Welcome to The Seasoned Path

 Welcome to The Seasoned Path. In each newsletter I will share some of my musings along the path as well as inspirations gained from those who have traveled this way before me. My hope is to tickle your curiosity, heighten your awareness, and encourage you to become an environmentalist for your soul.

In this Issue:

Quote of the Month 
How Green is Your Heart? 
Nature's Coaching Tips
Going Green Tip of the Month
Readings for the Journey
Upcoming events

Quote of the Month

"Carefully  observe what way your heart draws you
and then choose that way with all your strength"
An Hasidic Saying

How Green is Your Heart?

It’s February and there are bright red hearts every where you look. But my question is, “How green is your heart? How sustainable is your inner life?”

Going green is the latest buzz phrase. It is my belief that before we can become good stewards of our planet, we must first become caretakers of our inner landscape. Sustainability means being both environmentally and socially conscious.  A sustainable culture begins with the individual, and then extends to the family, village, region, and the planet.

Each of us must learn to heal our self before we can heal the world. We need to be nurtured in mind, body, and spirit in order to become whole and realize our full potential. The path to becoming “a jolly green giant” is an inside job. Going green begins in our own heart, with self care and self-kindness.

Here are four important questions to ask when setting out to Green your heart:

1. Are you feeding your soul a junk food diet? Your inner spirit needs some quality time with you. Ask yourself, “What really nourishes my soul?” Is it quiet meditation, attending a religious service, reading inspirational material, or going for a solitary walk in nature? Promise yourself to do one thing this week that ignites your spirit.

2. Are you meeting your basic emotional needs through rampant consumerism? Aside from your basic physical needs, what do you really need in your life to feel at peace? What brings you joy? Is it being of service, or being heard, or being intellectually challenged, or feeling connected? Try to identify one or two of your emotional needs and ask yourself, “What am I doing in my life to get this need met?”

3. What are the major energy drains in your life? Make a list of all the things that leave you feeling worn out and depleted. Next to each one write down one of these action steps: Do it; Dump it; Delegate; Deal with it (accept, organize…); Divide it into manageable pieces; Discuss it and brainstorm for possible solutions; or Due date it. Then gradually check off each item one at a time as you resolve it. The long term plan is to reduce the energy drainers in your life and increase the energy enhancers.

4. What toxins and waste products are eating away at your heart? Are you filled with resentment, guilt, and regret? Are you blaming and complaining or constantly thinking, “I should have… If only I could have…” Just stop for a moment whenever you notice these thoughts running through your head. Observe what you are feeling. Then step in to the present moment and witness where your life really is right now. Let go of the past and live from this point forward. Focus on today and becoming the best human being you can.

The Golden Rule says, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” But sometimes, we first need to do unto ourselves what we wish to do for others. Because we can’t give what we don’t have! If we’re run down and emotionally drained, we can’t give our best to our family, our village, or our planet. Going green and having a sustainable life requires a well nourish soul and an overflowing heart.

Nature’s Coaching Tips

The wombat is an extraodinarily wise Australian marsupial. I suggest you go to the following site to learn from this unusual creature.
http://www.globalcommunity.org/flash/wombat.shtml

Going Green Tip of the Month

A “Green” Rose for Valentine’s Day

Every year Americans buy 1.5 billion roses and almost all of them come from Latin America. Virtually every rose is an industrial product treated with 30 different pesticides, 20% of which are banned or restricted in the U.S. These toxins are having drastic effects on both the health of the workers and the environment.
So this year for Valentine’s Day, buy organic roses. These can be found at your local farmers market and at some supermarket chains like Whole Foods. Look for labels like VeriFlors, which is the largest sustainable label in North America meaning that they are both environmentally and sociably responsible. 

Readings for the Journey

 "Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out" by Marci Shimoff

"Nature a Day at a Time: An Uncommon Look at Common Wildlife" by Cathie Katz

"Walking in the World: The Practical Art of Creativity" by Julia Cameron 

Upcoming Events

                                         
BAYSIDE REFLECTIONS: A WEEKEND TO RECLAIM YOUR LIFE
Friday, May 2 – Sunday, May 4, 2008
Come nourish your mind, body and spirit at a weekend gathering of Wise Women by the Chesapeake Bay. For 2 nights and 3 days Life Coaches Patt Osborne and Karin Marcus will provide you with the opportunity to combine outdoor adventures with personal growth activities. You are sure to find both inspiration and laughter while enjoying peaceful country walks, kayaking along the shore, sharing ideas with like-minded women, and savoring quiet time for self-reflection. Now is the time to spring forward, reconnect with your life’s passions, and reclaim your true purpose!

Where: Ransome’s Chesapeake Retreats, Fishing Creek, Maryland
(only 2 hours, 30 minutes from the Philadelphia/South Jersey area) www.chesapeakeretreats.com

Your investment: $495 if you register by March 1st, 2008 ($595 after March 1st)
Includes: Group programs facilitated by 2 certified Life Coaches and Retreat Leaders (Patt and Karin) and all materials,workbooks, accommodations, and outdoor activities.
Deposit: $100 (non-refundable)
Balance due 30 days prior (April 2, 2008)
Payment can be made by check or credit card
How to register: Call or email Patt to register
Phone: 609-953-0027 / Email: patt.adventurecoach@verizon.net

The Small Print

To schedule a complimentary 30 minute coaching phone session, email me at Karin@SteppingOutCoaching.com or call 610-667-5247

Visit my website for more coaching info www.SteppingOutCoaching.com

A Note About My Recommendations
I provide links in this newsletter to products and services I am offering or I have personally found valuable. If you are ever disappointed with one of these recommendations, please let them and me know. If they don't make it right, I will.

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The Seasoned Path is published 12 times a year and distributed by e-mail to subscribers on or about the first Monday of each month. Comments, submissions and suggestions are welcome. Please forward any or all of this newsletter to those you know will appreciate it and encourage them to subscribe for themselves.

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Copyright © 2007 by Karin Marcus. All rights reserved.
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