by Lois Barth

I was struck by a recent post from a friend, colleague, and former client of mine who wrote a beautiful story about needing a change-of-scenery and taking a 552-mile motorcycle trip with some family members and all the insights that came up along the way. She talked about needing to shake things up a bit. Her vibrancy popped off the page. It inspired me. I so relate.

I looked around at my modest abode, and my things-to-do list I have for the day, all-important; some action items that energized/confronted me, and others just “gotta do.”

But I asked myself, ‘What would shake things up for me today and during these holiday and political times?’ More like stir my soul, and shake up the old paradigm of how I have lived my life.

Since I’m “built for comfort” not for speed, you’ll most likely never see skydiving, parachuting, sports racing or motorcycle jaunts on my Sparkle list. I definitely have my own version of shaking things up.

For me that started last night with dear friends, a couple, that my sweetheart and I had a day trip with, followed by a lovely dinner at their home. With their 34th wedding anniversary approaching, I asked them what two or three keys have made their marriage so wonderful and one surprise that they couldn’t have guessed. What followed was taking our already lovely decade-plus heartfelt and fun talks to a more intimate level.

Today, I woke up to friend’s 30th AA zoom anniversary, and given her age, she now officially has more years on the planet sober than drinking, I’m so proud of her. To have racked up more years on the planet, alive and awake then numbed out and in one’s addiction; especially during the pandemic. What a privilege to be part of that celebration! And at 7:15am on a Sunday morning no less.

And the most significant way I’m “shaking things up” is doing what I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE and always have LOVED before those other important things to do items; I’m writing, processing my daily insights, ahas, and sharing ideas, and moments that in my heart of hearts, I hope helps others to think, share, and live their truth. And having fun doing it! I believe that’s my ultimate goal on the planet. I know that because when I do it, it makes me feel the most LOIS in my soul!

What are some ways you can shake things up with or without leaving your front door? Stirrings of your soul that need attention and action? Telling your truth whether it’s popular or not? Take that first step in doing something that makes you deliciously uncomfortable in service of making you Sparkle? Just ask yourself that simple question, and be still and pay attention.

Eat “dessert” first. Pay yourself first. Fill your own well; hopefully first thing in the morning. “Shake things up, even if you don’t plan on leaving your front door.”

What are you doing today, right now to “Shake Things Up?”

I’d love to know!

Lois Barth is a human development expert, motivational speaker, coach, and thrilled to have delivered her first ‘book child,’ “Courage to Sparkle.” She champions women to share their brilliance and to live an authentic life. She speaks at women’s conferences all over the country and has been quoted in The New York Times,The Wall Street Journal, Fitness, Weight Watchers, and MSNBC.com to name a few.