Call me old fashioned, but I think there are some things best done with pen and paper. Don’t get me wrong, I have hundreds of documents in my computer, but I’ve seen real magic happen through the act of writing the way it’s been done for years. Continue reading
Your brain is a great tool, but sometimes your mind can drive you crazy. It can get into repetitive loops with the kinds of thoughts that bring you down or hold you back. Or, it can just spin out of control. If you are like most human beings, you are experiencing both.
Here is a simple way to retrain your brain and let go of these negative patterns of thinking: Continue reading
It was a few days before my client would give her first presentation before a group and anxiety was starting to bubble up. She asked for my help in minimizing her fear before it boiled over. Continue reading
Someone in my neighborhood is driving a snazzy yellow Lamborghini. You can’t help but notice it, especially when they keep revving the engine when stopped at lights.
I may not be a big car person, but the sleek lines and deep rumble of that engine were calling out to me. Continue reading
If you want to avoid impulse buying it may feel like the odds are stacked against you. Advertisers, stores, and even your peers are masters of hypnosis. They hypnotize you into believing your long term goals don’t matter and there is nothing more you want in the world than to buy their product.
You become their puppet, disconnected from who you really are and what you really want.
Unless, you utilize the following tips … Continue reading
Things happen in life that cause pain and are hard to understand. This is true.
When they happen it is important to allow yourself to feel your feelings, which often include sadness, anger, or loss. When you allow your feelings to process, you will be able to heal and eventually move forward. Continue reading
Most everyone is familiar with the value of having a To Do list where you keep track of the projects and actions you intend to take. But, have you ever considered creating a Don’t Do list? Continue reading
I lost my favorite pair of yoga pants. In my house. They have to be here somewhere, but I can’t find them. I’ve been looking for days.
And, I am not alone. My clients and friends talk about it often. One found her earrings in her underwear drawer and another opened her freezer the other day and discovered frozen car keys. Continue reading
My client was in a dilemma. She had been invited to join friends on a weekend getaway that sounded exciting, but there was one person going that always seemed to cause some kind of drama.
She kept saying she would like to go, but… Continue reading
I was out for a lovely morning walk with a friend when I saw a worm writhing on the sidewalk. Without thinking, I picked the worm up and put him in the damp grass.
My friend started laughing. He thought it was ridiculous that I would save a worm. Continue reading
A couple years back I got a great deal on cable TV. It was almost free when I bundled it with my other services.
When the special rate was over, I was astonished at how much the cost went up and decided to research other options. It wasn’t that I couldn’t afford it, I just couldn’t rationalize paying so much when there were other possibilities.
And so, my TV research adventure began… Continue reading
Budgets and spending plans may work, but often feel uninspiring. Real success happens when you stay connected emotionally to the outcome of what you want to create. It just makes it easier.
The following steps are designed to help you do just that: Continue reading
Not too long ago I found myself staring at my computer screen trying to come up with a password for a new account. My brain was clearly taking a break. Continue reading
My weekly schedule has it’s own little routine. I generally have the same clients, meetings, and things to accomplish along with some time allotted for projects. And yet, sometimes I struggle to get it all done, while other weeks flow with ease. Why is that?
I have noticed an interesting pattern. There have been times when my energy was low and I told my friend (who is also the person I share my daily wins with) that I was going to slow down, give myself a break and just putter through the day.
What happened was always surprising.
I would feel relaxed, peaceful, centered and still get more done than on the days when I hit the ground running.
When I slowed down, I accomplished more. It felt good, too.
Now, the trick is to remember and embrace this art of puttering through my days. And, share what I have learned with you so that you can try a slow down puttering day too.
Over the years, I have learned the value of having a bedtime ritual. There is something very comforting and calming about doing similar things every night to close out the day.
Bedtime practices also support being able to fall asleep and have a peaceful night’s rest. When I release the stress of the day my subconscious is free to work on my challenges and questions for me while I sleep, often bringing new answers with the morning.
Here are some bedtime ritual ideas you may want to try: Continue reading
My little 3 year old cat Joey is very sick. He almost died. And, still could.
Being totally human, I went off the deep end with worry. I created stories about terrible outcomes and took his fear and upset personally, especially when he seemed to not trust me anymore. It broke my heart. Continue reading
When my latest new client first called she was overwhelmed and feeling challenged throughout her life and felt paralyzed. She had no idea where to begin. Her marriage was troubled, her job was stressful, she was very busy taking care of other people, and her physical health was declining.
When I asked her how this made her feel, she described feeling exhausted, ashamed, and depressed. Can you relate?
I think she was surprised when I suggested she start by pulling in and taking care of herself. (She was hoping the first step would be making her husband change.)
I shared with her that when we face multiple challenges, it is important to start at the core. This is where we have the greatest influence and can start a pattern of success. For most of us, this core is about self-care and self-nurturing.
When your life feels like a mess, practice the art of pulling in. Start with yourself. You are the center of your life and all that happens in it.
Your body is one of your most precious assets and an excellent place to begin your journey. Nurturing your body into health will help you feel stronger, more confident, and energized.
It is from this place that you will be able to connect with the empowered wisdom that will support you in the rest of your life.
This is the path that my client is taking. Her commitment to making her health a priority is already supporting her both physically and mentally. She has more energy and feels more positive. I am supporting her as she works through her life challenges and love witnessing her new confidence in being able to create the life she wants.
Whenever you feel overwhelmed, remember that it all begins with you. Pull in and take care of yourself. When you create a foundation of health and well-being, the rest will start to fall into place.
If you would like support in moving through challenges, navigating transitions, or creating a more fulfilling life, I would love to help.
Simply go to the “contact me” page and request a free consultation.
When I first moved into my house I felt sure one of the first things I would do would be remove the landscaping rocks that filled the planting areas. I envisioned soft, rich earth I could dig my hands into and a yard filled with home grown vegetables and beautiful plants and flowers.
When spring came that first year, I was fired up and ready to get rid of the rocks. I started digging, but soon discovered they were everywhere and had infiltrated deep into the soil. I gave up after digging down a couple feet and finding no end to them. The next year, with a renewed sense of motivation, I tried again. This time, I dug as deep as 3 feet in one area only to find the soil was still full of rocks.
I started to hate those rocks and may have even said a few four letter words, which is very unusual for me.
The third year, I decided to stop resisting and simply accept them. I even bought more rocks to replenish areas where they had grown thin on top. Potted plants and succulents became my new garden style.
And then, something strange happened.
While out on my morning walks, I started to be drawn to rocks along the path. I was intrigued by their shapes and felt compelled to take some of them home. I didn’t understand what was going on, but trusted my instincts.
One day, I sat down with the pile of rocks I had gathered and started balancing them on each other. I became mesmerized by their shapes and how they fit together in magical ways. The results were both interesting and beautiful. I had come full circle. Instead of resisting rocks, I now loved them.
Because of this experience, when I find myself resisting something, I remember the potential for beauty and transformation that can come when I let the resistance go.
And, because it can happen for me, I know it can happen for you, too. Are you willing to let go of resistance and find out what magic is waiting on the other side?
This was first posted on my old blog in 2014 as part of a blog challenge about teachable moments.
Photo: rock sculptures in my yard All images:© 2017 Linda Luke
One of the common concerns that my clients talk about is not having enough time. They are working very hard and feeling very, very busy. We often discover that they are operating in a time warp that is not based in reality.
Here is a process that will help you evaluate your relationship with time and begin to use it wisely:
1. Start by exploring and writing down what you value most in life. Common core values include things like family, success, happiness, service, inner peace, religious beliefs, or love. (Contact me if you would like a free list of sample values to work with.)
2. Make a list of all of the things that you spend time on or that call for your attention. (Appointments, meetings, things you do for your children, work, connecting with others, playing on Facebook, watching TV, organizations you belong to, housework, and more) When it feels complete, take a moment to look over your list. How does it make you feel?
3. Now, for the fun part. Cross off everything on the list. Everything! (Do it in a way that you can still see what was written beneath.) You do not “have to” do any of these things. Take a moment to absorb this. It’s a clean sweep. There is nothing left on your schedule or to do list.
4. Set an intention for creating a stress-free schedule that will serve you and your life.
5. Create a new list that only includes things that are in alignment with your values and supports the life you want to create. Be careful not to add everything back. This is your priority list. Everything else is an option to plug in only if it feels meaningful, is in alignment, and you have plenty of time. There is one exception. If you have not included time for yourself on the list, please add it now.
6. Double check the list for illusions like the ones below:
7. Review your new list. It should be much, much shorter than the original and feel in alignment with who you are and what you want. It should feel more peaceful and leave space for spontaneity and magic.
8. Plug your new list into your schedule.
Now, doesn’t that feel better?
Don’t forget to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.
One of my intentions for this year is to be impeccable with my word. I borrowed the phrase from Don Miguel Ruiz because he uses it in a comprehensive way. To me, it means:
Well, I kind of slipped. There was a situation in my life that was upsetting me. When I spoke with the person I chose to confide in, even though I was only sharing the truth, it felt like complaining. Maybe, even whining.
The tone of my voice grated on my nerves, and probably on the nerves of my friend, too. The real problem is that the story kept running circles in my head creating an endless loop of negativity. My mood and attitude spiraled downward.
Fortunately, I was able to catch myself and shift my thinking. And now, I have renewed my commitment to this intention of impeccability with the words I think and speak.
It feels so good.
For those of you who are curious, this intention was inspired by the book, “The Four Agreements”, by Don Miguel Ruiz.