Oh my goodness, it’s The Holidays again.  First of all, WHY are we listening to Santa music before Thanksgiving? And being subjected to Santa adds on TV.  It’s too soon Corporate America.  Didn’t you get the memo? Unless, are you going to give us all the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas off? To laze about and revel in how we’re done with our shopping early?  Oh you’re not? Then please stop with the pre-Turkey Day Santas. Sorry.  Rant over.  What this does point to though, is that The Holidays can bring out the nutty.  The crazy. The psychotic.  The if-I-don’t-park-my-car-this-instant-I-am-going-to ram-a-pedestrian-sorry-grandma instability.  We’ve all been there, right?  If you, like me, struggle with Holiday Cheer, this post should be of service. Let’s make this year different (hint: avoid busy parking lots).  Would that I could give up driving for the … Continue reading →

Happy Birthday Girafa! I cannot believe that this month marks one full year of being a business owner! And I do mean full.  In the last year I have: Quit my day job. Coached 25 AMAZING wonderful people into shinier, clearer, inspired versions of themselves. Lead unique, custom workshops in Mexico, Texas and California. Been asked to write a chapter in a book. I am following my dreams and writing MY book. Completed Coaching certification with the Coaches Training Institute. Supported my little sister to marry the man of her dreams. Learned to Surf. Lost 30 pounds. Climbed a Volcano. Adopted a dog. Yowza! And all I did was work with my coach to get clear on what I want and then go after it.  If any of that sounds good to you, I’ve got a few spots left in … Continue reading →

My dog adoption application was rejected.  Denied. Don’t call us, we’ll call you (they never did). Closed. The heartbreaking part for me what that I’d already fallen in love with a very specific dog I was applying to adopt.  I’d taken her for walks, taken the requisite ‘we’re in love’ goofy photos, even named her. And now, the Board Of Unknowing Deciders was telling me I wasn’t good enough to love this dog forever.  I cried, hard.  Then I wrote an email.  Then, I got moving. With my sister riding shotgun, we began a ‘tour de shelter’ of the greater Bay Area.  There are many dogs in this world that need love, and I found myself totally wanting to open my home to a small, sturdy little dog (no Chihuahuas need apply, sorry).  Falling in love with that particular dog … Continue reading →

I woke up feeling this way.  Infused with a sense of everything is in it’s rightness.  That I am on my path, that the stars are aligned, and it will all Work.Out.  That the illusive, sweet prize we’re all chasing is on my horizon, and one day that contract/income/relationship/conversation/adventure/vacation I’m craving will be mine.  My very own ‘happy ending’.  Forever and ever, end of story. But that’s not the end of the story.  Life doesn’t end with the sunset, kiss and movie credits.  There’s a tomorrow.  And a day after that.  If I’m lucky, mine is a very long story – I hope yours is too. So, we chase these things (I’m not the only one, right?) inventing in our heads why life will be better when we have them, and how kinda crappy things are without them.  We’re waiting, … Continue reading →

I recently facilitated a workshop on Defining Leadership for people who train young people to be leaders in their communities.  It was a fascinating experience asking them to step into THEIR leadership, instead of focusing solely on the young people they train. I’ve seen this before – with trainers, facilitators, camp counselors even – people tasked with imparting life skills and tools to another group (generally younger people, but not always) that they forget themselves in the process. Generally, whatever we’re selling (prosperity, relationship wisdom, leadership development, etc), we need too.  While I fully intend to explore these concept deeper in the future, here are my take-aways from the experience, a great recipe for making a room of people fall in love with you. Walk Your Talk It does your audience NO good if you are teaching them something that … Continue reading →

Sometimes things don’t work out like you think they’re going to.  Truth. Circumstances change. Projects evolve. Things get re-imagined halfway through.  On the way to the movie you decide to stop for dinner, and the dessert looks so good you say, ‘screw it movie!’ And spend the night enjoying the restaurant.  That’s a small scale example – but a pretty clear change-of-plans aka metaphor for your dreams. In my case, I am writing a book.  It’s been a Big Dream of mine forever and I am walking towards it.  My book is attached to a Big Idea of mine (see: Find Your Daily Yes). My sister accused me the other day of being ‘very community and process oriented’.  When she said it she was making fun of me.  It’s also the total truth. So I’ve got this Big Dream and … Continue reading →