I just tried to sign up for twitter. It assumed it would be easy yes and I want to use this social media tool intentionally. So before Christmas I signed up for a ‘Spiritual Twitter”‘ program with a colleague of mine. I just didn’t get around to doing the course through the holidays so today I decided was the day. My username and password had expired. Okay I thought, I’ll just go in and sign up anyway. First, I was told my password was weak. Second the roadSIGNS Coach was taken – really? Third I could not read the gobbly goop on the bottom of the screen, then I was kicked out as the “website expired”. Okay, I have to ask myself, am I really that much of a twit, do I really need to tweet, is this really an important social networking tool or is all that happened simply a roadSIGN for DON”T BOTHER!’ Anyone got any suggestions. I heard the other day that by the end of 2010 Twitter would have no relevance – maybe I should follow the advice of the unknown ‘they’ and just leave it alone.
Okay, that is my carp for today! I am sure I can spend my time on much more significant things including finishing the proposal I am writing and completing the new 2010 coaching offerings.
My intentions for this year:
1) To live in the abundance of each day and be grateful for all that is
Reminds me to Seize everyday with extraordinary gratitude!
2) To stay centered in my own authenticity and build my life and business from this place
Yep - This looks authentic to me!
3) To expand roadSIGNS, ME FIRST and the Tigh Shee Healing Center
2010 is time to dream and vision all that we want to manifest!
Around about mid day on December 31st, I began considering what was up for me as 2010 approached. It was then that I realized that we were not just entering a new year, but also a new decade. It seemed like more than a page turning – more like an entire chapter.
Of course 2010 is also a big one for me personally – it is the year I will turn 60. (I am in denial about this hence the reason for putting it right out there. How could I possibly be on the brink of turning 60?)
We welcomed in the New Year by stepping outside just before the hands of the clocked ticked past midnight. It was a full moon, and a blue moon (the second full moon of the month and a rarity). The air was cool but not cold, just below freezing, charged with energy and brilliance, snow softly falling.
The cloud cover was not heavy enough to obliterate the full moon and as we looked skyward we could see it’s silhouette. It had the appearance of being blue.
With my face pointed up I could feel the snow flakes landing on my cheeks, like a hundred tiny kisses, teasing me and enticing me – it’s a brand new year! Four of us began to walk the labyrinth, slowly, taking in the snow diamonds that sparkled around us, being present within ourselves and intentionally considering what we want the next year/decade to bring to us and how we are called to serve.
It was one of those magical moments, like the scene from I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas when they open the large doors at the end of the movie and everyone realizes it is snowing outside.
Sandy, Betty and Joan in the Labyrinth
We returned to the warmth of our living room to rejoin the others and raise a glass. As is our tradition we turned on Time from Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, and turned the volume up high listening to the clocks and clanging of the song’s opening.
Here we are three days later and I am still filled with excitement and expectation. I have a sense of the great ‘what if…” as well. And in this I wish each of you a spectacular New Year where your dreams come true and your vision manifests.
Holidays require travel for us as for most of you. As I watched the news from across North America and Europe I was grateful that our comings and goings involved only a car and not an airplane. Between storm delays and added security, the allure of air travel has long since dissipated. Of course there was the small issue of freezing rain, and one 6 km stretch of country road that really was more of a skating rink. Ten white knuckles later, I celebrated the sight of clear pavement and began to breathe again. I am forever grateful for Jim’s ability to navigate these treacherous roads.
As we made our way to my brother’s place in Perth, ON yesterday, the Dixie Chicks causing our feet to tap and heads to nod with the rhythm this group is known for, I found myself noticing SIGNS I had not seen before, specifically street SIGNS and I began to wonder what’s in a name, does the name of the street you live one affect your life in any way. We, for example, live on Beauchamp Drive, the english translation, Beautiful Field. Now I think this is an excellent name. I once saw a street named Little Hope Street. This was a truly curious name – did it mean that the street was short, or that the residents had little hope?
My favorite yesterday was Diversion Rd. just east of Maxville. Does this road divert traffic around the community or if you live on this road, is life one great diversion? Could it be the road less travelled?
Then there was Precision Drive in Kemptville. I don’t think I’d like to live on this street, although I suspect it would be a good location for those who work in Finance or IT.
I kept thinking that I had seen a Transgression Avenue but I can’t decipher is this is my imagination or reality. Imagine the sinners that would live there?
Of course there are always those streets that bear a family name, inherited from those who originally settled in the area or because you were once the mayor or a famous athlete. And when all else fails there are the number systems. We once lives at 8711 19th Ave. in Edmonton, which meant we lived on 19th between 87th and 88th Street. The entire city was like this – a giant grid. It eliminated a lot of confusion but lacked imagination.
I look forward to more travels, more street signs and more ruminations. If nothing else it is entertaining and keeps my mind off the slippery roads.
My Favorite Xmas Present
I hope all of you experienced safe travels through the holidays and that you continue to as we approach New Year’s Eve. Here at Tigh Shee we have snuggled in with the Feline Clan, planning to entertain guests here.
As 2010 approaches, a new year, a new decade, place imagination in your grasp and begin to dream of what it is you want to manifest. Time to have a vision!
Holidays require travel for us as for most of you. As I watched the news from across North America and Europe I was grateful that our comings and goings involved only a car and not an airplane. Between storm delays and added security, the allure of air travel has long since dissipated. Of course there was the small issue of freezing rain, and one 6 km stretch of country road that really was more of a skating rink. Ten white knuckles later, I celebrated the sight of clear pavement and began to breathe again. I am forever grateful for Jim’s ability to navigate these treacherous roads.
As we made our way to my brother’s place in Perth, ON yesterday, the Dixie Chicks causing our feet to tap and heads to nod with the rhythm this group is known for, I found myself noticing SIGNS I had not seen before, specifically street SIGNS and I began to wonder what’s in a name, does the name of the street you live one affect your life in any way. We, for example, live on Beauchamp Drive, the english translation, Beautiful Field. Now I think this is an excellent name. I once saw a street named Little Hope Street. This was a truly curious name – did it mean that the street was short, or that the residents had little hope?
My favorite yesterday was Diversion Rd. just east of Maxville. Does this road divert traffic around the community or if you live on this road, is life one great diversion? Could it be the road less travelled?
Then there was Precision Drive in Kemptville. I don’t think I’d like to live on this street, although I suspect it would be a good location for those who work in Finance or IT.
I kept thinking that I had seen a Transgression Avenue but I can’t decipher is this is my imagination or reality. Imagine the sinners that would live there?
Of course there are always those streets that bear a family name, inherited from those who originally settled in the area or because you were once the mayor or a famous athlete. And when all else fails there are the number systems. We once lives at 8711 19th Ave. in Edmonton, which meant we lived on 19th between 87th and 88th Street. The entire city was like this – a giant grid. It eliminated a lot of confusion but lacked imagination.
I look forward to more travels, more street signs and more ruminations. If nothing else it is entertaining and keeps my mind off the slippery roads.
My Favorite Xmas Present
I hope all of you experienced safe travels through the holidays and that you continue to as we approach New Year’s Eve. Here at Tigh Shee we have snuggled in with the Feline Clan, planning to entertain guests here.
As 2010 approaches, a new year, a new decade, place imagination in your grasp and begin to dream of what it is you want to manifest. Time to have a vision!
On Sunday, December 20th, 2009 we held our annual Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk. For those of you unfamiliar with labyrinths, they are an ancient tool found across cultures and used to celebrate life, build community, walking meditation and so on. The Tigh Shee Labyrinth at our home was built in 2002, an original design conceived by Betty and Jim (and the fairies who co-habitate here with us).
Here is the brief ceremony and prayer we used for this year’s walk:
In celebration of the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, a time for regeneration and reflection, let us call upon the energy of the seven directions with the following prayer:
From the East House of Light May wisdom dawn in us So we may see all things in clarity
From the North House of Night My wisdom ripen in us So we may know all from within
Fro the West House of Transformation May wisdom be transformed into right action So we may do what must be done
From the South House of the Eternal Sun May right action reap the harvest So we may enjoy the fruits of planetary being
From the Above House of Wisdom Where star people and ancestors gather May blessing come to us now
From Below House of Earth May the heartbeat of her crystal core Bless us with harmonies to end all war
From the Center Galactic Source Which is everywhere at once May everything be known as the light of mutual love.
Jose Arguelles, Earth Prayers
Mother/Father God Bless this gathering, infuse us with beneficial light and energy. May all who gather here today be a peaceful and joyful presence in their own life, radiating this into the world. We walk on this day, the winter solstice, with love in our heats. And so it is.
On Sunday, December 20th, 2009 we held our annual Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk. For those of you unfamiliar with labyrinths, they are an ancient tool found across cultures and used to celebrate life, build community, walking meditation and so on. The Tigh Shee Labyrinth at our home was built in 2002, an original design conceived by Betty and Jim (and the fairies who co-habitate here with us).
Here is the brief ceremony and prayer we used for this year’s walk:
In celebration of the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, a time for regeneration and reflection, let us call upon the energy of the seven directions with the following prayer:
From the East House of Light
May wisdom dawn in us
So we may see all things in clarity
From the North House of Night
My wisdom ripen in us
So we may know all from within
Fro the West House of Transformation
May wisdom be transformed into right action
So we may do what must be done
From the South House of the Eternal Sun
May right action reap the harvest
So we may enjoy the fruits of planetary being
From the Above House of Wisdom
Where star people and ancestors gather
May blessing come to us now
From Below House of Earth
May the heartbeat of her crystal core
Bless us with harmonies to end all war
From the Center Galactic Source
Which is everywhere at once
May everything be known as the light of mutual love.
Jose Arguelles, Earth Prayers
Mother/Father God
Bless this gathering, infuse us with beneficial light and energy. May all who gather here today be a peaceful and joyful presence in their own life, radiating this into the world. We walk on this day, the winter solstice, with love in our heats. And so it is.
Although this is the week before Christmas, the pace of life has not slowed. All of this is perfect yes and I have been neglecting my blog. I am committed to being intentional as this season approaches, and in that intention attracting all that is perfect for me. Now to put this into action.
This past Monday I had the pleasure of joining a Book Club, a group of six women who meet weekly and who are currently reading and discussing ME FIRST – If I Should Wake Before I Die. I first met this group in late September. They have not only been reading, they have also been doing the work suggested (the exercises) in the book. There were many questions of me, which both thrilled me and served as a roadSIGN as to the importance of what ME FIRST – If I Should Wake Before I Die represents.
What has become clear is: – that stepping onto the ME FIRST Journey takes a great deal of courage – how difficult it is for people to know what it is they want – that wants are generally not for the material things in life, but for the quality of life issues – relationships, how I treat myself, meaning, and so on – that boundaries, saying YES to oneself and NO to others, continues to be a significant challenge – that FEAR continues to hold people back from living some of their dreams and that FEAR is different for everyone – that the self-critic often rules and along with FEAR, spews off a number of self-limiting thoughts – the Old Story – that acknowledging oneself is a challenge for many
I am sure there were other lessons that showed up during the discussion. I believe I have captured the essence however. I am enormously grateful to these courageous women for inviting me to join them and to dive into the important ME FIRST lessons. They allowed me to witness the ‘waking up process’ in their lives. I feel blessed and humbled to be called to do this work and to share the journeys of so many of you.
At the end of the meeting we all raced out of the house to head to the center of town to see the Olympic torch run. Several hundred Morrisburg residents lined the streets, enthusiastically greeting the entourage that preceded the torch bearer. As the flame approached, I held the Canadian flag, lent to me by Robin, high, feeling the emotion and pride of being a Canadian and for the first time, excitement for the upcoming winter Olympics.
A few minutes later as I negotiated my way through the clogged streets, I reflected on how blessed I am. I said a silent prayer for the Copenhagen Summit, for Mother Earth and her recovery, and for Peace. And I was reminded that when each of us, you and I, find peace within and care for our own internal environment, we do the same for the world. In the end it begins with us and so it is!
Although this is the week before Christmas, the pace of life has not slowed. All of this is perfect yes and I have been neglecting my blog. I am committed to being intentional as this season approaches, and in that intention attracting all that is perfect for me. Now to put this into action.
This past Monday I had the pleasure of joining a Book Club, a group of six women who meet weekly and who are currently reading and discussing ME FIRST – If I Should Wake Before I Die. I first met this group in late September. They have not only been reading, they have also been doing the work suggested (the exercises) in the book. There were many questions of me, which both thrilled me and served as a roadSIGN as to the importance of what ME FIRST – If I Should Wake Before I Die represents.
What has become clear is:
– that stepping onto the ME FIRST Journey takes a great deal of courage
– how difficult it is for people to know what it is they want
– that wants are generally not for the material things in life, but for the quality of life issues – relationships, how I treat myself, meaning, and so on
– that boundaries, saying YES to oneself and NO to others, continues to be a significant challenge
– that FEAR continues to hold people back from living some of their dreams and that FEAR is different for everyone
– that the self-critic often rules and along with FEAR, spews off a number of self-limiting thoughts – the Old Story
– that acknowledging oneself is a challenge for many
I am sure there were other lessons that showed up during the discussion. I believe I have captured the essence however. I am enormously grateful to these courageous women for inviting me to join them and to dive into the important ME FIRST lessons. They allowed me to witness the ‘waking up process’ in their lives. I feel blessed and humbled to be called to do this work and to share the journeys of so many of you.
At the end of the meeting we all raced out of the house to head to the center of town to see the Olympic torch run. Several hundred Morrisburg residents lined the streets, enthusiastically greeting the entourage that preceded the torch bearer. As the flame approached, I held the Canadian flag, lent to me by Robin, high, feeling the emotion and pride of being a Canadian and for the first time, excitement for the upcoming winter Olympics.
A few minutes later as I negotiated my way through the clogged streets, I reflected on how blessed I am. I said a silent prayer for the Copenhagen Summit, for Mother Earth and her recovery, and for Peace. And I was reminded that when each of us, you and I, find peace within and care for our own internal environment, we do the same for the world. In the end it begins with us and so it is!
Maximillian AKA MaxMr. HobbsTasha NoelMy Feline Companions and Office Staff
The first winter storm of the season has arrived and with that an innate sense to hibernate. With the shortening days, crawling out of bed to work out has been an increasing challenge. Add on to that snow and wind – you guessed it – it is a pull the cover over your head kind of day.
As I write this my desk is cluttered with the pieces of a strategic plan I have committed to doing, designing the roadmap for 2010. Then there is my phone, my journals, coaching files for clients and three of my four cats (see above). They are smart enough to be sleeping, refusing to place one paw outside the door, content with their warm spot in the office.
Back to strategy. I was listening to an Abraham tape as I worked out the other day, actually my favorite material to walk on the treadmill with as I love the material and I laugh often. Ester Hicks, who channels Abraham, made the point that each of us are responsible for feathering our own nests.
I agreed. In fact this is what I teach, self-responsibility if you will. I had not heard it stated quite that way before. It conjured up a unique image for me, the nest and the feathering and I was left with the question, what is it I want to feather my nest with? This brought me back to the Strategic Plan I have been reflecting and, to some degree, brooding on.
I have not committed to writing goals and objectives since my health care days when, as a department director, it was required. Call me rebellious, but this was 12+ years ago now. You’ve got it, I have been in business as an entrepreneur all this time without a Strategic Plan. OMG!
Okay before you say, what were you thinking, let me be clear that I have always had a vision and certainly clear intentions, a corporate mission and values. Whew! Yes and, it is time to shift from a one extreme to the other and back to the middle. It is time to raise the bar as I have great dreams for roadSIGNS and ME FIRST and I know that I need to return once again to a structured approach that still allows flow. Let me see, is a flowing structure an oxymoron?
This winter day has given me the opportunity to dive into reflection and lasso the thoughts that have so far lingered only in my head. It is time for pen to paper. The process:
My hundred Year Legacy
Clear intentions
Concrete outcomes
Concrete S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Aligned and Attractive Actions.
Sound complex, not really! This approach simply honors all I used to do when practicing Management by Objectives, with all I have learned, the importance of living my ‘WHY’ and my intentions and marrying the two. It really is no more complex, it simply allows me to attract that flow that I seek. And with each step, I am feathering that nest.
I would love to hear your comments on my approach and for you to share yours. There is no right way, there is simply the way that is perfect for me and you.
The fury of flurries is slowing outside my window yet the chimes keep singing. They only sing in an easterly wind, signalling more to come. I plan to snuggle into my plan- another round of clarity please!
The first winter storm of the season has arrived and with that an innate sense to hibernate. With the shortening days, crawling out of bed to work out has been an increasing challenge. Add on to that snow and wind – you guessed it – it is a pull the cover over your head kind of day.
As I write this my desk is cluttered with the pieces of a strategic plan I have committed to doing, designing the roadmap for 2010. Then there is my phone, my journals, coaching files for clients and three of my four cats (see above). They are smart enough to be sleeping, refusing to place one paw outside the door, content with their warm spot in the office.
Back to strategy. I was listening to an Abraham tape as I worked out the other day, actually my favorite material to walk on the treadmill with as I love the material and I laugh often. Ester Hicks, who channels Abraham, made the point that each of us are responsible for feathering our own nests.
I agreed. In fact this is what I teach, self-responsibility if you will. I had not heard it stated quite that way before. It conjured up a unique image for me, the nest and the feathering and I was left with the question, what is it I want to feather my nest with? This brought me back to the Strategic Plan I have been reflecting and, to some degree, brooding on.
I have not committed to writing goals and objectives since my health care days when, as a department director, it was required. Call me rebellious, but this was 12+ years ago now. You’ve got it, I have been in business as an entrepreneur all this time without a Strategic Plan. OMG!
Okay before you say, what were you thinking, let me be clear that I have always had a vision and certainly clear intentions, a corporate mission and values. Whew! Yes and, it is time to shift from a one extreme to the other and back to the middle. It is time to raise the bar as I have great dreams for roadSIGNS and ME FIRST and I know that I need to return once again to a structured approach that still allows flow. Let me see, is a flowing structure an oxymoron?
This winter day has given me the opportunity to dive into reflection and lasso the thoughts that have so far lingered only in my head. It is time for pen to paper. The process:
–> my hundred Year Legacy
–> clear intentions
–> concrete outcomes
–> Concrete S.M.A.R.T. Goals
–> Aligned and Attractive Actions.
Sound complex, not really! This approach simply honors all I used to do when practicing Management by Objectives, with all I have learned, the importance of living my ‘WHY’ and my intentions and marrying the two. It really is no more complex, it simply allows me to attract that flow that I seek. And with each step, I am feathering that nest.
I would love to hear your comments on my approach and for you to share yours. There is no right way, there is simply the way that is perfect for me and you.
The fury of flurries is slowing outside my window yet the chimes keep singing. They only sing in an easterly wind, signalling more to come. I plan to snuggle into my plan- another round of clarity please!
