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It's a karma call to all of our sisters. Our June event is approaching very soon and we want to help our dear friend Heather fill the seats on June 5th for The Beauty of India. And of course we want you to enjoy a fabulous night out: authentic Indian food, a world market including local artisans, joyful entertainment by Indian dancers - another great KS event.

Heather was our very first highlighted karma charity. Her foundation, L.I.B. International, fits with KS philosophy for so many reasons. She and her volunteers travel to India to educate children and families living in poverty. She has created two learning centers in the city slums and rural areas of India. 100% of the proceeds go directly into the charity's efforts.

This crucial fundraiser for L.I.B. is a cultural experience like no other. I've bought tickets for my family and I can't wait for all four of my daughters to experience the rich flavors and colors of an amazing culture and learn about how blessed they are.

Click on this video link and watch the difference this sister is making in the lives of children. Then join me. We'd love to see you, and so would Heather: enter code SPECIAL2013 for 10% off the ticket price - Karmasister discount!

It's a Karma Sisters friendship rule: We show up.

My yin is off. And no, I'm not sure what the means either. All I know is my internal temperature gauge is lava hot. I am too young for hot flashes! (No comment from the peanut gallery please.) I needed advice, so I sought the wisdom of my Chinese medicine guru. Her prescription: more quiet. Quiet? Isn't there a quick fix? Quiet is not something this charismatic raja does at all. The only time in a day that I am idle is when my eyes are closed, and even then the monkeys in my head are still swinging from the trees.

I needed a plan (another thing a charismatic doesn't do well) if I was going to find more quiet and reset my yin. I began to look for more yin activities. Challenging as this is, I have grounded myself from the hot yoga studio, instead meditating for 20 minutes each day and taking regular walks by the river. I feel like I need more! (more is something charismatics do well and - hello - the reason the yin is off) You may have heard the saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher will arrive".

She did! One of my yoga teacher friends, Katie, has started a yin class on Monday nights with singing bowls. In Katie's own words: "Sound Healing uses the power of sound and vibration to restore the body, mind and spirit to a sense of balance and harmony. Your relaxation deepens as your body soaks in the subtle vibrations of singing bowls playing over and around you. Sound is medicine for your entire being."

Deep relaxation? I'm in!

So Join me!

Mondays 7-8:30pm (I am bringing the sisters May 27th)

Endeavor Art Space & Gallery  $12.00

www.endeavorarts.com

#200 1209 First Street SW, Calgary AB, T2R 0V3

Janet

KS Friendship Rule #3: Respect boundaries. This is the foundation for an incredible circle of women whom I am fortunate enough to call dear friends.

Ten years ago my friend Kerry and I decided to establish a book club. If you're picturing serious agendas, underlined quotes, and hours of theme/metaphor/foreshadowing talk - stop. Not this bunch. No, we always have to force ourselves to actually get down to discussing the novel at hand because there is so much catching up to do each month.

The personalities are diverse. Our group of eleven is a combination of mothers and daughters, sisters, cousins, aunts, nieces and two lifelong best friends. That's a lot of interconnectedness. Which makes this dynamic even more incredible because in a decade of monthly meetings, I can't think of a single moment when one member has crossed a boundary into the dark territory of gratuitous gossip about another.

Over the years we have celebrated thirteen births; supported each other through miscarriages and infertility; grieved losses of parents, grandparents and tragically, a spouse. We have muddled through the trials of the sleepless parenting of babies and teenagers. We have contemplated the changing seasons of our marriages. We have shared everything we've needed to during the various moments in our lives, and done so with abandon because there is complete safety in this group. Secrets shared will not be repeated. Crazytalk (which comes mainly from me) will not be judged. Someone who needs to stay home and take care of her family or herself is welcomed back when she comes.

Sisters, daughters and mothers can carry a heavy load of baggage through life. But none of it enters the walls of our meetings. Burdens that do not serve the tone of the evening are checked at the threshold. I love that. There are debates, but they are respectful. There is wisdom, but it is imparted quietly. This is a group of women that I never want to lose. They know how important boundaries are for maintaining a beautiful group friendship.

Penny