Choosing Balance Instead of Over Committing 07/30/2010
 From my coaching program, a revelation occurred. It started with integrity and accountability; keeping promises to myself and others. It quickly shifted into a new form called balance. I stopped making promises to myself and others I couldn't keep. Things like over committing myself with work, play dates or helping someone with their website. If I didn't have time or energy to do it, I said no. This has been a huge breakthrough for me in finding balance in my life. I take on the work I can handle, I made time for me to exercise, eat better and indulge in things I truly enjoy. And though not over-booking myself is a constant thought process, I know it will eventually even itself out. What keeps you for living an unbalanced life? Have you found the key to staying even and committed or is balance something your struggle with? Share your secrets and troubles! In Balance & Love,   Kim Jenkins Have you met Kim Jenkins? Some of you might know her as @GratefulKim on Twitter. I had the pleasure of meeting Kim in person during one of my first stops on the Magical Eyes Tour. Kim is a fireball. If you need some extra pep, any day of the week, she is your go to gal. Kim has a website where people share stories about how they found their joy in life. If you have an inspiring story to share, you should reach out to her. Also, Kim is a Zumba Queen. She recently became an instructor and has a passion for Zumba like no one else! If you have a Twitter account, follow her. If you are one Facebook, befriend her and if you need someone to lift your spirits, reach out to her. You won't regret it. Thanks for being such an inspiration in the world, Kim! The Benefits of Bartering 07/29/2010
I have talents. I am a mild to good graphic designer. I have a lot of experience and enough know how to get my by. I can easily produce things like this,  and this...  I am also a social media queen. I am self taught. It is what I do for a living. I love it and I am good at it. The more I submerge myself in what companies have to offer the masses, the more I am able to create a social media plan around what works best for them. My favorite accounts to handle are those that contribute to the greater good of the world. I very much enjoy spreading love and peace anyway I can. I am also a life coach. I help people get past themselves through conversation. These are a few of the skills I have to offer the world and are things I love doing. What has been most rewarding about having this skill set is knowing that the services others have to offer are available to me through the barter system. I trade website design services with my friend Stevi for hair styling purposes.  I trade social networking skills for astrology reports from @astrogrrl. I trade more social networking skills to take self development courses that appeal to me.  Sacred Sexy U I have found that by bartering we open up a whole new world of what is possible. If the concept of not having enough to do what you want is showing up in your life, take a break from that conversation and step into the realm of what is possible. If you let go of your story, and ask for what you want to show up- the person that can give you what need might be knocking at your door. Do you barter with friends and people you meet? Is there a skill set you have that others might benefit from? What benefits have you received from bartering? Giving & Receiving,  PS. I need help with some gardening stuff if you don't mind moseying on over to that page. Thanks! Living in Fear of Bipolar Dis-ease 07/28/2010
 The concept of having balance in life has such a nice ring to it. But what about acquiring balance with our moods? It is the 6th week into my coaching program with Frame of Mind and I am just now getting around to cracking my shell wide open and digging out all the dirt that lives inside. It took me six weeks to get to this place, seriously? I must admit, I went into the program with my head held high. I had the idea that I was there to get my coaching certification but what I chose not to acknowledge is that I was really there to work on me. This conversation relates back to me being vulnerable. I found myself yesterday wondering why I was in such a icky mood. There was really no reason for it. The more I thought back the more I realized I live in a roller coaster state of mind, (my moods going up and down constantly.) Then a wave of brief, mild, panic settled in. What if this is the early stages of bipolar? ARE there early stages of bipolar disorder? My family has a history of this dis-ease. It never occurred to me that I do, in fact live in fear of obtaining this dis-ease until a recent coaching call. Would a bipolar person realize the shift in their moods as I have? Would a bipolar person be able to consciously choose to shift their moods if they noticed a change for the negative? I am not familiar with the way one acquires becoming bipolar or if they even "become" versus having it in their DNA. This is something I need to do more research on. I do know that I am tired of living in fear. I dislike criticizing my moods if they are not 100% on the happy meter. I know that by questioning where I am and diving in deeper I give myself permission to discover a new piece of myself that is a catalyst for my personal evolution. So with that said, when the moments of fear come a creeping in, I will choose to see how I can expand from the point of where I am instead of reverting back to my cave. Grace, Expansion & Juggling,  PS. Be sure to check out this weeks "Thumbs Up." An inspirational video from Jim Carrey, you won't want to miss! Happy Day.  Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve Vulnerability. A word most of us are familiar with and often avoid experiencing. Lately, Brawn has been out of town for the greater half of the week. Unfortunately I have become accustom to being by myself, only picking up after myself, only doing what I want to do and on a another level, only letting myself feel what I want to feel. When Brawn comes back into town, it is a bumpy transition for me to flip my "on" switch and be an open flowing vessel again. Vulnerability can be scary. I didn't notice until this weekend that I put my walls up while he is gone. At the time, I though it was easier to not worry about where he is, when he is going to call me, what he is doing or not doing, how much he is drinking, spending or living it up. Why should I worry about that anyway? Whatever is going to happen will happen whether my guard is up or not. When he comes back home, I find myself closed. I feel cold and distant, not at all open to what our relationship really has to offer. On Sunday I asked the Twitterverse, "is staying in the space of being vulnerable difficult for you?" and you replied: @jilianrayne: Yes very! I'm learning w/ my husband but I hate the process. @GratefulKim: Yup. @reigniteromance: Not difficult so to speak, just uncomfortable. I agree, @reigniteromance. It is uncomfortable. But why and how is it holding us back in other areas of our lives. Think about it. If there is one part of our life where we refuse to be vulnerable and in my case it is when Brawn is gone and for a short while of when he comes back, there has to be other parts of our lives where we are blocking the flow. What would happen if we stepped into that discomfort and really lived in it? What would that look like for you? What might it open up in our relationships? Not only with others, but ourselves as well? Opening the Door to Being Vulnerable,  PS. Be sure to check out this weeks recipe, Chicken Tortilla Soup! 4 Comments Tie-Dye Hemp & A Contest for Your Winning 07/26/2010
 One day this week I got the bright idea to attempt to dye hemp. Brawn often makes bracelets, key chains and necklaces with it.    I cut the hemp into the appropriate length, placed them in the tiny, adorable bowls I had with just enough water to cover it.    Then added several drops of food coloring. I used blue and green because that's the kind of mood I was in & watch it swirl.   I let them soak in the dye for about 30 minutes & pressed the hemp down with a spoon to make sure as much as possible was covered. You can also add salt to the water to help lock in the dye. It does make a difference if you wear the hemp water later.   I took the hemp out of the water and place the pieces on a paper towel and then set them out in the sun to dry.    The dye turned out faded on the hemp. It might of been bolder colors if I had used clothing dye instead of food coloring. Either way, it still turned out cool. I let Brawn make it into something awesome and added some wood beads and there ya go! Contest: I want you to have a chance to win this bracelet. It is about 6.5 inches long and fits my wrist perfectly. However, if it is too small for you and you happen to win the contest, I would be more then happy to make another one that fits you lovely like. Here is how to win: Subscribe to my blog! On the write column, under where it says "subscribe" enter your email address and then click the verification link sent your email address and viola! You are entered for a chance to win. This Friday I will do a drawing and announce the winner the following Monday! Good luck to you, feel free to pass along the message to friends. Thanks! Happy Saturday 07/24/2010
 The Ghost that Shares Our Home 07/23/2010
 Brawn and I moved into the house we are in almost 2 months ago. Since then we have had about 5 occasions where we have felt like there was some sort of a ghost present. Most of the occurrences were the sound of a bedroom door closing when we were in another room. There were times when we tried to reiterate the noise by opening other doors and closing them to shift the pressure in the house and see if something like that caused it- but we could find no reasonable explanation. While Brawn is traveling there are times when I feel like something is in the room with me or in the hallway just outside of the room. I never feel threatened, but sensing something in and of itself can be somewhat startling. Last night, I was home alone and got in bed to go to sleep. The house was silent with the exception of our AC window unit. As I closed my eyes I began to hear the static of a TV. It wasn't from the TV in the living room. It sounded like an old TV, with a broadcasters voice as if there was a horse race on the television or something. The sounds I heard lasted a couple minutes and then never returned. At one point last night around 4 a.m. I suddenly opened my eyes and I saw a women kneeling beside the bed staring at me. She was in her pajamas and her entirely body was white, glowing almost. I quickly turned over and tried to go back to sleep. When I woke up, she was gone. Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever experienced any ghostly activity?  Shout Out Friday! I really want to acknowledge Donna Asbury this week. A while back she started a Pink Pounds Posse where other Pinkies can gather and support each other in shifting into a healthier lifestyle. This place has become a huge source of inspiration for me. Even though these ladies aren't with me on a regular basis, I feel excited to check in with them, hear how they are doing and share my stories of obstacles and milestones! Donna also recently started documenting her journey on her blog Reaching For Pink which I really love. Be sure to check it out. Donna, thanks for being so awesome! Our Journey to see The Last Airbender 07/22/2010
 We drove to Mesquite and ate at Cheddar's. I must say it was the best service and most outstanding food I have had in a long time. I ask the waiter for a comment card and I am pretty sure he thought I was going to complain about something but I made sure I got his name and gave him a rave review. Hopefully it made his night and gave the manager a smile. The food industry is some stressful work.  Then we made our way to the movie theater to see The Last Airbender in 3D. It was Brawn and mines first time seeing a 3D film.  The glasses they gave us were super cool.  And we couldn't say no to a delicious Icee.  I would recommend Airbender to those of you who were thinking about seeing it but weren't entirely sure. The over all message is what has been trending lately, love; which happens to be right up my alley. I don't know how I feel about the 3D movement (aside from the kick ass glasses they give you.) On some of the scenes where they shoot scanning across the screen my eyes begin to hurt?  What inspirational movies have you seen lately? What did they inspire you to do? Are you a fan of the 3D awesomeness? PS. Be sure to check out today's gardening post with pretty pictures of my flowers. New York City, Here I Come! 07/21/2010
 In just a few weeks I will be in New York City for the first time ever. I fly in on Monday, August 2nd and stay through the following Monday. How cool is that? For the greater part of the week I will be staying with Twitter friend, Nicole Ohebshalom of Precious Radiance. I am very much looking forward to our time together. I know she has great wisdom to share with me about what it means to love yourself from the inside out. A while back I attempted to take one of her courses and through miscommunication I got lost in the shuffle. So I am very much excited to take this opportunity to absorb as much as possible from her while I am there. Thanks Nicole for extending your home to me! On Thursday I booked a tour of Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty and eat dinner with several other tourists. I am going by my lonesome, but kind of looking forward to the adventure. Then, of course, Friday and Saturday will be filled with many moments of Blogher greatness. I will be attending the sold out conference with my boss, Lissa Rankin and Dana Theus. Another good friend of mine, Kate Buck will be there. I can't wait to see what knowledge I gain and all the friends I will make. This is a great moment of expansion for me and I am SO looking forward to it. Will you be at Blogher? What tips and tricks can you share with my about NYC? Anything I must see while I am there? PS. Check out the photo of the day, CLICK HERE. A Rant for Originality 07/20/2010
 I feel like an idiot. It's true. Yesterday, one of my most favorite bloggers announced that she was getting married. As I was looking at their engagement photos my eyes began to swell up with tears of excitement. They are such an adorable couple. I love watching all of the things they create through her blog. As I scrolled down a little more I saw that there were 115 comments on her engagement post. Then I sat there, irritated, pondering and frustrated. Lissa recently wrote a post called Let's Collaborate, Not Compete. In the post she explains how competition is unnecessary and when we make an effort to collaborate we are able to acknowledge that there are things other people have that we want. But it doesn't take competition to achieve them. When we work together, the things we create are far more powerful. I agree. But here is why I feel like an idiot. There are so many bloggers out there that I LOVE. I have subscribed to their feed. I look forward to their posts and announcements and I want THAT. I want to have a large audience of followers who love my style and what I share on my blog. I know I am sounding a bit like a whining child right now, but this is what is so. A part of me feels like I lack the originality. But maybe the problem is that I haven't been dedicated to one thing for long enough. I am constantly changing blogs, pages, designs, photos, etc. I think I am going to try and stick it out to see what happens. Maybe one day I will have 115 comments. What would you like to rant about today? PS. I have a contest coming up soon. You must be subscribed to my blog in order to be entered into the drawing so make sure you are subscribed! | Subscribe hereThis will send you a fresh copy of my blog every time I write a new post and update you on special offers.
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