Conscious Choice: In This Sacred Moment

As I sat down to write this piece, I remembered I wanted to take a picture of the foot of snow outside my office window to share with you.

My camera had other ideas.  It gave me the simple message: “Recharge battery.”

That is my gift to us today on this sacred day of winter solstice (in our northern hemisphere).  I am going to now step away from my computer to sip a cup of tea and watch the snow fall.  And, I invite you to take a moment now to consider how you might like to take a few precious moments on this darkest day of the year to hibernate a bit and recharge your batteries.  

Thank you, Canon, for the timely reminder . . .

To your sacred winter solstice!

Bringing Your Big Dream into Reality

“The more at ease we become with the discomfort of change, the more we live fully and love our lives.  The more we commit to what’s truly important to us and accept the discomfort of stepping up to that commitment, the more we feel fulfilled.

Committing to our Big Dream aligns us with being fully used for our purpose here on the planet at this time.  Who we become on the way to our Big Dream is as important as, maybe more important than, achieving it.

We must learn to love and accept ourselves no matter where we are in the process.  We must also learn to hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard – the standard of our Big Dream.  It may seem almost impossible to be kind to ourselves while requiring so much more of ourselves.  Yet, both the unconditional love and the abiding responsibility are essential to achieving our Big Dream.

Live fully.  Even in the discomfort.  

Love fully.  Love yourself silly.  Love yourself no matter what.  Love those around you, even when they behave like crude cave–humans.  Love your process as you become more of your Divinity to bring your Big Dream to reality.  Love the messiness.  Love the humanness.  Love the Divine.

Live fully.  Love fully.”

– Excerpted from my new book, “Thriving Work: 90 days of daily practice for transforming you and your coaching, consulting or healing business.”

Thriving Work the book, spiritual growth, best of you

Your Big Dream
If you are committed to bringing your Big Dream into reality in 2012 or if you’d like support in committing and then bringing it into reality, then you may want to consider applying to join my “Thriving Work” coaching program beginning in January 2012.

An intimate work group for only 8 fortunate people.  

Pre-requisite: you have read the book, “Thriving Work.”  
If you haven’t read it, you can order it here today:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book/

Next steps . . .
To begin the application process visit:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-program/
OR
If you’d like to have a conversation with me first, call me on my direct office line at 303.399.8737.

To bringing your Big Dream into reality (or into focus!),
Ann

P.S.  If you aren’t sure about your Big Dream, give yourself the gift of calling me.  Let’s talk about it.  Don’t push it to the side for another year . . .
303.399.8737

Gratitude: Appreciating You

As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget
that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words, but to live by them.
– John F. Kennedy

With our US holiday of Thanksgiving upon us, I love being immersed in gratitude. 

Thank you for being you!

From a broader perspective, I am thankful that you:

  • Make time for your own growth and well-being.
  • Are open to shifting your perspective to something that creates your life and work in a better way for you and those you love and serve.
  • Are willing to take risk and try new things.
  • Have an innate curiosity and love learning.
  • Know you don’t have to “go it alone.”

Gratitude, Spiritual Growth, Happiness, Best of You
With gratitude for our connection here!

Thank you for making the world a better place with your presence.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Conscious Choice: Embracing the Cold and Darkness

Last week, several of my private clients mentioned challenges with the time change, colder weather and less hours of light.  I love hibernation season, snowy days and the quiet of the night.  

And, I know I tend to be in the minority.  So I shared with them and would love to share with you my practices for embracing that which challenges me when we enter summer – the season of relentless activity, heat and bright light.  You may then apply this to entering winter if that’s challenging for you.

Seasonal Change, Conscious Choice, Spiritual Growth, Happiness, Nature as Teacher
Two of my favorite things about winter:
gorgeous cloud formations and more time with the moon!

If you’re less than thrilled as we change seasons now, would you be willing to shift your focus?  When I realized I did not want to spend a quarter of my life in sweating misery, I decided to commit to focusing on several things I love in the summer.  I got up before the sun to enjoy the coolest time of day.  I spent many hot afternoons on a blanket under a tree in the park.  I took drives in the mountains and waded in the river.  I enjoyed many jazz concerts in the park.  I ate lots of sorbet and ice cream.

What could you focus on as we enter into winter?  

  • The simple, raw beauty of a tree without leaves? 
  • Bundling up for a brisk walk or jog? 
  • The brilliant moon?  
  • Skiing or snowboarding? 
  • Taking a drive around town to enjoy Christmas lights? 
  • The amazing clouds? 
  • Pumpkin spiced lattes? 
  • Catching up on your reading? 
  • Learning a craft – quilting, wood carving, knitting? 
  • Building a snowman? 
  • Getting more sleep? 
  • Enjoying the sun on a lunchtime walk? 
  • Joining a friend for a snowmobiling expedition?  

Post your thoughts and experiences with shifting your focus in the comments section.

Spiritual Growth: Proper Use of the Mind

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“The mind is given to you to use in self-expansion. But you do not channel it or capture it. It runs wild on old thought patterns and habits. If you cannot have the mind when you need it, it is useless. The function of mind is not just to spew out random thoughts! It is to fashion etheric elements into forms of energy that manifest through the earthly elements. A projected imagination that is guided is a fundamental power and gift of mankind.”
– Yogi Bhajan, Master of Kundalini Yoga

Stress Relief: Fast Way to Slow Down

Recently almost all of my private clients required new tools for stress relief.  I’d already been employing a couple of new ones myself and I’d like to share my favorite from an excellent “Westword” article about Lisa Wimberg’s, “Five Fast Ways to Slow Down Quickly.”

2. Shake
Imagine the particular stressors of the day and while thinking of these, shake your hands, shoulders and legs as though you are shaking off a swarm of bees. Do this for at least two minutes. You may feel awkward or embarrassed, but shaking like this while activating stress helps dissipate the adrenaline levels in our body associated with that event. It leaves the body feeling calmer, and helps bring down adrenaline and cortisol levels.

To read the other four of Lisa Wimberger’s five fast ways to slow down quickly, click here to read Lisa’s article.

Share your own experience with this fantastic tool!

Happiness: The Best of You

As I am preparing to be interviewed about using our StrengthsFinder™ strengths more, I am reflecting on what brings out the best in each of us.

Over and over, I notice that when we apply our strengths to the values, ideas and projects that inspire and excite us, then we are truly, madly deeply living and giving from our best.

StrengthsFinder™, Strengths, Best of you Happiness, Spiritual Growth
Your strengths + what energizes and interests you =
living and working from the best of you.

Without judgment about practicality or what others will think, what excites you, what calls you right now?

Spiritual Growth: Carved by the Master

In India, Ramananda said, there once was a sculptor commissioned to build a temple.  As he approached a block of granite and began to chip away, the sculptor felt a strange resistance, as if the rock resented being poked and cut.  The sculptor got spooked, and he moved to the next block of granite.  

This second rock was more willing to be chipped and sculpted into the statue of a beautiful deity.  When the sculptor was finished, he placed the granite on a high altar.  He used the first block of granite as the stepping stone upon which pilgrims would stand when they made their offerings to the deity.

Later, Ramananda continued, the first stone complained to its friend, the carved stone.  The first stone lamented its own destiny beneath the soiled feet of worshippers, while the other stone was now being revered and bathed in milk, honey, and rosewater.  The second stone responded, “If you recall, you didn’t want to be touched, carved and chipped by the master.”

Excepted from Yoga Journal
“Once upon a Time”
By Dan Charnas

spiritual growth, spiritual awareness, spiritual growth

When my yoga teacher, Chris Anne, read this story to open a recent class, I felt a wave of relief run through my body as I realized that I DO want to be chipped and carved.  And yet, sometimes I still resist.  This sweet story reminds me to whole-heartedly say a resounding “yes” to that which chips and carves me.

Where in your life do you find yourself being chipped and carved?  How much are you embracing or resisting?


ORDER YOUR COPY OF “THRIVING WORK” TODAY!!!

“Ann Strong hits the nail on the head with “Thriving Work.”  I’ve long been a fan of her work and am thrilled that she’s offering her expertise in this book!  You can’t help but be inspired by her words, and implementing her suggestions will make all the difference in your business.”
– Jeannette Maw
Good Vibe Coach and Author of
“The Magic of  Pray Rain Journaling”

“Thriving Work” serves as a guide and companion to moving beyond limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits to more consistently and consciously choosing to live and work from your naturally radiant self:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

Commitment: What Would It Take?

I have been playing with an invisible cord of energy that draws me toward my short-term and long-term commitments.  The cord consists of an empowering question that both my conscious and unconscious mind continue to answer: “What would it take to . . . ?”

For me right now, I’m asking, “What would it take for me to practice this same meditation for the next 40 days?”  As I’m writing this I learn that Steve Jobs has died and I am called to ask, “What would it take for me to live and work more fully present in each moment?” 

One of my clients is looking at, “What would it take for me have more fun with my team?”  Another is asking, “What would it take for me to have a better relationship with my banker and money?”  Another is playing with, “What would it take for my business to feel easier?”

What is your “What would it take . . . ?”

ORDER YOUR COPY OF “THRIVING WORK” TODAY!!!

“Ann Strong hits the nail on the head with “Thriving Work.”  I’ve long been a fan of her work and am thrilled that she’s offering her expertise in this book!  You can’t help but be inspired by her words, and implementing her suggestions will make all the difference in your business.”
– Jeannette Maw
Good Vibe Coach and Author of
“The Magic of  Pray Rain Journaling”

“Thriving Work” serves as a guide and companion to moving beyond limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits to more consistently and consciously choosing to live and work from your naturally radiant self:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book

Happiness: Have You Gotten Outside Today?

While I’m taking some extra personal retreat time this week, I thought I’d share with you some of the spectacular Colorado beauty that this autumn offers.

In what way do you most enjoy being outdoors? 

How can you give yourself that gift today?

Here are four of my favorite Colorado pictures that I’ve taken in the last ten days.

Happiness, Spiritual Growth, Nature as Teacher.
September sunrise from South Park, Colorado,
looking towards Pikes Peak.

 

nature as teacher, happiness, spiritual growth
Aspens and evergreens against a Colorado blue sky
in late September.

Happiness, Spiritual Growth, Nature as Teacher.
Looking towards Longs Peak from the Colorado
Peak to Peak Highway in late September.

Happiness, Spiritual Growth, Nature as Teacher.
Late September autumn color along the Peak to Peak Highway,
high in the Colorado Rockies.

ORDER YOUR COPY OF “THRIVING WORK” TODAY!!!

“Ann Strong hits the nail on the head with “Thriving Work.”  I’ve long been a fan of her work and am thrilled that she’s offering her expertise in this book!  You can’t help but be inspired by her words, and implementing her suggestions will make all the difference in your business.”
– Jeannette Maw
Good Vibe Coach and Author of
“The Magic of  Pray Rain Journaling”

“Thriving Work” serves as a guide and companion to moving beyond limiting beliefs, perspectives and habits to more consistently and consciously choosing to live and work from your naturally radiant self:
http://www.annstrong.com/thriving-work-book