Paint Party This past weekend we painted the room that will soon be our "studio." The color you ask? It's called Sparkling Lake. It's basically just light blue, but we like it and hopefully it will inspire us when we are in there hard at work!

Our new "studio" desks....

Alignment

I have noticed, as of late, that I am surrounded by people who are looking for change or searching for “something”. I know people who are starting new careers - some looking for a new job, some are venturing out and starting their own businesses. I know many who are unhappy or unsatisfied with their current employment. No matter where we are, who we are or what we do, we all feel unfulfilled at times or think that there’s gotta be something “more” out there.

We’ve all felt a little lost. At times like these, I like to turn to successful people for advice and guidance. Oprah, where are you??

Well, it just so happens that she has some great advice. If you have time, check out her article here, http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200909-omag-oprah-power. For those of you who don’t have the time or inclination to read the full article, let me hit the highlights:


“The secret is alignment: when you know for sure that you’re on course and doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing, fulfilling your soul’s intention, your heart’s desire, or whatever you choose to call it (they’re all the same thing). When your life is on course with its purpose, you are your most powerful. And you may stumble, but you will not fall.


I know for sure that in every challenging experience there’s an opportunity to grow, enhance your life, or learn something invaluable about yourself. Every challenge can make you stronger if you allow it. Strength multiplied = power.”


Now I want to be clear on one thing. If you are feeling a “spiritual” lost-ness (yes we are going to pretend like that is a real word) then you need not turn to Oprah, you need to turn to God. But sometimes you can know what type of path your spiritual life should be on and be COMPLETELY clueless as to where your “professional” life should lead you. Make sense? I hope so!


After reading the above paragraphs from Oprah, the “Queen-of-success,” does it give you warm fuzzys about your current profession, or does it bring to life the fact that you haven’t a clue what you are really meant to do in this world?


For the clueless: you aren’t alone. There’s help!


I found another insightful woman, Kristin Kaufman. Check out her blog at: http://www.alignmentinc.com/blog/category/leadership-and-team-alignment/


She has a business centered around finding “alignment” in your life or business. Here are a few of her tips for success:


• Listen to your heart. Pay attention to that little voice inside. It may come as a question in the middle of the night. Or as crystal clear as a voice in the shower. The voice is your soul – it is your core and it is the pure essence of what and who you are meant to be. Heed it.


• Let go. That is a hard one, believe me, I know. Many times we will have this ‘whisper’ to do or be something other than what we are presently – and we fight it (or just flat out ignore it) because it is not what we think we should be doing. The trappings of our world are intoxicating. We often get ‘drunk’ on these. What I believe, however, is if we truly follow our heart’s desire – we will be successful. All the other trappings will take care of themselves.


• Read. Read everything. There are many books I can recommend which may help to stimulate your juices. Here are just a few:


o The Seat of the Soul – Gary Zukav


o A New Earth – Eckardt Tolle


o The Power of Now – Eckardt Tolle


o Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert


o Care for the Soul – Thomas Moore


o Living a Life that Matters – Harold Kushner


o Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson


o Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor Frankl


o The Wheel of Life – Elisabeth Kublar-Ross


• Keep a Journal. This may be a stretch for some – that is ok. Even if you only write down only one or two thoughts you have – when you have them – it is amazing how they will grow and multiply in your mind’s eye. It is a great way to reflect on your day, the lessons learned, the observations of yourself and others. It is like living it ‘over’ in some ways – which is incredibly powerful.


• Connect with your body. Breathe. I have learned recently that our body is often the first signal that something is awry, not the last. If we are really in sync with our bodies – through yoga, meditation, centering exercises, walking, etc. – we are told when things are not right, or not in alignment.


• Finally, just get to know you. Give yourself freedom to be who you are. Just BE and let all things flow from there. Observe yourself – and be curious about what drives your behaviors. This can be such a revealing process.


So basically, it’s ok to do a little soul-searching in order to determine what you should “do with your life.” But once you find that “thing” that you are meant to do, align yourself and your life accordingly so that you can achieve happiness and success in that “thing.” I’ll leave you with a few inspirational quotes….I’m sure you’ve heard some or all of them before but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded:

"I don't believe in failure. It's not failure if you enjoyed the process."


"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."


"Those who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try nothing and succeed." (adapted)


"You won't skid if you stay in a rut."


"Mishaps are like knives, that either serve us or cut us, as we grasp them by the blade or the handle."