A package recently arrived in my mailbox containing the book, The Soul Of Money by Lynne Twist. When I opened it I knew a shift was at hand. When I read it,  new windows of understanding blew open, both about my relationship with money and the culture of money globally. I was fortunate, shortly after finishing the book, to be on a teleconference in which Lynne shared her passion and her wisdom. This is a woman changing the world.

Jolene Puffer is a woman who gets things done, has tons of great ideas, strives to contribute in meaningful ways, and is just plan fun! She wears many hats. One of which is the founder of Real Fitness for Life, and a great personal trainer. She is a powerful woman supporting woman in getting strong for strong lives. Though there are so many ways she is making a difference, I was stunned to learn her latest. Jolene signed up as a bone marrow donor several years ago when she learned a client's brother might not get a donor in time to survive. It is very rare to be selected, even after you've volunteered, because the match has to be perfect. She was recently contacted because a new baby boy with Leukemia needed her help. In an amazing act of courage and unconditional love, Jolene stepped up to the plate and checked into the hospital for the procedure. Everything went like clockwork and she is back to full swing. What a gift and what a blessing this women is!

Lisa Watters, Patty Levesque, and Maureen McDonnell came together with a huge vision, to bring the first ever Women's Conference to Asheville. They envisioned women gathering together for inspiration and empowerment and connecting in ways that would contribute to a better world. Now, so many months down the road, their dreams and hard work are becoming a reality. The Southeastern Time for Our Power Conference happens in Asheville, NC June 20-22 and is a tribute to the tremendous contribution three women can make!

Transition

What if … being in transition was nothing more than another day of living life?

In contrast …

What if  … the words upheaval, disruption, shaky footing, chaos defined your belief system around transition?

Let’s explore -

A big catch phrase that seems to pop up everywhere these days is “I am in transition.” A marriage ends – in transition. Kids leave the nest – in transition. The corporation is downsizing – in transition.

It becomes this badge that we wear, an identifying characteristic about who we are in our life at that moment. It is as if to say – I was cruising along, everything in control, and then this “thing” happened throwing all the balls up in the air at once.

 Ah, the illusion of control. The illusion that we ever had it all together, ever had that mapped out and utterly predictable life plan. The point that I am making is … given that a life lived is defined by change and too, chaos, well, maybe transition isn’t such a big deal. Every moment of our life we are in transition, like it or not.

Internalizing a more accepting notion about transition and change makes handling both the past and current situations with much less suffering and resistance and too, sets the stage for less fear and apprehension when taking on new roles and exploring new vistas.

The shift is simple:

Define one or two areas or times in your life that you would identify with transition.

From one vantage point experience it in the context of your entire life, see it as rich with lessons and an extraordinary opportunity to learn new skills and/or practice your existing skills. Beyond all that, see it as a normal part of this thing called life. It just is.

From another vantage point see the stress and resistance, the sense of being out of control and unsure of much you had previously felt sure of, feel the weight and hear the circular conversation in your head. Why me, why this?

Step back – from which perspective do you feel most empowered, most centered, strongest, most in flow?

The shift from being defined by and framed in by our transition to being in flow with transition can become the essence of living a juicy life. One you won’t want to miss out on.

“Every dip and rise, every twist and turn is part of the infinite journey, why turn aside from any of it?” Lama Surya Dass

I’m talking to you – Fear!

About this time two years ago, I was transitioning from a management position in corporate America and part-time coaching (which I had been doing for seven years) to full-time coaching. At that time I was searching for an advanced training program that I could jump into with both feet. One that spoke to my love for working with groups, working in women's circles. In that search, I came across Helene and The Retreat Coach Certification Program. At first glance it seemed the fit: comprehensive training in a variety of experiential formats (teleconference, workbook, hands-on retreats, mentor coaching) and a skillful facilitator in Helene. I joined the program and began an unexpected journey that I am proud to say I am still traveling.

I worked my way through the program, becoming a Certified Retreat Coach in December of 2007. I am now continuing on in the Master Program. What I expected, I received: great training, an expanded network, improved coaching skills on all fronts, and a great training and great time in Colorado in the spring of '07.

What was completely unexpected: that one woman and her vision and love and grace could change my life in so many ways. Helene mentors conscious coaching and living with every breath she takes. She is the kind of woman that you want to hang out with in hopes that some of her will rub off on you. She vibrates in such great ways.

The way she shows up reminds me ...

I want to be that light for others.

I want to do great work with an open heart.

I want to be a woman in circle holding safe space for other women.

and

I had this WOW! moment last week. It was one of those moments when all of a sudden life catches up and stops you in your tracks, in a good way!

It went like this ... Thursday, March 13, was the date of my first official Book Signing. It's true that my publication date is not until April 8th but we seem to be getting an early start.

I live in this wonderful little town and frequent a wonderful little book store, The Book Shelf. Just the right place to celebrate the birth of a new book!

Betsy, the owner and a wonderful woman, scheduled the signing for after hours and dished up appetizers and wine. I arrived a few minutes early and ... here comes my WOW moment ... through the display window I could see my books everywhere. On the display windows Betsy had posted messages from my book ... "No regrets" "Practice Self-Courtship", etc.

As I walked in I felt a huge wave of emotion. For the first time it hit me that I had, indeed, written a book that had been inside me forever, had published that book, and was standing in a bookstore whose shelves were lined with books I love and ... my book sat in such company.

With that wave came gratitude for all the support and encouragement I have received and for the books that have jumped off bookstore shelves over the years, filled with just the right words, at just the right time.

I celebrated with friends this amazing WOW moment and was reminded of the kind of magic that can happen when we listen to that call from deep within to create and we see it through.

Play Day!

What if …
You set aside one day per month as a “play day,” an “I’m worth it” day, a day to rediscover who you are and just what stirs your soul? Maybe it is alone time, maybe it is grabbing your favorite buddy and doing something outrageously fun.

Yep, it may seem impossible at first glance but consider it. Can you capture one day per month, 12 days in a year? That leaves you a whole bunch of days to do whatever else you may want or need to.

Imagine it, a year from now, you will have a collection of rich memories from play days.
How might this impact the quality of your life?

Now the contrast – when was the last time you did this, or maybe even the question is – have you ever done it?
What if you did not take this time ... ?

Step one: Get out your calendar right now and block out your first play day. You may want to pencil in the whole year for that matter.
Step two: Spend a few minutes visualizing what it may feel like to honor yourself in this way and how much more present this may allow you to be for yourself and others. Really experience and own how powerful and enriching claiming a meaningful day each month for you would be.
Step three: Design your day and make specific plans; make phone calls, reservations, track down the map for your hike, the book for your day curled uninterrupted on the couch with words you’ve been longing to read. You’ve got the idea.

“Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to jump at the sun. We may not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.” – Zora Neal Hurston

My passion: supporting women in designing and living lives they love!

A regular feature of The Woman's Field Guide Blog will be Spotlight on Exceptional Women. Why? Because there are so many women doing wonderful things, showing up in the world in wonderful ways and I want you to know about them!

Today's very cool woman is Dorothy LaFrinere, founder of www.womensselfesteem.com. The best way I can tell you more about this woman and this site is to share her opening comments from her the website:

Hello my name is Dorothy Lafrinere and I thought you might like to know a bit about us! I was born and raised in Canada where I raised 4 great children and ran a business for 23 years. I moved to Florida to continue my life and enjoy the tropics. My experiences throughout my life have built my character and made me an independent women. My issues regarding low self-esteem have directed me towards creating a wonderful website for all the women in the world! www.WomensSelfesteem.com

Concerning the website, I work the issues and provide support, along with women in my personal life and also women whom are members of womensselfesteem.com itself. Our goal is to simply put a smile on your face, add a little sunshine to your day, and help you find the strength to deal with your fears and tackle your weaknesses, but most importantly to help you find the goodness that is inside of you, so that you can live a peaceful, more confident and happy life.

I have had many questions regarding why the website is totally free. Well, it isn't actually really free. The payment that we ask for from members and any women that frequent my site is that they feel better about themselves, and that they use some of that gained strength to help other women who also suffer from self esteem issues that women are faced with in daily life.I call it,"Pay it Forward".
Keep Smiling! ENJOY!

This is, indeed, the kind of women I am proud to support and pleased to spread the word about!

There is a tug that can happen between tending to others and tending to ourselves. Yes, we can do both and yet sometimes we must become fierce and dedicated about loving ourselves, nurturing ourselves, in order to settle back home into our authentic, centered souls. From that place we have so very much to give to ourselves, our loved ones, and the world.

My favorite poet and Pulitzer Prize Winner, Mary Oliver, beautifully captures this place of calling in her poem, The Journey.