What's calling you?

A job is great

it pays the bills

careers achieve our goals

But a calling

fans the flame within

fills the hole

inside our souls

This is going to be a short post (relatively) because it's really a teaser to inspire new viewers to check out some other places, previous posts, my poetry book (!), a few really incredible fb groups, etc. (Links to all at the end.) This post is about the voices that call us, like the voice that calls Elsa in Frozen II, like the voice that talks to Lizzie McGuire in that old Disney tv show, like the gut feeling that whispers do this or do that or sometimes... don't.  

We are all called to think and say and do all kinds of things. Not everyone knows their "true calling", but maybe you've heard that little nudge in your heart, and maybe following its advice will take you one step closer. 

Above is an excerpt from a poem called "Calling" and there's plenty more where that came from.

When nature calls, in whatever way that manifests, heed the call. 

Take it from someone who shat their pants literally and figuratively, don't wait.

I challenge you to try

Xoxo 

Mama Gali

Book link - (it would mean the world if you'd leave an amazon review, any length, any feedback, thanks in advance)

Previous blog post - take an extra minute, it's worth reading.

We Tell Stories - This is a Facebook group that is ... incredible. It's helped me with confidence, courage, and connection. So many beautiful souls in this group. 

Life Hack - Permission to Prioritize

Life Hack #782

Remember that you're human,

 and choose 3 high priority tasks from your list.

Let me say it louder for those in the back...

ITS OKAY TO SAVE SOME TASKS 

FOR TOMORROW!

Even before I became a mom, but definitely more so now that I juggle a full time job and two kids under age 4, I felt the need to accomplish alllllll the things. If I walked a mile, I'd kick myself for not running it. If I drank an extra glass of water, I'd kick myself for still not drinking the recommended 8 glasses per day. For some idiotic, idiopathic reason, I have consistently and constantly pushed myself harder than is reasonable, and responded to the inevitable perceived failures with depression and burnout. This "If I don't do everything then I've failed" mindset hasn't served me well, and with this post I commit to do the work of kicking it to the curb. And yes, it's work. I will slip up, and that's okay. Every moment is an opportunity to restart the effort. 

Anyone else guilty of
trying to do everything?

Changing a deeply ingrained thought pattern isn't easy, so I hope that if you're reading this, you'll help to hold me accountable. When I reach out to you, and even when I don't, take a second to remind us both, that no one asked us to do everything. At work, around the house, in parenthood, and on vacation, it's okay to not do everything. Sometimes, I even follow my own advice and relax! 

"BAD MOM" MOMENTS

• Sometimes my kids eat ice cream for breakfast, but at least they're getting dairy in their diet. 

• Sometimes my toddler and baby watch PBS kids for longer than recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics - (click here for more info), but at least mom had a free couple of minutes to cook dinner! 

• Sometimes we eat microwave nuggets and baby carrots smothered in ranch, but at least we are blessed with food and electricity. 

When people say "Count Your Blessings", I don't think they intend for us to pretend that life isn't stormy, and stressful, and sticky (how are toddlers always sticky?!). For me (and you can quote me on this) to count your blessings means to look for rainbows and silver linings, to focus with every step on that light at the end of the tunnel, and to give ourselves the grace of not constantly seeking more, and better, and faster. 

💃   Who cares if people stare 

when you dance in the rain, 

they're just jealous that

 they haven't given themselves

 permission to dance too! 💃

So next time someone rains on your proverbial parade, smile through it, flip them a mental bird, and use that rain to fuel your growth! You are a badass, unicorn, lovely and loved rockstar, and in case you haven't given it to your yourself, you have my permission to kick fear in the face and live your best life. (Of course, if your best life includes leaving a comment on this blog or sharing the link with a friend, that's would be super fantastic and I wouldn't hold you back... 😆)

SHOUT OUT to Diane Xuereb and Denise Pink for inspiring this post with their recent podcast, "What If It's Not True". (Click this link to listen)

Sending vibes of peace and love,
light and laughter, and lots of relaxation,
from your friend and mama bear,

Gali (internationally-known* author of "Love Louder" 💞)


*Disclaimer: The people who know me internationally already knew me before publication, and may or may not be friends and family. Either way, sounds pretty cool, right? 😆

The words we choose
 can make or break
 someone's day.

New poem titled "Compliments"

Compliments are free

So let's share them

more

and more.

A kind word

has great power

to heal, lift hearts, 

restore.

Let's give our kindness wings

Let it loose upon the world

It's time to love much louder

Leave hesitation at the door.

It doesn't hurt to try 

It's worth it for the joy

Worst case you get a funny look

Best case their heart will soar

This poem is inspired by Patty, a lovely lady that I've never met, who completely out of the blue sent me a private message expressing gratitude that I had commented on a popular Facebook post "holding a posture of inquiry rather than judgment".

Her message overflowed with kindness, and ended by saying "Thank you for being!".

There was no adjective after the word 'being', this person I've never met simply wanted to show appreciation for my very existence in the world.

WOW

What a lovely and powerful

 self-esteem boost! 

So often in life, we hesitate and keep our compliments trapped inside. Let's stop being so afraid of kindness, let's find small opportunities to #LoveLouder,  and let's start RIGHT NOW. The world needs more "earth angels" and we CAN make our little corner brighter by amplifying incidents of generosity and love. It's the easiest way to combat the hardship and hate that makes life so hard.

I hope that if you read this, you'll try the #LoveLouderChallenge, and give compliments more often, to friends, family, and strangers.

Try it and you'll see the power of the compliment. Try it because why not, what have you got to lose?

It Takes A Village

Q: Have you ever blushed, or wished you were invisible, 

when your kid had a tantrum in public? 

A: Sure you have, and I have too,

this mommy thing ain't easy.

We let society tell us that kids are best seen and not heard, adorable accessories to be photographed and cooed at, patted and patronized. Guess what mamas, that is SO NOT COOL! Our babies, our toddlers, our tweens and teens, they're not just mini-adults. Research basically says that young kids are programmed to be selfish.

When kids hit, and bite, and shout "mine", yes we need to teach them about respect, but we also need to recognize that they think in terms of "me, me, me" because they literally DON'T KNOW HOW to see the world from another person's perspective. (Shout out to Jean Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development)

They say "It takes a village to raise a child" and that's absolutely true.

Raising kids is like 

a sticky, speedy, scary rollercoaster, 

and it doesn't come with a control switch. 

So next time that you see a mom making the "Don't test me" face, or juggling a baby and a shopping basket, offer to help. Read my new poem "We Take Care" (below) and consider making a funny face at the fussy baby, or asking the mom if you can hold her groceries so that she can adjust the baby. There are lots of ways to help that aren't actually that hard.

#WomenSupportingWomen

Wouldn't you want someone to do the same for you, or your daughter, or your mom?

So be on the look out for the stressed out mamas, find ways to let them know that they're not alone, that the village isn't just there to judge, and that they can handle this challenge.

We Take Care

We take care of baby brother,

because it's the right thing to do.

It really does take a village,

And I'll soothe your baby too

If you'll let me,

I'll make silly faces.

I mean no harm,

I promise.

I'll tire them out,

By running races,

We all need a break,

From the constant chases.

So open your heart,

To those knowing looks and smiles,

We're not in this alone,

As we struggle tired miles.

We take care of other moms,

Because it's the right thing to do.

Please pay the favor forward, 

When its someone else, near you.

Thanks for reading.

You're gorgeous, you're strong,

and you've got a great heart.

XoXo

~Gali

Pick Up A Poem

Good morning world wide web, another day brings another poem. 

Today's poem is actually about poetry itself, and gives a little peek into why I write, and why you might want to read it. Please enjoy my newest original work below, and if it resonates, consider leaving a virtual tip or reading more here. 

Manifesting works! Who woulda thunk...

Pick Up A Poem

When life knocks you down, 

and you're not ready to get up, 

pick up a poem.

Pick up a poem

Or write one yourself

Resonate and recover

As you take a deep breath

There's so much to love

beauty lives all around us

so pick up a poem

you'll be glad that you did

For my entire childhood and even into adulthood, my mom would tell me "life isn't fair". I must've heard that almost every day as a teenager, because I wanted so badly for there to be justice. Sometimes the unfairness dims our inner light. Sometimes the flame within our hearts takes so much effort to maintain, that we wonder if it's even worth trying. Anyone who's tried online dating would probably recognize that feeling. The phrase "you're not alone" isn't a cliche, it's a fact. 

LIFE ISN'T FAIR, and that can be really a tough thing to handle when you're the one getting beaten down by the short end of the stick. Platitudes like "it'll get better" might be well-intentioned, but they're really hard to believe when you're sitting in the muck. So here's a different strategy, pick up a poem, or write on of your own.

OMG you guys I published some of my poetry!

If you have any questions about the self-publishing process, or poetry, or motherhood, or anything under the sun or beyond, I'm happy to chat.

Sometimes all that we want is to give up and wallow in apathetic frustration, or scream in pain and rage, and those are the moments when we need a friend or stranger to #LoveLouder and fan our flame.

Sending vibes of peace and positivity

love and light

hope and help,

xoxo

Gali