When I was a kid on our family ranch in West Texas, we had the exact opposite problem as we do here in Portland, Oregon. We had plenty of blue sky days, but a big shortage of rain. I can still hear my Abuelito’s (Grandfather’s) deep voice saying grace, “Lord, thank you for this food and please send us some rain.” The next day would bring a reminder: “Lord, we still need rain, thanks.”

The dry dusty high desert of Southwest Texas might only get a sparse 10 to 15 inches of rain per year (compared to a generous 40  inches here in Oregon). I can promise you that my Abuelito stood outside, took off his hat and praised the sky for every drop of rain that fed his cattle and crops.

This morning I was reminded of my Abuelito’s pure enjoyment of rain during Nia dance class. For a rare moment, the sun broke out of the heavy cloud cover and shone through the windows of the classroom.  A loud communal holler broke out from the dancers as we were immersed in golden light. Our energy rose, appreciating the joy of the moment.

We might not get much sun here in the Northwest, but we know how to pause and enjoy it when we do.

What feels rare and important in your life right now? Maybe it is time to nurture yourself or it might be time to connect with your  family or loved ones. Perhaps you don’t get many creative bursts these days or not enough sleep, exercise, adventure…the list could go on and on.

Whatever it is for you, I challenge you to learn from my Abuelito. When you do find that rare moment, that precious beam of sunlight, immerse yourself in it with deep appreciation. I promise that you will get more from ten minutes of being fully present than you will get from ten hours of barely noticing.

The very first step to shifting out of stuckness is to begin to question your “yes” and “no” responses to opportunities, activities and commitments. Life is always offering us choices; being mindful about the ones you are making is key.

My blog post today for Mamapreneurs, Inc will inspire you to think differently about how you respond when choices arise. It might even give you a little push out of your “thinking” rut! I hope you enjoy reading it!

Most busy women lose time in the “have-to” activities. We all have them! Things we do because we feel obligated, even though they don’t always match our priorities and we often feel resentful when doing them. Read more about changing your relationship to the “have-to” activities.

One of the most powerful shifts you can make is to view time as an investment. When you are clear that you choose how to use every moment of your day, you are being more honest with yourself! Even doing something out of obligation is a choice.

How are you going to invest your valuable time today?

My article on Mamapreneurs Inc today is all about how to find hidden time in your time traps. Give it a read!

Every time you say “yes” to something that you don’t really want to do or don’t have the time or attention for, you are saying “no” to listening to your own needs and to honoring your other commitments.

One of the main challenges many people have in saying “no” is they don’t know how to say “no” gracefully and lovingly. My article in the Tranquil Parent this week offers some insightful tips on how to do just that! Say “no” from your heart so that you can say “yes” to what is truly important to you! Please give it a read!

“Asking for help is a sign of weakness,” is a common limiting belief in our culture. We may not believe it consciously, but it operates on an unconscious level making us feel less than when we can’t do everything (perfectly) ourselves.

The truth is that asking for help is a sign of empowerment and intelligence. Can you really be the successful, fulfilled woman you want to be, the kind of mother, professional, partner and/or community member, without the support and resources that other people can offer?

I wrote an article for the Tranquil Parent about the value of asking for help and how it is actually a gift to others in your life. Give it a read!