2014 Bucket list

I know there are folks who feel 2014 resolutions do not work - they may even be harmful. I understand when setting plans, goals and then failing to produce results may be harmful. BUT.... I believe if we do not committ to dreams, st goals and make plans to achieve them, there will not be much progress to live the life we dream of. This year, I make a chart of my 2014 bucket list. These are 63 fun items I will accomplish this year. Some of them are: play ping pong, badminton and bocce ball, 4 trips, 8 dates, 12 yoga classes, etc. Now I intended to insert a copy of my chart here but my lack of technoology skills drives me crazy. So let's add this to the list. This years blog will update my progess towards my list. So far I have taken one yoga class and gone on one trip - visiting friends in San Diego. Lots more to do... If you are stuck making progess living yoru dream life, follow my coaching blog at http://kellycoach.wordpress.com/ I post the first Thursday of the month. This month's topic is "Joy and Happiness". Stay tuned.

Fulfilling a dream

I wanted to visit Italy for many years. The day has finally arrived, I fly out tomorrow.

This is the perfect way to follow my own advice. This 15 posts on my coaching website is
about committing to solving an ongoing problem or fulfilling a passion.

I am fulfilling a passion. My last European adventure was back in 1989 - so long ago.

In will be posting throughout this trip - my focus is on art, architecture, food and wine.
What else - I am in Italy after all. I hope to include many photos along the way.

Check out my coaching blog at: wwww.kellycoach.wordpress.com. And follow along with my weekly Thursday posts.

Dorothy

My summer home

I longed for a summer home.  I had lived in San Francisco for about 15 years,
enduring "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco",
as Mark Twain quoted. I grew up on the east coast so summers meant hot,
sticky weather, spent outside, swimming, sunning, living.

Finally, I had the opportunity to purchase this stunning home in the Russian River
Valley.  From the outside it looks like a small abode but inside a 2200" sg.ft.
beauty existed - vaulted living room ceiling, original redwood paneling,
3 bedrooms,  two baths and a remodeled modern kitchen. 

I experienced many great times and hosted dozens of events but life is not all
sunshine, roses and hydrangeas.  More of this tale later.....

Over one year later

Where does the time go?  I lasted posted in January 2012.  YIKES.

But I am back to  “Our Common Journey."

As a reminder - Who are we? 

Our - boomers over age 60 planning and living their dreams for

the next 20 to 40 years, no guarantees.

Common – we all experience success and face obstacles. It is

what we do in these situations that make the most difference.

Let's learn together.

Journey – life is a journey.  Many times lived on a treadmill,

going about our daily routines, rarely venturing off into the unknown. Watching as time goes by, our dreams  and vision collecting dust

in the buried subconscious of the mind.

I have made some progress in propelling me life forward over

the last year but I have set a new course now  to really step out

of my comfort zone and make my dreams come true. 

I set these three goals for 2013:

            to DATE

            to lose 3 inches on my waist

            to build a TEAM

This is my journey, come along, give me support, encouragement,

and strength to live, to do and to accomplish my goals.

In return I will be honored to inspire, empower, and educate

you to live your dreams as well.

Breaking through an obstacle

It has been too long since my last blog post.
Sounds a bit like a confession statement.

But I will confess, this act of writing is
challenging.

After having worked for years with facts and figures,
I am transitioning to use the other side of my brain
   more creative,
   more language arts, 
   more spontaneity.

I am finding this process takes commitment,
dedication, consistency, focus and frankly hard work.

Why is it hard? Because I am changing a big part of
my life. I am asking myself to follow a new path,
to try a new thing by writing.  So of course, I
am in unfamiliar territory. 

We know what happens then.

The roadblock appear, the obstacle magnify,
the fears and doubts surface and procrastination
comes out with a vengeance. 

But I will not be deterred.  I have found that
I am inspired by writing and finding my own unique
expressive style.

New is my 2012 word.  I am getting off
of my own treadmill in life and committing to NEW.

You can, too.  In fact, I am inviting you to join
my team of folks to become educated, inspired and 
empowered to get off your own treadmill of life
and get back into your life, your journey.

Look for my email flyer or phone call this week as I
encourage you to commit to your own dreams and visions
  – at the beginning of this new year of 2012.

Success with meditation

I am so proud of my accomplishment.
I have adopted a habit of meditation.

I am on day 77 and am beginning to
experience some of the benefits.
The last tweak I will make in my
practice is the timing of the activity.

I took a small step outside of my
comfort zone in October.  A visiting
friend asked me if I wanted to practice a
few yoga moves with her.

Normally I would have said – No I have done
yoga – as if I already knew enough about yoga.
(Sometimes my I know it all attitude kicks in.)

But this time I said yes.  Marina showed me
eight postures specifically for my back aches
and pains. That day I learned simple movements
which addressed my weakest areas in my body.

I am happy to say that I have added these
postures, plus a few additional ones to my
morning practice.  Now my routine has extended
to 30 minutes. It includes stretching and
meditation. And I am feeling great.

I find the meditation component is best used
after my stretches because as I hold each pose,
I mentally relax into the stretch with the
accompanying deep breathing.

And finally, I understand the importance of
practicing my morning routine right away after
waking before my mind get busy with the
day’s tasks awaiting me.

My next step is to practice a short meditation
right before bed. 

Meditation made Easy!

I thought meditation must be easy,
boring even.

You just sit quietly, without thought. 
This notion couldn’t have been farther
from the truth. 44 days into my new practice,
I understand frustration of Elizabeth Gilbert
beginning her practice in India described
in her book “Eat, Pray, Love”.

I began my meditation practice August 29th.
I have yet to turn off the constant dialogue
in my head while doing it.  I know the theory
is to not worry about this dialogue and to
stick with the practice but…..

As I wait to experience any of the benefits of
meditation, I am discovering new things about
myself. 

Throughout each  day I notice my mind is also
always going – thinking, thinking, thinking. 
Thinking about my to do lists, upcoming
appointments, work projects, phone calls,
past events, the future in countless ways,
messes around me, making money
and on and on and on.

I am still struggling with the act of meditating –
quieting my mind and even just sitting for 5 minutes
in the uncomfortable lotus position.

I discovered that meditation is a form of
mindfulness.  Now I understand meaning of
the word – mindful.  It is an interesting word
because you think it would mean fill the
mind fully. But isn’t it the opposite?

To be aware, to be present, to live in the
moment, without judging, or analyzing. 

So as I include mindfulness more in my life,
I will notice the impact on my meditation practice.

And stay committed to this new habit of meditation.