A year and a half ago I found myself in an awkward in-between-place in my life. After separating from my former partner, I moved into what turned out to be a very challenging rental situation. In addition to my heart-ache and difficult living situation, I caught a terrible cold that kept me house-bound for several weeks. As soon as I was physically strong enough to leave the house again, I began [...]
One of the wonderful things about taking Mini-Retreats is that everyone around you benefits in many ways. Unfortunately many people, especially women, still feel selfish and guilty when taking moments to relax. My mission is to help you and your friends bust these limiting beliefs and make self-care a joyful, invigorating, daily experience that sends ripples of relaxation to the people around you and out into [...]
What a treat to share Mini-Retreats with Katherine Lazaruk and her clients at her beautiful new office location in downtown Vancouver last Friday! In the cozy space of ICU Image Consulting, six of Katherine’s most valued clients gathered to learn how to reduce stress quickly in the midst of their busy lives. Often taking time for self-care seems like one more thing to do on your already long to-do-list. [...]
I have always loved singing in harmony and have sung in several choirs in the past. When I moved to Victoria, I was looking for a small vocal ensemble to sing with. In my search for a small community choir, I stumbled upon one of the biggest choirs I have ever listened to: The Gettin’ Higher Choir. […]
Career coaching helps you rise above your fears and doubts and discover new ways. Recently, one of my career coaching clients, let’s call her Nina (not her real name), came to her coaching call feeling discouraged. She had run into a seemingly insurmountable barrier since our last conversation. At the end of her last career coaching session she had committed to contact several individuals for informational interviews to explore [...]
Some call it mindfulness meditation. It’s a delicious way of becoming present right here, right now! Do you remember the last time you savoured a meal, a piece of fine chocolate or a delicious smoothie? – Your mouth was watering, your taste buds rejoicing. Maybe your mouth is watering now, as you recall this joyful memory. What if we could experience everything in life with the same rich, delicious [...]
One of my clients found herself at a cross road with her business, moving from a booming economy to a sparser time. She and her partners suddenly needed to put more effort into marketing. For years their business had been thriving and new and returning business had found them easily and effortlessly. However, in times of cut-backs and down-sizing, they were unsure how to succeed. I asked my client to take [...]
During a recent Mini-Retreat Home Party we talked about the physical impact of stress on our bodies. For some it manifests as tightness in the shoulders and neck, for others it feels as if stress contracts their stomach into a tight knot, yet others feel stress as a jittery sensation, as if they had too much coffee. No matter what your physical responses to stress, they are blessings in disguise. It [...]
Shrink your mountains into mole hills – Get it done! During a recent coaching session, my client Joe (not his real name) told me about a seemingly simple project that was causing him much dread and anxiety. Writing a bio to be submitted for his next professional advancement had become an insurmountable challenge. Joe didn’t know how to get it done. He had spent [...]
As I marvel at the beauty and particularity of my favourite poppy, I am reminded just how important it is for us to learn how to flourish. The California poppies have just begun showing their beautiful, bright orange faces on the rocky hillsides of Victoria. I still remember my first trip to Vancouver Island, long before I knew I would live here one day. I was admiring the Golden Poppies [...]
