The last HeartMatters newsletter was titled, “On Closure, Softly”. I wrote it in June of 2012, and sent it out to the masses. My email inbox filled with responses commenting on the sensitivity with which I wrote of the journey towards my surrender—of stepping back from HeartMatters, my Coaching for Optimal Health consulting practice. Here’s the link for the story, so you can get the background, if you’d like: http://heartmatters.pro/updates/closure-softly

It is my hope now to write with that same sensitivity, as I welcome the revival of HeartMatters. Substantial life changes have occurred in the past one and one-half years, bringing insight and deepening gratitude into every day, that have liberated me to fully embrace a slower, more meaningful manner with which to move about my day.

We’ve moved from our beloved and closely connected community in Northern California to “the heartland”: Evansville, Indiana. After much soul-searching and research, my husband and I decided that what was best for us professionally, and more importantly, on a personal level, was to close his medical practice. John had been in private practice as a Cardiologist for 24 years—and it became apparent to us that our extremely busy pace of life was being dictated by government regulations, reimbursement cutbacks, and so many of our patients having lost their insurance or being under-insured…we were struggling to pay the practice overhead while maintaining a break-neck schedule to meet the needs of our patients and colleagues. We allowed ourselves to wonder if this was truly the life we were meant to live, and this exploration led us to other options. At the end of June 2013, we came to Evansville so John could look at a job within the Veteran’s Administration system. The opportunity for him was ideal: Monday-Friday, 8-4:30 in an out-patient clinic, with no on-call hours, no hospital procedures and all weekends off! What an amazing change from what he had been used to!  We made our departure announcement within our community in early July, we were able to transition our patients and staff to a group of trusted colleagues, and on August 30^th, John left for Evansville!

I orchestrated our move, the closing of the medical practice, the wrapping-up of our lives in the town in which we’d lived for nearly 30 years. We had many poignant moments saying goodbye to our loved ones, as well as our patients, many of whom had become like family. Not to mention our long-time staff members, who were family…there were many tears, celebrations, and send-offs. We left feeling fulfilled personally and professionally and were eager to see what our new life would bring.

So many people talked about “how brave” we were to be taking such a leap. They wondered how we’d manage the change in politics, food awareness, climate, and if we’d be able to make new friends who were like-minded thinkers. I wasn’t feeling brave, I was feeling exhilarated about the possibilities that this huge life change would bring.

What I’ve learned about myself through this experience is that I am truly an optimistic person. I anticipate the best outcome of any situation. I embraced this adventure with an open mind and simply love what has come into my life thus far. In Evansville, Indiana of all places!

I’ve been liberated from a “day job” schedule. I am able now to volunteer in ways that are deeply meaningful to me, and with time that—previous to this move—I could only wish for. Due to the variance in the cost of living in the heartland versus California, we are able to sustain a gracious and smaller-footprint lifestyle on John’s salary. Oh my. For the first time in my adult life, I haven’t held a full-time job. Amazing. What a gift!

Research before leaving California led me to Urban Seeds, a small group of committed parents (of wee-little kids!), who endeavor to bring food awareness to the Evansville community. Side note: Indiana is a central location for factory-raised animals and conventionally grown produce. A lot of chemicals are used in agriculture here—a fact that is alarming to many—and, Evansville has a high percentage of citizen’s with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The members of Urban Seeds are making slow inroads in this community to create opportunities for change around eating local, sustainably cultivated produce and animal products. I am now a proud member of their Board of Directors and look forward to contributing to their ongoing success.

As well, I’ve taken a BOD position with the local food co-op. It’s a fledgling store in a rickety old house, that is filled with positive energy and forward motion! There’s a speakers series that I’ll become part of, community promotion for shopping and eating local and away from the big box that I can get behind, all in addition to supporting the cooperative model of commerce.

I’m savoring quality time in our new kitchen, transforming love and joy into delicious meals. I’ve reconnected with my meditation practice and watch the winter birds come to our feeders. I walk with the dog. I write. I sit.

The initial professional endeavor I will pursue is a proposal to Mayor Winnecke to present “lunch and learn” workshops for the city employees and administration. Perhaps a 3-part series to focus on eating well, small-step positive behavior changes, and quieting the busy mind… This type of connection to community is one that is familiar to me, and one with which I can share my knowledge of and passion for living a balanced life.

Hence, the grateful revival of HeartMatters. My foray into the world as a woman with the time and the desire to give to others.  Stay tuned!

Starbucks leadership will not talk to me about their position on Prop 37, the GMO labeling initiative. Starbucks is a member of the Grocery Manufacturer’s Assoc (GMA); the GMA is leading the fight to defeat Prop 37 — they are against GMO ingredients being labeled on food. I’ve exchanged several emails and two phone calls with Starbucks customer service staff, who cannot state the Starbucks policy on labeling GMOs. I spoke to a “supervisor” today who assured me that they valued my opinion. I reminded him several times, as I did in the previous phone call and numerous emails, that I wasn’t sharing my opinion, but that I was soliciting their opinion of GMO labeling. The conversation was pleasant enough and I know the mid-level supervisor is not to blame for the wall that is put up between consumers and leadership. I included in my email and on the supervisor phone call today–which was being recorded, I was told–that we are a true Starbucks family, we go nearly every day, we look for the closest Starbucks when we travel using our Starbucks phone app, we drink it at home, etc etc. That I appreciate the organic food choices they have made available now and that much of the packaging is recyclable. And that yes, I know that they do not knowingly use GMO ingredients. That’s all fine and dandy. BUT, what I want to know is: what is the position of the Starbucks leadership on GMO labeling? Am I to assume that by association–as a member of the GMA–that Starbucks too is working to defeat Prop 37? I asked to speak to someone in the legal dept; no can do, said the supervisor. I asked to speak to a senior manager in customer service. Nope. It turns out that leadership doesn’t take calls from a citizen and a concerned customer. When I ascertained that I was being recorded, I said, “so Starbucks is willing to lose a loyal and long term customer, simply because I am asking a question about their philosophy?

So, there you have it. Not only do I still want to know more about Starbucks stand on Prop 37, but I would like to know why I cannot share in an intelligent conversation with a corporate leader about this.

Is someone in the Starbucks corporate office willing to reach out? Or are you truly willing to lose a loyal customer?