Embrace Your Gifts and Soar!

A Butterfly or a Bra (or a ........)

The sand hugs my toes as I walk along the shore of the beach. I notice a young boy playing in the surf. He is full of aliveness and spunk, unlike the grandfatherly man who is with him. The boy gives his head a sharp turn to shake stringy, wet hair from his eyes as he holds a small open shell up in the air so his grandfather can see it. "When shells are open like this, they look like a butterfly or a bra."

The boy's conclusion seems to fall upon deaf ears so he adds more enthusiasm into his voice as he repeats himself. "WHEN SHELLS ARE OPEN LIKE THIS, THEY LOOK LIKE A BUTTERFLY OR A BRA!" His words are still ignored so he turns toward the ocean, tosses the shell into the water and looks at the horizon as if it is speaking to him.

I resist my temptation to run up to the boy and scream out,"What else does your imagination call forth? You've thought of two great possibilities! Now, what else does an open shell look like?"  But, the moment is lost and the window of opportunity closes as I decide to quietly continue my solitary walk along the shore.

As the boy and his grandfather disappear from my view, I enter a contemplative mood around the subject of imagination and options. It is empowering to search for several possibilities in any given situation. Limited thinking and smaller outcomes are often generated from the "either/or" and the "this or that" approach. Who wants that? There's always at least three or more options in any situation. The best way to make a well-informed choice or to get the most desirable result is to explore as many possibilities as possible. Instead of getting stuck in "black or white" thinking, search for other colors too.

So, what do you see in the photo above....besides a butterfly or a bra? (there are no wrong answers!)

 Blessings!

Beverly

No Show, Rocky Flow, No Woe

The final performance of "Tuesdays with Morrie" was presented at New Stage Theatre yesterday and I really wanted to see it. Greg was not available to go with me and I didn't know of anyone who would be free at the last minute, so I decided to enjoy the performance alone and call it an artist's date.

I learned about the concept of an artist's date years ago after reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. The idea is to have a date with yourself once a week in order to feed your connection to your creativity.

I have noticed that since I've been working on a few creative projects, I have felt the need for a creative connection to something outside of my own stuff. Perhaps the concept of an artist's date not only feeds creativity but brings inspiration and a break to those who are already in a creative mode.

After driving into a very full parking lot, I got a little intimidated. I am a little rusty at going to these kinds of events alone. Now that I've been married for almost seven years, I usually have a companion. Nonetheless, I got out of my car and walked into the theatre. Apparently many others had the same idea because several other hopeful people were waiting to get tickets. I decided to wait it out and assume that I would get to see the show. When they told those of us who didn't make it into the coveted seating area that the show was sold out, I was so disappointed that I almost cried. I walked back to my car feeling as if I'd lost my best friend.

Coach Beverly came out to give me a little pep talk. "Everything is how it is meant to be. Everything happens for a reason. What did you learn from this? How do you turn lemons into lemonade?" Before I knew it, my car was heading toward a women's clothing store and I found some great, fun tops that suit me perfectly. I topped off the afternoon by going shoe shopping and even though I didn't find any that I liked, it sure was fun trying on shoes and being selective about all of my purchases.

Big lesson here? Go with the flow. When the music changes, find a new way to dance. Everything does happen for a reason and everything is how it is meant to be. I really believe that.

I'm still feeling inspired to schedule weekly artist's dates with myself. Now that we have entered the the glorious season of spring, the juices are really flowing. I want to do everything I can to support the ever expanding right side of my brain. If you have any fun, suggestions for a solitary artist's date, I'd love to hear about them. Just leave a comment and share if and how you nurture your creativity.

Happy belated Sacred Sunday!

Beverly

PS: Photo of Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii taken by Greg Smith in April 2007.

Let's Talk About Money

Please credit to Beverly Keaton Smith if you use these money photos or reprint this article.  

 "It's so hot, you could fry an egg on the sidewalk!"

One hot summer day, my young hands reached into the refrigerator and sneaked a few eggs into my pocket. With great expectations, I cracked the shells open over a sidewalk and waited for them to start cooking. Through the sting of disappointment, I learned that expressions are not always meant to be taken literally.

My neighbor saw me playing with the eggs and mentioned it to my father. Our neighbor thought my experiment was funny. My father did not! Dad casually asked me, "how much do you think those eggs that you took from the refrigerator cost?" I replied that I didn't know. Together, we calculated how much money I had wasted by ruining perfectly good eggs. The small amount was deducted from my allowance and I learned that next time I should be more secretive with my experiments. Okay, the bigger lesson I took away was that money is hard to come by and should never be wasted. I guess this is just one of the episodes from my childhood that shaped me into a "saver." 

Many times, I coach clients around the issue of money. Usually, there is a core limiting belief that gets in a person's way of accumulating money. Often, the core belief is something along the lines of

Love of money is the root of all evil.

I'll get my rewards in heaven, not now.

Money is scarce and hard to come by.

These perspectives are core limiting beliefs which are very effective at keeping money away from your bank account. Here are examples of positive perspectives around money.

Money is freedom and I deserve freedom.

I love money and money loves me.

I am a money magnet. I have the Midas touch!

Since we choose our perspective around money, wny not choose a belief that is positive and affirming? You can reinforce your money magnetism by creating a structure that reminds you of your positive perspective on money. I recently moved into a new office and the window shade that was hanging on the window broke and fell to the floor. Instead of buying a new shade, I hung my money boa across the top of my window to serve as my reminder that money is abundant and constantly flowing to me. I love looking at it and being reminded that money is always within my reach. Also, my money boa sparkles with joyful memories and energy because it was a gift from friend and colleague, Laura Howard West who owns the Center for Joyful Business.   

With a crazy stock market and fears of a recession floating around, it is even more tempting to fall into a negative perspective around money. Why not reflect on your core beliefs about money and see how they are working for you? If you find you are operating out of a limiting belief, try updating your belief and see what happens. There's not much to lose and everything to gain!

I'd love to hear about your core belief around money. If you'd like to share, leave a comment. We can all inspire each other to generate even more empowering beliefs around money.

Blessings!

Beverly

Lesson Learned...Again!

Snow surrounds me and the multi-layers of ski clothing that I am wearing are not completely protecting me from the strong chill of the wind. As I sail up the mountain on a ski lift that I have never ridden before, I have to wonder why I do things like this to myself. This mountain is new to me and the peak is being hugged by far away clouds. I look at the slopes and fear grips my heart. I say to my husband, "Greg, are you sure we will be going down a blue run? I’m getting scared!" Greg assures me that we will ski down a blue, which is what the intermediate slopes are called.

It’s taken me five years to graduate from the greens, also known as beginner slopes, and move toward the blues. Perhaps I was a little too sure of myself though. Why didn’t I just stay on the easy blues? Why did I feel compelled to push myself over to the more difficult blue runs? My thoughts rattle on and I let them take over. Looking back, I have to wonder why I didn’t stop my negative thoughts and assure mySelf that I was ready for this new run.

As Greg and I begin our trip down this new slope, it is not so bad at first. I am unsteady at times but able to maintain enough balance to stay upright. I know that eventually the blue will turn into a green and then I can relax. Then, it happens. I reach a part of the slope that seems to drop straight down. Oh dear, what do I do? I know that if I fall it will be really tough to get up on a hill like this.

I pause and study the hill. Nothing I think about makes it look smaller or easier. I watch some four-year-old kids go down this hill like there is nothing to it. I know that they don’t have as far to fall and their bones heal faster than mine do, but they still inspire me. If kids can do this, so can I!

I point my skis toward the slope and begin my journey downward. Greg is waiting for me below so I’m on my own. Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh....KERPLUNK! I’m down and I am certain I can’t get up so I barely try. Here is the embarrassing part. I allow my rear end to slowly scooch down the hill and my skis are still on my feet so I’m dragging them along with me. I’m praying that no one will come flying over the hill and crash into me. I want to disappear and I hate skiing! I wish I had a sled so I could coast down this steep hill and be done with it. I stop and rest. It feels as if I will never reach safety again.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a man appears. "Are you alright?" I tell him, "yes, I’m alright. I’m just worn out and I can’t get up." He lifts me up as if I am a feather and I am standing on my skis again. He gives me good advice. "Just stay here for a minute and rest. Let your body recover." I am happy to do that. I thank him profusely and after a few minutes I tell him that I am ready to go. Fortunately, I ski down the rest of that steep slope with ease and finally, my ordeal has ended.

Later, I think about this experience and it dawns on my that I never once considered asking anyone for help. I felt that I got myself into this situation and so I had to save myself. Slowly sliding down the hill on my rear end while wearing skis was not the best solution to my predicament. However, I thought I was taking care of myself.

Well, I have to say, it is stupid to NOT ask for help when you need help. It makes much more sense to immediately hope, pray and ask for help when you are scared, exhausted, overwhelmed, stuck or lonely. My crisis came to an abrupt end because of my willingness to accept someone's help.

I wonder if I will ever get past playing the role of strong, independent woman who does not need help? I’ve worked on this issue so much and yet still there is a part of me that often chooses to go it alone. Having this revelation, again, makes me glad I took that fall and sat on that mountain alone until someone rescued me. Yes, I would have eventually made it down that hill on my own, but having a helping hand made the ending to my story much sweeter.

Will I go skiing again? Yes! I love staying fully present when I am skiing down the side of a mountain. I am completely in my body and totally alive in the moment. While I do love being surrounded by snow and beauty, I have to say I am a southern belle who is not a big fan of cold weather. Even so, that is not enough to keep me away from the snow covered mountains. Feeling fully present in any situation is one of the things that gives life meaning for me. So, yes, I will go back to that slope with the scary hill on it, and next year, I’ll conquer it...and if I don’t, I will not hesitate to ask someone nearby to help me get back on my feet again.

How much do you ask for help in your life? What holds you back from asking for help? What makes it easy for you to ask for help? 

More ski stories

Never Too Late

Dream and Believe

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!

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

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

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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

And the Winners Are.....

First, I print all of the wonderful comments under the Druthers Give-Away post. Next, I use scissors to separate the comments and toss them into a container. Then, I get a little dramatic and blindfold myself to make sure the drawing is completely fair. Have you ever taken a photo of yourself while you are blindfolded? At least part of me is in the photo. (I managed to capture one of Stacy's mandalas in the background. It was not planned but I'm glad it happened.) Of course, the fun part is drawing the names, unfolding them and discovering who wins a FREE copy of The Book of Druthers. I always trust this process and just go with it

I loved reading all of the answers to the Druthers question for this drawing. It's fun to find out someone's Druther and to CHOOSE your Druther too! The winners of this drawing are Debi Lewis, owner of JoyFlow Yoga in Madison, Mississippi and fellow blogger Kate Robertson of Meanderings. Thanks to everyone for playing and be on the look out for future drawings. ~Beverly

Fly Through Magnets

Poor little hummingbird looks broken. Sadly, it seems there is no hope for this symbol of joy. How can she fly when her body is divided into two separate pieces? Oh wait! Miracles happen! This hummingbird only needs to find the right home and then she can find wholeness and joy.

Now she is ready to fly! 

This unique belated birthday gift came to me last Friday during a lovely lunch at Kiefer's with soul sister Judy Berry. Each side of the bird has a powerful magnet on it. When you hold the pieces side by side on the inside and outside of a window, the bird looks like she's flying in or out of your room. The photo doesn't really capture the beauty and uniqueness of this bird magnet. From a distance, this actually looks real. At least, that's what Banjo thought when she happened to walk by!

This magnet can be found at Fly Through Magnets. Just click on the name and you will find all kinds of fun magnets to fill your windows with joy and delight!

Thank you Judy for such a fun gift! My newest sacred object is filled with memories of having lots of laughs and precious moments while sharing a special lunch with my radiant soul sister on a beautiful, sunny day!

What's sacred in your life today?

Beverly

Laughter: Good Medicine

Happy kitty Banjo prances into the house with a lizard in her mouth. Poor little lizard escapes from Banjo. Kitty companion to Banjo and best mouser in the world, Jingo, catches distraught lizard. Greg chases excited Jingo and extracts distraught lizard from Jingo's happy mouth. Greg quickly walks toward the door with the lizard in his hand. Suddenly he's screaming "He's biting me! He's biting me! It doesnt' hurt at all but it's wierd!" Greg slides the glass door open and sets the lizard free. All I can do is laugh as I stand back and watch this episode unfold from a safe spot in the kitchen. Greg looks at me and says, "You have to see this video!" and grabs my laptop and finds this video on Youtube.com. We sit side by side on the couch and watch this over and over. Our bodies shake and tears spill out of our eyes as we disappear into uncontrolled laughter. I feel my heart open and my spirit soars. ~Beverly

Click twice to watch. 1 minute long

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