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17Aug

My favorite break up so far

Posted by: Linz Categories: Branding Heart & Mind
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I needed a break.

I took a break from blogging and from social media. I deleted the apps from my phone and made all of my accounts private.

I thought I needed to be public in order to keep myself employed. Working for myself the last 7 years I have relied heavily on social media as the main way I have marketed my services, my company and kept a steady stream of clients and freelance work.

I am happy to say that taking a break has allowed me to build my business bigger and better. I have more clients and work than I know what to do with.

With the free time I have saved from being on social media and working on my profiles, I have read more books, listened to more podcasts and had more real conversations with friends.

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Instead of being on my phone, feeling the need to post at peak posting times, I am present in conversations, actively listening and not so obsessed with needing to be engaged with the community I worked so hard to build.

I love the community I built online! I love every single one of you who read my posts, visit my blog and give me so much in return for my open hearted sharing.

I am in awe and complete gratitude every time I open up and receive an outpouring of love and support. That is why I am sharing this with you now.

What I am trying to say is that it is nice to step away once in a while and realize its a bonus, but not necessary.

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I see the travel blogger who spends more time taking the perfect selfie for their instagram than enjoying the magic of the moment they are in.

I see the girl with a yoga clothing company who spends more time picking the perfect filter and hashtags than doing yoga or meditating. #Integrity #LiveAuthentic #Namaste but #CantTouchYourToes

I see the picture perfect couple who set up a tripod on their date night and photoshop their tender moments so they can prove to everyone online how special and romantic their relationship is.

I see the coach who has something powerful to share but can’t post just words without an attractive selfie to go with it.

selfie-phone-addiction-self-oromotion-social-media-socialmedia-post

I’m not trying to say I’m better than anyone, in fact I am admitting I have a social media problem too, which is why I wanted to take a break and put energy into BEING what I want to be, not just posting about it. We are NOT who we post we are. Our online personas are just that.

So give yourself a break.  Don’t stress about the gram, about the tags, about your followers or if you are looking or sounding as good as someone else because chances are they are trying much harder than you to look that way. Just enjoy YOUR life. Put the apps away and be present in your life.
No one really wants to see a photo of your tacos anyways.

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22Sep

Giving back is SO hot right now.

Posted by: Linz Categories: Branding Non Profit Travel
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Giving back is so hot right now. Seems like some of the biggest brands out there are making it big off their claims of giving back and making a difference. 

I love this change in marketing trends, especially since my company, LMH Promotions focuses on social good business and for-purpose marketing and branding campaigns. (Fundraising, cause awareness, community building) I love seeing the consumer demand to see the impact their purchase is making. I love knowing that people really care. 

Of course there’s the brands that take advantage and claim they are making a difference while selling a totally toxic product (*cough cough*, Ronald McDonald, PEPSI Refresh, Coke RED, all the cancer causing products that rep PINK RIBBONS?)

Pepsi-Refresh-Project

Now we are seeing a whole bunch of companies that “give back” because, lets face it, they have to now! (Woo hoo!) 

But does that mean that companies should be promoting their product and pushing it with a purpose just because its catchy or it fits their product or message? 

Many of the brands I have helped launch or support have started their product BECAUSE they saw a need. TOMS started because Blake saw the children in Argentina needed shoes. Anna Dodson started Peruvian Hearts scholarships for the orphanage she was adopted from in Cusco. I started hosting fundraising campaigns after seeing firsthand the lack of educational resources while traveling through the gorgeous, developing world. 

Ana Dodson peruvian hearts give back charity

I’m feeling hopeful for the future of consumerism because brands are being forced to give a shit and give back. 

Lets just not forget to hold these companies accountable. I know from first hand experience of a give back company that claims all over their site that their products are made in Costa Rica but sent their photographer to El Salvador where they moved their production years ago to save on costs. I saw the photos of their production facility and it was pretty grim. 

sweatshop labor give back charity

There’s companies that come up with a product to support a popular cause, even though they have no personal connection to it. 

Where is the integrity in these situations? 

Does it even matter? 

If giving back is trendy, then does that mean we are becoming better as a whole society? If the good is being done does it matter why? 

Maybe not.

Just sharing my observations. Lets hear yours.

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11May

Battling Myself. A Life With Anxiety.

Posted by: Linz Categories: Community Health Heart & Mind
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I’ve dealt with anxiety as long as I can remember.
As a child I was a nail biting, thumb sucking little ball of energy who carried my teddy bear, Mr. Kamunka, with me everywhere I went. Growing up an only child of an alcoholic mother meant finding comfort in any way possible. My parents divorced when I was three, thankfully, because hiding in a closet from the fighting is still one of my first memories.

mom

I remember so many nights as a small child not knowing where my mom was or what kind of mood she would be in when she got home. Would she be sweet and wake me up with a surprise or would she be sick or would she be angry, looking for someone to take it out on? Often times she was just crying and sad and needed someone to listen to her. I was always all of those for her.
My childhood was a roller coaster and while she eventually gave up all parental responsibility to my dad, she still would show up randomly, outside our house, when she was needing someone to vent to. The neighbors didn’t appreciate it and I didn’t either. I never felt safe or secure. She would show up wasted or high to my school or soccer games and pick fights with anyone who said something to her. Once she locked me in a bathroom because I embarrassed her in front of the McDonalds clerk who she was probably trying to flirt with for free food during our first time together in months.
As a teenager, I desperately tried to connect with her during her sober stints, spending summers in Las Vegas with her and her new baby, my amazing little half-brother, Kellen. (I say “half” to explain the paternal difference, although he is very much my full brother by heart!)

IMG_3144 I wanted to be close with them but watching her put him through the same roller coaster and often times worse situations, was something that tortured my heart and made me angry beyond belief. I was experiencing panic attacks in school and doctors put me on xanax and ativan at 16 to keep my anxiety under control.
I eventually cut her out completely and focused on the things I could control in my life and vowed to never be weak like her. I pushed myself to start my own career and be reliable to the people I cared about. I kept everything under control, quit all medications at 18 and began treating my anxiety herbally. I learned that self discipline was key. I became very hard on myself when I made mistakes because I never wanted to be anything like my mother.

LINDSAY hawley live more happy lily jasper community volunteer lmh promotions

Feature in LILY+JASPER when I was 23

I did my best to pick up the motherly slack she left with my brother, who like me, ended up bouncing around with his father and father’s family most his childhood. I resented her for not being there for him, for leaving me with the hole to fill but it motivated me to be better for him and to show him what the possibilities are when you work through the darkness.

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All of this has been like a shadow in the beautiful life I have created for myself. As a child I didn’t share it because cruel kids made fun of me. As a teen I didn’t want to seem weird or different. As an adult I didn’t want to share my story because I didn’t want anyone’s pity or to be defined by it. “Wow, you have come so far considering…” YUCK.
I worked harder to make the stories less powerful over me, yet the anxiety never subsided.working hard

I had to heal the root of the problem and I set out to forgive and set myself free. I went to workshops, personal development seminars, I wrote closure letters, I read books and joined support groups. I surrounded myself with positive people and created a community. I found myself no longer hating her, but feeling sorry for her that she was not a part of my life. I had created such amazing things and people around me but she was unable to share it with me.

EvoRoom community san diego meditation

EvoRoom community in San Diego

full circle venice community center andrew keegan

Full Circle Venice Beach community center

My brother and I became closer than ever and have had the most honest  talks about addiction and mental illness. I have been able to share the wisdom and the knowledge I earned on my own, with him. He knows I am always here for him no matter what and most importantly, I know it too.baby brother
Almost two years ago I saw her walking down the street in my neighborhood in San Diego and I pulled over and got out to talk to her. She was so high and angry and incoherent I couldn’t have a conversation like I had hoped but I gave her a hug and drove off, with sadness and love in my heart. I didn’t hate her. I wanted her to find peace, like I had.

A few months later, while planning what I thought was my next chapter in life, marriage and my own family, I learned my soon-to-be-fiancee had been having an affair, and my world came to a screeching halt. I had been betrayed and abandoned again. I wasn’t safe in my own home I had created with him and I could not trust him or myself. I felt all the same wounds open back up deeper than before.

What was wrong with me that the people I love and trust most, treat me like I’m disposable?

Then the anxiety came back and the nightmares began to get worse. I felt like I was starting all over and then some. I was determined to heal as quickly as possible, to get back to the peace I had felt before learning the truth about him. I went to women’s groups, energy healers, seminars, workshops, tropical getaways and still, no matter how packed my schedule was with positive productivity, I could not shake the anxiety and nightmares.

yoga lindsayI would replay scenarios and lies he told me over and over in my head. I couldn’t stop trying to “solve the case” even months after I had “moved on.” Desperate for answers, sitting on a beach in Bali, staring off into the gorgeous sea and feeling anxious in paradise again, I searched for alternative therapy in San Diego. I was going to give it a try as soon as I got back. I couldn’t deal with another beautiful morning wasted, waking up in paradise, from a nightmare, about some douche bag thousands of miles away. ( Apparently, spending years dealing with a sociopath can cause PTSD. )

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Luckily, a trusted friend recommended her closest friend, Kristyn, a hypnotherapist in San Diego and I booked four sessions right away. I went into each session with a very open mind and willingness to absorb my own insights and to heal. I was ready to release and forgive and feel peace in my heart. I finally finished all four within a few months but the improvement was apparent in the first few weeks.

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The nightmares stopped, my nail biting subsided to where I was able to quit getting fake nails and finally wear my natural nails with out shame.

healthy nailsBoth of my businesses took off in a really big way and I suddenly was not angry at my ex anymore. I found my old blackberry full of messages and photos from our first year together and I was not sad or angry, but nostalgic for a happy time in my life and I felt excited for what was ahead and having that kind of happiness again, but for real this time. I was finally free and even my best friends said they could see a difference in me.

wild and free to be me

I’ve been able to take my meditation practice to a new level. Before working with Kristyn I could never quiet my thoughts, especially before bed. Now I put on a guided meditation almost every night and morning and can find myself at peace. Even the one time I dreamed about my ex since our sessions, instead of there being a altercation or argument, I just kept on walking past our house. I just kept on walking. It felt good to wake up from that one. I had found the release I needed.

lantern festival travel lover wanderlust adventure explore

As I sit on another beach in paradise, writing this, I am grateful for the difficult people and the pain they caused because I have learned to over come the struggle and abandonment and feelings that I am not lovable. I have learned to forgive and find peace in my heart. Without drugs, with out alcohol, without sex or shopping or any other crutches. (although I admit I have a travel problem, hee hee) I have found the healing I needed right inside myself. Its been there all along and its up to me to keep it.

happy writing

Suffering from a broken heart, anxiety, depression or just lost in life?

My favorite books: Love, Freedom & Aloneness by OSHO, Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci, & A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

My Love, Life & Self Expression Coach: Jess Johnson

My Hypnotherapist: Kristyn Caetano

Connect with your community! Get involved, give back and donate your time to those that need it. Nothing makes me feel better than helping others.

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7Aug

Richard Branson’s “Nature Explorers” on Necker Island

Posted by: Linz Categories: Adventure Non Profit The Word Travel
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Necker Nature island conservation richard branson lindsay m hawley san diego lmh promotions givebackpackers live more happy

My third time on Necker Island has been more special than any other visit. I was here twice before with different groups of entrepreneurs to learn from each other, from Richard Branson and his team and to “relax” with every water sport, themed party and hilarious adventure imaginable.

It’s true, Richard is quite the prankster, myself falling for his tricks, sending me in the completely wrong direction during a hike, challenging me to climb straight up a cliff, daring me to jump in the jacuzzi with my clothes on or pretending to be a masseuse and whispering sweet nothings in my friend Steve’s ear. He has a sense of humor to match his big business sense and getting the personal time with him is always exciting, eye opening and inspiring.

temp-post-image Most people know of his business accomplishments, his funny antics and cheeky personality but few know that his main passion in life right now is saving endangered species.

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My last visit I had several meetings with him about our shared passion for nature, conservation and species preservation. In the two years since my first visit in Necker in June of 2012, I had put together a nature education project for the island to inspire and educate guests about the passion and hard work Richard personally does to rescue and revive species that are rapidly disappearing. Richard loved my ideas and gave me his support to pursue my passion.

The last week was so special to me because I had the opportunity to experience the island and all its magic through the eyes of 5 incredible children who had never been to Necker and were in awe of the unique and exciting experiences available, especially the animals. I had planned activities for them that included a walk around the island, observing plants and animals and exploring parts of the island that have been left untouched and still look like what the island looked like when Richard first purchased the land. We discussed what plants and animals are native to the Caribbean and what were brought in from places losing habitat, like Madagascar.

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Nature hiking and bird watching!

temp-post-imageLindsay and Alex, age 4 observing the Scarlet Ibis on Necker Island.

temp-post-image   We even had a scavenger hunt for animals around the island!

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The lemurs and the giant tortoises are always the favorite. We got to feed the lemurs everyday and interact with these hilarious primates with soft little hands, furry bodies and the funniest personalities. A few species of lemurs on Necker are endangered and are having more success on Necker with breeding than anywhere else in the world. 

temp-post-image The tortoises are so big and ancient looking it is no surprise they have been around as long as dinosaurs.

 

temp-post-imageRichard loved the Nature Explorer Journal we made for him. Each page was a different animal that one of the children drew with some fun facts we learned together about the different species. It was the high light of my week seeing the kids work so hard to present such a thoughtful gift to our host and friend, Richard.

temp-post-imageSince my visit and consultations with Richard and Necker management in April they have produced several new videos and blog posts about the Nature on Necker as well as began using hashtags #NeckerAnimals and #NatureOnNecker for sharing their photos and progress. Here is the most recent video with Richard and the nature director, Vaman.

Be sure to follow @NatureOnNecker on Instagram!

 

Animals of Necker Island

 

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4Sep

LMH launches art classes at Connections Housing!

Posted by: Linz Categories: Community Non Profit
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lmh intern art student art lessons inspiration homeless shelter give back promotions marketing good cause san diego

We are proud to announce we have launched an art program at Connections Housing in Downtown San Diego in partnership with non profits PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) and Urban Angels.

LMH Promotions summer intern, Ariana Bancroft, joined the LMH team early this summer and has applied her passion for art and inspiring others to helping those needing inspiration and a creative outlet.

ariana lmh intern art student art lessons inspiration homeless shelter give back

Our first series was a vision board workshop where volunteers and residents talked about their goals, dreams and visions of their futures and found visual representations in magazines and created collages with them.

lmh intern art student art lessons inspiration homeless shelter give back promotions marketing good cause san diego

lmh intern art student art lessons inspiration homeless shelter give back promotions marketing good cause san diego

lmh intern art student art lessons inspiration homeless shelter give back promotions marketing good cause san diego

This creative project was made popular by the book The Secret, using visuals to practice the Law of Attraction. The art class was so popular, one of the best turn outs for a workshop Connections has seen since its opening in March, we have decided to hold a different art class every Thursday at 3pm at Connections on 6th and A st downtown San Diego.

lmh intern art student art lessons inspiration homeless shelter give back promotions marketing good cause san diego

lmh intern art student art lessons inspiration homeless shelter give back promotions marketing good cause san diego

We are in need of art supplies, creative individuals to help inspire and lead activities and passionate people who just want to be involved in any way.

Please email Lindsay@LMHpromotions.com to get involved or just stop by Thursday and enter through A st entrance and security will show you the way!

lmh intern art student art lessons inspiration homeless shelter give back promotions marketing good cause san diego

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2Apr

Coachella Survival & Style on a Budget

Posted by: Linz Categories: Blog Community
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Coachella fashion style music festival thrift

No doubt Coachella is now just as much about the fashion as it is the music. Suddenly everyone is a boho hippie, which luckily for me, is my everyday style.

Your Coachella outfits need to be stylish but also realistic. You don’t need to spend as much on your outfits as you did on your Coachella ticket. Everything in this blog and video were purchased at Thrift Trader, my favorite resale shop in San Diego. Everything at Thrift Trader is 5.99 or 4 for 20.

I have found more than enough stylish clothing to attend both weekends with multiple cute outfits, for the cost of one Urban Outfitters outfit.

Watch my video for even more Coachella style and tips.

Free flowing clothes are great because they are in style like this blouse or this tunic.

They are also great for layering, going day to night and wanting to cover your shoulders from the harsh dessert heat and sun.

Speaking of, its also great to hide those sweat stains!

You can cut up a vintage tee like this one I found at Thrift trader and give a boring tee a boho flare.

Vests are always fun and can make an outfit.

Shorts are great because they have pockets, perfect for keeping things you need to get to often like phone and chapstick.

High waisted shorts are super cute and bright colored denim is hot. I cut these from capris I found at thrift trader.

coachella fashion style thrift shopping outfit hippie boho

Lacey tops are everywhere now too. I cut this vintage one into a crop top and will wear a bandeau underneath.

coachella fashion style thrift shopping outfit hippie boho

Bikini tops are always great to wear under for when you feel like really being free and work on that tan. Just remember SUNBLOCK! Nothing kills your vibe like being in extreme pain and looking like a lobster.

Hats are also cute and perfect for keeping the sun off your face and the wind can do a number on your hair. Its also great for day 2 or 3 when you just didnt get around to styling or washing it.

coachella fashion style thrift shopping outfit hippie boho

Headbands and head scarves are a hippie accessory that also work great for hair control.

Long crocheted skirts are in style right now but are not good for Coachella where it is dirty everywhere and you will definitely find yourself sitting on the ground at some point. If you must wear one of these uber trendy skirts make it a light fabric with a color that hides dirt like this.

A cross the shoulder bag or fanny pack is a great purse because you can dance and enjoy the show hands free. I personally love the acid washed denim fanny pack I got at last year’s Guess Hotel at Coachella, filled with all the necessary Coachella survival needs.

Fanny packs and Coachella go hand in hand.

I also love my water bottle holder I picked up in Peru. You can refill a water bottle for free at any of the refill stations or purchase a new bottle every time you are thirsty for $2. That really adds up!

Bring your own water bottle with a clip to attach to your bag if you dont have one. You will be glad you did and the Earth will thank you too.

Shoes are the most important part of your whole outfit. If your feet are hurting it could ruin your whole day. It is dirty and crowded and you will probably get stepped on. I like little canvas tennies or comfortable sandals with a cushion.

The most practical and fashionable is boots. They protect your feet and look cute with any Coachella outfit and you can wear comfortable insoles and socks to prevent blisters.

Watch my video for more information and suggestions for outfits and do’s and don’t for planning and packing for your Coachella weekend.

Happy Coachella!

 Coachella fashion style music festival thrift

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12Mar

LMH Featured on Union Tribune Night & Day

Posted by: Linz Categories: Branding Community Press
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We are so pleased with our full page article in the San Diego Union Tribune’s Night & Day section in February.  The title was “Model Behavior” and we are so tickled to make the news for doing positive things in the community! Click the image below for the full story online.

 

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