Oh man, it's been a month since my last post?!? Whoops. I've been working through so much stuff and the fog is starting to lift, which feels magical. I'm telling you, the combination of coaching and therapy is gold! 

This week I had a call with my coach on Wednesday and therapy on Thursday. The conversations were similar, because the block I'm currently working through is freaking giant and casts a shadow over many parts of my life. I had just finished explaining one recurring scenario when my therapist just *casually* mentioned something that blew my mind. She hit on the exact thing that I've been unable to see for months - or, more accurately, YEARS. 

Last night I made time to drop out of my head and into to my body, and just listened. I was able to pinpoint the moment when this limiting belief had been created, which took me back to age 12. That was 26 years ago for those of you keeping track. SO many of our current beliefs, thoughts, and actions are rooted in childhood. It's hard to wrap your brain around because you've inevitably changed so much since those formative years, but it's a thousand percent true.

After bringing that initial situation to light, I began to journal on some of the associated thoughts and feelings. Something amazing happens when you just start writing and allow your subconscious to take you on an adventure. Whether you prefer own and paper, typing on a computer, or voice-to-text on your phone, I would encourage you to practice writing without too much of an agenda. I would also encourage you to hire a coach, but start with writing. It's free, requires very little effort, and can be hugely productive. Plus, no needs to know what you write unless you want them to - so if you have a hard time sharing personal thoughts, it's a no-brainer.

As anyone who has ever done personal development work will tell you: if you want answers, you've gotta go within. I hope you are able to trust yourself enough to do exactly that. ❤️

You may know that in addition to being a coach and Reiki practitioner, I also braid horses. Actually, I've been doing that WAY longer...about 23 years. Of course it hasn't all been rainbows and butterflies, but with only 3 major incidents in that time, I've had a good record. 

I want to give you a little backstory so you have context for the "main course" story. Warning: it's not a happy backstory.

When I was about 20 I got pushed by a trainer to keep braiding a horse from whom I should have walked away. The tragic ending of that long story is that the horse got spooked and reared, flipped over, and died on the spot. I had made it all the way through her mane and was braiding her forelock (the horse's "bangs") when it happened.

After that trauma, I stopped braiding for a couple years. Then I started competing again, which meant braiding my own horse, and the rest is history. But I assure you, I think about that mare Every. Single. Time. I braid a forelock. Yes, even 18 years and more than a thousand forelocks later. 

This year has been full of little nudges from the universe, leading me to believe I'm about ready for another break from this work. It's intense, both physically and mentally. The hours are long and overnight. The travel is non-stop. However, the money has kept me comfortably afloat while I build a business from the ground up. That part is harder to walk away from.

Well, when the nudges didn't seem to be landing, the universe stepped up its game. Last week I was braiding a horse who was unknown to me, but seemed quiet and calm. I did her whole mane without issue. As soon as I started her forelock, she reared and struck out with her front hooves, one of which connected with my mouth. There was no warning - and believe me, I'm no stranger to equine body language. I never saw that coming.

After 8 hours in the ER and some emergency dental work, I'm okay, I have all my teeth, and I'm INCREDIBLY grateful that it wasn't worse. My wallet isn't available for comment...it's hiding from the medical bills. Haha.

So, between getting a double-barrel kick that sent me airborne 10 months ago and this past weekend, I've decided to keep my feet on the ground for a while. 16 years of smooth sailing followed by 2 major incidents essentially back to back? Message received. Not to mention all the other, smaller signs along the way.

There is a part two to this story, but it's only just begun. Check back in a couple weeks for the much happier sequel. Stay safe out there!

I knew last week's story was going to have a part two, and the way things are unfolding it seems even that's only the beginning. Without turning this blog into a novella, allow me to summarize. 

Knowing I'd be off my ladder for a while (which I now know is 4 months), I asked the universe for a sign that I would be okay without braiding. Specifically, I asked to receive unexpected money. Here I was thinking maybe I'd find a dime on the ground, but oh no. The universe was done with subtlety. Not 3 minutes after my ask, a neighbor approached me about walking her dog while she gets a hip replacement. Hello, unexpected money!

Turns out, I really love dog walking. It combines some of my favorite things - dogs, walking, and being outside. I'm very casually looking to add a few local clients and make this a part-time gig. Why not?!?

In less exciting news, my mouth & face are still in a lot of pain, and my bite is off. My dentist seems hesitant to fix it, but I'm going to make sure that when this is over the result is a feeling I can live with forever. I'm going to a craniosacral therapist next week, and possibly another dentist if need be. Don't sell me invisalign for my bottom teeth when they're not the problem. Fix the problem, please and thank you.

Anyway, back to the good stuff. I'm about to get a little "woo woo," but I promise what I'm about to say is absolutely my true experience. 

I had a Reiki treatment yesterday - even though I give myself Reiki almost daily, I still like to have regular sessions with my teacher. As soon as she began, I could sense that someone was in the room with us. I was lying down with my eyes closed and an eye mask on, but you know how sometimes you can just feel a presence? She was at my head and someone was on the other side of the room. It was unmistakable. I even heard shuffling - sort of like footsteps but not as distinct. 

I didn't say anything out loud, but in my head I asked, "Who's there?" My Gram has come to me before during Reiki, but only as a voice in my head. This presence was in the room, and it felt like I could have sat up and witnessed it. 

As soon as I asked, this wave of knowing moved through my body. Pretty Girl, the horse who died all those years ago, had come to check on me. She was okay, and her mane was no longer braided. I saw her face above me. She stayed in the room for a little while and her energy was so beautiful. 

She showed me a picture of a latch hook tattooed behind my ear. When she died I had talked about getting a tattoo on the back of my neck to honor her, but I never did it. I definitely wouldn't have chosen a latch hook - I saw that as the thing that killed her, because it's what caused her to rear. 

My confusion was met with the adamant energy of a chestnut mare - if you know, you know. The latch hook didn't kill her. I didn't kill her. She was free, and she was coming to set me free. I hadn't realized how much guilt I had still been holding onto. Although it's likely I'll always be able to recall that night in vivid detail, that no longer has to be how I remember her.

You can find peace in unexpected places, if only you're open to the possibility. I am so grateful for yesterday's experience, and for all of the wonderful ripples that have come from this situation. The universe truly is conspiring in my favor. ❤️

Do you hear that? Ahhh, me neither. I'm coming to you today from the relative silence of my home. Josh is outside doing yard work, all three pups are napping, and the only sound is our AC (thanks, September, for sneaking in a few extra 100 degree days). This is such a welcome shift after an incredibly busy week and a half, and I've been filled with gratitude all damn day.

Speaking of a shift, lately I've felt like something inside of me is just...different. I have this incredible feeling that I can't miss. I've been making some moves and trying new things, and it all just feels so aligned and so ME. I used to have trouble with allowing and receiving, because I always felt like I needed to be in control, and I had tied my worth to what I could give others. Breaking away from those limiting beliefs has opened me up for so much peace and contentment.

I want to share something that I heard for the first time several years ago, but didn't truly step into until this year:
What is meant for you cannot miss you.

This came up for me last week when I found money in the street as I was walking a dog. I find dimes and pennies on a regular basis, and I always thank the universe for sending me "bonus" money. Earlier that day I had thought, "It's odd that I haven't found any coins in a week or two." I then reminded myself that the universe had found other ways to send me money - and more of it. I soaked in the gratitude of this new dog walking gig and how freaking cool it is to get paid for something that I love to do. A few hours later, as this pup led me around his neighborhood, I happened to look down when he stopped to sniff something. There, in the middle of the road, was a $20 bill. I said, out loud, "You have GOT to be freaking kidding me!" Laughing my ass off, I profusely thanked the universe for showing me that it is always conspiring in my favor, even if things don't always look the way I expect them to.

Of course this incident got me thinking about other ways that the universe has played the long game. I'll share a couple with you here.

When Josh and I made a pit stop in VA on our way home from Disney in 2019, we fully expected to use the bathroom, get gas, and drive the last 90 minutes to our hotel for the night. Instead, we found a soaking wet, starving, very sick dog who we absolutely could not leave behind. Acquiring a Phoenix has changed our lives in so many ways, and was the catalyst for me starting my own business. The life I love so much today began as a year of incredibly stressful, ridiculously expensive rehabilitation for this very special dog. He continues to be an inspiration and a near-constant source of joy in my life.

Back in 2016, while Josh and I were planning our wedding, a lot of vendors told us 2 years in advance was too early to book. Heck, we couldn't technically book our ceremony venue until something like 8 months prior. But I wanted to get as much out of the way as possible and kept at it. We met with this one photographer who not only loved our early planning, but offered to come to FL with us so that we wouldn't have to hire a separate vendor. It was a dream come true, and that would have been enough. However, Paul quickly became not only a close friend but part of the family. He's like the brother I never had, and I am SO freaking grateful that our paths crossed when they did. By the way, if you're reading this and happen to be on the market for a wedding photographer, go check him out! Tell him I sent you and he'll throw in a free rant about how much he hates candy corn.

The more I think back, the more examples I can come up with. A lot of times we get hung up on looking for serendipity in the moment, but I invite you to follow the threads of your life back to where they originated and appreciate how the small, seemingly insignificant moments can sometimes cause the biggest ripples. The universe is conspiring in your favor, but you've gotta let it do what it does. It's not an instant gratification machine, but if you're willing to play the long game you'll find that the things that are meant for you will absolutely find you, one way or another.

For the past couple weeks, I've been promoting Your Brightest Self. That means I sent a lot more emails than usual, and I am eternally grateful to the universe for gifting me ideas each day. Genuinely, sometimes words pour through me and even I don't know where they came from.

I'd like to share some snippets from the emails here, so that everyone has access to them. My intention every time I hit send is to provide my community with value and the space to think outside the box. Even if you never sign up for one of my offers, I want you to get something out of just being here. Your time and attention are incredibly important, and it's an honor to share in them with you.

Without further adieu, here's the first message:

I've been on my own personal growth journey for years now, and I've learned so much from so many people. I know I talk a lot about going within and listening to your own wisdom, but there's more to it. There are times when we find our inner voice outside of ourselves.

For instance, a person might say something that just REALLY hits home. The resonance lasts far longer than the actual conversation. I realized today that when this happens, it's because those people are giving a voice to our higher selves.

Have you ever heard or read something that had perfect timing? Something that stops you in your tracks because you hadn't realized how much you needed it until you found it? The universe knows when to drop little nuggets in your path, whether they be "downloads" that show up your brain or words that you consume.

This is all the more reason to be intentional about the people you give your attention to. Open yourself up to these bits of wisdom and Aha! moments by minimizing the stuff that doesn't resonate. There is so much content available between social media, television, and podcasts that there's no reason not to walk away from the ones that aren't aligned with you.

I truly believe that we hear the things we need to...when we're open and ready for it, of course. Pay attention to what breaks through the noise and what really sticks. Your higher self is speaking to you in those moments, and they don't always repeat themselves.