Archive for the ‘Message from Kathy’ Category

Normally my “Kathy Recommends” is about a book or website that I’ve found helpful.  I begin this  e-zine with three website recommendations because of the dire need of our fellow world residents in Haiti.  The devastation does not need further description; I am asking that you share some of your good fortune at a time of horrendous suffering for Haitians by clicking on the link of your choice below to contribute money for the life-saving supplies that are desperately needed.
 
American Red Cross
Unicef USA
Care
 
Thanks,

I’ve been thinking a lot about our creativity and passion and being true to that deepest, most child-like part of us – how we all have that part of us that is full of child-like wonder and glee.  We forget about it and lose touch with it as we go about our busy lives.  As the new year gets rolling, I want to celebrate the creativity that lies within each of us.  Do you have some expression of your creativity that you’d like to post here?  Something you wrote or a description of something you did?  I’m celebrating with a poem I wrote awhile back and have never shared before….Here’s to expressing for the joy of it…..

Possibility

I leave behind the sad, the negative, the wimpering, simpering false labor of an unimagined life

To celebrate that crisp indelible glimpse of what could be in far off places

               that are but a stone’s throw from the mind.

Oh, passion is at rest and neither grovels nor pushes pretentiously through that veil of doubt

But waits for possibility to overtake the dull thud of footsteps in place

               on a well-worn sidewalk of a fettered mind.

Oh, how out we come

And joy overtakes all

And the cymbals crash like obnoxious, unruly children in our heads

As we come marching out into the glare of the sun

And smile and smile and smile.

Happy New Year

KB

Greetings!

I hope this message finds you well, happy, and sharing time with those who are special to you.  The holidays are such a great time to take advantage of the slower pace to relax, reconnect with folks more personally and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.  May you be refreshed and excited to dive into the new year!

I know it has been some time since I last connected with you; I took time this autumn for travel, soul-searching and a big life change.  I decided, after ten years living in the Washington DC area, to sell my home in Silver Spring, Maryland and move back to my native state of Florida.  (Yes, I left in time to dodge the snowstorms!)  I am now settling into my new home in North Palm Beach.  It’s pretty clear that this was the right decision energetically, as well as practically, for me: I listed my house on November 2nd, signed a contract on November 6th and closed on the house November 20th.  That’s 19 days from listing to closing.  It also speaks to one of my core ways of living: “Make a decision, get it done.”

Some friends have asked, “Won’t you miss the winter season?”  Not so much – I’ve got Florida blood and I really love the warm.  During my “sabbatical” this fall I asked myself, heart-of-hearts, where am I happiest?  This is an important question if I want to live my most fulfilled life.  My answer was to move back to where I can be nurtured by the sun, see more of my family, and get outside to cycle, walk and bodysurf more often.

So what about you?  Heart-of-hearts, are you living where you love it?  Are you doing work that fulfills you?  Are you happy with your life?  As the New Year approaches, this is a perfect time to reflect on where in your life you’re happy and fulfilled, and where you’re not.  And if there’s something that you wish could be different, why not do something about it?  Make a decision, and get it done.

Some things take longer to accomplish than others.  That’s okay.  Once you decide what that new outcome is – that dream or vision or goal – you can figure out just that first step and do it.  That’s progress and every bit of forward motion, no matter how modest, can be a boost to your spirit and keep your momentum going.  It’s exciting – just make that first decision, and get that first action done.  You can do it!

If you get inspired, share your thoughts and let me know 1) what change will make your life more fulfilling, 2) what that first step to make it happen will be, and 3) the date that you’ll have it done.  If you would rather reach me privately, email me (kathy at Robust Life Coaching.com).  And if you are seriously committed to making changes and would like some coaching to help you get into action, I invite you to apply for one of my complimentary Life Strategy Sessions (a limited number are available) and go after your heart’s desire.

Cheers to you and may 2010 be your best year ever!
 
Warm wishes,

 Greetings,

I hope you’re enjoying the summer as much as I am – it’s warm (which I love as a Florida native), the birds and butterflies are enjoying my beautiful gardens, and I’m having fun with several projects.  Because there’s so much going on, I’ve decided to send you my e-zine once a month and send other updates and information occasionally that could be useful to you – stay tuned.
 
Recently, I had the opportunity to experience something very different and very special – natural horseback riding – and I wanted to share the experience with you.  I was introduced to it by Natural Horsemanship Trainer Kirsten Willey.  She is also known as a horse whisperer.  She rides bareback and uses no bits with her horses – only soft rope bridle and other minimal, soft gear.  You can see her pictured here with Mickey, the horse I rode.

She gave me a lesson on staying in the flow with the horse, since the gear was minimal and her horses – and their riders – are trained in gentler persuasion than traditional horseback riding. 

To help me get the feeling of natural riding, Kirsten related to me a Native American tale about two riders who traveled for years by horseback on a quest.  By the time they returned home, their lower bodies had grown into their horses, and they became, literally, one with their horses.  That’s the sensation she encouraged me to feel as I rode…and it worked!  If you are fascinated by natural horsemanship and would like to know more, you can reach Kirsten at scooterdoggies@hotmail.com.  For more on flow, keep reading.

To living with ease, 

Greetings!

I recently had a couple of experiences in my local community with an organization called Impact Silver Spring (ISS) that demonstrate what I want to share with you today – building meaningful relationships that contribute to your success as an entrepreneur, as well as enrich your life. One occasion was their new member orientation, which I attended because I had recently joined to get better connected with folks in my own community. The other was their “Spirit of Silver Spring” street party that brought out families and friends for a festive gathering in downtown Silver Spring for people of all ages and backgrounds. You see me here with Noelle Haile, ISS’s IMPACT Connections Coordinator at this event. She is a delightful and amazing woman; I’ll share more about Noelle later.

My experiences with ISS brought to mind, particularly, one of the concepts of my coaching and one of the modules in my workshop “The Entrepreneur’s ‘Powerhouse Ten’ System for Success”. I call it: “Connect with People and Treat Them Well”.

Impact Silver Spring was established in 1999 “to ensure that the diversity of the community’s population would be reflected in the life and leadership of newly revitalized Silver Spring (and) continues to focus on supporting collaborative community work crossing lines of race, class, and culture in our schools, neighborhoods and businesses.” The organization was selected as one of the best small charities in the Greater Washington Region by the Catalogue of Philanthropy in 2007-08 and it’s easy to understand why.

Noelle Haile epitomizes their philosophy. She has a masterful way of welcoming a person with her warm, friendly, as well as professional, demeanor. She engages everyone in a room, helping everyone feel comfortable, open to sharing and respected for their contribution to the conversation. I have had the pleasure of working with Noelle on one of my workshop presentations at ISS “The Entrepreneur’s Three Keys to Reduce Stress and Maximize Time and Profits” and have enjoyed her astute facilitation at their membership orientation, which they hold each month.

Here’s the point: I daresay that every person in the room at the orientation would bend over backwards to help out Noelle because she is such an authentic, giving person. This attitude is also a core value of Impact Silver Spring, which is just one reason why I gravitated toward them in the first place. The organization gives first and asks to receive later – again, a basic tenet in creating lasting, fruitful win-win-win (more on this later) relationships as an entrepreneur. I’ve devoted this issue of my e-zine to examining how we can build lasting relationships in hopes that it provides you inspiration and tools personally and helps spread the spirit of collaboration throughout the entrepreneurial community.

To all our success,

Welcome to the launch of the Robust Life Blog & E-Zine!  I decided to start a blog and electronic magazine (e-zine) because I have run across a wealth of useful information that I want to share with others so we all benefit from knowing what’s working in the entrepreneurial world and expand and build on those ideas.  I know you’re busy and bombarded with information that’s hard to sift through.  With this blog and e-zine I have done some sifting for you.  On a regular basis you will receive these quick notes on:

• Cutting edge ideas and resources for entrepreneurs
• Recommendations for books, events and other resources
• Strategies, tips and tools to help you create a robust business and fulfilling, balanced life.

Consider this your five to ten minute pause in your day to give your mind a chance to “refresh” and check out something new.

I would love to hear from you with feedback on this blog and e-zine and what your entrepreneurial successes and challenges have been. You can reach me by email at Kathy@RobustLifeCoaching.com. 

To your success,