![](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYH5_vFUGWygOe3aF6bELXp1QD5qgd_WCyVpNFDG2qXuQu7_N_Y5LUX4BnQ3YKWKX-HP_5COPSyewn_F0UXBxZE7PoyEeD1UUDzlU_gQ6jYE4AgLip5wl1JZ3EnPrQVoivowutSjZcxxcPVWDzWv-qlqwxB2U8TJXs=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/5d0a4840c5dd6be7963fa35c3\/images\/c19f85b7-4605-72a9-e552-ce876d874c7f.gif\")
<\/p>\nIn September, I\u2019m turning 40. And after the last 2 very shitty years, I decided I wanted to do something BIG to celebrate life instead of just surviving it.<\/p>\n
So, in the new year, I found a perfect women\u2019s retreat in Bali! I was so excited to invest in myself on a big adventure.<\/p>\n
Then when I went to put my deposit down, it got cancelled. \ud83d\ude2d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I went into FULL victim mode: \u201cOf course, it can\u2019t just be easy for me to celebrate. This always happens to me. Why did I even bother to do something nice for myself?!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Then James, my conscious partner, replied, \u201cWhat if this door closed because you were being protected? What if something bigger and more awesome than you could ever imagine was on its way to you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n He was right.<\/p>\n So I started researching similar retreats in Bali, engaging friends for insight and feedback. And then it all started to feel forced, controlled, like I was pushing for this replacement.<\/p>\n And that was the opposite of what I wanted.<\/p>\n My word for this year is \u201cPower\u201d because I’m focusing on taking my power back where I\u2019d been letting it drain out of me.<\/p>\n And during this search process I was officially drained.<\/p>\n I decided to SURRENDER and take my power back by having UNWAVERING FAITH that what was meant for me would come with ease and grace. By being fully aligned in my power and fully expressed in my values.<\/p>\n And wouldn\u2019t you know, three days later, my equine retreat partner and cherished soul sister, Lucinda, texted me\u2026<\/p>\n It was a link to a call for applicants to participate in a Global Mustang Adventure. Two powerful women would travel the world to rescue, tame, and rehome wild mustangs who might otherwise be killed.<\/p>\n These women were renowned for their training, horsemanship, and energy work. And truthfully, with Lucinda\u2019s seal of approval, no additional research was required.<\/p>\n One of their stops was Montana, only four hours away from our Tiny Home in the mountains. A 24-day quest – beginning with tracking mustangs in the wild and then gentling them using highly conscious, heart-based techniques to prepare them for a new life with humans.<\/p>\n My heart knew. \u2763\ufe0f My spirit danced.\ud83d\udc83 And my eyes cried tears of joy. \ud83e\udd72<\/p>\n I felt it in my bones, and the visions of working with these horses and women lifted me to a place of deep knowing. This was my destiny.<\/strong><\/p>\n But of course, I still had to go through the process of applying and getting accepted.<\/p>\n I had to write an essay about my background and go through an interview process. And by the time I had submitted, there was already a waitlist.<\/p>\n \u274cI had no wild Mustang experience<\/p>\n \u274cI\u2019d never started any horse before (aka been their first handler\/rider)<\/p>\n \u274cI was not a professional trainer<\/p>\n \u274cPeople who knew my riding experience told me I wasn\u2019t ready and that I\u2019d get hurt<\/p>\n I almost didn\u2019t even apply because I got so hung up on why I didn\u2019t deserve it.<\/p>\n Thankfully, Lucinda talked me through it and told me I had the most important and valuable experience of all: knowing how to regulate my emotions and energy. I\u2019ve done deep work internally, with my clients, and with horses on that level.<\/p>\n I decided to borrow her belief in me until I could make it my own. And poured my heart into this essay.<\/a><\/p>\n On the day of my interview, the first thing I heard was, \u201cNot that we\u2019re comparing, but your essay was incredible. We\u2019re so impressed by the inner work you\u2019ve done with yourself and horses. That\u2019s extremely rare in people\u2019s backgrounds and the hardest part to teach. We think you\u2019d do great in this adventure with us.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n And within 24 hours, my ego took over…\ud83d\ude20<\/p>\n How can you possibly take 24 days off of work?<\/p>\n This is so irresponsible!<\/p>\n You\u2019re going to embarrass yourself and get hurt<\/p>\n This is a big financial investment that you don\u2019t deserve<\/p>\n Who do you think you are?<\/p>\n It was so sad to witness the wounded parts of me that are so close to the surface when I experience joy. It’s like my inner critic was keeping me in check for actually enjoying life and being proud of what I\u2019d manifested for myself.<\/p>\n Thankfully, I have my mindfulness tools, and I was able to re-center myself in the truth while also acknowledging my fears.<\/p>\n \u2764\ufe0f\u200d\ud83e\ude79These 24 days will change your life – it\u2019s some of the most important work you\u2019ll ever do<\/p>\n \u2764\ufe0f\u200d\ud83e\ude79This is the most responsible thing you can do – living your values, not just professing them<\/p>\n \u2764\ufe0f\u200d\ud83e\ude79You\u2019re going to learn and grow in ways you\u2019d never imagined<\/p>\n \u2764\ufe0f\u200d\ud83e\ude79What\u2019s the point of having money if you don\u2019t invest it in your values?<\/p>\n \u2764\ufe0f\u200d\ud83e\ude79You\u2019re on a quest to become a conscious cowgirl – and THIS is a part of that journey<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc8cJust comment with \u201cI\u2019m ready!\u201d and we can see what that might look like.<\/p>\n So, next week, I\u2019m headed to Montana for the 24-day Wild Mustang Adventure of a lifetime. Making this choice has already proven to be more profound than I realized.<\/p>\n Last week, a cherished soul sister of mine, Janyelle<\/a>, died just shy of her 40th birthday. She’s my first friend to die so young and it’s hit me hard and deep.<\/p>\n As I’ve been moving through my grief, it’s reminded me that tomorrow isn’t promised. So let go of the fear, embrace your values, and do what makes you come alive TODAY!<\/p>\n I’m dedicating my Mustang adventure to Janyelle. I know her spicy, beautiful spirit will guide and protect me.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in following, I\u2019ll be sharing it on Instagram.<\/a><\/p>\n Until next time, I encourage you to know, own, and live your values. In whatever version that looks like to you. It\u2019s the point of being alive.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t waste your life living for someone else\u2019s approval. Check-in with your soul, and your values will guide you.<\/p>\n One step at a time, without judgment of pace. And full permission to be human.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcbb Knowing and Living Your Values:<\/strong><\/a> During my 10-day course, you\u2019ll identify your unique values, see where you\u2019re currently activating them, and make small tweaks where you\u2019re not so that every day is filled with purpose. Join 7,500+ Students Here.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc65 Alignment Coaching:<\/strong><\/a> Want to start being your most authentic self? Work with me 1×1 to align with your core values and ignite more well-being without compromising your impact. Fill out this inquiry form to see if we’re a good fit for one another.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udfa4Hire MaryBeth as a Speaker:<\/strong><\/a> Have an all-staff event, annual meeting or conference coming up? I will inspire your audience to give themselves and others, permission to be human, unleashing higher productivity, profit, and purpose through shared values. Learn more here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Embracing Life at 40: My Transformative Journey from Bali Retreats to Wild Mustang Adventures In September, I\u2019m turning 40. And after the last 2 very shitty years, I decided I wanted to do something BIG to celebrate life instead of just surviving it. So, in the new year, I found a perfect women\u2019s retreat in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23276,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[38,18,23,10,13,35,21,22],"tags":[43,37,17,24,4,25,27,44],"class_list":["post-23270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-consciousness","category-emotional-intelligence","category-empowerment","category-experience","category-leadership","category-mindfulness","category-reflection","category-values","tag-abundance","tag-consciousness","tag-emotional-intelligence","tag-empowerment","tag-leadership","tag-reflection","tag-values","tag-wisdom"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe only power I had in that moment was in my mindset.<\/h4>\n
![](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NaskCf-eTxIc2pFolfeQy9QeXnfvH-DwDYshk8y8YkDDKMs4wy3rY-I2PgcwwfRQMQvyNe7_OmIfagfRoUS_mnttfM-uoYpHnDQxkoOOQV1PGQh5x29unaZtkbjMEtNg80-yMttbFUWzpujaodWE7xVi0C4yDplXUg=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/5d0a4840c5dd6be7963fa35c3\/images\/6e8ed738-a29c-68b8-2ea1-59e696db0057.gif\")
<\/p>\n\u201cIf I could do this, I would. I think you\u2019d love it. Check it out.\u201d<\/em><\/h4>\n
![\"me](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NZEfXJnA4oEA_zfQ-Z12OBX1iQUN8eYgSF3re29V2wihubX39V65dkRIenI_B1BfjC50QR6elMMZrV1xFADHdMQRhCOkD7zHsRuLV79E9H-VvvmGEko7oa9ac5Tb8xqjDaB_HE2YtEuDxRkvVYE-N14zqCVxlYPPDT2-sYZtmg=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/5d0a4840c5dd6be7963fa35c3\/_compresseds\/87596870-bd8d-3732-e149-96b562327ef0.jpg\")
\n(Me, Lucinda and her horse Eros at Miraval)<\/p>\nTHIS WAS IT! THIS WAS WHAT I WAS MEANT TO DO!<\/h4>\n
![\"wild](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NbEMp_7nf3xIKlsVResDhYo9QMjt9ZuZBSnVv-McsegQiM67KudlEtP2yKA_taXPevk9leaKuYSenxp9CYWTQYgnwQwGPJa6DE3_DTH57MyPnkWGYw8L3kM9j79iFndmDzCHi15EulqXmv-NCUdwPcv9RvCbrAG27k=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/5d0a4840c5dd6be7963fa35c3\/images\/318772d1-c653-cc96-d9cf-2998e37a6999.jpg\")
\n(Me and big Henry)<\/p>\nMy head kept telling me that I\u2019d never get in. Because:<\/h5>\n
I felt like I was floating that whole afternoon, knowing I got accepted.<\/h4>\n
![](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NZ3_0divhX_EHnvq4TUJWLrYHI7n_f5ftZ1GS7oHRQ4CXuQ2J2yFV_udy15RphwBaZ_Vv3uqAPpI20LXMXe1jwDl5eAWrH8b1Oa6lK6Vvc3ovfAw-s3OpWbeax3vTNJEP49Jz_czg6HRf2HWYAsfaFNMfMGjk8O9Bg=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/5d0a4840c5dd6be7963fa35c3\/images\/70768728-f7b0-f883-603f-3e1b5a0dd7c4.gif\")
<\/p>\nInstead of trying to shut that part of me up, I listened with curiosity and responded to each concern as if they were just a little kid who was scared and needed to be loved and reminded of the truth.<\/h4>\n
Have you ever had that happen to you? I encourage you to see how you might use this \u2b06\ufe0f mindset to respond to your scared inner child. It\u2019s a life-changing technique that I\u2019d love to support you with when you\u2019re ready.<\/h4>\n
![](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NaTpPnDiXqQAvFVjLko6UAAfJDi43f0Ntz0spOijPbZxucm-kh9W328_oOY8gyPCDkFLRVjeDMMnoZnIIdQTF7a0eJlFnguOW57gY8Y02iiirMGKmzf5NH4c24zDVnGL1lZuAksC2AHi_6N7KumdDuspyHWhMONeDQ=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/5d0a4840c5dd6be7963fa35c3\/images\/9b08dba0-db1b-4192-757f-7a0763904c83.jpg\")
\n(Me and Janyelle before we headed off to Greece together)<\/p>\n
\nHere are three ways I can help you return to your truth and most authentic self:<\/strong><\/h4>\n