Heidi Martin's Blog, page 3

Consider the Best-Case Scenario

This past week, my aunt and uncle came for a visit. Since they were going to be staying with us for a long weekend, they emphasized the need to keep it simple. They didn’t want us to worry about cleaning the house or buying groceries ahead of time. Their main objective was to spend time with us, and they didn’t want their visit to be a stress or a burden. While they were here, we mostly hung out at home playing cards and passing the football around in the backyard. We also attended a couple of my son’s flag football and soccer games and looked for seashells along the shore of a beach near our home. It was a low-key visit, and although we were willing to take them to the local attractions, they simply wanted to “be with us” – stepping into our lives for a few days. It turned out to be a wonderful and relaxing weekend, and my children were very sad when they had to head back home. But, we were all grateful for the quality time we got to spend together enjoying each other’s company.

One of my highlights from the weekend was our walk along the beach. Along the beautiful and tranquil shoreline, my kids scanned the shore for seashells and crabs while my aunt and I discussed the challenges of life. During our conversation, she turned to me and said, “We are all so used to envisioning the worst-case scenario for things, but I wonder what would happen if instead we envisioned the best-case scenario? Wouldn’t that seem to attract much more of what we desire than the other way?” Her words struck me as I realized the impact that simple switch could have on my whole perspective. Instead of always thinking about the worst things that could happen, what if I thought about the best things? This small shift in thinking could clearly influence the way I viewed my life.  

Little did I realize how quickly the opportunity for a shift in perspective would present itself. The day after our conversation, my husband unexpectedly faced a challenging situation at work. In the past when something like this had happened, I often envisioned the worst-case scenario. But this time when I heard the news, I tried to shift my focus almost immediately. Instead of my usual response, I said, “Let’s envision the best-case scenario and try to see the positive side of this situation.” It immediately helped me feel better – as though I didn’t have to worry so much. I knew deep-down that all would be well. In the past, our family had faced a very trying time, and the end result turned out better than we could have imagined. With this experience in the back of my mind, I began focusing on all the positives rather than the negatives, and I have to admit, it truly helped. My stress level went down. I knew that as all things do in life, this too would pass, and perhaps we would come out even stronger on the other side.

But as hard as I tried to stay positive, I couldn’t stop the occasional doubts from creeping in. Sometimes, I found myself thinking, “Oh, my gosh. What if something bad happens because of this? What are we going to do?” But when these thoughts did come, I breathed deeply, felt into the emotions, and let them pass. I didn’t want my life to be led by my fears so instead I tried to re-focus my attention on the good. Spending time in nature, I was able to re-direct my lower energies and relinquish control because I knew I had no control over the situation anyway.

Although challenges continue to come our way, I know from experience that my struggles teach me some of my most valuable life lessons. So, if nothing else, I am going to learn something from them. By choosing to accept these challenging situations instead of resisting them, I will try to move beyond my fears. I need to be open to all possibilities and remove any limits I place on the outcomes. Only then are all solutions possible. All I can do now is trust.

So, what about you? Have you ever been in a challenging situation and automatically thought about the worst-case scenario? Have you stayed awake at night worrying about what might or might not happen? How would your life change if you shifted your perspective even just a little bit? Would that make a difference? Instead of envisioning the worst-case scenario, try envisioning the best-case scenario. Think positively about the situation, take appropriate steps if you need to, and release the rest. Believe that all will be well and acknowledge that this situation may be simply trying to teach you a life lesson. Release the fear and remove the limits. Be open to all possibilities. For even when things appear at their worst, sometimes they are simply a gateway to something even better.

The Rhythms of the Earth

Last week, despite my harried schedule, I decided to take a short stroll along the beach near my home. As I walked beside the grass-covered sand dunes, I gazed out at the rolling waves crashing toward the shore. Breathing in the fresh sea-salt air, I felt my shoulders instantly relax. With sea gulls soaring through the cloudless blue sky, I ambled along the shoreline. Stepping over several patches of smooth wet stones, I looked further up the beach and noticed a large bleached-out log that rested near the dunes’ edges. Taking in the beauty all around me, I slowly lowered myself onto the sand and closed my eyes. Listening to the soothing rhythm of the waves, I felt a calm wash over me. I breathed deeply and let the calm fill my entire being. It felt as though I was connecting with the sea – like it was calling me and reminding me of my connection with Mother Earth. My soul stirred and I knew that spending time in nature was important for my overall well-being. It helped ground me and made me feel as though I was part of something vast – a large universe where everything was connected.

That afternoon, I made a commitment to spend at least a few moments every day outside in nature. I decided that whether I am gardening in my backyard or taking a hike through the woods, I want to connect with my beautiful surroundings. I love feeling the gentle breeze upon my face and hearing the chattering of chickadees in branches far above me. I sense my connection with all the plants and animals on this planet. They are a part of me, and I am a part of them. Even if I have to steal away these moments by taking a short walk in a small city park or having lunch on a rooftop deck, I know my body longs to connect with nature. It centers me unlike anything else.

Many of us don’t spend much time in nature. We have very busy lives working or volunteering for long hours, participating in various activities, completing household tasks, and running endless errands. Rushing to the next thing, we have little time to stop and eat, much less spend time outdoors. And our modern technology doesn’t help. Often, consumed with our electronic devices, we spend much more time indoors away from the earth. Yet, our connection with nature is an essential part of who we are. Nature provides the fresh air we breathe, the fragrant flowers we smell, and the gentle rain that gives life to plants and animals. And when they die, their matter returns to the earth and fertilizes the soil so that new life may grow once again. 

The earth continually demonstrates the natural rhythms and cycles of life, a concept with which our ancestors were very familiar. They harvested crops from the earth to provide them with nourishment, and when they killed an animal, they utilized every part it – leaving nothing wasted. They took what they needed from nature and nothing more. Their survival depended on the earth, and they respected her greatly. They knew how important this connection was, and they honored nature’s cycles and rhythms. These cycles and rhythms continue today and having a connection with the earth is just as important as it has always been. When we watch a beautiful sunset or hear the wind rush through the trees, we are reminded of the beauty that surrounds us every day. Nature helps us feel grounded and centered. We are reminded of where we came from and where we will one day return. It truly is the cycle of life.

This week, find time to connect with nature. Take a walk in the woods enjoying the stunning fall colors or plant bulbs in the fresh dirt of your garden. Breathe in the aroma of the damp earth and feel the sun’s warmth upon your cheeks. Do you feel a connection with nature? Does it center you and make you feel truly alive? The beauty of Mother Earth is all around us. Touch the smooth blades of grass with your fingertips, listen to the bubbling brook, or see the brilliant stars in the nighttime sky. Feel present in these moments and see whether nature stirs something within you. Believe that you are part of something vast – a universe that is all connected. Listen to its rhythms and feel your soul stir with joy.

Reflecting on the Journey

Six and a half years ago when I began writing my first novel, I was browsing in the jewelry section of a local department store. Drawn to a silver ring that was on display, I read its inscription: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” I smiled at the simple wisdom of those words and remembered they were written by the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu. Immediately, I purchased the ring and placed it upon my finger. It has stayed there ever since serving as a symbol of hope during times of frustration, disappointment, and despair. Its message has helped me believe in the power of perseverance. And even now, as the ring’s inscription is beginning to fade away, it still serves as a reminder to me to never give up and always keep reaching for my dreams.

Writing my novel has taught me that our lives are all about the journey. Our experiences greatly impact the people we become. We learn from our struggles as well as our triumphs. But, we must continue moving forward. We have to keep challenging ourselves to be the best people we can be, choosing to live from love rather than fear and not being afraid to speak our truth. Others’ opinions of us might not be as important as we make them to be; rather, it’s all about staying true to who we really are and making a difference in this world. We must believe in our worth and love ourselves from the inside out.

But, this is not always easy to put into practice. Last month, when my novel, The Refuge, was published, doubts slowly began to creep in. My work was out there for everyone to read. I started to worry what people might say about it. Fears began to take hold. So, I took a few deep breaths and knew it was time to go within and reflect upon what I was feeling. Listening to my inner guidance, I came to realize that I needed to live from love rather than fear. People have a right to their opinions, and their opinions are not a reflection of me or my writing. It’s simply their opinions. We all have opinions, and we won’t always agree. That’s the gift of diversity. So, instead of focusing on what others might say, I re-focused on what I wanted to say within the story of The Refuge. 

Often, when people ask me about my novel, I say that it is a story of a woman’s journey of finding herself. However, it is also much more than that. It is about discovering who we are amid our struggles and that our challenges in life don’t define us; they simply shape us. Our experiences are our best teachers, and there are many lessons we can learn from them. And no matter what happens, we will endure.

In my novel I also emphasized the importance of relationships. Our lives are about connecting with others, and even more importantly, they’re about connecting with ourselves, for only when we go within can we find contentment and re-birth. We are constantly growing and evolving to become the people we were made to be. We are not meant to stay stagnant in our own comfort zones. We are meant to keep pushing our edge and trusting in the process knowing that we are never done evolving. We are worthy and wonderful beings with so much to offer the world with our unique gifts. We can make such a difference when we are willing to share our light with the world. We are loved, and we are enough exactly as we are.

I hope people connect with The Refuge on some level. It’s been an amazing journey, and it is my gift to those who wish to read it.

So, think about your journey. What challenges have you faced? What lessons have you learned along the way? Have you taken the time to go within? What unique gifts do you have to offer the world? Take time to be silent. Discover who you are and believe in your worth. Evolve into the person you were made to be. Live your life without letting fear hold you back. Never give up and reach for your dreams. For when you live from love, all will indeed be well. And whenever doubts begin to appear, simply remember Lao Tzu’s words. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Then take that first step and keep moving forward. 

Dance in the Flow of Life

Excitement brimming, my kids finished their last day of school this past Friday. We celebrated the occasion with frozen yogurt, Subway sandwiches, and a movie. (Yes, that was what they wanted to do. :) But for them, the best part is that summer is finally here with all its freedom and fun. They have been looking forward to it for so long, and the wait is finally over. What is it that makes summer so exciting? Maybe it's the change of pace, the frequent visits to Dairy Queen, the possibility of sleeping in every morning, or the break from routine. Whatever it is, summer is their favorite time of year! And I must admit, it’s mine too. But not just because of the ice cream. Summer is a time of awakening and a time of renewal. With the flowers in full bloom, the beauty all around us can serve as a reminder of the beauty that also lies within each of us.

Summer is the most active of seasons. It’s a time to ignite our passions and bring our thoughts into fruition. The warmer weather and abundant flowers instill a yearning in us to express ourselves. Our creativity comes to light as we explore new hobbies or re-discover the things we love to do. We take action and follow our hearts. Summer’s radiant beauty awakens our senses and encourages us to dance in the flow of life – to appreciate our beauty within. Through living our passions, we can discover who we truly are. We can fully live our lives. Writing is a passion of mine and during this active season of summer, my novel, The Refuge, will finally be released. It has been a six-year journey, and I’m thrilled to have it available this July on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through my publisher, SDP Publishing. It truly is a dream come true and is no coincidence that its release comes during this season of awakening.

Although summer is an active season, it is also a time to take care of ourselves and reflect upon those passions we love. We can spend time tending our flower gardens or take a walk in the woods. We can build sandcastles at the beach or watch a brilliant sunset. We can read a book while sipping iced tea or sit around the fire gazing up at the stars. It is a time to do what we love and love what we do. During this season of renewal, I will be taking a hiatus from writing my blog, so I too can rest and renew. I wish all of you a wonderful summer and look forward to resuming my blog in the fall.

As this summer is upon you, take the opportunity to live out your passions. Discover what you love to do and express yourself. Dust off that paint set or dig up those gardening tools. Spend time in nature and awaken your senses. Connect with yourself and relax in the warm sunshine. Ignite your passions and dance in the flow of life. And finally, appreciate your inner beauty and listen to your heart. Live every day to its fullest and enjoy this amazing season!

Finding True Freedom

Last week, I shared some of the wisdom from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements. This book exposes many of our limiting beliefs and how these beliefs become the basis for how we live and how we act. We learn to judge ourselves and others and seek positive attention even if it means being someone we are not. We judge our behaviors and punish ourselves – often over and over again. Soon, we become the Victim holding onto shame, blame, and guilt. The Judge and the Victim come to rule our lives. These limiting beliefs become our truth, and once we’ve accepted them, these beliefs become our agreements.

So, how do we break free from these limiting beliefs we’ve been trained to believe? We change our agreements. We realize that much of what we’ve learned about our world is based on fear: fear of being rejected, fear of exposure, fear of judgment. But fear is not all there is. We always have a choice about what to believe. We soon learn that the only place we can find our inner truth is within ourselves. We must love ourselves enough to accept who we are instead of who we think other people want us to be. With this knowledge, we can break our fear-based agreements and reclaim our personal power.

When we are ready to live our own truth, “the four agreements” from Ruiz’s book will transform our lives. Last week, I shared the first two agreements. The first agreement was “Be impeccable with your word.” Our words are the most powerful tools we have, so we need to speak them from love. The second agreement was “Don’t take anything personally.” When someone else makes a comment about our appearance, it actually has nothing to do with us. They are actually dealing with their own thoughts and opinions regarding their own appearance. The truth is, we don’t have to be accepted by others; we simply have to be accepted by ourselves. Today, I am going to share the third and fourth agreements.  

The third agreement is “Don’t make assumptions.” This is something all of us do very easily. We assume that we know how people feel or why they are acting a certain way, and we take it personally. Instead of having clear communication, we assume that we have all the answers and that other people see life in the same way we do. But, that is not the case. We need to have the courage to ask questions and accept people for who they are without trying to change them. Good, clear communication is the key, and we need to be willing to let go of our assumptions. Only then can we find freedom and understanding in all of our relationships.

The fourth agreement is “Always do our best.” Now, our best may not always be the same from day to day, but we need to keep trying. Some days will be better than others, but we can’t punish ourselves for this. As long as we know we tried our best, that is enough. We can enjoy our life. We can let go of the past and live in the present. We can be truly alive in each moment of our lives because there are no regrets. We can come to accept ourselves for who we truly are, learn from our mistakes, and keep practicing. We don’t have to be perfect.

We have the power to create our own belief systems and our own truths. We have the ability to see the world with new eyes. It begins with forgiveness – of ourselves and others. Only through forgiveness can we truly heal. And although the truth can be painful, it’s the only way to self-acceptance. We must be who we truly are and live our lives from love. We must: see love in others and in ourselves; enjoy our lives and live them the way we want to – without fear and judgment; release our need for control and our need to be right; take risks and love ourselves just the way we are; and create our own world of happiness.

This week, reflect upon your belief system. Do you live your life from love? How will your life change if you stopped making assumptions and always did your best? Perhaps you will be able to find true freedom in your life by releasing the fear, believing in your own worth, and reflecting upon the four agreements: be impeccable with your word, don’t take things personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best. Stop the Judge and the Victim from ruling your life any longer. Believe in all that you are and all that you want. You are powerful and free. Challenge your limiting beliefs – and see how your life can change. 

Changing Your Agreements

When I have conversations with friends or family, sometimes they give me a recommendation for a book that I should read. I usually write down the title and make a mental note to look it up online later that day. Sometimes, I even get more than one recommendation for the same book. And when those recommendations happen in close proximity to one another, it definitely catches my attention. It’s as though the Universe is tapping me on the shoulder and saying. “You need to read this book right now!” So, I usually order the book and start reading it as quickly as I can. A couple weeks ago, I had this very experience. The book was The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and when two different people recommended it to me within a couple hours of each other, I knew the Universe was sending me a message.

“The Four Agreements” is an easy read, and I finished it over Memorial Day weekend. It exposes many of the limiting beliefs we are taught from a very young age. These beliefs become the basis for how we live and how we act. They teach us to judge others as well as ourselves. We quickly learn that if we go against the rules of our parents or guardians, we are punished. But if we go along with the rules, we get a reward: positive attention. The reward feels good so we keep doing what others want us to do. We want their attention, and we will “act” however we need to in order to get it. Fearful of rejection, we become somebody different than our true selves. Once we’ve accepted these limiting beliefs, they become our agreements.

As we grow, we begin to punish and reward ourselves for our behaviors. Our belief system becomes our truth. We base all of our judgments on this truth, and soon we judge everything we do or don’t do and everything we feel or don’t feel. If something goes against our accepted truth, our inner Judge says we’re guilty and we should be punished. But often we don’t punish ourselves just once. Usually, we keep punishing ourselves over and over for the same mistake. No wonder we feel down on ourselves so much of the time. We become the Victim. We hold onto blame, shame, and guilt. “I’m not good enough, I’m not attractive enough…” It’s easy to let the roles of Judge and Victim rule our lives.

So, what do we do? How do we break free from this truth we’ve been trained to believe? As the author continues, he explains that we have to challenge our limiting beliefs. Much of what we have learned about our world is based on fear: fear of being rejected, fear of exposure, fear of judgment. This world of fear is not all there is. There’s always a choice of what we believe. So, we must search for more. But the only place we can find our inner truth is within ourselves. We must love ourselves enough to accept who we are instead of who we think other people want us to be. The more self-love we have, the less we will punish ourselves. We have to break our fear-based agreements and reclaim our personal power. But it won’t be easy.

If we are ready to look within and live our own truth, we need to change our fear-based agreements. The Four Agreements from Ruiz’s book will not only help us break these old agreements, but they will transform our lives as well. Since these agreements are quite thought-provoking, I will share two of them this week and two of them next week. This will give us an opportunity to reflect upon each agreement and explore our own beliefs a little further.

The first agreement is, “Be impeccable with your word.” He describes our word in the following way: “Your word is your power that you have to create…The word is the most powerful tool you have as a human…But like a sword with two edges, your word can create the most beautiful dream, or the word can destroy everything around you.” The word can change a belief for better or for worse. Hitler during World War II used his words to spread hate and fear around the world. His words were very powerful. So, we want to use our words for good. Don’t use the word against yourself or others. This sounds simple, but is much harder than it seems. Use positive self-talk and believe in how wonderful you are. Take responsibility for your actions, but don’t judge yourself. Learn from your mistakes and be kind to yourself and others. Say all your words from love.

The next agreement is, “Don’t take anything personally.” When people say, “That is a very ugly dress,” they are actually dealing with their thoughts and opinions about their own appearance. When we believe what other people say and take it personally, then their garbage becomes our garbage. We easily become offended and believe that we have to be right. But the truth is, we don’t have to be accepted by others. We simply have to be accepted by ourselves. Others will have their opinions, but what they are thinking about has nothing to do with us. It only has to do with them. When we love ourselves, we are content with who we are. We don’t need to place our trust in what others do and say. We simply need to trust ourselves.

This week, think about the agreements in your life. Are they based on fear? Are you pretending to be someone you’re not? Are you speaking your words from love? Are you taking things personally? If so, how might your world change if you decided to live from love rather than fear? Would these different beliefs change the way you see yourself? Searching for your inner truth isn’t easy, but you have all the answers already inside of you – you simply have to discover them. Believe in your worth. Accept and love yourself for who you are. Be impeccable with your word and don’t take things personally. Once you adopt these two agreements, it will dramatically shift how you live your life. And when we combine them with the last two I will reflect upon next week, you will find a personal freedom you’ve never experienced before. Change your agreements, and you can change your life.

The Magic of Movement

Recently, I was taking an online course and had the opportunity to hear a video presentation by Hemalayaa, a lifestyle coach and motivational speaker, about the importance of movement in our lives. According to Hemalayaa, movement is a way for us to integrate our whole self – the child self, the mother or goddess self, and the grandmother self into one integrated being. But many of us separate these different parts of ourselves and don’t see their connection to one another. Therefore, we do not feel whole. That’s why we compare ourselves to others or depend on others to validate us. But when we acknowledge and integrate these three different parts of ourselves, they enable us to be fully alive and present in our lives. When we are willing to do the work, movement can transform us and make us whole again.

As women, movement is an expression for us – a type of release. Without movement, things become stagnant and energies get stuck. Many of us spend so much time in our head – we plan, we organize, we think. We leave little room for creative movement in our daily lives; we just don’t see its importance. When we do dance or move in creative ways, often we worry what others may think of us, or we feel silly moving our bodies in this way. So, we simply don’t do it. Instead, we sit at our desks for hours or limit our movements to walking to our car, vacuuming the house, or gardening in the backyard. But these limited movements don’t allow our bodies to move our energy in a creative way. Our emotions don’t have the ability to be fully expressed. Yet, that is exactly what they need to do.

Movement helps us process our emotions. As women, we hold onto so much in our bellies. We need movement in order to release and let go of everything we are holding onto. It enables us to digest our emotions. And there isn't a wrong way to move our bodies – we just have to do what feels right. When we listen to our bodies, they will tell us what they want to do. Even if it feels silly – that’s totally okay. We have to do what feels good to us. We can make up any movements we want. There are no bad ideas. It’s about finding our own way, letting go, and taking off the masks. Movement enables us to become our whole selves by integrating the child, the mother or goddess, and the grandmother. They are all a part of us – their playfulness, their nurturing, and their wisdom. When we acknowledge and integrate these different parts of ourselves, we can see the difference that it can make.

But in order to truly feel the importance of movement, we have to experience it. Reading about it isn’t enough. It has to be felt. So right now, we are going to practice. : ) Stand up and start moving around the room. Circle your hips and shake out your hands. Open your mouth and release whatever sound comes out. Sound is a very important part of this process. Let go of any inhibitions you may be feeling. Wiggle your pelvis and flubber your lips. Move in whatever way feels good to you and release all of that energy. Now bend at your waist and roll down toward the floor with your knees bent. Then roll back up. Repeat as many times as you wish. Walk around your space and shake your arms. Bounce your body and move your hips. Feel the movement and let go. Continue to move your body in whatever way feels good and when you're ready, sit back down.

How did the movements feel? Were you able to let go and release your energy? Were you able to process your emotions a little more? Do you feel better? Movement can be magical. It can transform our feelings and shed new light upon our lives. It can help us feel fully alive. This week, spend some time in creative movements. Feel your way and let your body take the lead. Trust that your body knows what it needs. Release your emotions and allow any stuck energies to flow freely once again. Dance around the room and feel whole. Feel the magic and be in love with your life. : )

The Magic of Movement

Recently, I was taking an online course and had the opportunity to hear a video presentation by Hemalayaa, a lifestyle coach and motivational speaker, about the importance of movement in our lives. According to Hemalayaa, movement is a way for us to integrate our whole self – the child self, the mother or goddess self, and the grandmother self into one integrated being. But many of us separate these different parts of ourselves and don’t see their connection to one another. Therefore, we do not feel whole. That’s why we compare ourselves to others or depend on others to validate us. But when we acknowledge and integrate these three different parts of ourselves, they enable us to be fully alive and present in our lives. When we are willing to do the work, movement can transform us and make us whole again.

As women, movement is an expression for us – a type of release. Without movement, things become stagnant and energies get stuck. Many of us spend so much time in our head – we plan, we organize, we think. We leave little room for creative movement in our daily lives; we just don’t see its importance. When we do dance or move in creative ways, often we worry what others may think of us, or we feel silly moving our bodies in this way. So, we simply don’t do it. Instead, we sit at our desks for hours or limit our movements to walking to our car, vacuuming the house, or gardening in the backyard. But these limited movements don’t allow our bodies to move our energy in a creative way. Our emotions don’t have the ability to be fully expressed. Yet, that is exactly what they need to do.

Movement helps us process our emotions. As women, we hold onto so much in our bellies. We need movement in order to release and let go of everything we are holding onto. It enables us to digest our emotions. And there isn't a wrong way to move our bodies – we just have to do what feels right. When we listen to our bodies, they will tell us what they want to do. Even if it feels silly – that’s totally okay. We have to do what feels good to us. We can make up any movements we want. There are no bad ideas. It’s about finding our own way, letting go, and taking off the masks. Movement enables us to become our whole selves by integrating the child, the mother or goddess, and the grandmother. They are all a part of us – their playfulness, their nurturing, and their wisdom. When we acknowledge and integrate these different parts of ourselves, we can see the difference that it can make.

But in order to truly feel the importance of movement, we have to experience it. Reading about it isn’t enough. It has to be felt. So right now, we are going to practice. : ) Stand up and start moving around the room. Circle your hips and shake out your hands. Open your mouth and release whatever sound comes out. Sound is a very important part of this process. Let go of any inhibitions you may be feeling. Wiggle your pelvis and flubber your lips. Move in whatever way feels good to you and release all of that energy. Now bend at your waist and roll down toward the floor with your knees bent. Then roll back up. Repeat as many times as you wish. Walk around your space and shake your arms. Bounce your body and move your hips. Feel the movement and let go. Continue to move your body in whatever way feels good and when you're ready, sit back down.

How did the movements feel? Were you able to let go and release your energy? Were you able to process your emotions a little more? Do you feel better? Movement can be magical. It can transform our feelings and shed new light upon our lives. It can help us feel fully alive. This week, spend some time in creative movements. Feel your way and let your body take the lead. Trust that your body knows what it needs. Release your emotions and allow any stuck energies to flow freely once again. Dance around the room and feel whole. Feel the magic and be in love with your life. : )

The “Rebar” in Your Life

Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle is a delightful blend of sights, smells, tastes, and sounds. Beautiful fresh flowers, scrumptious produce, handcrafted journals, handmade soaps, fresh seafood – fishmongers actually throw fish behind the counter to be wrapped! – and live music are only a sampling of the wonderful items that are found there. During my recent visit to Seattle, I had the privilege of spending an afternoon with my family in this captivating place. We walked through the open air market and were completely entranced by the unique gifts and foods that surrounded us.

Halfway through our time there, we stopped along a wall of windows that overlooked the Elliot Bay waterfront. We were about eighty feet from the bay, and from our vantage point, we could see a great deal of construction going on beneath us. The construction was part of an approved plan by the city of Seattle to further develop and improve this popular waterfront. Initially, we noticed a large yellow tower crane looming overhead and dozens of workers installing rebar for a parking garage. The intricately-patterned rebar stretched across half a city block. It was fascinating to watch the workers doing their jobs like bees in a hive. Along the site’s perimeter, there was a concrete mixing truck and near the back of the truck, several workers secured a large concrete bucket. Once it was secure, the crane lifted the bucket of concrete and carefully maneuvered it toward a tall pillar of rebar. Slowly, the bucket was lowered, and two of the workers began pouring the concrete into the tall pillar, molding the liquid into place. As I watched the workers, I realized how important rebar is in construction. It provides tremendous support and strength to concrete. It is used in parking garages, buildings, and highways all over the world to help keep us safe. Yet, I had never stopped to think about its importance before. Granted, I don’t spend a lot of time at construction sites, but it was fascinating to see the assembled patterns of rebar that exist beneath the concrete’s surface. This is the support system we normally take for granted, and it’s the very support system that helps hold everything together.

Rebar is similar to the support systems all of us need in our own lives. Our support systems consist of the people who listen and encourage us along life’s journey. They cheer us up when we are feeling low and celebrate with us during our times of greatest joy and accomplishment. These are the people with whom we are the most vulnerable – unafraid to reveal who we truly are. Our conversations focus on the deeper meanings of life as well as our hopes and dreams for the future. We know we can count on them for anything, and they can count on us.

But sometimes, we don’t always realize the importance of our own support system. We grow accustomed to their constant encouragement and sometimes may take them for granted – even when we don’t mean to. Often, it’s members of our own family or our closest friends who we rely on in difficult times. They are our tribe. Like the rebar, they provide strength and support when we need it most. They want us to live out our purpose for this life – no matter what it might be. Without them, our lives wouldn’t be the same. They are the steel behind the concrete – the people behind the scenes who mean the most to us.

This week, think about your tribe of support. Who keeps you going when you are about to give up? Who pushes you to reach for your dreams? Who believes in you when you stop believing in yourself? These are the members of your tribe – the rebar embedded in your life. They support and encourage you when no one else will. When you get bruised out in the world, they are the ones who bandage you up and embolden you to get right back out there. They want you to live your life to the fullest. Take some time to thank your tribe for their kindness and love. Appreciate all that they are and all that they do. Thank them for believing in you. And the next time you are in a construction zone, notice the importance of the rebar. May it remind you of the strong system of support that surrounds and encourages you every day helping you hold everything together.

Bask in New Beginnings

This past weekend, I traveled across the country to attend my sister’s graduation. As I sat in the large auditorium and watched the procession of graduates, I realized it had been a long time since I had attended a graduation ceremony. I could feel the excitement in the air – the anticipation of new opportunities and the joy of fulfilling lifelong dreams. For many students, they were at a crossroads. This was a time of celebration and closure after years of hard work as well as a time of new beginnings filled with possibilities and hope.

Graduations are meant to be celebrated. It’s a time in our lives when we truly believe we can make a difference in the world. We reach for our dreams and make them a reality. Willingly, we explore the unknown and dare to try new things. We feel invigorated and alive, and, sometimes, scared to death. Yet, we move forward anyway. We don’t let anything stop us. We believe in our own destiny.

But graduations aren’t the only time we start something new. Our entire lives are filled with new beginnings. Some of them are big beginnings like changing jobs, getting married, or having children. Yet, they don’t have to be. Sometimes those beginnings can be as simple as learning another language, signing up for a cooking class, or even walking through the woods on a different trail. These are all new beginnings, and beginnings are exciting. They help us see the world in a whole new light.

New beginnings are exhilarating and sometimes, downright frightening. When we experience them, we feel like explorers coursing through uncharted waters or pioneers forging ahead on their next adventure. But sometimes, in the monotony of our lives, we don’t see the opportunity for adventure right in front of us. We get stuck in our ruts and often, can't seem to find our way out. Our world quickly becomes very dull and mundane. But that’s when we need to alter our perspective. It’s time to try something new – to change things up a bit. When we step out of our comfort zone, we make new discoveries about ourselves and our world. And although stepping outside our usual routine can sometimes be scary, it's also quite invigorating. It gets our blood pumping and helps us feel truly alive.

A few weeks ago, I experienced my own new beginning when I completed a radical ropes course with my son. He wanted to try the aerial park portion of the course which was twenty feet off the ground. I was a little hesitant at first, but then figured it would be an exciting adventure. We completed the short training on our equipment, and with our harnesses strapped on, we headed for the course. It was definitely challenging as we walked across tight ropes and climbed our way over moving boards and bridges. I only fell once, dangling in mid-air. My harness kept me safe until I regained my balance and continued on with the course. No one had to rescue me, so I figured that was a big success. When we finally finished, I was filled with relief and excitement. My blood was definitely pumping, and I must admit, I was glad to have my feet on solid ground. But I also had a new appreciation for my physical and emotional strength. Without them, I never would have successfully completed the course. This aerial park adventure was an incredible way to connect with my son and is something I will never forget.

This week, think about an adventure you would like to take. Try something new and step out of your comfort zone. Go on that trip to Italy you’ve been talking about for ten years, or take that pottery class through community education. Make the leap and remind yourself of all the simple joys that life offers. Don't get stuck in a rut and wonder what could have happened if you had only learned how to play guitar or talked to that girl at that little Bohemian Café down on the corner. Live your life to the fullest. Feel the excitement and exhilaration that only comes from trying something new. And remember, every adventure doesn’t have to include a harness. : ) Celebrate new beginnings and don’t wait for someone’s graduation to remind you of the many adventures that are waiting for you in this life. Dive in and experience them first-hand. Believe in your own destiny and see the world in a whole new light.