Category: Inspiration
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March 28, 2013
How to Stay Motivated

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So you’ve started your goal with tons of enthusiasm, but a few weeks in you loose the momentum, life gets busy, and sometimes you just aren’t motivated.

Some times you want to just relax, get that extra sleep, cave in and do something totally indulgent.  Eat those cheat foods, skip your workout,

Avoid, avoid, avoid.

It’s true that objects in motion stay in motion.  The hardest part is when you are trying to get that ball rollin’ from the beginning – or all over again in the middle of your great progress.

Yes sometimes we all fall off the saddle but its important to get right back on and keep the momentum going.

Here’s how to get and stay motivated to accomplish ANYTHING!

1) Start Small. Doing something for just 2 minutes to get back in gear is one of the best ways to keep something going. The key to finishing a long term goal like getting fit, writing a book or just staying organized is to create space for the routine. As long as you get your sneakers on and close the door behind you, your body will most likely naturally get to the gym. If you start with just 2 minutes of organizing you will probably end up spending 20 minutes doing so and you’ll be incredibly proud of yourself in the end.

2) Create public reinforcement. By announcing your goal to friends and family or blasting it all over social media you are holding yourself accountable, and so will the people you tell.  Most people would rather not disappoint others or look bad in public. By doing this you are not only going to disappoint yourself but you will disappoint your community if you give up on your goal. This can be a strong motivational force for sticking with it.

3) Make it enjoyable. Lets face it, if it’s not enjoyable why would you want to do it? You will most likely make up any excuse in the books just to avoid what you “have to / need to” do to accomplish your goal.  If you don’t get great pleasure out of the process or at least the end goal – you probably wont stick with the plan.  If you hate going to the gym, find a fitness routine that is fun and make a pinterest board of Hot Bod’s that you will one day aspire to have.  Each time you hit one of your small fitness goals, reward yourself with a little treat (not food though as that would be counter productive).

This brings me to my other points:

4) Chart your progress & Reward yourself often.  Separate your main goal into small manageable micro-goals. If you want to work out, celebrate when you hit your first whole week of workouts with out skipping a day. If you want to get organized, break it out into one desk draw per day. Chart your progress with an X on the ol’ Cali (aka calendar), create an excel sheet or a daily blog. When you reward yourself, make sure its not something counter productive like a day off from the gym if your goal is to work out or a day to sleep in if your goal is to wake up earlier.

5) Visualize it. Like I said in my previous blogs, visualizing and dreaming about your end goal will light the fire in your pants to do things necessary to complete your goal. This alone will inspire you, how good you’ll look in that bikini, how proud you’ll feel when you write that book or how beautiful your home and cabinets will be when you are organized.

6) Never skip two days in a row. If you are trying to create a routine, we are all human so we may skip a day here and there – however having a goal of never skipping two days in a row will keep you on track. It’s so much harder to get back into a routine than to pick it up after just one day off.  Make this your goal and make sure you have a back up plan for sick days. If you are under the weather, maybe do some weights or stretching at home for 15 minutes. This still counts as working out and it will help you stay on track. No excuses!

How to maintain energy and focus if you loose it along the way.

1) Look it up, read about it and google it. Reading inspiring stories of how other people accomplished their goals will reignite your passion to finish yours!  Seeing others do what you dream of doing is a sure fire way to remind yourself that it IS possible, it HAS been done and you CAN do it too!

2) Think about the benefits. And remind yourself of why you started this goal in the first place. If you no longer think these reasons take priority any more or feel there are more pressing issues at hand, dig for more reasons. Although life does come between our goals sometimes, you will always be more proud of yourself if you simply didn’t give up, even when things got tough.  Most likely your goal is geared towards living the optimal life you dream of.  If stress or family matters take precedence at first glance – it may be more of a time than ever to stick with your goal. It will give you some much needed “me time” and help manage stress from other things that may be on your mind.

A little tip I just was reminded of:

We are all made of atoms that are literally vibrating as long as we are alive. The feelings that we feel and the energy we feel around accomplishing something should not be labeled “good” or “Bad” but simply how we are feeling and if we are feeling like Blah, tired, lazy, bored, nervous or unmotivated (or the reverse of any of these) we should examine WHY we are feeling that way and change the experience we are having.  Just realizing that we are going to vibrate from now until the day we die with either “good” or “bad” feelings doesn’t change the fact that those feelings and vibrations in our bodies will still be there. Channel that energy into your goals and you will be amazed at how it can propel you! – Thanks to Marieforleo.com and this video here for this tidbit on vibrating!

Motivation advice from my personal experience, various websites and Zen habits.net

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo

Emily

March 20, 2013
Soak it up

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Illustration of a pregnant Jennifer Stano David.

Spring is HERE and now’s the time to absorb all that good energy, all the good vibes, the green nutrients and all of the rays (with some UV protection of course) to get in the spirit to welcome this new season.

We’ve all been hibernating and most definitely have caught Spring Fever.  I know I have! The ice has melted and warmer days are upon us.

I plan to rev up my fitness routine, drench my mitochondria in good-for-me vitamins and get out for a walk. You should too! As much as we nurture our spiritual and mental sides, we must also nourish our body with nutrient dense food. We need this to replenish the building blocks we crave and to make sure we are getting the exercise we need to keep our system functioning like a well-oiled machine. Remember, you are the vehicle by which you can accomplish your dreams. Read this past article here for more on my “fountain theory”.

But I digress…

The ancient art of Ayurveda medicine is the science of life. It is a 5,000-year-old science of natural healing originating in the Vedic culture of India.  Many ancient cultures have followed suit and now more than ever it is prevalent in American culture. It is the very integration of mind, body, spirit and our environment that we all talk about.

Incorporating Ayurveda into our life, it is said can lead to perfect and constant health when Ayurveda’s practices are perfectly balanced.

In regard to the basic principals of this ancient science Deepak Chopa says “The most positive message we can send our bodies every day is to be aligned with balance in all things. Taking time to enter the stillness each day (meditate) and getting adequate rest, but we also need to move – both mentally and physically. Exercise is one way to ward off physical inertia. Taking a passionate interest in life keeps mental inertia at bay…These are all deep forms of healing and when you pursue them you are truly experiencing perfect health.”

So go on, make sure that fitness routine is on par and if something is lacking in the balance department – take to the scales.

Plan a trip or more time with friends outdoors and get ready to beat those winter blues.  Stock up on some fruit from the local market and make sure to get loads of vitamin C.

Break out one of your most beautiful bowls and fill it with your new succulent fruits. It will make you happy just to see the vibrant colors and if stored on a kitchen counter it will be a great thing to grab for instead of junk food!

For even more ways to spruce up your life, check out my Desk Zen article and use the art of feng shui on all areas of your home.  Move around some furniture, crack open some windows and get ready to have some major spring in your step.

Spring is HERE people! We have been patient!

As always, Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

 

 

March 14, 2013
Keep dreaming…

Screen Shot 2013-03-07 at 1.38.51 AMNo, really.

Keep on dreaming. It’s never too late to live your dreams.

Even if it seems like the farthest thing possible from how you are living your life right now – it’s never too late to do what you really want to do.

You create your reality.  “You have invented the world you see.” – ACIM.

Your perception is your reality. You may have heard this before but it is definitely worth repeating: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you most certainly are right.” – Henry Ford.

It is really powerful to realize that what you think, you create.

If you think you are capable, you are capable. If you think you are not worthy, you won’t be.

When you dream and envision, you open up your mind to your inner most desires – the wishes that you truly want to have fulfilled.  We sometimes limit our dreams or stop ourselves from dreaming too big for fear of being let down, being afraid it is too outrageous to actually happen.  However, that limits our potential and causes us to not only stop our dream in our minds, but literally stop our dreams from coming to life in our reality.

Studies show that after watching pro-athletes’ brain scans in an MRI, when asked to envision their game plan in their minds, the same parts of their brain lit up as if they were actually practicing on the court or the field. This is how many of our U.S. Armed forces are trained, by virtual stimulation simulating real life combat experiences – using video games.  They are learning the process, feeling it out and playing it out in their minds.  The skills acquired during this training period are instrumental in Military real life combat when they get on to the battlefield.

So, how is this related you ask?

When you dream about the specifics of what you want to accomplish, you are literally “practicing” in your mind for what will then seem more natural to you the first time you are interacting in the experience.  Cool huh?

So, if you dream it – you will be able to do it more naturally, you can combat the fear that is creating your Upper Limit Problem head on and start to examine it.   You can, in the safety of your mind play in the “what if this really happens”. The fear you feel about doing something for the first time will not be as strong because it will be as though you have done it already.

When you dream, your mind then becomes naturally fixated on what you are dreaming about which in turn will make you more inclined to do some research, figure out the steps you need to get there, take that class, be at that networking event and know the industry better. It’s these small steps that get you ready for the real deal. Your mind will get you ready for the actions you need to take to actually LIVE your dreams and you can break through your so called “upper limits”.

Dream it and dream of your travels, of your successes, your milestones, how you will feel, and dream bigger.  Imagine what you want to accomplish and keep dreaming it until your mind creates a curiosity that cannot be quenched until you actually are living it.

The only one stopping you, is you.

Dream on!

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

March 7, 2013
Evolve

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This illustration is of an editorial of my gorgeous friend, model and entrepreneur Tash Moore of www.PeaceLoveThreads.com and Agency Model Management.

So many times in life we evolve, we grow out of our old skin and we need to shed – like a snake – to rid of old habits, old belief systems and limiting thoughts.

When the skin we are in feels tight, and it is not comfortable for us anymore then naturally, you must shed the constricted constraints into a place where you can breathe again.

If you are not shedding, but you need to – you will feel it.  You will feel it in your energy and your attitude. Remember we are here to take in new information all the time and change our habits that are not working.

Just because you were taught something, or choose to believe in an “impossibility” does not mean you are correct.  Just because you believe something is scary, does not mean it actually is if you only try.

When you treat life as an experiment, take smart risks, and keep educating yourself on the matters of this world, you learn – you expand. When you are curious and release old thoughts, when you “see your fear and do it anyway”, in all aspects of our life you can then grow in to your new skin.

Then, learn some more and repeat the cycle, shed, and regrow. If we are not doing this than we literally are staying stagnant.

Sometimes we hit a glass ceiling at each level of existence.

Sometimes your old beliefs aren’t cutting it anymore.

Sometimes, you have to evolve with the times.

Go with in and nurture your internal beliefs and ask yourself – is this really worth holding on to? You will find that when you release it is the most powerful and freeing thing you can do for yourself.

Dig deep, and shed.

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

 

 

 

February 28, 2013
Just love… yourself.

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I think the key to having it all, is really just figuring out that you have to love yourself no matter what.

No matter how many times you goof up, even if you give up, if you have a bad day, if you can’t go on, if you skipped the gym and had too much chocolate.  How about if you went to the gym, if you stopped yourself from the chocolate after the second bite, if you keep up with the house work.

The little things that you do, the tiny accomplishments should be celebrated.  Be proud of yourself. Be proud of your journey.

The times that you give yourself a less than stellar report card – be proud of yourself anyway.  Appreciate the life lessons. Know that you are EXACTLY where you are supposed to be.  Right now.

Yes, this is your pep talk…

Be easy with yourself, be gentle. Stop the self-sabotaging. You deserve the life you dream of.  You are entitled to happiness.

Give yourself a hall pass, a sick day, a spa day – If you need it.  If instead you need to kick your own butt and push yourself, then do that too.  You KNOW what you NEED.  Don’t’ let others tell you what you need.  If you can’t tell, meditate on it. Figure it out for yourself. Take a week where you don’t ask for anyone’s advice – and take your own advice.

Treat yourself well.  Stop judging and criticizing. You should be your own best friend.  The person you spend the most time with in your life is, after all, you. Don’t you want a pleasant experience? How ‘bout an AWESOME experience?

Listen to your body, do what it’s telling you to do. Eat what it’s telling you to eat.  Step away from what it doesn’t want. SCREW what other people think. SCREW what you think will make them happy, if you’re not happy believe me it will just pile up and that other person you made happy will go on with their day, unscathed. But you, who’s going to defend you if not yourself? Who’s going to be left sulking in the corner over pleasing everyone else and messing up your day, your life, your year?  Do we sense a theme here? Oh yeah, it’s you.

You would defend someone else right?  Why would you not defend yourself?

As a society we people-please wayyy to much. Not that that’s always a bad thing, sometimes we are very “well behaved”.

It’s a lovely thing when parents tell their children, don’t brag, don’t show off, don’t tell her you think that dress is ugly… or is it?

In actuality they are teaching their children to hide, to be quiet, to blend in and to lie to peoples faces just to tell someone what they want to hear.

Sure this will make them happy, you wont ruffle any feathers, but you most definitely will not speak your truth.

These are silly little examples but what if it were about something more important. What if it were about eating disorders, bullying or acting as a bystanding pedestrian, too afraid to speak out against a crime that is occurring.

It’s not the 50’s anymore, its time to speak up and “be you, because everyone else is taken.”

Speak your truth in your relationships, with your health, when a polite family member pushes, oh HAVE the last brownie,… etc.

You do a lot of things in your day, your willpower, your commitment and your ability to say yes to what you want (not to what others want you to do) and to say No to what you don’t want (and not to feel pressured to say yes to please others), is the very exact DEFINING quality and power of free-will that you OWN no matter where you are in life, no matter how rich or how poor, no matter how thin or how heavy – no matter what. And that will be your key to happiness.

Hope that inspired you!
xoxo

Emily

February 21, 2013
Desk Zen

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The art of a clean desk – organizing for energy.

Yep, you’ve done it, I’ve done it.  We work so hard, so much and so consistently that the space we work on becomes a dumping ground for the projects we are working on, the papers we are sorting through and the tools we need to make it happen. Somewhere along the line, it becomes a wasteland of to do lists on sticky notes, outdated post-its, inkless pens, piles of magazines and things stacked and labled “to file” or “to read”.

Don’t you think this effects your work energy?!

So I have been staring at my computer screen for hours and hours doing work, working on illustrations, projects and more but I have been abandoning my desk. I notice it but I rationalize, I have to finish this project first or I’ll do that later.

It kind of got to the point that it was making me sick just looking at it and draining my energy.

The pile of magazines and paperwork piled on my floor next to my desk has become (gulp) literally knee high.  “Oh how I hate paperwork, and why can’t everything be electronic,” my mind ponders.

So, notably it became time to clean my desk off (which I end up doing probably about every three months), but now it is also time to do a massive pre-spring cleaning on my draws and office space in general.

Two desk “S.O.S. cleanings” ago I discovered feng shui for my desk. It worked so incredibly well to rebalance my energy that I had to share it with you. I also use this to place a few items on my desk that inspires me when I look at them because this is my “sacred” creative space.

So if you are in need – here is the how on attaining the ultimate desk zen.

See illustration above! *If you don’t have a big enough desk, consider using the surrounding space, under desk area on the sides, and the walls to house these elements. You can also use colors and anything that gives meaning to you to the section theme to represent each area.

Start by clearing of EVERY single thing from your desk, clean everything thoroughly and then clean the top of your desk.

  1. Starting at the center of your desk, if this were a clock it would be 6:00.  This is where your chair is and your computer should be since this is the career / business journey section. Here you will put your mission statement, communications and this is also your reception area. Having your computer here is the perfect solution. Color: Black, Element: Water
  2. Next going clockwise at 7:30 on the bottom left hand corner is your blue area, and Earth Elements. This is the section titled knowledge and skill building. This is where you put your training material and business library.  This is perfect since books are made of paper, which comes from trees, and this is where your earth element should be. I keep a book I am reading and my sketchbook there.
  3. At the middle left section, where 9 o’clock would be is your green area represented by wood elements. This is the section of growth, teamwork and new beginnings.  Things that represent business structure, leadership, teamwork and new projects belong here.  I keep a mini stack of 2 new notebooks from Christian Lacroix Papier that my friend gave me for my birthday and a Papyrus notecard set for Thank You note writing.
  4. Next at 10:30 on the clock is your Prosperity section. This is where purple reigns as the color and things that represent finances, cash flow and a sense of abundance should go here. Perhaps place a photo of how you make money here, a pyrite stone, which is looks like gold or some bedazzled, crystal encrusted item or costume jewelry for decoration.  I keep a framed illustration and a costume diamond here.
  5. In the top center, at 12 o’clock is the Fame and Reputation area. This area is represented in red. It is also the fire element. Here public relations-building items should go. Think about putting an award you won, your business cards here or something you are proud of that represents your business.
  6.  On the top right hand corner at 1:30 on the clock is your primary business (and personal) relationships zone.  This is represented by a pink color. This is where you should put things relating to partnerships, contracts – also things relating to love and marriage. You may also choose to place things in groups of two in this area. If you are hoping for or focusing on supporting a romantic relationship, put two peacock feathers (like I have), two candles, two flowers or two similar trinkets etc. This is also a place to put beautiful things you love here.
  7. At 3 o’clock is the center for productivity, creative expression and expansion. Here put things that help you get and stay creative, marketing materials that support your expansion or like I have, a pretty glass filled with pens, markers and colored sharpies. This section is represented by white but is where you should incorporate many beautiful bright colors that you love.  Metal is the element here.
  8. The bottom right corner (at 4:30 on the clock) is the section for travel and helpful people. It is a good place to put business cards of your most important contacts, your appointment book or a desk phone here. You can also put religious or spiritual items here that represent angels or your faith. The color is silver.
  9. And the last section is directly in the middle of your desk where the “hands” of a clock would be mounted.  This is the health section and is represented by yellow.  Here is where you should have an item made from earth materials like ceramics, flowers, essential oils, things that remind you to stay centered or even the color yellow. I keep a yellow highlighter next to my laptop in the center of my desk.
  • Another thing I recommend is arranging your desk so that you are in a “command” position. This is when you have a view of the room and the door with out being in a “direct line” of the door or walkway and your back is facing the wall when you are seated. It is a primal instinct of humans to want to “watch their back” and by setting up your desk this way, you will feel instinctually protected allowing you to be more at ease and productive.

The key here is also eliminating things that don’t serve you and that you don’t need to have out. Things that you do need that are not covered above you can file away in your drawers (neatly).

Try this out and believe me you will see an immediate difference.

Hope that inspires you!

Happy feng shui-ing!

Xoxo

Emily

 

 

 

February 13, 2013
Valentine's day love!

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This year for Valentine’s day, what are you going to do to show your love?

Whether you’re single, in love, attached, have a crush or just a fling; show your guy, girl, yourself, your friends, family or kids some major love this year.

We all need it and the love you share with those around you will be passed on through random acts of kindness! When YOU make others happy, their day gets a little brighter and they will in turn show love to those they love – even if it’s just a smile.

Sometimes you never know exactly just how much others need it. With all the suicides, crimes, hate and murders in this world, Valentines Day can be a day to show your love to everyone – not just romantic love.  It is our job as individuals to raise the energy of the world and improve even one person’s day. The love people in pain are shown may be just enough to prevent a suicide or horrific crime that may have taken place by those who feel lost and hopeless.

If you are feeling down that maybe you don’t have that romantic love you are pining for, just surrender. Let it be and trust that in time you will have that love that you are looking for. Sometimes there are lessons to be learned along the way, and maybe that lesson is to be grateful for all the love you have in your life. Be grateful for your friends, your family love, all of those unconditional loves you have – maybe from a pet, the love you have for yourself (and maybe that is the love you need to focus and work on in order to find romantic love.)

Show love for all that you have, for that Starbucks coffee you can afford, for the job you have, the coworkers that are there for you, even the loves you’ve lost.

Sometimes celebrating the loves you have had, relished and lost are enough to find hope and trust that the universe has something better in store for you!

“Sometimes it is better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all.”

Appreciate everything you have, and show love to that Starbucks barista because maybe they are having a rough day too.

No matter who you are, or where you are – we all just want love. So show it to every one you meet for this week and have the greatest valentines gift of all: The gift of inspiring others.

That, my friends is my greatest gift and my most favorite thing to do all week to have the opportunity to inspire even just one person!

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

 

 

February 7, 2013
Shine Bright

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Illustration privately commissioned by MaggieDiPasquale.com for her sister, who shines bright.

Many of us wish to live a life beyond our wildest dreams, but what happens when we actually get some of the things we dream about? Or what happens if we never seem to get there?

Sometimes we only wish for things that are “attainable” for fear of disappointment or for disbelief in our ability to achieve, attain or be worthy of that which we really truly desire.

Believing in your greatness is something really special and of service to the world because when you shine bright, you can bring your gifts to those who need it and help in a way that only you can.

Believe it or not, this is something I have had major guilt over and major blocks around for years.

My mentor Gabrielle Bernstein says it best when she reminds us of a quote from Marianne Williamson. “We ask ourselves, who am I to be gorgeous, talented, brilliant, fabulous. Actually, who are you not to be?”

Just think about it: If we all as individuals were to shine our brightest, live a life beyond our wildest dreams, have true abundance in every sense of the word and live at our healthiest, optimal peak level – wouldn’t we all be able to have the resources, the stamina, the energy, the courage and the conviction to do exactly that which we are here to do at our highest potential.

What if Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Steve Jobs or the President of the United States didn’t believe they should shine like the brilliant star they are and thought instead they should feel guilt about having more than others, what others would say or about hurting their friends and families’ feelings if they all of a sudden became rich, famous, influential and had to fly around the world to do their jobs.

If they believed this more than they believed that they should shine and have the resources to do so, we would not have felt their impact. They would not have been able to give back, inspire us with their music, help those in need with their charities, support their families, and create great change in the world.

It is your DUTY as the special and original human being that you are to shine your brightest, do your best, reap and enjoy the rewards.

Gabby explains this in a way that is really tangible. She says if she did not believe she was worth more, and didn’t ask for more when negotiating her deals, she would not have the income that she has now. Thus she would not have the ability to fly around the world to promote her books, pay for her hotel rooms, the health care that she needs to keep her mind, body and spirit in optimal health, hire staff to support her message, or do things that she loves like experience beautiful food, fashion, travel so that she can become continually inspired to create more and influence more.

You are worthy of this too. We all are.

If you love food, the God or universe gave you that passion so you should have the ability, financially, physically and energetically to enjoy food from all cuisines. If you love fashion, you should have the ability to enjoy it, purchase it, work with it, and wear what makes you feel beautiful and inspired. If you adore beautiful things, you should have the ability to be a collector of beautiful things. If you get fired up by connecting with people you should have the ability to travel, and present yourself in a way that you can connect with as many people as possible.

The universe did not intent for those who had a passion for food to have lost the sensation to taste.

The universe did not intend for those who have no passion at all to have all of the wealth in the world to enjoy, but wanted nothing to enjoy.

Likewise, the universe did not intend for those who have nothing, financially, physically or spiritually to lack the passion and drive to overcome those obstacles and get on their path to shine.

Sometimes these things do happen, but I believe you can always change your circumstance if you believe in yourself and use your gift of free will.

Maybe the person that lost the sensation of taste was meant to discover a cure to restore those sensations. Only with the abundance, mentally, physically, emotionally, connectively or financially can one accomplish these feats and only in believing in one’s greatness and worthiness of these support systems can one attain these supports.

You should not feel guilt over attaining things that inspire you and that which you have a passion for.

However, sometimes others who do not allow themselves to feel worthy of enjoying what they love, are able to make you feel that guilt about enjoying what you love. In actuality it is because of their deep down internal guilt of not believing in themselves enough. If you are influenced by this guilt, maybe you don’t believe in yourself as much as you thought.

And that is ok.  But once you realize it, it is not ok to stay there. Your job as a human being, your journey in life, original as you are – is to shine bright. So get to work. Start believing. It’s just that simple.

Did I say believing? I mean really, unapologetically, seriously believing that you are meant to shine, deep down and too the core. Nothing less will do.

In what areas of your life do you need to allow yourself to shine?

Hope that inspires you!

Xoxo

Emily

January 31, 2013
Do all things with love.

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Illustration of Solar Plexas Chakra Girl from
new book Kick Ass Dreams by Patricia Tomasi

No matter what it is you do. Do all things with love. That is how you create true joy in your life.

The little things are what matter the most.

Maya Angelou once said, “People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

The feeling behind your intentions will always shine through to those on the receiving end.

Last night I made a blue Rice Krispy treat cake, iced with cool whip, decorated with strawberries, purple icing and sprinkles along with white chocolate dipped marshmallows with purple and blue sprinkles for my boyfriend’s birthday. I put so much love into those ingredients and I know my man felt it.  Just doing little simple things like homemade birthday cake with his favorite colors and twist on traditional cupcakes with all the ingredients he likes is what makes things special.

I love birthdays and especially I love the look on his face when he sees each one of my creations and surprises, it makes me so happy to make him happy.

Bring joy to your life by doing all things with love.

I learned this from my mom when she used to make my sister and me lunches, she would sometimes throw in a surprise in our lunchbox. One day it was a pink and purple pen with a foam “cool guy” head wearing sunglasses and a orange feather Mohawk. Another day it was a love note. Another day she put stickers in our lunchboxes. It’s these little things that I will never forget because of how they made me feel.

They made me feel so special and loved and I know I could feel the love she put into those little surprises.

When you make a meal for someone, cut it into the shape of a heart. Write a sticky note “I <3 U” and put it somewhere unexpected.

Think of any little thing that someone will enjoy and make their day easier.  It took me a while to realize that one but it is a good thing to know.

If you are stressed or seem over whelmed, take the time out to do something with love. Garden for yourself and take care of your plants, pick out your clothes for the next day and make yourself feel special. Give your dog a little massage and make him feel loved. Taking that simple break will really recharge your energy and make you feel good from the inside out.

Studies say that making others happy is the best way to feel fulfilled in your own life.

What little something can you do for someone with love today?

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo
Emily

P.S. Check out Patricia Tomasi’s new book Kick Ass Dreams where all of my Chakra Girls are featured and published! Buy it here on amazon!

January 24, 2013
A Breakthrough on "Love" and "Now"

Screen Shot 2013-01-17 at 3.43.50 AMSo sometimes, like today I get a little bit of writer’s block. However, the thing to do is push through it and write anyway. Just like with art, just like with love, just like working out, just like anything you do for fun or for a living – sometimes you get suck – and when you do, push through! Keep going.

Sometimes you’re just not in the mood, or just not inspired. For instance, yesterday I did not want to workout. So, instead of getting dressed and going to the gym I decided to just put some music on and get up and stretch for 5 minutes.  This led to dancing for one song, which led to dancing in my apartment for 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of weights and some workout moves. I didn’t get down on myself for not wanting to work out – of course there will be days when I don’t. The key is to take that one tiny right action and do something to get the momentum going.

Life is filled with hundreds of thousands of little right actions; it’s all about taking the little right action each chance you get.

While doing Gabrielle Bernstein’s NYTimes Best Selling book “May Cause Miracles.” I came across a profound, yet simple realization.

I have been putting my goals and who I really want to be in a “then”, “one day”, “when I grow up”, “when I’m older” etc. type of mentality and I have been doing this since I was little. I am visualizing this as a far away time and a separate person from the one I am now, feeding into my excuses of maybe why I haven’t keep up certain habits and why I haven’t started others. Of course the longer I do this, while days and years continue to go by the less I am actually “being” this person and the more I am not “being” this person when I arrive at the age or time I had envisioned my “one day” to be.

The breakthrough: I am here NOW and that means in this very moment I can to be the person I want to be by acting as though I am.  For example, if the person I want to be in my 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s etc. is really fit and toned, then today I need to work out so that actually happens – not when I’m 40.  Do you understand what I’m getting at?

It’s not about who you want to be “then” it’s about being that now.

“The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.”― Rick Warren

The past has already happened, the future is not even here yet. The ONLY time we have to change our lives is in the present moment. And that moment is fleeting.  Do what you desire to do NOW.

Like in Gabby’s book – it takes 40 days to make a habit, but it starts with committing to EACH day of those 40 days.

Show up for your life now. Grab it by the steering wheel, you are in the drivers seat and you control your destiny.

No matter what outside factors exist, no matter what card’s you have been dealt, what excuses you have held on to and what limits you have created – you are the only one who can exercise your free will NOW in the present moment, minute by minute to decide who and what you will be in your lifetime.  When looking at other people who have been dealt worse hands then you, maybe having no hands, being born with no arms or legs at all like this guy Nick Vujicic http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org who I saw on Oprah, you have no excuses – and if you think you do watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwpiZTp0N9k.

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo

Emily

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