Life Shifts Coaching

What is your dream for your children? For the next 5 years? 10 years?

There's value in taking it day by day - especially in the haze and survival mode of early motherhood... At various points over the last six years, I've paused and 'woken up' to the dreams I have for our children and our family.

We've followed callings and convictions and some of these have looked like moving from Cape Town to Durban and from Durban to Brisbane. Working full-time, working part-time. An ebb and flow.

It's a fascinating balance between living in the present; and giving attention to the future... To balancing one's own needs and dreams; and making shifts to focus on the wellbeing of the family.

These were some of the threads of discussion that came up in our Clues to Your Purpose group call today.

If you have kids, I invite you to carve out some time to imagine the best case scenario for your kids over the next 5-10 years. Life is fleeting and it is worth considering the direction you're moving in - and if it's one that aligns with what's best for everyone in the family.

And whether you have kids or not, it's worth considering the dreams you have for your life. Sometimes they get buried and sometimes we discredit those desires.

It's amazing what can happen when you simply bring awareness to these dreams. And when you start to live them in their beautiful, messy way, you could be shaping generations to come. (No pressure 🙊... But let this be your reminder that dreaming is important. Pausing, reassessing and having courage to make shifts have far-reaching consequences) 🦋✨

From next week, I'll be available for 1:1 coaching again if you need support in any area of life.

Motherhood should be a Sacrament:
A rush to fill the lunch box
Daily sandwiches cut and given out
(So much giving out)
Sometimes in haste
And sometimes -

Tangible reminders of why this path chose me:
A mirror reflecting ripples of time
And the parts of us that are different
And the same

Motherhood should be a Sacrament:
Grace passing through us
A hand held at bedtime
Pulsing with life and then surrendering to sleep
Sometimes a sanctification of
All the things I could do
And sometimes -

A tangible reminder that
In the quiet of a darkened room,
Clothed in the moon's light:

This work is important
This moment is grace

And grace is here
Today, tomorrow, forever

/ words:

Let the reality of your present moment speak louder than your fears 🌼🦋

Motherhood, immigration and cancer have all shaped my relationship with time.

I recently read that we will spend more time with our kids when they're adults than when they're children. How's that for perspective when you're in the sleepless and exhausted phases of early motherhood?

Now that we're across the world from our loved ones, time with them is wholey unique. Goodbyes are more frequent and time together is savoured. It's made me want to live all parts of my life with the same intensity of relishing the present moment.

And cancer - well, I was not only acutely aware of how fragile life is and how in another lifetime I wouldn't be here... And I wouldn't have seen my kids grow up. It's also the first time I truly experienced the "grace of the present moment."

All the 'what ifs' of the medical road ahead made me accept that I would have grace for everything I feared in the moment I needed it. I found a way to live the moment that is rather than living ahead of myself, of analysing...

And now in immigration I am experiencing this same grace. I am choosing not to look ahead to the goodbyes but to take the gift of the present in my hands. I am choosing to trust in the abundance and the unfolding of life when so much is starting from scratch.

I'm choosing to lean into the meaning of God as "I AM". This moment in time is where God reveals gifts and grace. God's identity is I AM. Always at work. Always present. Always in the present.

Embracing the present is all we have.

So, in your own fears, concerns and 'what ifs', what are your 'I AMs'?

I AM enough
I AM provided for
I am guided
I AM loved
I AM safe
I AM on the right path....

Let the reality of your present moment speak louder than your fears 🌼🦋

A strange question...❓Did you start seeing stars?? ✨

One of my beautiful coaching clients told me that when she was reading Stars in the Desert while on the aeroplane & on the roof reflected starry little lights which she thought was funny as it linked to the book. And a bit before this when she was running a marathon in Prague (slay gurl👑) she saw little star stickers stuck on the cobble stones which motivated her.

Now when I was writing this book and going through cancer treatment, I would see stars ALL the time (hence the title). It became more than a little symbol but a motif, a promise engraved on the desert season surrounding me.

God gave me the title for the book in the middle of the night. The middle of a desert season.

But I didn't think my readers would start seeing stars too! God's message and promise will be unique to you so stars could mean something very different to you than they did to me. So I was inspired by what Amy shared and wondered... If you've read Stars in the Desert, did you start seeing stars? ✨✨✨

A jumble of life lately

Contentment in the simple things
Surrender
Experiencing the providence of God that comes in the shape of basketball hoops, craft supplies, golf clubs, cricket balls & everything on the kids' wishlist found in curbside collections & Marketplace (I'll forever be a thrifter after this year! Rebelling against a throwaway culture)
Surprised by joy
The peace of being here
Exiting survival mode
Living with an abundance mindset
The debut of the tooth fairy
Autumnal mornings and sunny afternoons
Absolute wonder in our children
Kolbe's serenity
Sienna's sparkle
And the gift of life

The 'one friend prayer'. These are the faces of just some of my answered prayers.
In my book, Stars in the Desert, I write about my mom encouraging me to ask God for just one friend when we were moving cities when I was 14. Yes, a group of friends is great, but I prayed for one person I could walk with more intentionally through life with and in every season God has been faithful to that prayer.

I'm sharing this with you because perhaps it's time for you to pray this prayer. From Johannesburg to East London, Durban to Cape Town, Madrid to California, Hillcrest to Brisbane... God has given me at least one person I can lean on in both the most beautiful and the most trying seasons.

Answered prayers have been in the faces of Kerryn, Anya, Tess and Hayley, Cait, Tracy, Jen and Jo. It became most apparent that we need community when I was going through cancer. The people around me were angels sent into the desert to accompany me. And there are seasons when we do that for others. But the most beautiful part of these kinds of friendships is them being mutual, intentional, and a space of vulnerability. The one friend prayer has often been answered when I'm most vulnerable. When I've been pushed to need that kind of friendship because if life was comfortable, it would be easy to stick to myself.

Seasons of discomfort, loneliness and challenge aren't meant to be faced alone. There's an element of self-work and self-compassion that only you can do, but there's also the enormous gap in our hearts for solidarity.

Case in point: a mum at Sienna's school has become a friend because one day I was tired of small talk and told her it was actually a tough day as I'd bumped my car and this frustrating incidence became the catalyst for making a new close friend.

So maybe you're in a season where you need this prayer. Watch for the answers. You'll be surprised by how God answers this prayer. Each of the people I've mentioned continue to remain close to my heart even across distance. I'll always be thankful for how they've enriched my life.


Watch this space for an intentional online community that's being built so you don't have to do life alone🌼✨

🌸 Honouring Mum Giveaway

Embrace this season of your motherhood journey with these special gifts that will add meaning and sparkle to your life ✨

🌸Handmade ceramic mugs and homeware ☕ by .co.za R750

🌸Versatile, figure flattering clothing made in SA. 👗 R850

🌸 Virtual wardrobe consult. Learn what suits you & address your main wardrobe concerns in this 60 minute session 👡with R1200

🌸Discover your next steps in life in this self-paced course which includes group coaching & practical tools to find more purpose 🪴 with R3550

🌸A copy of Holding Mama, a guide and journal filled with tools, resources and anecdotes for early motherhood. 🤰 R360

🌸No matter what desert or dune you face, Stars in the Desert, will encourage, inspire and guide you. 🏜️ R280

To enter:
🌸 Follow all brands
🌸 Like AND save this post
🌸Tag your friends
🌸 Bonus entry: Share this post to your stories

On expectations, zoo biscuits & a birthday sale on my course! 🦄🎁🌙✨🎉🍦🦚

This month marks 4 years since the start of my coaching practice & 2 years since I finished cancer treatment. And oh, it was my birthday too.

In celebration, get my course on sale AND surprise a friend by gifting them a free enrollment! Read my newsletter for all the deets.

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One of my coaching clients said that this line I shared stood out to her. So I thought it might encourage (and challenge) you too.

The way you live your day is a reflection of the life you are building. If you want to start building differently, start with today. This next moment. Now.

Examine the practices and habits that govern your day. Have you included rhythms & rituals that support your mental, physical and spiritual health? Are you making moments for connection with loved ones?

Where is there room for change?
Start with today



Dive deeper into living a life of meaning & purpose by signing up to my self-paced course, Clues to Your Purpose ✨
www.lifeshiftscoaching.co.za