If Not Now, When!

Toward the end of 2015 I watched a clip of Oprah Winfrey announcing she was joining Weight Watchers. Winfrey basically said that she was not going to dwell on any past failures because each of those “failures” led her to where she was today. Her decision was steered by one thought, “if not now, when?”

Pic from our family vacation, Malibu, CA

Since we are almost half-way through the year I ask that you take stock of your year thus far. Starting today, take notice of what improvements you’ve made--no matter how big or small. Leave behind any feelings of disappointment for all the things you haven’t yet achieved. But most of all, understand that if you tried to make a change and you haven’t succeeded yet, all is not lost.

Whether you can see it or not, progress was made. A seed was planted. Now it’s time to cultivate. Reassess your goals, set deadlines and make an action plan that will thrust you straight into seeing results. Furthermore, don’t discount the changes or the progress that you have made. Sometimes you don’t even realize how much progress you’ve made because you’re focused on the BIG goal. It is wise to sit down and begin to take note of all the ways in which your life has changed for the better. For example, if your goal was to get healthy, have you improved in at least one area? Say, are you now down from five sodas to one. In order to stay on track it is important to notice all the ways in which you are moving toward your goal.

In my own life I can see progress (I can see it because I’m looking):

Being healthy and active is now a regular part of my life, not something I wish for.

I traveled (got on  a plane again and didn’t let past fears stop me)

I completed my 2^nd novel, and got feedback from literary agents (this one, I’m especially proud of. I’ve only been writing since 2009 and when I send my queries out my heart is my throat. So when I finally get feedback, when they actually request my manuscript, words cannot express the relief and joy I feel at knowing that I am growing. I am changing. I am progressing.)

Had I focused on things like: well I’m still not working-out five days a week. Or I only traveled once this year. Or I still don’t have a publishing deal; I would be missing out on seeing all the good that’s happened. Focus is everything!

As I usually do, I will ask you to take the challenge of taking your life into your own hands. Take whatever steps necessary to reach your goals. Start by focusing on how great you really are: because if not now, then when?

Till Next Time.

My husband and me loving our time together at Malibu, CA

 

How to Feel ALIVE and BALANCED in Minutes

When something in my life is not exactly the way I pictured it would be, it throws me completely off. And when I’m derailed, everything suffers, including my health. I’m not sure about you, but when I get like this, I need to remedy it quickly. I am so uncomfortable that it feels like I can’t be inside my body. It’s like I don’t fit. I get constant headaches, and every single bone in my body hurts. So needless to say I search for ways to get out of it quickly.

The thing I have found that works like a charm is meditation! But wait, before you stop reading, you should really give it a shot. I know you’ve heard it before, and perhaps you’ve tried it and thought "this is not for me," but I disagree. Meditation is for everyone. There’s no way it can’t be.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m fairly new at meditating, therefore, I still need a little guidance, so I use guided meditation. I've had a really difficult month, and during my month from hell, I meditated every day, but in the last week, I didn’t just meditate, I listen to a Chakra Clearing meditation. And let me tell you! I FEEL ALIVE!!!

For those of you who don’t know anything about “chakras” here’s a brief explanation as defined by a Mind Body Green article “The 7 Chakras for Beginners,” “The seven chakras are the centers in our bodies in which energy flows though”.  When any one of these points is blocked, it could cause major problems in our bodies and mind.

So knowing this, I immediately turned to handy-dandy YouTube and searched for a “chakra clearing” meditation. And I found many, but I’ve been listening to this one Before Sleep | Spoken Guided Meditation | Chakra Alignment | Chakra Balance . And Wow does this work! After several days of using this method I began to feel better, not just mentally but physically.  During the clearing I was able to do things that I couldn’t do while I was “awake”.  I was able to send my troubles away by sending forgiveness.  

For me, this seems to be one of the things I struggle with the most: forgiving others who I feel has wronged me or someone that I love. But, in my meditated state I could see the amazing benefits of forgiveness and I wanted to reap the benefits. I wanted release from the pain and anguish. I wanted happiness again, and the weight to be lifted from my shoulders. I wanted peace. And in my experience, forgiveness is the only way to achieve this.  Forgiveness doesn’t have to be this difficult impossible thing to give, after all, forgiveness doesn’t mean that you accept what a person has done to you. Forgiveness, as I see it, means you no longer choose to carry the other person’s burden. Forgiving someone means you set it down, and move on with your happy life.

I hope my experience with meditation has sparked some curiosity in you and you try it for yourself. If you do and it helps, feel free to share your experience with me. I'd love to hear from you!

 

Till Next Time!

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!