As with any practice, there are times in our lives where other things take priority and it's okay to change things up. What is also important is to recognize what a practice means to you and when it becomes necessary to "get back on the horse" as they say.

Exercise, journaling, mediation, creative hobbies, and more ask us to become better at discipline, at choosing to say yes to something that nourishes the self, and in return allows us to show up better for others. 

Writing has always been that salve for me, but I've not always been good at keeping it a "practice." As a teenager I'd write most nights before bed, recounting the events of the day and allowing myself to express the things I observed and felt so that I understood more fully my place in the world.

As an adult, it became much harder to maintain this practice, especially after having kids and then smartphones took away much of my attention span and evening ritual. 

So I've been reclaiming my writing practice in...

Remember on September 2nd when we started the 30 Day Writing Challenge?! Well, by golly, we did it!

I had many friends join in for some or all of the challenge and make strides on their projects that they are proud of.

My personal goal was to get through all of the developmental edits on my manuscript and I DID IT! It's back in the editor's hands and I'm remembering to celebrate even as the voices of doubt linger:

"Is it compelling enough?"

"I know I'll need to change this or that"

"Are the lessons clear?" 

"So close and yet so far away!"

But we did it! I am farther than I've ever been on a project I really care about, and that's a WIN!

What are you celebrating today? I'm celebrating YOU! For showing up, for being right where you are. We are brave, every day.

So, I've been sticking with the blog commitment as I also commit to 30 days of writing for 30 minutes. The fact is, it might be a little too much for me right now... sure I've got a lot I can say here, but the last of the developmental edits for my memoir are really where I'm focused. 

So, I'm going to give myself a little break with the blog, and maybe this is permission for you, too, to take a moment and evaluate where you need to most prioritize your time for this particular month, season, quarter... and give yourself the grace not to pile too much on.

Every Day, I'm Brave is an important project for me. It's something I've been called to write, to claim my narrative, to help others know that there is a way to live a courageous, connected, and meaningful life even while dealing with the hard stuff. 

So take a pause when needed. I'm going to do that here while I spend the rest of September finishing up the next phase of my book. There's plenty here to peruse, and there...

One of these days I will just decide to be unafraid.

I will buy a ticket, shake hands with the pilot 

And find a window seat in Row 10.

And it will go like that: in a quiet resolve. 

The heat no longer brazen in my chest;

The scattered and hurried thoughts absent.In its place will be a comfort,

A knowledge that I beat the fear of death 

And conquered every bit of darkness

That creeps under my skin. I will be only Light.

And Light will take me anywhere I wish to go.

© 2010

I drove by this beautiful view, the early morning fog dancing off the Iowa river just after sunrise.

There is a mysticism innately curated, even though I'm aware of the science behind its existence.

Yes, hot and cold air, moisture, dew points, sunbeams, all of it.

But it's still magical to me.

Science itself feels like magic sometimes.

We may have a deeper understanding of how things work, but do we truly understand why? 

Like what is the underlying purpose of the beauty of mist?

And does it matter? Do we have to know in order to enjoy it? 

To marvel at beauty for beauty's sake and no other reason,

I think that is enough. 

We keep running toward more meaning making, discovery, needing to. know.

This propels a lot of great discoveries.

It can also make us mad.

Sometimes, it's okay to surrender to the not knowing and to bask in the glow of enoughness.

As a visionary it can be difficult to see the small steps that it takes to get to the big vision. We look around and see the end results, the products, productions, and people who have gotten the big promotion, landed the book deal, done the TED Talk and we think about being there, but aren't certain of the steps. This can cause us to get caught in this trap of thinking that it's impossible, or giving up after a first or second attempt.

There's a quote about becoming an overnight sensation... something along the lines of, "it took me years to become and overnight success." The idea, of course, being that we don't often see the trial and error, the steps and missteps along the way, the hard work and grit of this seemingly overnight success.

So don't cheat yourself out of the real prize. All that dedication and determination to get the support you need to learn your craft, to hone the skills, to become the person who becomes the one who succeeds on the small, every day habits that...

Okay, people, I am in the home stretch for the last of the developmental edits for my upcoming teaching memoir, Every Day, I'm Brave. As such, it's time for some super duper accountability so I can get this done and into the next phases of the publishing process.

I have a goal (some might say it's lofty) to complete this phase by October 1, and I'm asking for your help.

Help me stay accountable, help me understand that procrastination and busy work will not be the things that complete the book. Help me stay true to the commitment I'm making to myself to get this book out of my head and into your hands, and help keep moving along for all the hearts that may hear my story and feel a little more hope that they, too, can bravely face the challenges and fear that hold them back from creating a life they love.

I'd also love for you to join me! Starting Monday, September 2nd I'm going to begin this 30 day writing challenge (thank you Mel Robbin's LAUNCH container for getting this...

There is a shift in the air, I can sense the slowing down and notice the leaves in my neighbor's trees already turned and falling. I never feel fully prepared for autumn, it creeps up suddenly in a blur and all the sudden there are new schedules and a downward trend in energy.

I am already feeling the urge to hunker down, to go within. I resist because there are so many things to do, people to see, stuff to create.

And yet, the wind blows southeasterly and I'm called deeper within my dream state, more and more into myself and into the inner work.

This is natural, I think. I long to embrace the shift without too much resistance or woe. I don't have to be sad about what's coming, even though that's been a habit - pre-winter anxiety. Which is ironic to think about as we've had horrid heat waves the last couple days and there is no hint of chill in the air.

But we are nature and I can surrender to the inner slow down, even if the outer world doesn't take a break. I can be gentle with...

There is an abundance of sunshine today, and with it scorching heat for an Iowa August morning. I pulled a Tarot card before sitting down to write, and drew The Sun. 

An abundance of light, a radiance that glows from within and without. A message of excitement, connection, opportunity.

It feels like many of us are on the precipice of something bold and brilliant, the energy of a thousand suns bursting forth through the darkness.

It's a message I welcome today, even if I don't yet feel it. I know it's there. I know that by tuning in to my inner wisdom, by sitting graciously and gratefully with all that is, that more light is coming.

A beacon of hope lies within and ahead of us. We can create more of what we want to experience in this life. Believe it. See it. Feel it.

Sending you an abundance of sunshine to heal whatever ails your aching heart today.

I love you.

I am constantly inspired by the creativity and hard work of others. For me a new song, book, or even business opportunity can be just the message needed to move forward in the direction of our dreams.

This morning I was introduced to this beautiful song, " Beacon" by an artist named Morgxn. (In fact, I've been listening to the whole album and loving it.) The potent line from the chorus that caught me was, "Sometimes we're the boat, sometimes we're the beacon."

As I listened I chuckled a bit as my last blog post was about steering your boat in a new direction, and so the synchronicity was powerful. The metaphor continuing in this way, because it's an accurate and beautiful representation of what is coming through. As we continue on this journey of life that is ever-evolving, with its challenges and wins, there are ebbs and flows of our experiences that ask us to show up in different ways. A variety of moments, even day to day, may call us to stand as a Light for others on...