The Gifts of Being Thoughtful

thoughtful
woman holding heart
listen to your heart

In a world where there is so much going on and most of us are flying by the seat of our pants, we seldom take time to think through what we say or do.

Yet, slowing down and being more thoughtful are just what you and your world need.

Continue reading

Decorating from the Heart

decorating from the heart
listen to your heart
simplify needlework

I don’t feel like putting together a nicely decorated home is one of my natural gifts. That may be why I still have some empty walls after moving into my latest house a year ago.

In the meantime, I have searched online, set up Pinterest boards, and created folders of pictures I liked. They may have given me some ideas, but they haven’t really helped. It’s possible they even created more stress, insecurity, and dilemma along the way.

Continue reading

A Grace Filled Way of Entering the New Year

grace filled new year resolutions goals

You may have noticed I’ve been a little quiet lately. Usually, at this time of year I’m advocating year end processes and goal setting for the year to come. And yes, many of my clients are working diligently on these.

But for me, this year felt different. Instead of working on goals I wanted to slide gently and gracefully into the new year.

Continue reading

How to Plan for a More Simple & Meaningful Holiday Season

meaningful holiday christmas

My holidays have run the gamut from being so poor I could only afford a few thrift store toys for my son to being completely overwhelmed by preparing a holiday meal, attending parties, and finding the perfect gifts for friends, family, and co-workers.

What I’ve learned is that I do best when I keep my holidays simple and close to my heart. I may be crazy, but I think that might be true for most of us. Continue reading

The Power of Gratitude

gratitude grateful heart

For me, a lack of thankfulness shows up as a sense of being disconnected from myself and my higher power. I start to get mired in what is going wrong in my life or the world. Sometimes fantasies of impending doom or victim stories play through my mind. If I let it go too long, it can turn into depression.

I don’t know what to call it, but I think you might know what I am talking about.

What I do know is that when we start to fall into this trap of negativity, the quickest path back to our true selves includes a return to gratitude. Continue reading

3 Uplifting Ways to View the World

view the world perspectives perspective optometrist or pessimist

Throughout our days we view the world through different lenses or perspectives. There are times when those filters lead us to believe the world is against us or full of bad things and other times when we can be full of hope and possibilities.

We get to choose.

Continue reading

Rediscovering Yourself: Imagine a Blank Page

rediscovering yourself
self discovery life is a blank page life as a blank page

Some of my clients come to me because they feel like they have lost touch with who they are. This often happens when there has been a change in their life. Things like divorce, moving, and kids going off to college can leave you feeling kind of floaty, especially if like most women, you’ve been focusing on taking care of everyone else.

Continue reading

Create a Comfort Box for When You Feel Low

comfort box
self care box
spa day box

Years ago I read about the idea of setting up a cache of special items that would bring me comfort when I needed it. My comfort box is pictured above and the funny thing is sometimes just knowing I have it is enough.

I think everyone should have one. It doesn’t have to be a box. It could be a drawer, basket, or whatever you want. The idea is to fill it with things that will soothe your soul when you are not feeling well or having experiencing a hard time.

Continue reading

Stop Tolerating the Small Stuff

stop tolerating the small stuff 
tv sticker
tolerations l

I bought a TV about a month ago and I am happy with it. But, every time I walk past it I notice the bright yellow sticker that needs to be removed. I pass by it over and over again throughout the day and instead of taking the sticker off, I just tolerate it.

It’s a form of clutter that steals a tiny bit of my energy every time I see it.

Continue reading

Your Life is a Work of Art

life is a work of art blank canvas paint brushes

Your life is a work of art and you are the artist creating it. It can be big, bold, and full of color or simply shades of gray. You get to decide.

Art can take on many different forms and styles, but ultimately, the goal is to create something beautiful or thought provoking.

Continue reading

More Than One Way to Get What You Want

more than one way to get what you want woman reaching goal climbing rocks life coach

My clients often come to me feeling they need to make big changes in their lives in order to feel peaceful or happy.

While they may be excited, they tend to also feel a bit stuck or overwhelmed. If they seem to be rushing things, it is likely that fear is driving them to run away from something instead of their simply moving toward their dreams.

Continue reading

Living a Life of Grace & Gratitude

simple living grace and gratitude simple life

Today, I am remembering special moments from my past and feeling into who I have become and what I want more of in my life.

I guess you could say I am in an introspective mood.

From this perspective I can see the gifts of my past challenges and how they supported me in becoming who I am today. I don’t believe in regrets, but have a few. Mostly, I am amazed by my journey and how I moved from feeling broken and unable to function to raising a wonderful son, becoming a coach, and creating a life of grace and gratitude. Continue reading

Opening the Door to Possibilities

open door to possibilities
shift always/never thinking always never thinking in absolutes

We all have patterns in our lives. Long lines of experiences and lessons that cause us to believe certain things are true. They can lead us into the dark alley of always/never thinking that closes the door to possibilities.

Continue reading

Today is a Gift

today is a gift woman at sunrise feeling positive affirmation mantra intention

Years ago when I was having a hard time at my job I looked for ways that would help me stay more positive. And, in integrity. I was upset about things that were happening and could feel myself being pulled in the direction of talking behind someone’s back.

Continue reading

Be Yourself – Everyone Else is Taken

be yourself everyone else is taken authentic authenticity angel with crown

You are a blessing to this world. Yes, you. That real authentic you that you sometimes try to hide because the world has taught you it’s not cool, beautiful, capable, lovable, or worthy enough.

The world lied. You ARE all of those things.

Continue reading

How to Stop Sabotaging Your Goals

sabotage self-sabotage sabotaging barrier fence life coach

My client had a very clear goal. She wanted to find a man to share her life with. She called this goal “finding the one”.

We started with some foundation and discovery work about what she was looking for, open to, and defining her deal breakers. But, it didn’t take long before I realized that she was engaged in a cycle of self sabotage.

Continue reading

Accepting the Truth Will Set You Free

truth will set you free, bird flying out of cage, resist the truth, freedom, resisting what is true, accepting the truth  acceptance

Over the years I have talked to a lot of people who were feeling upset or experiencing emotional pain. While their stories may be different, there seems to be a common thread.

Continue reading

What I Learned from Jumping Off a Telephone Pole

The picture above is one of my favorite pictures of me. I remember feeling very confident and alive in that moment.

Why? Because I had just jumped off a telephone pole.

Continue reading

Learning Patience – Again

learning patience feeling peaceful impatient to do list

I would like to believe I’m a patient person. After all, I’ve raised a child, potty trained a dog, and witnessed the growth of my clients with respect for their own process and timing.

But, lately I’ve been feeling frustrated because reality is not matching up with my expectations.

Continue reading