Welcome to Life Balance Consultations!

I am Laura MacKimmie, life coach, eco-coach and consultant. I work with people who want to live who they are. I ask not only what you want to do... but who you were meant to be. I believe that we were born with a purpose to further our soul's intention; and that life on earth would improve for all living things if we were fully living and giving what is uniquely ours.

TESTIMONIALS

Organizations

Dear Laura,
I can see how you are making a go of this (speaking) business. You are very good at presenting your points. It certainly made me think. I was impressed with the group and how they were really paying attention. That doesn't always happen! Maybe you can put this on your resume. Schools are short on money now, but there may be an interest, especially with the number of students who have self-esteem issues.
You ROCK! I am unique and it's OK for me to be unique-- sometimes a hard concept.
Take care, and thank you so very much for coming.
E Briggs, High School Teacher, Milan MI

Dear Laura
I want to express my gratitude to you for speaking on Thursday, June 14th to my graduate management class on wellness programs. Your discussion on wellness programs was well received by the students. Several students remarked to me afterward how much they appreciated your talk and your responses to their questions.
Having a speaker of your caliber and experience greatly enhanced the educational quality of the EMU management students and I am grateful to you for sharing your time with us.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ed Schulz, Associate Professor, Eastern Michigan University

Dear Laura,
Thank you for making our Earth Day special. I really enjoyed your talk and I received lots of positive feedback. You re-inspired me to "go outside!" I am so glad Barbara put us in touch with you.
Thanks again,
Barb E., UU Church, Farmington Hills MI

Individuals

"I am so appreciative of the time we spent together, and your skill in helping me unravel the tangle my body-mind-spirit had gotten into. I began in such a negative and overwhelmed place and in two and half hours that flew by, found myself, excited, optimistic, more realistic about what I can expect of myself, and ready with a plan to move forward. What magic!" Judy S -Ann Arbor MI

"Laura will help you transfer your daydreams out of the dream world and into reality." Julie A -Whitmore Lake, MI

"Laura MacKimmie is someone who shows up. She brings all of who she is to every moment. It's no wonder that she connects as deeply to people and to nature as she does. She has a way of turning simple moments into profound ones and profound thoughts into simple truths." Domenic T -Ann Arbor, MI

"Laura has a way of opening your mind to allow you to imagine what color paint you'd like in your life. I am now happily pursuing goals a year after our conversation. Thank you, Laura." Angela R - MO

"Laura is a change agent... with a unique approach to finding values. I now have yearning for the things I choose to accomplish. Need I say more?" David Y - CA

"Dear Laura, You did a fabulous job working with me. I am grateful for the summary. It is most helpful now and in the future. You certainly know how to focus in on an individual. Thanks again for everything!" Fondly, Sylvia S - Pinckney, MI

WHO IS LAURA MACKIMMIE?

I've been singing since age 3. I studied piano, French horn and voice, and attended 2 choir camps. I toured to California and Scandinavia. Despite my love of music and the love for psychology that I discovered in high school, a Music Therapy Degree did not feel like the right fit, so after too many years as an undergraduate at Eastern Michigan University, I acquired a bachelors degree in Clinical Psychology. I enjoyed 8 years volunteering at a crisis center where I also enjoyed training and supporting new volunteers. I all but gave up music until the summer my TV was stolen and I began writing songs on a guitar someone had given me. It was only too bad that I got a new T.V.! I earned my masters degree in Clinical Psychology, also from EMU. I worked as a Psychiatric Emergency Services Professional at the U of M Hospital for nine years and as a Mental Health Professional at a county jail for one and a half years. I eventually found my way back to my music around someone's campfire and by the mid 1990's began performing at open mics.

In 2000, when I developed numerous stress-related health problems I was forced to re-evaluate my life. I felt confused! I was a vegetarian and exercised regularly. I realized that I was not living a life in balance and had no idea what my life purpose was. While on vacation I was so out of touch with my needs that I was unable to fully relax or decide how I wanted to spend my time.

I buckled down in my hobby of applying health, wellness, alternative medicine, mind/body/spirituality and nutrition to recover my health. I sought treatment from a homeopathic MD (www.homeopathyhome.com) and a Cranial Sacral Therapist (www.upledger.com/therapies/cst.htm). I spent time in nature, reflecting, exercising, talking to those who really knew me, writing songs, trying new activities, and noticing and responding to serendipity. When I started listening to my soul, I got better.

I quit working at the County jail and began Life Balance Consultations LLC as a life coach in August of 2001. I realized that I could give the best of what I knew to people who wanted juicier lives! With my soul beginning to soar, I realized my lifelong dream of completing a CD of original songs, and did so with the contributions of eight local musicians (www.Cdbaby.com). I began teaching water aerobics 3 times a week at a county recreation center, where I am also a substitute yoga instructor. I was putting my life first, and my life was getting better!

Since 2001, I have produced and directed a Variety Show with and for my local BNI business group (www.bni.com). I host an open mic once a month at a local music store, I perform as a duo or trio occasionally with my significant other, Mickey Richard (www.spirityard.com). I have taken a volunteer vacation to refurbish trails at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I have co-facilitated a Wisdom Seekers group and served as a “coming of age” mentor at my Unitarian Universalist Congregation (www.uuaa.org). I camp at least twice a year, and attend an occasional peace march. I’ve recently added a structured spiritual practice which includes daily meditation.

I have learned to complete myself by the way I choose to live. As a result, I can honestly say that I live a juicier life!

Pretending and hiding, I’ve done all I can take, My very heart and soul are at stake I wanna be filled with all that I lack Free to give my love….. and feel it back Excerpt from “Set Me Free” © Laura MacKimmie Hippie Spirit Records, 2002.