August 26, 2022

One of the most precious rights that we have is the right to vote.  Did you know that up until 1920, when the 19th Amendment was ratified, voting was denied to half of the population – women?  In the early 19th century women could not even own property.   But on this day women actually became part of the American Constitution!

I have always been intrigued by the Suffragists – by the sheer courage of their convictions, how they faced ostracism from their families, spouses, friends, they endured beatings, jail, and even death because they so fiercely believed that they had a right to vote.  They are incredible role models for all women and I encourage you to read about them for your own inspiration. We can learn so much from others who have gone before us – these lessons in life are free – let’s just take the time to sit down and let those stories pour into us. 

While we have come a long way, we still have many struggles for equality.  Let’s have August 26th be a day of celebration for how far we have come and to reinforce our commitment to continue for full equality. 

I had a wonderful phone call with a dear friend a few weeks back. We don’t get to talk very often but when we do, we both are smiling, listening, and connecting in a way that is so real and truly nourishing for us both. We share in a totally honest way – where we are in our respective lives, what are our difficulties and our joys. We then give each other new ideas, challenges, a different focus and a great energy!

I was discussing two challenges that I am faced with right now – somewhat  out of my comfort zone to be honest – and we talked about how much energy it sometimes takes to be continuously engaged and focused while dealing with life’s hurdles.

My friend asked me such an insightful question – What gives me energy? Wow- I just stopped and thought about that question. It is so powerful – to be able to stop yourself in the midst of things that are painful or boring, and to step back and say “How can I shift gears and find the good energy in me to move on? What brings me joy in what I am doing?”

It takes only one thing – awareness. Being conscious and totally tuned into what you are doing and how it makes you feel: are you sluggish or engaged, are you fearful or fearless, do you want to hide from or participate in life? Once you know what you are doing and feeling, and not just reacting mindlessly, you can begin to assess what does get you moving and excited. 

For me, I just make a list in my journal of what helps me to be excited. For example, when I am thinking about my business, what energizes me is writing, coaching my amazing clients, connecting with other women, doing workshops. I then focus on those activities and being in the moment – simple and yet empowering. And I tell myself how lucky I am that “I get” to do these things!

I encourage you to make these small little changes for having less anxiety and finding more positive energy in your life– 

1. Connect with a friend who brings joy to your life.  You never know how much richness you can give and receive from each other.

2. Ask yourself the question “What gives you energy?”

3. Be aware of your feelings and follow the honest answers that come from within. Record them, look for patterns, and move into action and joy.

You will find that this little question, “what gives me energy?”,  along with your honest answers will get you going, become jazzed about your life, feel lively and so ready to take on the world again. All you have to do is answer that one little question.

Share with us what gives you energy!

On an early beach walk the other morning I let myself stop and gaze across to the horizon.  There were big swells and smaller waves in between.  Standing there I thought about how we can decide to run into the rough waters head on and ride them in (a bit scary for me, delightful for others), or we can wait for the mirror like water to float in so peacefully (honestly, that is my joy but it is boring to many).

We all know about the waves and currents in our lives – how people, challenges and delights come and go. About how there always are the highs and lows in our journey with some calmness in between.  We can decide we need to plunge right into our challenges, our big waves. We may get thrown around a bit but we always come through with a great story and some scrapes but always the wiser.
And there will also be times when we need to hang back, and float around a bit and take in the surroundings and relish in the much-needed calm. When we allow this stillness, our mind and soul are nourished and we can be opened up to new options and choices we would not have thought of before in all the turbulence.

What is so powerful is that we get to choose which wave we want to ride. Everyday.

 

The North Star, Polaris, is a pretty special star because unlike all the other stars in the sky, it is in the same location every night, and never wavers.  It has been guiding people for eons – it always points the same way – true north.

It reminds me of our own North Star within. That little voice – you know it – that feeling, that instinct which guides us. If we listen to it!  How many times do you have a feeling and then you ignore it and later say – if only I had listened to my gut!

It is easy to get off track – we want to please others, we want to take a short cut, we are just to distracted and need to make a decision quickly and jump right in. And we may end up regretting what we did, become disappointed or waste time and energy

When this happens just take a moment to breathe, listen and think through the important decisions. Sometimes it’s ok to just jump right in but when it really matters, a little silence will help you to hear what your true self is saying.  That is the time to be guided by your own North Star.