Being out of alignment is OKAY!

There are just some days when things seriously don’t go the way we want them to. Whether it’s outside influence or just how we feel in the moment, there are times when we feel completely out of alignment. You might say to ourselves, “Wow, this day is just shot. I feel terrible and now my whole day isn’t going right.” And even worse, “now I’m aware that I’m out of alignment so check me out attracting more chaos. Yay me.” The reason I know this is because I’ve been there. I am quite familiar with that feeling… I have a 3-year-old who doesn’t sleep well, he is in those so called “terrific” (more like terrifying) threes and my one year old is either trying to run away from me with something in his mouth or desperately clinging to me . There’s a lot not working in my favor.

What I want to say is that being out of alignment is okay. And the reason is because the judgment of our emotions, the feeling bad about being out of alignment, is all in our ego. Our higher and truest self does not judge us for having a bad day. Just as the universe doesn’t judge our emotions, the same goes for our higher selves. We must give ourselves grace in these times of low vibration and not continue to judge ourselves, perpetuating the negativity. Listen to your inner voice… does it ever come from a place of judgement? No. We must stop the judgement of our own emotions. Why do we become our biggest critics? Our worst supporters? We must learn to truly love ourselves enough to be our own support. To be rooting for ourselves.

Side note: Literally as I am writing these words, my son has thrown himself on the ground crying (screaming) because he can’t close an Easter egg on his own but he doesn’t want my help. DEEP BREATHS, friends. DEEP FREAKING BREATHS.

We can strive to take tiny steps to get closer and closer to alignment. So that as the day progresses, we are not completely lost and drained at the end of it. Some examples of small steps that get me closer to alignment include, giving my son a big hug, grabbing that vanilla latte or sparkling water, turning on some aligning music in the background and even taking one minute in downward dog to stretch. Deep breaths are my key to slowing down and giving myself a moment within the chaos. It is important to know that we must allow ourselves to feel the discomfort without judgement so that we can easily recognize that it’s just a passing feeling that can’t weigh us down. Flow through the emotion and allow it to run its course. Don’t fight it because you can literally drown in that low vibration, flow with it and then when you can tread water, try. If something doesn’t work right away, don’t fret.

Try again, give yourself grace and love. Just as our inner being would.

xo, Claire

My first experience with Tarot + Intuition

Growing up I was told that Tarot cards and readings were FAKE. Someone who read fortunes was "just trying to get your money". Remember Miss Cleo? "Call me now for your free reading!" That was the message I grew up with. Follow this link if you don't know what I'm talking about here.

My first encounter with an "intuitive" or tarot reader was in college. I was experiencing a major life shift and felt that I needed guidance. My friend and I both went to the little shop that we passed hundreds of times with little to no expectation. The woman who was doing my reading walked in after getting fast food from next door... my expectations dropped even more. I was sure I was wasting my money but I didn't want to just walk out. I was there for a reason and I might as well see it through. The reading consisted of a palm reading and tarot session. I explained all of what was going on in my life at the time. I had experienced a major breakup, I considered moving and changing schools.

After reading my palms and pulling cards for me, she confirmed what I knew I should do. Basically I heard everything I wanted to hear... and after telling her about my problems, I figured that she was probably just giving me advice. I wrote it off as a fun experience but definitely not something I'd do again.

I actually ended up following the advice she gave me and it led me to where I am today. I let go of that relationship with an open heart, went to the school that my heart knew was right and began a relationship with my now husband. In fact, the woman told me that I already knew who my soulmate was... he was someone already in my life, I just needed time. And sure enough, Darren and I had been friends since high school and about a year after that reading, our relationship really took off.

10+ years later and here I am studying the Tarot and really leaning into my intuition. I think that the woman told me everything I wanted to hear because deep inside, my intuition knew what was right. I believe it was my intuition that led me to find someone confirm what I had been hearing all along. Now of course, I can trust my own intuition and can hear it MUCH more clearly. I am able to tap into it whenever I need guidance. I allow myself to be nudged closer and closer to my truest path.

I have never wondered what my life would be like had I not listened to that woman. I think it's because I knew that this was always the way it was meant to be. Now that I'm on the right path, I see confirmation of it everywhere. Being tapped into my own intuition has been the greatest gift. Reading Tarot or writing to your intuition or even just going with your gut feeling are all ways that we can open up the channel and connect with who we truly are. The closer we are to our highest self, the better.

Why the Bonfire?

Think of a bonfire... what kind of thoughts come to your mind?

I'll tell you what comes to my mind... warmth, friendship and s'mores (mmmm...). That smell that sticks to your hair and clothes after a long night at the bonfire is intoxicating and for me and brings back all kinds of feel good memories.

As a child, I camped a lot and bonfires were part of that special event. It meant that both my parents took time off of work, loaded the car up and took my sister and I to the beach to camp. Growing up in Hawaii, camping looked different than what many of my mainland friends experienced. I got crashing waves, late night fishing and sand EVERYWHERE while they got potential bears (that may be a slight exaggeration, haha!). We cooked over the fire, we made s'mores and stayed up late underneath the stars. I can't wait to create those kinds of memories with my boys.

As an adult, bonfires meant celebrations. The start of summer, a birthday, the end of finals or even just to celebrate friendship and being alive. This usually included copious amounts of some kind of alcohol and feet covered in charcoal. Friendships were made, relationships were made and broken, friends turned into best friends and I had some of the best nights of my life around a bonfire.

Bonfires are where humans for centuries have gathered to tell stories. It's what makes us human and what gave us an edge over other species. What are we without fire? What kind of stories would we not have known had we not discovered the power of fire? The bonfire is where ancient ceremonies took place. It's where we danced all night long. It's a place of tradition, of passing down our ancestor's knowledge. It was a sacred place but also a place of community. And while I think that the real bonfire is always better, creating space in our hearts for a digital bonfire helps us to continue the tradition of bonfires shared by ancients all over the world.

So feel free to whip up some s'mores in your home while listening to the podcast. We invite you to always join in the conversation, be a part of this beautiful community and share the good times with us. I just use my imagination now for that bonfire smell I love so much :)