Align first

Align first. Act second. 

Sometimes, we feel like there isn’t enough time. That we have to maximize every square inch of the clock available to us in our day. And that we couldn’t possibly have time for the “nice to have” activities like breath work, meditation, yoga, art, walking in nature, or simply being. 

And yet - it is through any act of “simply being” that we actually, finally create space. 

And do you know what… we need space to act. To step into. To perform. To produce. With enjoyment, ease, and presence. 

When we don’t make the time - even for a moment - to welcome some space into our activities they can feel crowded, overwhelming, tight, heavy… Sometimes that’s all we know. We’re not aware that there is another way. But there is, mama. 

There is another way. Another pace. Another approach. Where you can still do what needs to be done. For your family, your home, your job, and yourself. But you can do it from place of grace. Of empowerment. And of ease. Truly. It can all be easier. It can be lighter. Without overwhelming, exhausting, or stressing us out. Tasks no longer need to stress us out. Nor do days. Nor do jobs. Nor do circumstances. Nor do seasons. 

If you’re ready to experience a new way of “doing,” read on…

Mmmmmmm so glad you’re still with us!  

Okay, here it is. The approach your soul has been longing for. She (your soul) yearns for it. And that’s because she knows it to be there. To be available. To be true. Simply hidden. Our busy minds can distract us from the empowerment and ease that are woven into our beings. Imprinted long ago. Just waiting to be discovered and connected with. To be leveraged. To be inspired by.

It’s time to remember, Dear One. 

I’ll help. 

And of course, we’ll get nice and practical.

Here’s the secret, mama: align first, act second. 

There is always enough time. There is no need to rush. And there is such empowerment when we welcome space before acting. Before doing. 

I’ll tell you how I do it in a little list. Because not every day is the same. But you can feel it. Feel into it. Feel what will most ideally serve you. And allow the rest to be available another day. A different time. 

So here is the formula - align first (samples below) and then act. We must prioritize space before we can welcome success. Soul success. Because our soul isn’t looking for us to separate from the world - to breathe, walk around barefoot in nature, and journal all day. No, she wants you to live. Integrated. To welcome heaven to this earth. In the non-doing and the doing. And it can be done. One moment at a time. With intention. And with sweet sweet kindness to yourself. 

At first it may feel odd - “counterproductive” even. When you peek at the looming to-do list, your mind will say: “how can you possibly add more to that already crowded task list?” or “prioritize the most important things first, then get to that alignment mumbo jumbo…” 

Alignment is the most important, Dear One. 

Imagine you’re driving on a highway. 55 - 65 mph. As you’re cruising by, you’re not noticing the scenery around you. You’re simply focused on your destination. You’re nearing your exit, but you can’t transition to it at the same pace you’ve been sailing by. Mile after mile. You must gently press onto the break. Redirect. And slow down. 

Before we begin a task - big or small - we too can benefit from an intentional redirect. Slowing down. And gently transitioning. Alignment approaches can enable us to do just that. 

So what is the “align first - act second” approach? Just as with all soul-satisfying activities, you have your pick. There are so many beautiful options. And I’ll share some of my favorites. You can choose to give them a try one-by-one or allow them to inspire alignment approaches of your own. I’d love to hear what you choose and what most authentically serves you and your sweet soul.

Here’s what I do:

• Meditate. For 15 minutes or for 5 minutes. When I set my phone aside, close my eyes, and breathe with intention - even for a brief time - I experience a shift in my energy. And an opening. A spaciousness. Problems are solved more quickly, answers arrive more clearly, and tasks take on a deeper level of enjoyment. Even the ordinary, totally mundane ones. Meditation is a top go-to alignment approach.

• Dance. Sometimes, you gotta move. You’ll know when. You’ll feel it. A tightness, heavenliness, or stickiness in your body. Energy needs to flow, and rhythm welcomes it to do so. Put on your favorite song. Something you can get a bit lost in. And let it flow. Let it go. I’ve tapped into this approach anywhere from the front seat of my car before a meeting to the bathroom when I need a mid-day energy shift with a cranky toddler at my feet. Let it be natural; allow your body to move as it requires. There is no choreography needed, and there is not judgement. No one is watching. Feel it, and mooooooove, mama.

• Journal. Simply welcome those words to land on the page. We align to shift energy. To uplift energy. And sometimes, you gotta get it out. Allow the page to receive what needs to be removed. Write it down. Let it depart from your being through the pen. Exhale it out.

• Appreciate. If you prefer a bit more structure in your journaling, you can list all the things you’re grateful for. Fill the page with appreciation. Your family, your cup of coffee, the birds chirping outside, the fact that you have leftovers to re-heat for an easy dinner. Anything. Everything. We are blessed beyond words, and sometimes we are blessed beyond our awareness. Align and uplift through a few moments on concentrated thanks. If you only have a moment or don’t have something to write on / with, you can also perform this activity mentally - eyes closed or open. In the moment gratitude. Try it right now - think of three things you’re appreciative for right now. Message them to me; I’d love to be a part of your appreciation practice!

• Create. This is a beautiful “make it yours” approach. Our souls are here to create. But we can so easily get caught up in consuming - content, information, etc. Switch it up by creating something - anything. Draw. Make a smoothie. Start a puzzle. Knit. Write a poem. Stage a pretty picture. Welcome your imagination to play. No guidelines, no limits, no audience. Simply for you. And your precious enjoyment. You don’t need to complete your creation; just offer yourself a bit of space - perhaps to begin. Recognizing that you can come back, start again, or simply smile.

• Pray. Lift up. Connect to the divine. Remember that you are not alone. Whether things are hard or tricky or overwhelming or impossible, God is with you through it all. Welcome sacredness into your activity. And allow your tasks that follow to be a moving prayer. Experience what that feels like. Do you perform it differently? Exactly the same? More tenderly? More intentionally?

• Go Outside. Time in nature is soul-nourishing. Period. Stand there. Walk. Take your shoes off and ground your tootsies into the grass. Roll out your yoga mat. Listen to the wind. Down down on your alignment by practicing any of the approaches on this list… outside! There is such significance to connection with the natural world around us; allow it to settle you down as it simultaneously lifts you up!

You can align before you start our day. You can align before you start a task for work. You can align before you start dinner. And you can always align when you need a reset. When you’re in the midst of a task and something just isn’t working, isn’t flowing, isn’t progressing the way you need for it to. You can slow down and redirect for a moment or two. And begin again.

Every moment is a chance to begin again. With intention. With sweet, sweet kindness. And in alignment ♥️