<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/blogs/tag/nextstep/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>YNSTP - Blog ##nextstep</title><description>YNSTP - Blog ##nextstep</description><link>https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/blogs/tag/nextstep</link><lastBuildDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:11:26 -0700</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Special BEE Hive Cozies for Winter]]></title><link>https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/blogs/post/special-bee-hive-cozies-for-winter</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/images/Bees in Winter.PNG"/>Honey bees do not sleep in the winter. They cluster together in a ball, eating honey and shiver their flight muscles to generate heat. 'Winter bees' a ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_gjBzdAENSrisDYSYEiAw7w" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_-ky1R8xvTwuv410TRVLbTw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_zSMvmNM0TbKV75AFZuVkNQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_8Le2uYtzRc2ukvOEkVitzw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true">Special Bee Hive Cozies for Winter</h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_ufSPSfquQ_6bkf1msmDl6g" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_ufSPSfquQ_6bkf1msmDl6g"].zpelem-text { margin-block-start:23px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="zp-selected-cell"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;color:rgb(1, 58, 81);">Honey bees do not sleep in the winter. They cluster together in a ball, eating honey and shiver their flight muscles to generate heat. 'Winter bees' are laid in the fall. They are fed a special diet that doesn't have much pollen protein. This pollen-scarce diet lets the winter bees develop extra large 'fat bodies'. This helps regulate their metabolism, producint an amazing substance that enhances their imune system and causes them to live longer - six months instead of six weeks.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;color:rgb(1, 58, 81);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;color:rgb(1, 58, 81);">To help protect the bees against the cold, BEE Keepers will wrap the hives with a black insulated BEE Cozy that gives thermal protection to the hive and can absorb heat from the sun. The roof of each hive is also insulated to the warm air that the bees create from shivering their flight wings does not condense on the inner cover and drip down on the bees. They have small upper and lower entrances so air can circulate and prevent the buildup of moisutre. When snow covers the hives, it creates extra insulation. The heat from the hives melts the snow around it and create an air space.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;color:rgb(1, 58, 81);">From&nbsp;<a href="https://www.geesbees.ca/post/winter-bees-how-honeybees-survive-the-winter?srsltid=AfmBOor04TWkNWYSORXahb0cng5zUCe0ZWz3YPiVQf-I7H2JNYa7hRYn" target="_blank" rel="">Geesbees</a></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(1, 58, 81);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(1, 58, 81);">Check out our BEE Your Possibility online meetings the second Wednesday of the month. Come buzz with us.&nbsp;</span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="width:600px;"><tbody><tr><td class="zp-selected-cell"><br/></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_pAJ97pSjQKaHJELma1yWCQ" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style></style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-center zpbutton-align-mobile-center zpbutton-align-tablet-center"><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md " href="javascript:;" target="_blank"><span class="zpbutton-content">Get Started Now</span></a></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:14:16 -0500</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Self-Care Includes Your Inner You]]></title><link>https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/blogs/post/self-care-includes-your-inner-you</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/Retreat booklet with pens_tea_ frog by Erica Jurus- Photographer.jpg"/>What is Self-Care? Self-care is taking care of you! It involves&nbsp; anything you do to take care of you physically, mentally and spiritually.&nbsp; And ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_rkIKZFHYSa6ctmHPbB7bUA" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_RBfBPElEQYOMLfks97hl9g" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_YZp8485DSi2Nwndlg30cXQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_8NhuEgmUQbG7HC1yvl6_3w" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true">Caring for Your Inner You</h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_UNjQleQRRjC6-uxbYUcdRA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);font-size:18px;font-weight:bold;">What is Self-Care?</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">Self-care is taking care of you! It involves&nbsp;</span><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">anything you do to take care of you physically, mentally and spiritually.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">And no, that is not being selfish - it is caring for yourself, which is how you care for others.&nbsp; In order to be the best you can be for others, you need to be at your best.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">In these days of technology and instant access to information people are expected to always be working, and available - to always be productive.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">Sadly, this <span style="font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;">busyness</span> is counterproductive. There is a cost to trading self-care for productivity. That cost includes, fatigue, overwhelm, burnout, depression, anxiety, and resentment.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">A discussion with women at a a recent women's group turned to how they are so busy that at times they go into overwhelm.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">&quot;What do you do when you find yourself in overwhelm?&quot; I asked.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">One woman told us, &quot;I know about self-care. I take time to bath, rest, eat well, and even exercise. And still I feel overwhelmed.&quot;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">What came to mind is that in our <span style="font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;">busyness</span> w</span><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">hat often gets missed is our mental and spiritual self care. This is our inner self.&nbsp;</span><span style="text-align:center;color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">We have to take time for certain aspects of self-care like physical, and even social - and we do.</span><span style="color:inherit;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</span><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">Sadly, it is our inner self that is the one area that is out of sight and out of mind. It may even be the most important aspect.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">The busyness of two jobs, two children, and a partner caused my own burnout and depression. I was one of those women who didn't really know what I wanted from life. And I did not speak up because I did not want to make waves. I felt that I had very few rights. My biggest problem was that I felt like I was never good enough. I did not feel that I deserved to be spoken to with respect. and I never gave myself permission to feel what I was feeling, to express what I was feeling. Nor did I give myself permission to stand up for what I believed or wanted. Depression is a lack of expression. Burnout is mental, physical and emotional exhaustion.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">These are things that started my quest for what I want in my life and in my future. I want to look forward to the possibilities in my future. These break downs are what lead me to finding ways to increase self-confidence and self-esteem. And wanting that for others as well is what led me to Life Coaching.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">I find that clients often need to be given permission to feel what they are feeling. From personal experience, one holds in their emotions, be it sadness, resentment, even anger, because they fear the results of expressing themselves - afraid their emotions will be dismissed, or any resentment and anger will be turned back onto them.&nbsp; &quot;</span><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">Shake it off! You can't feel that way! You are imagining things!&quot; Sound familiar What else?</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">Emotions are an integral part of who we are and they must be acknowledged and dealt with or they will have a negative affect on us. Many women, even today, were raised to take care of others, to put themselves last. That's not working for them because the continual productivity and caring for others is draining their mental and physical selves.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">As women, we need to care for ourselves so we can care for our loved ones, our jobs and careers, and our friends and family.&nbsp; That's why I started my&nbsp;<span style="font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;">Dare to Dream Retreats</span> and that's why you need to consider attending <span style="font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;">Dare to Dream Encore</span> November 29 to December 1st. The doors are closing soon.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);"><br/></span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:rgb(39, 34, 135);">Don't miss this opportunity. Book you spot today!</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><br/></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_HuM85xYhT8WvzTR96cgEpQ" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style></style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-center "><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-none " href="https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/dare-to-dream-encore-retreat" title="Dare to Dream Encore Registration" title="Dare to Dream Encore Registration"><span class="zpbutton-content">Dare to Dream today!</span></a></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Fri, 22 Nov 2024 15:59:27 -0500</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[BEEs are Effective Networkers]]></title><link>https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/blogs/post/bee-your-possibilities1</link><description><![CDATA[Networking BEEs]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_vGu4oU-8TMeK8-xEB2FPyw" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_BLTKsVPlSoiVSMnUlzyYog" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_fQcBgUiFRBm2tb9DxrIGRw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_uVIxzQFRSO2GxLkVYTESbQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true">BEE Networking Strategies</h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_KiRj8OrjReWgTLQtkuqQXg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:left;">The behaviours of BEEs in their colonies can offer insights into effective networking strategies for people. Below are six behaviours observed in honey bee colonies that can work for you.</p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_TLZFG5d8drnsqkKES6yZnw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p><span style="color:inherit;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">1.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;"> Collaboration and Cooperation: </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">Just as bees work together to forage for food, defend the hive, and care for the brood, networkers can collaborate and cooperate with others to achieve common goals. By forming alliances, sharing resources, and supporting each other, networkers can amplify their impact and achieve greater success.</span></span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_ssc3oCGUFWpsbFCNfml2UQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p><span style="color:inherit;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">2.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">Communication and Information Sharing:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Bees communicate vital information about food sources, nest sites, and threats through intricate dance language and pheromones. Similarly, effective networkers communicate openly and transparently with their connections, sharing insights, opportunities, and resources that can benefit others in their network.</span></span><br></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_5zVdYkwNsx-V3B_xKq8AVw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p><span style="color:inherit;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">3. Support and Mentorship: </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">Worker bees care for the developing larvae and the queen bee, providing nourishment, protection, and guidance as needed. Likewise, networkers can offer support, mentorship, and guidance to their peers and colleagues, helping them navigate challenges, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals.</span></span><br></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_VpaBJcyRQ8N8A9W2_alHuQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p><span style="color:inherit;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">4. Adaptability and Flexibility: </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">Bees exhibit swarm behaviour, where they adapt and relocate to new nest sites when conditions become unfavorable. Similarly, networkers must be adaptable and flexible, willing to adjust their strategies, goals, and approaches in response to changing circumstances and opportunities in the networking landscape.</span></span><br></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_2SmsrCz5C91etIaefIDkcg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p><span style="color:inherit;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">5. Resource Sharing and Reciprocity:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Bees share resources within the colony, ensuring that all members have access to food, shelter, and support. Similarly, networkers can engage in reciprocity by sharing knowledge, contacts, and opportunities with their connections, fostering a culture of generosity and mutual benefit within their network.</span></span><br></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_w85MDnvbSFZkOn9st6H0bg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p><span style="color:inherit;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">6. Collective Decision-Making:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Bees make collective decisions, such as when to swarm or where to forage, through consensus-building and information sharing. Similarly, networkers can engage in collaborative decision-making processes, seeking input from their peers and stakeholders to inform strategic decisions and actions that benefit the entire network.</span></span><br></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_4arnUdq4KpRpBmeCWAfaDw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:inherit;">By emulating the behaviours observed in bee colonies, networkers can cultivate stronger, more resilient, and more effective networks that facilitate collaboration, communication, and mutual support among members.While there may not be a specific quote about networkers emulating bee colony behaviours, we can craft one to capture the essence:</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;color:inherit;"><br></span></p><div style="text-align:center;color:inherit;"><div style="color:inherit;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;">&quot;<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:14px;">Effective networkers are like bees in a hive, collaborating, communicating, and supporting each other to achieve collective success. Just as bees work together for the greater good of the colony, networkers build relationships, share resources, and foster a culture of reciprocity, helping each other achieve their individual successes together.&quot;</span></span></div></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Mon, 12 Aug 2024 11:50:00 -0400</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[BEE Your Possibilities]]></title><link>https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/blogs/post/bee-your-possibilities</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/images/Bees and flowers-1.png"/>Explanation of what BEE Your Possibilities is and does]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_8GVKEsOWRvKM1fs_loKYKQ" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_1FsWgjscQjOm3eMHXhx7yg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_1FsWgjscQjOm3eMHXhx7yg"].zprow{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_GghkqBCUSQqEi5XQOmKN8Q" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_GghkqBCUSQqEi5XQOmKN8Q"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_6tvCxFxgR3SxRricnV0dGg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style> [data-element-id="elm_6tvCxFxgR3SxRricnV0dGg"].zpelem-heading { border-radius:1px; } </style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true"><span style="font-weight:bold;">BEE</span>ing <span style="font-weight:bold;">Possible</span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_uPhjd52OR7Gd7wPbN66ieg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_uPhjd52OR7Gd7wPbN66ieg"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">BEE Your Possibilities started out as BEE the Buzz Niagara, started by Carolyn Shannon of Empowerment Starts Here. It met the second Wednesday of the month at meeting room in St. Catharines in a restaurant or event space. That's where I started networking.&nbsp; The people were wonderful. The information shared was valuable.</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">I looked forward to the monthly meetings.&nbsp; When COVID hit, Carolyn took BEE Niagara on line. It was still a great meeting online.&nbsp; Thank you Carolyn.</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);"><br></span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">And then, Carolyn decided to retirre BEE the Buzz Niagara. When she announced it, at the end of 2020, I found myself asking if she would mind if I took over the time and date slot that she had been using. Her response shocked me. She said something like, &quot;That would be great! And I know what you can call it. Call it, &quot;BEE Your Possibilities.&quot; And that was how BEE Your Possibilities was founded. Our January meeting is the 12th meeting of our 3rd year. Again, thank you Carolyn.</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);"><br></span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">What is different about the two groups is not a lot. Carolyn met live 10 months of the year with 2 special meetings. This BEE meets monthly, online. Our meetings are formatted on what I call, mastermind light. It is structured like a mastermind without the indepth accountability and commitments of a speific mastermind.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);"><br></span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">We start with introductions - <span style="font-weight:bold;">relationship building</span> - about who you are, what your business does and how members can help you.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">The <span style="font-weight:bold;">Education segment</span> has a business related lesson that includes interactive discussion. Then, our</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Business Building</span> session has a member discuss their business more in-depth, again to let others know what the business does, how it serves its clients and how our membership can help each other.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">To <span style="font-weight:bold;">Empower </span>each other, each meeting has a Business Challenge session, were a member can register to go into discussion about solving a business challenge and brainstorming solutions for the member to select from, take away and try, and report back to the next meeting with results or feedback.</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);"><br></span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">Why are we based on Bees? Bees work as a group, a team. That's what our group is about. Helping each other step into their possibilities as they</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">Build their business; Educate each other; and Empower each other.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);"><br></span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">We meet monthly, the second Wednesday of the month, for two hours. The meetings are interactive, positive, and focused on solutions and possibility. Surprisingly, even meetings that we thought would be shorter, fill the complete 2 hours.</span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);"><br></span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(17, 11, 45);">Want to buzz about your business? Register for our next meeting.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Mon, 08 Jan 2024 14:55:23 -0500</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Step Out of What You are Stuck In!]]></title><link>https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/blogs/post/step-out-of-what-you-are-stuck-in</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.yournextsteptopossibility.com/Let your possibility shine.png"/>Are you stuck in "What Is?" Ways to step out of what is keeping you stuck]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_L61EA609TZuLPDU9Z6jV9w" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_PCuLvEFDS4ulWxY9-ITjtQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_91R3RSP8TXqUtZ4fXRSq0w" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_TDuHAc2hQKadoy7o2plgrg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style> [data-element-id="elm_TDuHAc2hQKadoy7o2plgrg"].zpelem-heading { border-radius:1px; } </style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true">Do you ever get caught up in &quot;What is!&quot;?</h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_6aGBi-wUQ4KXUcQYtc7uLQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_6aGBi-wUQ4KXUcQYtc7uLQ"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p><span style="font-size:16px;">&quot;What is&quot; is what is happening in your life at the moment. It could be the weather: raining, snowing, too hot, too cold. It could be your job: your boss, co-worker, the work, the pay. It could be your relationship or your life. It could be politics, neighbours, other people, other countries. It could be any one of many other things that you have no control over. Some, or all of these things are happening all the time.</span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_I6KtniDq4TXde0kCzh8FDA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_I6KtniDq4TXde0kCzh8FDA"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">I was so stuck in “What Is,” I found it impossible to see “What Could Be.” It took me a long time to realize what I was doing with these things that happen all the time.&nbsp;And it still happens on occasion, although I am able to catch myself sooner.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Sometimes I get so caught up in what is, I get angry, frustrated, hurt, sad, depressed. And when I do, I react with those emotions, yelling, crying, banging, and withdrawing. I don’t like the way things are. I hate it! I want things to be the way I want them to be. I don’t want them to be the way they are.&nbsp;Have you ever felt that way? So what do I do about it? </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;">What do you do about those things? </span></p><span style="font-size:12pt;">I used to hold myself stuck in that misery by witching (with a B), moaning, and whining about what is and how I wish it were different. I would witch to anyone who would listen, and some who had to listen. I would bring it with me in the car, cursing the situation, take it home with me, bring it to family and social gatherings. At the time, I thought, “If I didn’t have this crappy life to witch about, I’d have nothing to say.”</span></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_ZUuZGM6fNVePsDg2h09csg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_ZUuZGM6fNVePsDg2h09csg"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">I was constantly asking </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;font-style:italic;">“Why?”</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Why does it have to rain? Why did that happen to me? Why doesn’t he treat me better.&nbsp;Heck, I even used to threaten the weather: “It’d better be nice for MY event or else.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">What the heck did I think I was going to do about it if it didn’t meet </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;">MY</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> expectations? Well, I’d get mad, or sad, or frustrated and I would curse, cry, and be downright miserable to myself and everyone else. Sound familiar?</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">What were the results MY reactions were having? Did they change anything? Did it stop snowing last Christmas so my family could visit? Did my reactions change anything when COVID put us into lockdown? No!</span></p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Does witching and whining, anger, or tears, your being in a bad mood do anything to change “What is”? No! The only thing it does is hold you stuck in those useless and destructive emotions.&nbsp;</span></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_CcdtGY1rrMc-B86EhvaPwA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_CcdtGY1rrMc-B86EhvaPwA"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div style="color:inherit;"><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Step </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">One:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Learn to notice how you are feeling.&nbsp;Many times our emotions are conditioned reactions. They are how we were taught to react to “what is”. This often includes impotent anger, helpless tears, frustration, or checking out. Notice what you are feeling and how you are reacting. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">Step Two</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">: Notice what you are saying to yourself. Is what you are telling yourself making you feel better, or worse? Is feeling this way changing “what is”, or affecting “what is” in anyway? Could you choose to feel differently about this? </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Note: There are times when you have to feel those feelings, to feel their effect on you, or to work through them, be they anger, sadness, or grief.&nbsp;Please do not push your feelings away. Marisa Peer, Therapist, shared a quote from, I believe a psychiatrist, that said something like, “A feeling must be felt until it no longer needs to be felt.” Feel what you are feeling, but don’t stay stuck in it. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">At times, I have to work through my feelings of anger and a great way for me to do so is with angry cleaning. It dissipates the anger and the house gets cleaned.&nbsp;Sometimes, you may need to step away from a situation for a time to feel what you are feeling until you have regained some control. This is true for sadness and tears. You may have to step away to let the tears fall so you can gain control and see things differently. Feelings must be felt.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Acknowledge it, feel it, where do you feel it in your body, ask it, “How does this emotion serve me?” I find journaling to be a powerful way to answer that question. I write through the feeling until I find myself beginning to see what I can do to change the way I feel. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">Step Three:</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Give yourself permission to look for something to be happy about. I discovered, after many years, that all that witching, whining and moaning had become a habit that was actually creating more and more misery. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">I chose to stop fighting what is. I started with winter. It was a battle I could not win. I bought myself some snow pants so I stay warm when I have to be out in it for long. I enjoy playing in the snow with the grandchildren, or visiting a barn with a friend, or sitting in a patch of sunshine on a cold day. I even enjoy walking on a cold winter morning. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">I chose to stop fighting the rain and I bought an umbrella. I chose to stop witching about my relationship and start working on it by speaking up about what I want. I learned to be grateful for the people in my life who had passed on by cherishing the good memories and experiences, and lessons. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Stop fighting “what is” and start looking for ways to change it, if you can, or accept it, if you can’t. It will make a great difference to how you feel about your life. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">You can choose to find a spark of happiness that, with time and practice, you can fan into a flame that will have you feeling better about yourself, about life, and about your tomorrows. You will begin to find solutions to what's bothering you and you can help yourself begin to enjoy “what is”.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">One of the most important things I learned, a long time ago, from my grandchildren is to look for, and share good things. At bedtime, I would ask them to tell me three good things from the day – something good to sleep on – and one good thing for tomorrow to look forward to. When we start looking for the good that is in our life, we find it. </span></p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Which feels better: Looking at the good, or witching and whining about “what is” wrong with life? When you feel better you see a brighter future. You see possibility where you used to see impossibility. That allows you to take your next step into making a better life for yourself and those around you. Isn’t it time to </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;font-style:italic;">Step Out of “What is”?</span></div></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jan 2024 16:52:00 -0500</pubDate></item></channel></rss>