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Patterns That Rule Your Life

Happy Monday beautiful people!

Today I woke up inspired to share an absolute TRUTH of mine in hopes of sparking inspiration and positive change in your life starting today.

Did you know our entire lives are made up by patterns?

Yes.

Patterned Behavior. Patterned Speech. Patterned Thoughts.

If you observe carefully you will notice that without fail one of these influences the other which influences the other until it reaches full circle and there you have the predictive results of our lives.

Why is it then that we always aim to change the outcome yet fail to get the desired results?

It’s simple. We have yet to change our neural pathway for the new pattern to exist.

Thankfully, you don’t have to willpower your way through this. Whether it’s losing weight, becoming a happier person, stressing less, etc. you don’t have to grit your teeth through the process.

If you desire the change at your CORE you are already half way there. Through NLP (neuro linguistic programming), focused awareness techniques, and self hypnosis work you, yes YOU, can make a positive change and begin living your BEST LIFE.

I firmly believe we are all capable of making the change we desire. This is a crucial first step toward success.

The bigger question is, do you? If there is even a hint of yes in you then you are more than capable of making the change you desire in your life.

Have faith, do the work, be mindful of where your thoughts take you, and equally as important, hand select and surround yourself with your very own network of guides, teachers, and angels.

In wellness,

Susan

Friday Focus – 8/18/17 {Grief}

“Grief is tremendous, but LOVE is bigger. You are grieving because you Loved truly. The beauty in that is greater than the bitterness of death. Allowing this into your Consciousness will not keep you from your suffering, but it will help you survive the next day.”

~Cheryl Strayed

This quote struck a chord especially with so much grief being experienced not only in our country but oftentimes we forget other countries as well.

What I keep coming back to is how can we control our own sphere of consciousness so that we can make an even bigger difference in the world? How can we strive to act, speak, and BE from Love, our inner source, so that we can be the change we want to see in the world?

We’re human. It’s much too easy to get caught up in our heads instead of our hearts. That’s the practice. That’s where the years of work come into play. There’s where spiritual work is.

May we find Love underneath our grief, suffering, and/or frustrations.

May we always turn to Love because Love is the most strongest and biggest force of them all.

Namaste.

The Ultimate Secret

Secretly we spoke, that wise one and me.
I said, “Tell me the secrets of the world.”
He said, “Let silence tell you the secrets of the world.”
~Rumi

How often do we rely on others for answers? For validation? What are we seeking affirmation of?

Oftentimes we are in the mode of analyzing every situation and question we have in our lives, and it makes sense! We are primal beings and our brains are hard wired to know every single outcome… after all we survived all these thousands of years to get here right?

However, once we recognize we are safe, we have food to eat, and we have a roof over our heads… we begin to fill out brains with strategy, over analysis, and ultimately we are seeking control of our lives.

Unfortunately this is where we get into trouble. Believing we need control of our lives is what leads to anxiety, depression, and at the end of the day – it leaves us in a state of FEAR.

When we cut through the muck and stop thinking, analyzing and strategizing (left brain) and begin to feel and BE the flow of life (right brain), we come to realize we already have the answer.

Processed with VSCO with f2 preset — Mother Nature

This is a reminder to feel into the moment, to allow your brain to rest, to allow yourself to accept this moment and just feel into what is NOW.

When we do this and are willing to see things differently, we are doing more than just accepting and surrendering, we are allowing room for magic. This extra space we didn’t have before is now leaving room for breathe! It is now activating your unconscious to search for creative solutions you may not have otherwise have had the chance to consciously be aware of because our minds were so fixated on our limited thinking.

So I urge you today to lean in a little to the NOW. Be ok with what is just a little longer, and trust you are already taken care of.

Namaste,

Susan

Naturally Shed Deer Antler. Hand made with real, high quality crystal beads. Sage cleansed and high vibe.

Divine Prana

What does it mean to live with unconditional love? To infuse this unconditional love with your personal power? Your life force? Just how different would our lives be if we lived from this state?

Not too long ago I completed this mala for a beautiful soul. When choosing the gemstones I found Blood Jasper and Honey Jade to be the perfect combination to help support Divine Prana. Let’s do a quick deep dive into what these gemstones represent and support.

Blood Jasper: Ahh, this stone is special. I love how you can get lost in the depths of its dark green mass mixed with a unique blending and swirling of it’s equally dark counterpart – red. Legend has it that the red represented the tears of an ancient dragon. Blood Jasper is known for its prana, Qi, and life force. This stone supports anyone to develop and harness one’s courage, strength and vitality.

Honey Jade: When looking at this beautiful stone I am reminded of the sweet, delicate drops of natural honey. I choose Honey Jade to complement Blood Jasper due to its representation of the third chakra – the Solar Plexus – the power house chakra. Not only does Honey Jade aid in supporting your personal power, it radiates divine, unconditional love. It is also a grounding and calming stone.

Lastly, I felt called to choose the naturally shed deer antler to complete the piece. For some reason I felt that it represented the full circle of life.

Very excited for this mala to meet its special owner. May this mala support personal power and living life with integrity, yet showing up in the world with the most powerful force available within all of us – Love. May Love always lead us to co-create with Nature to uplift and raise each other up.

In wellness,

Susan

Friday Focus – 8/11/17 {Last Days Of Summer}

This morning I sipped my morning coffee outside on the lawn and did a few sun salutations and heart openers. I felt the cool breeze move through my untied hair and really savored the moment.

Lately the days here in Seattle have been filtered with a never ending haze strewn across the sky, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying every last bit of what Summer has to offer us.

It wasn’t until after a bit of yoga this morning I walked over to the apple trees in our backyard when I noticed that in about another month the apples would be ready for harvest. “Wow, already?” I thought… and of course, “How beautiful are these apples…”.

As I felt the wave of emotions rush over, in that moment, I understood these were the last few days of Summer. Time to enjoy every last bit of it. The getaways, the hikes, backyard bbqs, picnics in the park, patio brunches with friends… all of it. Time to savor it all.

How are you spending these last few days of Summer? Are you taking the time to unwind? To enjoy and let loose? In what ways can you relax (in your unique way) to prepare for the “harvest”?

All good questions to ask ourselves.

In wellness,

Favorites Lately – Beet Mango Smoothie

I discovered this Beet Mango Smoothie recipe on accident. I’m sure there’s a similar recipe somewhere on the interwebs but truth be told, I was looking for something refreshing to drink on a hot summer day and when I looked in the fridge I had all the ingredients to make this delicious beverage AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT 🙂

What I love about this recipe is that it’s fairly low in sugar, has a ton of fiber, and most importantly will keep you cool on these particularly hot summer days! Thankfully it’s also fairly simple to make. Here are the ingredients:

5-8 cubed raw beets (at least a handful)
1/4 – 1/3 cup cubed mangoes
Ginger the size of half your thumb or a little more (I love ginger so I tend for a little more)
1 whole lime (half if you aren’t into acidity)
2-3 ice cubes

Blend and ENJOY!

Taking the time to make this beautiful drink in the morning seriously makes my day and I hope it adds a bit of joy, serenity, and wellness to yours.

In wellness,

Susan

Getting Creative With Ceramics

I’ve been writing a lot about creativity and allowing your deeper self to play, have fun, and explore. If you haven’t checked out the 5 days of POWERFUL QUESTIONS do it now! It is all about finding your own creativity and how to show up in this world in our own authentic way.

If you’ve been following along you know one of my biggest and playful outlets has been working with CLAY! Learning from others, making new friends, and most importantly LETTING GO of all expectations has been the **best** part of this Summer’s creative experiment.

I remember the first day I entered the studio I had such a hard time creating pieces. The ideas weren’t flowing. Then, the moment I started creating for others it’s as if my hands couldn’t move faster than the ideas.

(Friends, you know what you’re getting for Christmas right?)

Something else I learned while being in the studio? Detachment. Letting go. Surrendering. Clay is funny, some days you get it right, and other days it decides to break or deform overnight. Allowing what is to just be (yes, even the pieces you lovingly worked on), and enjoying the process is what makes the 3 hours a day not only feel magical but go by **real** fast.

I can’t believe there’s only a few precious weeks left of studio time… and I still have another 25+ pound bag of clay! I am looking forward to deeper play, honoring my creativity, and allowing the magical alchemy of surrender influence the next few pieces. Time to get to WORK!

In wellness,

Susan

The Never Forget List

NEVER FORGET

? Be bold
? Define what happiness, your role, your life looks like, and insist on it
? Own your yes and own your no
? Do not fear failure
? Stay detached

Processed with VSCO with g3 preset — Taken at Haleakala, Maui

This list was written years ago and often changes but I keep it handy for the turbulent times, the fearful times, or the times when I suddenly feel off kilter so that I can find my voice amidst the storm.

There are many other ways to find your voice, this is simply one of the easiest ways I personally deploy as a quick and easy reminder by having it as one of my notes on my phone.

Here’s a simple exercise to get you started on your list.. what’s ONE thing you never want to forget? No matter what is happening in your life, what is the ONE thing you never want to lose sight of in ordinary, and of course the not so ordinary moments?

I encourage everyone to take some time to think of their list. You may be surprised to see what you find 😉

Namaste,

Susan

Friday Focus – 8/4/17 {The Community Of SISTERHOOD}

Anyone else melting in this Seattle heat? I couldn’t believe we reached 97 yesterday but I’m not complaining. That’s when you call your sister up and eat acai bowls to cool off!

Speaking of sister, today I wanted to focus on something very special to me. I wanted to honor all powerful women, especially the powerful women in my life. Who would we be without community?

No really think about it…

Above many things I love and prioritize connection and community. To be able to be in deep communion, to learn from others’ wisdom, and equally important… to give back and share your own wisdom in the same respect.

Even more I am grateful for the Sisterhood, the feeling of **coming home**, whenever and wherever we gather in the world.

It has been amazing to watch the growth and wisdom explode over these past few years of the many sisters in my life, and I am honored to hold witness to this experience as well as share my own journey to an incredible line up of women.

And for this special bond I am forever grateful.

I encourage you today to write a letter of gratitude for the women (or your own special community) in YOUR life. Cherish those bonds. Tell them how much they have helped you in your growth and how you plan to be there for them. Strengthen these ties as they will strengthen you back with the amount of energy you tend to it.

So here’s to even more belly laughs, rolling tears, sunsets and sunrises, and all the gluten free desserts with all the special people in my life. Today I celebrate YOU.

In wellness,

Susan

Finding Your Voice When Presented With Too Many Options

Are you ever presented with too many options? Where every choice seems like the right choice? Or maybe two choices seem like they can go in either direction and you’re actually OK with one or the other?

What’s a person to do?

The easiest way to make a decision comes down to one question: Are you doing x out of Fear or LOVE? What tugs at the depth of your heart just a little more?

It’s much too easy in these times to get caught up in a story, the past, the future, technology, other people, and the 100 million other things on your to do list. When I’ve put off making a choice because I’m in analysis mode (left brain), and not in feeling mode (right brain), this simple question always brings me back to center when it’s crunch time, Fear or Love?

For me, choosing LOVE makes it very clear in finding my truest voice. I drop into what’s real and what *was* the facade naturally fades away… pretty quickly too! Other questions that help bring clarity when it comes down to making an important decision?

⚘ Who am I overly considering in my choices?
⚘ What feels lighter and brighter?
⚘ What is serving Love?
⚘ How can I serve the most amount of people?

All that said, what truly matters is making the one, small step. It’s the only way you’ll get more data to make the next small step.

I’m curious, how do you find your voice amidst the storm and voices in your head?

In Love,
Susan