Monthly Archives: May 2014

On being seen + feeling hungry for what’s true.

Photo of Andrea Scher by In Her Image Photography

When the photos came through I held my breath. I feel so good in my body these days, happy with how I look most of the time. But being photographed? That was going to be a whole new layer of acceptance. Kind of like wearing a bikini.

Being seen is vulnerable.

Every single client I have ever photographed tells me the same thing: “I really don’t like getting my photo taken… “ And I always reply, “You and me both! Nobody likes this! But I promise to make it fun.”

Being on the other side of the camera, I had immediate compassion for my clients. Holy moly. Being seen can feel so scary! I noticed how I wanted to be a good client, how I wanted them to like me, how I was hoping they thought I was beautiful. I noticed the moments I was putting on a show and the times when I just felt like myself. I noticed what helped me get back in my skin + back in my body.

Movement is key.

If I sat in a pose too long I started to feel frozen, stiff and unsure. I think that’s why the above photo worked so well  – I was whipping my hair back and forth which was making me giggle. And there you go – something real and true.

I suppose that’s what I’m always searching for in my writing, in my photography and in my relationships. I’m feeling my way in the dark for something true.

What are the words that say it best?
What honors the experience I am actually having in the world?
What friends make me feel most like myself?
What makes me feel aligned with my spirit?
Where is the resonance?

That’s what I’m hungry for these days. And this is where I’m finding it.

Connecting deeply with friends.
Taking photos + capturing the beauty around me.
Riding my bicycle.
Going to my edges + watching myself grow.
Yoga.

If you are also hungry for what’s true, consider working with me soon!

1. Grab one of the last two spots open in the Opening the Creative Channel Retreat in Calistoga, June 8th-12th, 2014.
2. My photography course that’s all about collecting color. Will change the way you see the world! Starts June 2nd, 2014.
3. Hire me for a Bay Area portrait session or a Supersonic Session. (Just email me at [email protected])

 

 

Mudita. The practice of sympathetic joy.

It’s easy to practice sympathetic joy with these two characters.

I was feeling blue the other day and logged onto Facebook. (Usually a terrible idea) But the first thing I came across was a posting from a friend in Los Angeles. “I don’t usually toot my own horn,” he said, “but I just won Teacher of the Year at my school!” I went on to watch the short video celebrating him and my heart swelled.

I immediately started a new thread:

I love it when people toot their own horn. My friends don’t do it enough! Tell me one thing you are proud of right now. Toot people! Toot!”

I watched as dozens of people share their victories: “I got an article published in the Huffington Post! I’m having my first art show in SOHO tonight! I got through another day. I’m home alone with two puking kids and I’m rocking it. I kicked cancer…” The whole range was there. And with each reply, my heart felt more and more full, a genuine joy moving through me.

And I remembered that there is a name for this – Mudita. Or sympathetic joy. The genuine pleasure you get from celebrating others. The deep joy that finds you when someone you love is happy. The vicarious joy you experience when someone shares a story about something great in their life.

It also reminded me of something important – that my heart is good. That my heart wants to celebrate others and to feel joy.  That my most natural inclination is actually toward well-being- both for myself and others. In a world where we are prone to not-enoughness- where we can go on Facebook and feel triggered, jealous, inferior… it was so good to allow the successes of others to buoy me, to literally pull me out of a dark place.

Their lights shining actually allowed me to find mine.

So I’ll put it out here as well. What are you proud of right now? Toot people! Toot!

 

 

 

 

This is what the ladies are sayin.

Collecting Color starts again June 2nd. Please join us!

Dear Superheroes,

This is possibly the best photography class I have ever created! Spending the last few months in the practice of color collecting was a life changer for me. I promise it will permanently shift how you see your world too.

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Here’s what the ladies are saying!

“This class is a great little nudge that says: get out of your comfort zone, get out of the house, go hunting for color, go look for joy! We so often overlook the things that could make us smile every day and spark our creative self. This course is a great reminder that beauty and color surround us … sometimes you just have to look a little harder, but it is there. I will sign up again and again!”  -Allison Murray

“I love how I’m seeing ordinary things in extraordinary ways these days. All of a sudden anything and everything is a potential photo opportunity. COLOR is everywhere. I’m grateful for each lesson and what they bring out of me and my lens. I enjoy the quiet time I allow myself each day to explore. I’m amazed at how anything can be beautiful.” -Karen Iturralde

“This class has heightened my senses in the world by 100 percent. I have learned that no matter where you live, what the weather is like…color and beauty abounds if we engage actively in it. It energizes me, fills me with joy and wonder….and in turn I share it with the world via my pictures. It is a awesome way to stay connected.” -Kathleen Warner

“The treasure hunt has helped me get out of my head. That sounds funny to say, but I spend too much time worrying and stressing about things that really only happen in my head. Paying attention to the things around me and focusing on color has not only helped me see the world differently but also see MY world differently – in a more positive and vibrant way. Every time I look through the group’s photos I’m reminded of that feeling.” -Carrie Jesse

“I am now able to go out into the world and look with fresh eyes.  I see play, nature, joy, colors, and my own power and courage in the photos. I also use them as gratitude images. This practice anchors me to myself. – Katharine

“Loving the course! I’m treating it like a colorful gratitude practice. The prompts are the perfect daily nudge to help me take a closer look and be wowed by the beauty that’s absolutely everywhere. Thank you for helping me re-imagine my relationship with photography in such a yummy way.” – Lisa Bourdon

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Interview with Jennifer Lee: Building Your Business the Right Brained Way

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So thrilled to talk about this book today! Jenn has written a book for people like us! Listen in as we talk about doing business the right-brain way. Jennifer Lee has a way of making this creative entrepreneur thing feel so fun and easy. There is so much permission in this book + in this interview to be exactly who you are!

Click here to listen to the interview with Jennifer Lee + Andrea Scher

 

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Jennifer Lee is the founder of Artizen Coaching and the bestselling author of The Right-Brain Business Plan, which has helped tens of thousands of entrepreneurs around the world launch their creative businesses. She lives in the bay area and her website is the Right Brain Business Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super Sponsor Spotlight

Superhero Journal sponsors are, well, super! So check out what they are offering up this month. If you’d like to see your e-Course, Etsy shop, blog or business on the sidebar or in an upcoming Super Sponsor Spotlight, we’d love to have you. Just send a quick email to Amber at: [email protected] to get all the details.

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Mo·jo: A power that may seem magical that allows a person to tap into her own passion, success and life purpose. 

Or·a·cle: A source of a divine communication delivered at a person’s request.

You are here to do great things and have totally unique purpose on the planet. You are ready for this, but need guidance.

You are not the type to consult just anyone. You’re picky. Forget the psychic down the street with the neon sign. That’s not your style.

You want clear direction from an impeccable, heart-centered guide, working for your highest good.

Here’s how it works:

  1. After clearing the space and setting my intention, I’ll do a 3-card Tarot reading. The cards immediately tell me a story about you.
  2. Next is an Akashic records reading to tap into your soul’s journey and your own guides.
  3. Finally, you’ll get my laser sharp intuitive advice. I’ve worked with hundreds of clients as a holistic psychotherapist for 10+ years.

Discover what your guides want you to know and get your mojo flowing.

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The choices we make about food are some of the most important choices we make every single day.

The Vitality Project is a series of seasonal e-cleanse programs for anyone interested in feeling more vibrant. We teach you how to tune in to what your body is saying so you can discern what foods your body needs. We want you to understand why it’s important to work with the energy of the seasons, and we want to give you the tools to feel empowered in your kitchen. We believe you can turn to your pantry rather than your medicine cabinet to heal your body.

The Love Your Liver program starts May 2nd! Here’s what to get excited about:

  • • A better understanding of how to live in harmony with the energy of the spring season (this is the best time of the year to spark real change)
  • • Simple daily habits that support lifelong health (that allow you to feel better and have more fun)
  • • Great recipes incorporating the best foods to eat in spring (yum-yum)
  • • Better energy, clearer skin, improved sleep, a calmer tummy (what’s not to love?)
  • • A “prep” week to give you time to mentally, physically and emotionally prepare for this journey
  • • Messages in your inbox that contain videos, audios and handouts that will guide you through the program
  • • Community support via an online forum (moderated by Dr. Caitlin and Jessica
  • • Instagram updates to inspire you and encourage you to share your progress

Special introductory offer= $39     (regular price= $99)
Sign up here: www.thevitalityproject.co

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GetInline

What if you trusted yourself with food?
What if you loved your body?
What if you could lose weight without dieting? It is the only sustainable way….

These are NOT the messages we heard in our lives. But this is really possible for you with practice.

Join me for this 6-week e-course to get started.

As a weight loss coach, I have worked with women who came to me frustrated + disempowered. They tried 100s of times to lose weight. But until they went through this process of focusing on the cause instead of the traditional symptom of calorie in calorie out, were they able to end their battles with food + their body.

In The Nourishing Journey we focus on the root causes of overeating and learn how to truly nourishing ourselves. The women I have worked with came to me with one goal ~ to lose weight. But what they came away with was so much more…

June 23rd-August 1st

Early Bird offer $97 USD register by 5/31

Afterwards the price goes to $139 USD

The whole Mother’s Day enchilada

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Last night Ben gave me my mother’s day card early. He was so excited he couldn’t wait! which totally charmed me. When I gave him a big hug and thanked him, Nico started to sob. Like big, crocodile tears sob. And then he sputtered,  “BEN DIDN’T GIVE ME A MOTHER’S DAY CARD!” and sobbed some more.

“I have a surprise for you Nico!” I exclaimed and RAN to our back studio where I scribbled, Happy Mother’s Day Nico! Love, Mama on a piece of watercolor paper.
“Close your eyes and hold out your hands!” I told him.
And when I lay the card in his tiny palms he looked genuinely pleased.

And then Ben started to cry from the couch. “You didn’t give ME a Mother’s Day card and you got one for NICO!!”
Oy vey. Back to the studio.
Happy Mother’s Day Ben! Love, Mama

And when I gave him the card he looked happy for a split second and then he wrinkled his brow, “You just gave this to me because I got mad!” and started crying again.

This whole scene – comical, tragic, annoying, heartwarming, irrational, hilarious- somehow illustrates motherhood at this stage so well.

You don’t get to pick and choose. You’ve got to take the whole enchilada. The whole crazy package.

Happy Mother’s day everyone! Love, Andrea

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Nothing Changes Until You Do

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Today we have a special treat! We are celebrating my pal Mike Robbin’s brand new book: Nothing Changes Until You Do: A Guide to Self-Compassion and Getting Out of Your Own Way. I have known Mike for many years and have always admired his ability to be vulnerable + real and do his soul work.  I’m so honored to know him and  appreciate his powerful + compassionate voice in the world. Enjoy this interview!

Tell us about your new book, Nothing Changes Until You Do:

I’m really excited about this new book- my first in 5 years! This book is about what I believe is the most important human relationship we have – the one with ourselves. Sadly, many of us don’t have a very healthy, empowering, or positive relationship with ourselves – and we spend a lot of time thinking that our value is based upon what we do, how we look, what people think about us, the status of our relationships, our outward accomplishments, and more. None of this is true. In Nothing Changes Until You Do I share stories, insights, and lessons about how we can have more compassion for ourselves, accept our lives as they are, and take responsibility for making healthy and positive changes.

How did this book evolve? And was it hard to share so much of yourself in it?

This book came about over the course of a number of years.  I wrote my first book, Focus on the Good Stuff, in 2007 and my second book, Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken, in 2009, but took some time in between my second book and this new book for a variety of reasons.  There have been some big ups and downs in my life in the past 5 years, we went through some challenging financial times, including doing a short sale on our house, my mom died of lung cancer a few years ago, and my wife and I had two miscarriages – all of which were very painful and difficult experiences, yet they taught me a great deal.  We eventually got ourselves out of debt, figured some things out about parenting and marriage, and my business really took off in a wonderful way. In addition to all of the external highs and lows, I feel like my own sense of myself and my own growth has deepened and evolved a great deal…in addition to my awareness of others and what lots of people are going through.

At the end of the day, I think that the most important and challenging human relationship we have is the one with ourselves…and this is what the book is all about…making peace with ourselves. I shared so much of my own experience and so many vulnerable stories because that’s just how I roll in life. I also believe that we often teach best what we need to learn and my approach with this book (and most of my work) is to share my process in a real way, with the intention of both touching and teaching others in the process. It does feel a bit scary to open myself up like this, but it is also liberating and it is, what I believe, is the best way for me to connect with others in a way that can make a difference for them.

 

The subtitle of Nothing Changes Until You Do is “A Guide to Self-Compassion and Getting Out of Your Own Way.” Do you think we’re the biggest obstacle to our own growth and success?

Most often, yes!  Much of what we do in life is fairly easy, it’s dealing with ourselves that is often the hardest part.  When we’re able to treat ourselves with kindness, love, and respect, we set ourselves up for true success.  When we look outside of ourselves for success, we always fail or at least fall short, regardless of the circumstances or situations around us.  The more able we are to make peace with ourselves, let go of limited thinking and negative behavior towards ourselves, and embrace our own beauty, power, and strength, the more life can flow with ease and abundance.  Although this is a fairly simple concept that many of us understand…it’s not always easy for us to remember and practice in our daily lives.  However, when we do remember, practice, and embody self-compassion, our life tends to flourish.

How do you describe self-compassion?

Self-compassion is made up of three primary components:

1. Awareness – we have to be aware of how we are thinking about, talking about, relating to, and feeling about ourselves.
2. Kindness – a sense of being kind, forgiving, and loving towards ourselves – regardless of the circumstances, outcomes, or situations we are experiencing.
3. Common humanity – remembering that we are not alone, we’re part of the human family, and whatever pain, challenge, or difficulty we might be facing or experiencing – we have shared emotional experiences with the rest of humanity

What are the benefits of self-compassion?

The benefits of self-compassion are huge.  When we’re compassionate with ourselves, we cut ourselves some slack, give ourselves a break, and let go of the erroneous and damaging perfection demands we often place upon ourselves.  This allows us to let go of unnecessary pressure, stress, and negativity.  Self-compassion also gives us space to make mistakes, be vulnerable, and ask for (and receive) support from others.  It is a much more peaceful and healthy way to relate to ourselves and life.  And, maybe most important of all, when we are compassionate with ourselves, we have the ability to have authentic compassion for others. As the saying goes, “We don’t see other people as they are; we see them as we are.

In chapter 17, you say “Imagine what our lives, our careers, our relationships would look like if we stopped blaming our experience on other people or external circumstances.” You suggest we take 100 percent responsibility for our experience…how can we do this when we are so impacted by external circumstances. Any quick tips for doing this?

This is another thing in life that is simple to understand, but not always easy to practice.

One way I like to remind myself about taking responsibility for everything that shows up in my life, is to change the word “to” to the word “for” in the question, “Why is this happening TO me?” which we often ask in our heads when things aren’t going the way we want them to.  Asking “Why is this happening FOR me?” changes the entire context of how we are relating to life.

 

Mother’s Day Super Sale! $49 for any class

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photo by Andrea Scher

Let’s give ourselves (+ our mamas) the gift of inspiration!

I love seeing the trend in experience-based gift giving. Have you heard of this? This means that instead of giving the usual scarf or bath salts to your loved one, you think about what they might want to learn, what adventure they might want to have, or what experience would bring them joy? According to happiness experts, people get more enduring joy from their experiences than their possessions. I couldn’t agree more.

In the spirit of this type of gift-giving and Mother’s Day I am excited to offer you a chance to enroll yourself (or a loved one) into one of my upcoming courses. From now until midnight on Mother’s day, Sunday, May 11th you can:

Choose any Superhero or Mondo Beyondo course for only $49!

Here is the list of the upcoming courses:

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Enter the following coupon codes to get your discount!

For Superhero Photo, enter the coupon code: SUPER49
For Treasure Hunt: Collecting Color, enter the coupon code: COLOR49
For Mondo Beyondo, enter the coupon code: MONDO49
For Cultivating Courage, enter the coupon code: COURAGE49

For more info on all the courses available this year, click here!
Gift certificates are also available at the 49 dollar price; this way they can take their pick!

Once again, offer is only good until (this Sunday) Mother’s Day!

 

 

 

A Love List: What your mom really wants for Mother’s Day.

Laurie listening to Ellen

Laurie listening to Ellen

Even though it’s a year later, I wanted to share this story again.

Last year I went to a birthday party for my dear friend Laurie. She had been going through some big life changes + we wanted to gift her something really special and from the heart. Sherry suggested we all make her a Love List.

A Love List is pretty simple.

1. Write down 10 things you love about this person.
2. Tell them what you admire about them, what you appreciate, why they inspire you.
3. Read it to them in person, over the phone, or put a stamp on it and send it off with love.

As I wrote my love list for Laurie, I was filled with gratitude. There was so much to love about her! and I felt so lucky to be counted as one of her dear ones.

She didn’t know we wrote these lists. We surprised her by reading them out loud, one by one after dinner, and watched the tears fall from her cheeks. She received each gift so beautifully… and we were all a puddle by the end. It was a gift to all of us.

Lara and Sherry and Laurie

Lara and Sherry and Laurie

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Laurie and Lara

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Me reading to Laurie

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Me and Laurie

These photos + this night still move me.

And my greatest wish is that there will be more love lists made this year! It requires a teensy bit of vulnerability, but that’s what makes it all the sweeter.

P.S. To make it even easier for you, Sherry created a beautiful 10-pack of love list templates so you can create your own love lists easy peasy. Just $10 over at her shop.