How many times have you been tempted to take the road less traveled?  Renowned poet Robert Frost gave this advice that rings through ages.

Two roads diverged in a wood and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

It rings true throughout my life as well.  What did you do as a child that you wish you had continued to do? Is there something you still want to do, but hesitate to take that step?

Hardly anyone I know is able to sew a dress.  When I was a girl, I simply believed I could sew because my mother had always made me an Easter dress with puffed sleeves and a big gathered skirt.  Frankly, I wanted more tailored sleeves, but I loved to twirl around and around in those skirts.

When I was in sixth grade I decided I could make my own skirt and I did.  Then I decided to make a dress–without a pattern, like my mother did.  I did and the capped sleeves tore out because I didn’t know how to do it right.  My mother was very patient.  When I yelled and threw the scissors across the room, she said, “Now, Renae, I think it is time to put things away now.”  And I did, but I didn’t quit.

I learned to use patterns all on my own and eventually I designed and made my own wedding dress.  I sewed many matching dresses and school clothes for my eight daughters and even a sport coat for my husband.  What if I hadn’t taken that road less traveled?

I wouldn’t be making pretty puffed sleeves out of filmy organza for my granddaughter’s baptism dress.  She is so excited and I am, too.  We will both remember how beautiful she looks.  The dress was worn by someone else for their special day, but now it is Vashti’s and it will have puffed sleeves made by her adoring Grandma.

It usually isn’t easy to take the road less traveled.  It would be traveled more if it were.  Only those who have determination and vision for the possibilities that lie ahead on that road will step onto it.  Oh, the joy of seeing that vision become real for myself and for others.  I dare you to dust off a dream and take the road less traveled now.  I am taking piano lessons after over fifty years of giving up.  I love it.

Simple Self-Coaching Tip:

Choose just one thing on your road less traveled.  Spend five minutes journaling about it.  Are you a little bit excited about it–maybe a lot.  Go ahead, take the first step onto your road less traveled and then keep going, one step at a time.  I guarantee you will look back years from now with joy and gratitude.  Good for you!!

“I love my life!  I hope you love your life, too!”

Check out “About Renae” above and leave a comment below.  Let’s get acquainted.
I’m going to be around for a long time and I hope you will, too.

Go to my website http://www.womenlovinglifeworldwide.com and receive
FREE “Seven Simple Tips To Love And Coach Yourself To Live Your Dreams.”

“I hope to see you again soon.”

I have always enjoyed change. In fact, I tend to get bored with routine.  That is not always a good thing.  In this case, I am really excited to have a new view of my business and my life.

I have been moving in the direction of starting a new group session of my coaching course, Simple Self Coaching For Women.  I have been very focused and eager, but for some reason, I haven’t quite put it out there for people purchase.  I have felt like I have been sabotaging myself or that I was too afraid, but I kept working in that direction any way.  I even set the date to start on Sept. 7.  I knew that if I didn’t put it out there and do a FB and Twitter campaign, it wouldn’t happen.  It didn’t happen.  Let me tell you why.

On Sunday, my husband and I were asked to take an assignment to minister to about 300 college Freshmen on Brigham Young University campus.  For those who understand the terms, he will be a High Counselor and I will be a Relief Society Advisor.  We will each be training two leadership teams and standing by to support them as they lead their groups of several dozen freshmen each.  Our focus is to teach and inspire them to follow Christ and make good choices at this crucial time in their lives, so they will have happy marriages and families in the future.  It is a very big job and one we eagerly accepted.  We have a strong desire to follow Jesus and to do his work.  We love the youth and this will keep us young.

What does that have to do with you? Well, I am canceling my group coaching program before it begins.  My family and God come before business.  This changes how I use my time.  In order to fit it all in, I got to come up with a new business plan.  I have decided to do some personal coaching instead of group coaching.  I am very comfortable with it and can fit it in more easily than coaching a group.  I will be using my SSCFW program, only being very focused on just one client at a time.  I have enjoyed that experience and been successful with it in the past.  I will only take two clients for now.  Possibly more later.  Is this for you?

Go to the SSCFW website for a description of my coaching philosophy and program. Go to the Products page to consider my rates.  Call me at 801-225-5459 or 801-400-0109 for an appointment for a FREE half hour coaching experience.  If it is a fit for you, I would love the opportunity to coach you to coach yourself to be the woman you want to be.  If it isn’t a fit right now, we will part friends.  Do call and find out.

Simple Self-Coaching Tip:
What would you like to chang in your life right now? Maybe you could reduce your stress, improve your self-care, forgive yourself or others.  Sit quietly for just five minutes and consider what you could do about it right now.  Look at it differently.  Choose one thing you will do right now to change that for the better.  Coach yourself to be your best self.  It feels so good! You can do it!  Let me know how it goes.

Thank you all for your support as I continue to be an opulent woman, rich in every way.

“I love my life!  I hope you love your life, too!”

Check out “About Renae” above and leave a comment below.  Let’s get acquainted.
I’m going to be around for a long time and I hope you will, too.

Go to my website http://www.womenlovinglifeworldwide.com and receive
FREE “Seven Simple Tips To Love And Coach Yourself To Live Your Dreams.”

“I hope to see you again soon.”

There is an over-arching principle that covers all of the laws of the universe and and their application. You could call it the Law of Light.  It is so simple, I hardly dare mention it for fear you won’t take it seriously.

The Law of Light is, “The more you increase the light, the less darkness there will be in any situation or circumstance.”  See, it is truly the most simple of all the laws and yet, perhaps the least acted upon.

Who wants to live in the dark? In order to get rid of the darkness in the room, turn on the light.  It’s that simple.

I heard a story about an old farm couple decided to let a light bulb salesman show his wares.  He turned on a dim lamp and they were astonished at how it radiated beyond the flicker of their kerosene lamp.  They bought one and were happy about the things they could do in the evening in greater comfort.  A few years later another salesman approached them, surprised with their dimly lit room.  With the flick of a switch his lamp illuminated the whole room.  They willingly invested in more light.

How many times do we struggle in the dark, believing, “That’s just the way it is.  I can’t do anything about it.” When in reality you could turn the knob and receive more and more light with each turn of the switch.

This is a lesson I have learned over and over again.  If only I had stuck with my first resolution to live a healthy life-style.  If only I had never neglected my children or gotten cross with my husband.  If only I had been better with my money.  If only I hadn’t allowed myself to get depressed lately over my inability to keep up with all of the demands on my life.

I almost gave up on my business all together, just last week. Fortunately, after suffering for days and talking trash to myself, I came to my senses and realized I was surrounding myself with darkness.  I decided to turn on the light.  It’s interesting how comfortable my gloom had become and how hopeless my situation felt at the time.

It takes a fair amount of courage to reach up to that switch and turn it on. It takes effort, focus and determination, too.  Depression is all too familiar to me.  I hate it and attract it at the same time.  For someone who is suseptable to depression, the slope can be pretty slippery when I get too close.  A little exhaustion, overwork, and self pity can bring on a big bout of depression.

So what did I do to turn on the light? Writing always helps.  I can see right there in black and white how skewed my thinking has become.  A few good nights rest and good nutrition always add light.  Writing my gratitude list is helpful.  Sharing my thoughts and feelings with someone who loves me is a wise choice.

I suppose the most important thing is to realize what I have allowed myself to do and to recognize there is an unending source of light available when I turn to that Source.  The Lord never fails to answer my prayers for more light when I am willing to receive it.  You see, in the end, it is up to me to flip the switch and God brings in the light.

Simple Self-Coaching Tip: Take stock of your ‘light barometer.’  Are you enjoying as much light as you want?  If not, what can you do to switch on more light in your life.  Choose one thing and do it every day for a week.  Check your ‘light barometer’ again.  Yes, it is up to Coach “YOU”.

“I love my life!  I hope you love your life, too!”

Check out “About Renae” above and leave a comment below.  Let’s get acquainted.
I’m going to be around for a long time and I hope you will, too.

Go to my website http://www.womenlovinglifeworldwide.com and receive
FREE “Seven Simple Tips To Love And Coach Yourself To Live Your Dreams.”

“I hope to see you again soon.”

My daisies were so beautiful this summer. Just two weeks ago they were beautiful and full of promise for a long and lovely summer.  The heat increased and the flowers are now spent.  They are droopy and brown and ugly.

What shall I do?  Do I deadhead or not? (For those who may not know, deadhead means to cut off the dead flower heads so the plant looks better and it may produce a few new blooms.)

It takes work to deadhead.  What difference will it make anyway? The dead flowers will just sit there and look forlorn for the rest of the summer.  Next spring they will come up and produce new splendid blooms.  Why bother?

I do it because there are at least six more weeks of nice warm weather and there is a good chance they will give me a few more blossoms.  The flower beds will look cared for and attractive.  It is worth it to deadhead the flowers.  Even though the work is tedious, those last few blossoms in the early fall are the reward for my work.

How many times do we do what we think is needed to complete a job?  We think we’re done.  And yet, with just a little more effort the rewards will be felt much longer and bring greater satisfaction and added rewards.

A little Self-Coaching just might help.

• The cupboard that is never quite clear before going to bed.
• The project at work that wasn’t done quite as well as it could have been.
• The relationship you know you could add a little zest to with a little effort.

What do you need to deadhead to improve the quality of your life?  A little effort can pay big dividends.  Go scrub your sink and see if it doesn’t make you smile in the morning.

Simple Self-Coaching Tip:

Pick one thing to deadhead.  Do it and see how you feel.

“I love my life!  I hope you love your life, too!”

Check out “About Renae” above and leave a comment below.  Let’s get acquainted.
I’m going to be around for a long time and I hope you will, too.

Go to my website http://www.womenlovinglifeworldwide.com and receive
FREE “Seven Simple Tips To Love And Coach Yourself To Live Your Dreams.”

“I hope to see you again soon.”

Whether there are children in your home or not, the summer  season changes things in our lives. We are more apt to vacation.  We are out and about more, meeting and greeting people.  We are more apt to be spontaneous, more apt to party.

On the other hand, life can be more hectic. I remember looking forward to having my children home from school so we could do some things on purpose.  We would work together in the morning, getting the house in order, and then go play together.  We would have picnics and hike in the mountains.  We would have mini classes on manners and learning to keep our rooms and stuff in order.  The list goes on.

Then reality would hit.  It was hard to go to bed at a reasonable hour since the sun didn’t go down.  The children loved being with their friends, even playing night games at times.  Then it was hard to get up and keep that orderly home and predictable routine I dreamed of.

There were softball practices and games that interfered with our mini lessons and side trips.  Before long, I was happy to just keep everyone fed and relatively clean.  We had fun cheering for our ball players.  We did have one evening a week together for a picnic or a lesson.  There was the annual trip to Grandma’s house in another state.  We lived by the Law of Rhythm all summer until our school schedule predicted order once more.

The Law of Rhythm tells us that it is normal for life’s events to flow up and down. Once we accept that fact, it is easier to let go of expecting to control everything.  When we resist the truth of this law, we create pot holes where it is easy to get stuck in the down and spend a lot of energy just to get back out again.

Summer is a good time to relax and enjoy the gentle flow of events, knowing that what goes down will come up again.  Breathe deep, drink cold lemonade and laugh a lot.  Routine will be upon us soon enough.

Simple Self-Coaching Tip:

Create a family motto to help you get through the “downs” and expect the next “up.”  “Our family sticks together in the ups and downs.  What can I do for you?”  “This doesn’t feel good.  There must be something wonderful ahead.”   Talk with your family, spouse or friend and see what you can do to lift one another’s spirits and look for more “ups.”  It’s fun!

“I love my life!  I hope you love your life, too!”

Check out “About Renae” above and leave a comment below.  Let’s get acquainted.
I’m going to be around for a long time and I hope you will, too.

Go to my website http://www.womenlovinglifeworldwide.com and receive
FREE “Seven Simple Tips To Love And Coach Yourself To Live Your Dreams.”

“I hope to see you again soon.”

I am on vacation in Corolla, NC, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  My son and his wife invited me to join their family in a beautiful beach house for a few days.  I am having my dream vacation.

My daughter Becky and her two teen age sons and a friend came with me.  We woke at 5:00 a.m.  in order to watch the sun rise over the ocean.  It was spectacular.  Nothing can replicate that beautiful red ball emerging from the depths of the ocean at that early hour.  It was breathtaking.

We went back to the house and took a nap.  Can you believe that?  Well, I am on vacation, after all.  After a quick breakfast I joined them on the beach to play with darling Gracie, twenty months old, and watch the rest play in the surf.  It was a delightful morning and the weather was perfect.  Nothing could have been better–except, my dear husband was missing.  He is on a different assignment so we talk on the phone twice a day and that has to be enough for now.

It seems that no matter how we try to create our perfect day, there is often something missing. The question is, “What do we do about it?”  I could mope around and feel sorry for myself or I can take pictures and think of how Dale will enjoy my sharing them with him.  There is no perfection in this life, but there is a whole lot of love, joy and peace if we expect it and make every effort to create it. We really are in charge of our perceptions and our experiences.  I choose to believe I am having a perfect day with many more to follow.

Simple Self-Coaching Tip:

What three things are needed for you to have your perfect day? Put them into place for you today.  Maybe you need someone to love, something important to do and peace of mind.   Carve out at least a few minutes in your day to have those things present today and then do it again tomorrow.  You will be surprised how close each day will become to perfection–your own definition of perfection.

“I love my life!  I hope you love your life, too!”

Check out “About Renae” above and leave a comment below.  Let’s get acquainted.
I’m going to be around for a long time and I hope you will, too.

Go to my website http://www.womenlovinglifeworldwide.com and receive
FREE “A Handbook For Women–Celebrate Your Strengths And Live Your Highest Purpose.”

“I hope to see you again soon.”

I recently attended the funeral of my ninety year old uncle, Sharon Vermont Patten.   Two of his older sisters passed away earlier this year.  There is one sister left who says she is going next month.  That will be all of my mother’s family.  They are remarkable people.

The most touching tribute was not the one given by his neighbor, his hospice nurse, or his best friend.  It wasn’t the song his daughter sang or the song sung by his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  The most touching tribute was paid when his oldest grandson, dressed in his Marine Corps dress suit, saluted the flag draped casket, removed his hat and knelt on one knee to dedicate the grave.  That picture said more than all the rest put together.

Uncle Sharon’s mother died when he was nine years old. At seventeen he joined the Army and was stationed at Schoefield Barracks
when the Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor.  He could see the smiling faces
of the pilots who dropped the bombs on his comrades.

It was fitting that his oldest grandson should stand at attention during the
21 gun salute and while Taps was played. It was fitting that he should kneel and ask the God of heaven and earth to protect this bit of ground against destructive forces of any kind.  It was fitting that he salute his Grandpa one more time before the draped flag was folded and placed in the lap of his daughter.  This boy in uniform had just come home from a tour in Afghanistan. His Grandpa did his duty nearly seventy years ago and he is doing his duty today.

We may not agree with what is going on in any of the wars around the globe.  These are difficult days for all the nations of the world.  One thing I know for sure; freedom is a sacred gift from God. If we are going to retain our freedom, we must take time to remember the price that has been and is being paid for it today.  The rituals at Uncle Sharon’s grave did that for me.  The members of the VFW, Veterans Of Foreign Wars, nearly all looked to be as old as the man in the grave and yet, they gave this same service at several gravesides that day.  Who will remind us when they are gone?

Self Coaching Tip:

The next time you see a soldier, thank them for what they are doing.  Do your part by keeping peace in your own heart and home.  That is where peace begins.  Remember, you are the coach!

“I love my life!  I hope you love your life, too!”

Check out “About Renae” above and leave a comment below.  Let’s get acquainted.
I’m going to be around for a long time and I hope you will, too.

Go to my website http://www.womenlovinglifeworldwide.com and receive
FREE “A Handbook For Women–Celebrate Your Strengths And Live Your Highest Purpose.”

“I hope to see you again soon.”

Bless your heart. You can tell he has a hard heart.  Do it with all your heart.  It made me heart-sick.  She has an open heart.  He has a giving heart. Where is this invisible heart?  What does it mean and how can we be sure it is healthy?

From a physical point of view, you can’t live without your heart.  Everything depends on it and much is affected by it.

“Worry affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system, and profoundly affects heart action.”   Dr. Charles H. Mayo

If you care about your heart, you must care for it. It seems we must eliminate worry if we want a healthy heart.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”  Helen Keller

If you want to enjoy the best and most beautiful things in the world, you must feel with the heart. You know what that means because you have experienced it with the sight of a beautiful sunset, the hug of a loved one, the smile of a child.

“When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people’s hearts.”  Lao Tzu, 6th century B.C.

If you want to influence others, you must express pure sincerity. You know when someone really ‘gets you.’  You both feel it in your heart.

“A kind heart is a fountain of gladness making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.”   Washington Irving

If you want people to be glad you have arrived, you need a kind heart, a fountain of gladness.  When that happens you radiate and people are drawn to you.

Bob Hope
“If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.”

The spiritual heart may be invisible but it leaves evidence wherever you go.  The world becomes beautiful when you open your heart to others.

Simple Self-Coaching Tip:

It’s time for a heart tuneup.  Sit quietly and ask yourself, “What is the condition of my heart right now?  Feel it.  Open your heart to the love of God and feel how good that is.  The next time you are tempted to worry, go back to this place of peace and love.   Your heart will be glad.

“I love my life!  I hope you love your life, too!”

Check out “About Renae” above and leave a comment below.  Let’s get acquainted.
I’m going to be around for a long time and I hope you will, too.

Go to my website http://www.womenlovinglifeworldwide.com and receive
FREE “Seven Simple Tips to Love And Coach Yourself to Live Your Dreams.”

“I hope to see you again soon.”

We went to Hawaii with my son, his wife and three children a couple of years ago.  After spending a fun day on the beach, Ryan age three, said his evening prayers as follows, “Thank you that Uncle Marnie died so we could come on this fun vacation to Hawaii.” You see, his great uncle Marnie had died a couple of months earlier and his dad inherited some money which made the trip possible.  Of course, we all missed Uncle Marnie, but right then Ryan was grateful for his vacation.  In fact, we all were.

I watched a video today about the life of Michael Jordan Segal, who defied all odds after being shot in the head as a young medical student. Today he is a husband, father, social worker, freelance author and inspirational speaker.

His four year old daughter talked him into going to an amusement park on a very hot sticky day.  They waited in line 45 minutes for the first ride.  As the attendant buckled them in, he said, “I could tell by the way you walked that you are disabled.  We have a policy that if you are disabled you can go to the front of the line.”  His daughter got very excited and said, “Daddy, thank goodness you got shot.”

Every misfortune carries with it an equal and opposite fortune. We just have to look for it.  Recently two of my favorite people said some things that hurt me deeply until I thought of the treasure that came with it.  They gave me the opportunity to become very clear about my life and what I believe about myself.  I am grateful.

Opportunities like these don’t usually come to us by conscious choice. Mr. Segal said that his daughter taught him something important that day.  She taught him to always look for the positive in ANY situation.  Some times it takes a bit of searching, but there is always something good to be had when we do.  We may have to dig through the pain and do some forgiving before it becomes apparent, but it is worth the dig to find the treasure.

Simple Self-Coaching Tip:

Think of some of your most difficult problems–pick three.  Go digging for the hidden treasures.  Think about it.  Write about it.  Be grateful.  Gratitude is the fuel of all that is good in life.

“I love my life!  I hope you love your life, too!”

Check out “About Renae” above and leave a comment below.  Let’s get acquainted.
I’m going to be around for a long time and I hope you will, too.

Go to my website http://www.womenlovinglifeworldwide.com and receive
FREE “A Handbook For Women–Celebrate Your Strengths And Live Your Highest Purpose.”

“I hope to see you again soon.”

My hands were trimming bushes and laying drip tape in my garden this morning but my mind was somewhere else. I stuck the ear buds in my ears and clicked my ipod, thinking I was getting something else, but Sheldon Pickering’s magnificent piano album “Hope” is what I heard.  It was lovely background music for gardening, but that wasn’t all.  After a track of “Hope,” I heard John C. Maxwell teaching about leadership.

Evidently my ipod was in ’shuffle’ mode so I listened to Sheldon’s music and John’s leadership training back and forth for over an hour.  John is a prolific author and one of the most powerful and effective trainers of leaders worldwide.  I was privileged to hear him in person and then received a CD each month for six months.  A favorite book of his is called “Leadership Gold.”

Today he talked about giving a seminar called “Leadership 360,” leading those above, beside and below you in rank.  A student asked him if it is harder to lead people above, beside or below you.  He told him, “None of the above.”  He was surprised since that is what the seminar was about.  Finally he said that the one hardest to lead is the one inside you.  “If I could kick the one who is he hardest to lead I wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week.” Isn’t that the truth?  We all need a coach.

He made a commitment early in his career that he would never teach others something he isn’t living, or at least working hard at it.  He would invite guest speakers to teach subjects he believed in but wasn’t adequately living at the time.

I know there are times I am guilty of attempting to teach things I am not living very well.  Since I can’t kick myself, all I can say, is “Please forgive me.  I will do better in the future.”

By the way, listening to inspiring words mixed with inspiring music is a great way to learn.  Today I got more out of gardening than I expected.   I must have learned everything John said at a much deeper level because of Sheldon’s music.  You will know because you will see me being a more effective leader.

Simple Self-Coaching Tip:

You are the leader in your own life and family. How are you doing?  Ask yourself if you are practicing what you are preaching.  There is always room for improvement.  Coach “YOU” is the only one who can see to it that you are being true to your word. What will you do about it today?

“I love my life!  I hope you love your life, too!”

Check out “About Renae” above and leave a comment below.  Let’s get acquainted.
I’m going to be around for a long time and I hope you will, too.

Go to my website http://www.womenlovinglifeworldwide.com and receive
FREE “A Handbook For Women–Celebrate Your Strengths And Live Your Highest Purpose.”

“I hope to see you again soon.”