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Stop Create Magic

November 6, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

SHINE YOUR LIGHT FOR THE HOLIDAYS

L – Love yourself -L-Love to Stop? Probably not, but here’s why you will love to Stop!

I – Illuminate the true spirit of the holidays

G – Give gifts of love to yourself and others

H – Honest appraisal of how you feel and what’s going on

T – Trust your inner knowing to guide you

quiet-destress-relax I believe there is magic in the word Stop. Think of stopping as loving yourself. It is a chance to re-fuel from the inside, out. Stopping can create more “room” for you and for those you love. Stopping creates space… space for creative ideas to flow, and space for life to resume in a more efficient, simpler way. When emotions run high, stopping to eat, shower, be still, meditate, etc., even for a short time, can make all the difference. So next time you’re feeling stressed, stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and remember to stop.

Love yourself, by being kind in the expectations you set for yourself. Remember to create your own special quiet moments.

When you let go of the old thoughts and messages of the past, it clears space in your mind for something new. “Happiness” researchers have found that people who took time to be still-meditate for a short time (10-20 minutes) were happier and more productive.

Stop when you are tired, and definitely when you are exhausted, (I so remember those holiday seasons that I was fighting a cold by the time Christmas Day arrived).

Ask yourself, “What is really important?” Stopping without guilt and worry actually creates space-time. Hard to believe, but true. Many companies know this, they put play areas in so their employees can stop and play. Work productivity in those work places increased.

de-stress, relax, stop, magic of stopping

One year I wondered why I had decided to have a Christmas party. I thought about all the work and time, and how tired I get. It didn’t feel like fun, although I love the end result. I noticed how I was feeling, stopped and tapped into the feelings of joy and fun of the party. I asked myself, “How can I do this in a different way, so I won’t feel as tired?” I took some quiet time (believe me, not long) and a plan emerged. I let go of the past, how I thought it should be, kept the most important elements and planned the party in a totally different way. I won’t tell you it didn’t take time or wasn’t work, but it wasn’t stressful. And, as hard as it was to believe, I was ready an hour before guests arrived. Never, ever have I had that amount of time before company or a party. I know I created magic and a miracle by stopping.

heart-holidays-self -empowered-light

Choose one thing you would like to do differently this year to Love yourself and shine your LIGHT? Post on Facebook (at the Angel Violet’s Pre Holiday Party) or in the comments below, and inspire another women to do the same.

Stopping and Partying,

Bonnie

PS Are you looking for ways to keep yourself more relaxed, better prepared, and less stressed during the holidays ? Join us on Angel Violet’s Magic Wings Facebook page from November 18-20, anytime during those days. Bring an open heart, your curiosity, and get ready to be more peaceful before and during the holidays.

Heart Centered Holidays: Stay Calm and Carry On

October 28, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

How many times does your LIGHT get dimmed during the holidays? Wouldn’t you love to stay calm and carry on? When you feel your light beginning to fade, there are pathways you can turn to, to help you remember what you know in your heart will shine your LIGHT.

Now thru December, I will share with you blogs and articles to support you in the most heart-centered ways so as to help you create a light-filled and magical holiday season.

SHINE YOUR LIGHT FOR THE HOLIDAYS

L- Love yourself

I – Illuminate the true spirit of the holidays

G – Give gifts of love to yourself and others

H – Honest appraisal of how you feel and what’s going on

T – Trust your inner knowing to guide you

Starting with Halloween at the end of this week, the stir of the holiday season begins.

In hearts of children we see pure joy as they anticipate and prepare for Halloween festivities. The gleam in their eyes (before the candy) reflects the excitement of the costumes, colors, and the fun of trick or treating. Their imaginations and sense of adventure are unlimited as they think about ‘who they can be’ and acting out those roles with no inhibitions as only a child can do.

As adults we get caught up in the activity and exploration for fun, but with our own limitations and expectations on perfect costumes and ‘getting the night right’. Then, when trapped in our own stresses, we don’t set limits on time, festivities and on the sugar goodies. The smiles turn into whines and upset tummies, and the fun into chaos and mayhem.

Then, before you can catch your breath from costumes, parties and Halloween festivities, preparation for Thanksgiving is upon us.

If your focus is kindness, giving and thankfulness, then Thanksgiving will be a true day to celebrate.

However, the overload and stress of cooking, cleaning, and even traveling for Thanksgiving can dim the joy and take away from the lightness and purpose of getting together with family. Many times you begin to feel less than thankful because you have overextended yourself, not set limits on what you are doing and not asked for help or simplified how you created the festivities for Thanksgiving Day.

Then with the speed of sound, we move into the Holidays of Light in the month of December.

The weight of the multitudes of additions to the already full to do list becomes overwhelming. There are the ever increasing demands of the holiday season, holiday parties, costumes for Christmas plays and of course the gift giving. The list goes on and during the month of December.

BE the LIGHT.

IS it possible to be LIGHT during the holidays? I believe it is.

If you listen closely Angel Violet whispers not so softly,“It all starts with you!”

L- Love yourself. (Part 1)

You will thank yourself (and so will your children and family).

A heart centered holiday mantra is “Stay calm and carry on”. Being calm means letting go of the should’s, ought to’s, and most importantly, what others will think about what you do or don’t do for the holidays. (This works well in life in general, as well.)

Some of the loving questions you can ask yourself are:

Does this stress me out or give me joy? what can I do differently? Why am I doing this? Will this make a difference 10 years from now?

It’s amazing the sense of peace you’ll experience when you let go of the should have to reason for doing certain things. Not only will you feel better, but you will have more energy for what you want to do.

The negative energy weighs you down.

I know this is easier said than done but give it a try. I think you might be surprised how easy it may be to let something go or do it differently.

For Halloween – Do you really have to make the costume this year? Where can you set limits? Something that has worked for many parents is trading candy for something else the day after Halloween.

Shine your LIGHT on Halloween; join in the fun, but set limits for everyone so that the day and evening remain pure and enjoyable.

Remember, Thanksgiving is not the only day of the year you need to get together with family, and isn’t the only day gratitude is present in your life. Your LIGHT can always shine with a sense of heart-felt happiness as your family gives thanks for the small things in life. Take the pressure off of only thinking it can happen one day a year.

Think about it, what is the message you want to give your children/family about the holidays?

Ways to Love Yourself

This may sound preposterous but giving yourself a little “love” -yes quiet or alone time, even ten minutes, will refresh your body and mind.

More importantly, if some of that loving time is already in your schedule, don’t skip that time during this season, or don’t skip your yoga or gym class, which is so easy to do during these busy weeks. This is when you need it most.

When you engage in “quiet time moments”, you may find that your to do list keeps flashing through your mind. Stop and give your mind something else to focus on. Be gentle. Notice your mind wandering and bring it back.

You may want to:

Listen to a short, quiet meditation.
Focus on your breathing.
Play music you love and really listen to the words.
Or sing the words to the song. (Loud!)
It may be cold but 10 minutes in the fresh air will clear your mind.
Don’t skip the opportunity for quiet if you get a mani pedi. If you don’t do that, gift yourself some time. Be still. Enjoy the pampering.
Your physical body will thank you.

I believe magic is in the letting go, creating space. Although contradictory it does work.

Love yourself, by being kind in your expectations of yourself. Stop when you are tired, and definitely when you are exhausted. (I so remember those holiday seasons that I was fighting a cold by the time Christmas Day arrived).

Loving yourself is stopping. Stopping to refuel your inner self, stopping to eat, and stopping to be still….even for a short time.

As you love yourself, it takes pressure not only off you, but also your children and everyone around you. Children feel your stress and act accordingly, so loving yourself IS loving your children (family and friends).

Three Pathways to Loving Yourself This Holiday Season

De-stress and Relax, just a bit, to Shine Your Light this Holiday Season

First Pathway:

Enjoy the Free Spa Jacuzzi Room and 3 Minute Light Meditation

http://serenitypathways.com/free-spa/

You’re taking the fist step off the busy treadmill of life as you nurture your body, mind and spirit. After your visit you will notice how in just this short time you feel more relaxed and calm.

Second Pathway:

nkmealplansheader “This site had a hands down agreement of being helpful with families who had young children to those who were very busy looking to prepare meals in an easy but time effect ant way. “Feeding your family nourishing real foods doesn’t have to be hard. http://diamondpathways.com/resources/gifts/

Third Pathway:

The Family Diamond Audio Series

Many women are not alone in needing support to navigate the holidays with as much ease as possible. Your “inner family” (inner child, inner nurturer, inner warrior, inner sage) can support in small ways you may not have thought of to move through the holidays more easily and with more joy. Your inner family can also remind you what’s important to navigate your days more efficiently and gracefully. The Inner Family Diamond 5 part audio series is for anyone who wants to more easily find inner peace (especially during the busy season), listen inwardly more closely, support yourself more quickly and go after what you desire more confidently. read more at DiamondPathways.com/family-diamond/

Post your ideas, your experience and inspire another women!

Be your loving light during the holidays,

Bonnie

How to get kids to talks what every parent should know

September 26, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

children + communication,children+ feelings, conscious parenting

“How to get kids to talk about school: what every parent should know”

by Teachmama is a great article on a variety of practical ways to open communication with your children.

“How to get kids to talk about school: what every parent must know School is underway for us, and what I’m realizing more and more is that it’s sometimes tough to get my kids to talk about school. As a parent, I’m curious. I want to know everything:

Who did they sit with at lunch?
Who did they play with at recess?
How do they like their tablemates?
What book did they start in Guided Reading?
Who hosted the morning tv show?
But it’s hard. The kids are tired… read more at
http://teachmama.com/get-kids-talk-school/#_a5y_p=2318968

Have a great conversation,

Bonnie

How Was Your Day?

August 25, 2014 By admin 2 Comments

Connect To Your Child and Get The Real Scoop On What’s Happening

How was your day?

How many times have we used the “How was your day?” question to pry information from our kids, grandkids or even our spouses and they responded only with a vague “Fine”? Alternatively, how many times do we absentmindedly ask

children communication, children's feelings, kids emotions, children & positive psychology, conscious parenting — What are your three favorite things from today?

“How was your day?” and then we stop listening? We’ve all done it at some point.

With a new school year starting, what can you do to connect to your child and get the real scoop on what’s happening in your child’s day and possibly nip a problem in the bud?

Asking “How was your day?” really is a great way to start, but it’s what you do next that makes the difference.

If they simply answer “Good” or “Fine”, use that as a perfect lead-in to find out what was good or fine. Ask “What three things were good or fine?” or “What were your three favorite things about today?” If your child is a preschooler, you may only want to ask for one or two favorite things. (In the next blog we will talk about what to do if it has been a yucky day). Now pay attention to what your child says. Listening with your full attention, even if you are driving or cooking dinner, deepens your connection to your child. As you make this closer connection by listening, focusing on them and responding specifically to what they are sharing, you are more likely to get cooperation from your child as the day and evening continue.

If you have more than one child, this approach also reinforces the wait-your-turn rule, yet strengthens the connection between your children. Notice what they focus on. If snack or play is their favorite time (or math or science class), ask them more questions. You may learn things you didn’t know. Be playful if you hear the same responses day after day; help them look for other things — even small things — that they like or enjoy. Challenge older children to come up with something new each day. Be sure to share your own favorite things for the day, too!

Focusing on what you enjoy – the positive – starts to cultivate gratitude. It’s so easy for all of us to place emphasis on what is not working. There are challenges in everyone’s day; it’s a part of life. However, when you end the day on a negative note, it sets the tone for the rest of the evening. Who intentionally sets out to have a yucky evening with family? No one! So as you focus on how beautiful the sky was in the morning or how you enjoyed working with one of your workmates — and encourage your children to do the same — it sets the tone for both you and your children to have a pleasant evening instead.

Be creative! Ask questions and remember to really listen. You are modeling great listening and communication skills as you strengthen your connection with your children.

Post and let us know what some of your children’s favorite things are.

Loving the fun of listening to children,

Bonnie

PS If you don’t have children, at the end of each day think of your three favorite things from the day! Be playful your inner child loves that!

Don’t Let Stress Rob You or Your Children of Summer Relaxation & Fun

July 16, 2014 By admin Leave a Comment

Don’t Let Stress Rob You

Your Children of Summer Relaxation and Fun!

Summertime, the season of sun, fun, and relaxation … or is it?

How relaxed are you if your vacation preparations have left you depleted, stressed, and exhausted before you even reach your destination? How much fun are you having if your kids are treading on your last nerve once you arrive? You’re not alone if you feel this way.

It’s easy to fill your (and your children’s) summertime schedule with so many activities that it seems like the routines and confines of school never ended. Your to-do list has no end, technology doesn’t shut down, and it’s easy to clutter your days with busyness. It’s also easy to forget the natural rhythms of rejuvenation, fun, and relaxation that are supposed to come with the summer season. Don’t fall into the trap of robbing yourself and your family of true summer relaxation and renewal.

relaxation and kids, parenting and kids, summer fun and kids Many women ask, “How can I take care of myself and my family in a healthier way? How can I calmly raise my family without falling totally off the grid?” As you know there isn’t one simple answer. The good news is summer is a perfect time to make small positive changes and create relaxing and fun rituals that reap huge benefits. You aren’t competing with school-related activities and homework and your children are more relaxed, open, and willing to try new ideas. After practicing these activities over the summer you can carry them into the school year to help relieve the stress of everyday routines.

Relaxation: Play the Wiggle-Still Game
A great way to relax, reconnect with yourself and your child

children relax, child meditate, build child parent connection

A favorite game in our family is “Wiggle & Quiet Game.” We play this game after school and Mom and Dad can join in after a busy day at work. Everyone lays on the floor to “get the wiggles out” anyway they want. As you release all your wiggles and giggles the extra energy goes into the ground. You can’t help but laugh at yourself and each other as you do this. Then change the game and see how still you and your child can be—as still as a flower, a rock, a tree. Use your imagination and quiet your mind. With toddlers it may last only a few seconds; but no matter how old you are, you’ll be surprised how just a few minutes of wiggling and laughing followed by quiet time reduces stress and calms the body and mind.

Make a game out of it by tracking the “still” time. Each child has different abilities in this game but everyone wins. Help the little ones count, and at the same time build their math skills. Create a colorful graph of each child’s “still” time and track how much they can increase their “still” time. When you relax, you connect to your inner knowing. As you play this simple game with your child(ren) you’re building self confidence and resilience.

For women who don’t have children (or any at home right now), delight your inner child with some wiggle and quiet time.

Rejuvenation: Create calming rituals as an antidote

for the “new normal”

In light of the “new normal” of our constantly changing, non-stop lives, it’s imperative for our own health and happiness—as well as that of our children—to create regular times of quiet rejuvenation. If you’re a mom, finding the time can be very challenging. However, it’s critical to regularly carve out short periods (even ten minutes) of self-nurturing time for yourself … without the kids.

An opportunity to rejuvenate ( Not for writers only)

You are invited to enhance your relaxation by listening to the Writelighter Radio Spa hosted by Eleyne-Mari on Within Radio. The May 26th radio show features inspiring and relaxing music, a small segment especially for writers, two interviews, a writing detox, a guided meditation, and a beautiful Garden Labyrinth Meditation. Listen to the whole show and check out the spa as Eleyne-Mari’s calming voice guides you through laughter, meditation, and the interviews

I was fortunate to be interviewed about my inspiration for writing the children’s book Angel Violet’s Magic Wings. http://tinyurl.com/inspireradiointerviewonly– (18 minutes). The second interview was with Carla Golden, a massage therapist and a spiritual nutritionist, who shared amazing information about her journey with food.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/within-radio/2014/05/26/writelighter-radio-spa

Download or listen to the complete program, or choose any section for a relaxing summer treat.

How are you relaxing this summer?

Have you found moments of relaxation for yourself and your children? I’d love for you to post your summer fun, quiet, and relaxing rituals. Please post and share your fun time activities and games of the summer!

Enjoying the season of summer fun and relaxation,

Bonnie

PS Please post your comments, ah has and other thoughts about Inspire Radio’s show.