What if......

What if.....

These are there words that defined the last few days of my life. 

"What if Hurricane Matthew took away my family while I am helpless in Vegas?"

"What if I never hug and kiss my boys again?"

"What if my entire neigborhood is destroyed and I have nothing to go home to?"

Powerful thoughts. Powerful words.

These words overcame me and I sat in my opening sessions and cried, silently wiping my tears, trying to compose myself and recover to get through the day.

I tortured myself with guilt and forced myself to think rational thoughts. It was difficult.  I never actually lived through a hurricane of any consequence.  My mind drifted to Sandy and Katrina; images from the news of destruction and death. This was my frame of reference for a hurricane of this magnitude and predictions were a direct Category 4 hit.  I was overcome with emotions I could not control, I choose to process them and understand the whys later.

My feelings of despair slowly healed as the hurricane ran its course and I learned my family was unharmed.  I could breath.  I relaxed.  I felt better, but I still had work to do.  I had a purpose.

Those same two words, "What if" were given to us over and over in a marketing campaign for Rodan + Fields.  It was no coincidence.  As powerful as my hurricane "What ifs"  tore me apart, the "What ifs" of R+F built me up and helped me realize my future.

"What if I have what it takes to build a team of powerful women?"

"What if I could changes lives I care about?"

"What if I came back to convention 2017 with my own team of consultants?"

"What if I could surpass all my wildest dreams?"

"What if I helped others achieve their dreams?"

"What if my passion to serve was a fulltime commitment?"

"What if?"

I sat in the rest of my sessions and paid close, thoughtful attention.  The last session was on compensation.  My missing piece was to understand the income structure.  I am a numbers girl and it clicked.

Being a Rodan + Fields consutlsnt is similar to being a realtor.  You may know a lot of us, but there is only one you are going to trust to do business with. Either as a Business Partner or to provide your ideal skin care regimen.

We love our skin and Rodan + Fields consutlants love their skin care products.
Proof is at convention.  I have never seen so many women in one place with such beautful skin!! Fifteen thousand women have a secret they are dying to share.

These clinically proven products work. But, don't take my word for it, find someone using Rodan + Fields and look at their skin.  Flawless ... age defying, simply beautiful. 

So, here I am, thinking "What if".... What if my secret was no longer a secret? 

And I wiped my tears and stood up straight and made a conscious choice.  My journey is real.  My dreams are attainable and I may actually be ready to be a badass R+F girl. 

Mind * Body * Spirit

Finding our Balance in life can be instanteous or a life long quest.  Why do some people always seem to have it all together while others tend to struggle?

We all have occasional bad days, but when do those bad days snowball into a bad life?  Everything feels wrong, from our job, to our annoying children to weight gain and feeling as if life is just one big waste of time.  Have you ever felt this way?

And than something shifts, a switch is flipped, and the veil of hopelessness is lifted, perspective is forever changed. 

Life becomes abundant and fulfilled. I believe hard or sad times in life elevate our soul to the next best thing.  It releases the fear of the unknown and catapults us to our next energy vibration.

Ever meet someone who seems so unhappy, their energy is low?  While other people are smiling so bright, not one thing could ruin their perfect day; their energy is high and untouchable. 

Our energy is key to maintaining a prosperous, happy, well intentioned life. There are tools presented in life to keep our energy high and alive.  Giving us exactly what we need at exactly the right time.

"High On Life is not a cliche, it is real!" -LN

Excersice, eating healthy, postive thinking, positive words all contribute to stress realise (real ease) and ultimatley this will bring joy and provide a state of true well being.

Check yourself: Are you smiling? Are your words positive? Do you feel good? Are you truly happy? Is your life stable? My new favorite life backing tool is Yoga, Specfically Aerial Yoga.  I recently introduced Aerial yoga into my life and I really wish I trusted my insincts to try it sooner.  

I have always been a big advocate of yoga practice after reading a book about yoga in my 20s.  I have practiced on and off for the last 20 years. The breathing, the mindful connection to our bodies, the mediation that couples the practice, is all part of a true spiritual awakening. It feels good. It personally gives me focus and keeps my energy happy and light. My intuition is better, I get better ideas when I practice and I have no anxieties.

Aerial Yoga has given me more.  It has pushed my limits, allowed increased blood flow to my brain, and the workout on my entire body is the best in all my yoga experiences. Each class is a journey.  My yoga instructor is one of the kindest people I know, and she knows her practice well. To all my local readers, she is at Kula Yoga Studio at the Port Orange Pavillion. Her class is unique and perfect for beginners or seasoned practitioners.

If Yoga is not your thing, take 15 minutes a day, anywhere, and think to yourself, my life is worthy.  Be kind to your spirit and in turn the universe will replenish your life with whatever you need to feel whole.

If a situation or person is no longer serving your life, it will fall away and new opportunities will present themselves. 

Your life will unfold flawlessly, if you allow it. -LN

If you are stuck in a difficult space, this too will pass and you will be stronger and happier. 

Embrace the now, be it good or bad.  You will flourish graciously.

Letting It Go

I participated in a live, sing-a-long, twist on the popular "Frozen" movie at Hollywood Studios recently.  It reminded me why the movie's popular "Let It Go" theme song was wildly successfully. 

Don't we all need a little reminder to "Let It Go"? Isn't it the best advice anybody can give anyone at anytime?

We've all had our brains stuck on the rewind button regarding a specfic situation or issue.  What if we made a conscious decision to "let that moment go" and live in the present?  The past is the past and the future isn't here.  The now is all that truly makes any difference in our lives. 

"Focusing on the present maintains happiness." LN

When we are stuck on a moment in time, replaying that moment over and over in our minds, it becomes meaningless.  What someone has said or done is unimportant in the present. Accept what has happened and release it, "Let It Go."

If you did or said something you are truly unhappy about make a decision to change your own behavior.  If you are unhappy with someone else's words or actions, change your perception. And than let it all go.  Forget It! 

You will FEEL happier.  You will BE better.

 

Make the decision to have less judgements on yourself, someone else, a situation or problem, introduce a positive understanding that there's always more going on than what is on the surface.

We are one piece of a big puzzle.

We always have a choice.  Do we choose to hold on to our past, good or bad, or do we choose to let the past go? 

Are we constantly waiting for our future to come while our present slips away?  Is our current life free of worry, are our thoughts positive? 

I have gotten stuck, but I remind myself, don't get stuck, it's not going to change what happened.

Freeing our mind is beautiful, and so relaxing.  Yoga is a wonderful practice to find that freedom, be still, be present, believe. (be live)

When a moment of judgement sneaks in, Let It Go.  The moment you feel unworthy of love, Let It Go. The moment you think anything negative, Let It go.  Those thoughts are only manifestactions in our minds.

With consistency, our inner voice will become conditioned and momentum will build.  The switch will flip, and there will be light.  You will be genuinely happy, and an easy feeling of contentment will embrace you.  Laughter and smiles will find you and you will feel truly alive. 

Have Faith and Let It Go.  Let It ALL Go. 

"BELIEF CLINGS, BUT FAITH LET'S GO" The Wisdom of Insecurity, Alan Watts

Mom's Day!

A mom's love is unique.  There's a special bond between a mother and her children that can't be compared to anything else. 

However, as a mother, we tend to feel exhausted, as our energy gets sucked dry on a daily basis giving of ourselves as we are pulled in multiple directions.

Mothers love their children and want to fulfill their every need, but when does saying, "Yes" to ourselves sound better than anything else? Saying, "Yes!", without one ounce of guilt in doing so.

  

This is why Mother's Day was invented.  The day mom is allowed to take back and be spoiled.  The day mom can sit with her feet up, be pampered, get extra love and kisses and it's alway's okay.  Mom is allowed to take care of mom.

We love our moms and appreciate all that they do, especially as we get older and make the transition from child to parent.  We finally understand all their hard work and sacrifices our moms made for us. 

Maybe everyday should be Mother's day. Breakfast in bed, extra hugs, more downtime and less doing for others.  What if all moms, everywhere, went for massages, everyday, got pedicures and didn't worry about feeding, bathing or finding time for their kids.  What if? 

Well, of course, that would make for total chaos: babies would cry, children would be sad, no snuggles or being tucked in.  Kids would be foraging for food in the pantry.  Who would shop for that food?  Maybe dad would pick up cookies, chips and beef Jerky. 

As a mom we are needed to play our important role.  We must play that role with pride.  We may not always get it 100% right, but last I checked, mismatched socks and quick and easy dinners were not against any rule book. 

Motherhood has no rules.  There are no rights and wrongs.  I often joke, that I am a "B" mom.  I may not get those Birthday cupcakes to school on the very first day after my son's Birthday, I may be hustling at a school event, and not spend adequate time with my boys, I may slide on bedtime, and eat in front of the TV when dad is not home. 

I love making exceptions to those so called rules. 

I also, know my kids will learn volumes from my actions.  Life is not black and white, we can go with the flow, we can laugh at our mistakes and not be so serious, we can fix what gets broke and we are not perfect.... but we can still be lovable, and we are always worthy of being cared for.  

But, my most important memory, I want my kids to have, is that they felt loved, and loved unconditionally.  I always want them to feel secure in who they are through my love for their individual spirits.

I tell them everyday and often how much they are loved. I try to remember not to let go first when they hug me, no matter how long they need that hug.  It gets hard at daycare drop off, but sometimes as little guys they need that hug more than we know.

Our hugs mean more than words.

To our moms now and then.  Our love is passed down through generations, in our actions and our words and with our warm, loving hearts.  It's contagious, especially through those extra long hugs!!  

Pushing Beyond Our Limits

A group of ladies gathered at "Painting with A Twist" one Sunday and painted a beautful beach scene.  Each, in their own way, found their creative side, they dipped their paint brush in paint and colored a pure white canvas. 

At the end of the 3 hour paint session they all had created somethng beautful which began from within.  We all had our moments of weakness when one paint stoke didn't feel right, or a cloud wasn't what we thought it should look like, yet once the paint hit the canvas and we stepped back and reviewed what we had done, we realized, and started to see the perfection in it all.  

The not so great stuff, was exactly as it needed to be.  The aspects of the painting we felt good about, were better than we had thought. The beauty within each woman shined in their paintings.  We did it!  We painted a work of art and we did it as an experience together, laughing and struggling through the difficult moments.

Painting pushes people out of their comfort zone.  But, yet, there is an unmistakable rush when we do uncomforable things.  It helps stretch our boundaries. 

Our paint class aligns with the bigger picture of life.  There is always beauty and perfection in the things we perceive to be imperfect chaos.  The days that do not seem fulfilling, often contain opportunities for goodness and enlightenment. Our positive vibrations are always willing to shine when they are not discounted by negative vibrations. 

When life does not feel good, pushing through that particular stoke of life, alleviates the uneasiness and clarity quickly follows.  Our difficult choices suddenly become easier to make, because our natural instincts take over.  Our boundaries are re-established. 

There are days I wake up thinking my day will go one way, and I may feel uneasy about what lies ahead.  I embrace those feelings and allow the day to  unfold naturally.   When my head and heart are conflicted, I naturally allow my heart's desires to lead the way and my uneasiness disapaetes.  

That gut feeling people speak of is actually our heart sinking.  It's a sign that our actions are not aligned with our hearts true intent.  

When we continue to discount our hearts desires, we are not caring for ourselves, we become sad and soon after depressed.  It snowballs into a cycle of despair.   However, when we follow our intended path, listening to our inner voice, we trust ourselves with care and joys kicks in.  It's a myriad of good feelings, there is love and there is easiness. 

The picture is painted and we can step back and see the perfection life truly has to offer, from inside ourselves to the current circumstances of our life.  Is there something you'd like to change?  Than make the change.  Are there things you would like to enhance? Than make those choices to enhance your life.  Your good intentions are the first step to picking up the brush and painting a beautiful life. 

And once you have painted it, you can white wash it and start all over again.   How miraculous is that? 

                                When we continue to create we are choosing our freedom.

  

Personal Growth? Say "Yes!"

Why I do what I do.

There are times it appears I'm into everything.   I'm involved to the point where I simply can't say, "No" and I'll decide to do things only because no one else jumped ahead of me and said, "Yes". 

This, however, can be a very good thing.

With each new challenge we are confronted with or choose to take on, we grow as individuals.  We can always do more and achieve more.  "Yes" always leads to personal growth.  "Yes" is positive. "Yes" pushes us forward. 

"Yes" is empowering, it motivates us to do more."

 I know many people who say, "Yes!" with confidence and they are ready to take on any and all challenges life throws at them.  They have no fear, only an optimism for success.

Those who say, "No" have excuses, judgments and find cause to disagree.  They wait for life to change for them, when all the power is within to say, "Yes!" to something new, to say 'Yes!' and foster change for growth. 

People often ask me, "How do I do, all that I do?" And I NEVER think it's too much.  I never think, "I can't".  I just do. I am often amazed at what manifests right before my eyes.  (My husband is very much the same, our marriage has become a force filled with hope, dreams and lots of change) 

Sometimes, I have absolutely no solid plan, only an idea or good intentions and step by step it all comes together.  The right people present themselves, at just the right time.  The opportunities find me. 

After an event or activity, I scan my brain to think who do I need to thank? Who came together to make this happen?  I become acutely aware of how I can make the event better and do more to find wholeness in the process.  It is all instantaneous. 

If it's simply a fun day or night out, I am simply grateful for my family or friends.  There is a special dynamic when we come together and I love this energy and the goodness it holds.  

All I do is say, "Yes" and Go!  It's empowering to watch how lives are impacted and memories are made.  

There are times I feel as If I'm not doing anything, I simply let spirit work through me.  Those who want to share the experience, trust me and laugh by my side.  Others watch on, but soon may find themselves pulled onto the journey.  It is serindepdity meshed with joy, sprinkled with love for a new experience.

On the flip side, I also, always say, "Yes" to downtime, I say "Yes" to my chill out, binge TV time, I say,"Yes" to family time and "girlfriend" time and all the goodness that makes me feel happy and content.  "Yes" to weekends away and vacations and anything that I'll regret not doing one day.

What if we all simply said, "Yes!"  Imagine the things we would achieve?

Breaking out of the Bubble

I thrive on bringing people together.  I much rather see people gather on common ground, in a happy space, than at odds over something trivial.  Finding the good and learning to trust others is much more productive than picking people apart for the sake of our egos.

We all have done this.  We all know how it feels when it's done to us.  It hurts and people can be cruel about the most mundane things.  But why do we still do it?

Where is our trust, our loyalty, our love and forgiveness?  When can we give without expecting anything in return?  Where is the graciousness of thanking those who support us?

We all yearn for understanding, forgiveness and basic kindness, however it is all of these things we tend to forget to give to those we interact with. Especially to those we don't know or don't know well. 

As a society we are quick to judge others for what they do, without knowing who they are. When we know a person well, we are much more forgiving of their actions and their words.

Our word is our gift to others.  Words of care nurture, they go further than words that lack care; and when that care is not present, it hurts our own souls the most. 

Deep within, we sense this, but we still forget and continue on a loveless (careless) path, and the remedy is as simple as giving with our hearts.

With the right mindset, we all can be warmer, softer, better.  We can leave our harmful words alone and instead think of the goodness that will fill someone else's heart, selflessly.

Living in Suburbia, behind our social media personas, creates a bubble of illusion on what's true and what's only part of someone's story.  

We use social media as a crutch, it gives us permission to forget our human instincts to do onto others as you would want done onto you.  I've experienced and seen good people, my own friends, shredded by comments of others.  

One friend's entire week was ruined over a little dog poop.  I kid you not! 

Our suburban life allows people to hide behind a veil of questions.  We don't know each other well, we keep facades of goodness and play roles in public which are inconsistent with who we are and what we truly feel inside.  

Unintentionally, this throws ourselves into a funk, feeling depleted of what we truly want out of our already busy lives.  We allow our minds to wander to untruths, doubt festers and anger looms when in reality, honest communication resolves those seeds of doubt before they are fertilized. 

I had another friend who thought I was mad at her over something trivial, when in fact, a text I had sent to her, resolving her doubts, never transfered through. 

I nonchalantly commented how I was wondering if I should re-send it and ultimately forgot, meanwhile she was formulating all sorts of untrue thoughts in her head. I've done this before.  It's interesting how we hide our true feelings at the most inopportune times.  

When we give others the benefit of the doubt, it natually is given back to us. 

This happens with so many of us.  Letting go of the bubble we create around our space is ideal for our physiological well-being.  We all take things so personally and at the end of the day we all just want to be accepted for who we are.  Who we truly are, not the facade that we put out in the world.  Breaking out and freeing our minds of the clutter, wakes up our spirit to everything it needs to thrive in life.  

Doubt - Fear - Anger - Sadness - 

should translate to 

Trust - Comfort - Peace - Happiness 

People Obsessed

As often as I try not to stare, or ease drop, or get into other people's business, people tend to fascinate me.  I watch and observe with wonder and imagine what makes them tick.  I intuitively absorb their essences and sincerely try to do so without judgement.   It is a delicate mental see-saw and hard to do, however with practice it gets easier. 

Yes, we all judge other people.  But, when we move from judgement to observation, it's a much more pleasant space to share ones thoughts. 

I have sensed that dreadful judgment of others and it does not feel good.  I'm thinking, "Okay, what did I do or say or whatever?" and then I choose to move on and simply push it away, usually the person does not truly know me or they have their own issues to deal with and the judgment has nothing to do with me.  Many times I have discovered, the person was simply judging themselves.  

Anyone who is close to me, understands, I'm honest, far from perfect and I'll love you for you no matter what.  I figure, if I'm going to be open, I'll get the same respect in return.

Often, it is those closest to us that will make the harshest judgement, maybe because they care, but deep down it's always about something else.  True, unconditional love, holds no judgement.  We can love our friends and family, but their life choices are their own.

One day, I ran into a mom at a function.  She looked very put out, I was thinking..."Bad day? Fight with the hubby or she's got a major problem." (Like a bug up her butt)  Is it me or the circumstances around the event?  I never found out, but for some weird reason I cared.  My husband noticed too, so I know it wasn't my imagination.  Unfortunately, I'm not that close to the mom, but maybe one day I'll know her better....people are interesting.  They fascinate me. 

"A sour puss gets remembered long after all the other smiles have faded" 'LN

My husband and I took the kids camping on Sanibel Island for Easter weekend.  We found ourselves around so many different types of people on our mini camping adventure.

We camped among friendly families and warm retired folk from up North.  We found ourselves at a church Easter egg hunt and made ourselves right at home with the locals.  We people watched at the beach, made up stories and laughed at our similar observations.  We ventured into Captiva among the rich and most likely famous residents.  We even met people who lived a few towns from where I grew up on Long Island.

It was all good and interesting no matter where we were or who we found ourselves chatting with.  The openness my husband and I share with everyone bleeds in our everyday life, creating opportunity and leading us to new things.  It's never harmed or hindered, only enhanced our lives.  My boys seem to be following our lead.  I love that about our nuclear family. 

People are good.  The more goodness you share, the more you'll ultimately receive.  One smile, one "hello," one conversation at a time.

My Big Fat Italian Family

I grew up in a Big Fat Italian family.  We love each other through thick and thin. On occasion, we've been known to drive each other crazy.  There is drama and gossip and ridiculous banter, but we are tight and at the end of the day, no one can take our family away. 

Growing up we broke bread together, ate huge Italian dinners together for holidays and all our family events: weddings, baptisms, anniversary, birthdays and funerals.  Our family continues to change and grow year after year.

When we "break bread" with our friends, for dinner or holidays, it takes the friendship to a whole new level.  Those friends crossover into the family zone and there's something special that sticks.  There's a bond that forms indefinitely. 

Today, I live far away from all my family, but when I do see them, its always like I just saw them yesterday.  It's that constant in my life that reminds me I can always change for the better, even when some things in my life never change. 

When we do make time to be together with family, we remind each other of our love, and that it is okay when we can't be together, the love and care never dies. 

Certain relationships in our lives will stick and stay strong and solid.  Being part of a large family taught me this.  The warmth and understanding is innate and I tend to carry this over with close friends. 

I hope my boys learn to always give of themselves.  They are huggers, super sweet and caring, but as they grow, I want this to carry over into their adult lives, never to be forgotten.  Although, they don't have the same large family upbringing, when we visit my family, the boys are embraced, as if we all lived closer.  It's amazing to watch. 

Family and solid friendships can be that constant in our lives to keep us grounded when life throws us a curve ball and we need trusted relationships to fall back on.  

Thank goodness for my big fat Italian family.  I am who I am because of that constant in my life.  We know who we were and who we are at all stages of life.  We have laughed and cried and learned.  We change, yet we are still the same. 

The video below takes me right back to my mother's home when I was a kid. Thanks to my favorite cousin for posting on Facebook and being my inspiration for this blog post.  I love ya cuz!!  No matter how many miles separates us. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?sns=fb&v=0Swzvm-gXHg

(This is not my family....but whose to say they're not distance relatives......they sure look like my family)

In The Moment

It is 2016 and distractions in our everyday life become so hard to push away.  We miss out on so many little moments that make the bigger part of life less than fulfilling.

Acknowledgment of this void, is the first step.  Doing something to become more present in the moment is the second step.  How can we live our lives and not miss a single moment of goodness?

Releasing our worries, our physical ailments, our thoughts of clutter, concerns for the future.  What if we simply lived in the now, without any real concern for how the future will unfold?

"Our true nature of life is being one with our surroundings, anywhere and everwhere"

I often make plans without controlling the outcome and allow them to come together naturally.  

I often don't feel like going someplace, especially after a long day at work, but pushing forward, reminds me I'm continuing on the path intended.

Thinking I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm stressed, makes us feel more of the same.  Maintaining a steady, moment to moment, I'm feeling good attitude does wonders for the physique.  I have everything I need in life.  I'm not sad or worried about anything.  Miraculously, life falls effortlessly into place.  You begin to notice little cincidences, chance meetings and good luck becomes a daily occurrence.  There's a manifestation of achievements that occurs.  People fall in and out of your life at just the right time, specifically when you need them and when they need you.

I can't explain how, I simply know what is.

Moment to moment; living with intent, but without control.  It's a spiritual life from the mundane.  It takes the drudgery away and keeps us smiling, laughing and lightheated.  It is soft and warm and without warning it will become habit. 

The best feeling to be is wholehearted, it allows everyone into a safe place, and intuitively we are peaceful within, and life is free of emptiness.