Week 6: Walking A New Path

This pause in my life wasn't about a foot injury. It was to help me reawaken my creativity. It was to help me do what I came here to share with others. I don't believe our purpose necessarily needs to be tied with a job or career. Sonia Choquette told me I am a messenger, and I have thought about that. I started a clutter clearing certification course and the beginning is a deep dive into your ancestry and personal history. I answered questions on my childhood and what I wanted to be at that time. I thought back to what I did when I was younger. I was always writing, drawing, and pretending I was a teacher. When I was a teenager I was writing, and drawing. What I was meant to do, I always knew (we all do), but somehow along the way I didn't recognize that I could do something I loved for a living. Even going to an art school for college, I still didn't believe I could do it.

I have been writing more and with ease, and working on my businesses more. This six week hold on my life has brought more joy that I could have imagined. There is a blessing when something happens to stop us in our tracks, so we can reflect on our lives and immerse ourselves in the things that make us happy. Even taking a break for self care is so vital. Resting, rejuvenating, and refreshing yourself can be a lifesaver.

I started writing a children's book over this six week rest. It was something I have been holding for eight years. Yes, for eight years I couldn't give myself the time to work on this! I knew I had some notes I had written, and some sketches. I searched around my office but couldn't find them. Through Sonia Choquette's Ask Your Guides course, she teaches about all of the guides around us. I completed this course in 2016, and have used this wisdom ever since. We have "runner guides" who help us. This may sound way out there, but that's me! If you need a parking space, ask the runner guides to find one for you before you reach the store, or if you need an easier spot in line, ask (and always remember to say thank you after!). Since I couldn't find my notes, I asked for help. Within less than a minute, I had a thought to check a drawer to see if I had filed it. I found a page! I thought again to recheck that drawer, and I found a folder marketed "Writing" with pages of notes and sketches! 

What would you do if all of the things you say you "have to do" weren't in your way? I see now that I put them there. I was stopping myself from doing what I really wanted to do. It is more than ok to put yourself on your to-do list. It is vital. Don't ever leave yourself out. I certainly won't make that mistake again.

I went back to the Integrative Healing Institute on Saturday for more healing therapy. I didn't lose weight this week and I talked to Kim about my self sabotage. She treated my foot with more reflexology, which felt fantastic, as well as lymphatic drainage on my legs and chakra clearing with Reiki. When she was working at my crown chakra, I felt a wave of energy flow down my body. It really is such an exhilarating, yet completely relaxing experience! The next day my weight was down a pound and a half, too. 

I mentioned last week about Mona Lisa Schultz's book Intuitive Advisor and how it suggested seeing an acupuncturist and a Chinese herbalist. Kim brought up acupuncture during our session so I asked if they offered it, and she told me Elizabeth at the front desk is an acupuncturist and I should also ask her about herbs too! I set up an appointment for next week and I can't wait for this new experience in holistic therapy.

My foot feels so much better. It's not perfect, there's still a little bit of pain, but certainly nothing I would get six surgeries for. I'm still grateful for that visit to the podiatrist though. He got me off my feet for awhile, showed me that I am the best determiner of what to do about my health, and propelled me into a much more exciting and fulfilling future. There is something good in every experience.

I ordered some good shoes (Brooks Ariel '18) for flat  feet, plantar fascitis and other foot issues, along with exercise bands (TheraBands) to help rehabilitate my foot. I found some exercises online to help with posterior tibial tendonitis and to make my feet stronger.

Getting back into my life again, everything is changed for the better. I am not doing for others unless I have taken care of myself first. I'm not talking about emergency situations and I don't mean this at all in a selfish way, I mean it in a way that I am not using that as an excuse not to follow my dreams. 

So even though these six weeks are finished, this is only the beginning of this new path, and I will be continuing to share my journey with you.  Thank you for walking along with me.




In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

Spotlight On: Author Tara LaDue

I first met author Tara LaDue on Instagram. She is a beautiful, positive soul, and watching her make her book come to life, has been incredibly inspiring. Came To Believe, A Journey of Trust, Faith and Perseverance is Tara's spiritual memoir and is currently our Book of the Week! Enjoy getting to know Tara with my interview below:

SG (Suitable Gifts): This is your first book, congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment! When did you first realize you wanted to write?  

Tara (Tara LaDue): I always loved writing back in school.  I talk about this in the book.  Writing was my outlet, and my escape. 

SG: Why did you decide to write this book?

Tara: I wrote to help me in my healing journey initially.  I wanted to tell my truth with no edits as a way to release pain and shame.  Then as I was writing it and telling people about it, I was made aware of how much this book will help others.

SG: Tell us about your book.

Tara: Came to Believe is a Journey of Trust, Faith and Perseverance.  It is my spiritual memoir of how I had a shift in perception about my life.  It is my healing journey from growing up in a fatherless home, being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, living with the disease of alcoholism, and the unconditional love between a mother and daughter.  By trusting in a power outside of myself, putting my faith in the Angels and the Universe I persevered.  This memoir is how I Came to Believe in the power of manifestation and miracles.

SG: Why did you decide to self publish?

Tara: Well, I didn’t win the Hay House writer’s course contract, but I didn’t want that to stop me.  I knew my story was important, and realized that publishing a book through a big publisher isn’t the only way.  Also, I have learned that through self-publishing you have more control.

SG: Tell us about you.

Tara: Where do I start?  I am a Kundalini Yoga Teacher, Sprit Junkie, the best dog mom ever, an Auntie, an awesome daughter, a wonderful friend, a go-getter and I love working on my spiritual development.

SG: Tell us about your social media business.

Tara: I coach spiritual entrepreneurs how to build their social media platforms with integrity and authenticity, I also manage accounts and I wrote a Social Media Guidebook for Spiritual Entrepreneurs of all my tips and tricks that is pretty inexpensive! It can be purchased at gum.co/kwRm

SG: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Tara: Kundalini Yoga, walking, Social Media, playing with Chester, my adorable shih tzu.

SG: What was one of the most surprising things you learned creating your book (about the writing process)? 

Tara: It brings up a lot of emotions.  Also, I learned that I needed to remove distractions!  I love to write, but my mind would often wander to other things.  

SG: What was one of the most surprising things you learned creating your book (about yourself)? 

Tara: I have accomplished a lot!  And, I should be very proud of myself.

SG: What is the writing process like?

Tara: I remember Doreen say to write at least 1 page a day. I tried this, but for me I would be on a roll for 3 months and bang out 5 chapters, then I would have to take a break and come back to it.  Also, I felt I needed to get things done fast, I learned mid-way through to slow it down!  Don’t rush, so I can write from the heart.

SG: What advice do you have for other writers? 

Tara: Begin.  Start now!  Slow and steady wins the race after you begin. Be gentle on yourself, and remember self-care as you write.  A lot of stuff comes up so it important to have a support system.

SG: Who inspires you?

Tara: So many people! Going through my Instagram newsfeed and seeing what everyone has accomplished.  My mom inspired this book.  I wanted to tell a story of healing between a mother and daughter.  Gabby Bernstein has been a big influence on my journey.  My Spirit Junkie sisters and brothers.

SG: I watched you on Instagram manifest this book, can you share a little bit about how? 

Tara: I am a big manifestor and this book has a lot of manifesting stories and ways to manifest in it!  So, I’ll let everyone read it to find out! 

SG: How did writing your story heal you?  

Tara: As I put my thoughts to paper, the tears shed, the shame dissipated.  As I put my stories to paper, I smiled and laughed and realized I accomplished a lot of amazing stuff!  It was all healing.

SG: Do you view writing as a type of spiritual practice?

Tara: Yes, In Alanon I was suggested to write 5 things I was grateful for a day.  This causes a complete shift in energy.  This is when I first realized writing caused spiritual growth.

SG: Do you have a ritual or spiritual practice before you write?

Tara: I ask my Higher Power to write through me.   I have my larimar crystal that helps to write from the heart and my moonstone crystals near me.  I burn incense and meditate first.

SG: Did you feel that you were divinely supported while you were writing your book?  

Tara: Absolutely.  My angels held my hand and hugged my little girl all along the way.

SG: What was the most challenging part of your book to write about?

Tara: The chapter where I talk about my childhood trauma of being a survivor of incest.  It was the hardest for me to begin, but once I put my fingers to the keyboard it just flowed out of me.

SG: What was the most joyful part of your book to write about?

Tara: The healing with my Mom and I, but also the idea of finding your tribe and how I did it. 

SG: How long did it take you to write your book?  

Tara: The writing took a year and a half, but I started my social media platform for it 2 years ago.

SG: Did you write every day? For how long?

Tara: Not every day. I wrote when I felt moved to write and I wrote for as long as I knew it was coming from my heart.

SG: What authors do you like to read?  

Tara: My girl, Gabby Bernstein.  Marianne Williamson.  Wayne Dyer.  Caroline Myss.   

SG: What books have had a strong influence on you or your writing? 

Tara: All of Gabby Bernstein’s books.  Also, Rebecca Campbell’s books.  Doreen Virtue is really who made me feel like I could do it!

SG: What’s next? 

Tara: Wow! I really want to enjoy the accomplishment of this book, Came to Believe.   I already have my second book which will be titled, “You Are Only As Sick As Your Secrets,” which will be about my healing journey from childhood sexual abuse through Alanon, Kundalini Yoga, therapy, EMDR and EFT.  


Thank you Tara for taking the time to share about your new book, your writing process, and your life. It is an honor to know you, and I am so thrilled that so many others will get to know you too, and will be helped by your book!

For more information:
To buy Tara's book or Kindle version: Came To Believe
Tara's website: http://www.taraladue.com
Alanon – 12 step program from the friends and family of alcoholics www.al-anon.org
EFT, Emotional Freedom Technique www.thetappingsolution.com
EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing www.emdr.com

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

2017 The Best Year Ever!

Why will 2017 be the best year ever? Because every year to me is the best year ever! It really is a matter of attitude, and how you choose to see things. I choose to be grateful and to see the unlimited potential in the year ahead. My mind is bursting with ideas of what I want to accomplish this year. I'm going to list them, but I will have no regrets if I can't get to them all. My mind seems to have a lot more energy than my body at times! And who knows what other opportunities and adventures will present themselves this year?

So here we go!

ACIM - I started January 1st with something I have been wanting to dive into for a long time. I finally ordered A Course In Miracles (ACIM), and Hollie Holden decided to start a Facebook group called Presence of Love Study Group to support anyone wanting to do the course together. It was a perfect opportunity, so I joined the group and am up to Lesson 3. It is so easy to do, and I so look forward to beginning every morning with this inspiring experience to return to love. If you are interested in learning more, join her page, you can start the course any time.

Learning - I am finishing up the the last two weeks of the Ask Your Guides course by Sonia Choquette. Oh my goodness, I can not wait to tell you all about it. I just had another incredible experience yesterday getting to know specific guides, their vibrations, names, and signs from them. It was just magic and proved to me undeniably that we are never alone! 

My next courses will be Unlock the Secret Messages of Your Body by Denise Linn, 21 Days To Glorious, Fabulous Abundance (it's a great course I started awhile back and will finish!) and Doreen Virtues Certified Realm Reader course. So much fun, I just love to learn!

Reading - I will also be reading quite a bit this year (as always!). I'm finishing up Nancy Levin's Worthy and Denise Linn's Past Lives Present Miracles. Great books, and I'll be blogging about them of course. I have a bookshelf filled with more to read too. I want to continue learning about spirituality, growth, abundance, and I love autobiographies also.

Healthy Weight - I am going to reach my goal weight in the summer. I've lost 17 1/2 pounds and am on the road to better health!

Exercise - I used to exercise quite a bit and got off track last year. I have already started incorporating this back into my day, and will be getting back to the gym too! Yoga will also be a big part of this.

Garden Sanctuary - it's been a challenge getting plants to grow in the Texas heat, but my goal this year is to really create a beautiful sanctuary in our yard.

Clutter Clearing - I have started this, but I will make sure I get through the entire house this year. It feels good to clear the stagnant energy and welcome the new! Let the Chi flow!

Joy & Fun - I will be spending more time in the present, being joyful, spending time with my family, friends and enjoying life!

Getting Me Outta Here - I plan to get out more during the week. I work from home, which means spending anywhere from 45-65 hours a week indoors. Whether I take my laptop to an internet cafe, actually take a lunch break and go for a walk in the park nearby, or do something outdoors after work, I will definitely be breaking up my routine. The weekends will include excursions as well. I started getting out more on the weekends last year and will continue this trend!

Sanctuary Everywhere! - I've learned about creating an altar, creating a sacred space. I have that in my bedroom, and I love it. I meditate and pray there and it's quite beautiful. I also created an abundance altar in my office, and I have some sacred items on another table. One corner of my couch is another meditation spot, and I feel a beautiful, relaxing presence there. My car has spiritual & religious items in it, and has become a sanctuary for prayer. I really want that sacred space to be everywhere around me, for everyone. So, my goal is to make our entire home (inside and out) sacred. What that means to me, is that is gives off a peaceful, loving, welcoming vibration. I want all those who live here, as well as those who enter, and those who leave our home to feel love.

Prayer/Meditation/Gratitude - These have been a life changer for me, and I will continue with them. I want to bump my meditation up to twice a day, and be more consistent with my gratitude journal. I also want to keep the dialogue always open with my spirit guides (so when you catch me talking to myself, that's why!).

Writing - Once I actually sit down to write, it's so easy, so second nature. I want to continue to write from the heart because I truly enjoy it, and I feel like it's one of the things I'm supposed to be doing in this lifetime.

Suitable Gifts - I plan to continue to learn, create more products, reach more people, and grow this business I love so much. Suitable Gifts is my way to spread love, kindness, peace and joy. I also have a cat site (I love cats!) which I will reveal later this year (website and products still need a bit of work and organizing). I plan to get out more in the public with more shows, and attract more attention to this business through publicity. I want to get my YouTube channel moving along (like posting my first video!), and either starting a newsletter or at least sending out some emails to my email list.

Kindness...Pass It On Mission - I have so many ideas for this as well. I would like to put together Kindness Kits this year for the homeless, seniors, kids in the hospital, and kids who are hungry (possibly through schools). I am looking forward to making the Kindness...Pass It On Mission grow to help more!

Abundance - I plan to create more abundance in my life not just financially, but in friendships, relationships, love, kindness, joy, time, and more!

Past Life Regression - Oh I am so interested in past lives! I already had two readings where I learned about several of my past lives, but I want to discover them for myself. I am reading Denise's past life book as mentioned above, as well as listening to several of Dr. Brian Weiss' past life regression audios. This will be a fun year of exploration, and I can't wait to see what I discover and resolve in my current life!

Art - This is one of the things I love, but get intimidated to do. I have a ton of art supplies ready, and I'm diving in again so I feel like the artist I used to. Here we go!

Travel Goals - I have been wanting to do some serious travel since I was in my 20's. I kept pushing it aside, but I am going to start setting some goals for the places I want to see: Ireland, Scotland, Italy, England, France, and so much more. There are so many spiritual sites I want to see: Assisi, Lourdes, Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), to name a few.

Wishing for you, all you desire for the New Year and even better! Expect this to be the best year ever and your thoughts (then actions) will create it! Share below what your plans are for the New Year!

*Click on any of highlighted words in the blog for the books, courses, and more information!

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

"I'm Like Rainbow Love" - Meeting My Spirit Guide Alicia Through Karen Kubicko

If you enjoyed my last blog about my reading with Karen Kubicko, and the introduction to my spirit guide Mr. Martin, then get ready for more!

As my reading with Karen Kubicko, (author of Life Is Just Another Class) continued, she talked about a pretty spirit guide who has been with me for hundreds of lifetimes. But before elaborating further, she turned the discussion towards my past lives. She saw my past lives to the left of me (5 angels behind me and 15 spirit guides to the right) and mind you, she is seeing all of this on the phone 1,700 miles away from me. She told me I was a writer for a living in five past lifetimes. It was nice to hear because I have enjoyed writing (and reading!) since I was young. I was always writing poems, stories and comics growing up. I had considered going to college for writing, but chose advertising design instead. Karen told me I was even a writer back in Alexandria, Egypt (3rd century BC). She told me I had written books that were in the Royal Library of Alexandria that was later destroyed by several fires, including those set by Caesar's army in 48 BC and an attack from Aurelian in 270 AD. This library and its contents became a symbol for loss of cultural knowledge.

(That's me climbing the ladder in the back right. Sorry, just a little past life humor...)

Karen said I was also a healer in 12 different lifetimes and can acquire those skills in this lifetime as well. She told me that I was killed for being a healer in 8 of those lifetimes. The people at the time thought it was witchcraft. A child had died and they thought it was my fault. 

She asked if I wanted to know how I died. Of course I did! I didn't feel afraid, it was in the past and I am safe now. So I hope you don't mind if I share this with you too. Or you can always skip this paragraph. Okay, here we go! In one lifetime my head was cut off. I was called to heal someone in the family of a king-type person. I wasn't able to heal the child, so it was off with my head in the guillotine. Ick. I also ran through a sword in another lifetime. That one sounds pretty painful too. And in another lifetime I was barricaded in my home, and it was burned to the ground. It was pretty rough back then.

Karen told me to offer forgiveness to those who killed me, because they didn't understand that the person chose how they wanted to pass. It was not my fault. She told me to do this eight times for each lifetime that my life ended this way. This is a way to cut the cords tying me to those lifetimes, and to set myself free from anything connecting me to them. It's healing. I recently did this and let it all go.

As I'm writing this on my living room couch (I write everything on paper before I type it up, as I feel more connected that way.), my husband is heading outside with a large saw to cut some overgrown limbs (cue the guillotine flashback). He stops to grab the phone because an appraiser is coming by today to look at our roof. We have a leak from all of the Texas rain we've been getting. As he hands me the phone to keep beside me, he says "Martin." (Remember my spirit guide Mr. Martin from my last blog? If you haven't read it yet, take a look, it's a good one!) In shock, I said "Martin?" He said "Yes, Molly Martin," and grabbed the notecard he wrote with her name and number, and handed it to me too. Yes, our insurance appraiser's last name is Martin. 

I am quite a believer in synchronicities, and I even write them down in my gratitude journal. Since my reading with Karen, there have been so many similar events. And being that I've completely sidetracked this blog, I'll share another Mr. Martin story. I was in my car last week to pick up lunch, and I was praying as I usually do in the car. It's just one of those places that have become a quiet, sacred space for me. I feel mindful and close to God, Jesus, the angels and archangels...the whole spiritual gang. I started talking to Mr. Martin. I just had a feeling that he didn't want me to call him Mr. Martin any longer. I said "What would you like me to call you now?" The first thing that came into my head was "Poppy." I have been trusting my intuition more and more through reading books like Sonia Choquette's Trust Your Vibes and online course like Doreen's Virtue's Clairvoyance Therapy class. So I said to him "If Poppy is what you want me to call you, can you please show me a dragonfly today and make sure I can see it, as my eyes aren't so great anymore."

I picked up lunch and started driving home. I noticed the traffic on the highway, and decided to stay on the access road. I ended up turning off to go the back roads on a street I usually don't take, but am familiar with. As I drove, I saw a bug fly across my car, but I wasn't certain if it was a dragonfly or not (and I almost swerved off the road trying to look at it). So I said aloud "Could you please clearly show me a dragonfly easily so that I don't drive off the road?" In less than 3 minutes, a dragonfly flew across my windshield. So Poppy it is!

Now back to my other spirit guide. She's been through hundreds of lifetimes with me, including my healing lifetimes. She's helping me and guiding me into the healing realm. She said it was necessary for me to see my past lives first and now we'll chat. She's had hundreds of lifetimes to help me understand my healing talent. Karen asked me if I had any books around me. I chuckled as I stared up at all of the spiritual and inspirational books lining my bookshelves.She said my guide brings books into my awareness on purpose, like Wayne Dyer. Then Karen seemed surprised by the message "He's doing well on the other side." I wasn't surprised at this point, I talk to Dr. Dyer in my prayers every day too, and thank him for all he's done to help me in my life. It was really special to hear that message.

Karen went on to describe my spirit guide. She said she was dressed in a chiffon, flowy dress with pastel orange over yellow, pink and green sleeves almost to the elbow. "I'm like rainbow love!" she told Karen. It sounds like rainbow love! Karen said in all seriousness she is healing me on all chakra levels in learning how to heal others. She said she was wearing a crown tiara with blue crystals and pastel purple, glittery shoes. I want this outfit!!! She said again she's healing me on all chakra levels, color can be so healing.

Karen asked me if I wear color. I said I love it, but I'm wearing alot of black because I'm fat. I have released the need to beat myself up or put myself down, but I felt that was truthful, so I said it. She said that I don't need to protect myself any more and I'll lose the weight. She said to forgive "that" away. As I forgive "that" (and she said it happened more than once), I will lose easily. It is amazing that Karen picked up on "that" with only speaking with me one time. What she is talking about has never been written about or even spoken about, even to my closest friends. I'm not sure if it was more than once, but I I have wondered since what I do remember, I was so young (around 6). But one memory was enough to carry a heavy weight (literally) until now. Honestly, just writing this little bit has me in tears, and then typing it has me crying. I have been thinking of this for awhile, and my plan is to write a letter about it, to let it all out. I'm not going to mail it, I'm going to burn it, say a prayer and release it from my life finally for good. Thank you Karen, for yet another HUGE healing moment from a two hour phone call. 

Karen said to add color to my wardrobe. And since our talk, I have. I'm in pink, green (for Poppy!) and lots of bright colors. And I have to say, it brightens my whole day. I don't need to be thin to feel happy, and color makes me feel happy.

Karen told me my spirit guide's name is Alicia Montgomery. She has long hair, 5-6 inches past her shoulders, blondish-brown with a wave. Karen told me she hasn't always been my guide. I asked if she was ever in a lifetime with me, and she said she hasn't been, but has had the honor to watch over me. Alicia told Karen that she gave me her full name for my sake to connect with her. I really do like having a name.

Alicia keeps guiding me to books. She knows it's opening up talents that lay latent. (Books are constantly coming my way, in amazing and unexpected ways.) Karen said as a "small baby child" I tried to heal a dog (in this present lifetime), but I was young and didn't realize what I was doing. I don't remember that, but it is possible since one of the dogs we had when I was a kid was thrown down a flight of stairs. This is yet another story I've never talked about. I don't remember how young I was at the time, but the dog had seizures ever since. 

There was quite a theme with this reading about children. From my five lifetimes with Mr. Martin where I died under ten years old, my death with him at seven, which coincided with my life-threatening appendectomy in this lifetime at age seven, my abuse in this lifetime at age 6, and the children in my healing lifetimes that died so young. So what does it all mean? I'm not completely sure yet, but I think maybe this lifetime is to learn to forgive myself, forgive others, and let it all go.

I have been learning about forgiveness. It has been a challenge for me. But what I am understanding now, is that you forgive for yourself. It doesn't mean what the person did was right,  and it doesn't mean you have to hang out with them. It means you let go of the pain and attachment that hurt was causing you. That is freedom.

Whether I'll end up as a healer, a writer, or both is yet to be discovered. But I know I am keeping myself open to everything, and will continue to learn, grow, meditate, and pray. I also know we are never alone. All of the answers are with us all the time, we just need to listen.

Thank you again Karen Kubicko! The reading was healing on so many levels. It was above and beyond anything I expected. It is an honor to know you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

To contact Karen for more information or a reading, visit her blog at: https://karenkubicko.wordpress.com and to order her book, click here: Life Is Just Another Class (it's amazing, my next blog will be the review).

In Gratitude & Love,

Kerri Mulhern
www.suitablegifts.com

21 Days...

I'm sure you've all heard that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Well, I've decided to use that to work on my intentions for this year. My soul is leading the way. Oh the beautiful soul, it's always guiding us towards the best version of ourselves. It speaks so gently though, that our negative ego voice usually drowns it out. The more that I have been meditating, the easier it has become to hear its gentle nudges.

I have decided to work on something new every 21 days. Immersing myself completely in one area at a time, will give it roots to last beyond that time. As I move on to my next project, I will carry the one completed with me. It's not so I will end up with an overwhelming amount to do, but rather so I will continue to engage myself in all of the favorable ways my soul is pulling me towards. Habits are easy, so the goal is to have some really healthy and positive ones.

To begin, I've chosen space clearing (also known as clutter clearing). It is the one thing that bugs me the most. I chose it because I knew I would be thinking it about it the entire 3 weeks even if I chose something else. I want to be completely mindful of whatever it is that I'm working on. There will be no guilt, unreasonable demands, or struggles during these 21 days. This is about change, but it doesn't need to be miserable. It will all be joyful. 

I don't have a mess in my home. Well, except for this closet...

Oh well, there's no need to hide it from you. We're all friends here, right? There's so much crammed in there from business inventory, crafts, art supplies, kids memories to office supplies. It's the tiniest closet in the house, but it's in my office where I am most of the time, so in everything goes!

Generally, I've gotten much better at letting go and keeping things orderly. I have grown to prefer having much less. But, there is more to let go of: clothes that I don't wear or even like, office paperwork (that always seems to pile up), computer files, emails, tons and tons of photos & videos that need to be organized, and so many of my kids' memories. The kids' memories are the hardest for me to part with, but I know I will find some creative ways to wean and organize (Thank goodness for iPhones and flash drives, you can save everything in such a tiny space!). 

So that's where I'm starting, and I will report back in on what happens. Here are some other thoughts I have for upcoming 21 days throughout this year:

1. Fun & play. Very much needed!
2. Art. I went to college for art, and over the last 20 years I have barely made time to create. I miss it.
3. Writing. Another passion that I need to be more consistent with.
4. Reading. I love to read and learn, but I want to do more of it.
5. Nature. I love being outside, but I don't make the time for it. This will do it!
6. Flexibility. I currently have the flexibility of a 2x4.
7. Something new. I want to try new things that I have never done before. It's great for the brain and ramps up those courage muscles!
8. Living meditation. It's something I have thought about for quite awhile. I don't just want to feel the peace I have during and just after meditation. I want to live it all day by being mindful of it.

I will be making lots lists to prepare for what I will be doing. I just love lists (I probably should be doing 21 days of spontaneity...we'll see). If you have any thoughts for fun, nature, etc let me know! Do you have any intentions for this year? Share in the comments, I'd love to hear from you!

In Gratitude and Love,

Kerri
www.suitablegifts.com