Coaching Circle Thoughts

Ladies,

I came to the realization that this Coaching Circle is coming to a close-somewhat-I know Michelle said we would stay in touch monthly for a while longer.  This is something that I am sad and anxious about, yet I feel a sense of achievement and excitement at the same time. I feel so grateful to be a part of this circle.

I learned so much from each of you in this circle.  I thank you for allowing me into your lives and opening up yourselves to me.  You are such a powerful support group for me and amazing individuals. You been there for me through words of honesty,  support, encouragement, and to celebrate of all of my achievements. I have had the opportunity to do the same back to all of you.   The process has changed my life for the better. Words can not express how grateful I am for this experience.

I have learned so much from being a part of the Coaching Circle and here is just a few things that popped into my mind:

That it is OK to be vulnerable and open up myself to others.  When you open up to others and ask for support you not only learn more about yourself, you also can learn from other people's experiences.

That it is OK to speak my truth out of love for myself and not the fear of what if!

To trust that the universe will take care of me. So instead of reacting I need to let go and let things fall where they are going to fall.

To love myself.  To take care of myself first and know that I can not carry the burdens of others.

To trust that I am a competent person and I am able to do anything I put my mind to.

To know that it is OK for me to make mistakes, to not beat myself up over things, and to learn from every situation I encounter in life. Every experience is a lesson.

To believe that every situation that has occurred in my life has happened for a reason and in the midst of the most chaotic situations in life, these are the times to look back on and with great pride and say that it only made me stronger.

To not only speak of things that I want to see happen in my life, but to take ACTION. Action is what gives me what I deserve in life.

I love this one, To lead by example :)

That I will look back on the past six months to a year and say AHA-so that is why this is happening. Love those Aha Moments!

Whew!!! I feel a sense of achievement :)

I am looking forward to finally meeting Michelle and some of you in November at the I Can Do It Conference. It will be a time to connect face to face finally, give lots of hugs and to celebrate the new friendships that have been formed. I am also looking forward to staying in touch with each of you.

Love you all!

xxoo

Melissa

Changing Lives-One By One

Second Chances

So I watched one of my favorite movies of all times with Jennifer Garner.  Its called 13 going on 30.  My niece and Mom were asking questions throughout the entire movie-good thing I have seen it before...lol.  The best part about this movie is that it is full of beauty from the location of the set, the scenery, Jennifer Garners outfits (to die for), hair, makeup, the messages that came up throughout the movie and most of all to not have any regrets and live life to the fullest. Life is all about second chances.  Create and to go after what you want in life.

One of my favorite scenes is when she is presenting her new outlook on the magazine Poise.  Love this:

  Jenna: "Who are these women? Does anyone know? I dont recognize any
  of them. I want to see my best friends big sister, the girls from
  the soccer team, my next door neighbor, real women who are smart
  and pretty and happy to be who they are. These are the women to
  look up to. Lets put life back into the magazine. And fun and
  laughter and silliness. I think we all - I think all of us - want
  to feel something that weve forgotten or turned our backs on
  because maybe we didnt realize how much we were leaving behind. We
  need to remember what used to be good. If we dont, we wont
  recognize it even if it hits us between the eyes."

Each time I watch this movie I never get sick of it because it is such a fun movie full of life.  Every time I see this movie I want to go out and buy some Razzles :)  http://youtu.be/hhbYxXg7p-A This video is a reminder to let loose, have a little fun-and to not take life so seriously and enjoy the beauty around you.

Coaching Circle

I can not believe that four weeks of the Coaching Circle I joined and decided to participate in has passed. Amazing how much time flies when you are having fun.   I won't go into detail, but Michelle Phillips our main leader-supportor and motivator takes us through steps out of her book, The Beauty Blueprint. I never really thought that you could dedicate that much time to yourself, self indulging-but for me it felt like overindulging.  I almost felt guilty, yet something about looking within yourself and having the courage to hold yourself accountable and do the work is so liberating.

It has been four weeks of eye opening experiences, and participating in this Coaching Circle is the best thing that I have ever done for myself in a really long time.  I feel like I have made great strides towards facing things in my life that I have a hard time facing and learning my lessons in life.  

I still have a ways to go, and how ironic is it that I pulled one of Cheryl Richardson's twilight cards off of her website. I closed my eyes and asked a question about moving past resentment and the work that I will be doing in the next cycle of the Coaching Circle.  The card that I pulled was Comfort.  When I clicked on it, it said " Lean back into the arms of grace, let go and let God. "  So perfect and until next time I know what it is I need to do.  

My Heart Said YES!

I have a new venture that lies ahead beginning July 27th, funny how the universe works and I feel that this was meant to be. I ran across a woman by the name of Michelle Phillips on face book. Michelle is a celebrity artist and life coach. She also has a book that is coming out in the Fall called, The Beauty Blueprint.  I started to respond to some of her face book posts and to my amazement she actually took the time to respond to me. Not just a yes, no or thank you, but really took the time to respond. I was amazed, but also felt a connection to someone that I hardly even know. 

I responded to one of her face book posts on affirmations, I sent her my story through e mail, and Michelle responded again with a sincere message and asked me if I would like to join her with a small group of women in her summer coaching series.  She was even willing to help and work with me individually since I was going to miss two classes on vacation.  A woman of her stature I am sure has better things to do.

This was the first time in a long time, that my heart knew what to do. My heart screamed to go for it and that is just what I did.  I have never been so clear on something for quite some time. I feel like this is a new opportunity that will be filled with accomplishments, challenges, and I am going to be confronting things about myself and in my life that I have a hard time facing at times.  Nervous and excited.  

And so this new journey begins on July 27th, and I am looking forward to it...to be continued. 

Surround Yourself With Those That Love You..................

Yesterday seemed like a long day, not in a bad way, just a lot was going on at work.  I can not complain because I love where I am professionally and work almost feels like a second home to me. A second home because if you think about it, that is where I spend the majority of my time on weekdays pretty much 8 hours a day.

We had a retirement luncheon for a gentlemen that has worked for our program for over 9-10 years.  I also supervised him for a few of those years.  There came a time where we all had an opportunity to say a tribute to him, including myself.  There was lots of tears, joy, laughter and memories shared.....it triggered me to begin thinking that each and everyone of us touches lives in our own unique way.  We all have love and support around us, and are probably affecting more lives than we think.  I have this motto and that is to surround yourself with those that love you, and who are only going to lift you higher. I was just telling someone the other day that I have surrounded myself with amazing individuals in my life.

It also got me to thinking that nothing ever stays the same, change is constant.  Change at times for me is not comfortable for a short period of time, but yesterday helped me to see that when things change in our lives or we are going through hardships, new opportunities open up for us and it is during the hard times where lessons are learned to only make you stronger.  I have a friend that gave me a little plaque.  I have it in my bathroom, and look at it each and everyday as I am getting ready in the morning or going to bed as a reminder to: Believe, to believe that all things happen for a reason.

As I look back on what has transpired in my life so far, I can not complain. So grateful for what life has provided to me, and comforted in knowing that when things get tough....I am surrounded with love and support....all I need to do is reach out....my friends and family will always be there for me.

First Class-Business Class-Economy-Standby-Hmmmmm....something to think about.

I have been reading more and more lately, something I have not done a lot of in the past. Curiosity I guess and something to keep me grounded when things feel tough.  I came across this book called-Traveling at the Speed of Love by Sonia Choquette.  I can not believe how small the New Age section was at Barnes and Noble-very surprising. It was the last book on the shelf and it was meant to be that I got this book. I just started reading it this weekend.  The book has just begun and it there are already parts of the book that have really struck home and taken my breath away.

The title of the book pretty much says it all, "when we travel at the speed of love, we choose to live in a frequency of unconditional love. Today, most of us travel at the frequency of fear and exist in a victim consciousness. " Something to really think about is, "we are all traveling in this universe together, the speed, the tone, and the quality of our journey differs greatly from person to person.

We choose our way just as when we travel on airplanes we choose our class: first class, business class, economy, or even standby."  Never looked at life like this, and for sure do not want to be in economy-First class or standby would be nice.  I see standby as in living life spur of the moment and letting life unfold as it is ready, or first class as in giving myself what I feel I deserve and surrounding myself with like minded people.

The book is just getting started, but there was a section that stood out which speaks to when you travel first class, " you meet the best fellow travelers " (for the most part)  "Because like attracts like, people who choose to travel in first class meet kindred spirits, like minded souls who share the same values and priorities.  These are giving people who are generous of the soul and full of heart and make your journey through life richer in every way.  The make traveling companions, and open doors to wondrous opportunities."  So grateful that I am surrounded with these kind of individuals in my life-my friends and family.  I started a blog series called Paying Tribute, and I think that it is so important to be grateful to the people in your life. Those that open and heal your heart vs surrounding yourself with people who bring you down.

Funny how the card I picked today off of Sonia's website speaks to Starting A New.  I feel like I am slowly just doing that, and so the journey continues...........