Friday, December 30, 2011

2012 Illumination

What will illuminate 2012 for you?

This new moon is representing the new year. What will bring its light into full splendor?

We have a choice in how this happens.

Will you take time to picture it now and then to allow it to appear?

What might serve you in doing this?

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Rainbow and Obstacles

And more kid wisdom … A student recently chose the image of the rainbow behind the clouds when asked to share where she is in her life. It spoke to her of recognizing that there are obstacles in the way (school work, a family death and friend challenges) of achieving the outcomes she desires. However, she can see the rainbow behind and knows that the outcomes are achievable. Let’s be sure we are giving young people the credit they deserve for knowing what they want!

Monday, December 26, 2011

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays from the JICT Team to your family. No matter what type of celebration this type of year brings, we hope you are enjoying time with family and friends.

2012 is just around the corner. We can't wait to see what it brings!

What are your goals for 2012?

Friday, December 23, 2011

Ups and Downs

Kids have such wisdom … in this case high school kids. I recently asked a student to choose an image that reflected where he sees himself right now. He chose this roller coaster … for him it reflected that there are ups and downs. Right now he is in the middle and feeling really good about that. He’d like to spend much of his time in that “even” place rather than frequently be in the ups and downs. What wisdom!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Tolerating and Timing

The footprint offers insights into how we “let life lead”. So often we find ourselves on a path that is not fulfilling. We neglect to examine changing paths, forget to ask if it is the path we want, if it offers enrichment or if we are merely feeling stuck.

What have you been tolerating that you are ready to explore? Everything happens in its time … you know the saying … a season, a reason, a time. It is pretty common at some time to let “life lead” rather than “lead life”! Whether due to feeling powerless or without choice, we can fall prey to letting life happen.

Sound familiar? Take stock … have you been leading life or have you been intentional about where you are going? Name 3 things in your life that you have been tolerating that you are ready to explore. How would you like to be different about them? What would be required to stop tolerating? How ready are you to STOP tolerating? Remember, timing is everything … be sure it is the right season, reason and the time! Next steps will be obvious and feel comfortable when the time is right! Meanwhile the exploration will certainly bring you new awareness.

Monday, December 19, 2011

What a Shift

Transformational Testimonial...

As my friend and I headed to the airport in Tucson for 7:00 am flights, fire energy prevailed; we were in the rapids! A significant lesson was afoot. Fire energy can be frenetic, chaotic, hot … as we left the hotel with what was perceived to be “just enough time”, we were unsure of the route (the IPhone directed us correctly and in our haste [fire] we headed in the wrong direction); that was corrected pretty quickly. We wanted to avoid the high cost of gas at the airport, however didn’t know the area and had neglected to consider gas station hours (more fire… the rapids were quickly escalating).

We pulled up to the pump on the side opposite from the gas tank sides … jockeying to correct. Inserting the credit card, posed choices; fire energy led to choosing incorrectly which necessitated going INTO the store (fire persisted) and more delay. We were worn out only a few minutes into the 30 minute trip and feeling certain that time was too short to make the airport on time for flights.

Declaring that fire energy was present and not serving us, allowed us to shift the energy and outcome to a timely arrival. Unsure of the route, we agreed to shift the energy; ground served us (all is well in my queendom!). We declared our intention to arrive exactly 1 hour prior to flight time. Ground energy supported us to slow down, breathe and stop to wonder when the IPhone posed a direction that confused us so as to choose the correct path.

And, guess what? We arrived exactly 1 hour prior to flight time at our intended upon arrival time. All really was well in our “queendoms”. Of course, we’ll never know how not shifting our energy might have impacted the arrival time, however, I do know that remaining in fire energy would have completely exhausted us and likely negatively impacted the friendship we share. Choose your energy wisely (and lightly); it impacts the outcome!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Making Time Matter

Our Journey...

For many of us, January 1 is a time to make resolutions, establish new practices. We actually have that opportunity daily so why is it that we place so much emphasis on January 1’s steps? Particularly at this time (as the end of the year approaches), I’d invite you to be intentional about each day and see what you notice.

As of this publishing – December 15th - 16 days (384 hours) remain until that “day of new resolution”.

On December 31 at midnight, as you bring in the new year, what do you want to celebrate about December 15-31, 2011?

How do you want to recall how you spent the last 384 hours?

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Taking Myself Lightly

Image This...

An inspiration from the Taking Life Seriously, Myself Lightly conference came from Barb who recounted a few comments her granddaughter made upon noticing the differences between her eight year old arm / face and her grandmother’s. The image of the little girl reminds me to remember my child self in regard to lightness.
Of course the young girl’s questions highlighted grandma’s aging [things like those “wings” on our upper arms and the smile lines (read: wrinkles)] and prompted laughter … as well as a reminder to embrace what is and take it lightly! Much like every other thing in life, it’s important to balance significance and trivializing. Consider something of significance … how would bringing more lightness to it be valuable?

The visual of the child is representative of the value of allowing my childlike lightness to be present and also know that there are many helping hands. The adult wisdom is in knowing when to make the choice between accepting the hand and testing it on my own.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Lightness Inspires

Creativity in Action...

I recently attended an interesting Newfield Conference; Taking Life Seriously, Myself Lightly. Boy do I need that! I approach most things from the serious side. I love fun and lightness however, my default in just about anything is to start at the serious (do not confuse serious with negative or down). I can recall instances of a comment made meant to be funny and my initial attempt is to analyze, it figure it out … all of a sudden it dawns on me (and sometimes I have to be told) that it’s merely a light comment meant to shift the atmosphere or inspire reflection.

There is research to support that laughter is therapeutic. Did you know that pre-verbal babies laugh 300 times a day while adults 30 times? WOW! I set an intention a few years ago (moving to lightness has been a quest for me) that I would laugh daily each day. To keep this promise, I got hooked on the Golden Girls- it has so many funny lines that I laughed out loud all by myself. This practice brought to light the power of lightness … literally, I FELT lighter (emotionally and physically).

As of this writing, I’m setting a new intention … to practice seeing from the light vs. serious side until the end of the year (a recollection of how I spent at least 16 of my last 384 hours of 2011 – read on and this will make sense).

Where in your life would more lightness serve you?

Friday, December 9, 2011

Hiding in Shadows

In which part of your life are you hiding your head in the shadows? Sometimes we find we are just moving through life, one foot in front of the other and have allowed part of us to recede into the shadows. What might bring you back out into the sunlight?

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Serendipity

At the first Annual On Purpose Women Conference in Columbia, Maryland, I was really drawn to talk to the woman sitting next to me at one of the workshops. We had much in common and wanted to exchange business cards. I had forgotten my cards, but offered to write my contact info on the back of my JICT Images marketing card, which is also the image on the bottom of our JICT box of images. She turned if over and asked me about the picture of the Grand Canyon. When I explained that this was one of 72 amazing images that I use for facilitating and coaching, she told me it was exactly what she had been looking for at a price she could afford. The only similar product that she could find was over $300. She was thrilled to write me a check for $89 and walk away with the one box of cards I had brought with me to the conference. In addition, she was excited about joining us as an Associate to earn 30% of all the sales she makes by sharing the products within her network. If this interests you, check it out at www.JICTimages.com. And when you are drawn to speak to someone, go for it!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Birthday Wrap Up

A continuation....

As birthdays go, 62 is not typically a benchmark year; yet it was extremely special for me. The YaYa gathering was a true celebration … GREAT food prepared by a fabulous hostess, coupled with wine, friends and inspiring conversation. What more could one desire?

Though not a stated desire, I was blessed with certainty, answers and jubilation which led to more questions for which I am most grateful.

Friends, save one, abided by my wishes and made contributions to favorite charities in lieu of gifts … when I opened the checks, I was uplifted. The “save one”, gifted me with a book, The Velveteen Rabbit, to share with my grandchildren that has special relevance to their deceased grandfather (she knew nothing of the connection) & great-grandmother.

Conversation involved sharing our concerns about the rest of our lives, the difference we make in the world and our desire to remain vital. A particularly powerful question inspired me to remember to COMPLETELY treasure each day, appreciate the people in my life, and not sweat the small stuff. It led me to explore some things I may want to “let go”.

And as I looked around the room I could not help but realize that like the unique vases on the sill, each of these friends (and those there in spirit) add richness to my life because they come with a special gift. At the end of the “birth” day, “stuckness” (read the previous blog postings regarding these topics) was replaced with gratitude and I was comfortable with the uncertainty and unknowing because being accepting of them earlier had manifested a day I could not have imaged to emerge!

Until my next birthday … happy birthday to you!!!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Stay Grounded

More Birthday Revelations ...

I was inspired throughout my birthday … the long walk and looking forward to an evening celebration with the YaYa’s (a special group of girlfriends) energized me. My day was productive and fulfilling … the “stuckness” was replaced by the feeling of lightness! (That stuck car had been replaced by a hot air balloon ready for flight).

And, social media made the entire day celebratory … I didn’t bother to count the number of birthday greetings I received. I merely savored them and was elated knowing how many people took the time to share their care. What had promoted “self pity” only a few days prior? What a reminder to “ground” my assessments!

Don’t miss the birthday wrap up…
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