Moving Day!

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

- Lao Tzu

Well, my friends, the time has come.  My moving day is officially here.  I've been writing in this space since February, 2009.  It has been so good to me.  I've shared a lot.  I've grown up a little.  I've felt vulnerable.  I've made mistakes.  I've cried.  I've celebrated. And I've connected with so many of you from all over the world.  (I feel so blessed.)

I hope you will join me in my new space - A Free Spirit Life.  I will continue to explore creativity, mindful living, personal wellness and mothering with heART.  I am dedicated to creating community that is authentic, sacred and passionate about creating a life we love from the inside out - with one small step at a time.

If you have been following this blog through email, make sure to fill out the "follow by email" form on my new blog. (As you won't be receiving emails anymore from this site.)

Visit my new online communities HERE.

And check out my new February challenge Laugh, Play, Love!

What we call the beginning is often the end.  And to make an end is to make a beginning.  The end is where we start from.

-T.S. Eliot

I'm so excited to share my new home with you - A Free Spirit Life.  And I know that closing this space really is just the beginning of a new adventure on this life journey.

Happy Birthday Kestan!

 "Mom, every time I close my eyes I see my cupcake." - Kestan, age 4

Today my sweet little boy turns four.  He had a wonderful party yesterday with all of his family and friends.  The presents, the place, and of course the cupcakes, were all great. But the very best part was watching Kestan beam, as he felt loved by all the special people in his life.  He grew up a little more.  He exuded confidence.  He laughed and played and bounced around like any excited four year old would.

And as I look at him today, of course, I can still see that brand new baby who took 9 months to grow and 36 hours of labor to be born.  But now I see something new - a little boy coming into his own.  A boy heading down a different path - one of making new friends, discovering new discoveries, taking new adventures that test his courage, and a new found freedom and enthusiasm that simply comes from being four.  

What a gift it is to be a mother.  

Thank you, my sweetest first born, for teaching me what pure love, joy and bliss are all about.

Your Personal Reflection:  If you could stop for a moment and see the world today as a four year old, what would you see?

Softening (& winner announced)

I've been a little quiet on the blog front lately.  We jump right from the holidays and New Years to a month full of birthday celebrations and it hasn't stopped yet.  My husband turned a year older last week and my oldest little dude's big day is coming soon.

In between all the planning and parties, I am working on a revamp of my website, an e-book, and the launch of the 6th session of my Inside Out e-course.  

So needless to say, any free time I have is spent taking full advantage of playtime, park time or sleep time!

I've also been feeling mixed emotions lately.  Some days I'm full of energy and raring to go. Other days I'm swimming in muck.  I have this deep sense that I'm in the transition of the transition.  Like bigger, deeper change is on its way, but until then, I need to soften into the space of the unknown.  So here I am, letting the big blue sky lead the way.

I want to hear from YOU.

Your Personal Reflection:  How are YOU doing and feeling now that we are 10 days into this new year?

AND...the winner of the last free spot in 

Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery e-course is...

Kate! 

(Thanks to all those who entered.  I appreciate you sharing your intentions for 2012.

Kate - please send me your email.)

Enjoy the Day

Well I did get out of my jammies long enough to celebrate my birthday this week.  And I should have ridden my bike since I pretty much ate my way through the day.  But heck, I'm doing away with "shoulds"  'cause life is too short to not enjoy... 

yummy coffee, 

a local brew, 

a fresh slice of pizza, 

or the most decedent piece of tiramisu...right?

I've had a great couple of days just hanging with my favorite people.

And although my birthday celebrations have changed since having kids...

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Your Personal Reflection:  Enjoy YOUR day today!

And...make sure to enter for the very last chance to win a spot in the upcoming Inside Out e-course.  Check out the previous post for details.

Letting Life Naturally Unfold (& a give-away!)

Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you. 

- John De Paola

Am I the only one who isn't ready for the new year?  Don't get me wrong, I've been organizing a bit.  I've been reflecting on the past year.  I've written some goals down in my journal.  I'm ready to pack up the Christmas decorations and vacuum up the evergreen needles.  And yes, I love a new start.  A fresh. clean. slate.  

But I'm not quite ready to get out of my jammies.  I feel motivated.  I feel excited about what this new year will bring.  I have an idea of the direction I'm going in.  But my pace is...well...slower.  I've either been enjoying my morning coffee by the fire a little too much, or maybe...just maybe...my thoughts are changing and my body is listening.  Maybe I am really starting to see that I can still conquer my daily "list" AND get on the floor and play with the kids.  That reading yet another book at "nigh night" doesn't really take up that much time.  That when I make space for painting or yoga or time away from the family to recharge my batteries, it's beneficial to everyone. That if I stop at my son's request to play in the middle of sweeping, well, heck...the sweeping still gets done.  AND the world doesn't end if I don't finish that "list" in a day's time.  

Huh.

I'm a lover of New Years.  I'm the queen of writing intentions and resolutions.  Reflecting on the past? Planning for the future?  Setting goals?  Making lists?  I got that stuff down.

But here at the start of 2012, I feel the need to open up to the moment that is here, right in front of my eyes.  I feel more creative that way.  I feel more centered.  I feel happier as I drift through the day, with less expectations, less control, and less freaking out when things don't go my way.

My focus for 2011 was to receive, to learn to live without, and to embrace stillness.  In 2010 I focused on reducing clutter and creating space.  In 2009 I set an intention to live more boldly.

And now...I am listening to that inner request to slow down, to celebrate each moment, to LAUGH MORE, to PLAY MORE, to focus on my health and wealth, and to continue mothering with heART.

So I guess I really am ready for 2012, but rather than writing some crazy list of things to accomplish, I want to stop pushing and stop chasing.  I want to keep celebrating living each day and simply be more open to letting this new year (and my life) naturally unfold...

******

To celebrate my birthday (It's tomorrow!) I'm offering one last chance to win a spot in my upcoming Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery e-course.  Just leave a comment on this post to the following question for your chance to win!  I'll announce a winner this Friday.

Your Personal Reflection:  What is your intention, phrase, special word, feeling or simple goals that are guiding you into the new year?

Moving Slowly into the New Year

Although we haven't seen a glimpse of snow this winter, we continue feeding the fire, making it warm and toasty inside.  So much so that it's been quite the enticement to stay home and snuggle in every day.

And since Christmas morning that's pretty much the scene around here.  Fire going, bed head, jammies, new toys spread throughout the house and new games being played together.

Our holidays have been filled with little surprises and special moments seen through the eyes and wonderment of our children.  Making us feel young again.  Reminding us of the important things in life.  Gently forcing two busy parents to stop.  Get on the floor.  Play. Be messy.  Stop worrying, because there's nothing to worry about.  

And if that smile doesn't pretty much say it all, I don't know what does.  When you take the time to be together, to really, truly be together - enjoying the moment that is now - well, joy, bliss, happiness and contentment will make you shine.

Today is a gift.  Just as YOU are a gift.  Today and every day, YOU are a gift in this world.  Shine like the brightest star, because the world needs you.  Take time today to reflect on this past year and celebrate the one yet to come.  Slow down just a little more and feel the fire inside and all around you.   Now, more than ever before, is the time to embrace this moment, and LIVE slowly, fully, boldly and freely.

Happy NEW Year! 

Your Personal Reflection:  In what ways will you slow down today as you celebrate the start of this new year?

Living Every Day Like It's Vacation

A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in. 

-Robert Orben

Most photos by Chris Duh. 

We spent a week in Park City, Utah visiting family and in a way, I felt like I had stepped into another world.  It's amazing the fresh perspective that can come from new surroundings.  

The day before our travels I had a massive "to do" list and feelings of looming stress. On the morning of vacation day (even at the airport), I felt more relaxed and relatively stress-free.  The only thing on the "to do" list that day was to play with our kids, travel safely and not lose anything (including the kids) along the way.

Because we were staying at my mother-in-laws home, we packed pretty lightly knowing we could do laundry half-way through the trip.  So we each brought just 3 outfits for the 7 days.  I brought one knitting project and a book.  Ski clothes, car seat, a couple of toys, snacks, camera and an iPad.  It was still a lot, and yet it felt easy to handle.

And because I was on vacation my mind told my body it could...relax.  And that I did.  It certainly helped that our family took such good care of us while we were there.  They spoiled us with good meals, gifts, free skiing - heck, my mother-in-law even did our laundry!

Here are some things I was reminded of while on vacation...

I like taking a break from being in the driver's seat.

I'm only as stressed as I let my mind make me.

Seeing the world as a 4 year old...

and as a 1 year old...

really does make the simplest things, like playing ball with a dog or touching the snow, pretty darn special.

I was reminded of the love shared when giving and receiving gifts.

I was reminded that when you have space in your day to be spontaneous, you find new discoveries that you never imagined possible.

And when you let go of expectations and go with the flow, taking the wrong train can turn out to be a really good time.

I was reminded of how fun it is to see new places...

I was reminded of my growing passion for cooking as I discovered the kitchen of my dreams in the real version of the "Up" house.

I was reminded of how much fun it is to play and be silly.

I was reminded of the joy that comes from sharing something you love with your kids for the first time.

I was reminded that I really love slow mornings, without anything planned for the day, except to eat, knit, play and see what comes up.

I was reminded that no matter where you go, your daily life is what you make it.  You can swirl and twirl and frazzle and stress, but ultimately the choice is yours.

It's been a week since our trip.  And I've caught myself several times slipping into stress-mode.  But then, I remember that I have a choice.

So I'm choosing to practice living every day as if I were on vacation.  Sure, I still have laundry to do, food to make, and people to take care of.  But I can move more mindfully throughout my day.  And the slower I go, the more present, connected and happier I feel.

Being present is a state of mind.
And it's a state of mind that I like.
Because when I'm more at peace and filled with wonder - like my children - this LIFE journey feels like an adventure worth traveling.

Your Personal Reflection:  As you travel through the holidays this week, simplify your "to do" list and allow yourself to immerse in the peace, love and joy that truly are all around you.

I wish you a holiday full of peace, love and joy!

******
Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery e-course registration is going strong.  You can learn more and register HERE.  (Gift certificates are available, too!)


And for those of you looking for a way to celebrate the winter solstice, here's an idea.