True Balance

I loved this post by Aimee Yawnick about accepting ourselves in our perfect imperfection.

Enjoy!

You Are Already Perfect

As I build and strengthen my relationship with my self and my business, I grow ever closer to what my coach refers to as “profound clarity”. With each new learning about myself, I get a new understanding about what I am meant to help my clients with on their journey.

While I was reading an article on vacation last week, I was struck so profoundly by a distinction that clarified my purpose even further. Although I do believe in the importance of developing one’s self, I believe it is far more important to first, ACCEPT one’s self. What became so clear to me is that my purpose is to help women first come to accept themselves as they are, for better or worse.

One of the governing principles of coaching is that we are all naturally, creative, resourceful and whole. There is no fixing necessary. When a client comes to me it is not because there is something broken or wrong with her. My job is to be the mirror that reflects my client’s brilliance back to her.

As she comes to see, love and accept all that she has already within her, she can then grow, build, strengthen and develop upon that. If we neglect to identify and focus on what is already great about her, we might get caught up in what is “wrong” and miss out on the opportunity to capitalize on her magnificence!

It is when we learn to accept ourselves for all that we are (warts and all) that we are able to move forward and allow our lives to improve, develop and grow. You must accept yourself first, allow your true voice to express your authenticity, and all the rest will follow. It’s like searching for the keys to the Universe just to realize that the gate to get in was never locked!

Your Assignment:

1. Grab a pen and paper and write down your top three strengths.
2. Capture the FEELING of embracing those strengths. OWN them!
3. Write down the three areas that you may call weaknesses or faults.
4. Let’s agree now to reframe your list from #3 as “areas of opportunity”.
5. Play the “What would it be like?” game. Ask and answer these questions on paper:
* What would it be like to embrace these areas of opportunity with the same FEELINGS that you embrace your strengths?
* What would it feel like to not make excuses for these parts of your SELF?
* What would it be like to feel the same sense of power and pride?
* How would it FEEL to fully accept this part of who you are?
6. Now pick one of those areas of opportunities and wear it all day. Like a new sweater. You can always take it off if it gets too uncomfortable. This is another chance for you to grow.

I bet if you committed to spending just one day “pretending” to accept this part of yourself, your next big step would be letting go of this “weakness” all together and you will experience a brand new freedom in your life. What would THAT be like?

If you are not getting the results you want from your business and you know the BIG obstacle STILL getting in your way is YOU, I recommend learning a proven system that will get you out of your own way, gain crystal clarity, and new perspectives so you can attract ideal clients, make more money and generate the results you need to create the profitable business and exquisite life of your dreams.

Aimee Yawnick has been mentoring women to make personal growth and development a priority for over 15 years. First, in the Health and Fitness Industry, now as a Personal Life Coach. Aimee helps highly motivated and results-oriented women shorten the learning curve and accelerate their own growth & development to maximize success in both their personal and professional lives. With proven tools and systems Aimee helps her clients move swiftly and smoothly from a life of just going through the motions and merely existing to being an active participant and living life to the fullest! For more information please contact Aimee today for a complimentary get acquainted session. Call Amy at 781-956-8584 or at aimee@coregrowthanddevelopment.com.

For about a week I have been processing one of the most soulful and moving experiences I’ve had in a long while. My husband and I had the rare pleasure to see Jay Buchanan perform at the City Opera House in Traverse City.

I heard about Jay and read that he was as an entertainer who could take your breath away with his range of vocal stylings. He is often described as the artist who could be the prodigal son of Jimmy Page and Janice Joplin. I was intrigued and began to do some quick reconnaissance. A Google search for Jay Buchanan brought me to his MySpace page.  I listened to the streaming music, watched a couple of videos and was sold.  I quickly snatched our concert tickets online and scored front row seating.  YES!

The night of the show we headed into Traverse City to slink through the Winter Festival and found a crowd of happy people dancing and enjoying the laser show, beer tent and tremendous ice sculptures. Traverse City continues to show up as a happening place to hang out.

The concert was at the City Opera House and right in the middle of all of  the action. The auditorium has been lovingly renovated and holds its majestic space with acoustic perfection. The room was elegant and dimly lit with tea candles fluttering on white cloth-covered tables dotted around the main floor. The lovely Jetty Rae performed as the opening act and would prove to be a perfect musical appetizer to what would be the best performance I have ever witnessed in this lifetime. Jetty’s vocal range and hippie chick style commanded the audience’s attention. What a pleasant surprise! Both entertainers were occasionally accompanied by a young woman with a bright smile and magic fingers playing an improvised cello style to complement the performances. I wish I could remember her name (I think it was Sarah) because she was excellent.

Jay Buchanan took the stage and I immediately knew I liked him. Clad with a comfy blazer, blue jeans and spiffy silver boots, he engaged the audience with kindness and stories about his musical life.

Then he began to sing …

We knew we were witnessing something extraordinary as soon as the first lyrics rolled out of his mouth. This man was fully present and generously shared with us his highest level of performance without holding back. I’m talking about everything he had to give.  Song after song, playful stories and honesty - it was as if we were the only thing that mattered. Jay gave us a window into his beautiful heart with songs like Zebra, Feel Better, Post Coital Kiss and This.

Jay Buchanan is living life on his terms by following his passion and authentically showing up for his solo performances.

He began the evening telling us about his past experience belonging to a band that was getting really popular with a big following and lots of tour dates.  He said he found himself in a place where it wasn’t speaking to him and his heart wasn’t in the band any longer. Almost three years ago he left the band to follow his passion to write music and perform in a new direction. Jay followed his calling, took a risk in leaving something comfortable and familiar, and moved on. I am so grateful he did. It is clear that Jay’s mind, body and soul are in alignment with his new music.

Give a listen at MySpace and see why Jay Buchanan is a lion-hearted force to be reckoned with.

Enjoy!

Jay Buchanan Feel Better