No. 51 - Stop Playing Small!

Today, I decided to start adding to my 50 Ways for a Mom to Connect with her Authentic Self, and number 51 is all about owning your greatness!

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Too often, when someone has thanked me for something, I respond, "Oh, it's nothing."

I truly think that I am being kind by saying it. 

But I am not.  Not to the other person - who is appreciating me for what I have done. 

Nor to myself.

In saying "Oh, it's nothing."  I dismiss their appreciation and disrespect them.

In saying "Oh, it's nothing."  I devalue what I have done and fail to recognize my impact on another.

I am playing small.

It's hard to not play small when the world tells us to not boast or brag or be too full of ourselves.  At times, playing small feels like the right thing to do.

I am realizing that it is not. 

I am realizing that I can be appreciated.

I am realizing that I do have value and that it is not boastful to simply acknowledge and recognize my impact on others.

So, now

I am learning to say "Thank You!  I appreciate your kind words."

I am learning to say "Thank You!"

and truly mean it.

How do you play small?

What if you tried to own your greatness?!!?

Be You...

A little video I created!  Enjoy!

Rainy Days

It's raining today.  And as I woke up this morning, I immediately thought - "Ugh, what a crappy morning."  And - guess what?!!?  It was.  Owen was whiny.  Alex was too "busy" to listen.  The school bus was due to arrive.  I was crabby.  And they knew it!

Luckily we made it to the bus stop, just in time.  My two boys hopped on the bus and I took a deep breath.  I headed back home. 

But, the rain cloud followed me in. 

As I started the rest of my day, the foggy gray-ness hung over me.  I tried to shake it.  I tried to ignore it.  I tried to fight it.  But it was still there. 

So I joined it.

I grabbed my pen, my journal, and sat down and wrote.  I let the gray cloud and rain exist. I let it run it course. I allowed it to happen.  My emotions exploded onto the paper and the attached feelings flowed freely.

Little had I known all that was bottled up inside.

Outside, I still hear the rain pitter-pattering on my roof.

Inside, the gray clouds are dissipating and my mood is lifting.  I can even see the sun peaking through the clouds!

How do you deal with your rainy days?

No. 35 - Create a Vision Board

In my 50 Ways for a Mom to Connect with her Authentic Self, number 35 is all about putting your dreams into pictures!

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The other day I did an exercise about working through a problem with Coach Joelle.   I was instructed to picture an issue or concern and then envision a solution. 

My problem was, "How am I going to share my children's book, Moments to Savor with the world?

I closed my eyes and pictured this issue.  I saw my children's book manuscript in its current state - a file on my computer - neatly centered, double spaced, in Times New Roman 12 point font - just sitting there in a folder filled with 77 other documents.

Then I envisioned my solution and saw a hard copy, folded neatly together with a letter, in an addressed envelope, stamped and ready to be taken to the post office.  The picture in my mind evolved and I began to see an image of the cover of my book - and while the image on the cover was hazy (but colorful) the font (a very fun swirly font) and words were clear..."Moments to Savor by Kim Dettmer".  Milliseconds later, I imagined myself reading this book, both to my boys, and to a classroom filled with children.

Unexpectedly a huge grin spread across my face and a warmth filled my heart.  The picture in my mind was so clear that it felt like I could step into it and actually live in that moment!

So, in the spirit of a vision board, I decided to draw a snapshot of one of those images and hang it on my bulletin board and a regular visual reminder.

Will drawing this picture help me share this book with the world? 

Honestly, I don't know. 

But, what I do know is that, since drawing this picture and doing that exercise with Coach Joelle, six letters, with six manuscripts were folded neatly into addressed envelopes and taken to the post office and are currently headed to six editors.

What issue are you facing?

Why not envision your solution - and maybe even draw it?

No harm in doing that...right?

Women on Fire Day - WooHooies!

"You may have already set into motion, what it takes for
your dreams to come true."

~Janette Barber (keynote speaker, WOF Day 2011)

On Friday I attended Debbie Phillips' amazing Women on Fire Day in Columbus.  And all I have to say, is WooHooies!  It was spectacular!  I met women from their teens into their 80's who are inspiring, encouraging, supportive, and powerful! 

Women who want to create their best lives possible!

Women who are living the life of their dreams, and others who are just beginning to get a glimpse their dreams!

Women who are not catty, backstabbing, or competitive.

Women who truly, genuinely, want every woman to succeed and are excited to cheer each other on!

Women who authentically share themselves - the good, the bad, and the ugly - in a spirit of growth!

Women who are positive, optimistic, and not even a little whiney.

Women who are on fire about life!

Enjoy watching a glimpse of the day!

(video created by the amazing Jamie Eslinger)

It was a day that filled my soul with goodness!

What fills your soul?