Can Failure Help In Our Spiritual Development?

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Patty Ptak Kogutek

I, like many others, have aways avoided doing something “stupid”, deemed as a failure. At the San Francisco Book Festival May 18th, the overall book winner, “The Power of Starting Something Stupid” by Richie Norton, pointed out our need to fail before we can be successful. We need to develop “failure tolerance”, to get into the habit of seeing failure as a means to an end and not the end itself – both spiritually and in business. We need to get back on that horse that has bucked us off to move forward on our journey, whether it is in business or personal growth.

Some hIghlights from the Festival include participating in a panel discussion, “The Art of Marketing and Promotion”, and meeting wonderful people interested my story and in signed copies. The evening award ceremony included inspiring acceptance speeches while “A Change of Habit” was recognized for two awards: ”Honorable Mention” in the spiritual category in the San Francisco Book Festival and “Winner” in the Paris Book Festival for the same category.

The beautiful setting at the Sir Francis Drake in San Francisco turned out to be very inspirational for a fellow author who gave me his idea for the title of my next book: ”Escape From Nun-catraz”!

Here’s to doing something “stupid” celebrating our spiritual development and future successes.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Patty Kogutek and A Change of Habit.

A Spiritual Insight From Patrón

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Patty Ptak Kogutek

Who would guess that you could be “spiritually enlightened” at a routine traffic stop? At an intersection here in Phoenix there is a billboard advertising the amber colored tequila anejo, from Patrón. The sign reads ”Perfection Has a Darker Side”. I wonder if the marketing department in the liquor firm realizes how prophetic they are.

We are living in the Perfect (your Wholeness), not necessarily perfect, as you experience the day to day challenges. It is through these “dark” parts of ourselves that we come to know Perfect. These dark shadows of ourselves that we hesitate to face; these feelings of unworthiness, shame, and guilt weigh us down on our journey but also provide opportunities.

We need to embrace this dark side with light, love, and forgiveness of self before we can love others. It is precisely in this “dark” that we find the power and the lessons to live the joyful lives to which we were called.

Our lives provide us with totality, both light and dark. Don’t be afraid to be honest with yourself, using your “dark” side for your spiritual development. Thanks, Patron, for the reminder that Perfection DOES have a darker side.

Don’t forget to go to visit my website, pattykogutek.com for more

Cheers to each of you…..Sister Mary Vodka

Highlights on Mother’s Day

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Patty Ptak Kogutek

I just returned from an early Mother’s Day celebration with “Ginny”. The family celebrated her 90th birthday in December. You can’t help but love the smile and joy seen here from her college days that Mom still exudes to this day. I have a special “Guilt-Free” Message to all moms at the end….keep reading!

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This Mother’s Day weekend I’m celebrating 2 new awards and 2 book signings events:

“A Change of Habit” was recognized as the “First Prize Winner” for the spiritual category in the 2013 Paris Book Festival, which honors the best of international publishing. Sorry to miss the award presentation in Paris at the end of the month. I so wanted to accept my award in person, “Merci”!

“A Change of Habit” was also awarded an “Honorable Mention in the spiritual category in the 2013 San Francisco Book Festival, honoring the best books of the spring. Thanks to all of you for your continued support.

I’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day weekend with two book signings: Saturday, May 11th, I will be at “Kiss Me Kate” Clothing Boutique signing books from 11:30-4:00 along with a special trunk show for Mother’s Day. “Kiss Me Kate” is located in Gainey Village at 8787 N. Scottsdale Rd.

Sunday, May 12th, I will be signing books at the Metaphysical Marketplace at Storm Wisdom located at 3375 E. Shea Blvd. Phoenix from 11:00-5:00. Metaphysical practitioners and spiritual writers will be showcasing Mother’s Day specials.

If you are in the Phoenix or Scottsdale area, please come by and take part in these wonderful events planned to celebrate Mother’s Day.

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Mother’s Day Guilt Free Tip: In my workshops and and author visits I find that mothers especially seem to harbor a lot of guilt about how they raised their children. Remember, Moms, that there is no “right” or “wrong” way. Try not to focus on the flaws or holes in your parenting but celebrate the “wholeness” and the miracle of life and love that you provided. Thanks and special blessings to all the “moms” in our lives.

Please follow me on Facebook (A Change of Habit) for a daily inspiration.

A Special Rhyme for Your Spiritual Development

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Patty Ptak Kogutek

Guilt is an emotion that drags down our spiritual development by clipping our wings. We struggle lugging this extra baggage as we journey down our spiritual paths trying to fulfill our life’s purpose.

My new friend, Andi Feinberg, is an “Energetic Life Strategist”. I had the opportunity to work with Andi at a Metaphysical Marketplace where metaphysical practitioners gathered. Her work includes creating energetic solutions to help people “soar” in Life. Her daily blogs are valuable lessons set to entertaining rhymes. What a gift to be able to pack a powerful punch with so few words.

On Monday, April 22, Andi wrote about Sister Mary Vodka and Guilt…I’m number 371 and honored!
Here’s a little preview of the poem and your guilt-free tip of the day:

“So Sister Mary Vodka..This poem is for You…..Helping people live guilt-free that’s what your book helps to do.”….

…GUILT is the result of what we are taught…And what’s in our head, and where we get caught….”

So if you don’t want to get caught check out the rest of the poem, including just what to do about this nagging guilt. You will find other engaging rhymes on her website: www.EnergeticAdvantage.com

Please read more about Andi and other “Interesting Authors” and their books. Here is the link to the “Interesting Authors”page on my website: http://pattykogutek.com/interesting-authors/

Don’t forget the free online book signing today, Thursday, May 2nd. If you have not registered here is the link: https://student.gototraining.com/rt/8754076632939547392 Thanks for your support.

Your Guilt-Free Sister Mary Vodka

Can You Get a Spiritual Awakening From A “Shady” Source?

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Patty Ptak Kogutek

How could the sound track from a slot machine further your spiritual awakening? Call me a “slot slut” but I do love to play the slot machine games on my ipad and iPhone. Nothing passes the time more quickly waiting in a doctor’s office or in an airport than betting on when the 3 “BONUS” boxes or the 3 “SCATTER” icons will line up for 5 free spins or going into the BONUS round trying not to get picked off by some vampire before you fend your way through maze for extra points. But there is a wonderful lesson I learned in playing these silly games.

The games come with sound, reinforcing me as I play. No matter what happens, it’s all good. I bet 50 coins, I win 20 and the machine sings, “Great spin”. Didn’t the
“man in the machine” know that I just lost 30 coins? I wager 100 and win 40 on the spin. I hear, “Good job!”. Encouraging words and phrases echo through the spins: ”This is craaa ZEE,” ”you are incredible”, “you are awesome”! On and on the tape plays and I’m thinking I’m a loser, but a GREAT loser!

What is the spiritual awakening that we can take away from these games? Positive recordings could be playing all day long in our heads and hearts to reinforce us along our way. Spirit’s universal love and total acceptance of us could be played, “You are so wonderful!” ”I am with you wherever you go, whatever you do, I will never let you down,” ”You are an amazing image of Myself”. ”You are sooo perfect”. ”No matter what, you are a winner!” The positive reinforcement of total love and acceptance can promote a healthy spiritual life.

So next time you see me playing the slots, know that I’m merely getting new material for my affirmations! Play your own winning tape and know you can’t lose in this lifetime.

Amazingly Yours,

Sister Mary Vodka

Just Breathe

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Patty Ptak Kogutek

My husband, Joe, was in the hospital last week having back surgery. To exercise his lung capacity he had to blow into this simple machine to get the “ball to rise”. Watching Joe brought to mind the importance of the breath.

I read that every time you take a breath you are meditating because you are connecting with the Divine. Breath brings life… Life, into the body. Breath brings Spirit to the flesh. Once you stop breathing, the sprit leaves the body.

Sometimes we take this whole miraculous life for granted, breathing in, and breathing out. Inhale…exhale, day in and day out. We unconsciously walk through our daily routines, missing many opportunities.

Today’s guilt –free tip is a challenge to see how many deep intentional breaths you can take connecting to you to the Divine Source of ALL. Take time to feel the life force moving in and out of your body. Be in awe! We don’t have to sit like a pretzel, cross legged breathing in the pungent incense to meditate. Connecting with the soul (our true selves) is easy as breathing. Breathe….Connect….Meditate.

Sounds pretty simple….I believe that it is meant to be.

Your favorite,

Sister Mary Vodka

Lessons From A Cup of Coffee

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Patty Ptak Kogutek

My fellow author and friend, John Brubaker, (Coach Bru) wrote about his giving up coffee a couple years ago in his latest newsletter. His message was: “Keep a watchful eye on little things. Little things win big games in your personal and professional life. John substantiates his theme saying that those 180 calories a day in his coffee would add up to 37 cups of bacon grease, 87 cups of sugar or 95 Big Macs in a year! WOW!!

We all know how the little things aren’t so little. Look at our own lives. One small negative thought, (“I could never do that” or “I’m afraid of what others will think of me”) played over and over again, becomes a pattern of thinking. This pattern can blossom into an attitude influencing how you relate to your world creating themes of behavior in our lives. These skewed attitudes lead to the feelings of unworthiness and unhappiness bringing in unwanted pain, loss, and suffering.

Be careful of what you think, thoughts become words. Be careful of what you say, words turn into actions. Be careful of your actions, become they become your habits. Be careful of your habits because they become your life!

Yes, mountains are made of mole hills. Make sure your mole hills are worth climbing.

Ever mindful of the little things,

Patty

Are You Bogged Down with the Ordinary?

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Patty Ptak Kogutek

The words, “Keep Austin Weird” jumped off the tee shirt in the Austin Airport that greeted us. Besides touting that Austin is the capital of live music and known for its delicious food, this wonderful city also hosted the “I Can Do It” conference March 23-24. In between these motivational and spiritual workshops I got to meet so many wonderful people eager to get an autographed copy of “A Change of Habit” at my book signing.

I have been sharing some key ideas from this great conference that I picked up on my Facebook page, “A Change of Habit.” Here is another great “nugget”. In a keynote address, Cheryl Richardson posed a question that we can use daily to put our everyday happenings in perspective. Ask yourself, “How is everything that is happening in my life right now, perfect?”

Use Divine eyes to assess what is in your life. Life’s events may not seem so “perfect” from your eyesight. But trust that the universe loves you and will take the best care of you. Asking yourself this question helps unleash the spring of holiness in each and every situation that comes into your life.

Step out of the ordinary and into the “awesomeness” that is yours.

From my “perfect” world, Patty

Easter Message

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Patty Ptak Kogutek

Easter always follows Good Friday.

The Calm always follows the Storm.

The Light always follows the Darkness.

And there is always HOPE.

“Let us rejoice and be glad.”

Happy Easter and Passover to each of you.

3 Easter Tips From Sr. M. Vodka

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Patty Ptak Kogutek

With the glorious celebration of Easter upon us, I wanted to give you 3 tips to help put things in perspective:

1) Color your eggs with happiness – it’s up to you to choose your path, your attitude and your scenery. No one else can make you happy. It’s an inside job.

2) “Seek and you shall find” – whatever your mind “sees” you will find. The law of attraction is at work here.

3) Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – remember there are many rooms in the Father’s house and just as many roads to get there. Be open to all lessons that come into your life.

Enjoy this beautiful season of new life blooming with color and promise of new life. Celebrate a true spiritual awakening!

Living in Hope,