SEAL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD for Living Sensationally

The CHILDREN OF THE NEW EARTH online magazine is awarding Living Sensationally the SEAL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD in their July 2009 publication. I am very honored to have this recognition! Here is their criteria:

"The CNE SEAL OF EXCELLENCE is an award that is created and awarded by
the Children of the New Earth Magazine management team to recognize
products, books, and CD’s that, in our opinion, are outstanding in
their field. Unlike other internationally recognized ‘Seals of Approval’, The CNE
SEAL OF EXCELLENCE is not dependent upon any monetary gain in terms of
advertising or sponsorship. Rather, it is awarded on a totally
impartial basis by consensus of the CNE Senior Management based on the
following criteria:
* It must meet a particularly high standard in terms of the
emotional support and practical guidance it offers parents, teachers,
and caregivers
* It must nurture, safeguard and support children’s bodies, minds,
and spirits, and enrich their sense of self
* It fosters an attitude of kindness and compassion for all life and nature
* It empowers children to achieve their highest potential
* It helps children develop resilience and strong social and
emotional skills
* It acknowledges and provides practical solutions for ways in
which parents and society can begin to recognize and address both the
special gifts as well the emotional, physical, and educational
challenges that are unique to today’s evolving generation of children
* It must provide parents with real, solid, practical and above
all truthful information assistance, insights and/or tools to parent
their children lovingly, supportively and holistically and to the
highest possible standard."

LIVING SENSATIONALLY IN PAPERBACK

This month, Living Sensationally came out in paperback! We picked new cover art, which reflects the springtime and gives readers a different set of sensations to experience from the hard cover art. I am so delighted to have both options available to people so they can have the one that meets their needs.

LIVING SENSATIONALLY tips for the week

Instead of New Year's Resolutions, how about we resolve to live the best way possible?

One of the ways to live the best you possibly can, is by celebrating your sensory patterns. so here are some ideas in the realm of WARDROBES:
Think about the characteristics of your favorite outfit from a sensory point of view. These characteristics can guide you to other clothing choices, and also provide support for getting rid of the things that dont completely honor your sensory patterns. When you are completely comfortable and confident in your clothing, you exude light, optimism, courage and happiness.

SEEKERS: consider the weight of your clothing; do you like layers? heavy jewelry? fitted pieces? all of these choices provide extra input throughout the day, and may be helpful to meeting your seeking needs.

AVOIDERS: since you may have a sparse wardrobe, consider what sensory experiences cause you to include or discard items. If you can identify EXACTLY what is acceptable to you, then you can be ready when something wears out and you need to replace it.

SENSORS: You are very picky about your wardrobe; write down what the precise characteristics are, so you start thinking about the sensory experiences that you must include in your clothing choices. When you are mindful of these characteristics, you are less likely to just cringe at an item, and more likely to say 'that is not a choice, because...'

BYSTANDERS: You may not pay much attention to your wardrobe. However, there are situations when your clothing tell a story about you. Get a friend to help you create entire outfits; take a picture of all the parts together, so you can recreate these outifts when you need to project a certain look.

Happy Dressing! You will look sensational!

LIVING SENSATIONALLY IS A SELLOUT!

People have had to order Living Sensationally because it has sold out! This means more and more people are learning about their sensory patterns and sharing with others. Remember, my goal is for the 4 sensory patterns to be 'kitchen table' talk, so familiar that we can tease each other playfully about being 'seekers', 'avoiders', 'sensors' and 'bystanders' as a way of acknowledging our quirkiness and uniqueness. When we can play with our differences, we are appreciating each other rather than being irritated or frustrated.

Keep the conspiracy of wisdom and acceptance going!

UNITY TEMPLE ON THE PLAZA

On Sunday, November 9, 2008, the lesson at the Unity Temple on the Plaza service was 'Diversity is Sensational'. At this congregation, they begin services with "Where diversity is praised, peace and harmony are the rewards". As the guest speaker for the lesson, I offered the idea that another way to praise diversity is to know about your sensory patterns, and the patterns of your family, friends and coworkers. We had a great time exploring this topic together, and getting 'in touch' with our senses as a way to know ourselves a little better. Being mindful includes insight and understanding, which then enables us to pause in situations and consider the meaning of the experience before taking action. Knowing sensory patterns informs our mindfulness.

PLAZA LIBRARY EXPERIENCE

More than 70 people showed up at the library to find out about Living Sensationally. It is really great to see that people are interested in this topic without any other previous experiences. When I talk to colleagues and families in my professional work, they are already somewhat familiar with the ideas, and want to learn more. At the library, the ideas have to stand on their own merit as raw material; thanks to everyone who responded to this invitation to spend an evening with me. I loved all the conversation and stories people had to tell, and as always, I learn too.

And the very coolest thing: Mr Kemper, the person providing vision for the Library system in our community, took the time to come and thank me for being part of the Library series. This man is an incredible and positive force in our community; I so appreciated meeting him, and in a small way, contributing to his vision for us.

CENTRAL EXCHANGE: SELL OUT CROWD!

I had a marvelous time at the Central Exchange this week (an organization of professional women). We discussed Living Sensationally, with the workplace and coworkers in mind. The room was completely full, and I was so honored to be with so many amazing women. Their questions were insightful and thought provoking for me. Every time I tell people about sensory patterns, I learn as much as they do.

SPEAKING AT CENTRAL EXCHANGE

On October 30, 2008, I will be speaking to Women Leaders in Kansas City about Living Sensationally. We are going to emphasize how one's sensory patterns affect work and productivity; this is a great way to reduce judgement in the workplace and increase everyone's appreciation for each other's talents and 'quirks'.


http://www.centralexchange.org/calendar.asp?ID=3370

SPEAKING AT PLAZA PUBLIC LIBRARY

This Wednesday evening, I am giving a talk at the Plaza Public Library. The librarians have done a great job letting the public know about this event; I have people asking me about it around town!
And, one of my favorite locally owned stores in town, STUFF, is providing books for sale for all the attendees.
I am really looking forward to discussing the great ideas in Living Sensationally with the community; knowing yourself and others better will only improve life in our city.

http://www.kclibrary.org/event/living-sensationally-understanding-your-senses

LIVING SENSATIONALLY IN ASIA

I spent the month of June in Asia. I was invited to teach in Singapore and Hong Kong. It was really great to hear about the everyday lives of people living on another continent. It was also great to see that the concepts about how people contend with sensory experiences in their everyday lives still apply. We had many lively conversations about how to apply Living Sensationally ideas to life in Asia.

A 'TOUCHING' INTERVIEW ON CANADIAN PUBLIC RADIO

I was up bright and early this morning to participate in a panel discussion on CBC, Canadian Public Radio. here is an excerpt from their intro:

Part 1: Petting Zoos - Panel
...So we thought it was worth exploring what it is that drives us to have a hands-on experience with wild and often dangerous animals.For their thoughts on that, we were joined by two people.

Alan Beck is the Director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University. He was in West Lafayette, Indiana. And Winnie Dunn is the author of Living Sensationally. She's also the Chair of the Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Kansas, and she was in Kansas City.

Listen to the story:
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2008/200805/20080516.html
Winnie Dunn starts about 10 minutes into the story; press "Play Part One"
It is really an interesting story!

SENSATIONAL DISCUSSION !

I found a great interactive discussion about Living Sensationally on this website:

http://lastcrazyhorn.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/whats-your-sensory-type/

People provide descriptions of their own experiences with their sensory encounters... check it out!

FEATURED IN BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION!

Today I found an internet site that had a "Friday Book Club" discussion of Living Sensationally.

Terri Mauro provides guidance to parents with children who have special needs. Every Friday she reviews books for the Harried Parent's Book Club, and she selected Living Sensationally. She says it "can help you pinpoint your own sensory needs and how they may conflict with your child's." She goes on to say: "Parents ... benefit... from understanding how their own sensory profiles mess with their perception of the world and govern their behavior. It's easy to think that your child's refusal to do or eat or wear something is willful until you realize how often you, without even noticing, make those same sorts of decisions for yourself based on what feels right. Living Sensationally gives a detailed examination of four sensory styles and how they drive our actions and interactions. It may help you understand how you relate to your child, too, and why arguments arise."
http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2008/02/15/friday-book-club-living-sensationally.htm

Thanks for letting people know about this helpful resource!

TRANSLATING INTO GERMAN

I just found out from the publisher that Living Sensationally is being translated into German.
Das ist fabelhaft!

COULD THIS MARRIAGE HAVE BEEN SAVED?

One of my friends told me this story; it speaks to the power of Living Sensationally to become vernacular!

A family member just became divorced. She was sitting at the kitchen table with her former husband visiting. The man began straightening up the items on the table as they talked. His need to have everything 'just right' was a source of challenge in their relationship.

As they talked, she told him about Living Sensationally, and said she thought that it would be helpful to him. He immediately went to get a copy, and read it that very week. The next time they talked, the man said 'If I had known all of this information for the last 20 years, I don't think we would have been divorced!'.

I am so saddened for the challenges in their marriage, and I am so warmed by his comment that the information was helpful to him. Perhaps his life will be better now, and he can 'live sensationally'!