“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”
--Nathaniel Hawthorne

 
When was the last time you had that feeling of butterflies in your tummy? Like when you were in grade school and having your exam on World War II? Getting butterflies are actually a great thing. We are on top of our game, pushing ourselves, blasting through and moving forward in our lives.

I still get butterflies every time I go to my Toast Masters meetings every Thursday. They are not as loud as they were a year ago (because I’ve been going and exercising my muscles in speaking), but man they’re still there! And it’s good. It means I’m on my toes.

Butterflies also come around sometimes when we are excited about a new love in our lives. We are excited with anticipation and learning about that new person. Butterflies in the tummy can actually be a good thing when we use them to our advantage instead of being scared of them.

What are you doing in your life right now that can make you bring about some butterflies? Butterflies help us to grow and stretch ourselves in ways we never knew possible. Orange represents courage and yellow represents light and optimism. Find out how to color your world to give you the strength to move through your fears and embrace those butterflies. Get in touch with those feelings and let them rise up inside of you. Butterflies can set you free. Click here to learn more.

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Hugs,

Betsy Karp,

Founder of i adore me

I opened my email late Sunday night and found this wonderful display of children’s affection that hit my core. It made me appreciate the beauty and innocence of looking at life through a child’s eyes. Sometimes we just have to stop what we’re doing, smell the coffee, smell the roses and enjoy each and every minute of our day. I hope the quotes from these children inspire you as they did me. Let this shift your perception of what love is.

“What Love means to a 4-8 year old:

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to
8year-olds: 'What does love mean?'

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint
her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time,
even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving
cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French
fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip
before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of
kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and
Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening
presents and listen.'
Bobby - age 7

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend
who you hate.'
Nikka - age 6

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it
every day.'
Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still
friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I
looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and
smiling. He was the only one doing that I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8

'My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is  handsomer than Robert Redford .'
Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him
alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old
clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little
stars come out of you.'
Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think
it's gross..'
Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you
 mean it , you should say it a lot. People forget.'
 Jessica - age 8

 And the final one

The winner was a four-year-old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said:

'Nothing , I just helped him cry'”

What does love mean to YOU? The little boy who won the contest was so heartfelt, but maybe there is another one here that hit YOUR heart. I’d love for you to share which one that was.

I'm really not sure which is worse: anxiety or nausea? Sometimes we are so lucky that we even get the special combo of both!  Actually, I believe they are neck in neck. What do you think?

Just this past weekend I was visiting family at the beach and feeling anxious. I just couldn't get that feeling to go away, and of course the more that I resisted what I was feeling, the more it persisted. I began using the healing tools in my spiritual toolbox.  First on the list is to breathe…

I took a deep breath in and out. I repeated this 10 times. I could feel myself a little calmer and put on very soft, healing music (music works like a charm, because it really shifts our vibration). Okay. Now I was a little better, but the uncomfortable feeling was still there. You know what I'm talking about: The I-don't-feel-good-in-my-own-skin feeling. That feeling of wanting out and feeling trapped. I believe it is safe to say at one point or another we have all had that anxious feeling!

Next up on the list was a Walk. Now, I was on the beach and still had that feeling, so you know it had to be bad. The beach usually makes us feel better, but that day, even the beach wasn't helping. I was trying to describe it to someone and here's what I said (please let me know if you agree):

“My heart felt tight, I had this paralyzing feeling like something was wrong, and I just couldn’t figure it out. Then I felt hot and sweaty. I was in a major, negative space of ‘life sucks’ and felt I just couldn’t get out; like being trapped in a cave and I couldn’t see the light at the end of it.”

So here is what I have found to really help: try laughing at something like an old movie. Watch a Woody Allen flick, The Wedding Crashers, I Love Lucy, or Jimmy Fallon. Break the spell. This helps us step right into the present moment, relaxing our bodies. That horrible, gnawing feeling will just go away. You'll see yourself lighten up, loosen up and not take YOU or your life soooooo seriously. And if all these tools don't work, there is nothing wrong with ONE glass of something a little stronger than water.  

It’s funny. I was remembering years ago when I would get anxious, I'd turn to my grandma and ask, "Hey grandma, do you have any words of wisdom for me? I'm feeling anxious and I can't get rid of this awful feeling.” She blurted out, “Betsy Sue, do you have any Schnapps in the house?" I replied, “My god! Who drinks that?!” Anyway, I got her point. And it helps as long as it's every once in a blue moon.

So breathe, listen to music, meet a friend, walk, laugh and be kind to yourself. And as my grandma says, “have a little Schnapps.” So what are you going to do the next time you have anxiety?

*Please comment below and share with your friends.*

Hugs,

Betsy Karp,

Founder of i adore me

I love the word Perception, because it can mean so many different things. Your perception of something might totally be different than mine. There really is no right or wrong. Perception is defined as: “The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses. The state of being or process of becoming aware of something in such a way.”

Do you find yourself wanting to be RIGHT in a conversation?  When was the last time you stepped back and looked at the situation from the other person’s point of view? Maybe your perception has been skewed.

I have been stepping back lately by not listening to my ego, letting go of wanting to be right and opening up while listening quietly to my heart.  I shifted to new possibilities, new paths to explore and moving on. This got me thinking.

Here's what I’m going to do and maybe you want to follow it as well. Discover a new, daily route to work, the grocery store, the cleaners, the manicurist, etc… What would happen if you changed your day and you went left instead of your usual right? Would your perception shift?

Every day I ride my bike up the Riverside Drive park on the bike path and go as far as the George Washington Bridge. Just yesterday I saw that there was a new path. It was a fresh, thickly paved road. So instead of turning my usual right, which I have done everyday for the last four months, I went left. It was really amazing, because my perception of everything shifted so fast.

This was an easier route: no bumps, no huge potholes and no dead mice on the path. It was closer to the water and more peaceful. All of a sudden I had a major shift in my mind. I became so pro-active about everything. I was making these huge lists in my head. I said to myself, "I'm going to start looking at everything in my life from a different angle.” I had a new perception of what I was going to do.

Once we have a plan all we need are some action steps, a few goals, a little luck, and we’re on our way. Isn't it time to shake things up and look at life from a whole new angle?  Share what happens (maybe by turning right instead of left tomorrow). You will change your life AND your perception. What are you waiting for? 

*Please comment below and share with your friends.*

Hugs,

Betsy Karp,

Founder of i adore me

It was the perfect summer night. I had made chicken skewers with onions, tomatoes and peppers, marinated in honey teriyaki sauce with a little bit of peach marmalade, a pinch of sea salt and a splash of lime. I also made a delicious, fresh cilantro and corn side dish shucked right from the ear and a watermelon, feta, mint salad as well.

Cooking relaxes me, it inspires me, it nourishes me and it gives me hope. It also brings me back to my artistic days of creating something that I can enjoy. Cooking is all about experimenting and having fun.

I love sharing what I make with wonderful friends, family and clients. Food feeds our minds, our bodies and our souls. It gives us energy and a sense of true contentment. There’s nothing like a good, homemade meal.

So many of my clients tell me that they can’t cook, because they are single and that it’s too much work with no one to share it with. My response to them is “try something new. You may be surprised how much you enjoy it.” Cooking for yourself, can actually uplift your mood, your state of being, as well as your health. For so many years I have been single and I make myself a beautiful meal. And I ENJOY it!

I do, by the way, also enjoy having others over to eat the food I’ve prepared. It’s fun to share in conversation, the delicious meal you’ve made and discuss what happened during your day.

When was the last time you cooked for yourself or someone in your life? Maybe you don’t cook because you don’t know how to. There’s a solution to everything. Want to learn how to prepare amazing foods for yourself and others? Treat yourself. Check out Betsy’s Bites…

*Please comment below and share with your friends.*

Hugs,

Betsy Karp,

Founder of i adore me

Each and every one of us is put here on this planet to share what is completely unique to us.  It’s our job and responsibility to find that special quality that we want to share with the world. It doesn’t matter what it is. It can be anything from cleaning someone’s home, to being a chef, to being a writer, to being a doctor, and the list goes on…

A sacred contract is a special declaration for yourself for what you are going to bring out in the world. It’s a contract with yourself to put out what you want to do in this life. It’s not formal. You don't need a lawyer to draw this up. Just yourself with a pen and paper (or a computer). It’s your own essence of what you want to do while you’re here. It’s your purpose and passion.

This contract is actually something that brings us happiness. Happiness is a state of being. It’s about an achievement for oneself. It’s not something we buy. There’s nothing more gratifying once we’ve created something and others recognize our creation and gift. It’s bringing something inside of us outside into the world that already exists.

Are you, right now, living your sacred contract? Sometimes all you need is a shift in your mind and the willingness to say, “Yes, I’m going to start today and create that wonderful sacred contract for myself.”

i adore me can help you get clear on how to create your sacred contract. A sacred contract can give you happiness, purpose, passion and a new way to be. Once we feel good about ourselves, there’s really no stopping us. Be honest with yourself and really contemplate if you are living out your sacred contract. If not, there’s no time like the present. Aren’t you ready for all of that?

*Please comment below and share with your friends.*

Hugs,

Betsy Karp,

Founder of i adore me

Just like when you go to a restaurant and place your order, the same goes for putting an order in to the Universe. What is it that you want to order? It’s really important to get clear and gain extreme clarity on what it is that you believe for yourself.

I was listening to Arielle Ford’s web series Soul Mate Secret. Her web series is about placing our order with the Universe to find our soul mate. She talked about how one of the most important things we have to do is to decide how we want to feel with our soul mate. What are we looking for in our mate? What are some of the qualities we want find in this person? It’s not looking for someone to fix us, but to find someone to support us and help us grow.

We are a mirror of whom we want to attract, so in order to find all the things we want in someone else, we have to have those qualities in ourselves first. It’s really important to let our blocks and old relationships go, get rid of clutter & old mementos and clear a path for something new and brighter to come in. It’s also really important to visualize ourselves already having what it is we really want as though it’s happening today.

Whether you are looking for a new mate, a new job or a new beginning to something, you need to follow these same instructions. These are just a few of the steps to help you manifest your order. To find out more, click here.

*Please comment below and share with your friends.*

Hugs,

Betsy Karp,

Founder of i adore me

I truly love this saying, because I believe it with all my heart. Probably the greatest gift in life you can give yourself is the gift of never giving up: believing that you have something incredibly powerful and wonderful to give to the world. No matter how weird, funky or out there it seems, it’s usually something great. But it all comes down to your beliefs and moving through the naysayers, saying really loud to the world: “YES, I can do it!”

Last week I was listening to Lisa Nichols (from The Secret) on the internet. She was preaching, “Winners never quit and quitters never win” from her whole being! She was telling her personal story about how so many years ago she was down and out on her luck, broke and didn’t know which way to turn. Then she started showing up for herself, planting seeds and believing in herself. She got out of her own way, creating her dreams. Today, Lisa is taking her company public and speaking all over the world. She is a true example of “winners never quit and quitters never win.”

What is it that YOU want to achieve in your life? Maybe you want to learn a new language. Maybe you want to be a great Broadway star. Maybe you want to write a book. Find out what that passion and true calling is for yourself. Work on you. Believe in you. Indulge in you. Find your true purpose.

As the Greek philosopher Plutarch says, “What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” It’s time to give yourself a Life Design Makeover. Invest in yourself to find out what you really want to do with your life and get the support you need on this journey.  Make your life over and learn to say, “i adore me!” Trust me, you won’t want to quit, because you’ll discover that you are a winner too.

*Please comment below and share with your friends.*

Hugs,

Betsy Karp,

Founder of i adore me

Use color to help you communicate:

“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”
—Marianne Williamson

Which way are you living your life? Are you choosing love or fear? I believe that's all there is! You choose.

When we step into a loving place we feel open, happy, warm, joyful, kind, affectionate, soft, playful and free. When we are in a place of fear we are shaky, lethargic, tense, small, angry, and scared. Fear makes us live our lives in drama, chaos and pain. I don't know about you, but given these two choices I certainly choose LOVE. And yes, it is a CHOICE!

Our fears get the best of us, deadlocking us at times. When we are afraid, we go into that fear-based place that is the unknown. “Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real”. It is a huge energy within us, stirring our emotions like a tornado.

Fear keeps coming up for me as well as for many others I know, including my clients. When people come to me fearful of doing something, it usually means that they have something to learn or experience. We explore these fears throughout i adore me’s Happy New Me coaching sessions, learning how to change our ATTITUDE and ENERGY through positive affirmations and guided meditations. Through these sessions my clients discover that once they change their attitude and their energy, the fears begin to dissipate, clearing an open path for creating ACTION steps that allow them to live a happy new life each day.

You see, it's about clearing the darkness within us. When we are in a fearful place it’s probably because we don't know what to do or how to do it. But truly, the only way out of fear is going through it: stepping into the mess, the pain, the old hurts and insecurities of why we are fearful. Maybe it was someone older in your life - a relative, a parent or an old teacher - that made you afraid, feel unsafe or inadequate, possibly undermining your confidence. Or possibly it was an old emotion of “I can't do this” or “I'm not good enough” or “I’m not smart enough and I just can’t!” YOU are sabotaging your own confidence. Wouldn’t it be great to explore these fears and create an open path for yourself?

After a lot of spiritual guidance and practice from an incredible teacher and compassionate healer, Liam Watt (www.dancingwithyourshadow.net), I am NOW able to let go of fear. I owe so much gratitude to him. Everyone needs a coach and a support system. Truly!

Liam helped me change how I feel internally. He taught me how to handle and move through the fear. Much of the process is about creating stillness. Trust me, I resisted it for a long time. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life, but having a dedicated and compassionate coach is what got me through...and it can get you through too. I had to dive (body, mind and soul) into the swampy, mucky, muddy waters of fear, but now I truly see a light at the end of the tunnel, feeling and seeing that LOVE for myself.

Is there a fear or old emotional issue you need to address? It will probably keep bobbing its head up if you don’t address it. So there is no time like the present. It’s all a process and a journey.

By embracing the fear, taking action for yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone is when you begin to feel a shift, experiencing a new way to be! The old blocks and emotions will start to dissolve and move out of your way. A newfound place of LOVE will emerge. You will celebrate and shout from the rooftops: “Hallelujah!”

So which way will you choose? Isn't it time you stepped out of fear and into love? Isn’t it time to experience a Happy New You? There is no time like the present. Choose LOVE and experience how great YOU will feel!

*Please comment below and share with your friends.*

Hugs,

Betsy Karp,

Founder of i adore me