Self Love – Page 2

3 Self-Care Rituals to Empower You

Here’s the scoop: life is what you are going to make it. It may have taken me seventy years to learn that but now I want to give you a crash course.

What you think, how you feel and the choices you make are either going to create a shit show or something that is truly blissful.

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I’m all for bliss. Every day, I get up with the intention to have a really good day - and 99% of the time I do.

There are few exceptions, only those related to the freakin' frigid weather since my body no longer tolerates below freezing. Even the sound of that makes me shiver. Most days in the winter I go out looking like a seven-layer cake. I have so many layers under layers that if I met a hottie it would take him a week to get my clothes off. (Wishful thinking )What I’m trying to tell you is that I have no complaints about anything other than feeling like I have an icicle in my pants.

So, how did I get so blissful? With rituals and spiritual practices that feed my soul, stimulate my consciousness and enhance my physicality.

Below are my top rituals and spiritual practices to empower you.

1. Mindset

Every morning - first thing - check your mindset. Do you feel off? If so, start asking yourself why. Sit with it, see what comes up. Take a few extra minutes to see what’s going on in your head.

Once you feel more settled, try setting an intention to create an amazing day. Flip your mindset to something positive, intend to feel more empowered and watch how differently your day unfolds.

2. Inspirational Reading

A biggy for me the past several months is my new reading practice. I select books that teach me how to be a better, stronger and more evolved woman. I almost never watch TV anymore. The shows I liked seem to have lost their sizzle. Of course, until Game of Thrones comes back on in April. My fave reads are spiritual in nature, each one opening me up to a new practice.

A powerful suggestion for you is Matt Kahn’s new book, Everything is Here to Help You.

This will stimulate some serious self-reflection and journaling exercises. Honestly, that’s where all the transformation starts.

3. Essential Oils

The past few months, I've learned about crystals, angels, numerology and essential oils - and I’m hooked. I want to know more. This stuff is crazy good for women and improving our day to day lives - especially essential oils. I’ll be sharing more over the next few months. I diffuse daily while I’m at home working and do a little anointing with my doTerra “InTune “roll on. I use Breathe when I have the sniffles and Frankincense before my mediation practice.

Try putting a little oil on that sacred temple of yours put as few drops in your bath water.

If you're interested in Essential Oils, there is no one better than my girl Katy Shem.

What are some of your favorite self-care rituals to feel empowered? Comment below and let me know!

Get In Touch With Who You Are!

I made a post on Facebook the other day which has inspired that I write this post. I had the most amazing revelation while lying in bed that I am in this totally awesome relationship with myself. It may sound weird but let me explain. This year I have traveled the globe, taken courses, seen movies, tried new restaurants, exercise classes and more…all by myself. And loved every minute of it.

I don’t need to ask for permission or arrange my schedule according to someone else’s. Total blissful freedom to do as I please. I get to keep my favorite books on the bed, get up when I want and wear my comfy jammies at the breakfast table.

Truth be told, I’m having a blast not needing a man in my life. I’m actually thinking of starting a video series called the Single Girl Chronicles to show single women how to have fun!

I have to share this quote with you from Eternal Echoes by John O’Donohue:

Even without the outside lover, you can become the beloved. When you awaken in appreciation and love for yourself, springtime awakens in your heart.

There are so many women who don’t have men in their lives and they feel stuck, lost and alone.

I’ve honestly felt that at times in my own life – but not anymore. I am discovering that you can do lots of wonderful things being single. You don’t need a man to have FUN! It all comes back to what I talk so much about. How you feel about yourself. If you don’t like yourself, you’re not going to be happy alone. Building that confidence of being alone opens you to so many options. Learning new things, taking classes and travel are just a few of my favorites.

For those girls in a relationship, develop some interests separate from your man. A little independence is good for the soul-for the both of you!

More women are uncovering that their own company is a whole lot more fun than crappy company with someone who doesn’t inspire them!

Whether you’re single or happily taken, comment below and tell me about something you can do for YOURSELF (new or old) to HAVE FUN and get in touch with who you are!

Lessons I Learned in India While on a Spiritual Retreat

I had so many powerful realizations while traveling India on a spiritual retreat.

The big one which encompasses all the small ones is how resilient I have become.

A small lesson I learned while there was to master peeing while standing up. This may not sound like a big deal for you but with the length of my legs, not an easy task. My first reaction was “oh crap I can’t do this”. Well after a few hours of walking around in 90 degree humid heat with a full bladder, it was time to pee standing up or keel over.

The second small lesson was the reaction I got from the local people because I was very different looking to the Indian people. They all wanted to take selfies with me because I am tall and blonde. I kind of felt like I was a celebrity. Made me appreciate our individual uniqueness.

My big lesson was about resilience, the ability of getting back up after being knocked down really set in. I felt such appreciation for where I am now and how much I love my life today. God knows, I have walked through the fires of hell.

Several of the women I was traveling with shared how they had huge traumatic events in their lives which inspired their spiritual quest. I have to admit that the hot mess of my own life has done the same. Each time something earth shattering happens to me, I dig deeper in my spiritual practice for the answers. I am really learning just how powerful women can be.

You can grow emotionally and spiritually far beyond a traumatic event and recapture your life.

Even though adverse life events such as serious illness, accident or injury, abuse, bereavement or relationship breakdown can be a trigger for depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress, people ARE capable of finding transformation through trauma. I know because I have done it several times.

And here’s where the good news gets even better: my friend Jennifer Cunningham is a trauma survivor who got through cancer feeling like her identity had become all about that experience. She decided to be true to herself, take on new challenges and view life from a wider perspective and so she brought together 24 experts, including me, to share our strategies to shift from trauma to enlightenment.

I’d love for you to join us for the Post-Traumatic Enlightenment Summit.
Reserve your free spot HERE.

And if a recent traumatic divorce or breakup has derailed your life or stripped you of your power, I am here to help you take back your power. Set up a Strategy Session with me HERE.

Big Love,
XOXOX

Mal

I Was a Cougar THREE Times Last Week!

I am not saying I did anything that would land my ass in jail. But I did have so much fun- even if it was mostly in my own mind.

I can’t deny it puts a smile on my face to see a younger man admiring me. Truthfully ladies-you know you love it too!

My bank visit was unusually entertaining this past week. My regular young teller was super happy to see me. Not sure if it was the motherly relationship advice I give him or my new leggings with skulls which looked particularly good since going sugar free. We had five minutes of really flirty banter when I decided it was time to leave. All I could think of walking to my car was that his mother would kill me. That chilling thought brought me right back to reality.

Two days later I went to a new networking event for my public speaking, which was all about social media.

The founder is an import from across the pond (London) who is a very charismatic, social media genius and adorable to boot. Looking right into my eyes, he starts giving me brilliant tips to increase my engagement online. I’m not sure I heard it all because I was thinking if I were only 25 years younger-holy moly sparks would fly.

I was like a school girl listening to him. It was so much fun. I was giggling to myself as I walked away not realizing I was leaving my eyeglasses behind. I guess I just have to go back to the next meeting to get my glasses. More to come.

I wrapped up the week going to a Halloween party-no costume-no problem. I ‘ll just go as a “cougar”. I had a T-Shirt printed in a couple of hours.

It was so cute with a very short skirt and little suede boots. The Game of Thrones was the big costume theme for the evening. But I must admit I was having so much fun in my little cougar t-shirt. I admit I may have been the oldest person there but you would never know it. I can dance up a storm! I have even included a pic for you. I have my Invisalign braces in so my smile looks a little weird. Was undecided whether to show them or not.

The whole point of this little discussion is-don’t give up! Doesn’t matter if you are single, married, divorced or widowed. You are never too old to have fun. Fantasize, imagine what it would be like! Put a smile on your own face, it’s great for getting rid of the wrinkles.

I think young, act young and feel young which ultimately keeps me very healthy and looking younger than I am.

Ladies, I am on a mission to help you live life to the fullest! You need to know it all starts within you! You are responsible for your own happiness. When you are a vibration of happiness-you’re a magnet for attracting more of it.

Today’s tip-go out and flirt, laugh-have a good time. Don’t take anything too seriously!

How to Shut Down the Inner Struggle

Do you wake up some days with two conversations going on in your head?

You toss and turn, there is a tug of war going on about deciding what to do.

One voice says, “stay where you are”, “don’t do anything”, “watch out”, “you can’t do this” which is the limiting voice of the ego. The ego doesn’t like growth, risks, vulnerability and the potential for failure. It’s all about keeping you safe so it thinks.

But how are you to grow and expand in this lifetime without stepping into the arena of challenge, of taking a chance? Stretching yourself beyond your current limits? You can’t.

The good news is the more you grow, the more that nagging voice will show up. So, recognize it as a very good sign and tell it “I heard you, not to worry, I’ve got this”.

Honestly, I have been hearing it a lot lately. Whenever I start thinking big and reaching for my dreams, my ego starts screaming at me. If I listened to it I would have accomplished none of the great things that I have done in my life.

One side of your brain supports everything you do. That is the loving side that doesn’t get caught in fear. You can call it spirit, the Universe or your higher self. The name doesn’t really matter but what it says to you does.

The more you nurture your relationship with the loving part of the brain, the fearful voice diminishes.

How do you build your connection to that loving voice in your head?

Simple. Stop multi-tasking. Your brain isn’t wired to do two things at once. When you multi task you are inadvertently weakening your efforts. Things don’t come out as well as they could have. Your brain is feeling split and starts letting you know by negative self-talk or even condemnation.
Meditation is the fastest way to discover the voice within that comes from your soul. Just allow 5-10 minutes for your mind to settle down. Then just breath and listen.
Journaling is another powerful practice that allows your soul to speak to you. Allow it to flow, no need to push and question intensely.
Oracle cards are fabulous. I use various angel decks, Law of Attraction or Kuan Yin. The cards I pull inspire a wonderful internal dialogue with my higher self.

Now when that crippling internal struggle starts, you can decipher who is speaking to you and acknowledge the voice. It is so much fun standing in your power and making powerful choices that take you places that you used to dream about.