Does What We Wear Matter?

When I am meeting someone I take careful consideration to determine what to wear.  This includes shoes, jewelry, scarves, even which purse I will take. But does it matter?  I noticed recently that when I am at the LakeHouse I wear "whatever" Whatever is the most comfortable, Whatever is most convenient, Whatever is there.  My son loves a pair of sweat pants and his girlfriend calls them his "I don't care pants" These are his pants that don't leave much of an impression or maybe they leave a bad impression but are so comfortable they are worth it. 

“Why don’t I care about the impression I make everywhere I go and with everything I do?”

As I was contemplating this thought, I looked down at my wrists.  On my left wrist I have a beaded bracelet that is meant to provide properties for better health and a string bracelet with a tree on it to bring awareness to our environment. As my daughter would say my "hippy" side and on my right wrist l wear a tennis bracelet which I believe shows sophistication and a sense of elegance.  My wrists clearly represent the two people I am, just as my clothing choices do based upon my location. This makes me question are we all two sides of the same person and if so how do we connect the two most effectively?  How do we enjoy a sweat pants life with a diamond bracelet attitude or visa versa.  And if we do embrace the sweat pants life does the world take us seriously? And do we take ourselves seriously?

One thing I know for sure is that when I do dress up I feel more confident, more prepared and more willing to take on challenges. When I walk into a business and see the staff represent their company or product in an extremely casual manner I think whether it be consciously or subconsciously they do not care about what they are there to represent.  

So, overall I guess where I stand on the subject is that clothing and appearance do matter.  It doesn't have to be designer apparel but well thought out and considerate of the environment.  A neat appearance, hair done, clothing ironed, makeup fresh and accessories in place. Just as a man looks complete and is a step above with a pair slacks and dress shirt with cuff links and a woman with heals and the right jewelry for an outfit can lift her look to the next level. 

In the end, in my opinion no matter where you are in life shouldn't you try to put yourself forward in the best possible way if not for others, for yourself and the way you want to look, act and move about in the world.

So it appears I need to start changing my attire at the lake.  I'll still be in shorts but they will match my sweatshirt or t-shirt, they will be ironed and they won't be 20 years old.  

Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

Trees in the Lake

I had the privilege of celebrating Easter weekend with my family at Lake Hartwell.  While on the lake we discovered an area that I called a tree graveyard.  Out of the calm still waters, trees emerged. Probably underwater a safe haven for fish, although some fisherman were willing to navigate the dangerous area for a chance of a big catch. But as I looked out I saw danger for our boat, an area of land blocked off and evidence of a time past.  A time before the lake was formed and trees grew over the land.  A time when as God intended trees filled this place.  A time when people wouldn't think of these trees as danger but only God's beauty here on earth.  

Do you miss a time when things were simply beautiful as God intended?  Before the land of your mind and body was flooded with responsibilities, thoughts and memories that don't serve you well.  Or have you never felt true peace and seek an opportunity to cut down the trees that stick up through your desire for inner calm and tranquility.  I think we all have areas of drowned forests.  No matter how much water we try to fill these areas with, there will still be some sticks that poke through.  In my opinion this is what life coaching is about - navigating through the sticks and branches of life to find our peace, our calm, our tranquility.  All too often we allow the forests to invade the space instead of living with them. Instead of trying to find our way in life with the trees, knowing that they too make us the whole person we are.  And that they are God's beauty along with the calm waters. 

Take a moment to think about the trees and the waters in your life.  How do each of these areas coincide? How can you find your authentic, blissful self with both? What are you willing to do to continue to thrive?

Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

Living your True North

Each year a different type of event lands in Atlanta, GA and other cities around the country...it is called Wanderlust 108.  It is advertised as a Mindful Triathlon.  And I must agree.  A 5k run through Atlanta, then yoga and meditation in the park along with fun activities like OM Walking, Barre 3, Hula Hooping and Essential Oil classes.

I have had the opportunity to enjoy Wanderlust for the past two years. And plan on continuing to go for years to come.  But why is this Mindful Triathlon so popular,  not only with me but with people of all races, ages and ethnic backgrounds?  

“What is the attraction to a Mindful Triathlon?”

The word wanderlust defined is a strong desire to travel. So where are we traveling? If you listen and look around the festival you also see and hear the phrase "Finding Your True North" 

What does that mean?....

True North differs from magnetic north, which varies from place to place and over time due to local magnetic anomalies. A magnetic compass almost never shows true north. And finding true north is essential for accurate navigation.

In "The Blog" posted on August 10, 2015 by Bill George he writes: "True North is your orienting point - your fixed point in a spinning world - that helps you stay on track as a leader. It is derived from your most deeply held beliefs, values, and the principles you lead by. It is your internal compass, unique to you, representing who you are at your deepest level."

I love this quote and it explains why so many people would make the trek to Wanderlust 108. Putting together Wanderlust; the desire to travel and True North;  finding your fixed point unique to you,  equals an opportunity to travel through life toward your goals, desires and authentic self. It can be an opportunity to start to find your compass, a compass unique to you. An opportunity to use your body through yoga and running. An opportunity to connect with others who are looking for peace and good physical and mental health. And an opportunity to quiet the world if for only a moment. The question is, can you sustain this type of living beyond a festival? Living each day with purpose. 

With that thought in mind, I ask myself, where is my True North and where do I want to travel to find it either figuratively or literally, in mind &/or in body?  And I ask you to look deeper to find your True North.  Where do you need to go to feel passionate, alive and fully engaged? Are you already prepared with compass in hand or are you waiting? And if you are waiting, what are you waiting for? What is your personal mission statement and how can you move toward your True North with your own Wanderlust?

Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

www.gracefullivingcoach.com

gracefullivingcoach@gmail.com

Living Your Work

I was recently watching a sermon by pastor Louie Giglio of Passion City Church.  It's title is "Don't Waste Your Work"  I found the sermon to be inspiring from a work perspective.  I have shared his work life/spiritual principles here because I feel they are worthy of repeating. 

1. What More Can I Give?

2. What More Can I Learn?

3. How Can I Personally Advance the Organizational Mission?

4. How Can I Shine?

5. Who Can I Help?

6. Where Is My Reward?

How do these principles apply to your work life? Are you living with purpose not only at home but at work? If you lived these principles would you be happier each day when you arrive? I believe no matter what you do, you can be happy and find value in your work life.  But it all depends upon you and the attitude you bring to work.  So, why not try....why not take one month to work beyond even your own expectations.  See if you feel better overall.  

In the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" Anne Hathaway's character Andy is complaining that her boss played by Meryl Streep will never be satisfied with her work, that she never says thank you when she does something right and strikes her down viciously when she does something wrong.  Stanley Tucci's character Nigel asks Andy "are you really trying?" and follows up with the statement "you're not really trying."  If you've seen the movie up to this point you'd say he's insane she's working unbelievably hard.  But Andy has a lightbulb moment and realizes she may be working hard but she's not really applying her heart to her work.  She needs to change her mental approach and in this case her appearance.  Once done, everything changes.  

So...is it time to change your mental approach.  At the end of "The Devil Wears Prada" Andy recognizes that she is not being true to herself but I believe she also appreciates the lessons learned and from that point on she will always bring her heart to her work.

Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

Mindful Eating

French Toast recipe from "The Happy Herbivore" with lots and lots of delicious fruit and real maple syrup.  Mindful Eating couldn't be sweeter. 

The word Mindful seems to be everywhere I look.  What does it mean to be mindful.  I recently embarked on a journey of mindful eating.  And I am sad to say...it is harder than I imagined.  I had become accustom to eating in front of the TV or computer or a book or my phone. I never stopped to think about what I was eating, where it came from, the texture, flavor or smell.  Or even what feelings arose from the meal.  

Once on this journey I suddenly had to eat slowly, I had to take a bite without automatically loading up my fork for the next bite.  I had to notice the food and although I prepared it I still had to think where did this food begin, who picked it (as a Whole Food Plant Based Eater - almost all my food is picked), how did it get to my town, my store.  I also had to notice the textures of the food and the real flavors.  

Try an experiment.  Sit at your table with your favorite food and without any distractions. It could be an orange, a piece of chocolate or pasta and sauce.  Look at the food, notice the color, shape, size, visual texture.  Smell it - does the smell reveal something about the food or bring about a memory.  Put the food in your mouth and let it sit there. If it's chocolate it will begin to melt and fill your mouth with its flavor.  Then take your time to chew and wait a moment before you take the next bite.  Does doing this change the way you want to eat? Using all of our senses to enjoy each bite can be more profound than you would think.  Slowing down and appreciating the meal or snack and the people that help bring it to your table can be more than just an opportunity to be mindful it can be an opportunity to be peaceful, appreciative and more satisfied inside and out.  

“Mindful Min(d)fel: adjective Conscious or aware of something.”

Using your Senses...

In last weeks blog I talked about Living. I wrote about my excitement and fear of running in a 1/2 marathon.

Surprisingly, I was not nervous when I woke up on Sunday morning the day of the race or as we headed over to the venue.  

6:40 a.m. just before the start of the 1/2 marathon

I was prepared with my headphones charged, my music list set up just the way I wanted it, my knee brace secure and a hat and long sleeve shirt in preparation for the cold start and the sun that would come later in the morning. But of all these things the most important to me was the music. I run with music and take great care to select my play list but this time God or Karma or just Life had a different plan for me.  Just as I stepped over the start line my music stopped. For the next 2 hours and 53 minutes it was just me.  Counting my steps, hearing them as they hit the pavement noticing the water and the sunrise as we crossed the bridge, seeing the people around me and hearing the kind people who came out of their homes to cheer us on. I paid attention to the houses with some gorgeous gardens, the families walking in the park and the amazing trees that have stood stately for more years than I could imagine.  

3 Hours Later....

There are times when distractions are necessary and I was hoping for some distractions at mile 7 and mile 10 but what I learned on Sunday is that when you have an opportunity to let the outside in and to open yourself up to all of your senses, to hear your feet hit the pavement, you need to do it.  This became clear to me when I saw the pictures taken during the race.  In almost every picture I had a smile on my face.  I was in the moment and loving every minute of it. Because sometimes, maybe even most times the real race isn't the one you're running but the race you're having within yourself.  The constant thoughts bombarding your mind, the inability to see, hear, taste, smell and feel anything around you because you're too busy to notice it.

Stop for an hour - really stop and enjoy the world around you.  I promise you won't regret it and you may just feel like you won the race.  

Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

“In some respects, progressing through life is like running a marathon.
”

— Joseph B. Wirthlin

Paul P. Dooley, Sr.

Dad & I - March 1980

My father died over 30 years ago at the age of 50 from lung cancer, most likely brought on by years of smoking and stress. My mother is an active 80 year old. Her mother and brothers both had heart disease and her dad had horrific asthma.  I have asthma but haven't had an attack in many years, I was a smoker, but haven't had a cigarette in over 20 years and will note that I still miss it. (So, my advise to anyone considering lighting up a cigarette DON'T - you will never regret not smoking but you will regret smoking) And if you've read my bio you know that I have heart disease.  With all of that said, this Sunday I will be running in the First Watch Sarasota 1/2 marathon.  13.1 miles in beautiful Florida.  This will not be my first 1/2 marathon I've run in Arizona, Florida and Georgia but it will most likely be the last one I do.  You see it is a right of passage.  My brothers each ran a 1/2 marathon to acknowledge their 50th birthday and now it's my turn.  We are acknowledging our lives - lives that have lived passed my Dad whose life was cut short just when he was planning on living it.  He was excited to be planning a trip to Europe.  He even bought a beret.  And if you saw this 6'3" large framed thin strong willed man you would never, absolutely NEVER imagine him in a beret.   But sadly before he was able to see Paris and experience the excitement of travel he was struck down with cancer and only 3 months later his battle with cancer was over. 

Dad's Beret

Recently while I was training for the 1/2 marathon the song "Space Odyssey" by David Bowie came on.  This song was also featured in the movie "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" The movie shows us  that adventure is right there, ready for us to grab.  Life is just there, ready for us. But often times, we just don't live it.  We stay in our cocoon, day dreaming about what we will do "someday".  

I am fearful about running on Sunday.  Fearful, I won't finish.  Fearful, of another heart attack.  But when I think about it - a year and a half ago I was fearful to even step on a treadmill. And here I am.  So, will I let fear run my life. Or will I live, knowing that I am happy and that life is beyond the four walls of my home.  I want to know the joy of crossing the finish line.  Yes, I will feel tired and sore.  My legs will ache and my knee may throb.  But, the one thing I know for sure is that I will be living and it only takes putting one foot in front of the other. Now I talk a big talk about overcoming fear and living life, but one thing I will tell you is that you will never see me on a rollercoaster. There are some things not worth overcoming your fear. 

With all that said, join me on Sunday.  What do you want to do to start living? Open your mind, your soul, your heart, stand up and take on your next challenge.  It's time to start living.....

Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

The Wilderness of Lent

For those of you who are Christians you are aware that we are in the season of Lent.  A time to either give up or take on something.  Over 40 days you will contemplate your decision to change, work hard to accomplish your task and hopefully during this time remember what Jesus gave up and took on for us.  It is a time to think about the wilderness of our lives - the places we don't want to think about and unravel the pain, disappointment, anger or unsettling feelings that fill that wilderness. And hopefully when the time of Lent is complete we come out more adjusted, happy and filled with a renewed spirit.  

I am spending time reading "a clearing season" by Sarah Parsons.  This is the second time I've read the book which has a subtitle "Reflections for Lent" and it does not disappoint.  The first chapter brings up questions like "What drives you into your own wilderness?" This is a powerful question if you think about it. The wilderness can be uncomfortable and we spend a lot of energy avoiding our own wilderness.  But what if you confront it, wrestle it and then move past it.  I believe all of the feelings that we bottle up, sadness, regret and anger create our wilderness and can be what makes us volatile.  Could it be if we worked through our wilderness that we all could be happier, kinder people? 

I am excited to see what this season of Lent brings for me and each of you.  Finding that after the ashes are gone and the Easter baskets are put away we are stronger people - committed to a new lifestyle, a new beginning and cleansed from confronting our wilderness.

Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

What I Believe...What do you Believe...

This blog will be posted on the same day of my last of four group coaching classes "Living What You Believe" So here's a taste of What I Believe.

I believe that we have been given an amazing planet. A planet filled with wonderful resources to nourish and heal our bodies and our minds.  To that end, I believe that the best way to appreciate our bodies is through Whole Food Plant Based eating.  With all the terms for "diets" these days it can get confusing so I will explain WFPB (whole food plant based).  As a WFPB eater I eat fruits, vegetables, beans and grains.  I do not eat processed foods or oil.  This may seem extreme, but the evidence proves the benefits of this lifestyle.  And once you start eating this way it is easy to find a plethora of delicious recipes. It never gets boring and for me the kitchen has become a fun place again.  I had become so routine in my cooking that is was boring and a chore.  Now I prefer to eat at home and get excited to create the next meal.  I also am healthier than ever and feel great.  I get all my nutrients -  (yes, I have all the protein and calcium my body needs and more) and I have energy and focus. 

I choose not to push my agenda too hard on people, because I believe this way of eating must come from a deep desire to change.  However, if someone is interested I am thrilled to help out in any way.  The support I receive from my family is immeasurable.  I also found support with documentaries like "Forks over Knives"  and "Cowspiracy", as well as education programs like eCornell Whole Food Plant Based eating course and events like "Remedy" and "Engine 2 with Rip Esselstyn" 

In addition to eating this way I take care of my mind with meditation, prayer, sudoko, word games and connection with family and friends.  

I believe in love.  Love for God, our families, friends, pets, community, planet and selves. 

I believe in caring for our planet and not wasting it's precious resources for our convenience.

I believe in taking care of our bodies and fueling them with healthy earth grown foods.

I believe in allowing our minds to become free of all distractions for at least 10 minutes a day, opening ourselves up to hear God and to give ourselves a much needed break from the overwhelming distractions of each and every day.

I believe in kindness to each other.  Knowing that we are all one and should find in ourselves forgiveness and grace for each other. 

What do you believe?

Write it down, take the time to really think about what you believe and then determine what are you willing to do to honor that belief?

Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine

Living What I Believe

Just before President Trump was sworn into office I wrote a blog.  In the blog I quoted President George H.W. Bush in his letter to then in-coming President Bill Clinton "You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well. Your success is now our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you." At the end of the blog I wrote "So, with President Bush's words in mind, I will be rooting for President Trump because his success is our countries success and after all is said and done I believe I live in the best country in the world and I want only the best for this our United States of America. Although, I do have a wish that President elect Trump read and take to heart the words of President Theodore Roosevelt. "The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.".

I have been trying since November 8 to take the high road.  To hear the words of President Bush and appreciate our election system.  However, I don't know that I can do that anymore.  President Trump's environmental decisions were weighing hard on me and I knew that I was close to plummeting off the high road but his latest actions toward Muslim people have knocked me off my teetering beam. Discrimination in any way appalls me. I am saddened that we are showing the world that we are not the country we once were.  That the words on the Statue of Liberty are just words and do not represent our actions.   

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”
”Send me these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

— The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus

I can truly say I am sickened by who we are becoming.  I still see kindness all around me but I also see hate and anger.  I see disregard for humanity over race, religion, sexual preference and gender. 

I am grateful for the many people I see coming to the defense of those being persecuted.  I am now hopeful for people like myself, people who have sat back quietly waiting for things to adjust by themselves.  These people myself included may now stand up and speak out for the rights of others and the rights of our planet.  We may begin to live what we believe and we may just possibly make a difference.  And if we do so peacefully, allowing conversations to take place and airing our opinions explaining what we believe to help those who feel differently and for us to hear them and their opinions a difference can happen.  But if it becomes a shouting match with no one listening then the problem stays right were it started.  And more importantly if we do what we believe and nothing happens we can still sleep well knowing that we are living out our lives authentically.  Living what we believe is so much more than words it is our actions.  And for me it is finally time to take action and truly Live What I Believe.

God Bless all of You and God Bless America!

Grace, Peace & Healthy Living,

Lorraine