Sarah hamilton's Blog

This is where you'll find my musings on Gratitude, Inspiration, Stillness and Awe…. "Transform your thoughts, transform your life"

Twas the Night Before Christmas… December 24, 2013

Time for my yearly blogging holiday tradition… “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.  So enjoy and squeeze your loved ones a little closer this Holiday! I know I will!

Happy Holidays!

~Sarah

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas”

By Clement Clarke Moore

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

 

Peace on Earth December 21, 2013

 

The holiday season tends to make one reflect on what is important to them.   I grew up listening to Johnny Mathis, Dean Martin, and Bing Crosby at Christmas.  Somehow this song always, no matter when I hear it throughout the year… I reflect.  What are you reflecting upon this day?   

Love and Light

~Sarah

 

 

Live life like you’re on Vacation! November 19, 2013

vacationIt’s becoming cold here on the east coast so it got me thinking about vacation…..So wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could live everyday like we were on vacation… everyday? Well you can!  Stop and think about your frame of mind. What do you do differently when you’re on vacation.  Is it that you turn off all the various and sundry gadgets? Or you take a little bit more time for yourself.  What is it?  My favorite is that I have no schedule. Now I know that, that is not necessarily possible in our everyday lives.  We can’t just jump off the bus because we see an exquisite fountain in a park, but what is it that made us see the fountain in the first place?  What is it that sparks us to talk with people who we may never notice in our daily routines?  How differently do you breathe?  Lots of questions I know.  Take some time with this one. Moments in our day are so precious.  How can we stop and look up and look out so that we enjoy that moment like we’re on vacation versus our regular routine?  Again focus on your breath…. How differently do you breathe and why do you do so? Then how can you incorporate that into what you do daily? By allowing the breathe in we can allow for the spaciousness were those moments of spontaneous beauty can happen. I mean we all would love our dream vacation every day… but then again it would stop being our dream vacation then. So how wonderful would it be if we incorporated some of the mind-set into our daily life to make that life as full as if we were on vacation!

So go ahead and give it a try! Live life like you’re on Vacation!

Love and Light

 

Re-invention October 31, 2013

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Happy Halloween Everyone!

 

There’s a remarkable thing about coaching….. I often find that the very thing my clients want to work on is the same exact thing that I want to be aware of in my own life. This synergistic confluence of events has always been remarkable to me!  I have been coaching recently around re-invention and how we can move forward with the idea of it being an exciting new adventure.  And since it’s Halloween and everyone is working on the their costumes it got me thinking….

I love Halloween and all it’s costumes and creation of characters.  Every year as we start down the path of deciding “what to be” it’s such a fun opportunity to play…..  What would happen if we embraced life as an exciting “what to be”.  Change in our lives can be scary and over whelming but think of the possibilities that we could have if we stay in the moment and ask our selves what’s my opportunity here to enjoy this new creation?

 

So my questions are: What are you going to be for Halloween?  What re-invention are you going to create for yourself? How are you going to play in your life?

 

Lots of Love!

~Sarah

 

“New Beginnings” September 17, 2013

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New York City Ballet filmed New Beginnings at sunrise on the 57th floor of 4 World Trade Center (previously known as the Freedom Tower) in lower Manhattan.  This stunning short film captures the extraordinary and moving performance of Christopher Wheeldon’s “After the Rain”.  It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a tribute to the future of the city that New York City Ballet calls home.  I thought I’d show this today with all the craziness in the world  I’m wondering what you do to bring yourself back to center, to take a deep breath, to find your “home”.

 

I’d love to hear what you do! And make sure you watch this is full screen.

 

(Thank you Tina Roth Isenberg)

 

Lots of Love

~Sarah

 

My Morning Walks…. July 3, 2013

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I recently started a video project where I talk about what has gone through my mind during my morning walk.  And this is big for me and I’ll tell you why:  I have been a professional working actor for 17 years and during that time a certain preparedness was drilled into my head.  Professionalism to me meant to ALWAYS be camera ready.  That means script memorized, hair and make-up flawless and wardrobe top notch.  Going without make and a shower would be simply unheard of… but I wanted something different with these videos.  I wanted to be as raw, open and bare as I could be.  That said I had to be willing to be vulnerable and leave myself alone…. Hence my bare face without a stitch of make-up on.  I barely go to the grocery store without my eyelashes and eyebrows on!  Now here is my guilty confession…. I Like It!  It’s easy and ease is something I can really get behind right about now.  To allow myself to let that go has been quite liberating!  It’s still amazing to me what can happen when you leave yourself alone….

What would you do if you simply allowed it?

Lots of Love!!

~SHC

P.S.  If these videos interest you you can follow me on Facebook or Twitter to see them

 

#LiveWithFire May 22, 2013

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Live with fire

 

 

I work yesterday in a studio in midtown and every time I went out to do various and sundry things, i.e. go to the bathroom I past this sign.  At first the the big Life is a Team Sport caught my eye which I thought was fantastic.  But then I noticed the #Live With Fire. Now I know it is covered by computers ( I was unable to move then for the picture) but I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s akin to the thought that I regularly say, Play full out!  Though there is something about #LiveWithFire that has an air of hunger and of passion for me!  So I am asking myself how can I #LiveWithFire in ways that I’m not doing.  Where am I not showing up completely? What can you today to #LiveWithFire!  Have fun with it!!

I think it’s going to be my new favorite saying!  Thank you Location 5 studios!

 

Living with Fire!!

~Sarah

 

Breath…. April 15, 2013

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slider5bThis is a short little post today due to the fact that my hand is still healing and after a day of typing it needs a little break but….

The last month or so has been wonderfully, insanely busy… with coaching, family, delicious boyfriend, back office to-do’s, finishing my meditation download and promoting my business with The Positivity Project.  And as the days move forward and I move forward the days are filled.  It seems that after I meditate in the morning I’m completely forgetting to be aware of my breath.  This is a crucial aspect in staying in the moment because it’s in the moment where we can be the most aware and of service.  How is your breathe today?

I had just sat down after completing a busy  business day and starting dinner when I gave a big exhale.  You know the kind of exhale where your whole body relaxes and gives into the soft relaxation?  It was rather delicious!  I usually have regular breath check-ins during the day but it didn’t seem to happen today….  How are you when you move through the day and have regular awareness of your breath?  I find it to allow emotions to move through me rather than get stuck.  I find it much easy to remain in the moment.  My pulse and heart rate stay down and I live in a state of gratitude.

 

So I guess I want to know what you to do be aware of your breath and how does it affect you?

Off to breathe!

 

Lots of Love-

~SHC

 

 

 

What’s my opportunity here? March 20, 2013

sky 002 (2)I posted this blog post a few years ago but I thought it was very relevant for today.  Finding opportunities where one might see an obstacle takes work.  Like exercise staying positive is a daily choice….. So here’s the post!

In the last week or so the topic of seeing opportunities were there are obstacles has been a common thread in many of my discussions whether with clients, friends or even myself.  I have been dealing with some back problems…. knowing full well the connection to running a business and my lower back…. but as I lie here on my back I ask myself, What is my opportunity?  And it is so clear… Slow down and the number one thing… Be gentle.  Be kind. We all have obstacles that come up whether they are work related, relationship related or pretty much anything you can see but instead of getting stuck in the quagmire of the conflict ask yourself, What’s my opportunity?   We are always given the chance to learn and grow and the possibilities that come from the openness of a positive outcome far out reach the unhealthy mindset of getting stuck in the problem.

Case in point, I have what we think is a pinched nerve in my back… not a herniated disc but more than a pinched nerve.  (It turned out to be an extruded disc and i had surgery) That being said I’m on my back most of the day.  Now for a woman who is EXTREMELY active this could be not such a good thing… I chose to see my opportunity because we always get more of what we focus on. And I for one am not focusing on the obstacle!

So I ask you Where might you be seeing obstacles and can reframe them into Opportunities?

LOVE!

~SHC

 

A Week Ago Today… March 13, 2013

HandA week ago today I had a torn tendon in my hand repaired.  With every thing that has happened in my life I am reminded regularly of allowing and patience.  The Universe asks me to walk the talk.  I think of myself as a patient person.  I’m often even told on a regular basis that I”m SO patient.  That said I’m regularly tested on this front.  Whether I plan a phone call to discuss an important issue and the person is out of town or I have ordered a time sensitive package and it is late or  traffic is crazy and I think I will be late (notice these are time related for me?).  It could be any or all of these scenarios.  I’m not even going to bring in the health issues that can occur.  I regularly write, coach or talk about allowing. Even saying this word gives me peace.

The Webster definition of Allow is:  1. admit (an event or activity) as legal or acceptable  2. give the necessary time or opportunity for.  “Give the necessary time or opportunity for”,  This is my favorite part of the definition.  When buttons are pushed as they can happen even to the best of us.  How do you return to the start of allowing?  Where you don’t struggle or fight with your given circumstances?  I am a Huge fan of breath… for more reasons than the obvious.  It helps us to return to our natural state of loving.  Loving of self and others.  It centers us.  The breath is a mini meditation. The ability to stay in this state is a bit like being a child.  Most children are very allowing because they have yet to learn their ability to control their surroundings.  They trust.  Ah trust…. So much of what gets in our way is our inability to trust.  If we stay in a state of allowing the trust comes more effortlessly.  Now I don’t mean allow others to do to you anything they choose but allow life to have its grace and kindness that we all seek.

What will you do today to allow (without getting hand surgery)?  To remain at peace with yourself?  How will you stay connected to your breath?

Lots of Love!

~SHC