How To: Pull in Opportunities

Early one stressful morning when the world seems to renting out my shoulders, I went to a cafe for a little R7R and self reflection. I sat down and wrote it all out. I wrote my purpose, how I live it and asked for help for help so that I can continue.
As I was finishing the the second paragraph, someone entered the room and informed me that his ESL class was starting soon and asked to use the room. Upon leaving he  as what I was working on, I told him and he said "You're an inspiration to your people". There it was, my confirmation. It didn't come as a job opportunity or free flowers, it came through a senior who chose to recognize the potential within me. It was a small nudge, a keep going that I really needed.

Today I will share 3 steps to get you your own little "confirmation":

1. Get Real with yourself
In this moment, are you feeling like a failure? A loser? You can't hide from your feelings, so just acknowledge that emotion and how you got into this situation (hint: it was your 'tude).

2. Write a declaration
Write it out! Use those emotions and ask to be guided to your purpose and intend to actually do the work, whatever it may be.

3. Appreciation and Hustle
Say thank you and really feel it and then get to work. Paint that portrait! Write that blog post! Do it from the heart, no filters or self doubt.

Challenge! Challenge!:
In the comments below, share your biggest passion and what you would do if you had no limitations.

In Grace,
Kendra

Are your Priorities aligned with your goals?

It's been quite the week so far, a lot of boxes and planning centered around our recent move. It's all worth it to have our own slice of heaven in the city with great views. Each day I have a new list of 3 goals for the day that I need to complete( I'll go into detail in next week's post) and it helps keep me focused on my goals and inspired to always take action and not just daydream.
The other day I ran into an old friend of mine and we catched up about where we are in our lives. I shared sparse details about two big projects I'm working on and she shared that she's planning on going on a trip to celebrate warmer air. I wished her luck and we parted ways for the evening.
During my drive home I couldn't help replaying what she'd mentioned about her upcoming vacay. My friend, although I adore her, isn't experienced in prioritizing or long-term planning. Here's a girl, very intelligent and talented, but cannot look pass two weeks in her future and prefers shopping over paying off her debts. With this in mind, I will share 3 tips on prioritizing so that you always come out on top.

1. Get Real!
The area in which most of us never prioritize is our finances. We never have enough and if we did we would rather buy new shoes than pay our cable bill. To make it easier, record all of your income sources and the amounts, add in the dates if you can. Next, write down all of your expenses and be honest.

2. Get Creative!
Come up with ways that you can remove an expense (cancel the cable service) or reduce it (join Netflix instead of cable). Do your research, call the respective companies and negotiate for lower premiums.

3. Grow Up!
Congrats on all that you've achieved my grasshopper. Now, sit down where you'll have privacy and think of how you've gotten in your rut. Why don't your prioritize paying cell phone bill; perhaps it's because you hate the phone and the customer service. Okay, cool, now change it!

Look, we can meditate and discuss how love is the most important thing, it really is; however, if we never pair than with aggressive action, then we'll be just another dreamer.  I love the message of aligning with passions, love it, but how about using the power of paradox and actually doing it? How about actually make your writing samples and driving to the newspaper office and offer your services? I think that's spiritual and cool.

Challenge! Challenge!:
In the comments below, write at least one big thing you've been "meaning to get around to", the consequence of being lazy and at least 3 actions you'll take TODAY to make it happen.

In Grace,
Kendra

How-To: The C:C Ratio Part I

It's one week before a major exam or project is due, where are you? Chilling because you're almost done or, you know, watching movies on Netflix because you have 'time', hmm...
Like any good American, I grew up consuming: food, information, shopping(and my date's dinner budget) with the excuse that I'm getting inspired. Thing is, this is great, only after one creates. Yeah, shocker.
I recall a few years ago someone sharing this wisdom as he's a musician and was accustomed to creating his own albums and reaping the benefits. Admittedly, this was new to me as I was raised believing that a college degree and day job would afford me whatever I desired. Perhaps this is the reason why average people are envious and confused by the idea of residual income.
 For the past few months I've been floating through my life, drowning in TV, junk food and complaining, wondering why I can't seem to get a break. Recently, I caught the following video that hit home( and upside my head).


In the video, in plain English, Marie breaks down a Law of Attraction, aka common sense of the C:C Ratio. You see, if you're just reading and wishing, you'll never bring your desire down to the physical realm.

*Change it with a new habit:
Upon waking up, be grateful and journal your day's intention and how you'd like to make a difference.

In this one step, you took command of your day and told the Universe how you'd like for it to unfold.

Now, using the above tip, how would your life improve:
Would your focus become clearer?
Could you take on new tasks?

I really want this new approach to assist you in designing the lifestyle you desire. Please, in the comments below share how you've implemented this tip and the results you've gotten.

In grace,
Kendra

How To: Own your Beauty

"New Year, New Me" seems to be this month's anthem. Everyone's running, actually driving, to the gym and downing green juices like Red Bull. Ahh, I wonder if the Healthy Lifestyle craze will end in February, or tomorrow. Here, I'm going to give some pointers in how to approach your new you correctly and make it a last.

Right now most people are staring at their New Year Resolution list and wondering two things: 1. How the hell do I do this? and 2. Is it over yet? Exactly. You see, most of us are focused on changing ourselves instead of examining where we are, how we arrived at this dreaded point and how we can really make this big change. It's almost as if a New Year resembles becoming a new person, someone you saw on TV or at the mall who you think is prettier/thinner/richer than you instead of honoring who actually are. Yep, I said it.

For the longest time while growing up I was always compliment, not for my intelligence, but for my physical presence. I was, and still am, complimented on my skin tone, eyes, hair and teeth. Yes, those are basic factors in beauty but I grew up in the South, a small suburb and many held onto to the ideal beauty being a slim, light skinned woman with long curly hair. This had been obvious to me since I was young and as a result I was teased and has many admirers. After years of being treated badly by other girls, out of their own insecurity, I figured that if I hid my beauty and ignored compliments then others around me wouldn't feel bad. Big problem! Why, because:

When you step out of your natural spotlight, you give others your power and you lose sense of yourself.

It's true. Since forming that habit, I stopped caring for myself. I didn't workout, I ate horribly and became so lazy. Yeah, I remained comfortable since I did the bare minimum and was still complimented.

It was until late last year that I realized something that has made me feel my best: I don't look like everyone else. When I watched TV (read here on why I don't), I was pretty insecure and would stress over my body. I watched as most of the actresses had the same look, and I dodn't have that look. Even when I'm out running erands, the women who see as generally attractive seem to have the same damn look and fashion sense.  I came about this realization when I looked into the mirror one day and noticed that I look like both of my parents, yet different. As I looked deeper and for much longer i noticed my odd shaped lips, cold brown eyes and skin that seems to change when it wants. I realized "Hey, I look different and I love it". Given that I'm weird to begin with, read below for my tips to be-you-tiful...


Follow these steps to own your beauty:

• In the morning, get up and stare at the mirror. Don't think or critize, just look and notice your eyes, lips, ears and hair.
• Now, make facial expressions: laugh, pout, roll your eyes and make a mean face then laugh yourself.
• Look at every body part that you've been told that isn't perfect and say "Ha, God/I gave me this and told me to rock it!"

Remember, everything is a choice. Like most of us choose to watch TV and see someone as more attractive than ourselves, you can and must choose to be present in your own natural greatness and beauty.


In grace,
Kendra

How To: Home Management Binder

 

Each day you wake up, pick ip your phone and wonder if the dishes from last night were ever done...

2013 was a long year and a lot occured. Last month I succeeded with a pretty big goal: My Home Management Binder. Assuming that all of you are as OCD about organization as I am, you've heard of it.
Before we moved I had a binder which was used quite often but was an eye sore, i.e. ugly. I kind of threw it together as resources were limited. I've been dangerously flirting with the ideam of revamping the binder and finally accomplishedit in late December.
Admitedly, I had a rough start but was reassured to spare no expenses as this would be the backbone of my familt's home system, so let's go!

Supplies:
Dividers
Filler Paper
Clear View Binder
Tabs
Clear deviders
Sharpies
Stylish printable
Patience!

Advice #1: Take timeout to get an idea of your personal style and organization preferences. Roughly draw out designs ou like and write out how you'll set it up.
Look online for Home Management Binders and bookmark a few you absolutely love, noting the design and set up. Read their accompaning blog post, some bloggers have/sell printables available for instant download! Save a few photos to your phone, make a list of the supplies you'll need and get your buns to the store.
I shopped at Staples, Office Depot and Wal Mart. I reall liked the Martha Stewart for Avery line, but the blue dividers were too small so I had to get bigger ones at Office Depot.

Advice #2: Take your damn time, Leisurely walk down the aisles of your chosen store(s) and only purchase the items that fut into your binder's theme, no ugliness!
Once you've gotten all of your supplies, and laughed crazily, return home and prepare for set up. Be sure to set aside enough time to design and organize your binder, I recomment 2 hours.

Advice #3: During set up, leisurely fill your binder with the goodies and get creative, really make it your own.
Okay, final step: Set Up!
Fill your binder with the printables,. Some can be placed inside of clear dividers to write on with markers so that you can just wipe them off and reuse the same printable. Now, which order would you like the sections to go in:

Home
Schedules
Meal Plan
Contacts
Maintenance
Accounts
Profile

I use the smaller Martha Stewart tabs as sub tabs to keep my sections organized.
Example: Contacts>Restaurants

Remember, the purpose of a Home Management Binder is to be effortlessly organized... and to have something pretty to look at.
Breathe, design and try different systems until you find one you love!


In grace,
Kendra