Soulful Coach

25 Random Things

On Facebook, they have a 25 Random Things being distributed around.  People want to learn new things about all of their "friend" on facebook.

I was "tagged" and participated even though I do not tend to in these types of things.  Since I did it, I thought I would also post it here.

25 Random Things about Me (Sheila)

1. I’m a Foodie – big time! I love to cook and eat and share a wonderful meal with an intimate group of people. I’m a great cook also! Every Saturday I watch my cooking shows on PBS (much better than cable shows); I especially like the Julia Child clips and Simply Ming!

2.When I’m coaching, I feel as if I am a vehicle for the process. I never feel as if I’m making anything happen. I feel energy coming through me but not necessarily of me. I simply hold the space between us - which is where the magic lives. Coaching NEVER drains me. I feel a sense of awe after every session. How lucky am I?

3. I used to sleep walk. I discovered this at 16 when staying at my friend Cheryl’s Grandma’s house. I woke up in the middle of the night and 1st tried to crawl out of the 2nd story window. Cheryl pulled me in. I then went into her Grandma’s room (who was awake and watching me) and began feeling around the room. I started at the bottom of her bed and felt all the way up her body to her face and felt her face!!! I remember none of this. The next morning Grandma (jokingly) said to me, “I thought it was my boyfriend coming to visit”!!! BTW, I might still be sleep walking… don’t really know…

4. Using the tried and true formula, my porn name WOULD be Smokie Blaine!

5. My fav type of vacation is to be on a lake with a ski boat in a cozy cottage with a huge fireplace. I love to slalom ski at dawn and just before sunset on the smooth glass water.  And, make fantastic meals and eat around the fireplace.

6. I found a dead body in my back yard in Wadsworth, OH. It was someone I knew and it was awful. It was the biggest law enforcement event they had seen at the time. I can say now that I am not as desensitized as I might think from watching violence on TV, movies, etc. because I was in shock and it took me a long time to recover from this – most people can’t imagine what this would be like – actually finding a person dead, laying in your yard…

7. I rode in a charity bike trip 2 years in a row a few years back. I bought a new bike after not having ridden one in hmmm about 15 years and my friend, Nikki, and I trained a whole, whopping 1 day – 12 miles. The course was 150 miles and we did it! It was euphoric, I was emotionally and physically overwhelmed and yet I was blissful all at the same time. I want to ride in the RAGBRI one day.

8. I love camping. With an old boyfriend, we used to camp every weekend in the summer on a lake in southern Ohio. We would fish and ski and just BE camping. I miss it. I haven’t done it now for about 18 years – boo hoo!

9 . I love and instantly connect with anyone who knows and gets Anne of Green Gables. I had a friend who, in an attempt to rid himself of some worldly possessions to which he was very attached, gave away all of his books EXCEPT Anne of GG. I loved him….I wanted to marry him…guess that’s another line item (that I won’t post)!

10. I don’t suffer fools (well)…

11. I’m passionate about functional medicine.

12. My nieces are the most brilliant people I know (as in light shining brilliance).

13. I feel like I really am a kindred spirit to Anne of Green Gables – I feel like I AM Anne sometimes!

14. I have a well-developed introverted intuition (my hero archetype) and it serves me well.

15. One of my most significant teachers is Dorothy Day.

16. Dovstoyeski said, “All my life I have been haunted by God.” I feel this to an extent and I’m searching. It is an interesting journey so far.

17. I meditate every day for at least an hour. This has changed my life. I practice Vipassana and also do chakra and aura healing workshops.

18. I’m studying intuition medicine.

19. Here’s the coolest and scariest thing that ever happened to me: I had a powerful coaching experience in which I was the observer of a coach and client. We were a triad. Something happened that I can’t explain. It was like in a movie where a light shines down on an object (us 3) and envelopes it. There was this blissful energy and it felt like we were in the presence of God. I’m not kidding. And, I was not one to buy into this type of phenomenon. The instructor who was also observing us three and later said it was the most beautiful coaching she had ever witnessed. The client, coach and instructor all said that they believed this could not have happened unless I had been “holding the space” for this to occur. I was freaked out that they even suggested this – it was overwhelming for me. But, there it was…

I later received this note from one of the people involved in this: “I can still picture the three of us in the corner of that light-filled room experiencing something that is beyond words. I can tell you it would not have happened if you had not both been my coach prior to me coaching B… and if it had not been you anchoring that space for us with a totally open mind and soul. I thought most of it had "worn off" by now, but I am getting goose bumps as I write this note.” I don’t like when people use the word amazing because it is SO OVERUSED. However, this was simply “amazing” – no other word can suffice.

20. I find it offensive when a person says they are a “recovering” Catholic. I find this insulting and really just plain stupid.

21. I used to think there was a picture of me in someone’s attic (Dorian Gray) getting old…I don’t think that anymore.

22. Tea – I love it. Like coffee a lot too; however, tea feeds my soul. I collect tea pots. I always wanted to sign up for the once-a-month tea delivery from that tea shop in the mall. Always felt like it would be way too much of an indulgence…

23. I despise Oprah - she is dangerous  – See Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins…

24. I like a small circle of friends for intimate get-togethers. However, I’ve had many friends who have become my “best” friend and now I have a nice size group of best friends in different areas of my life. I am fortunate and grateful.

25. I want to live in Croatia for 3 months. I’m ½ Croatian, my name is Croatian, and I identify with this part of me. I feel like I want to meet “my people" AND I just might meet the man I will marry! Wish me luck…

26. Have to add one more – I never was a big fan of travel; however, there has been a shift for me and it’s all I can think about – where I want to go and what I want to see. I feel reborn and adventurous and curious, actually. Maybe it’s all of the meditation?

27)  Oh another one - this is big - I'm going to have a home that has a dance studio and I want to incorporate dance into my coaching....  Dancing is probably my most favorite thing in the world because it truly is blissful!!  A favorite video:

And there you have it...

Namaste,
Sheila

Happy Birthday, Amy!

                                                                          

Dear Amy,

What at gift it is that you came into my life!  What at gift it is that you walk this world.  I only recently met you and yet you are my kindred spirit! (in the true Anne of Green Gables way!)  Of all the reasons I was drawn to attend the Leadership program, I believe God was sending me to You.  I am forever grateful.  I cannot imagine going through my life without knowing you.

I can remember the first time I heard you speak.  I immediately felt drawn to you and knew I would "know" you.  You speak quietly and with such emotion and love and generosity and strength.  Your heart is gentle and loving and your soul floats in and out of this world.

We both knew we loved "Anne" (with an e) when I referred to you as a kindred spirit.  What a joy it was for me to be able to talk "Anne" with someone! 

Here is what I know to be true about you, my dear Am:

You are loyal and true.  When you are scared, you stand in the moment and don't shy away.  You truly dance in the fire.  And...YOU DANCE! 

You are a gifted therapist and coach; I have learned so much from you.  Thank you.

I will never forget being on the high ropes element, Xylophone, with you.  You wanted to go first and I so did not, because I wanted to see how it was done first!  In retrospect, that probably would have served ME with respect to navigating that thing; however, you knew better what was needed for us in that moment and what we were there to learn.  I'm still sittin here with the, but if....lol!  I wish I had a pic of the Xylophone to post here!  Send me one if you have it!

Here is the biggest thing you have shown (taught) me so far, Am...that people can really argue, disagree, argue more and be mad and still want to love each other and not quit.  There is no quitting in love and commitment...and baseball, of course.

We learned we are both "beauty" types and this resonates for me so.  When I think of Leadership, I will always hold that top spot in my mind for you.

Joyfulness is the feeling I have when I think of you.  It is gleeful and laughing and eating and ...always swinging up side down! 

Speaking of eating...  You get me and the cooking/foodie/eating thing!  I always want to know what someone cooked, ate, prepared, served, enjoyed...I just NEED to know!  I am a foodie in the deepest part of my soul and you "got" that about me.  So, after numerous calls with you when I would start with asking what you had to eat for breakfast or lunch or last night, whatever...eventually, YOU began each conversation with me by simply giving me the lowdown on what you had eaten and what your friends had eaten (which, of course, I also wanted to know).  You would say, "Let's get first things first!"  God, I love you!

What are you eating now, baby?  I hope it is what you love most AND a big piece of cake!  I wish I was there with you now cooking your fav foods (because I am a great cook) and laughing and singing and dancing and wishing - 8 days a week!

I love you Amy Brassert Hankin (and I'm hankin(g) for you).  You are truly a living angel and I don't know how I am so deserving of you.  Yet, I am.  God gave me my own angel on earth.  Can't argue with him.  Not that I wouldn't try!  Have a wonderful Birthday, baby!

I long to see you again.  Until then, I will hold you dearly in my heart and not think of past times with us but of future ones where we will joyfully swing up side down!

Namaste, my dear Amy - I honor the divinity in you as it meets mine.

She

P.S. Tell Gumbo I said Hi!

Birthday Greetings and Other Occasions

Hi All!

Do you love getting birthday cards and greetings?  I know I do!  So, I was thinking....why not post a birthday greeting and tribute on my blog for my friends and colleagues and family.

I'll tell you the wonderful things I know to be true of them and hopefully honor them in this process.  I will welcome your thoughts and please feel free to wish the folks being featured a happy birthday!

I will love to include all who's birthdays I do not yet know...so let me know!!!

This will be fun and a new tradition for me!

The first post will be on Thursday, Dec 11, for a dear friend of mine.  I only met her about a year and a half ago; however, she is my kindred spirit and I am blessed to know her.  Check back on Thursday!

Namaste,

Sheila

Stuffed Cabbage (or as we called it as kids - Pigs in the Blanket)!

I have tried to duplicate the stuffed cabbage that my Croatian aunts used to make and I always fell short in some way.  Do you cook the rice first or not?  Beef AND Pork?  Is it OK if it looks pink? (if you use pork, it will have a pink color).  Well, I think I've finally got it down, perfectly!

Pigs in the Blanket

- Pork and Beef - equal parts
- Rice - any kind - I like to use brown - uncooked
- Sauerkraut with juice - 2 cans or a 1# bag (add as much juice as you would like)
- Tomato Sauce
- Hungarian Paprika and Butter Mixture
- Smoked Sausage - I use Kielbasa
- Water - From cooked cabbage or plain
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Sour Cream

Tip:  You can freeze the head of cabbage and then you don't have to blanch it.

Mix the beef and pork and add as much rice as you would like (remember the rice will expand).  Add salt and pepper.

Roll mixture in cabbage leaves and trim off ends and tuck in.  Save trim to add to the pot.

Alternate layers of cabbage rolls, sauerkraut, sausage in a big pot.  Cover with liquid from cabbage or plain water.  Add about 12 oz of tomato sauce (with chunks of tomato).

Melt about 3 T of butter and add 1 T of paprika.  Add this to pot.

Cook for about 2 hours on the stove on low heat or can be done in the oven.

Top with a dollop of sour cream when serving.  Always goes great with good ole mashed potatoes or spaetzle!

If you try it, let me know what you think!

Sheila