I remember a conversation 35 years ago as I was beginning my teaching career. I was at the mall with a girlfriend and she commented, “I don’t know how you can stand working with teenagers – they act as if they own the world!”

My response? “That is exactly why I love working with them! They may not feel that way again for really long time. They are just trying to figure out who they are.”

All of us know what it feels like to forget ourselves, to not act like we know ourselves to be, and the challenges that come with trying to figure out a new situation. What most of us don’t remember is that confusion can be the day-to-day reality for young people as they take the bridge from childhood into becoming a responsible adult.

Although the origins of proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” are unknown, the truth of it is obvious. Conscious adults who are able to stay solid and secure in who they are provide much needed guidance to teenagers as they navigate the demands, uncertainties, and realities of their lives. Coming from the “upside” in our encounters with young people – whether in our families or in our communities is an opportunity to be proactive in creating our future societies.

They aren’t “bad” – someone loves them. They aren’t by nature insolent – they might be confused or scared.

• I forgive myself for believing I need to judge adolescents.
• I give myself permission to focus on their positive attributes, and help them do the same.
• I choose to be a supportive model and mentor.
• I am free to make a difference in the world by “BE-ing there” for a teenager.
• I know what it feels like to try to figure out life when everything is changing so rapidly.
• I am a conscious model for young people – I come from the “up-side” of the line.

Our teens are more aware, more mindful, and faced with more life threatening situations than most of us were at their age.

They need our guidance, and mostly our compassion.

Remember what it was like? Wondering if someone liked you? Not knowing what to do? Feeling as though the adults around you were holding you back? Age provides a perspective that can’t be forced on the young, but by taking an active interest in a young person you can help them figure out who they are becoming… and you just might find yourself benefitting from their enthusiasm, creativity, and fresh perspectives!

Namaste,

Suze

Last year I began a tradition with my grand daughter– for her 6^th birthday we went for a movie and lunch date. Last week it was my grandson’s turn to join his cousin and I in this celebratory jaunt to the movie theatre. One of my favorite, early memories of my Gran was being taken to the movie theatre for a matinee, and I wanted to build some of those memories with my grand kidlets.

I’d heard a bit about Inside Out, and knew it invited viewers to “Meet the little voices in your head”. WOW!

Watch a 2 minute excerpt here

After the movie we chatted a long time about some of the other voices – and how they play out for all of us. The kids understood that when Joy is at the controls, things work well – and Joy works even better when Sadness, Fear, and even Anger have their input…and we all laughed at Disgust – we recognized that voice!

• I forgive myself for believing that any of my emotions are “bad”.
• I give myself permission to remember that all my emotions are important.
• I choose which emotions are “at the controls” of my life.
• I am free to use anger, fear, and sadness to point me in the direction of peace, security and joy!
• I know what it feels like to move through sadness to joy.
• I am mindfully creating my emotional well-being.

Rarely do I emphatically recommend anything for everyone – with a well deserved 98% Thumbs Up rating, this movie is making a positive impact on our understanding of how our minds work. Super entertaining, fun, and real – treat yourself and someone you care about to a wonderful movie, and great conversations to follow!

 Namaste,

Suze

We are making all of it up all the time.

Humans are story-making machines.

It’s time to rewrite some of those old stories that have been dragging you down and wearing you out. Shift your perspective and create another possible story – one that is more supportive and life-giving, 

• I forgive myself for believing that there is only one way to remember that event.
• I give myself permission to rewrite that old story – I’m tired of it draining my energy.
• I can hold on to the old story that drains my energy, or I can shift my perspective to something that supports me. I choose to create a story from a new perspective.
• I am free to determine the positive learning from the situation and rewrite the story from that perspective.
• I know what it feels like to change my perspective to something that supports me.
• I am in the process of creating stories that energize and support me.
•  

We are all weaving stories around today’s events. Imagine if today’s stories were all bound in covers of support and encouragement.

Here’s to using our wonderful powerful imaginations to create stories that empower us.  and raise the energy of those we care about!

Namaste,

Suze

Life is better at the lake.

Go fishing, watch the sunset, splash and play, nap often, make s’mores, wish on stars, enjoy wildlife, tell campfire stories.

A day at the lake restores the soul.

I’m just “sittin’ on the dock of the bay, wastin’ time”.

If you are lucky enough to have a place at the lake you’re lucky enough.

Give me the splendid silent sun with all his beams full-dazzling.

Life’s a lake. Jump right in.

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

If you’re not barefoot, you are over-dressed.

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore. I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

Advice from a lake: be clear, make positive ripples, look beneath the surface, stay calm, shore up friendships, take time to reflect.

We’re on lake time. Today feels like a cottage day. Put your feet up, take a break, sit back, relax, you’re at the lake.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.

Heaven is a little closer in a home by the lake.

There is nowhere to go. You are already there.

…with gratitude to Donna G. in Windermere BC for opening her lake home to me, and having this on a plaque in the bathroom reminding me of what is truly important!

• I forgive myself for believing I’m wherever I am physically.
• I give myself permission to “go to the lake” in my mind.
• I choose how I use my imagination and my memory, and I choose to nurture myself with positive, calming thoughts.
• I am free to “go to the lake” in my mind – right now!
• I know what it feels like to hop in a canoe and paddle across the lake, to dive into the cool water, to go to bed with the sunset and greet the day with the sunrise…
• I am actively using my memory and my imagination in a supportive and nourishing way.

How delicious! I was scheduled to drive home from the lake today – and then –  as if by magic, tomorrow rescheduled itself, and I am gifting myself another day at the lake. I’m “Little Kid” excited!

Off for the first of many dips in the lake on this extra special day!

Namaste,

Suze

 Inner Critic is my name for the voice in your head that does not appear to be all that helpful. Everyone has an Inner Critic – even me!  Your Inner Critic has the ability to take you right out of the game. You are wired to survive, and for your subconscious mind that means keep “playing the program that used to work” – even if it is 50 years or more out of date and is destroying you now. The old patterns kept you safe at one time, or were how you made sense of the world when you were younger. They just don’t work now.

It has always been my dream to support others in discovering how Belief Re-patterning contains the tools to build the life they desire. My goal has been to create a level of success that would allow me the ability to freely share this amazing technique for easily changing your mindset. I have wanted to be in a position to give the basics of Belief Re-patterning as my gift to my community. I am so excited!

My goal has come to fruition, and I am stepping fully into my dream!

On August 25 and Sept 15 I am offering a complimentary 2.5 hour evening seminar  “Inner Critic to Inner Coach” in my home town of Calgary. You’ll find the details here: Live http://www.critic2coach.ca/

Not in the Calgary area?  Join me through the wonders of technology for the webinar version September 22 and 29^th from 6 – 7:15 (MDT). Send an email to [email protected] to get the details.

I am truly thrilled to bring together many of the techniques, strategies and super simple ways of re-patterning that I have been sharing over the last 25 years into a complimentary seminar. I want to support you in strengthening your Inner Coach – whether you are in the Calgary region, or part of the global community.

• I forgive myself for believing that my inner critic is the only voice of truth.
• I give myself permission to strengthen the voice of my inner coach
• I choose to have balanced, kinder inner conversations by strengthening my inner coach.
• I am free to train my inner coach to be the voice that comes up first in my mind.
• I am so grateful to ______ (a positive mentor for you) for being a model for my Inner Coach!
• I am contributing to a kinder, more positive world by strengthening my inner coach – It is a meaningful contribution I can make!

I hold a vision for a world that is kinder and more positive – and it begins with each of us becoming kinder with ourselves. Consider joining me

Namaste,

Suze