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
The Art of Being
Nature's Coaching Tips
Going Green Tip of the Month
Readings for the Journey
Upcoming events: Special offer -Early Registration Deadlines Extended to Sept 4th!

Quote of the Month

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
        I want to know what you ache for
        and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing!
It doesn't interest me how old you are.
         I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, 
         for your dream, 
         for the adventure of being. 

from: Mountain Dreamers Poem by Oriah,  Indian Elder 
 

The Art of Being

It seems we have become a nation that honors the human doers and forgotten the value of simply being humanly present. We fear that if we are not accomplishing something every minute, we are wasting our time. We no longer wrestle with "To be or not to be," but are constantly consumed with "To do or not to do." Recently, I came across a wonderful twist to another old saying:
                            "Don't just do something, stand there!"

Often in tumultuous times, the wisest thing is to be still. Instead of jumping into the fray, become grounded and quiet. We don't need to always fix or change things or take action just for the sake of doing something. Every action does not require a re-action. Sometimes it is more important to just acknowledge what is.

If someone is suffering from illness or loss, the greatest gift you can offer is your compassionate total presence. A dear friend was very ill. At first I kept offering sympathetic platitudes such as," You'll feel better tomorrow" or "It could be much worse." Until finally I realized she just wanted someone to hold her hand and be present with her in her pain. An even more powerful experience is being fully present with someone facing imminent death. To be a witness to that journey is a deeply, heartfelt act of love.

As a parent, when we see our children struggling with peer pressures and society's expectations, the best help we can give them is the comforting knowledge that we will always be there for them. The same is true when friends share their troubles. Often they are not seeking our advice, they just want someone to witness their struggle and stand by them.

Nothing is as profoundly healing as a fully present compassionate human being. Consciously being is the most valuable act of kindness, empathy, and respect we can give one another. Learning to BE is an art form not a science. It is the most intrinsic form of personal expression there is, for it encapsulates the essence of who you are.

So how can you cultivate the Art of Being? Here are a few simple tips:
• Slow down and breathe!! Become consciously aware of each breath. Your inhalation and exhalation is the most fundamental process through which you intermingle with the universe. When you want to connect with your true being, try placing your hands on your heart and feeling each breath as it gently comes and goes.
• Become a wise observer. Stop and listen with your whole being, engaging all your senses. Notice the finer details of what you are seeing, hearing, sensing, and smelling. Then after consciously looking through the zoom lens, slowly draw the lens back to gain an ever widening perspective. Now call upon all your senses again, this time to observe the big picture in all its glory
• Embrace the present moment. Purposefully, let go of all preconceived notions and judgments. Drop the 'should have's' and the 'could have's' and the 'if only's.' Choose to truly accept what is. Acknowledging that on some level, perhaps beyond your comprehension, everything is as it is meant to be.
• Allow the possibilities to unfold. We don't have to be the primary catalyst for solutions. That is a drastically limiting belief. We need only to hold the space and allow the answers to reveal themselves. Fully being present opens the door for intuition, synchronicity, and grace. The horizon of possibilities is far broader than our minds can conceive; we need only to be open and ready to receive.

So remember, "Don't just do something, stand there and BE!"

Nature’s Coaching Tips

At the end of August and early September, the monarch butterflies gather in large numbers to begin their transatlantic migration. I love going to the Cape May Point State Park to see twenty or more of these intricately patterned butterflies all on one blossoming bush after another.
The duration of their journey actually exceeds most of their normal lifespans. The monarchs born in early summer live less than two months. But those born into the last generation of the summer go into a non-productive phase known as diapause and may live seven months or more.
It seems impossible that these delicate creatures could possibly survive this two way migration, traveling up to three thousand miles. Yet every year, they fly in masses to the same winter roosts  and often to the exact same trees.
Amazingly, nature finds a way. A seemingly impossible journey becomes one of intuitive knowing and instinctual awareness. That is why I appreciate the monarch butterfies as wonderful harbingers for the season of Fall. September is a time of fresh beginnings and I find it very freeing to start a new journey trusting and knowing that I will somehow find my way.

Going Green Tip of the Month

It's back to school time! The September issue of The Sierra Club Magazine has a wondeful article about the top green colleges in The United States (www.sierraclub.org/greencolleges). It is very exciting to see all the innovative and commited actions being taken by the faculties and students of our acddemic institutions. They get it! No one needs to be convinced of the importance of this issue! These are the future leaders, innovators, and workers of our country! Yeah!!!
Take a look at what they are doing.  Ask your children what's being done at their schools. Be inspired.

Readings for the Journey

 Change Your Mind and Your Life Will Follow, by Karen Casey

Sacred Contracts, by Caroline Myss

Not Your Mother's MidLife: A Ten Step Guide to Fearless Aging, by Nancy Alspaugh and Marilyn Kentz

Upcoming Events

HORSE SENSE: An Adventure Retreat for Women (September 25th): This is a unique opportunity to connect with your Self through a magnificent animal. The day will include time to groom and connect with your horse, a beginning riding lesson, and personal visioning activities. Where: Thorncroft Equestrian Center, Malvern, Pa. Time: 10- 3:30 Investment: $80 / before Sept 4th $70 Limited to 8 women!

CAMP ME, MYSELF, & I: A SELF CARE RETREAT IN CAPE MAY (Sunday, Oct. 5-Tuesday Oct.7th): Life Coaches Patt Osborne and Karin Marcus will team up again for 2 nights and 3 days offering a combination of outdoor adventures and personal growth activities. Location: The Marianist Family Retreat Center in quiet Cape May Point, just steps away from the beach and Cape May light house Your Investment: $369 before September 4th/$399 after September 1st. Includes: modest single or double accommodations, all meals, guided group activities, all retreat materials, plus a coaching session with Patt or Karin to continue your self-care once you get home. Payments can be made by check or on-line with PayPal. To register contact Patt at: 609-953-0027 / patt.adventurecoach@verizon.net, www.adventurecoach.com

PURPOSE CLARITY TELECLASS (Oct. 8,15,22&29 Wednesdays 7-8pmEST)
Are you searching for your purpose in life? Are you looking for a new direction? Are you re-evaluating your priorities? Are you craving more meaning in your life? Then you will benefit from this Purpose Clarity Program. It will help you rediscover your inspired self and identify your future direction. Your Investment: $200 / before Sept 4th $175 includes EBook, 4/1hr group calls, and 1 personal coaching session.

WALKING WITH INTENTION (Friday, Nov. 6): Enjoy a 3.5 mile hike exploring the beautiful John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Our focus will be on reconnecting with your life purpose and living with intention. Time: 10:00 to 3:00pm Investment: $70 early registration by Oct. 23rd / Later $60

PATHWAYS TO SELF HEALING: A Women's Retreat to Nurture the Body, Mind and Spirit
(March 15-21, 2009 ):Join us for 6 days of renewal, reflection, and adventure at the Maho Bay Eco-Resort in the Caribbean. East meets west in this unique program with Asian Body Therapist Linda Marrical teaching the art of self acupressure, and Life Coach Karin Marcus guiding women to become environmentalist of their souls.
Your Investment: $1,380 includes 6 days of lodging and all retreat activities.
Easy Payment Plans: Save $50 with single payment by cash or check $1,330.Or pay by installments $100 non-refundable deposit to reserve you spot followed by four $320 payments

For More information on these and other retreats go to www.SteppingOutCoaching.com. 

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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