There are times in life when we can see themes running through our lives.Sometimes those themes are good, beautiful and feel like gifts. Sometimes the theme is hard, with hardship after hardship.Truly, after writing a book about resiliency I sure felt like I got to practice it, in some difficult circumstances.I’m actually not superstitious in general but I do joke about being careful about what you write about!Let’s ponder the idea of themes in 2 ways.1) Scientifically.When I was pregnant I noti...  Read More...

Nothing To Fear Day is celebrated on May 27 and Face Your Fears Day is celebrated on 13th Oct every year.Here is a great quote on our topic:“Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” ~ YodaQuote source: https://www.thefreshquotes.com/fear-quotes/There is so much written and so many ‘inspirational quotes’ about facing your fears, doing it anyway, etc.Some of that is wonderful but I think some of this thinking also just leaves us still a...  Read More...

Our society has many examples of visionaries. Who do you find inspirational? How can you get on the journey to move towards being a visionary leader in your world, whatever sphere of influence that happens to be? “First described by Daniel Goleman in 2002, the visionary leadership style was one of six leadership types documented. The leader is inspiring in vision, and helps others to see how they can contribute to this vision; allowing the leader and followers to move together towards ...  Read More...

Lately I have been shocked at running in to the use of shaming techniques as a means of getting business done. It's not new. You've seen it many times and so have I.   Read More...

When I was eighteen months old I moved to live in a new country. Belgium. Not long later I was living in Germany.   Read More...

It is highly likely that you have heard the word narcissist in the last month or so. Well, now you have!This word and concept are seemingly much more talked about than before and I think with good reason. Wikipedia presents indicators that it has increased in our current North American culture.   Read More...

Just as there are many facets to emotional intelligence, so there are to resiliency. One key skill that contributes to both is flexibility.We all have an initial reaction to the word. I think of people who don’t need life to be rigid.   Read More...

On December 30th we received a new family member - such a great sign of new beginnings.New life. All hopes and dreams lie ahead. Full of possibility.There is nothing right now to get in the way of little David dreaming and creating the future he will end up wanting for himself.What gets in the way of us chasing our dreams?   Read More...

My rug and my cabinet exterior are both made from recycled soda bottles. Many of my choices are fueled by my desire to live more environmentally friendly.So?So, when I was shopping last week and the lady after me in line at the grocery store got my attention to say “You know, it’s a small thing but you really should be using cloth bags!” it really pushed my buttons!I felt a compulsion to explain, justify, make her realize that she had no idea who she was saying that to.Of course I use cloth bags...  Read More...

Often when we talk about engagement in the workplace, it is a conversation about how employers can encourage a higher level in their employees. There are massive studies around this topic and how disengagement correlates to more sick time, accidents, etc. Gallup has done phenomenal amounts of work around this topic and has come up with the top 12 items that support engagement.   Read More...

Sometimes we know we are stressed out, other times we notice other symptoms and wonder why. Why do I keep having these headaches? Why is my stomach upset so often?   Read More...

Language is always evolving - words and phrases changing meaning, nouns becoming verbs. "The Coach Approach" has potential for this, in my biased opinion. Just this week I learned to be careful when using the phrase "Netflix and chill".   Read More...

As much as we may want to not care what other people think of us, most of us are not entirely free from this annoying concern.For some people the concern over what people think of them rules their lives and controls their daily choices. It truly is a stifling way to live. In whatever way we adjust in order to present in acceptable ways to others, we compromise our true selves. “You can't base your life on other people's expectations.” - Stevie Wonder Lovely thought but how do we stop c...  Read More...

So, I just did the dishes, completed an on-line survey for a furniture store, browsed FaceBook … came back and looked at my blank screen again …Most weeks I can’t wait to sit down and write, I have something waiting to get out. What do we do in those times when we want to get inspired and nothing’s happening?What are the elements that go in to inspiration and why is it relevant to our lives? At least 99% of you reading this have plenty to do and no shortage of things waiting for your attent...  Read More...

One of the things that consistently happens to people who have had a personal coach for awhile is that they start to coach themselves. This is not bad for business as a coach, this is truly cause to celebrate!We all are guilty of living just hoping that something specific will happen in our lives but not really doing much about it. Coaching moves us to action and strategy, two of the many reasons why it is so powerful.Behind the conversational flow of a great coaching session is a model, often w...  Read More...

“Don’t get your hopes up”, “Lower your expectations”, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”.As advice goes, I personally think these 3 expressions are usually bad advice. (Honestly, they are sayings that push some invisible button deep inside of me!)It would seem that the idea behind them is that if you aren’t expecting much you won’t be as disappointed when you don’t get it.Maybe.I’m not so sure. Maybe you experienc...  Read More...

Don’t you love those ‘aha moments’? I had one recently that was triggered by one of my favorite quotes.Most of you have heard that amazing Marianne Williamson quote, made especially famous by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 Inaugural Speech. Here it is:Most of my childhood I attempted to be either sweet or invisible.   Read More...

Well I had another blog ready to go today but I was just “presented” with a very live opportunity to share some resilience tools.In case it hasn’t been obvious, I have a commitment to being vulnerable, real and practical in Marilyn’s Musings. This morning takes all that to a new level.Monday morning my father-in-law passed away. At the age of 94 he left behind my mother-in-law, Priscilla, at the age of 92 after 65 years of marriage.Needless to say, there is a lot of raw p...  Read More...