How much have you been consuming about what happened in TX?

How has it made you feel?

Is that how you want to feel? If not, then stop.

Seriously.

If it's making you feel like crap, please don’t do that to yourself. And by the way, no judgement here - because I used to do that too.

The world needs you to be YOU in all your magical, magnificent glory. You can't be that if you continue to do things that make you feel badly and "lower your vibration."

I know so many of us want to be informed, but when does that desire to simply be informed become something else that may not actually be healthy for us?

Sometimes turning everything off, ending the conversations, and focusing on that which brings you joy and light is what YOU need the most - because that version of you is likely exactly what the worlds needs. Probably now more than ever.

So do what you need to do to feel good. Do what you need to do so that you can show up in the world the way you need, and want, to.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @awakentheextraordinary on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or Heart It or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you!

Oh - and one last thing! You can also share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @awakentheextraordinary and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and appreciate YOU!

I couldn't NOT share my thoughts on what happened. I, like many people, am feeling a lot of things right now.

At the time this episode was recorded, there wasn't a lot of information available. So some information about the details may not be 100% accurate.

But this episode isn't so much about the details of this tragedy, as much as it is a conversation (with myself) about trauma, its impact on us, and how more needs to be done in terms of trauma healing and mental health wellness. And a little speculation on my part as to why that may not be happening.

I believe any act of violence is a symptom of something else going on. And if you don't address the root cause - what someone is struggling with will find some way to manifest itself.

Tragedies like these rock us to our core. I hope you take whatever time you need to process, and amidst tragedy - there is always beauty to be found. So I encourage you to look for more of that in your life over these next few days.

Have you ever been axe throwing?

If you haven’t, I highly recommend it. You feel like a total badass. I mean…you’re throwing AXES! It’s hard to NOT feel like a badass when you’re hurling a weapon through the air for sport.

And - it’s FUN! 

But it can also be a bit like - “Whoa. Yes I’m hurling a weapon through the air but at the same time…I’M HURLING A WEAPON THROUGH THE AIR!”

It can be fun, for sure. And anxiety inducing? Yep. That too.

Think about this though - how often do you have fun just for the sake of having fun?

And how often does that fun bump you just a bit (or maybe a lot) beyond your comfort zone?

I challenge you to find something that does both - and then go DO IT!

You might be amazed at how much that boosts your confidence - whether you’re good at it or not!

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @awakentheextraordinary on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or Heart It or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you!

Oh - and one last thing! You can also share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @awakentheextraordinary and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and appreciate YOU!

Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to say something, but you don't know exactly what to say?

That was me with this episode. Usually finding words is no problem for me, but not with this one. I'm feeling lots of things right now, and articulating them was a struggle.

We all have highs and lows, and I think this is just one of my low times. And it's OK - I know it won't last.

And I'm totally not trying to be a buzzkill here...but if you ever have moments where you struggle - I hope this helps you feel less alone.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @awakentheextraordinary on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or Heart It or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you!

Oh - and one last thing! You can also share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @awakentheextraordinary and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and appreciate YOU!

Have you heard the term "filter shaming?"

Neither have I. I made it up for this episode.

But it's become a real thing! I see people shaming others on Instagram for using filters and I'm just like "enough already!"

First of all, shaming other people is a crappy thing to do and it needs to stop.

Second, who cares if someone else chooses to use a filter? They have their reasons for doing so, and in this episode I tell you mine. Because I use filters about 99% of the time.

I don't believe it's anyone's responsibility to NOT use filters because others "are looking at us" and in using them, we're "helping to create an unrealistic expectation of what true 'beauty' is."

I also don't believe that using filters means we that don't love and accept ourselves as we are.

What I DO believe is this:

• It's OK if you want to use a filter.
• It's OK if you don't want to use a filter.

And I also believe:

• It's OK if you don't wear makeup.
• It's OK if you do wear makeup.
• It's OK if you don't use fillers, botox, and/or have had plastic surgery.
• It's OK if you do use fillers, botox, and/or have had plastic surgery.

Last time I checked, this was your life to live. And as long as you're not out to hurt anyone, I think it's totally OK to live it on your terms, and do so in a way that makes you happy.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @awakentheextraordinary on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or Heart It or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you!

Oh - and one last thing! You can also share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @awakentheextraordinary and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

I'm just gonna say it - even if you don't watch Hallmark, I'm pretty sure you'll want to to listen to this episode.

Dara Alston is an entrepreneur, author and host of the "Dear Hallmark" podcast, which is how I came to know of her existence, which I am SO thankful for!

Dara is "extra personified" - her words - and it's in the best possible way.

In this conversation, we talk about faith, courage, believing in yourself and accepting yourself as you are. And of course...we talk about Hallmark. And Tyler Hynes. LOTS of Tyler Hynes!

So put everything else on hold as you listen to this fun and insightful conversation with Dara Alston. And yep - just like Arnold, she'll "be back." I promise you.

Follow Dara on Instagram @dearhallmark. You can also find her on YouTube at Dear Hallmark.

"Chasing Wind" is available on Amazon.

"Inhale" is available at Barnes & Noble Press & Kindle.

"Moon Talks" is available on Kindle.

If you loved this episode, please let me know! And let Dara know! Share it in your Stories on Instagram and tag us: @dearhallmark and @awakentheextraordinary!

And if YOU have a story to tell, I want to hear it! Reach out to me on Instagram or email me at [email protected].

I know - you're probably looking at this title going "huh?"

Allow me to elaborate.

Mother's Day is a day typically spent mushing over our moms, thanking them for raising us, for always being there for us, for showing us what unconditional love is. Many of us have moms who are one of the brightest stars in our sky.

But some of us don't have those warm-hearted feelings for our mothers. Some of us don't hear birds sing or get the warm fuzzies when we think about our moms. And for those of us who label our relationships with our mothers as "It's Complicated" - Mother's Day can be an emotionally difficult one. And that sucks.

If you're curious and want to hear more...take a listen. It's a short one. ;)

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @awakentheextraordinary on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or Heart It or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you!

Oh - and one last thing! You can also share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @awakentheextraordinary and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and appreciate YOU!

Remember that drama at the Oscars, with Will Smith & Chris Rock?

Yeah - I know it happened a bit ago, but I'm not here to gossip. I'm here to talk about what I think we SHOULD be talking about.

This was about more than someone just losing his temper.

It was about reacting instead of responding.

It was about how childhood trauma dictates much of how we show up in the world.

It was about how more healing needs to be done.

It was about us as humans needing to have more compassion towards each other, and ourselves.

Because we're not perfect. Any of us.

If you like this episode, share it! If you like the podcast, rate it on Spotify or Apple, and maybe leave a review (but only if it's good! ;) ). Just kidding...or am I?

Seriously - if you liked this episode, I DO want to know. Send me a DM @awakentheextraordinary on Instagram, or email me at Kristi @awakentheextraordinary.com.

How OK are you with...YOU?

Do you accept yourself as you are, or do you wish you were something other than who you truly are?

When we look at other people, and we try to be more like them versus who we truly are, at our core - we're doing ourselves a disservice, and we're doing the world a disservice.

The fact that you exist is a miracle. And miracles don't happen for no reason.

So embrace who you know you are at your core - because no one can be a better you....than YOU.

If you like this episode, let me know! You can leave a review on Apple (which I'd really love), "heart it" on Spotify, and/or send me a DM on Instagram @awakentheextraordinary.

If you know someone else who would like this episode, please share it with them!

We've all heard how most people WANT to be needed, right?

But do you ever get tired of being needed by others?

Your family needs you. Your day job needs you. You're needed to pay bills. You're needed by your child when you're trying to poop in peace or taking a long, hot shower.

You're needed to remember appointments and do laundry and schedule family outings and get-togethers with your girlfriends. Your dog wants to hang out in your lap and your cat's standing on your chest, demanding to be fed.

But when do your needs come into play? YOUR needs and YOUR wants?

If you've ever felt this way, I encourage you to give this one a listen. Because if you do feel this way friend...you're not alone.

If you like this episode, please share it, review it, and then let me know! I just may send you a little sumpin' sumpin' as a "thank you!"

Follow me @awakentheextraordinary on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].