Wind Phones, Wealth, and Wisdom

Greetings!

Today I sat down in the garden and called my mom on my wind phone*. My mother passed away in 2020 at age 100. I miss her every day. I wanted to tell her that. I also wanted to ask her advice about something. We had a meaningful conversation — mostly me talking and her listening. I hung up and took a deep breath. I felt loved, supported, and clear on next steps.

The wind phone is my way of accessing my mother’s elder wisdom out there in the spirit world. What I continue to learn from her is part of the wisdom I carry and pass on to my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Generational wealth.

What do you think of when you hear the term "generational wealth?" Do you think of financial inheritance — money, property, things? I'll bet if you look into your heart you'll agree that the greatest treasures we can leave behind aren’t material at all.

Elder wisdom — our stories, our experiences, our hard-won lessons — is a form of generational wealth that’s deeply nourishing and much more lasting. Think about the advice a grandparent once gave you, a family story that shaped who you are, or a simple ritual passed down that still brings you comfort. These are gifts that stay with us, guide us, and grow in value over time.

I'll never forget the treasured advice I received from my Aunt Joetta. "Honey," she said, "there are people who fill your bucket and people who empty your bucket. Don't waste your time on the people who empty your bucket!" My Aunt Joetta told it like it is, and I loved that. I knew I could always trust her to tell me the truth. She left me that little kernel of elder wisdom that has stayed with me for decades.

I just finished a fabulous book: Worlds Within Us: Wisdom and Resilience of Indigenous Women Elders, a collection of stories edited by Katsi Cook. The book features the voices of eight Native women elders who tell personal narratives of the amazing lives and worlds they encompass. The book is heartbreakingly honest and uplifting, with narratives tied together by the resilience and personal courage of these elders and their families and their many personal and professional triumphs.

Here is a little of my elder wisdom I offer as inspiration: Ask your elders for support and wisdom. Share your stories. Sit around the table a little longer with your loved ones. Generational wealth is the wisdom and stories we leave behind — the kind that build strong roots, open hearts, and carry our legacy forward in the most meaningful way.

Find yourself a wind phone and call 1-800-Ancestor Wisdom. You are welcome to come sit in my garden anytime and use mine.

With loving kindness,

GG

*The concept of the wind phone originated in Japan with Itaru Sasaki, who created a wind phone in his garden after his cousin's death to help him cope with grief. Following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Sasaki opened his wind phone to the public, and it became a place of solace for many.

Art and SoulCollage^® Gatherings at GG's Down to Earth Studio

NEW: Oracle Cards are here!

Solo Passage: Oracle of the Sacred Path

I am delighted to announce that my oracle cards are ready to order!

Birthed from the rhythms of the Earth and the shapers of the unseen, and graced with GG’s original artwork and photography, this 65-card oracle deck is a companion for wilderness questers, threshold walkers, and seekers of truth.

Each card holds a question — a doorway to a theme, an archetype, or a symbol meant to speak directly to your soul. These are not answers, but invitations into themes that will guide you into deeper relationship with your inner wilderness and the living Earth. The wisdom is not in the cards alone — it’s in your willingness to listen.

You can order your Solo Passage Oracle deck on GG's website here.

NEW: Monthly Saturday SoulCollage^® Offering

Friday SoulCollage^® Gatherings at GG's Down to Earth Studio

240 Bush Street S., Salem, OR

GG's cell: 503.990.0278

Kim Buller and I will once again be teaming up to offer a series of SoulCollage® gatherings for the fall season. And the good news is that we have added a once-a-month Saturday gathering, too.

Give yourself the gifts of creativity and community. Please join us for a potentially life-changing experience in the safety of the Down to Earth Studio and in the company of kindred spirits.

Fall sessions are now open for registration. Email GG to be added to the lists.

Friday morning sessions: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Friday afternoon sessions: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Saturday morning sessions 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.

September Theme: “The Great Turning” – As the wheel of the year turns toward autumn, what inner fruits are ready for harvest? What needs to be released as the light wanes?

Friday morning (9-12) Sep 19th – Kim facilitates

Friday afternoon (1-4) Sept 19th – GG facilitates – Session has 2 openings.

Saturday morning (9:30 – 1) Sept 20th – Kim facilitates

October Theme: “Meeting the Shadow” – As the veil thins, what parts of yourself are lingering in mystery and asking to come out of the shadows and be integrated?

Friday morning (9-12) Oct 17th – GG facilitates

Friday afternoon (1-4) Oct 17th – Kim facilitates – Session is FULL.

Saturday morning (9:30 – 1) Oct 18th – GG facilitates

November Theme: “The Silence Between the Seasons” – As the world quiets and prepares for winter, what are you deeply grateful for, and what is it time to release into the stillness?

Friday morning (9-12) Nov 21st – Kim facilitates

Friday afternoon (1-4) Nov 21st – GG facilitates – Session is FULL.

Saturday morning (9:30 – 1) Nov 22nd – Kim facilitates

December Theme: “The Light Within the Dark” – In the darkest time of the year, what light is guiding you as you step into the unknown?

Friday morning (9-12) Dec 19th – GG facilitates

Friday afternoon (1-4) Dec 19th – Kim facilitates – Session has one opening.

Saturday morning (9:30 – 1) Dec 20th – GG facilitates

Sliding scale fee for SoulCollage sessions is $30 to $50. You can pay by Zelle (glendaanne@msn.com), Venmo (Glenda-Goodrich), Paypal (glendaanne@msn.com). or mail a check to GG at 240 Bush Street S., Salem, OR 97302.

New policy: You will need to pay in advance to reserve your spot. Thank you!

Cancellation policy: Full refund 7 or more days in advance, or if I can fill your spot.

Email GG  to reserve your spot at any of these gatherings, or to get on the waiting list for sessions that are full.

Solo Passage Book Awards and Placements. I have to say it... I am so proud of my awesome book!

Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention Award in Non-Fiction Inspirational

Next Generation Indie Books Award Finalist in Memoir

Bookfest First Place

Award Winner in Body, Mind, and Spirit

Paris Book Festival Honorable Mention Award in General Nonfiction

Firebird Book Award Winner First Place in Inspiration

First Place in Mind/Body/Spirit

First Place in Nature

First Place in Self-Help/Motivational

Reader reviews of my book make a huge difference!

I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and maybe a few comments. You can leave a review on Amazon here. Thank you!

Best Book Awards: Finalist in Nonfiction: Inspirational

Foreword Indies Book Silver Medal Award Winner in Body, Mind, and Spirit

Global Book Award Finalist in Self-Help, Personal Transformation

NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite 

in the category of Nature.

CIBA Hearten Book Awards

Semi-finalist in Inspiring and Uplifting Non-fiction.

Special Opportunities

Are you curious about what it means to work with the Art Doula? Contact me for a free 30-minute consultation to see if art mentoring can take you to the next level in your creative life.

Here's a comment from recent client:

"I love how you think . . . and how you put questions to me. It's like there's gold at the bottom of the bucket and you are stirring the pot!"