Nature Speaks

March 31, 2012 By karen Leave a Comment

Have you been to the mountains?

Imagine yourself there.

Hear the whistle of the wind through the trees
Feel the clean, fresh air as you inhale
Smell the earthy scent of the pine trees
Hear the musical rush of the stream as the melting snow adds its part to the natural transition that is SPRING

And the views!
See the panorama of “purple mountain majesties” topped with the snow reflecting the sun.
Feel the shift to the canyon roads weaving against the stream and notice the contrast of the gentle green aspen leaves swaying against the rugged red cliffs.
Move through the pass and see the lake glistening like a sparkling blue diamond surrounded by mountains, named long ago.

Why do I share with you this experience of nature?
For long as I can remember, I’ve been learning from nature. The lessons come every day, as often as I stop to listen or watch.

The stars in the pre-dawn sky remind me I do have a place here in this world and so do they. We all do. The stars put it all into perspective. Isn’t it an incredibly huge, amazing world we live in?

I’ve learned about appreciation, wonder and awe. Mother Nature has taught me to be patient, to be curious and trust – because there’s always a gift waiting to be enjoyed. Nature’s unpredictability has taught me to lean into the unknown, to go with the flow, to be flexible.

I am reminded time and time again of how precious every single moment is.

I encourage you to take the time, make the time, create the space for yourself to notice nature. It can be as simple as hearing a bird sing on your way to the car or seeing a hummingbird drink from a flower.

And listen.

You may be surprised at the lessons being whispered gently in your ear.

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: , , , ,

Three Questions to Handle Overwhelm

February 26, 2012 By karen Leave a Comment

I’ve had the opportunity to experience overwhelm lately. “Opportunity?!” you ask. “Yes, opportunity,” I reply.

I hadn’t thought of overwhelm as an “opportunity” before, but then I had a realization.

This experience I’m having, with so many commitments in my life, it’s what I wanted, what I asked for, what I worked for. I wanted a job, I wanted a group of professional colleagues, I wanted to be more of a leader, I wanted goals and experiences that would help me learn and grow. And yes, I wanted the children. Now 20 years ago when they were a twinkle in the eye, maybe I didn’t understand the implications of them growing up, but I did want the children. And they are one of the most satisfying aspects of my life.

Sometimes, just this remembering is enough to shift me away from overwhelm into feeling grateful. It’s pretty cool that I’ve created all these things I really wanted.

And sometimes, this remembering is not enough.

Then, I have to coach myself out of overwhelm. I start by asking myself:

“What would be most helpful for me right now?”

Often, that’s enough. Just stopping the busy “to-do” list in my mind by asking a question is enough. It shifts me from “being” overwhelmed, defined by it, to recognizing there are some things happening in my life that are a little overwhelming. Overwhelm is not who I am, it’s only what I’m feeling at the moment. It allows me to:

Change Perspective

If that’s not enough and the feeling of overwhelm is still too big and real to step out of, the next question I ask is:

“How can I break it down?”

I’ll make a list; write out all the thoughts in my mind, the “to-do” list. Just getting organized can make a huge difference in how I feel. But again, it’s not always enough. And that’s when I know I need to tend to my emotional needs more. It’s a big flag that something needs a bit more attention, which prompts the next question:

“What’s most important in this moment?”

And that typically allows me to get right back on track. What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

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It’s A Wrap!

January 15, 2012 By karen 1 Comment


As 2011 came to a close, I found myself in the familiar space of reflecting on the previous year and contemplating the next. I read over my 40+ pages of journaling, my dozen blog posts, went over my calendar (in preparation for taxes) and felt like I was holding the year in my arms.

Reading over the contract I made with myself at this time last year was most rewarding. It let me see how much I actually stayed on track with some overall objectives. No, I wasn’t perfect. There were places I was derailed for a time and goals I didn’t quite hit, but, in general, it was a pretty good year.

As the end of the year approaches, I tend to explore different methods people offer for wrapping up one year and moving into the next. Besides the contract with myself, I’ve also done traditional goal setting, exercises about purpose or passions, mind maps, brainstorming exercises, vision boards.

I enjoy asking myself questions, seeing if there is anything from the year that sticks my attention, those places that might benefit from a closer look. Experience has told me that taking some time to reflect on past, present and future works. It creates the space for the next year to be more of what I intend for it to be.

In 2011, I could feel how important it was/is for me to personally put a stake in the ground. For so many reasons, I felt I needed to make a personal declaration of what I’m committed to, who I am at this time in my life.

Several years ago, I ran across Chris Guillebeau and his manifesto, “A Brief Guide to World Domination.” I found it inspiring, printed a copy and shared it with my family. In the last year or two, I’ve been following Sarah Robinson at Escaping Mediocrity and she also shared a manifesto. Isn’t it awesome?!

After my last Toastmasters meeting of the year, I was considering my first speech, the Icebreaker, which I was scheduled to give at the beginning of 2012. It’s a chance to share who you are and what you’re about. It fit so perfectly with my end of year reflection time! I came home, sat down and out poured my own manifesto.

When I feel myself in that flow of writing, I know everything is somehow as it’s meant to be. Something similar that I learned and experienced in 2011 is the power of creativity. It was really fun and somehow liberating to write and print out my manifesto and then decorate it along the edges. I love that feeling of freedom and liberation!

Here’s another manifesto I ran across online. It has a whole different style, but is also very cool. I might give it a try next year. Isn’t it amazing what you can find online?!

May your 2012 be all you wish for it to be! xoxo

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Angels on Earth

December 10, 2011 By karen Leave a Comment

We don’t always know how we touch one another
When our smile or a random thought expressed
Makes all the difference in that moment

We don’t always know the hearts we touch
By our actions that are noticed
Our humanness and empathy recorded

We don’t always know the influence we have
By our own simple presence
The moments we share, the stories we hear
The grace we inspire

We don’t always know the gifts we are giving
As we move through our days
We take our own kindness for granted
We forget how wonderful we are

And so, I invite you
To open your heart and feel
How you’ve touched my soul
And how I’m grateful for you, an angel in my life

Filed Under: Personal

Home is Simply Enough

November 30, 2011 By karen Leave a Comment

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been into growth. I love the feeling of understanding more about myself and how I can better contribute in the world. I’ve been intentional about improving myself, striving for more; reaching for my potential. It allows me to stay more focused, to have motivation and purpose, to be more goal-oriented.

A few years ago I was introduced to Renee Trudeau’s work and her concept of “good is good enough.” I hadn’t ever felt like a perfectionist, but it was running in the background, at some level. I could see it in my envy of others, like my daughter’s ability to be creative. She totally goes for it with her art and her writing, there’s no hesitation, no holding back. And it’s a whole different story for me.

Last year I ran across Brené Brown and her work. The concept of “wholehearted living,” of every person being “worthy of love and belonging” resonated so strongly with me! I began to get more honest with myself about all the times I didn’t (or don’t) feel like I am enough. It seems like the root of so many behaviors I’d prefer not to have; things like comparing or judging; holding myself or others up to some impossible ideal.

I’ve been reading Wayne Muller’s book, “A Life of Being, Doing and Having Enough.” It has been a beautiful touchstone, allowing me to slow down and let my heart catch up with the rest of my life. This book might end up in my top 10; it’s such a glorious reminder of how I want to be and what I wish for others.

In the last week I’ve been contemplating the topic of “home,” in preparation for a Red Bench dialogue. What I’m finding for myself is that the feeling of “home” is the same feeling as “enough.” It’s this delightful open-hearted full feeling of satisfaction and acceptance, of peace and vitality, a sense that everything is all right, just as it is.

When I become aware of being in this feeling of “enough” I’m immediately grateful. More often, I notice when I’m not in this feeling and I find there are different paths to return “home.” What do you notice about “home” or “enough” in your life?

Filed Under: Books, Parenting, Personal Tagged With:

Mama Bear

October 11, 2011 By karen Leave a Comment

Ever seen those national geographic shows with the mama bear going full-out ballistic when she senses her cubs are in danger? Have you felt that kind of do-whatever-it-takes adrenaline charge before? That sense of putting your life on the line for another? The prevailing indignant anger that is so strong it takes your breath away? It’s an overwhelming “don’t you dare mess with me” kind of attitude.

I’ll be honest. The first thought I encountered last week when considering the Girl Effect (again, I’ve seen it before) is the well written documentary “Half the Sky.” It was significant for me to read that book with my 18-year-old daughter recently returned from Uganda. While reading it, I vacillated between tissues, tears and the angry mama bear. The grief is so deep; it feels like the sadness of generations. How can humanity have these types of injustices when we could have something so much better?

After the long road trip and flight home, leaving my girl to care for herself in a different state, I was left in a quiet, still space. It wasn’t a tranquil place though, it was one filled with an unsettled exhaustion. I felt I needed to step up to the plate, in oh, so many ways.

And a year has gone by.

It’s been a profound year. It’s been filled with the richness of learning; about people, the world, relationships and who I really am, what I’m about, what matters to me. I’ve studied a lot this year, with wonderful, wise teachers. I’ve done a lot of reflecting, spent lots of time by myself, watching the sun rise and the sun set, meditating, journaling, feeling the emotions shift through me.

I knew the angry mama bear wasn’t who I wanted to be. I’ve hung onto it so tightly since I was a teenager and it’s served me well. The underlying anger and defiance helped me feel stronger and more capable, but underneath all of that was this feeling of being wounded, weak and inadequate. How could I really make any type of difference in this world?

As I reflect now, I realize it’s been a transformative year. My intent to be powerfully vulnerable and stable in an open-hearted way has been growing. I know I can gently shift the intense mama bear energy or that helpless inadequate energy a quarter turn in a different direction and it makes all the difference.

I don’t have all the answers, don’t need them. I just need to keep taking one step at a time, forward on a path of my own making. I love all the choices we have now and the ways that we’re connected around the world. I love knowing that some of my dreams can become realities, like the dream of being a peaceful mama bear instead of an angry mama bear. And then, there’s the dream of being a writer or a philanthropist. I’m going to hit “publish” in a bit and then look through Kiva and GlobalGiving and make a contribution.

How easy is that? From dream to reality!

Over the last year, I’ve cherished the chance to revisit some of my childhood dreams. So I’m going to go out on a limb and share them here and now. Why not be proud of my dreams instead of judging them, feeling shy or naïve about them?

I dream of a world where the most violence we encounter is on a sports field, where every child who is born, EVERY child, male or female, in any country, is born to parents ready to receive them. I dream of a world where every child feels the love that is their birthright.

Filed Under: Parenting, Personal Tagged With: , , ,

Dancing on the Path

September 30, 2011 By karen Leave a Comment

Time and time again I find myself going forward and then slowing down, second guessing, doing a little spin turn and backing away again. I find it with writing, (like this blog) with work, with relationships, with goals. I look back and see it in big ways and small ways, like I’m dancing through life covering the same ground.

Yet, as I go, it feels like something is growing inside of me, a bigger dance, larger purpose, something more significant than me in some way I don’t fully understand.

It often feels like something outside of me knocks me off course and derails me in some way. I’ve laughed about it, like I’m one of the weebles that wobble but never falls down. Sometimes I feel hurt or angry about these little set-backs, like there is someone else to blame. Often, I’ve looked around, turning to others to put me on the right path, kiss my little bo-bo and put a band-aid on for me.

And, you know what? I have wonderful friends and family who do assure me. I can fall back into the day-to-day routine of caring for others and doing what is at hand to be done. I am fortunate to have people who love me for who I am, even if it’s the person taking one step forward and another step back. They don’t expect me to be more than who I am.

But I do.

There is this place inside of me that knows better. And it’s not about right or wrong or in between. Somehow, it’s not even about me. Not the daily me that goes through life. It’s more about me as a child of the universe. And I’m reminded of Desiderata and that YouTube video that gives me goose bumps every time I watch it.

So then, I pull together some resolve, I find this place inside of myself that is strong and clear and courageous and I move. Taking steps in the direction that feels right to me. Like my own personal true North, a path that resonates inside my heart and soul, an aligned direction that pulls together past and present and shows me the way of the future. It’s such an amazing rush to feel the change happen, the vitality surge inside of me, the momentum that comes.

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: ,

Writing vs. Publishing

August 31, 2011 By karen Leave a Comment

This summer my favorite form of exercise was this wonderful hiking trail near my home. One day as I hiked I wondered about this whole blogging thing. I haven’t been very consistent with it. Then I saw this branch shaped like a “Y.” So I asked myself, “Why do I like to write?”

This was my response. I like to write because:

  • It helps me settle into my thoughts – to order them, to slow them down and feel what’s more significant and what can fall away.
  • There’s no one monitoring me as I go, it’s just me. Somehow knowing it’s “just me” allows me to reach a higher, wiser part of myself. I don’t have to check for approval as I go. It feels safer somehow, like I don’t have to look over my shoulder.
  • I get to work out my ideas, to explore possibilities, there’s no right or wrong or evaluation.
  • Some stories just feel like they need to emerge. It seems like if I write them out, they can come unstuck from my life.
  • It helps me trust myself. I choose the words, no one else does.

The next question emerged. “Why do I feel compelled to share what I write?”

For me, this is a much more challenging question. At first I could feel how much it was about learning how to express myself more clearly. And you know what? It’s worked. I have gotten better in the last few years about saying what’s important instead of just being quiet.

I also wanted to practice “shipping,” as Seth Godin says. I’d like to formulate my thoughts faster, be able to articulate more clearly and practice writing. That sort of worked. There were definitely times I wrote something up because I had a goal to post every month. I practiced having a clear beginning and end to a post.

Of course, I have to acknowledge that hitting “publish” is very different from posting the link on my Facebook page or promoting it in some other way. It’s felt like a big step to just hit “publish!”

There’s not any particular audience I’d like to read what I’ve written. I don’t have some big intention to turn a blog into monetary success or anything. Then I remembered reading things my grandpa wrote and thought it’d be fun if some day one of my great-grandchildren was interested to know me.

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Blame It On the Cat

April 28, 2011 By karen Leave a Comment

My body has been a little chatty-Cathy for the last year. She’s been coaching me to go in this direction or explore this other topic. And I’ve ended up learning so much about her. Bodies are really incredible. I’ve learned about how complex shoulders are and how interdependent the whole body is, muscles connected to bones and ligaments and… the newest discovery, myofascial.

Even more importantly, I’ve had this beautiful opportunity to integrate parts of my life, to learn more about who I am. Default behaviors that have come forth to be explored, understood and gently kissed goodnight. I’ve discovered strengths that can slide very easily into weaknesses and been able to access these sweet sides of myself that might have remained covered up and protected till the ends of my days.

It started with the cat last year. I was walking downstairs in the early morning darkness and he charged down the stairs for breakfast, running under my feet at the last stair. Boom, down I went. I fell against the stairwell and onto the floor. And so began the journey of my most recent body, mind and spirit adventure.

I was tempted to blame it all on the cat. I’ve certainly told the story many times and it is easier to explain by telling about the cat. And, it doesn’t do the story justice. This, I know.

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Mind, Body, Spirit Connection

April 17, 2011 By karen Leave a Comment

The level of connection between the mind, body and spirit never fails to amaze and fascinate me.

In the normal course of a day, it’s pretty common to hear people talking about how the mind and our thoughts affect our life. The idea of belief preceding experience is becoming more socially acceptable. Parents coach their kids to watch their “self-talk” and stay positive.

On the other hand, there is still a level of taboo with regards to our thoughts really influencing our physical health. It’s much more comfortable for most people to stay in the science of viruses and cancer, environmental influences and hereditary genes. I am very aware, to feel differently is a pretty big leap to make. On the other hand, the alternative, being at the affect of our physical health, isn’t very cool.

For me, I used to be intrigued with the possibility of mind and spirit affecting my health. I had some health issues and I wanted them to go away. Traditional western medicine couldn’t diagnose what was bothering me and even alternative health modalities just brought relief, not a cure of my symptoms. Little did I realize how much my mental/emotional and even more impactful spiritual issues were playing a role in my physical health.

In 2001, when I committed the time and resources to a full self-development course, I became a big believer in the mind, body, spirit connection. All my physical symptoms went away. I felt no need for any treatment or modality, I could eat ice cream with no physical repercussions. The tension in my body disappeared.

Since then, I’ve become really good friends with my body. I listen and she talks. Sometimes she talks very loudly and on occasion, there are deep levels to our conversations. I feel like a parent with a teenager, catching fragments of important topics during car rides to school.

Do you listen to your body too?

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: , ,
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