What is it about spring that urges us to clean and shine, get rid of clutter?

Maybe it’s the sun finally shining its light on the things in our life that are no longer of use to us. Maybe it’s the sunlight showing all the streaks on the windows and the dustbunnies in the corners. We want to scrub everything shiny and new.

Fresh.

Spring is about freshness. The sense of a new start.

We’re all familiar with Spring cleaning our homes, yards, offices. Our actual physical environment. Many people also use this time to do a cleanse of their physical bodies. So, what about your mental, emotional and spiritual environment?

Take a couple of moments now to let the sun shine on you…… Where are the cobwebs? What clutter is there? What “junk” do you need to get rid of? Where could you use a little polishing?

How good would it feel to do a personal “spring cleaning?” To have a fresh, new you emerge along with the blossoms?

Here are a few places to start. And, I’m sure you’ll find some others along the way!

Who do you need to forgive, so you can get rid of some old baggage?

What old habits are no longer serving you?

What strength do you have that could use a little polishing to let it shine?

What inner grime can you clean away to let the warmth of your relationships really touch your inner core?

What lost dream do you need to dust off and bring into the light?

How could you bring more spring “freshness” into your life?

You get the idea! There’s a program developed by Coachville called “Clean Sweep” that provides a complete checklist of 100 items which, when completed will give you added vitality, balance and personal strength. If you want me to send you a copy, email me and I’ll send it to you!

Happy Spring!!

So often, when “bad’ things happen, we see the worst, we run and hide or get caught up in the negativism. And, sometimes, if we choose to, we can see the good that comes as a result. The following is a Taoist parable that I learned during my Relationship Systems coach training. It has a powerful message:

“When an old farmer’s stallion wins a prize at a country show, his neighbor calls round to congratulate him, but the older farmer says ‘Who knows what is good and what is bad?’ The next day some thieves come and steal his valuable animal. His neighbor comes to commiserate with him, but the old man replies ‘Who knows what is good and what is bad?’ A few days later, the spirited stallion escapes from the thieves and joins a herd of wild mares, leading them back to the farm. The neighbor calls to share the farmer’s joy, but the farmer says ‘Who knows what is good or what is bad?’ The followng day, while trying to break in one of the wild mares, the farmer’s son is thrown and fractures his leg. The neighbor calls to share the farmer’s sorrow, but the old man’s attitude remains the same as before. The following week the army passes by, forcibly conscripting soldiers for a war, but they do not take the farmer’s son because he cannot walk. The neighbor thinks to himself “Who knows what is good and what is bad?’ and realizes that the old farmer must be a Taoist sage.”

Just asking that question seems to open up a world of possibility. How much freer would you feel if you gave up judging good and bad? How much worry could you shed? How much relief from grief and sorrow?

Things just are what they are. We don’t know what will come next. All we can do is decide to make the most powerful, positive choices that are available to us in the moment.

After all, who knows what is good and what is bad?

7 Tips to feeling happier, stronger and more optimistic in these trying times.

It’s easy to fall into the ground swell of desperation and fear that permeates the media these days. And, it’s hard to stay optimistic and positive. So, what difference does it make?

How does feeling small and scared do you or anyone else any good? How does giving into the mass hysteria change anything?

So what can you do? How can you make a difference?

I know it sounds Pollyannaish, but focusing on the positive is one way! Looking for the good in your day, your life, your community and the world might make you happier, stronger, and more resilient.

According to an article in a recent Reader’s Digest, studies have shown that people who look for the “bright side” and count their blessings sleep better, are more optimistic, and more active. They get sick less, and live with more joy and energy. People who regularly acknowledge the what is going right instead of dwelling on what is wrong have better social lives and are more likely to try to help others.

Not sure where to start? Here are seven tips on making gratitude and appreciation for the good things a regular habit. I promise that if you do one or two of these everyday, you will be less stressed, more content and better able to weather the current turmoil. Try:

1. set aside just 5 minutes per day to reflect and write down all the good things that happened each day
2. make a game of noticing 5 things on your way to work or the store that make you smile
3. take several mini “gratitude” breaks through the day, tune up your awareness of the good stuff that’s all around you waiting to be noticed
4. tell your loved ones how much you appreciate them and why
5. relive some happy memories
6. do something nice for someone else
7. find something that makes you feel good, keep it with you & touch it whenever you need a lift (remember your blanky?)

Make it fun! Make it everyday, and soon you will find that it becomes a habit. And, when you are radiating more positive energy, what kind of impact do you think you have on those you interact with?

I know you can’t change the circumstances, but you can change the experience of it.  And, it’s contagious! Like ripples in the water, you will infect everyone in the world around you with the positivity virus. Now wouldn’t that feel good?

It’s funny how sometimes you hear a song, and all of a sudden the words take on meaning. I was driving yesterday, and heard the song “Thank You” by Alanis Morissette. And, the words just hit home. I’ve obviously heard the song so many times before, but for some reason, this time it was different.

“how bout me not blaming you for everything
how bout me enjoying the moment for once
how bout how good it feels to finally forgive you
how bout grieving it all one at a time”

And, then she thanks the hard things, like terror and disillusionment, and frailty.

It really reminded me that sometimes the hard stuff makes us appreciate the rest of it so much more. And, as she says, just letting go and getting back way more in return.

Hmmm, makes you think. There are so many lessons out there that are just waiting till we’re ready to hear them.

Thank you.

“Green Harvesting” is thinning out the grape clusters before they ripen to improve the quality and concentration of the wine. The excess clusters are cut from the vine and discarded.

It makes me think about what we need to “thin out” of our lives. Clutter? Tolerations? Energy drains? Those really annoying people?

Having such densely packed lives these days, we tend to want to keep it all. How much more rich and concentrated would our lives be if we cut off and discarded a bit of our own excess?

I did just that these last few weeks. I cleaned out a lot of junk! I cleaned out my closets and drawers and got rid of all my “skinny” clothes, I cleaned out the bathroom and linen closets. It was a literal purging - and actually kinda fun! I was ruthless.

And, I am noticing that I am feeling much lighter, more optimistic and energetic. I’m more focused, creative and productive. Wow!! I feel GOOD!

Give it a try. What have you got to lose?

I haven’t posted for awhile. As it happened, our RVing trip was cut short, and we have returned home.

As I mentioned in my last post, my husband was experiencing some health problems, and eventually we just decided it was better to be home and get medical assistance from the people we knew.

As it turns out, Mike probably only has a pinched nerve. Nothing serious. Which is great!

So what have I learned about giving up control? I think I was mostly reminded of things I already knew, like: what’s going to happen will. All I can control is my response. When you can’t see into the future, make the best of today.

I also believe that everything happens for a reason. There is a reason we need to be home right now. I just have to be open to the opportunity.

Ok I admit it. I am a control freak. As much as I like to think that I am spontaneous and totally cool to go with the flow, I am learning that I can only go with the flow when I know where the flow is going.

Take our current RV trip to the Southern States. We had planned to be away 3 - 4 months. We had no real itinerary. But we had a plan. Things were looked after at home. We had been looking forward to this trip for some time.

Then my husband began experiencing severe pain in his shoulder and arm. We called 911 from the side of the freeway, and an ambulance took him off to the nearest hospital, and one of the firemen that had attended the call towed the trailer to the fire hall where I could leave it while I too went to the hospital.

Long story short: most of a week spent in emergency wards and impersonal motel rooms, we still don’t know for sure what the problem is but are assuming that it is a pinched nerve. He is still in pain, even with the heavy duty pain killers that were prescribed.

So, my point is? I don’t know what’s going to happen from here, and it’s driving me crazy!! I am not in control of the situation. And, it is such an uncomfortable place to be. I really don’t know how to live moment to moment, one day at a time.

But, I am trying to learn. Got any words of advice for me?