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Hi, I’m Chelsea Moser and this is my personal blog: TheNoDak.com (aka The North Dakotan).  TheNoDak blog is a front seat view into my crazy life! Join me on this journey as I share my thoughts.

Also, do comment!  I love reading your stories and thoughts too!  As always, if you wish to contact me directly – just drop me a line: Chelsea@TheNoDak.com.

Now sit back, relax & read away!  Lots of love and happy reading!

I’m Feeling Old!

Yikes! That’s right. Old.

This past week I visited Monterey, California for the MotoGP race. And let me tell you, it rocked. A very cool vibe and an all around great time. There are actually only two MotoGP races in the states. One in Monterey and one in Indianapolis. Indianapolis is in August and I’m super excited to be there, too.

While visiting Monterey – we went to Big Sur, the 17 Mile Drive and Pebble Beach – of course, the golf course knocked my socks off.

It was a great time, but let me explain about the feeling old thing.

I was talked into hiking up a huge hill at the race so we could see the whole track (yes, thanks Mark). I made it to the top, nonetheless. It was pretty amazing – the corkscrew turn and all. However, going back down was a different story.

Mind you, I have flip flops on. I’m just a flip kind of girl. Probably not the best shoes to wear. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me.

I had a little tumble down the hill. No traction on my shoes. Yep, sporting some nice road rash if I do say so myself. Yep, it hurts. And yep – I may have just pulled every muscle in my body.

I got over the tumble and was feeling great, actually. Minus all the marks on my body. The day ended on a good note. We had a blast.

But, the next day… I felt old. Really old… like can’t get down the stairs old.  But the funny thing with sore muscles (for me anyway)… is that they hurts so bad – it feels good! Gotta love it.

No worries, this picture isn’t of the “hill” I climbed. It’s of Big Sur. And it’s gorgeous! Thought you’d enjoy it.

I’ll keep you posted on my next adventure – minus the tumble, hopefully.

Ah, The Opportunities! LA Rocks.

Thank you, Los Angeles. Thank you for clarity. Clarity on life and business. I’m in love.

I travel to California quite often – and each time I come here, I always ends up having an “ah ha” moment or two. Not too mention… I’m exceptionally happy because the weather rocks here! (Downside = Traffic!)

Los Angeles is a place of authenticity. Unique individuals all around me. No one alike, everyone extremely different and wild in their own way. And people – in general – fascinate me. But LA – even more so.

People trying to make it in business and in life. Some trying to “be somebody”. Others focused on healthy living. And, don’t forget the hippies and surfers – and their carefree way – which is an awfully fascinating life, in my opinion.

Everyone here is showing up in the world – in their own way, their own speed. And it gives me the strength and direction to grow a little each time I visit. I learn so much by everyone’s authenticity – while observing, it makes me more authentic in every way.

I leave here knowing that I’m one step closer to showing up in the world – in a different, authentic, and beautiful way. I feel the strength in holding my own, being me – and loving that.

I give all the credit to traveling in general. Traveling has allowed me to step out of the traditional closure – and step into so many things all over the world – which, in turn, is slowly creating who I am today.

I’m so thankful that I can run a business from anywhere in the world. Again, another thing that made all of this possible. Anywhere I land (even 35,000 ft in the air where internet is offered) I am building and expanding my business. Pretty awesome, eh?

Speaking of business… if you’re trying to grow a business. Move to LA. Around each corner you’ll find someone interested in what you have to offer. I love the way that works – naturally.

Thank you, LA… thank you for allowing me to see first hand all of the amazing people on this earth. Everything is different here. It’s like a little world all its own. A world that allows me to be different, too.

It’s All Coming Together

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you might remember me being a little “all over the place”. Having my hands in almost everything, working with everyone and totally and completely over committed. Maybe you even remember my splash page having a gazillion buttons (no joke!) at one point. Yikes, how embarrassing. You probably thought, “wow, this girl is insane”.

I learned there are only 24 hours in a day. 8 of which are meant for sleeping!

Ah, I get it.

You know, I think I was so involved in everything because I wanted to see what ‘felt right’. I’m the type of person that wants to try everything. And then stick to the things I love, the things that I’m good at, and the things that are challenging… to keep me on my toes.

Even though that may not be the way to go about doing things, it has totally paid off.

It’s finally all coming together.

I’m in the process of a complete redesign of my marketing firm and my blog. Both should be done in the very near future… so stay tuned for that. (I’ll be telling you more about my niche and direction on both sites… OMG! so good!)

And by redesign – I mean more than the look and feel. I’ve FINALLY niched my market. I know who I want to work with and I’m now in the situation where I can decide. I’ve stopped taking private clients, I’ve trained my team to be a team of amazing consultants supporting our clients, and I even have a few mentors that are helping me along the way.

Love.

My marketing firm now has business coming out of it’s ears. And I’ve positioned myself to allow that growth to happen without me being so involved in the day to day stuff.

Cool, right?

So, my intention in this post is to explain that it’s not a bad thing to spread yourself thin… and to try and do as much as you can. You’ll come out learning a ton about all different things (and people!). AND you’ll know exactly what you want to do, who you want to work with and how you want to make it happen. It was extremely educating for me.

I worked my ass off and the result — I’m headed in the right direction (for now anyway!).

I know there’s a lot more ahead. But I’m freakin’ excited. I finally get it.

High five!

Another Dose of Peace

I’m sitting on a plane – somewhere between North Dakota and my next stop. Leaving home. A place that is full of family, love, and a house that built me.

I always seem to learn a lesson while visiting home. And this empty place inside of me continues to heal each time I visit.

I’m not one to live too much in the past, but going home is a bittersweet thing for me. All those great times, good times and just plain hard times.

I’ve moved on in a big way — and I’ve done the very best I can. But sometimes I get lost in this big world I’m trying to conquer… and sometimes, for a minute, it’s easy to forget who I am.

When I’m back home – there are reminders all over the place. Like big red stop signs with little messages… telling me to be the woman that was built in a little town that loves me.

But still, an emptiness remains within me and it wakes up when I’m back home for a visit. And when I touch the place that built me, I am able to work through unresolved things that happened way back when.

I feel a sense of peace and I continue to heal.

I slowly get those pieces back that I left so long ago. The ones that I didn’t think I needed. And in the midst of that… always feeling the reassurance that I’m doing the right thing and following the right path.

Every visit is always another memory that comes bubbling up after all these years. Back in the day when everything seemed so easy.

A memory like my mom and dad dancing on our back porch late at night – and me watching from my window… admiring their love for each other. And that memory reminding me how important love is in my life.

Love in all shapes and forms. Pure, beautiful, simple… love.

Or memories of the world when it was a little less complicated than it is right now. Where family was within an arms reach, or a walk around the block. And that memory reminds me how important family is – in all ways. Family keeps you healthy.

And then I pray, in that moment, that I never forget who I am.

North Dakota built me. And I’m forever grateful. And it’s my duty to make you all proud. And it’s my promise to never forget – and to always come back for another dose of peace.

My life is in such a good place right now. I’m out in this big world and sharing as much love as I can. And it’s all due to the foundation that was built so long ago. Thankful.

Don’t Let Fear Paralyze You and Your Relationship

Before I start this post… and just for the record… I’m no pro at relationships. I have a few failed relationships under my belt – and I’m not proud. But I’ve finally been able to break through something really tough… something that hurt me so many times in the past. And now that I’m finally able to break through… I’m not afraid of it. Or to blog about it.

With that said…

There is a simple problem in relationships that is super hard to fix. One that hangs over nearly everyone…

In fact, most people in relationships don’t think of actually having this problem. But they all do. Trust me.  The only difference is that it plays out differently for each of us.

What am I talking about?

Fear.

Fear is the problem.

And before you start dismissing this post and thinking that this isn’t an issue for you or your relationship, consider a few things first.

Has fear ever stopped you from doing something that you knew would be good for you to do if you just did it?

If we all were totally honest, all of us have felt this kind of fear from time to time – and if we didn’t act, we realized we missed a great opportunity because of it.

This fear can happen in any part of our lives and can cause problems… but it can really damage our relationships.

When fear holds us hostage in our relationships, it shuts off possibilities and connection.

One place fear shows up with our loved ones is the way we communicate with them.

But, hold up for just a sec…

Why is it so important to take a look at fear and the role that it plays in our relationships and life?

Fear causes us to place bets on losing instead of winning.

The problem is…

When “losing” or “fear of losing” or fear of any kind becomes what you focus on rather than what both you and your partner want – then you almost always get more of what you fear or don’t want.

Period.

We restrict and constrict ourselves instead of being open to possibilities when we’re fearful.

When we hold back because of fear, there is no way we can have the connection, communication and love that most of us want with others.

There’s normally three types of fear. Fear of rejection, fear of failure and fear of being wrong.

In most relationships – it’s fear of failure more than anything else. Fear of failure can come up when you feel like every relationship you’ve been in has been a disaster and you don’t want to open yourself to going down that path again.

The problem with all this is that solutions can’t possibly bubble up to the surface if fear is holding a lid on them.

When it comes to our relationships, fear really blocks what we’ll call inspired action that we need to take if we want to create the best relationships possible.

So what do you do to get over this fear in your relationship and make it the best ever?

Well, first you need to make sure you’re in a relationship for all the right reasons. I mean, if you love someone – you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make it great. If you don’t feel that. Maybe it’s more than fear that’s holding you back?

Here are a few ways for you to start recognizing and changing fear in your relationships and start creating more of what you want…

First and foremost, recognize it. Imagine a positive outcome. Please don’t focus on the fear of it not working out.

Think positive. Most of the time, when we’re in the hole of fear, all we can think of is what could go wrong.

Switch your thoughts… it’s just as possible to have a positive outcome as it is to have an negative one, ya know?

Until now, fear may have created a wedge between you and your significant other. And know that there are many ways to start breaking through fear that keeps us isolated and unloved.

Think about where fear is holding you down… and try and move beyond it. It’s a pretty amazing place when you’re not stuck in it and the possibilities are endless… you’ll feel so much love.

If you truly want a strong relationship… let go of the fear – and simply live. It is what it is… it will happen how it’s supposed to happen. But don’t let your thoughts – your fear of the unknown – hold you back.

Because at the end of time, I’ll bet that you wish you would have just went for it…

Does this resonate with you? Comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

North to Alaska

A few months ago I started thinking about birthday ideas for my significant other. He travels a lot – and has been almost everywhere… so I wanted to figure out a place that he’s never been (already brought him to North Dakota for the first time so that wasn’t an option!).

I asked his kids if they knew where he hasn’t been – but they weren’t sure. So we devised a plan and decided to ask him (just generally speaking) where he has and hasn’t been in the US.

Well, it was slim pickings! But I was able to decide on the perfect place. And of course, it was supposed to be a secret… but after about two weeks… I said “do you want to know where we’re going for your birthday” and he said “no” and I said, “okay, we’re going to Alaska”.

Just my nature. I can’t help it.

Alaska. Yep. I took him to Alaska.

Now, I have been to Alaska. Actually, it was one of my most memorable trips as a child. And it was the last trip I took with my brother, Brady. We had a blast. We actually DROVE with a camper in tow… from North Dakota, through Canada and on to Alaska… over 3,000 miles. Yep, our family did that. So many great memories and – FUNNY – stories. I’ll save this story for next time. It’s so good. You’ll love it.

Okay back to the trip… so I took my SO to Alaska about two weeks ago. We had a blast. I planned it all, but we didn’t really go with an itinerary. I like to just wing things. No plans! And I thought we’d just figure it out when we got there.

And we did.

We were both upgraded to First Class going to Alaska and coming home. And thank God for that. It’s a super long trip. About 8hrs of flying total (one way – two layovers!).

Anchorage was great. But Steward was amazing. We drove about 2.5 hours south of Anchorage to a little town called Stewart (which is also a port). We saw a cruise line docking there, too. We had a great dinner (Alaskan Crab, baby!) and then we walked around and did a little window shopping.

Yeah, it was cold. My SO was definitely freezing… but we were loving it nonetheless.

The next day we took a cruise to see Portage Glacier, which was unreal! We were up close and personal with a glacier… who does that?! And then we did some sight seeing… saw a few bears, moose… and we even saw Rudolph. Okay, okay… it was just a reindeer.

It was also really interesting to sleep in Alaska during the month of June. It’s light 24 hours a day. So the shades were pulled at night, but the sunlight still seeped in. Not to mention, they are on AST time, which threw both of us a bit.

But, we had a blast, no doubt. Now that we’re back home… I’m thinking of where to take him next year. Yum. Life is good.

Just a little tid-bit of my life. I hope you enjoyed it.  If you ever consider a trip to Alaska – I’d love to give you the scoop on things to see – and places to go! So let me know!

Oh, and Happy Birthday, love.

One Solid Friendship Is All You Need

Have you ever had anyone that you could tell everything to? Speak the truth about anything – and they would never, ever judge? Someone you could trust with everything?

I’ve had many friends. Some closer than others… but I never had a friend that I felt I could trust with everything.

I always had great friends, but as I got older, I had a hard time getting close to anyone. I would keep them at arms length. Keeping all my secrets, all my truth – to myself.

So that’s how it was… friends with everyone, but best buds to no one.

While I was struggling in a relationship with my now ex-husband, I started searching for answers. Answers to life, purpose…  and during that time I met a great friend, one that soon showed me a path less traveled. A tough one. But a path of the unknown.

He showed me that I didn’t fit into that cookie cutter world. I wasn’t put on this earth to play house. Moreover, I had a bigger purpose. One that I soon discovered over a course of a year or so – with his help.

I learned more about myself through our conversations than ever before. He was a great friend. Someone who I could tell everything to. I wasn’t afraid to hold back. I knew I could tell him everything and anything and he wouldn’t judge me. He would simply be my friend.

He helped me find myself. The real Chelsea. The one that had been hiding out deep within myself for a very long time.

I eventually filed for divorce. I started on the path of discovery. My friend supporting me every step of the way.

I remember something – very significant – that he said to me. It still rings in my ear from time to time.

I was telling him that no one really “gets me”. And that I’m misunderstood.. and different. He told me that he’s slowing peeling back the layers of who I really am. And followed that statement with “Chelsea is a strong woman who needs a strong man, someone who she knows can take care of her, in every way. Someone who knows that she is just a girl, despite how tough she comes across. Someone who sees her for what she is… a woman who has spent her whole life taking care of everyone else, and who deep down, wants someone to take care of her, too. That’s what’s inside Chelsea Moser”.

Of course, this was also the first time ever that I was speechless. Someone pegged me, exactly. Someone who I could trust – and the first person ever who didn’t judge me.

Someone that “got it”. Someone that “got me”.

I remember that conversation like it was yesterday.

I don’t speak to him much anymore because we both are busy with our lives and our families… but he helped me through the roughest time – and I am forever grateful for him.

He was the one good friend that I could say anything to. Knowing that he understood. I never had to elaborate or explain things. He just got it.

I thought I was a hard case to crack. And to most people – I am. But to him, he understood every morsel of my being.

During that time, it was a safe place for me. A place where I could share all of my secrets, all of my feelings – knowing that they are safe with him. And he was able to do the same.

Thankful that I could be completely honest and open with someone. Comfortable enough to share everything and always knowing I had a real friend.

He gave me the strength I needed to press on. To see what’s possible. To conquer the unknown. To be honest and truthful to myself. To see the goodness that I am.

I know I’m very fortunate to have discovered such a great friend. And some never get to experience the feeling of sharing so much – knowing that you’re in a safe zone. But you’ll be surprised. That solid friendship may just be right around the corner.

You just never know.

If you were fortunate enough to experience this great sense of peace with a good friend — Comment here. I’d love to hear about it.

What You Focus On Expands

I often hear – “you’re a really happy person… a breath of fresh air”, which is then followed by… “especially for all that you’ve gone through in your life”.

It’s a great compliment. I’m glad my happiness and positivity rubs off on other people. Don’t get me wrong, I do have my days (I’m not perfect!). But it’s rare. I don’t have time to focus on the negativity in life – in anything.  There’s simply no time for it.

What you focus on expands.

The truth is that all the worrying  and negativity in the world is not going to change things.  It never does. So, you can keep watching the news, reading the newspaper, focusing on daily negativity… and listening to the doom and gloom. You can keep focusing on the problem and you’ll just make yourself  (and people around you) feel negative, too.

OR

You can focus on what you can control. You can simply focus on the positive in things (glass half full). Spending anytime “down in the dumps” or worrying about things that are outside your circle of influence is counterproductive and a waste of time.

Now, more than ever, you must really focus your attention on what you can do to make things better. What you can do to make a positive impact in everything you do.

Get back to the basics.

Enjoy the good stuff.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to do what you really want to do. Ignore the past troubles and heartaches (even though they are a part of you, don’t focus on it – because what you focus on expands!). Open your mind to the possibility of making your life really good.

If it’s hard to focus on opening your mind to the possibility of making your “life” really good. Make each “day” really good. Small steps.

Sometimes we fall into that “black hole” that directs our attention to a really hard place. It’s tough. Trust me, I’ve been there and I know exactly what it’s like. But here’s what you do if you feel yourself falling slowing into that negativity, that hole…

Dance around it.

Notice it’s there, but don’t focus on it (what you focus on expands!). Just dance around it, creating a positive vibe that not only runs through your veins… but radiates off of you and on to other people in the most positive way.

There is no better time than right now to focus on the goodness in every day life. Don’t dwell on things that are out of your control. There’s no reason to. Look ahead and create that goodness. Focus on it.

Create a path of success, happiness and much love.

I would love to hear your feedback on how you create your happiness path each day. Maybe it’s something you do as a daily ritual that makes you really happy… despite hard things in life. Tell me about it. Comment here.

My happiness path is communicating with my family. If I miss a day, I feel it. My happiness is hearing my mom on the phone, catching up with my sisters, listening to my nieces and nephew giggle, hearing my grandma and grandpa talk to each other in the background as I wait for them to pass the phone.

And sometimes it’s not  just verbal communication. I love it when my boyfriend grabs my hand, gives me a soft kiss on my head, a look from across the room.

All of that makes me really happy. They all keep me grounded which points me in the right direction. They are my happiness. My positivity.

What’s yours? Comment here.

Moving Forward

Sometimes we lose the power of the moment because we’re so rarely in it. We’re reliving the past or speculating about the future. We continue to believe that tomorrow’s the day when we’ll be more capable, more wealthy, more fit and more loving. Meanwhile, we’re just putting in time, dreaming of better things but not making any concrete move to realize them. Live now. Move Forward.

If you sit within the silence of your soul, and give it the time and the space, I think you know where to go–you know where to lead. You can read a thousand books and have a thousand people tell you what the right methodologies are–but to be anywhere, you have to start from your center and your core. It’s from that place of stillness where you’ll know how to move forward and how to move others with you.

Credits: John/Patrice Robson, Karen Tse

“Dad, I’m going to travel the world!”

I remember a conversation I had with my dad many years ago. I think I was ten. I also think he knew his days were numbered, so perhaps that’s why he had this conversation with me.

I was having the “what do you want to be when you grow up” conversation. Of course, I’m the one that initiated the soon to be deep conversation. And let me tell you, I talked ALL the time. I think I was a little annoying growing up – to be quite honest with you.

Anyway, I was telling him about all of the things I wanted to be. I wanted to be a professional basketball player, a professional golfer, a professional swimmer, a doctor, a lawyer, an astronaut… and a world traveler.

He, of course, always led me to believe that I could be all of those. But I think in the back of his mind he knew that I was also a first-class dreamer! But he did start talking to me about traveling the world.

This is what I remember…

He told me about his travels. He didn’t get the chance to travel much and I remember him telling me that if I get the chance, go for it. I may only have one shot. And then that conversation led into, “well, where do you want to go”.

Of course, I didn’t know too much about the world in general, but I kept saying I was going to travel the world and he kept saying… “where to?”.

My grandma had this globe in her living room… and we’d always close our eyes and spin it really fast… and wherever it landed was where we were going to live. Needless to say, I always ended up in an ocean, but I was always interested in the globe – the world – and all those maps that looked oh, so cool.

Jeeze, I didn’t know where I wanted to go… so I started simple.

I said I was going to start with the United States. Then move into Mexico and Canada… and then many other countries to follow. I remember him saying I need to start small, pick one and then just go from there. So I was game and said that I’d focus on the United States.

We pulled out a blank map and we started marking all of the places I had already traveled to. I remember marking off North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota and Nebraska. And once we were done filling out the map, I realized I had a LONG way to go. But I wasn’t worried… I had lots of years ahead of me. One step at a time. And the most exciting part to me was having something to look forward to. A big lofty goal.

I remember the conversation ending when I asked him if he thought I’d really travel the world. And he reassured me that anything is possible.

Well, he was right.

Last night I pulled out my handy dandy map. The one where I marked the states and countries… and I was really surprised. I know I travel a lot, but I haven’t kept track of it in awhile. And this conversation with my dad was something I vaguely remember… until I started updating my map with the places I’ve been to. Yep, my map has filled up in the last 16 years.

I only have 8 states left to go.  And I’ve traveled to four different countries.

I’d say anything is possible. Dreams do become reality… even if you’re a dreamer at age ten.

What’s your dream?