Welcome to the magical world of transformation…

Hi there! Coach Cassandra Rae here.  Do you have a few minutes to chat?

Oh good. Hasn’t this been such an amazing process to face 1 fear a day? Don’t you feel courageous, bold, and empowered?

What? Oh…you feel bad because you haven’t kept up with it.  Yeah, I know what you mean.  I didn’t keep up with it either.  In fact, that’s why I’m calling you today.  Can you believe that I didn’t update my list for almost the entire month of October?!  It’s just that there was so much going on in my life.  I didn’t have the time or the energy to keep up with it.  In fact, it was probably good for my health to let it go.

Oh yeah…I know what you mean.  When things in my personal life get whacked so does everything else and it doesn’t matter how much I want to do stuff.  I simply have to rearrange to accommodate my priorities.  Speaking of which, that brings me back to why I’m calling.  I wanted to share with you that I’m thinking about switching it up and I would really love to receive your feedback.  You see, I found that the first 17 days of the challenge were the most powerful.  It was on the forefront of my mind.  I learned so much about fear and how it works.  I made some incredible strides.  And it didn’t turn into a burden because I kept up with it.

So you found it easier in the beginning too, eh?

It also occurred to me that habits are built in 21 days.  In fact, I tend to do a lot of my groups and programs in multiples of 21 because of that.  So what would you think about switching up the 100 Things I Fear commitment to a 21 day commitment instead of a 100 day one?

No!  We wouldn’t face 100 fears in 21 days!  That would be even crazier, right? No, I was thinking that we could all make a commitment to face 21 fears in 21 days instead of 100 fears in 100 days.

Yeah, I’ll keep going with my initial 100 Things I Fear challenge through the end of 2009.  But, I wanted to provide an alternative for people because it’s such an awesome idea and the last thing I want to happen is for it to turn into something people beat themselves up over.  That’s like the opposite of the intention of the whole thing!

I know, right? Plus, a few of my fabulous FEMpreneur friends encouraged me to buy the 100ThingsIfear domain and so I did.  Yay!  And I’m thinking about setting up a whole blog dedicated to this process.  What do you think about that?

Oh you have to get going now?  No problem.  Will you please do me a favor and post your thoughts on my blog?

Thank you so much! And I look forward to reading your comments…

Tags: 100 Things I Fear, advice, blogging, courage, fear, goals, success, support

I am in the process of writing a book proposal & I’m curious:

Is living from your heart a woman thing?

Or are there men out there who also want to learn how to live a heart-centered life?

Please comment your honest thoughts, opinions, and insights.

THANK YOU!

Tags: advice, book proposal, happiness, life, survey

So many of my friends & family members tell me how cool they think the 100 Things I Fear challenge is {of course it is!}  They love to read about my fears {that’s kind of sadistic if you ask me, but that’s okay!} and they admire the courage {my sister even called me brave!}

At the same time, so many of them are like, “I don’t have a 100 fears,” {and you can read my response to that here} or “It’s too big of a commitment. “

It’s true: it is a big commitment.  In fact, I am a week behind in updating my list.  Oy!  But, that’s beside the point.  The point is…I thought it would be fun to provide an opportunity for people to play & contribute without committing to 100 days.  So here’s your chance.  Blog or comment your answer to this question:

What do you do to get yourself moving again when you feel like giving up?

We all lose steam every once in awhile – it happened to me this week!  In fact, there is almost always a break-down right before a big break-through.  So wouldn’t it be great to have a place to go to be reminded to keep going and take that leap of faith even when you feel like giving up? Please post your answer {or the link to your answer if you posted it on your own blog} so that we can all learn from your wisdom!

Thanks!  And now I am off to Champagne Friday :~)

Tags: 100 Things I Fear, advice, blogging, courage, failure, fear, success

Alex the novelist

Dear Alex ~

I don’t know exactly why I’m writing this here on my blog.  I just am.  And I wonder if it was inspired by this beautiful tribute post.  You know what? It doesn’t really matter why…

A few years ago you gave me a manuscript to read.  I’ve always thought of it as the Dearest Rook manuscript as those are the first two words of the prologue.  Anyway, I never read it.  I don’t know why {I’m sensing a theme here.}  I just didn’t.  In fact, I’ve moved it around from pile to pile of paper in my office until finally it made its home in an upright paper organizer on my desk just behind my laptop.  Whenever I gaze off into la-la land to give my mind a break I often rest my eyes on “Dearest Rook.”

Well, this afternoon while I was waiting for my computer to reboot I rediscovered your manuscript.  Before thinking about it, I picked it up and read the first paragraph.  And there was simply no way I could put it down after that juicy adventure of an introduction.  I have now spent the last hour reading every single word, sentence, and suggestion {there are notes in the sidebar.}

One of the final notes written about your manuscript was “very good” and I must passionately disagree.

It’s not very good.

Alex, it’s beautiful.

No, that’s not the right description.

It’s amazing.

No, that doesn’t sum it up either.

Alex, it’s literary.

It’s genius.

It’s literary genius!

And I *LOVE* it.

You are a master at crafting words to create a vibrant and very real scene in the reader’s eye complete with physical and emotional sensations.  You are a magical story teller.

I’m so sorry that I didn’t take the time to see this when you initially gave me the manuscript.  I can only trust that right now, today is the absolute perfect time for me to realize that you are a talented writer.  This is print worthy fiction and I am dying to know how the first 3 chapters fit together in the bigger picture of the novel, how the characters meet one another, if Yuri is murdered, how Edwin comes to believe, if Jennifer lives, and so much more.

Alex, it is no coincidence that you now work in a library surrounded by books.  I know that you are meant to write, to be published, and to be a part of a library long after you’ve physically left this world.  You are talented beyond description.  And you don’t have to wait to become a writer.  You already are one.

Please write more.  And if you’ve already written more of the Dearest Rook manuscript please send me a copy.

I love you.

~ Tia

Tags: advice, career, Family, inspiration, Relationships, talent, tribute

“Why?”

Even though I haven’t continued with the blogging book club, I have continued with my 15 Minutes of Nothing.  Well, I guess it’s not really “Nothing” any longer.  You see, I’ve turned it into a mediation and I like to take notes when I meditate.  In fact, lots of times my meditation notes are a transcription of an inner dialogue like this:

“All that you’ve ever wanted to achieve has come to pass.  It’s only a matter of calling it to you and through you.  You have that power: to experience it or not.  It’s up to you.  what do you choose?”

Oh wow! That’s both comforting and disturbing.

“Such is the nature of truth so often.”

Can you give me some advice?

“Always searching, this one.  That’s the problem: the search.  I know it feels productive, but it’s not.  It’s harder to search.  It’s easier to get still and allow the answer to come to you.”

But, that’s giving up control!

“Is it? Or is it the most powerful form of choice that far surpasses control?”

Oh! I guess control could be an illusion of choice.

“Control is an illusion of safety.  In reality, it is the most dangerous of forces: you push your worst fears into reality.”

Ouch!

“Yes. Ouch.”

Well then how do I let go of control?

“Notice the pattern of searching.”

Yes, I see it.  I can’t help it.

“That’s okay.  Love yourself through it.  You only want what’s best for you.”

True.  But, why can’t I stop? Oy! Searching again!

“Excellent!  You noticed yourself this time.  See how you’ve already grown in just a matter of minutes?”

I guess so.

“You guess? Or you’re willing to recognize that this is challenging work that you are engaging in?”

Well, yeah it is challenging!

“And you’re willing to do it.  So many sense it and turn away.  They don’t want to be bothered to transform humanity.  But, not you.  You are showing up and consistently too.”

Thank you.

“You’re welcome.”

–

FYI, my words are the ones not in quotes. Who’s in quotes? I’m not exactly sure. I just transcribe the thoughts that come up.  It’s hard to describe.  I know the messages are not me, per say, but they arrive within me.  When I get quiet.  When I open up.  When I listen.  When I do “Nothing”. I receive.  I’m a little weirded out about sharing it with you.  But, it seems like useful information.  Well, it has been extremely useful to me.  I hope it’s useful for you too.

Have you ever engaged in a dialogue like this? I’d love to hear about it.  It’d be nice to know that I’m not the only one :~)

Tags: 100 Things I Fear, advice, control, courage, fear, meditation, safety

Recently I asked, “What is your heart asking you to do?” and Maria posted a reply on the SimplyFearless.com FB Fan Page saying:

My problem is I’ve spent so many years shutting out my heart’s calling that I don’t recognize its voice anymore or maybe it’s just fallen silent lately because it’s been ignored for so long.

Oh so many of us can relate to Maria’s dilemma, which is why my very first VLOG explains two simple ways to connect with your heart inspiration.  So for all of you that are ready to connect with your heart – even those of you who hate to journal and fall asleep meditating – this one’s for you!

{note: for all of you reading this as an email update – there is a video in this post and you may need to click through to CassandraRae.com to view it}

Tags: advice, connecting, journaling, Life Coaching, meditation, VLOG, VLOG {Videos of me!}

What a fun and fast read! Ever since I read the Twilight series I’ve been devouring all sorts of vampire books. I had no idea there were so many! This one was definitely catchy. Yeah, there were some parts that were kinda hokey, but the writing was sharp. I could see all the action clearly in my mind and I didn’t get the numerous characters confused.

Surprisingly enough there is some great advice in this book for parents of teens. Sometimes it’s easier to see into the life of a teen who isn’t your child. There’s less of an edge to it. I really liked this part when the main character talked about wanting her mom to simply wrap her arms around her and tell her it’s okay. As parents, we have a tendency to make it a lot harder than it is. The truth is a simple hug and a few words of encouragement go a long way.

One of my other favorite parts is when the leader of the vampyre high school told the fledglings who were going through the change to live their life to the absolute fullest as if today was their last (partly because they really could die at any time – sometimes their body rejected the change) because if they did die, then they would leave behind a great legacy and if they didn’t die, then they had already created a solid foundation for potentially centuries of greatness. How cool is that? What great advice!

Tags: advice, Book Reviews, books, Family, life purpose, Parenting, teen

Today I asked myself:

What is my heart asking me to do?

And here is the answer I received:

My heart is asking me to hibernate.  Don’t compare yourself to others.  Focus on nurturing yourself for now.  Non-action is heart action.  It’s only what you need for now.  It’s in the pause that you become open to receiving my wisdom.

As uncomfortable as this makes me, I know it is the right thing to do and today I let go of another layer of guilt.  I’m already on sabbatical and I give myself permission to relax through it.  It’s okay to stop trying and start allowing the answers to emerge.

So I’m curious…what is your heart asking you to do? or not do?!

p.s. Today on the Simply Fearless FB Fan Page I posted another awesome quote from my journal about beating yourself up. So if you are like me and find that self-criticism kicks in when you listen to your heart, then swing by and check it out.  Here’s the link.

Tags: advice, career, chihuahua, connecting, courage, happiness, heart, inspiration, Life Coaching

…sleep!

Seriously.  Have you ever noticed how when you are tired it’s so easy to be grumpy.  In fact, when you’re tired enough even the thought of happiness can be irritating.  The truth is…happy people are well-rested people.

It really is this simple.  If you want more happiness in your life, then take a look at your sleeping patterns and decide if they are working for you or not.

A few years ago I took a look at my sleeping habits and decided to make a commitment to sleep from 10pm to 6am every night – weekend and weeknight alike.  I realized that my body didn’t know the difference between a weeknight and a weekday and found that when I sleep the same hours I feel better and have more energy.

A few years down the road and I am one of the most positive and upbeat persons I know.  Yes, I have my moments – don’t we all? – and yet, I am known for my heart smile, good moods, and general all-around happiness.  I admit that there are more factors to my joy-filled life, but it really truly begins with a good night’s rest…or a good day’s rest depending on when your body sleeps the best.

Happy sleeping!

Tags: advice, change, emotional health, health, humanity, sleep, success

How are you coping with the current downturn in the business environment? Here are some of the answers provided on the International Coach Academy alumni meeting:

• Hold a positive mindset, especially now.
• This is an excellent time for coaching!
• When people get laid off, they need some support to get moving again
• Publish your own positive stories
• Don’t read the newspaper
• Today is only the result of the past
• It’s our responsibility to change things for the future
• Don’t buy in to the fear
• Feel your vision even stronger so that it happens sooner for the benefit for everyone
• This is the perfect time to create

I invite you to add your ideas…

Tags: advice, coaching, Life Coaching, perspective