Step Two (cont)
Less Is The New More

I am thrilled to GREEN my beauty routine. I could not believe how many products I had. Wow, I followed Sophie’s suggestion and got it all out and sorted the stuff into categories. I felt a sense of freedom while getting rid of most of these perfection promising products. What was I thinking? I guess like many of us I have been prey to the advertising and consumerism that told me I needed all this stuff to be whole. I found I had so many creams, gels and lotions that were packed with really toxic chemicals. I noticed the products that were keepers and healthy had fewer ingredients over all. Less is more. I took this as a sign and a direction to this whole process of Greening my beauty routine. Keep it simple.

I have discovered that what is important to me is feeling positive, feeling strong and feeling healthy. I also want to look good. I want to have great skin, hair and nails. I feel better when these parts are clean, glowing and kept up. Its not the label or brand that uses a famous actress to advertise that matters. My gorgeousness has nothing to do with them. I think it is a habit to buy the known brands that tell us this product will make you sensuous, attractive, everything you desire. There is also something comfortable about being told this tale. It is a “buy in” to a way of thinking, a belief system. I love when I identify a way of thinking for myself, or for one of my clients, a belief that came from another time, place or person. It means we get to revisit this idea and decide does this still hold true? Do we want to choose this idea of Beauty again or create another approach that feels more attuned with who we are and who we are becoming.

My belief system around beauty is that less is more and I like clean and simple. I also want to be in charge of deciding what I need to look beautiful not someone else. I believe that my inner beauty is shining forth brightly especially when I nurture my inner self. I want to make healthy, strong and positive choices for myself and for the planet. When I am healthy and taking good care of myself and remaining in touch with my values I am gorgeous.

What is your “belief system” around Beauty? Do you choose to revisit this idea and change it? What will you choose for yourself today?

Colleen Dolan Vinetz is a Certified Life Coach who works with clients, both individuals and groups, that are in Transition. "I work with people making changes toward a more fulfilling life."
If you are curious about Life Coaching you may contact her at here.

________________________________________________________________________

Step Two
Relaxation

After a hectic and busy day of making Green choices and knowing I managed to make some and need to make more, I love the moment when I can close the door and have the bathroom all to myself. I light a candle, Soy, of course, and run the tub, squirt in a little non toxic bubble bath and ah all my cares and worries are carried away by that inviting flow of water and the promise of a few glorious minutes of soaking and relaxing in the soothing water. The height of my bath has changed not chest deep anymore but I still gain a tranquil peace even half full. I will often offer the second hand use of this tub to my husband who jumps in after me on occasion. This awareness of how precious our water source is makes this ritual even more special.

This is the time during the day where just BEING instead of DOING is the goal. We are so busy DOING so much that I have found I need to schedule this BEING time and just simply connect to the present moment and my feelings. Many of us are constantly distracted from our feelings by a long list of tasks and goals. Sometimes what I find happens is that I am not even aware of how I am feeling I am so focused like a laser on my list.

I encourage all of you to take this BEING moment where and when you can. The value of a relaxation ritual and stopping all business is profound. It is in these quiet times we can reconnect to our inner self and rejuvenate. Start with a few deep breaths, what do you notice? What feelings, thoughts, body sensations? Flow with whatever comes up. Allow your awareness to land on how you are deep inside. If this feels uneasy, reassure yourself that “all is well”. Try to practice no judgement at this time. Allow for a few moments of peace to really enter your being. Breath again. This is the part of being Gorgeously Green that you don’t want to forget. This is the time where you can honor yourself and the daily accomplishments. Give yourself some appreciation and love. You can also include a moment of gratitude for all you have. I believe that this kind of acknowledgement is key to creating a life and world that is filled
with abundance.

Colleen Dolan Vinetz is a Certified Life Coach who works with clients, both individuals and groups, that are in Transition. "I work with people making changes toward a more fulfilling life."
If you are curious about Life Coaching you may contact her at here.

________________________________________________________________________

Step One - Part Two
Nature Awareness

My family and I took a trip last week to northern California. We hiked in an incredible park called MUIR WOODS. This is one of a few large stands of Redwood trees left. As soon as we entered the park and were under the canopy of these majestic and vibrant trees there was a hush. All around people were experiencing this park like a museum, a rare and fascinating land both magical and endangered. I felt that people were moved deeply by the fragility, beauty and power of nature. This was a fantastic Nature Date.

Towards the end of chapter one of Gorgeously Green, Sophie encourages us to make a Nature Date. I love this specific intention to notice and connect with nature. This is a perfect foundation for making Green choices. The nature date can be found everywhere if you actively look. See if you can find natural beauty in unlikely places as well as the Park, Garden and Beach. Observe how often you are connecting with nature? Notice how you feel when you do experience nature. Do you feel calm, peaceful and soothed? I feel grounded in a way that lets me know I am present and I am connected to everything.

By bringing our connection to nature into the present, we are infused with the inspiration to live a more Green life. I find there is exquisite peace and joy in a single flower. It is so simple and positive. Whenever we can create a deeper meaning and feeling along with our choices it becomes easier to really keep up our commitment. Try keeping a remembrance or symbol of your feeling while connecting with Nature; a picture, a sound, a natural decorative arrangement. This is something to remind you and keep that feeling present. What I love about this approach is we are feeling positive and achieving our goals.

How do you feel when connecting with Nature?

Colleen Dolan Vinetz is focused on individual coaching, relationships, as well as coaching groups in a corporate environment. Her thriving coaching practice recently received an ACC accreditation from the International Coach Federation (ICF). You can reach her here.

_______________________________________________________________________

Step One
Awareness
Definition; “having knowledge in a keenly responsive way”

AWARENESS is the first step to creating a potential CHANGE. Sometimes this is intentional and desired knowledge other times we are surprised even shocked and would rather bury our head in the sand. Have you ever felt paralyzed with new information and want to bury your head in the sand? At times, I know I have been in “survival mode” juggling all things life has to offer; kids, husband, housework, a job and literally been too over whelmed to take on anything else let alone the sad facts around what is happening in our world TODAY.

Like you I started with the Green Quiz and had to face facts. I had a long way to go. My “inner critic “voice said “how will I ever do all this”? Rather than settle in with that voice I chose to listen to a different voice, the one that said ”I want to live in alignment with my value of HOPE and my DREAM to make the world a better place for my CHILDREN” Aha moment! This is what motivates me. I can use this voice in as a guidepost and it feels so good.

The timing of being ready and wanting to make a change is essential. I believe we are ready NOW to take action and to connect with others who are as well. This sense of community is a critical part allowing us to feel heard, supported and to be a part of something greater than ourselves. I feel expansive and open to this movement. I am expanding because it is necessary to live with the somewhat frightening information about out planet and our lifestyle. We must reach deeply inside for COURAGE and conviction to truly integrate a commitment to be CURIOUS, informed and take ACTION. This awareness and action regarding GREEN changes will energize all of us deeply both inside and out. This is a COMMITMENT you can feel really PROUD of.

What is the voice you will chose as a guidepost. What value of yours connects to this movement and how will you take action?

Colleen Dolan Vinetz is focused on individual coaching, relationships, as well as coaching groups in a corporate environment. Her thriving coaching practice recently received an ACC accreditation from the International Coach Federation (ICF). You can reach her here.