by Patricia | Dec 31, 2014 | Blog, Empowerment, Featured, Joy
Regardless of how the year went, take stock today of the good you accomplished this year. Tomorrow’s a new year but it is also another new day – a new opportunity to try something you’ve never tried, an opportunity to do something you’ve never done. After taking stock today, start to plan (if you haven’t yet) for your vision of 2015. Thanks for reading, supporting, and sharing what you’ve read here, on Facebook and Instagram. More great things to come in 2015, including support in planning for your 2015 vision!...
by Patricia | Dec 14, 2014 | Blog, Empowerment, Featured
You are worth the effort and the time it takes to do as well as possible in life. In case you aren’t convinced, here are seven reasons why you should undergo the work it takes to change. 1. You’re not satisfied with the current state of your life. If there’s something in your life you aren’t happy with, no one else is more equipped to change that thing but you! Plan and simple in concept, even though not necessarily in execution. 2. You can do better in life for the change. Hopefully, you are looking to change for the better. If you follow through and make needed lifestyle changes, your life will be better overall for the change. 3. You can inspire others to change. People tend to respond very well to images. Whether or not you’re aware, you are already providing an “image” of your life to those around you, and that image can inspire. If you live your life in a way that another person aspires to live, you can inspire their change! Just by doing what it takes to do better, you pave the way for others to do better. 4. Your changes will improve your relationships. The change you need might be in the interest of your relationships. What you do impacts everyone in your life. Working on your progression and expansion individually will impact your relationships. It’ll either help them appreciate you more, or show you the need to let go of those relationships. 5. Change is adventurous! If you’re seeking some adventure, there’s no better way to get that than by embarking on...
by Patricia | Nov 1, 2014 | Blog, Empowerment, Featured, Food, Wellness
Yesterday I had an intense sugar craving. I ate pretty well but my body kept calling for sugar, and I answered with one of these ice cream sandwiches. While eating the sandwich I questioned the purpose of the craving. Although what we crave might not be “necessary,” a craving signals that you’re in need of something. Maybe it’s a nutrient: for example, if you’re a lady, PMSing, and craving chocolate, you might be in need of magnesium (if this happens, try a small serving of raw cashews and see how it does the trick!). But maybe it’s an emotional need. After questioning and eating my ice cream sandwich, I meditated. (Meditation’s a great way to get answers to questions that only lie within. And the answer I got was… I’ve been feeling insecure, and using sugar as a security blanket. Ugh. I remembered the times in my childhood when I experienced actual danger, such as when I got hit by a car at 8 years old. I remember wanting to eat all things sweet after I got home from the hospital (mildly injured but shaken up, by the way). I am sure that the association between sugar and security started way before that, but it was the first time I’m aware of that the sugar craving was INTENSE! Next week will make 24 years since that happened, and to celebrate I think this security blanket should go. Ice cream sandwiches are great, but they do not protect me from experiencing pain or danger. So what’s better than an ice cream sandwich? Faith that the universe supports me. Knowledge that all is well. Belief that, even...
by Patricia | Oct 12, 2014 | Blog, Empowerment, Featured, Joy
Over on Instagram, I’ve been participating in Gala Darling‘s #lovetober photo challenge. The prompt for today was, “Jump!” I could have (and probably should have) taken a photo of me jumping, posted and kept it moving. But I’m under the weather, in no mood to physically jump and pose for a photo. So instead I’m using this as a blog prompt, because “jumping” is so relevant to my life right now. So there have been various times in my life when the decision to jump was before me, and I took it. For example, when I decided to go from artsy English major to artsy law student, the decision was a jump. When I bought my first LSAT prep book, I jumped off the cliff, and found wings that brought me to my life as an attorney. When I was at a cliff again, staring down at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and a career in coaching on the other side. I jumped, eventually. I stood at the cliff for about two years before I signed up for their health coaching program. This website and my business as it now exists started with a jump towards my dreams. The “jump” prompt is poignant because I’m at a big cliff right now. On the other side of the cliff is practicing in areas of law that are extremely different than what I’m used to. On the other side of this cliff is a rebranding of this coaching business I’ve started, and program ideas that I want to launch, and more speaking opportunities. I’ve spent the day recuperating from illness and contemplating what it means...
by Patricia | Jul 14, 2014 | Blog, Empowerment, Featured, Wellness
I just had a moment of panic. Someone important to me doesn’t approve of me in some way. The way they don’t approve doesn’t matter in the long run (or even in the short run) but still, she’s important to me, so it matters. I had a moment of panic. It happens, and not too often. But when it does happen… I take a deep breath. Air flows in through my nose, deeply through the lungs, into the diaphragm, and then up and out through the mouth. I remember that, yes, I still have breath. I still am here. Whatever’s wrong is not so wrong because I am here. And I am still. I tagged this #meditation because my meditation practice taught me how to come down from panic to stillness in less than a minute. No crossed legs and fingers touching. Just stop, and breathe. If you’ve read this far, and you don’t have a meditation practice, go here. Also join my meditation challenge,...
by Patricia | Jul 3, 2014 | Blog, Creativity, Empowerment, Featured, Joy, Wellness
There will be music and mantras. Bob Marley, and OMs. There will be sounds of nature. Raindrops and rainforests. There will be centeredness. There will be inner stillness. There will be peace. Starting on Sunday, July 6, I’ll be sharing my favorite meditation audios and videos everyday, for 30 days. The challenge is to use that audio or video and meditate everyday. The meditation audios/videos range in time, from a minute to about a half-hour. You’ll get a heads up in advance about the expected length of the week’s meditations. You are encouraged to use the shorter meditations if time doesn’t permit for the longer ones. You are encouraged to give the longer meditations a go! If you take the challenge, you’re very likely to gain a habit of finding stillness and centeredness. You will gain the ability to rein in your experiences with stress and anxiety. Commit to this challenge, and it’s quite possible that you will begin to experience a slice of serenity in your otherwise busy day. Commit, and get a taste of what meditation has to offer. Provide your email below, and/or like me on Facebook and follow along there. Summer Shine! Meditation Challenge * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Email Format html text...
