Take time out to play… with a little Q and A!

Hey dear reader friends! I’m curious… When is the last time that you took time out just to to PLAY, laugh, wander, or simply wonder? Has it been too long? If so, why not carve out some time to do just that today?!

Just this afternoon, I took time out to play around with a great little Application on Facebook called, “The 10 Second Interview.” I’m excited to share my Q and A results with you!!

If you’re game, I invite you to answer, all or part of the quiz questions and then post your responses here! What a great way for us to have a little fun and get to know one another better!

My Personal”10 Second Interview”

Q. I miss…
A. Skating to “Mr. Blue Skies” (by ELO):Electric Light Orchestra) at the old” Rainbow Roller Rink”.

Q. I’d be nothing if it weren’t for…
A. My birth.

Q. What celebrity do you wish would just go away?
A. Hugh Hefner

Q. What question should we ask on the 10 Second Interview?
A. What would you do, if you knew you couldn’t fail?

Q. What makes you homesick?
A. (I’ve changed the word to “nostalgic”) Looking at old pictures of my parents, who are now deceased. Autumn leaves falling, hearing a flash of the (big band) song “In the Mood”. (It was my mom’s favorite song.)

Mom and Me, circa 1973

Q. What was the best advice you ever received?
A. You already have the answers within you. (I gave that advice to myself! {grin})

Q. What’s your nickname?
A. Now it’s mostly just Tess and ever so often, Tessie. My dad called me, “Monk”(That was way before the TV show.)] …and come to think of it, I had a High-School Spanish teacher who used to refer to me as “The Catalyst”. (I’m pretty sure he meant this as an insult-but I rather liked thinking of myself as one who could make things happen, seemed empowering.

Q. What advice would you give your younger self?
A. “Don’t dye your hair Fire Engine Red the night before Senior Pictures!”

Q. If I were a guest on “Jerry Springer,” the topic would be…
A. “Jerry Springer gets a life (and show!) makeover with the help of a Life Coach!”(Me)

Q. What was your favorite childhood toy?
A. It’s a tie between Jo-Jo the monkey & my Play-Do Barbershop! (Good times!!)

Q. Type control-v and paste the last text you copied.
A. “The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” ~Carlos Castaneda

Q. Who would play you in a movie version of your life?
A. Me! OK, but if I couldn’t accept the role due to being terribly busy working on another movie, I’d pick Parker Posey or Mary Louise-Parker. If Lily Tomlin would also like to sign on to play an older version of ME (perhaps in a dream sequence)… why I’d be thrilled!

Mary Louise Parker

Q. What’s the most recent dream you remember having?
A. Are you sure you want to know because it was really dark?! I had just finished reading, “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak. (Loved it!) In the dream, I was imprisoned in a Natzi work-camp… Come to think of it, it’s really too bleak to get into…

Q. What did your mom write on your lunch bag?
A. Don’t forget to bring home your thermos!!

Q. Is Britney over, or is the comeback just getting started?
A. Britney who? (Just being cheeky!)

Q. What was the worst movie this year?
A. “Yentyl goes to Vegas”- what a complete letdown.

Q. Do you play any instruments?
A. Yes, and I’m in a Rubber band.

Q. What was the best movie this year?
A. I’d have to say, “Iron Man”.

Q. What’s your favorite kind of cake frosting?
A. It’s a tie between Cream Cheese and Chocolate!

Q. Do you recycle?
A. Yes, sir.

Q. If I were a super hero, my super suit would be made out of…
A. High-thread count Egyptian cotton.

Q. Facebook or MySpace?
A. Facebook

Do share all or part of your answers here. I’m on pins and needles waiting to know more about YOU! Love, Tessa

Here’s a quick link to the Facebook App, ” 10 Second Interview”

Get inspired by your dreams!

Today, I’d like to share my “Career Dream Board” with you. I completed it, two or three months ago and it’s been hanging in my home-office ever since. I find that looking at it, keeps me inspired on a daily basis by connecting me to what it is I want to create and experience in my life. Love that! I am toying with the idea of creating a smaller, more focused one in the near future. I’ll keep you posted!

If you’re interested in creating your own dream board, this article at “The Growing Life” is sure to inspire you to get started!

If you fancy making a Virtual Dream Board as opposed to a physical one, the “Morning Coach” site offers a free opportunity to do just that! (BTW, really get a kick out of listening to the Morning Coach podcasts-if you haven’t experienced this yet, treat yourself!)

.Have you ever created a dream board/vision board? If so, I’d love to see it!

Simply begin again.

Hi friends!

I haven’t talked with you in over a month! I guess you could say I’ve been experiencing bloggers’ block.

When I first created this blog, I set my intention to write once a week. (I know many write much more frequently, but I figured that I’d start small-you know-under-promise and over-deliver? ) But when I didn’t meet what I considered to be a modest goal, I began to feel more and more guilty about it. Once guilt set in, avoidance came to keep it company.

Today, it dawned on me that I could send guilt and avoidance packing by simply choosing to begin again with blogging! (Sometimes I forget this “do-over” option exists! )Writing to you today marks my small, simple step forward. Ahhhhhh {deep sigh!} it’s really good to be back! Let’s put the kettle on and sit down for a nice chat!

I’m curious, what inspires or motivates you to get moving again after a disappointment or setback?

“You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?”

Guess what?! Last night I had a chat with the fabulous co-authors of “You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?! “ , Peggy Ramundo and Kate Kelly! Yep, so now we’re pretty much best friends! {Just kidding!}

We met by phone to talk about their upcoming “ADD in the Spirit” coach training, in particular whether or not it might be a great “next step” for me. Happily, I think it may be the perfect complement to the professional training I’ve already received through the Institute of Life Coach Training ,(ILCT) and Circle of Life Coaching,(COL). I’m thinking it will give me even more “cool tools” to use in my coaching.

Class is set to start within the next couple of months.

“What is Coaching, Anyway?”

asks Ken, blogger of On Leading Well.

The recent surge in the personal coaching profession indicates that people today are hungry for answers. What drives someone to pay anywhere from $250 to $1200 (or more) per month for a weekly 45 minute phone call?

I believe it’s partly due to our innate, God-given desire to grow, improve, and succeed.

During the past week I’ve spent time in two Athens - one in Greece and one in Ohio. Conversations with friends who invest most of their time with college students gravitated to the issue of life-change. Today’s students are overwhelmed with choices, data, and information. As a result their filters are high - most won’t even answer their cell phone if caller-id doesn’t show someone they know…

To read the rest of Ken’s inspired post ,What is Coaching, Anyway?

Dear friends/readers, I’d like to quick share my comments with you and invite you to do the same if you feel so inclined.

Ken,

Very wise analysis here of why people -especially college students-are seeking the guidance and support of life-coaches! I really wish that I had had the benefit of a mentor/coach back in my undergraduate days, or should I say undergraduate haze! (I’m laughing! … I say haze because of the sheer confusion,I felt at that time with regards to my life direction!)

I agree that students are overwhelmed with all of the choices available. It’s been my experience both personally and professionally that a good coach can also help one to see their unique path and next steps therein more clearly.

Again, thanks for this article! I’ve been thinking about how coaching fits so well into the spirit of our times (zeitgeist), so this was just what I needed to read!

,Tessa

Hope you create yourself a Jim-dandy of a FRIDAY!!

Fresh perspectives on ADD/ADHD.

Hello there!! I’ve missed “blogging with you”, and it’s lovely to be back!

And how are you dear virtual friend?

While it’s true that I am “Positively ADD”, {grin!}, in this case I’m referring to a new book of that title which might be of interest to you! The full title is; ” Positively ADD: Real Success Stories To Inspire Your Dreams. It’s co-athored by Dr Edward M. Hallowell.,M.D and Cathy A. Corman.

I haven’t read it yet, but look forward to doing so! If you’ve read it, do drop me a line to let me know what you thought of it!

If you’re interested in learning a bit more about Dr. Hallowell’s perspective on ADHD; I encourage you to check out this 21 minute interview, “Unwrapping the Gift of ADD” or have a look at a video-taped interview of Dr Hallowell .

I know it’s late-notice (sorry, just learned of it myself), but tonight there will be a free live- teleseminar in which Dr. Kenny Handelman and Dr. John Ratey will be speaking about “Attention Differences” (rather than deficits). The session will cover aspects of treatment of ADD/ADHD like medication, alternatives and other helpful strategies.

Dr. John Ratey is the co-author with Dr. Hallowell of the popular ADD books: Driven to Distraction, Delivered From Distraction and Answers to Distraction. He also recently wrote: Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and The Brain.

The teleseminar is happening tonight-Tuesday, May 1st-at 8 pm Eastern/5 pm Pacific.

To sign up just click here.

I’ll “see” you there!

“The 5 secrets you must discover before you die” by John Izzo

Today, I happened upon an inspiring (podcast) at “Written Voices”!: wherein author, John Izzo is interviewed about his recent book, “The 5 Secrets you must know before you die.”

In it Izzo speaks about how the 5 secrets are really “…five true paths to finding meaning in life”. According to him these secrets/paths are:

1. be true to yourself
2. leave no regrets
3. become love
4. live the moment
5. give more than you take

I just couldn’t keep this a secret–had to share with you! {grin}

Psst…I look forward to posting here a little later this week, or perhaps next week! I’ve been pretty busy wrapping up my 2007 Taxes!

Hope Today isn’t too TAXING for you! {grin}

“The Earth Laughs in Flowers”, Emerson

It’s cool, drizzly, and overcast today. This provides the perfect shadowy backdrop for showcasing the first flowers of Spring!

I hope Mother Earth continues to feel amused because I am loving her parade of flowers! I’m so excited to share the pictures with you!

First, cast your eyes on our back porch, also known as our portal to the flowers!

My husband, the cats, and I love to sit around this little table and check out the view! (Although, I suspect that the kitties are in it less for the flowers and more for the squirrel and bird watching!)

Hello, cheery daffodils!

Ahhh…Hyacinths are so beautiful and fragrant!

Create yourself a wonder-filled day by remembering to notice and appreciate, “What Is”!

“You put a smile on everyone who has a face!”, says Liv to her mom

Children are the best teachers! Today, I celebrate my dear nine-year old friend, Liv for showing me what it means to approach life with a grateful heart.

Read more about Expressing Gratitude at Urban Monk or Gratitude,Awareness, and Impatience

Thank you so much Liv for allowing me to share with others the email/poem that you wrote for your mom in addition to the “Flat Tessa” portrait that you drew & colored for me. You’re very special!

Liv’s poem

hi mom

i love spring break!
thanks for those out fits and…
feeding me
buying me things
being nice to me
being happy for me
playing with me
paying for tryps
supporting me
laugh at my jokes even if there not funny
playing games with me
helping me
helping with dog
read with me
help me solve a problem
help me with school
take me to places
stay cool when i am bad
help me with my home work
taking me out to eat on special occasions
doing fun things with me
help me learn
tuck me in at night
let me invite friends over
take care of bad kids like us ( sometimes)
give me hugs
gives me kisses
you help me before your problem
you put a smile on everyone who has a face
you take me to some fun places!!
you don’t release your anger on your kids
you share
you are a great friend
u let us do fun things

And Liv… you put a smile on my face too! (not to mention that of “Flat Tessa’s!!”)

I love the way my young friend was able to express and share what she loves and appreciates about her mom. What she also seemed to be saying was, “I see you, Mommy…I see all you do for me. I appreciate you.”

At the times in which I view my life through this lens of gratitude, it feels like a gift–a gift that expands my awareness and experience of joy! The wonder of gratitude is that it’s a gift that we can also share with others by simply expressing our appreciation of them. Gratitude is really Love, isn’t it?!

Do you feel like trying out an experiment with me over the next week or so?

Let’s just call it The Gratitude Experiment.

• Noticing and Feeling Gratitude. Carry a small notebook with you wherever you go. (Pocket-sized might be perfect!) Your task is to seek out people, experiences, and/or activities that bring you joy. Throughout the day as you experience feelings of joy and gratitude jot down what what inspired these feelings?

• “Expressing our Gratitude.” Experiment with expressing your gratitude to others by challenging yourself to do it 2 or 3 (more if you’re feeling bold!) times this week.

I invite you to check back within this community to let us know how it’s going!

Artful Ways to stretch your habits

Recently, I gained a little inspiration from the book, “Lean Forward into your Life” by Marry Anne Radmacher

I’d love to share a few lines with you…

“Stretch your usual patterns Recognize that habit provides a certain discipline or safety. Do not become locked in habit.

• Read a type of literature that is unfamiliar to you

• Avoid television for an extended period

• Send an unexpected letter

• Go a different way

• Try new tastes,colors, smells,sounds, ideas

• Stop affirming, “Oh, I’m not very good at (fill in your particular thing) and then undertake a project AS IF you are good at that thing.

• Introduce yourself to someone you have been wanting to meet.

• Recognize the power of your words. Accept that they have a consequence(words build cultures, and preserve and destroy them). Every word has a story and a degree of impact. Do not say of your words, “Oh they don’t matter.” They matter a good bit.“

I love it! Stretching my habits and goals really works for me whether applied to the teeny-tiny ones or the larger type of “life goals”. Some habits that I have in place are good ones that I’d just like to Super-Size or build upon!

For example one new (old) teeny-tiny goal or habit that I have is that of taking excellent care of my teeth. I do an average job of this now, but could do much better.

When I go to my six-month dental check-up this June, I’d like to be able to flash my pearly whites and say matter-of-factly to my dentist, “Yes, of course I floss!!” Only, here’s the thing it’s almost April and I can’t remember the last time that I actually did! (Bad, I know!)

I know that reintroducing flossing into my existing daily brushing routine is the ultimate goal,but I wonder… Why wasn’t I successful the last time with regards to sustaining this desired habit? Perhaps, I might explore this a bit more in depth.

1. MOTIVATION! I’d have to say that my heart wasn’t really in it! It just seemed like something I “should be doing.” (Shoulds are the kiss of death!)

2. WRITE IT DOWN. I didn’t write my goal/intention down and instead I just let the idea knock around in my head. In this way, it never graduated from “a good idea” to a daily habit.

3. START SMALL. Last time I just declared that I would begin flossing every day even though I hadn’t bee in the habit of doing it consistently. Better to start small and build on your successes.

4. LOCATION. One big obstacle was that of even finding my floss!!

Hmm I think I understand now, why I wasn’t successful before! With the above things in mind; I’m going to try on an artful approach to adding flossing to my daily routine!

This time, I am motivated in part by knowing that my 6 month exam is in 3 weeks! I’ve definitely written down my intention-for now to floss twice a week. (Not to mention the increased accountability since I publicized it here!) {grin} Lastly, I will stock up on floss and place several spools throughout my house, so that location need not be a problem again. (I’m crossing my fingers here though…I swear we have gremlins that move around our things!)

I’m curious, What new habit or ritual have you been successful at implementing and how did you go about it?