Aligned Inspiration

Now is a beautiful opportunity. Yesterday, now was filled with opportunity, and tomorrow, now will present even more opportunities. Now is all that there is. It’s OK to have goals, dreams, aspirations, and plans. But if you aren’t finding joy, growth, satisfaction, awareness, and release… then all of now’s moments will present overarching vibrations of overwhelm, disappointment, frustration, and general misalignment. What’s happening right now for you? Look up from your phone look around the room that you’re in. There’s only one person there in control of how good you can feel right now. It’s you. In this moment find one thing that feels good. Doesn’t have to be poignant, it doesn’t have to be inspirational, heck, it can even be mediocre at best! I’m looking around my room and finding joy in the phrase on my coffee mug because every time I see it it makes me smirk and laugh just a little bit. It could possibly be one of the most accurate statements about me. “I have the vocabulary of a well educated sailor.” See? Pretty simple when you tune your mind. The hardest part… The tuning! What do you see that you can take satisfaction in right now? #AbrahamHicks #NowIsDelicious #ThereIsOnlyNow #LiveInThePresent #MasterYourMindset #ChooseNow #LearningToLive #LivingAgain #CelebrateToday #Carpediem (at Greenwood Village, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnpGov5rwFj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#Thankyouforbeingmyfriend #Yougotafriendinme #letssoartogether #vibrationalimpact #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

My latest article with Cedar Rapids Moms! . . "When my marriage ended in divorce, and I unfolded the foil swan of my leftover feelings, what was left was the pieces of me I needed to work on. I mourned the death of my marriage, the dreams that would never be, and the version of myself that felt lost and alone. It was raw and isolating, but also clarifying." . . You can read the full article here: . https://cedarrapids.momcollective.com/relationships/im-never-getting-married-like-ever-again/ . . Or head over to @cedarrapidsmoms and click the link in their bio. . . #singlemomlife #divorcerecovery (at Cedar Rapids, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/COnkmm1HC0J/?igshid=stxyq4k98irg

When my latest post for @cedarrapidsmoms was being written, and evolved out of the dark with random inclusions of quotes from Juno and references to Etch-a-Sketch (much like writing does) I knew I had to ask Tim Gallenbeck of @bearded_border if I could use some of his work for the images!  . . Not only that, but as someone on the path of constantly seeking to improve themselves, I knew Tim knew all too well that life journey of learning from our mistakes and enjoying those life doodles.  . . Thanks again, Tim! . . Read the full article over on the Cedar Rapids moms page. Link is in their bio. Or copy and paste this link : https://cedarrapids.momcollective.com/health-and-wellness/we-cant-un-do-that-doodle-how-to-resolve-to-feel-better-in-2021/?fbclid=IwAR1W1rnveVH3W1LzyVMNuPazfB-l8DWi-g_t2J6-WAHWejOb5o-ORbkoaEA . . #doodlelove #2021starts #junomovie #elliotpage #rainnwilson #etchasketch #theuniversehasyourback #discomfortisgrowth #breathe #wordfortheyear (at Denver, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJg73GSnQTF/?igshid=1lydphqi32x7t

Words matter. So when I say that the loss of people and physical belongings I experienced in my divorce and the years following, was palpable. Traumatic even. . . I realized many people in my life were more concerned with image and keeping things comfortable and “friendly” more than doing the right thing. I had a very hard time with this. I took it personally, and then some. . . Through self-healing, a whole lot of therapy and advocacy, and an insatiable thirst to feel the love and support of the Universe, I learned... . . -hard times grows us exponentially. They suck. Sometimes you feel like you can’t go on. But you do. And it’s beautiful to awaken through this pain. . . -people respond to us based on their own damage/healing. How a person responds to us almost never has anything to do with us personally. . . -receiving what we don’t want is a powerful tool to uncover what we do want. That contrast in feelings guides us if we are just willing to pause to breathe, tune into what feels good and right, and trust that redirection from the Universe often puts us exactly where we need to be. . . So the photo.... you all. I just bought this car. By myself. . . After training to become a social media expert, getting certified as a practitioner of NLP and CBT, tearing down my walls and fear to connect with as many people as I can authentically and with loving intention..... and working really hard. Really hard! I stand in front of a pretty big purchase feeling proud and a marked, physically observable progression in my journey. . . I can’t wait for you all to get the opportunity to feel like this. Thank you for all your support along the way. (You know who you are!) . . Sending you light, love, and abundance. ✨❤️ Leah . . . #singlemomstrong #theuniverseislistening . . Special thanks to Zach Larsen at @vanhorn_ford ! You want a great car AND good vibes, he’s your guy. (at Cedar Rapids, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIqfYEPHAFq/?igshid=jzwj1qmd9f4m

I had some calls this week that were clarifying. Calls that happened so close to one another in my timeline I could see the contrast in energy. In some interactions, the feedback was growth-minded, communicative, jam-packed with vulnerable understanding. In the contrasting interactions, there was insult, blame, manipulations, reveal of selfish intentions BUT also clarity in my need for compassionate boundaries. . These two very different interactions tells a bigger story. Part one: The tale of my inconsistent energy. Part two: The Universe unfolding its loving plans for me. . The key is in control. Recognizing where I have it and letting go where I do not. As always, my only actual control is my mindset. . Shifting mindset for forgiveness and growth . 1. First, honor your feelings. They are right. Label how you feel and remind yourself that feelings are ok and valid. . 2. Remember that negative behaviors and responses from others are rarely actually your responsibility. A healthy mindset seek will use communication and planning to work through issues. Someone in an unhealed (also overwhelmed and tapped out) place will seek to blame, put up walls and push others away. . 3. Take time to heal from your interactions and honor the hurt part of yourself that may have responded poorly. Meditations for healing and forgiveness are powerful! (I love @jackkornfeild s meditation on forgiveness.) Using your go-to tools for deescalation of anxiety and bad vibes are important. (Getting out in nature or EFT tapping are powerful for my kids and I) . 4. Seek out joy intentionally and often. Practicing gratitude carves those positive neural pathways to not only be grateful but to always be seeking and observing more reasons to give thanks. . 5. Trust. The. Universe. It is love, so when you tune yourself to that energy, magic happens. You can trust things are working out, plans are unfolding, paths are lighting. . . #trustgod #happinessfromwithin #trusttheprocess (at Denver, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CITIv0rnS0C/?igshid=1ggyhawifi4m

We put so much pressure on ourselves to look better, earn better, be all things at all times, be more awake! And this is only exacerbated when you become a parent. You multiply those expectations with the pressures of showing up for your children and concerns of preparing them for adulthood. . . Take this moment right now to push away the judgmental chatter of others, the comparisons on social media and the ghost of mistakes past. Take a deep breath and acknowledge how amazing you are. . . You show up every single day for your kids. You give them love, safety, and guide them towards a strong sense of self. You show them humility through your mistakes, and every single day, you show them they can count on you. . . But that’s not even your biggest super power. You are infinite, you are love... you are of the energy that has created everything around you. When you show your children that you believe that you are a miracle, you show them that they are too. . . Now that is REAL power. (at Denver, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIJ3j-dHIU6/?igshid=17srfry8ja5ci

I know with these square photo-crops you can’t appreciate the full glory of momming and working from home. So I’ll share the story beyond the borders of this photo... . . Pictured is business, buttoned up and professional from the waist up, sweatpants and barefooted from the waist down. Recording voiceovers and video in my car which is soundproof and also, so far, child-interruption-free. . . I’ve let go of a lot of expectations of what this time in my career, my parenthood, and my personal life is supposed to look like. I still feel blessed that organizations reach out for my mindset and marketing presentations. Even more grateful that they honor the life of the working parents right now! . . This time has been an incredible practice of not pretending to be more than I am, not pretending that I can take on more than I should, and always bringing it back to those mindset practices when the momentum begins to carry me away on those waves of overwhelm. . . On this particular day I was sending out those vibes of gratitude to @faithhopeworks with #EmpowerIowa for inviting me to speak at their Marketing Boot Camp… and @shopwhereilive for using my voice for their recent giveaways. . . . Extra shout out to both of those organizations… You can grab the free marketing Boot Camp over on Facebook… And it’s always a good time to shop small and shop local! . . Stay well, stay humble, and stay hopeful! Sending you all light love and abundance! (at Aurora, Denver , Colorado , USA) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIJ2rdcny-L/?igshid=s2034qgso7ca

What was left after my divorce was finalized? A cousin who was an unconditional support. A small cluster of extended family. A fraction of my friendships. What was left were the people who would support me no matter what. And that number was tiny. About 10 people were showing up for me by phone and in person. 10 out of hundreds of people I had come to regard as friends and family over the 10 years of my marriage. . . Divorce is a death that is not socially recognized. You lose so much. There is palpable grief. Your life is broken. You are a ghost. . . When you begin to breathe again, the edges of your perception are crisper. You see authenticity (and lack there of) vividly. You also see how it was your lack of self-respect and boundaries that allowed so many people in your life who would turn away from you in your most dire times of need. . . When you begin to breathe again, you compare the tied up and weighed down energy to the new expansion of release. You let go easier because so much was taken from you. You learned nothing was “yours” to begin with. You discover everything is a part of you by proxy of energy, and so it is actually all yours. . . When you begin to breathe again you become so much more of what you wanted. This definition of self comes within this time, instead of from others. You parent different, you work different, you love different. This difference is intentional and awake. . . When you begin to breathe again, you see the gaps left by your prior life being filled. There are new friends who aren’t afraid to stand beside you (friends who aren’t put off by your healing), there is a new family unit defined by sacrifice, dedication, communication and trust (but not always blood,) and there is love that only grows as you learn to love yourself better. (This love from another and your own self love can exist simultaneously) . . You will breathe again. It might feel a bit like expanding your lungs under broken ribs at first. But trust, that pain will heal. . . #lifeafterdivorce #divorcerecovery https://www.instagram.com/p/CHu3s8engTK/?igshid=2lawmk12rst0

Celebrate your strength to sit in your past hurt, to intentionally heal & to still love despite it all. . . Love is the goal. Love of self... love of others. It is the most powerful force in the Universe. It is the gateway to manifesting. So what steps do you need to take to get an alignment with you are? . . The answer to getting in alignment with who you are at your core, is in the judgments you make about yourself, either openly or only within your mind. To be in alignment you must feel worthy, you must feel capable, you must feel you have the power to create with your own unique abilities and gifts. If you don’t believe in these things, then this is where you start. . . Why don’t I feel worthy? . . Why don’t I feel capable? . . Why don’t I feel that my own unique collection of talents gives me the power to create my desires? . . When you do the work to address all of these things, not only do you become the vibration of love, but all of your judgments and other bad vibrations of that flavor… They just fade away. . . “I am worthy.” A small affirmation but a really good place to start. . . . #alwaysworthy #iamlove (at Aurora, Denver , Colorado , USA) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHl9oviHl4l/?igshid=uxiv4yudly0b

Consciously parent your child with compassion and you heal your inner child in the process . . I often times have people tell me how much my posts help them even though they are not parents. But what were we all at one time? We were but children ourselves. And we forever have our inner child begging to be heard, validated, and guided. . . By becoming aware of self-growth messages and applying them in your life, everyone in your village benefits. You bring your best self to the table and you guide those around you with as much non-judgement and love as you can muster. . . Be the parent you need to your sweet inner child and watch yourself blossom. . . #innerchildwork #consciousparenthood (at Centennial, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHDdcrLngNh/?igshid=qx18ufco2m9z

How you all doing? Working that mindset muscle towards positivity is feeling a bit like this... (at Denver, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG_hd7_HFSe/?igshid=13waft2566p4p

Stop and consider for just one moment... How good would you allow yourself to feel if you just knew, without any uncertainty, that everything was all going to turn out OK? That you didn’t have to worry if the Universe was going to work things out for you, because you trusted that it was, that it IS already working out. It is all coming to you just how you need and in perfecting timing. . . Breathe that in. Doesn’t trust feel good? . . Come back to that thought, and that physical feeling of release as you trust in the timing and power of the Universe. . . Come back to it every time fear begins to over take you. And breathe in trust and faith in the beauty of how everything always works out. . . #comebacktojoy #choosetotrust (at Cedar Rapids, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG1HZakHduT/?igshid=jgkeczkbs238

What would you do if you knew you could not fail? We’ve likely all read this quote at one point or another. It’s a very inspirational thought. But in the back of our minds, is that resistance that’s lurking subconsciously. “But then what would happen if we fail?” . . That’s the beauty of the Law of Attraction. There are no failures just redirections and lessons. Everything that we experience in life is good. We may have a negative perception of it, our perspective may have made a belief about what is happening in our life. . . But in accepting that everything that the universe gives us is positive, is good, we can learn to shift our perspective. In that new awareness, we realize that what feels like contrast and very much like what we don’t want, is in fact, exactly what we need. . . When raising children with the Law of Attraction, you are teaching them the power perspective has, not only in their own understanding of their life, but then also why others may behave the way that they do. . . This perspective reduces the power that they may feel others have over them in positive and negative ways, it helps them realize their own power to create their reality, and it helps them to live a life not blinded by all the intricacies of things that simply don’t matter, but one of purpose and fulfillment. . . So, let’s talk about “failure” with our kids. Let’s make sure they understand that failure is just one perspective, one definition. And we can all have different definitions and understanding our experiences. (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGhkRhrn72V/?igshid=1k3dbr15jxbiv

Anyone else massively exhausted? . . Here’s the nitty gritty on changing your mind about resting. . . Head over to @cedarrapidsmoms and click the link in their bio! . . #tiredmomma #homeschoolinglife (at Cedar Rapids, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGGK2DhHaF_/?igshid=10spwev1l402l

That’s the LOA for you. It’s also the core of compassion. . . So remember, let it go, allow, breathe, and give like you’ll never run out. ❤️✨ . . . #releaseandallow #givegenerously (at Denver, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGCrGtsnUOC/?igshid=1vpee0dzxvdxy

Sometimes I worry if I’m loving them too much, or not the right way. I worry if I’m teaching them to be strong women. I worry if I’m teaching them to rely on my love. I worry about their self-esteem. I worry that they won’t expect enough for themselves. I worry that they won’t uphold their own boundaries. . . And then I remember, they are powerful. They were born completely full of love and aware of their own purpose. I remember that my fears do not have to be their own. I remember that as long as I am teaching them to use their inner guidance then they will walk through this world wide awake. . . And in this, I remember that none of my worries and none of the conditions of our culture matter as much as the infallible lessons I give them by teaching them to find their own inner truth. . . Love and Abundance to you and yours ❤️ (at Anamosa, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-cs_ynugd/?igshid=1gxx96df57aya