Embrace Your Gifts and Soar!

Unique Approach To Life Coaching in Jackson, Mississippi

Exciting New Coaching Opportunity from Beverly Keaton Smith, CPCC

The Walk and Coach Package

Here is your chance to receive 45 minutes of coaching AND 45 minutes of exercise simultaneously! Seriously! Mississippi’s cooler weather is just around the corner so let’s take advantage of it! For a limited time, I am offering the Walk and Coach package to women who would like to combine physical activity with coaching. Yes! You will be engaged mentally, physically and spiritually by being coached while walking in a lovely nature setting.

How does it work?

We meet at the location of your choice and have a regular individual coaching session while we walk in a nurturing setting. This approach to coaching offers you an opportunity to combine all the benefits of walking with all the benefits of coaching!

Out of shape?

Great! This program is perfect for you since you set the pace for our walk. I follow your lead during our walk in the same way that I follow your agenda during our coaching conversation. Just be sure to wear good, comfortable walking shoes and bring a bottle of water along too!

Pick the location you prefer!

Parham Bridges Park, 5001 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS (free!)

Clinton Community Nature Center, 617 Dunton Road, Clinton, MS (free!)

Lefleur’s Bluff Walking Trails, 1205 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS ($3 entrance fee)

Metrocenter Mall, 3645 Highway 80 West, Jackson, MS (for those who prefer to be indoors!)

What if it rains?

Oh I hope it does! Wear your rain jacket and experience nature in a different way! (Don’t worry, if it’s a bad storm with lightning, we reschedule! )

How do we get started?

Contact Beverly and pre-register by September 30^th, 2007. We will determine a time that fits your schedule and arrange our first meeting as soon as you are ready to get started.

Phone: 601-291-4763

E-Mail: Bev@embraceyourgifts.com

Learn more about Beverly Keaton Smith and Life Coaching at

www.embraceyourgifts.com

Cost:

One Walk & Coach session: $79

Monthly package of three Walk and Coach sessions: $209 per month

Monthly package of four Walk and Coach sessions: $279 per month

(The monthly packages include a few written activities that will be sent to you after your initial payment for the first month.)

Beverly Keaton Smith, CPCC

www.embraceyourgifts.com

Make Fall the season of new beginnings for you!

It's time to "Embrace Your Gifts and Soar!"

Onward!

Beverly

Can SAD Be Good?

It was an unwelcome surprise to have such a long spell of cold weather in April. My new burst of springtime energy faded away as the number of consecutive cloudy days increased. My blue couch swallowed me as I wrapped myself up in the handmade quilt that I depend on during cold weather. Books fell into piles all around me. My laptop also moved to the couch as I became more and more reclusive. At first, I didn’t mind. I had a great excuse to be a couch potato as I waited for the return of spring.

Unfortunately the cold snap lasted for more than a few days. I sank into a dim depression as I longed for the warm weather and the sun. I wondered if ongoing cloud coverage could make me irritable as I checked the weather forecast daily to see when the sun would return. As I noticed my undeniable longing for the sun, I decided that it was time for me to finally accept that I suffer from SAD, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

For many years, I suspected that I had this trait yet I refused to give it that much thought. I tend to steer clear of labeling myself with anything that ends in disorder. Embracing the idea of having SAD is a bit like embracing a shadow part of my psyche. I felt a sense of freedom after allowing myself to accept that I need light like a fish needs water. Fortunately, I live in the south and our winters are mild and short. However, when the sun goes away for too long, I become depressed, moody, irritable and unmotivated. Totally!

The good news is now that I accept that I have SAD, I am more conscious about how important it is for me to have exposure to lots of light. When I think about how this can look in my life, I got excited and it is easy for me to step into a perspective of seeing SAD as a huge gift in my life.

Here are the ways that I cope with SAD. (This has worked for me but that doesn’t mean that this will work for everyone. Please consult your doctor for your best treatment.)

• Live in a house with lots of windows so natural lighting is prevalent in the home. There was an extended period of time in my life when I sat in a small office without windows for forty hours a week. My salvation was to spend many of my lunch hours sitting outdoors in a nearby park.
• Exercise for at least one hour outdoors whenever possible. This is helpful even on cloudy days. I enjoy taking morning walks as the sun is rising. Starting out the day with a dose of light, exercise and endorphins greatly enhances my mood. Other options include biking, swimming, tennis, running, dancing, baseball, soccer, frisbee, basketball, skating, hiking, rock climbing, snow skiing and so many more.
• Drive a convertible. Now, this is a fun one for sure. Driving around with the top down is one of my favorite ways to get relief from SAD symptoms.
• Boating. This is a lot like driving around in a convertible except you get to add water into the mix too. Pure heaven! (This includes fishing, water skiing, sailing, paddle boats, etc.)
• Outdoor chores like yard work, gardening, washing the car, painting the exterior of the house are all productive ways to experience relief from SAD symptoms. (Also, a feeling of accomplishment is an added bonus!)
• Here is an easy one. Simply spend time outside for a minimum of thirty minutes. Use sun screen. No need to get burned while getting your sun fix. Also, this works on cloudy days too! Make this really easy on yourself by buying yourself a nice lounger!
• Make indoor activities outdoor activities. Eat, read, talk on the phone or bond with your computer outdoors. Get creative with this! What other activities can you do outdoors that you normally do inside the house or office?
• Travel to sunny, warm areas during the winter. If this is not an option for you, consider light therapy. I have not tried light therapy but have read that many report good results with this practice.
• Sit by a fire. Enjoy the flames outdoors at a campfire or indoors in a fireplace. Candles are helpful too. (Check out Zenamoon Candles! They're wonderful!)
• Wear light colored clothes. When I wear black or darker colors, I noticed that I do not feel quite as chipper, energetic or happy. Experiment with your wardrobe by choosing light, colorful clothing and see if it makes a difference in your disposition.
• Good nutrition always enhances well-being. There are also herbs and vitamins that can help. St. John’s Wort is said to be helpful for mild-depression. Turn to a nutritionist if you don’t know where to start.
• Examine your life. What changes do you need to make to bring greater fulfillment and peace into your existence? Take steps toward making those changes. (Self-help books, a therapist, coach or healing circle can help with this one.)
• Educate yourself about SAD. Consider the possibility that there might be a link between sunlight and your mood, energy level and overall feelings of well-being. Medication is available for this disorder. It is always a good idea to consult your doctor and see what options will best suit your needs.

My energy level, mood and sense of well-being are enhanced by the activities that I have listed. While I realize that SAD is a serious condition that should not be taken lightly, (no pun intended!) I also appreciate that this disorder makes it absolutely necessary for me to get out there and soak in all the light that I can! Just look at all of the fun ways you can choose from to cope with SAD. Are there any other ideas that you can add to the list?

Suggested reading to learn more about SAD

Winter Blues, Revised Edition: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder
by Norman E. Rosenthal

Beverly Keaton Smith is the founder of Embrace Your Gifts and Soar! which offers individual coaching, workshops, classes and retreats which support women as they journey toward wholeness.

Copyright 2007: Beverly Keaton Smith

This article may be republished. Please include bio with the article. Thank you! Beverly.

Dream and Believe

When I announced this goal, it seemed so far away. Simply enough, I stated that I would ski down blue runs by the time I reached the age of forty-five. After returning from our annual Valentine's ski trip, I am happy to say that I graduated to blue runs. Guess what? I met this goal early too! I'm only forty-four!

Yes! I have learned enough about skiing to veer away from bunny slopes (beginner slopes) and branch out into the next level of difficulty. Since I am a southern gal who only started learning to ski four years ago, this feels like a significant goal to have reached. At least for me. If only you could have seen my struggles during those first two years of learning to ski. It was not a smooth, graceful or easy process.

While I was skiing on a blue run, I landed on my rear end a few times. As I got up from my second fall, I heard someone on the ski lift above me yell out "Way to get up and keep going!" I never saw the man who enthusiastically showered me with encouragement. I was too focused on regaining my balance. However, his words sounded like music to my ears.

That's the thing about falling...uh, also known as failure. You just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, recover and keep going if you are going in the direction of a true desire.

Recover, Recover, Recover! A good motto for sure.

It sure does help to take advantage of a helping hand or hear kind words when you take an unexpected dip into the snow... (or any other kind of failure.)  Support is such a wonderful thing. It can come from a stranger, friend, family member, coach, teacher or someone else. Grab it when it's available. Pay for it, ask for it, search for it and expect it. Support is powerful stuff.

Speaking of support, I have to thank my sweet husband for patiently teaching me all that he knows about skiing. Without him by my side, I would not have made it through those first agonizing steps, falls, tears, sore muscles, doubt and frustration. He has been a wonderful teacher, friend, coach and companion during our ski adventures and life in general.

It's never too late to put a dream into motion. It will materialize if you truly believe and persist.

Feed your goal energy through belief, action, patience, listening to intuition, asking for miracles, asking for help, visualizing the desired outcome and playfully experiencing the feelings of victory prematurely. Yes, there you have it. A recipe for success. Just toss and mix constantly.

Do I dare set a goal to ski down the black runs one day? Ok, I will do it. By the time I'm 48 years old I plan to tackle a black run. That will give me plenty of time to work up to it. Heck, why not? That's the thing about setting goals or having a dream. There is no end. It's a journey. A fun, adventure filled, thrilling ride that never ends.

What is your next dream? What helps you believe it will come to pass? Why is it important to you? Who will support you? How will you feel when your dream comes to pass?

Oh the possibilities!

Onward!

Beverly

Beverly & Greg, Valentine's Day 2007

I Will Finish!

It's a Saturday night in Chicago and I'm in bed with a bag of ice on my leg. I am thinking I will not be able to participate in the marathon because of a growing pain in my leg. Needless to say, I am totally bummed out.

On Sunday morning, the day of the marathon, I feel as if I am pretending that I am going to walk in a marathon. As my husband and I wait in a crowd of people for our turn to take off, I continue to have doubts that my leg will allow me to get very far.

Then, something happens in my mind that I cannot explain. We cross the start line and I know I have to go for it. I tell my leg to cooperate as I shove the pain away and focus on being present in the moment. I wish my husband luck as I start my pace and off I go.

Strangers enthusiastically send me cheers, encouragement, smiles and joy along the whole route. Friendly faces along the way offer me Gatorade and water that I gratefully accept. I spot a few teammates and we exchange encouraging words. Every dose of good energy from others keeps me going.

I want to finish! I mean I really want to finish. I'm going to finish! This is what I think about. I do not allow myself to dwell on the pain in my legs, back or feet. I'm going to finish. Again and again, I hear mySelf tell mySelf "I am going to finish!"

I turn that last corner and cast my eyes upon a big green and white banner that says Finish Line. At that moment, I am sure that banner is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. It's really happening! I see the finish line. Thank you God! It's almost over. I'm almost there. I step on the finish line and go into temporary shock. I did it! I really, really did it! Despite the obstacles and doubt, I made it to the finish line.

My time is 6:57:33. Seven hours of heavy duty walking for the sake of reaching a goal I set for myself in January. What is the reward? A stronger knowing that I can do anything I set my mind to, new friends, an adventurous experience and many warm memories.

Here is what I know. I would not have been able to have walked 26.2 miles in 6 hours, fifty seven minutes and thirty three seconds without help. I am filled with gratitude for my husband, family, friends, teammates, Mark and Robin Simpson of Marathon Makeover and all of the spectators and volunteers that made my completion of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon possible.

Yes, I can do anything I set my mind to and also, I am strengthened by God and those around me. Having loads of support is what made this victory possible. Not only am I reminded of the power of the mind, I am also reminded that seeking help and support from others brings empowerment and greater success.

Some say asking for help is a sign of weakness. Don't buy it.  Asking for and accepting help will take you further than you ever dreamed you could go. I've seen this demonstrated in my life over and over.

A victory shared with others is much sweeter than a victory that is experienced alone.

Onward!

Beverly    

                         

Greg and Beverly - marathoners!

                                 

Chasing Butterflies

Last January, my husband and I signed up with Marathon Makeover 2006 to train for the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Now, the big day, October 22,  is just around the corner. Yesterday, as I felt the familiar pain in my right leg, I told my husband that it must be from my pre psychosomatic stress and marathon anxiety disorder. We both laughed. A lot!

When I think about this marathon, the butterflies do loopty loops in my stomach. I didn't expect this. Why do I feel jittery and nervous?

1) Maybe it is because my leg is not at 100%. The doctor calls it IT Band Syndrome. I call it a pain that keeps coming back and is with me now. Because of this pain, I can not run or jog. Fortunately, with the help of an Ace knee brace and a Patt Strap, I can walk very fast. Can I walk a fast pace for 26.2 miles? Uh, I will let you know next week.

2) The people! There are 40,000 people registered to participate in this marathon. That's a lot of folks. Who knows how many spectators will be there? Crowds make me a little crazy. All I can say is thank goodness this will be outdoors!

3) Here is the biggie. I don't want to fail. Ok, there you have it. The real, honest reason I feel jittery. I've already accepted the disappointment of not being able to jog or run in this marathon. Now, what if I can not go the whole distance? I am at risk for feeling the disappointment that comes from feeling like a failure.

I've heard the pep talks. Everyone who tries is a winner! There is a part of my brain that loves that perspective. Also, I know that it is going to sting a lot if I do not experience the joy of stepping across that finish line.

So, why put myself through all of this? Ten months of training, anxiety, physical pain and uncertainty? I just want to see how it goes. Yes, I might have to be with failure and maybe I will surprise myself. Maybe I will show myself I can do this. Possibly, I'll only walk half of the marathon and that would be okay too. I will look at this as an adventure with no guaranteed outcome.

There is something about being yanked out of my comfort zone that appeals to me. (I will take that in limited doses please!) Anytime I spread my wings and fly into a new area, I know that personal growth is sure to happen. Keeping myself on a path of growth is what makes me feel alive. It is more important for me to grow than it is to feel comfortable all of the time.

So, here I go. Time to chase some butterflies and embrace the loopty loops!

Here is my perspective for this event. I will do the best that I can and toss out the desire for perfection. It will be a fun and adventurous experience. With each step I take, I will remind myself that I am once again walking through fear and going for something that feels just beyond my reach. There will be a reason to celebrate on Sunday and I plan to!

Stay tuned for a follow up. I will let you  know how it goes!

Onward!

Beverly

Losing Equals Winning!

Every once in a while, CNN.com has a gem tucked away in a sea of harsh news. This story about Chris Phillips is one of those gems. It was said that he would never walk. He proved the doctors wrong. Even though he finishes last in a race, his teammates, friends and onlookers consider him to be the biggest winner. What keeps Chris going? Knowing that his Mom is waiting for him at the finish line. This story will touch your heart deeply! Reported by Russell Bivens.

http://www.cnn.com/video/partners/clickability/index.html?url=/video/sports/2006/10/07/bivens.young.runner.wbir.wbir

Outside The Box

This video is funny! Members of the rock band OKGO turn eight treadmills into a playland. It's a great reminder to look at the ordinary through extraordinary eyes. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI

want more?

http://www.okgo.net/video.asp

Exercise

Yes, this is a worn out subject but here it goes. I have been out of my routine and away from home for four weeks. While I was away, the first thing that went was my exercise routine. No worries! I decided that I would simply get back on track once I returned home.

Now that I am doing my best to get back on track, I have developed a brand new chunk of appreciation and respect for the value of exercise. In the past four weeks, I've lost muscle tone everywhere, felt sluggish and have been missing my feel good endorphins. I'm pretty sure I've gained a few pounds too.

The value of exercise cannot be overrated. Even though it is a challenge to get back on track, I'm striving to regain my regular level of fitness as soon as possible. I'm tired of feeling flabby and shabby.

The great thing is that exercise does not have to be an endurance of misery. A simple 20-30 minute walk several times a week can be enough to raise you out of the doldrums, increase muscle tone and boost your energy level.

Pick a physical activity that jives with you who you are get your routine going. Look forwarding to reaping the benefits shortly after you get started.

Here is Oprah's fitness page on her website for more info on starting an exercise routine that works for you. http://www.oprah.com/health/intrain/health_intrain_main.jhtml

Onward!

Beverly