Conscious Living Connection

Successful Women in Business

Colleen Crook — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:57:53 +0000

This is a guest blog-post by my good friend and colleague, Louise Abbot, business coach of www.CRCoaching.com. Louise & I are co-creators and collaborators of the upcoming Women/Money/Mastermind. Her post is timely and is one of the subjects we will be exploring during this highly personalized mastermind experience.

When you think of highly successful women in business. Who do you think of? Oprah? She is thought of more of a personality than business owner, but is certainly successful with her production company, Harpo and her magazine. Martha Stewart? She is definitely successful with her TV show, home product lines, and now her expensive line of pet merchandise in PetsSmart. Who else? Drawing a blank?

This is not surprising, because those women who are successful in business are pretty much off the radar except for the high profile two mentioned above. What this means for the “ordinary” woman in business, if there is such a thing, we have very few role models.

What we often hear about the regular business women, are the chinks in their facade, how difficult it is to work for a woman and how difficult it is to be the woman boss. Where is the good news about successful women in business? It is happening quietly in small home offices around the country, in large corporations and in medium size businesses.

It is quiet, I believe, because as a culture, we are still very uncomfortable with the really, really successful woman in business. Let’s face it, women are uncomfortable with themselves being successful in business.

It isn’t difficult to figure out why. We have a history of viewing women as the home maker, the woman behind the successful man, as the assistant (secretary, office manager) or in the helping (relatively low paying) professions of teacher, nurse, counselor, social worker and so on. Quick, name a female steel magnate or railroad baroness. There are none.

It is time for both men and women to lay aside any negative or weak stereotypes for how women are to function in the business world. If our nation, indeed our world is to move forward, we must see women as forces for economic growth and change taking our place alongside men to shoulder the responsibility and reap the benefits.

With economic stability comes power and with that power comes the ability to set aside fear. It is fear of poverty and of being viewed as inferior that is the basis for much of the conflict we see in close relationships and in the world.

Women are learning how to lead in the business world with a new paradigm that we haven’t seen before. This new way of leading is energetic, focused, cooperative, creative and empowering to men and women alike. It draws on deeper truths and embraces thoughtful change and individuality.

Women are ready and now we all must take the first steps.
To your continued success!

Gifts From The Heart

Colleen Crook — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:43:36 +0000

I was struck by this article and wanted to share it with you.

Gifts From The Heart
Michael Josephson

According to legend, a young man while roaming the desert
came across a spring of delicious crystal-clear water. The
water was so sweet he filled his leather canteen so he
could bring some back to a tribal elder who had been his
teacher. After a four-day journey he presented the water to
the old man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and
thanked his student lavishly for the sweet water. The young
man returned to his village with a happy heart.

Later, the teacher let another student taste the water. He
spat it out, saying it was awful. It apparently had become
stale because of the old leather container. The student
challenged his teacher: “Master, the water was foul. Why
did you pretend to like it?”

The teacher replied, “You only tasted the water. I tasted
the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of
loving-kindness and nothing could be sweeter.”

I think we understand this lesson best when we receive
innocent gifts of love from young children. Whether it’s a
ceramic tray or a macaroni bracelet, the natural and proper
response is appreciation and expressed thankfulness because
we love the idea within the gift.

Gratitude doesn’t always come naturally. Unfortunately,
most children and many adults value only the thing given
rather than the feeling embodied in it. We should remind
ourselves and teach our children about the beauty and
purity of feelings and expressions of gratitude. After all,
gifts from the heart are really gifts of the heart.

Handling the time when Mercury is in Retrograde

Colleen Crook — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:53:07 +0000

I just received an e-mail from one of my mentors, Jenna Avery concerning Mercury in Retrograde so I decided to share some tidbits from her e-mail and other sources.

“Mercury in Retrograde means that the planet Mercury appears to be moving backward relative to our own orbit. Mercury primarily governs communication. Therefore, communication, and communication-related technology, seem to “go backwards” during this time.

In other words, this means you’ll be likely to have trouble saying what you really mean, get into snafus around communicating, and run into technology problems (computers, phones, etc.). Short distance ground travel can also be affected.” Jenna Avery

This is a perfect time to space clear your physical environment, to resolve old issues, complete projects, review what’s going on right now and to listen to what your heart and your hand are whispering to you.

There’s also a full moon tonight . This is a time to truly listen to your inner intuitive wisdom. Take some time to reflect, to connect with your deep divine feminine essence and allow more time for things to unfold.

Colleen Recommends:

Private Life Purpose Breakthrough Hand Analysis Sessions. Uncover your hidden heart map that shows you the why of your time on earth and what you are here to share with the world. Learn about your Life Lesson and your spiritual Life School. Connect with me at colleen@consciouslivingconnection.com

Staying Present- Katelyn’s Birth

Colleen Crook — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:11:13 +0000

Friday our second granddaughter was born. Katelyn Grace arrived at 2:25 in the afternoon a healthy 9lbs. 3 oz, 21 inches long. I wasn’t present for the birth yet I was there. Modern technology has made it possible for us to be “present” for events, celebrations etc yet not be physically there. I was working when I received a text saying “ The baby’s coming and the doctor is on the way.” For that pause of time I was not where I was physically. I was able to share in this experience in real time because of technology and then share it with the people I was with.

Staying present is challenging because the tendency is to warp speed ahead to the maybe’s, the I gotta do’s, and the what if’s. That’s where the overwhelm, the frustration, the worries and angst of life begins to grab us by the throat and suck the joy out of life.

It takes a conscious choice to stay present in what you are engaged in and it’s in those only moments that the joy and purpose of your life hugs your heart.

The Duet- Collaboration versus Competition

Colleen Crook — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:59:46 +0000

Lately the concept of Partnership -collaboration has been filling my world. I’m always more aware when happenings, thoughts and conversations come in threes around a central idea or subject.

So it has been the last few weeks. I’m a participant in a global tele-course on Feminine Power and one of the session discussions centered around learning to activate the power of the collective field. In a nutshell, learning to be grounded in your own power center to be open to working with another to create something powerful and bigger than you could alone. The other synchronous happening was that I was invited to join a smaller sister circle within this program called Partnership. On my intention/wish list this year was to be open to possible collaborative opportunities if they came my way. So here I was learning about being in a deeper relatedness with others to create a better society, then being invited to join a circle named Partnership. So here ’s the third occurrence: I was asked by not only one but three different women if I was interested in collaborating with them on specific projects.

Aside from some decisions to make, I’m awed by what the Universe is bringing forth for me and am taking some time for reflection. What’ve I’ve come to see is that with a true partnership each person is strong in their own right yet complement the other in skill set, personality, presence and expertise. There is no room for sabotage, upstaging or hubris. One of the best examples I’ve experienced recently in collaborating with a female is with my granddaughter playing a very spontaneous duet on the piano. In the spirit of transparency, we just got up and are in our PJ’s.

Enjoy the video!

An inquiry: What lens do you view others through? What ‘s the truth about being or working with others on a project?

Are you taking time out for yourself?

Colleen Crook — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:00:39 +0000

Yesterday I attended a Time Management/Life Mastery workshop facilitated by my colleague Louise Keith Abbott. She was outstanding in her presentation to the group of business owners who took time out of their schedule to learn more about creating a business that they run versus running them. Following a preliminary survey, members shared what was revealed for them regarding their time management issues. A large share of the group determined that prioritizing tasks/ projects was a challenge for them. In not prioritizing, they found that they did not schedule time for themselves to refresh or rejuvenate or if they did they felt guilty.

As entrepreneurs, it’s especially important to schedule what society calls “down” time. In our society though time not spent “busy” or working is considered not productive. So there is a conflict right away for the business person especially for women in business. You do not want to be perceived as “lazy”, “selfish”,a “primadona” or not committed to growing your business. Entrepreneurship requires not only business basics but also creativity and energy. Creativity does not blossom in the midst of anxiety, stress or feeling that you have to do it all. Angst saps energy; energy needed to be your best you with customers, clients, snafus and the daily routine of running a business.

Make yourself a priority and schedule time for yourself. Maybe you can plug in a once a month “me time” day and do absolutely nothing, watch reality TV, eat 2 quarts of Ben ‘n Jerry’s, have a movie marathon, play golf, get a massage, read a Nora Roberts novel. As you begin to manage yourself within time, your personal time may be able to increase to twice a month or weekly. Just do it! Your business, your health, your family and your emotional well being will thank you.

P.S. I’m going to go read -fiction of course!

Please let me know what you thought about this post.

Quieting the Inner Critic

Colleen Crook — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:20:21 +0000

I love what I do. What I do is to support and encourage women( and others) to shine and bring life and the present to their dream, to nurture their creativity and take their vision to the next step. In a nutshell, I love helping people.

I have a new client and it’s so exciting to see her business vision blossom into something even larger than she thought possible. As we look at her business and she looks to me for support my inner critic, my gremlins, my shadow self starts to get rambunctious and begins clamoring for attention.

“How do you think you can help her?” “Who are you to think you have the tools for her to tap into her wisdom?’’ “ Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

My inner critic is out to play. For women especially, the critic is ever present to show you how you’re not good mother’s, not doing enough with the family, not professional enough in your careers, in dreamland thinking you could have a successful business and so on. As a woman, in order to step up into the light of who you truly are and to love your self beyond belief, it’s important to have practices, exercises or activities that takes you out of the inner critic nagging. These A.N.T.s ( Automatic negative Thoughts) are what stop you from embracing your dream- your “I deeply desire this_____.”

I’ll share some of my favorite ways of quieting the inner critic.

1. What is your body telling you? Where in your body are you feeing this thought? Does it feel good?

If it doesn’t feel right, your energy is fueling this negative thought. What activity can you do to move your energy to a more positive thought. Dance, go for a walk, state 5 things you are grateful for. I call this going from Grim to Grin.

2. Byron Katie’s 4 questions can bring one back to reality quite quickly.

Is this thought true?

Is it absolutely true?

Who am I without this thought?

Now reverse the thought – Who am I being with this new thought?

3. Who am I listening to in my head? Or what message am I reacting to?

It helps to identify the voice of the inner critic- is this your voice, the voice of a parent, or teacher or bully from school. Who are you allowing to design your life or write your story?

A DVD I have used and love is The B.E.S.T Release by Morter Health Systems. It offers a simple way to reset your brain when these ANTs show up. You can check it out here.

http://www.morter.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=378

There are many ways to quiet your inner critic. You decide which ones resonate with you. The critical piece is that you become aware of when the critic is active, take action in quieting it so you can continue to move forward in living your life.

Setting your Intentions

Colleen Crook — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:32:04 +0000

From The Secret Daily Teachings
Every night before you fall asleep, replay in your mind the good moments of the day, and give heartfelt thanks for each one of them. Think about the next day also, and intend that it is going to be amazing, that it is going to be filled with love and joy, and that all good is coming to you. Intend that it is going to be the best day of your life. Then when you wake in the morning, BEFORE you get out of bed, declare your intentions again for the day and give deep thanks as though you have received them all.
May the joy be with you,

Do you have the right fit?

Colleen Crook — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:56:31 +0000

As a women steps into a leadership role, assumes more responsibility in a business, or is on the cusp of doing her own thing, she looks for role models on how to proceed. Often those models are from a masculine standpoint. Even when embracing this masculine energy , there is a not ‘quite right or not quite fit’ feeling. What seems to happen is that the woman submerges her feminine energy/essence because she doesn’t know what to do with it and sources her power from the masculine.

For the most part in western culture, the feminine power is not rewarded. Masculine traits of getting the job done, strategic planning and making visible the outward signs of success are predominant in the business world. (Just to note is that as human beings we have both feminine and masculine attributes or essence within us) . I have had clients who struggled with this idea of being their authentic self as a female in a predominantly male environment. Most were successful in allowing their feminine essence to be visible and merge both energies to accomplish a task or head a project; there was one client who kept resisting the idea that she can be feminine and powerful at the same time. She continues to be frustrated, bitter and loathe to shed her victim cloak to this day.

Women ‘s power source comes from a heart-centered desire to create a better world and involves cultivating and honoring relationships. The very first step for a woman to take in stepping into her authentic power is to establish a loving relationship with herself. This may sound a bit alternative but it is the foundation for improved relationships with others, working in collaboration for community or global concerns, solid family groupings and much more. The feminine essence energy brings the ability to see the big picture in a situation and how decisions will affect everyone not just themselves. When a woman is in her full feminine power, she is aligning who she is being with who she truly is.

In addition to establishing a loving relationship with yourself, here are two inquiries to mull around with:

What is your definition of being feminine? Be honest with yourself.

What has our current culture told you about being a woman or being feminine?

Once you have answered these inquiries, you have the beginning pattern for your just right fit.

Summer Poem

Colleen Crook — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:42:12 +0000

may you have rainbows

salmon tumbling upstream at dawn

deer pounding into firestorm sunset

the beating of butterfly wings at noon

grassy hills with that late spring smell

oceans of sky on an august day

the silk of long legged irises

a grape arbor at twight ripening

The Lion finally received it- The Courageous Heart

Colleen Crook — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:41:52 +0000

If you ever saw the movie August Rush, then you saw what it is to have a courageous heart. Here is a young boy living in a children’s home who aside from being musically gifted stands by his belief and inner knowing that he will one day meet his biological parents despite being bullied, taken advantage of by a modern day Fagin and other happenings. It’s a beautiful movie with many layers and depth.

The courageous heart cherishes self -approval above the approval of others; this heart may stand alone but does not run away or zone out when faced with the fear. This is a fiery heart; the one of passion for a cause, for speaking out when faced with injustice, for having the courage to say no and set boundaries, for leaving an unhealthy relationship or employment, for seeing a solution instead of wallowing in the problem. This heart feels the truth for our Spirit and takes action.

So you can see that the courageous heart is one of action not hesitation. Often I hear people say that they want to do this or change that. They have the idea or desire but balk at the willingness to take action then wonder why their situation hasn‘t changed. It takes courage to set a course that may not be what your family wants, or society deems “normal” or even to put in an application to a college.

Trust in knowing what will feed your Spirit.

In what area can you take one step towards cultivating a courageous heart?

( This the final blog post in The Heart of the Matter series. The majority of the material has been summarized from Love Yourself, Live Your Spirit by Sonia Choquette.)

Heart of the Matter: Listening to your Ancient Soul/Your Global Spiritual Connection

Colleen Crook — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:31:01 +0000

What choices bring you peace? The wise heart is always making choices that bring you peace.

The wise heart is the ancient ancestral wisdom that is always there for you to access. This is the heart wisdom that takes you from the personal gain “I” to the how will this choice impact the others in my life, or my community or even in the world.

The wise heart is seen when you decide to recycle versus just throwing everything in the trash, when you purchase whole foods versus synthetic, when you use organic pest control versus toxic chemicals, when you choose not to eat the pint of Ben & Jerry’s and have a pear instead, when you let a rude remark blow over.

In her book, Love Yourself, Live Your Spirit, Sonia Choquette says that the wise heart when engaged asks you to embrace the old adage “ This too, shall pass.” It calls you to surrender to something bigger than yourself; to develop a respectful sensitivity and perspective of other people’s rights. You practice the universal law of allowing. While you still have your values, you forfeit the idea that you are “right” and respect another’s viewpoint. It’s not to say that you give up on morals; it’s important to have your inner guidance system of values, morals and convictions but when embracing the wise heart you do not impose your ideas onto another.

The wise heart is the heart of self control, of conscious choice; it is also one of passion with prudence and discernment. The wise heart marries emotion with reason so you are using your whole heart and your whole brain; by using all of your faculties the wise heart charts a course o action the benefits everyone not just your ego.

There are plenty of examples of the unwise heart in headlines today:. The greed witnessed by certain wall street investment bankers, the accident caused by road rage, the disgruntled employee that hurts his fellow employees, the father who decides leave his family rather than seek help are all situations where the ego takes over satisfying the “Mine” attitude.

How can you develop a wise heart?

1. Start by watching your reactions to situations. What are you feeling? Are you reacting or responding? What actions bring you peace? What decisions would benefit the whole and not just me?

2. Slow down: In this highly electronic connected world, there is a false impression that you will lose out if you’re not on the fast track. Stop, look, around.

3. Begin to see and connect the dots of your actions. Study cause & effect.

4. Listen & learn from others; Access the wisdom from your higher self and your ancestors. What successes brought them peace? What mistakes caused them anguish? What wisdom was passed on?

5. Choose Peacefulness over being right. Righteous Indignation is a lonely place.

6. Remember that all life has a beginning, middle and end. Only those things that serve the Spirit will continue.

Next Blog Post: What the cowardly lion finally had.

　Colleen Crook coaches women to step into creatively expressing their passion while embracing their unique feminine essence and power to create what mattes most. Sign up for your free report and mini-e-course at www.consciouslivingconnection.com Ask about the non-predictive Life Purpose Hand Analysis.

The Death of your Spirit

Colleen Crook — Fri, 21 May 2010 00:59:11 +0000

I’m sure that you know people who appear to just plain miserable- they expect life to hand them a raw deal or that things will go wrong no matter what. They are fans of Murphy’s law and may even look forward to pointing out what’s wrong with a situation or the drama of chaos. Their heart is closed; their ego justifies not being open to receiving good or seeing the positive. Their spirit is gradually dying.

When you enter this world, your heart is open, receptive & filled with the “knowing “ that good will come your way. You are connected to your Spirit.

It definitely is challenging to keep an open heart. People hurt you, may have taken advantage of you. This time of challenge is the most important time to keep your heart open to the good of the world; when you have an open heart you are open to receiving the good that comes your way. You look forward to life’s experiences, to the gifts the universe has for you.

I have had several clients who had a deep wanting for an intimate strong relationship yet they were unwilling to open their hearts to the possibility of happiness or receiving love. They actually created situations that would prove their point and cut off the tentative beginnings of a romantic relationship.

With their unwillingness to have an open heart, they were denying any chance to love themselves, welcome intimacy into their life or the nurturing of others. Even their businesses & professional careers suffered because they chose to stay in distrust, disappointment, anger or victim hood.

Your open heart is what Sonia Choquette calls your Divine Child- full of optimism and the expectation that good will come your way. You are connected with your core essence and Spirit.

What are some practices to keep your heart open to the blessings of the world? In her book, Happy for No Reason, Marci Schimoff offers 3 keys to keeping yourselves open to love and the gifts meant for you:

1. Gratitude: This sounds so simple but to focus on what you are grateful for open up your heart and it may take some consistent practice. Either in the morning or before your go to bed-list 3-5 things that you are grateful for. You may be surprised how light your heart feels when you do this.

2. Forgiveness: This is a gift you give yourself; if you can’t forgive someone for a real or imagined wrong then you place yourself in an emotional prison. Forgiveness is not an erasing or condoning of your’s or another’s action but releases the toxicity of anger and resentment from your heart. You can now move on with your life with an expanded and open heart.

3. Spread loving kindness: When you heart flows with love, you feel happier. Spread kindness to everyone not just to those you like or get along with. The move loving kindness you spread the more love and goodness you will attract.

Call to Being: Start by expecting at least one good thing to happen during your day. Be watchful for this- it may be as simple as someone opening a door for you. Keep your Spirit Alive by cultivating an Open Heart.

Next Blog post: Your Global Spiritual Connection

News Flash! May Life Purpose Special

Colleen Crook — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:09:34 +0000

It’s May! My special month and I always love to offer a special something, something.

That something is a non-predictive Mini Life Purpose Hand Analysis Special.

If you’ve been longing to know what your purpose is here on earth, if you wonder what keeps you from sharing your gifts and talents or stops you in our tracks from getting started on your dream, then the mini hand analysis will provide you with some of those answers.

Some of you have expressed a desire to have the analysis but were hesitant with the in-depth nature of a full 60 minute Reveal so here’s an opportunity to get your hands wet with a shorter version.

This is a long distance reading. Here how it works:

1. You decide that you want to proceed with the analysis and send me an email at

2. I send you a hand printing kit with instructions on how to print your hands and fingertips.

3. Once you send your prints back to me we will set up a time for your “Reveal” over the phone.

4. Your mini Life Purpose Hand Analysis Reveal will include:

- A 30 minute recorded session

- Your Life Purpose: what you‘re here on earth for.

- Your Life School: the spiritual foundation and theme of your Life.

- Your Life Lesson : the pattern that keeps repeating itself over and over- guilt, worry, shame, self distrust etc. and may stop you from realizing your dream.

- Information on your Life Line and its not what you may think it is.

( Everything is in a positive light and confidential.)

Fee: $125

I’ve set aside 10 spots for this May special just for you and you only have until May 31^st to reserve your slot. That means that you can schedule your Reveal after May 31^st but I must know of your intention to reserve one of the spots.

So send me an email colleen@consciouslivingconnection.com reserve your time to learn, clarify or validate your purposeful life.

I’m excited to bring this opportunity to you.

Blessings,

Colleen