This is a true story...

So this weekend I spoke at an all girl event surrounded by radiant women. The energy was fabulous! We danced, we talked and we played together. It was a true gathering of Goddesses!

And then, at the end of the night as I was walking off the stage, one of the male staff members approached me. And this is what he said (and I am NOT kidding):

"Oh wow, you women are so powerful. I mean, I'm just in awe of you. I really wish that there were no men here at all so you could just take your shirts off and dance together like that with your breasts out. There's just so much power in women's breasts, you know?"

Really? I mean it... Really?

Okay men, I know this may come as a bit of a shock to some of you, but contrary to your ridiculous fantasies we do not (at least as a general rule) strip off our shirts and dance around naked, have topless pillow fights, or make out with each other just because we're bored.

And, for this you should be grateful... Because if we did, we'd have little need for you. Silly boys.
 
 
The term Diva has gotten a bad rap, like the words bitch and witch and even pussy (that's right, I said it... well typed it... props to Mama Gena!).

But being a Diva is actually a good thing. In fact, all the most amazing women I know are Divas of the first order. And they've taught me to embrace and express my own inner Diva in a big way.

So let me just set the record straight by saying that Divas aren't defined as difficult women or unreasonable women. Quite the contrary...

Divas are bold and courageous, even in the face of their own fears and insecurities.

Divas are the voice of reason, even when others are unreasonable, or worse, silent.

Divas stand up for what's right, even when it's unpopular.

Divas ask for what they want without fear or apology.

Divas love with their whole hearts and know that vulnerability doesn’t make them weak, it makes them human.

Divas know when to temper their strength with compassion; they know when to rage, when to rest and when to reach out for help from others.

True Divas are women in every sense of the word ~ real women with flaws and scars and maybe even a little cellulite, none of which make them any less beautiful, sensuous or wise.

So this is a shout out to all my Diva Sisters. Don’t let the world tell you that you can’t shine. Step up and claim your right to your Divine Diva-inity today!

Love,
Michele

PS ~ Don't forget! Just one week from today I'll be launching my new 3-Week Spirit Guide Intensive Teleseminar Series. It's still not too late to reserve your spot. Click here for more information!
 
 
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Monday mornings have always signaled new beginnings to me. The start of a new workweek, the start of a new diet, and the promise of a brand new me!

Problems is, as most of us know, the best of intentions can go terribly awry when a well meaning co-worker shows up with donuts, or that mandatory staff meeting goes into overtime, requiring an extra hour of my life at what should be the end of the workday (can you say weak boundaries?).

Oh well, mission for a new me abandoned, looks like it's just the same old me that's always been there. Guess I'll have to wait till next Monday for that shiny, clean, fresh start. Right?

WRONG!

I know, it sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? But that was the way I used to think. For many years I'd been an "all or nothing" girl. I was either dieting and exercising by the book (literally, diet journals and all), or going hog wild (again, I mean this literally... think bacon) waiting for Monday morning to roll around so I could "start over."

Fortunately, since I left the rat race of corporate America, I've been able to overcome a lot of those old beliefs and habits... or so I thought.  

But last night, as I basked in the soft glow of the refrigerator light, and stared blissfully and hypnotically at the bags, trays and containers of delectable remnants from Saturday's Spring Equinox dinner party, I thought, "What the hell, tomorrow's Monday, I'll start over then."

And so I gave in... but not just to the temptation of empty, if not delicious, calories (no diet journal in sight) but to an old, outdated and extremely self-sabotaging pattern of thought.

Truth is, there is no shiny new me waiting on the other side of Monday. There's only me, right now; there are only the decisions I make in this very moment. And all the Mondays in the world aren't going matter if I'm not living my life fully conscious from Tuesday to Sunday.

So if I'm starting over today, it's not because it's Monday, it's because it's NOW. And, in truth, now is all we've ever really got to work with. So happy Monday everyone. May today and every day be the start of a brand new you!

To learn more about Michele, click here.
 
 
Okay sisters, it's time for me to come clean about a few things.

Those of you who know me personally or follow my work know that I've been stepping out in some very bold ways lately... Launching an e-book, hosting teleseminars, writing articles and booking local workshops in more and more venues across South Florida.

All of this is very exciting and... believe it or not, very scary for me.

Recently, one of my private students and dear friends told me that she didn't know how I always seemed so confident, like nothing ever frightened me. Yeah, right!

The truth is, all of these bold steps make me feel pretty damn vulnerable. I get scared putting myself out there, knowing that some people will "get" what I'm doing and others simply won't. 

So if I seem confident, it's not because I'm not nervous or frightened, it's because I truly believe in what I'm doing. If I didn't, there's no way I'd be able to pull any of it off.

The reason that I want to share this with you is to encourage each and every one of you to move beyond your own fear and embrace your vulnerability; to step out of your comfort zone and into your true potential. And to assure you that anyone who tells you they're not scared to do just that is a liar.

So be scared. Just do it anyway!

To check out my next bold and scary move, click here! 
 
Playing It Safe 03/08/2010
 
For those of you who like to play it safe...

I realize that you may not understand me, and that my actions may seem rash and daring at times.

I get that you might think I’ve lost my mind… that I’m too bold, too outspoken and just plain too much sometimes.

I understand that my desire to shake up the status quo can be scary, even threatening, on occasion.

But please try not to judge me too harshly. Because behind every “rash” decision I make is a well-thought out plan, and every “daring” action I take is an intuitive act of spirit-guided faith.

Sometimes I do allow myself to “lose” my rational mind so that my creative and inspirational mind can step forward. And because I’m confident in who I am and how I move through this world, I will often take risks, say things others are thinking but are too afraid to voice, and generally push the envelope.

And no, I’m not afraid to shake things up when they’re not working and I can’t, in good conscious apologize if that makes you uncomfortable because maybe, just maybe, you needed to step out of your own comfort zone to grow.

Just in case you’re wondering, sometimes I am afraid to take these risks, but I do it anyways, because I’m more afraid of being stuck. So, yes, I can be bit unpredictable at times (just ask my husband), but that can be a lot of fun if you’re willing to surrender to it.

And sure, every once in awhile, no matter how good my intentions are, I screw things up along the way (oh the stories I could tell you!), but I generally learn from my mistakes and I keep going because, really, what’s the alternative?

So I offer you this blog post, not because I’m seeking your approval, or because I expect your validation. I offer it instead to thank you for your patience as we share this space together. I offer it to thank you for being the stabilizing forces in the world so that those of us who are too restless to rest can keep working and playing and dancing our vision into existence.

I offer it to say, I understand where you’re coming from and sometimes wish I could play it safe too. I wish I could be happy with a stable 9 to 5 job and a two-week vacation every year. But I’m just not made that way. It’s not that I’m better (believe me I don’t think that at all!), I’m just wired differently.

I have a gypsy spirit. And to put that gypsy spirit in a suit and sensible shoe and march off to work every day with a briefcase in my hand ~ like I did for nearly a decade ~ is the spiritual equivalent of drinking cyanide for breakfast for folks like me.

So although I don’t expect you to understand, approve or condone my actions. There’s nothing to say you can’t just sit back and enjoy the show.

To stay connected with Michele, click here to sign up for the Wake Up Goddess ezine.
 
 
Yesterday I had a mini-meltdown. Yep, that’s right. Just after 5:00 last night I sat on my girlfriend’s couch with a glass of white wine in my hand, a fuzzy blanket wrapped around my legs and a box of tissues in my lap as I let the floodgates open.

My two best Divas sat on the couch across from me with compassion in their eyes as I blubbered on about my family dramas, my business challenges and my self-doubts.

They didn’t interrupt me, they just listened. They didn’t tell me that everything was fine when we all knew damn well that it wasn’t. And they didn’t judge me when I finally broke down and allowed myself the rare indulgence of self-pity.

When the tears dried, they offered me some solid support, a new perspective on some old issues and a few inspired ideas for change. Not the usually lip service you get from people who are just trying to make you feel better ~ I’m talking the deep stuff that comes from people who truly know your soul.

And when I left their sacred company I felt a little lighter, a little freer and a little more confident than when I had arrived.

Remember ladies, the Goddess smiles on us through our vulnerability, she cleanses us through our tears and she heals us through our Divas. Viva la Diva!

To stay connected with Michele, click here to sign up for the Wake Up Goddess ezine.
 
Would You... 03/01/2010
 
How would you treat your body today if you truly accepted it without judgment or criticism?

Would you move it, stretch it, bathe it, pleasure it?

Would you fill it with nutritious foods that delighted your palate and satiated your appetite?

Would you pamper it with scented oils and luxurious lotions that made your skin as soft as silk?

Would you honor it with your thoughts and words, believing everything positive about it and rejecting all else?

Would you give it permission to relax, to enjoy and to play without apology?

Would you paint your toenails cherry red and let your hair fall down around your face?

If I told you that you were perfect just the way you are, would you believe me?

Love yourself today ladies ~ love your curves and your laugh lines; love your softness and the way you move; love the imperfections and the unique beauty that is all your own. Would you?

For more from Michele, sign up for the Wake Up Goddess Ezine by clicking here.