October 2009 Archives

Memories of brides, monsters, and butterfly wings visit empty nesters that aren't going to school parades or walking the neighborhoods with their children carrying pumpkin bags and flashlights.

I love the surprise costumes when I open the front door and hear, "Trick or Treat."  The parents stand in the background, saying to tiny ones, "Go on, open your bag and say trick or treat."  Smiles come to me remembering being that parent.

I will make comfort sage, butternut squash soup and light the fire and paper cat lanterns. Last year, with no children at home, I took pictures of my neighbor's children as I opened the door to, TRICK OR TREAT.

What will you be doing this Halloween? 
I hope you get some treats for yourself.

Take care,
Natalie
natalie@emptynestsupport.com
www.emptynestsupport.com
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I am on the happy countdown to attending the conference in Long Beach, California. Are you going to be there?  Would you like to meet up and say hello?  I would if you are there, so email me, natalie@emptynestsupport.com before you go and I can figure out a place for us to say hello.

I am so grateful I got tickets since it sold out in nine minutes online.

The tickets are so colorful: A Day of Transformation. Tips and Tools For How to Become an Architect of Change.  We, who are on the way to emptying our nest or sitting in it, definitely know about change so we can relate.
I will attend, Making Your Job Matter or Exploring a New Career, Writing Your Book, Breakout conversations, Exhibits, Night at the Village, Awards Ceremony, Once-in-a Lifetime Conversation: Legend to Legend,  and Women in Power: What Happens When Women Run Things?

What will you be attending? 

I look forward to being enlightened, inspired, and surprised with what opens in me.  After integration from what I learn and feel, I wonder what baby step I will take or who knows, maybe a leap into something new that I can't imagine until I am there. But I do know I am excited and grateful to be gathering, learning, and meeting new people.

What are you excited about as we are on the countdown to being there?
I think the dress is casual and business casual so no Hanes t-shirts for me in public. What will you wear?  I just don't want my feet to hurt.

Email me what you want me to keep a look out for, if you can't be there or what topic notes you want me to take for you after you look at their website: http://www.californiawomen.org/the-womens-conference/

Email me if you are attending so we can meet.  You know what I look like because of my picture on my website but I don't know what you look like.  We will come up with a fun way to find each other.  Bottom line....email me,

natalie@emptynestsupport.com
www.emptynestsupport.com
Los Angeles 818-763-0188

Did I already say, I AM SO EXCITED TO BE THERE?
Safe travels,
Natalie

We all need someone to help us on the empty nest new map of life.  For sure some scenes will be constant and others are up ahead for exploring.

1. Check in with yourself throughout the day.
2. Ask how you are feeling, what's up, what have you been thinking about today?  Do you want to shift any of those thoughts?
3. What fun have you put on your calendar even if you don't have someone to venture out with it.  You might meet someone on the way or discover it isn't so bad going solo.
4. When you feed your eyes with beauty and newness, that lifts your spirits and creativity, but you knew that..like I said, these are reminders that you probably already know.
5. What do you need for yourself right now?

I have been traveling for work. For sure, I have had times of feeling out of my comfort zone. Surprise is, I have been having a fantastic time traveling alone. I have made new friends along the way that I feel will now become lifelong friends.  We have emailed this week and been happily surprised with meeting each other.

I give myself plenty of time at airports and never travel without paper and pen or snacks.

I love teaching and giving gifts. I gave everyone a toe ring to remind them to put their toe in the water, since there was plenty of water around the property, for anything new they might enjoy. I had photos of water and music to rest into.

What do you need to be reminded of?  How could you begin a new practice or ritual for yourself?

Well, lots of questions.  Pick a few or play with all of them.

Email me how you are doing and what next step you might need.  Steps also include doing nothing, just another reminder.

Take good care,
Natalie
natalie@emptynestsupport.com
Speaking engagements, workshops, private consultations, support groups and a very active free message forum on www.emptynestsupport.com
Los Angeles 818-763-0188

Sharing our stories connects and lifts me. First, I want to thank everyone for a fun and moving experience at Rancho La Puerta Resort and Spa where I taught LIFE IN TRANSITION, WHAT NOW?  Beauty is top on my everyday list. Everywhere you look or hike around Rancho La Puerta, that magic of beauty heals.

Cooking with Rick Bayless has expanded my weekend recipes. He signed the menus I saved from his restaurant when my daughter and I visited Chicago colleges. I never imagined on that wonderful evening in his Fronteira restaurant with Rachael, that I would someday be cooking with him and getting those menus signed.

Here is an idea for you:

1. Write what you vow to never do again. Write what you do vow to do.  Maybe you will never talk on a cell phone and drive at the same time.
Maybe you will plan something fun to do once a week by writing it down on your calendar.
I am sure you will think of something to write.

2. Pick one possibility that you can make happen in the next two weeks that will inspire you. Write it down. Put your toe in the water for that one idea and each day read what you wrote out loud. Write the idea by your computer, in your bathroom, on the refrigerator, etc.  At the end of the two weeks, write what came up for you in regards to wanting to do it, doing it, changing your mind, losing interest, and forgetting. What feelings popped up?  Don't even bother choosing this inspiration if you are going to use it as a way to be critical of yourself. You have done that before. Yes, your inner critic might come up, but in the beginning of this inspiration you are writing, vow you won't be critical of the outcome or the journey of the two weeks.

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love."  Rumi

Take good care,
Email me your stories and thoughts
Natalie
natalie@emptynestsupport.com
www.emptynestsupport.com

-  Call for a private consultation, speaking engagement, support group, workshop.
-  Toll free, Los Angeles time, 800-446-3310
-  Local number, 818-763-0188
-  Join our free forum where we are building an ongoing support for this major life transition, www.emptynestsupport.com

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