Happy Earth Day!

Such an exciting week... the women's Olympic running trials were held in Boston yesterday, today was the 112th running of the Boston Marathon (where both women and men's winners finished in less time than last year), which always coincides with Patriot's Day and tomorrow is Earth Day as well as the Pennsylvania primary.

Watching the Boston Marathon is always so inspiring and today was no exception. Seeing the runners, literally from all over the world and all walks of life and seeing the crowd just cheering them on, made me feel a sense of pride and connectedness. The energy was great and people were just happy; there was an obvious sense of community and spirit. Anything is possible, when people come together to benefit the greater good. That's why the timing of Earth Day is so appropriate, in conjunction with the marathon and the positive vibrations it spreads. We have the power to stop global warming. We need to work together, make better and more informed choices that are thoughtful and beneficial to each other, future generations and our planet. We need to consume less and tread more lightly on the Earth. It is exciting that "going green" has "gone mainstream". We've already started making some positive changes, but we've got a long way to go. Need some ideas? Want some information? Visit Earth Justice's website HERE and check out an issue of E The Environmental Magazine by CLICKING HERE and queue up your DVD selections on Netflix. There are many great documentaries out there, including The 11th Hour and An Inconvenient Truth.

One of the leading causes of global warming, that is oft overlooked in mainstream environmental media, is animal agriculture. That is, animals raised for food. Therefore, consuming less animal products (meat, dairy and eggs) is one way to lessen the negative effects it has on our environment. Do you know that raising animals for food impacts global warming more than all modes of the transportation industry combined? Yup! Airplanes, trains and automobiles. COMBINED. So, believe it or not, converting to a vegetarian (or vegan!) diet actually does more good than giving up your car! This has been studied, researched and reported many times and by many different sources. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported this worldwide in 2006. A simple Google search will confirm this statistic.

There are many different ways we can contribute toward the betterment and preservation of Planet Earth. I encourage everyone (myself included) to continue to try!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

DailyOM

Most people know my affinity for DailyOM, which has been delivered to my email in box on a daily basis for a few years now. I find it very insightful and very inspirational and look forward to receiving it every day. DailyOM actually just published their first book and it arrived in bookstores on Tuesday. Courtesy of my very generous and thoughtful sister, I will be receiving a complimentary copy!

If you are interested in checking out DailyOM, a link to their site has been on the right side of my blog since its inception last July (and will remain there). I will also put a link to their site in this blog posting, as well as a link to their new book. I am confident that you will find DailyOM to be a great resource, whether you choose to visit their website or sign up for their daily email. I encourage you to take a look!

CLICK HERE for DailyOM's website

CLICK on book icon below to review and purchase the book

In Memoriam of a Hero

April 4, 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who is one of my personal heroes. Although his violent and untimely death is a painful part of our history, it's important to remember his life and how much change he created and inspired. He was the catalyst for most of the positive changes we see today, for the civil rights movement and for the overall growth we see in today's society. The effects of his work still reverberate today.

Peace is something I strive for and believe in very deeply, at a very spiritual and personal level. Did you know that Dr. King was the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize at the tender age of 35? Did you know that Dr. King received his advanced degree right here in this city at Boston University? Boston is where he met his wife, Coretta Scott King, who also was a civil rights leader in her own right

One of my favorite U2 songs is "Pride" which honors Dr. King as well as Jesus Christ (both MLK and Bono, U2's lead singer are Christians). Below is a sampling:

Early morning, April 4

Shot rings out in the Memphis sky

Free at last, they took your life

They could not take your pride

In the name of love

One more in the name of love

In the name of love

What more in the name of love?

No doubt that Dr. King inspired U2's lead singer, Bono, who has become an advocate, ambassador and leader to correct social injustices around the globe. Bono works tirelessly for impoverished nations, AIDS and Amnesty International, among other causes. He co-created the "One" and "Red" campaigns as well.

Today, let's be inspired and do our part to make this world a better place.

Sweet Spring ~ Seasonal Eating

Well, Spring may have sprung, but our bodies may still be adapting. Despite the "springing forward" of the clocks three weeks ago, the weather is still in a state of flux, so us humans may be a bit confused. If you're familiar with seasonal eating, you may have already noticed this change in your appetite; instead of the heavier, heartier and warmer foods of winter, you may be suddenly craving something lighter to eat or feel the need for a detox of sorts. No wonder Spring is a time of cleaning; not just for our homes, but for our bodies. Spring is an important time for the eating of greens, a food group that most Americans don't get enough of. Bitter greens like arugula, endive, dandelion greens and radicchio are great this time of year. Afraid to step out of your comfort zone? Just gradually add in some of these greens to your spinach or lettuce based salad (arugula is a favorite of mine). Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and can be found on the menu in Greek restaurants this time of year. Since this is a time of cleansing, dandelion greens are great because they are known to cleanse the liver and kidneys, creating balance in the body. Dandelion greens are actually a traditional Spring food in many cultures.

Another way to get in some greens is wheatgrass. A shot of wheatgrass is sweet and delicious. And very cleansing! A little hesitant to try it? Well, add some spinach to your fruit smoothie and get some greens in that way; the fruit sweetens it and you still get the added benefit of the iron, vitamins A, C & E (antioxidants) and other nutrients.

For Spring eating, I also recommend that people limit the amount of dairy they consume, if not avoid it altogether. During the winter, your body was drying out. To counteract that, you ate heavier, more protein-laden foods. By the end of a long winter season, your body has dried out and thus created excessive mucus. Come Spring, Mother Nature begins creating moisture, as mud and water becomes prominent, to help germinate seeds and prepare for the growing season. If you continue to eat the same way in Spring as you did in winter, you risk creating excess moisture and mucus, which results in congestion and exacerbates problems such as colds and allergies. Dairy contributes to this, thus it should be limited or altogether avoided. Since Mother Nature is softening and opening up this time of year, so are our bodies, which makes it the perfect opportunity to cleanse and detox.

In winter, you may have also opted for more sweet and comforting foods as well. And now you might find you can't manage the sweet cravings anymore. If you want to have a Sweet Spring, but want to better manage your sweet cravings, please attend one of my Sugar Solutions Workshops and find out ways to get back on track and tame that sweet tooth. Too many sweets can sap your energy and cause many other issues, including sleep deprivation, fatigue, weight gain and irritability. Upcoming Sugar Solutions workshops include:

Thursday, April 10th at Boston Athletic Club (South Boston)

Wednesday, April 23rd at Healthworks Back Bay (Boston) - CURRENTLY FULL; contact Healthworks front desk, to be added to the Wait List

Monday, April 28th at Shape Up Personal Training (Cambridge)

Thursday, May 15th at Boston Athletic Club (South Boston)

These workshops start at 6:00 PM and are about 75 minutes long. These are FREE to attend, but you must pre-register, as space is very limited!

For more information, please visit the EVENTS tab on my website at http://www.kmoriarty.com/ or by CLICKING HERE

A NEW EARTH - Part II

Did you miss last week's inaugural webcast for the 10-week "A New Earth" class? Not to worry! If you weren't able to participate last Monday evening, or if you tried to participate but had connection problems, don't give up! Oprah and Eckhart Tolle are committed to making this free course available to everyone, regardless of your schedule, because if you are unable to participate in the live Monday evening program, you can simply view the webcast at your leisure via Oprah.com and iTunes. Each week, the Monday night webcast will be available the following day on both sites. On iTunes, you can download the audio podcast or video podcast. On Oprah.com you can simply stream the video and watch or listen from the comfort of you own home, at your own pace.

Are you concerned that you won't have time to finish the book? Again, not to worry! The class is designed for 10 weeks because only one chapter per week is discussed, so again, you can do it at your own pace, regardless of how busy you are.

I urge people to participate because this is a great opportunity that doesn't happen very often. It's free or charge, but extremely valuable. See what all the buzz is about... and become part of the worldwide "New Earth" event today!

____________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT DATES

Here's a list of important dates that are coming up. Want to be inspired? Check these out!

March 18th - April 22nd
"Nutrition Made Simple"
6-week nutrition course at the Boston Center for Adult Education
Is your New Year's Resolution to eat healthier stuck in a rut? Kick-start a healthy new you without making drastic lifestyle and diet changes you can't stick with. Holistic Health Counselor Kathleen Moriarty, will work on deconstructing your cravings, learning how to understand food labels and identify healthy food choices in the aisles of the grocery store, setting practical goals and how to eat for energy and optimum health, even if you're pressed for time, have a demanding schedule or have very limited experience in the kitchen. Achieve your ideal weight, and feel better in your body and mind. Become more confident in choosing and preparing food, stop cravings and binges for good, and experience a remarkable increase in your energy and vitality. If health is wealth, this class will make you a millionaire!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

March 26th
Sugar Solutions: How to Tame Your Sweet Tooth
75-minute workshop at Healthworks Porter Square, Cambridge
You don't have to be a member to attend, but you must pre-register!
Non-members register with me at kathleen@kmoriarty.com
Members register at the front desk -- SPACE IS LIMITED!

March 28th - March 30th
Down:2:Earth Sustainable Living Expo
Hynes Convention Center in Boston's Back Bay
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

April 21st
The Boston Marathon
Be inspired! Watch the marathon, live, in-person right from the sidelines!
Many places to watch along the 26-mile route, from the suburbs to the city

April 22nd
Earth Day
This will be the 38th annual celebration of Earth Day! Google your local Earth Day events, as it is typically celebrated throughout the week, not just on the 22nd!

April 23rd
Sugar Solutions: How to Tame Your Sweet Tooth
75-minute workshop at Healthworks Back Bay, Boston
You don't have to be a member to attend, but you must pre-register!
Non-members register with me at kathleen@kmoriarty.com
Members register at the front desk -- SPACE IS LIMITED!

May 13th - June 17th
"Nutrition Made Simple"
6-week nutrition course at the Boston Center for Adult Education
Is your New Year's Resolution to eat healthier stuck in a rut? Kick-start a healthy new you without making drastic lifestyle and diet changes you can't stick with. Holistic Health Counselor Kathleen Moriarty, will work on deconstructing your cravings, learning how to understand food labels and identify healthy food choices in the aisles of the grocery store, setting practical goals and how to eat for energy and optimum health, even if you're pressed for time, have a demanding schedule or have very limited experience in the kitchen. Achieve your ideal weight, and feel better in your body and mind. Become more confident in choosing and preparing food, stop cravings and binges for good, and experience a remarkable increase in your energy and vitality. If health is wealth, this class will make you a millionaire!
REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN APRIL

June 1st
AIDS Action Committee's AIDS Walk Boston
Once again, I will be raising money for the AIDS Action Committee. To sponsor me, please CLICK HERE. To learn more about this wonderful organization and this very worthy event, or to register to walk yourself, please go to www.AAC.org

A NEW EARTH

By now, you are bound to have heard about the free 10-week teleclass that is being offered by Oprah and Eckhert Tolle, based upon his book, "A New Earth". This is a great opportunity for anybody and everybody to participate. All you need is the book and a computer with an internet connection and most importantly, the desire to change your life for the better. You don't even need to leave your house to attend! If you were to take this class or a similar in-person seminar with Eckhart Tolle, you'd pay a lot of money. This valuable 10-week course is being offered free. Class begins on Monday, March 3rd. Haven't started reading yet? Not to worry. You have time. I haven't even reached page 100 yet myself. My sister recently told me that over 365,000 have registered. Want to be part of something huge? Want to start living your life in a way that brings you more satisfaction? Then I encourage you to consider being a part of this important, global event.

To register, go to Oprah's website by CLICKING HERE.

Winter Wonderland

If you live in the Northeast, you are probably experiencing a very snowy day. I live in Boston, where it has been snowing since dawn. The snow was light, but steady, until about 3:00 PM when it began falling more heavily, and as of 9:15 PM, the city is fully covered under a blanket of snow, approximately 7 inches thick and the snow continues to fall. As children, snow meant a possible day off from school and a chance to play outside, build snowmen, go sledding and maybe have a friendly snowball fight. In our younger days, we were excited at what this winter weather meant for us. As adults, however, the snow becomes an inconvenience; we all endure a longer and more stressful commute (whether you walk, drive, bike ride or use public transportation), we're assigned shoveling duty and for city dwellers who own a car, it can mean having to suddenly find something to do with your car, when the city declares a snow emergency and you have to move it off the road. Next time you find yourself feeling inconvenienced with the snow, slow down and appreciate it for it's beauty and it's wonder. Focus on it's positive attributes, instead of looking at how it may be negatively impacting you. This is Mother Nature at work and snow is winter's gift.

DailyOM has a great perspective on winter and reading this may help you appreciate this chilly season:

Stoking The Inner Fire: Turning Inward During Winter

In the depths of winter, we can forget that bare trees will once again be full with foliage, and grass and flowers hidden beneath a blanket of white or a deceptive covering of hardened earth will burst forth once again. While they slumber, nature is continuing its work at the center of each living thing. We can think of our blankets and warm clothes as similar protection—like the cocoon that surrounds a changing caterpillar—while we undergo our own inner transformational work. In the meantime, the lights that twinkle and the fires that warm us can serve to remind us of the flame of life that burns within us.

In order to stoke our inner flame, we can use the time indoors to focus our attention on our homes and families. We can become distracted by the world outside and forget that we need to nourish the lights that warm our hearts. Interacting at a soul level can be done by sharing stories from our hearts, doing projects together, dancing, or playing games. Devoting energy this way helps us build a stronger bond that will sustain us once the world allows us each to pursue our individual goals again.

Winter allows us to feed the flame in our own centers by reading or researching to nourish our dreams and plans for the future. This can mean catching up on all the quieter things we wanted to do but didn’t have time for, like reading books, watching movies, or listening to music. We may have set aside creative pursuits such as painting or writing that can be brought back to the center burner now. It is also a great time to do some journaling to look back on the year that has passed and perhaps the years before this one in preparation for forward motion in the coming year. Nature’s wisdom offers us opportunities to nourish our inner seeds of hope in preparation for our future, so let us enjoy the inner warmth and be grateful for it all.

Note: This appeared in DailyOM on January 9, 2008.

THE FUTURE OF FOOD

"The Future of Food" is an excellent documentary that I had the pleasure of seeing at The Brattle Theater back in October 2005. I now own the DVD. I highly recommend it and now viewing it is even easier; no DVD player or TV necessary. And no trip to the video store. But alas, you must have a computer and a good internet connection. Oh, and a subscription to Netflix is also in order! Thankfully, "The Future of Food" is available as a "Watch Now" option on Netflix. You can view it online, using your computer. As Netflix subscribers know, regardless of your plan, you now have unlimited access to watch as many movies on your computer, without awaiting for the DVD and without paying any additional fees. Why is "The Future of Food" so powerful? I have many reasons and most important is this: knowledge. Americans are very disconnected from their food. Convenience foods, pre-packaged and highly processed foods have unfortunately become the norm in the modern American lifestyle. People don't know where their food comes from and many of us accept this, when in fact, we should actually be very alarmed by it. If we don't know where our food comes from, how it is made and what it is, is it really safe and healthy to eat? If you're accustomed to reading food labels, surely you've seen ingredients and wondered what exactly they are; especially the plethora of chemical ingredients that are unfamiliar to the average person that are now so prevalent. And if you're not reading food labels? Start now. If you have a chronic condition, food allergies or sensitivities or digestive issues, you definitely need to read labels carefully so you can better manage your symptoms and to be in control of your health.

"The Future of Food" focuses on what is being done to our food supply, not just in America, but across the world. This affects not only our health, but also our global economy and of course, our natural environment. Essentially, it impacts EVERYTHING. One of the biggest threats (if not THE biggest) is Genetically Modified Organisms, known as GMOs. In America, GMOs are prevalent in our food supply. However, most Americans don't realize that, because it is not indicated on our food labels and it is rarely talked about by mainstream media. This lack of disclosure furthers the problem. Unlike the European Union and many other places, the FDA doesn't require labeling. In fact, they'd rather keep it mum. If you eat foods made by Kraft, General Mills , Hunt's, Betty Crocker, Kellogg's, Hershey's, Nestle, Coca Cola, Conagra, McCain, Lean Cuisine or thousands of others, you are consuming GMOs. Due to GMOs, most of the world's food supply is being controlled by only a few corporate conglomerates. This domination is not a good thing either.

For the health of yourself, your family and this planet, I urge you to get educated about food and a good place to start is the GMOs.

For an excellent brochure explaining GMOs and for an impressive, comprehensive Shopper's Guide, which details which foods do and don't contain GMOs, please CLICK HERE

For "The Future of Food" documentary website, please CLICK HERE

For further reading about GMOs, check out "Seeds of Deception" by Jeffrey Smith and "Stolen Harvest" by Vandana Shiva. There are many books regarding GMOs and these are two good ones to start with.

Interested in lobbying to get the FDA to listen to American's concerns about their food and truth-in-labeling? There are many organizations that can help you. Below, are two links to get you started:

THE CAMPAIGN
THE CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY

And finally, don't forget to log on to your Netflix account and queue up "The Future of Food".

Finally! A Raw, Vegan & Organic Restaurant in Boston!

As many of you may have already heard, Alissa Cohen will make history this month by opening Boston's first raw, vegan and organic restaurant. Set to open on the 13th, "Grezzo" (Italian for "raw") is located at 69 Prince Street in the historic North End. Grezzo plans on using local, seasonal ingredients whenever possible as well. This is a long overdue and very welcome entry into the Boston dining scene. Every time I got to New York I am blown away by all the various healthy eateries (organic, raw, vegan, vegetarian, locavore etc.) in all five boroughs. I always wondered why Boston couldn't host the same menagerie of these eclectic and yummy restaurants. Never been to a raw food restaurant? I encourage you to try it. And here is your chance! A little unsure of eating raw? Let me assure you, raw chocolate desserts are so yummy; so reward yourself after your meal (think of it as a little incentive). Let's support this new local venture; put a visit to Grezzo on your social calendar today! To see Grezzo's website and menu, CLICK HERE. For more information on chef/owner/raw food enthusiast Alissa Cohen, CLICK HERE. Remember:

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well,

if one has not dined well."

- Virginia Woolf

Attitude Check

We all know the importance of attitude. But knowing it and applying it are two different things. Need an attitude adjustment? Or just a bit of motivation to keep your positive attitude in check? Check out this great 3-minute movie and be inspired!



Would you like to own the book and DVD? CLICK HERE

Thought for Today

I just got a wonderful email message from "Thought for Today". So succinct, so simple, yet so brilliant!

Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others!

If you'd like to receive daily messages such as these, you can register for a free subscription at http://www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk/

Upcoming Workshops with Kathleen

Do you struggle with sugar cravings and want to understand why and learn how to manage your cravings better without feeling deprived? Then my Sugar Solutions Workshop is for YOU.

Wednesday, January 16th @ 6:00 PM
Healthworks Back Bay
441 Stuart Street, Boston
Members: Register at Healthworks front desk
Non-Members: Register with Kathleen directly
Space is limited. Workshop is free, but you must register.
DIRECTIONS TO HEALTHWORKS, CLICK HERE

Tuesday, February 5th @ 6:00 PM
Healthworks Porter Square
35 White Street, Cambridge
Space is limited. Workshop is free, but you must register.
Members only; register at front desk.

Sunday, January 27th @ 1:30 PM
"Celebrate Being" at Bedford COA Building
12 Mudge Way, Bedford
My mini-presentation is at 1:30 PM. But the event takes
place 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $8 / $4 for seniors

The COA, a department of the town of Bedford, invites the community for a day of learning, fun, and exploration in the world of alternative healing arts. You will enjoy an individual and personalized 20 minute session plus be able to participate in many other things (1st come, 1st serve). If you have been curious about alternative health but feel hesitant about where to begin or what to try, Celebrate Being is the perfect event for you. Here is a rare opportunity to sample from a smorgasbord of different kinds of energy work and healing modalities such as reiki, homeopathy, flower essences, mediumship, shamanic journeys, massage, and many more. Celebrate Being will offer a wide variety of classes, lectures, readers and healers to help warm hearts, strengthen tired immune systems and, in the heart of a New England winter, tap into deep sources of joy. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE

Also, in March, I will be facilitating a nutrition class at the Boston Center for Adult Education at 5 Commonwealth Avenue in Back Bay at the Gamble Mansion. Details and registration will be made available in mid-February.

MOTION AFFAIR PLANNER
Looking for another tool to help keep you organized, track your progress and keep track of your schedule, all the while with a hip and creative, funky flair? Then MAP Boston, aka the Motion Affair Planner may be just for you. This is how the creator of MAP, Morgan First, describes her beautiful, colorful and very handy calendar and planner:

Whether you just moved to Boston or you have been living here several years, its hard to successfully navigate the city, planning your daily life and making time for new adventures. Its easy to get bored with your typical routine but not know where to turn for new ideas. We created MAP to help you incorporate adventure into your everyday life. You can MAP your city, MAP you life by keeping track of your schedule right next to cool ideas of places to visit in Boston each week. All of the locations have been picked because they are local hangouts or off the beaten path. MAP BOSTON will help you explore Boston more without feeling like a tourist.

I love my planner and definitely recommend it, whether you're a new Bostonian or a native (or someone who is planning a visit to our great city!). For more info, go to HERE and HERE.

GOAL SETTING

Have you read my January 1st blog posting yet? If not, be sure to read it, then refer back to this January 7th posting, when you're done. Have you started mapping out your goals for 2008 and putting plans in place to help you achieve them? If not, don't beat yourself up. Don't spend time or energy lamenting the fact that you've not done it yet or that you've done it, but haven't done anything beyond that. Instead, take action and do it now. Don't react. Just act. When formulating and writing down your goals, don't forget this helpful acronym: SMART

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-Based

Instead of a vague idea, create a SPECIFIC goal, which is MEASURABLE (how else can you track your progress?), likely ATTAINABLE, very RELEVANT and TIME BASED (give yourself timelines and a deadline).

And what about accountability? What kind of person are you? Do you respond well to situations, such as this goal setting, in which your accountability is tracked by someone other than yourself? You could relate it to having a personal trainer, to help you reach your fitness goals. A lot of people put extra effort into their workout sessions, because they don't want to disappoint or "get in trouble" with their personal trainer. Though this approach may seem overly simplistic, it is not. Most of us are more accountable when others are counting on us. We follow through better than when we don't have to answer to anyone but ourselves. So, does it make sense to turn your support system up a notch, by finding a friend, colleague, online buddy or a coach who will hold you accountable?

Lastly, I will talk about VISUALIZATION. This is another key in achieving your dreams and most people never really do it. As I stated on January 1st, BELIEF is crucial. You must believe you can have what you want. A step beyond that is visualizing the realization of your dream. What will your life look like once you've attained this goal? How will you feel? What kind of clothes are you wearing? Where are you living? What kind of people are around you? To someone who has never done this before, it may sound silly. You may ask "What different does it make what clothes I am wearing?". What I am getting at is this; what will your life really look like? What things have been improved by you reaching your goal? Visualizing this, really seeing the possibilities that lay ahead of you, will motivate you to achieve what you want and will imprint on you the belief that you can and you will have it. And once you achieve that goal, all other goals, dreams and desires will also appear to become even more achievable to you. If you can't visualize it, you can't achieve it. So, it behooves you to believe and to visualize; really see it happening. You will begin living the life that you truly want.

When I graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, as part of our graduation weekend, we had to spend one afternoon acting as if it was 5 years in the future. We had to talk as if we had already done this and that. It was a fun exercise, but beyond that, it was an important task. See, by talking as if it had already happened, we gain confidence, we believe it's possible, we have the fuel to make it happen. At the Jack Canfield lecture I attended in July, he advocates the same exercise; spend an evening talking and acting "as if". He even suggests inviting friends over and having an "as if" party. If you don't believe it works, try it. I invite you to really give it a try. Maybe one of your goals for first quarter 2008 will be to have an "as if" party and you and your friends can discuss what you've done in the past 5 years (2008 - 2012), after all, at your party, it will be 2013. I can just hear the conversations now.....

"Back in 2008, when I ran my first Boston Marathon..."

"Well, in 2009, my book was published. When it reached the top of the New York Times Bestseller List in 2010, well..."

"In 2010, when I adopted my son, he was so tiny! I can't believe he's already 3!"

"When I opened my business in 2011..."

"Since I've been promoted to CEO..."

"I've been a homeowner for a few years now...."

"That vacation to the Grand Canyon was amazing..."

Let the conversations begin!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yes, it's 2008 already. Another year has flown by! What are my wishes for 2008? Well, my wishes, desires and goals on a daily, weekly, monthly basis are very consistent; good health, peace, balance, happiness and to live mindfully and with passion. What do you want? Sure, we all have goals and people still make resolutions every year at this time, but forget about what you "should do"...... what do you want to do? We spend much time and negative energy and worry on composing lists of what we think we should do or what others expect of us or trying to keep up with the status quo. How about spending time focusing on and pursuing what we want to do, what nurtures us, what truly brings us joy? When you pursue something with passion, you usually succeed. When you pursue something you don't truly want, typically it's a half-hearted, passionless effort, which results in, (surprise!) failure. Once again, remember what Paulo Coehlo says in "The Alchemist",

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it."

Try not to think of resolutions, but rather, goals. Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly goals. Set measurable, specific goals for yourself and check in on your progress. When you say "I resolve to eat better", how do you measure whether you're achieving that? You can't. How about saying instead "My goal is to eat 5 servings of vegetables per day" or "My goal is to have only one cup of coffee per day". You can measure your progress and your results, which in turn, will keep you on the road toward success.

As I stated earlier, my consistent wish, desire, goal is to have good health, peace, passion, balance, mindfulness and happiness. These are actually generalizations. To reach these goals, I need to break them down in to more specific measurable goals. When goal setting, you must also consider the obstacles you will encounter and how you will overcome them. Think strategy! Another must for success is support. How will you find support in helping you achieve these things? What kind of support works for you? An online support group? A likeminded friend or family member to check in with? A book or weekly podcast? Your church? A local community group that meets every Wednesday evening? A professional coach? Find the support you need to help you realize your dreams.

And remember, BELIEF is crucial. You must believe you can have what you want!

Create goals for all the various areas of your life:

• Finance
• Career
• Relationships
• Health & Fitness
• Fun & Recreation
• Personal Growth
• Contribution / Legacy

And finally, some quotes to help you maintain your motivation;

"A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline."

"Many fine things can be done in a day, if you don't always make that day tomorrow."

"If you want to have what you have not, you must do what you do not."

And from Stephen Covey:

"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

Many blessings and best wishes for a peaceful and passionate 2008! Do something that brings you joy every day. Create your future and love it!

With love,

Kathleen