• WHAT’S NEW

  My Daily Dose

  Motivational Books
  • “You Were Born Rich”
  Author: Bob Proctor
  • “Put Your Dream To The Test”
  Author: John C. Maxwell

  Events/Workshops/
  Sponsorships

  • 2bempowered's corporate workshops
  • 40 day Inner Mean Girl Cleanse for free

  Look For Weekly Additions

• Recent Posts

  • Divorce: Estate Planning & Insurance
  • Checking Up On Your Advisor Is A Click Away
  • Enjoy This Labour Day Weekend
  • Suggestions on improving your posture!
  • This Can Save Someone’s Life… Please watch video

• Join our Email List

  Email Address *
  

  First Name
  

  Last Name
  

  * = required field
• 
  Subscribe in a reader

I am launching the Financial Blog — Yeah! I am really excited about this for it has been in the works for a while. The Financial system has been challenged and is breaking down. This will allow us to create one built on authenticity, integrity, empowering and sharing rather than greed and manipulation. One relationship in particular being challenged is our relationship to money and abundance. We need to move away from fear towards love and trust.
Take a look at what this blog is intended to be and do!

Buying into the fear
I know that there are some who have been affected by the economic times – loss of job, home or even both. The media is constantly reminding us of the downturn – putting fear into us.

I choose not to buy into this. It does not mean that I close my eyes to what is happening. It just means that I look at it from a different perspective.

I walk my talk and when I do not I am reminded of it in many different ways: some physical things happen to me, other times it is emotional and spiritual. I decided to sell my house. When I announced this the first thing that people wanted to tell me is what a horrible time it is to sell my house and the market is terrible. I really had to tune these people out. I set my price and chose my agent. He is someone I knew beforehand and I chose him for his authenticity and integrity (yes believe it or not agents can have those qualities). I had a lot of interest right away almost to the point of an offer. The couple decided not to put an offer in and I had to go within, calm myself and really trust that the universe will provide.
I have talked about abundance and it does not always come in the way, shape or form that we think. I did get an offer and it took some negotiation however I did walk away with nearly the price I wanted to net. The interesting thing is that I will make up the small difference though another way: likely when I purchase my new home and second by reducing my current mortgage.
I didn’t listen to all those people out there — I trusted in myself, the process and the universe.
My work is about empowerment and I was able to put it to practice with a guy that I am dating. He lost his job, a very senior bank position. The first thing I did was to tell him to stop listening to others, the media and his self doubt. Because of his length of service he received a good package. This allowed him to relax for the first month and then we set to work. First we worked on his resume — the so what? of you. The final product was very impressive. He then called in all of his contacts. It was a road and there are many times I had to hold his “light” for him. Nearly six weeks later he has been hired by a company that he really likes, in a job that he loves and he is in a great financial position. He found out that there were 25 candidates, they were down to 2 and then he was added as the third and he got the job.
What is my point: there are jobs being lost and there are jobs being filled. If you are one to go through a loss of some sort I ask that you look it as one door closing and another one opening. We do not always know how the universe works – again we need to trust.
I am so excited to share my empowerment work in a 4 series workshop. See for more details .

Click here.
It is about baby steps. I know for this is how I am living my life right now. With all the changes going on I am not sure I would make it through this time otherwise. I also remember to laugh and enjoy life. That in itself is abundance.
All my love,

Sandra

I was out with a friend the other day and we started to talk about money. We have no problem for this has been her family’s line of business for decades – her father, sister, husband and brother are all in the financial field.
We began to talk about her two boys – one 8 year old and the other 14 year old. The younger one likes to save all his money. He does not like to go into his bank account. The older one likes to spend.
It is my belief that we need a balance. Money is a tool and a form of exchange; it is how we pay for things. It is meant to flow.
I am putting together a program that looks at your relationship and feeling towards money for this is the starting place. It is likely that you have taken on your parents’ or an adults’ opinion of money. In order to create a healthy relationship with money it may mean breaking a cycle or belief system. Then we can move onto the basics of money, terms, budgeting, etc.
It’s time to take responsibility about your financial future.
Take a look at the new blog: Financial Empowerment.
All my best,

Sandra

I received a call from a friend who asked if I can speak to their girlfriend who had really spiraled down to a dark place. I too have been in that place before and I know how lonely and sad it can be. I agreed and today I can say that this woman has made some remarkable growth and awareness about herself and her life.

Her name is Dvorah and she is here to share her tale:

“Don’t Stop Believing … in Yourself”

So Here I am 8 years after my fairytale wedding, now looking down the rancid throat of what I’m expecting to be an ugly divorce!

My husband decided to leave me, my 5 year old daughter and 9 day old son (at the time) in the middle of post partum, breast feeding problems, c-section complications, dance lessons, and school recitals. Over the course of my marriage, I permitted this man to rip apart my self-esteem and self-confidence, to obliterate my independence and to massacre my faith in humanity. I was in a dark hole with no inclination of hot to get out. As far as the “light at the end of the tunnel”, what tunnel and is there a light?!!
Growing up I was taught that when life got rough I was to put on a brave face, do not trouble anyone with my problems and never ever let the world know that my life was anything but perfect. I can’t begin to recount how many times I heard the words, “you need to pick yourself up by your boot straps and move on” or “just get over it…shake it off’” or my all time personal favorite, “suck it up princess”. These little colloquialisms may be sound advice for some of life pitfalls but for me in my current situation I believe that one needs a more substantial arsenal of support in order to effectively heal oneself.

I’ll never forget the conversation I had with my parents when I told them that my husband had begun to physically abuse me. I thought for sure they would have jumped on the next flight out of Miami to be by my side. My mother asked me, “what did you do to make his so angry?” and my father chimed in with “at least he didn’t put you in the hospital!” Both remarked that I had to make the relationship work at whatever the cost and that I wasn’t a kid anymore and I can’t just runaway when things get rough. After I hung up the phone I was catatonic with heart break and total devastation…but I digress.
As side from worrying about how I would take care of my children financially, how I would mend a broken heart, body and soul and how to be the type of mother my children needed and deserved, I am also haunted by the fear of choosing a similar type of man, like my husband, once I was ready for another relationship. After all, I selected an abusive man once, what’s to say that I wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

I’ve shared this fear with friends and family looking for some semblance of positive reinforcement. However, the most common response I get is “forget about guys and make your children the centre of your life.” I’ve contemplated these words too many times than I care to admit and I have to say that I take offense to this advice. First, how could they possibly imply that my children aren’t always the centre of my life and second, until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes….!! It has been 2 years since I have been involved with anyone, that’s 24 months or 104 weeks or 730 days (if you’d prefer) without any type of love, affection, intimacy or companionship. This doesn’t include the time spent in my marriage where I was void of the same.

I should also mention that this advice came from people who didn’t hesitate to call me on a Monday morning to tell me about their hot and sexy weekend they had just had with their boyfriend or husband. Like I said, until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes!! The bottom line is that if I feel that I am ready to welcome someone into my life, then I have to take responsibility for what would come next. The one thing that I have realized….no let me rephrase that… the one thing that I have had to drum into my head is that the first and most important love affair I need to have is one where I love and cherish myself. And this is where the healing part of my journey has begun.

I have been truly blessed to have a handful of wonderfully supportive friends who have been seeing me through this nightmare. I am absolutely fortunate to be able to add Sandra Finkelstein to that special group of people. I am so excited and grateful that she will be assisting me on the path of healing and self-discovery. Recently I had had a 20 minute session with Sandra and in what felt like just minutes, I had a most significant break through. It felt as though the world had been lifted from my shoulders and I felt great.

The true confirmation of this came that very afternoon when I went to pick up my daughter from school. Usually she would greet me with a hug and “what’s up Mom?!” But on this particular afternoon, she came out of her classroom and when she saw me, she stopped dead in her tracks. She gingerly walked over to where I was standing and said “mom, what’s going on…you’re smiling?!” Well that was enough for me. I know I have a lot of work that needs to be done but for the first time in what feels like a lifetime; I can actually visualize the “light at the end of the tunnel”.

Well, that’s my story so far and I’ll keep you posted as things progress. The only bit of advice I feel qualified to give is this point, and I quote one of my favorite 80’s bands, is … “Don’t stop believing”… especially in yourself!

Bye for now!

I am sure that many of you have been hearing about Susan Boyle, the 47 year old from Scotland who “wowed” Simon on Britains Got Talent. It took her 47 years to finally realize her dream — to sing in front of a large audience! She has an incredible voice and I believe it is her physical, her looks, that people only saw for so long. Thank goodness people have been able to see past this and “HEAR/SEE” her unbelievable voice. She is an inspiration to never give up even when people tell you otherwise. You can go to and find the Susan Boyle video of her singing.

All my best,

Sandra

I mentioned the full moon last week. I have been feeling off for the last two weeks. While I have been on this journey for a while it is still amazing to me that we can refer back to our old selves so easily. The good news is that we move out of things, situations, feelings, more quickly.  Last week I was listening to the “chatter” in my head, my ego, and started to question myself – DOUBT. I honoured it; I did free flow writing and burnt it; I cried, yelled and slept from exhaustion.  Then I felt a little better. I realized that while so many of my layers in this area have been stripped away I still have more to go.  Also, I am human and need to deal with the emotion when it arises so that I can honour it, deal with it and then release it.

Picked up a good book …  I had this book sitting by my bed and picked it up. It was sent to me by a friend.  It’s called, This Time I DANCE! Trusting the Journey of Creating the Work You Love by Tama J. Kieves.  I am half way through it and loving it. It is her journey and story about graduating from Harvard Law School, practicing and finding herself empty. She decided to leave it all and follow her heart and passion, writing.  People, her family and friends (those closest to us care about us!), thought she was crazy however she began to move away from fear and embrace love and her passion and believe in herself.  I recommend that you read this book. It will inspire and empower you to be true to you.  

I also wanted to share with you the continued journey of my friend, Donna Sirianni. She sent me a clip that I want to share with you. She is another one who is following her passion. Take a look at her documentary: www.mywishthemovie.com

I want you to know that the path and journey brings challenges for us all, some more and some less nonetheless there are moments of doubt and questioning and then REMEMBERING WHO WE ARE.  How exciting. 

I was yelled at by my business coach for she said I was “steam rolling” through life just trying to get things done. I started to feel overwhelmed and stressed to the point I was losing joy in what I do. I love what I do — empowering women on their path. I took my eye off the path and focused too much on the goals. I stopped, took account and then refocused and have returned to my path. I know and believe that I will reach women all over the world and I thank you for assisting me in this!

All my love,

Sandra

I am so excited to share these two sites with you for it has to do with GIRL POWER. For some families it has been the breaking of cycles, for others there has been a strong leadership role from mother to daughter and for some it is plainly someone saying I believe in you — you can do it.

The first site www.girlimpact.com was started by one woman and 12 children. Learn about the founders, their initiatives, and become part of this “team” and see yourself grow.

The second site is www.dove.ca and see what Dove Canada is doing with girls and self-esteem. It all begins with loving yourself. There is a “sleep over” on May 2, 2009. Go to the site and see the details!

Go for it!

Sandra

I wanted to share this with you for if you can learn this at a young age you will do well! Patience is not about time and space – it is about learning to let things unfold as they are meant to. For me it is letting go of the expectation and trusting in the process – selling my house, finding a good school for my boys, or whatever it is.
Some of you are finished University for the year and might be looking for a job or what you will do in the summer.  Decide what you like, meet people who may be able to open doors or introduce you to someone who may give you more information. Just stay open to the possibilities for I know that when I have gotten or get so stuck on a goal I lost site of other opportunities that come my way.  
Enjoy the journey.

Have a great holiday if you are celebrating.  Be grateful for all that is in your life: food on the table, roof over your head, clothes on your back, family and friends that support you.
All my best,

Sandra

Today is the full moon and I can tell you that this moon has affected myself and some friends greatly. So, if you felt like crying, laughing, screaming or some other emotion do not worry you were not alone. I have also been feeling very drained. I am glad that the shift to a new moon is happening as I am beginning to feel better today.
The holidays are upon us for many – Passover for some and Easter for many. Whatever your degree or level of observing I wish each and everyone and their families a wonderful holiday.  I know for me I am more traditional however I always love being with my family and watch my children and their cousins play together.
I have been doing a lot of free flow writing and burning to release this emotional phase as well as yoga, pilate, cardio and breathing.
I am grateful for all that is in my life, including you!  Enjoy this weekend!

All my best,

Sandra

http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html  - This YouTube is incredible. It is about a man who is “dis-abled” to many however he has overcome his fears and embraced life despite his challenges.  See how this man encourages young kids to never give up hope. If he can do it so can you.

All my best,

 

Sandra

I do pilate every Thursday with Bonnie.  She is an incredible teacher with a core that can rival any 20 year-old.  Bonnie is a mother figure to me.  We have so many great conversations about our experiences and awareness.  She tells me I am wise beyond my years and I say, “thank you” and please know that you have taught me as much or more as well.

Today before class on the cardio machines we were talking about a play that she saw about a woman set in the post-feminist era however she was stuck in a time warp, pleasing and catering to her husband. This woman has an opportunity to go to Greece (I believe it was Greece!) for two weeks with another girl friend, all expenses paid. She hems and haws for she knows her husband will not like this however in the end she goes!

What she finds on this trip is HERSELF.  She remembers who she is. WOW. Bonnie turned to me on the cardio machine and said, “In life, I just want to be authentic, my true self” and I could not agree more.
On this journey it is really about remembering who we are and yes, it does take baby steps. 

I asked Bonnie to write an article about her own awareness in life and to share it. Please enjoy. I love this woman!

All my best,
Sandra
———– 

One of the most debilitating aspects of living with chronic anxiety, is the inability to enjoy “the moment”, due to an incessant nagging worry about what “could” happen in the near or distant future. Instead of sighing with pleasure at the sight of a beautiful flower, or feeling totally heard after a meaningful conversation, or even relaxing completely with a great book of fiction, that constant companion, dread, is ever-present and ready to make itself felt, full force, at just a nano-second’s notice. All that’s needed is the right trigger, and those are readily available in our material world- a newscast, a friend’s story, an irrational thought, a fictional TV program. It doesn’t take much to start the downward spiraling into motion- that combination of catastrophic thoughts, and the accompanying unpleasant physical sensations.

 So of course the important question to ponder is: how does one break this constant cycle of trigger and reaction, one that is draining and depressing, and instead, re-jig the emotional neurons to behave in a more satisfactory manner!

 This, then, has been my mission, and my journey, for the last year, and I am happy to report, that I have achieved a modicum of success! Undoubtedly, this is a slow and often painful process, as the roller-coaster of life events and pre-programmed reactions, are a powerful force to reckon with. To this end, I have borrowed the strategies of Ekhart Tolle, and have begun to practice, in daily doses, his recommendations for embracing the “power of now” Once I was able to see the logic and benefit of focusing most of my energies on what is occurring right at this moment, I was then able to unfixate from all of the future “unknowns” A simple mantra, “it is what it is”, can be repeated several times, until the rational message replaces the irrational worry. Along with conscious breathing, this often will do the trick, at least allowing for some calming moments, which in turn brings the ability to think more clearly. Of course, I am not successful every time I employ these methods, but I am banking on that old precept, “practice makes perfect!”

 A further addition to my practice has been the use of a daily meditation period. I am actually at the point at which I look forward to this solitary, quiet time, and feel that it can only bring some lasting positive results. During the give-or-take twenty minutes of practice, I focus on breathing deeply, allowing thoughts to drift by without engaging them, and mindfully being aware of words that help me to remain calm and relaxed.

 I feel very fortunate that I have been blessed with the ability to embrace a conscious mode of existence, coupled with the meeting of some very special individuals who have encouraged me during the course of my journey. I believe that we are drawn to the place in which we will find love and support, and this has certainly been the case for me.

 I am fascinated by the extent to which the human form can evolve- it is a never-ending quest, and I intend to pursue this journey until the end of my time in this life. I will always feel, I believe, that my existence has been meaningful, and I will always be aware of striving to achieve the greater good for both myself, as well as others.