Feel the FEAR but DO IT anyway!

Today's post is inspired by a challenge I am participating in, created by one of my favorite guides, Erin Stutland.  Her SAY IT SWEAT IT GET IT challenge is a FREE, one-week challenge to get your body and soul moving.  Not only do you receive daily emails with actions to take, but you also get a free 5-minute workout to get your heart and mind pumpin! Who doesn't have 5 minutes to dedicate to themselves; to work on their goals and desires.  The best part is that as you're moving your body to the workout you also have to state positive affirmations out loud.  The movements are in perfect sync with the words.

I'm currently on day-4 of the challenge and it has been my favorite so far.  One movement is to acknowledge that I am feeling the fear.  I feel the fear; it's present and I'm not avoiding it or backing down.  With the next movement you loudly and proudly state I DO IT ANYWAY!  That's my favorite part!  I laughed out loud when I first heard it.  The little rebel inside of me was jumping up and down excitedly.  It's like challenging fear itself; eff you fear!  I feel you, but guess what?  I don't care I'm gonna do me!  I'm gonna DO IT ANYWAY!

This mantra/affirmation really stuck with me for many reasons; the most present reason being my fear of lack.  Lately money has been great.  I've been creating abundance for myself just by changing how I view money.  It's a daily mental workout to change your thought patterns and behaviors, but I know I've come a very long way.  I'll give you an example.  I used to feel so angry at receiving what I called "pocket change".  I would randomly find dimes on the ground, or I'd receive a "cash-back" reward of 50 cents from my bank; I felt as though the Universe were mocking my desire for prosperity by presenting me with "minuscule" amounts, as if to say you want a million dollars but this is all you're ever gonna get.  Until very recently when I realized, oh shit!  I'm actually receiving without even really trying!  These "little gifts" from God are my desires manifesting.  I am actually creating magic after all.  Now whenever I pick up a dime on the ground or receive anything else I would've taken for granted, I say THANK YOU!

So, now I am creating abundance but WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?  I pay my bills.  I budget.  I plan how to spend every dollar.  This is something I'm working on to change.  I want to actually enjoy my money rather than be fearful I won't have enough.  I FEAR enjoying my wealth and then the next day being hit with a huge unforeseen bill or emergency.  Do any of you out there feel like this around money?  It's not a good feeling.  If the message I'm sending is money = fear, and I don't want to live in fear, then guess what?  I won't be receiving the money I desire.

I started changing the energy by doing some small acts of enjoying my money.  I bought myself some earphones I've been wanting and then the voices in my head started.  What if I'm gonna need this money later on, for an emergency?  Is this something I really need?  Can I live without it?  I would keep checking my account afraid that I'll find it negative (because of my past negative energy around money).  I couldn't even enjoy my purchase the first week I had them.  I kept going back and forth with myself on whether I should return them or not.  I finally decided to keep them and flexed my money muscles a little further by buying other things I DESIRED.  I am so used to buying things out of necessity that desire became a luxury I "couldn't afford".

When Erin commanded me to state out loud, "I feel the fear but I do it anyway" I took back my power.  I felt the shift immediately.  And I acknowledge that I already possessed this power when I challenged my fear by taking that leap of faith last year. Now whenever that nagging voice of fear pops in my head I tell it "I'm doing it anyway!".

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

A simple act of KINDNESS goes a long way

Today I am inspired by the note I received from the Universe:

You just never know, Katherine, who in the crowd, standing beside you in line or passing you in the street, might be raised in spirit, or even lifted from despair, by the kindness in your glance or the comfort of your smile.

I enjoy reading my daily notes from The Universe, which you can receive as well by signing up for free on TUT.  Some notes make more sense to me than others, but all messages are welcome.  This note reminded me of a time when I was "down in the dumps".

When I first moved to San Diego (last year) my eyes were filled with sunshine and my heart with hope.  I had little bouts of loneliness and doubt, but kept on going.  The hardest period for me here was from March to the beginning of May.  I was having a hard time finding a job, the funds were running low, and I didn't have a stable home.  I was living in fear and despair.  I cried almost every day, uncertain of whether or not I would make it out here.  One day I felt like I had hit rock bottom.  I was in a constant state of anxiety and went for a walk to clear my head.  I sat outside of a coffee shop and called one of my best friends to vent.  I was sobbing loudly and I guess some people walking by noticed, but I didn't notice them.  A few minutes into my crying session, this lovely young woman quickly stopped in front of me and gave me flowers, then walked away.  I only caught a brief glimpse of her; smiling back at me as she walked away.  At that point I felt like she was an Angel sent to comfort me.

A complete stranger turned things around for me. In that instant when she gave me the flowers, I started crying tears of joy. I was so astonished by this small gift and small act of kindness, which for me was like she had given me a million dollars. From then on I reminded myself of my mission, and that day when someone I didn't know or had even seen before made me feel like the most special being on Earth.

Sometimes I get caught up with wanting to do BIG things for the people I love, to show them how much I care.  Buying them big gifts, giving them money; I need something TANGIBLE to give to them.  I think it's so easy for all of us to get caught up with showing our love through objects.  Sometimes all it takes is to check up on someone and ask "How are you doing?  I miss you".  And what about showing love to people we don't know?  I don't know what motivated my Earth Angel to give me flowers that day, but I'll ever forget the gesture.  What if all it takes is a smile?  A concerned glanced? I think in order to truly be present and live in the moment we have to be aware of our surroundings and the people in it.  We have to truly treat people how we want to be treated in order to create miracle moments in their lives, which can be achieved through something as simple as daisies.

Please share in the comments below any miracle moments you may have caused for someone, or if you've ever had a similar experience?

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

One year ago today...

Happy December all!  December 1st marked my 1 YEAR anniversary here in San Diego.  One year ago today I left everything I knew behind to start something new.  I’m actually in shock.  I still can’t believe I did it; I can’t believe I moved and have been here for a year already.  I thank God every day for this opportunity and for the unconditional support of my family and friends, whose love and comfort kept me going when times were rough.  I made it!

In one of my previous posts I share with you how I made the decision to move and how I followed my dream.

With 2014 right around the corner, I have a few goals I want to accomplish before the start of the new year.  How will you end 2013?  How will you feel looking back?

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!