Women thriving after divorce or loss of a life partner.
This blog is here to give you insights, hope and awareness about what is possible in your life!
To sign up for a free coaching consultation call 315.497.3059 or email Judith Geiger. Certified Personal Success & Relationship Coach.
10-Week Self-Care Challenge
Week # 2
Please read week one before you begin here.
We made it to week two in what felt
like record time. How was your experience of gratitude? Did you come up with 70
things or more to be grateful for? In case you are thinking that you are now
done you might want to reconsider when you read what a psychology professor at
“The benefits from counting
blessings are tangible, emotionally and physically," he said. "People
are 25 percent happier and more energetic if they keep gratitude journals, have
20 percent less envy and resentment, sleep 10 percent longer each night and
wake up 15 percent more refreshed, exercise 33 percent more and show a 10
percent drop in blood pressure compared to persons who are not keeping these
journals." I vote to keep going but of course it is up to you.
With our hearts full of gratitude we
will now turn to week number two. This week the word is water. We all know the
benefits of drinking plenty of water for our health but today we are talking
about the benefits of putting our bodies into the water.
When I attended retreat coach
training in
“I was instantly struck by her deep
kind eyes. All of my fear of water just melted away and I knew I would be in capable
hands. She took my head in her hands and tested my body to see how well I
floated on my own. Rather like a rock. So she put floats on my legs to assist
her in keeping me above water as she guided my moves of floating and being led
into what I can only describe as a stretching water dance!” You can read the entire blog post here.
Watch the youtube video
Exercise week two:
This week we explore how being in
water is both physically and emotionally healing. You can do this in any way
that is available to you. The ocean is ideal, your own hot tub can free you
from worries or at the very least take a long bubble bath. I use lavender
scented sea salt in my bath and lavender soothes me to sleep at night. Try some
on a tissue under your pillow.
Those who can experience a watsu
will have memories for years to come. I invite you this week to be in water at
least three times and do it by first setting an intention. Is there anything
you want clarity on in your life? Set an intention before entering the water
and be very present with what your wise self has to say.
"It is never too late to become the person you want to be." ~George Eliot
Please leave comments here or email
me with any thoughts or challenges. I always love to hear from you.
To learn more about watsu click here.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright 2009
Judith Geiger
Certified Personal Success and Relationship Coach
Flying Change Coaching, LLC
All rights reserved.
Coach Judith inspires women starting
over to let go of stress, to build self-esteem and be proactive in creating
loving relationships by developing a strong sense of self. When you are ready
to take on the adventure of finding the partner of your dreams, Judith has the
tools and resources to allow you to move forward with confidence and ease.
Call or email Coach
Judith for a free 30-minute coaching consultation. 315 497 3059
10-Week Self-Care Challenge
Week # 1
Join me,
Coach Judith, every Saturday for the next ten weeks. I will post a new
challenge each week and at the end of that time we will look back and see if
any of us still believe self-care is selfish. Let’s bust that old myth once and
for all.
Remember when
your mother said things like, “You need to play nice and not be selfish.” You
heard this or more…over…and over…and over. Many factors growing up, from
religion to sibling rivalry, made up who you are today. Unfortunately for some
of us, we have developed a huge bucket of guilt whenever we even think we would
like to do something wonderful for ourselves. Not because we deserve it, but
just because we want to. Wow, I don’t know about you but that sounds like
freedom to me. Do you want freedom? Do you want to treat yourself with care and
respect? If yes, then please join me on my 10–week journey. It will open up
your world to new adventures and it might even send that guilt packing. Now
wouldn’t that be nice?
Our first week’s
adventure begins today with a very simple exercise. For the next week, if you
are willing to take on the self-care challenge, we are going to explore
gratitude and what being grateful, on a very deep level, will do to prepare you
for the bigger self-care challenges ahead.
Exercise week one:
Spend 5-10
minutes each day writing down what you are grateful for. You can do this at any
time of the day but I find it most powerful either in the early morning or just
before bed. Take your time to get into a reflective mood. One very important
part of this exercise is that you cannot write the same thing twice for a full
week. Write at least 10 things each day. As the week goes on you are going to
have to dig deeper and deeper. By the end of the week you will have 70 things
you are grateful for. Sound impossible? Get creative or ask your loved ones for
ideas. Look not only in your environment but also inside of you! Most of all…have
fun.
You can use a
special Journal for your gratitude list or simply a notepad. However you do it just
remember once you start, you might not want to stop. Make the journal big
enough to keep going. Filling the pages with what you are grateful for will be
the beginning of your own self-care journey to fill your own cup. When it is
full to the top, you will have more to give others.
"There is a
calmness to a life lived in Gratitude, a quiet joy."
Author:
Ralph H. Blum
Please leave
comments here or email me with any thoughts or challenges. I always love to
hear from you.
Watch this
wonderful video by Deepak Chopra for inspiration. You might want to watch it
each day to get into your reflective mood.
I will post
your next challenge on Saturday Feb. 6th, so please check back.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright 2009
Judith Geiger
Certified Personal Success and Relationship Coach
Flying Change Coaching, LLC
All rights reserved.
Coach Judith
inspires women starting over to let go of stress, to build self-esteem and be
proactive in creating loving relationships by developing a strong sense of
self. When you are ready to take on the adventure of finding the partner of
your dreams, Judith has the tools and resources to allow you to move forward
with confidence and ease.
Call or email
Coach Judith for a free 30-minute coaching consultation. 315 497 3059
Only as high as I reach can I grow.
Only as far as I seek can I go.
Only as deep as I look can I see.
Only as much as I dream can I be.
Karen Ravn
Regardless of your politics, if you live in America today you are feeling change in the air. It bounces off you like an electric spark. What does it all mean for you and me? Simply put, it means hope. When we have hope we can move mountains. Everyone knows about the little engine that could. Hope sparks belief … belief expands into action… action creates change. Rather simple yet so powerful.
Imagine the man who has been searching for a job for six months with not even a nibble. Hope can get him out of the recliner that has been holding him hostage with bad news on TV for too long. He showers and puts on his best suit because the jobs are out there not in his living room. Hope allows him to try one more time and then once more.
How about that single mother who works two jobs just to keep food on the table? Hope can encourage her to go back to school and get the degree she has always wanted in order to provide a better life for herself and her children.
The executive who just heard his position was eliminated packs hope alongside his favorite stapler and revised resume. He knows that he has tremendous value to offer another company and hope makes the transition a little easier.
Hope sparks belief … belief expands into action… action creates change. Rather simple yet so powerful.
Let’s all work together to keep the hope alive.
“Be the change that you want to see in the world.”
-Mohandas Gandhi
I wrote this article just one year ago and I feel it applies just as much to today!
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright 2009
Judith Geiger
Certified Personal Success & Relationship Coach
Flying Change Coaching, LLC
All rights reserved.
5-Step Action Guide to Shine Your Light in 2010
Have you ever wondered why it seems so easy for some people to make major changes in their life while others sit back as passive observers wondering what happened? They begin to wonder where their life went wrong. They say things such as, “Why are bad things always happening to me?” Or, “Doesn’t anybody care how I feel?” If this sounds like you then perhaps it is time to start driving your own bus and stop being a passenger in life.
Taking action is the first step to living an empowered life and who doesn’t want that? If you are thinking yes, I want to do that, but I don’t know where to begin…then you simply start at the beginning. With this action guide, you will journal your answers to coaching questions as you begin your journey into a life you love. Many of my clients say they start finding their authentic self through this process. It gives them the clarity to not only take action but to achieve their desired results very quickly. These words from Mary Oliver have rung through my mind since first hearing them many years ago. “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Today I invite you to let these same words whisper through your mind as you explore the action steps. My intention is that these simple words inspire you to look at your life in a new way, then be motivated to take the inspired action needed to put one foot in front of the other as you begin your journey. Don’t forget to fasten your seat belt because it will be a wild ride…if you do the work.
As you read through the 5 steps that follow, slow down and take your time. Don’t rush. Work at your own pace. Answer whatever questions resonate with you and leave the rest. This is your journey not mine. I am only offering these words as a guide for you to find your own path. Just keep in mind that often the questions you resist will give you the biggest rewards, once answered honestly.
Try to find the time to answer the questions in a written format rather than answering them in your mind. Writing the words will allow your senses to get involved. You touch the paper and pen or the keys of your computer, you see the words form, and you will want to breathe deeply a few times before you say the words out loud for impact while you write or type. Saying the words out loud is a declaration to the universe that can be very powerful. The more involved your senses are the more grounded your ideas will be rather than just abstract thoughts. Are you ready? OK…let’s begin:
Step One: Choose what you want.
The first step is deciding what you want. So many people go through life unconsciously. Don’t let that happen to you. Choose what you want and start taking action in that direction today.
While exploring your questions in step one, be playful. If the answers don’t come right away, be patient. Leave it and revisit later when something comes to mind that relates—because it will. You might try going out for a walk in silence to listen for your own inner knowing. Or take a few minutes to meditate with or without music to put you into a receptive mode. You want to be open to receive the answers from your inner wise self. Try to be open minded and think way outside of the box. If time, money and possibility had no limits, how would you answer?
“The first principle of success is desire - knowing what you want. Desire is the planting of your seed.” —Robert Collier
Coaching questions:
2. List three books or movies you love and why? Do you see any patterns?
3. Who would you like to meet, living or dead? What characteristics do you like about them? Do you have similar qualities or want to achieve them?
4. List 10 things you do not want. Sometimes it is easier to come in the back door of knowing what you do not want to help illuminate what you do want.
5. What are you passionate about? List 5 places you want to visit or 5 new things you would like to try? (No matter how unattainable they seem at the moment. Remember we are in the dreaming stage where anything is possible.)
Step Two: Set an Intention.
I am often asked, “What does it mean to set an intention?” During my retreats I always ask the participants to set an intention for what they want. What do they want to take away, as a result of their work while on retreat? When setting an intention you are making a statement that you want to follow a certain course of action. It can be either internal or external. It might mean you want more clarity around a desire you have or more peace with how your life is unfolding. Or perhaps you want something more tangible. You would like to know what your next clear step needs to be to get you that promotion at work. Whatever your intention is, you are making a commitment that you desire it to happen.
“When you set an intention, when you commit, the entire universe conspires to make it happen.”
—Sandy Forster
Coaching questions:
1. What is your intention for today?
2. What is your intention for your job, your relationships, and your life?
3. What do you need to have in place for your intention to become a reality?
Step Three: Take Inspired Action and Believe.
I use the term inspired because taking action without inspiration can be just like a hamster running on a wheel. He runs and runs but never gets to a new destination. Your action will naturally come from you having done the work around your passion and your intention. One very small step will always lead to another. Depending on your dream each one of you will have a different action step, but some examples might be: join a new class, call a friend who has been waiting to hear from you, let go of an old belief that has been dragging you down, the action is anything that will move your life forward. Believe in your dream and believe in the power of you!
“When inspiration does not come to me, I go halfway to meet it.”
—Sigmund Freud
Coaching questions:
1. What is the very first step you want to take toward your desire?
2. What is standing in the way of you taking action right now?
3. What can you do to remove the obstacles you identified in the previous question?
4. How will you be different when you believe in the power of your dreams?
5. What is your action plan moving forward?
Step Four: Get All of the Support You Need.
I cannot say enough about getting support. You can get your family and friends involved or you can hire a coach. Either way, make sure that your supporters understand that your desires are important and not theirs. You need supporters who are completely non-judgmental. They need to be comfortable with not knowing what is best for you. Only you truly know what is best. Find someone who will walk beside you on your path as they champion you. They will also invite you to grow and stretch beyond what is comfortable.
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”
—Anatole France
Coaching questions:
1. What support do you need?
2. What type of support best suits you, email, telephone or in-person?
3. How can your supporters best champion you?
4. What do you need to have in place so you can easily move beyond your comfort zone?
Step Five: Accountability is Crucial.
You can hold yourself accountable to do what you say you want to do but I have found that most people find it helpful to have someone else involved. It is easy to justify to yourself why you did not get things done. Now imagine telling that same story to your coach or your friend. Does it hold water? Probably not! Once again you will probably want to call on your supporters for assistance.
“Accountability breeds response-ability.”
—Stephen R. Covey
Coaching questions:
1. How can your supporter best hold you accountable to do what you say you want to do?
2. In what way can your supporter best measure your progress or lack thereof?
3. What do you need to have in place to hold yourself or allow others to hold you accountable?
4. What do you love most about being responsible and moving toward your desires?
I hope you are energized now and realize it is very possible to make your dreams come true! Let 2010 be the year YOU shine your light brightly for all to see! Begin to know yourself more deeply.
As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
—Marianne Williamson
My intention is that this Action Guide moves your life in a positive direction. If you decide it is time to work with a coach, I am available for a free consultation. Answering the questions on your own is wonderful but having a coach who assists you to take it to another level can be priceless! Email Coach Judith by Jan. 30th and receive half off your first month of coaching. Put New Year Special in the subject line. If after the initial consultation Coach Judith and you decide you are a match for coaching you will start 2010 with a wonderful discount!
Do you want 2010 to be your best year yet? If yes, then jump start it with your own personal coach.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright 2009
Judith Geiger, ACC
Certified Personal Success and Relationship Coach
All rights reserved.
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." Helen Keller
Your life can reach new heights that you never thought were possible! Join Coach Judith for a free, private (always confidential) coaching consultation.
Call 315 497 3059 or email.
Today when I returned home a brown package was waiting with a picture taped to the outside of the box showing me having a wonderful time in Colorado. I knew instantly who it was from but what was inside the box? We were not in habit of exchanging gifts and my curiosity was getting the best of me. I hurried into the kitchen and found a box cutter to open my treasure. Inside was a simple gift of five Ponderosa Pine cones and a candle that had printed on it “New Beginnings” with my favorite George Eliot quote, “It is never too late to be who you might have been.” I smiled hugely as I a breathed in the candle’s fragrance of rosemary and vanilla. My smile was so big because what I was actually breathing in was the love. You see this wonderful friend knew I was working with brand new aspects of my business and wanted to support me. I was at a starting place, a new beginning.
This friend filled up my love bank. I believe each of us has an energetic love bank deep inside and every time someone does something nice for you- gives you a hug or a complement it adds to you energy love bank. The more love you can add to yours the more love you have available to give. My friend filled my love bank with this simple gift that traveled from Colorado to New York. I arranged the pine cones along with small Christmas balls around the candle on a red plate and put it proudly on my coffee table. Now, each time I walk into the room I am reminded that my love bank is being filled. I smile and breathe in the love.
This simple gift was a wonderful reminder this holiday season to fill other people’s love banks. Often we get so busy rushing from here to there barely getting time to breathe, so today I want to invite you to stop for just a few moments to think of a way that you can fill someone’s love bank right now. You might know that someone nearby needs a hug or simply some kind words. Remember even simple gestures matter.
I will put on my creative hat today as I pay this wonderful love gesture forward. I will figure out what simple gift of love I want to send with no expectations of something in return. I feel it is important for it to be a simple gift so that the receiver does not feel obligated to do a gift exchange.
As we move more fully into the holiday season you might want to keep this in mind and be the giver of many simple gifts or gestures. Only one caveat that I would like to mention, remember as the giver of the simple gift YOUR energy love bank gets filled twice! My holiday wish for all of you is to have your love banks over flowing. Happy Holidays!
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright 2009
Judith Geiger ~ Certified Personal Success & Relationship Coach
All rights reserved.
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." Helen Keller
Let your life reach new heights that you never thought were possible! Join Coach Judith for a free private (always confidential) coaching consultation.
Call 315.497.3059 or email Judith@flyingchangecoaching.com
You see, Christmas had always been a huge affair in my household and I had never awaked to an empty house in all of my 43 years. Talk about a change that shakes your world this was a big one for me. I had spent that Christmas Eve going to my Mother’s favorite church with my daughters. We did this in honor of my Mother who had passed away that Fall, just days after my separation. More than one change was brewing that year. I had no other family nearby except for my grown children who were doing a balancing act of their own being so close to both parents. Often transitions will be like that, one thing after the other will happen until your new life falls into place. I remember talking to a Life Coach once when I was saying, “My life is falling apart,” and she simply said, “Your life is falling together.” Even if it didn’t feel that way when I woke that first Christmas morning, that is exactly what was happening. I just needed the courage to open my eyes fully and see the possibilities.
Going down the stairs I was not completely alone. My Lhasa Apso, Pelé, and my German Shepherd, Sadie, were close on my heels. These two dogs were a very important part of my support system during this time. After taking the dogs out and pouring my coffee, I sat under my Christmas tree and began to play with Sadie and Pelé. Each of them opened their own presents by ripping the paper with their teeth as they held the gift down with their paws. I laughed and laughed as they both kept me well entertained. I had a couple of presents that I then opened from family far away and before long the feeling of solitude took on a new flair. I noticed when I accepted what was and didn’t hold on too hard to how I would have liked it to be, I actually was able to enjoy the moment.
Soon the phone began to ring and I went to my daughter’s house for dinner. It turned out to be a much better day than I had anticipated. But soon I returned home once again to the sound of solitude and again I had that same choice. Do I feel bad because I could only spend part of the day with the kids since they needed to see their dad, or do I look for possibilities? I went into the kitchen and made a huge mug of tea. There are two things that always make me feel better, one is a mug of hot tea and I bet you can guess the other. Yes, that is just what I did. I took a long hot bath. Later dressed in my favorite comfortable PJs, I turned on “It’s a Wonderful Life”. This is a long and very heartwarming movie that my family would probably have protested if I had watched it again but now it was MY choice. No protesters in sight!
Actually the entire day had been all about MY choice. Did I choose to feel lonely or find new ways to celebrate that first year when things were so very hard? I chose to find ways to celebrate. Not to say that I didn’t feel the pain or take the time to move through it. I did that and I did it often but I was not going to feel any worse than was completely necessary that First Christmas. FYI: the new tradition of the dogs opening their own gifts still stands today. Both Sadie and Pelé are now gone but our Standard Poodle, Gretchen, carries on the tradition for them. And the most amazing thing is that neither Gretchen nor the other dogs ever bothered the presents sitting under the tree. They would only start ripping open the presents on command. But after the command was given you did need to keep an eye on the rest of the gifts… after all they could not read the names on the tags and they thought all the presents were for them! <grin>
As a coach I tell you my story to encourage you to make your own strong choices! Whatever your support system is during times of starting over, be sure that you take advantage of them. Hire a coach, see a therapist, talk with clergy or find a really good friend who has your best interest at heart. Don’t forget our four legged friends. They were a life saver for me.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright 2009
Judith Geiger ~ Certified Personal Success & Relationship Coach
All rights reserved.
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." Helen Keller
Let your life reach new heights that you never thought were possible! Join Coach Judith for a free private (always confidential) coaching consultation.
Call 315.497.3059 or email Judith@flyingchangecoaching.com
