Joy comes in many different ways. What are some of the things that you do that bring you joy? Do you have some autumnal rituals that you look forward to?

Taking an honest look at yourself often begins a personal reflection process that allows you to embrace and acknowledge all the things that bring you joy. Being in this space helps you recognize that your world is a reflection of who you are. This realization can lead to taking action to do things differently.

For example, imagine that the your life is an orchestra and you are the conductor – what music are you creating? Are you creating symphonies or noise?

Playing symphonies causes you to feel and express joy, love yourself and experience feelings of peace. Your energy is at a higher vibration and you attract the things you desire. Noise often shows itself as clutter and tolerations. You have feelings of sadness, unease, unhappiness and general disapproval of self. Your energy is at a lower vibration and you attract the things you don’t want.

Realizing that you have the authority to create your own music is a powerful way to live. At the same time, it opens up infinite possibilities for creating the life you dream of. Simply by asking yourself questions and listening to your answers you’re the creator of your world, playing your music. This gives you clarity and focus as you accept your circumstances, recognizing that it is but a reflection of who you’re being at the time.

Take some time this month and begin your personal reflection process that leads to creating the life you desire. Treat yourself with gentle kindness. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to do your process. There is no ONE roadmap to follow.

What is it worth to you to take full responsibility to create your own music for your life? Just Imagine!

Summer is the delicious filling, offering a multitude of tastes.  We savor the flavor of wearing lighter clothes; fully enjoying the outdoors as well as juicy fresh fruits and veggies, crabs, bar-b-ques and the beach.  Summer begins the travel, travel to family reunions, travel to favorite vacation spots, travel just because.

Autumn knows she is the end, the last of the sandwich and almost the last of the year.  She does not compete with the delicious filling of summer or the dance of spring.  She offers up herself to the splendor of peaceful, longer nights, crisp days, and soulfulness that only belong to her.  She offers first harvests, large harvest moons and crackling fireplaces.

In autumn we begin to practice slowing down, eagerly watching for the unbridled colors of the leaves.  Autumn brings her special scents with leaves burning, cider mulling and pumpkin spices.  She offers the time and space for introspection, reflection and meditation.  Autumn allows and encourages you to:

• Embrace your fullness—take time to experience the richness of who you are.  Express your femininity; allow your powerful feminine energy to flow through you like a river.  Speak your truth; in your own voice, choose your words to endow your goddess, love and honor yourself.
• Tap into your inner being—listen to your inner voice, your intuition, and accept its guidance for it comes from your soul, your spirit.  Live in each moment; thrive in each moment because you’re consciously aware.
• Rejoice in you—you are unique, you are special, you ARE.  Find at least one thing daily to celebrate you, let your joy shine on everyone you meet.
• Create the lifestyle of your choice—it really is up to you.  Now is the time to live by your rules taking full responsibility for your life.  Ask the question, “Who am I and what do I want?”  These answers will support you in creating the lifestyle you desire without guilt.

Unlike spring and summer, autumn might seem a bit curious with her colorful displays and cool days.  It’s as though she’s ‘flaunting’ herself.  Perhaps she is!  Because of this we feel an underlying current of ease, being laid back and patient.  These feelings allow and support us in changing, enhancing and growing our well-being.  Yes, autumn is the Lady who shows all her colors!  Won’t you join her?

Inez Bracy

Lifestyle Transitions Coach

Spring also reminds me of the time to clean!  You see, growing up in the south, each spring we’d clean the house top to bottom windows and all!  We’d throw out or give away whatever we no longer needed.  Remembering causes me to look around to see what needs to be gotten rid of; not just externally but internally also.

When thinking of spring cleaning I think of one of my favorite songs, “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers.   For me it carries a bit of melancholy as well as hope.  Thinking about   “The Gambler”, the “Serenity Prayer” and spring, I decided to play around with the lyrics.

God grant me the

Serenity to accept the things I cannot change

You got to know when to hold ‘em,

Courage to change the things I can

know when to fold ‘em,

And the Wisdom to know the difference

Know when to walk away and know when to run

You can count your blessings when you’re sittin’ at the table.

There’s time enough for countin’ all day long.

I invite you to join me as we go through spring cleaning this year, keeping in mind these lyrics while deciding what to hold, fold and walk away from.  This is the year we can choose to stop surviving and start thriving.  As we look at the things we intend to keep ask, “will keeping this allow me to thrive?”

I’d love your feedback and appreciate your comments.

Are you already experiencing a feeling of dread boomer women because Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and you’re single and alone?  You’re surrounded with red and white advertising showing happy couples, laughing, kissing and seemingly having a great time.  The more you see the worse you feel!

I’ve got good news; you can choose your feelings!  Choosing your feelings allows and supports you to enjoy the day.  Let me ask you a question, “Do you have this feeling of dread around other holidays?”

Think about St. Patrick’s Day when you are surrounded with a sea of green, or Memorial Day or Independence Day when everywhere you turn, you see flags blowing in the breeze, and what about Halloween with its orange and black, do you have that same feeling of dread?

You’re probable thinking, “Of course not, why would I.”  Bingo!  Why would you boomer women?  Why would you give yourself permission to choose feeling less than because of a day designated for lovers?  Why not choose to be your own best lover on this day?

Because you are single, you can pamper yourself without the guilt.  Treat yourself to that yearned for but never have time for massage, or bubble bath, or glass of champagne and of course a box of chocolates.  Give yourself the gift of a lovely bouquet.

Take time to celebrate loving yourself by reflecting on your BEST qualities; your smile, your willingness to share, your inherent joy, your loving body and etc. It’s even okay boomer women to remember past lovers and appreciate them for the gifts (no judgment) they gave.

Wow!  Now that’s done, how does it feel?  Do you feel liberated knowing that it’s up to you to create the love you desire?  Sages throughout the years have taught that self love is the greatest gift one can have.  Congratulate yourself on giving YOU the greatest gift of all.

SPICE-ly

Inez Bracy

Have you thought about how you will live the next several years?

The one thing we all have is choice!  Boomer women you can choose to design the life you desire (isn’t it about time) or allow each day to pass unnoticed.

Lifestyle Planning is about living your life your way in balance.  It’s about knowing what your values are, and how you want to live. The movie The Bucket List was an eye-opener for me. I asked myself, what am I NOT doing that I’ve said I want to do?

Lifestyle Planning is planning how you want to live, where you want to live and what you want to do now.  Boomer women whatever you’ve been putting off; don’t put it off any longer. Set your intention to live your life your way and you will be amazed.

Here are 4 Lifestyle Planning Questions for living your life your way.

1. How do you plan to spend your time? Do you desire to be close to your grand children so that you can spend lots of time with them? Or do you enjoy seeing them once in a while?

2. What type of weather do your prefer? Do you love warm winters and cool summers?

3. Do you plan to travel? Is traveling on your horizon, in and out of the USA?

4. How do you plan to stay healthy and keep in shape? Is it important to be near a health club?

Of course there are may other questions that will come up for you (finances, children, pets, parents and etc.) Take the time to answer each question, honestly and fully.

Boomer women Lifestyle Planning is important because you are at choice! Being at choice allows you to live your life your way. One word of caution, if you are in a relationship it is important to discuss your intention with your partner. Getting your partner’s support in how you want to live will bring harmony and balance to your situation.

Warmly,

Inez Bracy

Watch Inez on Lifetime TV: The Balancing Act

Does this sound familiar? Do you feel stuck in your job too?

Is there a blind spot keeping you from reaching your career dream or the next promotion? If you hear another, “You’re doing a great job, keep up the good work” do you think you’ll scream?

Maybe you have even trained the person who is getting the promotion. The promotion that you deserve!

Here are three blind spots that commonly appear when your head is bumping against the glass ceiling:

1. Not the right or enough education. Does walking into a room of professionals (whom you THINK have a degree) make you feel inadequate? Feeling inadequate occur when you give your power away. If this is your blind spot, check out the many different ways you can get a degree. Many schools offer online courses and some offer credit for life experience.

2. Unclear or foggy goals. Do you chase after every idea that comes your way? The most beautiful rainbows come after a torrential rain, see the beauty in your own ideas, or continue to chase after the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If this is your blind spot, resolve today to spend some time in self reflection deciding and focusing on what you really want.

3. Unexceptional listening skills. Are you structuring your answers while the person is talking to you or finishing their sentences for them? This behavior devalues you and the other person. If this is your blind spot begin to make a conscious effort to listen to the complete statement of the other person, and then pause to formulate your answer. This adds value for both of you.

Some blind spots hold you back from being the person you know you can be. Others are little annoyances that get in the way. You get to choose to have your eyes “wide open” and see opportunities in places you never thought to look.

Keep this paper with you for the next three days to remind you to look for blind spots. As you notice blind spots, write them down. Reflect on them and pay attention to the difference they make in your life.

Creating the life you desire is easier than you think living consciously. Conscious living requires that you take time for yourself, be self-aware and choose the life you want.

Here are five keys for creating your desired future.

1. Live on purpose. Using silence and planned mediation, allow your life purpose to wonderfully unfold before you. Discover the activities that make your heart sing. Engage joyfully in these activities.

2. Act boldly. When ideas come to you, act boldly upon them. Being a shrinking violet will hold you in your current status. Pursue lofty goals and take on challenges that you would have previously avoided.

3. Have positive expectancy. Expect your desired life. Choose your thoughts, reshape your beliefs. Visualize your desired future.

4. Take total responsibility for your life. You choose your emotions and your response. Are you blaming someone else or accepting responsibility for your life.

5. Practice gratitude. Be thankful NOW! A fundamental law of the Universe is to be grateful in all things.

You are ready to experience greatness in your life.

Of course you can! Just remember, if you can think about it, you can create it. Your opportunities to create the life you desire are virtually limitless. As you travel down this new passage, it’s similar to traveling on a road. There are curves, some steep and some very gentle. There might be potholes, detours, corners, and crossroads. Look at each juncture as an opportunity to choose, then make a decision and follow through.

Some of the paths you take as you begin this new journey will lead to jubilation, happiness like you’ve never known. On the other hand, some will lead to the greatest sadness you’ve ever known. Some roads will lead to success others to disappointment. The one most important thing to remember is that this is a journey and there are no guarantees.

You are always faced with choices and decisions. Many times choices are presented and you’re not even aware that you have a decision to make or that you’ve made a decision.

You have a choice and a decision to make. Choose wisely and decide. Once the decision is made, you can keep it as it is, tweak it or discard and make a new one. You choose. You decide.