Becoming Aware

Since my Who Are They? post I've received many mindful comments from those of you who relate to this feeling of wanting to embrace an authentic life - no matter what.  I sense so much change going on - don't you?  (Enjoy this great read about the solar eclipse happening now.)  It's like we're done with consuming, buying, and hoarding.  We want to live more simply. We want to clear the clutter.  We want to breathe again.  We want space for what truly matters most.

With this past week of making bigger changes, I'm reminded that gaining new awareness isn't always an easy road.  You know, like when you find out what's really in your food (watch Food, Inc.), well, once you become aware, it takes more work to make changes in your diet, to read labels and to learn where your food comes from.  It's a lot easier to go on blindly eating whatever comes your way.  But easier isn't always better, right?  And eventually, your new found awareness becomes second nature, your new way of life, and it's easy once again.

So in celebration of choosing an authentic, abundant life, I'm posting this photo as a reminder of what matters most in my life.  Love, family, growth, celebration, inspiration, connection, nature, compassion, simplicity, the present moment, happiness and awareness...  

And I share this with you because I know you are feeling the itch in your belly to make bigger changes, too.  So go for it.  Choose authenticity.  Choose abundance.  Become aware of what matters most in your life.  And do it, one small step at a time, starting today.

Your Personal Reflection:  What kind of life are you choosing to live?

Feeling Vulnerable

I made this collage this past January. I found the quote from a Yoga Journal magazine. It reads, "Through our willingness to experience and share our vulnerability, we discover a shared and compassionate awareness that is spacious enough to hold the imperfections of all humans."

There is a lot of transition going on in my life, and much of what is reflected in this collage is starting to manifest in so many ways for me. I'm leaving a job I've held on to for over 8 years to spend more time with my sweet little boy, and to focus and pursue my art and life coaching in a more bolder, fuller way. Well, that's what I tell myself, anyway. It's mostly true. The other truth though, is that I'm wanting to touch my vulnerability in a deeper way. I want to let go of descriptions and the identity we use to "define" ourselves because it's scary. I need to do things that scare me. I'm seeing that the more I face my fears, the more free I feel. And that's where I find myself today.

So here I am, reflecting on this new inner joy I am discovering daily, and feeling really good about being vulnerable.

Your Personal Reflection: What makes you feel vulnerable?

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.