We entered a global pandemic and so much changed for our world, our family life, work life, relationships and for ourselves.  I believe there is something that is being revealed to each of us by having lived during this global pandemic. Some of us will see the learning and act upon it and others will see it and go back to “normal.”
 
What is “normal?”  I keep mulling that around in my head. Was my pre-pandemic life “normal?”  Do I want to return to that “normal” or create a new way of being and living?  I am seeing the word choice popping into this conversation.  What will my choice be, what will your choice be?
 
I looked up the definition of normal: Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
My soul interpreted that definition as “living in a box" ... that shook me to my core ... "conforming to a standard...usual, typical and expected" – what is that???  Who decides what that is?? My body shutters with that definition as it relates to my life!
 
I go back to the word choice.  I/we are at choice in how we want to return to life when the stay in place orders are lifted. I have lived so differently the last several weeks.  In the beginning I was hyperventilating about being an extravert in an introvert world – and today, I have settled more into that quieter, less hectic and reflective world … I’m liking it.  Wow, if you would have asked me a year ago if I wanted to live an introvert lifestyle I would have responded “Heck NO!”  
 
We have all had personal shifts over these last several weeks.   I have learned to draw and paint, I have done workouts on Zoom with my gym people, I have baked, I have gotten closer to my husband, I have connected with friends in Australia for cocktail hour, I have had introspective conversations with friends, I have started setting boundaries on my time and where I spend it, and I have more cuddles with my pets.  One of the greatest gifts has been igniting my creativity – my mind and soul is reeling with ideas! 
 
When our country begins to open, I believe we are all at a crossroad … what has been revealed to us and who we want to be moving forward is going to be a decision that we all have?  What will be different for you? How will you decide to live your life?
 
“Life lived by conscious decision is powered by YOU!”
Marilyn Crouch – The Thought Organizer
​

We all have those times in our day where we are feeling a little stressed, a lot stressed or just not feeling ourselves.  Right now, many of us have added stress with living in a pandemic reality.  Our lives changed in a very short time, we have had to adjust to new ways of living, shopping, family dynamics, work dynamics and financial changes.  It has not been easy.  Stress has set in for some of us in familiar and unfamiliar ways.
 
Being stressed disconnects us to our body, floods our brain with fight or flight chemicals and does not allow our brain to think in a clear manner.   Starting a grounding practice can bring immediate calm into your body and mind.   Grounding brings an almost instant calming effect because it is reducing cortisol levels (a stress hormone).
 
As we move through this unchartered time, it is incredibly important that we are honoring of our self-right now.  Being our best self can help us handle the added stresses, mental clutter and new challenges we face.  Being our best self can help us to see there may be some gifts during this time … spending more time with family, connecting with people you haven’t spoken to in a long time, starting a new craft/hobby, etc.   
 
If you have time to do a 15-minute grounding that is great.  If you only have a few seconds, that is ok to; as you are setting an intention to be grounded. Here are some quick steps to getting grounding:

• Stand or sit
• Feel your feet on the ground (if you’re outside, put your feel on grass/soil if you can)
• Close your eyes
• Breathe – breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth
• As you breathe, notice tight places in your body and breathe into those places – as you breathe in ... breathe in calm…as you breathe out release stress
• Notice the sensations in your body and release any that do not feel supporting of you
• Reap to yourself “I am grounded”
• Bring yourself back to the present by gently rubbing your hands together and softly opening your eyes
• You have changed the chemicals in your brain, you  connected with your body and set the intention to be grounded.

 
If you would like to have a guided grounding, visit our website for a 3 minute and a quick grounding.  At times I find I only have a few seconds to get grounded – I may do it in the shower, standing at my front door, etc.  It’s possible to get grounded in a few seconds – set your intention and so it is!
 
 

On International Women’s Day,  I ran across a video (see below)  “I Am Woman" and invite you to watch this inspiring video.

“Ignore what’s going on … it’s easier to stay asleep” wow, how that spoke to me.   We are all “asleep” somewhere in our life.  This “asleep” puts the lid on our powerful self, feeds the negative voice, keeps us small and not living from our whole self.
 
I see in my own life when I am desiring something and “asleep” happens because it is too much to dream that big, too scary to go out into the world and put myself out there in a bigger way … and I stay confused and stuck!  Confused, stuck and doubt are the blankets of  “asleep”.  As are excessive TV watching, overeating, addictions, and other behavior that keep us “asleep” from our greatness!  One of my favorite sayings is from MaryAnne William’s poem:
 
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”
 
Where are you “asleep” in your life and not shining your light?
 
 “I am an awakening woman and sleep is not an option for me”. Yes!  It is a choice to fight that negative voice, numbness, or darkness to rise up and be awakened!  And, it can be a fight that is well worth winning!  Our brains naturally go to negative, so put on the boxing gloves and fight for your light!
 
Our life is designed by what we think about, talk about, and put our energy toward.  Here are three things to do to throw off the blankets of confusion, stuck and doubt:

• Create a mantra and say it aloud 20 times a day:  “I can do anything”, “I am powerful”

• Create a list of 20 of your great qualities.  Post this list so you can see it.  Read this list when you wake up, at lunch, and when you go to bed! 

• Create a plan to do something that you are afraid of doing.  Ask a friend to hold you accountable to accomplish this plan; talk to them about your plan and report your progress. 

• If you don’t have someone to hold your feet to the fire on shining your light brighter, I'm a phone call away!

Author's Many Hats

I wear many hats - all in service of reminding you that you are a powerful force of energy.  You get to direct your energy in a direction that matters to you.  You are always using it, either intentionally or accidentally. Which do you choose? 
Working with me we  impact many arenas of your life - relationship life, work life, home life, money life and more.

My Hats:
The Thought Organizer creating client clarity, focus and impact.
Shared Wisdom Circle Facilitator creating group experiences for life impact.
Creator of The Shared Wisdom Project creating positive energy into the world.
Productivity Consultant creating sustainable and personalized solutions for disorganization.
​Activational Speaker creating new perspectives and an invitation to something new for life.
​

Today I was experiencing a moment of stuckness while working in my office, I knew I needed to change things up to get unstuck; so, I went outside to my garden table to work.
 
Have you ever looked around your garden?  Like really looked around it?  There is an entire world under the ground, above the ground, and flying in the air.  Nature is beautiful and inspiring.
 
I see the flowers react to the breeze and they bend and sway. They are adapting to the environment they are in.
 
I see the birds running around on the garden soil yumming up the seeds and worms on the ground.  They are feeding themselves and removing pests from the garden.
 
I see the light shining on some leaves and some leaves are in the dark.  The sunlight spreads light or darkness depending on its angle.
 
I see flowers that are half eaten by a pest.  The flowers are still standing tall with their missing bits of pedals and they are still looking beautiful. 
 
I see birds of all sizes flying by.  They are flying whether they are big or small.
 
I also see death of leaves, plants and insects.  The debris is now mulch to feed the garden.
 
I am reminded of people as I look at the beauty in the garden and think how our world has over 7.6 billion people living on this earth.  
 
I see many people on this earth growing the beauty of themselves and some people walking around dead from loss of self. 
 
I see some people are walking with direction and some are only going with the flow. 
 
I see some people walking around eating up all they can of their world and others have lost their appetite.
 
I see people going for the light and others stuck in darkness. 
 
I see some people that don’t have all their limbs and others take for granted the limbs they have.
 
I see what we all have in common … we house a HEART and we are all at choice on how we use it. 

What garden are you feeding with your heart? 
​How is your heart feeling these days?

Author's Many Hats

I wear many hats - all in service of reminding you that you are a powerful force of energy.  You get to direct your energy in a direction that matters to you.  You are always using it, either intentionally or accidentally. Which do you choose? 
Working with me we  impact many arenas of your life - relationship life, work life, home life, money life and more.

My Hats:
The Thought Organizer creating client clarity, focus and impact.
Shared Wisdom Circle Facilitator creating group experiences for life impact.
Creator of The Shared Wisdom Project creating positive energy into the world.
Productivity Consultant creating sustainable and personalized solutions for disorganization.
​Activational Speaker creating new perspectives and an invitation to something new for life.

​I’ve been struggling a bit with all the focus in the new year of “2020 vision”, new year resolutions, etc.  My interpretation of all the social media messaging is my life must have been a bit messed up last year and I need this new year to make my life different or better in some way.  I see the invitation of a new start to the year…personally, I think we have a new start every day we wake up. 
 
It doesn’t matter that the calendar flipped into a new year or a new decade!  It’s just another day where we get to decide how we want to spend our energy.  We can consciously direct the energy or unconsciously, that’s our choice.  WE get to CHOOSE every day!  And, that feels powerful!
 
                “Having a vision for your life allows you to live out of hope, rather than out of your fears.”
                                                                                                                          ~ Stedman Graham
Where is your vision today? 
What are you dreaming about for your life? 
Our life goes in the direction of the conversations we are having.  
What conversations are you having about your dreams?  
 
Here's how to make your dreams a reality

• Each week spend 60 minutes (you can spend more if you’d like) writing about your dreams 
  • Use your notes section on your cell phone
  • Voice record on your cell phone
  • Write them in your journal / notebook/ post-it

• Talk to one person this month about a dream you have and brainstorm ideas with them on how to accomplish the dream.  Just brainstorm.  Sit with what you have brainstormed - mull over the ideas in your head and be with them.

• On the last day of the month, choose one thing you will do to move your dream forward. It could be a baby step or a huge leap!  
• The next month ... repeat

 
We have 10,080 minutes in a week.  How many hours will you commit to your dreaming and making those dreams real?  It's your CHOICE in how you want to direct your life force energy!

Do you ever have things you want/need to do that don't get done?  They are what I call "one day tasks."

Here's one of my one day tasks; For a few years I've wanted a gutter for my back door - a small need in the big scheme of life.  Living in Southern California we historically have been in a drought . However, that changed last year when we got a lot of rain.  So last year when I went out my backdoor during the rain, I'd have a waterfall coming off of my roof and I'd think to myself, "I must call a gutter guy."  

My "I must call a gutter guy" one day thought always seemed to come up when it rained.  I remember thinking in the summer I should call a gutter guy because they would probably be available in the dry season.  However, I never got around to it.  It would get filed in the back of my mind.

Do you have small things you want for your life that you put off and file under one day tasks?  They just never get attended to.  And as time goes on the one day tasks come into your mind and you don't take action?  It's being human to have this behavior.  We want things, but other things take our attention and we put the thing we want to the back of our mind for "one day".

I believe these one day tasks build up and accumulate as mental clutter.  Something triggers us and we are reminded of the task and then push it down.   This behavior reminds me of the kids game "Whack a Mole."  The mole comes up and you wack it down and it pops up again and you wack it down.  So I ask, what Moles are you whacking down in your life?

It is taking action on the little things in life that can make a big difference in the quality of life.  What nagging things are popping up and creating mental clutter for you?  What one day task would you like done?

I cleared a one day task this week when I heard it was going to rain.   I was determined to get a gutter guy to my house to put up the needed gutters before the rain started.  It happened, the gutter guy came on Saturday.  Can I just tell you what a relief that was to take that one day task out of my head!  A gutter...YES, it made me happy and cleared some mental clutter!  And, tonight we had a huge downfall of rain and my gutters are nicely dong their job.  My husband opened the backdoor and said "Wow, look at this - no waterfall!"

When we let one day tasks accumulate in our mind we support mental clutter.  And, the cool thing is we are at choice at any time to do things differently.  Once you realize you have accumulated one day tasks in your mind, follow these easy steps to start taking control and getting the tasks done and clearing your mental clutter:

1) Make a list of the one day tasks currently living in your mind.
2) Decide which one day task you want to work on first (do an easy one for quick success and motivation.)
3) Create a plan for doing the one day tasks you listed in Step 1; add tasks to your calendar.
4) Choose to maintain an ongoing one day task list (this gets it out of your head and sets you up for success.)
5) Acknowledge yourself for choosing to manage your one day tasks and clear some mental clutter in the process.
6) If you get stuck in any of these steps, reach out to me and I'm happy to help you get back on track or set up a plan.

Tip:  Use an App or Notes in your phone to keep your one day task list.  I like the app Wunderlist as I can check things off and share the list - it works great sharing lists with my husband.  There are many apps that can help you keep track of your list.

​Author's Many Hats

I wear many hats - all in service of reminding you that you are a powerful force of energy.  You get to direct your energy in a direction that matters to you.  You are always using it, either intentionally or accidentally. Which do you choose? 
Working with me we  impact many arenas of your life - relationship life, work life, home life, money life and more.

My Hats:
Thought Organizer creating clarity and focus
Personal Development Coach creating bigger impact in client's lives.
Shared Wisdom Circle Facilitator creating group experiences for life impact.
Creator of The Shared Wisdom Project creating positive energy into the world.
Productivity Consultant creating sustainable and personalized solutions for disorganization.
​Activational Speaker creating new perspectives and an invitation to something new for life.

When I was in my corporate job, I was on the phone a lot and doodled while I talked.  Always the same doodles … boxes inside of boxes and more boxes inside of boxes.  The truth was the doodles were a metaphor for how I felt in my corporate job – stuck in a box and soulfully stifled.  
 
Twenty years ago,  I left my corporate job and entered the world of personal development/leadership training.  I started to doodle again and realized I was doodling open designs, circles, and squiggles.  I enjoyed letting my mind wonder and to see what creative piece emerged; It was freeing to my soul.
 
Fast forward to today…I am in the process of creating something new and feeling stuck; I was explaining my stuck place to my coach and saying, “if only I could figure it out, I could organize it in the cell in the excel spreadsheet in my mind and execute it…”  He stopped me and said, “You’re in a BOX!”  OMG, I gasped and the memory of the doodle boxes metaphor came flooding back. 
 
We can all get blindsided by the edges of our boxes; the boxes we know are there and the boxes we discover are unconsciously there.  We all have boxes that keep us from getting what we really want from life … fear, stuck, frustration, overwhelm, beliefs, habits, etc.   It’s what we do when we find a box that can change the course of our life.
 
There are times our mind needs to have things in a box to execute something.  There are times our soul needs to be out of the box to be creative. There are times we dance between both.
 
If you are feeling stuck in any area of your life, I challenge you to look and see if there is a box that needs to be looked into and unpacked.  If you need a hand unpacking the box, I’m a call away!


​Author's Many Hats

I wear many hats - all in service of reminding you that you are a powerful force of energy.  You get to direct your energy in a direction that matters to you.  You are always using it, either intentionally or accidentally. Which do you choose? 
Working with me we  impact many arenas of your life - relationship life, work life, home life, money life and more.

My Hats:
Thought Organizer creating clarity and focus
Personal Development Coach creating bigger impact in client's lives.
Shared Wisdom Circle Facilitator creating group experiences for life impact.
Creator of The Shared Wisdom Project creating positive energy into the world.
Productivity Consultant creating sustainable and personalized solutions for disorganization.
​Activational Speaker creating new perspectives and an invitation to something new for life.

​A few weeks ago,  I took down two pieces of artwork on my office wall that belonged to people who had passed away. One piece was owned by my father-in-law and when I originally hung it, I wanted to remember and honor his life.  The other piece was from a client whose father painted it; I couldn’t see her throw it away because I imagined he had put his heart into creating it and I wanted to honor his creativity.
 
Taking down the artwork made me see it is time to hang art in my office that supports the current place I’m in of creating something new in my business.  I want art on my wall that speaks to unleashing creativity, joy, fun, play, shifts and depth!  Inspiring images that tap into the creative energy that is being unleashed!
 
I know it is important to mix things up in life (even our artwork) – I have a value called “Choice” this speaks to.  Choosing a life lived with intentionality is invigorating, life giving, fulfilling, fun, growing, filled with magic and who knows what!  It is the opening of energetic space for something to shift, for exploration, discovery and newness.
 
Choosing to take down the artwork was a choice to say  “yes” to bringing in more energy of creativity and magic into my office and life!  It feels good to intentionally choose to invite new energy in and say to the Universe "Yes please, I'm ready for something new."  And, I can report there has been an energetic shift taking place these last two weeks.

So, it may seem a small act of taking down artwork is just that ... you are taking down art on your wall and putting up new art on your wall.  OR, you can tap into the energy of life and see new energy and possibilities are being invited in and energetic shift is happening! 
 
What artwork needs to be changed in your life?  What new energy wants to be invited in?