The Little B Inn in Nelsonville, Ohio was a FANTASTIC getaway for our first women’s retreat!! The owner of the inn; Miki told us about a wonderful surprise that was scheduled for Friday evening, we were able to sing along with the town carolers as they sang traditional Christmas carols and also to our delight we were able to witness the town square tree lighting ceremony. The women said they felt like they were in a Hallmark movie! Saturday we began our personal intentions for the holidays and these group of women amazed me!! They shared their stories and intentions which was what the retreat was all about… being able to trust yourself to tell the truth… we all felt closer to each other because of this special bonding experience. Saturday night we went out to a fabulous restaurant that is sponsored by a cooking school nearby and the food was unbelievably tasty and fresh!! Afterwards, the women shopped the
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The holiday season is upon us and whether it is spending time with family and friends or vacationing out of town, many of us feel the stress and expectations that occur during this time of year. This year I am doing a workshop called “Setting Your Own Intentions”. This retreat will be focusing on individuals setting their OWN intentions by exploring what they truly need and want out of life, a technique I like to call “Perspective Taking…” and asking ourselves the question; “What REALLY matters?” Some helpful ways to start this process are: 1. Letting go of what others think about you…. YOU define YOU… Opinions don’t define REALITY, everyone’s journey in life is different, when we judge others it teaches us what we don’t like about ourselves, no one is responsible for your happiness, YOU ARE! 2. The past is the
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Unfortunately, there are many people who suffer during the holidays for several reasons. Perhaps it is the loss of a loved one, an illness, someone overseas serving in the military or being estranged from family members. No matter what the situation might be; hopefully we all are able to have more empathy, compassion and understanding for our fellow human beings. The TRUE meaning to celebrating during this time of year is to take a look at what is really important to you in your life, and follow through by acknowledging the gifts that have been given to you, and the best part is that you will NEVER find them in a store!! I have reflected back on this past year and would like to share with you what I feel has been the gifts I have received that are absolutely priceless! After my father
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Last year several of my clients, friends and family members assisted in building a house for a wonderful family through Habitat for Humanity and it was such a fantastic experience we are doing it again this year!!! The Habitat Coordinator asked for volunteers on Saturday, October 24th 2015. I you are interested in helping out please register now so I can give them an accurate count of how many will be there with me. The house is for Diona Lewis and her four year old daughter and they are so excited to move out of their apartment and into a safe home of their own by Christmas. This single mother is a Hospice housekeeper for a local hospital and it was wonderful to meet her at the Commencement Celebration a few weeks ago, so join us for some fun and community spirit! Please join me to
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Wow!!! Where did the summer go? I am amazed and shocked about how fast time flies, but it was even more evident for me this year by having my two adult children home for the past three months. This changed my life in many ways; my empty nest filled up again! My son moved back from Germany and my daughter accepted a local full-time internship, on one hand I felt like our house became the hustle and bustle of the “good old days”, but was it? I had a feeling this was going to be a challenge! Honestly, I felt like they were in high school again with all the meal planning, cooking, and laundry, but of course more importantly being there for them and worrying about them increased dramatically too! These tasks seemed much easier when I was younger, but now after
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I recently read an unbelievably believable story about the afterlife and wanted to share it with you. Most people are skeptical about the controversial topic of this book titled, The Hand on the Mirror: A True Story of Life Beyond Death, by Janis Heaphy Durham. It provides a first hand account about what happened to her after the death of her husband, Max. This book gave me hope and strength because all of us are touched by the death of a loved one, but even more importantly it gives people the ability to talk openly about their experiences of communicating with a loved one after the loved one has passed. While coping with her grief, Janis Heaphy Durham began encountering phenomena unlike anything she had ever experienced: lights flickering, doors opening and closing, clocks stopping at the time of her husband’s death. The most life changing
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A new book: “Rising Strong: The Reckoning, The Rumble. The Revolution.“Dr. Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW Guess what? I am so excited to announce that Dr.Brené Brown has a new book coming out and she sent them to all of her certified facilitators before it is released in August! It’s called: Rising Strong: The Reckoning, The Rumble. The Revolution. Dr. Brené knew when she was writing The Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly that she would be using the data she has collected over the years to address the issue many of her readers have asked her which is, “I dared greatly, I was brave. I got my butt kicked and now I’m down for the count. How do I get back up?” Rising Strong is about what Dr. Brené has learned about surviving hurt that actually saved her again and again. It saved her and
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See Maria on Friday, April 10th on Fox 28 Good Day Columbus at 9:00 am, talking about Embracing the Empty Nest! There are two things people have a difficult time managing and that is change and uncertainty. We feel comfortable when we know what is going to happen next but change is ALWAYS there and something we can’t control, so what do we do about change? We EMBRACE it!!! Nothing “hits home” more about how to handle change and uncertainty when the time comes for a parent(s) to accept the realization that they are officially an “empty nester.” The fact is we love, nurture, and support our children the moment they are born which becomes a vocation in a way. We spend an extraordinary amount of our time giving them everything they need in order for them to eventually discover what their gift will
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The women who have participated in Maria’s Wholehearted Workshops had a fantastic time at the SIS Slumber Party that was held last weekend at the Sheraton at Capital Square! We all know how to have a lot of fun together – AND grow whole heartedly – which means we are living lives from our place of truth and vulnerability. Please join us for the upcoming workshops which include “The Artist Way” and Daring Greatly™ by Dr. Brene Brown. Sign up now – there are a few spots left. Enjoy discovering new tips and techniques to reduce anxiety, explore your creativity, improve your lifestyle and create better relationships!! We would love to introduce you to women just like you!! Sign up now – there are a few spots left.
Read more →Wholehearted Workshops will begin soon!! There are only four spots left for The Artist Way Thursday evening workshop so if you are interested please sign up today!! These workshops provide an opportunity to meet other women, discover your authentic self through creative artwork, and have a support system that allows you to be heard, seen and understood by others. The Daring Way™ workshop will begin Saturday, March 21st and this four week workshop will provide topics from Brené Brown’s book Daring Greatly. These sessions will be discussing reducing anxiety, letting go of comparison and allowing ourselves to be perfectly imperfect just to name a few, which will evoke a new way of thinking and how we can cultivate meaning, gratitude and joy into our lives! There are only six spots remaining so I hope you can join us!! Sign up today!
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