Ahh...glorious summer. 

I have to admit, living in eternal summesrville is pretty dang cool. I don't have to try and squeeze everything into a few months before the weather gets cooler. The rains do come, but it's just as lovely to sit with a cup of jasmine tea and watch the earth drink up the water.

But we're here to talk summer to-dos! A few ideas:

* Pack a picnic and head to the beach or lake or backyard pool.

* Make morning smoothies and juices (ginger tastes excellent with carrots) or the Bombshell Spell which is 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 4 oz. pineapple juice, juice from 1/4 lime, and 1 teaspoon honey. Drink to increase your metabolism and aid digestion.

* Road trip to a music festival.

* Host a cocktail party.

* Finish reading all those books on your bedside (or Kindle).

* Learn something new. Swing dance, crystal grids, play writing, violin.

* Buy bottles of bubbles and channel your inner kid.

* Eat mangoes and peaches and watermelon.

* Spend Saturday at the farmer's market picking out local, fresh food and cook up a delicious dinner.

* Hang a hammock. Take a nap.

* Go glamping, roast marshmallows.

* Collect seashells and make a seashell chime.

* Sleep with the windows open.

* Get a new hairstyle or hair color.

* Start a yoga and meditation routine.

* Pick one project from your DIY Pinterest board and make it.

* Stroll through a museum.

* Take your dog to a dog park.

* Lounge around in your bathing suit.

* Stargaze.

* Get beach waves with sea salt hair spray.

* Take photographs of everyday things from a different angle.

* Paint your nails hot pink or turquoise or neon orange.

* Create a summer vision board.

* Ride the scariest roller coaster. 

On my summer fun list - go para sailing. Weeeee!

What's one thing you really, really wanna do this summer? 

Have you ever met someone who radiates energy so positive, so beautiful that you can't help but want to be around them? It's as if there's a ball of light tucked inside their soul and shining out of their eyes, their voice, their being. What is it that these people encompass and is it available to all of us? I think so. It's all about inner beauty and learning to bring it forth. Here's how:

Speak positively. 
There's nothing worse than meeting up with so-and-so just to hear her complain about such-and-such for the millionth time. People who radiate beauty speak positive words. No one wants to be around a negative Nancy. I don't know about you, but I enjoy being around those who have something nice to say, express their gratitude, and forgo gossip. 

Talk about your passions.
I loooove listening to and watching people talk about their passions; their face lights up and they get excited, which in turn gets me excited. Don't be afraid to express your love for poetry or organic gardening or your next big project. You might inspire someone to do the same.

Stay present.
Can you tell when someone is hearing you, but not really listening? Like they're just waiting for their turn to talk? Blah! Don't be that person. Radiate beauty by being attentive. People love when others listen because it's a super rare trait. Give your undivided attention to someone and they won't forget you.

Have fun.
Laugh, smile, loosen up! People who look like they're having a good time send off comforting, welcoming vibes. A smile always illuminates a person.

Love yourself.
Confidence is beautiful and you have every reason to be so. When you love what you've got going on (and this includes everything from boobs to brains), it shows. Plus, when you love yourself you free yourself up to treat others in the most positive way possible.

Radiating beauty isn't all about physical looks. There are plenty of "beautiful" people out there who can't hold a conversation or a relationship because the inside doesn't match the outside. If you want to truly be beautiful, treat people with kindness, hold your head high, delve into your passions. Get inside yourself and shine that light. People won't be able to resist your company.

Want to cultivate more beauty in yourself and your life? Click here!

I love the stillness of night.

The way the sun sets pink and blue behind clouds.

The silhouette of coconut trees.

The wooden gate that opens to a field meant for picnics.

Everytime I see a sun rise, smell the ocean, watch sailboats while eating eggs and toast or oatmeal with cinnamon and honey I think, what magic this is. 

I never thought I'd spend my days doing what I please. I never thought writing would be my profession.

I never thought afternoon naps were an option.

I never thought those things, but my spirit did. My spirit knew the truth beyond what I could see or feel.

I remember those days in the office, the afternoon slumps and my mind wandering to other places. I remember thinking why can't I just do what I want? Why can't I live my dreams and follow my purpose? And then, you can! But of course the doubt set in. You've never been able to before. This is just the way it is.

Maybe you have the same doubts. Maybe you wonder why it's taking so long. Maybe the ego part of you says no way! But your spirit will show you the way. It's speaking the truth right now. Just tune in.

How do you tune in?

Sometimes it means getting quiet, sometimes walking forward in faith, sometimes letting out a long sigh of relief. 

There is always boldness in listening to the spirit and letting go of ego. 

But trust me, it knows best. It is your light shining, expanding, creating, expressing love. Let it!

This is something I'm going to be writing a lot about in my next course, Creating Your Magical Life. This idea of letting go of ego-self and tuning into the higher self, the spirit, because our higher selves have great power in creating and making dreams come true. 

For now, just trust yourself. Believe in the power that resides inside you. Sit with it, talk with it. It will talk back.

When I was taking my Nia White Belt I learned about the Nia 5 Stages and how to incorporate them into a 7-minute workout at the beginning of the day.

Every morning for a week we started the day by creating the space and moving into the workout, which consists of the five stages of human development:

1. Embryonic
   
2. Creeping
   
3. Crawling
   
4. Standing/Squatting
   
5. Walking

Each stage is an opportunity to practice awareness and improve comfort in the body, mobility, flexibility, strength, agility, and stability.

It's like the exclamation point of the morning!

I want to share it with you because it brought me so much joy, focus, and relaxation. It's a beautiful way to start your day and strengthen your body.

The video below demonstrates each of the five stages. To do the workout:

• Embryonic - 1 minute
  
• Creeping - 1 minute
  
• Crawling - 1 minute
  
• Standing/Squatting - 1 minute
  
• Walking - 1 minute
  
• Getting up and down from the floor - 1 minute
  
• Laughing (it feels forced at first, but by the end you're actually laughing) - 15 seconds on belly, back, sitting, standing
  

Try it out for a week and tell me how it goes!

Tip: knee pads help greatly during the crawling stage.