Leaving a piece of one’s heart

A former neighbor this morning wrote to reassure me that I can handle the upcoming transition to Houston–and she said that there are always bumps in a move, but they won’t be felt so much if we take them in low gear! I love that thought. It strikes me that there are things we know well in our head that have yet to filter to our hearts…
creating space for the filtering is important–as is giving ourselves time. Even so, I realize I leave a piece of my heart in Austin after 20 years…

If you are going through a transition or are stuck in a place, seek out a life coach who can shine a light on your path!

Life is Amazing! Live Well.

Anna Grassini
www.lifeinbalancecoach.com

The transformation of a home….

This is what I know for sure: houses can be bought and sold. Homes we carry in our heart!

The process of selling my own house started in earnest with cleaning out a dozen years of clutter and what now seems to me over 30 years of personal history. The piles of things to shed grew higher and the closets grew cleaner, until we came to the final stages…when the clutter had disappeared and what remained now was the bare bones of the house. I have often spoken to people about this–it is the process of creating the appearance of a house that can adapt itself to the personality of the buyer…that makes itself more desirable because it is clean and organized and somewhat neutral–think a miniature scale version of the Pottery Barn…something that can appeal to different people so that they can they make it their own.

What I never realized is that this final process of staging takes away the comfort of a home…what remains is now a house ready for sale. Go visit any new home model around the country and you will know that there is an art to this presentation….

And so now that my home is a house, I owe gratitude to the folks who have shared their expertise and time, including Sherri Williams ( the Travis Country neighborhood real estate expert), Michael The Stage Coach, Joe the helper…and of course, my best friend and my partner, John. My special thanks go to all those who have listened to me and to those who have prayed so that I would have the emotional and physical strength to continue on this transition.

And now, when the finish line is in sight–I can sing because home will always be in my heart.

Life is Amazing! Live Well.

Anna Grassini

www.lifeinbalancecoach.com

Life in chapters

Thanks to a friend who is also a coach, I realized yesterday that the sadness about preparing the house for sale was not about detaching from the walls (after all, I have done that before!). What the sadness was telling me is that I was in transition–and declaring the end of an era. My friend used the analogy of reading a chapter book–one chapter has ended, and now I sit staring at the blank page before the next chapter starts. Despite the excitement that surrounds the next part of the story, there is sadness that an important chapter has ended. Being able to name what the sadness was about suddenly made it lift–oh yes, I said to myself. There is much to be celebrated about the last chapter, but also some grief about letting go. It is ok to sit with it…suddently, just as it had come, the wall of emotions that had enveloped me over the last few days is dissipating…and leaving space for the the joy that lies ahead.
Life is Amazing! Live Well.
Anna Grassini
lifeinbalancecoach.com

On leaving and moving and emotions

Transition is the movement from one stage to another–transitions can take all shapes and involve change that we either chose or that somehow fell upon us (think pink slip, death, illness…something transformative that we may not have chosen). Transitions are on my mind right now as I shift from one city to another. I have handled everything about the move with attention to detail, trying to keep my linear thinking and clarity through the process…and all was going well until the necessity to clear the clutter came about. All of a sudden, a wall of emotion came over me. Memories are what matter– we made them in this house, but they will travel with me in my heart…and yet the emotion is strong and there is an exquisite sadness about moving on. I am trying to wrap my arms around it…I remind myself to be kind and gentle to myself, and to sit with the emotions–to honor where I am and what I feel.
What are you experiencing in your own life transitions? Would love to hear!

Learn something new? Now how do you implement it?

I was recently in communication with a great real estate agent in Austin, Jill Crecelius.  She and I have in common a love of books and a thirst for learning.  We also share a passion for serving people with first class service and giving a 100% commitment.  As I was suggesting yet another learning source, she reminded that first she wants to implement some of what she has learned.  Yes, indeed.  How important for those of us who are learners to be aware that we need to pause and translate the learning into real life applications!  A coach can help us navigate the process! 

I remember when I first started a real estate business, I needed a place to brainstorm my ideas and reducing them to practice.  I hired a coach…and she really helped me take off!
So, keep loving learning and books! And find someone to guide you in the process of applying it all in your life.

Life is Amazing! Live Well.

Anna Grassini

www.lifeinbalancecoach.com

 

Let’s Explore Enterpreneurship

Joyfully Jobless Seminars in Austin

Since we are talking about change, it seems appropriate to explore an upcoming opportunity coming to Austin later in April.  Barbara Winter, author of Making A Living Without A Job, will be presenting three seminars those contemplating self-employment, for those who’ve already launched a venture, and for those who might want to start something on the side of a regular job. What a great opportunity to think about change in the context of our careers! For more information and to register visit www.joyfullyjoblessinaustin.com!

You got to love the idea that being an enterpreneur is being jobless…I think of it as owning multiple jobs and writing the description for all of them!  Hope to see you there! This should be an enriching experience and one that I would love to share with you!

Strategy for change

So, if it is true that the only people who like change are cashiers, how do we deal with change whether we have chosen it or it has been thrust upon us?

I think it might be wise to create a personal strategy to deal with change.  Most of the time, I look at life changes as a puzzle and I need to put together the pieces.  Of course, there are moments when my neat puzzle feels like it has been thrown off the table and I have to start all over again. 

If putting together a puzzle does not appeal to you, what other ways might help you look at change? Maybe you need to look at the big picture, maybe change works best if you know what others are feeling and how you will be supported.  Certainly, it will be best if you make an effort to love yourself and seek others’ love while you are going through change.

One thing is for sure.  Change is inevitable…and rather than fight it, enjoy the flow of it and navigate the unchartered water in the best way possible. 

And, while we are it, let’s do it while smiling all the way!

Life is Amazing! Live Well.

Anna

www.lifeinbalancecoach.com

Change is…

Change is hard. It hits us like a ton of bricks when we least expect it, even when the change comes about as a result of our choices.  All of a sudden, in the middle of contemplating change that we have chartered,  we feel  the significance of what we are about to undertake.  The enormity of it hits us in the face, smack between our eyes, landing like a punch. 

What can we do to deal with change? Is our attitude the only thing that needs an adjustment or should we also take measures to make ourselves ready for change?

I would love your input! What are your thoughts about facing change?

Life is Amazing! Live Well!
Anna Grassini

www.lifeinbalancecoach.com

Your Vital Friends

This week our theme has been friends.   If you want to explore something interesting, this week I suggest you buy Vital Friends: The People You Can’t Afford to Live Without, a book by Tom Rath.  There is actually scientific research that shows social connections are closely correlated to happiness–it might seem  old news, but it is good news!  Tom Rath’s research shows that people who have friends at work tend to be more successful.  According to his definition, a “Vital Friend” is ”someone who measurably improves your life.”    So, who are your vital friends? How are you going to let them know? Read the book and sign up on their website to identify your vital friends! Who knows what you could start!

Life is Amazing! Live Well!

Anna

www.lifeinbalancecoach.com

Friends and wealth

Have you thought about your friends as the most meaningful resource in your life? This morning on CNN there was a mention of a British economist who indicated that seeing friends regularly gives us the equivalent of pleasure and happiness that we would get from receiving $170,000 of income a year.  I won’t question the basis of this study (only an economist could come up with such numbers), but to me it is clear that friends increase our riches. 

Take my experience last night with a dynamic couple who cooked me dinner and kept me engaged in conversation on a night when John was out of town.  There is no fancy restaurant that could have made me feel as rich as they did! 

So, today spend some time counting your blessings and reach out to a friend who means something special to you.  Even if you call them for just a few minutes, you will be wealthier and healthier at the end of the day!

Life is Amazing! Live Well.

Anna Grassini

www.lifeinibalancecoach.com