Love This Quote Today:

"The journey between what you once were and who you are becoming is where the dance of life really takes place."

-Barbara De Angelis

Source of Inspiration

Father's Day came and went and I had the intention of writing a blog entry in honor of my beautiful husband, Chris. He is an amazing father and the gift of parenthood has really transformed him into a more playful, more connected and more embracing-of-living-life-NOW kind of dude. He recognizes what a gift our little boy is, and watching the two of them bond, learn from, and love each other brings me great joy.

Not only is Chris a wonderful "da da", he is the greatest partner I could ever ask for. In order to illustrate just how mindful, compassionate and wise he is, I'd like to share an excerpt from a recent email he sent me in regards to my struggles of wanting to manifest my life purpose on a deeper level.

He says, "You are a great, gentle nurturer. You are perfectly suited to dive deep with people. So, light-hearted projects are OK for you? Or are you wanting deepness that comes from working with, say people with cancer, like those you engaged with in the past?

I guess what I'm thinking about right now is, 'Who are these people looking for a creative life coaching experience.' I know I could use a coach from time-to-time, but never commit the time for this. Are there a lot of people like me out there and how do you reach them the same way you do in person?

I love your approach of the online thing and I want you to not think much. Just throw stuff out there that comes from yourself just diving in and not questioning much. It will be from that place that people who are like me will see the authenticity in the work you do and be inspired to take the class. I might be wrong, but the stuff you have been talking about lately is not just teaching how to knit a stitch. It's about pushing self to feel and then do and do and do, so you must do then do then do. Do the do when you make a pod cast. Do the title of your class with the style of free form thinking - couple of words, done put it out there...walk away. A day, a week, a month later while resting or taking a walk, new words will hit you for the next pod cast or class.

To be free to make up this stuff you're doing, you need to continue to do things you have never done before. Then, channel that experience into your work. Vacation from your son, from me or and whatever it takes to break, break, break, routine. Don't worry, breaking routine will become your routine and that will fuel your future manifestations."Thank you, Chris, for being a great source of support and inspiration in my life.

Your Personal Reflection: Think of one person in your life that has offered you a great source of support and inspiration. Take the time to write a letter to them sharing what they mean to you.

Slowing Down

I'm taking this really cool on-line "Get Crafty" class and I've found it to be so inspiring. Our first assignment was to spend the day taking photos with our digital camera of natural and hand-made patterns. I carry my camera around and take pictures on a weekly basis, but for some reason, this particular assignment was different for me.
It allowed me, (or rather, forced me) to slooooooooooow down. Something I need to do A LOT more these days. So I took a day trip to a quaint, historic Missouri town with my mom and baby boy. Since Kestan fell asleep in the car on the way, my mom and I drove around the country roads and main street so I could take close-up shots. (We also had a wonderful visit - so much fun sharing stories and catching up!)It was so simple, and yet, truly a moment of creative renewal for me. I noticed details on the tree barks that I would have passed by, I found trails I never would have visited, and I discovered old barns I never would have seen.
This small, creative exercise turned out to be the reminder for me that slowing down, noticing the little things, and once again, being in the present moment, allows me to connect more deeply to the people I'm with and the places I visit, and opens my senses to the beauty of life all around me.

I even stumbled across the most adorable cottage that is now becoming part of my vision board as a symbol of my dream art studio!Your Personal Reflection: Go out today with your digital camera. Take close-up shots of all the things around you. How does stopping to notice the little things in life change your perspective?

Living with Abundance

Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into. -Wayne Dyer

Today and everyday I am practicing gratitude and accepting fear so that I can fully embrace the abundance in my life.

Your personal reflection: What can you do today to "tune into" abundance?

Being Present

My husband has been sick the past week and a lot of the household responsibilities were all on me since he was pretty much out of commission. After a few days of this I started noticing some considerable inner tension - my physical body was definitely feeling the consequences of pushing too hard and trying to do way too much to keep on top of things.

So when Saturday morning rolled around I knew that for my own well-being I had to relinquish some of the house duties and get a change of scenery. Leaving daddy at home to rest, Kestan and I went on a morning adventure to the local organic farmer's market. We then stumbled across a new park and for over an hour I followed Kestan's lead. Where ever he wanted to go, I followed. And it was a magical experience. I actually noticed a physical transformation. My inner feeling of nervousness and stress was gone. I caught myself being truly content with being in the moment, with no agenda and no "to do" list running in my head.

As I move through this week, I'm now much more aware of the physical signs that come with stress and what happens when I'm not being fully present. Today, I am content, knowing that simply getting dirty in the dirt and laying in the grass with my little boy is enough.

Your Personal Reflection: Are you being fully present today?

You Can Do It!

I don't know where I got these quotes, but they are very powerful and really speak to me today:

"Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Begin it now.

The Power of Commitment

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth––the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no [wo]man could have dreamed would have come [her]his way…"

Your Personal Reflection
What dream do you have that needs your fullest attention? Are you ready to commit, without hesitation, to make that dream real?

The Courage to Fly

I am SO ready and have the courage to make GREAT change in my life.

Your Personal Reflection:
What are you ready to let go of so that you can make space, feel lighter and fly freer?