A few months ago I enrolled in Improv classes because I love to laugh and I thought it would be an interesting challenge for me. Little did I know how the principles we learn in class translate so beautifully to life. The first rule in Improv is “yes, and…” You accept whatever you are given…

This week I’ve been talking to several women who have enrolled in Chrysalis and the common theme that comes up in every conversation is knowing that one is due for some change but not knowing HOW to go about creating it. If only personal growth came with a GPS system that would tell us where…

Our motivation is directional, impacting the results we create and the ease in which we create them. Think about when you are motivated to do something. Are you motivated more by what you want to get away from or what you want to move toward? TOWARD motivation moves us toward more of what we desire…

I will admit it. I have lied. And sometimes have justified little white lies that seem harmless. For example, yesterday at the Santa Monica Co-op I really wanted some goldenberries from the bulk bin but they are $16.99 per pound (one would think they were made from real gold!). I noticed that their neighbors, the…

Wow! I am so inspired by the response to Chrysalis: A Woman’s Transformative Retreat. Thank you for your continued support and receptivity to upleveling your life! Many of you asked about bringing friends. Absolutely, please share about this retreat with your girlfriends. Friendships, just like any relationship, will deepen and strengthen as you grow together.…

As the fourth of July weekend approaches, consider UPdating how you celebrate this holiday. Rather than it just being an excuse to wear red, white, and blue, while noshing on potato chips, burgers and other food which I guess has somehow become patriotic, how about declaring your own independence?! Independence from what? Anything that is…

You’ve heard the phrase “kill them with kindness” as a way to deal with difficult people. Well lately I’ve had a situation involving some very difficult people and rather than responding to them with the same level of what I judged as rudeness, I chose to act kindly. In my conversations and email correspondences I…

When I walked into my office to sit down and write this update, I got a glimpse of my “unfinished business” box. It’s a clear box where I put bills to go over, calls to make, insurance claims to submit and other to-do’s. I hate looking at this box. Each time I do, I feel…

Today I am inspired to share one of my favorite stories that one of my teachers has shared with me at times in the past when I am over-indulging debilitating emotions, negative self-talk, or whoa-is-me kind of thinking. The story goes like this: One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that…

Chrysalis: A Transformational Workshop for Women in their 20’s and 30’s! Are there aspects of your life that just aren’t working? Are you questioning your purpose and direction? Are you willing to release the past and begin creating a present and future you love? Are you ready to transform your life? If you are .…

The other day I had a bit of an accident in the kitchen. After roasting some veggies, I put the Pyrex pan in the sink to wash it. The moment the water hit the pan, it shattered into what seemed like a million pieces. Once I recovered from my initial startle, I put on some…

Ever have a day when you just feel like you are in a funk and you don’t know why? I suspect the answer to that question is a “yes” for most of us. In fact it was a yes for me today which is what inspired this update. At first I wanted to blame it…

Last week you pondered the difference between the words decide and choose. Did you notice if the distinction created some freedom around making choices? If you continue to find yourself having difficulty making decisions, it may be time to take the Solo-Decision Making Pledge. What’s that? Well choose to keep reading and you’ll find out!…

Have you noticed how challenging it can sometimes be to make a decision? Often making the decision is harder than taking the action that results from the decision. A reason that we may struggle with decisions is because some part of us thinks if we decide one thing, we are going to lose or miss…

Please and thank you. Words you say habitually every day without too much thought. But have you ever considered that these simple words could be a prayer? We all have times in our life when we get so busy that we forget to take time to tune in and connect to God (or our Higher…

“Life is suffering. Attachment is the source of suffering. The end of attachment will bring the end of suffering.” Buddha I love this wisdom from Buddha because it reminds me that I am usually the source of my suffering. My thoughts and judgments about how I wish a situation was different generally cause me far…

April 15th was tax day. Did you get your taxes in early motivated by a potential refund? Or did you wait until the last minute to mail away your forms to the government? As the daughter of a CPA, I was sure to finish my taxes months ago; however, I still fall prey to my…

March 31st marked the end of women’s history month, a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society throughout the history of our nation. Trailblazers like Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan who helped redefine the role of a woman in America come to mind. Perhaps one of the most transformative messages born from the…

I am moving today. To a different house in the same city but as anyone who has moved lately knows, it is super stressful. Yet as I am waiting for the movers to arrive, I am enjoying my tea, grapefruit and writing this update. So how did I manage not to pull an all nighter…

Tuesday at 4:04 am I awoke to my bed shaking, my blinds rattling, and what sounded like a train roaring through my room. It was a 4.4 earthquake (but felt like more to me!). Still half asleep, I was frightened and did not know what to do. And not knowing what to do was more…

This week I met a new acquaintance for coffee introduced through mutual connection who thought we could both benefit from knowing and networking with each other. What I thought would be a professional meeting became a get together between kindred spirits and the beginning of a lasting friendship. We got our coffee and began talking…