Soulful Listening

I listened to my soul yesterday, and took the day off of all things pressing.  I decided to move slowly and go with my flow instead of the rest of the world's.  With this intention, I moved through the grocery store with ease and enjoyed feeling and smelling the food I was about to buy and, ultimately, transform into tasty meals.  Once home, I was already in a different mindset from the days preceding this one.  I was moving with more grace, and I decided to put some music on; Patsy Clline cooing 'San Antonio Rose'.  I cooked all afternoon, and let my mind wander.  Athough not intentionally dancing, I felt myself circling the kitchen island in time with the ebb and flow of Patsy's voice.  Every now and again, I checked the clock and was surprised at how slowly time was passing.  How wondrous it is when we allow ourselves to revel in the moment and choose the experience of the joy that encompasses us.  After hours of cooking, creating and making a beautiful mess, I was suddenly interrupted by the door opening and slamming shut, and the word, "Mom" being called out; a different part of my world entered the house.  My daughter came upstairs and sat at the counter; she smiled at the clutter that surrounded her.  We chatted as I cleaned up and she devoured a plateful of samosas,; I quickly chose to see the wonderfulness of what had just been included in my mindful and soulful afternoon.

Patsy Cline's San Antonio Rose

xoxo

The Gift of Change

I am finally back to my computer in my cozy space, sitting at my antique desk with all of the trinkets and cards that my community of support has provided me over good times and bad.  With every glance at one or another of them, a flash of a distant memory moves through me like a pleasant quick spark of joy.  Some were made with those who I still connect with every day; some were created by those I seldom see but, are in my daily thoughts; and some remain with me by those who have been out of my life for a period of time but, remain in my heart as part of a possible return in the future. 

With age and experience, I have developed a want, a need, for the comfort of knowing that there are people out there who understand me and what my soul aches for.  It is a connection like no other that enables me to greet each day with ease and grace......no matter what that same morning sun has in store for me, I know that I can meet all of it head on with the support of those who surround me in my world.  I do not necessarily need their physical presence to feel their energy that is so powerful it can take my breath away.  I do not need it because it's strength comes from far and wide in a strong whisper and encompasses me without my even being aware of it's entering until a sense of peace moves through me.  Ummmmmm, it is magical.

And so, as I woke this morning I knew that a new day was just another beginning of another chapter.  Change can be a funny thing.  It can be wonderful when brought about with choice and joyous anticipation, but frightening when placed before you without warning and with scary possible consequences.  But, it comes for a reason, and even when unwelcoming, we need to embrace it for the gifts it provides.  What those gifts are can only be determined by those who receive them, and only if we are open to accepting them for what is being offered. 

Enjoy your long weekend along with some joyous and possible fearful changes as they all have a purpose, and they all bring you gifts in sometimes strange yet, wonderful ways.

'Talk of Life' column...Kingston Whig Standard...click below

A Peaceful, Easy feeling, and a sense of Strength

We Have A Story And We Want To Share It With You

I woke up today with a renewed sense of optimism. Generally, there are not many times when I feel that the sky is falling, but lately, our family has had a few obstacles placed in front of our happy path. As I’ve said many times before, it’s easy to smile when everything is going the way you want it to go; it’s when something gets in our way that the smile subsides a little. After a few months of transition and ultimately acceptance, this morning presents itself with the start of new and glorious day.  Simply making decisions and having clarity brings us all back to our happy place again.

There is also cause for celebration as Authentic Leadership Global moves into its official Launch today and we want to tell our story. I have been working with this group of people for almost a year now, and we are passionate to lead our lives from our Authentic selves, and to inspire everyone we meet to do the same. There is such dedication behind our mandate that I never question what we are capable of accomplishing. Even when things go array in the world around me, I know for sure and without a doubt that this community of support is there to dissipate the craziness in my life and provide me with what my true perspective is.

Support ~ although prevalent and so powerful, this sense of connection and security is not just found in the group of facilitators that encompass ALG, but within all of my personal relationships, those who I choose to surround myself with and who choose to spend time with me. You know who you are.....you are the one who texts me when you think I might be down; you are the one who sends me a friendly email just when I'm thinking of you; you are the one who sends love note comments on my blog; you are the one who calls me every Friday night from far, far away; you are the one who sends me a card in the mail for no special reason; you are the one who comes to my door and sweeps me away for an hour to chat; you are the one who shares your creativity with me for endless hours of the day; you are the one who has time for me and has faith in me and all of the goodness in this world; you are the one.........

You know exactly who you are; you are an Authentic Leader, a person who does the right thing at the right time without questioning your decision. You believe that “who” you are comes from inside your soul, within your heart, and that you have an immeasurable connection to the universe. Because of you, and because we have faith in you and us together, it is possible for the world to lead from that Authentic place that is bursting to come out of the closet and tell everyone that she has arrived.  You know who you are, and its time to celebrate and tell your story.......I believe that everyone will want to hear it and share it over and over and over again.