This weekend I celebrated my one year anniversary of taking the leap from Corporate America to live my dreams! To honor the milestone, I uncharacteristically threw myself a “Freedom Party” (part of my goal to step out more and be seen!) and invited friends and family who have supported me on my journey.
My parents drove up from L.A. to help me prep which was so amazing given what a full week I had leading up to the party. We grilled yummy chicken and shrimp skewers and feasted on a wide assortment of decadent desserts.
The biggest treat of all was spending the day with so many important people from all different parts of my life. Of course there were my parents, Brian and his parents and then there were friends from school and work, coaching friends, family and even my neighbor (also a Gap girl) came over from across the street.
In this picture are friends representing my high school, college, Accenture and Gap days. I hadn’t seen my high school speech friend Cat (in the purple) in probably 10 years and am so thrilled that she’s recently moved to the Bay Area. How timely that my parents also brought up a box of my old speech trophies. The morning of my party I was reading the notes on the bottom of some of the trophies. Our speech coach Mr. Fong always encouraged us to capture our thoughts about the event on the bottom of the trophy so we could remember what the experience was like. I’m so glad we did that as I was able to reminisce on one of my major accomplishments of making it to the state championships, along with Cat, my senior year. I wrote 15 years ago, “This trophy means so much to me because it represents the hardest fight I had to face this year in speech, overcoming my doubts. It feels so great to have all the right things happen for me finally.” Those words rung true for me, too, on this new milestone as I reflected back on a year of being out on my own.
Not only did I reflect on the past year, but I also looked out toward next year and asked the guests to also answer the question “What do I want my life to look like one year from now?” We wrote our responses on “lily pads” that we placed on the “Take a Leap” pond. Even some folks who couldn’t come sent in their responses to be included in the festivities. Some highlights of my intentions for the next year include (gulp!…) writing a book, creating creativity/coaching kits, being a leader for CTI, leading workshops and retreats that make a positive difference in people’s lives, continuing to grow my coaching practice, being peaceful and fulfilled, connecting deeply with Brian and spending quality time with him and our dog Emmett.
It was cool to see the array of dreams in the “pond.” If you’re so inspired, I invite you to add your response to the question, too! I look forward to seeing how all of our visions manifest over the coming year.
I feel so grateful to be living my dreams and to have the support and love of my family and friends. Here’s to another amazing year!
[tags]entrepreneurship, life coaching, yoga, creativity, escaping Corporate America, manifestation, visualization[/tags]
This week has been very full AND fulfilling! What a great way to lead up to my one-year anniversary tomorrow of escaping Corporate America.
Today was the Dream Box workshop for the June It’s Yoga Teacher Training group. I was so happy to be back in the studio sharing a creative look at yoga with fellow yogis. The group had such great energy and it was so evident that they were very close. And I was so thrilled when one student came up to me afterward and said that she, “hadn’t had this much fun since the 4th grade!”
A previous participant happened to stop by during the workshop and shared with the group how three of her dreams from her dream box have already come true since last month! And I had the special treat of getting a surprise visit from my classmate, Donovan, who also shared with me some amazing dreams that are coming true for him around taking yoga out to the world to make a positive difference. He’s leaving soon for Cambodia to teach yoga. Very inspiring stuff!
[tags]yoga, Ashtanga yoga, yoga teacher training, It’s Yoga, dream box, workshop, creativity, law of attraction, life coaching[/tags]
The last three days I’ve been assisting in CTI’s Fulfillment coaching training course in San Rafael. It’s been about four years since I went through the course, so I really enjoyed reviewing the material from a whole new perspective. As an assistant, we’re there to hold the space for the leaders and participants to make it the best learning experience possible.
One of the things I appreciated most from the back-of-the-room vantage point was getting to witness the individual transformations of each participant as they not only mastered these new skills over the course of 3-days, but also in how they were able to find ways to get past their saboteurs to move toward their dreams. By the end of today, the room was full of so much positive resonance my heart felt expanded.
I also really got a lot out of observing the dynamics of the group and how the leaders co-led together. I’m taking with me lots of learnings to the Cheryl’s Dreaming Big leadership retreats that I co-lead with Brighid. The main lesson being to trust the process and that the participants are getting out of it what they need in this moment.
The other take-away I had was total confirmation that I really love this work and CTI’s co-active coaching model AND that one of my big dreams is to lead for CTI one day, too!
[tags]life coaching, The Coaches Training Institute, co-active[/tags]
For the past month or so, I’ve been working with Yessica on building her jewelry business. Friday night was her C.E.O. Women graduation ceremony and I was so glad that I was able to be there to support her.
She is so passionate and determined, I can’t help but be energized and inspired when I’m around her. I got to meet her two young children, her mom and sister-in-law and her English tutor. All of whom were so proud of her accomplishments, too. In the program she built her business plan, determined her target market and created a marketing presentation. She also led a workshop through C.E.O. Women’s Shine Your Brilliance events where she taught participants how to make their own beautiful jewelry.
It was so great to also hear the stories of other graduates, many who are immigrant women, and to see how they’ve overcome challenges to now live the American Dream.
[tags]C.E.O Women, microenterprises, volunteer, non-profit, business coaching[/tags]
by jenn on June 14, 2007
in Travel
Brian photographed Scott and Nicole’s sailboat wedding on Thursday. Witnessing a touching and intimate ceremony on the bay… what a fantastic way to spend a lovely Thursday afternoon!
We sailed from Tiburon to Angel Island as we took in the the gorgeous San Francisco skyline and stunning scenery. We docked in Angel Island where they exchanged their heartfelt vows. And as Scott kissed the bride, a nearby boat sounded their horn to seal the deal!
What I really loved about this adventurous couple is that they were so present with each other from when they were manning the boat all the way through their ceremony to eating wedding cake together. Scott, Nicole and their family were tremendously gracious in how they so warmly welcomed us into their celebration. The love and tenderness between them all was so palpable. I also enjoyed getting to see Brian in action and to reconnect with the wonderful memories of our own wedding more than five years ago!
[tags]sailboat wedding, wedding photography, Tiburon, Angel Island[/tags]
