Kristen Marie's Blog

Kristen Marie Schuerlein is Moving

Come see my new homes....

My Company: Design Duo Inc

My Expression: Vision Translator

My Musings: Musings From The Midpoint

Intentional Living

As silly as this sounds, when I declared Affirmagy's tagline to be "intentional living" I'd never listened to an Abraham-Hicks CD, nor had I ever cracked one of their books.

Funny how life works. Fast forward 5 years. Today what Abraham calls "Segment Intending" is a huge part of my life. Segment Intending is all about setting an intention for the next segment of your day. Whether it's driving from meeting to meeting, making a call, or getting ready to go to sleep, the idea is to be mindful, present and conscious of that which we are creating.

If you are interested, consider buying The Law of Attraction 5 CD set by Abraham- Hicks. It's what I listen to every morning, and in the car everyday. And it's made a huge difference in my life!

If you are curious to see Segment Intending in action, go 'friend' my buddy Thach Nguyen on Facebook. He's committed to sharing his intentions throughout the day. Very cool!

1853 days

1853 days ago Affirmawraps made their debut in a fashion that set the tone for what Affirmagy is all about. It was February 14th 2005, Valentine's Day, and 120 Abundance blankets were given to ministers at a New Thought gathering in San Diego. One by one they were given as a gift to see if wrapping people in positive affirmations was a good idea. (Can you believe I ever wondered that?). Giving Abundance away, just to see people respond, was a powerful experience in itself. Choosing to build a company that would ultimately touch the lives of tens of thousands worldwide was when my life totally changed. (I still remember the knot in my stomach as I wrestled with stepping into this new venture)

Affirmagy came into the world BEING what it believes; the world is a better place with more Abundance, Joy, Love and Inspiration in it. Affirmagy believes that we are that which we speak, we attract that which resonates with us vibrationally, and that we are the creators of our lives.

It's funny to say "Affirmagy believes" like its an entity. In many ways is it.... and in many ways its simply a philosophy, a way of being in the world.

In reality, those things that Affirmagy believes are what I believe. Although I've never said it like that before. From day one it was vital to me that Affirmagy not espouse a certain viewpoint or dogma. This company - this philosophy - isn't about faith or religion or theology. It's very very simple. It get more of what we want, focus on what we want.  Get it in our space, our language, our thoughts. Peace, Wholeness, Gratitude. Whatever it is for you. Simply choose.

That was what wrapping ourselves and those we adore in Affirmawraps has been all about this past 1853 days. What a journey.

Thanks for being on the ride. Thanks for supporting, watching and cheering us on all this time. And thanks for knowing that our lives are exponentially better for everyday that Affirmawraps were sold.

Now, Affirmagy lives in a new way, a new expression. But it's still the same. It's all about focusing on what we want. And going for it.

Fitting It In: The Birth of Affirmagy

Last night I realized how powerful the idea of "Fitting It In" has been in my life. It's how I started Affirmagy..... just fitting it into the cracks and spaces in my life.

I heard once that if you cut out 1 hour of TV a day, you'll gain 365 hours a year to do other things. 365 hours divided by 8 = 45 work days... that's 9 weeks of 8 hour days! Imagine what you could create in over 2 months of worth of work days. Amazing!

By fitting Affirmagy into my life, my life has never been the same. Just taking those first few steps in having the courage to dream.... to think through how we could even produce a blanket with words on it was shift in thinking. How do you DO that? What would they say? How would we let people know about them? How would we write them? Is this doable?

Having a good idea is a wonderful thing. Making the time to explore, nurture and give it shape is something altogether different.

I am not sure what exactly compelled me to follow my heart and create Affirmagy. All I know is that by choosing to fit it in, we've touched tens of thousands of people. And brought more love, Joy, Gratitude and Compassion into the world.

Not bad for a little idea on a napkin.'

What idea do you have that's waiting to come into your life? Is it time to start finding the time to fit it in?

Fitting It In

About three months ago I was introduced to a gentleman who has a really big idea. I left our meeting thinking three things:

1. He's a good guy
2. He has an 800lb gorilla on his hands, and it's so big that just presenting it is cumbersome
3. I can help

NOW, listen. This is critical. There are things you need to know before proceeding! Offering "help" can be tricky. Here are the rules:

1. Help must be offered in a way that is meaningful to the other person. Not to you.
2. Help must not be you driving an agenda about what you think someone should do.
3. Help is not working for free, hoping they'll become a client.
4. Help is not helping, hoping that you'll somehow get paid for being helpful (in the start-up/entrepreneurial world there is a natural unfolding of this, if it's appropriate. If you walk into a relationship with a touch of "how do I make money here" - even in the back of your mind - you'll kill off the possibility of the prosperity). Go in 100% with the intent of contributing to another for the JOY OF CONTRIBUTING. Trust me on this! (it's the secret sauce to a great life... more on this soon!)
5. Your life needs to be handled in order to freely help. This doesn't mean you have more money than God, or that you have eradicated all responsibilities from your orbit. It DOES mean that you need to be accountable for your commitments. Otherwise, there is a breakdown coming for you and that doesn't help anyone.

Ok? Ok.

Now after months of helping, sharing, and supporting his big idea is becoming a big part of my life. And right now, that's workable for me. I am having fun. And the trick is this.... To make it work, I am "fitting it in".

"Fitting it in" is a very cool concept when understood. Fitting it in gets you the time to write your book, an hour a day, until it's done without turning your life upside down or putting you in financial jeopardy. Fitting it in gives you the freedom to explore other projects while staying true to the things that make your life work - like your family and your job. And fitting it in gets you connected to others who like to life in a big, bold way.

So, my good guy and I are just fitting it in... 6am calls on Sat and Sun mornings. Conference calls at 8pm. We're both fitting it into our very full lives. And it's working. Doors are opening. Opportunities are unfolding.

What is in your life that is wanting to emerge? What dream, project or goal that once realized would make a huge difference in your life? Can you start fitting it in?

Since November 24th...

I was having lunch with a good friend earlier this week, and she made an amazingly good point "Kristen, people want to know what you are doing. Tell them."

As I pondered that idea while enjoying my chicken Phad Thai, I realized she was right. I've been super quiet about what I am doing these days... mostly because, well, I am DOING things (you know, heads down, rocking and rolling)... and partly because I don't know what to say. OK...

"I never got Affirmagy profitable. It never fully took flight."

There, I said it.

The past couple of months have been filled with amazing things.... incredible things.... sadness, celebration, success and good old "some how, some way, we gotta make this work". I've started two blogs that I've never made live.... one celebrating 40; and the other about Design Duo, the other me. The "me" before Affirmagy. The me again, in a whole new, powerful, passionate way.

As I am writing this, I've made a decision. This is my blog. At least for now. I still believe - perhaps even more passionately than EVER - in designing a life you love. So, for the time being, this is my blog. My voice. A place for all the shades of Kristen Marie.

Affirmagy never fully took flight. At least not how I thought it would.

And I can't wait to tell you why it's been one of the best successes of my life!

My Masters in Intention

I am getting my masters degree in setting intentions and releasing the results. Here are some examples.

New makeup bag. For years I’ve been using one of these clear plastic bags that pillow cases come in, with the little snap. Yeah. Tacky. Because I carry my face in my car, I thought “Kristen, you should really have a respectable bag to put all these cosmetics in you silly woman” and I agreed with myself. About a month ago my friend Suzette intro’d me to Linda who is the rock star that runs Ladies Who Launch in Seattle. Invited to an event. I went to the panel discussion on launching a product line. One of the presenters created the coolest makeup bag on the market. There was a drawing for one of her bags. Guess who won?

Black suit jacket. I was ready for a new one...my favorite one has gotten a little over loved, and I said to myself “Boy I’d love to have a new black jacket for over jeans. That’s one of my favorite looks on me.” Fast forward to find me in Cleveland for the Metallica concert with my sister Galen. The night arrived she gives me four beautiful Garfield and Marks suits. One black. Fits me to a tee. Wearing it now.

Backpack. Ok this is wild. I’ve been walking to work occasionally. Let’s stress the “occasionally” shall we? And I was thinking that it would be great to have a super cool backpack to take with me. If you know me you know that this sentence alone is bizarre. Me with a backpack? Yeah, right. Please appreciate the fashion conundrum this puts me in. Until last week. Yes, last week two angels in my life – Suzette and Beth – decided to give me a birthday present. What was it, you ask? Well S & B used to rep Beijo bags. Don’t know the line? I’ll just say this: I am now the proud owner of the most darling pink shoulder bag/backpack convertible accessory ever made on Earth.

Dang, this setting intentions thing really works.

OK, there’s more. But I don’t want to overwhelm you. Let’s just say this; Consider setting some intentions, and releasing them. And then watch what happens. I think you’ll start to see miracles – unexplained good fortune – showing up. Very very very cool.

Happy intending....

Non-Resistance Rocks!

Boy, does the Universe think a lot of me! In the past two weeks, I've had one of the biggest breakdowns, and one of the biggest breakthroughs of my life.

I won't bore you with the details of the breakdown. Let's just leave it at this; I am not shy about sharing my opinion with others, especially when I feel I am not being heard, or my heart has been hurt.

Now, the breakthrough... that's where the juicy part is. Last Sunday I had the good fortune of really experiencing non-resistance. I had someone I love very much choose to take themselves out of my life. In the past I would have been upset, mad, hurt, fixing, and angry. Yet in the moment that they told me about their decision I experienced calm, acceptance and true, radiating love for this person. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced.

By choosing non-resistance as the response to the decision of another, I find myself in flow. I am so grateful for this lesson. And the gift this person has given me.

Our natural state is joy, love and bliss. These days my spiritual practice centers around being in those states as much as possible. I am learning that the keys to getting everything you want in life are choosing to be in Non-Resistance and in Gratitude. I'll tell ya, they totally rock!

Wow. Talk About Instant Transformation.

60 minutes ago I was in total breakdown. Pissed. Frustrated. Mad. Luckily, over the course of the past two years my ability to transform in the moment has become highly tuned. Within 3 minutes the Universe sent in reinforcements to get me back on track. Here's what it sent:

1. I walked into my office to find flowers and a note thanking me for stepping up and contributing to a board of directors as its president. I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to be in a bad mood and get flowers at the same time.
2. I clicked on my Twitter account to learn that TODAY my post about "Positive Thinking" popped up (read below - it's a good one). Please understand, this is a repost from July 2007 that I put in my blog queue about 2 weeks ago. How perfect that it would show up today.
3. I got a call from my friend Brooke that started with "You are so beautiful!" (Hooray for amazing friends!!)
4. I read an email from a gal I hardly know (honestly I think she clicked the wrong 'Kristen' in her address book) with the most lovely words that whacked me into thanksgiving, fast:

'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.  Concentrate on this sentence... ' The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you. ' Something good will happen to you today; something that you have been waiting to hear.'

I am in awe of the Universe's power to bring me exactly what I need, when I need it. Whoa. And I am so thankful that I am able to see, and receive these amazing gifts. So, as of 2pm, I am back. More resolved than ever to go after my dreams. Onward!

Ride The Wave

I am wired for speed. I like a fast pace..... or rather, I am so used to a fast pace that when I am not on the go, I feel weird. This way of being worked for me for a long time. But I'll tell you, it's tiring. I'll bet you know what I mean.

My coach Matthew Ferry teaches about "riding the wave"... noticing that there are high points and low points in every wave, the trick is to ride when it comes and REST when the next one is one its way. This is where I get stuck. I totally get the "ride" part.... I imagine a surfer on his board flying across the water, shifting his weight to stay upright, and yelling Yaaaahhhhhhoooooooooooo all the way down. Cool huh?

Ok, here's the tricky part for me to grasp. ALL GREAT SURFERS WAIT FOR THE NEXT WAVE. They paddle out... they get prepared... and they wait. They don't try to force the wave to happen. They don't get antsy that the wave isn't here yet. They aren't fearful that maybe another wave really isn't coming.

No, they get themsleves prepared and they have faith that lots of great waves are on the way.

My intention these days is to enjoy the 'no wave' time. To rest, renew, be in an anticipatory state expressing pure joy that a wave is forming that will blow my mind.

Yahoo!