Pack your bags and leave the comfort zone behind. 

Brumbylon is the core of our creative life where we share the belief that anything is possible if you are willing to nurture a vision and take the necessary steps to manifest that vision. 

This statement nails who we are at Brumbylon. It is the reason why I am writing this newsletter. 

Some news. I lost a dear uncle over the holidays. As I grieved with my family, I began to comprehend just how short a trip this life is. That is my uncle Billy on the left, my parents in the center, and Billy’s wife Marge on the right. I love, LOVE these people.  

Since our family tragedy I’ve thought long and hard about what I want my life to be, what steps I am going to take this year, what vision I am nurturing, what symbolic mountain I will be climbing. All of it will challenge and reinvigorate my life with fresh energy. It matters because I am here. We are here and alive right now. 

Have you been thinking about your mountain – your vision – and what it may require for you to make the climb? 

I’ll share one of my mountains: I am only a couple of days away from launching my Climb a Mountain program. At the center of this work is my desire to inspire people to be 100% themselves unapologetically, to do what they previously thought was impossible! 

Yep, that’s me dangling from a cliff.  Like then, I’m excited, probably more than a little  scared, and anxious to get rolling on the program once I’ve put the necessary technical pieces together – it’s a big learning curve that is pulling me way out of my comfort zone. 

Does it really pay to play it safe? 

There is a penalty, in my humble opinion, for languishing too long in the safety of the comfort zone. It may sound cozy enough…but after a while, playing it safe becomes costly on a number of levels. Without healthy challenges and vigorous movement life becomes static and lackluster. 

Once inertia takes up residence in our psyche, the body naturally follows suit. Inertia breeds inertia (or as I sometimes say, the less I do, the less I do). Without the support of fresh energy, both the mind and body begin to atrophy. We may wake up one day and ask the dreaded question, “Is this it?” 

My answer to that question has always been a resounding NO. Always, it motivates me to do something new, something meaningful, and with vigor. 

That being said, I periodically still need a push to get back into a state of flow again, as a river pushes through an obstacle to resume along its current. Change may feel a little forced at first, maybe even downright uncomfortable, until I am rolling along with a new routine …one of my own making. 

What’s the BIG takeaway? 

It is important to acknowledge that our greatest chances of success exist when we consciously, intentionally choose the destination and path of the current. I achieve at the highest levels when I follow MY own path, not someone else’s. 

After emerging from my inner cave, having truly thought about what I want, it’s a matter of ready, set, GO. I keep my eyes on the prize. A clear decision carries not only the promise of fulfillment, but a lot of adventure along the way! 

Well thought-out intention makes the push easier to deal with – it keeps you grounded in what you want. But that doesn’t mean you always know exactly where the decision will take you, or what the outcome will be. Depending on how big the challenge is, there may also be plenty of uncertainty. 

We looked at fear last week as energy that can be harnessed and re-purposed. It is not for the faint of heart or comfort-zone dwellers to work inside this framework. But ah, for those of us who choose to climb mountains – what fun it is to map a course through uncharted territory! 

Check out this bit of amazing wisdom that Brett sent to me from one of my favorite modern luminaries, Eckhart Tolle: 

There is a fine line between fear and uncertainty, and perhaps the distinction is mere perception. Whatever you want to call it, let it motivate you out of inertia and into ALIVENESS. That’s why we are here, folks. 

Here is a little Brumbylon gift for you today, something to always remember: You have to go further if you want to go Far 

Keep calm and Brumbylon. 

Thanks for hanging out with me – have a great week! 

~ Lisa 

“The seed that grows toward the light begins in darkness.”

What is Your Mountain?

It was August of 2018 when I did the unthinkable (for me). I climbed the Grand Teton, a ginormous mountain in the Rockies of Wyoming. We’re talking 13,777 feet of scary. Helmet, harness, ropes and all. I even rappelled from the summit! Who would have thought…this little ole ME. 

Some athletically-inclined people don’t think twice about climbing a mountain like that, but let me be clear, I am NOT one of those people. Lisa Brumby is a certifiable chicken. I am utterly, profoundly TERRIFIED of heights. When I look up at a tall mountain, or worse – down a steep slope or chasm, I freeze. My hands get clammy, my heart races, I hyperventilate, and I am gripped with paralyzing fear. Vertigo and nausea take over and I feel like I’m truly going to plunge to my death. Oh, and the countless nightmares of falling off mountains! 

So, what on earth compelled me to climb the TALLEST, ROCKIEST MOUNTAIN in Wyoming? 

FEAR. 

That’s right. Fear made me do it. 

If this seems counterintuitive, let me explain. 

Fear is ENERGY that can be harnessed. 

In reality, fear has often been the culprit that holds me back from pursuing what I want in this life. Can you relate? Have you ever been too afraid to do something you really, really wanted to do? 

A pivotal moment. Fear stopped me from going on a day hike up Cody Peak in Jackson, Wyoming with my bandmates in 2017. I was abysmally out of shape, and fairly certain that I couldn’t do it anyway. I was even trying to hide how out of breath I was. On the way up I suddenly got that sickening heights-induced vertigo and had to ground myself, shimmying my way to a safer place (on my butt, of course), heading down the mountain while everyone else was joyfully bounding up. I felt humiliated. The mountain had defeated me. 

So I went shopping instead.  For an oversized shirt to hide my bulging middle. Then I slinked off to drown my shame in a glass of red wine and a deliciously gooey pasta dish. I was depressed, angry, and jealous of them ALL. 

Fear can stop us in our tracks. OR it can be a mighty MOTIVATOR. 

How did that same fear become my ally? I’ll tell you a true story. That November in 2017 my friend and bandmate, Jim, offered to treat me and Brett to a guided climbing expedition up the Grand Teton (our band was booked to play in Jackson Hole that summer). It was a stunning opportunity – Brett was 100% on board. But scaredy-cat Lisa immediately dismissed it – NO WAY was I going to fall off any mountain. My friend Jim (a wealthy, confident, energized entrepreneur-risk taker-guitar player-mountain goat) wouldn’t have any of it. He made a series of compelling arguments to counter my reasoning, and ultimately convinced me why I could – and SHOULD – do the climb. 

As November came to a close I slowly began to realize that my worst fears were truly unreasonable – pretty much all in my head. I grudgingly, tentatively decided to accept the challenge, but only under one condition: I could back out at any time. Jim accepted. 

I needed to have that out. It was my escape valve. But what is most notable is that I also MADE A COMMITMENT, one that I increasingly took very seriously. And let me tell you, I was scared shitless the whole time! I had my doubts, my fear, but also hope…and a sort of vague underlying belief that maybe I COULD. And I had a lot of work to do. 

A decision turned into the biggest game-changer of my entire life. 

The bottom line is that Jim, a person who I hold in high esteem, believed in me. He mirrored my potential, helped me to believe in myself. Jim had done so many things outside of the box in his life, a true success story, and he was my role model and mentor. I needed that kind of guidance because I was so out of my own wheelhouse, and after a while I began to feel my wings. Throughout the winter and spring of 2018 I trained my body, mind and spirit for a four-day expedition: two days of training with the Exum guides followed by a two-day climb to the summit of the Grand, a feat I never thought I could have pulled off in this lifetime. It took me six months. 

Only six months…to change my life forever. 

Here is the point: Fear became my ally. I pushed through despite it, because of it. I wanted to prove to myself once and for all that I could do anything I set out to do, despite the fear. I knew if I could climb the Grand, then I could do ANYTHING. Anything under the sun. Brett and I were already dancing with the idea of launching Brumbylon – a seed that we had planted in the dark. I kept thinking, What if? 

Now I ask: What do YOU want to do that you have previously thought (or maybe even still think) is impossible? Is there a bit of FEAR when you think about doing it? If so, that’s actually GOOD. Fear can have many purposes: to protect us from harm, naturally, and also to energize and push us through seemingly impossible things. Fear is potent energy that can be harnessed. 

I assure you that whatever your mountain is…IT IS POSSIBLE. You CAN do it. I know this in my heart and bones. But more importantly do YOU know? Can you feel it stirring somewhere inside? Do you desire to push through your fear and that limiting self-talk to achieve something spectacular? 

This is a new year. A new DECADE. This is your LIFE. It is not the time to shy away from fear. It is the time to be bold – take the wheel and drive (thank you Incubus). 

I invite you to CLIMB A MOUNTAIN with ME in 2020! Climb YOUR mountain. I will be right here beside you. We will do it together. I am actually going to climb a mountain – a challenging real mountain in 2020. I am not ready for it yet, but I WILL be. Five months, baby. Bam.

Lets do this!

L E A R N  M O R E

In summary: There is SO MUCH to be gained in facing rather than avoiding fear. Let fear be your ally rather than your enemy. It’s just an emotion. Ride it like a surfer – YOU are the master. 

Madonna once said, “If it doesn’t terrify me I won’t do it.” Ha. What does that tell you?

“The seed that grows toward the light begins in darkness.”

Turn down the noise!

“The seed that grows toward the light begins in darkness.”

What SPACE makes you most creative? 

Did you make the commitment to slow down and block off a bit of unbroken time for yourself last week? Perhaps now you’d like to explore some fresh, seasonal changes that foster personal growth and creativity. New year resolutions – the ones that really serve us – originate in our creative center. They provide us the opportunity to begin tending those seeds that we planted in the dark. NOW is the time to enter the cave. 

Cave (n.): a hollow or natural passage under or into the earth, especially one with an opening to the surface; a natural opening in the earth large enough for human exploration.  

What is key in this definition is “under the earth.” Metaphorically, this can be translated as beneath the surface. Inside. An enclosed, private space where you can explore. Sounds a lot like the Brumbylon Cave! Do you see the connection? Are you ready to design your cave? Let’s get rolling. 

Feng Shui is the way to go 

I love making seasonal changes in our home. It’s a lot of fun to transform an interior room into a beautiful space. Take some time to create this space because it’s YOURS and you will want to spend time there. 

First you want to choose the location. Then, very importantly, you will need to clean the space: dust out corners and disturb anything that feels stagnant or stuck…or worse yet, causes anxiety or other emotional discomfort. You are about to engage in the practice of Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway). This is the Chinese art of creating harmonious surroundings that enhance the balance of yin and yang. This is really powerful stuff. Small changes can make a big impact on how a room affects you psychologically, spiritually and emotionally. 

Five FUN ways to Feng Shui your cave 

#1 – Place objects you love into the room. Be very intentional about this. Plants are always a wonderful choice because they bring fresh air and nature inside when all the outside plants are in their dormant stage. 

#2 – Sound therapy. Consider purchasing a small circulating water fountain. The soft sound of flowing water is universally regarded as peaceful…like a babbling brook. It must have brought great comfort to our ancestors to be near a source of clean water. Music can also create mood. What makes you happy to listen to? Be super-conscious about the vibe you want to create before you introduce it into the space. 

#3 – Shape matters. Move furniture and objects into the corners facing out toward the center to round out the room. Round is a cave shape worth considering because it can have a profound effect on the psyche. Round softens hard edges. Our lives are surrounded by hard surfaces and square spaces – yang. You want to introduce some yin here. Remember, it’s all about balance. 

#4 – Lose the overhead lights. Dim, peaceful, indirect lighting in the corner areas is much kinder. How many caves are brightly lit? If your cave has windows, bright natural light is glorious during the day. After dark, however, you will want to soften up any harsh lighting. I like to cover lampshades with colored cloth to create ambiance and to reduce brightness.

Choose the colors and patterns that make you happy. Place lamps on the floor, perhaps even behind furniture. Tealights and candles are a great choice. Metaphorically, think firelight. 

#5 – Focus on both form and function. Beauty is essential, just be sure to include a comfortable chair, sofa or pillow to rest on, and an area where you can write, meditate or read. Comfort is key. 

Look around when you are finished and assess what you have just created. Walk out of the room for a few minutes, and then enter the space again. Does this room make you feel good? Does it invite you to spend time inside? If the answer is yes, you have created your very own cave. Bravo! 

In next Sunday’s post we will explore the inner cave, and examine strategies to help you tap into your creative center. This is the best piece! Stay tuned! 

Thanks for hanging out with me – have a great week!

~ Lisa 

“The seed that grows toward the light begins in darkness.”

NOW is the time for creativity. 

Do you thrive in the winter or are you like me? Anyone who knows me could tell you that I am not a winter creature. It is my worst season. It’s dark. It’s cold. I want to crawl into a cave and hibernate until spring. And yet, strangely enough, that is exactly what makes this the perfect time to tap into creativity. 

Creativity is important. It connects us to what we truly desire, and allows us to troubleshoot and make changes when we get stuck. It is the essence of our personal power. When was the last time you felt the full might of your creativity? Do you get stuck like me during the winter months? 

In any season, our lives are driven by external forces (like work or family pressures) that cause us to run, run, run. And after the frenzy we often collapse from exhaustion, or perhaps indulge in creature comforts (which may not serve us) until we jump onto the next hamster wheel and start running again. There is also plenty of internal running …the constant chatter of voices inside the mind that muddles our clarity of thought. It’s daunting. The question is how can we break through all of this internal and external noise in order to tap into our creativity? 

Here’s one way: SLOW. DOWN. Winter is the season when our internal clock signals us to conserve a little – even take some time to completely stop for a while. It is a time of tea lights at 5 pm, and spending quiet hours in front of an evening fire, allowing the pace to shift into a slower rhythm. It is a time to journal, to process what has transpired over the year that is ending, and to think about what plants (or plans) we want to nurture come spring… I am already getting my annual seed catalogs in the mail! 

The Creativity Connection 

Slowing down does not mean stagnation – au contraire. In our Brumbylon Cave, we go within to the quiet dark place where creativity awaits us, and the frenetic world outside disappears for a while. A “cave” can exist in any busy life – it can start with a decision, one that can be supported by your personal choices and commitment. The cave invites us to choose operating in a slower vibration, thereby allowing ideas and fresh inspiration to be dropped into the mind like seeds.  Just as the body rests and repairs itself during sleep, slowing the frenzy of our conscious waking hours even for a few minutes every day can open the channels to creativity and personal growth. 

The cave is not just for artists. Do you need a cave of your own? Are you ready to make this commitment to yourself? If so, consider doing this bit of homework: 

#1 – Set aside a block of unbroken time when you can slow down, and stick to it. No interruptions, no exceptions. Look ahead at the week and book it. During that alone time, allow yourself to just BE. Pay attention to what comes up for you…allow your own thoughts to emerge. Relax into the space. 

#2 – Take some of this time to brainstorm on these themes: What do I truly desire? What would I like to see happen in 2020? Write them down. This can be a long or a short list. There is no formula. Just do it. 

#3 – Optional: Place your list where you can see it every day. 

In Sunday’s post, I will share a variety of creative ways to make YOUR OWN cave space, where you can tap into your creativity. 

Thanks for hanging out with me – have a great week! 

~ Lisa 

“The seed that grows toward the light begins in darkness.”