Connie Butler News and Events

"Creating experiences that transform our world one heart at a time''

       That’s the lead statement on Karyn Altman’s website www.center-peace.com. Last week I had the pleasure of spending some time with Karyn and interviewing her for my spot on Entertainment News and Views On-the-Air. Many of the things that Karyn had to say echo what I witness while coaching clients. For eighteen years she had worked in a corporate environment designing, marketing and managing meetings and group travel programs. But at a certain point a critical mass of “nudges” both inner and outer lead her to “suddenly” quit one day and begin a life’s dream of combining these skills with her "life's work" as a counselor and as a healer, and her commitment to helping people transform their lives, their relationships, and the world around them. She knew that something else was needed in her life. She created CenterPeace a company that produces and markets events focused on health, wellness, personal and professional empowerment.

       The great thing that Karyn did at this juncture is that she LISTENED both to the nudges and to what she knew about the impact that she really wanted to have in the world. There really are clear indications at every juncture about what way is best for us to go. Getting rid of some of the internal clutter clarifies this. It is just then a question of interpreting where that impulse for your own expression is leading you and where the world is supporting it.
I asked Karyn what was one of the most surprising things that happened out of her decision to take this route. She said, “It was the amazing projects and people that came into my life, the minute I changed direction.” She became a consultant to the Omega Institute an internationally know Development and New Thought Institute. She became involved with Images and Voices, a global initiative bringing together media professionals to look at the impact and responsibility of communications. These are organizations that she did not have access to initially but the doors opened, as she kept moving forward on her path. Often this is the case with people, the initial impulse is there, the intention is compelling but how it is going to develop is really unknown – it is the discovery process. You don’t have to know it all. You just have to begin and let the process evolve you. As long as you keep your intention and goals clearly in mind the contacts will show up, the next person will give you the clue you need. You will find the pathway.

       Several months into the venture she realized that she wanted to create an event herself that profiled health and wellness for women, a weekend to share resources, wisdom and a weekend away from the stresses of everyday life. And so Wise Woman Weekend was born. By the second weekend in 2000 she was keynoting Joan Borysenko nationally renowned physician, author and women’s health specialist. Through her association with Omega the door had opened to some luminaries in the health and wellness community. Her keynote speakers have included Author Marianne Williamson, Rosie O’Donnell and this year Naomi Wolf, social critic, women’s activist and author of internationally acclaimed book The Beauty Myth. Karyn had no idea that the event she was creating would take on this stature. But once again as she held her goal and intention in mind what was needed to bring that to reality began to form.

       Her fond dream now is to find sponsorship to make this venture truly national and take it to various communities across the US. The day that I spoke with Ms. Altman she reported a conversation she had earlier with a woman in the mid-west who had been at one of Karyn’s weekends. This woman had just attended a conference in Phoenix where she found herself talking to another woman who had attended Wise Women as well. They swapped stories, saying how much it had impacted them. That is where the satisfaction lies for Karyn, knowing that she is Making a Difference, that somewhere out there are women who’s lives have been enhanced, women for whom this event has sparked something that helps them on their journey. Even though Karyn does not see her venture as national yet this looks to me like a clue that the national step is already underway. Karyn’s journey is not unlike many people who decide that it is time to truly shift their lives to ones that they really want to live and who allow themselves to create something that brings together all of their skills and talents in a way that finally satisfies them.

In order to free your own greatness and make life changing choices this is what I have found: