The distance is not always as far as it may seem…

Hey Amazing Souls!

I have been continuing my journey of living my word this year Light,one of the ways I have been doing that is to continue layer by layer to release physical stuff (as well as mental, but that is a different post!) In the last few rounds of releasing stuff, including books I this time released ones I have had for years and years I have not worked in or read in them in years either so it was time to let go. In flipping through some of these I noticed some notes in them about some things that I even still have on my lists now that I would like to do but am not really doing. I am talking as far back as 2003.

The thing is I am just now realizing that the distance between where we are and where we want to be is not as far as it might feel.  I am not saying that is always true, but I am now seeing so many times it is. We get overwhelmed often with feeling like we have to go from 0-60 in seconds when in reality if we just start, really even the smallest and consistent actions will get us there. Not only will it get us there (or somewhere better!) but it will get us there MUCH faster than if we wait for everything to be just the right timing, to be perfect.(trust me I have tried that

Let me give you a small example from my own life. For years I have had on a list (various lists and places!) to meditate, to have that be part of my daily practice, to explore it, sink into it…For years I start and stop because it’s not looked the way it “is supposed to” (1-2 hours a day, fully clear mind=blissed out) so I have let that stop me. When if I had started all those years ago even with 30 seconds of meditation (sitting, standing,breathing  mindfully) if I had started with even that tiny amount and built on (increased ) it even just 30 seconds a month I would be to at least 30 minutes by now and all built 30 seconds at a time.

I know that often much of what I want seems to out of reach, so far away. But when I really stop and for even just a moment really look at what I want to feel and experience it’s not as far off as it may seem and even if I am slowllly inching towards it, it’s better than standing still waiting for “just the right time” whenever that is…

So I urge you, and urge myself to define it for myself, start now taking whatever size steps even the tiniest ones and then start again when needed..

Here is to living Inspired, Creative and Empowered

Heather

What are you putting off-Journal Prompt

Hey Wonderful Souls!

This weeks prompt (as just about always!) Is from what I am doing, experiencing wanting to create etc.. in my own life. I asked myself this question the other day..

What is one thing I have been putting off that if I take action on it I will feel a sense of relief?

I have many of these. some small some bigger. The point is often when we take action we realize that we spent WAY more mental energy and time on putting that off and saying I really need to get to this, getting stressed whenever we see or think  of it than if we just took action. It often is not as bad as we were making it out to be.

Also notice I said tak action on it, not complete it, there may be several steps/phases to complete “it” but often the hardest part is getting started!

Maybe it’s a conversation, task, health related, finance related or clearing up some space.

Start small, start now!Capture it in your journal!

Here is to living Inspired, Creative and Empowered

Heather

Inspired and Creative Action Prompts for Spring

Hey Wonderful Souls!

Happy Spring!!! Today marks the first day of spring! I thought I would give myself and you some ideas of ways to embrace spring!

CREATIVE PROMPTS:

-Capture signs of spring ( blooming flowers, trees etc)

-In line with the above prompt, capture a series of something for spring, maybe it’s a tree, a succulent you have, yourself.. follow with your lens (even phone one, thats what I use 99% of the time) and see what different ways you can capture your subject this spring!

-Create a vision board/vision journal page of what you would like this spring to bring for you.

-Plant something, or buy something to nurture

-Create a spring playlist

-Sign up for that class, buy that book, pick up that paintbrush that you have been getting that creative nudge about!

-Buy yourself some flowers in your favorite spring color

-Buy an accessory to add a little spring in your wardrobe, something that feels fresh to you!

-Choose 3 things you want to experience, create, release or embrace this spring (you can combine this with the vision board prompt above!)

-Grab your journal and ask yourself, in what areas would I like to bloom this spring? Where do I want to open up to possibility? What am I ready to start new on?

INSPIRED ACTION PROMPTS:

-Spring clean, your entire house/apt or just one area or a few areas that really need it the most

-Take time to go through your wardrobe and take out what you don’t love, and on the flipside put together an outfit or two that you love!

-Look up what veggies and fruits are in season and super fresh in your area and go to the store or local farmers market and get some to experiment with!

-Go through any of your drawers, closet etc and let go of what you don’t use, wear or love.

-Spring clean your desktop, back up your stuff on your computer, Clean out your inbox for your email, delete old podcasts and songs that just take up space that can be used for something that you love and inspires you.

Here is to living Inspird, Creative and Empowered

Heather

Life and it’s messages..

Hey Wonderful Souls!

I have written about how our life’s always telling us something. If we can slow down and tune in long enough to listen.

This very subject could probably be a whole blog subject itself! But today I just want to explore it a bit more.

The thing is, sometimes the messages are really clear once we slow long enough to listen. Other times it’s like a cryptic message that only we can decipher through listening, patience and some soul TLC. Maybe we just need to notice and not decipher right away (something that for many of us is really hard, we want the clarity like yesterday!)

I am still working on some messages in my life right now, but there are a few that have come to light and some that are seemingly easy and simple to listen and act upon.

One, well two really of mine being that I needed to drink more water and I needed to get back into a regular exercise routine. For me this message showed up in not feeling so great physically, really bad headaches, tummy aches, and in general a lack of energy.

Another way a message showed up for me is one I am actually still sorting through, but it was that I need to blog on a more authentic level. Don’t get me wrong, when I share on here it’s true to what i like, when I share links or images or journal prompts etc.. But there is a  part of me that wants to express myself and share on a more soul, authentic level. I have held that back for fear of well I guess rejection to spend the time pouring my self out to have it echo so to speak as I am there all by myself, or to have people challenge me on it.  So with this post and some others that I am sharing and will share I hope to keep listening to this message and becoming more clear on it.

Life’s messages show up in all sorts of ways, I have shared a few with you, but maybe yours comes in the form an emotional reaction to a song, email, quote or another type of message. Possibly it comes in the form of physical disease, sickness or just physical unrest in some way.

However it shows up, do your self a favor and slow down, get quite and listen.. You will know when it’s time to act upon that message.. Be gentle with yourself where you need to be and give yourself a kick in the pants where you need to..

Here is to listening to life and it’s messages and Living Inspired, Creative , Empowered

Heather

Show some love to yourself-15 min Inspired Action

Hey Wonderful Souls!

In honor of Valentines day today I want you to show yourself some love, in the form of self-care (though this is for any day and everyday really!)

Self care is very important, we are often the last people on our lists to really nurture and take care of.  In order to have the energy mental, spiritual and physical you must take care of yourself.   Now that you filling up your well a bit you will have more to give to others on the day of love! It’s the opposite of selfish.

Here are some ideas for taking just ( or at the least!) 15 minutes of self-care

-Put on a face-mask for your skin type

-Slather on lotion

-Do something creative, like a fast collage or spread paint in your journal

-Slow down, check in with your body, hear any message?

-Close your eyes, flow with your breath ( notice it, is it hurried, strained.. )

-Thank your body, your life for all it gives you that you never give a second thought ( breathe, movement and so on)

Those are just some ideas, I know there are a lot more that fit into that tiny but important 15 minute window! ( and beyond of course!)

Here is to living Inspired, Creative and Empowered

Heather

15 minute Inspired Action Challenge

Hey Empowered Souls! I am starting a new category this year.. 15 minute Inspired Actions. With so many things we want to do, it’s hard to find the time for it. We often get caught up in the overwhelm of it all. When you really think about it though, there are so many actions we can do in 15 minutes or less. It’s been a really helpful thing for me, when I actually do it. So I am going to put out challenges to myself and to you all, sometimes it will be it’s own post, sometimes a bit of an add on for another, I am going to play around with it and see what works!

So your first 15 min action challenge is to make a list of some of the 15 min Inspired Actions you can do! Set a timer for 15 minutes and just let it flow out.

Here are some of mine:

-Start ( or at times finish) a visual journal page, paint or color a back ground, start a collage

-Take as much clutter as you can with including putting it away off of your__ ( desk, dresser, kitchen counter etc.. )

-Read for just 15 minutes

-Start or complete a blog post

-take a 15 minute photo hunt in your surroundings

-Cuddle!

They can be applied to all sorts of areas of our lives..  Next week I will put out a different challenge, I plan on posting a new one weekly.

Here is to living Inspired, Creative and Empowered

Heather

“Knowing better” vs “Doing better”

Hey Empowered Souls!

Knowing better vs Doing better has been on my mind lately… For me it’s all about my journey of shedding, and working on living mindfully.. I keep seeing this showing up in my life in different ways and aspects. It’s not that I am trying to beat myself up at all. It’s me simply noticing mindfully  where the disconnect shows up.

Here are my semi random thoughts on the matter..

-It shows up in all sorts of ways to major ways in our life ( like our health  and beyond.. ) to our laundry ( for example: I know if i keep up on the laundry that it will be less time and way less energy spent on avoiding , then catching up, all the while being annoyed at myself for lagging on it)

-We can feel it when we are out of balance with what we know we need to be doing, saying etc.. but are not..

-We often have a tendency to get stuck in the beating ourselves up in that spot, and frankly that is just counter productive. That will not move us forward and it just makes us feel worse. Acknowledging is much better, if we can do that and then do our best to take action then we will feel much better. ( I know easier said the done!)

-We are going to “drop the ball”  sometimes when it comes to this stuff, and thats  ok , it’s called being human! If we can remember that it’s not going to be perfect, maybe we can lighten up on ourselves a bit!

Here are some tips that I hope will help you, I am also working on them along with you so you are not in it alone!

-Write down a few instances at least of where you “Know better” but you don’t “Do better”

-Write down how not doing what you know you need to, and really want to,how it makes you feel ( bad, annoyed, frustrated, stressed… )

-Write down how it makes you feel when you DO follow that doing better

-Check in with the Knowing better, is that what you feel or are you operating on shoulds from other ( all be it well meaning) people?

-What are 1 or 2 things you could put in place that would support you on taking action and  doing what it is that “needs” to be done?

Please as always feel free to share your thoughts on this of any kind!

Here is to living Inspired, Creative and Empowered

Heather

Inspiration Captured: Dec Views 05

It's time to spread your wings..

It's your turn to take flight..

Don't spend your life planning for your dreams, take the action needed.. Even if it's "wrong" action.. Tiny step towards discovering and living your dreams, will build on one another.. It is your time!

December Views

Journal Question: What’s Working For Me?

This weeks Journal Question is: What is Working for me ( as in YOU!) ?  We spend allot of our energy on figuring out what is not working, what is broken, flawed etc.. That is not a bad thing, as long as you don’t beat yourself up for what is going “wrong”.

But today, I want you to spend at least a few minutes and ask yourself, and list what is working for you in you? In other words, what habits, routines etc.. do you have in place and are doing that are satisfying for you in any and all areas of your life?  Give yourself some credit for what is working to help create the life that you want and are meant to live.

Dream- This weeks word

what comes to your mind when you hear the word “dream”? Does your mind go to sleeping dreams? Life Dreams? When you think of your life dreams, what comes to you? Do you have any that you are working on? Thinking on? Avoiding?

Give yourself permission to Dream, even for just a few minutes, and if you can make notes about what comes up..