Tag Archives: mindset

blogger, Book, food, radical sabbatical, travel

Be on a Radical Sabbatical in the Swiss Alps (with a shift)

November 17, 2019 Be Enough 9 Comments

Feeling surreal in Switzerland.

SURREAL.

GOBSMACKED.

GrateFULL.

Happy Sunday Funday Folks! This journey started on Friday morning.

The 11 months and 10 days we lived in Switzerland in 2004 were some of THE BEST and the darkest time of my life (besides watching my mama die!)

The darkness of living through depression and having no energy but to sleep, to be working in a difficult teaching environment, having Steve away training for volleyball each night and living in a country that is clean and exceptionally beautiful for a reason. They ‘control’ each other. I have never been yelled at more in my life.

The BEST moments meeting friends and students that are still in my life today, living in a pristine natural environment, travelling easily and learning more about myself.

We had such an incredible day on the Rigi.

Being back here now in 2019 with our boys is truly sublime.

Drove from beautiful Milan to the Rigi in the Swiss Alps.

With one stop in Locarno for our last Italian pizza and Calzone.

November 15th

Over 25 tunnels. (We lost count!)

One 17 kilometres long.

The tunnel! They do things right in Switzerland! **This picture was uploaded while driving THROUGH the tunnel. Unbelievable.

We arrived in Vitznau about 3 and a bit hours after leaving Milan. What an indescribable drive. I am not sure my pictures can even explain.

One Mountain Train (Rigi Bahn) straight uphill into the Swiss Alps.

Time Lapse of our 20 minutes ride up to the Rigi Kaltbad

We have snow folks!

Meeting old friends that we taught with and their wonderful eleven year old daughter.

A gorgeous place, an incredible meal and amazing hot pools. Kaltbad Rigi

Guten abend von de Schwiez.

November 16th

Guten morgen friends!

We started off with opening the hot pools before breakfast at 8:00am. We had a solo swim and play in the pools.

Then it was fruhstuck time here in the Alps. First, our super juice that helps our bodies deal with stress and goes everywhere with us. #partner

After a buffet breakfast, we decided to head to the top of the Rigi via the Mountain Train and then hike down. What a gorgeous three hours. And God even gave us another rainbow, like He did on the Eiffel Tower and at Vimy Ridge.

How is it possible for a rainbow to be formed in light cloud without precipitation anywhere in sight?

Now an afternoon of journaling, postcard writing, eating Swiss chocolate, shakes and German cookies!

Awe sweet boys! They are learning so much about people and culture.

PLUS another swim in the hot pools before dinner:

Dinner was many hours long, but the boys rocked it and luckily our friend’s play games like we do.

November 17th

This is THE shift! This morning at 7:20am, Steve headed down the mountain on the train to take two buses and another train to the Zurich Airport as he heads home, then travels to Mexico in five days for another fair.

I had tears this morning as we said goodbye. I love this man on so many levels.

We decided I would stay here with the boys until Steve is done his trip to Mexico. I will travel with the boys for 8 days in Germany visiting old friends and then back to Paris for 3 more days for some tourist activities. And surprises for the boys. 😉

BUT FIRST, one more morning on the Rigi, a get together with some Swiss friends at an old school bowling alley with a jukebox near Zurich, then back to Germany.

A Berliner (donut) with Nutella. This guy is embracing the European life.

This wall in the restaurant was one of my favourite things to look at.

This is the building where we were…

Through that little brown door on the left lies surprises and beauty and bowling!

Then a 1.5 hour drive to one of our favourite spots in Germany with people living God’s plan through their lives and delivering a package from a mother’s heart to her daughter.

Finishing off the night with one of these… Sexy Neck would be proud! It was as good as I remembered.

Goodnight sweet friends from the Bodensee. Thank you to everyone for your kind words and for truly living these simple moments of an unfolding dream with us. I wish I could give you a HUGE HUG.

author, Communication

Be a Toastmaster

February 3, 2019 Be Enough Leave a comment

Do you feel like you have to increase your life insurance or at least put on extra deodorant when you need to speak to a group of people?

Have you heard of Toastmasters?

Are you afraid of public speaking?

Did you know Toastmasters started in 1924?

Do you find it difficult to listen?

Do you know you have a unique perspective to share with the world around you?

When a mentor of mine told me about his over twenty years with Toastmasters, I was curious. I had never heard of it, nor did I know what it was even about. After being asked to speak in front of adults at my company’s events, I knew I needed to checkout a Toastmasters meeting. Speaking to children is no problem for me. I even find it fun and feel like I can be one percent myself. Speaking to adults, makes my face turn crimson red and the sweat to start flowing down my back.

Thanks to Vic Lindal’s encouragement and support, I googled a local meeting time and went. The meetings are an hour long and there is actually a timer to ensure that we don’t go over time. There are prepared speeches, humour, impromptu conversations, evaluations and amazing growth that happens at every single meeting.

I have regularly been attending meetings for over a year. Jumped this September into the role of Secretary Treasurer. I can honestly say that Toastmasters has changed the trajectory of my personal growth, not only in my public speaking, but my ability to listen and lead small groups with growth.

Last fall, I was asked to speak, with a microphone in hand, to two hundred pre-service teachers and I loved every minute of it. This spring, I am preparing to speak to a thousand plus people about technology and our children at a local university. Speaking has become a place of peace and joy for me.

This last Wednesday at our Toastmasters meeting, I was the Toastmaster, the person who runs the meeting! We had the theme of Winter Wonderland and it truly was the most fun I have ever had as a speaker and leader. I introduced the “Toasties” who had prepared speeches. I kept things flowing and managed to keep us exactly on time.

Now that you have a bit of knowledge about Toastmasters, I encourage everyone to seek out a local meeting to attend to see what its really all about. See how it feels for yourself. You receive three meetings for free and the vibe at every meeting is different in every club. Our OC Toastmasters Club is fun, kind-hearted and growth-focused. We love and desire for everyone to contribute and bring their unique gifts to the meetings.

Now, I must come back to that last question I asked at the beginning. That one about your unique gifts. Find a way to feel comfortable sharing with others what you are passionate about and the unique gifts that God has given you. They are there, I promise you. If you can’t see them, talk to me and I will help you discover them. Once you know what they are, learn to share them, speak them out and listen to the gifts of those around them.

What a journey!

What a life!

Thank you Toastmasters for being the impetus for even greater learning and growth that I could imagine.

author, blogger, mindset, psychology, Wordsmith

Be Walking on YOUR Path

September 13, 2017 Be Enough Leave a comment

Do you feel your chest beating faster?

Or maybe you are holding your breath?

Perhaps you think your heart is going to jump out of your body?

Or maybe you mind is a swirling mess?

I am going to take a guess.

You aren’t walking on your own path.

The external becomes the internal.

It almost crushes you from the inside out.

The words and actions of others around you, blow you around like a hurricane.

One cruel word.

One harsh no.

One insensitive criticism.

One perceived snide look.

One RBF.

And your heart beats faster.

You feel like you may need to sit down.

This is a sign.

Your body is talking.

Your mind is listening.

Your spirit is guiding.

Sit.

Listen.

Ponder.

Find out how to get back onto YOUR path.

This magical place where you will soar.

No matter what anyone says or does.

Where you can dance like no one is watching.

Walk fast or slow.

Your heart will be home here.

Above your feet step by step.

Yes, you may feel uncomfortable here on this path.

BUT, it will be magical.

The most exhilarating ride of your life.

Listening to what you were created to be.

Without comparison.

No judgement.

Only you being you.

Exactly how you were meant to be.

Walking on YOUR path.

This week, my wish for myself and everyone reading this, is that we will find our steps to take.

Breathe by breathe.

May our no be no and your yes be yes.

May excitement and joy find us around every corner that we take.

Walking out our days.

Every step of the way.

Savouring everything that passes by.

Just as we are.

Who we are.

Being.

us.

On OUR path!

fun, Goals, mindset, positivity, Self-help, women

Be Creating the “Body Bliss Project”

September 4, 2017 Be Enough Leave a comment

I have witnessed throughout my entire life that one moment could change everything…

One conversation.

One phone call.

One parking lot meeting.

One moment in time.

Last week, I had one of those moments.

Sexy Neck and I were discussing my business and all the incredible people that have come into our lives in the last two and a half years. I talked about all the incredible mentors and leaders I have met, especially all the inspiring women.

After my mom died, my most inspiring woman left the earth. My mama who constantly thought about helping others. The woman who would show up sweaty at my door asking for water because she has just biked 70 kilometers for a cup of coffee with a friend. Super Nana who did so many exceptional and thoughtful things for my boys that I couldn’t even begin to list them. My ever-present friend, volunteer, incredible cook, amazing party thrower and always up for doing something out of the ordinary. She was my most AMAZING inspiration as a woman.

Until now.

I realized that these inspiring women have flooded my life.

Moms who are present with their families and incredibly in love with their men. Women who swim, cycle, run all for fun. Ladies who laugh, love and who are exceptionally “light” to be around because they know themselves, are themselves and can completely be themselves. These are the inspirations that circumvent my life.

And now I have an opportunity that I didn’t see coming.

One phone call from someone that I met early on in my life as an entrepreneur. A fun-loving, heart-centred Aussie physiotherapist.

She shared a vision for a project.

I asked a few questions.

I knew that this was exactly what I had been waiting for.

A project created by leaders Down Under and the Great White North.

Body.

Mind.

Spirit.

For women.

By women.

Creating personal transformations as a collective unit.

Using the same super food nutrition and intermittent fasting to live out these transformations.

Being a part of a global community of healthy habits in body and mind.

Boosting each other up.

Creating sweaty selfies.

Playing water tag.

Celebrating wins.

Picking each other up.

One day at a time.

90 days in total.

I am so fired up about this project that I can barely sleep tonight.

One team.

Women who will change the world around them.

Through the Body Bliss Project.

author, blogger, encouragement, mindset, psychology, Wordsmith

Be Catching What Tony Robbins was Throwing

August 19, 2017 Be Enough Leave a comment

I am unique.

You are unique.

Our worst days can become our most SHINING moments!

We can live a beautiful life!

Thank you Tony Robbins for these life altering, state changing facts. When I sat, danced, screamed and sang alongside 15,000 other awake people last week only a baseball throw from Tony Robbins my body and mind changed on a cellular level.

My family has noticed it. My friends have felt it. My God had acknowledged it.

Changed.

On.

Cellular.

Level.

Forever.

This isn’t about motivation or will power or trying to push ourselves to “get over stuff” or be better!

It is about embracing our suffering, changing gratitude for fear and living in a playful, joyful high energy state. It’s about creating and living in a beautiful state every moment of ever day.

Can you imagine it?

Does this sound like an exciting, beautiful life?

It is!

Completely a wondrous world seen with new eyes.

A world where challenges happen and I can use the Tony Robbins response, “Isn’t that fascinating?” Try that one on for size next time things don’t go your way and watch your heart rate not even skip a beat.

Isn’t that fascinating?

I now live in a state of pure determination, high energy, not fuelled by will power, while living in a beautiful state for me, JJ!

It’s not about stuff, big houses or shiny cars.

It is about people.

For me.

People.

Relationships.

Emotion.

Energy.

Dating my man, Sexy Neck, every single day!

Being fully present with my boys as my phone sits in a handmade Lego box with a phone charger included.

Listening to my Peeps needs, meeting them where they are and sharing all that I am learning especially what Tony Robbins is all about.

I live in effortless ease.

With discipline with my food, movement and phone.

The three keys for me.

I upgrading my inner home every day.

Spiritually.

With support.

Bringing sexy back.

If you want to feel what Tony’s all about. Let’s chat… because I am more than happy to keep the ball rolling.

A beautiful state.

Using motion for emotion.

In gratitude.

For all that I have.

And for all that I am going to do!

#befree #100million#abeautifulstate

author, blogger, God, Grief, mindset, psychology

Be Learning About Shame/Guilt

June 20, 2017 Be Enough Leave a comment

Brene Brown is the shame expert in our generation, but I want to add my two sense as shame has been my game for most of my life. I have been shamed, shamed others and watch people shame. It’s powerful emotion and one that can be used as a tool to destroy!

Your spirit.

Your belief in yourself.

Your belonging.

Your being.

First, let’s talk about the difference between shame and guilt to get this emotional, mindset roller coaster rolling down the track.

For me, the difference between shame and guilt involves the external versus the internal. Have you every had anyone ‘put’ something on you, that’s most likely shame. My most recent example was when someone criticized what I said during a conversation they overheard and then, without me asking for feedback, they told me what I ‘should’ have done. When I get ‘should’ on, I know it’s shame. Someone is trying to tell you what to do and wielding the shame sword to get you to do it. My father recently told me that “I thought mom and I had brought you up better than that.” Yup, I am 43 years old and that is called good ‘old’ shame.

No should.

Just could.

No shame.

Just guilt.

No swords.

Just freedom.

Guilt for me is a super power that comes from within. It moves you to deeper places. It helps you grow. It’s the feeling inside, “Oh, I could have done that!” You realize your mistake and seek answers to make it better for next time. It completely happens within. It could have been triggered by an external event or conversation but no one ‘put’ anything on you. It’s 100% coming from you. This happened recently with something I ate. I felt guilty afterwards because it wasn’t fueling my body but instead was feeding an emotion. My guilt allowed me to move into a new place thinking about fuel versus feeling foods.

Your spirit.

Your belief in yourself.

Your belonging.

Your being.

Free to live your life.

Free to make mistakes.

Free to listen within.

Everyone living without shame ‘put’on each other.

Free to get off the shame roller coaster.

Free to step aboard the guilt train.

Be Free.

Be Enough.

author, blogger, encouragement, Family, God, love, psychology

Be Searching for Something

March 24, 2017 Be Enough Leave a comment

As I sit watching the sunset, I ponder that ‘something’ I search for. That ‘something’ that will fill feelings of grief, sadness and overwhelm.

That space that I try to fill every time I open my phone to check Facebook.

The hole I avoid when I run away from what I am feeling.

The darkness I turn from every time I sit in numbness, not wanting to feel, not wanting to go down old trodden paths of pain.

But sometimes life doesn’t give us a chance to avoid.

It allows us the privilege to sit up, to notice, to see our grief journey clearly and how much pain we have turned into gratitude.

This search for something that is really nothing outside of us at all.

We can’t avoid living life and why would we want to.

The privilege to be with our people, to see into the eyes of their souls and to get to know them on a deeper level.

Yes, Facebook could do that.

Walking away could help us reflect.

And that darkness I talked about, well, that only helps us see the brightness of the light.

See, I have learned to let go of my sense of judgement as things are neither good nor bad, they just are. I have also learned to be present with what I am feeling, as these feelings are neither good nor bad, as well, they just are!

So, as you search for that ‘something’ today may you first look within your soul, your beautiful unique self sitting within you. Resting in your spirit.

Being you!

Then may you look around you at those imperfectly perfect people around you. Building Knex, asking about the birds and the bees, reading books, playing with pillows… are what my people are currently doing.

Being them!

Search for that something that is already within you.

Beautiful.

Imperfectly perfect.

Neither good nor bad.

Just being.

Full of strength.

Overflowing with hope.

Sitting in the presence of His peace.

Knowing you are loved.

Searching for nothing.

Found!

*written for a special person in our life on this significant ‘something’ kind of day!

Family, fun, life, mindset, positivity, Wordsmith

Be Living Reality

February 18, 2017 Be Enough Leave a comment

Ask anyone I taught with, I was a reality tv junky.

Addicted?

Probably!

The Bachelor.

Big Brother.

American Idol.

Survivor.

At the schools I worked at, I used to organize Survivor Pools where we each would ‘be’ a character and we would see who would be the ‘Sole Survivor’!

Hours upon hours of reality tv, where my week would be organized around the specific day and hour the show would be on.

Survivor was Thursdays.

8:00pm.

5:00pm if you had an eastern channel!

I loved it when my mom moved to town because she had that eastern time zone channel.

Yup, imagine revolving your whole week around a reality tv show? I did it! Yes, I did!

When my oldest, who is now nine, was four months old, I knew I had a wake-up call from tv land and I realized I had to make a decision.

I had just started maternity leave and was home full time with JC! I was moving from an incredible, full 14 hour days as a teacher, to home and my Reality tv land. Can you see where I was going?

I knew I had to make a choice: watch reality from the couch or live it everywhere I went. We decided to live it. We stopped paying for cable television. We started being intentional about what and when we wanted to watch tv shows on the Internet or via DVD’s. We saw less commercials. Our boys have rarely seen a commercial in their lives and often find them annoyingly interrupting to what they are watching.

(Sidenote: The constant Oil of Olay commercials on the children’s network, Treehouse, also persuaded me to cut cable. Did I want my boys to think that women’s faces looked like that?)

Now, I live in reality every day with my brood of boys.

I live it everywhere I go.

Television shows and movies are rare.

Connecting with others and creating space to be is happening every day.

I have space to let my mind meander.

I have nothing ‘pulling’ me away from my vision of what I want my daily reality to look like.

My living ‘reality’ involves copious amounts of food in somewhat strange combinations, refereeing wrestling matches, going off the beaten path and lots of high energy activities. That sounds exactly like reality tv, doesn’t it?

Survivor anyone? Who will be the sole survivor? Some days it’s me!

Big Brother? Me and my houseful of boys.

Really real.

Living life.

Awake.

Aware.

Alive.

Perfectly imperfect.

Being me.

In my reality.

Hmmmm…. maybe it’s time to get rid of Facebook? But that’s really real, isn’t it? 😂

"Be" ENOUGH