CHANGE OF BLOG ADDRESS

Hi boys & girls, thanks so much for following my blog - I have changed my blog address and will now be writing directly from my website at www.greersakul.com - SO, for more blogginng action, please go directly to: http://www.greersakul.com/blog.html

Have a wonderful day and make sure you do AT LEAST one fun/enjoyable thing, just because!!

Cheers,
Greer.

Make Someone's Day!

Source: attitudeofgratitude.typepad.com

WOW – I just received the most beautiful, supportive, honest and inspiring feedback from a reader (And yes Mrs H – I’m talking about you!)!

I was already having a great day, but the heartfelt email has MADE my day, and has inspired me to get back on the proverbial blog-writing horse after taking a month of “business development” tasks. The break was good – for up until just a few weeks ago, I was feeling like I was trying to do 100 things (e.g. Revamping website, developing my marketing plan, re-structuring my services/products, developing some e-goods to sell on my site, reviewing my coaching material and making sense of the 4 journals I have for coaching ideas…. Ummm… what else was there.. oh yes, taking on some personal development courses myself, planning a retreat, trying to meditate and read inspiring stories each day… AND…. of course be a mother, wife, domestic goddess (cough cough), thoughtful friend and daughter… and while I am at it, ensure I have enough ‘me’ time for R & R! (Hmmm… sound familiar people!??!?)

Anyhoo – I have had a break – and I am officially back & ready for action!

Mrs H’s email has reminded me just how easy it is to “make someone’s day”, and it got me wondering, when was the last time I had made someone’s day?

It’s so easy to do – a kind word to a friend, colleague or family member – a generous and unexpected act to a stranger in the street (e.g. noticing the person behind you in the shopping line who is looking stressed/pressured for time, and allowing them to go in front of you, telling the old lady down the street that her hair is looking lovely today, or looking the service attendant in a store/service centre in the eye, and thanking them (using their name) for their service, and how much you appreciate their assistance.

If you’re in the office as you are reading this (over your scheduled break of course!!??), perhaps offer your colleague to go and pick up a coffee for them? Or, ask them how they are going on a particular report/task and offer some support/assistance if they require.

Perhaps you could go home tonight and just do something ‘nice’ for one of your family members – offer to brush your wife’s hair (hint hint to my husband if you are reading this!? J), rub your partner’s feet, play chasings for 5 minutes with the kids outside, OR, if you are living alone, treat YOURSELF with a random act of kindness and enjoy a nice long bath, watch your favourite movie/tv show for the ‘umpteenth’ time, or anything else that will give you pleasure!

Being kind to ourselves and others is a gift both to ourselves and those around us. When we give from the heart, and communicate from a place of honesty and love, we radiate happiness and joy in to the universe – this, my friends, is a good thing!!

May Mrs H inspire you to perform one act of random kindness today – See if YOU can make someone’s day, and THEN, just for the fun of it, see if you can do the same tomorrow!!

In gratitude to Mrs H, and wishing you all blessings and joy in your heart on this most special of days,
Greer.

Don't lose heart - start BEING what it is you are SEEKING

Hi everyone,

Source: Vector Graphic 'Flower Heart'

Over the past few weeks I have found myself a bit 'stuck' by the ebs and flow of my business development. It has reminded me of the important balance between allowing and accepting what 'is' (remembering resistance creates resistance), whilst also pursuing your dreams and not giving up working towards something you wish to occur/have/do.
I like to remind myself what it is I am 'really' seeking from my goal? Which aspects of that goal am I already 'living'? And, how can I bring about more of that which I am seeking in my current day-to-day life, whilst also manifesting my desired future?
For example -

1. My goal: To have my own business
2. What is it about 'having my own business' that I REALLY want?

• To have a lifestyle that enables me to prioritise:
• Daily moments of joy, spent with my family (i.e. quality time!)
• Spending some time each day outdoors in the natural environment
• Spending time nurturing a beautiful, safe and peaceful home environment
• Feeling financially secure whilst also being flexible to enjoy my pleasures, interests and hobbies
• Spend my days in a way which honours my personal, spiritual, physical and emotional needs and values
• Spreading joy, light and peace to all whom I encounter

By acknowledging what it is I am really seeking from my goal, I can then go through my 'list' and identify one thing I can do TODAY that will enable me to satisfy (or at least work towards) each of my 'criteria'.
In doing so, I have reminded myself that I am already 'living my dream' and that I have the internal power to "BE" what it is I am 'seeking' via my external goal.
Goals and dreams are great - they inspire and remind us of what is truly possible for us - BUT it's important to not lose sight of the pleasure and power of today - this supports us to BE and LIVE in happiness, rather than getting caught up in the CHASSING, DREAMING or WISHING of it.
So.. what is it you are REALLY seeking?
Pursue your dreams, but don't forget to ask yourself what you can do TODAY to start LIVING YOUR DREAM right now?

Blessings and light,
Greer.

I would love to hear your thoughts and any feedback you have either via my email info@greersakul.com or via my facebook page: www.facebook.com/GreerSakulLifeCoaching

Got 5 minutes to spare???



I was spending an evening with some new friends last night and we were discussing how easily one can put things off until you have ‘enough’ time… As I sit here, eating my lunch, checking my emails and wondering how long bub will sleep I thought to myself, “Hmm… perhaps I should write a blog – it’s been a few weeks and I really want to get back in to it… oh if only I had ‘enough’ time to write a ‘proper’ entry…”

The conversation last night (well, ok – I should actually give full credit to Andrew here!)… reminded us all that you just need to ‘start’. Just – start, and see how far you go – you may find you get it all done really quickly, and you may even find that once you start going, you start to enjoy it and the ‘job’ becomes an enjoyable thing to do for the day.

And so – here I am – writing my first blog entry in a month … and… um yep – I’m enjoying it!

This blog is going to be nice and simple; short and sweet – we’ve all  heard it a thousand times before, “don’t put off until tomorrow, what you can do today” – but I thought I would send out a gentle reminder to all of us – to just get ‘started’! It’s ok if you don’t finish… it’s ok if you just ‘start’ and then have to stop – but buy taking small steps, making small decisions, achieving small tasks EACH day – day after day - you will get whatever it is done AND you might even enjoy it!

It’s the PERSISTENT, ongoing, regular action that gets us to where we want to be – not the once off biggies... so go on…  spend 5 mins now – get started… and who knows – you might even get to ‘TICK’ it off your list by the end of the day!

And there you have it – a big “TICK” for me for the day – thanks again Andrew!!

Image Source: http://sweetdubuks.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/all-in-that-5-minutes/

Think thoughts of Power, Joy & Vitality

Consciously or unconsciously, we are all doing it, all of the time.

Talking to ourselves, telling ourselves this and that, what we should and shouldn’t do/be, what’s right and wrong, what’s fair and unfair… the list goes on.

“What are you talking about?” says the voice inside you…

Um well – that’s exactly what I am talking about! – You – your inner, self-talk – i.e. the voice that’s now saying, “Oh right! That voice….” OR “What? What voice?”

You get the drift?

Becoming conscious of the thoughts we are telling ourselves day in and day out is imperative if we are live powerful, conscious lives. It takes practice – and it’s natural to ‘catch ourselves’ out sometimes thinking negatively/self-limiting thoughts. What IS important though, is that we notice these thoughts (and I’ll give you a hint here – whenever you are feeling sad, angry, powerless, frustrated, stressed etc. etc. there is a chance you have some negative thoughts running around in that beautiful mind of yours!) and that we ‘drop’ them!

There are many ways we can help to “weed out the negatives”, but here are 3 of my favourite techniques:

-       CUT IT OFF - The INSTANT you notice a negative thought; immediately cut it off and insert a totally different thought (without arguing with yourself, defending it).

-       OBSERVE the thought, and label it as just that. (e.g. "I am now experiencing the negative thought, BUT I am not going to get caught up in it. It is only a negative thought).

-       COUNTER the negative with the exact opposite -“I’m Not going to make enough money” - becomes - “I’m going to make huge amounts of money.”

Affirmations are a powerful tool we can use to counter continually recurring negative and/or limiting thoughts, and can be used to enhance any area of our life.

Below are some affirmations I use regularly. Some of these have come from other people, some have arisen from my own mind – after a while, they become so “entrenched” in your being, that you find yourself affirming these thoughts without even realising. Their power lies in their repetition, and in using the words and statements that resonate with you. Feel free to use the affirmations below as inspiration, and then play with them one at a time to find the sequence of words that feels right for you. I say ‘play’ because affirmations should be fun. You don’t need to share them with anyone else if  you don’t want to – they are yours and yours alone. Have fun! J

 “I love and appreciate my body, my mind and all of my feelings.”

“Every day in every way, I am getting better and better.”

“I am attracting and creating loving, satisfying relationships in my life.”

“I am a radiant being, filled with light and love.”

“I radiate health, joy and vitality.”

“I am perfect and whole, exactly as I am.”

“Everything is coming to me, easily and effortlessly.”

“I radiate peace and love to all whom I interact with.”

“Everything in my life is exactly as it needs to be right now.”

“I pause and release all anxiety. The perfect solution to this situation is on its way to me.”

“I release any limiting thoughts and insert thoughts of power and love.”

“I am now doing work I love, and I am richly rewarded, creatively and financially.”

An Introduction to Meditation

 It’s funny how we can try something new and connect with it instantly.

I’m talking about every day, ‘normal,’ random things – For example; a friend suggests you meet for a coffee at a new shop and it automatically becomes your favourite cafe; You might be at a friend’s house, having a chat whilst they are folding their washing and learn a new way of folding fitted sheets that thereon becomes the way ‘you’ fold them (I told you these were every day / random things!) – You may meet someone who suggests a new way of perceiving a given situation that completely shifts your opinion on that very same situation. Time passes, and before you know it – you have always gone to that coffee shop, folded your sheets that way, or ‘seen’ a particular issue/situation in that light.

We often can’t even remember our ‘first time’ for many things, it has just become where you go/what and how you do things, and it is easy to forget that not everyone knows about (for example), the best coffee shop in town!

Well, that’s how I relate to meditation. It has become such an integral part of my life and ‘way of being’, that I cannot remember my ‘first time’. I forget that it is not something that everyone automatically does at some point in their day and so I thought I would use this week’s blog to introduce a simple guided meditation that some of you might like to try.

What is the point in meditating you might ask? Regular meditation supports us physically, mentally and emotionally – which is why it leaves us feeling so good! And it’s not just an ‘airy-fairy-feel-good’ type of feeling, meditation has been scientifically proven to assist with the treatment of disorders such as anxiety, chronic pain, depression, headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia, migraines, stress and illness or accident recovery. Even just 10 minutes at the start, middle or end of your day will make a difference to your well-being – so go on, give it a raz!

The following meditation is a guided meditation. I suggest you ready through it a couple of times to become familiar with the scenario. Like anything, it becomes easier to meditate and visualise scenarios the more we practice – if, you find it difficult to “see” your sacred garden to begin with, just pretend you can see it – your subconscious mind does not understand what is real and what is imagined – what is important is your intention to ‘see’. Before going in to any meditation, it is important to create a physical space that is relaxing, and ensure you have enough time for yourself so that you can enter the meditation with space and quietness. You may wish to keep a notebook with your favourite pen or pencil so that you may record and explore your insights.

Source: www.yogalifestyle.com

When you feel ready, close your eyes and take 3 slow, deep breaths. Inhale for 4, hold the breath for 4, and then release the breath slowly. Inhale, hold and exhale a few more times until you feel your body deeply relax. Use your breath to focus your mind on the present moment. Allow your mind to slow and relax with each exhale. Allow your body to surrender to the ground. Take a moment to relax and become still.

With eyes closed, imagine you are walking down a softly lit pathway – you are going on a journey in to your subconsciousness and this path is leading you to a state of openness and self-awareness.

After a short while, you arrive at a beautiful, majestic doorway. On your next breath in, push the door open and see a beautiful, sacred garden.

Try to clearly visualise everything before you. (Remember, if you don’t see a clear image, just pretend! If you could see a garden, what would it look like?)

Connect in with your breath – as you exhale, immerse yourself in your sacred garden.

Notice the ground – is it grassy? Filled with flowers? Are there meadows? Perhaps stone pathways?

Look to one side of you and notice the trees – are they small or tall? Is it spring or summer? Is there an abundance of flowers? What colours are they?

Look to the other side - Notice the life of the garden – are there any birds? Butterflies?  Baby rabbits or perhaps even deer?

Is there a river or stream? A pond or waterfall?

Look above - What colour is the sky? Is it a light, clear blue or are there fluffy white clouds floating past?

Now imagine sitting or lying down in your garden and closing your eyes - What does your garden smell like?

What does your garden sound like? 

How does it feel to be in your garden?

Do you feel safe? Do you feel at peace? Do you feel nurtured?

Take some time to enjoy this space and explore your feelings. Know that this is your sacred space – your sacred garden – a place where you can come at any point in time. A place for restoration, solitude and space. You are always welcome here – this is your space, for you to create and explore as you wish and need.

When you are ready, connect back in with your breath and start to become aware of your physical body, the ground that supports you, and the space around you.

How do you feel? You may wish to take your journal out and spend 5-10 minutes writing down your thoughts.

This or something better...

What is ‘it’ we are really seeking when we set ourselves a goal or intention?

I was revisiting some of my business goals during the week and saw there were some areas I was doing really well in and others where I had not yet achieved my intended target. For example, I had set myself the goal of securing a particular number of one-on-one clients by August 2011 and realised, that with one week left to go in this month, I have not yet met my specific target.

I was exploring ways in which I could better market my individual coaching services, when I asked myself the following: What is ‘it’ I am really seeking by securing my intended goal of “X number of clients by August 2011”.

What is the ‘outcome’ (i.e. the ‘effect’) I desire – as opposed to the ‘output’ (i.e. the details)? I spent 5 minutes re-visiting my initial motivation for developing my own coaching business which was:

“To work in a field I am passionate about. To support myself and others to be the best they can be. For my ‘job’ to be personally, creatively and financially rewarding. To have a career that is flexible in regards to hours and location, and enables me to spend quality time as a mother to my daughter and wife to my husband, whilst also honouring my own life journey and development".

I then thought about the feelings I was really seeking when developing the concept for my business as well as my specific goal of x number of clients. They included:

• Flexibility, Satisfaction, Creativity, Mothering, Nurturing (of self and others), Freedom (financial), Freedom (daily schedule), Vitality, Power, Joy, Peace, Accomplishment, Self-honour, Authenticity, Self-consciousness, Self-development, Inspiration, Acceptance, Faith

Having written the list, I realised that I am actually experiencing and enjoying all of these feelings right now! I repeat, although I have not yet met my specific goal, I am already experiencing the feelings I was seeking when I set the goal!

My own coach (yes… – I have my own amazing coach – coaches are great!!) has recently reminded me of the importance of finishing affirmations or goals with the statement:

 “…this or something better.”

Whether you use these particular words, or a phrase of your own, by following our stated intention with such a phrase, we acknowledge our desires and needs whilst also releasing control over how those needs are best met. This aligns us both mentally and energetically with our desired future, encourages us to remain open and unattached to the specific output, and also gently reminds us that we cannot always know what is the best or ‘right’ thing to take place/unfold.

By maintaining my broader objective of doing work I love that is personally and creatively rewarding, rather than the particular number of clients I had intended to be coaching, I have realised that I am already living my dream! Not only this, but it has also reminded me that I do not necessarily know the best way for me to reach and support my intended clients, and am currently exploring some group coaching opportunities which are also aligned with my coaching values as well as personal needs. I have reminded myself that 'everything is ok' - and I genuinely feel, and trust that I and my business are exactly where I/it needs to be right now.

So – what about you? Think about some of your ‘goals’ or ‘hopes’ at this point in time – what is the feeling you are seeking by attaining your goal? I.e. What is it you are really seeking?

- Is it really ‘that’ job? Or is it a feeling of accomplishment, security, and/or acknowledgement of your skills?
- Is it actually buying ‘that’ couch? Or is it a feeling of comfort and warmth in your home?
- Is it actually owning ‘that’ car? Or is it a feeling of abundance and status?
- Is it actually reaching 'that' weight? Or is it a feeling of health and vitality?

- Is it actually attaining 'that' salary? Or is it a feeling of financial security and independence?

You may be surprised to discover that you are already experiencing that which you are seeking – and if not, ask yourself what it is you could do right now that will enable you to feel that way today – whilst also progressing you towards your long-term goal?

I encourage you to take the time to explore and enjoy this concept – I would love to hear how you go with it so please let me know at info@greersakul.com

Have a great week!!!