As I was talking about rest and renewal.(read: How’s Your Tax Season going?)…I must say…I’m loving this time of the year! The evidence of renewal is showing up all around in me. As I look around, I see that wonderful chartreuse green unfolding on the trees, the daffodils, are showing their sunshiny faces along with many other flowers and plants who want to make their presence known. To boot, we’ve had 3 days in a row of sunshine! That’s pretty unusual for the Northwest this time of the year. But, it warms my heart and…
It’s April already, which means 1/3 of the year is already behind us. I’m always amazed at how fast time flies, it seems like a long time ago that we were celebrating the New Year, doesn’t it? Besides for being the beginning of a new quarter, April has the lovely distinction of being the “tax month”. My husband and I just completed our tax returns and I have to tell you, it’s always a relief when they are done. Although, taxes are not my idea of fun, this year I decided I wasn’t going to…
Are you being taxed by taxes? Simply saying the word “taxes” sends many normally calm people into a downward spiral of negative thoughts and upset feelings. Start talking about April 15th, the deadline (usually) for filing those dreaded tax returns here in the US, and now the tension really starts creeping up, looming over like some dark clouds ready to burst. Deadlines tend to add more pressure, which adds more stress and angst for most people. Are you one of those people? Are you feeling the tax deadline pressure? Are you overwhelmed by…
Working moms: Is the balancing act driving you bonkers? Today, in the United States, most women with children are “working moms” who have either full or part time jobs, or own their own businesses, in addition to their full time jobs on the home front. Studies show, even though there may be a fair amount of help from “dad”, the “mom” is still the main manager of keeping the family unit functioning with all its detailed operations. This requires a tremendous amount of physical, mental and emotional energy, which can drive even the most well…
Welcome to Spring, one of my favorite times of the year! The energy this time of the year is so fresh and vibrant. The days keep getting longer and there’s more and more life unfolding in Mother Nature’s gardens. This fresh energy lends itself to feelings of renewal, like fresh starts. Just as those new growths of green are showing up, so too, can this time of the year be a time for letting go of the old and bringing on the new. I’ve been finding myself spontaneously getting rid of things that no longer…
Stress & Labor: Not a good mix! As a practitioner of HypnoBirthing®, the Mongan Method childbirth education, the biggest issue for most parents-to-be is stress. They have busy lives, stressful jobs, they’re preparing for a new member of their family and they are worried about the birthing experience. Not a good mix for wanting an easy comfortable birthing experience. This is no surprise to me, as the messages concerning pregnancy and especially childbirth are abundant with negative expectations for a miserable, uncomfortable, and painful experience. Gee, if that was what we had to look…