Today we launched the second module of our new course 2023 and Me: A Journey from Head to Heart and Soul. In the course, we're working on simple tools that get us out of our brain and into our heart. We were talking about developing a gratitude practice. Some people choose to have a ritual surrounding their gratitude practice. Starr, my co-facilitator, gets up, takes her dog for a walk and sits on a bench down by the river near her house every morning where she reflects on gratitude while watching the dolphins play.

My practice is not based on any ritual. I wake up when my body decides to wake up. With my eyes still closed, I simply reach out to where my cat Sundae is sleeping alongside me. I bury my fingers in her fur, which makes her purr. I am grateful for her purring. And with my fingers still in her fur and feeling the vibration of her purring, I lay in bed and add to my gratitude list.

Today, I find myself wondering why I find her purring so profoundly powerful. Also, today, I spent some time exploring the relatively new trend of AI. Artificial Intelligence. I was introduced to AI by a man who I might be collaborating with. I downloaded the app he recommended and started exploring.

I found myself wondering about the power of Sundae's purr, so I decided to ask AI. Here's what I got ... 

The Healing Power of Cat Purring: Understanding the Benefits of Feline Vibrations

Cats have been a beloved part of human society for thousands of years, and it's easy to see why. With their soft fur, playful antics, and soothing purrs, cats have a way of making us feel calm and comforted. But did you know that the sound of a cat's purr may actually have therapeutic benefits? Let's explore the healing power of cat purring and how it can improve our physical and emotional well-being.

What is a cat purr?

A cat's purr is a unique sound that is produced when a cat is happy, content, or feeling relaxed. It is a low, vibration-like hum that can be heard from a distance, and it is believed to be produced by the rapid contraction of the muscles in a cat's larynx (voice box) and diaphragm. Purring occurs at a frequency of 25-150 Hertz, which is within the range of sounds that have been shown to have therapeutic effects on the body.

The Benefits of Cat Purring for Physical Health

The therapeutic effects of cat purring have been well documented in scientific research. Purring vibrations have been shown to have a number of benefits for our physical health, including:

1. Pain Relief: Purring vibrations are thought to help reduce pain and promote healing. Studies have shown that the low frequency vibrations produced by a cat's purr can help to reduce inflammation, swelling, and promote tissue regeneration. This makes cat purring a natural pain reliever for conditions like arthritis, wounds, and other types of physical pain.
2. Improved Bone Density: The low frequency vibrations produced by a cat's purr have also been shown to improve bone density. This is especially beneficial for older cats who are more prone to bone weakness and fractures.
3. Lower Stress Levels: Purring vibrations have a calming effect on the body, which can help to lower stress levels and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The Benefits of Cat Purring for Emotional Health

In addition to the physical benefits of cat purring, there are also emotional benefits to consider. Purring has been shown to have a therapeutic effect on our emotional well-being, including:

1. Reduced Stress: As mentioned earlier, the soothing vibrations of a cat's purr can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels. This can lead to improved mood and reduced symptoms of depression.
2. Improved Sleep: Purring vibrations can also help to promote relaxation and better sleep. Studies have shown that the low frequency vibrations produced by a cat's purr can help to induce a state of calm and promote restful sleep.
3. Increased Feelings of Comfort: Spending time with a cat and hearing its purr can help to increase feelings of comfort and security. This can be especially helpful for people who are struggling with feelings of loneliness or isolation.

How to Benefit from Cat Purring

If you're interested in experiencing the therapeutic benefits of cat purring, the easiest way to do so is simply by spending time with a cat. Whether you're petting your own cat or visiting a local animal shelter, the sound of a cat's purr can be a powerful source of comfort and healing.
For those who may not have access to a cat, there are also other ways to experience the benefits of cat purring. For example, you can listen to recordings of cat purring, or even use a purring cat toy. While these alternatives may not have the same therapeutic effects as spending time with a real cat, they can still provide some level of comfort and relaxation.

Wow ... who knew there was so much to the simple purr of a cat!

And ... wow again ... about this AI thing! 

Which brings me back to the vibration of Sundae's purring and how grateful I am to start my day with that vibration as part of my gratitude practice.

And to finding balance in whatever tools and resources life brings us.

So while I was in Florida visiting my Dad, my Ukranian family, Tamara, Anastasia (12) and Sofia (8) with the help of one of their teachers and her Mom, turned my home into a recording studio of sorts and created this amazing gift for me and for the world. I am honored to share it with you and with the world. And I am amazed at how it all weaves back into my own story and reminds me that even though my Mom has long since passed, she is right here with me.
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​I shared the video with a dear friend of mine who I knew would appreciate the sentiment.  "So while I was in Florida visiting my Dad, my Ukranian family was creating this in my living room. Beyond words ?" I texted to him. To which he responded, "Wow! This is kind of unbelievable. How does this sort of thing happen? Certainly not what you were expecting when you signed up to host Ukranian refugees in your home."

Certainly not! I never could have imagined the bond we have created in just a few short months. I never could have fully understood experiencing pure joy in the midst of the most challenging circumstances. And yet, here we are. The war rages on in Ukraine while this beautiful experience was happening in my living room. 

Which got me to thinking how it all came about. I could go back to just a few months ago and a call I got from a wonderful couple who work very hard, have been very fortunate in life and do a lot for our community. They called to ask me if I had room in my inn for a family they were considering sponsoring from the Ukraine. Hmmmm ... if I reflect on that call from the perspective of the reason for the season, I could get all very easily dip into the story of Jesus and Mary and Christmas.

Instead, I'll let you in on what was happening on my end around the war in Ukraine and my Mom's influence on my life overall. It's all connected anyway!

One weird fact is that the war in Ukraine started on my birthday, 2/24. So that certainly caught my attention. Another fact is that my Mom was always about taking care of the kids. When she was younger, she always wanted to be a social worker working with kids, but her guidance counselor told her that she was much too emotional and would not be able to handle the emotions involved in working with kids in difficult situations.

I can remember as a child, we would go grocery shopping and always buy two extra bags of groceries for the other family. And then we would make a game of delivering the groceries to that family without ever being discovered.

When my youngest brother Scott was in middle school, Mom was starting to feel that empty nest thing as the kids grew up and she needed something to take care of. She thought about volunteering and did some of that, but ultimately decided to add a bit of culture to her house and decided to host an exchange student from Spain. Gotzon was with us for a year. Then came his brother Kerman. And then their sister Leire. Through our exchange student experiences, we grew as a family and got exposure to different cultures. That resulted in a connection between families that still thrives to this day and includes attending weddings, trips to Spain and the US, and a myriad of snail mail, email and social media exchanges.

One of my last memories of my Mom’s obsession taking care of the children was when Manatee Hospital staff was getting ready to evacuate her to an Orlando hospital during Hurricane Ian. I went to see her before the EMT’s came to transport her. She was in a panic. She had no TV on and wasn’t near a window so she could see what was happening outside. She just intuitively knew something was up. I walked into her room and she was agitated. I attempted to calm her down, but she kept looking around to see if anyone was looking.

She grabbed my hand and told me that something bad was happening and I needed to help the children. She pulled me closer, reached underneath her bedcovers and began stuffing blankets under my jacket. Apparently, she had kept asking the nurse for blankets and hiding them under her bedding. She had about 8 blankets and as she attempted to stuff them all under my jacket, she kept babbling. The essence of which told me that she wanted to be sure that the kids would be warm and safe and dry.

“Please take care of them” she kept saying. “They will be afraid and I can’t get to them, so please keep them warm and safe and dry.” It was a wild and somewhat disturbing experience to see my Mom on the edge of incoherent, as her elevated ammonia levels from her UTI was having its way with her brain. But there was the essence of who she was … always worried about the children.

So ... fast forward to June of 2022. I had a dream of the scene above. The hurricane, my Mom stuffing blankets in my jacket. I’ve had this dream before, but this time, the dream was infused with flashes of fire and what sounded like bombs. I woke up disturbed. Something made me turn on the news. I heard reports of bombings in Ukraine. Fucking Putin. I was angry. My heart was heavy. And there were tears streaming down my cheeks.

At that moment, I got a text from my friend Sue who was living here at the time. She asked me to meet her for coffee in the kitchen. I went downstairs and she was crying. She, too, had a disturbing dream and woke up thinking about Ukraine. She was feeling compelled to do something but had no idea what to do. Donate money? To where? Send clothing? Pray? Meditate for world peace? All of the above?

At that very moment, when we were talking about taking action and trying to figure out what to do, I got a text from Joe, the former owner of this house. He asked if he could call me and discuss something he was considering that involved me and the house.

Twenty minutes later Joe called and told me of a sponsorship for refugees program that he and Nancy were considering. They had gotten an email from Dima, a former employee who came to the Valley one summer and worked with Joe at the restaurant during his exchange year in the US. Dima and his family lived in Ukraine and their community was beginning to see evidence of the war. He was not able to leave the country, but he asked Joe if he could help find refuge for his family (wife and two daughters).

Joe and Nancy discussed the situation and decided that  If they could find housing for the family (tough to do in the Valley these days and especially in the summer season) they would apply for sponsorship, which involved a 2 year financial commitment. Joe and Nancy have the money but were a bit worried about finding suitable housing and emotionally supporting the family.

When Joe and I talked, I knew what I had to do. I had just come home from Florida after a long ordeal with my dad with the sole focus of monetizing the property for the summer season. That day I decided to move out of my apartment, rent it to Joe for Tamara, Sofia and Anastasia from Ukraine and create a studio space for me in the barn for the summer and figure out living space for me somewhere else in the house when the weather got colder.

So now, I have a house full of traveling health care professionals in the main house, I have created a very nice space in the massage suite for myself, and the Ukrainian family has settled in quite nicely upstairs in my old apartment. We’ve had many opportunities to share meals, attend meetings to get them set up for health care and school and working papers and all the other things involved in creating a new life in a new country. The news back in Ukraine is sad and Tamara, the mom cries every day. But they are safe and warm and have landed in a community full of love and support.

As you can see in the video, they are quite amazing. I consider myself lucky and honored to have created safe, secure space for them to find some peace again while the war rages on. When I saw this video, I could literally feel my Mom’s energy and inspiration come through it.

Yes, indeed, it is all kind of unbelievable. Who knows how this sort of thing happens, but it does ... when we least expect it and in ways we never could have thought up on our own. However, when we look back in retrospect of what led us to today, it all makes perfect sense. And it is all connected ❤️

Addendum: The creators of this video have given me and you permission to share it far and wide. it is a message that will never grow old. Here is the youtube link if you are so inclined to share it: https://youtu.be/6PkNsSOd_OE

Ohhhh ... it's windy, snowy, freezing rainy ugly outside. The lights are blinking and I'm pretty sure the internet will go down soon. And, oh, I lost my phone last night about an hour away from home and the roads are much too bad to venture outside to go find it where I think I left it or go to Verizon near the house to get a new one. The truth is, I forgot to change my summer tires for my studded snow tires before my last trip to Florida to get eyes on Dad. Uggh!!! Not a good thing in northern NH winters.
So, I'll be wrapping some gifts, tidying up and then curling up with the cats to do some reflective writing. I’ve been writing a lot lately. Blog posts coming soon.

After that I will continue reading a book I came across in one of my recent sorting out stuff in the barn sprees. The title, by Sarah Knight, captured my attention. The Life-Changing Magic on Not Giving a F*%&: How to stop spending time you don't have with people you don't like doing things you don't want to do.

Hmmm ... I don't recall ever buying it, yet there it was grabbing my attention.

As I flipped through the table of contents, it seemed like the perfect read for where I am as we wrap up 2022. I think it will serve my intention to create a more joy and a more intentional self care practice and redesign a new normal for myself in 2023.
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I'm feeling a major shift happening. I love my life, but I am coming to the realization that I've been spending too much time and energy worrying about things that are beyond my control, that I really don't care about anyway. It’s time to realign.

If the title offends you, I'm lovingly practicing the foundational principles of this book and self care by saying ... I don't give a f*%$. Do with that what you will.

But seriously, if you are overwhelmed, stressed, have difficulty saying no, or find yourself spending time you don't have doing things you really don't want to do, worrying about things that you really have no control over or spending time with people you really don't like, this book can help.
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For my next read, in between practicing the principles outlined in Marie Kondo’s The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up as I continue sorting out stuff in the barn, I might just dive into The Art of Doing Nothing while singing, “Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful …”

I just spent an unexpected, but profoundly impactful ten minutes on the phone with a wonderful young man while trying to sort out an issue with my retirement plan. After I joked about having a early onset senior moment that was affecting my brain and making it not able to function like it used to, he piped in and told me that he I was not alone. With a sense of sadness, he stated that his brain wasn't functioning quite like it used to either, and he assured me it had nothing to do with my age. How sweet, but I am who I am and my being simply doesn’t allow that type of comment, accompanied by what I sense was some deep sadness and concern, to go unaddressed without digging a little deeper. He went deeper with me. I’m always amazed at where those conversations take me and even more intrigued about what happens next.

So there I am, on the phone with a man trying to sort out an issue with my retirement plan and I find myself leading a mini coaching session about why he was feeling so disconnected at 30-something. He cited Covid, the news, financial worries and health concerns all being part of it for him. He stated that its something he and his peers are dealing with every day.

I am always guided, thus I dug a little deeper into the health thing. He disclosed having anxiety that he had never noticed before. He shared the details easily. At the end of his sharing, he stated concern that he was beginning to notice his anxiety affecting his physical health. I shared some resources, for which he was grateful.

Then I asked for another minute of his time and asked for his feedback. I shared my theory that our society spends so much time focused on physical health (diet, exercise, etc.) and not enough time teaching us how to deal with our emotions. My sense that we are missing key components about how to support our emotional health that creates both physical and mental health issues. He agreed but said he hadn't thought much about dealing with the emotional part. His focus was more on his physical health.

I asked him if he was doing anything specific to support his emotional health now that he suspected it was connected to his physical health. He told me that he no longer starts his day with the news and that he was seeking support for his physical health. He also mentioned being concerned about finances and inflation.

I asked him if he thought people in his age group could use more specific (and simple) emotional support tools to help get their brains and their hearts connected  and help them heal from the past several years and he said a resounding YES with an additional comment that everyone could use these kind of tools, not just people his age.

I hung up the phone with my retirement plan issue resolved and new inspiration. I’ve spent the past few days sorting out old paper and computer files, including old blog posts, unfinished books, half developed classes and endless content that the world needs, especially now. I have studied with and been mentored by human potential gurus. I have learned how to connect the brain and the heart and live a heart centered life. I have learned how to deal with difficult emotions, overcome huge challenges, process tremendous grief, managing difficult and troubling situations and I have learned to let it all go and tune into the present moment and feel immense gratitude for the gift of my breath and watch what miracles unfold when I am able to do just that.

The call with Andre fixed my retirement plan issue. It also gave me an opportunity to share some resources with him. But when I hung up the phone, I got goosebumps.

I believe that the body of work I've been studying for the past 20 years is foundational to connecting head to heart and helping people stop looking back for what used to be "normal" and start intentionally moving forward to create the heart centered, empowered life many of us are seeking.

I have so much content and so many tools to share.It’s time to compile all I know about connecting head and heart to support emotional (thus physical and mental) health into blog posts, ebooks, courses, services and yes, perhaps even creating a heart centered living community hat will have an impact on the world and serve people in expanding their experiences into living a more intentional and heart centered, empowered life.

The truth is, I’m already doing it each and every day in small but impactful ways. I do it wherever I go, in whatever I am doing and whenever I sense something deeper going on. Like my interaction with Andre, the customer service agent this morning. If I follow my heart and go with it, I always am guided to ask that curious question, create emotional safe space, share a tool or a resource or simply connect and serve in a way that I have impact in even the shortest of interactions. Some would call that laser coaching. Some would call it divine intervention. I call it my superpower.

Clearly it’s time to organize it all in a way that will serve people who are seeking a new way, like my new friend, Andre.

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​It was the last day of a weeklong conference in early December several years ago. As I left my hotel room on my way to the meeting, I noticed a penny on the floor right outside my door. I bent down, picked it up and proceeded to the convention center. On my way, I decided that I'd had enough of meetings and that I would venture out to do some Christmas shopping instead.

​I went down to the hotel lobby to find out about local shopping. As I waited for the concierge to finish with the guest before me, I noticed a penny on the floor by my foot. I bent down and picked it up. The concierge gave me brochures for two big malls in Atlanta, as well as walking directions to the subway. While I was walking through the maze of buildings, on my way to the subway, I decided that I really wasn't in the mood for mall shopping and would much prefer shopping in specialty shops for different kinds of gifts. The thought had no sooner crossed my mind when I turned the corner, and found myself in the middle of a food court, surrounded by specialty shops. Delighted, I started to browse and met some great people along the way.

I decided it was time for a coffee break. As I walked toward the coffee vendor, I lost my footing, spun around a bit, and lost my balance. Although I didn't fall, I had turned about 90 degrees and almost twisted my ankle. As I got my bearings, I found myself looking into a bookstore and directly at one specific bookshelf. The only title that I could see clearly was a small book titled Small Miracles. I looked down to see why I had slipped and there, on the floor was another penny. I picked it up and went into the bookstore and purchased the book. 

I proceeded to the coffee vendor, found another penny at my foot while they got my coffee. I found a seat and began reading the book. It was all about coincidences. Believe it or not, the introduction even makes references to finding pennies! Okay, so that got my attention paying attention as I recalled all the pennies I had found since I left my room this morning. It was as if I was being called to pay close attention to where the pennies were leading me. 

Awhile later, I headed back to my room to check out and head out to catch my flight. When I arrived at the airport, I found out that my flight was cancelled. The next flight home was full, so I was rebooked on another flight to another destination that would eventually get me home to Providence in two flights. I didn't have much choice if I wanted to get home in time for an event I had scheduled.

As I approached the new gate for the rebooked flight, I heard someone call my name. It was a man I had graduated college with 15 years before. I hadn't seen since graduation! As we caught up, they made an announcement that my flight was delayed. The delay would cause me to miss my connection. He offered to let me stay with him and catch an early flight out in the morning. What were the chances?

I needed to call home to let them know that I would not be home that night, but the lines for the phones were outrageous. (Clearly this all happened way back, before the days that my cell phone was always charged and close to the palm of my hand! ) I walked down to one of the gates with a shorter line and waited my turn in line. I was next in line. I dropped my calling card on the floor and as I bent down to pick it up, I noticed a penny at my foot. Of course I picked it up. As I lifted my head, I looked up to see a colleague making a phone call. I had not seen him in over a year! Our eyes met and a smile came across his face as he motioned for me to wait for him.

As he came over to me, he was shaking his head and reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a piece of paper that had a list of names. My name was on that list of people he was going to call the next day. Although we hadn't done business together for over a year, he had just signed a contract that day that he wanted to talk to me about a contract! I asked him where he was headed. He was going direct to St. Louis, I was headed to Pittsburgh. I asked him why he was making a call at the Portland, Maine gate and he said that he just kept walking until he got to the shortest telephone line!

As I walked back to the Pittsburgh gate, I noticed that the direct flight to Providence that was previously full was in the final boarding stages. Something made me approach the ticket agent and ask if there were any available seats. The attendant informed me that there was one more seat. She changed my ticket and in a few minutes, I was on my way home via the direct flight to Providence.

I was the last passenger to board the plane. As I went to sit down, there was a penny on my seat! The man in the seat next to me commented on the smile I had on my face. He said I looked like the cat that ate the canary. I told him the story of my day, starting with the first penny outside my hotel room and ending with the one I had just found on my seat. As I looked at the penny, I noticed the words, "In God We Trust". God, Source, Universe, whatever you want to call it, there was definitely something guiding me along a path paved with pennies. I was amazed, he was curious and we talked a lot about life, coincidences and paying attention on that flight.

As we were waiting to deplane, he shook my hand and thanked me for sharing my days events. He said that he needed to be reminded to trust something beyond himself. He needed to be reminded about faith. He said that he needed to be reminded to get out of his head and pay attention to what was happening around him. He said, with tears in his eyes, that my story was just what he needed to hear to wake him up before he lost his wife and family. He continued ...

He told me that when he had left on his trip, his wife told him she wanted a divorce. She told him that he had become disconnected from life, their relationship and their family. He simply wasn't paying attention. We walked off the plane and headed to baggage claim where I watched him hug his wife and whisper something in her ear. She smiled and hugged him back. I sensed a renewed connection.

I smiled at him, waved and wiped away a tear. And when I went to call my ride, I found a quarter on the top of the pay phone!!! I have been finding the coins and the signs ever since. And I always pay attention!

During the first week of every new year, I set aside some quiet time to put the busyness of the holiday season behind me, get comfy, gather a fresh new journal, my favorite pen, a cup of something warm and cozy up for bit to pause and reflect on where I was, where I am, where I am going. I invite you to join me.

Here are 5 great questions to consider using as journaling prompts to get you started. Remember, wherever you were, wherever you are ... this is a judgment free zone. Instead, this is a growth zone. A place to connect with yourself in a space of total acceptance. An opportunity to spend some time to reflect, imagine, clarify and dream about what you'd like to create in 2023. There will be time for sharing later, for sharing is a powerful way to get your dreams out of your head and heart and out into the Universe where pure potential exists.

But for now, settle into a comfy chair, take a sip of your beverage, take a few deep breaths, write out the first question on a page in your notebook, close your eyes and reflect on that one question. Open your eyes, write your answers.

1. What has been your biggest life lesson of 2022?
2. What hurt your heart and what was the gift of that pain?
3. What are you most proud of in yourself for this year?

As you move forward with the next 2 questions, begin to fill in details and specifics. Things like, who is with you, where are you, the colors, landscape, sounds ... as much detail as possible. And then punctuate the details with your emotions. We'll come back to why the details and emotions are so  important later, but for now, I invite you to simply enjoy looking into your future and beginning to intentionally create your 2023.

4. What makes you feel more joy, more aliveness in your life?
5. What do you want to create in 2023?

I just returned home after an intense seven day training training event with America's Number One Success Coach, Jack Canfield. I lead the assisting teams for his live events. I'm the person behind the scenes making sure the space is physically and energetically set to support the transformation that always happens in Jack's trainings. I have the honor of working with some of the most talented trainers and transformational leaders on the planet. Our goal for the week is to help our participants fully embody Jack's success principles while training them to teach the principles to others. I've been working with Jack since 2010 and have incorporated these powerful and timeless principles into everything I do. I love this work and love what happens every time I step into the training room with Jack, his staff and our team.

Before I boarded the plane to Newport Beach, California, I was home in New Hampshire immersed in wrapping up a very busy summer season at my property, Ripple on Silver Lake. Between short terms VRBO guests that flowed steadily through Columbus Day, the comings and goings of my travel nurses in the main house and the new energy brought into the house by the Ukrainian family that moved into what was formerly my apartment in mid August, there wasn't much time to pause and reflect. 

I barely had enough time to move myself from the studio space I had created in the barn into the suite I rent out to summer and fall guests before I had to board the plane and get down to the business of  bringing the team together to prepare for the training. While I was in California, my dear friend, long term tenant and my part time property manager moved out of the space she had occupied for over three years.

When I got home, I spent the first two days recovering in my suite. The training is intense and the logistics of supporting a world class training event are never ending. Yes, the days are long, but the opportunity to spend time with such amazing people over dinner or a glass of wine or a walk on the beach once the training day ends simply cannot be overlooked. Add that to adjusting back to East Coast time and facing the colder temperatures that reminded me that winter was coming, the gardens that needed some attention and a huge pile of unopened mail and I had all I could do but fall into bed, drink coffee, snuggle cats and relax and reconnect with my space, my home and my life.

I woke up yesterday with a to do list a mile long and, at last, the energy to do it. There was nothing on my list about rearranging my new suite, however a sense of urgency overtook me. Before I knew it, I was moving furniture, rearranging the space and adding a plant here, a diffuser there, placing my favorite rose quartz crystal on the corner of the small desk i dragged in from the barn. The Vision coffee cup that a colleague gave me a long time ago  and now served as a pen holder took it's spot on the desk next to the rose quartz. In a matter of an hour, I had turned a very beautiful and functional VRBO guest suite into a much more comfortable, energetic space that grounds me, makes my heart beat happy and inspires my creative soul.

This morning, after fully enjoying a cup of coffee with a cat purring in my lap while the rain poured down outside the sliding glass window of my suite, I felt moved to wander into the main house and do a walk about. The house was so quiet. All my traveling nurses were at work and my Ukrainian family were till sleeping. Su, who would normally be having coffee in the kitchen, had moved out. I wandered through the house. It is such a peaceful space ... magical, even. As I moved from room to room I reflected on what I have created here.

The journey has not been easy. My original vision for this property has not been realized. In the middle of the process, I was dealing with the loss of my Mom, then my younger brother died from a brain tumor and the day after Kevin died, my Dad had a cardiac event that launched me into  an intense caregiving experience while still dealing with some intense grief around the loss of my Mom and my brother. Covid came next, making it impossible to execute my plan for the retreat center I had mapped out.

As I moved through the house, I found myself reliving the memories of those times, and in an instant, the feeling of pure joy took over and I got goosebumps. If the walls could talk, there would be stories to tell, so many stories ... but now the feeling of joy along with the goosebumps were a clear sign that it's time to move on!

I could literally feel energy moving through my body as I walked up the stairs and into Su's room. It was strange to open the door and see the empty space. I could feel the energy flowing through the room in a whole new way. All of a sudden, I saw a vision of the room with some fresh paint, a different carpet and the space set up to inspire the next person who stays there.

As I wandered down the hallway, I sensed the feeling of endings and new beginnings. In an instant, I knew what's next. I would like to create a heart centered living community. I envision a group of people living and gathering here in this magical space that I feel compelled to continue to create. I see us gathered in community and in service to a much larger vision of expanding love and joy. A sense of peace washed over me. 

I went back to my suite and google "heart centered living center". Much to my surprise, I found a PDF titled Heart Centered Living Definition. I got goosebumps as I download it. I always pay attention to goosebumps! The PDF is actually a 277 page book written by a channeler; that is, one who communicates with spirit. I haven't been able to stop reading it. It is profound. It describes exactly how I've been feeling for awhile now, but haven't been able to put into words. I haven't been attached to much of anything and I'm not feeling compelled to do much of anything lately. Instead, I've been inspired to simply to allow myself to be still and pay attention to what happens when I allow myself to  just be.

In the training room, Jack guides participants and his team to find and/or refine passion and purpose and then design a life, make a plan, set goals and take action around it. Back in 2010, for me that involved making lists and phone calls and scheduling meetings and doing lots of things.

For me, right now, it's simply about being present in each moment and allowing myself to feel whatever is flowing through me in the moment. Perhaps it simply gratitude for the beauty that surrounds me or simply witnessing my breath flowing in and out. Sometimes it is experiencing pure emotion; the sadness I have for that friend I know longer feel connected to, the joy I feel as my cat settles into my lap and turns on the purring. This morning it was the sound of the rain pouring outside my window and I curl up to read over coffee, the inspiration I got to get up and walk around my house and pay attention to what is happening in my body. And most of all, the gratitude I feel for the people I can reach out to and connect with about things that some might never understand, in a world that sometimes appears to have lost its way.

And then I remember what I heard Jack say last week, and so many other times over the past 12 years.

"What if it's all perfect just the way it is?"

And by now, after all the time I've spent training with him, I now know that it always is perfect just the way it is to serve my learning and growing. I simply need to look for the growth opportunity.

Which leads to the next question ...

What opportunity is there in this for me to learn and grow?

This morning I got some powerful insight into my next steps. Then I got the book that has given me some context around which to develop the next steps in my plan. Yesterday I created the space where I will be able to explore this further. Stay tuned. If you're moved to reach out and hear more about my vision for a heart centered living center, feel free to contact me here.

​Now, where did I put that to do list? But wait, the rain has stopped, the sun is shining and this might just be one of the last warm and balmy days before the snow flies ...

As you may know, I purchased my dream property in June, 2018. I've often shared the story of how I came upon purchasing this amazing property when teaching classes on how to manifest whatever we want using the Law of Attraction. Those who know me well have heard me talk of my vision for creating a wonderful retreat center that would attract people from all over to explore personal growth and powerful transformation in a safe and beautiful space that exists in and around the property. Some of you have helped me name the property, Ripple on Silver Lake. Some have helped me with renovations and property maintenance issues. And once it was ready to host guests, some have come to participate in the trainings and workshops and celebrations I've hosted there.

You may know that I've been challenged with some family health challenges that have taken me away from Ripple for a number of days. And all of you are well aware of the impact Covid has had on life, business and our best laid plans. 

Things at Ripple on Silver Lake have certainly changed. We've pivoted. I've shared what's happening with lots of people along the way and as things have developed. Today I am inspired to share things publically. What I realized this morning as I wrote this update is that there is something HUGE that underpins the past several years for me. It is the concept of self care. I have finally embraced self care as an essential part of my life. And in doing so, I've been somewhat disconnected from the world at large and living simply with the goal of taking care of myself so I am fully present to what shows up as my next right step.

If you are so inclined, here is the update I posted publicly today. If nothing else, I hope this inspires you in some way to do something extra special for yourself today!

http://www.rippleonsilverlake.com/update-from-trisha.html

With light, love and immense gratitude,
Trisha

Some people have sworn off Facebook. I totally get it. I, on the other hand, use Facebook to support growth. My own growth, and perhaps, in between cat pictures, sunrises and sunsets, I post something on occasion post that might support another's growth.

I have actually become quite fond of Facebook Memories. I've used it as a tool to look back and see my own growth over the years. I've used it to help me put together a timeline of life events. I've even used it to help me write a manuscript. Apparently, four years ago today, I posted a pretty profound account of a relationship breakup. It generated lots of engagement including likes, comments and private messages that indicated that by simply sharing (some would say over-sharing) my experience, many people were impacted on a deep level. And it affected me deeply this morning.

At the time I posted about it four year ago, the breakup felt final. The truth is, despite my best attempts to move on, the relationship with this man has recycled several more times. Although the growth has been profound, I have been judged by others and have judged myself harshly for going back and reengaging with this person, over and over again.

I've learned in life that judgement of myself and others is a waste of time. More on that in a minute ...

I recently spent some time with a dear friend, fellow spiritual traveler and talented intuitive in an eclectic town in Florida called Dunedin. We had no agenda. It was simply a time for us to escape the craziness of today's world, relax and enjoy the simple things in life for a bit, contemplate our next steps and connect on a soul level. As we wandered through town we were drawn to a metaphysical shop full of crystals and psychics and incense and books. Although there were lots of books on the shelves, I was drawn to one, Journey of Souls, by Michael Newton, PhD. He is a hypnotherapist who specializes in past life regression and has done a lot of work around the mystery of life between lives. I've been creating an online course for caregivers of aging parents and thought that the book could give me some insight and perspective on my module on aging, death and dying. 

As we poked around town, the book got soaked by a partially opened bottle of water I had in my tote bag. Despite my best efforts to dry it out, the book was ruined. On the day we were leaving, I felt compelled to go back to the store and buy another copy. At first, after several of us had looked for the book, it appeared they were sold out. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a copy under another book and I knew it was there for me.

I dove into the book that night. I've been studying it ever since. I finished it this morning. Although it has certainly given me some things to consider for the course I'm developing, it has given me even more insight into my relationship recycling issue and has helped me more fulling understand my most recent experience with the man I've been on this journey with.

I ran into him a week ago. He was walking on the side of the road in my neighborhood at dusk. I recognized his form immediately. He was limping and walking very slowly. I thought he had moved out of the area after he sold his house, so I was surprised to see him. I pulled over and offered him a ride. He had aged quite a bit since I had last seen him. The encounter was painful. He is not well. A chronic illness has taken over his body and having some pretty profound affects. He was not happy. He was defensive. He admitted that he had chosen to go back to that which does not serve him. "Life is just okay", he said. He proceeded to blame me for the choices he made, once again, that keep him stuck. I had heard those words so many times. If only I hadn't done this or said that, we would still be together. I had heard it all before. I was done listening. This part of the lesson was over for me. I drove away from the encounter with a sense of completion and freedom, along with immense sadness for how things have turned out for him.

I just finished Journey of Souls this morning. It is profound and has provided tremendous insight and understanding into my connection with my own soul and the souls I have chosen to travel with in this lifetime, including the man I have been recycling with. He is sick and his chronic illness is having a profound impact on his body. My sense is that he is not long for this world. The sadness I feel for him and for what happened with us is deep and profound. At the same time there is this fascinating ability to detach from the emotion and know that things are exactly as they need to be.

There is some peace in knowing he will someday be free from suffering. I have no doubt that he and I will travel together again in another lifetime. We may even recycle again in this one. It's all part of some plan that goes way beyond me ... and I am at peace with that in this moment.

Today, I have an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude for his soul and the role he has played in my life and in my growth. It's not a human love, it's deeper than that. It's a soul thing.

After I finished the book, I poured another cup of coffee, powered up my laptop and escaped to Facebook Memories to find this post from four years ago, just after one of our many breakups. It was as if the Universe was reminding me that it's all connected. That there is something deeper going on here on Earth that we don't always understand. I could spend the day going deeper and reflecting more on soul growth and past lives and the journey of souls, however, for now, I feel the need to ground myself in the human experience for the purpose of allowing the lessons to integrate. Perhaps another cup of coffee. Perhaps lunch. Perhaps a walk on the beach.

But before I go, here is my post from four years ago that showed up in Facebook Memories that is helping me integrate all I've learned from my most recent encounter with my fellow soul traveler and what I've learned from the Journey of Souls book. Perhaps you can relate to the journey of souls?

September 10, 2018

I just ended a relationship. It has been a pretty significant off again, on again connection that has spanned over the course of many years. A good friend of mine warned me that "recycling" never works. I have recycled with this man many times. Exactly as many times necessary to fully integrate the lessons, I suppose.

Our reconnection was magical. We had both learned a lot in our time apart. When we came back together, our vision of what we wanted our future to look like was totally aligned. We had both learned a lot since the time we were last together, however, in time, it became clear that although we shared the same vision, we each had different ways of going about creating it. And we each had a different kind of fear standing in our way, along with a different approach to dealing with our fear.

After a recent challenging time, we decided to take a break. A couple of nights ago, he contacted me. He told me that his time apart from me has made him feel calmer and that he was choosing to continue taking time to be apart. He said he would be in touch after our agreed upon 30 day break. My first instinct was to feel hurt. I started to text my response. But I was too tired to go there. Instead I put my phone down and fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning with a huge revelation about why he feels calmer. And why I feel calmer as well. The revelation reminded me just how different the way I choose to live is from how some people choose to live. I was grateful for the clarity that came through during my dream time and feel like writing about it.

Pardon me for sharing on Facebook. Some would consider this oversharing. Then again, no one is obligated to read my rambling. We all have choice. Suffice to say that this post just scratches the surface of the lessons, the growth and the purpose of this connection in my life. This man has been my greatest teacher. He says the same of me. Perhaps our experience will provide someone with insight that is helpful if one is so moved to read on.

Or perhaps this sharing is simply powerful validation for me that the soul work I have done over the past 8 years has literally changed my priorities and the way I choose to live, work and be in my relationships. The work has become a part of who I am, what I do and what I need in my life to be the best me I can be.
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When I woke up and had my revelation, I began texting. I wrote from the place where my soul intersects with my human life. The messy place where I am a spiritual being having a human experience.

I wrote this and hit send ...

"This morning I woke thinking about something you said to me the other day. That you felt more calm when you aren't in touch with me. That struck a chord in me, but I was too tired to address it then. I fell asleep and I woke up this morning like a shot knowing precisely why.

Of course you feel more calm when you don't see me or talk with me. Because then you don’t have to be accountable for the statements, agreements and the promises you make and the actions you don't take to back them up. In that calm place, your words have a place to rest without having to match up with your actions.

I think that place might be termed complacency. You helped me realize just how much I am not living in that place. I have calm. But it is by no means complacent.

When I speak my intentions, desires, wishes, goals out loud the next thing I do is become accountable for them. It's automatic.

Today I have an accountability partner that I talk to everyday for just 5 minutes. She holds me to what I say I want in my life in the areas of my work, relationships, finances, health, fun/recreation, my spiritual life and my contribution to society. And I hold her accountable for what she says she wants in hers.

Every day I outline 5 action steps I will take in the next 24 hours that will get me closer to accomplishing what I say I want in the areas I am focused on. And if I don’t take those 5 actions, me and my accountability partner talk about why.

What’s the block? What’s the fear? What’s the issue behind my inaction? And how can I overcome it?
And then I either address the block, fear or issue … or I recommit to taking the action the next day. If I don’t take the action again, I pay consequences.

For example, recently I was dragging my feet on something and procrastinated it for a few days. My accountability partner called me on it and we explored the underlying reasons. My reason was fear of asking someone for something because I was afraid of being rejected.

But I really wanted what was on the other side of the ask. And I really wanted to get rid of the fear. So I committed to taking action and asking. I set a new deadline to take action and ask.

I agreed that if I didn’t take the action, I would write Trump a check to support his reelection campaign, which I knew I would never do. And so, with integrity, I did what I said I was going to do so I didn’t have to write that check. (Incidentally, I got what I asked for!)

Just 5 minutes a day focused on accountability has helped me accomplish some amazing things over the past 8 years. Taking 100% responsibility for achieving what I want in life has literally changed my life. It has changed everything. And now it has changed what I want in relationship.

Your comment helped me to realize that I am always in that mode now. This morning I just realized that I automatically expect others around me who I'm connected with, work with, am in relationship with, to be in that mode as well. Those are the people I want to surround myself with.

You reminded me that is not necessarily the case with you. Your words are no longer enough. They are no longer as meaningful to me as they where when we first met. Or when we reconnected. Today your words need actions and accountability and taking 100% responsibility for what you say you want ... for you to work as my partner and for us to work as a couple.

In my accountability partnership, there is plenty of room for fear to show up. Fear is a part of life. Instead of rejecting fear and pushing it aside, me and my accountability partner identify it as fear, invite it in for a chat and bring it into the light. We support each other in dealing with it and removing it from blocking us from accomplishing what we set out to do. Sometimes we even need to engage outside resources that can help us clear old subconscious blocks and break old nonproductive cycles. But we get it done.

l love this new way of being. I love being curious about what makes me afraid and how I can put that fear into perspective and clear it out of my way so I can lean into what's next for creating my best life.

This is how I live my life now. I've brought this process into all aspects of my life. Thus I inherently expect your actions to be along those lines. And when they aren’t, I no longer see any integrity in your words. Trust is deeply affected. And that is simply not okay for me.

So yes, it makes total sense to me now why you are calmer when you're not in contact with me. My guess is that the fear, pushed aside and not addressed, will certainly show up in some aspect of whatever you choose to do and whomever you choose to be with next. Life is like that. It has a way of continuing to provide us with opportunities to learn and grow until we get the lesson.

So thank you for giving me the opportunity to reflect on where I was when we first met. Where I am now, what I've learned and what I want next for my life.

I love you deeply. I truly wish you well.

Gratefully,
Trisha"

I didn't hear from him for awhile. The next time we reconnected, our meeting was, again, profound. I was able to help him deal with some deep seated childhood trauma and support him in getting some help to release the impact of that trauma on his closest relationships and intimate partnerships. He helped me find the courage to address something I had long been avoiding in one of my own relationships.

We are no longer physically together. Perhaps we never will be again. Or maybe we will. I'm not sure it matters right now. But I know this. Our connection goes well beyond our human experience and that connection is something that no amount of human pain can sever. It's soul thing.

I wonder if Dr. Newton has written more about the Journey of Souls. I've got some more studying to do. But first, I'm going to pay some bills, eat some lunch and get grounded in my human experience.

The other morning I decided to change up the scene of my morning routine. I took my coffee and headed down to the deck off of one of my guest rooms. Sometimes I like to spend time looking at life from the point of view of my guests, so when a room is vacant I check myself in for a few minutes, or an hour or even a night to see things from a different perspective.

From the rocking chair on the deck I looked out over the yard and realized that the beautiful view of Mount Chocorua and the brook that runs behind my house had become obstructed by a tree. Several years ago, the tree had been struck by lighting and the right side of it splintered from the rest. It had to be cut down, to leave only the left side of that wonderful tree standing. That was very sad day. I didn't own the house then. I rented the owner's apartment. I remember sitting with the owner and her telling me a bit about the history of the tree and the emotional significance it represented. A connection to her Dad, as I recall, who had since passed away.

From where I was sitting, I could see how much new growth the side of the tree that had been struck and cut away had sprouted. It had grown so much that the hammock that was on the other side of the tree could no longer be seen from where I was sitting. The main trunk leaned to the left and hung low to the ground, making it difficult to mow the lawn underneath it. That side had grown up so much that the view of the mountain and the brook had become obstructed from the deck.

From what I could see, just one single cut with a chainsaw and the view would be restored and the lawn could be mowed more easily, leaving the new growth to mature while restoring the view from the deck. A perfect plan!

I felt a twang in my heart as I contemplated that one cut. I remembered that day after the lightening strike and the owner, now my good friend, telling me the story about the tree and her Dad. I had a strong sense that I needed to reach out to her and let her know I was planning to cut the main branch of the tree to restore the view. I owned the property and had every right to cut that tree down, but I felt like I need to let her know.

My thoughts were interrupted by a terrible sound. I heard a mechanical sort of choking that I hadn't noticed amongst the bird song, the rustle of the leaves and the buzzing of the cicadas. Upon further investigation I discovered it was the pump to the irrigation system that brought water up from the brook  to water the lawn. I put my coffee down, went over to the shed and shut the system down. I had only been out on the deck for a few minutes and I already had two things on my to do list. 

For a minute I forgot about my new morning Rampage of Appreciation practice and reached for my phone to call my friend Nancy and then Bernie, the irrigation man. I could have jumped right into the details ... but wait! It was early and I simply want to enjoy the morning and add another day to my new practice. I wanted to get back to nature, back to flow that happens every time I allow myself to simply just be. I wanted to do something to get back into the high vibrational place I love to start my day from. I wanted to get back to gratitude and joy.

I closed my eyes, took a few deep, heart centered breaths. I indulged my senses with the taste of my coffee, the feeling of the gentle breeze on my face, the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind, birdsong, the buzz of the cicadas. I could feel my body sink into the chair. I just sat there for a few minutes immersed in the experience of being connected to the vibration of nature.

Nature is my go to place when I wish to raise the vibration beyond my to do list. Once I'm immersed in the sights and sounds of nature, I deepen the experience. I move into my new habit of a Rampage of Appreciation. I dig deeper into a reflection on the things that I'm experiencing. The gentle rocking of the chair and all the energy that went into putting that chair on my deck. The wood that was harvested to build the chair, the trees the wood came from, the craftsmen who made the chair, the workers who packaged it and shipped it to me. The truck that delivered it and all that it took to load the truck, fuel up the truck, manufacture the truck. 

A Rampage of Appreciation might never end. It really depends on how much time, attention and focus one chooses to give to this conscious experience. But one thing for sure ... when I allow myself to indulge in it, wild things happen. When I raise my vibration to this level of gratitude, its as if some sort of magical connection with the Universe happen.

My thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing of my phone. It was my friend. "I have something to drop off to you. Is it okay if I come by? I'll be driving by in a couple of minutes." "Sure. I'm sitting on the back deck. The door is open."

A few minutes later, she plopped herself in the rocking chair next to me, took a deep breath and looked out over the yard along with me. We both loved this property and relished the easy connection to nature that it provides. "Wow! That tree has really grown! The part that was struck by lightning really took off, but the main tree is obstructing the view. It's time to take a chain saw to it and let the new growth take over," she exclaimed.

I was stunned. I had projected a difficult conversation. Instead, I got exactly what I needed to support my next step. That afternoon I got a call from a friend of mine who just bought a new chainsaw and asked if she could practice on a couple of dead trees on the side of my property. I told her about the other tree. She came to look at is and said she will cut it down once she has practices with her new chainsaw. That all just flowed and I didn't have to do anything.

Back to the deck, as Nancy left, I heard voices in the side yard. A minute later, as if he had read my mind, Bernie and his helper were walking down to the pump by the brook. I walked down to meet them. Apparently, one of his clients on the lake was having trouble with their irrigation pump as well and while he was in the area so he thought he would stop by to check my filter. In ten minutes the irrigation system was working again. Wow ... just wow!

As we were walking back up towards the deck, he commented on how much the tree had grown since it had been struck by lightening. He used to maintain the property "back in the day". I told him I was planning to cut the main trunk to restore the view of Chocorua. He told me that he had just purchased a piece of heavy equipment that he was dying to play with. He told me that if I wanted him to come over and move the tree after it had been cut, he was more than happy to do it.

All of that happened in literally a half an hour! Other days I've engaged in the Rampage of Appreciation, I've come out of it with specific inspired action steps that have catapulted a project I've been working on or inspired me to make that phone call at just the right time. I could go on and on about the power of raising my vibration with gratitude and appreciation. There is also something very powerful to changing up a routine and seeing things from a different perspective. And there is definitely something to choosing to live life in 30 day experiments. It gives us a chance to see what works, what new habit we want to develop as well as what old habit we want to break. Plus it's fun!

This daily Rampage of Appreciation works and I'm going to keep doing it. My morning practice has expanded throughout my day. Sometimes I find myself having to wait in line or on hold. Instead of getting irritated I find myself focusing on something in my immediate environment and following the path of deeper appreciation. It changes everything. It's like turning on the switch to the magic of flow that is always around us just waiting to be noticed and experienced.

I invite you to give it a try ...

A teacher and mentor of mine once suggested living life in a series of 30 day experiments. This is a wonderful way to try a new way of thinking, develop a new habit or simply notice how a 30 day commitment to something new or or holding an intention can give us insight into how a habit can be formed, how our perspective can shift or how our focus or our approach to life can make an impact is a just a short time.

Lately, I've been feeling a bit scattered. A simple flight down to Florida to get eyes on my 86 year old Dad for a couple of weeks turned into an eye opening and rather challenging experience. Long story short, after a wonderful visit, Dad had a stroke. We were literally getting ready to head to the airport when it happened. The stroke landed him in the hospital for evaluation, treatment, physical therapy and resulting in admission to an inpatient rehab facility. My "quick" visit  turned into a long ordeal for me and sent my family into a sort of crisis mode. 

Adult children supporting aging parents know all about this crisis mode, as do health care providers who care for geriatric patients. A single event can quickly change the best laid plans and be challenging for all involved.

I own a lodging property and retreat center in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire. Owning a historic B & B sounds so wonderful, and it is, but there is certainly a lot involved in maintaining a circa 1903 property and running it as a business. And one thing I know about being a solo entrepreneur ... if I'm not actively doing the work or coordinating the work, the work doesn't get done and the bills won't get paid.

Summer was fast approaching. Instead of getting the property ready for the season, I found myself in Florida, 1100 miles away with days consumed with hospital visits and endless hours spent coordinating care plans with nurses, doctors, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and rehabilitation facilities. When I wasn't chasing down health care providers or dealing with paperwork, I was as taking care of whatever my Dad needed to get through the days he was trapped in bed and unable to do much of anything.

As the days ticked by, my anxiety level increased. Covid had caused me some major financial challenges and this was going to be the season that made or broke my lodging business. I needed to get back to New Hampshire and to my seemingly endless To Do List. I was doing it mostly alone with some help from a couple of friends who always seem to be there to help me when I need it the most, that is, when I asked for help. And, of course, asking for help has never been my strong point. Perhaps you can relate to that!

I'm the oldest, the only girl and the only health care professional in the family, so as my parents aged and health issues arose, I was naturally the one who hopped on a plane and managed the health care crisis. But this time, I really needed help. I reached out to my three brothers and told them that I needed to be back in New Hampshire to get my property ready for summer. Dad needed support once he was discharged from rehab and I simply couldn't stay. I was relieved when they jumped in and committed to stay with Dad for a couple of weeks when he came home.

I booked my flight home through Boston and my brother Keith and I passed in the air on his way to Tampa. He took over facilitating Dad's discharge from rehab to home the following day. My plan was to get right on my To Do List and get the property ready for prime season.

Dad's discharge went smoothly, however, literally 15 minutes after getting home, Dad had an episode that earned him another ambulance ride and emergency room visit and subsequent hospital admission. It was later determined that Dad's latest episode was cardiac in nature and it resulted in another round of admission, tests and ultimately, rehabilitation and followup appointments.

It took everything I had not to jump on a plane, relieve my brother and let everything back home go for another summer, which more than likely would have meant letting go of the property forever. Instead, I asked for help again. I asked my brothers to pitch in more time to cover Dad's new 6 to 8 week rehabilitation period so I could stay home, take care of business and monetize my summer and fall rental seasons.

They agreed and coordinated schedules. I can remember breathing a sigh of relief and feeling an immense wave of gratitude come over me. I could feel the stress flow out of my body as I looked over my list. The next morning I woke up with a plan to get right on my list. Instead, I decided to take a much needed day off. I got up, got dressed, put my coffee in a to go cup and drove to Cathedral Ledge to reconnect with the Mount Washington Valley. I had been away for a long time and needed to take in the mountain air, the views and soak up the lake and mountain vibe for awhile.

It was there on the top of that ledge, overlooking the spectacular view of the White Mountains, Echo Lake and the Valley, that I remembered the Rampage of Appreciation activity that my mentor told me about. In that moment, I committed to the practice for a 30 day Experiment.

Today, and every day for the past several weeks, I've started my day sitting on my private deck in the owners apartment of my property enjoying a cup of coffee with Sundae, my cat, purring at my feet. In this state, I begin my  new morning ritual of. practicing uncommon appreciation. Instead of waking up, turning on the news or picking up my laptop right away, I make coffee in my favorite mug, head out onto the deck and sit in my favorite chair. I simply breathe, focus on gratitude and dig a little deeper.

I relish the first sip of coffee as I close my eyes and immerse myself in the feeling of the morning air on my skin and a slight breeze on my face. I listen to the sounds ... so many sounds ... birdsong, the buzz of circadas, the leaves rustling in the breeze, the sound of the rooster cock-a-doodle-dooing in the distance, the sound of Sundae purring next to me and the feeling of her fur when she stretches and rubs against my skin. I open my eyes and look out over my view. The farm field, Mount Chocorua, the brook, the garden that needs tending, the tall grass near the brook that needs mowing.

Stop. No adding things to your to do list right now! Simply breathe and focus on the practice.

I take a deep breath and feel the chair supporting me and the warmth of the shawl I have wrapped around my shoulders to keep me warm from the coolness of the morning air. I reflect on the chair, the wood and the oak tree that supplied the wood and the craftsman who built this wonderfully comfortable rocking chair. My attention moves to the pot of flowers next to me on the deck. The lovely colored pink blossoms that attracted the hummingbird who just flew in for a brief visit.

I go back to imagining the plants origin, perhaps from seed, perhaps from a cutting of another plant, being nurtured by someone who loves plants. I go deeper and imagine the greenhouse it might have been nurtured in and how it got to the garden shop where I bought it.

My attention shifts to the tree in the yard. It has grown quite a lot over the past few years. When it got struck by lightning awhile back, I thought it would die, but instead, it sent off a young shoot that is quite well established and provides wonderful shade for the hammock. This will allow me to trim the main part of the tree that is now overtaking the mountain view.

Oh, wait, that is too close to my To Do List. I remind myself to stay immersed in my Rampage of Appreciation for a little bit longer.

The grass is so green this morning. Actually there are at least 100 shades of green I can see from where I am sitting. Natural greens from the national forest that borders my property. The grasses and other green vegetation in the hay field and the bank of the brook I'm looking at. The green leaves and pine trees off in the distance. And the fertilized and manicured green, courtesy of the man that maintains my lawn and the other man that rigged up an irrigation system that uses the water from the brook which got replenished during last night's rain. 

My attention goes back to my coffee cup and to Sundae who is still purring next to me. I'm grateful for coffee, the machine that makes it and the process that makes the pods that make it so easy for me to make that first cup of the day without having a big mess to clean up. My thoughts drift to a friend who despises the pods and the impact they have on the environment.

Wait. Stop. Back to gratitude and appreciation!

For me, I fully appreciate these pods that I use for my first cup of coffee each day and the simplicity they offer me so early in the morning. Later, when I am more awake and the work day begins, I'll switch over to the coffee pot. But not now. For now, I love the simplicity of this ritual with the pod that fills my cup and provides me with that wonderful first sip.

I take another sip and reach down to pet Sundae. Her purr gets louder and her fur is so soft since I the vet suggested that new food. 

So, you see, this Rampage of Appreciation might never end. Or at least I can commit to doing it for 5 minutes a day. I am fortunate to have a thousand things I could be grateful for as I reflect on life from my deck. Or I could simply focus on the softness and the fur of my cat Sundae and be grateful for her food, my phone that was able to take a picture of the label to store so I would recognize it at the store, the store that stocks it, the plant and the workers who manufacture it, ship it, stock it on the shelf so I can buy it. The cashier who rings me up, her supervisor who hired her (she is so pleasant) and the kind man who helped me carry it to my car because the really big bag was on sale and it's best if I save wherever I can right now. 

Tomorrow I will speak about what happens during and after my daily practice of the Rampage of Appreciation. I've been doing it for awhile and have noticed some interesting patterns. It's like this practice opens up a two way conversation with me and the Universe. Stay tuned. You may be amazed ...

To learn more about Trisha visit 


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I am fully embracing my power as an entrepreneur. Up until now, I've dabbled. However COVID has challenged me to lean into entrepreneurship and explore creative ways of learning, growing, working and being.

One of the things I've noticed over the past couple of months as I look past the significant income I've lost from my regular job and my small business and look forward to what's next, is this. There is power in having multiple streams of income.

I'm discovering that there is freedom in embracing an entrepreneurial mindset, incorporating entrepreneurial time management systems into my day and setting up my home environment to support both my personal and work life.

There is value in putting aside my old beliefs about how I can earn money and spending some time checking out what others are doing to pivot and make the most of these COVID-impacted times.

It is smart to explore new ways of doing things that I've never considered before. This involves being open to developing new skills, overcoming old fears and researching new opportunities that can lead to creating a whole new sort of abundance for myself, my life and my bank account.

The best part of this discovery process has been picking and choosing what I actually want to pursue based on my skills, interests and passion ... not in fear. Being forced to stay at home was the beginning of a powerful reset for me. For the first time in a very long time, I found time to simply relax. No schedule, no place to go, no place I had to be.

The next best part of this process has been engaging a team to help me (and even push me) with the things that are outside of my comfort zone. Expanding my grasp of technology, teaching live classes on Zoom, creating video content for teaching, training and connecting with friends and colleagues and learning more about creating a social media platform and a home studio has taken much of my time I previously would have spent on airplanes, in the training room, at the clinic and in the classroom.

Bartering has been a wonderful exchange for me during these uncertain times and has provided a mutually beneficial exchange of services at a time when cash flow was nonexistent. It has proved to be a wonderful exchange which saves money and creates mutual benefit when agreements are clear and I exercise discernment regarding who I barter with.

It certainly has been a scary few months and, just to be clear, I am someone who does her best not to  dwell on fear. I have a lot of financial responsibility and need cash flow in order to handle it.

Trusting the process, feeling my fear, connecting with my emotions and allowing them to flow through me on a regular basis, asking for help both personally and professionally, talking with others about what they are doing, taking classes to develop new skills that will support me moving forward and leaning into a couple of opportunities I never thought I would embrace is quickly creating a brand new scenario that is teeming with opportunities to produce income way beyond my pre-COVID days.
I no longer need to depend on a traditional paycheck and am finding joy in implementing new ways for income to flow into my bank account.

I hereby officially declare myself a full blown entrepreneur who is stepping fully into my passion, purpose and earning potential while enjoying multiple streams of income that are not dependent on COVID restrictions and are more about where I choose to spend my time and energy.
Gone are my old traditional beliefs about where money comes from. Hello to my new and better mindset and to endless possibilities.

While you have the time and space and perhaps a little support from unemployment insurance ... what are you doing? Are you waiting for things to go back to normal, or are you creating your own new and better?

Yesterday I was on a live Zoom call with Jack Canfield, the Chicken Soup for the Soul guy, exploring a new process I’m learning about using essential oils to enhance emotional clearing and healing. For those of you who have never worked with Jack, trust me ... he is a master facilitator and any time spent with him is jam packed with value. I've been studying with Jack for 10 years and I am always amazed at how time spent with him clears blocks, reframes my beliefs about myself and propels me forward towards my next right steps.
​
Jack led me and 500 other people through a simple process that took about 30 minutes with the goal of releasing some limiting beliefs or emotional blocks.​

I didn’t have anything in particular I wanted to work on, so I was open to whatever showed up. How funny that the minute I closed my eyes, my subconscious mind brought forth an image that was about to help me gain some understanding around a relationship theme I’ve been struggling with lately.

So, I put some Valor essential oil blend in my palms for courage and dove in!

With my eyes closed I did a body scan as Jack guided me through the process. I could feel a sharp pain in my right chest. It felt like a dagger. It was pointing left and went straight into the side of my heart.

Jack invited me to allow an image to pop into my head. Then he had me fill in the details. I was in the 8th grade at a dance. My Mom set me up to go to the dance with her friend's son, who lived in a different town and went to a different school than I did. I work with teens and was immediately immersed into the dance experience. Wow. I remembered the dress, the corsage, the chaos happening all around me. Kids were running around everywhere. And I was standing in the corner, all alone. I didn’t know anyone there. My date, in typical 8th grade fashion, was running wild with his friends and had no idea how to treat me or take care of me … his date. And I didn't even think to tell him what I needed. I just stood there in the corner waiting for it to be over and to get back to familiar territory.

The truth is, that is typical 8th grade dating behavior … but what I suddenly realized was that this scene might have actually set me up for accepting the same kind of behavior from my future dates and ultimately relationship partners. Perhaps it even had something to do with me being so independent in relationships and not ever letting a man take care of me. So interesting!

Jack led me through a dialogue with my 8th grade self and my date about how I felt about the way he was treating me and how it might have set me up for future relationships. Jack invited me to turn my inner critic into my inner coach and I literally had a conversation with my present self about my relationship history and the trends I've experienced and the types of the partners I have, up until now, attracted. I tend to take care of them and expect very little in return. That is not exactly a set up for the partnership I truly desire. I am single. I take good care of myself and I have never really let any man take care of me. It's been an issue all the way through my life, in both intimate relationships as well as friendships, band I sometimes find myself out of balance with my fiercely independent nature. Sometimes doing too much. Sometimes doing very little. Always trying to find balance in a not so healthy way. So interesting.

The best part was when Jack invited my older, wiser, 85 year old self to talk with my 8th grade self and my present day self about the beliefs I had carried forward. There, in just 30 minutes, with a drop of Valor oil, a drop of Highest Potential blend and a bit of visualization, I completely reframed an old subconscious belief that seems to have started in the 8th grade and continued through my adult life up until now, into a whole new approach to relationships.

Wow! I never, ever would have connected Eddy, my one time 8th grade date, with my relationships. And who knows if he actually did have that much impact. But my subconscious mind used that image, when I allowed it to by doing Jack’s process, to gain powerful insight and cause a profound shift in me and the way I show up in relationships and even where I struggle in some of my friendships.

I released that feeling last night, feel a whole lot lighter and am curious to see how this shift plays out in my present life.

Jack led me through this experience in just 30 minutes. Imagine what can happen in 30 days!

If you are struggling, as many of us are with all that is happening in the world, why not join us for the 30 Emotional Reset Experience? Jack Canfield and top industry experts will be working with you using a combination of essential oils and proven strategies Jack uses at all of his training events.

The Experience is taking place over the month of July. The timing is perfect with all that is going on in the world right now and the emotional roller coaster many of us have been on over the past few months. There is no cost to you for the Emotional Reset Experience. The essential oil supplies (Basic Starter Kit and the Feelings Kit) can be ordered here. It will be the best $225 investment you ever made in yourself. 

Once you order your supplies,  I will follow up with you to get you registered for the 30 Day Experience.

Feel free to email me at trisharx@aol.com if you have any questions.

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked.
"Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

​It's been a long time since I last posted here. I could make excuses or apologize for the silence. But that's not why I'm here. I'm here because I am taking inspired action. I feel compelled to reach out and connect. Heart to heart.

This quarantine thing has been interesting, to say the least. For many of us it's been a time of quiet, solitude, isolation, pause and reflection. For others it's been a myriad of activity and striving to balance the need to work at home, parenting, figure out in-home child care and home schooling and do our best to steal that much needed time to rest, recover and reset. 

For all of us it's been a time for grieving. We many not realize it, but we are all grieving at some level. Perhaps we've lost loved ones. Perhaps we've lost our jobs, our income, some clients. Many of us are missing the simple things we took for granted, like face to face-eye to eye contact, hugs, our favorite coffee spot, retail therapy, date night with our significant other at our favorite restaurant relaxing over a glass of wine or a family wedding, birthday or graduation celebration. or a simply taking a few minutes to relax chat with a neighbor we run into at the grocery store.

COVID-19 has impacted each and every one of us on the planet. Our "normal" has been disrupted. We've had time to pause and reflect and notice that there are parts of our new normal that we like and there are parts of our old normal we miss. And as we begin to see restrictions being loosened, it's time to focus on what we want to create moving forward.

Today, as I socially distance in NH, I woke up to my cat all snuggled in next to me. I have a list a mile long of things I "need to do". But there is nothing to rush to as my schedule is much more forgiving than it was in my pre-COVID-19 normal. So I turned off my head that keeps reminding me of my to do list and I got up, made a cup of coffee and crawled back into bed and take my first sip as I bury my fingers into my cat's fur and feel her beginning to purr, focus on gratitude and settle in for a bit of meditation.

Take a minute to reflect on what you do to connect with your heart? What have you noticed during our time in quarantine? What makes your heart beat happy? What are you grateful for? What would you like to focus on moving forward? What will you continue doing once we can get back out into the world that can get a bit noisy?

That's a new mid-COVID-19 habit I've developed that I intend to maintain once the restrictions are lifted and I am free to live my new post-COVID-19 life. A practice that is worth setting the alarm for, if it ever comes to that.

During meditation, my heart told me to get back to writing, so here I am. This blog post will clear the way for the next one, with each one sharing tips, tools and resources I feel will be helpful in making the transition and intentionally creating our new normal. Also in meditation I am reminded of that grief book that I started writing three years ago that I never completed because I didn't have the final chapter. The truth is, I've lived the final chapter through this COVID-19 experience and it's time to get my story and the life lessons and inspiration that are woven through it out so others can benefit from my experience.

What would your life be like if you followed your heart ... even if your head tried to get in the way? Has there ever been a time when your head won over your heart? A time when you wished you hadn't listened to the head voices and followed your heart instead? Was there ever a time when you wished you knew how to turn down the head voices and get directly in touch with the wisdom of your heart?

Stay tuned ...

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked.
"Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.” 
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist​

PS If you'd like a simple, yet powerful breathing tool to get you started or enhance your meditation practice, you can download it here:

I am on a plane heading back from Scottsdale, Arizona after spending a week in the training room with Jack Canfield at his live Breakthrough to Success.

I attended my first BTS in August, 2010. That was the summer of profound transition for me. I was working with teens in a community outreach education program teaching puberty and sexuality education to elementary, middle and high school students. Although I loved my work, I simply wasn't making enough money to get by. I heard about BTS and decided it would be a great way for me to transition out of the work I was doing with teens and into work that was a bit more lucrative.

On the first day of the training, I felt inspired. At the end of the first day, I went back to my hotel room, took out my laptop and began to revise my curriculum to incorporate Jack's powerful principles into the work I was already doing with young people. By the last day of the training, I had a plan for how I could expand my time in the schools along with how I would get the funding to do that. The Success Principles were an amazing body of work and I simply knew that it needed to get to young people.

Take 100% Responsibility.
Decide What You Want
Be Clear Why You're Here
See What Want, Get What You See
Ask, Ask, Ask

The list of principles goes on and on. They are powerful. Jack is a master teacher and trainer of not only the Success Principles but also of the Law of Attraction. I listened. I learned. I practiced the principles. And I manifested myself a bit of magic right off the bat by practicing the principles.

On the last day of the training, I decided I wanted to enroll in his year long Success Principles Train the Trainer program. I didn't have the money to do so, but I set the intention that I would somehow manifest it. It took me a year. I visualized myself sitting in the training room with Jack and a small group of TTT students learning how to teach the work to others. I dreamed about bringing the Success Principles to middle, high school and college students. And I wrote about my dream and posted it all over social media. Jack teaches that if we share our dreams, people will come forth and help us. 

And that's exactly what happened. In early 2010, I was contacted by a person I met at BTS in 2010. We became Facebook friends and apparently she followed me on social media and was intrigued by my vision. In early 2012, I saw her at a Canfield training event and we connected at a deeper level. She asked me a myriad of questions about my background, my life and my passion for bringing the success principles to young people and how I planned to do that.

Long story short, in the summer of 2012, Nancy asked me to spend a long weekend with her. She invited me to take a road trip with her to Acadia National Park. Acadia is one of my favorite places on the planet and Nancy had never been. She told me that the trip was on her Dad. Her Dad has passed away and left her with some money and she wanted to organize the trip and pick up the tab. How could I say no?

I picked her up at the Portland Jetport and we made our way up the coast of Maine and onto Mount Desert Island. We stayed in wonderful bed and breakfasts, enjoyed amazing scenic views, daily ice cream indulgence and the all important quest for the best lobster roll Downeast. We enjoyed long chats as we walked and drove along the ocean and up to the top of Cadillac Mountain. 

On our last morning, over breakfast in the Lord Camden Inn, Nancy broke the news to me. She had inherited quite a sum of money from her Dad and she wanted to gift me the funds to cover tuition and travel expenses to Jack Canfield's Success Principles Train the Trainer Live program. I was in shock. I have always had a hard time allowing anyone to do anything for me, but I heard myself say, "thank you so much" and accept the gift.

I graduated TTT in 2012, joined Jack's Assisting Team right away and he has now hired me to lead his live event teams. I have learned so much and grown even more. Ready to lean into whatever comes my way that is in line with my vision to bring this work to young people.

Here's what's coming for this winter!
www.successonsnow.com

And there's more! Stay tuned for a HUGE announcement coming soon!

Feeling humble, grateful and so excited to serve such amazing work at such a powerful level!

​As we wrap up our time together, I’d love to hear about your number one takeaway from this experience. Have you had a chance to implement any of the ideas shared? Are there any you plan on
practicing in the future?

All feedback is welcome, so please don’t hesitate to reach out at trisharx@aol.com

Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you.

The law of attraction is not a magic wand, and there’s real work involved in consciously and
habitually building positive thoughts to replace the negative ones.

Becoming a person who thinks positively of themselves isn’t something that happens overnight -
we all have years of experiences, stories, memories, fears, and worries that have created the landscape of our mind.

Taking time to dismantle unconscious thoughts is never easy. But it is possible.

The first thing that you can do to help rewire your brain is to insert empowering and positive
thoughts into your mind to reframe and replace the limiting ones. Oftentimes, the only thing holding us back from achieving what we want is the belief that we can’t do it. Take note of when you tell yourself “I can’t” and actively take a moment to think, “I can and I will.”

When you think something is “impossible” play devil’s advocate with yourself and challenge the
negative thought by asking why.

New science around neuroplasticity, social emotional learning, emotional intelligence and the human brain have shed some light on new techniques that can help clear old limiting beliefs and replace them with neural pathways that support success. Check out Dr. Deb Sandella's book Goodbye Hurt and Pain to read more about RIM, a simple, quick, powerful and effective tool to help clear painful experiences from memory and make room for peace and success! If you are interested in experiencing a RIM session with a certified facilitator, feel free to message me at trisharx@aol.com and I'll connect you.
​
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” - Walt Disney

Part of manifesting positive energy is gaining the ability to push aside the negativity that others
might try to force on you, (knowingly or unknowingly).

The best way to control the type of energy that enters your life is by evaluating your social life.
When it comes to creating a positive social circle, you have the power to surround yourself with
people who bring positivity rather than negativity.

If you’re spending the majority of your time with people who cause you stress, fear, anger, or
unhappiness, it’s probably a good idea to start reaching out to new people who can help build
you up, encourage you and support and celebrate your successes.

Remember, you’re working to build trust and confidence in yourself, which is a lot easier to do
when you surround yourself with people who are on the same journey as you.

A simple activity to do is make a list of all the people you spend time with. This includes people you see in person, people you connect with online or with your phone. Once you've completed your list, put a + next to the people who support and encourage you and with whom you have positive interactions. Put a - next to the people who put you down, stress you out or discourage you. Put a 0 next to the rest, who are most likely neutral influences.

Take a look at the list and see how you can increase your time around the + list and decrease your time around the - list.

The first time I did this, my Mom was on my - list. That was a tough one for me to sort out. I love my Mom but my twice weekly conversations with her turned judgey after the first ten minutes on the phone. To address this, I simply reduced the time we talked to 10 minutes and said goodbye just as things were beginning to go down hill. It was perfect. This went on for a year before she asked me why we no longer had our long conversations. I had so much positive in our relationship I was able to be honest with her about why I had intentionally decreased our phone chat time. I was delighted (and shocked) that she asked for more time if she promised to keep her side of the conversation on the positive side. Several years later, my Mom got pretty sick and became terminal. I was so happy to be able to be by her side as she moved on to her next great adventure. And our time together was positive and supportive and loving and so beautiful that it made our challenges well worth it.
​
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambition. Small people always do that, but the
really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great.” - Mark Twain

Early on in human evolution, when we were generally struggling to stay alive, we faced lots of
physical dangers. This created the basic stress responses in our brains that we still carry today,
hundreds of thousands of years later. Years of running from giant animals and the breathing
that accompanied that activity stuck with the human psyche as a pairing that equated ‘danger’
with quick, shallow breaths.

Today, when we’re anxious, we still take quick, shallow breaths from our upper chest - this type
of breathing is a natural response to stress and sends signals through our body that danger is
nearby, which stresses us out even more.

Even if there’s no real physical threat, we all still experience these breathing patterns because
the stress response hasn't evolved to differentiate between various stressors ... which is why it’s important to pay attention to how you’re breathing the next time you’re stressed, angry, or worried.

Look down, is your chest moving up and down with every breath or is your stomach?

With diaphragmatic breathing, you’ll breathe from your belly instead of the chest, which promotes
deeper breathing and provides a sense of calm and relaxation encouraging the body to unwind.
To practice this type of breathing, place your hand on your abdomen and push outward while inhaling. A few rounds of this and you’ll remind your body that you’re just fine, and not in any physical danger.

Another technique I learned from my friend Nancy Curtis, RN and meditation facilitator, either standing or sitting in a comfortable position, reach around your head and place your palms on top of your head. In this position, all your breaths will be belly breaths! This simple tip was a game changer for me!

​“When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace.” - Unknown

Someone once told me, “a moment of gratitude changes your attitude,” turns out, it’s true!
In today’s world, where we’re reminded continuously of the accomplishments and highlights of
other people’s lives via social media, it’s easy to feel like you’re “not enough.”

When you feel negative, self-deprecating thoughts can crawl into your mind. Don't let them!
Instead, take a moment to think about and write down what you’re grateful for. It’s one of the
simplest ways to uplift your mood.

When we recognize our great fortune and appreciate all our blessings, it helps push back at the
negative thoughts and put things into a better, more positive perspective.

Having a hard time thinking of things? That’s okay, start by repeating anything that applies from
this list:

-The people who have taught you - be that parents, friends, teachers, animals, or whomever else
has inspired you to be a better person
-Your heart for pumping blood through your body every day and working hard to keep you
strong
-Your lungs for breathing in the air, extracting the oxygen, delivering it to your blood and exhaling the carbon dioxide back out into the air (which helps keep our plants healthy!)
- The sun, for bringing light and warmth into the world
- Your mind, for the ability to think, store memories, and create solutions
- Your mistakes, for helping you to improve, mature, and become a better person

The list goes on and on ...

Daily Gratitude Practice
Spend 5 minutes a day writing down 5 things you are grateful for.
Writing it down supercharges the practice.
Every single day for 5 weeks and you've got yourself a habit.
Keep doing it and you've got yourself a practice.

​“Be thankful for what you have, you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t
have, you will never have enough.” - Oprah Winfrey

Most of us don’t realize how many negative thoughts we have throughout the day. Whether it’s a negative or judgemental thought we send toward another or an attack that we launch on ourselves, negative thinking is something that can easily overpower our thoughts and our lives. To solve this problem, start paying attention to all the times that you are negative throughout the day.

• When you think about your future, are your thoughts optimistic or defeating?
• Are you telling yourself that it’s silly to follow a dream?
• Are you spending too much time worrying about all the things that could go wrong?
• When you look in the mirror, are your thoughts kind or unkind? (see below for a powerful daily Mirror Exercise to help shift this)

Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, focus on what’s right. When an obstacle arises, remind
yourself that you’re a good problem solver, and take some time to amp yourself up with all the
ways you can handle a tough situation to build up your confidence. 

My teacher and mentor, Jack Canfield,  teaches the concept of the inverse paranoid. He says, "I consider myself to be an inverse paranoid. I always operate as if everything is part of a universal plot to enhance my well-being."

When I first became aware of the power of my thinking, I read a book by Mendi Audlin. When I find myself worrying about a situation and how it's going to play out, I always go back to one of the key questions in her book. "What if it all goes right?" to help me get back to focusing on the positive.

Even when life is challenging, I've shifted to a place of looking for the positive in whatever experience I'm having. I ask myself two questions:

1) What if it's all perfect just the way it is?
2) What opportunity is there in this for me to learn and grow?

These questions got me through the death of my Mom, the death of my younger brother, my Dad's health challenges, the loss of two significant relationships in my life all within the course of one year. The experiences were rich and the growth for all involved was profound; and perfect for preparing me for my next steps in life.

It's certainly okay to fully feel our emotions. In fact, stuffing them down will only cause more problems in the long run. And it's also important to notice that we can experience immense joy and immense pain in and around the same time.

Like a magnet, your attitudes, thoughts, expectations, and beliefs attract everything and
everyone that enters into our lives. It is our thinking that is behind it all, thus reviewing a bit of information that psychologists have learned about our brains is time well spent.

Science suggests that 5-15% of brain activity is conscious and that 85-95% is subconscious. The conscious mind is responsible for logic and reasoning. It controls the actions you do intentionally. It is the first interface to the outer world. It takes in information at a very rapid rate and filters out the necessary ones transferring them to the subconscious mind for later use.  

But that is just the tip of the iceberg. It's what's happening beneath the waterline that is most important when we talk about manifesting, the power of our thoughts and creating the life we want.

The subconscious mind handles all of our basic physical functions (heart, lungs, digestion, etc.) to keep us alive. The subconscious also stores and organizes memories and emotions. It stays alert and does it's best to keep us safe. It has been suggested that the subconscious has recorded our experiences, memories and emotions of childhood up through the age of seven, similar to an operating system that runs our computers. This subconscious programming designed to protect us however it doesn't always serve us well in our intentional efforts to create the life we want.

If, in our conscious world, we come across anything that looks like a past experience, our subconscious programming, or operating system, kicks in automatically and guides the actions we take consciously with the primary goal of keeping us safe. Unfortunately, this may not always be ideal because it may be operating based on patterns and beliefs created in childhood. This may explain emotional triggers; experiences in present moment that get interpreted by the subconscious as threatening and thus elicit fear in our conscious experience and drive reactive responses in our adult life.

Have you ever, or have you ever witnessed anyone, react to a situation that was over the top with respect to the reality of the situation? If so, an old subconscious program is likely the cause.

The truth is, we are born with only two fears: 1) the fear of falling and 2) the fear of loud noises. Clearly, as adults, we can admit that we have developed additional fears over the course of our lifetime. Herein lies our power. If we choose to dig a little deeper and reprogram our subconscious brain, we can break old patterns and affect our outcomes at the conscious level. To manifest a life full of positive experiences, we must change your thoughts by allowing subconscious patterns to emerge and addressing them in the conscious. It's hard work, it takes practice, and it takes patience! But nothing worth doing in life is easy.

Meditation is one way to do this. There are many different ways to meditate, and it's up to each of us to find the method that works best for your needs. However, I’ll provide you the basics of how meditation works and affects our minds.

Meditation is about creating some space in your daily routine to get quiet and train your mind to listen to itself without judgment. By observing your feelings, you’ll start understanding your thought patterns better to gain a healthy sense of perspective, which in turn will make you more able to be present and fully engaged in day to day life.

This can be a simple as taking a few minutes to allow yourself to focus on your breath and simply observe your thoughts as they pass through ... similar to being on a boat and watching the water slip by without following it. Or being present in nature. Or it can be as complicated as listening to a guided meditation, creating an intentional meditation space and ritual in your home or going to a meditation retreat.

For me, I have found that sitting up in bed for an extra 15 minutes focused on my breathing and feeling the purring of my cat curled up next to me is a wonderful way to meditate.

The alternative to being mindful is allowing small annoyances to pile up and collect, going unaddressed, in the back of your mind. When negative thoughts pile up, it’s easy to get distracted throughout the day thinking about them, and it’s also easy to lash out at others because you’re distracted by the negative thought loop.

The other thing to consider is something Abraham Hicks teaches and that is the concept of momentum. Momentum is simply movement in a direction. Abraham says that momentum can be created in as little as seventeen seconds. For me, the momentum I choose to create during my morning ritual makes a huge difference in my day. If I wake up to a blaring alarm, my heart beats faster and I feel a sense of anxiety as I quickly reach out to hit the snooze button. For me, that creates momentum in the direction of stress.

If I choose to wake up to peaceful music, that also creates momentum in a much calmer and more peaceful direction.

If I then choose to jump out of bed, look at my massive to do list and get right on with my day, that creates momentum in the direction of stress. But if I choose to enjoy my first cup of coffee in my favorite sitting spot noticing the wonders of nature with my cat purring next to me, that creates even more momentum in the direction of calm and peace, which continues to reinforce the direction of my day. 

So, in your journey toward manifesting a better future, think of meditation as a tool that you can
use as a thought processor. Dr. Deborah Sandella, founder of the RIM Institute, has created some  wonderful and free guided meditations that I encourage you to check out here.

​“All that we are is a result of what we have thought” - Buddha

​If you're looking to shift your thoughts and explore limiting beliefs around money, consider playing the Prosperity Game! Learn more here: https://trishajacobson.synduit.com/CL0011

​Images affect our brain differently than words because visuals are more rudimentary than language, words and grammar. This is why the use of images or vision boards can be so helpful for manifesting positive thoughts and a more abundant future.

If you take time to compile a visual collection of things that you want to achieve and things that inspire you and make you happy, you’re actually creating a positive space that trains your brain to focus on goals and successes. On this vision board, you’ll want to include things that inspire and motivate you. Keep in mind that the purpose of your vision board is to bring everything on it to life.

To get started, think about what your goals are in the following areas: relationships, career and finances, home, travel, personal growth (including spirituality, social life, education), and health. You might want to create one single vision board or several with different themes. Either way, make sure to put them in places where they'll be seen often, like your bedroom or office.

Remember, if you picture the life you want, that life will begin manifesting around you.

​“See the things that you want as already yours. Know that they will come to you at need. Then let them come. Don’t fret and worry about them. Don’t think about your lack of them. Think of them as yours, as belonging to you, as already in your possession.” - Robert Collier

To further enhance the power of your visualization, take a minute to look at the image, close your eyes and allow yourself to feel the feelings as you would feel them just after whatever you are manifesting had already come to fruition.

When manifesting, vision boards are the punctuation of your thoughts. Feelings are the exclamation point of manifesting!

Vision Board Parties and Retreats are a fun way to gather with friends and family for an evening or a couple of days for a powerful activity to begin turning your dreams into your reality. To learn more about booking your group for a party or retreat at Ripple on Silver Lake email us at rippleonsilverlake@gmail.com.

If you're looking to shift your thoughts and explore limiting beliefs around money, consider playing the Prosperity Game! Learn more here: https://trishajacobson.synduit.com/CL0011

Even if you consider yourself a generally positive person, it’s likely that you still have many negative thoughts. We all do. It’s easier for the brain to remember the negative ideas, thoughts, and memories because they tend to affect us more emotionally. With a little bit of training, you can shift the way that your mind processes the world around you and change the trajectory of your future.

Your mind is more pliable than you think. Take a moment to think back to the last bad day you had. What caused it? Did a coworker say something negative? Did a partner not react to something the way you wanted them to? It all comes down to a single thought or action being replayed in your mind, creating a story in your head and leading to your bad day.

Now consider what would have happened if you had the ability to brush off your negative reaction and push aside the interaction to carry on with your day more positively. Once you flood your mind with a specific thought, you’ll begin naturally attracting things that align with that thought. So make it positive!

I invite you to pay pay attention to your thoughts and the words you speak out loud. 

For the first few days, simply track your negative statements with a simple hash mark on a piece of paper, a small notebook, or a sticky note on the refrigerator, or your phone. You might be surprised at the number of negative statements you make. Negative statements include blaming, complaining, judging, criticizing.

You may choose to engage the help of a partner, spouse or coworker in this activity with the goal of simply raising your awareness of how often you have negative thoughts.

Then, for the next few days balance your negative statements with positive statements. For every negative statement, you owe a positive statement. Or simply practice reframing the negative statement into a positive statement. 

If you choose to do it on your own, you can raise your awareness of negative statements by simply putting an elastic band on your wrist and switching hands each time you make a negative statement. This helps to bring unconscious negativity to the conscious. Once it's in the conscious, it's much easier to change and expand positivity, which is really important when manifesting the good things in life. 

Thoughts become things ... so think the good ones!

“You create your own universe as you go along.” -Winston Churchill 

This is an aerial view of the neighborhood surrounding my property I fondly call Ripple on Silver Lake (bottom right of the photo). Ripple is tucked back along the 90 degree span of Forrest Brook which runs from Silver Lake, goes under the Village Road bridge where the property line begins and takes a sharp turn (bottom and middle of the photo) along my back yard.

The property overlooks the Forrester farm, Mount Chocorua and some of the most spectacular sunsets in the Mount Washington Valley. As I look from this perspective, I see the White Mountain National Forest heading all the way north towards Mount Washington. I even see King Pine Ski Area (where I spend the better part of my winters) begging to be noticed on the upper right of the photo.

I find myself looking for a couple of the schools that I teach in, the village of Eaton where I go to pick up my mail and meet friends for breakfast and then up to Conway to buy groceries. But the view is too far away to see the details of those places.

Below are pictures of a close up of the house and Forrest Brook that runs along the back of the property. I love the details of the close up pictures. I can also see the spots on the lawn that need some TLC and the paint chipping in certain parts of the house.

I love how the aerial view helps me put things into a larger perspective.  Stepping out and away from the details and looking out over the big picture gives me a better sense of how my property fits into the larger landscape around me.

This also gives me an analogy for life.

I recently experience the culmination of what I am experiencing as years of pent up emotion coming to the surface to be expressed so it can be released. It was an up close and personal experience that involved conflict, hurtful patterns, unfortunate choices and a need for transformation.

In response to a breakdown in communication, I felt anger rising up inside of me out of nowhere. I can't remember the last time I felt such anger. I've read somewhere that anger might suggest an underlying fear. Based on my experience, I'd have to agree, but I still haven't sorted out the specifics of the fear. I reacted. I spoke in a harsh tone. I gave an ultimatum. And then I retreated. Physically. Emotionally. Inside the house looking over my limited view of my living room. Not even looking outside.

I allowed myself to feel all the feelings. Hurt, betrayed, let down, disappointed.. And more anger. The depth of my feelings surprised me, as did how long they lasted. I allowed myself to feel them fully and for as long as they stayed present in my mind and body. I set some boundaries around my time and space so I could allow myself to fully experience them. It felt important. And I stayed inside with my limited view and allowed myself time to process what had happened and how I was feeling about it.

Similar to the pictures below, I was close up. I noticed every detail. Every nook and cranny. Chipped paint, that imperfect spot on the otherwise beautiful lawn, the way the light and the sky reflected on the water, the many different shades of green, all the windows and doors leading inside and outside. And the dirt and dusty that clouded my vision.

In time, I allowed myself to go beyond the dust and dirt and go inside and go deeper and get a broader perspective. The feelings merged with the experiences that led up to the moment and I began to sift through it all. I stepped back and saw the bigger picture. And as I stepped back even more, I got a broader perspective. Just like the aerial view.

Now, as I look from the aerial view, I get a look at how it is all connected. I can no longer see the places where the imperfections lie. I no longer feel the triggers. Instead I see a beautiful interwoven tapestry. A vast perspective of the bigger picture and the beauty and perfection of it all. My emotions have shifted from anger, hurt and disappointment to calm acceptance, compassion and appreciation for the ability to step back and take in the big picture and put it all into some sort of perspective in the larger Universal order of things and frame it with gratitude and forgiveness.

There is a sense of sadness that comes along with stepping back and taking in this new perspective. A sense of distance and disconnect. There is no going back. Things will never again be what they were now that I see them from this new perspective. But in that space, there is room for expansion and growth and even wider perspectives.

And so, the question that begs to be asked is this, "What if it's all perfect just the way it is?" The paint chips, the dirty windows, that bare spot in the lawn, the emotions, the anger, the personalities, the judgment, the boundaries, the opportunity to reflect on the light and the sky as it dances on water, the choice to step back and reflect on the bigger picture and the more foundational feelings of anger and disappointment and fear as well as unconditional love, compassion, gratitude and forgiveness.

I've discovered that there is value in being immersed in the close up view and feeling the full emotions of that experience ... AND there is value in taking a step back and further back and further back again; making a choice to see things from the bigger picture aerial view to see how it's all connected. To get a glimpse of the beautiful tapestry that is being woven to connect us across time and space and perspective that we simply can't see when we're up close and in the middle of it all.

The anger still surges once in awhile. The hurt still hurts every so often. And fear sometimes pops up in places that surprise me. But when I'm able to step back and see it from a larger perspective, it is, indeed, perfect just the way it is. And if I practice acceptance and gratitude and allow things to unfold in their own time, for the greater good of all, I get to behold the tapestry that is being woven in and around all of us and connecting us to our growth, our learning and some sense of a power that goes way beyond us.