These last few years I have been doing so many new things I have never done before —building a business, helping to run a mindful healthcare collective, starting a podcast, teaching yoga on zoom, writing a blog, running coaching programs within Pause and Presence and for institutions. They all involved a lot of discomfort and hard work and they all also involved and led to fun.

In coach training I was introduced to the specific thought: “discomfort is the currency of your dreams.”

This thought inspired me to embrace discomfort rather than resist it.

But, because we all have unique brains, it wasn’t a great thought for me personally. It invoked a bit of stress AND it wasn’t strong enough to inspire me to action. This is what a coach helps you learn to see.

All big decisions are bumpy. Even if you know it is a “good decision.” Our brains always tell us it isn't. And second guess, even if you are shifting course to something you are passionate about, talented at, and is also impactful.

“I am too overwhelmed, busy, and stretched to do anything else.”

“It’s not the right time.”

“I don’t have time.”

I thought this for two years before I took the leap and started working with a coach.

Now I know— when you are too overwhelmed and busy is exactly when you need to make a change.

It will always seem like there is a better time.

That you don’t have time. And sometimes even that you, or it isn’t worth the investment.

Life is not perfect by any means - that is not how it is supposed to be.

I like to call it “mostly good.”

“Mostly good” allows my brain to relax and enjoy the ride.

I often get asked how I became such a model of calm and presence.

"What you practice grows."

Feeling calm and present isn't about working hard, being persistent, or "pushing through." It is about changing your outlook.

Imagine if you could be present for your loved ones.

Feel like life is a journey to be experienced and enjoyed and lived.

Rather than seeing it as a series of projects and problems to solve and things to make happen.

Getting help was never an easy thing for me. And I expect for many of you.

My mind likes to tell me I “should” be able to do it myself. That self-sufficiency is a measure of strength and adequacy.

In yoga, we always choose an intention to guide us. It is a powerful practice to pause and choose an intention (or a wish).

An intention is not a resolution and it doesn't take resolve. An intention is a guiding light to help you reach your destination and stay in alignment. My words for 2020 were BELIEVE, BLOOM, and BEAUTY.

A year ago this week, I was in Bora Bora. I was a different person in a different world.

If you take the T away from the word There, you get the word Here.

Here and There are really very similar to the eye and yet they are so extremely far apart in reality.

As a culture, we are taught to strive for There.

“When I get There, all my problems will be solved and life will be so much better.”

Do not ask your children

to strive for extraordinary lives.

Such striving may seem admirable,

but it is the way of foolishness.

Help them instead to find the wonder

and the marvel of an ordinary life

Mindful coaching is magic. “Doctoring in a different way.”

Helping the whole you. Upleveling your whole life.

And all your relationships. Creating endless positive ripple effects.

“Opening your mind,” “Turning on a lightbulb.”

Discovering hidden passions and talents is fun. I encourage you to discover what might be hiding inside.

What will the world be missing out on if you don’t share your authentic self? This is the thought that nudged me into action.

Take a stand for who you want to be in your relationships. I want to be mindful, intentional and someone I am proud of.

What’s in our control is how we show up for this moment and for each other.

How do you want to show up? With love. With presence. Perhaps even with joy when possible.

Our unmanaged minds, our not mindful minds, habitually see what is not working and what is problematic. Especially physician minds. It’s part of our training to see what’s wrong and where we fall short rather than where we have been and what we have accomplished.

Mindfully noticing and being aware of our wins, good things, and celebrating them trains our brains to see what IS working. And it brings joy and connection and positivity.