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Do you have energy for your life?

August 31, 2011 By Kalia Leave a Comment

Are you living your life the way you really want to live it?  Are enjoying a level of health and Joy that makes you smile?  If you have more inside of you than you are now capable of sharing; what are you waiting for?

We had a death in our family this week, and it got me thinking- as deaths often do.

Am I really sharing the gifts that I have to offer?  Am I filling myself up, so that I am able to be a model for my children, a source of inspiration and light to my friends and family?  There are certainly places where I am, and places I know I could do better.

Sometimes, I think I have to hold it all myself.  That somehow, I will be able to shoulder everyone’s burdens, and make it better.  But I recognize, when I do that for too long, my energy fails, my light dims.  So I am taking a deep breath, filling myself back up, and excited to share some new offerings in the next couple of weeks.  Keep your eyes out, we can all fill ourselves up together.

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs

Filed Under: Energy, happiness, health, Well-being, wellness Tagged With: , ,

When you can’t seem to get to the surface…

August 19, 2011 By Kalia Leave a Comment

You’ve had those days.  The ones where it just all seems so endless…

The laundry, the dishes, the bills, everyone else’s needs, everyone else’s wants…

WAIT! I want to yell, channeling my inner three year old- ‘what about ME?’

I know, I know, I’m the mom, I don’t have needs, I am here to serve, to make sure everyone’s lunch is packed, socks are clean (and match!), and on and on.  And it’s partly true; I do love to have clean matching socks for my sweet children as they head out the door with a balanced meal packed in their lunch boxes.

But it’s NOT true that I don’t have needs, or wants.  I really do.  And I recognize that when I give those wants a needs a moment, a breath, a sweet glimpse in the moment of my day, I am better for it.

Right now, I am training for the Hana Relay, a 54 mile relay run along the Northeast coast of Maui.  With a team of 6 women, we pass the baton along the coast, laughing as the ‘naked’ team runs along, followed by the ‘beauty queen’ team.  And at the end of it all, Hana.  Surrounded by beauty, the ocean, gentle passing showers, and a big house filled with incredible women, and three days of laughter, lounging, swimming and just being.

This is my want, my need.  And I am buoyed by knowing it is just around the corner…  It pulls me through my run in the park while my daughter is at piano, or squeezing in a run between teaching and the volunteer soccer coaches’ meeting.  It’s my carrot, hanging out there to draw me forward.

What is your want, your need?  What brings you to the surface?

Filed Under: Action, Energy, fitness, happiness, Inspiration, Stress Tagged With: , ,

It’s always with you, and yet…

August 15, 2011 By Kalia Leave a Comment

When was the last time you took a breath?

Not the quick, get-ready-for-the-next-thing kind of breath,

but the slow, deep inhale,

Your shoulders drop

Your belly softens

You feel yourself washed over with relief- an actual chemical shift within your body-

that slows your racing heart,

sweetens the corners of your mind,

and gently uncurls the petals of your heart.

That’s my kind of breath.

Try it for yourself now, just for a moment, feel as if there is no to-do list, no one needing anything from you, nowhere you need to get to.

For this one moment, it’s just you and your breath, dancing together.

Filed Under: Energy, How-to, Inspiration, Mind, Monday Moment, Stress, Well-being Tagged With: , , , ,

Comparison or Inspiration?

August 1, 2011 By Kalia Leave a Comment

So maybe you’ve noticed that comparing yourself to others drains you.  You go to an amazing party, your host is off the charts.  She’s got the house clean, the food is incredible, the guests fascinating, and on and on… Maybe you leave wondering why you can’t quite ‘get there’ yourself.  Perhaps you beat yourself up because your ______(insert here: party, house, life experience, kids, etc) seems somehow ‘less than’.

How does that comparison make you feel?

Last week I wrote a post about connecting with that moment, with that feeling.  Becoming aware of having the feeling of not being enough is the first step.  Then, rather than stuffing it down, covering it with ice cream, the latest episode of desperate housewives, or punishing yourself with a barrage of insults; just notice the feeling.

And then make a decision.

If comparing yourself to others who are smarter, prettier, thinner, richer, better in whatever way is not making you feel fabulous, then STOP.  Make a choice, in that moment, to see every woman as unique.  The set of challenges you have will be different from hers.  She shines in a totally unique way- and guess what?  SO DO YOU!

So here’s a thought.  When you notice yourself feeling bad about your abilities compared to someone else, use that as a sign that you are ready to discover your own unique skills.  We all have our own strengths, those parts of us that light us up from the inside.  Maybe you are skilled at making people laugh, perhaps organizing is your thing, or maybe you are the hostess with the mostest, and it is easy and fun for you to throw great parties.

Crazy amounts of research has been done on how important learning your strengths and discovering how to use them makes you happier and fills your life with meaning.

There are many tools you can use to discover your strengths, I walk my clients through this when we work together, but a simple way to start is to ask the people closest to you.  I know, it may be a bit uncomfortable to ask your nearest and dearest to tell you the ways in which you amaze them, but I can tell you from experience, it’s also an incredible way to learn your strengths, and give them the gift of telling you how important you are to them- It’s a win-win.

So, in that moment of choice, between comparison and inspiration, which will you choose?

I’ve got Love of Learning, Humor, and Gratitude as toppers in my list- What are your strengths?  Share them below if you dare to go there…

Filed Under: Curiosity, Energy, happiness, How-to, Inspiration, Stress Tagged With: , ,

How do you re-fuel yourself?

June 23, 2011 By Kalia 4 Comments

Are you busy taking care of everyone else this Summer, it is important to remember to take care of yourself as well.  I remembered this the other day as I was trying to squeeze in 10 more things before picking my kids up from camp, finish writing an article, respond to emails,  and put that last load of laundry in.  As I looked ahead at the rest of my day, I could see there would be no time to do anything for myself.  So, I let go of the details, and went for a quick run, 20 minutes, tops.  WOW!  It reminded me what a quick blast of exercise does for my body and my mind. I felt great, and was a much better mom and wife, at least for the rest of that day.

That said, I know that getting physical exercise invigorates me, and it also calms me- smooths down any ruffled feathers.  You may have something else that does it for you. Each of us is different in what we need to re-fuel ourselves.

In case you need an invitation, I would like to offer to each of you the gift of self-care.  It does not need to be complicated or time-consuming.  It is much more important that you do it consistently.  The list below is a place for you to springboard from- start your own list of what does it for you.  Be sure to include items for all time frames.

Kalia’s List:
1) Go for a short run or walk.(10-20 minutes).
2) Lengthen my spine and take deep breaths into my belly, (the beauty of this is that you can do it while driving, standing in line…(1-2 minutes))
3) Take a moment to savor beautiful colors, textures, tastes, or sounds.(1-2 mins)
4) Dive into the ocean for a surf or a swim, (30-45 minutes)
5) Connect with a friend for a walk or a cup of tea, (20 minutes- 2 hours)

I hope this list has gotten your wheels turning.  The next step is to choose one thing from the list every day this Summer, (see now why having those 2 minute options are a must?!)

The trick is to not put taking care of yourself off until tomorrow -  Giving to yourself daily allows you to show up the way you want to.  If you can do one nice thing for yourself every day, you will be well on your way to sailing through the Summer feeling energized and ready for anything!

What’s on your list? Post below your ‘must-dos’ that keep you fueled.

Filed Under: Action, Energy, health, How-to, Inspiration, Stress, Well-being Tagged With: , , ,

Reach Beyond

June 7, 2009 By Kalia Leave a Comment

What is ‘Reach Beyond’?   Reach Beyond is an invitation to go further than that place of settling, for any part of your life that is not leading you towards your best health.  Maybe it shows up in your energy level, the amount of patience you have with your loved ones, the way you carry your body, or perhaps the fit of your jeans.  In each moment, each choice, we have the capacity within us to reach beyond.  One way of doing so is to notice those moments, catching the precise breath when the choice is made.  The first step is being able to be aware of those moments when they happen.

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Filed Under: Action, Energy, happiness, Inspiration, Mind Tagged With: , , , , ,

Creating support

March 21, 2008 By Kalia Leave a Comment

Here’s a great way to stay on track with your goals.  Create solid support from others.  Find  a coach, friend or mentor who will help you stay on track and provide encouragement along the way.

  • Set up a weekly walk with a group of friends.
  • Commit to meeting a friend at a yoga class or for a surf.

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Filed Under: Action, fitness, get in shape, happiness, health, How-to, Inspiration, Laughter, Stress, wellness Tagged With: , ,

Sisterhood

March 2, 2008 By Kalia Leave a Comment

Happy Entrance into Spring!  Haven’t just returned from a trip to the snow, I am more acutely aware of what this season means, having seen the sweet new leaves beginning to emerge out of snow-covered earth.  This is a wonderful time to renew your connection with that powerful vision of what you want for your health and well-being.

“The self  is made, not given.  It is a creative and active process of attending a life

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Filed Under: fitness, get in shape, happiness, health, Inspiration, joy, Laughter, Learning Tagged With: , , ,