We’ve all got different definitions of making magic happen. What’s yours?
I think that the magic happens when the cracks in the walls begin to show – in the exact moment when we get really honest with ourselves about our desires and the lives that we are longing to create. That is the magic moment, the moment that is brimming with possibility.
In that moment, we have an opportunity to shift our actions and choices so that they are in energetic integrity with our intentions for our lives. The beautiful thing is, in this moment, we don’t have to run over the specifics of past events in our minds, punishing ourselves again and again. We can choose for this time to be different, simply because we have decided that it will be and that we are willing to work towards that with everything that we’ve got. We don’t have to let past events keep us from showing up and shining brilliantly – forever altering our lives.
The magic begins in the choosing. In deciding, in this moment, to become an active participants in our own lives.
The magic happens when we make that choice repeatedly, recommitting to ourselves and our efforts every day.
Of the things that you’ve accomplished in your life, what are you most proud of?
Last month, I launched a brand new iteration of my website. On the surface, it is a sparkly and well-designed piece of internet real estate, but below the surface is all of my heart – in hard copy. I worked on the different pieces of this site for months, polishing them up and loving them into existence. During this process, it felt like I let myself out of the little pen that I had kept myself in for the majority of my life and allowed myself to show up as all that I am – coach, writer, and perfectly imperfect woman.
Though I have been in business for several years, there was something different about this launch. It was so much more personal. I can say without hesitation that it is the thing that I am the most proud of, as it is the first time that I was truly able to move out of my own way and transmit directly from my heart center.
It was my way of “going all in” with this next phase of my life.
It was about the website, but it was really about choosing, for the first time in my life, to stand fully in my power and allow myself to be witnessed – and loved – for exactly who I am.
When you’re taking on a big new project, or you’ve set your eyes on a new goal, how do you actually, you know, make it happen?
For me, this process begins before I’ve taken on the project. It begins in getting really honest with myself about whether or not it is really what I want to focus my energy on next. Like many women, in my excitement about new ideas and shiny objects, I have the tendency to pile things onto my plate… only to see them fall by the wayside in my overwhelm to get it all done.
Now, my process looks a lot like this:
1. Decide if I really (truly, honestly) want to do the thing that I’ve set my mind to.
2. Lend myself to thinking about the full scope of the task, writing down everything that I can possibly imagine being included in it’s execution and bringing it to fruition.
3. Create an outline for myself, breaking the project down into teensy little manageable tasks.
4. Get to work.
What books/tools/products/apps have helped you on your journey?
I am a sucker for a good system.
My business is fueled by google calendar, satori scheduling app, and a paper “things I want to do list” written every Sunday evening in preparation for the week ahead.
My personal, creative life is fueled by moleskine notebooks, Instagram, bright washi tape, Pentel Energel pens, anything and everything created by Messy Canvas, and a huge cedar box of magical items including feathers, crystals, and a rattle – for impromptu sing-a-longs.
My radical self-care routine is fueled by Lush Cosmetics, the Sookie Stackhouse and Outlander novel series, jojoba oil, GaiamTV yoga videos, Sweet Dreams Foot Cream, and clean, organic cotton sheets.
Most of us living big, challenging, magical lives have met our fair share of naysayers. How have you dealt with that?
It is true, isn’t it! I work really hard not to take naysayers too personally. When we show up fully in our own strength and power, we become a bright, shiny mirror for others to examine the places where they might not be showing up fully in their own lives. Sometimes, because seeing that is uncomfortable, people will take out their anger or frustration with their own lives by reacting to our ideas negatively.
But, we don’t have to energetically pick up everything that’s tossed our way. We get to choose.
I choose to not get myself all worked up when people don’t understand me or when I they don’t share my vision about what is possible. I choose to keep my eyes on my own paper and keep checking in with my heart – digging into my self-trust and allowing that to be my guide.
I choose to follow a path of what feels really good, even if that raises a few hackles along the way.
When you have moments of doubt or get distracted, how do you refocus on your goals?
I give myself permission to start again. This is such a simple act, but for many years I struggled with the messiness of it – preferring to start again in the morning or on a Monday or the first of the month. Now, I find the gentle permission in the spaces between, choosing to know that each moment is a moment to rededicate myself to my own efforts.
When I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten off track, I get quiet with myself. I ask myself this question: what is one thing that you can do right now that is aligned with your goal or intention? Then, I do that one thing, allowing it to be enough and leaning into the knowledge that it doesn’t have to be complicated or fancy.
If you are struggling or have gotten off track – give yourself permission to start again. Right now, in this moment. (And resist the urge to waste even more time beating yourself up for getting distracted to begin with.)
What’s the most magical thing going on in your life right now?
I’m currently on a quest to create more freedom and autonomy in my life. I am heeding my own call and desire for spaciousness, for simplifying the processes in my business and my life so that I have room to breathe and grow. I am pursuing this desire by streamlining my business systems, so that things happen automatically instead of having a hand in every step of the process. I am giving myself permission to do one thing at a time, really focusing on where I want to go and not getting frantic about doing everything all at once.
On the surface, these actions aren’t sexy or particularly magical, but the impact is profound. More space in my life means more time with loved ones, curled up in the sunshine at the beach, or dancing late in the night. More space allows me to drink my coffee slowly in the morning while reading something that fills me up. More space grants me the ability to feel the abundance of the life that I have created for myself.
And really, freedom is the most crazy magical thing. Isn’t it?
If you could build a perfect day from scratch, what would it look like? (Where would you be? When would you wake up and go to sleep? Who would be with you? What would you eat/drink/do?)
Mmmm.. I would start by waking up without an alarm clock and then sleepily moving to drink a tall glass of water while I prepare a delicious cup of coffee. I would scope out my calendar, checking out the things that are on the agenda for the day. Then, I would create a list for myself of things that I want to get done, making sure that there is ample time for connection, rest, and play.
As I worked, I would take many breaks. I would move my body, eat my lunch in the sunshine, and do something creative. I would be fully present with my clients, taking time and space for myself before hopping on the line, so that when I arrived there, I was open and centered.
I would drink a lot of ginger tea.
After work, I would choose to do something joyful. Perhaps I would go out to dinner with friends or cook for myself slowly in my own kitchen. Perhaps I would sneak up to bed early, stretching my limbs in freshly laundered organic cotton sheets. Perhaps I would dress up, piling on lipstick and jewelry, and go out dancing late into the night.
At the very end of my day, I would hope to collapse into my bed in a merry heap and sleep deeply, dreaming of all of the fun that I had during the day.
BIO
Mara Glatzel is an intuitive coach who works with audacious women with a sacred (and stubborn) drive for evolution and desire to cultivate extraordinarily joyful daily experiences. To learn more about her work, catch up with her on social channels or sign up to receive weekly missives and heart-opening encouragement.
Dr. Dowling has spent years helping people live richer, more joyful lives. She has seen firsthand the magical pairing of psychology and life coaching, which allows people to access their happiest selves.
View Dr. Dowling's articles on Mindbodygreen
- Maybe I’d be Happier with Someone Else? - Apr 25, 2023
- Mastering An Attitude Of Gratitude & How to Maintain Feeling Grateful - Mar 28, 2023
- How Do I Find Joy in Life? - Feb 24, 2023
I love this post – thanks Danielle and Mara. I have followed Mara on and off for years and had missed the recent website update… wow, it’s gorgeous! And I love this line: “In that moment, we have an opportunity to shift our actions and choices so that they are in energetic integrity with our intentions for our lives. ” Yes, yes!