This site is intended to be a resource to those who are in Transition so that they may see their chosen path more clearly.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
The Mystery
"In this world are very few things made from logic alone. It is illogical for a man to be too logical. Some things we must just let stand. The mystery is more important than any possible explanation.
The searcher of the truth must search with humanity. Ruthless logic is the sign of a limited mind.
The truth can only add to the sum of what you know, while a harmless mystery left unexplained often adds to the meaning of life.
When the truth is not so important, it is better left a mystery."
- from 'The Power of One', Bruce Courtenay
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Why Teach?
What I think that few people truly consider is that there is a Giving and Receiving of energy that occurs in the teaching space that provides energy for both the student and the teacher. In many ways it is not just that you are giving something to someone else, but you are also giving to yourself at the same time.
In teaching others you are actually teaching yourself...the awareness of the flow and input of energy while teaching a student is something that natural teachers know instinctively...they can feel it every time that they support someone else in their learning and growth.
And of course we are ALL teachers in some way or another. The trick is to recognize when you're really enjoying it and receiving the energy as the teacher, as this will encourage you to do more of it...thereby passing on the energy to others.
Teach what you love and love what you are taught in return! :)
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Transformation
My son had his first baby tooth come out recently. He was wiggling it quite a bit during the week and it had begun to bother him and hurt a bit, especially at meals. But one evening at home while wiggling more with his tongue it dropped into his lap and with a bit of blood cleanup it was finally out.
What surprised me next was that he was sooooo happy about it. True Joy as he transformed into a boy with teeth coming out...and new teeth coming in. One minute it's a wiggle tooth and the next minute it's a hole in his smile! :)
I am always amazed at how children are so flexible and adaptable to change. One minute crying and the next they are all smiles and writing a note to the Tooth Fairy. :)
If only Transformation were so easy for us adults...often requiring hours, days and years of surrender to the inevitable change (if we're lucky). Here the Hanged Man hangs upside down waiting, patiently waiting for transformation to come to him. Yes, I know...he's got a bit of the Martyr in him too but what can you say...at least he's taking his transformation with a bit of Zen.
But for those of us without quite that amount of patience, or for whom Action is part of our DNA, how can you approach transformation and hopefully get to the Joy sooner rather than later? How do we get through the period of teeth wiggling and somewhat painful or tentative meals and onto a new a brighter smile?
There are of course many true and valid approaches but the one I will offer one for today is 'put your focus elsewhere', and particularly on something that you Know, Love and Appreciate. Rather than focusing on the 1 tooth that is coming out, remember to be Grateful for all of the others that you have and what you can still chew and eat with them. Give thanks for the rest of your body that has created a biological mechanism whereby baby teeth come out and another set of adult teeth are ready to come forth...truly amazing when you really think about it, isn't it!?
Be Grateful for what we do have (which is usually much greater than the 1 tooth about to go), vs. focusing on our upcoming Loss and Change. Focusing on the Loss and the Fear can lead to increased anxiety and even addiction...it usually looks something like the Tower...not too pretty eh?
This is not to say that we should not wish our tooth well and think of it in a positive and appreciative way. For after all that tooth has been with us through many ice cream sandwiches and marshmallows and lollypops...it's just that it's not going to be in our smile this Halloween. But to focus on it without respecting it's own Transition into 4 quarters provided by the Tooth Fairy would be to actually diminish our memories of the good times.
Focus on what you DO have, allow for the transformation to occur in it's natural way and prepare for the next Change. For after all, there is already another tooth ready to start wiggling even if you may not be aware of it yet. :)
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
'Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose Wisely.'
Thursday, September 26, 2013
True Play
I went to visit some relatives this past weekend and ended up engaging in a game of Monopoly. For me, this is what I would call 'True Play' - engaging in something that you love to do that truly rejuvenates and reinvigorates your soul. Something about the combination of strategy, luck, the accumulation of 'property' and then the letting go (if you are the loser) seems to me an engaging metaphor of life...but that is me.
What I know is that I love to play the game and share in the fun with others of a similar mind, which in this case happens to be a number of my family. The game is played with a passion (in this case we actually setup on a table in a vestibule just protected from the rain) and with a desire to win...but also a graciousness and understanding that losing and loss is actually more likely than winning. In this case it was four of us and the first 2 out of the game actually seemed the happiest and most rejuvenated for participating.
I personally did well but appreciated more the fact that I totally engrossed myself in the game and was surprised to find that 3 hours had transpired at the end (these games often go for longer than that). What I knew was that I had more energy and happiness after the game than before...a clear indication that it was True and not just 'participation' Play. I have spent many years searching for and validating this True Play...for me it is something that brings joy to my heart and a smile to my soul.
And yes, there is always a winner...celebrate the achievement because I'll be back to play again! :)
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
"A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both." - L.P. Jacks
Monday, September 16, 2013
The 12th Bridge
2 years ago we bought my son a bike for his birthday. As a very active and athletic child we honestly thought that he would just hop on the bike and after a few wobbles be riding circles around us...not the case. After several attempts we decided to add training wheels and that seemed to work for a bit until we he had a few 'wipe-outs'. Eventually, the bike ended up spending more time in the garage then on the trail.
While we were on one of our attempted family bike rides and just waiting for the next fall off the bike that would invariably result in tears and one of us walking the bike home, I noticed on the bike path that there were bridges. As I car driver I find that I take bridges, overpasses and tunnels as a matter of course - they are there to help us get from point A to point B but I don't often think to measure or count them as milestones or even points of interest. However, if you've ever driven with a 5 year old you'll realize that this is NOT the case for them at all. Bridges and tunnels are celebrated with gusto and we now find ourselves holding our breath and holding up our feet every time we go over or through one! :)
So, I decided that we would count the bridges along the Coastal bike path between our house and the end of the trail many miles away. Some were large and very noticeable and others were small and barely visible amidst the brush alongside a creek but nonetheless, they were bridges and when I pointed them out my son started to take notice. As we began our bike rides I would ask 'How many bridges do we want to do today?' or 'What kind of a 'bridge-day' does it feel like today?'
We began to chart and define our bike rides by the number of bridges vs. how much time, how many miles, how much effort, etc. It was now either a "3 bridge ride" or a "5 bridge day" and we now had a new focus...and a new mindset. 'Coincidentally' :) the wipe-outs became fewer and the rides became much more enjoyable. It was something to be looked forward to vs. something we 'had to do' and/or dreaded. We didn't know how many bridges there were out there but as my son started to acknowledged and celebrated his bridge 'milestone' achievements we began to talk idly and 'dream' about Bridge #12 (which we had never been to but assumed that it must be out there somewhere).
Additionally, ('coincidentally') we started to discover new and interesting things along our journey. Over the weeks and months the rides our destination (Bridge 12) actually seemed to pull us along towards it...kind of like riding downhill. We eventually let go of the resistance altogether and found the joy as Bridge 12 showed us the way and seemed to get us back on the trail 'just in time' to witness and experience some things that had previously never seen before...
One day there was a man playing piano along the trail...
...we found 'our' horses and finally learned their names...
...watched fisherman clean their catch...
...got to throw some rocks...
... found a giant Medicine Wheel...
...and even got to ride in the waves!
All because we imagined a Bridge, let go a bit and persevered until we found it.
I know that you know where I'm going with this...so I don't think I need to spell it out. :) However, my question for today is simply:
"If you're not currently enjoying the 'ride' and discovering new & exciting things along the way...have you considered imagining your 'Bridge 12'?"
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Life Plan
Earlier this year, I realized that a number of my personal, energetic, family and professional goals had been completed. I was actually surprised when reviewing my 7 year plan that some of them seemed to 'magically' complete at the 7 year mark...perhaps there is something to this manifesting your intentions thing? :) I found myself checking off some key items and beginning to ask myself: 'What Next?'
As I have learned previously (the hard way), the optimal approach here is to PAUSE before setting new goals (as opposed to rushing forward in a blaze of passion). :) I now give myself 6-9 months during this 'between-Plan' time to reflect, truly appreciate where I am today and spend some time 'clearing the canvas' to make room for the next phase of my life. For me that means taking some special time with my wife and son, re-connecting with a few close friends & family...and getting out in Nature. Time to hit the road if possible and take in the fresh air. In this case I headed with a friend into the mountains.
As a general rule I don't spend much time thinking about the past but I have found that reflecting on the Structure of one's life in a prior period can provide insight into the energetic links that guide us forward. I look for supportive and positive energetic structures as opposed to distracting or destructive ones - this is where being in Nature is helpful as I have found that it facilitates the process of comparing and validating energetic resonances.
It also had me wonder about the far future and to a time when there is nothing left of the tree but the meadow...what is the purpose of a single lifetime and it's impact on the environment and others? I can see being loved and remembered by those that I know now - but in the distant future? Perhaps just to be absorbed as nutrients into the meadow and giving life to the flowers of tomorrow is purpose enough...but I digress.
On this trip into Nature and reflection of past, present and future what did become clear was that my prior planning time scale (7 years) was actually a bit shorter than my current view of the energetic 'horizon'. 10 years now feels more appropriate given my current momentum, or perhaps it's just that what is coming forth as potential goals seem waaaaaay out there. :) Like a rugged mountain peak with what looks like a vertical climb...I feel like I'm going to need some serious time to 'find the trail'. :)
And as always, what is important to remember is that this is not a 'solo' climb - who we go with and the experiences shared on the way are critical to growing our tree-trunk timeline. For me a camp stove with the smell of coffee brewing and breakfast being prepared on a morning in the mountains reminded me that it is your Mindset and how you Feel that truly make all the difference.
Less of What I want to focus on achieving and more of How I'm going about it seems like better guidance for this segment of the 'climb'. Looking forward to the view but really looking forward to the feel of each step along the way.
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
- Lao Tzu
Monday, September 2, 2013
Creation
Let some stuff go, move some more around a bit, put forth a few lines of blue tape to visualize in the mind and Creation begins to creep in the energetic space left behind. An idea blossoms. Energy follows the thought and then supports the action that ultimately Creates.
In this case the creation is a bit of a blank canvas...but that's what's so appealing here. How often do we see a workbench with NOTHING on it! True opportunity and potential...and that great new wood smell filling my garage/new workshop. :)
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
Monday, August 26, 2013
Thou Shalt
ON THE THREE METAMORPHOSES OF THE SPIRIT
Of the three
metamorphoses of the spirit I tell you: how the spirit becomes a camel; and the
camel, a lion; and the lion, finally, a child.
There is much
that is difficult for the spirit, the strong, reverent spirit that would bear
much: but the difficult and the most difficult are what its strength demands. What is
difficult? asks the spirit that would bear much, and kneels down like a camel
wanting to be well loaded. What is most difficult, O heroes, asks the spirit
that would bear much, that I may take it upon myself and exult in my strength?
Is it not humbling oneself to wound one's haughtiness? Letting one's folly
shine to mock one's wisdom?...
Or is it this:
stepping into filthy waters when they are the waters of truth, and not
repulsing cold frogs and hot toads? Or is it this:
loving those that despise us and offering a hand to the ghost that would
frighten us?
All these most difficult things the spirit that would bear much takes upon itself: like the camel that, burdened, speeds into the desert, thus the spirit speeds into its desert. In the loneliest desert, however, the second metamorphosis occurs: here the spirit becomes a lion who would conquer his freedom and be master in his own desert.
Here he seeks out his last master: he wants to fight him and his last god; for ultimate victory he wants to fight with the great dragon. Who is the great dragon whom the spirit will no longer call lord and god? "Thou shalt" is the name of the great dragon. But the spirit of the lion says, "I will." "Thou shalt" lies in his way, sparkling like gold, an animal covered with scales; and on every scale shines a golden "thou shalt."
Values, thousands of years old, shine on these scales; and thus speaks the mightiest of all dragons: "All
value has long been created, and I am all created value. Verily, there shall be no more 'I will.'" Thus speaks the dragon. My brothers, why is there a need in the spirit for the lion? Why is not the beast of burden, which renounces and is reverent, enough?
To create new
values -- that even the lion cannot do; but the creation of freedom for oneself
and a sacred "No" even to duty -- for that, my brothers, the lion is
needed. To assume the right to new values -- that is the most terrifying
assumption for a reverent spirit that would bear much. Verily, to him it is
preying, and a matter for a beast of prey. He once loved "thou shalt"
as most sacred: now he must find illusion and caprice even in the most sacred,
that freedom from his love may become his prey: the lion is needed for such
prey.
But say, my
brothers, what can the child do that even the lion could not do? Why must the
preying lion still become a child? The child is innocence and forgetting, a new
beginning, a game, a self-propelled wheel, a first movement, a sacred
"Yes." For the game of creation, my brothers, a sacred
"Yes" is needed: the spirit now wills his own will, and he who had
been lost to the world now conquers the world.
- from Nietzsche's Thus spoke Zarathustra
Coastside Walkers
Sweet Wahinis prepare for 40-mile trek by Whitney Merrill
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in San Francisco this year includes a team of Coastside women preparing to make the 40-mile trek. You may have already seen them at Rock the Block or the farmers market — or out raising money via garage sales on the coast — as Team “Sweet Wahinis”reaches out to the community as positive and powerful representatives of the cause. All team members have personal stories as to why they are so committed and engaged, but they all received some additional impetus when their team leader, Lisa Mandelbaum, was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.
As Mandelbaum says on her Avon Walk page: “I was fortunate. I caught my cancer at stage 0. I had an amazing medical team and tremendous support from my loving friends and family. As I begin to come through my own medical journey, I realized that it indeed takes an enormous amount of resources to move through a cancer diagnosis and treatment.” This new understanding was one of the reasons why Mandelbaum chose to walk and raise money for breast cancer — but she also has a unique perspective due to running her own wellness practice, Coastside Healing Arts in Half Moon Bay.
Mandelbaum refers to herself as an integrated practitioner, where the combined efforts of an oncologist, acupuncturist, nutritionist and relaxation practitioner all work together to assist the patient. Describing herself specifically as the “holder of space for the end people,” she says that she gets a lot of “end” people: those who are often at the end of their medical line and who are weary, frustrated, tired and skeptical. “Our treatment method of chemotherapy is a brutal treatment,” she notes; she says the focus of her wellness practice is in “building up the body and keeping a clean ‘terrain.’”

Nancy Strachan West, Lisa Mandelbaum, Gretel Merrill and Laura Burtness raised over $600 at their garage sale in El Granada.
Mandelbaum says that some people just panic and often hand over their treatment entirely to medical professionals without fully informing and empowering themselves. “When you’re given a diagnosis, you don’t have time to ‘dance’ — no space … you just want it out of you.” She notes the high cancer rates in the Bay Area and potential contributing factors such as the environment, stress and nutrition. “I practice what I preach with nutrition and exercise, but also became more informed on meditation, stilling the mind and making space. I was not stilling enough,” she says.
Mandelbaum focuses her practice on the various modalities that include acupuncture, herbs, needling, massage, nutrition counseling and lifestyle coaching. She also refers to Chinese philosophy where cancer is referred to as a phlegm condition or “the cause of a thousand diseases.” In Chinese medicine a tumor is created when chi doesn’t move or is not flowing properly, so her work is to essentially “move the chi via herbs and needles.”
As of early July, Team Sweet Wahinis was at 94 percent of its fundraising goal. “We each have our reasons for participating — whether it’s a personal fight with breast cancer, the struggle or loss of a loved one, or a deep commitment to the cause. We’ve each made a big commitment. We’ll spend the next few months training to prepare for a walk of up to a marathon and a half. Each team member is required to raise at least $1,800 in donations. But because we’re in this together, we know that, with your help, we can do it,” says the team’s Web page.

Walkers boost their immune systems by stocking up on organic sustenance from the farmers market in preparation for the walk.
The team members’ comments, and their fundraising Web pages, speak to their individual commitments and inspiration. Laura Burtness says on her page: “Team Sweet Wahinis were fundraising at a crowded local activity and we had the big guns out — ukelele, tip jar, leis, pink tulle skirts, singing — we’ll do anything for a dollar. A woman passed by and put a dollar in my festooned tip jar. ‘I’m a two time survivor,’ she said. ‘Then we will definitely be walking for you,’ I responded. She looked right at me and, as she turned to merge back into the crowd, mouthed, I know.” Burtness says that she got chills and this pushed her over the edge. “There is power in knowing that you’re remembered,” she says.
Nancy Strachan West’s page speaks to those that she is honoring: “I am walking for Grandmother Harrington, L. M, L. M, L. C., L. G, L. Y, L. K, and so many other wonderful women I know/knew who have had breast cancer. No one is immune from cancer. It cuts across all races, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds. I have always donated to the cause, but this year felt that I wanted to do something more. So I have decided to walk! The training will be fun. I hope to get out with my dogs every day, and also walk with my friends here in HMB.”
Lezlee Miller’s Web page talks about her own decision to walk: “Personally I am astounded to say that over 20 women I know, both relatives and friends, have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Of those, three have lost their lives. Professionally I perform mammography and have witnessed many women receive this devastating diagnosis; it is overwhelming and painful for them and their families. I am walking to raise funds in memory of those lost lives, in honor of those surviving friends and family, and to make a difference for my patients.”
There is seriousness and commitment with the team combined with a sense of humor and lightness as they prepare for the event. Barbara Nielsen tells those who ask why she is walking that “I’m doing it for the right reasons.” Gretel Merrill is preparing and pushing herself with 11-mile training walks. Norma Avery, who walked 60 miles with Mandelbaum last year, smiles when she talks of training and says, “I’m relying on muscle memory!” And Mandelbaum says: “Walking like this makes you feel empowered. … We’re all doing a common thing.”
This year, the San Francisco Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is being held on Sept. 28-29. Walkers will cross the Golden Gate Bridge and weave through San Francisco neighborhoods including North Beach and Pacific Heights; the walk will pass famous landmarks including Fisherman’s Wharf, the Ferry Building, and the Presidio. Registration is still open and the Sweet Wahinis would love your support — either moral support or donations.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Green Fueling on the Coast
Green Fueling on the Coast
by Whitney Merrill
April 2013—Dave Eck and his wife Ginny just returned from a weekend trip to Pismo Beach in their custom-built RV, and they didn’t stop for gas even once. In fact, if you recently had a meal at one of the local restaurants in Half Moon Bay, it’s likely that your meal subsidized part of their trip — so “thank you” on behalf of our local economy and also on behalf of the Ecks. They look like they had a great time in their fully refurbished, custom-designed 1971 Silver Eagle luxury coach that burns fuel at about 4 miles per gallon, so it’s really nice of you to help them out!
If you haven’t guessed it already, what we’re talking about is the use of biofuel — and in particular, biodiesel. The reuse and recycling of cooking oils from local Coastside restaurants into a fuel is what powers the Ecks’ coach and a number of the vehicles at the family business of Half Moon Bay Auto Repair. Eck buys the cooking oil directly from Coastside restaurants and converts it into biodiesel via a mini-refinery on-site at his business. He’s been doing this for 15 years, even when the gas prices were lower. Eck says: “It’s not just about the cost savings. The reason I’m doing it is because it’s a cleaner-burning fuel.” He adds that biodiesel produces less black smoke and has more power.
The process starts with finding what Eck calls a “really good product” — cooking oil from a local restaurant that uses high-quality oils with no trans-fats and changes the oil every day. He picks up the oil himself from pre-installed storage tanks, pays the restaurants for their oil, and also pays the state 16 cents per gallon road tax. This oil is then converted to biodiesel by adding some chemical agents including potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid, drying it to removing the water and moisture, filtering it, and then removing and recycling the by-product of the reaction — the glycerin used in some soaps.
Eck describes this as a fairly non-toxic process and says that he isn’t required to have a license to make biodiesel. He has a number of storage and drying tanks, a machine that mixes the chemical agents, and a bunch of testing equipment that looks a bit like a biology lab — but he’s quick to point out that the process is fairly simple and low-tech. “A person could get everything they need to do biofuel and do it out of a 50-gallon drum,” he says. There is also extensive information in the form of biodiesel home-brew guides and kits available on the Internet. A number of federal tax incentives for biodiesel use are currently in place and promoted by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Some of the other benefits of using biodiesel are the resulting reduction of greenhouse gases and the environmental benefit of recycling. Since Eck is recycling oil that has already been produced and transporting it locally, the net carbon output is very small, and he is reusing something that would normally take additional energy to dispose of or recycle completely. “I feel really good about it because I’m doing something good for the environment,” says Eck. “I’ve really been into being green, and at the shop I recycle everything.”
Eck is also very proud of this custom RV that he has lovingly restored and equipped with a full stainless steel refrigerator, flat-screen TVs, full kitchen, hardwood floors and a full master bath and bedroom. And “it goes down the road like a pillow … it’s so smooth,” Eck says. He’s worked with the Cabrillo school system for years, works on motor homes in his business and has a true passion for transportation and freedom. His RV is a labor of love: “To take something from the ground up, you’re building something that’s worth building,” he says. In his case he’s built more than a custom RV — he’s built a system and a process by which he can be fully independent of fuel supply and costs, thereby providing more flexibility and freedom for himself and his business.
But there’s one more reason for using biodiesel, Eck says: “The real reason I’m doing this is because I am ready for an earthquake. I’m off the grid and I have three backup generators.” Pointing to a map of the U.S. on his fridge showing all of the places that he’s visited, Eck notes that he can travel for hundreds of miles with his coach and its large storage tanks, all with a green and renewable process. With his “refinery” and his bus, he’s ready to hit the road at any time and he feels prepared for the future, whatever that may bring. Eck sums up with what sounds like his personal motto: “When you’ve got your own fuel, you can go places.”
On the Web:
www.afdc.energy.gov/laws/laws/US/tech/3251
Friday, February 22, 2013
Preschool Yoga
Even preschoolers get busy these days and need to take a break to quiet the mind and rejuvenate.
I see it as both a sign of the times and a heads-up that we are 'moving in the right direction' that they have Yoga @ pre-school!
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
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