Letting Life Naturally Unfold (& a give-away!)

Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you. 

- John De Paola

Am I the only one who isn't ready for the new year?  Don't get me wrong, I've been organizing a bit.  I've been reflecting on the past year.  I've written some goals down in my journal.  I'm ready to pack up the Christmas decorations and vacuum up the evergreen needles.  And yes, I love a new start.  A fresh. clean. slate.  

But I'm not quite ready to get out of my jammies.  I feel motivated.  I feel excited about what this new year will bring.  I have an idea of the direction I'm going in.  But my pace is...well...slower.  I've either been enjoying my morning coffee by the fire a little too much, or maybe...just maybe...my thoughts are changing and my body is listening.  Maybe I am really starting to see that I can still conquer my daily "list" AND get on the floor and play with the kids.  That reading yet another book at "nigh night" doesn't really take up that much time.  That when I make space for painting or yoga or time away from the family to recharge my batteries, it's beneficial to everyone. That if I stop at my son's request to play in the middle of sweeping, well, heck...the sweeping still gets done.  AND the world doesn't end if I don't finish that "list" in a day's time.  

Huh.

I'm a lover of New Years.  I'm the queen of writing intentions and resolutions.  Reflecting on the past? Planning for the future?  Setting goals?  Making lists?  I got that stuff down.

But here at the start of 2012, I feel the need to open up to the moment that is here, right in front of my eyes.  I feel more creative that way.  I feel more centered.  I feel happier as I drift through the day, with less expectations, less control, and less freaking out when things don't go my way.

My focus for 2011 was to receive, to learn to live without, and to embrace stillness.  In 2010 I focused on reducing clutter and creating space.  In 2009 I set an intention to live more boldly.

And now...I am listening to that inner request to slow down, to celebrate each moment, to LAUGH MORE, to PLAY MORE, to focus on my health and wealth, and to continue mothering with heART.

So I guess I really am ready for 2012, but rather than writing some crazy list of things to accomplish, I want to stop pushing and stop chasing.  I want to keep celebrating living each day and simply be more open to letting this new year (and my life) naturally unfold...

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To celebrate my birthday (It's tomorrow!) I'm offering one last chance to win a spot in my upcoming Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery e-course.  Just leave a comment on this post to the following question for your chance to win!  I'll announce a winner this Friday.

Your Personal Reflection:  What is your intention, phrase, special word, feeling or simple goals that are guiding you into the new year?

Awaken to Your Authentic Exceptional Life

Sometimes when I'm feeling confused, down or just plain blah, I get a jolt of inspiration when I read about the journeys of other women - how they cope, what energizes them, and how they find courage to stay true to themselves.  This next Free Spirit Spotlight shares with you one such woman - where when you read a small piece of her story you can't help but take a deep breath in and smile.

It is a privilege to introduce you to Kelly Dahl.  She is a mother, personal coach and a lover and explorer of life.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, kick up your feet and sit back while you enjoy her very personal, honest interview as she shares how she's learned to dig deeper,  take some risks, and ultimately follow her heart down a path towards her authentic, exceptional life.

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative life.

Why is it that this question freezes me up? Who am I? Well, I am a person who is always seeking and working to figure that out, to grow and learn and expand all the time. I am my role as wife and mama, editor of Sparrow Magazine, personal coach and blogger. I love being with my 5 year old son and 2 year old daughter. I love being with my husband and experiencing the miracle of growing, learning, and figuring out life together. 

I never really thought of myself as a creative person until Inside Out helped me fully embrace the glorious creative being inside of me. I can now see that creativity has been the spark illuminating everything that I’ve done. I was a middle school English teacher for several years before returning to get my Masters in Social Work. Most of my professional life has been dedicated to helping young people better understand themselves and the world around them, to gain the strength to go out into the world capable of seeing their dreams come true. Many of the young people I’ve worked with have had a variety of obstacle on their path, in the shapes of poverty, substance abuse, victimization, and cognitive, physical, and mental health differences. I know now that at the heart of all the work I’ve done is creativity, in my ability to connect with people different than me, and my ability to see the tiny sparks of hope in any situation.

Now creativity is part of my every day. Whether I am creating art by myself or with my children, or even just making a grocery list. I try to do things in a way that inspires me, that makes me happy, and that has a little bit of beauty in an every day task.

How did you get to a place in your life where you can embrace yourself as a creative being?

This can still be a struggle. Most of the struggle comes from the judgmental voices that I hear all the time. “You aren’t good at drawing and painting. Why are you wasting your time and money on that? There are so many people who are so much more creative than you. You might like that, but you don’t have the raw talent it takes.” 

I was never a stand-out in the creative pursuits. Honestly, art classes were some of my lowest grades in school. But I was always happiest doing creative things. 

The first step for me was really taking the time to recognize the judging voices. I’ve spent a good amount of time analyzing some of the sources (mostly past experiences and relationships). By exploring that I can sometimes name the voices or put them in context. This helps take away their power over me. I’ve also realized that my self doubts and the judging voices are going to be there no matter what. So sometimes I just hear them and say “Okay, you’ve said your piece. Now I’m going to do mine!”

It’s not a perfect system. I still get insecure and doubt myself. But most of the time I can just be free to create as I wish.

You mentioned that you took the Inside Out e-course - can you share a little bit about what you gained from taking it and how it helped you along your creative journey? 

Inside Out was a life-changing experience for me. I was a part of the very first run of the course back in January of 2010. At that time I was in the depths of many struggles....possible post-partum depression, extreme exhaustion from never sleeping for more than 3 hours at a time, living in a new city where I didn’t have any friends or support. It was a very tough time. 

Inside Out was a life line to other like-minded women. It also was the first time I really focused on being creative without judgment. I connected with amazing women around the world who were having struggles very similar to my own. I also connected with incredibly inspiring women who do admirable things, and for the first time was able to see them as women just like me. This was a major awakening. I realized that it doesn’t take genius or extreme talent to create something amazing. It just takes deliberate action, the freedom to create a vision, and being open to the creative process. 

I participated in Inside Out a second time in January of 2011. This time I was able to dig even deeper and discover more about myself. It was really amazing to see the ways I grew between the two courses, to compare answers to some of the journal prompts, to see what obstacles I’d removed and what new ones had crept in. It was especially amazing to see that I had achieved some of my big goals. This made creating new goals that much more exciting, because I knew that I would see them come true.

I really loved being an active member of the Inside Out discussion forums. I’ve made some amazing friends through Inside Out, people that I know I can turn to for advice or if I need support. While these friends may live far away from me, I know they are there for me in whatever way they can be. These connections have made me a stronger person.

While the creative exercises opened me in new an amazing ways, the journaling was definitely my favorite part. I have always been a writer, and have looked to my journals to help me make sense of my life. The prompts in Inside Out took my self exploration and kicked it up a notch, helping me dig deeper than ever before. I now know myself better than I ever have in my life. I feel confident in the person I’m uncovering, like my true self is finally emerging and is ready to take on anything.

What's your favorite art medium for self expression?

Painting is my favorite medium right now. I love the fluidity and the unpredictability of it. When I paint I can turn off my thinking and analyzing left brain and just be with myself. I find it very meditative and soothing. If I’m having a bad day I can take out some paints, lose myself for even 10 minutes, and truly feel like I’ve hit my reset button.


What is a free spirit to you?

I believe a free spirit is someone who is living life on their own terms. A free spirit has created a life that meets their needs--creative, spiritual, financial, familial, and communal. A free spirit lets go of judgment and sees hope, beauty and love in everything.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I love to read, and do so all the time, whether it is books, blogs, magazines, or fliers hanging in the local coffee shop. I love to take in information, digest it, try to make sense of it, relate it to myself and others in my life. I even get frustrated sometimes that there aren’t enough hours in the day to read. 

My children are amazing sources of inspiration. I love to watch how my children embrace life with so few filters. When they dance they move their body every which way and you can just see how good it feels. When they create art they do so freely, often with their entire bodies. When they play they are loud and messy. While this can cause problems, like when sand is thrown or a toy is grabbed or the paint goes flying across the room, it is so inspiring to watch. I love how both my kids love to go up to strangers and exclaim something as simple as “Me 2!” (from the 2 year old) or “I go to Kindergarten now!” (from the 5 year old), as if everyone is thrilled to know these things. They are free from thoughts of “Do they like me? Is my outfit cool? Do I look fat? Do I sound stupid?” I know these inner critics will come along for them at some point, but I relish in the lessons they teach in being free, confident, and happy to be alive.

How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?

One thing I do every Monday is what I call Weekly Inspiration. I take some time in the morning and look through some of my favorite books. I have a habit of reading books like I’m still in school, underlining passages, starring sections. I leaf through the pages re-reading parts I’ve marked, until I find something that really speaks to how I’m feeling that day, or how my week is looking. Then, I open my big art journal and create a page for that quote or phrase. I might create a background, or a doodle, or do something with the words. I leave the page open all day so that I can add to it when I have a minute or two. Sometimes the page is finished in the morning. Other times I don’t finish it until the next day. I take a picture and post it on my website as a source of inspiration for myself and others. 

I love having one little creative project that I can count on every week. I also love taking the time to really think about how I’m feeling and finding a way to express that in someone else’s words. 

For me, the biggest thing that allows me to be creative as a mama is to accept and embrace imperfection. If I want to create something while my children are up and playing, I will be interrupted and my arm will be jostled at some point. If I expect anything different I’m setting us all up for discomfort, frustration, and some sort of yelling episode. If I really have something I want to focus on I do it after the kids are in bed.

What would you say to those who want to live a creative life and find their artist within, but don't know where to begin?

First, I would recommend signing up for Inside Out. I think that is a great starting point for anyone. 

Then I would say practice creating freely, without judgment. Take a playful attitude to creating. Focus on the process, the feel of a paintbrush in your hand, the way the paint moves and swirls, the reaction between colors on a page, instead of thinking about the product. Don’t plan, just do. Then, put whatever you create away for a few days. Come back to it. It is always surprising how different your art looks a few days after creating it. 

Dive into the process again. And again. Make the time to create, just a little, every day. Add a doodle to your grocery list. Draw some spirals on paper with your kids’ crayons. Tear inspiring images out of a magazine and tape them on a wall in your bedroom. Even if it seems small and insignificant, taking a little time to be creative can open up so much more that you would ever think.


What new projects are you working on and where can we learn more about you?

I just released Sparrow Magazine - a project I put together with my lifelong friend Emilie. Sparrow Magazine is an online publication dedicated to inspiring deliberate living. Emilie and I both believe very strongly in the idea that if you are making wise, mindful, and deliberate choices in all aspects of your life you can do really amazing things. 

Every aspect of your life is connected -- the food you eat, the way you move your body, your home, your relationships, your creativity. Everything. When you nurture all aspects of your life it opens up enormous and glorious possibilities. Sparrow Magazine is about that. It’s about caring for your Body, Mind, Nest, and Connections so that your dreams can take Flight. The articles in Sparrow help inspire readers to do just that. 

We’re so excited about the incredible response we have had to our vision. There is an amazing community developing on our site as people are reading and commenting on the articles. Sparrow Magazine is a quarterly publication, free for all readers. Our next issue will take flight December 1, 2011.

Perched to Fly is my Personal Coaching site. I work as a coach helping people to live an exceptional life. I believe very deeply that everyone is capable of excellence. I assist people in defining their own personal life of excellence and then taking action on making their dreams a reality. My work is a merging of my background as a teacher, Social Worker, and therapist, as well as my own life journey as a seeker, explorer, and believer in the creative process. I provide inspiration, creativity exercises, ask big deep questions, help clarify and synthesize ideas and visions, and whole heartedly support people in creating a life of excellence. 


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Thank you, sweet Kelly, for sharing your beautiful, honest, creative, compassionate spirit with us all.


Now, pour your second cup of coffee and get on over to read the first issue of Sparrow.


Your Personal Reflection:  In what ways do you allow yourself to go within and get more in touch with your true self?

Why Inside Out? (and your chance to win)

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies. -unknown

When I launched the first session of Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery e-course in January 2010, I had no idea what was about to take flight.  The journey, the discoveries, the explorations, the support, and the love that have taken place over the last few years has been incredibly special.  I also had no idea that I would get the amazing opportunity to meet so many fabulous women from all over the world.  We have connected, shared and grown together.  And many, many of us have continued to build life-lasting friendships.

For those of you who are considering taking the 5th session of Inside Out this fall, but have yet to take the plunge, I am sharing testimonials over the next week from just a few of the creative explorers who found the courage to sign-up, dive deep and share a piece of their journey with the world.

Today, meet the lovely Lee...

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BIG thanks to Suzy of Hip Mountain Mama for sharing why you loved taking Inside Out, and

to Jennifer of The GlutenFree Advocate for sharing your life-changing experience from taking the course, too!

Visit Roots of She and read my newest article Think a New Thought; Change Your Life - how journaling helps set your inner dreams free.

Two Chances to Win:

Visit Jennifer's site and Rhythm of the Home blog to enter for a spot in the upcoming Inside Out e-course that starts September 12th!

Your Personal Reflection:  Are you ready to celebrate your inner courage and make a change in your life?

Breathe Easier By Being You

I'm very proud and delighted to share this next Free Spirit Spotlight with you!  Lindsay Weiss is a beautiful woman, from the inside out.  She is creative, kind, super generous and one of the funniest people I know.  She also happens to be my little sister.  Lindsay is expecting her first baby in the next few weeks and I couldn't be more excited for her. The way she lives her life, while staying connected to what she values in her heart, is a true inspiration.  Enjoy her interview as she shares some thoughts on living an authentic, present, fun-filled life!

Laughter is the spark of the soul.  -unknown

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am 28, happily married to the love of my life, and we are about to meet our first child this September!  I love working with young people and helping them help themselves.  I would love to meet Tina Fey someday because I just know we would be instant friends.  I think comedy and a sense of humor is so important to have and to share it with others.  I am always up for learning or trying something new.

How do you enjoy life and what makes you happy?  
My family makes me most happy.  My husband is a kind, strong man and he makes me laugh every day.  My family is supportive and talented and very fun to be around.  My dogs provide that unconditional love and they are always up for playing, which makes me smile.  I enjoy my life by spending time with my loved ones and helping others.  I have invested myself in my work by helping young people and their families the past several years.

How did you come to a place where you now embrace yourself and live an authentic life?
I have found that it is best for me to live my life simply and live my truth (whatever that may be).  To live authentically, to me, means doing what feels right.  It means caring about things that speak to your soul and has nothing to do with what your friends or neighbors might care about.  I know how quickly the days go by and if you are living authentically or at least trying to, you can breathe easier every day.

What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?
I love writing, expressing myself through short poems, stories and accompanying them with drawings.  I have loved photography since high school and continue to have a good eye for taking great pictures.  I enjoy spending time in my art room by mixing different mediums together (oil pastels, paint, collage and words).

What is a free spirit to you?
A free spirit is a beautiful thing.  I think a free spirit is someone who isn't afraid to be themselves and that takes courage.  A free spirit does what feels right to them even if it looks completely abnormal to the next person.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I find a lot of inspiration from nature and when I spend time outside.  I love road trips, getting to stop anywhere we drive and take pictures or just revel in the open land as I often crave more space.  I often want to write after I make another good connection with a young person when I get to learn about their background and the things they have overcome.  I am fascinated by the human connection and how sometimes it fails and other times it is magnificent.

How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?  Any struggles with balance?  Any tips to share with us?
Reflection, reflection, reflection.  I think we all need time EVERY DAY to just stop and breathe.  Sometimes I get that time in the car quietly feeling the breeze, or singing, dancing, meditating, resting, walking or gardening. Time to think about your day and how it went and how you felt about it.  I know this time creates balance for me because it helps me connect deeper to my own voice and I feel less stress and a better connection to what truly matters.

What would you say to those who want to live an authentic life but don't know where to begin?
I think living authentically starts with shifting your perspective.  What is really important to you?  What, at the end of the day, do you want to spend your time on?  You first have to listen to yourself, take time to be quiet and reflect, and then figure out what it is you want to do (or don't want to do) and then put it into action.  It takes daily practice to live authentically because it is so easy to get wrapped up in other people's stuff and chaos. When you start listening to yourself more often, you will realize it is worth any effort to try and live well.

How is being pregnant changing you and do you think it's allowing you to really listen to your heart even more?
My special time these days is when I get to see and feel my baby move - she is an active little one!  Feeling this little being move and grow inside of me is the most amazing thing I have ever been a part of and I feel at ease as we patiently wait to meet her.  I want to start setting an example to my daughter that it is important to take care of yourself, to find what makes you happy, to be kind to others and to try and live well every day.  I know that it is important to listen to my heart and I want to pass this lesson on to my daughter.

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Thank you, beautiful Lindsay, for sharing.  There is such simple wisdom in your words.  I love you and that sweet baby growing in your belly.

Your Personal Reflection:  Take a deep breath, smile and listen to YOUR heart today.

Let Your Dreams Bloom

I received quite a few emails and comments over the last few days in response to my Lessons from a Computer Cleanse post and it looks like I'm not the only one fumbling through my days trying to find "time" for it all!  Thanks to those of you who reached out, offered suggestions and shared your own struggles.  I truly believe that when we relate and connect in an authentic way we invite Life to help us expand and grow.

Life doesn't have to be hard, overwhelming, and full to the brim, yet most of us find ourselves trying to keep our head above water.  There's just too much to do and not enough time in the day.  So we find ourselves day-in and day-out repeating those old thoughts and patterns...If I only had more money...If I only had more time...If he would just do this...If she would just do that...I should be doing this...and I really shouldn't be doing that...I'm not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, thin enough, rich enough and on and on and on...

And while we are busy telling ourselves all the reasons why we can't find happiness NOW life is passing us by.  NOW is the time to clear out our mental clutter, because just as there is beauty that comes from clearing out the weeds in the garden, there is beauty inside you waiting to bloom.

As you move through your day today become more aware of the beauty you see around you and within you.  Truly take the time to stop and smell the flowers.  There is wisdom in that beauty, just as there is wisdom in you.

Life is beautiful.  YOU are beautiful.  Let yourself and your dreams bloom, because YOU deserve happiness and YOU have goodness to share with the world.

Your Personal Reflection:  What would you do with your life if time and money were not a concern?  Are you wasting time and energy on negative mental clutter?  What beauty do you see, around you and within you, when you stop to smell the flowers?

Have you signed up to receive my monthly newsletter?  In my next issue I'll be sharing some tips on how to change your thoughts and ways to create more time in your daily life to allow your dreams to bloom. Sign-up today.

Choosing to LIVE FULLY NOW

Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.  

~Henry David Thoreau

Happy February!  Um...where did January go?  Seriously, I know it's such a bore to repeat the phrase, "Time is flying by!"  But, man seriously, time IS really flying by!

As promised I'm here to share some words about big changes I'm making in my life...and although I don't really feel like I've got quite a grasp on how to explain them...well...I'm gonna try.

After a month of listening more, journaling more, painting more, and reflecting more, (as well as stumbling, making mistakes and taking on too much), I've noticed some messages in my heart that are ready to manifest - and those messages have inspired me to prioritize my intentions for this new year.  

Intention #1:  

To Live Without

My quest last year to Reduce Clutter; Create Space has helped shaped my new mantra for this year - To Live Without.  I get a magazine each month called Living Without, and it shares tips and inspiration around living a gluten-free, dairy-free lifestyle.  I have to admit I've never liked the title.  It sounded so depressing to me.  Who wants to "live without?"  I mean, come on, isn't that kind of limiting?  I want to live life to the fullest (and eat pizza) - shouldn't I get to have it all?

And then it hit me.  I've always had an issue with lack.  That I knew.  But, I kinda thought I was over it.  I mean, I used to think I wasn't good enough, or that I didn't make enough, or that I didn't have enough.  I couldn't possibly start teaching, coaching, making art, or writing because I didn't know enough.  You get the idea.

So the phrase, Living Without, was actually bringing up old feelings of lack for me.  I also think it's probably why I have a hard time staying within my weekly grocery budget and continue feeding my Whole Foods addiction, because I want to prove to myself we now indeed do have enough and I'll never have to live without again.

But...something has changed.  My year of reducing clutter has helped me get to this moment, where I not only am embracing living without, but I'm feeling happier and freer with less.  And I'm actually starting to experience a whole new meaning of wealth that goes way beyond a dollar amount.

So this year I'm letting go of more stuff (mental, emotional and physical junk), so that I can expand beyond things and allow space for the infinite possibilities that await.

Intention #2:

Build Foundation - One Step at a Time

The fourth session of my Inside Out e-course ends this week.  And while I ask the explorers in class to dig deeper and dream bigger, it's only fair that I do the same!  It's the first class I've led while having two children and I have to say, the transition of working from home with a 3-year-old and a 4-month-old has had its set of challenges...to say the least.  There are days when I think I'm crazy for trying to manage a career and mommy-hood.  But, again, after trial-and-error over the last month (and some tears), here's what I'm learning...

I need my creative outlet and connection to community just as much as I need to stay home with my children right now.  I also know that I have to continue striving to be present during both.  When I work, I need to focus on work.  When I'm with my children, I need to focus on my children.  It's that simple.  HA...simple?  Yay right.  It's anything but. Yet I'm willing to try, explore, fumble and discover ways that work best for my family and me.

So I am looking at this year as a time to build foundation - for my family and my career. I'm choosing to stay home with my children while they are so young because I want to be fully present with them during these foundation years.  This will require that I learn how to simplify my lifestyle even more, and find the balance that allows me to have dedicated work time during my week.  When I try to work around the children I feel crazy, frustrated and irritable.  As a creative person with more ideas than there are hours in the day, this is going to be a challenge for me.  But I know that I must be patient, and that what I really need right now is space.  This is a precious stage in my life and my children won't be young forever.  

Intention #3:

Sacred Kitchen - Sacred Life

I'm reading a book that is changing the way I prepare, eat and think about food.  It's called The Sacred Kitchen: Higher Consciousness Cooking for Health and Wholeness by Robin and Jon Robertson.  They have reminded me that my energy goes into the food I cook.  So if I'm cranky and resentful because I have to make dinner, then that cranky energy will pass on to my family through the meal I've prepared.  It's a fact that we have to eat every day so why not look at making dinner as a celebration?  I also really love exploring my creativity in a whole new way through cooking. 

I am determined to stay within my grocery budget, eat organic, wholesome food and explore new recipes, as well as make my own!  I went ballistic on my kitchen this past week and cleaned out the pantry, fridge and all the cabinets.  I donated every last bit of plastic and items I never use.  I've been reading about canned foods and have switched to dry beans, and I'm now on a mission to digitize my recipes on my iPad so I can eliminate the paper and cookbook clutter, too.

Working to create a solid foundation in my kitchen seems to compliment conscious living in all other aspects of my life, and if nothing else, it just feels so darn good.

Intention #4:

Return to Stillness

I took a great e-course during the month of January called Picture Winter with Tracey Clark.  Each day I received a new photo prompt that inspired me to look at things in a new way.  One assignment was to capture an everyday household item.  The example in Tracey's photo was her coffee maker.  It got me to really pay attention to the items I use the most throughout my day.  Then I captured this picture.

NO...this is not a household item I use every day!  In fact, it has been sitting in the corner of my bedroom just waiting for me.  It quietly speaks to me at night..."come sit on me...be still...enjoy this quiet time after a long, busy day.  I'm here for you."  And I quietly reply back, "I'm too tired tonight.  Tomorrow...I'll sit on you tomorrow."

The household item that I use all the time is my iPhone, and in capturing this photo I had to be honest with myself and ask, "If I can find many times throughout my day to check Twitter, Facebook, and my email, then why can't I find just 5 minutes to sit on my meditation pillow?"

And that's when the shift for this new year started to manifest in a much greater way.  I'm making shifts like this one, taking time for meditation every night (although I still fight the "I'm too tired" excuse), and checking my phone WAY less, so that I can eliminate the chaos, clutter and insanity!

And you know something?  I realized that our society does not value "downtime."  We look up to and respect the people who do it all, have it all - the type-A, multi-taskers, go-getters, over-achievers, moneymakers, breadwinners, jet-setters.  Meditate?  Do nothing?  Just be?  Live in the present?  Rest?  Slow down?  Live without?  It may not be what mainstream America values, but I think there's value in stillness, and by god, I'm gonna try my best to get me some.

So with one small step at a time, I am embracing the authentic parts of me - the creative-entrepreneur-wanna-be-painter-art-maker-yoga-pants-wearing-zumba-dancing-breast-feeding-baby-wearing-mommy-loving-married-loving-dark-chocolate-eating-coffee-drinking-Modern-Family-watching-e-course-making-soul-searching-sacred-kitchen-making-deeply-connecting-stillness-craving-living-without-foundation-building and willing to make mistakes along the way.

Yes, life is moving by at a rather rapid pace, and I don't want to miss a thing.  I believe life is worth LIVING.  I'm choosing to take steps every day to live it to the very fullest.  And I'm pretty convinced now that I don't have to do more, be more, and have more to live a full life.

Most importantly, all this deep reflecting has helped me prioritize what's truly important to me.  I'm choosing to live the life I want to live NOW, and whether it's cooking in the kitchen, teaching a class, picking up toys, sitting in stillness, or playing in the snow - I'm gonna have fun doing it.

Are you with me?

Your Personal Reflection:  What small steps can you take, starting right NOW, to fully experience YOUR life?

Who are THEY? (Choosing an Authentic, Abundant Life)

Who says I can't walk around with bed head all day?  I mean, come on, doesn't this look kind of suit me?

I find myself in a difficult, weird place - like major shifts and big transitions are just around the corner.  And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm being forced to change.  The changes I am experiencing are forcing me to take a good look at the messages I've adopted from the world, and the self-imposed, limiting thoughts I think.

Hmm, how do I say this?  Well, first off, I'm tired of rules.  I'm tired of worrying about what other people think of my choices.  I'm tired of people, society, they, telling me how to live.  Conformity, fitting in, being like everyone else - I'm so done with that.  Seriously, who are they to tell me when it's appropriate to stop nursing my child, or that my socks should match, and that I can't wear navy with black or white after labor day, or that I should keep my mouth shut and not speak my truth, or that I should own two cars, or that I should color within the lines, and seek out the best preschools, and wear the best clothes, and buy the newest cosmetics, or that the more money or credentials I have will add value to my self-worth, or if I discover a gray hair I better find a chemical to cover it up, or that I should brush my bed head and be like everyone else?  Let's conform, shall we?  Let's hide our true selves so that the people around us won't think we're strange.  Let's keep up with the Joneses because they sure know how to live the perfect life.  Who the hell are the Joneses anyway?  And heck, I kinda like my bed head.

Where is this all coming from? Well, although my last blog post was entitled Summer Time and the Living is Easy, I have to say that living isn't always easy.  Some days are fantastic, and other days are hard and challenging. That's the nature of life, the yin and yang, the night and day...  My challenge lately has to do with old feelings of lack and new feelings of abundance and gratitude.  My old way of being -focusing on lack - is what's feeling forced to change, because old habits like to have their way.  They are stubborn and when faced with change they kick and scream, "No, you can't change me!  I like feeling miserable and sorry for myself!"  However, my new abundant self is rejoicing, "Yes, you are so close.  The struggle you experience now will change you forever.  And you have such gratitude for all the little things around you.  You're blessed in so many ways!  Let go of lack and celebrate the changes you are experiencing.  Life is so good."

My husband and I are in a place where we've made some major decisions about how we want to live and raise our family.  With our second baby on the way and our desire to be fully present parents, we have decided to simplify our working schedules to provide more hands-on love, learning and experiences for our family.  This means that I will be working less to focus on staying home, and my husband will balance his work schedule to be home more in the evenings and weekends.  This also means a cut in monthly salary - and it's this shift in the amount of money coming in that is triggering old thought patterns and deep behavior changes.

We've decided to say good-bye to our TV.  What?!  Now I know some of you probably don't have TV's.  I've never experienced this luxury before.  And I'm serious when I say luxury.  Although my old, lack-self wants to scream and say, "How will I survive not seeing every episode of Project Runway?!" My new abundant-self is secretly excited at what this change will bring.  I see the stack of books I want to read, I hear my deep desire to paint more, and I love our quality family time of walks, playing at the park and caring for our community garden.  So letting go of TV is actually creating space for the things I want more time for.  And, it's going to save us money.  All good things, right?

Other changes we need to make include cutting our grocery budget, reducing the personal money we pay ourselves for clothes, yoga classes and little splurges, and reducing our entertainment budget.  Again, my old lack-self says, "Guess we'll be eating mush every meal and I'll be wearing the same clothes everyday and if it's not a free activity then forget about it.  Sounds like we'll be hermits the rest of the summer."  But my new abundant-self is rejoicing, "Wow, here's an opportunity to get creative with buying bulk and playing with recipes (like finding a gluten-free pizza crust that's only $2.50 per bag).  I can now clear out my closet for just the essential (maternity) clothes and getting dressed each morning will be much easier!  And, there are many free things to do in my area - it's going to be really fun to seek them out!"

I never knew when I started the Reduce Clutter; Create Space challenge for 2010 that it would lead to reducing the amount of money coming in.  I always thought that the more money we had, the more abundance we would experience.  Now I'm learning that it's not about the amount of money, but rather the ability to live more fully, boldly, freely and presently, despite the dollar amount.  Happiness truly does come from within, and the more I embrace the abundance around me, the more joy I can experience along the way.

So returning to my original question - who are they to tell me how to live?  The more aware I become, the more I realize that they is really me.  Sure, we are raised with societal norms and we have the media pressuring us on how to live and conform - but I have the freedom to choose.  I can choose to not let they become my thoughts.  I can change what I think about myself and the world around me.  I can stay curious and ask questions.  I can face my fears and take risks.  I can choose to be confident and clear about me and how I choose to live.  I can be different.  I can embrace authentic living.  I can practice living from a spirit-driven place, rather than letting my ego guide the way.  I can know deep down in my heart that no amount of money or things will define who I am or bring me happiness.  I can choose to be happy from the inside out and I can love being ME.

So today, and every day, I am letting go of my old feelings, thoughts and behaviors around lack and I'm not listening to them anymore.  I may not know where this will lead, but my new way of being is to TRUST that everything is unfolding as it should and I'm right where I need to be in this moment.  I am on the right path, because the right path for me is MY path, just as the right path for you is YOUR path.

Change isn't easy, that's for sure.  But the alternative - repeating the same pattern over and over and wasting energy trying to fit in - just ain't for me anymore.  I say stop.  And I'm truly excited about what this new space and simplicity will bring. 

  

Now, I better run. Kestan's taking a nap and here's my last chance to watch TV before it's turned off tonight!

Your Personal Reflection:  How have you allowed they to define how you live?  Do your thoughts create self-imposed limitations in your life?  Can you choose, today, to let go of lack in your life, and celebrate abundance and gratitude?  

Grab a piece of paper and write down three things that you are grateful for in this moment.  Try this practice daily and you'll start to notice some shifts in the way you think, the way you see yourself, and the way you see the world around you.

Abundance is not something we acquire.  It is something we tune into." -Wayne Dyer

It's Never Too Late

I am loving the way I feel now by taking your course.  It opened up a lot of feelings and is letting me enjoy myself and each day.  I so much enjoy expressing my feelings through doodling and writing, and I'm loving my own sacred place while being true to ME - instead of letting myself just drift along.  Thank you so much, Shannon, for giving me a wonderful place to learn, explore and express myself.  

I am finding immense joy in so many things.  -Iris

I received this lovely note over the weekend from an explorer who participated in my last e-course.  It's feedback like this that warms my heart.  Even though I know I'm on the right path, it's nice to hear that others are feeling such inspiration from the deep connections made through my Inside Out community. 

Whether you are in your 70's (like Iris), or still in your teens - your age, your personality, your past, your stage of life - none of that matters.  What matters most is that we keep an open heart and an open mind so that we can be ready for life's greatest possibilities.  We are all looking for the same things.  We are in search of meaning, connection, love, abundance, joy, celebration, purpose, creativity, growth, happiness...  I love that we can come together to share, to learn and to support each other along our life's path.  The opportunity to learn more about YOU and get completely inspired, while putting YOURSELF and what matters most to YOU first - starts today!

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

There is still time to enroll for Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery - so get on over there - make some BIG changes and join another amazing group of women who are eager to live more fully, boldly and freely.  (Registration closes at midnight, US Central time, tonight!)

Your Personal Reflection:  To see great change in your life, you have to be willing to take healthy risks and try new things.  What is one thing you can try, today, that you've never had the courage to do?  Take one small step towards something that matters to you - because YOU MATTER, and it's never too late to try.