What will keep you young, vibrant and healthy?

All around us there is a lot of talk about passion–what magical quality does passion have? Will it be enough to keep us young, vibrant and healthy? I am often puzzled–what is passion anyway? One of the definitions of passion at dictionary.com is “a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything: a passion for…” What gives you energy? What are you enthusiastic about? Are you afraid of giving in to your heart’s desire or are you ready to pursue it? Live in the present, be energized by your passion and do not let fear take hold!
If you are interested in exploring the possibilities, working with a coach might be a good way to discover what your passions are, to become aware of how fear is playing in your life, and to design a course of action that puts you on the path to live a full life! Discover your passion and, I have no doubt, you will be young, vibrant and healthy longer!
Life is Amazing! Live Well.

Anna Grassini
www.lifeinbalancecoach.com

By the way, I am reading a good book that is making me think about this subject. You might want to pick up Beaudine’s You’ve Got Who or read it on the kindle!

An archeologist in the closet

Even when I was a child my mother asked me to clean out my room, which really meant to put things back where they belonged. Reluctantly I complied…though I am sure I never quite met the standards of order that would have been required. Decency maybe was more the level of what I could achieve.
So now I find myself having to clean the whole house in preparation of a move. My mother’s voice is not commanding me to do it…my adult self is saying “do it.” So I tackled my closet…for what seems the second or third time! I never thought of myself as a “hoarder” but maybe I have to rethink that one. What was I thinking when I saved the shoulder pads from my 1980s clothes? Really! So tonight I went through the closet one more time and I tried to keep the mood light by wondering what an archaeologist would think if she were uncovering the treasures that I am finally parting with! Order still eludes me, but there is evidence of progress towards some decency…I am encouraged and delighted by the feeling of freedom that sharing usable stuff and recycling unusable things is causing. What a feeling! If you have stories to share about your organizing experiences I would love to hear from you!
Life is Amazing! Live well.

Book Addict? Bring on the Kindle!

I am an avid reader, especially of business books, self-help and, of course, novels. As I prepare to move from one city to another books are everywhere. It is hard to part with them–I may not remember the content of each book, but there are fond memories attached to each volume. I have imposed a moratorium on buying new books…except of those published on the Kindle! If you are a voracious reader and you travel, the new edition of the Kindle from Amazon is the best thing since sliced bread. Slick, thin, easy to use and to read (even poolside, as I did recently). I look at it fondly and love to have it at my side…and to think that it can contain 1500 books plus the archives! Now, if all my books could jump from the bookshelf and make themselves available in the Kindle, life would be…perfect? Well, really, it already is!
Life is Amazing! Live Well.
Anna Grassini

the Clutter Magnet

So I wish I could say I have invented a “clutter magnet”–an object that magically attracts all clutter and “disappers” into order. Alas, no such great news from me…I am, and have always been, a clutter magnet: in the sense that clutter appears around me everywhere. My friend Mary Thompson says that I can live with clutter because my brain is extremely organized (she has the spices alphabetized in the pantry–who knew that could be possible!). There is some truth to that. But as I prepare to move and I methodically unclutter the space around me, I am amused to see that there is some real zen in having fewer objects around. How I will be able to replicate the experiment of order after I move is an entirely different source of musings. In the meantime, for those of you out there desiring decluttering resources, check out some of Julie Morgensten’s books…and see where that new knowledge takes you. If you are still a clutter magnet at the end of the process, don’t be surprised. Just make sure your brain stays organized! And, if you need help with that, hire a life coach!

Life is Amazing! Live Well.

Anna Grassini

Twitter and Your Business Image at Midlife

So the March numbers for Facebook and Twitter are in–they are experiencing record growth! What is this phenomenon about? Will you join the bandwagon? What will you do with it? If you are participating in the fray, what is it doing for you?
I don’t think ignoring technology is a wise move–it only makes you obsolete and old. A former UT professor of communication said to me that we should be careful not to join just because we want to be younger–I agree. The reason to join is not to become who we are not, but to participate in an interesting cross-generational dialogue. We stay young by learning. Facebook and Twitter are good places to learn about others and maybe about ourselves.
There are plenty of articles out there to guide us through the process. But the most important question to ask is: what will bring to the table? How will you show up?
Life is Amazing! Live Well.
Anna Grassini
Here is a good article for starting on Twitter…
http:/Marketing With Twitter

Control and choice–in business and life.

Whether in your business or in your daily life (think in relation to others!), what is the difference between being in control and choosing? Aside from the obvious negative connotation usually associated with control, dig deeper. What distinguishes the two?

Take the example of the housework that needs to get done around most homes. The wife wants the kitchen counter cleaned a certain way, the husband cleans it another way. The wife then accuses the husband of not doing it right…and he says she is control freak. True or false? What are the choices people could make here? Does the counter have to look a certain way? Can there be flexibility and possible outcomes that are all desirable? Maybe a less perfection? What is the dream beneath the idea that the counter has to be just so?
If you have to have the chore done your way or the highway and nobody can come close to doing it that way, you might explore whether you have some issues of control. If however, you can be flexible–maybe you do the task yourself without holding a grudge because you decide that it pleases you to have the kitchen counter looking a certain way and it is worth the effort. Maybe you decide that it is better to have the other person help, even if the counter does not look exactly like what you think. What are the choices that you can make that enrich your life and that of the people who work or live with you? What is the control about? “Inquire within” and look for the answers that will make your business and your relationships richer!

Life is Amazing! Live Well.
Anna Grassini
www.lifeinbalancecoach.com

Smile…and pass it on!

Here is a viral video that made me smile…notice how long it took for the “bystanders” to catch on. May we go out in the world, and after the tears, may we spread our smiles..and our wings.

Life is Amazing! Live Well.
Anna Grassini