You have a choice.

You can choose to be an example of what’s possible. Of what a passion-filled life looks like. To be a poster child for healthy, vibrant and JOYFUL. Living a life around your purpose and making a difference.

Or, you can choose to serve as a warning for what happens when you don’t take responsibility for your life and instead allow yourself to be a “victim” to circumstance, the economy or other people’s behavior. Frustrated, lacking fulfilment, depressed and stressed out.

Choose to make your life an EXAMPLE!

This is NOT about being “picture perfect” or fitting into some kind of society driven image of successful. It’s about taking responsibility for your life and living to the fullest. Would you rather be fit, energetic and healthy, inspiring others to do the same, or would you rather develop a serious illness that reminds everyone around you that life is short? Would you rather take risks and live life to the fullest, enjoying every single chaotic moment you have, or be that old woman on her death bed warning her grand-children not to waste their life being “safe” and cautious?

The truth is, it’s about YOU, not anyone else.

It’s about you getting honest with yourself and living a life you can be proud of. One that you can look back on one day and say, “I rocked the sh*t out of it and enjoyed every single moment!”

Let’s look at some ways you can do just that…

Stop “just getting through” your life.

Working for the weekend? For that summer vacation? For something else, that’s sometime in the future? Stop it. Live for NOW. Make this moment the best moment of your life! Bring more pleasure into everything, stay present and engaged, and don’t waste your time daydreaming about the future. That’s the best way to allow life to slip right on by.

How can you make your job more enjoyable? Should you be doing more fulfilling work? Is this job really worth wasting 40 hours of YOUR LIFE every single week? Take a look at the things you do in your life that require you to “get through” them. Where can you make changes so that you’re living a more fulfilling, joyful and memorable life?

Take better care of yourself.

I get it, donuts, pizza, soda… they taste good. They bring temporary pleasure into your life… but it’s not lasting and it’s not worth it. You get ONE BODY. Just one. So take better care of it! If you want to live a life that is memorable, exciting, filled with passion and joy, you need to be nourishing your body, not poisoning it.

If you don’t want to end up with disease, then take responsibility for your health RIGHT NOW. Not later on… down the road. NOW. Bring in more veggies, whole fruits and water. Stop drinking soda and alcohol. Stop eating processed crap. Get rid of the coffee and give green smoothies and juices a try.

Stop hiding.

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Nelson Mandela

Stop trying to fit in, instead embrace all that is weird and quirky about you. Own up to your preferences and opinions. Do the things YOU want to do, not just what your friends or family wants to do. Choose your work based on your passions, not what society or anyone else says is a better fit. Wear what you want to wear, do what you want to do and say what you want to say.

Stop hiding your uniquely beautiful self from the world.

That’s another sure-fire way to waste GOBS of time and energy. In relationships you don’t belong in, at jobs that don’t fulfill you and with people that don’t get you. What’s the point?

Make a difference.

Whether it’s recycling, volunteering or donating to a cause, be of service! Living a life of service is one of the best things you can do FOR YOURSELF, as well as for others and our world. Seriously, the fastest way to feeling fulfilled, happy and filled with love is to give back. Pick a cause that’s close to your heart and find a way to support it.

You don’t have to give hours and hours or tons of money… maybe you just volunteer occasionally, spread their message across social media or donate when you have extra money to give. Or, find a way to incorporate your cause into your every day life! Eat less meat, work somewhere that sponsors non-profits or shop at environmentally friendly stores.

Take Action NOW!

Where are you playing small, treating yourself poorly or wasting precious time and energy? What steps can you take TODAY, this week or this month to remedy it? How can you bring more pleasure into your life and make it more memorable? Share one thing you’re going to shift in the comments below.

Either way, it’s prideful and it doesn’t serve anyone. Especially not YOU.

Knowing how to take care of yourself, learn new things and gain life skills is essential to living an awesome life, but once you cross that line into being prideful for the sake of proving something to the world, you start to do yourself a great disservice.

For starters, you begin down a path towards total overwhelm in your life. Think about it, if you never let anyone do anything for you, that’s a LOT of stuff you’re responsible for! Second, you never allow anyone the JOY of giving you a gift. Whether it’s that they simply want to make your life easier or love and adore you so much that they’re more than happy to help… you squash their ability to express this to you and leave BOTH parties feeling crummy. Last, but not least, you never give yourself the opportunity to excel in one area OR experience the time and freedom we all deeply desire.

Three ways to start living an awesome life:

As the title says, get over yourself!

You do not have to know EVERYTHING. Knowing everything does not make you any more worthy of love, acceptance or joy. Knowing how to fix your brakes, cook a five course meal and discuss the stock market like you know what you’re talking about doesn’t make you a better person. It just makes you more knowledgeable.

If it’s knowledge you NEED or DESIRE to know, awesome. If it’s not, ask yourself why you’re so hell bent on knowing it. Is it to prove something to the world, or maybe feel like you measure up to someone else? Is it some kind of over-zealous feminist statement to the men in your life? Why does it matter? Does it bring you joy? If it’s not a need or desire, I’d venture to guess the answer is a big NO.

So knock it off! Who you are, what you know and the things that you’re drawn to ARE ENOUGH. You are PERFECT. You are unique and you are amazing whether you know these things or not.

Hire it out!

Once you get comfortable with the idea of not needing to know everything, take a look at what you’re doing that’s NOT within your realm of expertise, passion or skill set. That’s right, I included PASSION. Do you hate, with a capital H, anything tech related? Does talk about engine coolant and wiper blade sizes make you want to jump off a cliff? Is cleaning your home the bane of your existence? Hire it out!

I used to change my oil… something that was not my area of expertise, passion or within my skill set. Part of me did it to save money and another to prove that I was a car girl (I title I’d outgrown fairly soon after gaining it). Then one day I realized that I REALLY didn’t enjoy working on cars. Like, at all. So now? I hire it out and spend my time doing the things I do enjoy.

Sure, you could learn the skills necessary or do the research, but why bother? It’s just going to make you miserable and be a HUGE waste of your time. Imagine what you could do with that time instead? I promise that once you start hiring more things out, you’ll become more productive and feel LOADS happier! If money’s an issue, start small, but start with the thing that is the worst use of your time and energy.

Ask for help when you need it.

Stop being prideful. There is NOTHING wrong with asking for help. Sometimes you just don’t know how to do something and sometimes you just don’t care to. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Whether it’s asking for financial help from your parents, having a friend help you move or even asking for emotional support during a tough time… release your pride and just ask.

Needing help doesn’t make you weak, in fact, quote the opposite. It makes you strong, smart, resourceful and realistic. Being prideful is a weakness, asking for help when you know you’re in over your head is a STRENGTH. Don’t ever forget that.

Take Action Now!

Get honest with me (and yourself!) in the comments below. Where are you being prideful? Where do you push yourself to be something you’re not? How are you wasting your precious time in order to prove something to someone else? Based on the action items above, tell me at least ONE thing you intend to do differently going forward.

But when it comes to YOU and YOUR life, you are the only person who’s opinion matters.

If you make the choice to create positive changes, FOR YOURSELF, that is all that matters. You don’t need anyone’s approval, validation or support… and most of the time, you really should avoid it.

Why it Doesn’t Matter What Other People Think

Sometimes people respond from a place of fear.

Most people are uncomfortable with change… so when you mix things up, they’re not likely to be your biggest supporter. They’re not used to your new style, interests or habits, and this is disruptive or uncomfortable. From this place of fear, they tend to nudge you back to THEIR comfort zone.

Maybe your friends are playfully pressuring you to eat crappy food or have a drink, despite the fact that you’ve decided to shift to a more healthy lifestyle. Maybe your significant other doesn’t like that fact that you joined a book club because they’re insecure about you meeting other people. Maybe your family gives you a hard time about the job you took in another state because it means that they have to learn to deal with distance in your relationship.

It’s selfish and does not have your best interests in mind. Be cautious of fear based input.

Sometimes people just don’t get it… and they don’t get YOU.

If you’ve made the decision to make positive shifts and someone in your life is not supportive or is totally against the idea, they likely aren’t someone who A) cares about YOUR needs, or B) really gets you.

When people in your life get you, they’ll be able to see your side, support you and will also cheer you on! These are the people that check in with you on your progress, find ways to motivate you, and care if you reach your goals.

People that aren’t supportive and don’t get you don’t get to have a say in what you do. Ever.

You are the only person with an opinion that matters.

This is your life! Your body, your career, your time, and your happiness that’s at stake. It’s important to be considerate of other people in your life, but it comes down to what you want and what you need to be happy and healthy. The best way you can serve other people is to take care of yourself first.

When it comes to choices and change, always do a gut check. What do YOU want to do? What would make YOU feel joy, passion, healthy or on the right path? Do that. No other opinions needed.

Take Action Now!

Leave me a comment below and tell me one area of your life where you’re receiving push back from outside sources? Can you identify the fear based opinions and nudges? Where maybe you need new friends and supporters? Where have you denied your gut instincts to appease other people?

Whatever it was, you lost yourself.

The quarter- and mid-life crisis happens because we choose to walk down a different path than the one that’s TRUE to ourselves. We get practical jobs, buy homes and cars, have children… “live the dream.”

And then one day we realize that we’re living a life completely out of line with our TRUTH and we freak the fug out. We think something along the lines of, “WHOA, this is NOT where I belong!”

So what happens after this moment? How do you FIND and KEEP yourself going forward?

Instead of looking at what’s missing, wrong or “lost” about you and your life… discover more of what’s already there.

Fact: You never really LOST yourself.

It’s true… you didn’t lose anything, you just tucked it away. Deep down inside yourself and covered it up with layers of what’s expected and what’s acceptable. With the things you thought you should do. What made sense was practical.

“Finding yourself” is more about removing all the layers of crap and less about trying to figure out what you’ve lost. It’s about stepping fully and completely into your truth, living your purpose and doing what LIGHTS YOU UP.

How to excavate your TRUTH:

1. Be inquisitive with yourself.

If something is so clearly wrong in your life, explore the why behind it, like a child. Why? Why? WHY? Why is this not right for me? WHY does this not feel like me? WHY do I want something different? WHY did I choose this in the first place and how was that not true to who I really am?

When you explore what’s not working and WHY, you begin to uncover what really matters and what you really want.

2. Listen to your tiny urgres.

What’s been nagging at your heart lately? Do you feel a pull to dye your hair a crazy color or totally change things up? Maybe you want to wear 4″ heels out on the town despite having been a casual home body your whole life. Do you deeply desire creating art and having your own showing, despite having worked as a banker for years?

Tiny urges are there to guide you to your truth. The fact is, your purpose may not be to paint or become an artist, but the act of painting may allow your mind to shut off long enough for you to hear your truth. Getting out on the town in your high heels may give you back the energy and zest for life necessary to uncovering your purpose and making it happen.

Pick a tiny urge, get to work following it. You never know where it will lead!

3. Stop doing/seeing/being the things you know are wrong.

Just stop. Don’t spend another minute with the guy that’s not right for you. Don’t go to one more party with the “friends” you know you don’t fit in with. Stop wearing what you think you should. Stop saying what everyone wants to hear. Stop being someone you know you’re NOT.

STOPPING allows space for starting to do the things you really want to do. It allows the new great friends to show up in your life. The right guy to bump into you at the store. The room for you to speak your mind and become the person you ALREADY ARE, deep down.

Take Action Now

Tell me one way you’ve been untrue to yourself in the past or present. What steps will you take to discover more of your truth? To allow yourself to be YOU, all of the time?

Maybe it’s that we’ve settled into a regular form of exercise… you’ve been running for years.

We resort to the same tried and true ways of showing others we care… you sent flowers, again.

Or maybe at work we use our same little tricks to get the job done… more drop shadows anyone?

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with these things on their own, but when you resort to being a “one trick pony” in any, and in some cases, ALL areas of your life, that’s when you’re going to have problems.

What’s the big deal anyway?

It’s tried and true… it WORKS. So what’s the big deal with sticking to what you’ve been doing for some time now? When you settle into “what works,” you effectively STOP GROWING as a person. You stop trying new and different things, expanding your mind, learning new skills and finding NEW ways to connect with yourself, others and the world around you.

If you’re feeling “bleh” about life, there’s a very good chance you’ve become a “one trick pony.”

You’re bored… in a rut… lacking inspiration, possibility and PASSION. You’re doing just enough to get things done. Nothing more, because this’ll do. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken, right? Wrong.

Sure, there a times that you really don’t need to mess with what’s working, but when you find yourself in a life rut, stale and lacking passion and joy, it’s time to change things up!

How to break out of the “One Trick Pony” lifestyle…

Do something DIFFERENT.

If you’re deep in a rut or not a fan of change, this might sound a little overwhelming, but not to worry… you can start small! Start by taking a new route home from work or checking out a different grocery store for shopping. Buy a new type of salad dressing or eat at a restaurant with a cuisine you’ve never experienced! Buy a new detergent with a different scent!

Once you get comfortable making little changes in your daily and weekly routines, move it on up to the big ones! Challenge yourself to do something at work in a completely NEW and DIFFERENT way. How can you improve? Change things up? Bring in new flair and style? Pick up a new book on the work that you do and try a new technique! Take a class, switch roles in the company or move to a new company with a completely different product or service.

Look at each area of your life and begin to pinpoint where you might be a one trick pony stuck in a massive rut. Instead of flowers or cards, what’s a new and fun way you can show someone you care? What’s a new and different way you can move your body in addition to what you already love?

By doing things differently, you’ll find more joy and excitement in your life. You’ll also be making sure to keep your brain healthy by giving it new challenges on a regular basis.

Learn something new.

I’m talking TOTALLY new here! While it’s great to change things up and learn new things in areas you’re already skilled, it’s even better to challenge yourself to something you’ve never done before. The best part about this one is that when you’re in a rut or not totally in love with your life, you’re likely to gravitate towards something that is in line with your passion and purpose. You’re also likely to be drawn towards something that fills a void in your life.

Maybe you have a secret longing for photography or you’d love to take a pottery class to tend to the neglected creative within you. Perhaps you want take a course on caring for sick animals or working with special needs children to share your love and give back.

Take some time to think about what you’d really LOVE to learn, then find a tutor, class, course or meetup group where you can begin to learn more about it!

Challenge yourself to CONSTANTLY learn and grow!

Make a personal commitment to continue learning and growing as a person. Don’t just move from one rut into another. If you’re taking a new class this month, sign up for a free lecture series on a new topic next month. Go to the library and browse a random area that you’ve never visited… maybe it’s the cook book section, arts and crafts or advanced calculus! The only requirements are that you have an interest in it and you’re OPEN to learning something NEW.

Take action now!

Leave a comment below sharing at least ONE area where you may be living as a “one trick pony.” Share with me how you’re going to start shaking things up! Will you start small and take a new route home from work or are you going to sign up for a class?

The most important thing to realize, is we all operate at a different frequency. We have different levels at which we can give and receive this energy. We’re unique, we’re sensitive and far too often we give away too much!

Think about it…

Have you ever been around someone who zaps the life out of you?

Have you every been completely overwhelmed by a space?

Have you ever packed your week so full that it leaves you wanting to cry?

If not then you may be a highly extroverted individual that just loves everything and everyone, all the time. That’s awesome, but this post isn’t for you. This post is for people who find themselves exhausted on a regular basis, overwhelmed by the people in their life or just plan scattered and frazzled. The people who can’t find the energy to do what they love, are constantly catering to everyone else’s needs and might even feel a little depressed or worn out by life.

If you feel these things, extroverted or introverted, you’re not honoring your energy.

How to Honor and Respect Your Energy

If you want to live a life filled with joy and passion, you have to learn how to respect and honor YOUR energy first and foremost. This is especially true if you’re introverted.

1. Know Yourself and Your Energy Cycle

We all have a cycle, men included, but especially women. There are times in your cycle that you feel energized, extroverted, social, fun and loud. These are the times you want to do everything and see everyone! Then there are also times when all you want to do is sit at home on the couch in your PJs and turn off your phone and email. You want to shut the world out.

Both ends of this spectrum are NORMAL. We all experience them, just to different degrees. It’s important to learn your cycle and begin to honor your energy patterns. If for three weeks you love to get out, socialize and experience the world, but for one week you wish you could just tuck away and not see anyone, honor that. If you’re the opposite and three weeks out of the month you like to be tucked away working on your own hobbies, but one week you love to be out on the town with your pals, honor it. If you fall somewhere in between or you have a very random and scattered pattern, HONOR IT.

There is no RIGHT cycle of energy. You don’t have to want to see people regularly or feel bad for taking time to yourself. In fact, you’re doing the people in your life a disservice by not honoring those times you don’t want to see them. If you take that space, you’ll feel more refreshed, happy and really enjoy your time together.

2. Use Your “Down and Out” Time to Recharge

Just the same as there’s no right or wrong energy cycle, there’s no right or wrong way to recharge. While you’re on the low end of your cycle, make sure to do the things that recharge and refresh you. Get a massage, watch cartoons for 7 hours straight, read a good book or just sleep. Maybe recharging your batteries is getting out and about, but by yourself or with a select person that always leaves you feeling envigorated.

Think about the things that refuel you! As you start to know and honor your cycle, you’ll be able to schedule these types of things on the days you know you’re going to need it. After a week jam packed with calls or socializing, I personally plan for a whole day of nothing. That’s right… no phone, no computer, no workouts, nothing. I literally sit on the couch all day and watch TV between naps. I follow that up with a fun day of being out and about doing things that refresh my mind and spirit. Thrift store, beach or a play date with energizing friends.

3. Cut Out Energy Drains

I don’t care if these are people, things or experiences… if it DRAINS your energy, it needs to go.

What’s the best way to tell if something or someone is an energy drain? When you begin to honor your cycle and have taken the time to recharge your batteries, something that’s draining will zap ALL that out almost instantly. If you come back from a two week vacation and are immediately stressed out, frustrated or exhausted by your job, it’s an energy drain. If you go out for a fun girl’s night only to feel upset or overwhelmed when you come home to your boyfriend, he’s an energy drain.

Sometimes these energy drains aren’t things we can just cut out right this instance, but once you acknowledge what they are, take responsibility and adjust the situation. Look for a better job, leave the relationship or try to find ways to improve the situation so that it’s no longer draining you.

Also, anyone that doesn’t honor and respect your energy cycle alongside you is an energy drain. People who push and pull you into situations despite you letting them know you need something else are not people who care about your needs and well-being.

Take Action Now!

I want you to begin tracking the following three things:

1. How social/extroverted/introverted am I feeling?
2. What is my energy level on a scale of 1 – 10?
3. What is my mood?

Ladies, track that menstrual cycle as well for even better results. EVERY day, I want you to quickly jot down your answers to these three questions. Get some fun stickers and use colored markers or highlighters so that you can easily see patterns at a glance. Really look to see what your cycle looks like and begin to plan accordingly!

BONUS! Click to download a free Energy Cycle Tracking Calendar PDF!

So many of us get extremely caught up in doing the things we’re good at. Maybe it’s a trade we learned from our parents growing up… maybe it’s what we were directed to go to college for and we have a degree plus years of experience under our belt.

Regardless, it’s not our passion.
This realization can cause a lot of confusion and heartache.

But I spent ___ years and thousands of dollars going to school for this.

This is the only way I know how to make money.

The thing I love to do can’t be a REAL career.

Everyone says I’m so great at this, I would be a fool to change paths.

Here’s the truth about “what you do best”:
You were given these strengths and skill sets as TOOLS, not necessarily to build your life around.

I’m a prime example of this… my skills, experience and “expertise” are in design and branding. I went to school for it, worked at many firms and agencies, even built a business of my own around it! But it’s not my PASSION. My passion is personal responsibility and I’m driven by the desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

I tried to find a logical way to incorporate the two… only work with non-profits or companies that try to make a difference, but the fact of the matter is, I was just NOT passionate about design on it’s own. It’s a talent, one that I wasn’t entirely sure why I had, until I realized it was a tool to do far greater work in the world… and NOT necessarily in an obvious way.

Yes, I have the ability to create a beautiful and strong brand for everything I do… but my experience with branding also allows me to help people define their why, values and vision for life, then help them ensure all life areas are consistent with this vision. I’m able to see where people are out of alignment with what they claim to believe and desire in their life.

Let’s look at how you can do this with your life…

How to Connect Your Passion and Skills

1. Make a Transferable Skills List

The first step towards building a life around your passion, while incorporating your skills and strengths, is to take a look at how they integrate with one another. At first it can be incredibly difficult to make a connection… take my story as an example. How on earth does graphic design and personal development work together?

Start by making a list of all the skills that you’ve developed or honed as a result of your education, training and experience. Think of as MANY as possible. In my case, not only did I have all the skills and experience of design, I learned a TON about running a business, bookkeeping, customer service, working with vendors, pitching, sales, printing and so much more. I gained the tools necessary to build a SOLID business doing what I love and a different perspective on how to teach it to my audience. Additionally, my personal experience in building a life I didn’t love drives the work that I do for others.

Once you have your list, take a look and see what’s transferable to your passion. What skills can you use to build a career, business or life around what you REALLY love? Get creative, sometimes the answer is not always obvious or conventional.

2. Reframe Your Situation

Many times you may experience feelings of guilt or shame around the fact that you went to school, trained or spent years of your life following your skills, not your passion. Before you can move forward with what you love, you have to release those feelings and reframe the situation.

First of all, you would not have ended up doing whatever you’ve been doing without those natural skills and talents… there is a reason you spent time in the field you did and not another. Even if you were shoved into a profession that felt completely out of your skill set, you likely landed in a position that was fitting on some level.

Instead of viewing this as wasted time, work to see it as time spent honing your skills and talents in a different way. Having a unique perspective on how to do things will prove to be invaluable as you pursue your passion. No matter what you’ve been doing, it WILL serve you as you in the years to come. Look to positively reframe your situation constantly. There’s no sense wasting time in that negative space!

3. Dabble in Your Delights

Don’t think that because you spent years as a lawyer you can’t “waste time” painting. Or that you have no business building a life around working with kids when all you’ve done for the past decade of your life is crunch numbers and push papers.

You’re drawn to what you’re drawn to for a reason… don’t over think it! DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Do what you deeply desire to do. The things that light you up, fascinate you and feels right. Feelings should always win out over thoughts.

If you feel like you want to paint and be an artist… paint and be an artist. Don’t worry about the thoughts that tell you it’s silly, childish, random or a waste of time. Don’t THINK that you should be focusing on that big promotion when you don’t LOVE what you do. Put energy into what you love to do, not what you do because you can.

Take Action Now

Share with me at least one skill that you’ve honed doing whatever it is that you do that could be utilized if you follow your passion. If you’re not sure what you’re really passionate about yet, share with me one thing that you desire to do and how you plan to start incorporating it into your life THIS WEEK.

Pssst! If you’re ready to dig deep and take an honest look at your life, discover what you REALLY want and make an easy-to-implement action plan to make it happen FAST, then my digital program Foundations for Unshakable Joy is for you!

You told everyone that you had to have it… you prayed, wished, vision boarded and focused your intention on it… but it just didn’t happen. You fell short on cash, didn’t make it in time or something else threw a great big monkey wrench in the plan.

Before you get negative and think, “nothing ever works out for me,” you’re not alone!

While that can definitely be a bummer, there IS a reason.

Four Reasons You Didn’t Get What You Asked For

1. You weren’t specific enough.

For starters, the universe can’t deliver if it’s unclear on what you want.

“I need more money,” is not the same as, “I need $4,375.38 by March 1st.” Being specific also helps YOU get clarity on what you actually want. If you don’t know enough about what you desire, you can’t expect it to magically appear. Even if it did you wouldn’t know it!

When deciding what you want, whether it’s a soul mate, new job or material object, you HAVE to be as specific as possible. How much? What size? What color? By when? With who?

The more specific you can be, the more you’ll be able to envision and experience it before receiving. The power of mentally experiencing the essence of what you desire has major manifestation power.

2. You didn’t take ACTION.

Just the same as you can’t expect the pizza delivery guy to show up when you decide you want to eat, despite the fact that you didn’t feel like getting off your butt to make the phone call, you can’t expect the universe to do all the work for you.

If you want a glorious new position at a fabulous firm downtown, AWESOME. Place your specific order with the universe and then get to work. Find the perfect interview outfit, get you resume in tip top shape (or ditch it for something way more creative), start sending emails and making calls!

The universe works WITH you, not for you. Do your part!

3. It’s not in line with who you really are.

If you’re not in a place of true authenticity and honesty with yourself, then you’re not likely to get what you asked for. It’s all about energy.

If what you’re asking for is incongruent with who you are on a core level, whether you’re aware of it or not, you won’t receive it! OR, you’ll have to fight tooth and nail (massive action on your part – think pushing and pulling) to make it happen.

Take resistance from the universe as a sign that maybe you need to really re-evaluate your motives. Is it more about public image or meeting external expectations? Superficial attraction to someone who would NOT love and adore you? Attracting clients to do work that you really shouldn’t be doing?

Really take the time to check in with yourself on WHY you want what you’re asking for.

4. There is a much greater plan in the works.

Everything DOES happen for a reason! Sometimes the most amazing opportunities and experiences happen AFTER you miss out on the one you thought you wanted. The guy you’re dating skips out on you and the next day you meet Mr. Awesome. You get laid off from your job and the perfect opportunity to travel AND make money falls in your lap.

This doesn’t just happen in the movies. If you can move past that initial disappointment and stay open and receptive to what the universe has in store for you and you’ll see that amazing things begin to happen –- things you never would have considered for yourself!

Even if you fight hard for what you think you want, if it’s wrong, something will fall through… maybe not at first, maybe even a few years in… you WILL be nudged in the right direction.

Work on being open to the flow of life and save yourself time and energy!

Take Action Now!

Leave a comment below sharing one thing you asked for, desired or went after, but didn’t get. Can you find the gift in the situation? What happened afterward that you would have missed out on? How was it out of line with who you truly are? If you’re not sure and still feeling negative, say to yourself OUT LOUD and with loads of enthusiasm, “something AH-MAZING is about to happen and I am SO ready for it!!!”

Pssst! If you’re ready to dig deep and take an honest look at your life, discover what you REALLY want and make an easy-to-implement action plan to make it happen FAST, then my digital program Foundations for Unshakable Joy is for you!

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To some, the word lights a fire in their belly because they truly understand what it means to live life with a purpose or calling. Others will cringe at the word… what a silly word, purpose. They doubt that everyone (including themselves) has a purpose or that things really do happen for a reason.

I believe that absolutely everything, including the awful, happens for a reason.

To enlighten us… or those we leave behind.

To force us to change our ways… a catalyst for growth.

To shape us into the people we’re meant to be… so that we can live our purpose.

You really do have a purpose, and it’s simply this:

Be you. Totally and completely. Fully expressed at ALL times.

When you’re just you, living that authentic self FULL OUT, it’s impossible to live a life off purpose. You do the things that you love and are skilled at. You spend time with the people you’re supposed to be with (because those who aren’t supposed to be in your life fall away). You travel to the places that you’re meant to be. And naturally, you begin to pursue your passions.

Ask yourself this:

If you didn’t have to please or worry about anyone else, what would you do? If money was no concern, how would you spend your time? Where would you be? With whom?

Don’t roll your eyes at these questions because you’ve heard them a million times… there’s a reason for that. It’s EYE-OPENING when you take the time to honestly look inside your heart to discover your truth.

Many times this questions is avoided out of FEAR. Fear that the life you have now isn’t the one you really want. Fear that the person you’re with, the friends or the tribe is actually steering you further from your truth. Fear that if you answer honestly, it will mean you have to DO SOMETHING about it.

Humor me… take some time with this question. Sit with it. Feel what bubbles up for you… what visions flash into your mind. Where your wildest fantasies take you. Discovering your truth requires honesty with yourself! And don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you have to throw everything away or start over.

Make an effort to simply know yourself and what you truly desire.

At a total loss?

Three simple ways to begin to discover your purpose:

1. Start following your tiny urges.

Do you really want to paint? Play guitar? Try some fancy new recipe? Have you been secretly dying to learn salsa or maybe even take a pole dancing class? Whatever your tiny little urge… indulge it. Take a class, buy the tools and try something that will begin to move you in the direction of what you REALLY want to do.

Nothing is too random, crazy or silly. If you have the urge, follow it! It will lead you into amazing new territory and allow you to get to know yourself on a deep level.

2. Be completely honest, ALL of the time.

Whether it’s with your friends, family or yourself, be totally honest about EVERYTHING. Don’t just agree with what everyone else is saying or doing. Don’t say you’ll do one thing when you really don’t want to or you’d rather do something else. Explore your truth.

Be honest with your words AND your actions… the purchases you make, clothes you chose to wear and things you decide to do. Your actions reflect your truth as strongly as your words. Begin to be honest and express that through everything you do.

Start small, but be confident in who you are and what you believe.

3. Realize you are the ONLY PERSON who knows what’s best.

Input can be phenomenal, but oftentimes we rely too heavily on our friends or family when making decisions. Before we know it, we don’t feel as if we can truly be ourselves because we’re so concerned about the approval of others. Don’t hand your power to someone else.

As much as they love you, these people’s assistance can sometimes hinder your ability to find and follow your purpose. They want only the best for you, and their actions can come from a place of protection… which is not always congruent with total support.

If you feel like something is right for you, then you need to trust your intuition!

Take action now!

Leave a comment below sharing some things you discovered about yourself when you honestly answered the questions above!

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

Pssst! If you’re ready to dig deep and take an honest look at your life, discover what you REALLY want and make an easy-to-implement action plan to make it happen FAST, then my new program Foundations for Unshakable Joy is for you!