Does the Idea of a Circle of Women Make You Cringe?
Does the prospect of being in a workshop with a circle of women, most of whom you’ve just met, make you cringe? Does it actually scare you? If yes, I get it. I get it, because our society and many of the professions we are in - law (my background), medicine, academia, for example - seem to require us to always have the answers, to not show an iota of vulnerability. There is so much pressure to appear perfect.
Connect With Yourself First
Happy Valentine’s Day! I know this day can bring up a lot of emotions, positive and negative, whether you are single or in a relationship. I also know that the most effective way to be able to relate well with others - our loved ones and otherwise - is to connect to ourselves first. What do I mean by this exactly? I mean being able to turn toward yourself at least once a day and have the kind of conversation that you would have with someone you love - like a dear friend, your partner, or a child in your life.
Envisioning a Year of Greatness
On January 25, we were a beautiful circle of 11 brilliant women committed to making 2018 our Year of Greatness! And, we felt the connection to the almost 50 other Circles taking place this week around the globe in 14 other countries. We focused on gaining intentionality, clarity and alignment as well as with a sense of the path unfolding in front of us. Finally, we discovered what resources we need going forward to truly step into making 2018 our Year of Greatness.
Greatness? Who, Me?
When I first started hearing the call to step into my greatness, my first thoughts were: “Who, me? Who am I to be stepping into greatness?” Feelings of fear of alienating others came up for me. I would look arrogant. People wouldn't like me. But there was an invitation there that I could not and cannot resist. Wow, what if I were to allow myself to play with this idea of stepping into my greatness?
Reignite Your Divine Spark - SOLSTICE Gathering
I am so excited to be offering a special event right in my neighbourhood in downtown Toronto on the Winter Solstice. I’m offering this special event to celebrate the completion of my 2 years of training with Dr. Claire Zammit and my pending certification as a Feminine Power transformational facilitator (yay!) If you have been curious about Feminine Power, this will be an excellent way to get an experience of it!
Are You Resisting the YES You Feel?
Have you ever felt a huge YES for something with every fibre of your being, which is quickly followed by all the reasons why it should be a NO? I have a story about one experience I had with this. Not surprisingly, the story is related to my work in learning about Feminine Power, which has been a big focus for me of late. A few summers ago, I was just completing the first 7-week online course in Feminine Power.
Be An Agent of Social Change at Work
Do you feel a yearning to do more to change your work culture for the better? Maybe you also feel it’s really important to step into this contribution as a role model for future generations.You may feel a sense of urgency and a pull toward your yearning, especially in the last few months! The energy of the Women’s Marches may have contributed to your courage here as well as the sense of urgency you feel.
Taking A Stand As An Act of Leadership
I have been immersed in the Feminine Power Advanced Trainings since last June and it has been a transformative experience for me personally and professionally. As the trainings wind up and a 9 month practicum begins I am starting to integrate more and more what I have learned recently with what I knew “before”. It’s really fun – I love connecting dots and seeing what ideas I can come up with that really excite me and lead me to support others in more powerful ways.
What Are You Proud Of?
What are you proud of? Tap into your pride and have more energy to contribute in a socially valuable way! Over and over again, women tell me that they want to feel proud of their life and work. And yet, so many women are hesitant to share what they are proud of for fear of looking like they are bragging or showing hubris (excessive pride).
Feeling the Pull Toward Something Greater in a Mystical Landscape
I went with my family to see Mystical Landscapes: Masterpieces from Monet, Van Gogh & More at the AGO this past Sunday. The exhibition explores the mystical experiences in nature of 37 different artists. It was a gorgeous (if crowded!) experience. I was so inspired. At one point we were encouraged to focus on one of Charles-Marie Dulac’s works and just sit and be mindful, noticing what we saw.
Ann Patchett – Present and Powerful!
Recently, I had the good fortune to be invited by my friend Isabelle to go see Ann Patchett being interviewed at the Toronto Reference Library. Ann Patchett is on tour for her latest novel, Commonwealth. I have read several of her novels over the years (including Bel Canto, Run and State of Wonder) and really enjoyed them.
The Story of the Horse, the Monkey and the Bird
This is the story of the horse, the monkey and the bird. I took them all to Texas with me to a coaches' conference back in 2010. In fact, I take them everywhere with me. They are me. They represent my mind (the monkey), my body (the horse) and my spirit (the bird). They really came to life for me while I was on the treadmill at about 6 am one morning during this conference.
A Grounded Loving Tornado
I have been playing around with naming a very powerful source of energy that I have been able to tap into at times in the last couple of years. I am calling it being a “grounded loving tornado”. My sense is that this energy is a type of human spirit energy – connecting to something larger than ourselves and also acting in alignment with our deepest values.
It Happened At Spadina and Dupont
It happened at Spadina and Dupont on my morning walk two springs ago. I had an insight that would profoundly affect how I live my life... But before I get to that, let me backtrack to a few years earlier. Again, I was outside, on a run this time. I was using the workout up clear my head, feeling like the wind blowing by me was literally blowing the messy toxic debris and clutter out of my mind as I ran.
Why I Love Our Street Party
We heard about the party because neighbours were selling tickets to a raffle to be held at the party. We were curious, so on the day of, walked up and checked it out. We loved the community feel to it.
Game-Changing Questions for Family Life (Hint: Fun is Involved)
It’s been four years since I read a book that changed the life of our family for the better. Much better. The book is Honey I Wrecked the Kids: When Yelling, Screaming, Threats, Bribes, Time-outs, Sticker Charts and Removing Privileges All Don’t Work by Alyson Schafer. I picked it up in a time of need over the Christmas holidays. I was looking for help in my parenting of my youngest son.
Harnessing of "The Upside of Stress" by Kelly McGonigal
Whenever I feel compelled to talk a lot about something I have just learned, I realize that it is an important idea.
Intuition is Key
I was going to write about something completely different this week. But then I listened to my intuition. Here's what happened. The other morning when I turned on my phone after breakfast (I try to wait an hour after waking before turning on my phone), there was a FB message for me from our lovely former neighbour at the cottage.
Come Out of Your Box And Find Work-Life Synergy
Come out of your box and find work-life synergy (and the joy, freedom and sense of purpose that come with that)! Many years ago when I was a young lawyer, eager to learn, I had a conversation with a senior partner at my firm. He told me that part of his success had to do with the fact that he was able to put things in boxes and focus on one box at a time – he had a work box, a family box, a house box, a friend box, etc.
AHA! Work-Life Synergy!
I had an epiphany on my yoga mat recently that I would love to tell you about, but first a quick back-story. This summer, I was sharing with my coach that I couldn’t name the kind of coach that I am. I have never felt like a life coach, or a career coach, a leadership or an executive coach, though many aspects of each resonate with me and are reflected in my coaching.
- anger
- authenticity
- boundaries
- brain
- change
- coaching
- collaboration
- confidence
- courage
- emotions
- energetic
- energy
- feminine power
- giving
- gratitude
- growth mindset
- happiness
- humility
- international womens day
- intuition
- leadership
- perfectionism
- potential
- pride
- receiving
- reflection
- relationships
- replenish
- resistance
- savouring
- self-compassion
- self-doubt
- selfishness
- silence
- social change
- success
- vulnerability
- wisdom
- workplace
- yearning