Coco Chanel said, “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” I’ve been deep in a healing cycle that’s ready for me to take more leaps. I took one with the haircut, and yesterday I felt scared, weak, and vulnerable.

Writing about it today has reminded me of my strength.

This message is a reminder to anyone who wishes to make changes in their lives. A reminder that the other side of the leap isn’t necessarily the immediate, amazing moment you’d hope for.

In fact, leaping may leave you feeling disoriented.

Or disappointed.

But it doesn't mean it was a "bad" choice.

It's not a sign you’ve done something wrong.

It's simply a reminder to stay flexible. And that flexibility can, in time, lead you to amazing places and wonderful spaces.

The summer my daughter turned 9, she set off to find 4-leaf clover.

I said OK.

I didn't share my thoughts: how I've looked for 40 YEARS & NEVER found one so GOOD LUCK.

10 minutes later, skipped back with this in hand.

☘️ Beware the beliefs you hold. They may dim the magic.☘️

#WhyIWrite My grandma always lets me cry. Not a few tears and a midwest “there, there” pat on the back. Full on melt downs, measured by wetness on her shoulder. If her shoulder wasn't soaked, then I wasn't done crying. It was that simple.

I woke up this morning feeling unusually anxious. Worried about the day, about the week, about this life and how I'll get through it (maybe you can relate!).

On my morning walk, which I normally enjoy, I noticed that I kept checking my phone. I'd placed it in a zippered pocket, and I must have zipped and unzipped it four times in the first five minutes of my walk. After noticing it, I realized it's a way I manage anxiety. Distracting myself with notifications and apps and all the things.

Then I remembered some advice I overheard yesterday. A trusted friend gave someone I love a practice for managing worry….

The other night I opened up Facebook to a group message from “anonymous” seeking advice. Her husband travels a lot, and she doesn’t feel safe at home when he’s gone.

I could relate. I used to feel unsafe. A lot.

I felt compelled to leave this comment, which is my Truth.

“…For me, it was an internal job to feel safe…”

“Anonymous” reached out to me via private message soon after. It resonated with her, and she asked me how. I’ve given it some thought, and this post represents my best answer.

My friend had just explained to me that he wanted to meditate more, but every time he does, this is the question he ends up facing. 

I, the meditation evangelist, paused. In part due to being stuffed with nachos and tequila. In part due to…

I’m on day 30-something of a 100 day break from Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Three thoughts…

The first time I wrote about my own struggles with mental health was just after Robin Williams died by suicide.* It was written before I started to (Capital H) Heal.

I could have never started my journey to (Capital H) Heal without the loving, untiring support of family, friends, doctors, and therapists. Which is to say, I could have never started my journey to (Capital H) Heal without the many, MANY privileges I’ve been afforded in this lifetime.

If you read one story today, I hope it’s this one, and I hope it opens your heart to your own struggles and those of people who live in your community.

60 second clip on why being “open to the highest outcome” isn’t just magical thinking.

It’s amazing how much easier life becomes when you’re open.

90 second mindfulness tip to bring more joy to your “real” life

I share this secret today because I know at least one of you needs to hear this message. I know at least one of you is choosing a path your logical human brain is telling you is unsafe but your heart is asking you to follow.

You, my friend, are protected. You’re protected by an energy of unfathomable love. You can trust where your heart is leading you.

Becoming more present doesn’t mean you’ll feel zen. Some thoughts from a 100 day social media break.

Being open to the "highest possible outcome" can lead you place you may never expect. Had my ego been in charge that morning, my "highest possible outcome" would have been winning the lottery so I can have a "quite painful" surgery that messed up my face and "most likely" would fix my issue.

Instead, I received so much more.

Including the gift of telling you this story today. Happy, healthy, and living miracle to miracle.

I’m addicted to my favorite creative practice, Twitter. And I’ve been guided to take a 100 day break. Meanwhile, many of you are also stepping into a new version of life—one you may not have chosen. This offers some things to consider as you walk the scary path and learn how to be radically honest with yourself.

We all have pain. Every damn one of us. We all have had our hearts trampled, our bodies broken, our belief systems crushed.

It’s a given in this human experience.

So why do some of us thrive and some of us struggle?

Are the thrivers “stronger” than others?

Possibly.

Are the thrivers built differently?

Perhaps.

Is this the hard and fast answer?

Absofuckinglutely not.