Things That Are (Good, Shitty, Neither, Etc)

1.  I tried dying eggs like a damn hippy.  

With turmeric and coffee and natural stuff.  I am an idiot.  It takes waaaaay too long for a three year old (fridge, overnight, puh-lease).  It also stained my marble.  And looked like crap. So, I then miked up some water and vinegar with some lovely food coloring.  And guess what?  They look awesome.  Pin this picture.  Suck it up.  Make me a Pinterest mom because I kicked these easter eggs in the caboose.

2.  I have been DEEP DEEP DEEP in planning for this AMAZE-BALLS workshop on Block Island this fall.  I simply cannot wait to workshop with epic women, eat beautiful food, sit by the fireplace, and grow my business and build on my dreams.  

3.  I taught my assistant about this FREE photo editing site.  She almost lost her shit.  It's fun.  It's free.  It splashes things with awesomeness without photoshop.

4.  My favorite tree now has leaves.  Thank goodness spring might finally arrive in earnest. 

 

So, I Want To Talk About The Word COACH

To make things simple, there is therapy, there is consulting and there is coaching.  I want to talk a bit about the differences.  And yes, and yes, I am OVER-SIMPLIFYING.  For sure. I am over-simplifying.  So don't get pissed.  I am OVER-FUCKING-SIMPLIFYING.

Therapy:  Comes from the perspective of there being something WRONG with you.  There is something within you that you are trying to address, trying to fix.  There is a LACK.  Furthermore, your therapist is NOT YOUR FRIEND.  You will never be friends.  You will never know much about them.  One way street.  Your issues, their solutions.  (Don't get your panties in a bunch, I know it is not that simple).  But you are broken, in some way and this professional is there to fix you.  I am NOT a therapist, got it?

Consulting.  So a consultant is a know-it-all.  With regard to what they are consulting about, they are a specialist.  They know and you don't and they will SCHOOL your ass about this particular thing (that's not you).  What I provide involves some consulting.  I am very knowledgeable about certain things.  If and when we come across those things I will say something like, "I am going to put my consulting hat on now."  I say that so you'll know I am about to get realllllly bossy.

Coaching.  I used to HATE the word coaching with a passion.  It sounded too wishy-washy.  I didn't understand that it was a QUALIFIABLE skill set.  There were too many people calling themselves coaches without any training or method.  I was angry to be a part of this pot.  But, that was my SHIT to deal with.  And dealt with it I did.  So now, I am here to tell you that as a coach I am beside and a little behind you.  I have a learned, practiced and certified skill set.  I have a lot of different tools I use to help you 1) CLARIFY where you are going and 2) HELP you get there.  As a coach I believe you are whole person.  I believe that you have strengths and weaknesses and shit to sift through and sort out.  I create a SAFE space for you to process and move through change.  I become your friend in the process.  I will share myself with you as it comes up.  I know that sometimes magic happens when you are not working on something alone.  

I am in cahoots with you; your partner in crime.  I've got your back.  You aren't alone.

And I've worked with coaches before and I've worked with therapist before and I've worked with consultants before.  And they look different and it FEELS different and it IS different. And each have an amazing place in the world of helpers.  Coaching is the place that is mine. It is the place where I land again and again.  The place where I listen.  The place where I create space for your dreams to twist and turn and become reality. The place where I use my skills AND my intuition.  A place where the questions and answers move you out of the swirling blender and into forward motion.  

Now more than ever I believe in coaches.  I believe that we will succeed if we are doing the work we are meant to do.  The world will be better for it.  We need people who truly love something to be doing that something.  I'll meet you in

The safe space where dreams brew. (Click to Tweet

Things That Are Good, Neither or Really Shitty

This week, THESE pants.  Umm, yes please.  Clothes are starting to interest me again.  Almost time to bust out the sewing machine.  Wrap shirts are in my nearish (remember, I am not allowed to start anything new quite yet) future.

One of the reasons why is those damn TODDLERS. Here are 25 things about those beings who are "just realizing they are fallen gods."

And finally, the MOST inspiring person I watched on the internet this week was THIS homeschooled kid.  He thinks we should learn to practice being happy and heathy along with learning to make a living.  I agree!!! Why schools don't teach life skills I will never understand.  

Also, we are planning an exclusive weekend session on Block Island this October – spend the weekend workshopping your business dreams and goals, breathing the ocean air, eating amazing food prepared just for you, practicing yoga for prosperity and learning mindfulness skills.  Leave refreshed, motivated, and ready to soar.  Send an email to find out more.

To The Space Between Projects: I Currently Hate You.

Hate's strong.  I use it when I am fearful.  I've noticed others do too.  When we are maxed out uncomfortable and pushed to our edges, there is hate.  When there is resistance (for whatever the reason) to incorporate something into our life stories, there is hate.  It's reactionary.  It is born of fear. 

I've talked a lot about finishing stuff recently.  Like, BEFORE I take on new shit.  Radical, isn't it?  (Yes, that's rhetorical, somewhat).  

I am a push-forward-always-driven-isn't-she-manic-but-ohsotogether type of person.  

So being without something on the horizon is TERRIFYING. And when I say that I really mean it.  I mean the kind of heart in your chest and fight or flight fear. How's that for radical honesty?  

So right now I have given myself a task that brings up hate and fear.  Oh my.  Biting off a lot.  

So I sit here with the clean slate, the tabula rasa. 

So I sit here with the feelings that arise. 

So I sit here, in between. 

Things That Are Good, Neither or Really Shitty

This week in review:  BUTTER, PHOTOS and INTENTION.

My husband has never eaten meat in his life.  I do eat meat, though sparingly, and I am just learning to cook it.  I do, however, buy local and organic and farm raised, where and when I can.  Especially for zee kids.  So THIS makes me feel better.  Butter is Back, bitches.

Working with a new photographer.  And, OMG.  EPIC. 

And, it was the New Moon.  Which meant I had to set some intentions.  

Are you wrapping up your first quarter, winter work?  Are you ready for a new beginning and to dive in?  

Or maybe you, like me, are still unfurling, slowly...

I Feel Like An Adult

So I have said a few times recently that for me, this year (32) is a year of brand new things.  I am aware of beginnings. (Did I say that? Or did I just think it?)

It's the first time I've had a coffee maker in my office.  

Well, wait, it is the first time I have had an office outside of my home.

I've also made my first friend as an adult.  And this is weird right?  Most people have friends, I think.  But if you work for yourself as much as I have and then have kids, you don't really have a lot of meeting people time.  

Since moving back to Providence I feel like so many doors are opening for me.  And in really healthy ways.  

I feel very fulfilled.  My kids are thriving (despite the long winter), my stress level is low (despite the craziness that is life due to moving my home and my business), my husband has lots of work and is happy (despite the fact that his desk is in the currently unheated basement), and lost importantly, I have a friend. Who lives down the street and has kids just my kids' ages.  So, like, we have everything in common (ish). 

But you know what the best part is? 

Not feeling so incredibly alone.  And to me that equals BEING HEARD.

Incredibly simple, yet incredibly empowering.  

So, I am going to add another word to this years word list: Community.

It is not always what/who you think.

We need each other, people.

Because when it is 8PM and I am already in bed, but stuffing chocolates into my mouth, it is far better to know that she is doing it too.

See?  Check out slide 4:  

Things That Are Good, Neither or Really Shitty

Ladies and gentlemen (there are a select few of you, I hope).  This is it.  The introduction of my 

WEEKLY FEATURE.  

Once a week (on Fridays) I am going to be here, dishing the dish, full of links and critiques and my opinions – which Salt'n'Pepa taught me "...are like assholes and everybody's got one." (Side note, if you haven't listened to this this year, you should.)

So, THIS week's roundup:

• This wall color.  I sweat the bravery, I sweat the color, I do not envy hanging art on it.  Ps. No one looks that good while painting (new thing to live up to.)

• So since we are already talking about people looking awesome...I want to tell you how stinking awesome I look in this sweater.  Seriously.  I bought it in all three colors.  I am old.  It is official.  But I am happy.  So suck it. 

• More on pretties:  Rings cast from sand. Stackable.  Unique.  Going on my MUST have list.

• On the SHITTY list.  This terrible article about the grossest stuff you'll ever hear about. Seriously, if you want to quit, just quit.  If you want to smoke, just smoke.  Yuck to chemical poison.

• If you do care about your body and you are ready for a spring (god, I hope) cleanse. The click here because this is the one you want.  The recipes OMG they make me want to cook!  

• Loving THIS song.  Rosie Thomas. There is a reason it is on the "Sad Songs Channel" but seriously, major prettiness. 

That is, officially, all that is important in the world today.  Well, except for THIS granola I make weekly to feed my family.  Oh, and THIS calzone.  And THESE pork chops.

Happy Weekend.  I'm out

I Am Getting Discouraged, Can You Relate?

I am discouraged today.  Can you relate?  

There is not enough time in the day and I am working so damn hard.  I am juggling.  I am fighting the good fight. 

I even asked for help and said "no" more.  That's what I'm meant to do right?  

We all get discouraged. But, the thing is, it DOESN'T mean that we are doing something wrong.

Can you see my ass?  You mother fucking cannot, because I have worked it off.  

Between being a landlord, being a mother, running Wear Your Music, paying my household bills, being a friend, doing wifely things, being present for my clients, marketing myself, blogging, taking classes, trying to eat cook and eat good food, texting with my bffs, scheduling everyone, and sleeping...well, I am empty and discouraged and rat raced.  The rat is fucking winning folks.  But only today.

Tomorrow, I promise to:

• Take a deep breath before my eyes open.
• Say thank you to the universe for a brand new day.
• Count my blessings, out loud, to my kids.
• Kiss my husband more than once.
• Realize I am winning.  No matter how discouraged I feel.

#theratracewinsnomore

March. This Month is for Finishing Things

This the the month that comes RIGHT before new beginnings.  It's like every muscle in your body is ready for that fresh start and you are so coiled and pent up and ready, lusting, ready lusting. 

We are not there yet, folks.  

There are ends to tie up before we unfurl and start those raised beds in the yard.  (I can't stop thinking about buying seeds orstarting them though).

My windows are open sometimes to let the air and the light in.  To start to move the blood around, to begin to stir the winter cobwebs. The earliest signs of spring are emerging all around us (a game my daughter and I play each seasonal shift is to spot these changes).

But, yet, it is not quite time to transition. 

About that unfinished business... What's yours? (Click to Tweet).

So, I hunker down and before spring comes I write a March list. I call it:  "I Still Have To"

I Still Have To:

• Make one more soup that requires my care, attention and stirring.  That nourishes me deeply, like only soup in winter can.
• Sit in front of my friend's fireplace and listen to it crackle and have to move away because my skin feels taught with the heat of it.
• Bring out the shoe polish and the wax to clean and buff my many pairs of brown boots. Taking care.
• Finish my taxes and write the checks and move the files to the basement. 
• Sew the batting down on the quilt I began when I was in early labor with my son and it was August.

Only then can I step, wholly, into the transition of spring.  I want to emerge.  But before I move on, there's some completion to be done.

Go, finish what you started before beginning anew.

Organization - 2 Things to Do TODAY to Start Your Week Off Right

I've moved both my home and my business in the past three months. Which is to say:  the shit of seven people is taking over my life. 

And yet, I THRIVE.  One of the main reasons is my penchant for the organized. I love to reach for something and have it be there.

I mean this is big ways (reaching for support, having it be there) and I mean this in simple ways (reaching for a paperclip, having it be there).  

When I can't find something or I have to struggle it makes my life HARD. 

I want to thrive.  I want flow.  I want ease.  

Some shit in life is just HARD.  So to allow those hard things their space, I need my space to be easy.  Hence, organization. 

Find those little places to leave the struggle behind. (Click to Tweet)

Here are two easy things you can bring into your life, starting today, that will create space, ease, and flow (things that everyone wants more of):

1. Clean off your computer's desktop and only keep open the browser taps you are currently working on.   Have you tried to read 5 books at once?  It is too confusing.  Be kind to your brain.   When you are working on your computer, don't allow clutter to accumulate.  A clean desktop means a better workflow and less distractions.  Start today.  Sure, ten thousand tabs might have gotten opened, but you can just as easily close them.  If the stuff is that important, you'll find it again, I promise.  Go forth, close tabs, clean desktops, be happy.
2. It's Monday ya'll.  Where's your weekly to do list? Spend some time at the beginning or end of each week plotting what's ahead.  If you get all down on paper then it won't be floating around in your head trying to not be forgotten.  Find a system that works for you.  But WRITE THAT SHIT DOWN.  I don't know one truly successful person who keeps it all in their head.  Get your goals clear.