tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172689842024-09-01T01:22:41.908-07:00Life and Wellness Coaching tips to help you identify and reach your personal goals. Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-25276588732609665132014-02-11T12:51:00.001-08:002014-02-11T12:51:36.276-08:00

Be Your Own Best Valentine Welcome to the February issue of Envision Your Dreams! While the temperature and snow accumulation here in the Chicago area more closely resembles December than February, I must have faith that we really are inching closer to Spring. Heart shaped balloons, red tulips and roses and red cellophane wrapped chocolates were on full display at the grocery store this

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-17418047484122340482013-12-31T14:50:00.000-08:002013-12-31T14:50:07.020-08:00

More Being and Less Doing in 2014 I am a champion list maker. Need food? Create a grocery list. Trying to eat healthy? Make a weekly menu. Going on a trip? Jot down a packing list. Have a bunch of things to accomplish? Make a To Do list for the day. I have found that making lists simplifies my life, keeps me from forgetting things and helps me be more efficient with my time. I

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-2125403324421963392013-12-03T13:52:00.000-08:002013-12-03T13:52:31.552-08:00

When Grief Hitches A Ride On Santa's Sleigh For lots of folks, this time of year represents excitement, joy and celebration. The scent of pine in the air wafting from the tree lots, the twinkling lights and piped in holiday music heightens our senses and provides us cues as to what we should be feeling at this time of year. There is a great deal of media and social pressure to be jolly and

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-34682340849101108792013-11-23T10:46:00.000-08:002013-11-23T10:46:01.603-08:00

TURKEY Tips For A Truly Happy Thanksgiving I have heard the holidays referred to as the Terrible Toos : Too much expectation, too many visitors and family members, and too many obligations. Stressors increase around the holidays due to many factors including: over-commercialism, family members coming together who perhaps don't get along, increased stress and fatigue. For some folks it is a

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-8771091957950212282013-11-12T12:30:00.002-08:002013-11-12T12:30:44.246-08:00

Here's an interesting article on the influence of a woman's mood after an emotionally charged interaction with her male spouse impacts the perceived level of marital satisfaction. Makes me think of the line in the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" where the wife mentions to her daughter and sister-in-law that the man may be the head but the wife is the neck ;-) Enjoy the read. Calm Wife,

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-75036824066918139202013-11-11T17:33:00.001-08:002013-11-11T17:33:43.335-08:00

Welcome to Envision Your Dreams blog! First, please accept my apology for my absence--the summer zoomed past like a rocket and now, seemingly suddenly, Chicago weather lets me know that Winter is fast approaching. So what have I been doing lately? My husband continues to meet the challenge to transform into the bionic man; he underwent surgery in May to receive a shiny new knee. Just over

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-26052700104821847172011-07-21T12:54:00.000-07:002011-07-21T12:56:18.783-07:00

Rattled Now HmmmmmIt has been quite some time since writing my last post about my daughter leaving for college two thousand miles away. I am happy to report we all survived and, and for the most part, flourished through the transition. I am grateful she is home for the summer allowing me to soak up as much mother/daughter time as she permits. My reasons for not posting throughout the year are

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-62436699283337686692010-05-13T09:16:00.000-07:002010-05-13T10:11:13.698-07:00

Doors Open and ShutI write this issue perched at the patio table, two lazy Danes snoring at my feet, intoxicated by the hypnotic duet of bubbling water and cooing doves. The flowering shrubs along the fence attest to the fact that Spring has sprung in my neck of the woods. Each Spring provides me with a reminder of the potential each of us possess for personal growth and improved self awareness

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-64491342238581050022009-09-05T07:53:00.000-07:002009-09-05T11:55:04.245-07:00

Separation AnxietyI am the parent of an almost-18 year old. My daughter has taken to alerting me to the countdown til the day she becomes an adult (in her eyes anyway) ever since she turned 17. The growing list of things she plans to do on that auspicious day include the possibility of coming home sporting a nose piercing and a small, discreet tattoo. I am not as concerned about the nose piercing

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-24669666142400572712009-06-05T15:42:00.001-07:002009-06-06T19:50:07.023-07:00

The Flow of FriendshipThe last few weeks have been a topsy-turvy wild ride of emotion involving my heart. An emptiness surfaced a few weeks ago as I said goodbye to a long-time friend and a short time later, the ache was soothed by the the reconnection of two friends. About two weeks ago my friend and colleague, Emilie, passed away after a decades-long battle with cancer. Emilie was one of the

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-82510081155253355002009-05-07T09:44:00.000-07:002009-05-09T11:08:01.892-07:00

Global CitizenshipRecently my daughter returned from a school trip to Alabama and Mississippi with her class. The focus of the trip was to provide the students a firsthand look at the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. Over the course of one week, they heard lectures from those who were on the frontlines during the March for Freedom, visited museums and monuments in memory of the civil struggle

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-68417278334379508222009-04-16T11:47:00.000-07:002009-04-16T14:41:13.603-07:00

Lazy Days and ThursdaysAhhh, it's Thursday again, which means a lazy day of walking the dogs, catching up on email and errands, scheduling doctor's appointments, heading to the gym, curling up with a book, downloading podcasts or engaging in whatever strikes my fancy over the next hours. For several years now I have been taking Thursday off from my clinical practice to provide myself a recharge

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-90962626041677246932009-04-02T11:44:00.000-07:002009-04-02T12:55:23.695-07:00

Living by 10s and Other Amazing ThingsOkay, I'm BACK to the blog-world after a lengthy hiatus! It feels good to be writing again and my hope is that I will be able to keep this up at least once a month. Since my last post, life has been hectic and exciting in a positive way. In August I took the plunge and opened my very own private practice where I see adults and adolescents, providing

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-9425364714713887162008-08-06T11:24:00.000-07:002008-08-06T11:33:15.229-07:00

Map Out Your Energy This Month(The following is excerpted from my monthly ezine. If you would like to subscribe, please go to my website, scroll to the bottom any page and provide your email. You will be asked to confirm your subscription prior to your first message.) Greetings from Envision Your Dreams Ezine! August is here which means the seemingly endless days of summer will soon cease. I

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-91020209405309541702008-07-05T11:27:00.000-07:002008-07-05T11:34:24.678-07:00

Let Let Freedom Ring This July(This is an excerpt from my monthly ezine--if you would like to subscribe, go to my website and click on the piggy on the bottom of the page to subscribe.)This month cities and towns across the States prepare for their respective annual 4th of July celebration. You may be planning a family BBQ for the 4th or perhaps you are anticipating the bright fireworks in the

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-37164248201235526292008-04-07T20:59:00.000-07:002008-04-07T21:06:41.322-07:00

Open Up This AprilThe trees and flowers in my yard have been engaged in silent work these past months. Internal goings-on within the structure of the limbs and stalks have made the timing right for the leaves and flowers to burst forth. Over the past few weeks, the oak trees in the back have transformed from barren, crusty limbs to full, bountiful leaf-covered branches. The mountain laurel made

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-35055650851590347142008-03-18T16:30:00.001-07:002008-03-26T08:03:11.416-07:00

The Art of ApologySometimes in my work as a psychologist, themes appear to emerge in the treatment of my client population. For the past few weeks, the theme currently playing out in the lives of many of my clients seems to focus on the difficult art of how to ask forgiveness after intentionally or unintionally causing psychological pain to another. I know this challenge is not confined to

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-27611103036505498822008-03-08T14:23:00.000-08:002008-03-08T18:06:23.964-08:00

The Backbone's Connected To the...Ouch!I have just returned from my first day at the gym in nearly a month. Yesterday I completed my second trip to rehab, err, I mean physical/therapy. My teenage daughter snarls when I use the word "rehab" as she doesn't want her friends to think I have joined up with Amy Winehouse et al. And the reason for my absence at the gym and new membership to Club P/T?

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-81086513860829780772008-03-01T15:17:00.000-08:002008-03-01T15:27:00.199-08:00

Manage Your Monkey Mind(This following is an excerpt from the March issue of my free monthly ezine. To subscribe simply go my website and register at the bottom of the page.)March heralds the coming of Spring: the winter cold begins to thaw, brightly colored flowers peek through the ground, the Easter Bunny may hop into your backyard soon, and basketball fans are excitedly planning their

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-38546448556096933182008-02-14T13:55:00.000-08:002008-02-14T14:56:58.344-08:00

Surfing on Thoughts Happy Valentine's Day, blogfans! Hope the day provides you with opportunity to express your care and love to those important to you. Earlier today I was engaged in reading and came across a Buddhist saying which piqued my interest: "Surf on the waves of your thought." This saying speaks to the alternative to letting yourself become engulfed and dragged down by your

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-53533495787125751172008-02-03T09:08:00.000-08:002008-02-03T09:18:16.930-08:00

Lock in Some Love This MonthThis is the month when thoughts turn toward love and romance. Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 and it is the day on which lovers express their love for each other, sending cards, flowers or candy. My local grocery store displays gifts-galore for the occasion: From bright red, cellophane-wrapped heart-shaped boxed chocolates to tiny boxes of conversation

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-23577823168872543852008-01-22T11:57:00.000-08:002008-01-22T13:43:31.525-08:00

Wag More, Bark LessSitting in traffic, while attempting to run several errands between clients, I noticed a small sign on the rear window of the car ahead of me. It was a timely message, particularly since I was beginning to feel my patience draining as I sat through a second round of lights while trying to navigate across a busy intersection. The sign offered a simple command: "Wag More, Bark

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-31144629135577161162008-01-01T17:54:00.000-08:002008-01-01T18:01:22.642-08:00

Reach For It(The following is excerpted from my monthly newsletter. If you would like to subscribe and receive the ezine in your email, simply log on to my website and sign up.) Today marks the first day of the new calendar year. This is the day folks around the world voice their declarations and resolutions for everything from achieving greater health to finding a new job. In case you don't

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-39735427977659274192007-12-27T15:14:00.000-08:002007-12-27T16:53:09.087-08:00

The Eyes of the World Are Watching NowThis morning I logged onto the computer before heading out for my morning run. I was stunned and saddened to learn of the tragic assasination of Benazir Bhutto today. I felt my heart plunge into my gut as I imagined the chaos and grief flooding the streets and hearts of the people of Pakistan. I do not claim to be a political guru, savvy to all the latest

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17268984.post-66128590265433103752007-12-13T17:02:00.000-08:002007-12-19T05:44:23.536-08:00

Laughing All the WayEvery once in a while my husband goes on a business trip and we typically spend time on the phone with each other in the evening catching up and sharing with the other the adventures or thoughts of the day. My husband is a neuroscientist (i.e., he studies the brain and how it stores memory). His scientific meetings are often held in beautiful and tropical locales and this one

Kimberly Smith-Martinez, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Life Coachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14814783371050041136noreply@blogger.com0