Indulgences

Just had a lovely lunch with a friend and at one point we were talking about indulgences. This was mainly because she had brought a lovely chocolate pudding – one of those scrummy ones where there is cake outside and melted chocolate inside – and we all agreed that sometimes indulgences are simply a good thing! Good for the mood, good for the emotions and good for the soul.

In the world of “this is bad for you and that is bad for you” life can become a bit bland. However life is much more fun when we allow ourselves to indulge and enjoy things occasionally. It is also much easier for us to change our patterns of behaviour when we give ourselves a bit of slack. If an iron rod is being used to enforce change we will, very easily, go into the rebel position and run off fast in the other direction. If however we allow a bit of latitude it is much easier to stay pretty much on the path we have chosen. All things in moderation can be a great motto.

Take chocolate for an example – I could very easily eat it daily. In fact I have done this and seen tighter trousers as the result! But to ban it totally from my life would feel very harsh and I would be more likely to go on a chocolate binge. But to allow it in occasionally, and really enjoy it totally guilt free when I do, has allowed me to cut back on the chocolate by at least 90%. Result? An occasional indulgence of chocolate and I don’t resent the lack of it at other times in my life.

This way of being is helpful in many areas of life. I always say to my clients that if they wish to find a way to change an old habit or pattern find the way of least resistance. And - this is really important - really enjoy the indulgences you allow yourself. There is no point in having them and feeling bad, relish them to the full. You end up being more relaxed about what you wish to change in your life, really enjoying the things you do have rather then feeling bad about them, and that in itself is a huge improvement.

So go on enjoy those things you love when you chose to indulge and feel your world lighten up a bit. Go on – you’re worth it!

I won’t be around for a couple of weeks as we are travelling in Switzerland and then a week on the ski slopes. See you again at the end of the month.

I invite you to the Breakthrough to Success seminar mentioned in previous blogs please click this link and you can enrol for free for the next event either in the UK, Ireland, USA or Australia. Please feel free to pass this invitation onto as many people as you like.


If you would like to explore how coaching can empower you to make the changes you truly want in your life please feel free to contact me to arrange a time for me to call you for a free introductory session. Tel +34 958 639 593 or click here to email me


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Weighing the Balance

I had an interesting conversation this week about finding the balance between living a simpler lifestyle and still being fulfilled on all levels. Often we can bring different elements into our lives; downsizing, working part time to spend more time with the family, reducing our carbon footprint, sustainable living, growing your own veg, and on one level it can be very fulfilling.

However as human beings we are also set up to want to face challenges, to have to think outside the box, find solutions, learn new things. Without that expansion in our lives we can feel stagnant. In the conversation I was having it was evident that although the lifestyle was great there was something missing and eventually the phrase intellectual challenge popped up.

We are designed to achieve, our self-esteem soars when we do and we get stimulated with more thoughts and ideas. I know from my own experience that when I see no new challenge ahead I feel uncomfortable as though something is missing. It is like I have no forward focus and although I love what I do for a living I need to keep adding to that to expand and grow.

Expansion – in this ever expanding Universe - is our essence. When we are stimulated we constantly send off rockets of desires for new things or experiences and achievements. We need these to feel as though life is moving forward. Not in a frenzied, without this I am nothing feeling, but in a deep feeling of inner growth.

So if you don’t have a new horizon beckoning this year maybe you’d like to have a think about what you would like to add to the mix for 2008? What one thing have you been talking about for a while now but never actually started? What challenge would you like to take on and conquer? It could be anything, a new skill, a new hobby or deeper learning. Part of our fulfilment is this expansion – give it a direction.

To help focus that challenge perhaps you’d like to attend the Breakthrough to Success seminar mentioned in previous blogs please click this link and you can enrol for free for the next event in either the UK, Ireland, USA or Australia. Please feel free to pass this invitation onto as many people as you like.


If this message has sparked your interest and made you think then please feel free to leave a comment - the more the merrier. If you would like to be informed when a new blog is posted please sign up for the blog alert by clicking the link (above to the right) or email me with Alert in the subject line.


If you would like to explore how coaching can empower you to focus on moving towards that place of joy in your life please feel free to contact me to arrange a time for me to call you for a free introductory session. Tel +34 958 639 593 or click here to email me