Artful Living Coaching by Jean Marshall The Artful Woman

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Showing posts from December, 2024

How to Stop Planning for Failure and Start Visualizing Success: A Guide to Abundance

How to Stop Planning for Failure and Start Visualizing Success: A Guide to Abundance Do you often catch yourself imagining a future where things don’t work out? Do you worry about running out of money, facing failure, or living a life of scarcity? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle with negative thoughts that revolve around the fear of not having enough or failing in life. The good news is that you can train your mind to shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance and success . By replacing negative, fear-based thoughts with positive, empowering ones, you can reprogram your brain to visualize success, financial security, and a life filled with opportunities. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to stop planning for failure and start visualizing a life of abundance: 1. Recognize and Acknowledge the Negative Thoughts The first step in shifting your mindset is recognizing when you're thinking negatively. When you catch yourself imagining a future where you run out of m...

Turning Off the TV, Turning On My Life

Over the past year, I’ve embarked on a personal journey of research, personal development, and education—a path that has profoundly deepened my quest for knowledge. Looking back, I realized I had fallen into a habit of spending my downtime sprawled on the couch, watching TV. After my stroke, this routine felt necessary; I needed to rest and recover. But as I began to heal, I started questioning whether this was the life I wanted: endless hours spent in front of "the boob tube." As I regained strength, I made a significant decision: I got rid of my couch. Initially, my boyfriend at the time brought me another couch, which, while beautiful, was uncomfortably firm. I thought perhaps a smaller couch would solve the issue, but it too was uncomfortable. My goal was to disrupt my pattern and make it to where I wouldn't fall into the same routine. Finally, I decided to eliminate couches altogether. Now, my living room features a daybed—a practical solution that doubles as a guest...

Overcoming the Fear of Failure: A Journey Toward Growth and Abundance

Why do we fear failure so much? It’s ironic because failure is often the driving force behind success. Many of the world’s most accomplished individuals—inventors, entrepreneurs, leaders, and visionaries—have experienced failure before achieving greatness. Yet, the fear of failure persists for most of us. Why is that? For me, the fear of failure has often stemmed from a deeper fear: losing security. The thought of being homeless, without money, food, or a roof over my head, has been overwhelming at times. But when I pause to reflect, I realize how fortunate I am. I live in a land of opportunity, in a country known for its abundance and generosity. Americans are remarkable for helping one another, whether by offering food, money, or time. This realization gives me a sense of peace and reassurance—reminding me that even in the worst-case scenario, help and hope are within reach. Finding Power in Acceptance Recently, I’ve been grappling with a significant challenge. My photography busines...

Smuggler's Daughter: A Story of Survival - Legacy of Grit

Where do I get my grit, you might ask? Let me start by telling you about my mom. She was a coyote — a person who smuggled people from Mexico into California in the 1970s. I remember her having a custom-built van to hide people in the seats. In the beginning, though, we used to smuggle people in our car. I was probably around 8 or 9 years old at the time, when we would drive to the slums of Tijuana, where houses were barely built, yet families had already moved in. There were no bathrooms or running water, and poverty was everywhere. The local children often saw us as a symbol of wealth, even though we were far from rich. My mom worked tirelessly, holding two or three jobs, and being a coyote was just a side gig. To distract the children and avoid attention, my mom had a few tricks. She’d bring a dozen donuts and hand them out to the kids. They’d swarm the car, begging for money or asking to be taken with us, giving us enough time to drive off. Another tactic involved carrying a bag of ...

Breaking Free from Perfectionism, Negativity, and Imposter Syndrome

Perfectionism can be a heavy burden that many carry, often preventing them from taking action or moving forward in their lives. The constant need for everything to align perfectly before making a move can lead to paralysis and missed opportunities. But here's a powerful truth: done is better than perfect. Many people struggle with the fear of judgment, not only from others but also from within. The pressure to meet impossible standards, whether self-imposed or learned from childhood, can create a toxic environment of self-criticism. It's a cycle that can hold people back from embracing their full potential. Perfectionism often leads to people believing that they must know everything, do everything flawlessly, and be above reproach in all aspects of their lives. But this mindset is exhausting and unrealistic. Letting go of perfectionism doesn't mean lowering standards or giving up on goals; it means choosing progress over perfection. By accepting that imperfections are par...

Why I’m Studying Psychic and Intuitive Abilities, Energy Cleansing, and Reiki as a Christian

In 2020, I experienced an ischemic stroke that changed my life. Even before the stroke, I suffered from chronic migraines and a persistent sensation of knots or blockages on the side of my head and face. After extensive testing and consultations with specialists, no definitive cause was identified. Conventional treatments didn’t address the issue, leaving me to believe that the root cause might be something deeper—possibly an energy blockage. As a Christian, I believe in God, Jesus, and the power of prayer. My faith is my foundation, and I love the Lord with all my heart. However, I’ve been grappling with a recurring sense of disconnection—feeling as though my spirit and body are misaligned. This feeling has surfaced at different points in my life. One of the most striking instances occurred in my youth when, after two weeks of reckless partying and experimenting with drugs, I experienced an out-of-body sensation. It felt as if my soul was leaving my body. I vividly remember summoning ...

Breaking Free: My Journey from Fear to Lifelong Learning

Growing up, I was often told I didn’t fit in, and unfortunately, the school system failed to see my potential. As a child, I was diagnosed with hyperactivity disorder and put on Ritalin. One day, my dad came home to find me sitting on the couch like a zombie, drooling. Alarmed, he asked my mom what had happened, and she explained that my teacher thought I had too much energy and needed medication because I couldn’t sit still. My dad was furious and said, “If they can’t keep up with her energy, then they need to hire more teachers. But you’re not going to dope up my child.” Thank God he stood his ground. However, this wasn’t the end of my struggles. I was led to believe I had a learning disability, which was only reinforced by my mother who constantly called me stupid. When it came time to learn my alphabet, if I made mistakes, I was punished. The beatings instilled a deep association between learning and fear, which I carried with me throughout my life. I didn’t have a learning disabil...

Faith, Self-Belief, and the Path to Abundance

There was a time in my life when I was so desperate for any kind of job that I undermined my own potential. I accepted less than I deserved because I was desperate and feared that better opportunities wouldn’t come. The economy was tough, and I felt trapped by circumstances, settling for what was available instead of striving for what I was truly capable of. Yet deep down, I knew I wasn’t using all my gifts and talents. Through this struggle, I learned a powerful lesson: faith in God and self-belief are essential. Even when the world around you feels uncertain, having faith in God and trusting that better opportunities will come can prevent you from settling. Believe in yourself. Recognize your potential, and know that your talents are valuable, no matter the external circumstances. Trust that God has a plan for you, even when it doesn’t align with your timeline. His time is not always your time. Sometimes, the waiting period feels endless, but there’s often a lesson within tha...

The Desperation Trap: How Mindset Shapes Our Reality

One of the most powerful lessons I ever learned came from a friend during the aftermath of the 2007 mortgage crisis and subsequent recession. I was struggling to find work and kept applying for jobs that never materialized. The positions I did manage to land were unsatisfying, short-lived, or simply didn’t pan out. At the same time, as I was starting my journey as a photographer, I found myself constantly working with clients who had low budgets and didn’t reflect the value of my skills. My friend pointed out that the reason I kept facing these challenges was that I was acting out of desperation. That insight was a lightbulb moment for me. I realized she was right — I felt desperate, and that feeling shaped my actions, my outlook, and ultimately, my outcomes. The truth was, my situation wasn’t as dire as I believed, but my mindset created a cycle of scarcity. Because I held onto these beliefs, the universe kept responding in kind, bringing me more of what I didn’t want. That realizatio...

Unlocking Clarity and Purpose: The Harmony of Mind, Body, and Soul

I've been deeply immersed in studying the mind, brain, and optimizing their function, blending this knowledge with spirituality and energy work. I've always believed in the importance of a harmonious connection between the mind, body, and soul. Yet, there was a time when I felt a significant disconnect—both mentally and spiritually. I realized I wasn't using my mind to its full potential, nor was I applying my gifts, talents, and energy to the best of my ability. This realization sparked a mission to explore these fields deeply, leading me to study techniques, courses, and practices that bridge science, spirituality, and energy. My journey has been one of personal growth, transformation, and education. I’ve learned how the balance between mind, body, and soul can unlock clarity, purpose, and inner harmony. Now, my passion lies in sharing this knowledge to help others connect with their true selves, achieve their aspirations, and find meaning and balance in their lives. Whe...

Embracing My True Self: A Journey to Reclaim My Power

When I decided to leave modeling, I unknowingly started playing down my energy and dimming my light. I’ve always known I have a powerful presence — I am a strong, intelligent, confident woman — but somewhere along the way, I believed I had to make myself smaller to let others shine. One of the reasons I left modeling was because I grew tired of constantly scrutinizing myself — wondering if I was too tall, too short, too fat, too skinny, or just too something . The modeling industry is complex, and different countries often favor different looks. I secured a contract to spend three months in Tokyo, where a casting agent told me I was “too beautiful for Tokyo.” I believe this was because of my chiseled features, which were better suited for high fashion and European runway work. Instead of feeling confident, I was left confused. I didn’t know how not to be a high-fashion model — after all, that’s what I thought I was there for. But in Japan, the industry often favored softer, rou...

Second Chances and New Horizons: Embracing Life with Purpose

Despite the challenges of this economy, I still have so much to be grateful for. Most importantly, I’m thankful for the ability to make healthy choices, continue learning new things, and approach each day with purpose. While this year hasn’t brought immense financial gains, there’s so much to look forward to in 2025. It feels like we’re stepping into a new beginning, one where all things are possible — not just through our president-elect, but through God the Father, my Lord and Savior. My health, my mind, and my body are gifts I cherish deeply, and I am filled with gratitude and anticipation for living the best year of my life in 2025. Since my second chance at life, I’ve approached each day with renewed purpose and commitment. In 2020, I traded my old carefree, party-girl lifestyle for a more mindful approach to life. My focus has been on optimizing my health, especially my brain function, due to the challenges I've faced. Over the past 4 years ,I’ve explored practices like NLP, ...

From Survival to Transformation: Using Mind, Spirit, and Energy to Empower Others

I've been on a transformative journey of higher learning and spirituality, one that is deeply enlightening for both my mind and my soul. This experience has been profound, as the more I seek knowledge, the more it seems to find me. It's as if the saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear," is unfolding in my life. The vastness of what is available to learn and explore excites me, and it's all starting to connect and make sense. I’ve delved into techniques such as tapping into psychic abilities, hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming, the Law of Attraction, EFT tapping, and mindset work. My life experiences have already taught me that when we set intentions and put things in motion, the wheels begin to turn, and doors open. In my quest for enlightenment, I’ve also studied the Three Divine Principles of Mind, Consciousness, and Thought, gaining a deeper understanding of how these elements shape our reality and spiritual experience. In many ways, ...