Tag Archives: spreading the word

Matters of the Mind

Do you feel free to live the life you desire…

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Or do you feel burdened, trapped by circumstances?

Do you smile when you wake up in the morning, excited to see what the day holds — or do you start worrying right away, praying to just make it through relatively unscathed until you can crawl back in bed?

Maybe your life looks good from the outside. You have a decent job and family or friends to hang out with on the weekends. You probably should be satisfied, but then you see photos of your friends’ vacations or celebrations and think, “Why can’t my life be that awesome? When will it be my turn to be that happy and just enjoy my life?”

You want to be happy for them, but it’s hard not to feel envious. Your life feels like a hamster wheel that you have to keep spinning, and you’re tense and exhausted from pushing so hard, determined to avoid the disaster that always seems to be looming.

I get it, believe me. I lived that scenario, repeatedly.

Growing up with an older brother with epilepsy, I believed life was very serious business. I was determined to do it well — because only high performers were worthy of praise. I did pretty well in my work, but I never loved what I did. In most areas, I was super critical of myself: not quite talented enough, successful enough, fun enough. I didn’t know how to fit in. Relationships were my weakest area, a complete disaster when it came to a “significant other.” I always tried to do the “right” thing and make everyone else happy — family, bosses, co-workers, clients, friends — but that never resulted in ME being happy. Life felt like so much pressure with very little reward.

Thankfully, after 45 years of being fiercely independent (and lonely), working really hard at an assortment of jobs and some businesses of my own and wondering what the heck was wrong with me, I found mentors who helped me see the error of my ways. After investing in 5 years of intense personal development work, I understand that, as the Good Witch told Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, I had the power within me all along. I just needed guidance to help me become aware of that power.

Now, I can honestly say that I enjoy the adventure of my life every day. I feel supported and loved, and I know the best days of my life are ahead of me. And yes, I am finally in a healthy relationship with a wonderful man. Hallelujah!

Now I want everyone to know that they are free to create a life they love — because it feels so dang good!

If you’re interested in finding out how you can find more joy in your life, schedule a curiosity call with me .

Books, Matters of the Mind

The Surrender Experiment

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I finished this memoir by The Untethered Soul author earlier this week. While I lost interest during the latter business-focused part of the book, his overall idea (and repeated examples of how it worked) that the Universe conspired in his favor when he simply surrendered to what was happening—regardless of his personal preferences and thoughts—was really fascinating.


Here are some passages I noted about needing drastic situations to inspire us to change, which certainly has proven true in my life — and I think offers hope for our society and world for the future.


“Perhaps change only takes place when there is sufficient reason to overcome the inertia of everyday life. Challenging situations create the force needed to bring about change.”


“Life is going to put us through the changes we need to go through. The question is: Are we willing to use this force for our transformation? … even very intense situations don’t have to leave psychological scars, if we are willing to process our changes at a deeper level. My surrender experiment had already taught me to deeply honor the transformative power of life.”


“I was not in charge; life was in charge, and there was an underlying sense of enthusiasm and excitement about getting to see what was going to happen next.”

Michael A. Singer, The Surrender Experiment
Matters of the Mind

31 Years

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Today my brother Eric has been gone 31 years. I woke up with the first words of this poem on my brain and spent 2 inspired hours writing.

31 years (6/10/19)

31 years
of not seeing your smiling face,
hearing your booming bass voice,
feeling your crushing embrace.

31 years –
truth be told, when I heard the news, I felt relief,
thinking the fear and anxiety were over.
It was a false belief.

31 years
of trying to be helpful enough, likable enough
to be loved by someone, anyone –
no matter what kind of love.

31 years
of living peacefully alone but sad my heart was being wasted
or centering my life completely around another’s,
on the roller coaster ride between adored and deserted.

31 years
of trying to control everything around me,
thinking that would provide a life free of anxiety,
never getting quiet and still enough to hear.

My spirit was crying:
Where is the laughter? the music? the fun?
Where is the little girl happy simply to play in the sun?
What happened to knowing I am loved for who I am, not for what I do?
Where did my childhood memories go?

The time is now –
to be still, to listen within,
to show myself the love I have been seeking,
to know I am here for a reason.

Joy: that is my reason –
to not only survive this life but thrive,
to show it can be done
and not just for a season
but for the next 31(+) years.

My brother feeding me what was likely my first (of many) Fudgsicles, 1973.

I’d like to note that codependency is putting someone else’s needs above your own. It can start out of what feels like necessity (in my case, always wanting to make sure my brother was safe), but it can become a destructive lifelong habit. Thankfully, I have become aware of this in the last couple of years and am making changes. I share this not to gain sympathy (I made all my own choices) but to help inspire anyone else who may have a similar experience.

Be well and make self-care a priority.

Matters of the Mind, Music

Embrace the power of light

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Don’t despair when you see the darkness. Be inspired by the courage and resilience of the human spirit and know that the light has the power to eliminate the darkness. And make no mistake: Everything you do matters. Nothing is too small. Changing your own thoughts and self-talk changes the energy you put out into the world and makes it a better place. Imagine when we are all working on loving ourselves better how peaceful and beautiful a world it will be. It takes each one of us being responsible for ourselves. Start with you. Start right now. Embrace your power. ❤️

Nina Cried Power – by Hozier, featuring Mavis Staples

Matters of the Mind, Nature

Spring growth

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The crocus is one of the first flowers to appear, announcing the spring season. It fills people with joy.

Look at it. Its structure appears so delicate, and yet it is strong enough to make its way through the frozen ground, reaching for the sunshine. I find that fascinating and inspiring. (And so I had fun taking these photos of them yesterday.)

If a delicate crocus can successfully grow through the cold hard ground, we can do anything.

As Don Miguel Ruiz says in his transformative book The Four Agreements, “Life can be very easy when love is your way of life. … Happiness is a choice, and so is suffering.”

Where is your focus for growth today? What is one thing, one thought, you can adjust to have a more beautiful life today?

Matters of the Mind

Soul wisdom

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I have been dealing with anxiety around asking for what I want, realizing the request will probably not be received well. So I decided to do some soul writing this morning. This was my answer when I asked, What would you have me know?

You are limitless. You are powerful. Fear has no place here: you are Love, and fear cannot exist in the face of Love. You are destined for magnificence. Allow all that is holding you back to fall away. Your peace and clarity of mind are of the upmost importance. Keep getting your house in order – you are on the right track. You are creating the most fertile environment for you to grow and bloom. Smile and know you are helping others by taking care of yourself.

Listen in to what your soul/spirit has to say, friends. It is not confused by the mind’s chatter or those old agreements you made. Allow yourself to hear the truth. ❤️

Matters of the Mind, Nature

You are not broken

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Remember, even when the whole moon is not visible, the moon is still whole: We simply can’t see it all at that moment.

We are never less than whole. We are just finding our way out of the darkness into the light. ❤️

Love yourself, as you are right now. Shine whatever light you have and trust that you will be restored to your full brilliance. Cycles are simply a part of nature, nothing to be feared.

Matters of the Mind

Getting off the hamster wheel

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I told a good friend recently that I had gotten off the hamster wheel, permanently – so this title “The ONE THING You Need to Know To Be Able To Get Off the Hamster Wheel” got my attention.

The article is spot on, in my opinion. I am fully immersed in Tip 1 now, creating white space of solitude to better tune into my inner voice and discover what I truly want. I highly recommend it.

I don’t know about you, but I want to savor all the deliciousness I can the rest of my life. 🙏🏻❤️ #daretoeatapeach #prufrock #liveyourlifeyourway