Archive for July 2009

Part of following your joy is about being still. When we’re busy and racing through life, we miss all kinds of opportunity for joy. I notice that the more I am “still,” the more I see all kinds of things around me that bring me joy…things that I might not have noticed otherwise.

A great example of this is from a few years ago when Bill and I were privileged guests at our friends’ beautiful beachfront condo in Florida. Before we left for our stay at the condo, our friends told us to pay attention and watch for the dolphins: “They’re out there all the time,” they said.

So during our visit, Bill and I watched and we waited. Not a moment went by that we didn’t stare out to sea, hoping for a glimpse of a smiling porpoise dancing in the waves.

Instead, though, throughout the week we were delighted with pelicans traveling in groups of two or three soaring past our sixth floor deck; herons walking along the low tide hunting for bugs; crabs scurrying down the shell-laden beach; lizards making their way across the pool pavement; and seagulls allowing the ocean breeze to carry them high in the sky.

Oh, how we would have loved for Read more »

Following your joy. It’s important to know what it is, specifically, that brings you joy…and then make sure to get more that in your life.

I’d also like to add another point of view–it was John Lennon who said: “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” So true. We can spend so much time and energy meticulously planning and plotting out our days and our lives. And at the same time, we’ve got to be open to whatever might come our way. It may even be something that we’ve never dreamed of!

You really don’t want to miss those amazing little miracles that show up right in front of your eyes, especially when you’re somewhere else trying to plan for them or “make” them happen. You gotta be ready to catch them when they appear.

I’m really good at making a plan. In fact, I’d like to say that I excel at it. I’m learning, though, that there’s more—so much more—to life than “the plan.” And what I continuously remind myself of is to stay in the moment and Read more »

There’s a lot of buzz out there about the Law of Attraction. The bottom-line of this universal law is that the thoughts you have create your reality.

For example, if you’re constantly thinking about how bad your day is going…you just might be “attracting” more of that bad stuff to you. On the flip side, if you’re consciously being grateful for all the good things in your life, it’s almost guaranteed that more of those good things are going to show up.

Even though I intellectually get this concept and witness its magic throughout my life, I still appreciate the little reminders here and there that this universal principle is alive and well in my world! And just a couple weeks ago, one more affirmation came in the form of a beautiful, bright and cheery goldfinch (see Exhibit A above).

A goldfinch and the Law of Attraction

We have a lot of birds flying around outside the big windows of our townhouse, and we have fun watching their habits as they play around and go about their life, doing whatever it is that they do. Bill and I have particularly been drawn to Read more »

One of the things I do in my work as a Professional Coach is help my clients clarify and “name” what it is that makes them come alive. And sometimes it can be a little elusive to identify, or define, specifically what that is. A good way can be to take the cues from those around you.

Feel-good music and concerts

For me, one of those things is music. The deal for me was sealed when my aunt left a message on our voice mail the other day. She was returning my call about the Chicago / Earth, Wind & Fire concert—I wanted to know how she liked it. And her message said, “The best part of the show was watching you and Bill through my binoculars dancing up a storm!” At first I was a little embarrassed. But then I realized that yep, that was just me, following my joy.

Then one of my clients emailed me the next day and said how she enjoyed our “show” up front! Okay, slightly embarrassed again, but what are ya gonna do? Also reminds me of the time that Bill and I were at a Neil Diamond concert in Sioux City, IA. Afterwards, one of the local radio station DJ’s waved us over outside the arena and said, Read more »