July 2015 - In This Issue:
logo
INSPIRATION
I was in the shower, this time cleaning, rather than bathing, when I got the inspiration for this story. I was thinking about the name, Embody Zest, which is my friend Alyce Morgan's Pilates/Franklin Method/Aerial Yoga and all around fun new place to exercise and learn about oneself in Lafayette, LA.

Then I thought about when I was the executive director of a non-profit organization, overworked and underpaid, and at the same time my mom was in the mid-late stages of Alzheimer's disease, and I was definitely not feeling zestful.

At that time, I was in contact with a dance teacher who rented studio space from our nonprofit and who truly embodied zest. Her outgoing phone message declared, "Have a beautiful day!" and it used to bug me. I wasn't having a beautiful day, and I didn't appreciate her telling me to have one.

While I am sure I would have benefited from visiting a studio like Embody Zest or the dance class that this wonderful teacher offered, I was not in a personal space that allowed me to check it out and stay with it.

If I knew then what I know now, I would have found a way to work with a life coach. Someone to be my sounding board, to help me look at the organization in new ways and explore a variety of options for working with the board and staff. Someone to listen with compassion when I talked about my fears and guilt surrounding my mom.

I got through that tough time, and now I embrace zest in my life. I am also able to help others who may not be ready for zest or may want to look for ways to bring more joy into their lives.

The Lafayette Public Libraries' theme for the summer is "Escape the Ordinary." In the workshops that I am leading at the library, I use this theme to help participants look at how they might "kick it up a notch" this summer. If you live in Lafayette and are interested, come join me at one of the final two workshops and discover where you find inspiration.

Inspiration sign

 

Lagniappe 

 

Public Library workshops entitled, "Kick It Up a Notch:"

 

Wednesday, July 8, 6 pm, East Regional Library

Thursday, July 11, 11 am, Main Library (The newly renovated downtown library is now open!)  

 

To read more about Embody Zest studio in Lafayette, LA, here is an article I wrote about it in The Independent.

 

Photo of Sue Schleifer
COACHING SERVICES

Would you like to feel greater satisfaction in your work life but are not sure how to make that happen?

Are you feeling overwhelmed with everything on your plate?

Would you like a partner to help you develop practices to live a healthy, creative, and vibrant life?

or

Perhaps you want to kick it up a notch in your role as a leader?

Contact me for a complimentary coaching consultation to learn how we might work together for your success and happiness.

 

The Key to the Castle book cover
THE KEY TO THE CASTLE
Zen and Travel Stories of Trust

A book about inner and outer journeys.  

 

 Available for purchase from Amazon and Smashwords and other digital download sites in both print and digital formats. 

 

To read reviews of the book, please visit The Key to the Castle

web page.  

Cultivating a Mindful Life book cover
CULTIVATING A MINDFUL LIFE
E-Book

Cultivating a Mindful Life, a collection of 35 stories, is an e-book

available from Smashwords and Amazon and other sites.
.    
If you have already downloaded and read the book, please consider
writing a short review on the site where you purchased it.

Thank you!


Sue Schleifer 
Oak Communications Coaching and Consulting
acorns with sprouts
CUSTOMIZED COACHING AND CONSULTING SERVICES NATIONWIDE