by Kelly | May 17, 2010 | Uncategorized |
“Beginning is easy – continuing hard” ~ Japanese Proverb
It can be very exciting when we decide to change our lives. We feel an adrenaline rush as we dream and consider all of the possibilities! Our mind freely imagines all of the wonderful events that will transpire – it can be a euphoric feeling.
However, when these results don’t happen the way or as fast as we expect them to, we become impatient, angry or restless and often give up. Old behaviours begin to creep in based on old uncomfortable and condemning beliefs that take over and we berate ourselves for even setting out on the journey. Our dreams seem out of reach, yet again. We are left deflated and tired.
During these low times, surrender.
Surrender to God, the universal energy. Say, “this is too big for me to carry. Please take over. I release it to you. I trust you. I have faith in your plan for my life.”
Sometimes, we think we need to work out all of the details. Sometimes, we think we need to plan, plan, plan or else all will fall apart. This is not true.
Return to what urged you to follow your heart and dreams in the first place. That
dream is your gift, intended only for you.Ask yourself, what was your initial purpose? What was your vision? Quietly return to this intention, clarify it into one statement and focus on this statement by writing it out in your journal, reading it frequently to yourself.
Your job: Focus only on what you want and not on how it will come about, surrender the how to God.
All will be well again.
Kelly MacLellan M.Sc.
by Kelly | Apr 20, 2010 | peace |
Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
When I walk into people’s homes where the tv seems to always be on, I can’t help but think to myself, “Why all the noise? How can they think clearly?”
When it comes up in conversation, people explain that having the tv on in the “background” helps them to avoid feeling alone and that the background noise is soothing. Not saying this is true for everyone… but if you do you do this, why? Are you aware that you do this? What happens if all of the noise stopped? Would there be an uncomfortable silence? Would you be willing to try to stop and sit with this feeling? Please let me know what you discover.
If you find that you are a bit stressed, out of breath and/or little accidents or incidents are irritating you – Stop! When things around you aren’t flowing it means that you are out of alignment with the moment and not fully conscious in the now. You are reacting and not using your power to choose.
Reduce the stimulus in your environment, turn everything off and sit down for a moment in complete silence. Quietly focus internally, breathing deeply and listen to your thoughts as though you are an observer. Observe yourself in your environment, see yourself sitting and thinking. Repeat the word peace several times until your body reflects that feeling and you relax peacefully.
“May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.” Mother Theresa
We have so many gifts to share with the world, stop the distractions and “noise”. Instead listen and follow your heart, be guided by joy!
Embrace Your Life! Kelly MacLellan M.Sc.
kelly@embraceyourlife.ca
by Kelly | Apr 15, 2010 | Uncategorized |
Enjoy yourself! When we approach life with lightness and have fun during the day, we are more likely to be in the flow and as a result sleep deeply. When we struggle against the flow, we are less likely to be anxious and worry about situations at night while we try to sleep. Not fun.
Be authentic and follow your intuition! Listen to your body, don’t try to be different than what you are. If you feel the need to push yourself physically or mentally – go for it! If you feel the need to nurture yourself and rest – do that! Trust yourself and listen to your body, you have all of the answers. When you do listen, good sleep awaits.
Unload your thoughts. Before bed, create a ritual of writing and release all of your thoughts and concerns. Let go of the burden you carried during the day in your journal. If you tend to wake up throughout the night with ideas or dreams, keep a note pad beside your bed so you can quickly record them so your brain doesn’t cycle them over.
Meditate. If you can’t seem to stop the thoughts in order to go to sleep, imagine all of your thoughts collecting in a giant bag and imagine the heavy bags with all of your burdens and anxieties being carried off away from you. Play with this concept, finding one that suits you best. I personally, like to imagine standing in front of the ocean and having the wind sweeping the thoughts away and the sun shining brightly on me. Do whatever works!
Be grateful. Instead of replaying all of the things that didn’t go your way throughout the day, reflect on the day seeing all of the good things that happened. I am often in awe of how effective this is at creating good sleeping experiences along with good awake experiences!
Enjoy the day and have sweet dreams tonight!
Embrace your life!
Kelly MacLellan M.Sc.
Life Coach
by Kelly | Apr 10, 2010 | Uncategorized |
Tired of the same old… well,
Learn something – anything! Visit a bookstore or library, visit a museum or gallery, listen to books on tape while you drive, you can learn a new language while you “waste” time in traffic!
Get involved! Support local arts, groups, programs, culture – review community event postings in the paper for ideas. Maybe there is a bake sale, a 5K run or art in the park, stroll the streets looking for something new.
Exercise! Get your blood pumping – go outside for a walk, garden, or even simply stretch – whatever you choose just do it under the sunny sky and breathe in the fresh air!
Just do it! Expand your skill set and pursue that interest – register for that class you have been considering, jump in, no more excuses! Even simply try a new recipe today!
Slow down! Instead of rushing inside when you get home talk to your neighbours. Greet the people you meet during the day – why rush home when there is so much to experience if we linger just a little and get out of our routine.
Enjoy the weekend! & Embrace Your Life!
Kelly MacLellan M.Sc.
kelly@embraceyourlife.ca
by Kelly | Apr 10, 2010 | love |
Sometimes we put a lot of energy into doing what we think we should do and end up straining ourselves. There are many signs of “shoulding on ourselves” that include feelings of confusion, anger and even physical strain. We can’t do it all and be everything to everyone!Your body always lets you know when you are in the flow and when you are straining to do it all. When was the last time you listened? What is your body saying to you right now?
When we spend time responding to other people’s expectations or at least our perception of what we think other people want, we quickly lose focus of what is right and feels good authentically for us. We fall out of the flow and lose direction.
I haven’t posted to my blog lately, nor put a lot of my energy into social networking because it simply didn’t feel right. And, I just didn’t have the extra energy. What did feel right was to dedicate my energy to my husband and daughter. We were recently reunited after 11 months of being separated due to immigration issues and relied on Skype to keep us connected; now we are thrilled to be together!! I am so happy that I committed all of my energy to being fully present for this special time in my life. It is heaven.
Now that my family is together, I can feel my energy shifting again and the ideas are flowing! I am so excited about what is yet to come but I couldn’t have been in this place if I tried to do it all. Follow your natural flow and your heart. Be authenitic to yourself!
Enjoy! Embrace Your Life!
Kelly MacLellan M.Sc.
http://www.embraceyourlife.ca/
by Kelly | Mar 14, 2010 | change |
When you are in a rut it means that what you are doing is no longer working, at least for right now.
A great way to get started on the climb out of the rut is to immerse yourself in one or a couple of great books. Visit a bookstore or library and enter with the intention that you are open to receiving new ideas and then take your time wandering through the aisles. Let the books find you and record their messages. Check the community bulletin board and scan for any interesting workshops or courses in your area. Be lead by the messages that present themselves to you. Trust it!
Change starts from becoming aware and modifying our own behaviour. We all know how impossible it is to change someone else, so don’t even go there and begin by focusing on yourself, the chances of success are much greater! Access your resources; there is an abundance of information and people ready to inspire you!
Enjoy the journey! And Embrace Your Life!
Kelly MacLellan M.Sc.
Life/Career Coach
by Kelly | Mar 8, 2010 | love, peace |
“Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Embrace Your Life!
Sending out wishes of love and peace to you this International Women’s Day,
Enjoy!
Kelly
by Kelly | Feb 21, 2010 | love, peace |
At a retreat I co-facilitated this past summer with the Yoga Goddess, a woman shared that “it all sounds so simple!” I thought about this for a long time afterward and thought yes, it is – “Let go of fear by staying with your breath and you will find happiness – Bliss! It is that simple, but it definitely is not easy.
How many times a day do you find your mind wandering to dark places, insignificant thoughts about lists, or daydreaming about people, possibilities etc…? If we could just halt this whirling whizzing of our thoughts, we would realize the goodness that exists right here and now. The gentle feeling of our partner holding our hand, the way the bubbles pop in our soothing bath or how satisfying a piece of bread with our favourite topping tastes. What else is there? If we wait for happiness when the conditions are perfect, we haven’t trained ourselves to recognize it or even celebrate it when we have all we desire. Surrender and let go of these thoughts!
Exercise: Roll out your yoga mat. Find a comfortable position. Put your hand on your heart. Breathe. Feel its pulse. Breathe with it. Reaffirm your love and respect for yourself and using the quote from Charles Haanel slowly repeat until each word resonates: “I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, happy. I am exactly where I am meant to be.” Breathe. Smile.
Through a regular practice of yoga and meditation, you will learn to listen instinctually to your breath throughout the day, to calm your mind and be in this moment. Practice, it is that simple!
“Do your practice and all is coming” –Sri K Patthabi Jois
Wishing you peace and love!! Enjoy! Embrace Your Life!
Kelly
