Live A Great Life Anyway

I loved this so much when I saw it on the Facebook feed of my friend Tanie, that I just had to invite all of you to share too!

Happy New Year to our Live a Great Life Anyway community! I am reaching out today to see if any of you might be interested in participating in an online study group? As a Integrative Life Coach who was trained and certified by Debbie Ford herself, I ran several book study groups about 15 to 20 years ago. Over time, I have received many other requests to run more groups, but for one reason or another, time was always an issue and it never seemed to work out. I recently recei...ved yet another request for a study group on the book: "The Dark Side of the Light Chasers" With Covid-19 keeping us all at arms length from one another, I am considering whether it might be feasible to gather together online and discuss this impeccable body of work. And so, I am reaching out to see if there might be enough interest. We would need a minimum of 8 participants who can access and participate in the group via Zoom. The group would be 6 sessions in total, meeting every other Tuesday evening from 7:00 - 9:30pm (Mountain Standard Time). We would start on February 2nd giving folks at least two weeks to read the book. The cost to participate would be $199 CAD. The group would be limited to the first 12 paid participants. I will be making my decision shortly so please let me know as soon as possible if this opportunity is something you would like to take part in. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to connect with me at [email protected] Please confirm your interest in participating by emailing me at: [email protected] With warmest regards, Karen

Something to embrace as we greet the New Year!

Holding tender space for one and all ...

I am so very sorry that I don't know the name of the teacher to credit for this sharing this story ... but ... they deserve so much credit! Teachers like this are a precious gift to our humanity. May we all take a lesson from this teacher today.

This woke me right up! I love it when I am stretched to a new way of seeing things. Thank you @anitamoorjani for this wisdom.

Hmmm. Loving this ...

"Run the Dishwasher Twice"

We are slowly beginning to understand that the body really does keep the score and often expresses that which we have repressed. Ensuring optimal emotional health invites increased physical health and well-being. Some fascinating resources exist to substantiate the links between body, mind and emotion. " When the Body Says No" by Gabor Mat; "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessell VanderKolk; "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay; "Dying to be Me" by Anita Moorjani; "The Biology of Belief" by Bruce Lipton; "Anatomy of the Spirit" by Caroline Myss; "Love, Medicine and Miracles" by Bernie Siegel and so many more.

Trauma is not always a big ugly event. Sometimes it is chronic and insidious. It is not always an experience of abuse ... even neglect is incredibly harmful to our sense of safety in the world. A very short video called "Stillface" cab be accessed online and it compelling demonstrates how lack of connection and engagement of our primary attachment figures can be deeply distressing. Yes. Many of us have experienced trauma and may not even realize it until we see these symptoms showing up in our lives. There is help available though!

So very well worth the read ...

May we find a way to escape the concentration camps of our own minds.

What IF you are not just lazy ... obstinant ... timid ... unfocused etc? Rather, what IF you are stuck in a trauma-informed pattern of behavior that could be processed and shifted? What might be possible for you? Ive seen it happen. I am grateful to be able to support people in my work. The possibilities are endless when we start adressing the root of the problem rather than the symptoms of it!

Lets be really deliberate about what we let in ...

So often we might catch ourselves saying" Im only only person ... there is nothing I can do to make a difference with this situation, circumstance, event..." But THIS is such an inspiring testament to the power of how one loving heart ... one loving spriit ... one kind 88 year old soul has found a way to make HUGE difference for so many people trying to navigate the unusual times of Covid-19 ... including herself! Thank you Carma Anderson for being such a bright light in such a challenging time! And, thank you Lindsay for casting and amplifying that glow so generously social media! Our pandemic days are much better because of both of you!

I noticed myself smiling when I saw this. May it be a wee bit of inspiration for anyone whose heart might feel heavy right now.

I would add sitting. Indoors or outdoors. Simply sitting. And Essentrics. I would also add Essentrics.

I dont have toddlers in my midst but couldnt stop watching ...

It can be hard to find someone who who really listens ...

The part of ourselves that we have the hardest time accepting is typically the part we most need to honor and embrace.

A beautiful reminder to tuck into our hearts today, tomorrow and always.

A familiar feeling for anyone? Gah. "No feeling is final. Except hope."

Its never too late to heal our inner 3 year old, 7 year old, 12 year old, 16 year old ... etc. The chart describes some of the ways we can tell we are still bleeding. May we honor the parts of ourselves that were wounded in our childhoods with compassion and reach out for support rather than isolating our pain in self criticism and judgment.

Who can relate?

Every choice matters ... even the seemingly insignificant ones. There is no such thing as a neutral choice. Even no choice is a choice. Its important to consciously claim the direction we are going ... or ... well end somewhere that we dont want to be.

Im not sure of the source of this ... but ... what might life be like if we actually just did our job?

I would appreciate hearing your thoughts and experience. Would you agree?

Invalidation versus Validation ... our words make a difference.

We have been socialized to feel ashamed of our tears. They serve a very important purpose. May we collectively stop apologizing for them ... and rather ... welcome them them in our children, in ourselves and in our communities.

Would you agree?

I just had to share this! One of the best perspectives I have come across thus far. Some very sensible words to keep in mind as we re-open ... This is from a cardiologist at UW, Dr James Stein. COVID-19 update as we start to leave our cocoons. The purpose of this post is to provide a perspective on the intense but expected anxiety so many people are experiencing as they prepare to leave the shelter of their homes. My opinions are not those of my employers and are not mean...Continue reading

Although some restrictions are lifting, these suggestions invite us to consciously create our best possible lives while we navigate Covid-19.

I am so deeply moved by the heartfelt reflections of Cheryl Strayed on this Mothers Day ... just had to share.

Why "bad" behaviour might actually be a call for love and understanding ...

When you glance back over the years is there anything that sticks out ... any fear(s) taking up more space than you would have liked?

This very interesting and informative video is presented by one of the foremost psychologists and attachment theorists of our time. The content is not just valuable for those of us who are raising children, but rather, offers wisdom to guide all of us through the stresses, uncertainties and anxieties of finding our footing during this pandemic. And the wisdom can be applied beyond these unprecedented circumstances. You may even see yourself within the conversation. It was intended to be a keynote presentation at Conference that Dr, Neufeld was scheduled to speak at but was cancelled. You can now enjoy this information for FREE. It is 1 hour and 6 minutes long, so I hope you will make a cup of tea and give yourself the gift of this insight! Its a powerful perspective

Its a new daily in Covid-19 ... but the rules remain the same!