Marianne Preston

Coach- Life Transitions & Burnout Recovery

Newsletter:
April 7, 2025

woman sitting on wooden bridge journalling with her dog

Hey there Reader,

"The Energy You Bring"

The energy you carry directly affects the outcome you get.

This lesson hit me recently—not in a coaching session or through a book, but in my backyard, with my dog, Murphy.

Murphy is older now. Still sweet and loving, still very much him, but like many of us as we age, things are shifting.

His hearing isn’t what it used to be, his joints ache, and his once cooperative nature has become more... independent.

He no longer wants to sleep where he used to. He doesn’t like being alone. And late at night, when all I want is a predictable routine so I can get to bed at a decent hour—he has other plans.

The other night, I was determined to get him outside to do his business before bed.

He needed to go. I knew it. He knew it. But he just lay there, completely uninterested. I tried coaxing him.

Then I raised my voice. I got the leash. Nothing.

He planted all four paws into the floor and refused to budge. I was dragging a stubborn, 100-pound furball across hardwood while my husband looked on in amusement, wondering if he should record the moment. (He didn’t, thankfully.)

Eventually, I got Murphy outside. And what did he do? He plopped himself down on the concrete and just... lay there. No movement. No interest in peeing. No urgency.

I stood there—frustrated, cold, tired, agitated.

And that’s when I realized something:
He could feel my energy.
He wasn’t going to respond to force.
And I wasn’t being the version of myself I wanted to be.

So I let it go.

Instead of pushing, I stopped. I knelt down, stroked his head, kissed him gently, and said, “It’s OK. You can do what you want. I still love you.”

I gave up the fight.

And just like that — something shifted.

He looked at me. Then he looked around. And without hesitation, walked over to the bush and went to the bathroom. I had given up the fight, softened the energy, and surrendered control.

Last night, Murphy reminded me who’s really in charge and that sometimes we get what we want when we let go of the need to have it our way! 🐾

It hit me like a lightbulb: When I dropped the control, when I released the tension, he responded.

Now, of course, part of this is aging. His inner timing is different now and there will be ongoing struggles, but it’s also a beautiful metaphor for life—how the energy we bring into a situation can create resistance or ease.

We know everything is energy.

Every word, every thought, every interaction. And when we carry force, frustration, or a need to be right, it often leads to resistance—whether it’s with a dog, a partner, a colleague, or even ourselves.

When we show up with calm, clarity, and compassion, everything softens. And the results? They are often surprisingly better than we expected.

The only way we can change our lives it to change our energy. Joe Dispenza

A purple, spiked crystal against a dark background.

Coaching Questions to Ponder:

Where in your life are you trying to force an outcome—and what energy are you bringing to that situation?
What would it look like to shift from control to curiosity or calm?
If you let go of being right, what could become possible instead?

How to Shift Your Energy (When You Catch Yourself Spiraling)

Sometimes the hardest part is noticing we’re off. Here are a few ways to gently shift your energy when you realize it’s getting heavy:

Name it. Recognize when your energy is tense or controlling. There’s power in simply saying, “I’m feeling tight, rushed, or agitated.”
Pause + Breathe. Take a few deep breaths. It interrupts the pattern and offers your nervous system a reset.
Connect to what you really want. Not what’s “right” or efficient or expected—but what truly matters. Peace? Connection? Understanding?
Use your grounding tools. For me, it’s nature, journaling, gentle music, or even just sitting with Murphy in silence. Whatever helps you come back to yourself—do that.
Choose again. We’re allowed to change our energy, shift our approach, and show up differently—moment by moment.

The truth is, I could’ve turned that night into a battle. But instead, I got a little life lesson from my aging dog who reminded me that love, trust, and presence go further than pressure and control.

Maybe this week, we all try softening our edges a bit.
See what happens when we lead with a different kind of energy.

With love and possibility,
Marianne

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What is available:

If you are caught in a spiraling cycle of self-doubt, burnout and frustration - and navigating change just feels too damn hard - let me help you find clarity, confidence and renewed belief in what's possible for your magical life. Contact at : marianne@mariannepreton.com

There are two options:

90 minutes private session on - a laser coaching session to hone in on your top priorities and create clarity and a blueprint for success.
3 Month 1:1 Coaching opportunities available.

woman with her dogs face nestled into her neck out in nature — He's in charge!

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