18. May 2010 by admin.

Do you feel you are checking things off your to-do list but still don’t get a feeling of satisfaction when completed? Do you do fun things that you do not connect with? You are in action, keeping busy, getting things done,  but still feel like there is something more to life? Maybe you need some inspiration. Maybe it is not enough to check things off, but to ask yourself if those things are a reflection of your deepest values, of what matters most for you.  Where do we get the inspiration for our actions? You start by creating a vision for yourself.  Envision how would your life look like, what meaningful work would you do, who would you spend the most time with, what activities would you do for fun and relaxation, what environment would you prefer? You can put this vision in a few words or in a few images and connect with it often.  Once you have the vision, you can go a step further and create a plan that will keep all of the above in check. This way, you are not just doing things, you are taking inspired action. Pay attention to your energy levels to differentiate between the two. Taking inspired action is what helps you remain motivated through a transition/life change.

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5. May 2010 by admin.

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9. April 2010 by admin.

I went for a walk today, despite the drizzling rain. I took my hood and my flowery umbrella. I could hear the rain drops falling on the umbrella, the birds chirping. I looked at the rain drops hanging from the still bare tree branches, looking like little diamonds among the colorful new buds. I felt the solid ground under my feet and I smelled the air - did you ever notice how much more fragrant the air is in the rain? Many people dismiss a rainy/cloudy day, but if we stop and use our senses to be in the moment, we discover its beauty. Same goes for any situation in life. Instead of judging it or trying to avoid it, notice its hidden beauty. During my walk I felt more alive, calmer and I caught myself smiling.

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19. March 2010 by admin.

Spring is the time we wake up from the winter slumber with renewed energy. We open the windows and let the fresh air come in. We take out the patio set and clean the deck. We redecorate. We clean up the garden of the dried plants to make place for new ones. We clean up our closets, getting rid of unwanted clothes. Isn’t it a good time to let go of unwanted things in other areas of our lives - for example in our work life, personal life or relationships? What can you let go of today in order to make more time and space in your life? I am letting go of unrealistic and narrow expectations that tell me it is only one way to do something in order to be accepted/good.

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19. March 2010 by admin.

Many people talk about balance - work life balance. What about the balance between your inner and outer life, between the time you spend alone, meditating, journaling and otherwise connecting to your inner self, versus the time you spend in the outside world, working, socializing, participating in activities. How do you stay in touch with yourself? I find it useful when I feel overwhelmed or too busy, to stop, even for a few minutes, and breathe, meditate, pray or ask my intuition what do I need most right now.

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5. March 2010 by admin.

What do you do when you encounter a challenge or a problem? Most likely you try to think your way out of it. You try to get clarity by looking at the pros and cons, looking at solutions - all very valuable tools. What if you still cannot take a decision? What if none of the solutions feel right or tempting to you? We have another resource to deal with that - our intuition. What is intuition? One definition is “attaining direct knowledge without evident rational thought”. You just know. Don’t worry if you lost touch with your intuition or you are just beginning to develop it.  A simple way to get started is the following.  Before you go to bed, ask a specific question. Whether the question is about what do to (asking for guidance) or how can you be happier (asking to understand your emotions) , write it down before you go to bed and let it go. Do not try to answer it. Instead, set an intention to be aware of any clues or opportunities arising in the next few days. Maybe your intuition will speak to you through a vivid dream, a sensation in your body, an idea, a person you meet, or an opportunity that shows up unexpectedly. Just keep your eyes open. Maybe the old saying “Sleep on it” refers to letting your intuition guide you.

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27. December 2009 by admin.

Holidays can be a time of joy and cheer or a time of overwhelm and disappointment.  I made some time this holiday season to reflect on what the holiday season really means to me.  I realized that I want to do what makes me happy, rather then following blindly what I have done in the previous years. Personally, I like to spend time outdoors, read a good book, be with close friends, sing, spend time in silence and quietude to get in touch with my true self.  If you feel overwhelmed, unmotivated or angry, chances are you are not doing what makes you happy. You either do things because you “have to” or because you run on automatic pilot. What about what you “want to”? What about creating a ritual/celebration that works for you this year? What about looking at each day as a clean slate, a white canvas? You are the artist, the painter - you decide what goes on the page and what colors to use.  Whether it is a new year or a new day, you have the freedom to create your own work of art. If you don’t like something you worked on, you can modify it or toss it away.

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9. November 2009 by admin.

We all feel some apprehension before dealing with a challenging situation or a difficult person. When the moment arrives, we get involved into whatever we are doing and once the event is gone we feel relaxed, relieved and more confident. We proved ourselves once again that we can go out of our comfort zone,  handle a difficult situation and be successful.How can we minimize the apprehension before a new challenge? One belief that fuels this is our expectation of being and doing perfect, of pleasing everyone all the time. This puts great pressure on us. How about setting more realistic expectations based on knowing and respecting our limits, our boundaries? How about giving ourselves permission to disappoint people once in while? Have you tried saying no to something or someone when you felt there is too much on your plate? Can you tell when something you are working on is good enough? Can you stick to your values in life, your integrity, no matter how much pressure you have from the people around you? Can you express your truth and what you really feel in a polite but firm manner? The more we respect ourselves by creating an environment in which we can thrive, the more relaxed and confident we become.Sometimes when we set boundaries, other people might get upset. We may feel guilty or afraid. They may feel out of control and angry that they are not getting what they want when they want. In time, they will either appreciate your relationship and respect your values and boundaries, or they will slowly go out of your life.Can you think of an area in your life where you feel the most frustration, unease, out of balance? How can you set some healthy boundaries around it?

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28. October 2009 by admin.

Fall is the perfect time for indoor home improvements.  The dark forces us inside early on, the weather turns chilly and windy and rainy.  Getting busy with putting down hardwood floors seemed like a good idea… a couple of month ago! I started to plan this at the end of August. I took out the carpets in September and I thought in a couple of weeks I will have brand new shiny floors. Well, the deeper I got into the project, I realized there is more to it then meets the eye, more details that became apparent along the way. Things like washing the floors, leveling the floors, buying hardwood that matches the existing one (not available at brand name stores anymore), decisions, cutting the planks to snug around the existing moldings. I started to feel overwhelmed, discouraged and impatient. The project became a chore. I thought to myself: How can this be fun? What is the positive side of what is going on? Well, if I release the resistance I have towards the situation and accept that it will take longer to get done, maybe I can relax and enjoy it more.  Also, spending time together with my husband, working as a team, learning from him, getting things accomplished, praising each other and acknowledging the progress we make every day will be true gifts for me. Letting go of the resistance to change allows us to notice and enjoy what we appreciate in each moment.

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23. September 2009 by admin.

Transitions happen in nature all the time. We are now preparing for the fall. The temperatures, the scenery, our daily routines and activities change.  Some people feel a surge of energy when fall approaches - temperatures are more comfortable, school starts, new projects, etc. For others fall is just the messenger of winter - a time to be more withdrawn and meditative. Whatever the case, the equinox (when the day is equal to the night) is a reminder for keeping grounded and balanced through transitions. Consider a couple of questions as you prepare for the next season: What are you harvesting this fall? What do you need to let go of to be in balance in your life? What do you need more of to be in balance?

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