Embrace Your Gifts and Soar!

Bookend Your Day

 

Imagine books on a shelf. Without bookends, they will most likely

• Fall over

• Look messy

• Become unorganized

• Fall to the ground

• Lack support

• Lose their connection with the other books

• Get lost

• Seem neglected

• Look shuffled

I guess from this we can conclude that bookends are important!

So, here is a question for you. How do you bookend your day?

My opening bookend is usually prayer and/or a long walk. My closing bookend is often a moment of gratitude for all that is good in my life. When I'm really on the ball, I write in my gratitude journal to close out my day.

There are many ways that bookends can appear in your daily life. I'd love to know how you bookend your days. What are the routines, rituals, activities or empowering habits that help you open and close your day?  How do these acts make a difference in your life?

Beverly

PS: I took the above photo while walking one morning!

Word Up (2009)

 

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not really sure what "word up" means. I do know that it is the title to a fun song made popular by Cameo. I like to listen to it because it makes me want to dance and sing. Yes, I'm know I'm dating myself here because it is an old song. Even so, for some strange reason, this song is playing in my mind right now.

Perhaps I'm thinking about words in general since this is the time of year when I create a theme for the new year. LOVE was my theme for 2008 and it was amazing to see all the different ways that love kept showing up in surprising ways. I began to realize just how significant the whole idea of words and themes can be. (Basically, creating a theme is another way to say "setting an intention.")

So, here I sit with a blank slate in front of me. I've tried on several words to see which one feels right for this year. That's the thing about choosing a theme. Much like shopping for a new a pair of shoes, you can try it on to see how it fits. If you don't like it, you can toss it away and keep searching for that perfect fit.

The word I'm currently leaning toward is BLOOM. There are several things I want to BLOOM into this year. I want to bloom as a creative person, writer, leader, business woman, friend and colleague. I am determined to shine brightly this year. Mmmmm, perhaps I might change my theme to shine? or maybe sparkle?

No, I'm sticking with bloom. There's an energy around the word bloom that feels good to me. I like the connection to the earth and the sense of groundedness that surrounds the word bloom. The only thing I don't like about BLOOM is that is singular so I'm going to change my theme to BLOOMS. That way I can incorporate abundance and unlimited possibilities into my new year's theme.

There are a few more words that will accompany the word BLOOMS as my theme for 2009 evolves. I'm going to take the other words on a test drive before I write about them. 

Have you thought about a theme for 2009? What word or words fit the person you want to be in 2009? or as Cameo would sing, "Come on baby tell me what’s the word."

Happy Intention Setting! (For more on creating yearly themes, see Setting Your Theme for 2007.)

Blessings!

Beverly

To: You - From: You

Can you believe that another year is winding down and a fresh new year is waiting in the wings? Yes! You have twelve wonderful months of a new year quickly heading in your direction.

How would you like to give yourself a unique, personal, free gift every month in 2007? Here is an idea that came to me the other day and I want to share it with you.

Ideally, begin this activity on December 20th. Get twelve envelopes and twelve sheets of paper. Each day, for twelve days, write an inspiring, supportive, friendly letter to yourself. You might choose a different theme for each letter such as: Believe, Trust, Dream Big, Gratitude, Laugh, Play, Breathe, Staying Present, Asking for Help and Miracles. These are just a few to get you started. Of course, you can always write about all the great things about you! Another approach is to ask the following question: Dear God, what do you want me to know? Listen for the answer and write it down.

If writing a letter to yourself does not appeal to you, collect some of your favorite inspirational quotes, poems or other writings. Another idea is draw or paint an inspirational picture for yourself. There are many ways to tweak this exercise to make it work for you. Just remember, whatever you choose to put in the envelopes must be uplifting and bring you joy.

Each day put your collected material or written words for that day into an envelope and seal it. At the end of twelve days you will have twelve sealed envelopes. Shuffle your envelopes. After they are all mixed up, write the name of a month on each envelope. After you finish this, you will have twelve envelopes and each month will be represented.

Store your envelopes in a place where you will not forget about them. Personalize an approach to opening the envelopes in a way that best suits you. If you like structure, open the appropriate envelope on the 15th of each month. If structure is not for you, open your envelope each month when the time feels right. Make the opening of your envelope a special time. Breathe, light a candle and allow yourself plenty of space to revel in this gift you created for yourself.

If you decide to give yourself these year long gifts, I'd love to hear about your experience of filling your envelopes and opening them in the days ahead. All feedback is welcomed!

Blessings!

Beverly

Make It Up Good!

The idea of writing your future is not new but I've just begun to see the real value in making this a daily habit. It's easy, fun and something to play with in your journal. 

Write about your day as if it has already occurred and make it up so that your journal entry matches the way you would like your day to go.

Here is a brief, revised excerpt from what I wrote in my journal this morning. (I wrote this as 6:00 a.m. before any of it happened!)

Today was fantastic! I did my homework for tomorrow's meeting. I feel so good about completing those exercises! Also, I designed a great outline for Tuesday's Self-Empowerment class. The women will love it and get so much out of it too! That swim in the pool felt so good. Who says it's too cold to swim in October? Cold water is exhilarating! _______ and I had such a powerful coaching call today. It felt so good to watch her get exactly what she needed from our time together. Even though I felt a little blah this morning, my energy level really perked up. I am feeling so content right now as I get ready for bed. Life is so good.

It takes me five minutes in the morning to make up a journal entry that matches my ideal vision for the day. By doing this, I set my expectations for how my day will go. This takes me beyond setting my intentions and hoping for the best because I find myself truly believing my written words. I also get visuals in my mind's eye of the reality I am creating with my words. Also, I'm noticing that it feels as if my heart believes what I am writing down because I've chosen to put my made up words into my sacred journal. What the heck though? It's my journal and I can create or make up anything I want to in it, right?

I'm choosing to make it up really good!!

How would you make up a journal entry that is written before it actually occurs?

Happy Creating!

Beverly

PS: Special wink to Rick Tamlyn of It's All Made Up for being one of the first to introduce me to the idea that we make it all up so why not make it up good!? With gratitude for all of the wonderful, powerful coaches and leaders I've worked with over the years!

Self-Acknowledgement - Do You Dare?

"You did a really nice job on that drawing Keaton." The reply from my young nephew was simple and sincere. "Yea, I know."

I started thinking about self-acknowledgment after I visited Cafe Entrepreneur and discovered Laura's latest post about Vision Boards. Egads! My Vision Boards are all over her blog! Yes, I gave her permission to refer to my Vision Boards and yes, I've posted them on my blog...However, something about seeing them on Laura's blog made me shiver. I noticed that I couldn't even look at them! I clicked away and then curiosity led me back to take another look. "Well, I'd be impressed if someone else did them so why not be impressed that I did them?" drifted into my thoughts. Suddenly, I became honored that Laura thought enough of them to refer to them. Oh my goodness, could this mean that they are "good?" Or better yet, "good enough?" Will I ever be able to smile, nod my head and say "Yea, I know" to that possibility?

I don't know about you but I can acknowledge everyone around me in all kinds of different ways but when it comes to self-acknowledgment, I still struggle with patting myself on the back. I tend to look at how I could have done something better, faster, smarter or bigger. I am challenged at leaning into "good enough as is."

How about you? How often do you acknowledge yourself for triumphant moments in your life? In what ways would life change for you if you spent more time and energy acknowledging yourSELF?

...and the beat goes on....

Blessings!

Beverly

PS: THANK YOU LAURA AND GREAT ARTICLE ON VISION BOARDS!

PPS: I highly recommend Laura's Joyful Business Guide! I've been working/playing with my Joyful Business Guide since February, 2007 and I am seeing great results. Plus, I LOVE having a unique, creative business plan that stems from feminine energy and fits me so beautifully!

Hello! I'm Cartwheels! What's Your Essence's Name?

Essence: the most significant element, quality, or aspect of a thing or person.

------------------

Friday we had the best time in my women's coaching circle. After connecting to our hearts, we each adopted a name for the essence of our being. I offered the women in the group these questions to help them connect with the unique name of their essence.

Who does your heart want you to be next week?

What word, phrase, animal or object symbolizes who your heart wants you to be?

I named myself Cartwheels to represent my essence. Why Cartwheels? I see cartwheels as being fun, playful and joyful. They make me think of movement, adventure, risk taking, strength, and a willingness to look silly. Cartwheels offer me lots of points of view so they remind me to try on different perspectives and CHOOSE one that works for me.

I also like the open heart pose that comes with getting ready to do a cartwheel. Imagining that I am doing a cartwheel under the sun or in the rain connects me with the earth and my love of nature. Also, Cartwheels holds the intention that I will remain strong, flexible and physically fit. However, if I fail while doing a cartwheel, that is okay. I can just pick myself up, recover and go for it again.

I get very excited when I think about the possibility of doing cartwheels anywhere and everywhere! I can do them on the beach, indoors, in green luscious grass or while hiking on a mountain trail. Cartwheels makes me think of being big, versatile and expansive. Also, I love that a cartwheel is a circle since circles hold sacred meaning for me.

Another thing I love about naming my essence Cartwheels is that other people can do cartwheels with me. This means that cartwheels symbolize community, friendships, laughter and joyfully co-creating with others. Also, I can see myself wearing fun, bright colorful clothes while doing all kinds of cartwheels. Like snowflakes, every cartwheel is different and unique so I have lots of inspired actions and freshness around me.

Cartwheels demand that I take up lots of space so my big, bold self can be Free and Alive! This makes the little girl in ME and adult part of ME giggle with delight. I'm also glad that Cartwheels connects me with my breath as breathing deeply is essential to generating the energy I need to keep a cartwheel (and my life!) in motion.

I bet by now you think I am a pro at turning cartwheels. Here's the truth. I can not do a cartwheel! After trying many times when I was a little girl, I finally gave up and admitted defeat. So, another thing that Cartwheels brings to mind for me is doing things I formerly believed I could not do. Cartwheels turns the idea of defeat into an opportunity to create from all that is around me...even failure.

Wow! This essence name is loaded with meaning for me. Now, here is my challenge to myself. I am going to go outside and stand in my freshly mowed backyard and attempt to do a cartwheel. I'll have to drum up some courage for this one because I can't begin to remember how many years it has been since I've tried to do a cartwheel. The best thing about this is I know it's okay if I still can't do one. At least I will know I had the courage to try. (Of course, this brings the "ask for help" piece to mind too. No way I'm going to try to do a cartwheel all by myself! I'll have a spotter named Greg close by!)

What name would your give your essence? Please leave a comment and tell me. I'd love to hear what comes up for you around this question!

Blessings!

Beverly

Empowering Words

Here's a neat way to create and customize an empowering message for yourself.

I found these cardboard letters at Michaels and couldn't resist buying them even though I did not know what I would do with them. After a sudden jolt of inspiration, I used Elmer's Glitter Glue Pens to cover the surface of the letters. Next, I applied fun, positive words that I cut out of magazines.

I'm sure there are many other ways to decorate the letters and make them look great. The idea for jazzing up the letters popped into my mind when I made my latest vision board a few weeks ago. I wanted to include the word SOAR on my board in a big way. All it took was a little Elmer's glue to attach the letters to my sturdy vision board.

What is your favorite, empowering word? How would you decorate it?

Would you like to create your own vision board? Check the Embrace Your Gifts and Soar! website for upcoming dates. I offer collage circles almost every month.

Beverly

PS: Click here to read more about SOAR!

PPS: Only two days until the drawing for The Book of Druthers. Click here to see details.

Fun, Empowering Buttons For Your Desk

Last week I wrote a post about my Feel Good Button. Rosi left a comment and asked where to get one. My sister bought mine at a Hallmark store in Flowood, Mississippi. I'm not sure if all the Hallmark stores carry them but you can check and see.

Here's another great button. It's available at Staples.com What a great reminder to ask "How can this become EASY?" I don't have one of these on my desk...yet. One of my soul sisters, Laura Howard West of Joyful Business Marketing, introduced me to this gem.

If you know of other similar buttons with empowering messages, let me know! I'd love to know about them.

Beverly

Happy Trails To You, Mr. Gremlin!

My creativity gremlin was born in a Baptist church in Jackson, Mississippi many, many years ago. (In case you don't know, gremlin is another word for negative voices in your head that keep you from doing what your heart is trying to lead you to do. More on gremlins later. Right now, I want to get back to my story.)

I'm sitting around a little table in a tiny room with a small group of kids who are six to seven years old. It's a Wednesday night and big church meets after this. A man, whose name I can not recall, instructs us to draw a picture using Manilla paper and crayons. He tells us "After everyone draws their picture, we will vote on whose picture is the best." I feel pressure to do good. This makes me squirm. Everyone draws their picture and now it's time to vote. We can vote as much as we want too. I vote for the picture drawn by the only girl in the group after she covers her eyes by putting her head down on the surface of the table. 

I am the last one to show my picture to the group. I am proud of my big, bold single flower that has a long stem with roots hidden in an oversized pink pot. I'm good at drawing flowers. I draw them a lot. I put my head down on the table and close my eyes and eagerly wait to see how many votes I get.

I raise my head and ask, "How many?" and one of the boys blurts out, "No one voted for your picture. Not even the teacher!" I am stunned and sheepishly reply, "No one voted for me?" and the little boy says, "Nope, no one! No one likes your picture." I look at the man running the show. He is at a loss for words. No doubt he can see the pain I am trying to deny. The man begins to make excuses. "Boys, don't like flowers. That's why they didn't vote for your picture. Boys like boy things." This does not make me feel better! I remain silent but my thoughts are swirling. "How can anyone NOT like flowers?" I'm so embarrassed. I thought my picture was good but everyone else hates it. Even the other girl hates it! Why didn't she vote for me? I can't wait to get out of here! I will never draw again!"

That's when an invisible creativity gremlin hopped on my shoulder and said, "Don't worry baby. I'll protect you. Every time you think about creating, I'll remind you that it is dangerous to create and even more dangerous to show others what you create. Don't worry, we will not let this happen again!" Desperate for relief, I said "okay" to this gremlin even though at the time, I had no idea what was really happening. I just knew that I created something and it flopped. That had to mean that I was a flop too. The best way to keep from flopping again was to put away my crayons forever.

And that, my friends, is how my creativity gremlin was born. He has hounded me every since that fateful evening. I share this story with you because today as I was making a vision board and doing my best to push this gremlin aside, it dawned on me that this story is old, stupid and finished.

Good-bye Creativity Gremlin. Happy Trails to you. I don't need you anymore!

Signing off with a song in my heart,

Beverly Keaton Smith

What I Know About Women's Coaching Circles

"What's a Coaching Circle?" I hear that question a lot and sometimes I just want to say, "oh, it's a place where women can get a good dose of oxytocin and walk away feeling inspired, uplifted and motivated to make positive changes in their lives." (For more on oxytocin, see Women Need Women!)

Do you want more? Ok, here is what I know about my coaching circles. I create a space where a small group of women join together to support and inspire each other to move forward. We often have productive group conversations that allow women to be heard and seen in a setting that is safe and supportive. Occasionally we do fun activities that spark creativity or promote experiential learning. Other times, we focus on an empowering book.

As the leader of a coaching circle, I listen for coachable moments and toss out appropriate questions that deepen reflection, growth and learning. Guess what? I'm not the only one who tosses out powerful questions! The women in the group ask them too. Each woman is respectfully viewed as a participant AND leader in my coaching circles. The feeling of equality surely adds to the sacredness of the circle. 

Anything that serves one woman in the group serves everyone to some extent. We are all connected and we all experience similar challenges in life even though the challenges might show up in different forms. While the circle is supportive, this is not a place to come to "be fixed." Why? Because you are not viewed as broken. The circle is a place for you to get in touch with your inner wisdom. This happens because you are in the presence of other women who are also connecting with that sacred place inside themselves. Group energy is powerful! The benefits of a coaching circle last well beyond the two hours that you sit in the circle. Synchronicity and miracles multiply. Why? Because you are expecting them too! The circle promotes the perspective of unlimited possiblities!

Now, here is something you can't put a price tag on. One of the most satisfying parts of leading a coaching circle is witnessing the close friendships that women develop with each other. A women's coaching circle is a great way to meet new friends who are dedicated to living a life filled with meaning and joy. Some of the best friends I have are women that I have met in coaching circles. 

There you have it. This is what I know for sure about my women's coaching circles! Join us! You've got very little to lose and everything to gain. Why not go for it?

See a schedule of my latest women's coaching circles here.

Onward!

Beverly Keaton Smith, CPCC

PS: The above photo of a sacred women's circle was taken on August 6th, 2007 on the Gunnison River in Colorado while on a river retreat with Coach Helene Van Manen. That's me in the red pants!