Love Harder

Recently, I've been handed information, which I have no idea what to do with. Information that will change my life, and others around me forever. Nobody's sick, and nobody's in danger...yet, I feel like a bomb went off.

Working with others, and helping them see their situation from a different perspective, I have forced myself to do the same. When I say forced, I mean FORCED! I found myself consumed, obsessed, and down all day thinking...thinking about how I can fix what I was handed. With lots of prayer, as the days passed, I began to see my situation from a new perspective. My days became easier, and with light shoulders and a softer heart, I found myself smiling again.

I came to the awareness that not everything needs fixing. In fact, in this situation, I'M the one who needs fixing. By looking at what I've been handed, in a new perspective, I'm able to see happiness and love from a different angle. I'm able to see how my life is going to change for better...I'm going to come out caring more, sharing more, and laughing more. I'm going to love harder than I have ever loved before. I'm going to see beauty in everything.

My journey is far from over...but at least, now, I can see the light that's going to be guiding me through. 

Creating Stress Free-ish Experience During the Holidays

When I think of the holidays, I can literally feel my muscles tense up, and my shoulders rise up into my neck. It's not that I don't love spending the holidays with my family or look forward to all the great holiday parties with friends, it's the little annoying things in between that get my neck in a twist!

Here's a list, from Children's Hospital Colorado, I found online that can help us through this holiday season.

How parents can reduce stress this holiday season

Do you have a holiday to-do list eight pages long? One hundred gifts to buy and 12 dozen cookies to bake? If this sounds like you, take heed: Ongoing stress is a major contributing factor to poor health and it makes this time of year much less enjoyable. Check out these tips to keep your blood from boiling and your head from exploding.

1. Don't be afraid to say no. T'is the season of giving to others, but perhaps the best gift you can give is your serenity. If you're stressed from overcommitting, your bad mood could sour someone else's yuletide cheer. If you don't want to go to a party, send a kind thank-you card; if you genuinely want to see someone, make plans for after the holidays. Pare down your to-do list as much as possible. If you must complete a task or errand, find a way to make it enjoyable - have a cookie-baking party or a gift wrapping-palooza.

2. Set limits with troublesome family members. Meet him or her for a set period of time in public, instead of inviting them into your home. Suggest nice hotels or bed and breakfasts if you do not want family staying overnight at your home. Make a personalized tourist book for visitors to keep them busy and out of your hair.

3. You don't have to be perfect. It took a team of professionals to create those beautiful decorations and delectable-looking cookies in that magazine, so be careful not to set that standard for yourself. You will notice more than anyone else if something isn't perfect.

4. Remember why you are doing this. Ask yourself why you celebrate certain holidays. If this task or that errand doesn't contribute something meaningful to your celebration, cross it off your list. Chances are no one will notice it's missing.

5. Make your own traditions. Hold on to the practices from your childhood that you love and get rid of the traditions you don't like. Create new traditions with friends and/or family instead.

6. Accept help. Who said you have to decorate and shop all by yourself? Probably no one, but you took it all on anyway. Bring friends and family into the fold. Teach kids the meaning of gift giving and ask them to help pick out gifts. Teach a significant other how to make your favorite cookies. Turn that holiday dinner you're hosting into a potluck and have everyone bring a special dish from their childhood.

7. Exercise.

8. Eat well. Try to keep stress-inducing foods like sugar, caffeine and alcohol to a minimum.

9. Get enough sleep. Set boundaries. For example, if you start a task at 8 p.m., set an alarm for 9 p.m. Quit the task when the alarm goes off and save the rest until tomorrow. If your task requires a long time commitment, plan ahead and leave that for the weekend.

10. Involve the kids. Involve the kids so they can contribute to the spirit of your celebration. Did you commit to making a meal for the homeless shelter? Teach the kids a simple recipe and have them make the meal, helping them understand the importance of the gesture.

11. Cut the gift list. With consumerism running rampant, with displays and ads targeted to entice, be sure to make a list and set a budget before going shopping. It will be much easier on your willpower. Also ask yourself if you're buying gifts just to buy gifts or if they will make a meaningful impact. If not, consider giving time instead of gifts. For example, offer a free night of babysitting or a homemade meal come January. Chances are, your friends and family will remember these meaningful gestures more than something you picked up at the store at the last minute. Also consider a gift exchange, where everyone draws names and each person buys just one gift. It's easier on your willpower and will avoid the stress of overextending your budget.

12. Unplug. The world will not stop if you turn off your phone or close your laptop on the weekend or at night. Give your loved ones your full attention and indulge in some uninterrupted family time.

13. Create a cozy atmosphere as you complete your to-do list. Turn off the TV and instead light the fireplace while you write cards, play music while you bake or light a cinnamon-scented candle while you gift wrap.

A Life Coach can help.

PhotoTherapy Session: This Tiny House

PhotoTherapy Session:

When we look at a photograph, emotions, thoughts, and creativity stirs inside of us. When I pulled up a photo of a house I lived in for 12 years, immediately I was inspired to write down everything that was coming to me. Below is an example as to how a simple photograph can remind me of all the things I did have, instead of focusing on what I didn't have. 

Here's my PhotoTherapy Session with myself...

Before "tiny houses" were considered cool and interesting to see on t.v., this little one here was once my castle for 12 years. This house played a huge part of who I am today. With blood, sweat, and tears houses are built...well, in my case, with blood, sweat, and tears this house built "me"!!!! In this house I've learned to never give up, to love harder, to fight harder, to value an education, to value a dollar, to appreciate a smile and any small gesture as a gift. This house may look tiny, but inside it supplied an endless amount of stepping stones for me to go through my journey, which lead me to be where I am today. This house is enormous, priceless, and magical. I didn't find this house, it found me. Years have passed, and I've been filling my new home with all the tools and experiences I've learned from this "tiny house". When life gets crazy, I can reach for this photo, and remember what really matters. I may not be living near my "tiny house" any more, but forever it will be in this photograph, my memory, and in my heart. -Donna Leake

Your Authentic Self Looks Good On You

If you're seeing a Life Coach, you most definitely have been asked this question...Are you living authentically? 

What does it mean to be authentic? How will I know if, or when, I'm being my authentic self? 

To be our true authentic self means to live truly as who we are. That means to know who we are, what we want, to fully trust ourselves, to speak with our hearts and minds, to surround ourselves with others who add value to who we are, to choose a career that resonates with our passion, to reach our goals, and to create a life we want and are proud of.

People who live authentically will shine from the inside out. They realize their worth and are proud to show it.

A Life Coach can help.

Plan Your Legacy

I have a choice as to how I want to live my life... and how I live my life is exactly what others are going to remember me by.

What legacy do you want to leave behind? 

Answer the questions below. Perhaps there are some changes you may want to make in your life moving forward. If so, write them down and begin creating the change that will leave you with a legacy you're proud of.


1) What were my major accomplishments?

2) How did I react to my success? How did I react to the success of others?

3) Was I always willing to learn new things and better myself?

4) How have I inspired others?

5) In what ways have I shown up in my life, and for others?

6) When did I make a difference in the world?

7) Did I volunteer my time? When? Where? Why?

8) Was I humble?

9) Did I love from my heart?

10) Was I truly thankful?

A Life Coach can help. 

 

Educational Lessons From Our Life Experiences

Some of you, in fact, most of you don't know that for a couple of years, I had my very own dog treat business. It was called, "Puppy Personal". I baked all natural, personalized dog treats in any shape, size, and flavor.

I used to refer to it as a "side business".  Yet, looking back today, that "side business" ended up being an educational lesson that prepared me for bigger and greater things I have going on with my career today. That "side business" taught me how to sell, research and market a product, work at public events, create a website, use my creativity, meet other entrepreneurs and cheer one another on, learn NOT to take "I'm not interested" personally, and build more and more confidence along the way.

There I was, years ago, baking away for my business!

If I had listened to all the people who; thought I was crazy to start up a dog treat company out of my home, thought I was going about it all the wrong way and wouldn't make a profit, thought I was wasting my time and energy, or gave me every bit of advice as to how THEY would do it...than I wouldn't have had what I need today to keep my Life & Relationship Coaching business moving forward in the right direction.


What ideas have you been carrying around with you, not knowing how to make them a reality?

What will motivate you to take your first step forward?

What thoughts, or comments, from others have been holding you back?

How will you know when you are ready to begin?



A Life Coach can help.

Exercise Your Way To Happiness

How do you release tension? What place do you go to center yourself?

For me, it's yoga, meditation, walking and cycling. I feel alive again, as I take in the views, sounds, smell, and feelings that are in front if me.

What is your body telling you that it's wanting right now?





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Stepping Stones

Each step you take towards a goal, is a step closer to your goal. We often become flustered when we think of the amount of steps it will take to get us where we want to be. When we take one step at a time, the pressure lessens and the journey towards our goal becomes more enjoyable.

How can you create a more enjoyable experience as you reach for your goals?

What Do I Write In My Journal

I give a journal out to every client that begins their coaching sessions with me.  Their eyes light up and say, "Thank you!".....and then ask,"What do I write in my journal?".

A journal is similar to the diary we've kept as little girls. We either wrote secrets in there that we wanted no one else knowing about or what happened at school that day.  A journal is a grown up version of that diary...and then some. I've spoken with women who keep "themed" journals. One woman has a journal that is strictly about her goals on working on their relationship with her brother. Her other journal was strictly about her love of travel, with stories of where she's been and dreams of where she wants to visit next.

I like to journal about everything and anything that intuitively comes to mind. If I'm thinking about creating a new workshop for my business, than I'll write about that. If I walked around a park earlier in the day and the colors of the flowers caught my attention, I will write about that too. Perhaps there's a workshop that intuitively I know I'll create in the future that will be active in springtime when flowers are in full bloom? It's pretty neat looking back and reading from my past journals and seeing how so many things have become reality for me.

So, don't think twice when your pen hits the paper in your journal. Write whatever comes to mind and enjoy your journey!!!!!

Can't Wait Till Spring!

Just saw this photo on Instagram and now I can't wait to ride my bike again!

What do you do for exercise and to quiet your mind?


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