Do you live in an environment full of clutter and want it to change?

Clutter is a battlefield! Or at least it can look and act like one. Clutter can create a set of challenges that affect not only your physical environment, but also your mental well being. Instead of the trenches and the potential landmines blowing up, clutter creates a physical state of turmoil where there are constant obstacles. Have you ever tripped over a toy or spent hours looking for your car keys amidst the mess? And mentally, it creates a state of panic and unrest. Although it may not be quite as life-threatening as a real war zone, clutter creates a different kind of discord - with yourself and the “things” in your life. There is a constant struggle with the idea of what is important, what do you need to keep, what are you willing to throw out?

Who’s the boss? You or the “things” in your life? Read the rest of this entry »

As the curtain falls on the current year,
The dawn is awakening with a newfound cheer.
It’s a new day, a new month AND a new year
A new Life breezes in without any fears.
“The world is your oyster” is what I like to say
So go with the moment, today is YOUR day!
Live, Love and Laugh as often as you can.
Dream and Take Action and follow through with your plans.
Remember to Breathe and take an occasional rest. ..
Wishing You the VERY Best with Joy and Happiness.

Ha’ouli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year!
Susan

Sing it out!!!! . . . well not exactly. . .
I read a about a study where doctors have found that listening to music can improve not only mental health but physical health as well! Read the rest of this entry »

Anger is a good thing.
Or rather, it is an emotion that can have positive benefits that too often (and perhaps too readily) are looked upon negatively. Anger can be unnerving and uncomfortable, but totally getting rid of anger would mean that you won’t have that certain mechanism to help self-preservation, establishing healthy boundaries, determining wants and needs, and just not getting hurt overall.

Anger can protect us from that which may be harmful.

The “problem” or issue of anger comes into play when people react with anger inappropriately or for manipulative and self-serving reasons; when anger becomes abusive. Oftentimes when we react “in anger” the result is a shift from anger to a feeling of guilt, resentment, embarrassment or even more anger. Then THESE emotions can feed on themselves and exacerbate the problem. Other times you might derive a sense of relief and release from the stress.

Either way, understanding your emotions and being able to process and control them is a part of Self Care. It follows that when we take care of ourselves, we are mentally and emotionally better able to address various challenges throughout our day. However, on the flip side, understanding our own patterns of emotions, especially anger, allows us to practice Self Care more fully as well.

The key is to understand where the anger is coming from, identify it and then learn how to appropriately express (or not express) that anger.

What are some ways you “manage” your anger?

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan

Usually this time of year makes me think of learning and creating. I think with school starting, I’ve always identified the Autumn with something new and exciting - a new class, a new teacher, new experiences. There’s a change in the air.

However, now that I am no longer in school, I create ways of learning and bringing new experiences to my life.

Someone once told me that once you stop learning, you’re dead.

I’m sure there are several ways to read that statement, but to me, it means if we cease to grow, to expand or to learn, we cease to exist. If you’ve ever been in a “rut” of any kind, you know what I mean. You feel stagnant, bored, tired. The memory might conjure up feelings of being one of the “living dead;” walking around and “doing” without actually LIVING.

In order to stay inspired, to take action and to move toward what you REALLY want in life, oftentimes it entails learning - learning something new, different or just discovering something within ourselves.

Recently I joined a book club and that has inspired me to read books that I normally would not have otherwise. I have to admit sometimes it takes a little while to build up the momentum, but once it starts to roll, it’s great!

I encourage you, especially if you ARE in a rut, to take the opportunity to create some excitement in the air by learning/doing something new.

It will open doors to new worlds and most likely will be fun!

Share your ideas to get inspired, find creativity and get motivated!
Would love to hear how YOU get out of your rut!

Looking forward,
Susan
Susan Kim Coaching
Supporting You To Take Action!

We have some friends in town who just completed what’s called a Channel Swim. If you’re not familiar with this, it is an open water swim where you start from one island and swim to another. In this case it is the Maui Channel Swim, an event that starts from the island of Lanai and finishes on Maui. The distance is about 9 miles and our friends are on a team of six who are swimming as a relay.

Some people think they’re CRAZY!
I think they’re AMAZING!

Based on my own experience with open water swimming - it is NOT easy.
You have to contend with the waves, the current, the wind and the depth (which personally freaks me out!). And then there are the critters (like sharks) that you hope won’t come up from under you and say “hello.”

Swimming the Channel is not only a physical challenge, it is definitely a MENTAL one as well.

Watching the Olympics last month, I saw this phenomenon happening again and again. . .

So this post is simply to say “You ROCK!”
To anyone that has faced their fear and beat it.
To anyone that has beaten the odds.
To anyone that has done something that many others are unwilling to do.
To anyone that has been called crazy and persevered.
To anyone that has overcome a physical challenge with mental strength.

You TOTALLY ROCK!
You’re a HERO!
And an INSPIRATION.

What are your stories of amazing feats?
Share them here and spread the inspiration!

With Thanks,
Susan

Talking about technology this month has brought out the “geek” in me – who doesn’t like the bright and shiny objects that dangle in front of us? However, sometimes we purchase the “upgrade” just because it’s there, not necessarily out of purposeful intention or because it is a good choice.

The important questions to ask yourself are:
How does it benefit your life TODAY?
Does it upgrade your lifestyle?
What systems in your life need to be “tweaked?”

Distinguishing between trinkets that serve you and enhance your life VS. those that make your life more difficult and stressful, is a great tool to have. It helps you to make choices on a daily basis that suit you and makes life EASIER for you.

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan

Technology used to benefit our self care can make a huge difference in how we organize and plan.

1 1/2 years ago when I changed from carrying a separate cell phone and palm pilot to ONE Palm Treo that served both for me, it was the best thing I could have done! I had always utilized various systems to help me organize - Franklin Covey, Day Planners, the Palm Pilot – but the Palm Treo helped me take it one step further and really helped me be more efficient throughout my week.

The fact that I have all my contacts in one place makes it easier to update/revise and/or access my contact information. It was cumbersome to maintain when I had three separate places for my contacts: my pda, my cell phone AND my contact software on my laptop. Now it’s all in once spot, saving me time, energy and sweat! With the extra time, I do a little more yoga or walk my dog.

TAKE ACTION! CHALLENGE:
Life does not have to be hard work. Instead of working hard to maintain technology, let technology work hard for you.
How can you improve your daily “system” to incorporate technology for you to enhance your life, to “upgrade” life?

Another example would be my coffee maker. I purposely bought a coffee maker with the brew timer. It’s easier for me to set up the coffee the night before and have fresh brewed coffee ready for me in the morning when I wake up! Now I just have to get someone to bring it to me in bed. . .

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan

Sometimes technology doesn’t serve us, no matter how bright and shiny the object might be. Sometimes we “upgrade” just for the sake of upgrading, which doesn’t always benefit us.

Made me really stop to think about some other things in my life that I do on “automatic” that does not serve me TODAY. For example:

• Membership renewals – some I don’t take full advantage of the membership.
• Cell phone package – I can find a better, more efficient minute plan based on my usage.
• Our recycling bins – we tend to save up more bottles before we drop them off (we don’t have local pick up), and our old system just doesn’t work any more.

It could also be “bigger” things, like financial planning. Usually we just plug in money to our retirement plans and forget about it. This is something that is also on automatic that may need a little “tweaking” TODAY – depending on your lifestyle and financial goals.

TAKE ACTION!
What other things in your life need a little tweaking?
Getting into “automatic” mode can be beneficial when we set up systems to make our lives easier. However, sometimes we get comfortable and continue along the same path, even if it doesn’t necessarily make sense any more. It’s always a good idea to periodically review and revise so that you keep what is relevant to your life TODAY – and discard those things that are not.

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan

We have an e-cycling event coming up this month, where they collect unwanted electronic equipment. Last week I dug out some of my own boxes of old trinkets and I hit the motherload! I pulled out at least 4 old palm pilots, 2 cell phones, a Bluetooth and about 10 extra USB cords and adapters, not to mention a dozen accessories I no longer use. I could start my own little electronics store business!

It got me thinking, why do I have all of this stuff? Other than the obvious answer – I bought it! Or rather . . I’d been sold!

Through constant marketing campaigns and my fondness for new shiny things, I got sucked into the “next versions” and “newer models.” I realized it was my version of “Keeping up with the Jones’.” I was just “Jonesin’” for cool stuff or in today’s language, . . . I wanted to upgrade.

Made me really think about what I need vs what I want vs what is pure vanity.

In my personal Self Care practice, I’ve tried to reduce my clutter and pack-rat-ness. Now I’m slowly moving toward what is “natural” and moving away from technology for the sake of the shininess of it all. To be fair, since discovering the Palm Treo about a 1 1/2 years ago, I have not needed another palm OR cell phone (the Treo is both for me now). I like to think that I’ve reduced my carbon footprint by at least 50% but . . . don’t hold me it just yet (wink).

Granted, technology is a hobby for some and a lifestyle for others. But I challenge you to think about:

What “trinkets” in your life are serving you. . . and what doesn’t. And how does it benefit (or inhibit) your Self Care?

Make Happiness Yours,
Susan