Conflicted To Aligned

I’ve been conflicted most of my life and as I write these words,

maybe you can relate. 

It’s as if a part of me has wanted one thing 
and the other part, desired the opposite, 
for as long as I can remember. 

Step out and shine. 
NO! 
Retreat. Retreat. Retreat. 

It was as if a voice within was literally saying, on a loop,
Go into that self-imposed cave,
I mean home,
and write. 

Now, maybe your conflicted moments don’t have actual dialogue 
(mind-of-a-writer here)
But on some level, I have a feeling you get me. 

You hear what I’m saying, as you are still reading, are you not? 

See, I have so many talents. But who am I to offer them? 
I have so many gifts. But who am I to share them? 
I have so much love in my heart for others. But who even cares? 

Especially, when I didn’t have love in my heart for me. 

And that’s the bottom line of my former-conflicted-self. 

Lack of love for me. 
Lack of confidence in me.
Lack of proof that I am enough…

To just do all-the-things. 
To just do anything at all. 

To live my life for me. 
To say the hell with what others think.

To say I am magic, watch me wave my wand and create all I want…
To invite people on this journey with me… 
To impact others and get out of my own head, my own way....

Yet, when I didn’t love me, it was hard to know what I even wanted.

So-much-conflict, I was like my very own never-ending soap-opera until I put All My Children to bed after 43 years.

Damn, but the numbers don’t lie… living conflicted for four decades. 

Just why?

Yet, when you know no other way, it’s easy to stay in the mire of all that self-turmoil, self-criticism, self-analysis and think, 
There is so much noise in the world, why even speak up? Why add more crap….

So instead I did nothing, 
Or next to nothing, 
And called it a day...
As I moaned about the victim that was me.

Instead, I’d get courageous and take two steps forward only to take ten steps back. 

And then ask that never-ending Q of why?
Why me?
The question that begs another and another and yep, another. 

Until I got sick of my own self and really heard the voice within. 
The one that was nasty.

The one that was full of such doubt, such pain, such hatred…
Of me.

The one that had spent all these decades asking the ‘wrong’ questions…
Questions based in lack. 
Questions that kept me in the spin — 
Of conflict. 

Who am I to do that thing? 
Who am I to share those words, that idea, anything? 
Who even cares? 
What if I’m not enough?

When I pressed pause on these questions and started asking myself, less
questions...
And when I did, question — asking better ones…
The world tilted under me and this magical thing happened. 
Alignment. 

So I bring this idea to you today…

When a Q pops into your head that’s based in doubt, in lack, in criticism of you, simply flip it.

It looks like this and may just make you smile… 

When you’re mind says “Who am I to do that thing?” flip that sh*t to…
Who am I NOT to do that thing? 
Who am I NOT to share those words, that idea, anything? 

When that voice wants to ask “What if I’m not enough?” you’re immediate comeback is…
What if I AM enough?

When you think no one cares what you do or have to say you’ll be changing that tune from Who even cares? 
to
Even if no one cares, do I care enough to…?
Or even better if you’re feeling sassy… Do I even give two-f*cks?!

When I stepped fully into loving me, all changed. 

So if I can offer you one thing in this love-note from me to you, it’s this…

To Be Conflicted Is A Choice. 

When I chose to love me instead, the conflict that was me melted away. 

I didn’t do all this on my own… but I did show up, for me, each and every day.

I had a mentor and a coach as my guide this last year, and it’s made all the difference in the world. 

Sometimes we need another to point out that which we can’t ourselves see and she is that for me. 

I’ll be sharing more about her in a coming post and revealing something crazy-cool that may just fill you with as much JOY as it does me…

If you subscribe to my Wednesday Words, you’ll be receiving an email all about it…you can get on that word-train with me right here and never miss a JOYful moment again.

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One Hour Does Have The Power To
Open Doors & Transform Your Life

Clarity & Alignment Equal Powerful Messaging: Joe's Story [Part 3]

Joe’s story has captured minds, hearts and caused a flood of DMs I was not expecting, yet feel so blessed by. 

I also love the comments left and encourage you to share your thoughts after this and each of the three parts of this Joe-Focused series. 

It proves the power of story and that we love to see another succeed but even more importantly, reading about Joe allows others to see just what’s possible for them. 

So if you missed any of this story-time action, catch Part 1 here and the follow up Part 2. This is the wrap to Joe — for now. 

I won’t spoil it in the event you haven’t read all the deets, so go back to the beginning… 

And if you have already gotten your read on… grab that mug of tea, cup of Joe (ha!) and sit back to sink into just what comes to be when you live from 100% possible, 100% of the time. 

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Bringing Clarity To Joe

In the last words of the previous read, I shared a statement that is worth repeating here to refresh your memory and get you too excited by possibility. 

Imagine What Would Be Possible
If You Went From Nada
To Clear Messaging In One Day

Can I give you the answer to this non-question statement?
Yes? Good.
E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

See with clear messaging people can find you, people can fall in love with you, people can buy what it is you sell. 

With clear messaging you become the solution that fills the need someone has. 

But if they can’t find you, well — Everyone loses, do they not? 

Joe had no messaging online. 

For most of my life, I have had little to no messaging online. And what messaging I did have was disjointed, convoluted and simply not clear. 

For Joe, it was a matter of an established referral-based business and, until recently, lack of a need for something different. 

For me, it was a bit of the same. I’ve created two businesses all based on a model of referrals. One in writing/coaching work and the other in education. But for me, the issue went a bit deeper than it did for Joe.

I was a hider. 

One foot in. 
Three feet out — even when I only have two. 

And I see both myself and Joe represented in the clients I coach. Some are artists, writers, creatives simply into their craft and not sure how to navigate a word of being known. 

Others simply don’t think they are worthy. 

Both of those fit my bill. 

And others still simply didn’t know how to get their messaging across. It’s one thing to write a novel or a non-fiction piece, but to write one’s own words — own messaging — can be challenging. 

Now for Joe, his need is not new, but in our current times, it’s definitely a hot-button where as once it was simply an over sight. 

See Joe was comfortable in how he showed up in the world. 

He traveled less than half a dozen times a month. He spoke in other people’s meeting rooms, conferences and small stages. 

He received a fee and sold those in the room on a path to working more intimately with him.

He was well-received, well-paid and well-referred. 

And none of it online.

And it worked. 
Until it didn’t. 
Until travel came to a stand-still. 
Until meeting in groups became a concern. 
Until he realized it was time for a new approach. 

But for Joe, he thought that new approach was finally writing that novel he’d been dreaming of for a decade. 

Until things got back to normal. 
And then, he’d see. 

Well, as you read, Joe realized waiting for normal was a broken strategy. 
Much like no longer having an online platform wasn’t a smart choice. 
At least not for him. 

And he helped me see the light was well. As it wasn’t a working strategy for me anymore as well. 

And because I stepped out into the world — aligned — Joe was able to see just what was possible for him. 

Where In Your Life Could You Step Out? 

Where In Life Could Clarity Impact How You Show Up And Serve? 

Where In Life Are You Not Aligned? 

And this last is a powerful question, my friend. So impactful in fact, that I want to share just what happens when one steps into alignment. 

You may remember from Part 2 that Joe booked his My Words Your Day® VIP Experience, a one day intensive, less than 24-hours after I rolled it out on my very own site. 

Now Joe, he’s taking it a step further, as he’d like to go from zero to clear messaging in one day, with a virtual real estate home for all to reside on, created in a second day.

Did I mention Joe is ambitious?

And that’s where the creative in me gets excited! Because there is an artistic side of me that is a Jill-of-all-trades.

He saw this in me because when he asked who had done my new site, I could not tell a lie. I did. 

And could I do all that for him? For others? 

Perhaps…

And then I circle back to that one word — alignment.

For now, Joe and I are focused on my words, which are my SuperPower, for his scheduled day and we’ll see where that leads. 

Clarity and focus should be considered best friends, if not soulmates. 

And I speak from experience when I say not having clarity leads to running after all-the-things. Which then leads to an utter lack of focus and that’s a killer. 

Perhaps you can relate..?

Thankfully, Joe got this message loud and clear. He’s focused on first things first — his messaging. And that’s what we will create absolute clarity on — first — during our day together because that is his true need once the excitement of all-the-things wears off.  

And as Joe is preparing for his day with me, I want to share what else is happening. 

It’s as if the floodgates opened and people came out of the woodwork. 

It’s as if interested individuals were simply waiting around virtual corners for me to get my own messaging out there. 

And it’s absolutely delicious… and I refuse to step into an old pattern of being uncomfortable about the sudden attention. 

See, I am receiving messages about my Schedule A Clarity Call Coaching work right and left.

I am being asked questions now about My Words Your Day®, VIP Experience. 

I am seeing interest… excitement and a desire for what I have to offer. 

This, Friend, Is The Power Of Alignment.

To have had a dozen people reach out in just five days. Interested individuals asking if it’s right for them.

And three didn’t wait for an answer but simply booked.

Again, the power of alignment.

Here’s what I know

If you feel called to someone, that’s your inner guidance, listen.

If you feel it’s right, stop all the doubting, questioning and lean in.

If you’re questioning, hit pause on your thoughts and get quiet.

I can’t tell you if a Clarity Coaching Call is right for you, just as who was I to say Joe didn’t need a My Words Your Day® VIP Experience.

No One Can Tell You What’s Best For You

So when you’re ready for your own dip into alignment, start asking yourself what it is you need, desire, want and then go all-in with that.

Because that right there is the magic of being aligned.

That right there is what comes with a deep-dive into clarity.

And it only comes when you listen to the voice within.

So I’m getting quiet with all of Joe’s wants and needs. And first things first, the focus is on putting My Words to his messaging needs.

And the rest will unfold as it should, either by referring him to others or by diving in if it feels right.

I’m going to document the process with Joe and with all my clients and begin to honor them and the work I do by sharing more of it so that it can inspire, just as my site, my messaging inspired Joe to take action.

Perhaps Joe’s story will inspire you.

I’ve spent a lifetime intentionally working on projects where I could not contractually step into my slice of sunlight to shine and that stops now.

Not to say I won’t still ghost write or collaborate on hush-hush projects. Not at all. I love serving in this way.

But from now on, I’ll step out and shine as me. Aligned.

And offer all that I do with full transparency, as that now feels so aligned, and so very right.

And Joe already sees what’s possible for him, now that I stepped up and into the spotlight of my talents. 

Just by looking at the alignment, I gave a home to...as me, on my site. 

And that is proof right there that alignment is everything.

So this message is two parts.

Joe’s Story And The Message Underlying His As It Relates To You.

Maybe you're like Joe and don’t even realize there’s another way.

I’m here to say there is and it starts with My Words Your Day® VIP Experience or by Scheduling a Clarity Call.

And perhaps you're just like Joe and will desire even more.

Or perhaps you are waiting for the right time to put yourself out there.
To make an impact.
To serve.

To be the you that can reach one or one thousand.

Just like the former version of me.

If you’re waiting for permission.
Hold up.
Give it to yourself.

If you’re waiting for the steps.
Stop.
They’ve already been given. 

If you’re waiting for alignment.
Press Pause.
It’s within you already.

And it’s so incredibly delicious!

If you're desiring clarity, there is a path.

Schedule a Clarity Call and let’s allow the aligned you out to play.

Your time is now. 

Join Joe, an amazing man, and total go-getter, and soon hundreds of others on a new way for working… My Words Your Day® VIP Experience, a one day intensive where my purple pen writes for you.

Or start by Scheduling A Clarity Call.

The choice is yours.

But imagine for a moment, words written for you that connect the dots of your passion and purpose so you can start being of greater impact.

Provided in one day.

Powerful, just the thought, is it not?

When you do, connect those dots, abundance naturally flows and your profits will too. 

This will happen for Joe. Very very soon.

This is already happening for me. Because I listened. Finally.

This can happen for you, too. 

Now is your time to become crystal clear and shine, is it not? 

Thank you for reading all of Joe’s story from his perspective and mine. 

Thank you for being on this journey with me. 

A journey I feel so very blessed to finally be completely, utterly aligned with. And I desire that for you.

If this share impacted you, please give this post a 💜 and leave a comment below with your biggest clarity moment. 

Finally, I’d request that you consider sharing this post or Part 1 on your own social channel. You never know who may be impacted by these words. 

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One Hour Does Have The Power To
Open Doors & Transform Your Life

My Words Your Day: Joe’s Story (Part 2)

Yesterday, I shared Joe’s story in Part 1. You may want to start there to get the full impact of this story-time share.

As today, I want to dive into my perspective on Joe and share what came next.

In case you missed it, this story is all about being in FLOW, being in ALIGNMENT, which is the word that took root in my life this month. Big time.

And it all starts with the post on July 1st - I Make A Difference.

You may want to swing back to that post and the one that came next — I Am Aligned — as this way of being makes all the difference in the world.

I am living proof of that as you will read in the continuation of Joe’s story below.

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My Story Of Joe…

Joe became one of my Clarity Coaching clients recently after obtaining my details from his friend, Teddy, also a client of mine.

That’s how I’ve always coached and wrote, until very recently, via referrals. More on that to come another day.

We had a powerful call that was productive, ambitious and extremely clarifying for Joe.

He wanted to talk writing like many, but not all, of my clients.

A newbie, wanna-be writer, a secret sci-fi lover, Joe had a wealth of ideas and a passion that jumped out of our virtual meeting to embrace me.

To say Joe was fun-loving would be an understatement.

He radiated happiness and while he didn’t know where to begin with this new idea, he was on the call with the purpose of gaining direction and clarity.

Never did he doubt he could.

And I loved that in him immediately.

That Knowing You Can Do Anything
If You Say You Can.

Joe ended his Clarity Call with a rough outline, a starting point, and booked a second call 15 days out — to hold himself accountable.

This is a man who made decisions look easy. 

For our second call, he came with three completed chapters to share, discuss and receive critical feedback on. He was cute, braced for my impact, and after relaxing a bit, I had to share with him the truth.

Because that’s what I offer my writing clients. All my clients. Truth, as I see it.

And I must say, his words were good.

For a first draft, first go — real good. And I don’t just say that… I never just say that. 

But when Joe turned around and critiqued me, it gave me a moment of pause.

I’ve been coaching a long time, just quietly, so I know I add value. I know I bring intuitive clarity to the table for writers, for artists, for creatives, for visionaries...

It’s simply what I do.

But when he started in on me at the end of our second call with, “Why are you hiding what you offer people like me?” I had to frigging laugh.

And I admit, it came out as a snort-laugh. Yep, for real!

Not. Even. Embarrassed.

Joe’s wife Missy, heard my less-than-lady-like, whatever that even means, snort, and with the cutest-ever giggle, she joined the last five minutes of the call. Perched on her husband’s lap.

I watched as Joe thanked his wife for his tea and then turned back to me with a firm, pointed stare.

Yikes.

“Jill, you need to make it easier for people to find you."

And Missy chimed it with “— And easier to book a call.”

I had to laugh and the coach in me felt duty-bound to hold the mirror up to my client, as we were still on the clock of his time, and this wasn’t about me.

Joe is a well-known speaker, in his area of expertise, and yet had no online presence himself. He received all his work via referrals.

We were two peas in the same pod — apparently.

The need to step out, to own what I did, publicly was something I’d become increasingly aware of over the last year or so.

For me, there was so much resistance. And that’s a story worth sharing — one day.

I mean, I was online, half-heartedly and with mixed messages about JOY and an old brand in education and random social media posts. Mostly about my rescue goats, of all things, and my new, unexpected, crazy island life.

Nowhere in that mix was a way to book me really, except via a contact form on my prolific, but chaotic, unfocused website. Or as a referral, through word-of-mouth.

The one I just launched under my real name in November of last year. The very thing I’d fought doing my entire life.

Going public.

When I say resistance, I mean knock-down-drag-out, two-steps forward and ten-steps back, resistance. For decades. For a lifetime.

I was a hider. I liked the shadows of ghostwriting and not being seen.

And yet, it had become increasingly clear to me that it was way-past-time to own my worth, as a coach of more than two decades, and a writer for more than 30 years.

Gasp! I started young. Don’t judge! Actually, judge away as I no longer care. George Micheal is singing Freedom somewhere right about now!

It was way past time to love myself enough to step fully into being me.

It was way past time to own my slice of sunlight and impact more people.

I mean literally, who was I to be so selfish and hide all the gifts I’d been given.

Joe booked a third Clarity Coaching Call with me while Missy gently read me the riot act for not allowing it to be easy. She reminded me of the wisdom my own coach and woman I am honored to call friend, had been sharing for the last year or so.

I heard the message loud and clear. Again.

And for some reason, this month, this moment in time, it all simply clicked for me.

Complete And Utter Alignment

I implemented all I know and like a MoFo, and created what is now visible for all to see.

And I’m so okay with it.

No more doubt.
No more angst.
No more two steps in and ten steps back.
No more hiding who I am and what I offer the world.

Instead, I created my own slice of online real estate that brings together my passion, my purpose which has always blessed me with profit.

What you have now is my online, completely me, totally aligned home. 

What I share on my site is 100% in alignment with who I am being, who I serve and how I show up in the world.

What I offer people like Joe. Perhaps someone like you.

And therein lies the shocking — to me — surprise.

My first ‘client’ within 24-hours of going live — completely and utterly aligned — was Joe.

See Joe, the public speaker with no online presence, who’d already had two clarity coaching calls with me about his book idea, saw my new site, and along with his wife, devoured it. [He later confessed.]

He had no idea I wrote words outside of fiction.
He had no idea I offered Clarity Coaching to people other than those like him — writers.
Why?
Because he was being coached on writing. And his college buddy, Teddy, had worked with me on fiction writing.

And now Joe realized he could refer me to a much wider scope of people than writers and those whose chosen genre was fiction.

And Joe could see just how much more I could help him!

Joe Later Shared How I Was Like A High-End, One-Plate Restaurant Whose Full, Decadent Menu Was Reserved For Those Who Thought To Ask For It.

And when he put it like that, in terms of food, I got his point. Clearly.

When he reached out and shared he and Missy had read every word, on each of the pages, three times and were floored.
Because just wow was his exact words.

And annoyed.
Because Joe had no idea I offered all that I did.
How could they when I didn’t say? Didn’t share? How could anyone..?

And ecstatic.
Because he saw how I could help him on a new level.

Which is what my fabulous coach, Lisa Carpenter, recently shared with me — Jill, people know you write, but beyond that, they really don’t know much or how successful you truly are. And that’s a shame.

I paraphrase her words, but that was the gist of her message to me.

But back to Joe. After feeling-all-the-emotions, Joe said he became excited by what was possible.

See my, new-to-him offer of My Words Your Day® VIP Experience, a one day intensive, was something he could really, seriously use.

Those were his words!

And my first thought was, No way! Who knew?

Gives new meaning to “leaving money on the table”, does it not?

But for me, the real hit-home-moment was not about the money left on the table, but the realization that

I Have Been Robbing People,
My Clients And Others
An Opportunity To Work With Me
On A More Intimate Level
Simply Because I Did Not Share Me
And All That I Do.

I had to take a look at my own mirror and see just how selfish I was being.

And chose to make a change.

So back to Joe and Missy. Like most, perhaps like you, until now, they didn’t know just what I did.

I mean, writing words and spending a day was just something I did for some people, some times, in the past.

No Big Deal. 

They went nuts.

And I Had A Second Wake Up Call
About How Often I Look At The Work I Do And Don’t Honor It, Celebrate It And
Brush It Off As No Big Deal.

I actually see that way of being in many of my clients… maybe you can relate.

But to Joe, this was a huge deal, my newly revealed offer of My Words Your Day® VIP Experience, and he was a bit peeved that I had been hiding it.

Which made me, at first, roll my eyes.

Not in disrespect, but in a what’s-the-big-deal way. As in, you don’t need that, so, no-harm no-foul.

But the email he sent me in the middle of his night, less than 24-hours after I put my new site, brand, and offers live, gave me and my habit of judging another’s needs — oops! — pause.

And made me laugh.

Joe’s opening line was “As my seven year old grandson would say…

‘You Suck.’”

And, well-done, as he got my attention.

The gist of his message — do for me what you did for you. But I’ll share some of his words with you.

“Jill, can you take this day and do that for me? Put me online? With your incredible, clear words that speak to just what I have to offer, as well as my wife’s soul. (And if I’m humble, mine too).

What you created for you, would you create for me?

Put me online. On the map. So I can serve a wider audience from the comfort of the lake house.

After, of course, I finish the rough draft of the book. It’s coming along, by the way.

And yes, I was up late writing! Caught me.”

As you can tell, Joe is a gem and he got me thinking about just what’s possible. For him and for others just like him.

I thought about it. 

Could I do for him what I had done for me? Yes.

I could certainly write all his words. That’s a no-brainer. A big fat yes.
As many words as I had on my site? Well, not in one day.
But I knew that wasn’t his ask.

And the time for true clarity on his needs would come, as that’s part of the My Words Your Day® VIP Experience.

A deep-dive Pre-Intensive Clarity Call, a bit of Pre-Work “homework” and a real coming-home-to-just-who-you-are-being as you show up in life, online and in your work.

This Is Where The Marriage Of A Person’s Passion And Purpose Lead To Massive Impact And Therefore, Naturally, Profits.

It’s happened for me — it’s happened for my clients.

Yet, before I could formulate a response for Joe, and narrow down his request, he booked!

Catch This, Friend,
Less Than 24-Hours After Being
Fully Aligned With My Messaging, My Brand, My Impact And How I Serve Others,
I Sold My First Offer Online.

And it’s not cheap. I’m not cheap.

And I must admit, I got excited by all the possibilities. All of Joe’s possibilities.

Because it made me wonder, who else, like Joe, was out there without a clear path to impact?

Without an online presence that spoke to who they were showing up being in the world and how they were here to serve.

Given our sudden new-world way of living, I’d imagine Joe — and even my former self — are not the only professionals without an online home that allows them to shine, serve and be seen.

All without the need to travel, stand on a stage or be in large or small groups of people to impact and earn a living.

Who else was out there has needed to know what I do, that I could honor and serve and impact with my rich skill sets?

My gut tells me there are so many, just like Joe, maybe just like you. 

Well, I just found out Missy pressed the purchase button and his words to me were, “She has faith in you, Jill. I have faith in you.”

So, here we are…

About to embark on his My Words Your Day® VIP Experience, a day-long intensive and get him the starting place for an online home.

A mix of My Words and My Eye for Design, along with my marketing know-how and we’re going to see what we can create for him, that he can then take online, in one day. 

Imagine What Would Be Possible
If You Went From Nada
To Clear Messaging In One Day

Can I give you the answer to this non-question statement?

Yes? Good.

E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

If you liked reading this section of the tale, give it a 💜 and leave a comment.

It’s not over yet. Joe’s tale.

Tomorrow I’ll release Part 3 but first…

If this story-time impacted you, please consider sharing it with someone who might enjoy it.

Or someone who may need to hear the message, be looking for some clarity of their own or simply get a kick out of Joe.

Share this on your social channels and allow others to read these words and be impacted just as you have been.

And then schedule you time for the wrap-up of this tale tomorrow. You won’t regret it, I guarantee it.

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Photo Credit: Jack Patrick @jack_patrick

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One Hour Does Have The Power To
Open Doors & Transform Your Life

Offline To Online, In A Day (Joe's Story)

Today is a story day. It comes to you in two parts, with Part 2 available tomorrow for all. No lockdown of a post involved. Even though this is a JOYful share. 

See, I am changing things up on this site, as you may have noticed from my new home page, new offers and the opening of a new store…

If you missed it, check out my home page here. Don’t worry, it will open in a new window.

Now this post is all about my new favorite word. Alignment. Or it will be after you dive into Part 2.

But if you missed it, you may wish to read two other posts either first or next, because they all relate. 

The first is I Am Aligned. 

The second is actually something I wrote as I was inspired by Joe, a non-fictional character who may just inspire you, as he has me.

See he’s taken the current global climate and used it as motivation to grow, evolve and shift his way of impacting in this new world many simply find themselves existing in. 

I don’t want to spoil the telling of the tale...

So, dive into Joe’s story here and now. 

Joe’s Side Of The Coin…

Joe knew he screwed up as soon as his last flight was cancelled and the lockdown took effect.

His travel suitcase was packed and at the ready by the front door. 

His button-down pressed for success hanging with his suit and green tie. He loved green. Always had.

And he had already been making plans on how to best serve those 50 new clients. The ones he simply knew he’d close on Friday, as three-quarters of the room was his norm. 

He was that good. 

Powerful, impactful. His message was clear. His intention, solely to be of service because he knew from his nearly 60 years on this earth, that he was taken care of when he did just that. 

Serve. With heart.

Another reason he was asked to speak on the stages at other people’s events. 

But on this day, as he took a seat on the sofa overlooking the high-rises, thinking of the lake house he’d just put a downpayment on, he knew something was off. 

He felt it in his bones. 

No connecting.
No touching. 
No flying.
Wild. 

Next step, lockdown. 

And that came a few days later, as he sat with his wife over morning coffee, wondering about his next steps. 

A forced holiday. 
A pause. 
Lean in. 

He knew better than to fight what he could not win. Why waste the energy?

Yet, still a moment of dis-ease tickled his spine and as he smiled at his wife who chewed the cap of his pen - he knew by the color green it was his - and he had to smile. 
She wasn’t fretting.
She wasn’t worried.
She wasn’t stressed out… 
Like so many wives of so many of his friends. 

He chose to let go of the thought he’d screwed up by not having a back-up plan to all the travel and speaking he did throughout the year.
This life had always worked for him — for them.
And he shook off the sudden doubt that he’d somehow chosen wrong.

They had a nest-egg and, an almost-theirs, lake house retreat. A ten-year dream in the making and nearly their reality.
The condo was spacious and even had a private patio. Fresh veggies were in the fridge and plenty of books he’d yet to enjoy on his must-read shelf. 

He refused digital reading for his guilty pleasure — sci-fi novels. Just as he knew one day he’d write one. 
Maybe now, as the story had been stewing, brewing within him for a decade. 

Hmm, he mused as he watched his wife have a lightbulb moment and scribble down her crossword puzzle answer, what better time than now. 

He picked up his phone to scroll contacts when his wife tsked him without raising her eyes from the folded newsprint. 

She was a puzzle junkie and couldn’t put it down till it was done. And at 50, she was still his precious high school sweetheart. 

And he’d almost broken the rule… no tech, ever, during coffee time. 

He smiled and placed his phone just out of reach, upside down, as was their way. And watched the dimple appear in her right check, the one he could see.
Gosh, she was so beautiful…
Complete with laugh lines he’d been privileged to watch appear and grace that porcelain skin, over shared giggles and stolen moments. 

He’d contact Teddy, his college roommate and friend, now a pro athlete, later. After coffee time.
When he could focus and ask him about that writer, a woman, whom he’d said, wrote his last two, or was it three, books with him.

Dang, hadn’t he done half of Teddy’s literature paper for him in college? The only one he’d received an A on the entire semester!

Shaking his head, Joe took the final sip of his coffee and pushed the thought away for now.

There was plenty of time to contact that writer to see if she offered book coaching...or could help him get started. 

What better time than now. 

Locked down and locked in with the love of his life. 

“Another cup, Missy?”

She looked up and cocked one eyebrow at him, her brilliant green-grey eyes twinkling just as he knew they would. “Like you have to ask, handsome.” 

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head upon standing and taking both cups in hand walked to the elegant kitchen, that was totally his domain, and the nifty machine his wife had insisted they buy that made coffee via pods.

Hmm, pods. Definitely time to write that book, he thought with a chuckle. 

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Joe’s a character and I know you’ll fall in love with him as much as I have since we started working together.

Well, again, don’t want to spoil the story, so stay tuned for Part 2.

But before you go, if you liked this story-time share, give it a 💜 and leave a comment below.

Enough comments and I’ll share more of these tales.

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Photo Credit: Oleg Kukharuk @olegkukharuk

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One Hour Does Have The Power To
Open Doors & Transform Your Life

I Am Aligned

I’m a word-nerd so I’m going to type and let what flows — flow.

Read this over a mug of tea or revitalizing smoothie… just whatever you do, GET THIS MESSAGE… as it’s for YOU.

After you do, you’ll see just why YOU being here, reading my words, at this time, is so very special and the path to THE ALL you seek…

See….
I’M F*CKING ALIGNED. Full Stop.
Just is.

I could add FINALLY to the end of that, but that’s a judgement, is it not? 
I could say I’M SUDDENLY… but that’s another story missed in, is it not.

So I won’t, I'll simply repeat myself (hear me ROAR with JOY)

I AM F*CKING ALIGNED!

And the feeling so bloody divine, I can’t keep the smile off my face or the twinkle from my eyes.

Even the goats have shut the hell up to let me celebrate.

I have a Drama Q and his name is B… Hmm, guess he made himself Queen B, Haaaaayyyyy! — snap.
Just saying!  

Yet, this post isn’t about goats and it’s not even about me, because as you sink into this flipping message, you will find yourself realizing just what’s possible for you INSIDE these virtual walls…

→ When you slow down

→ Absorb the message laid out for you

→ Let go of the need to be 100% perfect at anything, even the learning part, even the getting it part and especially the alignment part!

→ Stop asking for permission or what to do next

→ Cancel your ticket to ExcuseVille and

→ Calendar in your growth time.

As that’s what this is… soul development and growth mixed with all things self love.

When you remember that… and that you are supported in all things but something greater than you…

That when you love you, you tolerate less,
When you love you, you stop the bullsh*t stories… 
When you love you, you take full responsibility for where you are in this moment
When you love yourself, you know 100% possible, 100% of the time is your new norm…

AND KNOW IN YOUR BONES that you too WILL be fully-completely-utterly ALIGNED when you so choose to be.

If you SO choose.
And it doesn’t have to take a year or even 6 months…
It can happen in an instant.
Now or 6 months from now…
Or whenever you ALLOW.

So sink in…
With GRACE…
Stop pushing on the pull door of life, as I often say ....
And write.

Thanks to all that is,
I now FLOW… 
And I desire that for you.

Thanks to a newfound peace, I turned off all-the-other voices.
I learned to turn into MY inner voice.
And find my knowing.

Thanks to my instincts and my leaning in, my business is rocking, my profits are up 33% from last year, in a time of COVID19-yo!

(There are more thanks to give but I’ll keep this short and YOU focused!)

See my happiness, JOY and peace are a state I CHOOSE to sink into deeply...on the daily.
Thanks to all the learning and growth,
letting go,
doing less better
and BEINGNESS,
My SELF WORTH ACCOUNT is overflowing and larger than my multiple bank accounts.

What this last year, and my mentor and coach have taught me, is that you will never be ALIGNED until you sink into LOVING you.

What I have now is a set of DELICIOUS know that all is possible when I reside in peace, joy and the take moment for the pause…

The key here for me…
That I pass like a flaming torch to you…
Meaning comes from a place of BEING!

You will never go wrong when you step into more peace, JOY and absolute love of yourself.

And when you bring THAT beingness into your work, your relationship, your health… That is when ALIGNMENT presents itself to you like the best-gift-ever.

Because everything is energy!
I come to you today to share, confess, honor my NEW ALIGNMENT. 
I am a badass writer, author, published wordsmith and have been for 30 years. 
I am worth ALL-THE-PENNIES (okay, thousands) I charge and OWN that, FINALLY, PUBLICLY for the first-time-ever...
Because I love myself. 

I have been coaching creatives intuitively, successfully, quietly, for two decades… 

And now am able to proclaim, offer that and step fully into the IMPACT I have.
Because I love myself. 
And it took some time for me to get there. 
Here.
ALIGNED. 
And that’s okay. 

Many of us want to be aligned, talk about being aligned but few actually put in the time, the silence, the pause UNTIL their back meets the wall or they get hit upside the head with a two-by-four. 

Allow THIS message to be the wake up call you need…(don’t wait for that 2x4).

Because I know you are already seeing just what more JOY by reading my words can do for you.
And THIS is just the beginning.
When you get out of your own way…

Have you not yet realized how blessed you are..?

Sink into gratitude for all that is - that is the golden key I’ll leave you with… 

Because being grateful for my new alignment and KNOWING It IS allowed me to register my FIRST new client under my new offer, new branding, new stepping-out-as-me self in just 24-hours! 

How about them apples?!?
Can I get a BOOM!?!

Wanna know what I’m talking about? Dive into my new homepage and follow the trail where it leads you…

I write these words as they hold the power to not only show you what’s possible but inspire, motivate and get you implementing in PERSONAL ALIGNMENT.

A place, space, and a way of BEING unique to you.

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Photo Credit: Chansereypich Seng @sereypich27

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What’s More JOY Worth To You?

For Less Than 191 Pennies A Week
Access All My JOYful Words

For the detailed soul, click here for more.

I Make A Difference

This month has been impactful, powerful and centered around one simple, profound word for me.

Alignment

See, alignment is everything.

Alignment is what allows the service, impact or work I do to flow with ease.

Alignment allows the stars to align for you and propels you even when you feel as though you are standing still.

For this stillness is a new way of being called peace.

This stillness is no longer indecisiveness, indecision or (gasp) ignorance.

This stillness is a sudden awareness that you are aligned with that which is your passion, your purpose and all simply aligns to shower you with the abundance you once fought for, constantly struggled for, and have strived to achieve your entire life.

Alignment

To be aligned. This is my month of such clarity, such aligned action that I’d love to share the ins and outs of it all with you.

So if you’re willing, give this ditty a read and lean in this month to all my words.

See all has changed.

Including how I show up in the world.

How I show up here.

Read and dive into this amazing word — alignment — with me…

Because it’s due to my new alignment that these words flowed out of me and I sink into them as though they are part of me on a cellular level.

For they are.

And as you read, lean in, for these words are yours to own, to feel, to embody when you become aligned, too.

Enjoy.

I Make A Difference

I make a difference.
I matter.
I impact the lives of others.
When I get out of my own selfish way.

When I stop overthinking.
When I stop spinning excuses and what ifs.
When I stop sinking into doubt, fear, worry.
And sink into serving.

Now is the time for you to make a difference. 

Now is the time to own the simply yet profound fact that
You Matter.

Now is the time to realize that you impact lives
With your BRILLIANCE
Your JOY
Your LOVE
Your SOUL
Your PASSION...

Or with your nothingness.
Your ego driven-worry
Your mindless procrastination
Your fear of failure
Your attachment to outcomes
Your blah blah blah….

All you do, plays a role in the world.
All you are, affects all that is.

Truth? Yes.
Harsh? Maybe.

Suck it up, Buttercup...
Because
All you CHOOSE to be, matters.

When will you see—
Possibility
Over all, you say, limits you.

Today, I step into truly KNOWING
I make a difference,
I matter,
I impact.

Not because ten
Twenty
One hundred
More
Told me so.

Not because one
Says it is so.

Because I say so.
And so it is.

Allow today
to be your moment
to KNOW
the same. 

💜 

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What’s More JOY Worth To You?

For Less Than 191 Pennies A Week
Access All My JOYful Words

For the detailed soul, click here for more.

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Post Photo Credit: Jordan McDonald @jordanmcdonald

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