When we take what we’ve learned and integrate it, we reinforce our own wisdom. We say to our inner voice, I hear you. I’m listening. And I trust you to guide me.

This past week has been so rich with insights and amazing momentum. But on the weekend I hit a wall… “No more NEW!” Just integrate what’s right in front of me. Take a moment to catch my breath and catch up on my Freedom List. I can’t tell you how powerful that Freedom List is. When I’m busy working away at it, I’m truly feeling the freedom it brings from creating space in my life. When I leave it for a bit, I feel the tightness build in me.

So today and this week are all about integration — integrating my learning from this journey, bringing my Freedom List back into focus, plus using my tracking sheet again to help me complete all the AM rituals that set me up for a fabulous day. I  just printed out my tracking sheet for the week. Using it last week was so useful. It showed me that I did most of the rituals, most of the days — which is GOOD ENOUGH!  (80/20 rule)

Today will be the last day I officially write about the AM Bliss journey. The conversation is shifting for me, and I’m excited to follow that flow to what is next. Plus I’m having this feeling that 21 days is the perfect length for a journey — recognizing the need for integration time. I still plan to continue the routine and will report on it periodically. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Did you enjoy the journey? Did you partake in it? If so, what did you notice? What did it shift in you? Tomorrow I’ll share some topics for future journeys. I’d love to know which you’d find most helpful in your own life.

Now for some well earned soak time! My bath water is running… Enjoy this day.

With love,
Paula

In the moments when we are at our highest levels of frustration, overwhelm, and ‘stuck-ness’, we are also in the richest place for an amazing breakthrough. 

And do you know what the easiest bridge to that breakthrough is?  TRUTH.

When we can be honest with ourselves, we can instantly diffuse overwhelm. When we can express where we are at without censoring, we can get that pent-up energy outside ourselves and instantly feel lighter.  Last night I reached out to a beautiful circle of friends and shared some heavy emotions I was feeling. It was magical to see how my mood and energy shifted as I voiced my truth.

Here’s a pattern I notice for myself. Perhaps you can relate.

You’re on a role in some area of your life. You’re sailing along just fine — but then you start to notice it. It’s like an itch, something you can’t shake — that feeling that something isn’t quite right. It grows and grows (more uncomfortable) and then starts to really build as overwhelm, frustration, anger, sadness or doubt. Eventually it gets so loud you can’t ignore it and it either brings you to a halt or you’re ready to throw in the towel with whatever it relates to (job, relationship, project, etc). You can’t bear it anymore, so you blurt out the truth of where you are at. And in that beautiful clarity — BOOM, a breakthrough!

It’s an interesting cycle. When I’m in the middle of it, I can’t see its beauty. I become fearful I’m on the wrong path. But lately, more than ever before, I’m learning to trust the process. I’m learning to be super kind and loving to myself as I go through it. AND, most important, I’m learning that I can catch the discomfort when it’s just a mild itch versus waiting until it’s a crisis.  

What about you? Do you notice a similar pattern? Do you shut down at the frustration/overwhelm stage? Or do you get quiet and get really honest with yourself regarding what the heavy emotions are about? Consider that just around the corner is the breakthrough that the emotions are calling forth. 

Breakthroughs are truly amazing and transformational, and a key component to stepping up our game in life.  

They catapult us forward to the next leg of the journey, versus having us grind through old patterns again and again.  The more we open ourselves up to breakthroughs, the juicier life gets. Opportunities once deemed ‘unrealistic’ are made real — one breakthrough at a time.

Do you have friends, family or other support networks to share your truth with? If not, consider a mastermind group or personal coach. The process can be much smoother when support, love and guidance are readily available.

Lots of love,
Paula

All day long I was in search of it. Stillness. Peace. Harmony. The ability to calm my mind of all the chatter and overwhelming thoughts. I almost don’t want to write anymore because anything I try write takes me away from the beautiful process of turning inward. But I’ll say this.

Can we sit in our discomfort (whatever its origin) and just listen, without combating with medication, food, retail therapy or the mask of choice? Can we shower ourselves with love as we hear chatter about unworthiness or confusion? Can we notice how our body is responding and give it what it needs? Can we choose one thought and/or inspired action that tips the scale to higher vibration energy?

So often we look into the world and disapprove of the war here or the fighting there. But, can we get still enough to attend to our own inner chaos?

Every battle or problem out there, starts in here. 

Lots of love,
Paula

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and your discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” Patanjali

Wayne Dyer introduced me to this quote years back. I came across it again this morning. So yummy! Many people go blank when you ask them their life purpose. Purpose? You mean what I’m brought on this earth to do? Besides take care of kids, clean the house and do the best I can at my job??

It’s not something that everyone can identify with or has discovered, let alone understands. And by definition, it’s a life purpose, meaning it may take a lifetime to know for sure (although we are always getting signs).

Passions, on the other hand – what you love to do and experience – are something palpable we can all tap into, if we haven’t already. They are the things that light us up, sweep us away. The things we lose ourselves in as time just flies by.

Funny thing is, as children we knew our passions. We didn’t know to call them that. But as we dressed up as princesses, built our castles, climbed trees like forts or towers, and made art without question, we were living our passions.

It’s time to get back in touch with our passions — to rediscover what we’re passionate about now and build our lives around our passions versus pursue them maybe some day if we have time. To sparkle in life, this is critical. To feel the most vibrant healthy being we naturally are, this is not optional.

Trust me, I know. The most successful (and happiest) people also know.

Start today by asking yourself these 7 questions:

1. What do I absolutely love to do? What doesn’t feel like work?
2. What did I love to immerse myself in as a child?
3. What is my favourite hobby that I wish I had more time for?
4. If 10 million dollars landed on my lap, what would I be doing?
5. What do other people compliment me on that I don’t even realize is my gift?
6. What project, if I never finished, would be my biggest regret?
7. What am I doing when I’m happiest?

Don’t just read these questions… spend the time to answer them. Your heart is waiting to be heard. As you begin tending to your passions, the term ‘life purpose’ takes on a whole new meaning. You’ll see.

Love,
Paula

Light of Hope, Light of Peace
Light of Love joins you and me.

The above words are lyrics are from a song I created for my concert a few years back. We sang it during a candle lighting ceremony in which I lit one candle, passed the flame on, and then slowly we lit the whole room. It was such a magical moment I thought my heart was going to burst. I’ll never forget it.

Given all that is happening in Japan and throughout the world, I felt called through my morning meditation today to begin this tradition again. There is a beautiful site that allows you to share your light. I have created a group “SandS” (for Sparkle and Sage) just for us. You can light as many candles as you want and dedicate them to whomever you feel would benefit.

Go now… share your light. Set your intention to illuminate hearts, heal bodies, and strengthen communities. Together we can light the world.

Click here to light your candle.  Follow the instructions and enjoy the quiet reflective time. Come back as often as you like to light another candle.

Lots of love,
Paula

P.S. I loved returning to my AM bliss routine after yesterday’s detour. These rituals are my friend. Lighting a candle each morning will be added to my routine.

How much richer life becomes when we are fully present for the magic in every interaction. Stranger, friend or foe — it matters not. Each is a face of the divine.

Gosh, I don’t know even know where to start. For the record, my morning routine didn’t happen at all.  Hanna, my 5 yr old, was up many times through the night with stomach pains and therefore, so was I. The difference was she fell back to sleep, I didn’t until about 6 am. And then it was too late to complete my routine before I had to make arrangements for her and get into the city.

Despite this, my last 24 hours have been absolutely riveting.

Yesterday, I went to sing for Sandra and her family – the woman battling an aggressive brain tumour.  This was pure love and compassion in its truest form. I was received so warmly by the family and walked away thinking it was ME who had received the greatest gift. Leaving in peace, I had such a calm sense about reaching the end of one’s life. It is just as beautiful as birth when we surrender to what is. That’s why my song “Let Love Be” seemed so fitting to sing. Josh Groban needs to sing that song one day. I wrote it for a big, rich voice like his.

Then last night, I was blown away by Bill Walsh at a business seminar. His no-nonsense approach to helping people design a business plan and keeping them focused until their business gains traction spoke to me in spades.  He said, “Too often people just don’t know what they don’t know in terms of marketing/building their business (usually with no formal plan) and so they spin their wheels guessing, repeating what hasn’t and likely won’t work, and wonder why they are exhausted and/or broke.”

BINGO.

Fast forward 14 hours and I found myself sitting in a coffee shop with the most gorgeous young woman nearing the completion of her undergrad degree. We met so she could pick my brain about corporate communications.  But honestly this session was this fabulous discussion about life, integrating all parts of ourselves, building a big vision of who we are and then “opportunity hunting” from that wonderfully-connected space.

All I can say is… JUICY!

I left there and grabbed a bite to eat at Community Health Foods only to find myself highly entertained by two men — one 70 and one 90. They were so refreshing, funny, insightful and loving. The 90-yr old called me his ‘girlfriend’, yet was proud of his 62 years of marriage. We talked about everything from his conversation with Jesus in his living room to me adopting Hanna. He said something that caught my attention:

“Too many people live in the world of duality – positive and negative. That duality is an illusion. It’s all positive.”

Brilliant and so true. Negativity is merely our perception something is wrong, but if we could rise above and see the highest picture of oneness, we’d see how ‘right’ everything is. He’s just recently bought a computer and is learning to use email — at the age of 90! That’s impressive. So Ron and Bob if you are reading this post, know that you made my day.

From there, I moved to another coffee shop only to be taken with the brilliant Karen Klassen of Women Embracing Brilliance. Ooo, I still have chills. She is rich with wisdom and faith.  And I know she has a role to play in my blossoming. Karen, I can’t wait for the journey.

Most of these people I had barely met before today. Isn’t that interesting? And yet, I felt perfectly in the flow of life connecting with each of them — so open and generous. I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again…

There are no true strangers in life — just kindred spirits whose face our minds don’t yet recognize.

Tomorrow morning we return to the AM Bliss routine. But what a fabulous detour!

Lots of love,
Paula

One of the most powerful steps in any journey is the art of refining it.

After I made my tracking sheet on the weekend, I noticed that the part of my morning routine getting short-changed was my exercise. I was still including daily movement, but my exercise time was being reduced or wasn’t happening until later in the day when I have less energy. So for the last two mornings, I’ve flipped my routine on its head and started with my exercise first. It’s an adjustment for sure but at least the exercise is happening with vigor again!

I even put my work out clothes right at the foot of my bed so I literally stumble into them as I wake up. To be honest, I prefer having a few moments of quiet time before exercise. But I’m enjoying shaking up this routine and figuring out my ideal morning flow. That’s really where the ‘art’ comes in.

There is no right or wrong way to journey. Be in tune with your flow.

Check in with yourself. Is your routine working for you? What changes, if any, do you want to make? Be willing to experiment with rituals themselves and also the order.  The more attention you pay to the subtle messages your body is giving you, the more it becomes a powerful guide to light your way.

Love & sparkling energy,
Paula

One effortless way to improve your results is to track your success.

It’s Day 14, which means we’re half way through the journey. Of all the journeys I’ve led, this clearly has been my favourite so far. It’s had the greatest impact in shaping my days, increasing my awareness of my thoughts and how I spend my time, and propelling my dreams forward.

I’m grateful for the amazing feedback from those of you travelling with me. If you are new to my site and this AM Bliss Journey, please join in. Any day you partake in this journey will improve your daily flow. The important thing is to choose morning rituals that are perfect for you. Just recently a lovely woman wrote to me:

“Thank you for your post this morning – it reminded me of what I like to do in the morning and I have accomplished much this morning by doing everything in the way I like to do it. We all get caught up in everyone else’s expectations –especially on the work front and we forget to listen to ourselves.”  – Ayashah in Calgary

Brilliantly said. Imagine if every person had that experience. Then multiply that times 30 days and just imagine your results. Dreams really are possible with consistent, daily action and a solid energetic foundation.

Track Your Succcess

In addition to being a source of inspiration, I want you to see results. I created this simple tracking sheet (pdf) for you to print out and track your success. It allows you to list your activities down the left hand side and then check them off as you complete them daily. You can get creative and use coloured markers for each ritual or even fancy stickers — whatever helps make this fun. Hang this sheet on your fridge, office wall or somewhere else visible.

Reward Your Progress

You’ll notice a spot for a weekly reward on the tracking sheet. (We like treats!) Pick a reward that you give yourself for having committed to your AM Bliss Routine. Honouring self commitments is the first step in building the confidence we need to move any dream — big or small — forward. After all, any step forward is worth celebrating.

As always, keep me posted on your progress. I love hearing from you.

Sparkling love,
Paula

I awaken to simple yet profound messages from the sun. She is filled with wisdom and light for each of us to glean.

If I can rise each day and shine my light, so can you.
If I can find my way even through the darkest of clouds, so can you.
If I can let go of yesterday’s stormy rain, so can you.
If I can spread my warmth without judgment, so can you.
If I can glow from deep within my core, so can you.
If I can know for every ray I shine, there is more to share,

SO CAN YOU.

We are more the same than different, you and me.
Now go spread your light, for a million suns we need.  

♥♥♥

Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.  — Johann Wolgang Von Goethe

From the moment you wake up, be willing to be bold. Feel the energy that says, “Yes, you can do this!” and then reply “Just watch me!”

When we shift our energy from hoping/wishing/wanting our dreams, to knowing and living them in whatever way we can TODAY, the Universe gets the clear message.

Clarity is power. That’s all boldness really is… vibrant clarity.

And then when we can act from that place of clarity, look out! We are unstoppable.

Lee Horbachewski modeled that this week for me. She was absolutely committed to making a dream come true for a dear friend dealing with an aggressive brain tumour. Read the full story. Sandra’s one wish was to have Michael Buble sing for her. So Lee set out to make that happen. She reached out on Facebook, Twitter and through a media release to share Sandra’s story and ultimately get in touch with Michael. Momentum gained as a tribe of angels rallied behind her to keep spreading the word.

I love how technology can shrink the world, and love can expand it.

And yes, to the complete awe and joy of many of us, Michael answered the call! From Hong Kong, where he was about to perform, he recorded a video with a message and song just for Sandra. HER WISH CAME TRUE in less than 24 hours!!!!  Unbelievable.

OOOO, the power of social media and love!

Now that’s BOLDNESS doing great work! Thanks Lee for this powerful, powerful lesson. You truly are an earth angel. Thanks Michael Buble for responding to the outpouring of love that came your way. Thank you Sandra, for being courageous enough to voice your dream and then receive. You are surrounded by beautiful healing light around the globe right now.

So, let’s all breathe this one in. It’s so wonderful.

How can you step into boldness today? Where in your life do you want to embrace that voice that says, “Just watch me!”

The Universe is waiting for you to claim that vibrant clarity. And it’s all too willing to make miracles happen.

Lots of Love,
Paula