The Big Calm, Kefalonia

02/08/2024

Tonight, I sat in my meditation class and realized I was carrying everything. I was carrying burdens, expectations, and problems that i didn’t need to. I was carrying worry, fear, and anxiousness. I was carrying results and performance and being good enough.

And then, as I sat there, lightning filled the sky. And as the light illuminated the darkness I realized it was time to set it down.

Set down the worry.
Set down the expectations.
Set down the fear.
Set down the measuring stick.
Set down the comparison.
Set down the critical voice.
Set it down.

Crash.

As the lightning erupted into thunder the weight in my heart began to dissipate. Instead of needing to control everything the realization of letting the universe do its thing hit me. I can’t control the storms, but I can exist within.

Instead of tears, I felt peace.

I was to show up.
Do my best.

And to set down the rest.

The same is for you.

Your best. Show up. And set down the rest.

You can always pick it up, but just for a moment friend, breathe.

You are worthy.

-Rachel

01/08/2024

24/07/2024

Kalimera Καλημέρα, good morning, Buon giorno, Buna dimineata, Dzień dobry, God Morgen,Hyvää huomenta, Godmorgon, Dobro jutro, Dobré ráno, Bom dia, Goeiemorgen, Bonjour et revoir, Guten Morgen, Buenos días, Bore da it's Wednesday – Τετάρτη have a wonderful day.💙🇬🇷

23/07/2024

78 Ways to Be Happier
(simple things to remember)

1. Sometimes being nice is better than having your way.
2. You will never make everyone happy.
3. Counting to ten is really a great thing.
4. Smile.
5. Look for something good each day.
6. Write down sweet things about your kids.
7. Tell those you love that you love them.
8. Forgive.
9. Remember that everyone has a story.
10. What you see on the inside isn’t always a reflection of what’s really going on.
11. Leave an extra bit of tip.
12. Focus on the rainbow, not the storm clouds.
13. Listen before judging.
14. Understand that sometimes relationships are toxic and it’s okay to let it go.
15. Show up.
16. Replace feelings of failing with truths about what you’ve done.
17. Kids are resilient. And they forgive. And they love you.
18. Don’t compare.
19. Be grateful for your story.
20. Don’t chase perfection.
21. But always try hard.
22. Do something unexpected for someone else.
23. Write a note and send it.
24. Skip, run, spin.
25. Sing. Loudly.
26. Play epic soundtracks. Somehow that makes life more enjoyable.
27. Let yourself feel your emotions.
28. Don’t hide behind "I’m fines."
29. Pursue your dreams.
30. Tell others your dreams.
31. Don’t let critics rob you of joy.
32. Remember those that don’t like you aren’t a reflection of your worth.
33. Hug your family.
34. Donate stuff.
35. Get rid of more stuff.
36. Order take out. Or Pizza. Or make Mac and Cheese.
37. Make that fancy dinner that brings you joy.
38. Forgive others.
39. Forgive yourself.
40. Open your windows.
41. Dance in the rain. Or jump through sprinklers.
42. Get chocolate
43. Or coffee.
44. Be positive.
45. Hang around positive people.
46. Learn the difference versus sharing and complaining.
47. Don’t be stuck by the past.
48. Plan for the future.
49. Embrace the gift of today.
50. Be creative.
51. Work out.
52. Stop procrastinating.
53. Clean out your inbox.
54. Make your fb feed full of info that you love.
55. Be kind.
56. Put flowers in your house.
57. Take care of yourself.
58. Get sleep.
59. Don’t gossip.
60. Don’t talk poorly of others.
61. Stand up for others.
62. Turn off your phone.
63. Drive with windows down.
64. Say “yes”
65. Say “no”
66. Unplug.
67. Or watch a movie.
68. Call a friend.
69. Think of all the great things you’ve done.
70. Breathe deeply.
71. Watch the sunrise or the sunset.
72. Take a night out.
73. Don’t let the mess define your happiness.
74. Laundry, while frustrating, is a gift.
75. Be grateful.
76. Be thankful.
77. Be real.
78. Be you.

~Rachel

23/07/2024

"Turn your wipers on."
Yesterday I spent an hour talking with my counselor. There was a time in my life where I assumed I didn't need help, didn't need someone to listen, didn't need clarity. And then, well, life happened. And in all of that happening came a whole bunch of residue that I find hard to identify or let go. Residue.

That's what I told her it felt like - "a build up of residue that is weighing me down."

We talked through stuff.

I shared how I have the hardest time letting go of things because then I fear it will happen to me again.

I shared how I end up trying to fix everything and that the projections of others - true or not true - stick.

I shared how I found it hard to write lately because I've been feeling so bogged down with life stuff and I was worried someone would say, "Isn't this page about joy?" (Which has happened. More than once.)

I shared how I compare and measure myself with the success of others and that sometimes I feel like I fraud because I write about not comparing and there I was - comparing.

I shared how I have anger and hurt trapped deep inside - from others mislabeling me or judging me.

And then, then in a moment that surprised me, she asked me to think about what others might need for their healing journey. She had me specifically focus on several people and asked me to work on forgiving and sending peace and cutting my own cord to them - which dragged me down.

Friends, it was hard. It was hard to forgive, hard to let go, hard to not cling to the stuff.

The residue.

And then it hit me - the residue was distorting my view. Imagine your windshield in the car full of spots and dirt and build up and you forget that you have the power to clean it. That was me. I forgot that it wasn't anyone else's responsibility to clean that residue.

It was mine.

And by being stubborn, by thinking that looking at all of it was a badge of "look what I've dealt with" or whatever, it was only hurting me.

I dared.

I dared to forgive.
I dared to let go.
I dared to clean that residue from my spirit.

And today, today, I see a bit clearer.

Not perfectly - think how it isn't just one swipe of the wipers to clean the glass - it takes work - that's where I am. But the bit of clarity has reminded me of the power of joy.

Joy isn't a given.
Joy isn't easy.

It is in the willingness to look at one's journey, one's story, and to keep moving forward, keeping the vision clean, and letting go.

I hope this reminds you of the power you have in being willing to forgive, to let go and to stop giving the power to heal to others. I hope it encourages you to get help and talk to someone if you need to. I hope it encourages you to know that you are not alone in this journey. I hope it reminds me, even in this crazy busy that we tend to live in that you matter and make a difference.

You are brave.
You are enough.
You are worthy.

Turn your wipers on.

Love,
Rachel



Ps….this story is in my new book “Get Your Spark Back”…. Link is in the comments

17/07/2024

I think the term "mid-life" crisis is a disservice to us at times.

Sometimes it's not a crisis, it's a re-discovery of self.

And yet, yet we're taught to believe that someone who goes through change in midlife is struggling or they lost what is important or so on.

What if self-discovery is a VERY NORMAL part of being human?

Listen. We encourage our ten year old kids to try new things. Our teens we tell that figuring out what you want to do takes time. And yet, we lose that very grace when we hit our middle years.

These middle years matter.

And because they matter they don't need to be stuck.

It can be a time of rediscovery. A time of figuring out self.

You were never meant to be stagnant.

Life is a constant evolution of self.

It's ups and downs and ebbs and flows. And the best thing we can do is to not call this NORMAL process at midlife a crisis.

It is a wonderful place. A time of reconnecting with one's heart. A time of growth.

That ten year old child with dreams still lives within you. That heart of yours still has desires and dreams.

It's not a crisis.

It's REAL.

~Rachel

who was once told she was “in a crisis" as she fought to find herself, fix her life and fight for her family. Breaking comfortable is uncomfortable for everyone around you. Don't let that deter you. And yes, there are also moments of true crisis, but don’t allow the label of crisis to define a midlife rediscovery.

07/06/2024

Being alone is a time to practice being with yourself, accepting who you are, and learning to trust yourself completely.

Set the intention for your life that you will rarely find yourself in a room full of people you don’t trust.

It’s better to be alone, walk your life’s path in alignment with who you are, than to be with people who are not trustworthy or respectful of you.

(Image text: Being alone has a power that very few people can handle.-Steven Aitchison)

07/06/2024

When in doubt, go back to basics :)