I’m currently mourning the loss of a dream.  My heart is hurting, and my soul is confused. Until now, it’s been too hard to even talk about. When exactly the dream started, I can’t say, but it started over a year ago with a dream of having a space where like-minded women could come together in a physical space that was warm and inviting. I wanted them to have access to an environment where they knew there would be people to visit with, but also with quiet spaces where they could come to work on their goals—whatever those were.

Mourning a broken dream can feel a lot like grieving the loss of a friend.

The first time I shared this vision with my husband, it was a bit into COVID. He’d asked how I thought COVID could impact thee plan, and I explained that I’d been hearing from women who had been involuntarily moved to work-from-home, who missed being around others. (I’m an introvert, so I can’t fully relate to that, but I certainly know enough extroverts to know that being in seclusion for over a year is enough to make anyone ready to escape the house!)  As I described the space and collective I’d been dreaming of, he was fully supportive. We prayed about it, and over the next several months, God filled in all the colors and details of this dream.

We live in a city of 74,000 which is tucked into a community made up of 18 other cities, totaling 250,000 residents. It’s the best of both worlds. Small-town friendly, with access to plenty of culture. Within Appleton, there is a property I’ve passed hundreds of times and always admired. It consists of a white, two-story farmhouse sharing one acre with a small 2-story barn. It’s quaint and beautiful, on land that’s peaceful yet is the only barn yet standing within a thriving town. In the midst of my praying and dreaming, I was beyond thrilled in October, when a “for sale” sign hit this yard. It was the perfect space.

No time was wasted before our first walk-through with the realtor. It was absolutely gorgeous.  …The barn, I mean. The house had a sweet charm to it. It wasn’t perfect but it was unique and had plenty of potential.  Armed with a degree in interior design, I was certain I could love it just as much as the white barn that was just across the driveway.  I could already fully envision the barn as a place for growing, healing and socializing. It had ample space for one office for meeting with counseling and coaching clients, but also had a larger open space and loft where I would group furniture to create workspaces, reading nooks, and gathering areas for women to enjoy. (There was even a beautiful outdoor patio where I planned to have tables and a few swing chairs for a quiet escape.)

There was just one (very large) complication….

I wrote a letter to the owners and told them my vision. We visited the property again, made multiple calls to the town, spoke with the owners for over an hour on the phone, and put in an offer. The number of things that occurred over the next month where God was clearly opening doors and lining things up are too many to tell here, but there was one big complication that stood in our way. The barn was maintained and listed as a commercial-approved building within a residential zone. The prior owners ran a business out of it and had invested a considerable amount of money into renovating the barn to meet and keep code.  However, while they were told by the town that this commercial permit would transfer with the property, the town told a very different story.

It seemed that the “Barnhouse” (as we lovingly called it) had become a bit of a bee in the town’s bonnet.  They’d gotten numerous phone inquiries about the property since it hit the market, each potential buyer presenting a different business plan and intentions. The man I spoke with said they’d shot every one of them down but said mine sounded promising. I was hopeful. I kept praying.

Days later, I got a call back from him, stating that he talked to his supervisor, “and it was a no-go.” He would offer little reasoning but said only that the current commercial permit would terminate with the sale of the home, and that the town was not interested in entertaining further businesses running out of it. So, when we put in an offer that was below asking price, explaining the town’s stance and high-risk we were taking on by hoping to win the town over, and be granted the opportunity to present our plan to the town board, the owners were unwilling to reduce their price, being told by the town that the building could be used commercially.

We made another offer.  More phone calls. Waited.  Prayed. And oddly, both my husband and I said repeatedly that we both felt we were to wait it out…that we shouldn’t give up and that it would somehow be ours. For six months, we prayed and dreamed of all the ways we could use the property to bless other people.

And then a few weeks ago, we walked to what we the Barnhouse, talking along the way about the next step. Another offer.  We asked each other, should we be “waiting on God” or had He already answered, and we just needed to step out in faith and trust that He would work things out? We’re no strangers to risk and aren’t risk-adverse, but we also didn’t want to be reckless or get ahead of God. While we were torn between these two perspectives, we agreed that someone it would work out; we just didn’t know how.

It was a windy day and it felt like time slowed down and the atmosphere changed as we turned the corner that the property sits on.  I heard the wind and at the same time that I felt the air knocked out of me, I saw a red “SOLD” sign dangling by one corner from the “for sale” sign that had been there for half a year. We both stopped abruptly. Neither one of us said a word. We just stood there for a minute before I felt the sting of tears in my eyes.

For the past week, I held out hope. I thought perhaps it wasn’t over. That somehow, it would still work out. The irony of seeing someone I knew well elected on as the town supervisor seemed to say that God was working thing out.  Yesterday, when my husband reported that the signs have been replaced with signs for the company hired by the new owners to paint the house, I saw that it’s no longer listed on the realtor websites. I felt the air leave and the tears burning again.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ~Romans 8:28

I trust God. I believe Romans 8:28 literally, knowing He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him. I also know we have free will which often gets in the way and prevents some of the good things He has planned for us.

Remember that God’s “no” is protection; not rejection.

I’m unsure whether this was a case where God said no out of protection, or if it was our own lack of faith that kept us from stepping out into where He was leading us.  When God led the Israelites out of slavery, He parted the Red Sea for them to reach the promised land, but they still had to walk in faith in order to get through it.

So often, when we feel a leading or a calling from God, we get stuck in the cycle of questioning and overthinking.  There’s a time for praying and a time for action. I’m currently reading The Last Arrow by Erwin Raphael McManus (highly recommend it!) and the day my heart was hurting after seeing the sign, I read this:

“People who are constantly praying about everything may be doing too much talking and not enough listening. The point of prayer is response. And once God has spoken, you don’t need to pry about that anymore—unless, of course, you are trying to change his mind. There are things I don’t need to pray about anymore. I already prayed about them. I know the answer. What I don’t need is clarity. What I do need is courage and conviction.”

Ouch. And yes. So, this is the crossroads of dreaming big and stepping into God’s calling…but only part-way. We all get it wrong sometimes, but that doesn’t mean we should just give up. I may never know whether we lost this opportunity because God was protecting us from something we’re unaware of, or because we prevented ourselves from the opportunity God was drawing us to. But I do know this:  God and our relationship with Him is bigger than any dream (broken or otherwise) and He is a good, good Father.  Thankfully it’s never too late. He’s the God of second chances, and He if this dream was from Him (and I believe without a doubt that it was) He will finish the work He’s started.

Need support with your dreams?

While I don’t have that physical space yet, I do have a virtual one! Both individual clients and members of Rising Soul enjoy ongoing support while setting, vetting, and getting goals, while keeping Christ in the center of their lives.  Schedule a free consultation and I’ll show you how coaching can help you step into the life you were created for.

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The post Broken Dreams (When God Says No) appeared first on Rise Coaching.

My favorite baseball cap says “dreamer” on it.

I’ve considered changing my email signature from “life coach” to “dream catcher.”

I LOVE helping people dream big.

Yesterday, I met with a new client.  She practically radiated as she told me about the BIG dreams God has planted in her heart and described all the branches of it that she’s working on.

She told me she was searching for a coach and that the last person she’d met with had listened -wide eyed- while she shared her vision, and then told her she needed to “just pick one” to work on.

She paused for dramatic effect, and raised her eyebrows as if to say, “what’s your take on that?”

I told her since God had clearly given and affirmed all of this dream for her, I recommend she go with that. (I’m not reckless enough to encourage saying no to your CEO!)

The thing about God-given dreams is that they often don’t seem rational. 

In fact, that’s sometimes an indicator that they’re God’s vision and not ours!

So many of the stories in the Bible involve God telling someone with limitations that He was going to do something big through them…if they obeyed and trusted Him.

Recently, a friend told me the story of her daughter’s first riding lesson.  Her little girl looked so small and timid on that big horse, so my friend called out, “Who’s leading? You or the horse?”  and then added “Someone’s going to be in charge, and if it’s not going to be you, you’d better hold on tight because it’s going to be a wild ride!”

Now, I’m not comparing God to a horse.  But the story made me think of how reversed this is when it comes to our dreams and living the life we were created for.

When I try to do big things on my own, I often feel fearful, overwhelmed and indulgent in doubt and confusion.

But when I give God the reins, and go where He leads, it’s an amazing “ride”.

He takes me places I never would have chosen to go on my own.

He develops my character and strengthens me along the way.

And most of all, He shows me that ALL things are possible with Him.

What dream has God given you that you’ve been too timid to live out?

What’s one step you could take today to show Him that you truly trust Him and are willing to go where He leads?

If you need help facing the fear, I’d be honored to help you on the journey. Click below to schedule a free consult.

It’s a ride I guarantee you won’t regret!

Schedule now

The post Dream Police appeared first on Rise Coaching.

Years ago, when I opened my private practice, I prayed over the name.  I wanted it to point to Christ in an unobtrusive way while sharing the vision of helping women fully embrace who they were created to be.  I brainstormed a list of names: She Rises, Rising Soul, Rising Strong…You get the picture. Lots of Rising happening.

Once I knew I had it, I did all the things.  Applied for the license, registered the names, applied for trademarks, designed my brand, printed signs, yada yada.  I never looked back.

Until I received a call one day from the director of a very LARGE and well-established company in my town.  The woman said she was “just doing a courtesy call” to let me know that they had decided to rebrand, and ironically (insert nervous laughter) the name they had selected….was the same as mine.

I didn’t say much at first (mostly because it’s hard to talk with your heart caught in your throat), but once I gathered myself, I said I didn’t understand.  I politely explained that I’d done all the things.  Step one of registering a company is, after all, researching to be certain the name wasn’t already being used.

She told me that she could understand my “concerns” but that while they hadn’t registered the name yet, they had printed thousands of flyers that would be handed out at the upcoming NFL game in two weeks. (Did I mentioned they were financially backed by this team?)

We agreed to talk again the following week, and I felt nauseous as I hung up and got very little sleep that night. Instead, I seeped in my thoughts:

“This is awful.”

“They can’t do this.”

“There’s no way I can go up against a company this big.”

“I’ll never win.”

The problem with fear and attempting to control things is that

negative emotions never drive positive action or gain positive results. 

The next morning, a coworker came to me and shyly told me she felt weird sharing, but that when she read her devotions that morning, she felt strongly that she was to share it with me, but didn’t know why.  It was the story of Gideon.  Know the story? He had a small army and a large battle to fight.  I imagine him pausing to remove his heart from his throat before asking God how he could possibly overcome his circumstances.

That night, I curled up with my Bible & a cup of tea and got a mental makeover. Not only did God tell Gideon He’d win the battle for him, He actually increased the challenge so Gideon couldn’t question whether it was God‘s “impossible” win.  I laughed out loud when I read the word God used to send him off “ARISE”.  I felt an assurance settle over me that night and in the week that followed.

My thoughts turned from victim to victor. The old crippling thoughts were replaced with

“God’s got this.”

“I’m going to see Him at work here.”

“I’m not alone.”

“He’s a God of the possible.”

“All things are possible with Him.”

Sure I had moments where my pulse quickened and the old thoughts popped up.  But I ran back to the Lord each time, and found belief again.  (And I swear every day’s devotions that week had the Word “Rise” or “Arise” in it!)

I did more homework in preparation, trusting in what God had shown me.  When I answered the phone a week later, I was surprised to hear not just the director announce herself, but an additional five voices including their attorney.  For thirty minutes, he attempted to intimidate me.  I calmly stated that while I empathized with their predicament, the state prohibits companies from using the names of businesses already established in the same city and/or industry because it causes confusion for potential clients.  I explained that as a sole-proprietor, I’d spent a lot of time, energy & resources selecting and registering my name.  And then I politely concluded that it was for all of those reasons that I ask that they continue searching for a new name that was not already registered by an existing business.

The silence was palpable.  They thanked me for my time and ended the call.  Although they gave me no indication of their decision, I felt at peace.  Two months later, I ran into a therapist who works for their business and learned that they returned to the drawing board and had registered a new name.  One which was very different than mine.

So often, we try to fight our battles alone, failing to draw on God’s strength that’s available to us all.  We worry about our
circumstances and ruminate on all the possible bad outcomes.  As a result, we either get stuck in inaction, or we jump blindly into action-attempting to beat the odds. But the reality is that negative emotions never create positive actions or results. 

The next time you’re up against an army, remember who’s leading yours.  Take the time to get in the right headspace before taking action, to ensure that your actions are coming from the right emotion

Acting in fear will create a mess.  Acting in belief brings new confidence.  Here’s what my aligned model looked like (thanks to that friend who shared her heart when she felt God pressing her to!)

Circumstance: Local firm is planning to market using my business name

Thought: “God’s won bigger battles; He’s got this.”

Feeling: Confident (in Him!)

Action: Pray, research, show up kindly & assertively

Result: I let God take over and get to see Him at work.

(My brain then takes this result as “proof” of my original thought, strengthening my belief that God is bigger than anything that comes up against me.)

The next time you’re up against an army, remember who’s leading yours.  Take the time to get in the right headspace before taking action, to ensure that your actions are coming from the right emotion

Need a mental makeover?

If you’re tired of worrying and overthinking things, I can help you with that! Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation call with me and I’ll show you how coaching can help you step into the life you were created for.

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The post When God Takes Over appeared first on Rise Coaching.

As I type this message, my calendar says that the first day of spring is just two weeks away.  …And also, there are gigantic snowflakes falling outside my window.  So please humor me while I share a few lines from my favorite Christmas movie.  Imagine Kris Kringle having a conversation with a very serious little Susan:

“You’ve heard of the British Nation and the French Nation? Well, this is the Imagination. And once you get there you can do almost anything you want.”

Doesn’t it just make you want to head there for spring break?!  It reminds me of my favorite ride at Disney World, The Journey Into the Imagination–with its little purple dragon guide, “Figment”.

The imagination is one of the greatest gifts God gave us.

He created us in His image, and allows us to imagine things in our brain, and then create them in the world.

Look at all the man-made creations surrounding you right now.

They all started in someone’s imagination.

Someone thought them up and then created them in real life.

This is how human imagination was intended to be.

But (as with other gifts God’s given us) we often misuse this gift.

We think of all the bad things that could happen.

We imagine what someone else is thinking, feeling or doing.

We imagine and worry about things going wrong.

And although these things could come true in “real life”, imagining them isn’t useful.

Remember, there is power in thought and imagination.

It can be used for good or bad.

The imagination can be used one of two ways:

1. To better ourselves and the world around us.
2. To create the negative in our life (Think self-fulfilling prophecy).

When we imagine the worst, we lose trust in our Creator.  We fail to believe that He is still in control and with us. 

Instead, just imagine how this may be happening for you, and think of all the ways God is working your current circumstances together for good!

Tired of Imagining the Worst?

If you’re tired of being stuck in worry and negative thinking,

I can help! Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation call with me and I’ll show you how coaching can help you stop worrying and start living.

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The post How Your Imagination Works For or Against You appeared first on Rise Coaching.

If you know me at all, you know that one thing that gets me fired up is people making blanket statements declaring something “evil” that God meant for good.

This week, I saw two different sources proclaim that passion is “rooted in evil”, and “an idol that needs to be torn down”.

Evil?

Passion?

As in, The Passion of the Christ?

Wait a minute….I’m pretty sure Jesus himself was passionate.

He had a passion for His Father, and for His purpose.

To seek, save and love people.

He was so passionate that he died for his purpose.

“Passion” and “Purpose” are often used interchangeably.

And the Bible has plenty to say about our purpose!

All things can be used for good or evil. 

I’ve worked with clients who’ve had the Bible itself used to abuse & manipulate them.

Our passions and purposes only become bad when they contradict God’s, or when we give our whole heart to them –including the parts that belong to Him.  (Like our identity, security, and peace.)

If your purpose is to love littles as a stay at home mom, beautiful! By doing it, you honor God.

But if being Mrs. Brady is all you are, it’s time to step back and remember whose you are!

If your purpose is raising a ton of money to aid missionaries, non-profits, and organizations, you can rest knowing that God is smiling as He watches you work.  But if you feel more or less secure based on your income, you’ve fallen into the trap of trusting in your resource instead of its source!

God creates everything on purpose and for a purpose.

So before we make damning statements that create fear &  division, let’s get specific about what we mean.

“Living on purpose with passion means we’re intentionally living the lives we were created for. ”

Peace comes when what we think, say, and do all align with God’s heart.

When we put God in the center, we can step out in faith, boldly following His lead.

Some of us are blessed with a deep “knowing” of how to use our gifts & passion.

But that assurance isn’t required to impact the world or live out your purpose.

You can smile & make eye contact with people who feel invisible.

Stop what you’re doing to sit with a hurting friend.

Hold the door for a stranger.

Or just hold your tongue.

Don’t be ashamed of your purpose.

It’s not something to fear or hide.

The only approval you need is that of the One who gave them to you in the first place!

Love God.

Live on purpose (with passion)!

Feel a little lost?

Maybe you’re like thousands of women who say they don’t know what their passion or purpose is.  I can help you with that! Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation call with me and I’ll show you how coaching can help you step into the life you were created for.

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The post Are Passion & Purpose Anti-Christian? appeared first on Rise Coaching.

Dana had part of the equation right.  Thinking a negative thought will never produce a positive outcome.
But slapping a new thought (or sticky note) over the old one won’t work either….if it’s not believable.  Dana’s new Pollyanna thought was too big of a leap.  When we try to trick ourselves by forcing a thought we don’t believe, our brain will call “BS” every time.  It says, “Not buyin’ it.  I’ve heard what you’ve said every day and there’s no evidence that that’s true.”

So how do you move from the old thought to the one you want to have?  Build a bridge.Bridge thoughts slowly move you forward in your beliefs through small incremental changes to shift your thinking.  The brain is always looking for evidence of what it already believes to be true, and is quick to resist anything that doesn’t feel familiar. You’ll need to start with a neutral thought that doesn’t trigger that resistance.  This may be starting at “I have a body.” 
Practice that “comfortable” thought.  (Sticky notes galore, if that’s your thing.) Then shift to “My body is healthy”, “I’m grateful that my body allows me mobility”, or a similar thought that you believe is true, and continue bridging to the next thought in small increments.  Test each new thought out.  How do you feel when you think this? Do you feel resistance? Embarrassment? Shame? If you feel any negative emotion, try a different thought.   A negative feeling will never create a positive result! 

Jedi Mind Tricks
At some point, you’re bound to hit a place where any movement forward feels like a bit of a stretch.  When you find that spot, try adding a preface to your new thought. This can help loosen the bolts on the thoughts you’ve held for so long, by helping you envision the future, without all the resistance.

“I’m working on accepting my body.”
“Someday I could love my body.”
“I’m learning to love my body.”You’ve held these old thoughts for quite a while, so they likely won’t change overnight. 

When your old thoughts creep back in (and they will!) give yourself some grace.  Recognize that just because you think something, doesn’t make it true.  When you catch yourself thinking an old/unhelpful thought, reword it by saying, “I’m having a thought that (I hate my body) and that’s okay. It’s just a thought.” This will remind you that it really IS just an optional thought, which won’t be around for long!

Not sure how to apply this to your own life?  Why not do a mini session with me?

Click here. It’s free.

schedule it now

The post Bridge Thoughts (How to Believe Something New) appeared first on Rise Coaching.

Every morning, my husband wakes me by bringing us coffee in bed. (Sorry, he’s taken.) We typically spend an hour sipping while we each read our own devotions , poking each other whenever we come across something to discuss.  This morning, he got tripped up by a quote that said “Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.” He’s a literal man, this husband of mine, so he wanted to know how Coolidge knew this statistic and who defines success.  

The world of coaching is steeped in talk of “success”.  It’s the reason it took interviewing five coaches before I hired mine.  I wanted someone to help me manage my mind, take action so I could help other women live the lives they were created for.  I found lots of coaches who knew the tricks of the trade to becoming “successful” at this new world of online marketing, but I just couldn’t see through their distorted lens that defined “success” and “abundance” from only a  worldly perspective.  I didn’t want to become someone who’s more focused on money and followers than on the souls I’m called to serve.  More than once I heard coaches say they’re driven by the fact that “we only live once”, so they want to go out knowing they gave it their all and accomplished as much as possible before they die.  It sounded like nails on a chalkboard each time I heard it. 

Of course as Christians we know there‘s more than this life, and what we do here has eternal implications.  There’s nothing wrong with wanting to go “all in” when it comes to our lives, as long as the “abundance” we seek is in the areas that really matter.  As Thomas Merton said, we may spend our whole life climbing the ladder of success, only to find when we get to the top that our ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.  I don’t want to “give everything I’ve got” to something that displeases God is or is shallowly focused on this temporary life. 

So, do we have to be in ministry or work at a non-profit, or stay at home or volunteer in the church full time? Absolutely not!  It’s no mistake that we all have unique passions, dreams, talents, and areas of interest.  (Oh, and He came to earth and worked as a carpenter.  There’s that.)  We serve a God who not only creates with purpose, but for pleasure.  (Why else would he make 400,000 kinds of flowers?)  How we find success is not defined by what we do or what we are called.  It comes from being who God created you to be, in connection with Him.

When I began work as a counselor, I met with one of my professors (at a secular college) and told her I wasn’t sure if I wanted to market my practice as Christian or not, because I was afraid it might limit who I reached.  Her words have served me in multiple areas of my life:  “There’s no such thing as secular counseling.  The Holy Spirit is working with and around you regardless of what you do.” 

So who determines what it means to be “successful”? Look up the definition of success online and you’ll see everything from money to fame. Here’s my home-grown definition: Success is joining God in the work He’s doing around me, using the talents & gifts He’s given me, passionately serving others as if working for Him. 

I think Earl Nightengale had it almost perfect.  He taught that people with goals succeed because they know where they’re going. I’d say that’s pretty good. (Or they succeed if they know where they’re going because they’ll be sure their goals align with God’s.)  But he also said success is setting a goal and working toward it.  Notice he didn’t say achieving it.  I like this as well, because God doesn’t ask for perfection; He asks for obedience. (He knows how imperfect we are!)  Remember the story of guy who wasted his talents?

One last thought
Success will never come from serving yourself.

True, you may make lots of money, get that big promotion, or any of the other things this world calls the prize.

But real success will always involve giving it your all, connecting with people, and serving others.

Not sure how to apply this to your own life?  Why not do a mini session with me?

Click here. It’s free.

schedule it now

The post Success Defined appeared first on Rise Coaching.

When I greet my coaching friends and ask how they’ve been, I often get a response I only get from them: “Great! Really uncomfortable.”

Then we laugh and go on to talk about all the risks we’ve been taking in our lives.  Because personal growth takes spending a lot of time beyond the edge of our comfort zones.

It’s okay though.

I know God’s goal is bigger than comfort.

It involves stretching, risking, evolving, trusting, and a lot of other unsettling verbs.

Because (go figure) God’s plans are God-sized.

They’re supposed to be hard. (*wink*)

No mistake.  All by design.

Discomfort is the currency of the work He wants to do in and through you.

Believe me, the journey is well worth the cost!

I’m not a numbers girl, but here’s some math I know well:

fear + action = courage

struggle + action = strength

Struggling in school as a kid provided plenty of both.  As my confidence was torn down, it was replaced with resilience…which I needed decades later when I started graduate school in my 30s.  I was terrified and did it anyway. 

That risk of following God’s lead got me where I am today: in a career I love, helping women live their purpose and create the lives they were created for.  I can assure you the journey here did not feel comfy!

It taught me another equation:

Discomfort ≠ “I can’t”

Discomfort comes in many indulgent flavors: confusion, overwhelm, fear, doubt… 
 
It’s not the flavor that matters, but what we make it mean.

The brain reports: “This is a terrible idea.  We should quit… or snack…or check Facebook.  For sure that would feel better!”

 
It can’t see that fear during transformation might just mean you’re on the right path.

When allowed to lead, these thoughts and emotions will keep you from the amazing opportunities God has for you.

So if you’re listening to His whispers and dreams (perhaps beyond your capabilities), expect to feel uncomfortable.  
 
Allow all the feelings that come when He’s stretching & shaping you into greater things.  

God’s got you, girl.

And you’re right where He wants you.

Not sure how to apply this to your own life?  Why not do a mini session with me?

Click here. It’s free.

schedule it now

The post Get Comfortable with Discomfort appeared first on Rise Coaching.

I love fall. Every last bit of it. 

Eye-popping red trees. Hot cups of tea. Pumpkin everything. Down comforters.  

Even the brisk air that smells of decaying leaves and foliage.  To me, it’s a time of year that brings comfort and all things good. 

The new school year brings the family home to gather for the evenings & weekends, and  on the nights when I’m home alone, you can bet I’ll be curled up with a book and cup of tea– Pandora softly playing, and the smell of candles filling the room. It’s a time to pause and reset.  Every autumn, my husband and I sneak away for a weekend to take it all in. We travel to our favorite spot– beyond the WiFi and cell-towers. I read aloud while he drives, pausing to discuss things along the way. As soon as we arrive, he lights a fire while I pour the wine. 

We camp out on the couch (pulled up close to the fire), surrounded by books and things we can’t find time for at home. We set them aside every once-in-a-while to daydream aloud and share whatever is on our minds–fully enjoying each other’s company.  Rare indulgence.

Throughout the weekend we discuss and pray over our goals as a couple, individuals, and for our businesses.  When we need a break, we crunch through the leaves in the woods, praying our dogs don’t encounter a skunk running ahead of us.  We savor sleeping in, and the first one awake runs downstairs to bring two steaming cups of coffee back into bed.  Pure bliss.    When was the last time you took a time-out to rejuvenate?  All living things need attention in order to thrive, and will deteriorate if left unattended.  Relationships Passions Businesses Souls   Clients often tell me they’re bored…with their spouse, their job, their life.  They say they envy what someone else has. 

They think the grass is greener on the other side, but the reality is, the grass is greener where it’s watered.

What are you watering? Nurturing? Setting aside time to get intentional about? Pull out your calendar and look at the next 4-8 weeks. Find some time that you can block out, before the hecticness of the holidays kick in, and make a date with your future self. 

Write it in ink in your schedule.

Appreciate what you have.

Notice what’s going well.

Allow yourself to dream.

Soak it all in.

…Can you smell the pumpkin spice?

Not sure how to apply this to your own life?  Why not do a mini session with me?

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