What is the greatest gift you can give yourself in the New Year?
What will support you to be your healthiest, most balanced self?
Take a moment today or tomorrow and reflect, jot some thoughts down...set some intentions for yourself. Share them with a friend!
The New Year can symbolize new opportunities for each of us.
Happiest of New Years to you!!

The Exhale

We had a small and beautiful solstice celebration in my community last week and someone shared this way of looking at the changing season; Coming into the darkest time we are inhaling deeply and when we move more into light the exhale begins...

Inhaling we tend to want and crave more inner quiet, cozy times, more sleep... and yet our culture, our very lives don't change to support that cycle. I want to explore that, and ask myself to be more conscious of my own personal choices.

However today,I feel the exhale very consciously. The excitement of moving forward into a new year with committed actions, idea's and ways to support myself and others. I want to grow and give and feel as alive as possible in every moment.
Here's to the moments of exhale, I am in this moment committing to being more conscious of each inhale and exhale in the new year. How about you?

Radiance

"Think of all the years passed by in which you said
to yourself "I'll do it tomorrow,"
and how the gods have again and again granted
you periods or grace
of which you have not availed yourself.
It is time to realize you are a member
of the Universe, that you are born of Nature itself,
and to know that a limit has been set to your time.
Use every moment wisely, to perceive
your inner radiance,
or 'twill be gone and never more within your reach.
"-Marcus Aurelius, translated by Jonathan Star

Coaching question: What is your inner radiance? What are three ways you would be willing to begin sharing it?

In the moment

When have you felt the most alive? What was it about that experience that made you feel that way? How often do you have experiences similar to it?


Coaching tip: Being alive is being in the moment, not the past, not the future. Pinch yourself…this is your moment.

Downtime

“When I am completely myself, entirely alone, and of good cheer…it is on such occasions that ideas flow best and most abundantly.” – Mozart

It seems we don’t honor time alone much, especially alone and daydreaming or “spacing out” and yet from all I’ve read the most creative individuals then and now do this. Does creativity support health? What do you think?

Coaching tip: If this concept is new to you begin by spending five minutes not doing but simply being. Notice all the thoughts that go through your head. A lot of women tell me they feel guilty taking time to simply "be". If that’s you, ask yourself what beliefs are supporting the guilt? Are they valuable to continue holding?

“Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else” --Judy Garland

Simply notice who you are being right now.
You are a very cool and wonderful person, yup…YOU!

Wellness is an inside job!

To be well takes choosing again and again to pay attention to what is happening on the inside. How is your body feeling right now as you read this? Are you tired? Hungry? Energetic? Overwhelmed? Stressed? Happy?
Okay, now you know how you are feeling, is there a need to do something different?
Being stressed is becoming a badge of honor in our culture, but it doesn’t have to be. Let your humanness show, others will appreciate it and they too will be able to honestly express how they feel.

Coaching tip: Start by simply checking in with yourself 4-5 times a day and then acknowledging that you do have a choice. Eventually the healthy, balanced choice will become natural.

Health is Wealth

I love this question: What’s in it for you to keep talking about it and not doing it? Does this resonate with anybody? How often do you talk about changing something and yet the movement never occurs. What support do you need to make it more than just talk? www.intobalancecoaching.com

Coaching tip: Health is wealth folks, ask anybody who isn’t… and it takes time and commitment to be healthy. Begin by reflecting on how important health is to you? How do you feel about it and what do you think about it? Contemplation is a first step!

Destination Unknown

Does “destination unknown” support you to leap out of bed each morning inspired and ready to be your absolute best self? It seems to me life is a balance of planning and allowing for flexibility. Creating a map or a vision supports your intention and also place your attention on what you want. The direction may likely change from time to time but if you have no map there’s a possibility you are not moving in the direction that will benefit you and the world the most.

Coaching tip: How often are you choosing out of habit versus conscience choice? Today ask yourself this question as many times as you can. Simply notice how often you are doing things out of habit.

Giving Love

I was listening to a Marianne Williamson tape on intimacy the other day and I really heard a key point that she made. Instead of searching for the love you haven’t received, give that kind of love.
It seems we often spend time wanting something we ourselves don’t have. Like attracts like, if you are a healthy, whole person you will attract healthy, whole people into your life. Want your loved ones to love you? Love them!! It’s a simple concept, and many of us are trained to expect others to give before we do.
This time of year allows us a unique opportunity to look at giving in the simplest terms. A smile, opening a door, kindness and patience with a store clerk, a hug, listening…

Coaching tip: Take some time to reflect before the New Year. Examine your past choices around nutrition, exercise and self-care. Have they kept you on course toward health or are they pulling you off?

Bead for Life

Good morning,
I wanted to share a wonderful opportunity to give to women in need. www.beadforlife.com is an organization that supports women in Uganda. They make beautiful beaded necklaces, bracelets and anklets out of recycled paper. All profits go to these women to support their work and life. If you are looking for unique gifts and a way to give to a loved one and give to someone in need take a look at the web site above.

Coaching tip: As my son would say, 10 days until Christmas Mom! Breathe, take a moment to ask yourself; How well am I taking care of myself so that I can be fully present to this time of year? Do I need to make any changes to create more health and balance?

Who am I being?

Who am I being right now? It's such a great question, because you are the only thing you can change! I've been playing with this question and I find it really does inspire me to be more honest and laugh at myself as well.

When I think of the question in a more playful way it takes the "trying" out of the equation. Sometimes I need to let go of the trying and just be.
So...Who are you being?... Play with it, notice what happens when you ask yourself that question 10-15 times in one day. Who are you being and who do you want to be?

Coaching tip: Balanced health is paying attention to when to stop, as well as when to continue.

A Gift for the Season!

Giving what you love best feels so good! That’s why I’ve decided to give away 8 coaching sessions. These sessions are for women wanting to reflect on the past year and create a vision of what the next year will hold.
I know the New Year thing can seem sort of cliché. However, for many of us it is a time of reflection. Taking time to envision what we want ups the odds of making it happen.
Increase your potential for creating change and get support, ideas and perspective to focus the New Year in the direction of greater health and balance.
The sessions will be done over the phone and will be 30 minutes. I will respond to the first eight emails I receive. So…take a moment to ask yourself;

Would it be valuable for me to choose to take 30 minutes to set some intentions to have a fabulous year!
If interested email me at cdelmonico@my180.net
P.S. If you're not interested pass this gift along to someone you know who would love it!

Cherishing what's in front of you!

Holiday times always bring about a bit of reflection for me. This morning I've been reflecting on the joy and differences my children bring to this season.
Jack my nine year old keeps the spirit and enthusiasm of childhood alive with his continued belief in Santa and the joy he exudes when he shares, in detail, what he is wishing for.
Phoebe my 14 year old has wisdom beyond her years. She has forever modeled simplicity for me and "enough" is truly enough for her.
I realize each Christmas season brings growth and change to all of us and I want to savor what I see in my children now.
What do you cherish in your life?


Coaching tip: Health is being as willing and gracious a receiver as you are a giver. Balance the scales!

Strangers

"...it may take you many years to find out that the stranger you talked to once for half and hour in the railroad station may have done more to point you to where your true homeland lies than your priest or your best friend or even your psychiatrist."
-Frederick Buechner

Talk to a stranger this week, you never know what you will find!

Coaching tip: Balance is including all that you love in your life on a regular basis. Simply notice how often you are attending to the variety of needs you have to support your happiness, health and fulfillment!

Own Now!

"In order to let go of the past you have to own now"
-Marianne Williamson
What does that mean to "own now"? For me that means to be accountable and conscious of what is right in front of me. Making decisions and taking action from who I am in this moment not who I was in the past. We can grow and change and be who we want in every moment. Be you, that's the best gift you can give!
Have a beautiful day,
Carol
Coaching you into health and balance

Creativity

I don't know about you all but I get my best idea's, the answer to that nagging question or resolution for a problem when I am not doing but "being".
I was reading an article awhile back that talked about how little value we place on "being". I want to value it more in my life.
I believe there is a healthy balance between doing and being.There are cultures that seem to do it much better than we do. Could it be that we have been told over and over again that doing is more important than being?
I get so many great idea's when I take a walk I now bring a small notebook to jot stuff down. Things surface when we get out of our left brain.
What ways do you support yourself to "be"? Do you feel guilty you aren't "doing" something?
On that note I believe I will take my dog for a walk now!
All the best,
Carol

Coaching tip for today; Stop right now and take one minute to close your eyes. Cup your hands over your eyes and breathe... relax your eyes,face and jaw. Notice what you see when your eyes are closed. Open your eyes, smile!

Loved ones

Are you grateful for your loved ones? In the season of giving, share with someone all the ways you are grateful for them being in your life. Take a moment right now to jot down thoughts. Gratitude is linked to greater health, so be grateful for the special ones in your life and be grateful for you.

Coaching tip- Take a moment at the end of each day and acknowledge yourself for something you did that moves you forward in your life!

Some tips for moving into the eating season!

The first wealth is health. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

We all probably know the statistics of weight gain over the holidays. What can you do to keep the pounds off, enjoy the celebrations and feel healthy. Here are some coaching tips for you.
1.Big event tonight? Eat well today. Focus on a healthy breakfast and lunch and have a big glass of water and an apple or pear before you leave. Don't go to the party feeling really hungry.
2. Make exercise a priority this month. Keep the routine if you have one, if not make an effort to add movement into your day. 10 minutes here and there does help!
3. Plan ahead, if you know your favorite chocolate cake will be offered... savor it, be mindful of your choices.
4. Pay attention to your bodies full signals and remember it takes 15-20 minutes for your body to register whether you are full or not.
5. Sit down to eat and use all your senses to appreciate the food. Is it visually appealing? How does it smell? What is it about the texture that you like? It's easy to eat a whole lot more if you are moving and chatting while you eat.

Conscious eating is fun, make it a game... start by simply noticing your choices!
Offer yourself the possibility of feeling healthy and fit on January 1st.

Expectations around the Holidays

The holidays usually bring such mixed feeling for me. There is the desire to give and connect and the stress that comes with the beliefs and expectations around what all of it means anymore.
I don't know about all of you but I find the whole season a bit overwhelming. I can feel a change in the air on December 1st.
I wonder; what is the meaning of Christmas for most folks anymore?
Me, I want it to be less about shopping for material gifts and more about where are the needs. How can I serve? How can I model giving and gratitude to my children?
Now don't get me wrong I like gifts as well as the next but it seems like when I focus only on buying and wanting stuff I get lost in the world of the external. I want to go inward and see what my heart wants to do. It usually leads me in a direction that feels richer and more meaningful.
I want to prioritize time to stay healthy, spend quality time with friends and family and serve. It's a balancing act and I want the scale to tip in the direction of giving with meaning and being in gratitude!

Have you taken some time to reflect on what you want?

What direction does your heart want to go?
Best,
Carol

Take a moment right now to be grateful for whatever wonders are in front of you in the moment.
I am grateful I got to ski some awesome snow yesterday and today my brother-in-law is in the kitchen cooking up a delicious smelling dinner for us! With all the other little things I am grateful for it sure feels like "enough".
"He or she who knows that enough is enough will always have enough" -Lao Tzu

What are your intentions for the month of December? This is a great month to practice being really conscious of what you want to do and be.
I want to be healthy, have lots of connecting moments with friends and family, give to people and organizations in need, do some great coaching and ski!! I also intend to spend some time each day reflecting on all I am gratefulfor, small and large.

"Blessed are we who can laugh at ourselves
for we shall never cease to be amused."
-Anonymous

Some new goals

This month I will be writing daily to inspire myself and all of you to give and receive with gratitude. I will share ideas for giving in our everyday lives and any resources for places to give that will affect needy populations. We got about 7 inches of new snow and my 12 year old neighbors were out early and shoveled 3 driveways for some of the older folks in our community. What a gift!

My goal with the blog for the new year is to inspire people towards healthy eating. I will be posting two new recipes a month. If you have friends who would welcome this resource please feel free to pass on my link. I will have more information about dates of recipe postings up before the end of December.

In the month of December, for every new client that I enroll I will donate a coaching session to someone in need who doesn't have the resources to pay. If you are looking for a unique gift, "give the gift that keeps on giving" by supporting someone you know to align themselves with a healthier more balanced life. www.intobalancecoaching.com

Needs

Remember that all human beings have the same needs! Give the gift of meeting a need... yours, a friends, or a strangers.

"There is only one real deprivation...and that is not to be able to give
one's gifts to those one loves most." May Sarton