| January 5, 2009 7:00 pm | to | February 27, 2009 7:00 pm |
Please contact us for additional information.
Success Trek Coaching
Lynn Erlinger, Life Coach
lynn@successtrekcoaching.com
618.416.3424
2625 C South Belt West
Belleville, IL 62226
Author Archive for Lynn
June 30, 2008
What are you present to?
In this moment of this day, what has your attention?
Early Sunday morning I took our dogs for a walk on the lane behind our house. For the first hundred yards or so, I was oblivious to my surroundings and to my self in the moment. My monkey mind was busy chattering about the day before, the weeks before, even years before. This went on before I started fretting about the “shoulds,” “if only” and “what ifs” of “tomorrow.”
Suddenly a car backfired in the distance, startling me. When I realized where I was, I stopped in my tracks, inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, centering my spirit and grounding my awareness in the present moment. I lingered for a few moments, breath watching and settling my thoughts. Fully engaged in the privilege of being me, I resumed my walk.
In this place of presence, I began to notice the subtle scent of pine, rich damp earth and the last few remnants of honeysuckle blossom clinging to the vine. Choir music danced on the breeze as robins, cardinals, crows and wren trumpeted their morning prayers. I looked up into a stand of hardwoods and a vision of green leafy branches dancing a tango with the wind against a brilliant blue sky. I felt the warmth of the sun upon my face and the strength of the ground beneath my feet.
By shifting my awareness, the moments of the morning were transformed. My thoughts shifted from chaotic monkey chatter to calm serenity. My energy shifted from anxious to joyous. My heart shifted from closed and protected to wide open and present to the miracles of life. The experience was beautiful. Even the monkey was awed.
What are you present to?
In this moment, where is your awareness?
What’s available for you by quieting your mind and standing fully present?
What miracles are revealed?
Every morning before sunrise, I head out to our deck with our two dogs, Tug and Emmie. Tug, our nine year old pug, generally burrows under a fleece blanket on the ottoman to snooze against my leg while I meditate, read and write. Emmie, our one year old German Sheperd pup, revels in the morning, racing around the orchard and under the deck with a tattered rawhide chew bone in her mouth.
She pauses every so often to bury her bone in the ground. After a few minutes of sniffing elsewhere, she digs up her slippery treasure, tosses it in the air, picks it up again and merrily races through the fresh spring grass, a spray of diamond dew in her wake.
Watching Emmie, I am reminded of the joy available to all of us if we recognize the treasures we possess; the treasures within, the treasures of an open heart and the magic of joy, compassion, love and laughter. Have you ever buried your treasures deep within, thinking things have to look a certain way to be presentable to others?
There is no right or wrong way to live with an open heart. Life’s beauty lies in every moment of authentic connection. Embrace life and the perfection of every moment, be it calm and pristine or muddy and messy, as the access to your buried treasure. Open your heart and experience joy. Dance in the early morning dew of a new day with laughter in your heart.
What treasures are buried within you?
What is available for you in choosing to live with an open heart?
Where can you create the magic of authentic connection?
February, the month of Valentines and romance has arrived.
Do you have someone you love?
Do you have someone with whom to share the sentiment of the holiday, the heart shaped greetings, the flowers, the chocolate, the candle light dinners?
Do you have a special someone in your life that brings a smile to your face, fills you with joy, and makes your heart beat faster?
If your heart is beating at all, the answer to all of the above is yes, yes, a resounding yes!
Who makes all of these wonderful experiences a reality for you?
You do.
Why not fall in love with yourself? Look in the mirror. What do you see? Do you see the miracle of life? Do you see the sparkle of your eyes or the unique beauty of your features? Do you see strength? Do you see warmth? Do you see kindness and connection in your smile? Do you recognize radiance? Do you see humor?
Look closer. Be still. Breathe in. Breathe out. Focus.
The image before you is a gorgeous human being, deserving of love, compassion and all the magic the world has to offer. Take a moment to reflect on the absolutely miraculous person that you are. Stand in a place of gratitude for all that is uniquely and wonderfully you. Fall in love with who you see.
Standing tall from a place of love for your self sets the stage for you to accomplish whatever your heart desires. Filling yourself with love and acceptance makes possible a life of authentic connection with others. Cherish yourself as you would cherish a beloved. Show yourself your brilliant light and share its energy with those around you. From love grows limitless possibility.
Love yourself first.
Watch what happens.
February Love Practices:
Make a list of 25 things you love about yourself.
Every day share at least one big bright grateful smile with the person you see in the mirror.