Ah … the June New Moon … time for establishing new aspirations and manifestations?

Hmmm … well I was able to get 50% accomplished and manifested since the last new moon which I had set for myself which considering my parents were visiting for two weeks of this time period and I am still get use to the idea of being a new mum … I am proud of myself. So needless to say these next four weeks until the next new moon on July 3 I will hold a few of the same intentions:

Let’s see … accomplishments … definitely the manicure/pedicure is on there; hair getting cut – yep it too stays; the blogging attempts will remain the same; the work outs increase to four times per week; the walking the dogs stays the same but now it will be 3 days walking and 2 days running with them; the invites stay on since they were put on the back burner; Caden’s sleeping schedule; and coffee with the girls is a must to be on the list.

What am I going to manifest? I am … going to be adding one new reoccurring client; receiving full financial amount which is outstanding from a previous client; expanding my networking circle by eight new individuals; and 10 pounds lighter than today.

Setting goals can be fun but disconcerting as well. I always enjoy setting goals but it is finding the fine line between what takes us slightly out of our comfort zone but is truly attainable and what might be setting ourselves up for failure. If we set too many goals then the feelings of failure come from not meeting the majority of them or if we set the goals so high then the feelings of failure come from not being good enough. If we are able to set goals and reach at least 50% of them on an ongoing basis then it means we are definitely stretching ourselves and expanding our comfort zones. When we set goals and meet more than 90% of them on an ongoing basis then we have set the goals too low where they are not challenging us enough and empowering us to stretch out of our comfort zone. Appropriate goal setting is not easy and in most cases individuals need the help of a support system/structure to accomplish certain goals. Setting aside our fears of asking for help is the first step in being able to accomplish goals and manifesting the life we desire. It is because of this I started Therapy in Transition … to help individuals set appropriate goals and empower people to reach and attain their goals.

Thanks for reading and until next time embrace your inner wisdom.

Namaste,
Karen

What's in a name?

This posting is one in which I would like to express and air my discontent regarding an issue I seem to be facing and most certainly am having challenges with. What’s in a name? It amazes me how engrained society is with names and how it is assumed and expected the wife will take the husband’s last name. More women marry later and therefore are creating an individual identity for themselves with their maiden names in business and social networks. Before Jerry and I got married envelopes were addressed to Mr. Jerry Artache and Ms. Karen Kleinwort then when Jerry and I got married everyone, business associates, family and friends, who were told I kept my maiden name got all twisted and nervous about how to address envelopes and packages now. Nothing changes regarding mailings; the government now just sees us as one entity instead of two separate individuals. The government has no question as to how to address mailings to us but society in general goes into a frenzy of ‘what now!’ When packages, cards or letters arrive I am always surprised at how people jump into the peer pressure and general society rules when addressing these communications. So to set the record straight; if you would like to send something to us you can address it to one of the following – Mr. Jerry Artache and Ms. Karen Kleinwort; Mr. Artache and Ms. Kleinwort; or The Artache & Kleinwort Family. Whenever I see an envelope addressed to Mr. & Mrs. Artache or Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Artache the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I have to take some really deep breathes to let go of the feelings my identity is slipping away. My issue … most definitely it is my issue and is one I keep working on but my individual identity is really important to me so it is one which will most likely I will work on till my last breathe in this life journey. I know my husband takes issue when something gets mailed to ‘The Kleinwort Family’ which happens from company’s who are trying to get me to buy or try their baby products. Why? Because as the man of the house it has been engrained in him that his last name is the name of the house and so everyone should just already know that but company’s only know me as my name so they are therefore jumping to the conclusion that Kleinwort is my married name and therefore the name of the household. I do my best to intercept these types of mailings because I know and understand his feelings.

Now that we have a child with a hyphenated last name I am beginning to see the frenzy swirling out of control, hair loss is on a rise and all sorts of different labels being used. When it came to naming our son the first name was easy where we came into the challenge is what would his last name be? I kept my maiden name which was already adding confusion and we settled, Jerry conceded actually – thank you honey!, to have Caden use a hyphenated last name … Artache-Kleinwort. With this added to the mix people are extra confused regarding how to send mailings. So to make life simple and everyone happy just send things to “The Artache & Kleinwort Family”; want to send something just to Caden, address it to “Caden Artache-Kleinwort,” to me? “Karen Kleinwort,” Jerry? “Jerry Artache.” Does that make things simple? Or is it still confusing?

Alright enough purging, the questions of naming I believe really come down to labels and titles for us, so what is in a name? I personally believe names are so important because society in 1st world countries tie everything about us as individuals to these labels and until recently (in respect to the calendar year timeline being 2008) women had no rights and therefore their identity was tied to that of their husbands. But now in the 21st century is it really not too much of a stretch to believe more women will want to keep their individual identities. At what point or under what circumstances would it be for the husband to take the wife’s name? I would definitely be interested in hearing other people’s thoughts on this topic.

Thanks for listening. Until next time … embrace your inner wisdom!

Namaste,
Karen

Daycare, Schedules, Nanny/Admin Support - is it all really necessary?

These last few days have been held in deep discussion with my husband with regard to seriously looking at hiring someone part-time to help me get things done. Not immediately mind you but beginning in July/August when I want to start getting myself back into the work routine.

Having a goal of 12 clients weekly by October 1 means I need to start marketing actively sometime in the next 4 - 6 weeks whcih means I need a bit more free time to look after myself and focus on work. I am just beginning to figure out what that weekly schedule looks like and I am very sure most of you who are mothers as well have gone through this mind blowing experience and have had to come to terms with the feelings of 'guilt' and the judgements of others who look to you and question is the 'nanny' support really necessary.

Needless to say many tears are being shed over this but the beauty of the situation is I am still present so if my son truly needs me for anything I am just a few steps away. My dogs can get the extra care and attention they need as well as part of the time I am addressing is being able to run with them daily and hit the gym three times a week.

The mound of paperwork on my desk is what is driving these conversations ... oh yes ... so is the mound of laundry, the paw prints on the floor, and the many other household chores which normally would have been addressed.

So, I will keep you all posted as to how this schedule and admin/nanny support challenge is going.

Until next time ... embrace your inner wisdom!

Namaste,
Karen