by Carol deLaski | Jul 19, 2016 | Fitness, Guest Blogging
I was recently reminded of a time when I was living in Baltimore and had decided to head out the door for my run without strapping on my phone to play the current audio book or energizing music that typically accompanies me. Now, there are typically only two reasons that I leave my entertainment home, either I know it is going to rain or I feel an internal nudge that I need to spend that time in prayer and meditation. This was one of those times. I was in a state of deep contemplation, really desiring to hear one of those great nuggets of wisdom that God has given me in the past. Times where I’ve walked away just knowing in the depths of my soul that this thing- a thought, an idea, or just simply a feeling of peace- had been spoken directly to my heart. I remember that I was at a crossroads and feeling like my life was not moving as quickly as it should be and begging to be shown what I was doing that could be impeding my progress. I believed there must be something I was missing that was hindering my forward movement and I just couldn’t figure it out despite my many efforts.
The first part of the run felt especially difficult. A lot of it was uphill and I was struggling to concentrate on my prayers and quieting my mind. My thoughts were running much faster than my legs and I felt as though God had decided not to accompany me on this run. I finally got into a groove after about a mile as the road flattened out and I had beautiful views of the bay. I was overcome with such a thankful heart for all of the blessings I currently had and the many times I had felt abundantly cared for despite my shortcomings. As I had settled into a nice comfortable pace and a quiet thoughtfulness, I began hearing quick steps approaching me from behind. I could tell they were getting closer, which meant the person behind me was running faster than I was and quickly gaining on me. I did not like this. You see, I am very competitive by nature. Sadly, to the point that I actually still get highly bothered and must strongly resist the temptation to show it when I lose so much as a card game (and don’t manage to resist quite as well when I lose a tennis match). So you can imagine my frustration when I realized that another person was so much faster than me that they had caught and passed me within a quarter of a mile. I watched this fit girl run past me with ease and after a split second of increasing my pace to prevent this defeat, I assured myself that I would eventually catch her with my endurance rather than speed. I was sure that the pace she was running would be short-lived as she must be doing speed work or on a short run. I even began thinking about how I would re-tell my own version of the ever inspiring “life is not a sprint it’s a marathon” tale. I planned to offer an empowering experience where endurance trumped speed and my strong finish, rather than start, was what truly mattered!
However, the truth is that I never caught that girl. She ran off ahead of me and I did not see her again before turning around to complete my run. It was in this defeat that I heard the message of insight I had been seeking that day. I heard that internal voice of wisdom remind me that sometimes in life we are just not as conditioned or at the same pace as another person. Sometimes we spend a season in a place where it feels as though others are zipping by us and we are stuck in neutral spinning our wheels. It was impressed on me that this is not the case, rather this season can be a purposeful time of preparation or rest or even discipline, but that we are never there by accident and it is self-defeating to compare ourselves to others who are at a different place. Because that is not our place. We think ‘fastest’ is best or staying ahead of others is what makes us successful, but our internal worth or value is not measured by how far ahead of others we are, it is by doing all we are called to do in the place that we are currently at. It is making the most of our journey, not someone else’s. This occurs best when we take our competitive eyes off of another’s path and put them back onto our own.
Side note: I would love to say that I embraced this lesson and was changed on the spot, relinquishing my competitive nature and desire to be the best. However, I must admit that as I heard steps approaching me from behind a few minutes later, I increased my speed to the point of maxing out and sucking air in order to stay ahead of my pursuer. I could barely finish my run as I finally turned off and headed for home, no longer being followed. But I cannot lie and say that I didn’t walk a little taller and a little prouder knowing I had won the second bout… I’m still a work in progress.
Today’s blog comes from Affiliate Coach, Liz King-Reihm. Liz works with women of all ages to help them create healthy lives through mental, physical, and spiritual wholeness. She helps women discover their potential with both personal training as well as coaching. For more information about Liz, you can visit her website: www.coaching4her.com or email her at [email protected]. Or call (240) 397-6437 with any specific questions.
Liz will be co-leading our next event, ‘Be Well’ on Wednesday July 27th from 5:30 – 7:30. For registration information and details on this event, click here
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by Carol deLaski | Jul 1, 2016 | Personal Development, Retreats, Sandie Lynch
Nature fascinates me. The perfection of it – with its amazing breath-taking scenic beauty, such as a morning sunrise or a sunset when the sun turns the clouds into a kaleidoscope of color, or the intense greenery that outlines a cool mountain stream.
Similarly, the human body also blows my mind with it’s amazing possibilities. Possibilities demonstrated by numerous individuals who have tested it past the imaginable; such as Ninja warriors, elite athletes, professional dancers, and meditators who control pain or blood flow.
I am none of these people but I am still amazed by how the body faithfully responds to our requests to change, learn, and heal. In my journey, what I have realized is that my body is a friend and not foe; even though there was a time when I would look into the mirror and hate the reflection starring back at me.
As I move through the second half of my life there is a passion within me to share the wisdom I have gained to love the skin I’m in. I call it living Well. Any one that knows me, knows that I love acronyms, and, to me, WELL stands for …
- W = Whole
- E = Energized
- L = Loving
- L = Life
I define Being Whole as a wellspring from within, where the body, heart, mind, and spirit work together in synergy for our greatest good. It begins with embracing hope for our best, and trusting that each day equips and moves us a little closer to our goal. It continues with believing there are no mistakes, just new opportunities to make a different choice. Each day we are a little wiser; no longer being the person we were yesterday because we have new knowledge, a new skill, a lesson learned on how to navigate toward our true ‘WELL’ self, and we do this in perfect divine timing. With this perspective, I AM whole for today and tomorrow I will be whole for tomorrow. We can lose our feeling of “wholeness” today when we focus on tomorrow. Embrace your wholeness today!
Getting Energized is recognizing the body is here to help, and not hinder, our journey. The body needs certain life nutrients to equip us. Many of us believe good nutrition, some exercise, and rest are essential for a healthy life. I have also come to believe having faith in the body’s design, it’s nature, is essential for transformation and living WELL. I have observed my body for 30 years, when I change my exercise, eat differently, or move in a new way, my body faithfully responds to every request; it can’t help but respond! Our body is constantly monitoring what we are asking it to do in order to provide us with the strength, power, or endurance we need for the task. For our bodies to provide this help, it lets us know what it needs to perform the request, such as more food, more training, more rest. Are you listening to the cues from your body? Are you asking it to move you to your best? If you are feeling uncomfortable in your body, are you listening to it or are you just telling it to get comfortable and accept where you are?
Loving-Life is about learning to see the world, and ourselves, through a lens of love. Focusing only on what is good, what is working, as well as being grateful for what we have, we celebrate the progress and success of others, and ourselves, no matter how small. Loving life asks us to focus on the positive, seeing every frustration, challenge, and maybe even failure as beneficial for moving us towards our best. Loving life requires us to avoid comparison when doing so robs our joy or self-confidence, but embracing it when it inspires us to try something new for our journey of living WELL!
I pray that you realize you, too, are on a journey of living WELL; it is not a destination that we reach yet this process is available for you to begin, or continue, today. I hope you will embrace it and be WELL!
If you would like support, guidance, or coaching on living WELL, please feel free to contact me for personal coaching. You may also register to attend the BE WELL Wholistic Woman Evening Retreat on July 27th, 2016, where we will be diving deeper into this philosophy, reviewing each essential nutrient for the body, and coaching the development of strategies to live WELL! I hope you decide to join us for a relaxing, educational, and fun evening retreat. Click here for details.
Today’s Author: Sandie Lynch MS, RDN, LDN, Registered Dietitian, Personal Trainer, and Wholistic Wellbeing Coach. Owner and CEO of ATP Consultants, LLC. Sharing 5 Key Principles to Attain Top Performance in living your best life at any age! Check out ATP Fitness to “Maximize” your 2016. Learn, practice, and embrace the strategies that will build Wholistic Wellbeing for life! Contact Sandie via email at [email protected]
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by Carol deLaski | Jul 1, 2016 | Guest Blogging
How many of us can say that we have a portrait of ourselves hanging in our home that makes us feel like WE ARE ENOUGH?
And that this portrait fills you with self-love, empowerment and healing?
Ever since first picking up a camera, I became aware of the healing and transformative power of photography. Through my own personal journey of healing, turning to photography was my highest form of expression. I know firsthand it can be very difficult to express oneself with words, because quite honestly, sometimes there are no words for what we are going through. It is during these moments that I have found photography to be the next best thing. Through the lens, I am a humble witness to the unfolding and revealing of a soul’s authentic beauty.
This is how Soul Print Photography and the concept of healing portraiture was created. I define healing portraiture as “the beauty and illumination of the soul using a healing depiction of an individual with the use of photographic artistry”. We all desperately need individuals in our lives who will see and honor BOTH our light and our darkness. Even on our healing journeys, whether at the beginning, middle or the advanced level, and with all of the transformations we experience, there will always be a piece of us- a shadow that exists within us- that even though uncomfortable needs to be validated. We can’t exist without the other; it’s the Yin to our Yang. This form of honoring our spirit is what also inspired the concept of healing portraiture; to help support and empower others who are on their path of healing by using a more non-traditional form of expression.
I feel humbled and blessed to be on this journey and to have met some amazing people who have shared their personal life stories with me. I look forward to many more of these sessions and encourage you to gift yourself or someone you know with a healing portrait. The beauty of healing portraiture is that it is available to people of all ages. There are no requirements; simply take the first step to schedule a consultation and more information on what is involved and how to get started.
Today’s guest blogger is WWR Alliance Partner, Shannon Wagner. Shannon recently captured the full range of emotions that women felt at the Wholistic Woman Adventure Retreat – Courageous You. If you would like to learn more about her transforming photography, you can visit her website www.soulprintphotography.com or email her at [email protected]. (All information is kept confidential). Also, if you would like to see what Shannon is up to on a more frequent basis she would love to have you follow her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/soulprintphotography.
“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.”
~ HIPPOCRATES
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by Carol deLaski | Jun 15, 2016 | Carol deLaski, Courage, Personal Development, Retreats
“Are you ready?” the zip line instructor asked.
I found myself strapped in a harness equipped with huge metal cords and carabineers that suspended me from an industrial-sized cable somewhere above my head. My toes danced on the wooden platform below me and butterflies danced in my stomach, as the strong arm of the instructor steadied my swaying body.
I looked out ahead at the zip line course, which sloped down across the lake far below, and then rose up again over the land on the opposite side. Although I mainly felt the thrill of anticipatory excitement, there were some anxious thoughts swirling inside my helmeted head. What if something goes wrong? I asked myself, even though I knew I wasn’t willing to turn back.
As one of the leaders of a women’s weekend retreat, I was the last participant to experience the zip line ride. The rest of the women were now gathered at the other end of the line, ready to receive me. I had just witnessed my 80-year-old mother run the course. While I implicitly trusted the instructor and the equipment, I whispered a heartfelt prayer for Mom as she courageously stepped off the platform and went zipping across the lake. I have to admit that it was not an entirely selfless prayer; I have five siblings and I couldn’t help thinking, Dear God, please keep Mom safe. They will just kill me if anything happens to her! I felt a sense of relief as Mom made it safely to the other end of the line. She was met with cheers as several of the 30 women gathered there caught her in their arms and congratulated her.
My mother is an amazing person, and as she bravely overcame her fears that day, she inspired so many others to live life fully, regardless of their age. Now, it was my turn. With a deep breath I gave a nod to the instructor who then released his hold on me. I moved to the edge of the platform, stepped off into thin air, and began the thrill of the ride.
Feeling the initial free fall, and then the reassuring bounce of the cable as it held my weight, I sped forward on a fast descent toward the lake. The warm wind blew against my face, and the cable emitted a zipping sound above my head. The water seemed to be fast approaching and I prayed that I would not end up in it. What’s the worst that can happen? I thought to myself. I’ll just take a swim. Almost immediately I felt fear leave me.
Racing forward, I heard the cheers of the other women and I knew in that moment that I had found my freedom. At first tentatively, and then with confidence, I let go of my grip on the cord, flung my arms wide open, and embraced the world as I flew through the air. The exhilaration of the ride was matched only by the joy in my heart as I released my hold on fear and embraced a new way of being. Although I had placed my trust in that which was tangible -namely, the zip line equipment – I realized that my real security could be found in my faith.*
- I had faith that the equipment would function properly, and safely hold me.
- I had faith in the experience and expertise of the zip line instructor.
- I had faith in myself that I could step out of my comfort zone, be brave, and handle whatever would come of my decision to step off that platform, even if it meant taking a swim.
- Last, but not least, I had faith in a Higher Power who watches over me and takes care of me in all circumstances.
I learned about the freedom that comes when we trust ourselves, others, and God. This is a freedom that allows me take risks. A freedom that permits mistakes, as well as the opportunity to learn from my failures. A freedom that releases fear and embraces joy to live fully.
Where are you called to be braver and take a calculated risk?
What helps you to let go of your grip on fear and openly embrace whatever may come?
In the Wholistic Woman community we believe that stepping out of your comfort zone is an important element of being a woman-on-the-grow. Change/growth is usually uncomfortable because we are doing something new and unfamiliar. Accepting that discomfort is normal, and learning to be okay with it, will help us adopt the new perspectives and behaviors needed for lifelong learning.
Each year we offer a physical adventure retreat to experience stepping out of our comfort zones in a kinesthetic way. At this retreat women have the opportunity to…
- Ride a 600-foot zip line through the forest
- Climb a huge jungle gym called a static tower
- Do a “Leap of Faith” jump from the top of a telephone pole
…all while being safely harnessed and instructed by Ropes Course experts; guided by skilled life coaches; and cheered on by other women who are also stepping out of their comfort zones.
Women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities join us to stretch and grow at the level that is right for them. In this supportive atmosphere they are encouraged to try one small step towards being braver…whatever that may be for them.
You’re invited to join us for this very special retreat on June 29th from 3- 8 pm at Upward Enterprises in Adamstown, Md. Afterwards, join us for a celebratory dinner at the Buckeystown Pub to share stories, lessons learned, and ways to apply your newfound courage to other areas of your life.
Click here to learn more about this opportunity to find a more Courageous You!
Space is limited. Register soon to reserve spots for you and your friends!
*(excerpted from Lost and Found: Discovering Strength in Love and Faith by Carol deLaski)
Today’s author: Carol deLaski is a leadership coach, speaker, and author who specializes in developing the strengths of individuals and organizations. She is the Founder and CEO of Wholistic Woman Retreats which provides personal and professional development programs for women-on-the-grow. You may learn more about her at www.caroldelaski.com or email her directly at: [email protected] to have her work with you or your group.
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by Carol deLaski | Jun 7, 2016 | Courage, Laura Hall
I just registered myself and my two daughters for ‘Courageous You’, which is Wholistic Woman Retreats’ Physical Adventure event. This is a retreat I help lead with the other coaches of WWR where we ask women to step out of their comfort zone and try something that may feel a little (or a lot) risky. It warms my soul that my daughters, who are 18 and 21 years old, want to participate. I am raising courageous young women and I am so proud of them. I think I’m especially impressed by where they are at this stage in their lives because my journey was so different. I grew up trying to avoid risks because they felt scary, but as I’ve gotten older, it’s interesting to observe how my thoughts about risk taking have changed.
When I look back over my early childhood, fear is a big part of my story. As a little girl, I had a lot of trouble sleeping. I was convinced that “robbers” were going to break in to our house and shoot us with their guns. As I write this from an adult perspective I see how irrational the thoughts were, but at age 5, the fear was very real.
By age 8, I was convinced that if I wasn’t careful enough I was going to be abducted. I often stayed home instead of walking to a friend’s house because I was certain of being kidnapped and ending up on the back of a milk carton.
In middle school I worried about being liked and getting good grades. I didn’t like asking questions because it might look like I wasn’t smart. I was petrified of being called on and looking stupid.
As a teenager, and young adult, I managed my anxieties and fears by ‘playing it safe’. Take a risk…No way! And, for a while, this strategy worked. I had a nice little comfort zone that I lived in without having to try anything too scary. What happened to me over time though is that the comfort zone got boring. There was no adventure, no challenges and no risks. It started to feel like I was existing but not fully living. Somewhere in my late 30’s and early 40’s I made the conscious decision to turn and face my fears instead of hiding from them.
I addressed my social anxiety issues by joining and participating in networking events. In the beginning I was very uncomfortable, but intuitively I knew that the more I did it, the easier it would get, and this, overtime, proved to be true.
The next major fear I faced was the fear of public speaking. I joined Toastmasters and started learning the ins and outs of effective speech making. The first day I ventured up out of my seat and to the front of the room, I was shaking so badly, but I did it…shaking and all. And in 2013 I did something that at one time in my life I thought I could never do…I went skydiving! It was AWESOME!!!!! It was more that just jumping out of a plane for me. This true leap of faith represented freedom from the confines of a comfort zone.
I used to believe that taking risks was reckless and irresponsible in any and all circumstances, but I now believe that if the risk has the potential to move you toward a life more fully lived than that risk has to be taken, even if there is the chance of failure.
My favorite author Brené Brown says, “If we are brave enough often enough, we will fall.” I think I used to be adverse to taking risks because I was afraid of falling. What I know now is that that is no way to live. Playing is safe is no longer working for me.
I have several mantras that are helping me in this new, braver phase of my life. Two of my favorites are…’Feel the fear, and do it anyway” and “I choose courage over comfort”.
My daughter recently told me that her favorite quote is, “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear”. This quote is attributed to George Addair. I love that this is her favorite quote. I believe that one of the greatest gifts I’ve given my children is allowing them to witness me facing my fears.
Life presents us with many opportunities to be afraid. Some of them are legitimate and should be taken seriously, but a lot of them are fears that are just daring us to face them.
I encourage you to take a look at your life and consider where fear may be holding you back. What would it be like to turn and face it? What would it take for you to adopt the mantra, “Feel the fear but do it anyway”?
Are you ready to see what life would be like outside of your comfort zone? If so, I’d like to extend the invitation to have you join me and my daughters at ‘Be Courageous’ on June 29th. Click here for details and registration information.
Today’s author: Laura Hall, CPC, CDWF: As a certified professional coach since 2009, Laura Hall, Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator has been helping people just like you make changes in. As a mother of 2 girls, Laura has a special interest in coaching parents, so if you still have children living at home, ask Laura about her Wholehearted Parenting programs. Laura can be reached via email at [email protected] or feel free to visit her website HallCoaching.com
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