Celebrate with Me! (Gift for you)

November is the month of my birth. I used to downplay its importance. I didn't tell anyone about my birthday unless they asked. I didn't want to bother people, be seen as egotistical, or take up too much space. Yet, I've always loved to celebrate other people's birthdays. I like it when they take up space on their special day! Clearly, I had some limiting beliefs about my self-worth.

Now that I hold fewer of those beliefs (though I am still a work in progress), I've embraced my birthday. I tell everyone when it is. I celebrate all month long. I recognize that it is a wonderful opportunity to receive love.

Let the celebration begin!

One of the things that brings me great joy is to offer gifts that genuinely help people. Sooo... this month I'm going to send you a gift every week. My hope is that at least one will improve your life.

The first gift is a little book of holiday recipes - with a healthful twist. It is a collaborative project with my friend and colleague, Carrie Weldy, of Nourished Body and Soul. These are our favorite dishes to cook up for Thanksgiving. They are simple, and delicious. I would love to hear what you try, and how you like it. Leave a comment below and click on the image to download your copy!

I look at this photo every day...

There's a photo I look at every day that inspires me to keep growing, loving, and coaching.

It's a picture of my daughter and me. It reminds me of what pulls me forward...

...a desire for my daughter to choose her own path without apology... to recognize how capable, strong & beautiful she is... to trust her inner knowing, and follow her bliss.

I have the same desire for every girl & woman on earth.

What holds us back?
All sorts of untruths... unworthiness, guilt, limited time, the idea that motherhood is sacrifice, a distrust of ourselves, body shame, lack of money... I'm sure you could add to this list.

Why do so many of us hold these untruths as core (often subconscious) beliefs?
These beliefs were once wisely chosen. There was a time when they kept us safe by allowing us to belong, or to receive love. For example... when I was a little girl, I learned that making noise and standing out was unsafe. It got me into trouble with the adults I counted on for survival. So, I learned to avoid expressing myself.

It's been a long journey to be here sharing openly with you, trusting that expressing myself is not only safe but a contribution.

This is why I love coaching so much. As a coach, I help my clients...

• Reveal untruths for what they are
• Expand the menu of life experience options (no more being stuck!)
• Do so in a meaningful, lasting way so that it becomes who you are, not who you are trying to be
• Which ripples out to your family, to your friends, and to your community, giving them permission to be who they are

This is why I continue to expand my skills, and deepen my work with clients.

And... very importantly, this is also why I continue to receive coaching... I cannot help to free my clients from limiting beliefs if I am stuck in them myself.  In order to release them, I need a powerful mirror, and a skilled guide... not to tell me what to do, but to help me navigate for myself.

The truth is, it is impossible to expand horizons with a myopic view of oneself. We Mamas have to begin with ourselves, and light the way for our daughters. And those without daughters can light the way for girls and women around the world.

I would love to hear what untruths you sense you are still holding, and what you'd like to experience instead. Please share in the comments below. You never know who you may be lighting the way for!

PS: If you'd like to join a group of Mamas ready to shed untruths together, get on this list to be the first to get an invitation to an upcoming online experience here.

The Blesssing in the Unraveling

It has been a truly amazing summer - family time, clearing clutter, working with inspiring women, a romantic getaway, reunions with dear friends, a life-changing trip to California...

And, now back to "regular life." The landing has been turbulent... The day after I returned from California, my husband was in a major crash that totaled our car. Our children have been extra emotional ever since (aka lots of temper tantrums!). And then we discovered lice in my son's hair, which lead to a regrettable Google search (regrettable because it was completely overwhelming!). It felt like my life was unraveling...

And yet, even through it all, I feel grateful and blessed. For what?

1. The most important things are going well.

My husband walked away from the crash, and my network of healers stepped up to help him make a speedy recovery from his back injuries. My children are safe and loved. And I faced one of my biggest fears - lice - only to discover it isn't so bad.

2. There is blessing in the unraveling.

My life has changed tremendously in the past few years. On this journey to become more of who I am, I find that as I change, there is a crumbling of the old me that can show up as messy, stressful challenges. There is blessing in this unraveling. Not only because of what's awaiting on the other side, but even within the breakdown, there are important insights and gifts.

For example, one of the blessings of lice was that it caused me to carefully comb through my children's hair. This helped me connect with them, and give them the love and assurance they needed after their father's accident.

I invite you to consider - what are the blessings in your unraveling? Can you see a way in which a new, more true, more powerful you can emerge because of (not in spite) of these challenges? Please leave a comment below!

PS: A wonderful way to bring gratitude and notice the blessings in your life is to join a group of women focusing on nourishing ourselves. Here are two upcoming opportunities to do that!
 

August 24-30: Gentle Nourishing Cleanse

Hit the reset button, from the comfort of home, with all the resources and support you need to experience success! (pre-sale price ends today!)
 

November 6-8: Magical Mama Retreat

A full weekend to enjoy workshops, delicious organic food, yoga, and sound healing at the truly magical desert hide-away up north, Arcosanti, PLUS new nature hikes, self-reflection and journaling time, and other exciting adventures in self-discovery.  (Sign up with a friend by August 20, and you'll both get a FREE pass to the Gentle Nourishing Cleanse AND a 60 minute massage!)

Mindful Drinking

I just returned from nearly two weeks on the coast of California. It was one of the best trips of my life...

From witnessing my children experience the ocean for the first time in Santa Monica, to reconnecting with old friends and relatives... to an incredible training with my mentors in San Francisco and journeys to beautiful places with a group of masterful coaches I am honored to call friends... it is a trip I will never forget.

And yet, there was a time I wouldn't have fully enjoyed such a trip. I would've been busy worrying that I hadn't picked the right place to stay, or that I hadn't packed the right supplies (I did forget to pack socks!), or that I wasn't doing enough each day.

Since I made the decision to slow down, follow my heart, and nourish my life, it has become easier to enjoy life experiences. And, thus, I was able to drink in my recent trip more fully than ever before.

Mindful eating has been a key practice for me, and one that I teach about. Over the weekend, I learned about mindful drinking - at a vineyard.

Wine Tasting is about...

• Looking - at the view, grapes & wine
• Smelling - the fresh air, and the wine
• Feeling - the sun & breeze
• Listening - to the sounds of a vineyard
• Tasting - allowing the wine flavors to dance on your tongue
• Connecting - with others who have paused life to have this experience

...and then drinking it all in.

I'm not saying that you have to go drinking at a vineyard to enjoy life. But I invite you to consider... When did you last hit "pause" to do something with all your senses? How can you do so today, even for 5 minutes? Please leave a comment below.

PS: A wonderful way to bring mindfulness into your life is to join a group of women focusing on nourishing ourselves. Here are two upcoming opportunities to do that!
 

August 24-30: Gentle Nourishing Cleanse

Hit the reset button, from the comfort of home, with all the resources and support you need to experience success! (pre-sale price happening this week!)
 

November 6-8: Magical Mama Retreat

A full weekend to enjoy workshops, delicious organic food, yoga, and sound healing at the truly magical desert hide-away up north, Arcosanti, PLUS new nature hikes, self-reflection and journaling time, and other exciting adventures in self-discovery.  (Sign up with a friend by August 20, and you'll both get a FREE pass to the Gentle Nourishing Cleanse AND a 60 minute massage!)

Resolve Your Dilemma

Being stuck in indecision is a terrible feeling, especially when it's about something important, and there are two choices that feel equally viable, yet diametrically opposed.

I've been there - many times. And I am grateful for the Mastery Coaching techniques I have learned to move gracefully through these situations. I find that when I feel deeply called to take two contradictory paths, there is always a solution that gives me all that I seek, and that honors all that I value.

I'm offering you one technique that you can try yourself, right now. And an offer to resolve your dilemma with my guidance, because some things simply cannot be sorted out solo. I call on a professional coach to resolve many of my dilemmas because that outside perspective from someone trained to hold space is invaluable!

But wait... What do dilemmas have to do with health?

Before I get to how to resolve your dilemma, you might be wondering "What does having a dilemma have to do with health?"

Great question! ...It has everything to do with it!  There is mounting evidence that stress hormones cause all kinds of problems in the body when they are produced too frequently (every day, multiple times a day, for example). From digestion, to immunity, to fertility... ongoing stress is wreaking havoc in your body!

What you find below are techniques that have helped dozens of my clients (and me!) to experience the relaxed state that comes after finally making a difficult decision.

---

Choosing Between Two Opposing Options: A 7 Step Process

1. Get quiet. Eliminate distractions, especially other people's opinions. Breathe, and tune in.
2. Imagine yourself choosing one of the options. Walk through the decision, and the results of that decision with your mind's eye. Make note of how it feels in your body to have made this choice.
3. Shake your shoulders. Breathe.
4. Imagine yourself choosing the other option. Walk through the decision, and the results of that decision with your mind's eye. Make note of how it feels in your body to have made this choice.
5. Shake your shoulders. Breathe.
6.  Notice which choice felt better in your body.
7. Make this choice now. Be bold, and go for it! You got this!

---

Many decisions can be made using the process above. But sometimes, this process isn't enough. If that is the case for you, I have a very special invitation. This is something I have never offered before, although I have used these techniques to help dozens of women make decisions during my 90-Day "Find Your Balance" Experience, so I am confident that I can help you.

Special Offer: "Resolve Your Dilemma" Package

When: Anytime (thru July 13, 2015) - you will find my calendar thru the "Book Now" button below, and you can book it today!

Where: By phone

What should I expect? You will write up a brief summary of your dilemma, and send it to me ahead of your session. The session itself will run up to 90 minutes. During that time, I will ask you a series of questions designed to navigate you to clarity. Please eliminate distractions during your phone session. It is 100% confidential, and there is no way you can do it wrong. You can relax into the process. We will have another phone conversation for 30 minutes within 2 weeks of your session for accountability, and celebration.

What if this doesn't work? If you gain no benefit from your session & follow up, your investment will be refunded.  You have nothing to lose but the agony of indecision!

What is the investment? The relief from your agony will be priceless. The investment is just $197

Click on the "Book Now" button below to resolve your dilemma!

Having trouble deciding whether to sign up? ;)  Here's what others had to say about this experience:

““Blue led me through an amazing exercise that really helped me to move from anxious and upset about my options, to peaceful and grateful. She is a wonderful listener and lovely to work with.””

— -Yvonne L.K., Walnut Creek, CA

““Blue is an amazing coach. She intuitively taps into what her clients are feeling and is able to guide them to practical solutions that create real change. After one session with her I felt more clear on what I needed to let go of and what I needed to move forward with. I highly recommend working with Blue. Her warm nature allows you to feel supported in the process and her talent as a coach gets you unstuck.””

— -Leanna L,, San Diego, CA