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 experiencing a state of contentment and peace. When present a person can become more clear with their needs and choices. 

My name is Cindy Olejar. and am a Seattle native. Over the years I was an elementary school teacher, owned and operated a dog and cat business, worked as a peer support specialist and was a nutritional therapy practitioner. All of these job experiences have brought me to my passion - mindfulness, meditation and presence.

I am here to support you with your wish to become more whole, relaxed and at peace. Together we discover your unique insights and ways that bring value to the world. This can help diminish stress and resistance and instead feel safe to be in the flow and love of life. 

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

-Certified Peer Counseling Training 2015

-Recovering Coach Training 2017

-Peer Group Facilitator Training 2016 

-Trauma Informed Care Training 2016 

-Motivational Interviewing Training 2015 

-Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) 2015 

-Nutritional Therapy Practioner 2019

-Animal Behavior College Dog Training 2009

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

-Taught 4th and 5th grade 1996 - 2004

Anxiety and uncomfortable sensations can have a purpose and message. Understanding the message(s) of anxiety and uncomfortable sensations can bring about the inner wisdom to becoming present that can shift you to a peaceful state of being.

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

Instead of being present we are often 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 we did not mean, do things we don't value, 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 and suffering.

Some examples of uncomfortable sensations are grief, shame, guilt, sadness, fear, worry and anger. We may have heard and also believe that having these emotions are bad, so we learned to resist and disconnect from them. 

However, from my experience, suppressing emotions does not make them go away but rather can allow them to continue and even grow. This can increase the discomfort and contribute to chronic issues of the body, such as inflammation, heart disease, cancer, sore muscles, fatigue, digestive issues, skin problems, headaches and more. 

The good news is a person can learn how to be with anxiety and other feelings in a healthy, prosperous way, and being present is one of them. 

Our mission is to have uncomfortable sensations serve as 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. 

Being present can lesson one's distress, pain and suffering and can also bring value to others. In addition, a sense of empowerment can be felt with having a knowing that one can handle whatever arises.

Some 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 is that it can point to something wonderful: discovering a value, becoming clear of a need, accepting oneself, observing something in a new way, listening to a child, being humble, not needing to be right, releasing control, meeting someone new, enjoying nature, being ok with not knowing, supporting a friend, strengthening a relationship, learning a skill, helping a stranger, eating nutritiously, valuing rest, being mindful of how you use your money, evolving awareness, growing in a job, creating a song, connecting with the now or . . . . life has so many possibilities!

Present for Peace can use Arrow UP, a process that helps guide people to create a peaceful way of being through being present.

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