Too Many Rules, Not Enough Fun!

I'm coming out of a bit of a funk over the last week or so and took a few days off from my writing to let myself get through it.

What Will They Say About You?

Sometimes the shortest conversations can be the sweetest...

I shared with some friends tonight how I'm so thankful for the handful of people that are in my life who knew my dad. I love that we get to share stories and I get to hear how he touched people's lives. 

Feeling the Fear~

I am learning some things about fear. Even building a relationship with it. 

Fear is not a stranger to me, however mostly my fears have been based on something that has already happened or something that I’m afraid will happen, which is usually never actually going to happen. It’s just craziness. 

Letting Myself Be Drawn...

This is my first post on my new mission of daily blogging! Thank you for being here. I hope you will strap in and stick around for the roller coaster of it all. 

Today I'm just going to out-poor what's there...

Rising Woman~ Sarah Renee

I'm particularly excited about our next Rising Woman because I just had my own personal experience with her that was awesome. I first connected with Sarah when I was going to BBA meetings about a year ago and she was so welcoming. Just yesterday I thought of her as I've been facing some career decisions, as many of you know, and I decided to take advantage of her $25 questions on Fridays. Even though I felt like deeply I knew the answers I was seeking, sometimes it's good to bounce your thoughts off of someone else who you can trust and can take a unbiased look with you. She helped me to feel confident about the path that I'm on and helped me see some things that I hadn't even thought of. She was also tuned in and able to pick things up without me even telling her the whole story. Thank you so much, Sarah, for your guidance! You are a treasure.

Who are you and what do you do for a living?

I am Sarah Renee, I’m a professional Psychic Medium, Spiritual Transformation Coach, Master Healer, and Intuitive Teacher and writer. I help people find clarity, closure, peace of mind, and connection by delivering messages from the other side.

Tell me about your family, if applicable.

My mom, dad, and sister are my biggest support team and cheerleaders! They have supported me every step of the way, and have always supported me in embracing my abilities.

What is your story?

When I was a little girl I could always sense and feel things that other people couldn’t. My Grandmother passed away when I was 5 years old and my mom always tells the story that I insisted that her soul wouldn’t leave until I said goodbye and I made her take me to the hospital in the middle of the night. I sat at her bedside, although technically she was already passed, and talked with her until getting up and saying she’s gone now, we can go. My parents also used to take me to Sedona, and I would sit in the vortexes there and meditate, without ever seeing anyone else do that or even knowing what I was really doing. As I started getting older and going to school, I began to realize this wasn’t normal, and I often felt afraid or overly sensitive. I started to shut down my sensitivities, like most kids, and tried my hardest to be tougher than I felt. The older I got, the more uncomfortable I became with this part of me. I didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere, I got overwhelmed around large groups of people, I was full of fear and self esteem issues, I wanted to do anything I could to be a different person. At the age of 12, I began to turn to drugs and alcohol to help me cope with my sensitivities. This was my way of disconnecting from Spirit, numbing out all of my empathic abilities, and ultimately disconnecting from myself. At the age of 19 I was referred to a medium and astrologer by a close friend. I had gotten off drugs and sobered up and was looking for some clarity in my life. She was the first person that was able to explain to me that I had mediumship abilities, and what that meant, and I still remember the relief of realizing that I wasn’t completely insane. That session sparked my spiritual journey. I still went back and forth on whether I wanted to truly embrace my abilities, I numbed out with alcohol a little too much at times, and struggled with depression as well as anxiety in my attempts to become more “normal.” I ended up moving from Arizona to San Diego and enrolled in yoga teacher training. Through yoga, I developed my energy healing abilities and began working with clients. As I started to strengthen my spiritual connection, I learned techniques to protect myself from low level spirits and energy, and that was when I began giving myself permission to be different, and to become the woman I truly am. Spirit started coming through during my work with clients, and that transitioned into doing straight up readings to connect with people’s loved ones in the after life as well as the Angels and Guides for more guidance based readings. During this entire process, I spent ten years working for Starbucks and was able to build my business as a Psychic Medium and Spiritual Transformation Coach on the side. It got to the point where I felt called to step into my true calling and leave Starbucks to work for myself full time. That was probably one of the scariest decisions I ever made, but also the best decision I ever made. Starbucks taught me a lot, and I will forever be grateful, but getting to help people through readings, teaching classes, and writing articles on a daily basis feels amazing. In my own personal journey, this past year has been a year of shedding all labels and boxes that I identified with as a means of defining who I was or why I was the way I was. I let go of all the terms I had been diagnosed with over the years- depressed, anxious, addiction, etc. and it has been the most freeing experience. I am now four years sober, I treat my body with kindness and don’t put any poison into it. I honor my sensitivities and abilities daily, I follow a self care routine based on intuitive guidance that allows me to care for myself and my energy. But most importantly, I fully accept myself now, and I no longer feel this need to hide any part of me. I don’t live in shame or feel like my weirdness makes me weak. I allow myself to show up as myself and as God wants me to show up, and by doing that, I am able to help thousands of people. I feel truly blessed for the same abilities that I used to view as a curse, and I feel even more blessed that I’m able to teach and help people embrace their own gifts- whether intuitive, creative, or otherwise- and use them for good rather than try to hide them from the world.

What have you overcome to get where you are today?

I have had to overcome a lot of shame and fear to get to where I am today. I used to be terrified of not only my abilities to communicate with Spirit, but of what people would

think of me if they knew that about me. I also carried a lot of shame around how sensitive I was, how strongly I felt things. And then during my time I spent disconnecting from myself and from God, I lived a lifestyle that was not aligned with my truth, so I carried a lot of shame around those mistakes, and spent years punishing myself and isolating. Finding a way to forgive myself, and using spiritual tools to heal from past trauma is what finally gave me my power back.

What has been your greatest struggle in life?

My greatest struggle has been learning how to not take on other people’s energy. I used to become whoever I was hanging out with. I was so easily influenced, and I just thought that I was a pushover or weak or something was wrong with me. Learning that I am an empath and sensitive, and that I feel what other people feel, and that I can feel what Spirit feels, allowed me to stop blaming myself and to instead learn tools to manage that. Now I am able to clearly sense when things aren’t mine and clear that energy so that I can be operating from my own intuition and clarity.

Did you ever feel like giving up? When you felt like giving up, what did you do?

Yes! About a year after I started doing readings full time I was feeling extremely overwhelmed, depressed, full of anxiety, I was having health problems, and I had lost all sense of balance. I strongly considered quitting and going back to a normal nine to five job. What got me through was prayer and meditation. Going to God and being really honest about my struggles and what was going through my mind. I also worked with a coach and I was able to shift my mindset and take my power back. From that place, I looked at my daily life style and made changes to bring back some balance to my life, to allow me to get the sleep and nutrition I was needing, and to work at the most optimal times for me. Essentially, I got truthful with myself, stopped “shoulding” on myself, and started asking for guidance around solutions, and then implementing those intuitive nudges. Now my business is thriving better than ever before, I am taking care of myself more than ever, I’m setting clear boundaries, and loving what I do again.

What are some of the tools and resources you have used to work through and overcome those struggles? (books, counselors, workshops, programs, coaches, etc.)

For me, I love to read, so I read probably at least one book a week and I alternate between fiction for fun and self help/spiritual books. Dr. Wayne Dyer, Doreen Virtue, and Louise Hay have been my biggest teachers. I also have a coach, which makes a huge difference for me. Daily prayer, meditation, and journaling is vital. I make sure I get some form of movement in 5-6 days a week, and I spend as much time as possible in nature so I can stay grounded. I also practice yoga regularly and walk on the beach as much as possible.

What are your gifts and how did you discover them?

I connect with Spirit in order to help people find clarity, comfort, peace of mind, and closure. I can connect with the Guides, Angels, and Ascended Masters as well as people’s loved ones who have passed away. I am also an energy healer and do in person sessions as well as remote sessions. My gifts continue to develop and unfold the more I trust and use them to help people. I’ve had mediumship abilities since I was a child, but through yoga I was able to develop energy healing abilities, which then opened up into doing professional readings.

Who in life do you rely on when you're struggling? Who keeps you uplifted and on your path?

My mom is my rock. She is who I call when I am feeling scared or overwhelmed, or if I’m struggling with anything at all. She can always calm me down, and never lets me throw myself a pity party! She is my biggest cheerleader and always helps me pick myself back up and keep going. My dad and my sister are also a huge support system for me too, I’m very blessed to have a close family that keeps me grounded!

Tell us about your tribe and the importance of having one.

I have always been the person that knows everyone, and then I have a person or two from each group or tribe that I’m extremely close with. So my tribe is very diverse, but they are all extremely important to me. I have people I can call on to share good news with as well as bad news. What I have found is that by having people that really know you and support you no matter what, it helps keep you from getting too lost in the whirlwind that may be going on around you. It’s also extremely important to have people that will celebrate you and cheer you on, especially when you have big dreams! I’ve found that as we succeed more and dream bigger, our tribe actually matters more. We need people around us that genuinely want to us succeed, that also want to succeed in their lives. We need people that inspire us and that also ground us. Having a core group that you can rely on in the good and hard times makes a tremendous difference!

What do you want other women to know who are feeling lost, and/or experiencing their own tragedy and/or struggles?

I want women who are struggling to know that it’s not their fault. That if they’re struggling or experiencing tragedy- maybe it’s due to trauma, or maybe they’ve been living a life that’s not right for them, or maybe they just got lost on their path- that it’s never too late to be happy again. That it is safe for you to be powerful and that you deserve to heal. Everyone was sent here for a reason, I truly believe that, so knowing that your life is valued, that you are loved, and that you’re supported, even if it doesn’t feel like it. We are never alone, we have our guardian Angels and loved ones watching over us at all times, but they can’t intervene without permission, so by praying to them or to God, Jesus, Source, the Universe, whoever you pray to, and giving them permission to intervene on behalf of your best good, by asking them to show you that they’re there, they will help guide you through this, and you will make it to the other side.

What is some advice you would give to women who are healing?

To the women that are healing right now, be kind to yourself. Honor where you are. Talk to yourself like you’re a friend. Something that I teach a lot of my clients is to look in the mirror and ask “What do you need to feel safe or cared for today?” Whatever you feel, hear, sense, or think of, go do that for yourself. Start to prove to yourself that you will take care of you now, and that you’re ready to listen and heal. That’s how you start to heal and feel whole again.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Don’t ever feel like you are too much, or like you feel too deeply. You are a gift to this world, and the way you feel is a guidance system for you. Follow those feelings, follow your gut instinct and your heart. And then ask for signs, and follow those. When you start to follow your intuition, just little by little, you will start to shift and change your life.

To read more about Sarah, or to book a phone, skype, or in person session:

http://healwithsarahrenee.com

~Link to Sarah's offers/promotions:

5 star yelp reviews- https://www.yelp.com/biz/heal-with-sarah-renee-la-jolla

Facebook page for $25 questions on Fridays and information on upcoming classes and workshops: https://www.facebook.com/healwithsarahrenee/

Sarah, I love you even more after reading your story. Thank you so much for being part of The Rising Woman Project! xoxo

Podcast Party!! Check it out!!

I love sharing things that I find that help me on my growth path and I'm just SO pumped about this one! Like, seriously addicted... 

If you haven't noticed, personal growth is a huge passion of mine. I don't think I'll ever stop the quest of learning and the process of becoming the best version of myself. For me, that's what life is all about. For the past year, I have been spending about an hour per day in my car driving to/from work. Usually I use the time to enjoy the peace or rock out some singing while nobody can be tortured in the process. ;) While both are very therapeutic to me, I started to yearn for something a little more productive. So, when I found out one of our friends at Nourish (Evelyne Lambrecht) had her own show (Elevate Your Energy) I just couldn't wait to see what it was all about. Now, I'm hooked to podcasts!!  
Here are some of the goodies that I've found so far~

• The Life Purpose Advisor
• The Wellness Mama
• Real Food Mamas
• Dr. Lo Radio

• Build Your Tribe & The Chalene Show both by Chalene Johsnon
• Sex with Emily
• Wellness Force Radio
• Body Ecology Living
• Bulletproof Radio

Seriously - if you have any amount of time that you spend in your car, or just plain quiet time that you could use to listen to some brain food, you must check some of these out! Do you have any favorites that I'm missing? Let me know!!

Yours in health and empowerment,

~Mimi :)

Breaking out of Prison...

"Just by speaking I can break out of my own self-made prison..."

Lately I have become increasingly aware of a sort of prison that I have put myself in. Since my divorce I have been dancing in & out of my perceived ability to become the woman that I believe I am on this planet to be. I've realized that in my own struggle to survive, I have created a self-protective mechanism of not sharing myself and my journey with others. In all of the fear of doing it wrong, messing things up, and being viewed as a failure, I've put myself in a box. And it is this very thing that has come to slap me in the face with not being able to reach the next level of my life. 

This supposed protection and isolation has been keeping me from my true purpose of being in this life and on this planet for others. I'm now seeing that I'm going to have to get really rigorous with myself, my life and the choices that I make in order to break free. So over the past few months I've become committed to tackling my self, my identity, my ego, etc. and figuring out how to get out of my own way. 

I've reopened myself to all of the coaching from my mentors that I can possibly get. I'm directly and indirectly inviting people to call me out on my sh*t as much as possible. I'm also letting in what people see as great about me. Sometimes that is more uncomfortable than being called out on the hard stuff! Let me have it all! The good, the bad and the ugly. Because it isn't until I'm open to ALL of it for myself that I can be about any of it for others.

I participated in the Nourish detox twice over the past 3 months. Partly because I wanted to experience what I was going to be facilitating as a nutritionist. But really it was about SO much more than physically removing the toxins from my body. It was just as much, if not more, about cleansing on a mental, emotional and spiritual level. It was time to shake myself up!

All this time, I have been afraid of what you would think of me.. That I was selfish or doing what I'm doing... for me. Inadvertently I was doing exactly what I was trying to avoid. I let myself become crippled by my fear of what others would think --and that's when it became about ME! Yuck!

I'd like you to know that I'm sharing this with you to step outside of my own fears with the intention of helping you do the same. God knows.. I know.. and if you know me then you know, that I don't do what I do for me. My path is important to me because I care about you. We all face similar battles in life, just with different contexts. I'm declaring to you now that I'm breaking out of these self-made chains and I'm setting myself free so that I can help other women do the same. 

I'm here to help you see and believe that you are enough... now...

If any of this resonates with you, please share.
If you think I can help you on your journey to health and vitality, please contact me.
Wherever you are on your path, please reach out. 
I love hearing from you!

Always love,
~Mimi~

Rising from the ashes...

I'm ready for 2015!! I absolutely love the renewal of the New Year and always use this time to reflect on where I've been and where I'm going...

The last 2-3 years have been huge for me on pretty much every possible level. There have been many drastic ups and downs. There were times I found myself lying in a puddle of my own tears and other times standing on top of the world.

I chose to put myself through various personal development programs (Landmark and The School of Inner Beauty) in an effort to be free from my past and live into the life and the woman that I've always wanted to be.

I had no idea what I was in for...

At one point, I ran myself into the ground and a nervous breakdown trying to HAVE it all, DO it all and BE it all.
From that, I learned that I'm perfect just the way I am.

I went through a divorce and learned an insane amount about myself.
From that, I have an amazing partnership with my now ex-husband. We did some crazy-hard work to make sure that we could still give our kids the best life possible.

I spent a couple of months dating men that were insufficient for what I'm up to in life and then made an agreement with myself to be single for a while.
From that, I met a man that showed me that it's possible to love again.

I put myself in school (again), dropped out of school (again), and then went on to become a certified nutritionist.
From that, I learned belief in myself and the ability to accomplish things.

I found my passion in life and then started my own business which was not my passion, yet was quickly on the way to success.
From that, I learned that I'm capable of doing whatever I put my mind to - especially that which I'm passionate about!
And from that, I met the right person at the right time and launched myself into my dream career.

There are some things about 2015 (January alone!) that I'm terrified about. More big changes and risks are taking way.
But from that, I know that there are the greatest gifts, growth, success, accomplishment and reward on the road ahead.

2015 will be the year of the Phoenix for me. I'm launching myself up and out of the ashes. I will always struggle, but I will always persevere.

Love and abundance to all,
~Mimi~

This photo is absolutely gorgeous, but it is not mine and it is not signed.
If you know where it came from, please do let me know!

Affirmations for Finding True Joy~

Happy Monday, friends! 

I took some time today to look over these blog pages because I'm thinking about revamping some things as I finish up my nutrition certification. As I read over my previous posts, I reflected on how far I've come over the past year and realize just how thankful I am for my progress. It hasn't always been smooth sailing, and sometimes it feels like one step forward and two steps back, but the *not giving up* is the gold! 

I decided to slightly edit and re-share these insights with you because I know how valuable they were/are for me, and I hope they can shed some light for you as well... 

~ All of whatever lacks in my own experience of life and love is within me. It can't be found outside of myself. It can't be filled with someone else's presence or inanimate objects.

~ I must always seek and find ways to love myself. It is then that I remain fulfilled. In loving myself, I can then be loved.

~ Perspective is a jewel. Sometimes taking a step away from a situation, as well as spending time alone, is the key to seeing the answers we need.

~ Life is happening and passing. Now... And now... The extent to which I pay attention to the experience is up to me.

~ Being too busy and filling my time with overcompensations will always dull my joy. I can be fulfilled in any moment, if I choose.

~ I am perfect just the way I am. Really. (and so are YOU!) :)

Wherever you are in your journey - whether it be health related or anything else - remember that the inner journey is the one with the highest payoff. You can't be healed or fixed with external measures. You must first go within.

Yours in health and always love,
Mimi
xoxo