Bippity Boppity Boo: Becoming Your Own Fairy Godmother

I'm just coming off of 2 days at Disneyland with my mom, sister-in-law and two almost-Kindergarteners- my older daughter and niece.  When my mom first proposed the idea, I didn't jump at the opportunity. When I thought of Disneyland, I thought of overstimulation with a capital O: massive crowds, unpleasant smells, and loud, annoying noises.  Sensory overload using vacation days?  No thank you! Though as the trip approached, I began to get really excited to see the magic of it through my daughter's eyes.  

And magic is was!  Seeing Princess Ariel in person and getting an autograph from her?! Getting to stay up way past bed time to watch fireworks and dance to live music amidst the hundreds of bubbles coming from your very own bubble wand? Experiencing the wonder that is the It's a Small World ride?  Come ON.  We had entered a full on fantasy world.  This all got me thinking- how do we as adults invite magic into our lives?  I'm talking the antithesis of the flat "another day another dollar" mentality.  Here are a few prompts to get your wheels turning on this.  I will journal about them on my end as well.

1. Think of times in your life that you have felt so full of wonder that your feet almost left the ground. What did those moments have in common?  
2. What would it be like to actively seek out experiences like this on a regular basis?  How would your life be different?  
3. What will you do to invite more magic into your life from now on?  

I'd love to hear about some of your ahas on this- please share!  If you're interested in ongoing support to make your life more wondrous, please be in touch!  I figure, life is so short.  Why not live it full on with lots of intention? 

5 Ways To Minimize Your Fear

After being exposed to the movies “Child’s Play” and “Carrie” at an impressionable young age, I decided I was done with scary movies.  The gore, creepy music and blood curling screams just didn’t do it for me.  It didn’t feel worth it to get scared to the point of having certain scenes haunt my dreams (ahem, final scene of Carrie). 

What happens, though, when the fear comes from what is happening in the world around us?  I’m not talking make believe any more.  I’m talking about the very real fear of losing health insurance or being harassed because of your religion, skin color, accent and/or sexual preference.  In my work as a life coach, I get to support clients in consciously choosing how to react to a given situation no matter how challenging it may be.  If we’re able to break through fear, what’s on the other side?  I believe it’s love. 

Here are 5 ways to break on through to the other side (cue The Doors song).   

1.  Shift your perspective. 

If the message going through your head all day every day is “I’m terrified; things are horrible” it’s likely not going to serve you very well.  This becomes your lens from which to view the world and it’s far from rosy.  Try instead to focus on what is good.  For example: Jews and Muslims are coming together to rebuild destructed cemeteries and places of worship, millions of people worldwide are standing up to injustice and hate, US citizens are more civically engaged than they have been in decades.  Try this message on for size: “We as a country are in an old rotting cocoon and, with time, will emerge as a butterfly!”  If it doesn’t resonate with you, find your own new love-giving perspective.

2.  Zone in on what you care about.

These times call for us to draw a line in the sand and step up.  What are the one or two issues that mean the most to you and how to you want to protect them?  What will you personally do to move them along?  For example, say your issue is strengthening public education.  Volunteer at your neighborhood school, call your representatives several times a week, and hang a sign with in your window.  Once you focus on taking action and stepping up, you’ll be able to break free from your fear paralysis!

3.  Find a role model

I’m not gonna lie- I was in a bad headspace from November to recently.  I was terrified and saddened to the core about the direction our country was going.  Then, I cracked open a book that my mom gifted me called “I am Malala”.  It is an autobiography written by the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner.  She advocated for girls’ right to be educated when the Taliban took over her region.  Even though it was dangerous, she spoke out for what she knew to be true and made a huge impact.  Reading about her incredible example has allowed me to step out from the immense amounts of fear and into loving action.  The fear is far from gone but it’s significantly minimized now.  I encourage you to find your own role model representing bravery and follow their lead!

4.  Turn up those tunes!

Think of a song that makes you laugh without fail.  Now go put it on.  Did it work?  Yep- that’s what I thought.  For me, it’s songs from Southpark the movie.  If the song titles didn’t have so many expletives, I’d name a few of them in this blog.  Never underestimate the power of a good soundtrack to turn your mood around!

5.  Educate yourself & know when to turn it off

With so much going on, we need to stay informed.  There’s no doubt about that. By constantly reading up on what’s happening in our country and the world, we don’t have to fear the unknown as much because there is less unknown.  That said, it’s equally as important to know how to clear your mind and kick your feet up.  Set limits on when and what you’ll read.  Keep sacred technology-free time. 

Enjoy finding a new place from which to operate.  Operating from fear is no way to live.  Your life is about to get a whole lot better!

Finding Peace In Turbulent Times

I’ve never been one to watch the news much.  Sure, I’ll read it, but watching the news itself is always such a downer that I decide not to put myself through it.  Lately, though, difficult-to-stomach news seems to be everywhere we look.  In a world where it’s hard to turn off all the information coming our way, I offer you 6 tips for finding peace in turbulent times.  (Full disclosure: I'm writing these for myself too.)

1.  Meditate: I cannot say enough about this one.  Do some deep breathing and intentional relaxation before you go to bed.  It will begin to melt the stress right off of you- at least temporarily- to allow for some refreshing shut eye.  If you want more guidance than that, try any number of guided meditations on the Insight Timer- or another- meditation app.   Ahhhhh!  Heaven.

2.  Social media detox: Facebook these days is intense with a capital I.  Makes sense!  That said, if you’re already feeling angry, defensive, stressed, scared (you fill in the blank)… reading your feed likely will only add to that negativity.  Give yourself a much needed break!

3.  Do your part!  Rather than let yourself be paralyzed by all you could do, do something small and notice how good it feels!  Sign a petition, call your representative, join an action-oriented group, and/or donate!  Each little thing truly adds up to make a difference.

4.  Seek perspective: Read about history (just make sure the source is a valid one) and pick the brains of your elders.  This will be a short blip in the timeline of the world.  This, too, shall pass.

5.  Laugh: Search long and hard for something that will make you laugh.  Maybe it’s an old episode of the Office.  Perhaps it’s listening to a comedy podcast.  Whatever it is, give yourself this age old medicine.  You deserve it. 

 6.  Sympathize: There’s a lot of talk about “unfriending” people because they voted for the other candidate.  What, exactly, will this and fingerpointing solve?  As I see it, these actions will separate this divided country even further.  It’s possible that you won’t be able to discuss politics with a 10 foot poll, which may feel strange. My two cents?  It’s worth it to preserve the relationships that have always meant a lot to you.

Sending love and peace your way!