[Image] Karin Marcus Picture with John Muir Quote

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 heart.

In this Issue:

Quote of the Month
Living Willfully in 2009
Natures Coaching Tips
Readings for the Journey
Upcoming events: Jan 1st discount deadline for Caribbean Retreat and Horse Sence Retreat!

Quote of the Month

Integrity can be neither lost nor concealed nor faked
nor quenched nor artificialy come by nor outlived,
nor I believe in the long run, denied.
-Eudore Welty

Happy New Year!

Living Willfully in 2009

As responsible adults, we are encouraged to create both a Will and a Living Will. Wouldn't it be great to also create a document that declares how we want to live! It could be called a "Living Willfully Declaration." This document wouldn't divide up what we have, or detail how we want to leave with dignity, but instead it would bear witness to the principles and values we want our lives to express. By Living Willfully, I mean living with intention and integrity, purpose and determination, mindfulness and just action. It means consciously choosing how we want to respond to life instead of simply reacting.

Now is a perfect time to reflect upon what your declaration would say. It is interesting that in our culture, the New Year does not begin in the springtime, the season of rebirth and planting new crops, but rather in the winter, the season for withdrawing and reflecting. Keeping this in mind, when preparing your Living Willfully Declaration, you first need to spend some quality, quiet time, contemplating the bigger picture. Here are some questions you may want to ponder and perhaps write about in a new journal:
Who is the person I want to become before I die?
What values do I want my life to reflect?
Who do I want to share my life with?
What supports do I need to put in place to help me on this path?
What do I still need to learn?
How can I realize my utmost potential?

What other questions might you want to ask? Asking the right questions can be more powerful than seeking the right answers. The answers to such cosmic questions are often beyond the scope of rational thinking or one's present level of wisdom. By asking good probing question, you are setting an intention and creating the opening for unexpected answers.

It may be bit overwhelming to create a definitive Living Willfully Document. As with every great expectation, it is best to begin one step at a time. So you may want to start with setting an Intention or Living Theme for 2009. The word 'intention' comes from the Latin root intendere, meaning to stretch toward something. It is not a goal that has a specific outcome. An intention is an aim that guides your actions; it is something realized not achieved. Simply stating an intention invites your intuition, creativity, and the universes' natural goodwill to play apart in the answer's unfolding.

This is very different from a New Year's resolution. Unlike a resolution, an intention is not based on something you want to fix about yourself, but rather how you can elvove into the person you want to be. An intention is receptive and keeps you in the present moment, focused on the process; whereas a resolution is driven and keeps you in the future, focused on finishing.

Again by crafting a Living Theme as a question, you are inviting a certain outcome without forcing a particular agenda or result. It also keeps it off your to-do list and away from self defeating should's. Some examples of Yearly Intentions are:
"How can I live more lightly upon the earth?"
"How can I invite greater integrity into my life?"
"What do I need to do to express more joy in my life?"
"Can I allow myself to be more loving?"

Have fun with this. Try out a few variations until you find one that truly resonates with you and then let it organically unfold. Wishing you a wonderful, willful New Year!

Nature’s Coaching Tips

Eagles continue to appear on my horizon.
Christmas day, my family went for a walk through the wetlands of The John Heinz National Wildlife refuge. This is an amazing sanctuary right within Philadelphia's city limits, surrounded by the international airport, an interstate highway, oil storage tanks, and low income housing.
On my last visit there I spotted an eagle soaring overhead and assumed it was migrating south. This time, however, I was pleased to see a family of three eagles that appear to have taken up residence in the park. It made my heart soar.
I revisited the meaning of the Eagle spirit totem (www.spiritofangels.com/poweranimals.html ): "The eagle is your connection with your Soul. It helps you to see beyond the mundane to your higher purpose." It also gave me the inspiration for my Living Theme for 2009: "Are you willing to soar to new heights?" So if you are struggling with finding your Intention or Living Theme for 2009, venture out into nature and see what crosses your path.

Readings for the Journey

The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems, by Van Jones

Prayers to the Great Creator: Prayers and Declarations for a Meaningful Life, by Julia Cameron

Finding the Deep River Within: A Women's Guide to Recovering Balance & Meaning in Everyday Life, by Abby Seixas

Upcoming Events

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 on St. John Island in the Caribbean.
EAST MEETS WEST IN THIS UNIQUE PROGRAM developed by Asian Body Therapist
Linda Marrical (teaching the art of self acupressure, Chi Kung movement, and breath work) and Life Coach Karin Marcus (focusing on self-kindness, the healing qualities, and becoming an environmentalist of the heart).
Your Investment: $1,380 includes 6 days of lodging and all retreat activities.
Save $50 with single payment by cash or check. Save $50 if you register by Jan 1st . Save $50 if you register with a friend.
Or pay by installments $100 non-refundable deposit to reserve you spot followed by four $320 payments.
For more information or to register contact Karin at: karin@SteppingOutCoaching.com, 610-667-5247 or www.SteppingOutCoaching.com

HORSE SENSE (January 29th) Time to shake off the winter blahs and try something new! This is a unique opportunity to connect with your Self through a magnificent animal. The day will include a n indoor beginning riding lesson, time to groom your horse, and personal visioning activities. Where: Thorncroft Equestrian Center, Malvern, Pa. Time: 9:30- 2:30 YourInvestment: $80. Register by Jan 1st $70

THE WISE WOMEN'S CAFÉ: (1/28, 2/25, 3/25,4/22 ,7-8:30 pm EST) Inspiring evenings of discussion and personal exploration focusing on self awareness, intention, and growth. Where: At the home of Karin Marcus in Narberth. Your Investment: $80 for four evenings: includes all materials and café delights.

TWO MASTERMIND WEEKEND RETREATS FOR WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE
Hosted by Life Coach & Retreat Leader Karin Marcus and
Real Estate Investor & Business Coach Kathy Gilmore
• Connect and brainstorm with other women who share your passion for real estate.
• Design your future with the help of two professionally-trained business & life coaches.
• Relax and reflect in the scenic countryside of the Pocono Mountains winter wonderland!
• Set Goals to Create Success in 2009
Two different retreats are being offered;
REALTORS RETREAT: Fri. 2/6/09 - 7 PM to Sun 2/8/09 - 3 PM
REAL ESTATE INVESTORS RETREAT: Fri. 1/9/09 - 7 PM to Sun. 1/11/09 - 3 PM
Where: Pocono Mountain Cabins in Arrowhead Lake, Pocono Lake, PA
Cost: $500 per person/ save $50 with early registration, 3 weeks prior
Note: Fee includes shared accommodations in lovely mountain cabins with stone fireplaces in private lake community; Fri. Night Wine & Cheese Reception; Sat. & Sun. - Continental Breakfast and Delicious Homemade Lunch. (Dinner Saturday night not included - at a local restaurant)
Contact: Kathy at www.RealLifeCoachingSite.com or call 610-212-4330

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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