What could you do in less than 30 minutes today to make a difference in a woman's life, her family and community and her future?

Super simple, invest in your own self care!

For many women around the globe, the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights, can be quite a challenge.

When women speak to me about their desire to feel more confident, to get "unstuck", or move beyond "overwhelm" the first thing I ask is, "What have you done for yourself lately?" 

You see, I've experienced for myself, and seen in others, that when you invest in your own self care, you quite naturally begin to feel better about yourself, which makes it easier to take more actions to improve your health and your wellbeing is immediately impacted. I didn't say it is easy, but it is simple.

Empowering women is all about providing women with access to education, supporting them through the process and believing in their ability to take actions on behalf of themselves.

By investing in your own self care, you could ALSO automatically be funding entrepreneurial training and support for another woman! Isn't that amazing?!

If you, like lots of my clients, use a little makeup, you'll want to check this out. Not only will you be getting some of the finest professional makeup available (which means you need very little, it looks better on and feels fabulous) your purchase of one of the Brighter Together Collections, provides funding (zero administrative fees) to the Project Concern International Women Empowered (WE) initiative.

As Jessica Jane Mancini and I discuss in this segment of the Comcast Cable TV Show "30 Minutes" we experienced first hand the difference the Brighter Together Foundation collaboration with the PCI is making for women in Guatemala. Listen in to hear a few examples of what we heard from the woman we met when we attended the Global Leadership Summit hosted by LimeLife by Alcone this past May.

My intention in sharing this, is that you may be inspired to make self care a daily ritual, and at the same time, fund the training and education for another women to encourage her to take better care of herself, by growing her confidence through entrepreneurship leading to financial security. 

As a Life Midwife, and Independent Beauty Guide with LimeLife by Alcone, I am aggregator of resources and practical techniques to enhance my clients lives, through encouraging greater self care leading to an increase in self love.

My belief is we have far greater wisdom within and it's time to use this knowledge to lift ourselves and our communities up to a higher standard of living.

It is an honor and a pleasure to share with you, the first episode of Community Forum, a cable TV show I host, allowing me the opportunity to bring to you people who are making a positive impact with the intention of inspiring YOU to take action in whatever manner you desire, to make a difference in our world. 

In this conversation with Amanda Hanson, CEO of Activating Humans, we discuss the power of intention and taking action, how community is a key component for personal growth and the power of empathy. 

Amanda was an amazing first guest for the show! She is full of life, and an inspiration to take action on our dreams! When she and I were speaking, I was so into listening I hardly noticed her coughing, except when I saw her eyes fill up. (Ouch!)

​I couldn’t “think” of anything to do, so instead my inner brain kicked in, and while we were in the conversation about empathy, I was reminded about the power of holding hands. That made me reach out to her in a gesture of wanting to help ease and comfort. After that, she never coughed again. The timing was perfect to bring up the work of Dr. James Coan, clinical psychologist and his work regarding the brain and the power of hand holding. Amanda gave us the opportunity to share an illustration of empathy - on air - live in real time. And how simple and powerful it can be. 

In conversation I also had the opportunity to share a story from Shawn Achor's book Big Potential, that basically illustrates the power of coordination and collaboration vs. competition, which most of us are lead to believe will bring us better results. 

When asked what daily ritual Amanda likes to use for inspiration, she mentioned taking dance breaks. I wholeheartedly agreed they can be so uplifting! In fact, I subscribe to an app called The Movement, with Erin Stutland, that includes movement AND Mantra's - the combination is refreshing and incredibly powerful! 

A little background before you watch the video - this past Friday afternoon I was asked to be the host of the show, and within 2 hours, had secured Amanda as a guest, and designed the stage I wanted to create. Three days later we shot the TV segment LIVE, and with no editing, it was uploaded and available to view on Monday night.

In this TV segment, Amanda shares the journey of her desire and intention manifesting an entirely new business, serving the community, including creating a name and logo, renovating a physical location, sending out promotional material and people registering for events, all within a 7 week period. 

The point is, when you have a desire, it's the beginning of what it takes to make it manifest. Dream it, do it, ask for assistance, and watch it unfold almost magically before your very eyes. 

I'd love to hear your "magical manifestation" stories, so let's talk, and lift each other higher with our desires for 2020...  and beyond!

Oh, and, please share with a friend who you think could use the inspiration to take action to realize her dreams! Thank you.

Breathe deeply
Elevate your awareness
Listen patiently
Invite innocence and wonder
Entertain playfulness
Validate your feelings
Energize your life

The Holiday Season is often a time of reflection, counting our blessings and revisiting our childhood. The experience can remind us of the loved one's we miss, opportunities that have passed us by or anxiety about the future.

It can also be a magical time when we feel blanketed with the deep silence the first snow brings, or the lightheartedness generated by hearing the laughter of a small child. It can be a time when we pause to spend more time with people we care about.

In many ways, what you believe, in other words, what you trust in, you will see. Since you're given a choice, why not believe in the beauty of the season? Why not focus on the goodness in yourself and others, and the qualities of generosity and kindness that is often evident at this time of year.
 
If you are looking for a way to experience the beauty of the season, you may have to go a little outside your comfort zone and invite in connections to others, either by gift giving, or offering a helping hand. It’s human nature that people with excess resources are genuinely generous with family and friends, but often without a human connection, don’t usually give to strangers, or people outside their immediate sphere.
 
This Holiday Season you have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives all over the globe, by simply exercising your purchasing power.
 
Seek out opportunities to make your “purchases with a purpose” really count by getting to know the stories of the people behind the organizations that your dollars support.
 
You may find, as I have, that it’s the connection with others that truly brings out the beauty in the season, and when we experience a deepening of our connection, we develop a sense of community. Which is the most beautiful and valuable “thing” we can give to another.
 
We truly are “Brighter Together”!

​Thank you for your support of the Brighter Together Foundation!
 
This month you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of women in India, Guatemala, Burundi and Tanzania, as we celebrate the 2nd Year Anniversary of the Brighter Together Foundation.
 
A percentage of each purchase of LimeLife by Alcone products this month will automatically generate a donation to help fund the Project Concern International Women Empowerment (WE) initiative which provides entrepreneurial field training education and financial literacy for women in the world’s most impoverished countries.
 
In the past two years this partnership has helped over 750,000 women to build their own successful businesses and become leaders in their communities. This month we hope reach an additional 640 women with this valuable information that will impact not only their lives, but the children they are raising as well. In fact, in Guatemala, for the past 10 months, the children of the women I had the opportunity to meet and speak to in May, are also meeting every two weeks to learn how to set goals, save money and start other smart financial habits.
 
Each and every skin care and makeup product for yourself, and the gifts you purchase for others this month are going to make an impact on generations of people, to help them to lift themselves out of poverty.
 
Please contact me if you’d like to learn more about the Brighter Together Foundation or how you can support the Project Concern International Women Empowered initiative!

To get out of the rut of victimhood, or move beyond the feeling of "we need to do more" (while we're racing), dropping into that place of peace inside can be a very soothing way to begin.  

As a way to access this inner contentment, I encourage women to practice greater self care. That includes taking good care of your entire self with compassion and acceptance.

I saw a hawk on my walk today. When I looked it up, I found out that hawks represent the messengers of the spirit world, and seeing them means the universe wants you to learn powerful lessons or expand your knowledge and wisdom. 

Hawks also encourage you to use laser focus and precision to get things done, and to take the lead in life. 

So fitting that I would see a hawk today. I'm ready to take these actions and make a difference in the world. 

Are you? 

Reach out to me to schedule a private complimentary 30 minute discover session on which method of working together would be the best fit for you!