Transformation Coaching Magazine December 2022

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Trends to watch to seize the right opportunities in the New Year.

By Jowanna Daley

The outlook for life coaching businesses in 2023 is positive. In 2022, 22,263 life coaching businesses were oper ating in the United Sates, an increase of 6 percent from 2021, according to IBISWorld And, going forward, the $1 billion market is expected to grow over the next five years as “con sumers and businesses continue to recover from the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic,” says the online research group.

As the world becomes increasingly complex, more and more people are seeking out coaches to help them navi gate through life’s challenges. There’s also a high demand for career advice and guidance and support in the selfimprovement and wellness segments, which continue to increase in popularity.

To thrive in this growing and changing environ ment, it’s essential for business owners to know the trends to watch so they can seize the right opportunities in 2023. Let’s take a look:

CHANGES IN PEOPLE’S PERSPECTIVES

AND DESIRES

People continue to seek a personalized experi ence, leading businesses to offer customized products and services. The life coaching industry is also affected by this trend. It calls for coaches to consider lifestyle trends, unique generational needs, and service channels in 2023.

It’s not surprising that what people do directly af fects the life coaching industry. Here are three key consumer activities to consider:

1) Personal Growth and Development

People have a growing desire to take control of their lives and manage their growth and development. They know what they want but often struggle with how to get it. As a result, there is a rising demand for services that can help them navigate this process.

2) The Need for Autonomy

People want to free themselves from the corporate “handcuffs.” They want to rid themselves of the traditional work structure to do what they love and spend quality time with family, for instance. Though the rewards are bountiful, getting there is challenging, and those looking to break free will continue to seek professional support.

3) The Desire for a Career Change

Work-life balance, flexibility, and the desire to work in a healthy environment are among the top reasons people seek change in their careers. Work-life balance has become increasingly important; flexibility is critical in determining a career change. Additionally, people want to trade “corporate toxicity” for a healthier environment. The rising awareness of health and wellness is influencing people’s desire to find jobs that allow them to live healthy lifestyles.

THE LASTING EFFECTS OF THE 2020 PANDEMIC

When the pandemic began in 2020, the world was utterly unprepared. Governments and health organiza tions were wholly unequipped to deal with the outbreak. The world scrambled to create a plan, but it was too late. The pandemic had already spread too far. Within a year, it reached every continent and infected millions of people. As 2023 approaches, the lingering effects of Covid-19 will con tinue to impact our daily lives. For instance:

• There is a continued demand, desire and need for contactless service.

• People continue to need support because of Covid.

• People continue to look for better jobs. Let’s look at each one of these more closely:

There is Still a Demand, Desire, and Need for Contactless Life Coaching Services

Contactless life coaching services will continue to be in high demand in 2023 because they provide an effi cient, convenient and affordable way for people to receive coaching. Though the worst of the pandemic seems to be behind us, it is still a factor. Covid is still around, and many want to reduce their exposure. Moreover, people are busier than ever and need a way to get the help they need without sacrificing their time. Remote coaching services allow people to receive coach ing without leaving their homes or meeting in person. Ad ditionally, contactless life coaching services are often more affordable than traditional ones, while remote services allow people the flexibility to meet with their coaches when it is convenient for them.

People Continue to Need Support Because of Covid

Millions of people died from Covid-19, and their families were not able to be by their side due to contact re strictions. That has created much grief and guilt. The pandem ic also caused many to reflect on their lives, as it caused fami lies to spend extended time together at home. The positive and negative impacts of Covid feed the need for support and heighten the demand for coaching in 2023. And that need for support spans all professions and economic classes. Addition ally, people are looking for help navigating the post-pandemic world. Life coaches can help with all of these things.

The Great Resignation (Followed by the Great Remorse)

The pandemic devastated the labor markets in 2020 because businesses were forced to lay off employees. However, in 2021, employees quit their jobs in masses— ”The Great Resignation.” Common reasons included:

• Feeling undervalued in the workplace

• Having a hostile or antagonistic work environment

• Not making enough money

• Needing to take care of personal situations or family emergencies

• Realizing their job no longer was a good fit for them

The coming year ushers in a twist to the Great Resig nation—”The Great Remorse”—as people face uncertainty in the job market. Either way, people will be looking for guidance in their careers.

2023 OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIFE COACHES

The combination of world changes since Covid and people’s reactions to it presents more opportunities for exist ing and new life coaching businesses.

• The barrier to entry remains low as there is not one dominating entity in the life coach space, and there’s still no governing board that oversees the industry.

• People are seeking out skills, personal development, and health and wellness support—so expect to see a rise in the demand for niches such as emotional intelligence coaching, career coaching, goals success coaching, health and wellness coaching, mindfulness coaching, and mindset coaching.

• Expect clients and potential clients to require flexibility in how you deliver coaching. As people either return to the office (or work from home), they will look for coaches with more flexibility in their office hours and offer remote coaching.

WHAT’S CRITICAL TO SUCCESS?

Have a Strong Brand

Since the barrier to entry is so low, anyone can offer life coaching services, which leads to an increase in life coach businesses. However, consumers look for credentials and those

who have proven success in the field. Therefore you must differ entiate yourself in the marketplace.

Personalize Services

Life coach clients continue to look for coaches who ca ter to their needs and can give them measurable results. Ensure you understand your client’s goals and have a quantifiable road map for them to achieve them.

Focus on Demand Areas

You will attract more clients by focusing on in-demand areas. There is a high demand for coaches who help clients:

• Navigate career changes

• Improve their personal and professional relationships

• Steer through parenting and family issues

• Manage stress

• Improve their health and wellness

• Change and grow

• Access their services (remote and/or in-person)

Stay Up-to-Date with the Latest Coaching Methods

Not only are clients looking for highly developed coaches, but it is also your professional duty to keep up with the industry. Additionally, it’s only a matter of time before our industry faces regulation (in my opinion). With the ever-chang ing landscape of the world, the skills that life coaches need to help people succeed will continue to evolve. Ultimately, ongo ing training and certifications are critical success factors.

Self -Care

Compassion fatigue is a “thing,” and it’s affecting life coaches. The demand for more accessibility can put you at risk of compassion fatigue if you don’t practice self-care. Set bound aries, eat healthy, exercise, have a support network and have fun! In short, use all the tools you offer and do everything you tell your clients to do.

Automate

The world of (start-up) entrepreneurship is filled with more tasks than time to do. Automate early and often, so you spend more time doing what you love. Automation is vital for solo coaching businesses in 2023 because it can help manage and streamline administrative tasks, enabling business own ers to focus on more important work. Automation can help with email management, customer management and content creation. Additionally, automation can help create efficiencies within your business, making it run smoother and allowing you to focus on growth.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND LET’S CONTINUE TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE WORLD

Take the time to celebrate all you’ve done this year. Starting a life coach business is challenging but oh so worth it. Remember choosing your failures is part of success. Therefore, improve one thing at a time. It’s better to reach one goal than none (because sometimes having three started means none is done). Happy New Year!

DECEMBER CONTENT CALENDAR

The end of the year is my favorite time of year because it’s when families gather to celebrate. It’s also the season remember those not so fortunate, providing the perfect opening for volunteering or helping an elderly neighbor. December also is an ideal time to attract clients with good content—but don’t forget to use these holidays to spread good in the world.

DECEMBER 1

• Day Without Art Day. Many artists have been affected by HIV and AIDS through their diagnosis or have lost friends and colleagues. Day Without Art honors artists who’ve died from AIDS-related illnesses and the many people living with the disease. #daywithoutart

• World AIDS Day. This holiday raises awareness of HIV and AIDS and remembers those who’ve died from the virus. #worldaidsday

DECEMBER 3

• International Day of Persons With Disabilities. A day that celebrates the achievements of people with disabilities and raises awareness of the bar riers that they still face. It is also a day to recom mit to doing everything possible to remove these barriers and to support the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society. #internationaldayofpersonswithdisabilities

• Let’s Hug Day. A special day dedicated to the joys and benefits of hugging. Everyone is encouraged to hug as many people as possible on Let’s Hug Day. Hugging is a simple, effective way to show your love and affection for others, and it has a host of health benefits, too. So go ahead and hug it out on Let’s Hug Day! #letshugday

• Make a Gift Day. There are many ways to celebrate Make a Gift Day. You can donate your time or money to a charity or give someone a special gift. You can also do something as simple as sending a handwritten card to a loved one or a friend. No matter what you do, enjoy spreading love and joy on Make a Gift Day! #makeagiftday

DECEMBER 5

• International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development. A United Nations observance held annually on December 5 to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism to strengthen com munities and advance development. It also serves as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of volunteers to society. #internationalvolunteerday foreconomicandsocialdevelopment.

• National Communicate with Your Kids Day. A day to spend quality time with your children and

talk to them about important topics. This is an ex cellent opportunity to start or continue a dialogue with your children about anything and everything.

#nationalcommunicatewithyourkidsday

DECEMBER 6

• Put on Your Own Shoes Day. A day that encour ages people to be independent and self-sufficient. It is also a day to celebrate individuality and creativity. #putonyourownshoesday

DECEMBER 7

• Letter Writing Day. A day to celebrate the art of letter writing. It is a time to remember handwritten letters’ im portance and enjoy writing letters to loved ones, friends and strangers. #letterwritingday

DECEMBER 8

• Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day. On December 8, pretend to be a time traveler! Talk about life in the past and rewrite your past by writing your future. Enjoy this fun and memorable day with others! #pretendtobeatimetravelerday

• Take it in the Ear Day. A day to celebrate your favorite music! Listen to your favorite songs, albums or playlists, and enjoy the music you love. You can also use this day to check out new music that you may not have heard before. Whatever you choose to do, have a great time listening to music! #takeitintheearday

DECEMBER 9

• Weary Willie Day. This unofficial holiday, celebrated on December 9, was named for a homeless man who gave extended dance performances on the streets of New York City. Willie was known for his energy and optimism, which rubbed off on those who interacted with him. De cember 9 was chosen as the date for Weary Willie Day as it is the day after Saint Nicholas Day, a day associated with giving to those in need. #wearywillieday

DECEMBER 12

• Poinsettia Day. This fun holiday celebrates the popular Christmas flower, the poinsettia. #poinsettiaday

The Daley Word

with Jowanna Daley

DECEMBER 15

• International Tea Day. This day is a celebration of tea, which people around the world enjoy. It pres ents a perfect time to practice some self-care! #internationalteaday

DECEMBER 19

• International Human Solidarity Day. This day commem orates international cooperation and solidarity among all people. It aims to promote mutual understanding, respect and peace. #internationalhumansolidarityday

DECEMBER 21

• Don’t Make Your Bed Day. This unofficial holiday encourages people to forgo their morning bed-making. It coincides with the shortest day of the year. The idea is that making your bed on this day is a waste of time since you’ll return to bed soon. #dontmakeyourbedday

• National Look at the Bright Side Day. A day to focus on the positive aspects of life and to find the silver lining in every cloud. It is a day to be hopeful and appreciate the good things in life. #nationalookatthebrightsideday

• World Peace Day. This is a day devoted to peace, ceasefire and non-violence. It is celebrated by people from all walks of life and religions worldwide. #worldpeaceday

DECEMBER 22

• Abilities Day. Ability day is a day to celebrate the abili ties of all people, recognize that everyone has powers and appreciate the contributions that people with abili ties make to our society. Every person is unique and can use their attributes to make a difference. #abilitiesday

‘TIS THE SEASON

• Hannukah: December 18 – December 26. Celebrates the Maccabean Revolt and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

• Christmas: December 25. Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

• Kwanzaa: December 26 – January 1. A seven-day AfricanAmerican celebration of family, community and culture.

Jowanna is a business and personal coach, consultant, freelance blogger, and personal brand photographer. Jowanna uses her 20-plus years of business, information technology, business analysis, and project manage ment experience to serve solopreneurs, microbusinesses, and professionals through consulting, coaching, train ing, and workshops. She is also a freelance blogger who serves corporate and non-corporate clients. Visit her website at https://www.jowannadaley.com/about/

Love and support are the key requisites for lasting peace.

By Owen Waters

Peace resides in the human heart. Inner peace creates outer peace in your relationships and in the effect that you have upon the global consciousness.

Peace is a choice. It respects your boundar ies, and it respects the boundaries of others. When you set your boundaries and stop others from intruding into your space, when you respect other people’s boundaries and do not intrude into their personal space, then it is possible to move on to the next step, a state of mutual cooperation.

Mutual cooperation means that you support each other in ways that come from your heart. You help people because you love the spirit within them. Their outer personality is not the im portant focus here; it is their inner light, their inner spirit that you can always love, regardless of their outward actions. This, then, is the foundation for unconditional love.

The best model for unconditional love is right above you in the daytime sky. The Sun shines on everyone alike, without any judgment. It is a blazing symbol of the Creator’s bounty and a con stant guarantee of the energy you need for the experience of life.

Love and support are the key requisites for lasting peace. The more people embrace peace in their own lives, the more they affect the global consciousness that we all share on this planet.

Happiness is the fruit of the tree of life. It is the needle in the compass that tells you that you are on track, that you are “on purpose” in your journey through life.

True happiness is inner joy, that deep and genuine joy which lasts forever. It comes from being in resonance with your inner purpose, with your inner self.

Your inner self is your soul, the part of you which lives forever, the part of you that is always there to help, guide and protect you.

Within this inner soul burns the flame which connects you to the entire cosmos of Creation. It is your connection to Infi nite Being, to the All That Is.

In this heart of your spiritual connection lies a wonder ful essence. This is the essence of spirituality and joyful living. As your conscious connection with this essence grows, so does your level of happiness.

A connected life is a purposeful and rewarding life. It is one where you apply your efforts exploring the exact situations that you came here on Earth to experience. With love and wis dom, you transform these situations into lasting success.

Through life, you experience the endless variety of Cre ation. Through life, you journey back to that source from which you came. Through life, you find the inner flame which is the key to eternal joy and happiness.

Editor’s note: For the definitive work on peace and hap piness, see Owen Waters’ book, Higher Consciousness: Finding Peace and Joy Above the Noise.

Spiritual Dynamics

with Owen K. Waters

Owen Water is a cofounder of the Spiritual Dynamics Academy and InfiniteBeing.com, where a where a free spiri tual growth newsletter awaits you at https://www.InfiniteBeing.com. He is an international spiritual teacher who has helped hundreds of thousands of spiritual seekers to understand better the nature of their spiritual potential. Owen’s life has been focused upon gaining spiritual insights through extensive research and the development of his inner vision. He has written a spiritual metaphysics newsletter since 2004 which empowers people to discover their own new vistas of inspiration, love and creativity. Spiritual seekers enjoy his writings for their clarity and deep insights. Contact Owen via email News@InfiniteBeing.com

When faced with each choice between love and fear, focus on your heart as the source of uplifting love and inspiration.

To truly experience love, one has to understand, embrace and radiate compassion.

By Stephan Davies

Hello, let’s talk about what it means to love someone. What is love and how is love expressed? First of all, let’s give a very broad definition of love:

be happy; that’s your compassion. So, you do something for them, you try to cheer them up, you bring them a nice meal or you buy them a trip to Alaska or something like that, and you make them feel better. That’s compassion. That compassion needs to be complete and to tal, which means if someone’s having the worst day of their life you stay there with them, you hold their hand, you tell them everything’s going to be ok. True, real, powerful compassion means you’ll never run away from someone—no matter how deep their suffering is.

So, what does it mean to truly love someone? It means you stand by their side no matter how bad the day is, no matter how good the day is, no matter how mundane the day is. That’s what it means to truly love someone.

Now, when you care for another as much as yourself, it doesn’t mean you spend as much attention on them as you do on yourself. Love means just wanting another to really, truly be happy.

So, in terms of our day-to-day experience, we can express love as having a fun time with someone or saying something caring to someone. We can express love is buying someone a cup of coffee, or we can ex press love as putting your hand on someone’s shoulder and saying everything’s ok.

But in order to really, truly experience love, one has to understand compassion because compassion and love are very, very closely related. You cannot truly experience love if you have not experienced compas sion because, without compassion, the experience is just one-sided concern or caring. Compassion is com plete, total love.

To understand what it truly means to love some one, you must be able to give them what they need re gardless of how they’re feeling.

An example of this could be if someone you’re in a relationship with has a bad day and you want them to

Let’s talk a little bit about how you can practi cally become this kind of caring, wonderful, incredible person. It’s not that difficult, basically you need to prac tice both compassion and love.

In order to understand how to love more deeply, how to love more fully, how to give more joy to other people, one has to engage in very powerful meditations. Here is an example of a meditation: You think of someone you love and you imagine you give them happiness, you imagine you radiate your happiness into their heart. As you radiate your happiness into their heart, you say something like “I love you, I com pletely, totally love you.” You give in to love—you just completely give in to love.

Another type of meditation could be focused on someone you care for who is suffering. Maybe they have an illness, maybe they just broke their leg, maybe they just lost their job. In this case, you radiate feelings of hap piness to them, you radiate feelings of goodness, and joy and you make their suffering lessen. You say something like, “I compassionately care for you.”

If you do this type of meditation—and this is just very basic example—and practice it every day for a year, you’ll completely transform yourself.

Love is an expansive feeling where one cares for another as much as they care for themselves.

To really, truly, understand compassion, one needs to understand love, and to understand love, one needs to understand compassion. When you really under stand both compassion and love then your heart is open.

What does it mean to live with an open heart? An open heart doesn’t mean you go around caring for ev erybody, and it doesn’t mean you try to solve everyone’s problems. No, it just means your present and when your present you are helping others. (Find our more here:

https://www.truedivineconnection.com/blog/how-toopen-your-heart-a-complete-guide/.)

For those who have truly open hearts, their very presence is enough to make others feel better. So, it’s not always about feeling sorry for someone or crying because they’re hurting. Rather, you can just talk to them and your very words will make them feel better about themselves.

That is what it means to truly love someone— your presence is enough.

https://www.truedivineconnection.com/

Stephan Davies who is a channel of angels and divine beings. He runs the website The Divine Connection and regularly channels for clients from all over the world. Stephan also runs a blog that covers all matters spiritual. His passion is bringing through messages from above that uplift, bless, and empower others. Visit his website and blog at:

By Linda Commito

Dear

friends,

During this holiday season, I want to express how grateful I am for YOU!

For the past 11 years, I have been privileged to share with you what has influ enced my life in ways that might bring com fort, peace and inspiration—with the hope that together we can create a kinder, more loving world. Writing has kept me focused and committed to delve deeper to find what touches my soul and makes me grateful to be in this world at this time and place.

From my heart to yours,

I wish you . . . a heart that is wide open to loving and being loved good health and well-being in body, mind and spirit inspiration and the opportunities to pursue your passions and fulfill your dreams wonder, joy and appreciation for the world around you

I wish you . . . a balanced life to play, to work, to dream, to create and to just BE hope that together we can play a part in creating a kinder, more loving and eq uitable world for all awareness that “you matter” and that who you are makes a difference a good friend who will “sit with you in the rain”

I wish you . . . connections that remind you that you are loved and not alone opportunities to love and forgive those who have hurt you—just as you love and forgive yourself gratitude for the abundant everyday blessings in your life

I wish you ENOUGH hope, happi ness, love and beauty and the time to ap preciate them

May this holiday season and the coming year bring you and your loved ones abundant blessings.

Love is the New Currency

with Linda Commito

Linda Commito, author, speaker, entrepreneur, consultant and teacher, is passionate about her vision to leave this world a kinder, more loving, and interconnected place. Linda’s award-winning book of inspirational stories, Love Is the New Currency, demonstrates how we can each make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others through simple acts of love and kindness. Her latest project, the card game Just Ask 1 2 3, was inspired by a desire to connect people of all different ages, beliefs and lifestyles to share our individuality and find commonality. Linda also created “Kindness Starts with Me,” a program, book and website for children. For more information visit http://www.LoveistheNewCurrency.com or visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Justask123game

Move from grief to peace (and even Joy) this holiday season.

By Terez Hartmann

There IS a Way Forward, Even After Loss (and Yes, Even

During the Holidays)

Dick Van Dyke, the celebrated American actor known for his work in “The Dick Van Dyke Show”, “Bye Bye Birdie”, “Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang”, “Diagnosis Murder”, and the Disney classic film, “Mary Poppins”, had amassed mul tiple lifetimes-worth of experience by the time he turned 80plus. Then, he experienced a myriad personal challenges, the passing of his grand-daughter and multiple friends, the death of his first wife, Margie Willett (the mother of his children

and long-time friend, who passed due to cancer in 2008), and the transition of his then life partner of 30 years, Michelle Triola, (also due to cancer). With such a full and success ful life already, combined with the pain of these losses, no one would have blamed him if he had chosen to withdraw from life or star in his own exit scene shortly thereafter. Yet…

…At 97 years young (and soon to cel ebrate his 98th Birthday on December 13), he is celebrating 11-plus years of a joy-filled marriage to an amazing, vibrant woman and has added more film credits to his re sume, including both “Night at the Mu seum” films, the 2018 Mary Poppins re boot, “Mary Poppins Returns” and the 2022 documentary “The 90s Club.” He goes to the gym every day, volunteers and contributes to multiple causes,

continues to sing and dance his way through life (literally), and finds so many ways to keep laughing and sharing that incomparable smile of his with all who have the honor to be in his presence.

Though I still have many years to add to my life (hope fully) before having the honor of joining the 90s (or even 100s) club, I have most certainly heard the bittersweet melodies of holiday music for several years and felt the echo of many ghosts of Christmases past—especially after moving through my first round of holidays without my mom—THE queen of all-things-Christmas.

In all honesty, the past 10-plus years of Decembers prior to her passing were anything BUT ideal due to her dete riorating mental and physical wellbeing, but her shift into the ethers in 2021 stirred many childhood memories of the magic my mom always infused into “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, which brought with it a potent mixture of both smiles and tears. Yet, I know for sure the LAST thing my mom (and mom-plus [mother-in-law Bonnie], dad, aunt, brother, daugh ter, cousins, grandparents, family, friends—and all those I’ve had the chance to know and love who have joined our team of angels—would want for me is to spend each December hiding away in a crumpled ball on the bathroom floor, in the dark, with all the sounds of the season on mute… …So like Dick, I too decided that somehow, some way, I would move through grief and get back to the business of LIVING: And as the 1st of December approached, I resolved to honor the natural ebb and flow of emotions in the best way I could and continue to reach for being able to gracefully receive some much-needed tidings of comfort and joy.

Below is what I did to move through grief and cre ate moments of peace—and, yes, even joy—during one of the most emotionally charged times of the year. May these ideas be catalysts for YOU to experience happier holidays, too.

1. ALLOW SPACE (DON’T OVERSCHEDULE)

Grief is like the flight path of a butterfly: It can take many unexpected twists and turns and present itself at what may be “inopportune” moments in virtually ANY setting, so do allow time to be in your own space to process as needed and, if possible, spend time with family and friends who are truly loving, understanding and flexible because plans can and WILL change when sorting through grief. Though it can be tempting to “overschedule” in an effort to avoid thinking and feeling, al lowing for a balance of unscheduled time—while still engaging in life—really paved the way for the lighter heart and spirit I am feeling this holiday season.

2. FEEL, ACCEPT, MOVE ON

Repression and suppression often result in regres sion, so it is far better to express and RELEASE in order to al low for healing, discovering new perspectives, and embracing personal evolution. The process truly looks and feels different for everyone and takes however long it takes, but, in my experi ence, allowing the flow of emotion sooner rather than later is the first step to being able to shift your heart and mind into a state of peace, and to resume forward motion.

During my journey, EVERY period of emotional inten sity ultimately cleared the path for a time of calm and a desire for rest, which was then followed by a lighter heart and mind. But it is important to note that it is good to strive for a bal ance between grieving and getting on with life: Then and now, I let the emotional rhythms of the moment play themselves out to a point of completion, but I find that getting my hands into something engaging, constructive and productive—as soon as possible—is often the best medicine for my soul.

3. CREATE NEW TRADITIONS

The first Thanksgiving without my mom, my husband and I spent the day hiking, and this year we are collaborating with some fab friends for a Thanksgiving potluck and karaoke party. For the 2021 December holidays, we decided to honor many Celtic traditions and practices of our ancient ancestors by hosting our first ever solstice dinner, and for the Christmas holi days, we started a new tradition (which we are continuing this year and beyond) of traveling and experiencing new places and spaces that have their own unique flavor of holiday festivities. Did these stop me from missing my mom during the holidays? No. But it did shift my focus, interrupt old patterns, and open me up to new paths for connecting with my heritage and cul tivating new relationships and even deeper connections with family and long-time friends.

Rather than spending December in a place of sheer coping, changing the energy and staying open to new experi ences brought the unexpected gift of feeling actual, tangible JOY.

4. HONOR THE ONES YOU LOVE

I have long been a fan of up-cycling—especially when it comes to history and tradition. So even though we introduced many new things in 2021, I still honored my mom in multiple ways during the holiday season and intend to keep these tradi tions alive. For example:

For the first time EVER, I actually made sweet po tato pie (with whipped cream on top!)—one of my mom’s favorite holiday treats.

When we hosted our solstice dinner, we “reserved” a seat at the table for her.

And:

In true Santa-Mom fashion, we went all out with our Christmas decorations at home, brought and decorated a small tree that we placed in our hotel room, and ensured there were many gifts for “the kids” (my brother and sister-in-law) to open on Christmas morning.

I knew I could not bring back what was, but even with the layer of bittersweetness, it still felt SO good to integrate that part of her essence through “upcycling” some of the generosity and holiday magic that my mom was known for.

5. PARTICIPATE AND CONNECT

Many people tend to isolate themselves when sort ing through grief—especially during this time of the year— and, sadly, some choose to stay in that loop for many years hence. While it is good, healthy and encouraged to carve out solo time to process, there are times when support and 3D

human interaction can be the thing that brings the spark of light back into your life.

Along with creating new traditions, I decided that it was more than okay to reach out as needed, to let more people “in” and stay open to allowing more new people and experiences in my life.

Life will always continue to move forward, so I have found that moving forward with it can provide all kinds of new opportunities for greater serenity, connection, fun, expansion, ad venture and love. Just like Dick Van Dyke’s example, I truly believe that if we keep our heart and mind open and in motion, life can and will present new doors, new paths, and even a little holiday (and EVERY day) magic.

THE BOTTOM LINE: HAPPIER HOLIDAYS

Thank you, mom—and everyone who came before me —for the seeds of joy, magic and wonder you planted in my soul. And thank you Dick—for continuing to be such an inspiration with your message of continuing to “Keep Moving” (the title of one of his amazing books), find new reasons to smile and to fully embrace MY journey Onward, Upward & Forward to happier holidays.

It is my wish and intention that you, too, move through and beyond grief, find ever-increasing moments of peace, con tinue to let love in—in whatever form feels good to you—and to stay open to the beautiful bonuses, awesome upgrades, and many sensational surprises that the holiday season—and life—are waiting to share with you.

Perhaps that is THE very thing the ones we love would most want us to do? Much love and wishing you Happier Holidays now and always.

For more tools to move Onward, Upward & Forward through and beyond grief:

Onward, Upward & Forward MASTERCLASS: Finding Future Focus while Coping with Grief https://www.store. transformationacademy.com/products/onward-upward-andforward?sca_ref=764549.rTXXrtA0hH

Or if you love the idea of helping others move forward while earning income (as a life coach):

Onward, Upward & Forward: Focus Mastery + Breakthrough Life Coach 2-in-1 Certification Course https://www.store. transformationacademy.com/products/focus-mastery-break through-life-coach-certification?sca_ref=764549.rTXXrtA0hH

ALLOWING YOUR SUCCESS

with Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann

Terez “Firewoman” Hartmann is a Visionary Creative & top-rated instructor, Law of Attraction & Allowing YOUR Suc cess specialist, published author, speaker, singer-songwriter, recording & performing artist & composer, “Catalyst for Fab-YOU-lous” and true Renaissance Woman who has already helped over 10,000 students in over 130 countries al low success and live life on FIRE. She is deeply passionate about helping other Powerful Creatives and Leading-Edge Thinkers live unique, empowered lives on their terms by cultivating the courage to dream, to express themselves boldly & authentically, and to focus Onward, Upward and Forward into new possibilities. http://www.terezfirewoman.com

By Clare Care

The holidays make way for rest, relaxation and precious time with loved ones. But Christmastime can be a very emotional period for some. The festive season can be filled with stress to en sure that everyone’s needs are met. This might be anything from financial concerns to dividing up time visiting family members and friends. As the party season prevails, there can be an expectation to be gregarious and sociable.

If loved ones have passed, Christmas and the New Year can be desperately sorrowful.

As we bid farewell to another year, it can also make us consider the things we haven’t yet accomplished in our lives. Or the areas that we are not happy with.

If you can relate to any, or all of these things, then here are my top five tips for having a positive and peaceful holiday break.

1. DECLINE

If you feel pulled in all directions, perhaps the office party or an expectation for excess visitations, but you don’t re ally want to partake, then don’t. It is hard being a people pleaser and always doing things for others. And while kindness and good deeds are to be encouraged and embraced for well-being, if it is at detriment to your health, then politely decline. Try not to feel pressured into going out if you would rather not. A simple, asser tive “no” at the outset is better than leaving others hanging on for a decision. People will have greater respect for your choice from the start, than if you say yes to an invitation only to later be a “no-show.” Behavior of this kind can lead to resentment and upset. Pulling out at the last minute can result in bad feelings all round. Always beware of time thieves! They can have a negative impact on your well-being. Earth minutes are yours. And they are not infinite; choose how to use them wisely.

2. LIMIT

Christmastime usually comes with a hefty bill as we buy gifts, indulgent food and treats. As living costs rise but wages do not, an effective way to manage your finances is to tell all family and friends, whom you would normally purchase a present for, that you will limit the amount spent.

Remember a modest gift can be just as thoughtful and well-received as something expensive. Have a go at crafting or creating your own presents or cards. Perhaps you could make a candle, knit a scarf, or bake a pie? A homemade gift can be very special. Make a list of all the people you would normally buy a gift for and set an amount for each person. Check that fits with your budget and absolutely do not go over it.

3. REST

Rest is important as it gives you a change to recharge your batteries. Factor in holiday time where you simply do noth ing. The dishes can wait. The house work can wait. Let your body just be. A duvet day is acceptable. Or a TV catch up on the sofa. Lose yourself in a good book. Or meditate. Listen to music. Sleep. Give yourself a day of dreams. Rushing is of no consequence.

4. REFLECT

The festive season can be a time for reflection and sad ness if a loved one has been lost. Grief never dies. It will hit you at unexpected moments, in powerful waves or tiny bursts. Ease the pain by setting aside an evening devoted to remembrance. This can be in solitude or to share with others. Look at photos, recall memories, listen to a favorite song. Light a candle, say a prayer and remember with a smile. Call upon your angels for spiritual guidance to give you signs and strength. It is always OK to cry—no matter your age, gender or culture. It is a healthy normal reaction to pro tect your mind and body. Crying will help release suffering and pain.

5. RENEW

The New Year is a time for new beginnings. As we wel come in a fresh new year, we can say goodbye to the past and hello to manifesting our dream life. If you have felt stuck in a rut, or are unhappy with any aspect of your life, this is a time to con sider areas that do not serve you. If you don’t follow your dreams and aspirations, you are not being your authentic self. Know that you are capable of receiving the things your heart truly desires. Make a list of what you really would like to achieve and plan con sidered steps to get there. Divide your wish list into short-term and long-term goals. Any path can be taken if you trust yourself and quash limiting beliefs.

Clare Care is a presenter, author and singer. She is also a Creative and Spiritual Life Coach and a member of The Complimentary Medical Association (MCMA). Clare loves to help others live their best life! Her book, 52 Ways To Receive Joy Now! is an essential guide to finding your inner happiness and is available on Amazon. Her podcast, “Nourish Your Think Tank” has interviews with music legends and musings on life’s good vibra tions. She hosts an early breakfast show on NLive Radio called “Clare’s Happy Monday” to make people feel good for their week ahead. Her other show, “Weekend Calling”, gets listeners ready for the weekend. Clare fronts a function band as the lead singer and regularly performs at parties and corporate events. For more information go to https://www.clarecarepresenter.com

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Tangerine Newt

Five ways to improve immunity and well-being this holiday season.

By Arielle Giordano

With the holiday season upon us, it’s time to give yourself the gift of better health! Here are my top five ways to become happier and more energetic in the New Year.

EXERCISE

What is the No. 1 tool to improve immunity?

Exercise! Physical activity can help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways, reducing your chance of getting a cold, flu or other illnesses. Exercise causes a change in antibodies and white blood cells, which are the body’s immune system cells that fight disease. Recent evidence indicates that mitochondria lie at the heart of immunity. Stretching by lengthening and strengthening muscles stimulates healthy mitochon dria—the powerhouses of the cells. One of the best ways to stay young and vibrant and full of energy is by moving your muscles.

DANCE

New research demonstrates the amazing health benefits of dancing to reduce stress, release emotions, increase serotonin, and provide an overall sense of well-being. It can even make you smarter! So put on your favorite music, have fun, and dance like no one is watching you!

EAT ORGANIC PLANT-BASED WHOLE FOODS

To keep a clear head and make healthy choic es when it comes to food consumption, aim for an organic diet filled with plant-based whole foods. You cannot exercise away a bad diet! According to Dr. Joel Fuhrman, author of Eat to Live, eating whole-food, plant-based nutrition reduces the risk of chronic dis eases. You can live longer, lose weight, and improve immune function and overall health. Watch Forks over Knives on Netflix!

GOOD SLEEP

Get plenty of sleep every night. Studies show that sleeping eight hours or more enhances your immune function.

QUIET TIME

Relaxation and quiet time are the simplest and most effective things to do to alleviate stress, rebalance and recharge your health and well-being. Be in nature. Spend time alone. Enjoy reflecting and listening to the quiet voice within.

Get ready to ring in the New Year with a new routine that will bring you joy, happiness and a focus on self-care. You are worth it!

Dancing from the Inside Out

with Arielle Giordano

Transformational Life Coach Award-Winning Author & Speaker, Professional Dancer. Arielle’s Award-Winning book for Best Self-Help Award: Dancing With Your Story From The Inside is available on http://www.Amazon.com. Her professional career includes the Lead Faculty Area Chairperson and Professor for the College of Humanities, History and the Arts at the University of Phoenix. She is a published co-author of Transform Your Life Books 1 & 2 and author for Tampa Bay Wellness, Conscious Shift & Transformation magazine. She has published her 4th book, an Instructor’s Manual for Barlow Abnormal Psychology 4th ed. and authored Psychology, A Journey 3rd.ed. Study Guide published by Nelson Education, Toronto, ON. She has also studied philosophy at the College of Integrated Philosophy with John DeRuiter for twenty years. Arielle has been a featured guest on radio and television, in newspapers, and the media across the US and Canada. She is a certified Essentrics Stretch and Dance Instructor. Arielle offers coaching sessions, classes and workshops and a free 30-minute Consultation. Arielle’s new book Dancing with Your Story from the Inside Out is now available on http://www.Amazon.com. Websites: http://www.dancingfromtheinsideout.com, http://www.ariellegiordano.com. Email: agbeautifuldance@gmail.com

By Jo Mooy

This is a good time to take stock of what happened during the year, to reflect on what you did or didn’t accom plish, and to set goals for the New Year. I do this every December before the winter solstice, the seasonal change that triggers my New Year. When I look back over the 12 months, a pattern emerges that needs tweaking, fixing, or a major course correc tion. During the annual ritual that ends with a formal meditation, I ask for a single guide word that will govern the next year. To give you an idea of what that means, some of the words in past years were: pa tience, silence, cadence, courage, perse verance, clarity, grace, etc.

Leading up to the year-end prac tice, it made sense to do a physical cleaning in preparation for the spiritual one. I de cided to clean, dust and vacuum the house. It’s the thorough kind of cleanup where dining chairs are moved so the vacuum gets every crumb from under the table. The dust bunnies in the corners are dislodged with a damp rag. Then, after the big clean and dust, incense is lit to bring a peaceful harmony back into the home space.

A few hours later, it was time to clean the top of the glass dining table with Windex. I picked up the pepper mill that was filled to the top with pep percorns. Alas, when I last filled the mill, I didn’t screw the bottom on tightly. As I lifted it, the bottom flew off and hundreds

of expensive green, white, black and very rare red Penzey’s Premium Peppercorns went flying out of the bottle. They flew across the dining table, all over the dining room, into the living room, and even a few made their way into the kitchen.

My first verbal reaction, (mind you, with incense harmonizing the house) was: What the %^&$ just happened? It was quickly followed by another string of words that should remain unpublished. The second reaction? Momentary silence. The third reaction? Coming to grips with the fact I’d just wasted an hour vacuum ing the whole house and would have to do it again. The fourth reaction? I bent over howling with laughter at how hundreds of tiny peppercorns, the size of BBs, could fly into so many remote parts of the house. Still laughing, I began gathering them up. (Don’t try sweeping, they roll around.) I found them in a glass of water; I found one in the lap of the Green Tara statue; a bunch of them landed on the sofa in the living room; and, two somehow got up in the dining room chandelier.

But, the best reaction was the last one. After sweeping up $55 worth of peppercorns, I had an epiphany. How is it possible to go off the rails so easily over such a tiny mishap of flying pep percorns? With all the meditations, the daily practices, staying away from the news and social media, I still had a re action that should not have happened. Yet it did.

Sure, I recovered my equanimity in about 15 minutes. But what happened to the teachings on Wu Wei (the art of non-doing)? Where did detachment from outcomes go? How come I didn’t sum mon the Vajra Dakini powers to stabilize the wild reactions? All that training evapo rated quickly in the spontaneous toss of a peppermill filled with peppercorns. If this could happen to me doing practices daily, what about those without any foundation or practices? It was a humbling epiphany.

I sat with the impressions that were left after the sobering thoughts. All was not lost. Yes, I had recovered fairly quickly. But clearly, there was still work to be done if peppercorns threw me for a loop. We all are going to experience ups and downs in life. The world had just gone through a 3-year pandemic that upended normality. The hot planet and heated tempers of the right and left were symp toms only. Peppercorns it turns out were a big “nothing burger!”

I did a mental reset and realized I had to saddle up again and get on with it! I returned to the practices. In a few minutes, the patterns emerged for 2022 and the new word for 2023 floated in. The word is diligence! It means steady, careful and persistent work or effort. It’s a perfect compass for 2023. When you think you’ve got it all together, trust me, you don’t. Peppercorns will teach you otherwise. Dil igence now joins the pantheon of words from previous years on the refrigerator.

Conscious Living

with Jo Mooy

Jo Mooy has studied with many spiritual traditions over the past 40 years. The wide diversity of this training al lows her to develop spiritual seminars and retreats that explore inspirational concepts, give purpose and guid ance to students, and present esoteric teachings in an understandable manner. Along with Patricia Cockerill, she has guided the Women’s Meditation Circle since January 2006 where it has been honored for five years in a row as the “Favorite Meditation” group in Sarasota, FL, by Natural Awakenings Magazine. Teaching and using Sound as a retreat healing practice, Jo was certified as a Sound Healer through Jonathan Goldman’s Sound Healing Association. She writes and publishes a monthly internationally distributed e-newsletter called Spiritual Connections and is a staff writer for Spirit of Maat magazine in Sedona. For more information go to http://www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.

Sometimes when we think we’ve got it all together, trust me—we don’t.

By Mary Boutieller

Spending time in nature al ways gives me a chance to slow things down a bit. Unlike seated meditation, where I attempt to sit still while my mind goes on high alert noticing every little discomfort, the woods allows me to let go of the reins and release pentup tension. In that relaxed state, my body falls into a predictable rhythm, like a heartbeat, moving one beat at a time. It’s as if each step brings me more in tune with the present—the colors, the smells, the crunch of leaves beneath my feet.

In these moments, I feel whole again. Creativity flows, ideas come to mind and, interestingly, like the sand mandalas created by Buddhist monks, those ideas come and go without need ing to be held on to. I know I could pull

out my phone or carry a journal with me, yet I don’t. It’s like planting seeds for another time, trusting that they will sprout when I need them most.

When is it that you find your self in the flow of present moment awareness? Is it when you exercise or work at something you love? Is it when you are traveling, playing with grand children or looking out a window at the falling leaves? Start to notice when it is that the outside world falls away and you feel fully present. One friend climbs along the rocks of Maine for hours and is in her happy place. Another friend rides his bike for miles as a way to feel whole again. Sometimes, when I’m feeling particularly stressed, I’ll pull out an old coloring book and crayons and sit down to color, soon forgetting the strain of life itself, tapping back into a child hood spent sitting, creating, dreaming.

I saw a quote today that brought it all home for me, “To be mindful is to be available for now. Now is where change happens.”

Today is all we have. This moment is what we have to work with, create with, love with and cry with. Right now. Don’t wait until circumstances are perfect because, frankly, perfection is an illusion. So much is missed while waiting for our lives to begin. What we have in front of us are not obstacles. They are opportunities to bring our full est selves to the moment at hand, and then go from there.

Find your flow my darlings. Find those times when happiness is a state of being, not a goal to be achieved, and bring more of those moments into your life. May the flow be with you!

The Yoga of Life

with Mary Boutieller

Mary Boutieller is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching yoga since 2005. Her work experience includes 22 years as a firefighter/paramedic and 10 years as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Mary’s knowledge and experience give her a well-rounded understanding of anatomy, alignment, health and movement in the body. She is passionate about the benefits of yoga and the ability to heal at all levels through awareness, compassion, and a willingness to explore. She can be reached at: SimplyogaOm@gmail.com.

This present moment of awareness is what we have to work with, create with, love with and cry with.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Joseph Gonzalez

How to bring the kindness, compassion and goodwill of the holiday season into your everyday life.

By Emil Nazaryan

The holiday season is upon us again. There is something magical about it. There is a reason why most of us look for ward to this time of the year. Why is that? Is it because of the soothing Christmas songs we hear all around? Is it because of the sweet smell of hot chocolate that gives us a sense of joy? Is it because of the anticipation of spending quality time with your most loved ones? Or is it because of heightened expectations of goodness and childish belief in something magical?

For most of us it’s all of the above. And more! What is this “more” part, the part that is above the ordinary? I believe it’s our increased gravitation towards the center of all goodness, the source of all joy and happiness. By the way, have you noticed something peculiar during the holidays? Don’t you notice more kindness around, more compassion and goodwill in others, as well as in yourself?

Now, imagine that you don’t have to wait for the holiday season to feel this way. What if this becomes your way of life? It most surely can and, when it does, it will be life-transforming. Let’s see what can keep this goodness hidden from us throughout the year.

It starts with judgment. We re ally like to judge people. We do this some times with a hidden sense of pleasure. We look for reasons to point out the flaws in others. This search for the flaws auto matically blinds us from seeing even the glimpses of human goodness. We are so quick to point out all the things that are wrong with someone else. We evaluate others based on appearances, looks, so cial status, personal preferences, political views, belonging to certain groups and

so many other characteristics. You may say: “Oh no, you may be like that, but I’m above that. I’m not prejudiced at all.” I sincerely hope that’s the case, but I also know that it’s probably not.

Imagine you walk out of your car to get some coffee. A nicely dressed, well groomed, well-mannered lady, smelling of amazing perfume approaches you closely and asks you a question. How do you feel? You probably instantly like this person and happily answer her question. Now imag ine that a homeless person approaches you when you leave the car. He has a long, dirty beard, reeks of alcohol, wears dirty clothes, and he’s missing a tooth or two. He comes closer and closer to you. How do you feel now? Don’t you want to take a step back, or even turn around and walk away in another direction as fast as you can? You may drop an abrupt phrase like, “Sorry, can’t help you.” If this is how you feel, then you, like most of us, have preju dices that are perhaps even unconscious.

Here is the catch. On the deep est level possible, past all adjectives, past the lifestyle, the social status and all other descriptions, at the very core all humans are the same. We all come from one whole indivisible source, and that’s why we are bound to be the same underneath all the programming and conditioning. Our egos do a great job of keeping our view of others superficial and not letting us “go down” to another’s level. This sepa ration of “me” from “them” is responsible for all our suffering and misery. Inevitably, when this separation exists, we either feel superior or inferior, both of which can cre ate suffering for ourselves and for others. Thankfully, there is a better way, a more peaceful, benign, tranquil and re warding way of life. This door opens by

learning to see the beauty of human na ture, by recognizing ourselves in others. It can take time and effort to master this skill, but it is so worth the effort.

Let’s be honest. It’s much easier to see ourselves in others when they look either equal or superior to our self-image. It’s much harder though in the opposite scenario. Our ego immediately jumps out to protect itself from being dragged down. This is especially true in tense situations such as arguments and heated conversa tions, let alone using physical force.

There is a solution. It is as sharp as a razor can get, and it can cut through all the protective layers of the ego and it can directly touch the center of the heart. It’s called humility, which is accepting our own vulnerability. It has so much power behind it that it can stop wars, rivalry and explosive situations. It is the same power that was used by Mahatma Gandhi.

Let’s be realistic. No one expects us to become a Gandhi. But we start with baby steps. If we take enough of those, soon we can be sprinting! So, what are some of these steps we can start taking today?

Practice addressing the inner es sence of people. This can be done by com plimenting, showing compassion, drop ping a kind word, or committing a random act of kindness. Watch the reaction of the receiver. It can’t be faked. It’s so genuine and instant that the ego doesn’t have time to cover it up.

• When you find yourself worked up about something and upset with others then stop. Pause for a second. Take a deep breath. Remember the timeless quote from the Bible: “He that is with out sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone.” This shift in

perspective is sure to give you a better, more constructive solu tion that stems from compassion and not fury.

• Smile, smile, smile. Watch how your smile affects others and how it also affects yourself. See how contagious

it becomes. How do you feel when someone genuinely smiles at you? Doesn’t something inside of you instantly put a smile on your face? That something is your own innermost human essence, your profound human nature.

Now, go and connect your hu man nature with its counterparts in oth ers! At the end, you will come to a con clusion that there is only one nature and we are all parts of it. We are all rays of sunshine emanating from the same, one and only Sun.

Emil Nazaryan is a motivational writer and a contributor to

Magazine. He has undergone a spiritual transformation which has led the way to

the insights he has experienced with the others. He is well acquainted with all major spiritual traditions of the world, but it is the direct experience of the essence of these teachings that is responsible for the altered life outlook and the motivational articles that stem this. In his daily life Emil is a successful REALTOR and he resides in Norfolk, VA, with his wife and two children. Contact him by email at emil.rw@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Leah Hetteberg

the monthly Motivational Corner column of HR Realtor

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