It is often said in the “coaching world” that we teach that which we need to learn. My goodness, how true that is. So often I find myself saying things in a session with a client and thinking, “Self, pay attention. You needed to hear that too!” The wisdom I have been blessed with over the last 7 years of this work has helped me to grow and evolve just as much as my clients do. As we’re all in the spirit of offering gratitude, I have to share my gratefulness for these lessons! I am a human and I face challenges just like you do. Sometimes I forget to ground, sometimes I don’t say “no” often enough, sometimes I don’t make self-care a priority and I end up burnt out… We are not meant to be perfect on this journey called life, we are simply meant to find peace in the process. Every time I find myself a little off, I remember the lessons I have learned from my clients. The ones that blow my mind and speak straight to my soul....

Offering someone compassion doesn't always feel as easy as criticizing them. Because it feels hard it might even feel “better” to criticize before we offer compassion. Sit with that for a second… it feels better to criticize others than it does to offer compassion. Not just others, but yourself too. It feels better to criticize yourself than to offer yourself compassion because that is easier. Like water, we do take the path of least resistance. But like water in a flood zone, that path can certainly be destructive! 

Today, I want you to check your inner dialogue. Whether it’s walking through the store or after a conversation with your co-workers or interacting with a customer. Your knee-jerk response is likely one with a negative approach. “What is she wearing?” “I cannot believe she allows her kids to do that!” “Grow up and manage your money like an adult and you wouldn’t need to put items back.”...

This time of year we hear so much about being thankful. Being grateful for all we have. Fall is harvest time, a chance to bring in the fruits of your labor and have stores for the winter. A while back there was a thing on Facebook for the whole month of November where you would post daily something you were thankful for, many people participated. It is so wonderful to offer gratitude for all that you’ve been given. Not just the produce you grew, but to remember the people that are blessings in your life. To be grateful for all the things you have. To enjoy the sunshine, the breeze, the chirping birds in the trees... It is a good time to be present in every moment and be mindful of how beautiful your life is.   

I have gone on two mission trips to Guatemala with the God’s Child Project. There is nothing that shows you just how luxurious your life is like building a 16 x 16-foot HOUSE for a family of 5. That is the size of most American garden...

Have you walked by a pool of stagnant water that stunk? One that had a coat of green on the top? One that you prayed your kids wouldn’t play in because that smell is not going to come out of those clothes? On the same token, have you seen a clear mountain river? One where the water is fresh, crisp, and cool? Where it flows peacefully downstream and becomes a habitat for thriving life of all kinds. Your body’s energy is just like this! When it is stagnant, not flowing, and not moving, it is not appealing. On the other hand, when it does flow, it becomes clear and vibrant. A home for growth and vitality.   

So often we allow ourselves to remain stagnant. Sometimes people will say they’re in a rut. They will say they don’t feel like they know who they are anymore. Or that life is boring, there’s no spark. That they are tired of feeling tired. Same S**t Different Day. Same ol’, same ol’... there’s a million...

Life sure has been crazy lately. It is so easy to get caught up in the rat race of it all! There has been a sense of urgency and fear placed on our hearts for some time now. When your heart is full of fear and panic, it is hard to see the glory in the world around you.

It is in the little things that make life big.  

Have you ever been thinking about something on your way home from work and walked into the door before you realized you don’t even remember getting there? Have you ever nodded and “mmhmm-ed” your spouse or your kids as they were talking while your thoughts were a million miles away? Has someone ever mentioned the weather to you and you realized that you aren’t even sure what it’s like out there today? These are examples of not being present. Do you see how much you could miss?!  

It is so important, especially when you are busy, to take the time to appreciate the world around you. Notice the sunrise...

Do you ever talk to yourself? We always joke that talking to yourself isn't a problem, it's answering yourself that raises eyebrows! :) The reality though, is that most of us have an inner dialogue throughout the day. You may think to yourself, "I can't forget to get milk at the store" or "If I hear "Mom" one. more. time...." Often our brains are in a steady pattern of self-talk and that is how most of us process tasks throughout the day. This is great, because it means we can use this self-talk to begin to change our mood and raise our vibration. If you don't know what I'm talking about when I say vibration, check out this blog where I explain how energy affects our body. 

We know that love, compassion, gratitude, and joy are emotions with the highest vibrations. Love is said to be the purest of all the emotions. The opposite of that then would be hate, resentment, and anger. So you see when you sit in a repetitive loop of "I am bad at this" or "I'm not enough" then your...