I am currently working my way through the book The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. One of the exercises is to take yourself on an artists date- by yourself. Today I took myself to the Hilton Waikoloa to steam, sauna and check out the Buddha collection.
Following are my Buddha self-portraits.
A Rant/Chant that I wrote using acronyms about one aspect of the global economic situation- the inequity. Performed live for the first time at the Kava Kafe in downtown Hawi, North Kohala, Big Island of Hawaiii.
Bite the bullet Take the Pain Bite the bullet Take the pain
Move over people American Interests are coming through
Because you’re an LDC with no GDP
Aspiring to have new Mickey D’s
The IMF’s got you by the nuts
While the people clamor for the newest laptops
You’re goin’ 24/7 in your factories
Foreign workers slaving for their families
On their backs you crawl to the top of the heap
With your golden parachute you take the leap
Bite the bullet Take the Pain Bite the bullet Take the pain
I don’t like the size of my 401-K
So you people must suffer cultural decay
For a PDA with an LCD and a single soy mocha chi iced tea
Bite the bullet Take the Pain Bite the bullet Take the pain
And the WHO’s not worried about the GMO’s
There’s all in bed with the WTO’s
Trapped in the greed steady on the track
Of an all out full scale nuclear attack
Bite the bullet Take the Pain Bite the bullet Take the pain
Glossary
LDC: Lesser Developed Country
GDP: Gross Domestic Product
IMF: International Monetary Fund
PDA: Personal Desk Assistant
LCD: Liquid crystal display
WHO: World Health Organization
GMO: Genetically Modified Organism
WTO: World trade organization
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Charles Darwin
In coaching we use the term “extreme self-care”. I love this concept because it reminds me that I can take some special time to love and take care of myself, and that I have permission to do so. Who do I need to get permission from? That total slave driver that runs my life… Me!
I love when extreme self-care is assigned to me as homework in a class or by my coach- then I really get it done! It is crazy that I need to have this become something on my to do list before I do it- but there it is!
I need to take time to take extra special care of myself, because sometimes I abuse myself. When I get out of balance- I go too long without eating, stay up way too late at night checking email, blow off exercise…need I go on? Sound familiar?
Just thinking about extreme self care helps me to remember to be kinder to myself. Eyes starting to cross in front of the computer? Just take a break- walk outside. Tempted to catch up on email in the morning instead of meditating or exercise? Put on the running shoes instead. Need to pee, but you don’t want to get up from in front of the computer? Please… just go. Be kind to yourself!
Perhaps all of the above could be categorized into normal self-care. Extreme Self-Care takes it to another level. Extreme Self-Care means taking some time to do something for yourself that makes you feel GREAT. Totally Yummy. It feels like you are really loving yourself.
If you need to further justify doing something for yourself, remember that the other people in your life bask in your happy glow when you feel great about yourself.
Loving Yourself: Your Valentine’s Extreme Self-Care Assignment
I am giving you homework!
Answer these questions for yourself:
Have fun! Report back by leaving a comment here!
Well, it is the New Year again. Unless you have become so frustrated with your inability to keep your New Year’s resolutions, you are most likely vowing at this moment how you are going to lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking, get a new job, make more money, spend more time with the kids, keep up with email, etc. At this time of the year people are very clear about their good intentions, but often fall short in six months or so due to a lack of planning. 
A LifeVision workshop on the Big Island on January 30 – February 1, 2009, is using art, movement, visioning and goal setting to help women create long term plans to achieve success in all areas of their lives. LifeVision is designed to support people in creating a whole life plan for their future. It is especially powerful for people who are facing or want to effect major changes in their personal lives or professional careers. LifeVision is a whole life planning tool for personal and professional planning. The LifeVision program was developed by Shelly Anderson of Envision and is being taught in Hawaii by Andrea Dean and Rebecca Lux Parks.
“I was first introduced to LifeVision while training as a Life & Business Coach. As someone with experience in business planning, I really liked the more holistic idea of life planning and life visioning”, says Dean, “We all have aspirations in different areas of our lives- business, artistic, physical, spiritual – and the LifeVision program takes this all into account. The program itself is very multi-disciplinary- using art, creative visualization, story boarding, and meditation. And we have added movement.”
LifeVision participants have included seasoned professionals contemplating a career move, first time entrepreneurs on the verge of launching a new product or service, working parents and stay-at-home moms taking stock of their lives and re-focusing on their goals for the future, and individuals who have lost sight of what is important to them.
The LifeVision program includes five modules: My Historical Landscape, My Purpose Framework, Growing My Hopes and Dreams, My Vision, and Go Get It. Each module is designed to engage multiple senses, LifeVision is not a “sit down and listen” workshop. Participants will engage in silent reflection, creative visualizations, verbal discussions, creating collages and movement.
Co-facilitator Rebecca Parks helps people to tune into their body’s wisdom as well as to have fun and experience joy in movement. “I love to facilitate people learning from themselves, helping to gather information and inspiration by bringing attention, awareness and inquiry to our bodies. I believe that our body, mind, spirit, emotions and life are inseparable. The way I move in and through my body is a metaphor for how I move through my life. The exploration of our body-mind connection through breath, movement and open attention to sensations creates the opportunity to renegotiate holding patterns. We can realign ourselves to be more present as we move into the future.”
Taking stock, visioning, re-prioritizing and goal setting are all part of the LifeVision process. People who complete the workshop will have a clear vision of where they are going, how they will get there, and why they are heading in that direction.
LifeVision Weekend Workshop: A purpose-driven sleepover party for women!
Workshop Dates: Friday, January 30, 2009 —Sunday, February 1, 2009.
Location: The beautiful Halawa House, a New Moon Foundation property in North Kohala.
Cost: $495 + $35 for participant workbook. Workshop fee includes workshop, food and lodging (shared rooms) and both a pre & post workshop conference calls.
Registration and Information: http://www.coachandreadean.com/lifevision or call Rebecca Parks at 889-6276.
Facilitated by Andrea Dean & Rebecca Lux Parks, sponsored by the New Moon Foundation.
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