archive • i love happy RSS feed for this section

returning to nature

Posted on September 5, 2012 by in being, connecting, i love happy

i love happy is…

dancing like a tree.

We are all (well, mostly) moved in to our new home in the woods.  And I was going to write a post about the roller coaster feelings I’ve been having.  The fear that has gripped me.  The sadness that has crept in.  The frustration of things breaking and not going our way.  The amount of muck that has been unearthed – physically, mentally and spiritually.  And the pure joy that has stopped me several times in the midst of the chaos – like the deer that have greeted my path, or the sun rays reflecting on the lake, or the sweet and playful moments with the boys.  But today, the fall issue of the Rhythm of the Home online magazine was published, and I re-read the article I wrote for it several weeks ago.  It’s as if my past self wrote a letter to my future self, and in this moment I feel reassured by my own words.  Change does bring up so much fear and it does take courage to walk forward and let go.

Life is a dance, and that’s the reminder of this season of change.  As we start to make the transition from summer to fall, take some time to explore Rhythm of the Home’s newest issue for tons of inspiration, including my article, Dance Like a Tree.

Your Personal Reflection:

Do you feel connected to nature?  Do you feel connected to YOUR nature?  Take some time to dance and connect with nature and see how that helps you stay grounded while things around you…and within you…change.

And the winner of my Inside Out e-course random drawing is…Kim!

For the very last chance to win a spot in Inside Out – the last session of 2012 – visit Rhythm of the Home’s blog to enter the give-away going on now.  (And if you don’t want to to miss your opportunity to connect to a world-wide community of life explorers while discovering and celebrating YOU and your changes, register for Inside Out today because it starts Monday!)

inside out e-course give-away

Posted on August 29, 2012 by in growing, i love happy, living


If you’ve been reading my blog this summer you know that I’ve hosted the challenge, i love happy.  It’s been a wonderful way to remind my more serious side to soak up the true blessings that the playful sun of summer brings.  Since the beginning of June, my i love happy moments included restoring and playing on the beach, reconnecting with my beautiful partner, trusting my heart, celebrating the joy of family, laughing after the tears, having the courage to be authentic, going for it, enjoying the simple moments, walking forward, and embracing and letting go of perfect.

Today…

i love happy is…

sitting here quietly in this moment,

noticing the signs that summer is nearing its end,

 feeling grateful for the challenges and gifts that have come my way over the past few months,

and knowing I’m ready to settle in to the new beginnings that change is bringing.

The Give Away:

What new beginnings do you see starting to manifest in your life?  Are you ready to accept and invite the change that is coming your way?  Let me know here for your chance to win a spot in my upcoming Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery e-course.

You can do one OR all of the following to enter:

1) For your first chance to win:  leave a comment on this blog post

2) For your second chance to win:  ”like” A Free Spirit Life Facebook page (If you are already a fan, simply remind me in the comments section for another chance to enter.)

3) For your third chance to win:   send a Tweet about this give-away or share the Inside Out e-course link with a friend.

I will announce a winner on Tuesday, September 4th!

Your Personal Reflection:

i love happy is not about putting a smile on your face when you aren’t feeling it.  It’s about seeing your life in a new way.  Feel the joy around you today and notice the happy you see.  Be open to the new beginnings and possibilities that are ready to unfold, because although change is scary, the magic happens when you find the courage to walk through to the other side.

embracing imperfection

Posted on August 25, 2012 by in growing, i love happy, living

i love happy is…

feeling vulnerable about all the imperfections coming to the surface,

and loving the freedom that comes from letting go.

I’ve been feeling mixed emotions about moving.  I’m having a hard time letting go of our home. This is where we started our family and we have created many wonderful memories here.  It’s where I feel the most comfortable.

The new house is small and needs some work.  It’s going to take some love, care, vinegar, lemons and some patience to make it feel like ours.  We had the inside and out painted all last week and it does feel like a fresh, clean start.

But today I went over there and noticed all the imperfections of the place.  The spilled paint, the crooked light fixture, the dirt and leaves and sticks…  And it spiraled from there as I talked to my husband about all the work yet needed to be done.

And then it hit me.  As two (slowly) recovering perfectionists, we both are having a hard time moving into a place that doesn’t feel…well…perfect.  In fact, it’s far from it.  We didn’t buy it for the house, but really for the land, the lake and the vision we have of what the house will be someday.  But if we can’t get over the fact that “someday” isn’t here yet, then moving is going to be especially challenging.

What this experience is doing is forcing us to face our imperfections head on.  The stack of boxes to go through, the broken fixtures, the wood rot, the scratched up sink… It ain’t pretty, but it’s the reality of what we face right now.  There’s no hiding it.  There’s no running from it.   There’s no looking back.

The house we are buying is imperfect.  The neighborhood we’re moving to is imperfect.  The home we are selling is imperfect (although cute as hell).  And all of these things are symbols of our imperfections, too.

I’m starting to really like being imperfect.  It’s rather freeing, don’t you think?

So as I continue walking forward through this transition of moving, I look to the big, blue sky and trust.  I will practice focusing on the beauty and blessings, and embrace the nicks, the spills and the imperfections.  Because this new house is beautifully imperfect and so am I.

Your Personal Reflection:

Do you get caught up in focusing on the things about you and your life that need fixing, rather than noticing all the wonderful things about you and your life that are working?

Take a moment to inhale, smile and exhale as you practice letting go of striving for perfection, and instead embrace, love and celebrate the beautiful imperfections in YOU.

walking forward

Posted on August 21, 2012 by in growing, i love happy, living

i love happy is…

 feeling the fear that comes from change,

and walking forward,

even towards the dark places,

 knowing that the blue sky is beyond the trees,

and that the light will shine brighter once again.

Getting ready to move from a home I love, into a more wooded, secluded environment is bringing up a lot of fear in me.  I am learning that I’m much more of a city girl than I realized! The house we bought sat vacant for a while, so of course the critters – like spiders and black (harmless) snakes – have found their way inside.  AND THAT HAS BEEN FREAKING ME OUT.  I’ve had some restless nights…especially about the spiders. How can I bring my babies into a place like that?  I’ve even considered staying put.  Um, never mind, I don’t think I want to move.  I’ll stay here in my clean, very comfortable home, thank you very much.  And you know, that’s what happens when fear grips us.

We have two choices when the fear creeps in – to accept it and walk through it, or to avoid it and stay put.  And I know that I could easily sit back and stay in that comfortable place, but that’s not where the true growth happens.  We want to raise our boys in nature.  I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to move to bigger land.  And really, as long as we are prepared and mindful, we can show those spiders who’s boss.

No matter what, leaving what’s comfortable, letting go of “things,” saying good-bye to neighbors, and moving to a home and neighborhood that doesn’t quite feel like “ours” yet is scary.  But it doesn’t mean that it isn’t right.  I know it’s time to move.  It does feel right.  This new space is AMAZING.  And feeling comfortable after change does take time, but it will happen.

My practice in all of this is to embrace the fear, let it be a motivation for change and to walk kindly and slowly through it, so that it doesn’t keep me gripped, stagnant and scared to move forward.  I feel curious. I feel excited.  I feel anxious.  I feel unsure.  I feel unsettled.  I feel uprooted.  I feel blessed.  I feel grateful.  And I’m choosing to walk forward anyway.

Your Personal Reflection:

What fear are you ready to accept and embrace?  Allow yourself to move through the uncomfortable places so you can walk forward.  You never know what’s on the other side until you try.

simple, precious moments

Posted on August 8, 2012 by in i love happy, living

i love happy is…

watching my boys grow up,

seeing a piece of me in them,

…and loving every minute of it.

Your Personal Reflection:

What simple, precious moments do you treasure?

going for it

Posted on August 2, 2012 by in being, i love happy, living

i love happy is…

knowing when it’s time to move on.

What’s come over me?

Seriously.

There is so much change going on in my life, I can barely put it into words.  In many ways, I don’t even recognize myself.

Several weeks ago after picking blueberries we decided to drive by a small lake community in our area that we’d heard about, but had never seen.  We drove down the hill and into the woods to discover a hidden oasis.  My eyes instantly filled with tears. My husband had the biggest smile on his face.  It was as though our hearts simply knew that our new home was there waiting for us.

My husband grew up in Northern Wisconsin on a small lake resort in the woods, and I grew up visiting the mountains and lived in Boulder, Colorado for a few years.  We have both longed to find a place that would help us return to nature.  And on this day…we found it.

There was only one house for sale in this area.  We put a bid on it just moments after we discovered it.  That is very unlike us.  We are both Capricorns.  We aren’t impulsive. We think about things.  We plan it out.  We have back ups to the back up plan.  But on this day, we were being guided by a force that told us this is the one.  Go. For. It.

And so, after living in our current home for the past 10 years, we are moving.

The new house isn’t quite our style, but we have exciting plans to remodel and build an art studio/workshop for both of our businesses in the future.  Until then, a fresh coat of paint is all it needs.  The house sits on an acre of beautiful wooded trees, it has a huge garden, wildlife and lots of privacy.  The neighborhood is a mix of eclectic lake and mountain-style homes on a small, private lake.  We are thrilled that we will have the peace and quiet of living in the country along with the community vibe.  We’ve heard the neighborhood regularly has activities going on, like Easter egg hunts, 4th of July parties and pool contests – just what we want for our two little boys.

In preparation for the move, we’ve been clearing and purging and packing and letting go.  We’ve been celebrating and saying goodbye and reminiscing and feeling nostalgic and not looking back.  We’ve been frustrated and scared and nervous and excited.

And as I transition from this home to our new one, I’m seeing how my practice in letting go is really paying off.  It’s helping me move on much quicker than in the past.  It’s helping me be really ok, and actually happier with less.  It’s teaching me how to keep and stay on budget.  It’s reminding me to practice and relish living in the moment.

We’ve put a lot of love and care into our home.

We’ve enjoyed many parties and celebrations here.

This is where we started our family.

We have shared so many memories in this special place.

Many of our things are now packed in boxes.  The “to do” list is expansive.  There are a lot of unknowns.  And we are ready to let go.  Because it’s in the letting go, taking healthy risks, facing the fears of uncertainty and going for it where we learn and grow the most.

In many ways, we are starting over.  And yet, with each passing day, we know that everything changes.  Each new day is a new start.  So the fear wanes, the tears turn to joy and we embrace what life has to offer, because hope and trust and faith (along with the back up plans) will carry us through.

Your Personal Reflection:

Is there something in your life that you’ve been hesitating about?  What fears are holding you back from moving forward?  Now, more than ever before, is the time to let go, face your fears and go for it!

the courage to be YOU

Posted on July 24, 2012 by in being, breathing, connecting, creating, growing, i love happy, living, loving

i love happy is…

the love, light, wisdom, beauty and courage of this amazing soul…

Inside Out Rave from Shannon Jones on Vimeo.

If you are still wondering if Inside Out e-course is right for you, please take 3 minutes to watch Shannon’s touching video.  Spots are filling up with so many amazing women.  I would love for you to join us, too.  Class begins September 10th and registration is now open.

Your Personal Reflection:

Are you living the life of your dreams?  If not, do you think NOW is the time to begin?  Let’s face our fears together…

a give-away!

Posted on July 19, 2012 by in creating, growing, i love happy

i love happy is…

a chance to change your life

AND

win a spot in the next session of Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery e-course.

Stop by Suzy’s Hip Mountain Mama blog by clicking HERE for your chance to win! (She will announce the winners on Friday so get on over there right now.)

Your Personal Reflection:

Are you ready for a change?  What are waiting for?

laughing after the tears

Posted on July 9, 2012 by in i love happy, living, mothering

i love happy is…

letting the tears flow freely,

and then…

feeling the laughter.

I was getting ready for the day when my 4-year-old, Kestan, greeted me with a grin.  He had a pink flower and scissors in his hand.  ”Mommy, I cut a flower for you.  And…I cut Ashton’s hair!”

It was as if Ashton, my 20-month-old, was waiting for his cue.  Right then, as my brain was taking in what Kestan just told me, Ash came from around the corner, with the biggest smile on his face. The chunks and wisps of his hair were trailing on the ground behind him.

His baby hair…those golden, untamed, soft curls…gone.  Just. like. that.  From a curious brother and a $2 pair of kid scissors, Ashton’s first haircut spontaneously happened throughout the house and back yard.  As Kestan described, “I had to follow Ashton all around while I was cutting because he wouldn’t stand still.”

Although I’m smiling in these pictures, my first response to the news was shock, then sadness. I couldn’t help but let the tears well up and feel the pit in my stomach after finding my baby’s curls all over the house.  Luckily my husband was home when it happened.  So he stepped in while I stepped away to cry.  I needed time to process what had just happened.  I needed time to reflect on why it mattered.  Why was I so attached to the baby curls?  What was I holding on to?

Kestan was so proud of his work, so we explained to him why mommy was sad, but also made sure we gave him the love and attention he needed, too. Cutting his brother’s hair wasn’t necessarily a “bad” thing.  It was obvious he took a lot of time with the cutting, and he was pretty darn dedicated to doing it well, considering he cut off every last curl!  We could see that from Kestan’s perspective, he thought he was doing something special for his brother. After all, his finishing touch was putting a flower behind Ashton’s ear.

That’s what we will remember most. The flower. The love and care Kestan genuinely showed his brother.  And the fact that his experimentation with scissors gave Ashton a first haircut we will always look back and laugh about.

Now that it’s been a few weeks since the actual cutting, I have stopped visualizing the halo of blond curls around Ashton’s head when I look at him. He does look older.  He even seemed to act differently from the very moment his curls hit the ground.  And that’s ok.  It’s the fact of life right?

Our kid’s try things.  They grow up.  And life is ever changing.  Surprising us with each new day. This particular moment was yet another simple reminder that it’s not really what happens in every given day, but rather how we react to what life throws our way.  In the small and the not so small moments – it’s what we think, say and do that makes all the difference in the world.  It’s the love and care we show others (and ourselves).  And it’s our ability to laugh after the tears that helps us practice letting go and moving on.

After it’s all said and done, sometimes ya just gotta laugh about it.

Your Personal Reflection:

What moments in your life seemed sad and frustrating when they happened, however, when you stepped away and let time pass, you could actually see the hidden laughter and joy?  Notice your reaction to every day moments and see if you can laugh a little more today.

Celebrating Joy

Posted on June 17, 2012 by in i love happy

i love happy is…

playing…

running…

crying…

walking…

reflecting…

being…

sailing…

swimming…

and loving and celebrating the joy of being together.

We just returned from a wonderful family vacation in Destin, Florida (thanks mom!).  I can still hear the ocean waves and feel the soft sand between my toes.  This trip was really restorative and it reminded me that even as I continue practicing letting go and slowing down – I still do too much!  So I’m really embracing the energy of summer by making big shifts.  I heard the term “over-responsible” the other day and I thought…ah…that’s what I do.  Without thinking twice, I’ll take on more and overextend because I’ve trained myself to be “over-responsible.”  The great thing about going on vacation is it throws you off your daily routine and helps you see things in a new way.  I loved having less to do and I could see when I returned home I had two choices….to hop right back into my “old ways” or choose a new way.

This new way, the going-with-the-flow-letting-go-of-perfect-making-more-messes-and-doing-less way, is feeling really, really nice.  And I can see how it’s changing my life.

Your Personal Reflection:

Are you in need of a shift in perspective, a change in your routine, or a reminder to go with the flow?  Let go of your resistance today and celebrate the joy and happy you see!