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?