The Multiplier Effect: How Self-Discovery Impacts Everyone You Love

I led a retreat last month, and I keep turning over something that I witnessed there.

When a woman gets clear about who she is and what she wants, the change rarely stops with her. It moves outward.

Incredible changes unfolded

Over the course of three days, where women engaged in deep conversation and heartfelt sharing, as well as a range of creative experiences that opened their hearts and allowed clarity to emerge, remarkable changes were set in motion.

A healer who had craved creative play that had been eluding her revelled in the experiences she had. Her joy was palpable and lifted us all. Over the course of the retreat she faced and dispelled significant limiting beliefs that had been holding her back, and she’s now returned to caring for her her clients with more presence.

A consultant found new ways to cope with pressing personal challenges, and reshaped routines to care for her physical wellbeing, too. In turn, she was inspired to reshape ways she works with large organizations.

A mother moved from acknowledging a deep desire to have more time in nature to ways to bringing that experience into her reality each day. And now she shows up differently at her own kitchen table.

A woman in the midst of a professional transition also found clarity about a key personal relationship. She has set new standards and is now bringing more clarity and confidence into everything she does.

I have come to think of it as a multiplier effect.

How you can ignite something meaningful

The work you do when you step into a space of self-discovery and expansion reaches far more people than you alone, because you carry it into every room you enter.

To get a taste of what that can feel like, you can give this small practice a test-drive at home.

Even a small opening can have an impact for you, and those around you, too.

1. Pick a quiet spot. Have a journal and pen next to you.

2. Sit and think of something special — something you have longed to do, or something you can imagine that would make you really happy in the future.

3. With that image in your mind, notice how you feel. Excited? Peaceful? A little nervous? Curious? Eager? Amazed? Notice how your body feels, too. Are your shoulders relaxed? Are there flutters in your stomach? Maybe you feel tingly.

4. Next, relax into the vision and see if you can imagine more — as though you were actually living in that experience. What are the sounds you hear? What’s the weather like? What colors are around you? What do you smell?

5. Now write down what you envisioned. And note how you felt, and how you imagined the expanded vision. Describe it all as vividly as possible.

Savor the experience you had. The next day, pull out your journal and reread what you wrote, and revisit it during the week and beyond.

You might want to share your vision and feelings with someone close to you.

You can also add to your journal — write more about the vision as your imagination plays with it, and maybe jot down a small action you can take to get a clearer picture of it, or a step you might take toward starting to make it happen.

As you continue to hold the vision in your mind you may sense that the people around you notice something new in your energy.

As you rise, so do others  

When I see women rise, and the way people around them feel and respond to them, whether in retreats I lead or when I coach great women, I feel especially moved.

Time and again I observe that when you give yourself room to grow and step into an elevated space with an open heart, everyone around you feels it.

If that idea stirs something in your heart, hold onto it. 

If you’d like to know more about retreats and the multiplier effect, email me and let’s talk.

What Are You Putting Off? Begin with One Small Step

What are you putting off?

(We all have things we avoid, for one reason or another!)

It may be a decision.

It may be a reply that’s overdue.

It may be a task that feels too hard, too big, or just plain unpleasant

Figure out what’s in the way

Step 1: Set yourself up for easy access to insights

Whatever comes to mind for you, take a little time to think about why you are putting that thing off — what is holding you back.

Are you feeling stuck?
afraid?
confused?
overwhelmed?
when you think about the matter?

It’s helpful to identify the emotion that’s prompting you to put that thing off.

To set yourself up for discovering what that emotion is, start by moving your body. Movement will help your energy to flow, and in turn, help you think clearly.

Take a walk and get some air, or listen to music and move to it. 

Now you’ll be more at ease and more able to access answers.

Step 2: Pick a good tool to explore with

You might set a timer for 5 minutes and sit and free-write. (You can write for longer if you’re on a roll!)

Don’t edit or worry about punctuation. Just write. Then take a look at what showed up on the page.

Another good option is to ask someone you trust to listen as you talk it through for yourself.

This person is not there to “figure it out” for you! Choose someone who loves you, wants the best for you, and is willing to simply listen and ask open-ended questions to help you go deeper, until realizations come to light.

What comes next 

With clarity about why you have resisted addressing the matter, you may feel ready to get into action. That’s great, and if that’s where you are, skip this section!

And, often, simply knowing the culprit is not enough. It may still feel daunting to get started.

If so, now’s the time to actively transmute your stuck energy so you can release it from your system.

Again, you have choices for how to proceed.

Consider these options:

1. Do something creative — and do it with gusto!

You might pull out crayons or markers and make a hideous drawing that reflects the stuck emotion you want to release. Do as many intense, scribbled drawings as it takes to feel relief from the anger, or frustration, or shame in your system!

2. Move again, this time with even more focus

Dance to super-loud music until you feel wrung out! You can imagine being an animal and moving as though it were angry or excited.

Put on running shoes, get outside or on a treadmill, and see how long it takes to feel like the emotion is “done with you.”

Do yoga and envision that difficult emotion dropping down, deep into the earth, leaving you free of its grip.

3. Shout or pound out the emotion

Sometimes yelling into a pillow, or slamming a pillow or plush doll as hard as you can, will feel like the best way to get stuck emotion out of your system

Now, choose to take a very small step

With the heavy emotion having cleared, it may be tempting to try to tackle a big matter all at once. And sometimes, what’s been stuck will suddenly seem easy to resolve in one effort, which will feel great.

You can also choose one small thing to do first.

That could be to draft the email, but not send it until you reread it later.

You might simply assemble the necessary tools, or find a good video that demonstrates the steps you will need to take.

You might seek an introduction to an expert, or tap your network in another way that will help you tackle a big challenge.

The key is to take some kind of action, that you can then build on with another step and then another.

And if that thing you have been putting off is focusing on yourself, there’s an opportunity that you can take a small step to explore. 

Your first step to finding clarity about where you're headed and building confidence to move forward (in any area of your life that's on your mind) is to hop on a call with me.

LiveBigCall.com

On the call you can share what’s going on and what’s in your way. I’ll help you see what’s possible and may be able to provide resources for you.

There’s no obligation or pressure — just a chance for you to gain some clarity and find a first step toward the future you want.

Book your call here:

LiveBigCall.com

Personal transformation and powerful impact

Last week a remarkable group of women showed up for themselves. 

They set aside three days to focus on what they deeply want to do at this moment in their lives, what they want to have in their lives, and also how they want to show up for it all — the woman each of them wants to be.

Profound insights came to light at the Live Big Live! retreat, as each woman connected to her deep desires and ignited her abundant creative power.

The fuel for all that unfolded was the energy and joy of creating and expressing boldly throughout the retreat.

As well, the women were lovingly supported by one another.

It felt safe to open their hearts and share, and safe to look closely at what gets in their way, too.

We examined old stories, habits that run on automatic, resistance to making changes, and letting negative messages of the self-critical voice limit them. And we talked about new ways of overcoming those limitations.

The women not only set incredible visions for the next part of their lives, on the last day of the retreat they identified specific ways they will live in the months ahead, to make those visions real, step by step.

And on the last afternoon, the fantastic creation each woman made will serve to anchor her to all that she experienced.

The full impact is yet to come  

Leading these women for three amazing days was an honor and a joy.

And, as much magic as I witnessed at the retreat, what means the most to me is that the real impact will be so much greater than what each woman left with.

There is a multiplier effect when women commit to themselves and bravely step into new ways of living and working and relating in their worlds.

As they show up authentically, set higher standards, delegate and create space for what matters most, they are models for those around them.

Their energy becomes magnetic, and that elevated energy is felt by everyone in their spheres.

As each woman shines her light more brightly, she will contribute to her universe of contacts — personally and professionally. Whatever her role, she will impact individuals, communities, organizations, and the greater world.

As I envision the breadth of that expansive impact, I am grateful for the courageous engagement of each of the women and moved to envision their collective impact as they shine brightly.

One of the vision Boards and some Photos of what happened At the Live Big Live! Retreat.

Gain Clarity To Begin Creating Your Best Life

When we’re busy and try to be focused while constantly aiming to keep all the balls in the air, we are not only living with stress, it’s easy to lose connection to ourselves.

Many of us don’t take time to appreciate our complexity, and that all of who we are — our attributes and aspects of our greatness — matter.

Many remarkable women I speak to and work with tell me they skimp on the time and attention and nurturing required to show up fully, energetically, and with clarity about the life they want for themselves.

Do you create space for reflection and joy?

When you take time to consider where you are now, and sort out both what is right about the mix of personal and professional and what is not aligned or missing, your clarity will serve as a compass.

Layer on gaining clarity about what brings you joy, and how you can create conditions for that joy to be a regular part of your life.

That clarity is key to being able to feel whole and satisfied. 

What comes after gaining clarity?

Once you specifically envision the more aligned, balanced and fulfilling life you yearn for — one with less friction, more happiness, and where you feel confident knowing that you are on a clear path — here’s what you can expect.

In all likelihood there will be intentional steps to take to shape the life you know you want.

These 3 ingredients will take you far.

To begin to create the life you desire you need willingness.

True transformation and growth occur when there is a willingness to embrace the mystery of what is about to unfold for you. 

Willingness is needed, too, to venture into deep introspection — even when it gets uncomfortable.

And willingness is required to move forward when you don’t know exactly what you will encounter as you go.

Next you need to believe.

When you believe that you matter, you do not put yourself last. And that belief in yourself extends to trusting that you can create the life you want, and take true steps toward making your desires your reality.

This embrace of your creative power enables you to envision all of the possibilities you want to become real.

This is how you become what you believe.

The final ingredient is commitment.

Commitment is required to create structure and space in your life to cultivate your creative power — in the ways you think, care for yourself, set bold visions, and show up and express yourself authentically as your visions take shape, step by step.

This deep commitment to yourself, and to the focus on the effort required along your path, is the key to implementing desired change in your life.

Becoming a creator of your life  

You have the opportunity to start the process of defining and creating your best life today — even if you take a mere baby step forward.

Because each small step is meaningful. And small steps build momentum and add up quickly.

And if you want to consider having support to ease your way, I may be able to help.

Let's connect on a quick call.

You can find a day and time here.

With love,

How to Move Through Change Using Your Creative Power

Change can be intentional — like jumping on a great opportunity or choosing a new career direction after lots of planning.

At other times change can can come out of nowhere.

You learn your apartment is converting to a condo and you have 60 days to move. Your company has a re-org and your position disappears. You planned a much-needed vacation and a major storm shuts down airports.

Whatever the change, it nearly always introduces discomfort.

It calls on us to be resourceful and resilient.

And whether the change ends quickly, or we live through a long period of adjusting to a new reality, it can take a toll.

The reality of navigating change  

Emotions can feel intense in times of change. Decisions need to be made. Your routine may be disrupted.

And whether you feel excited, fearful, angry, confused, resentful, or some combination, it’s easy for overwhelm to set in.

Having just completed a move that entailed a lot of downsizing on a tighter timeframe than we’d hoped, I experienced lots of emotions, decision fatigue was real, and it was physically demanding.

I was fortunate and grateful to have a resource that made it all easier to move through than it might have been.

Creative Power eases the experience  

I leaned into my Creative Power in ways that I’d been unaware I could during past times of change.

This is what it looked like for me, that may help you, too.

1. Slow down to get more done

Even when the pressure was on, I deliberately paused to consider my best options and the most productive possibilities for next steps, rather than plowing ahead. That way of thinking like a creator helped me to find solutions and resources I’d have missed if I was in perpetual motion. 

2. Self-care is crucial

When the pressure is on, it’s easy to skimp on eating well, getting enough sleep, and creating moments for things that bring joy. It’s also easy to question yourself and your ability to cope.

One key to tapping your Creative Power is loving yourself. And in times of change that entails a combination of exquisite self-care, believing in yourself, and fueling your spirit.

Even with no time to cook, I brought in food that allowed us to eat healthy meals. On several nice days we walked to a nearby cafe for an afternoon break. I stuck with most of my regular Friday visits to the gym, and aimed to get to bed early. A winding down ritual supported sound sleep.

All of that produced energy I was grateful to have!

3. Trust yourself  — and ask for help!

When you think like a creator and take the time to reflect and care for yourself, you can more fully trust yourself to make your best decisions, to set a path toward good outcomes, and have ample energy to move through a time of change.

And, when you add in outreach for people and resources to augment what you can do yourself, you will benefit enormously.

In my move, help came in the form of finding non-profits who came to pick up donations, and bringing in extra people to help with physical and time-intensive tasks. It also meant reaching out to others for advice.

Great creators know they do not have all the answers, and do not need to do it all themselves.

A last key ingredient that builds Creative Power

At each step along your path through change, include a moment in your day to be grateful.

Your gratitude can be for yourself — for the energy, effort and creativity you’ve brought to the process.

It can be for others who help with ideas, physical tasks, moral support, and love.

It can be for chance moments of surprise, joy, delight and beauty.

It can be for your appreciation of what’s good, what’s going well, the kindness of others, the article you came across that had pertinent information, and more.

Taking the time to recall all you have for which to be grateful will fortify you and ease your path through the change.

If you are moving through change, are planning for change, or anticipate it, and want an ear, we can have a quick call.

Find a day and time here.

With love,

Unlock Clarity Through Creative Expression

Last week, at the Creation Vacation retreat, I witnessed magic unfold.

I watched as women connected to their deep creative power and saw what emerged for each of them.

The opportunity to be fully expressed, as we all laughed and experienced expansive play, opened hearts.

Meaningful realizations came to light as we engaged in deep conversations, and those ideas were explored and expanded in quiet introspection and coaching conversations.

There was palpable ease as everyone was fully cared for — from our exquisite and comfortable surroundings, to eating scrumptious food, to being led in remarkable yoga, and working with a brilliant energy healer and teacher to embody the insights and intentions that showed up.

There is no question that each woman will experience a year that is focused, meaningful and satisfying in incredible ways, having gifted herself this experience.

I am filled with gratitude for the trust these women put in me, and for the way everyone showed up, was all-in, and shared love and support for everyone around her.

Creating brings clarity

When you create — in any way that delights you — your heart opens and has information that you can listen to.

Try it for yourself.

Choose a way to play and create that appeals to you.

If you want to play with colors, you might paint or draw, or combine colors and textures when you prepare food.

If you are excited about music, play an instrument, sing, or listen intently to music you love.

If you love to use your body, dance, hike, do yoga or work out.

You might write, do improv, arrange flowers, build in a workshop, make ceramics, or do many kinds of things with your hands.

When you make these ways of creating a regular part of your life, you’ll connect to insights, desires, and new ideas with ease.

They are accessible when you activate creative channels. 

Creative energy can carry you far

The more you tap your creative spirit and listen for the intuitive messages that show up, the more clarity you will have — about what you want, what really matters, and great ways you can take action toward the outcomes you want. 

And when you are fueled by your creative power, taking aligned action becomes easier and easier over time. The more you keep that energy flowing, the less you will struggle.

Is it guaranteed that everything will magically and quickly progress as you dream it will? Of course not.

We are complex beings and we live in a world that changes all the time.

And, you can make it as smooth and easy as possible for yourself to make progress toward your desires. So why not explore that way of living?

And, you can get help!

While the Creation Vacation retreat for 2026 is in the books, the Live Big Live 2026 retreat is just a few months away.

Why not check out that opportunity, to accelerate your path and have loving support and guidance to live your best life?

here are some special moments of the Creation Vacation experience last week!

Build Creative Power in 3 Simple Ways

It's a joy to write to you each week and share ways you can claim and amplify your creative power. My mission is to help women everywhere to create and live their biggest, best lives. 

Today, I am away leading my annual Creation Vacation retreat. I am filled with joyous energy as we are creating in fun and stimulating ways, diving deeply into what is revealed for each woman when we tap that energy, and focusing on where each woman wants to go — propelled by vibrant creative energy — in the year ahead.

3 ways you can build creative power now

Although you are not at the retreat with us, I’m happy to share 3 ways you can activate creative energy and power on your own that can have a big impact on your year. 

1. Claim your greatness!

It is crucial that you appreciate all of your genius in order to show up fully and create your best life. 

And, I know that for many amazing women, it feels boastful to name and claim their gifts.

Some also tend to minimize the attributes that make them special and remarkable — sometimes out of modesty, and more often because they fail to believe that they are really amazing. 

The truth is that we all are filled with greatness, and we need to acknowledge it to be powerful creators of amazing lives!

My invitation is for you to sit and write down everything that is special about you. Take your time and note all of your gifts and strengths — from the smallest to the greatest. 

Are you kind? Sensitive? Loving? Smart? Considerate? Generous?

Do you bring laughter into the world? Contribute new ideas? Take bold action? Solve problems?

Do you create beauty? Delight and inspire others? Write or sing or dance?

Write down every way that you are special!

You might ask a close friend what she sees as special about you. Add what she says to what you wrote.

Then look back at the list and breathe slowly as you take it all in. You might read the list each morning for several days. Keep it where you can reread it any time your belief in yourself falters.

Keeping your belief in and appreciation of yourself strong provides a solid foundation for creating your best life.

2. Spark your spirit!

Think about what lights you up.

Maybe it’s spending time with family or friends. Maybe you feel best when you are outdoors. Maybe you crave quiet and time alone to read and rest. Maybe going on adventures excites you. Maybe hearing live music or visiting a museum makes you feel amazing. Maybe travel, and planning travel, fills you with excitement.

Plan for ways to do things that fill you with joy, and aim to include small experiences that fuel you in your life on a regular basis.

The more you “feed” your spirit with joyous energy, the more creative energy you will bring to everything.

3. Imagine with abandon.

Now, envision ways you want your year to unfold.

Having embraced a solid appreciation of yourself, coupled with vibrant joy in your heart, you’ll be ready to tap into a vivid vision.

What do you desire?

What do you dream of?

What evolution of your life now can you name? Maybe it will be a big change in your current reality. Consider small things, bigger things, or a mix.

And bear in mind that it doesn’t take more effort to dream a big dream than a small one, so let your heart lead you!

Write down what you can envision for yourself at the end of 2026 based on your visions.

And think, too, about who you want and need to be to take steps to make that vision real.

You can write it out, compose images on a vision board, share your vision with a close friend — or all three things.

Then think of one small step you can do today to move in the direction of realizing your vision.

Be gentle — and commit to consistent action

Consciously moving toward a new way of being, to realize a compelling vision, can feel daunting. 

Yet as counterintuitive as it may sound, the best way to make meaningful shifts and realize significant change is to take very small, consistent steps over time.

Keep reminding yourself of all of your genius. 

Keep lighting up your heart.

And commit to taking small, consistent steps forward. Even if you find yourself backsliding from time to time, keep your commitment to taking small steps.

And reach out if you want to consider having support to fully believe in yourself, to stay on track, to keep your energy fueled, to set a compelling vision, and to make faster, smoother progress to living the life you envision.

Book a chat with me here.

Whether we determine that private coaching is ideal for you or there’s another way you choose to move forward, we’ll have a meaningful conversation.

Magic From France: Create Your Own Wonder

I’ve returned from L'Aventure Française, the annual retreat I lead in France.

After all of the excitement of planning the retreat and then leading each day, I am resting as I savor more incredible moments than I can count.

The retreat was a remarkable experience — for the wonderful women who were with me, and for me.

Surprises and wonder filled each day as we immersed ourselves in the magic of art, food, culture and beauty in Paris, and then slowed the pace in the glorious French countryside.

We saw wonders all around us, created joyously, went deep in coaching conversations, played, and reveled in the magic of being in such a spectacular place, with hosts who poured love into each moment we spent there.

I am filled with gratitude as I reflect on so many moments and the many ways each of us was transformed by all we experienced.

It’s a delight to share images from the last days of the retreat in the Dordogne, when we explored markets and villages, ate wonderfully, and created joyously. 

As the insights continue to surface for all of us, we will share and process more, and I will share more with you.

Magic is available to each of us

My wish for you today is to find moments of magic in your midst, wherever you are.

Listen to your heart.

What is it asking for? What questions and insights show up in the quiet?

And let your imagination take you to places you want to explore!

Create visions for things that will delight you, in simple moments and big adventures that call to you

You are full of creative power that can be used in infinite ways!

Start with something today that will nurture your well-being and inspire you. That energy will be infused in everything you do.

Discovering Creative Magic in The French Countryside

The retreat continues!

I am taking a few minutes, just before the magical L'Aventure Française 2025 retreat concludes, to share some photos of the extraordinary places we have savored in the French countryside the last few days.

After our adventures in Paris we transitioned to living in central France.

As I wrote last week, the pace shifted. The air changed. It is exquisite and quiet here.

We have explored gardens, walked down lanes into the nearby village, and visited a picture-perfect town where we explored a subterranean monolithic church that was carved into a limestone cliff in the 7th century and expanded in the 12th century. 

We have soaked it all in, connected to deep insights as our hearts have expanded, and created joyously.

Dynamic creative power is fueling us, and as it lights each of us up, awareness and insights continue to emerge.  

I invite you to light up your heart today. Take time to savor beauty, share a meaningful moment with someone special, slow down, dream.

These are all ways to fire up your creative power! 

Activating Creativity from Beautiful France

A glimpse of our joy as we ventured to parks, museums, AND QUIRKY SHOPS, TRAVELED THROUGHOUT PARIS ON THE METRO, WALKED FOR MILES, and ate amazing food!

Bonjour!

It’s a thrill to be writing to you from France!

Having dreamed of bringing women to this magical country after many visits to my father’s native land, and living in Paris for part of 2023, I created the L’Aventure Française retreat last year. 

Being back here with another remarkable group of women is a true joy.

Inspiration in Paris

This precious time, away from the day-to-day of our lives at home, began when we filled our spirits with all that Paris has to offer.

We savored art, food, culture, beauty and history. We delighted in surprises as we explored and made discoveries!

Sharing many favorite, off-the-beaten-track places that most visitors never see, and guiding my clients to see and feel this city in meaningful ways, has been a delight, as it was last year.

Reflection in the lush countryside

After 5 days in Paris we have just traveled by train to the glorious Dordogne region, where we are living in a fabulous retreat center that offers a perfect mix of beauty, comfort, history and magic.

It is quiet here.

Our pace is slowing.

We are being fed by amazing hosts who cook with love — and are kind, funny and sweet.

We are creating and playing.

We will be exploring villages and markets, churches that date back to the 12th century, artist studios, and tucked away spots that offer sweet surprises.

As we reflect deeply on everything we have experienced, and discover layers of insight rising from our hearts, we are savoring this glorious opportunity for new ideas to appear and clarity to come forward.

Activating and expanding creative power

A lot has changed in the world since I led the first L’Adventure Française retreat last fall.

What has not changed is the enormous creative power that resides (often quietly) in each of us. This is power we can all tap and amplify.

We can each use that creative power to light up our spirits.

We can use it to shape the focus of the lives we want to live, and how we want to make our most meaningful marks on the world.

This unlimited power, when it’s unleashed, can enrich us in ways we may not even be able to imagine now.

And it will surely impact everyone and everything around us.

Wherever you are as you read this, pause to look for wonder. Take a few seconds to connect to your heart. Then do something new that’s aligned with a deep desire.

Violà! Your just activated some creative power!