My Sisters

I've just spent two weekends, each with one of my wonderful, wacky sisters. Unfortunately, we couldn't coordinate the visits to Maine so we'd all be together, yakking into the wee hours of the morning, tooling around the coast, sharing secrets, boating, walking, recreational eating, shopping, cooking, jewelry hunting, clothes swapping, laughing and more yakking. 

Maybe it's the aging process, but as we all get older there's an increased sense of tenderness, compassion, and acceptance of each other, as well as a deeper appreciation of our bond. We no longer take each other for granted. We know full well what a blessing it is to have loving family. If you too are fortunate enough to have sisters (or brothers, for that matter), I hope you too cherish them.

"My sisters and I, friends are we, Best of friends we'll always be"

Author: Unknown

Cheers,

Susan Lager

"How Love Is Not Enough" Blogtalk Radio show tonight, 8/15 8:30 PM!

Don't miss my Blogtalk Radio show tonight at 8:30 PM! I'll be discussing
the six critical factors to evaluate when looking at how healthy or viable a
relationship may be, and how people often delude themselves, thinking love
alone will get them through. Here's news for you:
love is not enough!!!!

Call in toll-free at 877-497-9046 to be able to join me live on the air with
questions or comments or stories. I welcome all of it!
If you can't make the live show, simply catch the recording at:
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/SusanLager

Olympic Effort In Everyday Life

For the past several days I've been glued to the Olympics on TV, along with millions of other people all over the world. My husband and I have been cheering and shrieking at the displays of courage, endurance, grace, power, and agility in the summer games in London.
Mostly, I never cease to be amazed by the sheer force of will demonstrated by these athletes, how they push past the threat of horrible injuries, public humiliation, defeat, and the instant loss of their dreams. I've decided that they can teach the rest of us regular humans a thing or two, very applicable to ordinary, everyday life:

1. Keep plugging away at your goals or dreams day by day. Daily practice builds new neural pathways, moving you closer toward mastery with every effort.
2. Envision your dreams or goal clearly, as though it's happening now. The imagining provides a form of mental "practice" vital for success, and reminds you about your motivation.
3. Line up your actions with your goals. Ask yourself if what you're doing daily or weekly moves you closer to your destination. If not, make necessary adjustments.
4. Get a "coach," either literally, or in the form of supportive friends and family who will support you and give you critical feedback about your progress. You can't succeed at most things in a vacuum.
5. Create a "team." Find likeminded people who may share your dreams, and understand the anguish you feel when you fail. They'll speak your language.
6. Practice daily, diligent self care. Get away from all or nothing stances, do the best you can with the time and energy you have. Remember that rest is also an important part of the picture.
7. Monitor your thinking and be vigilant about self defeating or dark thoughts. They have a way of becoming self-fulfilling. If you give up, do it for a bit, and then get back in the game. Be kind to yourself. Congratulate yourself and enjoy your successes.

Remember, olympic effort can only move you closer to a medal of one kind or another.

Cheers,

Susan Lager

Love Is Not Enough!

For all of you hopeless romantics out there who think that love conquers all, I have news for you - it's a delusion. Love is not enough!!

If you've been in a relationship where you excuse various kinds of chronic disrespectful, unkind or unfair behaviors, "because deep down
I know he (she) loves me," then I would recommend that you stop and examine a few critical things very closely.

For a limited time, I'll be offering one hour phone consultations 
to be used in conjunction with my latest original article, "Love Is Not Enough." We'll explore the six major factors which may help you decide if you are wasting precious time, hope, and energy in a dead relationship, or whether there's a happier pulse which can be amplified.

Contact me by email at: Couplesctr@gmail.com or simply call my office at:
603-431-7131 for information about pricing and availability.

Cheers,
Susan Lager

Tools For Obsessive Thinking, Negative Thoughts And Anxiety!

Tune into my BlogTalk Radio show tonight at 8:30 PM to learn about how to manage the noise in your head. My co-host is Louise Beck, an internationally recognized expert on Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Call in toll-free at 877-497-9046 to join us live on the air with your questions or comments, or catch the show live streaming at: The Couplespeak Relationship Forum

If you're already in bed at that hour, you can catch a recording of the show at the same site later on.
Hope you join us!

Susan Lager

Negative Thoughts? Amazing Change With Mindfulness Based CBT 07/18 by Susan Lager | Blog Talk Radio

Negative Thoughts? Amazing Change With Mindfulness Based CBT 07/18 by Susan Lager | Blog Talk Radio

Call in toll-free 877-497-9046 at 8:30 PM on the 18th to join us live on the air with your questions, comments, or stories. We'd love to hear from you!

If you can't join us live, catch an archived recording of the show at:
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/SusanLager

Looking Through Fresh Eyes

My husband Thom, and I had a great time yesterday "dubbing around" our house and land, fixing things, spiffing things up, and creating more order and beauty. It was very satisfying to get so many little projects completed!
We then had such a feeling of accomplishment, that the next day we rewarded ourselves by boating on our favorite lake all day - just doing nothing.

The thing that sparked the frenzy of activity the first day was the act of looking through fresh eyes at our surroundings. I'll often get great ideas watching HGTV, seeing all the different ways people arrange their homes and yards, especially as they proceed with remodeling or moving. The last few shows made me aware of the beauty and simplicity of hardwood floors, and how we've hidden ours with area rugs. So, looking through fresh eyes, I could see more open, spacious rooms without the carpets. Out went the carpets, and (excuse the pun), but we're both floored by the difference! Sometimes things get stale and we don't even notice it.

Why am I talking about carpets and floors? Because if you do the same thing with all your key relationships, and look at them through fresh eyes, you're likely to see some things differently. You may notice how much reciprocity there really is; how much, and in what ways affection and respect are manifested. With a spouse, take a new look at how much intimacy you're really creating, or how old worn out agreements may still be operating. With parents, notice how the boundaries are honored. Think of this as a kind of refreshing of these connections. Ask yourself what a reasonable outsider might see, where there's room for change, and how you too, looking through fresh eyes, might be able to reshape your relationships.

Cheers,
Susan Lager
P.S.  For articles filled with insights about how to transform your relationships, go to the "Products" page of my website, www.SusanLager.com