Month: December 2016

Bad Ass 2016 Year in Review

~ jodiheisz ~ 2 Comments

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The other day I was reading Danielle LaPorte’s blog post (check her out… total spiritual warrior), on the 5 Q’s for Your Deeper Year in Review. Danielle answered, and invited others to answer, these five questions below to gain self-inquiry and insight from the past year and hope for the next.

What didn’t work?

What did work?

What were the highlights?

And then: What does the new year look like if it’s full of what works?

Bonus Q: What do your highlights say about you?

I thought “Damn!” These are bad ass and sooo much better than New Year’s Resolutions. To be honest, resolutions suck and are a hell of a lot worse than doo doo. And since, I loved this strategy, I decided to answer these questions myself and share them with you. And, hopefully, you will answer your 5 Q’s and share those as well.

What didn’t work?

  • Not trusting and believing in my abilities. Gotta trust myself and not rely on anyone else for my success and happiness. It’s comes to down to me baby!
  • Worry: Nothing amazing comes out of worry. Ab-solute-ly nothing.
  • Being too nice: Just because I am a spiritual geek doesn’t mean I should let anyone treat me like a doormat. No one has the right to treat me that way. Nada zip zero. No one.
  • Not listening to my body when it’s in pain. Mind, body and spirit are one. Must integrate all parts to live whole.

What did work?

  • Taking fear by its horns and smashing it down to the ground by starting this blog.
  • Finally taking care of my body when it’s in pain. That integrating to live whole thing.
  • Learning to love myself no matter what. You can’t rely on love from other people to make you make happy. This love must come within your heart and soul extending out into your entire being.
  • Trusting my intuition. My gut never lies. Ever.
  • Back to meditating every single day. Peace at last.
  • Starting my Reiki practice again. Profound healing begins.
  • Smiling as much as possible. Because it works for myself and everyone else around me.
  • Loving and embracing my sensual side as a woman. Seriously… wearing beautiful clothes that make you feel good works. Plain and simple.

Highlights

  • My son, Hunter, taking Judo with me and watching him compete. Hell! I never competed in Judo. Kudos to Hunter!
  • Seeing Hunter perform loud and proud in his first musical. He rocked it!
  • Inspiring people to live in truth to their heart and souls with my blog and writing.
  • Becoming a published writer with guest blog posts on SweatpantsandCoffee.com and TheChangeBlog.com. Yes! I feel like a legitimate writer.
  • Bad ass girl’s night out with my martial arts super hero chicks. Celebrating Katelyn’s 21st birthday was a must. And, we kicked it!
  • Testing in the DoJang for the first time with Hunter. Me: 2nd level Brown Belt in Judo, Hunter: Yellow stripe in Judo. Sweeet!
  • Creating deeper and long-lasting connections with my truest friends.

And then: What does the new year look like if it’s full of what works?

  • Taking my blog and my writing beyond expectations. Honest, no holds barring, risk taking messages. Complete and utter truth speaking straight through the mind and soul.
  • 2017 is my year. Nothing less. Hopefully more. I will make damn sure this happens.
  • Making those long-lasting connections grow deeper creating stronger friendships.
  • Allowing intuition to blossom. Watch out world… I am getting ready to serve you more.
  • Being a complete bad ass woman at all levels filled with light, love and spirit.

Bonus Q: What do your highlights say about you?

  • I love people. I love helping others and making them smile. I love love. And I am learning to love myself once again. It’s all about love, baby.

Now, it’s your turn! Let’s hear it and share it with me and others today.

Have a Blessed and Happy New Year!
Jodi

Featured photo by Brigitte Tohm

 

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Angel Gifts

~ jodiheisz ~ 2 Comments

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“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
― Mother Teresa

After a rough night of sparring matches, I walked outside the dojang facing my next opponent… the beastly December weather. Stepping towards my car with light feet as to not slip on the ice, the blistering wind speared into face penetrating into my bones. I didn’t want to go anywhere else but home. Get into my soft jammies and snuggle with my dog as my heavy blanket wrapped around me. Yes, that’s what I wanted.

But wait! There was one more thing I had to do. A very important task. Vital. Crucial. No amount of snow or cold weather blast would stop me from getting this done tonight.

Going shopping for my Christmas angel gift.

At my church, we have a list of needy children given to us from the area schools. These kids come from poor homes and families with hardships so they’re in desperate need of someone buying them a gift. How awful and heartbreaking it would be if a child didn’t receive a Christmas gift. Right?

Anyone at our congregation is welcome to sign up to purchase an angel gift for one of these kids. So, every year I jump at the chance to bring a moment of joy, and hopefully, a smile to a child’s face.

But these angel gifts are much more than material things. They’re gifts of hope. Love. Peace. Excitement. A chance to make these kids feel they are a part of something greater and are not alone. It helps them know they are being watched over and taken care of. It’s proof we are all connected, and God is with them always no matter what their circumstances are.

As I was shopping, this got me thinking (which can be a very dangerous thing!). Why do we have to wait until Christmas to give angel gifts to show we care? What if we gave angel gifts all year round to help spread the message of love and joy? We don’t need to spend lots of money or buy something extravagant. It could be crazy, super simple.

  • Give someone a hug out of the blue just because.
  • Tell the tired and stressed out Walmart cashier with dozens of impatient customers behind you thank you for taking care of your groceries.
  • Calling a friend to say hello or set-up a lunch date to catch up instead of communicating via Facebook.
  • Tell your friend they are beautiful. We all need to hear we are a beautiful. We’re so hard on ourselves on the way we look, aren’t we?
  • Shovel the snow in your neighbor’s driveway.
  • Bake cookies for a family member or cook their favorite dish. Especially if they are experiencing hardships and feel overwhelmed.
  • Send someone a card with a thoughtful and inspiring handwritten message.

The list is endless. Unlimited. A vast ocean of creative opportunities to spread your wings and fly with your angel gifts of love. If you like New Year’s resolutions, add giving angel gifts to your list. Commit to giving these gifts of love, gratitude and service beyond Christmas throughout the entire year.

It will make someone else feel special, loved and connected. Including you.

Merry Christmas to you all!
Jodi

 

Featured image by Ben White