All For Love

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. Some are aware, I have many reasons to not be fond of Valentine’s Day. Among other reasons, few hundred people would understand what I was talking about if I mentioned the Valentine’s Day Massacre. Without going into the details, to say it was traumatic doesn’t even scratch the surface. Usually, I don’t like to bring up “dark” situations but someone reading needed to “hear” this. While not denying the not so happy past Valentine circumstances, I choose to focus on the bigger picture here.   

Expanding a bit on last month’s post and the way we look at things… This can be compared to a mall where you go to different stores and get various things. You have your favorite stores where you know you will find things that please you. There may be stores in that same mall where you would never go as you don’t prefer the energy or style of the places. However, you wouldn’t say it is an awful mall just because it has a couple stores you won’t frequent. You would simply go and shop the retailers you enjoy. A few of you are chuckling at this example knowing my preferences regarding shopping in general but it works for some people haha.

Here are some opportunities on a recent adventure that I had chances to practice what I preach and focus on things that brought me happy feelings.

↧ The description given of one of the available boats sounded like this.

In actuality, it was this ↣ 

Above is the resort in Mexico, the address of which I was directed to give customs for where I was staying. However, where I actually stayed is pictured below.

Before I arrived, there was much talk about the glamour of the area... 

...yet where I was living looked more like this ↣

 Although the work exchange was not quite as presented, I was able to see beauty in what was. There were happy people exercising in the park, many of whom I exchanged cheerful greetings with. It was beyond hilarious seeing a Pit bull jump joyfully to grab a rope hanging from a tree then proceed to simply swing back and forth until he could hold on no longer. There were gorgeous flowers, beautiful skies and, very importantly for me....warmth!!

I observed, once again, that some people appear to have it all. Then there are those that don’t have much in a material sense (including myself here). Many people who have all the stuff, also have more troubles, health issues and/or fears than one might imagine. There are people without great means, who have a great degree of happiness, health and freedom as well. It’s all in the choices made, what one focuses on and the meanings they assign things/events.

If you are ready to make a dramatic shift in your life, and would like some guidance along the way, I am available for Wellness Coaching by Phone in the U.S. Skype is a possibility for those outside the U.S. provided we can coordinate days and times. Please contact me to schedule your complimentary consultation to determine if this is appropriate for you.

Although every day is Love Day, I choose to use the “Hallmark holiday” as an opportunity to focus on it just a bit more. Of all the human created holidays, Valentine’s Day remains my most precious. Many who know this showered me with thoughtful love messages to help me celebrate the occasion. I am extremely grateful to you and all those who have shared their love in any way. Swirling it all around again!!

Happy Valentine's Month!!

Continuing Through the Labyrinth

When coaching clients, I suggest it unwise to discuss things perceived as negative or unwanted unless it helps the person telling or helps the person hearing. Someone sharing a challenge with another can be positive if it results in that other person assisting with the solution or healing. Sometimes I relate tales of difficulties personally encountered, along with things that helped me through, to inspire others on their journeys. It is my belief that sharing from fear, gossip or simply to get attention just makes the problem bigger and attracts more of the unwanted into our lives.

That being established, I share things that could be perceived as less than desirable in this message. Yet, as pointed out in my previous post Happy Love Month, who is to say what is positive or negative but our very perceptions! Besides, there is always observation – in which one notices things without making judgment of them.

For about six weeks I was without my computer. This was a huge game changer for me as so many aspects of my life, humanly speaking, are on that piece of technology. Unlike others, I don’t use a smartphone although I have been offered one by a number of generous friends. And dang technology! My antique phone as well as my usually awesome camera were playing shenanigans of their own. On top of that, the place I stayed for a month didn’t have cell reception or wi-fi……something I didn’t discover until after committing to stay for the month! For me this was a perfect storm of inability to communicate on a human level. If I was self-sufficient in my secluded tropical Paradise Island of my dreams, this lack of communication would be just fine with me. But operating in the manner I have been, gypsy style, it certainly made life interesting to say the least. 

Also noted previously, both Costco and Dell fell short big time with regard to my computer and customer service. I will only go into more detail on an individual basis if it is helpful to someone making decisions involving either in the future. At the same time, I would like to shout from the rooftops the praises of AXICOM. They not only ran the extra mile on my behalf, they ran a technology marathon for me! They have the most amazing IT team and I encourage you to look into their offerings. Whether you have imminent needs for IT support, service or products, or just have them in your resources for the future, you’ll be glad you found them!!

Staying at the beach close location was originally anticipated for six months. Two days in, for various reasons, it was clear I’d only be staying for the month I was already obligated. This significantly changed my hopes and affected many of my activities not knowing how long I’d be in the area. As usual, it is simply one day at a time (or often one minute at a time) as I continue to navigate the labyrinth of life as peacefully as possible.

One of the most amazing gifts the month of February did present was the opportunity to experience beach magic every morning and evening. For me there is nothing like the exhilaration of running barefoot in the sand with occasional kisses splashed by the warm waves. Most of my mornings started under a magical celestial canopy of ever-changing moon, twinkling stars and familiar planets. Being my church, the beach would witness my gratitude, my questions, my hopes and ideas as each new day dawned. Evenings found me, yet again, in my happy place. While happiness is an inside job, there are certain locations that make it flow more easily and naturally. Everyone is different regarding the spaces that help them recharge. For me, the “right” beach can make all my challenges, doubts and wishes simply dissolve into wonder. Dolphin friends appeared on a number of occasions to lift my mood even more as they distinctly played with me. And the sunsets….Majestic!

I do have a funny Green Flash story. For over a decade I’ve heard the stories of others seeing this spectacular flash of green light the second the sun went down. Hundreds of sunset performances later – especially watching intently at that last second – I saw nothing resembling the reports. I began to think it was just an optical illusion caused by one staring at the sun so long. Researching youtube videos didn’t help my perception much. I’m thinking, that tiny hint of green they videoed with much hullabaloo is “The” Green Flash? While reviewing my photos (after I got my computer back) of the oodles of beach photos I took, one captured my attention. My camera obviously caught something I hadn’t seen. The Green Flash! So here it is for you to enjoy and decide what levels of excitement you wish to attribute to it 😊  Note: You may need to enlarge the photo to the right to actually see what I'm talking about. Or you can ask me to email it to you!

At the current time, it appears I will remain technologically connected enough for Wellness Coaching by Phone. If you’ve contemplated getting a boost with the way you navigate your personal labyrinth in joy, contact me and we’ll set up a complimentary consultation to determine appropriateness.

Wishing you much delight and happy surprises on your journey. Watch out for those impish fairies and leprechauns. Here and there I’m hearing tales of their playful mischief……

Happy Love Month!

I was almost going to skip this month’s blog post as I didn’t know what upbeat news I could brighten your life with. Don’t misunderstand. There are always infinite situations and things for me to be grateful for at any given time – including the fact that you are reading this right now! There are the constants like the Earth, Sea and the Sky up above…..but I couldn’t think of positive things in my ongoing quest that didn’t require a long, drawn-out explanation.

Then I remembered, from previous feedback I’d received, that people want to hear about staying upbeat, or as close as possible, through challenges. Every day has its mix of ups and downs which holds true for every new place I land. Consider, for a moment, a big slide on a playground. One climbs up the steps then gleefully slides down. Who is to decide one is positive and the other negative but our own perception of the experience? I choose to see all as having some positive bearing in my life. Again, don’t get me wrong …..This ISN’T always easy! Drastic times sometimes call for drastic measures…..like sometimes allowing myself to wallow in a Pity Party before returning to my desired mental track. There are a number of factors that have gotten me to this state of BEing……

First: I make Happiness both a goal and a choice.
Second: I determine factors that contribute to my joy and those that detract from it. Whenever feasible, I increase the former and decrease the latter.
Third: Sometimes, in less than desirable situations, I catch myself noticing the ugly stuff – the things most people justify focusing on claiming, “That’s just  reality.” While it may be their reality, I don’t choose it to be mine. So I gently shift my attention to a more pleasing “reality”…..like majestic sunsets or velvety roses, delectable chocolates or a child’s musical laugh.
Fourth: I only interact, as much as possible, with others who also choose to focus on the bright side. Whether we are consciously aware of it or not, the folks we are around frequently rub off on us.
Fifth: I have made these practices a way of life for decades. While not “perfect” all the time, my habit is to be vigilant for the light and….choose happiness.

So what’s happening in my world? More questions than answers! I had a number of international opportunities I was considering from California. For one reason or other, they all felt like I’d be forcing things when I started to pursue them. Needing to move on for my personal well-BEing, I traveled to my “Happy In-Between” place. Maybe more to report on that next month.

As the sun kisses my face and the waves wash my feet, I hope you have, in some way, been inspired, entertained and/or felt the Love flowing to you through these blog posts. Thanks so much for following and lighting up my life!!