Mind Weeds – Taming the Garden of the Mind

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SHIFT May 2009: Mind Weeds – Taming the Garden of the Mind
When planting a garden, we take great care in choosing seeds that will produce the fruits and vegetables that will nourish our bodies. Similarly, we take great care with our choices about those things we wish to grow in our daily lives. Carefully planting intentions, dreams and ideas for our future. Doesn’t it sometimes happen though that foreign seeds find their way into our gardens? When this happens, we tend to discover that distractions and toxic thoughts slowly begin overgrowing our good intentions.

What do these weeds mean? Are the dreams, intentions and ideas not strong enough, do we not have the perseverance to clear out the mental clutter? Zen practices explain that those weeds can be used as an asset. By working through the weeds and eventually taming them, this practice helps us to strengthen our focus on what is truly important. But, how often do we kindly release the struggle and allow the weeds to overpower our minds while we distract ourselves with another corner of the garden?

From the book, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, Shunryu Suzuki writes, “Nothing comes from outside your mind. Usually we think of our mind as receiving impressions and experiences from outside, but that is not a true understanding of our mind. The true understanding is that the mind includes everything; when you think something comes from outside it means only that something appears in your mind. Nothing outside yourself can cause any trouble. If you leave your mind as it is, it will become calm.”

Hmmm, so if nothing outside of you can cause any trouble – then we must find ourselves in this predicament because we take such toxic thoughts and fuel them with our own unfounded belief (which usually stems from fear, right?). So, if you leave your mind as it is, it will become calm. Practice this for a moment with one of the toxic thoughts/fears you have been encountering. Do not give this thought power or belief, just acknowledge it as a thought and let your mind become quiet.

Isn’t it interesting how calming this can be? To simply acknowledge thoughts as, well, thoughts – without giving them emphasis or meaning! As you practice this, you are actively pulling weeds and giving the seeds you’ve planted room and permission to grow. Slowly, over time, begin to pick and choose carefully which seeds you would like to see grow. Anytime you feel doubt creep in, or fear or anxiety, acknowledge it for what it is – a thought, an emotion – and remove the weight and the belief in it. Even just for a few moments. Imagine how different your life would be without that thought.

Your belief in those thoughts is what gives them power. Take responsibility for creating that belief and explore why you might be hanging on to that self-sabotaging thought. Nothing happens overnight, so as you work on managing one toxic weed, you’ll find that occasionally it starts to reemerge. Don’t panic! Just keep pushing through. Actively practice moving through that thought and you begin managing the weeds. There will always be mind weeds, but when you are prepared to work with them, your ideas and goals will flourish. Very few weeds will effectively infiltrate and destroy what you have planted because you are choosing to deny them power. Doing this provides power and strength for the flowers that are trying to grow.

Nurture your seeds – make a conscious choice about what you would like to grow. Treat those goals and dreams with love. They need constant attention and care. Tend to them and as the growth gains momentum, you will feel ease. During this time you can reward yourself by relaxing and enjoy the fruits of your labor, the production of your seeds, the growth of your efforts. As with any garden, prepare for your seasons, keep a gentle eye on the weeds and revel in the journey of what you are learning about yourself. Happy planting!

SUMMER Workshops and Retreats from Momentum Coaching

Wow, it’s been a very dynamic year so far. I’ve been working with some of the best talent that the Charlotte wellness scene has to offer. I’m loving it! As a result, I’ve been co-creating workshops and retreats to provide YOU the valuable space to stretch, breath and reconnect this summer. This list of events is not exclusive to just men, or just women. Nor is it exclusive to those within or beyond Charlotte’s borders. I’m confident you will find something of interest to whatever mile you are walking along your path. I’m very proud to be able to introduce you to some new faces and truly life-changing experiences. See you soon!

Enjoy the journey,
Coach Katie

Visit www.EnergizeYourMoment.com for more information

SUMMER COURSES INCLUDE (more detailed information below):

• Spring Cleaning Tele-class
• Spring Cleaning Workshop
• Yoga/Coaching Workshop
• Annual Feed Your Soul Women’s Retreat
• One-Day Feed Your Soul Intensive For Men and Women

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SPRING CLEANING: Inside & Out Teleclass
May 5, 2009: 7:30-8:30 p.m. / $25 / Registration deadline: May 4, 2009

Katie and Certified Professional Organizer, Carson Tate have paired up to offer you the best tips for getting organized. This class will be open forum, so bring your challenges and expect to receive the wisdom from Katie and Carson’s combined experience to help you clear out the clutter inside and out. Teleclass phone line and access code will be distributed after registration. Reserve your seat now!

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SPRING CLEANING: Inside & Out Condensed Workshop
May 20, 2009 / 6:30-8:30 p.m. / $150 per person, includes workbook / The Art of Living Center, Charlotte, NC / Registration deadline: May 13, 2009

If you’ve ever found yourself making a ‘to-do’ list regarding the clutter in your home or office, this workshop was created for you! Time spent trying to find something in your cluttered environment is time you aren’t able to focus on developing the talents you have that make you an effective leader, attentive parent or efficient worker. We believe that once you get your environment organized, you then have the time to focus internally on the dreams and goals you truly want to accomplish.

Life coach Katie Mattson and professional organizer Carson Tate have paired up to bring you a highly effective workshop to help you clean out all the areas of your life – internal and external – that are holding you back from becoming the happiest, most effective person you know you can be. Our simple system can be applied to any area of your environment or life to experience dramatic results in organization and personal growth. Join us for a life-changing afternoon of experiential training on how to SIMPLIFY your life – inside and out!

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Yoga/Coaching Workshop: Embracing Your Authentic Self!
June 8, 2009 / 5:30-8:30 p.m. / Covenant Presbyterian Church / $45 / Registration deadline: June 4, 2009

Mark your calendars for an inspiring and transformational evening combining coaching and yoga to help you fully embrace YOUR vibrant, wise, and fabulous authentic self!

Join Professional Life Coaches Laura Neff and Katie Mattson as well as Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor Brooks Haislip as we lead you through a gentle, inquisitive, and expansive experience of coaching exercises combined with a yoga practice that perfectly compliments and deepens your learning.

You’ll leave this workshop with:

• A more intimate knowledge of who your Authentic Self is
• What “embracing” that Authentic Self means to YOU and why that’s particularly important NOW
• Clarity on what steps you can take to live more fully from your Authentic Self
• An open and inspired heart, body and spirit

This will be a night not to miss!
Light refreshments will be provided. Please wear comfortable clothes suitable for yoga, and bring your own yoga mat and props (blocks, blankets, etc). There will be a few yoga mats available for public use. Please request this with your registration. Yoga will be suitable for all levels.

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Annual Women’s FEED YOUR SOUL Retreat

June 19-21, 2009 / $375, all lodging and meals included
Registration deadline: June 8, 2009

We believe that when women take time to connect to and nourish their deepest selves, they become stronger, more deeply connected women in the world…and the world desperately needs such women!

Join professional coaches Katie Mattson and Laura Neff on this annual retreat that participants have hailed as “refreshing, energetic” and “one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself!” This relaxing ladies-only weekend is an opportunity to enjoy beautiful scenery, healthy and delicious food, and a steady stream of inspiring exercises to stretch your body, mind and spirit. Flourish with time for personal reflection, tap into your spirit’s wisdom with powerful leadership from your coaches, and enjoy countless moments of divine “ah-hah’s!”  This weekend is a life changing experience that is full of self discovery and girl power – the only thing it is missing is you!

Reserve your spot through Laura Neff’s site at: www.MoreInYou.com

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ONE-DAY ONLY Feed Your Soul Retreat
June 27, 2009 / $60, lunch included / Registration deadline: June 20, 2009

At the request of some of our retreat participants, we’ve brought Feed Your Soul to Charlotte! Enjoy a day of organic nourishment, gentle pampering and inquisitive coaching exercises to escape from it all within the city limits. Join professional coaches Katie Mattson and Laura Neff for a taste of what past retreat participants have hailed as “refreshing, energetic” and “one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself!”

Reserve your spot through Laura Neff’s site at: www.MoreInYou.com

10 Ways to Live an Extraordinary Life

As I’ve worked with clients over the years, the same issues seem to pop up. Here is an overview of 10 ways to live an extraordinary life – from the shifts that my clients (and myself) have made! Enjoy!

1. Love: even the people you don’t like. Everyone teaches you something about yourself and if you look hard enough, there is something about them that you can appreciate. Even yourself when needed!
2. Work on your strengths, not your weaknesses. We can only get so good at our weaknesses, so manage them – but focus on your strengths and the sky is the limit! *Like this tip? Try reading Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham*
3. Take responsibility for what you feel. No one else can ever make you feel a certain way. It’s the way you interpret and internalize what is happening. No more blaming or making excuses. *Like this tip? Try reading The Success Principles by Jack Canfield*
4. Know what you mean and say it! We expend a lot of energy holding grudges for situations that the other person has long forgotten, waiting for someone else to guess what we want and hoping things will just change on their own. Remember that everyone thinks differently and very few of us can read minds. Our lives would all be a lot more fulfilling if we took the time to understand what we want in any given situation and then provided an explanation to those around us who could help foster the change. *Like this tip? Try reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman*
5. Stop procrastinating. Do the hardest thing on your list first every morning. Get it out of the way so it doesn’t take up valuable energy throughout the day that you could be using to steamroll ahead on the things you love to do. *Like this tip? Try reading Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy*
6. Step through fear. Fear and excitement carry the same vibration. Fear is man made. Every time you step through fear, your tolerance grows and before long fear is seldom an issue. Picture a protective circle around you and each time you step into something that causes fear, that circle gets bigger.
7. Stop tolerating. People or things. If you don’t like it, if it annoys you, if you are trying to ignore it, just take care of it. Be done with it for good b/c it’s taking up valuable space in your subconscious. And don’t forget…the subconscious rules!
8. Follow your heart. Have good boundaries between personal life and work life, but make sure that what you do is an extension of yourself and your heart.
9. Tap into your senses. Engage your five senses every day (and your sixth sense). Be aware of what you experience. Eat slower, taste more. Breathe in the smells of spring. Feel when someone hugs you, or when you put your toes in the grass. Listen without judgment or personal intention to what someone is saying to you. See what is around you – what colors are you attracted to? What catches your eye? What intuitive feelings do you get from the people you meet? Challenge whatever sense you feel you’re neglecting…focus your attention there for a week and see what happens.
10. Stay positive. Set a daily intention. Plant intentions within your heart before important meetings, etc. Be clear about what you want. Take a walk for 15 minutes every day (or just meditation time) to focus only on what you want. *Like this tip? try reading The Law of Attraction by Jerry and Esther Hicks or Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn*

Best,
Coach Katie Mattson

10 Ways to Simplify Your Lifestyle TODAY

When I think of spring, I think of bare feet, freshly mowed lawns and reading a good book under a tree while soaking up the warmth of the sun at the park. This season begs for a simpler lifestyle. One with fewer distractions. Less clutter. Room to move, breathe and laugh.

What would a simpler life look like for you? Fewer obligations? Fewer possessions? Fewer bills? As our world shifts into a time of refreshing, purging and simplifying, we will find that our lifestyles shift with it. Below are my top 10 ways to simplify your lifestyle (in no particular order). You can start any one of these today and I encourage you to do so! If you like what you’re reading, hop on over to the site and sign up for the Spring Cleaning: Inside and Out Workshop with Carson Tate and yours truly.

1. Donate what you no longer want or need. Help a good cause while clearing out the clutter that junks up your mind and your home. Donations can be given to charities such as:
   Goodwill – for smaller donations such as clothes, furniture or household items.
   Habitat for Humanity – help those in need of housing by donating furniture, excess building supplies, remodeling remnants, etc.
   The Kidney Foundation – for large donations such as cars, golf clubs or cash.
   Swaptree – Tired of your music, books, DVDs or video games? Trade them for free with other users via the web.
   Craigslist – Make a profit off of your used gear without the hassle of Ebay listings.

These donations and discounts can make a huge difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Especially now. Plus, getting rid of the stuff that is taking up space will only give you more room to breathe, think and relax.

2. Commit to a few months without tv, internet or cable. Your choice! Without the distraction of your weekly shows you allow for more personal, family or friend time. Decide what is not necessary and do a trial run without it. If you can’t stand the thought of going cold turkey, keep a log of how long you spend on the internet or watching TV at home per week. Those are the hours you could save yourself to do the things that you don’t think you have time for.
3. Try to utilize all of your resources before re-using them. For instance, only do laundry when you absolutely need to, or go through all of your plates or silverware before running the dishwasher. This will not only save you electricity, water and time, but also make you aware of where you have excess.
4. Go through books, papers and old files. Shred what you don’t need and donate the rest. Folks are working hard in our community to offer the same resources that are sitting and collecting dust on your shelves. Reach out programs like Habitat for Humanity in Charlotte for instance are collecting used books to stock the shelves of their new bookstore. All of the proceeds go to building supplies for houses of those in need. Most libraries also take donations and sites likes GotBooks.com will even come pick them up!
5. Eat in more and dine out less. Save money and make family meals more important. Whatever happened to a home cooked family meal around the dinner table? Much less eating a meal sitting down and not on the go! Casseroles and soups make great dishes that can be frozen ahead of time (saving you time during the week) and yield yummy leftovers for snacks and lunches. Reduce junk food as you grocery shop and fill up your fridge with organic fruits and veggies from the farmer’s market (also saving yourself money!).
6. Make an ongoing priority list. Get “it” out of your mind and onto a tangible list. Use software like Microsoft Word to create a prioritized list for what you need to get at the grocery store, at target and even of the pesky ‘to-dos’ around the house. When you make a list on the computer, you have the ability to edit, move things up in priority and print it to take with you. This reduces the chances of a hundred post it notes cluttering up your desk and home. Not to mention it frees up your mind to focus on more important tasks than ‘remember to get trash bags.’
7. Simplify your routine. Mornings should not be stressful “go” times. Take care of any of the ‘to-dos’ the night before. Have a simple self care routine that includes hygiene, nourishment and movement in the morning. Give yourself plenty of time to relax in your shower, prepare a healthy breakfast that gives you an boost of energy and do a few simple stretches. All of this can still happen in an hour to an hour and a half.
8. Know what you mean and say it! We expend a lot of energy holding grudges for situations that the other person has long forgotten, waiting for someone else to guess what we want and hoping things will just change on their own. Let’s take a moment to remember that everyone thinks differently and very few of us can read minds. Our lives would all be a lot more fulfilling if we took the time to understand what we want in any given situation and then provided an explanation to those around us who could help foster the change. *Like this tip? Try reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz*
9. Ask for help. Who says you have to do it all alone? If you’re at work and feel behind, stuck or confused after trying to figure something out yourself, speak up! You’ll take up less time stopping to ask for help than spinning your wheels for an hour trying to figure out what should be done. Same principle applies at home. Ask your spouse, a family member or a friend to give you a hand with a large project (or even the small ones!). Most of the time they don’t know you need help unless you ask.
10. Take a walk. Simplify your lifestyle with some good old fashioned fresh air. Take 15 minutes (or more!) to get outside either with your favorite person or just with your favorite thoughts about what you want in your life. This time is off limits for negative thoughts, anxiety, worry and stress. *Only* positive, future visualization of what you want your life to be like is appropriate to fill this time. Finding that your negative thoughts tiptoe in anyway? That’s okay, simply take a breath and imagine that worried scenario going exactly as you’d like it to and move on to the next positive thought. *Like this tip? try reading The Law of Attraction by Jerry and Esther Hicks or Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn*

Even if you choose one of these things to tackle, you’ll be well on your way to a simpler lifestyle. Now, get to simplifying. Again, if you feel like you need a little extra support and you like what you’ve read here, then come experience more with Certified Professional Organizer, Carson Tate and myself at the Spring Cleaning: Inside and Out workshop. Click here for more information. Happy Simplifying!

Sign Up For SHIFT, Momentum Coaching’s monthly newsletter HERE

Pressure of the positive

I’ve been studying the Law of Attraction for quite some time, but there are always new resources, new thoughts and new perspectives on the subject. One of my biggest challenges with attraction is keeping it up! How do you stay positive all the time? How do you keep your thoughts focused forward and not unintentionally sabotage them with the language you’re using? How do you keep all the ‘laws’ straight in your memory?

Over the years, I’ve neglected a very foundational source of this information. They’ve been teaching this material for years. I’m referring to Jerry and Esther Hicks. Their book, ‘The Law of Attraction‘ recently snagged my attention. I’d heard of them many times and for whatever reason just hadn’t studied them. I’d like to share a few key elements that I’ve taken away so far.

1. Your Inner Being
I know this sounds funky, but bear with me. Imagine you have two components that make up who you are. One is an always positive, always whole, always content and all-knowing self. The other is the part of yourself that experiences everyday emotion….ups, downs and in betweens. Now think of a time when these two were not in alignment. Maybe your rational self was saying that a dream you had was too big and yet your inner voice held the ‘why not?’ perspective. I’ve had this feeling many, many times and it doesn’t feel good!

One of my sources of confusion studying The Laws of Attraction was how to keep my thought language on the right tracks. There are so many ways to unintentionally sabotage our thoughts by focusing on what we actually don’t want. If you say to yourself, ‘I don’t want to get sick.’ You’re actually focusing on the possibly of getting sick! I FELT sick just trying to keep all of this straight in a mind that flutters a new thought about every millisecond.

Jerry, Esther (and Abraham) do a great job identifying how to know if you’re in a productive or counter-productive mindset. They say you simply must identify if the thought makes you feel good or bad. That’s ALL! Let the thought happen, then gauge how you feel. Are you tingly with excitement or filled with dread? If you’re filled with dread, try a different thought. It’ll take a little while to get yourself in a positive thought pattern, but that’s okay! Every time you shift is getting you closer to attracting abundance.

2. What do you WANT?
“Get your eyes, words and thoughts off of what-is, and put them purely on what you now want. The more you think and speak of what you want, the faster what you want will be yours.” pg. 100, The Law of Attraction

Okay, take a long, hard look at that underlined part. Think of ALL of those thoughts that come into your consciousness when you’re trying to focus on what you want:
- It’s not here yet
- It’s not happening fast enough
- It’s too big a dream/leap/hope
- I shouldn’t have that
- I don’t know if I can handle it
- Where will the money come from?
- What will I do if it doesn’t work out…

Sound familiar? Is that TRULY focusing on what you want? NO! You’re still focused on what-is. Jerry and Esther recommend taking a pure 10-20 minutes a day to focus solely on what you want. Meditate, take a walk, do what you need to do to get in a clear frame of mind and devote that time to what you want…no holds barred. All your energy. Straight into this vision. Don’t even let your mind tiptoe into what is currently. Your goal is based in the future and you must believe, feel and think that it can happen. Even if it’s only for 20 minutes a day. Try it out!

I’ll raise my glass to high hopes, big goals and delicious dreams,

Coach Katie
Momentum Coaching

The dreaded four letter F-word: FEAR

It’s a human reaction. It’s completely normal. It’s true – EVERYONE experiences it. So, why does it throw us so far out of whack sometimes? Fear can be a really debilitating state of mind. Would it help if I told you fear was man-made? By definition, fear it only supposed to elicit a response from us if we’re in physical danger. As a society though, we’ve really zeroed in on how to hold on to our fear and the different areas of life that bring us anxiety.

- Relationships
- Public speaking
- Social interaction
- Cold calling
- ‘What-ifs’
- New experiences
- Change

Just to name a few.

So, how do WE take control of our fear instead of letting it control us? First of all, you have to figure out how you respond to fear. You might be avoiding it unconsciously. For instance, I just had a client who started a fight with her husband every time she was getting ready to go out into a new social situation. She was an introvert and she started noticing the pattern after years of doing this! Sometimes we get quiet, sometimes we get loud, sometimes we have a physical response such as a beating heart or sweaty palms. Whatever your reaction is, it’s a SYMPTOM that fear is showing up. It’s up to you to respond to it.

Fear literally makes us freeze sometimes. We all know that in order to move toward anything, we have to do just that…move. So, if we’re frozen by fear, we’re really doing much good are we? Fellow life coach Laura Neff and myself just discussed in an hour long class last night how amazing fear is as a tool to awareness and what we can do to leverage it instead of letting it paralyze us. Listen in by clicking here.

Make it a fear-less day!
Coach Katie Mattson

Balance

Is there a difference between work/life and life/inner peace balance? What makes one person seem balanced while someone else seems to reeling out of control? Are any of us EVER truly balanced?

Last night I taught a teleclass on Balance as part of my THRIVE audio coaching series with co-leader Laura Neff. It’s always been a fascinating topic to me because we’re always struggling with this ambiguous term. When we sit, we feel like we should be doing something. When we’re busy doing something, we wish we could have some time to sit down.

One of the best tools for balance that Laura and I have come across is something called the Wheel of Life. You pick 8-10 areas of your life that are important to you such as: exercise, spirituality, work, family, etc. Then you rate your satisfaction (yes, satisfaction, not success) in each area from 1-10 with 10 being the highest level of satisfaction. The goal here is NEVER to have all areas at a 10. What? How can that be you ask?

Well, think about it. If you have the perfect family dynamic, the perfect career, the perfect working hours, a great ability to cook a meal, perfect body measurements, a three times a day meditation practice…you’d be exhausted. Fulfillment is about balancing all the areas of your life. The key is to measure that balance. Do you have fulfillment in all areas – but have some that are through the roof enjoyable? While others need a bit of TLC? GREAT.

It’s never been about being perfect. It’s about perfecting the moments you’re in. When you’re with your children, are you able to function as a parent with the intention and attention that you should? When you’re at work, are you able to focus and be clear about what you’re doing and what you need in terms of support? Find a way to be present in all areas – even if they seem out of balance.

Like what you’re hearing? Want some more tricks/tips/coaching tools? Head on over to THRIVE for an hour of coaching from two sassy ladies who are exciting to share their coaching knowledge. Click here for more information.

In the strive for balance,
Coach Katie Mattson • Momentum Coaching

Katie in the news!

My apologies for not writing much here lately. I have a little bit of fun news today. I’ve been quoted in an article! Thought I’d share. More to come on the fun hustle and bustle of the New Year, I promise!

http://www.examiner.com/x-828-Entry-Level-Careers-Examiner~y2009m1d7-Job-shadowing-The-benefits-and-how-its-done
Life Coach Katie Mattson

Momentum Coaching

NEW Workshops and Retreats from Momentum Coaching!

Well, I alluded to the fact that I’ve been busy at work the past few months! Here are a few things that have come to fruition:

• I completed my ACC certification, which is a highly regarded certification from the International Coaching Federation.
• I’ve created two brand new workshops for YOU to enjoy (see below).
• I’ll be inhabiting office space within the next few months.
• I’m hard at work on other partnerships to bring you MORE Momentum.

I’m so excited to share two new coaching workshops that I’ve created for you. One of my new partnerships is with Registered Yoga Instructor and Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist, #7972, Shelley Harris. We’re teaming up to offer you two insanely packed workshops that will leave you calm, centered and asking for more. Check out the new workshops below:

CHAKRA: Accessing Chakra Energy Through Everyday Living

November 1, 2008 • 2-6 p.m. • Yoga Oasis, Charlotte, NC • Cost: $75

Each of your chakras represents vital aspects of your life, including the functionality of your organs. Clarity and energy will be brought to areas of your life such as connectivity to others, speaking up for yourself and connecting with your spiritual power. Shelley and Katie will help you tap into the energy of each chakra through yoga and then follow the path to apply it to your daily life through coaching. At the end of the workshop, you’ll know which areas of your life give you strength and which need attention. Each participant will receive a workbook, cd of music played in the workshop and chakra stones as reminders of what they’ve learned.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTORS:
Shelley Harris, The Karma Room
Shelley@TheKarmaRoom.com • www.TheKarmaRoom.com

Katie Mattson, Momentum Coaching
Katie@EnergizeYourMoment.com • www.EnergizeYourMoment.com

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY OCTOBER 25th, 2008. You may register by contacting The Yoga Oasis at 704-334-7104. For more information visit their website at www.dotheyoga.com.
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INNER SANCTUARY: A Weekend of Quiet Awakening

Yoga. Coaching. Massage.
November 7-9, 2008 • Embracing Simplicity Hermitage
Cost: $475 (Lodging, meals and activities are included)
Check or credit cards are accepted. Limit: 10 participants
Retreat will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and will end at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Join us for a weekend of movement, awareness and relaxation. Settle back into your inner sanctuary during this mostly silent retreat. Just two hours from Charlotte, we will inhabit the Embracing Simplicity Hermitage in Hendersonville, NC. As your instructors, Shelley and I will lead you through gentle exercises to awaken your body, senses and inner sage.

I will meet with each participant one-on-one for an hour long coaching session during the weekend to awaken your dreamer within. Each evening, I will lead us all through a relaxing meditation to quiet your mind before turning in for the night.

Registered Yoga Instructor and Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist, #7972, Shelley Harris will lead us through a gentle morning yoga class (suitable for all experience levels). Each participant will then also receive an hour long massage during the weekend.

Join us for a weekend away as you replenish your own natural resources of mind, body and soul. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY OCTOBER 22nd, 2008.

Fighting with Fear

So the term fear has been revealing itself lately. Both within myself and with those around me (go figure!). How do we deal with fear effectively? We all know it’s imperative to face it and then blast through it, but how do you keep the excitement and MOMENTUM moving in the direction you want it to without fear becoming a stopping point?

First. Remember that fear is man-made. You were not born with fear. You create it. It’s not real. It is something that your mind and your physical self have created. It’s simply the unknown. A new adventure. Perhaps your passion or your calling.

Second. Remember that anxiety and excitement actually carry the same vibration. This means that what you think is fear, might actually be excitement chemically. Your brain is just filtering it into the fear category. It’s very difficult to know the difference.

Third. Study how you feel. Does the thought of moving forward in the way that you are excite you even though the fear exists? Or, are you dreading the outcome and hoping that you won’t have to step into it? It’s important to get into this place of feeling so you can truly begin your forward movement with the right intentions.

Now that you have a better handle on whether it’s anxiety or excitement that you’re feeling, it’s time to assess what you’re really afraid of. It’s not the task at hand. Truly. It goes deeper than that. So where is the fear coming from? That you’ll fail? That you’ll disappoint? That you’ll lose perspective? That you’ll be alone? Take a hard look at what is really underneath it all. If you have to, play the “why” game. It goes a little something like this:

“I’m scared of quitting my job.”
Why?
“Because I’m not sure what else I’d do.”
Why?
“Because I’ve never really taken a good, hard look at my strengths and talents.”
Why?
“Because that seems egotistical and what I’m doing now works.”
Why?
“Because I was always told not to brag. And I guess what I’m doing now doesn’t really work.”
Why?
“Because that’s what my parents told me and it’s what they were told. What I’m doing now doesn’t work because I’m miserable and hate going into work every day.”
Why?
“Because it’s mundane and I’m not challenged. But I have to do it.”
WHY?
“Because I’m afraid I can’t make as much money somewhere else.”

Ohhhh…..you get the point. Fear of stability. Continue this game down the rabbit hole until you reach an answer that makes sense to you. It might take a while, but be patient as you journal or verbally answer a friend playing the part of ‘why.’

Once you pinpoint the source of your fear, you can begin to strengthen that doubt from the foundation up. Mantras, action steps and building support are all super powerful tools. Stand firm, face your fear and then wipe it out. It’ll never be a fear again!

Happy hunting,
Coach Katie Mattson

Momentum Coaching

For more information about how to identify and bust through fear, consider purchasing Momentum Coaching’s, “Breaking Barriers” Fear E-Course. Click here for more information.