“Gerry” is a relatively new parent, is moderately overweight, goes to bed too late, eats too late in the evening, and generally eats too much (although the foods are generally healthy); this combined with hardly ever stretching or exercising has led to a decrease in energy, strength and stamina.  On a spiritual level, “Gerry” is lacking intention, passion, and follow-through; on a mental level, “Gerry” is feeling kind of foggy and having difficulty with focus. 

“Gerry” is very aware that every aspect of life is tied together.  Better physical health leads to having more energy, passion, and focus for life; regular meditation helps move past obstacles in taking care of “me”, etc. Like many others, “Gerry” is living life via habits rather than by design. However, “Gerry” is recognizing the possibilities that life holds and that the time is NOW to take responsibility for the unfolding of life and make necessary changes – especially to be a role model for a healthy lifestyle as a parent.

Through this program, “Gerry” wants to achieve a much greater level of integrity between his/her inner and outer life and seeks help with clear goal-setting, planning, accountability, inspiration, and encouragement to meet his/her inertia with compassion and move through it into a life of passion.  “Gerry’s” goals include:

• Creating structure for daily life
• Strengthening the core, both physically and spiritually
• Living with intention & PASSION!
• Learning about goal-setting
• Following through:  walk the talk
• Making space for writing, meditating, journal writing, and reading
• Exercising regularly
• Losing weight
• Going to bed by 11 p.m. or when the body says it’s ready for sleep
• Bringing mindfulness to the relationship with food
• Working with time management

What challenges do you face in reaching your goals?

  The first challenge is fear.  As Marianne Williamson said, “It’s not our darkness we most fear, it’s our light.”  What would happen in my life if I stepped up to the plate and claimed my life fully, lived as the passionate person I truly am?  It would challenge my core beliefs that I am small & ineffective; truly, it would challenge my identity. My soul is calling for this change so it can more fully express itself here on Earth; my ego is afraid.

The second challenge is inertia.  Like most humans, I deal daily with the part of my psyche that does not want to change, is comfortable just the way things are, even if “things” aren’t working for me.  It is this energy that speaks when I look at the $500 recumbent bike we have sitting in our living room and think about actually getting on it instead of using it as an expensive coat rack.  “I’d rather not,” chimes this voice, and I usually take the path of least resistance and listen to it. 

The third challenge I face is lack of support.  I need a lot of support in living well.  If I don’t feel supported in a certain area, I struggle.  An example is food choices.  I have a spouse who is very conscious of eating healthy and follows through by buying healthy food and cooking healthy meals.  But my spouse also buys and eats a fair amount of sweets & snacks (they’re from the co-op so they’re a cut above junk food, but they’re still not good for my sensitive system), and if stuff is around the house, I am much more prone to eating it.  I know it is my responsibility to differentiate from my spouse’s food choices, but I know that I need a lot of support to live “right” and stay in balance. 

The last challenge is time.  I’ve never been busier in my life.  That doesn’t mean I don’t have opportunities to exercise, meditate, write and do the things I put off; I just have less “disposable” time.  Not only do I have less time, but I have a child who demands most of the free time I have.  So, this is an issue of strategizing and time management, of creating healthy structure.

What value does this award and opportunity have for you?

  This program may help me take another step toward my true self - which would be, in itself, a sacred gift - but it would also help shape another human being.  My child is watching me and notices everything my spouse and I do, how we interact with ourselves, each other, and the larger world.  I want her to see more of the person I know is inside of me, and less of the parent who eats unconsciously and stays up too late. 

So, the answer to this question actually cannot be put into words - how could I put a value on greater spiritual presence for myself and a healthier start for my child?  Such things cannot be quantified, they can only be felt in the cells of the body.  And, my cells light up when I embrace the possibility of actually transforming my daily life.