The weekend is here! And if you’re reading this from the US, it’s likely this weekend is a long weekend for you. It’s actually hard for me to fathom that the beginning of summer is already upon us. The highways will be crowded with campers and filled-to-the-brim vehicles for the next 3 days as people head to the local mountains and lakes for camping and recreation. The season of non-stop-activity, warmer weather and full social calendars has arrived.

But I’m not feeling very social. In fact, if I’m really honest with myself, I could really use a quiet, restful weekend of solitude, reflection and extra sleep. There is a lot happening inside of me right now, and I know it’s important for me to stay really present with it.

At the same time, there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to miss out on anything. This part of me wants to “be like everyone else” and tune out the voice inside that’s telling her to slow down and listen. She wants to distract herself from the truth that is bubbling up inside of her, and turn her back (if even for a few days) on the winds of change that are beginning to blow in her life.

I used to think there was something wrong with me when my inner experience was calling me to do something so different from what everyone around me was up to. I even made plans with a girlfriend this weekend and then backed out of them because I know what I need to do for myself. The fear that came up inside of me when I knew I needed to change our plans was really intense.

I worried my friend would think I was being selfish. I was concerned that taking care of myself was going to jeopardize our relationship. Little thoughts inside my head were telling me I wasn’t being a good friend if I backed out and made myself the priority.

I did cancel our plans because I knew it was the right thing to do for me. And when I shared my truth with my friend she expressed her disappointment. I was disappointed, too. But she also said she was really happy I was listening to and taking good care of myself. It’s true. I’m honoring the crystal clear voice inside of my heart that is telling me to slow down, get quiet and receive.

Is this hard for you? Do you find it challenging to really honor the level of self-care and attention that soft voice inside of you is asking for? Are you constantly taking care of everyone around you – so much so that the idea of taking any time for you just seems ridiculous and impossible?

I get it. I really understand how much responsibility rests on your shoulders, and how improbable it might seem to be able to take time out just for you. But if you really take a moment and allow yourself to feel yourself, feel your life, and feel the longing in your heart, what do you notice?

How does it feel to never give yourself the opportunity to connect with your truth? Listen to the soft voice of your heart? Honor the needs of your body? Tap into the wellspring of wisdom and desire that lives inside of you?

Do you feel like you’re just going along with everyone else and neglecting a part of you that’s screaming for attention? Is there a particular roadblock in your life – a health challenge, an unrealized dream, stubborn excess weight, a paralyzing fear – that isn’t going away on its own? Do you know that a greater destiny awaits you but instead of asking what that is and moving toward it you give your attention and energy to a million different things?

I did this for decades. I thought it was simpler to ignore what was in my heart and distract from the truth that was inside of me. And it was easy to do, until it wasn’t.

It’s a powerful and potent time right now. Everyone I know seems to be going through something challenging and one form of massive growth and change or another. The easy thing to do is to distract yourself and get really busy.

But will you choose something different? Will you do the thing that only you can do? Will you choose you?

Think of the realizations and rewards that only come from really honoring yourself. Imagine how slowing down and listening to the voice of your heart and soul will enhance your health and your relationship with yourself. Envision a healthy, happy and whole you.

Now count the ways this self-honoring you will be a more effective mother, partner, wife, businesswoman, friend, sister, lover, activist, leader and woman.

This is why I decided to take this weekend for myself. I know I will be a better woman, in every way, out the other side. Sometimes this is still hard for me to do. But I know the benefits of charging myself up in this way. I understand how ignoring the soft voice inside doesn’t serve me – in fact it hurts me and the people that I love.

If you hear an inner call to take some much needed time out for yourself to reconnect, recalibrate, reflect and rejuvenate in every way, I invite you to the Radiant Possibilities Weekend Experience.

June 13 – 15th, 2014

Come experience what’s possible for you when you shower yourself with the love, attention and care that you give to everyone and everything else around you.

Click here to read about this Weekend Experience.

I’m wishing you a beautiful weekend ahead, no matter how you choose to spend it. May it honor, replenish and fill you up in every way.

With love and radiant possibilities,