Taking my own advice is hard!  Last week instead of dutifully, responsibly writing my blog, I did what I constantly tell my ‘people’ to do – just go have fun!

Which brought me to the question that I ponder often; what is fun for me? 

What’s Fun For You?  How to Tune In
Because I am a coach, I spend a lot of time reading other coaches' books, blogs, advice, methods, etc.  I also read a lot of biographies about successful people.  And I love to spend time with my clients helping them discover what’s great about them.  Therefore, I try on other peoples’ methods and suggestions for feeling good, for having fun and for the ‘secrets’ to success.  This is helpful and inspiring, but it can also be exhausting. 

Look/Listen for Clues
Then, I had this dream. In my dream Keith Urban was driving a motorbike and I was riding along as his passenger.  Keith, (I call him by his first name.  He’s in my dream, after all!)  became distracted and I cautioned him, “just keep your eyes on the road, buddy!”  As he returned his attention to driving he ran us through a glass partition, and kept going!  He then began going faster and driving rather recklessly on streets where there were children.  He stopped at a convenience store and went in to buy soda. (of course.)  Then he exited the store and began just walking away.  I was left pushing the motorbike (because I don't know how to drive one) and following after him, trying to get his attention.  That’s all I remember.  After going through the major elements using the analysis tools I have adopted, the gist of the dream’s meaning was that I am being driven by ‘popular and or famous’(represented by Keith Urban) ideals of what is fun or what will move me forward (the motorbike vehicle).  I am not in the driver’s seat (literally) when I follow their tools and techniques and may not like the results – as in where I’m going and how I get there.  In order to move along MY path I am to discover, adopt, develop and or invent my own tools and techniques – mode of transport  - to get there.  The fastest easiest way, I tell my ‘peeps’, is to find what’s fun for you!  Our deepest selves know what we want and where we want to go.  Doing what's fun is the path to finding that out.

New Practices:
Rest:  As I allow myself the rest I want/need, I am better able to tune into what it is I really desire.  It means that I am not substituting other behaviours/habits like coffee, junk food or TV for what I really need.  Sometimes that means going to bed early or napping in the afternoon.  Other times it means taking 5 in the restroom during a stressful work situation. 

Tuning In:  My most effective tool right now is sitting in my meditation space (my office), doing a mind/body connection practice and then allowing a ‘brainstorm’ of ideas around what would be fun right now.  As each idea arises I observe how my body responds to the idea.  An expansive, light feeling is my body feeling positive about the idea and a tight, heavy feeling is a negative feeling about an idea.  I am going for the positive feeling that also has a natural motivating energy behind it – it feels good and I want to do it!  I even do this with what do I want to eat right now?  What do I want to wear today?

Baby Steps:  All this effort may seem tedious, but I have years and years of habitual ‘must be productive and work hard’ and 'do things right,' wiring to overcome and this is how I do it for right now.

Observing the Transformations
It is easy to fall back into old patterns of thoughts and behaviours.  By paying attention to the small changes that I am instituting it helps me to stay on track and less likely to fall back.  I notice I feel happier, lighter more expansive.  I notice creative ideas just pop up.  I notice the things around me that I take for granted and I really appreciate them.

Last week, when I thought I ‘should’ be writing a blog, I went for a bike ride (on my own two wheeler!!!) and it was fun.  The sun was warm, there was a slight cool breeze.  I strapped on my helmet, plugged in my ear buds and listened to a very enjoyable coach recording!

The most obvious transformation arising from this discovering and allowing training is realizing that fun is more a state of mind than an activity.  When I am in the feeling state of I can do, have, create whatever I want, then everything becomes fun.  Fun is the journey and the destination.

Hello All!
This time I’m writing this as a newsletter instead of a blog just for a change of pace.  It could be a quarterly report, except that 4 months of the year have gone by, not just 3, so that makes this a thirdly report? It does not have the same ring to it, does it?!

Under the heading of Trying New Things for Fun, I finished my weekly tap dance classes.  They were very fun, just as I had hoped.  The class was small; 3 – 5 women each class, all in and around my age.  The teacher gauged our skill level very well and made each class just challenging enough that we didn’t want to quit, but that practice on our own definitely helped.  I have not signed up yet for my 'next fun thing,' but I will keep you posted!

There was quite a bit of Travel for me in these first 4 months.  I’ve been to Vancouver twice to visit my daughters and my nieces.  It is spring in Vancouver in case you are wondering where it is. (*See above photo!) I also went to California for 10 days.  A 3-day Martha Beck Life Coach conference – which you can read about here.  After that, I spent some delightfully relaxing time by the water, on the sand and in the sun.

I Got Published!  I submitted an article to my community newsletter explaining Life Coaching and Happy News, it was published.  I am even invited to submit an article monthly.

My Coaching Biz:  In January, I ran a group life coaching class in my home, which was uber enjoyable.  I am currently wrapping up a 6-week tele-course, which I am co-hosting with my daughter Ali.  The course is based on Ali's book – The Perception Diet and the classes have been spectacular. I have really been impacted by the value of weekly coaching, ongoing support and follow up!  It has also inspired me.  Ali does a lot of work with mind-body connecting and the results for me have been very noticeable. I was experiencing a lower back issue and have chronic, on-going neck and shoulder inflammation.  I noticed after the first month of this class that my lower back pain had diminished significantly and far ahead of the diagnosed recovery time.   My neck/shoulder inflammation disappears periodically now. Because of my own results with practicing  mind/body connecting and because my training includes many mind/body coach tools, I am inspired to do a 4 week program for anyone who is experiencing ongoing chronic pain and/or inflammation.  In 4 weekly one-on-one coach session, I will teach you the mind/body connecting tools.  You will have access to me for the duration of the program.  If this is something you are interested in or if you know someone you think would benefit, hop on over here for the deets!

This, folks, has been what’s been going on with me.  I would be thrilled to hear from you – just to catch up or if I can help you with whatever is going on with you.