Instead what comes to mind is the image of the bond between Fathers and Daughters. Like super glue holding parts of a child’s toy in one functioning, running, operating piece, intersected to share one purpose: To please.

For most Fathers – and I know I’m generalizing hugely – the bond is one of sacrificing. Even if it’s at all stakes, a Father places his precious Daughter on a pedestal with the sole goal of protecting her, often at all costs to the last breath. No matter what a Daughter may do – and sometimes we do crazy things! – the one thing she can most likely rely on is the unending unconditional devotion of her Father.

For most Daughters – and my leap into assumptions is just as enormous here – the bond is one of fulfilling dreams. Sure, the dreams are of her own, but often they reflect an undercurrent of the desires a Father has for his Daughter. Subtly or overtly. Maybe it’s for a ‘good match’ in a partner, maybe joy as a parent herself, maybe a prominent career, maybe solid financial stability, or maybe all this and then some. So often, Fathers plant the mere possibility to dream in the hearts of a Daughter, nurturing her until the moment she takes flight…and onwards. And for that mentoring, Fathers earn their own pedestals, ones of admiration…and if one’s fortunate, of heart-felt respect.

And the odd thing: despite giving birth to Daughters, Mothers don’t trespass on this bond. They can’t. They hold their own treasured bond to Daughters, but it is distinctly not this bond. So differently, Mothers and Daughters hold onto judgments toward each other, and while unconditional in their own ways, pedestals hang lower and tend to sag to one side waiting for a slip, a fall. Maybe that’s where Mothers and Sons fill a void – but that’s for another article.

So what happens when a Father’s pedestal is empty?

Twenty years ago today my Father’s pedestal was vacated. His body left this earth, but he left a haunting space in his wake. In his Daughter’s heart. For that’s where his pedestal always was…and remains.

My Father lives on in me: as the anchor of my beliefs, as the filter of my values, in the turning of my phrases, in the sound of my laugh, and with each time I talk with my hands – and WOW, do I talk with my hands A LOT! Maybe that’s where the bond really lives: in what lives on from Father to Daughter…to a legacy preserved with continuing the living.

What keeps prodding me is that while I’ve missed my Father for all that time – and what I wouldn’t give for one last bear-hug and a word of goodbye – I think of my Father now, all these years later, more than I ever did when he was alive. MORE THAN. Oh yah, the deep regret of that inner thought! Totally true and filled with guilt. When my Father was alive, he was here, and as a Daughter who blindly assumed her pedestal-dancing Father was immortal, I must have thought he always would be – I must have?? Because I let time pass by…until time was gone for being with him. In a moment it unexpectedly vanished.

I didn’t recognise the prize before my eyes. I took his devotion for granted and let a ticking clock run out on it. Somehow I disappointed myself…and him. To think of my Father ‘more often’ now saddens me. Backwards maybe, but true.

‘Being with’ my Father was replaced by ‘thinking about’ him. And now, since all I have is thinking about him, that’s what fills his pedestal: memories. Far more than when he was living, my Father fills my thoughts. I hold him captive in my missing.

The last time I heard my Father’s words was twenty years ago, but every one of them echoes through me like he’s still uttering whispers cheering me on to my dreams. I’m haunted by his cheerleading from the beyond…from a not-so empty pedestal.

To my Father…from this Daughter, thank you for making dreaming possible and for continuing to be my biggest cheerleader. XO

I’m not meaning the kind of organizational, task-oriented Mission that many businesses follow, but rather one based on your deep personal values and principles: your own constitution, manifesto, commandment, or motto. Applying your Mission like a filter, you can then pass all major ideas, decisions, planning, etc. through a lens of your highest serving values, supporting you to focus on what is most important and reducing sparkly distractions.

If you are like many people I chat with, clarity and balance often get lost when you’re overwhelmed with so much information, heavy decisions, diverse agendas, inter-personal politics, urgent timelines, multiple demands, and the like. Empowering a Mission Statement can serve as your guiding compass, and in turn assist you to honour yourself when overwhelm lands with a thud.

The super bonus to a personal Mission Statement is its help in moments when you feel you’re drowning in heavy emotions. As a wave of emotions rises, a Mission can diminish the push and pull action that can fill your heart and overflow into consuming your life. Your Mission can ease the flow and weight of challenging emotions, and more so the potential negative affects they take in your life. A Mission can be a ‘pause button,’ creating breathing space for heart-felt, conscious decisions.

What would your personal Mission be? As you consider possibilities, here are a few tips:

• Identify Overarching Principles: What values do you want to guide your activities of the coming year?
• Pay Attention to Words: What words make your heart sing? What inspirational quotes have special meaning to you? What words repeat in your ear?
• KISS (Keep It Simple, Star!): Which principles are most vital to you? Which ones do you prioritize? Which ones are in your Top 5 or 10? To help review your Mission Statements easily daily, keep your list short and snappy – let them roll of your tongue!
• Personalize Them Without Judgment: What are you about – your strengths, your interests, your goals, your joys…? Be true to you, free of comparisons to others and self-judgment.
• Vision Broadly: What do you value as your focus in your ‘daily living of life?’ What bigger dreams expand you? Balance both small and big opportunities for your growth.

As you venture into creating your own personal Mission, please play until the ideal wording hums off your lips – do not compromise: your Mission is your heart’s guide.

If you wish some ideas as a foundation to hone your own magical Mission: There is only love. Embrace process. Let ‘it’ go. Do ‘it’ now. Be authentic. Follow my heart. Trust my intuition. Live in the moment. Forgive. Be grateful….

KISS!

I’d love to hear your Mission insights. Please email or Facebook your wordsmithing brilliance and/or your sticking points. Share your mission wisdom!

How come? I believe it’s because of the giant ‘should’ attached to most resolutions. Often we select a resolution based on what we think we ‘need to’ do, or what we’ve been told will be good for us. We pick resolutions with our heads, more than our hearts. Where’s the passion in that? No wonder we drop them!

Add to this…very often resolutions focus on bringing greater happiness into our world – it’s what we each ‘want’ above all else: Happiness. Whether we think it’ll come with better diet, more exercise, closer friendships, new hobbies or the like, we somehow lack contentment, so we seek a bigger sense of joy. Only what we’re aiming for is a magic potion to unlock our inner joy overnight. When we realize it takes consistent dedication, we slowly (or haltingly) resolve ourselves to our current level of (un)happiness. We turtle!

Stuck with neither ‘need’ nor ‘want’ sparking fabulous results, let’s reframe resolutions with a fresh hook of inspiration: the Word-of-the-Year…or more appropriately YOUR Word-of-the-Year. Yup, with a single word, you can shift your life!

Why a single word? By having a single concise word at the ready, you can easily and effortlessly remind yourself of your intention in any given moment. The theme becomes so top-of-mind that it lives on the tip-of-your-tongue. With a single thought or utterance, you re-align with the intention the word holds for you: it re-ignites you.

Plus, you can let go of a long list of resolutions – a.k.a. nagging ‘shoulds’ – which could be the biggest blessing of all! With resolutions its about you coming up with what you ‘think’ you need to do. But with your Word-of-the-Year, you simply invite a theme into your life generally. You aren’t in charge of the ‘how’!

Can it be that easy? Well, your intentional word expresses a heart-based sense of your big ‘why’ of life. It challenges you to dig deep and discern your heart’s desire. It calls on you to check-in with your alignment and observe the blocks to your life lessons. It provides amazing clarity to your best version of yourself. It reminds you that greater happiness is closer than a dream.

But what word?? Well, my examples may help inspire you.

In 2010, my word-of-the-year was ‘Blossoming’: I expanded my practice with several key new tools/techniques, reframed my business, travelled tons for courses and for pleasure, began writing articles, refocused my biz networking, facilitated more workshops at diverse locations, uttered the words: “One day I’ll write a book,” etc.

In 2011, my word was ‘Connection’: I ventured forward into the techi-age with a new website and blog, started my social media adventure, met amazing fellow biz gals, started teaching and focused on biz coaching, wrote and published a book, etc.

In 2012, my word was ‘Focus’: After years of expanding forward, I found my current calling – the voice of overwhelm freedom! My aim was to regroup and stay balanced, free of distractions and diversions. My awareness filtered and zeroed in on serving my vision, my clients, and my community. My attention was dedicated to freeing YOUR overwhelm!

In 2013, my word was ‘Healing’: Interestingly, I didn’t start with that theme, but early in the year I was in a car accident, which quickly had me on my knees – well, my back actually! – and switching my focus. Launching into a big growth time, instead I stumbled. Yet, it was just what I needed (without knowing it): the opportunity to heal, on many levels.

In 2014, my word is ‘Compassion’: With many years of dedicated growth and service, I welcome some softening. Now’s time to walk my talk of self-care more fully! Mind you, not at anyone else’s expense, so it’ll require a delicate balance of decision-making that supports me and those I love…including you!

Just like for me, your word will manifest amazing opportunities in your life. May I suggest using your journal to help you get clear and to narrow your words to the prize winner:

• What are you dedicated to this year?
• What do you want to move toward?
• What can you let go of in order to make your word your priority?
• How will you serve the world in 2014?
• How will your word serve you?
• What one word inspires you for 2014?

Need some support in visioning your Word-of-the-Year and your best 2014? Feel free to get in touch. I’d be honoured to support you in magically manifesting your rockin’ theme!

And please share your Word-of-the-Year with others in our community. Inspire us!

If you could chose ONLY eight – yes, 8 – people to dine with you, who would they be? Who are the most awe inspiring, wise and/or humorous peeps you’d like to join you for yummy food, sparkling conversation and rounds of laughter?

You may consider possible political leaders, sports figures, ‘creatives’ (actors, singers, artists, writers), humanitarians, TV personalities…gurus of any sort. They may be personal teachers of yours, or role models you look up to. Or they may be people you know personally, including family members, friends, neighbours, community members, pets and the like.

In some way, each one you consider will have touched your heart. You likely feel great gratitude toward them for some reason. You respect them in some way. They reflect your values of daily life and/or your vision for the world. Only which ones hold an honoured seat at your dinner table?

Try this tip for narrowing your list: Who would you ask to share in this blessing?

Today may there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

For all the people you consider inviting, hold a special place of gratitude in your heart. For those you do not know, send a little wish-filled prayer. For those you do know, find ways to authentically connect with each one in the coming weeks, letting them feel your gratitude.

One final vital question: What dessert will you serve?  ; )

Wishing you a friend-filled, family-fun, hassle-free, no ‘shoulds’ attached holiday season with all the peeps who you invite!

P.S. Why am I suggesting you invite ONLY 8 people? Because an arbitrary number is needed for narrowing your list…and because there are 8 place settings in the image above!

Recently, several peeps close to me have gone through some wicked hard times. Relationships breakdowns, unexpected career shifts, and health issues seem to be an overwhelming theme for many. Add to this the endless TV news of huge disasters impacting millions of people we don’t know personally.

Dare to tell anyone of these peeps to ‘count your blessing’, and the evil eye may target you! So often ‘count your blessings’ can be easily, off-handedly, and even flippantly said that it lacks the sincere message of support and concern you may deeply share. Sometimes it obvious when we’re stuck in a tough situation, and other times we silently keep our hard place to ourselves. We may stand stoically or melt with a whisper. At all times, we are doing the best we can with where we are and what we know. But can we always be grateful?

One of the greatest tools at our disposal when we find ourselves in hard times – expectedly or unexpectedly – is gratitude. Only where do you find blessings under a hay stack from hell? Sure, for some it may be easy to ‘see the bright side of life’…humming a tune of gratitude no matter the situation. Maybe you’ve grown your gratitude muscle from a regular gratitude practice. For others, gratitude may be visited rarely, if ever. Wherever you’re at, you’ll respond as you choose to in the midst of a tough situation.

Only the coach in me hopes to inspire some Boy Scout preparedness!

Here’s my tip: Make your list a head of time. In fact, the next time you find yourself humming along in life, take a few minutes to write down what you are grateful for. Don’t just think the grateful thoughts…write them: use a journal, type up a document, creatively design a beautiful note, or add an affirmation to your smartphone.

Because here’s the catch: It can be super overwhelming as you’re drowning in a blinding flow of dread to try to find that needle of sunlight in your life. Opening a journal, clicking on a computer file, scanning your bulletin board, or surfing your smartphone for a list of things you were once grateful for may be the nudge you need to count your blessings once again. Do the work ahead of time, so that when the heaviness hits you have your gratitude ready to respond. All it takes is a few key messages of gratitude to kick start you to count your blessings, even when you’re still living under the hay stack from hell.

Smile with joy when the blessings you pre-prepared shift, lift, or lighten your dark hours. Welcome gratitude for your preparedness – it’s a blessing itself!

Time to get your gratitude on – Count your blessings!

I am grateful for…

My life is blessed by…

Light shines on me because…

Sharing a world-beyond-words, Samsara is a breath-takingly film (much like its earlier sibling, Baraka) that circles the world, exploring and expressing the sights and sounds of the human condition in silent majesty. The haunting music is the only narrator as the wonders of the world are viewed through nature and humankind’s reality of chaos and harmony. Weaving together peace and savagery, Samsara highlights the delicate nature of the earth’s inhabitants.

Samsara movie monks

Filmed over five years and in twenty-five countries, Samsara transports the movie goer to sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial sites, and natural wonders, encouraging inner interpretations inspired by images that infuse the ancient with the modern. Serving like a guided meditation, Samsara’s powerful (at times very raw and bleak) imagery illuminates the links between humanity and nature, showing how our life cycle mirrors the rhythm of the planet.

Samsara is a Sanskrit word that means “the ever turning wheel of life.” The film’s common theme depicts a repetitive cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth, a natural continuous flow of creation, evolution and destruction in life. It’s as if the filmmakers are searching for the elusive current of interconnection that runs through our lives.

Samsara movie hadj

Weeks after seeing the film, the theme of connection continues to reverberate through my movie mind. Not a happy go-lucky movie, Samsara awakened and challenged some of my senses and sensabilities, sobering me to the reality of how we as humans interconnect, and how we as inhabitants interconnect with nature – as in Samsara, it’s not always a pretty sight.

How does interconnection touch your world? In what ways does it impact your life? How about some juicy questions to spark your movie mind:

• What does connection actually mean to you and how does it play out in your life?
• How do you view and nurture (or not) connection to yourself? To others? How do you choose your connection?
• Do you believe that we are all connected (humans, animals, plants, the planet, and on up to include the whole universe)? Or do you have a different point of view?
• If you believe we are all connected, then what responsibility do we have to be conscious and intentional around this? With ourselves? With other humans? With animals, plants, objects, etc.…?
• If you believe we are NOT all connected at some level, then how does that impact your participation with others (and other things) on the planet?

Love to hear your juicy connection thoughts as they ripple through your movie mind!

If you wish to check out Samsara (or it’s predecessor, Baraka), go to: http://barakasamsara.com

Amazingly, that’s all it took – one passing comment that stuck with me. For about another week, the thought popped to mind at key moments: as I coached clients, as I was talking on telesummits, and as I planned next season’s events. It was a gift that kept giving me a kick in the butt!

The only way to calm my overwhelming pace was for me to take action in the direction of change. But I was so deeply committed to my overwhelm that I couldn’t find my compass. It was time to rely on a fave trusted tool: being present. Only that meant slowing down to observe the moment, focusing on specific activities, and reconnecting with what I value. From 150 to 0 in one step seemed too extreme. I opted for gearing down in stages. How did I do it? What did I learn? How might you check in with your overwhelm pace?

In June, I pledged to reduce my relationship with my computer. My hubby was fond of saying: ‘You are married to that machine!’ And he was right…only I may not tell him that out loud! It was time to stop ‘living’ online. Only if I went ‘off-line’ while at home, the temptation would be huge. Instead, I ‘escaped’ technology by visiting family in England. Sure I took my computer – I wasn’t being masochistic! But with their intermitted internet access, I was lucky to read and respond to key emails. I learned that by turning off my computer I had more time to do other fun things, and I didn’t miss social media in the least. The fatal Facebook attraction was broken and I survived! You can too! Are you romancing your computer? How techi is your life? Where do your relationships exist: online or in real time?

In July, I focused on prioritizing. Calm would only come with clarity, so being present with only a few key activities meant I could embrace them more deeply. It was perfect timing: I taught a college course for the month and the students were the sole funnel of my energy. Rather than be distracted by other commitments, I fully experienced this aspect of my work in fabulous ways I hadn’t before, while others reaped the benefits of my presence. For you, how many activities do you typically juggle at a time? How could you (and others) benefit from a deeper, more present experience?

In August, I expanded on lessons from June: it was time to socialize in-person! Networking is super fun and often feels like socializing, especially with the many biz friends I have met. Only networking has an undertone of work, and with so many possible events to attend it can feel overwhelming. With far fewer networking events in August it was great timing to reconnect with non-biz friends, some I hadn’t seen or talked to in months! The richness of enjoying quality time chill-axing with friends was a refreshing and grounding elixir. Question for you: who do you spend your ‘free’ time with? How can you honour your friendship connections more deeply?

Returning with greater clarity and balance to my autumn events and planning for the year ahead, my pace has quelled to a speed where I can be present, focused, and connect authentically. No more ‘stunned’ for this biz gal!

[Original article located on Mom Inc Movement – a fabulous gathering of mom and non-mom enterpreneurs: http://momincmovement.com/blog/2012/08/30/push-the-pause-button-on-the-overwhelm-pace/ Love them!]

Of course, it comes with a bit of a brain teaser: What is Labour Day all about?

First, yes, I am writing ‘labour’ with a ‘u’, because English English uses that extra vowel to prove some sort of point – I’m not sure what exactly? Plus, who can’t use an extra ‘u’ in their world! If it irks you, you may want to seek counselling for ‘u-itis.’

Second, according to the world of Wiki, Labour Day is the equivalent of International Workers’ Day held on May 1^st in many parts of the world. So instead of May, the USA, Canada and some other countries celebrate in September. If you’re in Australia, your workers (which if you haven’t already sussed is MOST of us!) celebrate differently in each state/territory – how confusing is that! But OK, seems like a fair trade.

Third, as a Canadian I proudly smile at the day…after all its roots rest here! It’s all the other countries who jumped on board…and why not they all have workers who deserve to be honoured.

Only here’s where I get lost in holiday-land…Labour Day supposedly “celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.” Again, my use of ‘supposedly’ is intentional. I’m not sure where you live or travel, but I have NEVER EVER witnessed a workers celebration in North America on Labour Day. How about you?

Unlike the May 1^st union protests and student marches experienced in other parts of the globe, which celebrate, and in tighter times, even stand up for the rights of workers (a.k.a. MOST OF US), we opt for a day off to party. So, here’s a statutory holiday aimed “to celebrate the achievements of workers,” but really it’s a fabulous reason to fire up the BBQ, grab a 6-pack (of whatever you glug), and dive into some quality R & R. The irony is hilarious – our achievements are marked with a brew and a burger!

I’m not actually complaining, more shaking my head. Initially, Labour Day involved a street parade to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations,” followed by a festival for the workers and their families. Speeches by leaders or employers gave way to a day of rest and parties, including picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, outdoor activities, sports, and public art events. Maybe what people REALLY want, yes?

Fourth, better yet how about spending your day celebrating YOU by shopping? With all those workers on holiday, what better day for stores to hold sales!? Taking advantage of the opportunity results in “one of the largest sale dates of the year, second only to the Christmas season’s Black Friday” in the USA. Only this means that workers in retail jobs actually work on Labour Day, and often longer hours that day! Probably reflects how retail workers are rarely in unions!?

Fifth, my guess is that somewhere in the mix school pays the biggest role in our Un-Labour Day, because it’s typically viewed as the end of the summer vacation season. With most schools opening for the year the day after Labor Day, families with school-age children take it as the last chance to chill-ax before school begins. Thing is that once you are a school-age child (again MOST of us) with years of living this calendar cycle, we sort of continue to mark Labour Day as the end of summer. It becomes our ‘new year.’

My proposal: What rocking awesome things can you do to celebrate you (most likely a worker!) between Labour Day and the first day of autumn? Imagine that Labour Day stretches to the true end of summer…how would you make the most of it? Now get out there and do it – you deserve more that one day with a brew and burger to honour YOU!

Happy unofficial New Year!

In our hectic full-on overwhelmed lives, taking care of ourselves is more important than ever — yet it’s often the last thing on our minds…and it may even slip off our To Do lists regularly. Instead, we are consumed with meeting deadlines, attending unproductive meetings, using lunch time to run errands, cleaning the house during kids’ naptime, and so on. Only, what is more important than you?

Living the heavy feeling of overwhelm can only go on for so long before you break. And there is no warranty on YOU! The negative impact is not worth challenging relationships, financial concerns, and/or ill health. It’s time for you to live with clarity, balance, and along with them, freedom!

Curious about how you’re doing? Take this self-quiz to see how well you’re taking care of yourself. Answer True or False to the following statements:

1. When I’m upset and/or feeling sad, I talk about the situation with someone (i.e. a friend, family member or therapist). And if I need help, I ask for it.
2. I let go of the way things used to be. I release worry about the future. I accept the way things are today.
3. Every day I do something physically active (even if it’s just a walk around the block or a 15-minute workout).
4. I consume healthy food and beverages. I take the time to enjoy my meals. I set aside other activities while I eat (i.e. work, driving, watching TV, reading).
5. I think positively. I view problems as opportunities to learn and grow.
6. I can say ‘no’ when I need or want to.
7. I remember to breathe.
8. If I’m experiencing physical symptoms, I go to the appropriate health care professional. I don’t panic about the symptoms, nor do I deny them either.
9. I am comfortable with “good enough.” I don’t require perfection in everything that I do. I don’t expect others to be perfect either.
10. I recognize that tasks require different levels of focus and effort. Those that take less effort save energy for those that push me to work harder.
11. I get enough sound sleep most nights.
12. I value my personal relationships and give them the time and energy they deserve.
13. I enjoy recreational activities and social time. My hobbies make me happy.
14. I choose healthy ways to relieve stress. I don’t rely on potentially harmful activities (i.e. smoking, drinking, gambling, overeating).
15. I recognize the importance of breaks during the day, as well as vacations. I regularly take time for myself to rest and refresh.
16. I listen to and respect my feelings.

If you answered ‘false’ to several of these points, it may be the sign you need to jump into self-care action. Please consider honestly evaluating what is important in your life and valuing the choices you can make from here on. It’s not about regretting the past – it’s about moving forward into the future you desire for your self-care.

Rock Your Self-Loving Care!

At the recent Hay House I Can Do It conference I attended, Robert Holden rocked my world. It wasn’t only what he said but how he presented it. His authentic passion for the subject paired with his sense of humour struck a chord for me – a message I really needed in the moment with the delivery I welcomed. And one I pass along to you as a seed…just in case you welcome it into your world. As Robert shared: ‘When the receiver is ready, the gift arrives.’

Covering several different ‘principles,’ Robert connected two in particular to a similar message, merging healing and growing. He inspired self-evaluation of where we are each at in life, where we have been, and where we want to go. Ready to take the ride?

I loved his point: The past is finished, IF you are finished with it. As long as you remain attached to it, it remains attached to you. If you are feeling overwhelmed by something from the past, you keep it alive by breathing time, energy, and focus into it. It stays with you until you forgive it, and in doing so, release it.

Once we outgrow the past, we can live in the present moment, because we changed the meaning of the past. We take responsibility for this moment onwards ONLY, resulting in a new beginning. From here, we stop ‘being’ and start ‘becoming’ – we blossom!

So, are you still growing? As growing is a life-long journey, not only of our bodies, but our minds, hearts, and souls, I truly hope you answered ‘Hell, yes!’ If not, if something stalled you celebrating a giant ‘yes,’ it may not be an outright ‘no’ either. If something is missing in your life, it is probably YOU! Something about your past may have you stuck, so you aren’t able to show up in your life as fully as a ‘Hell, yes’…at least not yet.

Robert shared that ‘the ego is waiting to be ready, while the soul (your essence) is ready already.’ Often we get lost in the ego-driven aspects of life, resulting in us feeling unready to heal and grow. We hand our power over to our ego monkey mind to direct our journey, leaving our soul on hold in a waiting room.

Please know it is never too late… to be alive, to be young, to heal, to take risks, to live from your heart, to step up, and to be present in your own life. The answers to the key questions rest with you: Are you waiting or willing? Are you being or becoming?