Home, together: Meet Tanya Geisler and discover the joy in being the star of your life

I just love it here. I feel like I’ve just been welcomed by Jenn into the most gorgeous house where the windows are wide open, gauzy sheers sway in the breeze (is that sea air that I smell?), art adorns every wall and the murmurs of good conversation waft in the space.

I feel I’ve just been handed a cup of Mariage Frères tea and a plate of madeleines and invited to rest on an elegant yet comfy couch with the most sublime cashmere throw imaginable.

From here, I can snuggle in and listen more closely to the conversations all around me, knowing that I am welcome to immerse myself in any one that I choose, at any time.

There is no rush. I catch snippets of dialogue about community, relationships, courage and creativity. I sip my tea and beam.

I am home.

Even though I am not always cerebral and high-minded (physical humour is my go-to for guffaws), I am home. Even though I am not the savviest woman on the block (what the hell is Pinterest, anyways?), I am home. Even though I am neither of impeccable timing nor taste (I belt out bits of “The Gambler” at most inappropriate times), I am home. Even though I don’t always practice what I preach on my blogsite, often lose my patience with my family, at times bemoan circumstance and lose track of what’s important, I am home.

Here are the women I’ve yearned to connect with my whole life. Back in my advertising days, when women colleagues (and even my clients?!?) and I would treat each other like adversaries, I yearned for a place like this: where it was about sharing. Sisterhood, love, support, courage, stories, humanity, grief and laughter.

The truth is, back then I wouldn’t have known how to receive (or be received in) a place like this. I was in my own self-induced toxic realm of zero fulfillment and should-urbia. I wasn’t living my values and I certainly wasn’t the star of my own life. I loved misery and it loved me.

The year my daughter was born, my mother passed away. It was then that I truly heard Mom’s mantra:

Don’t postpone joy.

So now I don’t.

I lead a joyful coaching practice helping others to step into the starring roles of their own lives; collaborate with joyful folks; lead joyful workshops and go to places that make me joyful. Like here.

You can find me in this space (on the couch, or in the garden, or at that darling desk over by the window) for the next couple of months, writing about the things that make heart sing with the intention having yours do the same. We’ll swap stories of family, business, creativity, spirituality, money (Honey!) and always, always, joy. Whatever shows up in a deliciously authentic way that will enrich this already sumptuous space.

Am so looking forward to getting to know you better. Join me in a toast?

To being home together.

{Thank you Jenn, for inviting us in.}

XO

Glorious Creations and Knowing How You Want to Feel

When I was about seven, my grandmother went to Acapulco and brought me back a t-shirt. This was 1979, so naturally, it was brown. The “o” in Acapulco was an orange sun. I loved that t-shirt more than anything. Especially when I paired it with a blue and pink calico twirly skirt. {Hold that sartorially sublime image in your head}.

And I would twirl and twirl, likely humming the “Wonder Bra” theme song in my head. Feeling free and like I could take on the world.

This same grandmother (Mildred), had teeny old lady curls, an penchant for Matinee Slims, could make a mean sundae (complete with proper sundae glasses, natch) and had a wit that could slice a tomato. Every Wednesday night, my sister and I would stay overnight with her. A highlight would be watching her dress in the morning. For my amusement, she would sashay around in her terry cloth robe, throw open her double closet doors with dramatic flourish (revealing a sea of polyester pantsuits in a rainbow of colours) and in her best `40s silver screen actress drawl, would affectedly proclaim:

“Which one of my GLORIOUS creations shall I wear today?”

She would select any one of the leisure suits (the Kelly green one seems to have been her favourite with mauve a close second), don some costume jewellery (“the glitzier, the better”), dab some rouge on her cheeks and was ready.

Feeling feisty and like she could take on the world.

My daughter is seven years old now, and delights in putting her own outfits together. I love watching the process (though I abhor the mess). She hums to herself as she pulls out shirt after shirt, then skirt after skirt, then vest after vest, then headband after headband. She ponders but a moment and when her eyes light up, there it is. Her glorious creation for the day. She has but two rules: first, nothing can match. Matching is fussy. And she is NOT fussy. She is “fashionistical”. (I believe “fashionistical” translates into “unique”).

Rule #2, it must be fun.

Tell me. Does this NOT look like a kid ready to take on the world, in the most fashionistically fun way?

As someone who has spent the better part of her life poring over fashion magazines, marveling at the creativity of designers but defaulting to the safe racks of Banana Republic, somewhere along the way I forgot to connect with how I want to FEEL in my clothes.

I am soooo glad I caught this, because THAT, dear friends, is a miss.

We’re not just talking twirly skirts and pantsuits, here. How you want to feel informs EVERYTHING. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. In your life, in your business, in your relationships and in your skin.

It informs how you walk, how you talk, how you love, how you give, how you receive. And how you impact the world around you.

How do you want to feel when you leave your job?
How do you want to feel when you have that conversation?
How do you want to feel when you get on that plane?
How do you want to feel when you lead that workshop?
How do you want to feel when you let that person go?
How do you want to feel when you host that event?
How do you want to feel when you write your book?
How do you want to feel when you dress in the morning?

Free? Feisty? Fun?

Masterful? Compassionate? Ready? Luxurious? Something else?

Get clear on how you want to feel, and start from there. Because now you really know how you’re going to get there. Feeling ready to take on the world, you Glorious Creation, you.