New this Issue:

As I sit with the theme, pondering my thoughts, the words "New This Issue" seem a bit odd. What, if anything, is ever "new?" It may just be something that you, as a reader, don't know yet. Then is it not just something that you do not know? Is it just a "change?"

What does the word "new" mean? Adjective: Not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time; "a fascinating mix of the old and the new".

As I allow myself to be with the concept of "new" and now adding in "old" and how they both influence "what I (k)now and what I (k)new," I am drawn to bring in the word "now" as well. Our words are wonderful tools; they can bring us hope, they can express our deepest feelings, they can comfort us through the changes in our lives, they can also deconstruct what we believe, they can show us truth, they can allow us to access our truest form of humanity—are you with me... Words are very important tools in our lives.

Over the past 20 years (that would be old, because I (k)now it, so does it make the "now" old?) I have become aware, as most of you are, that everyone holds slightly different definitions of the same words. This is based on, as some might say, their filter(s) (which would be a person's perceptions based on their past experiences).

No wonder we are struggling to communicate with each other. We struggle with not being clear in our expression, but also in having someone else understand what we are saying, because "they" are "thinking" (filtering) and "feeling" our words through their filter—perceptions of the past (old).

Our words are an expression of meaning; they are vibration, not only of their meaning but of our intonation of them. We send a vibration, a feeling out with every word we speak and write. We also receive a vibration from every word read. Where are your words generated from? What is the tone of your words, what are the feelings generating your words? What are you bringing forth into the world?

This is the art of Self-mastery, being a "master" crafts a person in the sculpting of one's life. Once again, words are a deeply creative "tools." They influence everyone and everything they come in connection with. Be Care-filled in how you use your gift and tools. Are we there yet?... Isn't this the theme? Can we use these tools with the maturity of our evolution? Remember, words are our tool, a gift we have gifted to ourselves. Who said that what you are sitting on is a chair? And that in every language it still is a chair. What an amazing concept that someone has that much influence. Use your gift well. Use it with your heart and soul engaged and watch how your struggle to and be understood diminishes. Have fun with this issue there are a lot of really great articles!

We are very excited to welcome to our columnists River J. Lee. He will be contributing his talents to our Loving Earth column. He leads trips and teaches outdoor skills through his guide service, Maine Bound Guides, he also owns and operates Ridgetop Construction, a small company with a green focus, and he helps people grow and heal spiritually, through Mountain Spirit Journeys. Welcome River, thank you for the expansion and the opportunity to share with you the ways in which we can become more loving to our mother earth.

More really awesome news of travel for two of our columnists. Jen Deraspe is traveling out west for a sabbatical but will continue to write of her experiences while she travels. Curtis White is moving to Scotland and will also continue Reflections of a Spiritual Spelunker as he delves into this new culture, he will become our first international columnist. We wish both Jen and Curtis the best life has to offer with their new explorations and I for one, can't wait to see the written expression of these new adventures.

There has been a slight delay in the radio show's airing and we are working to begin the first week in October, stay tuned for IT Radio!

We have made so many new friends along the way. This has been the opportunity of a lifetime, to bring you the talent and love that so many are willing to share. I continue to meet people who (k)now of Inner Tapestry as we continue to receive compliments and thanks for the gift of the "tool" of the written word and the sharing of love that is gifted through it. All of this has been received and has helped me to spread the feeling of gratitude to others, bringing it forward in whatever way is necessary to serve all.

Thanks for being here, everyone, as we continue our journey... whether you believe we have gotten "there," are still on the way to "there," or have never left, we are all blessed that you are "here" with us. Enjoy!