Started the new year with a BANG!

Let me start out by saying, it was not a good "bang".  I felt like I was shot down when the new year began.  I ended 2013 on such a high and I expected 2014 to welcome me with open arms. Instead I felt like I was tripped over as I walked into the new year.  I started 2014 with a lot of resistance.  I'm dealing with a lot emotionally right now, and am just trying to sort it all out.

Health-wise, most of my healthy eating habits went out the window in December.  I was stressed preparing for my vacation, then while on vacation I was trying to acclimate to the weather, family, friends, and the stress of the holidays.  I did better than expected with food.  I didn't go overboard at all, but I also wasn't eating as healthy as I would've liked.  Still, I was proud of not pigging out.
Ever since I came back to San Diego I've been on an emotional rollercoaster.  Don't get me wrong, I was happy to be back (especially back to warmer temperatures), but I was missing my loved ones.  I was feeling lonely and vulnerable.  To top it off I felt totally off balance and unsure of what my vision/goals were for 2014.

Financially, I am not where I want to be, but thankfully the clouds have parted and I am beginning to once again feel the abundance flowing.  I started out this year with a lot of fear about money (where was it coming from, will I have enough?).  I was freaked out.  I spent way too much on my trip for the holidays so when I came back it was like a rude awakening.  I prayed on it and decided to let go of the anxiety since it wasn't helping me move forward.  I took action by applying for jobs and contacting my temp coordinator.  A week later I had another temp assignment (this one for 2 months).  RELIEF!  I can once again save up, and this time invest in my future.  I also just filed my taxes and 60% of my refund will be nicely tucked away in savings.  The rest I plan to use for something useful, such as a class, but I'm not sure what for yet.

January was very rocky for me, but the main thing that helped me get through was meditation.  I downloaded a few guided meditation sessions, as well as have a "Meditation" station on Pandora (you can listen to it HERE).  The music helps me relax and I like to have it playing in the background as I'm praying or stating my gratitudes for the day.  Through the 4-week THRIVE COURSE I was taking I was able to determine what my main focus for 2014 will be.  I don't feel comfortable sharing what that goal is (yet), but just know I will for sure keep you posted on my progress.  I decided to take another session (my 3rd one) of Magical Manifesters to create a plan of action for this goal.

I previously shared my Resources for Positive Shifts where I list most of the tools which brought me to this point in my life. If you're looking for some change and clarity, this is a great place to start.

May the force be with us all! =)

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!

Useful resources for positive shifts (updated 2/2/14)

Hello all!  I've mentioned a few resources here and there throughout my blog but decided to create a comprehensive list of all the ones I follow/subscribe to (and I'll continue to add-on).

1) (Book) I first began creating positive shifts in my life back in 2010, when I read "The Secret". When I refer to "positive shifts" I mean that I'm being guided to my path, or I'm being put back on track.  I felt for a long time, even back in my teen years, stuck in a rut.  I've kept journals since middle school and I like to read them from time to time.  I noticed every year the themes were the same.  There were subtle changes; changes with my body, my surroundings, the people in my life, my relationships, but the major themes like love, money, health were the same.  Every year started with a search for something better, and when I read The Secret it really helped me understand that I was creating my world.  I created my own obstacles, I created the rut. So reading that book gave me a very different view on my life; I was no longer a victim of circumstance.  This book is great to shift your thoughts and help you open up to possibilities.

2) (Entrepreneurship + more) Around 2011 I began working with one of my sorority sisters, Laura Yamin. Laura has a blog called Joyful Shimmy where she shares how she found her center, and what resources she used to get here there.  Since then her business and brand have grown exponentially. I've involved myself in many of Laura's workshops and classes, as well as have looked into her resources.  I am currently taking her 4-week THRIVE! course and she has another session starting February 3rd.  Thrive is perfect if you're over living on the margin; if you're over just having enough to survive.  You want more out of life.  You want to live the best life you can. Laura helps you take a deep look at your "stories" surrounding money, why they are there, what we can do to overcome.  Everything is done online and we hold weekly group sessions which are all guided by her.  Through Laura I was (finally!) able to learn what my relationship with money looks like (not pretty).  Now that I know I understand what I have to do to shift my relationship to a more positive place.  So if you want to THRIVE this year, please click here to learn more about what she has to offer you. She is an amazing resource to have especially if you're a creative individual with a entrepreneurial mind.  She can help take your business to the next level. She also introduced me to another life changing resource, Magical Manifesters....

3) (Course + more) August 2012 I had made the decision to take a Leap of Faith and move across the country.  At that point I was hungry for information and more powerful tools.  Laura hooked me up with the knowledge of the Magical Manifesters course.  The course was created and is taught by Erin Stutland.  It's a 4-5 week online course, which you can do at your own pace.  Once you're a member of the MM community you have unlimited access to the course and materials (I've taken the course 3 times already).  I still use the tools and resources to check-in with myself, assess my goals and what I need to achieve them. She approaches reaching goals in a way I've never thought of or experienced before. This isn't simply making a list and then crossing things off. She actually teaches you to look DEEP within yourself to assess what your fears and blocks are BEFORE you even begin to discover your goals and talents. You are then taught to analyze your desires with a whole new set of eyes. The way she approached things, for me, was innovative, creative, and just really thought provoking. There's also a group on Facebook for all MM participants, where we network and share our experiences.  If you're truly ready to take ACTION rather than wishing for your goals to get accomplished, this is a great first step.

4) (Book) I was introduced to "Think and Grow Rich" from reading The Secret.  Where The Secret helped me shift my thoughts surrounding life as a whole, TAGR helped me shift my thoughts and beliefs surrounding money.  My financial situation is the #1 area of focus for me and has been for a very long time.  I didn't realize, until very recently, how toxic my relationship with money has been.  I will share with you later on about that, and what I am doing to shift the energy surrounding money.  This book is one of the cornerstones of establishing a positive relationship with money.  If you want to change the way you view and attain money, this is the book for you.  Furthermore, mi gente Latina, many of us are taught very early on to have a negative relationship with money.  "Money is the devil", "More money more problems", and the list goes on...Lionel Sosa has taken the lessons he's learned from Think and Grow Rich and "translated" (so to speak) for the Latino perspective.  I highly suggested checking out his "Think and Grow Rich: A Latino Choice".

5) (Entrepreneurship + more) I've been following Marie Forleo since about 2010.  I started a small, home business back then selling items to my sorority sisters.  Marie has a wealth of information for entrepreneurs; articles, links, courses, videos on Youtube, and much more.  If you're an entrepreneur, do yourself a huge favor and check her out.

6) (Entrepreneurship + Jobs) I am including my e-books on here.  I wrote two (so far) which are available on Amazon for Kindle (you can download the free app fro your phone, computer, or tablet HERE). The first one is for anyone interested in establishing a home business, it's called "BYOB: Be Your Own Boss - How to Start a Home Business on a Budget".  This e-book breaks down how you can take your skills and transform it into income.  Get your small business started from home with little down.  You'll receive step-by-step guidance as well as resources to get you started.  The next one is "How to find the BEST gigs on Craigslist: pay your bills and earn some money on the side". I am a Craigslist guru when it comes to gigs.  I've been "gigging" for a long time and here I share how you can get started navigating through the ads on CL to find legitimate, short-term work.

Blogs I follow:  It's not enough to just bookmark a website.  Subscribing to receive updates is the best way to make sure you get the knowledge first.  I subscribed to receive email updates from each of these.  I've grown my subscriptions over the years; I really like what these people have to say and they each touch me in some way.  They all have something special and unique to provide to me.

Joyful Shimmy

Erin Stutland

Marie Forleo

Mike Dooley

Sonia Choquette

Kate Northrup

Patricia Moreno

Yesenia Vargas

Terri Cole

AstroStyle

Erika Lyremark

Food Babe

Wandering Earl

The Curvy Fashionista

Martine Holston

Catherine Collautt


Youtube peeps: Just like with the blogs above, I also subscribe for some video inspiration (some of the folks above also have channels on Youtube).

Doreen Virtue

Lilou Mace



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!