Year: 2009

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Moments Reprise

Yesterday we celebrated the 60th anniversary of Ron and Dorothy Healey, my in-laws. Jim and I hosted the event, an event which has been in the planning for several months now since Mary, my sister-in-law, first asked if we would consider having the celebration here. We were thrilled as hosting a family event has long been in our ‘attraction plans’.

It was only a couple of days ago that we solved the biggest dilemma – how to seat everyone, 24 in all, when our dining room table only seats 12. With my question out to the universe, the answer came in a flash of inspiration as I returned from a meeting in Ottawa. So simple – move the couch! Push it to the side of the room. All the pieces fell into place in that one moment, the other tables we had could then be placed around the room and voila, we could create a café! 

I was still uncertain about the plan until Jim and I actually moved the furniture. And then the miracle, we began setting the tables, tablecloths, napkins, cutlery, name tags, flowers, candles, wine  goblets, and when we looked up my café vision had been realized.

I have found that there are those special moments in life which I do not want to end. Yesterday was one of them, from creating the environment, to the scent of Julia’s wonderful meal wafting from the kitchen, to the arrival of the guests. As each of Jim’s siblings arrived, followed by his parents, and finally their friends, I savored each minute. Is it just me, or do all of us love to have our home graced by those whom we love?

I watched the enjoyment on my in-laws faces as the party began. The raucous laughter from the dining room during the meal, made this group of 80 year olds sound more like a bunch of teenagers. The room radiated fun and joy and memories. The groupings around the living room were engaged in their own conversations, looking up on occasion as another round of laughter rippled through the house.

Mom and Dad, their Children and the 'Out-Laws"

Moments – special moments. They make up the fabric of our lives. Miracles – 60 years of marriage, family, stories, friends, laughter – they are with us everyday. I am in a moment of extraordinary grace as I reflect on yesterday. I want to hold onto these moments and miracles of life. These moments are our legacy.

Until next time….

Betty

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Moments Reprise

Yesterday we celebrated the 60th anniversary of Ron and Dorothy Healey, my in-laws. Jim and I hosted the event, an event which has been in the planning for several months now since Mary, my sister-in-law, first asked if we would consider having the celebration here. We were thrilled as hosting a family event has long been in our ‘attraction plans’.

It was only a couple of days ago that we solved the biggest dilemma – how to seat everyone, 24 in all, when our dining room table only seats 12. With my question out to the universe, the answer came in a flash of inspiration as I returned from a meeting in Ottawa. So simple – move the couch! Push it to the side of the room. All the pieces fell into place in that one moment, the other tables we had could then be placed around the room and voila, we could create a café! 

I was still uncertain about the plan until Jim and I actually moved the furniture. And then the miracle, we began setting the tables, tablecloths, napkins, cutlery, name tags, flowers, candles, wine  goblets, and when we looked up my café vision had been realized.

I have found that there are those special moments in life which I do not want to end. Yesterday was one of them, from creating the environment, to the scent of Julia’s wonderful meal wafting from the kitchen, to the arrival of the guests. As each of Jim’s siblings arrived, followed by his parents, and finally their friends, I savored each minute. Is it just me, or do all of us love to have our home graced by those whom we love?

I watched the enjoyment on my in-laws faces as the party began. The raucous laughter from the dining room during the meal, made this group of 80 year olds sound more like a bunch of teenagers. The room radiated fun and joy and memories. The groupings around the living room were engaged in their own conversations, looking up on occasion as another round of laughter rippled through the house.

Moments – special moments. They make up the fabric of our lives. Miracles – 60 years of marriage, family, stories, friends, laughter – they are with us everyday. I am in a moment of extraordinary grace as I reflect on yesterday. I want to hold onto these moments and miracles of life. These moments are our legacy.

Until next time….

Betty

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Moments

A day consists of 1400 minutes, and each minute is filled with many moments. Each moment contains the essence of a miracle. Most miracles go unnoticed.

As I joined Jim and my neighbours for our morning walk, I tuned in to the miracle of the frost lined surfaces of every element of nature, the crowning glory of the many dead flower heads, turning their browned edges to diamond studded tiaras. As the sun rose above the trees, the morning glittered. A train whistle blew in the distance, one of my roadSIGNS, reminding me of the trainloads of abundance that exist in my life. The chocolate colored llama, who usually greets us with a nasty hiss, stood placidly in his corral, his back glistening from the frost. I wondered, had he been outside all night taking in the star showers predicted in the news. Arriving home, I walked our garden labyrinth. Still in the shade, nothing had melted and I took delight in studying the geometric patterns created by the coolness of the night before. In all, it was a buffet of gourmet delights, stimulating my senses and waking me up to the miracles of the day. 

I find it is so easy to be complacent, to wake up haunted by the night’s dreams or the early morning worries that filter through my head. I remind myself that my thoughts and feelings are what I will attract, yet I seem unable, at times, to ‘flip’ them to a much more perfect place, that place of abundance and joy. I ask my higher power for help, and then, as if answering my prayer, there is the glory of this morning. When I return to the house, my own miracle has happened, my spirits have lifted and I feel renewed and awake and fully alive.

Moments – I am learning that I need only to be in them fully. Allowing myself to ‘BE’ with the miracles that surround me, lifts me, and once again I can fly. Inhabit you moments and witness your miracles.

Until next time…

Betty

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Moments

A day consists of 1400 minutes, and each minute is filled with many moments. Each moment contains the essence of a miracle. Most miracles go unnoticed.

As I joined Jim and my neighbors for our morning walk, I tuned in to the miracle of the frost lined surfaces of every element of nature, the crowning glory of the many dead flower heads, turning their browned edges to diamond studded tiaras. As the sun rose above the trees, the morning glittered. A train whistle blew in the distance, one of my roadSIGNS, reminding me of the trainloads of abundance that exist in my life. The chocolate colored llama, who usually greets us with a nasty hiss, stood placidly in his corral, his back glistening from the frost. I wondered, had he been outside all night taking in the star showers predicted in the news. Arriving home, I walked our garden labyrinth. Still in the shade, nothing had melted and I took delight in studying the geometric patterns created by the coolness of the night before. In all, it was a buffet of gourmet delights, stimulating my senses and waking me up to the miracles of the day. 

I find it is so easy to be complacent, to wake up haunted by the night’s dreams or the early morning worries that filter through my head. I remind myself that my thoughts and feelings are what I will attract, yet I seem unable, at times, to ‘flip’ them to a much more perfect place, that place of abundance and joy. I ask my higher power for help, and then, as if answering my prayer, there is the glory of this morning. When I return to the house, my own miracle has happened, my spirits have lifted and I feel renewed and awake and fully alive.

Moments – I am learning that I need only to be in them fully. Allowing myself to ‘BE’ with the miracles that surround me, lifts me, and once again I can fly. Inhabit you moments and witness your miracles.

Until next time…

Betty

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Glass Ceilings

I always thought of glass ceilings as those artificial limitations placed upon individuals, typically women, in the workplace; the suggestion, and in many cases the reality, that women could not rise above a certain rank within their organization. This too has come to pass as women shift into executive ranks of companies, although just today I saw a new initiative from the Women’s Executive Network to mentor women for positions on the Board of Directors for Fortune 500 companies. I guess we as women continue to have to break through that ceiling.

All this aside, another view of the glass ceiling was proposed by one of my ME FIRST Retreat participants last weekend. We were discussing intentions and how powerful they are.

Let me pause for a moment to clarify that an intention is not a goal, it is not attached to a concrete outcome. An intention however is a ‘want’, a desire, a question and most definitely an energy. Remember that old adage ‘be careful for what you wish for’ – yep, it’s true! When we set our intentions we want to understand that we are sending out a request to the Universe and that it will be answered, although often not in the form we expect.

Intentions are, never the less very important if we want to shift our life to that place we want for ourselves rather than the life that seems to be dictated to us by others or by life’s circumstances.

Back to the glass ceiling. Donna (not her real name) began to ruminate about how she has been setting a glass ceiling on her intentions. I was definitely curious as she explained that she hesitated to ask for more than she thought was possible. “Was she limiting herself?”, she inquired.

A lively discussion ensued regarding how we are our own worse enemy when it comes to stretching, dreaming and living in the land of possibility.

The thing is an intention is a powerful force, a wave of energy we set forth. Can we really contain it, set that glass ceiling. It is my belief that the Universe knows better that we do what is in our highest good and it is not limited by our personal belief systems regarding our self-worth or what is possible.

I did think Donna’s comment however to be thought-provoking and I am examining where in my life I am imposing my own glass ceilings. And I have found a few already. Man, I really want to start breaking through, because I have a lot I want to offer the world and I have no time for artificial boundaries created by my own limited imagination. How about you?

Until next time….

Betty

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Glass Ceilings

I always thought of glass ceilings as those artificial limitations placed upon individuals, typically women, in the workplace; the suggestion, and in many cases the reality, that women could not rise above a certain rank within their organization. This too has come to pass as women shift into executive ranks of companies, although just today I saw a new initiative from the Women’s Executive Network to mentor women for positions on the Board of Directors for Fortune 500 companies. I guess we as women continue to have to break through that ceiling.

All this aside, another view of the glass ceiling was proposed by one of my ME FIRST Retreat participants last weekend. We were discussing intentions and how powerful they are.

Let me pause for a moment to clarify that an intention is not a goal, it is not attached to a concrete outcome. An intention however is a ‘want’, a desire, a question and most definitely an energy. Remember that old adage ‘be careful for what you wish for’ – yep, it’s true! When we set our intentions we want to understand that we are sending out a request to the Universe and that it will be answered, although often not in the form we expect.

Intentions are, never the less very important if we want to shift our life to that place we want for ourselves rather than the life that seems to be dictated to us by others or by life’s circumstances.

Back to the glass ceiling. Donna (not her real name) began to ruminate about how she has been setting a glass ceiling on her intentions. I was definitely curious as she explained that she hesitated to ask for more than she thought was possible. “Was she limiting herself?”, she inquired.

A lively discussion ensued regarding how we are our own worse enemy when it comes to stretching, dreaming and living in the land of possibility.

The thing is an intention is a powerful force, a wave of energy we set forth. Can we really contain it, set that glass ceiling. It is my belief that the Universe knows better that we do what is in our highest good and it is not limited by our personal belief systems regarding our self-worth or what is possible.

I did think Donna’s comment however to be thought-provoking and I am examining where in my life I am imposing my own glass ceilings. And I have found a few already. Man, I really want to start breaking through, because I have a lot I want to offer the world and I have no time for artificial boundaries created by my own limited imagination. How about you?

Until next time….

Betty

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My Board of Directors

I was reading the new book by Jan Stringer and Alan Hickman this morning called, BEE-ing Attraction ~ What Love Has to do With Business and Marketing. In the second chapter they spoke of the importance of having a Board of Directors, even as a solo-entrepreneur. This led me to consider the possibility of having a Board of Directors for my life.

In ME FIRST- If I Should Wake Before I Die, I write about the importance of surrounding yourself with an Intimate Circle. This is comprised of friends, possibly family, who love you unconditionally and who likewise challenge you when they see you embarking on a misguided venture.

Last evening all this ‘theory’ came into practice. We call ourselves Kirsty’s Circle now. We were once one of the ME FIRST coaching groups that emerged from one of my programs. The new name is in honor of Kirsty Ann MacLeod who led us on a journey of living and dying this past summer and early fall. This is our way of honoring and remembering her. 

The six remaining members of the group get together monthly. A large part of what we do is to share and to support one another. It is also the one place where we can be completely vulnerable, to take off the mask we wear with others and simply be ourselves.

They are my Board of Directors. As Jan and Alan suggested in their book, the group provides “space for accountability, a place to brainstorm, and a nonjudgmental community to share your needs“. 

It was the medicine I needed  and as I looked around the table, I saw that through the evening transformation was occurring. There is a deep shared sadness among us since Kirsty’s passing yet this is shifting, as it must, and as each of us finds a way to move forward. We grieve together, we laugh together.

It is not easy to be vulnerable, or at least it isn’t for me. I was taught that personal matters are personal and need not be shared. This is a limiting belief I am releasing for I know that the ability to share lifts a great weight from my shoulders and allows me to breathe again.

I am not an advocate of sharing with everyone. In the perfect circumstances with your intimate circle however, speaking your truth, taking the mask off and being vulnerable, allows you to be truly authentic.

It is my belief that we all need this format for being real with others. You  get to see yourself differently, to challenge some of the beliefs that have been driving you (flawed or not) and perhaps re-frame something that is holding you back.

There were many humorous moments last evening which I am not privy to share for we have a code of conduct which I refer to as our Well of Confidentiality. In this we commit not to share with others what belongs only to us, and that is the secret which allows us to show up every month and take off the masks we wear.

Until next time…

Betty

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My Board of Directors

I was reading the new book by Jan Stringer and Alan Hickman this morning called, BEE-ing Attraction ~ What Love Has to do With Business and Marketing. In the second chapter they spoke of the importance of having a Board of Directors, even as a solo-entrepreneur. This led me to consider the possibility of having a Board of Directors for my life.

In ME FIRST- If I Should Wake Before I Die, I write about the importance of surrounding yourself with an Intimate Circle. This is comprised of friends, possibly family, who love you unconditionally and who likewise challenge you when they see you embarking on a misguided venture.

Last evening all this ‘theory’ came into practice. We call ourselves Kirsty’s Circle now. We were once one of the ME FIRST coaching groups that emerged from one of my programs. The new name is in honor of Kirsty Ann MacLeod who led us on a journey of living and dying this past summer and early fall. This is our way of honoring and remembering her. 

The six remaining members of the group get together monthly. A large part of what we do is to share and to support one another. It is also the one place where we can be completely vulnerable, to take off the mask we wear with others and simply be ourselves.

They are my Board of Directors. As Jan and Alan suggested in their book, the group provides “space for accountability, a place to brainstorm, and a nonjudgmental community to share your needs“. 

It was the medicine I needed  and as I looked around the table, I saw that through the evening transformation was occurring. There is a deep shared sadness among us since Kirsty’s passing yet this is shifting, as it must, and as each of us finds a way to move forward. We grieve together, we laugh together.

It is not easy to be vulnerable, or at least it isn’t for me. I was taught that personal matters are personal and need not be shared. This is a limiting belief I am releasing for I know that the ability to share lifts a great weight from my shoulders and allows me to breathe again.

I am not an advocate of sharing with everyone. In the perfect circumstances with your intimate circle however, speaking your truth, taking the mask off and being vulnerable, allows you to be truly authentic.

It is my belief that we all need this format for being real with others. You  get to see yourself differently, to challenge some of the beliefs that have been driving you (flawed or not) and perhaps re-frame something that is holding you back.

There were many humorous moments last evening which I am not privy to share for we have a code of conduct which I refer to as our Well of Confidentiality. In this we commit not to share with others what belongs only to us, and that is the secret which allows us to show up every month and take off the masks we wear.

Until next time…

Betty

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Priorities

Where are you on your priority list? I am noticing that while I aspire to have myself at the top of my Priority List, that I keep slipping out of the top spot. Last evening, while working with one of my clients I asked her to list her top five priorities. Her response: my kids, my partner, my mom, work, ME. My answer: Well at least you made the top five!

ME FIRST – is that possible? Is it necessary? Think about it. When you and I don’t put ourselves first, what are the consequences. You might say there aren’t any. Think again. Here is what I have noticed. When I slip off my priority list, and top spot, I stop feeling good about me. When I don’t feel good about me, I get cranky (as well as other things I prefer not to disclose!), I am out of rhythm with the world around me. Sound familiar or am I alone?

What to do? Don’t make it arduous, make it easy. I am learning that a simple 10 minutes/day can make all the difference. That’s less than 1% of your day. A time to close your eyes, take a deep breath, consider your day and reflect on your intentions. This alone shifts your energy and allows you to be more present with yourself and others.

Care to join me? Where are you on your priority list?

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Priorities

Where are you on your priority list? I am noticing that while I aspire to have myself at the top of my Priority List, that I keep slipping out of the top spot. Last evening, while working with one of my clients I asked her to list her top five priorities. Her response: my kids, my partner, my mom, work, ME. My answer: Well at least you made the top five!

ME FIRST – is that possible? Is it necessary? Think about it. When you and I don’t put ourselves first, what are the consequences. You might say there aren’t any. Think again. Here is what I have noticed. When I slip off my priority list, and top spot, I stop feeling good about me. When I don’t feel good about me, I get cranky (as well as other things I prefer not to disclose!), I am out of rhythm with the world around me. Sound familiar or am I alone?

What to do? Don’t make it arduous, make it easy. I am learning that a simple 10 minutes/day can make all the difference. That’s less than 1% of your day. A time to close your eyes, take a deep breath, consider your day and reflect on your intentions. This alone shifts your energy and allows you to be more present with yourself and others.

Care to join me? Where are you on your priority list?