Mystery Intrigue Adventuring
Posted on July 20, 2016 2 Comments
My friend arrives today for our Mystery Intrigue Adventure. She’s had an overfull plate in Life’s buffet line lately, and could use some celebration. I’ve planned and reserved three days and two nights of relaxation, events, and food around her interests. I’ve also included a couple stretches of her imagination in there. She has no idea where we are going or what we will do. All she has to do is show up.
But she is enchanted.
And she said Yes.
We’re both Daphne, by the way.
Have you ever been offered a mystery by the universe, in which you had zero idea of the details? And although you were enamored, you needed more information than to just show up?
So you said No.
Every day is a universal mystery, full of possibility. But as captivated as we might be with the possibilities, we first walk along the outside the buffet. We examine what’s being offered. Then we decide if we want to get in line with our plate. Or not.
And although we do have some really great adventures, we also deny ourselves fabulous mysteries.
When the universe offers you something tantalizing, say Yes. Follow the mystery. You don’t have to finish everything on your plate, you’re just encouraged to try it.
As for me, I’ve gone MIA–Mystery Intrigue Adventuring. I’m celebrating my appetite for joy.
Here’s a potluck buffet item I passed over for years. When I finally gave it a chance, I discovered it was life-changingly fabulous! Now it’s requested of me at every family gathering. Who knew?!?
Mystery Adventure Fruit Salad
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Beat these four ingredients in a mixing bowl until fluffy.
1 tub Cool-Whip–fold into above mixture.
1 package fresh strawberries, halved
1 package fresh blueberries
Fold the fruit into the white, fluffy goodness. Or, layer it in a bowl. Whichever intrigues you more. 😉
It Took Me 20 Years to Learn This Beauty Tip
Posted on July 13, 2016 3 Comments
In my twenties, I stayed at home with my babies. I practiced a daily beauty-product routine, even though I didn’t always leave the house.
I just didn’t want to let myself go.
In my thirties, I went back to work in public and gussied up a bit on Monday through Friday. On the weekends, I practiced a scaled-back beauty product routine.
I just didn’t want to let myself go.
Now in my forties, my new career is creative and my personal interests are developing. On any given day I use beauty products if and as I feel moved to. This time, I’ve learned to follow what lights me up.
I’m so glad I let myself go!
Beauty is the product, when you make joy your routine.
Even Custer’s Mom Empty-Nested
Posted on July 6, 2016 1 Comment
I just got back from a fabulous 4-day road trip with my husband and 18-year-old son.
Did you realize this year is the 100th anniversary of our National Parks? One of our impromptu stops was a new park to add to our experiences: The Little Bighorn Battlefield. I highly recommend it. We particularly appreciated the self-guided driving trail, and being able to actually stand where Custer last did. I could feel the events happening around us, as if we were immersed in a live shadow of the life story. Powerful.
Custer’s Last Viewpoint
It makes me want to check out the History Channel for more info. Does anyone know of a really engaging documentary on The Battle of Little Bighorn that I should check out? Let me know in the comments, if you would. Thanks!
Ever since the kids were small we’ve taken a ton of driving trips and had a great time, for sure. But this time, on the edge of empty-nesting, two things were seriously different that I did not see coming:
- Traveling with adult kids is really, really cool
- Immersing yourself in stops along the way is so worth the time and expense
Adult kids (isn’t that an oxymoron?!?) are fun to travel with. There is a whole new level of standing-down as a Mom that I got to experience. Like car snacks no longer being needed as a distraction or event. And not having to be constantly on alert and parentally vigilant about things like falling off of cliffs or yelling in restaurants.
Stopping early in the day and spending time where you’re at is so much more interesting than doing a drive-by and pausing only to sleep. It’s well worth it, and I will remember this when we tally the trip receipts…. My Bozeman experience went so much further than a hotel on the interstate with an amazing breakfast: I got to be in the audience of the outstanding planetarium presentation by that hugely amazing young woman. We enjoyed an incredible meal on the secluded back deck of a local restaurant, and it turns out that the Hollywood owner and my son were in the bathroom at the same time. (We now joke that they got to hang out together.) And randomly walking into the historic Ellen Theater downtown led to a wonderful visit with the manager!
Medora-ble!
Oh, and when the tire blew? No biggie. I had both my guys taking care of me. And, we got to enjoy a whole new set of lines from A Christmas Story: “Time me!” However, no one had to say, “Do you know what your son (or, son-in-law!) just said?!?”
I have always loved our road trips. But as the kids become adults? It’s even more amazing. We all relaxed and enjoyed ourselves and each other more, and in a deeper way. As you are empty nesting, you can finally manage less and allow more, throughout your vacation–and other–processes.
And congratulate yourself! This is now the case because you made your Mama stand throughout all those youngster years! Way to go, then. And way to stand together, now.
Oh, fudge.
Golden Moments
Posted on June 29, 2016 4 Comments
We recently celebrated my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. An open house of friends and family, picnic-style, with gorgeous weather. God smiled upon this couple, as well as all who extended their support and love.
Fifty years ago
For those of us who have experienced marriage, we should realize that God is smiling at us because sometimes we’re just plain funny to watch. All of us. I mean really, we’re bumbling along as individuals in the first place, now add being in the context of a relationship? Are you kidding me?!? That simply provides comedic material for life.
And that’s exactly what it is: Life. It’s our individual moments that make up the whole of our lives. The way I live now determines what I have to look back on.
If I stay at a job that doesn’t serve me, what do I get to view when I look back from retirement? If I compromise myself within a relationship, is an anniversary really a celebration? Conversely, if I follow what lights me up and I voice my truth along the way, what do I then become over time?
I’m pretty comfortable with directing outcomes. Letting go scares me. And yet, I know that this is where my gold is hidden.
It’s the quality of our moments that create our milestones’ quality. I am practicing going for the gold, now. And I trust that the looking-back will take care of itself.
A truly golden moment.
Awaken Your Confidence, Live Your Purpose
Posted on June 22, 2016 4 Comments
You know that niggling little idea that you have, the one that gently cracks the lid of that cozy box of comfort you live in? And your eyes automatically squint in response because of the shining brilliance you just might become?
Look fully at it.
You don’t need approval. You don’t need the how. You are already enough. Begin.
Just. Say. Yes. To yourself. In whatever form that takes.
Want to write a book? Grab a pen and paper. Want to start a business? Share your product or services. Want to make your own cultured food? Go get that goat. Want to do something but you’re not sure what? Remain open and show up, daily.
Is it really this simple?!?
Yes, it’s that simple. No, it’s not easy. (Otherwise you’d already have started.) And, it’s crucial to our souls. In fact, the more important it is for our personal path, the harder a thing can be to begin.
We are not alone.
Support and encouragement are abundant. In many forms, and for all of our desires. We are helped even when we are still discovering just what our desires really are.
Three examples of my personal power posse include Pam Grout, Marie Forleo, and Gabrielle Bernstein. Every time I read or hear them, I am launched. It doesn’t matter if it’s a free post or a paid product, I always come out better for the experience.
Seek support even before you’ve clearly identified what your tickle of an idea is. Sometimes it’s just through exploration that you discover the message, the meaning. For me, I kept putting off enrolling in Gabby B’s Spirit Junkies Digital Masterclass because I couldn’t clearly see a direction–I just felt there was something I wanted to do. It was through finally participating in that particular program where the pieces began to come together for me–even though I began the course with no clear purpose in mind (and am still in the process of shaping it!). Don’t wait for clarity to in order to begin–it’s by beginning that you will find clarity.
Here are three Spirit Junkie videos to support you on your path, no matter what that is. There are many other supports from many other sources–seek them. You are not alone.
Stop Holding Yourself Back from Following Your Purpose
Ready to Turn Your Purpose Into Your Paycheck? (still directly helpful even if you’re not this specific)
Ready to Spread Your Empowering Message? (ditto)
Your comfortable box is no longer a nurturing nest–it’s a coffin.
Keeping yourself contained is the kiss of death to dreams you don’t even realize you have–let alone the ones you are aware of. Do one thing today, each day, to directly support your own self.
Begin by truly seeing the radiant, shining being that you are. And rise, sister, rise.
gina drellack 