Looking Back to Move Forward
April 6, 2015
“Time waits for no one and things can end tomorrow.” – Stevie Nicks
One of the additional ways I seek wisdom is by “pulling” a card for myself each week. I have various card decks that I use for weekly inspiration and perspective. Last week, I pulled this specific card after watching another favorite show, Who Do You Think You Are, which features actors who are given the chance to dig deep into their family genealogy and learn more about “who they are.” There’s no way you can watch this show without craving to know more about your ancestors! So, I pulled a card call “The Bard.” Among other things, the card’s message was:
Gratitude, Breath, and the Whispers.
October 28, 2014
I still feel like I’m floating! My post today is simply to express gratitude for having been in the presence of amazing trailblazers this past weekend at Oprah’s Life You Want Conference. I am grateful for being surrounded by such wisdom, and a confirmation that I’m on my path. What’s a life of seeking without confirmation? As human beings we are always seeking because we don’t know everything. Or as many believe, we know, but have just forgotten. The amazing Eckhart Tolle reminds us that seeking too much takes us away from our purpose, which is always in this moment, and that’s exactly what Oprah, Deepak Chopra, Elizabeth Gilbert, Rob Bell, and Iyanla Vazant reminded us of at this magical gathering. Our homework–the reason for attending this conference was to claim your new vision. I’d love to share my simplified version with you, which we were asked to post on Twitter or Facebook 24 hours after the culmination of event.
I know that one of the reasons I exist is to learn and share. And so today, that’s what I’d like to do. It’s my gift to you. Below you’ll find some of the juicy nuggets of wisdom I captured during this event, as well as some photos and videos. I hope that something I’ve shared today provides you with some confirmation as well that you are doing your work to Live the Life You Want! So many of my friends and professional colleagues were “in the house” as well, and each of us took away something unique–what our souls needed to hear. For me, it was simplified into my vision or mantra above, focusing on the fact that I am everything I need to be right now in this moment, that only in this moment is where I will be on purpose, and that my breath and connection to spirit by being aware and being guided (by the whispers!) will allow me to fulfill my earthly contract and live a magnificent life.
Finally, I want to thank my mother, Ellie Kane, who treated me to this conference. What an amazing way to spend time together! It’s one of those Mommy/Daughter moments I won’t forget. Love you, Mom!
Mom and I with Oprah’s best friend and Good Morning America co-host, Gayle King!
Mom & I with some FAB powerful Fems and Friends!
Nuggets of Wisdom
From Oprah…
• All real success comes from being connected to spirit.
• We all have been called; nothing is an accident.
• Your legacy is every life you’ve ever touched. (via Maya Angelou)
• “I am the master of my fate; the captain of my soul!” Her mantra.
• You can be a better you than you can be a pretend anyone else!
• Knowing what you want to do is just as important as knowing what you don’t want to do.
• Our lives speak to us in every moment. We have to listen! Listen for the whispers before they turn into rocks! The whispers will guide us.
• If you can’t get paid for it (i.e., what you want to/love to do), then let it pay you! The miracle is in service.
• For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
• You co-create your life with every intention.
• Who you are right now is what you have believed you are. You become what you believe!
• Your greatest power is in your ability to love.
• Gratitude is the best way to share your vibration.
From Deepak…
• Don’t let the voices of the world drown out your voice from within.
• You accomplish more via the Law of Least Effort; living from the level of your soul. (Source: 7 Spiritual Laws of Success)
• There is no point of arrival (i.e., I have arrived!), it is in the right here and right now. That’s all we have.
• 7 Ways to Accelerate Synchronisity
1. How you see the world is a reflection of your inner state. Shift from fear to love.
2. Understand the essence of relationships; validating others for who they really are; honoring them.
3. Create intentions not only for yourself, but for the common good.
4. Learn to center yourself thru meditation.
5. Free yourself from emotional hostility; it’s like drinking poison. Create a ritual of release.
6. Embrace both the masculine and feminine aspects of yourself.
7. Keep yourself healthy!
And, a few final tidbits from Liz (Author of Eat. Pray. Love), Rob, and Iyanla…
• If you’re planning to change your life don’t expect it to be easy and painless. All movement brings the risk of injury! (Liz)
• We all have stories, but one never goes away, our Hero’s Journey (must stick with it, endure the pain to come out glorious on the other side!). You can hear Liz speak about a Hero’s Journey on Super Soul Sunday.
• We co-create our lives by listening to what the world is telling us; by paying attention to the signs (whispers) and following them. (Liz)
• We are miracles! Breath brought us into our lives and takes us from our lives. The fact that we are breathing is a miracle. Each moment is a miracle. Embrace the life that you have in this moment! This is the art of the spiritual life. (Rob)
• The sound we make when we breathe (Ahhh!) is the name of God in all religious traditions! Breath is life; breath is being connected to spirit. (Iyanla)
• The life you want is on the other side of the labor pains it takes to birth it! (Iyanla)
• If you made it through the past, you passed!
Oprah & Iyanla saying good bye!
Any of these tidbits inspire you to Live the Life you Want? I’d love to hear your shares!
It’s your life. Lead it well!
Monique
Love Your Face. Love Yourself.
February 10, 2012
In the latest issue of O Magazine, Oprah shares:
“I believe that each of us has an essence, a quality at the very core of our being that makes us who we are. It’s what guides our thoughts, our feelings, our tastes. It’s what sets us apart from everyone else. And I believe that finding ways to express that essence is one of the greatest joys in life.”
What if I could share with you a way that you can pinpoint this “essence” — yours and that of the special people in your life?
What if you could understand someone deeply simply by looking at their face?
If you are intrigued, then you’re reading the right post! In fact, I was intrigued about a year ago when I met Jean Haner, author of The Wisdom of Your Face and The Wisdom of Your Child’s Face. You see as a mother I always longed to confirm what I thought I knew about my children that no teacher could come to understand. As early as pre-k our children are already being labeled and treated a certain way–many times in ways that drown their curiosity, joy, and intelligence. Their true nature–what they are excited to share with the world– can be interpreted as something bad that must be hidden or fixed.
Jean opened my eyes to an incredible science that validates who we are to are very core and helps us to understand our strengths, struggles, and purpose in our lifetime. I’m thrilled to both have her as a mentor and to be her student.
The Wisdom of Your Face speaks to an ancient branch of Chinese medicine which teaches that we were born with a unique blueprint that is ours alone, and that this inner architecture is reflected in our outer design–the features of our face. This science provides us with an incredible tool. With this tool we can breathe easier, look in the mirror and say, “I’m so proud to be me….I love my face!!”
The link above to Jean’s website provides A LOT of research and information that you’ll love to read to learn more. Jean also offers workshops all over the country.
I’m happy to be interning with Jean in her practitioner program. As part of this process I will be conducting both mini-readings and in-depth case studies.
During a full-length consultation (60-90 minutes) you also may bring photos of a loved one or colleague to be read as well, as time allows.
Note: Children can be “read” but the consultation will be with the parent(s) using photos.
If you would like to learn more about these readings, or if you’d like to recommend someone who may be interested, please complete the form below and/or forward along this post. I’m seeking 10 case study participants between now and September.
I can share with you that this knowledge and practice has allowed me to better understand myself, others who I interact with everyday, and appreciate what we all have to offer the world and each other.
I’m looking forward to sharing more with you along the way and to hearing from you soon.
Honoring you and your inner architecture,
Monique
Illumined Life Leadership 