Recently I offered a Mini-Retreat course at Oaklands Community Centre. Two days prior to the workshop, I received an e-mail from Oaklands, asking whether I wanted to go ahead with the workshop despite the low number of registered participants. Only three people had registered for the course. Usually my minimum is six people. The logical next step would have been to cancel the course. I am [...]
Today, I want to share one of my favourite companions for relaxation with you: my eye-pillow! Falling asleep with my eye-pillow placed on my eyes is just wonderful! It helps me release any tension from the day and get sound and peaceful sleep throughout the night. On my travels, it makes getting good sleep in unfamiliar environments that much easier. My afternoon power-nap is even more relaxing and energizing, if I [...]
On a beautiful sunny afternoon in Vancouver, I was riding my bike to the bus station. I was on my way to catch a bus that would transport me and my bike to the ferry terminal. I had just spent the weekend with good friends and was happy about the unexpected warm weather. As I stopped at a red traffic light a man, who looked like a homeless person, walked towards [...]
I received so many heartfelt messages, in response to my latest SPARK newsletter. Thank you so much for your encouragement! It was especially nice to hear about the positive difference SPARK makes in so many readers lives. That is my intention! […]
Patricia Katz has put together an incredible wealth of evidence that self-care and wellness practices enhance productivity. So often we still get trapped in the old, unfounded beliefs that keep us running in the hamster wheel of non-stop activity. Here is what Patricia found in a nutshell: Relaxation breaks reduce strain and increase stamina Naps enhance productivity Time away boosts effectiveness Moderate sleep and regular vacations extend life Wellness and renewal [...]
Every now and again we all experience a really crappy day. One of those days where everything and everybody seem to have conspired against you and nothing goes right. Your car breaks down, your daughter has a temper tantrum, your spouse is upset, you forget your umbrella and get soaking wet in the rain and on and on it goes. Wouldn’t it be great to have a rescue remedy handy in [...]
Years ago I heard about a school that was experiencing a lot of littering. The students didn’t care to throw their wraps in the garbage cans and penalties didn’t seem to solve the problem. Then one teacher came up with the idea to put baskets, much like basketball baskets, above the garbage cans. The students soon discovered that throwing garbage in the cans was a really [...]
With the Canadian Thanksgiving just behind us and the American Thanksgiving ahead, I am filled with gratitude for this wonderful, mysterious, surprising and at times challenging life. I feel so very blessed to do what I love and make my living doing just that. I am reminded once again of just how different life felt, when I found my labour of love, life coaching, by working with my very first life [...]
How to shift from anger to compassion, when someone purposefully destroys your garden or something else you care about? When I was in grade 8, I took part in a gardening school project and was very excited about my first little vegetable garden. Every day I went to check, water and weed my little patch. It was pure joy seeing the little plants grow. One day I arrived at [...]
We Canadians are known for being nice. One of my life coaching clients found herself in a situation where her usual way of being nice and doing things she thought were expected of her left her with a bitter taste of resentment. To her, being a good friend, colleague and relative meant being nice and doing what was expected of her at all times. However, it dawned on her that her [...]
