Wednesday's Woman: You Can Be Transformed

One aspect of Wednesday's Woman I cherish is getting to know guest bloggers.  Typically, I find them as inspiring as the women they honor.  Today is no exception.

These are the words from today's guest, Marcia, from Finding Felicity:

Writing has helped me in numerous ways and I hope some of my posts are able to help you feel anything that leads you to peace.  Love, interconnectedness, trust, hope, joy, fulfillment, forgiveness, encouragement, support, on and on.  I'm here for you and appreciate you being there for me.

I am grateful for Marcia's willingness to share the following story.  It is nothing less than inspiring and timely for those who need a little reminder that it's never too late to commit to a New Year's resolution.  It's never too late to commit to life.

Find Felicity at her Blog and follow her on Twitter!

Wednesday's Woman: Kathy Freston

by Felicity

My introduction to this week's Wednesday's Woman was on The Ellen Show. Ellen introduced this woman who was assigned to assist a family change their eating habits to lose weight and feel healthier. Out walked this beautiful blonde woman. She was excited and thrilled to be with this family and showed a genuine enthusiasm for just being there.


A few months later I saw the follow up. The excited mom was talking about how much weight she lost, her energy levels sky rocketed, and her relationship with her daughters and husband was better than ever. Bitterness was a main theme in my life back then so I credited the family's success to a team of helpers (nutritionist, chef, etc...which I'm not sure they had) and the accountability of being on national television. That's the main reason why I didn't seek this woman out. Her joy and energy were convincing but my cynicism was even more convincing.

So fast forward to a year later and I'm at the library. I see a book with a picture of this same woman I saw on Ellen. It's on sale for $2. I begrudgingly buy it. I tell my sister in a snotty voice, "I'm only going to read this if this woman is over 37. I saw her on Ellen and she was transforming a family's lives by their eating habits. She is gorgeous and seemed so happy. Too happy. But who wouldn't be that happy if they are a famous and beautiful star?" I googled her age and she was jaw droppingly older than I thought.

So I read the book. And it changed my life. She transformed me. I am *forever* grateful. 

Your Wednesday's Woman is Kathy Freston. She is a best-selling author and health and wellness expert that has been featured on Oprah, Ellen, The View and many more accredited sources.

She has written a handful of books including, Quantum Wellness, the book that changed my life. An insert from the book,

"Quantum wellness isn't about deprivation and it's not about perfection. It is about pointing yourself in the direction of growth, training yourself to get comfortable with your highest potential, and then taking small steps to support that shift." 

Kathy gives easy steps, suggestions and personal examples on how to gently transform your life. She highlights forgiveness, kindness, and setting intentions. She writes like how a close confidant would speak to you and backs up her advice with scientific facts.

One of the most transforming parts of the book I put into action was a 21 day dietary cleanse. This cleanse assisted in a 43 lbs weight loss due to eliminating emotional eating, knowledge of what different foods did to my system, and tapping into an unbelievable source of clean energy from the improved diet. Not just dietary, Kathy also suggests that while you remove some unhealthy foods you remove clutter from your home (trust me, you will have the energy) and negative and/or deprecating thoughts. Clean body, clean house, clean mind...it is beyond blissful!

Kathy Freston helps you to help yourself, which directly improves every aspect of your life and the lives you touch.

When the opportunity to write a Wednesday's Woman was presented there was no hesitation of who it would be about. I told Kimberly, from Sperk*, I wanted to reread the book just for a refresher. It's amazing to see the changes Kathy speaks about in the welcome as parts of my life now, a year after initially reading it.

If you are interested in purchasing the book, Quantum Wellness, please do so in the Books section of my blog, Give Felicity. Further details at the link explain that all affiliate money will go directly to purchasing the book for others interested in owning it.

You can also sign up for "The Daily Lean" which is a free email From Kathy Freston that is delivered weekdays around 9 am. Not only does she send you inspiration, but also healthy recipes and obscure nutrition information. Each email takes as much time to read as it does to brush your teeth. I guarantee these messages will stay with you longer than the minty taste in your mouth does!

Thank you so much to Sperk* for the opportunity to share Kathy Freston as a Wednesday's Woman. I truly hope she can inspire some of you as she has me.

Leaning into your life: Kathy Freston at TEDxFremont

Wednesday's Woman is a weekly feature dedicated to spotlighting women who are role models for our daughters. . . and the world.



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photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography via photopin cc

Wednesday's Woman: Being of Service

Honoring Seane Corn, yoga instructor and founder of Off the Mat Into the World

Today's guest blogger, Anna Mahler, is a regular contributor to Wednesday's Woman and I also consider her a regular inspiration.  Meaning, her kindness is prevailing--always present, empathetic and aware.

Anna has a passion for self-care and deep self-awareness. She believes staying on the quest of loving oneself makes us capable of loving our children and each other.  I believe she is right.  She has a great ability to shine light on women who are reaching out to help us in the quest for a full, love-filled life, and today is no exception.

Be sure to visit Anna at her space, The Mommy Padawan.  I guarantee you'll be inspired.

Wednesday's Woman: What Being Of Service Truly Means

by Anna Mahler

Off the Mat Into the World

Seane Corn is a well known yoga instructor but also a passionate activist on a mission to bring the principals of yoga – love, compassion and mindfulness, into every part of our lives and the world around us.

At 19, Seane started exploring yoga and discovered that it's benefits go far beyond our physical selves.

“I liked yoga at first because of how it made my body feel, but within a few short years, yoga infiltrated every part of my existence. Because of the practice, I quit smoking, drinking, doing drugs and eating animal products. Because of the practice, I meditate, breathe, pray and serve. Yoga created the foundation that allows me to feel connected to spirit, the world and all her inhabitants.”
Source: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Seane-Corns-First-Lesson-in-Yoga/3#ixzz28RH9oYgu

Seane went on to become a yoga teacher but also began exploring ways she could be of service to Off The Mat, Into The World. In 2007,  she co-founded the non-profit organization with the same name along with Hala Khouri and Suzanne Sterling. 

Off the Mat Into the World

others that aligned with her principals and personal beliefs. Inspired after working with YouthAIDS, an organization that provides services and products to children worldwide who are affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis, Seane came up with the slogan -

Off The Mat’s mission is to use the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and ignite grassroots social change.

From the very start, OTM has been active and successful in bringing the values and benefits of yoga to exactly what they state – off the mat and into the world around us today. 

Four years ago, a private client asked Seane to create a lounge at the Democratic National Convention. This became a place for people to relax in between sessions; offering yoga, massages, healthy food and meditation. After receiving a positive response as well as requests for more involvement,  OTM created their recent initiative, YogaVotes. It is an initiative to get people involved but to also bring love, compassion and connection in to politics and political discussions.

Off The Mat also partners with organizations all over the world to help create and provide safe medical and birthing centers, housing, education and training programs and raise awareness of global issues for change. One way they accomplish this is through a yearly challenge they call the Global Seva Challenge.

“Each year, Off the Mat (OTM) sponsors an international service project called the Global Seva Challenge. The Seva Challenge is a transformational journey that builds community, provokes awareness and action around global issues, and raises significant funds to support communities in crisis. Since 2007, the Seva Challenge has raised over two million dollars for projects in Cambodia, Uganda, South Africa and Haiti. In 2012 the Seva Challenge will be focused on the issue of sex trafficking in India and worldwide. “
(Source - http://www.offthematintotheworld.org/global-seva-challenge.html)

Raising awareness, providing refuge, sharing knowledge and encouraging compassion, mindfulness and love. To me, this is what “being of service to others” truly means and an awesome example of walking the walk and living the principals of what you believe. 

You can learn more about Off The Matt at http://www.offthematintotheworld.org/

And more about Seane Corn at http://www.seanecorn.com/



Wednesday's Woman is a weekly feature dedicated to spotlighting women who are role models for our daughters. . . and the world.

10 Fictional Facts about Me

One of these fictional facts about me is true.  Can you guess which one?

1.  I wear a size 2.

2.  I exercise daily for 60 minutes.

3.  I practice Transcendental Meditation.

4.  I love vegetables.

5.  I can read my teenager's mind.

6.  I am very confident.

7.  I once won the lottery and gave it all to charity.

8.  I have perfect skin.

9.  I know you love me.

10. I have no interest in NASCAR.

I love Monday Listicles! This is true!

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Women, If Romney Wins, We Should Be Very, Very Afraid

According to yesterday’s USA Today, Mitt Romney is leading in the polls with women voters.  I am against using scare tactics in the media in order to gain votes.  You know, those messages from both presidential campaigns that in essence say, “If you vote for my opponent you should be very, very afraid because THIS will happen.” (Insert your own frightening scenario in place of the word “this”).  Those statements are usually misleading and are put out there in hopes that one doesn't actually research the issue, finding what could really happen.   It’s the hope that the voter makes a decision based on fear and not fact.

BUT. . .

Women, if Romney wins, we should be very, very afraid. 

I am not talking about the economy, which is the reason women are moving towards Romney’s side.  I do not think either side has a great plan.  Besides, it’s such a giant issue, the fix is too large in scope for the average American voter to understand.  The candidates know this.  Their campaigns focus on giving us the information that merely sounds good.

The reason women voters should be afraid of Romney is for fear of losing the right to take care of their own bodies.  Even if one thinks the economy, or employment outlook, would be better with Romney in office, if he wins, our daughters lose.  Better jobs for our daughters doesn't equate to better choices for their bodies.

I am not pro-abortion, but I am pro-choice.  The minute the abortion laws are modified, which Romney will do, options for our daughters’ health decrease.  No, I do not want my daughters to have abortions, but I want them to have the right to affordable reproductive health care, which in some cases, only Planned Parenthood can provide. 

Romney may sound better for the economy, but with him in office, the type of economic freedom required to take care of an unwanted pregnancy is only available if you have access to Romney’s personal bank account.   Unless your daughter is going to suddenly fall into a large inheritance, with Romney in office, she won’t be able to afford, or have the choice to take care of herself. Whatever your religious or political convictions are, you can't deny your daughter's right to be healthy.

Obama and Romney: Where They Stand on Abortion

via Newsday

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A Very Informal Wednesday's Woman

It’s my birthday!

I love birthdays—celebrating the anniversary of the day of my arrival onto the planet as a being no longer requiring life support from her mother’s womb.  It’s an important day.  It means this:   I am meant to be here.  And for that reason alone, I should live well, celebrate life, contemplate making it better, take action, and so on.

As a birthday present for myself, I am quitting smoking.  Smoking is gross.  It kills.  It’s socially unacceptable, which makes me a shameful outcast.  It’s a vice I use to stuff feelings and escape.  It’s … well…

Heart Disease is the number one killer of women in America.

It’s Wednesday!

I thought about honoring myself for Wednesday’s Woman because it’s my birthday.  My judgmental inner-coach told me that would seem very prideful and vain. 

On second thought, maybe not.

Hmmm….

Today’s Wednesday’s Woman is every woman who has ever stopped smoking!

For more interesting reading, check out last week’s Wednesday’s Woman, by Anna Mahler, spotlighting Christy Turlington Burns who is a former smoker and founder of Smoking is Ugly.

Another interesting read about women and hot off the press is from Forbes: The World's 100 Most Powerful Women 2012. 

I didn’t make the list.  But Forbes hasn't figured out just how powerful I am.  I will give them a few years.

Enjoy your day!

Wednesday's Woman is a weekly feature spotlighting women who are positive role models for our daughters and the world. . .

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