Luscious Living
Beauty is …
by Shann on Dec.26, 2008, under Luscious Living
I love to be surrounded by beautiful things. I am lover of color, texture, light and movement.
Fortunately, my family lives in one of the most naturally beautiful regions of northern Michigan.
I would like to share what I find to be beautiful with you and hope you take a minute to add your definitions to this post.
- Beauty is graceful and natural.
- The sensations you feel when your heart skips a beat.
- The low rise of steam dancing on the bay in the morning.
- The way the dragonfly floats through the air and lands on the reeds.
- The loving kindness one person shares with another.
- I feel beauty in my heart and soul.
- The village covered in powdery fresh snow.
- A vase filled with happy flowers.
- The wake created as you glide across the water.
- The quiet trickle of the rain.
- The smell of cedar incense filling the room.
- The Tao De Ching is beautiful.
- I think of the allure of a sunset.
- The elegance of a great Elm tree.
- The crooked smile on my daughter wears when she is delighted.
- The knowing look of a friend who loves me.
- Being instead of doing.
- Yoga makes me feel beautiful.
- Hawks and eagles soaring through the sky.
- The majesty of mountains at dawn.
- The serenity of an inland lake at dusk.
- The sound of a waves rushing back and forth on the beach.
- A hot bubbly relaxing bath and soft cozy robe to climb into.
- The peaceful energy of the first light.
- The wind rustling through autumn leaves.
- The crackling sound and intoxicating smell of a roaring fire.
- Guided meditation and deep relaxation.
- Laughter and a quick wit is a beautiful thing.
I am fortunate to be surrounded by so much natural and soulful beauty.
What is beautiful to you?
Between Darkness and Light
by Shann on Dec.23, 2008, under Luscious Living
by John Matthews
It is within the darkness and the silence
That the magic of Christmas starts;
Somewhere between the glimmer of lights
And the first breathless moment
When children come
Stumbling like new-born angels
Into morning light.
Within the darkness and the silence
We sit, watching wonder
Evolve into form; where we
Enter the ringing silence
In which the first bells of Christmas
Sound the music of the soul;
Where the morning joy begins
With a single carol
To a half-forgotten tune.
It is here, between the darkness
And the light,
That we wait, uncertain,
Seeking the moment
That challenges us to believe
In a freshly minted miracle
Born every Christmas Day.
Bask in your Accomplishments Before Climbing Again
by Shann on Dec.22, 2008, under Luscious Living
My friend and I were talking about our businesses and glossed over our accomplishments in 2008.
We heartily began sharing our new & improved business strategies for 2009. To be more focused, more disciplined, better at this, smarter at that
… blah, blah, blah.
Then a peculiar notion dawned on me.
Neither of us had allowed ourselves to bask in the glow of all that IS.
Even though we are climbing into thin air with a few hundred feet left to reach the summit.
(A hell of a lot to be jazzed about)
and yet …
We let the laws of silly masochistic human madness take our last breath of oxygen and kick our asses back down to base camp.
What is that all about?
If you have ever felt this way or recognize this pattern in yourself – check this out.
I dare you to bask in YOUR greatness.
Grab a pad of paper and begin writing your achievements for 2008.
Start with your personal list followed by your professional list.
Every positive experience counts. Often it is one tiny moment of clarity bringing the greatest rewards.
My abbreviated list includes:
Personal
Being more mindful with my family
Allowing my daughter to be a little kid
Taking care of ME
Remembering daily positive self talk
Earning my Yoga Teaching Certification
Opting for a hot bath over a shower whenever possible
Regular body work – Hot Stone Massage & Shiatsu Massage
Allowing my natural rhythms to unfold
Finding humor in difficult situations
Professional
Becoming a published soon to be Best selling author
Interviewing 20+ entrepreneurs for my next book
Attracting 10 new Coaching Clients
Creating and Marketing organic Tea
Learning about ping.fm
Participating in 5 fun radio interviews
Creating new friendships with Wake Up Women Co-authors
Writing for 3 new publications
Writing my first eBook
What does your list look like?
Surprised?
I bet you did a heck of a lot more than you think you did.
Before mapping your route, strapping on your crampons and hiring a Sherpa for your great Climb of 2009 …
Allow some time to
BASK IN YOUR GREATNESS
You deserve it!
We’ll get into your plans and goals next time around.







