When the student is ready...

...the teacher will come. 

I am feeling like a student, going back to basics and having all the learning messages come my way without really seeking them.  (I'm thinking this is synchronicity, or the Universe listening...).  Let me explain...

It's only when I take a step back and look at the broader picture that I see how the threads of my learning, the 'teaching' I am receiving, are coming together in a new and very inspiring way.  And I am literally jumping out of my skin with excitement!

I knew it was time to 'reinvent' Sanctuary - my online site for women who do too much.  It's been going for 12 months now and needed a new injection of energy and that special 'something'.  Even when I was sick recently, and couldnt even bring my head around to check emails (let alone answer them) I was thinking about Sanctuary.

And then this month, over at Talking Story (as I've mentioned before), Rosa has hosted Joyful, Jubiliant Learning.  With 27 articles, all as different as their 27 authors, there was a lot of inspiration there - not only in terms of what they were writing about, however. 

One of the inspirations I got from it was that there are some terrific writers, who also happen to be busines people, out there - who are eager to share their knowledge with us all, and who really have something to say.

The second is that the type of information these people impart to us through their writing is so genuine, so very authentic - that even if their message is not relevant to us personally right now - the passion and belief and generosity they demonstrate is always relevant.

The third lesson is that everyone needs to hear something different, and that what one person finds irrelevant can be totally life-changing for another.

Then I read Steve Pavlina's post about his 30 day challenge to overcome news addiction.  I am quite news-averse - for all the reasons Steve lists in his post, and the news never gets turned on in this house.

Until now, I have sometimes had difficulty explaining our choice not to bring the news into our home.  But Steve has put it so eloquently.  I have always found that if something happens in the world that we need to know about - someone will always tell us about it! 

So how do my feelings about listening to/reading the news (really, I am so glad Steve said it all, so that I dont have to 'get started'!), and my lessons from joyful, jubilant learning relate to Sanctuary?

SImply this - in the reinvention of Sanctuary (which will entail a name change as well), I am looking to develop an online magazine with real people as contributors - those who know and live what they are writing about, rather than journalists.

Yes, actually - I DO think sometimes that I have bitten off more than I can chew - and I do feel scared witless sometimes when I let myself - I guess this is me putting it out there with you as my witness!  I'm hitching my harness to the Power of We.

I am removing the password and the requirement to register to read Sanctuary in its new form.  It will be freely available online to all.

I am gathering together a team of brilliant contributors on a vast array of topics, all aimed at women who don't fit the 'mould'.  Who treasure their own individuality, and want more from a magazine than the latest lash-lengthening-mascara or who is doing what to whom.  Women who want something very different to 'bad news'.

Watching a movie with my daughter recently (wish I could remember what it was called!) there was one line that stuck with me - 'floating on clouds of infinite possibility'.  That's the sort of feeling I want to engender when people read this magazine.  I want them to be able to sense, and even grasp, that wonderful sense of infinite possibility out there for them.  The world is their oyster!

I considered keeping this all a secret until launch, but decided that it would be a greater learning experience for me to write about it and share the development of this new 'media' with you all (warts and all...:) and hopefully there might be some learning to impart to my readers as well.  (Not to mention accountability for me).

I am working on the criteria for contributors, and will have advertising and sponsorship opportunities available.  We're looking at a tentative launch date of the monthly online publication of January 07.  (How's THAT for putting it out there??) 

If you're interested in exploring this opportunity with me - I would dearly love to hear from you.  Please email or call me!

Comments

[Chris]

Now It's OUT THERE, it'll fall into place.
Bravo, well done and may I say I read a VERY AUTHENTIC post here today!!!!
You can count on me for support!

[Karen Wallace]

Thanks Chris - I am COUNTING on your support!

[Rosa Say]

Karen, this is magnificent.

I love your three takeaways, and I love that you are so open to having new learning transform possibility for you.

I am sure you will succeed, and I am sure you will inspire us as you do so.

[Emmer]

Hi Karen,
I am so excited about the direction "Sanctuary" will be taking. Sharing information from different perspectives is something we all need to establish our own views of the happenings around us. The news we get over the waves can be one sided and that's so terribly sad. It will be refreshing to get information from those who live it, not those who stand on the sidleines watching it go by! I am so proud of you!
Toodles, Maryanne

[Karen Wallace]

Thank you Rosa and Maryanne. I so appreciate your comments. Your support and encouragement mean a lot to me. Maryanne - I think you've hit the nail on the head. I want to deliver meaningful information direct from those who LIVE it - who have read the book, felt the emotion, walked the track, listened to the soundtrack...