Archive for category: Blog

Two of the lessons I’ve learned in life so far…

First, everyone is my teacher ESPECIALLY the little people in my life; they teach me wonder, discovery, awe, courage, love, acceptance, tenacity, and so much more.  Another lesson I’ve learned through them, as well as trial and error, is to not be tied to “form” in regards to love.  Over the last several years I’ve worked with many people who feel their lives are less full, less rich because in that particular moment they were not involved in an intimate/romantic partnership. As a result of this thinking, all the love that arrived in their lives from their family, friends, little people, etc didn’t move them. They remained stuck in a feeling of want and lack…

When I allowed myself to be moved by ALL the ways love arrives in my life, I became #heartFULL AND that attracted even MORE love into my life.
My #thoughts #Mystory…

True story. I was shopping with my Mom in the cosmetic department of Nordstrom. Simultaneously, Susan Grace was texting me as I was sending her a picture of a skin care product. Purchase: yes? no? She asked if I would accompany her as a skincare model on TodayNW. I LOVE Susan, while my skin soaks up her nurturing, my mind soaks up her wisdom and gentle loving care. She is a powerhouse, a trusted business advisor. So, of course, I said YES!!!!

…and then the voices kicked in, the ones that remind me I have a wide face and I might look like a chipmunk on screen. After all doesn’t the TV add ten pounds? Will we be live? I have a lifelong fear of speaking in public…my need to address this at a subconscious level is a future post 😉

My dear friend, Ginger, yoga teacher extraordinaire at hauteyoga, was going to be modeling as well. This both comforted me and gave me pause…G has the selfie, both in picture and video form, down to a science. Deer in the headlights next to Selfie Master…hmmmm

In the end, I negotiated with myself. This will be like being in her studio or my office in a private session. Breathe. Recognize the incredible honor it is that Susan asked me to accompany her. And note to self: this isn’t about you!

I write this to share that, as I tell each of my patients, we ALL have stuff. Each of us is a “work in progress.” The “get out of your head, and into your heart” mantra that I learned in yoga from my other studio sanctuary Live Love Flow, Jaime Scates Schmidt (thank you!). That’s my practice.

Today I did the deed; Margaret set us all at ease. It was SO MUCH FUN to hear and see Susan share her wisdom. What a natural. G was her usual fun self. Craig and I got a chance to talk personal training. Margo Meyers, the PR Guru, and I talked coaching and therapy.

Incredible adventure…so glad I got out of my own way.

Change is constant. We are currently in a season of change. This transition is not overnight; it’s a process…and this is the same as any change we set out to make in our own lives.

Over the years I’ve found that the people who experience the most easeful, sustainable change are willing to do the following;

1 – Acknowledge with compassion where they currently are in their lives. No judgment, shaming, “should”ing themselves.  Acceptance of where we are isn’t resigning ourselves to the status quo; it’s simply honoring our current reality.  Giving up the fight in order to create space for forward motion 😉

2 – Be willing to explore, “discover” what led us to our current circumstances; this is a bit like gardening if we pull the weed off but don’t remove it at the root we might not see said weed for a bit but it’s still in the soil and eventually it will appear again.  If we strive to change our lives by getting to the root of behaviors, we create the opportunity to permanently let go of that which no longer serves us.

3 – Triggers. Identify what pushes our particular “buttons”.  Recognize that triggers are a part of life.  Create an if/then approach to shift the neural pathway. IF I find myself “triggered” THEN I apply this new, previously discussed coping mechanism, eventually producing a new, more optimal, pattern.

4 – Adopt an attitude of love, kindness, compassion and patience with yourself…perhaps the way you would treat a cherished friend.  Most of us recognize that berating those close to us when we don’t like their behavior is not motivating or inspiring.  This approach keeps us locked in the same unhappy dynamic in our relationships.  This applies to our relationship to self as well.

5 – See change as a practice.  Our commitment to 1 – 4 over, and over and over produces the most optimal results.

Wishing you great joy on your journey…step by step

We do the people around us a huge disservice when we speak like we have it “all together”…each of us has something we can learn, grow and develop.   To speak from a place of authority suggests to others a “perfection” that I hope as a human being I never feel I have achieved…doing our best and recognizing that best is different every day is part of the human experience.  Each and every person we interact with has the opportunity to be our teacher; from the tiniest of babies to a person in the sunset of their lives.  Yes, I strive to be considered an expert in my chosen profession AND what I desire even more is to be a human being growing and becoming my best self; better every day.  Walking my talk…not just talking it.  When we commit to learning, we are always expanding our knowledge base.  That’s part of the experience of coaching/therapy…supporting a person in knowing themselves better so they can do better. That’s one of my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou “know better, do better” but I chose to post the one attached because I think that’s the attitude we need to cultivate in order to create great change; “I am going to thrive.”

Today is Small Business Saturday – a day dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country.

As someone who owns a small business (10 years in January!) I love the idea of small business owners banding together and supporting one another, encouraging their patrons to do the same. According to a recent study*when we shop small, at independent locally owned businesses, over 50% of what we spend stays right in our community. I love that. So if you are out and about today starting your holiday shopping, I would encourage you to shop small and support one of your local neighborhood businesses.

I am fortunate that my small business does not feel like “work.” I am truly honored that through my business I am able to support YOU in creating your best life; be that your career, relationships, physical or emotional well-being.

I am offering the following small business Saturday packages in celebration of today, and in anticipation of many people’s desire to hit “reset” during or after the holidays. If you are currently working with me feel free to hit “pause” on our current package. If you haven’t seen me in years and wish to create a change, I’d love to see you. This prepaid investment will be available for purchase through December 10th and can be applied to sessions between now and April 1, 2014.

10 hours for $1,000
6 hours for $660
1 session for $250

In addition after the first of the year I will begin a thirty minute “hit reset” offering. In thirty minutes, over the phone, I can (and will!) coach you through a current challenge or get you into trance to support you in moving toward your goals, dreams and desires. Yes, trance work is absolutely accessible over the phone…I’ve been working with people all over the country by phone for years.