One Month To Go

Lately--obviously--really all that's been on my mind is our sweet baby getting ready for her world debut on or around September 2nd, which is one month from today. I had lofty goals of getting other things done in my life as well before her debut but now I'm really just hunkering down and embracing her pending arrival with love and patience and faith. I can't overdo it at this point. There are many things to get done at my work, many things to complete at home, many to-do lists to check off, and many things I'd like to do between now and when we get to meet our baby girl. The blackhole work has taken a pause--such is life. My budding coaching business has taken a pause as well--stay tuned for coaching packages available in 2017 though. :) And now most of my energy is dedicated to the greatest life transition of all--parenthood. It's really the ultimate lesson in letting go of perfection and embracing our whole selves, embracing the inherent love we have inside each of us. Because with all that love, we can really do anything. I pray I can keep positivity at the forefront throughout this beautiful journey we're about to embark upon, despite not sleeping as much or not knowing what we're doing all of the time. If we can fully embrace the journey, relish in the gratitude of being so blessed to be on this amazing journey, and fill ourselves up over and over again with the absolute love that we have for this sweet baby girl, we can accomplish anything.

You are so loved, Baby Girl!

Letting Go and Starting Anew - A Year in Review

Each New Year’s Eve I like to look back at the past year and take some time to reflect and learn from all I experienced. Last Sunday I participated in one of my New Year's traditions. Five years ago, my dear friend, Julie took me to her family’s church for an end of the year burning bowl ceremony. It’s where you release what is no longer serving you and make room for the new. Ever since, I have looked forward to this ritual each December. 

This ritual reminds me of an Ecuadorian tradition to burn “anoviejos” at midnight on New Year’s. Anoviejos are paper mache figurines that represent the previous year and are burned to release the old year and start afresh. The anoviejos can be range from super heroes to even political figures. 

Although I probably won’t be burning an anoviejo this year, one of the best examples of letting go today may be with this blog post. I had just completed and hit “publish” on a beautiful post that I spent the morning working on just now and then lost it! Puff! Vanished into thin cyberspace air. Devastating to lose my creative work but then I began to shift my perspective and see what a lesson it is of the very subject I was writing about. We just have to keep going and start fresh again. Just like the new year. I’m sad to not be able to share my original post with all of you but I did save an earlier version of the content so I will do my best to start again. (Like in life, huh?) And tonight I will eat 12 grapes at midnight, another favorite Ecuadorian tradition of mine.

So here goes...

Almost a year ago, I officially started my journey to become a transformational life coach. (In reality, I had begun this journey years before as I researched ways to better manage stress and help people around as well.) I met some of the most amazing and caring people in my coaching class. I also gained the experience and confidence to offer more workshops and even facilitate a session at an in-service day for support staff where I work. Professionally, I also got a new job that’s closer to my home and is in a more supportive environment with a window that has a few of a protected green area where I’ve seen deer, coyote, and even an owl. 

We took several trips to fun places, both nearby and far away. Our travels took us to beautiful, tranquil Whidbey Island to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary, to Yakima and wine country to celebrate the last of summer, to Portland to visit close friends and their babies, to Grayland, WA for my dear cousin’s graduation party.

We also found a little piece of heaven on Earth in Canoa - Ecuador and up above the clouds of Quito - Ecuador as we visited many wonderful friends and family. 

Our friends and family took us to most amazing places in Ecuador, like a waterfall hike by the famous Otavalo marketplace, fresh fish in Salango for Thanksgiving after an adventure in driving down the Ruta del Sol on the Ecuadorian coast, standing at the Westernmost point of South America and watching the sea lions sunbathe, driving over the Andes Mountains in 3 hours through some of the most breathtaking countryside I've seen, getting a little lost in the valleys near Cuenca but in the end finding a delicious traditional lunch, playing with wonderful children. We are truly blessed to have had the chance to spend 3 weeks in our second home of Ecuador this year!

My husband, Geovanny and I went on beautiful nature hikes and drove late at night to stargaze and see supermoons, Venus and Jupiter, and even the Star of Bethelem! We enjoyed parties with friends and family in our still new apartment and spent time by my brother-in-law’s pool over the summer. I got to see and hear the amazing orca whales pass right below while staying in an incredible house on San Juan Island with dear friends from middle school. I went on my first business trip flying to Spokane for a conference and venturing to see my dad in beautiful Idaho one evening as well. 

I trained with my best bud, Emily to walk my first half-marathon in September. (We completed it in a little over 4 hours.) I decided to take out most gluten, corn, soy, caffeine, and sugar from my diet (that last one is still a journey though of course). And I no longer have to take allergy pills everyday as a result! 

I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity and Divine timing to say goodbye to one of my dearest friends, help her feel safe in her journey to Heaven, and hold her family in love and light. My faith increased as signs from my new angel friend graced the skies over and over again before and after her passing. I feel blessed to have captured so many in photos, as they serve as reminders to look up more often and trust in a higher power.

I didn't blog as much as I had set out to do, but I did participate in another Fun-A-Day challenge last January. (My first Fun-A-Day challenge in 2014 inspired me to post a little blog nearly everyday of the year that year!) In May I posted nature pictures everyday for about a month as a way to dedicate time just for me. I also added 18 mini-collages to my collage book.

So what's in store for next year? Stay tuned! It's sure to be a bright and promising 2016!

Adventures in Vision Boarding

I'm a boarder. A vision boarder, that is. I have been creating inspirational collages on a regular basis for over a year now and it has brought me great joy. I have led several collage sessions with friends and in the workplace and loved it. I loved inspiring others to express their dreams through art and enjoy the relaxation that comes with creating. And I have witnessed the power of making my intentions reality through putting them out there for the Universe to see through my own collages.

About a year ago, I started a vision collage book and have been adding to it little by little whenever inspiration finds me or when I want to invoke more inspiration and creativity in me. When I may have gotten so busy I forgot to express myself artistically. This is a wonderful outlet and has also shown me how vision boards come from deep within. It is almost like the scraps of colorful paper and the words and phrases flow from a higher space, and I get in the groove and time flies by as I create and create.

I thought it would be neat to read over my past collages and write out the messages formed in them, almost like poetry scrapped together by phrases and words that I was drawn to as I collaged. My inspirations are numerous and vary from free pamphlets and flyers to used and donated magazines of all shapes and sizes to my life coaching class lessons. One of my favorite magazines to use when I collage is the Oprah magazine though. 

Here are the wise words I've used to live by and form intentions from on the collages I created this past year:

Milagro, encuentrame ahora!

(Miracle, find me now!)

Cup of Grace, like a diamond:

Art / energy / play / feeling good / calling / bliss / patient / transcendence / way of life / Renaissance / happiness / savoring / deliciousness / peaceful / paradise / freedom / heart / thanks / true love / ideas / journey / abundance / joy 

Oh, beautiful life!

Conjuring a world of endless possibilities,

Defying boundaries.

Taking a leap.

Restore / Replenish / Refresh

Live your best

Find your balance.

Let go >>>>

What makes it awesome 

I imagined myself becoming a woman who was valued for the love she shared.

Passionate

Vigilant

Courageous

Bold

Resourceful

Driven

Fearless

Unstoppable 

Live like a yogi.

Made for my life

Sacred

Beauty

Special 

Soulful and heartwarming 

Breathing space

I say yes to joy 

Opportunity 

Goodness 

Uncork your inner artist

Share your joy ~ 

Life is better when viewed from the top.

~Kerry Boone

Start...

Celebrate life -

For life is a beautiful, fanciful thing.

...Finish

Do you ever feel like you're growing?

Beauty starts on the inside.

Make one simple change 

Love your willpower 

Best life now 

Here's to your health 

Warrior 

Move a little,

Live a lot

What's not to love?

Reach

Bursting with Life

Worth sharing 

Amazing gift 

Beauty 

Find your balance.

Whole body

M'm! M'm! Good!

Beautiful breakthroughs

Joy. Pride. Confidence.

Focus on the positive.

Just simple choices.

Life lessons 

There are no real rules. (Seriously, anything goes.)

Illuminate 

Do more of what you love.

Life your best life 

Inspiration / motivation / celebration 

Your body is a temple 

My healthy life 

I am

Fearless 

Purpose 

Compassion / respect / excellence / collaboration / accountability 

Vision 

Community 

Values 

Mission 

Keeping promises 

"I'm always working towards a balance in life."

~Alicia Silverstone

Awaken 

Inspire 

Feel good / live simply / laugh more 

Celebrating the Divine in all

Hello cozy

Delight

Crisp fall days 

The cozy coat - go full-on cozy...

Cozy-on-cozy is surprisingly chic.

My mantra

Changing the world

Creating art

Spark 

Mind - Body - Spirit

Experience it!

Something fun for everyone!

Creating adventure 

Inspire their passions.

Light up a life...

Shine on

Live your best LIFE

In every way. Every day.

Bright ideas

For awakening opportunity

Prosperity and peace.

Feel the love

Grandiosa

Aloha

Life is a special occasion.

Flowing 

Heart 

If you could change anything 

Share your story 

Build up the excitement.

What are your goals?

Focus on bliss

Inner balance ~ Outer beauty 

Bounce back 

Inspired hope 

Your guiding gift of faith is a blessing 

Serenity

Lift your spirits!

I say YES! to unexpected Miracles!

Joys!

Love!

Money!

And more!

(Mantra from Richard Seaman of Seattle Life Coach Training) 

Yes!

Art + Play

Love 

Smile 

All you need is Love

Surrounded by artists at play 

Music 

Keep a poem in your pocket 

Celebrate 

Home 

Discover artist / author within 

Keep calm and

At the heart of your creativity,

Embrace your strength 

Take your real love,

A miracle of diamonds 

To paradise 

Cocooned in coconut 

& Mangos

Like joy feels 

Hello, Sunshine!

Breathe breathe

Love

Journey to greater health 

Enjoy 

Well rested 

Making poetry

Refresque su vida!

Let your health shine 

Connect with nature, 

Nurture your creativity.

Just say Yes!

Find your signature strength 

Developing 

Confident 

Trust

Amaze your confidence 

Believe / love / imagine

Celebrating the power of expression 

Whatever your story you're the boss of you!

Make waves

Reclaim your life

For calm

Blessings are all around us.

Add some SPARKLE to your 

Matters of the Heart 

The Meaning of Life

Instructions for living a life:

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.

~Mary Oliver, "Sometimes"

Dream

How to make your goals reality - for good! 

(Inspiration)

Grow!

Miracles

A hug a day

How does inspired creativity express itself through you? 

Miracles Are Welcome Here

Mini-miracles happen all the time when we acknowledge them.

This last weekend I had my second coaching retreat and part of our homework for this next month was to record our unexpected miracles. And in less than 24 hours, I've already experienced several! Starting with last night as I was doubting if I could even make it to my first day at my new job because I had such a horrible, pounding headache, when miraculously this morning the headache was gone and I felt well enough to go to my new job! 

Then the second miracle was revealed. For the past several weeks I have been imagining a beautiful forest view from a nice big window in my new office space. And lo and behold, when I arrived at my workspace this morning, there it was! The same view I'd envisioned! And I didn't feel surprised, I felt confident somehow. Maybe I am psychic...or maybe I'm getting good at manifesting. I'm happy and grateful either way.