Gratitude. It seems like the latest in a long line of mindfulness trends taking place lately. Everywhere you turn, you’re bombarded with the buzz word - especially as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. But rightfully so. Gratitude is one of the easiest and most effective tools you can use to change your life. 

When we’re in a situation that feels uncomfortable, sticky, awkward, or just plain yucky, we can wish and pray for all sorts of things. We cry, beg and plead asking what we’ve done to deserve this. Consider this, dear readers, maybe it’s not about changing the situation. What if there is something bigger at play?

Reduce stress? Yes, please! Find more joy? Sign me up! Time and time again, my coaching clients say they feel at peace and find the most joy when they do the things that light them up inside. However, many choose not to take time for themselves because it’s selfish.

News flash - taking quality time for yourself is not selfish!

Ever been down on your knees just praying through tears that God would provide? That he would give you the desires of your heart? That he would answer your prayers just this one time then you’d never _(fill in the blank)_ again.

Recently, I was driving down a bumpy, country road littered with potholes. The entire width of the road is basically one, giant pothole. And, being the expert maneuverer that I am, I effortlessly guided my car around each said hole. In the distance, I noticed one pothole that seemed larger than the rest. As I approached, I closed my eyes, tensed, and braced for impact. Fortunately for me, I’d guided my car correctly and was able to successfully avoid the giant. Last night, I wasn’t so lucky and blew out a tire. UGH! How many times are we traveling throughout life just bracing for impact?

With a little grit and a lot of grace, I kicked my fears of "never being good enough" and "what if I fail" to the curb as I set off on a brave adventure to transform my life. My adventure found me quitting my cushy corporate job and selling every possession to travel solo around the world. You can and will thrive, too, if that’s what you choose!

This time last year, I was stepping on a plane, bound for LA before catching my connection to Barcelona. Can you believe it’s already been one year? Me either! Little did I know all that was in store for me on my journey. Below, I share with you the three biggest lessons I learned from my time abroad that you can implement into your life starting now.

When I was in first grade, I got into an argument with my neighbor Lauren. She told me I had brown eyes. I swore I had blue and told her I’d show her my birth certificate to prove it. My young, first-grader heart was crushed to learn eye color is not listed on a birth certificate. And so I began to believe that I had plain, ugly, brown eyes. 

That’s the proverbial question that seems to be on everybody’s mind when they see me. As I mentioned in this Instagram post, I didn’t have all the answers when I first returned. In fact, I still don’t. However, I have a very clear direction of what I want and how to get there. I’d love for you to come along on the journey as I write my next chapter. What’s in store? Glad you asked. 

At the beginning of summer, my sister bought a packet of wildflower seeds. She didn’t know what the end garden would look like but knew that with a little love and a lot of watering, the flowers would be beautiful.

“This pose is the hardest one you’ll face all evening,” I told them. “As gravity takes hold of your hips, the stretch will intensify. Notice your thoughts in this very moment,” I encouraged. Those thoughts in this intense moment say more about you than you even realize. 

It’s good to be home. Home. Oklahoma. Man, it’s great to be here. To say that. However, for the longest time, I wanted to escape Oklahoma. Run away as far and fast as possible. Has anyone else ever felt this way?

What happens when two Americans, a Greek, an Austrian and a French person gather around the dinner table?

You may have noticed I’ve been MIA lately. There’s a reason. I didn’t mean to fall in love. Honestly, I didn’t. While many thought it would happen, I knew that wasn’t what this journey was about for me. But you know what they say about making plans…

When I little, I used to love connect-the-dot pages. Taking my crayon or marker and drawing the line from one number to the next was both challenging and exciting. I was always attempting to guess what the outcome would be – the image that was created at the completion of the activity. Most of the time my guess was wrong.

The other day, a creative spark flew through my mind so quickly I almost didn’t catch it. Then, later that morning, it came back again. And then again, until I finally decided this spark was worth investigating.

I’ve always cared what people think of me. I’m guessing I’m not alone in that regard. In her book “Daring Greatly,” Brene Brown challenged me to consider who these “people” are who often influence my decisions.

In January 2017, I climbed Mount Batur, a volcano in Bali. That climb was a pivotal moment on my journey as I learned that sometimes you struggle in life, but the reward is great for those willing to put in the work. Almost a year later, I chose to end my 2017 the same way it started – climbing Mt. Batur.

7 a.m., my driver suggested. 7 a.m. Doesn’t he know I’m still asleep! 8 a.m., I wrote back. After much back and forth, we agreed I can be second in line and leave at 8 a.m. He brought me an offering. Why hadn’t I thought of that? You put the money in the offering and hand it to the healer Ngurah, my driver, told me.

I’d just leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes when it happened. The sheer terror of it all lasted a mere 30 seconds or so (maybe longer…?). However, time passed so slowly it felt like minutes.