Carin Rockind

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January 2, 2018 By Carin Rockind Leave a Comment

Intense, Powerful, Beautiful Year

What was 2017 about for you? Which successes will become the building blocks for purpose next year? Which heartbreaks will fuel you forward for growth?

This has been an intense year for me and most people I know. The successes and heartbreaks mixed into powerful calls to become our most courageous, purposeful selves.

Personally, I had the greatest joy getting pregnant after 2 years of trying, only to miscarry a month later and experience the deepest pain I've ever known. As a global community, we've suffered major natural disasters, political upheaval, and mass uncertainty about human rights – AND we saw the world's largest women's march, many of us (like me) woke up and started calling senators, and thousands of people spoke their truth with #MeToo, finally bringing mass abuse to light.

We got fierce and strong and powerfully on purpose this year!

A few days ago, I wrote about my annual new year's ritual (click here if you didn't see it) and doing it highlighted a few lessons that I want to share:

1. We need each other. We can't do this alone. 
I used to think it was weak to ask for help. I used to think that I was a “better” woman/human/coach/businessperson if I did everything myself. Unfortunately, it made me hard, bitter, and always a bit removed from true connection. But when I went through my miscarriage, I needed love and I needed help. One of trauma's great gifts is connection. So I did something I've never done: I let others in. I reached out to all of my friends and asked for support. I shared the truth with clients and let them hold me. I asked people I didn't know if I could use their home to get away by myself, I leaned into this community and others and allowed myself to be held. With all of this support, I not only healed, but I became softer – and in doing so, I actually became stronger.

Support was so important to me that I've been creating new support systems ever since: a MasterMind to support me and another MasterMind to support clients in their businesses, a Sisterhood of local women for deep connection, and I hired 2 new coaches for 2018.

We were never meant to do this life alone. Especially as women. For thousands of years, women gathered in circle to birth each other's babies, feed each other's children, and to hold one another through pain. That need to connect with other women is in our DNA. I'm doubling down on my women's circles for 2018 – and I'd love it if you join me in this promise to yourself.

2. The dark brings the light.
What looks like chaos, feels like heartbreak, and threatens your sense of fairness can make you infuriatingly mad – and can lead to immensely powerful change. I used to avoid, hide or run away from any darkness. I didn't want anyone to know that I too suffered from depression. I thought something was wrong with me for having anger, jealousy, resentment, and fear. I put a happy, perfect mask over very real pain because I just wanted light.

Well, if my life of 2 miscarriages, domestic abuse, divorce, gunpoint robbery, and more has taught me anything – it's that darkness brings the light. Every challenge is an opportunity to RISE to the occasion with courage. When you live on purpose:

  • You use pain for purpose.
  • You allow darkness to crack open the light.
  • You get fierce and you get busy to make change happen.

Rather than hide or numb your pain, lean into it with love and compassion. Feel the shame, guilt, sadness, anger, and regret – feel it all, and then let that intense feeling signal to you how important your purpose is. Everything is part of your story. It would be a boring story if there was no pain, no failure, no challenge. The challenges make us resilient and strong and courageous. The challenges make us heroes. 

This year has made me more dedicated than ever to empower every woman to reclaim her power, speak her voice and live her true purpose. If you're down with this mission, join me and let's create a fierce, f'ing fabulous revolution!

3. We are needed NOW
In a world with so much need, you have no more time to waste in a job you hate or a life that depletes you. If you have writing talent but you're too afraid to start your blog, how are you serving the world or making yourself happy by holding back? If you've wanted to be in a leadership position, but you've been afraid to go for it because you may be rejected, what message are you sending to your kids and neighbors about courage and power? As my favorite quote by Marianne Williamson says:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

What energizes you? What excites you? What dreams are buried deep in your heart? Do that. Even if you're afraid.

You are here for purpose. Your unique strengths, your unique talents, your voice, your passion is needed. Every moment of your life – the good and the “bad” – has given you wisdom, strength, joy and courage to share with others. And here's the thing – we have no more time to waste! The world needs you living your purpose now. Your children need your light, your community needs your love, and people need your purpose.

I realized this year that I've been holding back a bit. I want to be a beacon of change for women's rights, but I haven't been doing as many FB Lives, webinars, podcasts or blogs – because I'm afraid of rejection. But my purpose is bigger than me; just as your purpose is bigger than you. Someone needs me now, just as someone needs you. So in 2018, I'm leaning into the fear with compassion, and transmuting it to love and purpose for the world. We'll do it together.

We need to Activate our Power. We need to Activate our Joy. We need to Activate our Purpose. 

And we can't do it alone.

So if you are ready to create a path to clarity and courage in 2018… an Activation Session may be for you. 

Activation Sessions are powerful 90 minute sessions between just you and me where we go deep into your heart and soul for the answers that will lead to your happiest life. Together we get clear on your truth, together we uncover obstacles and decide how to move past them, and together, we design a path forward and ignite your best life.

During an Activation Session, I will lovingly ask probing, clarifying questions to help you clarify what you really, really, really want in 2018. We will uncover the deeper patterns and fears that hold you back so that you can overcome or remove them. I will guide you on how to follow your truth and we will identify a course of action to move forward.

So if you're ready to live BIG in 2018…
If you're ready to finally feel alive, on fire, and on purpose…
If you're ready to ignite a flame to fuel you forward…

Then click here to claim one of the Activation Sessions now.

However you spend tonight – in ritual, at a party, in quiet, or in love, I'm wishing you a beautiful, powerful, healthy, fierce, loving, abundant 2018!

XO,
Carin

Filed Under: Purpose Tagged With: Change, Intention, New Year's Resolutions

December 28, 2017 By Carin Rockind Leave a Comment

New Year’s Ritual for Happiness, Purpose and Abundance

Clear out the chaos to make space for clarity

Hi friend,

Cozy up and let's talk New Year's resolutions. I never make them because more than 90% of resolutions fail.

Rather, I go through a ritual that sets my desires and makes space in my life for action.

My clients love this ritual, so I'm excited to share it with you below.

To change your life, you need to be super purpose-full.

What's working for you? What isn't? What do you want? What might hold you back? And how might you overcome those obstacles?

Amazing things can happen in one year – but you have to be intentional with your time, your energy, your money, your love, and your life to manifest them.

Intention makes the difference between life running you or you running life.
Intention is OWNING your POWER.
Intention sets you on PURPOSE.
Intention will make you HAPPIER.

So below is my annual New Year's ritual in the hopes that it brings you the same clarity, peace, hope, and energy it brings me and my clients. 

Carve out 30 minutes for this exercise when you can have quiet time to reflect. Take this space for just you. Begin your quiet time taking 3 deep belly breaths – inhaling through your nostrils to a count of 5 and then exhaling slowly out of your mouth to 5. Let your body relax.

  1. LOVE: With your eyes closed, reflect on all that was really good in 2017. Begin with January, then February and March, etc. Then open your eyes and write down every moment of joy, good health, accolade, tenderness, and inspiration. Feel genuine gratitude in your heart and goodness in your smile and body as you write down each experience.
  2. LESSONS: Now close your eyes again, and think about the lessons you have learned this year. These lessons may have occurred through trial, trauma, or triumph. The cause isn’t as important to this exercise as the lesson itself. Write these down in your journal. Remember to have gratitude for the lesson so that you remember it going forward.
  3. LEAVE: Then, on a separate piece of paper, write every old pattern that held you back in 2017. The ones you are READY TO LEAVE BEHIND. For instance, I realize that I've been holding on to some old grudges this year and it's taken energy that would have been better spent on you, my clients, my community, my family, my life. So good riddance to those grudges. That victim mentality is not helping me any more. Now take the paper outside and light a match to it! Yep, good riddance!

4. LIGHT: Now, in your journal, write your intentions and desires for 2018. Don't write a typical “resolution” like, “lose weight,” or, “leave my job.” That focuses on the negative of what you don't want, and doesn't ground your brain in what you desire. Rather, be clear and specific about what you really, really, really, really desire – and why. For instance – to be so healthy that you can run easily with your children, to love your work so much that you feel alive and excited when you wake up, or to know your purpose so that you feel like you're making a difference and leaving a legacy.

SEE IT. Visualize what you want, even act it out.
FEEL IT. Feel the joy, love, or peace in every cell as if it's already happening.
BELIEVE IT. Make a mantra of it in the present, like, “I'm a Vice President” or “I love my book tour!”
GET SUPPORT FOR IT. We can't do anything alone. We weren't meant to. So who can help you? Who has achieved what you want? Who can coach and guide you? Reach out to them now.
ACT ON IT. Agree to one small step this weekend, knowing that every step toward the right dream matters.

I'd love to hear what you're leaving behind and what your LIGHT is for 2018! Post them in the comments below!AND…

If you are ready to activate your desires and create a path to clarity and courage in 2018…

I am opening up 5 spots in January for PRIVATE, 1:1 Activation Sessions!

Activation Sessions are powerful 90 minute sessions between just you and me where we go deep into your heart and soul for the answers that will lead to your happiest life. Together, we uncover self-created blocks, discover how to move past them, and design a path forward. Together, we ignite your best life.

These powerful Activation Sessions are for women who are tired of being stuck, who are ready to clarify their desires, who deeply desire to create a path to purpose, and crave the courage to move forward.

Here's what we do in an Activation Session:

  • You fill out a form in advance to share your desires for our activation session and to share any important history that will inform me of your previous patterns.
  • At the onset, we will get quiet, centered, and grounded so that we can hear your heart's true desires.
  • I will lovingly ask probing, clarifying questions to help you clarify what you really, really, really want in 2018.
  • We will uncover the deeper patterns and fears that hold you back so that you can overcome or remove them.
  • I will reflect and mirror what I hear in your soul's longings and very human needs.
  • I will lovingly, yet firmly, guide you to follow your truth.
  • We will identify a course of action to realize your desires.

And… As a New Year's Gift to you, I'm offering Activation Sessions for 40% off through December 31, 2017, at 11:59 pm!

So, if you are ready to ignite your year with a powerful jumpstart and customized plan, then click here to claim one of the Activation Sessions at 40% off.

Here's to a wonderful 2018 for us all!
XO,
Carin

PS – I'm only opening up space for 5 women to do Activation Sessions at 40% off in January, so if this resonates with you, click here to claim your spot!

Filed Under: Purpose Tagged With: Change, Intention, New Year's Resolutions

November 14, 2017 By Carin Rockind 14 Comments

My Miscarriage: How to Heal and Grow at the Same Time

I’m about to get raw and personal and vulnerable because I’ve committed to being real with you. I believe that a woman’s power is in her vulnerability and that we heal when we come together to support one another. And too many women are suffering in silence – whether from depression, challenged marriages, jobs they hate, starting businesses, infertility or cancer, women are trying to do it alone and it doesn’t work.

We need each other to heal and grow, so I dedicate this post to all of you suffering in silence in hopes that you know that you can heal, you can grow, and you can love life again. You can live in both/and.

Two weeks ago, I had a miscarriage.

If you’ve followed me for a while, then you know that I’ve wanted a baby for a long time – ever since my last miscarriage two years ago.

Before then, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a mom. I just wanted to impact women’s lives. I used to say that at my funeral, I would rather hundreds of women say that I changed their lives than one person say that I was her mom.

But then we got pregnant. It was 2015; we had been in Italy for a delayed honeymoon and after several glasses of Pinot Grigio, I said to Josh, “Oh what the heck! Let’s try to have a baby.”

We got pregnant on the first try. At first, I was terrified that I had just ruined my life. But then I was thrilled. Ten little fingers and toes to love, a whole life to witness and support, a soul to nourish with self-love and purpose! Josh and I started looking for a bigger house, we planned our schedule, we played with baby names. I envisioned the baby coming with me on retreats and I became excited about raising a conscious, soulful child.

And then I started spotting. Terrified, we rushed to the ER and while there, I fully released the baby. It was heartbreaking and strangely beautiful as Josh and I held each other. I understood then that I had entered a rite of passage for women.

That pregnancy taught me that I really do want to be a mom, and it helped me help so many other women. Just last month, two clients had miscarriages and I was able to support them through it. I felt like there was a purpose to my miscarriage and I could now be the mom I wanted to be.

But then we weren’t getting pregnant again. Month after month I cried as I got my period and about a year in, we saw a fertility doctor. I hated it every moment of it. He winked at Josh about his “young” sperm count while he sternly told me I was “old.” He tried to push expensive extensive medical procedures on us, scaring me with statistics while I turned into a blubbering mess of tears on the floor of his office.

It felt gross and like I was being used. I knew there had to be a better way.

A friend suggested a nutritionist/yogi/fertility coach and I signed up to work with her right away. With her help, I cleansed my body, went off of caffeine and gluten, started intentional mediation and yoga, and most importantly, I healed old painful wounds. I found myself totally in love with Josh, my stepson, and our life and about a year in, we got pregnant.

It was Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year) morning a couple of months ago and my period was late. I was never late, so I knew. I jumped out of bed at 6 am to take a pregnancy test, and sure enough, two lines appeared right away. I woke up Josh with fresh tears in my eyes and a huge grin on my face, “Honey, we did it! We did it!”

We held my belly at synagogue as we prayed about the miraculous new year we were about to have. I started telling the women closest to me, and we again started planning.

But then I again began spotting. It was the day after I found out that the radio show I was on was cancelled. I tried to keep myself calm but it felt like my whole world was crashing down at once. An ultrasound then proved that the baby was gone.

So in one week: no show, no baby, and honestly, I had a moment of feeling like there was no hope.

Then my friends began calling. My college girlfriends left their own young families and flew in from out of state to be with me. Another friend came over to hold me and pet my hair as I cried on her lap. A friend who just had a baby dropped off a care package. Two other friends from out of state ditched a conference to come sit with me. My clients from AWAKEN, my one-year experience to embody the divine feminine, texted me every day. Together, we healed. I felt both devastated and grateful.

Then I started taking care of myself. I got a therapist, I reached out to my synagogue for support, and last week, I went away by myself.

I always talk to you about self-care but until last week, I’m not sure I even knew what that meant. Mani/pedis are awesome, but sometimes, you have to give your soul what it needs to heal and grow. Sometimes, you need to get away, you need space, you need time and no matter what else is going on or how crazy it seems, you need it in order to be the wife/mother/friend/daughter/co-worker/manager/ son/father that you want to be.

So despite my brain’s objections (“You can’t go away now! The show was cancelled and we need to drum up new business!”), I cancelled my appointments and took time and space for me. For 3 days in the woods, I read, I meditated, I took long hikes, I cried, I screamed, I beat the shit out of a tree while yelling “WHY ME??!!”, I napped, I cooked really healthy food, I lit candles, I danced, and I made angels in the fresh snow. For 3 days and 3 nights, I did nothing but self-care and it filled me.

So I share all of this with you now not needing your sympathy, but in the hopes that it heals you.

Whatever you’re suffering from, don’t do it in silence. Don’t just trudge through the days. Allow yourself to feel. Allow yourself to lean in to others who can hold you and love you. Allow yourself to care for your tender heart and sweet soul.

And then allow yourself to dream and hope again. That’s what I’m doing and we’ll do it together.

With so much love,
Carin


Following Your Purpose – BONUS to Join me for LAUNCH in London
When I was launching my purpose, I was desperate for someone to take me under her wing and show me what to do. I was eager, I was excited, and I was motivated. I just needed someone to give me the blueprint and I would follow.

But I never found that person, so I made it up on my own. It worked, but it took a lot longer and had a lot more heartache and pain than it needed to. I cried a lot of nights because I didn’t know what to do and I suffered a lot of anxiety attacks because I felt so alone.

But you don’t have to be alone. I will be that mentor for you, as I've done with so many women before you. And I now have a bonus for you to do so.

I’m so excited about my upcoming trip to London where I’m going to speak at one of the most inspiring women’s empowerment events on the planet: The Festival of Doers. I want you to join me so that you can be inspired, get motivated, and create a plan for your purpose in 2018! At my new program Launch, you'll attend the Festival and then get 2 focused days of coaching with me to create a plan for your purpose. And now as a special bonus, I'm paying for your hotel!  Click here to get your bonus and learn more about Launch!

 

Filed Under: Purpose Tagged With: Miscarriage, Pain and Loss, Post-Traumatic Growth, Retreat, Sisterhood

October 30, 2017 By Carin Rockind Leave a Comment

Do You Have a Purpose?

I just want to feel alive and free. I just want to wake up every day excited. I just want to stop feeling so stuck and lost and unhappy.

Words from a new client last week when I asked her, “One year from today, how do you want to feel about life?”

I totally get this. I too used to daydream about feeling lit up and excited about life. I wanted to do work that filled me, work that made a difference, work that was my purpose, but it was overwhelming and confusing and seemed lofty. Like who the heck was I to think I had a “purpose?” Get over it, Carin. You have a good life – just be happy with it.  

But the feeling of being stuck didn't go away; it only got louder.

Until I got robbed at gunpoint and I had to start taking my heart seriously. I realized then that time isn't a luxury and that life isn't meant to be stuck. So listen to me loud and clear, Joshua:

Every single one of us is born for purpose. Even my client. Even you.

There's a unique way that you can impact the world that I can't because you have different strengths than I have, you have different talents, your life experiences have given you different wisdom, and you have a completely different circle of influence than me.

You are needed.

Your Strengths: No two of us have the same strengths – the natural way that you influence and live in the world.
 Strengths are who you are. You may be creative while your best friend is analytical. However, you have to accept your strengths and stop wishing you were someone else. One of my clients has a great strength in appreciating beauty and had longed to be an artist. However, everyone in her family is a doctor, so she devalued her strength of beauty. She hid it and in doing so, made herself unhappy and off purpose. She didn't have to choose between being a healer and an artist; she had to embrace her strength and bring it to every aspect of her life. The key to living your purpose is to know your strengths and embrace them as uniquely yours.

 

Your Talents: No two of us have the same talents – the honed skills that you use to serve. Talents are what you do. One of my clients was gifted at event planning, but she thought it was “smarter” to learn finance and import/export, so she found herself in a “great” career, but unhappy. You have talents that are your own and you need to embrace them. The challenge is that you may not recognize your talents because they come so naturally to you, or you recognize them but downplay them because you feel like a fraud, or you feel like you can't make money on your talents. Like maybe you're not really a good writer; your college professor was probably just being nice. Nope. You're a great writer and you can become even better with practice. The key to living your purpose is to hone your talents and give them to the world.

Your Passions: No two of us have the same passions – the causes, interests, or populations that get you excited, make you heartbroken, or juice up your motivation. Passions are what lights you up. For me, it's all about young girls and women standing in their power, speaking their voice, rising to the challenge, and living their heart's true purpose. I love seeing a girl boldly stand up for the kid being bullied. I love seeing a young woman rise above abuse to go to college. I love seeing a woman stand up for her heart and go for her dreams – even if they make no sense to her husband, her parents, or “society” at large. What are you passionate about? If it's art, start painting now. If it's theater, go volunteer at your local playhouse. The key to living your purpose is to begin taking a stand for your passions now. 

Your Wisdom: No two of us has lived the same life experiences so you have wisdom that is all your own. As life shows me again and again, it's hard. You're going to have hardship and pain. You're going to have loss. The question is what you do with all of it. Will you let the pain take you down or will you find the wisdom within and share that wisdom with others who need it? A 69-year old client of mine recently shared her story of marital pain with her EMPOWERED sisters and every woman was so grateful because they needed her wisdom. Whatever you've learned, don't squander it for yourself. Wisdom from trauma and triumph is the heart of a woman's purpose – and we need you sharing it!

You have purpose. You are needed. Especially in this crazy world, you're need now more than ever. 

Use this motivation to make it a powerful week.

With all my love,
Carin

PS: I recorded this video a few years ago and thought you might enjoy it!

Upcoming events:

Purpose in London! Do you want to finally fulfill that dream you've had? Do you want support in going for your purpose? Do you need help sorting out what your purpose is and how to bring it to life? Applications for my 2018 Purpose Mastermind starting soon! We'll kick off at the Driven Women Festival of Doers in London January, then work with me personally to create a plan for your purpose!

Divine Feminine AWAKEN – Do you crave reconnecting with your deepest self? Do you yearn to live in alignment with your heart and soul and live from a place of peace, openness and fierce feminine wisdom? The sacred feminine has many faces – from the Goddess of Compassion to the Wild Woman to Fierce Warrior – and in AWAKEN, you embody every aspect of your feminine self so that you live to your highest power. Look for an invitation soon to join me and my soul sister Stacey Hoffer to deepen in the fierce sacred feminine.

Facebook Live – You can find quick happy tips on Instagram and Facebook and I host a Facebook Live every Monday at 1 pm to motivate you for the week. I get very raw and real and always focus on how you can live a better life. You can watch Facebook Lives weekly here.

Women's National History Month in March – Do you work for a company with a women's initiative or do you want your company to start one? I've spoken to companies like Progressive Insurance, AVON and BMW and will come speak to your organization's women (and men) about leading as a powerful woman. I'll share why we're lower in self-confidence and provide tools, stories and motivation to excel from your fierce feminine strengths. Contact my speaking manager Heather here for more information.

 

Filed Under: Purpose Tagged With: Intention, Motivation

October 18, 2017 By Carin Rockind Leave a Comment

When everything falls apart – Turn Pain into Purpose

Have you ever felt like a part of life came crashing down and there was nothing you could do about it?
Me too. I found out Monday that the radio show I'm regularly on abruptly went off the air – no explanation, no “here's what's next,” nothing.
At first I went into shock. I searched everywhere to hear that it was a joke. When I realized it was true, my heart went to the show host, my friend and colleague who is super-talented and every listener's best friend.

Then I had a moment of worry for me. The show allows me to inspire millions of women and it's my dream.

Yet just this weekend, I had a “knowing” that I was ready for new opportunities. I led 14 women on retreat in the Poconos and during a hike in the woods, I noticed how easily trees shed their leaves in the fall. I realized that in order to make room for new, we have to release something that no longer serves us.

I looked around at the beautiful women with me, in awe of how they supported and uplifted each other. No judgment – just love. I knew I wanted to create more opportunities for women to shine like this, so I asked myself, “What do
I need to release to be my best self?”

Then 24 hours later, the show was canceled and was released for me. It was a shock and not what I “wanted,” but maybe it's what I need. For a long time, I've wanted to start a podcast, finish my book, and get on the women's empowerment conference circuit. I've wanted to focus on my family. I've wanted to expand, but I was afraid.

Clearly, the Universe is telling me that it's time to pursue all that my heart desires and the same is true for YOU!!!!

Whatever is leaving your life – a lover breaks up with you, you lose your job, or you get passed over for a promotion – it's for purpose. It hurts like hell in the moment and you'll want to scream and shout and cry and eat lots of chocolate (I did all of this yesterday), but it's for your best. I see this all the time with clients who were unsatisfied in a relationship or job but were too afraid to leave, and then once forced out, found something much better. Under the fear, you can find hope. Let yourself grieve fully – and then get honest with yourself and use this as an opportunity. 

Ask yourself: What else is possible? One year from today, what do I hope to have? What do I want to do? Fill in this sentence: By this time next year, I'll create… 

I want to create a movement of women who inspire, empower, and uplift each other. I envision a global sisterhood where women feel safe, held, and encouraged. I want girls
to know that they are beautiful as is. I see auditoriums of hundreds of women and girls believing in each other and encouraging each other to go for their dreams! I want every woman on earth to:

  • Stand in her power
  • Speak her voice
  • Pursue her dreams
  • Love herself
  • Lift others up!

So what do you really, really, really want to create? And in order to have it, what do you need to release? How can use use the pieces of what feels like the world crumbling to create something beautiful?

We'll create something new together. Have a beautiful week!

xo,
Carin

Filed Under: Purpose Tagged With: Change, Pain and Loss

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