Archive for the ‘Designing A Life That Sparkles’ Category

What Do You Need in Order to Thrive?

Thrive — it’s one of my favourite words. It reminds us that we are not born into this world to struggle or survive, but rather to thrive!

But so often we can get in a rut of “what is” which tends to be filled with obligations and tasks as opposed to “what we need in order to thrive”. When we are focused on thriving, we bring new energy into our daily choices for how we live and love.

What Do You Need in Order to Thrive?

To help you answer this question, pull out a piece of paper. Draw a line down the centre vertically. Title the two columns:

1) Things that bring me energy

2) Things that steal my energy

Brainstorm ideas for both columns.

What brings you energy? Perhaps a good night’s sleep, morning centering time, a nourishing breakfast, quality time with girlfriends, a walk in the sunshine, etc.

What steals your energy? Maybe it’s mind chatter, certain negative people, multi-tasking, crappy food choices, too much time sitting, or not enough quiet time.

Often by looking at what steals your energy, you can flip that around and discover what brings you energy.

You were born to thrive. I mean full-out, heart-bursting, “OMG I can’t believe I get to live this life” THRIVE. And what brings you energy is what you need in order to thrive.

That seems simple and obvious. Right?

Now look at your list and see how many of the items in the first column make it into your daily routine?

Several? Fabulous.

But if not, no worries. Great awareness. I invite you to pick two or three that bring you energy and make them daily essentials. Or maybe even just one to start. But do it daily, preferably at the beginning of your day as a powerful statement to the Universe that you are worth it.

What things did you choose? In my quiet time over the past few days I recognize I need more play, more stillness and more inspiration surrounding me. What about you?

I’d love to hear!
Paula

P.S. This is also a great exericse to do as a family. What brings you energy in the family? What steals it? Allow each family member to create his/her own list and then come together to share. Wonderful truthtelling!

March 23rd, 2013 | Write Comment | Category: 100 Day Writing Journey · Designing A Life That Sparkles · Parenting & Family

Why Taking a Time-Out is So Important

I took two days to be by myself this week — away family, some work and the outside world. At first my mind judged that decision.

“Run away?? You?? That’s for crazy, unstable people.”

Ooooo, that inner critic. She’s something else at times, isn’t she?

“No, love. It’s for anyone who wants to empty the mind, nurture the body and return ‘home’ to the heart.”

Stillness is helping me re-member and rebalance. It’s refilling my inner well and bringing a beautiful smile to my face. It’s reminding me what’s important and what I need to thrive. It’s helping the truth to float to the surface and all other stories to sink and dissolve.

I won’t lie. Not every moment is comfortable. It’s easy to stay busy and ignore the signs– until you hit the wall.

There is no shame in taking a time-out, a weekend away or an abrupt hiatus in the middle of your week. In fact, it very well might be EXACTLY what you need.

As busy working women and moms, we have a lot of energy out there, flowing to others. If a similar amount is not flowing back to us, we will deplete.

Today I’m proud of myself for opening to receive the flow, for being gentle and loving, for listening and for noticing all the beautiful signs that tell me my path is perfect. If I cannot practise ultimate self-care, how can I guide other amazing women down their own path?

We teach what we most need to learn and master ourselves.

This truth rings loudly in Paula’s village tonight.

What do you need in this moment? I’d love to hear.

March 22nd, 2013 | 2 Comments | Category: 100 Day Writing Journey · Designing A Life That Sparkles · Personal Reflections

10 Tell-tale Signs You are Getting in Your Own Way

Ever struggle to achieve success only to realize you are in your own way? It happens, even to the most skilled and enlightened.

From coaching clients and noticing my own patterns, I’ve made a list of 10 tell-tale signs that suggest you are getting in your own way.

1. You are seeing more problems than solutions.
2. You are tired or low energy.
3. You are irritable, jumpy or snapping at loved ones.
4. You feel stuck. (This is a biggy!)
5. You are envious of those who appear to be having success.
6. You feel like giving up. It feels like too much work.
7. You notice you are more negative — which isn’t you!
8. You have a head ache or pain in your hips and legs.
9. “Happy” people are ticking you off lately.
10. You stop believing in magic. (Magic? What magic?)

If you are feeling some or a handful of these, you are likely getting in your own way. Your ego is fighting your spirit, trying to limit her to stories of smallness, struggle or lack. Feels icky, doesn’t it?

Be gone old stories! We don’t need you anymore!

The good news is, awareness is a key part of the solution. Once you become aware, you can devise strategies to get back into the flow. I’ll share some ways to get unstuck tomorrow.

Enjoy a beautiful day!
Love, Paula

March 10th, 2013 | Write Comment | Category: 100 Day Writing Journey · Designing A Life That Sparkles

Don’t Leave It to the End

Flower in waiting

As I sit down to write this post at the end of my day, admittedly tired,
there’s this voice inside that whispers….

Don’t leave it to the end.

Don’t leave your most important tasks til the end of your day to see if,
maybe, you have time and aren’t too tired.

Don’t leave your dreams to the end of your life for when when the kids
leave home, things slow down and hopefully you have the health and money.

Don’t leave your heart speak trapped inside you to say at the end of your time
with someone, when you let a million chances pass you by.

Don’t leave it to the end. Lay it all down every day.
Live like you mean it. Love like it’s the only thing you’ve ever known.

It’s easy to think this moment doesn’t matter. But we never get it again.

Love yourself. Spread your wings. Nurture your body.
Follow your most heart-felt knowings.

Don’t leave any of it to the end.

You could wait, but why?

Begin…

March 6th, 2013 | Write Comment | Category: 100 Day Writing Journey · Designing A Life That Sparkles · Personal Reflections · Time Management

5 Qualities I am Deeply Committed To

Yesterday I asked the question, What are you deeply committed to? I don’t know about you but my journal was on fire… and the list was long!

I promised to share, so here are 5 qualities I’m deeply committed to:

1. Wellbeing
I invest a lot of my waking energy on being well — physically, emotionally, spiritually and most recently, energetically. Ten years ago I would have sacrificed my health to meet a corporate deadline. I would have stuffed something inside that caused me emotional grief and let it brew instead of dealing with it. And I definitely didn’t understand the importance of energy alignment and chakra balancing. Today these are non-negotiables in my world. My body is my sacred vessel through which I experience the world. My heart is the temple that stores all of my treasures. My energy is the currency that attracts my reality.

2. Connection to the Divine
We are all connected to a Higher Power (God, Universe, Divine) whether we know it or not. I have lived periods of my life as a non-believer and they were the hardest years of my life. Today, I feel my God up close and personal. When I remember that my life is a co-creation with the Universe, I flow through life with ease, lightness and a vibrant sense that all is well and I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. There is no worry, just a deep sense of trust – and synchronicities and miracles happen daily. When I try to go it alone, I stumble. I see limitation and life feels hard. Who wants to live that way? Not me!

3. Creative Expression
I am an artist. So are you. I love to dream and then manifest these creations into the world. Songs, writing, dances, creative ways to parent, coaching programs, planning my family’s finances — these are all art in my world. The more I allow my creativity, the more ideas I have. The happier and healthier I am.

4. Love
I am deeply committed to living from a place of love and non-judgment. This is an area I work on daily — first with myself, my family and every other person that comes into my world. When I judge, I know my story has taken over. I know I’m not seeing the bigger picture. So for me, love is about expansiveness – a soft opening of the heart. Love is bigger. It can heal so much if we let it in.

5. Legacy
I have this deep desire to build a legacy that I pass on to others. Every day I get to be a parent, I know my legacy lives on in my daughter. Each time I share a visualization or meditation with a client, I see a piece of the wisdom I received from the Divine passed on. Every time I hear I song I’ve written, I know that melody lingers in the hearts of those it speaks to. I love how we don’t truly “own” any piece of wisdom, creation, abundance or love — it just flows through us for us to shape and pass on.

Call me a dreamer, but I believe we all deserve to live richly and share our sparkle with the world. That is what I am deeply committed to. All of these qualities combine to create one magical life.

P.S. Which of these qualities speak most to you?

February 25th, 2013 | Write Comment | Category: 100 Day Writing Journey · Designing A Life That Sparkles · Energy Work · Personal Reflections · Self Care · Wellness

What Are You Deeply Committed To?

I’ve been listening to Brendon Burchard’s Millionaire Messenger on audio. He’s a man on a mission helping people get their inspiring messages out into the world.

He is SUPER HIGH ENERGY and DEEPLY COMMITTED to his mission. No doubt, those are reasons why he is so successful.

It made me think… What I am deeply committed to? Not “I care about that – kinda, sorta.” But what I am deeply committed to that I’m willing to devote my life’s energy to?

Every day you are trading your life’s energy for something. What?

That question has stirred much in me and I’d like to invite you into this conversation.

What are you deeply committed to? Do you know?

What do you care about more than anything else?

Where is the majority of your time and energy being directed to right now?

Does this align with what you value most in life?

I know these are big questions. But I think we need to ask big questions more often. Answering them can cause HUGE AHAs that change our lives for the better.

So, pull out your journal or share your thoughts below. What are you deeply committed to? I’ll share some of my answers tomorrow.

P.S. Thanks for emails from those journeying alongside me. I love hearing from you!

February 24th, 2013 | Write Comment | Category: 100 Day Writing Journey · Designing A Life That Sparkles

When Did You Stop Dreaming?

“I realized tonight that I’ve stopped dreaming in my life,” one woman shared at my last Sparkle Circle gathering. It was like she voiced what others in the candlelit room felt. We had just finished a beautiful movement piece integrating wisdom and energy and now sat peacefully for our closing meditation.

Had we forgotten how to dream? When did we stop?

I sensed sadness in her words. There is a heaviness that forms in our body when we realize we aren’t living all that we once dreamed for ourselves. I’ve definitely felt that – about my music, my work in the world, and even my finances. Some days I get down on myself because I thought I’d be farther ahead than I am. (Ever felt that?)

Yet, in the same heart beat, I feel an awakening of possibility – as if once again the dreamer in me is handed the light.

We are born to dream and manifest the fruits of those dreams.

I believe you are never given an idea that you cannot manifest in some form. And I believe that the world needs your dreams and the wonderful energy they bring. There is no person on earth immune to the gifts of dreaming & manifesting.

Yes, somewhere along the way, a parent or well-meaning adult might have told you to be realistic and stop dreaming. They might have said to work hard, get a good job and then once you are set up in life, then pursue your dreams.

If that wisdom serves you, follow it. But if you are like the woman in my Sparkle Circle, then it’s time to awaken the dreamer in you and hand her the light.

The world is not black and white. There are so many ways to incorporate dreams into your life — even if you have children, a job and other commitments. Today, just start with the awareness that your dreams are important. They are your light.

Affirmation: My dreams are important to my health and happiness. My dreams are the very reason I’m alive.

February 17th, 2013 | Write Comment | Category: 100 Day Writing Journey · Affirmations · Designing A Life That Sparkles · Inspiring Events · Personal Reflections

Do You Believe in Your Magic?

I’m guiding a client right now on the journey of her life. It’s unbelievable, inspiring and so overflowing with magic at every turn I can hardly contain myself. You should see her fly. There are tears of joy, bold steps, jaw-dropping synchronicities, profound AHAs, and powerful knowings.

She is awakening to the truth of who she really is (and is not).

And she can truly say she loves that woman.

As I hung up the phone, I whispered to myself.

“Every women and man should experience this. EVERYONE. And then we would all believe in our magic and allow others to live theirs.”

Imagine that. Imagine believing in your magic, trusting life like you do gravity and stepping out of your stories and into the flow every day.

WHOAH!

Does it take work? Yes, but not the kind most people think. We know this stuff. We knew it as kids. It’s a process of shedding the protective layers and seeing that we don’t need them anymore. We can trust in ourselves and the Universe.

Some people may say I’ve got my head in the clouds. Fair enough. Feel free to join the “life is a struggle” camp down the lane.

Because here baby? WE BELIEVE IN MAGIC!

Affirmation: I am living my most exciting, outrageous, abundant, soul-inspired life. I believe in my magic.

February 15th, 2013 | Write Comment | Category: 100 Day Writing Journey · Affirmations · Designing A Life That Sparkles · Life Coaching

New Year’s Resolutions DO WORK!

You might be thinking… it’s almost Valentine’s Day. Why are you talking about New Year’s Resolutions? Because, just yesterday I heard a gal in the Starbucks line-up say, “I’m so glad I didn’t make New Year’s Resolutions. Now I don’t need to be disappointed like all the people who did. They don’t work.”

I smiled inside. And then the life coach in me piped up.

“Actually, they DO work. They work for exactly for want they were intended – to kickstart the year.”

You see they are called New Year’s Resolutions not All Year’s Resolutions. They aren’t designed to motivate you for an entire year. That’s your job!

They are fabulous at getting new energy and momentum into your life. They are fabulous at creating excitement not just within yourself but a movement of people who want fresh starts and new outcomes.

That is their purpose. And in that light, THEY DO WORK!

If you have tried New Year’s Resolutions and had short-term success, know this. You probably like:
- New energy and momentum
- Riding the excitement of a group of people
- Experiencing fresh starts and new outcomes.

Now just apply these principles and REPEAT them, so the next wave of energy and excitement continues. Keep creating new momentum and fresh starts every couple of weeks. (That’s about how long New Year’s Resolutions last.)

Declare today a fresh start. Give yourself a new goal for the next few weeks. Join a group program in March. Avoid thinking so long-term. Be the change in the current moment. And be willing to change next week or the week after to keep you going.

Don’t blame the resolutions. Empower yourself to thrive.

Supporting your steps forward,
Paula

February 13th, 2013 | Write Comment | Category: 100 Day Writing Journey · Designing A Life That Sparkles · Intentions and Goal-Setting

Radiate From Within

My sister sent this graphic to me. It made me smile and remember that in any moment we are each capable of creating our own sunshine. Sparkle on…