Crossroads Coaching

New Moon Ritual

2008-06-03T06:43:00.000-07:00

Happy New Moon!

Below is an excerpt from the Moonprints report I recently purchased from the Moon Circles website (http://www.mooncircles.com/). I've read several articles at this website about different astrological topics and I've been really impressed. The report I purchased was written by Dana Gerhardt. It's really well-written and personalized to my chart information. Visit the website for some great articles and information on the reports.
I thought it would be appropriate to share about Moon Circles today as today is the New Moon in Gemini. Gerhardt said of the new moon, "Each new moon, then, is an opportunity for you to focus on a particular area of your life--to transform, strengthen, revise, or dream there--whatever is most appropriate given your current life circumstances. At the Full moon two weeks later, you'll see the results of your intentions and also gain new insights or new direction in that facet of your life."

Moon Circles offers a simple, yet powerful, moon ritual at their website: http://www.mooncircles.com/moonritual.html . I'm looking forward to giving it a try myself today.
What are your New Moon Wishes for this month? If you are looking for another great resource about making New Moon wishes, check out Jan Spiller's New Moon Astrology (http://astore.amazon.com/sanctuary0a-20/102-9216864-4152960?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=17 )

Have a blessed day!
Nancy
Nancy Nicholas
Life Coach/Medium
Crossroads Coaching/Empowering Lightworkers
http://www.crossroadscoachingonline.com
http://www.empoweringlightworkers.com

Is it true? Understanding Relationship Dynamics

2008-05-02T10:13:00.001-07:00

Nancy Nicholas
Holistic Life Coach and Intuitive Healer
http://www.crossroadscoachingonline.com
http://www.empoweringlightworkers.com
http://www.sanctuaryatcrossroads.com

This is my response to a coaching question submitted awhile ago. I mentioned Byron Katie's Inquiry Method in a post to my Empowering Life Coaching blog (http://nancy-empoweringlightworkers.blogspot.com/) and thought it would be good to get this out there again. I hope you find it helpful!

"We all do emotional gymnastics to be seen as wonderful or funny, just to get what we already have. And because we're doing the gymnastics, we don't see that we already have it." ~Byron Katie~

COACHING QUESTION
"I have many wonderful people in my life who love me and who I love. I find myself feeling unhappy though because it frequently seems that I am the one doing most of the reaching out. What should I do?"

NANCY'S RESPONSE
Great question! I actually was struggling with this issue recently and thanks to a locked car door (with the keys inside!) that left me stranded at the library for 50 minutes, I found a great book to help!

SUGGESTIONS
from I Need Your Love--Is That True? How to Stop Seeking Love, Approval, and Appreciation and Start Finding Them Instead by Byron Katie

INQUIRY METHOD: Byron Katie explains a simple method of questioning to help us look at the thoughts we are accepting as true. She suggests that when a thought comes into your mind that makes you feel unhappy or unloved, you should ask yourself the following:

Is it true?
Can I absolutely know that it's true?
How do I react when I think this thought?
Who or what would I be without the thought?

Then, turn the thought around, and find three genuine examples of how each turnaround is as true or truer than the original statement.

I've been using this and I'm finding that Katie is right on about the fact that we often accept thoughts as true without really examining them. For instance, here's an example from my own life connected to your question. I was upset with my husband the other day because he didn't call me all day and came home late. The thought that was playing in my head was that he obviously didn't love me because he never calls me and I always have to call him. When I used the inquiry method with this thought, I realized that this thought wasn't true. I know my husband loves me very much and there were several reasons (which had nothing to do with me) which had led to him not calling me all day. It is also not true that he "never" calls me (I easily found three examples to prove it). Yet, I had myself all upset and angry by letting that thought get a hold of me!

CHOOSE THE DIRECT ROUTE: To get your needs met, Katie recommends that you take "the direct route." She says, "By now your needs are familiar. And you know what the effect is on your life when you believe you're entitled to have them met and it doesn't seem to be happening. The result is a hopeless quest filled with separation, frustration, and resentment." She says first to use the inquiry method and if you find that the need is something you do still see as a need, then be gentle to yourself and ask for it to be met directly from those you love. So for your example, if you truly feel that your loved ones are not extending themselves enough, then you need to ask them to do something specific to alter this. For example, "I need you to call me if you are going to be late."

She also says when you are ready though, that the direct route is to "let reality be the guide to your needs: What I need is what I have." She gives the following examples of this method: "How do you know when you don't need people? When they're not in your life. How do you know when you do need them? When they are in your life." She says you can also use that with those thoughts where you feel you "should" be doing something or making some decision. She says that we "need" to do something is just a thought. If it really is a need, then we will be doing it.

Going back to your question, you might want to ask yourself if you are doing things for others because you "need" to or are you doing things because you want approval or to have what you've given reciprocated? I know that I have found myself doing things for my family members because subconsciously I really want them to do the same for me. Usually, they don't know that is how I'm feeling (and I can't blame them because I don't always see it myself!), and they don't respond as I'd secretly hoped. This leads to frustration and unhappiness. What I'm learning to do instead is to recognize when I need something, and if possible, I give that to myself. This has saved me a lot of hurt feelings and misunderstandings with those I love.

OTHER COMMENTS: I would recommend getting this book for yourself as it is filled with lots of wonderful examples and practical exercises you can try (much more than I can share here). For me, the possibility of being free of the need for approval, love and appreciation from others is very enticing. I do believe that everything we need is provided and often I can see that it is my own approval, appreciation and love that I'm really seeking. As Katie says, we save ourselves a lot of grief by recognizing that what we are seeking, is within ourselves. The book is available in my online bookstore (http://astore.amazon.com/sanctuary0a-20) under Love and Relationships.

BEST WISHES!

Surviving Tough Life Changes

2008-04-03T06:13:00.000-07:00

4/3/2008

A friend emailed me yesterday after receiving our monthly newsletter. She was excited to see that my new self-help e-workbook, Soul Friends Guide to Surviving the Pit: A Workbook for Surviving and Thriving through Tough Life Changes was now available on our website. My friend, Trish, was one of my "soul friends" during the time I went through my divorce...back when I got to know the "pit" up close and personal.

Trish mentioned how she remembered the "pit" days well, but she hadn't had a day like that in a very long time. I realized that I haven't either. Not to say I haven't had some tough times since...that's part of life...but nothing like I experienced back then. Yet, I also realize learning how to get out of the pit brought me the most precious gifts.

If you are in the middle of a major life change...a time when your whole world seems to have completely changed over night...I send you these words of hope. An uncle of mine said at the time I was going through my divorce, that he was happy for me. He said that while he was sorry I was suffering, he also understood that I was being called to go on one of the most amazing and incredible journeys we experience in this lifetime. I was being invited to discover who I was at the deepest level...to meet my soul...to find who I was beyond the roles I'd played.

Eight years later, I can tell you he was absolutely right. While I can't say that was an easy time, I can say that I wouldn't give up what came from it for anything in the world. Journeying home to yourself is the greatest gift, and often the opportunity to do so comes when life seems most bleak.

So if you are in the middle of a life crisis, hang in there. God is calling to you and asking you to come meet your soul in a way that will open your life and bring you joy like you've never experienced. Keep asking for help...watch for signs...and you'll get through.

And remember...your Soul Friends are right there with you!

Take care,

Nancy

Spring Cleaning for Health

2008-04-01T07:11:00.000-07:00

Live Well Column

By Paula Vetter

Yes, it's TRUE. Spring is just around the corner! As our thoughts turn to "Spring Cleaning" it is important that we remember to begin with ourselves. Just as we are eager to rid our homes of stagnant air and accumulated dust and debris, we can help to rid our bodies of toxins and "tune up" our metabolism. Then we will be prepared to greet warm weather with healthy vibrant energy. Tips:

1. Drink at least 8 8 oz glasses of plain pure water daily. (Reverse osmosis or filtered water)

2. Avoid carbonated beverages, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, MSG, and high fructose corn
syrup. All of these are toxic to your cells.

3. Never microwave food in plastic or styrofoam. These release toxins into your food.
(Microwaving changes the molecular structure of your food and destroys nutrients too!)

4. Avoid adding toxins to your environment. We inhale toxins and absorb them thru our skin
as well as ingesting them in our food and drink. Eliminate chemical room deodorizers, fabric
softener sheets, lawn chemicals, toxic household cleaners, and be sure to air out any
clothes that are dry cleaned before wearing them or even bring them indoors. Hang on
porch or in garage to air out and dissipate toxic cleaning solvents.

5. Consider a natural organic herbal cleanse to support your liver, kidneys and digestive
system to restore balance and achieve optimal wellness.

6. Use a rebounder (mini-trampoline) to encourage good lymph flow and detoxification.

7. Start a gentle stretching program (Yoga, Pilates, etc.) to boost circulation.

8. MOVE your body daily for 30 to 40 minutes, but begin slowly if you have been hibernating
this winter. Flowers do not bloom overnight.....be gentle but persistent and you too will be
radiant before spring becomes summer.

The 10-10-10 Rule

2008-04-01T07:10:00.001-07:00

Start Small… But Think Big

by Cathy Posner

Have you ever (who hasn’t?) been tortured by making a decision and wondering what it’s impact will be? I employ a strategy a friend shared with me. Not much later, I ran across the source article. It was an article written by Suzy Welch in the September 2006 issue of O! Magazine. I have found it a great guideline and tool when facing a difficult decision. I will paraphrase it here:

The 10-10-10 Rule

As you face a difficult decision (and this works for any aspect of your life), ask yourself the following questions:
Will it matter in 10 minutes?
Will it matter in 10 months?
Will it matter in 10 years?
What is the impact of my actions within these timeframes?

You will find that, by using this technique, decisions are often much clearer and easier to make. Issues that we perceive as having long-term or more significant impact on our lives or the lives of others often don’t matter as much as you think in the big picture.

Create a Peaceful Environment

2008-04-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

Simple Steps Column

by Nancy Nicholas

This time of year, spring fever begins with a vengeance. While you are waiting for winter to end, take the time to move out the old stagnant energy from your work place and home. Below are some simple steps you can take to create a peaceful, fresh environment:

Thoroughly clean with an environmentally friendly cleaning product. This will help remove the accumulated dust and debris from winter. I add a few drops of peppermint or lavender oil to the Shaklee cleaner I use. It makes cleaning much more enjoyable and leaves a wonderful scent in the room when I’m done.

Take care of clutter. I know I tend to let things pile up during the winter months both at home and work. Set aside a day to pack up anything unneeded or unwanted. Cleaning out cluttered drawers, desks, and closets really helps to renew your energy.

Gently scent your environment with aromatherapy oils and sprays. Savannah Moon makes a wonderful lavender mint room spray. Another favorite approach of mine is to use a few drops of my favorite essential oils in a diffuser.

Consider adding plants and crystals to clean the air and energy. I spoke to Corky Larson of Inner Harmony Wellness Center about how to use crystals to create a better energetic atmosphere. He recommended using Selenite crystals which can be placed around the room to “vacuum” out lower energies.

Play peaceful music. Listen to a nature sounds or other peaceful music to create the atmosphere you desire. My favorite artist is Enya.

It can be tough to get yourself motivated to take the steps needed to reenergize your environment, but the results are well worth the effort. Give it a try!

Career Transition: Do Work You Love

2008-02-13T06:52:00.000-08:00

Being Prepared for A Career Transition
by Cathy Posner, Career Coach

http://www.crossroadscoachingonline.com

Nothing can be quite as overwhelming (or exciting) as when you are looking for a new job. If you are under a time constraint, that pressure can be monumental. And trying to create or update your resume when you are in a time pinch rarely results in something that will highlight your skills to your best advantage. One way to decrease some of that pressure- and to really shine for a potential employer- is to always have a current resume. You can do that by:

1) Adding current information- contact information, new responsibilities at your current job, and involvement in new professional or community organizations etc.- every six to eight months.
2) Adding information about your volunteer work or community involvement. Many people think it’s not important to include this information but it often showcases some of your best and unique abilities.
3) Revisiting descriptions about your past positions or employment. Do they still reflect what you want them to reflect? Can some of the responsibilities be deleted or modified to best suit your current career goals?
4) Creating several versions of your resume to address jobs in different industries or fields. For this, you will focus your skills and employment history to a specific kind of job.

If you do not have an extensive work history, make a list of the various roles in your life (mother, caretaker of elderly parents, church volunteer, etc.) and the associated skills and responsibilities (maintaining schedule of five family members, liaison between nursing home staff and insurance companies, instructor or coordinator of religious education classes, etc.) You can then create a resume that is centered around your skills rather than your employment history.

For more information, contact Cathy Posner (Cathy@crossroadscoachingonline.com) or consider attending her two-part class on Career Transition: Do the Work You Love through the Highland Schools Community Education classes.

Gratitude Journal: A Tool To Help You Live Well

2008-02-13T06:45:00.001-08:00

GRATITUDE JOURNAL: A TOOL TO LIVE WELL

by Paula Vetter, Wellness Coach

http://www.crossroadscoachingonline.com/

http://www.profoundwellness.com/

It is winter. The days are short. The nights are long. We tend to spend more time indoors and our pace slows after the holidays. It is a natural cycle that gives us meaningful clues for personal reflection and regeneration.

Among many ancient cultures, winter was a time of "looking within," a time of soul searching and connecting with our inner wisdom. The external darkness beckons us to find our inner light....the spark of the Divine within us all. It is a perfect time to get back to meditation and reflection upon our Divine Purpose.

A powerful tool I recommend for spiritual growth is the Gratitude Journal. Take 5 minutes at the end of each day to reflect on your experiences and write at least 5 things you are grateful for, specific to that day. It can be as simple as time for a relaxing cup of tea, a call from a good friend, a beautiful sunrise, or a parking space close to the grocery store on a snowy day!

This exercise does two important things: It makes you more mindful & appreciative of blessings and everyday miracles AND it literally magnetizes your energy field to attract more
good into your life. ( Remember the Law of Attraction? ) Start your Gratitude Journal tonight and you will be amazed at the life you create!

Body Wisdom

2008-02-13T06:39:00.000-08:00

Body Wisdom

by Nancy Nicholas, Holistic Life Coach and Intuitive Healer

http://www.crossroadscoachingonline.com

http://www.empoweringlightworkers.com

http://www.sanctuaryatcrossroads.com

Have you ever had one of those times when you are considering a course of action and find yourself experiencing a lot of physical distress? For years, I simply saw this as nervousness on my part and proceeded to override my fears and forge ahead anyway. Usually, I’d end up sick or in a situation that was not good for me.
Finally, after a couple years of polarity therapy, I learned a very vital lesson. My body is wise. In fact, it is the wisest part of me. What I’d taken for weakness was actually a sophisticated warning system trying to let me know that the course of action I was about to pursue was not highest and best for me.This month, I encourage you to try listening to your body. When you notice that it is under stress (heart flutters, tension, stomach ache, tense), instead of pushing forward, stop instead.

Here is a simple procedure to help you start listening and understanding your body’s messages:

1. Return your body to a place of peace. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 6 seconds, and hold for 4 seconds. Continue this patterned breathing for three rounds while repeating, “I am safe and all is well.”

2. Imagine the action you are considering. See yourself doing it. How does your body feel? If it is tense or you feel a sudden pain, this is not the highest and best course for you to follow.

3. Continue to imagine different options until you body reacts with peace. Try to think creatively and come up with gentler ways to go forward with your plans. Can you do it on a smaller scale? Is there a way to get the help of others first?

4. Follow through and thank your body for helping you pick the best choice for you. Now that you have gotten the message about what you need, follow through! Don’t be tempted to override this knowledge. You’ll find that the more you do this, the easier it will be for you to select only that which is in your best interest.

Coaching Challenge: Pay attention to your body today. What do you notice about how it feels? What people and places make you feel relaxed and happy? When do you feel tense and upset? Keep a journal and record what you discover.

Take care!

Nancy

Check in For Spiritual Support

2008-01-31T06:10:00.000-08:00

Simple Steps
Nancy Nicholas, Life Coach/Intuitive Healer/Medium
Crossroads Coaching
Sanctuary at the Crossroads
Empowering Lightworkers

Goals for 2008: Check in For Spiritual Support
What are your goals for 2008? Many of us set new goals to help us start the New Year off right. This year, why not set goals that also are in line with your Divine Purpose? Each of us have a "spiritual support team" (angels and guides) available to help us as we grow through our lifetime. Below are a few simple tips to help you get some "Divine Direction" for your life path this year:

Slow Down: It is impossible to hear Divine Guidance when you are rushing around. Set aside 15 minutes each day to be still and listen to your own inner voice.

Meditate: This doesn't have to be a big deal. Try doing a yoga mudra or just listening to quiet music while breathing deeply. Focus on a slow, rhymic breathing pattern such as in 4, hold 4, out 6, hold 4.

Affirm: "I hear Divine Guidance easily and effortlessly."

Ask: Ask for input on your goals this year. Ask your guides and angels to clearly guide you, tell them your hopes, fears and things you would like help with. They are listening!

Pick a Tool: In my experience, spiritual guidance can come in almost any form you suggest. One easy method is to pick out a book and then ask your "team" for guidance. Randomly flip to a page and see what it says. For other spiritual tools you can use, click HERE to check out my favorites.

Schedule an Intuitive Reading: I offer intuitive readings to offer Divine Guidance using my intuitive gifts which will help you understand your life from a spiritual perspective. It is a gentle, and empowering experience (not predictive in nature). To learn more, please visit my spiritual coaching page by clicking HERE.

Take Charge of Your Health

2008-01-31T05:58:00.000-08:00

Live Well
Paula Vetter, Wellness Coach

http://www.crossroadscoachingonline.com/

http://www.profoundwellness.com/

Take charge of your health to transform your life in 2008.
Many people are unaware that illness and aging are caused by 5 processes that are largely within our control:

1. Inflammation (heat)
2. Toxicity (waste)
3. Oxidative Stress (internal "rust")
4. Impaired Metabolism (burnout)
5. Malnutrition (sludge)

These problems occur at the cellular level and they must be addressed at the cellular level to achieve true wellness. (Suppressing symptoms does not make you WELL!)

How can you get really healthy? There are 4 basic steps:

1. Remove accumulated toxins from the body and from your environment.
2. Repair cell damage with specific targeted cellular nutrition
3. Recharge your immune system and internal regulation systems
4. Support the integrity & harmony of Mind, Body, Spirit

If you would like guidance,support, and specific strategies to implement the above steps, join me online for 8 WEEKS TO A HEALTHIER YOU! (click HERE)

Eliminate the Clutter

2008-01-31T05:52:00.000-08:00

Start Small
Cathy Posner, Career and Transitions Consultant

Crossroads Coaching

What is Getting in Your Way? What is Stopping You From Achieving Your Dream?
We all have something that sabotages us as we try to pursue our dreams, goals, and happiness. Sometimes it's our own thoughts. Sometimes its the comments of others. And sometimes it is the actual stuff surrounding us in our homes or offices. Below is a strategy to identify and clear the clutter- mental and physical- in your life.

How will you eliminate the clutter? Choose 5 areas or issues you plan to address in your physical or mental space. Examples could include clearing out a closet, getting something fixed, cleaning out a drawer, saying no (or yes) to a project at work, setting limits with a friend or coworker, releasing guilt about a past event, etc.
When you finish those first five, start five more and soon your clutter will disappear and your goal setting can move forward.

Me First! 4 Weeks to a Self-Care Lifestyle

2007-12-11T06:16:00.000-08:00

12/11/2007
Hello!
I hope everyone is moving toward the holidays in a low-stress manner! Remember to keep taking care of you!

Today's topic is about a new coaching program I'm offering that begins in January. I am firmly committed to the idea that we MUST make self-care our top priority. This course is designed to help you do that in a simple, time-efficient way.

About ME FIRST!...
Remember when you were a kid and got in trouble for saying “me first?” Back then you weren’t able to understand that other people have needs too. By now, I’m sure that isn’t a problem anymore. In fact, I’d bet the problem isn’t that you overlook other people’s needs, but instead that you overlook your own.

I’m here to suggest that it is time to bring back that little kid again. It’s time to start listening to our own needs and acting to meet them. It’s time to start putting ourselves first.

Why? Because the bottom line is you can’t give to others what you don’t have. If you have no time, no energy, no dreams, no joy, then you can’t share them with anyone else. The world needs you to be who you are and to share the gifts that are yours alone to share. To do that, you have to put your own self-care first.

Below is an outline of a new coaching program I'm offering. The first group course will start on 1/13/2008. I hope you can join me!

Join me for a life coaching program designed specifically to create a daily routine which meets your self-care needs in a simple, time-saving manner. This program is filled with the many life coaching tools and techniques I've effectively used with clients and that I use in my own self-care routine.

Each week, the group will meet via conference call to set goals for the upcoming week and discuss the tools offered in the Me First! Workbook. Then you will work on your individual goal, incorporating one simple self-care tool into your daily routine, while receiving email support throughout the week.

This program includes 4 hours of direct coaching ($320), plus email coaching support throughout the 4 weeks ($80), and a 28 page workbook ($47). This program including $447 of service is being offered to you at a very special one time only price of $87!

That's a savings of $360!

As a special incentive to put self-care on your holiday wish list, if you purchase this program before 12/25/2007, you will receive a coupon to bring a friend for only $50!

Want the details?

Click HERE to download a one page course outline. The password to download the outline is "settle." I'm also happy to answer any questions you may have. Just send me an email at nancy@crossroadscoachingonline.com or call
(330) 416-6184.

Ready to sign up? Please click HERE to visit my website and click on the BUY NOW button to register.

I'm looking forward to working with you!
Nancy

Illness and Guilt

2007-12-06T06:08:00.000-08:00

12/6/2007

Hello!
I hope everyone is enjoying December...it is pretty with the snow and the Christmas lights!

Today's post is about illness and guilt, prompted by my 11th day with the latest respiratory virus going around. Last night was the first time I was actually able to sleep the whole night through since this started. It makes me appreciate the joys of sleeping without sitting up!

One of the things I've noticed is that when I get sick, I instantly start to wonder what I did to manifest this. I'm a big fan of Louise Hay and I think her positive affirmations are right on. In her book, Heal Your Body, she gives the "mental causes for physical illnesses with the metaphysical ways to overcome them." I have to say that the causes she lists connected to the illnesses I've had seem to be pretty accurate. Click HERE to purchase this book from my Amazon store.

Which brings in the "guilt" part. Which makes me ask myself, "Isn't it bad enough to be sick? Is it fair to then get upset with myself for causing it?"

After asking for some Divine clarity on this point, here's what I came up with...

Be gentle with yourself. You are a human being and you are always doing the best you can under the circumstances...that's good enough.
Learn from the situation. What mental cause contributed to the weakening of your immune system? Can you heal the wound that led to that pattern?
Take the time to rest and to heal on all levels. Your physical self needs to heal, but so does your emotional/mental self which clearly was also suffering. Your physical needs are giving you a chance to slow down enough to address these other needs.
Forgive yourself. Anger at the self is never necessary. Forgiveness of yourself and others always brings healing.
Ask for support. Part of the lesson in each challenge we face is to remember that we aren't alone. We all have a spiritual support team waiting to help us. Ask your angels to bring healing and support while you work through this challenge. Experience the relief of knowing you don't have to do it all on your own!

So here is a little coaching challenge for you:

Illness is often a result of a need not being met somewhere in our system. Take a few moments to look at your own needs today. What do you need emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually? Today, commit to do one thing that will meet one of those needs. To really make the commitment and increase your changes of following through, post your response here right now.

Here is to your health!

Nancy

Nancy Nicholas, Life Coach/Intuitive

Crossroads Coaching

http://www.crossroadscoachingonline.com

http://www.sanctuaryatcrossroads.com

Self-Care During the Holidays

2007-11-25T13:28:00.000-08:00

Hello Again!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a restful weekend after! I thought I'd share a few tips about getting through the holidays with your self-care needs intact. I know that I often find it difficult to maintain my normal routine during this time of year. Extra pressures financially and emotionally can make this a challenging time, especially for those who are sensitive.

To help you stay centered and relaxed during this time of year, consider implementing a few of the tips below:

1. Continue to make time for yourself: Don't let the holiday rush lead to skipping on your time to recharge. Write your time on your calendar and stick to it. You'll need it to help you get through the next few weeks without burning out before the holidays. Aim to have a half hour everyday for yourself.

2. Get Outside: I know it is very cold out there (and I personally hate being cold!) but the fresh air is really important to keep our systems healthy. Schedule in daily time outside, even if it is only for 15 minutes. Bundle up and enjoy the crisp air and changing scenery! It's a great time of year to check out the night time sky.

3. Set Limits: This month's Simple Steps Column in Holistic Inspirations is going to be on ways to simplify Christmas and the holidays. One of the important aspects of this is to set limits on spending before you head to the store. There are so many interesting things out there, it is very easy to overspend. Deciding ahead of time how much you are going to spend and then sticking to it will help ease a lot of the tension often associated with the holidays.

4. Watch the cookies!: I absolutely LOVE cookies, but my body does not in anyway love all that sugar. Pay attention to your diet and be sure you continue to drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet that helps you feel good. Keeping yourself feeling healthy and relaxed will also boost your immunity so you can avoid all the germs floating around!

5. Slow Down: I'm a "get things done quickly" sort of person so this step is still a tough one for me, but when I do it I'm amazed at how well it works!. When you feel like your to do list is weighing you down and you'll never get everything done, consider trying something new...do nothing. I know this goes against the grain, but actually taking a break and literally doing nothing (including thinking about all the things you have to do) can go along way towards increasing your energy and your productivity. I didn't make this up...it is actually a proven fact! Give it a try.

Please feel free to share any suggestions you have for a holiday season of self-care! Feel free to post your goals on this topic too! If you'd like to receive monthly tips and tools like this, sign up for Crossroads Coaching News and Holistic Inspirations at our website (CLICK HERE).

Take care,

Nancy

Frustration

2007-11-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

11/17/2007
Welcome to our blog!
Today I thought I'd share a little on the topic of frustration. As much as I wish I wasn't "an expert" on this topic (wouldn't it be nice to never be frustrated??), I guess I might as well make use of this somewhat unpleasant life tool.

So what is the purpose of frustration? Many times in my life I've asked myself (and God) this question and always get the same image flashing through my mind...an oyster. An oyster you ask? Odd, yes, but fitting when you think of it as a metaphoric symbol. Oysters must know something about frustration....at least if all those stories I've heard about how pearls are formed are true. Imagine how annoying it must feel to have a harsh little bit of sand poking you...think about what it would be like if it was under your tongue. Awful huh? Yet, that is what leads to those beautiful, very coveted pearls.

Now I do like pearls, especially when they are used for a metaphor representing all the good things I look for in my life, but isn't there another way for them to form?

I'd like to say "yes" (believe me I REALLY would!) but based on my life experience and all the experience of those I've worked with over the years, I'm thinking that the answer is no. Apparently, we all need that irritating piece of sand to get us moving towards creating the pearls in our life.

So what is the sand in your life at this time? I guess mine is restraints...the parts of my personality, my life circumstances, the reality of divine timing...all those things that keep me from feeling free to move forward as quickly and easily as I'd like to. Where is the pearl in that for me? I guess it stops me from running off quickly in one direction only to find out after much time and energy is expended that I'd really rather be running a different direction. I admit it...I'm a big idea person and when I get one of those "great" ideas I want to put it into action immediately!

Note to self, when you are feeling frustrated, remember the 72 hour rule...wait 72 hours before acting on new ideas.

I don't really like that rule...and I was very anxious to break it this very morning...but, the Universe didn't give me an option. Back to the 72 hour rule....sigh...Monday will be soon enough to see if this idea is really as viable as it seems to be right now.

Coaching Tip from me to you: Take a look at the "sand" in your own life and ask yourself why it is there? What pearl is it trying to bring forth in your life? We can't get rid of frustration or of the sand, but maybe we can learn to live with it a little better. At least I know I'm going to give it a try!

Enjoy the day!
Nancy