Jovial

jo·vial
Pronunciation:
\ˈjō-vē-əl, -vyəl\
Function: adjective
Date:1592
1capitalized : of or relating to Jove (Zeus)
2: markedly good-humored especially as evidenced by jollity and conviviality

Last week I started attending a new visioning class based on the work of Michael Beckwith. Quite powerful stuff!!

We were given a structure for our morning meditation practice that includs a series of questions. One of which is, “Who do you need to be to suport your vision coming to life?”

Today the word that popped into my mind was jovial. I began to giggle and enjoy the moment of discovering a word that many have used to describe me.

Jovial. Hmm... For me I began to think about the funny stories I tell about all the adventures I have. It is about funding the humor in things and being willing to bring it forth. I know that when I am in this frame of mind, I attract people, energy, and experieces that create and support joy.

Being jovial to me is about seeing the bright side. Bringing levity to a situation and keeping it all in perspective.

So today I will continue to remember the jollity within my heart and know that as I step into who my heart calls me to be, I shall feel the presence of the Divine.

Who are you called to be?

How did I get here?

Yesterday morning a friend asked me a simple question, "How did you get here?"

The here she is speaking of is a place of possibilities on many levels, with looming reality ever present.

As I shared, she insightfully expressed that she felt it was important for those around to greater understand where I have been, so they might help me move forward.

What became clear as I told her the story of the past year and a half, was her surprise at the evolution of my self image.

As I sit here and try to recreate what I was able to express to her verbally, I am filled with hesitation. Trying to express in the written word is now a challenge for me. The affects of the pernicious anemia on my whole life has been greater than I or those around me have understood.

Yesterday as I told of the journey, I was able to see how the puzzle pieces of my life have shifted and have created a new version of Florence. A version, I know that is stronger and more connected to God, myself and others.

I will continue to try to tell of where I am and how I am working to understand the affects and create anew from there.

Many people in my life right now are helping me to see this evolved version of myself is here, because I have been willing to do the hard work of facing the pain and moving through it with deep faith.

Hope Gathering

Hope - Huge word even though it is four letters...

As I jump back into evolving the world of Gathering after my illness and the death of my mom, all is NEW. So many possibilities...

I have committed to using this space to create the right energy and momentum that I know is needed to bring Gathering to the next right incarnation.

SO stay tuned and please contribute, your ideas on what you know of me, Gathering and what you think, I can bring to life...

Exciting times.

How do you spend your spiritual cash?

'Thoughts become things. If you see it in your mind, you will hold it in your hand.'


Bob Proctor


How do you make your selections from the catalog of infinite possibilities?

If Bob Proctor is correct in surmising that "Thoughts become things", one could consider a person's thoughts as a sort of cosmic cash, bringing into your life whatever you place your attention on.

We live in a Universe that is so full of unconditional adoration for each and every one of us that She unquestioningly provides us with every thing we desire, under the assumption that what we think about is what we desire. And why wouldn't it be? Certainly, you feel better when you envision yourself driving that brand new car than you do when you think about the faults of your current one. But the effects are more far-reaching than just instantaneous warm-fuzzies... Positive thinking is an investment into your future!

Whether you choose to or not, you are setting events into motion, on physical, energetic, and sub-atomic levels, based on what you think, what you say, and how you spend your time. Pause for a moment, now, and observe your current mental and emotional states. Would you be content to feel this way for ever?

It is an important question to consider because NOW is all you have, and an eternity is encased within it. Stop putting off your own happiness, and making it dependent upon certain conditions that may or may not be met. Start focusing on what you want this moment.

The kingdom of heaven is within you, and the Universe holds infinite possibilities, all for you. In an existence such as this, with so many experiences at your feet, all you need is faith and focus to purchase what you truly desire.

You cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought.
-Peter McWilliams

What makes you enthusiastic about your business?

“The greeks gave us one of the most beautiful words of our language, “enthusiasm”. The word enthusiasm translates to “a God within”. Within you is an infinite passionate soul that wishes to express itself.”

Wayne Dyer, The Power of Intention

Each of us has created within our minds, a vision for what we see for our business, we create wonderfully detailed images of what success and fulfillment look like. We create wonderfully detailed images in our minds consciously and unconsciously. We "see" happy customers, new products and services and financial success. Ultimately we feel happy when we think these thoughts.

Our minds naturally create plans that are possible. We create the story of success with each daydream, each conversation, each list of to do's.

The mind cannot create a vision that is not in someway possible. The mind consciously and unconsciously pieces together ideas, facts, and experiences to design a new reality based on your history.In essence it creates history, waiting to be created.

It is then up to us to get the story of the of the new history expressed. It is called your business plan. It is your vision wanting to be created.

It is up to us to get those unconscious thought out into your conscious mind, so you can bring it to life, It is in this expression, the conscious mind can accept it and apply logic and reason to create tactical plans for its realization.

Speaking about the ideas allows for the written word to be created. The connection between the verbalization of an idea opens the pathway to the written word, the visualization elements and the emotional connections. The act of storytelling allows us to connect to our experiences in a organic way. Our brains naturally connect ideas as we access our experiences, our knowledge and passions.

Brenda Laurel in her book, "Utopian Entrepreneur" states, "Story telling is a nurturing act. It is not simply the transmission of narrative material. It is a purposeful action that is intended to communicate, to teach, to heal. Stories are content, storytelling is relationship."

The stories we create around our goals, be them personal or business, respectfully, recreate from our past experiences, failings and successes. They gently blend all these into a healing salve. They take the lessons, insights and wisdom that were deposited over time and weaves them together into a new version of reality.

The sheer act of telling these new stories, allows healing, forgiveness and an honoring of the past. As it is expressed, we open the door to be able to use it to plan the future, tactically and tangibly. It moves from our mind to reality.

Tom Peters, business guru, his book RE-IMAGINE, calls us to re-look at everything we know about business. He asks us to face, "It is not your... father's world" He compels us to see anew and re-imagine the business we know are possible. One where design, planning, strategy and fulfillment are possible.

We must he says be willing to do the work. We must take time to flesh out our visions and share them. It is in this act he states that a new way of doing business will come to life.

What is the story you are creating?

Who can you tell your new story to?

Have you seen the vision of your life’s purpose?

Life is a promise; fulfill it.
Mother Theresa

Imagine being in a new town on vacation and leaving from your hotel to go to the grocery store. You’ve got your shopping list in hand and your eco-friendly cloth bags in the trunk. You set out on your mission with goal in mind, and as you drive out of the parking lot, you realize – you have no idea how to get to the store!

Life visioning is like having spiritual GPS. You may have a fuzzy idea of your mission in life… some things you would like to have or to accomplish. But do you know what it looks, smells, and feels like? How much time do you spend allowing yourself to feel what you’re hoping to create? Once you have a clear vision you can set your life on auto-pilot and let the Divinity within you take over from there. The name of the game is trust.

As Mike Dooley put it, “The secret to living the life of your dreams is to start living the life of your dreams, at once, to any degree that you possibly can.”

Life visioning is going within to find exactly who you were born to be. This is like finding out which store carries the right brand of soymilk before you get in the car to go there. You want to head straight to the source, without having to waste time hopping from destination to destination finding the right fit. You want specifics, and the beauty is that it’s all within you already. (Silk brand is great organic soymilk, by the way)

When it comes to discovering our individual purpose or mission, the most profound and effective way to begin is by consciously catching the Spirit’s vision for our life. But unfortunately, it takes some time and work to open our heart’s eye enough to see.

There are a few different ways of ‘programming our internal GPS’, so to speak. First, we have to come to know ourselves on a profound level. Unless you know who you are from every angle, even the scary or less-than-flattering ones, you won’t know how you and the qualities you posess are vital to your life’s purpose.

A few avenues for self-exploration that I’ve found to be extremely helpful in my own life are: astrology, numerology, fasting, dreamwork, breathwork, yoga, and meditation. (for more information on these topics, check out the links on the right hand side of the page or e-mail me with questions at anandi@gathernow.com)

When you come to know and love yourself, your calling will make itself known as you take more notice of what that motivates you (past and present), what attracts you, what you resist, and what frustrates you.

The important part is just opening up to it. Being active in a conscious search for purpose signals to your subconscious mind that you’re serious about finding it. No book, guru, or class will tell you what your purpose is (wouldn’t it be nice if things were that easy! Like room service, forget about going out for soymilk.) The answers are within you. All that is required to receive them is to call them forth. Be open to receive. Openness invites the subconscious open up to you. Judging what you receive, or think you receive no matter how little sense it may make to you in your current life and mindset, scares off any insights that may come through. The inner eye is like a muscle, and it takes a lot of exercise to get it to see clearly!

Often, once you open yourself to it, your purpose may become clear through synchronicities. Carl Jung coined the term "synchronicity" to describe events that were more than coincidental and could have significant implications on your life path. Paying attention to synchronicities can be very important to discovering your path. Synchronicities can show up in a fragment of an overheard conversation, a song on the radio, an article in the newspaper, or a sign on the road. A repeated word or phrase could be a key to your path. It may not be the end-goal, but it can be significant step or a turning point on your path, if you stay alert.

Remember,
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you”
Matther 7:7

Usually, we use our eyes to guide us and take us in the direction we want to go. In the same way, Spirit, whatever you conceive of Universal Power to be, has given us "spiritual eyes" to help guide us in the realm of the Spirit. Paul spoke of this....

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Ephesians 1:18-19

Visioning enables the "eyes of our hearts" to see clearly in order that we may know the Divine Intelligence's perfect plan for our lives and the "incomparably great power" of God. This was God's intention for us when It created mankind.
As Michael Beckwith put it, "Through Life Visioning, we become the living condition through which divine ideas express themselves. These ideas can be anything from solutions to problems to a new business model to direction in your spiritual development. With Life Visioning, you place yourself in position to "catch and articulate" the eternal broadcast of that which is seeking to manifest through you, for the benefit of all.

Remember, your highest dreams and greatest aspirations are Spirit’s vision for your life. Gos works in, as, and through you to manifest greatness in form. Allowing that to flow does not imply giving anything up. Generally we think of the term surrender as having a negative connotation. But because God lives through you, he wants only the most blissful, peaceful, successful, and healthful experiences possible for human beings.

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Jeremiah 29:11)

Don’t think that you have to get “there”, wherever “there” is for you, with what you have now. In terms of money, confidence, talent, connections, whatever. It doesn’t work like that. And thank goodness, because that’s a scary thought. Once you set yourself in motion, the necessary resources - money, confidence, talent, connections, etc. – will be drawn to you! YES, it’s that easy!

Your destiny is divine. Your destination is certain. And your intuitive GPS is accesible. There is nothing in the way of your spiritual success, you precious spark of God’s light!

Namaste
Anandi D.



“Relax. Contrary to popular belief, figuring out your life’s purpose is easy.
Living it is even easier; you were made for it!
You deserve a clear, precise vision of what you incarnated to do on Earth, and you deserve to start feeling the effects of that confidence immediately.

Let’s program your spiritual GPS and get you on the road to your destiny.”

These websites provide the most accurate and in-depth astrological charts and readings available on the web.
Astro.com
Chaosastrology.com

Numerology:
Affinitynumerology.com

Dreamwork:
http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/

Yoga and breathwork:
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/pranayama/

Meditation
http://www.how-to-meditate.org/

fasting
http://www.new-life.net/fasting.htm

For more information and an in-depth process for discovering your purpose, I recommend the audio series, “life visioning” by Rev. Michael Beckwith, available on amazon.com

Do you believe in your plan?

Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless.
Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931)


Do you have a plan?

For your business? For your life?

I love this quote by Edison, it teaches me to come back to plans, to ponder, analyze, appreciate and revise. So often we create plans and because they do not work out we leave them by the way side and miss out of all the wisdom they hold for us.

When we are diligent, we continually re-look at plans and adjust actions and forecasts. I recently met with a very successful accounting firm partner. He described the quarterly review of their business plan and ongoing adjustment to marketing, staffing and resource strategies. He was able to speak with authority on where the company had been, where they are now, as well as where they want to go.

He had insights into trends and was able to speak intimately about the business with confidence and ease. As I reflected on the meeting, I was struck at the ease with which he spoke about the numbers. It was of course typical for an accountant t be able to spew out numbers with confidence. What I was struck by for myself is my lack of confidence as a business owner to talk with such confidence about the numbers, about the forecasts, the trends in my numbers. I was humbled, as I am sure most of us would be.

It really gave me deeper insight into the many facets of business and how we as responsible business owners need people around us and on our teams who can speak to the many facets of a business. Finance, marketing, business development, etc.

Is there a part of your business plan that needs a re-look, a readjust?

Marketing?
What are your three key brand values?

Sales?
What are your three key competitive differentiators?

Strategy?
What are your three key business drivers?

So take some time to analyze and possibly even bring in a pro to help!!

How does your current schedule support your growth?

The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.
George Eliot (1819 - 1880)

Each choice we make has a result. Not choosing is a choice.

For me each day is full of choices how I best spend my time ad energy. I work to prioritize my choices and know which ones will give me the desired outcomes I am looking for.

Choosing to grow and expand is a choice we are all called to do. Whether we choose to grow or not grow consciously is where the opportunity presents itself.

Making choices to spend time looking at our choices, lives, dreams, relationships, etc, is critical to our growth and evolution in these areas. Oftentimes we set out upon a course of action only to find it is not yielding the results we are looking for, yet continue to make the efforts.

An ongoing review of strategy, plans and results will give us the best use of our precious time and resources. Looking at and making choices will energize and focus the investments and potentially ignite new growth.

What do you need more time for? Why?

How would you describe your scheduling Philosophy?

What choice is next?

What routines keep you aligned to your values?

Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values.
Ayn Rand (1905 - 1982)

WOW, this quote has always blown me away. The clarity and the precision of the thought is so in line with so many of my beliefs and experiences with my own journey and those of my clients.

Each day we are given 24 hours to make the most of. We sleep, we eat, we play, we work, we grow, we pray... the list is endless.

We have choices that ultimately affect our happiness, our relationships, and our sense of self. What we accomplish each day is the result of our ability to make the right choices that inspire action, creativity and results. The old adage, "Time is money", so under states the value of routine and planning.

As a business owner the adage helps me see clear as to the physical value of time, it does not however inform the way I feel when I fritter away time and do not bring my ideas and dreams to life. This for me is element of inspiration to drive me to action.

Living to my values...now that fires me up and inspires me to get busy with the calender and do to list. Lately, I have become acutely aware of how routines serve me.

For instance, when I am not routinely spending time with my coach and giving voice to planning and strategizing, I loose momentum and often direction. Similarly when I am not investing in my spiritual path, I become disillusioned and lost. If exercise and eating well are not committed to, sluggish and tired is the result.

Now, think about it...we create these amazing visions, and then struggle to bring them to reality because we as big thinkers and free spirits buck routines because we think they will rob us of freedom or something???

Well I have experienced that it is the total opposite. Routine brings freedom. Routine brings results, Routine brings happiness... woo hooo.

So I have decided that id I want the happiness of living to my values. I surrender to the routines that will help me to achieve them. Planning. Exercise. Meditation. Sleep. Play. Sales calls...you know the drill.

So..

What investment of time does your business need to move to the next level?

What routines need to be committed to?
Financially?
Physically?
Spiritually?

What are you curious about?

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives. ~Clay P. Bedford

Are you trying to make a decision?

What are you doubtful about?

Each day we make scores of decisions effortlessly. It is because we are able to trust ourselves and the knowledge we have at our fingertips to reason through options.

When we avoid making a decision, we have often come to a place in the decision road that keeps us from taking action. It is a lack of information that keeps us from stepping in faith.

As I watch people make decisions, it is the research process that brings them to action with assuredness.
Taking actions that are based in reality vs blind faith allows us to have faith in our selves and the decision making process.

Research. Even the word itself connotes that we are searching again. Re-looking for more information, validating an idea, a belief, a process, etc...

Each time we spend time to validate and enrich our ideas, we are making decisions easier and more connected to our visions and mission. It is the commitment and the due dilligence that brings confidence and ability to step in faith in our selves and our beliefs.

What needs a dose of faith?

What needs more information?

Are you alive?

When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability... To be alive is to be vulnerable.
Madeleine L'Engle (1918 - ), "Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art", 1980

Who do you allow yourself to be vulnerable with?

What are you missing out on by keeping yourself closed?

Who do you feel drawn to open yourself up to?

Each and every day we have choices to open ourselves to possibilities, to others, and most importantly to love. Taking chances with our minds, requires one sort of risk, while chances of the heart are unquantifiable. I know each and every time I choose to open my heart and mind, I choose to be open to God's love that flows through others.

I know as I open my heart, the wounds that have happened in the past are exposed. I also know that by opening, they are healed too.

When I open my mind, new ideas and energy flows from places that often surprise me and very often astound me.

This notion of vulnerability has me thinking about truly being seen. Allowing myself to seen by those around me and trusting that I will be loved and accepted is a leap of faith. I know that it is the trust I have in myself and my intuition empowers me to open myself to the people who are worthy of my trust.

As I open my self, I see others around me open up. It is a rare thing to be able to be in that space of trust and faith with another person. Be it a friend, a colleague, or a lover, each requires a willingness to be vulnerable to achieve the highest levels of intimacy. Intimacy on all levels, be it Intellectual, emotional, physical or spiritual demands faith in oneself and the other.

My experience has shown me the depths of intimacy takes time to develop. There are relationships that evolve quickly and others slowly. The pace of true intimacy developing is directly proportional to the amount of vulnerability each person is willing to expose.

In my life, I feel as if I develop deep relationships with people pretty quickly because of my willingness to be vulnerable. I have decided for myself that I desire deep relationships and that I have enough faith in myself and God to open myself. I trust that I am opening myself to the right people and I will learn and grow from every relationship I have.

Intimacy scares many people. I thrive in it. I love the space of it and open myself to all that it has to offer. I know that the risks I take and the hurts I experience are far out weighed by the gifts and blessings I receive. I have deep faith in bliss. I believe in a world that creates relationships and experiences that are full of love. Yes there are relationships that are hurtful and impure. I just refuse to believe that if I keep myself shut down, I will find the right relationships.

Yes, I have opened myself up and been hurt. I have also learned and grown immensely from them. I look back on each relationship and take the lessons and put them into play as I create the next ones. I am fascinated by the correlations between personal and business relationships and how they potentially can inform and inspire each other.

I am currently developing several business alliances, that I believe have great potential. As we work to solidify the agreements, we have been required to expose ourselves. I believe we have been able to do that because we each desire to be in alliance with people who share values and dreams. With out the willingness to open up, it would be impossible to create together.

We have been sharing elements of ourselves professionally and personally that have allowed us to see each other fully and hence make decisions to develop alliance or not. I believe my willingness to open, has allowed them to open. A colleague, shared that he had never so easily come to consensus on goals as easily as we did.

As we expose ourselves, be it intellectually, emotionally or spiritually we take chances that we will be hurt, judged, and maybe even be asked to do something that we do not want to do. Fear of these potential risks often close us to down to seeing the possibilities.

We know, we are all looking to be loved and accepted as we are. We desire relationships that respect our hopes and dreams. We seek support of them in every way. As we expose those dreams, we take the risk that the other person will not support it or worse disrespect them.

With each step in faith, I know I am able to create meaningful and impact full relationships. I believe in the power of love, non-judgement and faith. If I have faith, all things are possible...

Do you trust yourself to open up to the right people?

Are you willing to step in faith?

GO FOR IT!!!

Where are you focusing your energy?

Energy and persistence conquer all things.
Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)


Are you focusing on the right things?

Have you spent time deciding where you put your energy or are you caught up in habits? In putting out fires? In old routines?

When was the last time you decided where you spend your energy, instead of being pulled by the current of life?

I often find myself doing activities and tasks that do not inspire me. I have realized that I want to be more mindful of where I spend my energy, passion and focus. We all fall into ruts that at one time were new and inspiring. Are you in ruts accomplishing little or routines that support your well being and vision?

For many years I wasted energy and allowed myself to squander it. After making decisions as to where I placed my energy and focus, amazing things happened. I look back over the past few years and sit amazed at the power of focus to create results.

The word persistence, inspires me to look at the value of commitment and dedication to my vision. Keeping to a routine or a practice that will yield me the results desired over time, has taught me to trust myself and has brought me an understanding of the word patience. Sitting back after time has passed and being able to see and feel the results has been a critical element for me to keep up with my practices. It teaches me to allow myself the time to comprehend the power of persistence. It shows me each effort adds up and brings me closer to the vision I desire.

What needs a focusing of your attention?

What action will get the energy moving?

What is your journey telling you?

What do you need to pause to notice?

What insights have you had recently?

What has the twist in the road taught you?

Has your destination changed?


My journey this past year has been full of twists and turns.

Each has brought an insight and lesson. Some were fun to learn others painful. Yet each has its place.

Through these adventures I have learned about myself, others and most importantly my relationship with God.

Lately I have become clear that my journey is trying to teach me to slow down and enjoy the trip. A friend asked me so pointedly. "Where are you rushing to?" WOW it made me really pause to think. Right after that I became very ill and my body told me the same thing. Slow down, actually my body stopped me outright, took me down and forced me to pause and reflect in the slowness of healing.

I learned about patience in a way I never imagined possible. I had to accept my body healing in God's time.

In the slowness, I experienced myself in a new way, I saw that I could be patient. I was able to take it slow and one step at a time. I actually enjoy the pace of it. It helped me to see, feel and experience my world in a whole new light. I have learned the power of being in the moment. I know the joy of a breeze, the yumminess of a luscious peach, the vibration in my heart from a riff of jazz and the inspiring touch of a friend's loving hand.

I have begun to look at those around me in a whole new light as well. Many friends have shown up as the hand of God in some of my darkest moments. I have seen hope, faith and strength in their eyes, and felt it through their prayers.

So what is journey telling you these days?

What lesson do you not want to miss???

Who needs some love?

Take a moment to reflect...

Love is something we all need. It is the most basic need we all share. It is the essence of our existence.

Who came to mind? Is it another, is it you? Either answer is ok.

What expression of love is needed?

Expressions of love come in many shapes. A smile, a kind word, a simple card, a kiss, be it a real one or Hershey’s.

Was the answer you? What do you need to show you, how much you love you? Take a break? Get busy on a project? Work out? Ask to spend some time with a friend?

Showing love makes us feel good too. It pays back quickly and often sets off a chain reaction of love moving.

Be it an expression of self love or love for another, it is worth the investment! Take the action and feel the love!

Are you crazy enough to change the world?

Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.
Steve Jobs (1955 - )

What needs to change in the world? Your world?

For so many years I dreamed of changing my world. I imagined being able to leap out of bed and love the life that awaited me. When reading about others affecting the world in a positive way, I could hardly imagine doing anything beyond just getting out of bed and dragging myself to the office.

I can finally imagine changing the world beyond my own little sphere, now that I have got that in order. Seeing the correlation between my world being changed and then changing the rest of the world is a big thought for me. Realizing that in order for me to affect others, I must be healthy and happy, Taking care of myself in a way that is balanced and respectful.

Love this notion of being crazy. It is that frame of mind, that I know I create the best and bravest solutions. When I am able to step outside of my notion of convention and rules, I am able to see beyond those constraints. Think out of the Box. How many times have we heard this, but what does it really take for us to do this is my question. Allowing myself to forget what I believe, fear, have experienced and move beyond. Clearly requires a bit of craziness. to forget, ignore, tune out, my sense of history and knowledge??? Ya feels crazy, and yet I know deeply it is what I must do in order to move forward to create anew.

Several moths ago a friend shared a prayer with me. It is called the Set it Aside Prayer. Quite powerful actually. It has helped me to see how much of the past I carry with me and how it

God, help me set aside my beliefs, prejudices, and fears of this person, or situation and help me to experience it differently.


I have to admit, this prayer has helped me see how I hold myself and others bak from creating anew. So many of our fears, are based on history. Being crazy enough to step forward and see things in a new and fresh way, requires us to step in faith. To step with the voice of our intuition speaking louder than our fears.

These days, each time I am feeling crazy, I celebrate, because I know God is asking me to step into the unknown and most often the place of grace.

So I ask you, what is your next crazy step?

What crazy thought do you need to think, so you may take the next crazy action?

Be crazy, live in faith!

What needs a jumpstart?

What is needing an influx of energy? Of focus?

What idea or relationship has been just waiting to be brought to life?

As a creative person, you know how many ideas you have that are just waiting for you to take action on. Those bright ideas that you just keep fantasizing. The ideas that you find yourself daydreaming about, and making a smile come to your face…

They are the same bright ideas that make ya feel sort of like a looser cause you are not doing anything to bring them to life.

That’s ok! We all have them! We all are spreading ourselves thin sometimes. We all forget sometimes what our priorities are when the day to day nonsense takes hold of us!!
It’s ok!

So in this moment, let’s pause…breathe…breathe again…

So what needs a jumpstart?

Yesterday, I had the most amazing energy infusion into my book. I have been working on my book for the past several months and have found myself on a journey that has taught me so much about my creative process. It has shown n me how much my personal process depends on energy infusions that include other people.

My process is about allowing myself to simmer and stew and then it wants to bring it to a boil with the energy of other people. Then back to the simmer…I have been able to explore, understand and accept my creative process, with a surrender that feels like such a blessing.

So, what is your creative process like?

What allows for you to move?

Is it alone time?

Is it people time?

What action will you take today to bring energy and focus to your ideas?

Who?

Who are you missing?

Who do you need to call?

Who needs a letter or card from you?

Who is your heart asking you to reach out to?

Each day passes filled with tasks, errands, and the routine of everyday life. Days become weeks, weeks become months, months become years. Recently a friend shared a regret with me with tears in her eyes. She had been thinking about an old friend for several months. Each day passed and she would say to her, “I’ll call him tomorrow.” Each day passed and she overlooked what her heart was calling her to do. Finally after months of putting off a call, for no other reason than busyness, she picked up the phone. After a brief conversation with the wife of her friend, she learned that he had died several weeks prior.

She sat weeping, vowing she would never ignore the call of her heart again.

Last week, a friend who I had not seen or heard from in over 5 years, sent me an email. He followed the call of his heart. He said he had been searching for me for months. He and I had been overweight together and had always talked about trying to do something about it. Several years ago he had lost a huge amount of weight, almost the exact same amount as I had…in almost the same time frame. He had run the NYC marathon and wanted to share the accomplishment. At some level deep in my heart, I know it was his way of reaching out to inspire me.

He received a bounce back from an old email address of mine, and used several online search services to search me. He came up blank…after several weeks and spending many dollars searching the web for me he came up blank. Still his mind was on me…he ran into a friend who did have my contact info. He jumped onto my website and saw that I too had lost my weight. He saw I was looking for help producing my book and immediately responded with an offer to help!

WOW! The call of his heart produced such an abundance of goodness. We both had a chance to see we had both finally tackled a life struggle, and we were both busy out there helping others overcome it too!

Do not pause! Call or email that person who has been on your mind.

Do not let days turn into years!!

What needs noticing?

What does noticing give you?

When was the last time you noticed what is blooming in your yard?

When was the last time you noticed the beauty of your lover?

When was the last time you noticed the crunch of your salad or the creaminess of the cheese

This morning as I walked with a new business partner, we took time to notice the beauty of where we were walking, we noticed the shape of trees and spoke of how they related to the business we are creating.

We spoke of the stability of an oak tree and it’s majestic stance, while we paused at clover patches looking for a four-leaf bit of luck. As we slowed and allowed ourselves to be in the moment, my friend found not one, but two four leaf clovers. right there waiting to be noticed and claimed.

When we allow ourselves time to slow down and notice, we are given a chance to claim things that are waiting for us. We can claim beauty, joy, a sense of the divine, gratitude balance, and peace, the list goes on and on. It is in the quiet moments, that we allow ourselves the opportunity to absorb what is and appreciate it for what its gifts are.

When can you spend time noticing?

What can you claim for yourself?

Where do you need to be courageous?

Is it in a relationship?

Is it about your job?

Is it starting a new routine?

Is it something you need to leave behind?


Whatever the details, I know you have the courage to do what it takes. I know that within each of is the courage to do what it takes.

Think back to a time when you did something that you never thought you would. The courage that allowed you to do that is there for you right now. It is within you waiting to be tapped into.

Each day we step out into the world, taking for granted the courage that takes. How much easier it would be to just stay in bed.

We face cold dark mornings on the way to work, we face endless meetings and unruly bosses. Each of these things we face are testament to the courage within us. Allowing ourselves the wisdom to know that have the courage it takes to face a new journey is what is called for right now.

We take for granted how much courage we really have within us. Somewhere we came to believe that all this stuff we do is no big deal. Well I am here to tell you it is. Each day we show up and do what is needed, is courageous. We step in front of our fears, our doubts and do what we need to do.

Today courage is speaking to a friend about a tough situation in our lives. Another day courage finds its face in putting your last dollar in the basket at church. While other days it is showing up for a work out when all you want to do is go to bed.

Each of us is faced with looking within us and to find courage. To find courage within ourselves or within the relationship we have with God and others, firstly requires knowing it is there to begin with.

Know you have courage and you will find it. Know that you have used it before and it lies waiting for you. It is waiting to help you move forward, to fly and to soar!

What needs questioning?

Big question!

Where are you afraid of being questioned?

What part of your life cannot be questioned?

Questioning...always hard, most often fruitful. Recently I was questioned on an approach I was taking. I responded with defensiveness, fear, and anger. My response really surprised me, made me ashamed and filled me with a sense of self-doubt. In this moment, it is not so much the exact issue I was question on it is more the sense of needing to defend, who I am and what I believe. It is the response to being questioned that needs looking at.

I had become emotional and slightly aggressive. I placed myself in the victim role and found myself in a place I had not been in a long time. It was everything I had worked so hard to step away from.

Being questioned was uncomfortable and even painful, yet I know the result of that for me has allowed e to dive deeper into my emotions and sense of self-love and acceptance.

It has allowed me to look at a part of myself I though had healed, moved on, and grown. As I look at it, I know there is more to heal, more to explore, and more to accept.

For most of my life, when I expressed my views it come from a defensiveness, from a place of self-loathing, and a place of fear. I was obese, full of shame and working to prove I was worth something. It was a scary place to be.

When I responded the other day in that same way of defensiveness, it brought up so many issues for me to look at. What a blessing, someone questioning me. Such a simple catalyst, for what in this moment feels defining.

I know my willingness to face this right now feels brave, feels right, feels blessed. My willingness to share the lessons and the journey, I know, is what I am called to do.

In this place of self-examination I am forced to face my humanness, my frailty, my deep desire to make myself a better person, all combined with my desire to love myself more deeply exactly where I am. Strange dichotomy of thought. A desire to improve, yet love myself exactly as I am. How do those two thought live together? How do I come to terms with that?

Loving and accepting self is what we are all looking to do. Yet what I have come to learn is that I need to be able to love all of myself, the good, the bad, and the ugly. As a result of the love, I am able to look at what needs to change through the eyes of compassion and acceptance.
So as I continue to ponder and reflect on this huge topic, I leave you with the idea of self-love.

I leave you with a few questions.

What can your love help you question?

What loving questions need to be asked?