Let it Flow

“Where is all this fear coming from?” I asked with a voice of desperation. 18 months after quitting my job and I’d finally had enough. And so I embarked on a number of soul searching adventures to help find the answer to that question. Meditation and writing retreats, yoga practice, journaling, coaching, acupressure, homeopathy. I knew I could find the answers if I dug deep enough. I wanted success in my personal and professional life and I was determined to figure it out.

The answers really started to “let it flow” during a week long writing and meditation retreat. I arrived at the retreat with two writing projects in mind: the Let it Flow book and a personal essay/memoir. I wasn’t quite sure which I had more energy or inspiration to write. I found the answer while writing my morning pages on the first day of the retreat. As my morning pages naturally came to an end, the answer I was looking for appeared as the following words hit the pages of my notebook:

Before you can write the Let it Flow book, you must figure out your personal stuff. You must first learn to let it flow.

Like a lightbulb turned on after so many years of darkness I realized my block. If I wanted to promote Let it Flow as a business, product, or anything, I myself needed to Let it Flow so I could truly understand what I was promoting! And so began my own Let it Flow Experience.

The Very Beginning

After participating in a firewalk during the summer of 2005 I walked away from that event believing “I can do anything!” Shortly thereafter at my kitchen table, Let it Flow and the heart logo were born based on my belief that everything we do starts from the heart and flows out. My first tag line: Fitness starts on the inside. When you feel good, you look good.

Let it Flow and the heart made sense to me at that time but in a very different way than they do today. Originally, my thoughts behind Let it Flow were very practical. First, the heart = health, and without our health we don’t have much of anything. The words Let it Flow were general on purpose, allowing the individual to put meaning on the “it” - money, energy, your body, the people in your life. Whatever needed to get unstuck and cleared in order to truly enjoy life. On some level, I still very much hold true to these thoughts.

And Today…

Once I started to really let it flow, the words meant so much more. The words became an experience, an experience that in the end started with my heart. I began writing about my experiences in journals and as a result created what I call the Let it Flow Experience (LiFE), an integral framework that looks at the whole person and all areas of well-being. The framework consists of 3 primary components:

• Awareness
• Accountability
• Action

The Let it Flow Experience is a continuous cycle. As I move through it I am constantly learning, developing and discovering new things about myself. The Let it Flow Experience is designed to put you in the driver’s seat of your health, career, and relationships. Providing you the information and tools necessary to reduce stress and live a life that is balanced and satisfying. I’m excited to share the Experience with you in 2009.

Stay tuned for follow up posts explaining in more detail the Let it Flow Experience, the framework and the new 6 week teleseminar series that begins January 27.

Tags: Let it Flow Events, Positive Thinking, Stress, Yoga and Meditation // 3 Comments »

Success is a journey, not a destination. - Author Unknown

As one year ends and another begins, I like to take some time to reflect on all that happened during the year personally and professionally. I look back in old journals to see what I set out to do this year, what I accomplished and what I can put on my list for 2009.

2008 had a lot of wins, some highlights include:

• Creation of my product line, starting with Let it Flow: Short Guided Meditation CD and audio download.
• Co-host of radio program Breaking the Glass Slipper
• Formed a writing group for motivation, inspiration and accountability.
• Took on a variety of leadership roles including Co-Director of the Downtown Women’s Club Boston Chapter and president-elect of the South Shore Women’s Business Network
• A sense of satisfaction about what unfolded in 2008 and excitement about what is to come in 2009.

As a result of these accomplishments I am fueled for what 2009 has to offer. A sneak peak…

• Launching the Let it Flow Experience starting with a teleseminar series
• Updated website
• Product line expansion - to help make well-being practical and attainable in your personal and professional life
• Back to Your Senses - Reviving TV show production and online availability
• Writing my book

My list of things to do is long, but I start the new year with my passions. I also plan to dabble in poetry (see below), children’s wellness books, and research how to get an agent and publisher for my book(s) and speaking engagements.

What did you accomplish in 2008 and what are your plans for 2009?   Think big, start small, and celebrate every step along the way. Success can be yours, if you’re committed to making it happen!

Happy New Year and all the best for a happy, healthy and satisfying 2009!

My First Poem

As I looked through my 2008 journals I came across this poem I wrote dated May 17, 2008. Fresh off a writing and meditation retreat and inspired by a fellow retreat attendee, I used poetry to get some thoughts out about what it was like for me to Let it Flow.

LET IT FLOW

Sometimes we get stuck
Our minds and our bodies are full of muck
Clouding our thoughts with “I should”
Or “If only I could”

What is this fear?
We end up drawing so near
Believing it to be real
Seeming to end up with a raw deal

Choices are the key
For you and for me
We have them, we make them
We leave them, we take them

Accountability goes by the wayside
Never looking inside
It’s him or her but never me
Awareness of self, my friend, is the key

Instead we choose not to feel
Stuff it down with every meal
Complain, complain, complain
Living a life that is full of blame

Find it, face it, feel it
The pain so bad you replace it
With food, tv, cigarettes and more
To keep up the addictions, what a chore

It’s in front of you now
Take a step back and bow
Pay respects and let it in
Now freedom truly begins

Own it, it’s yours
Open your heart and it pours
Heaviness releases
Pain and suffering at once decreases

Light as a feather, a new smile on your face
Find your true self, a brand new place

The life inside you, you now know
Will truly begin to Let it Flow

Tags: Food for thought, Miscellaneous Wellness, Positive Thinking // 9 Comments »

Meditation has many definitions, one of which is “focusing on a single object”. Often that one object is the breath, a mantra (or saying such as “I am relaxed”), or a question. The image most often associated with meditation is the seated position, eyes soft or closed, in a space that is free from any distraction. Even as yoga and meditation become more popular in western society, many still hold resistance to trying these practices. The bottom line about meditation is it works to help find peace of mind, balance and presence.

But what about those who are not interested in or hesitant about starting a sitting practice yet still seek less stress, peace of mind, balance and presence? The good news is you can find balance and presence without necessarily sitting in silence. Remember, meditation defined is “focusing on a single object”. What activity (a healthy one!) can you engage in that allows you that focus and the ability to participate fully, without thinking about anything else?

Below is a list I compiled based on my own preferences and those of friends, family and clients. Managing your health and well-being is personal. Find an activity that works for you and then practice regularly. One time is not enough to experience the rewards.

10 Ways to Meditate without Meditating (Or how to find some calm and balance in your life!)

1. Cooking – it’s creative, fun and if you turn away from the stove…oops!
2. Knitting – one wrong move with the needle and you no longer have that scarf
3. Gardening – Gardening offers a connection to nature while caring and nurturing for living things.
4. Yoga –often referred to as meditation in motion with a focus on your body and breath.
5. Jogging/walking –I get some of my best ideas while out for a jog.
6. Skiing – My ski friends tell me there is nothing like it!
7. Cleaning house – get rid of clutter in the house, get rid of clutter in the mind.
8. Jigsaw puzzles – I get lost in these…15 minutes quickly turns into 60
9. Drawing, sculpting, ceramics - talk about getting back to your senses
10. Writing

If less stress and more balance is truly what you seek, you must commit to making your chosen practices and activities a regular part of your life. You cannot simply wish for it, you must do something about it.

What activities do you have in your life that put you in a zone? A place where you are totally focused and not another thought takes over your mind? How can you make that activity part of your everyday life in order to live with less stress, more balance and more presence?

Tags: Food for thought, Inspiration and Motivation, Positive Thinking, Stress, Yoga and Meditation // 6 Comments »

Last Sunday I departed cold and frigid Massachusetts for the warm and sunny island of Jamaica, mon. True, the cold air in Massachusetts certainly brings me back to my senses, but nothing helps bring me back to life more than a few days of R&R in a warm sunny spot.

By definition a vacation is leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure. Many people I know, myself included, often think in a black or white, all or nothing mentality, believing that a vacation is only a vacation when travel and a certain number of days is involved. Not true. Any time you take for a mini-vacation helps. If we start believing that, maybe we’d all start to live with less stress and more balance. We’d stop thinking about how to spend our free time and instead spend it in a way that makes sense for our well-being providing us with much needed peace and rejuvenation.

My husband and I were fortunate to carve out 5 days for our trip to Jamaica. We don’t always have 5 days available for a vacation. I treasure any time I take for myself during the week to get to a yoga class, work on my jigsaw puzzle or sit for a few minutes in silence. Often that few minutes is enough.

This particular vacation brought me back to my senses in ways I didn’t anticipate. Sure the sun beat down on my face warm like a fire, and the sea was green like the grass in my backyard during summer. But beyond that we had an opportunity to visit some of the Jamaican villages and eat where the locals eat.   That experience brought to the surface a feeling that has stirred in me for a while now. Vacations not only help you relax, they can also shed light and clarity on your own life, means and abilities.

When was the last time you allowed yourself a (mini) vacation?  A chance to get unplugged and away from it all.  How can you get back to your senses this week or in the new year by carving out some time for a mini-vacation?  The holidays are no excuse!  Take the time now for a happy and healthy holiday and new year!

Tags: Back to Your Senses, Positive Thinking // 3 Comments »

Some people think it’s holding on that makes one strong- sometimes it’s letting go.
- Author Unknown

Have you ever been in a mood to let go of it all? Ever wonder what that would be like? Recently I’ve become very focused on letting go of material things, toxic relationships and business activities that are not moving my company forward. Scary and freeing all at the same time. When we choose to let go we choose to let go of the past and to fear.

When I imagine letting go I instantly feel my body relax and my mind slow down. In fact, due to some of my own recent letting go, shoulder pain I had been experiencing is no longer bothering me. I feel light, as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Holding on feels exactly the opposite - it’s very uncomfortable and requires too much of my strength and energy.

Then there is the other side…When I let go I’m faced with fears of the unknown, of hurting someone’s feeling, or the fear that letting go was a mistake. As hard as it is to let go, it’s also very exciting and rewarding. Looking back, I realize that each time I let go of something everything turns out “ok”. So I remain patient through the ups and downs and eventually the new opportunities come.

Recently I submitted a proposal to speak at a local women’s networking organization. If accepted, the talk would be unpaid but could potentially offer great visibility. I learned earlier this week that my proposal was not accepted. I felt relieved because the proposal was not true to my passions and work. I force fit my topic to fit the group’s needs. A few hours later I received an invitation to speak at a different women’s group early next year. The new invitation was based on a referral, the woman liked the speaking topics I list on my web site, the event sounds like a wonderful opportunity and the work is paid. I truly believe that when one door closes, another, more appropriate one opens.

No doubt about it, letting go of anything, no matter how large or small is a challenge! If you find yourself faced with needing to let go, here are a few things to consider as you do so:

• Become aware of what you’re holding on to (toxic relationships, unfulfilling career, old anger)
• Notice how it makes you think or feel (tired, nervous, aggravated, physical aches and pains)
• Think about the ideal scenario (who is there, what are you doing) - be specific.
• What are some small steps you could take to let go starting today.

If you’re not ready to quit your job, no problem! Start with something easy – like clothes. When I make a seasonal switch it’s the perfect time for me to take inventory of the clothes I wear and don’t wear. If I haven’t worn it all season, I donate it. This allows space in my closet for a fresh new wardrobe! And by donating the clothing, I’m doing a great community service, too.
December is a perfect time to let go. It’s often a time of reflection of the last year and goal setting for the year ahead. I’m letting go of things now to make space for what I truly want in 2009. What do you want in the new year? Let go of something old and go get it - you deserve it!

Are you ready to Let Go and Let it Flow in the new year?

Tags: Food for thought, Inspiration and Motivation, Miscellaneous Wellness, Positive Thinking // 12 Comments »

Thank you to Lance at the Jungle of Life for interviewing me on his blog today. You can read the post here: Let’s Just All Let it Flow.

I also want to direct you to a new site I contribute to as a wellness expert - BestLifeDesign.com. My latest post Tuning in to Your Body’s Needs: More than Diet and Exercise is now available. I’ll contribute to this site a couple of times per week and will let you know when I do. I hope to see you over at Best Life Design!

Tags: Food for thought, Miscellaneous Wellness // 2 Comments »

Winter 2007

Today snow fell for much of the day in the Boston area yet the temperatures remained above freezing. I decided to go for a run. On went my 30 degree running pants, layers on top, gloves, neck and ear warmers and my ipod. I was ready to go.

The snow fell into my eyes as my body quickly warmed up, music motivating me every step of the way. This is living, I thought to myself as my feet gently pounded the pavement. I love running in the rain. I feel so free and uninhibited, allowing the water to soak me as I go. Gone is the pressure to look good or say the right thing. When I run in the rain I no longer have boundaries, as though nothing can stop me. Running in the snow this morning provided me the exact same feeling.

Do you allow the weather to stop you from heading outside? Do you ever find yourself saying, “I wanted to walk today, but it’s raining.” What stops you? What is the worst that could happen? You get wet. Guess what? You’ll dry, too! With the right gear and safety measures (watch the ice!) you do not have to wait for a sunny day to enjoy outdoor activities. Temperatures below 25 F as well as thunder and lightening are my personal limits.

This week, get back to your senses by experiencing all types of weather. Take some time to feel the rain on your face, the snow in your hair, and the wind in your face. Free yourself from usual and get out of your comfort zone! Prepare yourself with appropriate clothing –you’ll buy it once, where it many. Use caution and recognize your own physical limits.

If you allow the weather to stop you, what else do you allow to stop you?

Tags: Back to Your Senses, Food and Diet, Hiking and Outdoor Activities, Positive Thinking // 15 Comments »

During the last year of my corporate career I was stressed out due to a toxic work environment that I didn’t know how to appropriately manage. It’s no surprise then that a lot of my work now involves relieving stress in the workplace. Stressed out workers are costly in terms decreased productivity, increased health costs and missed work days not to mention their contribution to a less than positive work environment.

I’m often asked “How do I teach other people to manage their stress, too?” Yes, it’s frustrating when you are trying and your colleagues are not. Do not give in to their attitudes! Lance at the Jungle of Life recently wrote a post about how “one” can make a big difference. Concentrate on relieving YOUR stress and you will manage your health and your career success. If you react in a way that is healthy and appropriate, your colleagues may start to notice in their own time. You cannot help those who are not ready for help, but you can inspire through your own actions. Act appropriately and maybe that colleague will come to you and ask “How do you stay so positive during such a frustrating situation?” Now, you can share your knowledge.

Below are no cost ways to relieve stress right from your desk or workspace. You are your greatest asset when it comes to your personal and professional success. You cannot afford not to take a short break and dedicate some time each day, even at work, to your well-being.

• Laugh. Studies prove that smiling and laughing help relax the body, and takes less energy than furrowing the brow. Find a colleague who can provide you with a chuckle or two.
• Breathe – You’ve heard the expression “Just take a deep breath”. Well, there is a lot of truth to that statement, as long as you breathe correctly. Inhaling and exhaling through the nose can be very calming, while inhaling through the nose and out through the mouth can be cleansing. Make the breath long and slow.
• Take a walk – Get away from the problem. Ideally take a walk outside and get some fresh air. At the very least move away from your desk and get a change of scenery. This will help you approach the issue with a fresh perspective when you return.
• Keep your office space clean –A cluttered desk and office can often lead to unnecessary stress or a cluttered mind. Take a few minutes each day to clean up papers and files that have been piling up. Organize books on your shelves, and keep your desk dust free.
• Stretch – If you sit behind a desk and computer all day, chances are your back, shoulders and hips are compressed. Every 30 minutes do a brief stretch to relieve that muscle tension and give you a clear mind. Need help? Check out my 10 minute yoga at your desk video podcast.
• Listen – You are not the only one with something to say in the office. If you want to be heard and respected when you speak, you must treat your colleagues with that same respect and avoid interrupting. You may not agree, but you also don’t have to attack. We are all entitled to our opinions.
• Communicate clearly – More and more I find that communication, or lack thereof, is often at the core of stressful situations. Learn how to use your words in a way that gets your message across accurately, intelligently and respectfully. Watch your body language, too. Clear communication ensures you are heard and helps avoid further frustration and confusion.
• Use a vacation day - According to a 2007 International Vacation Deprivation Study by Expedia, 35% of US adults do not use all the vacation time allotted to them in a year. Taking a break, even for a day, helps clear your mind, release tension and provide you the energy you need to be productive when you’re back in the office.
• Stop Complaining. Remember you have choices. If you are unhappy in your current work situation you can have more effective conversations, you can choose to take deep breaths and simply get the work done, or you can create an exit plan. When you complain you are choosing the negativity. I spent many years as a “corporate complainer” serving only to escalate my stress levels. Stop complaining and start making more appropriate choices for you and you’ll notice your stress levels decrease, too.
• Hang a “Do Not Disturb Sign” – Office life is full of interruptions including meetings, phone calls and co-workers looking to chat. Set boundaries, like hanging a do not disturb sign or muting your phone, and stick to them. Give yourself some time during the workday that is uninterrupted so you can get some work done!

Tags: Communication, Positive Thinking, Stress, Yoga and Meditation // 9 Comments »

As Thanksgiving approaches I’m reminded that it’s that one day when we are asked: “What are you thankful for this year?” Since I was a young girl I’ve always wondered why we need 1 special day out of 365 to stop and reflect on what we are thankful for.

When I teach yoga, I always end the class with the following request, “Take a moment to thank yourself for your yoga practice today and for taking care of you.” How often do you say “thank you” to you or to the other people in your life? A question for you: what if you started a weekly or even daily practice of thanking yourself and those around you? I bet you have many things to be thankful for. What difference do you think it would make if you stopped and gave thanks to all that you have?

Sometimes I catch myself forgetting about all that is right and what I am happy for in my life, and I find myself focusing on the things that are not going as well as I think they should. Instead of complaining about all the things that are not going as well as we’d like how about instead we celebrate all that is right in the world! Despite the economic crisis, all is not yet lost. This is a festive time of year that may include holiday parties, concerts, decorating and shopping. Let’s treat it that way. Give yourself time for some fun and positivity this holiday season. Have you been invited to too many parties? Instead of dreading that next party, thank yourself for having friends and family who care about you and want to spend time with you. Have you been asked to bake yet another apple pie? Consider yourself lucky because someone thinks you are a great cook! Are you complaining because you ate too much? Be thankful you have food on your table, there are plenty of people who do not. Instead of eating all the food on the table, eat as you normally eat, package up the rest and share it with someone who needs nourishment. Being thankful is a choice we are all able to make…everyday.

As Thanksgiving approaches consider paying more attention to the things that you are truly thankful for, and as Thanksgiving passes, continue to give thanks to yourself and to others.

Have a happy and healthy holiday!

Tags: Food for thought, Positive Thinking // 7 Comments »

On a recent Saturday, before the cold came in to town, temperatures climbed into the 60s. Clouds were dark, heavy and carried rain. That is until around 3pm when the sun peaked out from behind the clouds just as I decided to grab my windbreaker and head out for a walk on the beach.

The warmth of the air did not make its way to the water, but for some reason I needed to walk barefoot on the sand regardless of the temperature. Off with my shoes and on with my walk. All at once every one of my senses came to life. The waves crashing brought memories of summertime, the dogs barking playfully with their owners put a smile on my face, the surfers riding the waves made me long to learn those same skills and join them next year. The cold sand and water on my feet woke my whole body and I found myself thinking of mid-December when I’ll be basking in the warm sun and walking on the white sand of Jamaica, sipping a fruity cocktail. Regardless of the season, a walk on the beach does bring me back to my senses. In this moment, nothing else mattered.

Want to get back to your senses this week? Take a walk outside. You don’t have to go to the beach to experience your senses. Go for a hike at a local park, walk down your street and notice houses, signs and sounds that I you haven’t noticed before.  You might even walk barefoot in your back yard feeling the soft grass under your feet or listening to the crackle of the fallen leaves under your sneakers. Getting back to your senses with a walk means you are taking the time to slow down, experience the movement and the moment.  Tune your thoughts out, tune the rest of the world in.

A walk is cost and time effective, relieves stress and is accessible to nearly everyone. I’m not talking about a powerful fitness walk. I’m suggesting you take as little as 10 minutes, bundle up if necessary, and awaken your senses with an outdoor walk. A walk is perfect anytime of day, surely you can find the time.

Enjoy!

Tags: Back to Your Senses, Daily Wellness Tips, Fitness and Exercise, Hiking and Outdoor Activities // 8 Comments »