Love or Fear: Which Will You Choose?

Do the messages you most need to hear seem to pop up around you? That happens to me all the time. For many years, I didn’t really pay attention and I’m sure I missed a lot of signs the universe was sending my way. But more and more over the last few years, I pay attention.

As I move through my own journey, I am constantly reminded where I’ve been, where I am, and where I am going. It’s great to have reminders. But it’s even better to have confirmation and validation, and a little nudge when needed.

Fear has been a big theme that’s come up for me over the last couple years. So much so that I became a certified trainer for the “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway®” process (through its creator Susan Jeffers Ph.D.). I am a strong believer that many of us teach what we most need to learn.

Although I may be considered an expert in helping people move through fear, I must still face my own. Some challenges I move through faster, while others linger and keep providing lessons.

Recently I stumbled upon a video excerpt of comedian Jim Carrey giving a commencement speech. Watch it below.

In it, there is a profound statement that stood out to me (that I needed to hear…again…as I’m facing a tough decision):

“The decisions we make in this moment are based in either love or fear.”

Think about it. When you are faced with a challenge, do you make decisions based out of love or fear? And what does that look like?

Out of love, you might:

• Show concern for how others are doing, rather than focus solely on how you are affected
• See the perspective of all those involved, regardless of what they have done
• Be compassionate and forgiving
• Act in the interest of the higher good, even if it’s not exactly what you want to do

Out of fear, you might:

• Blame others for how you are feeling
• Only see your side of things and not be able to hear other perspectives
• Be constricted, shutting down, escaping, or avoiding the situation (or people involved)
• Act in your own interest, even if it’s not good for others (or yourself)

In every situation, we have a choice. We can act out of love or act out of fear. It’s not always easy, but it is possible. Next time you are about to make a decision, take a moment to ask yourself how you want to be. Do you want to act out of love or out of fear? Remember, how you act will help shape your future.

Creativity to Overcome Fear, Handle Stress & Manage Transitions: An Interview with Krylyn Peters

For more tips on using creativity to work through stress, overwhelm, anxiety, and fear, join me for the Creativity and Wellness Summit, a FREE LIVE online event where I’ll be interviewing 16 experts who will share their best tips to help you move through the barriers that keep you stuck personally and professionally. Register at http://www.CreativityAndWellnessSummit.com

The Creativity and Wellness Connection: An Interview with Krylyn Peters

Do you consider yourself to be creative? Do you think creativity is reserved for the lucky few who have certain skills and talents? It’s amazing how often people are quick to declare themselves as not creative simply because they don’t paint or play an instrument or do something else that is artistic. Creativity is something we all possess, whether we realize it or not. While we may not show creativity in artistic expression, it’s in there. And creativity is an essential ingredient to leading a healthy, happy, balanced life. Come listen as Kelly Galea interviews me and I share:

• Why creativity is so important to good emotional and mental health
• What really gets in the way of being creative
• How to tap into your innate creativity (even if you think you don’t have a creative bone in your body)

For more tips on using creativity to work through stress, overwhelm, anxiety, and fear, join me for the annual Creativity and Wellness Summit, a FREE online event where I interview experts – psychotherapists, coaches, authors, and spiritual healers – who will share their best tips to help you move through the barriers that keep you stuck personally and professionally. Register at http://www.CreativityAndWellnessSummit.com

Get Up, Get Up Right Now…

I’m curious.. what was the first thing you thought of when you got out of bed today?

Just a few years ago I used to wake up and lay there wondering what the heck I was getting out of bed for, paralyzed by an illusion of confusion, a serious lack of clarity about what I wanted to do with my life and how I would ever get all of this potent creativity out of my body and into the world.

The long and short of it is this: I used to dread. waking. up.

Can you relate? 

Have you ever had a period of your life where you didn’t want to get out of bed? In fact, you may have wanted to stay there all day?

I know what that feels like!

And now, I know what it feels like to wake up and have the very first thought come to my mind be ‘Thank you, Thank you, Thank you’ as I wrap my arms around my body and say to myself, ‘I love you Laura.. I love you sooo much! I am whole complete and perfect, I am healthy wealthy and wise.’

What a turn around from just a few years ago!

The shift began when I started to step out of victim mode and into my power.

After reading Charles Haanel’s The Master Key six months after starting my first business, I was struck by his message to begin noticing what I was focusing on. Was I focusing on what I want or what I don’t want?

Guess what?! As open minded, aware and conscious as I thought I was, I realized that more than 50% of the time I was thinking about what I don’t want, what wasn’t working and feeling the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be as some type of cruel joke that the ‘Universe’ was playing on me.

I decided it was time for a major perspective shift!

Instead of wondering HOW I was going to do it, I began to focus more on the gifts that I dreamed of sharing with the world. 

Instead of focusing on the gap, I started focusing on the next step as it became very clear to me that BABY STEPS BECOME QUANTUM LEAPS!

I want to be very clear with you about something… this journey has not been easy. It has taken a concerted effort on my part to become absolutely diligent about noticing where my focus was, what was I thinking about and then shifting my thoughts in the moment.

I BECAME THE WITNESS to my internal dialogue in new and powerful ways.. 

I made a commitment to myself to listen to my heart, and that subtle voice inside that may not be very loud, but keeps showing up over and over again (in my heart, in my head, on the computer, out on the street, in a magazine or book.. you know the one!)

Here’s the thing.. for most human beings our lives, businesses, legacies are developed over time by choosing one thing, then the next, then the next.

I used to want it to just HAPPEN ALREADY! I mean… Haven’t I DONE ENOUGH WORK YET? Haven’t I SUFFERED and TOILED enough already?! When will it be MY TIME to SHINE?!  And when will I get that much-needed BREAK to leapfrog to the next level?!

I also realized that I was showing up as a victim once I started to ask myself (or be asked by my twin sister, my coach, and other empowered people I surround myself with), ‘Where’s your power when you try to blame someone else for where you haven’t gotten to yet, what you haven’t achieved, what you haven’t done?’

Hmmmm…. great question!

Here’s what I know to be true: If it all happened at once it might not work out so well, because we need to build new muscles in order to hold the gigantic space that Universe, God/Goddess, Creation is calling us to hold.

Everyone has their own journey.. ENJOY the journey and forgive yourself when you start to compare yourself to others and feel crappy about your own evolution/transformation!

We all have our unique set of gifts and challenges..

As all of this was marinating and percolating within me, I decided to put together a small group of ladies to collaborate, write songs and sing together. Through this Divine guidance, I channelled a song I now call Get Up.

The chorus poured out of me: “Get up get up right now, get out of your way. The world is calling you, to leave your greatest legacy!”

This has since become a powerful mantra for me and many others to remind us to get up and get out of our way so we can do our greatest work in the world. Remember, the Universe is in fact conspiring to shower you with blessings. Every challenge is an opportunity your SOUL has created for you to shine most brightly in this moment and always.

I find that mantras are powerful vibration and energy-boosters that I now integrate regularly into my experience. Tapping into your creativity daily makes a huge positive impact on your attitude and keeps you connected with your essence, so you can be maximally effective in all areas of your life. Click here to access more of the mantras and inspiration I share regularly!!

I’m thrilled to be one of the featured guests on Krylyn’s Creativity and Wellness Summit and I’ll be sharing about the power of mantras to uplift, energize and empower your life. Look forward to connecting with you on my interview Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 6:00PM PST / 9:00PM EST. You can access “Get Up” as my bonus gift to you just for signing up for the Summit at http://www.CreativityAndWellnessSummit.com.

Many blessings along your journey and keep getting UP (.. out of bed.. and out of your own way!!)

3 Tips to Surviving Under Pressure

Have you ever been in the middle of something big? A huge transformation, project, or undertaking? And in the midst of it, so many challenges arise that you think you’re about to explode or end up in the corner in fetal position?

I’ve certainly been there. In fact I’m there RIGHT NOW.

What I’ve noticed is that every challenge gives me an opportunity. A window of smaller transformation within the bigger transformation. Let me explain…

We’ve all got issues. Some of us deal with insecurities based on how we were raised, or situations we’ve experienced, or that inner critical voice that’s never satisfied. And those issues surface in one form or another every time something doesn’t go as expected. We may question ourselves, our confidence, our worth, our ability, our strength, our capacity to manage all the unexpected turmoils that come our way.

For me, the big struggle is with being visible and not wanting to disappoint others. I was taught to be in the shadows and not make waves. And that certainly helped me survive a not so ideal childhood. But for someone called to a greater purpose of helping others find their voice and not let their past define their future, it isn’t an effective strategy. In fact, it’s pretty much the opposite of an effective strategy.

I’ve learned more effective strategies over the years. But sometimes, old patterns resurface, especially in times of great change. Recently, I’ve noticed that as I’m stepping into my greatness in a bigger way, the challenges I face can bring up that survival instinct, which beckons me to shrink, hide, defend myself, make excuses, and listen to others dictate what I should or shouldn’t do. Sound familiar?

So what I find most helpful during these times is to remind myself:

• What my why is.
• How I want to show up in the world.
• What works (and doesn’t work) to calm and center myself during difficult times.

Here’s some tips on how you can put these strategies in place:

1. Write down WHY you are doing what you’re doing. It’s easy to get caught up in WHAT we are doing when working toward a goal or moving through a change or transition. But the WHAT are the details and that’s where we can get overwhelmed and stuck. Focusing on and remind ourselves of the WHY can help us keep our “eyes on the prize” and connected to the motivation of why we are doing our what. Post your written WHY where you can see it often. (Mine is next to my computer).
2. Think about how you want to BE. If you’re drawing a blank, it might be easier to think of how you DON’T want to be. When I’m going through a challenge, I don’t want to be stressed, irritable, impatient, unorganized, or too much in my head (with thoughts spinning out of control). What I do want to be is calm, grateful, forgiving, open, and centered.
3. Identify and SCHEDULE things you can DO to create how you want to be. For example, if I want to be calm, I need to follow it with action. Being calm in the midst of chaos isn’t a default for me. I’ve had to work at it, and I know what makes things better (or worse) when life seems to be crashing down around me. I know that breathing, using my lavender spray, resting, taking breaks, drinking water, getting fresh air, etc. help me tremendously. They may not solve the issue at hand, but they allow me to be more centered and able to handle what’s going on. Write down what works for you and keep it close. If you’re like me, you tend to forget what works when life gets harry. Make it easy on yourself by having a list handy when you know you might need it.

Remember that life has its ups and downs. You have no control over what happens around you. But you do have control over how you handle it. Often the biggest lessons are not in the actual event or situation we’re faced with, but in how we can get through it with our sanity intact.

Photo by: Tom Martin

Life Lessons from My Cat

I am a cat person. I’ve enjoyed having feline companions most of my life. There’s something about the way they approach things that really resonates with me. They have a quiet confidence and know exactly what they want, and I admire that.

I’ve enjoyed the company of my black, domestic cats, Boomer and Hoover, for 10 years. That is until Hoover got very ill recently and I made the painful decision to help him transition and find peace. But his spirit is still with me and I find myself still appreciating him and what he, along with his brother, have had to teach me about life, love, and letting go.

• Rest matters. Like a little Buddha master, my cat is quick to remind me that sometimes the best answer is just to take a little time out for a nap. He can often be found chilling out on the couch or a chair nearby, languishing in a little reverie. Sometimes he curls up in a ball. Sometimes he’s on his back sprawled out with exposed belly.
• You gotta eat regularly. I could set a clock to the “feed me” meows that fill the air in my house. My cat is always there to remind me it’s time to eat. After all, eating helps fuel all the feline antics he enjoys.
• Water changes everything. When I accidentally let the water level in my cat’s dish get too low, all bets are off in my house. It’s the one thing that gets the strongest reaction from him. He follows me around, staring with those big, saucer eyes. If that doesn’t work, he meows repeatedly. He circles around near his water dish and then if all else fails, he corners me in the kitchen. It’s obvious his stress level is at an all time high. And as soon as he gets some water, he calms immediately.
• Cleanliness is a virtue. My cat spends more time preening and cleaning himself than any creature I’ve ever known. He rivals any teenage girl. He takes his hygiene very seriously, indulging after meals, after potty time, and before and after napping. He is all about being presentable and ready for anything.
• It’s okay to ask for what you want. Anyone who knows cats knows that they often don’t just ask for what they want, they demand it. But one thing is for sure…they are on a mission. When hungry, they let you know. When thirst, they let you know. When it’s time for a good ear scratching, they are right there brushing up against you letting you know they need something. If we all could be so bold in the asking, I think our stress levels would drop exponentially. But we get caught up thinking we’ll be a nuisance, or thinking our needs aren’t important (or as important as others’).
• You can’t stay mad forever. My cat is a master at letting go. Don’t get me wrong, if he gets upset, he lets it be known. A sideways glare, a batting of the paw, a hiss, or a lovely surprise on the bathroom rug, he’s never at a loss for letting his feelings be known. But he also gets over it quickly. He doesn’t hold onto anger for long. He just needs his space or some attention, and he’s back to his affectionate self.
• Love is in the details. While some people long for a passionate, all-consuming love, pet owners know that love is about companionship, trust, and loyalty. What we do on a consistent basis really matters. And the act of taking care of another living thing is tremendously rewarding.

While I’m sure there are more lessons to come, I sure have enjoyed what my cats have taught me so far about life. They are true masters at living in the moment.