Trust yourself as you navigate your transition…

Trust yourself as you navigate your transition…

by | Oct 15, 2008 | change

When you are admist change or transition in your career or relationship, you will inevitably at some point question the direction in which you are going. It is hard not to have fear and doubt when people readily share their unsolicited advice and opinions. Sometimes they even easily generate an endless list of reasons why you shouldn’t make the change. Like you haven’t thought of those already yourself!! 🙂

But you can do it! You really can – by trusting yourself.

When I first announced my plans to radically change my life, I quickly learned that I needed to be clear on what I wanted, communicate and act clearly on what I wanted and then check in with myself regularly to ensure I was still clear on what I wanted.

When you announce to the world that you are going to follow your heart, it creates a shift in many relationships in your life. And when other people feel that your change is going to interrupt or effect their lives — you bet, they will share their opinions!

Change causes many people great discomfort! So, when you can take a step back and understand that people are responding from their own place of fear, it can release you from feeling the need to defend yourself and your decision.

Try to understand that it is unfair to expect everyone in your life to jump quickly on board with your exciting change. However, it is completely acceptable to ask for respect and space from those who are pelting you with negative energy while you navigate your new waters. Eventually, you can create space again for them but you may need to protect yourself and your new ideas as they develop.

I didn’t consciously decide, “Today, I am going to trust myself”. No, it has taken a long time. Over the years, I spent a lot of time in meditation and had a strong relationship with my inner self and voice. Having this connection with myself prepared me for the response that came with deciding to make my change. I knew what I wanted and I trusted that it was the best for me.

I still find it amazing that what I wanted for myself (and created on my vision board) I now have! AND because I am happier than ever – all of the people that expressed concern and fear initially now share their love and support freely with me and often thank me for inspiring them to make changes in their own lives!!

Follow Your Heart!

Kelly McIntyre M.Sc.

Let your light shine!

Let your light shine!

by | Oct 13, 2008 | peace

“There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle” –Robert Alden

I attend a Catholic church most Sundays. I am not Catholic and I often don’t understand all that is going on because the mass is in Spanish. Yet, I still go and sit quietly in this grand, intricately designed church built in the 1500s and feel a strong sense of history, community and peace.

There is something so powerful of participating in formal rituals collectively: sitting united in silence, prayer or song. One of my favourite times all week is during mass when we greet all those around us and say “Peace be with you”. Without fail, tears spring to my eyes and I always return to my seat with intense feelings of connection, peace and lightness.

The same thing happens emotionally to me at the end of a yoga class. The teacher greets each student looking at them in the eye and says “Namaste”, which loosely means the soul in me sees the soul in you. Again, I feel an immediate shift towards connection, peace and lightness.
It also happens to me during roars of applause when I look around the room and see the glow in people’s eyes. I practically float out of the room afterwards.

Can you identify with my experiences? Do you have moments of joy, bliss and intense connection with others? Do you have times when you feel peace and lightness? When and what are you doing?

Two days ago, I stood in a crowd of people, captivated by the talent of a street artist. We watched as he painted this beautiful landscape easily right there on the dirty busy street. His clothes were old, his shoes were tattered but his face was radiant and his eyes were clear. He then began chatting up the crowd, sharing stories that were entertaining and then concluded randomly that, “You cannot hide light!”

So with that being said, consider now whether there is there something stirring inside of you that is ready to be revealed or explored. Is there lightness inside of you that is yearning to be expressed in your life – through your work, your relationships, your body?

Imagine if we all let go and let our light shine. Wow, that would be amazing!

Follow Your Heart!

With love,

Kelly

Choose Gratitude!

Choose Gratitude!

by | Oct 10, 2008 | love

“When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears” Anthony Robbins
It rained a lot this past weekend here in Santo Domingo and in between pockets of intense rain showers, my partner and I jumped into the back of a gua gua to head home. Without going into too much detail, a gua gua is a large van with several bench seats transporting insane amounts of people, baggage and sometimes small animals.

I sat touching knee to knee, shoulder to shoulder with several rain drenched people and suddenly felt overwhelmed with gratitude for so much love and goodness that I have in my life!

As everyone watches the latest developments in the economy, understandably trying to protect their investments, homes and savings; here in the Dominican Republic, many people are wondering where their next meal is going to come from.

I think about financial security and what that really means to be “secure”. Security is really a matter of perspective; some people will never have enough, while many will be thankful for each “little” thing they have.

Many families here will share food with their neighbours knowing that the favour will be returned if needed. People enter into each others homes freely to visit, often breaking out spontaneously in dance and song. There is real security existing in the community.

I am thankful to be Canadian. I can choose to return to the comforts of Canada anytime and I am deeply grateful for that choice. But for now, I am grateful for the abundance of lessons that I am learning here. I believe that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

As the gua gua navigated around rain drenched streets, wild traffic and massive pot holes, I watched as two older women, squished tightly together laugh loudly, their eyes tearing up as they smiled at each other. I listened as an old man sang quietly to himself peering through the foggy glass and smiled as a mother and daughter teased each other as they tied plastic bags to cover their hair from the rain. I sat there observing all of this beauty with a full and happy heart. Prosperity and wealth is all around us!

Wishing you a Happy (early) Canadian Thanksgiving!

With love,

Kelly

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy — because we will always want to have something else or something more.” Brother David Steindl-Rast
Follow Your Heart!

Follow Your Heart!

by | Oct 7, 2008 | Uncategorized

I started a Facebook group called Follow Your Heart.

The intention behind this group is to create a forum to share our stories and ideas inspiring each other to move forward, to continue on our journey toward realizing our dreams. And in this process, developing a deep belief that we really can have what we want in our lives 🙂

There are so many things, resources and people around us to inspire us to continue to follow our dream and our hearts – here are a few websites created by people that are following their hearts and in turn have touched mine.

http://www.intent.com/ – a website that encourages you to post your intention for the day. It is really cool and very motivating!

http://www.hairschooltv.com/ – a project come to fruition for my hair stylist in Canada. What a great concept!

http://www.generationex.ca/ – a project come to fruition by a long time friend. She offers a professional and personal approach to people going through divorce and handling real estate woes.

http://www.yogagoddess.ca/ – a project come to fruition for a new and deeply wonderful friend. Get in touch with her and get in touch with your cycle!

http://www.firstwivesworld.com/ – a forum for women who have gone through separation and divorce. Full of resources, new friendships and hope.

http://www.atlasstudio.com/ – a project come to fruition by a deeply inspirational and community leader. Read more on her blog. Her involvement and vision will inspire you to live better, balanced and full!

http://www.abraham-hicks.com/ –as the website says, the “original source material” for The Law of Attraction – full of resources, articles, journal, inspirational quotes!

http://www.facebook.com/ – see you there!

Enjoy! And Best to you today!

Kelly McIntyre M.Sc.
http://www.transitioncounselling.com/
Kelly@transitioncounselling.com

Take a break – you will be better for it!

Take a break – you will be better for it!

by | Oct 2, 2008 | Uncategorized

Well, I knew it was time to take a break when I noticed my first grey hair. And after I counted one, I noticed a second and eventually counted 6! My parents were late to grey so I easily that stress was likely a factor in the mini-crisis that I had in front of the mirror last week 🙂

Immediately, I booked a mini retreat for four days to Samana on the north east coast of Dominican Republic (my new home). The resort was beyond gorgeous! These are some real pics.. (above)

With the upcoming Get Away & Get a Plan retreat and other special projects that I am working on, I decided to go away and practice what I preach (but still with the idea that I would check email and work a little if necessary.)

So, as I am standing in reception being told that the internet has and will be out of service indefinitely, I felt a little let’s say, uneasy.

For the first day, I would wander to the reception and casually ask if service had been restored and each time I received the same answer, “No, sorry Senorita”. Then it became obvious that everything was aligned for me to have 4 days to rebuild, rejuvenate, sleep soundly and breathe in the beautiful scenery.

So I did! I am back and feel fantastic! I am full of ideas and energy to share with my clients and readers. It was a good reminder to not let the pressure build and to practice self-care every day. And do you know what? The world didn’t fall apart! 🙂

Contact me anytime to share your stories and take advantage of a complimentary 30 minute coaching session!

Best to you today!

Kelly McIntyre M.Sc.

Please step slowly away from your work

Please step slowly away from your work

by | Sep 30, 2008 | change

Can you identify?

You are working hard; it is nearly the end of the day and you are rushing to finish a project, meet a deadline or just want to clear the “stuff” off your desk for the day. Your stomach is turning and your jaw is tight. Ultimately, you end up working an extra hour or even two and leave the office feeling drained and uptight. When you get home, you collapse in front of the tv for the night only to wake up the next day and repeat the process again.
OR

You are in between jobs and are conducting a job search and hour after hour you sit in front of your computer scanning jobboards and company profiles trying to generate a job lead. You are frustrated and feeling hopeless then you realize that you haven’t eaten lunch and now it is 3 o’clock and you even showered yet!
OR
You are at home with your young children. You wake up early, throw on your comfy clothes and dive into the busy routine of maintaining the house, cooking, cleaning, driving, listening, solving, responding… you move quickly from one task to another. You are efficient with a capital E! All of a sudden it is 10pm and you are in bed drifting in and out of sleep with the tv on.
If you can identify and want change, what can you do?
We all know the many positive ways to create balance in life and they will help – exercise, healthy diet, meditation, positive relationships, hobbies, volunteering… yet still we continue to search for something else.
There are many things we say to ourselves directly or that subconsciously drive our behaviour during the day like:
  • If I don’t do it, who will?

  • I need to get it done now, it will only take five minutes…

  • I want to do it the right way the first time.

  • I have to work hard or it won’t get finished or done properly.
If we believe that we “have to”, “need to” or “want to”… at some level, we believe we have to “make things happen”, that we have to “control” something that is going on in our lives rather than letting it unfold naturally. Learning to “LET GO” can be a complex and challenging process but the first step in any transition process is gaining awareness.
So step away from your work, your routine, listen and be aware of your thoughts and try to let go a little at a time.
Things will get done, you will work again, the house/business will not fall apart and you will be much more relaxed and able to enjoy your life!
For specific techniques to letting go to apply in your personal situation contact me anytime!
Enjoy your day!

Kelly McIntyre M.Sc.

Let Nature Guide You

Let Nature Guide You

by | Sep 22, 2008 | Uncategorized

Living in the Dominican Republic, I have learned to get used to all of the the little visitors that often come in the night. I try to avoid thinking about them but I regularly see evidence of their visits the morning after and regularly, I cringe.

I am a little (okay a lot) addicted to the coffee here and so as I do every morning, yesterday I leaned sleepily against the kitchen island and waiting for it to percolate. While I waited, I looked out through the massive windows to the ocean and felt grateful for the spectacular view. But I was quickly interrupted as something moved below me. I saw a large particle moving steadily across the counter. Closer inspection revealed that the particle was a piece of bread and underneath was this mighty little creature – an ant!

We all have days when getting out of bed and heading off to work is not always the dream that we intended for our lives. There are days when we question or doubt the direction we are going in. Sometimes we feel that we carry a huge weight on our shoulders and are overcome with fear for our future. We ask ourselves:

* Is this really what I want?
* How did I get here?
* Who am I really?

With my eyes level to the counter, I became mesmerized at that little ant’s strength and determination as he carried such a heavy load. I found myself cheering him on. I even said aloud a couple of times – Go! Go! Go! C’mon, you can do it! I admit if anyone were to have witnessed me, they might have questioned my sanity 🙂

But, I wanted him to do it. I wanted him to succeed – just like I want myself to succeed and my clients. That ant didn’t know what was ahead, he didn’t ask questions or doubt his purpose or direction in life. He was focused on carrying the bread.

And then an amazing thing happened, right before he reached the steep decline from the counter to the floor a few more ants appeared and together they carried the heavy load of the bread. I don’t know what happened next because my coffee was steaming.

Later, as I settled into my rocking chair near the open window and sipped my delicious coffee, I thought about how we all, at different times in our lives, carry such heavy loads. We think we have to do it all on our own. We travel with strength, determination and perserverance toward a vision for our future but sometimes we become fearful of what lies ahead.

I am reminded again and again by stories and from lessons in nature that we never operate alone. And just when you are ready to give up how all of the sudden the resources and people appear to help us on our journey!

Best wishes to you today!

Kelly

http://www.transitioncounselling.com/

Our yoga instructor for the Caribbean Retreat!

by | Sep 22, 2008 | Uncategorized

We are excited to have Serenity Robertson – yoga instructor join us and lead us in daily yoga during our Get Away & Get a Plan Caribbean retreat in the DR from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1!

Serenity has been a yoga practitioner for the past 10 years. She has gone on to explore and experience forms of yoga such as Yin Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and Hatha Yoga coupling them with meditation and Ayurvedic diet. While maintaining a steady asana practice, she continued to dip her toes into ponds of various forms of yoga and schools of thought.

In 2002 she made a journey to India to be immersed in a culture she had only known in books. It was a surprise to Serenity that it wasn’t until she left India and returned to Canada that she discovered the 8 fold path of Ashtanga Yoga and its Yoga Chikitsa or “Yoga Therapy”. Its energy building Vinyasa System, heat purifying Ujjaiyi breath and Bandhas or “energy valves/locks” created a strong, mindful and whole-bodied asana practice which continues to be a foundation in Serenity’s spiritual growth.
In 2006 Serenity became a certified Ashtanga Yoga teacher after completing a 250hr RYS certification program in Victoria, B.C.
Serenity has continued her education and growth by attending workshops with talented teachers such as Doug Swenson, David Williams & Carly Sled.
Serenity’s playful teaching style brings joy and light-heartedness to her classes and her mindful living and self inquiry is reflected in her gentle guidance of vigorous asana and body awareness.
If you are interested in attending, contact me asap or register here!
Best to you today!
Kelly McIntyre M.Sc.
www.transitioncounselling.com