Welcome 2012

As 2011 moves swiftly to a close, it might be tempting to think of all the things you have not yet completed this year. Perhaps you started off with a list of goals or intentions that would have taken years to accomplish. Maybe you didn’t get past the first week of January 2011 before you went back to some of your old habits. I invite you to take the next few days and reflect on your accomplishments, your spiritual growth and acknowledge yourself for the good that you have you have done throughout the year.

As you enter into 2012 use the law of attraction to make sure the intentions you set are fully realized. Instead of saying “this is too difficult” or “I can’t do this” or just “forgetting about it” start saying “I am doing this”.  Focus on your successes.  Feel the way fulfilling your intention makes you feel.  Start feeling this way even before accomplishing the goal.  Believe it’s already done. Send the message to the universe that you are a nonsmoker, that you’re healthy, or that you are being paid appropriately for the work you do.  Believe this, feel this, focus on this and the law of attraction will make it so.

Miracles Are Happening

The Christmas story is told year after year, we can depend on it. But listen closely this year; it is a story is filled with twists and turns. There are friends and enemies, a family in turmoil and an unbelievable journey. There is a strong and resourceful woman facing hardships beyond belief, there is an evil king, unsuspecting shepherds, wise men bringing gifts, farm animals, a bright shining star and there are many miracles.

This could be your story. The characters, hardships, irrational stories and signs of mystifying grace touch us all in some way or another. However,  during this season, we focus on the elements of the Christmas story that make us feel warm and cozy inside, a manger, a loving accepting husband, a virgin birth, a sweet little baby, a light coming into the world, a promise of peace on earth.

The message of Christmas is not in an angel’s proclamations; it is a message that is to be embodied, lived and not broadcasted only once a year.  Think about your difficult neighbor, an annoying co-worker, a self-absorbed friend or the craziness of war and the message gets lost.  It gets hurled back to the bright and shining star the Magi followed to bring the gifts of the spirit.

There are presents and promises within each of us, it is the divine spark; we only need look inside to see the miracle of the season.

Have a wonderful season of light and love and let's keep it going year round.

It's Time For Some Laughs!

I received this in my email today and thought it’s time to share a good belly laugh.  So here you go, the perfect stress reducer.

There's a story in China, about three famous monks. They would travel from place to place, every time they found a town, they would walk to the center of it, and simply begin laughing. They would laugh so uproariously, other people would also start laughing. Once the entire town had begun laughing with them, they would pack up, and move to the next. That was their sermon, they didn't use words and they didn't have to.

It's nice to see it still happens but not with monks, on mass transport! Check out the Berlin Laughter Project, no language barrier here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EeauvE1M7qc#

Some Holiday Guidance

Friday I went to a small town on the Chesapeake Bay and had lunch with a dear friend. The main street is lined with small shops so of course we had to do a little shopping. What a great experience, no hordes of people aimlessly wondering from store to store, no hustle and bustle, everyone was super friendly and we were able to get some very unique gifts.

Today I feel a sense that all is well and things are in order for the holidays. However, if you are not feeling so at ease, here are some suggestions to help prevent holiday stress.  We know that when stress is at its peak, it's hard to stop and regroup.  Here are some strategies to support you in creating a week without the pressure that the holidays can seem to bring on.

Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings

Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.

Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones.

Stick to a budget. Last minute shopping can be lethal to your budget so before going on that last minute shopping spree, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to it.

Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.

Remember it's all a matter of choice, so take some time to be grateful and make a wonderful day!

The Get it Done Quotient

Wednesday I talked about the Stuff Quotient. Now how to we get through the day and the stuff without it seeming like our lives are out of control and there is more to do then time to do it?

We all work differently but not all of us work efficiently. I’ve noticed that for myself lately. I could blame it on the holidays or the noise from the workers in my building, but the truth is I let myself get distracted.

So here is a game plan to get on track.

     1.    At the start of the day I do my spiritual practices. Nothing is more important than to be available to Spirit.

2. Organize: Have my day organized by highlighting three or four of the most important things (MITs) I have to do and do them first.

3. Big Rocks: I have several big projects so it’s important to set aside time every day or week to move things forward.

4. Inbox: This can really get out of hand and suck up time. I’ve made a folder categorizing newsletters and other nonessentials and emails go directly into those folders. My inbox is now set up for essential emails. I decide what to do with the email the moment I read it. Is my in box empty? Not yet but I’m getting there.

5. Over and Out: If there is a big task to be done, do it first! That way it’s done.

     There are several more tips which I’ll continue on Monday. Send me some of yours and I’ll post them.

Make a great day!

Your Stuff Quotient!

There’s a lot of stuff bouncing around in my head lately, some of it causing undue stress and a bit of anxiety. There are the intangibles and the to-do list stuff(s). I realized many years ago that stuff has no place to go, it just keeps rattling around. However, I do have tools and techniques to share that will help alleviate the mind chatter and give it a place to go.

David Allen defines “stuff” as:” Anything you have allowed into your psychological or physical world that doesn’t belong where it is, but for which you haven’t yet determined the desired outcome and the next action step.”

As I see it there are several levels of stuff, we’ll call it the Stuff Quotient or the SQ. Then there is the Get it Done Quotient or the GID. As we head into the New Year it’s time to clear the slate of the SQ and move into your GID.

First, let’s differentiate what is good stuff from the stuff that weighs you down and saps your energy.

Make a stuff list – not in your head that creates more stuff. Fold an 8 ½ x 11 piece of paper in thirds. Make the following headings.

1.      Psychological stuff.

2.      Stuff I Don’t Need.

3.      Stuff I Need Add the psychological stuff to column 2 and 3.

Then circle the items in column 1 that keep rattling around in your brain and create an action plan to eradicate those thoughts. If you are visual you can visualize a giant shredder and imagine shredding those thought that weigh you down.  Or you can make a “Stuff Box”. Take an old tissue box and write down those pesky thoughts and stuff them in the box. Once a week clean out the box and burn the contents. After a while you’ll find that your stress and anxiety level diminishes as the item in the box get fewer and far between. Try it for a few weeks and see what happens.  



Chocolate is Everywhere

Chocolate seems to be everywhere and one thing is for sure, I am a  lover of good chocolate, not the kind you find in the checkout line of the grocery store, really good chocolate. To me it's  soul food. However, I made an agreement with myself many years ago that if I wanted to indulge I would go out of my way to find that perfect little bite. The other day I was at a specialty shop and there were little tiny bits of chocolate at the counter for just 25 cents and of course I bought one. This tiny little bite was packed with flavor, I was almost delirious as it melted in my mouth. It was as if I were drinking a 25 dollar class of fine wine. I do love my chocolate!

Today I was at one of those large warehouse stores, the kind were you can sample tasty treats as you go along. The woman at the first stand I came to was giving out samples of chocolate! Of course I took one.  At another stand the woman was giving out "chocolate muffin tops" not the entire muffin just the top. As I sampled she proceeded to tell me how healthy this product was, how many Weight Watcher points, grams of protein, fat and carbohydrates. It all sounded really good but not good enough to take home.

As I maneuvered down the fruit isle I spotted a tall thin, rather good looking man, filling his basket with what else, but chocolate. His cart was over flowing with nothing but boxes of chocolate. I said, “I wish I were on your Christmas list”. He replied that he was diabetic and couldn’t have any of the candies, but liked to give them to other people.

I thought about that cart full of chocolates and how we go about giving gifts. I don’t know if he owned a business or was giving the gifts to friends and family. Then he could have been taking them to the homeless shelter, but it doesn’t matter. Gift giving is personal, whether we buy in bulk or find something that suits each recipient in a special way, it most surly comes from the heart.

Think about how you go about your gift giving this holiday season.  Then if you feel that chocolate is your soul food, indulge and give yourself a little gift.

Getting to the Finish Line

Are there projects in your life that are calling for your attention?  I have a closet that has accumulated way too much stuff over the past few years, and stacks of papers that I really need to go through. Oh yes I quilt and have several pieces that I’ve taken almost to the finish line and a few  books I still want to finish!  I’m not going to make any promises today to finish the quilts, clean my closet, complete the novels or sort out papers. However, I am seriously looking at the excuses I make for not completing some of the projects I’ve started.

What brought this on is the daily Dream Builder message from Mary Morrissey. The TED talk is right on and I would like to share it with you. Take a few minutes to watch and then think about what excuses you make not to finish what you start. I sure did!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjSgn92BiyE

A Little Help From Your Friends

I was at a party this past Sunday, great food, wonderful people and a little Karaoke. With fervor and passion our resident chef and caterer sang “With A Little Help from My Friends”. People chimed in on the chorus with great enthusiasm, clapping and cheering as if they were at a rock concert. It was great fun, yet the words "with a little help from my friends" gave me pause to think about a deeper meaning.

Monday I wrote about the people in our lives who are our teachers, mentors and coaches. But what about the people in our lives that are there every day for us, the ones who support us when we really need it?  Is there a friend in your life who you can share your wins with and  lean on when the going gets tough?

There is a difference  between creating a co-dependent relationship and finding someone who really has faith in your abilities and supports your dreams. There may be times when you just need to sit in the silence and simply be with someone, or times when you’re in a jam and a friend’s support is really needed. Sometimes your friend might get in your face and say,” get a grip!” Your belief partner could be a mother, a sister, a father, a son. You’re belief partner could be your spouse significant other or life partner. How does it feel to have a loving supportive relationship with someone who believes in you? A relationship where you are totally supported verses a relationship that sucks the life out of both of you? It would be a lonely world indeed without a little help from your friends.

In your daily life, there are many voices and influences, think about whose voice you choose to listen to. Now begin to create a relationship with a partner that truly believes in you.

If you’re up for some good old rock and roll click the Youtube link below to hear a young Bon Jovi rock it out “With A Little Help From My Friends.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zpjt4vjrjY

Who’s Your Teacher?

This month I'm giving a series of talks on "The Guru Guided Path". The word guru can conjure up all kinds of images of false prophets luring you into a cult that reshapes your mind until you don't know which way is up and which way is down. But the truth is that the term guru is simply a teacher, one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, one who uses this knowledge to guide you from the darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge.  In the west we use the term mentor, minister, counselor, coach or teacher.

Think about Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. Helen Keller did not have sight, she was not able to vocalize and she could not hear, she was a soul in the dark. Her parents did not give up on her and they found a teacher of the deaf.  Helen Keller's encounter with her teacher was beyond remarkable. Anne Sullivan was able to teach Helen Keller that not only did every object have a word associated with it, but was able to demonstrate abstract concepts, such as warmth and heat and light. This is an example of an authentic student teacher relationship. Helen Keller was devoted to her teacher and became a woman of incredible accomplishment and to this day is still an inspiration to the world.

There is a lot of knowledge at our finger tips in these modern times However, books and CD's, along with the vast resources on the Internet cannot replace a good teacher, mentor or coach. They see beyond how you see yourself and push you when you need to be pushed.  It doesn't matter your age or social status,  if your life is not moving in the direction of your dreams, consider finding someone that can support you and get ready for change. Like the old saying goes, when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

Make a great day!

Some Time for Reflection

What would your day look like if you took some time to be quiet?

I have what looks to be a cold, sore throat, runny nose, it's not enough to hold me down, but I'm just not my perky self. Yesterday after meeting with a client, I sat on the coach; the winter sun was streaming through the window, its healing rays warming the back of my neck and shoulders.  I felt at peace. I sat for a time doing absolutely nothing. I wasn't really thinking or meditating, there was no background music, I was just being and feeling really good. After a short time I went back to my routine refreshed and renewed.

When we go from one thing to another thinking that this has to be done or that has to be done we miss out on something that is much more important than our doing. In all the doing the being gets lost, we're not open to tapping into our inner guidance and we miss out on the benefits life has to offer. When we're quiet we see life through different eyes, our body is at rest and we are filled with a special kind of energy.

Taking time to be still will give you an opportunity to recharge your batteries and to come alive. Giving yourself a break in the middle of the day brings new life into your being, a transformation begins to take place and you are renewed and refreshed.

I invite you to take a break today and tomorrow and the next day. Just like you have to park the car to fill up the tank, stop your engine and be fully engaged in what your life is really about.

Make a great day.