Tres Branifique! Building a Brand Heritage

Angel Quintana October 7, 2015

TRES BRANIFIQUE! BUILDING A BRAND HERITAGE

Article by Lynne Dominick
Photo Credit: Hailley Howard
Magazine: Issue #29

Branding has almost become colloquial these days, yet I bet that when you think about branding, the first thing that comes to mind is some type of product or business. Yet when it comes to branding, the scope extends far beyond products or services. Just about anything can be a brand these days. Let’s take cities for instance, and, for the sake of this article, let’s take Paris!

Steeped in a history rich with art and design, The Paris Brand has been developing for centuries. Its gorgeous architecture, pristine parks, extraordinary cuisine, and exquisite fashion all contribute to a global brand image of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Even before stepping foot in Paris, years of browsing through fashion magazines and watching old movies helped me conjure up images of romance, beauty, and sensual delights.

Fall is an incredibly wonderful time to visit Paris. Here are some reasons why the brand heritage is alive and well:

Savor the Experience
For my husband, Paris is all about its history; the crypts of the Cluny Museum, the underground maize and macabre past of the city’s sewers, the audacity of Napoleon; endless hours spent in L’Ecole de Militaire and Musee D’L’Armee.

For me, Paris is taking a walk in the Jardin du Luxembourg, eating a croissant on the I’sle St Louis a Sunday morning, having afternoon tea at Marriage Freres, enjoying a chocolate chaud at Angelina, or riding the number 6 metro line just to get that first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower as the train speeds along, running outside, as it nears the Bir-Hakim stop.

Before You Go
I often find the planning stages of a trip almost as fun as the trip itself. Maybe it is because I immerse myself in the process. This includes reading books that take place in the country I am about to visit, watching movies that were filmed in that city and creating a playlist of related tunes on my iPhone.

Here are some recommendations to enhance the planning portion of your trip to Paris:

Book List|
The Piano Shop on the Left Bank
The Book of Lost Fragrances
Hidden in Paris
It’s Not Love, It’s Just Paris
The DaVinci Code
Murder in the Marais
Lesson in French
The Hare with the Amber Eyes
A Tale of Two Cities
The Chocolate Thief
Lunch in Paris
Paris Was the Place
Anna and the French Kiss
French Lessons
Suite Francaise
Paris, a Novel

Film List|
An American in Paris
Before Sunset
Ratatouille
Frantic
Everyone Says I Love You
Gigi
Sabrina
Funny Face
Charade
Love in the Afternoon
Midnight in Paris
Moulin Rouge

Recommended Listening|
April in Paris
The Last Time I Saw Paris
La Vie En Rose
The Soundtrack of Midnight in Paris

Spending time online is also a great way to get the most out of a vacation.

Here are some very good blogs to peruse as you plan your trip|
   French Essence
   Messy Nessy Chic
   Girls Guide to Paris

Once You Arrive
I recommend that you start your site seeing or exploring immediately. DO NOT TAKE A NAP. Seriously, this is Paris!
One of the best ways to see Paris than is on foot. Here are USA Today’s best walking tour recommendations:

Self-Guided|
Those with an independent streak and no patience for groups can run their own walking tours with directions that are either printed on paper or downloaded to an MP3 player. An example of the former are the free tours offered by Paris Walking Tours. Depending on what you choose, you can visit such favorites as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Tromphe and the Champs-Elysees. The tours are quite basic, explaining directions and the names of what you are seeing but giving no historical background. Travel guru Rick Steves adds humor and explanations to his free MP3 audio tours, which include a historic Paris walk and specific tours for the Louvre and Musee D’Orsay.

Free|
If you prefer being guided by a human being but don't have a lot of money, then free guided walking tours are for you. These trips are characterized by enthusiastic, native Parisian volunteers and very large crowds who come and go throughout the narration. One example is Discover Walks, whose walks take you to several Paris landmarks, specific areas such as the Latin Quarter or to specific sights like Notre Dame. Walks typically occur two or three times a day, rain or shine, and require no reservations. Simply show up at the appointed place and time, and look for the pink outfits. Being volunteers, the guides appreciate tips at the end of the walk, though they are not required.

Commercial|
Companies that run commercial walking tours may offer smaller groups, greater selection, gift certificates and souvenirs. Reservations may be required, though some also allow you to just show up. As an example, Classic Walks covers such broad topics as Classic Paris, the French Revolution and World War II, or more specific areas such as Montmartre. If you want the intimacy of a walking tour, with the speed of a vehicle, the company also offers tours on Segways and bicycles. These types of trip cover more ground and enable you to reach widely spaced sights in shorter times.

Private|
Private tours cost the most money but allow you to focus on only the topics that interest you. You can take pre-planned itineraries, but take detours and skip sights you find boring. Or you can have the guide plan an excursion for you from scratch. Advanced reservations are necessary. An example is Context Paris Tours, which is endorsed by such travel luminaries as Fodor's, Frommer's, National Geographic and Insight Guides. They call their guides docents because they have advanced degrees in such subjects as art history, cuisine or archaeology, and feature a large educational component in their tours. Their planned itineraries are divided into themes like architecture or gastronomy and offer unusual views such as the belly of Paris and Modernist buildings.

Taking the Metro or the Bateaubus in season are other great ways to take in the city.

What to See
You can spend weeks, months even years getting to know The City of Light, but if your time is limited, you can still get a great feeling for this very special place in a short period of time. Here is your highlight list. If you are a museum person, browse the list for the ones that best suit your taste, if your someone who prefers being outside and mingling with the locals, focus on the site list and the neighborhood list.

Sites|
Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame
St. Chapelle
Sacre Coeur
Montmartre
The Paris Opera (see if you can get a tour)!
Paris Cemetary
Blois de Bologne
Invalides
Arch de Triomphe
Champs de Elyesse

Museums|
The Louvre
Jaques Marte Andres
Carnvalet
Cluny
D’Orsay
Victor Hugo
L’Orangerie
Jeu De Palme
Musee du quai Branly

Flea Markets|
Clignancourt
Porte de Vanves
Marche d”Aligre

Neighborhoods|
Isle St Louis
Marais
Latin Quarter
Fouberg St. Honore
Latin Quarter
St. Germain des Pres

Where to Stay

Splurge|
Hotel Le Bristol
La Royal Morceau Raffles Hotel
Hotel du Louvre
Hotel Lancaster
Hotel Le Burgandy Paris
Hotel Castille
Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere

Won’t Break the Bank|
Hotel des Grandes Ecoles
Hotel Arvor Saint Georges
Mama Shelter
Hotel Saint Thomas D’Aquin
Hotel Mayet

Rent or Stay in a Paris Apartment|
Airbnb
Good Morning Paris
Alcove & Agapes

Eat/Drink/Be Merry
When it comes to dining, the French know how to do it right.
Here is an eclectic list of places that will not disappoint.

Hot Chocolate|
Angelina

Ice Cream|
Berthillion

Afternoon Tea|
Marriage Freres
Laduree

Lunch Outdoors|
   Cru
   Ralph at Polo Ralph Lauren
   Le Tresor

Favorites|
   Neighborhood Bistro - Chaumette
   Fun, Hip, Good Food - Ze Kitchen Gallerie
   Can’t Go Wrong – Market
   Very Special Ambiance - Les Ambassadeurs at Le Crillion

Pick Up and Eat in the Park|
Bon Marche Food Halls

Best Views|
The Terrace Restaurant at Printemps
Monmartre
Kong Restaurant
Centre Pompidou
Institute de Monde Arabe

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Astral Business Tools, a Gift for the Taking

Angel Quintana October 6, 2015

ASTRAL BUSINESS TOOLS, A GIFT FOR THE TAKING

Article by John Scardina
Photo Credit: Hailley Howard
Magazine: Issue #29

I have been on a spiritual journey for many years since becoming an entrepreneur. One statement that I’ve found to be true is “Religion is for those who believe in hell, spirituality is for those who have already been through hell”. We all understand in the beginning process of building a business or brand (or at least we think that we do), those moments when planning and executing consumes us with an overwhelming amount of decisions. We as business owners make final decisions based on a plethora ideals that originate from experience, coaching, facts, science, and advice. As we use our arsenal of tools for decision making, we sometimes forget how many other tools are available to us that are gifts free for the taking.

Astral events including moon phases may be something to pay attention to when making decisions especially as an entrepreneur. Something so simple and yet so powerful, the moon has the ability to cause oceans to rise and lower. With that said, the full moon can also affect our decision making just ask Police, doctors, nurses or anyone that works in an emergency room during a full moon. As entrepreneurs we have an extra tool to use if we watch these astral events and use them to our benefit.

There are a couple of astral events that I utilize on a regular basis. At this point in our lives we are all aware of manifestation, yes it works! But we can also manifest and bring it to a higher momentum by following the moon’s phases. The moon phases include new, waxing, full and waning.

1| Plan large projects during a new moon.
2| Manifest events that you want to happen or add to your business during a waxing moon.
3| Celebrate all positive efforts that have be created in your business during the full moon.
4| Manifest events that you want to remove form your business during the waning moon.

Never discount any new ideas to your decision making efforts. By realizing there are forces so much older and larger than ourselves we can achieve better results as entrepreneurs from a higher spiritual perspective.

Many people speak of Mercury retrograde with despair. Although this is a time of a slowdown and caution we should not worry about not making decisions during this event that occurs four times a year. We should most likely make precise decisions, checking every detail prior to committing to the final one.

1| Accept that Mercury retrograde is a time to slow down, do not stop making decisions make conscious ones.
2| Realize that this is also a good time to slow down yourself and review all events in your business. Double check each event in detail.
3| Do not fear this event make it work for your needs.

Astral events are gifts and they are free, just understand how to utilize and embrace them, these are tools that can bring you to a higher level of your business.

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5 Ways Smart Women Lose their Sparkle and Burn Out

Angel Quintana September 26, 2015

5 WAYS SMART WOMEN LOSE THEIR SPARKLE AND BURN OUT

Article by Kiki Federico
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

Smart women have a tendency to need to pretend like we have it all “together” all the time. Something about our culture doesn’t allow women to be honest with ourselves, so we push through until we hit a wall and burn out. We can avoid learning by hitting rock bottom if we bring more conscious awareness to our daily activities.

She says “yes” to other people.
Ambitious women are notorious for people pleasing and thinking they need to prove themselves. So we say “yes” and take on too much. Every time you say “yes” to someone else, think about what you are saying “no” to. It’s probably yourself, your workouts, your downtime, your sleep, your creative side project. It’s important for women to establish healthy boundaries and communicate them to their colleagues, friends and family in order for us to have the energy we need to show up and be fully present, not tired and resentful.

She eats in front of a screen.
“I don’t have time for lunch,” is a terrible habit to fall into. Eating while distracted means that you eat faster, less mindfully and don’t actually know how much you end up eating. Perhaps more importantly, you miss the sensual experience of eating which is a big part of feeling alive and connected to life itself. A biproduct of being out of touch with your body is not knowing what it needs, overconsuming and then wishing we were different. So many ambitious women who overeat are craving to feel full to compensate for an emptiness within them. That emptiness can be mistaken for physical hunger, but it’s often a sign that she needs more pleasure, sweetness or meaning in her life.

She doesn’t know how she wants to feel.
This is equivalent to knowing why you wake up everyday. If you don’t know how you want to feel, then you are likely not going to exercise your strengths and move towards doing what you are good at (and brings you joy). Most people set goals that are attractive targets but are outside of themselves. Then fuel these goals with caffeine, sugar and sacrifice. (Sounds awesome!) By asking yourself, “how will that make me feel when I do/have that,” you tune into a fuller experience of life and the ongoing process of getting to where you want to be. You also open yourself up to understand if the goal will truly serve your highest good or you just like the idea of it. The real question is how does it serve you holistically and not just your need to check boxes or get validation from others.

She doesn’t ask for help.
Receiving is an essential part of the human experience, especially for women. Unfortunately, many of us learned that “it’s better to give than to receive.” (Whoever said that was definitely not a lady.) There is so much pressure to keep up appearances that we have it all together. Lots of ambitious women think, “I should be able to figure this out.” What we miss is the opportunity to communicate our vision (even if it’s for how to collate the copies of the presentation) and empower other people to do a good job and be a part of your team.

She criticizes other women.
Gossiping and competing with women is common, and it’s what’s killing our ability to rise to the levels of success we truly desire. Words are very powerful, and when we perpetuate rumors and position ourselves against other women, we are disempowering all women. Women leaders have a duty to go beyond simply “not talking shit” about other women and actively supporting them. When we have a bad breakup, lose a job, are struggling with a terrible boss, have a baby… who do we call on? Our sisters. What if all women were your sisters? We would tap into the inclusive power of the feminine to unify and amplify our power. We would encourage each other to shine.

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Kiki Federico is a Feminine Leadership Coach and founder of Ritual Uprising. Her mission is to liberate professional women to live and lead authentically, soulfully and in a community of sisterhood. She believes that women have the most critical role to play in shaping our future. But we must come together, celebrate what makes us women and change what's not working for us. Kiki helps women learn how to access their intuition and bring passion to their revolutionary ideas to become embodied, inspiring feminine leaders. Are you an emerging leader, change-maker or socially conscious woman in business? Then be sure to grab your FREE GIFT here on Owning Your Divine Feminine Power at Work {How to be heard without sounding like a bitch.}

Declutter Your Way to Abundance

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

DECLUTTER YOUR WAY TO ABUNDANCE

Article by Hilory Walk
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

Abundance as a Form of Energy

“Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

When we look at the gorgeous photos of homes in design magazines, or more frequently, on our favorite Pinterest boards, our eyes are drawn irresistibly to those beautifully appointed and spacious homes. As with all marketing, the magic lies in what you don’t see!

•   You don’t see clothes and towels strewn about
•   You don’t see dishes in the sink
•   You don’t see overflowing closets and garages which barely have room for our cars.

The primary objective of Feng Shui is to enhance the energies (the qi) within our home or office that support us and to suppress those energies that pose potential harm. Clutter in our physical environments by definition suppresses all qi—it doesn’t discriminate—hence each piece of clutter depletes the presence and flow of positive or abundant qi. And guess what, these energy blocks not only impact you, but they affect everyone living in your home!

An easy analogy is to think about meditation. As meditation removes the debris or clutter of the mind, opening a path to universal wisdom, a parallel can be drawn to removing the clutter of our homes or offices to enable the free flow of sheng qi (positive, life-affirming, abundant energies).

Allow the abundant energies to flow and your home will be the next photo you post on Pinterest!

Clutter Prevents Manifestation!
Removing clutter promotes clarity of thought and lightness of spirit. Just imagine, there are invisible ties between you and each item in your home or office. The more that you collect, the more energy that is consumed by ‘your things’.

If you continue to give all your energy to physical objects, how will you find the energy to devote to your clients, your creative ideas, your execution of projects?

Remember clutter represents the past: either physical reminders of who we once were, what we once did, or even dreams we have outgrown but haven’t discarded. Those half-finished paintings, unread books, clothing that doesn’t fit, 3 year old vision boards all represent old dreams…dreams that are anchored in the past. Clutter blocks you from manifesting today’s ideas and visions. Clutter carries with it a basket of unwelcome guests: lack of focus, lack of clarity, lack of follow-through, lack of motivation.

Think of the fantastic new dreams and passions you will unleash… just by releasing these anchors. And where will this extra energy go? To your dream clients who will be irresistibly attracted to your passion, to executing the exciting projects that now seem effortless to complete, and to allowing and enjoying … abundance!

How To Declutter?
Now that you know the ‘why’, how do you begin the process?

There are best-selling books, courses, innumerable articles on this topic. In fact, it has spawned an entire new industry (rather ironic, don’t you think!). You could take the courses, read the books, listen to the podcasts, but at the end of the day, there are simple and effective rules to follow.

You can choose 1 item a day, or set aside a weekend to dive in, or throw a party, announce your intention on social media, create a goal on an app.

ASK:
•   Do I need it?
•   Do I use it regularly?
•   Do I love it?
•   Does it have a positive meaning to me?

DO:
Unless the answer to each question is ‘yes’, you must either:
•   Donate (there are so many in need)
•   Gift to a friend or loved one
•   Discard what is broken or unusable

Make it fun, make it simple, make it beautiful. It can even be a form of meditation: establish a sacred space to begin, play lovely calming music in the background, even light a candle. With each item that you donate, gift or discard, visualize a golden light taking its place. Watch the light expand and grow with each item released. This golden light is a symbol of the abundance awaiting you.

“Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.” - Wayne Dyer

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Hilory Wallk is a classical Chinese Metaphysics specialist, and the owner and founder of Soul Centered Feng Shui. Hilory uses a vast array of classical and holistic tools to create unique and powerful transformations of environment and mindset. As a former corporate attorney, Hilory is passionate about the importance of aligning to one’s soul purpose and she focuses on enabling female entrepreneurs to live a life of optimal harmony and abundance. To find out more about manifesting abundance through Chinese Metaphysics, please email hilory@soulcenteredfengshui.com to obtain her mp3 filled with entertaining and inspiring case studies, and jump on the list to be among the first to receive her upcoming ebook on Feng Shui secrets to changing your office to manifest wealth.

Is Your Body Image a Success Stopper?

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

IS YOUR BODY IMAGE A SUCCESS STOPPER?

Article by Michelle Hess
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

Did you know that you could be wasting and losing money because of how you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror?!

Whether you are on the thinner side or have a more ample sized body, HOW you feel about it impacts practically every area of your life in obvious and subtle ways.

Why do you need to deal with those nagging bad body thoughts? So you can become a smarter more successful entrepreneur. (The added happiness is just a bonus!)

MONEY MAGNET OR REPELLER?

Money stress is in the top 3 worries in the United States. We either attract or repel money with our money magnet skills. Jen knows this too well. She is an attractive over-achieving fire-cracker of a woman entrepreneur--well educated, stylish and ambitious. She’s moved up quickly in her field and is a top innovator for her specialty.

Still, her body esteem affects her money magnet skills.

Even though she can give you fashion advice and beauty tips, when Jen looks in the mirror, she’s constantly picking at her appearance (too short, not toned enough, skin could be better…).

To distract from her body dissatisfaction, she ends up shopping…a lot. Clothes are easy for her to fit into and she thinks that if she finds the “right look” she’ll feel better. Online shopping is her favorite “de-stressing” activity, because she “works hard and deserves it”! There are a lot of new clothes hanging in her closet, tags attached. They won’t get worn.

Her credit cards have balances in the thousands.

Often Jen lies awake at night, her mind spinning about her debt, so now she takes sleeping pills to shut it all out. The money leaks, which are repelling her cash flow are taking their toll.

Stop the Money Leaks!

Jen shows us one way our body image can affect our finances. I know, I know, you can never have too many clothes...or shoes! But seriously, we waste money (lots of it) because either we end up buying the wrong look, the wrong size (the “I’ll fit into it soon” size!), or the wrong trend for our body type.

How much do you think you’ve spent on bad fashion advice over the years?

And don’t forget, this money “leaking” may extend to anything that you impulsively buy to try and make yourself feel better. We want the cash flow to be positive not a downward financial spiral!

SELF-EMPOWERMENT?

Poor body image is also a common success stopper for women in education and the workplace. And guess what?

Yep…THAT COSTS YOU MORE MONEY.

Even for smart entrepreneurs, research aplenty shows that many are holding themselves back from full potential and this definitely impacts money magnet skills. When we aren’t firing on 100% of our creative, ambitious and energetic pistons we lose out.

How confident we feel about our body image affects our overall confidence. So if you are a high-achiever, you could actually be doing okay overall, compared to your average person, but deep inside you’ve got to know that you might not be humming along at full capacity.

Body image and self-love isn’t a trivial issue. As psychologist Dr. Emma Halliwell reports, there is an abundance of “evidence that when society teaches girls that their appearance is intrinsically linked to their value as a person and that their looks matter, society undermines...women's potential to thrive.”

You probably already know that if you speak on stage and at live events you can increase sales more quickly. This success strategy is one of the most fantastic ways to reach your ideal clientele if you have a service based business (if you didn’t know this, seek out one of the HF marketing gurus!). Do you think that if you feel uneasy in your body that you will jump at those opportunities, let alone seek them out?

Maybe, just maybe, you are full of courage and even though you don’t feel great in your own skin, you are doing those speaking gigs and videos anyway. Bravo to you! Now imagine what it would be like if you felt electric and powerful in your body?

Watch out world!

This applies to how you show up EVERYWHERE. Is it time for you to bail on the bad body image and lack of confidence? Increased self-love will repay you over 100-fold. Let’s put an end to the money leaks--along with the lost business growth and career opportunities--so you can look in the mirror with confidence to a more powerful success starter.

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Michelle Hess, MA, CPC, RYT founded BraveGirl™ in 2006 to build Confidence, Courage and Connection for Women. Michelle helps entrepreneurs drop the drama, ditch the diets and delete the Body Image BS. She's the creator of the Brave Body Love™ Global Summit for Women, the Body Love Experiment™ & Blissful Body, Luscious Life™. Michelle is also a fan of alliteration, Thai food and shoes. Want more body love success strategies? Join the free Body Love Experiment™ and receive a free gift to help you love your body right away.

The 3 Basic Things Men Are Looking For In The Ideal Woman

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

THE 3 BASIC THINGS MEN ARE
LOOKING FOR IN THE IDEAL WOMAN

Article by Marie-Aude
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

So you wonder why you still haven't found love? What is it that all these women in relationships have that you don't? What do you do wrong? You think it might just be some bad karma you have to overcome, but where do you start? Well, finding the man of your dreams, attracting him to you, and making that relationship last is not just about luck.You can't expect Mr. Right to find you and come rescue you from your pain and sorrow. He won't. He wants you to be ready for him when he shows up! And he is looking for three qualities in particular.

The ideal woman is different.

We are all different, but being different is all about knowing yourself, embodying yourself with all of your uniqueness. There are so many beautiful girls out there! You need to stand out. It is not about your weight or body shape, it is about your frequency. Find your true essence, elevate your frequency, and you'll attract him to you (no need to worry, when you fall in love, you will lose the weight.. that's nature at work). It doesn't matter if you've had a shady past, it gives you dimension. It doesn't matter if you have just recovered from a depression, it gives you depth. Your knowledge of your own self, your love for yourself, your own desires and wishes, your own spirituality, it all makes you unique. So, don't try to fit in a mould of what society tells you is ideal, you will just end up being a cast. You want to be the real thing.

The ideal woman is able to give.

Relationships are all about giving and taking. When you found your equal, you will naturally want to give yourself to him. Do not hold back, be generous. Let him see you for who you are. As a woman, giving also means nurturing. Let me tell you straight up: he has to see that you will be able to nurture him and his children. He has to see you as the mother of his children. So stop waiting for him to shower you with presents. Think of what you can offer him. You are a woman worthy of his attention and love, and you want to show it to him.

The ideal woman is also open to receiving.

Mr. Right very often will not show up in the way you would have imagined he would. When you are open, he will know that you are accepting of him for who he is as well. Be open to life's beauty and opportunities; they are infinite. Be open to the Universe, it has so much to offer! When you have a childlike curiosity for life, that is when all things will show up for you. You want to be able to see him and recognize him when he comes. Put on your antennas, and be ready to catch his frequency. That will make you attractive, among other things. If you are up tight and closed up, he will not feel attracted to you.

Are you different, able to give, and able to receive? Of course you are! You are by your own very human nature. It is just a matter of learning to be yourself, and being who you were always meant to be. It sounds simple, but it involves some digging and excavating on your part. It's fun and you are guaranteed to find beautiful treasures. Those are the gems that will adorn the Goddess that you are, and you don't want her to be invisible.

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Marie-Aude is a Holistic Coach and Natural Health Therapist. If you want to learn more about finding your true essence and radiating love and passion for life. Sign up for her email list and she'll send you a free training on How to radiate love and passion to attract the man of your dreams. Make sure to include the word ''Love'' in the Comments section.

When Your Pet Dies: Tips on Explaining Pet Loss to Non-Animal Lovers

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

WHEN YOUR PET DIES:
TIPS ON EXPLAINING PET LOSS TO NON-ANIMAL LOVERS

Article by Claire Chew
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

When a human closes to us dies, society mirrors our loss with comforting words, acknowledgement, and for those of us lucky enough, home cooked deliciousness in forms of yummy casseroles. For those of us who work in Corporate America, we get three days off to attend a funeral, sit Shiva or other ways to honor the memory of the one we adored. We get a free pass to stay home, wear pajamas all day, melt into the couch, eat ice-cream, watch day-time TV or indulge in whatever pastime to help fill the aching hole in our heart.

It can be so different when saying good-bye to a furry family member. Some non-pet friends and family might ask “There are so many pets at the shelter, why don’t you get another one? ” Other well-meaning comments like “it was just a dog”, “a cat”, or “she was old, it was time, be glad she didn’t suffer” may surface. You would never say to a human “She was old, why don’t you get another one?”

When a human dies, someone organizes an event to celebrate the life of a loved one. A wake, a service, or a memorial. But if we wanted to do the same for our pets, those closest to us might find it odd. We want to celebrate the life we had with them too. For some of us, they’ve outlasted friendships, jobs, relationships and marriages.

To non-animal lovers and outsiders alike, we invite you into our world. Below are some examples of human/animal bond that explains the depths of the love, hence the loss, and hopefully shine light on why the loss of a pet is like losing a beloved human, and why in certain cases, even more.

We miss their unconditional love:
Our pets love us. Period. They do not judge our imperfections or insecurities. We always know where we stand with them. There’s no hidden agenda. We don’t have to try and please. They accept us. All of us. We open our hearts more fully to this bundle of pure love than those who may criticize or reject our vulnerability. This bond of trust and mutual respect and adoration deepens over days, weeks, and years. In loss, we may find that relationship rare, if not impossible to replace.

We care for them like family:
Our pets look to us for everything. They trust in us to provide shelter, food, and love. And it never stops. Unlike children whose needs may decrease over time, our pets needs only increase. We are fully responsible for our pets. Until the day they die. Like responsible humans, we book sitters when we are out of town. We throw birthday parties, go to yappy hour, play dates at dog park. Just like if you had children. So while some might say they are not our children, the loss can feel like losing a child.

Our pets are can be our best friend and a main source of stability and comfort:
Loyal, trusting, fun and dependable, our pets make perfect companions. For those of us who have dogs, he gets us outside in the fresh air, walks to Dog Park, tossing a tennis ball or two to get our energy flowing. This helps not only our physical body, but lower stress. Our feline friends loves to play, keeping u company when we are alone. When we are feeling down, petting and snuggling releases Oxytocin, the hormone that helps with lowering anxiety and mental stress. Our pets are always there for us, sensing intuitively when we need comfort or to lick a tear away. Their all accepting and caring attitude is hard to compare to humans, who may not always be that perfect.

So what can you do if you are a non-animal loving type? Below are some ways you can help.

Keys to becoming a better Pet Loss Friend

-Listen. Listening goes a long way. Often when we are hurting, we just want to be heard and our feelings validated. Mirroring back how we are feeling will help us feel like we have been heard.
-Reach out and ask how we are doing. Even if you don’t know how to respond, or feel uncomfortable, empathy is huge.
-Even if you might not agree that pets are part of the family, be respectful of how we feel. We are not asking you to convert to the other side of the magical animal-human bond club. Treat us as if we had lost a human friend. Because in reality, loss is loss.

“Everyone knows that peace has to begin with oneself, but not many people know how to do it”-Thich Nhat Hanh

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Claire Chew is a Life Transitions Coach, owner of Luxepets LLC and Modern Pet Loss. Her signature program, from Loss to Possibilities has helped many move forward after loss that is not part of mainstream media~Pet loss, perinatal loss and miscarriages are some topics she shines light and love onto. Her work has been featured in Marie Claire, Martha Stewart Living, InStyle and more. To learn more about helping a friend through pet loss, or find your own way back from grief, contact Claire here for a free 30 minute consult.

3 Sneaky Habits that are Keeping You from Becoming Successful

Angel Quintana September 25, 2015

3 SNEAKY HABITS THAT ARE KEEPING YOU FROM BECOMING SUCCESSFUL

Article by Nikka Karli
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #29

Have you ever wondered why it seems to be so easy for some people to achieve unparalleled levels of love, abundance, and success?

And yet…

It all seems to be completely intangible for you, no matter how hard you try to chase down your dreams. And, by the way, those dreams? They actually seem to be running away from you. As if the harder you try, the further away they get.

You’re actually starting to take it personally.

As in, maybe there’s something wrong with you. Something that makes success nothing more than a whimsical fancy meant for the throngs of other people on this planet, but not you. Never you.

Well, first things first, you are not alone. Even more good news? I’m here to help you step into the greatness that has always seemed so utterly elusive. Until now. (Stick with me, kid. I think you’re going to like this.)

Here are 3 unconscious habits that might be holding you back from creating the life you truly want (and what you might want to do instead):

1 :: You truly believe that you and Shonda Rhimes are destined to be besties (AKA: You spend more time watching other people be gladiators than actually becoming one yourself)-

If you want to actually become a Creator, a Doer, and not just a Dreamer, you have to focus. And focus means less time numbing yourself out to your current reality. Which, in turn, means you need to give up your Olivia addiction. Blasphemy, I know. But hear me out.

Successful people (millionaires, elite athletes, world changers) spend their time creating things that help solve other people’s problems. They do not spend all of their time watching fake problems on (albeit highly entertaining) television shows.

Does this mean you have to cancel your subscription to Netflix right this moment? Not at all. But it does mean that if you want to achieve your goals, it is imperative that you begin paying close attention to how you’re choosing to spend your time and energy.

Ask yourself this: Are you creating your life or are you watching other people act out theirs?

2 :: The last thing you read for self-development was the Highlights for Children magazine at your kid’s dentist appointment (AKA: You have an Amazon book queue 10 miles long that’s sucking up dust faster than a top-of-the-line Dyson)-

Have you ever said to a friend that you love to read but you simply don’t have the time? Well, Gorgeous, I have news for you. Successful people make the time.

Expanding your beliefs and thought patterns will absolutely transform the way you show up in your life. And this change requires knowledge, reflection, and implementation. If you want to serve- to create a global platform for change- it begins with the information and concepts that you feed your mind.

If you have time to get on Facebook, you have time to pick up a book (or a Kindle) and start nourishing the creative space that will allow you to bring your dreams to fruition.

3 :: Your goals see about as much action as a 15-year-old boy in any locker room around the world lying to his friends about how he hooked up with that gorgeous, slightly older Canadian chick he met on his family’s summer vacation (AKA: You’re all talk, heavy breathing, fumbling zippers… and no follow-through)-

You want to make a resounding impact in our world? You want amazing connection and intimacy in all of your relationships? You want the freedom to live life on your own terms? Well, Darlin, it begins with your ability to not only come up with amazing ideas but to actually do something about them.

This is you putting your dreams on the line. This is you saying no to your fears and yes to your results. This- THIS- is how you succeed. In business. In love. In health. In prosperity. In life.

You absolutely must learn how to follow through on the things that you say you want. No more starting and stopping. No more listening to other people’s opinions of how you should live your life. No more succumbing to resistance. Your commitment cannot be negotiable. The life of your dreams depends on it.

Well, Love, that’s it in a paradigm-shifting, momentum-building, world-igniting nutshell. 3 simple things that can change your future. So. What will you decide? To watch or live? To give in or commit?

I’m pretty sure I know the answer. Here’s to becoming your own gladiator.

It’s a Sign is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from this feature.

Nikka Karli, The Embodiment Expert (Founder of Turned On Life™) is a writer, yoga teacher, and life and business coach. She consults with Creative Visionaries who want to create a thriving, location-independent business, guiding them to embody the person they need to become in order to create the life they desire.

Download her free guide on adding pleasure to your business and get on the notification list for her highly-anticipated "Becoming Extraordinary" program!

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