Random Thoughts from October 2021

Hold. The. Dang. Phone, ladies .... October has been one freakin COOOOOOOOL month!!  I turned 50.  I quit my job.  I announced a brand new offer and I hired an OBM (online business manager).  Things are about to get AMAZING!!!!!

I wanna tell you all about my experience in navigating the up-level!!!  Grab your favourite coffee mug, a champagne glass or your fancy water bottle and let's chat! 

COFFEE TALK

OK.  First things first.  Let's just talk about what REALLY went down ... just so that you know I'm a real person with REAL shit that happens.  Yep ... even when my house is feng shui'd and I'm doing my journalling and meditating and surrounding myself with crystals ... sometimes life gets messy.

If you've been in my free group you'll know that I have often talked about the inevitable crapshow that happens RIGHT after you decide you want to do something different.

1. You decide.
2. You make it known to the Universe, your dog and your bestie.
3. The Universe comes and kicks you square in the crotch as if to test you, to see how damn serious you TRULY are.

- REALLY serious?  You'll ride this wave and eventually achieve the thing you want.
- NOT so serious?  You'll retreat into safety and continue wishing.

It sounds crazy but it happens EVERY DANG TIME.  You announce to the Universe you want something greater then right before the uplevel ... things tend to go a bit "catawampus".  

(catawampus:  adj. Disorganized; askew; poorly done; chaotic.  From the 1830-1840's!)

So, can you GUESS what happened to me????

I announced that I was leaving my 23-1/2 year career with the Federal Government and within about 2 months we had $16,000 worth of unexpected expenses.  My daughters car needed a new engine (don't ask), my son's truck needed a new transmission, our washing machine shit the bed and ... I can't even remember the others.  It was a LOT.

Not.  Good.

Now ... my husband (Cam) and I could have lost our freakin minds at this point.  I could have panicked and taken my boss up on her offer to come back to work the day after I retired, but ...

... I knew that I had the emotional intelligence to witness the triggers, the emotions and the freak-outs, navigate them, keep the faith and maintain calm because we KNOW THE UP-LEVEL IS COMING NEXT.  I sat in awareness, acceptance, attraction and allowance.

(Thank God for all the tools I teach in "THE POWER OF YOU".  I seriously use them.)

So what did we do instead of worry???  We celebrated with Dom Perignon that Cam bought me.  



It came in a beautiful box.    



Within it was a sleek card and satin ribbon.  (Don't ask me why I didn't notice the little white pieces of the edges of the paper when I took this picture).



The bottle was cradled inside.  



It was GORGEOUS and the perfect way to celebrate.  



We've been asked several times what it tasted like.  Initially ... Cam and I thought it didn't taste a great deal different than a cheaper bottle (though after the 3rd glass it was fucking fantastic I have to say), but it was something he said that made all the difference:

"It isn't really about the taste ... it's about the EXPERIENCE of actually having it".

... and that is EXACTLY what it was.

In that very moment I felt it ... the next level version of me ... and I swear that I will never be the same.  It's the moment that everything became possible.  I knew that it was coming ... I held the faith during that time when everything seemed to go wrong and then MAGIC happened.



The box and empty bottle still sits in my office as a reminder of that moment, right next to my SJP shoes that I wear ALL the time.  Yep, even at home.  They are what I wear on calls with clients or during interviews.  This corner of my office reminds me of the next level moment - I will cherish it always and never forget the celebration.  I will also never forget the "me" who got me to here.

FENG SHUI TIP OF THE MONTH

Speaking of next level ... this month I have been surrounded by flowers (more so than usual).  I have been in LOVE with having fresh flowers in my space for more than 20 years now.  B.K. (before kids) I would buy bouquets with several king proteas ($25 each) and not bat an eye.   Now, I buy my flowers at the grocery store - they last longer and I can buy some for several rooms even!

I call fresh flowers "the jewelry of your home".  They add that little bit of "bling" to any room and also a bit of colour and scent is ALWAYS good feng shui.

I usually choose colours that are very very bright.  Bright colours (and the star shape of these gerbers) are "fire" energy and nothing picks up the energy of your home like a bit of "fire" especially in rooms where your colours are relatively muted.

Note:  If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or you have attention issues ... then stick to flowers that would be more subtle in colour.  Soft, muted tones with soft round petals like white or light pink roses bring a sense of calm to your environment.

COOL SHIT I LOVE:

This might seem super bizarre but I'm currently obsessed with Everything Bagel Seasoning.  It is good on avocado toast, eggs, cottage cheese ... seriously you can put this sh*t on everything.  




WHAT (or who) INSPIRES ME:

I love a good entrepreneurial success story and the ones where ideas pop out of the sky (thank you Universe, God, Angels ....) are those I love the most.  This month I am inspired by the story of City Bonfires.

Have you heard of them?

City Bonfires are little portable, reusable bonfires that have literally exploded in popularity since inception in August 2020.   They were created by two dads who were both impacted by Covid-19.  Here is the story from their site:

Maryland natives, Chris McCasland, a sports and concert industry broker and restaurateur, and Michael Opalski, a senior restaurant industry salesman, both endured a loss of income during the pandemic. As the story goes, both were at home for long periods of time with their families (Chris' son Brooks is 4 and Mike's son Alex is 12 and daughter Anna is 9). While at home, Chris started teaching himself e-commerce and searching for cool product ideas. He came up with City Bonfires, a portable, reusable mini bonfire that you can take on all of your outdoor adventures. He enlisted the help of Mike who came up with the design of the product. A 4 inch by 2 inch round metal tin that is filled with non-toxic soy wax. Unlike other soy wax-based products, City Bonfires entire surface becomes the flame - creating a mobile heat source - a mini bonfire!



What I think I love the most is that on their website, they end with "thank you for supporting our small business!"  The video of the two dads is super casual and down to earth ... but here's the thing:  I read that their business is estimated to be worth between $3-$4 Million dollars.   In one year.

They have been featured in Forbes, CTV news, CNBC, Today show, People magazine, Bloomberg and more.  They are on Amazon, Shopify and several other sites.  They have "'s'mores kits" now and custom made corporate gifts (or even for weddings and events!).  You extinguish the bonfire by putting the lid back on!



I also noticed on an HGTV show that a small little cafe that was redesigned after a natural disaster, sells these "to go" to sit outside (safely distant from others) with their cup of coffee or hot chocolate.  



While I haven't actually tried this item, it's not the bonfire itself that I'm most interested in.  It's the idea that at ANY point in time, an idea can pop up ... and that goes for you too.  The key is what you will do from there.  ;)  

I dare you to dream.  To do great things.  To consider for just one moment "what if it worked out?"

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

This month I got some really cool 50th birthday/retirement gifts.  This one was sent to me by my friend Penny and the products she purchased were made by someone in our community:  From HERE to EXTRAORDINARY !!

Angie Lachance (Reflexologist and owner of Raven Soles Emporium) makes THE FREAKIN COOLEST products.  She is literally the worlds best kept secret I swear it.  

Not only was I sent these awesome lotions created specifically for manifesting on the new moon and releasing on the full moon ... but every dang thing she does is with such care, attention, purpose and INTENTION.

Let me tell ya what I mean!!

Let's take the Full Moon Releasing Lotion.

She sent along a paper that explained how the lotion was made, with a gorgeous wax stamp, along with a bookmark (that I can then attach the crystal charm to).

The lotion was made during the time of the full moon, with carefully chosen essential oils (bergamot, cedar wood and frankincense) and concentrated water bathed in the full moon.  She blessed it with good intentions for those who would use it and then attached a charm with crystals chosen specifically for the full moon (labradorite, amethyst, moonstone).

Every single aspect was carefully thought out and designed.  I am telling you I freakin LOVE companies like this!!!!!  Here are some of the other things I received!!!



Full Moon Releasing Soap
Foaming Mineral Muscle Soak
Exfoliating Himalayan Salt Soap (I went to the salt room with my friend Penny once!)
Peppermint Lavender Lip Balm (SO good and works really well on dry lips)
Lavender Lip Balm

Currently ... you can email her at:  [email protected] for details on products.  SERIOUSLY worth it.  

WHAT'S COMIN UP?

I'm so so so so SOOOOOOO excited about November!!!!  

I've JUST uploaded the October meditation into THE VAULT.  It's a 9 minute meditation that you use WHILE you walk!!  You can walk outside, on a treadmill or even back and forth in your home.  It's intended to get you back into awareness, to ground yourself and to feel a bit more clear than you did 9 minutes before.  

In November, all of THE FENG SHUI WEEK videos will likely be taken down and moved into THE VAULT as well!!!  For now ... here they are again:

Day 1 - WTF is Feng Shui and Why TF do I need it?
Day 2 - the four pillars of Feng Shui
Day 3 - the magical map
Day 4 - manifesting wealth

Also in November another super cool meditation is going to be added!  This one is to help you access that next level you ... that powerful version of yourself that exists in your already.  She's in there ... I promise.  We just gotta uncover her.

AND NOW ... the thing I'm MOST excited about ...  A WHOLE MONTH WITH ME  designing our homes to support our goals.   Yep I'm redo-ing mine too.

This is more than "let's make your space pretty".
This is more than "let's just get rid of your spare shit"
This is more than "add some flowers and wish on stars"
This is more than "let's just move into a designer home and think it's feng shui'd"

It's not.

This is moving from EACH area of your home to INTENTIONALLY design it to be the most freakin powerful manifester for change.  I freakin LOVE every time I do this for my home.  It is truly more about being creative than buying new stuff too!

Now let me explain it a bit.  You know how Jim Carey carried an old worn cheque that he wrote out to himself for 10 million dollars?  He had a date on that sucker that was in 1995.  In 1995, he was cast in the movie Dumb and Dumber.  His contract?  

10 million dollars

Steve Harvey says:  "Like attracts like.  You have to understand:  you are a magnet.  Whatever you are, that's what you draw to you.  If you're negative you're going to draw negativity.  You positive?  You draw positive.  You're  kind person?  Most people are kind to you ... if you sit it in your mind, you can hold it in your hand.  This is so true."

And there are a zillion more examples.

The thing is that our space holds SO MUCH POWER because it is a constant conversation with our subconscious mind.  Plus?  Energetically there are specific areas of your home that correlate with that area of your life.  Don't ask me why or how ... my brain can't comprehend it.  

I'll tell you though, I've seen it work so many times that I'm just as excited but never shocked, every time.



So for the month of November we are starting at the front middle of your home ... in Journey, Career, Life Path.  We will be looking at our gifts, our strengths, our crazy cool ideas.  I'm a fucking MASTER at seeing your gifts and coming up with ideas intuitively, so if you're struggling to find your purpose this is going to be extra fun.  It's a month where we will be setting goals and designing our homes to support them.  Your home will become a magnet for cool shit to occur when it's designed to be a constant reminder (consciously and subconsciously) on where you are going.  

If you're wanting a change ... this is it.  

 INTENTIONAL: Career/Journey/Life path (month 1 only)

INTENTIONAL: 9 months to designing your life  (USD and CAD links available!!)

I truly believe the this can change your life like no other.  It is damn near impossible to change your circumstances if you're stuck in yesterday's "stuff".  ;)

TASTY SHIT!

This past month my husband has been travelling back and forth to Saskatchewan a lot as we are preparing his dad's home for sale.  He spends time at his cousin's house and often comes back with some great recipes.  He mentioned this spaghetti squash recipe at LEAST 3x so Shea and I made it one night!

Spaghetti Squash Taco Bake

• 1 spaghetti squash, baked (see tips and tricks section below) 
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• ½ yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning
• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• ¼ cup salsa
• ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro + more for garnish
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 Tablespoon chopped jalapeño + more for garnish
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
• Toppings: green onions, avocado, plain Greek yogurt/sour cream, cilantro, jalapeño (or whatever you'd like really ... holy shit it's just DINNER ... go crazy and experiment!)

Instructions

• Roast spaghetti squash. (Instructions for how to cook spaghetti squash can be found here.)
• While squash is roasting, heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.  Add ground turkey and taco seasoning to the pan and cook, breaking meat apart with your spatula. Once turkey is cooked through and no longer pink, add black beans, salsa, cilantro, tomato paste, jalapeño, chili powder, pepper and sea salt to the pan. Stir until combined. Remove from heat and set aside. 
• One squash is roasted and cool enough to touch, remove spaghetti strands from the peel and add the squash to the pan with ground turkey mixture. Toss to combine then transfer to a 8×8 or 9×9 square baking dish. Sprinkle cheese on top.
• Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 375°F, or until spaghetti squash bake is warm throughout and cheese is melted.
• Serve topped with your fave options!
  
  Original recipe is from www.eatingbirdfood.com.  Pretty good site!

Our Tips n Tweaks:

1).  The dish was good but I'm TELLING you ... it was the toppings that made it extra special.  We added:

chopped cilantro
sliced green onions
halved cherry tomatoes 
sliced avocados

ABSOLUTELY made the dish!!

2.  Also ... for cooking the spaghetti squash I have a tip!  Do yourself a favour and throw the squash in WHOLE into the oven for about 10 min.  Then, remove from oven, cut off the stem, cut in half lengthwise, scoop out and THEN cook as above.  Heating it up for a bit makes it SO MUCH EASIER to cut (and less risk of slicing your fingers off or needing a hacksaw).




***

Well that's it for random stuff from October!!    Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you SO much to all of you who regularly email me, recommend my group, my courses, my coaching or this newsletter to your friends and colleagues, your biz besties and your family.  I appreciate every one of you and every message that I receive.  

OH AND ONE MORE THING!!!

If you're loving this email but you're wanting all the blasts from the past, you can now access ALL MY PRIOR NEWSLETTERS on my blog!!

www.thefengshuichick.ca/blog 

"Life is not meant to be an assembly line of tasks ... it's meant to be a masterpiece.  Only you can hold the brush".  
Sandra Priestley 
XO



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from here to EXTRAORDINARY



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