a difference is very important to me and I believe I have
found several ways to do just that. Henry van Dyke says it
well, "Use what talents you possess: the woods would
be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang
best".
