Next Stop...India

Hi All,

It is now 1 week until my trip to India, and I have to say the excitement I am feeling is indescribable, I still can't believe I AM going to India. There is so much involved when planning a trip overseas, between all the shots, and documents, I am finding it to be quite the process. Every time I think I am finished, and have everything I need, I talk to someone, and then, they remind me, I still need to venture out yet again. It almost feels like Christmas where, you start preparing early, but then days and hours before your still running around doing the last minute things. 

There is just so much to take in, I am absorbing and learning with all of the reading and researching I've been doing. The biggest thing for me is to respect their culture and cherish and appreciate everything that comes my way. The main reason for the retreat/journey is to tap into my spiritual side, and of course learning more in depth tools and movement in Yoga, and Meditation. I am really looking forward to the Meditation, for someone who suffers from insomnia I am excited to see how I can use this in my everyday life. I need to learn how to shut off my brain, I am an over thinker, over analyzer, and my mind races with so much, and I haven't figured out how I can just shut it off.

I recently received the itinerary for the trip, it just made it so much more tangible and real. I think that is when it really hit me, and put me on the incredible high I am feeling. This has been an amazing year so far, and it is only going to get better, I can feel it. What I am hoping to accomplish is to have a better understanding of, who I really am, what do I like, what do I want, be a better person, and the bonus is to relax and feel rejuvenated. I am blessed and feeling blissful, this is MY time!

Recently my husband and I have been conversing about the changes we are feeling individually and as a couple, I am loving the person he is becoming. My husband was brought up in a religious environment, and although he never lived the way of life he respected it very much. Over the last year he has worked with an amazing individual who has guided him through his journey. Within the last few weeks my husband has been feeling a higher calling and with that higher calling came the light of the higher purpose. This conversation was so deep, I could hardly understand it, and I was very confused. Since then, I have a better understanding and just sit back and watch him grow and learn.

So going back to my trip, it is all making sense to me now, the calling to India that I've been feeling is running parallel to the calling my husband is feeling about the changes in his life. With no real spiritual background, or religious upbringing the pull for me to go India makes sense now. India is one of the most holiest places in the world, and perhaps while I am there I will find my spiritual direction. My husband has found his, he is just waiting for me to find mine. Until then, we will open our hearts and let God take us where we are meant to go.

Again, a big thanks goes to my husband for supporting and encouraging me on this part of my journey.

Much Love,

Shelley

xoxo

The Journey into Life Coaching: Preparing for India...More then just the documents...

The Journey into Life Coaching: Preparing for India...More then just the documents...: "Hi All, Here I sit 32 days away from my trip to India, and I have to tell you I am so excited. Initially when people found out I was going t..."

Preparing for India...More then just the documents

Hi All,

Here I sit 32 days away from my trip to India, and I have to tell you I am so excited. Initially when people found out I was going to India, they were like why India? I tried to explain, but unless someone feels what I feel it is hard to explain, I think I summed it up fairly well on my previous blog. Now that people realize I am in fact going,  they have been so supportive, and the kind words have been so encouraging.

I am trying to think of everything I need to bring and all the precautionary measure I need to take to ensure I have no issues while I am there, or when I come home. The great thing is the leaders I am going with are veterans, and they do these trips every year, and so far there has been no sicknesses or injuries with any of her groups in the years Rita (Rei of Light Yoga) has been going.

I have one shot left to get, and pick up my prescription for the anti malaria and I am all set, all I am waiting on my Indian tourist visa, and I am good to go. How exciting are these times, I look back at where I came from, and where I am headed and think wow, if I can do it anyone can. I say this blog is about preparing for India, but in essence it really is about a whole lot more.

In my first blog, I indicated I would talk business, and I would talk about personal matters in my life, so today I am choosing to to talk about my own personal journey.  When I was a child, we traveled a bit, went through the U.S. and then with my ex-husband we did some traveling through the U.S. as well. We also did a couple Caribbean trips as well. I knew I always wanted to travel, and I always bugged to travel, but it was not in the cards anymore, either financially or because of responsibilities. So now I  that I have this unbelievable opportunity I am embracing this trip and am going to reflect and appreciate it so much.

I've been doing my research, and I am reading alot of great things about India, and a couple of other things that leave me a little nervous. I know the culture shock is going to be crazy, I know when we go to the Ashrams, there really is minimal to no talking, well this is going to be challenging but nonetheless I am going to embrace and really appreciate the silence. After all this is about going somewhere where I have peace and quiet, and maybe just maybe being able to go to the bathroom, or have a shower in peace lol. We will be meditating, and the funny thing is I don't even know how to meditate, boy am I ever going to be a fish out of water, but at the same time, this is all new learning's for me which means personal growth, so I am totally okay with that.

I have to give a shout out to my husband,  he is not a traveler, he loves going home to Newfoundland and that is all he wants right now, and I totally respect that. I also love and respect the fact he supports and encourages me to travel, or to do what I need to do to find my answers, and he doesn't hold me back. It is going to be alot of work for him, but he will be holding down the fort with Kayla while I am gone, I really hope she is good for her Daddy. Wouldn't hurt if you all checked in on him ;) LOL.

I am going to try and blog every couple of weeks, so this is the latest interims of planning and my thoughts, I hope you enjoyed reading my blog.

Had a few questions...

I want to make this an interactive blog, tell me the craziest thing you ever did to come out of your comfort zone? Also what were you feeling when you did? Are you a risk taker?

If you don't want to note your comments on my blog, then send me a FB message or an email sharris0569@rogers.com.

Thanks again for stopping by...until the next stop...Over and Out

Much Love,

Shelley

Time For Me ~ My Call To India

Hi All,

My moto for this year is "Time for Me" and in approximately 6 weeks I will be off on my journey to India with friends. When I seen the movie Eat Pray Love, it really spoke to me, I was already thinking of going to India, but it was confirmed after watching the movie. I could relate to it more then any book, or movie I've ever seen. When I left there, I turned to my friends, and said, there was something about that movie. Maybe because I've been a caretaker all of my life, and a wife and mother, and never just "Shelley". So the questions started popping up, who am I, what am I all about it, what do I need, what am I missing, where do I go from here, well that movie answered my questions, and then when given the opportunity to go to India, I had no choice but to say yes, I am going, it's my calling.

Many people ask why India, there are several reasons why I chose India, I have a dear friend that teaches, and visits India every year,  and I get consumed with emotions when I hear her stories. I am on a journey, and I feel it calling me there, it has answers for me, and I am going to find them. But before I get started I would like to thank my friend Rita, from Rei of Light Yoga, who has allowed the opportunity for me to be a part of her group as I search for answers and spiritual guide. 

I am all about growth, I cannot grow when I am "stuck", so it's time to push myself, and do something "way out there". As a Life Coach, we push our clients past their comfort zone, so if I am going to push my clients, I need to start by pushing myself first, so off to India I go. I am excited, and nervous, and all I can think is wow, this is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I am going to appreciate, absorb, and reflect as much as possible.

For someone to come out of their comfort zone, it takes courage and confidence. It feels uncomfortable, and awkward, but when you do, you will grow, find clarity, and have a sense of freedom. I've continuously taken steps to discover who I really am, and what I want. It's time to start making my vision real, I've laid down the ground work, now it is time to build the foundation. I need to mentally and physically give myself to my vision, this trip will bring me focus and clarity. 

I am so excited about the itinerary, we are staying 4 days at the Rainforest House in Rishikesh  http://www.rainforest-house.com/index.html, 4 days days at Hotel Surya in Varanasi http://www.hotelsuryavns.com/ and in between we will be taking train rides through India, with stops for a few days at different ashrams. For someone who has only traveled very minimally, this is going to be quite the trip, I will feel like my 3 year old, curious about everything. 

What I am excited about the most, is visiting the orphanages, I know at some point I will be making a phone call to my husband, and asking to bring everyone of the children home. I want to play with the kids, I want to teach these kids, and I want to love these kids, I can't wait to meet them. I will embrace and cherish those days, I will never forget my trip to India, I am not there yet, but I can already feel change, and growth. I just can't wait to get there, and find the answers I am looking for. 

Once again, thanks everyone for stopping by...TTYS

Much Love,

Shelley

xoxo

Passing my Exam

Hey Everyone,

It has been almost a month since I past my final exam with CTI, I had to take the Oral portion of the exam to complete my designation to become a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC).  I had so many emotions running through my mind, not to mention my heart. To some it was just protocol, and completion, but to me it meant so much more.

I've been waiting to write until I could express the feelings I felt when I received confirmation that I had passed. Throughout my life I was never encouraged to go to college/university, which was unfortunate because I had a gift that needed to be shared. I realized in my late 30's that I was meant for a different path in life, there was a higher purpose for me, but what was it, I often found myself asking?

I am an abuse survivor, a divorcee, a child with a parent addicted to pain killers, volunteer, mother, sister, mentor, coach, and the list goes on. I've seen it all, I've heard it all, I have the experience, and wisdom to help others who have lived a similar life. What I will tell you is the choices you make and the paths you take will determine the life you lead. The choice I made was to break the cycle in my family and provide the greatest life possible for my kids.

When I had my youngest child and I was on Maternity leave, I felt like a shift was happening in my life, I did not know what was happening but it was an amazing feeling. It felt like I was being sent a message, to follow my dreams, you have a gift use it. So I decided when I went back to work I would begin the curriculum to become a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach. I completed the curriculum, but I wanted more, so I went through the process of certification for the designation of CPCC.

While in the program, I was supported by my husband (new), my children, and my friends. Unfortunately but expected, I never received any support from my parents, and one of my brothers. They thought many things of me while I was going through the program, they tried to discourage me but I was above that, I knew this was meant to be. "You won't finish, your wasting your time, your wasting your money" etc...So when someone tells me I can't do it, I go full force and do it even harder.

You maybe wondering how any of this has anything to do with passing my exam, but I will tell you, throughout my life I was always told you are "stupid, dumb, a mistake, idiot, you need to be in special schools" etc... So hearing that, I had always judged myself, I am not educated, I am not smart enough, I can't compare to smart people, I am dumb etc...

What drove me was not wanting to live as a victim anymore. I felt as though I was forced to live in victim mode my entire life, but living like that was doing nothing for me.  I had to come way out of my comfort zone to pass my exam. It was one of the hardest things I went through, but the end result was I knew I had to pass. I want my kids to know, when you want something bad enough you go for it.

I persevered, and I accomplished. Other then giving birth to my children, this has been the biggest accomplishment in my life. I no longer live in victim mode, I forgave the people who hurt me, and I trust my higher purpose will be achieved.

Thanks again for stopping by...

Happy Holidays to you and your Family...Stay Safe Everyone!

Much Love,
Shelley Harris

Teen Life Coaching Message

The Movement of Forgiveness...

Hello All,

To forgive, or not to forgive? How many of you are in a place just like me where you can or cannot forgive? I am in my 40's and I am a abuse survivor. I have lived a life of anger/frustration/and confusion towards people who were suppose to love and protect me. I lived my life in a complacent state. Was it right no, was it safe no, but it was my life and it was all I knew. 

I feel I missed out on a lot of things, sure we went on family trips, and we had nice Christmas presents, but what about the emotional/physical responsibility of being a parent, and the safety and security of raising your children. I wanted to believe my parents were doing the best they could, but it was hard as a child to see "normal families" and to know yours was just "different".

Today I am choosing to forgive the people who hurt me. If you asked me a month ago if I could forgive the individuals I would have said flat out NO! I am working with an amazing individual who has me looking in areas I never knew existed or were even possible. I feel the shift is happening in my life, and it feels great to FORGIVE. Showing forgiveness is a sign of strength, and I hold the power to forgive and no one can take that away from me. 

This statement rings so true for me... ~Let your heart guide you through this journey that you are on... Take the pain that you experience and grow; and always be grateful for it, always. ~

If I didn't go through the experiences in life, I would never be where I am today, I am happy, fulfilled, and excited for the next chapter of my life. I have an amazing husband and 3 beautiful children, and they inspire me each and everyday xoxo.

Being a Life Coach has opened up an incredible chapter in my life but through all of the trials and tribulations, this is my life and will continue to be my life so if any of this interests you, follow along for the next stop on my journey.

Until Then...

Namaste,

Shelley Harris

Professional Co-Active Coach