Eucalyptus Spa Treatment

Eucalyptus Spa Treatment

The Eucalyptus plant is naturally:
Anti-Bacterial
Anti-Microbial
Anti-Inflammatory
Antiseptic

It also supports:
Respiratory System + Respiratory Health
Stress Management
Mood Elevation

You can create a quick and easy at home spa treatment which will allow you to experience the benefits of Eucalyptus every time you take a shower.

You can find Eucalyptus cuttings at Farmers Markets, Natural Grocery Stores like Whole Foods, and I’ve even seem them at Trader Joe’s.

Simply tie your branches with twine or another natural fiber to your shower head. (Avoid using synthetic fibers like acrylic.) If you don’t have any natural fiber handy, you can use the rubber band that comes with your branches or a hair tie.

Push your branches as far back against your shower wall as possible; this will allow you to keep your branches in the shower for more days before replacing them.

You want the heat from your shower to activate the Eucalyptus so you can give yourself a spa treatment; however you want to try to avoid your branches getting beaten too hard with the water pressure from your shower head.

Honestly there is no “wrong” way to do this and the treatment is wonderful. Plus, it will make your whole bathroom smell incredible. You’ll naturally receive all the benefits from the Eucalyptus plant and you don’t have to “do anything” to make it happen other than enjoy your shower.

Enjoy!

Love,
Kristy~

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Anti-Inflammatory + Metabolism Boosting ACV Drink Recipe

Anti-Inflammatory + Metabolism Boosting ACV Drink Recipe

The causes of inflammation in the body can vary greatly; however inflammation is an issue that most if not all of us are experiencing in some capacity or another.
We can experience inflammation from but not limited to:

• Food and Drinks

• Sugar

• Eectro-Magnetic Frequencies

• Lack of Exposure to/ Time Spent in Nature

• Too much Acid in the Body (Acidity vs. Alkalinity)

• Barometric/Atmospheric Pressure Changes

• Elevation Changes

• And even Tension, Stress, and Anger can increase inflammation in the body

Inflammation in the body leads to things that end in “ITIS” including but not limited to:

• Arthritis

• Bronchitis

• Colitis

• Dermatitis

• Sinusitis

• etc.

Finding ways to support the body in reducing or removing inflammation can help your overall health and wellness. This is just one way (out of many ways) that can help to reduce inflammation and acidity in the body.

Depending on what you prefer, I’ve included two recipes below which will support your body in reducing bloating and inflammation while also boosting your metabolism.
They both work really well and I use them both regularly. The only difference between them is the taste profiles; the cinnamon is a spicy and heavier taste so if that’s not your cup of tea, no worries at all, the second recipe has a lighter taste.

You Will Need:
Bragg’s Brand Apple Cider Vinegar
Ground Cinnamon
Ground Cayenne Pepper
Lemon Juice
Water
Glass

Recipe #1
1 Tablespoon Braggs ACV
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Small Shakes of Cayenne Pepper
8 Ounces of Water
Gently still all ingredients and drink.

Recipe #2
1 Tablespoon Braggs ACV
1 Teaspoon Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Small Shakes of Cayenne Pepper
8 Ounces of Water
Gently still all ingredients and drink.

Cheers!

Love,
Kristy~ xoxo

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Smudging 101

Smudging 101

Smudging is a form of space clearing that’s been used for generations to cleanse, uplift, and shift physical spaces, outdoor spaces, people, pets, and objects. Smudging with Sage helps to move out stale dense, or negative energy. It can also be used to purify air and to clear away germs and bacteria.

Space clearing helps to move out stale or dense energy and makes space for the new to come into our lives. Space clearing helps to lighten and brighten the feeling, vibration, and quality of the space and it's something that you, your loved ones, and pets will feel and benefit from.

• If you or a loved one who lives with you suffers from Asthma or other breathing issues, Smudging is NOT the best Space Clearing option for you and you should use a different method to clear your home.

• If you live in an apartment, you may need to check your building regulations to check to see if you’re allowed to burn sage. If not, you should use a different method to clear your home.

You can find sage bundles at most health food stores or you can make your own.
You can add a rosemary bundle to your sage, lavender, or roses if you feel guided.
If you want to create your own bundles just make sure to use natural fibers to wrap your herbs.
Do Not use acrylic or other synthetics fibers to wrap your sage bundles.
If you want to add additional herbs or flowers to your sage bundle you may want to research the meaning for each flower you choose. You can easily find the flower meanings with a quick internet search. Each flower or herb that you choose has its own special clearing and healing element supporting a deep clearing of your home and or office space. 
 

Choose a non-flammable dish to rest under your bundle so you don't get embers on your furniture or flooring. (Some people use abalone shells but you can choose whatever is right for you.)

Then open all your windows so the old energy can move out when you begin smudging.
This is also important because your space will be filling with smoke and you want to avoid your smoke alarm being activated.
You may also want to turn on any ceiling fans to help circulate the air.

Before you begin you can set intentions for your space and your clearing; you can ask your angels to be with you and support the clearing process, or anything that feels right for you.

Then light your sage bundle carefully, it may take a minute to light and begin to produce smoke.

Begin moving throughout your home, office, or other space allowing your sage to waft. Make sure that you smudge behind doors, in corners, under furniture if possible, and in places or spaces that aren’t used very often. If there are any rooms or areas that feel off to you, spend more time in there allowing the sage to clear and waft over the entire space. Walk into and around every room you’re clearing.

Smudge electronics, televisions, routers, cell phones, websites, social media accounts etc.
You can bring the online accounts or websites you would like to clear up on your device and clear them with the smoke.

Continue smudging until you’ve cleared every space. If you’re clearing your home, make sure that you clear the front and back doors, and every door leading to the outside especially well. Clear both sides of the doors, so you’ll have to go outside to do this.

Clear your property and any out buildings you have including garages and sheds.
If there are weird spots on your property, spend more time clearing those areas.

You'll feel the space shift and snap, similar to snapping a sheet as the space clears of old energy.
You may notice a deep calm come over the space, you, and anyone else in the space. Sometimes the space will feel and even look bigger after it’s been cleared. There is a palpable shift and you'll feel it. When you're finished make sure you stop your bundle from burning, you may want to use some water to ensure that it's out. Place your smudge bundle and your dish somewhere that it will be safe so you can smudge again when you feel guided. You can continue to use the same smudge bundle until it’s completely gone.

Smudging is a powerful tool to keep your spaces uplifted, supportive, and feeling like you.
I hope you’ll enjoy this method of space clearing as much as I do.

Love,
Kristy~ xoxo

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Beat The Bloat Spa Water Recipe

Beat the Bloat Spa Water Recipe

This is a really easy way to support your body if you’re experiencing bloating or swelling and it tastes really good too. The great thing about this recipe is that there’s endless options so you won’t get bored and if you can slice fruit, you can make this at home.

You’ll Need:
Citrus: Lemons, Limes, Grapefruit (Your Choice)
Cucumber
Berries
Fresh Basil (Optional)
Water
Water Pitcher or Large Mason Jar
(Any Other Fruits/Veggies/Herbs that you enjoy)

Slice your fruits and veggies
Add them to your Pitcher or Large Mason Jar
Add Water
Place into the Refrigerator to Infuse overnight
Then, pour into a glass, drink, and enjoy!

Have fun with this recipe, use things that you love and create recipes based on your favorites.

Cheers!
Love,
Kristy~

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Nutrient Dense Spring Soup Recipe

Nutrient Dense Spring Soup Recipe

This soup is really hearty and filled with nutrient dense foods. This soup also contains a lot of protein since it has both Lentils and Quinoa. The Leeks are anti-inflammatory so this soup also supports your body in moving out excess bloating that could be holding space within your body.
This soup comes together really easily and is great on a cool or rainy Spring Day.
You can pair this with your favorite salad and or bread to make it into an entire meal.

2 Large Leeks
1 Small to Medium Yellow Onion
3-4 Cloves of Garlic
6 Ribs of Celery
2 Large Carrots
1 Small Red Potato
½ Cup of Dry Lentils
½ Cup of Cooked Quinoa
1 Tablespoon of Chili Powder
1 Whole Dried Bay Leaf
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
¼ Cup of Red Wine Vinegar
2 Big Handfuls of Raw Greens (I like Spinach and Arugula)
2 1 Quart Boxes of Vegetable Broth
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Wash, Peel and Chop Leeks, Onion, Garlic, Celery, Carrots, and Potato.
In a pot over medium heat, add your Olive oil, Leeks, Onions, Garlic, Celery, and Carrots
Stir continuously for a few minutes until the onions become translucent
Add the Chili powder and stir for another minute
Add your potato and stir so it gets covered in the chili powder too
Add your Vegetable broth, Lentils, Quinoa, Salt and Pepper to taste
Allow your soup to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally
(If it starts to pop or move into a rolling boil, turn down the heat a bit.)
Add Red Wine Vinegar and Stir Completely
Add your Whole Dried Bay Leaf
Reduce heat and partially cover with a lid
Allow your soup to slow cook for another 40 minutes, checking and stirring occasionally
Check your potatoes to see if they’re cooked through and taste your broth to see if you’d like more salt and pepper. (Potatoes absorb salt so you may need to add a bit more.)
Remove Bay Leaf Before Serving/Eating
Once your soup is cooked through and seasoned to your personal taste, and you’re ready to eat it (this is really important) then add your Raw Greens to the top of your soup. Allow your Greens to wilt into the soup and you can gently fold them into the soup too.

You want to make sure that you add your Raw Greens right before you serve and eat your soup so they maintain their bright green color. If you add them and then wait to serve your soup, they will look brown, limp, and not so pretty. If you’re prepping this soup ahead of time, wait to add your greens until right before you eat/serve your soup. So if you’re re-heating, wait until your soup is nice and hot all the way through and then toss your greens on top.

Enjoy!
Love,
Kristy~

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Calming + Restorative Bath Treatment

I'm a big bath person and this is one of my favorite ways to decompress and clear from the day. This treatment is very calming, restorative, and helps to soothe the nervous system. This bath will also support you in relaxing sore muscles, increase readiness for sleep, and feels very gentle. 

1 Cup Epsom Salt
1 Cup Sea Salt
1 Cup Pink Himalayan Salt
4-5 Large Sprigs of Lavender
3 Large Sprigs of Rosemary
1/4 cup of dried Chamomile Flowers or 3-5 bags of Chamomile tea
1/4 cup of dried Roses or petals from 2 Fresh Roses

Draw bath with hot water to your comfort level, test the heat before entering water.
Dissolve Salts while bath is filling
Add flowers and tea to the top of the water once bath is filled.
Soak in bath water for a minimum of 20 minutes and up to 40 to allow your body to absorb the salt, flowers, and herbs. 

After your bath, drink a lot of water to hydrate your body and try to rest for at least 30 minutes. This bath treatment is great before bed as it helps your body to rest, restore, and renew; and lavender helps to promote good sleep. 

Add On's:
Candles
Favorite Crystals (Nothing ending in "ite" like selenite; it will dissolve)
Gentle Music
Cup of Tea
Cucumber or Citrus Water
Cozy Bathrobe and Slippers

Enjoy!
Love, Kristy~

Anti-Inflammatory Green Drink Recipe

Anti-Inflammatory Green Drink Recipe

I love green drinks and this is one of my favorite recipes.
This green drink is really easy to make, filled with phyto-nutrients, and it tastes light and refreshing too.

You’ll Need:
1 Washed and Separated Stalk of Celery
1 Large or 2 Small Cucumbers
1 Granny Smith Apple: Washed, Cut, and Cored
2 Big Handfuls of Spinach
1 Large or 2 Small Peeled Lemons
A Juicer (This is not the same thing as a Blender)

Add all ingredients into your juicer
Pour into A Glass
Then…
Enjoy your cooling, hydrating, nutrient dense green drink which will help your body to detox, absorb nutrients and minerals, while reducing inflammation all at the same time.

Cheers!

Love,
Kristy~ xoxo

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Detox Citrus Bath Treatment

I'm a big bath person and I believe there's a bath for nearly every life situation. If you're feeling a little sluggish, are getting over something, want to reduce inflammation, or you want to maintain your body's great health, this detox bath recipe is great. This treatment will also help to shine up your skin and scalp while pulling stored toxins from your body. (Yes, you'll need to dunk your head for the scalp treatment.) Because of the detoxifying nature of this particular treatment, you'll want to drink water during your soak, but more on that below. I hope you enjoy this invigorating bath treatment.

2 Cups of Epsom Salt
1 Cup of Baking Soda
1 Cup of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Large handful of Fresh Mint (Peppermint or Spearmint, your choice)
1/4 Cup Dried Green Tea or 4-5 Tea Bags
2 Limes Sliced
1 Large Lemon Sliced
1 Grapefruit Sliced

Draw bath with hot water to your comfort level, test the heat before entering water.
Dissolve Salts while bath is filling
Add Apple Cider Vinegar while bath is filling
Roll or break Mint in your hands to release scent and add while bath is filling
Add Green Tea and Citrus to the top of water once bath is filled

Soak in bath water for a minimum of 20 minutes and up to 40 minutes to allow your body to absorb the salt, baking soda, vinegar, tea, herbs, and citrus. 

Drink Citrus or Cucumber Water while soaking in this Detox bath; this treatment pulls toxins out of your body so you'll want to hydrate during the treatment. You may notice that you sweat during this treatment, it's completely natural as sweating is one of your body's natural detoxifying systems. 

After your bath, continue drinking water to hydrate your body and try to rest for at least 30 minutes. This bath treatment is great before bed or when you have a gentle day of rest and relaxation planned. This detox treatment isn't a great choice for right before work or before running errands. 

Add On's:
Candles
Gentle Music
Cozy Bathrobe and Slippers

Enjoy!
Love, Kristy~

Welcome, Spring! Ways to Jump Start Your New Season

Happy 1st Day of Spring!
This year feels like it’s moving along really quickly and now that we’ve officially arrived at Spring, it feels like we’ve hit a milestone in 2018. Even if it’s still cold and stormy at your house like it is at mine or if you’re still getting snow, the hope of Spring is officially upon us.

This season brings with it renewed energy, and often a new lease on life.
You may notice that you start feeling excited about starting some new projects, picking up some projects that have been on hold, or that you feel guided to shake things up around you.

This season is a big one for clearing away the old and making space for the new. If you’re feeling a call to make some much needed changes, you’re right on time.

Below You’ll Find Some Ideas to Help Welcome This New Season and Shake Things Up a Bit Too…I hope this inspires you to come up with some great ideas and ways to move into Spring in the ways that are right for you.

Smudging:
This is a great time to open the windows (even if you have to bundle up while you do this one) and get your smudge bundle out to clear the energy and space in your home, office, garage, and or out buildings.

Using sage to clear the energy helps to move out any old stagnant, heavy, or trapped energy that could be hanging around your home. It’s natural for energy to build up when it’s cold outside and the heater is running to keep everyone warm and cozy inside.

Trapped energy can lead to lethargy, irritability, feelings of heaviness within the mind and body, and can also dampen inspiration, ideas, and solutions. Smudging clears the heaviness or density out of your home and moves out any energies that you don’t want hanging around.

Please make sure to completely put your smudge stick out once you’re finished using it. Running in under water works really well and it will still light easily the next time you use it.

Clearing the Clutter:
The desire to do Spring Cleaning is a real thing and getting into any closets, garages, drawers etc. to clean things up is a great way to make space for this new season. Clutter, similar to heavy energy has an impact on the spaces and the people and pets in the home.

If you feel like you don’t know where to start, choose one small project like a kitchen drawer and go slowly. You’ll notice that as you clear away the clutter you’ll have a surge in energy and you’ll find things that you can donate or recycle in the process.

Your home will feel lighter and brighter and you’ll notice that you feel better too.
Clearing Clutter also helps to increase Manifestation Principles because as you streamline the physical surroundings in your life, you clear out distractions from your mind and body too.

You’ll notice that as your environment is calm, clear, and clean you’ll experience more clarity and calm too. (I call that a win-win.)

Add Some Color:
Bringing flowers into your home or planting some color around your home and in the garden makes everything feel bright, new, and refreshed. You can do some colorful potted plants if the ground is still too cold or snowy in your neck of the woods. Think pansies, violas, and alyssum or you could make some beautiful succulent pots; the options are endless.

If you don’t have a garden of your own, you can also add color to your home with throw blankets and decorative pillows.

Fragrant Floors:
Sometimes, a light and refreshing scent can make your whole home feel like Springtime.

Here’s one of my favorite Floor Cleaning Recipes.
(Yes, I know super dorky, but I love stuff like this.)

1 Part White Vinegar
3 Parts Water
5-7 Drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
5-7 Drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
5-7 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

• Mix in your mop bucket and mop away.
• The tea tree and eucalyptus are naturally anti-bacterial and anti-microbial so they’ll keep your home clean while making it smell incredible.
• Plus, no toxic chemicals so you can feel comfortable walking around without socks and shoes and your fur babies won’t be ingesting anything dangerous.

I hope this little list helped to jump start your excitement about this new season and gave you some ideas of your own.

I’m off to do my floors…and I’m wishing you a wonderful new season; I hope it’s full of happy surprises, new opportunities, and lots of inspiration!
Love,
Kristy~ xoxo

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Schedule in Some White Space: How to Do More with Less

I hope this finds you well as we welcome, March.
While this year is moving right along, it has also gotten off to a bit of a rough start for lots of people. Whether you’ve experienced this flu that’s going around, have been impacted by intense weather, or something else entirely; you’re not alone.

One of the big things that tends to stand out once we get to March is that it feels like the beginning of the new year is getting away from us and that we aren’t hitting all the goals or intentions we set for ourselves back in January. This can lead to additional stress or even feelings of overwhelm. Sometimes people feel like it’s too late to try to shift their schedules or to get to the things that were prescient for them at the beginning of the year.

If any of these feelings are lingering around; it’s okay.
In fact this is actually a great time to reflect back on the things that are on your 2018 wish lists and to pull out your vision boards for a little refresh.

Now that we’re into 2018 a bit you can more clearly see what things are really important to you right now and the things that you want to experience, accomplish, and finish this year. You’ll also know which things are no longer front burner to do items, and which things may be able to go away entirely at least for this year. In fact, you may find that there are some new things that you want to add to your lists.
(That’s totally okay and by all means, go for it.)

Setting intentions, making vision boards, and any other goal setting techniques you enjoy are wonderful ways to help keep you moving in the direction of your dreams, goals, and personal happiness. This is a tangible action step that we can see and really get into as each year begins. I love doing this kind of stuff, and I do it every year because it really works and I think it’s fun too.

However, another equally important goal setting step is often overlooked during this process. It’s the scheduling in of regular and consistent white space.

I know.

·         You would do it if you had more time.

·         You would do it if you had more help, support, and or resources.

·         You would do it once you got these things ___________ off of your list.

·         You would do it once there wasn’t so much happening within your personal, family, friend, and volunteer worlds.

·         You would do it once you felt more ready and more secure.

·         You would do it when_______________.

Here’s the thing, there’s never going to be a perfect time to do anything.
Because life is always happening, we have to carve time out of our busy schedules to restore, renew, and replenish ourselves.

When we push the white space out of our lives, it can create additional challenges or barriers to our lives. (Hello stress, tension, health challenges, relationship strain etc.)

When We Prioritize White Space We Experience:

·         More Balance

·         Joy

·         Happiness

·         Inspiration

·         Ideas

·         Solutions

·         Fun

·         Health

·         True Rest

·         Deeper Connection to ourselves and Others

·         Deeper Connection to our Spirituality

·         Increased Life Satisfaction

·         A Deeper Connection to our Life Purpose and or Calling

·         And much more

People tend to fill up all the white space in their schedules and planners because they believe it will help them to:

·         Stay on task

·         Continue moving forward

·         Maximize their to do lists

However, because we aren’t machines, this only works until it doesn’t.

One of the challenges that comes with over scheduling is a feeling of self blame if you aren’t able to continue working at all hours of the day and night day after day.

Guess what? None of us can do that and we aren’t meant to try to do that.

This isn’t about letting go of your dreams or goals at all. This isn’t about throwing in the towel but rather understanding that by pivoting a little bit you can actually get more done.

By scheduling in some white space, yes, literally scheduling it into your planner or scheduling software you’ll create more breathing room for yourself and your life. You don’t have to carve out lots of time to do this, seemingly small segments of time work beautifully; 15 minutes here, 15 minutes there. Maybe, just maybe you can give yourself permission to take an entire day off each week.

No emails, calls, website changes, posts, etc.

By making these simple yet powerful shifts, you’ll notice that you have more energy, excitement, and overall feelings of joy. You’ll also notice that you find solutions to issues or problems you’ve been struggling with as well as a renewal in your relationship to work, to yourself, and to your life.

That seems like a huge win win, right?
So why do you still feel a little tentative + have the feeling like you want to say,
Yeah But____________...?

It’s okay, this secret to success isn’t taught or emphasized as often as the go, go go aspect of goal setting which can make this feel a little bit uncomfortable.
However, it’s absolutely possible and so important to give yourself permission to take some time this month to reprioritize your goals, dreams, and intentions for your year.

While you’re doing this renegotiation, add this powerhouse step to your planning.
The truth is that by adding in white space you’ll yield so much more in your personal and professional life.

Leaders in their fields talk a lot about doing more with less time and sometimes it can be easy to forget that you’re a leader in your life.

Yes, You are a leader in your life.

Investing in some white space, daily is well worth it and you deserve to experience balance, joy, and forward motion. You can do it and this is a great time to dive in and shift some things around so you can make the most out of your year while enjoying yourself + your life at the same time.

I believe in you and I’m cheering you on!
I know you can do this!

With love,
Kristy~ xoxo

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Check in with Astrology and the Angels for the Pisces Cycle

Elizabeth Pendleton joins me to discuss all things Astrology and Angels as we greet the Mutable Water energy coming in with the Pisces Cycle.  I'm going to share the angel messages that have come through for us and Elizabeth will give us the 411 about what is happening in the stars. Find out how this dreamy and watery Pisces energy will work with the other Astrological Events happening this month and how you can work with these energies too. 
Connect with Elizabeth 

Heart Over Hustle

While we greet February, we also greet the month of love. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to focus on this month; and how to best practice self love.

One of the things that has really been prescient for me is this belief system around hustling. You’ve probably noticed an overwhelming amount of messages around this too over the last year or so. As a highly sensitive person, you may have felt the pressure in your own life to try to push more, to do more, to try to convert more, to go, go, go at the expense of your own personal health and well being.

Like you; I’m a highly sensitive person and I work with highly sensitive people all day long.

What I know for sure is that this belief system and practice can lead to lots of health challenges including but not limited to:

• Exhaustion
• Burn Out
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Feelings of Unworthiness
• Sleep Disturbances
• Anxiety and Stress Related Issues
• Relationship Challenges
• Life Out of Balance

It can also create a feeling that you’re not enough and that you have to go outside of what you genuinely know is right for you to try to get things done.

This can lead to:

• Negative Self Talk
• Perfectionism and Overachieving Tendencies + Patterns
• Denial of Self Care and Self Love

While these experiences show up for people across the board when they push outside of themselves to try to get things done; it’s exponentially more representative + impactful in those who are highly sensitive people.

So, here’s the thing:

You can absolutely set high standards for yourself while moving toward your dreams and goals.

In fact, moving in the direction of your heart is the exact right way to move into alignment with who you are and what you’re meant to be doing.

• You can be a highly sensitive person + dedicated, responsible, reliable, and upwardly mobile.
• You can be a highly sensitive person + a great partner, parent, friend, and colleague.
• You can be a highly sensitive person + a great leader, innovator, boss babe, and a mover and a shaker.

You can be and do all of the things that you feel called to do without moving into the mindset of hustling and putting yourself into harm’s way.

Being a dedicated, honest, hardworking person is a beautiful thing and 100% within your reach while also nurturing yourself. You don’t have to sacrifice yourself or your own well being to experience the life you want for yourself.

• The truth is that your Heart is the True North within you.
• Your heart knows what’s right for you and what isn’t working.
• You can feel your heart tugging at you when it’s time to make some important changes within your life.
• You can feel you heart inspiring you and uplifting you when you hit onto something that truly speaks to you.
• Your heart knows the way; and if you listen, it will lead you to the people, places, opportunities, and experiences that are a fit for you.
• Your heart will also let you know when you’ve set your own needs upon a shelf and when you’re overextended.

It’s your job to adjust things in your life accordingly so you can be in alignment with the calling of your heart and your day to day lifestyle.

• Will this mean that you have to release some things, people, and situations that aren’t serving you? Yes.
• Will this mean that you have to create healthy boundaries within your personal and professional life? Yes.
• Will this mean that you have to shift your priorities to match your value system? Yes.
• Will some days be a little bit of a juggle? Yes.
• Will most of your days feel like they resonate for you and the way you want to live your life? Yes.
• Will it be worth it? Yes!

Guess what?
When you choose to put your heart over hustle, you Choose to Align.
You are worthy of Choosing to Align.

Whether you are working on increasing self care, relationships, building your brand, increasing clients or something else entirely; please give yourself permission to tune into your heart and make any necessary shifts and changes.

Allow this to be the year you line up with your heart, your vision, your integrity, and your joy while honoring yourself all at the same time. Your loved ones and clients can feel the difference in what you do when you choose to align….and so can you.

I promise you, you are 100% worth it and yes, you can do it.
I’m sending you oodles of love and cheering you on as you move into alignment.
With love,
Kristy~

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Check in with Astrology and the Angels for the Aquarius Cycle

Elizabeth Pendleton joins me to discuss all things Astrology and Angels as we greet the Fixed Air energy coming in with Aquarius. I'm going to share the angel messages that have come through for us and Elizabeth will give us the 411 about what is happening in the stars. Find out how this Aquarian energy will work with the other Astrological Events happening this month and how you can work with these energies too. 
Connect with Elizabeth 

3 Fast and Effective Stress Busters

My 3 Favorite Ways to Clear the Noise and Come Back to Center

While technology brings us so many incredible opportunities, it also contributes to longer work hours, less down time, and dare I say more stress. While overwhelm, stress, and frustration have become buzz words in our modern life, they are real experiences and the great news is that there are lots of ways to manage these feelings and experiences.

Below you’ll find my top 3 favorite ways to quickly and I mean really really quickly shift from a space of stress and tension to cool, calm, and collected.

There are so many more ways to reduce stress than the ways that I’ve included below, but these have worked very well for me over the years and I hope that they work for you too. Maybe they will inspire you to find some things that become go to support systems in your day to day life too.

One of the reasons I love the following stress busters so much is that they can be used at work and in your home life.
These don’t require a lot of “stuff” and they don’t require a lot of time to shift from stressed out to self soothed.

Breathe

This one seems so simple yet it’s really powerful.

One of the reasons this one makes such a huge impact in helping to move from stress to calm is that increasing conscious breathing automatically resets your body and takes it out of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn and moves you into rest, restore, replenish, and renew. Conscious breathing is like the control alt delete for your body.
(Yes, I still use a PC.)

When we’re under a lot of pressure or stress, we often begin to mouth breathe instead of breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. Mouth breathing, while beneficial in keeping oxygen going into the lungs isn’t the optimal way to breathe. Mouth breathing also leads to tension in the chest, neck, and shoulders. Mouth breathers may also experience tension in their tummy and lower back.

Take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for a second or two, and then breathe out through your mouth. This will support your body in releasing the stress you’re holding onto and will reset your body.

Repeating this breathing technique for 2 minutes can make a huge difference in the way that you feel, including helping you to have sharper thinking.

If you’re someone who forgets to breathe when you’re under pressure, you’re not alone. As you notice that you’re holding your breath or that you’ve moved into mouth breathing, simply start this breathing technique. You can reset your body and help to create a new healthy habit of breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth all at the same time.

Essential Oils

Using 100% pure organic essential oils can help to calm you and the environment that you’re in very quickly. Whether you feel guided to use a diffuser to fill the air around you with the relaxing and pleasing aromatics of the oils you enjoy or you choose to apply them to your body, essential oils are a powerful calming agent.

Diffusing allows you and the people around you to enjoy the scents and calming effects of your essential oils. You can almost watch people unwind when they’re exposed to oils being diffused. Not only do essential oils smell good, using calming oils creates a sense of peace, calm, and relaxation.

You can also apply essential oils to your wrists, chest, bottoms of your feet, and behind your knees to help increase feelings of calm. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to use a carrier oil like coconut oil to mix with your essential oils.

Some people like to use their oils in a similar way to smelling salts; just by opening up the bottle and breathing the oil you will get an instant benefit. (You can also add your oils to bath water if you want to have a really relaxing bath at the end of the day.)

These are some of my favorite Calming Oils:
(In no particular order)

• Lavender
• Bergamot
• Frankincense
• Chamomile
• Clove
• Rose

Music

Music is an invisible helper that shifts moods, tension, and stress easily and effortlessly allowing you to feel more like yourself again. When I feel like I’m having an off day this helps to make things feel so much better.

Listening to gentle, nature inspired sounds helps to shift tension from the body and mind really quickly. Even if you work in an office environment, you can listen to music through headphones without disturbing your colleagues. If you’re like me and you work with clients, they tend to enjoy and appreciate the calming music too. All of the streaming sites have great options; some of the key words you can use include:

• Nature Sounds
• Spa Station
• Relaxing Music
• Instrumental Music
• Steven Halpern

I hope these 3 stress busting tips help you as much as they help me and I hope they inspire you to find some things that really work for you too.
Please share your stress busting tips in the comments below!

Love,
Kristy~xoxo

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Flu Survival Guide

Hello,
I hope this finds you healthy, happy, and enjoying your new year in the way that’s best for you.

However, if you’ve started your new year with this flu that seems to be everywhere, trust me you’re not alone. In fact I’m writing to you from under my covers as I’m finally starting to feel a bit better after being down for the count with this thing since December 26th.

I thought that I would share what has helped me muddle through this crazy flu in case you know someone who has it or in case you have it or get it.
(I hope you don’t have it or get it.)

The first thing that became a big problem for me was that I completely underestimated the intensity of this thing and I treated it like a regular cold or bug….big mistake.

So even if you are perfectly healthy, you may want to increase any immune boosters that you like to use and make your home a nice and clean space to help keep this at bay.

All the regular stuff that you do to help your body move out the yuck factor like drinking lots of water, hot herbal teas, and rest apply here however… they all need to be super sized.

I know there are a variety of experiences that people are having including but not limited to:

• Fever
• Headache
• Brain Fog
• Body Aches
• Sinus Pressure
• Ear Aches
• Congestion
• Sore Throat
• Stomach Pain
• Nausea
• Extreme Exhaustion/Lethargy
• Extreme Skin Sensitivity and Pain

I had all of the above and one of the things that surprised me the most was how freezing cold I was and that I needed to sleep nearly around the clock.
I was wearing a snow hat in the house with the heater on plus lots of layers and blankets….yeah, not cute and not fun at all. Once I felt warm, it helped me to rest and sleep so finding your own personal warmth barometer can make a big difference in helping your body feel supported.

The other big thing was surrendering to the fact that my body was going to be down for a while and that trying to “get things done” was completely futile.
Try not to push against your body; it will just make you more exhausted and possibly extend your self care time.

I’ve included some things below that helped me feel better during this crazy flu, I hope that some of these might help you or a loved one too.
I also included a super easy gentle soup recipe that helped me sooo much.

(I am not affiliated with any of the companies or products below, these are just the things that have helped me. I hope that they may help you or a loved one too.)

If a loved one asks if you need anything from the store, say yes.
I kept saying no to offers from people because I thought I had everything I needed but once I finally said yes I realized I didn’t have what I needed.

If you don’t have any family or friends who live near you, you can probably get almost everything from Amazon. I wish I would’ve thought of that weeks ago….but the brain fog is real.

• Lots of Super Soft Tissue:
  Even if you don’t usually buy the lotion tissue, your face and nose will thank you.
• Neti Pot and Neti Pot Salt:
  You can find these at health food stores; if they don’t have the salt just use Plain table salt Without Iodine. (No sea Salt)
• Humidifier:
  This will help to soothe your sinuses, skin, and help you to breathe easier.
• Throat Coat Tea:
  Helps with sore throat plus has herbs to help increase your immune system.
• Natural Calm Magnesium Drink:
  This is really soothing, helped with the body aches and tastes very gentle. I was afraid that it would taste bitter or leave a bad after taste in my mouth but it didn’t.
• Wellness Formula:
  This has lots of vitamins and herbs to help your body increase immunity.
• Marshmallow Root:
  If you experience the intense stomach pain like I did, you may want to try this. It lifted the stomach pains away gently and kept them away so that I could sleep.
• Now Solutions Nasal Mist:
  This is a hydrating mist to help with sinus pressure and post nasal drip. I usually don’t like to use these because they burn, create medicine head, and taste awful but this one is great and didn’t do any of those things to me. It feels really gentle and has no taste, yay!
• Therazinc Elderberry Lozenges:
  These help with sore throat too but they also have elderberry in them which helps to increase immunity. They taste good and don’t make your whole mouth feel numb like some of the other lozenges out there. They are a bit chalky though because they are compressed and not hard like a candy.
• H2O:
  Lots and lots of water and if you can handle Apple Cider Vinegar, adding a Tablespoon into your water bottle can help to reduce inflammation in your body and help increase immunity.
• Epsom Salt Baths:
  A warm bath with Epsom salt and Baking Soda can help to ease the body aches and body pain while also increasing your magnesium, supporting your body in fighting off the ick. If you are experiencing cold sweats, the Baking Soda can help to reduce that experience for you.

If you have anything to help your body feel soothed and comforted, such as:

• Super Soft Jammies/Clothing
• Warm Socks/Slippers
• Foot Massager
• Spoonk Mat/Acupressure Mat
• Hot Tub or Jetted Bath Tub
• Heating Pad
• Essential Oils
• Or Something Else

Use them because anything that can help move out the aches and pains will help you feel so much better.

Overall, just rest and try to take it really easy on yourself; let people help you if possible and don’t try to force yourself to be better before you really are better.

Super Easy Soup Recipe:

• 2 Large Leeks
• ½ Medium Onion
• 2 Garlic Cloves Finely Chopped
• 2 Quarts Vegetable Broth (Or any Broth You Prefer)
• 1 Quart of Water
• 3 Chopped Celery Ribs
• 1 Large Potato Chopped
• 1 Large Carrot Chopped
• ¾ Cup of dried yellow or green peas
• ¼ Cup of rice
• 2 Tablespoons of Organic Brown Rice Miso Paste
• 2 Lemon Wedges per person
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Optional: Add Cilantro on top if you choose

Cook:

• Bring Vegetable Broth, Water, Leeks, Onion, and Garlic to a Boil
• Add peas and cook for 30 Minutes
• Then Add Celery, Potato, and Rice; cook for additional 15 Minutes
• 5 Minutes Before Serving Add Miso
• Squeeze Lemon juice on top of soup after poured into bowl (without seeds)
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Optional: Add Cilantro on top if you choose

I’m sending you lots of healing and cozy energy from my little corner of the world,
Kristy~ xoxo

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Make 2018 Your Year to Shine

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018!
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a very happy beginning to this new year.

With 2018 officially here, there are so many opportunities and experiences available to you. This really is a fresh start and a new beginning and my hope for you this year is that you give yourself permission to dream big and to be honest about what it is that you really want to experience this year.

It’s okay to admit it to yourself, in fact when you do it helps to clarify what actions steps need to be taken in order to move closer to the vision you have for yourself. If this thought feels a bit overwhelming, it’s okay just take a breath in through your nose and out through your mouth….good.

The truth is that when you feel guided to move toward something new and away from something else, it’s because you’re being divinely guided. It’s because it’s the right shift or change for you, allowing you to organically move toward the next chapter of your life. The new year is a powerful time to get clear on what you want the next 12 months to look like and feel like for you.

However, one of the things that tends to happen at this time of year, is that we feel excited about the prospect of a new year and all that it holds but we also feel the holiday let down too.

Holiday let down is a real thing and it can show up in lots of different ways.

Sometimes it can feel like:

• Exhaustion
• Burn Out
• Overindulgence  
• A Need for Quiet or Sleep
• Even Feelings of Sadness that the holiday season is over

This is completely normal and it doesn’t mean that you aren’t excited about the new year or your plans for your new year.

Sometimes people confuse the holiday let down with a sentiment about how their new year will unfold and it’s just not true.

It’s really important to take some time to gently move out of the holiday season in the ways that are right for you so that you can be ready to move into your new year’s plans on your own time table.

Use this in-between time to your advantage right now.
Give yourself permission to slow down and to get really clear on what you would like to focus on this year.

Taking the time to think, feel, and really dive deep into what you want for yourself during 2018 is really important. Think of this time as laying the groundwork for your new year, it’s a great investment in your new year and in yourself.

Sometimes, we feel pushed to go, go, go right out of the gate as soon as the calendar changes to January; but that can sometimes add extra pressure to your plate of things that you’re experiencing and moving through.

During this window of in between time, take some time to really figure out what you want to do this year.

• Set up some clear goals and intentions
• Get out your brand new planner, sparkly markers, stickers etc.
• Power up your new scheduling software
• Make that new Vision Board
• Enjoy this planning phase

You may find that this planning phase allows you to increase excitement, joy, and enthusiasm for your new year while also helping you to work with your natural body rhythms at the same time.

This can help get you all synched up so you make the most of your 2018
by knowing what you want, planning for your goals and intentions to be realized, but also maintaining those plans all year long.

This is a brand new year and a fresh start; you can make this year your best year yet. Breathe, let go, and give yourself permission to be honest about what you really want to experience this year. Try not to focus on how things unfolded last year or any year prior to this year. Instead, focus on what you want, and what you’ll need to do to get there.

• You do have what it takes.
• You are enough.
• Your dreams and the calling of your heart are there for a reason.
• The reason is that it’s what’s right for you.
• Please give yourself permission to go for it this year!
• Yes, You’re Worth it!

With deepest gratitude and new year blessings,
Kristy~
xoxo

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Check in with Astrology and the Angels for the Capricorn Cycle

Elizabeth Pendleton joins me to discuss all things Astrology and Angels as we greet the Cardinal Earth energy coming in with Capricorn. I'm going to share the angel messages that have come through for us and Elizabeth will give us the 411 about what is happening in the stars. Find out how this Capricorn energy will work with the other Astrological Events happening this month and how you can work with these energies too. 
Connect with Elizabeth 

Check in with Astrology and the Angels for the Sagittarius Cycle

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kristyayala/2017/11/15/check-in-with-astrology-and-the-angels-for-the-sagittarius-cycle

Elizabeth Pendleton joins me to discuss all things Astrology and Angels as we greet the Mutable Fire energy coming in with Sagittarius. I'm going to share the angel messages that have come through for us and Elizabeth will give us the 411 about what is happening in the stars. Find out how this Sag energy will work with the other Astrological Events happening this month and how you can work with these energies too. 

Are You Sun Sensitive? Beating the Winter Blues.

Are you Sun Sensitive?

We’re all impacted by the sun since we need Full Spectrum Sunlight plus it’s Vitamin D to help us live, work, and feel like our most optimal self.
However, some of us (me included) are what is referred to as Sun Sensitive because we actually need More Full Spectrum Sunlight than most people in order to feel healthy, strong, and like ourselves.

During Daylight Savings time when the days are shorter, and the nights are longer sun sensitive people often experience physical, mental, and emotional symptoms due to the reduced full spectrum light. In many places, during the day it’s also dark and cloudy outside so there is much less full spectrum lighting. So this creates a double whammy for sun sensitive people since they can’t bank enough sunlight each day. With many dark days and long nights in a row, the impact on highly sensitive people can show up quickly and last through early spring. This experience is called Season Affective Disorder.

There are varying degrees or symptoms of this disorder but highly sensitive people often experience many if not all symptoms. There’s a lot of information about this readily available online so if you feel you’re being impacted by SAD please research some more information.

I’ve included some basic information below along with some things that I personally have found helpful since I’ve been experiencing acute SAD for 20 years.

Common Symptoms People with Season Affective Disorder Experience

• Sadness
• Lethargy
• Lack of Energy
• Lack of Inspiration, Excitement, or Joy
• Depression
• Desire to Withdraw from Activities
• Extreme Emotions; similar to an Emotional Roller Coaster
• Body Aches
• Increased Skin Sensitivity
• Low Grade Fever
• Head Fogginess
• Sinus Pressure
• Trouble Focusing
• Feeling Like You’re Moving in Slow Motion
• Forgetfulness
• Clumsiness
• Spatial Issues/Walking into doors or bumping into things
• Bruising Easily
• Sleep Issues/Insomnia
• Always Tired/Needing a Nap/Never Feel Replenished upon Waking
• Decreased Immune System
• Prolonged Sickness that lingers keeping you from feeling completely well until the Sun Returns in the Spring
• Skin Discoloration/green and or dark circles or undertone
• Weight Gain/Particularly around lower tummy, hips, and bum
• Intense Carbohydrate Cravings/Breads, Alcohol, and Desserts

Why Does This Happen?
Full Spectrum Sunlight feeds our Serotonin Levels in the brain.
Serotonin is one of the things responsible for helping us to feel good, balanced, and like our true selves. We need Serotonin and can only bank it one day at a time. The number one way we bank Serotonin is by being exposed to full spectrum sunlight. We aren’t able to keep a savings account to make withdrawals on dark days unfortunately which is why highly sensitive people experience SAD symptoms.

The body and brain are so intelligent that they know when they’re low on Serotonin and will send intense signals to you to increase your Serotonin right away. It tries to keep us balanced with what we need at all times.

One of the things that spikes Serotonin is Carbohydrates which is why people crave Carbs when they don’t have enough Full Spectrum Sunlight.
Unfortunately, Carbohydrates only spike Serotonin for a small segment of time and then Your Serotonin Levels Drop Further Then They Were Before.

• Carbs Rob the Body of Serotonin after Spiking it Temporarily

This creates a tough cycle as you can imagine.

But, there are things you can do to increase your Serotonin levels that will actually replenish you instead of robbing you. (Yay!)

Another Important thing to know about this Serotonin issue is that you need it to create Melatonin in the brain which supports good sleeping health and habits.
So if you aren’t getting enough Full Spectrum Sunlight then you aren’t producing enough Serotonin or Melatonin which impacts you when you’re Awake and when you’re Asleep.

This information alone provides a lot of insight into the importance of getting outside daily, doesn’t it?

Being indoors under artificial light for the majority of the day is not great for our overall health.

While there is no replacement for Mother Nature there are some ways to help reduce the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder and help make the winter more manageable.  

Ways to Reduce or Manage SAD Symptoms:

The Number 1 way to reverse your symptoms is to spend time in direct sunlight to bank sun and to increase your Serotonin levels. If you can take a trip to a sunny place, you’ll notice a huge difference in the way that you feel and your symptoms will shift pretty quickly.

• If you can’t take a vacation; the following things can help you reduce or manage your SAD symptoms:

Increase Full Spectrum Lighting:
You can find full spectrum lightbulbs and light boxes online and in some big box stores.
These make a huge difference. I keep my light box on my bathroom counter and turn it on when I get ready for work and I’ve noticed a big difference in the way that I feel. There are a lot of options available online. 

Increase Chlorophyll:
Drinking green drinks is analogous to drinking sunlight which helps to boost your energy without creating the crash that you get from drinking caffeine. Green drinks can also help to reduce dark under eye circles and dull looking skin.

Exercise:
Even 5 minutes of exercise can increase the feel good chemicals in your brain and body including Serotonin and can increase your energy and mood levels.
The compounding issue that can happen with exercise is that if you have low energy you may not feel like exercising. 5 minutes makes a huge difference and you’ll feel much better. You can do 5 minutes. Even a walk around the block will have a positive impact on the way you feel. Try to get 5 minutes (or more) a day.

Supplement:
Talk to your primary care physician first; but many people find that taking high quality D3, B6, and B12 vitamins can help reduce their symptoms. Your primary care professional can test you to see if you’re low in these areas and can recommend a good plan for you.

Acupuncture:
Acupuncturists can support your body during this time and have treatments for people who are impacted by SAD. I’ve personally used acupuncture to help me with my SAD symptoms and have found it to be a very helpful treatment.

Stay Warm:
Spa’s, Sauna’s, Steam Rooms, and Hot Baths can help to reduce any aches you may be feeling from the cold. These warm treatments which increase your core body temperature can help reduce the experience of skin sensitivity and can elevate your mood.

Soft Clothing:
Increased skin sensitivity is a common experience, wear soft and gentle clothing and use soft and gentle bedding. Avoid wearing anything that picks, scratches, or feels uncomfortable in any way. You may find that your own clothes that you can wear when there’s more sunlight can’t be worn during this time.
You aren’t imagining this, your skin is just that much more sensitive.

Fresh Air:
It’s easy to stay inside when it’s cold and dark, but getting clean air in your home and getting outside helps to clear away a lot of the heavy or stagnant energy within and around you. Even if you have to bundle up before you open the windows for a few minutes, it’s okay just do it.

Don’t Push:
Don’t try to force yourself to do more, to plan more, or to be at more places that you need to.
Be very selective about how you spend your time, say no to anything extraneous and save your energy for the things that you really want to do or have to do.

Tell People What You Need:
You might be the only person in your family or friend group who experiences SAD.
Communicate with your loved ones about what you’re experiencing so they understand that you aren’t being “lazy, negative, or just not trying hard enough.”

People who don’t experience this may say things like:

• “You just need to get up, get going, and push through this, it’s all in your head. Have a better attitude about this and it will all go away.”
• “You’re responsible for the way you’re feeling, focus on the positive.”
• "You just need to do what I do; I do ________ and I'm fine; you aren't trying hard enough, you're just making yourself worse by lying around all the time."

These kinds of platitudes aren’t supportive nor are the true since this is a chemical brain and body issue.

While the power of positive thinking, intentions, and actions is real, measurable, and documented in behavioral psychological journals, it doesn’t fully apply here.

It’s important to inform your loved ones about SAD and also let them know how any comments like the one’s above make you feel so they can have more information and better ways to support you.

Drink More Water:
Hydration helps with keeping energy levels high and washes away toxins that could be hanging out in your body.

Go At Your Own Pace:
Your body rhythms might be different from your loved ones; and different from yours when there’s more full spectrum light. It’s important to go at your own pace and let people know what you need.

The truth is that you probably won’t be able to do as many things as you’re used to doing during brighter times of the year. Pushing yourself or forcing yourself to do things could decrease your immune system further and leave you sick.
Hold healthy boundaries, listen to your body, and go at your own pace.
Get comfortable saying no.

Nap:
Even if you aren’t a napper, if you feel like you need a nap, give yourself permission to take one. Your body does need more rest at this time.

Increase Color and Life:
Bring flowers into your home and or office to literally brighten up your space and mood. While this one might not seem like it would help, it really does.

You can add color to your clothing to help uplift your energy as well.
Color therapy is a real thing, and by adding color in small but significant ways, you can uplift your energy and mood. Soft scarves, colorful jewelry, and shoes can make an impact in the way you feel.

Overall, just be really good to yourself during this time; try different methods to see what works for you. Everybody is different and it’s important to find what works best for you.

I’m wishing you a gentle and easy low light season.
With Love,
Kristy~

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Gratitude, Grace, and Gumption

The holiday season is officially upon us and here in the states we’re getting ready for Thanksgiving which is a time to share a meal, give thanks, and enjoy time with loved ones. Even if you don’t do a big Thanksgiving meal, or you’re away from loved ones this year, or you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving where you live, this is a great time to do some reflecting on your year as we get ready to wind down 2017.
 
While this time of year brings a lot of activities to everyone’s plates in addition to everything else they have going on; one thing that tends to be placed onto the back burner is a teeny bit of time for yourself. Not just time to get things checked off your list, or to run errands, but actual time to go over or catalog your year.
 
I find that by this time of the year, it feels like the autumn has breezed by and the focus may already be leaning toward the end of the year which can create a little bit of extra stress or tension. If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone, breathe. You’re also not the one person who doesn’t have it all together either; and it’s okay to let that pressure or belief go. Just breathe.
 
This is a great time to be honest with yourself about what’s really important to you and the way you want to celebrate the holiday season. You can choose to do the things that feel uplifting and fun while releasing some of the things that aren’t really you’re cup of tea. It’s healthy and more than okay to say no to some activities that come your way this season; and choose to do things that support, honor, and uplift you and your loved ones. This includes saying no to invitations that create any stress, tension, or even trauma for you. You aren’t obligated to attend an activity that isn’t a fit for you and feeling guided to say no is the only “reason” that’s required.
 
Taking some time to choose how you would like to celebrate and mark this time can be helpful as you’ll have a clear focus moving into the month and the holiday season. It will be easier to feel and know which activities honor your vision or goal for you and which ones don’t.
 
This is also a great time to look back over your year to get some perspective on all that you’ve accomplished and the things that have changed since the beginning of the year.

• When we focus on gratitude, we usually focus on an outward component such as I’m so grateful for _____________.

This is a powerful and important way of experiencing gratitude.
 
Another important and powerful way includes looking at the things, people, and projects that you’ve had a hand in supporting this year.
 
It may not seem like your daily contributions have a big impact on others or the world around you, but they do.

• You make a difference in your world.

 
To Particpate in this Gratitude + Grace Technique:

• Create a quick list of things that come to mind from this year where you’ve been a support person for someone.
•  Find a quiet place in your home or office and turn off notifications on your devices
• Have a notebook and something to write with
• (Maybe a glass of water and some Kleenex)
• Then, close your eyes and visualize/remember the situation.  
  Allow yourself to focus on your heart; then ask to feel the gratitude within that situation and feel it as it moves into your heart.

 
Sometimes this exercise creates an emotional response when you tap into the love and gratitude that was present for you in any particular situation.
You may want to write down any thoughts, feelings, words, or memories that come through for you during this experience.
 

• Sometimes, the other person will give you a message or tell you how they were impacted by your help.
• Sometimes, situations or people that you’ve forgotten will show up as you begin this process and they will add themselves to your list so to speak.

 
I recommend writing down everything that comes through so you can review it later. This exercise creates a lot of emotion and heart healing and sometimes it seems like you’ll remember everything perfectly even days after the experience but I find that it becomes less prescient similar to a dream state; so having it down on paper can be really supportive.
 
As we get older, we tend to have less and less people who tell us that we’re doing a good job or that they’re proud of us. This is especially true if you’re an entrepreneur. So taking a little time this month to go over the experiences, interactions, and shifts that you’ve been part of this year can be very heart opening for you. Give yourself permission to feel the grace and gratitude for yourself that others felt when interacting with you this year. This is in no way an indulgent or self centered exercise but rather one that focuses on self love.
 
This activity of cataloging your year doesn’t have to take a long time to do; 10 minutes can open a huge wave of gratitude, grace, and love. You may even think of some situations, or people that you had previously forgotten.
 

• This is a powerful way to honor yourself and the people that you’ve connected with this year.

 
True gratitude is a heart emotion; you can feel it inside of your heart.
When we focus on our heart whether it’s to give or receive love in any of its forms, we can feel it.
Love is healing, always.
 
This season, take some time to practice self love and try this Gratitude + Grace Technique. Allow this to help you navigate the way you’d like to celebrate your holiday season. You’ll know right away when you focus on your heart the way you’re being led to spend your holidays. Give yourself permission to use your natural Gumption to guide your way and place your boundaries around the things, people, and opportunities that bring you joy, happiness, love, and peace.

I'd love to hear how this technique worked for you.
I'm wishing you a wonderful month and a very happy Thanksgiving to you if you're celebrating this year!

With Gratitude, Grace, and Love,
Kristy~

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