Heal your Holiday grief with this series of teleclasses being offered by my friend and colleague, Master Martha Beck Coach, Martha Atkins.
Grief that has not been released or addressed can be a major cause of illness and pain. Whether you’ve recently lost someone or are still dealing with grief from twenty years ago, this can help you heal.
Tears, Fears, and Light: Negotiating The Holidays When Someone You Love Is Dying
Monday, December 21st- 9a pacific/10a mountain/11a cst/12p eastern
Presents and Presence: Missing Your Mom or Dad This Holiday Season
Monday, December 21st-11p pacific/12p mountain/1p cst/2p eastern
The Ornaments Make Me Cry: Getting Through The Holidays When Your Child Has Died
Monday, December 21st-1p pacific/2p mountain/3p cst/4p eastern
For parents who have experienced the death of a child of any age.
Missing Your Brother or Sister This Holiday Season
Tuesday, December 22nd – 9a pacific/10a mountain/11a cst/12p eastern
The Nights Are Too Silent: Surviving The Holidays After the Death of Your Spouse or Partner
Tuesday, December 22nd-11a pacific/12p mountain/1p cst/2p eastern
You will learn:
* what to do with all the feelings you’re having and how normal you really are even if you don’t feel that way.
* ways to connect with your loved one whether they’re still with us or not.
* three practical ways to care of yourself that don’t involve excess eggnog or running away to Tahiti.
* an activity to do on your own or as a family, one my clients say has reminded them the most meaningful and treasured gifts don’t cost any money at all.
Choose the class that best fits your situation and join in. The cost is $19. Once you sign up, you will receive a link to the conference. You can listen in by phone or on the web and can send any questions you have by email before or during the call. Everyone who signs up will receive a recording of the call.
This Motherhood Redefined event rocked the lives of the moms who attended. I was lucky enough to speak at and attend this cool event in Scottsdale, AZ. Check out more at Motherhood Redefined. Future events coming next year!
Nike, McDonald’s, BMW, Disney, and Coca Cola all are brands. A brand is an image, identity, or message a company uses to represents itself.
What is your personal brand? It is a reflection of the REAL YOU and what you value. Most people aren’t living their true brand, just a cheap imitation of someone else’s brand or vision that don’t quite fit (like a shoe that is one size too small!)
IS THIS YOU? Then you will love this class!
You lost your identity to motherhood or your busy career and want it back!
You want to make a stronger statement in the world.
You are often wishy-washy or indecisive when making decisions.
You want your needs and desires to be understood and met.
As a result of this teleclass, you WILL:
Learn what you value most and know your unique brand.
Begin attracting the people, things and circumstances you desire!
Make decisions quicker and more confidently.
Create an action plan to make your language, appearance and home reflect the REAL YOU.
TELECOURSE DETAILS
DATE: Sunday, February 22, 2009
TIME: 6 – 7 pm MST (5 pm PT/ 7 pm CST/ 8 pm EST)
COST: Free
TO REGISTER: Email me by 2/21 awc@allisoncabral.com to receive dial-in phone number and access code
Daily OM Horoscope – Unique daily horoscopes that give you inspirational insights based on your astrological sign every day.
Beliefnet – Inspiration, Spirituality, Faith. – many newsletters to choose from.
Lime – Info and resources to help you to live a healthier, greener lifestyle.
SparkPeople – Health & fitness tips, recipes and motivation for a healthier lifestyle.
A Course In Miracles – Register at Oprah.com and sign up. Marianne Williamson guides you through A Course in Miracles every day.
Peter Walsh Clutter Crew – Register at Oprah.com and each month Peter Walsh will send you his exclusive step-by-step projects to help you create the home you’ve always dreamed of.
Creating a life you love begins with being grateful for what you already have. Then the Universe will start giving you more. A daily practice of gratitude is essential for happiness. My gratitude list is pretty long but here are this morning’s top 7.
The gorgeous Arizona sunrise I am watching right now.
My sister, Susan. She is an amazing intuitive and makes me laugh til I almost pee my pants.
My daughters – it is remarkable how they can warm my heart and make me want to wring their necks all at the same time!
coffee – the aroma of a fresh brewed pot – mmmmm…
The iphone – it is a miracle how well it helps me run my life. I didn’t know if was possible to fall in love with a piece of technology!
Yoga – for its ability to center me and feel great!
Blueberries – I love those yummy balls of sweetness on top of my morning muesli.
I’d love to know what Suzanne and Amber are grateful for!
Join the GRATITUDE Challenge
Compose a “Statement of Gratitude” (Why are you grateful and what are you grateful for?) This can be serious or funny.
Post this statement with a creative title.
Copy from “START COPY*” through “*END COPY*,” and paste at the end of your post. Add your site to the end of the list.
I will add your post to my site with a link back and add your site to the main list.
I suggest keeping your list current so that everyone who participates gets maximum benefit.
Go HERE for more details (optional.) *START COPY* In order to be able to achieve and maintain happiness we need to, actively, be able to do two things:
Complain and then let go (Dump the baggage, the roadblocks to happiness.)
Openly Express Gratitude (The open expression of gratitude promotes happiness.)
After all, everyone has something to be grateful for and/or something to complain about. If you would like to accept the challenge, please follow the appropriate link and do so: “Are You Grateful?“, “Complain Complain Complain.”
On Mother’s Day, moms everywhere will receive cards, flowers, massages and breakfast in bed. As good as it feels to receive these gifts, there is a valuable and overlooked gift that mothers can give to themselves everyday – it is the gift of experiencing the “present” (moment).
Because of busy, over scheduled lives and managing family, career and households, adults tend lose touch with the present moment and instead focus on past regrets and worry about future outcomes. Consequently, when they lose touch with the present, it leads to thinking that they need something more to be happier.
There is very little in life that is an actual need. Once basic human needs are met (food, shelter, clothing, safety, love and esteem), everything beyond that could be considered a want or icing on the cake.
People often believe more money and more stuff will make them happier. They work their way up the ladder gathering awards, promotions and luxury items only to find themselves still unhappy. In fact, a recent Princeton study debunks the more money equals more happiness myth.
So, if money and stuff don’t buy happiness, and people don’t need more than the basics to be happy, then what do they really need? I believe all they need is the “precious present”. (Read the book The Precious Present by Spencer Johnson, it’s a moving story about the importance of being present.)
The “present” is about appreciating and being present to the joy in each daily moment — like hearing our children’s laughter, smelling the freshness of the morning air, noticing the beauty of the sunset, and feeling the warmth of a hug. The “present” is the best gift I have ever experienced. When I slow down and fully immersed in the now, I feel at peace and complete.
In my own quest to love my life and be a better parent, I found these tips on how to help my children improve their organization and focus at home and school. Even though they were found at an ADHD site, I think they can be applied to anyone’s life to help better cope with our hectic modern lives.
Create a schedule. Try to follow the same routine every day.
Put up a copy of the schedule to provide visual reinforcement. Post the schedule in a prominent place so your child can see where he or she is expected to be during the day and when it’s time for homework, play, and chores.
Try to keep tasks simple. Try not to have too many things on the schedule for your child to remember. This way he or she has a better chance of completing each task-which can provide a sense of accomplishment.
Help your child get organized. Work with your child to create a “home” for his or her backpack, toys, and clothing so these items will be less likely to get lost. Give your child a checklist that he or she can refer to before coming home from school, to help your child remember to bring home important papers and homework assignments.
Always try to use brief, clear directions. For example, when reminding your child to pick up his or her clothes, consider saying, “please pick up your clothes” instead of “it would be nice if you picked up your clothes.”
Limit distractions. It may help to have the TV, radio, and computer games off when your child is performing tasks that require concentration, especially homework.
Offer choices so your child feels involved in making decisions. However, it’s best to offer no more than two alternatives so that he or she isn’t overwhelmed or overstimulated.
Goals and rewards can be effective. You can use a chart to list goals and track positive behaviors, then reward your child’s efforts. Goals should be realistic (think baby steps, not overnight success) and rewards need not be expensive (e.g., an extra half hour of TV time, choosing the movie on family movie night). I use the Superstars chart. There are some useful downloadable worksheets.
Decisive, positive discipline usually works best. Using timeouts or removal of privileges can help, but try to tie the consequences to the inappropriate behavior (e.g., if your child doesn’t wear a helmet while bike riding, he or she doesn’t get to ride for the rest of the day).
Encourage your child’s natural talents. You know your child has unique skills. When others see those skills as you do, it may lead to greater success for your child. In addition, when your child is doing something he or she loves and is good at, it can build confidence and self-esteem.
One of my clients recently said “I give up! I’m done. I’m so overwhelmed I just want to end it. Just a quick hard left over a bridge and it would be over.” Well, that’s just a bright cheery thought now, isn’t it?! I think/hope she is just kidding! So you may ask…What is going on with her? — She is dealing with incredible fear. Now I could side, agree with her, and keep her stuck– afterall, she is going through difficult times… Or I can offer her a solution.
One solution to calm FEAR in the moment (this is quoted from Become Fearless): “Before you’re about to do something scary (confront a friend, start a new job, ask for a date), imagine someone who would be proud or grateful if you took this risk. It could be a relative, a mentor, your inner child, or a historic or fictional character. Before you step into your scary situation, visualize this person by your side, holding your hand, or in your arms. Let yourself really feel their presence—and take them in with you. You’re not alone, and there is strength in numbers!”
I do this exercise on a regular basis. I imagine my special someone with me all the time. In my mind, he holds me, whispers he loves me, kisses me on the shoulder and I even imagine him teasing me and saying “why don’t you just cry about it!!” when I am really feeling the fear! Then I laugh at myself and step into my fear.
Spring is just about here! It is natural during this season, to feel the urge to clear away the clutter that has accumulated in our winter nests. Cleaning removes stagnant energy from your home to prepare your personal space for the positive, fresh energy of spring. As the dust and clutter is swept away, you inevitably sweep away some of the issues that may have been blocking you in your life.
Here is an exercise to clear out your physical and mental clutter at the same time — what better way to multi-task!
1. Before you begin spring cleaning, ask yourself what needs to be cleansed, what can be discarded, and how you can make your home a reflection of your BEST SELF.
2. Visualize your BEST SELF. Who is she? What does she look like, how does she dress? How does she impact the world? What does her environment look like?
3. Make a list of ADJECTIVES to describe your BEST SELF (i.e. fit and lean, organized, happy, modern, energized).
4. Make a list of each ROOM IN YOUR HOME. Next to the room name, write the adjectives that describe it (i.e. Family Room: worn, boring, cluttered). If you were to use those adjectives to describe yourself, would that be your BEST SELF?
5. Make a list of the CHANGES you need to make to each room and the stuff in it so that it reflects your BEST SELF list (i.e. fit and lean, organized, happy modern, energized). Perhaps you need to clear a closet filled with clothes that are out-dated and not your size. Or take all the high fat and sugar items out of your pantry. If we hold on to something that is no longer useful to us, we will never create a space for what we truly want to come into our lives.
6. Gather your tools and supplies around you– cleaners, cloths, and bags for items to be discarded, given away or put back in their proper place.
7. Choose one area to tackle first. Set up a time for each area on your calendar. Don’t do it all at once. You will get overwhelmed, tired and possibly give up all together.
You may find that with each piece of clutter you discard and each area that you clean, you begin to feel increasingly energized. Ridding yourself of unnecessary possessions can help you regain clarity of mind and refocus your vision. As your home becomes a reflection of your BEST SELF, you will begin living as your BEST SELF.
The law of attraction is based on the theory that “like attracts like”. The movie, “The Secret“, teaches how this works. Many believe that individuals experience physical and mental manifestations corresponding to their predominant thoughts, feelings, words, and actions; and that they thereby have the ability to control the reality of their lives through thought alone. When I examine my thoughts and life, I would have to agree. Most of what I have focused on creating, eventually manifests itself into my life – for better or for worse!
This has happened so often, that I have learned to “be careful of what I wish for.” Once I am clear on what I want, I make sure it corresponds with my values, and then I surround myself with reminders of it. In fact, I have a little stuffed bee who is my daily reminder. He sits in my work space and keeps me company. Often times he joins me in my purse to meetings. On occasion, I will notice he has gone “missing” because my daughters like to steal him away to school in their backpacks… He is an adorable symbol of what is most important to me. This little bee is reminds me to “just bee”… To always be myself, be authentic, be happy, and be present to the moment.
Making changes to your environment will help you stay focused on what you want to create. Some ideas to implement are to make a vision board, hang artwork, paint new colors, change your wardrobe, or tape affirmations to your bathroom mirror.
What symbols or reminders can you surround yourself with to help you create what you want?
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