Awesomeness Is… (Part 1)
- Waking up at 5 am without an alarm clock ready to take on the world.
- Meeting with a wonderful client and being so inspired by her Happiness Project that I begin dreaming one of my own.
- Taking a hot bath in the middle of the afternoon just because I can.
- Finding the card my husband gave me when he proposed 10 years ago and still being moved to tears by his words.
- Enjoying a night-time dance party in Hanna’s bedroom and catching a glimpse of my six year old’s beauty in a way that I’ve not seen before.
- Cozying up in bed with a comfy pillow, great tea and a grateful heart and capturing these words.
That was a glimpse of my Awesome Day.
Was it all awesome? No. But it’s what I choose to remember of it that counts. What is awesome in your world? Are you capturing it somehow – in a book, journal, digital recorder, camera, or just in your heart as you pause to breathe? That’s my invitation to you for February – create Your Own Book of Awesome.
And I have three tips for you.
1. Do this messy. Have fun… explore. Get that untouched journal that you’re afraid to write in happening! (Yes, you have something to say!)
2. When you wake up tomorrow, even before you roll out of bed, decide that the day will be awesome. Picture the day’s events and imagine the juiciest of outcomes. Then watch the Universe re-arrange itself to line up awesomeness for you!
3. Share your awesomeness with someone. Invite others to do this journey with you. Here was a note I found on my desk this morning from Miss Hanna.
Let’s take her awesome advice. Dream and smile, ok?
Lot of love,
Paula
February 15th, 2012 | Write Comment | Category: Designing A Life That Sparkles · Wellness
February Wellness Goal: Create Your Book of Awesome
Have you caught a glimpse of a book called “Book of Awesome”? Each time I see it as I’m cruising through my favourite bookstore, something shifts in me. Life feels a little more awesome. So I thought to myself, Why don’t I start my own Book of Awesome?
That’s our Wellness Goal for February – Your Own Book of Awesome!
Call it wellness for the heart. Buy yourself a notebook, journal, scrapbook or anything you care to record your awesomeness in. It can be big or small but I’d suggest something you can carry around with you.
Then, throughout February, at least once a day, write down:
1) What’s awesome about you; or
2) What’s awesome about your life; or
3) What’s awesome about the world you live in.
Capture awesome moments, pictures, saying, songs, synchronicities and encounters. And if the word “Awesome” doesn’t do anything for you, pick another word that does.
Whatever we decide to gather evidence for, we shall find… and grow.
So how about it? Let’s look for awesomeness ok? It’s all around you. You just have to notice it.
Invite your children, spouse or friend to join along. I can’t wait to see Hanna’s Book of Awesome! And I’ll be sharing bits of my Book of Awesome on Facebook and this blog throughout the month.
Oh, and let the creativity flow. When I announced this to my ezine subscribers last week, a few of them ran out to buy art supplies complete with paints, crayons, markers, stickers, glitter, fabric and a glue gun. Talk about awesome!
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photo credit © Steve Took It
January 31st, 2012 | 2 Comments | Category: Designing A Life That Sparkles · Wellness
Take the Pause… Or the Pause will be Taken for You!
I was just about to send out my ezine on Friday when I virus hit my computer. I sat at the repair shop fighting back tears when the gentleman showed me there were no longer any files on my laptop. My mind was working overtime trying to remember when my last full back-up was and how much wonderful content I’d created since then. A berating voice in me was screaming, “I told you to back up your computer more regularly… see what happens when you don’t listen to me?
I will say it again… take the pause or the pause will be taken for you (and you might not like how it looks!)
As a society, we seem to be operating in fast forward, running from activity to activity, eating quick meals and fitting in exercise and self care when or if there’s time. More than ever, people are screaming for a pause in life — a few precious moments to suspend time and just… B-R-E-A-T-H-E.
Do you feel that too?
A Pause Can Come in Many Forms
A day of rest, a vacation, a break from an activity, some alone time, or space from a certain person. It doesn’t need to cost money. It can last a few moments or a few months. Whatever it takes.
The truth is, many of us don’t know how to handle the emotions that come up when we allow a pause.
- We get antsy. Shouldn’t we be doing something productive?
- We judge the pause. What if something is wrong when I don’t hear from the person who said he/she needed time?
- We get nervous. What if I take a vacation and miss out on an opportunity while I’m gone?
When in reality, pauses are necessary:
- They create space so we can grab hold of the opportunity when it arrives.
- They allow our minds to clear so we are laser focussed and productive.
- They give us the rest we crave, so we can then knock it out of the park.
- They allow for new ideas to take shape, so we become ultra creative.
- They open us to playful energy and synchronicities, so life stays exciting!
I’m always amazed at the riches a pause can bring. (Yes, even this lastest one!) I always feel more energized, focussed and ready to get on my magic carpet again after a Paula Pause.
Try it. Insert more pauses in your day – as many as you need:
- 10 seconds for an extra deep breath at a stop light or in a grocery line-up
- 1 minute to stare away from your computer and rest your eyes
- 5 minutes of quiet time in your office before you head home
- 10 minutes to curl up with your favourite book
- 15 minutes for a steaming hot bath (I get my best ideas in the tub!)
- 20 minutes for stretches and quiet meditation before bed.
- 1 hour to organize your home or office (including backing up your files!)
- 1 day away from your business or life, to dream your next steps.
However long or short, make your pauses intentional. Hold them as sacred – like a delicate bubble — soon to disappear.
P.S. Want to know what happened to my laptop?
Well, after two days, they managed to pull my hard drive, run some clean-up processes and recover most of my files. I cried when I heard this. The funny thing was, I was beginning to imagine some freedom in re-creating my life and business with a fresh start. Hmmm… there is still another lesson to this ‘pause’ for me. Life is always our teacher.
January 22nd, 2012 | 4 Comments | Category: Creating Space · Designing A Life That Sparkles
January Wellness Goal: Beat the Sugar Fix
I don’t know how else to say this. Sugar is poison. Its feeds cancer. Your body has no use for sugar. It destroys your teeth, affects your mood, suppresses your immune system, sends your blood sugars through the roof, floods your body with insulin to compensate for the sugar rush (until the pancreas is shot and you possibly become diabetic). Then, in simple terms, your body burns sugar and stores the undesirable fat.
Sure it might taste sweet as chocolate fudge or shortbread cookies, but sugar doesn’t look so sweet when it’s plastered on our thighs and staring us straight in the eye.
“YIKES! Where did you come from?” we wonder.
“Um… you ate me, it replies.”
Dont’ get me wrong. I love mastering a melt-in-your-mouth shortbread recipe, making rum balls and delighting in a great piece of chocolate. But, the body has a way of revealing how you treat it.
It’s time to beat the sugar fix. You are sweet enough.
So for the month of January, I’m challenging you to cut your sugar intake waaaaay back or be so daring to eliminate it entirely (except from natural sources like fruit).
This doesn’t mean switching to diet drinks and loading up on artificial sweeteners. No, I’m talking coming back to whole food goodness. Fresh veggies, fruit, lean proteins, whole grains and water. Oh, water, we miss you!
Ready to give this wellness goal a shot?
Great, me too!
Stop buying any more sweets and treats. If you have left over baking from Christmas, consider giving it away. Or be bold and toss it in the garbage. (It’s either garbage in the trash can or in your body!) Avoid cakes, pastries, cookies, candies and sugary cereals.
Replace all pop and flavoured water with REAL water. Not juice that can be high in fructose. Good ol’ water – what 60-70% of our body is made of. If you need a change, ask me about Tea-It-Up — a fabulous green tea powder sweetened with natural plant-based Steevia that you can mix with water. It creates a refreshing drink that gives you wonderful health benefits and fuels your metabolism.
Eliminate or reduce all added sugar. Reduce how much you put in your coffee, your oatmeal or on your pancakes as syrup. Use steevia in your coffee and fruit for your oatmeal. Avoid jams with additional sugar.
Be on the look-out for the hidden sugar. It’s amazing what foods have sugar to make them taste better — breads, ketchup, peanut butter, store-bought salad dressings and other condiments, yogurts, canned soups and more. When sugar is showing up as one of the first few ingredients on a food label, you can be assured it’s too much sugar. You are better to make you own dressing and start with a plain yogurt and add fruit. Or start with a plain veggie broth and add to it so you can control the ingredients.
Does this take more time? It might. But you are worth it. Your health is worth it. And some simple meal planning on weekends can ease you in.
You can do this. Your sexy curves say so.
January 5th, 2012 | Write Comment | Category: Wellness
Choose a Theme for 2012 to Inspire Success
If you read my last post 12 Questions to Kick-Start a Transformative 2012, you know that I’m all about fun tools that move you forward in creating your ideal life. One tool that has beeen so effective for me is coming up with a Word of the Year.
I wrote about it last year, inspired by Ali Edwards, who makes beautiful jewelry that highlight your word of the year. My challenge was I had so many words I couldn’t choose just one. Sparkle had to be in there. It’s the word of my lifetime! But other words resonated too. So I had my top 5 made into a bracelet. As I reflect on all of them, I really lived these.
I’ve been so excited to hear friends and colleagues choosing new words for 2012: blossom, abundance, unstoppable, fearless, release, space, centre, balance, light, inspire, peace, compassion, self-love. Such juicy concepts!
For 2012, I’ve decided to create a theme, represented by a phrase.
This gives me some wiggle room to have a few words. I’m giving myself this first week to fully decide. Here are some of my top runners:
1. Live Your Sparkle
2. Just Watch Me!
3. Do It Scared and Imperfect
4. Release with Love
5. Authentically Me!
6. Wellness that Rocks
7. Love My Life
8. All in, EXCITED and ALIVE
9. Rich, Juicy Living
10. Be Unstoppable. Make it Fun!
(Any favourites?)
I invite you to join along. You could pick a single word or a phrase.
The key is to pick words that awaken something in you and support your goals and ideal life.
For example, if you pick fearless, that might inspire you to book that solo trip you’ve been dreaming of or leave a relationship that is toxic. If you pick balance, that might inspire you to stop working through your lunches and grab a yoga class instead. If you pick self-love, that might inspire you to speak kinder words to yourself as you gaze in the mirror.
Don’t overthink. Just pick something and use it for as long as it resonates. If March comes and there is a new word that lands on your lap, perfect! Run with that. Trust your sage wisdom to know what’s right for you.
Can a single word or phrase change your life?
It can if you align your thoughts, beliefs and actions with it.
Have some fun. Dream away. And be sure to share your chosen word(s). I’ll do the same in a few days!
Love and sparkling energy,
Paula
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January 2nd, 2012 | 5 Comments | Category: Blog · Designing A Life That Sparkles
12 Questions to Kick-Start a Transformative 2012
It’s all around you… talk of New Year’s Resolutions, goal setting and ads for gym memberships and weight loss programs. If you are like me, you are still just catching your breath from Christmas hustle and bustle. Or maybe you are still in holiday mode. That’s awesome. Enjoy every moment!
I stopped making New Year’s Resolutions about five years ago. They seem to be all hype with no lasting sparkle. Yet I’m a huge fan of pausing to reflect, re-align and set some powerful intentions that fuel excitement. That’s how we move from being reactive to being creative in our lives.
(Notice that reactive and creative have the exact same letters yet deliver very different outcomes!)
Here are 12 insightful questions to kick-start a transformative 2012.
Grab a piece of paper or your journal and a quiet few moments to author your answers. Be sure to share your answers for a chance to win a 30-minute coaching session with me. See details below!
1. What were the top three highlights of 2011 and why?
Perhaps it was a trip, an accomplishment or just an exciting moment that shines above the rest.
2. What’s working in your life right now?
It’s so easy to focus on the negative, yet there’s so much good all around you. So what’s working right now?
3. What was your greatest lesson in 2011?
With every disappointment or hurt, comes a lesson. What was yours?
4. Who do you want to be in 2012?
HINT: If two friends were talking about you and you were the fly on the wall, what roles, qualities and personality traits would you be thrilled to have them say about you?
Oh that <insert your name>, she is so ________.
5. If you could change one thing about your life right now, what would it be and why?
Write down the first thing that comes to mind. Just imagine what else would magically fall into place if you gave the time and attention to change this one thing.
6. What do you keep making excuses for and why?
This could be the same as #5 or different. What we make excuses for is something we really want to look at because there’s usually a huge limiting belief tied to those excuses. And once the belief is identified and replaced with a more empowering belief… look out!
7. What activity would you like to do more of in 2012? Less of? Stop?
It’s all about choice. And ideally, your weekly calendar reflects your passions.
8. Who are the people you want to spend more time with? Less time?
You can name specific people or just the characteristics in new people you want to attract more of (e.g. fun, honest, adventuresome)
9. What would you like to be different about your life by this time next year?
That is, what is the one thing that you would be ecstatic to have mastered or made major progress on?
10. What are you prepared to do about it?
This is where rubber meets the road. Knowing our desires, talking about them, and even saying pretty affirmations doesn’t manifest them without inspired action. So, what are you prepared to do to make change that sticks? Develop a plan? Carve out time each day to take action? Clear space in your home for that passion? Sign up for that class? For now, just identify the first step.
11. What are your greatest gifts and strengths?
Yes, you are a rock star in your life. What makes you so amazing? P.S. if you can’t answer this, ask your favourite friends. They can shower you with answers.
12. How can you use your strengths to help with the change in #10?
If you are a great planner, develop a fantastic plan. But don’t stop there. Then get a coach or accountability partner to help you on the follow through. That is, play to your strengths and find others to help with things that aren’t your natural ability.
And a BONUS QUESTION:
What do you need to believe about yourself in order for that change to be yours? Mindset is a huge part of the game of life. HUGE!
I’d love to hear your responses.
Share your answers to five of the above questions in the comments below. I’ll pick two lucky winners on January 4th to get a complimentary 30-minute coaching session with me!
Give yourself the gift of honest reflection. Truth opens doors to transformation. Action moves us through them. And belief? Well, belief gives us wings to fly!
Have an amazing start to the New Year!
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December 30th, 2011 | 7 Comments | Category: Articles · Designing A Life That Sparkles
Live Your Sparkle
We all have it… a unique sparkle.
Often we can see it more easily in others than in ourselves. People who are comfortable in their own skin. People who look great and others want to know, “What’s their secret?” People who are doing what they love and with such passion that others say, “Must be nice.”
It is nice. It’s awesome, and it’s possible for more than just the ‘lucky’ few.
Living your sparkle is about being your best YOU.
It’s about looking and feeling fabulous in a body you adore and nurture. It’s about discovering your greatest gifts and passions and then living them out loud. It’s about surrounding yourself with people that inspire, love and believe in you… beyond any story that keeps you small. It’s about stretching to the edges of your comfort zone and then grabbing your wings because it’s time to fly.
It’s about living for something more than a pay cheque or holiday. It’s about celebrating every moment and day by day, authoring an autobiography so juicy that even you can’t put it down when you read it at the end of your life.
It’s about becoming your biggest fan — giving first to yourself, and then to others, knowing that the greatest gift you offer is a whole, complete, happy YOU.
Sparkle goes beyond the perfect body, house, car, spouse or job.
It is not contrived or manufactured. It’s not sold in a bottle or on a shopping rack (although let’s face it, clothes that show off your sexy curves rock!) It’s not limited to a particular class, age, race or country. It knows no borders and it definitely does not have “should”, “can’t”, “never”, “realistic” or “not enough” in its vocabulary. It’s what many people spend a lifetime longing for not realizing it was inside them all along to enjoy.
That all sounds wonderful but how do we live it? How do you tap into your sparkle?
Quite simply, you choose.
You choose to make yourself a priority,
nourishing your body, heart and mind.
You choose to have more faith in your dreams
than your past stories or excuses.
You choose to take consistent inspired action,
discovering that self-love grows as you do.
You choose to get clear on what’s most important
and have a weekly schedule that proves it.
You choose to live with intention and then
gather evidence that your intentions are manifesting.
You choose to surround yourself with things and
people that excite you, and then ride that energy to the stars.
You choose to create space for opportunities to find you.
And you say, ‘Hell Yes’ when they arrive!
You choose to wake up and be WOW’ed by life,
anticipating synchronicities and every day miracles.
You choose to let life lead you,
trusting your heart’s wisdom as your sage guide.
And you choose to live your sparkle,
knowing that no one can live it for you.
Your sparkle is like your soul’s DNA. No one can replicate it. If you hide it, the world misses out. You miss out.
So, what do you say? Ready to sparkle? Ready to be wow’ed? I sure am. Stay tuned, because 2012 is going to be a sparkling year.
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December 19th, 2011 | 2 Comments | Category: Designing A Life That Sparkles
What’s the Weather in Your World?
Last week I was in Atlanta after spending three days with inspiring women who are transforming the world. What amazing energy!
On my way home, I got up at 4:30 am ET (2:30 am MT) to catch a fight from Atlanta to Dallas only to find out my second flight was cancelled due to mechanical reasons (mercury retrograde?)
So another 8 hours in an airport. No problem. Airports are a wonderful place to observe. You see loved ones embracing and families excited about holidays. You also see a lot of chaos. Flights delayed, people late, kids crying, and luggage lost. So many things out of people’s control! And yet, some are in complete reaction mode, losing their marbles with the messenger. I just want to whisper to them, “How’s that working for ya?”
The question is, in those moments, are we being the ‘thermostat’ or the ‘thermometer’?
When you are the thermostat, you set the ‘temperature’ when you walk into a situation. You decide how you will be and how you will react. You maintain your power to create and choose.
When you are the thermometer, you are reading the temperature in the situation – completely in reaction mode. Your emotions reflect your circumstances. You’ve given up your power to create and choose.
This is true for more than just airport mishaps. It’s true for every situation in our lives. Each morning when we get up, we get to decide what the ‘weather in our world’ will be.
What will you choose? I love sunshine… and sparkling snow. What about you?
December 17th, 2011 | Write Comment | Category: Designing A Life That Sparkles
Get Your Veggies with Green Smoothies
Each month I’m choosing a wellness goal for us to focus on — one goal for the whole month. For December I decided it’s time to veg. WHY?
Well, two reasons. One, I want you to take time out of the holiday hustle and remember to relax, enjoy and soak up all its wonder. Second, I have your best health at heart. Our December Wellness Goal is really to create balance with all the other stuff most people find themselves eating – more snacks and treats and carbs and alcohol.
So your goal through December is to get AT LEAST 6 servings of fruits and veggies every day. Ideally, 2 servings of fruit and the rest veggies. These are alive foods that will not only nourish you and keep you alive, they will help your waistline.
One of my favourite ways to get more green goodness is through green smoothies. I often have these for a mid-morning snack or my lunch. They fill you up and taste fabulous. You get a full serving (or more) of greens by using kale, spinach, swiss chard or your BRINK and the blender helps break down the cellular walls of the greens making them easier to digest, which means better access to their nutrients.
Here are two recipes. Feel free to experiment with whatever fruit you have in the house.
Green Delight Smoothie
1 banana (frozen chunks of banana make this creamier)
1 pear
1 cup of water (more if you like it thinner)
Blend then add a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach.
Blend again, till all the green bits are broken up and it looks like a green goddess
drink!
Berry Bliss Smoothie
1 cup berries (fresh or frozen — blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc)
½ a banana (optional)
1.5 cup water (or 1 cup water and ½ cup almond or soy milk)
2 handfuls of spinach or 1 kale leaf
1 scoop protein powder or ¼ cup greek yogurt
Blend together until everything is smooth and enjoy!
P.S. If you have H-TRIO products like AM Release, Kick-It or BRINK, add them to your smoothie too!
Wouldn’t you love to get to the New Year and be feeling light and fabulous? Well, start your blenders ladies. It’s veg time!
With love,
Paula
December 8th, 2011 | 4 Comments | Category: Recipes · Wellness
“Stop Taking Me for Granted!”
That’s what my body was screaming at me last week as I faced the nastiest 46 hour flu I’ve ever had. I can’t remember the last time I got the flu.
Ironically this followed after a week of me noticing how sugar had entered my diet again… chocolate almonds here, soy lattes there, a piece of cake in between… it all adds up.
Even in my sickest moments, I whispered thoughts of gratitude for what my body instinctively knew to do. GET RID OF ANYTHING THAT IS NOT SERVING IT! It was not pleasant by any stretch, but then again, neither is some of the garbage processed foods (anti-foods actually) we put in our bodies, often when we’re not even hungry. Neither is the fact that we keep ourselves under high levels of stress, or choose mindless TV or internet instead of a good night’s sleep.
Our bodies are screaming, “Stop taking me for granted. I know I’m efficient and do so many things that you don’t even realize. But seriously, I’m not perfect. I’m bound to let out the occasionally yelp. And if that doesn’t get your attention and you keep abusing me like this, then I start to shut down. I don’t want to disappoint you, but I can’t help it. I can only be pushed so far. You wouldn’t put up with this from another person. So why treat me like this?”
Okay, okay… maybe the body doesn’t have such a vocal side. But think for a moment what it’s actually saying to you. Think about all the symptoms it reveals – like aches and pains, indigestion, skin breakouts, PMS, headaches, stomach upset, irritability, sleeplessness, and many more.
What if these were messages and not symptoms? What is your body asking for?
Love and acceptance?
Kindness?
Rest?
Peace?
Acknowledgement?
Nourishment?
The human body is miraculous.
It breathes, rebuilds, cleanses, processes, digests, synthesizes, synapses, and performs hundreds of other functions without your knowing – including growing new cells every day so that you can live to enjoy another day. But like everything else, it has its limits.
Are you taking it for granted?
It is easy to look at your body in the mirror and lament about all that it isn’t. But after laying fetal on the bathroom floor unable to move, I got it. “Thank you my sweet little body for all that you are!”
Sometimes life’s gifts come in interesting packages. The flu caused me to reset my eating and take the downtime I probably wouldn’t have gifted myself.
What is one thing will you do this week to show how much you adore your body and all it does for you?
November 28th, 2011 | Write Comment | Category: Personal Reflections · Wellness
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