Category: Events

Some Lovely Things to Shift Your Perspective

posted 17th January 2012 Written by: Molly Mahar CATEGORY: Events, Inspiration, Molly

As most of you know, I keep my list of favorite courses, resources, and books on the Store page — but sometimes I can’t keep up with the lovely things being produced by my colleagues. And by colleagues I mean amazing women I know personally, who are truly living life on their own terms and helping others shift or grow in some way…

Transform. Play Bigger. Cultivate Gifts. See the World through Fresh Lenses. Make Huge Decisions. Celebrate Joy.

If you’ve been looking for some inspiration in the form of a course or retreat (or are just looking for some new beauties to follow online!) please wander through this round up of things I’m digging right now.

Playing Big with Tara Sophia Mohr

I had the honor to teach with Tara Sophia in Seattle at our Brilliant Women Salon last April. She is wise, tiny sparkplug of inspiration: uber-smart, truly kind, and grounded in a way that I can only admire from afar as I buzz around, flapping my hands as I speak too quickly and laugh too frequently. Her own Playing Big journey has been amazing to watch — from launching a major program last year (this one!) , to writing for the Huff Post, to some major TV appearances to spread her message — she has truly walks her talk and has major skills and knowledge to share.

In Tara’s words…

What is Playing Big?

Your playing big isn’t defined on the world’s terms. It isn’t necessarily owning an empire or making millions. You know what playing big means for you. It’s following that inspiration that is in your heart. Seeing it through. It is getting out there – visible – like the women you so admire. It is your voice, your vision, your unique contribution flowing forth, no longer shrunken down, stopped up inside you, or compromised.

Here’s the good news: if you have been playing small, it’s okay. Most of us don’t play big naturally, on our own, without any support. We need tools, support, training – a process – to help us play bigger.

The six-month Playing Big journey gives women the inner foundation and the practical skills that they need to play bigger. We could call it a “program” or a “course” but it’s a revolution. It’s a movement. Women playing big is going to change the world.

And guess what? We’re hosting a FREE WEBINAR this Thursday night! It will be 45-60 minute video conversation about how we “Play Big” in our own lives, full of inspiration, big truths and laughter, I’m sure.

All you need to do? Join us at 6 pm PST/ 7 pm MST/ 8 pm CST/ 9 pm EST this Thursday the 19th!

If you want to register so you get reminders and the call recording CLICK HERE.
If you just want access to the call on the 19th CLICK HERE.

The Photo Essay Project with Bindu Wiles

This just started yesterday, but it’s definitely not to late to join in! I’m taking it and really looking forward to having a chance to express myself creativity that has nothing to do with my business! Let it be noted that I’m also a bit nervous — what if I don’t have time to shoot everyday (although since it’s done on iPhones, I don’t really have any excuses…), what if everyone else is totally awesome and I suck, what if [insert fear that's yet to be identified]?

But I’ve had the chance to meet Bindu a few different times and have been reading her blog for quite awhile and this is definitely not that type of course. No real need for nerves or comparison.

Bindu is a gentle spirit who’s been through a lot, and still truly believes in the goodness of humankind. My kind of woman! She’s also quirky (see her penchant for bow ties) and an amazing street photographer, armed with nothing up her iPhone and some sweet apps. I’m truly excited to learn from her during this Photo Essay Project.

In her words…

What amazes me time and time again is the endless range of emotion that can be held in a face

and how much I see my own feelings on someone else’s face, and how my heart extends to that person.

The practice of iPhone photography has increased my sensitivity and my ability to see deeper into the world all around me and be deeply moved by it, and therefore, able to transcend my own pain and suffering.

In this 5-week online course, I will be teaching a black and white portrait class in the tradition of the street photography period that was roughly between 1890 and 1975.

The iPhone and the incredible photo processing apps that are available, are bringing a resurgence to the street photography of yesteryear and which is now referred to as mobile photography.

The Well-Fed Woman Retreatshops with Rachel W Cole

I love Rachel Cole. Last spring she was my lighthouse in some stormy waters — serving beautifully as my personal coach when all I knew was that I was feeling “off”. I told her I felt disconnected from what I really loved and wanted to jam on creativity, spirituality, and sexuality. Um… Talk about some broad topics!

I adored getting on the phone with her every week and even more, I loved meeting her in Portland for a lovely dinner at the Ace Hotel. She’s a breath of fresh air, a courageous soul, and one of my personal heroines for her ruthless (yet gorgeous) commitment to asking and answering for herself and her clients, “What are you truly hungry for?”

And this is the best part. She’s traveling around the country leading Well-Fed Woman Mini Retreatshops for lucky women in Petaluma, Berkely, Fort Collins, New York, Providence, Northampton, Alexandria, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Chicago, Minneapolis and Los Angeles. If you live in one of these cities, you need to get your booty into a Retreatshop. I know it make a difference in your world.

In her words…

Who are the retreatshops for?

Women who want to say yes to themselves instead of no.
Women who sense that they have more greatness to birth.
Women who desire to know and trust their own hungers.
Women who want to trust their desires.
Women who crave the courage to step more deeply into their lives.
Women who want to explore their relationship to themselves.
Women who know the power of women sitting with other women.

You’ll meet all types of women — young and old, dread-locked and bow-tied, at war and at peace with food, religious and agnostic. There is no one type of woman for whom this experience is designed. If you want to know and feed your truest hungers, at and away from the table, The Retreatshop is for you. Each session will bring together just 15 women.

For me, the word hunger has several meanings. In general, however, food hungers are simply doorways into the disconnection so many women have with their deeper hungers in life – in their careers, relationships, creativity, self-care, and spirituality.

We will explore food-related hungers, and how understanding them can help us understand the broader hungers we each experience. You’ll gain important insights into your personal hungers from The Retreatshop whether you are at war or at peace with food.

______________________________________________________________________

Those are the woman making me sparkle right now! What have you seen online that you’re digging? I’d love to hear your recommendations, sugar pop. See you Thursday for the Webinar I hope!

Table for One

posted 13th January 2012 Written by: Kristen CATEGORY: All Posts, Events, Kristen, Life Lesson, Season 5, What I've Learned

On the last Friday of 2011, I went on my first ever date with myself. I have eaten alone before, but always in a coffee shop or while traveling, and never, never on a Friday night.

After a particularly low time at the end of October, I had a personal coaching call with Molly at the beginning of November and she gave me the action item to go out for a solo glass of wine before the end of the year. It was not just my busy schedule through the months of November and December that delayed this self-date, but also my own personal fears of doing it. I know it sounds silly to say, but the thought of going to a bar or restaurant and sitting alone for longer than a meal seemed incredibly daunting to me.

What was I afraid of? People eat alone all the time; it is not that big of a deal. I do other things alone like errands, but that time spent alone is task oriented. The frugal aspect of me I think comes into play too- why go out for a glass of wine and dinner when I can do the same thing in my house in my pajamas for much cheaper? To me, going out to eat as a single seems so vulnerable. I am ashamed to say that in the past I made judgments of people who were out eating alone, though as I think about it now, perhaps it was a longing and jealously of them that they were that self-aware and comfortable to be eating at a table for one- something I thought I would never be.

I realized the second week of December that I promised Molly that I would go on my date before the end of the year. I wrote my date for myself in big inked letters in my planner and told my family and friends about my self-date. I needed people to know it was going to happen because I needed accountability. I know myself well and that when it comes to pushing myself to do new things, that I can and have talked myself out of many activities or nights out in the past. This is due to the strong inner critic who I listened to more than the positive Jiminy Cricket. I did not want this very important date and goal for myself to be one of those things that I kicked myself for not doing.

Even as I drove home from work that Friday, my interior monologue went back and forth at least five times about whether to go or not. I had chosen a restaurant in Providence that is quiet and laidback, yet chic- I debated changing the venue a few times, not going at all, waiting to go until after the new year, or just getting take out from a local Thai spot, etc. As soon as I got into my driveway, I ran into the house and changed out of my work clothes, put on a cute top, jeans, and heels, fixed my makeup, and rushed out of the house. If I was going to do this, I needed to do it right away- if I lingered too long in my warm, cozy house, the inner critic would have won. And if I was going to do this, I had to feel great and confident about myself- wearing my tired work attire was not going to cut it.

One of the things I thought I would struggle with was saying “just one for dinner” to the hostess. The inner critic was telling me how sad and pathetic this sounded, but when I got to the restaurant and said it, the waiter smiled and seated me in a posh room with a comfy chair by a fireplace. The only awkward moment came when my waitress came over and asked me if I wanted a drink while I waited for my guest; when I said it was just me, she apologized. That was it- most awkward moment was not even that awkward. After those two moments I dreaded were over, I said to myself- “You’re here and everything is OK.” And I realized how long overdue this night was.

The night was DIVINE. So relaxing, so self-assuring, and all me. I armed myself only with a journal and pen to document any introspective thoughts I had. I twittered a few times to document and share the experience with the world. I drank the most delicious glass of malbec, dined on a goat cheese, sundried tomato, and spinach crepe, and had a scrumptious red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting for dessert (this spot is known for their crepes, tea, and cupcakes).

But the personal gratification and happiness that came out of that night far surpassed any aspect of the delicious meal. It was an important step for me to go out and spend the time and money on myself because I deserve a night out every now and again (as budget allows) and that I don’t need another person with me to do it. I treated myself and gave myself the gift of time. Time to think, to process, to savor, to enjoy, and to love myself. I ended the tumultuous year of 2011 on my terms. And I showed myself I can do it- I can put myself out there on a Friday night alone in a restaurant and be confident in my skin. If I can do that, overcome my inner critic and do something that always scared me, I can do absolutely anything.

[Photo credit: Delicious cupcake & wine!]

New Years Expectations

posted 7th January 2012 Written by: Elyse CATEGORY: All Posts, Elyse, Events, Season 5, What I've Learned

“I’m looking forward to looking back,
Looking forward to looking back on this day.”
-Over the Rhine

New Years Eve always comes with a lot of expectations for me. It is kind of like the reset button; I get a chance to start over yet again if I feel the previous year didn’t go my way. I usually succeed at making the evening epic with exciting parties and close friends. I set a bunch of resolutions, attempt to stick to them, and ultimately fall flat and get disappointed by January 31^st. Commercials encourage me to get more organized, lose more weight, start a new diet, improve my day to day life, but usually they just get make me feel like being lazier.

So, I’m trying a new approach this year. I have no expectations for 2012. No resolutions. No big plans. I just want to see what happens and what unfolds. I rarely am ever a true participant in my own life because I’m too busy worrying about what is happening rather than stepping back and really looking at what I’m experiencing. I spent a lot of 2011 changing bad habits, and I’ll keep moving forward but not because it is 2012, but because I should continue to change and grow no matter what day or season this is.

Usually I hate looking back on the year prior and am so ready to move forward, but I was actually thrilled with 2011. I started the year at a 1920’s Speakeasy party with good friends. My mom finished her chemotherapy and was declared cancer free. I turned 25 and went on an epic road trip to Florida. I celebrated the un-Rapture and attended or participated in several weddings of good friends. I moved to an epic location in Cincinnati. I ran the Warrior Dash (using the word “run” loosely here) and had an epic weekend at a cabin in the woods. Went to Chicago and started Americorps at the Cincinnati Zoo. I met Over the Rhine, Hulk Hogan and got into a Twitter fight with Adam Richman. I helped write and stage manage a show for the Emery Theater. I celebrated the epic end to the Harry Potter movie series. I learned Taylor Lautner looks suspiciously like a llama.

So, I shrug and move into 2012 with the same momentum I left 2011 with. I sign my checks with a new year, but I’m not pretending some epic turnover just occurred, and I have to immediately change all the things right now. I’ll settle for what has already changed.

{Photo Credit: Summerbl4ck}

Psst! Hey, you! Gorgeous girl! Down here!

The Create Your Magical Year program is available right now! Looking for a great way to take a hard look at your 2011 (good and bad) and get clear on what you want for 2012? This joyful, all-about-you program is packed with awesome goodies, inspirational interviews, a soul-searching, colorful workbook, guided recordings, and other little surprises. 2012 is your year, woman. I can feel it. Wanna feel it too? Let’s do this!

Musings on Christmas

posted 31st December 2011 Written by: Elyse CATEGORY: All Posts, Elyse, Events, Family, Life Lesson, Season 5, What I've Learned

I’m taking the bus home for Christmas this year. I usually hate highway 75, because it is so stark in winter. A lot of flat farmland dotted with the occasional grouping of trees, there isn’t much to look at out the window on that ride. But, I do enjoy the ability to think and be by myself for a few hours because inevitably when I go home, I will be surrounded by friends and family, a window into my past. I’ve changed a lot since I moved to Cincinnati, but going home is always a sobering glimpse of the first 18 years of my life.

This year will be different. Grandpa died a week before Christmas last year, and Mom was battling breast cancer. Christmas was sad and not very magical. A year later, Grandpa is still gone, but the pain has gone away a bit, and Mom has been declared cancer free. Hopefully we can inject a little joy into the holiday this year. Dad moved to Pennsylvania and for the first time ever, I won’t see him Christmas Eve. I’ll be going by myself to visit his family while my sister spends Christmas with her finance’s family.

I embrace change every day in my life in Cincinnati, but in my hometown, time is supposed to stop. I see the same faces and have the same traditions, and that is a comforting thought because it is the one constant in life. Now that I’m growing up, everything from my past is changing as people move away, get married, rearrange their lives…I’ll still see family but not everyone. I’ll enjoy the After-Christmas party with friends, but some are married and pregnant and changing every day. Instead of going backward into who I was for a few days every year, I now am confronted with the fluid motion of our lives and forced to reconcile the fact that my life will be ever-changing all the days I have left. This is how it supposed to be, and every year, Christmas will inevitably change just as the people who celebrate it do.

{Photo Credit: Greatbeyond}

Tis the Season for Traditions

posted 30th December 2011 Written by: Kristen CATEGORY: All Posts, Events, Family, Kristen, Season 5, What I've Learned

holiday traditions, holidays, holidays 2011, making new traditions

For me, this year was all about a reset for the holidays in terms of traditions. Even for a family that loves celebrating together and remembering holidays past, we all took an inventory this year of what we wanted for the holiday and how we wanted to spend our time.

This year, my parents, in an effort to try to make things easier and downsize, decided to purchase a six-foot artificial tree. I am allergic to Christmas trees so for as long as I can remember, we have had a fake Christmas tree. My parents’ house also features a living room with twenty-five foot ceilings that is perfect for a large, grand Christmas tree so about twenty years ago, my parents purchased a fourteen-foot tree (that’s without the star). It takes all four family members together to get the Christmas tree up every year; part of that decorating is the same debate we have every year about the order the branches go on the tree, what color lights to decorate with (I always want white & usually don’t win), which garland color goes up first, and so on. The 14-ft. tree involved moving houseplants and furniture; my parents wanted the smaller tree to lessen the disruption of the house. It did not of course- the 6-ft. tree brought as much debate and discussion as the 14-ft. tree, except this year the arguments centered over the small size, not being able to put all the ornaments up, and where the presents would go. In the end, the new tree looks nice in their front window and represents the start of a new era in the Costa Family. Funny as it sounds, not having an argument about the Christmas tree would be a strange start to the holiday season- it has become part of the tradition for us, no different from the rule that “it isn’t Christmas in the house until Mom puts on her Santa hat.”

My mother and I spend the morning of Christmas Eve Day baking cookies to bring to the various houses we visit on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We used to make dozens and dozens of cookies- sugar, gingerbread, chocolate chip, peanut butter, and more. In the past few years, we have cut down on the number of cookies we make and stick to the Christmas favorites. While we still love baking together, each year there are more cookies left over than to give. This year, we stuck to the standards to cut down on our time and waste.

An evolving tradition in my family is when we open presents. When I was small, it was always on Christmas morning, but as we grew older, we frequently opened them on Christmas Eve because my mother often took Christmas Day shifts to cover for other nurses who had young children. This tradition of opening on Christmas Eve has continued now as we all enjoy the opportunity to sleep in on Christmas morning.

For me, this Christmas season has been about spending time on myself and with my family and friends, starting a new tradition to really be mindful of this special, magical time of year and not so much on the stress and bustle of the holiday season. Back in October I was worried I was going to be sad and lonely during the holidays, so I booked my schedule full of parties, drinks with friends, and crafts to make for gifts. Before Thanksgiving even hit, I was tired and wishing I could cancel on many things. And I did- and that was freeing to be able to say no to people to put my sanity and myself first.

I also tried to be mindful of my free time in regards to Christmas too. I was ambitious in wanting to make a few gifts and buy only a few things- it was tough at times, but I found the time to create the special items and buy the few things I needed. I decorated inside my house and cute little Christmas tree with the company of a special friend, followed by watching Charlie Brown’s Christmas. It didn’t involve a great deal of effort and took no longer than thirty minutes to decorate and put things on away, but the night was spent enjoying the special memories behind some of my ornaments and relaxing. The night was perfect and that will be a new tradition for me as I move ahead in life. I hung a simple wreath on the front door and did not decorate the outside of the house with lights because I didn’t want to have to be worried about it come January and have another item on my to-do list to stress me out.

When I was young, Christmas was always this epic thing involving toys, magic, and excitement. As I’ve grown up, I’ve come to see the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, as an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the year. This year has an extra special element added to it as I embraced my new happiness and living situation with open arms. This year I created new traditions for myself as an adult that some day I hope to integrate into my own family. That idea is really exciting and so this year, while Christmas may be about slowing down and taking time for myself plus my dear family and friends, it’s also about a the beginning of something new and how uniquely me the holidays will be from now on.

[Photo Credit: My super cute Christmas tree!]