Thursday, October 1, 2009

STOP WORK NOTICE!!!!


A few weeks ago, I was awakened by the sounds of construction equipment. Now, unlike my 8 year old son, Max, I am not a huge fan of construction. I always feel like the noise is intrusive and annoying. The moving of earth and rocks offends me. I find myself becoming protective and territorial when I see the landscape being altered. So, my reaction to a backhoe (or whatever it is called) in the vacant lot adjoining our property was not pretty. Plus, I hadn't had any coffee yet - it wasn't even 7am. Who on earth would wage war on the land before 7am??? No doubt, there was something sinister going on.


I was in full warrior mode by 7:30am. My heart was racing, my body temperature rising, and I was on a mission to save the world, or at least our stream! It turns out that the "work" was being done on the natural stream that runs through our yard and then continues through the vacant lot.


We LOVE our stream. Originally, it was just a (poor) substitute for Horsehead Bay, where we used to live. I was known to say, sadly, "Well, at least we still have some water to look at." But the stream has become our pride and joy. It runs year round, houses crayfish (OK, we have actually only found one), and changes by the day. Sometimes it looks like a flash flood zone and other times it gently trickles, but it is always there! And there is something absolutely amazing about running water.


So, with some direction from my brother--in-law (a surveyor and environmental enthusiast) I grabbed my clipboard (a woman should always have a clipboard - it works well as both a shield and note-taking device). I piled the kids in the car and drove down to the lot. Long story short, I confronted the workers demanded to see a permit, threatened to call the sheriff, discovered our neighbors were the culprits and ended up walking away more confused then I arrived. Now what?


I spent the day anxious, stressed and physically sick. I was deeply troubled by the injustice of it all. I was angry that the neighbors had not consulted the Dept. of Ecology or at the very least, us. I was, what you could call, WORKED UP.


Being angry is WORK. A lot of work. It can sometimes propel you to take action (when harnessed) and sometimes it can paralyze you. I made some calls, but mostly I was seething. For days I could not release my anger.


Then, a week after I called the Dept. of Ecology my husband noticed a sign on the property, but we could not tell what it said. I, of course, had to get in my car and drive down there. I didn't bring the clipboard this time. There, staring at me from a small wooden stake was a pink piece of paper that said "STOP WORK NOW NOTICE." As I drove home I realized that the sign was for me. After all, the work on clearing out the tiny stream and building a HUGE rock wall alongside it, had been completed several days earlier. Even after the last boulder was placed and the sad layer of hay was sprinkled over the scarred ground I was still WORKED UP.


The Stop Work Notice was a message for me. It was like someone was saying to me, "OK, enough now. You don't have to work on this anymore. You can let it go." Only then did I realize that I could have consolidated all my "work" just like they did with the "stream remodel." The amount of time you hold onto something doesn't determine its importance to you, it only determines how much the issue is controlling YOU.


So... what issues do you have that need a STOP WORK NOW notice? Are you taking action to make changes or just getting WORKED UP? When you have taken the action you need to take, you have been given a STOP WORK NOW notice. You can release it. I (almost) have!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

One Small Step...

OK, I was going to give this blah blah blah blog a cute title about the "journey of a thousand miles..." but when I realized Confucius said it and then further realized that I hate the word journey, I decided to use another frequent flyer in the quote world instead - "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." (Neil Armstrong)

As I lay in bed tonight, OK tossed in bed tonight, I kept thinking that in order to take action you really only have to do one small thing. Infinitesimal. Itty Bitty. Once you do that thing - whatever it is - you are no longer where you were. You are out of inertia and moving. Even if it is at a turtle's pace, you are still moving. In fact, Martha Beck calls these mini movements turtle steps. And you know the story about the Turtle and the Hare, right?
So, that damn Confucius was onto something.

Where are you trying to go?
What are you hoping to achieve?
What do you want more (or less) of in your life?

Having a sense of your destination can be helpful, but even if you don't know exactly where you are going you can move in the direction of your dreams by taking one small step. The cool thing about these little moves is that you can adjust your direction easily if you discover it wasn't actually where you wanted to go. The other cool thing? They are a piece of cake and, dare I say, FUN!
My small step this week was to update my blog. After all, the journey of a thousand thoughts begins with just one word. Which is why I got up at 3am and decided to type a few of those words. Turtle Steps.

Do want more joy? What is one small thing that will bring you more joy this week?
I am going to laugh more with my family.

Do you want to be healthier? What is one thing (tiny!) that will create more wellness in your life? I am going to enjoy the fresh fruits and vegetables of summer every day!

Do you want less stress? What is one itty-bitty mini-movement you can take to create more peace?
I am going to remind myself to be present.

Share YOUR small steps.
Everyone who comments on this post goes into a drawing for a 30 minute one-on-one coaching session on Turtle Steps. I know - it is a shameless way to encourage comments, but I don't care!

Confucius always makes me think of fortune cookies. I like to add "in bed" to the end of all my fortunes. So, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step... in bed." Good night everyone!
xoHannah

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Mowing the lawn...

I thought I would do something really nice and mow the lawn today so my husband could have a relaxing afternoon when he got home from work. I haven't done it in about two years and since then we have a new lawn mower (and a new HUGE yard!)- a self propelled lawn mower!!

I was shocked when I started mowing and the thing nearly dragged me across the grass. I confess, it took a long time to figure out how to make the self-propelled energy work to my advantage. I found myself struggling to gain control of the lawn mower and on more than one occasion some "flowery" language escaped my lips. This machine that was supposed to make my life easier and work for me, was definitely pissing me off!

As I was finishing the last section (it is a big yard so I had lots of time to ponder and sweat) I found myself seeing a connection between the lawn mower and life. I am sure you knew where this was going when you started reading, so quit rolling your eyes already!

Life is self propelled. I am not saying we don't play a role in its course, but really if we do it right we get to follow its lead and it is way easier than struggling to gain control. In fact, I think it is designed that way and once we learn how it operates it is a beautiful thing. Now, I am not suggesting that we shouldn't actively participate in our own lives, I am just sayin' maybe we could relax a little and allow life to propel us forward instead of always struggling to maneuver it.

Here is what I discovered:
  • A self-propelled lawn mower wants you to follow and gently guide it, not force it into tight corners.
  • If you do find yourself in a tight corner, release the "gas" or you may land head first in the blackberry bushes!
  • If the mower is headed in a certain direction and you try to change it without slowing down it will literally dig its cute little wheels into the grass and create a lovely gash in your perfect lawn!
  • Allowing the mower to do the work is much easier than fighting it for control.

Let your life unfold. Don't force it, don't push it with all your strength. Listen to it, feel its power and then be willing to walk with it in the direction it propels you. Don't mistake this for living passively... it is anything but passive. Consider it being actively intuitive.

Here is to a self-propelled life!

xoxoxoHannah

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Reorganizing & Getting Rid of the Excess!

The Trek Continues….

Unpacking My Backpack!

Even though I haven’t necessarily had a clear destination in mind I have been lugging around a heavy backpack (my weight and all the issues that surround it) for a very long time. I have just assumed that I needed everything in there, and in a way I have. Each of the items served its own unique purpose and fulfilled some need, but now that I am headed in a different direction I definitely need to “lighten the load!” and get rid of the things that no longer serve me.

In case you haven’t noticed, I am BIG on metaphors!! I believe that metaphors allow us to take a pretty HEAVY situation and look at it without the same attachment we get when using “normal” words and description. So, in case you haven’t made the connections yet – the “trek” is that unbeaten path I am embarking on to live a lighter life – physically and mentally. The Backpack is representative of the weight I have been carrying around and the contents of the pack are all the things, feelings, hang-ups, and “stuff” that are making my backpack cumbersome and contributing to me being ill-prepared for this trek.

So, first things first – re-organize the pack!

Unpacking has been quite a task. No doubt I will find hidden pockets with additional things tucked away in them throughout my trek. Here are some of the interesting things I found, both hiding and in plain sight, in my backpack:

Ankle weights – really, are these necessary when backpacking? These are all the reasons (stories I told myself) why I didn’t think I had the stamina or willpower to change my life. I think I will ditch these for some good hiking boots…

Ear plugs – for those loud nights in the wilderness?? These were quite useful in tuning out my body. I think I will leave them behind too… it is amazing what you can hear when there is nothing to listen to but yourself.

Rolodex – huh!? I am sure I will not need that where I am headed! This is my old “everybody,” the people who I thought were important. I hadn’t talked to some of them in years…. others I had never even met, and even more amazing, some of them I really didn’t like at all! Imagine that!? Truly significant people aren’t in a rolodex! I will definitely be packing a new “everybody.”

Hairdryer – not a good use of space. This unnecessary appliance is a good example of packing things we think will be useful, but turn out to just be extra weight! This represents the unhelpful and useless thoughts I have including, “I hate my body,” “what is wrong with me?” and even “If I could lose weight everything else would be better.” These are nothing but a waste of good space. I am ditching the hairdryer for a more constructive tool!

Next time, I will begin to pack the bag. I am sure I will have to stop for supplies along the way. In the meantime, I invite you to consider what you are carrying around that isn’t serving you. It doesn’t matter where you are going; you probably have more baggage than is necessary.

Ask yourself the following questions to lighten your load:

What are the stories you tell yourself that weigh you down like ankle weights?
(Ex: “I am not worth it.” “I can’t succeed.” “No one loves me.” “I must be perfect.” etc.)

Are you really listening to your body or are you wearing ear plugs to tune out its messages? Notice what you feel and when you feel it. When we become numb to our emotions our bodies continue to send messages to us… take some time to listen. You may hear something that will change your life!

Who are the people you consider important? Is it time to create a new rolodex? If any of the people who make up your “everybody” are hurtful rather than helpful they should be replaced. You are beautiful, intelligent and creative and you believed this until somebody (your “everybody”) taught you otherwise. Replace your limiting “everybody” with those who see you as you really are.

Finally, what unhelpful comments or thoughts are you repeating to yourself? They don’t help! They take up space – and space is limited! Putting yourself down and beating yourself up are not going to inspire or motivate you. Instead, they will weigh you down and trip you up. Are you willing to get rid of one unhelpful thought?

If you are interested in individual or group coaching please contact me at spasister@comcast.net or 253-514-6197.

Until next time,
xoxoHannah

Thursday, May 21, 2009

My Trek to JOY and a LIGHTER life!

Welcome to the first leg of my trek!

Well, actually I haven't started the TREK just yet, I am still in the planning and preparing stages. My experience (camping trips without the propane, car trips without the map, hikes without the water) tells me that preparing is the most important part of the trip!

Before I share my preparations let me answer a few questions all five of you are dying to know the answers to!



1) Where are you going? I am going to a peaceful place where there is lots of joy to be had. In this place I am lighter - both literally and figuratively. One could call this my weight loss voyage, but I will try not to get too caught up in the weight loss part of it, because it really is SO MUCH MORE! Or at least I hope it is!



2) Why a TREK and not a journey? I think "journey" is HIGHLY overused, especially by life coach types, so I decided to avoid the cliche! Plus, the synonyms for trek seemed wildly appropriate and included words like: ramble, climb, scramble, trudge, tramp and slog! I think I will be doing all of those things. Journey seems too pretty for what I am about to do.



3) Why should we read this blog and share it with others? I am hoping that through my vulnerability you will be able to find some common ground. We have all struggled with something. I figure if I share my trek with you (again, all five of you!) you will find some grain of hope and truth, something to laugh at, something to expect, or something to be inspired by. At the very least I want this to be my accountability. I have an audience to consider, after all. I wouldn't want my "trek" to end at the top of my driveway!



4) How long will this trek take? If only I knew!



Next step: Packing for my trek (oops! almost called it a journey!).

I have never back-packed so I thought I would give that a shot. I hear it is harder than hell and that's what this feels like, so it seems more appropriate than, say, flying! Plus, when I think of the extra weight I have been carrying it feels like I am carrying a backpack. It is heavy and cumbersome. So, the first thing I am going to do is reorganize my pack.

Tune in next time to see what I will be stowing in my backpack...



Pass this along to anyone who may enjoy it!

xxoo Hannah

Monday, March 23, 2009

Jumping in Feet First

Why Feet first, not head first???
Feet have more nerve endings than any other part of your body... so you FEEL things way more intensely on your feet than anywhere else!
As I jump into this blogging world... I am definitely feeling it - INTENSELY!

When you are feeling something intensely, the first thing to ask yourself is:
Where do I feel it?
The answers may surprise you... perhaps you feel it in your stomach (I do!), maybe you feel it in your chest, or simply in your pattern of breathing.
Next, you may ask:
What do I feel?
Is it anxious, scared, worried, overwhelmed? Maybe it is excited and full of energy.

Then...
JUST NOTICE!
You don't need to take any action at all! In fact, there is action in non-action. Just by noticing, you will be taking action in profound ways without making any major changes.

Here's to nerve endings and intense feelings!
Here's to finding your center!
xoHannah