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Steamy August greetings to you!
Recently, while hiking with my favorite furry
companion on one of the local trails in
Pennsylvania, I was struck with
the amount and variety of wild mushrooms that
decorated the border of the path. I witnessed red,
orange, yellow, white, dark & light brown and what
I'd describe as fire-colored mushrooms, in a multitude
of shapes and sizes.
As I walked in gratitude for such a
visual treat, I realized that it was the diversity
of the mushrooms that held my interest. It's like
that in my work as well. The diversity of each
extraordinary person with whom I coach is what
makes my work so interesting and fulfilling. It is my
great
fortune
that I am able to witness each individual's full
splendor as they create the unique shape of their
one, BIG juicy life.
It is in this issue of Fresh Juice I'm here to
celebrate the splendor and wisom of shape--the
many shapes that are created as we go about the
stages and moments of our lives. Go ahead and
open to your most authentic shape. Perhaps you'll
find that it's the shape you're already inhabiting!
Here's to living on purpose, Stephanie
| Shape Shifter |
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"Just as in the depth of the ocean, the tide
turns long before you see it on the surface of the
water." -Lynne Twist
"I want to get into shape." This is a statement I
frequently hear from my clients which is usually
followed by a declarative, "NOW!"
Getting into fit shape is one of the most frequent
first goals for coaching clients. Coaching
is extremely effective at reaching such goals,
because it addresses the root of the desire
rather than just the goal itself.
One angle not typically reflected upon when
thinking about getting into shape, however, is first
looking at
the shape you're in now. You can take this to
mean physical athletic ability, cardiovascular, or
weight-lifting shape. You can also look with a softer
gaze, and simply notice what form your shape takes
when you
add love or fear to any moment.
What creates our bodily shapes anyway? Notice the
expansiveness that is created when you are feeling
good about your life, when love is flowing through
you unimpeded and you are effortlessly sharing your
gifts with those around you. Notice, too, what
happens when you introduce fear, doubt, or shame
to any situation. There is a contraction, a gripping,
a "smaller" shape that naturally arises which can be
felt if you pay attention.
Before continuing any further, I would like to
acknowledge that women are told time and time
again to "be small", to "take up as little space as
possible". After a majority of our lives have been
comprised of hearing and at some level, internalizing,
those messages, it may be difficult to read "expand"
and "be as BIG as you dare to be". I encourage you
to sit with the discord those words may provoke
within you and ask yourself, "What's at risk of my
playing it small in my life?"
You can start opening to the more
expansive, "bigger" version of you now! Feel
what shape you take in your muscles, your emotions
and in your life choices when you are coming from a
place of self-acceptance. Or notice how fear
constrains the bright expansiveness of the moment.
Take note of
your shape now, incorporating the new notion that
the shape of your emotions and your mind are forces
that can change the shape of your body.
It can also help to look at how your current shape
serves you. Perhaps it provides softness
where you're hard on yourself? Or cushioning
from a harsh environment? Perhaps it reflects your
tendency to find the harder angle in any given
situation? Or you might embody your ease (or lack
thereof)
of movement through the world. It can be effective
to keep the focus on what shape would facilitate the
way in which you want to live.
Appreciating the shape that you embody can be a
liberating event. The good news is that within each
moment we have the abilty to shape-shift by
choosing which message we will tell ourselves or let
in from others. Will we hear those of love and
support or fear and loathing? You choose - your
shape may depend on it!
Send your comments/questions to the Whole
Life Coach via email.
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| Truth-Telling Circles for Women |
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Are you ready to start your own revolution?
How about some truth telling to get things rolling?
Treat yourself to three extended sessions a month to
discover who you are in the company of other strong
women, without the layers of guilt, shame, or one
more day of fitting into a version of yourself that
others have encouraged you to create. You deserve
your truth - don't miss out on this cocktail of
insight and belly laughs. The truth CAN
set you free!
This month's focus is on a new model of intimacy.
Offered locally as well as in a telegroup
format. To register or for more details, send an
email to Stephanie, and get your truth working for
you!
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| Upcoming Events |
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- What is Whole Life Coaching and what can it
do
for you? Free public talks, 7 pm, Nature's
Pantry,
State College, PA, August 10 and September 7,
2006
- Whole Life: Integrating the Masculine and
Feminine Within:A full-day workshop co-lead by
The
Whole Life Coach, Stephanie Yost Mentzell
and Certified Life Coach, John Bellanti,
D.Ed.
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| Space to Breathe |
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Space to Breathe is the monthly section of
inquiries
designed to use when journaling, dreaming, or when
you just plain have a minute to yourself. It is
designed to give you a springboard for self-
discovery.
Check in on a daily basis, and take note of your
body, mind and emotional shape daily for one week.
Notice who you are in motion and who you are
when
the motion stops. Is your focus on your body
shape
keeping you small by distracting you from a bigger
issue? What might be possible for you with a
shift in focus to a fit mind and heart?
"What story does my current shape tell
about me and how I live my life? How do I
compromise or support what is important to me?"
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| Coaching Scholarship Program |
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Whole life coaching is committed to supporting those
individuals who are ready to make a difference in
their lives as well as in the lives of those around
them. To support this commitment, Stephanie
donates a percentage of her time to partnering pro
bono with those who would be otherwise unable to
participate
in coaching. If you are a revolutionary without
the
financial means to realizing your full potential, you
may be eligible to participate in this program.
Scholarships granted by application.
*If you are a coach committed to global
change and you believe in providing the opportunity
for all who want to participate in such a revolution
regardless of financial status, you are invited to
contact Stephanie in order to be added to a list of
coaching professionals willing to coach qualified
individuals at a greatly reduced or pro bono rate.
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Take Revolutionary Action |
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"Our everyday life is where the revolution
unfolds." -Kalle Lasn, Culture Jam
It's time for revolutionary action. The earth is calling
for it, our government, social and educational
systems are calling for it. How does this
affect you? To what injustice or inequality are you
drawn? The first step is to realize that you have the
power to start a revolution within yourself, your
family, your workplace, your community and even the
world. You only need to start by listening deeply to
what is calling to you. But you need to start.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a revolution
as "a sudden or momentous change in a situation".
What situation is calling for momentous change in
your life? Partner with the Whole Life Coach on an
individual basis, or join this month's Truth-Telling
Circle with a fabulous group of like-minded women
and find out!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it
is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
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