Joy Junket

I grew up in a family that placed a high value on intellect.    I am a 4^th generation physician.    My Mom’s Father was a professor and,  we read a lot and put those in academics on a bit of a pedestal at my house growing up.   What I now realize is that intellect is wonderful BUT,  its not necessarily the best place to go when you are trying to solve puzzles of the heart.    In fact, sometimes I have to stop being so darn  smart-  so I can really look at how I am feeling and what my thoughts are causing me to feel.  I learned this only recently and its POWERFUL stuff.      There are any ways to look at your THOUGHTS-  and one of the most simple ways is a process called “the work” of Byron Katie . I cannot say ENOUGH about the work of Byron Katie.     Simple process- although it takes a bit of practice to do it-  but the results are well worth it.   What I have learned is that our intellect (brain-  whatever you wan to call it) creates thoughts-  and some of those thoughts are NOT HELPING US!!  For example-  “There is something wrong with me”  is a very common one I have discovered (for myself and with clients).  Yes-  in our Western Culture-  we glorify the mind-  but frankly … More

“Sometimes I go about pitying myself, and all the while I am being carried across the sky by beautiful clouds.  –Ojibway Indian saying

One of the many wonderful things I love about my business partner Sarah is that she reminds me that to do more of what we love just makes us more creative, inspiring, passionate people.  Which is how it comes to pass that I feel like totally ripping apart my bedroom/tv sitting area and making over my home office after a week long fishing trip in Canada!  … More

“She needed wide open spaces….. room to make a big mistake”

—Dixie Chicks

Last week I talked about my to do list for my home, this week, I am working on the to do list for my LIFE.  I started a “bucket list” a few weeks ago, listing some of the things I wanted to accomplish before how shall we say it????  Nature takes it’s course.. … More

Well, this is Sarah,  its time for me to do a bit of Q and A about Life Coaching.   (No that is not me floating in the pool- but more on that later…)    Just to set the record straight and clarify what it is and what it is not.   I first hired a life coach when I was in my late 30’s and feeling like- “wow I thought I would do my one job and be a doctor for 40 years and then retire”-  and then one day , I realized I felt extremely trapped.  Now, I am a doctor … More

A xylophone is my new best friend.    A  limiting belief that once tortured me became a playful colorful musical instrument on that day.   Ok this is an obscure one-  I will get to the xylophone in a bit.   I am a Life Coach (and part time interior designer, part time MD-  I know it might seem odd but its perfect for me) – and to me there is absolutely nothing better than working with my coaching clients!  They are some of the most amazing, courageous, smart and … More

 Hey-  its Sarah here.  Many of you may already  know that I was coached for several years and then myself got trained and certified as a Life Coach.   Being coached MYSELF helped me to transform my own life and look at myself in a whole new light.   I began to feel a huge new world of possibility.    The transformation began to take place WITHIN me-  I began … More

Everywhere we go there’s inspiration… We often say it’s around the corner or around the world.  It just depends on what  your comfort level is!  … More

 White Hot Truth’s Danielle LaPorte
We frequently tell clients who are looking to dig out their own personal style to check out one of our favorite books,  Style Statement by Danielle LaPorte.  Not only is the book visually a feast-  the discoveries you make will resonate throughout your life and dare we say change it?  You may accept and understand parts of yourself that you never have…anyhoo enough about the book.
Danielle is an ass-kicking … More

We have learned through our experiences to pay attention to WHAT FEELS RIGHT…One of the benefits of having a website is to host a fabulous website launch party!  However, everytime we started to talk about the idea of walking the proverbial website launch RED CARPET we became overwhelmed and exhausted.  … More

 “If you surround yourself with objects of delight. They will feed you in ways you never imagined.”    Sarah Susanka- The Not So Big Life

 Suzi and I have always agreed that , to us, our environment is critical- if our homes feel good- it supports and lifts us up (and of course the opposite is also true.) How do you create that RIGHT SPACE for you? If you feel … More

Wow, it seems like everywhere I turn these days everyone wants to know what my New Years Resolution is.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that!  I think it’s a time to naturally look forward to how we will lose the next five pounds, (No, I’m not going on a grapefruit diet but since my steady diet of holiday treats, cookies, chocolate, and-generally-eating-whatever-I-want-diet does not appear to be working either I will need to  figure something out) or get our financial house in order, or even find that special person. 

However, I did get asked an interesting question on New Years Day, “Have you done your gratitude list yet?”.  Gratitude list?  Wouldn’t that be looking backward?  Everything we are accustomed to NOT doing on New Years Day?   I had never thought about making a gratitude list for things that have happened in the last 12 months.  But, I started and was amazed at all the things I was able to include.  I am so grateful for the friendships I have made and maintained over the last year, my business and personal relationship with Sarah, and the joy I continue to receive by making beautiful spaces for others and myself.

I looked up the word “Grateful” in my thesaurus and noted that some of the synonyms were “agreeable and refreshing”.  Now isn’t that a great way to welcome the new year?  Have you considered making a gratitude list for 2009?  What would be your top five???

Suzi

Nowhere is my character defect of  operating from a position of lack  more evident that at a mealtime, especially when company is coming!   There are my concerns about portion size, what people will eat, how much they will eat, and of course… will there be enough?   … More

We chat about holiday traditions, decor and all of the crazy things we have done (and sometimes cnotinue to do!!!)-  Join us for the fun!    

Click here to listen in!!! … More