Inspired Elephant - Blog

First Impressions Aren't Everything

10/29/2019

Do you trust your first impression of someone you meet?

From experience I have learned that first impressions can be wrong.

Truth be told, two of my best friends (who after 25+ years of friendship I consider them sisters) thought I was kind of a bitch the first time we met. So glad they got past that first impression!

Most people want to make a good first impression, so they play out a script (good or bad) depending on the audience or situation.

But most times they are the opposite or maybe some where more in the middle from who they presented.

First impressions can leave us with a feeling of how we think about someone, but that is usually a very superficial presentation. To really know how we feel we must work on getting beneath the surface and finding out more about them.

This tendency to make initial judgments, positive or negative, can prevent us from making some great connections or have us enduring relationships much longer than we should.

I invite you to look past your first encounters. Because, it takes more than first impressions to get true insight into a person.

We are all bigger and more complicated then one single moment in time.

Has your first impression ever been wrong? Would love to hear about it in the comments below.

xo
Cher

Vision is Everything

10/22/2019

Hello Heard!

This weekend we’re hosting our last Vision Board session for 2019 so where taking a moment to answer some questions that have been bubbling up as we approach the event.

What is a vision board?
Have you found yourself in a place where it seems like you’ve lost your focus? Have you given up on your goals or failed to make any at all? Don’t settle for a mediocre life. If you’re caught in a rut, one way you can snap out of it is to create a vision board.

A Vision Board is also known as Dream Board, a Treasure Map, Visual Explorer, and a Creativity Collage. It is a simple visual presentation of things that you want to have, be, or do in your life.

As simple as it may seem, it is one of the most powerful tools for manifesting the life or business you truly want. It can help you realize dreams you’ve abandoned or never started working on. It can also help you stay focused and motivated once you start to move toward your goal. It’s a visual reminder of where you want to be. Because visualization is a powerful tool that can catapult you to the next level in all areas of your life.

Why would you want to create a vision board?
To help make your dreams come true. You can use a vision board to achieve success in as many ways as you define that word: Success in your health, wealth, relationships, career goals — in all aspects of your life.

Why join IE to create your Vision Board?
Because we do all the heavy lifting. We provide all the supplies, the inspiration, yummy treats, the clean-up, and the accountability to make those visions come to life. And, by the end of an IE workshop you’ll have an actual framed board that you can take home with you to display to keep you motivated. We will also arm you with tips and tricks to bring that vision to reality.

Do Vision Boards work?
We are firm believers that vision is everything!! A clear vision board will serve various purposes, some of which also include - identifying & clarifying of your goals, keeping attention on your intentions, and reinforcing daily affirmations. A previous participant of our Vision Board session sums it up perfectly for us:

“When I signed up to do the Inspired Elephant's Vision Board Workshop my expectations were for a fun, ladies afternoon event. I was relaxed, sipping a mimosa and chatting with a friend as I stared to put together my board. What I realized at the end was that, to my surprise, I had created a meaningful collection of feelings, hopes and dreams. And the even better surprise is that a year later many of those subconscious "goals" have become a reality! Kudos to Cher and Carolyn for helping me tap into and clarify my goals in a fun, current and meaningful way! If you haven't already signed up, do it! You won't be disappointed! ” ~ P. Kirin

Where do I sign up?
Our next vision board session will be help this Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM EST
at Creative Twist Events (10 Pearl Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840).

If you're ready to GET FOCUSED on what you REALLY want in life...

If you're ready to IDENTIFY and CLARIFY your goals...

And if you want to HAVE FUN in a supportive atmosphere while doing it...

Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

We hope this answered some questions you may have had about vision boards, or our workshop, and that it encouraged you consider the power of vision boards either at our event or on your own. Please, feel free to comment below with any additional questions or share your personal experience with vision boarding.

With love and big dreams,
C&C

#inspired #lawofattraction #manifesting #visonboards

A Lesson Learned From My Pre-Teen Son

10/14/2019

Recently, my son and I tackled his disaster zone of a room. I kid you not, this day-long task produced: two garbage bags-full for goodwill, a box of books and games to donate, 2 bins of hand-me-downs for friends and not to mention, a sore back for me!

What really amazed me, aside from the mess this pint-sized kid can generate, was that he packed up his trophies and stuffed animals and announced that it was time for them to leave his room. This declaration came toward the end of our clean up.

I was surprised, a little saddened (as he is my baby), and also HUGELY ELATED because I love to purge and #konmari my home. "Are you sure?" I repeatedly asked him. "Yea," he replied matter-of-factly.

The trophies and stuffed animals were a part of his past, attachments that had made him feel safe, happy, and somewhat validated or revered. They represented a part of his past self, the child he was growing out of. By taking them out of his room, my son created space so he can grow into his new, preteen self and fill it with things that represent who he is now or at least, who he wants to be.

During our clean up, he showed me posters he wanted to hang up, mentioned books he wanted to add to his library and vinyls for his record collection. He was changing and wanted his environment to reflect that.

Inspired by my son, I found I had an urge to do some cleaning of my own: I decided to clean up my name.

While I had casually reverted back to my maiden name following my divorce in 2013, it wasn't until this year that I made it official by changing it on my passport, driver's license, bank accounts and credit cards. I even requested they change it at my local dry cleaners.

I can't explain it other than there was this insistent force inside me urging me to do this. And I have to tell you, with each instance of losing the last name I no longer felt attached to, I felt positively elated about having taken care of it. I felt FREE. I, too, was cleaning out remnants of my past self to make space for the new.

Growth and change can only happen when it is given the space to do so.

So growth inevitably involves letting go of something…tangible or not. And, it may even surprise you that you no longer need or want it. This could be true for a comfort item that reminds you of the person you no longer are, or an identity that represents a closed chapter in your life.

Is your soul sending you gentle nudges to make some changes? To let go of the past? We are now officially in autumn, where nature literally shows us how to let go and change, resplendently, and with
ease. With nature as your guide, what can you release to create space? And what would that space invite into your life?

Please share your comments below. We really want to know, and so do our readers!

XO,
Carolyn

Giving Summer Our All

8/1/2019

Happy August, Herd!

We blinked, and suddenly it's almost the end of summer! Before the warm weather slips away, here are our top five easy ideas to wrap up the season so that we go into the fall knowing that we gave summer our all.

1. DINING ALFRESCO
Dining alfresco is one of life's great pleasures, especially when the air is balmy, the breeze mild and the company pleasant. Next outing ask for that patio seating or pack up those homemade meals and hit the backyard or local park.

2. TAKE A TRIP TO THE BEACH
Real, or man made, get yourself to a beach one of these fine days while you still can, before the air gets crisp. Your feet in the sand, a book on your lap and few hours to unplug and recharge.

3. PLAN A ROAD TRIP
You don't have to go far, but maybe try dinner in a town you've never been to before or check out a sunset from a new location. The thrill of the unknown is always a great way to may memories and add excitement to these longer days.

4. ENJOY THE OUTDOORS
Once kids go back in school and daylight starts to wane, we have neither the time nor the energy for outdoor adventures. So the time is now, just step outside. Sit on the deck or walk around the block. Heck, grab a glass of your favorite wine and appreciate this life you’ve built. Raise your glass to your family, your friends and another beautiful summer. Cheers… to the good life!

5. ICE CREAM ADVENTURES
When was the last time you had an honest-to-goodness ice cream cone? Before summer is over, make a date of it and go out for a treat. Find a new local ice cream store or drive those extra miles for your must have favorite. Sure it’s not the healthiest, but a little indulgence every now and then is good for the soul. Plus sweater season is just around the corner ;-)

This is no time to sulk… We’ve got to get inspired and make the most of our last few weeks of the season. Let us know some of your end of summer fun ideas in the comments. We're always looking for some inspiration.

xo,
C&C

Wednesday Motivation

7/24/2019

Happy Wednesday, Herd. Get inspired for the rest of your week with these wonderful ‘hump’ day quotes to push you far past the midweek slump. #Inspired #wednesdaymotivation

What Playground Are You Hanging Out At These Days?

7/19/2019

                                                                                                                                                                                            Hiya Herd,

I want to talk to you today about social media "highlight reels", playgrounds and isolation. It sounds like a crazy combo but allow me to preface it with this:

It’s important to remember that everyone has challenges and struggles and that life is not always how it appears.

When social media feeds showcase everyone’s highlight reels, it’s easy to assume that everyone’s got it better than you. And when you don’t share what’s bringing you down, others can assume you are just fine when in fact, you are not.

When I am faced with challenges, as I have been lately, I tend to go inward. It’s the introvert in me. Recently though, I took it too far and ended up isolating myself and inadvertently pushing away the people who love me most. It wasn’t intentional. Quite honestly, it’s pretty easy to do when juggling work, a side hustle, kids, and other responsibilities. I just found myself there.

Isolation is no joke. Think about it! There is a reason why solitary confinement is considered a form of extreme punishment and drives people to their breaking point.

Now here comes the playground part:

Isolation is the ego’s playground, whereby the ego is the insufferable bully who won’t let you be. It’s a dark, slippery slope where scripts begin to form, and fear sets in your mind. It can even make you forget who you are or how valuable and powerful you are. What the ego won’t tell you is that scripts can always be torn up and rewritten -- anytime you choose. The ego wants you to believe you are powerless when you are anything but.

If isolation is the ego’s playground, then friendship is the soul’s playground. It’s sunny and bright there. It feels safe. It’s reaching out and connecting to others. Unlike isolation, friendship is oneness in its most beautiful form: UNITED -- because life was never intended to be lived alone.

How did I get out of isolation? It took one friend reaching out and just listening. As I poured everything out to her, she repeatedly insisted, “You are so loved. Why are you not reaching out? You are so loved.”

She didn’t try to solve my problem. She didn’t judge it. She echoed those words which drove me to tears. She was right! But I didn’t want to burden anyone. Sharing seemed overwhelming to me because I had let it all build up in my mind.

I had allowed this issue...this obstacle to become bigger than me. And when I would glance at those damned highlight reels on my social media feeds, it just seemed to me that everyone else was on the other playground -- the sunnier one with no bullies. Why would anyone want to listen to my woes? Who could possibly understand when they are whooping it up on their vacations, getting all of their children to smile while looking at the camera? I mean, really, who can do that?!

Soon after that meeting with my friend, our other friends reached out to me. That alone made me feel so supported. Then the Universe got wind of this, and I found myself running into different friends quite randomly: once while out on a run and then again when my friend who lives out of state showed up on my doorstep. Just last week, I was able to catch up with yet another friend whose child happened to be in the same activity as mine.

Sharing struggles with friends may not solve problems, but it makes us feel supported and feel less alone.

When connected with my friends, I feel loved, and when I feel loved, I am pretty fucking invincible. I may not be any further in making my way through a challenge, but I feel so much lighter about it when sharing with my peeps.

The other thing I realized was that the highlight reels were just that. My friends had challenges and struggles of their own. Yes - the very same ones whooping it up with their perfectly smiling families and their amazing vacations. Big, seemingly insurmountable problems - if they were to take them on alone. But we shared, we unloaded, and our combined burdens seemed far less threatening.

No matter what is happening or what our current circumstances are, life does go on. But how it goes on is ultimately up to us.

What has all this taught me? That there is still joy to be had, self-care is our #1 priority and humor, a must. And that baring your soul over a bottle of Veuve with homemade chocolate chip cookies with a friend is not only perfectly acceptable, but strongly recommended.

We cannot let this life break us. We have the privilege of choice. We can choose, from moment to moment, to be happy or grateful or at the very least, appreciate how strong we are. We have the freedom to set boundaries and put our needs first. We can say no and just rest.

We have the power to reach out and pull a friend from the menacing grip of isolation into loving arms.

We are all in this crazy, messy life together and together, we rise, we overcome, and we go on. So please disconnect from those highlight reels and reconnect with your herd. I promise that as soon as you do, you’ll find yourself on that sunnier playground no matter what you are dealing with.

If any of you can you relate, please leave a comment below and share as much detail as possible in your reply. Members of our herd come here each week for insight and inspiration. Your story may help someone else find the courage to reach out.

Thank you so much for reading and sharing. Your support matters more than you know!

Much love,
Carolyn

How to become a Master Manifestor: It begins with CLARITY!

5/21/2019

Hello Sweet Visionary,

As a co-creator, your power is infinite. You can create that which you CLEARLY envision, and the only limitation is your own imagination.

Did you get that? The limits you have in your life are created by the limits you place in your mind.
How big are your dreams? How clear are they? Do they come with conditions? Do they get pushed aside, taking second place to all the issues and problems that you don’t want?

We get it. Been there! And because we love our Herd, we’d like to share our 5 Step Practice for becoming a Master Manifestor:

Get clear. Clarity is key because you don’t want your dreams getting mixed up with your piles of dirty laundry that need addressing. Declutter your mind and focus on the dream.
Remove limits. Never place conditions or limits on your dreams. You want the house with pool and tennis courts but are dreaming about the cute 3 BR cape on the corner because the taxes are lower and well that just seems a lot more realistic? Seriously?! Go big or go home, Girl.
See it. Feel it. Smell it. Know it. You’ve got to not only picture it, but you’ve got to FEEL it. Use all your God-given senses for this one. What does it feel like to strut into that house and know that it’s yours? What’s that you hear? Strains of salsa music coming from the pool? Oh that must be Pepe, your hot pool boy gearing up for your salsa lesson with mojito in hand. How’s that for imagination?
Practice, practice, practice. How did Mozart become a virtuoso? How did Edison perfect the light bulb? Practice, People! It takes dedication and repetition to fine-tune your imagination into a manifesting machine.
Top it all off with a dollop of gratitude. Always be grateful. Never entitled! Like you’ve won the Price is Right. Every. Single. Day.

That right there, my friend, is your magic elixir for manifesting. Want to try it out for yourself?
We’ve taken this practice and put it into a workshop called Writing for Clarity. We take you through a dual-part exercise that allows you to get crystal clear on your visions. Honestly, Windex could not do a better job! Once we have clarity, we guide you through each of the remaining steps to your very own Desire Statements. We cannot stress enough that Clarity is key here. All the following steps’ power is compromised when you are not clear. And trust us, we’ll get you there! And we end with a fun and surprising gratitude exercise.

Think of it as a Vision Board workshop but with words. Writing is so cathartic. It’s amazing what you can draw out or realize when you put pen to paper. If you’ve done our Vision Board Workshops, this is a fantastic complement to it and we invite you to bring your boards with you!
And it never hurts to bring a friend. Or two.

Register here.

With love and big dreams,
Carolyn & Cher

P.S. Pepe sends his love!

#inspired #co-creator #lawofattraction #manifesting

Yes, You Too Can Pursue Your Passion! Join Us To Learn How

4/30/2019

Yesterday while sneaking in a quickie manicure, I had the good fortune of running into one of our upcoming panelists for our May Sister talk: From Hobby to Hustles ...The Life Changing Realities and Possibilities of a Side Hustle

If you don’t know Phaedra, she’s got that effortlessly stylish thing going on whether while getting her nails done or cheering on her kids on a field. An oncology nurse by day, full-time mom and wife, Phaedra side- hustles for her passion which is fashion. As a Stella & Dot Stylist, she gets to fulfill a desire that is otherwise left unmet in her day to day.

Are you jonesing for something that’s not in your life right now?
What is it?
Wouldn’t it be nice to pursue it and make some $$ on the side?
What’s holding you back? Fear? Lack of time? A boatload of excuses???

If you are remotely curious or maybe you've even started a side gig for yourself, please come hear Phaedra (and our other awesome panelists!) as they share their experience, wisdom and if we are lucky, Phaedra's fashion tips with our Herd on Tuesday, May 14th from 7-9 at Creative Twist Events. After the panel discussion, there will be plenty of time for mingling with other like-minded souls.

Haven’t registered yet? RSVP here!

XO,
Carolyn

#sidehustle #pursueyourpassion #inspired #sistertalks

How To Refuel Your Soul Tank with Self-Compassion

4/27/2019

It's finally Spring! A beautiful but hectic time of year where we tend to say YES to everything because we've been cooped up too darned long.

As women, we tend to take it ALL on.... career, family, home, volunteer work, etc. And if you are like most women, you likely extend compassion, kindness and loving care to your family friends and colleagues on a regular basis no matter what time of year. It's no joke how far and continuously we extend our committed, caring selves to our obligations and loved ones.

But let me ask you this: When you experience feelings of insecurity, overwhelm or hurt, do you treat YOURSELF with the same loving care?

If you are like me or most women I know, the answer is no. But here is why we should: Research indicates that self-compassion reduces depression and anxiety by replacing self-judgment with self-acceptance. When we soothe and comfort ourselves in the midst difficult emotions and juggling too much, we no longer get lost in the rabbit hole of shame and inadequacy but take refuge in the safety of our own loving care. We become happier and more satisfied with our lives as a result.

Say what?

I'll say it again. We become happier and more satisfied with our lives as a result.

Self-compassion also empowers us to proactively cope with life's challenges. Whether we're talking career upsets, divorce, illness or parenting challenges, the big SC provides us with the resilience needed to stand loving and strong without getting overwhelmed. It motivates us to keep going even after major setbacks, building up grit and perseverance in the face of adversity.

It refuels our Soul Tank.

So Ladies, how about we show ourselves some Self-Compassion?

In tomorrow's Guided Meditation for Self-Compassion, you'll refuel your Soul Tank so you can keep on being the Superwoman you are.

At 3:30 pm on Sunday, April 28th, in the serenity of Maria Manjelo Photography Studio in picturesque Metuchen, NJ, we'll take you on a journey where you'll be given opportunity after opportunity to treat yourself with the same warmth, understanding, and compassion as you would for a hurt child, an infirm loved one or your best friend facing a devastating loss.

We'll hold ourselves with love - validating, soothing and comforting our own pain so that we can observe it without being consumed by it.

Sister, this isn't a one-time, feel-good thing. We are going to teach you this meditation so you can do it for yourself over and over again. This is a tool you can use whenever you need to refuel your soul's tank.

So won't you join us?

It's an hour out of your life on a Sunday afternoon before the onslaught of Monday Madness to take care of the one that keeps it all together for everyone else. It's time to take good care of YOU because nothing is as important as your well-being. You're a precious soul and the glue of your family, the backbone of your organization, the head cheerleader for your kids and the uber-volunteer of the year and God knows what else. It's time to treat yourself that way.

RSVP, guilt-free, right here. Trust us! Your loved ones, your commitments will all thank you for it!

With Zen Love,

Carolyn & Cher

P.S. Know anyone who needs some loving self-care? Please forward this email to them. Details are below. All are welcome!

Guided Meditation for Self-Compassion
Sunday, April 28, 2019; 3:30 PM
Maria Manjelo Photography Studio
312 Main Street
Metuchen, NJ 08840

Is Technology Running Your Life?

4/8/2019

Do you remember the days when you only checked into a hotel, liked more things than just a status update or photo, and tweeting was something left to the birds?

Or how about this scenario? You are drafting an e-mail while handling a text message, taking that urgent call and perusing your social media notifications. Oh yeah, and in the midst of this, your child asks you something you can't seem to process....for the third time in a row. Yes? Me too. More often than I care to admit.

It's a little daunting to think how quickly technology has wiggled itself into our day to day living. It's meant to help us be more efficient. More connected. But are we really?

By adopting this 'always on, anywhere, anytime, any-place mentality' that our devices provide, we exist in a constant state of hazy alertness, scanning the world without giving any of it our full attention. This 'connection' not only saps our ability to concentrate, but adds stress and strain to our lives.

Think about it. How can we be fully engaged or 'in the moment' if we are on the phone, texting, checking social media or responding to an email?

Sure we're 'connected' but today's rate of digital consumption is like guzzling from a fire hose. Rings, beeps, alerts - -it's too much, all at once and if you are not careful, IT IS CONSTANT.

So how do we take back control in this hyper-digital age? How can we stop living in such a REACTIVE manner... without becoming a TECHNO-HERMIT???

Never fear! We are going to tackle this issue together at our upcoming Sister Talk on Tuesday, April 8th at Creative Twist Events. For this Sister Talk, we have a panel lined up for you featuring three women with varying approaches to digital use.

We will explore:

Our biggest struggles with technology
Separating personal digital use from professional and ways to do so PROACTIVELY
Recognizing when we need a Digital Detox or at least, unplug for a bit
Top tips and tricks for making technology work for you instead you being a slave to it

Join us. You'll be grateful! By learning to create a more MINDFUL relationship with your devices, you empower yourself to create a healthy and sustainable foundation for your own personal wellness, relationships, career and overall happiness.

Or maybe you already have an approach to dealing with digital overwhelm. Please join us and share your journey and success with us! Your suggestion can be someone else's breakthrough!

So pause all those alerts and RSVP Today. And then you can put your Do Not Disturb on!

With so much love,
Carolyn & Cher