family

2 trains🚊 down, 2 flights ✈ to go, 1 epic experience awaits…

January 11, 2019 by Carol Schulte Leave a Comment

I’m pretty sure it hasn’t hit me yet.

Luckily I have about 15 hours ahead of me between the two flights and a layover, and so it may begin to at some point in there!

It’s been a whirlwind the last little while to say the least. Many a tear shed, plenty of laughs shared, and lots of special memories both relived and created.

We had a beautiful tribute for my stepmother and our dear Eveline in her family’s quaint home town in northern Germany, and now she is in her final resting place.

And may she rest in peace.

I’ve wanted to be in the moment, feeling all the feels, and so the fact I’m about to embark on what I’m pretty sure is going to be an epic experience of a lifetime hasn’t quite sunk in yet.

It’s been in the works for well over a year. And conversations with my partners in crime for even longer than that.

Women Living Big and UGO Travel For Change have joined forces, and 12 brave souls will all be arriving in Arusha, Tanzania over the next 24 hours where we’ll all finally meet in person as a group for the first time.

We’ve been on the journey for the past few months together… meeting over zoom calls sharing dreams and fears and lots in between, exchanging equipment lists and packing woes and pictures of ‘she wees,’ and getting to know one another through hilarious what’s app conversations and way too many bitmojis!

We’re going to be volunteering with the Dare Women’s Association for a week, getting down and dirty and building a fence, and then we will make our way to Mt. Kilimanjaro, attempting to reach the summit.

Kinda crazy if I think about it.

Kinda crazy to think about all that has transpired over the last few weeks.

Welcoming a new baby into the family, having to say goodbye to another member of the family, and a whole lotta miles being flown the process.

And so if I’m honest, no, I haven’t quite processed it all yet.

But then again, when life is happening so fast all around you, do you ever actually process in the moment?

Well, perhaps not. but I’m taking a small moment now to begin to think and reflect.

Without getting too philosophical, what is it all about in the end anyhow?

Well, I’ve realised I couldn’t have gone through what I just did without so many special people in my life. Having my friends and family around for support and to experience it together has meant everything. And sharing special moments, both laughs and tears. And talking about special past experiences, as well as looking forward to more special experiences to come.

People. Moments. Experiences.

That’s really what makes the world go around.

And so as you and I embark on all of the adventures that await us in 2019 – planned or unplanned – may they involve special people, special moments, and special experiences.

They make the journey worthwhile, and give life meaning.

Short and sweet this week, as I’m getting ready to board!

Have a FAB week!

May you enjoy a moment of awe and wonder…

December 21, 2018 by Carol Schulte Leave a Comment

Photo by Gareth Harper on Unsplash

Happy Friday!

Awe and wonder.

That is exactly what I felt looking into the cutest, innocent, most precious eyes of baby Harris.

I’m a proud Auntie once again!

My Dad and I flew out to Calgary as soon as we caught word things were happening with my sister, landing an hour after the newest member of our family arrived into the world.

And he is simply perfect.

There is just something about holding and cuddling with a newborn baby…
The innocence. The softness. The scent.

I know babies are born every second in every corner in every part of the world, but that doesn’t take away from the miracle that is in each and every birth.

It is indeed magical and a miracle.

And it got me thinking; that is exactly what this time of year is all about.

So regardless of what you believe, what you celebrate (or not) I hope you take a moment or two to experience the magic and the miracle of the holiday season.

Amongst the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking, the baking;
the entertaining, the decorating and the holiday pie making…

May you experience a moment of awe and wonder.

In fact, may you experience many special moments.

Adopting from a previous blog I shared around this time of year, instead of 12 days of Christmas, I wish you 12 moments of Christmas:

May you enjoy a moment of joy.

Real joy… when your heart is smiling. When time stops.

May you enjoy a moment of laughter.

Catch yourself next time mid-laughter. Milk it. Indulge in it. Laugh until your cheeks hurt.

May you enjoy a moment of gratitude.

There is always something to be thankful for. Choose one thing you are especially grateful for. Inhale it in.

May you enjoy a moment of connection.

Allow yourself to be fully in somebody’s presence. Engage. Really see them, and let them see you.

May you enjoy a moment of peace.

Perhaps in silence, perhaps amidst the noise. Take a breath, and be still. If only for a moment.

May you enjoy a moment of love.

Maybe in giving, maybe in receiving. Experience a moment where love exists. Allow it to make your heart sing.

May you enjoy a moment of fun.

Whether planned, or unplanned, ensure you bask in a moment of full-on fun. I dare you. (perhaps you’ll need to borrow your friends’ or sisters’ kids like I did! Nothing is more fun than playtime with Auntie Carol!)

May you enjoy a moment of reflection.

‘Tis also the time of year to look back on all that has transpired over this past year (or even this past week!) and look forward to all there is to come.

May you enjoy a moment of excitement.

Whether experiencing the season through the eyes of a curious child, or putting yourself back there (I still kick my legs under my sheets every Christmas morning in sheer excitement! You’re never too old!), invite yourself to feel what it’s like to get truly excited.

May you enjoy a moment of giving.

It doesn’t have to be all about gifts at this time of year. You can give with your heart through your time, your words, your thoughtful acts, your presence.

May you enjoy a moment of presence.

Amidst all that’s going on, take a moment to just be. Notice the world around you, notice your feet planted firmly on the ground, notice your heart pumping.

May you enjoy a moment of awe and wonder.

There really is so much to be in awe and wonder of at this time of year. Whether looking into the eyes of a newborn baby, watching the lights sparkle, or watching the world go by, take a moment to notice and appreciate just how wonderful a feeling awe and wonder is.

No need to force any moments… I only encourage you to be open to invite some moments in, and indulge in how they make you feel.

Nothing to do, simply to be this holiday season.

‘Tis the season for… moments. May you experience lots of special moments, enjoy lots of special moments, make the season count.

(And then please share some of these moments in the comments below! I want to share in them with you.)

Wishing you and yours an awe and wonder-filled season!

Is it about maximizing the moment, or experiencing the moment?

March 3, 2017 by Carol Schulte Leave a Comment

Is it about maximizing the moment, or experiencing the moment?

Happy Friday!

Greetings from Turks & Caicos, where I’m enjoying some fun in the sun time with my amazing family. (It’s true – jetsetting from Colombia to the beach… I’m a spoiled girl, extremely lucky girl… however also a very grateful girl!)

In this moment, I’m sitting by the pool, watching children splash and play, watching drinks splash and swirl, watching people splash and smile.

I’m witnessing a moment in time.

And it may just be this moment right now, wherever you are, perhaps an insignificant moment you may not give much thought to, that becomes a special moment in your life.

Perhaps it’s the epic soundtrack music I’m listening to, however in this moment, although not jumping out of a plane or climbing a volcano, I‘m still having an experience, right here, right now.

Now I’ll admit I’m a self-confessed maximizer.

I want to make the most of every situation, say yes to every opportunity, squeeze in every experience possible.

However in an effort to want to maximize my time, maximize every experience, I wonder if sometimes I end up minimizing some of the moments that truly matter.

These moments, like the one I’m having right here, right now, are the ones that make up your life.

And yet if we’re trying too hard to create a moment, or force a moment, we may end up losing out on the moment.

I like doing things. And, if I’m honest, I also like feeling as though I’m doing things. Checking things off the list so to speak.

This week, I haven’t done a whole heck of a lot. At least, not with respect to ‘checking things’ off any list.

But maybe I’ve done more than I realize.

I’ve enjoyed time with my family. I’ve had special conversations. I’ve played with Elmo, danced on the stage with Cookie Monster and other Sesame Street friends, had lots of fun potty trips with my niece and nephew, and lathered on a whole heck of a lot of kids’ sunscreen.

I like maximizing. I like doing things. I like lists. And yet perhaps I’m realizing it’s not always about checking things off any list at all.

Living your life cannot be captured in a do-to list.

So this week, at some point I challenge you to put away your list, and be open to experiencing a moment in time, this moment in time, and enjoying it for what it is. No need to maximize anything. Just experience.

Deep thoughts from sitting in the sun, HA!

Have a FAB week!

What are your thoughts on maximizing versus experiencing? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Feel the love, share the love, celebrate the love this holiday season…

December 23, 2016 by Carol Schulte Leave a Comment

Feel the love, share the love, celebrate the love this holiday season…

Happy Friday!

And moreover, happy two days before Christmas!

There’s something special about arriving at the airport when you know you have someone there to greet you.

On Wednesday evening I came through the arrival gates to see both my sisters welcoming me… we’re a pretty cheesy family but I also kinda love it!

Then today we were back, and I got to be part of the welcome committee this time as the first members of our overseas family arrived… all in preparation for the family wedding in a week!

While waiting, I had the pleasure of watching numerous reunions take place…. sisters and brothers and parents and children, grandparents being rushed to by their grandchildren; boyfriends and girlfriends embracing.

(I imagined the Love Actually soundtrack playing in the background…!)

And I realized, that is what this time of year is all about.

Surrounding yourself with your loved ones. Experiencing real human connection.

This holiday season,

Amongst the shopping and the wrapping and the cooking and the baking,

the entertaining, the decorating, and the holiday pie making…

I hope you take some time to feel the love, share the love, and celebrate the love all around you.

Whatever that looks like to you, enjoy this special season with those that matter most.

And may you end 2016 feeling the love, and enter into 2017 ready for more!

To you and yours, wishing you a very merry and joyous holiday season…

And if you didn’t get a chance to see our holiday card yet, check it out here:

Game ON! A simple strategy to turn your problems into play (hear me out!)

March 18, 2016 by Carol Schulte Leave a Comment

My week in pics: Working hard and playing hard. Much needed downtime with friends, being interviewed on Rogers TV (I even got the host, Kristen, to create her very own bucket list!), shooting my first video course for our upcoming Digital Retreat, yoga and brainstorming with Bobby Umar, dinner with the incredible Josselyne, St. Patty’s Day.

Game ON! A simple strategy to turn your problems into play (hear me out!)

On Tuesday evening, I listened to an incredible thought-leader, change maker, and friend, who was in from New York to deliver a program for a few hundred people. Over dinner the previous night, she challenged me to take on a game in an area of my life where I haven’t been feeling totally fulfilled (okay I’ll be transparent here, it’s around me wanting to find my match!). Inspired, I agreed to take on the challenge.

However it wasn’t until the following night, while listening to her, when I had an ah-ha as to the connection between potential ‘problems,’ and games.

She took us through a simple exercise.

Step One: Think of a problem in your life, and write it in the following format:

I want X, but Y.

Example. I want to start my own business, but I don’t know where to start.

Step Two: Cross out the word ‘BUT’

(if you recall I made a commitment a while back to remove the word ‘but’ from my vocabulary all together… so I was on board! Yes, I still use it on occasion, AND I’ve come a long way!)

Step Three: Replace the ‘BUT’ with ‘AND.’

Step Four: Re-read the sentence.

Boom! Just like that, you’ve transformed your problem into merely a statement. A fact.

You see in reality, problems don’t exist. They only exist in our minds, because we make them so.

As soon as you replace the ‘but’ with an ‘and’, your mind automatically activates its natural tendency to go into solution finding mode.

So, now I’m going to take it one step further. How can you create a GAME out of what was once your problem?

Example. I want to start a group for folks who play the nose flute (it’s a real thing! My friend David Gouthro even started a well-respected Nose Flute ensemble in Vancouver!) AND, I don’t know anyone who plays.

Now create a GAME around it! How many people can you introduce the nose flute to in a week? A month? How many people can you meet on social media that may play the nose flute? How many events can you go to, to introduce the nose flute to? How many nose flutes can you give away, teaching how to play as you do? How many phone calls, emails, personal invites can you get out?

Maybe you choose to tell 2 new people every day about the amazingness that is the nose flute. That’s your game. And so every day, all you have to do is meet your quota, come hell or high water, and you’ve won.

People take games very seriously. (Even some of my own friends take their games ~ be it Monopoly, Gin Rummy, or Cards Against Humanity ~ VERY seriously!)

So commit to playing a game with yourself. Write out a problem, change the statement, and create a game for you to play. Have fun with it. And, best of all, you’ll end up solving what was once your ‘problem’ in the first place!

Game ON. Because we all want less problems and more play in our lives. (Click to tweet!)

I’m off to the slopes! Have a FAB week!

P.S. As you know, I’m honoured to be one of the contributing authors to One Red Lipstick the Book. It officially launched last week! It’s full of inspiring stories of female entrepreneurs – however another reason to grab your copy? If you write a review of the book on Amazon, as a thank you, you can join us at our first ORL DIGITAL RETREAT for FREE! And, I’m honoured to be one of the Master Class instructors… it’s exciting!

You can download or buy the book here: www.bitly.com/oneredlipstickbook

And find out more here: http://oneredlipstick.com

Random thoughts while having fun in the sun

January 16, 2015 by Carol Schulte Leave a Comment

Happy Friday!

…from where I sit on the patio of our little villa, overlooking the sand and the sun and the sea. Yup, this girl is pretty darn spoilt. It’s been almost a week of sunshine and swimming and running along the sand and beaching and eating and drinking and relaxing and family time.

Still in vacation mode (trying to maximize my last day!), I’m going to stray from my usual – be very brief – and simply share some of the thoughts and discoveries I’ve had whirling around in my head this week.

Try to limit the expectations, and be open to the adventure.

A Piña Colada or a Daiquiri of some kind is a right of passage on a beach holiday.

Towels can actually transform into elephants, dogs, swans, bunnies, rams… quite easily.

Running barefoot along the beach is delightful – however running with running shoes gives less ankle pain.

It’s affirmative. Elmo really is cute and friendly in person, too!

Those wave simulators for surfing are pretty fun… alas having to wear helmets doesn’t make for the coolest photos.

Everyone loves a parade. Being involved in one is totally on my bucket list.

Windsurfing is not as difficult as I remember! Once you master your left and right (which took me a little while I must admit!) you’re good to go.

Disconnecting from Facebook (it’s been five whole days!) may be tough, but it won’t kill you!

Local coffee appears to be quite a bit stronger.

Working on the beach is certainly possible ~ just be prepared to get sand, like, everywhere.

If you have curly or any kind of frizzy hair like I do, trying to straighten it and wear it down in the evenings is futile.

Family, although they may not always get you, is still your family. And they can be pretty fun.

As much as I do enjoy writing my Happy Fridays, I like the beach even more! (please don’t take it personally…) and seeing as how it’s my last day here, I’m going to get out and maximize!

Have a FAB week, everyone!

2 trains🚊 down, 2 flights ✈ to go, 1 epic experience awaits…