One of my latest creations.  Not quite done but almost.  She is so peculiar looking, but I simply adore her.

Everyday the universe gives us such wonderful gifts – insights and epiphanies, messages and ideas.  Sometimes they come from our own musings and other times they come from strangers on the street, our friends or our family members.  I pay attention to these, and I love the tiny sparks of light that twinkle in my brain when I discover one.  I believe the more we share our experiences with total honesty, the more we open ourselves up to these lessons and insights.  This, in turn, enables us to sink deeper into our best selves and live a more authentic, aware life.  Oprah calls these moments her "Aha!" moments, and I have them all the time.

As I have struggled through a bit of a mood slump this week, I have received a number of such gifts:

Kerstin commenting on the need to get moving and take action in order to force ourselves out of our brains sometimes.  This rang true for me, as I work home alone all day, so I’m in my head all the time.  This makes for a lot of interesting thoughts, but sometimes it is hard for me to see when I need to pull out of myself in order to stay connected to the here and now.

Andrea asking me a question in my first coaching session with her that I am eager to write about more this weekend:  What if I were doing exactly enough in my life right now?  I see this question as a giant seed about to burst with big green leaves and colorful blossoms – all I have to do is give it my time and attention.

Reading about Keri‘s experience at the Palm Springs International Film Festival with her husband Jeff, whose short film The Winter of the Dance was accepted this year.  I have ideas for funny short films all the time, and so far what have I done about them?  Nothing.  Guess what?  That is about to change.  Why?  Because reading about this film made me realize this:  There.  Is.  Nothing.  Stopping me.

Rock Star Katrina – my official name for her now – is starting a new website called Katrina Heals, and I think her idea is brilliant.  I also love the fact that she is choosing to do something about an issue that has affected her in a really unique way considering her name is Katrina.  There are so many different ways we can help, offer support and send encouragement and Rock Star Katrina is giving all of us an opportunity to make a difference in a really unique way.  Visit her site.  Send her your stories.  I think this is just the beginning of something that could be quite powerful.

All of these gifts, messages, inspirations and ideas have lifted me and given me energy when I was feeling a bit drained.  These gifts are everywhere, for all of us, wherever we go.

"Gifts come from above in their own peculiar forms."  -Goethe