Archive for the ‘Finding Joy’ Category
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
We’re doing it. We’re breaking through to new levels of awareness, success and fulfillment. I can feel it and I can see it. Spring is coming in many ways. I’ve been given a sign and am being reminded of this constantly.
few days ago the Robins came to visit. Hundreds of them. They migrate very quickly through here every Spring and Fall, but this year they stopped. Was it the snow up north? For whatever reason, they’re everywhere. We’re surrounded by Robins. This morning the cauchaphony was so loud it was difficult to talk outside.
I love birds anyway and this is a delight. It keeps me smiling, though it snowed yesterday. Times are challenging in many ways. My parents are both ill. My husband’s business is struggling. Friends are experiencing setbacks. But, I know we’re working through all of this. We’re evolving and restructuring ourselves and our lives. It’s going to be great. I know it. The Robins are here and I know that Spring is coming soon. Hope is powerful medicine.
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Uncategorized, intuitive counseling, transformation | No Comments »
Friday, January 29th, 2010
Fearless? Forget it. New fears always come up. That’s how I know where I’m stuck. It helps to show me my personal obstacles and where my next step is. Here are some ways I handle fear when it shows up in my life:
1. Honor it. Look at where it’s coming from.
2. Address the issue. If it’s founded in truth, take action and fix the problem.
3. Meditate. This is always in order. Cleaning out the mental clutter and realigning with Self is integral to being on the right path and releasing fear.
4. Have faith. I know that everything works out for the best. I believe this and tune into it. Remembering past breakthroughs helps.
5. Love me (and others). Love is the ultimate fear obliterator. Both cannot exist at the same time.
When I first started my business I woke up in the middle of the night in a panic. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to support myself. Instead of lying around fretting I began to get up and work. When I worked enough I went back to sleep for a few hours. Working was the therapy I needed to heal my fear. And, I made more money to pay the bills.
It’s rare, but I still wake up sometime in fear. First I notice what is on my mind. I address it and take care of it. I then go back to bed. For instance, I have protected all of my assets by placing them in a Living Trust. I woke up at 3 a.m. the other morning with a fearful thought glaring in my head like a neon sign. It said, “You just changed home insurance policies and you put the policy in your own name. It needs to be in the name of the Trust.” Wow. That never would have occurred to me during my waking hours. I got up, emailed my agent (she’s amazing: Janet Taylor of State Farm in ATL). I went back to bed fear-free. When I got back to the computer at 9 am there was an email from Janet saying she’d changed the policy. Fear noted, acted on and issue overcome.
I’ve also noticed from my own and client experiences that fear pops up its head when we actually achieve our dreams. Moving into a new and wonderful way of life means giving up the old, familiar life. Even if the old was painful, it was familiar and somehow safe. Sometimes fear is an indication that we’re expanding. Abraham-Hicks wrote: “Negative emotion means your life has caused expansion, which in the moment of negative emotion you are disallowing. Every time. No exceptions.”
Sometimes fear is an indicator that you’ve made it. When that happens throw fear to the wind, spread your wings and fly.
Posted in Business Information, Coaching, Finding Joy, Getting It Done, Growing your business, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Uncategorized, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | No Comments »
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Suzie Price is asking people on Linkedin what brings them joy (http://www.pricelessprofessional.com/how-to-find-happiness.html).
Here’s my answer:
1.) Know who you are. In order to be happy you have to know what makes you happy.
To do that you have to increase your awareness of who you are and BE that.
2.) Do what you love and don’t settle for less, no matter what.
There are no excuses here. If you act out of obligation, fear, worry or through your limiting beliefs of what you SHOULD do you won’t be happy. If you do what you love you’ll find joy, and you’ll light up the world and those around you at the same time.
See yesterday’s blog: “Enlightening Pelican Lessons.”
Posted in Business Information, Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Getting It Done, Happiness, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Power of creation, business relationships, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
It was a beautiful day on the West Coast. I stood overlooking the ocean at the Torrey Pines State Reserve, awestruck by the beauty of the view and watched the Pelicans fly. Pelicans are the most remarkably graceful birds when they fly. Their landings … not so much. When they land they look like the stars of a bird comedy show – clumsy, tripping and sputtering. But, they were flying now.
They weren’t diving for fish or even looking for them. Instead they were playing in the jet streams above the large cresting waves. Three of them flew in a line together. Like bird surfers they soared up the inside of a wave and before it crested sailed along the top – wings spread and only inches from the water. I could see their shadows reflected just below them.
Over and over they caught the waves, gracefully and powerfully swooping up the curve and gliding over the crests – doing what they do best and exulting in the power and freedom of their flight. Words can’t explain the beauty, power and grace as they expertly danced above the ocean, doing what they do best and rejoicing in it.
Pelicans don’t do much. They dive and catch fish, raise young, sleep and fly. They can’t even land well. But they showed me something profound. I saw in the Pelicans a living example of what it’s like to be who you are and do what you do best, loving it; knowing your talents and joyfully expanding upon them. I didn’t see any Pelicans working on landings over and over saying, “If I only practice maybe I can do it better. Maybe I’ll even learn to like it.” No, they did what they did best and loved it. Exulting on their strength these Pelicans enjoyed themselves, the ocean and a sunny day in California.
Posted in Business Information, Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Happiness, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Power of creation, intuitive counseling, success | No Comments »
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Love this article: How To Be Ridiculous (http://bit.ly/7M9OZj)
“Being appropriately ridiculous is an art. The art of accepting your own mistakes. The art of keep growing until you’re not making them anymore. The art of daring to become so differently from your older version that sometimes you won’t be recognized anymore.
The art of creating an incredibly better you.”
After decades of self improvement and personal growth seminars the most enlightening course was a comedy workshop. I was SO SERIOUS. I knew I needed help and this was the perfect solution. Our material? Our most embarrassing moments and the things we hate most about ourselves. Think about it. Amusement is the highest vibration of energy. Laughing at ourselves is the highest form of amusement. Ridiculous is funny. You do the math. Ridiculous works!
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Getting It Done, Growing your business, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Power of creation, Training, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | No Comments »
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010
Sitting by the fire with husband and dog, I’m feeling gratitude and excitement about the year ahead. The New Year gives us the opportunity to envision our lives and reframe our goals and dreams. Each year I strive to reach to a higher level of joy and fulfillment.
The joy and abundance I feel right now is a reflection of the goals that I set last year. I envisioned them, wrote them down, defined them clearly and then set out working for them – knowing that I’m supported in whatever I dream.
Last year I asked for many things, including new friends, more business success, travel and health. My husband and I spent time every free day this month with new and old friends we love. My client base has tripled. My database for my newsletter quadrupled. I developed new content and I’m excited to be launching a new workbook and journal tomorrow (available at http://www.theawarenessinitiative.com/store/). We traveled to Santa Barbara this year, Hawaii and attended a wonderful wedding in Anquilla! Best of all, I had my final surgery and feel like I’m finally recovering from the effects of cancer treatment.
Thinking back, I’m looking at the steps I took to accomplish all that I did last year that I’ll continue in 2010:
1. Determination: Decide what I want and know I can have it.
2. Awareness: Pay attention to who I am and what’s happening around me on all levels.
3. Meditation: Start each day releasing my negativity, becoming centered, focused and in a state of grace.
4. Allowing: Ask for and let others help me.
5. Faith: Know that everything will come in time and at the right time.
6. Gratitude: Appreciating what and who I have in my life – that I have life – and honoring the grace around me.
I wish you all that your heart desires and the peace that comes from knowing how much you have.
Happy New Year.
Tags: awareness, business success, Coaching, counseling, Getting It Done, insight, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, law of attraction, life lessons, moving forward, self help, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Getting It Done, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Power of creation, intuitive counseling, transformation | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 24th, 2009
It’s time to receive now, as we head into the biggest giving day of the year. I hope you’ve all been inspired and are receive much joy today and tomorrow.
1. Giving to “Toys for Tots” is so much fun. I hadn’t been to the toy store in years. It was interesting and heart warming to pick out a toy for some child in need. Sending love is so good for the giver.
2. I took a friend/client to a Christmas event at the Buckhead Club. I paid for her to go and was paid back in full by sharing her company and her joy from the event.
3. We’ve received so many sweets as gifts this year. We like to stay healthy and it looked like we would get “sugared out”. So, I re-gifted the delicious (and so tempting) Mrs. Field’s Cookie Basket that we received to our wonderful contractors (not an oxymoron, at last). They lit up, and it was delightful to see. My waistline is also very grateful.
4. I gave the gift of attention and appreciation. I asked an attendant at the bank a question. She immediately offered to get the answer for me, which meant taking her time to go across the bank and ask someone else. I was pressed for time and didn’t feel like waiting. However, I could tell that she really wanted to give good service. It made her feel good to help me. So, I waited and thanked her graciously for her time and service. She was pleased and I ended up doing all I needed to do.
5. One of the best gifts I’ve ever given is the one I’m creating for my Mom’s 80th birthday. It’s a Voice Quilt (www.voicequilt). I’ve called and emailed her friends and family. They’ve been calling in to the Voicequilt.com phone number and leaving messages for her – telling about how much they care and stories they’ve shared. It’s so heartwarming listening to the messages. I cry each time I do. And, I’m so excited to see her response. Definitely a wonderful gift.
6. In reference to the above. I found out about Voicequilt from the founder Hope Flammer. She emailed me that she heard me speak 4 years ago and was inspired to create this business. She’s so happy that she did, and I’m so very happy that I was able to inspire her. Sigh.
7. My husband has been out of town and is coming home this evening. He just loves my spinach lasagna and so do I. It will be waiting here for him when he arrives. He’s very excited and I’m going to just love creating this treat for him.
Wishing you all the most joyful of holidays.
Tags: Coaching, counseling, Giving, insight, inspiration, intuition, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, life lessons, self help, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Giving, Happiness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Uncategorized, gifts, intuitive counseling, transformation | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
I answered a question on LinkedIn which addresses the issues of how to transfer your dreams into reality. I thought my answer may be interesting to you.
The law of attraction works if you aren’t standing in your own way. Our unconscious and soul level beliefs hang us up. I wrote Unlimited Life: Limiting Beliefs and Belief Busting Power Truths because I noticed how often I and my clients did not get what we dreamed of. We can be our own road blocks. I have a free Limiting Belief Worksheet on the home page of this site (www.theawarenessinitiative.com), if you’d like to work through your limiting beliefs.
Life is a training ground. We are growing, changing and evolving. The obstacles that we encounter offer the perfect scenarios for us to become aware of the places where we’re stuck and need to grow. The object is to be in tune with our essential self, act from that place and try to stay as loving to ourselves and others as possible. It’s a continual process and is never ending until we die.
Life offers some amazing challenges and we can handle whatever is put on our path. 16 months ago I discovered that I had cancer. That was a big obstacle. I went through the heavy treatment for it last year, and am going to have to be treated and feel the effects of it for awhile. It’s horrible. No doubt about it. I don’t wish it on anyone. But, it was the biggest growth stimulant I’ve ever had. I’m a much different person than I was 16 months ago. I had to rally all of my internal forces – and am still doing that – but I’m coming out on top of it. I meditate daily, exercise, eat well… The coaching I do is healing to me as well as my clients. I am more and more in touch with what is valuable and important to me. I am focusing on those things and those people.
There will always be more to work through and more to dream. That’s the beauty of life. Sometimes we don’t see how far we’ve come because we’re dreaming of the next thing. Look at the life you are living and see if you are not living much of what you wanted in the past. If you aren’t, work through the beliefs that block you. In either case, this is the perfect season to feel gratitude for all we do have and for the opportunity to be here.
If you’d like to work through your beliefs you can sign up for my Life Transformation Vision Board Workshop on January 8 in Atlanta (only 2 spaces left) at http://bit.ly/8Kdjes.
Meanwhile, have a very joyful and blessed holiday!
Tags: awareness, Coaching, counseling, creative power, insight, inspiration, intuition, intuitive, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, law of attraction, life lessons, moving forward, self help, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Happiness, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Power of creation, Workshops, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | No Comments »
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
It’s been a busy and grateful week. Here are 7 ways of giving while not depleting oneself (in fact, getting rewarded in some cases):
1. I participated in a white elephant gift giving at a party. I received a gift that someone else wanted – some candles that matched her decor. I offered to exchange with her so she could have mine. Hers was coffee, which I wouldn’t mind having. I also saw someone who received a red, glass olive oil bottle that she didn’t want. I asked if she wanted the coffee I now had. She didn’t want either but gave me the olive oil bottle. She said it made her happy to do so. Everyone was happy and I went home with 2 gifts, though I had brought 1.
2. I enjoyed designing holiday cards that my husband’s company printed. I sent 200 cards to clients, family and friends. I’ve received many compliments and return cards back. One person is in Asia and has offered to help me plan my next trip there. Another client realized it was time for a coaching session.
3. I exchanged a Social Networking session with Barbara Giamanco of Talent Builders and gave her an hour coaching session. She loved it and in turn sent a wonderful blog out to all of her vast LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook networks about my upcoming Vision Board workshop (www.theawarenessinitiative.com/speaking.php) and wrote me a recommendation. Can’t wait to recommend her, as well. Social networking is a win-win, give-give situation. Love it.
4. I did a coaching session for a client today who is very financially challenged. I didn’t feel comfortable taking her money and told her that. Instead I gave her motivation to pay me. I said she will owe me the money and pay me when she follows the advice of the session and is on her way to success. Delaying payment was a gift to her. Her payment will be a double gift to me, showing me she’s doing well and is successful.
5. I had an event to go to tonight, but a client asked me to do a coaching session with her daughter. I didn’t tell the client that I had a previous engagement. Instead, I opted to give the session as it was clear the daughter needed it. It seemed the right thing to do. And it was. I was blessed with meeting a wonderful person and enjoyed the session at least as much as she did. It was a real blessing, and more fulfilling than the event would have been.
6. I was asked to go to lunch with a friend so that she could solicit a donation to her favorite charity. I went, had a delicious lunch, enjoyed her company and donated. The conversation progressed and unsolicited she mentioned a friend who was needing some coaching. She’s going to refer her to me.
7. Here’s one from my husband: I gave the Salvation Army bell ringer at the Kroger a cup of coffee and a sandwich. I’ve been told that they aren’t allowed to carry their own money. It was cold and he couldn’t leave his post. My gift was the heartwarming joy of giving and his grateful smile.
Tags: behavior control, business success, Coaching, counseling, Giving, insight, inspiration, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, life lessons, self help, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Finding Joy, Giving, Happiness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, gifts, intuitive counseling | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
This morning I awoke after a rough night of little sleep to a reply from Mary McManus (http://bit.ly/5dKE0c) to my Gratitude Challenge. What a wonderful reply it was. It inspired and grounded me in my day.
Here’s how it worked from the beginning. Mary heard me on the Darian and Darius Blogtalk radio show. Being the tremendous social networker that she is, she connected with me on Twitter and Facebook. She tweets me often, sends love and support, and I reply in kind.
The more I share my knowledge and participate in social media, the more relationships I develop with people like Mary. I’ve made friends, learned a great deal, developed business and have helped others by sending info to others about them. It just keeps growing and going. Social media done correctly is a perfect example of a win-win giving situation.
Tags: awareness, business success, Coaching, communication, Giving, intuition, intuitive coaching, intuitive insight, lessons, life lessons, relationships, self help, social media, transformation
Posted in Coaching, Creating your life, Finding Joy, Getting It Done, Giving, Growing your business, Happiness, Improving communication, Increasing Awareness, Intuitive Insights, Life management, Personal growth, Power of creation, Present Time, Training, business relationships, gifts, intuitive counseling, success, transformation | 3 Comments »
