What if, at first, we got really clear on how we actually wanted to feel in our life and then laid out our intentions? What if your most desired feelings consciously informed how you plan your day, your year, your career, your holidays — your life?

That’s the crux of creating your Desire Map and it’s a process I’m guiding a group of women through in a day-long workshop/retreat on Saturday, April 4th, in Louisville.

Registration is open and I want you to be there. This is the golden ticket — it’s poetic- meets-practical life planning.

Each day this week, I will share one of my five Core Desired Feelings and what that looks like in “real life” for me. On deck today? Strong.

strong
1. capable of great power
2. in good or sound health, robust
3. powerfully effective

For many years, I wouldn’t have described myself as a strong woman. I really wanted to be that way, but I believed I was too sensitive. Too much of a pleaser.

And because I have managed some degree of anxiety and depression most of my life, I have battled my thoughts like “something is wrong with me” or “am I ever going to know I’m okay?”

But what I have learned is that those two things — my big heart along with facing the shadow sides of myself — are the foundation of my strength.

I am strong because I have a willingness to understand those parts of myself and channel what I learn into a source of power in my life. I share what I know with others so they tap into this for themselves.

And of course, there is physical strength. I’m almost shy about this facet of strength; but my passion for it shines brighter than my tendency to shut it down (because I think I talk about it too much).

Actually, I have come to understand that I can’t talk about it enough. Our bodies are miracles. They’re a gift. Moving your body is a way of honoring yourself — and God or Spirit, if that speaks to you.

Let me say that I’m not exactly doing pushups or tuck jumps and saying a prayer of gratitude at the same time; but I do connect with a very raw and essential part of myself when it all comes down to breath, motion and my mind.

It is like medicine for me — it clears my head and releases energy or stress that I need to let go of each day.

If you would have told me years ago that I would be in the best shape of my life near my mid-40s, I would have been more than skeptical. But I am. And it feels really, really good. And I’m really proud of it. Feeling proud of yourself is exhilarating.

I am one of those moms who flexes and tells her teenage daughter to feel her bicep. Almost daily. Lol.

I am a woman who burst into tears one day with her trainer in the gym when she caught a glimpse of her back muscles in a mirror.

I am a woman who knows that my mental strength and resilience are directly connected to how much I move my body. When that came together for me in the past couple of years, I knew I was unstoppable in just about any area of my life. 

• Would you characterize yourself as a strong person? Why or why not?

• What’s an area of your life where you feel you fall short or are weak? Now look at it again and define what’s strong about your perceived weakness.

• What does having a strong, healthy body mean to you? Why is or isn’t it important?