Abundance From the Inside

For the last 2 months I have been leading a tele-course on changing your relationship with money. We've been playing with money stories and last week I gave some feedback to a few of the participants on this subject. One of my LifeWorks team mates suggested I post this to my blog. I thought that was a great idea, so here you have it.

Feeling abundant has nothing to do with your bank account. If we have money there, we might get a false sense of relief or o.k.ness or you fear that you can't create it again or never feel like whatever is there is enough. Then there are the people who have money, but in their mind they are poor. The trick is to not outsource your abundance to what the bank account says, or to what you wish it would say, but to connect in with a deeper knowing that you are o.k. in this moment and the next and the next. Throughout our lives our bank statement will go up and down, true abundance is knowing your o.k. no matter what.

As many of you know I love Tennis. Recently I was watching the U.S. Open and I heard some of the announcers say that the mark of a true champion is that you can't tell by watching them if they are up or down in a match, their play is the same (their best game) no matter what the score is. WONDER QUESTION ALERT. I wonder how I could play full out no matter what my bank account says? Try it on. Let me know what happens.
Later
Megan
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SACRED DOG PRACTICES

I've not been blogging as of late with my travels and new products I'm playing with. This is just a quick check in to let you know I'm still here. I plan to be more regular as of my return to SLC after Nov 10th.
Recently one of my students sent me this story about an old dog that was being put down and there was a little blurb about how we humans might learn something from our furry friends. I'm currently exploring the lie on my back routine and I rather enjoy it.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle Them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

I'll be posting next week, until then I suggest taking on one of the "Dog Practices" and let me know how it goes.
Wagging my Tail
Megan

How Bout a Little bit of R and R?

As a follow up to the last post I've come up with my own formula for creating balance. I think this is Cool. Most people, when they think of R&R, it looks like numbing out or passing out. I got to thinking about my Bikram Yoga class which is all about going all the way in to the pose and then resting. Their philosophy is if you don't go at 100% you can't go into a full rest. In other words in order to be able to rest you have to risk. I've had the experience many times of going half ass in a pose and then feeling my body not be able to let go. Conversely have you ever felt a "really good tired" after a full day of adventure and experience?

My new experiment is called Risk and Rest. When we stretch ourselves it's important to allow time for integration to allow ourselves to adjust to the expansion . On the other hand I know when I've been stuck in a comfort zone and not risking enough, I feel restless and no matter how much rest I get, it's never enough.

I had tea with my tennis team today and there is an older lady (late 60's, killer forehand) who was telling me that it is important to her to do something to stretch herself at least once a year. Last year she went dog sledding for three days. She said that she was so exhilarated that she didn't come down for days. She expressed that she feels more alive and confident and that she carries this forward to challenges in her life where she thinks "well if did that..I can do this."

I think I've always known this principle on some level (see the post: Fear Play at Lagoon) and now I feel I'm incorporating it into my daily life as well as those big life opportunities. These days I often challenge myself to risk in some area on a daily basis. Lately that has translated into following through on some things I've been scared to do. I seem to sleep better on those nights.
I'm also noticing my life and career is launching in new and surprising ways. I feel more alive than I have in years.

I follow up my risking by watching my favorite show "Ellen" or playing tennis or a taking nap. Sometimes I do a little celebration dance..Ya Me!!

This week's challenge is to look for some area to risk in.. maybe take an action step that you've been avoiding or maybe sign up for that dance class you've been thinking about. Then see if you can begin to challenge yourself everyday, just a little. Life begins outside our comfort zone. So let life begin, but remember to celebrate and rest afterwards and you will train your body to easefully expand.
Happy R and R-ing
Megan

Sthira and Suka

Wow,
I recently experienced the coolest individual yoga session. I learned about these 2 sankrit words, Sthira which means steadiness and Sukha which means alertness. My yoga instructor interprets this using the words, strength and ease. If I'm not being challenged in some way meaning no strength is required then I might tend to stagnate. Conversely if I'm struggling with all my might I'm going to get burnt out. It is my understanding that the point in a pose is to use just enough strength that I'm present and alert but with enough ease that I can sustain it for a long period of time. COOL BEANS!!!I thought to myself. This is exactly what I've been looking for in my life to. It seems like I go back and forth between using up all my energy and steam and then totally being out of commission for a day or two. I am excited to explore the balance of risking and challenging myself with ease and fun, so I can sustain my creative energy for longer periods of time. Today I challenged my self to complete this blog and now I'm going outside in the sunshine with a good book. I'll let you know about what I discover.
Talk to you soon
Megan

I'm Back..New Blog Poll

Took a little hiatus, to finish up some things on my new website...www.megansillito.com. and rest. I had the thought hmm..what do my readers most want to hear about. So I want to invite you to take the Blog Poll at the side of this column and vote for what you want me to write about. If there is something that you want to hear about that's not listed then please just leave me a post, they come directly to my inbox. I'm also willing to blog about individual questions you might have for me. The intention of this blog is to share my learning's and through that provide some pointers and tips that might help you with yours. Love to hear from you.
Megan

I'm a frickin genius.

Today I was collaborating with a client and I coached him to do something I've forgotten about in the last few months and that is to remember that I am my own best coach. I'm a ferocious learner and I tend to have about 4 to 6 books going at the same time, while taking workshops and being part of telecourse groups. I'm always looking for cutting edge tools and techniques. I'm able to assimilate other people's brilliance very naturally and quickly. Today I was reminded by my own great coaching that I am my best resource. I know that within me are the best ideas and instincts because they are uniquely designed for me. I've never been a fan of the cookie cutter approach which seems to be pervasive these days. We are individual and therefore how we evolve is unique to us. Truly as a coach I'm assisting people to discover their own answers while teaching them new tools and new ways to think about things. Today I recommit to be quiet every day for just a little while and listen to myself. I know that everything I need is inside of me. When I seek external learning I know I'm simply looking for reminders of what I already know. Have you met your inner coach? Let me know what you find.

Fear Play at Lagoon

So last week my partner Annabeth and I went to Lagoon (an amusement park) with our friends Mary and Nick. First of all I love Lagoon, I love the scary rides I love the roller coasters, I love the rides where I get soaked..well you get the point. In recent years when I do these kind of activities I take the opportunity to create transformation through playful physical experiences. I believe we don't get full learning until we get it in our bodies. Basically I've learned to create real inexpensive fun workshops for myself.
For example, there is this ride at Lagoon called the Catapult. Basically you get in a little round cage that's attached to cables which are connected to 2 tall (over 100 feet) poles. The idea is they strap you in and launch you into space about 200 feet. Then you bounce up and down for awhile until you come back to the earth. Big Fun!!! So last year was my first time. It was that time of night when the sky is midnight blue and the stars are really clear. I set an intention that I would get a body experience of launching myself nationally. My intention over the last year has been to start the move towards speaking and coaching on a national level. I've bungee jumped a bunch but never been shot up. I have to say it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life, going up into the starry night seeing lights and stars not knowing which way is up or down. The only thing I could hear was my own laughter (everyone else chickend out). After the ride I knew I had the sensation of launching in every cell of my body. Over the next weeks and months I attracted amazing opportunities to present and hob nob with international coaches and presenters.
Now cut to this year. I asked my friend Mary if she wanted to go with me. At first she declined and then I told her the story of the previous year..She said oh..well I have a fear I'd like to get through and it feels about the same as when I think of myself on that ride. When she finally started to consider it she got real scared, but being the committed learner she is she chose in.
As we are getting strapped into the contraption I looked over at her lily white face (she has a tan and it was still white.) The man getting us situated was very compassionate. I know Mary likes music so I asked him to sing us a song, however he was very shy about his voice and said no. The waiting is really the hardest part. The cage turns upwards so our backs were to the ground and our faces to the sky. I think this is true in life too, the anticipation is generally way scarier than the actual thing. Any way I digress............R U scared yet?
So we launch up into space and about 20 seconds seconds later I hear Mary laughing and totally letting go. She was having the time of her life. Her fear turned into release and joy. Afterwards we were watching the video of the ride and I could see clearly the moment she went from fear to absolute bliss. Thank you Mary for being so brave, for showing me what the other side of fear really looks like. She reported afterwards feeling totally different in her body and not feeling fear about the prior issue.
So often in my life I've noticed that fear once I've stepped through it transforms itself into passion, confidence, growth or peace. In this way I see fear as my ally. I simply need to walk with it and find creative ways to play with it. As we go to new heights we often get to go through the fear gateway. If you are really afraid about something chances are something better wants to come in, by moving through the fear we create a space for the new. If you're in SLC go check out the catapult. Happy flying.