the importance of community

I have learned that we aren't meant to travel this journey by ourselves.  When we come together we can do so much more than we ever can on our own.  

There is magic in community.  
There is magic in gathering.  
There is magic in opening up your heart and sharing it.  

I am an introvert.  When I step into a group I struggle.  I seek out the back of the room so I can quietly observe.  I soak it all in from a distance but always leave wishing I had gotten a little bit closer.  I long to dive in deep but struggle to do so.  

I have learned that I must step forward.  I do not need to wait for an invitation to find my way into the circle. I just need to drop my insecurities and step in.  It is not an easy thing to do, but it is so rewarding when I do it.  

It is connection that pushes me to dive a little bit deeper.  
It is connection that expands my horizon.  
It is connection that helps me grow.

But connection only happens when I let down my guard and step into the circle.  I have to be willing to not only listen, but to also share my own stories of heartbreak and triumph.  I have to not only reach out, but also reach in.  I have to be able to not only catch others stories but also be vulnerable enough to share my own.

I learned how deeply I longed for connection when I attended my first art retreat.  Quite and shy I found a way to blend into the background, yet I left there broken open.  I knew that I could no longer live closed off.  I had to reach out and invite others in.  I had to show up to the table.  

I have found my most meaningful connections unearth when I am surrounded by people who have similar interest as I do.  It is in these spaces that it is easier to dive in deep and share my heart.  I feel a sense of trust and connection because we have that common bond between us.  

The vastness of the internet makes it easy for us to stay in touch, but there is still something beautiful and magical about gathering together in person.  Looking into each others eyes, reaching out and holding hands, being together in the same room.  This is a precious gift.

Being an introvert I can allow long amounts of time to pass by without reaching out to gather.  It feels like work sometimes to make the effort.  But once I am with my people it all feels right and I never regret stepping into the circle.  

This year I am committing to spending more time with others.  To stepping out of my comfort zone and inviting my kindred's in.  I want to break down the wall I have built up and connect deeply.  I know the only way this will manifest is if I show up and share pieces of my heart with others.  

So I invite you to gather with me.  To show up as you are and share a piece of your heart.  I promise to be sharing a piece of mine as well.  Let's spend an afternoon of creative connection together.  If this sounds even a little bit intriguing to you click below to sign up to receive the invitation.  I hope that you will join me.  It would be wonderful to meet face to face.  

love notes postcard projects begins

As you step into 2018 carry LOVE with you.  And know that it is love that opens others up.  Because love makes the world go round.  And when you show up and share your heart you encourage others to do the same.  Love, love, love.  Bring love into everything you do. 

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Another round of Love Notes began this week and I couldn't be more excited.  It is the 22nd time I am hosting this three week project and still cannot believe how it has all unfolded since the very first round.  Love Notes encourages people to get back to basics and send a bit of snail mail love.  When is the last time you reached out to someone through the mail rather than a quick text or like on social media.  

The first prompt for this round is:  

As you step into 2018 carry ... {one word} ... with you
And know ...
Because ...

What word would you encourage others to carry around with them?

because snail mail still matters

When is the last time you sat down and wrote someone a letter?  The last time you were excited to go to your mailbox and see what was waiting inside {and no, not because a package from amazon was waiting for you}.  The last time you took a moment to connect with someone through the written word?  

Today we rely on instant connection.  A text message here, a check in on social media, a tweet, a like, a comment, maybe even an email.  It is quick and fleeting.  I love that we have the ability to connect with one another instantly.  It is like a little piece of magic in the palm of your hands.  

But what if you slowed down for a moment.  Took some time to write a note to a friend on a blank piece of paper.  Then dropped that note into the mailbox and gave it some more time to reach them.  How do you think your friend would feel when they opened up their mailbox and saw a very special surprise just from you.  

It is incredible how one letter can change someones day.  

A few years ago I created the Love Notes Postcard Project.  A simple three week project centered around connecting with individuals through snail mail.  In this digital age I had no idea if people would be interested, but it was something I was craving and so I knew I had to put it out into the world.  

What emerged from this small idea was an incredible community of individuals connecting through the written word sent through the mail. 

Strangers writing to one another.
Strangers opening up their heart and sharing a piece of their world with each other.
Strangers connecting.
Strangers reaching out to others who needed a little extra TLC.
Strangers no longer strangers, but friends.

It is the power of the written word that has brought these individuals together. Their hearts are as wide as the ocean.  Their courage to take a chance is immense.  There desire to lift others up with no expectation of anything in return is incredible.  They are a community of Love Notes senders.  It was the lure of the written word that brought them together, but it was their willingness to open up and connect that has made them friends.  

I never in my wildest dreams imagined such a divine and loving community forming out of the Love Notes Project.  Each time I visit the facebook group my heart overflows with gratitude and love.  It is these individuals who make the project possible and it is their divine kindness that forms deep meaningful connections. 

The project is simple.

3 weeks + 3 writing prompts = 3 postcards sent and received

Individuals from around the world have participated including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, France, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and more.  There have been places I had to look up because I wasn't even sure where they were on the map.  

In a world filled with uncertainty this project reinforces that there is still good in the world.  There are kind and loving individuals reaching out a hand.  We stand together, sharing our hearts, sharing our stories, sharing hope.  

What may be simple words to you could be the exact words someone else needs to hear.  What you write could change someones day or bring a smile to their face.  Your postcard is a little piece of fairy magic.  You may never know the effect is has on others along it's journey and when it arrives at it's final destination, but that is part of the wonder.

I am excited for the very next round of Love Notes starting on Sunday, January 14th.  There is still time for you to join us if you are interested.  There is no requirement to be creative or an exceptional writer.  The prompts are simple and the writing space on a postcard is short and sweet.  Store bought postcards work perfectly.  And if you don't have a postcard a note card works as well.  In fact any piece of paper you can drop in the mail is perfect.  

I invite you to come back to the basics and join us for three weeks of snail mail fun. 

mondo beyondo

There are dreams living and breathing in your heart and they matter.  Some of them have never been spoken and some may even surprise you.  What you dream about is important and these dreams need to be spoken out loud.  It is in the act of writing them down that you breath life into them and give them an opportunity to bloom. 

For the past many years I have been following Andrea Scher's lead and writing my yearly Mondo Beyondo list.  This is a list of everything I dream and desire.  There are no rules to what can go down on the paper.  It is an opportunity to let go and dream big.  The way it works is you set a timer for ten minutes and begin to put all your dreams down.  You don't let the pen stop until the time goes off.  There is no judgement to what comes up just space to put it down.  

It is incredible to look back on my list and see some of the things I wrote down that I forgot about and how they have come true.  Things when I wrote them I couldn't imagine ever happening.  But that is the power of manifestation.  When we write it down we begin to put it into motion and once it is in motion it is has the power to come true.  

I encourage you to set aside ten minutes with your journal.  Light a candle.  Say a prayer to being open. Then let your heart spill onto the page all that it desires.  Show up with out judgment and see what you unearth.  You may be surprised. 

2018 Mondo Beyondo List

• Coach people on the power of writing and using it as a daily tool
• Travel to Ireland
• Ride my bike across country
• Be better with my money
• Move my body daily
• Nourish my soul
• Hold hands and be close to the one I love
• Spend time with my family
• Laughter, lots and lots of laughter
• Own a house at the beach
• Teach yoga and meditation
• Teach writing workshops
• Host yearly writing and movement retreats
• Have a job that fills my soul and makes me enough money to not have to worry
• Live in a community where I can ride my bike around town
• Create my own inspiration deck
• Be deeply connected to those around me
• Have the ability to express how I feel without hesitation but also with kindness
• Love deeply and go on many adventures with the one I adore
• Run another marathon
• Gather with women and connect through honest and open conversation
• Have gatherings of individuals from Love Notes
• Give a Ted Talk
• Bring Love Notes on the Ellen show
• Sit down with Oprah and be on Super Soul Sunday
• Travel the world giving talks that inspire and move individuals to live their best life
• Get paid to share my writing
• Travel often with the one I love
• Be present in the everyday moments
• Cook more often
• Slow down and savor the moments and the people I am with
• Share my heart with those worthy of sharing it with
• Inspire people with my words
• Have a deeply connected relationship with the one I love filled with mutual respect, kindness, space, and intimacy
• Continually grow and develop

What is on our list?  Whisper your dream out loud to help unearth it coming true.  

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Need a little extra love in your mailbox.  Join me for the next round of Love Notes staring January 14th.  

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?