do what you love Page 7 of 94

Treasuring the chaos

Written by

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}

Written by

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

Written by

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!

Written by

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…

Written by

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

Written by

[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!

Written by

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?)

Mettricks_Poster_Design_800px_v1

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!

DSC_0106

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?

Written by

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.

Why this book might just change your life

Written by

I can hardly believe it’s nearly time to release Freedom Seeker into the world. I cannot wait to share her with you. I have made a series of ‘Inside the book’ videos and wanted to share the first with you today:

If you think Freedom Seeker is for you, please pre-order it so you can access our free bonus alongside the book (a brand new online course called ‘How to be happy (+ calm, focused + organized) which will run for four weeks from May.

FS_PREORDER_3_800X400PX_LR

In it I’ll be sharing:

  • Insight into how I organize my super busy life to get so much done, including writing a book in six months whilst running a business and raising two children
  • How to stay calm when everything around you is going crazy (most of the time, right?)
  • How to organise your email (including the one action that literally changed my life)
  • My specific strategies for getting stuff done Downloadable done-for-you templates for creating the most effective to-do lists around, and a host of other downloadable goodies to help you get on top of everything
  • Loads of life hacks, including tips for decluttering, handy apps, my favourite stationery and more

Plus you get access to a private Freedom Seeker Facebook group where I’ll be offering direct support as well as regular Facebook Live sessions.

If you think you’re likely to buy the book you might as well get this lovely bonus for free! Get yours here.

Fly free my friend, fly free…

Beth

FS_PREORDER_BOOK_5_800X400PX_

How I’m turning my hobby into a lifestyle (and you can too!)

Written by

DWYL_BLOG_SHAREDSTORIES_650X250PX_LR

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” — Howard Thurman

Today we share Rebecca Temsen’s story. Rebecca is a writer, entrepreneur, wife and a mother of two who is passionate about helping people to reach their potential and not just settle for the norm. Here she explains how her hobby has become a way of life. 

There is no telling how much you’ll grow or how strong your energy will become once you are truly dedicated to a personal ‘cause’ or ‘purpose’. This ‘cause’ or ‘purpose’ is also called happiness and it is well worth chasing.

This is my story in pursuit of happiness…

(more…)