Circling. In Providence.

We came together on a Friday morning at The Loft, Headquarters of #operationselfcarelikewhoa. It was a giant sleepover, sharing of meals and guiding, visioning, yoga and healing. That was about half the stuff!

#operationselfcarelikewhoa is a movement.

#operationselfcarelikewhoa grew from a funny hashtag that I used when I was inside of a deeply transforming time of my life, leaning into the truth of self-care through space, energy and love.

The operation was born as I truly allowed myself wings. And spirit whispers. And joy. And peace. And freedom. And deep, deep truth and healing. As I was working hard. As I was learning to relax.

It was a solo operation at first and then it became a mission, a movement!

Before I left for Oregon I planned the first event for #operationselfcarelikewhoa and it sold out in 10 hours, with 5 spots being added on.

Because like whoa we need this, we crave this, we must circle with our women as part of the deep self-care work we will all be called towards. Self-care may sound like bullet points in the latest magazine telling you to get your nails done but I promise you that for most of us it is a calling towards saving our lives, saving ourselves from disappearing from our own eyes.

It is filling a hole inside.

My hole is in my gut, when I closed my eyes I saw it and felt it, it was black and empty but when I stepped into #operationselfcarelikewhoa it became transparent. It is still there but it is no longer something I fear, because now through its transparency I see me. All of me. Even those scary, raw bits that I'd rather hide in the darkness.

Like whoa.

This hole that is inside of me helps me discover my deepest cravings, it is the young wounds we carry and the searching soul.

Like whoa. 

Circling is vital to the movement. As women we crave this 'rent tent' time together where we can nurture and be nurtured in a collective wave. We want to lead and be led, touch and be touched.

Circling is a form of healing when you remove jealousy, status, competition, judgement and open space for vulnerability, nurture, love, gentle power and forgiveness.

Circling is showing up in truth and sharing what feels good.

Circling is allowing others to lay hands on your wounds and then holding that hand in gratitude and love.

Circling is the deepest form of fear for many of us who were taught that women are jealous of us and we cannot show up in our light.

Circling is the rhythm of sharing meals, fears and giggles.

The operation was fierce and we received and were held as worthy and opened and left with a new belief in ourselves. I witnessed intense, sacred moments between women during this circling that will forever allow me to move through this world knowing that circling is part of my calling and has been since I was a child.

Circling is the gift that I bring. Circling is the gift where I am receiving pieces of my healing as I share that transparent hole inside of my belly.

This journey to heal, to be whole:: lifelong. I pray that many of those days journeying will be spent in the circles of women who believe that they too have wings to fly.

Tomorrow I'll tell you about waking up and knowing that this is where I was called to bring my work. It is why The Loft (#operationselfcarelikewhoa Headquarters) was manifested within days of the vision. This is the vision that grew from hundreds of women flowing into The Joy Programs and circling together. This is the vision that will take us deeper, together, circling and soaring.

The ABC’s of Self-Love: J is for Joy

This Blog Crawl of Self-Love is hosted by Molly Mahar of Stratejoy. She is a glowing mama to be who believes in the transformational power of truly adoring ourselves. I happen to adore her and am lingering in the joy of being part of the fun! Find out more about The ABC’s of Self Love Blog Crawl + Treasure Hunt here.

 

Hello gorgeous,

I hear you are on a treasure hunt and today you and I get to play with a word that lights up the soul. Joy, gorgeous, that sassy 3 letter word that guides us into possibility.

Joy is a sparkle inside. It tickles, it tingles, it plays. It is like the breeze blowing through your hair, and the sun shining down on you.

It is dancing or a calm breath.

Joy is adapting, flowing, allowing.

It is found after a long cry or inside of releasing.

Joy is the feather you watch fall from the sky, speckled and blue.

Joy wants you to see her depth and understand that she is always wanting to be with you. Joy believes in you and will lift you up when you start to make a practice of rituals that feed your spirit.

Joy can live inside of you, at all times. It is your option. Joy draws others to you, they are attracted to your sparkle. Joy does not mean you do not feel sadness or fear or pain or disappointment. Joy means that you feel extra, joy cushions you through the tough times.
It's time. For whatever you want. How are you going to get there?

By choosing.

Really that simple? Oh yes, darling, it is.

The Universe is responding, but it takes doing the work and feeling the stuff and choosing to move into the joy.

Learning to sparkle.

This shift into joy isn’t a declaration that we will never be sad or pissed off again. It is a message to the wondrous Universe that we know what we want. The Universe feels your passion for more joy and shoots it back at you with a crystal-clear sparkle. Sort of sha-zam like or fairy dust or bad-ass tattoo on the spirit.

Be clear. Surprise yourself. Take a chance. Dream big. Love you.

Don’t know what you want? Great, start there. Think about what you don’t want and let it be the mirror you look into to see what is really inside of you. I love a good don’t-know, so many surprises lie inside. Joy is waiting just there for you.

Let the thoughts of what you don’t want lead your way to the thought that feels better, and then as quickly as you can, grab it, look at it, play with it a bit. You can do this, this is the path to the gorgeous, joyful life.

You want it to be a more difficult journey, and you’ll try to make it that way. I know. We all do that. We get used to focusing on the things that feel worse, on our frustrations or the ways in which we’ve screwed up or been wronged. Few sparkles are found in that world.

Let’s try another path. You gorgeous, you get to spin around and in this very moment make a decision that you are going to choose joy. Then you get to watch joys appear abundantly in your every day, simple moments.

Joy is so beautiful inside of simple pleasures.

You are worth this. I am too.

Claiming our joy.
Calming our minds.
Sizzling in our passions.

Jumping up and waving our arms to wake up our tired bodies.
Smooching our loves when the moment feels so right. Or when they need us most.
Clearing the corners of our homes, filling our lives with beauty.

This is the butterflies fluttering on your head life.

Possibility.
Choice.
Love.
Joy.

5 Rituals to Feed Your Spirit and Cultivate Joy

1. Start each day with a large glass of lemon water. It is liver-loving, cleansing-detoxifying, nightly-fast-breaking and just pure body loving.

2. Make your bed, it should look and feel beautiful to you. Start with clean sheets and fluff your pillows each day, to clear space and create a sanctuary for rest and supporting your sleep. This is your number one sacred space.

3. Do a 5 minute meditation each and every day. This is one of the most important steps. You'll be tempted to skip it. Don't. This is the sparkle maker.

4. Quickly pick up the house before starting any projects or making any decisions. A clear space is a clear mind. A clear mind allows for more joy. More joy is what we are after.

5. Move your body: a dance, a walk or other creative movements! Just move baby. Dancing strongly encouraged.

Feeling the love? xo

Hey Gorgeous, One Size Doesn't Fit You

Want to move into the gorgeous life and have a little raw kale, butterflies fluttering on your head kind of fun? Of course you do!

Each Sunday I will be posting a new Hey Gorgeous tip that is simple and fun. I am a believer that what we put out we attract and I am looking for some simple and some fun. I want my tribe to feel sexy and gorgeous and inspired. I want you to pay-it-forward when you feel inspired by a tid-bit and create the ripple that the joy of loving yourself up, healthy style brings. Yes, that means we might have to share this with the guys (*wink* at the guys who are here already)!

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We are all unique. Finding our perfect form of exercise and nutrition makes us so over the moon with joy we want to share it with the world. But your perfect may not be mine. In fact, it probably isn't. Know why there are so many dietary theories out there? Because we need them all.

We have unique blood types, genetics, heritages and bodies. Even those who know their best plans are often swept up by the latest health craze or book. It may work, it may make you sick. It is not a one size fits all world and you are not a one size fits all gorgeous being. Allow yourself to shine in your uniqueness and eat what makes you feel good and move your body in a way that brings you joy and a clear mind.

You may be a vegan raw food goddess or a pastured meat and grow your own vegetables paleo goddess. At times in your life you may feel better as one and then grow into the other. I don't know your future but I know your now. Don't try to fit into someone else's beautiful. You won't get to the gorgeous life that way.

Be proud of what you have learned about yourself and keep doing the work of discovery.

Keep testing and trying and learning more. That's the world you want to be in. Your own story.

Hey Gorgeous, Ratatouille isn't just a RAT!

Want to move into the gorgeous life and have a little raw kale, butterflies fluttering on your head kind of fun? Of course you do!

Each Sunday I will be posting a new Hey Gorgeous tip that is simple and fun. I am a believer that what we put out we attract and I am looking for some simple and some fun. I want my tribe to feel sexy and gorgeous and inspired. I want you to pay-it-forward when you feel inspired by a tid-bit and create the ripple that the joy of loving yourself up, healthy style brings. Yes, that means we might have to share this with the guys (*wink* at the guys who are here already)!

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The flavors of summer are starting to burst and as your gardens and Farmer's Markets start to overflow with squash you can get your seasonal glow on. The taste of a fresh picked squash or tomato will make you shy away from eating foods out of season and talk you into doing some harvest preserving (think jams, sauces, pickles)!

We can get our glow on with ratatouille, the meal, not the rat. Ratatouille is a pot full of summer freshness and can be served with pasta, rice, chicken, fish, eggs or mussels. To get your ratatouille started heat some olive oil and add onion, garlic, squash, tomato, eggplant, basil and if you want to be truly authentic some herbes de provence. Squash and eggplant soak up the oil so keep adding the olive oil until the vegetables are nice and covered. Do a quick high heat saute, try not to turn the entire pot to mush, but if you do, it is still gorgeous eating!

Nothing gets your taste buds bursting with freshness like this beautiful blend of harvest offerings. If you are feeling like connecting to the seasonal goodness without taking too much time in a hot kitchen, go get your glow on with ratatouille. Think backyard with your favorite people, sipping a fragrant wine and enjoying a bowl of ratatouille topped with mussels or over rice pasta, oh honey! Set a beautiful table, pick some fresh flowers and just enjoy the glowing that comes from being a part of the summer season.

That's the gorgeous life.

When your favorite character in Harry Potter dies

Book 5 is completed and I felt sad. That kind of sad that a brilliant book can make you feel. I won't say who died because many of you may just be starting your Harry Potter adventures with your kiddos or yourself and giving away details is not where I am headed.

As I am obsessed in a positively incredible way with JOY right now, I am watching my daughter immerse herself into the world of Harry Potter. Her room covered in drawings, her quill being her only writing instrument and her books and tapes constantly in rotation. (Just dated myself, yes I call all music tapes!) She loves it. It is her joy.

The beauty of joy is that it will reach out and expand into our lives uniquely and without question. When it is joyful and you allow it, the feeling is effortless and rhythmical and gorgeous.

When I look at book 5 through Chloe's eyes I see the joy more than I feel the sadness of losing my favorite character. I feel her deepest desire which is that the wizarding world could somehow be real and that Hogwarts is a magical place she so would love to be invited to. I watch her try to train the puppy with her wand and say spells to her brothers that make them dance or fall down. I wanted to stop reading the books because loss is hard for me, even the loss of a character that lives on the pages of our worn books. Understanding her joy is one small reminder that it is always possible to soak up another feeling. It is a choice, though usually much more intense than a Harry Potter story.

It is easy to feel envy and jealousy at the joys of another. It happens to all of us. Just like we can feel pain or sadness from an experience not our own.

Here is the best thing about joy. If we allow ourselves to fully feel joy for another, it says to the Universe, that is what I want. That is what I am capable of having and as I soak it in I draw more and more into my experience.

This is what I call flipping. It is a beautiful practice. It is about rhythm and calm and understanding.

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Will you be joining us in The Joy UP? We'll talk about flipping and so much more. I'm off to create one of many recipes in Joy UP and it involves rice noodles, summer squash, olives and white beans. Tasty joy.

Hey Gorgeous, Don't be Sorry!

Want to move into the gorgeous life and have a little raw kale, butterflies fluttering on your head kind of fun? Of course you do!

Each Sunday I will be posting a new Hey Gorgeous tip that is simple and fun. I am a believer that what we put out we attract and I am looking for some simple and some fun. I want my tribe to feel sexy and gorgeous and inspired. I want you to pay-it-forward when you feel inspired by a tid-bit and create the ripple that the joy of loving yourself up, healthy style brings. Yes, that means we might have to share this with the guys (*wink* at the guys who are here already)!

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Let's get something clear right now, before we go any further in this gorgeous journey - there is nothing to apologize for. OK, if you rear end someone, please do say sorry. For where you are now in your life, no sorry necessary! Drowning ourselves apologizing for where we are is only keeping us there. We want to move forward. (Remember, raw kale and butterflies fluttering on your head?)

Sorry is a vibration of lack, of less and a place holder for excuses. What if we remove that feeling of needing to justify our now, and just linger in the truth of it?

Is your house a mess... yep. Has it been 2 weeks since you've posted on your blog... uh-huh! Has it been 5 months since you've seen your friend... um-yes.

Your sorry serves as one more way to stay where you don't want to be, but kinda really do. It is easier to say sorry for that messy house than it is to find a rhythm to clean it or to stand in the truth of possibly being judged by others when they see your piles of laundry that need to be folded and put away.

It can be simply scary to own where we are now. To be so busy we feel unable to do anything right or stay on task. Putting out the I'm sorry is part of why we can't figure out how to unwrap ourselves from the chaos and inertia. Could it be so simple? Can you stop apologizing for the messy litter box and the dishes piled high?

There is no better time to find out gorgeous friends. I want you to honor where you are. From that place you can find a path -you can join this amazing journey- to the gorgeous life.

Hey Gorgeous, Do it in the Dark!

Want to move into the gorgeous life and have a little raw kale, butterflies fluttering on your head kind of fun? Of course you do!

Each Sunday I will be posting a new Hey Gorgeous tip that is simple and fun. I am a believer that what we put out we attract and I am looking for some simple and some fun. I want my tribe to feel sexy and gorgeous and inspired. I want you to pay-it-forward when you feel inspired by a tid-bit and create the ripple that the joy of loving yourself up, healthy style brings. Yes, that means we might have to share this with the guys (*wink* at the guys who are here already)!

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Behind dark curtains, snuggled up under soft comforters, do you do it with socks on or off? I'm a socks on kind of girl, I just can't sleep without them. Patrick is too, we are a nice fit.

Gorgeous, we have got to talk about the quality of your sleep. It might be keeping you from the ness in gorgeousness. What is in your bedroom? From clutter to shining lights bedrooms can be filled with distractions that disrupt normal sleep cycles. You've got to do it in the dark. Your health depends on it.

Sleeping with blinking lights and t.v. in the bedroom causes your body to be out of rhythm with it's natural sleep cycle, which can disrupt your melatonin levels. This is causing premature aging, chronic disease and an increase in cancer (and weight gain people, weight gain!!!!). Your body goes into repair mode around 11pm, but if you aren't doing it, and doing it in the dark, you aren't getting repaired - you are being impaired.

If you can't part with your clock, cover it and move it away from your bedside. Invest in some black out shades. Pee before bed. Stop eating 3 hours before bedtime, this is again about letting your body go into it's natural fast and repair while you do it in the dark.

Go a little Laura Ingalls Wilder with me for a minute. Eat dinner before sundown. Go to bed after sundown. Wake with the sun. Eat an awesome breakfast. Move your body all day. Repeat.

Our world isn't set up to be relaxing, but we can choose to create an environment to give us that gorgeous life. I'm off to clear the clutter out of my bedroom, but that's a whole other post for another day.