For this moment, I invite you to unburden your heart.

Lay down your guilt. Set it beside you. Just allow it to rest. I know how hard it works to convince us that we need it.

Don't worry, you don't need to let it go too far away... 

These pandemic times, this vocation, this life has both armored us and cracked us open. Your guilt can take a back seat for now. Take a breath. Let's exhale our guilt.

Teachers, I invite you to place your shame beside your guilt.

All those decisions you had to make- all the torment over things you couldn't do, all of the practices you "should" have done...all of the changes you've been asked to make- illnesses you couldn't prevent. The eyes that watch and make you feel that you "should" have all the answers. I know they say you should leave school at school, but shame comes home with you in your backpack, doesn't it.

Please tell shame it's time to sleep- it's time to hush. Tell shame it doesn't serve you.

Teachers, I invite you to breathe. Put your feet up if you can, take off your shoes if you can, take off your bra if you can... whatever makes you feel more relaxed, more at ease, more unencumbered. Take down your hair, unclench your jaw. Let your toes wiggle and spread out.
Notice that air as it travels in through your nose... that air that fills your lungs, that air that helps you expand. Feel that air swirling and spinning, lit up with the white light of hope.

Allow that air to capture any negativity, dread, weight, toxins, drama, leftover anger, remnants of the day like the crumbs from your lunchbox... See that air removing it all and set it free.

Feel the air move out of your lungs and release all of that garbage.. all of the fear... all of the worries....

Like the tide, your breath comes in and out. Let it flow. The tide comes, the breath comes in. The tide goes, the breath goes out.

Teachers, I invite you to unburden your heart. Set aside all that no longer serves you. Feel weightless. For a short period of time, you have no one who needs you more than you.  Be here now.

Be here. This is the time. Pause now. This is the place. Your heart is the place.

Place beside your shame and your guilt your perfectionism. Your inner critic. Your nagging insecurity.  

To teach is to touch a life, to convince ourselves that we must have all the answers as those little eyes have led us to believe. To teach is to solve problems and to juggle a million decisions in the blink of an eye. To teach is a superpower- and yet we are humans, humans who sometimes feel as if we are doggy paddling in a rapidly moving stream.

Unburden your heart. Despite the heroic task you've been granted- the faith giver, the healer, the mentor, the model, the parent, the truth seeker, the knowledge source, the dream weaver- despite it all...

It is your humanity that makes you magical.

It is your story, your truth, your acceptance of your mistakes and your honoring of your spirit.

It is the way you look children in the eyes and see them. The simple, human gift of presence.

It is the vulnerability and the weaving of values... the knowing that we will fail a million times and still stand up one more time if it means we made a difference.

No god or hero would take on such a task as we do. They wouldn't set themselves up to fail. They become idols because they always win.

That is why, dear teacher- you must unburden your heart. You have already taken on more than a super hero would.. because you are human. You have worked to exhaustion because you are human.

You are magic, because you are human.

And humans need rest.

So breathe.

And let all that other stuff go.

​I invite you to be here now.

Days have passed and I haven't been listening to my May Cause Miracles Challenge. Yet, like the yoga sutras I study, the lessons stay with me. Each day is an opportunity to practice- to see our truth, to love ourselves, to let go of fear and judgement. As time continues marching on, so too, does our soul and inner strength evolve. This body is strengthening because I am listening to it. Are you?

Today, recognize the moments you've offered yourself grace and love. Notice how it translates to less judgement of others as separation is an illusion. If it's difficult to love the body you're in... this mission continues. Keep looking- looking for the light in your eyes and the remembrance of your miraculous essence. You deserve to be happy, feel whole, expand and to breathe. You're exactly where you are meant to be right now. There is no rush and nothing to prove. Breathe in love, breathe out fear. Keep going, keep growing.

Love you,
LeeAnn

PS A great diffuser blend for empowerment: ginger, wild orange, patchouli

#empoweredspirit #joyfulhuman #momofboys #souljourneyy #emergencewellness #journeythroughthewilderness #naturalsolutions #awakenedheart #evolvingmama #spiritualmama #energeticbeing #beyondfear #separationisalie #truthfulmom #authentichuman #selflovemama #loveyourself #youareworthy

I can't help but think that Glennon Doyle was inspired by the ancient poet and philosopher, Rumi, when she wrote this section of her book, Untamed.

In this part, she was expressing to her daughter- the one she used to tell all the time that she'd "never lose her (mom)"- until Glennon realized she'd sold her a lie.  Her new teaching became- "The truth is, you will lose me one day. You will never lose YOU."  This left the daughter to shore up her inner workings and delve into a relationship with herself- hopefully one in which she befriends her inner voice and loves the essence of her spirit.  Yet, her daughter started feeling isolated, alone in her own feelings, her own body- keenly aware that she was the only "person" she'd truly be with in life. The quote Glennon shared is meant to assure- despite your feelings, you are never truly contained- you are part of something larger, more united, more collective than you know. "You, are not the bucket, but the ocean."

I turn to this quote now, feeling alone in myself. Feeling a little bit afraid.

Rumi said, "You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a tiny drop." Taking in the expansive nature of this is comforting, and yet, the outside world doesn't always show this to be true. The people we respect, love and trust may turn away from us if we disagree with them. When we walk with integrity, intention and authenticity- some will not only be out of alignment- but they will turn their back and instruct others to do the same. Some will be afraid- offended- feel attacked by our truth.

Finding our bravery in this wilderness is often courage in that sensation of aloneness- wondering if we will find our tribe- be loved fully- make an impact. How can we make an impact if we are sent away- marginalized- left out, left alone? 

My heart is aching a little bit as today, I feel that way- a bit of a drop of water rather than the ocean. I feel filled with questions about whether or not I make an impact, bring light, spread joy.  I know I'm living according to my values- but it IS lonely sometimes. 

So what to do? Becoming someone we aren't isn't an option when we've worked so hard to reveal who we are. There fore, we have to dig deep, into that well of faith. We have to know that the misaligned relationships from the past, have been cleared for us. This clearing is providing an opportunity for the truly aligned to step forward, to create new partnerships - to develop new rhythms and patterns that are healthy and whole.

We have to BELIEVE and we have to take action to LOVE ourselves. We have to seek movement and find more joy in the little things we can. Like the person who sends herself flowers to brighten her own day- we have to do that OVER and OVER again until we believe so fully in our own LOVE. 

When we develop this store of faith in ourselves, we find our path will show us the other spirits- ready to walk it with us- in friendship and honesty- in respect and appreciation.

We are the ocean. We are as much connected to the people who've cleared  away as the people who'll been attracted to it. We are as much connected to the sky and the trees as the flowers that bloom and the rain that will fall. We are as much day as we are night. We have to focus on the things that bring us the most joy and allow the rest to simply be-
a part of that truth, but not the ruling part.

In faith and hope that we all know our worth today. 

Love, 
LeeAnn

#authentichuman #separationisalie #weareone #communityuplift #spiritualjourney #busymom #evolvinghuman #evolvingspirit #selflove #mindfulness #journeythroughthewilderness #wellness #truthbomb #whatcourageismadefor #youwontloseyou

Holding on to the hurt of the past doesn't help us. The pain of being harmed may initially teach us how to protect ourselves or those we love from people who do not have our best interest in mind, but after some time, we may build it up to be something that undermines the spirit. It's like the tumbling snowball that gains more and more snow- growing heavier and colder as it rolls downhill. I can picture an old, animated movie in mind right now- and know the giant snowballs that freeze inside our spirit- the ones that need to melt.

Sometimes the sadness and anger we harbor is founded, but it has a shelf life. It isn't meant to be nurtured and grown. Sometimes the disappointment and heartache is caused by someone or a circumstance that never meant to hurt us at all- that was well intentioned even. In that case, the rumination and wound is not only harmful, it is self-inflicted.

Letting go of the pain isn't always easy, but in time, we can offer forgiveness to the person or circumstances that created the pain for us. When we do, we can also acknowledge the choice we made to pay attention, to believe, to grow or to react to the incident in the first place. We have to forgive ourselves for believing it was necessary and for the time spent in discomfort.

One morning, recently, I woke up and knew the forgiveness I needed to offer was essential to my overall health. I am not one to harbor resentments often and I needed to move through it. If the forgiveness  of the other person was to work for me, I needed to also offer myself the same. I communicated loving thoughts to myself and shared the words I needed to offer to an individual. I don't want others to be in pain or carry around wounds that I've added to. I want my sphere of influence to be a healing one. After sharing with the individual, I let go. This involves breathing, giving myself a hug, and applying my forgive oil. I went for a run. I meditated and I visualized both parties (myself and this individual) happier, healthier, more abundant. I pictured the person's face smiling- joyful. It felt good. It felt freeing.

At night, I knew there could be remnants of the stagnant energy. I reapplied forgive to my abdomen, my inner arms, wrist creases. I breathed it in. I thanked the universe and asked for continued healing and the removal of negative feelings around the circumstances.  I asked for healing for the person involved in this situation- knowing full well that this person may or may not need it, but it is my highest intention to heal and to offer love. This person may never respond or offer the same to me. It doesn't matter.

So, today, I sit here and I can honestly say that I love myself a little bit more. I love myself a little bit better. I feel a lot freer because I gave this gift to myself. Forgiveness is worth it. You are worth it. 

Who can you forgive today?

Love,
LeeAnn

#forgiveness #essentialwellness #emergencewellness #naturalremedies #essentialoilmama #forgiveyourself #radicalforgiveness #truthful #authentichuman #seperationisalie #weareallone #communityuplift #inthistogether #faithoverfear #loveyourself #doTERRAblendsthatheal #100percentpure

Have you noticed how the media has sold our son's and daughters a version of fairytale expectations about behavior, appearance, happiness? The toy aisles are coded by color- assigned to presumed genders of our littles? Have you wondered how our children feel about this? Have you seen the impact it has had on your adult life? How you quiet down or shrink around certain people- assumed to be more worthy of the space or the floor? Have you used your appearance to gain power or have you shamed yourself because of it? Have you started to notice the ways in which you behave out of a sense of expectation rather than honesty?

It isn't easy to navigate the world as our truest selves. We've been trained from a young age- from the color or our clothing and treatment we were given as newborns, to the religious classes that taught us Adam was the creator and Eve was the reason for original sin- we've been shaped, groomed, filled in, filtered, shaved down, whittled, speckled, painted and squelched. Not just women, but men, too. They've been made to feel the protector, the stoic, the breadwinner.

Sure, it's not a new story. This narrative has been discussed and changes are being made, but it is still part of our experience. 

As I've been searching my soul for some time now- trying to distill the most essential me- the one that is aligned with her purpose and voices her truth- I am also aware of the many layers of unlearning that have to occur to get closer and closer to the essence.... We have a shedding process to journey through. 

Begin to examine the stories you hear yourself say as you encounter your world. Pause. Ask yourself is the story kind and does it honor your truth? Does it feel like it came from somewhere else? Can you recall the first time you felt it or thought it? Do you need that story to survive or can you acknowledge and forgive yourself for believing it? If you can begin to forgive the circumstances or person who first inflicted that painful story, you can begin to yourself for believing it. Then, you can shed that layer of weight holding you back. 

It takes time, breathing and patience with ourselves to become more and more free of the guilt, shame and falsities that have glommed onto us. BUT, it is worth it. The more in practice of this shedding I become the lighter, freer and more transformed into my light I feel.

You are worthy of that freedom. Awareness first. Breathe. Forgive others and yourself. Let go. Fly.

Love,
LeeAnn

#essentialwellness #mindfulmama #forgiveness #unlearning #evolvingspirit #butterflyheart #sheddingfasity #emergingtruths #authenticliving #bravingthewilderness #beyoubravely #loveyourself

We are messengers for love.  We are spirits amongst spirits, not a body amongst bodies.

Today, to really rev up the vibes of love, try adding essential oils to your meditation. Diffuse or drop into your palm and breathe it in. Apply it in layers  with the lotion or oil of your choice- to your abdomen, legs, arms and neck. Loving oils are rose, geranium, marjoram, forgive, pink pepper and align. Consider how  you can release the ego and open up to love again.

Light a candle to burn off the ego's old messages and accept that our bodies are a vessel for love. Our healing moves beyond us- it ripples into the world.

Affirmation Day 20
"I accept the true function of my body. I accept that I am a messenger for love. "

Set your alarm to repeat this every hour on the hour, breathe into your body and notice how your emotions feel and notice if there are any shifts. Note this in your journal.

As you drift off to sleep, breathe in love and acceptance for this beautiful gift of your body- an expression of love.

Love,
LeeAnn

#maycausemiracles #miraclemoments #manifestationmama #spiritualgrowth #evolvinghuman #spiritandenergy #naturalwellness #emergence #wecandothis #communityuplift #loveyourself #egoletgo #separationisalie #weareone 

For a long time, I worked out daily. I coached (and loved it) and then... I got sick. Ok, really, I flared up. It stopped me in my tracks. Sometimes I couldn't sip water without excruciating pain, but from that pain came learning. I learned to be still, to listen closely to my heart and to my body. I learned that striving is another way to become controlled by perfection. Prior to my flare up of IC, I'd been pretty good about keeping the shame storms at bay, but working out every day in an intense way- I was definitely striving and pushing rather than flowing into my health.  Whenever we strive for perfection, the shame storms are there- on the horizon lurking. Shame storms are an attack on our self love. The one person we have to count on most in our world- is our inner voice. It is the only one guaranteed to be with us in every moment.

Instead of expecting ourselves to look a certain way before we love ourselves, it's essential to see the progress, the gains and the beauty in every stage of our lives. Our bodies tell a tale. They show us when we've forgotten to care for them. They slow down or speed up based on how well tuned they are. They remind us that we need to tend to our thoughts and our emotions when we sit still for too long (which is exactly the reason we should sit still longer instead of running). They remind us of the obstacles we've survived and the miracles we've created. They are incredible, really.  Looking in the mirror during this picture, I felt amazing. I know my abs are a little rounder than they once were, but they were once displaced to nurture a baby. The regular pain and pressure they've held from my IC and IBS is completely missing.  It's important to see with fresh eyes the gifts we have in our bodies.

Have you been afraid create healthier movement goals because you know it will be difficult to maintain? Have you been afraid to try new programs because you will be ashamed if you can't keep up? Are you embarrassed of how you look in certain areas of your body? We don't paint the house before we hire a painter to do it again- out of embarrassment for the condition it is in at the present. Send your body loving messages and your body will respond to you if you listen to what it needs. 

These past few weeks, I've learned to adjust my workouts away from crunches, push ups and heavy weight lifting- to heal an injury to my sternum. I pushed too hard. I've learned to increase my mobility and strength with a workout program that can be completely low impact or allow me to leap about- a ballerina in my mind. I've learned to meditate EVERY workout and to stretch more. I've leaned into walk-jog-runs, and hydrated. I've added my digestive enzymes to every meal and peppermint essential oils to my routine topically, aromatically and internally. My nutrition has been more nurturing. I'm making time and I'm making progress.

You. Can. Too.

Choose the best feeling thought you can for your health and plan in the time to move in a way that brings about that feeling daily. Enhance your routine with essential oils, meditation or another beloved self-care moment. Strive to recognize your progress, love your body and when that shaming perfectionistic voice judges. Tell it to be quiet already.

Love you,

LeeAnn

#wellrounded #balancedwellness #essentialwellness #busymomofboys #oilymama #naturalwellness #wecandoit #selflovemama #embraceyourlife #embraceyourbody #loveyourself #fitmoms #communityminded #spiritual #bravingthewilderness #journeythroughthewilderness

It is never my intention to hurt someone or to act in a way that is mean or cruel. I just wasn't built for it. I am a peace-maker by nature. This caused me to befriend mean spirited people in the past and left me vulnerable to their manipulation. As I've grown, I've learned that life is as much about giving positive energy as it is about finding those who feed it back. This can not be created with false concern, superficial adoration or fitting in behaviors. It is best when the positivity comes from a place of mutual trust and respect- where we can take someone at face value and know that they will listen as much as they will share their truth- a truth that doesn't change depending on the people who stand around them.

It is when we can share our honesty and know that it will be received as intended- with curiosity and the desire to understand. When our values are clear (and they don't become clear without articulating them) we can begin to walk side by side people in partnership, teamwork, friendship or collegiality. When we stand before someone with our honesty- raw and real- and we see how they listen or defend- this is that pivotal moment of awareness- when we learn where we stand with-or apart from another person. It doesn't make us enemies.

We all seek to be understood. Authenticity is one of the most amazing goals to strive for. However, when we share our truths or our opinions are different from the group, it can be seen as an attack or we can feel very vulnerable. Share it anyway. It is the only way to brave the wilderness of this life and to walk our walk with integrity. It takes the greatest courage to use our voice in a way that is true to our core- especially when others don't understand it.  It is our birthright to be real- not just the real others want us to be.

If the people we share our truths with belittle, shame, guilt, judge or defend- we might need to give them time to come around, process, put the ego aside and learn.  I've certainly been in those shoes before. It isn't easy to hear a hard truth. However, if this happens repeatedly or even one time with something truly dear to the heart- it might be time to walk away. Do we have something to learn from one another? Can we shape this relationship into something meaningful or is the person not worthy of the time, effort and respect we've afforded him or her?

There are many people who have vastly different beliefs and ideals than me- some of them become my most trusted inner circle. We value our differences and grow side by side- sometimes closer and sometimes further away from one another. 

Some are the people who I will smile and wave at, engage in casual conversation and respect as a human being- but never, ever invite back in. These people are often the ones who will show you support but only when others aren't around- to protect themselves. Or, they outright ignore, avert their eyes, laugh and whisper when you speak. They might be kind to you and then speak ill of you behind your back. These people should be kept at arms length until we can learn more or- we simply move on and focus on the people who are in the world to be real and caring- to elevate and be elevated.

We are worthy of respect. This doesn't mean we earn it by being fake, complicit or never getting involved at all.

Love you,
LeeAnn

#authenticity #whatisreal #authentichuman #truthspeaker #bravingthewilderness #journeythroughlife #journeythroughthewilderness #loveyourself #energeticmama #beautifullife #morejoy #wecanriseup #communityuplift #thinkaboutit #whoareyou #belongingorfittingin

Some say we are what we eat. What if we've been fed wrong perceptions of our bodies and our selves? Does that make us full of false beliefs? We often carry around old hurts that we allow to taint our truth about who we are and what we are made of. Many of us have been body shamed, made to feel weak, given the impression we should use our bodies for power or to please others. Many of us have been harmed physically, sexually and emotionally through the path of our bodies... rejected in some way or disempowered. Sometimes, we have even found ways to physically harm ourselves to release the deeper pain within or we've learned that someone we love has done this to him or herself. 

Our bodies can be our greatest teachers, and they can also be the most abused by the world and by our minds. It's time to let go of the need to harm our bodies through forgiveness. Gabby Bernstein, through A Course in Miracles, shows us that when we do not release the pain inflicted on our bodies through forgiveness, we repeat the harm inflicted throughout our lives. To me, it's like we relive the trauma  as if scar tissue or an old wound that doesn't allow us to flex and breathe or function properly.

Repeat the affirmation: "Forgiveness restores my body back to love" multiple times today. 

It may be scary to try to figure out how to forgive, but, this is where faith comes in. If we can allow ourselves to become aware of our wounds and offer them up to our "ING" (our inner guide) we can place trust that it will be healed.

Become aware of the wrong perceptions you've held of your body through insult, injury or attack by yourself or others. Release by allowing the inner guide to know our dark secrets and show them the light. These secrets have been our decision to trust Ego rather than spirit.

Write the ING a letter telling your secrets and trust that these secrets will be lifted or weakened, allowing your strength of love to multiply. 

Our purpose is to love and be loved. Fusing our fear with our faith is a way to transform our old hurts into a more graceful, faithful practice.

Love yourself today. 

Love,
​Lee

A fun part of today's practice is also deeply fulfilling. It helps us create a whole new perception of our bodies and our... eating.

While Gabby's message in the Miracle Challenge is deeper than the food we eat- it is about rejecting the ego's false perceptions of our body and appreciating ourselves fully, the food part is often a symptom of our inner beliefs of about our outer package. We are focused on seeing our body as equally special to all other bodies- no more, no less. We need to remove the illusion of separation, specialness and attack.

Try out Mindful Eating. I've done some work around this and most definitely benefitted from it. I need it now, more than ever. How about you? One suggestion Gabby offers is to find your favorite part of the next meals you eat during the day. Select one bite and chew it several times- 30 or so. Think of your affirmation, "I am grateful for my body" and spend a full moment enjoying that bite. Explore every sensation connected to that food. Appreciate what that food offers your body.

Now, try the same affirmation during the gym, stretch deeper. Use the affirmation during intimate moments. Center into your body and enjoy the intimacy in a whole new way.

Our body is a rich learning vehicle and part of the learning is enjoying pleasures and feeling grateful for all of the things we can do, feel, etc. Start to notice what nourishes this vehicle we move around in. 

Tonight, welcome your guidance from your inner guide. Notice and list in your journal all false or fear based perceptions of your body and replace those with a new list of loving thoughts.

As you turn off the lamp to fall asleep, Ask your inner guide to offer you love and acceptance. The following is part of the prayer Gabby shared in her book, May Cause Miracles.

"Inner guide, I welcome your support. Thank you for leading me to the right perception of my body. Thank you for reminding me of my life's greater purpose."

#miraclemindset #oilymama #evolvingmother #Womanintheworld #spiritualbeing #energetichealing #faithoverfear #bodyconfidence #selflovemama #wecanriseup #communityuplift #journeythroughthewilderness #emergencewellness