Cynthia Morris says it’s her job to help people enjoy their talents and create on their own terms. She values creativity in a way that is inspiring, and she walks her talk – not just coaching creativity but honouring it in her own life.

She delights in living life as a creative adventure.

I’d been following Cynthia’s work for some time when I met her last summer at the World Domination Summit. Her workshop there helped me see what was in the way of moving forward with a couple of projects I had in mind.

Cynthia loves values work as much as I do and believes everything flows from there. My excitement at having her here in the spotlight is amplified by the fact that I’ll be taking part in her upcoming program Free Write Fling, where her invitation is to. . .

Write every day and love it! 

That’s the plan, and I can already feel those projects coming back to life.

Read what she’s up to in her life and business and consider joining her program if you’ve got the urge to take your creative impulses seriously!

1. Why are you here?

‘Here’, when I answered this question, was on an airplane from Paris to Reykjavik. Being in a tube up in the air really inspires me.

Here’s what came when I answered this question:

I’m here to experience joy and light.

I’m here to feel love, for myself and others.

I’m here to love what I love and inspire others to love what they love.

I’m here to enjoy the beauty that’s all around, to feel the divine that is in us and around us.

I’m here to light inspiration and spark action.

I’m here to learn and grow and love and show.

2. What is your future calling you to do?

She’s calling for trust about what’s unfolding. She’s also insisting on more appreciation of what’s here in me now. She wants me – and all of us – to be able to more fully see and appreciate our amazing, wonderful selves. She’s tired of her song being drowned out by that other voice that likes to point out the wrinkles and fat and impatience.

(more…)

Be bold, be brave and move forward with a peaceful and loving heart. Make your life matter!

Now that is a call to action that stirs the soul and I’m not surprised to find it on Tess Marshall’s About page!

Tess is all about facing down your fears and living a bold life. Her passion and integrity inspire, as does her willingness to share her experience generously through her work and her writing.

She is a writer, speaker, and courage coach with a master’s degree in counseling psychology, but she’s also a down-to-earth woman with a welcoming smile and a great laugh. I had the good fortune to meet Tess in person last year and she’s become a trusted online friend.

It’s been awhile since my last spotlight, but when I heard Tess was launching a new program, 30 Days of Bold, I knew right away I had to get her here. When you read her writing, her passion for supporting people in overcoming their fears and living out loud is palpable.

Tess believes, “It’s our responsibility to acknowledge, face, and dissolve our fear.”

In her own life she’s walked the talk dealing with challenges she faced, using them as fuel to create an awesome life for herself, and anyone around her.

I’m delighted to shine the light on Tess Marshall and her passion for The Bold Life.

1. Why are you here?

My primary reason for being here is to learn how to love unconditionally.

I can judge how I’m doing by my own peace of mind and the state of my relationships. Everyone here is my teacher: my family, friends, clients, community, and the entire world.

The love that I have and the love that I give will make the world a better place to be.

2. What is your future calling you to do?

My future self is calling me to play bigger.

Be bolder. Experience more joy. Dissolve fear faster.

And to continue to help others do the same!

(more…)

Imagine your life if you’d had the good fortune to have someone teach you to develop and follow your intuition.

And imagine if you knew that was your calling, to teach others to do just that.

In that moment you’d be imagining Angela Artemis and her life’s passion, for that is truly what she’s here for and her story is inspiring.

She is a best-selling author whose newest offering “The Intuition Principle: How to Attract the Life you Dream Of” is attracting rave reviews. I have to tell you, this book has been working on me the past two weeks; I realized how often I’ve ignored my intuition or ‘gut feeling‘ in the past. I bet you can relate to this experience I had a few years ago.

I was alone in an apartment having just moved out. I’d gone back to finish the cleaning and was working on the last of the kitchen cupboards. Not having any furniture in the place, I asked the neighbour if I could borrow a chair and she handed me a plastic lawn chair.

First twinge – I knew I should ask for another, but I just wanted to get it done and head home, so I said nothing. Back in the kitchen, I set the chair in front of the cupboards and as I put my foot up on the seat and began to pull myself up. second twinge – it was as if I heard a voice in the room with me. . .

“Don’t do it!” said the voice and the feeling was so strong, third twinge – it sent a shiver down my spine. I ignored it and stepped up; my impatience to complete the task stronger than the voice. Seconds later the chair collapsed under me and I hit the tile floor elbow first, dislocating it and sending waves of pain through my body.

I lay on the floor for what seemed like forever before glancing at my elbow, and knew I had to do something fast. With arm hanging limply, I managed to drag myself up and back over to the neighbour’s to borrow the phone, fourth twinge – I’d forgotten my cell phone and had considered going back for it.

On the way to the hospital, sedated and giddy, I found myself wondering if I’d actually heard someone in the kitchen. I also realized I’d heard that voice many, many times before and had often ignored it completely. In that moment I decided I would do my best to listen if it ever spoke to me again.

“Built into you is an internal guidance system that shows you the way home. All you need to do is heed the voice.” – Neale Donald Wallsch 

I’m happy to say it has, and I’ve listened. That incident taught me a valuable lesson and as Angela recommends, I learned to listen and develop my intuition, which actually takes a lot of angst out of decision-making. Simply put, if it doesn’t feel good or if any twinge of doubt creeps in, I just don’t do it anymore!

She also says that ignoring your intuition is like giving your power away, and that if you have a nagging thought that you shouldn’t do something it’s best to trust that feeling as it’s your intuition guiding you towards what’s right for you.

But the new book is not just a good read. Angela includes some great exercises and guided meditations to help you develop your intuitive muscle and begin trusting your own inner guidance.

Brilliant, yes?

I’m delighted to have her here, sharing that brilliance in today’s spotlight.

1.  Why are you here? 

Great question Sandi. I’m here to teach people to look within and follow their intuition so that they find their true calling and begin living the exciting life they were meant to live.

I’m a natural cheerleader. When I learn about something life-altering and marvelous I want to share it with the world.

(more…)

When I think of Jenny Bones I think. . .

• funny
• whipsmart
• full hearted
• wise, witchy woman

I am blessed to call her friend, colleague and partner in crime (of the s’mores variety!)

It was a few weeks ago that Jenny picked up the phone and began the conversation that has turned into our upcoming S’mores Summer Camp for Solopreneurs.

In those few weeks we’ve laughed, gotten shit done and created something of value without succumbing to the perfectionist lure of someday.

I love that she’s got the geniusy writing sass goin’ on right alongside the tarot card woo woo vibe. Doesn’t that make you want to find out more about her?

It’s extraordinary to work with someone who has both the creative ideas and the get-it-done energy. It takes huevos of a particular kind to throw your metaphorical hat over the wall and then go after it without a moment’s hesitation.

Jenny does that better than anyone I’ve ever worked with.

Jenny’s brand of shining is magical (not kidding about her being a witch!) and I’m thrilled that she’s here casting a spell. You’ve been warned

1.  Why are you here?

I believe I’m here because I’ve been willing to jump off a few cliffs in my day. I’m not sure where I’d be if I hadn’t jumped. Probably in a cubicle, complaining about the calorie count of the high-fat double-mocha latte I was sipping whilst silently dreaming of what life would be like if I were a writer.

(more…)

I’ll never forget the day I read the first email I received from Carol Hess, today’s spotlight. She’d just read the post I wrote after my father-in-law died and her message said, “I just read your Starbursts post. You scare the shit out of me. And that means I need to work with you.”

I sat at my desk moved to tears. Sharing the experience of my father-in-law’s sudden death was terrifying. Had I gone too far, my passion too intense? And then Carol’s email arrived.

It was confirmation that this message which had been there all along in my work was my core message, and it was suddenly so clear I could no longer ignore it. Carol would call this my Soul Story.

And that is her brilliance – calling forth your Soul Story. 

The fascinating aspect of this story is that in reaching out and asking for what she needed, Carol made a difference for both of us.

Her work is empowering, but it’s not that she has power to give you. No. It’s more like she pulls back the veil so you can see your own power and claim it. Then she’s right there beside you, not just talking but walking the path.

When I think of Carol, words like authenticity, integrity and courage come to mind. And she’s funny! So damn funny, when we talk there is much laughter of the out loud and snorting kind!

(more…)

The mere thought of the woman in today’s spotlight makes me smile. She is always positive, encouraging, supportive and loving. Yes, I did say always and I also mean all ways.

Who is this model of positivity you might be wondering. . .

It’s Teresa Deak, (a.k.a. Picsie Chick) and forgive me for gushing a bit but she really is extraordinary.

“In every man’s heart there is a secret nerve that answers to the vibrations of beauty.” – Christopher Morley

More than anyone I’ve known, Teresa answers to the vibrations of beauty. It is her way of being in the world.

I first knew of her as a photographer with an amazing eye for detail, so much so that the tagline on her photography site is, “Beauty in small things. Beauty in all things.”  

“To witness the Beauty in a flower is to drink in the whole world.” – Teresa Deak

Truth be told, she is a Renaissance woman as you’ll see once you read her words in this spotlight.

Artist, entrepreneur, social butterfly, bearer of love and sharer of gratitude, I love that she’s here shining brightly in the spotlight. Enjoy!

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust

1. Why are you here?

When I was young I realized that our reason for being in this life is to experience joy, truly and deeply.

Today this idea has grown into its fullness for me. God, having been the excuse for bad behaviour for too many centuries, needed a new name, and so I have called this spirit river we all have, we all swim in together, Gratitude.

I’ve revealed her four elements as Thankfulness, Awareness, Community and Kindness. And now I want us all to live in her together.

2. What is your future self calling for?

There’s this insistent call to be on a Ted stage, to be surrounded by gigantic beautiful photos I’ve taken and quietly walk people with me to the center of the flower, to the center of their heart, to swim in Gratitude with me.

I see Gratitude workshops in rooms filled with creative and beautiful people, in locations all over North America, connected virtually with locations all over the world.

I see a growing movement of Gratitude bringing our generations to a peace and connection more vibrant and dynamic than we’ve seen before.

3. How do you honour that calling?

I’m practicing guiding people by teaching classes and running workshops on social media. While the subject matter tends to be more technical, I look for ways to bring a gratitude heart and butterfly touches to all that I teach.

I’ve recently released the Gratitude Tarot deck to the world. 79 lovingly created photo cards organized into arcanas of Thankfulness, Awareness, Community and Kindness, with interpretations by Sara Blackthorne. I believe this is a first big step towards that real calling future.

And daily I connect with my people, sending butterflies where they seem needed, helping where I can, connecting always.

4. What is both effortless and life-giving to you?

Seeing the infinite in the small, living the big that is the intimate. In photos and connections, and long talks with other souls who are struggling under the weight of too much.

“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.”
- Anne Frank

5. What do you do best?

Notice small things.

To some people my powers of observation may seem random (I sometimes miss completely obvious things), but I nevertheless seem to see small, beautiful, important things that can open your soul and lighten the weight of your heart.

6. What is extraordinary about your work?

That somehow my camera can expose feelings, not just colour and light and shadow.

That somehow words can help us to fall into the heart of an image.

That connections between us can be magical and uplifting and a web of beauty.

And none of it comes from me, instead it finds its way to the world through me. . .and my lens.

7. What is guaranteed to inspire you?

Sunshine! The dance of light and dark on the beauty in (sm)all things.

Kindness! The unexpected gestures that buoyantly raise our hearts.

Connections! The abiding belief that not any of us is ever alone.

These are just the first things to leap up into my mind. There is so much in this world that I think I am constantly surprised by what inspires me.

8. What will your epitaph say if you’ve lived life on your terms?

She saw Beauty, however small, and released her to the world on butterfly wings.

Imagine if more girls and young women knew their value and had the resources to make their hopes and dreams a reality?

Global Sorority

That’s a reality that Loretta Cella and Tia Kelly want us to consider in their upcoming documentary Global Sorority.

These two dynamic women have joined forces to bring together the mind, heart and spirit of young women around the world.

I ask you to imagine what it takes to, first come up with this extraordinary idea, and then bring it to fruition?

It takes two inspiring women with courage, committed to making a difference. And it takes two women with heart, empowering girls to become leaders of the future.

What these two women need now is your help.

This spotlight series began because I wanted to shine the light on people I know and/or respect; ordinary people doing what I consider extraordinary things.

“You put women together, they make peace. Women are the leaders of the future.” – the Dalai Lama

Having known Loretta for a couple of years I know that she’s one of the most compassionate, committed women I’ve ever met and as a coaching colleague, I consider her one of the best, operating with a high degree of integrity.

I’ve been inspired every single time I’ve heard her talk about the Passion Foundation, a unique charity she founded in 2007, so when she told me about this project created with Tia Kelly I knew right away I had to help spread the word.

Please take a moment to watch their Kickstarter video and help get the word out so they can raise the funds they need.

I am delighted to have them here in the spotlight and know you’ll be as inspired by what they’re up to as I am!

1.  Why are you here?

Loretta Cella

Lo: To provide girls and young women with a space to discover their own SELVES, be heard, and live passionately. To be of service and inspire the best I can.

Tia:I’m here to do much more the use up air and space. I’m here to fill that space and give back with my every breath. My passion is to help women move forward in this lifetime.

(more…)

When I first met the quirky fellow in today’s spotlight, I wasn’t sure what to think. After all, in his own words he is the following:

Writer. Marketer. Practitioner of sales magic. Singer. Ex-monk.

Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

And I’ll add he’s also a brilliant copywriter and one of the most supportive people I’ve met online. But what I love most about Martin Stellar is his commitment to being of service. It really is what he’s all about and that inspires me.

That’s the Art.

People talk about service, but fall short more often than not. Why?

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Gandhi

Because what I’m talking about is being of service, not doing service and in my experience, it’s a rare breed that can pull that off.

Martin does so with heart.

Now for the Science.

Lest you think he’s just a smiling, helpful guy let’s cut to the chase. . .

Within a few days of working his magic on my Coaching page it generated over $2000 from new clients. Not too shabby for an ex-monk living in a small town in Spain!

He is a wordsmith, skilled in the art of sales copy and marketing. Because really, what else would you learn at a monastery?

You tell him where you want to go and he’ll navigate the way to your success.

His genius is not simply good copywriting but his ability to get to the heart of the matter and work with you in a way that’s part coach/part consultant/part sherpa.

He has become both sounding board and valued friend and I’m delighted to share him with you in today’s spotlight. Enjoy!

1.  Why are you here?

To help, serve, and make money in the process

2.  What is your future self calling for?

For me to do more now, so my future self can take a day off. Or two.

To be more in the moment, more focused, and fix the things in my life that need fixin. (Earn more, study more, create a bigger network.)

(more…)

Jonathan Mead is the first one to admit he isn’t very good at doing things he doesn’t want to do.

But here’s what I love. . .

To him, this is simply an authentic way of living. So authentic he’s actually designed a program to help others do the same, specifically around work. But not just any work – work in which you get paid to be who you are. Sounds a bit radical, doesn’t it?

He’s talking about the kind of work we all dream of. The kind of work that seems to many, an impossible dream.

Jonathan’s here to tell you it’s not.

His message is that you can live and work on your own terms.

That is what he’s committed to, and not just in a that’s-a-good-idea kind of way, but more like the warning on the header of his blog,

“Don’t read if you want ordinary.”

He’s given his life to this message, boldly stating that his purpose is to remind you that you can create a life and business based on what’s important to you. That’s really just a nice way of saying he’ll kick your ass in order to help you pursue your dreams.

Gotta love it!

Jonathan’s work reminds me of one of my favourite quotes. It’s actually the quote that inspired me as I started my coaching business over 10 years ago.

“The person who is a master in the art of living makes little distinction between their work and their play, their labour and their leisure, their mind and their body, their education and their recreation, their love and their religion. They hardly know which is which. They simply pursue their vision of excellence and grace in whatever they do, leaving others to decide whether they are working or playing. To them, they are always doing both.” – Zen thought

He is a waker in the best possible sense, which is what appealed to me most as I began following his work. His genius is helping people quit their jobs to create work they love and given my desire to crush someday thinking. . .well, you get the connection.

Having worked through his Trailblazer program (a six month program designed to guide you to making an unforgettable mark on the world) I can tell you I wish I’d had a template like this to follow when I began my business.

It would have made a huge difference.

The structure and strategies he shares in the program are profound, and combined with the dynamic community he’s developed, I can’t think of a better way to trade in work you tolerate for work that makes your heart sing!

His genius is helping people shine and in my world, what could be better?

It’s why he’s here sharing his own greatness in the spotlight. Enjoy!

(more…)

Today’s spotlight shines on a very special person. She’s someone I connected with about a year ago, but it’s only in the past couple of months that we really clicked, and I’m so glad we did because she is magical. She is C.A. Kobu and she’s just launched an extraordinary project called A Year with Myself.

You may remember her from the month of self-care; her contribution The First 66 Days of Taking Better Care of Yourself was not only a very popular piece but she generously shared a free workbook to help you on this path.

My first conversation with C.A. left me inspired, energized and buzzing with ideas. She calls herself a creative alchemist and project midwife, and that was certainly my experience of her. She’s also an idea generator!

But she’s so much more. She’s one of the most generous people I’ve met; sharing her gifts with others, showing up as a resource and bringing people together in ways that instantly work. Could be that alchemy she speaks of!

Can you tell? I’ve got a serious friend crush on this woman!

She is up to some extraordinary things and I’m delighted to have her here in the spotlight.

Enjoy!

1. Why are you here?

I’m here to serve my kind. That means serving courageous and wild women who want to grow, create and change their world. These are women who have entrepreneurial spirits. They are venturesome and fertile in heart and in mind.

I want to hold their hands and make it easy to rediscover their wholeness and their powers, to reconnect with themselves, and to translate their authentic gifts into fulfilling and change-making feats.

I want to wake them up and help them flourish.

{Note from me: You can see why I’m crushing over here, can’t you?}

(more…)