I have found myself walking through parts of my life on what feels like a conveyor belt. I am not someone who chooses to find myself in this position. While fighting for my work to be seen, I have felt myself drifting into this unfortunate and suffocating position.
I generally do not like to walk with the flow of people. I learned early on to find the path that is going to help me thrive in my beliefs, ideals, and passions. I use my voice louder than most. And…I don’t apologize. As I find myself trying to thrive in a business on my own, I found increased pressure to conform. Every avenue of success is constantly telling me that I must sell myself. This is not me. I have never wanted to be an Oprah or Brene Brown, though I respect them greatly. I am simple and quiet in that I know my story helps others and I love every minute of my work when I am doing just that. If I did not have to be on social media, I would ditch the platform so fast. Though, sadly, I am learning that today businesses do not thrive unless you are very present in this arena, and you are willing to push yourself every chance possible. This is becoming a problem. I am not the face of my work. I am not the main story, or at least I do not want to be. The story has allowed me to create work, retreats, and healing modalities to teach and guide others on how to own their personal stories. So… how do I bring this to others without sacrificing myself? Inspired action. Two words that someone presented to me recently in place of motivation. Think about it for a moment. Motivation is really pushed upon us so often today. You see billboards that shout ‘get motivated’ whether it be for health, business growth or relationships. Bottom line…it was feeling forced to me. I kept feeling like I was trying to sell myself or my product, when I see my work more as being of service. Then it was suggested to me to replace motivation with inspiration. Better yet, inspired action. At first, it sounded too simple. But as I dug emotionally deeper, I began to really ask myself the question, ‘what inspires me to act?’ I am a person who strongly believes in ‘calling’ in every sense of the word. What calls one to act, to be, to work, to live and to love. In an instance I changed my pattern of thinking to what inspires me to act. Then, with such ease the path I felt called to take began to become clearer each and every step I began to walk. My focus came back to my original vision for the work I want to accomplish, and now with each step I am in fact feeling inspired. I am feeling the action and movements around my vision are becoming clearer in each direction I take. Today, the definition of where I am taking my work is exciting and I cannot wait for the those who are called towards it to embrace it. How will you take on INSPIRED ACTION today? More Blog Posts here...
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"Our own life has to be our message." -Thich Nhat Hanh What do you hear or speak to yourself when you read, 'Your Sacredness?' It is not uncommon for many people to not even be able to hear it in terms of themselves. How does one define Sacredness? What does it mean for oneself? Can I really obtain a Sacredness on my journey? Not easy questions by any means. I am not asking that you know all the answers right here and right now. But I am asking that you consider it. We often give more respect to those in our lives before we do so to ourselves. My challenge for you today is to consider it. Consider your Sacredness. Then do one thing today that will honor what you hear in the answer. That will be yours and yours alone. More Minute Retreats Here... Recently, I had an opportunity to take a few days for myself. This may not sound like anything grand to a normal person, but to a single mom always frantic over finances and keeping my self-made business afloat, it is always the furthest thing from my imagination. The circumstances around receiving this gift of time were not the greatest. Something I had been working tirelessly on as well looking forward to within my work did not come to fruition. Honestly, I was heartbroken, but at the same time it was a learning experience in the end. It gave me a sense of peace for understanding the reasoning amidst the outcome and have faith in the continued progression of my work. My work is blessing and gift to me. It is not typical by any means. And sometimes you just must accept that life must fall into countless separate places for others to embrace the offerings which I provide. I can do all that I need to do, but those hearing the call to attend must be willing to pause and embrace it. Some days it is bountiful and others gentle silence. The piece I love about this work is I embrace the call each and every time an idea comes forth knowing those who come are embracing their own call. Again, not typical income by any means, but I would not change it for the world. So, now, in this moment which felt like defeat, turned into a blessing I normally offer to others. A weekend to myself. I intentionally did not take any work with me on this weekend away. In fact, I took with me art supplies, my journal, exercises I usually lead others in on retreats and one particular project I wanted to give space to. The first deep breath I took as I arrived opening the doors to the ocean before me, the blessing of tears began to fall slowly and freely. It took me by surprise, honestly. The next few hours I simply sat, breathed in the ocean, ate a mindful lunch, and took in the sounds around me as I sat in the sun on the deck. I was in awe. I truly had not noticed that I had not given myself the gift of genuine rest like this in an amount of time that I could not even remember. I go for walks, I meditate, take little moments in my days. But, this type of gesture, felt like a guilty pleasure. As a mom and single one at that, I just recognize responsibilities need to come first. I did not always feel this way on my journey. In my younger years I was particularly good at taking what I call a monastery day, twenty-four hours alone to just be. Though, as life progressed, and babies turned into teenagers who needed even more if you could believe that my self-care faded away. If there was one thing, I learned this weekend that I wanted to take away, I want to stop running from life. I deserve rest. I deserve joy. I deserve an occasional evening out to dinner or favorite brunch on a Sunday deck. This day I am coming home to myself. A sentiment I have felt in countless unique ways over the course of my lifetime and yet each time I get to this space, I remember it differently. When I keep myself so busy, I am simply running from life. I intentionally am running from the pause. Maybe, it is because I am afraid more is going to be asked of me? Maybe it is because I will have to see exactly the truth in needing to take my own advice to care for myself? Maybe, because I know it will be hard. And who really likes hard? Well, this weekend, I was challenged to stop running and listen, pause, rest, and begin again. It was time I needed to gain perspective on the path I have been walking and accept the challenge to change the things that have not been working. Is it going to be hard? Absolutely. Am I glad that I took the risk? Absolutely. Am I ready? I am indeed. Do not wait around for life to climb on top of you and take you down by continuing to run from it in the busyness. Get ahead of the sprint and take the hard road. You will be glad you did. Sign up for our NEWSLETTER and Check out our UPCOMING RETREATS! We walk through this life with question, doubt, worry and stress often forgetting that our journey begins and ends with ourselves. Is there something you want for your life that fear holds you back from walking towards? Do you think that it is an impossible feat and only list off all the obstacles and reasons why it won't work out? Imagine a life you want to live, then make it happen! Your life is in your hands....imagine. Check out more 3 Minute Retreats here! I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. -John Burroughs
I honestly do not know anyone who can speak ill of the beauty of nature. While I may not enjoy some aspects like serious camping, I can never pass up a nature walk in our woods, a moment by the river down the road to just listen to the rushing water. I could sit for hours just staring at the beauty of an ocean to the glorious mountains my home is surrounded by. What does nature look like to you? The world is a often an overwhelming place with endless paths from joy to devastation. But think for a moment that when we look up at the sky, we are connected to each and every human being on this earth. We are all looking at the same sun, the same stars. Nature connects us. The next time when you feel overwhelmed by life or that a sense of loneliness darkens your heart...look up and remember you are not alone. Someone out there feeling the same way you are in that moment is looking up and wanting to connect with you. More Minute Retreats Here... |
Next Women's Beach Retreat!Follow USOur YouTube ChannelAuthorAndrea creates, builds, and offers her teachings and hands on life tools based on her journey healing her body image after a 14yr battle and life of trauma. Her vision always is to help others live a full life with the journey they are given. Featured ProductCategories
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