READY FOR A BREAKTHROUGH?!

Have you ever had a feeling that your breakthrough is about to happen?  Have you ever had an undeniable sensation in your head, heart and belly....that a really amazing thing is about to happen?  I'm feeling that now.  It's weird too because I woke up today unmotivated, slightly irritated and just feeling like "here we go again" and then I had a talk with a GOOD friend who said, Hey, look, progress is worth celebration...and you don't have to get all the way there in a day or a week or a month or even a year, but can you look at your life and say, well it's better than it was or can you look at yourself and say well, I'm better than I was?  I can absolutely say that for certain.  Without a doubt.  This is a brief post to encourage you and to tell you to watch out because you'll be able to say - I read that blog before she was a sought after public speaker and published author of MANY incredible books, articles, essays, and poems.  I knew her talent!  I knew she had a spark and a fire that was going to take off!  

I hope and pray dear reader that you're living your passion or working toward your dream every day - whatever it is - being the best mom, being the best friend, the best lawyer, doctor, teacher, preacher, IT guy there is.  I hope and pray you're also about to experience YOUR breakthrough.  Claim it!

Progress is PROGRESS!

Who isn't inspired by Dr. King??  I'm ready to run, fly and propel myself forward in ways I've never dreamed!

Just wanted to pop in and tell you, my dear amazing readers, that I'm feeling incredible today.  I had a really great acupuncture session on Thursday and again today.  I am starting to feel the affects of increased energy and a sense of clarity that I have not had in a long time.  I've had great prayer time this week and a renewed sense of focus.  I've been making significant progress with my finances. Today I took action and put my intentions out there that I'm ready to make a change.  I feel a sense of movement and I'm seeing PROGRESS.  Although there's more to accomplish and more to actualize from my dream board and goals, there's forward motion and that feels fantastic.  I've been reading the Robbins book more also and I'm ready to delve further into that.  Today has been peaceful, productive and pretty darn satisfying.

Stay hungry.  Stay ready.  Focus on goals and movement toward the goal.  Take time for silence and focus and keep your spiritual self present and available for all that God has to offer you.  It's pretty amazing.  YOU ARE AMAZING and I am too.  Much love!!  

When You've Reached The End of Your Rope....

Tie a knot and hang on tight.  That's a poster I've seen recently - I believe it's posted in the bathroom at work. Wonder why....hmmmmm.  Won't go there right now.  I'm increasingly disillusioned and disappointed and just honestly, readers, I'm drained.

So I'm tying a knot right now by listing my blessings and the things I'm grateful for because all I want to do is complain and wallow in all the stuff that's not fair and that I'm mad about ....BUT I REFUSE to let them ruin me.  I refuse to allow them to ruin me because I'm amazing, phenomenal and incredible.  I'm a force to be reckoned with and I'm above all that drama and mess they're trying to weigh me down with. I'm ready to fly!!

I'm grateful for  (there's no heirarchy here, it's just stream of consciousness) :
My abilities
My good health
I woke up today.
My husband and family - esp. my beautiful niece
My friends
A comfortable home
Food - in abundance
Shelter 
Clothes
Books
Coffee
My students 
Our cat
My husband's job
Our cars
Nature
Laughter
Smiles
Music
Poetry
MY FUTURE, my past and all the lessons I've learned.
The present moment where I'm wrapped up in a blanket, next to my husband and the anticipation of another home cooked meal that I've prepared for us, which smells heavenly.  
That I have so many things to be thankful for.

Readers - this is just the beginning of my greatness.  If you've reached the end of your rope today - do like me and write a list of all the things you have to be grateful for - it will help make you feel better. Much love readers...pray for me and for you, for all of us!

Seven Habits

I've been listening to this over the past few days:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktlTxC4QG8g

Maybe you've read the book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", maybe you've heard bits and pieces from it here and there, but maybe you've never heard it.  If you've never heard it, I'm so glad you're hearing it now and I hope you feel inspired and begin to make even just a small change in your thoughts, your language, or your actions.  I think I might need to add this book to my collection (after I read it, of course, and AFTER I finish the Robbins book - which I'm still working on and I'm coming to the end of Chapter 5).  

These two have me thinking and I've been repeating them: habits 2 and 3.

#2 Begin with the end in mind.  How do you want to be remembered?  Imagining your own funeral and what you have to say about yourself.  Is what you're doing aligned with what you'd like to say about yourself (or others to say about you) at the end of your life?  This question has been coming up for me a lot lately.  Perhaps it's because I turned 40 and have realized that I'm "mid-way" through my life and what do I have to show for it?  What can I claim as my accomplishments?  How do I want to be remembered and how do I go about making those things happen, if they haven't yet?

I talk about this a lot - my energy and my time are valuable - everyone's is and so how do we spend it?  Watching TV, scrolling through countless things on the internet, texting, apps, games, etc. I also often feel that my energy and my time are being drained by things that are tedious and not fulfilling.  I mean, we have to take the trash out and we have to organize papers, for sure, but I bet there are many hours of unaccounted for time that aren't really bringing you closer to your goal.  They aren't bringing you closer to that aim of being the best spouse, the best parent, the inspiration to others, etc. that you want to be.  For example, right now, I feel torn between what I "have to do" and what I want to do.  I'd much rather write and listen to inspiration, create inspiration or spend quality time with my husband/family/friends, than do the many other tedious things I have to do for work tomorrow - yes - I'm still working into the evening most nights - which is another thing that really must change.

#3 Put First Things First. This really ties into what I was saying about habit 2 also - where is the time and energy spent?  I'm in the space right now where I'm trying to figure out how to do just that - how can I go about making my dreams realities and put first things first?  If we SAY oh my health, my relationships, my faith, God, etc. is first in my life.  Is that how you act?  Is that truly how you ACT?  Is that how you're spending your time?  I think it's good to look at these things and start focusing on what is most important and maximize the time and energy we put into the things that we say matter most to us.  Walk the walk - as the saying goes.  

Before we can begin any change - we've got to set goals - write down what you want to be said about you - write your own eulogy.  Think about what is first in your life and how you actually spend your time.  This is a good exercise - live your life with purpose and drive - with focus and understanding - not a mere muttering through and aimlessly wandering.

Mine would go something like this - the best wife and the best mom, published author of (many different titles - famous and well-known), powerful public speaker, inspiration to SO many, a teacher through and through - my students to be able to say about me: she changed my perspective, helped me when no one else would, showed me love, was funny, caring and kind, taught me so much, etc.  In college I wrote on a 3 X 5 card that I wanted to contribute to the greater good - I think I've done that and I want to continue to do that on an even larger scale!  I also want someone to say I was a great yogi, poet, and golfer (I know sounds funny, but I want to share that sport with my hubs).

GO AND DO IT!  Write it out and think about it and start changing your life today and spending your time and energy toward what you truly want.

Rise and Shine

The deep fear

To lose your security

To lose what you've worked for

But is this what you truly desire?

Is this what is good for you?

Child of God

You weren't meant for this torment.

You weren't meant to be discounted,

Dismissed or disengaged.

The rage, the deep seated sorrow, the constant struggle.

Fearfully and wonderfully made 

Not to be torn down, torn apart, and made into nothing.

You have a voice, a song, a dance 

and a place at the table of joy.

You deserve to live into your full purpose, 

Your full potential,

Your bright light should shine!

It needs to shine.

SHINE!

SHINE!

Wake up today, not tomorrow, not yesterday, 

but right now.

The time is fleeting and today is the day

To rise and shine.

ORIGINAL WORK BY SARA TATE 

Hope for Valentine's Day

Our Honeymoon in Sandals, Ochi Beach, JA  2015

The other day I was lamenting my "Dream Board" and how nothing on that board has come to fruition yet, and I realized, ABSOLUTELY something - the most key thing - has definitely happened.  My marriage. I love my husband more now than the day I met him.  We are stronger, healthier and happier because of each other and this intentional life we are living together. We started out with a lot stacked against us - first of all, neither of us have good role models for what a healthy, functional relationship is supposed to be - so a lot of what we've figured out has been either breaking bad habits we've learned or had modeled for us and frankly, a lot of trial and error.  Perhaps more error than anything else, but either way, we've learned.  We've learned how to get through tough times - in our first six months of dating we experienced moving, job loss, financial hardship, family drama, and the death of my step-father (RIP Tom) from cancer - and what I knew after all that was - he was the one.  He stood by me and helped me through it all.  He stood by me when I was most definitely not at my best - he has seen me in every state imaginable and he still loves me.  We've learned how to communicate and to fight fair.  We've learned how to let it go and how to respect each other (even if they are on the other side of the aisle).  We've learned how to shut up (most of the time) and how to listen.  We've learned how to make it work, even when it feels hard. Neither of us are perfect and we fight and we make up and we "go hard" and what I mean by that is - we never give up.  

So to you, my love, thank you.  Thank you for being my partner, my BEST friend (for real) and the one who can make me laugh more than any other, thank you for kissing me on the first date, for holding me when I'm sad, for forgiving me when I've gone off like a crazy person, for taking care of me when I'm sick, for knowing all the things I like (and don't) and for loving all my little quirks. Thank you for lifting me up and for supporting everything I do and for being my biggest fan and defender.  Thank you for being funny, insanely smart, handsome (HOT), and truly one of a kind. Thank you for loving my family and making them your own. Thank you for always trying so hard to put me first. I'll never find another like you, nor would I want to.  You have made my dream of a healthy relationship come true.

I want to tell you all dear readers, I never thought this was possible.  I always thought I was too broken for a real love.  I thought I was "damaged goods" and that it was not possible for me to really be happy in a relationship that was functional and whole.  After so much "bad love" and many, many, MANY heart breaks...I finally am there and continue to be there and grow.  

If you're waiting or wanting or wishing or praying for these things - let me say - it really did happen for me when I least expected it and I wasn't ready for it, but with a lot of prayer, patience, growing, laughing, loving and all the other things in between of every day life - I'm so glad to say I'm HAPPILY married and there is truly HOPE on Valentine's Day for everyone like me.  Believe it.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  Much love.

A Place of Healing

I began my acupuncture regimen last week.  I'll be going twice a week for eight weeks (stage 1) and also taking herbal supplements based on my needs.  Yesterday was a therapy session.  I cried on the acupuncture table not because it hurt (all of you who are like, OH NO it DOES hurt!!) It honestly doesn't hurt at all.  Even if some of the needles that go in a little deeper feel uncomfortable going in at first, I never feel any pain and after I'm lying there for about 20 minutes or so I forget the needles are even there.  Anyway, I cried because I've been under so much stress and I'm at a real crossroads because I know the cause of my pain and I know I must make changes, but I am scared and I am uncertain.  I'm praying for direction and praying God will lead me to the right opportunity at the right time with the right people.  I know I deserve better and I know I've got to start somewhere, but it's that first step that can really be a doozy!  So dear reader, if you're a praying person, a positive vibe sender, love and light, whatever you call it or however you do it - as long as it's loving, peaceful and positive - please send it my way!  

I also apologized to my doc for crying and he was so nice - he actually (because I had needles in my hands and arms) wiped my tears with a tissue and told me that it was a perfectly safe space. He was very caring and kind and he really listened to me.  He also told me that that was exactly the place to bring those feelings because it is a place of healing.  It was a good session. I left feeling more calm and more quiet, which I love because that is so atypical for me.  He also gave me this powder - I have to dissolve it in water three times a day and drink it - I just did it and man is it DISGUSTING.  I have to do it for a week and honestly, I'm not excited about it at all.  It's just really, really nasty.  I cannot describe it, but I think it's gonna be a real test of how much I want to get healed because all I wanted to do was gag.  It is supposed to aid with my digestion and my mood. It also is supposedly complimentary to the acupuncture and will help the acupuncture to work even better. We shall see. I'm a tiny bit skeptical, but I'm willing to try it.

I'm willing to try it because I know I've tried a lot of things over the years that haven't worked or only worked short-term or maybe they served their purpose for the time. I think too though, that honestly, I've been participating more in my own sickness, rather than my own health.  I think for so long I've focused on problems and hurts and pain...that I didn't know how to do anything else.  That is changing now.  I'm focusing on solutions, health and happiness.  I'm focused on my healing.

What old ways or thoughts are holding you back?  How can you begin today to focus on your own healing?  I hope my writing inspires and helps.  I pray this finds you well.

Get Rid of Fear!

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy: 1:7

Oh I'm so done with fear!  I'm SO DONE WITH FEAR!  I know who I am and what I'm about - I know myself inside and out. I know my weaknesses, my faults, my challenges, my strengths, my power!  I feel something growing and I feel a shift happening in my perspective and I love it.  Let me say that again, I feel a change and I LOVE it.  I think it's the work I'm doing, the passion, the creativity and the energy.  I think it's the acupuncture.  The prayer. The laser beam focus on solutions instead of problems.  So many wonderful things are happening and so many big things are about to begin - I'm excited and ready to make things happen.  I'll get into more specifics in a later post as things unfold, but for now I just wanted to share with you something great tonight dear readers - get rid of fear!  Or better yet, look that fear in the eye and say, I WILL CONQUER YOU!  What are you afraid of?  

Lady Gaga Inspired

I love the morning show on CBS, "Sunday Morning." It's been on television for over 20 years and I've been watching for at least 10 years. The show features stories on all kinds of interesting people, places, and things.  With it being "Super Bowl Sunday" they highlighted a football player, Malcolm Mitchell (I'm not a football fan, but my husband is so I've learned a few things about it over the years and one thing I've come to appreciate is the life stories of the players). It was a story about how he became an incredible reader - after getting to college and only being able to read on a 6th grade level - through the kindness of a group of strangers that invited him to be in their book club. A book club he still attends to this day - a group of women.  Pretty impressive. Talk about perseverance and overcoming!!

In keeping with the Superbowl Sunday theme there was also a story on Lady Gaga (she's playing the half-time show).  I was never really a fan of hers - the weird meat dresses and wigs and the big stage persona.  I mean it's art and I do appreciate theater and the arts for sure, but to me she was just another "pop star" vying for attention.  I liked some of her songs, thought they were alright for the radio, but overall, I was kinda like "whatever" about her.  Until recently, I saw her on James Cordin's Carpool Karaoke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5Cfi7U4eL4  and I thought, wow, she can actually sing - the car doesn't have any auto-tune that I could see.  I mean I guess they could do it post production or whatever they do, but whatever.  The point is - I was impressed.  I looked into her new album and even my hubs (who might not admit it in public) appreciated the new song, "A Million Reasons."  It made me cry.  There aren't a lot of lyrics, but it was raw.  It was very real to me and as you might know, dear reader, I gravitate toward that deep connection.  As a good friend of mine said about me, my BS meter is very keen.  Meaning - I can sense BS from about a mile away.  My thing is life should be lived authentically and as real as it can be, otherwise, what's the point?

Back to GaGa - after watching the show, I was even more impressed hearing her talk about her personal growth and her journey as an artist and how important her family is to her.  It resonated with me.  The interviewer asked her about how this album is different from her previous albums and she said this was what she wanted to do and it was the most personal one she's done so far. She talked about how she always felt she had to keep up the persona even though it wasn't necessarily her, even when she was off-stage.  She got emotional when the interviewer asked if that's why it's more personal because she was doing what she wanted to do versus what everyone else wanted her to do.  I was like, WOW, I get that!!  I think many people "get" that - I mean at some point or another in our lives we (if we are lucky enough) wake up and say, yeah, THIS is what I want to do and what matters to me.  This is my life to live - not theirs.  That's not to say we abandon all others or shirk responsibility, but we wake up to more of who we are and decide to live more for who we are inside, than for what others tell us we should be.  

Someone said to me, oh you should be more funny in your blog, people like humor, it's too deep.  I was like, well, I am deep.  I can be funny (frankly at times I think I'm hilarious and my 2nd graders often tell me I'm funny). Who doesn't like comedy or humor of some form or another?  Yes, everyone loves to laugh, but I mean it's not necessarily what I am good at or what I feel led to write.  That's not what I want to do.

More than anything though, I was so inspired by Gaga and her ability to be true to herself despite living in a world that she now, cannot be anonymous in and where many people have expectations of who she is or have ideas and opinions about who she should be.  She said she misses people and the ability to be able to just strike up a conversation with a stranger and just talk about life, etc.  That did make me feel a little sad for her, but she also was honest about the fact that this is what she signed up for in a way, in terms of fame.  As always, I'm looking for inspiration and ideas and I'm not shocked that it came today in the form of another artist (yes, I consider myself an artist) and I have a new found respect for Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta - aka Lady Gaga.

I encourage you to ask yourself this question: What is my persona?  Where and how can I be more authentic with myself and those around me?  

Happy Sunday everyone!  Love and blessings to you!