Seeing Yourself in Another

Have you ever been to a workshop or seminar where the person talking is fully alive and radiant? You can see their passion through their eyes?

Have you ever walked down the street and been drawn to look into a strangers eyes only to see them looking at your soul with a smile and a hello?

Have you ever taken the time to be still and experience with every cell in your body a birds song, a warm breeze, a child's laugh?

Have you ever wondered what all that is?

Is is all of us. It is allowing yourself to show up fully, vulnerably, without stories. It is BEing.

When I think about that light that shines thorough someones eyes, when I see the passion and energy flow over a crowd listening to someone speak... I think of who I know I am (and who I know you are).

Connected... Mind, Body & Soul.

Living.

Breathing.

Experiencing.

Receiving.

Enlivening the essence of who I am... to stand up and be seen.

Mind, Body & Soul... what speaks to you?

Mind, Body & Soul

As I think about my present and future... one thing keeps coming into my mind.

Passion = Engagement of Body+Mind+Soul combined

This is March's topic for Shaping Our Future - Women's Leadership Series Mind, Body & Soul. During these few hours I hope to explore this in the context of leadership.

• Is engaging with Mind, Body and Soul the key to living a passionate and successful life?

• Can one be an engaging leader with out all three?

• How much more effective can it be?

• What are some ways to ensure we are engaging the 3?

• What are some of the ways we can stay connected in our day to day?

Please join me in exploring this topic further on Wednesday, March 5th beginning at 7 p.m.

Location: Growing Forward, 1153 Cole Harbour Road, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Cost: $10 / person

Please RSVP by Monday, March 3rd with your Name and Telephone Number at potential@eastlink.ca or calling Lori at (902) 461-9169

Seating is Limited, RSVP soon

Finding Myself

Transition: Passage from one form, state, style, or place to another.

I find myself in a place that is foriegn to me, yet familiar. I am a single woman... and a single woman who knows who she is and what she wants. This feels different... new yet not.

I find myself slipping for split seconds into a place where I doubt who I am and what I can do.

This week in my course, I said something that screamed of confidence and I got 'ribbed' for it. We today, 3 days later, there was still comments happening and I caught myself, questioning who I was.

How dare I allow myself to forget who I am now? To be proud of the women I have become and to allow myself to remain silent for a few days, in front of these people I did not know last week.

It came to a point this morning, another remark was made and some asked "Do you feel Harrassed?" I said "Yes I definately am beginning to."

Before lunch, another comment... I spoke up and said, "there is nothing wrong with confidence." The response was, "there is a difference between confidence and cockiness."

This sent my wave on the move. Yes there is a difference between the two, but there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with confidence... and the difference for me comes down to EGO. However someones pereception may say different and that isn't about me.

Thankfully that happened prior to lunch, instead of hanging around I left and found a space to allow my emotions to flow in private. I went for a walk and returned to the session on time for a quick bite before workshop started.

The first activity after break was an icebreaker. It was a yarn toss, and we were to tell something personal about ourselves. I only had one thing on my mind and it was to put an end to this behaviour that was undesirable to me.

When the yarn was tossed to me, I said "One thing you may not know about me is that one of the reasons I started my consulting company was so others can be aware of the potential we all hold... (then the wave came and I continued)... I'm sorry, but I need to go here, 2.5 yrs ago I was not confident, I had no self esteem, self worth (I actually don't know if I managed to express all of that but I continued) and that is why confidence is so important to me and I really would appreciate if the comments would stop". And I tossed the ball.

The next hours was a blur, I was not in the room I left to find safety to allow myself to process what I needed to. I couldn't not find a safe private spot to be, so it took quite a while.

It was all I could muster to walk back into the room almost an hour later. And as I write this I am still very raw.

How can I create a safe environment where ever I go? As I write this I know that had I expressed what I felt on day one it wouldn't have gotten to the point it did. Needing to remember who I am....

Stop trying to make myself small in front of strangers to make them feel more comforatable with who they may be.

It's been quite intersting these past few weeks... and just because it's new... it doesn't mean I have to lose myself as I search out my new path.

Life is fully of surprises... self discoveries... and opportunities to shine.

Ottawa Trip - Winterlude Awaits...

I'm going to Ottawa once again (Gatineau but I'll be able to do it all).

Business trip, but one that holds huge potential for who I am.

Over the past two years one of the things I have discovered that I can do is be a facilitator. I am a facilitator of conversations that invite others in their own personal growth.

I have created programs, workshops and facilitated conversations in my "spare" time with my home business. Now work is sending me on training to become a JLP (Joint Learning Program) Facilitator and ultimately deliver 1 or 4 different programs that are offered.

I am very excited to have this opportunity to be recognized for things I love to do IN my workplace.

My business is starting to pick up again... new clients... new expereicnes...

It's all coming together again. February has been a great month... new beginnings.

I am hoping to find some friends in Ottawa to spend some time exploring Winterlude (which I am told is going on).

I'm up for having some fun!

Life is indeed good.

Dancing Bubbles

My first night as a truly single woman.

Thoughts were scattered, old worries flooded in and out of my mind.

Some tears shed for the closure.

Bumping around... not sure what to do.

Luxurious to bathe by candle light at 11 p.m. with music playing from my bedroom. Who knew?

Freedom to do what I feel as it moves me.

Becoming once again more familiar with the woman I am today... that I always was but have forgotten.

Breathing in the stillness.

Candle light reflecting off the bubbles, reminding me of the many facets that make up who I am.

Dancing with new found freedom...

Rejoicing...

Reconnecting...

The journey home.

Fear of Falling

This weekend I spent the night at my sister's house with my kids... she needed a babysitter on Sunday and I thought it would be fun to sleep over the night before.

On Sunday Morning, Mike calls to my sister's house. "The washing machine is still broken, can you do some wash while you are at Julie's?"

"Yes, I can."

"Can I talk to Jessica?"

"Yes you can."

Jessica gets on the phone and then gets a big smile on her face says OKAY and hangs up the phone.

Turns out Mike found an apartment on Saturday night... not only did he find a place but he took possession of it already. Man when I want something I'm going to get it. I was shocked... I was excited for him and for Jessica... but shocked all the same. So quick... was he ready? Was I ready?

Jessica returned back to my sisters house, excited about her newest home... telling me the stuff Mike bought for the home already, what it looks like, etc... I'm excited again.

And then my mind starts to think... where did he get the money... holy crap I'm right back into the mindset I was the last time we broke up... he is going to do something stupid with my money, etc. etc. I jump to conclusions and call to bitch at him... only to be a moment later realizing it was me who mis-managed last weeks budget.

Old habits... old reality. This is not how it's going to be this time around. I needed to allow myself to let go. Let go of the control I thought I should be able to maintain over him. That is what it boils down to really.

I have to remember, he is a grown man... he is not my man... he can make his own decisions, choices and have control over his life... I can let go of that, he will not fall (and if he does it's not my responsibility)

I was walking out the steps at my sister's tonight, in the middle of a snowstorm to go home to... I didn't know what I was coming home to. I slipped down the stairs and fell on my ass. My right side is hurting pretty bad. I wanted to cry, but it wasn't because of the pain of falling. It was more for the fear of what I don't know... what was I coming home to?

As I walked into a dark house... not too much is different, other than Mike isn't here. Then I walk into my bedroom... There is no trace of Mike in my room.

I know I'm excited and happy about my choice of being free to live my life by my design... but tonight there is a sadness, that I don't want to express until Jessica is in bed. The sadness is right below the surface. It is a close to something I have had in my life since I was 17 yrs old... that is 15 years... almost half of my life.

And it comes into my awareness as I speak with Sarah tonight on the phone... my fall at my sister... my fear of falling on my ass... this was an old fear... one that doesn't serve me this time around... but was creeping up to see how it felt.

Don't need it... I am fully capable and free to be.

Living my life by my design...

Falling? eh, won't be happening again.

Tomorrow is the first day of this new chapter of my life.

Compelling Conversations

Shaping our Future... this to me is a mark I wish to leave on this world.

Not only am I willing to shape my own future, but I want other women to realize that they too can shape whatever they will expreince in life.

Shaping our Future... this is very much about me, about me choosing to create the world I want, and what I want for my children.

Not willing to let others decide for me, speak for me, choose for me or plan my life for me, to create, to inspire, to be free to choose.

Shaping our Future... this is also about standing up for yourself, for what you know is right deep down within the very depths of your being.

Not willing to be silent and let others do things to you, to the people you love, taking control of all of that by finding and expressing voice.

Shaping our Future... it is something all of us wish to do. We all do it is small ways already, think about it.

Think about the ways you have already created things in your life, by choosing to speak or by choosing to remain silent.

Allow yourself to imagine just what kind of future we can shape, if we put our awareness and intention into it.

Mind boggling isn't it?

I'm looking forward to some really compelling conversations tonight at the first Shaping our Future - Women's Leadership Series being held tonight.

Can you feel the excitement?

Freedom in February - Living Authentically

I have declared Freedom in February... freedom to allow the essence of who I am to flow, in all aspects of my life.

To no longer feel I have to be smaller that I am to try to fit my perception of someone elses belief of who I should be.

To stand up for what I know I need and deserve in life.

To be heard. To be listened to. To be loved for me not because of what role I play.

To have fun. To laugh. To talk. To share.

This is what I will have in my life, from day to day... because I choose it.

Freedom in February... I'm living large.

Calling all Strong, Confident Women (& those searching for that within)

Life is passing by quickly... are you living the type of life you always wished you would?

Happiness is there for all of us... are you allowing yourself to live moment to moment and enjoy it?

The Lioness is within you... the ability to hold both crucible and spear, embracing both male and female energies... this is part of what makes up the powerful woman you are and the visionary and leader that resides within.

Being a leader does not mean you want followers.

Being a leader has nothing to do with what you do for a living, your title or your status.

Finding that place of truth within yourself, learning to express your authentic voice for you, through you, in a way that is meaningful to you; that attracts others to you like a magnet... being perceived by others as a leader because you are authentically you.

And knowing that which lies within yourself.

I'm calling all Strong Confident POWERFUL Women, to come out and play. Engage with others in conversations, once a month... or as often as you can make it.

Shaping Our Future is about you, about me, it is about those who came before us, about those around us and those who will come after us.

Come and see how we can make a difference in this world we live in.

First topic Fundamentals of Leadership is on Wednesday, February 6th, at 7:30 p.m.

Let's wake up the world together... to the potential we all hold inside.

Does it call to me?

Does it call to me to be writing my words for the world to read?
Does it call to me to be engaging in certain conversations?
Does it call to me to speak about what is meaningful to me?
Does it call to me to be involved in these relationships?

Does it serve me to be writing my words for all to read?
Does it serve me to be engaging in these conversations?
Does it serve me to speak about what I need to say?
Does it serve me to continue to be in these relationship?

Listen. Hear the silence that we too often fill up.
What is that voice inside saying? Listen.

Feel it. Is my body trying to tell me something?
Am I full of aches and pains, do I need to pay attention? Feel it.

Pay attention. What feels right for you to do, inside of you?
Put aside ego and superficial wants... pay attention.

Yes, it serves me to write what I write, regardless of who may read it.

Yes, it is imperative to my happiness and growth to have these conversations.

Yes, to speak my truth in a way that is meaningful to me is the only way I know how to live now.

Check in with myself... does it remain meaningful to be in these relationships??? Recognize that relationships evolve and change as the people in them evolve and change... it doesn't have to be an end to anything, it just morphs into something new, different. Knowing I will not hang onto someone because they are a fall back. There is no turning back anymore.

Forward moving motion, directing and creating my life.

Shaping our Future – Women’s Leadership Series

A new series of sessions being held once a month to be an invitation for conversations, mentoring and new relationships to be built.

Topic for February – Fundamentals of Leadership

This program is for women who are trying to discover their own leadership within and for women who are already in “leadership” positions.

The invitation is for women who are comfortable, confident and catalysts in their lives and careers to come and share stories, thoughts and ideas with the women who are there who have not yet discovered the leaders they already are in their lives. The benefit of these conversations will be felt by all who participate.

This group will meet the 1st Wednesday of every month at Growing Forward, 1153 Cole Harbour Road, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Approximately 2 hours from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. beginning on February 6th, 2008.

Cost is $10 per session, RSVP your attendance by the Monday prior to the session to Lori Walton, 461-9169 or via e-mail at potential@eastlink.ca

Limited Seating please reserve your space soon.


* these sessions are open to any women interested in the topics offered *

Starving for Conversation

So here I sit, in some kind of slow mode (for me it's slow), feeling kind of here and now what.

This is what I was waiting for the and now what, so it's time to begin to create again.

I have been trying to find a way to get my Conscious Parenting workshop out to a certain audience and I have been coming up against a blank there... or maybe I'm just not ready to go there yet.

I have been very busy again at work... my job is again changing into something else, different, same people, different challenges. I have been not engaging so much with people via e-mail, telephone... choosing just to move along in slow mo.

And now I'm ready, ready to re-enter into engaging with others... creating ideas for conversations that I would like to begin to have. Coffee Conversations and Catalysts the version I began with is about to re-emerge transformed. Looking different, a different conversation each time, a theme, a topic, those who are called to be there will be there because it is meaningful for them to come out and do so. Coffee Conversations and Catalysts will not be it's name, however what ever I create will be what CCC has become now.

I'm supposed to get together with Amy soon, hopefully she is available tomorrow for some coffee and conversations. Whatever I choose to create next it will be held at her space in Cole Harbour. Growing Forward offers comfort, privacy and a safe intimate setting for bigger, deeper conversations.

Let's see what emerges from this...

There is always more.

Living in a Bubble - New Year, New Vision

I have been mulling around, moving from place to place, space to space, as I feel pulled to.

Since the Ideas Festival in early December I have been floating from place to place, moment to moment.

Spending time with my family, spending time with others who I feel I want to be with.

Becoming familiar and remember who I have always been, integrating things I have come to know about life, love and self in the past 2 years.

Finding meaning my way with many of it... How does it resonate for me? Do I choose to follow the "rules" or do I engage as it feels right to do so?

Christmas time was fantastic and so relaxing. There was no hustle and bustle within my body, so it reflected that calm, happy, content feeling into my holiday season. I spent time with family, I didn't stay longer than I wanted, I didn't do anything I didn't want to do. I slowed down. I had time to connect with both my kids. Balance... no... Bliss Letting go of all I was holding, allowing myself the luxury of time, to simply be.

I went to yoga at Oceanstone a few times. In my perfect world I would go every week, but reality calls, it is a long journey for me to make every weekend. I have decided to treat myself to the first Sunday of each month, to go, to be, to move, to remember, to talk, to breath with Gabriella, Kim, Carole, Scott and whomever else shows up on that particular Sunday morning.

On New Years Day, the weather was warm and sunny, I was invited to participate in a Celtic Sweat Lodge at Earth Sea near the Ovens Park outside of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. I brought Jessica my eldest daughter to experience it. What a unique way to bring in the new year, to celebrate by again remember who I am, who we all are, where I come from and thank all the blessings I have in my life.

My intention for the day was to build my connection with Jessica... for me to invite and allow conversations to flow easier between us, mother and daughter. When it came time to begin the sweat Jessica did not feel comfortable to do so, so she choose to sit out by the campfire or to wander the grounds or go to the house. After the first round I came out and choose to sit out the remaining rounds to be with Jessica, wrapped up sharing a blanket, sitting by the fire, talking.

Many of us who attended the sweat brought along our instruments, and there was a drum by the campfire that Jessica was able to show me some "African" drumming that she learned in her music classes. She tried to teach me and I think she was quite successful in doing so (she may disagree).

Sitting silent. Laughing. Contemplating. Enjoying. Playing. Being. Loving. Sharing. Connection. It couldn't have been more perfect of a day for me. I look forward to more times like this with Jessica out by a campfire in our future.

Now I find myself emerging back into the busy-ness of life and I reflected on how much I have been living in this bubble since early December. I have found that I love myself and I want to slow down and honor that... I am little afraid that as the busy-ness of my life begins again I will lose that.

I know it may sound silly and forgien to some of you... to others it may hit home hard... I am 32 years old and I am only now beginning to love who I am. I've liked my life. I have acknowledged things I have done and enjoyed them... but it was somehow disconnected... less than, still because I couldn't fully stand in that place within to see it.

Accessing love for myself has allowed me to really find the passion again... the love in the things I do. Remembering... back to basics... what was the impulse that moved through me the moment I choose to create that project? etc...

7 or 8 years ago there was this homeless man named Don who was always outside of my office building. I was a single mother at the time... and this was my first job since I was off of welfare. Well I gave something to him everyday... what little I had.

After a few months I would buy him lunch and sit with him on my lunch hour. In my office attire, sharing a lunch with a homeless man. I got to know him a little bit, found out he was from the hometown that my ex (now fiance) was from in Ontario.

A few more months went by and it was a cold winter. I needed some painting to be done in my house so I offered Don a job to come and paint my hallway in exchange for some money and a couch to sleep on that night.

Life went on and after I left that job I never saw him again.

On New Year's Day this year after the sweat experience at Earth Sea, Jessica and I went downtown Halifax to try to find something to eat. I look up at a man on the side walk and it is Don... I was so happy to see him, he also recognized me... I gave him a big hug and told him how happy I was to see that he was well.

He remembered my name (which is better than I did). He said he saw me on TV over the summer talking about my Conscious Parenting Workshops... he told me how surprised he was to see me and how often he thought of me and what I did for him.

He told me he now has a roof over his head and is doing very well, and I don't ever have to worry about him and how he is doing. He told me if there was ever anything he could do for me... that he is easy to find.

And the tears are in my eyes as I write... how little do we know. When you give from your heart because you are compelled to do so... you just never know who's life you will have an impact on.

Love and Light... it's not always a bad thing... I can have that with an edge I think. The crucible and spear. The lioness with her cubs.

This year is going to be amazing. Life is good.

Two Short Years of Knowing… With Thanks

It’s been almost 2 years now since I woke up to my life.

Where I began to create and lead my life instead of sitting around being led by it.

Today is a day of reflection on my journey… removing my Self from the equation.

It began with a visionary… someone who displays true leadership… who gathered her courage to step out of the box and shape the type of thing she felt drawn to shape. In her brazenness, her courage to swim against stream regardless of any repercussions she may have faced, she provided the opportunity for many of us to step into remembering our self and finding our voice. Without Cheryl Flemming’s vision, I would not be the woman I am today.

After doubting that I belonged with that group I enter into a room with two dynamic women welcoming me from the front of the room.

One who was very present, outgoing yet insightful, who would push unabashed for you to see through the filters you have placed before your eyes… one that is passionate for awakening others to find their voice, to speak up and to speak out about what is meaningful to them. Encouraging me to connect with the power that is who I am. Cathy Carmody’s presence, power and insight was my invitation to begin to recognize I wasn’t who I had thought myself to be… I was so much more.

The other quiet, majestic, thoughtful, the lioness. Very clear with what she says, absorbing energy in with each breath, calibrating what messages might lye within, and speaking what needed to be said. Teaching me to pay attention to what my body is trying to tell me. Celine Levasseur-Burlock quiet stillness, thoughtfulness, silence, taught me to check in with my body and pay attention… am I moved to speak, or am I just trying to talk to distract myself. Celine chose to listen to her body, to know which words to speak to me, and those few words excelled the integration of information within me.

And my life changed, in a few short months… I knew I could not go back to sleep. I knew I would not be small again. I knew… there was no turning back.

I was impacted so much by these women that I knew I wanted more… I wanted to continue to grow, to unfold, to find out who I was and who I could be.

I stepped in the WEL-Systems certification stream. I met Louise LeBrun who doesn’t engage in “frivolous” conversation. She doesn’t dance around the edges; she is a goddess, spear and crucible combined. She has called out to me… and my godforce responds. In each encounter, conversation, e-mail, book or blog entry, she is able to tease out the brilliance that lies within. My continued growth lies intertwined in engaging with Louise. My SELF… is enlivened in her presence.

Along the road of my journey many women have been in my awareness on similar paths… each contributing to my growth and awakening by simply decloaking and sharing the truth of their experience. Sometimes by being a reflection of something I need to pay attention to within myself offers the freedom for the wave to move and for that insight to come.

Reconnecting in a new way with my old insurance broker, Angela Reid, gifted me with sharing her knowledge surrounding shamanism and the connections and journeys to the more that there is outside of ourselves. Remembering to honor and thank all that is. Teaching me some of what she knows… and being there to share in my learning and growth as I feel it is meaningful for me to do so. Offering another view for me to consider and share… in a way that feels right.

To all those WEL-Woman who are out there, who are able to see my intention and vision and have contributed to manifesting that by virtue of connections, assistance, ideas or simply unconditional support.

To the woman who showed up for my first Conscious Parenting Workshop, being willing and engaging with me in the program room as I cut my teeth. Donna, Amy, Sarah, Elizabeth and Robyn (bless your family) for being present and willing to expose yourselves and take the ride.

To the first man in my Conscious Parenting workshop, Rick; through your presence and continuous curiosity I was able to recognize and dismiss old beliefs I held about the woman I am when engaging with men while facilitating a workshop. I also learned from you that I had judged men in general as not being up for the deeper more emotional (energetic) conversations, you were the first to prove this to be a belief that no longer served me.

When you are on a journey of a life that you are creating your intentions change and shift as you learn and grow. Sometimes your intentions compliment another; such was the case with Anne Thibeault-Berube. Anne & Celine created a Redefining Education family retreat and Anne invited me to come and help with the Children for the weekend. That weekend I learned to see life again through the eyes of a child, I was also able to tie in what I learned from Angela about shamanism and integrate it within myself, while playing with the children out in the elements. Anne was an invitation for me that weekend to take what I learned from Angela and feel it within myself.

Through it all, I continued to grow with each encounter, with each conversation, in very profound ways… and recently at the 1st Annual Idea’s Festival I took yet another Quantum Leap. Those who gathered in that room were willing and there for Anne’s “Vision of Oneness”, the energy was palatable. Love was very much a presence on its own. Scott MacInnis’ willingness to be present and freely express the truth of his experience, exuding the pure love for everyone and everything he feels called to my spirit to remember that love which I also am. I came home to look at everyone with new eyes… most importantly to look at myself with those new eyes. For that awakening to something I wasn’t even aware of missing in my life… I will be forever thankful.

And to those who have been quietly supporting me from the wings, family, friends, co-workers… my cheerleaders, my sounding boards, those who believe in me and see what I want to offer to others… my gratitude and thanks to all of you… Laura Beaton in particular, who has witnessed me as I have gone thorough my transformation cheering me on every step of the way.

A good way to end a year… remembering with gratitude… loving thanks for your part of my Two Short Years of Knowing…

Awakening the Sun…

I just returned from the 1st Annual Idea’s Festival at Oceanstone. A diverse gathering of beautiful people with something in common; the desire to talk about the connection that ties us all draws us together as well as the attractor and provider of the space, Anne.

For me this weekend was a blur of time, listening to everyone with my body not my intellect. I had a great deal of movement this weekend. Engaging my body, my self and mind into the presentations as they called for me to do.

Seeing the essence of everyone… the core of what we all are, really… for the first time staying present to that.

Come to be where I felt home… does that make sense? It doesn’t matter it does to me. Feeling free to allow myself to stay grounded, to remain visible, to speak and be heard, to arrive and be seen… not only for what I have said and for who I am, but also for the unspoken and what I have not yet discovered about myself.

Anne is the Sun… and she has truly provided this space for me to awaken to the essence of who she is.

Now filled for the first time I can recall (yet is seems so familiar) with undeniable love for life and everything I see…

I can remember having conversations with friends in the past where they said “I love… love” (typically talking about being in love with a person) and I would laugh a giddy little laugh but not really know what they were talking about. I now know on a grander scale… I’ve felt it… it resides with in me.

I did not want to leave Oceanstone last night yet at the same time I wanted to just be home with Mike and my girls… when I finally managed to get myself out the door I was impatiently waiting for Keri to say her goodbyes so I could get home to my family.

The weekend was so much more that I had ever imagined. I found part of myself that I had not connected to for a long, long time.

I arrived home and didn’t even unpack the car (I still haven’t) bursting through the door to lay eyes on my family. Jessica on the couch under a blanket watching her show; Mike had Sara in the tub just finishing up her bath… each of they so fantastic to see through these different eyes…

A thought just crossed my mind… I wonder what I look like now with these eyes... what I look like, to myself… I think I’ll see.

Off to look and see who is mirroring me.

Thank you seems so small to say… and I know for all of you there, you know what I want to express.

Mahalo – Hawaiian for Thanks, Gratitude – (May you be) in (Divine) Breath

Opening the Gate

Have you ever known you have to have a difficult conversation and you walk around dreading it for days, weeks, months... maybe you haven't allowed yourself to have that conversation yet?

Perhaps keeping that idea of having that conversation locked up inside of you so long you become numb to it, forget it's even there waiting to be had.

You mind and habitual behavior create inner turmoil. If I have this conversation my life will forever change... do I want to go there? More importantly what will happen to me if I don't?

You need find that place of clarity in yourself and open that gate... once the conversation has begun you are through and walking into the unknown on the other side.

The unknown... it isn't a scary place... it can be a very creative place... designing your life differently... in a way that is meaningful for you.

Coming Together

Something last week just clicked for me. May have been the conversation Louise and I had in a coaching session (probably had a lot to do with it).

My shoulders are a little lighter, my mind a little clearer, my vision a little bigger.

I feel like I'm back to who I know I am. Who I've come to be, after being 'away' let's say. I think we all can get caught up at times, being pulled in many directions from many different people.

It isn't about other people doing it to you, it is about learning where to draw the line in the sand... Where to say No.

Or having the power and clarity to change your mind when you no longer feel you can do what you are doing, in a healthy manner.

Knowing that saying No does not mean I am not good enough to do it. Saying No, does not make me a bitch or lazy.

Saying No means, I want to do the quality of work I know I can do. Saying No is how I know how to do it... I need space and room for my creativity to happen, taking on another task compromises this.

Allowing yourself to know they truth that lies deep within yourself. Truth that may be difficult or scary to consider let alone accept, because of the implications you have imagined are attached to them.

Knowing that truth, having it in your awareness, and knowing there is nothing you have to do about it, if you don't want to... simply know it.

That in itself provides a different type of clarity and vision.

It's all coming together. Piece by piece, insight by insight, awareness and thoughts, allowing me to come together and be.

Life is good... there is always more.

December Conscious Parenting Workshop

This 2 day weekend workshop is being offered to parents or parents-to-be to consider a different way of living and nurturing their children’s brilliance and individual expression.

Through these sessions Lori will be inviting participants to discover a new perspective on parenting. Inviting them to find their authentic self and to consider how they can co-create meaningful family relationships with their children.

It is an invitation for participants to recognize their programmed behaviours (unconscious parenting) and to become more actively aware in the parenting behaviours (conscious parenting).

Date: December 1st and 2nd, 2007 (Sat & Sun)

Location: Growing Foward, Personal Growth Services
1153 Cole Harbour Road, Dartmouth

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Sat & Sun)

Price: $85.00 for complete workshop, breaks, workshop manual, 1 CD from the Living WELness Series.

Your workshop guide is Lori Walton, certified WEL-Systems® Master Facilitator and Quantum TLC™ Facilitator.

To find out more please contact Lori Walton at (902) 461-9169 or e-mail mailto:potential@eastlink.ca

Exploring Our Potential Consulting 2007

Silencing ourselves is usless

I read Sarah's Blog today and felt the outrage inside of me, felt the tears come to my eyes, felt my face getting hot.

What strikes me is how often we take some "experts" word on something, knowing that it might not feel right inside, yet saying "what can I do about it?"... washing their hands of the situation.

Without even questioning it.

Not listening to our inner voice.

Not even going for another opinion.

So nothing changes.

Silence is our own worst enemy.

Remaining silent causes illness. Remaining silent causes conflict. Remaining silent causes stress and breakdown. Remaining silent allows atrocities that are happening in our world to continue to happen.

All it takes is for you to open your mouth. Express how you feel. Speak from the truth of your own experience.

The world changes, one by one.

Your truth will find that which is the truth in another's experience. And their truth is awakened to the possibility of being expressed as well.

In other words by speaking your truth you inspire others to speak theirs.

As we each go about speaking our truths, not willing to be silent anymore, society can no longer ignore the things we have stopped talking about because it is unpleasant or sad to think about.

The world will change... it takes courage, clarity, connection and voice.

Speaking Up... Speaking Out

It is as simple as that.

Generally we tend to make assumptions that things are all our own and we just have to learn to suck it up and deal with it.

Rarely (as women) do we voice what we want. Actually put words to what we would like to happen.

Men do not seem to have as much of a problem saying no as women do? Why is that?

Is it because it has only been in the last 50 yrs that we have been given a chance in the work place? Is it because when we were "allowed" to go to work in the corporate environment (other than secretarial positions) that we had to prove ourselves? That we could handle it?

Why is it that I felt (internalized) that I would be looked at as a failure if I couldn't do it all?

And the answers don't matter.

What matters is that I remembered. I remembered who I am, that yes I am in charge of the design of my own life (like you are yours).

I spoke up. I expressed what I was feeling and was clear that I would not be able to continue doing it all.

The outcome?

The weight of it all is lifted from my shoulders and temporary help is being hired to assist me.

My input and background on this major project is to valued to put someone else on it... however all of the other tasks I was concerning myself with wanting to get done because I know they needed to get done... the things that will take forever to do but would be such a great asset to our unit... will now get done by someone else, at my direction (with input from others).

Sometimes all you need to do to release pressure you may be feeling is to express it... speak up and speak out about your "enough is enough" point. Be clear and be proactive.

You might be surprised with the outcome... I was.

Life is good... there is always more.