Saturday, January 1, 2011

Ease and Grace




At the beginning of each year, I create a motto that I intend to live by in the coming year. This motto is meant to inspire me to live the life I want. It is meant to remind me of what is most important, if I happen to get distracted and forget. It is meant to keep me on a positive track, rather than get derailed and implode into a trillion tiny pieces of stress, fear and angst.

The motto for 2011 is Ease and Grace. Just typing those words make me feel good.

Here's what this motto means to me:

Ease means easy. I love easy. I do my best work and have the best impact on others when it feels easy. I am the most creative and don't judge myself when I am in state of ease. Ease means natural.

I know for many people, natural means to be stressed and that life has to be hard, but I don't buy it. I believe we were all meant to be in the flow of life (regardless of circumstances) and experiencing joy and peace is natural, and even intended, as we navigate through our experiences.

The second component of my motto is Grace. Grace makes me smile too. I named my Porsche Boxter Grace because I felt her taking the curves of the road with complete grace and without any tension or fear the first time I took her out for a ride. My car trusts what makes her great and does not hold back.

Grace also signifies flow to me and a natural way of being. It also feels holy. The word reminds me I am not here having this human experience all by myself. I am being watched over, cared for and loved by God. When I am believing that, and am actually feeling the peace of that understanding, I feel grace.

So, the combination of Ease and Grace is a sure winner to assist me as I ride into the coming year.

I will be reminded not to resist, but to accept. I will be reminded to love, rather than hate. I will remember that love will over-ride fear. I will know that forgiveness will feel better than holding grudges or resentments. Ease and grace will also allow me to be understanding and compassionate, since those elements are a match and feel the same way.

My motto is not about making resolutions, but all about making intentions on how I want to be in the coming year. I intend to be and feel Ease and Grace.

What is your intention for 2011?


Friday, December 31, 2010

Flipping Through the Pages



It has become a tradition for me the last few years to flip back through the pages of my appointment calendar on New Year's Eve and reflect on the happenings of the previous year.

After having just completed my flipping process, I am once again amazed how fast the months of 2010 have seemed to fly. Of course, I know clock time does not change, it is just our perception of it, but it does seem to have been a fast moving and very full year.

My reflections span the many categories of life, including events involving family, friends, my work and of course the unexpected.

There have been new adventures, some repeated experiences, some new professional triumphs, challenging medical and surgical experiences and some sad good-byes to friends that have left this world.

I received good news and sad news. I have experienced serendipitous, joy filled surprises and unexpected tragedies.

I have traveled to many places, meeting many new people whom I now consider to be friends.

My son was injured in Afghanistan and treated for numerous traumas, but survived, married and became a father to an 11 year old boy, making me a grandmother.

I have supported others through the pages of their lives as they dealt with challenges like failed marriages, cancer, depression and failing businesses.

I have done work that I love and have been challenged to continue to learn and grow, being reminded I will never be done.

I have been inspired by the kids I work with and touched by their willingness to be open with me and their desire to live great lives.

I have been called forth to play even bigger and to imagine doing things and visiting places that I once have only read or heard stories about.

I have laughed myself silly, cried unexpectedly, and calmly met events that at another time in life would have caused me to scream.

I have read many books, filled many pages in my journals and wrote many blog posts.

I have hugged and been hugged countless times, meditated daily and have said thank you often, both silently and loudly .

I have been touched to the core as I have listened to other's stories, dreams and fears.

I have had many massages and pedicures, napped a lot, danced a lot, walked a lot, loved a lot, forgave a lot and downward facing dogged a lot.

I have worn my many hats as a wife, Mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, business partner, mentor, trainer and coach with enthusiasm and joy.

Yep, I can say with complete confidence, 2010 has been a wonderful and full year and trust that every experience will help me face all that is coming in 2011.



Sunday, December 26, 2010

My Best Friend



I have been developing a relationship with a new friend for several years now and am truly enjoying our time together. I am growing and learning every moment we connect and am noticing a greater confidence in myself as a result of this friendship.

My friend does not judge me by my mistakes or my successes. Their opinion of me is not affected by how I look, my mood, how much money I made last year or by the thoughts and beliefs others may hold of me.

My friend encourages me to keep on going when I am frustrated or feeling defeated, and to rest when I am simply too tired to do one more thing.

My friend is a great companion since they are fun to be with, a great listener, and extremely amusing, which always brings out the best in me.

My friend makes me laugh and helps me to not take life so seriously.

My friend understands everything about me.....they know my life story and they don't read more into it than what is actually there. They are not interested in the drama....just the truth.

My friend encourages me to do my best, but understands when I don't. I am always encouraged to simply try again.

My friend calls me on my stuff when I'm making excuses or just plain scared, but never insults me or puts me down. I know they are simply calling me forth to live the way I say I want to.

My friend comforts me or gives me a kick in the pants, depending on what I need, and always knows what is truly needed based on the truth of the moment, not a projection of their ego.

My friend inspires me by interacting with me with love, compassion, understanding and most of all, forgiveness. I trust that they will never abandon me or treat me with dis-respect.

My friend loves me, unconditionally and I will never ever doubt it. In fact, it is the how and the why I choose this life I am living.

I know without my friend's loving kindness, life would be harder, more frightening and certainly not as much fun.

This friend will be a life-long companion since my friend is me.