I recently coached a beautiful young woman whose parents were concerned about some of her behaviors. After speaking with this young woman in depth, it was clear she was fully aware of what she was doing and why she was doing it.

She spoke bravely of her insecurities and like every woman I encounter, she simply wants to feel good about herself.

So instead of encouraging this young woman to hit the gym, transform her wardrobe or spoil herself silly with the latest surgical techniques, I suggested she hang out with herself.

I left her with an important affirmation and some really great questions that would guide her in becoming more self-aware. We agreed that our focus was to ‘work-out’ and strengthen her self-esteem muscle. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s real and it works.

If you’re working toward being, doing or having something, chances are you experience both good days and bad days in terms of progress.

For example, if you’re trying to save money, start a business, declutter your life, lose weight, find true love, etc. you know what it’s like to progress and regress in terms of your thinking.

In my upcoming e-book, 5 Superpowers You May Not Even Know You Have, I often remind my readers how important it is to keep the faith.

In fact, losing faith in what we’re working toward may be one of the biggest reasons we fail. Many people who give up, quit only because they have lost faith in what they’re doing; for some reason they decide it isn’t working or that it will not work.

Do you consider yourself to be a creative person? Do you express your creativity on a regular basis? What are your beliefs in terms of creativity?

Maybe you're one of those people whose embraced the idea of creativity and you've been running with it your whole life. Hey, if that's you then I'd imagine your life is pretty neat.

If you're anything like me though, you've always assumed that creativity is only for the artsy folk. But just you wait until you start expressing your creativity! Not only will your life end up pretty neat (like those who have already embraced creativity), but you will notice how being creative changes your whole entire life! (Why? Because it's so much more fun when you're living a life that you created!!!)

Are you a pro when it comes to failing at diets? Have you dieted over and over again in your life and nothing ever works?

In my opinion, dieting is rigid, it's harsh and it's depriving.

The thing is, many of the women I work with resonate with the idea of loving their bodies but they also want to feel comfortable with their bodies. How do they accomplish weight loss without choosing a diet?

Losing weight shouldn't be about shell shocking yourself. Losing weight should be about gradual life-long changes that suit your lifestyle, your priorities and your body size and shape.

When you grew up were you taught to ‘reach for the stars’, ‘go for what you want’, ‘you can do anything you put your mind to’?

If this was your reality consider yourself one of the few.

Most of us grew up very streamline: go to school, get an education or a job, get married, have kids, take the odd vacation, work to 65 years old, retire and then at some point… die.

When I met my husband over ten years ago, I was introduced to a family of entrepreneurs and risk-takers.

Clayton’s father was a successful businessman in the construction industry, he owned and operated a few of his own businesses and he was a successful deer farmer and an inventor.

I have spewed off so many negative things about myself throughout my lifetime. Just thinking about it now makes me cringe.

I’m not nearly as mean to myself now as I used to be in the past, but I admit that I still have my moments every now and again.

A few years back I made a new rule there would be no more talking shit about my mistakes, my imperfections or whatever else I deemed personally unacceptable. It felt good to have my own back, to protect myself from myself.

Are you just a big ol’ meany to yourself?

Most people admit they are their worst critics and others are not even consciously aware of it at all.

I once caught myself brushing my teeth and trying to sweep the floor!

Seriously, can you picture this? Go try it out! It’s freaking ridiculous and totally hilarious.

I’m not exactly sure what my thought process was in that moment but it is definitely a typical “Carmen” move.

A Tribute to the Victims of the Alberta Wildfires.

The devastating fires in my home province of Alberta have inspired to me to write today’s blog.

It sent shivers down my spine tonight while I read the Facebook posts from my friends to the victims of the Alberta wildfires.

While the wildfires have devastated so many there is beauty in the outpour of love and support.

It is obvious people are choosing love in the blink of an eye and it makes me smile. People are offering their time, their homes and their supplies. I’ll even bet they would offer the shirt off their own back if the opportunity would arise.

Have you ever had a food hangover?

You eat too much and the next day your body feels like shit. It’s just like having an alcohol hangover minus the lack of sleep.

Well last week (Thursday to be exact) I sat down to watch my favorite TV show (Survivor) with my hubby and our newest family member Jen (our live-in caregiver and a complete God send).

I was sure I had stooped to an all-time low the day I ate my daughter's left over chicken nugget off the dirty floor of my mini van. Here's how it all went down..

I was having a day from hell, one of those days where I spent the entire morning yelling at my kids to get their clothes on, their shoes, their sweaters... "hurry up, we're gonna be late!" Next it was the car seat challenge, I don't know about your kids, but mine insist on getting into their seats all by themselves. In theory, this is nice, it displays independence as well as exercises motor skills, but when mommy is in a rush because she hit the snooze button one too many times... well you get my point. I'm not expecting any "mother of the year" awards, that's for sure.