_Welcome to the
Catalyst for Fun
Website and Newsletter!


*Friends,  I hope that you get a smile from my website! :)

This website and newsletter has been edited since 2004 by, me, Amanda Winters.I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, residing in Austin Texas,  after transplanting from New Orleans, LA in 1991.
I adopted the nickname “Catalyst for Fun” based on my propensity to crowd rouse (get people dancing), give them ‘free-hugs’. I also love to
put the  'social' in being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker...I do this by sharing community, conscious evolution, personal growth and FUN tips (imp... since, if a party breaks out, we should BE PREPARED!) I do this through my newsletter, linked below,
and on the Resources Page of this website. 

But seriously though ....this website, and my Austin Catalyst for Fun Newsletter, could just as well be called: 'Catalyst for  'Sustainable Fun' .  That is because I not only post fun links, but also philosophical/personal development resources aimed at promoting the kind of peace and joy that we don't have to have to go to a party to access. (I invite you to see my Catalyst for Fun Newsletter
and myResource Page for many such resources.  ;)

The Work of Byron Katie:  'The Work' of Byron Katie is the most powerful method I have ever used to question  my stressful the stressful thoughts that create human  suffering.   The Work helps us to realize that we no longer have to wait for others' behavior to change to have peace. That is because It is not not reality, but our thoughts about reality  that create our stressful emotions, Therefore, only we need to change, (not the outside world) to have inner peace.  The work is known as "enlightenment for people in a hurry".  
I love to share The Work, a 4-question method of  self-inquiry,  through free intros and  with The Austin Presence Group at our weekly Meetup Group.  
Our group's meetings are from 7-8:30 in Central Austin at The First Unitarian Universalist Chuch, (Please verify weekly meeting time)
*To be notified of future meetings, please sign up on our Presence Group's email list.
  For more info on my counseling practice please see my profile page ,

You are invited to Subscribe to my Austin Catalyst for Fun Hot Tips Newsletter
to get updates on resources and events concerning community, FUN and personal development.

*Since 2004, Catalyst for Fun Newsletter has been published, usually on a weekly basis to more than 1000 Austinites



What's in the Newsletter:

-Personal development, community, peace building, environmental, progressive activist, social/fun
  opportunities and resources.
                      
  *Some examples of articles you might find in the newsletter:
  
    -Events listings featuring:  festivals, philosophical/spiritual retreats, environmental  and
     progressive community activism, community events, networking opportunities,
    social networking as well as entrepreneurial events.
 
  *Please consider submitting events to the newsletter for publication
             
  -Also included in each newsletter issues are quotes and/or best
    practices for experiencing sustainable peace.



I also invite you to connect with me "Facebook" of "LinkedIn" !
I can be found by searching for  "Amanda Winters" in Austin, TX ...or click on the widgets on this page:
           

            
**Some Highlighed Resources Of this website:

Click here for my Resource Page

     *Check out the Tabs at the top of this webpage for all the site’s resources.
          (My site is homemade, so work with me on this,  please!)

Resources included are:

The Austin Resources Section includes files about: Austin Publicity Resources; Austin Peace Building Organizations; Austin Mental Health Resources;  Austin Personal Growth and Fun Newsletters that you can Subscribe or Post announcements to;Administrative Resources for Austin Non- Profits; Austin Social Service Job Opportunities  and more! 

          * Included in this is My Best of Austin Recreation Guide:  A 75-plus-page guide to my best picks
             for the tourist attractions, music clubs, day trips, parks, music, etc ! Find lists, also, of as well as many
             community newsletters and resources!
 
Other Resources are: Good Time Festifarian Tips, FREE HUGS Campaign Tips and Stickers
and  Social Networking Resources and Websites for those wanted to get more connected to others. 

Look for Community Resources, such as Publicity Channels, Event Meeting Spaces, Non-profit resources, Social Service Jobs and more.

Philosophical Resources include:  Creating Conscious Community through joining Austin Social, Spiritual, Activist
and Personal Growth Resources 

Newsletters and Resources

Since we all have a body, I included a page about How Eating for LIfe/Ways to  transition into eating healthier, ie: with  more fruits and vegetables in one's diet.


 My Favorite Philosophical Teachers, include Adyashanti, and Byron Katie, and many others. Katie is my favorite. She is a best-selling author and teacher who discovered that "When I believe my stressful thoughts I suffer, and when I don't, I don't suffer."  She teaches a 4 question technique that allows one to dismantle and challenge the beliefs that create negative emotions, which is the most effective that I have ever used in my experience as a Professional Counselor.  You can also visit "The Work of Byron Katie website", or contact me to do the work through my contacts page. I am in Katie's Certified Facilitator Program and have been to 3 of her 9-Day Schools for the Work. I can not recommend her more highly as a philosophical teacher.

**Three of my  favorite Katie quotes are: "My favorite part about history is, it's over!",  "All the suffering in the world that has ever happened is over now...how much friendlier of a universe could you have?",  and "What other people think of me is none of my business".

*I also included a listing of My  Favorite Personal Development Teachers.