There are usually 3 ways we find ourselves at the edge of a cliff.
Martha Beck explains it like this:
One is shock, which would be your car accident or losing your job or whatever it is. The next one is opportunity. Say, you fall in love and you get a chance to marry your soul mate, but it means changing everything. And the third is growth; you simply wake up one morning and what satisfied you yesterday is starting to feel empty.
Each of these sparks for rewriting the next chapter of your life, comes with its own story, healing & potential. But like many things that appear as if they are custom-made for your own crazy-beautiful life, the process is the same.
There is an energy flow right now that seems to be throwing off sparks everywhere! Many are on this precipice teetering toward what could be bliss and NO ONE should be doing it alone. Step off in community.
I miss seeing my folks live and would like to try something new. If you are interested in Free monthly Meetups (in the Bay Area or online) with Elevate your NOW, click here to let me know!
I woke up yesterday with a strong desire to clean.
Well, it was really more like ‘clean out’. I raided the fridge, throwing almost empty cream cheese containers and old oranges across the kitchen like I was Steph & Clay… SPLASH! Yes I ended up cleaning stuff off the floor too but neveryoumind all that ☻
Even though, as usual, the Bay Area can never make up its mind about what season to play dress-up in, my spirit feels a change coming on. Whether it’s humid, raining or still snowing where you are, it is the season for getting rid of sh*t and laying a welcome mat for the new & improved.
If you’re wondering, Spring cleaning has origins in cold weather climates where homes are shut up all winter and with the changing of the seasons need to be aired and cleaned out.
You’ve heard, “As above, so below”? I’d like to add:
As in your house, so be your temple
Look around the area you sleep in, get your work done, eat, play with your children. Are these spaces cluttered with things you don’t use, broken or torn items, stuff you don’t even believe in anymore?? Often our environment is an out-picturing of what’s going on in our ‘temple’, our bodies and minds.
But no need to go all woo-woo if you aren’t up for it. Just check out these neurological effects of clutter if you need a more concrete reason for a Spring cleaning.
Now that the reason for cleansing your environment is clear, know that in ancient Chinese medicine the same is believed about the body. This season is a time of renewal, blossoming AND the dissipation of old & stale energy. A time to open your heart and welcome new flow.
I encourage you to bring to mind one (did you hear me? ONE) goal or desire and write down what you can ‘clean out’ of your environment, body & mind in order to make space for it in your life. How does that feel? Acknowledging that you do indeed have room for your goal to show up.. if you make space for it?
I’d love to know how your cleaning goes. What are you making space for and what’s in the way? Comment below ☟
I love this year’s theme and Eeni’s awesome artwork above #BeBoldforChange
Happy International Women’s Day!
It is a great hashtag and will be relegated to just that if we don’t push from the inside out to ensure change after March 8th, 2017! If you are a member of my tribe, you know I love words. Let’s extract the important words from this theme and insert them into our lives. I have a challenge for you
Change – It’s not enough to wear an emblazoned t-shirt or yell change at a march. Be clear about the change you seek in the world and in your personal life. It begins within; your beliefs, thoughts & action. What concrete change would you love to see?
Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility.
Oprah Winfrey
Bold – Do you think bold is being loud or grabbing attention? Let’s elevate that thinking. Courage, risk-taking, confidence, strength – this is the definition of BOLD. How can you step into and claim this definition in your own life?
Accept and acknowledge your own brilliance. Stop waiting for others to tell you how great you are! Believe it for yourself and about yourself. Iyanla Vanzant
Be – Or as I like to write, capital BE. I want to gently take your arm and yank you away from the idea of being as doing something. Being bold doesn’t simply consist of going to a march or writing your congressman. The lasting change that we are wishing against reality for, is born out of our everyday lives. BEing worthy enough to demand more, acknowledging how we BE inside of our privilege or oppression, BEing scared and still moving forward, BEing strong enough to be vulnerable. How will BEing bold for change show up in your life and therefore the world?
Planning – Organization – Accountability – Written Intention
Hey lovelies, When it comes to tools for success, you can’t beat a planner. Yes, I still like to write with a pen & paper (dark ages right?) and I love pretty, well-made things. Every year I’m on the lookout for cool, functional, right-for-me planners. Now of course, you can get a regular notebook or calendar but if you want some extra motivation.. I’ve put together a list of the ones I like:
Law of Attraction Success Planner – This is my 2017 choice. It is planning through intention, has room for lots of list making, purpose building, goals & reflection. Plus it has all of the spiritual woo-woo stuff I love 😉 Oh, it lays flat and has ribbon place-markers (very important technical stuff for me). $20-40
Top·Down Planner – This was my choice last year. Absolutely loved it. 1-5 year goal section, mind maps, meeting notes, gratitude logs and it helps you plan your day according to your goals instead of what needs to be done. Some folks like larger planners, this one is thick but small enough to carry around. Woman-owned. It is pricey at $50
Proclaim, Prepare and Prosper Shades of Color – I was gifted this planner a few years ago by a good sistafriend and absolutely loved it because of the gorgeous art throughout. It is simple in terms of planning but inspires with lovely portraits of women, quotes, coloring pages, nutrition facts, etc. Black owned. $18
Desire Map Planner – By Danielle LaPorte, whom I adore. This is super popular, a planner based on your desires and the way you want to FEEL. She sprinkles her “truthbombs” throughout to keep you motivated. I highly recommend looking to see if its your thing. It is a daily planner where the rest of these are mostly weekly. Woman-owned $44
Passion Planner – Great planner for students & more. Room to write and create a roadmap to what you want. A young woman entrepreneur with a great story. For every one they sell, they give one away! $25-30
My Shining Year – A bestseller, thousands sold. Heart-centered creative, and very playful. Colorful and cartoon art. Not my style but many swear by it. It is not a daily calendar, meant to dream/vision for the year.Woman-owned $10(digital) -25
Commit 30 – Really cool accountability planner. Simple and daily pages. Lots of room to write & gorgeous simple covers. $30
Volt Planner – This one has space to draw and journal and is goal driven. Lays flat and has ribbon place-markers It isn’t pretty enough for me lol. Very sophisticated though. Also Woman-owned. $30-40
Rituals For Living Dreambook + Planner – I almost got this one. Love the combination of rituals and planning. Dreaming, goals, reflection & weekly task-lists. It is also very stylized and crunchy granola 😉 Husband & wife team $44
Have you tried any of these, have a favorite not mentioned? Let us know in the comments!
In Spirit,
✕
My secret tool for staying focused during 2017 (Free!)
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Last week, I was blessed with my first on-air television interview about Elevate your NOW. #stillcheesing
The show, Black Renaissance, features current issues and a healthy balance to media negativity by profiling folks doing great things in the world.
Yes, I was nervous but my biggest quandary? This sentence: You can wear anything you want except for prints, stripes, dots, black or white. WHAT? Queue closet explosion and my husband going to hide lol.
Check out my livestream video as I’m walking to the studio
The Producer & Director of Communications and Public Affairs at CBS Local Media, Akilah Bolden, ushered us straight into the studio as they were taping the preview for the 11 o’clock news. How cool is that? It was great until she whispered, “Kysha, you’re up first” and pointed me toward a desk 5 feet away from the news anchors 😮 Queue trusty deodorant lol. It turns out I had no need for nerves. Christin Ayers, the host, was personable and easygoing and I bonded quickly with the other guests on the show. It was over in a flash and so much fun.
The producer and I!
The show airs this Sunday the 16th, at 11am PST (Channel 44/Cable 12). I’d love for you to catch it and leave a comment letting me know what you thought of the interview!
In my wonderful city the fireworks begin weeks before Independence Day. Call it a heightened sense of patriotism, fascination with explosions or a love of pretty lights… all I know is at random times of the day or night, it’s irritating. Now I love fireworks. But what I’ve come to realize is the Forth of July marks the second half of the year and I am often “snap, crackle, popped” out.
In these last 6 months I’ve courageously stepped into a few resolutions and had a couple step on me – ouch. I’ve manifested a dream and watched another get fuzzy. The beginning of summer finds me at a place where I’m running on automatic and in danger of backsliding into old habits instead of being fueled by my usual passion and purpose.
Soooo, BOOM, POP! I’m using America’s 240th Fourth of July to strike a match and light some INNER fireworks for myself and YOU! My theme for July is “Success without Stopping” and I’ve created an awesome gift for you!
Fill in the blanks of this new lease on 2016 and post in the comments! I’d love to read it. I’d love it even more if you’d share your Inner Declaration of Independence with the rest of the Elevate your NOW tribe so we can be inspired and hold space for all that you declare. Want something EVEN better? Click here and you’ll receive a lovely PDF that you can print out and hang.. yeah, it’s cuz I love you ?
INNER DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
I hold these truths to be self-evident. I am created whole, perfect and complete. I am endowed by my _______________ (creator, universe, god) with the inalienable right to a __________, __________ & __________ (joyful, abundant, love-filled, purpose-full) life.
Today, in my ____ year of life, I acknowledge that I’ve instilled beliefs, created rules, and made numerous life-choices. To the extent that these become destructive and/or no longer serve my journey to the aforementioned life, I have the right & power to alter and abolish them, therefore instituting a NEW journey toward my best life. Laying its foundation on such principles & values as __________, __________, __________ (truth, freedom, love, abundance, family) – which allow me to claim and make space for my divine endowment. I do not make such changes lightly, as I am indeed grateful for ____________________ (my past, circumstances, mistakes) and all the _______________(lessons, good, memories) that came as consequence.
As I understand the hills & valleys one must traverse in the trek of life, I understand too, that once made aware of a faulty path, an impenetrable forest or a deep ditch, one is obligated to consult her/his map and right the path toward liberty. It is my intention to be __________ (free, whole).
I therefore, representing and claiming power over my own life, declare that I am absolved from all allegiance to _______________ (wrong thinking, abuse, bad habits) and set my elevation towards ____________________ (wellness, prosperity, business, healing) . This declaration is made with a firm reliance on __________ (faith, truth, god, family, community) .
And so it is.
_________________________ (your name)
I’d love to hear your thoughts, I always reply to emails and I check the group daily. xoxo
I am actually super excited to head into the new year. Why? Because this time it’s not just me and my wonderful family. I am meeting 2016 as the creator of Elevate your NOW with an awesome community that is inspired to take flight to the next level of their lives.
However, I’m not going to lie, the end of 2015 came so quick I feel like I’m gasping for breath! I know I’m not alone in this feeling but you know what? We’ve got to slip on our bikinis (ok, ok, a one-piece.. wait, did someone say wetsuit?) and ride the wave! I’m determined to ride into 2016 wearing a crown of gratitude, a bedazzled tool-belt and some stilettos of steel! Heeeey, don’t hate on my outfit, after I give you the details, you’ll want to rock it too!
YOU HAVE 40 DAYS & BEYOND to stop the cycle of declaring resolutions only to get started, lose steam, and beat yourself up come February.
Repeat after me: I will not declare a resolution; I am my resolution! Join me in this campaign to bust into 2016 with an intention to BE instead of become! I am offering a FREE strategy of quick, bite-sized steps to absorb your vision into your reality.
Here’s a glimpse of what I have in store for you
Hashtag Contest with great prizes!
Banish the #1 killer of dreams
Clear & passionate goal setting
You have everything you need.. under your mess! Clearing space for 2016
Your new woman-crush: YOU
New workshops
No woo-woo theories or dissertations – Practical day-to-day tips for reaching your goals
I’ll include some of the good stuff in my regular newsletter but if you really want to show up next year AS your resolution, click here to get EVERYTHING
Please share with friends and leave a comment below or on my Facebook page. xoxo
Have you ever come across a successful business or invention and thought, “What? that was my idea! I knew I should’ve done that.”
Or perhaps ran into a guy you once knew, who now has a great career and marriage, and instantly regretted that you didn’t talk to him when you had the chance?
Opportunities and ideas are energy.
They are not created accidentally, they happen because ‘things’ in the world are aligned to bring them to fruition. Once this perfect idea is out there, it is then pulled toward the person that is aligned with it! Want to guess what happens next? YOU happen. You make a choice whether to engage or allow it to come into your life. When your decision is “no thank you”, it doesn’t just dissipate. This perfect inspiration? Hell no, it seeks someone else in alignment and you, my friend, have just missed out.
When Opportunity knocks…
Having danced professionally for many years, I’ve watched directors in rehearsal choose dancers for solos or leads in choreography. In this time, I’ve witnessed 4 main “ways of being” when it comes to opportunity:
One who, for whatever reason, is uninterested
One who wants it, but is scared stiff of being picked because they are insecure about their ability or experience
One who is cocky and therefore not growing, “I’ve done it before, could do it in my sleep…”
Who does the director choose? #4: The one who has talent but more importantly, is eager and ready to either fall on their face or light the stage on fire!
I’m giving you a tool.
Don’t think you get a pass because you aren’t a dancer! Insert your next level or dream.. your house, career, passport, book, spouse, etc!
Think about the last few times an opportunity, inspiration or idea (that felt right) came your way. Did you show up as number 1, 2, 3, or 4? What was the result? If an opportunity to move forward in your vision presented itself, how would you love to show up and what shift do you need to make in order to be chosen?
Today, I’m the director and I choose you! Close your eyes and see the spotlight. It’s time for you to dance your dream!
Seems that everywhere I turn, the theme is giving thanks with an undertone of potential grief.
I say let’s feel it.
Feel the pain of a dying parent, a smoldering home, gunshots in the air, hospitalized friends, a far-away refugee, broken marriages, unloved children, touch through prison bars, demonized unions, covered bruises and dashed hopes.
All those things I don’t want to feel. Refuse to let in.
Guess what? Even the potential feeling of great sadness means we have the capacity to acknowledge the wrongness, the inharmonious aspects of life often thrown at us. If we don’t cry or get angry or stand in the thick of it bewildered that it is indeed reality… Well, then can we authentically be thankful for our lives?
Feel it.
We must give the proper emotion and energy to that which deserves it! Loss is real. Emptiness is tangible. Without these very human feelings of grief it is damn hard to achieve the divine feeling of gratitude. Let’s make a commitment to feel the sorrow and rise out of it motivated to love harder, be safer, care more, raise our voices and hustle our gifts for humanity!
Please share with friends and leave a comment below or on my Facebook page. xoxo
