I read yesterday that when you die, your life can be summed up in one sentence. I thought about that...what a great way to focus your activities for the day and get real about how you are living your life so that you live how you want that sentence to read...
Life Sentence
I read yesterday that when you die, your life can be summed up in one sentence. I thought about that...what a great way to focus your activities for the day and get real about how you are living your life so that you live how you want that sentence to read...
Tending your Garden...
If you think of your mind as a garden, why not nurture seeds (thoughts) that support your best life?This doesn't mean that you walk around with positive thoughts all day skipping around in the midst of crisis or challenge. But by practicing awareness or mindfulness, you simply & gently recognize negative seeds and redirect your attention as soon as you are able AND just as importantly you trigger and nourish positive seeds to grow to crowd the others out. By paying attention to your life in this way, you begin to feel more in control, live more intentionally, less frantically and reactionary, more conscious.
Grab your journal, find a quiet spot and write down which seeds are you nourishing? Where is your attention? Focus on an area of your life that is not working as well as you'd like - what are your thoughts around it? Your beliefs? Has your garden been overrun with weeds?
Bone Marrow Donation...
I became a bone marrow donor in 1999. The recipient's name was Brett and he and his family had been fighting leukemia for years. Tests determined my marrow was the best match, and the process of donation was one of the most enriching experiences of my life.
Every year, thousands of people of all ages are diagnosed with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases. Many of them will die unless they get a bone marrow or cord blood transplant from a matching donor.
Seventy percent of people do not have a donor in their family and depend on The National Marrow Donor Program to find a match to save their life.
Click here for more information and join the registry today!
Every year, thousands of people of all ages are diagnosed with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases. Many of them will die unless they get a bone marrow or cord blood transplant from a matching donor.
Seventy percent of people do not have a donor in their family and depend on The National Marrow Donor Program to find a match to save their life.
Click here for more information and join the registry today!
Working with the Gap...
In working with clients, there is a common theme that emerges, regardless of why we initially began working together. They longed to give their lives some deeper meaning. As long as they had not discovered this deeper meaning (or at least begin asking the deeper questions), they were more often than not feeling frustrated, fatigued, unclear, and on the wrong track. Sometimes it was obvious, but often it was subtle and insidious and playing out in one or more areas of their lives. We all want to feel in our own flow more often than not -- developing some inner peace in order to share that with others.
For me, at times when I'm less centered, impatient or irritated, it's typically the result of not feeling steady, clear. At those times, there's a physical and/or emotional low level ache or full blown tension resulting from the gap between how I am showing up in any particular moment and how I think I should be showing up OR how things presently are and how I think they should be.
The result? Lots of energy spent trying to close the gap -- spinning in resistance to the present moment which interferes with my being present, energized and available to respond in the most effective, life supporting way. Often just out of habit I'll go through a cycle of judgment, anxiety, fear, whatever; but now more often than not I'm able to pause, become aware of what's happening, recognize that I have a choice in how to respond, and take actions that move my life forward instead of playing old, outdated tapes in my head.
What I realized is that the gap is an invitation to move our lives forward and the anxiety is valuable information, a wake up call. That recognition gives new meaning and purpose to life's challenges which can then help keep us focused on the vision for our lives instead of getting stuck in the normal ups and downs of just being human.
Are you in the gap?
Be well.
For me, at times when I'm less centered, impatient or irritated, it's typically the result of not feeling steady, clear. At those times, there's a physical and/or emotional low level ache or full blown tension resulting from the gap between how I am showing up in any particular moment and how I think I should be showing up OR how things presently are and how I think they should be.
The result? Lots of energy spent trying to close the gap -- spinning in resistance to the present moment which interferes with my being present, energized and available to respond in the most effective, life supporting way. Often just out of habit I'll go through a cycle of judgment, anxiety, fear, whatever; but now more often than not I'm able to pause, become aware of what's happening, recognize that I have a choice in how to respond, and take actions that move my life forward instead of playing old, outdated tapes in my head.
What I realized is that the gap is an invitation to move our lives forward and the anxiety is valuable information, a wake up call. That recognition gives new meaning and purpose to life's challenges which can then help keep us focused on the vision for our lives instead of getting stuck in the normal ups and downs of just being human.
Are you in the gap?
Be well.
Sowing & Reaping...
We live our entire lives in our mind. Think about it. You have to first have a thought before you have a feeling which then determines your experience.
For example, think about walking into a room full of strangers -- it could either be an exciting opportunity to meet new people or an experience filled with dread and self-consciousness -- all depending on what you are thinking. If I tell you to feel sad, you have to THINK about something sad; if I tell you to feel angry, you have to THINK about something that makes you angry. Your quality of life is determined by what you think.
Now it's true -- oftentimes we are in challenging situations where it seems like we have no control over what we are thinking, but if you can practice pausing and even slightly reframe how you think about those circumstances -- how you receive it -- you can instantly transform how your life feels at that moment and as a result how you respond. It's a simple, yet profound insight found in many great spiritual teachings and working with this understanding has transformed my life in many ways.
Work with this insight and see what comes up!
Be well.
For example, think about walking into a room full of strangers -- it could either be an exciting opportunity to meet new people or an experience filled with dread and self-consciousness -- all depending on what you are thinking. If I tell you to feel sad, you have to THINK about something sad; if I tell you to feel angry, you have to THINK about something that makes you angry. Your quality of life is determined by what you think.
Now it's true -- oftentimes we are in challenging situations where it seems like we have no control over what we are thinking, but if you can practice pausing and even slightly reframe how you think about those circumstances -- how you receive it -- you can instantly transform how your life feels at that moment and as a result how you respond. It's a simple, yet profound insight found in many great spiritual teachings and working with this understanding has transformed my life in many ways.
Work with this insight and see what comes up!
Be well.
Intention...
My journey continues to be much like yours -- with twists, turns, highs, lows and many surprises that blend together to form the unique tapestry that is my life. And like you I've accumulated my own portfolio of insights and lessons on the path to a life of meaning, authenticity and substance.
Now in my 40's, I've realized that it's not really so much about learning NEW information - a new book, a new retreat, a new teacher. It's about consistently applying the most relevant, empowering information and wisdom to your life. This newsletter is borne out of my desire to create a space that supports people in this process as I travel along my own journey.
In this blog, I'll explore the topic of living an authentic, powerful, inspired life as well as provide resources that support your journey. I invite you to take what is useful and toss the rest. Forward to a friend and share what comes up for you. I'd love to hear any feedback if there are ideas, suggestions, or comments you'd like to pass along.
And if you are in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, I facilitate a monthly Meetup called "Listen To Your Life; Turning Insight Into Action" to further explore the ideas of purpose and service. For more details click here and bring a friend.
As always I am wishing you abundance in every way,
Sharon
Now in my 40's, I've realized that it's not really so much about learning NEW information - a new book, a new retreat, a new teacher. It's about consistently applying the most relevant, empowering information and wisdom to your life. This newsletter is borne out of my desire to create a space that supports people in this process as I travel along my own journey.
In this blog, I'll explore the topic of living an authentic, powerful, inspired life as well as provide resources that support your journey. I invite you to take what is useful and toss the rest. Forward to a friend and share what comes up for you. I'd love to hear any feedback if there are ideas, suggestions, or comments you'd like to pass along.
And if you are in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, I facilitate a monthly Meetup called "Listen To Your Life; Turning Insight Into Action" to further explore the ideas of purpose and service. For more details click here and bring a friend.
As always I am wishing you abundance in every way,
Sharon
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