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Life Empowerment Coaching

Life Coaching in Ann Arbor, Michigan

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When Hope Whispers…

//  by Maria Sylvester

when hope whispers, align with it - maria sylvester with curtain backdrop

The glorious New Year is upon us, and with it comes that sweet, hopeful energy of new beginnings, fresh starts, and perhaps if we are lucky, dreams realized. A new year awakens us to, above all else, a sense of possibility. Maybe, just maybe, I can meet some of my heart’s deepest longings. Maybe, just maybe, what felt unsurmountable last year can be a challenge I accomplish this time around. A new year always brings whispers of hope – whispers we must listen carefully to, and be prepared to honor and respect. In other words, “When hope whispers, align with it!” Let this be a mantra you embrace at the start of 2019. It is one I created that has empowered many of my coaching clients to see their lives shine’n soar.

Perhaps, more than any other time of the year, the month of January opens before us like a grand, spacious ballroom inviting us to dance our finest steps, to create a new masterpiece of our lives. The simple turn of the calendar can empower even the most timid of souls toward suddenly believing a bit more in themselves and in one’s ability to make something amazing happen. The beginning of another year gifts us the blessing of feeling like we have what it takes. Did you catch that? You do. You have what it takes. The turn of a new year gently nudges us into applying, in crystal clear sharp focus, our skills, abilities, and talents in the direction of our sweet, glorious desires. And hope rises.

I encourage you, dear reader, to powerfully align with the tender whispers you hear right NOW within the depths of your being. Make your relationship with your self, and with your longings, your top priority. Whatever has surfaced in the way of desires, and taken a seat at the table of your consciousness, is demanding attention. Do not dismiss as silly, frivolous, or insignificant those daydreams, longings or fantasy thoughts about what could be in your life. Create time and space to align with the energy, people, things and dreams that are calling to you. Listen to each and every whisper. Hear them as powerful soul messages harkening you forward in exactly the grace-inspired direction you need to head. Happy New Year!

This article is also published in The Brick Magazine.

The Gift of Presence

//  by Maria Sylvester

woman holding a beautifully wrapped christmas gift

“Let others see their greatness by looking into your eyes.”  ~Molli Morti

T’is the season of presents. For some, giving gifts is a delicious delight. For others, it is a nerve racking, stress-filled challenge. Yet, hark! Why not take the pressure out of this year’s holiday time? Gift shopping need not have to throw you into overwhelm. Instead, simply consider nurturing all of your relationships with the gift of presence – your wonderful presence!

How does one practice presence in relationships? First, and foremost, you must appreciate your personal significance. Feel into this. Really recognize how much you matter to those in your inner circle – because you do! And your absence, or a distracted, half-there emotional state is going to be upsetting for those close to you. Surprisingly, this appreciation is not something that comes easily for some people. Many tend to dismiss or devalue their significance. Think about it – if you don’t realize your significance, you are not likely to imagine your presence will impact others or even register to them. And therefore, you’ll be less likely to offer it! I love to remind my coaching clients that the more they know the value their unique essence, their inner gold so to speak, holds for family and friends, the more they will strive to be deeply present in, (and for) those relationships.

After acknowledging your significance, and embracing such within yourself, you can move on to a few specifics of gifting it! Let your state of being present for others include setting your phone down. Better yet, put it away, out of sight. Carve out specific time to be together, face-to-face with your dear ones. Make them a priority! Show this first by approaching them with an open, welcoming posture. Look them in the eye, communicating that you truly want to see them, really deeply see them.

People also feel seen, and known, when they are compassionately listened to. So, if you aren’t already, get delightfully good at the art of listening! Everyone has stories to share, and they appreciate others making a conscious priority to be present, listening and empathizing with them. It really isn’t, however, what you then say in response to a story shared, but rather how you are holding space for the hearing of it, that provides heart-opening conversations and connections. Intentionally bring a nonjudgmental, non-reactive, curious, open-mind to conversations as part of being present, and watch your communications with others grow in powerful, trust-building ways. A present indeed.

Making a commitment to give the gift of your presence to your relationships this holiday season can also include demonstrating your respect for differences – of opinion, lifestyle, and diversities of cultures and race. Showing one’s openness to differences can free relationships to deepen and flourish much more quickly. When individuals feel safe and comfortable in their connection with another, their guard comes down and their willingness to self-reveal and be forthcoming skyrockets. The gift of presence around differences plays a key role in this type of meaningful, rich interpersonal growth.

Another aspect of gifting one’s presence, has to do with the capacity to touch base with those important to us on a regular basis ( and sometimes even daily) basis. I like to refer to this as maintaining a meaningful, golden thread of connection. Making it a point to touch base consistently in significant relationships, rather that dropping the ball or ignoring opportunities to reach out, has, not surprisingly, amazing impact. Doing so lets our peeps clearly know they are being thought about. At the same time, as the one reaching out, you are acknowledging and appreciating your value to significant others.

Sweet, thoughtful communication like this deeply touches those we care about, thus our connections strengthen. So, in this season of presents, savor the opportunity to be present and give it your all!

“Few delights can equal the mere presence of one who we trust utterly.” ~G. MacDonald

This article is also published in The Brick Magazine

 

The Power of Appreciation

//  by Maria Sylvester

a stone that says thankful in a seat of palm fronds

A thankful heart hath a continual feast. ~W.J. Cameron

Feel it. Offer it. Watch your life transform!

Give yourself the pleasure of a moment of appreciating something, and watch how, just like a magnet, riches on many levels come back to you! Appreciation is defined as “the recognition and enjoyment of good qualities of someone or something.” Opening ourselves to savoring the good qualities of people, circumstances or things around us is so simple to do. The option is always there. You can experience appreciation and gratitude in any instant you choose. Begin now, today, in this month of November especially, a month that has a built-in day dedicated to reminding us to give thanks and experience gratitude.

Everything in the universe has an energy or an energetic vibration. Even our thoughts are energy. Thoughts register a given “frequency” depending on their type, specifically positive or negative. Similar frequencies of energy group together to create patterns. If you think the same kinds of thoughts, then over time, those patterns actually become something you can feel. These feelings are what we call emotions! Low frequency emotions, such as anger, jealousy, frustration, or envy are fueled by negative thoughts. High frequency emotions such as joy, happiness, love or gratitude are fueled by good, positive thoughts.

The short’n sweet of it is that being able to appreciate something gifts you a state of positive emotion. If you believe in the law of attraction – that like attracts like- you can easily understand why the high energy act of appreciating also creates a high energy good vibe inside your soul. And then, if you want to really rock this out, continue appreciating as many things as possible. You’ll feel better and better, begin to attract more amazing opportunities, and experiences. Your life satisfaction will skyrocket. The more you appreciate, the more you will receive. You will feel more alive, and more able to recognize the multitude of treasures in your life. So notice where the golden threads of appreciation you hold, offer and experience take you. What tapestry of gratitude, blessings, abundance and pleasure will you weave?

This article is also published in The Brick Magazine

Harvesting Your Strengths in Relationships

//  by Maria Sylvester

woman holding kale plant summertime

Where there is the greatest love, there are always miracles. ~ Willa Cather~

When was the last time you celebrated what was working well in your relationships? When was the last time you noted what you were contributing? Rather than feeling inadequate when a connection steers off course, why not help set it straight again by plugging into your relationship superpowers? Do you know what yours are? Noting that is definitely worth a moment of reflection. Don’t fall into the trap of focusing on what isn’t working, or on the problems you are having with someone. Instead, concentrate on what you might do differently in that moment. As I love to remind my coaching clients, it is by recognizing and using our strengths that we experience true joy in relationships. If we harness our strengths, we can also more easily make positive changes when needed. Problems get more quickly resolved. The result – feelings of empowerment in the art of intimacy and connection!

Let today be the day you really appreciate the strengths you bring to all the important relationships in your life. I can pretty much guarantee that if you reflect on and embrace the gifts you offer in your connection with others, you will feel the bonds you have deepen. Not only that, but you will feel the appreciation you have for yourself grow significantly. How delicious is that? And perhaps most importantly, as you recognize and value your interpersonal strengths, you will get even better at utilizing them. Get ready for greater satisfaction in your relationship world.

There are a number of areas where relationship strengths empower us and deserve to be further harvested. Consider, for instance, your ability to communicate with those in your inner circle. Perhaps you are a pro at being able to speak openly and without judgement. This straightforward, direct style helps your dear ones know where you stand, and where they stand with you. Pretty significant, yes? Or maybe you have the talent of addressing tough issues in non-blaming, or matter-of-fact ways. What a gift this strength is! Issues can be more easily discussed without the likelihood of your pal shifting into a defensive posture. To be able to communicate respectfully, even in times of trial or stress, can bring a healing quality to many a hard moment. Tension can be greatly reduced by the strength of a gentle, considerate, clear communication style.

Another area relationship strengths deserve to be celebrated relate to commitment values. Maybe you are a person who is highly dependable, and consistent in showing up. These traits foster trust and deepen attachment. Or what about honesty, loyalty, or optimism? These qualities represent powerful strengths that can fuel relationships. If you are a person who brings commitment strengths to relationships, you are helping to foster a spirit of well-being, joy and hope for others you are close with. With your commitment energy, you demonstrate that the relationship you are participating in is truly important and sacred to you. Imagine what can grow from this. Imagine the love you’ll harvest!

Lastly, let’s consider the strength of being available for another. Sharing quality time is key to developing lasting bonds. Carving out time to be together with those we care about, and to be truly present during this time, is to give the gift of attention. The other person feels seen and acknowledged by your capacity to be strong in presence, especially if you come to them with care and kindness of heart. Spending meaningful time with someone you love also contributes to their sense of feeling known. Sharing experiences together also creates feelings of pleasure, satisfaction and fulfillment -not to mention lots of fun memories that can later be harvested and savored!

Having read to this point, I challenge you now to celebrate the specific strengths you offer those in your world. Recognize as well all the character strengths those in your inner circle shower upon you. What we give attention to is always what grows stronger. Attend not to the problems in your relationships, but rather to the positive qualities you can offer, especially in tough moments. Always be ready to bring more of those strengths forward. Watch for the magic that will happen next! Get ready to harvest treasures.

This article is also published in The Brick Magazine.

Instead of Heading Deeper Down the Doubt Path…

//  by Maria Sylvester

woman looking down dark path

Cooler September breezes are upon us, reminding us we are heading toward a transition. The close of summer and the beginning of fall is just one of a myriad of transitions we experience in a lifetime. Transitions are a common theme in my life coaching practice, as many clients seek support when faced with a transition point in their life. There are multiple reasons why a person might seek help when transitioning from one aspect or area of their life to another, but I believe it is the experience of uncertainty that these times call forth, that especially drives clients my way.

What is it about the feeling of uncertainty that haunts us and can feel so daunting? One element is that we, as human beings, love familiarity. Being familiar with something is comforting, cozy, and confidence affirming. We know what’s what and that is so satisfying! We love and seek certainty for just this reason.

To step from the familiar into a new landscape can be terrifying! Life transitions force us to sit with uncertainty, and all the feelings of insecurity or anxiety such can bring. One can’t know ahead of time, or exactly predict, how a change will pan out. Whether you are moving from one job to another, or ending a relationship or navigating a new degree-to-career path, you won’t (at least at first) know exactly how the new opportunity will feel or how it will unfold. The question you will be faced with is whether the effects of the change are desirable or not.

And something funny, but common, often happens next. When you can’t predict an outcome, or have limited knowledge as to the way a situation will go, you begin to doubt yourself. Uncertainty fuels self-doubt. So true, yes? Clients come to me for support during life transitions because as they sit with uncertainty, they doubt themselves and their ability to create the transformation they want. Things feel very much out of their control.

So, here is where I introduce a magic bullet: I remind my coaching clients that they still have all their strengths, inner resources, skills and abilities under their control at a time of change. They can easily bring these to the table to help them successfully navigate whatever uncertainties come with the life transition they are in the midst of. What a gift it is to know that you can face uncertainty not by going deeper down the doubt path, but rather by harnessing your strengths, emotional savvy and inner resources. So banish all doubts! Try instead to embrace the idea of what you do have control over, namely your deep inner wisdom, the next time you head into a life transition. Watch your anxiety go down, and your excitement increase, for whatever is to come!

This article was also published in www.TheBrickMagazine.com

Let That Old Story Go

//  by Maria Sylvester

woman standing in shadows

Time to rewrite the script, I remind coaching clients who come feeling stuck, frustrated and unable to move their lives forward. Often we have clear goals, aspirations, plans and grand intentions. We strive toward these dreams while, at the same time, subconsciously believing we are “not good enough,” “unworthy,” “invisible,” “going to be rejected,” or any number of negative tales we spin about ourselves. We are likely to sabotage our endeavors unless we change such negative subconscious chatter. Until the subconscious becomes conscious and is altered, we are preprogrammed to continue collecting evidence to support our false stories or limiting beliefs. The result: we hit a wall, feel helpless, and act in dysfunctional ways, often confused about why our ship always seems to be sinking.

I love to reassure my coaching clients that worlds of possibility and life-inspiring changes await, if one can first identify, and then take a firm stand against, the negative thoughts which perpetuate these crazy little stories, stories we’ve often lugged around since childhood. So what is your three or four word story? It will be a simple story because that is how we made sense of whatever happened to us in childhood, at a time when we aren’t capable of making abstract meaning out of traumas. Instead, we concluded something was wrong with us, and believe it as fact.

To identify your old story, think about a time when you’ve felt really disappointed. It is especially at times of disappointment that we are inclined to slip into a negative story. You may even feel younger in that moment, perhaps the age you were when you got confused about your worth. For example, you might think: “See, I wasn’t chosen for the position because I’m just not ___________.” We fill in the blank, literally, and figuratively. Your blank could be “good enough,” or “valuable,” or something else. And the act of talking to yourself in this fashion is guaranteed to keep you stuck, limiting what you can create and attract into your life.

Once you are aware of what dark path you tend to go down to explain reality, you then have the option, because your thoughts are now conscious, of taking a firm, dare I say, ferocious, stand against your negative programming. Time to reset! Some of the most powerful, moving moments in my coaching practice occur when I’m able to help clients let go of false beliefs they’ve been carrying, helping them live, instead, from the truth of who they are. For when live from our truth, we become magnetic! We step into, and radiate, our essence. We stand taller, talk more confidently, trust ourselves more deeply, and feel more alive and fully expressed.

So, how does one transform deeply entrenched negative beliefs that have come to feel like core truths? You must go back to honoring yourself. Be committed to being mindful of your thoughts, clearing away the limiting ones and embracing your authentic self. For thoughts are just energy, and you can always change your energy!

Our reality and our perceptions are created by what we attend to. Attention can either reinforce what we want, or what we don’t want. Reset your negative story, focusing instead on what is true about yourself. For instance, begin by embracing the fact that at your core, your very essence is enough. You were born perfect and pure, simply by existing. Your authentic self is rich in potential, skills, beauty, power and love! If you can accept this reality, recognizing your strengths and appreciating yourself from a caring place, you will no longer behave in ways that continue collecting evidence for negative self-beliefs. As you integrate positive truths about yourself, how you act and show up in life changes dramatically for the better. You begin having different results. You become magnetic, and your goals, plans and dreams will flow fully into glorious manifestations. So, go ahead and let go of that old story!

In the process of letting go, you will lose many things from the past, but you will find yourself. ~Deepak Chopra< This article was also published in The Brick Magazine.

Release Regrets. It’s a New Day!

//  by Maria Sylvester

woman's hand holding plant in sunset

Regrets, – oh, how they can haunt us. They can torture us too, draining our energy and spirits, especially if excessively dwelled upon. Regrets are no fun to tangle with, yet so often they end up tying us in knots.

Pestering and festering regrets come in several varieties. A regret can surface as you ponder an action taken, or ponder an action not taken. If you take an action that results in a nasty outcome, you can end up blaming yourself, or feel a sense of deep sadness reflecting on what might have been. Sometimes we wish we could undo a choice made, and have a makeover or redo.

On the other hand, sometimes regrets come in the form of the road not taken, or the road ignored, and we are left to ponder the “what ifs.” Sorrow and despair can easily follow. Bottom line, though, is that regrets of any type, if obsessed or ruminated over, can cause acute stress. Our peace of mind suffers and the emotional pain we feel takes its to toll on our bodies, spirits,` and overall health.

So what are alternative, more beneficial ways to navigate feelings of regret? First and foremost, truth be told, there are always valuable lessons to be learned from negative consequences, failures or blunders. These lessons become golden opportunities especially if you can minimize, or better yet, eliminate harsh self-judgement. It can be character strengthening to acknowledge shortcomings or weaknesses while at the same time reminding ourselves that everyone makes mistakes.

Yet acknowledging a regret in the way I just described doesn’t mean you keep hanging out there with it. Next, it is absolutely essential to focus forward, not backward. We can control what happens as we move forward, and can’t control that which has already occurred. Therefore, one of my all time favorite remedies for moving beyond the angst of deep regret is to make amends to myself around it. By this I mean accepting responsibility for my blunder or missed opportunity, and then telling myself that “never again” will I do______-fill in the blank! By making amends in this way, I both own my shortcoming, and at the same time, empower myself with a big promise to correct it in the future. This approach is not only creates an opening to move forward, but also is quite correctively forgiving. We are using our insights to avoid subsequent mistakes. By doing so, we improve our ability to reach desired results and opportunities in the future!

When we adaptively use our learnings rather than linger on the problem or excessively blaming ourselves, we create powerful strategies for change and better living. If you have fully committed to handling similar circumstances differently, you can much more quickly rebound from the feelings of distress over your error. Your energy shifts from a self-attack to freed up energy for the present, for a fresh start, for the new day!

This is also published in The Brick Magazine

Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; fight them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

Head to the Woods…

//  by Maria Sylvester

woods trees light

Head to the woods – or at least head outside – if you want to experience yourself in a new ways!

The great outdoors is filled with special energies. Nature has the power to quickly renew heart and spirit. This renewal can happen with ease and without involving complex plans or activities. It can be as simple as a walk in the neighborhood, resting on a log in the woods, or enjoying tea while sitting in your backyard garden. Bare feet touching the ground furthers this glorious experience of rejuvenation!

I love the sense of peace and purity I experience amid the vibrant wildness of nature. In nature, we enjoy stillness and quiet as a respite from to the noise, frenzy, and overstimulation of days when we are plugged in, wired, and rushing about. The outdoors invites you inside – inside yourself. Once inside, you can reflect, ponder, daydream, or find that sweet spot of stillness and quiet. This invitation inside, when outside, is always available to you, and worth accepting whenever possible. For when surrounded by nature, one is surrounded by mystery and awe. And these states of mystery and awe, often lead one to contemplation, growth and to feelings of expansiveness and joy!

Even a small amount of time spent in nature can awaken you to aspects of yourself that might otherwise take days for you to notice and comprehend. Why is this? I believe it is because in nature, you reconnect with your true nature. Without the distractions of your crazy, harried life, you walk, breath in the air, smell the flowers, watch little earth creatures, and experience your brain relaxing to the natural rhythms of life. These natural rhythms then harken you back to your own personally rejuvenating cycles. You are reminded of your exquisite essence, your flow, and of what really matters to you. The clutter in your mind falls away, revealing the light and sparkle of meaningful truths.

Nature is uncomplicated and this, I believe, is what helps us unwind, and reset. Your mental and physical health is enhanced as you spend time outside in the quiet of nature. The immune system is switched into a much more restful mode when you are outside. When you are more restful, you feel more content and safe. Every inch of your body, down to the simplest of cells, experiences the benefits. You are deeply refreshed. The sun infuses your body with vitamin D, the fresh air fills your lungs with nourishment, and your bones are strengthen as you move and stretch. Perhaps best of all, your mood lifts as you savor the invigorating, intoxicating joy of feeling your life force rise amid the surrounding life force of the beautiful natural world.

So, ready to head to the woods?

This article is also published in The Brick Magazine

Three Habits to Nourish Your Soul…and Enrich Your Life!

//  by Maria Sylvester

three little plants held on a platform

“There is a life-force within your soul, seek that life. There is a gem in the mountain of your body, seek that mine. O Traveler, if you are in search of that, don’t look outside, look inside yourself and seek that.” ~Rumi

So often, clients find their way to me for life coaching because of feeling overwhelmed or defeated by life. They long to feel vibrantly alive, inspired and reenergized. As the first order of the day, I always encourage them to consider establishing routines or habits that are soul-nourishing, life-affirming and energy-inducing. A habit, I remind them, is defined as: “a settled or regular tendency or practice followed until in has become almost involuntary.” Embracing good habits can create powerful results!

I have three favorite effective habits that work like magic when seeking to refuel and enrich one’s life. The first is the habit of simply slowing down. So many of us unknowingly slip regularly into an often fast-paced, frenetic, wildly harried lifestyle. This way of being can limit or diminish the likelihood of one feeling satisfied or fulfilled. The unfortunate impact of a fast-paced, driven existence can be a sense of disconnection and alienation from oneself and others. What is needed is a time for slowing down, and maybe even of sensory withdrawal; of closing one’s eyes and ears to the world for a few moments in order to enter more deeply into yourself.

If you can make slowing down a routine experience in your life, the benefits you’ll enjoy will be immense. Consciously slowing down mentally, emotionally and physically moves you into a more mindful, centered place. From this state, you can better appreciate and savor whatever is before you. Slowing down can become an intentional, deliberate way of moving in the world, and at the same time still allow you to be highly productive, creative and successful. In fact, by slowing down, you connect more deeply with the relevant aspects of yourself necessary to more easily complete whatever tasks or duties are calling you. Less becomes more when you perfect the habit of slowing down! You can go deep, rather than wide, and appreciate the exquisiteness of a given moment or situation in a way that is impossible when racing through your day.

The second habit that facilitates great soul nourishment is simply to get really good at clarifying. By this I mean clarifying what really matters to you. The more you can clarify what is most important to you, what might bring you the greatest satisfaction or fulfillment, the more meaningful life will feel. Clarity fuels deliberate actions. Deliberate actions fuel great results! By asking yourself what you desire or wish to see happen, for instance, when you connect with a friend, attend a special event, or make your way through your work day – you have better focus and get more satisfying, personally meaningful outcomes. In addition, clarifying how you want to embrace a particular problem or challenging circumstance can’t help but lead to a more effective resolution. To live from the heart of what really matters, you have to first take time to ponder exactly what that might be. If you have mastered the first habit of slowing down, then I guarantee that the answers you seek when striving for clarity will come more easily too.

The third habit that is a powerful key to a juicy, rich dynamic life is that of whole-hearted engagement! Letting yourself be fully in any given moment has profound impact on the degree one feels vibrant, energized and truly alive. What makes for whole-hearted engagement? It is the ability to fully focus and commit to being present in the moment. Present without judgement, guardedness or defensiveness. Present for moments good and bad. Present, awake and emotionally available for whatever is before you. For when you are present in this way, you feel with all your senses. You allow yourself to open to the essence of whatever is happening. And this full opening of yourself is what brings magnificent feelings of satisfaction, deep fulfillment and the sheer pleasure of meaningful existence. Now that is what I call soul nourishment!

This is also published in The Brick Magazine

Spring Into the Art of Being

//  by Maria Sylvester

chair in the woods

Spring is upon us! And as nature is welcoming in this time of glorious new beginnings, perhaps you too will be inspired for some fresh starts. The spring season, with buds blooming and birds chirping, invites us toward healthier living. Listen. I’m sure you will hear the calling!

Healthy living, to me, includes valuing play time and just being time as much as work and productive time. We are human beings, not human doings as the saying goes. So why not use the gift of spring’s arrival as the time you begin to even more deeply embrace the art of being?

Ah, the art of being. To simply slow down and rest in the knowing that your very essence is enough. I can almost guarantee that you will experience a magnificent feeling of lightness, presence and joy when you begin to appreciate that being is as significant and powerful as doing. Often we get confused into believing that our self-worth is measured by what we do, or produce. We become driven to perform so that we can feel ok about ourselves, equating self-worth with how well we achieve. One can often sacrifice an emotional sense of well-being and peace in failing to recognize that the restful, in-between moments are as fruitful, rich and satisfying as busier times. With so much of life focused on outcomes, it can be hard to value and sustain the practice of allowing yourself to just be. And yet, ironically, the more one does this, the more successful, creative and expansive your life will become.

There are several key ways I have found to more intentionally live in the being zone. Time in nature, for instance, helps. When you can be outside, experiencing the natural world with all of your senses – sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste- you open to sweet moments of delighting in your existence. Scheduling personal play dates for the sheer purpose of simply being in the world in fun or novel ways also helps. It is amazing the impact of even just a small amount of time spent swinging on a swing, taking a walk, dancing wildly, or quietly sitting on your couch doing absolutely nothing, can have on your state of heart and mind. After these little time-out sessions, you’ll feel refreshed and invigorated because you will have been fully present those moments. Healthy living indeed.

I love stressing to all my coaching clients the essentialness of making space in their busy schedules for just being time. I’ve marveled at the creative ways they have developed for routinely building such into their lifestyle. I invite you to do the same. To remind yourself to stop and be, create an anchor for the intention. An anchor, for example, could be a concrete block of time you set aside on your calendar for a pause. Or perhaps just associating a certain time of day in your routine solely for being moments. Phone alarms can be set to help with remembering the value of occasionally pausing. My favorite anchor, reminding me to savor just being time, is a piece of jewelry I wear daily. The piece is is both beautiful and pleasantly tactile, and when I look at it, I’m compelled to stop and reflect for a moment. Have fun with this! See what triggers you can build into your life this spring to increase the likelihood that you, too, can begin savoring exquisite moments of sheer existence.

This article is also published in The Brick Magazine

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