As July is flying by and preparations for the second Ely Family road trip of the summer are getting underway, I am reminding myself to keep the focus on family fun and to take things in stride so we can all “enjoy the ride.” After all, we’re going to Florida, not the moon – if I forget to pack something for someone, we can either do without it or buy it when we get there. No real worries, right!

With that thought in mind, I am sharing an encore post from almost exactly a year ago – sometimes when you let yourself step back and outside of the chaos of the moment (i.e., the inevitable craziness that ensues while tying up all the loose ends in preparation for a family trip!), you can’t help but laugh!

The Ideal Client

In coaching, there is a saying that coaches are often their own best clients. Well, this morning, I was a living, breathing, poster-child for a mom who needed to restore balance and make herself a priority in her own life.

I got up bright and early to take the puppy outside and smiled at the thought of all the time I had available to savor the quiet house before the kids got up and I got ready for a morning meeting nearby.

That vision of peaceful morning bliss lasted for about 30 seconds before the kids were up, the waffles were in the toaster oven, and I was somehow left with less than 30 minutes to shower and get out the door. At least the babysitter who I hired for Wednesday’s so I can have one focused workday per week during the summer was on her way… or so I thought, until I exited the shower to tears from my daughters over how the sitter had just called-in sick and now their plans for the day were ruined. Their plans?!!

No time for thinking about what wouldn’t get accomplished now in my day – I had 5 minutes to flat iron my hair and drive to my meeting before it started without me. Of course, I was only 2 minutes into my 4 minute drive before my cell phone rang and my older daughter was still lamenting about how she would now have nothing to do all day. (Considering the upstairs hall closet brimming with games and crafts, the over-stuffed playroom, the puppy waiting to be played with, and a little sister by her side, I didn’t quite understand the despair and desperateness in her voice!) Meanwhile, in my rush out the door, I had forgotten earrings and the only thing close to lipstick I had in the car was a nasty smelling tutti-fruiti princess lip gloss my 5 year old had left there over a month ago!

At that point, as I walked away from my crookedly-parked-too-quickly minivan and into my meeting, I just had to laugh, as I knew just how I would introduce myself today – as my own best client! Hey, I’ve made a lot of progress, but self-growth and self-care is an on-going process… “At least I’m enjoying the ride!”

May today there be peace within.

May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.

May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

– Author Unknown

(Thank you to my friend Jackie Vick of Creating Healthy Kids for sharing!)

Yep – I made up a new word, and I think it’s a keeper!!

How often do you hear that little voice in your head say, “Now that’s inspiring!” or “What an inspiration she/he/that is!”

When you are inspired by something or someone, there is an opportunity there. Inspiration is our Inner-Self telling us that something we are seeing, hearing, or feeling is resonating with us – our values, priorities, goals, our connection to others and to something bigger than us. That’s your ME talking!

Are you listening? What is the opportunity you have, right then and there, to take inspired action (now a.k.a. inspiraction!)? How does this inspiration affect your next thoughts and choices in your day? How would your life be different today if you embraced that inspiration by taking inspiraction on the opportunities it is presenting to you in that moment?

And if you are having trouble hearing your ME during those inspired moments or find yourself resisting taking inspired action, pause for a moment and ask yourself why. Your inspirations are like your tickets to get on the ride you’ve been waiting in line for at the amusement park – it’s your turn, so what’s stopping you from getting on, enjoying the ride, and seeing where it takes you?

If you’re tired of just observing how inspiring something is and are ready, instead, to actively participate in that inspiration moving you forward in the direction that your ME is encouraging you to go, I am here to support you!  You can call or e-mail me (http://www.momevolve.com/contactlynn) today!

Feeling inspired is one thing – doing something with that inspiration is really Something Else!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
Inspiring Moms to Evolve TM
www.momevolve.com

Twelfth Day of Holiday Inspirations for

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

‘Tis the season to decrease & delegate!

If you start feeling the onset of holiday overwhelm – stop, take a step back, and try to see if there is anything you can do to decrease your To-Do’s. Is there anything that isn’t a top priority on your Holiday “Joy-ometer” that you can let go of to free up some time and space in your calendar? Or is there anything on your agenda that can be shared or delegated to a family member, friend, or even outsourced to a service provider. Can you give yourself the gift of an errand service to pick-up the dry cleaning, drop off some packages, and deliver the holiday cookies to the teacher luncheon? Many errand/concierge services have very reasonable hourly rates and could assist with an hour’s-worth of bundled errand-tasks for less than what it costs for a few non-fat, no-whip mochas! Regardless of how you choose to do so, take a look at that incredibly long holiday To-Do list and see what you can manage to cross off or seek support with. The holidays are a season of sharing – so share some of your To-Do’s and make room for some festive fun! ENJOY!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com

Eleventh Day of Holiday Inspirations for

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

Take Joy in Creating Your Own Holiday Experience

One of the biggest reasons many people find the holidays stressful is because, with all of the extra running around, the holiday crowds, and trying to fit so much in, things can feel pretty out of control. So take the time to remind yourself daily that, although you may not get to choose every person you’ll encounter or exactly which inconveniences may throw you off track, you do get to choose your reaction to every external circumstance. You don’t have to fall victim to other people’s bah-humbug attitudes. I read a friend’s Facebook post last week that said she was going to follow her son’s festive disposition and be sure to smile at every holiday shopper she comes across this year. She made a conscious decision on how she is going to show up in the world this holiday season. Just as we each have a choice in how we create our daily experiences, we have a choice how we create our holiday experience. Be empowered, choose a positive perspective, and shine brightly during these gone-before-you-know-it magical holidays!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com

Tenth Day of Holiday Inspirations for

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

Be Grateful.

When you find yourself about to mentally curse out someone who cut ahead of you in the check-out line… or complaining about yet another holiday errand… or are secretly feeling a little resentful that you’re in the kitchen baking your Christmas yams for a houseful of out-of-town family that is about to descend, while your best girlfriend gets to show up at her mother-in-law’s with merely a spinach dip… Stop, take a deep breath, and be grateful. Be grateful you have the money to pay for your items in that check-out line, and thankful that you have a car to run your errands, and appreciative of that family who is making the trek to spend a holiday in the home that you are so blessed to have, with the food that so many others are without.

It is easy, where we’re under stress, to start thinking negatively and settling into a victim-level energy. So, make the conscious choice to focus on being grateful if you feel yourself starting to slip down that slippery slope of self-pity. With this shift to a more positive perspective of gratitude, you’ll enjoy the holidays so much more, and your warmth will be contagious!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com

Ninth Day of Holiday Inspirations for

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

This Season of Joy, find Joy in the little things.

The beauty of Christmas tree lights in a quiet house when you are the last one up…The teddy bear snugliness (O.K., so I made up a word – it captures the feeling though, doesn’t it?) of a hug from children cuddled up in their fluffy winter footy pajamas at bedtime…The look of magical holiday wonder and dreams in your children’s eyes as they watch out the window for Santa… Take time to experience joy in the moment each day this holiday season – it only takes just that, a moment, but the benefits are huge! It’s the stuff that some of the most precious holiday memories are made of!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com

Eighth Day of Holiday Inspirations for

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

Make having a healthy holiday simple.

Practice one healthy habit each day – even the tiniest one – so you can stay energized and bright. Let’s face it, for most of us, there is going to be a missed exercise class at the gym, an extra glass of holiday cheer, and/or indulging in one too many of Aunt Margie’s famous sausage puffs. Rather than beating ourselves up and having visions of too-tight jeans dancing through our heads each night, let’s go a little easy on ourselves. It is the Season of Joy, after all! So, think of one thing you can do each day to feel like you honored your health. Maybe it is parking at a further away than front-row parking space, or choosing a salad for lunch on a day you know you’ll be enjoying a holiday buffet for dinner, or rounding up the kids to take a check-out-the-lawn-decorations afternoon bike ride through your neighborhood, or drinking 3 extra glasses of water throughout your day – little healthful opportunities surround us during the holidays! Choose one or two a day, make them simple and fun, and rest your head easily at night, knowing that you gave yourself a little gift of health during your day!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com

Seventh Day of Holiday Inspirations for

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

Take all of your grandiose holiday plans and cut them by half!

The Holiday Season is a flood of festive invitations, endless errands, and enough To-Dos to make even one of Santa’s elves dizzy with busy-ness! But remember, you are only one person and there are only so many hours in a day. If you over-commit, your Holidays will simply be a blur, like driving through one of those winter white-outs of snow that I remember seeing out the window as a kid up north. Figure out which commitments and plans hold the most fun and meaning for you and your family, and put those on your calendar. As wonderful as it is to be asked to every holiday party and hope to create every holiday craft and potential festive memory under the sun, you won’t be much fun to fa-la-la with if you are over-tired, double-booked, and stressed out to the max. So choose your holiday activities wisely, put some thought into your RSVPs, and plan only a few special family craft/baking items.  Give yourself a little free space and time to take in all the splendor of the holidays in the moment – that way, you won’t wake up January 2nd realizing that the holidays are over and you were so busy running around, that you missed them! Slow down a little, get present, and enjoy breathing in the magic of this very holiday moment!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com

Sixth Day of Holiday Inspirations for

Stress-Taming Tips and Insights to Help You Have A Holiday Season Filled With Peace & Joy

Give the gift of Kindness.

In the midst of all the merriment, be sure to spread some of that Holiday Cheer to your Self by committing to at least one activity each week that is solely for you. Whether it is a hot bath after the kids are tucked in, a coffee with a friend, some peaceful solo-shopping, a quiet tea in front of the fire… whatever makes a little holiday bliss for you! Give your Self the gift of some time for yourself – to settle down from the day’s festivities, catch your breath, and indulge in a little of your own Peace & Joy!

Live Positively Fulfilled!

Lynn Ely
MomEvolve
www.momevolve.com