When I ask people to make a thorough and exhaustive list that describes them, first they come up with their top 3 qualities.  Then without even blinking an eye, the list of negatives follows.  Typically, when the list of negatives is exhausted, it is a struggle to come up with an equally extensive list of positives. 

Try this: pick someone that knows you well and whom you respect.  Ask them to make a list of your positive attributes.  Have them share the list with you.  Listen and receive.  Do the same for them.

We are so used to finding fault with ourselves, making ourselves wrong and not giving ourselves enough credit that letting positive things in is not easy.  No more!  

What are your qualities? Come up with a way to keep the positive feedback going.  

I am listening …

Often times we allow weeds to grow in our beautiful life garden. We put up with things that no longer serve us, maybe out of habit or lack of attention.

I consciously and lovingly take the weeds out of my own garden…weeds of non-supportive environments, of activities that no longer serve me, of spaces that have been useful but which I have outgrown, of old clothes I keep just in case I wear them once a year, of disregard for supplements my body needs, of friendships with people not interested in connecting with the real me, of neglecting to carry cloth bags when I go grocery shopping.  And the list goes on.

Let’s take the weeds out of our garden and make room for new growth. 

How is your list coming?

I am listening …

I was talking to a client yesterday who is from England.  We were exchanging thoughts about the fact that neither he nor I grew up with Thanksgiving since I too am from Europe.  We did concur however that being grateful is a wonderful soul quality that gives each of us a broader, bigger perspective of life and allows goodness and blessings to flow. 

Today I am participating in the tradition of giving thanks. I am grateful to be living with freedom, able to express my mind however spirit moves me.  I am grateful to have loving family and friends.  Mostly I am grateful to have the awareness that life is bigger than anyone can conceive while at the same time it is perfectly contained in this precious moment.

Namaste, God be with you, Shalom, Esten con Dios…

How do you give thanks?

I am listening …

I grew up with a lot of drama.  In our household it meant upheaval but at the same time it gave focus to our family relationships.  The many shades of drama are part of the intricate fabric of life, Van Gogh cutting his ear off, Beethoven composing sublime music while deaf, sadhus of India wandering with total abandon and peace regardless of external circumstances.  

There are no rules about drama, much like there are no rules about lifestyles. Drama is neither good nor bad, simply part of the human experience.  Some people derive energy from drama, while others feel crushed by it, and everything in between. Its presence or absence speak loudly.  Drama plays a role in each our lives and it’s a role we can choose to play consciously or unconsciously. 

How does drama show up in your life?  What is its role?

I am listening …

Each of us is evolving in a unique way, moving to the beat of our own drummer.  What I know about this evolution is that no part of us can be left behind, unattended; all has to be dealt with in some way, body, mind and soul.  I see the greatest progress with my clients when they are willing to look into areas where they feel stuck.  Think of it as trapped life force that when released, causes bursts of joy, brilliance, excitement, and sheer physical energy.

 What are you working on?  What is next in your evolution?

 I am listening …

My friend John (not his real name) has high IQ, a professional career, great energy, makes friends easily and engages fully in life.  But, he doesn’t believe he can have a successful relationship to money.  Those of us around him see him much bigger than he sees himself.  

To live our gifts we have to own our gifts! 

In John’s case his gifts are smarts, energy, and willingness to engage fully in life.  Friends, co-workers and family tell him how capable he is and how we see him succeeding.  Yet to manifest success in the world, he has to believe it and live it.

Have you taken stock of your gifts lately? Do you live them?

I am listening …

I live my life largely by inspiration. Yes, I take into account the stored memory of people, circumstances, events.  However, when you think about it, making a decision today based on past data is a bit ludicrous as new information does not have a chance under the weight of past experiences.  Is there another way?  Yes! Acting from inspiration, from intuition, from the higher present knowing in us just waiting to be heard and noticed. 

Today I will live my life through inspiration.  I will notice when the past is overshadowing the present.  How about you?

I am listening …

…is being in step with the guidance of our own inner knowing. 

Sometimes I find myself ahead or behind the situation/people/circumstance of the moment.  In real estate, just right means being in step with my client, not wanting a property for them more than they want it for themselves, being in a space of respect trusting they will know what is for them. 

In my consulting practice, sometimes I catch myself thinking I have answers for my clients.  Just right means getting out of the way knowing they have the answer within themselves. All I do is hold an open space into which these answers can emerge.

It means surrendering all control and trusting. It means knowing that the wisdom of each situation emerges sooner or later of its own accord.  Just right means keeping step with what is and being inspired by what shows up knowing it is perfect for that moment.

What does ”just right” mean in your life, in your circumstance, moment to moment?

I am listening …

There were many people waiting after me at the Verizon store. I was there to change my calling plan.  Getting this done is a time consuming event.  Hugo was helping me.  Both he and I were very aware that there was a line of people waiting.  I said “Hugo, can you help me figure out a better plan?”  Hugo stopped, looked up and right at me. I knew we had made contact.  I spoke his name and looked him in the eye.  All of a sudden we were both present.  He took all the time needed to get me the right plan. We both felt like we had accomplished something good.

So often the focus is purely on business. Finding ways to call ourselves and others to be present contributes greatly to remind us that we matter, that we can make a difference.

Can you remember an exchange where someone looked you in the eye, spoke your name and you knew you really mattered? 

I am listening …

In this blog I have given advice, shared ideas, asked questions.  This process has changed me. It is not the first time; it will not be the last.

So how have I changed?  By knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that answers are inside you, and me, and that my highest contribution is to share learnings from my own journey and experience.

For example, part of what I do is be a realtor.  This past month I dealt with a very difficult escrow on a property I helped a client purchase.  There were many people involved—the other realtor, the buyer, the seller, the escrow agent and lenders on both sides; oh yes, and the support personnel.   

With high stakes and what seemed like insurmountable obstacles, everyone was very stressed.  A deep calm came over me.  I knew I had a choice.  I could join the reactors or I could stay in the peace.  I did the later and things moved forward as they would have anyway.  I chose to sit out the reaction and was able to insert a sense of calm and control into the transaction.  The deal closed, I have a happy client and I saved my system a shock.

 When confronted with a highly stressful situation, how do you react?

 I am listening …