The Magic of Belief

Jul
10
2011

by KimbraLee on July 10, 2011

Baily & Criss Angel

This past weekend I took my 11 year old son, Baily, and his best friend to one of our favorite vacation spots, Las Vegas, for some play time and a little R&R.  We always have a great time in Vegas, but this trip was extra special because included in our line-up was the opportunity for Baily to meet one of his biggest idols, Illusionist Criss Angel, who was hosting a meet and greet/autograph signing at his merchandise store in the Luxor Hotel. Indeed, he was gracious, and humble. (And yes, be envious, ladies – I sat in his lap!) But there’s so much more to this magician than just Rock Star good looks and sex appeal!  I’m going to tell you the real reason why this guy won a corner of my heart and it goes beyond surface illusion … it’s all about the magic inside.

To tell you the honest truth, I didn’t know much about Criss Angel until earlier this year in March when I took my kids to see this man’s live theatre show, BeLIEve, for the first time when we were in town for our last getaway. Both of my sons have always been magic fanatics, and they had shown me various video clips here and there of Criss doing tricks on YouTube many times, (“Hey Mom, watch this, it’s so cool! ”) but we had never attended his live show before then.  That trip I finally bought tickets, checked it out, and I’m happy to say we were not disappointed!  The show was spectacular, all the way from the 12th row.   And, “are you ready” for my dime store review?  Here goes:  The dialogue was humorous and engaging.  The illusions were fast paced and impressive.  And the Mindfreak Magician himself?  Uh, he was rather … magnetizing.  My son, the little wannabe magician, left with stars in his eyes and Momma left, well … very intrigued, to say the least.  ;)  Intrigued enough to do some further research on the magic man.  And I have to say, I was really impressed with what I found out as I began to dig.  Please, read on. >>>

If you know me and the message of my work, then you know that what I do is to help people transform their lives and find their own magic so they can live their dreams.  Coincidentally enough, after having been introduced to this entertainer and learning more about him, I found out that he, too, is about so much more than just the amazing stunts and tricks he performs.  Indeed, there is a deeper meaning to and purpose for the way he shares his talent.  And while our delivery is very different … I don’t saw anyone in half or make people disappear … our core message is identical -

You can create anything you want, if only you believe enough in yourself and your dreams.

Today, Criss is living his own dream, performing his BeLIEve magic show five nights a week to largely sold-out audiences, living in a beautiful multi-million dollar home, creating his own magic-based internet television channel and being able to give back through charities near and dear to his heart – but he speaks openly about the challenges he had to face and the obstacles and criticism he had to overcome in order to arrive on top, where he is today.  Things definitely didn’t just magically land in his lap – anything but!  When his show first opened back in 2008 at the Luxor, it got some downright ugly reviews, but instead of giving up, Criss used the opportunity to grow and transform BeLIEve into what it is today, the number one magic show in the world.  Something to be proud of?  I’d say yes.  The bigger message?  Never be defeated!  Don’t downsize your dream, step up your game!

Maybe one of my favorite quotes from Criss is that his ‘overnight success’ took almost 20 years to achieve!  And that, my Beauties, is the ultimate gift of focus, passion and perseverance!  I’m here to tell you (and Criss Angel is a perfect example of this) – if you can harness those three parts of yourself, you too can create your own personal brand of magic!  Whatever you desire, it’s all possible, but you have to believe.

This past Saturday, standing in line with my son to get to meet the famous Illusionist, I had a chance to literally rub elbows and speak with a lot of his fans during the lengthy 5 hour wait time in what eventually became a very intimate hallway.  There, I heard emotion-charged story after story of how Criss’ encouraging message and example had literally changed these people’s lives by inspiring within them the confidence to reach for their dreams and completely turn difficult situations around for themselves.  Is it any wonder why he attracts such adoration from a huge loyal fan base with unsolicited reviews like that?  Now that’s what I call real magic.  That … I love.

I guess the moral to the story here is that we were each put here with a unique passion, skill set, vision, dream and desire to make it all happen.  The only thing that’s standing between you and living your bliss every day is your own ability to believe that you can do it and accept that you deserve it!  And speaking from personal experience I can tell you – many times when you have the courage to go after your dreams, you find your higher purpose along the way too … or maybe I should say, it finds you.  ;)

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ~

“Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.”

 

Be looking out for my new Transformational Program “Becoming Magical”, available right here on the website in the Prosperity Café by month’s end!

It’s absolutely time to go for your dreams!  I believe in you!

 

Xoxo,

KimbraLee  :)

 

P.S. – Next time you are in Las Vegas, be sure to make Criss Angel’s BeLIEve show part of your trip … I can promise you will leave inspired!  :)

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Even The Prince Can’t Save You

May
16
2011

by KimbraLee on May 16, 2011

You remember the deliciously romantic fairy tale we all read as young girls, right?  There you were … uh … she was … sound asleep, head lying gently upon a satin pillow.  Deep in eternal slumber from a spell cast by the evil witch.  And the only remedy?  Yes, a handsome prince who would ride up on his white steed and, being struck by her irresistible beauty, kiss her gently on the lips and bring her back into consciousness.

Sigh.

Well, Ladies?  I hate to slap you into reality, but … it just isn’t gonna go like that.

The good news?  The Prince is coming … The bad news?  He’s you!  I can hear you – “Excuse me?  Did she just say I was Prince Charming?”

Yes, I did.  You are both the Beautiful Princess and the one who can save her, all at once.

From the time we were small, many of us received programming as we were growing up that someday, a perfect partner would show up for us, fall In love with us, take our hand and lead us into our brilliance and we would finally be happy and complete.  Our lives would be whole.   But that’s not how it works – you must first become the perfect partner to the Prince you desire.  Then, and only then, will he show up to share in your excellence.

We’ve all heard it.  This Universe operates on the principle of attraction … in other words, you will manifest in your life those things – or people – with whom you are in vibrational resonance with.  You cannot expect someone magnificent to want to spend time with you if you don’t want to spend time with you!

So what are you going to do about that?

Here’s what I suggest …

Take a sheet of paper and fold it in half long ways.  In the first column, list all the traits and attributes you imagine your Prince to have.  Be specific.  Is he tall?  Is he generous?  Is he Italian? … I’m not kidding!  Spell it all out.

When you are finished with that column and you think you’ve adequately described Mr. Wonderful, now move over to the second column and this time, make a list of all the qualities you believe he would be looking for in a Princess.  (That’s you, by the way!) ;)   Would she be graceful?  Independent?  Sassy?  You get the idea.

Done?  Great!  Now take a good long look at that second column and ask yourself the cold, hard question … does that list describe you?  Probably some of it does.  Maybe most of it!  But your real work here is to highlight those descriptive items on the list that you feel you may need to grow or stretch into … and begin to cultivate those qualities within yourself.

Remember – it is when the Princess is ready that the Prince will appear!  It is up to you to create your own happy ending …

And you are oh so qualified for the job!

 

Xoxo,

 

KimbraLee

 

P.S. – In a relationship, two halves don’t make a whole … two wholes make a great time! ; )

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What We Can Learn from Cats

Apr
10
2011

by KimbraLee on April 10, 2011

Is it just me – or do cats really have this whole thing figured out?

As I write this, one of the four cats who live in my house is laying next to me on my bed.  Couldn’t look more comfortable if he tried.  The cat himself (this one, solid black) is really only 15 inches long from nose to base of tale, but when he lounges, he suddenly stretches out to a full 2 feet – just like a slinky!  A-m-a-z-i-n-g!  It’s better than plastic surgery!

(Geez, If I had this super power, then that would mean when I stretched out, I’d actually be  … 64”x8+*&0-34mc=^93, carry the 2 …. about 6 feet tall !!!  Sign me up!)

I think that perhaps the most remarkable thing about cats, to me, is that they clearly understand something that we as humans sometimes take the better part of our lives to figure out.  Yes, Cats know The Secret.  Their every waking thought?  …

I am the center of the Universe!

If you live with a cat, then you get exactly what I mean.

Feeling hungry? … head for the bowl and, voila! – some well-trained human has filled it with tasty morsels!  (and if not, there’s usually an accessible garbage can nearby – full of leftovers just ripe for the picking!)

Want attention? … find the closest pair of hands that can pet them and climb squarely into the owner’s lap for affection! (What?   Master’s busy doing something?  All the better … just lay down right in the middle of the project they are working on, look irresistible and/or be annoying until they can’t resist, give in and meet your needs!)

Tired kitty? … walk, drop, snooze!  Rule?:  The more you are completely in the way … as in entirely blocking the path of traffic … the better!  This causes all the passer-bys to turn their attention fully to you!  … or better yet, trip ! … (I know, I know … a devilish grin just appeared on cat’s faces everywhere just at the thought!)

Yes, cats have it good  and enjoy the finer things in life … and that’s primarily because they do not worry about things the way we humans do.

They just know what they know what they know … they are ‘worthy.’

When was the last time your cat showed concern about how messy the house is?  How many chores are on the ‘To Do’ list that won’t get tackled today?  How badly the grass in the backyard needs to be mowed?  How much money is in the bank account?  The fact that little Johnny created a mural all over his bedroom wall upstairs with his crayons?

Doesn’t phase ‘em one tiny bit!  They cruise right on by to the best spot in the house for a sun bath!  Nothing seems to shake them up or steer them off course.

So, I offer that there is a lot to be learned from a cat …  if we humans want to create the life of our dreams for ourselves …

1)         Stay confidently and faithfully focused that there will be food in the bowl and hands to stroke you everyday.

 

2)         Be grateful for the really important stuff ( like … the quiet landing at the top of the stairs, the pork chop someone forgot to put back into the fridge, the pile of freshly folded laundry just waiting to be napped on, etc.)

3)         Repeat numbers 1 & 2, ad infinitum

 

Just a thought … today, try thinking ‘outside the litter box’ and watch what happens!

 

Xoxo

KimbraLee

 

P.S. -  “I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.”    – Hippolyte Taine

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To Be ‘Spiritual’ or To Be ‘Rich’?

Apr
9
2011

by KimbraLee on April 9, 2011

Because, like you, I am on a continual journey of becoming the Biggest Me I can be, I have spent this past year focusing much of my self-development energy on embracing and growing my own prosperity consciousness.  I’ve sought out mentors, joined communities, immersed myself in books on the subject  and, as I’ve come to understand and begin to experience the sheer joy of it, a prosperous life is one of … all-encompassing abundance.

Abundance of Health.  Abundance of Love.  Abundance of Spirit.  Abundance of … Money.

Money.   I lived a good deal of my life without a lot of that … and it didn’t used to bother me.  Or at least I didn’t think it did!  In retrospect, I’ve come to realize that it may actually have been more the case that I just didn’t really know what I was missing.

Funny how it works.  I didn’t value money, so it didn’t bother to find me.  And neither did the opportunities it could afford me.  That was the real loss.

For the first half of my adult life, my motto when it came to the people and experiences in my life was, “Money doesn’t matter -It’s the spirit that counts.”  More commonly known as, ‘being overdrawn at the bank, but right with God.’  ;)

That’s what I believed.  My personal creed.  That was the message I sent out into the Great Beyond.  Therefore, of course, I never had a lot of money. Come to think of it …

My friends didn’t have a lot of money.

My boyfriends didn’t have a lot of money.

And when I finally married … twice …

Neither of my partners at that time had a lot of money either.  (Now there’s a surprise!)

In fact, we usually had just enough money to get by … but, hey – we had plenty of spirit.  And, then, came … kids.  I had a few kids.  Uh, okay … a lot of kids.  Five, to be exact.  And guess what I quickly found out?

A lot of kids + not much money = trouble experiencing a lot of spirit!

So here’s a secret about money.  Are you ready?

When you’ve got it, you don’t think about it, but when you don’t have it… it’s hard to think about anything else.

Not having enough money creates many interesting dynamics in life – like reconstruction of every waking hour around ways to either 1) Live without it, or 2) Pursue it … which leaves very little time for experiencing spirit .  Yours … or anyone else’s.

So from my experience, I have come to learn this truth:

It’s not that money isn’t ‘spiritual’ – it’s actually that poverty isn’t.  God is good, and this is a rich and bountiful Universe we live in!

You were meant to have money!

You were meant to have enough money to meet all of your needs!

You were meant to have more than enough to spare, and certainly, enough to share!

 

Imagine the great good that will come out of that!  Each of us being able to play in our spirit everyday.  Oh the magic that we will create!

Now, I’m all for that.  How about you?

Embrace money … and don’t apologize!  Just where do you suppose the idea of money came from in the first place?

Yes.  Like everything else … Spirit.

 

Xoxo

KimbraLee

 

P.S. – “It’s a kind of spiritual snobbery that makes people think they can be happy without money.”  ~Albert Camus

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It’s Called … ‘Maturity’

Apr
7
2011

by KimbraLee on April 7, 2011

The other day, on the way to an appointment in the car, my daughter and I became deeply entangled in a very philosophical conversation.   At one point … frozen at a stop light … some important point of view just expressed – she looked at me and said, ‘Mom, you are really mature!’

A strange thing for a child to say to a parent, but still I knew just what she meant and gave her an appreciative smile.  It was a particular kind of ‘maturity’ she was referring to.

The older I get, the more my definition of ‘maturity’ continues to change.

When I was a young child, ‘maturity’ meant making it to puberty – and all those wonderful physical and hormonal changes that would inevitably arrive.

When I was a young adult, ‘maturity’ meant learning to act appropriately in interpersonal and social situations.  (no more burping louder than the next guy at the dinner table – a concept I am still waiting with baited breath to descend on a certain 11 year old child who inhabits my own dining room!)

When I became a parent, ‘maturity’ meant developing the ability to consider someone else’s needs and happiness ahead of my own – and to make responsible choices and decisions accordingly.

But as I’ve graduated into yet another phase of my own personal growth in the past decade or two, a different type of ‘maturity’ has gradually become the cornerstone of my personal code.

It’s the type that allows me to embrace and appreciate everyone who passes through my world – no matter how briefly or in what form.  The type that allows me to bless those people who appear to show up in my life with no other purpose but to challenge me, confront me and pull every last ugly skeleton out of my closet and toss them all over the room!

… it is the type that helps me to remember that every soul is doing the very best they can based on their own history and experience, in any given moment … and yes, that includes even me.

 

It’s a ‘maturity’ of spirit.

 

It doesn’t ask for your birth date – couldn’t care less how old you are.

Doesn’t boast outward evidence of its arrival – in fact, it’s gracefully discrete.

Requires little more than an open mind and a willing heart – but, accepts nothing less.

 

And it takes practice … and more practice … to fully develop this kind of ‘maturity’.

 

When your first inclination is to pull out the boxing gloves and remind someone you’re a force to be reckoned with – it’s not fully engaged!  And when you can turn the other cheek, without anger, it is.

So when the next challenging person comes waltzing into your life, gets in your face, pushes your buttons and starts to head directly for your skeleton collection … rather than reaching for your weapon of choice – this time try reaching for your ‘maturity’ –

and I can almost promise that what you will find  -

.. is that they were actually just stopping by to show you how far you’ve really come on this journey of personal growth.

 

Till Next Post,

 

Xoxo,

K

 

P.S. -   Never forget … ‘A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.’ – Baltasar Gracian

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Play Big!

Apr
6
2011

by KimbraLee on April 6, 2011

By far, my favorite quote of all time …

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel unsure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
- Marianne Williamson -

On the phone the other day a close friend of mine made a comment that really took me back …

He didn’t plan to at the time, but I’ll admit it … he ruffled my feathers. I only say that because of the reaction I felt inside in response to an innocent comment he made! (And I’m sure he picked up on it too, judging by how quickly the conversation topic changed immediately afterward to something significantly more important, like … the weather!)

He said … Kim, you are one of those people who …” (fill in the blank.)

Don’t remember how he finished the sentence. Don’t think I even listened to how he finished the sentence. Honestly? – I was stuck back at the part where I was being lumped into a random blob of humanity. Blech! (the blob … not the humanity!)

As human beings, we certainly all have the need and desire to ‘belong’ … it’s normal and it’s natural. But as unique spirits – I believe we also have the inherent responsibility to ‘stand up’ and to ‘stand out’. And the more I learn about me, and the more I grow into who I really am inside, the more seriously I take that to idea to heart.

Every person – you, me … the mailman – has the obligation to become a fully-actualized ‘original’ star in this show! And I, frankly, don’t want to be like anyone else. I want to be referred as ‘that passionate Greek Gypsy who writes from her heart’, not just ‘one of those women who posts stuff on the internet’. Capiche?

It’s different.

You were put here to do something spectacular and unique, because … if not – if anyone else could be you as well as you can – there would have been no reason to send you in the first place!

You have talents, gifts, passions … that you’ve been reverently entrusted with … to bring into this life and put to good use. You have a mission! You have a purpose! You have … work to do!

You have to get busy!

Have you looked around lately? Ummmm … excuse me … I think someone needs you! I think the whole damn world needs you!

Needs you; needs me – in ALL our glory!!!

So, what are you waiting for!? Want permission to play BIG? … Granted! Get off the bench! Get off the sidelines! Shaking the pom-poms and cheering for the rest of the team just isn’t enough anymore … and you know it.

Pssst … Hey, Beautiful … pick up the ball!

Get in the game!

What are you gonna’ bring to the table?

 

Xoxo,

K

 

P.S. – There aren’t two stars in the entire sky that are exactly the same – but they all shine brightly … and not one of them ‘tones it down’ so as not to ‘show up’ the other stars! Puh-leeeeeeze! Get busy and dazzle us!!!

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Hello world! … It’s Time.

April 2, 2011

Well, as Oprah says … “Here we go!” This week, I gave birth to a huge part of my dream, and you are looking at it.  With the help of a talented web designer, an up-and-coming photographer, a little technology and a whole lot of heart, soul and guts – this website was finally born.  [...]

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[12:57:55 PM] KimbraLee DeSantis: