by Amy Matthews | Jun 11, 2019 | Inspiration |
In this crazy world we live in, the one thing we can count on is uncertainty.
That can be scary for many of us. We’re driven and excel at what we do. We are used to making anything and everything happen. We want to know specific outcomes, at work and in our relationships. We want to control our future, have it wrapped up in a beautiful, blue Tiffany box.
So we stay in our comfort zone and don’t take risks. We avoid situations and relationships that make us feel vulnerable. Then one day, we wake up and our life feels beige and boring.
Who wants beige and boring?
The truth is, you don’t have to know the outcome for it to be a good one. Some of the best outcomes are those you don’t see coming! Let your intuition, not fear, be your guide. The unknown is just part of life.
Here are a few ways to strengthen your “living in the unknown” muscle:
Do something you’ve always wanted to do
Do something that scares or excites you
Do something you never thought you would do. I mean ever. Come on, I dare you.
Embrace the unexpected. It’s where infinite possibilities and magic reside.
by Amy Matthews | May 14, 2019 | Inspiration |
I used to feel I was too much. Others told me so and I listened. Through the years, I’ve been called:
Too intense
Too sensitive
Too direct
Too trusting
Too loyal
Too assertive
Too independent
Too honest
Too caring
Too ambitious
That’s a lot of TOOS! I didn’t start out ambitious, it was my passion that fueled me. I was working in Silicon Valley, on the forefront of technology that was transforming the world. I was a leader championing a cause, a new industry that I truly believed in. I was making a difference.
We all know how it feels when we’re told we’re too much. The message we hear is we’re inadequate. It makes us feel small, disconnected, icky. Our response is to tone ourselves down so we fit in.
The irony is that feeling “too much” stems from feeling “not enough”.
We need to listen deeply to our intuition and recognize our own unique gifts and talents.
We need to tear down our beliefs and thoughts that don’t empower us, that make us feelless than or too much. We need to fall in love with our perfectly imperfect selves and become our own authority.
As goldilocks says, “it’s not too hot, not too cold, it’s just right”.
You’re not too hot, not too cold. You are just right.
You’ll always be just the right amount for people you resonate with. Who inspire you, who you respect and respect you, who move you. You’ll always be just the right amount for people who want to experience life as fully as you.
Find your peeps. Own your brilliance. Shine on.
by Amy Matthews | Apr 16, 2019 | Inspiration |
We all have mixed feelings at times. I certainly do, seriously – who doesn’t! You know what I mean, when it’s hard to choose or decide because your head tells you one thing and your heart says another.
Here are a few ways it plays out:
“I’d love to pursue my passion but I CAN’T. I need the security my job gives me, even though It sucks me dry.”
“I’m super attracted to this person and we have so much fun together. BUT I have a different picture, he/she isn’t “who I thought I’d be with”.
“I don’t want to go to the party – it will be boring. Yet I’m OBLIGATED because I said I would go. I need to do the “right” thing that’s who I am.”
Our analytical minds guide us in many ways but often its advice is geared to the “shoulds” in life – how it “should” look, how you “should” be, what you “should” do or look like. Shoulds drain our energy and are joy killers. They keep us stuck, in question mode, feeling ambivalent. They keep us from taking action towards what we want most.
To get your head and heart aligned, ask yourself these questions.
What thoughts, beliefs and feelings are in the way of doing what I really want?
What does my heart say?
Will I regret NOT doing this?
What’s the worst thing that can happen if I go for it?
Write down your answers. Confusion will naturally diffuse once you start writing.
Trust clarity will come. A NO can turn into a YES at any time.
by Amy Matthews | Feb 14, 2019 | Inspiration |
I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day. It brings back fond memories of making hand made valentine’s with doilies and the boxes of candy hearts I put on them. I have to say, they were always a hit with my grade school class! Remembering the innocence, anticipation and excitement I felt warms my heart.
It’s such a great reminder to be open to love of all kinds. In addition to giving and receiving love from a partner, family, friends, pets, clients and strangers – give yourself the love and appreciation you deserve. Here are a few ways to do just that:
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
Respect Your Desires and Boundaries
Give Yourself Permission to Do What You Want
Speak Kindly to Yourself – Always
Be as loving to yourself as you are to every other person in your life. It’s never too late to fall in love with yourself. Instead of: Will You Be Mine? How about: I Am Mine!
by Amy Matthews | Jan 30, 2019 | Inspiration |
I stopped by a boutique on Saturday and as I perused the store, I chatted with the owner. She asked me what I do for a living and our conversation unfolded.
She told me that some of the women who frequent her store seem to be missing something in their lives. Even though they are privileged and “living the dream”, something isn’t quite right. I asked: what do you think it is? She said, they lack inspiration and passion.
We’ve all felt uninspired at some point in our lives. I certainly have. Situations like a controlling boss, getting fired, a difficult breakup, feeling stuck or sheer boredom can deplete us and take its toll on our well-being.
Our souls need food just like our bodies and as we know, all food isn’t created equal!
Fill up your soul with nutritious, delicious food. Take 5 minutes to answer these three questions:
On a scale from 1-10, how full is my soul?
What inspires me?
What am I committed to doing today to feed my soul?
Nourish your soul – everyday. It’s fuel for living a joyous and abundant life.
by Amy Matthews | Dec 25, 2018 | Inspiration |
It’s easy to get caught up in the activity of the holidays and lose sight of what makes us feel good.
If this resonates, take a pause. Ask yourself what makes you happy, inspired, fulfilled
– right now? Not what others think the holidays should look and be. Let joy be your guide.
Perhaps music, twinkly white lights, decorating cookies or gingerbread houses, drinking a glass of bubbly with your loved ones is your thing.
Or DANCING.
Or curling up by the fire with a great BOOK. Traveling or planning your next ADVENTURE. Or Slowing WAY DOWN. Making ROOM for silence, to connect to yourself, so you can create your BEST YEAR EVER.
Whatever it is you do:
Be True to Yourself.
Show Up with Grace and Acceptance.
Be Present and Loving.
Speak from Your Heart.
Find Your Happy – all year long.
