Exciting news! I’ve partnered with AuthorsXP for a fantasy book promotion and August 15-21 three lucky winners will receive a free copy of my eBook, How Abella Found Her Voice. (The story is now being made into a screenplay for a full length feature film.)
This gem of an eBook takes you on an emotional journey with Abella, whose dream comes true the morning of her 9th birthday. Her best birthday present ever is a real, live horse! Yet, before the end of the day, Abella is an orphan who loses the ability to speak her truth and express herself. This eBook includes videos for vocal training. Fiction readers will love meeting Abella, and the friends and animals who help her regain her voice and uncover her strength and purpose. Speakers and singers looking to improve their vocal quality and longevity will love the vocal training videos! Abella’s lessons apply to all of us who at one time or another want to make our voices heard. Is it a fantasy fable? Or is it a book on vocal training? Lucky for us, How Abella Found Her Voice is both.
Becoming a voice teacher after years as a workers’ compensation claims professional has been surprising in many ways.
One of the biggest surprises has been understanding how much trauma can impact the voice.
Trauma? What do you mean, trauma?, you may be asking.
The American Psychological Association defines trauma as an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, crime, or natural disaster. Reactions such as shock and denial are typical.
I’m no psychologist (you can’t count majoring in psychology in college for 2 ½ years) but I find that definition limiting.
It seems to me everybody has suffered some kind of trauma, and it doesn’t need to be because of a “terrible” event. Why? Because nobody is perfect; therefore, no one had perfect parents or perfect parenting. I’ve also learned through my work as a voice teacher that trauma isn’t just emotional; it settles in the body and can cause all kinds of physical issues, including vocal issues.
My parents were great. Better than many, I would say. I grew up on a farm in South Dakota where my best friend was my horse. I had and still have a huge extended family with many aunts, uncles and cousins I dearly love. In many ways, my childhood was idyllic.
But perfect? Of course not.
I have a specific, recurring childhood memory. I’m 4, 5 years old, sitting under a piece of wooden furniture with legs (I call it a bureau) while my mother is vacuuming the dining room carpet.
That’s it. No big terrible event. I don’t remember what happened right before I got down and crawled under the bureau and I don’t need to. Maybe it’s just where I went every time Mom pulled out the vacuum, just to get out of her way. Much like our cat crawls under the bed covers every week when George and I clean house and pull out the “vroom-vroom” here.
Yet the memory resurfaced again a couple of weeks ago when I was having a polarity session. I’ll delve into polarity more another time – for now let’s just call it an energy cleansing/balancing practice rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, like Deepak Chopra is trained in.
So, my polarity specialist, Patrice, and I booked another session for the following week, to follow up on that memory and any healing that may need to be done stemming from it.
I have to be honest here. I’ve had sessions with several intuitives and coaches over the years who have suggested embracing and loving my “inner child.” I’d smile, nod my head, and think to myself, “that sounds nice.” But I certainly didn’t take it seriously.
Then shortly after the session with Patrice, I attended an online meeting related to women and wealth – with some extremely wise and experienced women I mostly hadn’t met right up until that moment. Just guess what a main topic of conversation was that day? Nurturing, embracing, and developing a relationship with the inner child. The women in this group called it “re-parenting” the inner child and described how they regularly check in with “Little Barbara” or “Little Laura Lee” and I just about couldn’t believe the timing of it all.
I was primed when the time for my follow up session with Patrice arrived. (These sessions are all over the phone now because she moved to Maine.) She introduced the session by having me picture a large bubble of light over my head. I could already sense Little Laura Lee’s energy – she was giddy with excitement and an “it’s about friggin’ time” attitude. Clapping her hands, let’s go, let’s go!
In the visualization, she was in the bubble first, before I entered. I basically charged in with no hesitation – a knightess in shining armor kind of feeling. I sat down and Little Laura Lee immediately jumped into my lap before any kind of conversation happened.
The feeling I received was one of nearly overwhelming hopelessness. Like nobody in my family understood me, or who I really was inside. That I was a spark of Divine Light, as is everyone who comes into this world. That I would never be understood or acknowledged just for being exactly who I am. That I had to fit into a tiny little mold of someone else’s design that my bright light couldn’t fit into.
How is it that a 4, 5-year-old child can experience that depth of hopelessness and powerlessness without any kind of “terrible” event or abuse?
I don’t know how to answer that question. But I can tell you that within just a minute or two after I acknowledged the feelings, assured Little Laura Lee that I’m here to take care of her now, and I always will, we were both standing up in the bubble of light, filled with powerful energy, holding hands, and then we kind of melded into each other.
It was extraordinary.
And here’s another odd thing.
I used to have dreams that I was cleaning, sorting, organizing. Often. Recurring. For years. I’d end up in somebody else’s house or plane or boat and would need to start cleaning and reorganizing things just so I could lay down and try to get some sleep.
I haven’t had one cleaning dream since the session with Little Laura Lee.
Not one!
Good Gravy; I get it now! This reparenting of the inner child is powerful stuff. Powerful, I say! Go do it – it will help your voice, too.
And now…onto some great news. From August 15-23, three fortunate winners will receive a FREE copy of my eBook, How Abella Found Her Voice, which is now being made into a screenplay for a full length feature film. Exciting stuff! Look for more about that soon in your inbox. Thank you for allowing me space there.
For now, nurture your inner child and tell her or him I send my love.
After she is tragically orphaned, young Abella loses the ability to speak her truth and express herself. She is sent to live with a reclusive uncle she’s never met, and her only friend is her horse. Abella endures heartbreak, loneliness and questions who she truly is inside. Eventually, she meets friends and animals who help her not only regain her voice, but also uncover her strength and purpose. Purchase How Abella Found her Voice for $4.95 here: https://laurahandke.com/product/how-abella-found-her-voice-e-book/
Please spread the love and pass this along to a friend!
After a period in relative hibernation, percolating (while co-writing a screenplay, based on my e-Book How Abella Found Her Voice) I’m bursting at the seams to collaborate and come out in the world again.
So, here’s some news!
As always, I’m teaching voice and piano students in my home studio and – since January 31st – also at Wilsonville Arts Academy https://www.artsacademy.com/wilsonville Tuesdays and Thursdays when my husband has massage clients at home. Please come see me there if your schedule doesn’t jive with my private practice. It’s a great company I enjoy being a part of.
Teachers and administrators, look for a new and improved SPEAK UP! workshop for teens coming this fall. The most rewarding feedback I’ve consistently received from this workshop is that it gives students more confidence.
Students learn to:
*Control their breath and posture to reduce anxiety and increase confidence
*Be mindful and identify authentic gifts and strengths
*Feel more comfortable speaking up and being heard
We bring the curriculum, energy and expertise; you take a break or participate!
This class gave me more confidence. – Caleb E., Student
This is fascinating, and I can see it having a big impact on our kids and how they operate through life. – Colleen G., Teacher
And…finally…my favorite new easy dinner idea. Many of you know I love to cook, although admitedly not as often these days. Above is a photo of the little patio garden I’m nurturing in the back yard: a Moreton hybrid tomato plant, cherry tomato plant gifted by my neighbor Liz, basil, thyme, parsley and oregano.
One morning a few weeks ago I took a couple of chicken breasts out of the freezer, having no idea what I was going to do with them for dinner. George and I both love Mexican food, so I Googled ‘easy mexican chicken’ and found this recipe https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8597/quick-and-easy-mexican-chicken/ which morphed into what will now be a regular menu item at Casa Handke Meredith.
Easy and Tasty Mexican Chicken
-4 chicken breast fillets
-Taco seasoning
-Salsa or picante sauce
-Grated cheese
-Optional jalapeno pepper slices and/or fresh herbs such as oregano
Pre-heat oven to 375. Heat pan coated with cooking spray and cook chicken on both sides until browned. Transfer to baking dish and top with approximately a cup salsa or picante sauce (I like Pace medium picante sauce) and approximately a cup grated cheese, cheddar or Mexican blend. Add fresh or canned jalapeno slices and herbs if desired. Cover and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted.
Cuban Island Seasoned Black Beans
I always have canned black beans in the pantry. They are so versatile, healthy and easy to cook with. For this recipe, slightly drain the beans before putting them in a pot and season liberally with Savory Spice Shop’s Cuban Island Spice, or your seasoning of choice. You can add fresh cilantro, other herbs, corn, onion, chopped jalapeno peppers, whatever you like. Heat until cooked through.
Spanish Rice
Use your package of choice! No, I don’t make it from scratch. My absolute new favorite is Zatarains which includes one can of diced tomatoes.
Include a salad or cole slaw, perhaps some warmed corn or flour tortillas, Mexican sour cream, and…there you have it. Enjoy!
After she is tragically orphaned, young Abella loses the ability to speak her truth and express herself. She is sent to live with a reclusive uncle she’s never met, and her only friend is her horse. Abella endures heartbreak, loneliness and questions who she truly is inside. Eventually, she meets friends and animals who help her not only regain her voice, but also uncover her strength and purpose. Purchase How Abella Found her Voice for $4.95 here: https://laurahandke.com/product/how-abella-found-her-voice-e-book/
Please spread the love and pass this along to a friend!
In this 22 minute video, David Loftus and I discuss what The Authentic Voice means and how to express it in the world. How do you communicate with people of differing opinions? What is the balance between emotional expression and rational thinking?
David’s Links:
PATREON – The View From Portland, Oregon
These are my formal essays (and occasional photo galleries). Some are unlocked and free for anyone to enjoy; most are reserved for my patrons. You are welcome to contact me to receive a sampling of links that can be read at no charge:
Here you will find video clips of my acting work, readings of Edgar Allan Poe tales, my dog’s antics, and karaoke capers in clubs as shot by friends’ mobile phones:
After she is tragically orphaned, young Abella loses the ability to speak her truth and express herself. She is sent to live with a reclusive uncle she’s never met, and her only friend is her horse. Abella endures heartbreak, loneliness and questions who she truly is inside. Eventually, she meets friends and animals who help her not only regain her voice, but also uncover her strength and purpose. Purchase How Abella Found her Voice for $4.95 here: https://laurahandke.com/product/how-abella-found-her-voice-e-book/
Please spread the love and pass this along to a friend!
This post comes thanks to Lisa Marie Platske, founder and leader of the Upside Summit I attended in January of last year in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Her words rang so true I simply had to share them. Let me know if you see yourself, at any point in your life, within what Lisa Marie shares here. I certainly did.
You aren’t confused…
…you’re just afraid to go all in.
Read that again.
Oh, I get it.
What if you show the world who you are…
…and people don’t like you?
What if you fail…
…and your friends see you get it wrong?
Don’t let fear get you off track…
…or get in the way from having a great life.
Right now, you may feel pretty crummy…
…because you understand there’s More…
…More for you to Be and Do…
…and you’ve been distracting yourself with the excuse that you’re not clear about what you want.
You know EXACTLY what you want…
…yet to admit that means getting real with yourself — and committing to taking action.
After she is tragically orphaned, young Abella loses the ability to speak her truth and express herself. She is sent to live with a reclusive uncle she’s never met, and her only friend is her horse. Abella endures heartbreak, loneliness and questions who she truly is inside. Eventually, she meets friends and animals who help her not only regain her voice, but also uncover her strength and purpose. Purchase How Abella Found her Voice for $4.95 here: https://laurahandke.com/product/how-abella-found-her-voice-e-book/
Please spread the love and pass this along to a friend!
The bad news is I developed a respiratory illness and then laryngitis shortly before the benefit concert for Hazel’s House Rescue – and wasn’t able to sing Cat Nap Blues! The band played the MP3 file instead.
The good news is the event was great fun, everyone enjoyed the music of the band, Ten O’Clock Hill, and we raised $452 to benefit the work Brittany Hazel is doing to help the homeless cats, sometimes dogs, and even a bearded dragon or two in the Willamette Valley.
So, here are a bunch of photos of the event.
Me and Brittany HazelThe Band, Ten O’Clock HillFriend Margaret, who found the venue for us, George and meRaffle prizes, with many more followingMore of the band in this wonderful venue – Chehalem Winery Tasting Room, Newberg, OregonMy husband drawing and presenting raffle prizes (every one went to a good home!)The elegant Mardi Gras mask went home with a cowboy!And here’s his mother wearing it
If you ever want to celebrate something newsworthy (like the release of my single) I encourage you to consider combining that celebration with a fundraiser for a good cause. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Please spread the love and pass this along to a friend!
