Dear Friends and Clients:

I’m having a nostalgic feeling as I sit down to write this. It’s been several years since I wrote my first September newsletter and it’s with great gratitude that I can land on the page again in a familiar sort of way although the method has changed. The way in which we now communicate (blogs, social media) is so varied and dynamic; however, one thing remains the same: the warm feeling that comes when we connect and share over life’s offerings.

Life offers many choices. I’ve chosen to keep my ideas alive by acting in faith, trusting that all will show up as it will, and often, not exactly as I planned it to be! Seldom do ideas come to fruition rapidly and if they do, the leg work is lengthy without immediate reward, but then there are the people who I surround myself with that say – “you got it, keep going.” Bless them and all those who come along at some point to test my resolve and keep me true to life’s lessons and gifts.

I invite you to read my feature article and contact me about the offerings listed in the Coach’s Corner.  As you turn the page and open another chapter of the year, may you be blessed by the abundance of life and all that it holds.

Many blessings,

Susan

FEATURE ARTICLE

Not going it alone

It’s often true that when you want something done, you have to do it yourself; however, there’s a parallel truth, when you want to create something, you have to do it with others. Okay stop with the smirk I’m not talking about making babies, although it’s true. I’m talking about making your ideas, projects, and dreams come alive.

A year ago I wrote about my neighbourhood park being revamped and how one request created a conversation that led to some major action and created something, to my absolute joy, that represents more than I imagined at the time. I wanted something better for my community, and yet I could not do that alone. It was necessary to make the request and trust that the people and resources would avail themselves to my request. Here’s the message: see the potential, take the first step, and trust that all will be done.

Since last September, I have had the most amazing experience of new people entering my life to show me the way, share something I was meant to hear, introduce me to someone or something, encouraged me when I hit my low notes, and most of all, co-created in the moment when I could not do it alone.

I now understand there are things that I must simply do myself – like being responsible for my own excuses, doing the research to show me the options, writing page after page to create my first e-book. However, I also understand that if I hadn’t requested the support for all the various things I wanted to do and be, then something inside might have died, that little spark that says – “yes, why not try, your crazy not to.” I’ve also discovered that saying “yes” also means accepting what comes my way and the lessons in it.

So if you want to create something for your life, for others, or simply a change for the better, then I highly suggest for you to consider the merits of co-creation, collaboration, sharing your ideas, and letting the universe know – it has a funny way of getting back to you – and I can guarantee it’s awesome!

S.

COACH’S CORNER

A Call to Men, Women, Small Biz owners, and those who simply want to make a change for the better: In the spirit of “not going it alone” I’m offering a 30 day kick start “NO BS- LOVE” coaching program – it’s a lot like Phil and Daryl’s boot camp except it’s for your mind and soul – trust me you’ll sweat a little when I call you on your sloppy form!  And no coincidence, my co-creator/friend, Barry Spilchuk, Founder of You’re My Hero® Books and Coauthor – A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul described me as “a loving and no BS allowed Coach!” So email me now, since I have only 6 spots left for my 30 day “NO BS -LOVE ” coaching program.

A Call to Women who want core strength (leaner waist line), flexibility, and a little mental relaxation after a day’s work: Pilates Class at Body Pump Inc.will start up again, Sept 13th, at 6:00 p.m. The class will run for 8 weeks with no class on the Thanksgiving Monday. I have room for 8 people and there are certainly more than 8 women reading this!  Contact me before Sept 8th with a confirming “yes” and I’ll add you to my class.
Details:
Class is 55 minutes.

Fee is $ 136 + HST – payable to Body Pump Inc.

Drop-in fee is $20 (one time only when class series is full) For total beginners I will offer an 4 weeks intro class TBA. The next series of classes will start Nov 15th.

*For those who might be interested in a weekend class on Sunday’s -midday/early afternoon please indicate your interest via email to susan@wrightmomentum.com or through facebook.

Where I’ll be in the next few months:

At my desk – researching and collaborating with national advisors in recreation programming to address health promotion, injury prevention, and nutrition for at risk populations. For more info visit: The Lifestyle information Network, PRO, and United Generations Ontario.

On the road – to York Region with my colleague Janice McNabb, Simplicity Coaching to meet leaders and ED’s in the non profit sector to propose a new model for effective collaboration. There’s some smart and nice folks north of the 401 and we want to help build stronger and more effective communities across the region. Want to learn more – send us a note.

In my favourite writing chair near a window – landing my thoughts on the page to continue writing articles, blogs, and another book. I’ve had some recent support (navigating this on-line publishing world) and also thrilled to be sharing a novelist’s upcoming book launch – stay tuned for an announcement in my blog in the coming weeks.

You also might see me – running down the belt line, playing soccer or football with my boys, or puttering in my garden – although it’s more like weeding and cutting back some serious over growth!

Look forward to your comments & hearing from you. Enjoy the last days of summer.

Susan Wright, Founder of Wright Momentum.

As a lifestyle coach I touch on so many aspects of an individual’s fulfillment, performance, and personal well-being.  Chocolate is a great metaphor for life, it’s rich, full of energy, and joyful to the senses.  It also represents some of the struggles in life: guilt, complexity, and unrelenting desire for more.  Yet, in life there are opposite or opposing forces, hence we are in the human predicament of striving for balance, although I much prefer integration – the wonderful blending of all life’s lessons so that we are constantly challenged to stay conscious of our choices, actions, and desires.

When was the last time you actually savoured the moment, relished in it, and, or accepted the moment as is? There have been numerous times this week that I fell short of that. I resisted what was presented to me, I said “should” rather than “yes” or “no”, I complained, I was distracted, I felt selfish and guilty…need I say more?

Often when our senses are momentarily attacked with something we qualify as “good” then we are okay with it; we may not be joyful but we’re good. For example, gazing at a beautiful painting or listening intently during a productive business conversation. However, the opposite can be true, when our senses are teased with something we qualify as “bad,” like an oppositional comment, potato chips, or a straight forward “no.” We get all bent out of shape. What would it be like to simply accept, it is, what it is, and move on without a great deal of attachment to qualifying the experience?

We go around with notions of what is good and what is bad, and yet in reality, there is no such thing: it is, what it is.  Every moment of living provides a lesson, some not so subtle, and some remarkably yummy – like chocolate. I suppose my suggestion is to embrace life as it is and trust that without yin and yang, we wouldn’t be living!

Be rich with life,

Susan

Oh, and don’t forget to eat chocolate (at least the healthy kind).

“What’s that sound?” my son asks. It’s a bird, squirrel, a dog barking in the distance…it doesn’t really matter what it is, but rather, that he is alert to life around him other than the usual urban traffic, video games, and any other manufactured noise. I often think a big source of stress for us humans (and animals) is the constant hum of mechanical noises and man-made technology. We go on day-after-day wondering why we don’t feel at our best. One vital key to our well-being is being in nature among the living sounds that have natural rhythm and tones. It’s easily overlooked and often we just don’t realize how far removed we’ve become from our natural environment. It’s just so simple, we forget!

With almost every client I’ve coached there’s a disconnect with their natural environment, with their own nature. This gap may be expressed as, “I don’t feel grounded, I feel restless, I’m out of sorts, I’m not myself.” So how do you reconnect, get re-acquainted with nature and your own vibrant self? Most likely you know a variety of ways, but more importantly, do you know when you’re too far away and detached with the natural rhythm of life?

When you have that moment of awareness, you can choose a course of action that will bring you closer to a natural state and possibly create space and time in your daily life to tap into nature’s source. Summer makes it easier for us. We can pack up for a hike, saunter along the beach, canoe in the great rivers and lakes. Quite simply, we can throw a bag over our shoulder, lay a blanket down and request “plain vanilla please” when the ice -cream truck charms us with its tune.

We simply need to give ourselves permission to retreat, restore, and yes, be lazy. As Linda Guinee shares in her post, Are you being Lazy enough? “I had purposefully not planned my time, and instead had set an intention to have nowhere to go and nothing to do. And so, what a delight as each day unfolded!” To reacquaint with our true nature, consider these ideas:  A walk among trees, daily meditation, finding a stream of water, breaks at a park bench, taking your camera and exploring whatever comes within your view…and make an intention just to be in the rhythm of simplicity and nature for some time.

We know once the holiday is over, the buzz returns, so build in some mini retreats and healthy practices and plain vanilla is always a good option. Listen for the vibrancy of life and you’ll soon feel clear, whole, and simply better.

Quite simply, the act of doing something mundane puts us in action. Yes, maybe it’s not profoundly meaningful and contributing to our greater good, but at least it’s a place to start. For those of you sitting on some big ideas or dreams, just the act of moving and getting on with a simple task, however mindless and less creative, can potentially shift our mood or open us up to something a little more inspiring.

Parts of our work day can feel like “doing laundry” – necessary, easy, and efficient. Whereas, I would aim that a certain percentage of the day feels energizing, inspiring, and creative. That could take on all sorts of possibilities but I can almost for certain say that those percentages are magnified by connecting with people, sharing ideas, and generating outcomes. Granted some of those people may magnify the challenges but at least there is enough of an exchange where something is discovered, understood, or revealed.

“Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous.” – Bill Moyers

Last night I read something and it resonated with a conversation I had while coaching a client earlier in the day. Today I was able to share that with him and although it may be perceived differently by him, I simply felt better in the act of passing it along. After that I went back to another mundane chore but somehow I moved more rapidly into my next creative task – writing this piece. Early in the day I thought, “What will I write about?” Deep down knowing it will emerge as it should.

The dance between the mundane and spirit, is a dance we all do. To hold ourselves out to every exciting, thrilling, mind-busting, brilliant plan is exhausting and not very practical. Yes, practical – I said it.  It’s that dance between balancing the books and investing in a risky idea. It’s the timing of the dance, the connection of two moving bodies, the expansion of thought and expression, and the contrasting contraction that allows us to move sustainably though life and work.

“What can we do but keep on breathing in and out, modest and willing, and in our places?”  ~Mary Oliver

Two weeks back, I had the experience of being soulfully aware if only for a moment. I was totally overwhelmed with a profound sense of compassion and love that I cannot describe in words. Since that time, I have been more aware of my thoughts and actions that have the potential to attract what I want or don’t want.  I’ve also had long periods of time where I became unconscious, reactive, and absorbed by distractions. Staying “awake” feels mechanical, spotty, and momentary; like a voice saying “hey you, you have a choice here, what’s it going to be?” What a cool moment of inner power and then presto – gone.  I noticed myself yearning for that moment to stay and paradoxically, once I got to “heady” about it, the moments were less.

Some time ago I read Eckhart Tolle’s book The New Earth, and now I’m starting to recognize in myself that “presence” he and other transformed folk have experienced as being awake. I wonder for beginners like me does this feel like conscious effort, work, or training? I suppose I’m part of a spiritual boot camp – 50 push ups of affirming thoughts and five km of enduring patience. But that’s just it – it’s a form of self discipline and acknowledgment that the first 10 push ups and one km yields one moment of freedom where you are awake enough to experience pure possibility, choice and flow. I’m starting to understand the stories of enlightenment and just how one “chops wood, carries water” and patiently enters the “now” without effort.

So where am I going with this? Well the thought is this: how do we stay conscious when life just bumbles along and we get so caught up in what’s next? Here’s a thought, just for a moment suppose that we measure our days by minutes rather than hours. Imagine being so very clear, honest, and awake that in one minute how immediately you can choose and change. I imagine life becomes very vibrant and truly appreciative of the light that is within us and around us.

Have a minute? Send me a thought…

Susan

There is an uprising of awareness and vibration, in which the outcomes can be transformative, innovative, and totally limitless. The conversation has more juice and power when we speak from a place of emotion, heart and soul – yeah I know, we “don’t like” talking about that stuff, do we?  Just for a moment consider your experience listening to a speaker; How did it resonate with you? What did you notice? What made you walk away in a different way…possibly inspired? I can guarantee is wasn’t what they said so much as how they said it that you remember.  Did it come from a place of passion, wisdom, or simply the intellect?

This reminds me of my Grade 11 physics teacher. This guy was awesome, he tore across the black boards with an infinite array of equations most of which I could not follow; but what I remember the most was his passion for the subject and what he wanted us to understand.  His tempo, his brightness, his quick rhythm of wit, writing and thought. It encouraged me to somehow want to do better, to get it, and to show up! It almost didn’t matter that I didn’t get it, but  I understood his message. Isn’t that what most great speakers or iconic figures do?

Each time I share what I truly care about or for that matter what my dream is, I speak with emotion and heart, not from my head. When I flip to my thinking, judgment or doubt sneak in and relinquish the intuitive hit that may come my way. When I’m coaching someone inevitably when I start working too hard, then all that is creative, timely, and intuitive gets turned down.  The mind can work hard and generally, we’ve  been hard-wired to “think” our way through and analyse. And yes, we do know if we are locked in a pattern long enough, someone will move out of the box and come up with an innovative solution. However, that can be timely, frustrating, and costly. So why not, get to the heart of the matter and see what can emerge not just from our own individual capacity, but from the collective.

There are countless ways in which we are attempting to co-create a better way of life and society. One person can take action and make a positive change, however, just imagine what bubbles up between us that can lead to better, more effective means of creating positive societal change. A friend passed along this article “Buffett, Gates challenge fellow billionaires” to me and I share it not because of the their campaign and who they are, but simply to acknowledge the idea that what happens between us is much more powerful than we can infinitely imagine. Mr. Gates and Mr. Buffet stated, “those who take the pledge will come together to share ideas and learn from each other.”

I think they’re on to something…what about you?

Susan

The calls I make often get heard by those who are here to help me, help us. I also believe those calls are being heard by those who have something to learn from me as well. It’s so very cool that when I entered the coaching profession I learned in theory about co-creation and then noticed that’s my natural gig anyway – and I will say that’s true for all of us. We are co-creating everyday, whether we realize it or not. The best part for me; it allows me to reconnect, discover something to release, to give, and to receive. These “calls” or experiences are simply keys that allow me to turn the power on, ignite the essence of myself that is really me, and generate movement.

I have been so focused on the mounting piles of laundry, the work ahead, and the disruption that I’ve forgotten to focus on what I want – a highly effective, powerful, and happy me. So I need to make a request and state what I want! No being nice about it, no pretending it’s okay, it’s not. I don’t accept that my power is not on. I’d rather run full tilt and spin gleefully than sit like a mound of wrinkled and dirty clothes on the floor.

So today I’m making more calls, but specifically “I’m the one that calls the “I” into being” as I learned last night from Gordon Allen, Founder of the Aletheia Group. I have the capacity to create and come newly into the world in each moment. There’s something so invigorating and simple about that; like putting on freshly laundered clothes!

If you ever ask yourself: Why am I not moving? Why do I feel like I’m fumbling in the dark? Why isn’t “it” working? Take note: Let go and be. As my fellow coach and friend, Jeffrey Eisen, shared with me today, “Know the moment, and make it perfect. And trust that despite the chaos and noise all is in absolute harmony.” (Patricia Cori, Transition Now, 2010)

For this moment, I choose to show up shiny and new, while making a few calls to change my story with those who are here to do the same.

Take care,

Susan

I don’t care if you have a high profile, high stakes, “busy” and “stressful” job and life – I care that you listen to those urges for they will often create the space and time to offer a better solution, an interesting idea, a safe venting ground, and a balanced perspective.  Just imagine for a moment, a towering person over your shoulder making sure you didn’t move, stayed exactly focused on the task at hand without raising an eye to experience what’s around? Stifling isn’t it? That’s what we do when we ignore the feeling and urge to simply be; we stifle all that is creative and flowing within us.

I believe a competent leader understands the value of listening and allowing these moments to usurp the task at hand to allow for a fresh perspective, or better yet create an environment that serves to generate awareness, possibility, and outstanding results.

You can do this in your day to day life no matter what your role; solopreneur, parent, manager, CFO, CEO! Recently, I learned of a company (Life is Good) that has a Chief Operating Optimist-  now that’s impressive and guess what?  So is their success. To be effective and stay true to their brand, and likewise, ourselves; a recognition of that creative force and free expression is a worthwhile pause in the course of a day.

Quietly sitting, walking, moving, doodling, landing on the page to write whatever comes up are simple ways to connect with our feelings; an aspect of ourselves that can be held back, in order to “get on with it.” It is my experience that “getting on with it” comes from the towering figure within that gets in the way of truly experiencing life and creating all that is necessary for success and meaning.

What’s the feeling you get when creativity is calling your name?

Follow the urge…

Susan

It’s an odd almost indescribable experience, one that I find hard to put in words. I feel torn between two worlds; one that I’m familiar and confident within, and one that is pulling me with great anticipation and excitement. Being of ambitious nature I’m somewhat impatient (or rather excited) to move forward and get going BUT that’s not what life is proving to be right now. The experience suggests one of stuttering, wanting so desperately to move with ease and flow and yet still somewhat cocooned within a sticky web knowing that wings will appear when the time is right.  I have total admiration for nature’s beauty and grace and it’s imparting wisdom.

During my insight of being in this new life cycle, I opened Dan Millman’s book “The Life You Were Born to Live” to affirm this awareness. Sure enough, my experience since my last birthday revealed the blessings of year one in the nine year cycle. Indeed I have been sowing seeds and bringing forth creativity. All the seeds that I’ve begun to disperse are naturally unyielding at this time as they will require the nourishment of year two – the building and interaction of relationships that will naturally bring about their eventual emergence.

So with this time of transition I have felt rather vacant, like a vessel carrying the soul of my aspirations not manifested in outwardly form.  I have carried all that I know and all that I am and every so often there’s a glimmer of some unrecognizable truth that is profoundly awakening.

In times of transition, momentum is withheld as there is a deeper current running within that needs time to spring forth. And when it does, surely the power and energy will initiate bountiful growth and presence. So for now, the vacancy, stuttering, discomfort  are signs that the space within holds great creativity and learning.

In my own vacancy I’m prompted to ask: what space can be held within and between us to bring about positive change?

Susan

A light turned on this week after walking away from a conversation sharing a recent parental experience. At one moment I was open and heartfelt, the next closing the door. What came to light was the power of ego and the inner voice that gets in the way of authenticity.  We may let go a little in confidence, share a bit about our experience, and then look out, the emotions surface like a bubble of soap, just glistening enough to  sparkle and take shape, then pop goes the ego – the part of us that judges us for even being open enough to be real with our lives and experiences.

This is why asking for help is just so darn hard, or simply having relationships that compel us to open up and be who we are.  We just don’t want to lose control, it’s easier to suck it up and diminish the effect all this “stuff” is really having on us. But what’s the cost? HUGE. We lose out on opportunities for real growth, health, happiness, and authentic living.

There’s a great song by the Bodeans called “Naked,” it pretty much sums up, how we feel when were are true, loving, and accepting of what is.  So even if we can shed one layer, then we are starting to unravel and release…there is great freedom in that and that can be a very foreign feeling for those who like to know, have the road map, and predict the outcome.

With great freedom, comes great vulnerability, and that takes a whole lot of faith, self love, and a little kick in the pants! So as I move along my journey, there will be those times when my head says: “You’re foolish, how could you go there, you know better…blah, blah, blah.” I suppose it’s the heavy thoughts and if you can imagine a boss saying those things – well guess what – that’s you and your ego. What would you say to the boss? Would you be polite, walk away with your tail between your legs?

Stand up folks, it’s time. Time to take care of ourselves, time to honour who we are, and all that we can be. We can be healthy, whole, and creative. Imagine the power in that.

Get naked!

Susan