| Relationship Tuneup
Susan Baker, Highlands Ranch, CO Facilitator
This month I want to talk to you about how you can transform any relationship by changing your focus. Whether the relationship is a romantic relationship, a friendship or a family relationship, there is immeasurable power in what you focus on about that relationship and what you focus on about the other person. If you change the focus you will change your feelings about the relationship. This can work in both a positive or negative direction.
Think about an example in your own life when maybe your relationship may not have been as positive as you wanted it to be. Maybe it is with your spouse and you are feeling resentful and not appreciated at the level you would like to be. Do you go around all day thinking about all the positive attributes of your spouse or do you ruminate on not just how resentful you are feeling but also all of the things they have done that you don’t like? Maybe it is just me but I have to share with you that I can work myself into quite a tizzy by focusing on my spouse’s lesser qualities! When I’m upset or hurt, I can easily convince myself that my “soul mate” has changed and we are certainly no longer meant for each other. Conversely, I can sit down for five minutes and journal about all of the many things I love about my spouse and how perfect we are for each other. Just this small act of channeling my energy toward positive thinking can change the way I feel about our relationship.
This is your relationship Tuneup for the month: Choose a relationship in your life that isn’t where you want it to be right now. Then sit down for five minutes and write down all the things you love about that person. For the next week take a few minutes to do an activity called flooding where you read all of the things you wrote about that person and/ or just sit and focus on all of the positive things about that person and all the positive attributes of your relationship with that person for five minutes. Sometimes after you read your list it helps to just close your eyes and visualize all of the positive things in your mind. Try this for a few days and see how it can transform your relationship!
Happy Loving!
Self Care Tuneup
Jane Ashley, Guilford, CT Facilitator
For the month of October, take a moment to stop and stand outside. Notice the changes in the color of the trees, the falling leaves, the sun in a different part of the sky. Notice the wind, the chill in the air, the chill on the tip of your nose. To pay attention to the changing seasons is vital, as it is a metaphor to paying attention to the changes in ourselves. It takes practice to slow down enough to notice. Use this exercise every day this month as a reminder to pay attention to and take care of the changing seasons occurring in your emotional, physical and spiritual self.
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Parenting Tuneup
Danielle Lansburgh, Miami, FL Facilitator
The Best Things in Life are Free!
There are few things that I can think of that are more precious and personal than a piece of art created by a child, especially, your own child!
Children love to create, paint, color, weave and design "masterpieces" which allows them to express themselves on a deep level.
Each year, my children and I choose our favorite works of art which they created and have them professionally framed to add to the decor of our home. We couldn't buy a more meaningful or beautiful work of art to display and my kids have gained a great sense of contribution and pride in adding to our interior design!
Try it, I bet you will love it and you will be grateful that you preserved the ever-changing reflection of your growing child.
Fashion Tuneup
Stephanie Jackson, Bainbridge Island, WA Facilitator
Beauty From the Inside Out!
There is more to beauty than meets the eye. It's a combination of many things that you can't always see, touch, or feel. Beauty can be that extra something you can't always put your finger on.
Beauty can be one's dynamic natural vibe that they give off, or the way in which they carry themselves. At the same time, one's outer look can be enough to make you lose your breath. My experience so far in life is when I feel good inside it shows on the outside. So when I take time to do some "Life Tuneups" like creating my vision boards, being mindful of my breathing & feelings, taking time to be present with my family and friends; it all gives me the feeling of connection with myself and others. In turn I feel centered and happy and just "glow" from the inside out!
Yes, I feel that trying to look one's best on the outside can give one an air of confidence to match it on the inside but when we are "true to who we are" we can't help looking beautiful INSIDE & OUT!
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