Here is an excellent quote I recently came across: "Comfortable is just boring with good PR!" That made me laugh right out loud, for how true it is.

What have you gotten comfortable with that really bores you silly and just isn't juicing you anymore? Maybe it's your work, or a particular relationship, or the lack of creative expression, or the extra weight you're carrying around.

Ready to do something about it?

I imagine you care deeply about positive self development. You are interested in doing your best and showing up in all you do with integrity and clarity. You work hard at balancing your life and you are loyal in your relationships. These are valuable qualities that are important to foster and nurture. The more we take care of ourselves the better we are able to take care of the world around us.

We are in the midst of interesting times.The world around us is changing fast. Now, more than ever, individuals are seeking creative solutions to "get it all done". And there is a lot to do. It's easy to get a little "lost".

I invite you to consider 2009 as the year of "Getting it Done". Whatever "it" is for you. Step into action with positive change and vision for Living Your Bliss.

What does that look like for you? How will you be certain to make it happen? What do you need to help you on your way?

We are almost complete with the first month of the year. Everywhere individuals are already beginning to lose sight of their New Year resolutions and intentions. If you are one of them, you can gain them back.

Here are some hints:
-Spend some time identifying what is important to you. What do you want to be able to say at the end of the year?
-Identify 3 action steps you can take immediately to set you on the path towards your vision.
-Create the environment that allows you to be in action. Clean up anything that is cluttering up your life-relationships dragging you down, stacks of papers and magazines you haven't looked at in months, items that don't work, etc. Organize, organize, organize!
-Put your goals into your on-line calendar as a reminder so they will pop up in a month, 3 months, and 6 months from now and allow you to evaluate your progress.
-Get support. A Coach, a Mentor, a friend. Someone who can provide genuine feedback and insights and that you can share your fears, concerns and successes with.
-Celebrate often, and play regularly. If it's not fun, why do it??

Let's all Get "It" Done this year. And if you want/need some support in manifesting that, check out my fabulous coaching specials I am currently offering on my Gaia profile page. I haven't offered discounts like this ever before! It's a great opportunity and it is an invitation for you. My hope for 2009 is that all individuals are a living their bliss, and it is my intention to provide a sanctuary for you to do that in. Come inside. Rest. Create. And then, Get "It" Done!

I've been away for awhile. From blogging, from myself, from my life and my work. Just prior to Thanksgiving a personal crisis of sorts came roaring in, and I entered into a very dark time that took me to my knees, calling out to Spirit for groundedness and help.

These moments are always so profound, even in the midst of excruciating heart and soul pain.  We get to make a choice: will we stay in the darkness, or allow for the darkness to inform us and bring us to the light?  There were moments when I had no clarity as to which way I would go. In fact I felt extremely lost, despairing, inadequate and alone.

As I flopped around in the darkness I was able to listen to a small, little voice, way back there in my mind, that continuously gave me permission to just be. To not stress about the future and what I will do. To allow myself the grief, the fear, the despair, all of it. To feel it. To be it. To swim in the dark corners of my soul and discover what needs to come to the light.

No coincidence that the Winter Solstice occurred during this weird, wild and somehow wonderful time. I attended a small and intimate Solstice gathering called "Dancing Into Our Darkness". This powerful ceremony allowed me to put into physical motion all that I had been feeling and grieving, and brought in a whole new level of understanding for myself. The heaviness began to lift and the light truly began to re-enter. I began to recognize my contribution to the crisis that had come into my life, and found a new level of commitment towards healing and recovery. For myself, my relationships, and my work. I am looking forward to the promise of the New Year and realize that this painful, heart wrenching time really has been an amazing gift that will inform my journey in a positive, expansive, wider perspective, and glorious way.

A few days before Christmas I found myself asking: How would I live if I knew I only had 6 months to do so? The words fearless and boldly came right up for me. As  the New Year approached, I decided my theme for 2009 would be A Year of Bold and Fearless Living!! This is my lesson from the dark time I have just passed through, and it is the light that will guide my way in the days to come.

What will your theme for 2009 be? How will you step into that vision and make 2009 your best year yet? If you are interested, I have some personal journal questions that, through reflection and review, might help you discover the answer . Email me and I will be happy to zip them to you.

May we all have a New Year that is fulfilling, prosperous, adventurous, playful, evolutionary, revolutionary, satisfying, soul nurturing, heart opening, and healthy. And of course, may we all be bold and fearless as we go about our days, our lives, our work, our love and our relationships. Happy 2009!!!

Lately I have been pondering, and sitting with, the question of "How can I add value to your life?". Your being the collective your; all those around me, all those I touch, have contact with, and intersect with in various ways.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, a time when we naturally take stock of all the things we have to be joyfully grateful for, it's a bit of an interesting twist. As I list my mountains of abundance that I am so thankful for, I also get to consider all the ways that I might be able to positively impact another's life.

How can I add value to your life? Depending on who I ask will certainly influence the answer. Actually, it is not even imperative that I really ask the other person, it is a question I can ask of myself about another person. "How can I add value to so&so's life?".

It occurs to me, that unless those I am asking really know who I am, they may not be aware of how I may add value to their life. If, for instance, the person I asked did not know that I am a Life Coach, they wouldn't know that I might support them in gaining clarity or in creating balance in their lives. If they know I am a Life Coach, they may not understand that my focus is on Whole Health and Wellness, and that my passion is in helping others to gain a sense of complete healthiness in all aspects of their life. If they are needing respite and renewal, and didn't know I facilitate custom designed retreats for individuals and groups, they wouldn't know I could help them step out of their usual lives and into a safe place of stillness where their authentic voice could really be heard. Likewise, if one was unaware of my community building experience, or organizational skills, networking prowess, or love for collaborative ventures, how would they know to ask?

As we consider the possibility of adding value to lives of others, in ways that they will be thankful for, while we count our own blessings, it seems important that we let others know who we are!!

But first, we must ask ourselves...how do I value myself? In what ways can I add value to my own life? What aspects of myself do I believe adds value to the lives of others? Believing in ourselves and trusting that we have something of value to contribute to the world at large, and knowing what that is, is as important as wanting to make a positive impact.

Sometimes we are not always able to connect to our intrinsic value and positive contribution to the world. Hopefully, this is when our friends and loved ones take notice, and ask us how they can add value to our lives! And then, we get to count our blessings and have give thanks and the circle continues.

Today, I am grateful for many, many things, and I ask: how can I add value to your life?

My dear friend Susan, and fellow GAIA friend as well, is seeking mentors in her sustainable community development studies. I know there are lots of you out there that might be able to help her out, so I offered to spread the word a bit. She's a very amazing, passionate and intelligent womyn...if you chose to mentor her I am positive you would receive many benefits as well. One of the characteristics of  Whole Health, as I see it, is environment, meaning the physical environment we find ourselves in most often. Sustainable community is the most viable way to create a healthy environment from this perspective, that I can see. Susan's studies, and future work that will be born from that, is important and valuable.

This is her "seeking mentors" statement.

I am an environmental studies student in the distance learning program of Prescott College looking for course mentors.  My area of focus is sustainable community development, and community organizing.  I specifically need mentors for courses based on ecology, environmental ethics, eco-psychology, eco-economics, and sustainability.  Also of interest is anyone with a background in community development, assessing the needs of a community in regards to sustainability, and environmental policy making.

    Basically, the program I am in involves designing my own coursework with a mentor and is a very experiential based learning model.   A mentor would be required to meet with me via phone or in person at least once per week for 3 or 4 months per course, would evaluate the work I do, and help in advising me throughout my course with feedback and support.

    Why be a mentor?  If you are passionate about your area of expertise and enjoy sharing knowledge, this is an ideal situation for you.  If you are involved in community projects that are connected to my coursework, I can help you as part of my study contract. This is an opportunity for you to serve your local and intellectual communities.  Mentors are also considered adjunct faculty to Prescott College, and are paid an honorarium for their time.

    Mentor requirements:  Teaching experience and knowledge of academic resources in the course subject area.  A graduate degree is helpful, or some depth of expertise in your field.  You have a small amount of time to commit to up to 4 months of once per week meetings.  You know how to apply knowledge to action and real life situations.

    If you are interested in being a mentor, please contact me. For more information about the mentor program, or if you are interested in becoming a mentor in general for Prescott College, go to www.prescott.edu, click on “current students”, then click on the ADP link  (adult degree program)  and you will find links about both mentoring and the program.

    If you don't have the requirements, but do have knowledge to share, I am also interviewing people with backgrounds in environmental studies, community organizing, sustainability and sustainable development.  Feel free to contact me with any questions.

I wish Susan the best of luck in her studies and future. She continuously inspires me with her passion and  insights. She's a great friend to have.

                                                                  The big day is quickly approaching. Unless you are dead, or simply not paying any attention what so ever, you are aware of the energy building as we approach this monumental time. Since I don't watch any TV, or pay much mind to main stream news, I'm not caught up in the hype factor. For me the energy has more to do with the big questions we are facing as a nation, what's really going to happen (vs what they are hyping us up for), and what will be the result of what happens? My belief is that this is the most important election I will possibly see in my life time.

Living a life of Whole Health incorporates our contribution to the community around us, and places a positive value on the sense of purpose gathered from that contribution. Acting on our given right to vote is a powerful way to contribute to the health of the world around us. I hope each of you will be taking the time to place your vote this coming Tues, Nov 4th and thereby making your contribution, a contribution I might add, that does matter. Get informed. Learn about the propositions and political candidates in your area and know that you are making a difference.

In the meantime here is a poem I recently came across in the We'Moon calender, by Diane Bergstrom, that really speaks to me right now.

Remind Me
Darkness always births the light.There is no insanity without surfacing reason, Apathy can give way to conviction and action.

Remind me.
There is no suppression with eventual uprising. Public silence unleashes individual voices. Where there is death there must be life.

Remind me.
Where there is waste, growth will be forged. Narcissistic leaders incense empowered communities. Censorship spurs collective voices.

Remind me.
Senseless occupations cause people to question. Unjustified spending arouses investigations. The pendulum always swings.

Remind me.
Hopelessness, despair, intolerance and fear can debilitate. belief, anger, purpose, education, and faith can facilitate. What can I do?

Remind me.

Recently I spent a very wonderful day on The San Pedro River with a dear friend of mine. We haven't hung out together in a long time, for various reasons to detailed to go into here, and it was so wonderful to reconnect.  A perfect desert fall day-not to hot, with clear skies and a soft breeze-gave us a perfect backdrop. And, of course, it is always sweet on the river.

We bushwhacked through some weeds, after walking along an old railroad track for awhile, to find ourselves at a delicious bend in the river. The water was still burbling along clean and clear and there was a grand sand bar just inviting us to sink in, to rest our hearts here, in this spot together. We did. Pulling out snacks, taking off shoes and socks, we began the process of rediscovering a magic that is only ours together.

Six hours later we said goodbye. Our conversation, and the meeting of our hearts, had flowed like the river we sat next to-meandering, gentle, and singing a soft little tune of nourishment to our souls. The leaves in the cottonwood that shaded our little picnic fluttered in the breeze, and there was such a sense of peace that it was very hard to leave.

As I drove away from our meeting spot, leaving a trail of dust behind me, a sense of bittersweet rolled over me. I realized I live in a world where it is not acceptable to share a deep heart connection with someone who is not your "partner", or whatever you want to label that role of your primary intimate, and that in some peoples eyes our beautiful experience together on the banks of the river, on a gorgeous desert day, was "wrong". This leaves me with a heavy heart.

Being a womyn of integrity and responsibility, I know with a fierce pride and deep understanding, that I have the ability to honor necessary boundaries, and I will, as I always have in this case. But I struggle against the yearning to be authentic and honest with my desire to know this person more. He struggles with the same, which is why we haven't seen each other in a long time. It just got to hard to not be in our truth, to be imprisoned by the rules of our culture.

In my culture, in the world I want to create with those that I love, we would be encouraged and supported in our connection, and it would be honored and celebrated, not feared and condemned. Not everyone is there however, although there is quite a movement afoot to change this. This stark reality washes over me like the dust on the road behind me, leaving a dry taste in my mouth and an ache in my heart.

We made a commitment to no longer let our truth have us hide from one another, and to be authentic in our expressions with one another "out there in the world". The truth is though, that due to the rules of society and the circumstances of what is, the fullness and depth of our connection will never be realized. This is not to say that our relationship will not be deep and meaningful, for it already is. It is just to acknowledge that our hearts will be restricted, unless we are able to navigate new levels of understanding and acceptance in the world around us.

This is a tall order, and it is an item that is constantly on my agenda in various ways in my life. I believe the universe is really calling upon us at this time to seriously evaluate how we are in relationship with one another, what roles and boxes we find ourselves in that just don't fit anymore, what the rules of intimacy and connection are, and how we can evolve to a higher level of love.

For myself, I just know that I want to love with out restriction, without anyone telling me who I can love and how much. I want to celebrate those I love loving others, without us getting caught in the traps of jealousy, ownership and possession. I want to experience intimacy and connection in authentic ways, without being bound by rules of what is supposedly appropriate. I want to hug those I love long and hard, and often. And I want to follow my hearts yearnings for exploration without having to hold back.

I want to walk on the river with a dear friend hand in hand and know it is absolutely and completely OK. And when we say goodbye for the moment, I want to leave awash with joy and celebration, not bittersweet sadness.

I recently became inspired to consider what core fundamentals were operating in my life these days, and if they were appropriate for these times we currently find ourselves living in. I discovered that I needed to adjust my thinking in some areas to accommodate for the changes and to make way for continued success in my life and business. I realized that I had indeed been sucked into the fear of "things to come" and that this completely took me out of the present moment, and my ability to enjoy each moment for the wonderous gifts they are.

While there are a lot of things out there to be concerned about, and it is important to stay informed, we do not need to let any of it determine how we show up each day, nor do we need to let any of it ruin our individual bliss. We can lose material possessions, jobs and bank rolls, but we don't have to lose our spirit, our passion, our compassion, our connections with others or our spiritual path.

Knowing the core fundamentals that keep us inspired, hopeful, on track and present to each moment are touchstones to which we can return.

Take a moment to jot down 3-4 items, small catch phrases or affirmations, that provide a foundation for you. You may find, as I did, that you will re-access certain ideas or ways of being so that you can navigate more easily-this is the idea! Allow for these fundamental elements to flow forth from your authentic center-there are no should's or have to's here, only a desire to be more connected to the essence of your "Living Bliss", whatever that is for you.

Here are my 4 core fundamentals that I am currently working with:

* Live with passion and joy
* Trust the process
* Be authentic
* Put yourself out there

What are some of your core fundamentals that can keep you happy and a float these days? I would love to hear what's working for you.

In addition, check out the "Harvesting Hope" teleclass coming up this week...it's a place to go to ignite hope and possibilities in these challenging times.

This is my friend Beth, who has been dealing with enormous adversity, which is completely out of her control, for over a year now. She has consistently maintained a positive attitude, utilizing humor and self growth as a way to get through it all. She is a continual source of inspiration to me.

The adversity of life is one of the richest area for deep learning and positive growth. Of course, how we deal with that adversity is the biggest cause and effect to what we get out of it all.

There are several possibilities for how we can respond. Denial, acceptance, anger, or curiosity are all options and will lead us in a certain direction.

Sometimes just sitting down and having a good cry before we do anything is what we need the most! I use this one often as it seems to be the release valve that I need to get to the more real stuff, to the bottom of what is really going on.

Tip #1-Feel the feelings, then deal with the dealings!

Once the emotion is released, it then becomes easier to think things through and decide what's next. Ask yourself, what is the opportunity here for me? How can this adversity help me to grow, to move me forward, to make me stronger?

Taking it to a deeper level, what is your soul asking of you? How can you utilize this challenge in your life to motivate a necessary transformation in your life?

Tip #2-Take responsibility for all that is yours and do what needs to be done to move on. Learn from your lessons so you don't have to do it again!

Resistance is futile. When we deny the truth of what is really going on we are only harming ourselves. Chaos and challenges are a perfect indicator that it is time to get still and listen to what is asking to be called forth. Is the chaos caused by your resistance to change, accept, embrace, and be real? Or even to just listen to your souls calling?

Adversity, challenges, chaos, change...all of these are the sign posts for transformation, growth and self development. So, go ahead, take a deep breath, be still, feel your feelings and open yourself up to all it has to show you!