A book on my kitchen table did something to my brain

Core Article: A book on my kitchen table did something to my brain

Paragraphs I’m Pondering: “Trust the timing of your life.”

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire: “Every action I take…”

Cool Stuff: You won’t believe this article – “A Giant Fatberg is flinging…”

A book on my kitchen table did something to my brain

As I reached for the handle on my cup of coffee, my arm brushes against a book that’s on the kitchen table, and as I take a sip, I smile cuz I do love this sweet space.

We built this breakfast nook in the corner of the kitchen a year ago, with amazing views of the mountains, and it’s my go-to inspirational space.

After I put my coffee cup down, I glance over the table to see what book my arm brushed against, and it’s the one my spouse is currently reading.

I smile to myself cuz she told me a few days ago that she’s slowing down her reading so it won’t end.

It’s called The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow. (I’d highly recommend it.)

I know that feeling, the end of an inspirational book, movie, podcast, article, story, conversation, and more, and there’s something about not wanting “it” to end, whether it’s a physical thing, a feeling, or something deeper.

If you’ve ever felt that, you know what I’m talking about.

Because my spouse has talked about this book so much, I want to read it now.

Yet, I am only gonna flip through it as I know it’s best not to start until she is done.

As I crack the cover open of this well-loved and worn book, I glance down at the first page, and the prose jumps out at me.

It’s like I am enveloped in a story within a story about doors that aren’t really doors, how they are, and can be actual gateways to something different, something else, something new.

The stories of doors that are bridges to new worlds, thoughts, adventures, and new ideas.

And cuz my brain immediately starts thinking about how you and I can use this door metaphor inspired by the author… I realize it could mean something bigger in my work/life and yours.

A door could be a new idea, story, conversation, or even a new version of you that’s ready to be upgraded, setting a big goal to move forward, or make a new connection.

I love it when anything that I come upon and start reading or listening to starts to create little sparks. And the more I think about it, the more it becomes like fireworks in that part of my brain that just can’t stop spinning.

It’s like an explosion of ideas that I can’t control. Yet I know I have to stay focused, or I will lose what sparked it all in the first place.

Then there’s the part that nobody really tells you about, which is that the spark is often the easy part, and the next part is what happens right after, when that idea wants something from you.

Now you’re standing there with your hand on the doorknob, questioning whether you have the courage now to open that door.

You know that moment your hand is on the doorknob, that’s when something you care about stops being an idea and starts telling you it’s time to show up and open the door.

Then your mind immediately begins the negotiations – the timing, energy, risk, the “what if I do it wrong?,” or “what if nobody cares?,” and “what if I care too much and I fail?”

Even when opening that door is the thing you want, the part of you that loves safety will try to keep you in the hallway, where everything stays theoretical and the same.

I want to give you a way to open the door without turning it into a big, dramatic project, because creativity doesn’t need a three-hour block and the perfect ambiance to start digging in.

Here’s a tiny ritual that you can do today in 15 minutes or less.

Pick one door you keep touching in your mind, the one you keep thinking about when you’re in the shower, driving, scrolling through your phone, or staring at your computer.

Set a timer for fifteen minutes. That’s all you’re going to gonna whatever is behind that door.

Make one small thing on purpose, one messy paragraph, an honest outreach, one voice memo, a list of next steps, or a list of tools or support you need. Maybe you can create a rough sketch or an outline. Just one small step that shows you’re in motion.

Stop when the timer goes off. If you want to keep going, then keep going! If you want to stop after fifteen minutes, leave yourself a note for tomorrow that says, “Start here.”

That’s it.

What I find is that courage tends to show up after your hand moves, not before, which is really quite annoying and also kind of freeing once you’ve opened the door.

Let me ask you this in the simplest way, like we’re sitting right here at my breakfast nook table:

What door are you touching right now, the one you keep thinking about and then quietly walking past?

If you want, hit reply and tell me in one sentence or one word, no backstory required, no making it sound smart, no fixing it before you send.

I’ll be right here, and next week I’m going to share more about what to do when we’re both standing at the doorknob, when we want to create, and the brain gives us 10 other tasks instead. I find it’s always good to have a little company when we’re at the doorknob. 🙂

Hands at your back.

Always,

Shannon

Paragraphs I’m Pondering

“When we make a habit of acting on the interests arising out of our authentic passions, our enthusiasm can open doors before we even realize the potential that lies beyond them.”
― Marian Deegan, Relevance: Matter More

“Trust the timing of your life. Keep focusing on putting one foot in front of the other, be kind, and follow your heart. Doors will open effortlessly, but first you have to be ready to walk through.”
― Brittany Burgunder

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire

“In each breath, I am fully present, grounded, and deeply connected to this moment.”
“I joyfully embrace new challenges, knowing that each step I take elevates my business to remarkable heights.”
“Every action I take aligns with my soul’s purpose, crafting a meaningful legacy that uplifts everyone I’m in contact with.”

Cool Stuff

How and why do the Olympics keep that torch lit? Yep, I think it’s time we knew about this.
And now that I’m deep into why questions: when we have to go change and put on a pair of pants, why do we even say “pair of pants?” Isn’t that covered when we say “pants”? Hmmm, you know what to do.
This title just about floored me. I bet you the writer was doing high fives, being able to publish this story: “A Giant Fatberg Is Flinging ‘Poo Balls’ At Sydney’s Coastline.” Ummmm, yeah, there’s more. I know you want to check it out, not to worry, I won’t know or dare tell.

Weekly Photos

This week was rather interesting; the hearts were kind of everywhere. And I just shared two pics that were my favorites. I love this one cuz it’s the top half of a heart, buried in the dirt. And I like its burnt, orangy-red, and white color.
There are mountains wherever you look in our town. And I love to take pics of them with all their snow on top. This is Mt. Lassen. It’s only 10, 462 feet tall. The tallest mountain in this area is Shasta at 14,179 feet.
This is kind of cool. I saw this on my early morning walk. Look at the bottom of this photo, towards the middle. See the tall, pointy lone tree next to the roofline? Follow it upwards. Do you see the bottom point of what looks like a heart in the clouds? That lone tree is pointing at it. A heart-shaped cloud, I think that’s a first for me. Yep, welcome to my heart world. 🙂 xox Maybe it was Emma playing in the clouds, letting me know she was ok.
That’s the spouse and me hanging out in Mt. Shasta. The city has grown a bit since we’ve been there. Some cool shops and everything Lemurian, St. Germain, and lots of crystals.
And I love how we can hop in the car, drive 90 minutes, and see snow in the winter. That’s a picture of our drive to Mt. Shasta’s ski area.
This is one of Mt. Shasta’s big ski runs; it was packed that day. No skiing for us, we had more exploring to do in the city.
Yep, there she is, Mt. Shasta in all her 14k + feet snow-filled glory. I do love snapping pics from the car. And nope, I’m not usually driving, so we’re safe. 🙂

NEW: P.S. New Invitation – I’m going to launch my next Soulful Marketing Accelerator Co-hort in late February. 🙂 If you’re longing for like-minded community and ready to move through your fears to grow a purpose–driven business rooted in authenticity and aligned with your dream clients… Welllll. Go here to be first in line when I reopen the doors again. Would love to have you.

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1. Make Money Now Sheet – It’s one of the bonuses in my 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. I wanted to give it to you for free to help you create more success.

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