It's Not That Serious

I love the idea of being a boss lady who handles her business, but I can’t seem to stop resenting all the business I’m handling.

Just last Saturday I decided I wanted the kitchen nice and clean. I don’t know what happened, but as I approached hour two of picking some stuck on goo off my floor, I started to see my husband just - relaxing. Watching football. And I saw my girls pulling out huge containers of toys, throwing them around like freaking confetti.

I saw red.

I just looked at my husband like - I’m sorry, what do you do again? Am I here just to serve you, feed you and keep your house clean? What are you, a freaking king? Because if you are a king can you at least make the money of a king so I can scrub this floor whilst covered in rubies!

Being a boss lady isn't about being a domestic servant, it's about honoring, respecting and valuing your responsibilities.

What if the tireless, thankless work we do isn't a burden - what if it was sacred? What if it wasn't a nightmare - what if it could be worship?

What if we actually saw the value of the work of our hands, regardless if anyone else does?

Well that then, could actually change your life.

Enjoy the show!

It’s still vivid in my mind.

The sun was shining bright and I had hope in my heart.

In my cheer, I had asked for help loading the dishwasher while I did a few other various tasks.

After drinking my coffee, I went to put it in said dishwasher and stumbled upon what looked like a hoarder’s secret closet.

Food spilling everywhere, random dishes caked with who knows what, Tupperware strewn about - and I think I found even a shoe - shoved in a Whirlpool.

This wasn’t help, it was sabotage.

And it was personal this time.

I lost it. I really went nuts.

And after taking my anger a few steps too far, I then had to apologize to make matters much worse.

(I always hate when that happens - when I’m not in the wrong, but my reaction is so over the top, I become SUPER wrong).

Womanhood ain’t no walk in the park, I’ll tell you that much.

We’re miracle workers. But it can be a lonely business.

And with all the balls we have to keep in the air, it’s easy to feel like we’ve failed.

It’s easy to collapse in exhaustion and bubble up in resentment.

It’s easy to think all we do is DO, but it’s never enough.

We don’t have what it takes and we’ll never have our crap together.

But the real truth is, you’re a Boss Lady. And so am I.

Really. I know you don’t believe me now, but we know how to handle our business. No drama, not self-pity, no need for recognition, k? We got this.

We do what we gotta do and we get done what we need to get done. It’s who we are.

It may not always look perfect.

We might have a long way to go.

But there is another way, if the insane path we’re on isn’t working.

One look at the Proverbs 31 woman gives us insight into who we were born to be - and how to get there.

Enjoy today’s episode.

Kendra asked me a simple question that was so simple, but blew my mind.

She asked, if you could live 5 other lives, what would you do?

Think about it. If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you do?

Have you ever really, truly thought about it?

Coming up with 5 was a lot for me. It stretched me to go deep into my inner heart’s desire and I discovered two things …

One, I long for a life that, at least on occasion, is away from social media, away from the Internet. Away from TV, Neflix or Handmaid’s Tale.

I crave a life that sits in nature, watches birds, relaxes and has the space to think and just be still.

And then I realized that I want to interview brilliant, inspirational people. I want to learn more and teach more of what I learned.

During the course of our conversation, I had an “Aha” moment of two inner desires I had in me that I didn’t realize where there!

So then the question is, what can I do today to make these inner desires come true?

But!

Before we embark on a new adventure, we have to understand two essential truths …

1 - Our baggage can’t come with us.

2 - And those who aren’t good stewards of what they have now, will never be able to handle more.

Let’s laugh and learn! Enjoy today’s episode!

I'm a flake addict.

I agree to things I have no real intention of doing and then flake at the last minute. As I slip into my oversized elastic waist pajama pants, I shoot out text with a lame excuse as to why I can't make it. It's not a lie per se, it's just missing some essential truths.

"Y'all have fun without me! Wish I could be there!"

Then I turn on Netflix and put my blanket up to my chin.

I also struggle to put my grocery cart back. All I need is a curb and I'll hop a wheel up and get the hell out of that parking lot before anyone's the wiser.

I've also been known to change my mind on the "pricey" crackers and drop them off next to the milk instead of putting them back where I got them.

I've realized that I never paid for something that got put in my sack and then rationalized that it wasn't my fault and enjoyed my good fortune. Thank you, Jesus!

But here's what's weird. The other day I had a friend actually do something she said she was going to do, and I was for real stunned by it.

How sad is that?

People who live a life of excellence, who live an honest life of integrity, who do what they say and say what they do, are often so rare, they can really surprise us when we meet them. They're like unicorns who poop rainbow marshmallows.

I don't want a new life, but I do want a new way of living.

I want to be a unicorn who poops rainbow marshmallows.

Sometimes we want something new in our life, but skip the most essential parts of ourselves. We want new experiences, but we don't want to be renewed within ourselves.

But if we want a new life to stick, it has to start inside first before we can ever experience true newness on the outside.

If you're a flake or maybe have some flakey tendencies - and want to be in recovery, this episode's for you (and me).

Enjoy the show!

Not to be dramatic or anything, but the power of trying something new can not be underestimated in its ability to completely transform you life.

Every boring rut has had a root of fear of something new.

I mean, what if we try it and ... we don't like it?

But what if you do?

In fact, what if you love it?

What if, even if it doesn't make sense at the time, it's precisely the experience you need to have that will give way to your purpose, and your next great adventure.

And if you don't like it, throw it in the trash and move on with your life.

Seriously, what are we so afraid of?

In this episode Anna talks about how the power of trying something new transformed her life in ways she could have never imagined and gives each of us a challenge that sets us up for a brand new you, boo.

We invite you to join our free community at facebook.com/groups/itsnotthatserious

August isn't just back to school, it's time to get back to you!

If you spend most of your day reacting to life, you're not alone.

If spending your day reacting feels empty, meaningless, stressful, disappointing, unfulfilling, yada yada yada - you are also, not alone.

This month we are going to be talking about a NEW YOU BOO. We're going to try new, exciting things, create new, satisfying habits and finally get our freaking crap together.

We're no longer reacting, we're responding. It won't be perfect, but it will be better. Much better. And we're gonna do it together.

Enjoy this episode!

Hey friends - I have to be honest, this is the most fun I’ve had recording a podcast in a long time.

This was a live event we hosted in Kansas City and an incredible interview with writer/directer Cindy Chupack. She’s most known for her work on Sex and the City, but she’s also a New York times bestselling seller and has so many Emmys and Golden Globes she ran out of shelf space and had to have garage sales. Her credits are a mile long.

She’s currently on her Netflix screening tour for her new movie she wrote and directed, titled Otherhood, starring Angela Basset, Patricia Arquette and Felicity Huffman - debuting on Netflix, August 2nd, 2019. I was able to sit down with her and have one of the most hilarious conversations I’ve had in forever.

In this episode, we talk about ...

*How Cindy went from a journalism major at Northwestern to a writer on Sex and the City to now a writer and director of her own movie.

*What it's like to create a woman dominated movie in a male dominated industry.

*How to overcome imposter syndrome -

*And gather the courage to step out of the boat into what lights you up and gives you purpose - even if you have no freakin' clue what you're doing.

I also performed that fart story for this event, which I’ve put at the end of you - so stick around and listen to that classic, will you?

Without further ado - here’s my conversation with the brilliant Cindy Chupack.

We're done overthinking. We're done scanning for danger. We're done focusing on the negative that's preventing us from doing what's best for our lives. It's time to step out of the boat and just say screw it - I'm choosing to have faith I won't sink. And if I do sink, God's gonna catch me.

In the bible, Peter is asleep in the boat when he sees Jesus walking on water. He's a brave, bold man and tells Jesus he wants to be on the water with him.

Jesus calls for him to come.

Peter steps out of the boat - that was the first big test of faith - but then he does what so many of us do ... instead of focusing on Jesus, he focuses on his circumstances. He sees the waves crashing ... and panics. Instantly he sinks.

Jesus grabs his arm, pulls him up and says, "Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Been there! And that's the question I have for you. Well? Why did you doubt?

Today is the day we flop outta the boat. See you on the other side.

Today is the day you cut the crap.

Self-hate talk. We've all been guilty of it.

Some of us worse than others.

We're like our own mini-Simon Cowell, just sitting there with a big fat LOSER button in front of us. Every time we try and be brave, our little mini-Simons are all smug with his stupid v-neck tee (and always with the hard nipples - wear a thicker shirt Simon!), judging, criticizing and being cruel ... slapping that LOSER button - and defeating ourselves.

I mean, if we can't count on ourselves to not be a butthole to ourselves, who can we count on?!

We need a mini-Paula to help a sister out.

And just like that - we walk away. Stop before start, back out before we get good.

Never mastering. Never knowing ... "what if" - Regrets ABOUND.

In this episode we talk about the perils of self-hate talk and how to finally put an end to it - today.



TIMESTAMPS:

1:43 - Hot Topics - new documentary I Love You. Now Die - has Anna like Whaaaaaaaat?

14:05 - Self-Hate Ain’t Great & It’s a Great Weakness

57:44 - Your worth is determined by you. Not your feelings, not your past behavior. Your feelings can change and you can change your behaviors.



MENTIONS:

LIVE Podcast Recording Event with Oscar/Emmy winner Cindy Chupack - Get more information here >> https://www.itsnotthatseriouspodcast.com/event/live-podcast-cindy-chupack/

Book: Your Erroneous Zones by Dr. Wayne Dyer

INTS has an exclusive community for all fans wanting to keep up with the latest podcast and dive deeper into each episode. To join, go here >> http://facebook.com/groups/itsnotthatserious

Anna also runs her baby, The Word Up Club - a group life coaching membership. Get direct access to Anna and her teachings with workshops, live trainings and SO MUCH MORE! To join, go here >> annalindthomas.com/wordupclub

We are gettin in REAL DEEP in the You Are a Brave-Ass Woman podcast series, so ya'll better get your swimsuits with extra boob support on!

Here's the deal.

Nothing will kick your bravery in the jewels harder than the two bravery killers we talk about in the podcast.

In truth, there are lots of little snipers just BEGGING to kill your bravery - but the two we talk about in this podcast are tricky little turds. They go unnoticed, until it's ... too late ...

NOT ON MY WATCH, SUCKAS!

Today I'm joined by Kendra B as we talk about how simple awareness of our own individual bravery killers will be most of the battle we'll face when overcoming our fears and becoming brave. All life really should be is us connecting with other human beings and loving them with the gifts and talents we’ve been suited to give. If you’d rather sleep through life than do that, Anna wants to give you a swift slap to the face!



TIMESTAMPS:

2:30 Awareness is more than half the battle

9:37: Bravery Killer #1 - Indifference

37:34: All life really should be is us connecting with other human beings and loving them with the gifts and talents we’ve been suited to give.

38:32: Bravery Killer #2 - Fear of Feelings. Anxiety and fight or flight hormones only last in our body for about 90s seconds. If it continues after that, then we are creating more suffering with our own thoughts.

45:00: Questions to ask yourself when afraid to face bad feelings - what is the worst case scenario here?

48:43: The point of maximum danger is the point of minimum fear ~ Will Smith



MENTIONS:

The Art of Extraordinary Confidence by Dr. Aziz Gazipura

INTS has an exclusive community for all fans wanting to keep up with the latest podcast and dive deeper into each episode. To join, go here >> facebook.com/groups/itsnotthatserious

Anna also runs her baby, The Word Up Club - a group life coaching membership. Get direct access to Anna and her teachings with workshops, live trainings and SO MUCH MORE! To join, go here >> annalindthomas.com/wordupclub