Archives for December 2012

Where Are You Going In 2013?

Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect. -Alan Cohen

One year ago today I wrote my first blog post which launched the Zen Chick website. For me it was a huge beginning, venturing into completely uncharted territory and one year later I’m so glad I did. It has had its ups and downs but one of the best parts is YOU my wonderful community. So a big hug and thank you for joining me on this journey!

I can’t say this enough and you may get tired of me saying it but 2013 is going to be the type of year that will move all of us into different places in our lives. Good places and yes there will be struggles but those struggles will help move you in the direction you want to go.

If you have read our latest Sunday Chat, I hope you are moving toward your dreams, the life you love and choosing to let go of the things and people in your life that don’t serve your purpose. Small steps get you just as far sometimes as large ones so start small but please do START!

To help you along your journey, I’m launching my workshop, “The Art of Defining Your Boundaries ~ A Journey of Self Reflection” at the end of this month. I want to help you define your boundaries, get rid of the obstacles that stand between you and your dream life and help you move into a life you want, not the one you settle for.

This workshop will be taught “live” at my office in Spartanburg, SC and for those of you that can’t make it to Spartanburg but want to participate in the live event can host a workshop. When you host a workshop you receive the workshop free of charge. Look for dates and all of the details on this website soon.

I hope that all of you spend a little time on yourself, plotting your course for 2013, journaling your thoughts and dreams, and using your energy to move you toward your goals. Remember, small steps will move you to bigger and better things.

Leave a comment and let me know where you want your life to go in 2013 or one or two things you would really like to change to move you toward the life you love! I love hearing from all of you.

“For the love of life, let go of the idea that there’s not enough time. You are the source of time in your life.“~Danielle LaPorte

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Let’s Chat

By Gay Barefield Leave a Comment Dec 12

“As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be?”
― Cassandra Clare, City of Ashes

All of my friends know that I love my coffee and a good conversation always goes better with a cup of that wonderful aromatic brew.

This is your invitation to pull up a chair with your favorite brew and join me for a series of Sunday Chats. (hat tip to Chris Brogan for letting me run with his idea.) We will be chatting about breaking through some barriers, simplifying your life and moving toward the life you love for 2013. This is going to be a very positive year and I want all of you to get the best out of it.

I hope you will join me on Sundays, spending a few minutes reading, reflecting and commenting on how you want your life to move forward or how you may be stuck and need help getting out of your rut.

If you are already one of my fantastic members in the Zen Chick Community then you will receive the Sunday Chat series by email. If you are new to the community join us by subscribing in the subscription box above this post.

You can add your voice to the chat by replying to any email and letting me know what subject you would like to delve into that will help you move forward in your life. For a more open discussion you can comment here on this post or on our Zen Chick Facebook page and interact with other members.

Last but not least the series will run every other Sunday which will give you time to digest the information and apply it to your life. Cluttering your inbox is not the purpose of this series so if you find that the timing or content is not right for you, feel free to opt out.

I hope all of you find value in this series and I’m looking forward to connecting on a more personal level. So grab your cup of coffee, slow down and spend a few minutes on yourself and the life you want.

*The series will begin on Sunday December 16th.

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The Perfect Gift ~ Time

By Gay Barefield Leave a Comment Dec 5

“Time the most precious gift one can give. Each moment is unique because it will never happen again…the gift of your time spent with others is the ultimate display of unconditional love.”~Robert W. Merriweathe

Last Christmas I introduced the ultimate “Christmas bomb“, a Christmas without presents. At first it was greeted with frowns of disapproval and perplexed looks. Once I stated the facts, “None of us really need anything and we always have trouble figuring out what to give each other”, the looks then became more relaxed and smiles started to appear.

The decision was made, no presents and we were going to enjoy having more time together without the stress of shopping. It went off with only one little hitch, my oldest daughter who loves giving gifts did sneak in tiny presents. She was forgiven. We ate, talked more and really enjoyed the company of each other in a much more relaxed environment.

This year as the subject came around to the “giving of gifts”, I got to stand back and watch a robust shout of “no presents again this year!” The smiles and total agreement of how much more delightful the holiday season was without the stress of shopping made the decision a simple one. We then started planning our time together, from a possible carriage ride to a brunch gathering and a very competitive game of Scrabble, all involving the beauty of time well spent together.

How about you? Are you looking for that perfect gift to give your family and friends?

I truly suggest giving them the best part of YOU, your time. It really is the gift that will keep on giving, long after the Christmas decorations are packed away for another year.

Even if you have “little ones” on your Christmas list, the gift of time could be a year long gift. A Saturday morning ritual of a breakfast out, a movie once a month, reading a big book one chapter at a time and just being present with that child is so much more meaningful than the latest video game or a Furby.

The common denominator is TIME and it is a currency of great value.

I hope you will enjoy this holiday season with all of the gusto it deserves and I hope you enjoy your TIME spent with friends and family.

I would love to hear your comments on how you enjoy spending your time during the holidays. And while we are talking about time, let me say how much I appreciate the TIME you take to read and comment on each of my posts. I value each and every one of you, so thank you!

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