tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81691250648811843752012-02-16T01:49:35.986-08:00Explore. Dream. Discover!Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.comBlogger451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-33235349920881020302010-06-23T20:06:00.000-07:002010-06-23T20:07:33.420-07:00

I think it's only fair to check in with you all and let you know that things are looking much rosier since Monday.  For one, the mailbox situation is all better.  And the printer issue has an end (hopefully) in sight.  And then yesterday I nabbed a great airfare for an autumn vacation for D & me.  I looked back - we travel regularly, but the last time we traveled together AND neither of us was

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-8719213831989793782010-06-21T20:57:00.000-07:002010-06-21T20:57:51.147-07:00

Generally speaking, I look forward to today - June 21st, that is.  It's the Summer Solstice here in the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year!  For my latitude, that means the sun doesn't set today until 9:10 pm and soft, dusky twilight will linger for an hour or so after that. But today ended up being a long day in a completely different sense.  And I'm really glad it's finally

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-8376222880786433192010-06-20T20:07:00.000-07:002010-06-20T20:11:54.648-07:00

...would smell as sweet.  Isn't that what Shakespeare said? Hmmm, well what about garbage? Garbage is on my mind at the moment, because we're thinking of canceling our pick-up service.  Not something I ever thought I'd be considering!  But over the past few years, it seems that we have less & less accumulating.  We compost a lot.  Recycle more.  And what does that leave?  Just the odd bits of

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-25666247260392929002010-06-16T16:38:00.000-07:002010-06-16T16:38:11.679-07:00

There are many reasons why people live as expats.  Career.  Military.  Education.  Love.  Wanderlust.  Refuge.  But there's another one, too:  Finance. For example, we've all heard about people who retire to countries with lower costs of living to stretch their retirement funds further.  In this regard, finance can be a strong incentive to pull up roots and resettle abroad. But finance can have

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-48371059640769662802010-06-15T18:34:00.000-07:002010-06-15T18:34:52.060-07:00

Earlier today I was asked, "What is my greatest dream?"  And I almost posted on that, because a question like this really connects with the essence of who I am.  There's so much I want to share, to write, to express about this dream - how it is important to me and all of its various facets. But then I realized that that would become a book!  Because my dream isn't a simple accomplishment, it's

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-20039440341693590682010-06-14T20:25:00.000-07:002010-06-15T11:00:27.063-07:00

Over the years, apparently I've done a pretty good impression of being vegetarian.  I never intended to, and I've never claimed the label for myself.  But I do have a marked preference for veggie dishes, so I suspect this is the root of these mistaken assumptions. One of my good friends in Japan claims that I must have been a rabbit 'in a former life.' And another time when I was traveling in

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-66536450410376449432010-06-13T17:42:00.000-07:002010-06-13T17:42:41.025-07:00

I was thinking about a book I read last November.  It was The Shape of Snakes by Minette Walters.  Have you read it?  For some reason, it's been one of those books that sticks in my mind.   I do like to read, and I read a lot.  And I read quickly.  And I have to say, about 90% of the time I'm reading fiction for pleasure, I don't really recall much detail about the story even 15 minutes after

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-60042577787434118622010-06-12T13:47:00.000-07:002010-06-12T13:47:33.169-07:00

Yesterday I ran into our friends who live next door and found out that the wife is flying home to the Philippines to be with her mom who's just been diagnosed with cancer and is starting chemo.  Unhappy news, to be sure, but I'm glad she'll be able to be there for her mom during this time.  It also made me think about what I wrote the other night, about flight providing possibility.  At the time

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-79273622513673505822010-06-10T23:47:00.000-07:002010-06-11T08:48:14.071-07:00

Yesterday I took the Boeing Airplane Factory tour in Everett, WA with friends visiting from Prague.  Before the tour group is escorted up to the catwalks above the actual factory floor, there's a short orientation film presented.  In it, the narrator begins by talking about the British discovery and exploration of Puget Sound...and how that initial journey took 14 months.  This remark then segues

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-42003375542716919072010-06-07T20:52:00.000-07:002010-06-07T20:57:15.607-07:00

A few days ago I received an email from Joyce Shui, founder of The Purple School which promotes bilingualism in children.  Joyce recently had the opportunity to meet with Roxana Saberi, the American foreign correspondent who in 2009 was charged with espionage by the Iranian government before eventually being released.  I found Joyce's reflection on her meeting with Ms. Saberi both interesting and

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-67298870449249590862010-06-06T12:01:00.000-07:002010-06-06T12:14:12.415-07:00

I was reading the NY Times this morning, and checked out an article / recipe on the food page for Caeser Salad.  I was surprised to see that the recipe called for what was basically a RAW EGG (dipped in water for 90 seconds before adding in order to assuage bacterial fears).  Seems like nowadays here in the US consuming uncooked / undercooked eggs is considered tantamount to poisoning oneself

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-15146830233239612252010-06-05T12:51:00.000-07:002010-06-05T12:51:12.488-07:00

It seems like all I've been doing the past few days is eating out.  Meeting up with family.  Meeting up with friends.  Attending a networking luncheon.  Attending an alumni get together.  Right now, a big plate of crunchy celery is looking reeeeeeally good.  Something nice, lite, green, fresh, watery.  Maybe green grapes, too. ;-) But actually, I can't complain.  There are a lot of mediocre

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-11847142850829591482010-06-03T18:11:00.000-07:002010-06-03T18:11:25.509-07:00

Yesterday I prefaced my writings with exuberant happiness over the bit of blue sky that was showing after all our recent rain.  I've been soooo tired of the damp chilliness this spring.  And then I was browsing through my ol' Motoyama Memories blog and found an early post which reminded me how much I use to dream of nice temperate weather like I've got now.  Acclimating to the sub-tropical clime

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-44719160694080618642010-06-02T16:40:00.000-07:002010-06-02T16:40:33.310-07:00

Oh, oh - the SUN IS OUT! Okay, that just had to be said.  Because maybe this is only temporary (likely, since the blue patch overhead was preceded by gray clouds and appears to be followed by black clouds), but it's been so long since we had a good, clear patch of sky and real, genuine sunshine that it needs to be recognized and celebrated! Alright, got that out of my system.  So what else is

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-7250155710007739562010-05-31T19:05:00.000-07:002010-05-31T19:05:48.489-07:00

Finding a good fare for a flight sometimes seems like finding a needle in a haystack.  Oh, sure, there are plenty of ads everywhere for incredibly low priced tickets...until you read the small print.  By the time you double that one-way fare, add on all the taxes & fees, discover that you have to contort your itinerary to fly in / out on the proper days - the actual cost is no longer a bargain. 

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-36939345503830334742010-05-30T20:40:00.000-07:002010-05-30T20:40:19.465-07:00

Grocery shopping tends to fall in the category of "chore," but living abroad can actually turn this routine errand into something of an adventure.  I remember shopping in Moscow in the early '90's.  Really early '90's.  Let's see - if I had dollars, I could spend a small fortune at the few Western groceries that were bravely venturing into this new market.  One of my favorites back then was

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-22231827656908312612010-05-29T21:21:00.000-07:002010-05-29T21:21:47.880-07:00

Familiar with this quote?  It's from Richard III (Shakespeare), and right now I am sooooo in empathy with this sentiment!  Only, substitute the phrase "new computer" for "horse."  You were going to get to read a nice little commentary on festivals, namely the Northwest Folklife Festival being held here in Seattle this weekend.  But no, not anymore!  Now I've just spent 1 hour and 14 minutes -

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-36246091006139352262010-05-28T21:17:00.000-07:002010-05-28T21:17:24.453-07:00

I was down at the gym today, sweating away on the elliptical, trying to avoid staring at the timer counting down because that only makes it go slower & slower.  Seriously!  I think there's a little spycam or something in there that registers me looking at it, because watching the timer results in the longest 35-minute period known to man! So instead of dooming myself to an eternal 35 minutes, I

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-24630237424625498922010-05-26T12:25:00.000-07:002010-05-26T12:28:20.943-07:00

Through August 2007, I had the great good fortune to live in the community of Motoyama, in Kochi prefecture, Japan.  I loved life in this small mountain town on the island of Shikoku, and really put strong roots down.  Even though at present I'm on the other side of the Pacific, and who knows where fate will lead me next, I would love to return to Motoyama someday.  In the meantime, from time to

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-87184218453416536022010-05-25T11:44:00.000-07:002010-05-25T11:47:04.277-07:00

Yesterday was a great day!  Firstly because after a dreary and damp week of clouds & drizzle, the sun came out to shine (more or less...but we're ignoring the remnant clouds) and secondly, because it was D's birthday!  Not that we do a whole lot to commemorate the date - we both like to keep things low key - but we do try to do something to make it special.  This year for his birthday dinner D

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-35017630066050170652010-05-24T10:15:00.000-07:002010-05-24T10:15:44.952-07:00

Have you ever seen a whale?  A whale in the wild?  It's MAGNIFICENT! I have to admit to having been fascinated by whales for pretty much as long as I can remember.  When I was really small (ie, pre-elementary school) I had a kid's book that identified the whales of the world.  The Blue Whale, being the largest creature on earth, enthralled me the most.  I just knew that one day, somewhere,

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-68910024715898819982010-05-22T11:22:00.000-07:002010-05-22T11:24:41.299-07:00

So a moment ago I posted a reflection on the phrase "Living Global" and what it means to me.  And then I finished up by asking you all to share what it means to you and how it manifests in your life. Ha, ha - would you like to know about one aspect of how Living Global regularly manifests itself in my life? One word:  LAUNDRY I grew up in the US.  Granted, when I was little some people

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-51851974438488008322010-05-22T10:50:00.000-07:002010-05-22T10:50:08.506-07:00

What does Living Global mean to you? To me, Living Global represents a specific approach to life, a particular frame of mind.  It's viewing oneself as a world citizen first and foremost.  There is no Me versus You; simply Us.  Perhaps I come from one culture and you from another, but that is purely a detail that make us individual.  Okay, sometimes I don't agree with you, or you might not agree

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-34410471164179701102010-05-20T13:14:00.000-07:002010-05-20T13:14:32.762-07:00

So here I am, all ready to grasp the freedom I've granted myself to write about more and different things than I have been.  I've got ideas left and right, popping into my mind...and I'm stuck.  Too much choice!  So, I thought I'd "set the scene."  I realize that some of you know me well, some a bit and some - not at all.  So for the sake of context, consider the following the equivalent to those

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-10661710153579752352010-05-18T11:45:00.000-07:002010-05-18T11:47:34.065-07:00

Exciting things are going on here with me and Stepping Forward Coaching.  As a coach, I see how each of you I work with is growing in new and rewarding directions.  And as your coach, I am growing, too. When I first established Stepping Forward it was a huge step forward for me in aligning my life.  For the first time, I felt my work was fully in line with who I am as an individual - what I

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-30805060303907153522010-05-14T20:26:00.000-07:002010-05-14T20:27:16.707-07:00

The Permission Slip is a potent piece of paper.  As a child, it had the power to transform its bearer from powerless to empowered.  It bridged the divide from "I can't" to "I can!".  That single parental signature freed us from restriction and allowed us to participate fully in all that was offered. So who signs your permission slip once you're an adult? You do!  But do you? That's right - we

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-14177474172837953352010-05-12T15:25:00.000-07:002010-05-12T15:35:05.439-07:00

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost.  They are where they should be.  Now put foundations under them." ~Henry David Thoreau I love this perspective of Henry David Thoreau's!  Dreaming is something that we naturally do from the time we are children.  Only back then, in childhood, we called dreaming pretending, and most of us took it pretty seriously.  Then we grew

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-85983688634075369002010-05-10T16:59:00.000-07:002010-05-10T17:08:01.221-07:00

As far as our day-to-day lives go, we generally feel pretty in control.  We know what to do, what to expect and how to react.  This sense of control leads to feelings of safety and comfort. But then one parameter changes, and it can throw everything off! I was reminded of this recently when my mom bought a new car.  At first she was thrilled with it.  She loved everything about it!  Except the

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-41519989999935275762010-05-07T17:31:00.000-07:002010-05-07T17:34:12.573-07:00

Every day we're faced with decisions.  Big and small.  Important and seemingly inconsequential.  Sometimes we have time to think and consider.  Other times we choose on the spot. And then we live with our decision. Ever notice how some of the things we thought were so huge and so important, afterwards turn out to be no big deal - or even completely irrelevant to the life we end up leading?  Or

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-24368630015606291502010-05-05T16:00:00.000-07:002010-05-07T17:34:52.461-07:00

I remember quite clearly when I first discovered the concept of serendipity.  I was 12 years old.  Visiting a friend, we were sitting at the dinner table and her dad began to quiz us on spelling words (I don't recall why; perhaps in preparation for a spelling bee?).  I surprised him first by spelling 'serendipity' correctly on the first try, and then secondly by defining it as "a little pink sea

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-1379547353457551952010-05-03T16:59:00.000-07:002010-05-03T16:59:12.445-07:00

Procrastination.  Putting something off.  Delaying. Raise your hand if you've never procrastinated.  Or put something off.  Or delayed. Yep, that's what I thought - no hands up.  I'm in good company! So here's my question for today:  can something be procrastinated to the point that it's too late to bother with?  Or, is it always worthwhile to follow through with something, even if you've

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-39472768323645904802010-03-27T08:04:00.000-07:002010-03-27T08:06:33.348-07:00

Our lives are shaped by the choices we make. Tony Robbins has a quote that I love - let me share it with you here: "It is in our moments of decision that our destinies are shaped." Think about it. How true is this? Very true, I think. Which makes me want to be sure I'm making the right decisions! But is that enough? Making the right choice? I don't think so. There are a lot of people out

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-64308463588879797412010-03-08T12:59:00.000-08:002010-03-08T13:06:25.303-08:00

How are you feeling?  Right this instant, I mean.  Pretty good?  All is fine, no particular catastrophes, just the regular?  Glad to hear it! As for me, my computer crashed this morning.  Not.  Good. So guess what's on my mind?  One word:  PREVENTION. I was sort of semi-lucky.  I had a back-up, but it wasn't the most recent stuff.  I'd gotten a little sloppy about regularly backing up.  So I

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-30325797705923822822010-02-23T11:30:00.000-08:002010-02-23T11:32:55.919-08:00

Last week a colleague invited me to participate in a coaching group she is running on the theme of happiness.  Curious to see how the group was approaching and exploring this topic, I accepted the invitation. Happiness is such a broad term, and it's used in relation to so many things.  What does it really mean to each of us individually?  Does is equate to "not sad"?  Or, perhaps "satisfied with

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-86580941610269563562010-02-16T12:44:00.000-08:002010-02-16T12:47:36.499-08:00

On your average day, have you ever thought about how many times the phrase "I really need [xyz]" comes out of your mouth? I bet you'd be surprised.  I suspect it's one of the most common phrases around!  But why should we care, you're probably thinking. Every time we say "I need" we're indicating that we're stuck in a state of incompletion until that need is met.  It might be as simple as "I

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-51701626636869314242010-02-09T11:36:00.000-08:002010-02-09T12:04:19.352-08:00

The other day a friend tagged me on Facebook with a link to a YouTube video.  That's sure a sign of the times, isn't it?  Not a phone call, a letter - or even an email!  No, these days it's FB and YouTube.  But anyway...the point is the video, not how my attention was directed to it. The video was all about the "Power of Affirmations."  To me, that sounds awfully jargon-y.  As a coach, I realize

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-2350940452767179302010-01-03T12:26:00.000-08:002010-01-04T16:56:04.949-08:00

Not far from the house, there's a neighborhood park atop a bluff that looks out over Washington state's Puget Sound.  It's a nice stroll over - about 20 minutes - and the view upon arrival is gorgeous any day, regardless of the weather. Yesterday was one of the days that I chose a walk to the bluff over a stint on the treadmill at the gym.  To be fair, I probably get a better workout on the

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-20871855635661918722009-12-26T17:47:00.000-08:002009-12-26T17:50:24.856-08:00

I was watching The Devil Wears Prada not long ago.  You might remember this film - it came out a few years back, was based on the book by Lauren Weisberger.  In any case, there's the scene right at the end [Spoiler Alert!] where Andy has *finally* gotten Miranda's approval.  And it hits her in a big way, because Miranda informs her that she can see herself in Andy. Andy is shocked. How could

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-9286891721251028582009-12-21T16:31:00.000-08:002009-12-21T16:54:06.597-08:00

Stepping Forward Coaching has two new coaching groups currently open for enrollment. This is an excellent opportunity for you to experience coaching in a supportive, group environment! Why a group, you ask? For many reasons! When you are part of a coaching group, you benefit not only from the coaching relationship with Coach Margie Banin, you also enjoy the perks of having a built-in peer

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-26115296253531937662009-10-18T15:06:00.000-07:002009-10-18T15:06:30.154-07:00

How often do we hear someone say "put yourself in their shoes"?  That is, take a look at something from another person's perspective.  In being fair and just, we try to be objective; one way to do this is to view a situation or event free from our personal judgment. Judging in and of itself isn't a bad thing.  Ideally judgment involves rational thought and helps us to make wise decisions based

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-63530405380745983512009-09-08T15:25:00.000-07:002009-09-10T13:47:32.028-07:00

Why are you doing that?- Doing what? Going to work? Because I need to pay my bills!Why are you doing that?- Doing what? Going out tonight? Because my friends expect me to be there!Why are you doing that?- Doing what? Making candied yams at Thanksgiving? Because that's what our family's always done!But you hate your job. Plus, you were just telling me how tired you are from going out

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-48277469284806091822009-08-02T18:15:00.000-07:002009-09-10T13:48:00.903-07:00

Do you think you know the meaning of your life? Do you have a purpose? A goal? A reason for living?Do we even *need* to have a purpose to our lives?It's a fair question, I think. We hear talk about finding the meaning of life, as if there is some secret reason that justifies our existence. Or having a purpose, as if just living an ordinary life isn't enough. When someone brings up "meaning"

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-22893434829843790212009-07-26T18:15:00.000-07:002009-09-10T13:48:18.641-07:00

"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well."This quote from Diane Ackerman is a favorite of mine. It puts in a nutshell a feeling I have, a drive almost, to live life as fully as possible.For me, living the "width" of my life means exploring new places, having new experiences, contemplating new thoughts.

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-45979468713948076002009-07-19T00:00:00.000-07:002009-09-10T13:48:29.912-07:00

I was chatting with some friends the other day, and the conversation came around to a topic that is probably fairly common: our druthers. Specifically, feeling hemmed in by circumstances, prevented from doing what we really want, and what we would do if we could have our druthers.That's actually a pretty predictable conversation. I'm sure we've all participated in it before. A bit of wistful

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8169125064881184375.post-91358718877222049782009-07-12T20:28:00.001-07:002009-09-10T13:48:44.735-07:00

There's a short clip that's been out on YouTube for a while now. Maybe it has an official title; I don't know. I was introduced to it as "Two People Stuck on an Escalator." Yes, that's right - on an escalator. Ready for a good chuckle? Take a look for yourself:(Or, click here.)So we laugh - maybe roll our eyes - and think, "how dense could these people possibly be?"But that's because we

Margie www.coachingwithmargie.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168794963381120502noreply@blogger.com0