Thanks!
xoxo
shantala

I love your take on magic and what it takes to create it.

Many years ago I had the amazing opportunity to see a video of the last interview made to a really spiritual and incredibly rich guy by the name of Sir John Templeton. What impressed me the most about the whole piece was his answer when he was asked what is the secret to wealth, to which he answered “To learn to align your path with God’s purpose for you (you can substitue God for the universe, consciousness or any word you want to use to label this force of creation).

In my life, I’ve come to know that once you take determined steps with intention and let go, life produces way more “magical” results than any planning could have ever predicted. The key I think is being, attraction follows being, not mindset or thoughts. When I read your post I also remembered a quote that I recently shared on a friend’s wall that expresses what I’m trying to describe way more elegantly than I can.

“When you understand who and what you are, your radiance projects into the universal radiance and everything around you becomes creative and full of opportunity. ” -Yogi Bhajan

Thank you for being an example of this Erin and for spreading this message with the world

Love,

-Bernardo

Then I got your e-mail with its title and thought….woooow

And THEN
I read your little word: magic!
And a few days ago, I decided that I’d spend more time acknowledging the magic that is already in my life!

I love when things like these happen.
So, I’m on the egde of making a decision to move to Chile.
Maybe I’ll go for it like you said in your e-mail despite all the analytical and rational reasons it’s a “scary” idea.

Thank you!

1. I cut my hair!!! I have had incredibly long hair my entire life (as does my mom and sister) and I cut it on my 25th birthday…not sure if I will keep it short forever, but at least I no longer have to say “what if…”
2. I got a cat that has made each and every day hilarious and filled with love
3. I strengthen my relationships with my siblings and my parents by being more “me”
4. I plunked down the money for some new headshots and a website
5. I was proactive in taking care of my health!
6. I finally quit a job that was emotionally draining and got a new one!
7. I stopped going to open dance calls
8. I got called back for a lead in a national tour
9. I worked on two short plays that have been some of my favorite acting moments in NYC this far
10. I have remembered why I love to sing – this is huge after having years and years of drama about my voice
11. I made some decisions about my relationship and living situation – long overdue, but this has transformed my life
12. I applied to grad school and didn’t get in – I also think I dodged a bullet!

Thank you Erin for being a life force and inspiring mentor. Though I was out of class due to health reasons for awhile, your encouragement and enthusiasm for living your best life resonate throughout my days.

Let’s go 2012! It’s already a great year.

2012 is off and running!

xx

In 2011:

1. I joined the Actor’s Union! Woo! and I earned a year of health benefits
2. I met a girl on tour that has become the best friend I’ve ever had. She makes me better and inspires me on the daily. Rockstar.
3. I moved into an area of NYC that I’m in love with.
4. I was completely single for OVER half of the year and I am learning to love myself more each day because of it.
5. I rang in the new year dancing on stage at Madison Sq Garden with Phish. Coolest night of my life!
6. In the month of December, I revived my love for theatre and have never felt more confident.
7. I moved across country for one month spontaneously, only to be completely happy there and still know NYC is where I am meant to be right now.
8. I broke my wrist and decided to believe it was meant to be. SO many things went right after that.
9. I flossed a lot this year. (it was last year’s NYE resolution)
10. I got organized!!!

Most influential person goes to the friend I met on tour. SHE IS SO INCREDIBLE!

Shayla

HAPPY New Year lovely!! Thanks for your inspiration and looking forward to the new year! xo

these are my top 10 hits of 2011!

-got cast as the lead in an off-broadway musical, i got to interact with kids and sign autographs for them in character after the show and they inspired me with how much they loved their theatre experience!

-got a dream role, penny in hairspray – believed in myself for the first time in an audition room, that i really deserved something, wanted it and got it!

-started freelancing with an agency

-signed legit with another agency

-got my equity card!! this was a big fear to overcome since i was eligible for sometime, but now had to join. couldn’t be happier i made this choice and overcame fear and said YES I DESERVE THIS!

-made more money in my survival jobs

- held my first workshop “invest in yourself”, starting my interest in career coaching and started seeing erin as a coach, which i thought i never needed before but opened up to the idea and turns out it was the best thing ever and i needed it more than anything!

-learned to let go and not feel guilty for taking time for ME. saying no to opportunities that wouldn’t advance me.

- i shot two shorts for collegehumor, 3 student films, built a reel and got a ton more commercial/voice over auditions then i did last year!

- made serious progress in my voice lessons which has been a big barrier for me.

-dated a great guy but knew when to let the relationship go when it wasn’t what i was looking for. went on a lot of dates, putting myself out there instead of complaining about it!

Gosh, influential people of 2011 would include my voice teacher Ken, who has really given my confidence when I needed it…Erin who really made me realize that I have skills to be a career coach and my dreams of a fulfilling survival job can be a reality! And personally – my sister. She has really encouraged me and will remind me of my progress when I am down on myself.

I can’t wait for 2012! I am starting it off with a trip to LA and a cruise through the Mexican Riviera! Starting it off RIGHT!

Thanks, Erin for your positivity and the amazing community you have created!! <3

And the person that inspired me the most this year is Erin Stutland. For creating a community that truly helped me in the most painful year of my life. Even when i was too broke to take classes i still read the emails and said the affirmations a million times a day.And i know that is what helped me turn this year into a magical one.Thanks Erin for inspiring me too live the best life ever. 2012 HERE WE COME!!!!!

I just posted a very lengthy post with each why and pictures in my blog.

I love you.

xx
E

1. I went down to the bottom, the deep dark bottom, and broke through to shine brighter than ever.
2. I released all resentments towards my parents that were holding me back from having an exceptional life!
3. I started writing Daily ♥ Reminders, little reminders to myself to always know how special I am and to LOVE myself. These were just for me but have become reminders for others, and that makes me so happy.
4. I created five new pieces of art, in less than 3 months – larger work than I’d ever done – hurting my hand in the process but oh so worth it.
5. I co-exhibited my work along with the artist that inspired me to do art in the first place, Simone Lourenço, at [space on white] in NYC!
6. I manifested an invitation from one of my favorite writers, Cheryl Richardson, to a Hay House event where I got to meet, not only Cheryl but one of my all-time favorite humans, Louise Hay!
7. At that same Hay House event, I was told that I would be getting the opportunity to create a Magicalized Portrait for not only Cheryl Richardson but for LOUISE HAY! (I also received the news in front of Erin Stutland which made it even more special and magical!)
8. By deciding that nothing was more important than feeling GOOD, I’ve been able to focus on my joy, my art, and in turn, in the last 3 1/2 months of this year, I’ve had 10 commissions for my work . . . and more on the way.
9. I dedicated myself to a daily meditation practice and rarely go a day without doing it. It has changed my life.
10. I have learned to truly give myself a break and love myself unconditionally because through love and with love anything is possible. . . I practice daily kindness & compassion towards myself because I’d been beating me up for waaaay too long. . .

The person that made the most difference in my life in 2011 is going to sound shocking and crazy but . . . it was Harold Camping. He was the dude who came up with The Rapture and the end of the world craziness back in May. Because of this, I was able to go back and understand my upbringing and my parents and how growing up with Jehovah’s Witnesses made an impact on my life. I was able to write about it and get it all out. . . I thank him for his crazy-talk. It helped me get rid of the crazy-talk I’d grown up with.

Thanks for the opportunity to recap 2011 Erin!

This is a really beautiful list. Congratulations on all these beautiful accomplishments.

I love everything from your summer fling to your book idea. Put me on the list for a copy, please.

Sending you so much holiday love and yes, May 2012 be the best year ever:)

xo
E

1) I returned to movement for sanity, pleasure and health benefits. I wanted to find my inner athelete and be at ease and strong in my body again. Began in Erin’s class January 2011 on a lark, knowing nothing about it but having hit a wall in my movement (could not get motivated). In addition to Erin’s class which I continued to take, another woman in the class started a 90 day Megamovement Challenge, which I joined: Mar 4 – June 1: 30 min sweat 6 days & 1 gentle day. I liked it so much, I continued 90 day on my own with the same accountability partner: June 2 – Sept 2. Continued another 90: Sept 3 – Dec 4: and I am still going — as I type this I am completing day 293 daily movement.
2) I stopped caffeine over 6 months ago!
3) I took myself on a Personal Retreat for my birthday — 4 days of healing and peace.
4) I played a featured role in an independent feature film. (This was the one goal on my carer goal list that I did do. It was awesome.)
5) In January I got off the Fear Fence and joined SAG and AFTRA to let the Universe know that I am ready for more, I am a pro.
6) I am one day from completing the Capes 29 Day Giving Challenge to give something away each day for 29 days. It has been awesome.
7) I reconnected with a woman helping me put together/update my musical theatre audition book. It was a goal form 2010 but I fell off track. This was one tough goal to meet for some reason (huge resistance.) But I did it and now have 17 new songs in my book, with cuts and have started learning them. I will own them soon and get out there!
I started cooking while my sweet cat was sick and I discovered that I am a great cook and I love it. I always baked a little, but this has been awesome. My husband of a year was thoroughly surprised and thrilled as he had no idea.
9) I learned 6 new monologues — audition ready.
10) I took a Shakespeare class and fell in love with the work.
11) I coordinated a wonderful family reunion of sorts this summer.
12) I lost the extra pounds that I’d gained over the last three years — my clothes fit! I am so happy about that!
13) I joined Equinox – what a great gift to myself.
15) I have been consciously eating for 151 days — making some changes and feel so good, have so much more energy and feel clear. Have done several successful juice cleanses over the past 6 months: a 10 day, 2 five days, a 4 day, two 3 days.
16) I started a daily gratitude and meditation practice.

I have a tie for the two people who have most influenced my year. One is Erin. I have met so many wonderful people through her class, and have really been making progress in so many areas of my life, but the greatest gifts there is that I am shifting some core beliefs and choosing to want more for my life, from my self, having been inspired on a daily, weekly, monthly basis by Diva Stutland and the amazing soul warriors that are drawn to her. For my clothes to fit again is great, but it is really about feeling happier and stronger and to be experiencing the joy of showing up for myself and others in the community Erin has created. I am so grateful to the Universe for leading me to her class. The other person is Suzanne, a mentor who has been helping me in my life so much. When the student is ready the teacher appears, and she has been the teacher I really needed to find. The work we are doing is helping me in ways I never hoped for. My cup runneth over and over and over…

May thanks to Erin and the Shrink Community! Here’s to a wonderful 2012 ahead!!

I do this list every year & damn, if it doesn’t make me feel like a rock star!
Here goes 2011…

1. Got back on the dating horse after 4 years goin’ solo. Nothing like a summer fling with a Brazilian surfer to get your groove back
2. Hustled up the entry fee for RHH Live & met a ton of kick ass women! Changed my future, for sure.
3. Did the Kris Carr ‘Crazy Sexy’ Cleanse ~ lost 20 lbs, let go of some old wounds, and energized myself enough to run a small country, at least!
4. Plunged headfirst into a first class marketing education.
5. Grew my own vegetables. Dug in the dirt. Ate a lot of fresh chard + kale.
6. Discovered what my first book will be, and started writing it. Just you wait, 2012! I’m giving women everything they need to know about hiring the best people + surrounding themselves with superstar employees!
7. Aligned my natural rhythm with that of Mother Nature. Slept when I was tired, ate when I was hungry, channeled my muse by spending a lot of time outside: kayaking, hiking, foraging, sailing, eagle-watching.
8. Moved in with my sister to help raise her son (3 yrs) + newborn daughter, because it takes a village. Values in action.
9. Radical financial overhaul – living debt-free, job-free, and worry-free.
10. Opened up my heart more than ever before. This is a biggie for me.

As for the most significant person? I must pick 2. One stranger + one intimate.

The stranger is Simon Sinek, for he, during his “Inspire Leaders + Start With Why’ speech, made me cry. And I don’t cry. I am, or should I say WAS, a fortress. But for some (thank the universe!) reason, he reached inside my heart and unlocked my passion for living. Eternally grateful for the sense of safety he created for me.

My intimate is my dad, who was just diagnosed with cancer. Nothing more to say about that, other than the fact that he’s technically my stepfather, but in name only. He IS my dad.

Thanks, Erin, for creating this space for me to reflect – it’s one thing to share this with my own readers, but it’s liberating to share it with yours, too.

May 2012 be your best EVER!
Kellie

Sounds like some big things happened for you this year. Wonderful. I look forward to hearing how 2012 kicks off. Keep me posted, please!

xx

Thank YOU for being such an integral part of my year. I am so glad we are finally getting to work together too.

Oooh, can’t wait to see what 2012 brings ya!

xo

xox

In 2011…

1. I did my cabaret! It was a goal I set in Erin’s SHRINK SESSION in 2010, and I DID it! After a 15-year hiatus, I got back up on stage and did a whole show!
2. I took a solo birthday trip to the Dominican Republic.
3. I completed the 60-day Insanity workout in November.
4. I put in notice to leave my corporate job – ready for a new start in 2012!
5. I did not eat meat or fish in 2011, which is a personal decision that makes me happy each and every day.
6. I made a beautiful vision board/wall in my apartment.
7. I supported my BFF in her daring, brave, one woman movement performance piece.
8. I found a great new therapist.
9. I quit smoking cigarettes again.
10. I deepened my meditation practice.

Banner year, for sure. Looking forward to more in 2012! I can’t settle on a “most important person” so I’m going to table that for now.

Looking forward to another year of SHRINK SESSIONS and MAGICALY MANIFESTING MY DREAMS!

Thank you ERIN!
Love,
Jeffrey

It’s hard to name one person that stands out from this past year… definitely YOU and the mastermind gals, Marie, my parents for supporting me and my best friend! xoxo

I have been throwing the peas in the water in the last so they mix up nice and good.

And I would venture to say, absolutely on the peanut butter alternatives. Great idea!

Yes, very little clean up on this one… which is HUGE!

Love this, love you….time to go check out your friends website for some ideas! Rock on gorgeous one!

Thanks so much for sharing Heather! Loved the video and looking forward to checking out what she’s got on her site.

xo,
Melody

So happy to be aware of this now.

Brilliant, hot stuff!

xoxo

Did you get those hikes in yet?

Mama wants to know.

Sending you love from NYC!!

xx

I’m psyched you are doing the exercise!

Another one is coming soon!

So keep on keepin’ on!

Tell your friend you love her (and mean it, very important part here) and that you are in the middle of something. If it is still bothering her, you would be happy to talk about it a little later time when you are not working.

While this sounds like it is putting it off til later, my guess is that it is a knee jerk reaction for most people to reach out and complain the moment they feel a little resistance or uncomfortable.

By you saying you are unable to engage, it gives her the opportunity to get back to what she was doing and forget about her complaint.

The other thing you can do is let her know that you are on the “no complaining” train. (complaining is different then venting). So you could always set up a little “venting” structure with your friends as an alternative. (so as not to hold in all your frustrations)

You each give each other 15 (or more if you need) minutes to just unload. You do it one at a time. The unloader, just goes for it, everything that is bothering her. As the receiver, your only job is to listen and maybe provide an “I hear ya”. No comments, no questions.

After the time is up, the venting stops. No if’s and’s or but’s and you move on. Keep in mind, that both parties need to agree that the objective of this interaction is so that you can CLEAR your throat so to speak, in order to get on with what you are wanting to do/be.

How do these land for you?:)

xo
Erin

And then I get your email.

My heart is with you all these miles away, Diva!
XOXOOXOXOOX
<3 <3 <3

But, man, if feels good when I stop the non-sense. It’s as if everything starts lining up in a row.

Great topic, Erin!!!

I’m ready for the next video. Although it may be perfect that you’re holding out on me, because I’m freakin’ sore from the shower exercise, lol.

Melody

So, so true, Sistah!

Oh, and I have the same resistance as you on that second item. Oh, yes I do.

Love you for this post.

XO

Please and thank you

Full bends. Elbow to side of body everytime.

And eating clean helps, too:) Obvi.

You’re amazing!

Xo