Archive for the ‘Social Commentary’ Category

News Flash! South of the Fraser, BC

West Coast Seeds and Burns Bog Conservation Society Join Forces

West Coast Seeds and the Burns Bog Conservation Society are celebrating International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day, May 1st.

Never heard of it? Well neither had Sharon Edelmeier of West Coast Seeds, and Eliza Olson of Burns Bog Conservation Society. That is, until they decided to do a fundraiser for the Society using seeds.

This last January, boxes and boxes of sunflower seeds arrived at the Burns Bog Conservation Society’s office. “I had no idea how I was going to do the fundraiser. I went on the internet and I discovered International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day!”

The Brussel’s Farmer, a group dedicated to transforming neglected public spaces, declared May 1st, International Sunflower Guerrilla Day in 2009. Now sunflowers are popping all over the world!

“I designed the invitation to “our first Annual International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day. West Coast Seeds designed the seed packets,” commented Eliza Olson.

A $25 donation comes with a promise to plant the seeds in your backyard. A $50 donation comes with the promise you will give the seeds to a friend. You can choose your own gift to the Society. In return you promise to help a child plant the Sunflower seeds. “I can hardly wait to see the sunflowers popping up in people’s yards. The seed heads make great bird feeders in the fall!”

International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day is taking off all around the world. West Coast Seeds and the Burns Bog Conservation Society are just the latest groups to join this movement.

“It is one of those unexpected moments,” said Eliza Olson. “I always wanted to do a fundraiser with seeds. Our volunteers loved working on this project. And I get to give back something to our wonderful supporters!”

If you want to get in on the fun, call the Burns Bog Conservation Society at 604.572.0373. Choose your gift and get your package of sunflower seeds while they last. This is a Guerrilla movement worth joining. Phone early. Our supply of sunflower seeds is limited.

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Contact: Eliza Olson, Burns Bog Conservation Society, 604.572.0373, cell
604.418.2314, or Sharon Edelmeier, West Coast Seeds, 604.952.8820 for more information.

InSpiriational Quote & Life Tip of the Day to help you live a life in balance!

 

Live fully
Create happiness
Imagine peace
Seek truth
Laugh often
Hope more
Inspire change!

From a wall poster !

Enjoy your glorious day dear friends and feel free to pass this on.

namaste

Zoey

We gathered extended family together yesterday for an Easter Sunday Brunch. We are at that tender stage of life where the transitions are many. There are elders passing on, new boyfriends, relationships changing and our generation preparing to move into retirement.

We all commented on the adorable babies and little ones dressed in their Easter finery.

We followed customs from my childhood and remarked on the passing of time. We mentioned those who couldn’t be with us; nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters in law and my mom, who passed away many years ago.

If you have seen “The Descendents”, which surprisingly I thought was very good, you will appreciate that we also experienced the vulnerable sweetness of an elder with Alzheimer’s and the wonderful good health of another elder in his 90′s.

Yesterday, we were missing the young babies but otherwise we experienced the full circle of life.

At the end, it’s all about our family isn’t it?  Whether a birth family or a global family, our relationships define and sustain us and support us to live a life in balance.

namaste,

Zoey

Easter Sunday Brunch with Grandpa and the Grandkids et al!

 

I seem to be reading about leadership everywhere these days, and I love it!

I had a wonderful surprise with starting Steve Farber’s new book, which I down loaded on my ipad and started reading yesterday.  I don’t want to say much more, other than ‘do the same’ as I may spoil your surprise.  What I resonated with, in addition to the words, was a sense of Steve’s presence and the personal touch that made the experience of reading the book exceptional for me.

This morning on LinkedIn, one of the articles (from Forbes) was entitled “New Leaders: To Make Your Mark, Do Nothing” and it spurred my thinking to the area of ‘mistakes’ or ‘do overs’.

As a leader, I have made tons of mistakes and experience many OS!Moments!  One of my main mistake and the biggest thing I would like to ‘do over’, is to “do nothing” in an organization for about 6 months or longer.  This would give me a chance to get a sense of the culture, the people, the informal rules, the energy of the system, so to speak.  It would also clearly say that my personality, my energy is only a small part of the whole system and would speak to a collaborative leadership style.

I wonder too, if due to the gender divide and the history of an imbalance in women, success and power relative to our male counterparts, women are more afraid than men to make mistakes in leadership and err on safety?  Does being safe as a leader mean being stagnant as an organization?

I would love to hear from women leader’s as to what your main ‘mistake’/'do over’ would be!  Please share!  From our sharing, we can learn, grow and support each other!

in peace & mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

 

Observe Earth Hour 2012 and help the Planet!

March 31, 2012

8:30 – 9:30 pm

In peace and mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

Invitation

From the School of Sacred Arts:

“The School of Sacred Arts is a Yoga Alliance registered yoga school offering
Yoga teacher trainings, retreats and workshops throughout the world.”

(Shel Silverstein, from “Where the Sidewalk ends”)

 

I personally resonate with this center of sacred studies as one of the founders is Canadian (as am I) and there is a blend of the ancient teachings of yoga, Ayurveda and tantra.  My dream is to attend one of their yoga teacher trainings in Bali!

 

Enjoy your day and may we all be filled with loving kindness!

 

In peace and mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

We just returned from a fabulous vacation, including a lot of restful pondering, a lot of fun (dancing, dancing, dancing), a lot of sun and a lot of yoga!

Even though I had checked out yoga studios in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico and planned to attend classes in town, I was extremely surprised and over-joyed to find that our resort provided yoga on the beach. Not having any expectations other than enjoying the beauty of the surroundings and some stretching, I was absolutely in heaven with the yoga provided by Yvonne of Shanti Yoga Los Cabos!

Through out our trip, I was reminded of the importance of down time in our busy lives to nourish and heal ourselves and our relationships!

My body softened and soaked up all the yoga and I was reminded of the importance of the eight arms of yoga and the fellowship of the yoga community.

I was reminded of the sweet dance of yin (quiet, restful, relaxing) yang (high energy, more intensity, hotter) energy and how important it is for a life in balance!

I was reminded of the importance of holistic self-care!

May your day be filled with joy, delight and the power of soul-sisterhood!

in peace & mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan the flames.” ~ Rumi

 

 

This post is dedicated to all the amazing and empowered women around the world who are joining hands in sisterhood and having a positive impact on our planet and our people!  Deep bows to you!

 

The research on happiness, health and longevity continues to indicate that those most happy are those who feel that they are having a positive impact on others and/or on the planet.

 

Let’s use this time around International Women’s Day March 2012 to celebrate you, your passion and purpose!  Use the following questions to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul!  Feel free to share these questions widely and wildly with your soul-sisters.

 

1.  Gain clarity on those activities, people, issues that you are passionate about supporting.  Use a journal, or vision board, or do some art to tap into your unconscious for messages from your deeper self.

 

2.  Ask and answer the following … “What does my spiritual self need to feel nourished”?

 

3. Determine those daily actions & behaviors that make you feel ‘the most you’, those things that make you ‘feel good in your skin’.

 

4.  Ask and answer ‘ what am I passionate about’?  If you come up with a blank, that’s great too!  Then ask your self ‘how can I unlock my creativity’.  The answers may not come quickly…, give yourself time, over the days, you may get twinges of inspiration and whispers of messages from your soul!

 

5. Engage in random acts of kindness.

 

6.  Really get to know a woman from a culture different to you.

 

7. Every day, start the day with gratitude and by listing all the things that are good and great in your life!

 

To help with this process, you may wish to use the Topaz Lotus Life Crafter 2012!

 

 

May your day be filled with sacred delight and soul-sisterhood!

in peace & mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan the flames.” ~ Rumi

 

 

International Women’s Day is coming and some of the things that connect us all are the ways we adorn ourselves and use art, jewelry, clothing and ink to give special meaning to our lives!

Some women use henna tattoos prior to marriage as symbolic adornment. Some women wear necklaces and earrings, some women have tattoos, some adorn themselves with third eye art; I have created my own ‘sacred stack’ bracelet and each one has a special and sacred meaning to me.

My personal sacred wrist stack includes a pearl & leather bracelet made by an artist in Sayulita and it reminds me of how much I love traveling in Mexico; a fragrant rosewood mala from Tiny Devotions which reminds me of all the different Spiritual traditions and how these traditions meet ‘in the middle’, 3 Satya bracelets, 2 crystals, one wood with a lotus, tree of life & Om which remind me of my own spirituality, the heart and soul and that we are all connected and also that there is a Soul-Sisterhood in the world as I have become connected with the women where I purchased these, 3 small beaded Love Pray bracelets which reminds me of the spirit of entrepreneurship and all my virtual friends & an individual twist of a beaded necklace that I added which reminds me that I am unique, creative and whole! The bracelet circles remind me of the circle of life and that we are all connected!

 

A huge acknowledgement to the women artists and women entrepreneurs who have created these amazing pieces of  sacred jewelry and who have connected with other women to market and sell their jewelry!  Women in small business support many families around the world!

And, a special thanks and shout out to the yoga studios who have carried some of this wonderful jewelry; Chantal and Shanti Yoga in Tsawwassen and Semperviva Yoga Kitsilano Studio in Vancouver.

May your day be filled with sacred delight and soul-sisterhood!

in peace & mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul

“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan the flames.” ~ Rumi

 

One of the first areas we covered during my coach training was a personal exploration of our life ‘values and needs’ and how these play out in our personal and professional lives and life work balance.

 

For clarity and common understanding:

Values:  Values are the essence of who we are.  Values are principles that you hold to be of worth in your life.  Values are those things considered right, worthwhile, and desirable- the basis of guiding principles and standards.  Values tend to stay the same throughout life and provide the basis for how we live our lives.

A further distillation….

Crystal Values: a value that is so important to you that if it is not incorporated into your life causes your life to shatter.  Think of what happens if you drop a crystal ball.

 

Rubber Values: a value that is important but that can bounce away and then back again without you feeling dissonance.

 

Needs:  Needs are different than values.  A need is ‘a condition or situation in which something is required or wanted.’ (from the ‘free online dictionary’).  Needs change throughout one’s life and life situation.  There is an understanding through the coaching, psychological, emotional, social intelligence fields,  that adults are 100% responsible for ensuring their needs are met in a healthy way.

 

When I start working with a new coaching client, one of the first things we work on is to develop clarity about their values and needs and once there is clarity, the coaching question is:  ’are you living your life from a foundation of clear and strongly held values or from a place of unmet needs.?’  This question often catalyzes a very interesting discussion!

 

The benefit of clarity in values is a strong life foundation from which to make decisions and to act as personal guidance in how you choose friends, a job, a life partner for example.

Dissonance occurs when one’s personal values are out of sync with other elements in one’s life.  A good example of this is in a work situation where an individual has a strongly held value of ‘sustainability’ and protection of the environment and then finds out that their employer is dumping toxic waste.  Another example of this type of dissonance is when a workplace has stated values, however, these are not followed and the actions of the organization are out of sync with the organizations stated values.  This type of dissonance is a common cause of work place and occupational stress.

Values dissonance in one’s personal life often  shows up  most clearly in relationships.  A personal life example of  values dissonance  is illustrated by the ‘new couple’, where one of them strongly values ‘family’ and the other strongly values ‘freedom & flexibility’.  Friction may arise when the value of ‘family’ (Sunday night dinners with the extended family) bumps up against the value of ‘freedom and flexibility’ (freedom to ‘on the spur of the moment’ take weekends off to go hiking) for example.

 

So, values are involved in how we live and needs are involved in how we act!

 

It is very common to use relationships to try to get our un-met needs met and this is very natural if one is in a relationship that is consciously agreed upon by all, for example in a friendship, a family relationship, a romantic relationship.  It gets much trickier in the work situation as the relationships are tacitly agreed upon.

Some of the classic examples are folks using their work relationships  with colleagues to meet their un-met need for ‘emotional connection’ and companionship in their personal life, using an older colleague to help meet unmet needs for ‘nurturing’ from parents, using the organization to help meet unmet needs for ‘recognition’ from one’s family of origin.

You will know if someone is using you to get their un-met needs met if you feel an ‘energy drain’ in their presence, like your life force is being literally sucked right out of you.  These folks are sometimes referred to as ‘energy vampires’!  Another way to know if un-met needs are ‘at play’ is if there is a perception of conflict or edginess; the expression that is often used here is that these people are ‘growing up all over each other.’

 

Benefits of having clarity on one’s needs are: you can learn to get your needs met in a respectful and honoring way by integrating them into your career/life; recognize they are a unique part of you; learn to clearly ask for what you need; feel whole and complete when you take responsibility for getting your needs met; maximize life fulfillment by honoring your needs.

 

Having clarity about your values and needs is the key!  Clarity leads to self awareness, self-responsibility and work life balance.

 

Reflect on your values and needs and here’s a life and  leadership coaching tip, write it all down!  Get a special journal or create a new folder in your computer and consider: your life purpose/mission; values (both crystal and rubber); needs; what and who are the people, places, actions and activities that nourish you and deepen your life fulfillment and meaning?

 

in peace & mindfulness

namaste,

Zoey

Topaz Lotus Life & Leadership Coaching for Women

wisdom coaching to set your heart on fire and soothe your soul 

 

“Set your life on fire.  Seek those who fan the flames.” ~ Rumi