(Re)Framing My Thinking
You Are JUST Getting Started
Can you think back to the time in your life when you were minus life’s responsibilities?
You know, someone else paid the bills. Someone else offered direction about your decisions. Someone else bought the groceries.
Your imagination played with ideas like falling in love, traveling the world, learning new things, making big career moves, etc. Dreaming about the possibilities for your future came with a sense of ease because Time was the ever-present ally that made EVERYTHING feel doable.
Unfortunately, with each passing year and added responsibility, Time can move from our ever-present ally to the ever-annoying foe. Our dreams, from personal to professional, can get lost in a sea of “have tos” and “must dos” as we chastise ourselves about all the time and opportunity that has been wasted.
But the only waste is the time spent chastising ourselves over what we did not do because that steals energy, joy and focus from one simple fact….
Today is a new day and YOU are JUST getting started.
As long as there is life in your body, you have an opportunity to dust off your imagination and tap into the dreams and aspirations that you were created to achieve.
It may not be as easy as when you were child-less, job-less, partner-less, mortgage-less, etc, but that doesn’t mean you do not get to put one foot in front of the other and show up for your life, your dreams today.
You may not know what to expect or how you are going to get to the end goal. Friends and family may look at you like you are crazy. You may feel frustrated by fear. But no matter what, you must choose YOU first, take that next step forward and everything else will fall into place.
Are you ready to get started? Let’s talk about it! Click the ‘Book Online’ button at the top of the page to schedule a complimentary (re)Discovery chat.
Let Them Criticize You
Aristotle is quoted as having said, “To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing.”
Criticism can be a tough pill to swallow. In fact, it can be so challenging that we make decisions based on the best way to AVOID any and all criticism. And, as Aristotle notes, this leads to living a life that is full of NOTHING.
But here’s what we have to remember….
Criticism is a part of life and the sting is real, but we get to CHOOSE how much power we give the words of another person and the impact it has on how we move through life.
When we set out to avoid criticism, we set out to avoid opportunities to learn and grow in ways that allow us to truly experience the fullness of life. We avoid opportunities to say something, do something and BE something.
Criticism is not about automatically owning the words of another. It is about creating space to receive all that you need to show up in life as your most self-assured, authentic and divine self.
Do you struggle to release criticism and feel like it could be holding you back? Let’s talk about it! Click the ‘Book Online’ button at the top of the page to schedule a complimentary coaching chat.
More, Please & Thank You
“If only I had more ____, then I would be happier.”
We have all experienced some form of this thought. And more often than not, the first things that we fill in that blank are life’s many tangible goodies (i.e. money, space, vacations, time, etc).
While there is NOTHING wrong with wanting MORE of those tangible goodies, have you ever thought deeply about the WHY behind those desires?
We are conditioned to believe that attaining the things on our MORE list is the best (and only) way to “live the good life”. It becomes the quiet (and sometimes not so quiet) driving force behind our goal setting, decision making, planning, etc.
But here’s the thing….
What we are NOT taught is that, because we are all individuals who want and need different things from life, what it means to live a “good life” varies from person to person.
When we choose to embrace who we are as individuals, going deeper into self with a simple WHY, we are creating space to attract MORE of ALL the goodness we desire. And THAT is how we ensure that we are living a life that is authentic, abundant in all ways and deeply FULL-filling.
I challenge you to start a running list of all the things you desire to have MORE of in your life and then ask yourself WHY.
If the WHY is not aligned to who you are at your core, tapped into your authentic voice, let it go to make room for something that IS fully aligned with YOUR authentic voice.
Not sure how to dig deeper into your authentic MORE? Let’s talk about it! Click the ‘Book Online’ button at the top of the page to schedule a complimentary coaching chat.
Thriving at Home
When you think about your current home, what FEEL-ings come up?
While it might be nice to have a home that looks like it came right out of one of those HGTV fixer-upper shows, what is most important about your space is how it makes you FEEL….TODAY.
When our space feels good, we sleep better, are more productive, feel more at ease and so on. That is why it is important to do a periodic “Space Audit”.
Take a moment to walk through each space in your home (even if you’re in a studio apartment) and identify which areas make you feel happy, at ease, comfortable, etc. What areas spark feelings of discomfort, frustration or blah?
If you could change one thing about OR add one thing to your space to make it feel more welcoming to your spirit, what would that be? NOTE: That could be a throw pillow, blanket, candle, picture, book, etc.
Once you have completed your space audit, take a moment to set an intention/plan around what you will add and when. And THEN set the intention to do this a few times a year to ensure your space continues to feel aligned with your spirit.
Want to talk more about WHY it’s so important to own and honor your space? Let’s talk about it! Schedule a complimentary chat where we will talk about what you need to feel at home and why.
This Just Might Work
Are you ready to take a chance?
Have you ever had an inclination to do, create or experience something and, because you were unsure of what the outcome would be, found 1,000,001 reasons to NOT move forward?
We are taught to be risk averse, to avoid taking chances, to do things in ways that the majority considers to be safe. When we follow these patterns, we keep those around us happy and we create space to be accepted.
But here’s the thing….
When you avoid taking chances, diving into those dreams that feel a little crazy, trying out the hobbies that no one else understands, opening your heart to love that others may not approve of, etc, you are creating a space to experience love, life and joy in ways that YOU were created to experience it all.
Instead of always considering the thoughts, feelings and/or reactions of others, what if you decided to hold the mantra in your heart, “This just might work.”
And, in those moments when you try something and it doesn’t work, you will walk away a stronger, wiser, better human because, in all things, there are lessons to be learned that will keep moving us in the direction of our Divine purpose.
Not sure how to own your authentic desires and trust that, no matter what it is, “this just might work”? Let’s talk about it! Schedule a complimentary chat where we will explore how you can start (re)framing your thinking!
C + A = G
While math was never a favorite subject of mine, there is one equation that I’ve learned over the years and LOVE.
C + A = G
Consistency + Accountability = Growth
Whether speaking about your career, your ability to communicate, your health & wellness, etc, Growth is something we all want. There are countless books, podcasts and social media feeds with tips and tricks about all things related to personal and professional growth.
We listen and read, walking away feeling excited, only to find ourselves disappointed at the slightest loss of momentum. But THIS is where we have to turn to the equation.
When we want to experience transformational growth and sustain it, we have to focus on being consistent. We have to show up for ourselves JUST as we would show up for others as consistency creates the (inner) trust that helps keep us motivated to move.
And when you look at Accountability, it’s all about taking responsibility for our actions, making a decision and not giving up on ourselves when things get tough. We take responsibility for mistakes. We keep our promises. We are committed to finding our way to the desired end.
So, as you think about your life and the Growth you desire in all areas of your life, ask yourself where you need to show more Consistency and what places and spaces would benefit from more Accountability.
If you struggle with being Consistent and holding yourself Accountable, Let’s talk about it! Schedule your complimentary chat today so we can talk about how to make space for more of both in your life.
Find the Calm
Have you ever had one of those weeks where you went to sleep on Sunday night and somehow woke up on Thursday morning?
(Been there. Done that. Got the certificate.)
As you sit on the side of your bed trying to figure out where the time went, you may wonder how you will EVER salvage the week. You may think about the weekend plans that have to be canceled or rearranged so you can complete all the things on the list. Your brain may slip into a thought loop that entails countless messages about how you need to get it together. Or maybe you contemplate going back to sleep in hopes that this is all a really bad dream.
Life can be busy and even hectic. We all have things we want to accomplish each day. We all have goals we want to reach in our lifetimes. But if we cannot take a moment to find a place of CALM within, to reset when things don’t go as planned, we create more of that busy, hectic feeling.
So, as you move through your day, set the intention that, no matter how busy things get, no matter how much time you seem to have lost, you will pause for a few minutes to Find YOUR Calm.
Maybe that means taking a few deep breaths, stepping away from your workspace to get some fresh air or take a quick walk. Maybe you pull out your journal and write for 2 minutes. Maybe you dance to your favorite song or do a few jumping jacks. Calm looks different for each of us, but when we remember to find it, we are remembering to care for ourselves and that grounds us in ways that makes resetting and refocusing something that happens with greater ease.
Need support (re)discovering your place of CALM? Let’s talk about it! Schedule your complimentary chat today.
I Love Me REALLY Badly
“I do really like myself very badly.”
In a conversation on The Antidote Podcast, this was part of Amber Ruffin’s response to a question about what she did to take care of herself.
Now let me paint a picture….
I was listening to this podcast while on my way to an important date with someone very important in my life. Wondering who it was?
It was ME!
It had been far too long. I missed hanging out with me. I ate. I thought. I enjoyed. It was nothing short of magical. But I digress….
The way she talked about loving herself was palpable and, as I listened, was reminded even more of the value of taking myself on this date.
Part of loving ourselves “really badly” is creating space to give ourselves what we need, whatever that looks like. Maybe it’s a hot date at your favorite restaurant. Maybe it’s a walk in the park as you listen to the birds sing. Maybe it’s a night with your favorite movie, a nice glass of ___ and a bowl of popcorn. Maybe it’s taking a hot bath and sitting on the floor in your bedroom to intentionally moisturize (we’ll have to talk more about this another time).
The WHAT is not as important as the follow-through, making a choice to love yourself so “badly” that NOTHING will get in the way of YOU consistently creating that space of love and care for YOURSELF.
Not sure where to start when it comes to that “BAD” love? I get it. I’ve been there and I want to support you in getting to THAT kind of love. So let’s talk about it.
A Little Nothing Goes a Long Way
Have you ever wanted something SO BAD, worked SO HARD and then, NOTHING?
NOTHING (or so it seems) comes from all of your effort, intention and focus. NOTHING magical, beautiful or dreamy. NOTHING but the appearance of failure.
Instead of seeing this moment as a bump in the road and dusting yourself off, this appearance of failure may leave you with endless questions about your ability to have, do and be all you imagine.
That’s understandable. And I give you permission to FEEL the disappointment for a specified window of time.
But as you take the time to FEEL your way through the disappointment, I also give you permission to remember that one bump (or 20) does NOT have the power to stop you from reaching your purpose.
The things you want may not happen as you imagined, but they will happen. The key is to show ourselves grace along the way as that allows us to remain open to the lessons that live within the moments of NOTHING.
Not sure how to show yourself grace or to embrace the NOTHING lessons? Let’s talk about it!
Click HERE to schedule your complimentary consultation today!
Random Acts of (ME) Kindness
Have you ever pulled up to the window at the drive through line and told the cashier, “I’m going to pay for the person behind me.” Or maybe you pulled out your wallet to pay only to learn that some generous stranger had already taken care of your bill.
Those random acts of kindness moments make us feel yummy inside and that energy translates into how we show up in the world.
But have you ever thought about offering yourself a Random Act of Kindness?
Instead of waiting for the right time or place to gift yourself with a small token of love, appreciation, support or gratitude, why not choose now to say, “Hey! You are worthy!”
Maybe it’s a beautiful bouquet of flowers that catches your eye as you move through your list at the grocery store. Maybe it’s a delicious meal that you’ve been craving from your favorite restaurant. Maybe it’s the book that’s been on your list to pick up.
The WHAT is not important. What matters is the effort and intention put into reminding yourself that you deserve a little love from yourself today and every day.
And if you find yourself struggling to tap into that place in your head and/or heart that believes you deserve those Random Acts of Kindness, let’s talk about it!
Click HERE to schedule your complimentary consultation today!
It’s All Relative
“I shouldn’t feel ____ (fill in the blank with any (alleged) negative emotion) because other people have it worse.
At a time when life felt like the BIGGEST struggle for me, that was often my thought pattern. What I was going through didn’t deserve space because other people had it worse.
What I had to learn (thanks to a friend) is that BOTH can be true, valid and acceptable. NOT allowing space for BOTH means choosing to question your value.
The next time you catch yourself comparing the depth of what you are feeling to someone else’s experience, remind yourself that you have capacity to honor your needs while also acknowledging the truth of someone else’s.
P.S. - If you are the person who says, “Oh! But ____ has it worse.” Remind yourself that BOTH can be true. 😉
If you are struggling to acknowledge the depth and value of YOUR experiences and resulting feelings, Let’s Talk About It!
Click HERE to schedule your complimentary coaching call today.
This Or Something Better…
On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being not at all and 10 being A LOT), how much do you enjoy being in control?
If you’re closer to the 10 side than the 1 side, there’s no judgment here. I get it. For most of us, the idea of being in control of situations creates a sense of (alleged) security that is not easy to release.
Unfortunately, holding on to that (alleged) sense of security creates a barrier to our ongoing healing, growth and desired connection to self.
Our most authentic experience of security comes when we release the attachment to our desire for things to unfold in a specific way and SURRENDER to the possibility for “this or something better”.
Instead of spending prayer, meditation, thought, etc time running down the list of what you want, how you want it and the packaging you want it to arrive in, consider allowing your imagination to play with the possibilities and then trust that, as you take consistent steps toward said desires, the doors of opportunity will open in ways that far exceed your expectations.
Everything you want is waiting for you. You do not have to control the process. You simply have to CHOOSE to give yourself permission, today and everyday, to surrender that desire for control and lean into the possibility for “this or something better”.
Are you ready to (re)discover your authentic sense of security and learn how to surrender control? Let’s talk about it.
Click HERE to schedule your complimentary coaching call today.
You Don’t Have to Know the WHY.
Have you ever felt a little “off” inside, so much so that you felt like crying, but could not put your finger on WHY?
When this happens, you may find yourself offering up an internal tongue lashing for feeling “off” for no reason?
We are conditioned to believe that there has to be a “good reason” to feel emotions, ESPECIALLY those that are considered unpleasant. But guess what…
Our emotional spaces do not always have clear answers. And sometimes, the act of pushing to find answers creates more tension inside.
When you give yourself permission to FEEL your way through without the pressure to know WHY, you are giving yourself permission to connect more deeply to your authentic voice.
Curious about how to embrace ALL of what you feel and connect more deeply to your authentic voice, create a life that feels truly FULL-filling? Let’s talk about it!
Click HERE to schedule your complimentary coaching call today.