Happily Ever....RIGHT NOW!

You'd think by the title of my blog post that I was going to imply that age old phrase: ''..and they lived happily ever after...'' In North America, these 6 words mean that a reader can rest assured that the hero or heroine in the fairy-tale that they've just finished reading overcame a risky challenge and won the heard of their ''one-true-love'' and that, my dear friend is where mismanaged expectations that lead to extremely selfish behaviours and thus begins the spiral of disappointment.


Whatever happened to being happy, healthy and whole RIGHT NOW?! Why does it seem, for some, that savouring their current life is unfathomable and that wholeness will only be achieved when they have a better job/have a baby/have a spouse/have a house/retire/have a degree/have their first million....and the list goes on.

We get caught up in the ''what should be'' or questioning and pining for the next ''thing'' to happen in our lives that we miss out on RIGHT NOW - Who we are, how we've grown, the blood+sweat+tears that got us to where we are, who we have on our 'team' and the fact that we've been blessed beyond what we actually deserve.

At the risk or sounding like ''that girl'' who ties her real life to fiction, I had another ''big girl'' moment at the movies tonight. I went to see Sex and the City 2 (insert judgment here) and what loaded movie it was! So much great messaging - too many for this post!This time, I totally dug what Carrie and ladies had to say.

I'm certainly not one to spoil movies, but this time around Carrie, a strong independent diva gets a lesson on leaving the past behind and realizes that there is peace and power in embracing her current stage of life.

Don't get me wrong. I heart my life right now. I heart my husband and loving the adventure. But I must disclose that at the beginning of the transition into marriage, my inner 'independent diva' seemed to be in conflict with the 'interdependent partner' role that I had misunterstood 'blissfully married wifey' role. A few counselling sessions later...all is well. But there is nothing like a good ol' SATC to drive that life lesson home.

I learned...scratch that, I'm learning that there is wholeness to be savoured by understanding that I'm definitely less-than-perfect (super sensitive and at times, impatient. *gasp*) and by embracing experiences in less-than- perfect situations (work, home, commute, relations) with less-than-perfect people (hubby, family, friends, coworkers, slow walkers).

Thank you Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha. Imaginary women who, tonight, reminded me that happily ever after, is actually happily ever RIGHT NOW means that what happens now (as well as enroute to goals and dreams) can be savoured and enjoyed (especially with crazy girlfriends in designer couture).

Experiencing this legendary movie at a theatre in the part of the city where I spent most of my adult single lady life (affectionately called 'Yonge and Eligible') ...cost me 12.99

Dinner before hand...cost me $20.57

Popcorn + Drink...$11.57

Coming home to the man of my dreams and our less than perfect life adventure....priceless.


I dare you to live happily ever RIGHT NOW. Use what you've got, use your fine china, wear your pearls, appreciate your (imperfect) friends, love your (imperfect) family, see the benefits of your current (imperfect) job/course.

Share who you are right now with the world.

That is what is sexy in this city (if you ask me!)

That's all!

M

Dreams to Reality with Three Simple Letters?!

Bonjour!

My hubby and I are making super-mega exciting (yet totally confidential) changes to our lifestyle and overall life plan and we're totally pumped about this leg of our life's journey.

One of the first things I realized was how many people love to dream and have such creative ideas, and they hope and pray that one day they'll win the lottery or get a "big break" in order to make see these goals and dreams materialize.

Did someone ever say to you, at some point in your life, that your dreams or goals were "crazy" or remind you about life in the "real world" to try to convince you that you still have to life in reality?
But who made them the judge of what can and cannot be done. Could they just be bitter that they never put in the time or effort to doing something about their dreams or goals?

You see, I firmly believe that your passion is directly linked to your God-given purpose, this side of Heaven. Our talents and gifts are all fine and good but I'm talking about your passion. That one thing that can light up your face when you talk about it in a conversation, the thing that you get excited to do and wish that you could do if money or time weren't an issue.

This passion, is what drives, inspires and what keeps us hoping. What is your passion? What do you dream about? Do you dream about music? Do you have a goal of starting a business that offers a unique service to your community? Do you have art to share with the world?
What drives you?

Some people look over their list and ask themselves:

Can I travel the world in a year?
Can I be a photographer?
Can I quit my job and start a business?
Can I make it as a professional basket weaver?
Can I be that lucky lady who gets to try out spas all over the world?!

I am daring to say that three letters that can make it all happen; H-O-W.

If we go back and read our questions again, we'll see something different. Turning lofty dreams into real action - take a look:

How can I travel the world in a year?
How can I be a photographer?
How can I quit my job and start a business?
How can I 'make it' as a professional basket weaver?
How can I be that lucky lady who gets to try out spas all over the world?!

Each of these are now all answerable questions that will make you think and brainstorm and strategize your way to drawing up a plan. This plan could very well be the start of a whole new future.

With the right tools and the right people on your team who I asked you to identify here, you will be well on your way to making your dreams and goals reality.

Try the following, it won't cost you anything, but worth a try!

1- Write it! Put your passion on a piece of paper and to an old school brainstorm (get it all out on paper!)
2- Focus it! Narrow it down to something you can actively work towards
3- Make a list! staring backwards from the GOAL point to NOW(today) list all the things that you need to do or what needs to happen.
4. Publish it! > This is your plan.
5. Tell someone! Find allies...we need each other in order to achieve success. We are resources for one another
6. Work it! Work your plan!

My (heavily biased opinion) personally think that having a someone work through it with you, to keep you steady on the course. Especially for those moments of fear. Fear of success and fear of failure are both things that can debilitate us. These are mainly lies that we've chosen to accept as reality and operate negatively and unnecessarily. It is the same as putting a cast on a limb that isn't at all broken and walking around with crutches. Fear is a dream-killer. Don't let it get to yours. Ever.

My passion?! NO questions asked, hands down; it is Life/Executive Coaching.

Plain and simply put, my passion is seeing other people take steps into their destiny and actively helping them reach their goals and dreams.

So... when I put Coaching on my list of things I want to do in the next 12 months, my husband immediately responded with: "How can we make it happen?!" Within the next few weeks I put together a plan and have already found an educational training program as well a Master Coach under which I can apprentice!!!


(September Issue Update: We've re-overhauled our eating and we're all about portioning!
My hubby has said that if I can show that I can consistently use the gym in our condo...then I can bring Jam back into my life!!! She's my old trainer, and I love her. To bits. I've gotta get on the workout train.)

So that is my truth for now...

Let me know your thoughts!

Have a WINNING day!