How to Find Your Muse

I've learned that the best way to find my muse is to look for examples of those who are already doing what I want. This brings me to Shannon Kaiser. Kaiser is a best-selling author, travel writer and life coach.

Kaiser left her career in advertising to follow her dreams of being a writer. Through her YouTube channel and Play with the World website  I’ve been able to follow her journey around the world.  Kaiser is proof that living the life we want is possible. The key is to recognize what each of us—individually want. We are all different human beings with different wants and needs, and as such we must be clear on what we desire. Some of us may be happy climbing the corporate world, acquiring tons of titles, degrees and initials after our name, but others may not.  Being crystal clear about our goals is an important step in finding our muse.

People like Kaiser inspire me because she serves as a reminder that what I want is possible. Not long ago she was working the 9-5 (and then some) corporate world, and by her own admission she was riveted by depression and anxiety. She knew things had to change, that a major transformation had to take place, if for no other reason, for her health.

Though quitting her job did come with the natural fears--those that come with leaving our financial securities behind,  she didn’t give herself the option to turn back, she jumped all in. She decided that going forward she would only work on what she loved, work that brought her joy. After a short time Kaiser created a life that she loved. She got an agent, she got published, she travels the world writing about her experiences and she's a life coach. Because of her hard work and dedication, people have taken notice: Kaiser was named Top 100 Women to Watch in Wellness by Mind Body Green.

No matter what our dreams, it is important to find others who are doing what we sometimes deem “impossible.” By doing so we are reminded that we too can do it.

So go on, seek and you shall find the inspiration you need.

Till Next Time

Nyle DiMarco: Redefining Our Beliefs

Every now and then I come across people that inspire me beyond measure, today, this person is Nyle DiMarco.

Nyle DiMarco is a contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and the winner of the 22^nd season of Americas Next Top Model. What is so special about him you ask? Well DiMarco is deaf!  And while that alone doesn’t make him special, his determination to not let his deafness be a limitation but an asset does.

Week after week DiMarco dances with such precision and rhythm that I can't help but be baffled, yet completely inspired. Since he can’t hear the music, his only way of keeping rhythm is by being in tune with his dance partner. In my opinion he is the best dancer of this season, and is guaranteed to take home the mirror ball.

It is people like DiMarco that live to remind us that anything is possible. Sometimes we let our beliefs limit us, but he is proof that beliefs can either limit us or set us free. He could’ve listened to the belief that said, “I’m deaf, so I can’t dance—at least not well”.  Yet, this couldn’t be further from the truth. He, a deaf man dances—better than most on the show that can hear the music.

Let DiMarco’s serve as an example, to motivate us and push us past our own limited beliefs. What have we been telling ourselves we can’t do because of________________.  Recognize in this moment that this is the only thing preventing us from having it. Our beliefs make our lives. So let us start creating the life we came to live by eliminating our limited beliefs. With the right beliefs guiding our lives, anything is possible. Watch DiMarco dance and you'll be convinced of this!

Till Next Time!

How Changing On The Inside, Changes Your Outside

If nothing is changing on the outside, it’s because nothing has changed on the inside. I try to remember this every day, especially when things aren’t panning out exactly how I planned.

 

Whenever I get upset about not seeing things manifested, I’m reminded of a popular phrase that circulates around this way of thinking—thoughts become things. If you’re looking into a mirror and you don’t like your reflection, you don’t reach for the mirror trying to change the reflection there. You must be the one to change, and then, the reflection in the mirror will change. We must change the things we think about in order to see a change in the physical world.

 

Same goes for our lives. Aside from the obvious love I have for my family, the “thing” I value most is my freedom. Freedom to do as I please, when I please and how I please, which usually means spending time with my family and taking care of myself—exercising, meditating, traveling, shopping….

Like I’ve said before, pretty much everything in my life is damn near perfect, all but one little thing, that darn 9-5 that makes me feel stuck! However, as 2015 came to a close I was presented with an opportunity that promised to finally move my life in the direction I’d been dreaming of.  I had done it! I had manifested my freedom-- in a good positive way.  But then, fear took over, I began to panic over the uncertainty the lied ahead, and just like that, POOF my opportunity vanished.

I realized this: the reason it sometimes takes longer to see on the outside what I’m seeing on the inside is because I don’t fully believe that what I want is possible. But, every time I do believe it, once it just is-- like the air that I breathe, it ALWAYS SHOWS UP. Every time. Without fail. The reason the things I don’t want show up so much faster is because I find those things more plausible.

The lesson today is simple. In order to change the outside world, you must believe in your inside world more!

Till Next Time!

 

Answering the Call of Inspiration

What is inspiration? Is it something that only applies to those in the creative field? Or is inspiration something we all have access to?

Inspiration is kind-of-a tricky thing. It doesn’t warn us when it’s coming. Or how it’s coming. Or even what topic it will lay upon our heart. The only promise it makes is that it will come to all of us.

So, what will you do with it when it comes? Will you even recognize it when it’s upon you--begging you to help it take form? And if you do recognize it, will you put it off till later? Or will you do something about it? This is exactly what I want to talk to you about. Adhering to the call of inspiration.

Inspiration can hit any of us at any time. It can whisper in our ear as we sleep. Or it can shout at us while we drive. It will swirl around us for days, months, sometimes even years. But with each passing hour that we don’t answer, we take the chance of inspiration leaving us. This is not to say that it won’t come back again, but more than likely not with the same inspiration.

How many times have you had a great idea, one that won’t leave you alone? You think about it all the time and get goose-bumps at the thought of “it” coming to fruition. But because you did nothing about it, later you see someone else “took” your idea.  Well, that idea wasn’t taken from you. You gave it away.  

Inspiration occurs for a reason, it wants to be created. It must find its way into the world and it has come to you to make it happen. But you can be sure of this; if you don’t answer its call, it will find a new host. We all get those bursts of inspiration, it’s up to us to listen and take action.

So this, is this week’s call to action. The next time inspiration comes knocking at your door, whispering things like, I should write down this recipe, you should do it. Or I think having a store selling “____” is a great idea. You should do it. Or I really like writing, or singing or acting, or being a coach or a teacher or a mechanic. You should do it. Get the point?

Inspiration will come to each of us in different ways, and it is our duty to obey for the advancement of the world. Think about all the amazing things we would be missing out on if others had ignored their inspiration like sometimes we ignore ours. People like Walt Disney and JK Rowling have made amazing contributions to the entertainment world because they listened.  This goes for all industries--all inspiration matters. So go ahead, listen closely to what inspiration is trying to have you do and DO IT.  

Till Next Time!

 

Morning Rituals: Successful People Swear By Them, Shouldn’t You?

Morning rituals… what’s that all about?

For starters, some of the most successful people of our time swear by morning rituals: such as Tony Robins, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg and the late Steve Jobs to name a few.  Their morning rituals, is partly what sets them apart from the rest.

Morning rituals are a way to get your day started on the right foot. Rituals such as exercising, meditating and tackling your hardest task first are essential in creating the day AND life you desire. Steve Jobs once said that the first thing he did each morning was to look in the mirror and ask himself, "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" He said, "And whenever the answer had been no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."

Because I know how powerful morning rituals are, I did them, and what transpired was pretty remarkable.  I began to see great progress in my life. However, because I’ve been a little busy lately, I started to neglect my morning rituals and I have noticed a huge change in my attitude—as far as the way I tackle the day ahead. I’m not as optimistic or relaxed or happy. Needless to say, tomorrow I go back to my routine.

Your morning ritual can be anything that makes you feel good. It shouldn’t be forced. For example, if the thought of meditating freaks you out, then don’t push yourself to it. Though, I recommend you try to slowly incorporate meditation as part of your routine. Meditation is a way to center yourself. It’s a reset of sorts. Most of the time, if not always, you will come out of meditation with a new and clear mindset.  But until you are able to make your way there, do other things that will help start your day right. Go for a short walk, 10 or 15 minutes and watch the sun come up. Or listen to something positive, even 10 minutes of something motivational can get you AND keep you pumped the entire day. Stay away from your phone, computer and television. All those things will only interrupt the process.

Try it for one week. I am confident that you will start to notice great changes in your days and life. Plus, you will be better equipped to handle the tough things that may come your way each day.

Till Next Time!

 

Top Reason Why You Hate Working-Out

Have you ever decided to start working out only to quit before the first day? If so, you probably experienced the same problem as me.

I have been on a health journey for the last three years, one that includes eating superfoods, practicing yoga and meditation. Through this journey I learned a very valuable lesson that I want to share with you. Prior to starting this journey I was drawn to yoga and the people who practiced it. I placed yogis into this holistic-peace-loving category of people, and I desperately wanted to be like them. However, not having an athletic bone in my body and being extremely challenged—as far as flexibility goes, I didn’t see how I could ever do yoga. Still, the desire to practice yoga wouldn’t leave me alone and so I decided to just go for it.

Fast forward to three years later, and I am happy to report that I can do yoga and I love it. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better way to get fit. Yet, even knowing this, I started to dabble into other areas of fitness, like weight lifting and cardio, and this is what happened. I went from practicing yoga every day to not exercising at all. Why, you ask? The reason is simple. I started to dread my workouts. So instead of going back to yoga (most logical choice) I decided to “stick” with the new exercise program I had committed to.

This is where the lesson lies; many of us don’t get past the first day of our workout because we are dreading what we’ve signed up for. Knowing what I know now, I can say with certainty that if you want to reach your fitness goals, you must be in love with the program you select. Sure, it may take you some time to find out just what that program is, but once you do, you will realize that exercising is not as bad as you thought it was.

Through this journey I realized that I don’t like cardio, in fact, I hate it. However, knowing that cardio is vital to my health, I found a way to fit cardio into my life that doesn’t totally tear me apart. I enjoy going for walks in the afternoons with my husband; so, when I get home from work, we walk to a plaza near our home, we typically walk 3.5 miles a day, more than I ever would if I were on a treadmill.

So I suggest this:  dedicate yourself to finding the right fitness program for you, because once you do, it will change your fitness life forever.

 

 

 

Self Love - Vital Step in Getting Along with Others

 

So let’s call February the month of love, but not just because of Valentine’s Day, but because after applying some of the techniques I provided in January, the next valuable step is the practice of LOVE.

What do I mean by practicing love? Well, I mean showing yourself some love!

Do you ever find yourself trying to have a good day, yet every single person you come into contact with ends up annoying you? I think this has little to do with them, and everything to do with you. Hear me out.

I am of the belief that anything you want reflected on the outside, must begin on the inside. So, if you find yourself wishing others were kinder to you, then start by being kinder to yourself. This means speaking only in the highest terms about yourself. You may be thinking, well, this doesn’t apply to me, I’m super confident and I totally love myself. And if you feel that way, that’s good, but I would ask that you make certain that is true.

A great way to test if you are showing yourself the kind of love that you want to see in others is by listening to some of the self-talk you may be engaging in without realizing so, as in, “I’ll never get that promotion, if I’d only….; Or “I need to lose 10lbs I’m so….; Or “if only I had done ___ I would have…”

Believe it or not, this type of dialogue is precisely the thing you must cut from your life if you want to see a change in the “love” category (aka other people annoying you, other people’s faults, other people’s attitude). Negative self-talk  is often a domino affect that trickles down to others around you, thereby making you see the worse in them, instead of the good.  To give you a little boost on getting started, I recommend a great read, Jane Sincero’s “You are a Badass”.

http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Badass-Doubting-Greatness/dp/0762447699

I hope this  book helps get you started on the best trend of your life, practicing self-love.

Till Next Time!