SHE SPEAKS SHE HEALS Podcast with Doctor Shannon

In today's episode, I give you permission to be you, and to stop doing what's NOT you. If it's not you...then what is YOU?

Where are you NOT being YOU in your life?

Today's SACRED S.O.L. STORY comes from my sweet little rescue dog, Stela.

Recently she did something she had never before…while being a dog! And being a dog is what she does best, because she was designed to be a DOG, right?

She was doing what dog's do. We can't blame, shame, or be upset at her for being a dog.

It's not you. It's me.

So what's not YOU?

Where in your life are you trying to be something you're not?

You are who you are. Period.

A dog is a dog. A fish is a fish. A human is a human. And a human like you is a human like YOU.

I'm not saying this gives you license to proclaim, "Hey, that's just me." And to use it as an excuse to not grow, expand, learn, or discover.

I'm talking about the core essence of who you are.

Are you so busy trying to be somebody, be something…or do something, that you're NOT being YOU?

You're already something and someone. You're YOU.

If you're a fish, swim.

Are you being YOU?

It's time to become masterful at the art of being you.

Please grab your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E. JOURNAL (Daily Action To Engage with yourself.)

TODAY'S SACRED S.O.L. STEP:

1. Where in your life are you trying to FORCE yourself, and be something or someone you're NOT?

Please stop fighting yourself so much, my dear.

2. Declare it for yourself today by giving yourself permission to be YOU.

I'm giving you permission to be you. Acknowledge, accept, embrace, and celebrate you. Allow YOU to grow and expand.

I'm giving you permission to love your life + life's work well!

Will you do this for yourself today?

I'm so excited to hear from you. Come over to WomenSippingOnLife.com and let me know what happened for you today.

Thank you for being here, and allowing me to sip on life with you. Please come over to WomenSippingOnLife.com for some free resources, including my Six Sacred S.O.L. DATE Secrets…and a FREE copy of my best-selling book, Date Yourself Well. You can also check out my Dr. Shannon Facebook Page for more daily S.O.L. TRAINING.

I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Please invite your girlfriends to come and join our S.O.L. PARTY.

xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life's work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…

Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL

Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)

Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)

Podcast cover photo by Kate Montague of KM Captured (www.kmcaptured.com)

Today I'm going to teach you 3 things that must happen to take your NEW belief to a NEW level of an UNBELIEVABLE LIFE. YES, you're only one belief away…

The beginning of BELIEF is BE. How are you being as you're believing what you're believing? And as you're believing what you're behaving?

All behavior comes from belief. Action or inaction comes from a belief you have, whether it's conscious or unconscious.

I believe that you are only ONE BELIEF away from an unbelievable life.

What would an unbelievable life look like for you?

Can you BELIEVE for it?

Today's episode is somewhat of a continuation of yesterday's program: EPISODE 042: The Deception Of Truth.

I talked about the fact that you must know what you believe. Knowledge of the truth sets us free, so it's the knowing that matters most.

My life began to make a huge shift when I had the revelation that I didn't need to get what I wanted to be happy. BUT…happiness comes from knowing what I desire. (Wow!)

Happiness comes from knowing what you desire.

Do you know what you desire?

It's in the knowing that you actually have the power to create it. If you believe...

Do you know what you believe?

An unbelievable life starts by knowing what you believe.

1. Know what you believe.

It's in knowing what you believe that'll allow you to behave in a way that lines up with what you desire.

A lot of times people aren't conscious of what they believe. So they keep saying they desire this or that, but their belief system doesn't support it.

You'll only go as far as your belief system will take you.

Think of your desires as a mountain. If your beliefs are at the bottom of the mountain, you'll keep going around and around the mountain. Unless your beliefs rise up to the level of the mountain (your desires,) you won't be able to experience the summit/mountaintop of desire.

What do you believe? Do you KNOW it?

You must be willing to do the work to uncover and discover the truth about what you believe. Question your beliefs, and choose whether or not you're going to keep them.

Are you willing to believe for an incredibly unbelievably believable life?

2. Know if what you're believing is the TRUTH, AND whether or not it's TRUE FOR YOU.

Something can be factually true, but may not necessarily be true for you. What's YOUR TRUTH?

How will you know?

Take a look at your results.

What's true for you is what you're going to create for you.

3. Know if it's working.

If it is…fabulous.

But will this same belief system take you where you desire to go?

Perhaps you'll need a higher level of belief, desire, trust or truth. You get to decide.

It's all possible if you're AWARE, WILLING, IN MOTION AND READY TO DO THE WORK.

Sometimes "IT" is not working because YOU'RE not working.

Have you ever thought about that?

Do your current beliefs fit your DESIRE?

Ask yourself the questions. Be willing to see it for what it is. Knowledge of the truth sets you free. Be willing to acknowledge it.

I see it all the time with my clients. One change, shift, or adjustment in belief changes everything.

Renewing your mind with truth is transformational.

Please grab your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E. JOURNAL (Daily Action To Engage with yourself.)

TODAY'S SACRED S.O.L. STEP:

Think about ONE thing you strongly desire in your life.

1. Write it down. Be specific.

2. What belief would be necessary for you to experience that level of desire?

FIRST, you have to be able to believe it's possible.

3. How does it compare to your current level of belief? Are you willing to try on a new belief?

Thank you for being here, and allowing me to sip on life with you. Please come over to WomenSippingOnLife.com for some free resources, including my Six Sacred S.O.L. DATE Secrets…and a FREE copy of my best-selling book, Date Yourself Well. You can also check out my Dr. Shannon Facebook Page for more daily S.O.L. TRAINING.

I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Please invite your friends to come and join our S.O.L. PARTY.

xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life's work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…

Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL

Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)

Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)

Podcast cover photo by Kate Montague of KM Captured (www.kmcaptured.com)

Today I'm going to uncover some truths that I believe will set you free, if you believe them. The truth is what we believe. But what if you're believing something that's not true?

Here are some truths about TRUTH:

#1: What do you believe? Look at your own personal beliefs.

What do you believe about ___(fill in the blank)__?

But what if "that" is not the truth?

This is how you'll know if what you're believing is TRUE…

KNOWLEDGE OF IT WILL SET YOU FREE.

That's right, knowledge of the truth is what sets us free.

If you're not living in freedom in any area of your life, then what you're believing is NOT true.

Do you KNOW what you believe?

Most people are not living in freedom, yet still claim that what they believe is true.

Look at what you believing today.

If you're believing something that's not setting you free, OR you're not getting the results you're looking for, OR you're not feeling that loving, peaceful, valuable experience of life, then it's time to take a look at some of your beliefs.

#2: If it can't be interpreted at least two different ways, it's probably not true.

Truth is not one-sided. It's multi-dimensional. It's inclusive. It's not exclusive. It's very inclusive.

Truth IS. There's no judgement on/in it. It's not right. It's not wrong. It simply IS.

If you want to experience the freedom of truth, you must step into it.

You can see truth from two different places. From one side it may look one way, then move 180 degrees around to the other side, and it can look very different.

Is it still the truth? Yes, it is.

Perhaps…maybe…truth's IN the one that's looking at it?

So if you're deceived, no matter what you're seeing, you're not going to believe it.

You could be looking at the truth, and not even recognize it as the truth. It's KNOWLEDGE of the truth that'll set you free.

This is happening all over the globe.

What is true for you? What do you believe?

Look at it from both sides of the sphere.

Truth can be interpreted more than one way, and it's in the eye of the beholder.

What you see and believe, may or may not be the truth. But if you know and believe THE TRUTH, you'll find freedom. It'll set you free.

People want to make truth all about one way or the right way, and everything else wrong.

Life is like a big circular sphere…the world…globe. The sun shines on both sides, but at different times.

The globe is the truth. How are you seeing it? It depends on where you're standing.

What side of the world are YOU standing on in your own life?

If you're not seeing the truth, you won't find freedom.

#3: What if the truth isn't necessarily what you see, but it's the LIGHT that's shining upon the metaphorical globe or sphere that you hold in your hands?

What if the reason why knowledge of the truth sets us free is because IT allows us to see something?

It's the LIGHT that allows us to see something we didn't see before.

Now that the light's on, you can see things you didn't see before. No longer is it a "right or wrong" scenario, but it IS…and then you can take a good look at it. You can experience it, and find your freedom in it.

Stop deceiving yourself. Stop lying. Stop hiding. Stop believing something that's no longer true for you, or perhaps never was.

Look at what you believe today, and ask yourself if your beliefs are allowing you to live in freedom and peace.

Is there another way to see it?

Is it possible that truth isn't "IT" at all, but it's the light that you shine upon it?

Why? So you can KNOW some things you didn't know before.

Perhaps knowledge of this is what will allow you to be set free from whatever you're dealing with today.

Be willing to see whatever it is with the lights completely on today. No more hiding. No more standing on the other side of truth. Stand where you are…with the light of truth.

Look. Live. Love in that place.

If there's something you don't like, do something about it.

If you want change in your life, you must be willing to change.

Turn the knob. Flip the switch, and turn the lights on.

Be willing to expose it all.

You can handle the truth.

I believe you can.

Turn the LIGHT OF TRUTH on in your life, and watch what happens.

It's time to start living in truth, and living in freedom.

Please grab your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E.JOURNAL (Daily Action To Engage with yourself.)

TODAY'S SACRED S.O.L. STEP:

1. Write down an area in your life that you've been hiding. Keeping in the dark? Ashamed? Worried? Confused? Lying? Cheating? Whatever it is…

2. Literally go stand out in the sun, and allow it to shine upon the words in your journal. Then ask yourself if you're willing to see "IT" differently.

Are you willing to allow the light of truth to shine upon it, so you can see it for what it is, and make decisions in truth, versus deception.

Does this make sense to you?

I really believe this is going to help you today. I hope you discover some beliefs that are simply NOT true, NOT working for you, or setting you free…and you make choices today.

So you can walk in truth and live your life in freedom.

I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Please come over to WomenSippingOnLife.com ,and let me know how you're doing. And invite your friends to come and join us…join the S.O.L. PARTY.

Thanks for being here!

xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life's work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…

Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL

Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)

Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)

Podcast cover photo by Kate Montague of KM Captured (www.kmcaptured.com)

We've all been there. You know, that overwhelming feeling of feeling overwhelmed. If that's you today, please take a deep breath. Pull over, and take a moment. I'm going to remind you of a few things that I experienced lately in a highly stressful, overwhelming situation.

Here are the three (3) lessons I learned from my SACRED S.O.L. STORY. I believe they'll help you the next time you feel overwhelmed…

Lesson #1: Set the poop down!

Whatever's going on in your life…set the poop down. If you're carrying around "crap" in your life, it's time to set it down. It's unnecessary. Let it go. Release it, and YOURSELF. It'll make everything better.

Lesson #2: Make sure your vision is clear.

When we cannot see clearly, it makes everything feel overwhelming.

Take a look at whatever you're dealing with from a completely different, or opposite, perspective today.

Is it possible that you have truth in front of you, and you have VISION, but you're looking at it from only one side (perspective)?

Lesson #3: Push the STOP button.

Whether it's the pause button or a full nap, take a break. Take a deep breath.

Everything will seem much more manageable, and peaceful. Please take a breath (preferably without any poop in your hand.)

If you're feeling overwhelmed today, please try these three things, and let me know how it goes for you.

TODAY'S SACRED S.O.L. STEP…

1. Please grab your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E. JOURNAL (Daily Action To Engage with yourself.)

2. Write down where you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

3. Ask yourself if there's any place in your life where you're carrying around poop…mentally, physically, or spiritually.

4. Set the crap down. Get the stink out of your life.

5. Ask yourself if you can see the situation from a different perspective. Try it.

6. Take a little break today. Push the STOP or PAUSE button, and listen to your breath. Listen to your heart and soul.

I'd love to hear from you! WomenSippingOnLife.com. Thanks for reaching out, and being a part of this movement of WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE around the globe.

We DO NOT need to be overwhelmed in life anymore. Sip on it. One sip, breath, and step at a time.

I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.

xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life's work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…

Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL

Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)

Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)

That's right, this is our monumental milestone of SIPPING ON LIFE together for 50 episodes. I cannot thank you enough for being on this journey with me!! Time flies fast when we're having fun…

At the beginning of today's episode, we're at almost 11 hours of sipping on life together. We're entering into our 11th hour…can you believe that? I'm so excited.

Today we're going to talk about:

Where we've come from. Where we are. Where we're headed.

As I recap my "podcast" history, it's a great reminder that when we attempt something the first, second, third time…we're still in a process of learning.

Things may not always go as we think they will, but it's our WHY + our WILL that keeps us going.

I've invested a lot of my time (life) to bring you these messages, and I know it's for a bigger purpose. It's my life's work, and I know that. I'm fully committed to it (and you.)

I've acknowledged, and finally accepted my call completely. I'm fully and actively ALL IN IT! (Yay!)

Yes, I'm all in this time, and I'm so very honored and grateful that I'm not alone. Thanks for being here!

It's been a process. It hasn't been an easy road. It's been a process of acceptance.

Acceptance of where I am, who I am, why I am…why I'm here on planet earth...what I'm doing, and how I'm choosing to spend my time.

My big reason WHY is because I've heard your heart crying out.

Ever since my first divorce, twenty years ago. I remember feeling, and knowing that my pain would NOT be in vain. I saw and felt you. I knew that every lesson I'd learn along the way wasn't going to be something that I'd keep to myself.

I didn't know that it would be an "over 10 year process" for me, and three divorces that would allow me to circle back and completely heal in my heart.

Is there ever a completion of healing? I think life is a process of healing. I believe this podcast (and sipping on life) is a part of that process.

When we're ready, we don't have to push it, but we can enter in with ease.

That's where we've come from.

Where are we now? Yes, we're on our 50 episode. (Yay!!)

BUT...

I'd like to know, where are YOU right now?

Where are you listening from in the world?

Where are you listening from in your own heart?

How's it going? Is this podcast, these messages and experience of sipping on your life actually affecting you in a positive way?

Is it allowing you to uncover and discover some truth within your own heart and soul?

Are you feeling empowered and inspired to take action in a new way? To actually look at your current belief system from all angles, so you can decide if the belief is something you'd like to keep or let go of?

I'd love to know where you are right now, and if you're finding value in this experience.

Where are we headed?

I believe we're headed somewhere we've never been before…

If you and I are open, and allow ourselves to get vulnerable, honest, and receive the fullest expression of who we are, we'll GO SO FAR!!

We've already come so far, but I believe we'll go even further in the next 50 episodes, and beyond.

We'll look back and see something exponentially magnificent and miraculous.

Can you enter into this vision and dream with me?

Are you really willing to express the TRUTH that's in you?

That's what I'm committed to doing.

I've learned a lot in the past 50 episodes, and look forward to next 500…1000…a lifetime.

God willing, I believe, trust, hope, and pray it'll be a long journey together.

TODAY'S SACRED S.O.L. STEP...(A little different today.)

Part 1: Please go to WomenSippingOnLife.com and leave a comment on today's episode, and share the following:

1. Where are you listening from in the world?

2. Where are you coming from in your heart today?

3. What would YOU like to see over the next 50, 100, 500 episodes?

4. How can I serve you to the highest level, my dear?

5. Please let me know if the podcast been of value to you thus far, and any suggestions, thoughts, feelings, questions…etc.

Part 2: Please share this with someone. A dear soul, a best girlfriend. Someone you'd like to have on this journey with us…

I'll look forward to responding to you, and continuing this journey together.

Thank you for allowing me to continue to express myself from deep within my soul, and to speak deep into your soul. Thanks for keeping your heart wide open, and expressing your heart's song with all of us.

I'm so grateful!

xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life's work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…

Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL

Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)

Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)

Podcast cover photo by Kate Montague of KM Captured (www.kmcaptured.com)

If you've ever felt stuck or disrupted by a pattern that's seemingly outside of your control, I'll show you what to do. First, you're not alone. It happens to all of us. In fact, it's happening right now. Second, you DO have control...it's called CHOICE.

SHOW NOTES...

Today's S.O.L. STORY comes from a couple days ago when I had a major technical challenge while attempting to finish one of my podcast episodes.

Apparently I pushed a "loop" button that caused a random message to continue to interject itself during the podcast.

Here are some lessons I learned from this experience...and the questions that arose.

Where in your life is there an unconscious pattern that continues to give you a message -looping, looping, looping unconsciously - and is disrupting what you're trying to create?

Is this possibly going on in your life?

I know I'm not the only one. We all have unconscious patterns that are running at all times. Those patterns are deep-seated in our belief systems.

We have beliefs that'll show up with these messages when we get scared, frustrated, angry, or whatever.

In these moments of stress, there's a pattern and messaging that's telling us one thing. However, it's not the message that we're trying to communicate, desire to believe, or the one we choose to create our lives with.

It's a disruption. And we all have them. They're unconscious beliefs that are NOT serving us well.

Can we agree about this?

There's at least ONE pattern going on in each of our lives right now. And we may NOT even be aware of it.

So that leads me to the big question...

If we all have them, WHAT are we going to do with them?

Simply acknowledging that there IS an unconscious "something" that's dictating or leading a particular behavior, is a good place to start.

Acknowledging it is only part of the answer.

The second part is being willing to be AWARE enough to identify (and admit) that you're saying you desire one thing, but for whatever reason it's NOT happening.

Yes, it's okay to admit it.

You may catch yourself saying things like this, "I know I SHOULD, but for some reason I'm not…"

OR you won't even say, "for some reason." You'll actually give a reason or an excuse, and speak it out.

Pay attention to the message that comes out in the form of an excuse…etc, and acknowledge it. Admit what IS and ISN'T serving you well, or working in your life.

Then you can actually do something to press through it, and get to the other side of it.

We don't even necessarily have to know exactly WHERE the message came from.

All we need to know is that it's there. Then we get to acknowledge how we feel, and what we tend to do when we feel that way.

In the moment that you lose your feeling of peace and/or love, or ability to express your creative energy, notice what you do in that moment. Do you give an excuse? What's the message that hear within yourself? What is it?

Acknowledge it. Then ask yourself if it's a message you choose to continue to believe.

Then make a choice. Choose something new.

I know, it seems like it couldn't be that simple, right? But it is.

That doesn't mean it's super easy. Sometimes it's very uncomfortable. In the moment of feeling frustration or intense emotion, to acknowledge that you're actually CHOOSING to feel that way isn't always easy to do.

BUT the EASE is so much greater, especially once you're past it. You'll be so glad you didn't back up, quit, throw in the towel, or make another excuse.

Instead, you acknowledged it, were aware of it, and opened yourself up to a new possibility.

Are you willing to be open to a NEW possibility today? Are you willing to EDIT, let go, and release some old patterns and beliefs? To try on a new belief? Or record a new message?

Are you willing to speak and tell a different story that'll allow you to live a different story? To speak up with a level of confidence that you haven't able to do before?

I'd urge you to consider this today. Please grab your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E. JOURNAL (Daily Action To Engage with yourself.)

TODAY'S SACRED S.O.L. STEP:

Write down an area of your life where you know there's a repetitive pattern that seems to be at work. (And it's not working.)

Take a look at it from a different angle.

This takes a lot of TRUST.

Begin to open up your heart to see a new possibility. Will you do that for yourself today? When you do, you're going to see that you can write a new story. You can write a new script, and actually speak up in truth. With confidence.

I'd love to hear from you. Please come over to WomenSippingOn Life.com and let me know what happens once you try this. I'd love to be a part of it with you.

Thank you for being here each and every day. We're on episode 49, can you believe that? And oh my goodness, tomorrow's our 50th episode. We'll be half way to 100. How incredible is that?

Thanks again for being here, and making this possible.

xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life's work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…

Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL

Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)

Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)

Podcast cover photo by Kate Montague of KM Captured (www.kmcaptured.com)

It's time to care for your EASE. Each week I hear people proclaiming that they don't have time to take care of themselves. For whatever reason their schedule's way too busy, and they cannot (do not) find the time to take care of themselves. If this is your story, then today's episode is for you.

SHOW NOTES...

Seriously. If you're looking for someone else to take care of you, or make time for you, because you're NOT doing it for yourself, then you're going to end up needing some serious DIS-EASE care!

It's time to care for your EASE, my friend.

The way in which you do that is to begin to take care of your S.E.L.F.

You must begin to take care of yourself by saying NO to everybody else, and YES to yourself. FIRST. (EPISODE 047: Why? Because You Can.)

Just because you can doesn't mean you "should," right?

When it comes to SELF CARE, everyone seems to know what they "should" be doing, but many are not.

Perhaps you're one of them. If so, it's time to make a plan to do something differently.

In fact, don't even plan it, simply DO something different. Today.

With many people I coach, I diagnose her/him as being a "slave to their schedules."

This is a question I ask almost all my clients, "Do you feel like you're a slave to your schedule?" They're always surprised, and relieved, when they hear me acknowledge it.

Then I ask, "Why are YOU doing all that you're doing?"

Again, go back and listen to EPISODE 047, if you haven't already done so.

I was there. I know exactly how it feels to say YES to everything and everyone else, before saying yes to myself.

The bottom-line is this…

If you're not taking care of YOU, how do you think you're going to be able to handle anything or anyone else?

Self care is your health care.

Going to the doctor isn't necessarily "health care." You being the healer in your own life. You being the keeper of your heart and soul. You being the keeper of what matters to you…

This is called, TRUE HEALTH CARE!

When you begin to care for yourself, everything will begin to change in your life.

I hear women say this all the time, "I feel selfish when I do this."

It's your body. It's your life. Taking care of it isn't "selfish," it's called being "responsible." It's called being a "faithful steward" of the gift you've been given…the gift called, YOUR LIFE, my dear.

IT'S CALLED YOUR LIFE.

Your body is the vehicle that takes you around in this journey of life. If it's breaking down, clunking, and feeling like a pile of junk…it's time for an upgrade, re-haul, or remodel.

It's time for you to take a look at your life, and completely do a rehab on your schedule.

If YOU are not a priority in your schedule, you'll never have a fulfilled life. You'll have an unfulfilling life.

Why? Because you are the common denominator in every single thing YOU do.

If you are not happy, fulfilled, and caring for YOU, you'll lose yourself.

First, you'll start to feel like you're losing yourself. Second, you'll actually lose yourself.

Once you lose your health, then your life...you're done.

Self care is the new health care.

Begin to focus on:

S- Strategy.

Your strategy MUST include movement.

You must begin to move your body. Your SELF. Not in a bunch of motion, commotion or busyness, but the business of caring for your movement.

E. Eat Well.

No "shoulda, woulda, coulda."

Eating on that which FEEDS you. Eating life-giving food, life-giving thoughts, and what gives you so much energy, that when you eat on it, you're like…"THIS IS INCREDIBLE!"

If you're not partaking in what you LOVE each and every day, you're doing yourself a huge disservice.

L. LOVE your body.

Getting your body in motion, and eating well are loving your body. BUT, I'm also talking about getting in the mindset (and heart set) of truly LOVING YOUR BODY WELL.

Regardless of its imperfections, size, this, that, or the other…it doesn't matter. LOVE IT.

Love is nurturing care and attention.

F. Fully Engage.

Fully engage with your life, self, with what you LOVE (including your body.)

Fully engage with how you're feeding your body well, feeding your life, mind, heart, and emotions WELL. Along with the strategy of MOVING.

Fully engage with your LIFE.

If you've ever been engaged, you know what it feels like. There's such a high amount of anticipation for what's to come. You're so excited. You feel this endless supply of energy, happiness, and joy. You're so expectant of great things for the future, and building something with the person you love.

Engage with YOURSELF like this starting today.

Self care is the new health care of ENGAGEMENT.

Please grab your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E. JOURNAL (Daily Action To Engage with yourself.)

TODAY'S SACRED S.O.L. STEP:

Write down a STRATEGY that will put YOU - your body, mind, spirit, will, emotions, and YOUR LIFE as your #1 PRIORITY.

Commit to it.

Take a least ONE STEP today, and go for it, my dear. And watch what happens in your life!

I can't wait to hear from you. I really believe this is going to set you free today. Stop waiting around for a doctor to tell you, or a healthcare provider to tell you that you "should have" done "this"…and looking back with regret.

Please don't wait for a DIAGNOSIS before you begin to take care of yourself.

Thanks for being here. I'll look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. If you haven't yet subscribed in iTunes or Stitcher, please do. And I'd love it if you give a rating and review. It'll help us reach more women around that globe that are drowning in life. They deserve to be sipping on it, just like you and me.

WomenSippingOnLife.com.

xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life's work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…

Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL

Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)

Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)

Podcast cover photo by Kate Montague of KM Captured (www.kmcaptured.com)

Today we're going deep into, what I feel is an epidemic in our society today - especially among women. It's this idea that just because you can means you "should." When the TRUTH is, just because you can doesn't mean you "should."

You know I'm not a big "should" fan, and I'm not going to "should" on you today.

This takes me back to a S.O.L. STORY from years ago. It was the early 1990s, and I was in chiropractic college. I was going to school full-time, and in class most days from 7:00/8:00 am - 6:00 pm. I was also teaching 6:00 am fitness classes, and studying every night until wee hours of the morning.

Then I decided to add pregnancy, and having a baby into the mix.

After my daughter was born, she was quickly added into my insane schedule. I'd awaken her at 5:00 am to breastfeed, then I'd teach my group fitness class. I'd go to class from 8:00 am - noon, then run home again to feed her. Then I'd go back to school until 6:00 pm.

I'd run home and relieve my nanny, feed my daughter, then study until 11:00 pm. I'd feed her again before putting her to sleep, and go to bed myself. Only to start the entire routine over again at 5:00 am.

I was saying YES to everything, accept myself!

You've been there too, haven't you? You may still be there…

Then a dear friend said to me one day, "Shannon, just because you can doesn't mean you should."

It's stuck with me ever since then. I'll never forget it.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

How often do we as women, humans, souls on planet earth, say YES to everything - simply because WE CAN? We look at our schedules, and we make it fit.

That's the first thing people do. They look at their schedule, then make a decision.

What I'd like to encourage you to do (starting today) is to start thinking about what you're saying YES to...

Every time you say YES to something or someone else, it's quite possible that you're saying NO to what really matters to you, my dear.

Is this possible?

Do you look at your schedule to see if "IT" fits, then say YES because you have time?

Whoever said that the criteria for saying, "YES" is simply that you have TIME in your schedule to do it?

How about trying a NEW CRITERIA?

Before you say "YES" next time, ask yourself the following...

1. Does this FIT in with what I truly DESIRE? 2. Does this FIT in with how I desire to spend my days? 3. Does this FIT in the VISION of my life? 4. Does this FIT in my priorities? 5. Does this FIT in my life and life's work? 6. And does it FIT WELL?

I urge you to consider this new criteria today.

Is it possible that you're saying YES to everything, and you're saying NO to the ONE THING that matters the most?

Are you saying YES to EVERYTHING, and actually saying NO to having it ALL?

Are you saying NO to the things that really matter in your life?

OR are you saying YES, YES, YES, and not saying YES to anything that REALLY MATTERS to you?

Please consider that you DON'T need to say yes to ANYTHING, unless you say YES to yourself first.

This changed my life when I finally began to consider and apply it to my life.

YOU MATTER, MY DEAR!

Are you willing to say YES to you, the vision you have for your life, your dreams, that which you find sacred, and inspiring? To what you're passionate about? Your priorities?

Are you willing to say YES to all this FIRST?

Because just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Oftentimes we're not doing the things that we really really care about, and we're saying I CAN'T to the things that really deserve to be a CAN.

Am I making myself clear today?

Maybe I'm the only one that's ever done this, but I'm going to believe that I'm not...and MANY OF YOU are still doing this today.

If you are, today's the day to re-evaluate what you're doing, and make a new decision about how you're spending your time, and what you're saying yes to.

TODAY'S SACRED S.O.L. STEP:

Please grab your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E. JOURNAL (Daily Action To Engage with yourself.)

Answer the following question: Where am I saying YES to everything, and because of it, I'm saying NO to what really matters to me?

(You know what it is. Write it down.)

Please circle it. And start saying NO to it.

If you find it difficult to say NO, then try this technique. Instead of saying "NO" say, "I can't say YES to that right now."

When you say NO, it means you're saying KNOW - I KNOW WHAT I DESIRE.

That's YOU, my friend.

If you desire a life that you love, and a life's work that you love, then today's the day.

Please come over to WomenSippingOnLife.com and let me know how you're doing. Thank you again for being here. I'm so grateful!

xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life's work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…

Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL

Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)

Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)

Podcast cover photo by Kate Montague of KM Captured (www.kmcaptured.com)

If you're feeling like it simply feels TOO BIG…whatever it is that's in front of you…then today's episode is for YOU. Today I'll show you 3 S.I.P.S that'll help you in the process of sipping on life. Even the BIG things.

Perhaps you have a BIG dream, but for some reason it doesn't feel like it's happening. You feel overwhelmed, like you're barely treading water. It feels like it's TOO MUCH. It's too big. There's so much to do.

Yesterday I had a day like that. For some reason when I woke up I just wasn't feeling it. There was so much to do. So I committed to doing ONE thing. I told myself that I'd do one thing, then take a break.

By the time I finished it, I was on a roll, so I kept going. I started with ONE thing. Next thing you know it was 7:00 or 8:00 last night, and boom…done. I had accomplished everything I had set out to do, and then some.

It's amazing how this whole philosophy of sipping on life really works.

One sip at a time. That's it, my dear. One step at a time. One thought at a time. One thing at time.

This is coming from a reformed multi-tasker. I used to be the MASTER multi-tasker…trying to do it all at once.

What I've found is that you can do it ALL. You just can't do it all at once. You can have it all, and you can HAVE IT ALL at once. But you can't have EVERYTHING at exactly the same time.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

You have to define what your ALL is. Then you can have it all…ONE SIP AT TIME.

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

How do you climb a mountain? One step at a time.

I've climbed mountains, and all I was thinking about was the next strategic step. That's it. The next climb. The next level up.

Each time I went to the next level it took a lot of trust.

Trust to leave where I was, and go to the next place.

Are you willing…are you ready…to leave where you are, and go to the next place?

Are you willing to leave THE SIP, and go to the next SIP?

I believe you are.

Here are 3 things that will help you in the SIPPING process:

1. Your S.O.L. matters. Your SACRED S.O.L.

You matter. Your day matters. Every SIP. Every step. Every minute and moment of your life matters.

You have SO much available to you. Every second (SIP) counts. Are you making it count for you?

2. Your feelings matter.

What inspires you?

Are you feeling INSPIRED? If you're not, then what are you doing?

Today's the day to dissect that feeling. Feel it, and get to the bottom of it. Instead of saying, "I know I should. I know I shouldn't. I'll get to that someday…"

Time flies by, what are you waiting for?

You can do SOMETHING. Now.

If you say that you don't have time to do what inspires you, stop saying that. Begin to put yourself in motion. Feel what you feel, and heal. So you can do what really matters to you.

You and your life matter.

3. Your desires matter.

Your heart matters. What's your passion?

It only takes one SIP. (At a time.)

Rome wasn't built in a day. The process takes time.

It takes 40 weeks +/- to develop a baby. Even God himself didn't create EVERYTHING in a day.

It takes WORK, and rest. It's all about SIPPING.

Think about this…

S.I.P.

S: Sacred S.O.L.

I: Inspired?

P: Passion. Your desires matter.

An inspired soul, inspires souls.

You passion is in your heart.

If you feel as though you're living a passionLESS life, and waiting for someone else to romance you...it's time to romance yourself, your days, and your life.

Make love with your life, and it'll love you back.

You'll create offspring. You'll multiply.

Imagine multiplying your life, and your days.

Imagine multiplying and expanding - exponentially - the IMPACT that each of your moments has on planet earth.

Imagine increasing the love and life you're experiencing.

These are TRUTHS.

SIP. That's all it takes…Sacred, Inspired, Passion.

Your sacred S.O.L.

Your inspired S.O.L.

Your passionate S.O.L.

While living your life fully engaged.

SIPPING ON IT. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

Please grab your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E. JOURNAL (Daily Action To Engage with yourself.)

TODAY'S SACED S.O.L. STEP:

1. Write down ONE thing that your heart's been burning to do. You feel it within your soul. You'd do it like your life depends on it. And you'd do it for free. It's so IN YOU.

Whatever it is for you. Write it down.

2. Create a plan for you to do that "something." (Or perhaps it's ONE thing that you can do right here, and right now.)

I'd love to hear from you. Please come over to WomenSippingOnLife.com. Thanks for being ONE of the souls that are listening, and sipping on life from around the world.

I'm so excited to have you here!

xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life's work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…

Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL

Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)

Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)

Podcast cover photo by Kate Montague of KM Captured (www.kmcaptured.com)

Looking for your "HAPPY?" Look no further. If you want to be happy, you have to get to know YOU and your favorite color. In today's episode I'll show you how.

SHOW NOTES...

We're on episode 45 today. Oh my goodness, we're half way to 90!

Today's S.O.L. Story was inspired by a beautiful orange napkin.

Yes, a simple, paper napkin completely changed my mood, and inspired today's message.

Napkins are so powerful. Some of the greatest things start on a napkin. Great ideas. Phone numbers...

Napkins have dried my tears at times when I didn't know what else I was going to do. Sad or happy tears, I've used many napkins.

Years ago I remember crying into a napkin, and thinking that someday my tears of heartache and pain would be replaced with tears of joy... and great things.

Yes, it's true. They have been. And even though I didn't cry tears of joy today, my heart was doing the happy dance (and it still is.) So much so that I had to share this with you.

There's something about a favorite color.

I actually have two favorite colors. Besides this beautiful orange color, my first favorite color was a bright gold, bus yellow, color.

Love, love, love that color. In fact I have it on my doctorshannon.com website. I love that yellow color. I had a truck this color at one time. It's a favorite.

We all have favorites. We all have those things we like and love. Do not take them for granted. Don't take those things that make you feel happy - even the simple things in life - for granted.

Intentionally look for them. Intentionally give thanks for them, and pay attention. Intentionally surround yourself with those things that make you feel happy inside. Those simple, little things.

We know so many things about other people. We know what their favorite food is, their favorite napkin color, color, number, or whatever.

BUT…

When was the last time you sat down with yourself, and asked…

"Hey, SELF, what's your favorite color? Food? Number? Letter in the alphabet? Your favorite thing to do? Song? Band? Book? Author? Director? Restaurant? Place to vacation? Your favorite person? Your favorite word? What most inspires you? What's your favorite dream? Thought? Desire? What IS the desire of your heart? What makes your heart sing? What makes you feel happy?"

I'd encourage you today - for your very SACRED S.O.L. STEP - to sit down with your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E. JOURNAL (Daily Action To Engage with yourself.)

Write down:

1. This is what makes me feel happy… 2. This is what I like… 3. This is what I love…

This is what I call my LOVE JOURNAL. (Things that I love and like.) Write it all down. Whatever it is.

Save it for the days when you don't feel that happy, or you don't feel like you're loving much - when you've kinda lost that loving feeling. You can grab your LOVE JOURNAL…Your SACRED S.O.L. D.A.T.E. JOURNAL, and look back onto today and be reminded of what you LIKE, LOVE, and MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPY.

Please come over to WomenSippingOnLife.com and let me know YOUR FAVORITE COLOR.

I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for being here, sipping on life, and paying attention to what makes your heart sing.

I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

xo Dr. Shannon. Inspiring minds that want to grow and hearts that want to know, so you can love you, your life, and your life's work well. ONE SIP AT A TIME.

A special thanks to the following souls for helping me launch our WOMEN SIPPING ON LIFE podcast…

Intro/Outro done by Uni V. SOL

Outro music by Jay Man: Mind Over Matter (www.ourmusicbox.com)

Podcast cover design and web site done by: Pablo Aguilar (www.webdesigncreator.com)

Podcast cover photo by Kate Montague of KM Captured (www.kmcaptured.com)