Modish

The Catalyst Course- are you ready for change?

Remembering to breathe when you feel stressed out- that's one of the things that has made a huge, lasting change in my life over the last year or so, and is partly to thank for a big shift that happened inside myself.

I was having major issues with stress and anxiety and felt so off-balance and frazzle-brained for many years, without even really realizing it. I mean, I knew I felt unfilfilled way deep down inside, but I couldn't figure out what it would take for that feeling to go away, and didn't even necessarily think it was possible.

I got so used to living in a state of constant overwhelm, so used to having all these negative thoughts floating around in my brain, that it began to feel like that was just me. Just who I am and how I deal with things.

Luckily, I was wrong about that. Seriously wrong!

The Catalyst

Over the last year, and last 6 months especially, I've been able to shift my way of thinking so much that I feel like a whole new person. Like I was given another shot at this "life thang" but this time, armed with the tools I need to stay grounded, more focused and find a whole heckuva lot more to be happy about.

The catalyst for change, for me, was really just a realization that struck me deeply. I had an "aha" moment of sorts that made me see that all this stress, sadness, frazzledness and indirection was not me and not how I have to operate in this world.

I suddenly realized that I had been looking in all the wrong places to find the answer as to what would really fulfill me, when the whole time I had the power to find fulfillment within myself.

And so do you!

That's why Jen and I have dubbed our upcoming e-course, The Catalyst course! Staring this March, WE want to be the spur for change in YOU- the spark you need to create a real, lasting shift into a life that feels more fulfilling and whole.

We're going to share all the tools, new ways of thinking and support that we've been putting into real-world use to affect changes in our own lives. This is practical, realistic stuff that you too can incorporate into your life to reduce stress, clarify your goals and direction and help turn those pipe-dreams into a awesome reality.

Are you sitting on the edge of making a change? Waiting for a chance or opportunity to come your way? Dealing with a transition in your life or business that you could use some support with? Or just ready to feel stressed-less and a lot more happy?

We'll help you get there- we cannot wait to share all that we have planned with you!!! 

Check out full details on what The Catalyst course is all about, and if it sounds intriguing, be sure to sign up for our "inner circle" list- next week, we'll be sending out a special FIRST DIBS registration offer at a nice DISCOUNT, to newsletter subscibers only!

No resolutions, only happy

Instead of making resolutions we know we won't be able to keep that will leave us feeling guilty or bad about ourselves when we break them, Jen and I started thinking of the New Year as a chance to really reflect and refocus on the things we already have in our lives that make us truly happy.

Because if we can focus on the happy and find doses of goodness in each and every day, then we'll be setting up a foundation of gratitude to carry with us in everything that we do, including all the great big intentions we have for our great big futures.

But we're also realistic and know there will be days with failures, worries, bubbling insecurities. Days when we wake up on the wrong side of the bed or have an interaction that leaves us grumbly. And when we get stuck in negative thought patterns on days like that, it can seem downright hard to think of anything that could make us happy, shift our attitude or pull us out of those funks.

So, we decided to make a list. A list of happy-making things in our lives.

The simple, everyday smile makers.

The surefire pick-me-ups and attitude-changers.

All the little things in life, that we can access at anytime, that make us feel elated, excited and at ease.

We wanted something tangible that we could use to help keep our perspective aimed towards positivity. I'm working on turning my scrawled list above into a painting so I can hang it on the wall and see it each and every day.

Then, on my best days, I can look at the list and see all that I have to be grateful for and really how easy it is to find happiness in everyday.

And, on my kinda crappy days, I can DO as many of those happy-making things as it takes to lift my spirits and help me see all that I have to be grateful for, and really how easy it is to find happiness in everyday.

See how that works? ;)

So, this year I'm just going to focus on my happy. And I have faith that in doing so, I'll get exactly where I want to go and enjoy the ride much more.

What are all the little things in life that make YOU happy? And how much happy do you let into each day? We encourage you to create your own happy-lists to hang up, or keep close, as a reminder of just how many things there are in life that allow you access to your joy. Fill each day with the things that fill you!

**I'll share my happy-list painting on our facebook page once it's done, and we'd LOVE to have you share some things from your list with us over on facebook too!**

Hello to you & 2012

I've been planning, plotting and pining. Resting, relaxing and recharging. Easing into 2012 with a head full of ideas and I think, maybe just maybe, the mojo I need to see them into fruition.

That's what I'd like this year to look like for me- plump full of fruition. Fulfillment. And lots of fun along the way!

Wishing you all a 2012 full of new discoveries, fear-facing and the mojo you need to see your ideas into fruition, too. (I'll be here to help with that last part, if you need it :)

There is so much good to come. Just you wait.

The best gift you can give to yourself this year

Are YOU on your to-do list?

A friend and I used to get into discussions about how she put everyone else's needs before her own so consistently, that she seemed to always be the last person she ever considered. She's generous and selfless, two of her most admirable qualities, but she doesn't show herself the same love, care and support that she gives to others, day in and day out.

She doesn't want to feel selfish putting her needs before someone else's, but at the end of the day, she can find herself feeling weary, depleted with not much energy left to move towards her own aspirations or fulfill her own needs.

In fact, I think that describes a lot of us, actually. We are often the last thing listed at the end of an incomprehensibly long mental to-do list. Somewhere after "re-grout the tile on the bathroom floor" you might find "oh and, if there's time, take care of yourself, too."

But taking time out to take care of yourself and fulfill your own needs isn't selfish, it's necessary. When you do and give so much in your work, home and to the people in your life, taking time to show yourself some love, creating moments for yourself to reflect and relish in all the hard work you do- it's the way to refill that well of energy so you can keep on giving.

If you don't take time to "refill", so to speak, you may find yourself stressed out, irritable and maybe even resentful against some of your responsibilities and then subsequently guilty about feeling resentful...ugh! It's a big spiral that can suck you down and down until you find you never give time to yourself at all and then you start to feel neglected or burnt out.

The gift that keeps on giving

So, surrounded by all the traditions and rituals that have become so ingrained with the holiday season, Jen and I thought that maybe the best gift we can all give ourselves this year, is to create a self-care ritual.

Creating a self-care ritual is a way to connect with your deep down self, that non-judgemental center that reminds you of just how strong you really are. It's a way to find balance between the always giving, always helping and always doing for others by showing some appreciation to yourself, too. It's a way to give back to the incredible body and mind that carry you through this world and have made you the unique individual you are today.

A self-care ritual can be anything from setting up a date-night with yourself to taking a long hot bath, getting a massage, going for walks, writing in a journal, creating art, curling up with tea and a good book...

Whatever floats your peaced-out boat, whatever helps connect you back to yourself and pull you out of the trap of hectic life- we want you to make it a regular thing. A ritual that you can honor as sacred time just for yourself, and something you know you can come back to again and again whenever you need to fill that energy-well back up.

We want you all to give yourself the gift of time and space to reflect on your thoughts, your needs, your aspirations and what really makes you happy. The more often you can reflect on those things, the better able you'll be to shift your life in the direction you want to go. And the more often you let yourself slow down, the faster you'll be able to run when the marathon of life picks up.

My morning routinue has definitely become my own self-care ritual- I start each day by giving my body the energy it needs and my mind the clarity it needs with exercise and meditation. I can still feel the pull of obligation trying to blow out my incense and pick me up off my meditation chair in the mornings, but I remind myself that taking this time just for me each day helps give me more energy, enthusiasm and positivity to share with others throughout the day. My mornings help me feel calmer, more understanding, and more fulfilled, and that is better for everyone around me!

So really, you can think of taking time to take care of yourself not as an act of selfishness, but as a gift for your life and everyone in it. The more joy, calm and clarity you can cultivate in yourself, the more you'll have to give to others.

And then, instead of finding yourself in that burnt-out place, feeling like you have nothing left to give, you'll be able to keep drawing from that well of energy you're creating through self-care- and whether you need an eye-dropper full of strength to get you through the day, or a bucketful, it'll be there waiting for you.

Do you struggle with feeling selfish making your own needs a priority? What would your ideal "self-care ritual" look like, and what can you shift in your current schedule to make it a reality? Where can you create more time and space in your life to give back to yourself and explore what makes YOU happy?

If you need some ideas on how to create your own self-care ritual, that's exactly what Jen has over on her post today!

Kitty Photo Friday

Happy kitty photo Friday! It's a gorgeous, freezing cold, bluebird day here. Reminds me of winter in Reno- I've never had such a dry winter here in Portland before, it's kinda nice!

Well I thought I'd pop in real quick today as there are some fun events around P-town this weekend that I wanted to share, in case you haven't heard...

Crafty Wonderland, the biggest baddest art & craft exravaganza is back this weekend at the Convention Center with over 250 vendors selling their handmade goodies! Plus there's free craft workshops in the DIY area and free goodie bags for the first 150 people both days- all the info right heeya!

And the new Portland Bazaar is also happening this weekend at Sandbox Studio, organized by Grace from Design*Sponge. There will be some awesome vendors- local shops and designers selling jewelry, furniture, bags and much more. Plus they'll have bands, book signings, diy classes, food/drink demos, and free breakfast or coffee for the first 100 people both days- more info ova here!

I'd like to check them both out this weekend and will try not to spend all our money on pretty things...but I'm feeling shoppy!

And I also wanted to mention this cool opportunity for all you entreprenuers out there- Oh My Handmade is giving away an over the top $6500 worth of prizes to help creative business owners really shine in the new year! Enter to win support and expertise to help you with your business, from coaching to branding packages to free advertising, they've got you covered- go check it out!

Hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend and I'll meet you back here next week!

<3 jena

The proactive way to happy

Do you ever feel like life is carrying you along a path that you didn't necessarily choose, and you're just doing the best you can to keep up with all the twists and turns along the way?

Or maybe you feel like you don't have any real control over your time or what you do during the day, like everything is being directed by an outside person or situation or the tedium of day-to-day life?

Maybe you have big dreams and an idea of what you want your life to be, but you're waiting for an opportunity to present itself, waiting til you can "find the time" to put your ideas into action?

Being reactive = being pulled along by the currents of life

I've felt that way a few times in my life and it always feels so miserable and unfulfilling. Like you're the captain of a ship who instead of steering your way through the waves towards the destination of your choice, lets the currents sweep you up and direct you where they want to go. Sometimes, they guide you thru scenic places. Sometimes thru shallow water and monsoons and tidal waves. And during those storms, your only option is to figure out how not to let the boat tip, how not to drown. 

In essence, this is being reactive- when your behavior is determined by the actions of others, or by a situation. You are constantly reacting to things "happening to you", or things you "have to do" rather than being the initiator of what's going on in your life.

The opposite of this is being proactive- when you anticipate what the future will be and react before it happens, solving problems before they become a problem, creating the results you want instead of waiting for them to "happen" for you.

Making more proactive decisions = charting your own course

I've made proactive choices in a lot of areas of my life and have seen what a difference they can make in helping lower stress levels and create more fulfillment and happiness.

For example, there is heart disease, high blood pressure/cholesterol and diabetes in my family that I could easily inherit and then have to reactively deal with. But instead, I made the proactive choice 10 years ago to become a vegetarian, to be concious about eating more low cholesterol, heart healthy foods and be as healthy as I can be to hopefully stave those diseases off. Has it always been easy being vegetarian? Nope. Does it make me feel happier, healthier and less stressed out about the future? Yep!

In another example, I was working a perfectly good job at a great company surrounded by amazing co-workers, but I didn't feel creatively fulfilled- a deep down part of myself was not happy. So instead of "riding it out", waiting for a better position in the company or for some opportunity to come my way, I proactively started my blog, started a business and made my escape plan. Was it easy to quit and leave behind friends and health insurance and security? Nope. Do I feel happier and more fulfilled now than ever? Yep!

Charting your own course sure isn't easy, but easy isn't always best

I think we tend to keep ourselves in a reactive position because it's easier, in a way. If things are constantly "happening to us" it feels beyond our control and thus beyond our responsibility. It's easy to be a victim of circumstance, to whine and complain about how we're not happy because of this person or that thing or something in our past. It's easy to always have an excuse as to why we aren't living the life we wish we could be.

It's hard to steer yourself around those outside influences as you decide to go your own way. It's hard to make decisions that others might think are strange or crazy. It's hard to take responsibility for creating the life you want, but that's what being proactive is all about.

I don't think happiness and fulfillment come from living a life that's easy- they come from living a life that is your own. Being more proactive is about making the decision to consciously direct your life instead of allowing yourself to be pushed along by external currents.

Instead of seeing what happens, how can you make it happen? Instead of waiting for opportunity to present itself, how can you create an opportunity? What's one proactive decision you can make today to set yourself in motion toward your goals?

It's time to hoist the sails, chart your own course and set out towards the destination you want for your life!

Seaside Escape

{photo by the mister!}

Sometimes all you need is a weekend away to feel renewed and relaxed, hmm? We spent the past weekend with friends at the Oregon coast and it was so nice to unplug for awhile- play scrabble instead of watch tv or click away on the laptop, eat homemade meals instead of take-out and best of all, walk along the beach that was right outside their door! And to top it off, we had crystal clear skies and calm winds, which is pretty much unheard of in Oregon in Dec, so it felt pretty special. I wish we could go out of town every weekend!

ps: The awesome ladies at Little Paper Planes asked me to create a lookbook & I did an ode to roadtrips! See more pics from other fave trips, along with fantastic art from LPP to inspire your wanderlust.

Bits of fall

Fall, my favorite season of all, is sadly fading fast. But wow, did we have a beautiful one this year! Here are some recent autumn moments that caught my eye...

Hope you're having a nice day!

Lucky lady!

This is one of the coolest things to happen since I started blogging... an amazing artist and reader, Lucky, embroidered my portrait!

Well me and baby kitty and my favorite vintage sweater!! It's just too much awesome. Part of Lucky's 365 project, the super talented Canadian artist embroiders a different portrait each day around different themes, and this week was her blog crush week. I'm so so thrilled to be included, it's surreal!

Check out some of Lucky's other amazing portraits below and on her blog. She has got some serious embroidery skills man, it's like she can draw with floss! I'm so impressed.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

<3 jena

A meditation on gratitude

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, we wanted to talk a little about gratitude today. I think we all know how powerful gratitude can be- if we focus on all that is wonderful and incredible about our lives, rather than what we don't have, it opens us up to feel more joy, more fulfillment and abundance in our here and now.

The more you can bring gratitute into your everyday, the more happiness and balance it will bring into your life. It can become a deep well to pull from when you experience pain, fear or uncertainty- drop your bucket into that well of thankfulness for all that you have, and it can help you get through anything.

Lately I've found myself feeling grateful for so many things...

Grateful for quiet moments and deep breaths,
for dark days of pelting rain and hunker-down brain-storms,
for days when light pours thru the windows, beckoning me outside

Grateful for every shade of yellow and Japanese Maple red,
for rakes and straw and the duckboots that we found at Goodwill,
for worn-in wool cardigans and falling-apart fingerless gloves

Grateful for time to connect with those I love,
for weekends I wish would never end, good-news phonecalls,
for laughter over dinners, just one more beer and walking with arms locked

Grateful for breakthroughs, shifts and momentum,
for big thinkers and gentle encouragers,
for the guideposts that continue to lead me down this twisted and narrow path
I'm ever so grateful to be walking.

To help manifest more gratitude in your everyday

One of the guided meditations I listen to is about manifesting gratitude in your life. At the end of it, David G, the meditation guide-man, asks some questions that have really helped me realize and open up to all that there is to be grateful for in my life. And I thought they could help you too!

Ask yourself these 5 Q's to get your gratitude rolling- try to find at least 3 answers to each:

1. What do I take for granted? Maybe your breath, your senses, your body, your health... what else? 
2. What relationships do I have that I cherish? Is there a certain person you connect to? A pet that's very special to you? What relationships do you feel lucky to have?
3. What freedoms, unique gifts and opportunities do I have? Think of your talents, your ambitions, your passions...
4. What advantages have I been given in life? This could be a long list if you really think about it...
5. Who are my backers in life? Don't focus on those who you feel don't support you, they are a drain on your energy- who are your champions? Your defenders? Your supporters? Who are your partners in life that have helped you get where you are right now? 

Give yourself permission to relish in all that is good in your life, and be grateful for it!

And while we're at it, I'd be remiss to not tell you all how grateful I am for YOU! For all of you who read my words, comment, interact and share with me here in this space- you are my backers, you are my supporters and you're all such an important part of the happiness I have in my life. I am so thankful for each and every one of you. Happy Thanksgiving all!