Create Your Magical Life – Alana Sheeren

Today's episode is a short one. It's just me and I've got two things to share. The first is that the podcast is going on hiatus. It's time for me to focus on the areas of my life that feel extra-magical right now and also on those that could use more magic. I don't know exactly when the show will be back, but if you subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, you'll be the first to know. All of the shows will continue to be available on iTunes and on www.alanasheeren.com, so take the opportunity to catch up on any that you might have missed. I have so much gratitude for those of you who've listened to the show, whether it's one episode or every single one. Thank you.

I also wanted to share some of what I've learned about creating and living a magical life, from my own experience, from my work with clients and from the more than 60 interviews I've done here on the podcast. 

What you'll hear in today's brief episode:
Seven keys to creating and living a magical life:
Awareness
Presence
Compassion
Connection
Stillness
Action
Love

In challenging situations, ask, "What would LOVE do?" Love always answers truthfully.
The basics of the recipe for living a magical life.

In today's show I share a Hunter S. Thompson quote that prompted some thoughts on inspiration vs. fuel. After you listen, I urge you to nourish yourself with the highest octane fuel you can find this week --and see what magic happens.
My guest today has made it her mission to help people fuel their lives with more of what they desire. Caroline A. Shearer is the founder of Absolute Love Publishing and the bestselling author of many books and min-e-books™, including Women Will Save the World, Raise Your Vibration and Love Like God. See the Resources section for all Caroline's titles. Through her writing and her support of other authors, Caroline is devoted to promoting goodness in the world. Join me to hear more!
What you'll hear in this episode:
Vibration: What it is and how we "raise" it
Why emotion MUST be involved in raising your vibration
How to use "tiered" affirmations
Being ONE with the vibration
Coming to terms with Divine Timing
Concepts behind Women Will Save the World
Making changes on different tiers
Recognizing a fear/Sending love
How to "send love" with affirmations, meditations, and visualizations
Tips for raising vibration
Why lower vibrations usually come from self-critique
Distinguishing emotions from ego
What is "unconditional love"?
What it looks like to release a condition on love
Bringing peace to each situation
Resources:
www.absolutelovepublishing.com
Books by Caroline A. Shearer:
Love Like God: Embracing Unconditional Love 
The Love Like God Companion Book
Women Will Save the World
Dead End Date
Min-E-Books™ by Caroline A. Shearer
Raise Your Vibration: Tips and Tools for a High-Frequency Life 
Raise Your Financial Vibration: Tips and Tools to Embrace Your Infinite Spiritual Abundance
Raise Your Verbal Vibration: Create the Life You Want with Law of Attraction Language
 
Where Is the Gift? Discovering the Blessing in Every Situation

A gentle reminder, just in case you need it too: We are living in turbulent times. We are inundated by information. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, triggered, and even traumatized (or re-traumatized) by news stories, sound bytes, videos and the conversations that swirl around them. Self-care is an essential practice at all times and even more so when life feels challenging.  Self-care means different things to each of us and can be practiced alone or in community. Find what works for you and fit it in where you can. Please, take good and gentle care of your precious self – you're the only you the world has. 
 
My guest for today's show is writer, coach, and minister,  Leela Sinha. She is the author of You're Not Too Much: Intensive Lives in an Expansive World, a book that introduces a new framework for understanding who we are and how we show up in our lives. If you've ever been told you're too intense, too emotional or too much, or if you've ever loved someone who you've thought those same things about, this conversation is for you. 

What you'll hear in this episode:
Intensive/Expansive framework – it's a continuum
An Intensive: someone who is INTENSE 
An Expansive: someone who likes things ordered and logical
How each category responds to deadlines and procrastination
How to know your essential nature
The impact of being an intensive
Why visionaries and CEO's are usually intensives
The general population: 30% intensive and 70% expansive
De-centering the dominant culture
The importance of expansive: keeping the fires burning
Intensive organizations vs. expansive organizations
The 80% problem
Ways intensives stop themselves
Navigating the workplace as an intensive
Using Leela's book as a communication tool
Intensives and expansives in relationship
Tips for intensives on navigating love
Big feelings can go to an extreme
Building the right community
The British expansive cultural lens
Resources:
www.yourenottoomuch.com
You're Not Too Much by Leela Sinha

How comfortable are you with conflict? If you're like most people, you avoid it as much as possible and when you can't avoid it any longer, you have coping mechanisms that might not serve you well. Regular conflict at home or in the workplace takes a toll on our overall wellbeing. The good news is that no matter how you feel about conflict now, you can learn to navigate it with confidence.
My guest today is an expert on human behavior and leadership. Jennifer McCabe is the founder and CEO of Pluck With Purpose, which teaches relationship and leadership skills to professionals and nonprofits both online and in person. The core of Jennifer's work is based on the Four Skills for Relationship Competency. Join us for this conversation about resolving conflict, that's full of practical tips and examples.
 
What you'll hear in this episode:
The importance of learning to deal with conflict
Jen's HUGE vision
Being at peace with what is coming at you
Overview of the Four Skills for Relationship competency:
Empathic Listening
Empathy
Congruence
Unconditional Positive Regard

Being equipped to relate and take care of yourself
How to use empathic listening
Do you want to be right OR do you want to understand the other person?
When to choose empathy
Knowing when to use each skill—and how to integrate them into your relationships
Suspending judgment/maintaining integrity
Unconditional Positive Regard brings a soft energy to the conflict
Life-changing skills
Resources:
www.pluckwithpurpose.com
www.unshakeablesoul.com  (Our Expert Series featuring 18 women: Oct. 10-19)

Some people seem to be born knowing what direction to go in life, while others wander a more roundabout path. Both are fine of course (though I think those of us on the "scenic route" often wish for more clarity along the way). The challenges for both types come when we attempt to make changes and when our lives feel stressful. At these times it's a gift to find someone – a healer, a coach, a loved one, a trusted friend – who can support our wellness and our dreams. Today's guest is one of those people. 
Jane Del Piero experienced stunning dreams as a child that catapulted her into her work with ancient healing traditions, and she's been on a path of purpose ever since. She is an herbalist, massage therapist, acupuncturist, nutritionist, sound healer, medicine woman, and modern-day shaman. Jane uses her training and experience from around the world as she helps her clients tap into health, vitality, and limitless freedom in their personal, professional, and spiritual lives. Join us for this conversation full of big ideas and practical tips to support your health & wellbeing.

What you'll hear in this episode:
Jane's amazing story about her childhood dreams
How to let intuition be your guide
Jane's sound healing work with musicians
Acupuncture: What it is and how it is helpful
Optimizing the energy of the body and finding balance
A combination of acupuncture and sound healing----Acutonics
How Jane uses tuning forks, singing bowls, and gongs
Using calming music to combat disease
A simple technique to combat stress!
Shamanism: What it is and how it's taught
Malevolent and benevolent forces
Plant spirit medicine explained
How to recognize authenticity: "Is this somebody that's GOOD for me?"
Listening to the wisdom of your body
The cacao ceremony as a spiritual tool
Benefits of raw cacao
How Jane structures her work with clients
A simple, helpful tool to grow your self-confidence
Resources:
www.luvlight.net
www.shamanism.com (The Dance of the Deer Foundation)