Exploring Conditioning and Personal Responsibility

There are special people in the world who, just by being in their presence, open us up to ourselves. Brian Berneman of The Conscious Action Podcast is one of those people. I had the pleasure of being his guest recently and the conversation was inspiring.

In our conversation, I share my story of how I came to leave my marriage of 15-years. Then, we talk about our conditioning and how to overcome it by taking personal responsibility for our life experience. Plus, so many more beautiful areas of conscious living.

If you’re feeling stuck in any kind of situation and want to connect with the part of you that has the courage to overcome it, I encourage you to have a listen. Then, let me know what you think. Have you been through a similar situation or are you there now? Reach out. Email me. Let’s talk.

Rations of Happiness for Women

Do you agree? Is this true? I was listening to Glennon Doyle's brilliant podcast as I got ready this morning. The topic was on fun, and the fact that so many women have either forgotten their fun in the course of their adult responsibilities as mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, worker, etc... (because our lists are long), or we never learned how to have it in the first place. Are either of those true for you?

I know for certain that I had to relearn what "fun" was after my divorce. I hadn't been "allowed" to have fun in so long that I had forgotten what lit me up from within. I had stopped doing and finally forgotten the things that brought me out-of-body joy. What made me forget everything around me, get out of my head, and simply be in an experience. After my divorce, the Universe provided me with opportunity in the form of friends and I committed to creating more fun and light in my life. Now I have a lot of it on a regular basis. 😊

This quote struck me. Is it true? Will the world only tolerate a happy woman for so long? Do we have to show every struggle and vulnerability to be valid or valued? Do we have to be martyrs? Am I only allowed to be happy now because I stayed for so long in a toxic, abusive marriage? And only for a little while because otherwise it will make people uncomfortable?

What do you think? Does this make you want to drop a few F-bombs like it does me? Let me hear from you in the comments.

Creating the Foundation for A Life You Love!

I'm so grateful to those of you who are committed to consciously creating lives that you love. Each one of us creates a positive ripple that sparks a light within someone else who witness our internal joy. They may not quite know what it is, but they sense something different... something special about you.

The presence of a person who loves their life, who is devoted to themselves is different than those who give themselves away to others. The light within you sparks hope in the hearts of others who know something is missing, but not how to reach it.

Each time you take another step fully into who you are meant to be in this world, shedding all that you are not to be more of who you are, you give permission to others to do the same. More importantly for you, however, is a new level of joy and vibrancy in your life. A deeper threshold to feel the emotions that a full, rich life experience brings to us.

I've spent the past 3 weeks freely sharing the formula for creating a life you love, what helps or hinders that process, shown you how to turn your inner critic into your inner cheerleader, and started you designing your ideal life. If you missed the Zoom meetings, have no fear! We're going deeper still.

Tonight, the doors are officially open! I've selected the most vital pieces of all of the workshops that I've ever run and combined them into a 6-week group Foundations Course. You’ll identify your passions, learn how your mind works against you and how to get it on your side, to turn your inner-critic into your greatest cheerleader, and the breath work and tools to help you find and trust your own inner wisdom and support you on your journey.

This interactive group course covers the basics of everything that I teach in longer programs and 1:1s and gives you a clear foundation on which to build your ideal life. It’s the Passion Test, Happy for No Reason, The Mastery of Self-Love, and Breath-work and Meditation combined into one easily digestible course! 6 weeks, 1 hour per week. If you miss it, replays will be sent out the next day.

What would it be worth to you to look back a year from now, knowing that you made the decision that changed your life forever for the better? When you committed... no... devoted yourself to yourself? When you decided that you were your #1 priority. When you recognized that you are worthy and deserving of a most passionate, purpose-filled, and joyful life?

Sign up between now and Sunday and save $100. Sign up within the next 24-hours and I'll throw in a hardcover copy of The Passion Test book. Refer a friend and get 30-minutes 1:1 with me. Sign-up here. You're worth it. https://tinyurl.com/Cr8withTamara

Self-Talk - Supportive or Sabotaging?

Our Self-Talk makes us or breaks us. That voice in your head speaking to you all day every day is what creates our level of self-esteem. Do we speaking lovingly and supportively to ourselves? Or are we calling ourselves names and bullying ourselves all day long?

In this interview with Rachel Astarte, we chat about self-love and self-talk. I share how I moved from an unhappy, toxic marriage to being one of the happiest people I know and that most people know! If you’re in a place where life just doesn’t feel like you know that it’s meant to, I invite you to have a listen. You’ll learn the difference between happiness and contentment, what happiness really is, and that it is truly in your own hands. Plus, why it’s important to put your attention on your own happiness!

You can learn more about Rachel here!

Fear of First Steps

This morning I watched my 14-year-old daughter struggle with keeping a commitment that she made to spend her spring break working at the family greenhouse. It's a first. She's never done it before.

She asked me if she had to go and I, of course, told her yes. I reminded her that we have millions of "firsts" in our lives and they can feel scary, terrifying, even. The more we face our fears, the easier they get and the more we grow and learn. The more terrifying they are, the better the benefits.

Then, as I watched her, head down, tears flowing, I told her, "This. This moment right now is the hardest part of any first." Once we actually begin, it feels easier, but it's those moments right before we step straight into the unknown that are the most daunting. And those moments after? The most rewarding.

Where are your thoughts about starting something new in your life holding you back? Are you willing to do it anyway? My daughter did and I didn't even have to hold her hand. ❤

One Step at a Time

My friends, we all go through things. Yesterday, what I called a "written meditation," came up in my memories from 7 years ago. Exactly 7 years ago, I was feeling hopeless. Stuck. Wondering what was the point of anything I was doing.

That doesn't sound like me does it? That's because it isn't. Some say that every 7 years we are actually completely new versions of our physical selves. It's not scientifically accurate, but it's a nice idea, isn't it? Cells die and are replaced with new ones. It, at least, serves as a reminder that old habits and beliefs can die and be replaced by new ones. Habits and beliefs that serve and support us rather than hindering and hurting us.

6 months after writing that, I left my marriage of 15-years. I realized that people who love you actually treat you with love and with the support of my parents, I took my 3 children and moved home to begin again. To regenerate. To heal.

I started the process of rebuilding self-esteem that had been eroded by a man professed his love in one breath, but tore me down in the next.

I chose to consciously create a life that felt good, surround myself with people (like you) who lifted me up, and to choose in favor of my passions every single day.

Now, here I am, 7 years later and I'm one of the happiest people I know, doing work that lights up my heart, and my life is filled with the most incredible relationships that anyone could ask for in a lifetime.

If you knew that one step today could lead you to your ideal life tomorrow, would you take it? Will you take it? You don't have to walk alone. I'm here to walk with you, hold your hand when you feel unsteady, and remind you that anything is possible.

Synchronicity and Introducing Spirit Cafe Podcast!

Have you ever had one of those moments where something feels different? Something inside of you says, “Pay attention! This is going to impact your life!” I have them now and again. Most often I’ve had it just before meeting a person who makes a monumental impact in my life - I become aware of them and there’s this tingling knowing that occurs.

About 4 years ago, I had one of those moments. I was attending a corporate event with the company that I worked for and they brought in a motivational speaker. I’ve seen a few of those, you know? Heck, I am one of those! And this one was different. He brought a whip. He said words that I can’t recall, but that saying is true… I remember how he made me feel. I felt uplifted, inspired, and excited. I wanted to be doing what he was doing! Well, maybe without the whip.

Fates aligned and I ended up in a small breakout group that he was leading. I was thrilled; I didn’t know much about him, but I knew that he was an accomplished and gifted speaker and I wasn’t going to miss the chance to introduce myself to John Davis, Corporate Action Hero! John recently shared his recollections of our meeting on his podcast, Inner Action Hero, with one of the nicest introductions that I’ve ever had!

Fast forward several years and suddenly there’s a message from John in my LinkedIn inbox. Would I like to be a guest on his podcast series? Of course! The conversation was so much fun that we did it twice! And we both wanted more. Authentic, invigorating conversations can be hard to come by, especially within the area of spirituality. When we discovered that we’re both what we call “recovered Catholics,” we knew there was more to discover. So, when John suggested that we do our own podcast, I jumped at the opportunity, even though I felt nowhere near ready to delve into the podcast arena!

Take that leap!

Now, as we wrap up recording our 5th episode, I invite you into our Spirit Cafe Podcast Community. We’re everywhere that podcasts are, as well as on Facebook and YouTube.

Join us, let us read your thoughts, and suggest topics. We’re excited about this journey and would love to share it with you!