It's been an interesting two days.  Taking new classes and meeting new people always inspires me.  It always fascinates me to talk to someone new and learn about their life and how they got to be where they are now.  Yesterday I met Donnie Osmond's cousin and today I met four women who had spent a lifetime doing incredibly meaningful and interesting work.  They are all still actively involved in making the world a better place for generations to come.  

In class yesterday the facilitator asked "Where were you when integration took place?  Since this was a room full of people who were either in high school or college at the time it was very interesting to hear where they were and what was taking place around them.  The facilitator believes that what was happening around you at that time influences how you feel about politics now.  Thus, the reason for today's title - Looking back - Moving Forward

One of the questions I often ask clients who are stuck is, "What worked in the past?"  Whether it is a problem moving forward with a project, starting a diet or looking for a new job thinking about the strategies that you used in the past that worked (and did not work) can often be very helpful.  I know for me vocalizing what is happening has always made a difference.  The other person doesn't have to say a word. Listening is enough.  If they give me a solution, I'll listen but most of the time I know I have the answer within.  I just need to vocalize situation and then listen for the answer. 

Is there something you would like to do but just can't seem to get started?  Ask yourself, "What worked in the past when I was stuck?"  Give yourself some quiet time to find the answer.  It doesn't always appear immediately.  But when it does, listen to your inner voice and take the steps necessary to begin to move forward.  The first step is always the hardest but it is so worth the risk.  

On Friday I'll post about the importance of taking very small steps and how without realizing it they can make a really big difference  in your life.

Out of curiousity - where were you when integration was taking place?  Did it make a difference in your life or the lives of others you know?

It's been a long time.  Almost a year since my last blog post.  A few weeks ago I received an email from someone who said, "I happened upon your blog.  I noticed you have not posted in a long time but are you still coaching?"  I am so glad that she took the time to reach out.  Not only could I say yes I was still coaching but I also realized just how long it had been since my last blog post.  And thinking about blogging made me realize that I miss it.  I not only miss writing but I miss the people I met because of my blog.

I started my blog as a way to express myself when my husband was fighting Pulmonary Hypertension.  Through it I met many wonderful people in all parts of the world.  Through some of those people I learned about coaching and became a Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach.  I never had to leave home to meet with clients (although I did) and I learned so many things from the many people I worked with.  Along with working with individual clients, I've held online workshops and year long in person workshops too.  It's wonderful to be there when a client has an Aha moment and begins to move forward on a project or a new direction in their life.  

I named my blog Special Moments In Time because when you are fighting a rare disease, like the one Greg had, it's easy to lose sight of the wonderful things that are happening all around you.  So we would end each day sharing something special that we had experienced.  It was usually something very simple but as we moved through his nine year journey we realized more and more that it was the simple things that made the difference.

I've toyed with changing the name of my blog but decided to keep it the same.  Life is very different now but there are still special moments each day.  I just have to remember to look for them.  I'm still coaching and meeting new people and I still love creativity and learning and talking for hours with people who share a common interest.  But I've added some new things to the life I am creating now.  I've become really interested in politics and what is happening in our world.  I have very strong opinions but I truly want to understand the opinions of others.  I don't think the world can get better unless we work together and we can't do that unless we talk.  I never knew how much I could enjoy a Sunday afternoon movie or that cooking could actually be fun.  Life as a widow is not easy.  But almost all of the strategies I have learn to help clients create their life or project have been a really big help to me as well.  

I'm not sure where this new blog with the same name will take me.  I've been encouraged to write about being a widow and to share what works for me.  I may do that.  I know that I will continue to share coaching tips and to talk about creativity.  I may even throw in a political post or two.  I'm hoping that as before this blog will encourage me to take pictures and paint more. I'm hoping it will encourage you to share your creativity too.  

​I'll be back on Wednesday to share a little about the class I am taking today.   It's about the Constitution.  Who knew last year at this time this would be something I would be interested in?  That's what is exciting about this journey called life.  You never know where it will take you.  See you on Wednesday!
Ginny

PS  I would love to know what you have been doing!