A Time to Produce

Summer is finally in full swing, now that we’ve celebrated the Solstice. Many of us are enjoying the perfect weather, and getting things done after the delays we all had from a record-breaking soggy spring. Warmer weather is ahead with cookouts and evenings by the fire. But the gist of what I’m seeing everywhere is busyness—more so than previous years. This includes house projects from things needing repair or replaced, to outdoor work and landscaping are all being taken care of. Even the projects involving procrastination or dread are finally being addressed. It’s great to get things done, but what I’m also seeing is a stressful drive behind it all. Could there be a hidden cost behind all this productivity?  Our culture conditions us to constantly be working under deadlines, and getting instant gratification. Our phones don’t know that it’s summer. The constant exposure to notifications and requests creates perpetual noise, and low-grade perpetual fight-or-flight responses that are carried with us all the time. We could also be fighting against a sense of scarcity that economic pressures create. When people get caught in the comparison trap watching others who constantly crush it on social media, they can walk away with a sense of inadequacy, and feel compelled to compete. As it is, people are struggling to maintain what standard of living they have. All this adds to the natural energy that’s already flowing at this time of year. We sacrifice our creativity, micro-manage our days to the minute, and miss out on the actual enjoyment of our achievements. 

How do we curb the enthusiasm so to speak? First, try doing a self-audit to see the busy vs. productive ratio that’s at play. See if the sense of urgency can be dialed down a bit. There’s a price you pay when sprinting your way through your marathon tasks instead of planning and pacing that will undoubtedly lead to a crash. So slowing down to pause might seem counterintuitive, but is a move that can actually increase your productivity and efficiency in the long run. Learn to protect your white space by leaving some blank spots in your calendar, for this unscheduled time is where your best ideas and resting space live. We forget this season is also a time for fun and relaxation. You can also try practicing mono-tasking by turning off notifications, and just doing one thing at a time—uninterrupted. Speed and productivity comes from focus, not from frantic multitasking. And last, I’m a great list-maker, and have been for 40 years. I find it helps me organize my thoughts, set priorities and objectify what I have to do!

Fall Session of Way of the Warrior: Oct 2026!

Real Awakenings’ new flagship program, Way of the Warrior (WOW) is well underway, and the next date is set for October in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Built around Celtic spirituality, this new robust 45-50-hr. workshop is divided into 6 modules. Each session meets one full day per month, for six months, ranging from 7-12 hours each. The first module is a comprehensive Introduction to Shamanism, while the other 5 modules dive deep into Wisdom Wheel technology, and it’s relevancy to modern life.

Way of the Warrior includes lectures, a notebook full of handouts, crafts, drum journeys, and guided meditations. Mugs, and a poster are sold separately. WOW is specifically designed for newcomers to shamanism, where we start from square one with all the basics about shamanism, including how to journey.

Availability: Oct 17, 2026. See website for details, or email Bonnie to set up a Zoom interview/application. This one-on-one meeting gives us a chance to see if the program is a good fit on both ends.

Note: All courses are currently being taught in small intimate gatherings of 6 or less. An online version can be made available by request, and an on-demand website version is TBD, hopefully by 2027. If you have a small group that might be interested, I would consider traveling a reasonable distance to offer the class—email Bonnie to discuss! WOW is for personal development, and not a certification or practitioner-level program.

Besides WOW, shamanic services, and group ceremonies, other things are in the works:

• Path of Empowerment – Our third and final course in Shamanism & Working with Clients (Fall, 2026)
• Companion Workbook for the WOW program
• Mentorship program for individuals/practitioners