Falling in Love with Yourself

Good morning,

I am attracting a lot of people lately with some self confidence issues. We all know what that means...I must be struggling somewhere in this department as well. Confidence comes in many packages. Everyone waivers at one point or another. Similarly, everyone is super confident at different times in their lives.

One area I am excited to share some information on is self confidence on the outside. Did you know that you can trick your psyche into thinking things? Sure! We all tell ourselves little lies and little truths. It's too bad we often don't even know we are doing it. Try to tune your awareness into what you tell yourself when you start to doubt and when you feel uplifted. Where does that little voice come from? If you can trick yourself into believing you are confident, that story will start to seep in through your skin, down to your bones and into your soul. Once you believe it, you will start to radiate that positive, confident energy and draw like minded people to you.

So...let's begin! Lately this has not been a hard task for me - falling in love with myself on the outside. For example, I enjoy kayaking and last night I went on a moonlight kayak with a few friends. As I was paddling, I looked down at the water and caught a glimpse of my arm where it bends at the elbow. That soft, subtle, womanly bend as it hollows out on the inside. It was sunset and the water was calm. As I paddled, I looked down and thought, "I am completely in love with the inside of my elbow right now." Is that crazy? Such a small part of me, yet I found such beauty in it. It was a personal thought, a truth I embedded into my heart. I share it as an example of falling in love with myself. It's not ego-based, it's not self-centered. It fed me and gave me outer confidence.

Everyday, find something new to fall in with on your body or in your actions. Consciously, but privately, tell yourself what that something is and why you love it. Go into detail. Look yourself in the eye in the mirror. Eventually, this spreads to the inside because the more you notice that you appreciate about yourself, the deeper you go. Before long, you'll be having inner dialogue about loving the way you are able to stand in line at the grocery store in patience. You will be loving things like your patience! How often do we admire things like that in other people? We just don't give ourselves enough credit. Have fun with it and tell yourself all of the positive ways you admire yourself on a daily basis. This slowly transforms your inner truths and your negative beliefs about yourself. Don't be surprised if it alters things like your posture and your ability to carry conversation.

Confidence is an interesting topic. It's an inward dialogue, but an outer show. Love yourself. From the inside out and the outside in. Find the root of the lies you tell yourself and find a way to flip the story. You are unique. You have gifts to offer the world that other people will benefit from. Share them, don't keep them locked up. Find something directly related to you to fall in love with today.

In beauty and confidence,
Coach Katie

Magnetic Attraction. Letting Your Light Shine.

Have you ever had one of those weeks where everyone seems to want to be around you? It could be a stranger in the grocery store, out of touch friends, people who used to be acquaintances, and on and on. Suddenly, your magnetic force is on high and you are pulling everyone into your world.

I’d like to share a personal story of mine on this topic. Not too long ago, my own coach and I worked on forming a mantra when I was feeling less than attractive. This mantra was meant to be something I would say to myself in order to be present in the moment. After a lot of missing the mark, my wording boiled down to: MY LIGHT SHINES NOW. I wanted to be this bright, shiny, glowing light that people wanted to be around. I started putting myself out there, having informal parties and really putting effort into my relationships. My reward has been an inundation of love, support and laughter.

I am having so much fun playing with this concept of creating reality. Wishing for something isn't going to do it. It's just not enough. You have to step into the spotlight for anyone to be able to see you. This requires action. It's not about being the center of attention, or stealing the limelight. It's about really allowing people to see you and, of course, I mean the real you.

Marianne Williamson once wrote, "Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do." What does this mean? Children don’t know how to be anything else. They are who they are. They ask the silly questions, they say the innocent things, they cry when they feel like it and they laugh when they feel like it. If we could all be so real, the world would be a much more understanding place.

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. If you are minimizing yourself, you are not being yourself. How can you expect anyone around you to really “get” you? Being a magnetic force is about being authentic, but not being selfish. If your intentions are purely to gain attention, it’s not enough. That fades. Being authentic attracts people who balance you.

By doing so, you are putting yourself in the light. In fact, you create the light. NOW people will see and appreciate you. Learn to love the mystery of human interaction, listen to the words people say to you and listen to your own words. Radiate your own authentic light and there is no stopping you.

Ending Marianne Williamson’s quote is this: “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.” Go inspire others today to uncover their hidden light. It starts with you.

Until next time,
Coach Katie

Finding Your Future Groove

It's hard to think ahead, to plan for the future. We often hear, 'enjoy today, be in the moment, but be responsible, plan ahead.' How do we accomplish all of this? I'll give you an outline for a way to find your future groove. Once you've completed the outline, it's important to revisit it often. Maybe once a month, maybe once a week depending on how detailed you get. Set goals for the future that are rewarding and achievable. You'll only get frustrated if you can't reach your goals because they were set too lofty.

Now, sit back and think about how you'd like to be in 20 years. I do mean how. What type of person do you want to be? Are you still working? Retired? Volunteering? Are you happy and relaxed or are you busy and challenged? Who is around you? Where are you living? Give this some serious thought. Just daydream for a little bit. Again, make sure you are being realistic. Would you really be happy on a 50 foot schooner? Do you even know how to navigate one? Be realistic...it's your groove!

It's time to write these dreams down. Take out a piece of paper and separate it into four quandrants. In the first, write Relationships. Fill that section in with all you hope to have in 20 years regarding a mate, friends and family.

Once you are done, go to the next quandrant and write Finances. Fill it up with all that you want financially (realistically) in 20 years. Any savings, stocks, bonds, IRA's. The works. Write it all out. Is there any money you want to give away? Charity? College funds? Vacation?

Next is Personal. Here, write down what you would personally like to achieve in the next 20 years. Education, hobbies, travel, etc. Get it down on paper.

The last quandrant is Career. What job will you hold in 20 years? President of the company or might you have started your own company? Are you retired and working part time somewhere? Are you firmly planted in a job you love? Have you made a name for yourself? Write it all down.

Now, you have your visual tool for your future. How are you feeling about it? Are these tasks that you really want? If so, wonderful. Writing them down has released them. Before they were just thoughts in your head. Now, they are afiirmations on paper. Revisit this often as you start to take steps toward achieving your goals. Soon, you'll find that some of the items will happen on their own.

Enjoy this time of creation in your life!
Coach Katie

Power of Words

Underestimating the power of words in any relationship is dangerous. My intention today is not to talk about negative or hurtful words, but rather the words of the heart. How often are those spoken? Some are very open with their feelings, sharing their deepest respect and admiration for those close to them. Others, think it but never speak it.

Often, we assume the people that mean the most to us know it. But do they really? We might think of them often and appreciate them silently but when it comes to verbalizing our thoughts, we become mute. I'd like to challenge you today to speak up. Tell someone close to you what they mean to you. Tell a stranger you like their smile or their hair. Have a heart talk over the weekend with someone who means the world to you. You won't only make their day, but you will strengthen that relationship as well. Help them to understand their significance for you.

Power of Words

Underestimating the power of words in any relationship is dangerous. My intention today is not to talk about negative or hurtful words, but rather the words of the heart. How often are those spoken? Some are very open with their feelings, sharing their deepest respect and admiration for those close to them. Others, think it but never speak it.

Often, we assume the people that mean the most to us know it. But do they really? We might think of them often and appreciate them silently but when it comes to verbalizing our thoughts, we become mute. I'd like to challenge you today to speak up. Tell someone close to you what they mean to you. Tell a stranger you like their smile or their hair. Have a heart talk over the weekend with someone who means the world to you. You won't only make their day, but you will strengthen that relationship as well. Help them to understand their significance for you.

Abundance...of Attitude.

“Abundance is, in large part, an attitude.” -Sue Patton Thoele

What a truth that statement is! Living from a place of abundance is also a choice. Each day contains a choice about whether we wake up in control of our day, or dreading the path we have already set in motion. Having an abundance of favorable tasks, friends and love each day is our choice.

Abundance is such a tangible topic because it contains so many truths.

Abundance is a free gift to give. Abundance can be donated by means of time, love, energy, attention or even thanks. Having it allows you to share freely with others to increase their reserves. Have you ever dealt with a particularly stressful day, feeling stretched far too thin? Of course you have. On these days we often find ourselves running into the perfect person at the most opportune time. It could be the person who smiled and held the door, an old friend sending a quick e-mail, or a family member with some good news. In turn, each of us have offered this gift to others as well. You may not recognize the moment when you give it, but be assured it is appreciated. Creating emotional abundance allows each of us to be authentic, which invites more positive emotion each day.

Often, you have to give it to receive it. When you give of your own, you increase the abundance of others. Call it karma, call it destiny, but whether you are giving monetarily or emotionally, it often comes back to you. Giving it out and witnessing when and how it comes back creates awareness around the pattern of abundant giving which breeds reciprocation. Sometimes, the only reciprocation you need is a ‘thank you.’

It has to do with gratitude. We always have abundance, yet often we don’t recognize it. Our focus is often on what we want next, instead of what we have now. I’m sure your fridge is pretty well stocked, your belly seldom empty, your hair often washed, your love tank often full and your next paycheck often expected. Your life is already abundant. Remembering to be grateful for the abundance already in existence has become an afterthought. What if we thought in terms of abundant gratefulness? What if we were grateful for the lack of traffic on the way into work? Or, grateful for the fact that our cars run well or our roofs are not leaky? What if we were grateful for the fact that our eye appointment was just a checkup instead of an emergency? How different would your attitude toward abundance be then?

Abundance can make our lives simpler. Sure, having a large sum of money in our bank accounts creates an easier lifestyle. Think smaller though. What if you had enough toilet paper for the next six months? Filling up on the little things can reduce the number of trips to the store and increase the amount of time you have for the things you really want to do. Living in abundance is living more simply. Stock up on what you can now, so you can enjoy more free time and give more freely of yourself. When you aren’t stressed about all the “stuff” you have to do, it’s easier to be present in the moment.

“Abundance is, in large part, an attitude.” -Sue Patton Thoele

Attitudes shift with perspective. Rod Stryker, meditation teacher and founder of Pure Yoga, states: “You cannot attain what you already have.” Center yourself with this thought. Once your mind recognizes it is already abundant with love and peace, so then, is your life. Now, that’s an abundant attitude.

Until next time,
Coach Katie