When I stopped in front of this magnificent banyan tree, my perspective on roots shifted. Traditionally, we associate roots with our ancestral heritage, the legacy passed down to us through generations. However, I began contemplating my own roots – how my actions, relationships, and the legacy I am creating contribute to the growth and expansion of my connections with others. Every interaction we have and the choices we make can deepen our roots, leaving behind an indelible impact of generosity, consideration, and kindness. We get to think about the importance of nurturing our personal roots and making conscious choices to leave a lasting impression on the world.

 

Recognizing the Power of Our Actions:

• Each action we take has consequences that extend beyond ourselves.
• By acknowledging the potential impact of our choices, we become more conscious of the roots we are cultivating.
• Small acts of kindness and consideration can have a ripple effect, spreading positivity and warmth.

Cultivating Meaningful Relationships:

• Our relationships serve as an essential part of our root system.
• Meaningful connections nourish and strengthen us, allowing us to grow and expand.
• Investing time and effort into building genuine and authentic relationships contributes to the growth of our roots.

Leaving a Legacy:

• Consider the lasting impact you would like to have on the world.
• Our actions, words, and achievements shape our legacy and influence future generations.
• Leaving a legacy of generosity, compassion, and kindness can inspire others to do the same.

Embracing Growth and Expansion:

• Like a banyan tree, our roots continue to deepen and expand throughout our lives.
• Embrace opportunities for personal growth, as they contribute to the strength and resilience of our roots.
• Never underestimate the value of continuous learning and discovering new ways to connect with others.

Choosing Our Impact:

• Our roots are not only shaped by external factors; we also have agency in defining our impact.
• Let’s consciously choose to leave behind a legacy that is remembered for its positive contributions.
• By making compassionate and considerate choices, we can shape a lasting impact that will endure for generations to come.

By nurturing our roots through meaningful connections and making conscious choices, we have the power to leave a lasting impression on the world. Let us choose to leave a legacy that is remembered for its generosity, consideration, and kindness. After all, it is our choice to deepen our roots and make a lasting impact on the world.

 

 

We all know about our biological clock, but think about your ‘Soul Clock’ –  that voice inside that is saying:

What are you waiting for?

 

 Our biological clock is easy to understand.  I love the scene in My Cousin Vinny where Marisa Tomie, who plays Mona Lisa Vito, says: ” But we agreed to get married as soon as you won your first case.  Meanwhile, 10 years later, my niece..is getting married. My biological clock is TICKING LIKE THIS (taps, taps, taps her foot) and the way this case is going I ain’t never getting married.”  In the scene, she conveys such a sense of frustration and urgency.  

The words ‘Soul Clock’ came to mind in a conversation I had the other day. We have something else inside of us that is tapping – our Soul Clock is an internal voice that urges action. It is ticking on and sending messages,  and asking what are we waiting for?

While our Soul has no timeline, it just IS. it signifies a longing and a feeling of unfinished business, a feeling that something is off and not yet done.  What are we waiting for??

Conditions, and situations will never be perfect and our inner self, our Soul, wants us to trust and jump in and do ‘it’.  

Ask yourself:

 –  What do you long for?

 –  Why are you holding back?

 –  What are the obstacles or feelings that are blocking you from doing what you must? Is it fear?

We have so much more courage inside that we know and when we give ourselves permission to let it out, a whole new world opens up. For me, it took almost 7 years to write my book – for a number of reasons.  One big one was I was afraid that it would not be good enough and that I was sharing too much private information.  But I asked myself one day  “OK. self. Are you going to write this or not?  Why do you want to do this? What would happen if you did and what would happen if you didn’t?”  And as the answers to those questions became clear,  I went ahead, and was so happy I did.  For you it may not necessarily be a book but I bet you can quickly list two or three things you are longing to do. Just write those down and ask yourself those same three questions and I know you will get clarity very quickly.

As long as that voice, the Soul inside of you sends the feeling that there is something off which it really needs and wants, acknowledge that message and take the time to start asking yourself: “what am I missing, why do I want this, and what do I need to do now?  I encourage you to identify one thing you can do to get started on your path towards fulfillment.

Just find that one thing to do first – only one step to get started and the rest will flow.

 

Why are you waiting for more joy, more self-love, more fun?  And if you’re wondering and thinking that you can’t, I suggest you get curious and say: Why Not?  The time really is now. 

We all know that as wonderful and magical as the holidays are, they can also be filled with stress, anxiety, exhaustion and just are sometimes “too much”. What we truly need is a balance and ideas on how to keep the magic and joy at this time of year.

There are so many little things that will bring balance and smiles back into our lives – and they don’t take much effort at all! Here are some ways for you to create space and allow that joy and magic of the season to come into your life.

Looking back on this year I again have so much to be thankful for. For many of us it was a year of gifts and losses. One thing that was reinforced is that we need to receive as well as give. We are prolific givers – of our time, our hearts, and our energy – which is wonderful. It is so important that we step back and also receive, to allow ourselves to ask for support or guidance. We find that there are so many people right there who love to give the gift of their love to us, if we just say yes and thank you.

I want to say how grateful I am for all of you and for all of your support. It has made me smile so much. Giving back to you, here are some ideas I have shared before but are back by popular demand to share again for this 2023 holiday season.

The 12 Days Of Joy

Here are 12 tips on bringing more joy to your holidays:

1. Pleasing others or pleasing yourself? This is the time for you to be joyful and happy too.  If you are constantly saying yes or wanting to please others, take a break. You need to put on the oxygen mask first before giving away everything of yourself to others.
2. Relationships – Being TogetherStep back and literally count the blessings in your life. Many of us know too well how fleeting time can be so rather than be upset with your family or friends, step back and think of just one good thing they bring to your life.
3. Relationships – Being Alone
   I know too well how terribly difficult and painful it can be to lose someone dear. Seek out others who are alone. It is a gift for you both.
4. Let It Go!When we get overwhelmed, it is time to take a pause before we are depleted.Take a pause – take a breath and then ask two questions: “How important is it?” and “Is this under my control?”
5. Spending Money
   The most thoughtful gifts don’t need to be extravagant. Be creative, do some research, plan an experience, some time with you, rather than an expensive purchase.
6. A Time for Laughter
   Above all else, look for the laughter, the happiness around you.  Laugh at yourself, find pleasure in simple things. Dance! Sing! Watch Elf.
7. Create a Legacy
   Create a new holiday tradition – or honor an old one –giving memories for now and the future.
8. What Fills you Up?
   Here is a great exercise – make three columns on a piece of paper. At the top of each, draw a Smiley Face, a Neutral Face, and a Frowning Face. List the things that give you joy, that are okay, and those that feelings that are draining/negative.  Then decide where you want to put your energy.
9. Create Options
   Rather than be on autopilot all the time, step back and ask yourself- how else can I do this? What else can I do? Can I allow myself to not do this?
10. Respond, not React
    There is a big difference between these two words. React is about
    being on autopilot (see #9). Respond is to be in thoughtful control of our feelings and actions.
11. Why Not?
    Give yourself permission to live a little lighter, happier, crazier. It’s a time for cheer – just ask why not?
12. Just Be
    Ahhh – the feeling of just being. Being You. Being happy. Being quiet. Being loving.  Or just Be.

My wish is that these ideas will help carry you through the holidays with a bit more lightness and love. Remember to breathe and smile and enjoy each moment we have.

Take a few moments to reflect on what this means in your life, right now.

Autumn – the time of change and new beginnings. We still have the bounty of summer tomatoes just as the crisp apples are appearing.  This is a great time for reflection now that summer is over (or winter in the southern hemisphere) – time to give yourself permission to hit the restart button.

It could be back-to-school, or it’s simply just time to let go of summer, but whatever your change, embrace autumn and make sure you are willing to create what is next…

Are you ready: to figure out how you want to spend this season?

It is so important to know your intention for this new time of the year – perhaps it is just some little change in the area of health or getting outside more; maybe taking more breaks during the day to refresh.

Sometimes when we make small changes, they have big impacts.

Perhaps you are a mom or dad, grandparent, or caregiver and maybe torn between being excited about the new school year, and at the same time, feeling sad about the summer ending. Perhaps your daughter or son is starting kindergarten, or college for the first time.

These are huge changes that you need to take time to reflect and honor your feelings, no matter what they are.

Are you ready:

to do something different? For example, once the kids are off to school, instead of jumping right into your work day or ‘must do’ list, take 3 – 5 minutes to sit and decide how you want to spend your day. You have heard me say before – what is your To Be List? How do you want to Be, feel, act today?

What is your intention for the day?

Sometimes my intention is to simply be curious – what else can I do/how else can I feel? Or be calm! Or even smile more. Pick one thing when you wake up or when you are starting your day, put it on your reminder and soon you will have this powerful daily habit to reset yourself in this new season of the year.

Sometimes my intention is to simply be curious – what else can I do/how else can I feel? Or be calm! Or even smile more. Pick one thing when you wake up or when you are starting your day, put it on your reminder and soon you will have this powerful daily habit to reset yourself in this new season of the year.

And live with gratitude and love – to yourself and others.  And then it is a truly good day, no matter what the season. 

What is next for you? 

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