“Fame or integrity: which is more important? Money or happiness: which is more valuable? Success or failure: which is more destructive? If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
– Lao Tzu, Tao De Ching

About 12 years ago, I answered a phone call that would forever change the course of my life. I was offered a mind-blowing position with a media company in Austin, Texas. The promotion would mean uprooting my family, an upper management position and an enormous salary. The money was insane at several times the six-figure salary I was bringing in at the time, and included bonuses, benefits and an unlimited expense account. Talk about an ego boost and fork in the road!

Or, was it?

The job offer came from a charismatic former colleague who was also a master negotiator who courted me over several weeks, certain I should step up my game, get rich, and come on board. Part of me was jumping up and down thinking, “Hell Yes! This is it! This is my chance to manifest a lifestyle most people can only dream about. I will become a millionaire!” The other part of me was overwhelmed with all of the changes that would come with the shiny new role and lifestyle transformation. My intuition was telling me to consider the offer with great consideration and care.

While praying, stressing and weighing my options, a friend gave me a copy of the chapter above from the Tao Te Ching. I invite you to read it again now. Lao Tzu’s ancient prose became my gateway to discovering my spirituality and ultimately choosing happiness over fame and fortune. I was so moved by the passage that I bought a copy of the Tao De Ching and have read it several times over the years. This profound quote is displayed on the wall above my sacred altar to this day.

Ultimately, after several conversations and with the understanding that there was nothing lacking in our lives, my husband and I chose to stay put. We were happy and comfortable. The financial rewards for taking on a new high-powered position were not enough of a draw to move away from our family, the shores of Lake Michigan and the small town values we resonated with. At the time, I was already working lots of hours and a new career would mean even less time with my sweet family.

I chose my family first. I chose happiness over stacks of cash. I chose to rejoice in the way things were.

No regrets.

A dream job offer and a passage of the Tao De Ching changed everything for me. It was as if the shades had been lifted to brighten up my world. In that experience, I became inspired to celebrate my life. This meant it was time to let go of choices, roles and behaviors that were not serving me well to make room for more peace, gratitude and joy. Little did I know at the time, I was taking my first steps on the journey of spiraling back to the center of who I really am (and have been), all along.

I remained in my role as a television ad sales director until I was no longer interested in dancing in a cage for a paycheck. The freedom to move through my life on my own terms was beckoning and the Universe was listening. After 14 years of service, I unlocked my golden handcuffs to follow my passion and never looked back.

Since liberating myself from the rat race and reclaiming my feminine sovereignty, I’ve enjoyed dozens of creative and life altering experiences. I took a liking to photography and painting. I wrote my first book and co-authored four more. I sat in silent retreat, became a yoga teacher, journaled my heart out, smudged my face off, embraced my shadow and participated in several healing sweat lodge ceremonies.

What a gorgeous turn of affairs to spiral back to the center of who you really are (and have been), all along.

About five years ago, I co-founded the wildly popular Anxiety Slayer podcast to wipe out the fear and discomfort of anxiety while learning to manage my stress and anxiety. In late 2012, I created this blog where women come for a soulful, sensual and sacred experience. My Sacred Heart Teachings program was born after some deep healing work around my broken relationship with my father. So many gifts have been birthed since I said no, let go and stepped into my power.

I love mentoring women to break free of their golden handcuffs, empty relationships and dormant lifestyles. My mission is to model what reclaiming feminine sovereignty looks like for women. It’s an honor to witness, mentor and put the spotlight on women who walk in beauty.

I invite you to step into the transformational fire of your spirituality and self-growth. Give thanks. Learn to be content. Invite peace. Practice self-care. Dig deep. Choose Happiness. Explore the stirrings of your soul.

You already have everything you need inside of you. As Lao Tzu said, When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

 

A Supportive & Affordable Offering for Two More Goddesses

Goddess Up! Friday, October 31st 

We have two seats available for my next Goddess Up Call on October 31st at Noon Eastern. Every call includes a full hour of loving support, connection, coaching lessons, and sacred feminine ritual. Our theme for this call is “The Power of Letting Go” Supportive, Powerful and Playful!

$27.00

Click here to Learn more and Claim your seat!