Vol 1 Iss 13

It has been drizzly and rainy here in Colorado for the last week. In my Louisiana soul, 50 degree weather with rain means Christmas shopping. It's been tough staying away from the malls!

Instead, it has been a time of friends and family. When you can't go outside to play, you stay inside and connect (or cocoon). Maybe that's why families are so close in the South. Sitting at the table laughing with each other and at our stories is the perfect way to spend an evening.

Tuesday evening, my son Jim came over with Brendan, his son and my grandson (the light of my eyes). That boy is so physical and energetic. There is nothing he won't climb and jump off, including garden rocks that are twice his height. He's a jumper!

He was very creative in training himself to climb up those boulders, starting with encouragement and a little boost from Grandma, and at the next attempt discovering a toehold. Finally, he was scampering up as though he had carved stairs into the face of the rock.

And isn't that how a career change goes. You're faced with an insurmountable obstacle, you find encouragement, get a little boost, you discover a toehold, you create your own path, then suddenly you're there! I'll talk more about these steps in the main article and the career tips below.

May you have good friends at your table and a playful child in your heart!

P. S. If you missed the chance to vote for my son's band, Tenpenny, here is the link:

http://www.hardrock.com/promo/cabowabo2004/voteList.asp

If you download the MP3 to listen to them, that's my son playing the jammin' lead guitar.

He Rocks! Thanks for supporting Tenpenny!! (and pass it on...)

When you're feeling stuck in an unsatisfactory job, you know that it's time to move on - but to what? - it's like sitting in a canoe in the middle of a lake floating. Sometimes the lake is lined with docks, but you don't know which one is the "right" one, sometimes the dock is shrouded in fog and you don't know where it is. Many times you don't even have a paddle - so how do you get to the dang docks anyway! You're just floating...

This is the time to go inside of your heart and have a look see - get to know yourself better, maybe meet your Future Self for a conversation. That's where your mission is and your purpose is and your own answer to "What do I do with my life?"

It feels insurmountable, like those garden rocks, and not everyone is equipped to follow that path at the beginning. I spoke to a woman this morning who has spent 20 years in accounting and has always relied on her brain and other people's opinions to make decisions for her. She's now looking for the path to her heart and her brain keeps interrupting with logic such as: you need structure and you need income beyond your retirement benefits (which are generous).

To bypass the brain, she's starting to journal, to read books that offer encouragement and suggestions and to explore meditation. And, of course, she's talking to a coach. (Did I mention how really smart she is?)

By starting with the heart, and identifying your core values, you gain a toehold on direction. If your heart longs to be outdoors, then it's time to listen to that and not to the brain that says "You're too old!" or "You're not in good enough physical condition!" You can create a life that includes the outdoors and the reality of your age and physical condition. You have to create your own path. And your heart already knows where it is.

One of the things I love about the American economy is the plethora of job titles out there. Who would have ever dreamed of Pooper Scooper! Now that combines the great outdoors and love of the environment and probably other values that we don't know about. What a creative path (albeit a bit smelly, I'm sure!).

My point is that you don't have to point your life toward a job that already exists (that's the brain's path). The world moves so quickly and there is such an incredible variety of needs out there, that you can create a path that is in alignment with your heart and works economically.

As a Career Coach, I can be your partner through this process. Please contact me at debra@forwardmomentum.com for more information!

For some tips on accessing your heart, see the Career Tips below.

Today, like every other day, we wake up empty

and frightened. Don't open the door to the study

and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.

Let the beauty we love be what we do.

There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.

For years, copying other people, I tried to know myself.

From within, I couldn't decide what to do.

Unable to see, I heard my name being called.

Then I walked outside.

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.

Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.

Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill

where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open.

Don't go back to sleep.

When you hear someone say "your heart knows" they can seem pretty flaky, like they're floating around Jupiter somewhere. Yet, the truth is, the heart is an organ that research has shown to think, remember, communicate with other humans and contain stored information that continually pulses through your body. For a fascinating book on this research, read The Heart's Code: Tapping the Wisdom and Power of our Heart Energy by Parl Pearsall, Ph.D.

Accessing your heart's wisdom is no "woo woo" endeavor, it's a time honored, shamanic path that leads you to a place of truth for yourself. Many techniques exist to help you tap into your heart center such as:

the relaxation response

positive affirmations

In another technique, "cardio-contemplation," Pearsall suggests that you focus on the heart as your emotional center and feel emotions deeply. This is a heart-centered technique as opposed to the brain-centered techniques listed above.

Other ways to tap into your emotional (heart) center are expressive:

writing stories or poetry

The best path to your heart center is the one you discover for yourself. For many years I have perfected my crochet techniques. I make exquisite lace. Only recently have I noticed how much this creative endeavor has quieted my mind and has brought peace to my heart. Who knew?

So, look over the lists, choose one thing and begin. Do it at least 7 times before you abandon it. Remember (TTTT) These Things Take Time. And, let me know how it goes for you!

In continuing with my new focus on the career transition that is obsoletely known as "retirement,"

I am expanding my offerings of workshops and teleclasses.

If you know someone that is within 5 years of retirement, please forward this information and let them know of these classes. It could change their life.

"Instead of absorbing an obsolete view of retirement, we should consider...a flexible life plan that provides for your financial, vocational, physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Unless you look at your future holistically,

You can have a retirement that is fulfilling and meaningful, but you need to plan ahead for it.

This is a 4-week exploration of Un-Retirement. Classes are held on Thursdays for one hour beginning July 8. You may opt to take the entire series or sign up for individual classes. Class Topics are:

Week 1 - Finding Meaning for your Life in Un-Retirement

Week 2 - Structuring Your Time in Un-Retirement

Week 3 - Loneliness Prevention in Un-Retirement

Week 4 - Self-Care in Un-Retirement

For the full listing of workshops, teleclasses, and coaching programs, visit http://www.forwardmomentum.com/html/schedule_more_info.shtml

You are free to use material from Moving Forward! in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including a live web site link. Please also notify me where the material will appear. The attribution should read:

"By Debra DeVilbiss, CPCC, of Forward Momentum, LLC. Please visit Debra's website at http://www.ForwardMomentum.com for additional articles and resources on creating your right livelihood."

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