What Kind of Pie Are You?

This was really fun and I would say surprisingly accurate! I found this quiz link on a friend's personal blog. Go to: http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofpieareyouquiz/ and share with me what kind of pie you are!

You Are Lemon Meringue Pie

You're the perfect combo of sassy and sweet. You always know how to brighten someone's mood, but you're not overly sappy. In fact, you can be a bit too honest at times. And most people find that refreshing. While you're always true to yourself, you keep things light. That's how people are able to stomach your slightly bitter outlook. Those who like you have well refined tastes. You're complicated - and let's face it - a true enigma. You enjoy defying expectations, and there are many layers to your personality. There's not one easy way to define you.

Inside Out Series ~ Your Relationship with Money

I saved this post in the Inside Out Series for last and I must admit I have struggled with verbalizing this portion of the series. I feel that money is an extention of what feelings and emotions we are dealing with on the inside. How we relate to ourselves and others is often translated in our relationship with our money.

I believe that our relationship with our money gives us some of the most valuable insight into our core beliefs and most people are terrified by what they will uncover. Our relationship with money is one of our tougher relationships because it is so personal and revealing. Once we develop an awareness around our relationship with money, this will become a catalyst for change.

As I was doing some research on money I came across an article by Joan Sotkin called "Money Feelings" that addresses this very concept extremely well. I couldn't have written it better myself!

Here's to working from the Inside-Out!

Until next time....

Inside Out Series ~ Physical Appearance

The common theme to this series has been "the outside is a reflection of what is going on inside." What does your physical appearance say about you?

Now when I talk about your physical appearance I am not talking about the aspects that you have little control over (i.e. the shape of your nose, how big your ears are etc.). I am talking about your personal grooming habits. Which can range from super sloppy to very chic.

How much of your personal appearance is reflective of your "true" self?

Your "true" self comes without judgment of something being good or bad - it just is. Judgements come from our perceptions based on our environment and experiences AND often contains other people's perceptions that are placed on us.

So, when you are being your "true" self, you just ARE.

Take a moment and consider your personal appearance:

What is your personal style?
What does your appearance say about you? Is it an accurate statement?
How much of your appearance is dictated by outside influence?
How much of your appearance is influenced by how others perceive you?

As we examine these thoughts, most of us will find that at least part of our physical appearance is dictated by fear. Fear of how others perceive us. Fear of being vulnerable. Fear of not fitting in.

Here's an example:

One day I saw a really cute hat and LOVED it. My original thought was "I can't buy that because I'm not a "hat" person. Everyone will think I am trying to be someone I am not." Ever had a thought like that run through your head?

And then, I caught myself. How can wearing a hat be considered "being someone I'm not" if I really want to wear a hat? If I'm attracted to the hat... then wouldn't that be something that is "me"? Hmmm... this is were I started to become very aware of how much other people's perceptions of me really factored into the decisions I made.

See, if something really isn't "you" then there would be no attraction to it. Who's to say I am not a "hat" person just because they are not part of my everyday style? I like hats... so I am a "hat" person.


This can factor into other areas in our lives as well.
Where might other people's perceptions of you be holding you back from embracing your "true" self?
What kind of impact is that having on your life?
What is the worst that can happen as a result of you being your authentic self?
What is the best?

Until next time...

Inside Out Series ~ What about Self-Care?

I wanted to apologized for the delay in getting this next post out. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of activity!

Self-Care is one of my favorite topics to talk about. Most of our self-care habits are developed generally as a result of beliefs passed onto us and behaviors learned.

Let's define what self-care is. It is often that I come across people (women especially) who consider self-care OR focusing on one's self to be selfish in the most negative of aspects. I consider self-care to be love of one's self and of others. Love is a generous, abundant and a positive feeling. When you love someone or something you want it have the best of care. So, why is it so hard for us to give the best of care to ourselves?

It's amazing how many of us hold a general belief system that we must put others first and ourselves last. If you really stop a moment and think about that you will realize that thinking pattern is completely backwards - it doesn't even make sense. Take a car for example.... what happens if you forget to fill it up with gas? It runs out! When it runs out, is it helpful to us? NO - we are not able to get where we need to go. If we keep our gas tanks full, the places we can go are limitless.

Same with our self-care. Most of us approach the idea of putting others first with the right heart, but go about it the wrong way. Consider this: If you are not filling up first, how helpful to others are you REALLY able to be? If you are running on zero and you are trying to give from empty - what are you giving? Stress, depleted energy, resentment, anger, irritation, obligation etc. Now imagine this: You are overflowing with energy, love, gratitude, excitement etc. - now you have an abundance to give and you are able to give more. Does that make sense?

What does self-care really involve?

First of all, self-care is a mindset. It is valuing yourself mind, body and spirit. It is BELIEVING that you deserve the care that you are able to give yourself and being open to receiving that care.

Mind:
What care do you give to the development to your mind?
What belief do you hold about learning new things? "I'm too old OR I am a lifetime learner."
How do you stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone?
How often do you challenge your way of thinking?
How open are you to trying new things?
How many books do you read?

Body:
What kind of food do you fuel your body with? Is your fuel healthy?
How consistent are you with keeping all systems running efficiently with exercise?
What types of things do you do just for you?
When is the last time you relaxed and did nothing?
What type of bodycare products do you use? Do they smell good and make you feel good? Are they good for you (healthy)?

Spirit:
When is the last time you had fun?
When is the last time you laughed? Cried?
What is your creative outlet? If you do not have one, why do you suppose that is?
How does your true personality shine through?
How do you express yourself?

• What do you believe about yourself to be true that has a direct influence on any of the above aspects of self-care?
• How is this belief helping/hurting you?
• If how you take care of yourself were the instructions for how others treated you, how have you been telling others to treat you?
• What needs to change? How willing are you to make those changes?

Another interesting aspect to consider if you are parents: What message is your self-care or lack of self-care sending your children? Remember, children do as we do - not as we say!

I am so looking forward to your insights and thoughts around this subject....

Until next time...

Inside Out Series ~ What Does Your Car Say About You?

In continuing our "Inside Out" Series we are going to move on our focus to our cars (or vehicle). While our attention for this part will be on our cars I want you to tuck away this information in relation to other possessions as well.

First, I am going to ask you: What does your car look like?


Now, I am not talking about what type of car you have, but what condition your car is in. Is it well taken care of? Regular maintenance: oil changes, tune ups, car washes? Is it clean? Vacuumed? Is it free of clutter?

OR

Does it look like a dusty road ate it up? Your traveling closet? Your moving trash can? A car needs oil?

Our care of our possessions, such as our cars, can be reflective of our care for ourselves.

How so?

As mentioned at the very begining of this series, what is going on on the inside is manifested on the outside.

Think about the condition your car is in right now.
What might be some of the reasons for the condition it is in right now?
How is the care of your car similiar to care of yourself?
How is it different?
How might the care of your car/possessions add to you accomplishing your goals?
How might it subtract from you accomplishing your goals?


Again, I would love for you to add to this discussion - what's your thought?

Until next time...

Inside Out Series - What We Can Learn About Ourselve By Looking At Our Homes

As I mentioned in the earlier post we can learn a lot about what's happening within ourselves if we take a closer look at what's happening externally.

We're going to spend some time considering our home or environment in which we live.

Energetically our environments have a huge effect on whether we are really living up to our potential and can often times be part of a self-sabatoge cycle.

Clutter Queen VS. Neat Freak
This area is one that I really want to address. I feel that a lot can be learned by taking a look at which label by which you would define yourself.

Clutter Queen: The collector of clutter. You would fall into this category if you have things in your house that you don't know what to do with so you pile it on a table, shove in a closet, fill a drawer or leave it on the floor. You tend to be overwhelmed by the term "organize" and panic at the thought of creating systems to accomplish organization.

Clutter creates a huge blockage of creative energy which prevents one from moving forward and embracing their full power. This is especially true when a big fear is being tapped into. Most people will find that their clutter prevents them from doing something they know they can do. For example: If there is a fear of success then you might find clutter factoring into paying your bills late and creating financial difficulty, therefore preventing financial success.

So, a few questions to consider:

• Where are you limiting yourself with your clutter?
• What fears might be at play here?
• What would happen if you were to eliminate your clutter?
• What scares you about that?
• How would you have to change your thinking in order to change your enviroment?
• What would it take for you to let go of the clutter?

Neat Freak: You would fall into this category if you have a system of organization for everything in your house, you go through your mail immediately and have a place for all items in your home including your car keys. The one thing that generally will drive you nuts is if something is NOT in it's designated place.

While clutter can create a blockage of energy, a Neat Freak will often find it hard to release and let go. When a person is unable to release or let go they close themselves off to new opportunities. This person may be unable to fully experience the present because they are so focused on something that needs to be done or put away.

Questions to consider:

• What opportunities would be available to you if you were to let go of your expectations of how things must be done?
• What are you "missing" out on?
• What would happen if you were to fully experience the present moment?
• How would you have to change your thinking in order to do that?
• What would it take for you to accomplish that?

Somewhere in Between: This category applies to you if you find you are one way or the other depending on the area/room in your house. You might be a Neat Freak about the kitchen, but a Clutter Queen in your bedroom.

Depending on the room you can gain valuable insight into different parts of yourself. For example if a person is a Clutter Queen in the bedroom there may be a fear of intimacy or a feeling of low self-worth.

If you find yourself in this section, start by determining which category applies to each room in your household. After you have examine the questions under each category and add the questions:

• What does this room represent for me?
• What does me being a Clutter Queen OR Neat Freak in this particular room tell me about myself?

I hope you have enjoyed this first article in the "Inside Out" series. Please share your discoveries and thoughts about yourself in relation to your home with me in the comments area. I look forward to the discussion!

Until next time...

From the Inside Out

We all know that sustainable changes happen on a core level. Meaning that in order to make lasting changes they need to come from the inside out. Sometimes determining what changes need to be made can be hard to figure out.

What's going on internally is often reflected externally. We can gain some valuable insight into what is going on with our thoughts, feelings, emotions and behaviors by taking a look at ourselves from the outside.

Over the course of the next couple of weeks I wil be examining five different areas and what they say about us from the inside out.

We will take a look at:

• Our finances


• Our homes


• Our vehicles


• Our physical appearance


• Our self-care

Stayed tuned for the 1st post in the Inside Out Series!

Until next time...