INHALE LOVE. EXHALE PEACE.

Some days, I feel like I am wearing too many hats. I can't keep up. I mean, in all seriousness, I bite off way more than I can chew in every aspect of my life. I want to be a musician. A performer. A writer. A teacher. An entrepreneur. An innovator. A spiritual leader. A perfectionist. So lately, I have been separating myself - choosing which appropriate hat to wear at which times in order to avoid falling victim to the "jack of all trades, master of none."

During my morning run this morning, I was thinking of which "hat" to wear today. Literally. Which aspect of my life do I want to focus on? How do I want to appear to others?

And as I am listening to these thoughts, my two good friends Guilt and Doubt finagled their way into my mind. The familiar inner judges (as OperaWorks mentor Paula Thompson calls it) were appearing in psychic energy until I finally stopped, sweating, staring at the ocean thinking "where are all of these expectations coming from??!"

After enough time had passed that my heart rate slowed down, I knew running back home would be a challenge. I decided to take the entire route practicing inhaling love and exhaling peace. I've heard this affirmation before, and in several different phrases (inhale peace, exhale love; inhale love, exhale hate; inhale love, exhale gratitude), but today, I made the decision to go on exhaling peace.

Inhaling love --> accepting love for myself. No matter what anyone thinks about me.

Exhaling peace --> spreading love and serenity to everyone around me.

Today, I am choosing to let go of these expectations, surrender to my inner judges, and march on as a whole being.

I know I speak for all artists in saying - it's damn difficult being an artist! Putting yourself out there ... taking risks ... it's no wonder that Guild and Doubt have so many friends!

All we can do is love ourselves. Let go of expectations - from ourselves, and from others. And exhale peaceful energy to those we touch.

Peace & Love,

Allie