Coming Alive at The Haven

Warm hellos again.

It has been a long stretch since I last wrote as I've been away on a personal development program entitled, "Coming Alive" at The Haven Institute for the past ten days.

This time away (from the intensity of writing our eBook and developing the website to promote the eBook) gave me the break I've SO needed... time to step out of living in my busy head and to focus on and nurture my heart, body and soul.

Coming Alive is not for the faint of heart. Each participant was called upon to search deep inside for the courage to be there among virtual strangers and do "the work"... me included.

With 28 other participants, this became our opportunity to share deeply in caring support of each other and to look at our individual inhibiting patterns of feelings and behaviours together. Believe me, we were not strangers for long... friendships quickly got deep. There were many different lives and many different life stories present... every heart-touching story you could ever imagine.

I learned much about myself, with my fellow journeyer friends reflecting important aspects of me that I wished to be free from. This program is about transformation... and transform I did.

The quiet mornings had me participating in a rigorous Hula dance class with the wonderfully brilliant and entertaining teacher, Gary Dillon. I felt truly joyous dancing every day.

And not once but TWICE I gifted myself with the most powerful massage I have ever had the opportunity to experience... LomiLomi Hawaiian massage! It is not only a very thorough deep muscular massage, but a sacred event as I was chanted and sung to by the practitioner, who was also the same Gary. Talk about bliss!

Mid-day, each day, the swimming pool beckoned me for resistance exercises followed by dreaming in the sunshine. Evenings, I joined others for lively conversation in the awesome hottub overlooking the beautiful night lights of Nanaimo across the inlet.

Every day offered me valuable time to walk in the beauty of the coastal environment, to move my body more than I'd done in many months and to feel new levels of muscle tone returning.

Every day offered me the opportunity to listen to the stillness within and to journal write the truth of my heart. I witnessed both sunrises and sunsets, too.

Great healthy food, lots of water, deep conversations and friendships that quickly emerged from mere strangers... this was my soul food. I even came home with several recipes of my favorite dishes... thanks to Travis!

I learned many very important things about myself, for which I feel grateful.

I learned that I NEED to be an integral part of a community of like-minded individuals living their potential, free from patterned behaviours.

I learned that I need quiet time every day to reflect on life and being on this human journey.

I learned that I am naturally an energetic and physically strong person.

I learned that I have a good heart to help others, even though I have the tendancy to "caretake" at times.

I learned that fear and anxiety are my own creations and that I can surrender them through breath.

I learned that I can still my mind and be at home in my body through movement sessions.

I learned that I am willing to fight hard for the expression of my life passions... that mediocrity is NOT an option.

I was reminded of how much I love the outdoors, taking photographs of nature and sharing them around.

You know, we ALL require time away from the craziness of our everyday lives to remember what is really important for our life quality...

... in our heart

... in our emotion

... in our soul

... in our body

... and in our being a part of the human experience in relation to one another.

We can be wonderful mirrors for each other to grow, if we allow ourselves to be open.

I will go to The Haven again... I hope sooner than later. If you are looking for an amazing place to step back, get unstuck and become more in touch with who you really are, I highly recommend that you consider going to this special haven for personal growth. http://www.haven.ca/

In addition to carrying on my daily personal growth practices, my task now that I am home is to introduce our "Becoming the BEST YOU Possible" eBook to the Internet public. I hope you'll check it out for yourself and share it around with others you see that can use some support with getting rebalanced in life.

http://www.life-balance-success.com/

I'll talk to you again in a day or two.

Namaste, Carolyn

http://www.innerfitness.ca/

Christmas Overload

Hi! The countdown to Christmas is on, approaching very quickly.

Are you already overloaded with Christmas, even though it hasn't arrived yet?
I admit I've had my moments lately... and some of you are expressing the same to me.

This holiday season, more so than others in the year, seems to require SO much extra attention with so many more tasks and such expectation that it causes anxiety rather than the joy it "ought" to have associated with it.

How to fit everything in... especially in addition to the usual busy schedules we all already have? I know my list includes;

• Writing Christmas cards to loved ones
• Sending out a business promotion to clients
• Buying gifts
• Wrapping gifts
• Packaging the gifts that need to be mailed and getting them to the post office
• Decorating the office
• Decorating the house and tree
• Hosting a Christmas dinner for family and friends
• Christmas Day travels and an overnight stay

Staying sane and happy in the face of all the pressure can become overwhelming for many at this time of year! It is any wonder that Christmas creates a lot of anxiety and even depression.

Things that can help to manage your Christmas overwhelm could include;

1. List priorities & time-line each task so it's clear what needs attention first.
2. Work steadily on immediate priorities only, resisting the temptation to do other things.
3. Ask for help and delegate where possible.
4. Create little systems to make each task as easy and as duplicatable as possible.
5. Keep it simple!
6. Focus on quality, rather than quantity.
7. Take breaks from it all occasionally.
8. Spend within your means, so that you do not create that an additional anxiety for yourself.
9. Reminder... small homemade gifts are received very well.
10. Understand and respect your limits... don't try to be the Christmas task super-hero or you'll be sick when Christmas actually arrives.

Most importantly is to look after yourself well, eat healthfully, get adequate sleep, keep alcohol to a minimum and remind yourself that "It will all work out well" with the right mindset and spirit.

Don't sweat the small stuff... instead focus on the big picture of joining with those you love and having a joyous time together over the holiday. Afterall, isn't that what Christmas is REALLY about!

Warmly, Carolyn
Inner Fitness(R) Programs
www.innerfitness.ca

Self-Hypnosis / Meditation for Stress Relief

Thanks for visiting.

Global change is under way and most people are feeling it's effects with more and more pressure. There are issues facing our countries, our peoples and our home planet that have never had to be faced ever before. And though it is an exciting time to be alive on Earth today, it is also a scary and insecure time, too.

How to stay focussed and calm and balanced in times like these?... a challenge facing most. It is predicted by the World Health Organization that stress, anxiety and depression will become the leading cause of disability in the workplace over the next 20 years. More and more individuals and corporations are now seeking answers to reduce stress, from taking yoga (at an all-time popularity level), to martial arts, fitness disciplines and meditation, too.

Self-hypnosis and meditation have powerfully positive effects on the body, including causing a slowing of the heart beat, the lowering of blood pressure, relaxation of the muscles, a gradual decline in the breathing and improved immune system.

The effects to a person's emotional and mental being are equally as dramatic, causing the quietening of mental thoughts, release of negative and depressive feelings... and infusing an inner peace in a person's soul. Self-hypnosis and meditation are the perfect remedy to eliminate stress and infuse relaxation.

Help your body to heal, your mind to become still, your feelings to seek joy and your spirit to know the purpose of your existence. We can help you with our series of Inner Fitness(R) meditation CDs to support your practice... www.innerfitness.ca/products.htm Meditate. Practice self-hypnosis. You will quickly begin to experience the rewards, throughout your entire being.

This will be my last post until November 15th as Richard and I are off to teach a Work and Life Balance seminar in Austin, Texas! Have a great ten days or so and I look forward to talking with you upon our return.

Warmly, Carolyn
Inner Fitness(R) Programs
www.innerfitness.ca