saying YES!

I have been playing it small.  Opportunities arriving at my doorstep and I do not open the door.  Fearful of failure.
Fearful of not being able to live up to expectations.
Fearful of the unknown.
But here's the thing; when you play it small you never expand.  You never grow.  You never accomplish your dreams. You remain exactly where you are.  

I am stagnant and moving no where fast.  I have lots of hopes, dreams, and desires swirling in my heart yet I have not taken any steps to accomplishing them even when the knock comes at my door.  I avoid the opportunity and shrink away.  But it is time to end all of that. 

It is time to say YES!  

I ned to take the leap.  No more hiding away.  It is time to show up.  Even if I don't feel like I am good enough, even if I don't have complete confidence, even if I am not 100% sure of what I am doing I need to do it anyway.  The only way to truly learn something is to submerge yourself in it and do it. 

If I want to be a yoga teacher I need to teach. Even if that means messing up along the way.  Yoga is about meeting yourself where you are and doing what you can.  I need to do what I can and over time I will improve.  I am learning nothing by just sitting on my coach hoping to one day teach.   

If I want to write a book the only way to do that is to sit down day after day and write.  The words will not magically appear on there own.  And yes they may become jumbled and jump from thought to thought but once they are down on the page I can sort them out.  

If I want to run the marathon in November then I need to run now.  Putting one foot in front of the other even when I don't feel like it. 

If I want to make an impact on this world and use my ability to guide others, listen deeply, and write openly than I need to take the leap and do it.  I need to put it out there that I can create a personalized mentoring program and invite others to work with me.  Nothing will happen if I do not put it out there.  

So I am saying YES! 

Yes to the opportunities that rise up even when they scare the heck out of me.
Yes to believing in myself and going after my dreams. This means putting in the work.
Yes to taking chances even when I do not know how they will end up.  
Yes to me and creating the life I want to be living.  

I am not meant to live small. But the only way to live big is by putting myself out there, going through rough patches and failure and coming out on the other side.  I can't instantly step into the life of my dreams.  I need to build it block by block, step by step.   And only I can do that by taking chances.  And so I am.  It starts today!

What can you say yes to in your life?

I invite you

I invite you to slow down and take a moment just for YOU.  Yes, you.  You deserve it.  You may still be in your PJ's.  Your hair may be a mess.  The dishes may need to be done.  But don't worry about any of that right now. 

Make yourself a cup of tea.  Find a warm place to sit.  Get comfortable. 

Sit for a just moment.  I know, it can be hard to do but I promise you have the time to do it. Constantly we are go, go, go.  But we need to slow down. We need to take the time and create the space to just be.  Do not worry about your long to do list I promise you it will still be there for you when you are through. 

Think about what has made you happy recently. 

What has lit you up?  The smiles from your children.  A wave from a stranger.  That moment in yoga class when you fell into deep meditation.  Just think of one good thing and smile.  Don't smile with just your face, but smile from your heart.  Feel the joy this one precious moment in life brought you.  

Now think of something you are grateful for. 

I know there are many but choose just one.  What one thing, person, moment are you most grateful to have, have been a part of, have been surrounded by.  Think of what you are thankful for and smile.  Again smile with your entire heart.  Feel the the love you have for what you are grateful for.  

Now think about someone you love and adore. 

Picture him or her in all their glory doing what they enjoy most.  See the happiness on their face and the love in their eyes.  Send them light and love for all the adventures they will take in their lifetime.  Smile because they are precious gift in your life and you are a precious gift to them.  

I invite you to sink into all this goodness.  Because no matter how crazy and out of hand life can get there will always be something that made you happy, something you are grateful for, and someone you love.  And when you think of these things a smile will form on your face and you can take it just a little bit deeper by smiling from your heart.   

Smile from your heart today!

---

This post was inspired by the third prompt for this round of the Love Notes Postcard Project.  This free, three week project invites individuals to get back to the basics and connect with others through snail mail.  This is the twenty third time I am hosting the project and could not be more excited.  

---

use what you got

I am a consumer.  Buying things that catch my eye.  Wanting to try out whats new.  Purchasing, purchasing, purchasing.  Sometimes these things end up in the back of the cabinet collecting dust or tucked inside a drawer never seeing the light of day and never being used.  I have a home filled with things.  Do I appreciate all of them?  Certainly not.  I have a cabinet and freezer filled with food yet each week I go to the grocery store and buy more.  

What if I used what I had?  What if I let go of what truly doesn't serve me?  What if I stopped purchasing things that I already own?  

I have a pallet of eye shadows barley used yet I want to go out and get one that I saw a friend had.  I have cans of chickpeas and bags of frozen fruit, yet rather than use them I purchase more food.  I buy things I do not even need. 

It is amazing how quickly the things we own can begin to consume us.  Each item gives and takes energy from us.  When we open an overflowing cabinet and only feel overwhelmed our energy levels are instantly diminished. What if my home was only filled with the things I need and the things I love?  How would I feel?    

I am challenging myself to use only what I have.  There is no need to purchase more.  No need to have the latest fad or trend when I have a perfectly useful comparison tucked in the back of my closet.  I want to appreciate what I have and only be surrounded by things that nourish my soul. 

It is time to use what I have and toss/donate what I do not need.  It is time to pair down and live light.  I do not want my things to consume me.  I want to feel spacious not only in my heart but in my physical space as well.  

So here is what I am doing:

• Looking at what is in my cabinet and using it for upcoming meals.  Yes, there will be some things that I need but I am going to challenge myself to try to make as many meals with the food I have on hand.  
• Using the makeup, shampoo, soap, deodorant I have stockpiled in my bathroom before buying anymore.  
• Reading through the books and magazines I have rather than going out and purchasing more.  
• Using the art supplies I have on hand and coming up with creative projects to use them.  

It's time to get creative.  To let loose and have some fun with whats on hand. 

I invite you to join me in this adventure?  Let's encourage one another and hold each other accountable.  Comment below if you are in and I will drop you a note of encouragement in the mail {yes, actual snail mail}.  

word of the year

“Your mind shines brightest when you enlighten others; your heart, when you encourage others; your soul, when you elevate others; and your life, when you empower others.”

— Matshona Dhliwayo

Since 2009 I have had the tradition of choosing one word to tuck into my pocket for the entire year.  A word that is calling to me.  One I want to manifest and dive into.  I never know how it is going to unfold but it usually brings me exactly what I need, even if it is not what I expected.  

As I was journaling my way through the end of the year my word emerged.  I know that NOW is the time for me to step into the work I am meant to do in the world.  I have deep creative dreams brewing and this is the year to make them happen.  

My word for 2018 is:

elevate

verb
   * to move or raise to a higher place or position; lift up
   * to raise to a higher state, rank, or office; exalt; promote
   * to raise to a higher intellectual or spiritual level
   * to raise the spirits; put in high spirits
   * to raise (the voice) in pitch or volume

I want to elevate those around me.  Be a guide in my community and help others unearth the brilliant light inside them. I want to choose joy and be aware of the energy I carry with me.  Raising my own spirit and carrying kindness into every interaction.  I want to radiate my own light and not be fearful of how bright it can shine.  I also want to raise my voice and allow myself space to be heard.  

In 2011 I made a piece of art with my word and it still hangs on my wall today.  It was powerful to do it and was the year that my word manifested itself in the most brilliant and unexpected manner.  It was as if taking the time to create something I could see every day helped proclaim to the universe how serious I was about this word.  This week I am going to be working on a piece of art for elevate.  Something that will inspire me each day to live with this word in my heart.  

Do you choose a word or intention for the year?  Would love to hear what it is.  

My previous words have been:

2017 - Expand
2016 - Daring Greatly & Gather
2015 - Connection
2014 – Build
2013 – All the Cards on the Table
2012 – Soar
2011 – Love
2010 – Connect
2009 - Wings

2017 Inventory

As 2017 is coming to a close I have been digging in, looking back and seeing what was.  It is amazing what surfaces when we take the time to slow down, see how far we have come, and look at what we made it through. 

This past year has been filled with a lot of up's and downs like all years have.  I wouldn't rank it as being one of my favorites.  I carry with me a whole set of battle scars.  It wasn't a stellar year but I definitely learned a lot. 

Below is an exercise I like doing at the end of every year.  A year end inventory of sorts.  It is a great way to reflect.  

>> 2017 felt like a blur.  I don't even know what happened and feel like I wasn't present.  In this moment I see how deeply I need to spend time with my notebook.  It is in that sacred space that I allow myself to open up.
>> I did to much of not being present and blindly moving through each day without feeling. 
>> I did to little of sharing my heart and speaking how I felt.  
>> I never should have stopped paying attention and thinking I was invincible.  
>> I am glad I got rocked to my core because it has woken me up and made me see how I need to be more present.
>> I learned that life can throw you curveballs and try to teach you lessons.  But it is only when you are truly ready do you learn them.  And then sometimes you even forget them. 
>> My biggest adventures were our August road trip to Maine and finding my way to the first marathon viewing stop all on my own.
>> My most romantic moment was walking hand in hand with him underneath the glow of the moonlight.
>> I celebrated choosing to show up at "She Recovers" and boldly allowing myself to know that there is something I need to recover from.
>> I never expected to be single.
>> I was unable to find my confidence in teaching yoga and never took the leap to try to find a teaching position.
>> I can't believe that I am so terrible with money.  That needs to change in 2018.
>> I became closer with some friends and family due to heartbreak and I want to continue to nurture those relationships.
>> I let go of my voice and I need to stand tall in it.
>> I loved being with my nieces and nephews.  Receiving a hug from them made my day that much better.  
>> The major life change that occurred was shifting to being single and living alone.
>> If I had to sum up 2017 in one sentence it would be:  What the heck happened?
>> 2017 Theme Song: Waiting For My Real Life to Begin by Colin Hay

What does your 2017 inventory look and feel like?

be your own best friend

Why is it that we can be so much kinder to others than we are to ourselves?

If your friend arrived at your door with her heart broken you would invite her in, give her a comfy place to sit, and make her a glass of tea.  You would give her space to tell her story.  You would be a shoulder to lean on.  You would sit besides her and let her know that you are there.  You wouldn't rush her to get back up.  You would give her a place to rest and be.

Yet when you arrive at your own door with your heart in your hands you knock yourself over.  With a large list of expectations you push yourself to get back up sooner than you are ready.  You are demanding on yourself never giving yourself time to heal and rest.  Yet this is exactly what your mind and body need.  

You need to treat yourself like you would your best friend.  Be kind, tender, loving.  Allow yourself space to feel all the feels.  Do not try to rush through to the next emotion, just be where you are, and be ok with that.  Pour yourself a cup of tea.  Crawl into bed.  Do whatever it is that makes you happy.  Feed our soul with love.  

You deserve to shower yourself with kindness. Do you not hold back.  Feel the love and be the kind of friend you want to have.