Happy New Year!  Let's have a kinder, gentler, 2012.

I want to talk to you about resolutions.  I mean, who can really stick to those things?  We usually say we're going to "join a gym and GO" or, my personal favorite for many MANY years was always "Lose Weight".  I think resolutions are a prime example of our "all or nothing" thinking.  And, it's not healthy.  What comes after you 'break' the resolution?  A lot of shame, guilt, and should-ing all over yourself.  Stop it!

How can we have a gentler, more compassionate approach to 2012?  I've been pondering this myself over the last few weeks, and here's what I've come up with:

• Think about SMALL changes that you can live with, rather than a HUGE, unrealistic goal that feels unattainable.  What's the one thing you can do RIGHT NOW to make a change?
• Ask for help.  Ask for whatever support you need in attaining your goals from those around you who love and care about you!  Be real specific about the kind of support you need!
• If you aren't consistent, instead of beating yourself up, observe why you haven't been able to "do it", and say "Isn't that interesting!?!"  And then, if you wish, begin again.

This is what I'm trying this year...a compassionate, loving approach to having more fun and playing more in 2012!  I wish you all the best in the coming year!

Movie Review Time!!!

When I saw this movie, I was kind of blown away, because the main character, Mavis, is having a late-in-life Quarter Life Crisis!  Sure, she's not 25, she's 37-but she's certainly acting 25!  In many ways, Mavis is like so many women I see....maybe drinking too much, feeling disconnected, stuck idealizing a life that "could have been", and literally pulling out her own hair. 

I thought this was such a interesting, realistic portrayal (ok, maybe a little exaggerated) of a woman lost...her career is ending, her marriage has ended...and maybe she's clinging a little to closely to what feels familiar.  An old high school boyfriend and a life that wasn't.

"Critical" Thinking...

Happy Holidays!  So I've noticed something about myself...and I bet you've noticed too....I'm incredibly bad at keeping up the blog.  Really bad.  Like, really.

So, I'm not going to let the judgement part get in the way.  I've decided instead to see how I can make the blog more fun for me, and therefore, more fun and informative for you!  This is a more gentle, and mindful, approach.  Heck, I've been BUSY!  And the blog was like...the last thing on the list.  :-(

The goal is to have at least three posts a month, including a new feature called "What I'm Reading".  I read a TON and often end up recommending various books to clients, so now you'll be able to get a jump on all the goodness!

In other news, the holidays have descended upon us, and New Year's is just around the corner...Lots of you have been asking me how to stay sane, and I guess the answer for me has always been to take a few items from my heavy "to do" list, and just cross them off.  This year, we did not send Christmas cards.  Nope.  Didn't do it.  Oh, and those Christmas cookies?  I got around to them yesterday.  After Christmas. 

Consider this in your own life-what can you cross off, and how can you be compassionate with yourself when your critic pops up? 

PRACTICE UPDATES!!!:

• I'm still accepting new clients in Waltham, so email me to sign up!
• New workbook programs may be available soon-ask me if you are interested!