AP Inspired

striding into february

so way back whenever i started this blog. i thought i would use my ability to spot a trend ahead of its curve...and become a blogger who comments on all those things she loves.

except. the blog developed a voice of its own, and to the wayside went my trending.

in its place came my notes on intention and gratitude and finding ways to live well. it became more ambitious and thoughtful than i ever intended. but i like that {hopefully} it encourages thinking. in a sense, some kindle for your already roaring fire.

as i have penned said posts, an incredibly loyal audience has gathered. who share the kindest words from their hugely generous hearts. and it is oh-so-swell to know you are there!

so.

 i mentioned last week, i have a new spin on giving. well, it involves y-o-u.

hee!

and, without agenda or map, i am going to let whimsy inspire me throughout this circulation of energy.

here's what i'm talking about: i'm giving away 29 gifts to my blog readers throughout twenty-twelve. but to be eligible for a gift, an exchange is required. you must leave me a comment, ask me a question, request a possible post topic...simply find a way to me either on the blog, over on facebook, or through email. every time you do, your name will be entered into these random drawings. and as i have a gift to give, i will draw from this pool.

as for what the gifts might be? well, whatever strikes my fancy is what i shall give. but let me assure, you are in good hands.

it's my way of saying thank you.

sound fun?

it will be, i just know it!

 

*speaking of trend spotting, the first picture is of the uber gorgeous christina hendricks at this year's sundance film festival. the second picture is yours truly waaaaaaaay back in 2004. the wee lovely i am holding is barely 18 months old! notice anything similar? {wink wink.}

little noises

this morning, i found myself flooded by the noises of our lives. this little tribe of mine and our daily routines. i don't know why it stood out with blazing clarity, but i found myself so mesmerized by its qualities. as if something spontaneously pulled me to the periphery just so i could peek inside. unnoticed.

as i made our bed, i heard the lovelies' voices floating through the air discussing upcoming birthdays + possible festivities. one effervescent idea swelling into another...

the dog sneezing while his clickety-clackety nails crossed the kitchen floor several times in hopes someone, anyone, would let him out...

the mister announcing breakfast...

the clinking of spoons dipping into oatmeal laden bowls while the conversation never found a lull, reminding me very much of european cafes...

the pantry door opening while mid-day snacks were being scavenged and suggestions hurled my way as inspiration for my next trip to the grocer...

the sound of one lovely talking to herself while brushing her teeth...

and another zipping up her coat, announcing that she was indeed again the first one ready to walk out the door.

as we piled into the car, the chitter-chatter continued until we rounded the drop-off point. kisses were generously bestowed and "i love you"s exchanged just as the door shut. silence swallowed the back seat, and i watched the lovelies fade into their day.

and that's when it came to me. in the midst of the most ordinary moments, our lives are suddenly and becomingly extraordinary. if we simply notice. and that's what deserves celebration in our lives. the very things taken for granted, what we rush past, are really the most decadent and delicious parts of our day.

 

* photo taken by this lovely.

on my mind this morning.

{1} Hearing my little lovely sing every. single. word of Fleetwood Mac's Never Going Back Again last night on our car ride home. Pretty sure we all fell into a sweet, melodic trance.

{2} Catching my breath after reading this here:

This is what I mean when I write about enchantment in everyday life.  There are moments like this every day.  Moments, so poetic, that they can't be orchestrated by human hands.  The problem is we're too damn busy and distracted to notice them.

Or worse, we're too busy to give them room to occur.

Do me a favor.  Watch your kids.  Watch them play.  Watch as they annoy the sin out of you.  But whatever you do, WATCH them.  Practice being present in the moment they exist in.

Before long, they will be around the bend in the future and out of sight.

{3} Trusting the feeling of comfort. And recognizing its power.

 

{4} Anticipating the announcment of my new spin on giving...here next week.

 

{5} Copenhagen + March twenty-twelve + me! And for my gorgeous sister-in-law who makes these dream trips of mine a reality. xo

dear january

I've given this year's resolutions a proper think-about, and I am eager to share. But, first, a word about choosing goals.

Go with what is believable, and then stretch it just ever-so. The reach is always more satisfying.

Don't repeat last year's goal if you gave it up quickly and easily or accomplished it quickly and easily.

Contemplate your goals long enough that you can imagine the satisfaction of accomplishing them. I find the most challenging resolutions are usually the ones I prefer daydreaming about. Another suggestion? Go with the ones that take your breath away when you think of accomplishing them this year.

Make your intentions clear. And trust the Universe to handle the details of HOW. If your intention is strong, its fulfillment is being orchestrated. Okay?

So, dear January, here is what I have in mind:

{1} Participate monthly in something new. Step to the left...instead of the right. Say YES to any quest that offers me an opportunity to learn, open up more, and receive in ways I haven't before.

{2} Travel. I once heard that when you speak another language, your brain reacts differently. Allowing you to slip on another persona. Charming concept, yes? Fluency in another language is not possible within a year for me, but travel is. My goal: 2 trips to places I have never been.

{3} Give up toxicity. I normally eye-roll at these goals. As I think they are ambiguous and lofty. However. I unabashedly believe that everything possesses energy. Our words, our thoughts, our actions. And while I am at it, so does our food, our friends, our homes. Basically everything we interact with. So. In order to make this goal even a remote success, I must suspend judgment. And, trust me, this is going to be a REAL challenge. Ugh. But. It is a starting point and hopefully a foundation for things to come. And if you are asking HOW, dearie, are you doing this? For now, I am beginning the day with a mantra {and reminding myself a million times before sunset} that today I am to judge nothing that occurs. The hope? The thought eventually becomes instinctual.

{4} Meditate and write more days of the week than I don't. You know the feeling of working so hard to become good at something {like running} only to take a few weeks off and finding it ridiculously difficult to begin again? Same thing applies here. When I take time off from either endeavor, those muscles atrophy. And, yet, they are two of the most grounding choices I can make in a day. So. More days than not, I shall meditate and write.

{5} Create an e-something. Okay. This is too vague for me, but I sense a seedling within me that wants to sprout. And with proper focus, I can bear this creation. I just know it. With visions of a life editor workshop still dancing in my head, I am now also waltzing with the notion of an e-book. Where to begin? Harnessing the intention to make this possible. To know how. And trust the Universe to provide the right amount of guidance along my way.

{6} Do something nice for myself every week. It sounds self-indulgent, but this isn't about buying things or whisking myself away to the spa {although an occasional whisk might be just the thing...}. This is about sending a powerful message that I value who I am and I deserve small celebrations. A cat nap, for instance, without the guilt. Or a long, hot bath at the end of the day. Maybe even a shrug of my responsibilities to do something spontaneous. Whatever it is, the intention is the same. I love myself enough to make time for me.

{7}Live Deepak Chopra's seven spirtual laws for success. I read his book the first day of January. Seemed a fitting way to usher in a new year. And as I absorbed every morsel of wisdom, the pages absorbed my highlighter. Since there are seven laws, it feels inspired to focus on one each day of the week. The way I intend it? A year of living in constant connection with these seven laws is going to rub off in a good way, right?

 

The thing I love about goals, and more specifically goal writing, is they earmark our lives. Who we were at the beckoning of a new year. And maybe we don't realize all the goals into something concrete and livable within the immediate 12 months ahead, but we plant seeds in our spirits. That, at any time, could find just the right conditions to sprout.

 

cookies and books

I love reading.

I equally adore reading what others are reading.

So. I figured I have a blog. Why not share what I am devouring, too?

It is either due to a voracious appetite OR an immense blessing from the reading gods OR a combination of both...because...I am almost 10 books into the new year. Which, no doubt, makes me sound like an absolute bookworm, no?

However. What's done is done. So why not feast on what I have to offer, yes?

If I don't like a book, I simply walk away. Period. So any of these books are, in my humble opinion, enjoyable. Cover to cover. And, obviously, the topics range so I expect your interest will as well.

If you could only read one, I would come unravelled choosing between The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and B. Both will change your life.

If you can manage it, find your way to Born to Run and MWF Seeking BFF. Real life is always more compelling than fiction.

Should you find yourself with a deep {and I mean really deep} pocket of time -- because this one is hard to put down -- read The Kitchen House.

Missed Connections...buy the book. The illustrations are glorious. The Dry Grass of August and The Violets of March...solid good fiction. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Daughter...intriguing response to this book {which I highly recommend}.

And The Penderwicks at Point Mouette.The lovelies and I are soaking up a chapter a night...and loving every word.

Any books you would LOVE to share? I need a new stack for February...

Enjoy. xo

 

 

 

 

 

on my mind this morning.

{1} The promise of a new year. And twenty-twelve seems super sparkly, doesn't it?

{2} The spontaneous opportunity I had yesterday to do something nice + unexpected for a complete stranger. Instead of questioning my motives and hesitating, when inspiration swelled, I acted upon it. And the moment was absolutely delicious.

{3} A weekend barely scratched in front of me.

{4} I have been a bookworm the last few weeks. And I am relishing every new read I uncover. I never know how I will be changed by someone's words, what new thoughts will flourish, or how the book will imprint on me as I close the last chapter. But all of that makes for an excitement hard to procure elsewhere.

{5} Finally. For you, my readers. My inbox was flooded with the warmest words and most sincere, well-wishing thoughts throughout the fall and early winter. And while I wasn't blogging here, your kindness filled the pages of my journal. So, it would be unthinkable for this post to end today without the biggest THANK YOU from me to Y-O-U. It is an indescribable joy to have you here with me...so...thank you, thank you, thank you. xo

 

 

working my balance

When I started this blog, I'm not sure what expectations I had, if any.

Over the years, however, I attached myself to several bold + brilliant ideas of doing and being more. More of what exactly? Errr...that I never could articulate confidently, comfortably, courageously.

And if I am perfectly honest, when I stopped writing in the fall, I wasn't certain I would return to this space. My attention went from What ideas are tickling my brain today? to Will I ever find a doctor who can diagnose the culprit behind these alarming symptoms I am suddenly experiencing?.

Looking back at twenty-eleven, I now see it was a year of scaling high walls. Undeniably, there were some delicious moments tucked within its expanse. But, overall, the word challenging seems most encompassing for my year. Anxiety was a constant mate, and living with it will take its toll. So, when the doctors finally diagnosed me with low thyroid, I was immediately relieved to be free from something more serious.

And, then, I was crestfallen.

Some big and juicy and maybe even once-in-a-lifetime opportunities had literally just arrived at my doorstep. And I had neither strength nor stamina to step out into the world and deliver. The very symptoms that sent me on a wild goose chase demanded I slow down. Big break or my health?

And, so, I did the only thing I trusted.

I got still.

I focused on what really matters to me: my family, my health, and some long overdue silence.

And that is why I walked away from here. I finally began meditating. Every day. Detached from my expectations. Surrendered my attachment to all the What ifs?. And used the uncertainty to plant new seeds in its fertile soil.

And now? Well, I slowed my pace, learned to finally take deeper and wider breaths, and released my intentions. And in the continued expansion of living more mindfully, it somehow feels right to begin circulating words again. Which brings us full circle.

My expectations today for this blog? Only inspiration will tell...but I feel it is an extraordinary year to really live OUT LOUD with generous heaps of gratitude, bundles of bravery, and gracious giving along with suspending judgment on a daily basis and loving what is. If I can look back on twenty-twelve and any of these come to mind, it will have been a sweet + satisfying year well spent. How does that sound to you? 

 

 

start fresh

After months of much contemplation, I am appreciative of  a crisp, new year and a freshly pressed birthday. And it is in the spirit of both, I have decided it high time to return here.

There is so much to discuss, but there is plenty of time for that later.

Today is just about coming up for air, taking a look around, and settling back into my chair. Computer ready, mind fresh, and an immense appreciation for the inspiration that led me back to this space.

 

 

on my mind this morning.

It was many months ago, but...the lovelies made quite a mess of their playroom. The kind that took hours + days to create. And required focused fortitude to rectify. Which is what I asked them to please go do. It seems an hour passed before one of the lovelies sheepishly appeared downstairs.

"Can you help us?"

My face contorted NO, but before my reply drew breath, she continued.

"We like the way you make it look...will you just show us where everything goes?"

Expert help produces enormous progress + results.

{Remember this.}

And, so, without contemplation, up I went to organize the playroom with the lovelies by my side.

Which brings me to what has my heart fluttering this week:

{1} A few of you have recently requested a workshop or retreat. Which makes me first think REALLY?!? And, then, my soul starts break dancing + I feel ridiculously happy that Y-O-U would ask M-E. So, thank you. Because...

{2} When I was in Hawaii, I had a thought. One that persisted. And it was: Hire her as a coach + collaborator. To create a life editor outline. For an e-course. Maybe a workshop. Eventually, a series...perhaps even a book. September is when I take the plunge. With intentions of a 2012 launch...

{3} Which reminds me of a good life lesson: If something scares you, go there. Because I met Susan when I attended a Martha Beck retreat. And you have no idea how terrified I was to think of myself out loud as a writer. Much less sit in a room with Ms. Beck and have her read my words. But the exertion it took {convincing myself to register, spending the coin on myself, scheduling a weekend away, and simply showing up} has fueled everything since...

{4} Giving me palpable appreciation for every single {seemingly} ordinary decision I've made over the past few years. Because it is usually not the big, walloping decisions in our lives that change our course. But, rather, everything unimposing in between.

{5} So, for all the teachers I featured this week, I am brimming with gratitude for your books + messages + insights because what you share has been integrated into me. And I can't help but feel a little sparkle when I speak + act + live from these pursuits. My gratitude exceeds words here.

xo

 

 

tried + true

I can't recall how I discovered this e-course, but there was no hesitation in its purchase because three of the 7 women I consider tribe members.  Five of the 7 are best-selling authors whose words encouraged + challenged + changed me. And all of them are brilliant. Articulate. Contagious. Spiritual. Elegant. Beautiful. Compelling.

Just like a good book anchors within you, so do shared conversations where there is wide open space to simply be. I encourage you to seek these smart girls out...through this e-course or within their own workshops, books, and blogs.

Patti Digh | I've mentioned this spellbinding storyteller a time or two before. Her gift for galvanizing a message is why her books are captivating + inspiring. What she impressed upon me is a heightened awareness of now, and that no matter what happens, I should be able to say:

This is exactly the life I wanted.

 ***

Karen Maezen Miller | Profound reading is what I stumbled across in Momma Zen. Her wisdom? Flawless. Especially as she sheds her human touch on this very intimate, yet universal, experience of motherhood. From her, I learn:

Having the good life is simple when you savor the one you have.

 ***

Jen Louden | We rock many mutual friends in the social networking spheres; however, this e-course introduced me to her luminous contributions. The nugget of wisdom most resonate with me:

Stop tying self-esteem and creativity to results.

 ***

Dani Shapiro | What can I say that I haven't already? Her writing is perfectly poignant + her observations are whip smart. Her personal exploration into being a mother, a wife, a spiritual being is tremendously beautiful. Filled with immense gratitude for her endeavor, I now carry this:

Experience doubt not as a failure but experience it as an element of faith.

 ***

Susan Piver | When you follow warm hearts that blaze paths, you are bound to meet a new soul. Which is how came upon her work. And from listening to her, this much is clear: She is confident + inviting + completely herself. This nugget of truth cracked open a whole new world for me:

Authenticity and impulsiveness are quite different.

 ***

Katrina Kenison | When I read her book, I was consumed with every word + sentiment + intention. All so simply spoken. To find her in the company of these women was exhilarating. I am inspired by all her words, keeping them nearby in posts + thoughts as I sojourn through motherhood. And I when I question blogging, I recall:

It is the very work of writing that helps us process our emotions, our feelings, and wrestle them into some kind of form that makes sense to us and that then is really worth sharing with someone else.

 ***

Danielle LaPorte | I'm not known to have girl crushes. However. Ms. D is magnetic and you can't help but want your life changed + your world rocked by her. She is the queen bee. I could rave all day. Her wisdom is transformative, and it's truth- telling like this that makes changing things up so seductive:

If you muster up more love than you thought you had to give, then your vitality increases, satisfaction sets in, sweetness surfaces. I believe in the creative power of good feelings...and am convinced that the desire to be real is everyone's divine imperative.

 ***

Absoutely and amen. No question why these women have been + continue to be my teachers, my sherpas, my guiding lights. I embody their eyes-wide-open awareness, and my soul's mojo is always stoked when standing near their flames. Which is why I encourage + implore + demand you to confer with a few world makers + soul shakers yourself.

xo