OK, I know a 2.5 month hiatus from my blog is a bit crazy. And I don't really have a good excuse, like I was having extensive brain and finger surgeries. No, just the crazy wildness of life, the constant shift of priorities and just plain neglect. I hate to be the person who does not complete what she's started, but sometimes it happens. I hear so often how detrimental it is to have incompleteness in your life. I agree completely (no pun intended), yet I look around and can name too may unfinished items. There's the flooring piece I never ordered so that the flooring people could complete the job, there are the emails I needed to 'sit on' for a while, the hundreds of books I needed to read 'right away!', and of course my doctoral studies. Oh yeah, did I mention the book I'm writing??!!!

So, yes, the list is long. Hello dysfunction! Nearly everyday I discover some other facet of human-ness that is fairly non-functional. We all know we feel better when we complete projects, keep our word, and see commitments to the end. And yet we don't. I can get really bogged down in trying to figure out odd human behaviors. It is what I do. But the universal question of why did we evolve to so easily fall into habits/patterns/behaviors that clearly do not serve us remains unanswered.

I find great success in behavior modification with my clients, whether it's releasing ourselves from sugar addiction, learning to communicate with the challenging people in our lives or finding greater fulfillment in our endeavors. It's all about adopting a new mind-set and then taking action based on that clearer understanding. But, gosh, I would still like to know why it's so easy to adopt the not-so-great habits!! (And then, of course, why it's so easy to drop those good habits like hot coals.)

Having just returned from a fantastic weekend at Kripalu (kripalu.org), I do feel refreshed and able to take a stab at some items on my 'to-do' list that have been pushed down to the bottom for too long. I ended up spending a large part of the weekend in seated meditation, which brought so much clarity. I don't anticipate that I will ever live (or be satisfied with) an easy life. I like it a bit challenging with a good dose of crazy thrown in. I think it makes me better able to handle the issues of my clients. So, my job is to keep a handle on this rapidly boiling stew without burning myself.

When I find these moments of peace - in meditation, yoga practice, or just snuggling my daughter - it feeds me the energy I need to continue, but also helps to cut the haze so I can see what to do much more clearly. And sometimes that seeing means - "Get those half-done projects all done, sweety!! Stop putting off that hard decision or conversation." I know that things don't magically get done (or disappear) through ignoring them. But gosh, wouldn't it be nice...

The other insight I would like to share with you is the power of compassion, which can be used towards oneself as well as towards others. This means giving people (read: you) a break when you notice mistakes. It means approaching yourself with love and understanding about those things that bug you. Maybe even taking some time to investigate the root causes of resisting the actions that you know will have positive impact on your life. OK, sometimes tough love is needed, but that means something completely different than the barrage of insults we usually offer to ourselves. And love/compassion have this funny quality. When you start feeling either of them, they tend to expand. Which means the compassion you start to feel for yourself magically begins to envelope your loved ones (and not-so-loved ones). Soon, the energy of your own personal love factory touches all beings. Sounds like a big jump? Just try it. Think it's too hard or doesn't work? Call me...


By the way, if you're wondering how the rest of my cleanse went, by the second week I was rockin' and rollin'. I completed over 30 days, and felt great. I made a vow to do 1 week of cleansing every month this summer to maintain that juicy feeling. I would love to have some of you join me in the fall or next spring for the next cleanse group. I have to say everyone did really well, and are enjoying their light, happy summer bodies. 

Actually, formal cleanse not even necessary. I am available year-round for personal and small group coaching. It can make a huge difference. Really.