Tag: life

Posted in Intentional lifestyle

The Transitions in Life

Posted on by Coach Cher

The Transitions in Life

For something new to begin, an old part of ourselves must sometimes end.

Growth often necessitates the transformation of our inner selves, a process that, while natural and vital, can be painful, confusing, or disorienting. These feelings of confusion and disorientation frequently signal an internal shift, a phenomenon common throughout human life as we progress from infancy through various stages of development. Each transition requires us to bid farewell to a former identity, the self we cultivated for that specific period.

These identities can be deeply intertwined with relationships or careers, and when an internal shift occurs, these external aspects of our lives may become unsettled. A closer examination of these surface-level changes often reveals a deeper, internal metamorphosis. For instance, we might spend a significant chapter of our lives constructing a protective shell to heal from past trauma. 

However, a time may come when this very shell feels restrictive and confining, prompting a desire to move beyond the sanctuary it once provided. The growing part of ourselves cannot thrive within the boundaries of the old self’s protective structure.

The process of shedding an old self and embracing a new identity can evoke a paradoxical blend of exhilaration and sadness. We can find inspiration in observing animals that molt or shed, making way for new skin, fur, or feathers. Keeping a symbol of transformation, such as a duck feather, can serve as a potent reminder that death and rebirth are inherent to nature’s evolutionary design. 

By surrendering to this process, we can release our past selves with love and gratitude, and with an open mind and heart, welcome the new, preparing for the next chapter of our lives.

Here are 5 simple rituals to help facilitate your new chapter of life:

1. Light & Let Go

  • Write down on small slips of paper the habits, regrets, or fears they want to release.
  • Place them in a bowl, safely burn them (or tear/shred them if fire isn’t an option), and say out loud: “I let this go and make space for what’s next.”
  • End by lighting a candle to symbolize illumination and fresh beginnings.

2. Threshold Walk

  • Have yourself stand in a doorway, imagining the side behind you as your past and the side in front as your future.
  • Step through slowly while affirming: “I step fully into my next chapter with courage and openness.”
  • This physical act of crossing creates a sense of transition.

3. Gratitude Release

  • At night, write down three things from the closing chapter that you are grateful for—people, lessons, or experiences.
  • Place the list in a small box or jar as a “memory capsule.”
  • This honors the past while making emotional room for new experiences.

4. Vision Seed Ritual

  • Provide yourself with flower or herb seeds. Before planting, have them speak their intentions into the soil (e.g., “I plant hope, growth, and love for this new chapter.”).
  • As the plant grows, it becomes a living reminder of their new beginnings.

5. Morning Reset Breath

  • Each morning for a week, step outside, close your eyes, and take three deep breaths:
    • Inhale: “I welcome the new.”
    • Hold: “I am present in this moment.”
    • Exhale: “I release what no longer serves me.”
  • This simple daily ritual grounds them in renewal and readiness.

Here’s to new beginnings, Coach Cher

Posted in Intentional lifestyle

Holding The Line

Posted on by Coach Cher

Title: Holding the Line: How We Save When Everything’s on the Line

It starts with a sigh at the grocery store, standing over a cart that’s a little lighter than usual. The cashier smiles kindly, but behind that smile is another mother doing her own math—calculating the price of dignity in a world that keeps raising the cost. You clip the coupons, stretch every dollar, and trade brand names for store labels, not because you want to—but because you must. Because your kids need milk. Your parents need their medication. And there’s not a luxury to be found, only survival.

The fridge is no longer just an appliance. It’s a battleground of love and sacrifice. Dinner isn’t just a meal—it’s a prayer you stretch with canned beans, rice, and frozen vegetables. You skip meals so your children won’t notice there’s less. You fill your pantry with wisdom from your grandmother, who taught you how to make soup out of bones and hope. She made it through the Great Depression, and now, with every bite, you remember her hands and her strength.

And now it’s not just your kids you’re holding up—your parents are slipping through the cracks too. The messages come in emails with cold words: “Medicaid eligibility review.” You sit with your mom, now frail and trembling, as you fill out forms that feel more like trials than help. You plead with bureaucracies while worrying whether you’ll have to choose between insulin and electricity.

SNAP benefits are being cut for families like yours. It feels like someone is tightening a belt around your soul. But you don’t crumble. You stretch meals, plant tomatoes in coffee cans, and teach your children to find joy in the little things: the smell of warm bread, the power of sharing a single apple.

You hold your head up at the food bank, because there is no shame in feeding your family. You trade recipes with other mothers and grandmothers in parking lots, exchange budgeting hacks, and swap winter coats at community centers. Because we are all in this together.

You cut out takeout, make your own cleaning supplies, repair instead of replace, and teach your children that being rich isn’t about money—it’s about heart, grit, and sticking together.

To every family fighting for their kids, their elders, and their dignity, know this:

~We will survive this.
 We come from people who faced breadlines and dust bowls, who turned their last pennies into the foundation for something better. They didn’t give up, and neither will we.

~This moment will not break us.
 We are the descendants of resilience. We are the children of those who made it through the darkness of the 1930s with strength stitched into every thread of their being.

~We will survive—because that’s what we do.
 We endure. We fight. We rise.

And when the history books write about this era, they’ll say:
“They came together. They gave what they could. They made it through.”

Just like before.
Just like always.
Together.

Peace & Harmony, Coach Cher

Posted in Home Design

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.”

Posted on by Coach Cher

By creating space for profound healing and renewal, we clear away what no longer serves us.

Life can throw unexpected events at us that leave a lasting impression, such as the death of a loved one, a sudden epiphany, or an instant that changes everything. We may find ourselves reflecting on these events for years to come.

These defining moments can ground us, reminding us of our reality and what is truly important. Although we may try to forget these memories as we move forward, they can still weigh heavily upon us.

Repressed emotions don’t disappear; they can manifest unexpectedly as mental exhaustion, emotional outbursts, or even a disorganized living space.

Creating space, both mentally and physically, is a crucial step toward achieving profound healing and renewal. This process allows us to delve deep within ourselves and confront the aspects of our lives that no longer contribute positively to our well-being. By actively identifying and releasing these burdens, we create room for growth, transformation, and the cultivation of a more authentic and fulfilling existence.

The act of letting go can be challenging, as we often hold onto things, both tangible and intangible, out of familiarity, fear, or a false sense of security. However, what we fail to acknowledge is that what we bury within ourselves doesn’t simply disappear; it often resurfaces in unexpected and potentially harmful ways. Unexpressed emotions, unresolved traumas, and limiting beliefs can manifest as physical ailments, emotional distress, and self-destructive behaviors.

By creating space, we allow ourselves to confront these hidden aspects of ourselves with compassion and understanding. This process may involve therapy, journaling, meditation, or other forms of self-reflection. It may also involve decluttering our physical spaces, letting go of toxic relationships, or changing unhealthy habits.

The goal is not to erase our past or to deny our experiences, but rather to integrate them into a more holistic understanding of ourselves. By acknowledging and releasing what no longer serves us, we create space for new experiences, new relationships, and new possibilities. We open ourselves up to the flow of life and allow ourselves to be guided by our intuition and our inner wisdom.

TRY THIS!

“THE STORY, THE LESSON, THE LETTING GO” Activity

Purpose:
 To help clients honor the emotional connection to an item without needing to keep the physical object.

📝 What You’ll Need:

  • A journal or printed worksheet
  • A pen or marker
  • A camera or phone (optional)

🌟 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose One Sentimental Item
 Pick one item that feels meaningful but may no longer fit your life or space.

2. Write the Story
 Ask: “What memory or emotion is tied to this item?”
 Have them write a few sentences (or talk it out if journaling isn’t their thing).

Example:
 “This was my grandmother’s teacup. She used to pour me mint tea in this cup when I was a kid, and we’d sit and talk.”

3. Find the Lesson or Legacy
 Ask: “What has this item taught you or reminded you about yourself or your life?”

Example:
 “It reminds me how important quiet moments and connection are. I want more of that in my current life.”

4. The Letting Go
 Options:

  • Take a photo of the item to keep the memory.
  • Create a small memory box or digital album with the photo and story.
  • Gently release the item with intention.

Say out loud (or write):
“Thank you for the memory. I carry your story with me, not your shape.”

✅ Why This Works:

  • It respects the emotion, rather than denying it.
  • It shifts focus from the object to the experience.
  • It gently empowers decision-making by turning guilt into gratitude.

Peace & Harmony, Cheryl