Change

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Receiving the Good We Deserve (and freaking out in the process)

July 16, 2010 in Bring it on!, Change, Life Purpose, Shifting Consciousness, fear | No comments

There are so many things I want to do with my life and I don’t know how to get started!  How am I supposed to do what I love when I don’t even know what I love?  There are too many choices and only one me!

Every day I work with men and women who are in the middle of life transition and transformation.  It’s an exciting time!  These individuals have acknowledged that that they are worth the time for self-discovery and self-evaluation.  They are willing to be open, aware and vulnerable to stepping out on faith into the unknown as they create in consciousness their dynamic and delicious lives.  Yet, there’s a catch.  You see, with all of this enthusiasm and energy surrounding the development of their Life Design, these men and women come to the realization that they have unique gifts, skills and talents waiting to be utilized.  Where at one time they believed they had missed out on the day passion and life purpose were passed around, they’ve come to the knowing that there are limitless possibilities and opportunities and indeed they have a divine dream and path.  It’s at this point where they look at me with “deer in the headlight” expressions.  The very ideas they were hoping to discover not only showed up, but did so in mass.  What now?  Where to start? I’m freaking out!

Feeling overwhelmed at all of the choices, especially when we focus too heavily on the “how”, will often result in stress, blocks and obstacles.  The first idea that comes to mind when faced with hurdles is something we learned as young people ~ that is to overcome it (or ignore and brush it under the rug).  When we are of the mindset that there is something to “overcome”, often times that very thought takes over and we are in a continued spiral of lack.  I believe when we are faced with blocks, obstacles and fears we must honor them.  This doesn’t mean validation!  Instead we are taking the time to see why they showed up.  What is the old tape or memory keeping us anchored?  Come up with a list of your wins, successes and accomplishments, which squash these barriers.  Start your morning with a daily intention on who you are willing to be.  Write it down and affirm it throughout the day.

It’s important to take the time to know and understand who we are when we are in the middle of a significant transition and transformation.  Regardless of what put us on this path, personal or professional areas, it will become clear that it’s impossible for us to live compartmentalized.  We are whole and one.  Positive changes in your personal life bring success to your professional life and vice versa.  What is actually occurring is the alignment of your thoughts, words and actions.  You are shifting your consciousness and holding yourself accountable to living your absolute truth.  The key is to find out what that means for you.  When we know and live our “I am”, we walk in confidence.  If we are able to give ourselves an honest assessment as to our strengths and challenges, we are able to better create a lifestyle that works best for us.  If you’re not a morning person, don’t move toward a job that requires you to be in at 7:00 am.  If you want to be an entrepreneur, take a look at your self-discipline skills.  If you’re not great at self-motivating, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be a successful business owner.  Instead it might mean finding a collaborative partner that brings that in as a strength.

Create element lists for the right and perfect career, business, and lifestyle.  What do you want included?  How are those in your list aligned with your natural essence?  Where do you see common themes?  The more you break this process down, the more you are giving yourself an opportunity to breathe it in.  Trust me, I know what it’s like to want what you want and want it now!  But there is such a thing as divine timing and order.  Let this time in your life unfold organically.  Don’t rush or force a divine dream or idea.  It doesn’t mean you aren’t serious; in fact, it reflects just the opposite.  You are taking the time to come up with an action plan that is perfect for where you are presently.  We must take into consideration our family life and responsibilities.  Refute the argument about “time” and there not being enough of it left for you to find your life purpose.  What’s the alternative?  Sitting in the waiting room and daydreaming about the life you want?  It’s the same amount of time, yet the “doing” actually moves you closer to the manifestation of your goals.

You are worth the time!  Create those times throughout the day where you give yourself five minutes of deep breathing and re-centeredness.  Remember to acknowledge all you are accomplishing, no matter the size, instead of focusing on what isn’t getting done.  You are the beauty of your dreams!

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Are you consciously creating & participating in your life?

July 15, 2010 in Bring it on!, Change, Life Purpose, Shifting Consciousness | No comments

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them. ~ George Bernard Shaw

What powerful words!  The first time I read this quote was in Glendalough Ireland, and I was honored to be sitting in the Writer’s Room at the Wicklow Heather Restaurant.  The people who get on in this world are people who get up and look for the circumstances they want.  At the time, I was on my honeymoon with the love of my life.  How’s that for synchronistic!  I knew I deserved love and, after two marriages (yes two) that ended in divorce, I made the conscious choice to be love.  It might sound strange, “be love”, but before the very things we want in life are going to show up, we need to “be” them.  I also needed to be specific as to what I was looking for and what I wanted.  There wasn’t a need for me to apologize or make excuses for the very things that are important to me in a relationship.  I didn’t sit and wallow in past dysfunctional relationships or play the blame game as to why the marriages didn’t work.  I got real.  I let myself off of the hook and really took the time to honor what “love” meant for me.  It took two years, but I didn’t settle and I allowed it to happen organically.

I love being an entrepreneur!  I love creating a dynamic and delicious existence that centers on being and doing what I love.  For over a decade I owned a technology-consulting firm that was sucking the energy from my life.  The company was successful, but I wasn’t happy.  These weren’t the type of people I wanted to be in a business relationship with any longer.  It wasn’t that they were bad people, but our time together strengthened my inner knowing that it’s not enough to look good on paper ~ your passion, vision and values need to be aligned.  For several years I daydreamed about the life I wanted.  It was important that it was whole and represented the balance of mind, body and spirit, as well as the integration of my professional and personal worlds.  Sounds like a lot to expect from a company or job listing.  And if you can’t find them, make them. I knew that in order for me to manifest this vision, I was going to need to create it.  I became clear on my personal mission, understood who I was, how I worked and the industries of writing, publishing, coaching, leadership and strategy.  Plus, I was solid in knowing the importance of my personal life.  Did all of this self-discovery and exploration happen over night?  No, of course not.  This was several years in the making, but I embraced it all because I deserved to live my life on purpose.

For years, I’ve been looking for a group, association and/or organization of female professionals where we support and collaborate with one another.  I wanted it synergistic, creative and energizing.  Do those types of groups exist already?  Yes. Sure. Somewhat.  Were they exactly what I was looking for?  No.  But I didn’t stop my want and kept my heart open to opportunities, experiences and people.  The results of my patience and “trying things on” have been two-fold.  The first came by way of an entrepreneurial conference where I met three other women who are on similar paths.  We bonded immediately and have formed a mastermind group that has taken off!  The second is my development of an empowered women’s group.  It was time for me to take action and create what I believe to be missing.  The concept is still in the development stage, but it will be realized and revealed before the end of the year.

How often have we known the very things we want and/or need in our life that move us toward our divine dreams, ideas and life purpose?  How often do we give up when we can’t find something already in existence?  Living a dynamic and delicious life is effortless when you are doing and being what you love.  Effortlessness doesn’t mean it doesn’t take hard work and persistence.  It doesn’t mean sitting around and waiting for someone else to do the work so you can then show up, throw your hands in the air and shout, “I’m ready.”  We have to be a part of this process and often times that means creating the very situations for which we’ve been searching.  If you want to give back but don’t feel connected with any of the volunteer organizations available to you, figure out where your talents lie and reach out as an individual.  For example, all private pediatric practices, local libraries, and hospitals and offer to read to the children.  If the right and perfect job for you isn’t out there, maybe it’s time for you to consider starting your own business or work as a consultant.  If you want to transition to a new industry, research and test out ideas and opportunities.  For example, have you always wanted to be on the radio?  Check out blogtalkradio.com and develop your own show.  You never know where it will lead!

Take action.  Take command.  Live the life you deserve!

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If you don’t have something nice to say….

July 13, 2010 in Change, Collaboration, Shifting Consciousness | 2 comments

If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.  How many of us were raised with those words of wisdom?  Normally, it was during our formative years where we were learning to interact with other kids, as well as respecting our elders.  If we followed this rule it kept us from getting grounded at home or sent to detention at school.  Often I found the very people touting this rule to be hypocritical because I would hear them gossip, complain and say horrible things about other people.  It became confusing because it seemed like this was only something for those under a certain age to conform too and once you became an adult it was open season on negativity.  And when I asked for clarification of what I believed to be a double standard, the typical responses were either: Do as I say not as I do or Because I said so.  Neither of which I felt offered validation, but as a child what can you do?  As I continued to grow up, I noticed that not only were people saying “not nice” things being about others and situations, but hurtful comments about how they viewed themselves.  These individuals didn’t seem to be living very happy or fulfilling lives, and the solution, in my young mind, was simple.  Change the way you talk.

I wish I could say that I held onto my young understanding that when we change our thoughts and words to ones of positivity for others and ourselves that we have the power to bring and experience great joy.  Good beyond anything we could imagine shows up in the form of opportunities and people.  Depending on what false truths we were subjected to in our younger lives, determines, as adults, how long it takes to erase these old tapes.  Just like an onion, there are many layers, and often it can take a while to work through the healing and forgiveness.  It’s work.  There’s no doubt about it.  Yet the more you do, the easier and more effortless it becomes.  About six years ago I made the conscious choice to look at the words I was using.  As a writer and speaker, I always understood the power of words.  They can inspire and motivate, as well as hurt and diminish.  Although it was rare that I said anything hurtful to another, I can’t say the same thing about beating up on myself.  It didn’t occur to me that part of living in the flow of love, abundance and prosperity began with how I saw myself.  If I didn’t have anything nice to say about me, why not shut up!

We are living in a time where more and more people are becoming entrepreneurs, small business owners, consultants and freelancers.  There was a time when no one wanted to collaborate out of fear that ideas would be taken or that there wasn’t enough of “something” to be shared or to go around.  The work force doesn’t look or feel the same as it once did, and now we are all seeing more and more collaboration.  But how does this happen?  Think about the type of partner you want to bring into your business world.  You want someone who is aligned with your passions and values.  The same holds true for those who are looking to come together with like-minded individuals.  We want to generate something greater than ourselves and with this powerful affirmation comes the need for positive thoughts, words and actions.  Can you imagine asking someone to work on a project with you when all you hear is complaints or gossip?  Would you ask someone to share in the creation of your divine idea or dream when they don’t see and know the uniqueness and gifts they have that will make a difference?

As you look to bring about grand transformations in your life, be mindful of the words you use when describing yourself, situations and others.  Just say no to gossip and complaining.  Yes, this might result in the loss of some relationships, but if they are built on words that bring anything short of dynamic experiences than know that you deserve better.  Release all words of negativity about yourself and others and use your voice to affirm positivity, share kindness and create a world filled with limitless possibilities.

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Opening doors by Giving & Receiving Gratitude

July 8, 2010 in Change, Life, Shifting Consciousness | 7 comments

When I first moved to New York City over 14 years ago, it didn’t matter where I went (restaurants, bars, grocery stores, newsstands or my beloved Starbucks) people would ask, “You’re not from around here, are you?”  It wasn’t because of my southern twang that does show up from time to time unexpectedly.  When you live in a major city you expect the cultural diversity and melting pot of regions and countries.  What seemed to shock the majority was hearing my words of thanks, gratitude or appreciation.  “You realize all I did just now was fill up your water glass.”  Many of my friends and family were concerned that my moving to NYC would turn me into a cynic or a fast paced charge down the street without looking up woman who would grunt or roll her eyes if anyone bumped into me or asked for directions.  Of course, New York City isn’t the only place on planet Earth where people are surprised by gratitude or praise and it is a shame.  Talk about the need to shift consciousness!  What keeps so many of us from saying Thank You, Have a nice day, or Your work inspired me?

To make this topic more interesting, think about how well you receive gratitude, appreciation and praise.  I’m going to go out on a limb and guess there are a lot of people out there like me who get embarrassed or will come up with reasons why what they did or are doing is really no big deal.  Sometimes the very things others are appreciative of we take for granted because they come naturally to us.  And why make a big deal out of something that is as effortless as breathing?  Yet we will support and celebrate for others.  Part of creating and being in the flow of prosperity and abundance is being open and receptive to BOTH giving and receiving.  The door must open both ways in order for the good to have an unblocked path.

Today I came across the following quote from William Arthur Ward, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”  This one quote inspired the totality of Michele’s Daily Dash for July 8, 2010.  The question of the day: What’s the good stuff in your life and how are you expressing gratitude?  The daily challenge: write (25) 2” x 2” notes that read “Thank You”, “You are Loved” or “You are appreciated” and leave them anonymously for others throughout the day.  As a global community we can come together and shift the mindset toward the effortless expression that people are gifts to us, as much as we are to them.  It’s time to share a smile with a stranger for no other reason than you want them to feel as good as you do.  It’s also time to feel gratitude toward ourselves for it all radiates outward from our hearts.

If you’re feeling blocked creatively, stuck in what feels like an endless job search or transition, or feel anchored in limiting thoughts like you’ll never find the right and perfect partner or home, it’s time to stop and look at gratitude.  Affirm and know that you are grateful for all that you have, all that you are and all of the dynamic and delicious things yet to come.  Continue to work on those gratitude journals at the end of every day acknowledging the people and experiences that made a difference in your life.  Make sure you express words of appreciation for what you contributed to the betterment of your world and those in it.  Read it at the beginning of every morning and set your daily intention for gratitude and grace.  Check in with me in a few months and let me know about all of the good knocking down your door.  I know that I know that I know it will happen for you.

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Wait a minute, you mean I can make a living doing….

July 6, 2010 in Bring it on!, Career, Change, Goal Setting, Life Purpose, Shifting Consciousness, Spirit, fear | No comments

People make cartoons for a living.  They ACTUALLY get paid to make cartoons! And I knew, right then and there, that’s what I wanted to do. ~ John Lasseter, Pixar

John Lasseter is one of the creative minds behind Pixar and over the weekend, while channel surfing, I came across the documentary, The Pixar Story.  As a fan of animated films, and all of the movies that have come out of Pixar to date, I was glued to the TV.  I tried to imagine what John’s parents, family and friends must have thought when he announced in high school that he planned on making a living creating cartoons.  The myths of creativity and what you can do to make a successful living were still very much anchored to words like “starving artist” and “suffering for their art”.  Yet what I loved about John’s story was once the realization went from his heart to his head, there was no stopping him.  He knew that he was supposed to make cartoons, knew there were ways to push the envelope past the traditional 2-D movies, and knew he needed to be a part of an industry that brought joy to the hearts of many.  Right at the start, John immersed himself in everything Disney.  He even went so far as to get a summer job at Disneyland where he started as a sweeper but was quickly promoted to a ride operator for their Jungle Cruise.  John’s faith in the unknown path that lay ahead brought him to Cal Tech where he won back to back awards for animation and upon graduation his dream job at Disney.

All of this might sound like a piece of cake career evolution for John.  Yet what many people don’t know is that the very place he held on a pedestal for so many years growing up, Disney, fired him.  They didn’t feel comfortable in the direction he wanted to take the industry.  He was talking about new technologies, 3-D animation, and the important use of computers.  After the executives at Disney gave him the green light to work on a project that would showcase what could be achieved, he created The Brave Little Toaster.  For eight plus months he worked on this movie and after he presented it, he was shut down.  He was told how this idea of computer generated films and a new look and feel to animated films would go nowhere.  They believed what John was showing them would remove the need for animators.  Throughout Disney there was a lot of fear.  Lack and limiting thoughts over losing jobs to technology and there not being enough interest to make money enveloped the company.  They weren’t able to embrace an idea that didn’t have proof, tangible evidence, of success.

We’ve all been in similar situations.  We know from the core of our being that we are meant to do something extraordinary with our lives.  A unique gift we were born with surfaces and we are willing to move mountains to achieve our divine dreams.   However, when the path of achievement doesn’t happen quickly and we aren’t able to see, feel, taste or touch confirmation of what we believed would bring us success, we many times walk away.  We get wrapped up in feelings of failure and rejection.  All of a sudden every naysayer we know, and even several we don’t, show up to validate just how ridiculous our dream was to begin with and at least now we know.  We don’t take into consideration Divine Timing and Order.  The Universe isn’t on our time schedule, as much as we love to think otherwise.  There are directions we need to take, people we need to meet, and situations we need to experience all which guide us on the path to our life purpose.

John’s dream of making a full-length, animated feature film didn’t happen overnight.  After Disney fired him, he was led to a job at Lucas Films where he continued to hone his craft and work with scientists and artists on perfecting technology.  With the support of George Lucas, a small group took Pixar and began to look for an investor for their studio and found Steve Jobs.  (Least we forget that Steve Jobs had been fired from the very company he founded, Apple.)  And while many might believe anything Steve Jobs touches is an instant success, he lost $5 million dollars during the first five years of Pixar.  But no one would stop trying and believing.  John and Steve, along with a group of people with like-minded passion and values came together to create this success story.  Toy Story, Bugs Life, Toy Story 2, Monster’s Inc, Finding Nemo, Cars, etc.. became possible because they held onto faith, trusted the unknown, and aligned their thoughts, words, actions and emotions.

Through the chaos, life brought surprises filled with joy and love.  If you’re asking why them and not you, right there is the first challenge.  Where are your thoughts regarding what you want to create?  What are you doing to contribute to the evolution of your dream?  Are you so wrapped up in there not being enough time that you don’t even begin to try?  What other limiting thoughts are you holding onto?  If your dream enlivens you, and you’ll know it because you won’t be able to think about anything but this divine idea, then you must keep on keeping on.  If your dream is aligned with your core values and creates good in this world, then you must keep stepping out on faith.  If you need help to make this dream a reality, then you are dreaming huge, kid kind of huge, and you will find that the right and perfect people do show up to help make it happen.  If your dream requires you to grow into your true self, then you must stay on your path.

We all deserve to wake up in the mornings and say, “What a minute… I’m actually getting paid to do this for a living!”  Let the delicious and dynamic lives begin!

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Keep on Keeping on in 2010

July 1, 2010 in Bring it on!, Change, Goal Setting, Life Purpose, Shifting Consciousness | No comments

At the beginning of this year, I challenged people to walk their talk in 2010 and to stop writing “wish list” resolutions.  It was time to focus and center on the heart and spirit behind what you really want to manifest in your life.  With so many challenges in 2009 surrounding unemployment, economy and personal fulfillment, I wanted people to see 2010 as the year to embrace the change they wanted to see in their lives and feel more empowered and courageous than ever before to achieve their divine goals and dreams.  Do you remember feeling that all you experienced in 2009 had prepared you for 2010?  It was time to ignite, create and develop ideas for our lives, careers and/or businesses.  And guess what?  It still is.  Although we have reached the middle of 2010, and you might have feel discouraged, frustrated or that too much time has passed since you set your goals for the year without taking action, I’m going to ask you to keep on keeping on.  Aligning our thoughts, words, actions and emotions toward positivity and the knowing that we are meant to have the right and perfect (insert dynamic and delicious dream here) doesn’t happen over night.  There are times that my affirmations are said through clenched teeth and with a tone that is anything but upbeat.  Yet, I keep on keeping on.  What I know to be true is that I was put here to make a difference; we all were.

When you think about the typical New Year’s Resolutions that are toasted at midnight they usually involve going to the gym, eating healthier and finding a mate.  What normally follows are goals that are anything but realistic and put far too much pressure on us.  I’m going to go to the gym seven days a week and work out with a personal trainer three times a week.  I’m never going to eat fast food again and will lose 30 pounds in two months.  I’m going to join four online dating services and will have at least one date a week. Sound familiar?  Instead of the resolution(s) being more task oriented, I challenge people to go within and take a look at what their heart is telling them.  The actual objective could be a healthier lifestyle or a more balanced life.  More often than not, our heart has much grander plans that would guide us on a path toward our life purpose ~ i.e. switching careers, starting a new business or buying a home.  The thought of what it would take to move in that direction, combined with a fear of the unknown, can cause us to focus on smaller or more generic ideas.

As we move into the second half of 2010, I challenge you to honor and celebrate all you’ve accomplished.  Nothing is too small for a “Ta Da” moment.  The realization of steps you’ve mastered, completed and achieved will empower you to keep on keeping on.  It’s remembering that steps 1-3 in your divine action plan need to be fulfilled before 4-6.  It’s acknowledging that you are doing the very best you can, even on the most challenging of days.  Next, ask yourself what you’ve been knowing, perceiving and comprehending?  Are those thoughts and words keeping you anchored to old tapes that do not serve your greater good or do they motivate you to move toward your goals?  Take a look at your objectives for the year and the short and long-term goals, as well as the immediate action steps you outlined.  Where they S.M.A.R.T?  Specific.  Measurable.  Achievable.  Realistic.  Timely.  I’m going to write a book in 2010 is an amazing goal, but how can we support it using the S.M.A.R.T guide?   I’m going to write five pages a day, three times a week for the next six months beginning on July 1, 2010.  I’m going to live a healthier lifestyle is a wonderful goal.  Support and maintain momentum by implementing S.M.A.R.T steps. Beginning July 1, 2010, I will go to the gym three times a week for one hour each and drink eight glasses of water a day.  As you knock these out with energy and enthusiasm, a rhythm and flow of prosperity will envelope and you’ll be setting new and creative goals effortlessly.

Remember the very gift that is you and how you are worth the time.  With all of the willingness and excitement to reach our goals and dreams, the very things we deserve, we can often forget to take care of ourselves.  Start your day with meditation/prayer and gratitude for all you have and all that is coming.  Set a daily intention and affirm it throughout the day.  Find five moments five times a day for silence and deep breathing.  Practice understanding and compassion for yourself and others (even the teachers).  End your day the same way it began ~ with gratitude.

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What am I setting into motion?

June 29, 2010 in Bring it on!, Change, Life, Shifting Consciousness | No comments

At least one Sunday a month, I have an opportunity to facilitate an early morning discussion at the Fellowship Café located at Symphony Space on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.  These conversations cover a wide range of topics, and while I’m not involved in the selection, it has come to fruition that the very subjects I talk about are the ones I need to remind myself of the most.  Isn’t the Universe funny?  A few months ago, I was charged with speaking and engaging others in a dialogue about the Law of Cause & Effect.  Ugh, yuck, why me? When I think about the idea of Cause & Effect, the next words that come to mind are Reap & Sow, which leads me to what goes around comes around, and gets capped off with the ever popular Karma.  None of these words, ideas and concepts leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy, as I’ve always associated the aforementioned with negativity and punishment.  Yet, I know myself well enough to realize that when I fight and struggle strongly against an idea, experience or person, the very thing I wish to avoid I need to tackle head on.

I spent several days researching this absolute and unbending law ~ for every cause there is an effect and for every effect there is a cause.  Some even call it the law that never lies.  Sometimes these effects are immediate (like drinking a cup of hot coffee and ending up with a burnt tongue) and some take longer to manifest.  Often we aren’t conscious of what we did indeed set into motion months and years prior when something shows up in our lives.  Additionally, although every thought, feeling, word and action is indeed a cause, which sets into motion an eventual effect, the cause doesn’t have to be huge.  For example, in the past I’ve set the intention of feeling overworked and overwhelmed. My thoughts centered on not getting enough sleep and having the time to process the events and opportunities showing up in my life.  Within a week, I was knocked down with the flu and for the next seven days, didn’t leave my bed.  Instead of focusing on what I wasn’t getting done while battling the bug, I allowed my body to heal.  With nothing to do but rest, I had opportunity to catch up on reading and journaling my thoughts.

What’s interesting is much of what I know and believe about the world we live shouldn’t make this law an issue, yet what I realized, for me, is a lot of my ideas about cause and effect come from old truths I learned growing up.  If I made a bad decision, it would come back “to haunt me” and the idea of “instant karma” and the looking over your shoulder mentality because we believe somehow someway we’ll pay for a bad choice.   However, the more I read on the subject, the more I remembered that we don’t live a linear life.  We aren’t directed on a straight and unbending path.  We have the power of free will to make a left or a right ~ to choose a life filled with positivity versus negativity.  If I’m not happy in my career, for example, I do not have to stay for the next 25 years to receive the watch and retire.  If there’s an area of my world that doesn’t bring me enthusiastic joy, I don’t have to sit in it, shrug my shoulders and say “oh well, it is what it is.”  When we center our thoughts, feelings, words and actions on good for everyone and everything, guess what effects we cause?  Limitless and ridiculous possibilities!  The manifestations of abundant prosperity come back to us in trip measure to the good we give out, and they often touch and show up in the lives of others.

Where are you thoughts when you wake up on the “dreaded” Monday morning? What feelings start your day?  How are the words you choose to use during conversation contributing to your day, as well as others you interact with directly or indirectly?  How can divine ideas you’ve received from your heart and/or an area in your life you want to explore benefit from positive actions set into motion?  With the power of free will comes the ability to choose our intentions.  When we start our day, we can ask ourselves who are we willing to be and allow those words to seep into our core.  The knowing we are living our absolute truth and affirming conscious acts of generosity and responsibility contribute not only to the quality of our lives, but the betterment of the world.  Today I am willing to be compassionate, appreciative, focused, enthusiastic and generous.  How about you?

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When I grow up I want to be…

June 28, 2010 in Change, Life, Life Purpose, Spirit, Starting Over, fear | No comments

How big are you dreaming?  If your divine dreams and goals don’t require the help from others, you’ve not dreamed big enough.  If what you want to manifest doesn’t push you outside of your comfort zone because you know you don’t have all of the answers on how it will unfold, you’re power of imagination and visualization hasn’t been tapped.  If your life purpose doesn’t necessitate growth and learning, it’s time to ask why.  When you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, he or she doesn’t list just one idea.  They will blurt out with energy and joy a list of dreams so large in scope you have to tether them to the nearest tree or they will float away on a cloud of limitless possibilities.  My favorite list came from a little boy, age 7, whom I met on the subway.  He was going to be a fireman and a policeman because they both get to help people and have really cool sirens, shortstop, like Derek Jeter, for the New York Yankees, an astronaut and a super hero.  He completed his list with a pose similar to Spider Man.  What do you think happens when I ask adults what they want to be when they grow up?  After laughter and a raised eyebrow, the common retort is it’s too late for me. Is it really?

Our inner child never leaves us.  There are some who have never been separated from its influence; while others have long since forgotten the larger than life experiences they planned while sailing in a tire swing or laying on the grass staring up at the stars.  What would you do today if money and time weren’t a concern?  Don’t over think the question and do you best to shut out your ego while it attempts to throw out all of the reasons why this exercise is silly.  And if the answer feels like an impossibility to you, like President of the United States, take the time to dig deeper into what it is about the dream or goal that you connect with most.  More than likely, it’s because of the unique gifts, skills and talents you innately possess.  As you continue to explore and discover you might find another career, project, goal or hobby that is aligned perfectly with the original one you came up with and you know is attainable.  Someone who always wanted to act on Broadway, and has never taken a class or performed in his or her life, might find that working for a theater company or a foundation that supports the arts a way to connect with this dream or they could decide to take an acting class or audition for community theater.

No one or no thing can keep us from our dreams.  We are the only ones with that kind of power, and we’ve become experts at getting in our own way.  We focus on the “how” of things, the “perfection” of an idea, or fear based notions like failure and rejection.  Instead of the how, center on the affirmation “why not me.”  Why not you to take dance, writing, acting, photography, or art lessons?  Why not you to switch careers, move to New York City, or own a home?  Dreaming big does come with its challenges like wanting what you want and wanting it now.  It’s frustration when it’s not happening fast enough that often blocks our path and we walk away before we’ve begun the journey.  Instead of zeroing in on step 10, take a look at step 1.  And just like the outlines we created in high school and college, the line from step 1 to step 2 can be incorporated with even smaller tasks like 1.a, 1.b. 1.c.  With each accomplishment and win, you are empowered to move forward.

What’s the one thing you can do today to get started?  Where can you go to find and connect with others who have similar interests and passions?  These very people could direct and guide you toward tremendous opportunities.  Utilize your social networks, check out continuing education guides at local colleges and universities, look at programs offered by community centers and read the local papers for events.  Summer is an excellent time to embrace your inner child and say yes to opportunities.

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Choices

June 25, 2010 in Bring it on!, Change, Life, Life Purpose, Shifting Consciousness, Spirit | 2 comments

During a lovely chat over tea, a friend and I were talking about the amazing world of synchronicities, connections and possibilities.  We both approach life with positivity and a belief that we receive all of the divine dreams we have the courage to order.  It’s about specificity and knowing what we want vs. the general wishy washy request of anything will do.  Most recently, during an interview, I was asked how I respond to someone who tells me life doesn’t work as effortlessly as you claim.  Wow, that’s some affirmation. There have been a few times where my assertions have brought about doubt and negative responses from others; however, it’s not something I take personally.  What others think of me is known of my business, and quite frankly, I don’t have the time to exert energy toward external influences that don’t serve my greater good. The only path I place focus on is my own, and its direction is unique from anyone else’s.  I’ve had moments where my own affirmations were based on pessimistic and fear-based ideas, which locked out growth opportunities.

One of life’s greatest gifts is the ability to make choices.  Two separate couples, out on a date, can be sitting in the same busy, restaurant on a Friday night.  One couple can spend the evening sighing, rolling their eyes and complaining to one another about the slow service, while the other couple is focused on each other and grateful for not being rushed through dinner.  We can choose to see 2010 filled with economic strife, layoffs, and a healthcare war, or we can choose to see 2010 filled with change, stepping outside of our comfort zone, liberation from a strangling career, and the importance of getting involved.  My friends and colleagues have transitioned to new careers, purchased homes, started families, started relationships, found the perfect apartment to rent without paying broker fees, discovered free classes being offered on cooking and decorating, published books, created ministries and began to volunteer in various ways to give back to their local communities.  When I ask them, how did all of this good come to you during a time when many are struggling, the collective response is faith and trust in their hearts, as well as knowing it’s about how they choose to react to challenges.

During a recent radio interview, I was asked about the importance of working hard to get what we want.  My references to good effortlessly entering our lives has been construed from time to time that I believe we put in our order for what we want, sit on the sofa and wait for it to happen.  The image couldn’t be further from the truth.  I’ve worked hard my whole life; however, the experiences have been significantly different based on my outlook.  My working 10-hour days in a job where I complain about the hours, the people, the work, and not achieving the level of my potential isn’t the same as a 10-hour day where I’m building a career which feeds my spirit, accentuates my natural gifts and talents, and leads me to connections with amazing men and women from all industries and the establishment of a global network.  While the time in both situations is the same 10-hours, the day where I’m doing what I love feels a lot shorter.  The other factor is how much control I am trying to place on what I do and how I do it.  Do I ignore the still, small voice speaking and guiding me in a direction which will make the journey filled with excitement and energy, or do I believe I can figure things out better and become physically and emotionally drained in the process?  I’ve approached life both ways, and I’m a much bigger fan of the former.

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Own Your “WOW” Factor

June 23, 2010 in Bring it on!, Career, Change, Life, Shifting Consciousness, Starting Over | 2 comments

There is no planet, sun or star that could hold you if you but knew who you are. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

How many of us take the time to know who we really are?  Sounds like an easy question because if anyone is going to be an expert on you it should be you.  Yet when I ask people to share with me what makes them unique and remarkable, I’m often met with blank stares and even some blushed cheeks.  This is usually followed by qualifying questions like “How do I answer this question?  Is it about “work me” or “personal me”? “ or blanket responses of “I don’t know how to answer that question because I wasn’t raised to brag about myself.”  What makes you, you isn’t something that can be compartmentalized into personal and professional areas.  Those very things that come naturally to you, your essence, are gifts that envelop your whole self.  This is your “WOW Factor” and by discovering and celebrating it, you create an existence where you are living, doing and being what you love.

Think of the Wow Factor as bullet points on your resume.  In fact, sometimes this is the easiest way to get started.  When we prepare for a new job or career search, we start off by looking at past resumes and the dreaded task of updating.  I do believe that one of the reasons we are so reluctant to modify or create our resumes is because it’s not natural for us to honor what makes us special.  The very idea of being special is a foreign concept.  Who am I to be special? Who are you not to be?  There are hundreds of people who are fifth grade teachers, paralegals for a bankruptcy law firm, commercial bankers, theater actors, and real estate brokers; however, they don’t see, feel or perform their job the same way you do.

Write or type out the question: What comes naturally to me?  The rest is a freethinking exercise with no self-editing.  Let the word(s) and phrases flow.  The task feels daunting at first because the very things that come naturally to us are effortless.  We don’t realize what they are because it feels as easy as breathing.  How many people think about what it takes in order to fill our lungs and release breath?  It just happens.  If a trait or characteristic is easy for me than how can it really be seen as unique or even beneficial? Our innate gifts that we take for granted seem like impossibilities to others who witness it.  Whenever I watch friends go into their kitchen and pull out what appear to be unrelated ingredients to create a delicious and magnificent meal, I am in awe.  First, the idea that cooking relaxes some people is alien to me ~ especially when it’s for a group of people.  Then, of course, I wonder how in the world do they know that all of those items go together and where’s the official recipe?  Don’t rush this list.  In fact, I often tell people to devote an hour each day for a week for its creation.  This is a brand new muscle you are working with and just like your first time back at the gym to work with a trainer, there will be some flexibility issues and pain involved.  The more you do, the more you gain.

After you answer this question for yourself, reach out to TRUSTED individuals who support you and ask them what makes you unique and remarkable.  This is not about validating or confirming what you already know to be true, but instead an exercise to learn how others see you.  Often we aren’t aware of the light that shines so strongly from within us that we make a difference just by showing up.  And after they are kind enough to share positive words and thoughts, return the favor.

All too often we don’t see or use the power behind the very gifts and talents we were born with in order to create delicious and dynamic lives.  We come from an understanding that life is supposed to be hard, which is why many of us are doing things we don’t want to do.  Instead of following our spirit, we are influenced by external forces (sometimes known as family or society as a whole) and end up trying to live someone else’s dream.  There’s a misconception that if you do or live what you love that you won’t be able to survive.  Doesn’t that sound wrong?  If you are tapping into those very skills that make you unique there’s so much more passion and joy involved.  You feel stronger and healthier.  There is a glow that others see and will comment on.

It’s never too late to start knowing and owning your Wow Factor.  Today, choose you.  You are worth the time.

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