Yeah… I’m totally profiling my bff and fellow coach Nikki Buckelew today.  She was my coach back in 2008 or something like that and she FIRED me as a client….because she wanted me to be friends. We were both at the time believing that clients couldn’t be friends.  We are totally over that and now share so much in life and have been collaborating and coaching one another ever since.

We are soul friends….sisters… travel and dream together…and we still coach one another by either hiring the other, or on a call saying…can you be my coach today…then my friend….

I love what Nikki offers the world in a zillion ways.  She, unlike me, still enjoys the real estate world.  She has a heart for agents and a heart for helping seniors downsize.  She is a bad ass coach… she is a COOL coach who works with cool people.

This email came across the wire and while I’ve sent her a request to publish…I’m just gonna do it and assume she’ll be fine. These are great lessons we can all learn from…and I want to share a bit of a soul spirit friend, and a damn excellent coach with you:

Buckelews on the Move…

 About a year ago this time, we were just finalizing the purchase of our dream home here in Marco Island, Florida.

 Bought the house. Moved into the house. Love the house. Love the water. Love the nature around us. Realized we miss our friends, family, and social life desperately!

 And so it goes…  Another chapter in our lives complete. Another dream dreamed, goal set, and goal achieved. Check, check, and check!

 We have figured out a few things in this journey that we would love to share with you, our friends.

 1. Checking goals off your list is great. Remembering that it’s not about the end result as much as the journey…priceless.

 2. A few straight months on the beach is more than enough. Go figure.

 3. When you are a people person, working from the house with your spouse all day every day is fine, but only in small doses. 

 4. Taking an extended breather after 3 years of a balls-to-the-walls kick-a#% hard core on-the-go lifestyle is not only recommended, but necessary. (had to censor “the word” because of spam filters… so sick of being censored- ugh).

 5. Being away from family and friends for a while makes one appreciate just how valuable that afternoon meetup with beer, chips and salsa is in the grand scheme of things.

 6. Not everyone has the same definition of living a life by design. 

 7. Coaching can not only help one become a better version of them self, but it may actually save your life. 

 8. Once you have been in the same professional environment for many years, it takes quite a while to get acclimated to a new one.

 9. True friends remain true friends no matter where you move to, what you do, how crazy you are, or how much you drink. Others remain well, just … others. 

 10. Taking vacations to amazing destinations throughout the year requires a bit of planning, but can originate anywhere and take you virtually anywhere too. Build flexibilty into your life. 

 Oh… one more. Grandbabies change everything. 

If you know of anyone looking to buy an amazing house in Marco Island, Florida, keep us in mind!

 Here is a virtual tour… 155 Hollyhock Crt, Marco Island, FL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuRHmO6_3vk

 We will be moving back to Austin as soon as it is SOLD!

Truly,

Nikki and Chris

“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”
— Unknown

“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”
— Unknown

1. His name has changed a few times– till we found the one that LIT us ALL UP and was truly him.
2. I had a desire to get a new dog…. to grow our family.  Bill kept saying it would complicate our life.  I kept saying it wouldn’t and that it would be SOOOO nice.  Expanding our family HAS complicated things greatly. Totally whacked out my schedule…tested my patience…and opened my heart.  It has been worth it….and the true joys haven’t even come yet!
3. He barks at me from the other room– seems to be always demanding my attention.  And yet, sometimes I just gotta take care of ME…my heart & body & mind & spirit– and then I’ll be back.
4. I enjoy our little training and growing sessions.  Sometimes we really have fun together.
5. He needs lots of little tiny nudges and systems and rituals to be his best.  These early days are crucial for laying the foundation.   Timing is everything…and so is attitude. Especially my attitude toward him.
6. While sometimes I see growth quickly- he sits well, and is learning to wait his turn to go through any open door… other skills are taking longer– much more training and soothing and practice involved. It is hard to not want him to be perfect right now. And I know… it will come, one step at a time.

I know building trust and a working relationship with this dog, doing the repetitive boring stuff, giving him the time and attention and course corrections he needs….will bring about an amazing companion that our family will enjoy for years.

Saturday we met, applied, discussed, agreed, and then hoped. Sunday they came for the home visit…and Leroy Brown (formerly Amadeus) stayed.   Yesterday was a day of introducing dogs, and gently welcoming a new FORCE in to our peaceful home.  Daisy and Lulu are both small…and senior and totally effortless to care for. Leroy is big and young and wants to play and totally a scavanger from being a street dog.  His foster mom says he “eats stuff.”  This means an intensive 21 day training program–full on. Pain now–years of blessing to come.  Starting out with good boundaries and expectations and building trust are important and they take effort. An effort I knew mentally about…but emotionally had forgotten.  And it has been good.  It will be good.  Adjusting has begun!

Of course I think about Hank….missing him..and somehow thinking that Hank helped direct us to Leroy Brown.  Seeing some of Hank’s dopiness in him..missing an old pal, and loving a new one.

Saturday afternoon was my friend Marc Leonard’s (www.spoonforlife.com) memorial service.  He died last week…at 43 unexpectedly.  I was asked to speak at his service.. I have so many thoughts and feeling around this. Grief is strange.  Marc was AWESOME though…and it was a celebration of him and the light and mercy he was in this world. I am not able to digest on a thougth level…just feel relief on a spirit level.  He is free.  The body may die…but AWESOME lives forever!

Today…I’m regrouping…right now allowing my dog trainer, Kimberly Burgan, to do some crate work with Leroy.  I’m allowing her to take care of me (SHOCK hard for me)…and I’m getting better at being tender…and needing care from time to time.  With her in charge of the dogs for a few hours.. I can breathe, and think and regroup–and then jump back in!

So here are the day’s TBAs:

TBAs…

Truths:
Wow…new dog is hard work.
It was a big emotional weekend…funeral…and rescue dog.
I can still take a few moments of chill time just for me.
Chill time moments are important for me.
I love connecting to my breath and slowing down.
I can adjust to this with ease and joy.
I launched a new soul-full Saturday class this weekend.  Meditation and Manifestation with Markers and people are signing up! Can’t wait.
I love having a lap top that works and holds battery power so I can work from outside.
A green lizard just crossed my path.

Beauties:
My husband loving this dog.
Kimberly in action with any dog.
Bella G and her way with words and thoughts…and she’s only 5.
Dog slobber on my computer?…. Oh wait… gentle velvet doggy kisses.
How perfectly the universe works in my favor.

Appreciations:
I appreciate how perfectly the universe works in my favor.
I appreciate bill falling for Leroy Brown.
I appreciate that Leroy Brown settled in his crate last night and we were able to sleep!!! Totally thought he was gonna have crate fits all night long!
I appreciate new clients.
I appreciate new conversations.
I appreciate discovering new thinkers and artists via friends.
I appreciate Marc’s funeral service.
I appreciate time with friends.
I appreciate that I got to see both my kids yesterday and that Samantha brought me flowers!
I appreciate the soothing physicality, mentality, and spiritual connection that connecting to my breath deeply gives me.
I appreciate that money comes in the mail all the time.
I appreciate TBAs….especially after a hiatus.

I feel another shift happening. Me, my thinking, my world. I once wanted everything to be neat, with straight lines, and crisp. Everything is not designed that way. And, that is perfect too. I read my 2×3 cards today….

Ts
1. I am powerful
2. I am creative.
3. I make shit happen
4. I make mistakes with grace and comfort and love
5. I am good
6. I see with joy and love
7. I have vision
8. I move forward with ease.
9. I am safe.
10. I am free to move forward
11. God supports me in all that I do
12. I am God’s lovely, beautiful, magnificent, magical child who can move mountains

Bs
1. Believing in Truth
2. My beautiful, shiny, brilliant, sweet, loving Coach’s first retreat
3. Lessons learned at the retreat
4. My courage at the retreat
5. Everyone’s willingness to love and truly share at the retreat
6. The Travaasa and the food
7. The smoothies!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8. The back jacks
9. Elevating my breathing skills
10. Learning what Aloha meant
11. Starting with the exhale…thank God someone out there agrees with me! I also think the chicken came first…sorry wrong journal.
12. Rubbing Fresh rosemary between my fingers every day…ahhh…the smell

As
1. I appreciate God and the spirits
2. I appreciate amazing human beings – like the ones on the retreat
3. I appreciate witnessing magic
4. I appreciate having the divine privilege of going on the retreat
5. I appreciate having hassle free travels with southwest and flights that arrive early
6. I appreciate my mom and her frustration with herself and letting it out via me (the only solution accessible to her at that time)
7. I appreciate being strong and wise
8. I appreciate all the beautiful herbs and flowers and raw nature
9. I appreciate my now

-Dayhna Carroll, Loving Your Living Coach

Cleaned off the hammock and cozied up with my notebook and markers…and here is what doodled out (including oak tree shadow):

That is me in the middle…and I started on the right and worked counter-clockwise (I tend to do things backwards often)… STUFF was stressing me so I began focusing on the support I’d like and the support I have.  As I moved around I allowed myself to flow with my thoughts/heart… and was able to get peacefully clear on the other things I intend to manifest for my business and coaching practice.  I’m pleased with the results visually and within my heart and mind.  AND…I was inspired to create a course about using markers and doodles to meditate and manifest!!! so stay tuned!!

Give this little practice a try..and let me know how it works for you!

Allison Crow, M.Ed., is a sought-after intuitive life and business coach, inspirational speaker, and visual facilitator. She is Chief Creative, Head Coach,  and Founder of Crow Hill Conversations & Soul-Full Living, LLC. 

P.S. Check out all coaching options here. Find out about Graphic Facilitation & Graphic Recording. Questions about a retreat or event or interested in scheduling Allison for for a private event?  Stop by and say hi on Allison’s  Conversation Page on Facebook

And then I have a conversation…and a connection….and all is right with the world and in my heart again.

Yep…it is Wonder ★ Woman ★ Wednesday  again… sharing the magical wonder of amazing women!

I met SARK in the 1995 when I was living in Boulder, Co…at the very beginning of my self discovery journey.  I remember finding one of her books in a small local bookstore…and I felt like I’d just come across a long lost soul sister.  She was an artist, and a thinker, and a beauty-full FEELER! She was living a magic life– doodling, growing, being, laughing, smiling, and sharing her magic with the world! It was THEN I KNEW I wanted to do the same.

No I haven’t actually met Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy in person….but she’s so THERE in her books…and that THERENESS jumped off the pages and on to my heart.  Ever since then, I’ve collected book after book and there is always one in rotation on both my bedside table, and –a-hem…by the commode.  Even just a few pages fill me up with joy, hope, authenticity and zest.

I’m joyfully on SARK’S email list…I want to hear and follow all that she does.  Check out her fun website at http://planetsark.com/

She is the essence of magic, of self love, of transformation, compassion, joy-full living and NAPS! 

In those early years…she let me know that wonder was possible as an adult –and here I am today…living that same wonder!I also know that when one of my books finally gets birthed…it is POSSIBLE to publish the whole sucker in living color and my handwritten font!

 One of these day’s I know our paths will cross in a perfect stardust way….maybe a hammock park, or a pajama slumber party…or maybe eating naked mangos from a tree house…..how ever it happens…I know it will be magic and wonder. 

If you are feeling dry, cracked, and bored or borking….get you some SARK and juice up your life! You will LOVE her…. I PROMISE!

Remember…check out www.PlanetSark.com and heres a quick link to all her books on Amazon!

Here is her Facebook Page and you can follow her on Twitter @susanAkaSARK

If you love SARK, share this post, share a story, or comment below about how she has brought wonder in to your world…I know there are many SARK Sisters out there!

Hugs and love till next time,

The magic of a retreat can’t be explained… Something happens when we choose to slow down, to listen to our inner whispers, to trust the serendipity of the universe gathering very specific people together. As professionals we train, we learn, we conference, all –from the outside in. When is the last time you really disconnected from the to-do list, from the client roster, from all the personal and professional noise….and listened to your inner wise self…deeply? This is the value of a retreat. This is the ultimate gift to yourself, to your business.

I know, you are thinking…. “Yeah right. Like I can take this time off, invest this money….at a luxury renewal retreat. My spouse will think yeah right too.” And this is exactly what we do as busy professional humans…..often what we need the most, is a quiet date with ourselves… an opportunity to truly allow us to visit with our wise inner self…to listen to our inner whispers. What could committing to this sacred time do for you?

;

The Retreat is In 2 weeks so so we encourage you to book now.

more info at

www.soulfullretreat.info

I KNOW you will find amazing value at this event….it could be life changing….

I hope you will come.

Registration, payment plans, and booking info at www.soulfullretreat.info

Allison Crow, M.Ed., is a sought-after intuitive life and business coach, inspirational speaker, and visual facilitator. She is Chief Creative, Head Coach,  and Founder of Crow Hill Conversations & Soul-Full Living, LLC. 

P.S. Check out all coaching options here. Find out about Graphic Facilitation & Graphic Recording. Questions about a retreat or event or interested in scheduling Allison for for a private event?  Stop by and say hi on Allison’s  Conversation Page on Facebook.

And all the while the Universe- Source- God– your Inner Whisper is present– loving you and hoping you will notice her presence. What message is she lovingly wanting you to hear?

This winter has truly been a winter for me.  As a coach, facilitator, and teacher– I work with clients to have amazing conversations– and sometimes I put the conversation with my Inner Self on the back burner.  Not often….and then life hits.  Last November, my SOUL dog Hank was diagnosed with liver cancer and I cared for and hospiced him until the end of February when I had to make the decision to let him go.  His mind was sweetly still alert but his body failed and so we brought the vet and said goodbye.  It has been 6 weeks since that Sunday and I never knew the waves of grief were this erratic.  I didn’t realize how much of myself I gave to caring for Hank– how much anticipating his death took a toll on me…and now the emptiness of his body being gone. I’m allowing it all to unfold becuase either way…if I allow it or not…it still unfolds.

All this going on behind the scenes of (thankfully) a thriving coaching and viz thinking practice, a bit of work travel, and my 40th birthday.

When I first seeded the idea of a renewal retreat last year…who knew that it would be me that needed self renewal.  Last week I had some crappy results come back from a routine medical exam….6 cysts and 3 are not pretty—-and clearly the Universe’s whisper became a loving NUDGE—girl…I love you…and I want YOU to love YOU.  Please TAKE CARE OF YOU.  It is looking like my body will be well –but the message of SELF CARE is not lost on me.   And I’m sharing all this private stuff–this REAL LIFE STUFF because I don’t want it to be lost on you either.

When is the last time you checked in with your Inner Wise Self? Have you listened to your body–what it is really telling you?  What messages have you been getting and possibly dismissing?

You are AMAZING and WORTHY…and you KNOW your inner wisdom has never steered you in the wrong direction.  So just check in with you…see how you can take care of you.

You may already know how best to care for yourself…. and if you would like some support….I’m gathering with a small group of other people just like you and will be facilitating a guided renewal retreat….maybe one of the reaming spots is just for you.  I wish i was going to this retreat for me….but this event is for you and perfectly, the universe has unfolded so that I may, as your guide, more deeply know the need and power of withdrawing from ordinary life to connect deeply with self.  Here’s the link to the retreat–www.soulfullretreat.info I promise your Inner Wise Self will thank you.

Don’t worry. I’ve heard the messages loud and clear and I’m making some small mindful changes and I am well. I’ve scheduled my own sacred, personal time to retreat –to be the student instead of the teacher. I’ve even hired a new health coach to support me in my mindful body choices…..and look for some exciting offerings and changes as summer unfolds…

In the mean time….

I send you all love and care this April….
Deep Bows!

Allison Crow, M.Ed., is a sought-after intuitive life and business coach, inspirational speaker, and visual facilitator. She is Chief Creative, Head Coach,  and Founder of Crow Hill Conversations & Soul-Full Living, LLC. 

P.S. Check out all coaching options here. Find out about Graphic Facilitation & Graphic Recording. Questions about a retreat or event or interested in scheduling Allison for for a private event?  Stop by and say hi on Allison’s  Conversation Page on Facebook.