Writing about Writing... and Silencing the Inner Critic

It's been 10 months since my last blog post.... Wow! I've taken a break from writing the book as well. Was it a conscious decision to refrain from writing or did life move at lightening speed, as it so often does? I think it's been a combination of both. I won't beat myself up about the break, though. I sometimes set goals that I don't reach. We all do. But it's important to recognize it and simply silence the inner crtic. Don't let that negative voice affect your purpose.

I decided last year that I would be finished with the book by now, and I'm not. I still have the most important section of the book to complete... the part about Brad's death. I've left a big hole in the middle of my writing - the moment I found out about Brad's death and the days and weeks that followed. I've left the hardest part for last, but I am ready to tackle it now. The creative process is interesting. Re-visiting this part of my journal will not be easy - but sometimes, the hardest things in life bring the most reward and promise. I know that I'm here to spread a message of hope and love. Tackling the sadness, hurt and inner demons is necessary. I'm ready to start writing again, and this time, I will push through the hard parts. Completion is near.

A friend once told me that when you are on the right track in following your path in life, things fall into place unexpectedly. I know this is true because I keep receiving confirmations. This isn't to say that bad things don't happen as well. But learning from our experiences and following our hearts enables us to continue moving forward.... we keep pressing along on our path until we are where we need to be.

If you were to tell me years ago, that I would someday be a featured speaker at a retreat intended to inspire women to live their dreams, I wouldn't have believed you. But it's happening this summer. I am so honored that my mentor, Jenny Fenig, has invited me to be an instrumental part of her incredible event, the Retreat for Goddesses. I first met Jenny during my last semester at the University of Florida. I was heavily involved in the Public Relations Student Society of America, and I was networking at a public relations conference in Chicago. Jenny was there, representing Porter Novelli - one of the top PR firms in the world and the agency of my dreams. Jenny was a University of Florida graduate, and we had mutual friends. I was nervous to meet her. I so desperately wanted to land a position at PN.

Fast forward six months, and Jenny helped to orchestrate my internship interview at Porter Novelli's home office in New York City. That internship turned into a full-time job, and I spent the next three years climbing the corporate ladder in NYC. There, Jenny and I developed a solid friendship and I looked up to her, both professionally and personally. Years later, she left corporate America to become a Life Coach and full time yoga instructor. Simultaneously, I started Hoola Monsters and left the corporate world also. Now, here we are! And how great is it that we get to inspire other women to live their dreams, while working together again in such a unique forum! We actually have a call scheduled tomorrow, and it's all about "Silencing the Inner Critic" (that little voice inside your head that tells you aren't good enough). If you'd like to join us, click here to learn more.

To top it off, I'm heading to the Retreat for Goddesses one week after I have the pleasure and honor of teaching at the HoopGirl Empowerment Retreat.

This week, I'm off to Vermont to be a part of Wanderlust Festival, with Wanderlust Tahoe right around the corner also. Take a moment to watch this video, and you'll see why I'm so addicted to this event. What's more, I'll be with two of my closest friends in Tahoe, so I know another exciting adventure is right around the corner. I am so grateful!

Life trips me out sometimes, but I know that I'm on the right track. BIG things are happening. I can feel it :)