And the award goes to......Me! (and maybe You!)

I was lucky enough to be awarded the Superior Scribbler Award from Show Me the Mom, which is one of the funniest blogs about raising kids (4 teen boys to be exact)working fulltime outside the home and living to tell about it! It's a must read for all you busy mom's out there. We are NOT alone!!

The Scribbler award comes with some rules:

• Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

• Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award. This one came from http://www.showmethemom.com

• Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

• Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor

• Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

So, drum roll please, the 5 people I want to pass this along to, in no particular order are:

http://www.cravingbalance.com No need to say more....

http://www.short-temsolutions.com/vablog/ Has some great e-books she calls "instructional fiction" and are written in Janet Evanovich's quirky style. She's also an excellent VA!

http://www.showmethemom.comI know it'a already a winner but I want to pass it on again....I love your blog...never miss it!

http://www.getknownnowblog.comIf you have a business Suzanne Falter-Barns specializes on creating your brand platform and increasing your exposure. She's fun, too!

http://www.kirasabin.com/blog Kira's The Dating Makeover Coach and while I'm married and am way past dating....I love her writing and she has tons of great information presented in her own unique and fun style. She tells you "the truth, the whole truth and nothin' but the truth about dating!"

Would love to have you visit these sites and pass them on.

Spa for Your Soul....Make Everyday a Spa Day!

Free Call-10 Tips for Stress-free Holiday

Free-Teleclass! Spa for Your Soul

Make Your Holiday Season
More Happy and Less Hectic!

Tuesday, November 3rd at 7 PM Central

The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of year, especially for women.
It’s a classic example of expecting too much from yourself!

Is this you?

November comes around and you have more “to do’s” to add to your already long list of everyday chores and responsibilities: gifts, dinners, decorating, baking, parties, religious programs, school programs, planning for guests, plans for travel, working out schedule with extended family,

2 weeks of kids being home from school, etc.

Plus, there is an expectation that everyone become the local “Martha Stewart”….by having a beautifully decorated home, delectable homemade cookies, perfect, well thought out personalized gifts and well-behaved, eternally grateful children......even after their routine is disrupted, they’ve filled up with cookies, candy and enough stimulus tilt a pinball machine!!

So here’s the question….

What do YOU want for the Holidays?

On Tuesday, November 3rd at 7 PM Central Time

Spa for Your Soul Coach, Mary Kay Aide will share

10 tips to make your holiday more happy and less hectic!

You deserve to enjoy the holidays as much as anyone else and
you will learn to make that happen by following these tips.

This is the perfect time to put together a plan to ward off holiday stress
and enjoy the holidays the way you want!

The holidays have special meaning for everyone, full of gratitude, giving and celebration.

You can’t enjoy yourself when you’re stressed out and exhausted.

Register & make the 2009 Holiday Season the happiest and best one yet!

Sign up on the right for the number to get in on the call.

I did my best to schedule this call at a convenient time, so you'll be able to join us live-

I want you to have the opportunity to ask questions and get all you need.

However, if you just can't make the call live, be sure to sign up,

so you have access to the recording.

Looking forward to "seeing" you on Tuesday!!

Free Tele-class-It's Time for YOU!

Do you:

• Spend all your time and energy taking care of everyone else?
• Find yourself on the bottom of your priority list? (Are you even on the list?)
• Ever wonder when it’s going to be your turn?
• Know things need to change, but don’t know where to start?
• Feel like you’ve lost yourself?

If this sounds like you, this Spa for your Soul call is for you!

Five Tools to Rejuvenate your Life

Tuesday, October 27th Noon-1PM Central Time.

Sign up in the box to the right to get the call information, as well as my Spa for Your Soul e-newsletter and a BONUS mini e-course: "Creating more Balance and Meaning in Your Life!"

Listening live will give you an opportunity to get your own questions answered, but if you can't make the call live, that's fine. Register anyway and you will receive the link to listen to the call at your convenience.

Perhaps you have what looks like a dream life, but it doesn't feel very dream like!

Take a break from the many demands in your day and let

Spa for Your Soul help you feel like you just walked out of a beauty spa, energized and deserving of the life you want and deserve!

This free tele-class will introduce 5 Steps to Rejuvenate Your Life!

These doable, concrete and practical steps are designed to support and guide you as you focus on yourself, your values and the kind of life you want!

Registration is on the right and you'll receive the call information as well as a free subscription to my Spa for your Soul e-newsletter and as a BONUS-mini-ecourse: Creating more Balance and Meaning in your Life.

Put this call on your calendar....

Tuesday, October 27th Noon-1PM Central Time

Sign up now, it's only a few days away!!

Extreme Self-Care & Life Balance-Things We Can Learn from a Dog

My dog, Penny Lane, will be 1 year old on October 13th.
She knows all about having balance in her life and practicing extreme self-care!

Here she is at 2 and 9 months old.

Happy Birthday, Penny!

Things We Can Learn from a Dog:*

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
   
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
   
3. When loved ones come home, always run and greet them.
   
4. When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
   
5. Let others know when they have invaded your territory.
   
6. Take naps and stretch before rising.
   
7. Run, romp, and play daily.
   
8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
   
9. Be loyal.
   
10. Never pretend to be something you’re not.
    
11. If what you want is buried, dig until you find it.
    
12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle him or her gently.
    
13. Thrive on attention.
    
14. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
    
15. On hot days, drink lots of water and sit under a shady tree.
    
16. When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
    
17. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
    
18. No matter how often you are scolded, don’t buy the guilt thing and pout—run right back and make friends.
    
    (*borrowed from The Networking Survival Guide: Getting Success You Want by Tapping into the People You Know by Diane Darling)

Free Tele-class: 5 Tools to Rejuvenate Your Life

Spa for Your Soul

Five Tools to Rejuvenate Your Life

Take a break from your busy life to focus on you

Learn ways to create more balance, fulfillment and fun in your life!

Tuesday, July 28 Noon-1 PM CST

Email marykay@lifecoachmkay.com to get call instructions and to RSVP

Courage-Exercise It for Personal Growth and Fulfillment

"Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use."-- Ruth Gordon

At some time in your life, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed, out of balance or unfulfilled, you may ask yourself questions like,

Why didn’t I……?
Why did I…….?
If I had only…..?

These questions are very common and unfortunately, they are not very helpful because they usually involve guilt, remorse or regret. Just thinking about them makes me feel a bit deflated.

If you’re looking to find a more balanced and fulfilling life, more empowering questions would be,

How do I want to be?
What‘s on my bucket list-what have I always wanted to do?
What can I do to be my life?

These questions lead you forward toward something new. Saying them aloud brings more energy, doesn't it? Taking action after responding to those questions will move you in the direction you want in your life.

Then of course when you start thinking about trying new things, stretching your boundaries, moving into new territory what comes up? FEAR! ANXIETY! OVERWHELM! And of course, a new set of questions,

Can I do it?
Isn’t it too late?
Isn’t it foolish?

What do you need to get past the fear and anxiety? Ask the lion in Wizard of Oz……COURAGE!

The lion believed he was a coward because he was scared, but in reality he just needed the right motivation! Helping his dear friend, Dorothy was motivation enough move past his fear and stand up to the Wicked Witch of the West!

What’s your motivation? What’s important enough to move you past the fears?

Start small and slowly build up your courage muscle. If you’ve ever lifted weights, you know you don’t start with heavy weights, you start small and work your way up, and if you have trouble, a spotter or coach will help you when the going gets tough.

I challenge you to go back to the second set of questions above, choose a lightweight goal and begin strengthening your courage muscle.. As you progress, feel free to ask for assistance. As a coach, I’m happy to “spot” you whenever you need it….all you have to do is ask!

Then go rent the movie, Wizard of Oz and check out the song, "King of the Forest" by the Cowardly Lion...I LOVE that song!!

This Is Your Life....Make It What You Want!

Boy, am I Livin! (Dealing with Overwhelm)

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." --Neale Donald Walsch

Going the extra mile, learning something new, stretching one's abilities....it's all part of growth. It's exciting, scary and at times (okay, often) overwhelming. How do you deal with it? I'm in a growth period in my business and how do I deal with it?

• faith in the process
• support from friends
• taking breaks when the overwhelm threatens to consume me
• breathing.....lots of deep breathing
• guidance from the experts
• trusting my purpose, my vision and my experience
• did I say lots of deep breathing?

Would love to hear how you deal with overwhelm in your life. Let me know.

This Is Your Life.....Make It What You Want!

How can I improve?

I was at a great conference for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and sat in on several fabulous break out sessions. One in particular was by Mary Kay Slowikowski (love the name, by the way). Her session, "Success is 90% Attitude" included this assignment. Go to some of the important people in your life and ask them "How Can I Improve?" "How can I be a better spouse, parent, coach, friend, leader, etc. I love this because it focuses on growth and improvement, rather than focusing on the negative. What better way to impove your life than to get feedback from those important to you?

Here a couple tips:

• Go to people you trust and you feel they will be honest with you.
• Do not go to people who are negative or don't support you.
• If it's uncomfortable to ask in person, send them an email.
• Listen with an open mind and take steps that feel comfortable for you.

Give it a try and see what people have to say. I'd love to hear what this experience is like for you.
Ask the important people in your life....How can I improve?

Keep me posted.

This Is Your Life....Make It What You Want!