We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathy Mortensen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Imagine learning how much power our words and thoughts have on how we show up and live our lives! Belonging is a powerful feeling!  The ability to stay calm and strong in who you are when another is angry because your beliefs are different is a skill set for success, no matter your faith, work or relationship status in life. Think of work place conflicts and having the ability to work through opposing views, while maintaining a strong sense of who you are! Remaining “you” during family conflicts. Oppositions are common these days within families as differing faith or political views arise. Both sides of the family view themselves as “right”, the other side as wrong. Parenting creates wounds of separation–oppositional conflicts about a child’s or teenagers behavior! All these oppositions create a need for forgiveness, love and acceptance, values of most religions! Including the Christianity I grew up with! Imagine gaining the skills to be successful in ANY oppositional setting! The power of words, provided in my workshops and practices, support your success in opposition!

My thought processes to start my business emerged from a desire to share how I learned to be me in a life that experienced much opposition! As a young woman, civil rights and women’s rights were front and center, as well as The Vietnam War. Walking  oppositional energies arose from: having a father who served in the military while opposing a war; having a mother who’s evangelical father (my grandfather) as a minister knew the “place” of a woman and there was no place for the recognition of a woman minister; the emergence of rights for people with disabilities (accommodating differences); I had many oppositions to walk through! I was guided through many “coming togethers” of opposing sides.  These experiences led me to the creation of my business so many years later, using the power and influence of words to release negativity, increase positivity and walk the path of “being me” and serving you to “Be You”.

These thoughts led me to create workshops and provide services that integrate mystical mysteries of Christianity and other religions.  I wanted my business to reflect what empowered me, what guided me. My daily mindsets and negative self beliefs needed release to overcome the fears of facing the onslaught of judgements that came with sharing one’s integrated way of being in a world filled with wars of rightness and wrongness.

My desire to share my experience, influenced me to consider being an author and more fully develop  the concept around the name of my company “When Belonging Shines”.  I used what shaped my life, my practice of utilizing the power of words, into an experiential journey for others to be strong in who they are. No matter the oppositions one faces from outside world, they belong, just as they are.  “When Belonging Shines” became the name of my company to encompass this “belonging” journey.

Many have walked this religious/mystical path and I doubted the world needed “one more” avenue. I wavered between sharing and hiding what was within. I wavered between a yearning to share words and processes that “worked” for me and fear of “failure” and what others would think. I had to overcome my fear, so I could step forward.

I reached out to Sandy Darling of Infinite Prosperities, once again following an internal knowing. There, I have been nourished and supported to share my workshops and further develop my skills in supporting others to Be You! To promote belonging–even within opposition! To access one’s internal power through the power of words! I attended NLP trainings and became more empowered.  The power of words, my workshops, workbook, Master Practioner, Ministerial, Reiki and Sound Bowl skills belonged! I was empowered to share!

Those who are open to a walk of faith, internal exploration and energy alignment, benefit from my power words workshops and the drafts of my workbook about Healing Hearts!! The Jesus I have come to know shines through, this Jesus has a positive focus for me. I am no longer an unworthy soul….I am worthy of love, acceptance and forgiveness.

The decision to move forward and release my fear, occurred as I became a certified Master Practitioner for Mental and Emotional Release®. In my own breakthrough session, I was able to release what I was holding onto, the anger, the fear, the hurt, and more confidently share my mission, to encourage others To Be You! (to be themselves) and to inspire others to walk in a knowingness of belonging, for You Belong!! Releasing what we hold onto that interferes with you fulfilling your soul purpose, to attain a sense of belonging, is part of my practice!  It is truly healing!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Being You is a new career for me. I am a retired special education teacher and administrator. What sets me apart is the fact that I trusted my intuition, without realizing what I was doing! I always wanted to be a teacher, yet I faced challenges getting accepted into the Education Department, because I had an interest in working with students with disabilities before this was conceptualized outside of Speech Therapy or Deafness or Blindness. I had 3 opportunities to apply to the Dept. of Education, and it was not until my third attempt, with an in depth explanation of my research and how special education was evolving nationally (it took years for New Mexico to pass alignment with federal legislation). Listening within and challenging those in authority paid off, the Department Chair agreed and after I shed tears in his office, I was allowed to proceed to become a teacher. I taught regular education and a Chapter/Title 1 program in New Mexico, until I married someone from Colorado and obtained my first job in special education! I accepted a job as an early childhood special education teacher, my degree in both Education and Communication Disorders supported the adventure, until I could complete further education offered in Colorado for special education certification.

My intuition guided me into administrative positions and college level teaching due to my ability to envision, intuit the next growth or expansion. Growing and learning to nurture myself and others was my personal growth endeavor in each step of my path.  I had many faults and shadows to overcome! In my life and work journeys, I had to overcome my own anger, my own lack of accepting differences, the way I judged. I had to delve into the mystical and understand more deeply what intuition was and it’s role in my life, to give this aspect of myself honor. Those who ministered me, family and pastors, modeled the God to fear, the need to beg for forgiveness because Jesus gave His life for me. My journey led me to the embrace the role of Jesus as a healer, his ministry utilized paradox and brought opposing sides together. The Jesus I came to know loved others no matter their status in life. The mystics of the world religions share a depth of heart wisdom beyond the “right and wrong” focus of heaven and hell. I discovered the more I could integrate the differing worldviews, the more in harmonious I could be, the more love, acceptance and forgiveness I could display, replacing judgement. Jesus taught the wisdom of the heart, a Christ Consciousness that has connections to us all, no matter our religion. All of my current practices and my future book, combine and integrate mystical and religious concepts in “Being You” through the power of words!

In this world where the battles and oppositions are focused on beliefs, the battle about what is right and wrong for varying tribes, my life has led me to integrate these opposites. Life is a grand universal instructor, if we listen. My teaching experiences, my 2 marriages, my failures as a parent led me to churches, varying beliefs, Intuitive Guides, Reiki and Energy work such as Sound Bowls, NLP and Master Practitioner training to become a healer and minister that integrates energy and religious tenets.

My experience in special education, working with regular education staff, special education staff and families, provided me skills to support others to come together during clashes of values and conflicting beliefs. Through the divorce experience I learned more deeply the value of self love and forgiveness. I started this practice with words, the power of words, that guided my healing process, that continues to this day. Attending NLP by Dr. Matt James training confirmed my experimentation!  Happiness comes from within, yet it is balanced in having dependence on others. My work to support you in “Being You” has a connection to Newtonian Physics, for these laws follow the saying and path that “You are Responsible for your own Happiness”. My work to support you in “Being You” has a connection to Quantum Physics, laws in which everything is connected. We have a responsibility towards another’s happiness. We are not separate, we have a contribution. How do we accomplish both? Ahhh…that is the question! My spiritual and energetic supports through the power of words bring together these 2 truths. 2 truths that are embedded in opposition, paradox and faith.

Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness, words of powerful influence are ancient knowings among the many truths that exist. These and other powerful words are integrated with life experience, through energetic and faith based practices to heals our hearts, expand our hearts, connect our hearts. Healing Hearts — Be You–through the power of words! It is miraculous! Learn who you are, be who you are, while realizing the deep connections between us! That is what the conscious and unconscious mind work is all about in my work as a Certified Master Practitioner of Mental and Emotional Release® and all the services I provide in my “Being You” ….no matter what opposes you, practices….using the energizing power of words. My company, When Belonging Shines, provides in person and online workshops and services, Reiki, Sound Bowl, release work and Ministerial services.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Fort Mohave Arizona. My best friends know to show up in the fall, winter or spring, especially from the exceptionally long winters in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The best times are on the lake or the river, a slow float or kayak connects us to the healing energies of the water. There is something about the rushing sound of a large river current, or the lapping waves of a lake upon the shore. I am fortunate to live in an area where the water, though in crisis, continues to flow and allow us human healing and entertainment along the Colorado River and on Lake Mohave, part of the Lake Mead system. Most visitors want a visit to Oatman, to feed and pet the wild donkeys that roam on the BLM land there. The old mining town has shops to meet interests of all kinds, hand made drums or crystals and gems for those with a metaphysical interest, curious and Route 66 memorabilia for the collectors of The Mother Road, leather products and purses, holsters and purses for the defenders of the 2nd amendment. Many artists display their work in Oatman, paintings, rock and natural art sculptures. 2 daily gunfights are presented for all to enjoy! Everyone has to have Burros Ears at the Oatman Hotel, the place where everyone staples dollar bills to the wall! A drive between Oatman and Kingman, on old route 66, for those without car sickness is warranted. The terrain changes from desert mountain scenery, to a broad canyon with a spring, from desert plants to trees, to flat land and volcanic rocks. The drive is not for the faint of heart, with it’s many sharp turns and decline. The views are worth it. A day would need to be spent at Topock 66, where you can dine and swim in the free pool. Adults can imbibe in alcoholic beverages and stay cool. The view over the river is spectacular, and the sunset exposes the color changes and beauty of the coloring shades that occur at sunset on the hillsides.
A visit to the metaphysical shops, Infinite Prosperities for Reiki , Guided Meditations and Sound Baths or Tarot readings, and Morrigan’s Mystic Energies for herbs, Reiki and Tarot and crystals and gems! Discover the treasures there for those with a metaphysical wonder is definitely warranted! A walk through the labyrinths on the west side of The Tropicana is a delight! There are several to wonder, ponder and meditate through. A day spent thrifting at the multitude of thrift shops, which includes Mohave Donation Center, The Boys and Girls Clubs, The Goodwill shops, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent’s de Paul and the multitude of small private thrift shops. My friend has furnished her whole home from the donated items she purchased from all these sites. These sites are located in Fort Mohave and Bullhead City!
Golfers would love the multitude of golf courses in the area, Huukan, The Avi, Los Lagos, El Rio to name a few. Now I would only join to drive the cart, have a beverage and laugh and connect, for chasing a white ball with a club is not of my interest, but it is for some!
We would have to have Mexican food at Correa’s, my favorite neighborhood place! We would enjoy Thai food at Me and You Attore or Sabai Bistro. So yummy! To sit on the porch and watch the evening river, another outdoor place we would have to go to is Co Vue in Bullhead. And for all around great dinners, go to Wild Roadrunner, Black Mountain Bistro and Meoni’s Italian. The home made food at each of these places and the variety of the menu would please the crowd.
An afternoon would be spent at the Community Pool in nearby Bullhead City . Water aerobics keeps us young!

A short hike to see the petrogrlyphs on the road to Christmas Tree pass just beyond Laughlin Nevada is worth it. The ancient markings are abundant, easy to photograph and not a difficult hike to accomplish It is called Grapevine Canyon, as there is a natural spring up in the rocks, if you are willing to hike a more challenging climb and endeavor!

For the gamblers, which is not me, there are a number of Casinos across the river in Laughlin Nevada, I would find some live music on the weekend to listen to while others gambled away!
The desert has a beauty to experience! In this region, there are many ways to experience it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

There are so many individuals who deserve a shout out. My parents, siblings, my children Eleanor and Roselyn, the nurturer of my soul Cal Mortensen, my ever adoring husband!. Thank you all, you have supported me through my infantile learnings, through the angry times, through the disconnected times, through heartaches and judgements, through the tensions of walking a life between opposing sides. I am ever grateful.

Linda Christian, a mentor and college professor, nudged me to keep writing. I jumped and fell in the lap of Sandy J. Darling, from Infinite Prosperities who gave me wings to fly, supported those wings through self doubt and fear. who nurtured/s my soul to become the best individual I can be. I deepened my Reiki understandings through her course. I was inspired to renew my Ministerial license and complete certification in Reiki and with Singing Bowls!

When I left Colorado, I had thrown away my years of written musings. I started again when I retired to Arizona, a place to begin again, and find what was always within. Thank you to all who saw through the darkness I displayed and helped me to find it within myself. If you came across my path, trust me, you supported my growth. Rae Jean, Karla D., Nita, Milcah, Janet H., oh….the endless list of gratitude! Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness…..alive and thriving in us all.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathyMortensenWBS

Other: This is my email address: Whenbelongingshines2021@gmail.com

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