Opportunity of Choice

I was flipping through one of my journals this week and found an entry I made March 1, 2012. During that time I traveled back and forth from Denver to Scottsdale quite a bit, spending time with my Dad and sharing in his care with my sisters.

Each plane trip offered me a transitional bridge between what felt like "my two lives". I relished flying by myself, as it was a designated time owned only by me. I've learned that whenever we are in a position of caregiver, the freedom to be alone with our thoughts, or the privilege of just sitting, offering nothing, is a rare and treasured reprieve.

"Sitting on the plane, ready to take off. It has been a congested, prolonged boarding. In my quiet observation, I noticed how we all have a choice- a choice on how to respond... (react or resist) - to the energy of this activity.

There are those passengers who demonstrate their impatience, irritation and judgment at the source of any delay. Some appear frustrated by conditions outside of their control. Still, others chat critically of the process and of the culprits they deem responsible for the problem. And there is the additional route taken by several passengers who freely focus on fueling their own energy to the upset 

Isn't an "opportunity of choice" presented at every juncture or human interaction?"

We make choices every moment of the day and regarding every aspect of our lives. Whether we are even conscious of the choices we make, is a choice in itself. Life is a continuous offering of events, relationships and situations. How we respond ~ determines and creates our personal life experience. We are free to choose to take responsibility for that, or not! 

Underlining every moment is our choice of attitude. As human beings, we have been given free will. It is our birthright to choose what we think, believe and how we respond to our world. We can even choose how we feel or what level of health we experience. Now that statement could activate a few of us!

Our opportunity of choice spans our decision to become aware, as well as, our choice to remain ignorant. We can choose to be:

• kind or inconsiderate
• generous or greedy
• complimentary or critical
• engaged or unattached
• fair or unjust
• energetic or lethargic
• loving or cruel

Viewing our lives as an "opportunity of choice" can be empowering. It can also be a bit unsettling to recognize it is our every decision that paints the canvas of our lives.

In the margin of my journal entry I'd written one of the quotes I like from Jim Rohn, "Indecision is the theft of opportunity"

It reminded me of a little parable I'd heard years ago.

"Not to decide, is to decide!"

Hum...Sounds to me like another "opportunity of choice"!

The Art of Extreme Self Care

I met Cheryl Richardson at a magical event in Tucson AZ. She had partnered up with Louise Hay, both in coauthoring their book, You Can Create An Exceptional Life and in facilitating our women's retreat sharing the same message. 

The loving banter and flow between Cheryl and Louise created a supportive and fun environment. They encouraged us to examine our beliefs, behavior patterns, and attitudes in our thinking. They inspired us to entertain new and limitless possibilities for enhancing the quality of our lives.

 At the time of this retreat, I was fully immeshed in sharing with my two sisters, the care for our ill and grieving Father. "Taking care of myself" was a vague concept as I juggled living three different places and struggled to maintain some sense of personal balance. I was still reeling from my Mother's death a year and a half earlier, and felt lost, alone and empty.

 So when Cheryl Richardson introduced her new book, The Art of Extreme Self Care, Transform Your Life One month at a Time, I was intrigued.

 As women, we are accustomed to multi-tasking and demonstrating by our actions, whose needs we value most. Although we might have our hair or nails done, make it to our annual doctor's appointments, or squeeze exercise into our over extended schedules; we generally have limited experience with focusing on truly caring for ourselves!

We deprive ourselves, act on "yes' when we really mean "no", care for others to the extent we neglect ourselves, hide behind obligation or fear of rejection, sometimes martyr ourselves and erode our self-esteem by tolerating other's inappropriate behavior.

Cheryl Richardson's The Art of Extreme Self-Care, Transform Your Life One Month at a Time, is a life-changing handbook that offers us 12 strategies to transform our lives, one month at a time. She designed it as a practical, action-oriented program, with each chapter challenging us to alter one behavior that keeps us separate from the rich, rewarding lives we are meant to live.

Although this book certainly can be read and practiced alone, I know most of us are more likely to embrace something new with the support and encouragement of others. In creating this workshop and tele course, I utilized Cheryl's book as our foundation, added my own insights, experiences and exercises, and included a monthly 60 minute coaching session to provide you personal support.

 "The practice of Extreme Self-Care forces us to make choices and decisions

that honor and reflect the true nature of our soul."

~ Cheryl Richardson

This Art of Extreme Self-Care program will inspire you to dismantle your self-sabotaging behavior and empower you ~ to focus on making creative and necessary changes ~ that daily support loving and caring for yourself.

Learn more and register now to join us! 

Recognize the Tipping Point

Growing up in Colorado, August 1st meant we had one more month of summer vacation to enjoy. Those were the days when the school year started the day after Labor Day and most stores, except for some gas stations, were closed on Sundays.

Today, the beginning of August marks the tipping point; that place where summer with it's relaxed schedules and attitudes, dramatically shifts to a focus on fall, re-establishing routines and disciplines, and preparing for the new school year, just days away. 

As I reflect on the passing summer, I acknowledge the sweetness of my time spent with family and friends, riding my horse, and enjoying our puppy. Spending time communing with nature, at Evergreen lake and around this beautiful community, kept my spirits lifted and my heart, grateful.  

This summer I focused on taking care of me. I paid attention to my intuition and sought new resources to support my health. I also enjoyed supporting and celebrating victories with my clients and creating a new program to implement this fall.

The Art of Extreme Self Care, Transform Your Life One Month at a Time, is based on the book by Cheryl Richardson. Twelve monthly workshops and tele-courses are offered- augmented with a monthly 60 minute personal Coaching session. I am very excited about sharing this new adventure that has been in the works for the past 18 months. Please watch for details and a registration announcement coming next week! 

Take a moment to reflect upon your summer:

• What highlights will you remember from the summer of 2014?
• Did you meet any new people that were significant?
• Were you successful at learning something new?
• Where did you contribute?
• Did you make any important decisions about your Life?
• How did you demonstrate taking personal responsibility?
• What desires do you want to implement this fall?
   

Honoring Our Freedom

The Fourth of July, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the United Kingdom. 

This weekend, millions of American's will again observe our nation's Independence Day. 

Celebrations will include barbecues, parades, U.S. flags, Freedom Runs, patriotic gatherings,  firework displays, eating, drinking and coming together with families and friends. 

Most of us remember the origins of this federal holiday. However today, may we pay tribute to the countless individuals who continue to accept responsibility, make sacrifices, and commit themselves to preserving our present day freedom and independence. 

May we consciously acknowledge them, honor their service and express our gratitude!  

Our personal freedom also comes from taking responsibility and action toward liberating ourselves. In order for us to live unencumbered lives, we must be free of the burdens we have chosen to bear. 

Much like the crusades of our nation, it is essential to identify and emancipate ourselves from self imposed deprivation and oppression. 

What are the "action steps" that could liberate us?  

They are the focus and measures we take to systematically release aspects of ourselves and our lives ~that restrict, control or define us.  

How could we benefit from declaring independence from old ways of thinking, non serving beliefs, and destructive behaviors?

With liberation comes greater awareness, clarity of thought and imagination, connection to inner wisdom and Freedom of Being.

This Independence Day, as you celebrate the holiday in your customary way; take a moment to identify one aspect of your life that you are ready to set free. 

Take a deep breath and make a decision to step forward toward honoring that freedom!

Pathway to our Heart

We travel through the endless 

corridors of our mind,

Until one day, we find a pathway that leads 

to our Heart.

~Toni Carmine Salerno

Our minds can often be like a maze.  So when we enter alone, unarmed or without direction, we can very well be led to that dark rabbit hole Alice found herself in.

When we venture in without intention or focus, it is easy to slip into a downhill flow of dark confusion. And if we think ourselves clever, we sometimes join the committee already assembled ~ to take our place at the helm.

Eagerly, we ride the familiar, mental groove, round and round, while secretly hoping for clarity and new insight! 

What if we could just choose a different fork in the road?

Could it be that simple?

Could we learn to quiet ourselves; to silence the chatter?

Could we release our insanity just by practicing intentional Breathing?

Most solutions in this world are simple.  Simple. . .yet our resistance makes their implementation ~far from easy!

I have learned through my own experience that focusing on my Breath is always the way out!  Shifting my attention to my breathing allows me a reprieve, a step off the old merry go round, and a realignment of sorts. 

Intentionally breathing is as simple (and easy) as making a decision to do it.  Try it!  The next time you become aware of feeling agitated or confused; Stop!  Inhale deeply, exhale, then inhale again.

Try it for three breaths.  Ah... nice...  

For the present moment you've come home to your Heart ~ that center of your being where all of your intentions ~ can manifest.  And so it is. 

"I create easily and effortlessly when I let my thoughts come from the loving space of my heart."  - Louise Hay