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
In Gratitude to 2009
Upcoming events: Winter Reflections: A Weekend Getaway Jan 29-31, and How to Cope With Change Workshop 

Quote of the Month

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and
creates a vision for tomorrow."
~ Melody Beattie ~

In Gratitude for 2009

December is finally here. During this closing month of the year, I intentional make the time to acknowledge and reflect on all that has occurred in 2009, the joys and sorrows, the accomplishments and loses, the lessons learned.

My first challenge is to remember all that has happen. So I like to take a personal day from work and declare it an Errand Free Zone- no holiday preparation allowed. I find a comfy place to sit, with a nice cup of tea, and glance through my journal and my date book. I’ve gotten into the habit of creating a Top 10 Goals for the Next 90 Days Worksheet every three months, so I also like to review those. I’m always amazed to see all that has transpired in one short year.

My next step is to reflect upon all these events from the wise perspective of hindsight. Things that seemed so important or difficult now appear small and inconsequential. Conversely, some things that seemed easy and insignificant turned out to be major turning points. In the years that I have faced tragedy and grief, I find it important to witness my healing process with the passage of time. And most importantly, I need to acknowledge all that have to be grateful for, my family and friends, my heath and well being . So every December, I take the time to journal about the lessons learned, the values reinforced, and the milestones of my year’s journey.

This year I’ve decided to add a new step to this acknowledgemnt process. I am going to build a cairn in gratitude for 2009. A cairn is a manmade pile of stones used to mark milestones, pathways, astronomical movements, and burial sites. This practice of stone piling has been around for centuries and is thought to have originated in Scotland. Today it has become an art form as can be seen in the works of the British artist, Andy Goldsworthy. If you like to join me in this new tradition, here’s how

Building a Gratitude Cairn for 2009

First, decide where you want to position your cairn. It may be in your garden or a shelf in your house or at a favorite destination. My husband and I like to walk a wooded path nearby our home and someone has been building cairns there by the stream. These cairns actual inspired me to build one of my own, so I will position mine nearby.

Next, select which events you want to honor in your cairn and then set out to find a stone for each. Keep in mind you want your stones to graduate in size and shape from top to bottom. Your foundation stone may represent just that – what has been your greatest source of strength and support this year. Your last and smallest stone might represent the cherry on top that made this year special.

Now, clean of your stones and make your final selection of say 3 to 7 rocks. Take them to your chosen location and ceremoniously place one on top of the other. You may want to play some music, you may want to make a statement or say a prayer , or you may simple observe of moment of silence with the placing of each stone.

Finally, step back and appreciate what you have created. Perhaps creat a drawing of it in your journal explaining the meaning of each stone. But most all, take a extra special moment to give thanks for all the gifts and lessons of 2009.

Upcoming Events

HOW TO COPE WITH CHANGE: Using Nature's Wisdom to Grow through Life's Inevitable Ups and Downs (Wednesdays 7-8:30pm 1/13-2/10/10).
Learn to embrace the Seasons of Change and move through life's transition with grace. This five part course was developed by Carol McClelland PhD who personally certified Karin Marcus as a Seasons of Change Coach. Where: The Healing Touch Center, 1327 E. Darby Rd, Havertown Pa. Your Investment: $100 for 5 sessions

WINTER REFLECTIONS (Jan 20-31)
Enjoy a weekend in the country to renew, reflect, and reconnect with your feminine power. Gather with like minded women for 2 nights and 3 days of inspiring workshops led by Asian Body Therapist Linda Marrical and Life Coach Karin Marcus. In a cozy cabin surrrounded by the quiet winter woods, you will have the opportunity to indulge in quiet reflection, sharing and laughter. Location: Graystones Preserve in the Poconos (a private cabin with fireplace, living room, kitchen, and double occupancy bedrooms). Investment: $375, includes lodging, food, and retreat activities. Reserve your spot now with a $100 deposit.

EMBRACING LIFE’S CHANGING PATTERNS: A Woman’s Retreat to Nurture the Body, Mind and Spirit (March 3-9, 2010)
Join us for 6 days of renewal, reflection, and adventure at Estate Concordia on St. John Island in the Caribbean. East meets West in this unique program with Linda Marrical teaching self acupressure, Chi Kung movement, and breath work, and Karin Marcus coaching on the healing qualities, accessing one's innate wisdom, and creating a personal vision. Your Investment: $1,750 includes all retreat activities, plus 6 days of lodging in spacious double occupancy Eco-tents with kitchenette and modern conveniences. Reserve your spot now with a $250 deposit.

CUSTOMIZED RETREATS: Are you looking for a retreat for your co-workers, a community group, or close friends? Or do you need to get away by yourself to gain clarity on an issue? We work with individuals and groups, designing custom retreats that focus on specific needs, whether it is marking a transition, learning to cope with change, or needing some extreme self-care

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.

You can view past editions of this newsletter at http://www.steppingoutcoaching.com/newsletter.html

You can subscribe or cancel this newsletter by visiting the subscription box on my home page at www.SteppingOutCoaching.com, or by using the links in the footer of this newsletter.

If you find value in The Seasoned Path please pass it along and ask your friends to subscribe. Thank You.

Help me stay with you on your path. If you are enjoying The Seasoned Path, please protect your subscription. Each month I get several "undeliverable" messages after sending out this newsletter. After three "undeliverables" my broadcast service deletes the email address. If your email address is about to change, please remember to visit my home page and unsubscribe your old address and subscribe your new address. And if your email service automatically deletes large broadcasts like this one, let them know you want The Seasoned Path from Karin Marcus to come through.

And keep updated. As a subscriber to The Seasoned Path you receive this e-newsletter once each month. If you would like to subscribe to my "Keep Me Updated" list (also about once a month), announcing upcoming adventures, outings and offerings from Stepping Out Coaching , just zip me an email with the words "Keep Me Updated" in the subject line.

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.

Although this material is subject to copyright, you may reprint this publication, in whole or in part, in your company publication, in training, presentations, or wherever you feel it would be of benefit. This also holds true for members of the media. All I ask is that you include the following: Reprinted with permission from Karin Marcus www.SteppingOutCoaching.com

The names of newsletter subscribers are not shared or sold.

Copyright © 2007 by Karin Marcus. All rights reserved.
33 Narbrook Park
Narberth, PA 19072