“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou
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I believe we are all doing the best we can with the information we have. I help with the “know better, do better” part. I work with women to accept and appreciate who they are and to make strategic, creative changes to “do better.” Why? I’ve always liked to help people, especially by helping them to “reframe.” What does that mean? "Reframing" is to looking at, presenting, or thinking of beliefs, ideas, and relationships in a new or different way. I didn’t know it was a word until my friend, Jenny, wrote about her ability to reframe in her blog, while undergoing treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She’s a master! |
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“Crystal listened intently and asked gentle questions so I could see my own challenges and struggles.
Her suggestions were reasonable and doable.”
- Alison Harre, Santa Cruz, CA
I’ve always enjoyed helping others.
I can almost always help by treating any problem like an algebra problem. (Yes, I tutored Algebra in college. No, I’m not a math genius.)
- Take a deep breath.
- Organize your information (what do you know).
- Take one step at a time. Don’t worry about “the answer,” do the first thing, then the next, etc. It keeps the overwhelm away.
- Repeat #1, whenever necessary. You can’t be creative when you are taking shallow breaths.
The Real Me
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I did triathlons for most of my twenties. I also raced road bikes, mountain bikes, running races and open water swims. I stopped racing when I started surfing. I was a sugar fiend. I knew every bakery in town when I was riding my bike everywhere. I’m really not anymore, but it’s pretty recently that my sugar cravings are gone. I’ve always been into self-improvement. I’ve been practicing yoga consistently since a few months before my daughter was born (over 15 years). Although, I consistently go to class with my favorite teacher, Kofi Busia, I haven’t been successful in practicing at home. I’m not giving up, though. |
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I still swim consistently. It’s not my best sport by any stretch of the imagination, but I like swimming with Santa Cruz Masters, it’s more interesting and social at the same time.
I love to learn. I have to pace myself because I have other responsibilities. There isn’t enough time in the day to explore everything I’m curious about. I try to be patient, but sometimes I skip around. I have a big pile of not-read, half-read and fully-read books next to my bed. I almost always finish books eventually. |
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I can’t seem to give up coffee for good. I do quit periodically. The hardest part is the first day. I usually make it a couple of weeks and a few times I’ve made it for three or four months. I wouldn’t try to quit if I didn’t feel better without it…and I’m much nicer to my family when I’m not drinking it. |
