Here is an idea especially suited to a spring retreat.
My favorite way to "do" this retreat is outdoors - in a park, in the woods, or in a local neighborhood. But you can also take this retreat in a coffee shop, in an airport, or while waiting for your kid to finish soccer practice. If you have an hour, or even a half hour, grab it and take this no-equipment-needed retreat.
Start your retreat by setting an intention to focus on really observing your setting -- whether your setting is the airport concourse or a beautifully landscaped garden. Spend several minutes in one location, observing the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and tactile sensations of that location, as well as the overall composition and effect. Alternatively, spend five minutes strolling around focusing on taking in everything you can observe with your eyes - color, texture, size, shape, orientation, composition, etc., and then spend the next five minutes focusing on what you can hear, and so forth through the senses.
Not many people can spend an entire hour in observant wonder. The mind is easily distracted by judgment, thoughts of the past or future, and to-do lists. Consider using part of your time to journal or sketch your observations. Writing or drawing will not only help you observe more closely and keep your attention on your subject, it will also help you capture and process any emotions that arise.
By slowing down and really observing your surroundings, without judgment, you will likely experience one or more of the following benefits:
*A release of tension from your body
*A clearer, more focused mind
*A feeling of connection to the universe
*A renewed sense of lightness of being
*A burst of wonder and joy
We are all born intensely observant, curious and attentive to detail. Each new experience has a wonder-ful quality. But as we "grow up," we often lose that sense of wonder as we hurry through the tasks of life.
Just one moment of wonder-ment can add color to your days, and help you stay in the moment, truly aware of living your life. Try it and observe the results!
Wednesday
First Monday Virtual Retreats Start April 5th (Free)
UPDATE: These retreats have been discontinued. For more details on current retreats, see the sidebar.
Break free and "spring" forward with a virtual retreat!
I am hosting a FREE virtual retreat next Monday, April 5th, at 8:00 p.m. EDT. The meditative portion of the call will be recorded, so sign up even if you can't make this time slot. This is the first in a series of First Monday Virtual Retreats, which will be offered on (surprise!) the first Monday of each month. The theme of this month's retreat is "Break Free - Spring Forward."
A time of retreat - even a brief time - can both relax and energize you. It can give you a time to hear yourself think, to focus on what really matters, and inspire you to get moving in a new direction. It can give you time to hear the voice of your soul and tap into your strengths.
Harness the energy of spring to propel yourself forward. If you've been feeling a bit "slow" or "stuck" in some area of your life, now is the time to come out of your winter dormancy.
The retreat will start with a 15-20 minute guided meditation (a combination of relaxation and visualization). The meditation will be followed by an exercise to help you capture your insights and make an action plan for moving forward. The remainder of the hour is yours to use as you wish. You may leave the call and continue the retreat on your own, or you may join in group discussion/group coaching with others on the call. I invite you to use the entire hour for retreat. Give yourself that gift, if at all possible.
While the meditative portion of the call will be recorded,
I encourage you to join live if you can. I will be giving away a Guided One Hour Retreat ($60 value) to one lucky person on the call.
[CONTACT FORM DE-ACTIVATED]
Try it for a month or two, and discover the benefits of a one hour retreat!
Break free and "spring" forward with a virtual retreat!
I am hosting a FREE virtual retreat next Monday, April 5th, at 8:00 p.m. EDT. The meditative portion of the call will be recorded, so sign up even if you can't make this time slot. This is the first in a series of First Monday Virtual Retreats, which will be offered on (surprise!) the first Monday of each month. The theme of this month's retreat is "Break Free - Spring Forward."
A time of retreat - even a brief time - can both relax and energize you. It can give you a time to hear yourself think, to focus on what really matters, and inspire you to get moving in a new direction. It can give you time to hear the voice of your soul and tap into your strengths.
Harness the energy of spring to propel yourself forward. If you've been feeling a bit "slow" or "stuck" in some area of your life, now is the time to come out of your winter dormancy.
The retreat will start with a 15-20 minute guided meditation (a combination of relaxation and visualization). The meditation will be followed by an exercise to help you capture your insights and make an action plan for moving forward. The remainder of the hour is yours to use as you wish. You may leave the call and continue the retreat on your own, or you may join in group discussion/group coaching with others on the call. I invite you to use the entire hour for retreat. Give yourself that gift, if at all possible.
While the meditative portion of the call will be recorded,
I encourage you to join live if you can. I will be giving away a Guided One Hour Retreat ($60 value) to one lucky person on the call.
[CONTACT FORM DE-ACTIVATED]
Try it for a month or two, and discover the benefits of a one hour retreat!
Tuesday
Earth Hour: March 27, 2010, 8:30PM Your Local Time
Earth Hour would be a PERFECT time for a one-hour retreat. Spend the time alone or gather with friends. Disrupt your life (in a good way) by turning out the lights and focusing on what's really important.
It's easy to participate - just turn out unnecessary lights in your household from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time on March 27, 2010. Or take radical action - turn off all unnecessary power-consuming objects for that hour, including your computer, TV, and radio. If you want to know more, or if you'd like to register your participation, you can get details here: http://www.earthhour.org
Not everyone agrees that global warming is a problem, and not everyone agrees with WWF's agenda. But I think we can all agree that saving energy (and money) is a good thing, and finding ways to take care of ourselves and the planet we live on is a great thing.
Make a date with yourself - put this on your calendar now!
It's easy to participate - just turn out unnecessary lights in your household from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. local time on March 27, 2010. Or take radical action - turn off all unnecessary power-consuming objects for that hour, including your computer, TV, and radio. If you want to know more, or if you'd like to register your participation, you can get details here: http://www.earthhour.org
Not everyone agrees that global warming is a problem, and not everyone agrees with WWF's agenda. But I think we can all agree that saving energy (and money) is a good thing, and finding ways to take care of ourselves and the planet we live on is a great thing.
Make a date with yourself - put this on your calendar now!
Saturday
GUIDED One Hour Virtual Retreat Now Available - FREE During Coach Week
Have you taken a One Hour Retreat, and wished you had a retreat leader to help you get and stay focused, help you gain clarity or brainstorm solutions with?
Or do you love the idea of a One Hour Retreat, but never seem to get around to scheduling it?
To celebrate International Coaching Week, I am offering **free** individualized virtual retreats to the first five people who schedule them at ...
Note: this event has ended, but Guided One Hour Virtual Retreats are still available. For more information, see: http://onehourretreat.blogspot.com/p/guided-one-hour-retreats.html
Or do you love the idea of a One Hour Retreat, but never seem to get around to scheduling it?
To celebrate International Coaching Week, I am offering **free** individualized virtual retreats to the first five people who schedule them at ...
Note: this event has ended, but Guided One Hour Virtual Retreats are still available. For more information, see: http://onehourretreat.blogspot.com/p/guided-one-hour-retreats.html
Monday
Managers: Add a Week to Your Year (Without Skipping Vacation)
Yes, you can add an entire workweek - 50 hours - to your year, without skipping your well-deserved vacation! Check out my guest post at KeyPoint Coaching's blog to find out how: http://keypointe.wordpress.com/managers-feel-like-you-have-an-extra-week-of-vacation-every-year/
Saturday
Holiday Hangover? Don't Make it Worse with Ridiculous Resolutions
At this time of year, many of us suffer from a sort of "holiday hangover." The last few weeks have been filled with too much eating, too much drinking, too much shopping, too many things to do, too many late nights, too many social events with people we don't necessarily care for, and in general, just too much "stuff."
Wonderful as the holidays can be, we often finish them feeling depleted -- "hung over" either literally or metaphorically. There is no need to beat yourself up with a crash diet, a strict exercise regime, or an austerity budget. Be gentle with yourself - treat yourself as you would a beloved pet. Give yourself some good food (without over-feeding), move your body regularly in ways that you enjoy, and give yourself lots of love and attention. Find the play in the every-day.
Take a one-hour retreat to brainstorm strategies that will help you keep your focus on your well-being and happiness rather than on your cravings or aversions. Get focused on what you need to do to really nurture your body, mind and spirit this month and this year.
To your health, wealth and happiness in the coming year!
Wonderful as the holidays can be, we often finish them feeling depleted -- "hung over" either literally or metaphorically. There is no need to beat yourself up with a crash diet, a strict exercise regime, or an austerity budget. Be gentle with yourself - treat yourself as you would a beloved pet. Give yourself some good food (without over-feeding), move your body regularly in ways that you enjoy, and give yourself lots of love and attention. Find the play in the every-day.
Take a one-hour retreat to brainstorm strategies that will help you keep your focus on your well-being and happiness rather than on your cravings or aversions. Get focused on what you need to do to really nurture your body, mind and spirit this month and this year.
To your health, wealth and happiness in the coming year!
The Holidays are Coming - Retreat!
(Cue Paul Revere): The holidays are coming! The holidays are coming!
The annual Battle of the Holidays has begun. The shots heard round the world were fired on Black Friday and the media messengers will be inciting the troops until at least December 25th.
There may well be battles coming - battles to find the perfect gifts at rock bottom prices, battles to get the holiday cards out, battles to host and attend holiday parties, battles to deal with prickly relatives and battles to somehow keep your kids from finding out the truth about Santa Claus. Not to mention the year end crunch at work.
Do you feel your stress meter skyrocketing - your fight or flight response kicking in?
Use a time honored battle technique – RETREAT.
Not all battles are worth fighting. And sometimes the troops need to retreat in order to re-energize, reinforce and make a new battle plan.
Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE the holidays. I love the music, the decorations, the food and the festivities. I love the Christmas trees, the carolers, the light shows, the Nativity and the glitz. But adding all of the holiday prep to an already packed schedule is a recipe for overload.
Now is the perfect time for a One Hour Pre-Holiday Retreat. Use your hour to let go of some stress, make your battle plan, plan your strategy and tactics, and build your inner reserves.
Your key strategy is your intention. You intention to remember the reason for the season, to spread holiday cheer, to enjoy time with loved ones and friends. Your tactics will be as individual as you are. Get together with your unit – your family, friends and co-workers - and make a plan. Make sure you are functioning as a unit - no need to have anyone get injured by friendly fire.
For more tips on getting though the holidays with your holiday spirit intact, see my article at http://ezinearticles.com/?id=3306418
The annual Battle of the Holidays has begun. The shots heard round the world were fired on Black Friday and the media messengers will be inciting the troops until at least December 25th.
There may well be battles coming - battles to find the perfect gifts at rock bottom prices, battles to get the holiday cards out, battles to host and attend holiday parties, battles to deal with prickly relatives and battles to somehow keep your kids from finding out the truth about Santa Claus. Not to mention the year end crunch at work.
Do you feel your stress meter skyrocketing - your fight or flight response kicking in?
Use a time honored battle technique – RETREAT.
Not all battles are worth fighting. And sometimes the troops need to retreat in order to re-energize, reinforce and make a new battle plan.
Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE the holidays. I love the music, the decorations, the food and the festivities. I love the Christmas trees, the carolers, the light shows, the Nativity and the glitz. But adding all of the holiday prep to an already packed schedule is a recipe for overload.
Now is the perfect time for a One Hour Pre-Holiday Retreat. Use your hour to let go of some stress, make your battle plan, plan your strategy and tactics, and build your inner reserves.
Your key strategy is your intention. You intention to remember the reason for the season, to spread holiday cheer, to enjoy time with loved ones and friends. Your tactics will be as individual as you are. Get together with your unit – your family, friends and co-workers - and make a plan. Make sure you are functioning as a unit - no need to have anyone get injured by friendly fire.
For more tips on getting though the holidays with your holiday spirit intact, see my article at http://ezinearticles.com/?id=3306418
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