A blank slate

The new year is a blank slate.

There is something so refreshing about the beginning of a new year, and being able to reflect on the past year. A lot can happen in 365 days, but a lot can also stay the same if we aren’t committed to our own growth. What if on this day in 2019 you were standing in the same place, how would you feel? We are about to have a fresh start, and its the perfect time to set new intentions, and continue growing.

I talk a lot about my commitment to never stop expanding.

And by expanding I mean this:

• I won’t let myself settle 
• I will be committed to trying new things 
• I will be dedicated to my business 
• I will be open to adding new opportunities
• I will be accepting of subtracting the things that don’t fit together 
• I will always be looking for ways to learn 
• I will act with courage over fear 
• I will be committed to living to my fullest potential 

I hold a great commitment to myself to work hard, and believe in myself enough that I never stop growing. There is so much to learn, and experience in life, and I don’t want to stand in the same spot forever. I want to migrate and allow myself to experience the bright and beautiful adventures that life has to offer me. 

When I think about this I imagine myself growing wings. I am growing a beautiful, strong set of wings that will transport me to a place of excellence and success. As they open, I let my wings sweep away the uncertainty, the fear, and the doubt. A spot light shines bright, and I trust my heart: I am expanding to my fullest potential. I know am I right where I am meant to be in this season of life, and I will not let fear take that away from me. If I let fear control me I would not have my business, and I would not have grown into the person I am today. 

Are you committed to never stop expanding? You can’t let the standard cookie cutter imprint your life. You need to be authentic to you and find the lifestyle that suits you best. We don’t all have to be the same flavour. Find the zest that will spice YOUR life not someone else’s.

I encourage you to never stop expanding. What are you doing today that will grow your potential?

Do you want to be standing in the same place in December 2019?

Beginning is that hardest part, but do it anyway. 

As much as I would love for life to present me with the perfect timing for everything, its just not realistic. I have had this conversation with a few of my clients. They think they need to wait until this, that and whatever else is all lined up. Or another common theme is “I don’t know enough yet!” Well let me tell you this: JUST BEGIN. Otherwise, time will pass by, and you still will have ignored your goals. 

You don’t need to have all your ducks in a row to begin. Heck, you don’t even need to know where your ducks are when you start. If I have learned anything its that beginning is the hardest part, but as you get going you notice things start falling into place. You learn as you go, you slowly gain confidence, and suddenly you have arrived to the place you were sure you wouldn’t get too. 

My question is: what is the price you’ll pay if you’re in the same spot 12 months from now? We are heading into a new year, do you want to be standing in the same place in December 2019? I sure don't. I want to continue learning, growing, and honouring my commitment to never stop expanding. 

Will you feel happy and be living a passionate life if everything remains as it is? Will you love your career and have a work/life balance? I answered this same question a few months ago, and I didn’t like my answer. I committed to making a change, so in one year from now my story will be different.

Making changes in your life can be overwhelming. Sometimes the uncertainty of change can halt the process, but you can’t let it win. You have to decide what is more important: staying in your comfort zone, or taking the leap of faith in order to live a purposeful life! So again, what are you doing today that can help you tomorrow?

Its so often I hear people say, “I wish I had of just went for it!” People walk the streets with regret over the things they never took a chance on. Is this how you want to live your life? I know I don’t. 

Cheers to 2019, a year of growth and change. 

Don't settle for anything less than happiness

Sometimes I get overwhelmed and I lose sight of where I'm headed. Life is a constant learning curve, and I never want to stop expanding. I love to try new things, I like to step out of my comfort zone, but most of all I never want to give up on my dreams. I work hard every day and I show up for ME. I won’t sit here and tell you that I never care what other people think, because the truth is, sometimes I do. However, I work really hard to let this go. 

Here are my words of advice: 

1. Listen to your heart. 
2. Other people are NOT living YOUR life, so don’t give them the power to dictate your decisions. 
3. Other people are NOT paying your bills, so choose a career that lights you up. 
4. No one else is in control of your happiness but YOU. 
5. If it makes you happy, RUN WITH IT.
6. If someone is holding you back you need to set a clear boundary. 
7. Love yourself through the entire journey. 
8. Don’t give up because someone told you that you can’t make it. 
9. Believe so deeply in yourself that when tough times arise you can preserver. 
10. Don’t settle for anything less than true happiness. 

It is a shame to watch people leave their dreams behind. Always be true to you, and show up as authentically as you can. We are all unique to ourselves and we need to be proud of what sets us apart from others. Believe deeply, love fiercely, and never lose sight of your dreams. Life is far to short to not live it to your fullest potential.

Have you met Darren?

Have you met Darren?

You will see his face pop up often in my work because he really is a big part of everything I do. He is passionate about being a heavy duty mechanic, (the best there is if you ask me), he loves loud music, espresso in his coffee, and anything to do with the outdoors. He is strong, loving, encouraging, and always optimistic. He can make me laugh at just about anything, and he loves to sneak up and scare me in the house (he gets me every time I swear). He makes great breakfast, always picks out the perfect wine, and can make a roast like nobody’s business. He really is the perfect husband, and I love the way he constantly encourages and supports me in my business. 

I don’t want his support for me to ever be overlooked. Often times when people do work similar to mine there is someone behind them supporting their journey. Everyone has that person that has encouraged them to go for it from the very beginning. This person is with them through every stepping stone, every struggle, and every victory. This person for me is Darren. These support systems are what keep many of us going. Yes, we might do a lot of the work, and we have to be able to keep ourselves focused on our goals. However, it is an added bonus to have someone cheering you on.

This message is meant to speak to those who feel discouraged in their work or career. There are ups and downs, there is always going to be people who will disagree with you, and not everything will fall into place over night. I encourage you to find your person. Find the person that can give you the boost when you need it, and can help you stay on track with your goals. This goes for anything in life, we are all meant to do wonderful things and we need to be ready to go after these desires. 

I encourage you too stay focused and be a visionary. Darren has taught me many things, one of which is to be more of a dreamer and go after the things that call my name. He helps me stay on track, and he has got me to where I am today. Don’t settle, find the path in life that brings you the most joy and go after it with everything you have. Find the time to get clear on your dreams and design your life. 

‘Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.’ -Oprah Winfrey

***

Life is wonderful, but its even more wonderful because I get to spend with you.

We have learned together, grown together, and became better versions of ourselves: together. I can say wholeheartedly that I would not be the woman I am today if it wasn’t for you, Mr. Darren Wallace. You came into my life to show me the way to a better me. I have learned so much, I have struggled, and I have been in complete overwhelm, but one thing for sure you have always shown me patience. 

You are adventurous and spontaneous, you love to take chances, and you rarely plan things out. You take life as it comes, figuring it out as you go. You are a master of living in the present moment, and often remind me to come back to reality when my mind wanders off. You have encouraged me to go after what I want, and you have kept my dreams alive when I wanted to let them rest. You know me better than I know myself at times, and you know when I need a small boost to push me forward. 

In 4 years I have let go of a lot of things, I have changed more than I would have ever imagined, and I have grown into the person I had always hoped to be. I have opened my eyes to the wonderful opportunities that await, and I have taken giant leaps to go after what I am passionate about. 

Thank you for being my biggest supporter in all my business endeavours. For coming with me to every leadership training, seminar, get together, and learning opportunity I have ever expressed interest in. Thank you for being my own personal photographer, listening to me proof read, helping me choose photos, and bringing my creativity to light. I may be at the forefront of my business, but there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that wouldn’t be possible without you. 

Thank you for being you.

November 6, 2018: Our perfect wedding day

Our perfect wedding day.

In September we decided what we wanted. We wanted to honour our love in a way that felt authentic to us. We knew it needed to be in the mountains, because mountains and camping are two things that bring us joy. Darren also proposed to me on the shore of Widgeon Lake. This is located in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, so it only felt natural to have mountains surrounding us as we said ‘I do”. 

Darren chose the location, and I have to say Emerald Lake Lodge is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is peaceful and quiet, and our time there was focused on connection. We had the opportunity to ‘check out’ of reality and fully enjoy our time there. We didn’t miss the TV, the wifi, or the noise of the city. We loved the fresh mountain air, the delicious food and wine, and the little birds that welcomed us each morning on our balcony. The experience was better than imagined. 

I wanted to be relaxed, and present throughout the entire day. I wanted to remember details of our first look, of the beautiful words we spoke during the ceremony, and the fun we had taking photos. I wanted a chance to soak it all in and cherish the memories we have made in our relationship thus far. I wanted to enjoy every bite of my dinner, sip champagne and savour the chocolate cake that was delicately made for us. We purposely planned our day around these desires, and our day turned out to be just that: perfect and memorable. We woke up relaxed, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast together, followed by a few cups of coffee. I am grateful to have shared every moment with Darren, including having my hair and makeup done. I got to share the experience of getting ready for our wedding with Darren by my side.

I remember the sound of Darrens voice when he told me how beautiful I looked. I remember the way it felt to hug Darren when he saw my dress for the first time. It was wonderful as always, but it was some how filled with more emotion, and our photographer was able to capture this special moment. I remember the laughter we shared because I was able to keep my dress a secret (I’m not good at keeping secrets, especially when I am excited about something). I remember the warmth Darren brought to my hands as we joined together during our ceremony. I remember the sparkle in Darrens eyes, and the laughter when I struggled to put his ring on. I remember the way we both looked at the commissioner right before we shared our first kiss as husband and wife. I remember the happiness, the love, and the passion. I remember the bliss of sharing our first glass of wine sitting by the fire place, talking about how perfect the day was. I remember the delicious meal we shared, and sipping champagne. I remember the whole day, the most perfect wedding day. 

Every wedding is beautiful, and every wedding is authentic to the couple, filled with the small details that represent you and your spouse. For us, those details were forgoing all tradition. We left behind the centre pieces, the candles, the flowers, and the sparkle. However, I wouldn’t change a thing. We designed the day to fit us perfectly, we even walked down the aisle together, because after all the day is meant to represent us joining together as husband and wife. I will treasure the memory of this beautiful day for the rest of my life. It was more than perfect, it was better than expected, and I wouldn’t change a single thing. Cheers to forever, my loving, handsome, hardworking husband. I love you. 

xoxo

To follow or not to follow the ‘shoulds’

To follow or not to follow the ‘shoulds’ 

How often do we have people tell us what we ‘should’ be doing. Do you ever have moments of unexplained irritability and you’re just not sure why? If you spend some time reflecting, and really listening during your conversations you might start to notice the amount of times people say ‘you should’ or ‘you need to..’ 

I have learned a lot in the last 4 years, and a lot of my growth and change has come from the patience and encouragement Darren provides. It wasn’t until recently that I realized something very powerful. In our years together Darren has never told me what I ‘should’ be doing, he has always told me to do what feels right for me. (Obviously Darren had this all figured out long ago…) 

It wasn’t until very recently that I noticed how annoyed I get when someone tells me I need to do something otherwise this, that and whatever else won’t happen or won’t work out. This isn’t to say that I don’t still have work to do, because I know its important to arrive to a place of peace and not allow others opinions and judgements bother me. However, I think the reason this has come to light is to force me to recognize WHY I was feeling frustrated.

IT DOESN’T SERVE ME. If a conversation makes me irritable its likely because whatever is being suggested doesn’t feel right for me. It doesn’t feel like something I want, and it doesn’t make me feel like I am in alignment with my own goals. I have been conscious of these feelings lately, and it has helped me move forward. There is a reason I felt frustrated, if these feelings didn’t come up I may not have recognized how much impact others opinions dictated my decisions. I have come to recognize that when I don’t do what is best for me, then I don’t feel fulfilled, and that is no way to live. This journey is giving me the space to be confident in my own thoughts and feelings. 

It has allowed me to be alright with stepping into my fear. I have spent a good portion of my life serving everyone else, and letting my own needs and wants to be swept under the mat. I was afraid of making waves, and I was afraid to not conform. I know now, this is not the path to take if I want to keep growing and learning. I must let go of this fear and move forward. These last 4 years have been a very transitional season, a season that arrived unexpectedly and lasted much longer then anticipated. 

2015 brought me a new perspective. 

2016 started to change me and bring me out of my shell. 

2017 broke me. 

2018 brought me back to life. 

I have finally arrived to a place that has allowed me to continue moving in the direction that feels right for ME, not what serves others. No one else is living my life for me, and I am in control over where I go in life. 

I still reach out for opinions in the times that I feel I need guidance, but this still doesn’t mean I have to do exactly as the person says. I am my own person, and although I like to hear what others have to say, it is up to me to decide what I take away from it. It is important to give yourself the space to make an informed decision based on your own thoughts, needs, and goals. I try not to let others influence my end decision if it doesn’t feel authentic to me. 

Life is full of decision making. Some are big, and some are small, but you won’t get away from it. I encourage you to align yourself with your goals, and get clear on what you want in life. This will make decisions a lot easier for you. 

Darren and I work really hard to build a life that brings us joy, love, and happiness. We work hard, we learn, we grow, and we never give up. So what I am trying to say is: give yourself the space to let go of the things that don’t serve you. Set boundaries, stand your ground, and always live your life on your terms. It might not be easy, but I can promise it will be worth it. 

Why I share what I share

Why I share what I share. 

I share my story of personal growth, and my journey of taking control of my health because both of these depend on each other. They are intimately entangled, and are all encompassing of how I arrived to the place I am in now. I am passionate about vulnerability, and breaking free of fear, but I am also passionate about discovering the root cause of body imbalances and how that can affect your every day life. I decided long ago that I was done living a quiet life, but thats not to say I just arrived here over night. With lots of hard work, trial and error and practicing an abundance of patience, I was able to rise up. I have walked through many valleys, but I didn’t let it break me. I didn’t let my health or my struggles to develop more as an individual derail me in times of exhaustion. I let it fuel me so I was able to keep my pace, and for that I am forever grateful.

I am inspired to share my life, to share my story, and to show up as authentically as I can. I will share stories of growth, stories of health, and stories of treasured memories in my life. I want to inspire others to be unapologetically unique to themselves. I share because it is a constant reminder for myself to take my own advice. It is not always easy to practice what I preach, but I cannot encourage my clients to be vulnerable if I don’t do the same myself.

I share because I hope that I can help someone take a step forward. I have let go of my fear that I need to be perfect, or that I need to have everything figured out before I can be successful. News flash: I am successful, I am making a difference, and I am helping others live healthier and happier lives. 

I share my own testimony because I know there is someone out there that can relate. I know there is someone who is doing everything they can to grow as an individual, and I hope that I can provide a message that will help them keep going. Life is full of peaks and valleys, and we have to be grateful for the lessons we receive in all seasons of life.

This blog is meant to inspire and encourage vulnerability. It is meant to bring people together, and to be a place of love and support through any season of life. This blog is meant to be a resource for you and your friends, so please share if you feel it is right. 

Cheers to letting go of perfection, and going with what feels right in your heart. This blog post may not be perfect, but there is a message within this for at least one person that reads it. 

The fruit will come, you just have to water the seeds. 

Ann.