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Hello everyone and welcome! The other day, while shopping at my local health food store, I ran into someone who knows the nature of my work. We spoke briefly and at some point, she turned and asked me this question: "Do you really practice what you're talking about?" I paused. What a great question. Do I practice what I teach? "Yes," I answered, "I do my best to practice what I teach and I'm a work in progress just like the rest of us." Frankly, I don't think I could pull it off - talking about something I know nothing about. Motivated by her question, I kept reflecting on my personal journey and the many changes I've been through, when I sat down to write this. Today, I'm sharing some of my personal experiences and I'd love to hear about your journey, as well. I invite you to join me on Facebook or send me an email and have a discussion on life's ups and downs. Take a look at the upcoming events and join me in this month's telegatherings. Happy November! To your ongoing success! Yota Making peace with life's ups and downs 
I don’t know about you but every time I turn around something has changed. It’s true, my life has been a whirlwind of change. I came to the United States from Greece to study, met my husband and before I even knew it, my life had changed forever. That was almost 26 years ago. I had to adjust, learn and reinvent myself. Things that are second nature to you, were not that easy for me. For example: Grocery shopping was an adventure. None of the brands were familiar to me. I had to learn by trial. Navigating a supermarket gave me a headache. It still does! Too big, bad lighting, too much processed food :-) Later, when I ended up in corporate and people would hang out making small talk . . . I found it challenging to participate. People would be talking about their childhoods, referring to their favorite TV shows, toys, and other fond memories. They would exchange knowing looks, connecting with each other through a familiar past. I couldn’t do that. I didn’t know what Mr. Potato Head was, the sound bites they exchanged were unfamiliar and the cultural references they made, were all “Greek” to me! I went back to college, writing papers in a foreign language and sitting through classes with young people I didn’t have much in common with. I worked through school, climbed the corporate ladder, became a mother, came down the corporate ladder, and had to start over. We moved to a different state, bought amd sold houses, changed communities. If I had to describe my life, it would be a series of new beginnings, adjustments, successes, failures, u turns, endings and back to new beginnings. What a journey! Not easy, but rich, rewarding and exciting. I’ve had the time of my life. I wouldn’t be who I am today without these experiences and I like who I am today! Being willing to go with change, as it happens, may not be easy but it’s fundamental to our growth. Change gives us the opportunity to evaluate our ways, make adjustments, and discover new possibilities. Whether change happened by choice or not, whether we view it as positive or negative, there is a rhythm to it. It's a process. Going through transition tests our comfort level with uncertainty. As the old gives way to the new, we enter the “I don’t know” land. There is a space between what we knew and were comfortable with and what’s next. It’s right there, in that gap, that we feel the most vulnerable. Our fears, doubts and other people’s expectations begin to weigh down on us. How do we survive and come through to the other side? "For a person who's used to our culture's way, to wait, let things come, is sometimes the most difficult." Marie-Louise von Franz We’re conditioned to push through. “Make it happen!” says the voice in our head and the people around us. How do you push through a door when it’s not there? How do we become comfortable with waiting for the right time to get up and go when we don’t know how to be still? There’s a time for action and a time for reflection and rejuvenation. We need to learn to read the signs. At times we get scared and make mistakes.
If you’re in the winter of transition, the most important gift you can give yourself is time and space for reflection. Make time to be by yourself, even if all you can carve is fifteen minutes a day. Start by creating a sacred place for yourself; a room or a corner where you can go to sit and just be with your thoughts, read, journal, meditate, listen to music. If you can, go for a walk. Nature is the ultimate healer. I remember when my twin daughters were infants, the long waking, working hours, and the feeling of exhaustion. The days and hours would just blend into each other. Every day, around one in the afternoon, they would take a nap. After many attempts at being productive, I realized that what I craved the most was stillness. So, I did just that. I’d make myself a pot of tea and serve it in my favorite tea cup. I would light a candle and sit in front of my biggest window, put my feet up and allow myself to take it all in. Sometimes it was thirty minutes and other times it was one hour. At the end of this break, I felt rested, excited, ready to go hug my kids again and experience joy. I envisioned my business during those times. It didn't happen suddenly. It happened over time, slowly. Initially, the vision came as a “what if” question, then as a daydream, and finally as clear knowledge of what needed to happen next. Give yourself what you need this very moment. Anxiety, self-doubt or sheer exhaustion don’t lead to any good. Take care of yourself, in this very moment and let things come to you. _______________________________________ ©2010 Open for Success. "7 Steps to Drama-Free Holidays" When: November 8, 7-8pm EST What does the holiday season mean to you? Do you find yourself becoming anxious when you think about it? Would you like to change the pattern and give yourself the gift of pure enjoyment this year? Join me in this telegathering for some holiday cheer and a discussion on how you can make this a holiday season to remember . . . in a fun, loving way! Free of charge for subscribers. ___________________________________________________________
When: November 15, 7-8pm EST Life never stands still! Change happens! Now what? Life's changes can be overwhelming whether we saw them coming or not. Change holds tremedous potential for personal growth but we can't see it when we're going through transition. Often uncertainty, fear and doubt take hold of us. How do we:
Join me in this teleclass and learn how to use the Seasons of Change model as your guide to navigating transition successfully. Participants will complete the "Seasons of Change" questionnaire prior to the teleclass so they can identify the stage of transition they're currently in. Upon registration, you'll receive an email with: * The number to call for the teleclass Free of charge for subscribers 
Doesn't this one sound like a recipe for life success? I loved it! "3 Most Important Bones: A Wish Bone; A Back Bone; A Funny Bone” - Reba McEntire Open for Success respects your privacy. We will never sell, rent, trade, or share your e-mail with any other organization. If you wish to be taken off this list, simply look to the top or the bottom of this ezine and use the link to instantly unsbuscribe. You are welcome to pass this ezine to your friends and colleagues as long as the entire content is kept intact. If this ezine has been forwarded to you, I invite you to sign up and receive your own copy every month. |
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