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Finding light in tough times

Finding Light in Tough Times

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Finding Light in Tough Times

I don’t know about you but I’ve been watching oh so many videos of the damage by Hurricane Helene these past few days. Its impact on our southeastern states here in the US is so devastating and my heart goes out to all those who have lost so much.

Though it’s hard to watch, it’s also heartening to witness the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community in action. I’ve been seeing incredible stories of courageous people stepping up to help their neighbors—some by huge means, offering their own money, helicopters, trucks and tractors. Many others providing food, water, and comfort when it’s needed most. These acts of kindness, whether big or small, show us the goodness that exists when people serve together, and the light we can share even in such difficult times.

I remember many years ago a client of mine from New Orleans who had lived through hurricane Katrina (2005), told me that one of those difficult days in the aftermath of the hurricane, some people from my church had come to the door of her mud-filled home and brought her a pillow. A pillow! A small act of kindness that she says she’ll never forget. She was so thrilled to have a new pillow after losing nearly everything. I’ve thought about that so many times through the years and how one small, thoughtful act can make a huge difference for someone else. I’ve especially thought of that every night this week as I feel so fortunate to get to sleep with my head on a soft pillow.

My client’s story and her gratitude are powerful reminders that we can always make a difference big or small. If you’re able to help – whether through donations or offering prayers – every act of generosity has a meaningful impact.

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Summer Vibes: 5 Simple Reminders to Shine

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Summer Vibes: 5 Simple Reminders to Shine

Last month, I had the privilege of teaching my SimplyAlign Training to a fantastic group of students representing 10 different states, and one student all the way from Poland (thank you, technology!). Together, we dove deep into the wonderful world of raising our vibrations and learning ways to align energy. But guess what? You don’t need to have taken the class to get in on the good vibes!

Today here’s a reminder of some down-to-earth, practical tips and prompts on how you can raise your vibration and let your inner light glow. So, let’s dive in and explore these simple yet effective methods that will have you radiating positive energy in no time:

  • Cultivate gratitude daily to shift your focus to the positive.

Ask yourself, “What are three things I am grateful for in my life right now?”

> Go on…you can do it right now.

  • Surround yourself with positive people and uplifting environments.

Reflect on, “Who are the people in my life who bring me joy and uplift my spirits?”

> How can I spend more time with them this summer?

  • Prioritize self-care activities that nurture your well-being.

Consider, “What activities or practices make me feel most rejuvenated and taken care of?”

> Schedule those activities into your day and/or week, put them in your calendar now.

  • Practice mindfulness and be fully present in the moment.

Ask yourself, “How can I bring more mindfulness into my daily routines and fully experience the present moment?”

> Throughout the day, create mindful pauses to check in with yourself. Take a few deep breaths, bring your attention to the present moment.

  • Align with your passions and purpose to feel fulfilled and inspired.

Reflect on, “What are my true passions and values and how can I incorporate them more into my life to feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment?”

> This summer be open to exploring something new. Take classes, join groups, or volunteer in areas that align with your interests. This allows you to gain firsthand experience and insights, helping you uncover your true passions or a new, fun hobby.

Remember, keeping your vibe up is a journey, not an overnight transformation. Be patient with yourself and embrace the process. Some days may be easier than others, and that’s okay. Give yourself permission to grow and learn along the way. Cheers to a vibrant summer!

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Do you feel LUCKY? 6 practical ways to make your own luck!

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Do you feel LUCKY? 6 practical ways to make your own luck!

Top O the Mornin’ to ya Lisa!

I hope you’re having a happy St. Patrick’s Day so far.

I’ve always loved this day, even though I don’t drink beer or eat corned beef, ha! But I do my GREEN each day in my smoothies…does that count?

Have you ever felt like some people just seem to have all the luck? They meet the perfect partner, get the beautiful home, have ‘easy kids’, or just seem to have everything fall into place for them. But what if I told you that luck isn’t just something that happens to you? It’s something you can actively create for yourself.

There’s a trend (popular with TikTokers) known as “lucky girl syndrome”. This actually isn’t a new concept. It’s positive affirmations, plus a little cognitive behavioral therapy that says your thoughts, emotions and behaviors are all connected and influence each other (basically, “The Secret” 2006).

Just yesterday I was sharing on a call with my SimplyAlign Practitioners that there are many ways to create your own luck. Hannah told us that her 12 year old daughter’s birthday is March 17th, so her entire life people have told her she’s a “lucky girl”. And since she believes she’s lucky (because that’s what she’s always been told), good things are always drawn to her. I love it, it’s what I’ve taught for years:

“What you think about, you bring about”

So whether it’s positive thinking, upbeat affirmations, the power of intention, or whatever you choose to call it, here are 6 ways to create your own luck:

  1. Set clear goals: When you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, you’re more likely to see and seize opportunities that align with your goals.

  2. Take calculated risks: Creating your own luck often means stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking calculated risks. Make sure to weigh the potential risks and benefits before making a decision.

  3. Discipline yourself to work AND to rest: Luck often comes to those who work hard and persevere through challenges. Put in the effort and stay focused on your goals, even when things get tough. And…when you need to rest, take a rest. Sometimes allowing yourself downtime takes discipline too.

  4. Stay open-minded: Sometimes, luck comes in unexpected forms. Be open to new experiences, people, and opportunities, even if they don’t fit neatly into your plans. If you’re willing to try new things, you might find opportunities that you never even knew existed.

  5. Meet more people: Luck is often the result of being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right connectors. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you. A strong network can help you navigate challenges, connect you with opportunities, and open doors for you.

  6. Keep Learning: The more you know, the more opportunities you’ll have. Keep learning new skills and staying up-to-date on topics in your orbit to increase chances of success.

    And bonus #7 (Gratitude – it’s always a bonus we give ourselves, amiright?)

  7. Practice gratitude: When you appreciate the good things in your life, you attract more good things. Take time to reflect on what you’re grateful for, and celebrate your successes along the way.

Whether you believe it’s from being intentional, receiving blessings, keeping a high vibration, or simply being lucky, the truth is that you have the power to create your own luck.

So go out there and create!

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What my daughter taught me

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What my daughter taught me

Several years ago my daughter who was in her early 30’s at the time said to me,

“I’ve realized something that has made my life so much easier.”

She went on to say,

“It seems everyone’s life sucks about 30% of the time, and the other 70% is good. So when going through the 30% you just need to know that’s totally normal and you’ll get through it. And then make an effort to really enjoy and be grateful for the 70% smooth, happy times.”

daughter

Wow, I think that’s a great insight…and helpful.

In the years since then, I’ve heard other people teach that life sucks 50% of the time and is great 50% of the time.

As and optimist and a possibilitarian, that not-good-50% just seems WAY to high of a percentage for me.

In fact, for me, that seems a little depressing to think that HALF the time I spend here on planet earth will be unpleasant.

I much prefer my daughter’s pattern of 30/70. Because although life is great “above the line” (see my blog post about that here), it’s that 30% below the line that helps us really APPRECIATE the satisfying 70%.

I would take that one step further and say –

Even within your 30% difficult times, I bet you could find So Very Many other things in your life to be grateful for, which helps to make those ‘sucky times’ bearable.

And even in the 70% good times, there are always little bumps in those roads too.

I’m sharing this insight with you today because…

If you are going through a challenging chapter of your life, just remember, it’s temporary.

Keeping an ongoing gratitude journal (in your brain or on paper) will help you see solutions, appreciate the soul stretching, and give you a more hopeful perspective.

And, if you are living-in-the-70%-flow right now (or at least no major problems at the moment) be grateful for that. Again – it’s gratitude that will increase your awareness and appreciation during good times, and in that space you can inspire and lift others.

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Living Above the Line

Are You Living Above The Line?

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One of my favorite ways to explain about energy/emotions/frequency, whether I’m teaching a class or just explaining to one client in a private session, is to use the concept of living above or below the line.

This concept is used in a lot of different ways, but I talk about it referring to emotions.

We all get the “opportunity” to feel a broad range of emotions throughout our lives, throughout a week, or really it can be throughout one day!

Some emotions are heavy, and have a slower vibration. Emotions such as:

sadness / anger / fear / shame / doubt / anxiety / envy / disappointment / irritation / worry / impatience, and so many more.

Since these emotions are heavy and sluggish, they can literally make us feel heavy and sluggish when we are carrying them. These are what I call Below the Line.

On the flip side, emotions that make us feel light, lift us up, and feel so good are:

joy / peace / gratitude / hope / contentment / serenity / awe / relief / confidence / optimism / LOVE / enthusiasm, ETC. These I refer to as Above the Line.

Let’s say there’s an invisible line and all the negative emotions fall beneath it, and all the positive emotions float above it. With that visual it’s easy to see that we want to Live Above The Line. It feels so much better to live in the space of these higher vibrating emotions!

Living Above the Line

But let’s go back to what I said earlier, we all get the “opportunity” to experience all these emotions. So, yes our goal is to do what we can to live ABOVE the line, but it’s really ok if we occasionally sink below it while experiencing one or more of the heavy emotions.

After all…that’s part of this life’s experience. We’re not meant to only live above the line, but yes, life is much more pleasant when we pro-actively do what we can to live from the “up-side”.

Sometimes we carry heavy emotions temporarily while we’re going through some tough stuff, and sometimes those emotions get stuck in our tissues, in our energy, in our mind.

What SimplyAlign does is find the cause of the negative emotion and release it at its root.

You don’t have to remember the event or re-live what happened, often the energy just needs a witness…and a skilled practitioner.

The negative emotions we carry can be from situations we are currently experiencing, or can be stored and stagnating from years of layering these sluggish emotions without fully releasing and letting them go. Oh wow, that sounds heavy doesn’t it?

The good news is, we don’t have to carry them. There are ways to get to the root and clean it up, even if we don’t know the exact emotions, where they came from, or that they were even still lurking there.

Last week I worked with a new client and several times through the session she said, “I feel so light!” I told her, “Yes, that’s how SimplyAlign works.” That’s the statement I hear the most from clients, and it goes back to releasing the heavy vibrations.

So, here’s my invitation for you this week:

Pay attention to how you’re feeling. Check in with yourself during the day to notice what emotion you’re feeling at the time, and whether it’s ABOVE or BELOW the line. Of course the goal is to stay above the line, by keeping or shifting your thoughts to a positive state.

Just having this awareness will help raise your vibration. Yay You!

And if you’re ready to take it several steps further and learn how to use SimplyAlign to quickly and gracefully release heavy emotions (and oh so much more!) then click here to learn more about the upcoming SimplyAlign Training Oct 18-21st – all ONLINE

Having the desire to do this work is a gift, and being able to do it well is a skill.

I can’t give you the desire if it’s not there, but if it is, I can teach you the skills to help you live

ABOVE THE LINE more often and skills to help you help others live above the line too.

Shine On,

Top Ten Things to Say to Yourself

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Top Ten Things to Say to YourselfOften the things we say to ourselves we wouldn’t even think of saying to another person. We blame, shame, call names of the meanest sort, nag, belittle and bully ourselves through self-talk.

What if, instead, we were more gentle with ourselves, asked ourselves questions and listened to the responses. What if we treated ourselves as we treat a best friend, someone we love dearly. Here’s a Top Ten list of loving things to say to yourself.

1. What do you feel? Asking ourselves what we feel can help put names to, and identify emotions. Listening for the response and being honest with ourselves is like taking our emotional temperature.

2. What do you need? A need is different from a want. Whereas a want states a desire, a need is usually a statement about nurturing. Pay attention to your needs, they’re about caring for yourself.

3. Good job Congratulate yourself on a job well done whether it’s mowing the lawn, writing a poem or cleaning the bathroom. Give yourself a verbal pat on the back.

4. I apologize Saying “I’m sorry” for all the wrongs we have done ourselves can be the first step in healing.

5. Let’s play Lighten up and be playful. Listen to what comes up when you suggest play.

6. Breathe Reminding ourselves to breathe helps relieve tension, gives us that moment we sometimes need to center and ground ourselves.

7. I forgive you Sometimes it’s easier to forgive others than to forgive ourselves. Yet, to have closure and to move on, often means we have to forgive ourselves.

8. Let go Releasing worries, resentments, anger, fears loosens the grip of resistance and makes room for growth.

9. Be present Staying present, being aware of the physical, acknowledging the moment, this is when we are truly alive. (In case you missed it, I shared with you the top 10 ways to stay present.)

10. I love you We say it to others, why not say it to ourselves. Say it again.

Have you noticed a difference in the way you talk to yourself? Have you made any changes? What have you see happen when you started talking positively to yourself? Share your thoughts with us  below!

Author’s content used under license, © Claire Communications

Curiosity and Results – What’s the Connection?

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Curiosity and Results - What's the Connection?Curiosity has been given a bad rap. Perhaps we grew up hearing that asking questions was rude or conveyed ignorance, or that we’d get into trouble if we were like Curious George. We might even have been warned that “Curiosity killed the cat!”

The truth is that curiosity is one of the most vital and life-affirming qualities you can bring to your life and your relationships.

Curiosity in Business

It is so easy to blame others when things go wrong. Consider being curious about your experience rather than critical. For example, instead of beating yourself up for not reaching sales goals—again—try asking yourself what was going on for you that you kept performing below your expectations? With an attitude of “how fascinating that I’ve created this” you are much more likely to help yourself find new solutions to attaining your goals.

Curiosity in Life

Helen Keller said, “Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all!” When you cultivate an attitude of curiosity, doors open and adventures begin; questions lead to new possibilities. For example, asking yourself, “What do I want to learn now and where might that lead me?” can set you on a journey of exciting exploration that moves you forward. If, instead, you come from the place of “I already know what I need to know,” you shut off the possibility of discovering something new that could rock your world.

Curiosity in Relationships

How often we assume we know what someone else is thinking or experiencing. What if we came from a place of not knowing and offered others an invitation to speak? According to Sharon Ellison, creator of Powerful Non-Defensive Communication, “A non-defensive question is innocently curious, reflecting the purity of the child who asks how a flower grows or what makes an airplane fly.” We invite others to share their true experience when we ask questions without hidden agendas and to clarify understanding.

Practice Cultivating Curiosity

Here are some ways to cultivate a more curious life:

Go outside. No matter the weather, the world is full of fascinating things waiting to be discovered. Go for a walk (especially barefoot in the grass!) or a bike ride. Bring someone with you and make discovery a game.

Ask questions. Did you hear something interesting on the radio that you’ve never heard before? Google it! See what else there is to know. Practice asking questions with openness and neutrality. Practice with strangers in stores and with people close to you. Stop thinking you know all the answers…be open to being surprised! An inquiry is an open-ended question designed to broaden your perspective. For example: “What would make life a daring adventure for me?” “Where in my life do I assume I already know?”

Look or listen closely. Rather than rush through your day take a moment to stop and “smell the roses.” What colors do you see? What expressions are people wearing? What sounds make up your environment? Can you identify them?

Challenge your assumptions. These impact how we treat strangers as well as loved ones. Start by asking, “What if that’s not true?” What other choices might you make then?

Play I Spy. Take on a new skill or learn something new from a friend. Be Curious!

If you truly want to expand your excitement, joy and fulfillment in life and relationship, sprinkle liberal doses of curiosity and watch your life become the fabulous adventure it can be!

Share with us how you have cultivated curiosity in your life! Join the conversation below…

Author’s content used under license, © Claire Communications

Ten Ways to Simplify Your Life

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Ten Ways to SImplify your lifeThese days a chorus of thousands has taken up Henry David Thoreau’s advice to “Simplify, simplify.” And for good reason. Few among us would deny our lives are too complicated and filled with too much stress.

Simplicity is about eliminating clutter – from your mind, your home, your relationships and your lifestyle. Following are ten ways to begin.

1. Get a clear idea of what you want your life to look like. This picture will help you discover what you must eliminate.

2. Let go of projects, roles or self-imposed obligations that take up time and keep you away from what you really want.

3. Say ‘No’ to what you don’t want in your life. Say Yes to what you do want.

4. Schedule “break” days for yourself where you don’t do anything but what you really want. Don’t cancel them.

5. Make a “to do” day and get all those chores and errands done in a single day.

6. Create space. File away or toss out; give away, sell or trade.

7. Make and return phone calls only during certain hours.

8. Shop only when you have to. Question your purchases. Consuming less is good for the planet, too.

9. Ask for and accept help. Delegate chores. Hire work done when possible.

10. Remember to breathe, to ground yourself and be physically present.

Simplifying means making choices that will improve the quality of your life.

*Bonus* A gratitude list will help you discover what really matters to you. Let’s start a list together! Join the conversation down below in the comments section! I’m looking forward to seeing what you are grateful for!

 

Author’s content used under license, © Claire Communications

Top 10 Ideas for Journaling

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Top 10 Ideas for JournalingIt has been said that journaling is a voyage to the interior. Inside of all of us is a unique wisdom that can inform our choices and enhance our experience of life. Once we tap into that, we realize that we know more than we thought we did. One potent way to access this wisdom is through journaling. I love the answers I find when I relax, put pen to paper, and just begin writing. Sometimes I write about weird or silly thoughts until something better and more constructive comes out. But the trick is to sit down and begin.

Here are 10 ideas to help you mine for gold with a pen:

1. Free write. Write as fast as you can—whatever comes to your mind—without regard to spelling, punctuation, etc. This “brain dump” helps you clear your mind and prepare for the day.

2. Write about your childhood. Write specific memories and notice any trends that occur or insights you have about your present life.

3. Free associate. One word sparks another and so on. Watching where your mind takes you can help you get “underneath” issues you may be dealing with.

4. Create timelines, graphs or word clusters (aka “mindmaps”). Use these tools to explore trends, patterns and different perspectives.

5. Write letters. Clear up issues or unfinished business. Even if you never end up sending it, writing can clear up stuck energy.

6. Draw or collage. You know the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

7. Keep an idea journal. Jot down ideas that come to you throughout the day.

8. Make lists. Fears, things you’re grateful for, aspirations, animals in your dreams, etc. Making lists aggregates information in ways that give you a big picture view.

9. Ask and answer questions. Pretend someone is interviewing you about an issue and answer their question. You may be surprised by what comes out of your mouth or pen.

10. Record your dreams. What do the images and feelings in them tell you?

Author’s content used under license, © 2008 Claire Communications

Thoughts Under the Stars

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Thoughts Under the StarsLast week I had the opportunity to be out in nature, sleeping under the stars. Now, I’m not a big fan of camping (the dirt, the cold nights, the out-house, lying on hard, bumpy ground, etc.), however, I do love sleeping under the stars and admiring their brilliance, majesty, and beauty. There were SO many stars in the sky last week! And I even saw several shooting stars, which always puts a big smile on my face even if I’m the only one still awake to see them.

Something about sleeping under all those stars in God’s great big sky that really brings life into perspective for me. I always think of the millions of others around the globe who are looking up at the same stars as I am, as well as people throughout history who have lived, camped, traveled, warred, and loved under this same beautiful canopy of stars -cue the song, “Somewhere Out There” from the kid’s movie “An American Tail” (yes, that’s the way they spell ‘tale’).

Somehow realizing how small I am in this huge galaxy inspires me to live bigger, live better. Here in the US it is summer, and I recognize I have many readers from other countries, where it may be a different season for you right now, but no matter the weather, have you taken the opportunity recently to really look up and connect to this beautiful Universe? I don’t do that often enough, but when I take the time to be still, look up and just listen for the inspiration that is waiting to talk to me I sense and feel juicy nuggets of knowledge that help me on my journey through life.

How about you? When was the last time you relaxed under a beautiful star-filled sky? How did that inspire you? When can you arrange to do that again? Ask yourself these questions, and/or feel free to add your comments to the blog by clicking below.

Now I am on my way to find my air mattress in my storage closet so I can set it up on my deck tonight, gaze up at the stars once again~ I am open to receiving all the inspiration I can get!