Barb Brown Coaching & Consulting

Leaning Into Joy

I Wish You a Simple Christmas

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“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” Dr. Seuss,How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Case For A Simple Christmas Have you thought about simplifying Christmas? What I mean is to have a holiday season without so much stress, without going all out on decorations, events, and gifts. I invite you to consider celebrating a much simpler Christmas this year. By scaling back and focusing on the more spiritual side of this holiday, you just might find more joy this season. As an added bonus, when you keep things simple, you have a lot more time to enjoy everything this special time of the year has to offer. 

Think back on Christmases past. Chances are, the ones that stand out the most were years when your family didn’t have the money for the fanciest decorations, lots of events leading up to Christmas eve and mountains of presents. Instead, if your family is anything like mine, the ones we remember are the years when we had little money yet plenty of time to spend with each other. I remember one very snowy Christmas Eve spent outside together till way after dark. Dinner and presents were waiting for us but we were having so much fun outside in the snow, together.

My mom and her five sisters always spent a weekend together baking candy and cookies, laughing and telling stories about their childhood. The house would be filled with the smell of cinnamon and tables with fudge, divinity, hard candy and cookies galore! It’s those simple Christmases and the special times spent together that stand out in my mind. They are some of my most treasured memories and the same holds true for the rest of my family. 

This year I’m making an effort to keep it simple, and I’d like to invite you to join along. I’m not buying more decorations. Instead, I’m sorting through what I have, picking the things I love and giving away the rest. The house is less cluttered and the decorations that are up stand out. As an added bonus it’s easier to clean and it will be much quicker to put everything away come January. 

My calendar is a lot lighter this year as well. I’ve chosen a handful of activities and events that I know I will enjoy. The rest of the time I will spend doing what I love including curling up with a good book by the fire, creating some new SoulCollage® cards, spending time outside with my dogs, really being present during the 13 Holy Nights and watching some of my favorite holiday movies.

When it comes to presents, my family decided long ago to keep it simple. I find meaningful gifts for my younger nieces and my grandson but for the adults, we find time to spend together that is much more meaningful and memorable. One rule I’ve always enjoyed if I am to give a gift is to include something that is playful, such as a toy or game that everyone can enjoy. 

However you choose to celebrate, I hope you give a simpler Christmas a try this year and see if you enjoy a calmer and more meaningful holiday season. Merry Christmas!

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ”  ― Norman Vincent Peale

If you are looking for a deeper spiritual experience during this season, please join me for the 13 Holy Nights. From sunset on December 24th to sunset on January 6th is a window of time. An incredibly holy period of time where the opportunity for connection with spirit is stronger than any other time of the year. Earthly energies subside as if we have a direct connection with spirit, and spirit can provide a direct imprint letting our personal mind and earthly energies take a rest. You can find more information at www.13holynights.com.

Thriving Through the Holidays

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Reducing Stress During the Holiday Season

Tips For for a Happier Holiday

Stress and The HolidaysMany people look forward to the holidays each year with great expectations for family visits, get togethers with friends, and time to enjoy the season. 

The holidays offer great food, much needed time from work and the opportunity to reconnect with loved-ones. While the holidays can be a delightful time, for many, the season increases stress, anxiety and depression. Worry about finances, difficult family dynamics or other troubles can get heavier at this time and the holidays can be an added burden rather than a joyous time.One of the most common reasons that the holidays become stressful is the expectation placed on families who are sometimes overextended emotionally and financially. The added burden to provide big meals, provide gifts, pay for travel and overextend the budget feels like a heavy weight.Despite the Hallmark channel’s insistence that families all love one another and that being together is all that matters, many families are fractured, busy and unable or unwilling to live in harmony.There are a variety of ways to reduce the holiday stress including setting healthy boundaries, having a plan for spending, and being flexible with expectations.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Setting healthy boundaries is an essential part of having happy holidays. Preparing  and sticking to a budget, deciding whom to share the holidays with and negotiating what activities to participate in will create a sense of calm in a potentially anxious season. The key to making meaningful boundaries is to do it ahead of time. 

Prior to the season, discuss the expectations, finances and opportunities available and make clear decisions about how resources will be used. A clear plan will go a long way to thrive through the season.

What Can Be Done to Prepare for Holiday Stress?

The single best thing that can be done to prepare for holiday stress is to acknowledge that it is part of the season. It is directly tied to the expectations placed on a family that are above the usual expectations of every day living. Just because the holidays are here, does not mean there is an obligation to overextend ourselves.

If you have unresolved chores, bills, family relationships that are strained or projects that are unfinished, do everything you can to manage them before the holidays set in or, if possible, postpone them until the new year.

Clean your home or have a service come in and get things on track. Head to the dump, donate to the thrift store and clear out your clutter. Clean your garage, your gutters and your closets. Pre-write your holiday newsletter, clear out space for the holiday decorations to come down from the attic and make space for what you need. Start picking up baking items or other staples that you know you are going to need now when you have a bit more time. 

Touch base with friends and family now and share that you expect times to get so busy that you want to reach out now so you won’t feel pressured later and they won’t feel neglected. 

Tips to Reduce Stress During the Season

Make certain that self-care is a part of the whole family’s lifestyle. Adequate sleep, forms of exercise and down time are important in a season that is all about hustle. In addition, limit sugar and alcohol, especially now. Eat a simple and nutritious diet throughout the season.

Do not feel obligated to say yes to every invitation you receive, or attend every party or social gathering. Stay involved but choose your activities from the heart rather than from obligation. It is a perfectly acceptable stand to say no to the things that cause more stress than joy.

Stay in the moment. Remember the reason for your season. Whatever your personal reasons are for celebrating the holidays, remember to be present and enjoy everything you can about this year because this year will never be here again. 

The surest way to reduce stress is to freely and willingly give of yourself, your time or your resources for the benefit of others. This is different than giving out of obligation and with resentment. No matter your finances, your family dynamics or your time constraints, you can give in a meaningful way towards something that is bigger than you and will set your soul at ease.This is a special and significant time each year. Don’t get so busy that you miss the special moments. Stop to watch the children laugh, look at the stars in the sky, listen to the music that only comes this time of year and really hold your loved ones close. 

If you are looking for a deeper spiritual experience during this season, please join me for the 13 Holy Nights. From sunset on December 24th to sunset on January 6th is a window of time. An incredibly holy period of time where the opportunity for connection with spirit is stronger than any other time of the year. Earthly energies subside as if we have a direct connection with spirit, and spirit can provide a direct imprint letting our personal mind and earthly energies take a rest. You can find more information atwww.13holynights.com.

Strategies For Success and Living Your Heart’s Desire

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Leaning In To Success

Leaning into success is as simple as it sounds. Just lean in. And at the same time it takes true self awareness, a courageous mindset, and fearless passion to truly succeed wholeheartedly in whatever your endeavor, whether it is a career, a business, an adventure, or a relationship. 

The power is yours

You and only you have the power to decide how you feel, how you spend your time, what’s important, and what truly matters. No one else has the power to “make you feel” anything. That is all up to you. When you realize this fact, life can truly change and become more powerful, happy, joyful and successful. 

Focus on Growth

Become a lifelong learner. Be curious. Ask questions. Explore new thoughts and possibilities. Think outside the box. Don’t get stuck in tradition, culture or family expectations or traditions. Try new things. Read books from a variety of authors and thought leaders. Take a class or attend lectures. Never give up taking in new information. You don’t have to accept it all. Sift through the information and keep what feels right to you. But never stop learning.

People will rarely work at their maximum potential under criticism – this includes self talk

Are you your best cheerleader or own worst enemy? How do you handle mistakes? Are you a difficult person to yourself? What does your mind chatter sound like? Practice self soothing dialogue and nurturing conversation with yourself. Consider how you would talk to a child who spills the milk by mistake. Practice gentle, nurturing self talk and see how much better you feel and more successful you are.

Visualize this thing that you want; see it, feel it, believe in it. Make it your mental blueprint and begin to build.

In order to reach your goals you must be able to visualize the finish line. What do you want that finish line to look like. More importantly, how do you envision the journey. Do you want it to be difficult and filled with obstacles? Or would you prefer fun, inspiring and joyful. Spend time each day thinking and visualizing how you want the day to go. How you want the week or month to play out. Visualize happiness, inspiration, joy, and success and then look for it wherever you go. It will be there, I promise. 

Are you an original? Discover the secret to propelling yourself (and the world) forward

Don’t be afraid to be original. Be you, boldly. You are on this planet for a reason and it isn’t to play small. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You will find your right way by sometimes going the wrong way. Go anyway. If you live your life less than what your purpose is you will feel unfulfilled and weary. Go for it! Be the you you are meant to be.

What’s Holding you back?

Is fear holding you back. Fear of what? Fear of who? Fear of looking stupid? Fear of injury to your pride? Fear of rejection? Fear of feeling bad? Fear of uncertainty? Fear of being ordinary?

Fear holds so many of us back from living the lives we were meant to live. Lives filled with love, joy, peace, success, and contentment. What if you look stupid, or are rejected, or ordinary. And, what if you are brilliant? 

There are countless famous people who failed, sometimes many, many times, before finding success. The key to their success was that they did not give up but continued to try again and again and again. The worst failure is never trying at all. 

When you open yourself up and say “I can do that. I can become successful. I can overcome this obstacle,” that’s more powerful than anything else in the world.

It starts with a dream. A passion. And a belief in yourself. According to the law of attraction, you get what you think about. If you focus on failure you will see, feel and find failure. And if you focus on success you will find success. As Winston Churchill said “never ever give up.” 

Dream big! Live boldly! You’ll change your life and in turn you’ll change the world!If you feel you want to support please feel free to contact me. You can email me anytime at barb@barbebrown.com or find me on Facebook.

Qigong For Health

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Traditional Chinese Medicine Practices: Qigong

I love Qigong! I was first introduced to the practice when I thought I was signing up for a Tai Chi class, which is very similar to Active Qigong. In fact, what I signed up for was Meditative Qigong. I continued in the study of Qigong by completing a year long program of Energy Healing Qigong.

My experience with Qigong changed my life, helping me to focus, ground, and heal, as well as help me form a deeper spiritual practice. I can’t imagine my life without it!

Most Popular Method of Disease Prevention

Qigong is the most popular method of disease prevention in China. It is an ancient practice including flowing movement, gentle exercise, controlled breathing techniques, self-massage, and meditation, all used to cultivate and move the Qi or life energy through the body.

Studies both in China and the US have shown that Qigong can reduce pain, anxiety, and depression. It is a practice that focuses on strengthening the immune system. It has also been found effective in treating hypertension, headaches, asthma, ulscers, arthritis, chronic pain, and some forms of cancer.According to Chinese Medicine, health is the result of freely flowing Qi. Disease is the result of stagnant or low Qi caused by physical, emotional and environmental stress. Too much or too little Qi can create poor health, inflammation, tension, congestion, and weakness in the body.We learned earlier that Qi means vital breath or life energy. Gong means “work.” So, the meaning of Qigong is “working with the life energy.” In Qigong the student learns to control the flow and distribution of Qi thus improving balance, health and harmony in the mind, body and spirit.

For Best Results

In order for the best results, Qigong should be practiced on a daily basis. It becomes a way of life. It doesn’t take long, 20-40 minutes is usually sufficient to feel the benefits. Qigong can be practiced standing, sitting or lying down so it is an ideal exercise for older adults and disabled individuals.

Qigong is broken down into three main applications:

  • Martial Arts Qigong – exercise/external movement
  • Spiritual Qigong – meditative and relaxing
  • Medical Qigong including self healing and external Qi healing (similar to Therapeutic Touch.

Dong Gong, Jing Gong & Medical Qigong

The most popular type of Qigong is “dynamic” or “active” Qigong (Dong Gong). It is considered exercise and energetically “yang” because it is very active, moving the body while maintaining a quiet mind. There are many exercises to learn with fun names including the Five Animal Frolics and Turtle Breathing. Practicing this type of Qigong looks like slow, rhythmic, controlled dancing.The other type of Qigong is “Tranquil” or “Passive” Qigong (Jing Gong). It is considered yin, meditative and spiritual. From the outside there is no movement but internally the mind is active and the Qi is controlled by concentration, visualization, and breathing. The body is still, yet the breath is moving. The mind is alert and paying attention to the Qi while the body is still and at rest.Qigong is considered to be the way to prevent disease, improve health, and make recovery from illness or injury quicker. Qigong is a practice so that each person can take control of his or her own health and wellness.

Medical Qigong includes self healing Qigong which includes specific exercises, practices and meditations for the patient to follow. There is also an energy healing Qigong known as Was Qi Zhi Liao, external Qi Healing. It is an ancient Chinese method of Healing Touch and a branch of Medical Qigong. Meditative Qigong is always practiced as a compliment to Medical Qigong.

In order to practice External Qi Healing, the practitioner must be able to control his or her own internal Qi flow before being considered ready to work with others. During a healing session, the practitioner places his/her hands on or near the client’s body, assesses the vitality of the client’s Qi, and then transmits healing Qi through the hands and breath. It is a very relaxing experience!

Other forms of Qigong include:

Confucian Qigong – Improves one’s character

Business Qigong – A practice to help employees feel less stressed, maintain health and improve productivity.

An Easy, Gentle Practice for Anyone

Qigong is a gentle practice, meant to be learned over time. Its meant to be practiced daily, preferably in the morning, before breakfast, which is considered the best time to plant the “seeds of the day.” One who practices Qigong will feel changes after only a few lessons but one will feel a life-time of health if practiced on a regular and consistent basis. The body is considered a garden of energy that should be tended to on a regular basis. Qigong is a wonderful practice to tend to your inner garden.

You can find more information about Qigong in the links below. Enjoy!