Either way you look at it it’s the day after the day that we go all out. We eat what we crave, we decorate our bodies taking on new characters and meaning. We live abundantly, full-out, unrestrained, an expression of something primal and in many cases joy filled and playful. We put on the masks that enable us to become something outside of ourselves.

Today is the day after and we remove the outward decorations, put away the grand feast and settle into “Lent” the season of emptying out, clearing, cleaning, eliminating, returning inward.

Each of these events create a rhythm for our lives!

I’ve craved, I’ve longed for, I’ve hoped (still do), I’ve released limitations that I thought were enough to find that I have a lot more energetic releasing to do.  In the process I return to feeling light, celebratory, bold and unrestrained as I express myself into the world.

This season serves to remind us that just as we step into a more outward expression of our emotions we have the opportunity to go inward – to harvest that which no longer serves – to wrap all of it up and send it back to heaven with love and gratitude. If it no longer serves you – if limitation, lack, dis-ease, guilt, limitation and doubt no longer serves you, I invite you to hold true to that which you intend and never stop fueling that intention with all of your heart and soul. Fuel it with your emotional passion till the engines are hot enough to fire it off into space and let the beauty of creation rain down upon you.

Mardi Gras and Lenten moments happen over and over again. We continually outward celebrate (act) inward connect (reflect) and emerge living a life filled with Grace and Good.

Wishing you expressive Mardi Gras moments and equally refreshing inward pause Lenten opportunities.

 “I woke-up this morning with the most delicious feeling. It is a feeling I haven’t felt in a long time.  I feel connected to my body, my sensual self, my beautiful self, my empowered, whole, inspired by God self and as I’m standing making my coffee I am drawn to this feeling that another person is with me.  I chose to move into this feeling further,  so I stopped making coffee and felt “his” presence; his loving sweet presence (I’m talking affectionate hugs, kisses on the neck, smiles into my soul).   I immediately had to sit down and heard myself repeating the phrase …He is coming …. I turn it over to spirit… the hows and why’s, controlling the timing are merely my ego’s attempt to keep me thinking that I am not the creator of my life (I connected with source a Source). I don’t know if sense is to be made of this and words can’t express my delight – but I feel as if a choice was made by a deeper part of me and God and I am moving into and living, truly, the life that I have imagined for so long. Yep – my heart and soul is pretty darn full. 

Reading what I wrote above is far removed from where I was a year ago.  I look forward to deepening my relationship to the inspired creation of my life and being moved into it.  It is the ultimate Valentine that I received this year. It is what I desire to experience in this life time.

Did you make new discoveries about your relationship to “Love”?

Each of us yearns to make a difference in this life; to leave a legacy, a footprint that says I made a difference.  For some it comes through the children they birth or adopt, for those who haven’t had children it may be in the way we make our homes feel, our nieces and nephews, even our spouses or friends.

I feel that one of the most important ways is to begin with the footprint you place upon your own heart.

Wouldn’t it be powerful if you fell in love with yourself so deeply that you would do just about anything if you knew it would make you happy? This is precisely how much life loves you and wants you to nurture yourself. The deeper you love yourself, the more the universe will affirm your worth. Then you can enjoy a lifelong love affair that brings you the richest fulfillment from inside out.

~ Alan Cohen

When unconditional, overflowing love for yourself seeps into your soul, it is then you realize that you can, you are allowed, you are worthy of living a life that fills your heart with song.  Where you go from there? Well this is just the beginning of the discoveries you may have.  Suffice to say – it is the foundation to: Revive Your Life!

I’ve not really given this much thought or so I thought.  I try not to get caught up in the whole birthday expectation melodrama.  Yet, as it did when I prepared to turn 40; something insidious is beginning to creep into my thoughts.

Lately it’s been me and my wrinkles or rather my changing skin tone. I’m moving from tight to, dare I say, semi flaccid skin.  Wrinkles are forming that I didn’t have. I actually can’t even believe I’m writing this. I’ve never been a vain person. I’ve had great skin and in a way I guess I acknowledge that I felt grateful I didn’t have to deal with bad skin; life is hard enough without skin issues.

Yes I’ve been spending more time in front of the mirror. Sometimes when I look in the mirror I see my mother and my grandmother. At times this can be a comfort and or a shock; how did I get to this? It seemed like only yesterday I was turning 30.  I wish my Mom were here – right now – I would love to talk with her. We had talked about it over the years, sort of, but I want to see her looking at me and have her tell me something filled with wisdom. Okay that’s the fantasy Mom, what my Mom would say is, “I know – it’s crazy isn’t it? Here are some make-up tips and otherwise at some point you got to let it go and get on with living”. Yep – that’s the wisdom I’m talking about; to the point and in your face practicality.

Inner Critic

I love that wisdom and in a perfect world I would just get on with living, no regrets, no doubt, no worry, yet what happens is after what seems like hours spent in the mirror my mind goes into the following dialogue:

Self: Well today I will….

Gremlin: Uhm Lynne you are getting close to 50 and what are you going to do to celebrate? Are you living the life you imagined you would be, are you happy? Not to mention you are single and have no interest in aggressively dating or finding anyone? Hello Lynne are you listening?

Self: Shock and Awe campaign just took place and I’m left in a stupor, in my chair, cup of coffee slowly burning my hand. I don’t know what to say except…. oh my gosh I’m about to turn 50 and what am I doing, who am I, how did I lose Lynne?

Gremlin: See what I told you, you are in a sad state of affairs.

Self:  Well I’m going to…..

Gremlin: Oh my gosh are you seriously thinking you can do anything about all of this’ you’ve lost so much time. You’re getting old and look at you, who will want you now and …..

You get it right?

NOTE: As I write this Moonlight Sonata is playing. Moonlight of my life – deep – dark – you get it – Gremlin is at it again… hah.

The gremlin is the inner critic in your head that set’s you up to feel bad and even sets you up to stay feeling bad.  Gremlin is not my friend. Gremlin thinks it is protecting but it isn’t.

Taming the Gremlin – Awareness – Live Your Own Rules!

Superbowl Sunday and there I was re-watching Sex in the City the movie, drinking a delicious white chocolate ale and feeling pretty darn good when lo and behold the message of that film went right to the core:  We have the choice to make up the rules for our life.  Perhaps it was the ale but I’ve watched that movie before and it never hit me like it did on Sunday.

There it was life imitating art and I got the message loud and clear.  First it’s time for Lynne to reclaim and redesign her life (yes that verifies my passion for having a life revival). It’s time for Lynne to live a life according to her rules, even when society likes to place their expectations (Gremlins) all over your clean kitchen floor.  It’s my time, because I do want to experience a life that allows me the opportunity to do what I love: Serving in Joy and helping others have what it is they truly want; yes I’m talking a life revival.

So how about you, have you been living by rules other than your own? Have you gotten comfortable in the uncomfortable so much so that rising to the new comfortable feels terrifying? Let’s just pat the gremlin on the head and take our first step up and out the door into our new life.  The Gremlin will always be there but you don’t have to let it dictate how you live your life – awareness is the key to Gremlin freedom.

I know this is pretty old school knowledge yet everyday, I promise you, 90% of the population stops themselves from taking action towards a dream because the inner critic rose to the occasion and took a seat at the head of the table. It takes re-training the mind.

Inspired Action: 

Light a candle – turn on your favorite music – clear your mind – roll your shoulders and let go – breathe – imagine yourself surrounded by a blue (almost purple light) and breathe in what you want and breathe out what you don’t want (ex. breathe in peace…breathe out worry). Do this for 2-5 minutes.

When you are done immediately grab a piece of paper and start writing everything you desire, everything you value, write whatever it is that would make you jump out of bed and get excited to start your day. Notice if your inner critic starts to come out, don’t give it the attention it craves, and give yourself the opportunity to get back in touch with your passions, desires, authentic voice. Try to fill up a front and back piece of notebook paper.

Next step is to take some time to acknowledge appreciation and gratitude for what has been. Things that have happened that are too painful to appreciate just drop them for the time being.  Now – just fully feel appreciation for what you have and acknowledge that with awareness you have the choice to either listen to your inner critic or set it aside and allow your full authentic, inspired, passionate, sensual, playful, creative, artistic, domestic goddess, to surface and shine into your life.  Remember – one step at a time!

Reblogged from Real Balance Wellness:

The rise of celebrity chefs and food programs has been phenomenal. True, there are some excellent shows that feature healthy cuisines, and more wellness-oriented content. However the alarming trend has been for more and more shows to do what television shows have learned works for ratings: to shock and to “give the public what they want.” I’m talking gluttony and foods that have been scientifically linked over and over again to the obesity and health crisis we see in America and ever-increasingly, …

I have to reblog this. I spent a day, with a cold, in front of the t.v. watching the food channel and truly it was alarming. I became numb watching that guy on the Diners and Dives show shoveling food into his face. It was horrifying and disturbing. We can’t eat that way neither should we celebritize it.

Your light is so bright so beautiful – it is strong – solid – deep within! Spread your wings and let it shine!

~REVIVE YOUR LIFE~

Well my goodness I had no idea that one morning I’d wake-up and my computer would go on the fritz as would my sweet little droid phone battery take a nose dive. I was off the computer/online/cyber grid for a few days.  I often recommend that and yet it is a little unnerving when it is imposed upon you not by choice. 

Suffice to say I’m back.  What’s been happening? Well I’m still moving through my Group Power Coaching Sessions and what a wild ride that has been. Below are a couple take-aways:

1) The power of doing more than one coaching session is EPIC as they say. I’m sorry to say that I’ve done a disservice working with people new to coaching for anything less than 12 weeks. That’s changing now. You see – it’s the time it takes to peel away all the layers we have built up – it’s the time it takes to soften the edges, to meet the fear and let it dissolve so that the power of insight and  inner wisdom can come through. A single coaching session can give us someone to talk to but truly – gather your friends around and do that – or find a stranger and talk to them it will save you money.  If you really want to initiate change in your life what is required is a commitment, energy shift and the power of momentum to make it happen.

2) I’m a darn good coach! Hah – there I said it.  That’s it – that’s my take away – <3 – how long has it been since you acknowledged how amazing you are – do it – don’t wait – and proclaim it.

It’s also clear to me that I’m getting older – what does this have to do with anything – well it has to do with the fact that as I spend time going within I’m also slowing down and in the process I’m looking in the mirror and suddenly it hit me that my face is changing. Yes – I have wrinkles and my skin doesn’t feel as tight as it did only a year ago. I’m aging -my body is getting older – my skin tone is changing.

In that moment of awareness I said goodbye to what will never come again. I will never – ever feel my 20 year old skin.  It’s done – over – and yes I feel some sadness about that. I haven’t attempted to push it away or make it better – just acknowledged that I feel the way I feel and wow – this is what life is really all about – CHANGE!

I’m supposed to write a love letter to my body! I didn’t want to do this exercise. I’ve always felt fairly okay with me. I’m no glamour woman but I’ve been okay with what I’ve got, only now, as I almost am 50 it’s time for me to write this letter because I’m going to fall in love with this new me – this changing – morphing me and well – I’m willing to have a full on unconditional love affair with my 50 years on this earth body.

How long has it been since you’ve written a love letter to yourself?

Dear_____________<3

I have missed my artful expression and play. So I signed up for Take 52 photos.http://beginnersphotographyblog.com

I am enjoying myself, yes it is
challenging at times and of course I have to tame my inner critic usually it consists of pretendin I’m in kindergarten before we were told to draw between the lines.

What creative outlets are you doing? Is it time to bring more of that into your life? It’s important for your well-being. Just do it for the pleasure it can give you. Release your critic, have fun and let your creative voice get unstuck.

Week 2: Cold

I was inspired by cold being devoid of warmth so I saw the slow demise of the warm sun giving way to the cold of the night.

Week 3:

Play-time: I liked how this image captured both time and play invoking objects.

Some more random shots after a morning of play in downtown Tucson: Thank you for indulging me in my photo moment. I hope they bring you joy.

……..More
When I spend time in creative artistic play, I feel more relaxed, happy, centered, my breathing changes and worry is set aside. Don’t dismiss creative outlets, they are powerful for our overall health and well-being. With cell/Smartphone cameras any one can take pictures even choose your own theme a week and tell a story about each pic. While you are at it. Stretch yourself

I am enjoying myself even though it can be challenging at times. Yet I’m committed to it – not backing out which has been my usual move. Life gets busy and I can let it take me away from my play/creative time.

What creative outlets are you using to express yourself? Is it time to bring more of that into your life. It’s important for your well-being. Just do it for the fun. Release your critic, have fun and let your creative voice get you unstuck. Judging often keeps us from getting started. Be willing to draw outside the lines, take a unique picture that nobody else likes.

So here’s what I got so far.

Week 2: Cold

I was inspired by the idea of cold being devoid of warmth so I saw the slow demise of the warm sun giving way to the cold of the night.

Week 3:

Play-time: I liked how this image captured both time and play. I felt like a kid peering in the store window.

Some more random shots after a morning of play in downtown Tucson: Thank you for indulging me in my photo moment. I hope they bring you joy.

To have a life revival of substance you must increase your awareness – inner and outer.

How Writing an Integrity Statement Can Support Your Life Purpose:

If you are a proponent of self-development / personal growth / empowerment, you have heard about defining your life purpose.  At almost 50 I still can’t say I’ve defined a purpose for my life.  Have you? Have you been able to stick with it?

 Perhaps I’m confusing purpose with “something I do” rather then how I live!

Three weeks into power group coaching session and my awareness is heightened about how I cope and how I get distracted with my thoughts and stories; allowing them to take me on an emotional roller coaster ride further away from what it is I intend to experience. If it is true that “living purposefully” means staying focused on what’s important and not being distracted than the sometimes subtle mental and emotional foray I tend to venture into is definitely taking me out of my purpose.

When one chooses to live a life of increased connection, meaning and purpose and move away from living by accident, it is then we can decide how we want our life to feel and react from that place.

I don’t believe we come into the world knowing what we are going to do. I don’t believe we come into this world knowing we are going to make a million dollars, write a book, and compose a symphony.  Instead – I believe we come here to experience a feeling life and in doing so we follow, cultivate and develop our interests, passions and innate abilities; moving from one thing to another but all the while increasing our good feelings in the areas we choose.

One of the projects we have worked on in the Power Group Coaching is our Personal / Public / Professional integrity statements.  I had never done this before.  I know about integrity – I value it when it is authentic and not just something a business does to increase its profit margins.

In finishing this project I can definitely say that I have had my eyes opened, awareness attuned to something new with regards to how I live my life.  Below you will find the beginnings of my Personal, Professional and Public Integrity Statements.  I urge you to give it a go – I will let you know how this all develops but I can already feel my awareness and connection to a greater life purpose emerging from this activity.

Share this with your social community and see if anyone else has done this. Don’t forget that public, professional and personal integrity statement will be reflected in all of your social networking interactions.  Now that would be wonderful – more integrity in social networking communication – I like that.

Personal Integrity:

-Living from my highest state of consciousness

• Making choices based on the highest good for all involved.
• Commitment to increasing good feelings and happiness in my life.
• Make positive life affirming choices.
• Living and drawing from an inner source – intuition.
• Connect regularly with source through prayer, meditation – dance.
• Thrive through healthy eating, joyful exercise and play.
• Act from my conscience at all times.

 Thoughts = my words = my actions (in other words walk my talk and practice what I preach)

Professional Integrity:

-Respect – honesty – truth is foremost in all interactions.

Love – fairness – reliability as well as substance – enthusiasm and consistency will be found in all communication and product development.

Serve everyone from my highest state of consciousness and support this in others.

Public Integrity: 

-Interdependence of self with those I meet. See myself and others linked as one and my actions in the world are consistent with my professional and personal voice of integrity.

Give back to my community (community where I live and work as well as my global community).

Who someone sees in both my personal and professional life is reflected into the community.

Related articles

• Being a Woman of Worth (herfavoritejuice.com)

I don’t know if it’s a culmination of insights, a brief chat with a friend who I see stepping out in 2012 and I feel like I’m hiding my talents. I do know this breakthrough had alot to do with me stop ”creating” instead I sit with what my life is like right now – feel what I am creating daily. Pretty powerful stuff.

2012 – Get Unstuck and Breakthrough – 12 Weeks – $144.00 ($12.00 per week).

More to come as the pot this idea is simmering in is about to overflow.

Coaching – Empowerment – Movement – Juicy Soul Stirring Activities

Yes – this is what I’m seeing happen.  That and some other good stuff. I’m not going to wait till I have it all figured out. That has been what has caused me to hold back. Not interested – I’m going to take my hands off the tightrope and reach out to the next one coming at me – I’m going to trust and have faith that even if I fall there is a net. I know this net well and it always  holds me.

Have you let your hands go? Are you willing to trust?  What’s holding you back? Is this  giving you what you truly want? Can you let it go and get moving?

Wishing you a New Year of increased expansion – greater visions of beauty – easy dissolving of that which no longer serves. A revived – full – glorious – loved life <3