Listening

We just finished a wonderful dinner of New Mexican red chile roasted veggie enchiladas. We were joined by some dear neighbors and before everyone headed home we gathered our four sweet children ages five to nine for a school year blessing (they all start tomorrow).

We asked the kids to close their eyes and reflect on what kind of school year they wanted to have-- what their theme would be for the next nine months. They giggled, paused and then shared (their words): blissfulness, flowingness and fun, creativity, happy sunshine and bouncy castle. Then they each got to pick a special stone or natural treasure from the bowl on our counter to take home as a reminder of their intention.

I think the reason I love setting intentions is they don’t require an action or a goal. They’re more about how I intend to be.

My intention for the fall is FREEDOM.

And after attending a wonderful creative intent workshop on Saturday, I got the confirmation again that this is not going to come from changing my schedule, moving into a new work space or getting a personal assistant. For me, freedom is an inside out job. (Read more.)

Lately, everyone I talk to seems to share their desire for something along this same line. They want a new way of being. Not just a tweak to their current system for how they manager their lives/careers/relationships, but an overhaul, a paradigm shift, a totally new way to approach how they experience daily life.

My husband says I’m hearing this from so many because I hang out with people in the human potential field, but I disagree. I think there is a growing number of us who are done with being overworked, overscheduled and overly busy. We have a strong hunger to experience a life that’s more spacious and simple.

This week, I’m leaving to take a spiritual retreat. I’ve spent a lot of time creating this summer and I’m clear that now it’s time to stop everything and just listen … quietly and deeply.

I believe my external landscape and world is a reflection of my inner landscape. And, right now, it’s in need of some weeding, pruning, tilling and watering. Essential work to clearing away internal clutter and creating the space to hear what most needs to be heard.

And possibly to receive guidance around what experiencing more freedom might look like in my business and life.

I’ll let you know how the week goes when I return to the office on August 29th. Thanks for sending me good thoughts.

P.S. I talk a lot about Living Inside Out. If you’re curious what this means, you might be interested in this short video Brianna, our communications assistant, made around what this message and movement. And, if this calling resonates with you, join our dialogue on the Live Inside Out Community.

Note: Each quarter I take a personal/business planning retreat to help me determine how best to use my energy/time to support my businesses in the coming 3-6 months. If you're self-employed and need a guided, structured opportunity to listen deeply to your inner wisdom, receive high level, strategic coaching support and to be reminded of why you do what you do this fall, consider joining me on Sept. 16 at Casa de Artistas in Austin. I love these visioning retreats and always leave with clear, grounded direction.

I love to hear from, connect with and meet The Journey readers at our events. I invite you to:

>Find Your Tribe: Join or become trained to lead Self- Renewal Groups
>Attend a retreat/event; join me Oct. 14-16 at Kripalu in the amazing cool Berkshire mountains for our Women's Self-Renewal Retreat.
>Join the Dialogue on our Live Inside Out Facebook Community
>Pick up The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal from the library or buy it here
>Download FREE Live Inside Out Teleclasses, join us for our Sept. 8th class on Going with the Flow While Still Getting Things Done! and read past issues of my Life Balance newsletter
>Take Action: Contact one of our career or life balance coaches for 1-on-1 support; receive an initial complimentary consultation
>Empower Others: Schedule Renee Trudeau for a private workshop or retreat for your company or organization
>Subscribe to my life balance blog The Journey for weekly inspiration

The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly.

Photo: From our recent family vacation to New Mexico. Full moon at Chaco Canyon National Historic Park. Some believe this ancient, mysical site built by the Anasazi people was a place of spiritual pilgrimage for many. A place people would gather to be still ... and listen.

A Different Way

In fall 2008 I was nuts.

Launching my first book, coordinating our global Personal Renewal Group program and running two coaching/consulting businesses was eating my lunch.

I felt like I was in the middle of a tug of war (with each of my businesses at opposite ends), and, it was a no-win scenario.

Every day in my meditation/prayer time, I would ask, “Help me. I desire to see this in a new light. I desire to work in a new way.” And, finally—after a lot of inner work—I did have a breakthrough, a release, and I breathed and all was well again. Like most big shifts, it came from “how I chose to see the situation,” rather than an actual change in the situation itself!

Well, round two. I’m back again. And, while I’m really content with most aspects of my life and many would say I’ve done a decent, maybe even good job of balancing my work demands and family/personal needs, this period of unplugging* has shown me in a few short days that things need to change: I desire an even slower, simpler life and work pace. And, I desire to spend even less time online.

I just wrote about the concept of going with the flow in my recent newsletter (read more). And while I believe and live this principle, I’m realizing that there are degrees of going with the flow ... there’s going for a Sunday drive with the windows rolled down, your hair blowing in the wind and an open mind about where the road may take you ... and then, there is taking your hands off the wheel.

Trusting, releasing and surrendering at such a high level (to God or the Universe), that going with the flow actually begins to look like not driving at all!

Does this sound crazy? Am I making any sense?

Years ago I was working with some brilliant consultants/friends on a product launch.

They had lined up some important meetings in New York with three key decision makers and felt strongly we needed to head to the east coast to meet them right away. My gut was screaming (literally—I was throwing up in the bathroom) that the timing was not right, we were pushing too hard and we needed to wait. But I wanted to honor their expertise, and after three cancelled and flights due to a snowstorm we finally arrived in the big apple.

Taking to the receptionist in a big, sterile office building downtown the following day, we were informed that Janet, our 1:00 had just left to go home with a stomach virus (and no, they didn’t care that we had flown there to meet her from Austin).

Our next meeting with the head of a powerful media group went well—but we found out shortly after our return home, that her father passed away the day after we left and she would be leaving her company for an extended sabbatical. And while these meetings weren’t fruitful, I am still grateful today for this experience and the huge reminder to always, always listen to my inner knowing, and to pay close attention when things are not flowing.

We teach what we need to learn. And coming into balance has been a life-long struggle for me. It’s also something I’m really dedicated to. (Read Is Ms. Balance Out of Balance?)

I remember a therapist asking me in my twenties as I sat on her flowered, aging couch, “Your emotional well-being is of paramount importance; there’s nothing that matters more. What decisions are you willing to make to preserve this?”

I think she’d be happy to see me now. And to witness my willingness to do anything and everything to not only maintain, but to enhance and evolve my sense of peace and well-being, both inside and out.

So back to the meditation cushion for me. And while I don’t have a clue as to what this new way of working and living will look like in the fall, I know my desire for more ease and flow is strong (overwhelmingly so). And I trust—like always—the answer will come. In its own good time.

*From June 6-July 28, I am officially unplugged and out of the office to work on a new writing project. I’ll still be blogging, but only every two weeks. But hop on over to Live Inside Out for daily dialogue on how to live more intentionally.

I love to hear from, connect with and meet The Journey readers at our events. I invite you to:

>Find Your Tribe: Join or become trained to lead Self- Renewal Groups
>Attend a retreat/event or workshop, including our July 29th Career Strategy Workshop: Find a Fit, Create a Plan, Love Your Work in Austin
>Join the Dialogue on our Live Inside Out Facebook Community
>Pick up The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal from the library or buy it here
>Download FREE Live Inside Out Teleclasses, join us for our Aug. 25 class on Going with the Flow While Still Getting Things Done! and read past issues of my Life Balance newsletter
>Take Action: Contact one of our career or life balance coaches for 1-on-1 support; receive an initial complimentary consultation
>Empower Others: Schedule Renee Trudeau for a private workshop or retreat for your company or organization
>Subscribe to my life balance blog The Journey for weekly inspiration

The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly.

Photo: Me in my favorite hammock chair. I'm writing an outline for a new project and enjoying a banana-coconut smoothie while listening to the morning doves and drinking in the thousand shades of green in our backyard. I could get used to starting my day like this!

Is Ms. Balance Out of Balance?

My back and shoulders hurt from too much computer time. I’m not sleeping great (too many late nights online). My mind is too busy. I’m more reactive. And, I’m not as present as I’d like to be with my family and friends.

“When are you going to slow down?” my sweet body asked this morning. “Soon, very soon,” I respond.

I ran into one of the moms from my son’s school at Whole Foods yesterday. We caught up for a moment and after I shared how much I’ve been in overwork during the last two weeks, she smirked and said, “It sounds like Ms. Balance is out of balance.” Years ago this comment would have triggered me and I would have felt the need to justify my current schedule. But this time, I let it run off my back, smiled and moved on to the cereal aisle.

My definition for life balance--having enough time, energy and resources for those things that are most important to you—flooded back to me (read Balance is Bunk?! ).

In a flash, I realized that most people still see life balance as this state of perfect equilibrium in all areas of life (unattainable and unreaslistic!), rather than an ebb and flow of how and where we direct our energy based on our current life priorities.

Yes! I am working way more than I want to right now---getting online early in the morning and staying up late every night to complete a big video project, knocking out seemingly endless deadlines, wrapping up spring outreach projects with my team, participating in back-to-back meetings and conference calls, navigating new contracts for speaking and publishing, booking/negotiating workshop engagements for this fall and spring, writing newsletters and articles, handling interviews, guiding staff on web site updates and training new team members---but it’s for a very good reason.

I’ve chosen to enter into this temporary state of overwork in order to give myself the space I need to work on a new creative endeavor during June and July: a writing project and focus that is very dear to my heart. And in order to fully unplug and enter into the “cave of creation” –I needed to devote some extra energy to my two businesses right now.

At this life and career stage, one of the things that matters most to me is honoring creative expression … giving myself the space, time and support to completely unplug, free fall, dive deep and bring forth what’s yearning to be birthed (read my post on Ripe).

And, honoring my own voice--which like an echo in a canyon is becoming louder and more still at the same time--is a big part of this.

So fingers crossed. Two more days of wrap-up and then I’ll be transitioning into my writing sabbatical (read more on my focus in How Bad Do You Want to Feel Good?).

As my son and I sit outside and watch the birds and enjoy our soy yogurt parfaits from Whole Foods this morning, I also give thanks to my mom friend for the reminder that sometimes in order to experience more harmony and balance in the larger sense, we have to encounter some disequilibrium along the way.

I love to hear from, connect with and meet The Journey readers at our events. I invite you to:

>Find Your Tribe: Join or become trained to lead Self- Renewal Groups
>Attend a retreat/event or workshop
>Join the Dialogue on our Live Inside Out Facebook Community
>Pick up The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal from the library or buy it here
>Download FREE Live Inside Out Teleclasses, join us for our Aug. 25 class on Going with the Flow While Still Getting Things Done! and read past issues of my Life Balance newsletter
>Take Action: Contact one of our career or life balance coaches for 1-on-1 support; receive an initial complimentary consultation
>Empower Others: Schedule Renee Trudeau for a private workshop or retreat for your company or organization
>Subscribe to my life balance blog The Journey for weekly inspiration

The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly.

Photo: Me getting my groove on with the wonderful women at our April Kripalu Self-Renewal Retreat. I love dance as a metaphor for coming into balance: attuning, responding, shifting, re-prioritizing and harmonizing our inner/outer state. When I want to feel more balanced, I often put on music and just start to move!

Is Life Balance Possible?

This past Thursday I delivered a keynote at a conference to a great group of mid to senior level professionals in the cable television industry.

The topic was Reclaim Your Life: Strategies and Insights for Balanced Living.

I love watching people’s faces when I present.

You can tell before I begin that--assuming they've never heard of me--they’re ready to settle back into their chairs for a boring ho-hum presentation on how to manage your time or get organized. Or that they think I look too young to possibly have anything of great value to impart.

Then, as the program unfolds, they start perking up, shifting in their chairs, taking notes, leaning forward in their seats and finally, the room gets really quiet as I challenge and guide them on a journey to slowing down and being more present; getting clear on what feeds/drains them; focusing on the power of self-renewal and building a support network (read more).

And, when I talk about how these insights will impact their sense of well-being and equilibrium more than any PDA or time management software program ever will—you can see a huge shift in their faces as they begin to feel empowered and open up to new possibilities.

I define balance as having enough time, energy and resources for those things that are most important to you in life. And what’s most important will constantly change.

Although I get hired to speak a lot on work-life balance, I am passionate about teaching men, women and families how to enhance balance in all aspects of their lives: doing vs. being, thinking vs. feeling, giving vs. receiving, working vs. playing, etc.

It’s interesting to ask yourself, “What is my mindset around the topic of life balance?” (Many professionals we work with share honestly that they think it’s unattainable, impossible, too hard, will require them to change too much or is elusive. In fact, recently one of the national groups I spoke to said they just completed an employee satisfaction survey and the majority of their employees would not even check or comment on work-life balance as they felt it was futile).

I know for me, I’m at a very different place around this topic now, than I was in my twenties and thirties (when I used to swing the pendulum from working to the bone/over-exhaustion to monthly visits to massage therapists/retreats centers or weekends away for fleeting moments of calm and peace).

I never considered that there might be a middle ground. That it is possible to experience more peace and well-being in my everyday life—day in, day out.

In my former type A, perfectionist, controlling, over-achiever way, I based my sense of “balance” on what was going on around me. If I had a boss that was difficult, a monster project to manage or a family crisis to navigate, I was convinced my sense of balance—and my health—were destined for the dumpster.

Later, I came to realize that it is possible to live in the middle of the extremes and access well-being on a daily basis—I don’t have to take a retreat or go meditate on a mountaintop for five hours to find peace. When I began to make choices that supported my emotional well-being as my #1 priority and started to look at how I can create balance from the inside-out, everything shifted.

Although it will be a lifelong journey for me (I still to this day, tend to over-commit to things I love to do), I think I’d sum up my current mantra for balance as “A day-to-day choice.” And, the constant reminder to be gentle with myself is ever-present.

What’s your mantra or mindset towards life balance? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

JOIN US FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT: Would you like support for creating life balance from the inside-out? Join us in the cool Berkshire mountains in MA this coming August at the beautiful Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health for our Self-Renewal Retreat Aug. 13-15. One of my favorite spots on the planet and the retreat center that I visit when I'm ready to make a huge life shift! More upcoming events here.

Visit our calendar to learn more about upcoming events including our FREE May 18th Live Inside Out teleclass on Reclaiming Adventure in Your Life and our June 11th The Empowered Entrepreneur workshop.
Also, check out our Live Inside Out community and share how you slow down and unplug.

The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey to life balance and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly.

Photo: St. Francis of Assisi church at Rancho de Taos. Taken on a family trip to New Mexico last summer.

Going Inward (or Outward)?

I feel like the "push me pull you" animal from Dr. Doolittle's world today.

I have a deep desire to be introspective, reflective and go inward today as I review 2009, think about what I learned over the past year and begin to open up to 2010 and what's next.

But I also keep getting work emails, calls and requests for help that are tapping me on the shoulder for a response (I'm technically on vacation until Jan. 6th, but being self-employed requires me to flex work/play a lot).

Can you relate (even if you're at work today)?

I alwasy have to remind myself that winter and the period up until my Jan. 7th birthday has always personally been a ripe period for new insights. And these come only when I unplug, stop working and allow myself to really revel in reflecting, dreaming, creative play and pondering whatever has been stewing in my subconscious for the past 12 months.

I just re-read my blog post on Rythms from this time last year, where I share how difficult it can be to create space to go inward in January, when society is telling us to GEAR UP FOR THE NEW YEAR!!!!!

What are your rhythms telling you you need right now? If you were an animal today, what would you be? I'm going to put the "push me pull you" out to pasture and go work on my vision map for 2010 and then take a nap. Maybe you should do the same?

AN INVITATION: Interested in learning how to connect with your rhythms and tap into the power of self-care? Learn how you can join or become trained to lead a self-renewal circle for women. And, view all upcoming events here.

Also, visit Live Inside Out to listen to past Live Inside Out teleclasses or to sign up to receive weekly tips on how to live more intentionally through our Live Inside Out Facebook Community.

The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey to life balance and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly.

Balance from the Inside-Out

September has always been like the start of the New Year for me.

I have launched businesses, started new jobs, rolled out new business models, embarked on back-to-back speaking sprints and unveiled new creative endeavors around this time of year for as long as I can remember. (I have heard that the Native American New Year begins around this time—maybe my Cherokee roots are guiding me here.)

A few weeks ago during a one-day retreat, I did a visioning exercise focused on the next four months and how/where to direct my energy. During this time, I got a very clear message that this fall would be unlike any other. And, that some really exciting things would be unfolding for me in 2010, which would require a lot of inner and outer preparation during the last half of 2009.

I have learned the hard way that when I don’t listen to my intuition and ignore my body and soul’s natural rhythms (read more about this topic), everything becomes a struggle. And rather than ski effortlessly down the slopes of life, I feel like I’m trudging through mud up to my waist (sounds familiar, huh?).

As I write these words, I sense how far I’ve come to get to this place (it’s not easy to slow down when you have a hefty overhead, bills to pay, requests pounding at your door and “overachiever” tendencies). And, I acknowledge how much I’ve had to release and let go to get to this place of surrender. (And, that this journey is never-ending!)

But, balance, equilibrium, ease—whatever you call it—is of paramount importance to me. (Click here for some tips on how you can bring more peace into your day to day experience.)

And, I know that when the time comes to step on the gas, I’ll be ready, rested and clear-headed to respond to whatever gifts and adventures I am presented with next.

AN INVITATION: Interested in learning how you can create balance from the inside-out and receive the support you need to do so? Consider starting/joining one of our women's self-renewal circles, signing up for our FREE September 17th Global PRG Sampler Teleclass on Reconnecting with Who You Are or attending our life-changing October 2-4 Fall Women’s Self-Renewal Retreat at The Crossings (early bird rate ends Aug. 31^st).

Also, visit Live Inside Out and sign up to receive weekly tips on how to live more intentionally by becoming a fan on our Live Inside Out Facebook page.

The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey to life balance and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly. Subscribe here. For more information on Renee’s upcoming events, click here.

Photo: Renee Peterson Trudeau, Rio Grande Gorge in northern New Mexico. Breathtaking.

How does balance feel to you?

Although I enjoyed a long walk with a good friend around Town Lake Saturday morning and a relaxing dinner at home with my family Saturday evening (we made some wonderful fish tacos on fresh corn tortillas), I found myself feeling crabby and short-tempered off and on throughout the weekend.

Why? It could have been stress, but most likely it was because I had to work part of the time due to some important deadlines. And, this ate into any time I would normally have for myself.

Our family likes to play. A lot. And although I love my work—which often doesn’t even feel like work—I look forward to and relish my weekends for downtime, relaxation, hearing music or seeing art, being outdoors, taking pictures, trying new foods, hanging out with friends and family and going on new adventures.

It was a good experience to taste “contrast” (what many spiritual teachers call disequilibrium or feeling challenged by life) and to be reminded of what’s important to me, how I desire to live my life and how committed I am to feeling connection, community, meaning and joy—at least most of the time!

The experience brought me back to the opening chapter of my book where I share:

The life I desire is marked by a deep connection to my child and to my partner. It’s a life filled with joy and meaning. It’s a life in which I feel supported and nurtured by an incredible community of women—young and old. I experience regular, meaningful, heartfelt connections with people I care about. I am continually open to growth—as a woman, a mother, a partner and a spiritual being. I enjoy supporting and serving others in a way that feeds me rather than drains me. I feel that I always have enough time in my life for those things that are most important to me. My life flows, I trust my intuition and I expect good to come to me. I feel peaceful. I am loving, and I feel loved.

This is really how “balance” (the concept of having enough time, energy and resources to devote to those things that are most important to you), feels to me.

I’m curious, how does balance “feel” to you?

Posted by Renee Trudeau, coach/speaker and author “The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life.” Click here to read her latest Life Balance ENewsletter on Building a Support System or here to subscribe to her blog, The Journey. Learn more about her upcoming events and retreats here.

Photo: Open grasses on the east side of Enchanted Rock: Renee Peterson Trudeau.

Trusting

Last night I had the opportunity to have dinner with a dear friend who just celebrated her 49th birthday. We ate at one of my favorite restaurants located in an old house in East Austin, surrounded by two acres of beautiful gardens filled with seasonal, organic herbs and veggies—which end up on lucky diners’ plates each night.

Sitting in a beloved restaurant I’ve had been coming to for more than 18 years (possibly even sitting in the same chair I sat in back then) I had flashbacks of eating here in my twenties with friends from the advertising/public relations agency world I used to inhabit.

I was struck by how different my “inner world” is now than it was then. Those were fun, creative and emotionally turbulent times for me. And, I recognize now that I had a constant low-grade anxiety running through my system.

For the most part, I believed that my inner or emotional state was totally dependent on what was going on around me (if I received high kudos at work=had a good day .... didn’t get a call from the guy I went out with the night before who I wasn’t even sure I liked=bad day).

Like all of us, I’m navigating some personal and professional challenges right now, but most of the time, I have a deeper sense that everything is and will be ok. No matter what.

Not that I’m walking around 100% of the time in a state of bliss, but I do feel a sense of quiet and inner peace that is stronger and more unwavering than any “problem du jour.”

Maybe this is one of the gifts that come from “the mellow forties,” my friend and I theorized over our chocolate almond torte. Maybe all the personal growth work we’ve done is finally taking hold (or the merlot we’re drinking has us believing this is so). Or maybe it’s simply that we’re finally learning to let go and trust that all is well, or as self-care advocate Cheryl Richardson says, “The Universe is conspiring in my favor.”

I’m going to place my bet on the latter. Whenever I challenge my career/small business coaching clients to get quiet and move into that trusting place—that good things are unfolding for them and that people around them want to support them and help out--they visibly shift and their thoughts, actions words begin to come from a place of wisdom and knowing, rather than reactivity.

What helps you move into a state of trusting? What reminds you that things are aligning to support your highest good?

I think we’d all agree, that in the current state the world is in, it’s essential that we all find this place within us. And that we do all we can to support in others in doing the same.

P.S. Check this out: a few of my colleagues that are doing all they can to support others in finding their trusting place: Diana Amorde, Karly Randolph Pitman, and Byron Katie. I highly recommend their work.

Photo: ©2008 Bill Stevenson and World of Stock.

Balancing Being and Doing

Image: Debbie Marie Gallery (www.debbiemariegallery.com)

“Life is not a thing to be managed. It’s a mystery to be lived.” Anonymous

I am in the process of birthing a new way of being. And, like most births, it’s messy and not easy.

Although many would look at my life and exclaim how lucky I am to have a completely flexible schedule, to be self employed, to have two successful businesses I’m passionate about, to be able to create space each day to exercise/move my body and sit down every night with my family for a homemade meal, to be able to serve and support others, to be clear on my life priorities and to have made choices that allow me to be spend time with my young son everyday after he gets out of school and my family in the evenings and weekends-- it’s not working for me. My daily pace is still too fast and doesn’t support how I really want to be.

This morning when I woke up, I entertained the thought of going to the gym for a weights/cardio workout to help combat my recent forty-something weight gain, but decided instead to follow my intuition and set the tone for the week by attending a highly nourishing and soulful yoga class down the street. After a wonderful savasana (the deep relaxation that ends most yoga sessions and is said to be the most difficult asana of all because it requires you to completely surrender to stillness), my 28-year old sister, who was also in the class and is currently in a yoga teacher training program, invited me to tea. I had a stack of work awaiting me, but decided screw it—I’m wanting more spaciousness in my days, so why don’t I act “as if” and start living the life I desire now!

While visiting with her about my writing sabbatical and what was going on with me, tears started pouring from my eyes as I begin sharing about wanting to work differently—wanting the pace of my days to change and “how I worked” to alter, specifically spending more time in meaningful connecting with others through speaking, group work, coaching, mentoring and writing and less time doing everything else it takes to run thriving businesses (particularly answering hundreds of emails each week--truly a poor use of my talents and time).

My yearning for relaxed, spacious, creative days that “flow” and are completely guided by my inner wisdom, my intuition and a deep trusting is palpable. It feels as if my soul, my essence is saying, “Enough!!—this daily schedule may work well for some, but it’s too much for you. You need to slow down for good. And, your creative “well,” which is deep, churning and rising—is begging for stillness, its portal for birth and life."

I can see the inner work and releasing that needs to happen on my part to make this all possible. And, I am reminding myself, that this will take some time (I have a personal goal of being “off” email—one of the biggest emotional drains for me-- by January 2009, meaning someone else would handle this for me).

So, I am being gentle with myself and taking baby steps towards this new way of working and being.

The other night I had a dream that centered around me being tired, exhausted. And, when I awoke, my heart kept aching. All day I sat with the themes of my aching heart and being tired and wondered what message was here for me.

The next day, my six year-old son, had a serious tantrum around wanting to go out to Target to buy new swim goggles—a trip I had refused to take that day. Finally in exasperation, he screamed “Mom, when you don’t listen to me, it makes me feel really bad!” And then--after taking some time to connect with my little one--it came to me: ah, my heart was tired of not being listened to!

It’s time to stop judging the messages I am receiving and start listening to what I know I must do.

Anything your heart has been trying to tell you that you may be ignoring?

Mindfulness

All last week I started my mornings walking around the Town Lake hike and bike trail in Austin, alone.

Being such an extrovert, I typically walk with a partner and use this early morning time for walk/talk meetings or rare windows to connect with friends I rarely get to see. After returning from my recent retreat though, I found my thoughts and demeanor so reflective that I had to be alone. I was craving my own, sweet, silent company.

As I walked and felt the gravel crunch under my Keens, dryness in my mouth and the sweat running down my back and arms, I wondered how many times have I done this walk? Hundreds? And how many times had my mind been somewhere else--focusing on the next approaching landmark, what type of taco I was going to pick up for breakfast or my growing "to do" list that awaited me back at the office?

On my walks last week, however, I played with the concept of mindfulness or "present moment living." I noticed the smells around me--strong body odor, rotting plants, sweet honeysuckle and how brilliant the colors of the blooming cactus and blossoming flowers were that lined the path--they literally seemed to explode before my eyes. At one point, I had to stop to really take in the beauty of these cactus blooms (above)--their intensity overwhelmed me.

I also focused on the muscles in my legs--in my thighs and calves and feet and marveled at how they worked together in harmony to effortlessly carry me the 3.6 mile distance around the lake.

I noticed a slightly metallic taste in my mouth and felt my breath changing, speeding up, slowing down, but always flowing.

The thought that I could not get out of my head was--how many times have I missed amazing gifts: moments, words, facial expressions, subtle nuances in communication, missed opportunities to connect, from not being mindful? From not really using my senses to full absorb and take in what was going on in the moment?

After my mindfulness experiment last week, I wanted to hear mindfulness guru/author John Kabat Zinn and found a link to an interview he did with Oprah--check it out if this speaks to you: http://www2.oprah.com/index.jhtml.

I love the poem they referred to during their interview. I'll include it here for you to enjoy and would love to hear how mindfulness looks throughout the course of your days.

P.S. More to come tomorrow on how my writing sabbatical has been going--the experience has been nothing less than intense. And surprising. And at times, very challenging. Surprise, surprise :).

Love After Love

The time will come when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door,

in your own mirror, and each will smile at the other's welcome, and say, sit here. Eat.

You will love again the stranger who was yourself. Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart

to itself, to the stranger who has loved you all your life, whom you ignored for another,

who knows you by heart. Take down the love letters from the bookshelf, the photographs,

the desperate notes, peel your own image from the mirror. Sit. Feast on your life.

-- Derek Walcott

Interconnected

I was raised by parents who felt strongly about serving and giving to others, whether that be taking kids from the local orphanage out with us on Sunday family outings, generously supporting a family in our church community whose house had burned down, buying 100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to give to neighbors or purchasing a refrigerator for our Laosian babysitter who was raising five children in addition to helping my mother with her seven.

I had never really made the connection about how strongly my parent’s actions and attitudes affected my perspective on service and volunteerism until our Biz+Balance Meeting (www.careerstrategists.net/b-b) last Thursday night when we explored the topic of community service and how it impacts our children, our businesses, our passions and our hearts.

My mom was a huge Mother Theresa fan. I think of a quote once shared by this amazing peace advocate "Service is compassion in action."

This idea really captures the best of my mom. She might have struggled with self-love and at times was not there for us emotionally --but she was incredibly compassionate towards others, both friends and strangers.

Many of us care so deeply about the causes and atrocities that we're grappling with as a society--both in our own cities and globally--that we get overwhelmed and we turn away or shut down, thinking what can I really do that will make a difference?

One of the entrepreneurs at our Biz and Balance gathering brought up a great point, though.

While many of us do choose to jump in and get involved in our local communities in big ways and small ways--whether it be stocking cans at the local food bank, starting a foundation to promote girls' empowerment or handing out water and sandwiches to the homeless , aren't there just as many opportunities to serve those right around us who desperately need our help?

The friend who has two kids with special needs and hasn't had an overnight trip away with her husband in seven years ..... the co-worker’s sister who just got divorced and is struggling to find work....the mom in our book club who just needs someone to really listen and be present for her..... the recent college grad who is struggling with depression and needs referrals for support .....the young Korean boy in your son’s kindergarten class who just moved her and is struggling to assimilate and make friends?

I believe we are all interconnected, and the more we reach out and are present to one another’s pain and suffering the stronger we all become. (And it becomes easier to embrace this esoteric idea that we're all one.) I believe ultimately a huge shift in consciousness could come about, not when we are all finally mediating 30 minutes every morning --although that certainly wouldn't hurt things--but when more and more of us begin reaching out and helping one another make it through this sometimes scary, often isolating and perplexing but wondrous world.

P.S. Beginning July 1, I will be on a six-week writing sabbatical. Before you envision me sitting in the Himalayas writing on papyrus leaves, what this actually means is I am “giving” an idea that has been tapping me on the shoulder for a year, four hours of dedicated time each week day. I’ll be playing, writing, exploring, questioning a theme which greatly interests me and I’ll be posting weekly to share my insights on what it’s like to dedicate space in your life to exploring a creative endeavor.

P.P.S. I also just got back from a retreat with http://www.joanborysenko.com/ and I can’t stress how crucial it is—I believe—that we all take time to “retreat from the world. I hope you can sit down and create the space in your schedule this summer or fall to take a retreat. My last newsletter shares some ideas on this:
http://reneetrudeau.com/htmlemail/june2008.html . And, if it speaks to you, consider joining me at my women's self-renewal retreat in late September!

Expanses of Unscheduled Time

Last weekend I had one of the most “decadent” and enjoyable weekends I’ve had in months. I had wanted to go out of town for the holiday weekend, but my husband convinced me we should just stay in town and take it easy.

Even though we’re very mindful of what we say “yes” to on the weekends, often, Sunday evening rolls around and we don’t feel truly rested and nourished. The weekend was simply too scheduled.

During the recent holiday weekend, my husband and I took turns taking naps (while the other played with our six-year old), I got a massage, we read, we made some great fresh summer dishes that we shared with our neighbors, saw a movie, spent time going on walks and gardening as a family and for the most part, just hung out and let our days unfold. It felt luxurious! (Sometimes cleaning out the sock drawer is just the soul food we need!)

As I age, I find the less I have to do, the happier I am. And when I can create “expanses of unscheduled time” in my life and my family’s life, magic happens. The ordinary becomes extraordinary. I’ve heard life coach Cheryl Richardson (http://www.cherylrichardson.com/) say that our quality of life is enhanced by what we take out of our schedule/days, not by what we put in. I can’t agree more.

I have been planning for the last 6 months to allow my schedule some space to slow down considerably in July and August. While I will be working during those months, I’ll be on a mini writing sabbatical in July and part of August and am really looking forward to claiming chunks of unscheduled time during these slower months. And, I can’t wait to see what unfolds from these “closets of intentional space.” I hope you can find some time to do the same.

P.S. Talking about balance, I encourage you to check out Stew Friedman’s (head of Wharton School of Business’ Work/Life Initiative) new book http://www.totalleadership.org/. I met him when I attended a workshop he led in Austin, TX last week at Bazaarvoice and was really excited and encouraged by his “whole person” approach to work/life effectiveness and leadership. It’s incredibly refreshing to meet a business teacher/leader who advocates for self-care and alignment with personal values and to hear him share about the profound impact the birth of his first child had on his world view and desire to promote a new way to lead. Read a recent New York Times article on Stew’s recent talk and approach here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/business/smallbusiness/29shift.html?em&ex=1212379200&en=2781ffd821336324&ei=5087%0A. Three cheers for Mr. Friedman!

What Area of Your Life Needs Balancing?

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to lead a wonderful career plannning/exploration workshop in which I challenge professionals to look at their lives and their work in new ways (http://www.careerstrategists.net/mojo0906.html). Facilitating this workshop is one of my favorite ways to serve others through my work. It really feeds me to see these amazing men and women begin to open up to "possibility" and the idea that they really can live the life they desire.


I was pretty exhausted after the workshop ended--presenting and then responding to individual inquiries for help for four hours straight takes a lot of energy--but was grateful for this opportunity to do what I love and coach in a group environment.


It got me thinking about the Balance topic in a new way though.


Many, myself included, believe that we're here to help and support one another; that service to others can be deeply meaningful and spiritually nourishing. The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action--Mother Teresa.


But, the challenge is to find that balance between giving and receiving. (Letting other support you and being open to receiving help that comes your way.)


Balance in all areas of our life is what we all desire (not "perfection," but a healthy ebb and flow where we have enough time, energy and resources to devote to those things that matter to us most).


I work with many clients on finding that balance between work/family and life/family, but what about finding the balance between being and doing, listening and talking, moving and stillness, being "out there" and "going inward," helping your kids and letting them figure things out for themselves, initiating conversation with your spouse and letting things just be, using your masculine vs. your feminine strengths, and on and on?


I'm facinated by this dialogue. What area of your life most needs "balancing"? Clearly a theme in my life is finding balance between giving and receiving. I have a feeling this is the year I'm going to really shift around this area. I can't wait.


I'd love to hear your thoughts on this theme. What does it bring up for you and what area of your life most needs balancing?

Happiness when ....?

Do you ever find yourself playing the "I know I'll be happy when .....(fill in the blank: I've finished my project, I have a new job, I'm done with school, my divorce is finalized, my client has paid me, I've figured out what my life purpose is, etc., etc.)?

My husband and I were talking late last night about how deadly this game can be (meaning you can miss out on the simple, day-to-day joys of life if you get too caught up the "future game").

I went in and out of this mindset last year as I rode the "start up mode" waves, busily launching and birthing a new national women's program. When I got stressed out by deadlines or demands from others and wasn't being present or even fun to be around, I would sometimes get lured into the false promise of "but I know I'll be truly happy and stress-free, when ...."

What makes you happy? (I challenge you: grab a piece of paper and a pen and write out the top five things that come to mind.) I find tremendous joy and satisfaction in curling up by the fire and playing a game with my son and husband, making a great meal and serving it to friends or family, hiking in nature and really appreciating its beauty and mystery, hearing a piece of music or seeing a dance performance that moves me deeply or feeling enough spaciousness in my day and schedule to be able to stop and connect with friends or associates I come in contact with throughout the day.

While I may feel brief satisfaction after completing a large project or even enjoy the momentary high that comes from being asked to do something new/big/fun, these things don't permanently impact how happy I am--and, sometimes, they adversely affect my joy and well-being (particulary if they involve more work on my part that results in less downtime with my family).

More and more, I'm realizing that the less I feel I "have to do," (expectations!) and the simpler my life is, the happier I am. I think deep down, we ALL feel this way. Even though this message is the exact opposite of what the media and in many ways, society in general, would have us believe.

Does the answer (to the quest for happines) really revolve around simplicity? I'd love to hear your reflections on this topic.

Peace in the Eye of the Storm

Happy 2008 (have you noticed all the "2008 is going to be great" bumper stickers everywhere?! ...I'm hoping this group intention will affect us all very positively!).

I got two doses of black eyes peas yesterday (one veggie style with lots of cumin-yum--and one with a ham hock, really flavorful). I love this tradition and of course eating lots of hot buttery cornbread with these steaming bowls of goodness is a must. Both of these peafests were shared with good friends and my son/husband--what a wonderful way to usher in this new year.

This morning I went for a walk on a hike/bike trail that encircles a lake near downtown Austin. It was about 31 degrees, which in Texas, means hardly anyone else was out walking! Halfway around, I felt pulled to stop and sit on a lakeside bench. The spot was very quiet--no one around, just still waters, weeping willow trees and a few slow moving ducks. Across the lake I could see and faintly hear one of our busiest expressways. Most were probably driving to work--some maybe be feeling the post-holiday, backlog-of-work calling their names. (I can relate, my a.m. to-do list this Wednesday feels somewhat daunting. Deep breaths ....)

As I sat and observed the contrast of stillness/business, I felt a blanket of calm peace wash over me.

My intention for the holiday season was to remain calm/peaceful in the eye of the storm no matter what drama or excitement (healthy or unhealthy) was unfolding around me.

I think I'll carry this intention into January and beyond as well.

There is something really empowering and comforting about knowing no matter how crazy or exciting or insane things get around us, we really can choose to access that quiet, still space that resides within. For me, returning to this place, feels like going home. Sometimes I get lost or distracted, but it's alwasy there, waiting.

What Anchors Me

In my last Renewal newsletter, I talked about those things in my life that “anchor me” and help keep me present. One of the biggest anchors in my life and something I look forward to every month (yet forgot to mention!) is MY Personal Renewal Group. As I spend more and more time supporting other women in getting trained to lead Personal Renewal Groups, I keep thinking at some point I need to stop facilitating groups and pass the baton. But, I can’t. My group feeds me emotionally and spiritually, helps remind me to make my self-care a priority, connects me to our “oneness” and bonds me with a special group of women I care deeply about.

Earlier this month, my colleague, Amy Tieman, author of “Mojo Mom” interviewed me on why I started these groups and why intentional women’s circles are so powerful. I hope you get the chance to check out Amy’s work and listen to our recent conversation “Mojo Mom and Self-Renewal” :http://www.mojomom.com/podcast/index.htm.

This Too Shall Pass

What a full month April has been! Our first in-person training for Personal Renewal Group (PRG) Facilitators at the Crossings here in Austin, was incredibly inspiring and moving. And, we’re getting emails weekly from women around the U.S., Canada and beyond who are getting trained online and starting their own PRGs---their excitement and passion has been contagious!

I really believe as Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D. shares in “The Millionth Circle: How to Change Ourselves and the World” that intentional, sacred “women’s circles” have the power to change the world as women play such a huge—and key—role in their families, communities and our larger interdependent communities and networks (picture the powerful “pebble creating waves of change” image).

I also experienced a couple of weeks at the end of April that were probably in all honesty, one of the hardest periods I’ve had in about ten years. Much of it was due to what I call the “convergence factor” (we can usually handle dealing with a relationship that’s out of whack OR a family of origin issue OR work/office challenges OR upheaval in our child’s life, but when they all converge and hit us at the same time, it can bring on a lot of uncomfortable feelings, to say the least!).

Interestingly, I noticed that when I shared my feelings of sadness, hurt or despair with friends, most wanted to rush in and “fix me,” offering a list of activities or distractions to (very lovingly) help pull me out of feeling what I was feeling. (And, we all do this. We care deeply about our friends and don’t like to see them in pain.)

At the tail end of this emotional wave, I had the pleasure and honor of attending a workshop on the marriage of the masculine/feminine archetypes or qualities (exploring how we balance traditionally male characteristics like “taking action” with traditionally feminine elements like “listening to our gut”), lead by author/speaker Anita Johnston, Ph.D., who wrote “Eating in the Light of the Moon.”

On the topic of being with our feelings, she shares (from her book):
”So, when a feeling comes knocking on your door, don’t run and hide and pretend no one is home. Don’t slam the door in her face and say ‘Get lost! I’m busy and don’t want to be bothered.” Invite her in. Ask her, ‘what brings you here?’ Get to know her. Go with her. Thank her for her gifts. Treat her presence with honor and respect. For she is truly your friend and is there to help. Feelings are like fluid waves of energy. Like the waves we see in the ocean, they come in, peak, and pass, come in, peak, and pass. They have a natural cyclical rhythm like the ebb and flow of tides, the waning and waxing of the moon. The flow of feeling is as natural as the flow of life itself.”

And there it is. It seems there really is a lot of wisdom in the words “this too shall pass.”

Looking forward to riding the next wave :).

P.S. Hope to see any of you in Texas at our national launch party May 9th at Mercury Hall. Will be a magical, inspiring evening of music, storytelling and great food and wine! You can register via www.reneetrudeau.com. Hurry though, looks like we'll sell out!

Let Me Introduce You

Remarkable Renewal Team

I mentioned in my first post that seven amazing women are working with me to bring the Guide and our national women's initiative to mothers around the world. They are highly talented, incredibly wise, brilliant in their respective fields and amazing, loving women who are also mamas of young kids. And, all of them are former or current members of my Austin Personal Renewal Group.

I'd like for you to meet them and I have asked each of them to share their answer to the question: What does balanced living look like to you?

---

For me, balanced living is paying attention to all aspects of my life including myself. And by paying attention I mean appreciating the good, respecting and learning from the bad, and not allowing worries in any one area of my life overshadow the other areas in my life (i.e., suck the energy from everything else). This is a constant process and effort, but it is worth it. In order for me to be fulfilled, and therefore fulfill all of my roles, I need to feel that I'm experiencing the joy and grief that ALL of life has to offer.
~ Meredith Roach, book launch event coordinator for RTA, Broadcast Production Manager/Producer, McGarrah/Jessee. Mom to Emory, age 2

As a graphic designer and mom to Miranda (4) and Maxwell (1), I work for myself and I have created a schedule that allows me around 20 hours a week to work. I am learning that I need some daily quiet time alone to fully appreciate my very energetic life with two young children. Whether it's going for a quick walk, taking the time to make a good dinner or talking with a friend, I know that I am more giving and relaxed when I take care of myself. To put it simply—when I feel balanced, I've noticed that I smile more easily.
~Bella Guzman, art director/graphic designer for The Mother’s Guide and RTA, Owner, Bella Guzman Design, www.bellaguzman.com. Mom to Miranda, age 4, and Max, age 2

To me, balanced living "looks" like something from the pages of a magazine:the superstar mom chopping organic veggies for her happy and well-adjusted kiddos' lunches on her way out the door (having already exercised, showered, dried her stylish hair and donned hip-yet-casual clothes and accessories) to pursue her exciting career, launch a new nonprofit, or write a best-selling novel. But looks can be deceiving!

I may not "look" it, but I "feel" balanced when I think everyone's needs are met: my children are happy, exposed to interesting things, and know that they can have my undivided attention whenever they need it; my husband feels totally supported in all endeavors and we are both excited about the future; I have time to complete my work and my clients are happy with it; and I fit in a little time for myself for whatever I need--exercise, organize, maybe someday even accessorize!
~Anne Hebert, editor for The Mother’s Guide and Renee Trudeau & Associates (RTA), freelance writer/editor, www.annehebert.com; mom to Champ, age 5, and Hays, age 1 ½

It's easier for me to spot when my family's balance is out of synch than when it is present. Life flows smoothly when we're balanced -- routines flow, kids play, and everyone's happy. Being present with my kids and husband gets us 50% of the way to achieving balance. Another contributor to balance is "mama time" -- some type of exercise or quiet time -- in my daily routine. And then there's saying "no" to half or more of the projects that come my way. That allows me to work with the people and projects that are the most fun and the best fit.
~ Amy Hufford, web designer/strategist for The Mother’s Guide web site and RTA, owner, Stellar Communications, www.stellarplanet.com. Mom to Hannah, age 5, and Stella, age 1

For me, balanced living is when I experience abundance and gratitude. It is when I am able to enjoy myself and family without succumbing to the pull of the tornado of thought and worries, that consumes so many of our lives. Balanced living has helped me learn the signs (physical and mental) when the vortex is getting too close and it has become easier to step outside the craziness and take care of myself. When I feel balanced, my child is singing, the dog and cat are at peace and my husband and I share meaningful conversation that does not induce high-velocity winds.
~ Wendy L. Morgan, branding/outreach consultant for The Mother’s Guide and RTA, owner, Wendy Morgan Dot Connector and Brand Strategist; Mom to Ruby, age 6

To me, balanced living is a collection of one balanced day after another. Taking each day one at a time, striving to make that one day balanced and the follow it with another, is what creates a balanced life for me. A balanced day is one where I can go to bed feeling accomplished. Either accomplished in work – having been mentally challenged and productive, or accomplished with my family – having spent quality time with the kids where they know my focus is exclusively theirs. Perhaps accomplished in my marriage – having made time to talk with and support my husband and to nurture our relationship outside of the children, or accomplished in my home– having met simple needs like making sure there's always a roll of toilet paper when you need it, or milk in the fridge. For me, the feeling of balance comes at the end of the day when I slide in to bed and review the day in my mind, and drift off to sleep easily and with great anticipation for tomorrow. Is each day balanced? Hardly. But each day is lived with the intention of achieving that balance, and with the gentle permission to sometimes not accomplish it.
~ Rachel Hobson, program manager for RTA, owner, Not So Suburban Design, www.notsosuburban.com, mom to Anna Kate, 5 ½ , and Ben, 2

What does balanced living mean to me? It means having “breathing room” in my day, in my week and being tolerant of things that don’t go quite as planned – whether that’s finishing laundry, pursuing a new client or wanting to bake coffee cakes for neighbors during the holidays. “Breathing room” means that a sick child doesn’t throw me into a tailspin and leave me doing email and work at midnight. Those cushions of time and energy easily absorb the bumps in the week that naturally occur with two small children.
~ Laura Williams, PR consultant for The Mother’s Guide and RTA, PR Consultant and Freelance Writer. Mom to Megan, 4, and Emily, 2.

To me balanced living is not about equilibrium, perfection or even achieving a goal. It’s more about approaching life with ease, letting things flow and unfold. It means having enough time for those things in life that are MOST important to me. It means having time to visit with my son’s teachers or other mom friends on the playground when I pick him up in the afternoon. It means regular, heart-felt connection and conversation with my parter and important women in my life. It means having the space and capacity to be spontaneous and adventurous with my son—going on nature hikes, creating experiments in the kitchen, taking luxuriously slowwww walks. It means being able to cook (I like to cook), “slow food” meals for my family at least two nights a week. It means having time to nurture my body through dance, movement and yoga. It means feeling like I’m living a life infused with meaning, connection and that I’m able to be present with people around me … if not all the time, a lot of the time.
~Renee Trudeau, author/president RTA, mom to Jonah, 4.

What does balanced living look like to you?

Fear

In my mind, when you’re diving into something new or big, there are two kinds of fear that can come up. There’s the “uh-oh” feeling in your gut …. I’m not sure if this is the right direction for me and there’s the I am so scared, but so excited …but so scared, but so excited kind of fear.

I’m about to release my first published book and I go in and out the second kind of fear almost daily.

It’s a good fear … the kind that inspired Susan Jeffers to write her book “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.” The kind that makes us feel alive (often nauseous, but alive!).

I remember years ago reading an article that profiled people from all stages of life who had manifested their dream. The interviewer wanted to know “weren’t you afraid .. you’d never written a book/started a company/sung in front of an audience/worked for yourself before?” One woman who started a company at the ripe age of 22 said “Hell, yes, I was terrified. But I did it in spite of my fear.”

I’ll be forty-one in January and I’m working with a team of six friends and momtrepreneurs in Austin, TX to birth a book that has been in the works since 2003 (http://www.reneetrudeau.com/).

My husband says it’s like being in labor at 2 centimeters dilated –for five months. And he’s not just talking about me. This project has been taxing on our relationship, as you can imagine. (More on this dynamic later.)

I run a successful career coaching business in Austin, Texas that’s been around for six years and I have a four-year old son. This book project has a large, national scope and we plan to start a mother’s movement across the U.S. to help moms like us redefine how they live, reconnect with who they are and create balance from “the inside out.” (I’ll share more later on what the heck this all means.) Yeah, ambitious. But more than 300 of us in Austin have been working together on these topics via The Personal Renewal Group—which the book came out of—and it’s been life changing, to say the least.

A question I get from clients, friends at my son’s preschool and people I meet who learn about the book project and who know how committed I am to experiencing balance—and life—on my terms is: “So, Renee, you must not be feeling very balanced right now with all that’s on your plate?” (Some say this with a snicker and a smile since they know my book is about life balance.)

Obviously, I’ve been experiencing a lot of stress. I’ve never worked harder in my life. And, have had days where I wonder why I’m doing this. And even other days, when I think I want my old life back.

But this project is also feeding me on many levels—emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

So this blog is about balance: how we (me and the other six team members who you’ll hear from later) move and in and out of it, how we experience it individually and what it means to us—as women and moms with young kids who probably want many of the same things you do in life. (I’ll introduce you to this team of fascinating, passionate women very soon.)

And along the way, we’ll share highlights about our journey to bring this book and its messages to women across the country. (We’re headed to New York in January to meet with national magazine editors—that should be an adventure!)

As I sit in front of my fireplace writing on this overcast Saturday morning, I can hear my little guy and my husband upstairs wrestling. It sounds like they’re having too much fun—I don’t want to miss this.

More later. I think I like this blog thing. It really feels cleansing to share your thoughts.
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Note: Information about Renee’s career coaching business: http://www.careerstrategists.net/ and Renee’s book—The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal—which comes out in May 2007: http://www.reneetrudeau.com/.