Lessons from the Birth Canal

Posted on June 4, 2014June 4, 2014 by Sandi Amorim

As I wrote this post, Deva Premal chanted in the background; a prayer to Ganesh, remover of obstacles. This chant has been my constant companion the past month as I prepared for the business of birthing.

Creating. Launching. Birthing.

And exhausting – for it feels like I have given birth, and been birthed at the same time.

Yes, I love a good paradox.

ges·ta·tion n.

1. The period of development in the uterus from conception until birth.
2. The conception and development of a plan or an idea in the mind.

In this case, the gestation period was two years.

“Human beings are not born once and for all on the day their mothers give birth to them, but…life obliges them over and over again to give birth to themselves.” – Gabriel García Márquez

Continue reading →

You Gotta Have Faith

Posted on May 9, 2012April 16, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 28 Conversations

Any endeavour, business or otherwise, calls for faith.

And it’s an odd thing for me to be talking about because faith and I, well, we’ve not had the best relationship.

faith

1. strong or unshakeable belief in something, especially without proof or evidence
2. a specific system of religious beliefs
3. complete confidence or trust in a person, remedy, etc.
4. any set of firmly held principles or beliefs

Let’s start with the word unshakeable. I’m not sure I have unshakeable faith in anything. I blame the part of me that’s a longtime skeptic. It’s in my nature to question everything.

Then there’s definition #2. The impact of a confusing relationship with religion growing up lead me to decline anything remotely related to it ever since, including its jargon.

Moving on to #3. . .complete confidence or trust; whoa, kind of like unshakeable, this one awakens the skeptic!

Last but not least #4, with its firmly held set of principles or beliefs. Hmm, perhaps this one I can relate to.

So what’s got me riffing on faith anyway?

Today was the first day of Summer Camp, where we gathered ’round the virtual campfire and got right to the challenge of launching and growing a business. And not just any business. I’m talking world-changing business.

World. Changing. Business.

I don’t say those words lightly, especially in the online world of over promising and under delivering.

Continue reading →

Your Words Are Heard

Posted on June 10, 2011April 16, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 11 Conversations

I’ve been thinking a lot about the World Domination Summit.

It would be a gross understatement to say it rocked me to the core, in ways both expected and surprising.

Surprising in that I noticed where I still hold back.

That there’s another layer. Opening deeper, embracing more, living in the now.

It’s a practice.

Ongoing till my last breath.

“Spiritual practice is like eating for the heart.” – Mark Silver

Opening as a practice.

Opening and expressing.

Why I’m here.

Purpose. Mission. Path.

Call it what you will.

I call it my heart’s desire.

I’m here to create a supernova-like collision that cracks open your brilliance so it becomes impossible not to take action on what’s important in your life.

I’m here to kick your ass and love you more than socially acceptable, because you were born to shine.

Now. Not someday.

Today.

Because there’s no time like the present and deathbed regrets suck.

Your words are heard.

So right now, in this moment what would you say about your heart’s desire?

Say it now in the comments below.

The Practice of NO

Posted on May 5, 2011March 19, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 21 Conversations

Ever notice how Italians say “No” with attitude?

It’s a big, decisive, full-bodied NO.

Curl your tongue to form a strong N.

Follow with a short punchy O.

Learning to say no with this kind of surety is the best way to say good-bye to overwhelm and resentment.

Because here’s the thing you’ve been avoiding. . .

How did you get to this point?

It’s not tough to figure out. I’ll bet you said yes quickly and without much thought. Yeah, I know. I’ve done it too.

You’re probably inundated every day. Requests, favours, tasks and a never-ending to-do list. It’s so damn easy to get caught up in saying yes.

(Which frequently sounds like, “sure, no problem, yup, any time” said with a weary smile on your face.)

I used to be a yes gal – an automatic “let me help you with your project/job search/relationship/fill-in-the-blank” frickin’ YES!

I admit it.

I love helping others, I’m easily inspired, and YES felt pretty damn good!

Until it didn’t.

Continue reading →

Crushing on Men With Pens

Posted on February 18, 2011April 9, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 12 Conversations

James Chartrand got my attention early on in my foray into social media. I was intrigued by her humour, wit and presence, whether on a Men With Pens blog post or in a 140 character tweet.

And yes, you read that right.

Her story is both shocking and inspiring, and like many who commented on this initial reveal, I was surprised that it’s still an issue in this century.

The tagline for this series is Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things, and James is a perfect example of what I mean by that.

She did what needed to be done – to raise a family, have a successful and fulfilling career, and thrive in a society that still takes issue with gender.

What’s uncommon is that she did it without fanfare. She simply did what it took.

The lesson in that IS extraordinary.

It’s easy to let circumstances stop you. At some point, you’ve probably thought, “It’s not the right time to…start a business, pursue your dream, commit to a relationship” etc.

Newsflash: It’s NEVER the right time. The circumstances and your reasons will always be there. That’s life. But you can choose to focus on what you want instead. Reasons or results. Choose.

That’s the part of James’ story that really inspires me. She had a lot of reasons – to play small, get a job and survive. But she didn’t. She took a bold, gauntlet-has-been-thrown stand for living life on her terms.

Continue reading →

Fuck the Lizard Brain

Posted on July 29, 2010March 14, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 89 Conversations

My lizard brain is saying:

Don’t do it! Don’t blow your momentum. . .

with a silly post
by swearing
lots of other crazy, lizardy chatter

Fuck the lizard brain.

Since launching this blog life has been intense. Taking on the 31 Day Build a Better Blog challenge added fuel to the fire already burning and it was getting HOT!

So my guy and I packed a picnic dinner and headed down to the beach with our books. Continue reading →

Quit Monkeying Around

Posted on May 17, 2010March 14, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 15 Conversations

Until recently, I’ve spent a lot of time wondering if I was on the right track with my business. Was this powerful self-reflection on my part?

No.

It was just my ol’ friend Lizard Brain, lurking in that dark, scary part of my mind, doing its best to stop me from pursuing something it deemed risky or unsafe.

For months I’ve been seized by a lethargy created by having too many options – similar to standing in front of an all-you-can-eat buffet. And like the aforementioned buffet, this may seem appealing at first. . .until heartburn sets in.

Is it possible to have too many options?

Absolutely!

Enter the monkey mind: Continue reading →

Igniting revolution from the inside out.

Business Development

Lessons from the Birth Canal

You Gotta Have Faith

Any endeavour, business or otherwise, calls for faith.

faith

So what’s got me riffing on faith anyway?

Your Words Are Heard

I’m here to create a supernova-like collision that cracks open your brilliance so it becomes impossible not to take action on what’s important in your life.

I’m here to kick your ass and love you more than socially acceptable, because you were born to shine.

Today.

The Practice of NO

Crushing on Men With Pens

Fuck the Lizard Brain

My lizard brain is saying:

Quit Monkeying Around