do what you love Page 7 of 94

What to do when those around you tread on your dreams {video}

Just recently I was explaining a crazy idea I had to someone close to me and they laughed at me like it was ridiculous. Actually it felt like they were laughing at me like I was ridiculous, which was even worse. They took a pin to the balloon of my optimism and burst it, just like that.

The thing is, when we change and grow, and step into new possibilities, those who have known a version of us for many years cannot always see what we can see. They don’t always understand how our perspective has shifted, or how delicate our dreams are. Some people simply aren’t used to looking up and outside the boundaries of the narrow track they live their own life on. Of course if they are happy living that way that’s fine, but it doesn’t mean you have to follow that same track.

Surrounding yourself with people who get it, who get you, and will give wings to your dreams is perhaps the single most important thing you can do if you really want to do what you love.

We are all human. If we keep getting told “You can’t do that”, “Your dreams are too big”, “It’ll never work”, then of course it’s natural that at some point we’ll start to believe those words instead of the truth inside ourselves, the knowing that actually we can do it.

If instead you have conversations about possibility and potential, options and choices, then you start to see and navigate life in a completely different way. That’s why I made this video to encourage you through those hard times when people you love are treading on your dreams. I hope it helps.

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The importance of self care {video}

Self care is a real work-in-progress for me, but know that when I practice it, everything is better. And so I made a little video for you, and also for me, to remind us all that when we take care of ourselves we can better take care of others, as well as having more energy and access to creativity to explore more of what we love. Here you go…

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Treasuring the chaos

Treasuring the chaos TTC WILDLING1I am writing this at my kitchen counter, glass of wine in hand, dinner dishes stacked high in the sink waiting for some attention. A voice in my head keeps reminding me that my large travel bag is still lying on my bedroom floor, in the exact spot I left it there on Sunday after arriving back from 19 days’ travel in the USA. The floor by my feet is strewn with children’s toys – an open jewellery box with a sleepy ballerina, done with pirouetting for the day; a plastic teapot ready to serve a tiny tea party, a slowly wrinkling balloon. Mr K is catching up with one of his superhero programmes in the next room, and the girls are sleeping upstairs. As I cast around my home, I could not be happier to be here.

Travel is amazing. Adventure is life-enhancing. And yet today, after so many days away, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here, in the middle of the chaos of home. As I count down to my 40th birthday on Saturday, and look at the ‘state’ of my life, I’m feeling grateful for all of it. Even the wrinkly balloon bobbing around my feet. (You can read my personal essay on ‘Treasuring the chaos’ in the utterly beautiful Wildling Magazine here, for free)

Treasuring the chaos TTC WILDLING2

It’s funny how sometimes the chaos can be a source of stress, and yet today it is a source of comfort. It all depends on how you look at it, and what else is layered beneath.

Whether or not you have children, I would like to encourage you to take a moment this week to find a way to treasure whatever chaos is going on in your life. Because mess births beauty. Chaos is progress.

BethXx

Why taking a leap is so freaking scary {video}

Today I want to talk about something that we don’t often speak of. Something that’s confusing, and difficult, and stops us pursuing our dreams. It’s the paradox of escape.

When a bird or an animal in captivity is released into the wild, somewhat surprisingly it doesn’t burst out of its cage and race headlong into its new world. It emerges timidly, hovering near the cage, clearly stunned by the reality of their new situation, and often looking back several times before tentatively moving away.

And so it is with us. We’re rarely trapped one moment and free the next. Even if we make bold moves to change our lives, opening the door of the cage that has been trapping us, after an initial high, we are struck with the heartstopping realization that the world outside the cage is freaking terrifying. It’s just so huge and vast, we have no idea where to go, and we’re not even sure if we remember how to fly.

And the cage doesn’t usually disappear as soon as we leave it. The reality is more complex than that. We hover at the door, tempted forwards by potential but held back by fear.

If that sounds familiar to you right now, you might appreciate this video I made for you:

Here’s to taking the leap anyway, knowing that when it’s hard, that’s normal…

BethXx

Let me tell you a story…. [Freedom Seeker audiobook is here + on sale on Amazon today

Let me tell you a story…. [Freedom Seeker audiobook is here + on sale on Amazon today FS AUDIOBOOK 800X400PX LR

Greetings from Boston Airport where I am waiting for a plane to take me on the next leg of my USA tour, this time to Portland, OR. I’ll be spending some time with my good friend Kelly Rae Roberts out there, and we’ll be doing a Facebook Live together this coming Thursday. We’ll be talking about juicy things like life, friendship and freedom, so stay tuned for that!

For now I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say that Freedom Seeker is now available as an audiobook via Amazon/Audible! (and it’s only £4.62 on Amazon UK / $7.64 on Amazon.com today HERE, so that’s over six hours of goodness for less than two coffees!)

I really loved recording the audiobook of Freedom Seeker a short while back. I thought about you as I was reading, imagining you sat across from me, cup of tea in hand, as I shared stories and life lessons and laughs and tears and precious moments. It’s all in there. So if you’re ready, get comfortable because I’d like to tell you a story…

If you are an audiobook kind of person, I’d love to know where you listen to Freedom Seeker – perhaps on a flight, in the car, out walking in the woods, while you are creating a painting… let me know!

Here’s to flying free!

Beth

Xx

Issue 10 of MOYO magazine is out now!

Spring is a time of growth and new beginnings and if you’re thinking of making positive changes to improve your life look no further than the latest issue of MOYO magazine.

MOYO issue 10 cover
Issue 10 of MOYO – the Independence Issue – is all about making a living doing what you love. We have dedicated a whole issue to this concept, because we believe life is what you make it – that you have the power to create exactly the life you want. All you need is inspiration, vision, passion, dedication and commitment. There has never been a better time for creatives to build a flourishing business with their talents, and we have put together our best issue yet, to inspire that in you.

(more…)

Wow. Just wow. Come and join the open, honest and inspiring conversations…

What a week it was last week. I am beyond grateful for all the love and support as I sent my book baby Freedom Seeker out into the world. But even more than that, I have been floored by the response. Here are a few of the words shared by readers all over the world already…

On Twitter:

Wow. Just wow. Come and join the open, honest and inspiring conversations… Twitter Tree

Wow. Just wow. Come and join the open, honest and inspiring conversations… Twitter Chrissy  On Facebook:

Wow. Just wow. Come and join the open, honest and inspiring conversations… FB C

In our private group (name removed for privacy):

Wow. Just wow. Come and join the open, honest and inspiring conversations… FB Emily

This book is not just a book, it’s an opportunity for real change, an invitation to a new version of your life. One where you feel free in every area of your life (and who doesn’t want that?). But the road isn’t always easy, and so I want to go a step further than just putting my thoughts, stories and transformational tools out there in Freedom Seeker. I want to connect you to other Freedom Seekers, and support your journey in person, through Facebook Live chats, and encouragement as you make bold moves in the direction of your dreams.

That’s why I have created a special private group for readers of Freedom Seeker. It’s totally free and I will be posting there regularly in the coming weeks and months, commenting on the things that come up as you read, and supporting you like a friend by your side.

In order to join you just need to fill in the simple form here with your receipt details, and you’ll get sent an invitation to join the group. (If you pre-ordered the book, this is the same group you already have access to. If you pre-ordered but haven’t yet joined, you are still very welcome!)

Because the journey of the Freedom Seeker isn’t always easy, but it is essential and it is urgent, for it is the path to coming alive again.

Much love,

Beth

PS If you missed the book launch last week, you can catch the online launch replay here, or check out the photos from our wonderful love-drenched In Real Life launch party here. Thank you so much to all of you who joined us!

PPS The winner of the giant giveaway in the online launch was Holly Rutten-Helgeson. We also gave bonus prizes to Lara Smith, Kenda-Lee Gaynham and Fran Armstrong. The winner of our mega draw at the In Real Life launch party was Rosie Gannaway. Congratulations all. Please drop us a line to [email protected] to claim your prize if you haven’t already!

PPS You can catch me on Hay House Radio (UK Spotlight) with Janey Lee Grace at:

  • LIVE at 8am PST / 11am EST / 4pm GMT today (Monday April 10)
  • On replay at 4pm PST / 7pm EST / 12 midnight GMT today (Monday April 10)
  • On replay at midnight PST / 3am EST / 8am GMT tomorrow (Tues April 11).

What we can learn from birds to navigate life

[Health warning: There’s an AMAZING story in this video which might just blow your mind…]

Throughout the ages birds have been seen as a supernatural connection between humans and the gods. We have stitched their feathers into our folklore, and attached spiritual significance to their behaviour and movements.

Birds were on the earth long before us, so primitive humans looked upon them as powerful. Many early tribes and clans took a bird, whose characteristics they admired, as their totem.

And personally, I had the experience of birds appearing as signs in all sorts of guises (actual flocks, feathers on my path, feather jewellery, avian tattoos etc) while I was writing Freedom Seeker. When Hay House sent me a mock up of the book jacket to photograph, I discovered it was wrapped around a book by Teal Swan. Birds everywhere…

And it makes sense, for a book about freedom. But it wasn’t until I actually started researching and writing that I discovered some fascinating parallels between the mechanics of bird flight, and the human psyche. I even consulted an Oxford University Professor on the subject, who said he’d never seen those parallels recognised before, so it was all pretty exciting. You can read about those discoveries in Freedom Seeker, but for now I wanted to share a few thoughts on what we can learn from birds to help us navigate life. In this video I share a mindblowing story of someone I met on my travels whilst writing. I think you will love hearing it…

PS Monday is the LAST DAY to get the bonuses worth over $300 when you pre-order Freedom Seeker. Get yours here: www.bethkempton.com/book

We’re having a party and you’re invited!

We're having a party and you're invited! dwylhq1

As you may have noticed, I wrote a book, so it’s only right to have a big celebration when it launches very shortly! As a beloved member of my community I would like to invite you to the launch event. Below you will find details of the in-person main event in case you happen to be within visiting distance of Southampton, UK, and also of the virtual online party for everyone else! I really hope you will join me and celebrate. (Did I mention there will be lots of giveaways?)

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In Real Life launch party: ‘How to be a Freedom Seeker’
Wednesday April 5 2017 at Mettricks Guildhall, Southampton, UK, from 7.30pm

We’ll have live music and a whole lot of inspiration. I’ll be hosting, and signing books, and I’ll be joined by three inspiring Freedom Seekers from the book, sharing their stories in real life.

This is a FREE event but you’ll need a ticket. You can get your ticket here.

Please share with anyone who might like to come along and meet other Freedom Seekers, get inspired and have some great conversations!

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Online launch party – Tuesday April 4 2017 on the Do What You Love Facebook page from 8.44am PST / 1.44pm EST / 4.44pm GMT

Freedom Seeker comes out on April 4th, which is also our 4th wedding anniversary, so it seems only right to have the party kick off at 4.44pm GMT! I’ll be online from 4.30pm so we can do a countdown. Mark your calendar and come and join me!

If you haven’t pre-ordered the book make sure you do that now to get your bonuses – worth over $300! All the details are here, and you can start connecting with other Freedom Seekers right away. Don’t miss this!

Thank you so much for being part of this amazing journey of life!

BethXx

Are you a ‘kindrovert’ too?

I am curious, are you an extrovert or an introvert? If you think you are neither, perhaps you are a ‘kindrovert’. I am.

I used to think I was an extrovert. I like people, and I loved performing on stage when I was young. Parties were fun and I’d happily talk to strangers. But then I got older and wasn’t so keen to be caught up in crowds. I had no desire to be the centre of attention, and I found large gatherings quite draining. As I paid more attention to my stress triggers, I realized I needed quiet time more and more. I clearly wasn’t an extrovert after all.

Then it became trendy to come out as an introvert, so I tried that label on for a while, but it didn’t fit either. I needed time and space away from the noise to recover, but my ideas would come to life in conversation.

So I looked for an alternative and I discovered that there is a middle way called an ‘ambivert’: a bit of extrovert, a bit of introvert, not really sure about either. From the moment I heard the word I didn’t want to be one. It sounded like some kind of cleaning product and felt like a manufactured option to describe the space on the spectrum between extrovert and introvert. It didn’t work for me.

I thought about when I am at my most energized and creative, fizzing with potential, and realized I come alive in small gatherings of kindred spirits: people who are both practical and spiritual, challenging and yielding, gentle and strong. People who are smart and funny, but not ‘in your face’. People who listen and share, but don’t try too hard. People who’d rather say nothing than talk about nothing, but come alive in real conversation. And I know I’m not alone.

So I invented a new label for myself: I’m a ‘kindrovert’, and I suspect you might be one too. Find out more about what it means to be a kindrovert, and what difference it makes when you know you are one, in this short video:

I’d love to know if you are a kindrovert too – let me know on social media using #kindrovert.