Why You Should Wish Upon a Dandelion

You may be wondering why I've been talking so much about dandelions. When my designer and I created the Start Within branding, I was so excited to include a dandelion in the new logo. I feel that, symbolically, the dandelion is a great icon of renewal and growth -- that only can come from an inward focus ... like starting within!

The dandelion plant itself has amazing internal cleansing properties, as I discussed in my last post. Cleansing rituals, I believe, can help you to rejuvenate yourself. Cleansing is beneficial for each part of you --- your mind, body, and spirit.

Read on for more interesting points about dandelions and suggestions on how to do a Thought Cleanse for the Spring!

Why the Fascination With Dandelions?

There are many folklore superstitions that have been attached to dandelions over the years. In addition to granting wishes, many people believe that dandelion seeds will carry your thoughts and dreams to loved ones when you blow them into the air. It's been said that if you can blow all the seeds off a dandelion with a single breath, then the person you love will love you back. If seeds remain, then the object of your affection may have reservations about their feelings toward you.

Still others believe dandelions may help you tell the time or even predict the weather. For example, dandelions have been called the shepherd's clock; since their flowers tend to open shortly after first light and close again at dusk. Amateur meteorologists might use dandelions as an informal barometer. When dandelions have seeded, they will tend to extend into a full ball in good weather. If rain is on the way, however, they will tend to fold like an umbrella and remain tightly closed.

How many of these superstitions hold any truth? You can decide! 

Wish Upon a Dandelion to Cleanse Your Thoughts

The one thing that is for sure, scientifically, is that blowing a dandelion's seeds into the air will have an impact. Where those seeds fall on fertile soil, there likely will be new dandelions in the future!

When your attention is caught by dandelion seeds floating in the spring breeze, pause for a moment and take stock of your thoughts. Which thoughts are consuming your mind -- positive and hopeful or negative and fearful? Is it time for a thought cleanse?

By replacing negative beliefs with new, revitalizing thought patterns, you can gain the power to transform your behaviors, emotions, and attitudes. Even if you can't find a dandelion on which to blow, you can still do a thought cleanse.

With that in mind: close your eyes, envision the dandelion, get quiet, and start within. Ask yourself:

What NEW Thought Seeds Would You Like to Plant This Spring?  ... then blow

Facebook LIVE: Clear Blocks to Love - Intimacy

On Tuesday, I hosted the third and final session of my Facebook LIVE series on LOVE, this time focusing on Intimacy.

How comfortable do you feel in silence? With being alone? With being both silent and alone? Answers to these questions may give you some clues about your connection to intimacy. Why? Because the quality of your connection with others stems from the quality of your connection with yourself.

Watch the final video replay to revisit the four step process on clearing your blocks to intimacy. Watch until the end to learn more about your second (or sacral) chakra -- the center of your sensuality and intimacy.

Share your comments below on the video series, and what other personal growth topics you would like to learn about in future Facebook LIVE series.

Take me up on my offer for a FREE Start Within Activation call to explore what came up for you as you watched this series -- What would you like to have more of in your life?

Facebook LIVE: Clear Blocks to Love - Forgiveness

On Tuesday, I hosted the second of my 3-part Facebook LIVE series on LOVE this time, focusing on Forgiveness.

So often, when we think of forgiveness, we think about how to forgive another person. Yet, even in situations when we feel we have been wronged or mistreated, we can feel guilty for the "shoulds" -- I should have done ... or I shouldn't have said ...

Watch the replay until the end to learn the Ho'oponopono process for forgiveness. The word itself means to make right. With the lens focused inward, what do you need to make right with yourself?

Tune in next Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 1:43 pm ET for my last session on Intimacy and LOVE. On the Facebook Event Page, select "Going" so that you will get an update when I go LIVE!

Facebook LIVE: Clear Blocks to Love - Self Worth

On Tuesday, I hosted the first of my 3-part Facebook LIVE series on LOVE this time, focusing on Self-Worth.

I believe that self-worth is the foundation of all love. It helps you to maintain personal boundaries and to fully own your brilliance. When you start within to clear your love blocks, you will love more deeply (yourself and others). You will begin to see shifts in your personal and professional relationships.

Watch the replay to hear about four tips to clear any limiting beliefs about your personal value. Be sure to watch until the end for a powerful, inspirational song to boost your worthiness!

Then, tune in next Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 1:43 pm ET for my next session on Forgiveness. On the Facebook Event Page, select "Going" so that you will get an update when I go LIVE!

NEW Podcast: How to Love Yourself More in 2012

As we get closer to Valentine's Day, it seems as if LOVE is in the air. This day can be a source of great joy for some, while for others it can be a source of stress and anxiety. So, I decided to kick off 2012 with a podcast to help you manifest more (self) love this year.

The idea of loving yourself often seems cliché. We throw the phrase around, but do we really understand what it means? As you know, LOVE was one of my 3 Words of 2011. And, even I'll admit that my focus more often than not was externally focused -- to attract more love into my life. It does leads one to wonder: Do we actually know how to love ourselves? On the other hand, do we even know what the process of self-love looks like?

Tune into this informative podcast with Jasmin Terrany, founder of JasminBalance.com. By combining traditional psychotherapy, life coaching and eastern practices, such as mindfulness and meditation, she helps her clients feel supported and inspired as they overcome barriers and blocks to fully loving themselves.

In the podcast, Jasmin explains her “love tank” theory, and provides tips to help you fully love and accept yourself just as unique and special as you are! She also shares more info on an upcoming Winter Rejuvenation Workshop she's offering to kickoff V-Day weekend on Saturday, February 11 here in NYC.

After you listen to the podcast, I'd love hear what's your biggest insight on your journey to greater self-love and acceptance? Comment here on the blog or tweet me your thoughts on Twitter.