An Abundant Life

What is abundance? Watch the video below & see what you think:

Is this true abundance? Can wishing for these things really make them happen? Would you really wish for these things? (Everything I touch turns to gold??? Do we not remember the story of Midas??)

In our culture, we tend to define abundance by the stuff we accumulate, rather than the quality of our lives. As a side effect, our lives are filled to the brim with busyness working to support our “abundant” life.

By defining abundance in this manner, ours is a culture of scarcity, one in which we scramble to one-up each other & vie for position. Credit card debts are at an all-time high. Families are defaulting on mortgages & risk losing their homes.

We are a people living beyond our financial means.

We’re watching our economy teeter on edge & now face financial crisis.

Worse than financial crisis, however, is the crisis in spirit.

I recently spent time chatting with a prominent gentleman who's story breaks my heart. He’s leading what many would call a life of material abundance, but is mourning the loss of his freedom & time. Feeling “chained” to his career & seeing “no way out,” his greatest desire is to “escape.”

There are probably a few of us that can relate to the desire to escape an over-scheduled, busy lifestyle!

What if we simply redefine abundance?

What would it look like if we each come up with our own, distinctly different, definition of an Abundant Life crafted for our purpose, our dreams, our hopes?

Can we each let go of the cultural definitions of abundance we’ve held so long?

Try:

Can you imagine your best life? A lifestyle designed to meet your needs, instead of the cultural norm - what would you be free to enjoy? Your friends? Your spouse? Your children? Reading literature? Thinking deeply?

"Easier said than done," most will say.

I agree…but not impossible. There are actual people beginning to spend their days radically happy.

The key is to do the take some time getting to the bottom of your dreams, hopes & passions prior to setting a lot of goals for your future.

This level of change doesn’t lend itself well to simple formulas, but I’ll offer an outline for those of you who are interested in getting started:

1. Brainstorm & get a general picture what your best life might look like
   
2. Think about areas of your life that might be redesigned to support this new lifestyle – are there things you’d be willing to downsize, get rid of or adjust?
3. Craft a plan
4. Be flexible – life will happen
5. Forget what everyone else thinks!
6. Move forward with authenticity & bravery

This week, my challenge for you is to find ways to bring true abundance to your life.

Kim

Having trouble getting started? Try this:

Think back to some of the best times in your life. Who was present? What were you doing? Where were you? Would you like to be doing more of this?

100 Questions

I'm stealing a topic this week. I really have to share it with you because it & it's source have been so powerful for me.

One of my favorite websites is Think Arete by Brian Johnson. He covers a huge variety of Big Ideas on the site that provide "concentrated wisdom for the busy self-actualizer" (a statement I truly adore!).

Brian has an amazing knack for condensing the wisdom of many philosophers & bringing it to thousands through a variety of formats. His work has been an inspiration to me over the past 8 months & I'm excited to share one of my favorite Big Ideas with you.

Michael Gelb, in How to think like Leonardo da Vinci - Seven Steps to Genius Every Day writes, "Great minds ask great questions."

In Big Idea #37, Brian brings us Michael's wisdom of 100 Questions. He suggests we, "Find a comfortable place. Sit down. Write. Make a list of 100 questions you find interesting. Write about whatever’s on your mind."

Actually, this exercise is a bit daunting, but amazingly revealing & powerful!

So, go ahead, find a quiet place that you can remain undisturbed for at least an hour while you do this exercise & you'll be greatly rewarded.

Give yourself the freedom to brainstorm. Write whatever comes to mind...

"Why is the grass green?"

"What is my best talent?"

"What would I accomplish if I wasn't afraid?"

You get the idea. Run with it! If you get stuck, feel free to get silly for a moment or two. No question is a bad question. Just make sure you get 100. There will be a time (maybe more than one) when you feel like you're done & you can't come up with any more...don't quit! The best questions are probably still to come! Keep pushing through the exercise.

Now, once you get 100 questions, take a break.

Maybe a few hours later, maybe the next day, but not too long later, review your questions & look for themes. Are there meaningful themes that you wish to address in your life?

Now, pick 10 questions that are incredibly powerful for you. Rank these questions in importance from 1-10.

I still have all 100 questions from the day I sat down to do this exercise. Some are simple & silly. Others shake me to my soul. 10 spurred me forward towards commitments that have radically changed my life & relationships!

The really ironic thing is that none have been answered. I think I like it that way.

And...if you like this Big Idea & Think Arete, you'll LOVE PhilosophersNotes ! The easiest way to describe PhilosophersNotes: they’re kinda like mini-CliffsNotes for self-development books or “Concentrated wisdom for your hero’s journey.”

Blessings & Hope.

Kim

The Formula For Success

Have you ever been seduced at 2:00 am into buying a Super Awesome Weight Loss, Six-Pack Ab, Buns of Iron, No-More-Zits, Slides Under the Bed Machine for the low, low cost of only $79.99 (3 monthly payments)? I have. And, I've got the DVD, the book, the cream & the slicer-dicer to go with it! For the best ever product, don't forget to watch the video below!

For a Type-A, goal-oriented, hard-working chick, I've bought into my fair share of quick-fix schemes over the years.

Actually, I've yet to meet a single person who hasn't fallen prey to the quick fix mentality at some point in their life (or maybe multiple points!). There's a definite alure to the idea of "no pain...all gain."

Now that I've named myself a Health & Wellness Coach, people come to me daily asking my opinion about all kinds of crazy products. My standard answer - "If it sounds like a miracle & they're charging you money...it probably isn't from God!" (actually, I'm usually a little more gentle).

The great news is this - if you've ever spent $19.99 (or $999.99) on junk that's sitting in the closet collecting dust, you're in great company. So have millions of other people.

An entire industry has developed around our desire to avoid patient & diligent effort.

It's not that we are unwilling to work. Most of us work incredibly hard. We're willing to put in the hours of effort - as long as the results are immediately apparent! Or, we feel our very busy lives don't allow us the luxury of dedicated work towards our goals, so we feel justified to taking an quicker & easier road to results.

As much as we spend on these quick fixes, the true data reveals there is no easy or quick road to success. (Read the fine print on the testimonials: Results are not typical!)

In almost every successful endeavor, there is a variation of the same formula:

+ Define the Goal
+ Map out a Plan
+ Find Accountability & Support Systems
+ Step by step Direct Action
+ Forward Progress
+ Predictable Plateaus along the way
+ Occasional Regression (2 steps forward 1 step back)
+ Revise the Plan if Needed
+ Patience & Diligence
= SUCCESS!

The formula works so well the most successful weight loss clinics, schools & workplaces use it without even thinking. Some will argue that not everyone does well in these environments & I'll agree.

But, like any formula, you have to plug in the appropriate variables to make it come out with the product you desire. Want a great weight loss result - create a great plan with a realistic goal, built in accountability & appropriate support... You get the point.

So, let's pack up all that $19.99 stuff & break out the fruit bowl & tennis shoes!

And, if you're still tempted by infomercials...have I got a product for you! Check out the Hawaiian Chair:



Have a wonderful week!

Kim

Surviving Summer Travel

Summer is here - let the travel begin!

Whether it's a weekend get-away, a business trip or a full-out vacation, travel can really derail our health & wellness efforts.

But, with a little preparation, we can maintain or even improve during our travels, instead of undoing all our hard work. Rather than excusing another 5 pounds on Summer vacation & hiding it under our Fall sweaters, try these tips to successfully navigate this Summer's travels.

Tip #1 Stay Smart - a great place to stay provides:

• Refrigerator - stock it with fruit, water, & other low-calorie, healthy snacks to help you avoid the evil vending machine!
  
• Microwave - Heat up leftovers from your healthy meals out.
  
• Proximity to grocery store - for stocking the refrigerator
  
• Fitness Room
• Pool
• Proximity to parks & other green spaces
  

Tip #2 - Take your stuff

• Do you walk or run? Take your shoes & shorts (& bra for women)
• Strength trainer? Take exercise bands - they fit well in suitcases
• Biker? Take it along if you're in love with yours (check out the airline cases for bikes)
  

You get the point, no sense stopping your regular activity just because you're on a trip.

Tip #3 - Plan Time to Move - Just like you plan exercise into your day at home (if you don't, let's chat!), do so when you travel.

• Sightseeing - Find a park nearby & go for a run or walk either before or after
• Rent a bike & see the sights instead of driving
• Visit a local park & take a walk
• Go dancing
• Try a new activity you'd never try in your home town

Depending on where you are, there are tons of activities to get you moving while you're out of town.

Tip #4 - Eat Well - But Carefully - Eating out is usually the biggest pitfall during vacation. People tend to eat all 3 meals out when they travel & they usually EAT BIG. At home, the average American eats 300-500 calories more every day than they need to maintain their weight. When eating out, they tend to eat their daily calorie requirement in a SINGLE MEAL! A little planning here can really help.

• If you have dietary restrictions, search the internet for restaurants that meet your needs.
• Ask friends, family or the hotel desk for recommendations.
• Read the menu before sitting down! Make your decision prior to going inside.
• Refuse the bread basket.
  
• Avoid the heavy sauces.
  
• Remember your portion sizes (this is what the microwave is for - take 1/2 back to the room).
• Eat in for breakfast - try fruit & a boiled egg from the grocery store, or some microwaved oatmeal in the cup you remembered to pack (you get the idea).
• Save calories & dollars by having your big meal at lunch & an appetizer at dinner.
• Plan the number of times you'll eat dessert during your trip & stick to the plan (it is vacation after all...we must indulge a little!!).
• Watch the alcohol - not only does it add calories, it impairs your judgment & can lead to eating binges.
  

Summer trips are a wonderful way to refresh our souls & re-energize for our every-day lives. Whatever you do, enjoy your travels, take it easy & have a great time!

My husband & I just got back from our first Summer trip - a weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida. We had a wonderful time biking, running, eating, & hanging out. And, for those of you who read last week's post - I even swam in the ocean & survived!

If you've got any great tips for staying on track while traveling, I'd love to hear them! Just leave a comment so we can all benefit!

If you haven't yet planned your Summer travels, get to dreaming!

Kim

Fear? Do it Anyway!

What would you do if you knew you could handle anything that came your way?

-If there was absolutely no fear of failure?

-If you had no fear of what others thought?

-If you felt completely sure of yourself & your capabilities?

In Dr. Susan Jeffers’ wonderful book, Feel the Fear & Do It Anyway, she wrote of the 5 truths about fear:

Truth 1 - Fear will never go away as long as I continue to grow

Truth 2 - The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out & do it.

Truth 3 - The only way to feel better about myself is to go out & do it.

Truth 4 - Not only am I going to experience fear when I'm on unfamiliar territory, so is everyone else.

Truth 5 – Pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the underlying fear that comes from the feeling of helplessness.”

Of course, we all have fears. Without some healthy fear, we’d be jumping off cliffs to our doom & touching hot stoves. But, at times, fear can be overwhelming & can prevent us from doing what is needed in our lives.

Take, for example, my fear of creatures in the water. Recently, I decided that I want to participate in a sprint triathlon. Part of accomplishing my goal includes a ¼ mile swim in open water. Unfortunately, I’ve always been very afraid of creepy, swimmy things living under water. Those slimy things brushing up against your legs are really scary! Yikes!!! OMG! I could just die!!! Oh, & what about the SHARKS?!?!

O.k., deep breath. This was supposed to be a blog about *OVERCOMING* fears.

We all experience fear. Unfortunately, the magic wand doesn’t work on fear. And, sitting with our fears, feeling helpless doesn’t seem to be the right answer either.

The truth is, 90% of what we worry about never happens. "I have known a great many troubles," said Mark Twain, "but most of them never happened."

So a lot of the energy & time we spend in fear is wasted. Why be miserable, when we can be happy?

The key may be to feel the fear & do the thing anyway. Courage is moving forward in the face of fear.

So, what’s the plan?

A few weeks ago, I decided to feel the fear & swim with the fishes anyway. I’d love to tell you that I swam bravely completing my ¼ mile without any panic. Actually, I only swam about 150 yards. There was some pretty significant panic involved. I set up some support systems (husband kayaking beside me, shore really close). I felt some success, but the fear remains.

I’ve not fully conquered this fear of swimmy, fishy things, but I’m on my way. Feeling the fear & moving forward – taking small steps in courage towards fearlessly swimming in open water feels scary, but good.

Instead of being paralyzed by my fear, I’m in action. Action is power!

In order to deal with our fears without becoming overwhelmed, we must take reasonable action.

Small steps & reasonable risks are great ways to overcome fear. Eleanor Roosevelt said it best, “do one thing every day that scares you.”

Are you putting off something, out of fear, that you should be doing?

Have you told yourself, “I can’t.”

Is it making you feel helpless? Overwhelmed?

What small step can you take right now to move you forward?

ACTION IS POWER.

Power over your fear feels great.

"Commit yourself to pushing through the fear & becoming more than you are at the present moment. The you that you could be is absolutely colossal!" - Susan Jeffers.

Move forward & have a wonderful week. Feel the fear & do it anyway! (but hey, stay safe & don’t get eaten by a shark.)

Kim