I love the practice of creating my life in a beautiful way. Exploring resonance, reverence and spaciousness have been top of mind since leaving my corporate job a little over 12 years ago. So much has changed since breaking free of my golden handcuffs.  Over this significant transformational process, I’ve learned to shed my masks, face (and accept) my shadow and reclaim my feminine sovereignty. I’ve totally transformed my precious life and continue to practice becoming a better version of myself every day. I’m grateful for the evolution from an ego-driven, stressed out TV advertising sales director to the Soulful Transformation Goddess I am today.

My heart’s purpose is to witness, listen and engage with women who want to walk in beauty and reclaim their feminine sovereignty with full awareness of their voice, power, divinity, and joyful essence. I revel in my true calling because I’m clear about how I wish to show up on the world.

I hope this topic will spark you to compare, contrast and explore how you wish to choreograph your sacred life.

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Show notes:

I walk in beauty and define my sacred life when I:

  • show loving kindness to myself and others
  • allow for lots and lots of creative expression
  • honor and connect with my spirituality
  • contribute, collaborate and connect in community 
  • consciously choose to explore and experience infinite gratitude

Once you uncover how you want to show up in the world, the next step is to gain clarity about what each of these areas represents to you. You have the choice to define your role and engage in activities that will support you to flourish and open your heart. Let’s dig into each of these topics a bit deeper.

Loving Kindness & Compassionate Self-care

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
– Maya Angelou

I practice loving-kindness every day with my family, friends, and community. My practice includes nonviolent communication, generosity, mindfulness and staying in the present moment. I’m not a very patient woman, so learning to be gentle with myself and others is a big part of my practice. I tend to want what I want, and want it now! Thankfully, I’ve learned to laugh at this part of my personality.

If you want to experience loving kindness and compassionate self-care, pace yourself and breathe deeply. Learn to recognize old patterns and quiet your shaming inner critics. Move through your life with the intention of leaving every person feeling loved and energized after sharing time with you. Compassionate self-care is a generous and loving way to honor your mind, body, and soul.

Creative Expression

“Serious art is born from serious play.” – Julia Cameron

I love landscape photography, music, writing, painting, cooking, and making my personal space inviting and beautiful. My environment, personal style, and creative endeavors contribute to living sacred life.  I find so much joy and peace living in a small village surrounded by water, woods, and wildlife.

You can infuse your life with more creativity by exploring what you want to create and how you wish to express yourself. Discover what brings you the most joy. Learn to flaunt the sweet spots of your creativity. Make your home or apartment an oasis of your creative expression.

 

Spirituality

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” – Dalai Lama

My spiritual practice is a work in process. I begin and end each day giving thanks. I often light a candle and pray for the world, our country, my community, family, and friends. I commune with nature often and make time for conversations with my angels and guides through prayer and journaling. I love lighting a candle, setting an intention and asking questions of my higher knowing. It’s amazing what messages flow on to the pages of my journal when I set a sacred container and listen.

Do you have a spiritual practice? You can invite more tranquility in your life by exploring which practices bring you comfort. You may wish to begin your spiritual practice by giving thanks, journaling or reading inspirational books.

 

Gratitude

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie

The more thankful I am about my present reality, the more prosperity and abundance flow into my life. When I’m needy, constricted or feeling depleted, it seems as if everything comes to a halt.

On the days you experience self-doubt, fear, and uncertainty, you can still give thanks. Choose to be grateful for your health, that you have clean water to drink and a warm bed to sleep in at night. Learn to give thanks for your current situation, just as it is.

 

Connection & Friendship

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” -C.S. Lewis

Saying yes to participating in my wise women’s circle over the past 8 years provided me with the gift of connection. For most of my life, I chose to go it alone. I was the strong one and rarely ever asked for help from my friends. Over the years I’ve softened and allowed myself to be witnessed when I’m sad, angry or feeling small.

If you can relate to going it alone, do yourself a favor and set aside the illusion of your separateness. Learn to receive. Nurture your friendships. Be generous. Allow for more heart-centered openness, vulnerability and transparency.

We are all in this together.

Now that I’ve shared how I am defining my sacred life, I invite you to explore what makes you feel vivacious, joyful and divinely present.

This Sacred Life Choreography Questions:


What is your heart and soul’s purpose?

How do you wish to choreograph your sacred life?

What can you do right now to be more mindful and present?

About Shann Vander Leek

Shann Vander Leek

Shann is a Transformational Leader, Award-Winning Podcaster, Best-Selling Author, Voice Over Talent, Podcast Coach, and Producer. She lives in the village of Suttons Bay, Michigan with her beloved husband and mouthy old cat. This Goddess Shines!