Welcome to your February Ki Moments,

with ki (energy) for those "key" moments of life. If this is your first issue, let this moment be a Ki moment. Breathe and energize body and mind. Come back to the present. It only takes a moment to change the rest of your day.

Take a look at our winter workshops (below), and treat yourself to a day of learning and fun!

Feel free to share your newsletter using the link at the bottom of the page. (We never disclose subscriber information.)

Good ki!

Judy Ringer

Neighborly Noise!

I frequently receive notes from readers about thoughts and memories evoked when they read Ki Moments. Recently, Eric Gibson, Associate Development Coordinator for Hospitality Services at the University of New Hampshire, was inspired to write about life in his neighborhood after reading "Neighbors with Drums" in October's Ki Moments. I liked Eric's story so much, I decided to make it this month's Ki Moment ...

Neighborly Noise

By Eric Gibson

We live in a rural area of mostly small farms, our house being the newest. Our neighbors across the street raise donkeys. The jacks (male donkeys) make good sentries, braying to sound the alarm when anything moves on the farm. If you have never heard a donkey bray, you've missed a cacophony you can't even imagine. What's worse, another neighbor down the road raises miniature donkeys who bray back in reply to the jack.

Needless to say, we know when the neighbors come and go, feed their animals, and put the dog out at 10:00 pm. The noise was becoming an annoyance. Particularly in the summer with windows open at night, we had a front row seat to the donkey chatter as they quarreled back and forth from one neighbor's house to the next.

It wasn't until my friend Don, who grew up in the suburbs of New York City, visited us one summer that I realized how lucky I was. Don, my wife Kristen, and I were standing on our back deck as the jack across the road began to bray. Don's eyes grew wide as he asked what that noise was.

When I told him about the donkeys his reply was, "How cool is that!" I thought he was crazy. He thought I was lucky. From his perspective I had the opportunity to listen to nature instead of hearing the cars and other noise of city congestion. As I heard the braying from his perspective I realized he was right; I was lucky.

We're so accustomed now to hearing the jack at the farm across the way that to not hear him raises our concerns. Now when we hear the jack after 10:15 pm we quip with a smile, "They're late tonight. They must have stayed up to watch the news."

Thanks for the Ki Moment.

Read Neighbors With Drums from October's Ki Moments.

"Aiki Gals" Blog

There is a new blog on the internet that you might be interested in. Judy Warner, Ellen Stapenhorst, and I have begun a mind/body centering blog. In addition to our own work in the world, Judy, Ellen, and I all practice aikido and are all trainers at Tom Crum's "Journey to Center" program each September in Peaceful Valley, CO.

Our new blog -- journeytocener.net -- has short stories and other resources that relate to applications of aikido in daily life, including Tom's work, from our various "aiki gal" perspectives. Check it out!

You can subscribe to a feed on the blog page near its bottom.

Public Workshops

Attend a public workshop through Power & Presence Training this winter! Enjoy the positive environment, camaraderie, and focus on personal improvement.

All workshops are limited to 20 participants. Visit JudyRinger.com to learn more:

• Confident Voices: A Workshop for Nurses,
  with Judy Ringer and Beth Boynton, RN, MS (Portsmouth, NH, Feb. 27). This course meets NHBN requirements for Continuing Competence -- 6 Contact Hours
• Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict,
  with Judy Ringer (Atchison, KS, Mar. 6)
• Managing Anger (and other Emotions) by Managing Yourself,
  with Judy Ringer and Ann Driscoll (Portsmouth, NH, Mar. 28)

Unlikely Teachers Book

Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict is available to the general public through JudyRinger.com and Amazon.com. You can also purchase it locally at River Run Bookstore in Portsmouth and Gibson's in Concord.

Unlikely Teachers is a collection of stories, practices, and inspiration on turning life's challenges into life teachers. Author and organizational speaker, Margaret Wheatley, calls the book "deliciously wise" and "filled with stories that delight and teach in the same moment."

For yourself or a friend, let Unlikely Teachers be a support in difficult situations. Price: $15.00, plus shipping.

Read a chapter from Unlikely Teachers

Order your copy of Unlikely Teachers today

Portsmouth Aikido

Many of the principles reflected in Ki Moments come from Aikido, the Japanese martial art that teaches self-defense through the redirection of energy.

If you live locally, Portsmouth Aikido is an ongoing martial arts school at the Seacoast Y in Portsmouth. Classes are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. You can stop by anytime and watch a class. Anyone aged 12 or older is welcome.

Visit the Portsmouth Aikido Website

Contact Information
Judy Ringer
Power & Presence Training
76 Park Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
voice: 603.431.8560
website: www.judyringer.com

Judy Ringer is Founder of Power & Presence Training, a Portsmouth, NH company specializing in unique workshops to help you and your organization manage conflict, communicate effectively, and co-create a more positive work environment. E-mail Judy at judy@judyringer.com for a free initial meeting to discuss your training needs.

Ki (from Ai-ki-do) is Japanese for life energy. Ki Moments is a complimentary monthly "e-zine" with tips and how-to articles to help you manage the key moments in your life.