How to be Calm, Happy and Productive (at the same time!)

Feb 16, 2021

A lot of people in my life often ask me: How do you get so much done? And stay so calm and happy?

In a moment, I’ll share a few secrets with you. 

Before I do that, I want to invite you to this month’s Self-Care Masterclass entitled “How to Overcome Procrastination”. I hear from many people who want to know what to do about procrastination. Of course, there are many “how-to’s” out there, but as with all things Courageous Self-Care, if you just start slapping on solutions, you don’t really get to the core of the issue.

In this month’s masterclass, we’ll be going deep so that you learn what’s getting in the way of making progress on the things that are important to you and then you’ll find out my signature process for taking strategic, inspired action. Interested? If yes, click here to learn more.

Ok. Back to my secrets for getting lots done and staying calm and happy whilst doing the things.

(Disclaimer:...

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5 Solutions for Feeling Stressed Out and Crazy Busy

Feb 09, 2021

After I posted last week’s message, I realized how funny it was that I declared the topic of February to be TIME. Obviously the normal theme for February is love. But that’s kind of how I am. Floating along happily in my own little iridescent bubble, not necessarily paying attention to normal, mainstream things. So let’s carry on with the discussion of time. I’m going to do something magical here. Watch this.

Did you know that the only way you can really experience time is through your emotions?

If you generally feel stressed out, then that’s how you’re experiencing time.

If you often feel overwhelmed, then same thing: that’s how you’re relating to time.

If you feel calm and peaceful, then that’s how you’re connecting with time.

Remember how we talked about treating time like your best friend? Today’s solutions tie in with that idea.

How do you want to feel when you’re with your best friend?...

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How to Have More Time

Feb 02, 2021

So, I’m boldly declaring that February is the month of Time, at least in the world of Courageous Self-Care. I have many thoughts about time and I’ve come a long way with time (pun #1) so I feel like there are some golden nuggets to share over the upcoming weeks.

For today, here’s what I want to say about time: It’s all about your relationship with it. And it all has to do with being present.

This weekend, my family went to Banff. Here’s us doing some cross country skiing in the glorious Rockies. 

And here’s my daughter, Zoe, with a cool snow sculpture (pun #2). Which is also a hot snow sculpture, because there’s a fire made out of snow!

Ok, slide show is over. Here comes the point.

I used to be the kind of person who would say things like, “It was too short,” (in response to the question: How was your weekend?)

Or I might have said, “It was great, but it was so busy”.

I don’t say things like that anymore...

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Are your labels bringing you joy or pain?

Jan 26, 2021

Labels.

What labels do you put on yourself? What labels do you put on others?

I’ve been noticing lately that labels have been causing so much pain, heartache and division.

So, why do we label ourselves then?

In my opinion, it’s because we want to simultaneously belong to something and to declare our uniqueness. And of course, those are polar opposites. We want it all!

The problem with assigning labels is that once we’re convinced that we (or someone else) belongs under a certain heading, we have to prove that it’s true.

Here’s an example.

Once, I attended a retreat where there was a woman who was fanatical about being a vegan. She turned every conversation, regardless of the topic, into a lecture about why she was a vegan and why everyone else listening should be one too. It was fun to be around her.

I ended up in a group with her where we were playing improvisational games. One activity was a “yes” game. We stood in a circle and made up a...

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How to Use Food As Self-Care Instead of Self-Sabotage

Jan 19, 2021

Last week, we discussed (or really it’s more that I told you… not a whole lot of back and forth going on here) how self-care is NOT selfish. And I vehemently urged you to make sure that you have daily practices in place that are self-caring beyond putting on nice-smelling bergamot lotion and having bubbly lavender baths.

Don’t get me wrong, your skin is important and so is time to yourself amidst the bubbles, if that’s what you like, but you can take all the fizzy sudsy soaks you want and things will pretty much be the same when you get out as when you got in. If only a bath could infuse you with a heightened sense of self worth...

Anyway, this week, I’d like to laser in on the topic of food. 

Oh food. Glorious food.

Food can certainly be used for self-care. It can also be used for self-sabotage. And pretty much everything in between.

If you’re anything like me, you may have experienced complexities in your relationship with food.

Here are...

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Self-Care is NOT Selfish - Here's Why

Jan 18, 2021

In the last month, I’ve had many conversations with clients, potential clients and other women in my life. Something I keep hearing is that women are concerned that self-care is selfish.

“If I spend time on myself, won’t other people think I’m not there for them?”

“Won’t they think I’m too into myself?” 

“How can I really care for others if I’m spending time on me?”

“Isn’t it selfish to want more than I’ve got?”

“If I do what’s right for me, won’t other people get hurt?”

I’ve written this post many times in my head already, and every time, it gets me riled up! Thank goodness I’m writing it for real this time so I can move on.

Warning: This is going to be blunt. If any part of this message seems to hurt or cause a trigger, it’s most likely because it’s true. If you’re feeling fragile today, you might want to save it for another...

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Happy Fresh Start & Recommended Resource

Jan 05, 2021

I just love a fresh start, don’t you? I hope you’re enjoying the lightness and possibility that comes along with the beginning of a new year.

 

Next, I have to say thank you to every one who joined in the fun of the Year End Review and the Conscious New Years Celebration. Man were they good!!! And it was lovely to see your shining faces, even if they were on a screen.

 

This week, we’re going to do something a little different. Once in a while, very occasionally, I’ll recommend a resource that’s made an impact in my life. That’s what I want to do this week.

 

8 years ago, I came across a program called Your Year of Miracles that was being taught by Marci Shimoff and Debra Poneman. I was pretty sure that I knew everything they were going to teach (hello dear ego!) but my heart nudged me to join anyway.

 

Good thing, because it revolutionized my life and I’ve been involved in Your Year of Miracles ever since. 

 

...

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Do you “logic” your way out of feeling?

Jan 03, 2021

Emotional suppression is the root of pretty much all illness, dis-ease, chronic issues and injuries.

It stands to reason then, that one would wish to learn how to not suppress emotions, right?

I’ve got 2 related stories to tell you and then I’ll share how to receive emotions rather than push them away.

Ready? OK! (that totally reminded me of the very brief stint I had as a cheerleader in grade 7)

I received an email from someone last week who informed me that she would be unsubscribing from my messages due to the misinformation I spread in that particular email. 

My mind went through a whole reel of reasons why I shouldn’t take her message personally. This is the cheerleader part of my mind. Let’s call her Star.

“It says more about her than it does about you,” Star tried to convince me. 

“It’s good for people to unsubscribe when they no longer want to hear from you.”

“You don’t need to feel hurt. She...

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12 Gifts of COVID Part 2

Dec 22, 2020

Last week, we got into the spirit of Outrageous Gratitude and looked for the gifts of this Year of Years. If you missed part 1 of the 12 gifts, click here (if you want to read it, that is; if you’re ok with just part 2, then by all means don’t click. And congrats on your lack of FOMO!).

Talula made some guest appearances in Part 1, with her less evolved thoughts and contributions. She’s still in the corner, waiting to see if she’ll be needed for part 2. We’ll see.

 

So. The Gifts.

As I mentioned previously, there are a variety of metaphors that have emerged in our pandemical world that are disguised invitations to show up a little differently.

Here are a couple more for your consideration.

Gift #7

The Greeters. I don’t know if it’s the same where you live, but now, whenever you go into a shop or business around here, there’s someone there, standing guard. Sometimes they wear a white lab coat and carry a clipboard (as if...

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12 Gifts of COVID Part 1

Dec 15, 2020

Where I live, we’ve gone into lockdown again, similar to the restrictions we faced at the beginning of the Great Pause.

There’s a part of me that would like to rail against the imposed sanctions, that would like to get indignant and righteous. Let’s call that part Talula. Fortunately, I’ve learned to tame Talula and not let her be in the driver's seat. (She thinks she’s a gifted driver, but she’s not.)

The wiser part of me knows that the better choice is to receive what’s true right now and know that it’s for the highest good of my soul’s evolution.

(“But waaaah”, says Talula, “our Christmas celebrations at the Banff Springs Hotel can no longer happen and I’ve been looking forward to that for MONTHS. WAAAH!”)

I could choose to be angry about the change in plans, or I could choose to go with the flow and trust that something even better is on the way. 

(“Better than Christmas in a castle in...

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