Crossing The Threshold

Well today was my last day of my job, it is a day of Crossing The Threshold - moving towards a role where I feel I will be of greater Service and working on Purpose.

Today at work, everyone was very lovely, we had a morning tea, the Operations Manager said some nice words about me, that I have "definitely been an asset", and everyone gave me a hug goodbye and wished me well and my Operations Manager once again said that he knew it would all go well for me.

I took some photos - I wanted to capture the people that I work with who have helped me grow in so many ways - and capture this day for me, a day that I will remember as it represents a big change for me, a big decision (that seems easy), the Crossing The Threshold.

It feels a bit strange leaving my job, I don't really know how I am feeling - perhaps sadness... I am not sure of the emotion... although I definitely do not feel relief or huge joy - which is a good sign in a way - I am leaving while the energy is still positive, rather than leaving a job I do not like.  I have worked at this company since 1 March 2010, not that long, and yet I feel that I have settled in and given my best. Whatever the emotion of leaving my job, it is definitely side by side the Excitement of my new Journey I am about to begin. While I have given my best at my job, I know that there is more of me that I can give...and so I am Crossing The Threshold.

I definitely feel that I am responding to the Call of my Soul. And I am definitely leaving the comfortable and known and stepping out into the unknown.

I found these great words about Crossing The Threshold by Alvin Soon "You’ve committed to leaving behind the Ordinary World and stepping into the New World of your Hero’s Journey. And as you do, you’re exposed to new sounds and sights, new learnings, surprises, adventures and experiences you’ve never had before.  As you do so, you might feel out of place. You might feel uncomfortable, inexperienced. You are the proverbial babe in the woods. You ask yourself, ‘What was I thinking to leave my ordinary world behind?’. We’ve all been in situations like this.  But you’re stretching beyond your old self."

This morning when I was driving to work, for my last day, the first words I hear are "Shine a little of my light on the world" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qzqzb9QTLA and I am loving this song and feeling so motivated as I sing along "I'm gonna give myself permission to shine, I'm gonna shine so bright" - loving this song!  And then it was funny, as I'm feeling so Motivated and Excited, and then the news comes on and they tell the news about an armed hold up at Burwood - hmm, great, this is where I will be working.  Although I know there can be crime anywhere and this will not take away my Excitement.  Then a speaker comes on talking about Jesus being with his Disciples in the storm and I felt reassured and reminded that God will be with me everyday.

Ever since I have been young I have wanted to be of Service. For a long time I was planning to be a Teacher and then changed my mind at the last minute before my university preferences needed to be submitted.  And for most of my Career I have worked in corporate companies and I have always tried to find a Purpose in my role to keep me Inspired.  And now I am Crossing The Threshold where I feel that I can Make A Difference everyday - and that is my Commitment.

I feel ready to step out into the world.  I feel Excited that I can be a Life Coach everyday.  My Commitment is to see the Uniqueness and Greatness in every person, and help my Clients be the Creators of their own lives.

I refer to my website www.shinecoaching.com.au 'About Me' and I feel that the very essence of what I offer in Coaching, will be able to be offered in my new role:


* SHINE: Excitement, brightness, glowing, brilliance, excellence, eyes lighting up, a feeling of basking in sunlight, reflecting light to others

* As a Coach it is a Honour to work with people - As a Coach I see the light in people, their uniqueness, their greatness - so that they may SHINE and express their unique gifts in the world

* The Coaching Process involves shining a light on areas in life that are both working and not working, shining a light on the Vision for the future and bringing obstacles into the light to help bring about change

* My belief is that each day is a new day, that we are not defined or restricted by our past, but that with the rising of the sun there is the opportunity to begin again or take new steps towards our desired destination

* My desire is that the Process of Coaching can help more people LOVE SELF and LOVE LIFE

* MY BACKGROUND: I have 5 years experience working in Training and Team Performance and with a Diploma in Transformational Life Coaching I love working with Clients to help them live a life that they love

* I BRING TO COACHING: My strong Presence and offering of Sacred Space, my Passion and Enthusiasm, Positive Attitude, belief in our ability to create a life that Inspires and Excites us, Commitment to my Clients, empathy and compassion

* I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE

* I Am Here to Help People CREATE A NEW STORY FOR THEIR LIVES

* I Am Here to Help People SHINE in Life


And so as I am Crossing The Threshold, I realise that I may be stepping into the unknown, yet I have Confidence and Strength in my own Self and a clear Vision for my Lifework... and so I feel at Peace... Thank You God, Amen

1 Year

In 1 Year so much has happened, there have been some big changes in my life.

I am most Excited that I am now Married.  Getting Married to My Man was such a wonderful day - the happiest day of my life.  Words cannot really capture the Joy and Excitement and Love of our day on 11 April 2011.  It was such a perfect day.  What made it so perfect was being so happy and in Love - we had the biggest smiles all day.  It was also a perfect day, being surrounded by so many of our closest Family and Friends, those who we Love.  My Nieces were our Flowergirls and they looked so beautiful - it was so special having them be a part of our day.  I love my Nieces so much.  And it was very special for me having my Mum and Dad share our day.  I am so lucky to now have a wonderful Husband - who is my best friend, my everything.  I am very blessed.

And our Honeymoon was FANTASTIC!  It was so great going away together to Fiji, we just loved it!  No computers, no TV, no phones, just beautiful warm weather, relaxing days just the two of us.  Bula, Bula - everyone is so friendly.  The food was incredible, so much food - best fish I have ever tasted.  My Man loved the snorkelling, I saw this totally new side to him - he was so active and excited about going snorkelling and kayaking.  And I loved the swimming pool - as soon as I woke up I was in my swimming costume and just loved swimming in the pool.  I really loved the opportunity to relax in paradise together.  PARADISE is the word!!!

The Turtle is important in Fiji - it means goodluck.  I loved the Turtles on Treasure Island.  My life has been filled with good blessings in the last 1 Year.

And I do believe in making my own goodluck.  I am blessed that My Man came into my life and yet I do know that as soon as I became clear and conscious about what I wanted in a relationship, that I was able to be so confident that My Man was so right for me.  I also did not settle for anything less than the Vision I had for my True Love.  Finally!!! I am happy and in Love.  And the greatest realisation is that neither my Husband or I have to be perfect - we Love each other, we can grow together, we can learn and get to know all the different Parts of each other - and best of all, we are the Creators of our life together.

In the last 1 Year I have also been learning from being in my own Coaching business.  I have been Coaching for 1 Year now and now is the time for self-reflection - to look at what I have learnt and take those learnings to plan for the next 1 Year ahead.

I am happy.  It has been a wonderful 1 Year.  I am also blessed that my Mum is well and happy and healthy and we had a lovely Mother and Daughter day today.  And I always love to see my Dad, it has also been a big 1 Year for him.

It has been a big 1 Year.  Some things are not within my control - and yet I am choosing to focus on what I can control - choosing positive thoughts, letting go of worry, and very importantly taking ACTION towards my Goals - what are my Goals?  Time to set some new Goals - where do I want to be 1 Year from now?  I have learnt from the last 1 Year that I can make a difference, that I can consciously choose - now it is time to Visualise 1 Year from now and also start taking steps in that direction.

This week I plan to make time to reflect on the question on the back of my Business Card -
Ask yourself from the heart, if I could be, do or have anything I would definitely...
... Stay tuned...

I Wish

The other day I went into Paddington to get some makeup for my wedding. As I do not wear makeup very often and like a very natural look, I have been looking for a makeup artist and the right makeup. And after meeting a lovely beautician on Thursday night, my journey took me into Paddington.

I am not a big shopper and yet when I arrived at Paddington, I heard the faint whisper of a Part of me that said “I Wish”... I was shocked - the voice said “I Wish I was rich...” In a second I thought about how I would go to the day spa all the time for facials and massages and “I Wish I was rich to go into all of the fancy clothing boutiques” and ”I Wish I had the confidence to go into the fancy boutiques”. And then in an instant I thought “I Wish I was more beautiful”,” I Wish I had perfect skin”, ” I Wish I had perfect features”, “ I Wish I had beautiful long hair”, “I Wish I looked all dressed up and fancy like the ladies passing by me”.

I was very curious about this Part of me...

Normally I sit in a place of Gratitude and Thankfulness for all I am and all I have. Very big in my Awareness is the fact that so many people live in poverty and struggle for their basic needs or even just people who are affected by sickness and disabiity. And yet here I was wishing for more.

And it is not that I can’t afford clothes in those boutiques - maybe one or two pieces (maybe a scarf) if I made it a Priority - yet it actually comes back to the larger Part of me that does not really like shopping. And yet I have noticed that there is this Part of me that is become louder and wants to wear nice things and wear makeup and look pretty. For a long time I did competitive Running, it was always about being faster - short hair, skinny, Running shoes, Running clothes, Running, training, competing - very Masculine and Yang. I even remember a boyfriend at the time who grew sick of my tracksuits and wished I wore more skirts - I still remember him saying that to me. And after I hurt my back I started wearing shapeup joggers to help my back, and they do make a difference - and yet now I want different. Now my Feminine Part of me, my Yin, is coming more alive, back alive - where I am finding myself wanting to buy magazines, wear pretty blouses, wanting to paint my nails - and even travelling to Paddington to get the right makeup that is right for me.

These thoughts in my head of “I Wish” only lasted about one or two minutes. I was then able to return to the Part of me that knows I am so fortunate. And then I also sat in a Space of what is really most important to me - what “I Wish” for the most - “I Wish my Mum didn’t have cancer”, this is the big number one - and “I Wish we have a baby soon”, another big, very important Wish.

Being in the Space of “I Wish” made me think of the Serenity Prayer - “God grant me the Serenity to Accept the things I cannot Change; the Courage to change the things I can; and the Wisdom to know the difference.” For me there are many things outside my control, some of the big things. And if my greatest ”I Wish” is about Family for me, I can continue to treat this as a Priority in my life.

And if I am finding my Spirit come alive and some excitement regarding matters of the Feminine, it does not mean that I have to get caught up in Consumerism, Materialism, Shopping - yet I can enjoy my trip to Paddington to buy makeup, I can buy and enjoy flicking through magazines, and I am really enjoying now that I am back again wearing more dresses, embracing my Feminine. And it doesn’t mean I have to spend a lot of money - I even enjoyed a look at St Vincent De Paul’s at Paddington and found a really nice designer blouse and also a dress - all for the total price of $18 - I was Excited. I don’t really care about the “designer” bit, although there was a Part of me quietly Proud as if I had bought it at full price - and the main Part of me loved the bargain. Mostly I always love the opportunity to be on a treasure hunt to see what surprises and delights me in second hand stores and I love the chance to Recycle and Reuse.

The “I Wish” related to the Feminine Part of me is loving colour and fabrics and fashion. My Spirit is highlighting that I could get back to sewing again - I remember with fond memories sewing clothes -back when I was about 16-20 years of age. I used to love sewing dresses and wearing them out. Perhaps a new hobby when the time is right. And I am also interested in expressing my creativity through photography - another hobby I once loved.

I am not going to say” I Wish I had more time”.   I know I have the power to manage my time so that I can focus on my Priorities and Values.

I just realised that if I stay in the “I Wish” Space for too long (more than a couple of minutes), I am almost sitting in powerlessness, almost waiting for someone to rescue me or make my dreams come true.

Instead if I use the “I Wish” Space as a window to when my Spirit comes alive and when I feel Inspired, I can decide if this is really my heart’s desire.  There is almost a childhood Innocence here -  I can ask my Innocence Part of me what I really want, and in the quietness listen to my inner voice.

For ages and always, since I have stopped Running over the last couple of years, whenever I see a runner, I always say to myself “I Wish I could run again”, and so today on my walk, I allowed my Self to enjoy a few minutes of Running, in between Walking, enough to make me feel the aliveness and Joy of Running. Wonderful!!!

From the “I Wish” Space I can also check to see what is underneath the “I Wish” and show Curiosity of how I can fulfil Needs for my Self, my Soul. As an example the “I Wish I was rich and I would go to day spas more often”, I know this for me is about yes being pampered, but most importantly just wanting time to relax and have “me time”.  And so this morning I made it a Priority to get up early and take a walk in nature, and this evening made time for a relaxing bath.

And so from the “I Wish” Space, which feels so distant and far away, I am able to move to a place of feeling Excited and Empowered.

Stop

Stop - that's what I need to do when I decide to eat chocolate.  I have to Stop eating chocolate!

Growing up I loved chocolate.  It was always a special treat on the day my Mum went shopping, where she would buy a block of chocolate or we would get some dairy milk rolls as a special treat.  And then at school, I loved eating strawberry freddos.  I always liked chocolate.  And then I became super serious with my running, and for a long time, maybe around 5-7 years, I didn't eat any chocolate or any sugar or any cakes or any treats.  I loved that I was so disciplined and I felt healthy in some ways - and in other ways my diet was so extreme that it was stressful, especially since I was also vegan.

And so I started becoming more flexible with my diet.  Now my preference is vegetarian, although I do eat fish.  And since I met My Man I started eating Lindt chocolate.  And yet the truth is that even though I like chocolate, every time I eat it, I feel sick.  I thought that it may be me feeling guilty that I was eating chocolate and yet I eat it so rarely that I do not feel guilty - I just feel sick.  I eat chocolate, I definitely enjoy the chocolate, and then within a short period of time I get a headache, stomach ache and my legs start aching - I then lie in bed feeling sick.  And often the next day I wake up with a chocolate hangover - feeling heavy and tired and sick.  And I know all of this, and I still, from time to time, maybe once a week or once a fortnight, decide to eat chocolate.

The last two nights I have had chocolate.  And it might not sound like a big deal, considering I don't eat chocolate very much - yet it is a big deal, given that it makes me feel sick - I feel that I am allergic to something in chocolate - and I know it, and I still eat it.  The good news is, that I haven't really had much chocolate since Christmas, and so I know it is not an addiction and I know I can give it up - and I want to Stop eating it - to best look after my Self.

And I am aware that eating chocolate or sweets can often be linked to our emotional state - and I have definitely had two huge and challenging days at work - and I am conscious of eating chocolate - and often it is because I like the taste, and then the delight is very quickly replaced with regret.

I've been reading 'The Best Year Of Your Life' by Debbie Ford, an amazing book, and I love the poem by Portia Nelson, which illustrates how we "keep engaging in the same behaviours over and over again".

- "I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes me forever to find a way out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in... it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

I walk down another street."


I love this poem.  I feel Inspired when I read the words.  And I could definitely relate to the words, particularly for previous relationships that did not serve me.  And now for chocolate.  It makes no sense to me why I continue to eat chocolate, even if it is only every now and then, when it moves me away from my preferred happy and healthy Self - and so I am making the commitment to Stop.

My Strategy is to make sure I pause before taking a piece of chocolate, and in that moment I will imagine a Stop sign - as well as projecting forward and remembering how unwell I will be if I eat the chocolate. 

I am also Excited that I am getting married in 8.5 weeks and I also plan to Visualise my Self in my Yellow Dress, as I want to feel my best.  As we are also trying for a baby, which is SO important to me, I am also planning to imagine keeping my body healthy and strong for our beautiful baby.

By writing this Post, I am showing all of me, including my imperfections  - which is interesting, as I have continued to eat chocolate every now and then so that I am not being so strict on my Self and not being too perfect.  In Coaching, I am often on the look out for the Perfectionist Part of my Clients that sabotage Self-Esteem and can affect our achieving of our Dreams - and yet I need to get real - eating chocolate does not serve me.  I am using this Space to detail my Goal of not eating any chocolate at all anymore, and to also hold my Self Accountable to my Self.

Of course I have also asked My Man for support and asked him not to offer me any chocolate or buy me any chocolate, and to also tackle me if I make my way to the fridge to have some of his chocolate.  Time for me to be focused and Stop.  It's that simple.  And instead of chocolate I will choose a peppermint tea which I always enjoy and makes me feel relaxed and at peace.

White Butterflies

Has anyone/ everyone noticed that White Butterflies are everywhere right now?   I love Butterflies and I am in delight when I see them prancing and dancing among the flowers.  I especially love when I see two White Butterflies dancing together - seeing Butterflies makes my heart sing.

It is perfect to be seeing and enjoying the beauty of Butterflies - a symbol of change and transformation - timely for me and most probably true for many as we journey towards the end of 2010, towards 2011.

I am very Excited to be finished my Diploma of Transformational Coaching Course.  It has been an amazing, AMAZING Course.  I am very Grateful for my Teachers who have Inspired me and helped me be the best Life Coach that I can be and have taught me the importance of Self-Reflection as an opportunity to keep learning and growing - and Inspired me through their commitment to study. 

And I am also very Grateful that I belong to a Community of wonderful women who have made the experience of becoming a Life Coach so rich and alive and meaningful and real.

Our final weekend for our Course was a chance for Self-Reflection and Honouring, Sharing, Transition and Celebration.  I loved the opportunity to create a Journey Stick, choosing a stick from Nature and decorating it with colour, representing where we have been and where we are going to - our Past and our Future.  And I loved having the symbol of the Butterfly on my Journey Stick. 

I felt like it was the ‘Love Fest’ - so much Love, Heart-Felt Acknowledgement, Warmth, Authenticity, Presence, Connection, Community.  When I talk about Spread The Yellow, this was it - the exchange of Love, Light, Positive Energy, seeing the Light and Spirit in each other - WOW!!!  On the final day of our Course I loved that our Teachers set up a Threshold to represent this time of Transition - Completion of our study and Forward Movement to a new time in our lives. As we were walking down the stairs towards the Threshold, I was looking around at all of the beauty, aliveness, incredible-ness in each of my fellow Soul Sisters and I felt so Excited - Excited at the difference we can make in the world.  May we be the White Butterflies prancing and dancing among the flowers.

With the White Butterfly a symbol of Transformation, this is true in so many ways for me (apart from finishing my Course).  It is interesting as the last two years has highlighted the importance of Balance for me - Balance of Personal and Professional, Doing and Being, Solitude and Intimacy, Activity and Relaxing.  I am Excited that although I love Coaching and love working with people on their Journey - I am also committed to my own Journey, my own life, my own life separate from my lifework.  Two years ago I never would have guessed that I would be here planning my wedding, finally letting go of relationships that did not serve me, and being open to True Love. 

This year sharing Christmas Day together and together with our Families was very special.  Although My Man and I exchanged so many Gifts and there were so much Gift giving with my Nieces - my favourite Gift of all is that of being together - it is what I appreciate the most.  We enjoyed a beautiful, relaxing lunch with My Man's Mum and I was so happy that my Mum and Dad were also guests for lunch.  

 

And after enjoying the relaxing day, we then entered the chaos of time with my Brother, Sister-In-Law and my three beautiful Nieces - and I loved it all!!!  Presents, giggles, hugs, kisses, laughter.  And more food!

And time on the trampoline - the new trampoline that Santa brought my Nieces.  I love My Nieces - they are White Butterflies in my life - dancing and prancing and so in the moment.

For me Love and Family are the most important and I am Grateful that my Coaching Course also helped me come Home to my Self - where I feel relaxed, at peace and HAPPY.  Meditations from our Final Course at College and the experience of creating our Journey Stick, highlighted to me that I was once a person chasing Happiness, so busy being busy, busy chasing Love - now I AM HAPPY, now I AM LOVE.  Now I AM.  Now I AM ME.

It is definitely a time of Change and Transformation - the merging of our two Families and the creating of our own Family.  We are getting married in 12 weeks and there is much to do - and we are also looking forward to having our own baby - now that will be most wonderful!!! 

And I want to be like the White Butterflies - just enjoying the flowers, the sunshine, the freedom of being alive, the joy of being me, the joy of being in relationship.  We have a poster in our living area that speaks to my heart and is a great reminder of what to bring into each and every day "Live - Laugh - Love".

The ironic thing tonight is that as I am about to publish this Blog about White Butterflies, there are two small moths flying around our home, flying close to me.  I have never been a fan of moths and yet they are so similar to Butterflies (and very different) - as I am reminded by My Man.  It is interesting, Google tells me that Butterflies fly during the day and moths fly during the night - and without doubt this is symbolic of one of my other greatest learnings of the last two years - that there is Light and Dark, day and night, sunshine and rain - and I can be with all - I can be with the Paradox - I can be with Joy, I can be with Pain.  Perhaps it is true that I most delight when I am in the Light and see the Butterfly - I have a natural tendency to move towards the Positive and the sunshine - this is my nature and my strength as a Life Coach.  And I have learnt to be in Sacred Space with sorrow - I can be still and calm (rather than panic) when I am in the Dark or feel the movement of the moth.  

I am now Home in my Self - and I can take that with me wherever I Am - I have all of my Strengths and Resources - when I am at Home in my Self I am in My Yellow Heart - I Am Love, Light, Truth and Peace - this is my Soul's Home, in the quietness I feel the rising of Spirit, I am in Connection with God.  When I am Home in my Self I can see that I am the Butterfly, I am the Moth, I am All.

Celebrating Uniqueness

One of my favourite parts of being a Coach is recognising and Celebrating Uniqueness - hearing what makes my Clients Excited and helping them express their Unique Gifts in the world.

It has been wonderful at College the last few weeks - although we have all been studying the same Course, we all have a sense of our own Unique Purpose - how exciting to hear what Excites and Inspires different people.  How wonderful to see people in touch with what makes them SHINE, and so Excited to share their Gifts.  I loved last week hearing about my friend Christie who is so passionate about nutrition and so talented in her raw food creations - she is truly amazing!! And another woman from College is so passionate about Wellness and helping people in the area of Health.

And as I watch 'X-Factor' tonight, it is clear that Altiyan Childs is definitely expressing his Uniqueness - he started his first band when he was 12 and is currently a forklift driver and had almost given up his dream of becoming a musician.  He has a Gift.

We all have a Gift.

However, from the time we start school we are taught to fit in, wearing our uniforms, learning the rules, learning all of the subjects that will make us "successful".  Through school and inparticular through our teenage years, we try to be like everyone else - to "fit in".  We feel the pressure of friends, parents, society.  And in doing so this can often be the undoing of our self-esteem and confidence as we move away from being true to ourselves.
  

Then we have to make a decision what to do after school, or find ourselves in a job that does not make us happy, or find ourselves redundant or returning to the workforce and trying to work out what to do.  Not to mention experiencing financial pressures and sometimes making Choices, that we feel we have to make, to pay the bills or "pull the sled" for the family.

And there is the stress of working out what to do and how to make this possible.  This is where a Life Coach can help in Celebrating Uniqueness and putting your Dreams into Action.

My belief is that we are all here for a reason, that we have a Life Purpose, a Calling.  I love the part in 'Wishcraft' Barbara Sher - Imagine that Your Gifted Child Within You was...
- Treated as though You had a unique kind of genius that was loved and respected...
- Told that You could do and be anything you wanted...
- Told that You would be loved and admired no matter what it was...
- Given real help and encouragement in finding out what You wanted to do and how to do it...
- Encouraged to explore all Your own talents and interests, even if they changed from day to day...
- Allowed to complain when the going got rough, and given sympathy instead of being told to quit...
- Surrounded by Winners who were pleased when You won.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE DOING NOW?
WHAT WOULD YOU ALREADY HAVE DONE?
WHAT KIND OF PERSON WOULD YOU BE?

As a Life Coach I love Celebrating Uniqueness, Celebrating a Client's Greatness.  Some of the areas and questions include:

- Who Are You? 

- Highlights from the Past - asking such questions as "Recall times when you have so absorbed in what you were doing that you hardly noticed the time.  What were you doing?'

- Highlighting Your Passions - "What makes your heart sing?', What do you enjoy doing when you're not working? - Also - What exciting topic (s) would keep you talking late into the night?"

- Changing the World - "If you could share one bit of wisdom with the whole world, what would it be?", "Imagine yourself at the end of your life looking back - is there a dream in you of serving or helping others or making a positive difference in a certain area?"

Some of my favourite questions are:

- "If you were financially independent and money was not a factor, what kind of work would you do?"

- "If you could wave a magic wand and know you could not fail, what would you do?"

Coaching can offer you a chance to find a Career that has Heart and Meaning for you with the opportunity to look at your Special Qualities, your Talents, your Passions.  Coaching also offers you the opportunity to take steps to express your Purpose.

If you would like to wake up feeling Excited that you are living your life on Purpose, please call Kath, SHINE Coaching 0416 285 687.

You may be a school leaver, trying to work out what to do next... or you may have been recently made redundant or a Mum returning to the workforce... or perhaps you are unhappy in your job and finding it hard to be motivated day in and day out.

THINK BIG!!!  LOVE YOUR LIFE!!!  EXPRESS THE TRUE YOU IN THE WORLD!!!

* And I would like to dedicate this to my friend Julie who has ALWAYS been an Inspiration to me and is living her Life Purpose, stepping into a new Career that she loves - Congratulations Juls x

Celebration

I love to be in Celebration mode - taking time to acknowledge the Wins of my day and show Gratitude in my life.  As the weekend nears to an end I would like to take the time to be in Celebration.

I am Excited that I have finally had my Garage Sale.  I am in Celebration that I was able to bring in my Organiser Archetype and make this happen. 

I am in Celebration for all of the people that visited my Garage Sale and bought my once loved treasure.  I am in Celebration for my Mum and Dad who helped me for days and joined in the day.

I am in Celebration of My Man for cooking lunch for us on Saturday and for always supporting me.

I am also in Celebration that My Man's Mum arrived safely from her 4 week holiday and was Excited and Energised about her holiday.

I am in Celebration to spend time with my Brother and my Nieces Ashley and Olivia - it was such a wonderful surprise when they came to visit the Garage Sale on Saturday afternoon.  And then we were able to go to Cronulla to enjoy ice cream.  I just love holding their hands and hearing their stories and receiving their hugs.  They are such a Gift in my life.

I am in Celebration that I have Choices where I can choose to Spread The Yellow, even in the small ways, such as when My Man and I have a disagreement, I can reach out to hold his hand.

I am especially in Celebration and Appreciation for my Coaching Clients.  It is such an Honour to share their Journey.  I am also very Grateful that I received two wonderful testimonials to include in an upcoming Editorial and in creating my Website.  I am VERY Thankful.

- "Life Coaching has enabled me to get my wonderful life 'back on track'. Having an unbiased sounding board, as well as a skilled, enthusiastic and inspiring Coach has enabled me to create big changes in every area of my life. Thanks Kath."  Julie, Cronulla. 
- "Kath's Coaching has helped me change my life around for the better. She has guided me in many aspects of my life from getting organised with a new baby to strategies to help me lose weight.  Kath has shown me how to find the abilities and tools within me to follow my dreams." Bronwyn, Caringbah.

I felt so happy when I read these words from my Clients.  I am definitely in Celebration that I am a Life Coach.

I am committed to enjoying a daily ritual of being in Celebration and showing Gratitude and Appreciation for the Gifts in my life.  This is my way to Love each day, Love Self, Love Life, Love All.

And I also Love being in Celebration with my Clients, Celebrating their Uniqueness and Greatness and Celebrating all of their Wins.

My Decluttering Begins

My Decluttering Begins...

Yesterday I heard such wonderful wisdom to help me with my Decluttering - when looking at an item, ask "Is this who I was... or is this who I am becoming?"  Wow... what a difference this can make!

Originally I thought it was about keeping what I love - and yet this can also include holding on to stuff that was once important to me.  Now I can focus on who I want to be and what is important to me.

It is all about Energy - what is taking away my Energy and what is fuelling my Energy.

I start with my bookshelves.  My Belief was that I couldn't let go of any more books, that I  had already cleared my books about 6 months ago.  And yet for 30 minutes this morning I looked at my books with a new lense "Is this who I was... or is this who I am becoming?"  When in doubt, I held each book and felt into my body - is this giving me positive energy or is it taking away my energy - this was helpful when looking at books that may have been associated with past relationships - and I did realise how easily a simple book can be an Energy Leak - clouded with a sad or painful memory or uncertainty, wasting my thoughts and mental energy.

Another indicator for me was when thinking about the topic of the book, tuning into whether I felt very Excited about the topic or book and if there was any chance I would want to read it in the future - if unsure I made the brave decision of letting it go - I want items that definitely do not clutter my space and drain my energy.  I can rest assured in knowing that I could easily Google information on a topic and also Trust that in the future I will be attracted to new books that are of interest at that time.  For now I can let go of such books as 'Natural Beauty', on natural skincare products - given that this has sat on my bookshelf for years and I have never once mixed up a recipe of cucumber and yoghurt - this is definitely taking up space.  My 'Galloway's Book On Running' was hard to pull off the shelf, given how much I love running, and yet I don't really need this book - one day when I get back to running, it will be for the pure joy of running - and so I add this to my pile of books.

ACHIEVEMENT: 47 books cleared from my bookshelves - 33 to sell at my Garage Sale and then the remainder to go to a second hand Bookstore - 3 to give to a friend + 11 to give to my Brother and Parents.

Yahoo... My Decluttering Begins... I feel happy with my Achievement...

I feel the motivation to continue.  I approach the Study and my cupboard with caution.  I set myself 1.5 hours to see what I can achieve in this time.  I feel very determined to clear clutter and clear some Energy Leaks.  I am ruthless with my bags - I have 2 containers filled with an assortment of bags - from evening bags, handbags, backpacks, overnight bags.  There are some bags that I like, and yet I do not LOVE them, they are not who I am becoming - time to let go of them.  And then there is an overnight bag that is practical and 'should' be kept - and yet this is a bag that has an energy of an ex-husband - and the bag itself does not inspire me to want to go on holidays - I decide to add it to the pile of items for next week's garage sale.  And then I add a few pieces of accessories like beads and a broach that I like and yet have not worn for years, not even sure if I ever wore them.

I have so much paperwork - this is a challenging area - so much paperwork, bills, study material, brochures.  I manage to clear some clutter in this area - enough to make me feel that I have made some progress.

I feel Inspired to keep clearing clutter - tomorrow the sorting of the garage begins - thankfully I have some helpers.  I am Excited by the prospect of having less "stuff" and MORE SPACE.  With MORE SPACE comes the opportunity for Spirit to rise with an Invitation for more to come that nourishes me in my highest good.

I Google Decluttering and find some other great tips that will help me with this Project:
- Stop bringing in new stuff (that does not Inspire or Support me in who I am becoming...) - even flyers, brochures, newspapers that add to the clutter
- Before buying something, think, does this have heart and meaning for me and is it something I need right now
- Remember everything doesn't have to be done at once - divide the overall picture into little tasks - a small task can be easily tackled and successful completely, and Celebrate each step - I also like Declutter for 15 minutes/ day (this seems very achievable and not overwhelming)
- As a Coach, I also have a Vision of this clutter-free home, easy to clean, a lot of Space - a place for everything and everything in its place
- I like the tip of when sorting through things and trying to decide whether to keep an item or not, ask yourself if you would buy it if you didn't already have it.

My Destroyer Archetype, the energy within me that is focused to clear what is no longer serving me, has been very active today.  I love this Part of me and I am definitely keen for this Part to be very active again tomorrow.

"To change skins, evolve into new cycles, I feel one has to learn to discard. If one changes internally, one should not continue to live with the same objects. They reflect one's mind and the psyche of yesterday. I throw away what has no dynamic, living use." Anais Nin

Enjoying The Highlights

Day by day, week by week, month by month - time keeps moving - I can't believe it is September 2010.  I love that it is Spring, I love the warmer weather and yet I can't believe that I am already hearing conversations about Christmas.  And as I leave work today, I say "Goodbye and have a good night", knowing tomorrow will roll around so quickly and we will all be back doing it all over again.  AND I want to avoid living my life as if it is 'Groundhog Day', as if I am repeating the same day over and over again.    

My Goal is to live in the NOW and enjoy every moment and be very much Conscious of Enjoying The Highlights of each day.  Enjoying The Highlights for me is about being very Present, to be delighted and surprised by the beauty in the world - the wonder and beauty in my world.

Friday night I was very Excited when My Man saw an Owl out the front of our Unit block.  We had just come home from Cronulla and it was dark and yet My Man caught sight of the Owl.  I love Birds and I have never seen an Owl just out and about free to be, free to fly.  I love Owls and the representation of Wisdom - perhaps there is a message from the Universe for me.

I was also Enjoying The Highlights of my Sunday.  I was delighted when I saw a beautiful Kookaburra sitting on the fence next to our garden.  We were running behind time to get to my Parent's Home and yet I quickly ran upstairs to get my camera to take a few shots of my Friend the Kookaburra.  I just love Kookaburras - I love hearing the laugh of the Kookaburra and I just love seeing them when I am out Walking.  Even this morning I was delighted to see two Kookaburras up close on my morning walk.

Yesterday was Fathers' Day and it was great to see my Dad.  It would be easy for me to get caught up in my mind thinking about my Dad seeming so much older and more fragile.  In the past I would have been in overdrive in terms of worry - and now I am Grateful to just enjoy time together.  My Dad was quiet and was just sitting watching football - definitely more quiet than normal - and I especially enjoyed just for a few minutes sitting with him and holding his hand.  I love my Dad.  I also love spending time with my Mum - she is an amazing woman - upbeat and positive and so loving to us all.

I was also Enjoying The Highlights of spending time with my beautiful Nieces.  They fill my Heart with Joy.  I loved when my 4 year old Niece, Olivia was pretending to be the teacher and my 7 year old Niece, Ashley was the teacher's assistant.  I loved being involved in my Nieces creativity, them in their role playing and imagination. I just love my Nieces.  I also love that my Nieces love My Man - I love that they always want him to be involved in their games and give him a hug.  I love their hugs.

Today I had a slight case of Monday-itis and yet I know that going out Walking in the mornings is a great way to start my day.  I love being outdoors.  When I am out Walking I am Conscious of staying out of my thinking, out of my mind, and I just wanting to be Enjoying The Highlights.  I love noticing the beautiful flowers, hearing the Birds singing, wandering among the Trees.  I love being in Nature.  I feel that I am in my 'Child of Nature' Archetype - "This Goddess Archetype feels most at home in the outside bonding and communicating with the forces of nature."  On one of the websites about Archetypes I read "Your health and well-being is affected if you are unable to spend time outside working with animals, plants and other nature spirits. Your idea of hell is likely to be working in a busy office in the centre of town." - this can be true for me.  I have a beautiful image of a Nature Goddess that I love - this is the essence of this Part of me.

I have been reading 'The Four-Fold Way' by Angeles Arrien, a brilliant book and it resonates for me, when I read, "Native peoples recognise that the most empowering and healing tool we have available to us is our connection to nature and the wilderness."  It is definitely true for me that "Nature, beauty and healing environments support my Health and Well-being".

When I am out in the morning, feeling the breeze and also the warmth of the sunshine and just being outdoors, I wish that I could be a Wanderer all day.  The Wanderer is another one of my Archetypes that I am beginning to enjoy now that I have space in my day and space in my life.  I read the definition of the Explorer/Seeker/Wanderer who "leaves the known to discover and explore the unknown. This inner rugged individual braves loneliness and isolation to seek out new paths. Often oppositional, this iconoclastic archetype helps us discover our uniqueness, our perspectives, and our callings."  In my Wanderer Archetype there is space and quiet and I am led by my Intuition.  I like these images that speak to me about the essence of the Wanderer in me - being in the Field of Sunflowers and then finding the Uniqueness and Greatness of the Sunflower in a Field of Lavender.

I love that I am learning about all of the Parts and Archetypes within me - these are my Strengths and Resources that serve me on my own Journey.  While Enjoying The Highlights for me, can sometimes be a strategy to cope with Mondayitis by focusing on the positives of my day, I am also able to get a sense of when I am living by my Values and what has Heart and Meaning for me.  I can then enlist the help of my Archetypes, the Parts within me, to bring more of these Highlights into my life - more time with Family and more time in Nature, more time doing my lifework of Coaching.  It is key for me to be in Love with my Life and be Grateful for the Gifts of each day, such as the beautiful white butterfly I enjoyed seeing on my break at work - it was just for a few seconds, and yet I felt the stirring of my Soul.  Thank you God.

Spring Is Here!!!

So much is happening.  It is hard to capture everything that is happening for me and my Family.

There has been some very challenging times starting with my Dad's heart operation.  The great news is that he is getting stronger day by day.  I love my Dad.  I am disappointed that we never celebrated his 80th Birthday and know that when he is feeling better we will definitely do something special as a Family.  Another very challenging day was at the hospital with my Mum yesterday, her regular cancer check-up - it was a tough day, especially sitting in the room waiting for the verdict from the Specialist.  It was upsetting to see the brain tumor on my Mum's scans and the positive news is that my Mum is very well now and no other tumors have surfaced in my Mum's brain.  It is hard realising that my Mum has cancer.  In the past, when cancer appeared for my Mum, she has been able to have an operation and get rid of the cancer - now my Mum has to live with this tumor.  There are no answers at this stage.  And so we agree that there are no more questions right now.  My Mum says that she just wants to forget about it - and just live.  My Mum is so strong.  My wish is that I can be as great a woman, Wife and Mother as my Mum.

Despite the challenges I am very Grateful for the wonderful moments in the last couple of weeks.  I am very much about the moments - capturing the Beauty and Love in the moments of my life - capturing them in my Heart and mind's eye.  I feel myself breathing in the moments.  Since our Engagement, I feel like I have spent so much time in my car racing around to hospitals - and I have also really enjoyed some moments of Love and Life.  Once again, I acknowledge and accept and see myself holding the Paradox in Life.

I love spending time with my Family.  I loved spending some time with my Nieces and Aunty Joyce and my Mum and My Man at the Park - it was just nice to be outdoors and enjoying time playing at the playground.

It was also wonderful to enjoy some precious moments at my Niece Ashley's Birthday.  My Dad wasn't well enough to come to the Party and he was missed and yet it was still lovely to see the smiling face of my Niece Ashley and to see how much all of my Nieces are loved.

And Spring Is Here!!!  YAHOO!!!  I love Spring!!!  I love the Sunshine.  I love the feel of Spring in the air.  This morning My Man and I were up early to see the Sunrise.  It is a ritual that I have enjoyed all year - watching the Sunrise on the 1st day of every month.  It was a bit of a struggle when I heard the alarm this morning, and yet I love seeing the Sunrise at the beach.  It is one of my favourite sights.  I love seeing the beautiful colours in the sky at Sunrise and Sunset and I loved taking a walk with My Man - just being outdoors together is FANTASTIC!

I love being outdoors.  With so much happening in my life, I love being in Nature which gives me a Sense of Peace, Simplicity, Beauty.  I love hearing the Birds singing.  I love the Wattle Trees.  I love Flowers.  

I love being in the NOW when I am in Nature, just capturing the moment.  I love being in the NOW - Fullstop, Exclamation Mark!!!  This is how I want to live my life, just in the NOW, not thinking about the Past or worrying about the Future - just being in the NOW.

We can never be sure what happens in our life.  Just today at work I was listening to the stories of Colleagues and their own struggles and pain.  One lady told me that her Dad underwent an operation, where the doctor said they could not complete the surgery as his heart could not take the operation - and so now he is in intensive care waiting to see if they can try again.  Another Friend told me that her Brother had a car accident on the weekend and he is in intensive care, he has had two operations and they are also not sure of the extent of any brain damage.  As I listened, I felt tears welling up in my eyes.  We all have problems and pain and suffering.

I am learning to be Grounded and Centred and Present to what is - and I feel Stronger in my Self.  My Teacher said that I am in a place of Strong Presence.  Once in Meditation an image came to me where I am enmeshed with a Tree, Strong and Grounded, firmly in the Earth and I am also reaching for the Stars, reaching for Spirit, open to receiving from God, the Universe, Angels, Love and Light.  In this place I am also in My Yellow Heart, open and loving and Present.  I cannot find the exact image that captures this for me, it is probably a combination of some of these type of images.

And as I am Grounded and Open to Spirit I can hold the Paradox of Light and Dark - I feel Strong.  In this Place I am living in My Yellow Heart.  This for me gets me out of my Head.  My Yellow Heart for me is Love, Light, Peace, Truth.

In My Yellow Heart I am in touch with my Sage and all of my other Archetypes as my Strengths and Resources.

I am very Excited that Spring Is Here!!!  And for me it is a time to Celebrate Joy.  I want to engage in activities that have Heart and Meaning for me.  I want to be in the NOW and ENJOY every day, every moment. 

It is also a time to bring in my Organiser for Spring Cleaning - I start this Friday.  The sooner I get my Spring Cleaning DONE, the more time I can have for being outdoors - a great reason to be motivated and focused for the big job ahead of me.

YAHOO Spring Is Here!!!