Have a magical 2017!

A few weeks ago, I was listening to the story of celebrity chef Jose Andres and how he built his business. Jose Andres is a James-Beard award-winning chef with restaurants all over the United States. He started his career as an apprentice at El Bulli in Spain.

In the podcast, he shared the story of how his father would never allow him to help make his paella but instead would always put him in charge of building the fire. One night, he refused to help his dad anymore because he was tired of the fire tending and wanted to do the actual cooking. After dinner, his dad took him aside and told him that cooking was the easiest part of the job. He gave him this advice:

“You want to be a great cook?
Be in charge of the fire.
You’ll be able to cook whatever you want in life.”

At this moment, I want you to pause.

Gently put your hands on your heart. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths. Envision a fire in the middle of your chest. How does it look like? What are the colors of the flame? How does it feel against your skin? Is it giving out any warmth? Look closely at the flames. Is your fire giving off a strong and steady light? Is it small and barely flickering? Is it strong like a bonfire, with bright and raring flames?

Open your eyes.

This year, let’s tend the fire within. Let’s keep it strong and steady, at the very least, or make it passionate and roaring. May this fire be your guide with all the choices you need to make throughout the year: Does this decision light me up? Does this tend my fire or does this diminish it? Always choose that which makes you radiate both inside and out.

If you feel there are specific parts of your life that need tending, subscribe to my e-newsletter so you can get a free copy of YOUR HEART-CRAFTED LIFE workbook.

Say hello to 2017

As we say goodbye to the year that was, I want you to take some time to celebrate all that you have accomplished in 2016. As confusing and disturbing as last year was, there was still so much that you had done and I want you to acknowledge and reward yourself for all that you had created, written, negotiated, overcome, solved, photographed, traveled. Bask in the beauty that is your life.

One of my favorite rituals for welcoming the year is filling up the Unraveling workbook by Susannah Conway. It helps me reflect on my goals for the year. I also choose a word rather than a resolution, which allows me to make aligned decisions. Click here to download your copy of Unraveling.

Life coaching

With the new year, I’ve also retooled my life coaching programs, to make it more holistic, heart-crafted and responsive to your needs.

If there are goals that you want to achieve, if there’s an on-going dilemma that you can’t seem to solve on your own, if you want to open your mind to the possibilities, if this is the year you decide to make your dream come true, then you need a life coach.

Head on over to auroramsuarez.com/coaching/ and explore my two new programs: Jumpstart Your Dream and Your Life Coaching Journey.

I’ll also be part of RELEASE AND RENEW, a wellness and life coaching retreat this January 28-29. Click here for more deets.

What if…

This month, I’m posting a What-if question on Instagram every day. Experts tell us to avoid what-if questions because our monkey minds always go to the worst-case scenario.

But these what-if questions are different. They open your mind to possibility, wonder, miracle and delight. And isn’t that what we all need for the new year?

If you’re interested in provocative questions and insightful answers, then follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/yourheartcraftedlife.