Got stress? Feeling frazzled? Chances are, you’ve got plenty of reasons. Stress quickly descends upon us when life comes at us fast or grinds away and wear us down from heavy loads, especially without receiving much respite.

Unexpected situations that assault our sensibilities is one form, as my daughter experienced last Saturday while celebrating her birthday with friends upon discovering that her new purse, wallet and jacket had been stolen.  Undoubtedly, at the moment of discovery, the stress response kicked in with the realization of what it all meant and everything she now had to do–reporting stolen credit cards, thinking about all the scheduled credit card payments that would have to be updated, changing locks, “doing time” at the DMV to get another license, replacing keys and the countless items stashed away in a purse. 

Then this morning, I received news that a friend’s car had been broken into for the seventh time in less than a year, and two days back-to-back!  For sure criminal assaults take their tolls in many ways, robbing us of our stuff, not to mention our serenity, but more commonly, we’re increasingly assaulted with feelings of too many responsibilities, competing priorities, unexpected events, interrupted plans, or any number of self-imposed expectations that breed chronic stress, all with the potential for creating a  noticeable toll upon our health. Read the rest of this entry »

Ahhh–the gift of inspiration!  I unwrapped a present Christmas morning–a plaque emblazoned with messages for the heart and soul. As I read each one out loud, I knew their truth right down to my bones–the attitudes and actions for creating a daring life adventure filled with harmony, happiness and well-being. The perfect gift, since I speak to businesses and other organizations about the importance of energizing work, life and wellness. They’re magical if fully embraced in creating transformations, of closing gaps between what is and what you want to be.  If you’re assembling a list of New Years’ resolutions, these will have you soaring!

1. Direct Your Own Destiny
2. Believe in Yourself
3. Find Reasons to Smile
4. Embrace the Journey
5. Have Faith
6. Conquer New Heights
7. Follow Your Heart
8. Explore New Horizons
9. Dare to Dream
10. Let Laughter Happen
11. Share the Joy
12. Write Yourself a Happy Ending

I love this list and upon reviewing it more closely, recognized how in tune it is with our Guts, Grace & Gusto Guidelines featured in Dancing through Life with Guts, Grace & Gusto which I wrap my presentation talking points around.  These are vital to navigating the twists, turns and transitions encountered on our journeys. We’re all dancing along a tangled path of competing priorities, multiple challenges, squeezed by limitations of time and energy, meeting unexpected detours, collecting lessons for the heart along the way.  We need reminders to get us back on track, because our best intentions can get derailed at times. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever been so determined to achieve a life-changing goal that you set your intention and boldly declared you were going for it? As a wellness coach, I work with many who do just that. Some are tired of feeling constantly fatigued, exhausted, overweight, and other conditions that are robbing them of vibrant living. They’re  seeking solutions to look and feel better, to have more energy, shed pounds and inches, often lots of them, and to make healthier choices.  It requires setting intentions to succeed and the challenge of changing habits that support their health.  It’s rewarding to see people who set those intentions and take them to heart, reach their goals and triumph in their victories.

There are many factors working against wellness today and why two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and one-third considered obese. Our world has changed and our bodies barraged by toxins, stress and nutritional deficiencies, which contribute to weight gain, energy drain and many degenerative conditions. Toxins and impurities are surrounded by fat cells which accumulate around the organs, midriff and throughout the body in the form of toxic fat. Whole body nutritional cleansing has proven to be an effective solution for so many seeking weight loss and enhancing their overall health. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you resonate to a specific place that makes your heart sing? Mine is the mountains, especially massive, majestic ones, snow and ice-capped with ancient glaciers. Fortunately on a recent trip to France, my travel companions, Anne and Sarah, resonate to them as well.  So, we booked a few days in the chic and charming village of Chamonix, in the valley of the shadow of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe. A mountain peak experience to top off our vacation earlier exploring lavender, cobbled streets and the pastoral beauty of Provence.

Anne has quite a connection to the region. French by birth and fueled by a family tradition of climbing majestic Mont Blanc, she took on the challenge and achieved her mountaintop victory five years ago, contributing her story of her gutsy adventures in Dancing through Life with Guts, Grace & Gusto. While we were in Chamonix, Anne arranged for Sarah and I to meet her multi-talented guide, Lionel Wibault, credited with nearly 2,500 ascents of mountain ranges worldwide. But in addition to his  mountain-climbing prowess, Lionel is an accomplished artist and painter, having his works exhibited at the Louvre, among many other galleries. Artistic genius runs in the family. His father, Marcel Wibault, had 4000 paintings to his credit.

Looking around Lionel’s colorful studio, amidst paintings of mountainscapes, fields of flowers and portraits, I was impressed with his many creative mediums beyond  the canvas. Lionel had intricately carved wooden door panels, painted floral designs in the ceiling, and beautiful calligraphy upon his walls, one which translates as “ Beauty reveals itself to you when you have given your all” and another on his studio door, Bien faire et laisser dire” ( Don’t worry what people say, just do your best). Read the rest of this entry »

Have you created a “Bucket List’?, a list of all the things you’d like to do or see before time is up to do them and you’re off the planet? Back in high school, I was inspired by John Goddard who presented assemblies on his travel adventures. I had no idea back then until reading the very first Chicken Soup for the Soul book in which he was featured, that as a teen he made a list of 100+ adventures and goals he wanted to achieve. What a wonderful way to create life filled with what you value and want to weave together as your destiny.

Since I also embrace creating life as you most want to live it, I made my own list.  It’s an interesting exercise of what I value, of what feeds my soul. I joyfully cross things off when I do them, and also keep adding to it in anticipation when something else arises.

So, a few years ago, while scanning some travel books, a pastoral scene caught my attention–rows of lavender in France. Ahh! I’ve always been one who stops to smell the roses, and the thought of breathing in the fragrance of a field of lavender sent my stressed out spirit soaring. Well, the epicenter of lavender production is Provence, France and in doing research, scenes of sun-washed hilltop villages, Roman ruins, outdoor cafes, pastoral patchworks of vineyards, olive groves, stately cypress, amber wheat fields, and endless acres of sunflowers and lavender became an irresistible lure.

Last fall, plans were made with two friends, Sarah and Anne, also drawn to Provence’s beauty and charm, to book summer 2011 to stop and smell the lavender in full bloom.

Once there, it exceeded my expectations! Provence was indeed a symphony of sensory delights, as described in some promotional material. The lavender fields were humming from bees taking advantage of the sweet nectar . . . the fragrances from every corner, the color contrasts of purple lavender and yellow sunflowers, the feast of fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and crusty bread purchased daily from outdoor markets, and then ending each day filled with all of its natural wonders, sitting outside underneath a mulberry tree overlooking a vineyard, sharing with friends for hours on end.

Read the rest of this entry »

When conflict arises, are you speaking your truth?

Life presents us with an ongoing series of situations that can strain relationships. Conflict is a natural part of life, with the potential to arise when you face resistance, pressure, change, or merely interacting with others. It brings up uncomfortable feelings which can threaten well-being. Whenever friction arises from unmet or competing needs, wants, and values, a gap occurs, creating a “connection chasm.”

Our judgments, assumptions, frustrations, annoyances, misunderstandings, expectations, suspicions, opposing perspectives, and more can all spark conflict, an inevitable part of life’s interactions.  When that connection chasm forms, anger, whether mild or wild, can result. Yet anger doesn’t have to eat you up, pollute the atmosphere, or ruin your relationships. In fact, it’s often because they’re not dealt with, that the gap grows wider and you become distressed, drained, and disconnected by them.

When some people are peeved, it’s unmistakable; they let you know their feelings in no uncertain terms, and they “tell it like it is.” At the other end of the spectrum are those who repress, swallow, and stuff their feelings because of the discomfort they produce. Holding back powerful feelings breeds resentment and sabotages authentic relationships, which must be based on emotional integrity.

If you stuff your feelings about something that’s upsetting, you know your reasons for remaining silent–believing some matters just aren’t worth ruining a relationship, making a scene, or rocking the boat (although that boat is already riding over troubled water!) Or you’re uncomfortable with conflict and want to “keep the peace” at any price (except your own), or knowing that by admitting your unhappiness with a person or situation might set the stage for major change and you’re not ready for that, at least not now.  So you bite your lips until they’re raw and stuff it down . . . again.

But the drawbacks of suppressing your anger can add up. Over time, irritations or issues fester, and the pent-up energy from stuffed feelings can make you resentful and bitter. Not speaking your truth in alignment with your needs and values is destructive to emotional integrity and healthy relationships.  And keeping silent on issues that concern you is particularly harmful to long-term relationships. It takes an enormous amount of emotional and physical energy to keep powerful feelings stuffed inside where they silently brew. Read the rest of this entry »