Moments – 2014 Edition

 “She smiled and said with an ecstatic air: “It shines like a little diamond”, “What does?” “This moment.”

–  Jean-Paul Sartre, The Age of Reason

We spend so much of our time in anticipation of what comes next. We focus on what we need to achieve and how great it will be when we get there. Our subconscious mind plays a game with us, telling us that when we achieve certain things – a new house, a new car, a certain annual income or a solid relationship that we will then be “enough;” but only then.

But once we get “there” we shift our vision to a new horizon, a new goal, the next level of achievement that will define our worth and happiness.  But often we get there and there is a sense of disappointment or a lack of the real deep pleasure we had anticipated.

We are a culture that is so busy striving to achieve; striving to find and validate our own self-worth, that we often fail to realize that life is actually a series of moments. It is within these moments that meaning is found, connections deepen and our souls experience what it incarnated in this life to learn.

As we round out yet another year and stand in awe at how quickly it has passed, take some time and think back to your 2014 Moments. What touched your heart in a deeper, more meaningful or more connected way?

As always….here are mine, in no particular order!

1. Singing out Loud- Those of you who have teenage daughters understand that you are no longer cool and it is often more challenging to connect. In the spring of this year my daughter had a dance competition in Seattle. One night we were driving from the hotel to the venue to compete. The four girls and I blasted the radio and sang out loud and proud together. Clearly, we were no rival for the Spice Girls but we had so much fun! #connection

2. Lessons in Leadership – Well it is clearly no secret that I am a leadership geek! Just a few months ago my son’s hockey team was selecting their leadership team. Coach gave them homework to research what leadership was and to nominate 3 people to be Captain and Assistant Captains. Imagine my delight with such a great assignment! We sat on the couch and discussed what leaders are. We discussed at length the option of him placing his own name on his list of nominees. Is this cocky or self-confident? As a first year Pee Wee would he even be considered? This opportunity to shift his awareness around leadership at such a young age was amazing, but “the moment” came when in the next game, he skated onto the ice with an A on his chest. #pride

3. A Gift– In May my mom came out for a visit. We had the opportunity to spend 10 days together while I worked on my business. We talked a lot about my challenges and about the first few years of my fathers business as he was also an entrepreneur. One afternoon out of the blue mom gave me a gift. I was overwhelmed, not only because the gift provided some relief for me, but because it said “I believe in what you are doing.” “I believe in you.” #support

4. Downton Abbey – This summer I had the “trip of a lifetime” with my mom. We spent two weeks together in London. The trip came about when we were both watching a documentary on Highclere Castle, the home of our favourite TV Drama Series Downton Abbey. I texted her and said, “we HAVE to go there!” and she responded, “Let’s do it!” Our favorite day on our trip was our visit to Highclere Castle where we had the most elegant and scrumptious High Tea ever and visited the with Louis, the real life Carson of Highclere. #enthusiasm

5. Making a Difference – My passion is helping people consciously create better lives through their relationships with their work, partner, families and community. This summer I had the opportunity to do individual coaching sessions with each of the women in my Tribal Group Coaching program. I was at a session and the woman I was with looked at me and said, “When we covered Step 5 of the Design Your Life Process it was exactly what my family needed. We are now on track and working towards making things better.” You never know what or when you will touch a person and help them grow or gain a new perspective that will make their life better. #passion

6. YOU GLOW GIRL!® – This summer I produced and launched my first on line video coaching program. Along with that came what to name it, the design, the strategy and the launch. My “creative team,” Catherine, Anna and Scarlett were all with me every step of the way. On the day of the launch Scarlett and I celebrated by toasting to YOU GLOW GIRL!® with pink champagne in her new backyard. #success

7. Reunion – In April I spent a few days in Phoenix with the women I travelled for AOII with 20 years ago. It was such an amazing experience to see these brilliant and highly successful women, to get caught up with everything they have experienced in our time apart and to realize that no matter how intelligent, how beautiful or how successful we all are, that we still have fears and doubts and often feel like we are not enough. We all share in the same human experience. #sisterhood

8. Loss – Just last month we had to put down our precious loving pet Baby. Baby was not your typical cat. He was much more like a dog. If you could only choose one word to describe our sweet kitty cat it would be love. It was very difficult as he was only 7 years old and my son’s first pet. My daughter, son and I cried an ocean between us. To ensure I honoured their desires, I asked each of them if they wanted to come to the vet. My daughter was too overcome with grief to go, but my brave little man said yes. Together we said goodbye and were with our special Baby when he transitioned. #grief

9. 10 Hours of Joy – As I grow wiser (because why would I want to grow older!) and become more conscious about this experience we call life, I realize that it is not easy to find many people with whom we connect with in all four realms – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learned a lot about dating and relationships in 2014 and know that I have had to experience everything I have to help others; after all, my book IS about relationships! But just recently I had 10 hours with someone who makes me feel truly happy, whom I have so much respect for and who brings out the very best in me. He truly connects with me in every one of the four realms.  I am so grateful for the presence of this soul connection in my life. #epiclove

10. Always leave room for Dessert –As 2014 is not over yet I am leaving one spot open to make space to create more connection, pride, support, enthusiasm, passion, success, sisterhood and epic love. #joy

My wish is that over the holiday season you create some space by letting go of the hustle and bustle and the list of “shoulds” and engage in the moments that will transform your life to a more blissful place!