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Introducing an Exclusive Experience: VIP Day in Washington, DC!

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Introducing an Exclusive Experience: VIP Day in Washington, DC!

How’d you like to spend a power-packed day with me in our nation’s capital, entirely focused on energizing your journey?

It’s a fantastic one-of-a-kind VIP opportunity, and I’m super excited to share the details!

Here’s what I’ve put together for you:

  • Personalized Energy Healing Sessions: A deep dive into energy healing that’s all about you. These sessions are crafted to tackle what’s been holding you back, in a setting that ensures comfort and confidentiality.

  • Dreams & Goals Coaching: Direct, one-on-one coaching aimed at transforming your dreams into achievable plans. Let’s outline the steps to bring your aspirations to life.

  • Monumental Inspiration: A guided exploration of D.C.’s most iconic landmarks. It’s not just a tour; it’s about connecting with the energy and stories of the city to fuel your personal transformation.

  • Culinary Comfort: Expect a day filled with a nourishing lunch and healthy snacks, chosen to keep you energized and focused as we work together.

  • Check in Channel: Voxer access to me two weeks before and two weeks after your VIP Day.

  • Follow up Strategy Session to review your progress, celebrate wins, and refine your strategy for continued growth

This day is more than just a set of sessions; it’s an immersive experience designed to facilitate growth, insight, and significant shifts in both perspective and energy. Stepping away from your familiar surroundings can act as a catalyst, bringing unexpected clarity and profound insights.

It’s about taking time for yourself, to focus deeply on your next steps, in a new setting that encourages reflection and rejuvenation. With guided support tailored specifically to your needs and goals, this day promises to be transformative.

If this resonates with you and sparks curiosity about how the day could unfold for you, I’d love to invite you to chat with me on a Zoom call. Let’s discuss what you’re looking to achieve and how this VIP Day can be a step towards that vision.

To arrange a Zoom call, simply click here and find a time on my online calendar that suits you (or reach out to support@carolyncooper.com if at a later time there are no times on the calendar).

While this experience is not for everyone, if you’re drawn to it and ready to invest in your growth, I’m here to guide and support you. Pricing and further details can be found through the link to my scheduling page.

Shine On,
Carolyn

P.S. Spots for these days are intentionally limited to ensure a deeply personal and impactful experience. If you’re feeling a pull towards this, please reach out soon. Our initial chat will be a no-strings-attached exploration to see if we’re a good fit for working together and we’ll talk about how to customize the day (or day & 1/2) specifically for you!

Intuition Quiz

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Woop - Goal Setting - Generations

Transform Your Goal-Setting Process (We WOOPed it up!)

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Transform Your Goal-Setting Process (We WOOPed it up!)

A few weeks ago we celebrated my little mama’s big 9-0! birthday with a “small” gathering of her family (5 kids + spouses, 18 grandkids, 9 great-grandchildren, +2 more grand-babes on the way!) and… over 150 of mom’s closest friends. Yep, this woman knows a lot of people!

My youngest daughter River wanted a 3 generations photo, so here we are at mom’s birthday bash!

Woop - Goal Setting - Generations

As you can probably tell, we had a blast. In fact…we really WOOPED it up!

And, today I want to share with you a different kind of WOOP.

This WOOP can be a game-changer when moving from aspiration to action to accomplished. Let’s jump in:

In the book Rethinking Positive Thinking, author Gabriele Oettingen, world class researcher, tells us that it’s simply not enough to visualize our ideal life.

She’s spent her career studying the science of making your dreams come to life and says that although it’s very important to start with a vision of what we want to create, we then need to as she says: “rub it up against reality.”

Drawing from her expertise, she created WOOP, an easy to remember acronym, but more importantly, WOOP can significantly enhance your ability to achieve your goals by bridging the gap between your dreams and their manifestation.

If you’re not familiar with the WOOP here’s how it works:

W – Wish. Imagine your dream scenario, the goal that makes you giddy with excitement. Think big, my friend, but keep it within the realm of possibility.

O – Outcome. Close your eyes and envision the glorious moment when you achieve that goal. Picture yourself dancing in a victory parade, basking in the sweet taste of success. Feel the rush, the feeling of accomplishment, and the pure exhilaration that come with it. You’re a goal-getting superhero!

O – Obstacles. Oh no. These sneaky little weasels might try to rain on your parade. No worries, though. By thinking them through ahead of time, you can come up with ingenious strategies to overcome them.

P – Plans. Break down your grand adventure into manageable steps. Each step is a mini victory that takes you closer to your ultimate goal. It’s like building a puzzle, piece by piece, until you see the big picture coming together!

By combining positive visualization with a realistic assessment of potential challenges, WOOP helps you strike a balance between motivation and preparation.

So my friend, I hope you’ll give WOOP a try and see how it transforms your goal-setting process. Remember, clarity of purpose and a well-structured plan can work wonders in propelling you towards success.

Speaking of wooping it up for birthdays, it’s still my birth-month, so my 20% coupon code is good until May 31st.

If you’re in need of a 50-min or 25-min SimplyAlign session to start your summer off right, go here to book and be sure to apply this code for 20% off: BIRTHDAY20

(NOTE: if all the May time slots are taken, you can still use the coupon as long as you book before May 31st, even if your session is later).

Intuition Quiz

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Green Drink Smoothie

Do you feel LUCKY? 6 practical ways to make your own luck!

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Do you feel LUCKY? 6 practical ways to make your own luck!

Top O the Mornin’ to ya Lisa!

I hope you’re having a happy St. Patrick’s Day so far.

I’ve always loved this day, even though I don’t drink beer or eat corned beef, ha! But I do my GREEN each day in my smoothies…does that count?

Have you ever felt like some people just seem to have all the luck? They meet the perfect partner, get the beautiful home, have ‘easy kids’, or just seem to have everything fall into place for them. But what if I told you that luck isn’t just something that happens to you? It’s something you can actively create for yourself.

There’s a trend (popular with TikTokers) known as “lucky girl syndrome”. This actually isn’t a new concept. It’s positive affirmations, plus a little cognitive behavioral therapy that says your thoughts, emotions and behaviors are all connected and influence each other (basically, “The Secret” 2006).

Just yesterday I was sharing on a call with my SimplyAlign Practitioners that there are many ways to create your own luck. Hannah told us that her 12 year old daughter’s birthday is March 17th, so her entire life people have told her she’s a “lucky girl”. And since she believes she’s lucky (because that’s what she’s always been told), good things are always drawn to her. I love it, it’s what I’ve taught for years:

“What you think about, you bring about”

So whether it’s positive thinking, upbeat affirmations, the power of intention, or whatever you choose to call it, here are 6 ways to create your own luck:

  1. Set clear goals: When you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, you’re more likely to see and seize opportunities that align with your goals.

  2. Take calculated risks: Creating your own luck often means stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking calculated risks. Make sure to weigh the potential risks and benefits before making a decision.

  3. Discipline yourself to work AND to rest: Luck often comes to those who work hard and persevere through challenges. Put in the effort and stay focused on your goals, even when things get tough. And…when you need to rest, take a rest. Sometimes allowing yourself downtime takes discipline too.

  4. Stay open-minded: Sometimes, luck comes in unexpected forms. Be open to new experiences, people, and opportunities, even if they don’t fit neatly into your plans. If you’re willing to try new things, you might find opportunities that you never even knew existed.

  5. Meet more people: Luck is often the result of being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right connectors. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you. A strong network can help you navigate challenges, connect you with opportunities, and open doors for you.

  6. Keep Learning: The more you know, the more opportunities you’ll have. Keep learning new skills and staying up-to-date on topics in your orbit to increase chances of success.

    And bonus #7 (Gratitude – it’s always a bonus we give ourselves, amiright?)

  7. Practice gratitude: When you appreciate the good things in your life, you attract more good things. Take time to reflect on what you’re grateful for, and celebrate your successes along the way.

Whether you believe it’s from being intentional, receiving blessings, keeping a high vibration, or simply being lucky, the truth is that you have the power to create your own luck.

So go out there and create!

Intuition Quiz

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Merry Christmas

Are You Finishing 2022 Rested or Finishing Strong?

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Are You Finishing 2022 Rested or Finishing Strong?

We often hear about “finishing the year strong” – I don’t know about you, but this year I just want to finish the year feeling rested, clear and peaceful.

My goal is to step into the New Year RESTED.

Because rested IS strong, right?

Merry Christmas

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is my favorite week of the year (Yep, I like it even more than my birth-week!). Maybe it’s your fave too? Because usually nothing is scheduled that week. It’s like getting a bonus week where I can rest, play, review my past year and plan for the next one.

One thing I do during that “bonus” week is – Go through the months in my past calendar.
I review each week and each activity.

I ask myself these three questions:

  • Did this activity energize me?
  • Did this activity drain me?
  • Did this activity help me align with my values & goals?

It’s super helpful to see where I spent time, and how that helped or hindered me, which is useful in planning for the upcoming year.

If you’ve never done this, I highly recommend it. Keep in mind, you need to set aside a few hours for it. And when you do this and then schedule for 2023, -to the extent you can- schedule in more of what energizes you and less of what drains you.

TIP: These three questions also make an excellent evening journal prompt. It helps you realize real quick where you’re spending time that isn’t making you feel good or moving you forward so you can adjust accordingly.

During December’s last week, in addition to reviewing, visioning, and planning I also just love the downtime. This poem by Edgar Guest makes me smile, I included it because I thought you might like it too.

(You may have heard of Edgar A Guest (1881-1959), he became known as ‘the people’s poet’ because his poems often had an inspirational and optimistic view of everyday life).


The happiest nights I ever know
Are those when I have no place to go,

And the missus says when the day is through:
“Tonight we haven’t a thing to do.”

Oh, the joy of it, and the peace untold
Or sitting ‘round in my slippers old,

With my pipe and book in my easy chair,
Knowing I needn’t go anywhere.

Needn’t hurry my evening meal
Nor force the smiles that I do not feel,

But can grab a book from a nearby shelf,
And drop all sham and be myself.

Oh, the charm of it and the comfort rare;
Nothing on earth with it can compare;

And I’m sorry for him who doesn’t know
The joy of having no place to go.

Edgar A. Guest


As you enjoy Christmas this weekend do your best to prioritize some rest for yourself. And block out time on your next week’s schedule for reviewing, dreaming, planning, and just “sitting ‘round in your slippers old”.


Much Love,
Carolyn

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Watermelon Cake

Check out my Summer Watermelon Cake!

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Remember last January when you had goals and intentions for this year?

Well, it’s now halfway through 2022 – yep already!

Which leads me to two questions for you:

*Were any of those goals about your health/body/weight?

*And if so, how are you doing with them?

Oh, one more question…are you ready to try something else?

If you’ve been with me for awhile you’ve probably heard me talk about the science-based detox that I want to share with everyone because it’s so healing. It gets me back on track with all my health goals quickly and I LOVE the total feeling of well-being it brings my mind, body, and spirit!

If your health isn’t where you want it to be — or you want to do your best to protect it — it’s important to discover the truth about human detoxification. But, there are a lot of opinions and products out there. And not only could you lose money, but detoxing the wrong way can be harmful.

My colleague Robyn Openshaw, the GreenSmoothieGirl, has studied human detoxification for 10,000 hours (more time than she spent studying for her master’s and PhD combined), including time she spent studying with holistic doctors and clinicians around the world.

Dean-the-Dream and I have been doing this detox twice a year for

the past 4 years and it’s helped us in so very many ways.

That’s why I love to tell people about it.

Watermelon Cake

It is 26 days – but don’t worry, everything is all spelled out for you,
you will learn all sorts of new ways to help your body be its best, and
the detox Facebook group is super helpful at answering any questions and supporting you along the way. And just think, in less than a month you’ll feel clean, clear, brain fog gone, several pounds gone, inflammation gone,
and you’ll be OH SO proud of yourself!

You can watch Robyn’s Detox Secrets Video Series to see if this is a gift you’re ready to give yourself. (You can watch instantly after you opt in!)

This is what actual participants of her program experienced:

  1. Average 12.5 pound weight loss (some as high as 27 pounds!)
  2. Higher ENERGY, all day
  3. Joint pain disappearing
  4. Better digestion (MORE coming out, which is good)
  5. Disappearing autoimmune symptoms
  6. Food cravings gone
  7. Mood stabilizing (calming anxiety and depression)
  8. Skin clearing
  9. Blood sugar stabilizing
  10. Brain fog clearing, mind is sharp again

Robyn understands the SCIENCE of how proper detoxification works, and she developed a comprehensive, guided, whole-body Detox program that has changed nearly 20,000 lives, over the past 10 years.

Most people who do this detox once end up wanting to do it twice a year.

For the summer detox there’s no specific day to start. You can start whenever it works best with your schedule. I’m on day 5 today and feeling so great!

The Detox program systematically cleanses all the major body systems, in an order approved by detox experts, and with products that support and enhance the body’s natural immune function all the way.

What makes Robyn’s 26-Day Detox unique … and better than other detox programs?

  • It’s comprehensive, a WHOLE-body detox — rather than just focusing on detoxing one organ, or simply eating less or healthier food for a few days.
  • It’s based on SCIENCE — every step was created based on what is known about how the body detoxifies and how it can be aided and accelerated in that process.
  • You get to eat REAL food, and you won’t feel hungry — the foods required are real foods you can purchase at your grocery, and you eat plenty of food, and shouldn’t feel very hungry.
  • It’s GUIDED and supported — so you’ll know exactly what to do, and you’ll have support from health coaches and others doing the detox every step of the way.

You’ll hear more about the GreenSmoothieGirl Detox during Robyn’s Detox Video Series.

I hope you’ll join. I think you’ll learn information that will open your eyes to the possibility (and the truth) of detoxification done the right way.

Shine On,
Carolyn

P.S. Full transparency – I am an affiliate for this program -which tells you I really like it, because I’m very picky what I’ll endorse.

P.P.S. Check out what Kris K. of Payson, Utah, said after competing Robyn’s guided, comprehensive, science-backed GreenSmoothieGirl Detox:

“This program keeps you full, healthy, and happy! I have tried many other detox cleanses before and this one is by far the best. Although it took a lot of time to prepare the food, I made large quantities of Green Smoothies and learned to love them.

Overall, I haven’t felt this good in years! My energy increased every day I was on the program and I actually started running again. I’m happy to report that by keeping my energy high using Robyn’s recommendations, I easily kicked my caffeine & chocolate addiction. My husband lost 12 lbs. on the program and I lost 9. (We are both in our mid-50s.) Both of us LOVE the healthy education we have had over the past month and the support from our family and friends on this journey. We will continue this journey together and live to be 100 years old.”

Watch Robyn’s Detox Secrets Video Series— and then, consider joining her detoxification program (you can choose your start date and what works for you).

Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results

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Let’s talk about habits…Atomic Habits.

Atomic Habits by James Clear is a phenomenal book that came out in 2018.

Have you read it?

I’m sorry to say, I put off reading it.

Even though I kept seeing and hearing comments about how great it is, I still put it off.

Even though I purchased it, and it was on my audible app, I still put it off.

WHY?
I thought it would be like so many other similar books I’ve read:
The Slight Edge
The Compound Effect
The Power of Habit
High Performance Habits

Also great books, so I didn’t feel any hurry to read one more book in that genre for awhile.

But then…last month I did it. I began listening to Atomic Habits and couldn’t stop. In fact, I ordered the physical book, because I knew I wanted to highlight and underline so much of what I was hearing!

You may know, along with my SimplyAlign energy work, I’ve also been a Certified High Performance Coach for the past three years. I love helping my coaching clients set up habits that are doable and will help them become who they wish to become. To get clarity, I’ll often have them write a list of: “I’m the type of person who __________.”

Going along with that, author James Clear says, “The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.” He says identity, or the type of person we think we are, is what sustains a habit, good or bad. It’s who we think we are -the best version of ourselves that we’re stepping into.

He teaches that the four laws of behavior change are a simple set of rules we can use to build better habits and include: 1) make it obvious, 2) make it attractive, 3) make it easy, 4) make it satisfying.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.”
“Your identity emerges out of your habits.”
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”
“You don’t have to be the victim of your environment. You can also be the architect of it.”
“With outcome-based habits, the focus is on what you want to achieve. With identity-based habits, the focus is on who you wish to become.”
“Incentives can start a habit, identity sustains a habit.”

Needless to say, I highly recommend Atomic Habits. If you haven’t read it yet, I hope you do, I think you’ll love it. And if you’ve already read it, I hope it helped you create some new habits as it did for me.

Much Love,
Carolyn


PS: In a few weeks my new Coaching Website will launch. If private or group coaching with me is something you may be interested in, then stay tuned, more information is coming soon!

10 Reasons to Do a Detox in January

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Happy New Year ~ I hope your holidays were delightful!

As you’re setting new goals for the year, on your goal list do you have anything about losing weight or getting healthy? If so you’re not alone, most people do include that in their goals!

If your health isn’t where you want it to be — or you want to do your best to protect it — it’s important to discover the truth about human detoxification. But, there are a lot of opinions and products out there. And not only could you lose money, but detoxing the wrong way can be harmful.

My colleague Robyn Openshaw, the GreenSmoothieGirl, has studied human detoxification for 10,000 hours (more time than she spent studying for her master’s and PhD combined), including time she spent studying with holistic doctors and clinicians around the world.

Hubby and I have been doing this detox twice a year for the past 3 years.

We love it, and that’s why I love to tell people about it!

It’s 26 days – but don’t worry, everything is all spelled out for you,
you will learn all sorts of new ways to help your body be it’s best,
the detox Facebook group is super helpful at answering any questions and supporting you along the way. And just think, by early February you’ll feel clean, clear, brain fog gone, several pounds gone, inflammation gone,
and you’ll be oh so proud of yourself!

Seriously, it’s a great way to start a New Year!

The GreenSmoothieGirl Detox has changed over 17,000 lives, over the past 10 years.

You can still watch her Detox Secrets Video Series, for only a short while longer. (You can watch instantly after you opt in!)

This is what actual participants of her program experienced:

  1. Average 12.5 pound weight loss (some as high as 27 pounds!)
  2. Higher ENERGY, all day
  3. Joint pain disappearing
  4. Better digestion (MORE coming out, which is good)
  5. Disappearing autoimmune symptoms
  6. Food cravings gone
  7. Mood stabilizing (calming anxiety and depression)
  8. Skin clearing
  9. Blood sugar stabilizing
  10. Brain fog clearing, mind is sharp again

She understands the SCIENCE of how proper detoxification works, and she developed a comprehensive, guided, whole-body Detox program that she only leads with a big group ONCE per year, in January.

And though the deadline for the Early Bird pricing has ended … she’s decided to extend the 40% off for one week, because she believes doing a dedicated detox is more important EVER this year, and she wants as many people as possible to do it!

The main group starts Tues. Jan. 11th, but really,
you can start whenever it works best with your schedule.
I was ready so I started today ~ woo hoo!

The Detox program systematically cleanses all the major body systems, in an order approved by detox experts, and with products that support and enhance the body’s natural immune function all the way.

What makes Robyn’s 26-Day Detox unique … and better than other detox programs?

  • It’s comprehensive, a WHOLE-body detox — rather than just focusing on detoxing one organ, or simply eating less or healthier food for a few days.
  • It’s based on SCIENCE — every step was created based on what is known about how the body detoxifies and how it can be aided and accelerated in that process.
  • You get to eat REAL food, and you won’t feel hungry — the foods required are real foods you can purchase at your grocery, and you eat plenty of food, and shouldn’t feel very hungry.
  • It’s GUIDED and supported — so you’ll know exactly what to do, and you’ll have support from health coaches and others doing the detox every step of the way.

You’ll hear more about the GreenSmoothieGirl Detox during Robyn’s Detox Video Series.

I hope you’ll join. I think you’ll learn information that will open your eyes to the possibility (and the truth) of detoxification done the right way.

Much love,

Carolyn Cooper

P.S. Check out what Kris K. of Payson, Utah, said after competing Robyn’s guided, comprehensive, science-backed GreenSmoothieGirl Detox:

“This program keeps you full, healthy, and happy! I have tried many other detox cleanses before and this one is by far the best. Although it took a lot of time to prepare the food, I made large quantities of Green Smoothies and learned to love them.

Overall, I haven’t felt this good in years! My energy increased every day I was on the program and I actually started running again. I’m happy to report that by keeping my energy high using Robyn’s recommendations, I easily kicked my caffeine & chocolate addiction. My husband lost 12 lbs. on the program and I lost 9. (We are both in our mid-50s.) Both of us LOVE the healthy education we have had over the past month and the support from our family and friends on this journey. We will continue this journey together and live to be 100 years old.”

Watch Robyn’s Detox Secrets Video Series— and then, consider joining her detoxification program (you can choose your start date and what works for you).

 

Urge to Purge

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For most of last year I had what I call “the urge to purge”. No, I don’t mean throwing up, I mean decluttering my home, purging each room, closet, cupboard, drawer. Throwing away, selling, or giving away so many, many items. I was shocked at how much STUFF we had! Our home is generally clean and tidy (except my office sometimes, eek!) and we’re certainly not hoarders, but seriously…7 bookcases? And all full of books! Or used to be, until “the great purge” that is.

My hubby, Dean the Dream and I built our house nearly 30 years ago. That’s a long time in the same house. We raised five kids in that home, I was surprised to find in some closets we still had a few prom gowns, football jerseys, some baby clothes that I just couldn’t give up back then, and a few other things. Mostly my notebooks…lots and lots of books and notebooks, mostly from my work, classes I’ve taught and classes I’ve taken, and classes I’m planning to teach.

During my “urge to purge” year, (and 2020 was the perfect year for it) I’ve become a fan of some minimalists’ podcasts and YouTube channels which have given me much inspiration! And I found myself continually coming up with metaphors about how decluttering a room is so similar to decluttering our energy systems, our mindset, and even our bodies.

One of the YouTubers I follow is minimalist, Joshua Becker. He says:

“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.”

See what I mean? Joshua’s quote is so similar to how SimplyAlign works! Except he was talking about a house, and I work with humans, lol. I help clients intentionally promote their strengths and goals, and we release the limiting beliefs that would otherwise distract them from being their best.

Consistency was key as I cleaned and organized in little bursts of energy and many times I had only small pockets of time. It’s an ongoing process and as long as I live in a home with “things” it will continue to be. Just like our energy systems, it takes consistent effort to keep on top of the negative emotional clutter.

The best part about my urge to purge…

All this minimizing began long before we even knew we’d be moving across the country! I just felt inspired to ‘get my house in order’ and I’m so glad I followed that inspired nudge, it made moving quickly so much easier!

What about you?

Have you been inspired lately to declutter (either your actual home OR emotions)?

Are you feeling nudged to begin or finish a task or goal?

If you need a little boost I’d love to help.

I have 25-min or 50-min SimplyAlign energy balancing sessions available in June.

Or purchase a 3-pack to help you sail through the summer!

“Healing may not be so much about getting better,
as about letting go of everything that isn’t you –
all of the expectations, all of the beliefs –
and becoming who you are.”
Rachel Naomi Remen

Create a SIMPLY great day!

Much love,

Carolyn Cooper

Courageous

Your Most Courageous Act

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What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

I was recently asked this question.

Hmm…I’ve walked over hot coals barefoot

Rode for miles way up high in a hot air balloon

Traveled the 18 hours to Australia to teach my training several times by myself

Started a business doing something that was previously unknown to most people

Did the Catalina Island Triathlon (twice), swimming in the ocean waves-yikes!

Home-birthed my last child at age 40

Moved across the country with hubby (at retirement age) for his new, exciting job

I’m not listing those to brag at all, because in remembering these events I realize they were all things I wanted to do.

Is it still considered courageous if it’s
something you really want to do?

Have you noticed that most big events like that are much easier than the small daily actions and interactions that are often required of us?

I think the hard things, the scary things are generally more quiet, unplanned…and not so fun.

It’s these seemingly smaller things in life that take courage:

  • Biting your tongue
  • Forgiving someone who has hurt you
  • Having the necessary but hard conversations
  • Controlling negative thoughts
  • Doing the difficult right instead of the easy wrong
  • Admitting when wrong and apologizing
  • Speak kindly to yourself
  • Consistently following through on your goals
  • Get to bed and get up at the times you promised yourself
  • Have you done anything on this list recently?

Most likely you have so give yourself a hug, that was very courageous.

I want to ask two things of you:

  1. Take a few minutes to make a list (in your head or on paper) of some courageous things you’ve done so far in your life.

    There may be more than you think.

    How did those courageous acts influence your life?

  2. Just for fun, share your inspiring, courageous experience and what you learned from it with someone who could use that boost today!

    It will lift you both.

What is your next courageous adventure or conversation?

Plan it, prep it, do it.

Have a SIMPLY great weekend my courageous friend,

Much love,

Carolyn Cooper

Success

Things I Learned From A Pro-Triathlete

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One of my personal favorite things to do each May is to attend the IRONMAN held in beautiful St. George, Utah. My hubby, Dean-the-dream and I enjoy being volunteers and I also especially love to find a spot by the finish line and watch the triathletes run across it.

The dedication of the athletes is so motivating, as is the support of the crowd. Over 30,000 visitors flock here during the first week each May to cheer on friends and family who are racing. I love the excitement in the air, the weather, the music, all the sights and sounds, even the  smells—the whole energy of IRONMAN week is fantastic!

I think we all love to see people get rewarded for their hard work, no matter what arena it’s in. People who have paid their dues, put in the time and effort and sacrificed to complete a big goal are such an inspiration.

For the past three years we’ve had the honor of having a few of the professional athletes stay at our home the week of the race. This year “our guy” (as we refer to him), Jackson Laundry from Ontario, Canada and his girlfriend Montana stayed with us.

Two years ago Jackson and his dad Brian (also a triathlete) stayed with us, so we already had gotten to know Jackson. That was in 2017 and as only a 23 year old at that time he took 8th place, which was awesome. This year he came in 3rd place!

Being with Jackson for a few days taught me (or reminded me) of these things that are important for success in any area of life.

1) Internal discipline: Once you’ve made a commitment to yourself, keep it despite external forces. There are always challenges that crop up while moving toward a goal, so you need to remember your big WHY and make it a priority in your life. Direction and drive must come from within.

2) Schedules and Accountability: Have a great system and a plan and then stick to it for the long haul. I love that Jackson (& Brian, his dad) have their daily training schedules from their coach online, and their fancy wrist watches actually keep track of their workouts. I’ve learned from past experience if I set up a schedule with accountability (although mine isn’t this fancy), it makes staying on course for my goals so much easier.

3) Laser Focus: Later that evening after the race, Dean asked Jackson if he heard us cheering for him and shouting his name as he went past us at a few different places on the course. He said, “No, I was too focused. It’s as tough mentally as it is physically.” This helps me remember that determined, focused action will block out the “BSO” (bright, shiny objects) that try to get my attention while moving toward a bigger goal. Mindset plays such a big role in everything we want to accomplish in our lives.

4) Support System: Such intense training has ups and downs, and a pro-athlete needs coaches, friends, family they can depend on and who understand their drive, especially during tough times. In addition, there are so many volunteers along the race route to guide, hand out water, pick up pieces of clothing, park bikes, and so many other big and little things. In life, none of us get to the finish line alone. Watching those volunteers reminded me to pay attention and give gratitude for all those “helpers” in my own life.

5) Competition can be positive: I noticed anytime Jackson spoke of one of the other pros, it was always with respect and admiration. He honored their achievements in such an uplifting way. Even in competitive situations, or when tempted to compare to others, speaking well of others will always raise you up.

6) Pause to honor your achievement: After you’ve hit a goal, take time to celebrate before going right on to the next one. Both Jackson and Brian have their races planned out for the year, so they achieve one goal, have a few days to enjoy that (and learn from it), then keep moving onto the next goal. For sure, don’t miss the celebration, but also don’t rest on your laurels too long before moving on.

Have a SIMPLY great week ~
Shine On,
Carolyn