6 Things You Need to Know to Create the Life you Want

LET'S GET REAL. 
 

And to get real, I need to ask real questions. So I won't beat around bush...

What are you willing to give up, in order to have the life you keep saying you want?

Is there something you have been yearning to try or to create but feel too afraid or have rationalized it down to 'not worthy' or 'not now.' Are you stuck in old patterns and beliefs that seem to keep you on a loop of repeated stories that you're getting tired of living out? Do you feel envy towards others, catching yourself getting lost on social media wondering how everyone else seems to be living into their dreams?  

Well, if so, I can relate. And also I have to get real with you again (all love here)... That's not living. And that's not what you are here to do with your one wild and precious life, my dear. 


Do you remember when you were a little kid and you would get lost in playing - creating and building dream worlds? In that space there was very little to no restrictions around what was possible. You didn't worry about whether or not you were good enough to be a artist or a teacher or a scientist or business owner. You didn't limit your dreams down to 'rational' and then start playing. And you didn't worry about what others thought of you and your dreams.


There was freedom and inspiration in that space. And what made that possible for you was one thing and one thing only - you were PRESENT. You were captured and enraptured by the loving embrace of presence. 


When you went into your 'dream world' you took all your focus and all your energy and you channeled it towards that vision. You weren't distracted by self-doubt, worry, or fear. You just had a vision and then went on to create it with all of your innate imagination and innovation. Michael Beckwith, Founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center and Author of inspirational books such as, Life Visioning: A Step By Step Process for Realizing Your Highest Potential, gracefully speaks of this as 'entering into a co-creative partnership with presence.' 


I am no master of presence.  It's a daily practice for me to remember to operate from that place. I have moments where I forget and find myself feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and doubting myself, my abilities, and my dreams. But I have tools to help bring me back to center so I can create from a playful and powerful place of presence. 

Below are 6 ways I come back to co-creating my life with presence:

1. Follow your soul’s calling

Whether you decide to listen to this or not - you will feel it's call. And when the soul gets ignored it will do whatever it needs to do to get your attention. And we all know that one of the best ways to get our attention is with this - PAIN. It will show up physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. But it will show up. I have many personal stories about this and have heard many stories of others who ignored a calling and suffered in some way. Then, once they answered the call...miraculously the ailment no longer ailed them. Michael Beckwith speaks of this in this incredible interview. 

2. STOP

When you feel feelings you don't want to feel...simply STOP. 
S = stop
T= take a breath (in fact take 3 slow, deep, full breaths)
O= observe
P= proceed

3. Create a Pattern Interrupt

When we’re overwhelmed and depleted we aren't creating from a place that is productive or that feels good. We are on auto-pilot and will eventually burn out. So take a break and do something different. If you can get away for a day or a weekend - do it. If that's not possible, then how about a 30 minute walk in nature, or driving a different way to the store, go to a yoga class, watch a comedy, have a 'movment snack' and do a handstand or have a dance party for 2 minutes if that's all you got. But whatever you do - S.T.O.P and create a pattern interrupt so you can proceed from a place of presence, power and play (because truly, why else would you be doing it). 

4. Create Just for the Sake of Creating

If you are a human being, then you are a CREATOR. You like to create (projects, experiences, possibilities). You like to build (businesses, works of art, dreams). And if you receive my emails, it's likely that you recognize yourself as an artist, even if you don't call yourself that. BUT, when was the last time you created...just for the sake of creating. I mean just finger painted, or colored, or built some crafty thing, or choreographed a dance with friends? It's in this space that we can re-connect with that child-like innocence of creating where we don't give a damn what others think. We aren't doing it for money, or for recognition, or admiration. We are simply entering into a co-creative partnership with presence. There is a lot to receive in that space. 
 

5. Contribute to Others

There is a very powerful quote by Aung San Suu Kyi (Burmese Activist), "When you're feeling helpless, help someone."  I know no other better way to tap into pure presence than to serve. To give, with love, to others. To get out of your rut by seeing there is more to this world than you. You can serve in so many ways. It can be as simple as deciding to make eye contact and smile at strangers for an entire day. You can volunteer, you can teach someone something, you can give away clothes you don't wear. You can buy someone a tea or coffee. It's endless how you can serve and when you put your attention on this daily...I promise you my friends, you will connect with presence and you will begin to see that life is miraculous. When we're living life as though it's a miracle we make much more powerful choices for ourself. 

6. Get Support

Truly, it is time to stop trying to figure it all out ourselves. When you are on the path of creating a life you truly want, there will no doubt, be messy obstacles. You can feel crushed, overwhelmed, and alone when you don't get the support you need to stay in the playful and powerful zone of presence. Life can feel so unclear and hard when we take the 'do it alone' route. When I started getting support, my life began to make sense. My vision came into focus and my purpose became clear to me. I felt held, understood, and guided when obstacles presented them self, rather than defeated.  I started to feel connected, inspired, and present more often. Places I felt stuck for so long, began to unfold with more clarity and purpose. So I can not emphasize this enough...do whatever it is you need to do to get support. Call a friend or a mentor who you trust in, hire a coach, become a part of a community that uplifts you and encourages you in ways that give you space for growth, giving, and celebration. And daily, indulge in one or more activities that empower and uplift you, such as books, blogs, podcasts, and activities, such as yoga. I once heard someone say, "Motivation is like showering, it doesn't last. That's why it's recommended daily." 

Now it's time for you to share. I'd love to hear any thoughts or insights you'd like to voice and/or for you to answer this question: Where in your life could you use more presence so that you can co-create the life that you say you want?  

If you're ready to enter into a co-creative partnership with presence then I invite you to apply for The Changemakers Circle. There are only 12 spots. Applications will open January 5th, though up until that day I am making an 'interest list' so that those applications, once they come in, will be given priority. If 2017 is a year for you to truly gain clarity and confidence in yourself and your abilities, to cultivate conscious leadership skills, to be a part of like-minded and inspiring community, to go on an epic adventure (figuratively and literally), and to tap into the power of presence to live a life of fulfillment in your life and work - then I invite you to connect with me and ask to be added to the list. 

In the meantime you can read more about The Changemakers Circle here. 

Co-Creating with Presence,