One of the coolest things about being a coach is witnessing my client’s transform their lives. Through coaching - clients uncover their hidden potential. As a coach, I create a sacred space for clients to explore, wonder, question, and strategize.

But what’s even cooler than watching my clients evolve and create the lives they were meant to live, is hearing about the ripple effect that follows. I recently had a session with a client we’ll call Suzie. Suzie remarked that her life looks very different than it did back in January when we began our work together. I acknowledged her for the very short amount of time it’s taken for her to reorient her life around her values, passions and heart’s deepest desires.

When I asked her how the change in her has affected her relationships, she said it’s been significant. Communication in her marriage has increased, friendships are thriving and she feels her relationships with family are more energized. Suzie commented that she is most excited about the changes in her mom. “My mom is more positive these days - it’s amazing but she seems to be different now too. She said seeing me this happy makes her want to be more positive too.”

It really got me thinking about our behavior and attitudes and how they impact the lives of others. What a lucky girl am I, to be able to work with a client and watch the ripple make waves all over! It’s something to keep in mind as we travel through our daily lives. Each person we come into contact with is an opportunity to spread love, positive energy and light out into the world.

There’s a great book on the topic of spreading the positive flow called, How Full is Your Bucket, by Tom Rath & Donald O. Clifton. Check it out and see how you can instantly shift to filling people up with positive energy instead of sucking them dry. Through little daily positive dips we can shift our lives into a whole different atmosphere.

What ripples are you creating? Positive or negative?

Peace & good vibrations,
kam

Once upon a time there was a girl named Kam. Her sophomore year in college found her entering MTH 141 and scanning the room for a seat. As she did, she made eye contact with her future BFF. (In case you’re not well versed in 6th grader chic-lingo, that stands for Best Friends Forever.)

Connie and I clicked from day one and have been BFF’s ever since. We both have many other friends in our crayon box of life. Colorful friends of all shapes and sizes and ages. Some of them are mutual friends, some are not. But through the trials and triumphs in both of our lives, we still have a tie that binds, and feels like family. We are sista’s in the grandest sense.

In his beautiful book, Soul Mates, Thomas Moore contemplates the nature of friendship:
“Friendship . . . is an attraction and magnetism of souls. Friendships often begin in a soulful way through the workings of fate. It is as though souls recognize the hidden treasure in each other and forge the alliance . . .”

I write this today as it is her birthday and one of the greatest gifts she’s given me, is more confidence in using my own unique voice and permission to play with words. In my heart I have always felt I was a “writer”. But wearing that title didn’t seem appropriate as I hadn’t made a living at it. Through her constant love, support and nurturing friendship, I have gained confidence and clarity and redefined what being a writer means to me.

I am truly blessed with so many colorful and amazing people I am fortunate to call friends. But tonight I am picking this one out of the box of 64 and painting the town red! Take a moment to let your friends know how much you love and care about them. They help paint the picture of who you are and create the canvas of your life. Celebrate them. Play with them. Laugh with them. Cry with them. I am!!

“A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.”
- Sirach 6:14

How will you celebrate your friendships today?

Peace and hey sista soul sista,
kam

Just wanted to share how extremely cool it is when I’m up and about at 5:30 (yes…AM!), walking the d-o-g’s. Most of the world is still tucked away, fast asleep. As I wipe the crusty sleep out of my eyes and stretch these legs out for the first time each day, I get to share a little time admiring the big ol’ juicy moon. It hasn’t swapped places with the sun yet. In fact, sometimes I get to hang out with both of them.

Some days the moon is a mere sliver of a thing. But when it’s full, it’s me and the moon just chillin’. At first I was a tad resentful at having to get up at that early of an hour (I do it so I can yoga-booty-ballet it before I go to work), but now I dig my alone time with the golden glowing orb.

What is it about the moon that’s so hypnotic? Last week when it was full, I almost tripped over a tree stump cuz I couldn’t stop staring at it. It’s like this beacon in the sky radiating positive energy and love. But different than the sun…cooler, more relaxed, smoother, more refined. It’s our supernatural night-light. I dig it. It puts me in that state of BEING. You know, when you can’t freak out about the future and your not drifting back into the past.

My time with the moon sets a tone for the day. One that reminds me to just BE. Be present. Be peaceful. Be aware. Be cool. Be chill. Be still. Be free. Be me. Just BE.

Can you dig?

What will you BE today?

Dance by the light of the moon,
KK

I was frustrated today while at my full-time gig. I’m oh-so-ready to BE a full-time coach. Yet the universe hasn’t sync’d up just yet, and the Divine timing hasn’t arrived. There’s still more work to do and lessons to learn where I am. But, I’m still human and I’m an Aries, and when I want something…I want it now!

So there I am in my musty, dusty basement level, dark and dingy office and get a phone call about some drama that wants to suck my in. Uh-UH! KK ain’t havin’ it. I’m out. Finit-o. None for me thanks. Check please! I just won’t go there and give my energy to the vampires that wanna suck my positive juices dry.

I got up from my desk after the phone call and headed out into the bright and beautiful sunshine. Thought I’d do a quick stroll around the building. Just as I round the corner, after taking several deep breaths and asking for help to focus my energy back to a place of positivity, love and receptivity…the universe sends me a tasty lil’ treat. Literally.

This girl walks up and says, “Hey you look hungry.” I said, “No not really. But whatcha got in the bag?” She says, “We’re selling cupcakes for a fundraiser. Want to buy some?” I said, “Sorry sweetie, I don’t have any cash on me. But maybe you should donate one to me?” Wink-wink. (They were chocolate on chocolate, how could I resist?) She looks at me and hands me a bag (2 for 1) and says, “Here you go. Have a great day!” And just like that, she’s gone.

Does it get any better than that? All I was seeking with my little jaunt outside was to shift my perception from dark and broody-moody, to light and bright and energized. And then the universe goes and hands me cupcakes. All I had to do was ASK!!

There you have it friends. Ask and ye shall receive. It’s time to tune into the gifts the universe has for us. Even if we’re working in a dusty-musty basement, we’re still showered with sweet and tasty treats. Open your eyes. Open your heart. Open your mind. Open your spirit. The universe wants to give you cupcakes. Just ask!

What could you ask for today?

Peace and delicious delights,
Kam

PS...for more on asking for what you want, check out Jack Canfield’s, The Aladdin Factor, it truely is magic!

Didn’t get to post last night after a long Easter celebration. What a gorgeous day we had in STL - sunshine, blue skies and 80 degrees. Went to the Center for Spiritual Living for service, had brunch with mom, dropped off Easter goodies for Brooke and Miss Alyss, had some sing-a-long time in the car time with mom. (You know I love rockin’ out in the car).

Yesterday, I found myself asking - how am I able to connect on a more deeply spiritual level with the Christ story? I’m still chewing on Rev. Marigene’s amazing words. Having been raised Catholic; I had preconceived ideas about Easter. I’m familiar with traditional Bible stories about the joyous occasion following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Marigene’s version had a universal spin. How can we apply this story to our daily lives?

It became more personal for me this year. Something clicked. She asked if we ever found ourselves stuck in the past. Have we ever found ourselves not moving forward, repeating the same patterns, or pointing the finger to blame someone or something else for the conditions of our reality? According to her interpretation, that’s how we crucify ourselves everyday.

We literally get “hung up” in our stuff. In order to resurrect ourselves, we need to un-hook ourselves from the crosses we bear and move forward. Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven within. How we create heaven and hell on earth through the stories we create in our own minds. Love yourself. Love one another. Love life.

Beautiful, simple messages, from a simply beautiful spirit. That spirit is within each and every one of us. Tune into your Christ-conciousness. Look within for peace, not without. Seek truth for yourself. Trust what feels right with your heart. If you don’t like your current story, write yourself a new one. You hold the keys to heaven in your heart. Use them. Open the door. Shine your light. Live love.

How can you resurrect your spirit today?

Love & light,
Kam

Yesterday I wore a classic A-line black and white floral skirt with an aqua blue tank top and a black cardigan. Had the hair flipped out and sported round-toed sling backs. A 50’s/early 60’s vibe. As I walked through the office, sweet Ms. Donna said, “Girl, you look too cute today! Kind of a mix between Marilynn Monroe and Jackie O.”

Wow, two major fashion and beauty icons both channeled through me at once! I became intrigued by the dichotomy of the women’s polar energies. Jackie was class and grace, while Marilynn oozed raw sexual energy.

According to Donna, I too am classy and sexy. Her comments made me aware of how I carry myself and what energy I’m throwing out into the universe. Grace, style, class and sexiness are all ways of expressing myself in this world and a verbal acknowledgement of that was affirming.

Accepting my body and loving it for what it is, has been a top priority these days. I’ve been working on living a life of integrity. For me that means a healthy mind, body & spirit. Fast forward - to me in the dressing room at Target later that evening. I overheard the following:

Girl # 1, “I hate my body. I’m all booty and boobs. I’m so gross!” Girl #2, “You’re not gross. I’m gross! I look horrible in swim suits. At least you have boobs. I can’t even fill this thing up!” As I exited my dressing room, I caught a glimpse of girl #1 checking out said gross-booty in the 3-way mirror. Her body was kickin’! And she couldn’t have been more than 14 or 15 years old.

What is it about our culture and society that causes 14 year old girls (and often younger) to feel less than? What could we do to shift our perspective from lack of beauty to abundant inner radiance and self-love? Could we as women create a new model for young girls? As mothers, sisters and friends isn’t it our job to support self-love and self-acceptance? To nurture one another?

Each time we cut someone down (or ourselves), we contribute to lowering else’s energy and sense of self-worth. What if instead of dishing on someone, we dished out more compliments like the one Donna gave me? When you see someone shining, tell them. Extend yourself and let them know you see their inner beauty shining through.

My lesson - I missed an opportunity by not stopping and telling those two girls how beautiful they are. Don’t let a beautiful opportunity pass you by. Tell someone you see their radiance. Let them know they are beautiful “as is”. Lift them up. Don’t bring them down.

Who can you lift up today?

Peace and beautiful bodies in all shapes and sizes,
Kam

"The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen.
Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention….”
Rachel Naomi Remen

Tonight I had conversations with two very different women. One was my mom. The other was a coaching classmate and friend. I shared similar info on both calls. And both of these very different women shared similar messages with me. I’m constantly amazed at the lessons I have to learn. And equally as intrigued by the different messengers sent to relay messages to me.

Thank you mom (Lola as she prefers) and Christy in AZ for really listening to me. I want you to know that I heard you too! Thanks for your words of support and encouragement.

Funny cuz I have shared those same words with others too. I guess it was my turn to absorb and take it all in. We really are all connected. One global soul. We might look different, talk different, dress different and express ourselves differently than one another. But at the end of the day we’re really just looking in the mirror.

Which version is looking back at you?

Peace and nighty night,
Kam

Recap of today in STL: Blue sky. Cummulus clouds. 75 and sunny. Breezy and easy. Opening day of Cardinal baseball. People skipped work. Tail-gaters commenced. The TV people, radio jocks - the whole damn town turned out in red.

I worked, but the day had an easy vibe. Snuck out for lunch and ran a couple of errands. Really just to feel the sun on my skin and the wind in my hair. Also dig rockin’ out in the car. Yes, that was me at every stoplight in town – sporting super-size sunglasses, tunes cranked, windows down, head shaking and fingers snapping.

I am the super geek you laugh at when you pull up next to someone doing this. Frankly my dearest darlings, I don’t give a damn! It’s one of those Kammie-gets-Zen things. These days I’m finding pleasure in the little things we so often take for granted.

Here’s some of the lyrics to what I was jamming to:

“Soul Education” by Jamiroquai
Chorus:
I’ve got my soul education
You know its stitched into the clothes
That I wear
Got my life information
Upon the breeze that’s blowing through my hair
Got a pocket full of rainbows
Oh and a sky to put them in so blue
So let the music come and save you.
I found a God that I can pray to
Deep inside my soul, hey.

See your mad you can’t delude
That there is no substitute
For intuition, it’s no superstition
So if you find your petrified,
To let some natural law apply
Then there’s a whole lot missing baby yeah.
So you know I’m blessed celestially
Got a direct link with destiny yeah
Don’t ask me why
I’m in the sky

I Know I got my soul education…

Sweet, delicious, succulent and juicy readers…enjoy more Jamiroquai. It’s 100% fat-free, sweet like candy but won’t rot your teeth, and a tasty, take anywhere, springtime treat!

In a nutshell - opening day rocked! I opened up to the sun, the blue sky, walking the dogs and chatting with my eccentric, ever-so-quirky neighbor Mary (she’s a poet, lovely storyteller, and wise walking partner), wind in my hair, funkadelic music in my heart and Jamiroquai’s spirit infused words to lift me even higher. As Jamiroquai says…let the music come and save you. Find a God that you can pray to. Deep inside your soul.

What will you open up to today?

Peace & a pocket full of rainbows,
Kam

Saw the Celestine Prophecy movie on Friday night. Excellent film. I read the book back in the early 90’s, sometime during college. I’m smiling as I think of my 21-year-old self, seeking higher knowledge - even in those crazy days of, “Where’s the party?”

I won’t give too much away, but the actors were beautiful, the scenery lush and the cinematography was gorgeous. The use of color and tone moved the story along as much as the dialogue and characters. And the two lead actors, Matthew Settle and Thomas Kretschmann were easy on the eyes too!

At the beginning of the film, John Woodson, our leading man, was initially defensive about letting go. Letting go of old ways of thinking. Letting go of old fears and limiting beliefs. Letting go of old patterns of behavior. That triggered something for me.

On his adventures through Peru, and as each of the Insights of the Prophecy were revealed to John, he had a choice to make (don’t we always?). He could choose to open up and learn something new, or he could choose to stand his ground and base his decisions on past experience. He could choose to trust his newfound intuition to guide him or he could turn around and head back.

How many times do we choose to turn around and head back in the direction we just came from? What is the fear that causes us to choose the same old things over and over? Old patterns. Old habits. Old relationships. Old friends. Old voices in our heads. Old behaviors. Old outcomes. Old junk in the closet. Old clutter in the basement.

What fresh, new things could move into our lives if we simply chose to LET GO? What keeps us holding on so tightly to the people, places and things that no longer serve our purpose? I think it’s simply fear of the unknown.

A friend shared with me an analogy about trapeze artists. They swing from one bar and then have to trust and have faith that when they let go of one bar that next one will be waiting for them at the perfect moment. At some point you have to let go of one bar with both hands before you can catch the next.

I’ve arrived at that moment myself. I’m willing to take that risk and let go of the old in order to receive the new. I’m swinging through the air right now and looking forward to catching all the wonderful gifts the universe has in store for me. This old stuff no longer serves my purpose. Everything is in Divine right order. I’m letting go.

What will you let go of today?

Peace and flying without a net,
Kam

The Celestine Prophecy

“Darkness isn’t the opposite of light, it’s the absence of light”. Beastie Boys– Check Your Head, Track #22

Today is my birthday. It was a great day. Worked out to a little Yoga Booty Ballet. Attended service at the Center for Spiritual Living, acknowledging the love in my heart and stating joy as my intention. Visited with friends. Spent time with family and my gorgeous niece - the sweet, precocious, delicious, Miss Alyssa.

I’ve come so far this year. The view from this altitude is more serene. It’s beautiful and mysterious and the colors are so much brighter. I’m stopping to smell the roses; the fresh cut spring grass, and the rain that poured down today.

It’s rained every April 2nd since I can remember. I asked my mom if it was raining the day I was born. It was. Which makes sense because I love thunderstorms. I love the connection between cleansing and washing away of the old, and generating life for the fresh and the new. It wouldn’t have been my birthday if it hadn’t rained today. We had one hell of a storm, tornado sirens and 70MPH winds too!

I love storms that move in unexpectedly and catch you off guard. That roll through quickly and passionately, shaking things up along its path. Some wax poetic about the sun coming out after the storm (which it did). Not me.

I see beauty in the storm itself. The wind knocks off dead, loose branches that don’t serve trees anymore. The rain cleans buildings and cars and animals, and provides nutrients for plants and grass. Thunder and lightening jolt us out of our safe state of ambivalence, instantly zapping us into the present moment.

Today’s storm was a lesson in surrender. Surrender to the storms that life sends your way. Don’t be afraid of the darkness and fierce, turbulent energy. The light hasn’t vanished. You just can’t see it through the clouds. Trust and have faith that the sun is still shining. Know that it’s just out of your current field of vision. Storms allow us the opportunity to get clean and clear. To strip away the access baggage.

Today, I surrender to the storm and appreciate the cleansing of my rainy-day birthday.

What will you surrender to today?

Peace & rainy day delights,
Kam