I had an epiphany yesterday.

Back in December I chose believe as my word for 2012. Believe in dreams, believe in the future, believe in miracles. But over the past week those nasty little inner demons have really whopped me over the head and old insecurities crept in. After having a mini meltdown yesterday I realized that hey, maybe I chose believe because I need to believe in myself. 

What keeps me from accomplishing my goals? Fear that I am not good enough, smart enough, that no one cares or wants to hear what I have to say. I am a nobody. A tiny nobody fish in a great, big ocean of amazing fish. 

But what if I gave myself a little credit? What if I remembered my accomplishments and all the fears I've overcome? What if I stopped saying, you're such a loser, and started saying, you can totally do this. What if I believed in myself?

I want to give myself permission to try whatever I want and I will pat myself on the back and say, you've got this. You're ready. Even if I don't feel ready and I think maybe I have no idea what I'm doing because the truth is, I know everything I need to know to accomplish what I need to accomplish right now. 

I believe in my strengths, my knowledge, my gifts. I believe in me.

My top five character strengths:
Appreciation of beauty and excellence
You notice and appreciate beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience.

Honesty, authenticity, and genuineness
You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretense; you are a "real" person.

Love of learning
You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn.

Capacity to love and be loved
You value close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated. The people to whom you feel most close are the same people who feel most close to you.

Gratitude
You are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks.

Find your top strengths at Authentic Happiness.

This week's Wishcasting Wednesday question is - what do you wish to rise above?

I wish to rise above...

unbelief
an average life
walls
complacency
mediocrity
defeat
negativity
small mindedness 
boundaries

Happy spring equinox! Let's stretch our limbs, wipe the sleep from our eyes, and celebrate making it through another winter. Here are some ideas...

1. Spring Clean
Of course this tops the list of things to do. It feels so good to freshen up, declutter, and get things organized. Pull out unworn clothes and shoes from the closet, get rid of old beauty products and broken jewelry, clean out the fridge. And don't forget your social networks! Have Facebook and Twitter "friends" you don't keep up with? Delete!

2. Air Out the House
Feeling sleepy and sluggish when you're at home? It could be due to carbon buildup. Get the air recirculating by opening all the windows. You'll have more energy in no time.

3. Get Some Sun
In moderate amounts the sun can be a good thing. You'll get a dose of Vitamin D, which is good for bone health. And there's no doubt a little sunshine can brighten your mood. It's especially important when you're stuck inside for most of the day. Get out on your lunch break and soak in some rays.

4. Grow Something
Sweet peas, roses, lavender, rosemary...I especially love this growing wishes seed kit.

5. Add Some Color
All too often winter becomes the season of black and gray. Introduce color back into your wardrobe, accessories, or even your manicure. 

6. Visit a Farmer's Market
There's nothing like knowing where your food comes from. Look into your local farmer's markets and pick up some spring veggies and fruits. Look for strawberries, cherries, radishes, and asparagus. 

7. Cook a Seasonal Meal
Now use all that fresh produce to cook up a healthy meal. Oprah has a nice list of what's in season and recipes to try.

8. Host a Spring Tea Party
This can be as simple or extravagant as you'd like it to be. Go simple and serve tea and a few sweets or go all out and have guests dress in frilly hats and lacy dresses.  

9. Turn Up Bob Marley & Dance
'nuff said

10. Get a Hair Cut
Have a winter mane? Looking for a change? Browse magazines and the internet for interesting hair styles, colors, and cuts. There's nothing like a trip to the salon to make a girl smile :)

11. Cloud Watch
Kick off your shoes, lay in the grass, and watch the clouds go by. What do you see?

12. Take a Hike
Now that it's starting to warm up, it's much easier to get back to nature. Hit your local park with trails or plan a trip for a weekend nature getaway. For Texans, Lost Maples is a beautiful natural area that begs to be explored. 

13. Ride a Bike
Get your gams goin'!

14. Concoct a Natural Perfume
Here's a good recipe.

15. Unplug for a Day
Some of my favorite days are spent away from the computer, TV, and phone. Allow yourself just one day away from Facebook, blogs, reality TV, and texting. Journal about your experience.

16. Have a Picnic
Two years ago I received the perfect picnic basket, and oh how much fun it was to pack it full of homemade sandwiches and desserts! You don't have to have a basket to have a picnic though. Brown paper bags will do just as well! 

17. Paint With Watercolors
Ah...those glorious rainbow swirls of color. Let your creative goddess play and don't worry about what it looks like. Just paint and have fun!

18. Clean out Mental Clutter
Mental clutter is just as bad as material clutter, maybe worse. While you're spring cleaning your home, don't forget to sweep the cobwebs from your mind. And not just under the rug! Spend some time getting to the root of your thoughts and pulling up those weeds for good.

19. Create a Spring Playlist
Some of my favorites are "Say Hey" by Michael Franti & Spearhead, "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley, and "Everybody Got Their Something" by Nikka Costa.

20. Eat Raw
The recommendation is to include at least 50% raw food into your diet. I feel lighter, have more energy, and a stronger immune system when I eat raw meals. Watch Food Matters for inspiration.

21. Buy Yourself Flowers
Guaranteed to make you smile!

22. Spend a Day Doing Nothing
Forget dusting the furniture, putting away the dishes, and mowing the lawn. It will all be there tomorrow. Instead, lounge around, daydream, watch your favorite movie. 

23. Makeover the Furniture
I'm dying to get my hands on a can of turquoise paint so I can makeover the boring green Adirondack chairs in the back yard. The couches could use a spring update as well. Hello slip covers!

24. Donate
Kiva is my favorite place to donate money, but there are tons of other great causes to give to. What are you passionate about? What change would you like to see? 

25. Sign Up for a Goddess Guidebook E-course
Goddess Leonie has some really beautiful and soul inspiring e-courses, meditations, and workbooks. Become a business goddess, radiant goddess, creative goddess, and of course there's the magical Goddess Year workbook. Follow the pretty links on the sidebar to discover the goddess in you!

~*~
My wings shake the frost from their veins
My hands feel the pulse of sleepy roots
My skin settles under warmth of cascading sun
Spring beckons my spirit from winter's shadow 
~*~

I'm loving this color right now!