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August 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

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“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”

John Powell

Today I’ve been thinking about the implications of failing forward…or not.  This quote says so much.  Where is the learning if we put so much pressure on ourselves to perform that we leave no room to breathe let alone learn?  What is the value in that approach? What about others and their expectations of us?  How do we manage those and yet still maintain a healthy approach to learning? 

Creating a safe environment for both ourselves and others so that we may trust the process of learning is so critical to moving forward.  Surround yourself with people who care about you and support your intentions. Be open to feedback…and breathe deeply…

Why be a shoulda, coulda, woulda person when you can live a be, do, have life? I vote for making mistakes in life and learning from them. It sure beats never trying anything new!

(C) – True Bliss Coach Gloria Higdon

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like daughter like mother

August 18, 2011 By 6 Comments

You may have thought at first glance that the title of this post was backwards.  In this case, it is definitely a “like daughter like mother” scenario and this is why.  My sister, Deborah (left), is an afol which stands for adult fan of LEGO.  She builds some really cool things out of LEGO like beautiful villas with roofs that are removable to display her LEGO designed furniture (see below).  Deborah belongs to an amazing global community of like minded LEGO loving peeps.  They support each other, bounce ideas off of one another and go to shows all over the place to strut their stuff! 

Deborah was always the most naturally creative one in our family in terms of the arts.  Although she loved playing with LEGO as a child, she really started to get into it as an adult.  I invite you to check more of her amazing work out here on her flickr site:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/buildingsblockd/

My Mom, Mary (right), is the new kid on the block.  Literally!  She is new to building with LEGO however, she is already a pro builder!  Deborah has recently awakened the passion within our Mom to build.  LEGO has these nifty box sets which provides the builder with an instruction booklet and 3 choices of designs.  This is a great way to get familiar with the blocks and create something cool.  An added bonus is that LEGO is an excellent way to keep your cognitive functioning in check. 

Our Mom says she was fascinated by LEGO when we were kids but never really played with it much.  Mom has now completed 3 box sets and is presently working on a Harry Potter bank to add to her collection.  The picture below is her just this past weekend showing off her most recent accomplishment, a lighthouse.  At 80 years of age, she is thoroughly enjoying her new hobby and the challenge of putting the pieces of the puzzle together.  Sidenote: I think she looks so pretty in pink! 

This is a great reminder that we’re never too old to try something new.  Your mind will love the challenge.  You may be nervous at first and you may be one to dive right in.  You may get frustrated when you hit a roadblock and there are sure to be some.  But do yourself a favour and believe.  Believe in all that you are and all that you can be, do and have.  I believe in YOU!

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” ~ Henry Ford

Cheers, Glo

(C) 2011- True Bliss Coach Gloria Higdon

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Summertime and the livin’ is easy…

July 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Meet Sandi, our 12 year old maltese shih-tzu. Part dog, part human…lives the good life!!!

I have a cute summertime story for you.  This afternoon my door bell rang and standing there was a young guy.  My guess is that he was about 12 or so.  I could see over his shoulder into the driveway.  A lawn mower, weed wacker and two young children on bicycles (a boy and a girl).  He politely handed me a few of his “business cards” and asked if he could cut my lawn.  Without missing a beat he said “$15 for the front and back and I do all the weed wacking too.”  I hesitated for about 10 seconds and thought sure, why not! 

When I asked him about his sidekicks he said “Oh that’s my little brother and sister.  I pay them 25¢ for each weed they pull out.”  With that, off he went to start up his mower and cut my lawn, front and back.  I don’t know about you but when I think of the things I spend $15 on, this was a good deal.  In fact, this was awesome.  Marc was busy building a deck, the timing was perfect.  I was supporting a budding entrepreneur and his young helpers.  I was going to have a freshly cut lawn in exchange for $15 and a few gatorades for the crew.  

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This reminded me of my summer jobs.  I started out babysitting in the neighbourhood and even got a job with a friend walking someones dogs.  My first “real” job was working at K Mart in the toy department.  I was 15.  What a serious nightmare!  The place was a zoo.  After 6 weeks I was “promoted” to cash.  The only problem was that I was too short for the cash so I had to stand on a stool.  Yes, I am serious.  Too funny, looking back…childhood memories. 

I truly love summer.  I love everything about it.  The warmth of the sun on my skin.  The freedom to wear sandals and leave the house without a coat.  The long days and long nights.  The way our dog sticks her head out the car window to soak in the breeze.  Somehow, it seems like everything is easier in the summer.   Life is so good! 

I would love to hear from you!  Please leave me a comment.  What was your first summer job?  What is your favorite thing about summer?   

Wishing you an amazing summer!

Glo

(C) 2011 – True Bliss Coach Gloria Higdon

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Cottage Life

July 3, 2011 By 4 Comments

 

The early morning sun peeking through the fog is absolutely breathtaking. The calm of the water is  mesmerizing. I am in a trance. After an overnight rainfall, the fog is just starting to lift. It’s misty and I am in complete awe of the sheer beauty surrounding me in every possible direction.  I see a small boat pass with fishing rods hanging loosely over the side. Coffee has never tasted quite as good as it does at this very minute. After an evening of eating well, learning how to play backgammon, a bonfire complete with smores and fireworks, everyone is still sound asleep.  Even the birds are quiet…I love the early morning…

I have a funny relationship with water. I love to be near it but not in it. I am as enthralled when staring at rough ocean waves as I am with a serene cottage lake. Water, it seems, is powerful yet humble. It has a calming force. I can feel my blood pressure dropping just looking out at the lake which seems to run for miles. I love to write here. I’m inspired by the expanse of the water and the beauty that the day holds. I’m thinking of everything and nothing all at the same time. Time is a blur and I am at peace. Amid the morning ripples, the suns reflection is bouncing off the water and through the trees. This is better than a Claude Monet painting. It’s real and it’s right here in front of me.  

Summer is my season. I soak it all in. The heat, the blue sky, and the still of a cottage morning.  Where is your favorite summer time place?

Cheers, Glo

(c) 2011 – True Bliss Coach Gloria Higdon

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The Courage to Act

April 29, 2011 By 2 Comments

In many aspects of our lives both personal and professional, we are faced with situations requiring courage.  Courage to act when needed.  Courage to move on when needed. Courage to step out of our comfort zone and take risks.  Courage to reach out to others.  Courage to say no when we mean no and yes when we mean yes.  Courage to dive in even when the water looks icy cold! 

Having courage isn’t only about taking action.  Depending on the circumstances, sometimes it requires courage to sit back, listen and reflect.  Acting with courage can appear lonely.  Sometimes it is lonely.  Sometimes others will join you.  Having courage does not necessarily make us heroes.  It can however, provide us with a deep and fulfilling sense of satisfaction.  Anyone can do the easy thing but it takes tremendous courage to do the right thing.  If the right thing includes instigating change, we can start by putting our big toe out there.  Everything we have ever learned, we started with taking a first step.  By moving forward, we are moving toward what we believe in.  We are acting with personal integrity.

If you want things to change, you must believe in yourself and your vision.  Ask questions that help to bring clarity.  Be open to learning and discovering.  Request the support of those who are close to you and who believe in you.  Consider working with a Professional Coach.  Discover your inner wisdom and new found strength.  I think you’ll find the water is pretty warm!

“Believe in yourself and all that you are.  Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle” ~ Christian D. Larson

Wishing you continued success in all that you do!

Glo

(c) 2011 – True Bliss Coach Gloria Higdon

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Inspiring leaders to do good

March 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

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Capitalism in North America is at a turning point and the rate of change that is happening in the world today is a clear reflection of our need to evolve with it.  Stores that offer used goods are opening in droves.  GM closed down Hummer.  Children today look for the recycling boxes before the trash.  Global decisions based on environmental impact and sustainability are increasing exponentially.  We, as human beings, are going back to our values systems.  We are inherently interconnected yet we have often been living our lives disconnected.  The need to “look” and “lead” from within, to question and to define our purpose is at the forefront of becoming who we are.  Life is becoming yet again more meaningful.  We are the architects of our lives.

We are looking for options, multiple choices and win win situations.  But we panic.  We rush around from problem to problem trying to clean up the mess while creating more.  We’ve lost sight of what is important and we all want it back.  It is through deep reflection that we create the needed space for inspiration and it is through inspiration that the choices begin to unfold just like dominos.  The universe is abundant with choice.  We, as humans of the universe, are abundant with choice.  When we view the world and each other in this new and powerful light, we are filled with solutions.  We are replacing problem solving with solutions.  We are replacing fear with hope.  We are replacing chaos with calm.  We are replacing stuck with potentiality.

Leaders have not only the ability, but the innate desire to create sustainable change and find what matters to deepen our existence.  Forging through new pathways in a world whose heart has been closed.  To touch the lives of many with love and compassion while bringing meaning, is to perform open heart surgery in homes, organizations and classrooms in both developed and underdeveloped countries across the Globe.  It is through the simplest forms of opening our hearts and giving that we generate a buzz.  Supporting people to discover their truth and to define their legacy is simply giving them the brush.  Possibilities emerge bringing forth a kaleidoscope of color enabling simple portraits to become grand masterpieces.

What might be some of the ways that Leaders today can use these choices to generate inspiration in all of humanity so that inspiration to “do good” becomes contagious?

Cheers, Glo

(C) 2011 - True Bliss Coach Gloria Higdon

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Putting Your Best Foot Forward?

March 18, 2011 By 3 Comments

How often do you find yourself doing things without putting your best effort into it?  You’re tired, you’re busy, you and or someone you are close to may have health issues, you’re disinterested, you’ve got fear of failure, fear of success or you may even need to learn something new!  Obstacles in life, no real shortage of them it seems… 

It’s only once we begin to understand why we’re feeling a certain way, that we can actually deal with it.  Clearly, some things are within our span of control and some are not.  Feeling tired all the time?  What might you do to drive your energy levels up?  Got too much on your plate?  How much of it, if any, is self inflicted?  Health related issues?  Although not always enough, are you getting proper medical attention?  If someone you are close to has health issues, what do you need to do to ensure that you are in good health in order to support them in the best possible way?  Bored or disengaged?  What might you do to spice things up a little?  Got the failure or success jitters?  What new skills might you learn that will help to alleviate some of those nasty gremlins?        

You’re not alone!  At one time or another, it’s likely that we have all experienced variations of these and other obstacles.  It’s what you do about it that matters.  If you want to enjoy what you do and how you live your life, take a look at the things that prevent you from moving forward.  If they are within your control, start with small steps, but do start.  Create some goals for yourself.  Enlist the support of those close to you or perhaps even a Coach.  You can’t put your best foot forward if you’re not even sure which one that is.  Remember, you can’t control how others react or behave but you are in full control of both your attitude and yours actions.  According to Google, a wise but unknown soul coined the phrase “If you believe it, you will achieve it!”   

The best thing is that energy and positive emotions are contagious.  Not only will your move forward inspire you to go further but you may just inspire others along the way!

Which one will it be?  Right foot or left?

Cheers, Glo

(C) 2010 – True Bliss Coach Gloria Higdon

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Where is Your “Go To” Place?

February 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Do you have a “go to” place?  A place that you can go to when you need to unwind and destress?  It doesn’t necessarily have to be a place that you visit physically, perhaps it’s an image or a feeling or some sort of ritual, sport or hobby.  Today it seems that so many people are running all over the place with so little time to relax let alone reflect and just enjoy.  While the running can be fun, it can also be so draining!  Often times it’s not until we stop that we fully realize the toll this is taking on us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

Having a “go to” place is like having a little secret hideaway.  It’s your own personal vision of bliss.  For some people it’s by the water, some in the mountains, some at the Spa, the golf course, fishing, painting, gardening and the list of these special places goes on and on.  Whatever does it for you and provides you with a mini escape from the hustle and bustle of a busy career and life, take a few minutes today and celebrate that sacred place. 

We’re all looking for that healthy work life balance it seems.  Between busy careers, family life and social commitments, we try to cram in exercising (the body and the brain) and any hobbies we enjoy.  We stretch ourselves a million ways to Sunday and then collapse exhausted.  Although that perfect balance is different for everyone and we all have different responsibilities and desires, having a quick and dirty “go to” place is good for the soul.  Even if the relief is short, it is something.  And that something may be so compelling that you’ll make the time to visit it more and more often.  Do you have a favorite “go to” place?

(C) 2011 – True Bliss Coach Gloria Higdon

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Leveraging Your Strengths

February 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

How well do you know yourself?  Do you know what your strengths are?  Those qualities that are often innate.  They come naturally or easily to you.  When you do them, it feels like fireworks are going off.  You and those around you often benefit if you do and especially if you know how to leverage them.  Your passion drives your energy levels up! 

All too often we spend so much time focused on what we aren’t rather than what and who we are.  I’m not suggesting that you should be blind sided to your areas for improvement.  It’s just that we’ve all got strengths and weaknesses, it’s just part of being human.  And while being aware of areas we want to change or improve is important, studies show that focusing on our strengths produces more positive outcomes long term. 

Sadly, it seems that many people that I meet today are in the wrong career (according to them) or are caught living a life they aren’t really jazzed up about.  Imagine if you were to focus instead on what you’re naturally good at.  How would that make you feel?  How would that change the way you see your future?  Your future would be so bright, you would need shades!  Many of us have other people to consider but I wonder what value we bring to those we are close to if we are not happy ourselves.  If it’s not presently feasible to make  changes, ask yourself at what point will you?  What can you do to ensure that at some point you are leveraging those strengths and creating passion leading to those fireworks? 

Passion doesn’t always pay in terms of monetary reward but living and breathing our passions certainly provides intrinsic rewards which can be more sustainable.   Perhaps your passion comes from a hobby which is great.  Perhaps your hobby becomes a career.  It’s that “I want to go to bed just so that I can wake up and do it all over again feeling!” 

Be who you were meant to be and the world will thank you!

Cheers, Glo

(C) 2011 - True Bliss Coach Gloria Higdon

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On a Mission…Look out World

January 10, 2011 By 2 Comments

One of the things that I used to do regularly and I’ve made a commitment to starting again is yoga and meditation.  I love the way I feel when I’m doing yoga and the greater level of flexibility I experience in general once I’m into a regular routine.  The state of mindfulness that meditation brings, stays with me long afterward as well, helping to reduce stress and making it easier to be fully present.  As for this picture on the beach, I could certainly handle some of that as well!  Maybe that is up next…

Remember those things that used to bring you such joy?  Perhaps it is a sport, a hobby or maybe it’s learning a new language or cooking better meals.  Perhaps it is looking for that new passion, something that you want to do and that is just for you and your pure pleasure.  Whatever it is, make the time.  You owe it to yourself and others to carve out that little piece of time that’s just for you.  If it seems too much, chunk it down but don’t chunk it out of your life.  Create a workable plan that includes “you” time.

When those things that you derive so much pleasure from seem to fall off your radar, it makes you wonder why.  How could something that makes you feel so good in the moment and long after, get left behind?  Fairly simple I guess.  Other things take priority…some are within our control and others are not.  There are so many demands on our time and energy that somedays it seems difficult to imagine cramming anything else into the schedule.  But as the saying goes if there is a will, there is a way!  My 2011 mission is to believe and to pave the way!   

An interesting exercise is to write down how you spend your time throughout an entire day for a full week and then have a look.  If you are truly honest with yourself, you may find that there are pockets of time which could be better spent on doing something you derive pleasure from.  Everything and everyone around you benefits when you’re making time for yourself and the things you love to do.

Want to join me on my mission?  I’m starting today so look out world…Namaste

Cheers,  Glo

(c) 2011 – True Bliss Coach Gloria Higdon

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