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Shari Fish - Issue 5, July 2011
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Tackling Transitions
For quite some
time I have been contemplating what to write for this segment. As always, I wanted it to be relevant, timely, heartfelt and
informative. Usually, I read something interesting/inspiring, or visit with a friend, client or colleague, and I think, this
is it! But nothing came to me until I finally realized that the problem with this issue is there is a single topic occupying
my mind: life transitions.
My husband and I are transitioning to empty nesterhood, our oldest child is transitioning as she has just moved to Boston
to begin graduate school, and our baby is transitioning into her freshman year of college. Many of you are experiencing transitions
of your own. You may have a new job, new home, been recently married or divorced, experienced a personal loss or recent promotion.
While transitions can be welcome or not, significant or less so, they throw our lives into a state of discomfort, anxiety,
fear, hope, adventure, excitement, and opportunity oftentimes, all at once!
We are faced with the chaos of change throughout our lives and at each stage, we must create a new normal. To ease the stress
of lifes transitions, we need to plan for them (if possible), pursue dynamic and meaningful relationships that engage and
support us along the way, and continue to explore new possibilities and endeavors.
You may be wondering how as a M.Ed./ Counseling and Certified Wellness Coach, I am handling my personal transition. The short
answer is, I am handling it like everyone else! I have good days and bad, days that I am excited and days that I am scared,
times that I am lonely and others that I am content. While I am inspired and encouraged by those who have walked this path
before me, I have learned through my studies and my practice that transitions take time. I may experience a period of misery
in the middle but as long as I remain grateful, optimistic, and open, wonderful surprises await!
Dont cry because it is over, smile because it happened. ~Dr Suess.
Be well.
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 A Few
Weeks In
Your bags are unpacked, the laundry is piling up, and deadlines are approaching.What happened to those first carefree weeks
of college life?
Around the third week of classes, as the initial excitement and newness of college life begins to wear off, students can begin
to feel a bit overwhelmed. You may be wondering if you are up to the task. You may miss your high school support system,
while your college support system is still in its infancy. You may be sleep deprived or living on a diet of pizza and beer.
Perhaps you are lacking a schedule or routine that keeps your days purposeful and balanced.
Take a deep breath, relax, and take control of the situation:
Step 1: Recognize that you need to make changes NOW to insure your college success and happiness.
Step 2: Prioritize. What are the most crucial areas that need your immediate attention?
Step 3: Assign all of your priorities to a specific day and time on your calendar/laptop/iPhone. By creating
a personal deadline for a rough draft of a paper you have been assigned, you will fight the urge to procrastinate. By setting
specific study hours for yourself and staying on campus, you will be less likely to become distracted. At the beginning of
each week, plan which nights you will go out and which nights you will stay in mark those down as well. Do your laundry
at the same time each week or two weeks. Allow time for adequate sleep and meals. All of these things should be treated as
appointments on your calendar.
Step 4: Limit your social media time. (www.visitsteve.com/made/selfcontrol/
is a great aid).
Step 5: Eat at least one healthy meal per day. Ask a friend to meet you for lunch or dinner and put it on
your calendar.
Step 6: Commit to a minimum of 7 hours of sleep per night. If that is not possible, be sure to allow for
a catch up night.
These six steps will allow you to experience the calm and confidence that results from maintaining balance and control during
your college career. Even if you commit to only some of these steps, you will see and feel results.
Feel free to call or email me with any thoughts, questions or concerns! I am here for you! Shari@sharifishwellness.com,
713-899-6159.
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 Baked
Tomatoes, Squash, and Potatoes
(Courtesy of Whole Living Magazine)
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 small tomatoes, sliced ¼ inch thick
1 medium yellow summer squash, sliced ¼ inch thick
1 medium Yukon gold potato, sliced ¼ inch thick
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves
2 Tbsp freshly grated Parmesan
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Heat oil over medium and cook onion until tender and lightly golden, 6-8 minutes.
2. Arrange the
onion on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Overlap tomato, squash, and potato on top of the onion. Season with salt
and pepper, sprinkle with thyme and Parmesan, and drizzle with more oil.
3. Bake covered
for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden, 30 minutes more.
Servings: 8
Calories: 62 per serving
Fat: 4g( 1 g saturated)
Carbs: 7g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 1g
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Are You Engaged?!
Are you engaged?
What? Really?! Im in high school, why would I be engaged?!
No, not that kind of engaged! The type of engagement that I am referencing involves becoming engaged in an activity or interest.
Perhaps trying a new club or running for office in a club of which you are already a member. It means volunteering to help
out a teacher or fellow student, if given the opportunity. Engagement may be on the athletic field, in the music room, the
classroom, or the art studio. Alternatively, you may have an interest outside of school that you want to bring to the school
and share with your friends.
If you go to school looking for engagement, you will find it and so much more. Engagement leads to opportunities to connect
with friends, explore new interests, discover your strengths, and foster personal growth. When you engage in an activity,
you engage with others and, perhaps most importantly, engage with yourself. Go ahead, get engaged!
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 Fiteens 2012 Pre-College Workshops
Spring/Summer 2012
Houston
Austin
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Shari L.
Fish, M.Ed,
Certified Wellness Coach
Shari Fish began her career in the corporate world in 1985 after graduating with a degree in accounting from the University
of Texas at Austin and earning her CPA in 1987. After working for Arthur Andersen, Silicon Systems, Inc. and independently
as a CPA, she put her career on hold to raise her three children.
Shari returned to graduate school and earned her Masters in Educational Psychology/ Counseling at the University of Houston.
She chose a unique course of study, spending a full semester independently studying the relationship between exercise and
the brain.
After earning her Masters degree, Shari began to utilize her understanding of the mind/body connection to help individuals
create fuller, healthier lives. She completed her practicum at the nationally renowned KIPP Academy middle and high schools,
where she counseled students and facilitated a variety of self-esteem, anger management and life-skills groups. The following
year, she joined Wellspring Community Programs as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy facilitator, where she successfully led high
school students through an educational and motivational weight loss program.
Shari completed her Wellness Coach training and certification through
Wellcoaches Corporation and participated in the distinguished Harvard Medical School and Mc Lean Hospitals Coaching in Medicine
and Leadership Conference and the International Coaching Federation Conference. She is a member of the American Psychological
Association, the International Positive Psychology Association, and the Houston Wellness Association.
Taking a page from her own consulting practice, Shari balances her work life with being a wife of 25 years and a mother of
three college-age children. Shari brings to her practice a first-hand understanding of the challenges faced when attempting
to create and maintain balance through lifes many transitions. Based on the principles of Positive Psychology, Shari helps
clients to clarify their values and motivators, and to celebrate their personal strengths and past successes. It is from this
perspective, that clients are able to achieve the lasting change that they desire and to create a more balanced and fulfilling
life. It is Sharis desire that each of her clients experience increased life satisfaction, self-efficacy, and truly become
his/her best self.
Shari is available for private consultation, speaking engagements, and workshops.
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Shari's
WellNotes: 
