Hello, %$firstname$%!

Way back when my dad's dad's dad's dad came to America, my last name was O'Kane. So in honor of today's eZine - I felt compelled to make my dog look completely and utterly stupid in celebration of the Irish. (Besides, she's part Border Collie - which means that her dad's dad's dad's dad was probably Irish, too!) So, Happy St. Patrick's Day, %$firstname$%, (From me and my poor dog.)

Have you Heard? Self-Care is Not an Option!

A moment of honesty here.

Today's feature article is personal. I was feeling frazzled and burnt out this week. (And emotional, too.) I've come to recognize these feelings not as problems - but as SYMPTOMS. Symptoms of needing some Bodacious Self-Care.

It's so easy to leave yourself out of the equation when it comes to service. The truth is that no matter how rewarding or noble it is to be of service to others - whether you're a coach, in retail, or taking care of an ailing parent - you cannot neglect your own self-care. If you do, you'll become distracted or ill or angry, and you'll ultimately be serving no one.

So, scroll down and get some bodacious tips for taking care of yourself - while I head out to get some tulips for my coffee table right now! (And then? A nap!)

Live Creative,

I'm more excited about my life and my work than I've ever been!

"I am lucky because Christine started helping me with business stuff before she ever created the Uplevel Your Business Program & Blueprint. She was able to make sense of my passion and creativity, help me carve out a path, a direction and a system -- and within one year, I am now the President & Founder of a national association with members from all over the world. I'm more excited about my life and my work than I've ever been! Uplevel Your Business Program & Blueprint is for anyone who wants to start or build a business based on her creativity or passion - and make it as easy and do-able as possible!"


Sue Ludwig
President & Founder, National Association of Neonatal Therapists
www.neonataltherapists.com

9 Bodacious (and Easy) Ways to Practice Self-Care
by Christine Kane

Just as there was a time when "google" was not a verb, there was also a time when "bodacious" was not a word. Bodacious is a blend of "bold" and "audacious" created in British English dialect late in the nineteenth century.

I love this word! Some days we need to be bodacious! And some days, we need to remember to apply it to our own self-care.

No matter how rewarding or noble it is to be of service to others - whether you're a coach, in retail, or taking care of an ailing parent - you cannot leave your self-care out of the picture. If you do, you'll soon burn-out, become ill or angry, and you'll ultimately be serving no one.

Here are 9 bodacious ways to practice self-care:

1 - Flowers!

This is so simple – and yet so powerful. Fresh flowers beautify any space. I always have an orchid on my coffee table. I see it the minute I walk in the door, and it reminds me to take a deep breath and cherish the beauty of my life. Create a Sunday ritual of getting fresh flowers to get your week off to a bodacious start!

2 - Take a nap.

Favorite thing: I climb into bed for a nap in the middle of the day. Within minutes comes the soft ploop of cat paws on the cover. I can almost hear the cat thoughts: Hmm. The human has decided to lie quietly. I'd like to take part. Then the paws walk all around me until they find the very best spot for settling.

Cats know the truth: Naps are bodacious!

3 - Pay full price.

The amount of energy we waste on trying to get "deals" is often not worth it. If you see something you love, then get it. I'm convinced that we'd all be so much happier and wealthier if we just got exactly what we loved without looking at price tags and wasting time looking for sales. (We'd probably have much less stuff too!)

4 - Trampolines and swings.

I was at a cocktail party last year. The adults were up on the deck watching the kids jump on the trampoline. At one point, all the kids ran inside. I kicked off my shoes and ran for the trampoline. Three other women joined me. We laughed and jumped for about 15 minutes. It was the most fun I'd had all week.

Swings are fun, too. And they're easy to find! Who cares if you look or feel stupid? Being an adult doesn't have to mean being boring!

5 - Truncate your To-Do's.

How many items are on your to-do list today?

32?

20?

67?

A day should have no more than two or three mission-critical priorities for completion. The rest are extra credit! Give yourself the gift of completion. It is the ultimate self-care.

6 - Order out.

I love preparing meals. But some nights, it's just necessary to let someone else do the cooking. We have a great delivery service in our town. I don't mind the extra expense if it allows me a night of no clean up, and a little extra time to write or just be with my husband.

7 - Take a long walk with your dog.

Are you one of those people who gets home from work and marches your dog around the block with a grim look on your face? (Another to-do item checked off the list!)

Try this: Take your dog for a long happy walk. Revel in the delight and presence of your dog. It will absolutely lift your spirits.

8 - Read for fun.

Do you relish your days on the beach because it's the only time you'll allow yourself the joy of a trashy novel or some "light" reading?

Why not get a little bodacious and bring the beach to your work-week? Curl up at night and get lost in some fun fiction.

9 - Step AWAY from the computer. (And the phone.)

The challenge of this internet world is that we are "plugged in" 24/7. You are reachable all the time now. No one waits for "business hours" anymore. This is not healthy for your precious creative spirit, my friend.

Take regular breaks from Facebook, blogs, texts, cell phones, and email. (Yes, even this eZine!) Don't include your computer in any of the above activities. And turn off your phone, too! I promise, your computer and phone won't take it personally! (Neither will this e-Zine!)

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:

Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 11,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at http://www.christinekane.com/.

WANT TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Christine's blog – Be Creative. Be Conscious. Be Courageous – at ChristineKane.com/blog.

While Christine Kane is best known for her hip and catchy songs, and the down-to-earth wit of her live performances, her fans and students share that they are inspired most by her message of living authentically, passionately and courageously.

Christine’s philosophy is that you are the artist and your life is your work of art. That, she says, is what it means to "Live Creative." She now shares this message nationally, speaking to groups ranging from the CIA to the American Hospital Association to NICU therapists. Christine’s award-winning blog ranks among the top 10,000 blogs on the internet. She has designed a coaching program to support women in their own empowerment.

Christine has released seven CDs and an award-winning DVD in her expansive career as a performer and songwriter. Border's Books & Music named "Rain & Mud & Wild & Green" one of the Top Five Recordings of 2003, The Washington Post called her "a petite powerhouse of a singer." Her new CD is called Wide Awake. You can order your copy now by clicking here.

Christine Kane, Inc.
Firepink Inc.
PO Box 842
Asheville, NC 28802
For Booking & Customer Service: 800.837.1332
info@christinekane.com