Life is such a gift. EVERY DAY is a gift. What if… you experienced this as a daily practice? How now would you experience your life on a moment to moment, day to day basis?

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

I’m reminiscing this week of a fabulous adventure (one of my favourites) which I experienced this time last year.

I’d just spent an incredible 10 days in Kenya, Africa on safari with Mike Dooley and his TUT Adventurers Group, where I also met my dear friend Emily for the first time ‘in real life.’ We had connected several months before online as a result of joining the same TUT group adventure. When I had put it to the group in a Facebook notice that I was planning on going Gorilla Trekking in Uganda straight after the event in Kenya, Emily jumped aboard the adventure with me!

Inspired by the 1988 movie “Gorillas in the Mist” with Sigourney Weaver and Aussie actor Bryan Brown, which depicts the real-life journey and odyssey of Dian Fossey who saved these beautiful creatures from extinction (though it is based in the neighbouring country Rwanda, her work impacted Uganda also), I set out to fulfil this adventure.

Recalling watching the movie for high-school and doing an english essay on it, I couldn’t help but marvel how I was TREKKING THROUGH THE JUNGLE with a small team and guards with AK47s (to protect us from bandits, not the gorillas!) It’s truly amazing how you can shift a dream from thought in to action and REALITY!

Uganda Safari | Gorilla Trekking

This trip, amongst so many other amazing adventures, is an incredible example of ‘living the dream’. In this case, MY dream.

With My Porters | Gorilla Trekking Uganda

During the 4-hours it took us to hike and cut through dense mountainous jungle to find the gorillas, I pondered a lot of the time in silence (and kept my talking to a minimal to reserve my breath for keeping up with my lung’s demands from the hiking!) I reflected on a life-turning point for me  in my early 20′s when I first read a profound book, “Think & Grow Rich” by Napolean Hill. Written in 1937, Hill not only shares how to ‘get rich’ he shares his complete philosophy on how to succeed in any area of life that is important to you. As you think, so shall you become.

 ”All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination, Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth.”
~Napoleon Hill~

Growing up I was nourished with a loving family, but like many, experienced a lot of financial stress which impacted on the family. (Though, having traveled the world to now 7 continents and 52 countries and experienced many world views on ‘wealth’ our family was rich beyond measure!) The financial challenges as a kid and teenager created great drive in my soul to set my life on course for creating financial independence and freedom, so that I could explore the world, study and learn, write, teach… and relax and enjoy life.

While gorilla trekking through the high-altitude thinning air in the mountains caused me to catch my breath at times, so too does the regular realisation of how far I’ve come in my life… from a kid who dreamed (but really didn’t think it would ever be possible) to a young adult, ‘retired’ at 32 and still living the dream on my terms at 37!

While I’ve chosen to take a short sabbatical from an intense schedule of traveling (as I did for the last 4+ years) to focus my study and learning at University (Doctor of Chiropractic) I’ve got my bucket list building again for many more adventures. Africa is most certainly high on my list as I want to explore the depths of this incredible continent, it’s people and cultures, wild life and landscapes which captivate my heart and soul.

I want to go back to Uganda, this time to see the Chimpanzees in the wild… apparently they are extremely entertaining to witness! Perhaps I will add Rwanda to my global trekking list and go for another ‘leisurely’ hike  through her mountains to see the “Gorillas in the Mist” yet again…

Where in the world do you want to travel to? What do you dream of doing with YOUR life? Stretch your imagination and believe the ‘impossible’ to be possible… think, then ACT towards your dreams by setting goals and supporting yourself with living out what is MOST important to YOU!

Dare to Dream!

Design Your Life,
Live Your Dreams.

Katie… xx

P.s. Have you trekked with the Gorillas? Or seen the chimpanzees in the wild? What was your experience?

 I have travelled ALL over the world… and there really is ..no.. where.. in the world like this ‘magic pocket of paradise’ called Margaret River, which happens to be just a short road-trip of four-hours from my home-city of Perth, Australia.

A year ago, I had a vision that was already seeded from several years before, to apply for University to study to become a Doctor of Chiropractic. I got in! While I had an extensive career background (Personal Trainer and Paramedic) I was still surprised, yet delighted, to be accepted in to study at Murdoch University for this new ‘career’ path (this is really more a personal research path for me, in alignment with my current coaching and teachings of ‘aligning yourself’).

With the second semester of the year in full-swing, and a week’s study break, I took the opportunity to head ‘south’ with a dear friend of mine, to relax, recuperate, study, and mastermind for business and coaching ideas.

We had a ball!

Margaret River | View from the ‘Barn’

Staying at a ‘friend’s’ farm, (which was fondly called the ‘Barn’) we relaxed in to the local sounds of crickets, crows, magpies and other bird calls, along with sunsets over the meadows and dam… while we relaxed with wine and a gourmet cheese platter talking about all aspects of life… and what makes life so great …and, what also …well… sucks.. yup, we talked about the full spectrum of life.

Margaret River Farmstay

My dog, Cooper-Kelly (‘Cooper’ for short) came with us on our journey. She’s now 13, going 14. In human years that makes her the equivalent of about 95 years young. SHE is the core reason why I have found a way to ‘ground’ myself this year, and for the coming years to celebrate the rest of her life with her EVERY DAY THAT I CAN. I’m very grateful for all the travel that I have done (extensively) for the last 4 years. But it’s time I honour the ‘guide-girl’ full-time, that has been by my side for so long.  While I have come back to Perth every 3-6 months during my travels, it’s time I now give Cooper ALL my time, love and attention. She deserves it.

And the bonus is, as a lover of study and research, I am fulfilling yet another dream to get my University degree… as a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Margaret River

Our stay in Margaret River was at a beautiful and expansive farmstay property, with a ‘barn’ set up with all the amenities. The view was to die for! The property was a beauty to walk, to take in the fresh air and the expansive boundries, bordering National park land. Inside the property is a damn, lots of rolling meadows, bush and landscape that transported me back to my magical memories of Kenya, Africa. There are a lot of sounds, visuals and smells that are so alike!

Margaret River Wineries

The key difference about Margaret River is the gourmet foods and wineries, that abound the land and delight the senses. The grapes of the region are …..incredible…. and the experience of the different wineries is a real treat. From European influence, to modern Australian and a variety of ambience in-between, there is a lot of character in this part of the world.

Margaret River Gourmet Goodies

If wine is not your favourite ‘thing’ then there are so many other gourmet delights to tantalise your senses. Hot ‘real’ chocolate at The Margaret River Chocolate Factory; soap, olives and other Italian-infused delights at the Olive Soap Factory, a gourmet spread of cheeses at the Margaret River Cheese Factory, nougat which is made at several different locations, fine silks, soft wool, and oh gosh, so much more…. it really is heaven in this region…

Margaret River Australia

And the flowers of this area are just.. incredible [yes, all photos are original and copyright, taken by me at the time of my stay in the area this past week]. Plus, as the earth spins on her axis and enters into September, we also celebrate the beginning of Spring – and the new blooms that she brings. So …thank you, Mother Earth!

If you haven’t yet visited and experienced Margaret River, I am finally letting the ‘cat out of the bag’ for my MOST FAVOURITE place in the world (OK, it’s my second favourite next to Kenya… I just LOVE the Maasai Mara!) But this region is truly diverse, magical, relaxing and there is NO OTHER place in the world like it, with all it’s beauty, refinery, elegance yet simplicity…

Thank God, that ‘she’…  Margaret River, is in my own ‘back yard’!!!

“Nothing But Net” Best-seller

Tick!

That’s the sound of me marking off another achievement on my Bucket List.

This week, as part of a book collaboration with some amazing speakers, authors, entrepreneurs and Celebrity Press Publishing, our book “Nothing But Net” was launched and within a few days has already hit FIVE of the Amazon Best-Seller Lists in:

• Marketing
• Communication Skills
• Entrepreneurship
• Direct Marketing
• Small Business & Entrepreneurship

To add to the thrill, is being inducted into the ‘National Academy of Best-selling Authors as a verified ‘Best-Selling’ Author! Wow! Pinch me!

One of my key mentors, James Malinchak, is also a leading contributor in the book. You may recognise him from T.V. from the “Secret Millionaire” series (U.S.) in which he appeared in Season 2.

James is one of the best marketers I know, and genuine with a heart of gold to boot! His Big Money Speaker training Boot Camps are the most highly recommend events I could refer you to. Simple, elegant, clever, and attracts incredible people for you to mix with. James has a consistent history of truly taking care of you at a personal level to make sure you meet your goals.

If you have any desire to study marketing, or Speaker Training…. then be sure to check out Big Money Speaker Training Boot Camps. James has another bootcamp coming up this December 6-9, in Los Angeles. Be quick to get in, as these events fill up so fast!

Oh, and when I went through James’s Big Money Speaker Bootcamp in December 2011, the bonus opportunity I had was to meet Steadman Graham. A wonderful man in his own right, and also just a hug away from Oprah! (She’s on my list to meet too)

James, Katie & Stedman Graham

So, it is through James, that I had this wonderful opportunity of being invited to share in the collaboration of “Nothing But Net.” I want to shout out a big THANK YOU JAMES! Thank you Nick, Angie and the rest of the team at Celebrity Press Publishing!

I really appreciate you all, for helping me to bring life to one of my BIG dreams.

Dreams do come true. But, you have to be deliberate in designing what you want to happen. Then take action as opportunities unfold and open up to you.

To get the twelve FUNDAMENTAL STEPS in how to “Design your life and live your dreams”, order your copy of “Nothing But Net” today, and you also get access to hundreds in dollars worth of bonuses!

Keith Barry "Brain Hacker"

Normally I’m a globe-trotter, yet recently am more ‘grounded’ in Perth, Australia as a I have chosen to do more research and study the field of Chiropractic at University. I have missed the ‘heady-spin’ of travel and experiencing new cultures and lands. But that’s temporary. I’m continually building my bucket list of where to go next, when my studies are complete.

I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland. Yet last night, I experienced a large Irish culture here in my home-city in Perth, Western Australia.

Ireland came to me.

Meet Keith Barry – an Irish Mentalist, Hypnotist, Magician, Illusionist… and and Activist for the Elderly!

He performed his event (well truthfully, we – the audience – performed, while he facilitated) here last night at the Octagon Theatre at UWA (University of Western Australia). There were probably 600 people at the event, with at least HALF being IRISH. Many came dressed in supportive green colours. They stood out, but none more so than the conversational tone heard amongst the crowd with the Irish lilt!

I first saw Keith Barry ‘live’ on one of the morning T.V. shows (Sunrise) a few weeks ago, while laid up in bed with back pain (separate topic to share another time). But, I do have the ‘time out’ to be thankful for as because of it, I watched MUCH MORE T.V. than I would normally tune in to. I witnessed Keith’s incredible slight of hand and magic (down right fantastic illusions!) performed on the morning show’s co-hosts, David Koch and Melissa Doyle.

His performance on the morning show, and his performance live on the stage last night….still has me reeling today with AWE, wondering how the heck he not only did all the ‘tricks’ but also how he wraps it all up together at the very end.

I’ve never seen anything like it!

I really don’t want to spoil it for you, and take you on a journey of a “write-bite” of what happened. What I am going to say is, Keith Barry is ABSOLUTELY worth your time, effort and money to go see him live.

…When he invited me on stage to be part of his “prove that psychics are NOT psychics” ‘trick’ ….I still don’t know how HE WROTE DOWN ON PAPER the name of my grandfather who passed over…The name of my grand father is not an easy one either.

When Keith Barry asked me to think of someone who has passed over I first thought of my father’s father, Grandpa George Smith… but then immediately thought that name might be “too easy to guess”. So I focused on my mother’s father (who I barely knew) who’s name was (is?) Melvin Feldhahn. I can’t recall the entire line of conversation (monologue as I didn’t speak, except when my jaw dropped when he was CORRECT!) ….But he took me through quite a journey of making many very correct statements about myself and some people in my life… including a question of “What does ‘field’ and ‘man’ have in common with you?” Then the penny dropped at what he was eluding to: my Grandfather’s last name was “FELDHAHN”. Then (without me seeing) he wrote down “MELVIN” on a large pad which I held (without seeing yet) – to which he asked me what my Grandfather’s name was. Then had me look at the pad and show it to the audience. THAT BLEW MY MIND!

Keith Barry is currently on his “Brain Hacker” tour in Australia. Check out his tour dates here: www.keithbarry.com

This is really amazing:- Here’s a great intro to what his skill-set is like, at a TED Talk:

In the video above Keith Barry takes you on a journey about ‘brain magic’… dealing with the area of psychological and mind-reading effects. So unlike traditional magic, it uses the power of words, linguistic deception, non-verbal communication and various other techniques to create the illusion of a sixth sense.

If you still haven’t clicked play and watched the video yet.. do.. because he will show you how easy it is to manipulate the human mind once you know how!

Though… I’m still reeling with figuring out “knowing how”… rather, simply enjoying (and marvelling) at his skill-set and entertainment.

Have you seen Keith Barry live? Or been a part of his ‘show’? What was your experience like? (Mind-blowing isn’t he?)

Swan Valley River Cruise Wine Tour

My last post recently declared my “37 Wishes” to celebrate my 37th year on this planet.

Fast to take action, and delighted by a dear friend who bought me one of the wishes as a birthday experience, we both had a blast on the “River Lady,” a Captain Cook Cruise in Perth (Australia).

Just a reminder, here’s the list of my wishes:

1. Get all my financials up to date and tracked weekly
2. Recommence my helicopter flying lessons
3. Write more – publish more
4. Finish 1st year of University degree
5. Complete first semester of 2nd year of University degree
6. Launch my “Design Your Life, Live Your Dreams” webinar series
7. Read a book a week… or a month!
8. Enjoy my pool more — swim regularly
9. Swim with the whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia)
10. Enjoy a swan valley wine tour and cruise
11. Organise my pantry
12. Convert gluten free cookbook to PDF product for sale online
13. Weigh 62 kilos or less
14. Exercise 5-6 days a week
15. Renew my senior first aid certificate
16. Cook a roast duck meal
17. Go gliding at Beverley (WA)
18. Explore Fremantle Jail (museum)
19. Experience a ride in a pink stretch hummer.
20. Ride on a Harley tour
21. Ride in a side car
22. Go on the Kalgoorlie inspector train ride
23. Go on a mystery tour flight within Australia
24. Dine at Aires Rock (Uluru) and watch the sun set.
25. Be a zookeeper for the day
26. Experience the North Star Kimberley Cruise
27. Go on a ‘Horizontal Falls’ Kimberley flight (Talbot Bay)
28. Visit and volunteer with the orangutans in Sumatra or Borneo
29. Do a renovation/flip property deal
30. Perth Royal Show – ride all the 4+ fear factor rides.
31. Walk a part of the Bibbleman track.
32. Do a barrell roll in an airplane
33. Sponsor a child’s wish at Starlight Foundation
34. Do ‘nothing’ for 1 week, just because.
35. Recreate my mentor board — of women only.
36. Throw a summer pool party
37. Explore the Caribbean on a cruise, and visit islands I haven’t yet been to.

With my dear friend Jen

Having enjoyed a quiet celebration at home with some of my family on the eve of my birthday I awoke early Sunday morning with a slightly sore head from a few too many champagnes. Jen and I headed out for a mid-morning start to a full day scenic river cruise.

City of Perth

It involved a lot of access to wine. We were reminded immediately that “wine is complimentary, not compulsory!” I wasn’t particularly in the mood for it anyway, as I had been low in energy and ‘fighting’ a ‘bug’ for over a week.

It didn’t stop me from ‘tasting’ though… why waste the opportunity, right?

Wine & Cheese

Not long after we departed from the Barrack Street Jetty in the heart of Perth City we were offered a variety of wines to taste. A cheese platter was also given “to clean the palate”.

Having had a fitness and fat loss focus for now the last 7 weeks (and had NO “naughty” cheese during this time) I was acutely aware I could possibly put a huge dent in my success so far (currently down 6 kilos in 6 weeks). I was allowing myself to have SOME of the cheese. To keep my commitment I read the label for the calories, and worked out that the entire plate was pretty much worth a full day’s worth of ‘food’. So I did a ‘tasting’ on the cheese platter also and left the majority of it untouched. Pretty good reservation, since I’m normally a huge cheese fan!

The wine, was delicious… but the scenic view and spending time with my friend was the greatest joy of the day.

Scenic Cruise

The tour is narrated by the Skipper (in this case Narelle), sharing a lot of the history, Perth facts and even upcoming events and city progress. Have you heard of Rolf Harris? We passed the house he was famous for growing up in, and learned some interesting details including his daily habit as a youngster to swim 5km from his home-river backyard.

Captain Cook Cruise Crew - Narelle & Charlotte

The crew for the cruise tour was ‘intimate’ with Narelle our Skipper and Charlotte who was our host. Being a Sunday and winter, the number of passengers on board was small – only 14 of us in all! But we had a lot of fun together, forging some new friendships and bonding as three of us were celebrating our birthday on the day.

Sandalford Wine Tasting

Our first stop up-river was at Sandalford Winery for a wine tasting opportunity, and shopping! (They have an amazing gift shop!)

Wayne, our host at the winery is originally from Kenya. Our skipper, Narelle also has a passion for Kenya (and close ties to it with property and charity). For those of you who already know, ever since I did my trip(s) to Africa last year I have fallen in love with Kenya. I have a real affinity to it, drawn magnetically to the land, the culture, the animals, the people. There’s just something about Kenya that energetically draws me. Meeting two people in PERTH in one day with connections to Kenya captured my attention. I must… go.. back.. to… Kenya… somehow I feel my soul has a purpose with that part of the world.

Back to wine tasting, in Perth… and back on board the cruise… down the river (towards the City) this time, to stop for lunch – at the Water’s Edge Winery. 

Water's Edge Winery

As soon as you enter the restaurant through the ‘cellar’ doors you feel the warmth of the fire crackling near the table that was set up for us. Unfortunately a few complained that it was too hot so it was eliminated. Shame. I enjoyed it!

No shortage of elegance with the three course meal – soup, then a choice of three options for the main, followed by a delicious dessert…. all of it washed down with plenty of wine. Given it was our birthdays and quite a small group, the restaurant manager was generous and liberal with adding extra champagne (not normally included).

The meal came with an ‘over-delivery’ of expectation. Our cruise host, Charlotte, began a solo-show of singing her heart out over the microphone somewhat cabaret style. Stunned by the beauty of her voice we were riveted with her performance, which often included engaging others at the table to lend their own voice at intervals with the lyrics of her songs. Occasionally the microphone was hijacked by a zealous singer in the group, causing us to roar with laughter!

Then… more wine tasting… for those who dared. I was full. But Charlotte entertained everyone while pouring liberal tastings to the ambitious drinkers.

Water's Edge Winery - Wine Tasting

Jen and I bailed and headed outside for the winter sunshine and laid out on the manicured lawn by the river for a rest. I really wasn’t feeling 100% (and not just from too many champagnes the night before  [a few days after the cruise I was hit with a bout of tonsillitis which explained my severe build up of fatigue during the week before]).

On the way back to Perth on the cruise tour we were offered more wine, and the small group of us on the boat made it to the front sun deck to enjoy the sunshine while cruising back up the river. I asked for a cup of tea. Charlette looked a little shocked but organised a cuppa for me.

I continued to enjoy the beautiful winter weather – the sun shining, the water glistening, the fresh air against my face as Charlotte continued singing and engaging the passengers who were fully enjoying the cruise.

When you come to Perth (or if you live here), I recommend you add this experience to your bucket list… it’s a very enjoyable day out!

Now that I have a focus on more of a ‘home and study’ lifestyle, my schedule has been hectic with my attention ‘hijacked’ particularly during the last several months.

I’ve really missed writing and updating my blog. I’m planning on doing something about that… as you will soon read…

Today is my birthday (22nd July). 37 has a nice ‘ring’ to it, doesn’t it? I recently thought “why wait until my Big ’40′ to do something daring!”

So I now want to set my intention for …much more fun… while I continue to move towards my study goal at University.

At a recent family gathering our discussion took it’s usual twists and turns for the exploration of what is possible… and with the pending approach of my (now) birthday I mentioned I wanted to focus on celebrating a year-long ‘birthday’ experience of fun, adventure, and over-all new things.

So with a diary and pen I scribed as a substantial compilation of ideas were thrown at me. Some I vetted straight away. Others I tried on like a new coat in a store that isn’t my normal taste in trend. But willing to see how it fits (and looks) anyway… I wrote many of those down – some I edited, some inspired me for more compelling ideas (to me), some just made me laugh — like my brother’s suggestion to create a “Danny Deckchair” moment and see how many helium balloons it’d take to launch myself in the air while sitting in a plastic chair!

My short-list of ideas are a loose blend of goals and ‘bucket list’ items. Experiences and desires that I would love to have and achieve during the next twelve months. (Some are to be more of a regular ‘habit’ that I want to consistently get in to and or maintain). But unlike ‘goals’ which are typically more ‘driven’ focused, these are ‘wishes’ which I am allowing myself open to attract, receive, ‘meander across my pathway,’ be at the fate of “co-incidence”, and even experience a touch of ‘magic’ in the unfolding of how these eventuate.

Don’t worry, I will of course still take plenty of ACTION.. which is the biggest component of ‘attrACTION.’ (And there are some items on this list which are indeed MUST goals, but included and ‘wrapped’ in gift paper to myself to inspire and associate even more fun and joy with what I want).

I’ll be updating my blog with my adventures, striking through those things on the list (see below) that I experience or accomplish.

So here’s my list:

37 Wishes

1. Get all my financials up to date and tracked weekly
2. Recommence my helicopter flying lessons
3. Write more – publish more
4. Finish 1st year of University degree
5. Complete first semester of 2nd year of University degree
6. Launch my “Design Your Life, Live Your Dreams” webinar series
7. Read a book a week… or a month!
8. Enjoy my pool more — swim regularly
9. Swim with the whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia)
10. Enjoy a swan valley wine tour and cruise
11. Organise my pantry
12. Convert gluten free cookbook to PDF product for sale online
13. Weigh 62 kilos or less
14. Exercise 5-6 days a week
15. Renew my senior first aid certificate
16. Cook a roast duck meal
17. Go gliding at Beverley (WA)
18. Explore Fremantle Jail (museum)
19. Experience a ride in a pink stretch hummer.
20. Ride on a Harley tour
21. Ride in a side car
22. Go on the Kalgoorlie inspector train ride
23. Go on a mystery tour flight within Australia
24. Dine at Aires Rock (Uluru) and watch the sun set.
25. Be a zookeeper for the day
26. Experience the North Star Kimberley Cruise
27. Go on a ‘Horizontal Falls’ Kimberley flight (Talbot Bay)
28. Visit and volunteer with the orangutans in Sumatra or Borneo
29. Do a renovation/flip property deal
30. Perth Royal Show – ride all the 4+ fear factor rides.
31. Walk a part of the Bibbleman track.
32. Do a barrell roll in an airplane
33. Sponsor a child’s wish at Starlight Foundation
34. Do ‘nothing’ for 1 week, just because.
35. Recreate my mentor board — of women only.
36. Throw a summer pool party
37. Explore the Caribbean on a cruise, and visit islands I haven’t yet been to.

Some of these are easy to attain, others are a much bigger stretch given I’m also now studying full-time and based in Perth, Western Australia. Some require a lot of time to prepare for and do, others will take part of a day. All will bring joy and adventure to my heart and soul. Many will cause me to stretch and grow way past my comfort zone.

Is there anything on this list that inspires you? What WOULDN’T you do?

As I update and write about these adventures, I’ll mention why I chose each experience or ‘goal’ as well as sharing my ‘wish’ encounter.

RULES: My only rule is there are no rules… unless “have fun,” “enjoy,” “go with the flow” count as parameters.

This is a journey. A celebration every day of life. Of fun. Of adventure. Of being 37 years young. Come along with me, cheer me on, perhaps even join me for some of the wishes.

Most of all, may I inspire you in to creating your own wish list and living out your best life.

Love,

Katie

How To Enjoy Life

Are you looking for a better way to ‘happiness’ or simply how to enjoy life more?!

During my coaching with many of my clients, I hear “Katie, I just want to enjoy my life more!” and they ask me what’s my secret for being so happy and JOYful!?

I hear this again and again and again, from AMAZING women (and men) that have been hypnotised by today’s media and society of what you need in order to be happy. Don’t worry, I’ve been there too.. and have found a way to break the hypnotic spell.

So.. listen in, because I’m going to share with you in this article some of the secrets how I made my own pathway to happiness, and how you can to. The great thing is… it’s more simple than you think, but there are a few caveats.

Letting Go…

..Of some of your old thought-models for how others expect you to live your life. This is a little tough mentally and emotionally to re-condition, but for actions it’s as simple as asking yourself “is this what I really want, or is this something someone else wants for me?”

There is always a bias agenda for someone else wanting you to play out your life in their terms — to fulfil their own unfulfilled life dreams, to live out THEIR highest values, even projecting their ‘love’ for you so that you don’t ‘fail’ — note, this last sentence can also be read as they are running their life on fear, not love. Running your life on fear, is an unconscious way to live.

To live in the NOW, in the moment, you need to be CONSCIOUS.

Living your life CONSCIOUSLY is also living your life from a foundational root of LOVE. Real unconditional love.

The answer here… is to become aware, acknowledge everything for what it really is, and LOVE THEM forward on their pathway, while owning your own life as yours… to live out what is most important for you. That’s your gift of life on this planet!

Okay, so that was a bit of a “whack” to wake up to… here’s some more tips…

Being PRESENT in the NOW is the REAL GIFT of life. 

Really. This thought may have been a bit loosely bantered around within your earshot, but if you are not yet CONSCIOUSLY embracing every moment of every day of your life, you are taking your every breath for granted!

Being connected, engaged in ALL your senses in each moment is a truly exceptional space and energy-field to be empowered and sense the world as ONE, and therefore see even more possibility and potential and able to listen in for the answers to your questions on how to move your life forward with the next step.

This shows up in everything you do.

For example, whether you are focused on a task at hand (one at a time to completion of a ‘part’ or whole of the project — I’ll get back to this in a minute) or a conversation with a family member, friend, client or colleague BE PRESENT 100%. Working on a task? Then temporarily disconnect from other things that can distract you such as Facebook, twitter, email, etc… and silence your phone! In fact, turn off ALL alerts! (Instead, get into the habit of checking your accounts at certain times of the day, instead of it stealing your primary mental real estate — and your energy!)

There is a very real link between being present, completing something and feeling happy.

Let me elaborate a little more.

If it’s a conversation you are having with someone, on the phone or in person, then be present with that person. Turn of your phone (including deactivating ‘vibrate’ as this will only distract your energy). Complete the conversation. Being present will open you up to not only connecting with that person at a deeper level, but also engaging your own spirit to the awareness of all ‘signs’ for opportunities in your life. It may be that you become aware that a ‘casual’ comment you say to your friend or colleague is actually more relevant to your own life — and now go put that in action.

Also note, that if you can’t be present with the person in the moment because you have other things to attend to or you are finishing up a task, then simply say “Hey, Everything OK? I’m just finishing something up. Can I call you back in 15 (fill in your time) minutes so I can be fully present for you!” Do you know how much the other person is truly going to appreciate that?! AND you will benefit from it also.

If it’s a task, completing a PART (an allocated segment) or the entire project will inject you with a sense of fulfilment, happiness and JOY than if you are scattered with a million incomplete pieces.

CELEBRATE!

Another key to happiness NOW is to celebrate EVERYTHING! Celebrate the small steps, the small actions, the new decisions that you make not just the ‘end-of-game’ goals that you ‘kick’.

There is no reason to delay your happiness!

The truth is, we as human beings are hard-wired to seek approval… to be “good enough.”

From a very young age we are rewarded for succeeding and finishing the BIG goals. And perhaps ignored, or reprimanded if we don’t ‘make the grade.’

This is BS!

YOU… RIGHT NOW.. ARE …GOOD ENOUGH!!!

So celebrate THAT truth first. Now, moving forward also practice celebrating every step of your life. Including all those moments you perceived as ‘false-steps’ or ones that you thought were “off track” because the truth is, EVERY step of your life is…. PERFECT.

Everyone has a UNIQUE path – “What you think of me is none of my business”

Along this same thought-track of ‘stepping’ along your pathway of life… let go of judging your life (and other’s) for what you think it ‘should’ be.

‘Should’ is a false ideal that is out of alignment with what your spirit really wants, or you simply having not yet made the connection between how taking that action will help you toward your outcome.

You take action on the things you value the most. YOU know what is most important to you.

If you are catching yourself saying “I should be doing ‘X’..” then pause and ask yourself, “What is it I really want? What’s my outcome? What will fulfil me? What will I need to take action on now to experience the result I am after?” …these quality questions will help you close the gap between where you are right now and where you want to go to next.

Enjoy the journey

This ties in with celebrating every step of the way. But really, life is so much about being in every experience. It’s not about the ‘end in mind’… which is simply a directional point for which you will travel towards to. Once you get ‘there,’ there will be another directional point — your ‘North Star’ — so to speak, for you to continue yet another segment of your life journey.

So since there is NO END, know now that the point is the PROCESS. The process is being PRESENT and being present is being HAPPY…. there’s the GIFT for how to enjoy life!

If you enjoyed this article… please share your comments below and CLICK the Facebook ‘Like’ button — perhaps even repost to your family and friends…
The more love and conscious awakening we all share to help people enjoy their life more NOW …the better world we create for us all to live in.

Love,

Katie x

planting seeds for passive income

Today a friend of mine commented on this picture quote I posted on Facebook, with “Sometimes I feel like all I’ve been doing is planting. When is the harvest?”

My response to him was one I felt the urge to share here too, as it brings to light a paradigm shift in wealth creation to transform your life to live it MUCH MORE on YOUR TERMS.

I said, “we need to be planting a cross-pollination of seeds… some seeds are like vegetables or lettuce – that pop up in weeks! Some are like a fruit orchard – and take years… Some are like acorns (oak trees) – that take generations to fully develop. You need ALL THREE ‘groups’ of seeds for ‘now’ and ‘sustainability.’

He wrote back with, “So true. Sometimes it feels like it takes so long to get to where you want to be. It really is about leaving a legacy. Not an annual garden that doesn’t sustain itself.”

Disclaimer

Now, let’s be clear. I’m neither a financial advisor, nor a financial “guru” but what I will share with you is a few of the foundational financial keys to success that I have leveraged off to create my own financial freedom, and lifestyle freedom that comes along with that.

Passive Income

Have you ever planted your own garden? From scratch? Perhaps you have also paid a small premium and bought some established, yet still young plants to get a ‘head start’. Either way, your yard or garden may initially look a little bare. It can even be frustrating and sometimes disheartening when still months (or sometimes a few years) have passed and the landscape still looks quite barren, perhaps sandy and blowing around with the winds of time, requiring you to spend a lot of energy, effort and time to tend to the grounds…. until they get established.

Then, with lots of water, nurturing, attention and TIME, “all of a sudden” there is an explosion of growth.

Everything seems to take off, and though your garden still requires your time and attention, along with nurturing… it doesn’t need it AS MUCH. It becomes more hardy. It starts to take care of itself as far as growth. You still need to maintain it, perhaps mow the lawn, constantly pull weeds out, and sometimes replant the seeds or plants that wither and die… they were the annuals or the plants that simply didn’t make it.

Money Seeds do grow into Money Trees! 

So it is with planting ‘Money Trees’…. you most often plant MANY SEEDS to grow your ‘money garden’. Sometimes you may purchase established young (or perhaps mature) ‘MONEY TREES’ which will bare fruit or flowers… or simply have new growth… early on. But understand that the best ‘money trees’ are the ones that you can…. eat the fruit, but leave the tree… which will bare more fruit, season after season after season. 

This is the concept of passive income. 

Passive income is what leverages your TIME, and sets you FREE from having to constantly actively exchange your time for money.

Here’s something else to think about.

If you only plant a single fruit tree, it most likely will only bare fruit for a ‘portion of the time.’ But if you have multiple varieties of ‘fruit’ trees that bare their goods in different seasons, by creating an orchard you can create MULTIPLE streams of passive income all year round.

“But trees take a long time to grow!” I hear you …. whine?

Yes, they do. And in this day and age with a constant urgency for ‘Instant Gratification’ it’s really important to understand the principle of planting a LOT OF SEEDS, and NOT just the same variety!

You need to plant ”fast-growing’ seeds too. The ones that are like a vegetable or herb, will bare goods for you in weeks or months. The thing is, often with this variety of seeds you may get multiple harvests or perhaps a single harvest only. So their capacity for ‘Passive Income’ generation is truly limited. But it gives you instant cash-flow and perhaps a little leverage.

But you must PLAN your seed planting and the types of seeds for the seasons you are planting them in.

So while you are planting ‘fast-growing’ seeds or small plants, also get in to the habit of planting seeds (or young saplings) for your trees. You want to grow a sustainable orchard.

Plant your seeds and DON’T DIG THEM UP!

Patience is required here. Also an understanding of how time and the ‘miracle grow’ called ‘compound growth’ works.

You wouldn’t plant an acorn seed, only to go dig it up a week later, a month later, or even a year later (or ten years!) KNOWING it’s an OAK tree (which can take 20-30 years before it provides SHADE) you understand your investment in that plant and the nature of it’s DNA. It has a blueprint. Another tree will take perhaps much less time to mature: baring fruit or shade or flowers.

Each tree has a blueprint. So do ‘money seeds’ and passive income streams depending on their make-up.

So the key is, to have multiple money seeds and/or young trees planted regularly in your ‘garden of life’ so that you can have multiple forms of harvest (income) as your own life ‘matures’ (study, learn, research, grow and become a more sophisticated with managing your money and financial growth). For each person, that time frame can be and is different. Depending on your vision, values, goals, and daily action your results will be determined by these factors, and perhaps more.

Values

What is most important to you is what you highly value. If you are not yet clear on your highest values (or you want to be sure you really are living in alignment with them) ask yourself, what do you spend MOST of your time, energy, focus and resources on? There will lie the truth to what you value the most…

And.. if you value clothes, material possessions, food, alcohol, spending most of your money on your children or family…. consumables… then that will determine how your financial growth and possibly passive income blueprint will turn out for you… (usually with these values highest on your list, it will be very… very… slow (if any) financial growth).

If you value (remember truly consistently acting out on a daily basis) financial growth, savings, intelligent investments, passive income, leveraging your value not your time, and hold dear a value for money, you will most definitely procure a greater harvest of sustainable money trees in your life.

Types of money trees

There are many, many, many ways to create passive income streams. But they ALL require some foundational effort and creation, launching (planting) and nurturing (e.g. marketing, managing, or perhaps pruning the ‘deadwood’ to allow new growth!)

A few examples are the obvious: positive cash-flow real estate, share-strategies that create cash flow, business (positive cash-flow). But there are a lot more ways to make passive income that perhaps you may or may not have thought about, and are the ‘young trees’ or ‘seeds’ that you can begin preparing your own garden for and plant today: book sales (including digital format), audio files (not just songs, but books, information, voice-over royalties, sound-file royalties, etc), a product you create (information or physical), patents, licensing, list-building assets who you can promote affiliate offers to (this is ‘almost passive’… takes little effort at all to sometimes bare $$$$’s with an email ‘blast’ to your niche (and hungry) market.

There are so many more ways… can you think of a few yourself?

If you found this article valuable, please click ‘Like’ and SHARE it.
Feel free to write your comments, suggestions or feedback. I’d love to hear from you.

Most of all, I wish for you your best and greatest financial future to create a wonderful money tree garden or orchard to serve yourself, your family, your community and leave a legacy.

Love, Katie Joy
“The Global Butterfly”

P.s. if you are looking for a coach (who walks their talk) to help you develop better money management skills and habits, along with designing a lifestyle design strategy tailored to you… you may be interested to read this information ….click here

Fear of Change

“Change before you have to.”
~Jack Welch~

Is there something in your life that you are afraid to do to make a life-benefitting change?

Perhaps it’s to say something to someone.

Or take A STEP towards that ‘scary’ goal (scary only because YOU think it’s something beyond YOUR limits!)

This is a simple blog post.

GET THE F*&K OVER IT!

And TAKE action.

If you want to hang on to your excuses, and take a minimal risk…

then donate your CHANGE here…

and we’ll use it wisely to help those that WANT to and ARE WILLING TO…

TAKE ACTION…

but perhaps don’t have the same life opportunities as YOU.

So go on..

TWO choices.

TAKE ACTION NOW with YOUR STEPS towards YOUR GOALS..

or

DONATE your CHANGE for CHANGE

NOW!

Thanks!

Good luck in your choice.