Courage Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, Live the life you have imagined - Henry D. Thoreau Grace
Dec 29 22
Growing in Grace
I awoke in curiosity, wondering how to “focus” on what needed to be done this day. I tapped in to what my whole body wanted being quite different leading me to a book my Mom had bought me years ago. I wish it had a date, but it was just signed
To Gina,
Love, Mom
I believe the universe sends us signals, guiding us to what we most need or want.
Today, the universe sent me a clear message and invitation.
My invitation to you, is to pause
Take a moment to take a slow, deep inhale (maybe lowering your shoulders), repeating as many times until you feel your whole-body. Open to see what wants to download or what Ah-ha’s are possible in this moment.
A buinocular view at my current reality; choosing to end an intimate relationship.
How do I leave someone I love?
How do I leave someone I see myself growing old with?
How do I do alone “again!”
Am I that “cat lady”
_______________ your story, fear or excuses that shift you out of Integrity
He was involved in a messy divorce for nearly five years when we met. I committed to be invisible wjile child custody was going on, to not affect his outcome. I did not take in to consideration how this would affect my outcome.
When I would tell him about my thoughts, he would say, “Can’t you make up better thoughts“, so I began to think maybe I was crazy. I was willing to devalue myself to have the chance of being loved by him.
I’ve learned that I am not willing to beg to be loved nor fight for someone’s attention.
I learned I can be in a relationship and not lose myself. I’m learning to trust myself, and today of all days the universe hands me a book titled, “Growing in Grace”
Much Love,
Gina
Photo Credit: @shotbycerqueira
For more affirmation, Genesis 2:8-25
Jan 12 21
Choosing Your Next Coach or Therapist
I read an article that lit me up and I wanted to share with all of you!
We ‘humans’ require active practicing to understand our full body Yes’s and No’s while navigating our awareness paths. Odds are what works for me won’t work for you AND tapping into our TRUEST core (Innerself) opens up space and yummy A-has!
When searching for your life’s purpose consider listening your body’s intelligence. What do you FEEL from your whole body knowing? not what you “think” you should do. I can honestly say that my job as a life coach is is not “talk therapy” you can go to your best friend for this.
Recently, we’ve all shared in a global pandemic, a threatened US democracy and personal losses (e.g. job, homes, social life). As she mentions in the article, as I quote
There are several routes that you can take toward self-improvement
At one time I was very vested on what degrees and certifications I hung on my wall, long before the International Coaching Federation became the buzz. What this article lacks on is the coaches Individual education and what her definition of “rigorous standards” are. This is your homework. I would say a good life coach will guide you by listening deeply and offering exquisite questions designed towards whole healing. Ultimately, I agree that a life coach is someone who can support you no matter what’s going on in your world.
We do not live in a world of “either / or” so if you find yourself between white and black with no gray, you may want to get curious and wonder what else? or hire a partner to support you in living and designing your best life!
If you genuinely care about the goal, you’ll focus on the system – James Clear
Jul 5 18
Choosing Something Different
In my most recent days appreciating and riding the bliss of an Andre Bocelli concert POW! a major ULP. In that nano-second I immediately shifted into my reptilian or primal brain and “Choosing Something Different” was not possible in my primal brain.
We humans have three brains (Right Brain, Left Brain and Old Brain). The primal brain holds our autonomic nervous system and it’s job is all about survival of our physical being. It’s constantly assessing if there’s anything threatening us.
The mammalian brain handles emotions, feelings, behaviors, and the social aspects of life. All you can do to change these “controls” is to notice your environment and triggers when these particular behavior(s) happen. This is where hiring a coach will assist offering rapid, advanced learning. There’s now scientific proof that we can re-wire our brains.
The prefrontal cortex (conscious brain) handles writing, thinking, decision-making, and setting goals. You know, the stuff that makes us human! Our pre-frontal lobe is responsible for about 20% of our decisions.
Your next Question may be, “What’s an U.L.P”?
It’s the Upper Limits Problem coined by Gay Hendricks.
If you want to start “Choosing Something Different” start by reading “The Big Leap” which can be sampled or purchased here
The story that I’m sharing is about “Blaming versus Claiming” not the actual ULP and inviting you to “Choosing Something Different”.
After a glorious enlivening concert, I FELL…BAM! on the concrete floor outside. Immediately after standing up nearly shouting “I’m alright” leaping in to “blaming” these damn shoes I’m wearing (there too high)!!! followed by “oh! it’s my ankle- too unstable”!!! The next one sounded something like “I sprained my ankle as a child and it’s weak” Do any of these stories sound familiar?
Over the next two days I unconsciously suffered, felt angry and wanted to cry. I couldn’t put my finger on it and struggled to wrap my head around it, unconsciously committed to blame. My vision now becomming very limited and quite cramped, I decided to choose something different. I decided to use breathing with a somatic approach and immediately my body revealed physical pain. At that moment I began experiencing an overwhelming sharp pain from my hip and, on top of that my knee and ankle felt universally bruised. Choosing to claim my fall, feeling my body and expressing many tears.
“Claiming” that I was 100% responsible for falling allowed me to FEEL my body. I’d been skipping over my feelings trying to fix it in my head. Looking back, seems silly. Opening up to a different approach created spaciousness. I’m deeply appreciating this reminder from the Universe and I Re-committ to CLAIMING.
The awareness of an injury is the first step in creating change then “Choosing Something Different” #StopTheBlame
The injury may not always be physical, but the body intelligence is a great somatic place to start your investigation.
Cheers to healing injuries and being OK with conflict with yourself or others.
Blessings,
Gina
When we hear “Ground Zero” the mind vividly recalls the world center trade bombing of 1993, but “Ground Zero” began long before 911. The Napa, California Fires; The Puerto Rico and Texas Flooding and major world crisis can all fall under this same category. Learning Gratitude from Ground Zero.
“Ground Zero” in 1946 described atomic attacks in Japan; in 1977 becoming an act of non-violence. Ground Zero is described as the personal point of the most severe damage or destruction. Ground Zero brings us to places where we see how little is in our control
Become Ground Zero in this movement — David Orr
Hmmmm, I wonder why it requires a catastrophic event (the point of the most severe damage or destruction) to generate the surreal stillness that leads to community, love and healing?
In the absence of love and belonging, there is always suffering. Always — Brene Brown
My theory and personal experience is that we won’t escape hardship, disappointment and tragedies. It’s true that “Persistence is resistance”, so there’s no use trying to detour, bypass or avoid these necessary feelings and emotions sometimes judged as inappropriate, wrong or worse sub-human behavior. I’ve found gems through distress. Life’s Journey is not a perpetuating smile cruising alongside joy with uninterrupted happiness and sexual delights.
History does not need to teach us every lesson. Wisdom, Education and Maturation can open up delightful, easeful ways to cultivate, arouse and awaken our conscious listening ears and open mind loosening Ego’s grip prior to the Godsmack or “Surface Zero” We choose how long to stay in the meandering. We can choose succession, flow and adjust course.
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. — haruki murakami
Human civilization is around 6,000 years. I see myself in every human. How long must “we” examine and research before we find our Ground Zero? This surreal, humbling corner that brings up full-on gratitude. Today, (this moment) I invite you to your personal “surface zero” in gratitudes, like indoor plumbing, flooring, appliances, walls, roofs and the almighty health.
The greatest Wealth is Health – Sarchar Leone
I pray for a world full of close community, connection and nuturing love bringing people up in humanizing versus the dehumanizing that strips human qualities’ away (i.e. racism, categorizing or verbal abuse). I believe each of us has our own unique connection to our God (purpose) and we are all shining our heart lights together creating magic in wonderment!
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31
It is a time to Brave the Wilderness as so eloquently written by Brene Brown. You can find more about her book on her blog
Be kind to one another, everbody has their own struggles, stay humble
Sep 18 17
Sweat the Small Stuff!
I came across an article this morning yet again saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff” and this just feels like belly fire for me. I feel angst with raised shoulders and anger pouring through the keyboard saying, STOP! CHOOSE to sweat the small stuff especially in relationships (i.e. self, intimate, best friend, co-worker, etc.).
I’m a speaker and survivor of Scleroderma and all those (so called) “little” things piled up on an internal shelf until it broke and auto-immunity became my God smack!
Choosing NOT to speak has a price
The price increases when we aren’t listening… sometimes including your own health!
What previously happened when “something small happened”, internally I could “feel” yet almost immediately chose to overrode the body’s wisdom with this OLD saying “Don’t sweat the small stuff”.
Today, I strongly suggest and choose and address every bit of the small stuff; because in my experience it piles up! There is a way to be angry, sad, happy, despondent or irritated (etc.) with yourself or in relation to others without causing permanent damage to yourself or others by honoring and listening to yourself. The more you love your decisions, the less you need others to love them.
Ask yourself, How Do I forget about me? When Do I forget about me? AND the most important question is what am I willing to create something different instead? I want to share my visionary gifts and learn about your creative intuitive genius.
Check out Rory Sutherland’s Ted Talk and Sweat the Small Stuff
TEDSalon London 2010
Rory Sutherland
Another Great Little Book on Why “The Little Things” needs our attention by Andy Andrews
Are you ready to begin creating a life beyond your imagination?
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection — Buddha
Jul 24 17
Unplug to Recharge
More living OFFLINE! Increased Reflection and SELF-LOVE
Technology has improved lives in so many ways, however, it continues to lose its shimmer and appeal to me this Summer Season. Do you recall the last time you went to the beach? ocean? camping? lake? or favorite body of nature? When was the last time you prepared and executed an exquisite meal for yourself just to self-love and enjoy the unknown? What about a day trip of hiking or exploring? I’m curious did you tap in to your heart’s experience? How long could you savor the moment before posting to Facebook, Instagram or some other social media. I remember a simpler time when we informed another as to where we were going (and if I didn’t respond by xx then call in the troops or come looking for me).
Sharing my personal experience… For the most part, I find my essence being solo, but you may want to bring that special someone, children or animals, there is no “right” answer, just follow your heart. I generally locate my bliss in the beauty of spending time with myself and definitely OFFLINE. I then occupy the space to focus on my dreams in parallel notably enjoying the process (whatever wants to happen having no expectations, assumption or control agenda) I treasure trove that I have more time and that my mind is less “busy”. In this creative arena I develop into an intensely rooted presence while experiencing a lighter, calmer more balanced version of myself I name essence. Time away repeatedly provides reflection, a place to evaluate my results; where I’m making my “energy deposits” and if it remains a good investment of my energy.
Now, To be transparent, I am by no means a Technology Natzi, on the contrary; I actually love it!!! Without technology, I couldn’t have built my successful business(es) or connect with so many like-minded people. It’s such a gift! However, being a “virtual” gift means we need to create palpable ways to balance. Listening to the physical body is so critical to support this balance and inner wisdom.
My invitation is to investigate what local choices can you schedule (daily or weekly) to take time and savor the beauty of your own backyard. Are you willing to frame time to stop and smell the flowers… plan a long walk… re-connect with nature… turn on some great music… dance… read a book… cook… go for a bike ride… write a song or poem… draw… collage or craft… nap…. what is your heart’s true desire? What do you really want? These baby step will lead you to those answers. Start by establishing an impeccable agreement with yourself of when and how long your willing to unplug and recharge. Where will you make your bliss?
Much Love, Gina
Aug 31 16
Empower Yourself
Are you a Drill Sargent? Task Master? or maybe a Control Freak?
Are your old tired stories getting boring? maybe not giving you the same hit that they previously provided?
We tell ourselves all the time that we should “let it go.” We feel the cost of holding on so tightly. We know that it’s a good idea to let go of stories from the past that are dragging us down, but how do you do it? I’ll share six words with you… “Pay attention to your aliveness meter”
When you are in these characters, do you feel a drain of energy when you’re doing it? or does your aliveness meter get fed? Do you understand energy can cost your health, your presence, your happiness! Don’t give it away! Find out what feeds you cause this is the stuff I’m talking about!!! The juicy stuff!!! The times that life just seems too good, yes, I want to live there and not just part of the time, all of the time!
We cannot make people do things, we cannot get lost in a bunch of tasks nor are we able to try and control. The key word being “try”, as most things on the planet are outside of our control. In fact, about the only thing that is in your control is how you decide to respond to life. Everything else…whether people will like you, how people will feel when you tell them something, what other people think, whether someone keeps their agreements with you…ALL are outside of your control.
Devote yourself to your aliveness, stand up for it, listen for its voice. Notice when your aliveness is up and flowing and notice when it’s dropping. It is your true guide. Are you willing to let it go and choose your full on aliveness?
I wrote this article about a year ago today on Visions of Success Facebook; however today felt I myself needed a reminder. Awareness of what “your results are” is a big clue to what your committed to creating. Today, I will commit and appreciate in Visions of Success’ Facebook group “Life Changing Play”, I invite you to come join our creative “play”ground.
Much Love,
Gina
Jul 5 16
How to get out of the Box
Innovation, Ideas and creative thinking come most when the mind is open and curious. So when are we fully open and curious? In my experience it’s from cultivating the proper environment for growth. Let me give you an example, when I am about to plant tomatoes I make sure my soil is nutrient rich with tomato fertilizer on hand, proper structural support and placed in the right spot for optimum sun! These babies are poised for ultimate growth and yummy goodness!!! How do we do this for ourselves that the light simply shines on us and we have ultimate growth? How do we receive innovation, inspiration and ideas freely? How do we become aligned with our being and our purpose?
Here are 3 critical steps;
- Recognize Familiar
- Stand in the Unknown
- Stretch & Create More Space
Step 1 – Take yourself out of the familiar box! You know that box you “go to” or “do” everyday. You know the one that almost feels as if you’ve fallen asleep on yourself and you are able to do it at times with your eyes closed. Yeah, this box! You may actually feel a drain of energy almost immediately when recognizing and acknowledging this box.
Step 2 – Next, Stand in the Unknown allowing random thoughts to enter. When I say “thoughts” it doesn’t mean that these thoughts necessarily will be true. Well, it could be true to you, but have you verified this story lately? Trust me, thoughts will enter the mind, it could be as simple as, “Okay, I’m bored already and there’s so many things I could be doing vs. standing here waiting for this random epiphany this exercise is telling me I’m going to experience!” Let’s start here. Is that true? Am I bored? What did the mind say? Now, ask your body as silly as it may sound, start by closing your eyes and doing a full body-check. Breathe in & out bringing the breathe all the way to the top of your brain, circling the entire head, then moving thru the neck & shoulders; maybe add some sound on the out-breath? There’s no cheating; do this until you’ve hit every nook of your body’s beautiful cellular DNA BODY! Now, wait… Ask yourself again AFTER the full body check – you still bored? Are you committed to being bored?
Step 3 – If you’ve made it past step 2, Congratulations! You’re on your way out of the box and in to more creative space! So, how many feet are out of the box? Is there any part of your body physically left in this box? What do you see? Have your legs re-planted on the earth? What’s the ground look like? Where are your feet? Do you have shoes on? Are you on a paved surface? Fresh Dirt or maybe warm sand? Let’s begin to dig our toes into this new surface we’ve created unless where wearing shoes, then we may need to take them off? Now, slowly begin to stretch your arms towards the clouds using sound when possible (and if there are no clouds in your personal image, just reach up) and stretch FULLY into your vision. Are you breathing?
From this new space with improved “elbow room” we’ve cultivated a greater open & curious platform for creative thinking. Are you still feeling crowded, overwhelmed and maybe even suffocating? Then start again on #1, maybe it takes a few tries or maybe a full on emotional breakdown. There is no right or wrong outcome in this exercise. We are all at different places in our lives with varying responsibilities, but if you’re thus far in your research, I can already testify to your inquisition to create a new way of being.
Now, I want to add that if your box is presently a bunch of creative thinkers, full of aliveness and connection, then by no means am I discouraging this co-creation and collaboration; but maybe the thought is to encourage a bigger box? We all fall in a “box” of some sort at times, even if just “limited thinking” including myself. I have been practicing for over a decade, challenging my belief systems and validating if they serve me today. I use full body check-in’s, persona play (which I didn’t touch much on today) and many other resources, tools and villages.
Would you be interested in more exploration? or help locating this beautiful, roomy, comfortable and juicy space of non-stop fuel that feeds aliveness making life’s journey a ride that tickets are free? The very best investment you can make is yourself whether with Visions of Success or a good book. I invite you to find your magic and share it with the world. Stay awake my friends.
Much Love,
Gina
Spend it ANY way you want, YOUR Choice – REALLY IT IS !!!
Claim YOUR time, it’s YOURS!!! Guilt FREE!!!
How does attachment take my time? What is attachment? Attachment to Money? Attachment to Spouse? Attachment to all those things I say I Need to do! There are many things we attach ourselves to unconsciously, which does not always allow us to manifest what we desire & want most. What if I asked you to create from a place of ENOUGH. Enough Time, Enough Money, Enough Food, Enough Love (I could go on here), but simply start at “Creating from Enough” without allowing your attention to wander to the past or the future.
So, coming from a place of “I have no time” what are you talking about? I have to get up early get the kids out the door, or maybe it’s “I need to drop my spouse of at work because we only have one car right now?!” or maybe the excuse is well “If I stop doing and start being then I’ll be bored” or maybe there’s a story of “I’ll be alone” or worse maybe “I’ll be alone with nothing to do” not much curiosity or presence in those statements, just a bunch of fear based induced conclusions!
Starting from ENOUGH consciously brings experience in the present. Check in right now and bring awareness to what YOUR doing in this moment, Are you being fed or drained? When you begin to experience claiming YOUR time, standing right here in the “NOW” having nothing to do with the circumstances around you; and not allowing thought to take you out of your experience it’s a completely different experience and often brings gifts and surprises!
I can attest that I feel more on track when claiming my time, it’s MINE!!! I can share that some of my other obligations that actually bring me more revenue, but coming from a place of ENOUGH I don’t NEED revenue, I have everything I need. It’s a very special commitment to self. I can choose to create more not because I need to, but because I want to.
Pay close attention, listen deeply and notice how excited and fueled with everything you do from that place of enough-ness! Know that you are being fueled by trust rather than fear and now spreading a contagious level of inspiration to all those around you to want the same.
We no longer need excuses to not go out with a friend, call in sick, not clean the house. We don’t need another story to enjoy the time we want to see what experience can happen from that place of “I have enough Time” That everything is and will be alright if I take care of myself first. Even in the airplane, you put the oxygen mask on 1st before placing on your child, but what if you never needed the oxygen system? — Are you ready to commit to having enough time? Take it even a step further… Are you willing to Having enough of everything and witness the difference of the experience coming from this place? “Everything you want is on the other side of fear” — Rumi
Love,
Gina Velez
Business, Life and Relationship Coach
We manifest our visions long before we create them!
Seamlessly integrating Starting at Enough
Nov 17 15
Winter Blues
During the winter season we often can find ourselves in a funk, feeling hopeless, worthless or irritable. We often lose interest in social activities. Winter Blues are a known as a time for hibernation where becoming withdrawn feels more natural as we fight low energy, oversleep and put on weight. You may find yourself craving carbohydrates,” such as chips, cereal, crackers, and cookies. All clues it’s time to Relax, Read, Exercise or contact a Good Friend. These symptoms generally last until the days start getting longer.
“Spring, summer, and fall fill us with hope; winter alone reminds us of the human condition.”
Permission to bask in the knowing that Winter is a time of Wisdom; Wisdom has been regarded as one of four cardinal virtues promoting collective and individual greatness!
Much Warmth and Love,
Gina
