He noticed with his own eyes, the mother demanding the son:

• Rub her feet
• Massage her shoulders
• Hold her purse (well, that’s not really a boyfriend duty, but…lol)
• Do excess chores—even before he does his homework and it’s affecting his grades!
• He is forbidden to play outside because, she wants to protect him and keep him close.

Oh…I forgot to mention, the poor kid is only 8 years old and has two girl siblings that aren’t bossed around as much. Makes you scratch your head, right? This of course has caused an upheaval with how they raise the boy. Kevin’s feeling is, point blank.. she needs a man in her life. However, I think it goes deeper than that. A man won’t complete her. She could be a bit of a control freak and also have a fear of abandonment as well. She has some inner-work to do on herself to release that sense of control.

Now granted, all children should have chores. And yes, many kids love pampering their parents every now and then. I used to have a whole spa set up for my mom whenever I visited her—mani, pedis and facials. She loved it! However, what isn’t healthy is when it turns into child labor and it’s expected daily! LOL

What Can Go Wrong with MOMMY IN THE MIX?

Let’s fast forward to this young boy’s teen years and early adulthood. Many of you have seen it…the momma’s boy whose mother is involved in every waking moment of his life. She is in the driver’s seat,  not him. He’s either manipulated by fear or guilt or a nice spicy mixture of them both.  The majority of the time she’s a single mom (but not all the time!) He can’t make a decision until he checks in with his mother.  And the worst part, all of his intimate relationships are destroyed, because no one is “good enough” for her baby aka HER MAN.

True Stories of Momma’s Boy’s Victims

I asked a few of my clients and friends to share their Momma’s Boy Horror Stories to give you a taste of what you’re creating if you fit the bill of the smothering mother! Whew, brace yourself….These women have some steam to let off! I couldn’t even include everyone or it would be a book!

Momma’s Boy Victim No.1:

The Situation:

“It is my opinion that my mother in law is manipulative and likes to have the final word in my husband’s life. However, my husband does not see it that way.  For example, he has invested in a property in overseas despite my concerns of him not keeping up with his responsibilities as a husband.

When I initially met his mother, I told her that her son was not keeping up with the bills in our home in order to keep up with this property and I explained to her that I do not think she should keep supporting/encouraging these investments, but instead of respecting my wishes, they secretly invested in another property.

The Last Chapter

At one point, my husband and I even separated because his mother’s guidance to go against me.  We went to counseling but, he begged me to stop because it was too much for him to deal with.  However, he still does not see how his mother’s influence on him is driving us apart.  At this point, I’m ready to tell him to go f*O!$$% his mother because I’m done!”  Mrs. Married to Momma’s Boy, 36 year old, wife

Momma’s Boy Victim No. 2:

The Situation:

“I was dealing with an only child and a only son of a mother who had been abandoned by his father. While we were together his mother was going through a messy divorce from her second husband. Now, anyone can go throughout these sorts of circumstances and should not be judged for a situation. Once I became involved with her son, her only child and only son, the strange reality of their co-dependent relationship became painfully clear. Now, I could write volumes about what I dealt with over the next nine years, but I’ll keep it as concise as possible.

These two (mother and son) literally talked to each other via phone at least two to three times a day, not including text messaging.  There were times (and I say this without any exaggeration) that they could even check in with each other up to 10 times a day. Ridiculous!

But if this weren’t bad enough, during these conversations she would make him feel like he was the only person in the world who was there for her or could help her (even though she came from a large close-nit family who lived in the same state as her) while her son lived on the other side of the country.

The Breakdown

The list could go on,  but the parts of their co-dependency that most affected me was her meddling into our relationship. She always put on an “act” to pretend that she was nice to me and that she liked me but, only because she didn’t want her son to get upset with her because he was in fact in love with me, and yet at the same time she belittled our relationship during their constant phone conversations.

The Last Chapter

The final straw of me attempting any sort of niceties or “friendship” with her was when she point blank told him not to marry me, in front of me no less, once he made it clear that that was the direction he was ready to move in with me. The fact that I was an independent woman who not only paid for herself but him too during his unemployment, that I provided every need for her son, was completely faithful to him, was well educated, well spoken and had class… All of this was not enough for her. In fact these very things used against me because, she knew that I was a great catch and soon her son would slip from her grasp into husband-hood. He was actually on his way to becoming a man and this scared the you-know-what out of her.

We in fact did get married eventually, but she still didn’t let up. She continued all of her co-dependent efforts which eventually actually worked. As she played more of a victim than ever before, the guilt became too much for him and he began sabotaging our relationship and seeing ME as the bad guy. He began behaving horribly and taking actions that would kill any relationship. And her reaction as she saw our marriage unraveling… To tell him everything he was doing was justified and that if need be he could come and live with her! So when enough was enough for me, that’s exactly what he did. He ran straight to his mother and has been living with her since… Mama won and look at the man-child she created in the process.” Ms. Fed Up, 32 yrs old, ex-wife

Mommas in the Mix – BEWARE: It’s an EPIDEMIC!

The mothers in these situations are clinging on to their sons dear life. He’s her baby—even if he’s 37! A thing to notice about these mothers is that 9 times out of 10 they are not focused on THEIR LIFE, they have an obsession for controlling others since they have no control over their own lives. They most likely are not in a loving relationship with a mate (even if they are married, it’s probably not a happy one).

When you are untrusting of new love or terrified to be hurt again, you will cling to the only love you know…YOUR SON!  What we have here folks is an example of CO-DEPENDENCY in relationships.

What is Co-depenency?

“The codependent is afraid to be alone. Their biggest fear is abandonment and they will do almost anything to avoid it. Somewhere along the way they never learned how to set appropriate boundaries and their self worth is measured by other’s opinions of them.

A codependent feels that if they seek justification for their actions that they are not going to be held accountable for them. They people please in order to feel accepted rather than learning to accept themselves and the responsibility for their actions.

Codependents depend on other people for their mood, emotions and happiness. They will often make great sacrifices to do what they think is pleasing to others. When their acts of kindness’ are rejected, they take it personally and can become aggressive.:

Source: Anatomy of a codependent relationship by Stacia Elizabeth Whitbeck.

Next week we’ll delve deeper. If you’re this mom, we’ll offer tips on what you can do.We even have a “Momma” confession of how she’s turned THREE of her son’s into Momma’s boys. But in the meantime, remember he’s YOUR SON, not your MAN!

This month, in my coaching group, THE CIRCLE OF POWER, the topic was called, “It’s Time to Leave the Masquerade.” We’re discussing each week the masks we wear to protect the TRUTH of why we do what we do.  We’re digging deeper to know our authentic selves. This is a great find that touches on just that from one of favorite blogs, Tiny Buddha. Check out this article for more….

Own Your Power,

Simone

“Don’t think you’re on the right road just because it’s a well-beaten path.” ~Unknow

Growing up in Appalachia, women always had grace, class, and sweet iced tea in the refrigerator for unexpected visitors. They smiled when called ma’am or darling and kept an immaculate home.

Many Appalachian women also abided by two rules: It’s impolite to say no, and (my mother’s favorite adage), be as nice as you possibly can and everyone will realize you’re the better person.

For me, this translated as always say yes and play nice. I thought this equated to being compassionate and sensitive.

You’re stranded on the side of the road four hours away during an ice storm? I’ll get you. You want to be intimate on the first date? I don’t want you to dislike me, so okay. You think I’m hateful, unworthy, and a crybaby? You’re probably right.

Yet, I played nice for so long that laughter turned to appeasement, confidence turned to harassment and verbal abuse, kindness turned to obligation. 

As I allowed others to treat me unkindly and without respect, somewhere living soulfully became nonexistent. I always thought that I kept everyone at arm’s length with a smile on my face because I didn’t want to be hurt.

In reality, I was so angry at myself for those specific moments of being run over that I willingly began playing the victim.

It became easier to sabotage myself and continue down that road than to work hard and become a strong, outspoken, and vivacious woman again, which wouldn’t unfold until years later when I spent the night in the middle of nowhere.

In 2009, I left my Appalachian roots behind and hightailed it to the West Coast. But there was an unexpected pit stop in Marfa, Texas, population 2,000, where I changed courses forever.

Splitting the long drives cross-country, my fiancé slept as I descended onto this plateau of immeasurable prairie grass hemmed by stately mountains.

The sunset was hypnotic—a brilliant rust so unfamiliar as it slipped off the horizon. There was nowhere to hide.  I was breathless and exposed.

Sitting by the motel pool in the dead of winter, the urge to cry was unbearable, but I didn’t know what to tell my fiancé, so I fought it. I was enraged, and diverted my attention to blogging, drinking, eating, and sleeping, but in a one-horse town on a Monday night, the only people for miles are nuns.

I had to look at me.

I couldn’t remember the last time that I was truly happy and laughed genuinely. Once again, I was angry that I had deprived myself of that. Then a flood of memories came back when I was strong, truthful, confident, and beautiful.

Those traits were still there. I may have disappeared into my own twilight hour, but I finally heard myself, standing alone watching the Marfa mystery lights with a thermos of bourbon, amidst tumbleweeds and dust devils. Never in my life had the physical moment connected so intensely with the spiritual.

I left the next morning exhausted.

Once the cross-country journey ended in San Francisco, I didn’t know how to be nice to my fiancé for two months because my only thought was, “Who am I?” I was paralyzed. I spent every day huddled on the floor between the bed and the wall pouring over job ads, trying to find anything that would give me a role to fill. I had no idea how to be myself.

That moment of clarity in the desert ultimately led to rediscovery, which was uncomfortable. I wasn’t leaving the apartment because all I had was myself, and I didn’t know or trust that person. And one day, I rode a bus and ate alone for the first time in my life…terrified.

My year in San Francisco became the most humble year of my life. My clothes didn’t even fill one dresser. I went from corporate guru to stocking the fridge in a law office.

As cliché as it sounds, taking the unpaved back road on this journey and abandoning the familiar was liberating.

My clothes fit better. I was glowing. My fiancé and I scraped by, but we were living in a gorgeous Edwardian apartment, eating amazing yet simple meals.

Indulgence was a scoop of ice cream or a good beer. Date nights were no longer extravagant dinners in ties and dresses but walks to the park after work to find my fiancé on a blanket reading. Then, we would wander across the city for hours until we decided to call it a night.

Nothing was judged or expected that year, and everything was appreciated.

I knew that it would be hard for me not to fall into old habits once I moved back to Virginia. I am a yes man again, and the anger toward myself builds each day. I feel as though I scattered pieces of myself across the country, my heart in San Francisco, my freedom in Marfa, but that’s not true.

I know that I am capable of practicing kindness toward myself and others while being authentic. I wrote to a friend that I met in Marfa after reading Baron Baptiste’s Journey into Power:

“I’ve been reading this book for a yoga workshop, and there was a passage about releasing yourself from the lies of everyday life that define you, and that you may not like who you…

READ FULL STORY HERE…

“Never apologize for showing feelings. When you do so, you apologize for the truth.” -Benjamin Disraeli

I tend to live with my heart on my sleeve. If I’m in pain, you know about it. If I’m ecstatic, you definitely know about it. If I feel it, vibe it, experience it, then I express it.  For sure ,there are worse problems to have, but this naked truth tendency gets me in a lot of trouble sometimes. I’ve put my heart under a bus at least five times in the last year alone. There is nothing that happens to a heart that’s placed under a bus except that it gets smushed into the road like an unlucky frog. 

Lately, I’ve had a parade of girlfriends advising me that it’s time to clamp some sense around my unbridled feelings. No! No! No!  They say when I recount my latest spilling of the beans. “‘He’s going want me, I’m not going to want him’ is my motto,” one declares. “Honey, he should be flying across the country for You girl, you are worth falling for!” the other exclaims. “Have some self-respect, don’t give him the “A” until he earns it, heck- start him off with an F!”

The trouble is, I see the best in people. And, I inflate them in my head. And, I love to fall in love. You can whisper a sweet nothing into my ear, or blink at me a certain way, and I will soar into fantasies about our house and the children we will raise communally within the white picket fences. There is one caveat to all this- it is a prerequisite that you don’t, absolutely refuse, to like me back. God forbid our love is mutual. Fawn over me and it is an instant recipe for my distaste.

I’m exaggerating of course, I love to exaggerate for the dramatic effect. That’s a writer’s ploy- dancing within the deliciousness of language and extravagant ideas. But there’s some truth to this interplay of wanting what you can’t have, and taking for granted what comes easy, – and I know the folly is not mine alone. How many have succumbed to the tricks of “the chase”, the delicate balance between pure honesty and a little splash of “game.”

So, the question that arose for me this week was the following: do I continue to try to play it cool, repressing the songs within my heart dying to burst open? Or do I reveal my true colors, making myself vulnerable once more and exposing myself to potential rejection that I prefer to deny? I should have known what was coming anyway. If someone likes you, you know it. You can tell. They express it. It’s very clear. The very fact that I was sitting here picking flower petals “he loves me, he loves me not” was already a red flag, n’est pas?

So, today, I tossed out all the advice of my friends about being the bigger person, and in one compulsive impulsive gesture, I skyped the newest object of my affection and blurted out my truth as honestly as I know how. I even told him that per friends’ suggestions, I was trying hard to reign myself in, though obviously failing. We talked about which effort would be more authentic. He shared that the withholding seemed to do with power and games, whereas the unapologetic expression of feelings seemed more real, self-aware, and in line with one’s integrity. I agreed.

So, true… I got my heart smashed again. But at least I’m now precisely clear on where I stand, on where we stand. It was indubitably important to reach out and test the waters to see if we were on the same page. Once more, the answer was “no.” “No, I don’t have feelings for you in that way”; “No, I don’t want to explore the potential for more”; “No, I don’t want to have a long distance relationship”; “No, I don’t see a romantic future for us…”

I learned today that I apologize too much for feeling the way I do, to the point of apologizing for being apologetic! My feelings go this way and that and can’t often be trusted, so it’s easy to try and hide them, discard them, ignore them, and suppress them rather than undress them.  

While I didn’t get the answer I was hoping for, what I got in revealing my own truth, was more truth. A truth that did indeed set me free. Rather than get bogged down in cobwebs of worry, jealousy, desire to control, and fear, I opened myself up to the reality, and let the weight of it fall heavy on the ears of my heart. But the instant relief, calm, and even joy that followed, was a result of aligning with what is real, rather than with an imaginary expectation. 

Thus, the question I pose for one to ponder and explore is this: What is one way that you can be unapologetically you today, and open to the truth- your own, and that of others?  Try it on for size today, and bare your story to us! Comments and responses welcome.

Love,

Jeanine Nicole

Jeanine Nicole is a writer and yoga instructor who lives in NYC. A firm believer in inner transformation for outward social action, she explores life through her blogs, 50datesny.com and 

ZestforTheQuest.com, and writes for the inspirational mindfulness hub at JasminBalance.com/blog. You can reach her at Jeanine@Jasminbalance.com and follow her on Twitter @ZestfortheQuest.

When you suffer from a broken heart it feels like your world is coming to an end. The pain can be unbearable. It is hard to sleep, eat or concentrate. You wonder if you will be able to feel good or happy ever again.

It can be especially devastating when a relationship you really care about ends unexpectedly. You can’t help remembering all love you shared and your dream of happily ever after, sharing a life together. It is devastating to think that someone you loved was able to leave it all behind so easily while you are left wondering what happened. How could he/she just walk away like that?

This can really take toll, especially if the one you love ended up with someone else. It is hard not to wonder if you lost your chance for love. You may worry that you won’t find someone else you loved that much again.

And you want to find love, but you are not sure you can open yourself up to that kind of hurt ever again!

The good news is, you can and will heal from this broken heart. And as a result of this healing, you will find a love BETTER than you could imagine in your wildest dreams.

Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears,
for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth,
overlying our hard hearts.

~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations, 1860

Shelly fell in love with a married man. She did not mean for it to happen. He was smart, successful interesting, and totally sexy. They had a great time together and he wined and dined her. She was not looking for anything serious so why not?

Well before she knew it months turned into years. And by this time she had become attached. Finally she was able to let go of the relationship, but she felt she had wasted valuable years of her life.

Holly was in a relationship with a man for 5 years. They were engaged to be married but he was reluctant to set a date. Every time she would bring it up he would make an excuse about money, or that it was a bad time in his life right now etc. He would say, lets discuss it next year.

One day Holly came home to find him gone. He had met another woman, she was pregnant and they were getting married right away. She felt she could never recover from that kind of betrayal.

So how do you recover from this kind of heartbreak?

How do you trust again?

Almost everyone has suffered crushing heartbreak at least one time in their life. Some people are able to recover and move on to find love while others get stuck in their pain and see unable to move past it.

Here are the 5 ways to let go of heartbreak.

1. Mourn Your Loss Completely.
Allow yourself to cry, feel sad and experience your loss. Most people who are stuck in heart ache deny their feelings of loss and sadness and never properly grieve.

2. Be Nice to Yourself.
Comfort yourself during this time of loss. You have been through a difficult time and need loving care. Thinking negative and demeaning thoughts about yourself will only add to your hurt and pain.

3. Take Inventory.
After you have done your grieving take a good hard look at the relationship. Assess what things in the relationship worked and what did not work for you.

4. Forgiveness. Write a list of all the things you feel your ex did to you and all the things you angry at him about. Then write down any things you may be angry at yourself about. Burn the paper with the intention to let go of past resentments so you can move on.

5. Write Your True Love.
Write a love letter to your true love. Picture yourself happy loved and fulfilled in the relationship. Imagine yourself giving it to him. Keep the letter by your beside and remind yourself that true love is coming.

If you find yourself stuck in any of these steps unable to grieve, forgive or recover, seek the assistance of a dating coach or therapist.

Healing from heartbreak will help you open your heart so you can love again!

Heartbreak can be tough, but you can and will recover to find love again!

And next time it will be TRUE LOVE, which lasts forever!

Much Love and Happy Dating!

About the Author:

If you are single and worried that you’ll never find true love or you are losing faith that your special person is ever coming…

Pamela Vandervoort, the SelfGrowth.com Official Guide to Love, will help you find true and lasting love.

Pamela received her master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica and her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from the University of San Diego. Pamela can be found conducting workshops throughout California and is the owner of two successful Companies the “Art of Living Consciously” and “My Dating Support.com”.
For the last 5 years Pamela has been helping women get over the dating hump, stop wasting time, and find lasting love.

ABOUT S.O.F.I.A:

Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates (fondly referred to as S.O.F.I.A.) is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides advocacy, supportive services and temporary housing to “at risk” women and children of domestic violence.

Our mission is make each of our domestic violence victim clients become self-sufficient, positive and successful.

In October 2011, we launched The S.O.F.I.A. Support Group which offers emotional healing sessions through Creative Arts to those who have experienced Domestic Violence. We are looking forward to expanding nationwide and seeking volunteers and advocates to host these sessions.

http://supportsofia.org/

If you are a member of Own Your Power or a Fan on Facebook that has a non-profit that helps others, please in box me and we’ll add you to the list to be featured soon! Spread the word!
We’ll feature a new DO-GOODER every Friday on Facebook, Twitter, the Blog, and our Ning Community.

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Thanks for helping others…please support these charities that help save the world

Own Your Power,

Simone

Okay, okay…so I admit it. I have a guilty pleasure from time to time during my lunch break in the day, it’s The Maury Povich Show. It’s one of those things that you know is absolutely ridiculous, but it can be so entertaining that you just can’t turn away!

Now granted, many of the stories Maury covers are pretty much the same. There’s the shows with the lie detector tests asking questions like,  ‘did he sleep with my Grandma, did she cheat with my daughter, or is he having sex with my Aunt?  Then of course you have Maury’s claim to fame… the Paternity tests. Oh man…the Paternity tests. SMH.

We gotta do better raising our kids people! For the scope of this article, I’ll just focus on the lie detector tests, since if you have to test over 10 men to find out who your baby’s Daddy is, you’ve got a much bigger problem that I can’t cover here! LOL

~a-hem~ Now…what intrigues me the most about this show are the results of the lie detector tests. Not the results that Maury reads after his dramatic pause to build up suspense, but the reactions of the person on the receiving end. Wow! These people really get into it when they get their 99.9% proof that the one they loved lied. Jumping, screaming, catching the Holy Ghost, dramatic dropping and rolling are some of the hysterical reactions that are displayed on stage. But my favorite is when they run off the stage in a mad dash (as if they think the cameras won’t follow them).  I just have one question. REALLY?

Is this the same woman that just told us a few minutes ago that she found a dirty bra under the bed that WASN’T HERS. Or better yet, the same woman that watched along with us as her husband was caught ON CAMERA kissing a  cute Blonde backstage in the green room the day of the show!  Now, call me crazy, but I don’t think we need a team of CSI detectives, Columbo or Monk to come a work on this puzzling case.

I just find it amazing of what people will put up with and also what ‘interesting’ rationalizations they’ll create to protect themselves from the truth that is waving a big bright NEON FLAG right before their eyes. Oh and let me be clear…I’m not just talking about the women either. There are plenty of men out there with a big G stamped on their foreheads for  GULLIBLE. Men, who settle for less in a relationship and become doormats just as well.

So, why bring this up, you ask? We’ll although many of us will never go on Maury to make fools of ourselves, there are many who are in relationships  RIGHT NOW that treat us like doormats and we still want to hang on or find out is he/she cheating, lying, etc…when the signs are in your face.

It comes down to SELF-LOVE AND SELF-RESPECT.  When you deeply love yourself for all of your gifts and your flaws, you know better. You know what Prince or Princess deserves your company, your time, and your love.

You will NOT accept being:

• Lied to constantly
• Cheated on
• Abused verbally, mentally, emotionally, or phsyichally
• You won’t make EXCUSES for someone who is using you in anyway.
• MOST OF ALL…You’ll be AWARE that it is even happening! (Some people think they are in love and not even clear on what love looks and feels life because of their upbringing or past experiences.)

YOUR INNER LIE DETECTOR

Yup, we all have one. It’s free and you don’t have to put all your business on National T.V. to get it. It’s your INTUITION!  When people SHOW you themselves…pay attention and don’t wait until it too late to make your exit as you moonwalk off the stage or RUN in some cases. Actions always speak louder than words. What actions are being shown to you right now in your relationship?

If you feel you need to play detective…it’s not even worth it. You will find something you probably don’t want to find and you already knew, didn’t you?  Learn how to trust your gut and get clear on what you TRULY deserve. Most of all start to cherish and love yourself again so, that your self-esteem is high and you’ll be a MAGNET for the right person to come along and sweep  you off  your feet.

SELF-LOVE IS REAL WORK…GET STARTED TODAY:

1. Spend time getting to know YOU. Know Thyself is my number one rule of life! Get clear on what you truly want and deserve.   Pray/meditate, and journal daily to remember who you are again!  Make appointments with yourself at least once a day to nurture your spirit.

2. Check out these articles I wrote that can help you (Don’t skip the exercises in them. Do them in your journal):

• The Gut Never Lies part 1
• The Gut Never Lies part 2
• Self Love vs. Self Destruction

3. Now here are some great books to help you in your relationships:

• Are You The One For Me by Dr. Barbara DeAngelis
• Tune Into Love (Attract Romance Through the Power of Vibrational Matching) by Dr. Margaret McCraw (one of my teachers!)

Certified Law of Attraction Master Life Coach & Holistic Business Coach, Simone Kelly is the passionate visionary behind Own Your Power Communications. She encourages you to own your business and pursue a holistic lifestyle. Check out the Own Your Power community out and connect with like-minds here: ownyourpowerlifestyle.com

Created by Simone Kelly, Holistic Business Coach/Master Life Coach

11. Embrace Your Mistakes

There are no accidents. There are no mistakes. There are no coincidences. Look at life’s mishaps as lessons. No matter how it turns out, you can rest assured, it will make you stronger and wiser — as long as you pay attention, step back, and dig deep to uncover the message that the incident has brought to your door.

12. Remember How To Play And Have Fun

Remember the games you played as a child?  Find time for activities that spark your creativity, challenge your mind, and develop healthy competition with others; and you’ll never grow old!

13. Dare to Be Remarkable

Never, ever … dim your Light for ANYONE. Don’t apologize for who you are. Stand strong in your power. Be proud of your accomplishments. It takes strength to shine. Step into your greatness and OWN IT!

14. Laugh Yourself to Life 

The best medicine is a good hearty laugh. Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. A comic on the television, your talented son, or your best friend can be the ‘doctor’ to bring it on. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, keeps you balanced, and reminds you to enjoy life again. Aside from improving our moods, laughter can reduce stress, help fight infection, and reduce pain. Turn your frown upside down today!

15. The Art of Appreciation

Tell someone thank you, especially those who wouldn’t be expecting it.

16. Move Your Body  

Dance, walk, run, do yoga, rollerblade, Kickbox, Zumba … Just MOVE! Moving your body improves your circulation, vitality, health, and your life overall.

17. Take Action

Always be creating something new and incredible that will help you explore your full potential and will touch others lives.

18. Release Your Inhibitions  

Try something different, something you’ve never done before. Shock your taste buds with a tantalizing dish. Go on a blind date. Get on a rollercoaster. Change your hair color.  Role-play with your mate.  Life is too short to be stuck in the same old routine ways. It’s fun to live on the wild side every now and then.

19. Be Yourself, Since Everyone Else is Taken

Revel in your uniqueness and authenticity. Don’t be afraid to be YOU in all of your greatness, and even your flaws. Take off the masks of protection and what you think other people want to see, and be yourself. Don’t worry about keeping up with the Joneses, since they are probably just as tired of trying to keep up with you!

20. Master Your Mind, Master Your Universe

Masters vibrate on an entirely different realm than everyone else. Masters are not bill -paying robots, just floating through life. They know who they are and they are CRYSTAL CLEAR on what they want. Become a master of self and rule your world.

Certified Law of Attraction Master Life Coach & Holistic Business Coach, Simone Kelly is the passionate visionary behind Own Your Power Communications. She encourages you to own your business and pursue a holistic lifestyle. Check out the Own Your Power community out and connect with like-minds here: ownyourpowerlifestyle.com

JOIN US FOR A VIP SOUL HEALING WEEKEND  OF INSPIRATION AND RELAXATION – FOCUSED ON YOU AND ONLY YOU!

You’ve asked for more and I’m ready to give you what you want…

A weekend in the Poconos Mountains that you’ll never forget!

A healing weekend JUST FOR YOU…NO CROWDS, NO LINES, NO AUDIENCE!  A weekend featuring:

• a certified Master Life Coach and Master Reiki Teacher working with you and an intimate group of women… on your personal and professional goals.
•  personalized strategies for creating breakthroughs in challenging areas of your life

• true clarity on your calling and a blueprint on how to reach it

•A weekend  where you will awaken, transform, heal and begin the path to OWNING YOUR POWER

THAT WEEKEND IS HERE!

This intimate Own Your Power Retreat will give you all this and more! It’s a coaching intensive retreat that combines business/life/spiritual coaching, chakra clearing, Reiki treatment, letting go exercises by the fireplace AND more.  It’s one of the best gifts you can give to yourself!

I’m so excited to finally be offering a weekend like this in a intimate  setting (No More Then 12 Attendees), so that I can offer you  VIP treatment. My focus for this retreat is on those clients who are serious and committed to their personal and professional development.

REGISTER NOW –3 SPACES ARE ALREADY GONE!

Location: Fairway Villas, Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania.

Schedule:

Check in Friday evening 5:30pm, 8pm Healing Circle by the fireplace

Saturday: Intuition and Meditation workshops 10-2pm,  rest of day free time

Sunday: Personal Development workshops 10-2pm, rest of day free time. (Optional to check out.)

Monday: Check out by 11am

What’s Included? 

-All attendees get a 30 minute Reiki and Chakra balancing session with Simone.

-Life, business, Intuitive life coaching will be available at a  30%  discount to all attendees (limited time available, so book after you register!)

ACT FAST TO SAVE YOUR SPACE SINCE THEY WILL GO QUICKLY!

 (All payments are non-refundable but transferrable to another woman who can attend in your place.)

Note: Some villas will  have shared rooms. If you have a roommate, please  let us know so we can match you.
Breakfast and lunch will be included.  If you have special dietary concerns, let us know.
There will be a full kitchen available if you’d like to prepare you own food.
Dining and other activities are on site is available.

Sound good? To find out more about  the Own Your Power Retreat: Soul Healing Weekend, send me an email at simone@ownyourpower.biz so that we can set up a chat to see what the possibilities of this retreat can be for you! Or call 877-545-7352 for more information.

As you already know, this time will deliver personal, meaningful results that will have an even more positive impact on your life, using the most effective tools customized just for you.

After this weekend with me, you will be 100% focused, committed and ready to realize your goals easily and joyfully.

I look forward to spending this special weekend to rejuvenate your soul with you.

Own Your Power!

Simone

www.ownyourpowerlifestyle.com

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! This is a great article I’d love to share with you that offers tips on how you can enjoy the holiday no matter what! Even if you are not married, there are some good tips that everyone can soak up

Remember to LOVE YOURSELF FIRST. Self love is an inside job…

Own Your Power,

Simone

The Valentine’s Day Gift of Time

In these tough economic times we think it is important to again remind folks that the best things in life are free. To love, to be loved, and to give the gift of time is the best gift you can give to someone. This is an especially important message on Valentine’s Day 2012.

In our book, Building a Love that Lasts we report the findings and practical tips from our 27-year study of successfully marriage couples in the USA and around the world. In fact, we have interviewed couples on SIX continents of the world.

We found in our studies that there are seven pervasive characteristics that thread throughout all successful marriages. For our Valentine’s gift to you, we are pleased to offer suggestions related to each of those “seven surprising secrets” for saving your hard-earned money on Valentine’s Day by giving the most precious gift of all — your time!

Here goes, the Gift of Time just for you.

1. The Gift of Time for Turning “Two Into One” without Losing Individual Identity
• Share ideas for what you would like to do together in 2012.
• Talk about the dreams you share for yourself as well as for your marriage.
• Find several favorite old photos and relive those precious moments together.

2. The Gift of Time so there are No “Sacred Cows” in your Marriage
• Engage in an extended conversation about why you love each other.
• Write your lover a note with three things you admire most about him or her.
• Tell your lover something that has been a nice “secret” of yours over the years.

3. The Gift of Time to Show Respect for the One You Love
• Treat her like a princess — treat him like a king.
• Write an email telling your lover what you believe to be their greatest strength.
• Make a note to put on the refrigerator door with a thank you for something special your lover did for you.

4. The Gift of Time for Good Health and Health Promotion
• Cook a special healthy dinner and serve it by candlelight.
• Take a long walk with your spouse for Valentine’s Day.
• Hit the “snooze” button on your alarm clock at least three times so you can snuggle a little extra in the morning.

5. The Gift of Time for Marital Financial Health
• Don’t go to the movies, make your own romantic movie together.
• Forget the $60 bouquet of roses — instead paint or draw a bouquet or write a love note to your lover.
• Don’t waste your money on jewelry or chocolates. Just tell why you love them.

6. The Gift of Time for Touching and Intimacy
• Take a long walk together holding hands.
• Make romantic time for intimacy.

7. The Gift of Time To Make Your Marriage Spontaneously Exciting
• Have breakfast in bed together.
• Read a romantic bedtime story to your lover.
• Shut off all electronics for Valentine’s Day — no phones, no cell phones, no computers, no PDA, no television — just the two of you.

You see, the best things in life are, indeed, free. In these tough economic times, people are looking to save money at every turn. And the truth is, love — true love — should never be about money. As they song says, “Money can’t buy you love.”

Our 27 years of research on successful marriage has revealed to us that true love, true commitment, and truly successful marriages are based on many things, but how much money you spend on the one you love is almost never an indication of real love.

In life, love, and marriage, the most important gift you can give to the one you love is the gift of time. Why should Valentine’s Day 2012 be any different?

We have been married for nearly 44 years. Valentine’s Day has always been special for us. We make a point each year to NOT spend money on each other on this special day. If you follow our advice to you, expect the most wonderful Valentine’s Day ever!

Simple Things Matter in love and marriage. Love well!

About the Author:

As America’s #1 Love and Marriage Experts, award-winning authors, and the SelfGrowth.com Official Guides to Marriage, Drs. Charles and Elizabeth Schmitz help international audiences answer questions about love, marriage and relationships. With 26 years of research on love and successful marriage across six continents of the world and their own 43-year marriage, the Doctors know what makes relationships work.

“Attracting Love” is our February  topic  in the Circle of Power. Join us and bring a buddy for the price of ONE before our next called Feb. 6th @ 9pm EST!

Join today and I’M OFFERING YOU A BUDDY PASS to the Circle of Power. Get your own PLUS ONE into our exclusive group for 2 MONTHS ONLY.

REGISTER ON OR BEFORE 2/15/12 and you can either gift a friend or split the price with a friend for COACHING!

REGISTER HERE and just let me know who your ‘BUDDY’ is and I’ll send them the details too You can pick BASIC OR GOLD membership: www.ownyourpower.biz/circle

ONCE YOU SIGN UP I’LL EMAIL YOU THE DETAILS FOR FEBRUARY’S CALL AND MORE ABOUT MEMBERSHIP. We’re looking forward to having you!

www.ownyourpower.biz/circle

Own Your Power,

Coach Simone Kelly