Death Comes Knocking, Whether We’re Ready or Not

From the desk of Crystal Andrus:

A few weeks ago, I attended a funeral for my friend’s father. He died a massive heart attack (I accidentally first wrote “massive heartache”).

There was no time to say “Good-bye”, “I’m sorry” or “Let’s get it right.”

It has made me think about some of the people in my own life; people who I wish I had a better relationship with, who I pray would meet me halfway, and who I know I will be sad that I couldn’t . . . or didn’t . . . find resolution with before their passing (even if I go first).

* * *

Death touches us all, in so many different ways. It can teach us so many lessons—most that we already intellectually know but still need to apply. (Although I don’t believe the lessons are for the closest family members, who are in deep grieving; I wouldn’t dream of sharing these thoughts with them.)

But here are some of the lessons that I’d ask the rest of us to ponder today: Continue reading

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Put Me Back Together

From the desk of Crystal Andrus:

This week’s radio show opens with this simple thought: “No one is coming to save you. But the good news is, you can save yourself.” At once devastating and liberating, it is the proclamation we need to hear so we can stop blaming people for where we are, and finally stop waiting for a grand ship to come and pluck us out of misery. When we can accept that our lives are our own, we can begin repairing our rafts and making them strong enough to sail the seas of life.

Today’s song, “Put Me Back Together” was so poignant as the lyrics wove themselves throughout the hour, chronicling the process of making sense of the breakdowns in our lives. In actuality, every storm is a gift, giving us an opportunity to reassemble the  scattered parts into our greatest selves yet!

So you may ask yourselves, “If no one is coming to save me, why call a coach?”

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One Step Closer

From the desk of Crystal Andrus:

No matter how far along in the journey, there are times in our lives when we feel we have no direction… the light is dim and we can’t see our way forward. Other times we are quite simply overwhelmed with the big picture; we can see where we want to be but have no idea which road will lead us there.  Either way, we are left frozen in our tracks with fear and uncertainty.

The good news: the answers are all there, waiting for us to get still and clear enough to hear them. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking for a coach or mentor to step in and help clear away the emotional fog so we can see just that one next step.  Sometimes all we need are some honest words spoken, or a book written by someone who has been where we are; we connect to one another’s stories and find that we are not alone.


This week on the Crystal Andrus Show, listen as we experience some true “lightbulb” coaching moments with courageous women who just needed a friend with a flashlight and nudge in the right direction. Not only did they get some answers, but they allowed their lives to magnify the light for everyone listening!

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Finding Your Way Back

From the desk of Crystal Andrus:

As each caller courageously told their stories on the radio show this week, it became clear that no matter where it is we want to go or be or do in this life, we always have to start with a reflection of where we are.


A question like, “Why me?” while feeling valid when we are in the throes of suffering, can be so disempowering. Today’s show brings some gentle questioning that can help lead you to a more peaceful place:

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Journey to Empowerment

From the desk of Crystal Andrus:

Living the life we are intended for is easy… imagine walking through a golden field with the wind at your back and the sun streaming down. This is how we want our journeys to feel – full of love, life and joy. The difficulty we experience each day is a result of resisting our own truths and refusing to clean up old beliefs and past wrongs, acting like a strong gust of wind pushing us backward.

The good news is that no matter how much struggle you feel as though you are experiencing, if you continue to seek wisdom and you are willing to face the things that your life is mirroring back to you, the winds begin to change.
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Tough Challenges

From the desk of Crystal Andrus:

The Crystal Andrus Show

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Surrendering Into Your Bliss

From the desk of Crystal Andrus:

The Crystal Andrus Show
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Warmly,

 

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Thought Provoking Conversation of Deepak Chopra and Crystal Andrus

From the desk of Crystal Andrus:

I got the chance to talk with author, columnist and a leader in the field of mind-body medicine, Deepak Chopra. Find out what he had to say.

Crystal Andrus Talks With Author Deepak Chopra

If you would like to read more about Deepak Chopra, you can go to his website http://www.DeepakChopra.com

Warmly,

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Nurture Your Nature

From the desk of Natalie Hughes:

How long have you been fighting your own nature?

“Everybody is a genius.
But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree,
it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
Albert Einstein.

I can remember the first time I looked at someone else and wished not to be me.

It was kindergarten and she was lovely: long, blond braids and blue eyes with tanned skin. Even at the young age of 5, she was smart and spoke confidently.

I, on the other hand, was naturally timid with a short brown pixie cut and hazel eyes. Clearly this was not good enough when it was possible to be like the pretty blond girl.

I also remember my father being frustrated with my somewhat scattered nature. I was interested in many creative things and didn’t seem to put any thought into organizing myself… I just hopped from one project to the next, leaving a wake of debris behind me. I wanted to do whatever I felt like, and clearly tidying the supplies was never going to be on my list of joys. Years later I found myself in my role as a mother, frustrated with my bright, inquisitive son for his own lack of organization and his selective hearing when it came to following direction.
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Do You Have the Immature and Counterproductive Impulse to Pretend?

From the desk of Crystal Andrus:

Do you feel, as I once did, that asking for help (although great for other people) is just not something you do?

Do you pretend to know things just so you won’t feel embarrassed or stupid? Just so others won’t know that you don’t know??

I love how international bestselling author Gretchen Rubin writes in her wildly successful book, The Happiness Project: “Despite the fact that ‘It’s okay to ask for help’ is one of my Secrets of Adulthood, I constantly had to remind myself to ask for help. I often had the immature and counterproductive impulse to pretend to know things that I didn’t know.”

I love her honesty!
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