Let's find out a bit about one of Bonnie's favorite places to get away...SEDONA, Arizona!
When Kay invited me to participate in Midweek Escapes the first place that came to mind was Sedona,
Arizona. Sedona represents to me the mystical heart of the Southwest. It’s
where I escape to when I need to connect with a parallel reality; where the
unseen realm reveals itself to those who seek its wisdom. You too, can enter
this magical realm if you go there with the balanced intentions of respect and
openness. What you will discover is
guaranteed to inspire your inner creative child’s curiosity and wonder.
I have
been to Sedona many times. The last time I went it was spring and I was with my
lover. We held one another under the rich full moonlight, standing on sacred
ground infused with red rock energy. In Sedona, these energies are given a
name. They are mother and father, feminine and masculine, giving and receiving,
and they move in spiral patterns that flow clockwise and counter-clockwise. You
can measure them with a heart-calibrated pendulum. You can feel them with the
senses of your soul. They are ancient, as old as the Earth itself. They have
been labeled many things over the history of this land, but today they are most
commonly known as the vortexes.
A
vortex has to be felt in person to be truly appreciated. This is where your
intentions of openness and respect will be tested. There are places where the
vortex energies are stronger and more accessible, but sensitive souls can feel
their presence all over the region. Vortexes are not limited to Sedona, they
exist all over the world. The unique thing about Sedona is the collective
consciousness that has been placed in the region by souls lifetime after
lifetime. You can feel it when you first step out onto the orange-red sand. You
have an instant understanding almost like experiencing déjà-vu, that this place
is special.
If you
have limited time, walk out towards Bell Rock. The path is not paved, but it is
not a difficult walk to the base of the formation. You can climb the slopes of
the rock if you wish, but the energy of it can be felt all around, so it is not
necessary to put your life in peril attempting to climb to the top. Always keep
in mind that going down is often more difficult that going up. Be respectful of
the environment and your own limitations. Without respect, you will receive
little of the gifts this sacred place has to offer.
Find a
quiet place to sit and enjoy the majesty of the canyon. You will no doubt feel
the wonderment I mentioned before. Lay the palm of your hand on the red
sandstone and communicate with the energy it holds as you breathe deeply. Be
aware of the sounds and scents around you. Tune into the natural power of all
the elements that created this place. Sun, sand, wind and rain. If you begin to
feel an energy exchange, then you are feeling into the vortex. Try not to
question it, just go with it. You’ll feel vitalized afterwards, as if you were
given an infusion of healing energy.
After a
hike and energy exchange with the vortexes, you will be hungry. I’m not
kidding, working with vortexes burns calories! One of my favorite spots for
delicious and moderately priced food is the Creekside American Bistro. They
have an adorable deck with red rock views rising over Oak Creek. They have
great vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options as well as a wide selection of
beers and wine. I mean, check out this moonrise photo!!! Wow!
As far
as lodging goes, there are lots of ways to drop a wad of cash in Sedona for a
first-class pampered experience, but if you live on a budget like me, you might
enjoy the Arabella Hotel. This quirky, almost historic property, with its 1960s
architectural style offers comfy (updated) beds, free breakfast, free bike
rentals and an outdoor pool with a hot tub.
For a
truly unique experience in Sedona, I can’t write this article without
mentioning Angel Valley. If you are still reading, you deserve to know about
it. Tucked away from the hustle of the tourist’s path, lies a land in
transformation. The property has been through some trials, but there lies it
restorative energy. Angel Valley is cared for by two earth angels, Michael and
Amayra Hamilton. It is often reserved for retreats, but when an event is not in
progress you can stay there on the property and enjoy the amazing energies that
reside there. Staying at Angel Valley, either under the stars at a campsite or
in one of their lovely cabins with a moon viewing window overhead, is an
experience of other worldliness. We were there on the property alone as the
only guests, but yet, we were far from being alone at any point in our experience
there. I can’t even show you any photos, because we found ourselves so immersed
in the experience of the place that we simply forgot to take any. How amazing
is that? That is when you know you have left the outside world behind you.
Angel
Valley is not for everyone, and if you want to stay there you will be
undoubtedly screened by the caretakers. They simply want to make sure your
intentions are in alignment with the respect and openness I mentioned in the
beginning of this article. You can’t just book it on “hotels.com” and you
probably never will! If walking a labyrinth in the moonlight to the sound of an
angel’s harp, shedding your clothes to swim alongside fairies, and communing
with alien life forms as they creep up beside your open window as you sleep
sounds like your cup of tea… then Angel Valley might just be your next midweek
escape.
Oh, and
as for my lover and the embrace under the full moon, well, I’m not one to kiss
and tell. But, one thing is for certain, Sedona offers a rich landscape of
opportunities to inspire your heart and to restore your creative life.
Title: Vitalize Your Creative Life
Series
and Book #: #1 of “Your Creative Life” Series
Author: Bonnie Kelso
Genre:
Non-fiction, Self-Enrichment,
Art, Creativity
Publisher: Amazon CreateSpace
Date of Publication: ©2017
ISBN-13: 978-1540487520
ISBN-10: 1540487520
Number of pages: TBD
Word Count: TBD
Blurb:
Coming soon!
My book, "Vitalize Your Creative Life,"
is scheduled to be released in 2017. I'm so excited to share this work with you
all. The book is based on workshops I've been conducting this past year where
I've helped dozens of people to step into their creative power and embrace
their own creativity. I encourage you to rediscover the creative inside of you
by interacting with the book as if you were a child again. I include many
Creating Exercises for you to try as well as journaling prompts to help you
overcome your fears about creating and get back in a positive and productive mindset.
When you sign up for my email list, you will receive a link to the
first chapter, "Circles," as a PDF.
As one of my client's told
me, "It's way more than a book, it's a movement!" So join
the movement and start vitalizing
your creative life.
Buy links:
Excerpt:
(from Chapter One: Circles)
Your Infinite Potential
Circles
have been around for a very long time. They are a part of every human culture’s
visual vocabulary, since man’s beginnings. Circles have strong ties to
spiritual beliefs that transcend any one religion, making the circle an
important member of the family of sacred geometry. Circles are
powerful symbols of infinite potential. They represent the beginning and the
end in one singular form. They are representative of completeness, wholeness
and at the same time, everything you need to begin a journey.
Circles are powerful symbols of infinite potential. They
represent the beginning and the end in one singular form.
As you dive into the rich and
diverse waters of your creative life, always keep in mind that the circle is
your beginning point. Just like the circle, you are already a complete, whole
person. You are enough right here and right now. There is nothing you need to
add. Everything you need is within you. You are here. The experience of
yourself and your life in this present moment can clearly reveal your infinite
potential to you. There is no other destination you needed. You have already
arrived, because you are here. This makes a circle the perfect starting place
when beginning a journey of growth. Since the day you were conceived you have
been in a state of growth. This growth has been physical, mental, and
emotional. Growth is felt through sensations of restriction and expansion. Like
the circle, growth can be infinite.
Author bio:
Bonnie Kelso is a Creativity Coach, artist, writer, and
Experi-Mentor at CreatingYourExperience.com. She writes a blog where she often
shares her inspiring Creating Exercises for people to use in order to
jump-start their creative thoughts. Currently she is finishing her first book,
“Vitalize Your Creative Life.” It is the first in her “Your Creative Life”
series and will be available soon. To be notified when it is released and
download a free sample, sign up for her mailing list at
CreatingYourExperience.com.
Author website and social media
links:
