The story: It was summer 1994 and I found myself at the Woodstock music festival. Wow- the people, the amazing music, and if you remember reading about the event ...yes there was rain! In the midst of the downpour, I was trying to make my way to the Aerosmith stage. But, I could barely move. My flip flips were sticking deep in the mud. And so, after a bit of mental struggle- I let them go. Yep, I left the flip flops in the mud and made my way to the stage where a man was about to challenge his shrilling vocal cords as he sang to a crowd of thousands. A literal example of letting go, yes..I was stuck...so I decided to go for it and let go. Now mind you, that meant I was barefoot in the mud for the rest of the weekend. But, you know what? ...I felt free. I was going with the flow of the music and the crowds and I relinquished my former thought of having to wear shoes.
Fast forward to present day and as a life coach and yoga teacher, I often encounter students who are stuck in life. But it goes well beyond mud, they are stuck and are on the path of losing themselves. Not pretty. And while I find myself guiding them to go with the flow and let go of what is causing them to sink deep; I do realize it is one of those easier said than done suggestions. But, does it really need to be that hard? Not if we can identify what we need to let go of-- time to take an honest look inside.
Time for action: Find a quiet space (or a loud space if you can reflect in that environment) and bring your journal or laptop to capture thoughts. First ask, am I going with the flow of life? Or, do I feel stuck? What are you holding onto that is causing you to be stuck in life? Is it your way of thinking, lack of time for yourself, your desire to always be pleasing others, your constant sacrificing of your personal time for work, debilitating worry, stress, fear, anger, etc etc? Once you can see what is getting in your way, then identify why you are holding onto it? For example, if you are constantly trying to please others, why are those people important in your life--or, are they? Is it time to let go of some people that don't fit in the life you want to live? Once you can see what is getting in your way, you can then begin to let go. Really let go...so you can live in your flow and recapture a feeling of freedom.
16 November 2010
28 October 2010
Am I floating?
The story: I was living in the quaint city of Ann Arbor, MI where I frequented my favorite little book and tea shop http://www.crazywisdom.net/. It is a great place to get your spiritual fix (yes, the happy buddha statue sitting close to me as I type is from that book shop). Back to the story, it was a sunny winter weekend in 2004 and I brought an out of town friend to this little gem of a location...I thought she could use some spiritual enlightment...ha...little did I know this particular visit was for me. My friend spotted a flyer advertising an intuitive reader on location that particular day. She glowed with excitement as she anticipated what the reader would say to help her figure out her life so I tagged along in support.
We were sitting at a little table on 2nd floor sipping our tea; waiting for this mystery reader. And then, a woman walks up the stairs and approaches our table. She said she would be right with me...my friend stared in amazement; do you know that woman? Nope was my quick response; but I figured it was the woman we awaited. My friend met with her first and it was now my turn. As I sat in front of her, she closed her eyes and asked me to place my hands on top of her palms. I followed directions and just then our hands began to float upwards. She opened her eyes and asked me to come down....down from where? She said that I was not grounded and I was no where right now. Hmm...no where?...had she forgotten about the tea shop? She went on to explain that I wasn't accepting where I was physically --I was dreaming of another place in my future--and I couldn't decide where to go. Spot on. She said I won't be sound in my decision until I feel my feet on the ground and know that I am safely where I am meant to be right now. It took an intuitive reader to tell me what I intuitively knew. I slowly began to come off of my dream cloud, accepted where I was, and the universe sent me an opportunity a mere two months later to move to DC.
Time for action: Are you floating? Do you constantly dream about what could be instead of living in the right now? Feel your feet on the ground (or your butt on your chair as you read this) and know you are exactly where you are meant to be for now. When you accept this is your path, you will make space for new opportunities as you personally develop.
We were sitting at a little table on 2nd floor sipping our tea; waiting for this mystery reader. And then, a woman walks up the stairs and approaches our table. She said she would be right with me...my friend stared in amazement; do you know that woman? Nope was my quick response; but I figured it was the woman we awaited. My friend met with her first and it was now my turn. As I sat in front of her, she closed her eyes and asked me to place my hands on top of her palms. I followed directions and just then our hands began to float upwards. She opened her eyes and asked me to come down....down from where? She said that I was not grounded and I was no where right now. Hmm...no where?...had she forgotten about the tea shop? She went on to explain that I wasn't accepting where I was physically --I was dreaming of another place in my future--and I couldn't decide where to go. Spot on. She said I won't be sound in my decision until I feel my feet on the ground and know that I am safely where I am meant to be right now. It took an intuitive reader to tell me what I intuitively knew. I slowly began to come off of my dream cloud, accepted where I was, and the universe sent me an opportunity a mere two months later to move to DC.
Time for action: Are you floating? Do you constantly dream about what could be instead of living in the right now? Feel your feet on the ground (or your butt on your chair as you read this) and know you are exactly where you are meant to be for now. When you accept this is your path, you will make space for new opportunities as you personally develop.
17 October 2010
Where's your Zen?
The story: During a recent chat with a friend, he said "you called at the perfect time, I was having a zen moment". A zen moment...ahhh...you can visualize it right? I am sure he was walking along a free flowing creek, listening to the sound of the water rushing over the rocks, and gazing at the sun shining through the treas. Oh, and I am sure he was sipping a cup of tea, listening to the birds sing, and watching his dog bound up ahead through the tall grass. Wait! That is my zen moment.
I created that zen place in my mind years ago as I was searching for ways to find peace in the midst of a crazy chaotic day. How do you find zen moments as life challenges come rushing towards you? Where is your zen place that will instantly bring a feeling of peace to you? Remember, you don't have to physically be there...you just have to dream a little...be creative...and take yourself to your zen place for a moment of peace anytime. Yes, you can even go there while sitting at your desk pounding away at work tasks.
Time for action: Take some time to visualize your zen place. Etch it in your memory and visit it anytime. You will feel an instant sense of peace and maybe; just maybe...it will give you an opportunity to approach the challenges placed before you with ease and grace.
I created that zen place in my mind years ago as I was searching for ways to find peace in the midst of a crazy chaotic day. How do you find zen moments as life challenges come rushing towards you? Where is your zen place that will instantly bring a feeling of peace to you? Remember, you don't have to physically be there...you just have to dream a little...be creative...and take yourself to your zen place for a moment of peace anytime. Yes, you can even go there while sitting at your desk pounding away at work tasks.
Time for action: Take some time to visualize your zen place. Etch it in your memory and visit it anytime. You will feel an instant sense of peace and maybe; just maybe...it will give you an opportunity to approach the challenges placed before you with ease and grace.
06 October 2010
Long live the optimist
The story. It was 1989 and I was a skinny 90 pound girl sitting in a darkened room at an old supper club. Yes, in North Dakota (the place I called home for many years) the 'ol supper club is a go-to for meetings and wedding dances. So, there I was at a Rotary Club meeting with men 30 years my senior. Rotary...what is a rotary? I didn't know but I was about about to receive an optimist award from these "rotary men". An optimist award...for me? Yes, it made perfect sense. I was the energetic giddy girl that found the joy in anything that crossed my path; an eternal smile plastered on my freckled face was my trademark.
So, a mere 20 years later I heard a friend saying; "why are you being so pessimistic?" Me? Really? No, I am the eternal optimist. I have the certificate to prove it! What had happened? In a nutshell--I had lost a piece of me. What does that mean? Well, I had stopped using my natural talents (the things that have always been a part of me). When? How? After leaving my corporate job that came with a big title, much responsibility, and constant interfacing with people, I moved to a small town and began to work out of my home (where I had minimal interaction with people). That is when it happened, me (the coach) got stuck...stuck in a feeling of being too grounded with too much time with my own thoughts; believe it or not; I was too peaceful. I had sacrificed a significant natural talent in my life; meeting new people and winning them over with my positive energy. I have always been able to talk to anyone (yes, a parent's nightmare when the time came to teach the concept of "do not approach strangers"; because no one was ever a stranger to me). And, there I sat...sat in a quiet house by myself with minimal activity. Remember the title of my business? adrenazen; the adrenaline (or action) had gone missing. So, I picked myself off the couch and finally turned off the television after realizing I was engrossed in a rerun of Law and Order. Red flag! Red flag!
So, I began my yoga practice again and started networking. I made calls, walked into offices, and my diligence paid off. I was glowing with energy teaching adrenazen classes to groups of 30 eager Dartmouth graduate students and employees. I was coaching and guiding others to refocus their intensity and live "an intensely peaceful life". I had made it out of the rut by re-finding my intensity and I was me again. Whew!
Time for action. Do you have any red flags flying? What natural talent are you leaving on the table? Are you living an optimistic life (truly optimistic) or are you just wearing the cool rose colored sunglasses to mask what is really going on? Take 10 minutes and write your responses in a journal and then tomorrow, tell someone you trust what is one change you need to make. And, might as well smile and breathe a sigh of relief. You have started your journey to rediscovering you.
So, a mere 20 years later I heard a friend saying; "why are you being so pessimistic?" Me? Really? No, I am the eternal optimist. I have the certificate to prove it! What had happened? In a nutshell--I had lost a piece of me. What does that mean? Well, I had stopped using my natural talents (the things that have always been a part of me). When? How? After leaving my corporate job that came with a big title, much responsibility, and constant interfacing with people, I moved to a small town and began to work out of my home (where I had minimal interaction with people). That is when it happened, me (the coach) got stuck...stuck in a feeling of being too grounded with too much time with my own thoughts; believe it or not; I was too peaceful. I had sacrificed a significant natural talent in my life; meeting new people and winning them over with my positive energy. I have always been able to talk to anyone (yes, a parent's nightmare when the time came to teach the concept of "do not approach strangers"; because no one was ever a stranger to me). And, there I sat...sat in a quiet house by myself with minimal activity. Remember the title of my business? adrenazen; the adrenaline (or action) had gone missing. So, I picked myself off the couch and finally turned off the television after realizing I was engrossed in a rerun of Law and Order. Red flag! Red flag!
So, I began my yoga practice again and started networking. I made calls, walked into offices, and my diligence paid off. I was glowing with energy teaching adrenazen classes to groups of 30 eager Dartmouth graduate students and employees. I was coaching and guiding others to refocus their intensity and live "an intensely peaceful life". I had made it out of the rut by re-finding my intensity and I was me again. Whew!
Time for action. Do you have any red flags flying? What natural talent are you leaving on the table? Are you living an optimistic life (truly optimistic) or are you just wearing the cool rose colored sunglasses to mask what is really going on? Take 10 minutes and write your responses in a journal and then tomorrow, tell someone you trust what is one change you need to make. And, might as well smile and breathe a sigh of relief. You have started your journey to rediscovering you.
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