Let me begin by saying I don’t get into politics much. Let me also say that this post is NOT about politics. It is about love. It is about unity. It is about humanity.

I will, however, start this post by saying that this is the strangest year and strangest election I have ever witnessed. The day after election day, I, like many Americans, checked my phone for an update. I was shocked at how almost equally divided we were on electoral votes. I refreshed my phone several times just to be sure.

My first thought was, damn, we literally are a country divided. The numbers showed it.

Then I coached my normal Wednesday morning CrossFit class. The mood with everyone was (as a friend described it) somber. I felt the same. Then I taught my normal yoga class. The theme: “Surrender” — with heart opening poses. And a meditation to go along with. It was beautiful.

I am not one to live in fear. That doesn’t mean I am blind or don’t worry. I’m in the middle of something right now in my personal life that I’ve been a bit anxious about. But at the end of the day, I am doing all I can, taking all the steps I can and if it happens, so it is… and if it doesn’t, then I know and trust that there is something better coming.

That doesn’t mean I discount the reality of how bad something may SUCK. But what I do know and from my own experience is that things ALWAYS work themselves out and as long as we stay grounded in that truth, in our truth and a higher power, and in LOVE, then things will be okay. Yes, it may take time. But time is all we have.

So all these ramblings to say… and if you’re open to it, y’all, let’s do better. Let’s live from a place of love. Let’s live from a place of compassion. Let’s live from a place of empathy. Those are the very things that I hear SO MANY people talking about that we are missing. That is what I see missing. We can choose to let this election or differences in opinion divide us or unite us so we rise stronger, better and more human…..TOGETHER.

It doesn’t begin in the White House. It begins with the people. Those people are US. It begins with US. And it begins with LOVE.

Sending all the love & healing light to you and yours. May you be well. May you be happy. May you be at peace. And may you be love.

My goodness, how things can change in a year’s time.

This time last year we were getting ready to go on a family trip to Blue Ridge, and it was a beautiful trip. 

Little did I know what would come upon our return and the months following.

And thank God for it all. 

For the changes. 

For the heartache & heartbreak. 

For the lies, deceit, infidelity, manipulation.

For the strength I have found within again. 

For taking back, owning, standing & RISING in my power.

For promising myself to never ever allow anyone to have control over my thoughts, emotions or dreams. 

FOR REMEMBERING WHO THE F I AM.

When I reflect on the growth this past year, it brings me tears. 

I am not the same person. I have become stronger, I have gained my independence back, I have stood up for myself and used my voice in situations I would’ve played small or shrunk before. And with each passing day, more growth comes. And I welcome it. It has been messy, it has been beautiful. Either way, it’s here and it feels so damn good. I have a tribe of humans who have my back and have literally picked me up when I’ve been on the floor. Who have loved my girls like their own and been there when they’ve cried. Who have cried with us. Who have (and continue to ) show up without asking and know exactly what to say or do, if anything. For that, I am infinitely grateful …even though I am still learning how to receive and accept. 🙂

Never again will I allow any human to dim my shine. And I will continue to shine my light, mainly so that my girls understand they can do any damn thing they put their minds to, no matter the storms. Watching my children blossom and not be under the constant stress of what was, has been the biggest blessing through this all. I’m so proud to be their mama. Never again will I allow anyone in my life to interfere with their peace. 

I guess this post is a post of reflection and gratitude. The days are not all rainbows and sunshine, but damn it, we only get one shot at this thing called life and I had to share…. As a mentor of mine once said, it’s time, “F it, let’s go!” — and from now on, that’s the mindset. 

And that there is SO MUCH MORE coming — that’s been building in me for years and now I finally know I am ready. So much more. Get ready, because the way I’m showing up in the world is how I teach my children to show up in the world. Unapologetic, compassionate, passionate, confident. I’m working on infusing all the things I am unapologetically passionate about together… yoga, mindset, coaching, spirituality, writing, entrepreneurship into one… something that those of you who can resonate with this post, may be craving. If you are struggling with any kind of loss, grief, divorce, or uncertainty of any kind, stay tuned. I am pouring my heart and soul into this next level offering and it is for you. 

And know that if you’re at a crossroads, or having a moment where you can’t get off the floor, know that you can. That it may suck, but it will get better, you will get through it, and you will RISE because of it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, I promise.

Thank you all for being with me on this journey so far. Love & Light <3 

One year ago today, I published my first book.

And today, I am celebrating the steps I took to get there and the steps I’ve taken since then.
I am celebrating the journey.
I am celebrating all of YOU, who I have written your story using the tools in my book.

This past year, I have lost myself, I have found myself, I have gone through the worst betrayal & grief I have experienced so far and am currently in the final stages of my divorce. I have fought internal battles of shame, anger, guilt, all the things. I have had moments where I have fallen apart, cried all day long, or couldn’t get off the floor. I have had moments where I am so overwhelmed with gratitude that I can barely contain myself. I have learned about letting go and friendship and love and forgiveness and grace more than I will ever be able to translate into words. I have witnessed my little girls suffer and I have witnessed them be so strong, that I had no choice but to be stronger. I have grown and watched them grow. I have felt literally felt carried more times than not and my faith and spirituality has grown in ways I hope to share soon.

That said, I wanted to do something special on this “anniversary” day. For a limited time, you can purchase a copy of my book for $12.34 ….. “1-2-3-4” to represent the steps we take, DAY BY DAY, sometimes moment by moment, to take us forward, to where we are divinely meant to be.

Available on Amazon (link also in comments) http://bit.ly/daybydaycg & I have signed copies available as well to pick up or I can ship flat rate! <<< message me for yours <<<

AND…..

Stay tuned because I’m opening up a private facebook group that will take us through the book, together, with videos, tools, affirmations & more. Stay tuned for details on that!

And once again, THANK YOU for your support, sharing your journeys with me, & being you!!

So much love & gratitude,
Amy

Giving ourselves time to fill our cup is not selfish….. it is necessary. For years, has been a part of my message and story. I began online fitness coaching seven years ago and to help other women who were struggling like I was, hold that space, have that support, etc…. It was critical. And when I realized I was doing more life coaching than fitness coaching, I moved into that aspect… having clients and helping them move through bigger things in their lives, digging deep into the why’s … then continuously blogging, and sharing and then writing/publishing my first book… and holding workshops and book signings, the conversations and the message circle around taking time to tune in and tune out.
To lean in.
To trust the process.
To give ourselves grace.
To say no when we need to say no.
To say yes to the things that are for the highest good, for us and for the collective.
Say yes to the things that light us up and make our souls shine.
To fill our cup daily. Whether that is exercise/movement, meditation/prayer, fueling our bodies with good food and drinks, or anything else we can classify as “soul care.”
In my book (pictured here), you write your story. You make it your own. You get still. You focus. You learn or re-learn how to trust yourself. You learn how to prioritize what is important. You learn how to be the best version of you, so that others can experience that part of you. We must must must fill our cups so we can overflow into others. I don’t know about you, but I have been exhausted lately. I went to full moon yoga last night and slept better than I’ve slept in months afterward. My soul feels more refreshed. I haven’t taken time for me lately, not on purpose, but just because that’s where I’ve been. Not only are we in the middle of a pandemic, but going through a divorce that has not been pretty and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone…and in the midst of all of it, are my children, who are suffering as well. So much uncertainty. Our worlds are not what we once knew. But our world as it was, wasn’t working. So things must change. It’s a lot. Some days it’s heavy and I can hardly get out of bed. Some days I want to conquer the world. It’s a constant ebb and flow. But that’s life. So this morning, in the quiet, I got up, made good coffee, sat in the cool of the morning, listened to all the beautiful sounds and thanked God for my life. My family. My friends. Where I am. How far I’ve come. How much there is to look forward to. And reminded myself that this too shall pass.

All this to say, take time for you….. we only get one shot. And life is beautiful, even in the midst or uncertainty or chaos. Lean in to what you know and be open to what you don’t. And know that I’m with you. I see you. I am you.

I’d love to hear your heart – what are your doing to fill your cup even though it might feel impossible right now? What can you do right this moment to fill your cup?

Take time for you. Self care is crucial right now. I like to call it SOUL CARE. Look up, look within, sit still. Do things that make your heart smile and your soul shine. Make a list of what those things are. In my book, I guide you to name those things and then encourage you to make time for them. Time truly is all we have. Especially right now. Let’s make the most of it ✨🙌🏻♥️

Sometimes things have to fall apart so that they can come together.
Including ourselves.
Yesterday was a good day.
Until a wave of exhaustion and grief hit me out of nowhere.
The tears fell.
The breath was shortened.
The fear, the hurt, the panic and the worry set in.
I fell apart, all at once.

My oldest daughter was feeling it too, which I know is what triggered me. She said she felt like she couldn’t breathe and she just starting crying. This pandemic is affecting all of us – even our kids. And add in a divorce and trying to cope and help children cope…that’s a whole other level. Go through both at the same time… it can be so damn heavy.

So how I got through it… and how I helped my daughter through it…. We sat under the moon outside …we saw lightening bugs. Smiled at the little glimmers of hope and light. We talked about angels and death and this virus and love and loss and grief. We talked about doing our best and letting ourselves feel. We both cried. And it was tough because it made me realize, yet again, how deeply beautiful and precious children, love and life are. The simple things. And then I chatted with a friend who simply held space for me and listened to me cry. Told me it would be okay and these emotions are normal. To give myself space and grace. You know, all the things I write about and encourage my children with 🙃😉 Those moments are what get me through, and I have no doubt someone reading this feels this and can relate…♥️The thing is, we MUST allow ourselves to feel, to fall apart, to be seen when we are at our lowest and to let people hold space for us. It isn’t easy, but we don’t have to pretend to be strong all the time. That is a lesson I’m navigating through right now.

Sometimes it is what it is and that’s it. ✌🏻🙌🏻

I would love to hear from you. How are your children dealing with this? Are you having honest and open conversations with them? And are they reminding you of the simple things that we seem to forget sometimes? And if you don’t have children, how are you dealing with all of this?