Announcing Changes to Dream and Flourish Coaching

During this tumultuous year, at the ripe ol’ age of almost 50, I’ve learned the power and peace of BEing and living in my heart. It’s not an abstract concept anymore, but a deep in my heart, knowing. This feels like an intimate day to day relationship with the Divine (Call her/him what you may: Beloved, God, Buddha, Allah, Source, or the big current that flows deep).

This is the spot where is nothing to seek.

I know because I still go looking!

Living in my heart, the ultimate alchemy of heaven and earth, I’ve re-connected with several things that I really love!
*LOVE
*Elders
*Heart-felt conversations
*Community
*Creating a deeply grounded and enlightened space, as an ally, leader, or guide so that others can experience their own mix of heaven and earth. This still includes coaching, but a call to assist people who are dying and their families has emerged.

As I connect with what and how I want to integrate these loves into my life, Dream and Flourish Coaching isn’t fully resonating with my heart.

As of January 1st, I will put Dream and Flourish Coaching to rest.

In her stead, I’m launching

judykinney.com, “Living in the Heart of Live”

Which is about BEing: living through your heart, with real time grace and grit.

What will be different? I’m not completely sure, but I know I’ll support others to live through their heart as it relates to love, life, change, community, and conversations. I’ll be starting with what I know best: love and conversations.

I hope the changes I’m making provide you with even greater resource and support!

Meanwhile, I hope you are enjoying the best of holidays and are looking forward to 2010.

With much love and appreciation,

Judy

A Soft Belly = an Open Heart

Did you know that the way to our heart is through our bellies? You’ve heard this before as it relates to food, yes?  At some point in your life whether you expressed it or not, you may have thought “feed me something really good to eat and I’ll love you forever.”  I’m enjoying exploring that there is deeper wisdom in this sentiment than we may have believed.

We armor our hearts as we store pain, tension, and grief in our bellies.

I use meditation to heal and release grief.  You can do this by entering a relaxed state through deep breathing and a quiet focus on your belly. With each breath relax your muscles at deeper and deeper levels.  I’ve also found it helpful to imagine the hand of god or the divine soothing tissues deep within your belly with love.

I know that suggesting that we go soft, especially in our bellies, is contrary to popular health messages.  Of course it’s possible to have a flat and soft belly, as well as a big belly that is hardened. Since adopting this point of view though, I have a different perspective on my larger that I want it to be belly.   I see my belly fat as both protection for hurts I’m carrying around AND a reminder to go soft, and possibly very little to do with eating ice cream.

However you go about it, here’s to living life with a soft belly and an open heart.

Between Point A and Point B is a Field…..I’ll Meet You There!

“Real revolutions don’t involve an orderly transition from point A to point B. Rather they go through long period of chaos before they reach point B. In that chaotic period old systems are broken long before new systems become stable.” ~Clay Shirky, Here Comes Everybody

Wow, we really are in revolutionary times, aren’t we? Your current point of view of this revolution may be personal or societal, but in one way or another we’re all living our lives in this middle zone between point A and B.

Because we’re used to going from point A to B in a mostly linear fashion, I want to share a few perspectives that I’ve found to be helpful while living in this transitory new ground.

First, with this much change, it’s easy to view our current experiences through a lens that was accurate last year, or even last month.  When we’re using a familiar but outdated perspective, things can become blurred and confusing.  A common reaction to this confusion is to internalize our experiences or blame others.

Instead of personalizing your experience, acknowledge that we’re ALL, to some degree or another, in this open new field somewhere between point A and point B TOGETHER.  I believe that the energy of this field is moving us towards streamlined transparency, community, personal integrity, and love. I like how Gregg Braden describes our common opportunity:

“We get to know ourselves in unfamiliar circumstances.”

Within my conversations with clients, friends, and myself, I keep referring to allowing this energy to strip us down to our beautifully perfect core. We’re not used to being this exposed, are we?  While our initial instincts may be to cover up with more work, a safety blanket or life raft, I want to encourage you to keep allowing yourself to show up. YOU, are always plenty!

As you become more and more familiar with being in this middle field, you’ll recognize that we all have extra influence during this time of flux.  We, by the mere act of being our powerfully core selves, GREATLY influence how point B and beyond will look and feel. Count me in!

I like Karen Bishop’s perspective:

We are in new and vast territory. It is up to us to create something new.  When we connect to each other, we automatically go into a higher vibrating space, and miracles occur.

While you are in this middle field, I find it essential to know what grounds you physically and spiritually and practice this daily.

For me, this is time outdoors, walking or tending to my yard. Quiet time just for me and connections with others that is easy and enjoyable.   Most importantly, having the big picture context of this transitory time keeps my grounded, light on my feet, and connected to my heart.

I’d love to explore this topic with you more!

How do these ideas connect with what you’re experiencing?

AND

What do you enjoy doing to connect fully to yourself?

Consecrate the Ordinary

I love special occasions that bring people together. Births, funerals, weddings, graduations, and special community events are great. Who can possibly over look our common humanity when we’re all brought together over something that matters to each of us.

I love it!

Yet, we spend most of our life doing the ordinary. Buying groceries, doing laundry, brushing our teeth, working, dealing with our kids and family.  These are all the little things that give our life texture.

I’ve been wondering why we overlook the majority of our life.

What would happen if you consecrated the ordinary?

What if you recognized that, like the star athlete who devotes more time to practice than competing, the sacred and the magic truly lay in the mundane day to day parts of your life, not only in the extraordinary moments.

How would your day to day life shift?

How would the way you view special occasions change?

For many of you, I imagine that a small adjustment on your part will reap phenomenal joy. All that is required is a small step into the present moment.

Consecrating the ordinary is as simple as:

• Enjoying the textures of your clothes when you take them out of the dryer or off the line.
• Soaking in kids’ excitement as they play.
• Listening to a friend’s worries and still reflecting their brilliance back to them.
• Taking a walk and seeing how many birds you can hear.
• Really tasting your lover’s lips, as if kissing them for the first time.
• Smelling all the fragrances held within your food before taking a bite.
• Filling and stretching your lungs as you hike, bike or do something physical.

Best of all, there’s nothing extra required of you!

Relishing every day magic is yours as you:

• Free yourself to be fully present.
• Tap into your connection to all that is.
• Know that all is well. (It always is)

And, because all is well, the only thing that needs your attention is honoring the moment before you.

Talk about healing and contagious energy!

What are your favorite ways to enjoy the extra special sacredness within each of your ordinary days?

(This post comes from my twice monthly ezine. A couple times a year I’ll share blog posts in my ezine and visa versa.  You can sign up for my free ezine in the upper right hand corner of this page.)

The Power of Both

Are you experiencing a drag on your manifesting prowess?

Check and see if you’re dragging around an insidious and outdated belief that you need to give up something in order to get something you want.

As if going to the market, you may believe that you have to pay to get what you want.  Instead of money, you may unconsciously believe that you to give something up in order to have something else that you want.

For example, in order to enjoy the lean and strong body I desire, I know I have an underlying belief that I need to give up fat laden foods that I really enjoy.  Of course I’m resisting giving up chocolate, butter, sugar, white flour and cream!  I LIKE THEM!  And the belief that I need to give up foods that I enjoy makes them appear more attractive than they really may be.  You’ve experienced this too, yes?  That’s because giving up things that we like is unnatural and stirs up our resistance.

Be honest and claim what you truly want and deserve!

So claim it! and you will find ways to have all that you want!

For example, I want a healthy, and lean body AND I want to enjoy chocolate, sugar, butter, cream, and white flour!  Just saying that allows my mind to identify at least a thousand ways that having both is possible.  I immediately perk up and think “YES, both please! Let’s get to it!”

This method can work for ALL areas of your life ~money, love, health…you name it!

Here is a quick and easy way to develop your OWN “I’ll have both, thank you!” approach to life.

Ask yourself:

• What is one thing that I want to create or enjoy right now?  (more money, better health etc)
• What am I enjoying now that I’ll probably have to give up in order to fully have what I want?
• And then, simply pair them together.

For example, you may want to enjoy a fabulous, close and loving relationship AND the solitude and autonomy that are essential

to your well being.  Your “I’ll have both, thank you!” becomes:

I’m excited to create a close and loving relationship while also enjoying my solitude and autonomy!

So, tell me.  What will YOU be enjoying with your new “I’ll have both, thank you!” way of life?

Are YOU Coming Out Today?

We change the world not by what we say or do, but as a consequence of what we have become. ~ David R. Hawkins

Today, October 11th is National Coming Out day, a day to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride.  National Coming Out Day was founded by Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary on October 11, 1988 in celebration of the first gay march on Washington D.C. a year earlier.

I LOVE National Coming Out Day! I LOVE lesbian, gay, bi and trans folks, from every family and community, who say, “Even at the risk of losing my relationship with you, THIS is who I am! THIS is who I love, consider family, and how I express myself.”

I get GOOSEBUMPS!  The energy is so contagious!  The courage to share and be THIS vulnerable with the world is a powerful energy that commands attention!

And truthfully, I get goosebumps whenever anyone is compelled, DRIVEN really, to be them self regardless of others’ understanding and approval.

Taking risks to be true to our soul’s calling isn’t just a gay thing, is it?

SO, to each and every one of you who is compelled to keep stepping deeper into yourself and sharing that with the world

I celebrate you!

My world is a better place because you have the courage to be you. And yes, I celebrate you even when our beliefs are worlds a part.

Because, deep down, all that ever matters is that each of us love, trust and act on our soul’s guidance.

Being true to our self always creates more room for each of us.

So, let me ask you,

What do you love and celebrate about yourself?

And, with whom are you sharing this precious gift with today?

Grow Luxuriantly, From the Inside Out

“To grow luxuriantly”

This was a definition of flourish that I came across recently.

Hmmm, if I were a luxuriantly growing plant, I’d be strong and well nourished. I’d be happily on my way to pursuing my fullest potential as a plant.  No thinking, contemplating, or worrying. Just doing.  Just efficiently collecting and directing all nutrients toward my destiny.  Ok, I’ll freely admit ~ if I could talk, you’d probably hear me say, “woooo weeee, catch me if you can!”

Our mind is one thing that distinguish humans from plants.  Our mind is key to how we grow and create our life. While our mind is a key implementor, our thoughts can also delay and distract our true destiny and luxuriant life.  Fortunately, our mind can partner with our heart, spirit and body to fullfill our destiny and purpose in life.

Answering these questions can give you quick insights about how you are already thriving.

In what ways am I fully nourishing my fertile mind, open heart, clear spirit and strong physical self?

And,

How might I make these internal pathways even stronger, even more luxuriant?

A second way to assess the richness of your internal environment is to ask yourself:

In what ways am I:

• learning, exploring, and being curious?
• open, connected and generous in my relationships?
• confident, and trusting my intuition?
• acting upon that which brings me alive?
• in frequent conversation with the divine?
• moving my body, playing and doing things that I enjoy?
• hearing the loving and thoughtful internal messages? receiving and giving freely?

In other words, how much personal joy are you generating today?

Yes, open and vibrant pathways between your heart, mind, spirit and body generate joy.

And joy compels you flourish, which is your natural state of being.

So, tell me, how are you generating joy in your life today?

Believe. Pray. Act.

“Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple.” ~Charles Mingus

What if enjoying and creating the life of your desires was simple?

Simple doesn’t necessarily equal easy, though I don’t believe life needs to be hard.  For me, simple means that there’s nothing to remember, learn how to do, fix, or find.  Since we’re talking about life, you’ll certainly stretch, grow and evolve, but why not simplify the process that guides you.

A simplified path to creating and enjoying a rich, authentic life is always available to you ~anytime, anywhere, and regardless of what is going on around you.

Now, THAT is simple.

I’ve simplified the process for creating and enjoying my life into three words: believe, pray and act.

BELIEVE

Believing is knowing that you:

• get to enjoy an ever evolving dream for your life.
• are intrinsically deserving.
• have the skills, capabilities and resources you need to create what ever you want.
• are intimately connected to life larger than yourself.
• are always moving in the direction of desires.
• already have all that you need.

Walt Disney understood how believing works when he said “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

PRAY

Let’s simplify the idea prayer to being a conversation with the divine, god, universe, source, buddah, allah or what ever term speaks to your heart.  If prayer is a rich and dynamic exchange with your ultimate guide, the more open and natural the conversation, the more that is shared.

The poet, Philip James Bailey expresses how this conversation works when he said, “Prayer is the spirit speaking truth to Truth.”

Consider developing your own life prayer as a way to enter the conversation.  For example, I begin my prayers with this statment:

“I love you.  I feel your divine presence and love.  I welcome your all of your goodness and guidance.”

Talk about simple! I repeat this statement as I start my day, at the end of my day, when I’m feeling good, and when I’m feeling challenged. This prayer shifts me into alignment quickly and soundly.  Stress, worry or fear become irrelevant when you’re engaged in a divine conversation!

Conversational prayer like this grounds and inspires your action and belief.  If you’re already doing this, you know how strong your intuition and knowing becomes.

ACT

Action simplified, is applied belief and prayer.

Action is the fun part of life! You’re the great experimenter, explorer and creator. Action is where you engage yourself AND  the world, fueling both your belief and your conversation with source.

You’re aligned and acting with your life purpose when you’re enjoying what you’re creating. Reconnect with your belief and prayer when action feels hard or allusive. There’s no need to force action of any kind.

I love how Martin Allsop expressed this recently. “If you enjoy the process, it’s your dream. If you are enduring the process, just desperate for the result, it’s someone else’s dream.”

Yes, as you intentionally create the life you desire, you’ll choose to tap into informal and formal assistance all along the way.  I believe these three steps, or what ever version you adopt for yourself, allow those decisions to become easy and obvious.

Here’s to your magnificent dreams ~simplified.

The Energy of Money Secrets

I’ve been breaking money rules I didn’t know I had…until I started breaking them.

I started talking really honestly and openly about money with friends, colleagues and family. I’ve shared thoughts that I formerly kept to myself about money: what I make, don’t create, want, worry about, enjoy, celebrate, and for that which I’m truly grateful.

Like sex, talking super honestly, easily and freely about your money seems largely taboo or like strolling through a field full of land mines. Exploring topics like money and sex makes it easy to see how misinformation and oppressive beliefs thrive along side secrets.

While each of us is free to decide the level of intimacy (truth telling and sharing) we want in our relationships, I wonder how much pressure you’re placing on yourself or others if that inner circle is just you or one other person?  Look around, and consider adding more people to your inner circle of trust.  You can begin with a conversation or two.

Honestly, the decisions you make to share or not to share about money are less important than the beliefs that inform those decisions. Your underlying beliefs carry the energy that creates your money reality. Our money culture and training fosters a host of  ”shoulds” and shame that are contrary to our innate goodness.  These beliefs are what block our easy and natural money flow.

Here are a few questions that can shine a light on the money rules operating in your life.  Keep the practices that feel good in your heart.  Reconsider those practices that feel constraining. For each of these questions, I’ve found it interesting to consider which conversations you have with family, friends, colleagues, community, or paid experts (AKA your coach!).

• With whom are you COMPLETELY honest about your money. Who knows how much and on what you spend, earn, or save?
• When, and with whom does talking about your money feel free and easy or challenging? In which of these conversations are you
• speaking mostly from your heart or your mind?
• When would you ask for financial help? Who would you ask?
• How does your perspective shift when you insert the word relationship, health, or career for the word money in the questions above?

Given your answers to these questions, what might be some of your unwritten money talk rules?

How would your money rules shift if you knew that you were absolutely good and fine?

What’s one unwritten money rule you’d like to break today?

Please consider this a free and easy place to talk about money. Your answers or experiences are welcome here!

The First Duty of Love is to Listen ~Paul Tillich

Listening is that essential, that powerful, isn’t it?

And love takes listening to a whole other stratosphere!

Listening with love conveys that:

• you are welcome here.  All of you is welcome here.
• you’re brilliant… even your smudgy parts are brilliant.
• I care about you.
• I trust you…. and I trust me.
• there’s room for your answers to your questions to emerge naturally.

This quote from Brenda Uelan shines a light on how powerful and healing listening can be.

When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.

Ideas actually begin to grow within us and come to life.

Do you want to strengthen a relationship?  Whether, it’s your son, partner, or colleague, just lean in and convey, “I’m interested in you and want to understand.  Tell me more.” Listening does not mean that you agree with what’s being said, so there’s no need to make corrections or suggestions.  Because rapt attention connects us, listening is effective in person or on the phone.

But you know, listening, like love, begins within our self.  Creating space to listen to your heart’s wisdom becomes a central expression of self-love….and self-love is central to everything ~always.

Can you imagine listening to yourself with the interest and attention of a best friend or lover?

Imagine, listening to your inner voice with:

• a silence that becomes an invitation to share more.
• a genuine curiosity and openness.
• an awareness of your layers ~your outward personality, your fears, and your core self.
• commitment, devotion and time.

If you try this, don’t be deterred when gremlin or negative thoughts try to take center stage. Gremlin thoughts emerge when they are ready to be released. Allowing your negative thoughts room to surface is a fabulous way to say “thank you, and goodbye.”

As Cherie Huber writes:

If the voice is not speaking compassionately to you, it has nothing worthwhile to tell you.

Best of all, releasing your gremlins thoughts creates more room for the beliefs that align with self-compassion and your life’s vision.

Let me ask you, what daily practices allow you to listen to your heart?

Here are two experiments with listening.

1. Ask someone to simply listen to you while you sort through as issue.  Let them know that their time and attention is all that you want and need.  What’s it like to just be listened to?
2. Give your full attention to someone with whom you are struggling.  Put your needs, worries and opinions aside. Seek to understand their perspective fully by listening to them.  What’s it like just to listen?

What was the impact of each of these experiments on your relationship ~with yourself, and with the other person?

I’d love to hear about your experiences with listening!

Join Me at My Abundant Table

I’m a foodie, baker, community builder and coach.

I believe life is to be relished and enjoyed. I share so that others can also live smack dab in the middle of their joy.

In fact, my new image for abundance is a long table filled with people sharing and laughing, eating and drinking. This lively gathering includes the perfect mix of grace, connection, chaos and solitude.

I believe my abundant table illustrates the elements of the good life we often seek.  Please, come join me…. I saved a seat right next to me specifically for you.

Take a moment.  Look around the room and soak up the vibe.  Yes, love permeates everything ~the food, people, conversation and atmosphere.  I like this relaxed, easy, unassuming, yet clearly present kind of love, don’t you?  Notice that each person, while visibly diverse, has brought love to the table as their common offering.

Are you wondering if everyone at the table has known each other for years?  Yes, there is a level of acceptance of  our individual and collective humanity that I usually associate with old friends/lovers. Be here as if your silliness has been long ago exposed.   What a relief! Go ahead a settle into your seat, and heart.

Oh yes, I like the arms wide open curiosity that each person brings to the mix too! It’s as if they’re asking,  ”what matters most to you today? Notice how this much love and acceptance allows an instinctive and grounded trust to emerge and suspend our sense of time.  It IS wild how each person’s attention is here, only in this moment!  I’m nota sensing any want or need, are you?

What’s your response to this much love, acceptance and trust?  Me? I feel a powerful sense of freedom and creativity. This is the ultimate abundant zone!  Imagine what we’d each create, enjoy and share.

Makes me wonder why any of us ever spin our wheels trying to create a life outside of this zone?  We carry these qualities within us, regardless of what we’re experiencing on the outside.  Our external experience always shifts to align with our internal perspective ~ always.

Imagine living via an abundance that is grounded in an internally nurtured love, acceptance, trust, freedom and creativity that is then shared.  I believe sharing and receiving abundance is the best part!  This is how we feed ourself and the world ~literally and figuratively.

Bon appetit!

Giving = Receiving

Go on a Time Diet with Me!

I’m on a time diet and would love some company.  This kind of diet is fun, believe me!

The only thing you have to give up on this diet is your Newtonian view that time is finite and exists outside of us.  While, Newtonian time is based on scarcity, our natural desire is to enjoy more of the things that matter to us. Time just gets tighter and tighter and we put our self in positions where we have to choose one value over another.

Wow, talk about resistance!  No wonder we struggle with time-Newtonian Time isn’t how the universe works.

Can you relate to these examples of how insidious Newtonian Time is in our life?

“Wow, I wish I had time to workout like you do.”

“Where did the day go?”

“I’d love to chat, but I gotta run.”

“How do you find the time to ________ (fill in the blank)?”

“Please hurry, I’m pressed for time.”

“I can’t possibly accomplish what they want me to do in the time I have.”

On the other hand, my new time diet, which I learned via Gay Hendrick’s new book, The Big Leap, taps into Einstein’s relative view of time.  In Einstein Time, you are the source of time.

Einstein’s famous quote that “an hour with your beloved feels like a minute, while a minute sitting on a hot stove feels like an hour” portrays time’s relativity so well.  How many meetings, conversations and tasks have you been in today that flew by?  How many seemed to go on forever?

That said, are you ready to dive into the Time Diet?  There’s only one thing you have to give up:

complaining about time.

Wow,this makes sense.  If you’re the source of time, what is there to complain about?

Like any diet, there is an adjustment period.
First, be gentle with yourself.  When you find yourself stressed about time, take a deep breath and remind yourself  ” I am the source of time.”

Second, be open to a new level of honesty with yourself. Those areas where you used to hide or justify a decision based on time become glaringly obvious.  When you adopt this radical time diet, you’ll get honest with what you do and don’t want to do.  You’ll also be greeted by a heightened awareness of what you CAN create.

Lastly, prepare yourself to complete tasks quicker and with greater ease. You’ll likely have greater flow and sense of accomplishment in each day.

So, might these benefits be worth the adjustment?

Speaking of time, get my posts the easy way- emailed to you directly.

Freedom Tag

I’ve had the most delightful conversations about freedom with Hiro Boga lately. If she’s in your life, you know what a gift she is to each and all of us. If she’s not in your life, consider following her blog and tweet posts.

We both decided to keep the conversation going via our blogs.  Instead of talking about freedom, I decided to inspire us all to tap into that fabulous feeling.  I thought a big game of freedom tag would be a great way to honor our mutual love of freedom, heart centered business and fun. 

Yes, even though your mind might resist for a second or two, you do have all the time in the world to feel free!

Here’s how it works:

When you’ve been tagged, create a blog or Facebook post in which you identify your 23 favorite ways to tap into your ever present sense of freedom, then tag 23 other people, including me, to do the same.

A  feel good frenzy is my kind of revolution!

And, of course, you’re free to do any or all of this, when ever you please!

My 23 Favorite Free Feeling Ways

1. Loving myself, wildly and fully-just the way that I am
2. Loving everything that I do
3. Loving all that I have
4. Day dreaming in a hammock
5. Laughing, laughing, laughing!!
6. Snorkeling with sea turtles
7. Holidays at the beach with friends
8. Ok, anytime at the beach. . .probably any beach, too!
9. Creating transformative experiences for people-workshops, classes, groups.
10. Road trips-any road trip, anywhere
11. Singing LOUDLY in my car
12. The freefall or roller coaster rides at an amusement park
13. Lying in the crook of my sweetie’s arm/ and visa versa (especially on Sunday morning)
14. While baking-freedom is in the details, and process
15. Walking
16. Most 1:1 coaching sessions
17. NAPS!!
18. Dancing
19. Swimming under water
20. Seeing how disparate things/ideas fit together
21. Paying bills!
22. That satisfied sense of accomplishment when I’ve completed a task
23. Kissing: always, sex: most often

The 80/20 Rule & The Law of Attraction

You’re probably familiar with the 80/20 rule. In business and time management, it is often said that 80% of your meaningful results come from 20% of your efforts.

In the past, I’ve seen 80% of complaints come from 20% of my customers/staff. Fortunately, I learned to turn my attention toward the 80% that were happy and strengthen my relationships with them. I let the 20% that weren’t happy find what they wanted somewhere else. I like the power, ease and clarity of 100% good fit! Why not?

While this whole 80/20 split phenomenon is of our own creating, it’s a handy tool to illustrate how to align your life with your desires.

For example, does the 20% (or less) of your life that isn’t going as you desire get more of your attention than the 80%+ that is going well? Hey, you’re human and completely designed to improve and evolve! It can become easy to believe that you’ll have a 100% satisfactory life by focusing on the 20% that you want to fix.

The problem with this is that what ever you focus on expands.

When you direct your attention towards what is NOT going as you desire, that originally small 20% of your life suddenly becomes 80% or greater. Ugh!

No need to put your super rich relationships, incredible accomplishments, and amazing singing voice at risk by focusing on the one or two things that aren’t as you wish! Here’s one quick way to redirect your attention toward what is going swimmingly in your life.

New Association

Make a list of all the things that are going well. Explore all the things going well in your relationships, spirituality, physical resources (money, home, “things” you have), health, and contribution to the world (work, volunteering, community). YES, make a LONG list! Notice and revel in ALL that you’ve created in your life! Make this a daily habit before you begin your day, or as you’re wrapping your day up.

AND/OR

What comes to you easily? Parking spaces, money, friends, opportunities, favorite songs on the radio?

Pick ONE item that is super easy, or is going super well.

Depending upon what feels easiest, say to yourself:

YES, I see _______(struggle) being as good/easy as _______________ (super easy or good area)!!

If that statement doesn’t feel believable, try:

YES, it’s possible (or I’ll consider) that ______ (struggle) being as good/easy as ___________(super easy or good area).

There are a zillion different ways to create new associations in your mind and expand what’s going well in your life. Turning your attention toward ALL that is well is the easiest and quickest way to begin.

Once you’re centered in your sweet spot again, you’ll access your amazing creativity and flexibility. Your former struggles will suddenly appear like fabulous opportunities.

With much love,

Speaking of easy, you can get my posts emailed to you directly.

I Always Get What I Want Club

I’ve recently noticed that I am getting what ever I want.

Some things I’m getting right away. Other desires I receive a year, and quite a few adventures later. Some of the things I get are big and significant, others are fun and silly.

But, it sure seems like I’m getting exactly what I request. Can you imagine what I enjoy most about knowing that I’ll get what ever I want?

I get to fully enjoy where I am. AND I let myself be curious, thankful, excited and engaged in how things will unfold.

To help me remember my creative prowess, I told a friend recently not to commiserate, agree with or believe me if I worry or complain about my life. Instead I asked her to say:

“Well, as your friend, it sure appears that you always get what you want. What is it again, that you really want here?”

You know what? I want ALL my friends to say this to me when I’m in doubt. Of course I want my friends to keep me honest and knowing that I am ALWAYS creating my amazingly beautiful life. That’s a big reason why we’re friends, yes?

THEN I thought, I bet others will want to join me in making this commitment. If you’re interested, please join me in the

“I Always Get What I Want” Club

Right now, there are no dues, no Ning or Yahoo group to join. Though I might launch a Facebook or Twitter group if you’d like.

Your commitment when you join this group is easy.

1. Simply say to others in this group, or anyone in your life really: “Well, as your friend, I must say that it appears that you always get what you want. What is it again, that you really want here?”
2. Listen to what they want, and say “Well, of course, you’ll get that or something better!”

How easy, supportive, and liberating can we make it?

Are you with me?

A Cookies and Tacos Kind of Day

What has your attention today?

I don’t know about you, but sometimes, I complicate life.

I focus on money, my aging mom, the size of my belly, other people’s struggles, my messy home, what am I doing 10 years from now, or a myriad of other similar issues I create in my mind.

I love it when I remember what really matters: love, friendship, laughter, being silly, and my favorite things.

I especially LOVE those things that I like, just because I LIKE THEM!  Why would I try to explain why I like something when I can simply enjoy them?

AND THEN, these favorite things of mine take on a whole new dimension when I enjoy them with someone else who brings their own mix of love, laughter, friendship and silliness.

cookiesandtacos by Deb Brown

Deb Brown, one of my dearest big heart friends and I were chatting and laughing this past week. We unanimously and emphatically decided that what really matters in life is cookies and tacos.

Yep, cookies and tacos (especially my homemade cookies, and my mom’s tacos).

We both got such a sweet lift from this silly, innocuous and quick conversation. The exchange was rich and more significant than it may appear.

You see, what ever you focus on expands.

Why not focus on a few of your favorite things?

By the way, what ARE a few of your favorite things?

Who do you love to share them with?

What’s your version of a cookies and tacos kind of day?

Making the Team

I LOVE March Madness! I love how both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments show what magic is possible when a group conspires together toward common goals.

I haven’t played team sports since I was a kid, but I’ve lead many work teams. In fact, there are days as a solopreneur where I miss the thrill of leading teams toward sweet accomplishments together.

Fortunately, I remembered that EVERYONE is on my team, and I am on theirs. Some of my team members are close in, and others I may never meet, but I have all the camaraderie I’ll ever want. I admit, I like what we’re creating!

Just as Byron Katie says, “everything happens for you, not to you,” it’s also true that everyone is acting for you, not to you.

Are you living in this moment as a renown coach, orchestra conductor or film director would approach their creation?

Look around, do you see how people are waiting to roll out the literal or proverbial red carpet for you?

Do you see those who are eagerly waiting your insights and direction on how they can align with your desires?

Ok, ok. . .imagining the whole world aligning with your every desire can appear a bit daunting. But let’s break it down. It’s much easier than you might imagine. In fact there’s three essential and very easy steps to creating your very own world-wide synchronized team.

Ready?
#1: Thank all the people in your life, who ever they may be, for helping you create your life. You can thank them verbally, and in your heart. You can thank them with specifics or with general love and appreciation.

Thank the ones who obviously help your life go smoothly, but definitely thank the ones, who at first glance, appear to be making your world more challenging. You don’t need to know HOW they are making your life better, just know that they are and thank them. It is this easy and it all adds up.

#2: Be willing to lead. Welcome being the phenomenal coach, conductor or director with the crystal clear vision. Say yes and no to opportunities that arise to help others align with your vision. Be willing to follow your instincts and say, “hey, give me the ball!”

#3: Be the person everyone wants on their team by bringing out the best in others. Shine your light on others so that they will shine even brighter. Yes, take pride and appreciate your role in others people’s life.

Try it, just for today. . .welcome everyone as your teammates, and realize you’re on their team as well.

What difference does this approach make in your life?

And, of most importance, what will you and your team create?

Employed, Self Employed or Unemployed: Only a State of Mind?

What if the difference between being employed, self employed, or unemployed were merely a state of mind?

Ha, it’s TRUE! You can create the best of all worlds within the employment situation you’re in-yes, even while unemployed!

I’ve seen clients create the sense of freedom and innovation they desire while working for someone else. I know many successful entrepreneurs who start each day with a “just showing up” for work attitude.

Like many things in life, the proverbial grass on the other side of the employment fence can look mighty sweet and green. But it’s just a mirage…

Of course there are endless ways to feel free and innovative like an entrepreneur while working for someone else. Similarly, as an entrepreneur, you can create the structure and predictability that makes working for someone attractive.

Are you unemployed or want a better job? What problem solving tasks did you enjoy most in your previous positions? Approach finding your perfect job as if solving an enjoyable challenge. Why not? You’ve successfully found jobs before, yes?

Why wait? You know that waiting for something to be what you want it to be only keeps you waiting. The universe is matching the energy you’re exuding! Begin living the life you want by bringing your ideal job qualities into you day-TODAY!

The following questions will help you create a work experience that fulfills your desires.

• What do you like about the employment situation that you’re in?
• What do you wish you had from each of the other areas?
• What does this give you that you don’t have now?
• What are three easy ways to incorporate these qualities into your life? Which one will you start with, and when?

To delve into this topic further, consider reconnecting with your life vision and gifts. I’ll be exploring these topics more here, and feel free to sign up for my twice monthly e-zine and receive the audio recording from my Time 2 Thrive teleclass.

As always, enjoy and flourish!

Can Your Gremlin Thoughts be Your New GPS?

Awhile back I woke up with a relentless gremlin chorus in my head. Believe me, it wasn’t a pleasant sound! Gremlins, by the way, are the great nay sayers in your mind. (See Rick Carson’s book, Taming Your Gremlin) You know, gremlins are the messages in your head that start sentences with these preambles:

“You’ve GOT to be kidding. ..”
“Since when have you. . . .”
“That’s risky, considering that you’ve. ..”
‘Who do you think you are. . .”

These messages work perfectly to meet the gremlin part of our brain’s objective: today should look just like yesterday.

It should come as no surprise that the more you’re going in a new and aligned direction, the louder the gremlin messages can sound. Gremlin thoughts can be quite sophisticated, and often pose as the best advice givers in your life. Don’t fall for it!

There isn’t a cell in your body that is designed to be the same today as it was yesterday. You’re constantly evolving! You’ve got plans, a vision, a purpose. . .you’re creating the life of your desires with every breath you take. YEAY!

And then these persistent buggers chime in. . .

What can you do? Try to slay them? That hasn’t worked for me, they only seem to multiply! Ignore them? Well, like my morning chorus, they tend to get louder. ..

Of course, because Universal law ensures that what you resist, persists. ..

What’s an effective strategy to allay your nay saying thoughts?

What if, even in their ornery, cantankerous way, gremlin messages point to a place where you’re ready to evolve?

Imagine, those nay saying thoughts could be your new life GPS!

I’ve become a huge fan of claiming and repositioning your gremlin message to create a companion intention to support your original intention.

Let me show you what I mean.

Here’s what the new combination intentions look like:

• I’d LOVE to drop 10 lbs in the next 6 weeks AND I’m excited to enjoy and follow through with the exercises I choose to do.

• I want to help clients via my new class AND I welcome the 1,000’s of NO’s that make room for the perfect 20 people for my class.

• I want the earn enough money as an entrepreneur to maintain my current lifestyle AND I look forward to finding my feel good follow through zone every day.

• I want to find a new job AND I’m going to enjoy finding my perfect job where I’m happy, make the income I want & enjoy the work I do!

• I’d love to have a partner right now AND I’m ready to rediscover how attractive I already am!

Your gremlin messages become a key indicator of where you’re ready to evolve in order to fully enjoy your original desire.

It’s easy to find your companion intention.

1. Just state your intention with conviction and listen to the inner voice that follows. If you get a “wooo hooo, go for it baby!” then do just that.
2. If you get a nay saying message, write it down.
3. Then ask yourself, “how can I use this message to evolve fully into my intention?”
4. Write down your answer and massage it into a companion intention that feels good to you!

Try it out! Let me know what good things follow!