For those of you who know me or have read some of my musings … you know that I feel that EVERY DAY is a good day to begin (begin just about anything, really)

That being said, there is something about this year!  And, it’s a LEAP YEAR to boot!  Awwwww Yeaaaaahhh.

LEAP Year!

I’ve been feeling like it’s a truly perfect time to ACT.
So, now I’ll say:  Don’t just act … LEAP!!!

Here’s what that means to me:

L: Love it! Whatever it is that you decide to DO, to act upon, to leap at … make sure it evokes the LOVE in you. It gets you smiling and jazzed up. It makes you feel GOOD!

E: Envelope? Yeah … PUSH THE ENVELOPE, people! Tim Ferris (and likely many others) put it something like this: If you don’t set your goals high enough, your incentive to reach them is easily dismissed. All too often we go for the low-hanging fruit, if you will. Nothing wrong with that. There’s some juicy fruit to be had just about everywhere.
But … let’s say you push the envelope! Get “unrealistic.” Get a bit out of your comfort zone. Really put it OUT THERE. Then, put into play the practices, plans and methodology by which you’ll reach THAT GOAL! You just might surprise yourself by how much more diligently you’ll work toward a loftier goal. Smiles!

A: Abundance! Begin to notice EVERYTHING that works to your benefit (BIG and small). Everything for which you are thankful (even if not seemingly positive at first … rather positive once lived-through) And … get in the oh-so-regular habit of saying THANK YOU! Just say it out loud or in your head OFTEN throughout your day. And, like the movie (HappyThankYouMorePlease) … after you say thanks, follow it up with “MORE PLEASE!” You’ll marvel at just how much abundance you already have in your life today, and just how much your life will abundantly and positively grow.

P: Practice and Plug On! Every day won’t feel like “all is right with the world.” Alas, keep on plugging away! And, come back to a few tried and true practices that work for you … and, PRACTICE THEM. Like so much of life’s transformations, there comes a time where it feels instantaneously likity-split! Nice! Alas, if you look back on your path you’ll likely see a most beautiful pattern of up, down and around whereby an idea was presented, re-presented, tried, practiced and then integrated. Practice and Plug On!

So, Go On!  Take a LEAP! 
And make it Perfectly-You!
(oh, and please have utter faith in it and in the process! Leap of faith. Smiles!)

[Please Check It Out: http://papillonlife.com/services/ ... One of my leap year leaps is coming SOON!]

I don’t know about you, but I am getting the real sense that things are “up” for everyone.  That life is perhaps a bit more ‘in your face’ these days.  Things are happening.  And, they’re happening seemingly faster that before.  For me, the word that comes to mind is VOLATILE.  (ah, but not necessarily negative in tone)

Webster’s Dictionary lists the following as a couple of the definitions of volatile:

volatile:  1.  characterized by rapid or unexpected change  2. transitory / difficult to capture or hold permanently

Yeah … that’s IT.
Rapid and perhaps unexpected change
Transitory
Lack of permanence

We could say that this is always the case in life. (we know that change is constant) However, seems to me that lately it feels like “life on steroids” / “transition on steroids” / rapid got more rapid!

How are YOU doing with it all?
Are you finding it exciting and inspiring? Are you finding it overwhelming and scary?

Regardless of your answer above. I get the sense that NOW is the time for increased attention!
Increased attention on Each Moment.
Increased attention on YOU and YOUR heart’s/soul’s voice.
Increased attention on AMUSEMENT as we watch and experience this volatility (ride the wave, people!)

For some … we feel pushed about. Surviving, yes. But perhaps merely surviving.

HOW CAN WE BETTER THRIVE?

Only YOU can truly answer that.
But, I have a few suggestions that seem oh-so-pertinent to me at this time: (do what makes sense for YOU)

1. Begin some sort of practice of slowing down or stopping each day … to PAUSE and just FEEL you and your surroundings. Slow your breathing. Find and feel the beat of your own heart. LOOK. (there’s a lot happening. smiles.) Practice this EVERY day.  Commit to a mere 3 minutes.  (truly! it only takes a few minutes)
2. Remind yourself of life’s transitory nature. Not digging how you’re feeling? No worries. This too shall pass. Just feel what you’re feeling and remind yourself that all is in transition.
3. Begin a daily practice of waking and nodding-off to those things in your life that YOU LOVE. Things that are going WELL! Ahhhhhhhhh. (write them out!)
4. ACT. Seems like a good time to take action! Ahhhh, be mindful! Act on something that resonates with the JOY in you (not out of fear or desperation). Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? to do? Perhaps now is the time to make room for ‘that’ in your day to day, in your week. Is there something that always brings a SMILE to your face? Do MORE of that!
5. SIMPLY INTEND (say to yourself) to be IN THE FLOW, WITH SPIRIT, IN THE GROOVE of Life as it unfolds. INTEND to find AMUSEMENT in your day to day. Ride the Wave with an exuberant WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO! (when you can muster it. and, practice mustering it!)
6. At ANY time … hit the reset button. PAUSE. BREATHE. CHECK-IN. That’s all

ADD SOME OF YOUR OWN SUGGESTIONS! PLEASE SHARE SOME OF YOUR OWN SUGGESTIONS!
Perfectly-You.

Volatility? BRING IT ON!

[Getting really excited about launching my coaching series in an online, self-led format! Watch for it in March 2012. It's YOUR Life. Live It Perfectly-You!]

Feeling a bit overwhelmed?
Don’t know where to start?
Getting wrapped up/turned around/spun about by the “how” of it all?
Or, perhaps you’re feeling like you don’t even know what you want?

[INSERT SCREECHING HALT NOISE!]

PAUSE.
Breathe.
Muster up any amount of AMUSEMENT possible!
AND, Shake it off (really. shake it! Arms, legs … throw a whole body “fit” if you so choose. Ahhhhh, fun!)

NOW … if pulled, read the below excerpt from my home page:

” … have you heard of the butterfly effect? Without getting into the complex notion of chaos theory … it states that small variations of the initial condition produce large variations in the long term. Like the pebble in the pond, people. You just have to start. And, starting small is more than sufficient for grand results!”

TRULY. You just have to start.
Just One Small Step!

Chance favors those in motion.  – James H. Austin

If you find yourself with clear goals and plans … wonderful.
Perhaps you get methodical by making a simple list (brain-dump!) of all tasks necessary for goal-acheivement.
THEN, prioritize and choose only one-to-three for daily completion. (ahhhhh, momentum!)

If you find yourself feeling totally unclear on what you want … all good!
Really! That’s what I like to call a beautiful blank slate. Smiles.

Try not to get ahead of yourself. Try not to force “it.”
Instead … perhaps you consider bits and pieces of the following:

(as mentioned above)
PAUSE often
BREATHE deeper.
Find AMUSEMENT in your day-to-day.
Do a heart-check (find and feel the beat of your heart!) … and make a list of those things that MAKE YOU HAPPY.

Let YOUR one small step be of the “Ahhhhhhhhhhh” variety. Let it be something that brings YOU “lift!” CHOOSE it to be something that brings you closer to YOU at Your Best.

Regardless … choose something (no matter how ‘small’)
It’s really quite amazing what you can create by just starting something … something that feels oh-so-right to You.

It’s YOUR Life.
Live It Perfectly-You!

[Reach out for more information about Papillon Life Coaching today! One Small Step.]

… In Me. (you’re singing that song now, aren’t you? smiles)

Nah. Not in me.
OK, sure, have a bit of faith in me if you’d like.

However …
The faith you’ll want to have is IN YOU! Is in exactly where you are right now, and exactly where you want to take things next.
Faith in your unique process and journey … journey toward Your Life Lived Perfectly-You. (Trust the Process!)
Faith in something SO MUCH BIGGER at play. That ‘something’ that connects us all and is endlessly at play co-conspiring to give you EVERYTHING you want and dream of.

Big Question:
What are you dreaming of? What are you expecting?  (ooooooh! wink!)

Check your head people. Watch your thoughts (obsessions even).
Things are happening fast these days. You’re more likely to get exactly what you’re expecting in a manner that is oh-so-noticeable! Voila-like speed!

Again, don’t like what’s showing up? EXPECT something different.
AND HAVE SOME FAITH IN IT!

Don’t know what you want? In a state of confusion or a place where you have little trust in yourself?

SIMPLY BEGIN BY NOTICING:
*those things that make you SMILE a full-body smile.
*those times when you can say YES!! to something with everything in you.
*those activities that bring LIFT!
*those times where you don’t have to TRY to make something happen.
*those things that come EASY with a capital E.
*those skills/strengths that you can authentically call YOURS (you’ve got ‘em, oh power-full one!)

SPEND MORE TIME ‘THERE’!
TRUST THAT!

FAITH.
IN YOU.
IN YOUR AMAZING YOU-NESS.
IN THE MAGICAL MIX THAT IS LIFE.

***************************************************************
Want more clarity? Want to REMEMBER you and your unique strengths? Reach out today! And, watch for the online, self-led-with-SUPPORT coaching program coming soon!
EVERY DAY IS A PERFECT DAY TO LIVE PERFECTLY-YOU!
*****************************************************************

The first thing I ask clients to do, experience, play with is the concept of ACCEPTANCE.

Here is what this looks like:

A good ol’ “black and white” look at WHERE YOU ARE NOW!
Assessments galore! (ok … really only three-to-four flavors, but assessments none-the-less)
No judgments. No posturing. No running and hiding.

Simply: Where Are You?

No Judgments! Aka: ACCEPTANCE
This Is Key.

First off, we would all find it pretty-tough-to-impossible to affect any kind of positive shift if we can’t first ARRIVE at WHERE WE ARE. BE Where We Are!

Second, if denying what is is your way. Then denial it will stay. (ok … the rhyme was accidental. smile!)

Third, just because you ACCEPT something, doesn’t mean you have to choose it again.
ACCEPT what IS.
Don’t like what IS? … CHOOSE differently next time. Done.

(yeah … you see … this ACCEPTANCE thing holds within it one of the most LIBERATING realizations. ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY! Woooooo Hoooooo! No really … it IS something over which to get very excited. If you can accept responsibility for what has shown up (even if deemed negative) then, you SEE your role. YOU can create something different.)

You Can Create Something Different.

Finally, one of the things that struck me most about this topic today is our ability to choose our perspective. Accepting what is does not change. Please do that.

However, please become keenly and kindly aware of what it is that you choose to see!

Often, our perspective on WHAT IS leaves out those things about which we can feel really good! Our lives, situations, experiences (even if deemed negative) are not without “THE GOLD.”

Make it your habit to SEE and ACCEPT that which is good and a-okay and full-of-grace around you. Accept that everyone is right where they need to be.

This kind of GRACE can and will bring such beautiful shift!  It has a tendency to break things Wide Open!

When you can ACCEPT and SEE the utterly divine in YOU … what do you think happens to your acceptance of others???

A Cake Walk (as they say!)
A Virtual Cake Walk.

(of course, accepting ourselves is the biggest, and often toughest, step. A worthy step/path to CHOOSE!)

Accept What IS.
Know Your Strengths, Beauty and Light.
Choose the Path of Grace.
See It In Others.

a little parting note:
It is said that when milk is poured in a pond, the swan can extract just the milk. For me: the milk is “the gold” / “the good” / “the Perfectly-You.”
Be like the swan.

**Coming Soon: Live Life Perfectly-You Coaching Series in an online, self-led-with-support format. Ah, 2012 is going to be a phenomenal year!**

Yep … feeling some affects of the winter season (this coming from someone who is ridiculously spoiled by beautiful Colorado weather!  My mid-western counter-parts would definitely say I’ve gone “soft!!” It is true. Smiles!)

Anyway, it’s a great lead-in to my message of the day/week. This message (as are many) is as much for me and anyone.

Times (or feelings) such as these …
*a bit bored
*COLD
*not as inspired
*cooped up

… could really come at any ol’ time, in any ol’ climate. It’s what you do with these feelings that is key.

First, feel them. (no good denying what is!!)
Then, solve things a bit for YOURSELF.

Know Thyself (oh lovely people)! Then, give yourself what you need.

As a previous musing said, winter months can be a beautiful time to go inward. To put some time and energy into YOU. To find your own SUNSHINE and LIGHT. It also reinforces my favorite message: that we are responsible for our own happy-ness!

SO … you can’t get out and do all the things you’re able to do in lighter/warmer months?
BUILD YOUR OWN Winter Survival Plan. (or Any-Time Survival Plan)

A few ideas:
*First and foremost, sit with the feelings a bit and remind yourself that, like everything, this too shall pass.
*Make it your responsibility (it is anyway. wink.) to become even MORE diligent to fit in those activities that bring YOU lift (for me: exercise, good food, friends, nature (bundle up), music, my business!) And perhaps you fit in a perfectly-You activity EVERY day when in other times it’s not as ‘necessary.’
*Schedule IN a few evening activies that perhaps you wouldn’t be doing in a different season … Is there a class you’ve always wanted to take? (take it) Is there a household task-or-three that you’ve been putting off? (scheudle it in) Are there a few people with which you’d like to re-connect? (invite them over) ETC.
*Choose Two-to-Three personal goals upon which to work. Each evening or each morning: CHOOSE two things to work upon, two things that will get you closer to your goal(s).
* VEGGIES and Fish Oil (yeah!)
* _______________ (yours?)

Re-Work your schedule to make room for activities that ENHANCE Your Innate LIGHT!

What’s your Winter Survival Plan? (your Any-Old-Time Survival Plan)
Let Your Light Shine!

 Never before have I felt such a strong correlation (in action) between thoughts, perceptions and outlook … and what SHOWS UP, what we experience.   I truly feel it’s power in my own life’s day-to-day.  And too, am noticing it all around me.

2010 and early 2011 (for me) felt like a lot of ‘hurry up and wait.’ Perhaps this lovely GIFT of time was to get clear, to gain awareness, to be perhaps a bit forced to notice. Notice what feels like a YES (excitement, passion, happy) and what feels like a NO (grrrrrrrr!, challenge, frustration, annoyance).

And NOW … I’ve been feeling the speed, the stream-lined-ness, the instantaneous-ness of life.  Not the usual: ‘wow, I can’t believe how quickly time is passing.’ Rather, this sense that what we’re occupied with or focused on, by way of thoughts, habits, mindful intentions, etc. (depends on how you roll, really. smiles) is coming to fruition, and FAST.  Lucky (lovely) for me I’ve been seeing things in such a wonderfully positive and abundant light …

What You Focus On EXPANDS

Yeah … that about sums it up!
Though we’ve heard this time and time again … and perhaps we’ve been mindful to integrate it into our lives by way of being AWARE of our thoughts, outlooks, perceptions … NOW feels like the time where we can more directly and easily experience this POWER we have.

Tut … Notes from the Universe put it quite nicely today (as always, for the love)
It talked (oh-so-simply) of responsibility and power. In a nutshell: the more we accept responsibility for EVERY THING that shows up in our lives, the more we see, have and REALIZE (live!) this POWER.

Want 2012 to be a phenomenally positive and successful year?
YOU’VE GOT THE POWER! (you REALLY do)

[Are YOU ready to look in the mirror?  To take responsibility for what YOU would like out of this life?  Contact Papillon Life today! And, stay tuned for the 'self-led, with support' coaching series ... available soon in online format.  Truly transformational  and methodical material ... on YOUR OWN terms!  There's really no other way.  SMILES.]

New Year’s Day has come and gone.
Do you feel like it passed you by? Feel like you missed the boat?  Feel like “now what?”

If you answered ‘YES’ to any of the above questions, my response to you is this:

Aw Well.
So What.
Big Deal.
Get On With It. (the “IT” being ANYTHING you want for yourself in 2012 and/or each day, for that matter!)

There is so much hoopla attached to this New Year’s resolution-and-transition thing.
Yes, it can be a powerful thing if we choose to make it so.
Wonderful thing is … we can choose to make this resolution-and-transition thing power-full ON ANY GIVEN DAY OF THE YEAR!

YOU’VE GOT THE POWER! (oooh, now that “Got the Power” song by Snap! is going through me brain. Hmmmm … mantra for the day?!)

So, whether you’re already being harsh on yourself just 4-to-5 days into the new year. Or, you find yourself feeling this type of angst in March 2012 … no matter.

Make ANY DAY the day to ‘begin!’

What to begin?
Well, ONLY YOU can answer that … but whatever you do, make sure it FEELS REALLY DAMN GOOD-AND-RIGHT for YOU! (perhaps you scan my last post for simple “Any Day’s” ideas)

I hope everyone’s tracking with this concept. (I know I’m integrating it. smiles.)

If nothing else, know that:
EVERY DAY YOU HAVE A CHOICE.
EVERY MOMENT YOU HAVE A CHOICE.
Don’t like what’s showing up???
CHOOSE AGAIN.

Pretty f-ing lovely, isn’t it?!

Happy Any Day, Everyone!

[Papillon Life Coaching Series COMING SOON in NEW online format! Stay Tuned! (Tuned In to YOU)]

New Years.
Yes … historically a time of resolutions.  Perhaps even a time that brings with it a bit of panic or guilt (years past didn’t prove to be successful?)

THIS YEAR … try something different.
Vow to do it on YOUR terms, thereby ensuring some success and a dose of HAPPY.

Take a good and compassionate look at yourself.
Take a good and joy-filled look at what YOU enjoy. (maybe you get out the lists you surely did per suggestions in past blogs. WINK!)

NOW … Is there just ONE thing you could eliminate from your day-to-day?
ONE thing that is NOT bringing you joy or lift anyway.

Suggestions:
*mindless TV watching
*internet use without a purpose
*being ALWAYS available by phone
*watching the news
* ___________________ (yours) (just ONE)

NEXT … Is there just ONE thing you could add in to your day-to-day?
ONE thing that would make YOU smile, feel good, light up … feel more Perfectly-You!

Suggestions:
*5 minutes of breathing and stretching each morning and evening to your favorite song of the moment.
*Gratitude list – write one each evening (or morning)
*10 minute walk outside each day (even in “bad” weather … dress the part)
*Read an inspirational “something” each day (just google ‘inspiration’)
*DANCE for 5 minutes per day  (try: Will I. Am signing ”What I Am” with the cast of Sesame Street!  Check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyVzjoj96vs  It just might put a smile on your face and spring in your step!
* __________________ (yours) (just ONE)

FINALLY, loose the tendency to make excuses.
Yes, you may forget to add in your Perfectly-You daily practice sometimes. All fine and good. Don’t add more drama than warranted … just get back to doing that which makes YOU FEEL GOOD the very next day! (kindly NOTICE that what you add in should be small, bite-sized, FUN and perhaps relaxing for YOU!)

Here’s to a PERFECTLY-YOU 2012!
It’s YOUR Life … Live it More Perfectly-You, for the love

and Whiskers on Kittens (sorry … that will be in your head ALL day now. wink and smile!)

I’m not quite done with the ‘list making’ talk from last blog and Thanksgiving blog.
Perhaps you choose to make one more list?!

A List of Your Favorite Things.

A wonderful friend of mine gave me a card with such a list. I turned around and did a similar thing. And guess what? Making a list of your favorite things (big and small) gets you FEELING GOOD!

And I for one want to be FEELING GOOD during the holiday season.
I want to be FEELING GOOD as I ring in 2012!
And selfishly so! (Ever notice how feeling good brings MORE feeling good?!)

Next thing you know you’ll be saying things like:
“God, I have it so good!”
“Life is f-ing amazing”
“Look at how much I have to be smiling about, thankful for, etc.”

BRING IT ON!  (smiles!!)

HAVE A SEAT … MAKE YOUR LIST. 

A few on mine:
* Ruby’s LAUGH (and stink eye)
* Zoning OUT during acupuncture
* Snow that covers every branch
* Smell of burning leaves in fall
* Smell of garlic and onion sauteeing in olive oil
* Pink skies at night
* Sunshine diamonds on water
* Smiles from a stranger
* Dinners with my lovely little family and friends
* And ON, and ON, and ON ….