Carpe Diem: Seize the MAY!

Carpe Diem…Seize the MAY!
By Kimberly Carroll

One regret dear world, that I am determined not to have when I am lying on my deathbed is that I did not kiss you enough.
- Hafiz

Finally the world is coming alive with spring! There’s no holding back those buds from blooming, those birds from building nests, or those gals from wearing open-toed shoes. They are in full carpe diem mode…seizing the day! So, how about taking the season’s cue and partaking in a little carpe diem action of your own?

The spirit of carpe diem is refusing to let another day go by without sucking the juice out of it. It’s about breaking out of automatic pilot and engaging in activities that make you feel ALIVE. And you don’t have to up and move to Morocco to seize the day…you can do it within the life you’re already living. An enlivening action today could range anywhere from asking out that special someone you’ve been admiring from afar to cuddling that cozy cat lying in the sunbeam to taking a small action in launching that business you’ve been dreaming of to singing on the top of your lungs in the car.

I can already hear the litany of excuses running through your head for why now isn’t a good time to seize the day: I’m too busy, I’m too tired, I’ve got 10 pounds to lose first, I’m broke, I’m waiting for someone to seize the day with, I’ll play with my kid tomorrow, someday soon I’ll start planning my dream trip…Well m’dear, snap out of it because “tomorrow” and “someday” are not days of the week, life is finite, and at this rate you’re going to procrastinate living until you’re DEAD!

For me, nothing hits home the concept of carpe diem more than cherry blossoms. I live in Toronto and for a few precious days each spring, 2000 cherry trees here in High Park burst into breathtaking powder puffs of pink and white petals…nature’s cotton candy! Now, spring is always a crazy busy time for me so I spent many years procrastinating away my opportunity to take in the cherry blossoms. Three years ago though, I played hooky in the middle of a workday to finally take a stroll under the majestic arches of fluffy blossoms and couldn’t believe I’d waited so long to experience this…it was like magic in petal form! Afterwards, I started thinking about how even if I am blessed with a long life, I might only have 40 or so more chances to see the cherry blossoms. A mere 40 more chances to experience something so beautiful! Well, that realization has gotten my butt into gear to get out there every year since. And even though a weekday stroll in High Park seems like one of the last things I have time for right now, when I get word this week that those buds begun to bloom, I dropped everything to go drink in their fleeting beauty.

Isn’t it time for YOU to start drinking in the fleeting beauty of your life? If you’re ready to start carpe diem’ing it up (yes, I’m taking great liberties with Latin here), I’ve got a list below of enlivening activities to help get the juices going!

But there are also two very important questions to start posing to yourself at every turn today:

What will help me come more alive in this moment?

and

WHAT THE HELL AM I WAITING FOR?

Alright Precious Ones – go out and Seize the May!

Seize the Day Ideas

1. Treat yourself to a pleasure you’ve been “saving” (that special bottle of wine, that long bath, that new album you downloaded) and give it your singular focus.

2. Take time out to play with your kids or animal companions and really absorb their unbridled enthusiasm

3. That project you’ve been dreaming about starting? Give it a working title or write a paragraph about how it would feel bringing it to fruition.

4. Book a reservation at that restaurant you’ve been eyeing all year.

5. If you have a musical instrument in your house, take it out and damn well PLAY IT!

6. With the next person you encounter today, ask yourself, “What’s awesome about this person?” and then really savour them.

7. Do 10 minutes of research into a trip you’ve been yearning to take.

8. Use that gift card you’ve had in your drawer for eons.

9. Try an art class or an African dance class or a vegetarian cooking class!

10. Play hooky midweek to take a long meandering walk through spring in bloom (bonus points for doing it barefoot!)

Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.- Jonathon Edwards

Kimberly Carroll is a Body/Mind/Spirit Expert, television host/producer, & activist whose popular personal development bootcamps have been helping transform and ignite lives around the world. With a cheeky and down-to-earth approach, Kimberly is an entertaining and loving guide for people delving into the world of personal growth, spirituality, and conscious living. She’s been featured in the Globe and Mail, as a regular on Newstalk 1010′s “The Buddha Lounge”, and is one of the authors of the award-winning anthology “Soul Whispers”. Her next powerful, soulful, and sometimes rowdy LIFE REBOOT Program (7 weeks to tune in, power up, & create the life and world you love!) begins May 14 For more information, visit: www.kimberlycarroll.com

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

San Francisco is one of those mystical places that I had only seen in the movies. Those rolling hills they call streets, the distant visions of Alcatraz, the “ding, ding” sound of the old streetcars, the beautiful harbor and of course the Golden Gate Bridge.

I remember moving into the area, venturing into San Fran for the first time. We were travelling along Hwy101 and came around the corner and there she was, the beautiful skyline with the Transamerica Pyramid standing out, gleaming in the sunlight, the other building also commanding attention- I felt a flutter in my stomach, I was excited.

It truly is a place that takes not only your breath away but captures your heart. I now understand Tony Bennett’s song- “I left my heart in San Francisco”. This city is alive at every turn and dip in the road. The culture, the beautiful unique homes, the history and of course lets not forget the mouthwatering deliciousness of the area.

We ventured down to the pier. The seals greeted us with their barks. The street was alive with street performers, smells of sourdough bread, and of course the delectable seafood. San Francisco is a place of indulgence.

We rented bikes and travelled across the Golden Gate Bridge- Oh what a view? We stopped and took in all around us, the views of the freighters coming in, the sailboats down below, the distant views of Alcatraz island, the fresh salt water air and of course the magnificence of the Golden Gate Bridge, she beamed with pride.

China Town was a must- we walked the colourful streets full of streams and aromas of baked treats and freshed brewed exotic teas. Music played in the background as we explored the different shops full of Chinese delights. This is one of the largest chinese markets in North America- it is spectacular.

Adoring mom of two, Darlene Christianson is an adventure seeker who is passionate about travel. She believes this is your time to create, learn, and experience the world and its many new moments.  A previous television host & travel writer, Darlene created “Venture Bound Tours and alongside her husband has been creating new memories for her clients overseas for years. She is thrilled to be sharing her lessons learned through travel as well as many humorous stories. Darlene also looks forward to sharing travel insights, assisting you in planning your next journey.

 

 

“I Don’t Believe We’ve Met”: How to start an authentic conversation

by Andrea Winn, the Dream Whisperer

Most of us were brought up to keep to ourselves. Mom said, “Don’t talk to strangers!” And that kept us safe as kids!

But fast forward into the adult world, that can become a real handicap. What about when we want to get into a love relationship? How will we go out, meet interesting potential mates, assess them, and honestly assess whether we are a good match?

And business owners… for many of us our biggest handicap is how comfortable we feel going up to someone we think we can help and engaging in an authentic conversation with them. It’s not easy!

Today, I want to encourage you to try talking to a stranger. Make that effort. Extend yourself. Be curious and discover *with* them why the Universe moved you to reach out to them. It can actually be fun! If you’d like to learn more, check out:
http://andreamwinn.com/offerings/start-conversation/

May your heart open to a new connection today!

About Andrea M. Winn, MEd, dream whisperer:
Brought up Tibetan Buddhist, she has meditated for 38 years. She offers therapeutic transformation and empowerment through individual coaching and teleseminars.

Paris in the Springtime

Springtime is a time for starting anew, cleansing the soul- what better way to re energize but to visit the breathtaking city of Paris. As you walk through the Jardin des Tuileries, one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris between the Louvre and Place de la Concord   you are surrounded with the vibrant aromas of flowers and freshly budded bushes and trees. The winter is in the past, the city comes alive with people gathering around the ponds in the park, sitting in the cafes socializing and kids playing. The air is fresh and full of the yummy smells of crepe vendors, fresh croissants and deep roasted coffee. The whole city vibrates with the excitement of a new season.

If this is your first time visiting Paris, take some time to jump on a double decker hop on and off bus. This will allow you to see the most in the least amount of time, get your bearings and then further explore this wondrous city. This bus offers two day one price and stops at all the major attractions of Paris including the Eiffel Tower. Be sure to take a break early in the day to visit the very special Angelina’s, relax and take in all the beautiful decor  around you and enjoy their “best  hot chocolate in the world”. A little warning, this hot chocolate is so decadent it could give you a “ Meg Ryan moment”. Enjoy a glass of chilled gamay with a croquet monsieur, a delicious salad nicoise, or mouth watering pastries baked daily. If wanting something a little more intimate, be sure to pick up a delicious bottle of wine, a fresh bread stick, some local cheese, find a spot and enjoy a picnic.

Paris is about exploring and experiencing the laid back lifestyle. Take some time to sit in a cafe facing out and take part in the local’s favorite pastime; people watching. While your adventure continues you will most likely visit the notables such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame but don’t forget to take a stroll down the side streets and explore the little neighborhoods too. Each and every neighbourhood offers a unique flavour to Paris and its unique culture resonates with its rich historical background to awe and delight all..

Whether you are dining in the Eiffel Tower, cruising along the Seine, or experiencing Paris by bicycle, springtime in Paris is a lifetime dream come true!

Adoring mom of two, Darlene Christianson is an adventure seeker who is passionate about travel. She believes this is your time to create, learn, and experience the world and its many new moments.  A previous television host & travel writer, Darlene created “Venture Bound Tours and alongside her husband has been creating new memories for her clients overseas for years. She is thrilled to be sharing her lessons learned through travel as well as many humorous stories. Darlene also looks forward to sharing travel insights, assisting you in planning your next journey.

Is Multi-tasking a good thing?

We had an interesting PFW Tweet Chat this week about meditation, and it seems the jury is out about whether multi-tasking is good. I know that my teacher, Chögyam Trungpa, said it’s not possible to think about two things in the same moment. He said that our mind jumps back and forth between things, giving the illusion of multi-tasking. So the question is, does jumping back and forth help or hinder our reaching our goal?

***

For everyone who engaged in Andrea’s #PFWChat this week about #meditation, please join us again in a special complimentary PFW tele-seminar presented by Andrea Feb. 12 by clicking here

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I heart a dynamic man named Steve speak at UofT a few years ago about focus at work. He quoted a statistic – it takes an average of 5 – 7 minutes to get oriented into a project. He said that if we jump from phone call to project to web-surfing to project to email to project, that we are losing a LOT of time because of that initial ramp up time each time we switch back to the project. It makes sense to me!

Steve advocated for creating clear chunks of time in your day when you are available for email and phone, communicate that to your colleagues, and then use the rest of the time to do focused work on your projects.

So I hope this gets you thinking more about multi-tasking and whether it empowers you or disempowers you. If you’d like to explore this more with me, visit my website here.

About Andrea M. Winn, MEd, dream whisperer:
Brought up Tibetan Buddhist, she has meditated for 38 years. She offers therapeutic transformation and empowerment through individual coaching and teleseminars.

The One You’ve Been Waiting For

By Kimberly Carroll

“For you are the beloved just as you are.”
- Denise Linn

I’ve been watching with curiosity as the coming Valentine’s Day invokes sheer giddiness in some and downright annoyance or melancholy in others. I’m wondering which end of the spectrum you land in this year?

Personally, I’m not in a romantic relationship right now so the bitter-single-person’s directive tells me I should hate this holiday. I have to admit though…I actually really like Valentine’s Day. Sure, it’s partly because it gives me a great excuse to drink good red wine and eat expensive dark chocolate on a Tuesday (awesome), but it’s also about getting a day dedicated to the celebration of LOVE – one of the most transforming powers in the world.

However, do you know who we are least likely to share that transforming power of love with on Valentine’s Day or – let’s be honest – any other day? Got a mirror handy? That’s right, most of us not only don’t love ourselves, we’re positively mean, cold, and ruthless towards ourselves! Think about how you deprive yourself most days at work of decent food or even just a deep breath! Or, how you constantly and silently berate yourself (“That was a stupid thing to say!”, “Why do you look so fat?”, “You’re such a big fake”). How about the way you withhold all joy and validation from yourself until that fabled day when you’ve attained the perfect weight, the perfect amount of money, the perfect purpose, the perfect mate, etc.? This is the way you treat the only person who’s been in your life since your first breath and guaranteed to be with you until your last?!

If you yearn to be accepted and loved by those in your life but that’s not happening as deeply and satisfyingly as you crave, you need to consider two things:

1)    The way you love yourself models how others should love you. If you’re not connecting, cherishing, or showing true affection to yourself, don’t expect it to come from anywhere else.

 

2)    When you haven’t learned to accept and love yourself, it doesn’t matter how much others try to love you, you will never quite believe them and that love will never seem like enough.

Of course like any relationship, learning to accept and deeply love yourself takes commitment and time (it’s a huge part of what I work on with folks in my 6-Week Soul Coaching Program), but as Valentine’s Day approaches I want you to at least start flirting with the idea. ; ) It begins with stopping and listening when your body is calling out for attention, being kinder with yourself about where you actually are right now versus where you should be, and more often celebrating the uniqueness of you.

So in that vein, I lovingly offer you some simple and practical ways to get this love affair with yourself off the ground…

“Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers, plant and harvest your own garden…”
- Unknown

5 Tools for Cultivating Self-love

1. Date with Self – A love affair begins with courting. So, schedule in an afternoon or evening to go out and consciously be with your own company. Be sure to get gussied up for yourself… Women, wear something that makes you feel really good and put on your favourite perfume. Men, shave and pull out your best boxers. Take yourself somewhere you’ve been longing to go – that charming café you keep passing, that movie no one but you seems to be dying to see, an art gallery, sky-diving…. Treat yourself to a decadent snack or buy some luscious flowers for yourself. Be on the lookout for experiences that will make you feel pampered and appreciated.

2. Mirror, Mirror – After reading this Inspire-letter, I want you to go look at yourself in the mirror and do something other than pick yourself apart. In fact, I want you to look deeply in your eyes and regard that person in the mirror with the same compassion and acceptance you would give a beloved friend or family member who needed your love. Then, I want you to begin telling yourself some of the things you’ve been longing to hear from others in your life. It may feel really awkward and artificial at first, but try and pull every word you say from your heart and gut.  You could start with easier stuff like: “You know…you actually have a really nice smile” or “Hey Buddy – I’m proud of you for trying something new…that takes a lot of guts”.  As you get more comfortable, you could try things like: “I saw how kind you were to that person today…I really love you for that” or “I know you’re really hurting, Sweetheart…just breathe out and relax. I’ll never leave you.” I recommend trying a minute a day of mirror work for a week. Try not to think of Stuart Smalley. ; )

3. Self-Haters be Gone! – Make a list of all the things you’re constantly assaulting yourself over – ie. my nose is ugly, I’m always so poor, I’m not a good dad/daughter/husband/etc, I don’t have enough muscle, I haven’t changed the world, I’m too uptight, I can’t hang onto a mate, I’m a terrible speller. Look at the paper and consider all the crap you endlessly throw at yourself…you wouldn’t talk to your worst enemy like that!!  I’ll also bet that a lot of the things on this list are just plain not true or are a result of situations beyond your control. Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to grow beyond these limits, but nobody can grow when they’re constantly being beat up. Start protecting yourself from this hateful behaviour… With great gusto, destroy that piece of paper (rip it up, burn it, stomp it) with the same ferocity as if somebody had written this nasty list about your own child. Tell yourself there’s no room for this kind of hate here!

4. Love Song for One – I spent the first part of my life listening to love songs envisioning my future soulmate singing them to me or me singing them to him. Now some of the favourite love songs on my playlist are ones I regard as an ode to myself.  When I hear Erasure’s “A Little Respect” and the line “Soul, I hear you calling. Oh baby please give a little respect to me.” I imagine my precious little soul pleading to me to be kinder to it. So, reclaim a romantic song for your relationship with yourself  – anything from Pete Townsend’s “Let My Love Open the Door” to Beyonce’s “Halo” to The Cure’s “Friday I’m in Love with You” – and get ready to swoon.

5. “Why I’m So Damn Lovable” List – On a nice big clean sheet of paper, start making a list of all the things – big or small, grand or quirky – that are unique and awesome about you. Things like: “I ran my own company at 25”, “I look good in hats”, “I helped nurse that pigeon back to health”, “I can hold my breath for a minute and a half”, “I went to a foreign country with no money and no plan”. Try to come up with 100… Oh come on, you can do it!  Have that list handy to pull out and read whenever you start losing sight of why exactly you’re so damn lovable.

In case you haven’t guessed it by now…YOU are the soulmate you’ve been waiting for. Don’t make your precious self wait any longer.

Happy Valentine’s Day, my Dears!

A strange passion is moving in my head.
My heart has become a bird
Which searches the sky.
Every part of me goes in different directions.
Is it really so
That the one I love is everywhere?
- Rumi

Kimberly Carroll is a certified Soul Coach and a television host/producer whose popular 6-Week body/mind/spirit bootcamps have been transforming lives from the inside out. She’s been featured in the Globe and Mail, on Newstalk 1010, Flow 93.5, is a columnist for ANNA Magazine, and one of the authors of the award-winning anthology “Soul Whispers”. Through her coaching, speaking engagements, and workshops, Kimberly lovingly guides women and men in a wild journey to ignite their body, mind, heart, and spirit!  Her next 6-Week Soul Coaching Programs begin soon.  For about Kimberly, please visit www.soulcoaching.org.

 

 

 

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