by Amy Matthews | Dec 18, 2018 | Inspiration |
‘Tis the season of giving – at least that’s what we’re programmed to believe and do.
I passed a store the other day with a lighted G I V E sign in the window and it occurred to me – why isn’t there a R E C E I V E sign too? Being able to receive is just as important as giving – no matter what time of year.
For those of us always doing for others, that includes men, receiving can be uncomfortable and even feel vulnerable. Many of us learned from an early age to “put others wants and needs before our own” and that “giving is better than receiving”.
Receiving and giving are yin and yang – we need both to be balanced – to be whole.
Give with an open heart – from a place of love, not from expectations. Giving from your heart brings joy and connectedness yet giving from expectations, leaves you frustrated and exhausted. The same goes for receiving. Receiving gracefully empowers the giver and deepens your connection.
This season, make room for receiving. Let go of control and let others have the fun of giving. Accept a compliment with a “thank you.” Allow a stranger to help you. Receive kind words from a loved one with grace. Receive a beautiful gift with heartfelt gratitude.
Be receptive, take it all in. You deserve it – every inch of it.
by Amy Matthews | Dec 11, 2018 | In-Power |
You have the power within yourself to create anything you want in your life – exactly as you want it. You are in charge, you get to decide. You don’t have to ask permission, the buck stops with you.
This truth can be both liberating and daunting.
I am reminded of Marianne Williamson’s quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
It can be difficult to grasp that you are the supreme authority of your life. Many of us would rather blame, play the victim or let others lead us rather than take responsibility.
It can be easy if you let it. Pick one thing you want. Perhaps it’s creating a romantic partnership, or making the one you have better. Or starting a business, doubling your income or losing weight.
Whatever it is:
Get clear and define what it is you truly want
Intend to have it and act as if you already have it
Take action towards what you want everyday and stay the course
Add sprinkles of enthusiasm and verve and you will manifest it
Your life is in your hands. Create it as an art form and use your emotions as your guide.
Say YES to grace, joy and ease. Say NO to drama, negativity and chaos.
Make 2019 the year of You.
by Amy Matthews | Dec 4, 2018 | In-Power, Mindset |
I am blessed to work with the most amazing clients – I mean, every single one is a boss lady – successful, driven, self aware, honest and caring. They inspire me.
The topic of fears has come up a lot lately. Here’s the thing: when you commit to being front and center in your own life and step more fully into your authentic self and leadership brilliance, fears inevitably come up. They rear their ugly head. It’s part
of the process.
Fears of being fully seen, or judged, or criticized or not being liked or hurting those you love, or being too big or too much are common.
When you start unraveling your life full of shoudas and create a larger picture for yourself, it can feel vulnerable. It can feel scary. It can even feel unsafe.
I love this quote by Audre Lorde:
When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
Don’t let your fears stop you from realizing your vision for yourself.
Rise up and show up – to yourself. Be a vessel for your message. Own your brilliance.
by Amy Matthews | Nov 26, 2018 | Blog |
Life sometimes brings us situations that are trying – that test us – that set us back.
Your spouse loses his job and you’re carrying the financial burden. A parent or child is sick. Your job is sucking the life out of you. A bad break up has left you not seeing straight. Whatever the situation, you want it to be over. You want it to be done.
I intimately understand what it feels like to want it to be over. I broke my foot 3 weeks ago and I have to be in a boot for 3 months. Yep, 3 months. No yoga. No hiking. No walking the dog. No Europe over the holidays.
I’ve been doing my best to look at the bright side, to be a trooper, to rise to the occasion. The truth is, it’s a destabilizing, frustrating and challenging time. At the same time, I know it’s only temporary and it could be so much worse.
What I’ve learned is this:
It’s an opportunity for me to reevaluate. To make sure I am focused on the right things. To review my priorities. To create new goals for 2019. To develop a stronger foundation within myself and my entire life. To feel a multitude of feelings. To learn patience. To have more compassion, for myself and others.
Perhaps I needed to slow down in order to move two-three steps forward.
We all have the power to find the silver lining in any situation. There always is one – we just need to look for it. When life brings us lemons, we have the choice to make sweet, luscious, liquid nectar out of it.
Say YES to whatever is happening in your life.
Allow the situation to propel you forward on your life path.
Bounce back. You got this.
by Amy Matthews | Nov 20, 2018 | Inspiration |
I love Thanksgiving. It’s a time to pause, reflect and open our hearts.
We all have much to be grateful for, especially those of us who haven’t been touched
by the California fires or the many natural disasters around the world. I count my lucky stars everyday.
Expressing gratitude for the people we care about – loved ones, friends, colleagues, employees – comes easily to most of us. It’s much harder to give it to ourselves. The truth is, we can’t rely or expect others to offer us gratitude, we must grant it to ourselves. It’s a muscle we need to exercise and it takes practice.
Ask yourself:
What am I grateful for about me?
When you are truly grateful for who you are, you respect yourself. You love yourself.
You are kind to yourself. You show up for yourself and for others.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving:
Thank you for being YOU.
Thank others who contribute to your life.
Be grateful for the fortunate situations you find yourself in.
Wishing you a heartfelt, connected and very fun holiday!
