Quotability – Oprah
April 16, 2015
This week I take on quote from Oprah and explain the importance of dwelling on the good, and forgetting the bad! Watch the video now and share your thoughts.
“What we dwell on, is who we become.” – Oprah
The Art of Balance: Yoga & Leadership
April 13, 2015
This week I’m excited to share with you a guest blog from a good friend of mine, Ellenit Serrano. Ellenit shares how she used yoga to find balance in the corporate world, and how she incorporated those lessons into a program she wants to share with you today.
My program is an outcome of many years of beautiful, empty journals lying around my home. Some gifts, many purchases – a collection of beautiful covers waiting to be filled with inspiration…finally finding this moment.
I had a yearning to accumulate these beautiful books but could not get myself to write anything personal down for more than 1 – 2 pages. I was in total fear. What do I write? If I write what I think, then what will people think about me if they ever pick it up and read it? Will they think I’m crazy? Obsessed? The list goes on and on….
The spiritual path is an amazing thing… The collection of our experiences on this earth comes from, and eventually leads us back, to our Source. It’s so powerful that even those that don’t understand this path can’t avoid the awareness of it and respect for it. So many yearn for it, but unfortunately are too held back by fear.
The beauty of this program is the culmination of over 25 years of Corporate and Leadership experience; my capabilities, so to speak, and my passion for Yoga which really only started a few years ago.
Initially I thought these two things were completely opposing forces and that I was somehow stuck living a dichotomy; trying to live in two competing worlds. Eventually I came to the realization that while duality is in fact our reality, my life exists in much more harmony than I ever imagined.
The Corporate and Yogi roles that I play are really in harmony because the principles of YOGA and Leadership are harmonious as well. Because of my practice I am a better Mother, Wife, Friend, Leader…and Person.
EVERY experience is an opportunity for growth. Most of the inspiration for my program came to me during my more than 1 hour daily commute to my office! How crazy is that? Additionally, writing has always been a challenge for me; my background is much more analytical. Yet, over the years, I continuously keep having to come back to writing in my day to day – well now I know, I think I have to stop cursing and start embracing my KARMA.
It’s still hard for me to believe that this is a chosen path for me; I have developed this program and I am bringing it to this world. But I know, without a doubt, that when you go deep within and find your True Self you must follow the inspiration that comes as a result. I also know, through experience, that bringing the principles of YOGA into our day to day business world will make a significant impact.
Our dreams manifest from the same place they are created. The discipline and steps to achieve our dreams and vision are the same on a personal and business level.
Namaste.
Ellenit Serrano
The Art of Balance: Yoga & Leadership
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Quotability – Vincent Van Gogh
April 9, 2015
This week’s Quotability is a reminder that you, and ONLY you, have the ability to tap into your courage, and create a masterpiece!
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint’, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh
Looking Back to Move Forward
April 6, 2015
“Time waits for no one and things can end tomorrow.” – Stevie Nicks
One of the additional ways I seek wisdom is by “pulling” a card for myself each week. I have various card decks that I use for weekly inspiration and perspective. Last week, I pulled this specific card after watching another favorite show, Who Do You Think You Are, which features actors who are given the chance to dig deep into their family genealogy and learn more about “who they are.” There’s no way you can watch this show without craving to know more about your ancestors! So, I pulled a card call “The Bard.” Among other things, the card’s message was:
Quotability – Albert Einstein
March 31, 2015
This week on Quotability! I take a deeper look at a popular quote from Albert Einstein and explain why we all might need to change our views on success. As always, share your thoughts with me in a comment below!
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” – Albert Einstein
Walks, Windows & Water!
March 25, 2015
What inspires you, and how do you best tap into your inspiration?
One of the great things I’ve learned about honoring who we are as individuals is understanding that we are uniquely different in many ways, including how we each access our “inner genius”. What’s our Inner Genius? Well, I define it as that bank of ideas and knowledge that we’ve deposited coins into all of our lives. Everything we see, touch, smell, hear, feel, and learned ends up in this “bank”. Over time, all of that information mixed together with INSPIRATION— that which does not come from us, but from a universal source — creates our Inner Genius. Accessing our Inner Genius doesn’t always come easy. Let’s face it, folks, we aren’t always listening!!! In fact, we’ve got so much inner dialogue happening constantly, that sometimes it’s hard to quiet the chatter so we can tap that inner knowing and also be open to outside inspiration. Yes, one of the very best ways for all us to open those channels more widely is via meditation or mindfulness. We can access some really juicy stuff that way! But, I bet you have ways that are unique to you. Do you know what they are? And, if you knew, could you tap your Inner Genius more often? I really enjoyed this past weekend. It was an active one— some fun family and friend time, cultural activities, and some quiet time around my home and neighborhood. It was through some of those activities (the more simple ones), that I realized what those inspiration HOT buttons are for me, and they include WALKS, WINDOWS, and WATER! Walks do it every time! I don’t know what it is about taking a walk, but the inspiration is quite spectacular! Perhaps it is being out in nature and just taking it all in. I get some of my best ideas on walks. Windows do the same! I did a bit of work over the weekend, and I have a lovely desk that sits by one of my large windows facing my Oak Trees and butterfly plants. At any given moment starring out the window I can see Blue Jays or Cardinals (my favorite!), wild parrots, or lots of butterflies! Just sitting quietly and watching, can spur on some great ideas! Finally, being in water is a sure-fire way to get me going! Whether it’s a nice long shower or tub, the inspiration literally flows! I love being aware of my Inner Genius triggers, because when I have those moments of frustration or stagnation, all I have to do is take a walk, look out a window, or get in some water, and voila!!! How do you tap your Inner Genius? What gets those ideas flowing for you? It’s your life. Lead it well!Monique
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Quotability – Mahatma Gandhi
March 24, 2015
I’m so excited to officially introduce the first installment of my new weekly video series: Quotability! Each week I take a quote, and break it down to reveal it’s true meaning and how it can serve to move us forward!
This week I’m discussing a famous quote by Gandhi. I encourage you to share your comments and thoughts with me below!
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
It’s Okay to be the Boss!
March 16, 2015
It’s Okay to be the Boss (of your kids!)
I’m sharing this with you today for two reasons:
- For those of you who are parents and want to give these tips a try, and
- For those of you who also believe, like I do, that we can empower our young people early on to see themselves as leaders and take personal responsibility for their success and wellbeing.
Here’s what I’m trying out immediately (or trying to do a better job!):
- Manage Every Day.
I believe in teaching my children to be independent as much as possible, but my husband and I are “in charge” of our children. Every day is an opportunity to check in and be in the know. Even a 5- minute check-in shows we care and are “here” to support and help guide. We may even catch things early that will need some intervention. - Talk Like a Performance Coach.
I am a coach, but sometimes as coaches we don’t tell others what needs to be done, we encourage those conclusions/outcomes by asking great questions. Well, as parents, it’s our job to do both. Sometimes our kids need us to just listen and ask questions, but other times, it truly is necessary for us to show them how things need to happen. We have to be teachers too. - (Manage) One Person at a Time.
This one made me laugh, because I can hear my son, almost daily, say, “Mom, why are you saying ‘both of you’ when I didn’t do anything wrong?” Well, he’s got a point! Sometimes I have the habit of saying, “Both of you (my 2 kids) need to stop doing X, Y, Z” when I really am only speaking to one of them. Ever done this before? I can see how this could be frustrating to either my son or daughter who perhaps was not doing anything wrong in that instance. Stay away from “both of you” or “all of you”. - Make Accountability a Process Not a Slogan.
Just a few nights ago (at 10 pm!!) my son needed to print his homework, when he realized that we have no printing paper. He says, “Mom, why don’t you have paper? Now I can’t print my homework!” Well, that didn’t sit too well with me. I’m thinking to myself, “Yes, I know I’m his mom, but I can’t be in charge of everything and remember everyone’s needs!” Feel me?? So, now, I’m realizing I need to be more clear with kids, in general, about those things that they must be responsible for. From this point on, I’m going to expect that my son keep his own stack of paper and advise us of when he’s almost out so we can purchase more. What are you holding your children accountable for? - Do More for Some People and Less for Others.
Do you feel you need to be fair all the time with your kids? If you buy something for one, then you feel you have to purchase something for another? My daughter recently asked for chores. I was so excited! She wants to earn some cash so she can both save and shop. Of course I complied! The question, however, crossed my mind, “What if my son gets upset that I’m giving my daughter an allowance?” Well, here’s my answer… he’ll get an allowance when he has chores! Pure and simple. Do you agree?
Monique
When Difficulty Strikes, WHO WILL YOU BE?
March 5, 2015
- “You can’t give up when life gets tough.”
- “I have to shift my energy from fear to excitement.”
- “I have to complain about this and now let it go.”
- Trust and knowing (in a power outside of you to make things better)
- Joy and gratitude (look at what’s good despite the bad)
- Connection (those hugs and listening ears help!)
- Giving (helping others even when we can’t help ourselves)
Illumined Life Leadership 