GRATITUDE + CONSCIOUS LIVING Page 22 of 26

Temple wandering

Posted on 2012-05-13 at 9:00 am.

Some people who visit Japan complain of being ‘templed out’ – where they get fed up of visiting temple after temple (as there are so many!). But not me.

I could spend days wandering temple grounds, inhaling the scent of cedar, slowing down to listen to the splash of a waterfall onto ancient rocks, sitting in the shadow of a majestic wooden structure, sketching the bamboo in the temple garden and listening for the haunting sound of a bell or gong.

These two temples have a special place in my heart. Honen-in (above) is tucked away down a narrow path just a stone’s throw from the famous Ginkakuji. While its neighbour heaves with tourists and picture-snapping school children, Honen-in always seems empty but inviting. Close to the forest it offers welcome shade in the heat of the day, and a delicious calm away from the crowds.

Anraku-ji (above and below) is where I stumbled across a wonderful lady who taught me ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) and became like a second mother to me when I was a wide-eyed student here more than 15 years ago. But that’s a story for another day…

Wish you were here…

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I’m on a big adventure in Japan right now. If you fancy an adventure of your own why not join me for the Do What You Love e-course? Shake things up, expand your comfort zone, nurture your playful spirit and feed your creative soul. Identify your passion and make it a greater part of your every day life! Find out more and register here.

Gratitude and happiness

Posted on 2012-05-08 at 11:16 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

The outpouring of congratulatory messages in response to our happy news has quite taken my breath away.

Thank you so much – I can’t tell you how much it means.

Still floating on a happy cloud over here…

We’re engaged! I’m going to get MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on 2012-05-07 at 1:50 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

On my 35th birthday, in the quiet of a beautiful Japanese garden he went down on one knee.

He asked me to marry him.

And I said YES!!! (And cried, and danced, and laughed…)

So so so happy. Best birthday present EVER.

I am engaged to the most precious wonderful man and I can’t quite believe it…

Am I really turning 35?

Posted on 2012-05-05 at 9:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

It’s my birthday tomorrow. I’ll be 35. That rounds up to 40! It’s half way to 70! But what does it mean anyway? It’s just a number, right? On my ‘big’ birthdays (the ones ending in ‘0’ or ‘5’) I like to look back over my life so far and think about all the happiest moments of each year. So much has changed since the last time I did this at 30 (when I spent my birthday lying in a hammock next to the sea drinking gin & tonics in a tiny hotel north of Mumbai, India, before going for curry and champagne with friends!)

Since then I have fallen in love, started two businesses, changed industries, moved house four times, and visited countries in every corner of the world. They have been years lived at a fast pace, always on the move, always in search of adventure, knowledge and beauty.

As I sit here in Kyoto, perhaps my favourite city in the world, on the eve of my 35^th birthday, I am trying to decide how I would like the next five years to be. I have no idea what path I will follow, or what will unfold, but I know I want to slow down a little, breathe more deeply, sit up and enjoy the view. I wonder what is in store…

Let’s see, shall we? Cheers!

***

Old friends

Posted on 2012-04-24 at 4:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Kyoko and Adachi in the jazz studio in their home – happy times!

When travelling in rural northern Japan we stayed a few days with some very old friends of mine. I still can’t quite believe how I met them. Let me explain…

Some 15 years ago, when I arrived in this remote snowy place, I had temporary accommodation for a couple of weeks but no place to stay after that. I had a job working as an interpreter for the local government, and the colleague who sat next to me turned out to be something of a fascinating enigma. Staid government worker by day, semi-pro jazz drummer by night (and racing driver in his early years!), he had invited me to one of his live gigs after work one day, but I declined, having already made plans to meet the person whose floor I was temporarily sleeping on.

After work I headed to the station to catch my train ‘home’ but missed it by a couple of minutes, and there was not another one for an hour. Hearing smooth jazz wafting over from a nearby café like steam off coffee on a cold day, I wandered over to wait it out in 1920s America. It was the cafe where my colleague was playing.

I was stood at the bar soaking up the atmosphere when the lead singer of the jazz band took a break and came over to get a drink. Her name was Kyoko, and she was a tiny ball of energy, with crazy curly hair like no Japanese woman I had ever seen, with kind eyes and an infectious smile. We got talking and within ten minutes she said “why don’t you come and live with me and my husband (Adachi, the bass player)?” Well, I thought, why not?

And so began an incredible adventure, living rent-free with this wonderful couple, in their house with a jazz studio and cocktail bar where we would host parties for all the foreigners within 50 miles, entertain jamming sessions twice a week and I would wake up on a Sunday to the sound of the grand piano. Some fifteen years later Kyoko and Adachi are still like family to me, they still play jazz, pass beers round and open their sliding doors to new friends with an openness which is quite astounding.

Two of the most generous souls I know. I wish you could meet them.

Heading north

Posted on 2012-04-17 at 9:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

About 400 years ago Matsuo Basho, the father of Japanese haiku, walked the long road north to Yamagata, a beautiful snowy part of rural Japan. When there he wrote this famous poem:

Shizukasa ya · Iwa ni shimiiru · Semi no koe

Silence · Penetrating the rocks · The cry of the cicada

It is a place I spent a happy year a decade ago, skiing, stumbling over the strong dialect, making friends, laughing and presenting my on TV show! We headed back to visit old friends and take in some of the lovely countryside… I will share some snippets over the coming days, before introducing you to our new home of Kyoto. Pop back tomorrow for a glimpse into this little known area of Japan…

Doing something that makes people feel good: Sheryl Gibbs shares her story

Posted on 2012-01-23 at 10:51 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today’s shared story comes from holistic aesthetician Sheryl Gibbs.

As a Holistic Aesthetician of over 23 years, I am truly blessed to love what I do. I am always grateful for the inner guidance I received many years ago that told me to do “something” that makes people feel good. After years spent working for large skin care manufacturers and performing treatments, I determined I would truly fulfill my desires if I could create the most effective, non sensitizing, but least toxic products possible. Having always had sensitive skin, very few products worked for me. I was also often frustrated with some of the ingredients of commercial products due to their toxicity concerns. Thus, I pursued a career as a skin specialist with the hopes of also helping others that face similar challenges.

Holistic studies were a large part of my career as I learned how important diet and the environment was for overall health and beauty. After years of meticulous research and development, I launched Sevani Botanica in 2010. Sevani, a word derived from sanskrit meaning “Devotion to the Earth,” was my contribution to healthy skin and a healthy planet. I spent countless hours in my lab fine-tuning formulations based on a “special blend” of organic nutrients, ayurvedic ingredients, cosmeceutical grade actives and potent antioxidants, all developed to balance, hydrate and prevent accelerating aging, while also nourishing the skin while respecting our fragile eco system.

I recently received a review on my brand stating that the ingredients were “so non-nasty the preservative comes from radishes.” While many brands label themselves as natural and organic many still utilize chemical preservatives, some of which have been banned in Europe. I will continuously strive to create the safest, most eco friendly, non toxic products possible. Additionally, I donate a portion of proceeds to animal welfare, another heartfelt passion, and another article in itself.

To date I still see my loyal clients of many years and custom-blend treatments and products for them daily. Nothing warms my heart more than reading a thankful letter or receiving a card or hug with the message “thank you for what you do for me.” My relationship with them is more than skin deep. I truly love my clients, and I love helping people that have and continue to suffer from similar skin challenges as I have. I believe that through Sevani products and my contribution, I can do just that.

I will continue to educate, blog, and inform others about ingredients and planetary concern. I appreciate the consideration for “Do What You Love.” I will continue to encourage everybody to follow their heart’s desires, to never give up, and to always keep their eyes on the prize. However, they should remember to not overextend themselves, to breathe, to meditate, and to take some time to just “be”.

[All images courtesy of Sheryl Gibbs, founder of Sevani Beauty]

Work with meaning: Danielle Diamond and Beth Cougler Blom share their stories

Posted on 2011-12-19 at 8:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today’s shared stories come from Danielle Diamond and Beth Cougler Blom.

Danielle Diamond

I strive to inspire people to live healthier lives both physically and mentally through Yoga, meditation, and a healthy diet, because I have experienced firsthand the profound positive change it can bring to not only your body, but the amount of happiness you feel on a daily basis- and isn’t that what we all ultimately want- to be happy?

For me, doing what you love can be broken down to the simple act of waking up everyday and feeling inspired by the work that you do. To be excited about the opportunities in front of you; to enjoy the company of the people you engage with throughout the day, and to picture yourself in some way continuing this work for many years to come and still smiling; that’s what doing what you love means to me.

I realized that I needed to change my career when I stopping skipping to work everyday while at MTV. All I ever wanted since the first time I watched them play “Video Killed A Radiostar,” was to work there- but after many years of producing concert shows that I loved, I was being asked to produce reality TV. I felt really crappy about creating this genre of television as well as watching it, and I didn’t want to be a part of the machine that was churning it out. I had begun a love affair with yoga, so I decided I would again turn to something I loved; something that could add to people’s lives in a positive way, instead of making them feel good because of other people’s misfortunes.

I happened to leave MTV when I was 8 months pregnant with my first son, but I continued taking weekly yoga classes at a studio I found nearby. By the time my second son was 9 months old, the studio I frequented was beginning a 9-month training program. The teacher I studied under recommended I look into the program, so I decided to sign up. I wound up not only deepening my practice, but my also my relationships with my family, my friends, and ultimately myself. As soon as I graduated I was offered teaching positions at two local studios; then after teaching for 8 years I developed my new Xen Strength Yoga program, which combines a challenging vinyasa flow sequence with weights.

I am extremely grateful that I’ve been lucky so far in building my yoga career. I am fortunate to work at a few great studios, with owners who really care about teaching students how to take their yoga off the mat as well as just a great way to stretch. I think the real work is just beginning as I try to build my brand and reach a broader audience. However, I can already see that ramping up my work schedule has made me prioritize the importance of spending quality time with my children – I never want to let that be sacrificed for my career.

I really try to look forward and not dwell on what I could have done better in the past, because I could make a mile-long list. However, I do wish I had known about web marketing and blogging eight years ago when I started teaching and people were just beginning to blog. Now the marketplace is flooded, but I really hope to create a niche with my Xen Strength brand. I also wish I knew the importance of learning how to run the “business” side of a business instead of just being concerned with the creative and “fun” aspects of it. I could have saved myself a ton of time and money- but I have learned from my mistakes and hope to make fewer of them in the future.

My dream now is to turn Xen Strength into the next big fitness brand, similar to Zumba. Not only do I have my yoga with weights program and DVD, but I am also creating a teacher training program and writing a book with Dr. Barry Sears of The Zone Diet fame. I would also love to speak about my wellness journey to young women who may be going down the same dark road I once was on, and prepare them with tools on how to navigate self-doubt and body image issues, and increase their self-confidence.

[All images courtesy of Danielle Diamond, creator of Xen Strength Yoga.]

To find out more about Danielle visit her website.

Beth Cougler Blom

I know I’m doing what I love when I really enjoy going to work and the hours fly by when I’m there. It’s always been very important to me to do work that aligns with my values and I believe wholeheartedly in what I do. It’s probably why I ended up working at a volunteer centre here in Victoria, BC, Canada – it’s very easy for me to go around the community and speak about how important it is to volunteer. I’m still passionate about it after being there for five years – a record for me in terms of job longevity!

People always tell me that they can tell I’m passionate about what I do just by the look on my face when I talk about it. That is the greatest compliment to me, and a sure sign that I am on the right track with my career.

I never want to have the kind of job again that I dread going to every Sunday night, thinking about the next morning. I really think we all deserve a lot more than that.

I don’t know if there will ever be “one thing” that I want to do, as I have many things that I love doing. And I need a lot of variety in what I do or I get bored. Right now I love organizing events, connecting with people, developing and facilitating workshops, speaking in the community, and promoting issues and causes that I believe in. I feel pretty lucky to be doing all this, yet I know my future probably holds other types of work in it as well. I just don’t know what they all will be yet!

For me, though, teaching/training has always been an interest and then a love. I wanted to be a high school teacher like my parents when I started university but eventually I found my way to adult education instead. I think the principles of adult education actually fit better with how I think education should be “done”, that is, recognizing that everyone in the classroom has some knowledge to contribute, not just the teacher. I find that concept very freeing as a facilitator: that I don’t have to have all the answers. In fact, it’s more interesting and rich when I don’t because it allows others in the room to share their experience. I always learn something myself when I facilitate workshops – I love that!

Last year I did a self-imposed retreat and I read back years’ worth of journals. I discovered that I had written – eight years before – 23 points of what I needed in my future work. I was incredibly surprised to realize that I had 22 of them in my current job! That really struck me about the power of positive intention … I put it out there to the universe what I wanted, and eventually I got it.

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and so in the past few months I’ve started a business on the side of my day job. It is doing workshop facilitation and motivational speaking around the themes of “do what you love”, “love where you work” and “work effectively.” I have a number of passion areas of that I am exploring and facilitating workshops around underneath those themes. It’s exciting to put myself out there under my own name, yet also a bit scary. I guess my big dream is that I become fabulously successful and people will pay big bucks to contract me as a facilitator! And of course, that I am in heaven doing it. I’d love someone to call and say, “I was wondering if we could fly you to facilitate a workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico…” I’d be there in a second!

If I could ask one thing of the universe I would ask for it to always give me the confidence and courage I need to keep putting myself out there and taking risks to do what I love. It takes a lot of guts to follow your dreams, and I find that a lot of fears bubble to the surface that I have to keep setting aside. I am very lucky to receive support from my friends and family to follow my dreams, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a little cosmic assistance as well!

I think I spent a lot of my twenties thinking that I had to be older than I was to do what I really wanted to do. I didn’t think people would take me seriously as a facilitator or trainer because I wasn’t old enough. Silly me…what a waste of time! In my mid-30s I had a baby and I think I gained more confidence at the same time. I finally woke up and realized that I wasn’t the youngest one in the office anymore, that I am really good at what I do, and that I can do so much more! I could spend time now getting after myself for taking so long to gain the confidence I needed to grow in new directions, but I am instead spending more time reveling in being the age I am now. And like the butterfly in the photo here, drinking life’s nectar and enjoying spreading my wings.

[Images courtesy of Beth Cougler Blom.]

Find out more about Beth on her blog or connect on Twitter (@BethCouglerBlom) or Facebook.

Weekend book club: Japanese style

Posted on 2011-12-17 at 8:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

As a complete book addict and hoarder, I thought it was about time I shared some of my favourites with you! In each ‘Weekend Book Club’ I post about a set of lovely books, with a different theme each week. This week’s theme is JAPANESE STYLE, in celebration of having just booked my flight to Japan for March next year. Japan offers a whole world of inspiration and I find Japanese people have such an incredible sense of beauty, reflected in the style of their homes, shops and traditional clothing.

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In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki

The ultimate explanation of the essence of Japanese style.

Japan Style by Phaidon Publishing

The definitive guide to Japanese style through the ages covering everything from fashion to furniture.

My Made by Bunka Shuppankyoku Publishing

Gorgeous handcrafted interior decoration.

Japan Design to the new generation

Showcasing the best of moden Japanese design

Japanese Chic

Filled with beautiful images of simple but chic home furnishing and decoration ideas.

Elements of Japanese Design by John Dower

A directory of motifs most frequently used in Japanese design.

Basic Life 2 by Watashi no Heya

Lovely book showcasing cosy furnishings and items for the home from popular store Watashi no Heya (which translates as ‘my room’)

Do you have any recommendations?

Doing what you love is an extension of being the person you love to be: shared stories by Kat Fulton & Tracy Verdugo

Posted on 2011-12-05 at 10:31 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today’s shared stories come from Kat Fulton and Tracy Verdugo.

Kat Fulton

Doing what you love is an extension of being the person you love to be. I think you first must be who you love to be before you even know what inspired actions to take. Once you live out who you want to be, then doing what you love comes naturally.

(Image via katfulton.com)

I went to grad school for music therapy on a whim. I had never heard of it. I thought my parents would disapprove, so I went for it. I always follow my gut, and my gut was telling me “Yes yes yes.” At the time, I was coming out of intensive studies, practicing piano hours and hours per day. I felt a bit burned out. I was ready for a drastic change, and I was ready for more human contact. 10 hours per day of me and a piano was fine for a few months, but I could never imagine a life-long love affair with the piano. As a music therapist, I’m having a life-long love affair with life on earth. I feel so blessed to have found this career.

When I moved to California as a music therapist, I was deeply moved by the rhythm-based wellness practiced by so many. I was sold. Doesn’t it just make sense that if you were born with a heartbeat, then you were born with rhythm? It’s common sense. It blows me away that so many people have turned common sense off, and listened to the false belief of “Oh no no no, I don’t have rhythm. I can’t make music.” I love defeating that belief with pure logic. We make music every day! Footsteps, breathing, heart-pounding, cycles of nature, etc… There’s no escaping the rhythm of life. Realize it, live it, love it, and take joy in the rhythm.

When pure logic kicked in to defeat false beliefs held by so many, I realized that this career was my calling.

I started developing marketing materials. I connected the research with the practical application. I delivered the message in as many places as I could. All these actions were 100% inspired. Now I have a booming business working with Alzheimers patients, older adults, children affected by cancer, support groups, corporate team builders, and more. On the side, I have created a site to connect with other music therapists and drum circle facilitators.

I’ve had to move far away from my family because my practice fits better into the culture here in San Diego. I’ve had to turn down social events in order to meet deadlines. I’ve had to live frugally in order to make ends meet at times. But I sincerely believe that any sacrifice is worth opening the space to just be yourself. I’m so fortunate to have found a gainful career where I can just be myself. If you must make sacrifices in order to be yourself, do it!

With hindsight, I wish I hadn’t been so stressed about getting work when I started. I wish I had realized at the time that when you are living the life of someone you love, all the chips fall perfectly into place. Everything always works out. Bills get paid, mouths get fed, and lives get lived. Taking inspired action is the way to go.

My big dream now is to expand my online reach. I realize that my body won’t always be able to lug around drums from place to place, but reaching people online is so convenient and fun. That’s the next big thing for me: being open to more web-based exchange.

[First image courtesy of Karen Christensen of The Legacy Boutique. Other images courtesy of Kat Fulton. ]

Kat is a speaker, coach, and creative visionary. She believes that by making music, YOU can be the catalyst for change. Find out more about Kat at her website or connect on Twitter.

Tracy Verdugo

What does it mean to do what I love? I feel truly blessed to be at a point in my life where I am on the cusp of living the life of my BIGGEST dreams……painting, inspiring, teaching, learning, exploring, creating, spreading love, cultivating peace, appreciating beauty.

2012 will see me teaching my wholehearted, exploration-encouraging creative workshops in Australia, the U.S, Mexico and Thailand and in less than two months I will be holding my first International exhibition on the beautiful island of Koh Samui. I am also honoured to be joining an amazing team of artists teaching in the beautiful Tamara Laportes Life Book e course which will run throughout the whole year. It has been 18 years since I first picked up a paintbrush~a journey of self discovery, of moving through pain and joy, letting go of fear and embracing love and having the courage to name my greatest desires and give myself permission to feel worthy of receiving those gifts…

and then…. to help others to do the same. What do I love?