When it comes to the holidays, you probably hear this question from your loved ones a lot, “What do you want?”

My first thought was always REALLY?  Do you really need to ask me what I want?  Then the little gremlins start to come in saying things like, “If you really loved me, you would know the subtle hints I have been providing to you on the things that I love and enjoy.” or “If I tell you what I want, then it takes all the fun out it.”

I have to stop myself in my tracks.  I have been focusing more on looking inward and listening to my heart before I let my head have its way.

Why is my loved one asking me this question?  Well, it’s because they love me and want to do something nice for me.  They don’t want to purchase something that I won’t like.  They are really thinking about me when asking the question.  So rather than judge them for asking the question, I decided to sit down and think about what do I REALLY DESIRE?

Hmmm…What DO I REALLY DESIRE?

This is a tough one for us to answer sometimes.  I was raised in a faith-filled home and was shown to sacrifice my wants and desires for others.  If I wanted to be a good person, I needed to put my selfish needs aside and focus on others before myself. I was also encouraged that I should only buy things that were absolutely necessary.   Before purchasing something I should evaluate whether I needed or wanted it.  I ended up being very frugal and stingy with money as I became worried that there would never be enough.  It was sinful for me to want more than was absolutely needed in my life, when there are many starving and less fortunate people in the world.  I felt like I wasn’t worthy enough to invest in things for myself, otherwise I would be seen as greedy or gluttonous.  I believe that people who had money and were rich, were snobby and were not focused on the right things in life.  I shouldn’t be frivolous with money.  I should be smart and only purchase what is absolutely needed.

And then the vicious cycle begins.

As women we tend to put our own wants and needs aside for others.  We deny the fact that deep down inside we have dreams and desires that we long to have filled. The hard truth is, if we don’t acknowledge our dreams, talk about them, and share them with others, they will stay hidden. When something is hidden it will stay buried until someone digs it out.  Over time, if we don’t connect with our dreams and desires, we will begin to feel unfulfilled.

So, as we get ready for the holidays I ask you, what do you REALLY DESIRE? And not just what you desire as gifts from your loved ones. Take the time to dig deep and put your desires for your life into the universe.

 

Every year for as long as I can remember I have been one of those crazy people who has gone out shopping for Black Friday.  I remember years ago when stores didn’t open until 6am on Friday and my mom and I would go to bed early and plot out our day.  Over the past few years things changed and stores started opening on Thanksgiving evening.   Yes, I participated in that madness as well and even brought my kids out a couple years in a row.

However, this year I changed things up a bit.   WHY?

When you do the same thing over and over, you get the same results.  So I decided to take a risk and do something different.

Over the past few months I have heard some amazing testimonies from my clients after working with me.  Here are a few things women have said…

“I feel so relieved that I was able to talk out my thoughts and ideas with you and get them out of my head.  I feel a sense of peace and calm.”

“I am excited I had so many new opportunities open up since our session.  I already see the blessings after just one meeting and they just keep coming.”

“You took away the overwhelm and confusion on where to begin.  You helped me organize my thoughts and I love that you wrote them out for me.  It took away the pressure of trying to figure out exactly how to say it!”

“I didn’t realize I was limiting myself in how I was looking at my intentions.  You heard me say what I wanted and put it into words that were more purposeful and meaningful. ” 

“I didn’t realize the emotional blocks that were stopping me from getting started.  In the first 30 minutes, I felt a HUGE release and afterwards was able to claim what I REALLY wanted and desired.”  

As busy women we rarely have time for ourselves because we are so busy taking care of everyone else.  We have lots of ideas in our head, but struggle with where to begin and many times just don’t get started.

What would it feel like if you had someone take the time to support and nurture YOU in getting started with creating the life of your dreams?

I am offering a FREEDOM FRIDAY SPECIAL.  If you have been thinking of working with me, now is the time to act.

My 1/2 day VIP Intentional Living program typically runs for $397, and in the new year the prices will increase.  But during the holiday season, I know how important it is to take time for you so I am offering 5 slots for just $297 if you act before noon on Monday.

If there is one thing I have learned since I started my business, its to take massive action and listen to my gut.  God answers prayers in many ways and this could be the answer to a prayer that you have been waiting for.

But sometimes, we WAIT.
We wait for the perfect time.
We wait to see what others think.
We wait to see if a better offer comes along.
We wait because we want all of our thoughts to be PERFECT before we create our goals

What if this is the answer?  What if this is what God is calling you to do for yourself, for your family and/or your business?

I would love to support you and get yourself set up for the new year so that you can…
… release the overwhelm
… feel a sense of peace and calm
… feel heard and understood
… have clarity around your life intentions
all while having the support from someone who’s been there

.you-are-worth-it

If you feel, a twinge of a YES, Listen to your gut and send an email to Jen@thefreedomkeys.com to claim your spot.
Action takers win and this offer closes Monday at noon CST.

This week, I am feeling so grateful for all of the amazing things that have happened in my life to bring me to the place where I am today. I’m finding gratitude in my gifts, in the relationships I’ve made, and in the experiences I’ve had because of them.

As I’ve been reflecting about gratitude, I was reminded of an experience several years ago during International Women’s Day. I remember the first IWD event I attended which was held at Northwestern University. It was not just a day to renew and gather, but a day to connect with other like minded women and fill myself up with the amazing stories and experiences that came with the day. I was always motivated and re-energized after actively participating. After that experience, I knew I wanted to be more involved.

I had a dream that I wanted to speak at IWD, and a year after, that dream came true! Though I was often speaking about the story of my kids and all that I went through to help heal them, my life had been transforming even more and I had new gifts to share. I learned how to listen to the whispers in my soul and take a leap of faith to invest in me. Now that is a concept that I was never quite comfortable with, however I made the decision, found the right support, and had FAITH in the journey. I was able to overcome many obstacles along the way. I then shared my corporate story of how I felt “stuck in a muck” and what I did to transform my life from the inside out.

I have seen amazing changes in both my professional and personal life. I feel so honored and blessed to be able to share my story and celebrate with so many amazing women as we all continue to support one another on our journeys.

Listen to the Whispers
Learn to embrace SILENCE
Lead a life of presence and purpose

I was so amazed by all of the feedback and warm wishes received after the my speech. I am blessed to have touched the lives of everyone who heard my story and hope that it inspired them to listen to the whispers in their own souls. Have a wonderful day and remember, “if you listen to your body whisper, you don’t have to hear it scream.”

Be grateful for your gifts and share them with the world.

Are you the type of person who HAS to have a plan? Do you need to know everything that is going to happen in order to reach your specific destination? It’s hard to let things just happen, especially in a culture where we have so many demands on our time and we are often trying to squeeze in as much as we can. I know that this method typically leaves you feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

Have you ever set a goal, had the very best intentions of meeting that goal, but ended up falling short? Did you ever think that maybe you tried too hard to put all of the pieces in place yourself?

I had an experience recently where I was reviewing a personal goal I set for myself and started questioning how on earth I was going to reach it. My initial thought was I must create a plan so that I can put all the puzzle pieces together. I thought to myself, “All I need to do is create a spreadsheet, lay it all out and then work the plan.”

Well, reality hit me right in the face.

Let’s face it, sometimes life doesn’t work out that way. I could have the best laid out plans and force myself into meeting a goal as the action steps described. It doesn’t mean the goal was wrong, it just means that I put too much pressure on myself to reach it in the time frame I outlined for myself and I likely stifled my growth by outlining every specific action that I needed to take to achieve the goal.

I read an article on “The Law of Detachment” that said when we are attached to the outcome of something, we limit ourselves to what is possible. When we have the need for control and want to know everything, we create a false sense of security. Security is an illusion. The only thing that is real is uncertainty. There is wisdom, creativity, and freedom in uncertainty. This whole experience brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “Let Go and Let God”.

When you have a desire, try these steps:
1) Set an intention and visualize the dream
2) Design a strategy (become aware of taking consistent small steps, but steer away from building a workplan)
3) Breathe, Let Go, and have Faith in the unknown
4) Believe in all that is possible

When you truly have faith in the unknown, anything is possible.

How do we stop body shaming? How can we put an end to deprivation? The first step is we must be willing, open, and ready to saying YES to ourselves.

But how? Saying YES is not always an easy step. It can feel easier to say no and close the door to risk, chance, and new possibilities. It can feel scary to say yes. When we choose comfort and safety over the unknown, we are hiding from reality. We are hiding from our own truth.

And here’s the truth… the only real constant in our lives is change.

Look around you. Life is constantly offering you opportunity! It can be as simple as left or right, or black or white. These choices you are faced with are usually as simple as saying yes or no. But here’s the thing, if you aren’t open to change, you are living in a state of fear.

Your vibration is low and you attract more of the same. Your belief system no longer serves you.

This is when it’s time to stop and take notice.

Start right now. I want you to stop and notice the choices that you are making on a daily basis. What are you saying yes to? What are you saying no to?

Think about what it would be like saying yes to YOU. When you finally say yes to you, you unlock the door to the treasure within.

CHALLENGE: I am challenging you to say YES. What is one thing you can do today to say YES to YOU?