Never Say Never

So…many of you who know me, either personally or from these posts, know that dessert (or sweets) is something I place high on my list of things I love and thought I could not do without.

Nomatter what diet or eating plan I have participated in over the years, I always included sugar as something I was “never” going to give up!

Well…never say never.  Several weeks ago I decided to start a new eating plan, one that I hope I will stick with the rest of my life.  It is plant based and does not include sugar.   This is the first time in my life that I have not had sugar every day.  The most interesting part?  I am OK without it!  This is huge for me as I never thought that was possible.  Will I ever have it again?  Maybe now and then, but I now don’t feel I need it to the extent that I did before.

What in your life do you feel that strongly about?  The thing you say you will “never” give up or “never” do?

What would be the benefit to you if you did let it go or try it?

When do you feel most alive?

This is one of the questions in my Journal of Possibilities and a very important one.  Aliveness is what you bring to any experience you have.

I thought I would take a moment to share some examples from my own life of what makes me feel most alive.

I feel most alive when my senses are heightened

This can include tasting and savoring every morsel of a delicious meal, taking in with my eyes a gorgeous garden or other natural scenic vista, enjoying the scent of fresh flowers, enjoying the feel of soft fabric on my skin, listening to the sounds of crickets and birds in my backyard and watching wildlife go about their daily routine.

I feel alive in my work when I am engaged with others.  When I am working with my clients one on one, delivering a seminar to a group of people eager to learn and having a deep conversation with likeminded colleagues.

I also feel most alive when I am playing.  Whether it’s laughing with my husband and friends, creating a painting or new space in my home, or traveling to a new place.

When do you feel most alive?

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Rejuvenate Your Passion

In a recent seminar of the same title, when I asked particpants what prompted them to be attracted to this topic, here is what they shared..

  • They are in dip
  • Wanting to be happier – more possibility
  • The word rejuvenate
  • No more excuses!
  • Job change with some fear
  • Wanting to better understand passion
  • Lost – feeling “should be happy” but something missing
  • Wanting different, better options for their life

Do any of these resonate for you?

In the seminar we talked about the difference between highs, contentment and dips.  We all go through cycles in our lives – from the dips in mood, energy and focus to feeling satisfied with what we have achieved, what we have and where we are t0 feeling excited, energized and driven.  All of these cycles are necessary.
  • The dips allow us time to reflect, renew and recharge – perhaps deciding where we want to go next.
  • The feeling of contentment allows us to appreciate what we have, who we are and what matters most.
  • The feeling of a high allows us to take action and forge ahead toward a new goal.

Too often, I believe we are chasing the high feeling like we are missing something “out there”.  What we wind up missing is the opportunity to take time to reflect, to be more present and to be excited about the whole journey.