 Creating a sacred space is as simple as placing a single flower in a vase. Then setting it on your desk, table, windowsill, or anywhere you will see it often. The idea is to create an ambience that supports your well-being. For some of you that may mean a full on altar where you can meditate. For others it may look more like wallhangings representing your passion whether it be baseball or origami. The result is the same. When gazing upon or entering into your sacred space, you instantly feel a sense of inner peace and belonging. Work environment Many of you are now working out of your homes. If you're lucky, you had already established a home office complete with desk, computer, and printer in a designated room. Some of you may have had to become more creative, carving out a corner of the laundry room, the kitchen, or dining room. Each of these spaces offer you endless possibilities! Preparation You'll be using all of your senses so take a big deep breath in and out. Ground yourself. Breathe into your heart chakra. That’s right in the center of your chest. And set your intention to create your own personal sacred space. Part 1 Begin by looking around at every wall, floor, ceiling. Notice the lighting fixtures, the window dressings. Sit down at your desk. Is it organized or cluttered? Listen to the background sounds. You may find that your overhead fan makes an unbearable whirring sound. You may be able to hear what’s going on in the rest of the house. Is it quiet? Loud? Breathe in and smell. That’s right. How does your office space smell? Is it sweet and fragrant? Or musty? Is it fresh and clean? Or stale and dusty? Keep going! We’re almost there. Feel the chair you're sitting on. Is it comfortable? Hard, soft or somewhere in between? How does the temperature feel? Does it feel cold or just right? Part 2 Which area of the room do you spend most of your time in? If it’s at your desk, you’ll focus on that area. If it’s in a winged chair by the window, focus there. Let’s take your desk for example. Going back to whether it’s cluttered or organized. An organized desk is like a blank canvas or even a clear mind. It is the perfect setting to begin your day with focus. How to organize Filing system. This can be done in your file cabinet, desk drawer or desk file organizer. Label all of your folders or place stickie notes on the top page of any project and paperclip them together. These options create a uniformed look. Place your pens and accessories in a drawer or holder vs having them scattered about. Keep your electronic equipment/devices available in order of their usage. ie. Desktop computer and monitor belong where else but on the top of your physical desk! I’ve been using laptops for the past decade. I like to move around, and they provide me with the flexibility of doing so. So, my laptop is placed … on the top of my desk or in the middle drawer of my desk. It is my first go-to. Make your first go-to readily accessible. If you have multiple devices like an iPad or iPhone (you can see I’m a big Apple fan!), keep those devices that are least used tucked away, ideally in a desk drawer where they can be easily accessible. Most people can’t be parted with their mobile phones, so yours is usually on you. Word of caution - you may want to keep your phone off of your person ie, don’t carry it in your pocket. Although small, the electrical currents carried do not serve your body. Back to your workspace Sit in your chair and ask yourself what could make you feel happier in this spot. What would brighten your area up? What would inspire you to do your most creative and effective work? Then let the ideas flow! Here are a few ideas to get you started. Fresh flowers - they not only bring color and life into a room, but often fragrance. Quotes - these may be from a spiritual deity or leader offering blessings. Or they might be from your favorite business leader offering you encouragement on your path. Photo - of loved family members whom may very well be why you’re working! Of friends whose presence reminds you to celebrate at the end of the day or week. Of nature - peaceful scenes to relax your mind and body. Of your passion like a ballerina posing an arabesque or a football player making a touchdown. Incense - appeals to your sense of smell. It also has spiritual associations and helps to restore relaxation. Crystals - each have their own magnetic healing properties. Learn about them and find one or more that bring you the benefits you seek. For instance amethyst may act as a natural tranquilizer, relieving stress and balancing your mood. It is known to activate spiritual awareness and intuition. Citrine is aligned with your third chakra located in your solar plexus also known as your power center. The crystal may be used to strengthen self esteem and empower any project you may be working on. How to activate them? Take several deep breaths in and out. Allow your eyes to relax while maintaining focus on your crystal, and set your intention. “I now bring positive energy around my project, my day, my self!” Have fun and place a candle next to your incense and crystals. Allocate an area of your desk for just these items. Place your flowers, photos, and quotes in another area. Your computer in the center. You’ve just created a sacred work space! Alana Cahoon is the Amazon #1 Best Selling Author of Mindfulness, Mantras & Meditations: 55 Inspirational practices to Soothe the Body, Mind & Soul. www.AlanaCahoon.com.
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Dubai was a beautiful land nestled along the rim of the Persian Gulf lined with sand & palm trees. Although there was a strict dress code to be adhered to when I lived there, many long & flowing silk-skirted women were seen walking to and from the souks. I was not one of them. Having just moved there from NYC as a singer/songwriter/actress, wearing modest clothing was not my strong suit. That hidden reserve from Catholic School days was brought back into my wardrobe. I did, however acquire a beautiful silk sari & choli top, the traditional clothing of India. The only time I’ve had the opportunity to wear it was at a halloween party! Similar to the Indian sari is the Arabic costume of the belly dancer. The bedia is a fitted top and belt both decorated in beads or sequins with a flowing skirt or harem pants. The fabric is often made of mesh or sheer material in every color of the rainbow. Belly Dance (Oriental Dance or Raqs Sharqi) or is an appreciated art form that visitors can admire at the many 5 star hotels and restaurants in Dubai. But wait! You don’t have to travel across the continent to experience the exotic beauty of not only the flowing garments but of the classic moves of the dance, and of course, the bellydancer herself. You can find it right here whether that’s Upstate NY or Upstate Nevada. Meet MARY MONROE, Queen Goddess of Belly Dance You may know Mary as the Multi-talented musician, strumming her harp or singing sweet vocals with her partner and band on stage. Or you may have studied any of the following instruments with her: harp, guitar, piano, ukulele, voice, violin. Or you just may have learned how to bellydance from her. Mary admits that bellydancing is a new form of art for her but one that the Universe has clearly guided her to lead. “During the pandemic I began to study bellydance online. I immersed myself in it. I loved the way it made me feel.” Once the world began to open up, Mary added a combination of salsa and bellydance to her musical stage performances with Nate & Mary’s World Music Quartet. Opportunities to teach began to show up effortlessly. “People in the audience would light up! Women were inspired to dance themselves. Three women approached me and asked if I would teach them.” That’s how it began. But her love for dance started much earlier in life. Mary’s first passion in life was not music but dance. She started ballet at the age of seven with the dream of becoming a ballerina some day. Eventually she shifted her focus to modern dance, then ballroom and latin dance, salsa being her favorite. “There are a few myths about bellydance. One is that it is a sexual dance. This myth needs to be debunked.” Admittedly it appears sexual with strong and deliberate movements of the hips and torso. But sensual is a more accurate description. “It is a kind of dance that tells a story between the drummer and the dancer. Often, you improv according to the rhythm.” “It’s such a spiritual form of dance. It’s freeing, not restrictive as compared to ballet.” She sometimes feels like she’s having an out of body experience, similar to a runner’s high or the effect one has during trance dance. “It made me feel much better about my body.” Like many of us, Mary has faced eating issues. Bellydance has improved her health and wellness and overall body image. “It makes me feel beautiful! Even having extra weight is desirable. I used to think my arms were big. Now I love them and show them off.” Mary especially appreciates her hips, and knows how to move them! “This dance form is moving to the audience, not just the beauty of the movement but joy in the dancer’s expression.” Mary admits that she’s not a master belly dancer. “Several people tried to put me down. Told me I was a musician not a dancer.” She just let it go and followed her bliss. She wasn’t going to let that stop her from bringing joy to others. “The joy is what’s most important. People feel it. Its’ contagious. That’s how you connect to others. When you’re aligned with the energy of joy.” I started dancing with Mary this summer. Magically a dance troupe was formed! You can enjoy the mystique and beauty of performances online and throughout NY. “Now we have a dance troupe! The Glowing Goddesses. We have gigs statewide and are now dancing with Buddahood.” On a final note: “You’re doing it because you like it. It makes you happy. Not to get approval or attention. When you’re doing it for the pure joy of it, I think that’s when it opens up.” Thanks Mary. See you soon ~ Mary Monroe & The Glowing Goddesses Upcoming performances Aug 21 G Lodge. Hannibal, NY w/Buddhahood Aug 22 Keertana Music Video Online Release Party Sept 3 Estival Festival. Caneadea, NY w/Buddhahood Oct 16 75 Stutson Street Venue. Rochester, NY w/Nate and Mary's World Music Quartet & Special guest Bakithi Kumalo and friends (bassist for Paul Simon) Nate & Mary’s World Music Quartet performs statewide combining the sounds of World, Ambient, Pop, and Americana. More familiar names in the music scene join her with Nate Coffee on guitar, Tommy Gravino on flute and Steve Imburgia on percussion. Alana Cahoon is the Amazon #1 Best Selling Author of Mindfulness, Mantras & Meditations: 55 Inspirational practices to Soothe the Body, Mind & Soul. www.AlanaCahoon.com. Read the article on page _ of the August 2021 issue of RochesterWomanOnline
responsible to pay. She commiserates, complaining about how awful her job is, her boss is, and just about everything else.
Then she stops. She thinks about it and asks what is the lesson? To be more careful with the sales process. That's too obvious, albeit true. Upon further contemplation, she decides to review her employee handbook, and discovers that there is a clause that may support her error. This offers Carol the opportunity to self advocate, something that doesn't come easily to her. To be honest, and take responsibility without blaming others, a true characteristic of maturity and emotional intelligence. In the end, she may be let off the hook or not, but she has moved closer to living an authentic life, one that will continue to be filled with challenges! There are no mistakes. Only lessons.
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We all remember the magic of play. Spinning around then collapsing onto the grass to watch the world spin around us. Pretending your doll was your baby. Fighting with plastic army men. In every case, we used our precious imaginations to take us away from the present world and lead us into a creative exploration of our own. These experiences empowered us. They brought us joy. When is the last time you played? Welcome to the world of Improv! When I was a theatre major in college, improv was one of my favorite practices. It allowed me to strip off the should’s and open my mind to the spontaneous. To trust that everything I needed was already within me just waiting to be chosen. To release rigidity. To have fun! The world of work can and often does, if not always takes us away from using the imagination to focusing on the practical. ie. What needs to be done today versus what would I like to do today? The value of play allows us to enjoy the to-do’s. Improv is a great segue between work and play. Meet Megan Mack When Megan and her partner visited for dinner, we were about to call it a night, when suddenly she mentioned improv. What followed was a gate opening in my heart and mind to the dreams & joys I had in my 20’s. We laughed. We played. We did improv! As it turns out, she’s an expert, so I asked her … What is improv? “Performing without a script. Everything is made up on the spot.” What does that mean? “You work with your teammates to discover characters, environments, relationships and scenes. I use the word discover intentionally because everything you need already exists in the space where you’re playing.” Ah. Yes. Words of wisdom. Megan reminds us that sometimes we just have to get out of our heads for the innate wisdom to shine through. How does this serve corporations? “A lot of what we learn in improv makes you a better listener and speaker. It helps you to think outside of the box. When you do this with a group of coworkers, the hierarchy seizes to exist. There’s no power dynamic.” Woah. How does that work? Do CEOs jump into this game or do they hesitate? “Once they get past their initial nerves of jumping into improv, 99% embrace it. They work together. It’s a great bonding tool.” Benefits of Corporate Improv Workshops • Team building • Staff relationships • Listening • Public speaking • Communication skills • Thinking outside the box Example of Improv Greetings Participants are guided to begin by talking to each other. Using their listening skills, they follow the direction of the teacher/coach. • Imagine you haven’t seen each other in ten years • Pretend you have a crush on this person • Act as if they owe you money Megan shares that during this practice, participants can experience a variety of emotional ups and downs. The act of mirroring helps to develop empathy for the other person, and becomes an effective bonding tool. It also allows everyone to be silly together. Being in the wellness world of conscious leadership, I asked Megan whether improv provided stress relief. Does improv reduce stress? "Absolutely. One of the rules is ‘Don’t think. Don’t get stuck in your own head.’ When you’re asked to go into a situation with a blank slate, you get to play! How often do you get to do that?” Megan Mack leads corporate improv workshops and teaches monthly improv classes at the Rochester Brainery https://rochesterbrainery.com/collections/acting-improvisation She is the Executive Producer of programs at WXXI, and can be reached at mack.megan01@gmail.com. Creative Coach & Author, Alana Cahoon leads individuals to grow their businesses, expand their minds & heal their souls. www.AlanaCahoon.com Read the article on page 324 in the May/June 2021 issue of RochesterWomanOnline
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When I lived in Dubai back in the 1990’s, I wanted to take pictures of everything; the sprawling mansions, the roaming goats, and the women clad in black. I got the first two but the last was not allowed. And I wasn’t interested in being attacked with acid. You’re curious now about the women clad in black, and the acid throwing accusers! We’ll start with the latter. You see, some people took it upon themselves to judge others, specifically women - being judged by men. Women had not been given any rights yet, none that I was aware of. Acid throwers were especially keen on doing so to women who were not dressed properly. An ankle shown, a forearm visible. I’d like to state that these restrictions have been altered since then. By what degree, I am not sure. It was quite a while ago. And Dubai is a beautiful place to visit! And so, as a New Yorker, fresh from 10 years in the music & performing arts scene, this was all quite radical. How much did I have to cover? Of my body, that is. Other than needing a written letter of permission from my husband to drive a car, I was permitted to dress as I liked. I was a westerner. But this freedom had its limits. God forbid I left the neighborhood. Just as in NYC, you had to know your way around. While one direction may take you to the theatre, another may take you to Hell’s Kitchen. So I learned early on to dress wisely and only drive in areas deemed appropriate. Back to photography. This may come as a shock to many of you, but in the mid-late ’90’s cell phones had only been introduced, and did not come equipped with a camera. Lucky for me, I was used to carrying my pocket-sized Minolta with me wherever I went. And I went as far as I could go! One of my early ventures out on my own (no - I was not wearing shorts) was to a nearby souk. This is the name used for a market. It was outdoors, and lined with tents resembling kiosks where men sold their wares. There was an older man selling spices of every color! It was a beautiful picture to capture. I first asked permission, showing him my camera, miming my intent. He carefully pulled the white scarf wrapped around his head down to cover his neck and ears, then nodded permission. Men, it seemed did not have quite the same reservation as women did about having their photo taken. Women feared that if you took a photo of them, their spirit would be captured into the camera, never to be returned. I pondered this. ‘Do they really believe this? Do men?’ As the saying goes, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans’. And so I honored these new customs, and learned to revere the spirit within each of us a little more deeply. I asked a few photographers today whether they ‘captured the spirit’ of those whom they photographed into their photos. Here’s a bit about them, and this is what they had to say …. Chrisom Bebe https://www.chrisombphotography.com/ When Grow 2 B U Studios was located in the Neighborhood of the Arts, Chrisom did as well. That was pre-covid. Although her main clientele is & was weddings, she offered to take photos of my studio. She did an amazing photo shoot of yoga asanas and sitting meditations. In my mind, she easily captured my spirit. “So when I hear ‘capturing someone’s spirit through photography’ it absolutely makes me smile. Photography not only freezes time, but it captures a moment, a feeling, a path to bring you back to that memory, and this is why I love what I do.” “We love our clients and love watching them grow through our lens. We pride ourselves in capturing the in-between moments, the moments that truly capture someone’s laugh, smile, tears, emotions. Our clients become our family.” I asked if she only photographed weddings. “Yes our main client base starts with weddings but then grow with maternity, newborns and family sessions. We love staying with our clients through all their special moments.” Like a doctor, your personal photographer is always there for you! Thanks, Chrisom for sharing your light. Dr Dawn Mamikunian Dawnsacupuncture.com Speaking of doctors and wedding photography … Dawn was my wedding photographer! She later introduced me to the healing benefits of Accupuncture. Just as Chrisom shared, our relationship continued and evolved. Dawn eventually became the PR photographer for my music career. Then, as I began my holistic health practice, she and I were in the same wellness group, Natural Alternatives. In classic Chinese Medicine style, Dawn shares the following in regards to ‘capturing ones’ spirit in a photo.’ Healing with Qi through Photography and Acupuncture I was told by a client that when she saw her photograph, she had a different appreciation of herself. A true healing and total self love. A spontaneous healing of love and light. To capture light which is energy, Chinese call it qi or ones body life force, a spontaneous healing can occur. Qi energy photography love. All the same. Dawn’s clients are mostly woman between their 30-70s. I’ve come to love Acupuncture and highly recommend her healing work. Renee Veniskey www.immaginephoto.com You’ve likely seen Renee at RWN (Rochester Women Network) events. She’s the charismatic creative carrying her camera around ready to click at a moment’s notice! Renee took an amazing photo shoot of me for my holistic business among the spring blossoms at Highland Park. "I truly believe that the spirit can, in fact, be captured in a photograph. However, not in a negative way. Our spirit is in our eyes, in our smile, in our glance. The delight comes from capturing it within the photograph to be saved and cherished forever. Even if it’s not a joyful spirit, capturing that pure emotion is still very special. As a photographer, there are moments with I know immediately, that I caught it. It’s rare but always beautiful.” Renée owns immaginé Photography. Her passion is working with Women-owned businesses, helping them to share their own passions through photographs. He approach is fun, casual, and relaxed. “I bring my camera to your life—at your place of business, or at your favorite place in the world.” Thank you to these amazing visual artists for sharing their gifts & insights! Rest assured that while your spirit may be captured in a moment, and that moment may live forever, your spirit is always alive within you! Creative Coach & Author, Alana Cahoon leads individuals to grow their businesses, expand their minds & heal their souls. www.AlanaCahoon.com Read the Article on page 354 of the April 2021 issue of RochesterWomanOnline Please scroll up to the top of the blog post to leave your COMMENTS You probably made your first dance moves at the age of two in your living room either dazzling your parents or getting in the way of your big sister and brother. From that day forward you couldn’t stop. There was a pulse that kept you bouncing, moving, dancing. You may have channeled that energy into sports like soccer, baseball or snowboarding. You may have hit the dance floor hard, either studying to be a professional ballet or broadway dancer, or you may have gone out clubbing. Chances are, you still are… Bouncing, moving, dancing. And if you’re not, you are missing out, girlfriend! Yoga-Rave I got my first yoga teacher certification six years ago. To celebrate, I attended my first yoga rave. It was being held by my teacher, Aimee Senise Connors, a long-time yogi expert in the area. I loved it!!! With full theatre swag, we layered light-up bracelets on our wrists, unicorn & evil-eye stickers on our arms, and fake jewels on our faces. It made the ensuing 75 minutes of synchronized yoga moves both doable & enjoyable. The DJ spinning a yogi’s dream mix was awesome, too. But the best part of the yoga-rave was the dance at the end. And did we dance! Strobe lighting streaked the high ceilings of Harro East ballroom. The party was on. Until we were were called to Savasana, that sacred zone where you bring your energy back, honing it into your heart chakra. Feeling a sense of peace and vitality. Needed: Lights, music, stickers, space Benefits: Fun! Socializing. Weight-loss. Fitness. Balance. Peace. Vitality Yoga-Dance The first time I took Yoga-Dance was at Kripalu, my favorite yoga & wellness retreat center located in the Berkshires. It was led by Jurian Hughes, a former Broadway Dancer. She combined dynamic yoga poses along with freestyle dance movement to create a playful session that wakes up not only your body but your soul. This style of combining yoga with dance is, simply put, fun! The best part? You don’t need any background in either, just a willingness to release inhibitions and let go. Needed: Openness to explore the ways your body can move Benefits: Theatre fun! Great workout. Release. Journey Dance I was also introduced to this style of movement at Kripalu. Led by the one and only Toni Bergins, a rock star of movement. Journey Dance is described as a movement that “… leads participants on a ritual journey of physical and emotional transformation.” This is a great reminder that when we truly get into our bodies and out of our heads, we are able to get in touch with inner wounds. Dance or movement allows the body to release this. Her website continues its description, "Through breath, sweat, and expression, you gain a palpable experience of yourself as pure powerful energy.” Awesome! That’s what we all want and need - to access our own inner power. Toni has trademarked her style and offers classes around the world. Goddess Dance Bringing it all together Back in the day when Grow 2 B U studios was in full swing, my colleagues and I collected our gifts, techniques & teachings to create Goddess Dance, a culmination of love-inspired movements, meditations, and activities. I was leading one of my Goddess Within Retreats during the summer. We were having so much fun, literally dancing in the parking lot with scarves and jewels. The feminine goddess had been awakened in each of our hearts! Simultaneously, Aimee Ruscio-Condon was leading her Women Circles throughout the month also in our studio space. Collaboration was a natural. Meet Aimee Ruscio-Condon Aimee’s background is all about dance. She trained in ballet from the age of 3 years old to 18, and followed it up with a variety of styles like lyrical, jazz, and tap, then exploring alternative movement like Tai Chi & Chi Gong. “You’re like riding these waves of energy,” she shares in reference to Tai Chi. Being a professional business woman and mother of two took her away from her passion of movement. In addition, she began to feel like she was getting too old to dance. Too old to dance? Never! It was a performance by Elizabeth Clark, a ballerina in her 70’s that inspired Aimee to think again! She decided to study with Clark, this time focusing on modern dance (my favorite!) “How can I think that I’m too old to dance? It’s silly what we tell ourselves. Anyway. That’s how I began to reconnect to dance.” Aimee’s studies continued for 5 years. She then began to accompany Clark as a co-teacher with children classes. Trance-Dance Now equipped with modern dance, Ms Ruscio considered yet another form of movement called trance-dance, also known as conscious-dance or ecstatic-dance. It has almost a hypnotic quality, like a runner’s high. At her beach house in Florida, she discovered a drumming circle that opened her heart & mind to this new form of movement. Looking at pictures of her, you can easily see Goddess energy pouring through her. “I’ve never felt more alive in my whole life.” “There’s a shamanic element,” she shares. “Now I’m dancing more with intention. It’s very powerful - to set an intention and then focus on it while you move.” Goddess-Yoga-Dance Join us! We’re continuing the journey of self expression through movement on Friday nights. Yoga-dance parties are held online using zoom. So far we are having a blast & would love to hold space for you, too. If you’d rather not be seen, step away from your device’s camera. If you’d like to feel like you’re in the middle of the room with everyone, get closer! Feel free to drop in for the evening or pop in and out at your own leisure. It’s all about fun, community and … Bouncing. Moving. Dancing. Goddess-Yoga-Dance With Alana, Aimee & Nicole Fridays 7:00 - 9:30 PM EST Zoom in at your own comfort level Feel free to stay for the whole session or pop in & out Benefits guaranteed to make you smile, increase your endorphins, lose a little weight, tire you - out in a good way, feel like you’re part of a community! Details www.AlanaCahoon.com https://wisteriahealingarts.com Creative Coach & Author, Alana Cahoon leads individuals to grow their businesses, expand their minds & heal their souls. www.AlanaCahoon.com Read the article in the February issue of RochesterWomanOnline
Today I may have overdressed. I put on my sleek black leggings, covered them with torn edged blue jeans, and if that wasn't enough, pulled on a protective layer of ski pants. You’re probably thinking I was overdressed. Not quite yet. But by the time I put on my tank top, long sleeve thermal, sweater, zip up hoodie, and last-but-not-least floral design ski jacket, hood and all, I likely was. I also grabbed my ski hat, gloves, and gator neck cover. Then pulled on my hard-core gnarly boots. At this point, I wondered, “Can I even move?” But this is what we do in the north coast of NY to protect our bodies from lake-effect snow and the brutal, chilling wind it carries. After spending an entire year stuck in this house - well most of the year anyway - bundling up to go outside and catch the sunlight when it creeps out from beneath the clouds is a must, regardless of the effort it takes. I am reminded of bundling up a toddler to play in the snow, only I am that toddler now. And that is the spirit needed! The spirit of a child who is about to go outside and play in the snow! This winter has been a hard one for everyone. No amount of hot chocolate or zoom yoga could warm our souls. So out into the tundra we went. Well, I did, anyway. I traded in my downhill skis for snowshoes, and explored the beautiful grounds of NYS parks. I covered my face from the fierce wind and boldly took photos of the natural snow formations on Lake Ontario. I did not make snow angels. I did not build a snow man - or woman. But I did feel the spirit of winter, and did my best to capture those images. How would you describe the spirit of winter? Was it similar to mine? Or did you find yourself working behind a desk with a space heater by your feet? Baking chocolate chip cookies, playing Enya, and exercising in the home gym you now have in your basement? By the time this is published, it may be spring. Gentle snowflakes may now occasionally fall from the sky to remind us of the magic of the seasons. We will be breaking free from our wool coats and hats and gloves, trading them in for our spring gear. Out with winter colors and in with bright florals, pinks and oranges. Anything that affirms that the flowers are about to bloom, the trees will sprout their kelly-green leaves, and birdsong will fill the air. This inspired me to google search upcoming fashion trends for spring 2021. Far from what I poetically conveyed! Here are the newest top trends predicted. Silvery Metallics The shinier the better. OK. I’m thinking this is reaching for the silver lining, and wearing it, too! Mirror Turtleneck Things are beginning to look a lot like disco! Who needs a hanging disco ball when you’re wearing this shiny shirt? Oversized Denim Your boyfriend’s … or girlfriend’s clothes may start to disappear, especially if they’re a larger size than you typically wear! I’m all in for this. The covid belly may now officially be hidden. Bold Neons The 80’s have returned! Fuchsia and Turquoise are all in. Spring? Yes! Bring on the color. The list of new fashion trends goes on with wide collars and see-through clothing. How does fashion affect your spirit? Does it reflect it fully? Does it allow her or him to come alive? Or do you find yourself hiding your soul under fashions that don’t really fit your style? What about your Ugg boots? Will you be wearing them year-long? I tried on my first pair recently. They were the warmest, snuggliest, and most comfortable boot I’ve ever worn. But that was on a blustery cold day with single digit outdoor temperature. I doubt I’d be able to bare the warmth they provide on a hot summer day. Sandals definitely reflect my spirit in the warmer seasons! What does your spirit gravitate toward in the summer? Are you a beach person? Wearing shorts and mid-drifts, walking barefoot in the sand? Or do you prefer the cool shade of a tree by a pond? Or inside an air-conditioned building? What do you find yourself wearing? Close-knit tops? T-shirts? Baseball caps? Or summer dresses and floppy hats? The next time you enter your wardrobe, whether it’s a small closet you share or a grand walk-in, think about what entices your spirit. Which article of clothing brings a smile to your face? Then imagine how you’ll feel walking around wearing that outfit. Will you feel relaxed, chill? Energized and ready to go? Theatre is a wonderful way to express your inner spirit! The costume is what brings the character to life. The final flick of the fan. When dressing or selecting new clothes on your next shopping spree, allow your inner authentic self to guide you. It may be the silvery metallic onesie that will not only set your world on fire but everyone else’s, too! You may find yourself ignoring the latest fashion trends altogether, happy with the ‘soul-self’ clothing you’ve already established. They are your choices, after all. What’s important is that you feel your best while wearing them. Seasons. They allow us to either break free from old patterns, whether it’s fashion or activities, or they remind us that the pattern we are currently in is just where our spirit wants to be. Check on that now. What are you wearing? What are you doing? What is the season? It may be the reason. That’s it for now. I look forward to seeing you making tracks in the snow, shifting gears into spring, and bathing under the sun or shade this summer. And fall? That season deserves an article all to itself. Creative Coach & Author, Alana Cahoon leads individuals to grow their businesses, expand their minds & heal their souls. www.AlanaCahoon.com
Read full article in the March issue of RochesterWomanOnline
Health and wellness. These have never been more threatened than in the past year, and on a global scale, causing anxiety, stress, and depression. Facing the unexpected pandemic has had its positive side, too. It’s realigned our values and opened our hearts. It’s helped us to put our lives into perspective. As we reflect on our blessings, we realize how fortunate we truly are. The challenges dim in light of them. Take a moment now to draft a list of your blessings and your challenges of 2020. For inspiration, read on! Being a Business Owner Meet Andrea Parros, owner, Red Fern restaurant Andrea beautifully describes her experience! “My greatest blessing in 2020 was the pandemic.” What? Did she say the pandemic was her greatest blessing? OK. Let’s hear her out. “When the virus caused the shutdown, I finally got to slowwww dowwwwn.” Oh, I see now. You got off the hamster wheel most Americans have been riding the past decade. “I opened the restaurant seven years ago, and have been running at full speed, virtually non-stop ever since.” Classic business owner scenario, myself included. Be careful entrepreneurs! This could be you if it hasn’t already been. Many if not all entrepreneurs believe that if they follow their dream and run their own business, they’ll be happy and in charge of their calendar. They visualize all this free time. And then, reality kicks in. 8-hour days become 12 and 5-day weeks become 7. Here’s a safe way to manage and avoid this rollercoaster. Mindfulness. According to Andrea, it took the pandemic to bring her to the beauty and stillness of the present moment. “I got to experience the most quiet & solitude I had in ages. It was so calming to hear my own voice, my own spirit again.” Meditation. Try that now. Close your eyes. Take a few long breaths in and out. Listen. First to everything around you. Then to the sound of your breath. Say to yourself, “Breathing in I breathe in. Breathing out, I breathe out.” Doing this even for 1 minute will bring you back to yourself and the present moment. Another classic example of entrepreneurship is getting pulled away from your passion. You end up running the day-to-day admin and business affairs vs. what you actually love to do. “I hadn’t cooked or baked for the restaurant since we opened, yet that was one of the main reasons I opened the business - because I LOVE to cook! To be able to experience the joy of creating food again was just such a blessing.” Her biggest challenge? “Navigating business operations and … being mindful of how my decisions would affect over 40 staff!” Remember to support your local restaurant. Order take out. You are not only treating yourself to a delicious meal, but are keeping business owners in business and their staff safely employed. Job Transitions Losing a job that she really enjoyed was difficult for Shoshana Cherney. You may know her via her infamous Hula Hooping videos! She enjoyed working in restaurants, and developed a goal to become the next great chef. In March, she was about to start a new position at a Michelin star restaurant when everything changed. Eventually she found a job as a cashier. With true spirit she shares, “My greatest blessings this year honestly have to be my greatest challenges. These challenges changed me for the better and pushed me to adapt. They’ve shown me how strong of a person I truly am.” The pandemic effected our economy worldwide, and hit home for many. Ellen Fleche had to enter early retirement, and has experienced a feeling of loss not only for her work but for her co-workers. None-the-less, she is grateful for the health of her loved ones. While her business has stayed afloat, Artist Andrea LiquidArt has found the closing of local resources to be a challenge, but the national connections with art lovers a tremendous blessing! Family, Health & Music We’ve been advised to keep our pods near and dear, and for most of us that means spending more time if not all of it with family. It may be a blessing of a challenge. By bringing creativity and balance into the mix, the blessings rise to the top. You may be familiar with Brenda Bolton Tremblay, and wake up to her music programs on WXXI. Her greatest blessing in 2020 was to make music herself. I love that! She also took advantage of having her kids back from college by going on family adventures. Her greatest challenge? “Tearing myself away from the news and staying centered and focused. Following the election and the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, I often felt overwhelmed and riveted by the history unfolding in front of our own eyes. It’s been an amazing year!” It certainly has. Surround yourself with music and family to bring balance into the mix. For Andy Willoughby learning how to play Mustang Sally counts as a blessing. Awesome! Some of us have had to face our own health scares like Ken Columbo who survived a heart attack. Thank God & Goddess! While others have managed the well-being of their loved ones like Marty Magoon whose father has been isolated in a nursing home. Knowing that he’s OK is a comfort, but not being able to see him has been tough. Geri Billotti-Van Auker shares this experience but balances it with the joyous birth of her first grandchild. Yvonne Ventura misses the freedom to socialize with her friends but appreciates the generations of loving family surrounding her with laughter and joy. Pets! Pets! Pets! On a recent zoom call, everyone was accompanied by their pet! It seems that during a time where socialization is on the freeze, adopting a pet makes it to the top of the list. I got to meet Cookie, the lovable companion of Kimberly Patrick Russell. Whether snuggling or taking walks together, this furry friend helps Kim to adapt to the strange new world. Dating During a Pandemic Do you even dare to kiss? This has been the challenge hurled at Beth Eustis. We used to be roomies back in NYC, both with a love for theatre. It looks like we’ve maintained similar paths. Her greatest blessing last year was being approved to be ordained in the United Church of Christ. Thank you to everyone who shared! May 2021 be filled with wishes answered. You can’t underestimate the power of gratitude. Yesterday, my client told me that she was grateful for me, that I entered into her life during a time of chaos, and today she is calm and successful. She meditates daily. She balances the growth of her company along with the growing up of her children. She’s content. Hearing her words meant a lot to me, and even brought tears to my eyes. This is why I do it after all. Serving others. To help you reach your potential, to grow your companies while balancing your family life. To experience the benefits of mindfulness. Being grateful, and sharing it, can make a tremendous impact on those around you. It can even make an impact on things. We often approach the exercise of gratitude by focusing on what and whom we are grateful for. But we rarely approach the exercise from the receiving end. Receiving gratitude propels us to get up and keep going. It reminds us that we’re on the right track. That we’re on purpose. That what we do and are, matters. When is the last time you said you were grateful for your kids to your kids? Maybe when they’re making a mess being creative, yet inspiring you to drop perfection? How would your gratitude effect them? It may instill self-confidence and the desire to expand their talents. It may encourage them to seek out attention with good behavior. It may give them a sense of safety. It may give them permission to express who they are. Have you ever looked your partner/spouse in the eye and said thank you, maybe not for anything specific, but just for being themselves, for being in your life? How would this shift your relationship? It may bring more laughter and ease. The desire to be supportive. It may increase intimacy or develop friendship. When have you looked in the mirror and thanked yourself for being you? Just you. All that you have been and would like to be. For your interests, your values, your eyes. Think about how that may effect your well-being. You may begin to radiate an outer glow that glistens around your skin. You may be encouraged to take on that new class, or prepare to run a marathon. It may allow you the time to slow down and take care of yourself. Try that now. In fact, try all three. Notice the response. Write them down. When we record our ideas and experiences, we cement them into our minds. With that recognition, we appreciate them. When we offer gratitude to all those around us, more of their goodness arises. They feel appreciated, noticed. The same is true when we receive appreciation from others. We feel good and motivated to continue on our paths. What about things? Inanimate objects? If we look at the sky and are thankful for its greatness, will it always be there? The sun? The moon? The stars? Will the new day continue to wake us, and the slumber of night lull us to sleep? By offering gratitude for those things we take for granted i.e. the sky, you are filled with a sense of your connection to it. Without the sky, the sun, the moon, we most likely wouldn’t be here. With this awareness, you recognize that you have an impact on its wellbeing. You begin to take better care of it i.e. by lessening pollution, recycling more diligently, growing indoor plants. They - the sky, the moon, and the stars - may respond by cleaning the air that you breathe, and prolonging the lifeline of the planet. I asked a few people what they are thankful for, and offered my appreciation for them in return. It’s a lovely exchange. The nest time you’re with friends and family, try it. It also serves as a fun and insightful team-building exercise. Jane Roberts, Corporate Executive, ESL “I guess I am thankful for the people around me that make me feel safe to pursue my happiness and strength. And thankfulness for hope. Hope keeps me strong for the unknown.” Jane, I am thankful for your determination to grow both in your personal life and career path. Your leadership paves the way for other women to rise in corporations. Losing over 50 pounds AND competing in triathlons inspires others to do it for themselves! Lareena Cometa, Esthetician, Bare Element “When I say my prayers at night, I say thank you for everything including the comfortable bed I’m sleeping on. Mostly, I’m grateful for being safe all the time and feeling protected.” Lareena, I am grateful that you invest in yourself to live a life of purpose and integrity. For your thoughtful, spontaneous and fun-filled demeanor! Diana Palotas, Director of Advancement, Trinity Montessori School “I am thankful that love and acceptance will always prevail over hate and exclusion. It may take some time, but they will prevail!” Diana, Thank you for being you. The kind, sensitive, loving and good natured woman that you are. Peggy Trabert, Creative Consultant “Right now I am thankful that I didn’t get blood all over the white wallpaper that I am hanging when I cut my hand and literally bled all over the floor and ladder. Other than that, I am thankful that I don’t know anyone so far who has personally suffered with COVID illness and I’m thankful for good friends like you.” Peggy, I am grateful you’re OK! Thanks for being sincere, solid and efficient. Your design skills coupled with your precision tools makes you a leader in your trade. And for your friendship. I know you will always be there. What are you grateful for? Who’s grateful for you?
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AuthorAlana writes her monthly column 'Mind, Body, Spirt' for RochesterWomanOnline focusing on the balance of all 3 in a creative manner, filled with inspiration. Archives
November 2021
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LocationGrow 2 B U Studios
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