Honoring

The other day, I got back in bed. Covers over my head. Everything was telling me it was time for the week to start — I popped up, got the kids dressed, and took my son to school — but my body told me otherwise. So I honored that, and went back to sleep.

Gratefully, I had the luxury of doing what I needed to do on the day I needed to do it. But honoring has been a theme throughout this season. Whether it's honoring the weather change (because sweatshirt and shorts), or where I've been, or where I'm headed. I'm paying attention. What small way can you honor yourself before this week wraps up?

No, you haven’t missed it – doors to The Deaccelerator: A Clearing for Clarity are still open (through tomorrow, October 1). If it's not for you, pass it along to a woman you know who needs to see herself and her future again.

Resting

An invitation to slow down long enough to hear what your mind, body, and heart are telling you.

I’ve been talking about different types of rest on Instagram. No, not the seven types (shout out to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith). I’m talking about forced and unforced rest.

Sometimes, slowing down comes easy and happens in the rhythm of life. Other times, it comes suddenly. There are too many stories of women in my network who’ve experienced a forced stop. After ignoring signs for too long, their bodies finally made the decision for them.

I’m in the business of pausing when I need to, and even when I don’t think I need to. Even a planned stop teaches me something new about being still. I had dental surgery last month and the way I had to sit all the way down. For 24 hours straight. I couldn’t do anything of any significance, even if I wanted to. So, I embraced it and found pure delight watching stunning travel blog videos while dozing in and out of sleep.

When was the last time you were forced to stop? What did it teach you?

Remembering

An invitation to reconnect with your brilliance - the wisdom, creativity, and magic within and around you.

I've noticed that sharing my professional self comes more easily with those who don't know me well. It's harder with those who know me best.

For example, I forgot to share my LinkedIn Live conversation with my husband and parents — even though I dropped it in the newsletter.

So when another conversation came out, I made it a point to share it with them.

What’s underneath that? It requires more vulnerability to share that part of me with those who primarily see me in other roles.

Also, I must center my voice and perspective. My brilliance. This

“forgetting” is a reminder to show up fully, even — especially — with those who are cheering the hardest for me.

How can you share a different part of yourself with a loved one?

Recasting/Realizing

An invitation to imagine the life you desire and pursue it with joy as your compass.

I saw the yellow dress as soon as I entered the school’s common area. But this was a Monday, surely that couldn’t be her.

See, I was with my friend when she bought this particular dress. A soft, wrap style dress the color of creamy mustard. The frills along the collar that continued down the waistline really set it off.

While making the purchase, she talked about how this was a perfect date night dress. So seeing it on this random Monday in a school setting caught me off guard.

Until she explained that on that day, she needed to shift her disposition. She chose a dress. It could have been a song. Or a pop of color on the lips. Whatever it is, find it. The thing that brings you back to yourself and back into the current of living with purpose.

What’s your go-to move when you want to shift your mood?

Now is a good time to fall into what lights you up. The season is shifting and so are we. Honoring what you need, your relationships, your journey are all a part of the pause. Let me know what you pick up. I’d love to compare notes, and honor you!

Joyfully,

Elandria