We're nearing the end of July and as we move into August I ponder how I want the rest of my summer to look. I've had a wonderful one thus far.

However there is one thing I want that I have experienced only once this summer. I want some unplanned afternoons midweek to be spontaneous with my kids. Whether we stay home and be together, go to the lake, library, hiking, biking, a movie or take a nap I am craving the opportunity to connect with them and give the gift of time together before school begins and schedules amp up.

To make that happen I need to sit down with my daytimer and block those days and times out for us and be willing to value them as much as I do my work...

It's my commitment to staying connected to them in ways that feed all of us.

Anything missing in your summer that you want to make sure happens before these beautiful days are gone?

Take a moment to explore what you want and then schedule time to make it happen. Don't let the summer slip by and not get your needs met.

Life Coaching for balance, connection and health!

Presence

"Never let yesterday use up today."
-R.H. Nelson

To be in the present moment is such a gift and for many a great challenge. When we aren't in the present we are missing out on a very special part of life because NOW is where life happens.

How do you practice being present?

I have found the most valuable way for me to stay ccnnected to now is to breath and feel my feet on the ground.

If you have a moment after you read this go outside find a small stretch of grass or dirt and take off your shoes and socks. Move your feet around and notice what it feels like to plant them firmly in one place. Take a minute to notice what it feels like to be firmly planted and then begin to pay attention to your breath. Imagine as you breath that your breath is moving all the way through you and connecting you to the ground. Take a few steps and notice if you feel any different?

You don't need to go outside to do this you can do it anywhere. I do this many times a day; pause, feel the ground underneath me and breath. It has made a positive difference in my life.
Explore different strategies to be present and magical shifts may happen.

Life Coaching for connection, balance and health.

"Discover the Power of Choice"

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius-and a lot of courage-to move in the opposite direction"
-Albert Einstein

Have we made things bigger, more complex and more violent?

What would the opposite direction look like if you had the courage to make it happen?

I have my ideas and I may share them sometime...in the meantime take a couple of minutes with this question and jot down what you want.
What direction would you take?
How would it differ from where you/we are headed now?
Change happens whether we take the reins or not...

There is no time like the present to head in the opposite direction.

Life Coaching for connection, balance and health.

Discover the Power of Choice!

Carrot Salad

4-5 large carrots washed peeled and shredded
1 bunch cilantro rinse then remove most of stems and finely chop
1-2 bunches of scallions washed, peel off first layer as needed and slice
1 bag of frozen shelled edamame thawed
1 cup raw almonds chopped

Dressing-
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
2-3 cloves of garlic diced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt to taste
Adjust vinegar and oil ratio as needed. You may need to adjust amount you mix in depending on how many carrots you use.

Toss it together in a bowl and enjoy!


Into Balance Life Coaching

"Discover the Power of Choice"

The River

My family and I recently returned from a seven day river trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho.

River trips feel like windows into another time period. Life is simple yet there is work, play, cooperation, danger, tranquility, beauty, difficulty, decision making, relaxation, light, water, rest, fun...did I say presence...you definitely have an opportunity to be in the moment. You still have to choose it though, you can stay lost in your thoughts or feelings but I found it easier to be in the moment because the moments seemed brighter more alive somehow.

Wildlife abounds out there and I have a deeper clarity about living in rhythm with the world around you. When I was surrounded by water, trees, earth, rocks... I felt an ease of choice that isn't apparent to me in the world of to do lists, rush hour, alarm clocks, concrete...


We saw otters, birds, big horn sheep, toads, fish, lizards...camped at hot springs, beaches, and rocky ledges. We laughed, sang, smiled, ran, walked, flowed, ate, slept and talked our way though 7 delicious days.

Into Balance Life Coaching

Take Back Your Time

I'm reading a book entitled "Take Back Your Time" edited by John de Graaf. Chapter titles "The Overworked American", "The Incredible Shrinking Vacation" and "Time to Be A Citizen" are tastes of what the book has to share. It's a collection of essays that help the reader see how we got here and perhaps how we can shift if we choose.

I pay attention to how I spend my time, to remember what I value most, to be present in the moment and to make conscious choices often. In this culture I feel as if I am the salmon swimming up stream. Our cultural current isn't moving in the direction I want to go. I get caught up in the current and then readjust and begin my swim in the opposite direction. Sometimes it feels lonely and I once again go with the current to meet my need for commonality. I will continue to do this because it is what feels right for me but boy I would sure love some company. If any of you want to work on taking back your time give me a call I would love to support you in making that happen.

Does anybody else ever feel that way?

I would like to visualize a nation who collectively chooses to take back their time and with that creates a happier, healthier, peaceful more loving world.

October 24th is Take Back Your Time Day for more information or to get involved go to www.timeday.org

"What is it about the pattern of our lives that exacerbates so many of our social and environmental problems?
This book suggests that a key aspect of our pattern problem comes from an unconscious choice we've made as a nation since World War II. Without thinking about it, Americans have taken all their productivity gains in the form of money-more stuff, if you will-and none of them in the form of more time. Simply put, we as a society have chosen money over time, and this unconscious value pattern has had a powerful and less than beneficial impact on the quality of our collective lives" -John de Graf


Life Coaching for connection, balance and health.

Discover the Power of Choice!