I saw an article recently that was titled, “How to Wake Up at 5 AM.” It was about how to be extra productive in your day. And my first thought was, “Why would I want to do that?”
 
What about taking it easy in the mornings and giving yourself time to gently start your day? Or on a weekend when you have time to leisurely move about?

We so value go, go, go to the point of burnout. Where your very worth is based on how much you accomplish. 
 
I talk about this a lot because it's an old paradigm and I find there's such value in slowing down, in looking at nature, and connecting to what's in front of you, versus where you have to do something. Slowing down and being in the moment is the whole basis of mindfulness. It’s the state in which one can be receptive to life.

In order to shift into a more balanced way of being, which is part of the bigger picture shift of this new age, start with noticing where you value being busy. And I'm not talking about when you're actually really busy, because life happens and sometimes things are crazy.

​I'm talking about where you intentionally create busy when there doesn't need to be. Where you intentionally glorify how busy you are and have judgment over being lazy if you didn't accomplish XYZ that day. That's the imbalance.
 
Personally, I like to disconnect from my phone as much as possible and especially on the weekends, have quiet, leisurely mornings. If I can clear my calendar for a full day, that makes me extremely happy! To sit and read or just be in the flow of what happens – that's my place of joy. 
 
I've talked to some of you, and I know that stirs up guilt or anxiety when I say that. The message of being lazy is so ingrained, that sitting still feels like you're doing something wrong.
 
This is part of why it's difficult for some people to ground themselves- because they're so used to their bodies and minds moving a mile a minute, that slowing down feels disconcerting. 
 
And yet, that's where the healing takes place. 
 
If you're always going, going, going, you might burn your body out, your mind may be mired in worries, and your emotions amplified. You won't hear those subtle whispered messages from your Soul. 
 
Obviously you don't have to do it the way I do, especially if you've got kids. However, can you become aware throughout your day of giving yourself more time to step away and just breathe for a couple minutes? Where if you have a gap in your calendar, you don't fill it immediately? Where you allow yourself to daydream or doodle? 
 
Can you find little ways to bring more balance? Because when you do, that’s where you find peace, creativity, and the wisdom of your Soul.


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One of the most empowering and valuable lessons we can learn, is to honor the limits of our capacity. 
 
I first recognized the power of this in my master’s program, where we were taught to always look at a client's capacity to take in information and healing work. Looking at our capacity is a brilliant way of acknowledging that when we’ve hit our inner limit on our ability to integrate, our capacity for anything new, or even positive, can get blocked. 
 
For example, if I overdo it- give too much of my energy to anything external, spend too much learning something new, or from the go, go, go of non-stop activity without pause- I will feel crabbiness first. If I don't honor the crabbiness and say no to things I had scheduled or build in the time I need for recalibration, then exhaustion hits and I have no choice but to stop. 
 
I listened to a podcast recently and in it, Author Glennon Doyle said that she knows when she's hit her max, because suddenly she hates everybody. She feels like everyone is asking too much of her and she wants everyone to go away. That is hitting your capacity.
 
I have a client who goes into total apathy. Suddenly she doesn't care about anyone or anything, and that's her sign that she has been overdoing it and she needs to create some internal and quiet time for herself. 
 
We've been so trained to push harder, go faster, and ignore or deny our body's desire for rest. Even our nervous system can become used to frenetic, constant motion, making it hard to ground and feel settled and safe. Some of you may have heard me say in sessions that you've hit your capacity, and you tell me you feel fine and can handle more. Sure, you may think you can handle more, but meanwhile, if your energy field can’t integrate the work, it’ll start energetically pushing it back out.
 
It's totally understandable that many people don't recognize their limit. So much in life is designed to push you out of communication with your body and into following someone else's standard for how you spend your time. There's this unspoken pressure to compete, perform, and be “on” all the time. But that mindset is what leads to burnout.
 
When I'm consistent with building in downtime, hitting my capacity doesn't happen. But sometimes, things come up in life and we have a period of extreme busyness. In those moments, we also have to create pockets for resting and recalibrating.
 
Can you expand your capacity for good things and success? Absolutely, but that's a different discussion for the future. For now, let's focus on your capacity to take in and integrate information, connection, and energy from the world, without overwhelm or depletion.
 
And remember, our capacity changes over time – what we could do and handle in our 20s is very different in one's 50s. 
 
The key is to recognize and honor your limits before you hit the proverbial wall or get sick and have to stop. Honoring your capacity isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.
 

I tell you a lot about the power of the pause, and I'm going to remind you again this week because it's especially needed with all the crazy energies in the world right now, and in your inner world. 
 
In the stillness of the pause we recalibrate, we recenter, we come back into alignment with our Highest Selves. We can hear the whispers of our Soul and know our next steps, our truths, and connect to our personal power and sovereignty.

Many of you have been telling me you're not sleeping, you're feeling overwhelmed, and old issues are resurfacing. We're between eclipses, one was lunar on the 13th/14th, and one will be solar coming on Saturday, so we’re healing the feminine and masculine on deeper levels. Astrologer Chani Nicolas says, “Eclipses have a tendency to speed up storylines and poke pain points.”
 
Astrologer Danielle Paige says, “You're changing, upgrading & rewriting chapters in your book. With eclipses, these chapters are about your fate. Let go. Trust. Allow. Listen.”
 
Now more than ever, even if it's just five-minutes, take a quiet reprieve whenever you can. Schedule less if it's possible. Spend time in nature. Pick up a coloring book and color to get out of your analytical mind. Do a few minutes of breathing exercises. Daydream. Ground yourself. Get out of linear thinking and open to expansion.
 
Remember, you’re still on purpose, even in stillness.
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First of all, to everyone who joined live, in replay, or just in spirit last Thursday, Thank You!! As a sign of the magic working, the Palisades and Eaton fires are more contained, and there were incredible amounts of moisture in the air the following few days. That was some fast feedback on the energy work!
 
And here’s the thing- if your mind/negative ego wants to poo poo that and say the moisture would’ve come regardless, challenge that negativity. Because in truth, we went from full dry Thursday to wonderful moisture on Friday. That to me, is a miracle and worth celebrating.
 
The more you celebrate the wins, the more wins there are to celebrate. With everything in your life!!
 
(I’m going to do another live next week, different topic. Details will be after the blog!)
 
~
 
So- now to the blog that was slated for 2 weeks ago as it still holds true:
 
 
While some people hit the ground running on New Year's, others may be experiencing a slower start to the year. Especially after the craziness of the holidays!
 
In the northern hemisphere, winter is a time for hibernation and rest. It’s easier to recognize this for those getting hit with snow, but for those of us in warmer climates, we can forget that just because it's sunny, the resonance is still set for slow movements.
 
If you feel super motivated right now, absolutely go with it. If you feel the need to take it easy and do nothing, know that you're matching the season. Maybe you have a mix- you have something you're excited to be starting now or soon, and simultaneously, as things are incubating, you're feeling the need for downtime and quiet.
 
Beyond the season itself, from an Astrology perspective, Mars is retrograde until February, thus forward motion is stalled. Therefore, prepping behind the scenes but not taking active action may feel right for you. For some, Chinese New Year is when they feel the year really starting. And yet for others, Spring is when they truly blossom.
 
There's not a single right or wrong way to do it. Simply honor your cadence.
 
The key is to not feel pressure or guilt by how others are doing it. You know what works best for you so follow your rhythm and be your best authority. Trust your needs. That’s the perfect way to start the year!
 
 
 
 
 

I’ve been writing and editing a book (yay!) which is why I've been coming to your inbox every other week more recently, but you're going to start seeing me weekly again. For the most part.
 
I understand the importance of consistency in any endeavor one may undertake and simultaneously, if you're exhausted, if you need extra recovery, that comes first.
 
It's OK to say no to your commitments. It's OK to step back and give yourself more time downtime if that's what you need. Honor your cadence.
 
You don't have to do it all. Rules can be arbitrary. You make the rules for your life, and you can change those rules at any point.
 
The time I spent focusing on my creativity and limiting my commitments was needed to conserve my energy and focus. And it really taught me that if at any point I feel that I need a week off, I will take that week off.
 
Remember, you are the boss of your own reality.
 
As Danielle LaPorte says, "Rest because you Love- yourself, your body, your mind, the world. Rest because there is always more beautiful work to be done. Rest to become stronger. Rest to become wiser. Rest is love."

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It’s winter, at least here in the Northern Hemisphere, and that means time for hibernation.
 
If you're in a cold climate, it's easier to see that the trees are bare, but they're not dead. They're resting up for when they burst forth all their blooms in the spring.
 
In colder climates, it’s also easier to create more down time and going within- both literally and figuratively- because the weather demands it. Those in warmer climates need to actively allow hibernation time.
 
This is a time of energy conservation, rather than expenditure.

Right after the holidays, I felt spent. I figured I’d bounce back quickly, but no, I needed a lot more rest. I felt confused, had zero motivation, nor clear direction. Instead of rushing through the feelings of confusion and uncertainty, trying to “fix” them, I sat with them, allowed them, and didn’t try to make them go away. If anything, I owned and accepted them. And believe me, usually I like to figure out what’s going on and quickly process through it. But I didn’t. 
 
I gave myself permission to fully embrace inner rest and hibernation.
 
Doing this did an interesting thing. After a couple weeks, creative thoughts started to come at random times. I started to feel a tad more motivated. And I became a bit clearer on my direction. 

You can't get clear on your priorities and recharge if you’re always moving from one thing to the next. If you’re, as U2 so brilliantly said, “Running to stand still.”
 
But, if you take the time to stop, to pause, and to rest, you can replenish your creative well and energy reserves. You can decide what to focus your attention on. You can become inspired.
 
Life isn't a competition, nor a race. If you pause when you need to, you won't miss out on anything. The idea that you will is a great lie of the negative ego.
 
And listen, right now if you're super motivated and inspired and you’re expending energy, there’s nothing wrong with that. We all have to follow our own personal rhythm. If you're in a period of Spring having already sprung, then be aware of when you too need to step back and hibernate.

​For those feeling the need to go within, honor that as you're matching the season. 

As for me, I'm still in hibernation mode. There are small steps I’m taking, but I’m not fully recharged yet. That’ll come; I’m not rushing it. It’s still winter.
 

I was “supposed to” send out my blog last week, but I was extremely wiped out and needed a day to completely decompress. I had most of it written, but the thought of editing was just one thing too many. It felt wonderful giving myself permission to put myself first. And simultaneously, there was that little nagging voice later in the day that said I “should” follow through with my commitments.

But isn’t my commitment to my well-being the priority? I think so.
 
Luckily, I’m familiar with, and have worked on the “doing” voice, so I didn’t allow it to take over. I dismissed it into silence by proclaiming with authority that my sanity comes first. Plus, since I created the schedule, I could alter it. I owned my choice in a calm, but empowered voice, that ended all further discussion.
 
The voice of “doing” can be loud or subtle. It’s the voice that says what you’re doing isn’t enough, you have to do more, and that your value is based on what you accomplish. Or it may say people are counting on you and you can’t let them down. It will find whatever excuse or guilt is needed to keep you in motion and agreeing to commitments when really, you need to stop and allow yourself breathing room.
 
It’s part of our culture; the “go, go, go” energy that is valued and prized. However, that “busy” energy keeps you from being present and in the moment, as well as preventing you from slowing down and creating balance.
 
A more insidious example is that I used to love multitasking. I felt pride at how many things I could “do” simultaneously. Then I started getting even more grounded than I used to be. The more grounded I was, the more I realized that multitasking wasn’t serving me.
 
It didn’t feel good as having my focus in multiple places would rev up my energy and amp me out of my body. Plus, when my focus was fractured, I would sometimes feel like I was missing something that was said, which I was. The biggest lightbulb for me though, was realizing how draining multitasking can be. It’s not just singular “doing,” it’s “doing” on steroids.
 
Part of the reason it’s draining, besides knocking you out of your body, is it's like when you have too many windows open on your computer. The computer can't run at its optimal level because it's got all these open files pulling at the battery and depleting it. Whereas if you've only got one window open, your computer can focus there while keeping most of the battery intact.
 
Notice if you have too many files open. Too many places that gather your attention. You don’t need to know what they are, but you can ask to close them down.

Ask your conscious mind to close all files running. Then ground yourself and focus on the task at hand.
 
There’s tremendous power in being present with one task at a time. Plus, then you become aware more easily of when you’ve reached your limit and need to just “be” for a while. Which is ultimately an act of self-love.
 
I’m glad I took the extra time off for myself. I came back from my decompression time more alert and energized, looking at everything from a new perspective, and with much more flow. Give yourself that gift as often as you need.
 
 

It’s the peak of summer which means, create time to relax and enjoy the season. 
 
You’ll always have a myriad of things to-do, but remember when you were a kid, and a summer day could last forever? That’s because you were so present and in the moment with what sounded like fun. There were games to play, things to imagine, and the joy of simply being outdoors. You’re never too old or too busy to create a magical summertime experience. Even if only for a day.
 
I just came back from the Midwest and had the pleasure of watching a couple of rainstorms during the day, and in the evenings, smiling at the fireflies. 
 
Take some time off and be. Read a book, daydream, find a hammock to take a nap; slow down.
 
The more you slow down, the more you catch up to yourself energetically, while also experiencing the healing frequencies of the earth; something bodies love. 
 
Remind yourself:
 
“I am valuable, even if I’m not doing anything.”
 
“It’s safe for me to slow down, relax, and be unproductive.”
 
“My worth is not based on my productivity. My worth is based on who I am.”
 
“It’s good for me to have fun!”
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 Summertime joy awaits, create it now.  

Many of you are feeling good and doing quite well, while others are having a really tough time right now. This is for the latter group…
 
Sometimes in life you’re going to feel like it’s all too much. This is when you know you’ve hit your capacity for giving, and need to spend some time in self-care and receiving.
 
There’s nothing wrong with, and actually it’s necessary to, disconnect. Put your phone on do not disturb. Have a bed day where you read, or binge watch a show. Stay in pjs late. Stop doing and allow yourself to be.
 
You’re not alone if you’re feeling compassion fatigue.
 
You’re not alone if you’re overwhelmed.
 
You’re not alone if you feel like you just can’t handle one more bit of restriction and limitation from this pandemic.
 
If you’re tired, you’re not alone.
 
I’ve been saying this for years, and clearly, it’s not letting up; there’s increased chaos in the world as well as major shifts taking place in our inner worlds. The point is ultimately, to move beyond what’s not working, into a greater reality. But going through it is like being a butterfly in a cocoon; it’s not fun. We’re literally being pulled apart in all directions to become new.
 
None of us are victims to this, we all chose to be incarnated at this time. And it’s more intense than most of us ever thought. 
 
Don’t fight it when you feel overloaded; resisting it prolongs it and makes it worse.
 
Give yourself permission to relax. Give yourself permission to stop and recharge. You can’t move forward with a drained battery, so quit trying. You deserve a reprieve, you need a pause.

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​Reprieve, respite, relaxation…
 
When the chaos gets crazy or when you’ve had an extended period of doing, you need to give yourself permission to pull back and rest. Give yourself permission to stop, even if there’s a lot to do. 
 
Only in the respite can you regroup and re-center. 
 
Only in the relaxation can you refill your energy and your capacity to think clearly.
 
Only in the reprieve can you pause and be.
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Allow yourself these energies to bring about greater presence and well-being.