EEK, this photo memory from ten years ago brings me joy and reignites the pioneering spirit my ancestors must have had!
Early spring was SOOOOOO busy and emotional this year that I decided I shouldn't plant a garden. At the time, I had no way of knowing that a 2023 Colorado backyard garden would have a 3% chance of survival.
My lastborn child's final senior semester hit me with, "Don't forget to savor the 'lasts'; you won't have this chance again"...unlike the lasts, I didn't know I needed to savor with my first two!
Also, at the time of our overloaded Spring events, our summer schedule was already looking too full.
It was a practical decision. Resting my garden beds seemed like the best option!
Everything needs rest.
Todd, my children, and those who know my love of gardening rightfully questioned whether I could handle not having a garden.
Garden=Happy Place = sitting outside daily and tending = slowing down, waiting, producing. Eating off the vine + mason jars + canning + sharing my kitchen, and teaching younger women how to preserve!
So, I decided, way before Colorado weather was hijacked, to pause a delightful hobby that also serves as a spiritual practice/rhythm.
To give some things rest.
On this side of things, I am grateful that the resting of my garden coincided with the very season that would have produced frustration and no fruit due to the weekly rain deluges, flooding, and pounding of pea to golf ball-sized hail every few days. It also freed up time for being present to things that are ending.
It's not just this stage of parenting; it's spending adequate time with a beloved family member who is at the threshold between life and heaven.
This photo evokes many emotions and memories…. that alone seems enough for today!
It is within God's design for us to remember. Because our bodies store all types of memories (informational, emotional, and physical), all that is stored within us gets brought on board when we linger and remember. If we pay attention and remain….it has a tremendous effect!
Looking at this photo instantly allowed me to connect to the pleasure of gardening... in such a way that I feel satisfied and calm, as if I had just spent the time collecting the produce and bringing it in.
I also crave a zucchini sliced diagonally, heated with olive oil in a hot cast iron skillet topped with parmesan cheese, fresh dill, and a fried egg, with a side of just-picked raspberries. A typical breakfast when I do plant a garden.
What must you remember today to connect with joy, peace, and contentment?
One of the things I teach at Re.Group Retreat, is the combination of neuroscience of memories and thoughts and how to have a sound mind within the context of what scripture reveals.
Could you find a photo that has this type of impact? Please post it in the comments and tell me about it.
07/06/2023
A simple explanation of Splankna.
What is Splankna and how does it work?
07/01/2023
Here is what to expect!
What is Splankna?
Splankna work combines body, soul, and spirit in concert to resolve emotional trauma. When all three elements of the person are working together, the change is deep and lasting. Splankna attends to the way our bodies store emotions like frequencies. A simple combination of "touch and thought" allows the body to release these emotions, thus attending to the body and soul. When the stored trauma emotions behind the symptoms are relieved, Splankna helps the client understand and remove the destructive vows and lies associated with those traumas. Through Biblical elements of confession, repentance and the authority of Jesus, we "break agreement" with symptoms on the ground level and things change.
05/31/2023
In Mid May, the Winter/Spring Fourteen weeks # HER Circle finished a beautiful time together. Healing the hardest parts of women's stories.
Consider if Fall 2023 might be a time for you to join a Circle!
Testimonies:
"This group is exactly what I needed, not knowing this is what I needed. The group allowed me a safe place to heal, bond with other beautiful women who were also healing, and make positive changes in my life. I am forever grateful for the time, the process, and Shannon for this incredible journey into healing."
"The Circle experience was different than I thought it would be - in a great way! The thought of being vulnerable in a public setting was unsettling, but I am SO glad I pushed through! Each of us leaned on the strength of the other ladies in the group at different times, and it was the most beautiful healing process. Still have work to do, but now I have better tools. Thank you!! ♥️
"HER groups are a great way to engage your story in a deeper way through community, creativity, and a guided workbook process. I learned a lot about myself, and I felt like the group moved me closer to healing my childhood trauma. Thanks, Shannon- I am grateful for you!"
"I appreciated the structure of the group (it wasn't just a free for all sharing time). Everything that we did in group seemed really intentional, which was helpful for my own processing. I can't think of anything off the top of my head that you could change- I really valued the whole process!"
"I loved that you allowed our relationships to develop before putting any pressure of us knowing each other's personal info. Thank you!"
"Thank you for allowing us to just talk at the beginning. It allowed us to get to know each other more than just our trauma. The hard, uncomfortable, and vulnerable exercises are so necessary,"
"I enjoyed connecting to God's voice and words through one another. Dialogue with my inner child is a very difficult process, but perhaps the most impactful so far. I am just finishing the Intimacy and Trust topics, and I feel very vulnerable with these topics, but see the potential for the most growth here."
was a powerful space where I could voice things I had never expressed in an emotionally safe, accepting, and supportive atmosphere. Shannon gave us the keys to connection and helped us learn to use them. Through multiple processes and approaches, I found deeper healing, integration, and hope than ever before. Being surrounded by women who offer unconditional love helped me release shame, guilt, and burdens I hadn't even realized I was carrying. Finding connections and sharing reality with other women was so meaningful. As I looked at difficult realities with this support, it yielded peace and hope. Wherever you are in your journey, I highly recommend HERCircle as an investment in healing and becoming the best version of you!
Thank you for everything; this has been a healing blessing.
When one has experienced trauma, the enemy wants us to believe we are alone and no one would understand what we have been through. The Circle proved it wrong. To hold each other's hands to walk through this has been very uplifting and the highlight of my week.
I feel really good about our Circle. I am hopeful. I see that there's a different way, options for a new outcome - and I don't have to repeat patterns.
--I loved it. Being with the ladies was the highlight of my week.
"I am going to miss this group. I loved going, talking, and healing with others. We all have different stories, yet we're able to find comfort within each other to heal."
"My expectations were exceeded! The warmth that was created in the small group atmosphere really made the entire process feel safe, even if at times scary."
"I really appreciated each woman's vulnerability and willingness to go deep in conversation. I think it was a powerful time to connect with others who are processing parts of their story."
Women
Are you ready to take the step of faith into looking at past traumas, deep hurts, and abuse in the safety of a confidential group?
Circles begin on Tuesday, January 17th! We'll meet at my office in Lakewood, CO.
Topics include boundaries, intimacy, trust, and understanding trauma. We cover physical, emotional, sexual, institutional, and psychological abuse.
Joining involves a 14-week commitment, and the group size is limited to four to seven women per group.
On your own time, you will work independently through a workbook. Weekly circles meet for 90-105 minutes and will discuss topics from the workbook, group processes, and exercises toward healing and understanding.
Please feel free to confidentially pass this on to women who might be interested.
Please take a look at the link below for more information and registration.
If there is enough interest starting a ZOOM group is possible.
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Center for Resilience and Change:
Hi, I am Shannon Neel, Master level certified Splankna Practitioner, and creator of #HER Circles at The Center for Resilience and Change.
Do you know the most common outcome after trauma and grief? Most people would answer anxiety, shutdown, depression, or dysfunction. Surprise! The number one outcome resulting from trauma or grief is actually Resilience. Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
I specialize in Splankna Therapy, a results-driven, Cognitive-Somatic energy method that works to release stored emotion and trauma while tending to body, soul, and spirit.
Splankna was developed from an integration of several common treatment techniques, including Thought Field Therapy, Neuro-Emotional Technique, Emotional Freedom Technique, and E.M.D.R. (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), while addressing spiritual warfare. As a practitioner, and Christian, I am committed to a redemptive posture towards these tools, focusing on God’s created mechanisms for bringing relief and wholeness to body, soul, and spirit.
#HER Circles were developed to effectively work with more women through the trauma healing process. Circles create a safe community for support while intently working through a trauma recovery workbook and engaging in processes and exercises that move her forward.
Over the last 20 years of Splankna’s development, practitioners have witnessed a number of different issues resolved, including anger, anxiety, addiction, sexual problems, depression, autoimmune disorders, and spiritual issues. When the stored trauma emotions behind a symptom are relieved, Splankna helps the client discover destructive vows and lies that were adopted in response to the trauma. Those are broken in prayer.
#MeToo Client testimony:
From the start, Shannon made me feel comfortable learning about and experiencing the positive effects of Splankna. She has straightforward answers to my questions about the process and the terms she uses. While there are inquiries into past events, it differs from conventional talk therapy in that the events themselves, rather than tedious detail, are simply recalled. The Holy Spirit has used this protocol to supplement licensed biblical counseling to both teach me why I react in certain situations the way I do and, more importantly, to actually change the "way I've always been." The most notable example of this is in the area of sexual trauma. It's as though scars from the mistreatment from others walled off whole areas of spiritual, emotional, and physiological enjoyment that supposedly others experienced in their marriages. After two sessions concerning this specific area, I'm for the first time experiencing the fulfillment of reciprocal passion and pleasure that God designed for marriage. My husband and I couldn't be happier!
I am dedicated to setting people free! So many of us want to be further along but get stuck or find that we cycle through the same “crazy patterns” wishing for resolve. Splankna really does bring about change, and breakthrough doesn’t have to take a long time. When we resolve issues at the root we can move forward less hindered. It seems not only do we change, but our relationships are healthier and stronger.
I work with clients of all ages and couples too! I find that a 90-minute session is very productive if you are ready to dive deep. Clients that come in weekly or every other week to start off see the quickest changes. I also offer intensive sessions, working with individuals, couples, or families for many hours over one, two, or three days (with breaks).
If you’d like to schedule a session, please leave a messenger or call /text me at 720-383-4440.