Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist

Reeelax!

It was the end of a typical weekday at my house: a moving & shaking day at the office, home for some giggles and play with my young daughters, dinner, baths & bed. Finally, I get some time to myself – hooray! Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a massive pile of clean laundry that has been waiting to be put away for a whole week now. Momentarily, I consider putting it away, but … naah! Instead, I decide to grab my laptop, prop my feet up and work on some writing. I giggled to myself realizing that previously in my life I would have never been able to do that. That tiny bit of clutter would have gnawed away at me, making me super-uneasy and totally unable to relax in-the-moment.

You see, I am a recovering perfectionist. And, boy, I had it bad! Aside from my obsession with cleanliness and everything in its place, I would usually have multiple projects going on at any given point in time, agonizing over every detail, which, of course, needed to be executed juuuust right. Upon completion I would say in one long breath, “Woo-hoo, that was great, finally did it, okay, what’s next?” I used to pour over blog posts editing and re-editing them in the quest for perfect arrangement of the exact right words until they were finally worthy to be released (maybe). I used to work out 6 or 7 days a week and it would take an act of God for me to actually skip a workout!

For years, I would brush my neurosis off as, “I am just built that way. It’s in my DNA.” And, to some extent, this is true. I have a lot of passion and energy eager to pour out. But, what is different these days is my self-talk around this energy. The story I tell myself. I am enough, already. I still have high ambition and put tremendous amounts of love in what I do, but I give myself a break. I have loosened my grasp on expected outcomes and value peace and harmony waaaay more than flawlessness.

So, what was my wake-up call that helped me make the switch from high-strung to mellowed-out? These are the top 10 realizations that I made about perfectionism that helped me along in my journey to become easy like Sunday morning:

“Perfect” is an illusion. It’s striving for the impossible. Even if this high-level of excellence can be met in a particular moment, don’t blink because it is a fleeting ideal. Perfection has an insatiable appetite, and the constant expectation of it sets you up for a whole lot of disappointment, stress, and unhappiness. All the while, the fun of life whizzes right by.
Perfectionism stifles creativity and blocks the birth of fresh ideas. Sometimes we just need to throw the paint on the canvas, allow the notes to be strummed, or let the words pour out. When you mix intense worry into the equation, self-confidences erodes and the artistic flow becomes suppressed. Is everything just right? How it will be perceived by others? This type of thinking takes us out of alignment with our creative source and smothers the flames of imagination into submission.
The ever-present quest for perfection is merely a shield from vulnerability. When we do everything perfectly, then we cannot be judged or criticized. It’s an excuse not to be vulnerable. Just as staying busy in the process of constantly trying to achieve the unachievable is a good way to avoid having to look at and deal with our “stuff.” (And we all have “stuff”). Unfortunately, the only way to heal is to deal (as in facing things head on). The shielding of perfectionism is merely a coping mechanism, which works temporarily, but meanwhile, whatever we’re suppressing only continues to gain more power over us.
Vulnerability shielding inhibits connection. For me, I realized that if I really wanted to be a great writer, coach, mother and friend, that really connects with others than I’d have no other choice but to let down my shield and allow my authentic self to be fully exposed. This means being perfectly imperfect at times, owning it, and granting others permission to do the same.
There is a big difference between striving for excellence and perfectionism. It’s called actually enjoying what you are doing! It’s okay (great, even) to have high aspirations. Shoot for the stars. Go nuts! But, go easy on yourself along the way. Enjoy the journey. Don’t get so tripped up in the outcome that it sucks every ounce of joy out of the process
Perfection is to life what those plastic covers are too a really nice sofa. Sure, it keeps the dirt off, but what’s the point?? The guitar whose notes are strum slightly off at times is better than the untouched guitar collecting dust on the wall. The laughed in, played in, loved in, house is better than the spotlessly clean one where you can eat off the kitchen floor. The published, yet slightly imperfect, blog or book that allows somebody else to have an “a-ha” moment or inspiration is way better than the “almost perfect” one that is still hiding away, never to be experienced by another soul. Don’t miss the point of life in pursuit of way-too-high standards.
Self-worth is not determined by any outward measurement. This goes for any number on a scale, how clean the house is, how many feathers are in our cap, etc. It’s what’s on the inside that matters most. And, it starts with loving self-talk, not the “I’m not good enough’s” associated with striving for perfect.
It’s even scarier. Yes, it can be scary sharing your passion with the world (whatever the medium). But, what’s even scarier is not sharing your passion with the world because you felt it didn’t meet your own ridiculously high standards. The reality is that nobody’s opinion of your work is going to be quite as critical as your own, anyway. And, even if it is. So what? It’s just somebody elses opinion. Be passionate, create, love, share – this is living!
Because what perfectionism really is: Throwing an amazing party and forgetting to have a good time because you are worried about some silly little details that nobody else even noticed or actually cares about! (Yes, I might have actually done this before *whistles*).
Perfectionist parents create perfectionist kids. And, I want my girls to grow up knowing unconditional self-love, acceptance of what it is, and enjoyment of life. Nuff said.

Perfectionism is a way of closing off and controlling things. It may look pretty on the outside but in reality it’s cold, isolated and dark. It’s the cracks that let the light in, anyway. So, go on and ease up a bit. Let some light in and shine on!

With Much Love,

Dawn

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The “F” Word: 5 Steps to Practicing Forgiveness

As featured on Intent.com

No, not that “f” word. The other “f” word: forgiveness!

The Buddha compared holding onto anger to grasping hot coals with the intent of throwing them at someone else. You, of course, are the one that gets burnt. So, why is it that we often walk around holding onto resentment, grudges, and animosity? Sometimes for years or even a lifetime. Why do we recycle unpleasant circumstances in our minds and keep those wounds open?

Although counter-intuitive, the answer is to protect ourselves. Albeit going about it the wrong way, our ego mind wants to keep us safe. So, if a past situation has hurt us, our ego mind likes to replay it over and over, keeping the memory and feelings alive to prevent the same situation from occurring again. But, in reality, we’re not protecting ourselves at all. By holding onto the grudge, we’re actually keeping those wounds wide open, fueling the flames of the negative emotions, and causing even more pain. Even if we feel we are directing these feelings at somebody else, it’s really ourselves that is being hurt by living in the past with a closed heart and vengeful mind.

This is a subject that I continually practice to become better at myself – we all need to! Human nature is that people aren’t always good to each other, unfortunately. When you’re on the receiving end of some unkind treatment, it’s not always easy to just let go and move on — especially when you find yourself feeling hurt and angered by it. It’s in these moments that you grab onto those hot coals and start sizzling away from the inside out.

Forgiveness (of both self and others) is the most powerful spiritual tool we have and it is accessible to all of us. Forgiveness is synonymous with freedom, one of the most important conditions for happiness. (click to tweet) In the wise words of Thich Nhat Hanh, “If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”

But, while it is easy to say forgive and forget in theory, it’s not always so easy to put into practice. If somebody wrongs us, why should they be let off the hook for being awful? What about how they made you feel? You didn’t deserve that, right?

But, here is the thing. Forgiving somebody does not mean that what they did is okay or that you are going to be BFF and have them over for Sunday dinner. It just means that you are releasing them and no longer going to allow them to have any control over you, your feelings, or your energy. You owe it to yourself to completely let go of any animosity so you can live your most peaceful and joyful life.

Need a little help putting the “f” word into practice? Here are a few tips that can help guide you along your way:

1) Take it to your journal and just let it all out! Why are you are upset? How have you been wronged? How did it make you feel? Be completely real and raw. This is a private conversation, so don’t hold back. Venting to a friend has its merits too, but a well-meaning friend can inadvertently fan the flames even more by agreeing with you, making it even more difficult to rise above and let go. A journal gives you the therapeutic effects of venting, without the potential of making the situation even more volatile. As the words flow out of you, imagine letting all of the negative energy and emotions surrounding the subject being released out of your body with them. (In some intense situations, a journal might not be enough as outward feedback and guidance is needed. In those cases, I would suggest working with a therapist or other professional)

2) Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and empathize with them. Again, this doesn’t make them right or what they did okay. But, why do you think they acted in such a way? Perhaps they had a difficult upbringing or some pretty hard knocks in their lifetime. Maybe they are going through a rough patch and you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and caught some of their shrapnel? Maybe they just don’t know any better and they’re dealing with the pain in their life the best way they know how. Practicing empathy and letting a little compassion flow is very healing. It’s a reminder that we are all from the same human family, none of us without flaws or mistakes. We’ve all needed forgiveness at some point in our lives.

3) Send them love and light. Find it in your heart to bless them and let go of the hurt feelings. Picture them as being happy and allow yourself to feel happiness for them. This one is the toughest of them all. It takes tremendous strength to wish joy on the one who has done you wrong. But, it’s also the most important step to freeing yourself. Everyone deserves happiness. If you can master this level of forgiveness and compassion, your heart will always be free of worry and full of love.

4) Forgive yourself too! Sometimes you can be hard on yourself for what happened. Or maybe you are even beating yourself up over not being able to forgive and forget easily. If you do find your brain going back to that unforgiving place, just know that your mind is creating this thought, but that doesn’t make it reality. Your soul and spirit are above this. When you identify that a thought does not align with your spirit, just allow it to come without attachment and look at it from the “observer” role, letting it pass by. Practice being gentle and loving with yourself. You deserve happiness!

5) Be grateful for what they have taught you. Every situation in our life, but especially the negative ones, can teach us something. Think of these people and experiences as spiritual assignments. Especially in the case of not being able to forgive easily, that is an indicator of a potential major “a-ha” moment or awakening waiting to happen. Show up for these assignments and be ready to receive the lesson. Be grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow.

You might need to find yourself repeating some of these steps before finally getting it all out of your system and and moving on. Especially if somebody really got under your skin, you will need to dig deep into your heart to find the forgiveness needed to let go. In the meantime, remember it is only yourself that is hurting more, so try to go to that place inside where love resides sooner than later. Who can you practice the “f” word on today? Do it for YOU!

If you have your own forgiveness story, please feel free to discuss in the comments below.

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Much Love & Light,

Dawn

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New Vlog: Finding Your True Passion & Purpose

Ask Dawn Episode 2: Finding Your True Passion & Purpose

Are you finding yourself feeling uninspired or unmotivated in your current work? Do you feel like there is a higher purpose or calling for you, but you just haven’t quite figured it out yet? Don’t worry — you are totally not alone! This is one of the most common topics covered with my coaching clients & something several readers have written in about it. It’s also this week’s viewer question in this new episode of Ask Dawn. I share a few exercises to help you peel off the layers and get down to the nitty gritty of your true passion and purpose. Watch the video and then click here to download the Finding Your True Passion and Purpose Worksheet.

If you get a chance to do the exercises, I’d love to hear from you! What clarity of surprises did you experience?

As always, if you want to dig deeper into the subject matter, I’m taking new one-on-one coaching clients and offer a complimentary initial 30 minute session to see if we’re a good fit for each other. Let’s chat!

What is something you are looking for help with? Do you have a business or life question I can answer? Email me at Ask Dawn & I might use your question on a future episode. Thanks for watching!!

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What We Resist Persists: The Beauty of Going With the Flow

The Beauty of Going with the Flow

(As featured on Huffington Post, GPS for the Soul!)

Life doesn’t always give us what we want, but it sure gives us what we need. It’s funny how that happens. Sometimes, we’re so sure about how things are supposed to play out that we fight, kicking and screaming, any deviation of the plan that comes our way. Oddly enough, the more we resist, the more it persists and the harder we make it on ourselves. It’s like trying to swim upstream against a strong current. Our arms and legs move furiously, but we get nowhere. We end up completely exhausted and out of breath.

While I truly believe that the choices we make and even the thoughts we think all matter greatly and affect the outcome of our existence, I also believe there is also another force at work and our role is actually more of a co-creator in our own lives. We all have unique gifts to offer the world, and certain passions that lie inside of us wanting to get out. This is our soul’s work. Our calling. It’s what makes us feel totally alive. The universe wants and needs us to do this work. In our daily lives, we’re constantly given signs to try to lead us to our higher self, enabling us to leave a positive impact on the world.

But, here’s the thing. We don’t always pay attention to the clues because we think we already have it all figured out! And even if we do kind of sort of have it figured out, sometimes the plan changes and evolves, whether we want it to or not. I know this firsthand. About five years ago when my firstborn daughter was just 6 months old, I made a major life decision. I followed my heart, quit my “safe” job working for somebody else in the high-tech industry, cashed out my family’s savings and started my own company. It was a gutsy move, but I believed in myself and in the freedom it would give me to be balance both family and career. Things took off big time and the business exploded. We received many awards and recognition, including national press coverage and a feature in the New York Times. I created a lot of new jobs in our community during a time when unemployment was at its peak. I thought, “Wow, this is it!”

And while this business success was a huge part of my journey, a few years after starting the company, the universe let me know that it had other plans for me. The recession finally caught up with my business sector and new government regulations made it more difficult to get deals done. 2012 was a tough year. Despite my best effort, I could not continue to generate as big of numbers as done in previous years. As much as I resisted it, I was eventually forced to lay off a large part of my staff, which was heartbreaking because I cared for their well-being. I felt like it was somehow my fault for not turning things around and getting the business back on track. On top of that, the timing was horrible. I was pregnant with my second daughter at the time and was hoping for a relaxing maternity leave. Instead, I felt stress and worry creeping in. My world was unraveling. Everything seemed to be going wrong. While deep down I knew it was all happening for a reason, it was an uncertain time of my life.

But, alas, as soon as I quit resisting, things started to fall into place in a beautiful way! The restructuring of the business was a huge blessing in disguise. After downsizing and revamping, we quickly became profitable again. With a smaller company size, a huge weight was lifted as I had less people to manage and much more attainable revenue goals. As stress and pressure downsized, I actually regained much freedom to spend more time with my family on a flexible schedule, which was a motivating factor in starting the business in the first place. I even gained more time to devote to my yoga practice and other self-care. And best of all, while all of this shifting was going on, I finally listened to the voice inside encouraging me to pursue my love of writing. I’ve since poured much passion into my blogs and upcoming book. I’ve been blessed to connect with many wonderful readers and have even started one-on-one coaching with some looking for guidance. This has been some of my most rewarding work of all. As new opportunities continue to blossom, I can see that I was being guided all along!

So, the moral of the story: When things seem to be crashing all around you and everything seems to be going wrong, take these four tips to heart:

Don’t panic. It’s hard not to in the moment, but know that you are being guided. The universe has a plan for you. Pay attention for the signs. Let go of your own preconceived notion of how your life is supposed to pan out and ease into the flow. Get out of your head and learn to listen to your heart and soul speaking.

Don’t be afraid to crumple up the plan and start anew. Vision and planning are great. Essential, even. But write the plan in pencil instead of permanent marker. You never know when you are going to need that eraser and to get working on plan B, C, D or E.

Keep smiling. Life and time are precious. Don’t waste your moments. If the big picture is feeling imperfect, then find the perfection in the little things. For me, I had a sweet new baby girl to focus my love and attention on while things were being restructured in my business and life. I was not about to let anything rob me of those precious moments! The same can be applied to any time in anybody’s life. Take joy in the sunrise or sunset, in the bloom of a fresh flower, of a cool breeze running past your neck, the smile or embrace of a loved one. Find the joy, which exists all around us.

Look for the silver lining. Tough times build some serious character. They make you more resilient and you bounce back even stronger and wiser. Just tell yourself “this is not how the story is meant to end” and keep pushing through.

Remember, the universe has your back. Instead of trying to control the outcome, just enjoy the journey. (Click to Tweet) Pay attention to where you are being guided to!

With Much, Much Love,

Dawn

Are you looking for more inspiration or do you have your own story of being guided to follow your passion? Let’s connect on my Facebook page – I always love to hear from you! You can also sign up for my free Dawnsense email list with blogs, videos, and other goodies to help you live your most inspired life!

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Raising our Vibes!

As published on Intent.com

Be the change!

In light of the recent events in Boston, many of us are walking around with heavy hearts. We search for answers. Why? How can such evil exist in our world? We grieve for the lost lives and suffering felt by our one human family.

While me may never get all of the answers we seek, and despite the senseless tragedy, it’s important to keep our faith in humanity and our spirits lifted. Yes, while some people out there have lost their way, we are all generally good at heart and this goodness far outweighs the bad. Now, more than ever, it is important that each of us do our own work to “be the change.” Only light can drive out darkness. You matter. We all do! Everything in this world around us is made of energy. You better believe yours affects the world around you. Even seemingly simple actions can help raise the vibrations we emit around us, and thus contribute to collectively raising the consciousness of the world.

Here are a few suggestions that can us be responsible for the energy around us in a positive way.

1) Limit the amount of news we intake. Yes, it is important to stay informed, and we all want answers and updates. However, our media tends to focus on the very negative. Balance your need to know with your need to keep your own spirit lifted. Instead of focusing on gruesome details reported over and over by the hyped-up media, seek more uplifting and heart-warming stories (yes they do exist!). In Boston, many put their own safety aside to run towards the explosion to help others. Think about our brave first responders and how selfless they are every day of their lives. Make a conscious effort to turn the channel or surf to another page so that you can fill your mind with more of the goodness that surrounds us all.

2) Mellow Out. We can all get overstressed at times, which tends to bring out our very worst. Maybe it manifests in laying on the horn in traffic and giving a one-finger salute to a fellow driver, or perhaps it’s a grumble and a furrowed brow at the grocery store when somebody gets in line a split second before us. In any case, it feels so much better to just be happy and is also better for the world around us. Try some proven funk-lifters:

Practice deep breathing, which sends a message to your brain to calm down.
Go for a walk and soak in some nature. Exercise is a natural mood-lifter and being close to earth helps you to feel more grounded.
Do yoga!
Jam out to your favorite music.
Laugh it up. Call up a funny friend or watch a silly video. Studies show that laughter reduces stress hormones.

3) Let it go. When we bottle up our emotions, the pressure builds up inside. If we don’t let off some steam … it’s not going to be pretty! A journal can be your best buddy to confide in. Let all of those toxic emotions out via pen or keyboard before somebody else feel the wrath of them. Just the act of outwardly expressing our feelings can help to heal the hurt.

4) Practice random acts of kindness. Even something small can have a huge impact as the ripple effect ensues. When you do something nice for someone, they are touched and want to pay-it-forward and do something nice for someone else and so on! Here are a few kind gesture suggestions to incorporate into your routine.

Stop to hold the door open for someone.
Make a point to smile at everyone in your path
Let someone in front of you in traffic
Buy a stranger a cup of coffee or pay for the order of the person behind you, if you are feeling generous and have a little extra cash.

5) Power of Prayer. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be religious, there is a great power in surrender, the acknowledgement that there is a force beyond us all. Whatever your beliefs, it can’t hurt to take a few moments to visualize sending your light, love, and blessings out to those who need it. Ask for guidance on what you can do to help make your own positive impact on the world.

6) Be love! This can manifest itself in so many ways. Call an old friend out of the blue, let your loved ones know how much you care, reach out to someone in need, hug your family a little tighter and be totally present for them – turn electronics off and really be with each other.

These are just a few suggestions. We’d love to keep this list growing. What are some of your thoughts on keeping the vibrations ringing high? Please feel free to share some of your own ideas in the comments below!

With Much Love,

Dawn

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All You Need Is Love — of Self!

My latest blog, all about developing the love of YOU! (As recently published on HuffPost GPS for the Soul)

“All you need is love.” The Beatles knew what was up! Love really is all you need… self-love, that is.

The foundation of a happy life, healthy relationships, and achieving every bit of greatness you were put onto this earth for does not exist anywhere externally. It’s all right inside! Tapping into love of self is what allows us to opens doors to infinite possibilities. Everything we’ve created in our outside world is a reflection of what is going on with us internally. So, if you have a tough time fully accepting and loving yourself because of past circumstances, or due to holding yourself up to ridiculous high standards, or because you don’t believe the truth that you are meant to shine, than the world around you is going to reflect as such. When self-love is missing, it manifests into negative actions and emotions like insecurity, feelings of lacking, and unhealthy comparison to others.

Inner-peace, on the other hand, is the catalyst to rocking your outside world in a totally awesome way. Imagine being completely accepting of yourself, including all of your flaws and past mistakes: “We’re not here to be perfect, we’re here to live and to feel and to learn and to grow!” Imagine being super-confident in your abilities and embracing the gifts that you have: “We all have our own unique talents that can literally change the world.” Imagine not easily being swayed by the opinion of others, I mean literally not caring what anybody else says or thinks because it’s just their opinion, which has nothing to do with you: “You know what you were born to do and nothing is going to stop you.” This is self-love, baby!

Self-Love is not the same thing as vanity. But, we often get it twisted! Vanity and narcissism are actually the opposite of self-love, as they are based in fear and lack. It is when the ego mind wants to make you feel special or better than others and thus creates illusions to support the idea. It’s when motivation comes from hopes of gaining attention or acceptance rather than coming from the heart and done with pure intentions. Confident people who love themselves unconditionally do not think they are better than anybody else. Contrarily, they tend to see the beauty and oneness in all. Having true love and acceptance of self allows you to love and accept others more deeply, as well as receive love more fully.

If you want to give yourself all the love you deserve, here are some tips to put into practice:

Believe this: You are meant to shine! Many walk through life blending in, afraid to tap into their full potential, and living watered-down versions of who they are meant to be. It is true that our biggest fear is not being inadequate but rather of being powerful beyond measure. We all have our own unique gifts to offer the world — let ‘em out!

Practice mindfulness to develop true sense of self. Practicing being still and in-the-moment helps us to become more aware of our inner voice, what we stand for, and who we really are deep inside. Many identify with material things like titles, awards, degrees, and the actual physical body as definition of self, but the essence of who we really are actually is what we find in our heart and at our soul level. Get to know the real you and you’ll be thinking, “What’s not to love?!”
Learn the difference between self-love and being full of oneself. Don’t let limiting beliefs you’ve picked up over the years or the insecurities of others trip you up and make you believe you are sporting an inflated ego just because you have inner confidence and self-acceptance. Here’s your reality check: If your intentions are pure and come from a place of love, you’re in the self-love zone — keep going! On the other hand, if your motivation is to try to feel special or better than someone else, than your ego is in the driver’s seat — turn around and go back toward love!
Practice good self-care. This can take place in many forms: Eat clean, exercise regularly, treat yourself to massages, and carve out time to partake in soul-nurturing activities. Just like when you’re dating someone — they have to show you love, right? Likewise, by taking good care of yourself, you are showing yourself that you do care and that you are worthy of love. You will, in turn, reflect the same message to others and attract the right people in your life who are going to love you back.
Forgive yourself and others. Resentment is sure to suck the love right out of your heart. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful tools in your spiritual toolbox, so practice the “f” word often. This means cutting yourself some slack as well as letting others off the hook. In both cases, you are just hurting yourself more. Forgive and move on.
Honor and protect yourself. Eliminate toxic relationships and activities that lower your vibration. Positive and supportive energy helps love to flourish.
Live your truth and don’t mind the critics. Depending where others are at in their own journey, they might not be comfortable with or supportive of your self-love and confidence. This is because they are lacking self-love and confidence! Somebody will always have an opinion to share. But, when it comes to matters of following your heart, yours is the one that matters most. Never let anybody else dull your sparkle!
The mirror trick: Say, “I love you.” Okay, this one is totally weird at first and it will probably trip you out to look at yourself and say these three words! But, it drives home the point of how hung up and uncomfortable we can get about loving ourselves. Try it a few more times. You should be able to look into your own eyes, say “I love you,” and mean it!

Having self-love makes you more resilient and able to bounce back from a stumble. It really is the cornerstone to allowing your dreams to come alive, to attracting healthy relationships, and to living a full life. As the Buddha said, “You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” And you do. Until next time… wishing you much love of self!

Want more self-love inspiration and other feel-good vibes? Let’s connect on my Facebook page – I always love to hear from you! You can also sign up for my free Dawnsense newletter with blogs, videos, and other goodies to help you live your most inspired life!

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Not Loving your Job at the Moment??? How to Put Passion Back into Your Work!

Do you absolutely love the work that you do? Is it sooo much fun that it doesn’t even feel right to call it work? Do you jump out of bed with excitement each day, anxious to dig right in!?

If you do, hooray for you, lucky! If not, don’t worry — you’re totally not alone. Very few people have found a way to make a living doing what they truly love. We all have bills to pay and they sure aren’t going to pay themselves. So, we do what we have to do. In the meantime, many dream of the day when they can finally set their spirit free and follow their bliss.

Passion is the activity that you lose all track of time when you dive into it. It’s what you daydream about doing while at your “real” job. And, your purpose is that voice that comes from deep within saying, “I was born to do this.” It’s the calling that literally pulls on your heart, guiding you to fulfillment. It makes sense that the more time you spend each day involved in your passion and purpose activities, the happier you will be.

But, the good news is: you don’t have to quit your day job right now to be happy!

I recent shared 5 tips on putting passion back into your work with Sheer Spirit readers in a guest blog post. Click here to see the full article and my 5 tips!

Do you have any of your own tips for keeping the passion flowing in your otherwise mundane day? Share them here!!

xo,
Dawn

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Guest Blog: 4 Ways to Clear Your Mind, Body, & Soul

By Guest Blogger: Brittany Johnston of Sheer Spirit

In such a fast-paced, high-pressure society, it’s hard to slow down and clear your mind, body, and soul of the negative pollution. Since we can’t always control our external circumstances, the best we can do is control our internal circumstances by following these 4 simple ways to bring peace and clarity to our everyday lives:

Journal

Journaling is an awesome way to release all those negative harbored feelings and clear space for loving thoughts. When you put pen to paper, a release instantly takes over. Your unconscious thoughts flow with ease from word to word. You feel you’re accomplished by letting it all go. You no longer will suffer from the pain of past events or what-ifs of the future. Journal, journal, journal your thoughts, it will bring you peace of mind.

Cleanse

Cleansing can be extremely intimidating, especially if it’s something you’ve never done before. For beginners, you can cleanse your body of sweets, (something I’m experimenting with as we speak). Once you’ve conquered that, you can then clear your body of the more difficult stuff such as bread, gluten, and dairy. THEN, when you are a self-proclaimed health-nut, you can really get down to actual cleansing by juicing for a few days. Your body and soul will love you for it.

Sit in silence (yes, this is what we like to call “meditation”)

If you’re someone who gets uncomfortable at the thought of “meditating”, then try the “sitting in silence” approach. It sounds less “woo woo” but is essentially the same thing. Even if your moment of silence is just that: a moment. It’s enough to clear your mind for that amount of time, which is more clarity than you’ve had your entire chaotic day.

Spoil yourself with self-care

No, this does not mean make impulse shopping purchases on Victoria’s Secret or Express. This means take a walk. Give your lungs the gift of fresh air and your skin a kiss from the sun. This means take a bath. Burn some candles/incense and throw some bubbles in that tub and rub a dub, dub! This means get a massage. Let the masseuse work miracles on your body by removing toxins and unnecessary tension. In order to truly get clear, you must take care, good care, of yourself.

Keep smiling,

Brittany

Guest Blogger: Brittany Johnston

Brittany Johnston is the founder of sheerspirit.com, your guide to living an inspired life. She is an elementary school teacher, lover of life, yoga, and music. Most recently she became a mentor to those who feel disconnected spiritually, physically, and mentally. Her services can be found at www.sheerspirit.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sheerspirit.

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New Vlog: How to Deal with a Negative Person in Your Life!

: How to Deal with Negativity

I am the type that likes to look on the bright side & recently shared some tips with Huffington Post readers on how to release themselves from negative thinking patterns. One reader emailed in sharing their own enthusiasm for positive outlooks, but asked for help dealing with a family member who takes a different approach at viewing life, which has caused friction in their relationship.

Check out my new video blog for my take on how to best handle the situation. Might you have any advice for our reader? We’d love to hear it

Check out the video for my take! What about you? How do you handle negativity in your life? We’d love to hear your perspective in the comments section below!!

I LOVE hearing from all of you! You send in so many wonderful questions & comments. I thought it would be fun to address some of them via this new video blog series, “Ask Dawn.” Send your questions to this email (Ask Dawn) and you could be featured on an upcoming episode.

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What’s Holding YOU Back? Tips on Freeing Yourself from Fear!

What's Holding you Back? Tips on Freeing from Fear!

What’s Holding you Back? Tips on Freeing Yourself from Fear!

Is there something that you are really passionate about and just know you’re supposed to move forward with in your life? But, does your brain step in and have you second guessing your ability to do so or questioning if you deserve it? It sounds crazy, but it happens to the best of us and on a regular basis! It’s the classic ego mind at work and it pits us against the intuitive calling of our hearts and inner-guide. Our ego is designed to keep us “safe” and it does so by leading us from a place of fear. Fear of change, rejection, failure – you name it. But this “safe” place doesn’t really serve us at all. In fact, it can force us to dwell in negative behaviors that have us living unhappily, unfulfilled, and well below our pure potential.

In my own life, I have found this to be true about my writing. From as early as kindergarten, I recall having ease, flow, and enjoyment in writing. But, I never pursued it as more than an occasional hobby. My brain told me that I needed to instead learn a trade and build a career. I went to school for business and naturally migrated to marketing and sales as a way to connect with others. Today, I’m an entrepreneur and CEO of my own tech company. While I love my clients, the work that I do, and the positive initiatives my company has led, there has always been a calling for more. Namely: writing. Still, after all these years!!

I started writing technical articles for my company, which were well-received and they temporarily quenched my desire to write. But, I realized I was still playing it safe and small. While I enjoyed that type of writing, the real fire-in-my-belly passion that I had was not just writing, but writing from my heart and sharing intimate details of my life: my struggles, my strengths – and ultimately helping others along their own path. Now, that was scary! It was one thing to write a technical article, but quite another to bare my soul.

A little over a year ago, I finally said “f” it, and quit suppressing my need and desire to write and help others. As I launched my new blog, I felt those negative thoughts coming in, “who is even going to read this?” “will the time I spend writing take away from my business?” “what if people think my writing sucks?” In fact, I clearly remember the butterflies in my stomach as my finger lingered over the “post” button as I prepared to announce my new intention and publish my first post for the world to see. It was, however, liberating to finally hit the button. I now see those butterflies were my hearts way of telling me – you are doing it!

Since then, I’ve slowly seen my vision come to life as I step into my calling of writer and mentor. The feedback from others who’ve felt inspired on their own journey has inspired me to carry on. Sure, some of my ego’s fears have been realized along the way. At times, I felt like I could actually hear “crickets” after certain posts. And, sure, I’ve had some negative comments as well as all of the positive ones, on the more widely read pieces. And, yes, I’ve had to make big sacrifices and stay up late at night writing, instead of relaxing, after a full day of working and spending time with my girls. These are all the things my ego mind had been trying to protect me from. But, they not were not nearly as bad as experienced in real-life as they were in anticipation. Our ego tends to blow things totally out of proportion to keep us safe. In reality, the challenges we face when we “go for it” are miniscule, especially in comparison to the satisfaction received when we get to truly follow our bliss to that warm and fuzzy place.

So, I ask you this: What is your nagging passion? And what is currently holding you back?

I challenge you to make a conscious, intentful effort to bring yourselves one step forward to getting to that place where your heart want to lead you! It might be scary. You could fall flat on your face at times. You might have to make some uncomfortable changes. But, if you don’t at least try to make some forward motion, than you will only find yourself longing for more in another year or even five years from now. Don’t let your life pass you by! Here are a few simple tips on getting past the blocks:

Shine the spotlight on your fears. Only light can chase out darkness. Actually call yourself out, and say or write, “I am holding back because I am afraid of ____.” Put everything out there for yourself. Once you pull your fears to the surface, you can work on overcoming them.
What is the story your ego mind tells you about this fear? Look at it from outside of your usual lens, as if outside of yourself looking in. Worst case, if this fear came true, would it really be so awful? Unless it might actually cause bodily harm or compromise your health in some way, it’s probably not as bad as your mind would have you think! In my case – so what if nobody read my blog? Would it be the end of the world? Would I roll over and die from it? No! Most fears just sound silly when looked at from this point of view.
Finally, ask yourself what is worse: facing this seemingly irrational fear and being a little bit uncomfortable, OR, not facing the fear, but also never getting any closer to living your dreams and following your passion?

Even a small step in the right direction can have a snowball effect in bringing you closer to the joyful, purposeful life you are meant to live. I hope you will make that small step today!

If you would like some support in your journey, I hope you will join my Facebook page, which is a positive and supporting environment,

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Dawnsense with Dawn Gluskin

Live your most inspired life!

Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist

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The “F” Word: 5 Steps to Practicing Forgiveness

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New Vlog: Finding Your True Passion & Purpose

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What We Resist Persists: The Beauty of Going With the Flow

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Raising our Vibes!

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All You Need Is Love — of Self!

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Not Loving your Job at the Moment??? How to Put Passion Back into Your Work!

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Guest Blog: 4 Ways to Clear Your Mind, Body, & Soul

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New Vlog: How to Deal with a Negative Person in Your Life!

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What’s Holding YOU Back? Tips on Freeing Yourself from Fear!

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