As I drove home from an afternoon at the movie theaters, watching a now-outdated Hunger Games, recent audio clips of the president’s views about our country played through the surround sound of the car. His philosophy, although I might not have him quoted perfectly, was along the lines of this:

“We have to keep moving forward as a nation.

And it’s the other party that is preventing us from doing so.”

   Stick with me, here, because this post is not meant to be political in nature. We’re all heard rhetoric over the years from both political parties about their own goals, agendas, and visions for the future of the great United States of America. Instead, the president’s quote stood out to me because often we find ourselves in the same line of beliefs.

   We feel that we should keep moving forward toward our goals, and we blame someone or something for standing in our way. However, there are times when that forward momentum is best put to a halt to explore the current situation, and perhaps even take a step back to look at the bigger picture and re-assess a route forward.

   The evidence of this was perfectly clear in the Hunger Games when Katniss, the lead female, was first placed in the competition arena. Her instructions were to get away from the pack as soon as possible. After snagging a backpack from the ground, she did just that. She ran. She engaged her forward momentum to accomplish the task of getting to safety.

   At some point, instead of continuing to run into the forest without direction, Katniss stopped. She sat down and opened her backpack. It was a time to discover what assets she had within the hunger games. It was a chance to catch her breath and decide her next move.

   I think there are numerous times in our own lives where it would be in our best good to do the same thing. In a culture where more is portrayed as valuable, and stillness is overlooked, it can seem counterintuitive to stop yourself from moving forward. Nothing could really be further from the truth. Nothing could be more opposite from our own Divine nature.

   We’re human beings, not human doings.

   Thus, when we take the time to be—be still, be silent, and be observing—we have access to wisdom and insights about our lives that extend far beyond our limited scope of perception. We open ourselves up to receive information about where we’re at in the moment, and reflect on where we really want to go in the future. We become capable of viewing alternatives for our path… and a sense of flexibility that comes when some changes might need to occur. And, we are often more willing to take responsibility for our actions as we move forward.

   Life does ebb and flow. There are times to move full speed ahead with creativity, passion, and determination. Other times, it’s best to sit still and consider the direction in which you’re headed. Today, consider an area of your life where you might need to take some time out. It might be regarding a relationship or even a project at work. In any case, ask yourself the following questions:

• What do I hope to achieve when I accomplish this goal?
• Can I schedule time in my day, from 10 minutes to an hour, where I stop my forward progress and reflect on what is happening in this part of my journey?
• What vales or personal traits do you possess, such as creativity or intelligence, that serve you well as you move towards this goal?
•  Do I have more energy or less as I move toward it? If less, then how can I make changes in my life so that I feel more energized and excited to move forward again?

Now that we're under way with the components of living a legendary life, this week's concept is actually the foundational principle that I work with in my business and my life.

1. I am self-actualized.

2. I am legendary everyday.

3. I write my goals and see them everywhere.

4. I have a context that aligns with my goals and visions.

As you can tell by my website, or you can read in my book, I believe that your attitudes, values, and internal beliefs are what make the achievement of your goals possible. This set of ideas is what Chris Lochhead, of Play Bigger, calls your context.

Think about this. Have you ever overheard someone telling a story and you try to but in, but realize your pre-conceived notions about the conversation are entirely out of context. Well, your own beliefs, attitudes, and values filter how you experience life around you. And everyone has their own context based on their past.

When you have beliefs that align with your legendary goals, you are able to move forward seamlessly and joyfully. When you find the road to your goals challenging, you might be living with a context that counteracts your end destination. Consider some of the following beliefs that are necessary to own in your subconscious mind to make your visions attainable:

• I am worthy of the best that love and life have to offer.
• I love myself unconditionally.
• I am content and blessed being me.
• I learn from my experiences, including the challenging ones.
• I am in charge of my own life.
• I do my best and my best is good enough.
• I am able to accomplish anything I choose.
• I have all the resources I need to achieve success.
• I have a vibrant spirit and I share that spirit in everything I do.
• I welcome new changes in my life.
• Achieving my goals and dreams is easy.
• I trust my future, even though I can't see it clearly.

When you take time each day to align your beliefs with your goals, just like you would practice a sport to achieve mastery, you are setting yourself up for success. You can add these beliefs to your context through such actions as meditation, using a whole-brain state, tapping, and many other energy-based modalities that focus on aligning your internal state with your fabulous external experience.

Or, you might simply ask myself: Do I take time daily to be still? Do I take time to listen to my Higher Self, to God, or to a source larger than myself? If not, where can I add this space into my regular routine to make a powerful difference in my life's outcome?

Enjoy taking time today, and this week, to align your powerful beliefs (your creative context) with your legendary goals and visions. Then watch the magic unfold in your life.

Cheers for today, Kym

Today is another wonderful day to be legendary! Do you feel that way?

As we move into the third component of being legendary, I'd like to add a few insights about the concept of being legendary. When I think of most legends, they expand beyond the limits of our known world. They exceed our senses, our our ability to perceive what's possible.

And that's what this week's component of being legendary relates to--setting goals that exceed your own limits or expectations. Often we decide to take the next step in our future based on what others perceive to be a sound step, or it could have even been an action done by successful ones before you. Yet, your heart can many times reveal what your life purpose is, and it might be beyond the belief of anyone you know. And, that's okay.

I am very quiet person, by nature. True, I can be sociable and I enjoy laughing and spending time with friends. But when it comes to manifesting my goals and moving towards my dreams, i keep much of it to myself. In fact, if you look at many of the visionaries in the world, they are mocked or looked at with disbelief when sharing their ideas with others. Instead, they go about their divinely guided actions to make their dreams possible. Then, when they succeed, they offer huge gifts to the world. 

And, we're all capable of achieving our visions of greatness, no matter what form that takes in our lives.

This week's component for living your legendary life is:

1. I am self-actualized.

2. I am legendary everyday.

3. I write my goals and see them everywhere.

By choosing to focus on your goals--and your dreams--you can begin to move step-by-step towards them. Now, you might have grandiose ideas. Great! Write them down and put them in a place that you can see then regularly. You could put them on your bathroom mirror or in a journal that you look at each morning. If you are embarrassed to show others, keep them in a private place (but one you view often).

Ask yourself,

• What characteristics would I like to enhance in the next few years?
• How would I like others to describe me at my funeral?
• What would I like to accomplish in my business life?
• What would I spiritually like to achieve?
• What relationships would I like to have in my life?
• Where do I see myself in 1, 3 or 5 years?

The more clear we can get about our visions, and the more we can detach from the knowing of how they are going to come into play, can open the gateway to success beyond our wildest imaginations (and often the imagination of others). So, enjoy your quiet side. Enjoy your secret fantasies for your future. Enjoy writing down the goals you have and feeling the success of them now! Your mind doesn't know the difference in time, so feeling it now is like having it and being it now!

Thus, being legendary now is possible. And living the feeling of those legendary dreams (as you write them and see them everywhere) allows those dreams to manifest into reality!

Then, enjoy the mystery of how they begin to arrive in your legendary life!

Kym

It’s Wednesday, October 12^th. Do you feel legendary today?

As we finish up the final weeks of 2011, I’d like you to feel like you are doing it in a legendary way. When I say this, I mean that you are being the remarkable you— following your passions, living life to its fullest, and knowing you are making a positive difference in the world each and every day.

Well, that leads me right into the second component of living a legendary life.

1. I am self-actualized.
   
2. I am legendary everyday.

One of my good friends, Kristen Moeller, wrote a book entitled Waiting for Jack. In a humorous and heart-felt way, she delves into the reasons many of us wait for the next step in life to be great. Whether we’re waiting to have more money, to have the perfect relationship, to have the perfect house, the perfect family, the perfect whatever… the feeling of being incomplete now only holds you at a distance from being your legendary self.

Instead of waiting to be legendary in the future, the moment of power is NOW. Only when we fully accept who we are—with our strengths and our limitations—can we move forward to the greater good that awaits us. If we wait until the future to act, we’ll be in an ongoing state of want that leaves us separate from our deepest desires.

Instead, we want to know—in our hearts and minds—that we have what it takes right now to accomplish our goals and dreams. And, when we talk about being legendary NOW, it means knowing that you are great… and can only improve on your greatness.

Here are my instant brainstorms about what it takes to be Legendary NOW:

• I give from the heart. When I give without the expectation of receiving, I know that I am sharing from the heart. This could simply be a smile to someone on the street or it could be a physical gift of money or valuables. In either case, a willing spirit to share our best with those around use only brightens the entire world we live in.
• I do my best and my best is good enough. Our best is constantly changing. When I give my best, I consider all of the factors that are playing into my current state of being. I am forgiving when I have low energy and I capitalize on my own energetic highs. Regardless of the outcome, I can be satisfied knowing I have done my best.
• I am willing to step out of my comfort zone. When we stay in the same place—the space of security and comfort—we can miss out on the opportunities life presents for our own growth. I am willing to take the risks necessary to expand my knowledge and my sense of self through challenges. By facing all circumstances head-on, I become and stronger and more well-rounded human being.
• I am open to learning. I’m talking about an insatiable curiosity for life. I am open to new ideas in my personal life, in my business realm, and my own spirituality. With room to grow, I can do so in a way that feels comfortable to me. And, when I’m open to learn, I take a dip in the fountain of youth.
• I find success in all I do. There is a saying that goes, “energy flows where our attention goes.” When I focus on my success, I invite the law of attraction to meet that intention. So, when I focus on success, I draw in more success. It helps to observe the success in others, and compliment ourselves in our own accomplishments—big or small—throughout the day.
• I have an attitude of gratitude. Just like success, an attitude of appreciation is contagious. It sparks a fire in the heart that is recognizable by others, and creates a magnet of positive experiences for your future. I am grateful for myself. I am grateful for those that surround me with love. I am grateful for my opportunities for growth and my willingness to be legendary.

 So, smile, and enjoy the legendary life you are living today. Notice all of the ways you are making a difference in your world just with your attitude. Then, observe how that perspective sends out positive ripples into the environment around you.

For you are, in fact, Legendary Today and Everyday!! Enjoy a fantastic week.

Kym

After attending the 1 Life Fully Lived Conference last weekend, I have been inspired to share some of the information I gleaned from the keynote speaker, Chris Lochhead. Chris is co-founder of Play Bigger—a consulting firm that helps companies live up to their legendary potential. He also sits on the board of 1 Life Fully Lived—a non-profit aimed at encouraging and teaching others to live their passion. My support goes out to both organizations as the align with my own personal values and goals in life.

As we have 13 more weeks in the year, I would like to look at the concepts to create a legendary life—as proposed by Chris—and dissect them one by one  in a way that can be meaningful and applicable. So here we go.

To live a legendary life, I choose to be self-actualized.

Now, we could go into Maslow’s hierarchy or needs  to explain this fancy term. Instead, I’d like to put the concept into my own words. If I am self-actualized, I am:

• Aware, of myself and my surroundings: I observe the fluctuations in my own sense of being, and am open to change the areas that don’t serve my best good. I am also aware of the environment around me, and can change it if it doesn’t align with my values or goals in life.
• Intuitive: I listen to my higher self. I trust messages that I can’t necessarily explain to others, but I know that I have a sixth sense that guides and protects me.
• Sensitive to the feelings of others: Instead of being self-absorbed, I am aware of how others are feeling around me. I express compassion to those individuals and serve to uplift humanity in any way I can.
• Able to tap into the Source of the Universe: Whether you call this God, or Source Energy, or anything else, you know that there is a higher power than you. Not only do I know about this source, but I choose to tap into it regularly for guidance, support, and inspiration. When I am aligned with this power, I am able to create miraculous changes in my life.
• Making an impact in the lives of others: Simply by my powerful and loving presence, I am making a difference in the lives of others. I know that by giving, I am honoring the best part of me, and holding the space for others to live up to their highest potential.
• Confident in who I am: I know my personality, talents, and purpose in life is different than any other person on this planet. I honor this uniqueness by being confident in myself. I do my very best each and every day and I know that my best is good enough.
• Able to rest and nurture myself: With the busy-ness of life around us, it seems as though there is a prize being offered for the most activities done each day. I am able to recognize when I need to re-charge and I take time to do so regularly.

If you recognize these admirable traits in yourself, congratulations! You’re well on your way to living your legendary life. If you observe places for improvement, give yourself a pat on the back. We always have room to grow. In fact, choose one area this week that you would like to have shine, and focus there. As the holidays approach, how can you share your powerful, legendary self with those around you through these simple components of self-actualization?

Enjoy a week being the legendary you!

Kym

I have a new neighbor.

Now, that might not seem like exciting, much less interesting, news.

However, I must mention that this new neighbor is 14-20” tall, weighs about 20 pounds, and is furry all over. That’s right. My new neighbor is a yellow Labrador retriever puppy.

You might still be wondering why this is worth sharing in the first place. Well, the story really begins about six months ago when my sister—who lives in Colorado—had a roommate who was breeding a Labrador of their own. I heard updates during the pregnancy. I was given countdown days to the expected due date. And, I was provided countless pictures once the miniature puppies actually arrived.

For those dog-lovers out there, you can understand my enthusiasm for puppies. In fact, when I was in high school, my best friend bred their own Labrador and ended up housing ten puppies for almost two months. During those glorious days, I rolled around with those tiny puppies, and lavished every minute in their presence. Their sounds, their smells, and their mere awkward movements were enough to make me squeal.

The same reaction happens to me now. It’s as though my own heart swells exponentially and I can hardly keep it in my own body.

So, with this new information about puppies for sale in Colorado, I approach my husband with the prospect of making one of them part of our family.

His answer was simple. No.

Now, Steve is a dog-lover, too. Only, he had his practical mind far outweighing his emotions. Deep down, I knew he was right. We travel all of the time for work. We don’t have a sufficient yard for a large dog. And, we’re in enough transition in our life as it is.

Whether it was my maternal instinct kicking in, or my childlike response to hearing the words “no”, I often cried myself to sleep. For a few weeks, I was an emotional rollercoaster. I really wanted to take care of a puppy, but I logically knew it made no sense to do so right now.

So, to get my puppy fix, I started to visit the Butte Humane Society every week. They had puppies up for adoption who were adorable and playful. They were excited to see me when I arrived, and thrilled to entertain me with their cute puppy ways.

About a month or so after my weekly visitations began, I found eight new Labrador puppies in cages. Needless to say, I was in love instantaneously.

Except, my whole world changed when I got home that evening. As I stripped down for my evening shower, I noticed black fleas on the floor near my recently-shed clothing. What? Fleas? How could this have happened? My puppy love shifted to disbelief and frustration. I was over getting a dog of my own. I don’t have time to deal with fleas—especially ones that take three weeks to die off.

So, I settled back into my working ways and let the vision of a puppy escape my mind.

Little did I know that two months later the neighbors would get a Labrador of their own. She looks just like the one I envisioned for myself. She’s mild-mannered with the sweetest brown eyes you’ve ever seen. And, the bonus is, I get to see her when I feel like it. I pass her on morning and evening walks and still get the stoke I would as if she was living in my own home (only with a lot less stress)

My overall point is this: manifestation works.

While I didn’t know the timing or the outlook of my puppy desires, they arrived at my doorstep in a far better way than I could have imagined. By establishing my internal alignment, and focusing on the things that brought me joy, I now have been able to receive the wonderful gift of my new neighbor.

And, I can surely say that manifestation does work in mysterious ways.

Change is inevitable. In fact, it’s an inherent part of life.

We’re told this consciously, over and over again. And, we’re okay with it, if the change means my schedule after after work, or the food I’m cooking for dinner, or even the friends I’m meeting for the weekend. Yet, until a dramatic life change comes into play, it’s easy to forget the attitude necessary to make such transitions successful.

As I drove out to the lake over the weekend, I passed thousands of college students ready to float the Sacramento river. They were bronzed, barefoot, and bearing flotation devices of all shapes and sizes. Their afternoon drift down the waterway would no doubt involve copious amounts of alcohol and a lot of laughs.

This float down the river reminded me of how the changes of life really work—as well as the mindset that makes the journey enjoyable.

The river represents the flow of life energy. It’s powerful and always moving—whether you’re ready or not. The rafts are our wonderful vehicles of travel. They keep your head above water and allow you to feel the ebb and flow of the current. And, our perspective is the direction we’re heading in our rafts.

When we resist the change at our doorstep, it’s like riding our raft backwards. Even if the greatest opportunities of life were to be down the river, we wouldn’t even be able to see them. The problem gets further compounded if you add disassociation habits—like drugs and alcohol. Then, it would be damn near impossible to receive the good that awaits you in the next step of life.

Instead, when we’re open to change, open to the newness that awaits us down the river, it points our raft and gaze downstream. It’s that premise of going with the flow. And the best tactic to keep you facing the next rapid is a good-feeling emotion.

For some, that might be a sense of excitement. For others, that might be a calm that is found through meditating. And for others still, that might be the experience of relief.

Even if you can’t see the change that is around the turn in your river of life, you have the power and control over your emotions.

So, take time today to focus on what brings you relief, what elicits peace, or what inspires passion. That’s what I’m doing by writing this, and in doing so, I know that I am doing the best I can to enjoy my own life journey. And, in the process, I can be open to the times that are always a changin’.

I always am amazed at how quickly my birthday rolls around each year. Seemingly so much has happened in a 12 month period that I can hardly believe another august is here already.

And, somehow I’m really caught off-guard by people asking me what I would like for my birthday. I realize that we have been trained in our society to expect gifts from others on our special day. Even looking back at my childhood photos, I was surrounded by lots of other kids and a whole mound of presents waiting to be opened.

So, this year, I decided to do reverse-giving for my birthday. It was unintentional, at first, but soon because a huge joy over the past week.

As many of you know, I have a sweet spot in my heart, and mouth, for pastries. In fact, if you travel with me to any new location around the globe, you can count on me to find two things—the best yoga studio and the best bakery.

The latter is what drives this year’s birthday surprise.

Last week, I stopped at Upper Crust Bakery and ordered by beautiful nine-inch birthday cake. It stood four layers high, alternating chocolate and white cakes, and was topped with swirls of vanilla butter-cream frosting. The bright colors formed and edible, floral paradise. The cake even had waves on the side, which made me think fondly of surfing in warm tropical waters. (You get an up close and personal view with the picture above)

As my sister said, “that thing is f---ing huge!"

She was right.

There was no way on Earth that just Stephen and I could eat that cake over the course of our weekend together up at the lake.

Thus began the giveaway process.

On Friday, we befriended three sisters at the house to the south. They were visiting from all parts of the state, and joined us for an afternoon boat ride. When they confirmed that they also enjoyed cake, I cut a huge piece and dropped it off next door.

On Saturday, we had four friends join us for some wakeboarding, swimming, and relaxing on the dock. The day ended with a BBQ, a game of croquet, and—you guessed it—cake! Another chunk was consumed immediately, while yet another large piece was sliced and saved for their later enjoyment.

Then, Sunday was a new surprise. The resident neighbors to the north came out of hiding, and I walked over to introduce myself. After receiving a full tour of their newly-remodeled cabin, and chatting with the elderly owner for 30 minutes, I offered them some cake as well.

The size of my cake rapidly dwindled over the four days at Lake Almanor. I was just as excited to share this wondrous treat with others, as I was to consume it myself. It felt great to see the child in everyone jump out when they saw the gigantic beauty… and realize that it tasted just as good as it looked, if not better.

Now, as I sit and write this a day before my birthday, I’ve had a whole week of celebration already. I’ve shared laughter and smiles with strangers and friends alike. And, I’ve done so through giving and sharing, which is what I feel is what our lives are all about anyway.

Thanks to all of you who have brought much joy to my life, and I look forward to sharing more love with you in this fabulous year to come. Happy Birthday to me!

Trees. They are all around us. They provide shade on a sunny day. They’re the home for many creatures, insects, and bugs. And, they can be some of the greatest teachers we have at our disposal.

One of those master teachers is the redwood trees. Usually Steve and I try to make an annual to the Jedidiah Smith National Park, home of the mighty redwoods, just south of the Oregon border. This year was no exception and my past weekend in the land of giants reminded me of some important life lessons.

First, there are a few things you should know about Redwoods. They can grow close to 400 feet high and have a diameter of 10-15 feet.  They can also live to see their 2,000^th birthday. Can you imagine what you’d see over a couple thousand years?

Nestled amidst giant sequoias, ferns, and foliage, the redwoods continually take me by surprise each time I enter the region. Their presence is awe-inspiring. Their grace is magnificent. And, their sheer size and numbers is humbling.

Stepping into the silence of the Redwood forest immediately speaks to my heart. The silence connects to that ever-present stillness that is at the core of my being—that tranquility of my soul that surpasses time and space. I am instantly reminded to cease action and simply be.

It’s inevitable to feel reverent around these majestic trees. They’re stable, powerful, and amazingly beautiful—just like me. But, when I leave their company, when and how do I take time to be still? When I move, do I act with reverence for the greatest and highest good that is within me? And when I’m surrounded by busy-ness, can I keep calm and collected?

Take time today to connect with the attributes that you share in common with the Redwoods. Remember your stillness, peace, expansion, purpose, and grace. Then, smile—take a deep breath—and take those qualities with you as you move with awareness in the rest of your day.

I'm always curious about who creates the advertising slogans for various companies. Some are absolutely brilliant, while others leave me questioning their meaning.

As I sat at Tuscany, a lovely, open-air restaurant in downtown Napa on Sunday evening, my attention was frequently diverted from my husband to a sign across the street. A bright pink Nike banner claimed most of the running store's window.

The sign read, "I run to be."

At first, it seemed like a warm message that encouraged each runner to connect to their center. Yet, I kept thinking of how it actually causes an initial distraction.

The same message is really universal from our environment. "I (fill in the blank) to be."  Instead of running, it could be any given action. I could give, play, or pray my way into being.

But this philosophy to tap into our essence of being seems a bit backwards to me. Instead of trying to act our way into our core, why not just simply be? Why not draw from our own Divine nature of love, abundance, and freedom before we take various movements in our busy lives?

From this place, you can say, "I Am."

And from that place of power--and joy--you can take bold steps towards your dreams.

So, pause. Take a deep breath. Connect with the wonderful being-ness that abounds in you right now. Maybe bring a smile to your lips and enjoy your grace, beauty, and strength as you simply are in this present moment.