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Stop Wishin' and Waitin'...and Start Doin'

Here is what I  know when it comes to money and business.  

When my sons were little and I decided to quit my "secure" but BORING job to go on my own, everyone in my life expressed doubt and caused my fears to paralyze me.  I decided I needed to only surround myself with positive and optimistic people.   

Luckily, I got my analytical, logical mind from my dad and I learned to be practical and pragmatic.  All those coaches who say, "just think it and it will come" never worked for my brain.  I need action not just thought, to believe in.   One tool I learned was to create 2 or 3 budgets,  the "barely cutting it" budget , and the dream budget.   Every week I would prepare my cash flow projections, I call it the "Peace of Mind" schedule to see the sources and uses of money week by week.  If I needed to manifest money for something it would first go on the peace of mind schedule.   As soon as I did that the money or the opportunities would show up and I had the clarity I needed to take action.  Clarity being the key word.   Eventually my faith and trust grew in this process and I started to go from bare minimum to thrive.   I started to ask for what I wanted on my spreadsheet and I made it happen.     Now I'm manifesting a dream to live part time in France.  A year ago when I went to Paris, I had to put it all on a credit card!   I went, had a blast and the money quickly followed.  

Another thing I've learned is if you wait to live your life until you have enough money or whatever(____you fill in the blank.), whatever it is you're waiting for won't ever show up and you'll always be waiting.  Acting 'as if' is something I did when I was afraid to do something that I knew was good for me, like public speaking.  I'd act as if I wasn't scared and then go take action.   It's the same way with money.  Act as if you already have the money, make the precise plans as if its already in your bank account.   

The act of stepping toward your dreams makes your dreams step toward you.   

When I dreamed of going to Paris last summer, I thought I had to have the money all saved up before I could book the flight.  Then I remembered this principal.  I had enough for a plane ticket I made it happen, then I received a check in the mail from a piece of real estate I unloaded 5 years ago!  It was enough for 3 weeks in Paris!  But I really wanted to stay for 4 months so I filled out all the paperwork for a 4 month visa.  It was a load of paperwork but I got the visa so I was prepared to stay just in case something came up and it did!  Many things came up and I ended up extending my trip 3 times when I was there and I was asked to participate in the book project -  My Paris Story: Living, Loving and Leaping in the City of Light Without a Safety Net, which will be launched in March to coincide with International Womens' Day....I'll be in Paris for the launch party, an unbelievable dream come true for me.

Anyway this just goes to show you that it takes action toward your dreams to make it happen, not wishing and waiting.

Power of Vision Boards

 A vision board is a visual representation of our dreams and what we want to create in our lives, usually done around the winter solstice or New Year when we are thinking about the new energy.   Sometimes its difficult to articulate what we want more of in our life so by going through your favorite magazines and cutting out pictures and words that make you feel good, you discover your longings.   

When I first started doing vision boards, I had mostly pictures of material things I wanted, like a new car, a house, jewelry, and money.  I found a picture of a Lexus and within days my client bought herself a new Porsche and she asked me if I wanted to buy her Lexus!   I loved my Lexus and it came from one of my favorite clients and friend, Barbara Brown.   I also got the house, the jewels and my revenue doubled.   There is no guilt to be felt for wanting bling or a new car, having these desires is part of the process.

As I got the things I craved, my vision boards took on a more spiritual quality.  I really wanted more peace of mind, love and connection.  Within days of creating the boards above, a yoga teacher came to me and together we worked together privately doing yoga in her studio, it was one of the most powerful times in my life when my energy and peace were at the highest level.  I began collaborating with a great group of women like my dear friend Ana Irustre- Montes and Womens Economic Ventures.  Helping others achieve their success came out of those visions and I created Money Chi, a coaching program to help people with their relationship around money and prosperity.   I went on to teach hundreds of entrepreneurs to live successful, balanced lives.   

As my children grew up I focused more on my own dreams, finding my purpose in life and following my passion.  France became a huge part of my vision, as I reconnected to my life long dream of living in France and manifested a life living part time between my beloved France and California and founded Find Yourself in France, a travel / retreat business to connect women to more of their dreams,desires, sensuality and femininity in France. 

During our session last weekend at the Vision Board Soiree at Gina Gipper-Woods store,( 25th of Remembrance, the home of Owie Bow Wowie), we had so much fun creating together, drinking wine and enjoying decadent dark chocolate truffles, made by moi.  We were learning and supporting each other and our dreams and we began to cut things out for each other!  One lady handed over a picture of a sexy man and said to another, here is a picture your man! Well guess what, she manifested him the very next day!      

What are your dreams?  Start by pouring yourself a glass of wine, put on some soothing music, light a candle and get out scissors and favorite magazines.  Cut out and collect whatever images and words your heart desires. No sensoring or judging allowed!   When you feel complete, start to collage your clippings on a poster board.  Get creative, use colored pens, glitter, drawings, put your energy into it!  You can do this by yourself or with a group of friends for lots of laughter and mutual vision holding. 

This is a powerful tool, because we are powerful women.  Step into your power!  Create your dreams NOW.  I'm here to support you ...and Find Your Self in France!

Leave me a message about your experience creating your vision board. I'd love to hear about it!!

My Favorite Pastime in Paris is Sitting in a Café

Angelina's has the best hot chocolate and Mont Blanc made with meringue and chestnut puree, 

Carette's is another favorite tea time favorite in the cozy Place de Vosges.  

Carette's is also at the Trocadero. Nice for writing and people watching.

   

I just love this spot on the Normandy beach of Étretat, you can imagine Monet might have been there 

 

 ...If my destiny is to be in France, then the path will unfold before me...

Most inspiring place to sit and write is Cafe Carlu

  Dalloyau is another favorite for hot chocolate!

 

 Enjoying a little pitchers of wine in Nice. 

 My favorite spot in Juan les Pins for a pastis, that quintessential apero made from Anissette. 

Chez Philippe.

 Only the best ice cream at Berthillon

indoors at Cafe Carlu

café crème at a bar in MontMartre 

Artists at Place de Tertre, in Montmartre

 

Oh, so Paris!

Won't you join me?!  Find Your Self in France

Found Myself In France

I'm backtracking a bit because I've been writing in my notebook but not on my blog.  Starting back from the beginning of my adventure on June 26, when I boarded the monster double decker Airbus 380, they had to rebuild the Bradley terminal in LA just fit this flying ship, I am now a couple weeks from the end of my journey (at least for the winter).  I want to attempt to compare the vision with the reality and see how my dreams measured up in real life.  On June 26th, I was on my way to France and my dreams, not even sure where I was going to stay the first couple nights.  Well that's me, I tested my luck knowing something good always turns up.  Well it did at Le Moulin Bregeon where I felt like a princess.  Thank you Jonathan Robinson!

On August 10, 2013, I wrote in my journal:  If my destiny is to be in France then the path will unfold before me.  At the age of 48 my life is just about completely mine to do whatever I want.  My sons are grown and I have the freedom now to pursue my dreams. I've sort of been on my own pilgrimage, while reading Paulo Coelho, I've stayed present to the moment and allowed the path to emerge.  This love affair with France all began when I was a young child and I heard the French language spoken in class.  I fell in love with the melody and texture of this beautiful language, and I had to learn more and I found this country rich with culture, style, food, wine, scandalous history and it never ended.  I always said if a place can be a soul mate then mine is France.  So many adventures later, and I am definitely a changed woman!

I realize now how audial I am, but I am really affected by sound and I like to hear things and listen.  Some people see something and it moves them, I hear things, too.  No wonder I landed in the home of a musician and music lover, Philippe Zani. I am renting a room in Philippe's artsy house and getting a music education that is mind blowing!  He has the largest collection of music from all over the world and throughout the eras, more 78 rpms than I've ever seen!  He introduced me to many wonderful people who have changed my life. Like Gladys, from the South of France, who is kind and generous and cultured and she coached me on my life and business and she has some very insightful things to tell.  She is also a gifted tarot card reader and she gave me a reading that spells success for my tour business! Yay!

After leading the Paris tour in September, I realize my strength is in connecting people, as it always has been. When I combine my passion for all things French with my gift for connecting people, I can create a custom designed itinerary to connect YOU to your dreams.  Paris has everything to inspire you whether you are an artist, a chef, a perfumer, an entrepreneur, into fashion, music, culture, theatre, dance, food.... Its all here in Paris.

Did you dream of coming to Paris to take cooking classes like Julia Child did many years ago?  Or maybe you are a chef looking for inspiration?  Our friend, a well known chef, will invite you to his kitchen where you will be inspired by the tastes and textures of Paris and cook up a storm.  Do you dream about walking through charming villages of Paris tasting the best cheeses, chocolates, charcuterie and delicacies Paris has to offer?  For wine enthusiasts or winemakers, we will drive you around the charming towns in Champagne or Burgundy so you can taste and learn about wines and champagnes with a oenoiste (wine expert).  If perfume is your passion, I can introduce you to a master perfumer who will teach you to mix precious oils for a bespoke potion and help you to take your craft to the next level.  My little black book of fashion designers and image consultant, Jacqueline, will help you find your unique style for any occasion.

And if you dream of a wedding in Paris....with a wave of my wand, I can make this dream come true, too.    
After all this inspiration, you may find an opportunity to grow your business in France and the French have such an entrepreneurial spirit!  I can connect you to experts who can help you navigate the legal and business aspects of doing business in France and help you take your business international.

I take the time to understand your tastes and preferences so I can create a bespoke, made to order itinerary just for you.  I will handle all the details of your trip, customized just for you so you can relax and enjoy the best Paris has to offer.  Find Your Self in France is about taking your life and your business to the next level by inspiring you to find your passion, find your unique style and live the life you were meant to live.

I had a very interesting thing happen today.   I was at a cafe writing, my normal daily habit, when a man asked me, in French ecrivez-vous tout les jours?  (Do you write everyday?)  Mais oui! I responded.  He went on saying I should stay in Paris, whatever it took, get a small studio, and write every day and when you have 5 notebooks filled up, attend the society of published authors in Paris.  He said I will find my self by writing, everything else is Merde!  I asked him his name,  he is Bruno Paulin Meynis, the son of Michel Audiard, a famous writer and screenwriter who wrote the original adaptation of The Three Muskateers by Alexandre Dumas!    Isn't this something!!!

Monet's and Mine: Etretat, Normandy, France