About Present for Peace

Present for Peace is a community for those who want to learn, practice and strengthen a lifestyle of being present. Being present can be a gateway to rediscovering your true nature; your unique peaceful way of being that brings value to all.

Our mission is to have uncomfortable sensations be a guide towards a state of peace through being present. 

Our vision is to have a more peaceful way of being with whatever is happening. 

My name is Cindy Olejar and I live in Edmonds, WA. Previously I was an elementary school teacher, owned and operated a dog and cat care business and was a nutritional therapy practitioner. All of my experiences have led me to being a presence and peace coach.

I am here to support you in relearning how to be calm, relaxed, content and peaceful no matter what is happening. Together we can discover what is getting in the way of being present, of shining your unique beautiful way of being here, now. 

My education and training:

-The Mindful Coach Method 2022

-Authentic Relating 2022

-The Power of Awareness 2022

-HeartMath Certification Course for Stress, Anxiety and Emotional Regulation 2022

-Emotional CPR Training (eCPR) 2017 and 2022 

-Nutritional Therapy Practioner Certification 2019

-Animal Behavior College Dog Training 2009

-Masters of Arts in Teaching (K-8) 1996

-Bachelor of Arts - Economics 1987 - 1991

There is wisdom in anxiety and uncomfortable sensations. Understanding the messages of anxiety and uncomfortable sensations can be useful pointers to presence, where the always availble state of contentment and peace resides.

A quote in the short story called, "A Painful Case" by James Joyce writes, "Mr. Duffy lived a short distance from his body." So often we go about our day disconnected from the present moment and sensing and understanding what our bodies are communicating to us to be present.

Instead of being nourshed in presence, we are often drained from expending energy fearing the past and worrying about the future. To protect us from our fears and worries we may judge ourselves or others, project onto others, rush through our day, say words that we don't align with, do things we don't value, expend unnecessary energy in thinking and doing, have limiting beliefs, or perform tasks on autopilot without being aware of why and how we are doing them. For some people these unconscious ways of being can create mental, emotional and physical distress, angst, pain and suffering.

Some examples of uncomfortable sensations and feelings that can arise from fears and worries, from not being present, are upset stomach, headache, body tension, short and shallow breathing, shame, guilt, sadness, fear, worry, angst and anger. We may have heard and also believe that experiencing these uncomfortable sensations and feelings are bad, so we learned to resist, ignore or disconnect from them. However, from my experience, suppressing, ignoring, resisting and judging does not make them go away but rather can allow them to continue and even become stronger. 

Not only can resisting uncomfortable sensations increase mental and emotional discomfort, over time, this can also contribute to chronic issues of the body, such as inflammation, heart disease, cancer, sore muscles, fatigue, digestive issues, skin problems, incontinence, headaches and more. 

The good news is you can learn how to not fear anxiety and uncomfortable sensations and instead accept and welcome them. And being present is one way to do so. 

Presence has the power to transcend fears, worries, anger, distress, grief and suffering. Then what is left is an indescribable inner stillness, a fulfilled emptiness, that is not affected by or reliant on anything external, not even feelings or the mind. 

The mind, however, fears lack and craves attention, so emptiness and stillness can seem threatening. The mind, therefore, will try whatever it can to gain and keep attention, no matter the consequences depending on the depth of one's fearful state of mind. Attention can feel good at first, so we learn to seek this feeling out, but this does not last, the quest is never ending, and it can actually increase one's fears. 

Some optional tools I share and teach:

Heartmath Coherence Breathing

Breathwork

Open Focus

Yoga Nidra

Somatic Experience for Body Awareness

Shaking

Zhan Zhuang - Standing Like a Tree

QiGong

Tai Chi

Meditation

Mindfulness

Self Inquiry

Shadow Work

Nervous System and Vagus Nerve Support

Connection between physical pain and emotions

Nutrition

Arrow UP steps to become Present 

What is exciting about anxiety and other uncomfortable sensations is that they can guide us to something wonderful: discovering a value, becoming clear of a fear and need, accepting oneself, observing something in a new way, releasing control, meeting someone new, enjoying nature, strengthening a relationship, learning a new skill, finding a new hobby, eating nutritionally, valuing rest and non-doing, being mindful of how you use and don't use your money, time and energy, discovering your True Self, and . . . . life has so many possibilities!

Present for Peace also incorporates Arrow UP, steps that can help guide you to create a peaceful way of being through presence.

To join a group or to set up an individual or family session email Cindy at presentforpeace@gmail.com.