I’ll share a quick story from one of my successful . . . → Read More: Long lasting stress relief or just for now?]]> I would love to have the key to permanent stress relief – wouldn’t you? Something we could do or say or swallow! that would, once and for all, eliminate anxiety, worry, tension and stress. The truth is that relaxation, ease and clarity is a process.

I’ll share a quick story from one of my successful business coaching clients this week: she set an intention a few weeks ago to rearrange her schedule to allow for a day of visioning, planning and writing. This was motivated by feeling overwhelmed by her schedule and a desire for more energy, joy and creativity. This past week she enjoyed her first full day of planning and writing and has the outline of her book already written! She is on cloud nine – renewed energy, joy and creativity is flowing like crazy.

Here’s what she accomplished:
She became willing to refer some of her smaller clients to another source.
She contemplated moving a large client to a different day and they actually came to her and requested a different day of the week. TaDa!
She honored her word to herself to take the day for creativity each week.

Here’s how you can take inspired action to reduce your stress and open to greater relaxation, ease and clarity:

1. Take a good honest look at where you are putting your focus.
2. Be willing to make a change and allow space in your schedule for rest and creativity.
3. Keep your word to yourself and allow the energy to flow through you with ease and gratitude for all of the blessings in your life.

Stay tuned for more suggestions for reducing stress and increasing your abundant flow.

Much love, Becca

On retreat this powerful question kept coming to me: DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR DREAMS?

Last night I dreamed I visited my friend at her house and when I went to the . . . → Read More: Do You Remember Your Dreams?]]> I just returned from a wonderful and relaxing yoga weekend at The Expanding Light at Ananda in Nevada City, California. Here’s all us crazy goils in the garden:

On retreat this powerful question kept coming to me:

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR DREAMS?

Last night I dreamed I visited my friend at her house and when I went to the bathroom there was a huge spider web staking a claim over the toilet! I left and went into the bedroom and saw out the window a gigantic tree full of birds, squirrels, skunks and raccoons – one of whom came into the window and tried to bite me. I managed to hold the raccoons mouth closed and toss him back out the window. Whew! The dream went on and on and I remember every detail. Usually I don’t remember my dreams, so it was fun.

I’ve heard that you can ask to remember your dreams when you go to sleep, stay in the same position when you wake up and write down the dream you remember. All of those suggestions help. I’ve also learned from my yoga teachers that meditating right before bedtime can promote more restful sleep and smooth out daytime concerns bringing clarity and peace of mind.

INSPIRED ACTION: For a few minutes before bedtime, sit quietly, relaxing your body and mind. Focus on your breath, reviewing and releasing the day. Give thanks for all that has been accomplished and set an intention to sleep soundly and wake up rested and refreshed.

DREAMS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Another aspect of this question – do you remember your dreams? – is – do you remember your dreams for your business? Have you lost sight of your heart’s desires? Does your business express who you truly are or is the tail wagging the dog, so to speak?

Every day in meditation I ask for guidance about how I may best serve my clients and my community. I ask what do I need to remember to stay in alignment with my values, my purpose and my reason for being in business.

WHERE’S THE JUICE?

We all get caught up in the details, the doing, keeping up with the schedule, the finances, the decisions, the marketing, etc. When we loose sight of where the juice is in our business, we struggle, we get tired and grumpy! It’s no fun any more. Are you with me?

INSPIRED ACTION: Let’s play for a minute, OK? Think about what’s fun about your business – what do you most enjoy? Is it the planning, the designing, the meeting with clients, or the putting the money in the bank? How can you have more fun and delegate or streamline the bits that aren’t so juicy for you? Make one small change this week in how you operate and let me know how it goes.

With love & blessings, Becca

You too can be this relaxed – here’s Sophia – my relaxation teacher

In the February issue of Yoga Journal www.yogajournal.com I found the best description of why yoga and meditation practice leaves us feeling so good in an article by Rod Stryker:

“Yoga activates your parasympathetic nervous system, thanks to two elements that almost . . . → Read More: Give yourself permission to relax …]]>

You too can be this relaxed – here’s Sophia – my relaxation teacher

In the February issue of Yoga Journal www.yogajournal.com I found the best description of why yoga and meditation practice leaves us feeling so good in an article by Rod Stryker:

“Yoga activates your parasympathetic nervous system, thanks to two elements that almost all asana practices have in common – the lengthening and strengthening of musculature and calm, even breathing.

The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of your nervous system that slows you down – it’s responsible for telling your muscles to relax, improving digestion and assimiation, boosting immunity, and helping you sleep better.

It also counteracts many stress-related symptoms and the negative by-products of our modern, fast-paced, high-output lives.”

Wow! And Rod shares that not just any yoga practice does this well. We need to do poses that encourage deep relaxation, hold poses longer as we do in restorative yoga and practice slow and deep breathing. I’m encouraged that our more gentle Ananda practice is especially helpful and healthful for reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

Most of my students find that they are able to let go and relax during class or when on retreat, but not when they are at home and moving through their regular routine. Here is my suggestion for you to be able to access some of the relaxation more often.

First of all – give yourself permission. I’m not kidding. We all operate in zoom mode, never feeling caught up or able let go of all that is on our “To Do” list. Schedule a yoga or meditation class regularly, not just as an indulgence. Go for a walk, breathe in the magnificent Spring air, beautiful and vibrant life – go outside!

When was the last time you really relaxed?

When you can’t remember the last time you had vacation – schedule time off! Right now, get out your calendar and schedule at least a full day of goofing off. Remember goofing off? No plans, no obligations, wandering, puttering, falling asleep in the middle of the day with a good book on your chest. Ahhhhh… Better yet schedule several days off and get away. Unplug. With limited vacation funds this year, we are house sitting for friends while they are on vacation, so we can get away and enjoy a lovely home that isn’t ours and where I don’t work.

Remember that activites that lengthen and strengthen your muscles (doesn’t have to be yoga you know – walking, swimming, biking and gardening works too), along with calm even breathing, calms down your parasympathetic nervous system that slows you down, helping you sleep better, feel less anxious, more rested and joyful.

May you give yourself permission to relax today.

With love & many blessings, Becca

Spring means warmer weather and lots of rain for the Napa Valley. The roses and iris are bursting forth, the vines have sprouted the first buds and I don’t know about you, but I’m itchin’ to clean out some piles and clutter . . . → Read More: Spring has sprung!]]>
Happy Spring to you – Give yourself an A!

Spring means warmer weather and lots of rain for the Napa Valley. The roses and iris are bursting forth, the vines have sprouted the first buds and I don’t know about you, but I’m itchin’ to clean out some piles and clutter in my home office. Don’t even ask me about the masses of emails!

Professional Organizer, Nancy Lochmann just visited me for a consultation and gave me some wonderful information about organizing my copious emails, contacts and paperwork. If you are looking for some expert assistance with your stuff, I thought you might like to meet Nancy.

Oh, and the story about “Give Yourself an A” is from The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander. Ben gave his music students an “A” at the beginning of each class and asked them to write a letter describing how they earned their A, placing themselves in the future, looking back to report on their accomplishments and the insights they acquired during the year. “I am especially interested in the person you will have become. I am interested in the attitude, feelings, and worldview of that person who will have done all that she wished to do or become everything he wanted to be.” I was so moved by this story and the shift that it brought in the students confidence and learning. So give yourself an A today and write about how you are BEING from this place of accomplishment.

Becca’s interview with Nancy Lochmann from Simple Organized Solutions in Napa

Becca: Hi Nancy, please tell us what you are passionate about.

Nancy: For 35 years I have been in the business of managing and organizing hotels and that passion for getting things in order inspired me to start Simple Organized Solutions.

I work with corporations, small businesses and folks with home offices…anyone who wants to get out from under the piles on their desk and reduce their stress.

Becca: As you know, Nancy, I’m all about reducing people’s stress. Who is your ideal client?

Nancy: I just had the opportunity to work with a large office of architects and superintendents. I assessed each person’s needs, helped them clarify how their work flow affects their paper and information flow, and brought them greater efficiency and ease with their paperwork and processes. It was a lot of fun and it felt good to help people make small changes for big rewards.

Becca: Share with us a bit about how our stuff takes up so much energy in our lives.

Nancy: People have too much stuff! We don’t have room for all of it, it just accumulates and we don’t know how to get rid of it. I help people sort through their stuff. I ask a lot of questions about how they use what they have, if it’s even useful to meet their business goals.

Nancy: Call 707-944-0142, email: nlochmann@simpleorganizedsolutions.com
Or visit www.simpleorganizedsolutions.com

And the initial consultation is free!!

May you enjoy less clutter and feel the big release of energy from lightening your load of stuff.

With love & blessings, Becca

I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud

I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o`er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of . . . → Read More: How Are Your Sharing Love Today?]]>

I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o`er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

by William Wordsworth

HOW ARE YOU SHARING LOVE TODAY?

Whether you are sharing your love with your beloved partner, your grandchildren, your friends or your pet, opening to expressing love and receiving love is the where the juice is in life. Right now I`m loving the first daffodils blooming in my garden. They lift my spirits and make me happy and I love photographing them and sharing the images.

Bringing More Love Into Your Life - Try this Buddhist meditation practiced called Metta or Lovingkindness meditation and remember to open to self-love as well as loving others. The traditional practice uses a series of phrases directed to yourself, someone you find inspiring, or to whom you feel grateful. Next, move on to a beloved friend, then to someone you may have difficulty with. Finally, we move on to offer metta to all beings everywhere. This is a powerful practice of forgiveness and letting go. My favorite way to practice is with the following phrases repeated silently or sung as a chant:

May I be filled with loving kindness, may I be well. May I be peaceful and at ease and may I be happy. May you be filled with loving kindness, may you be well. May you be peaceful and at ease and may you be happy. May we be filled with loving kindness, may we be well. May we be peaceful and at ease and may we be happy.

The benefits of loving kindness are that you sleep well while enjoying pleasant dreams and awaken easily. Please love you and celestial beings love and protect you. You are safe from external dangers. Your face is radiant and your mind serene. You will be unconfused at the moment of death and take rebirth in the higher, happier realms. All that, and I venture to point out that you may also feel more loving to yourself and others, always a lovely experience.

May you open to a greater experience of love today and always.

With love & blessings, Becca

    I’ve just returned from an amazing Dream Day with Marcia Weider, America’s Dream Coach.  Marcia is based in San Francisco and speaks and teaches all over the world.  This was a special day to celebrate her birthday – . . . → Read More: What’s your dream?]]> “It’s more powerful to move toward what you want than away from what you don’t want.”    Marcia Weider

    I’ve just returned from an amazing Dream Day with Marcia Weider, America’s Dream Coach.  Marcia is based in San Francisco and speaks and teaches all over the world.  This was a special day to celebrate her birthday – Happy Birthday Marcia! – and to share her excitement with 70 fortunate folks as she has deepened her personal practice and begun to paint.

• Finding Your Dream
• Believing in Your Dreams
• Accessing Your Power
• Going Back to Basics
• Becoming A Dreamer
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• Taking Time
• Living a Rich Life
• 100 Ways to Make Life Easier
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