Hi Dear Friends,
Is there something you’ve been aching to try but are too afraid to pursue? Are you frozen in a life or belief system that no longer satisfies who you are today? Do you celebrate everyone else’s progress but your own? Well, I’ve got some potentially difficult (yet ultimately awesome) news for you. A spiritual forest fire could be on the way.
At least that’s my pattern. Sometimes, when I’ve ignored my gut and resisted my intuition, the universe has had to use a megaphone to get my attention. You know, those kick-in-the-pants moments that end with falling on your face and having to pick yourself up and start fresh.
Here are a few of my messy examples…
I was in a painful relationship with a man I loved more than he loved me, we were about to get married and that’s when the letter with pictures from another woman came. He cheated. I was crushed beyond measure. Sadly, what happened next was ugly and regretful, but in the end I am certain that I sidestepped a disastrous marriage in the nick of time. Spiritual forest fire.
Six years later I married the man of my dreams.
I was in a career that was going nowhere (acting). Sure, I did great theater, a handful of bad films, some TV, and endless commercials, but I rarely had the opportunity to share my real gift—my authentic voice. In fact, I had wanted to quit for a while but I was too afraid to do it. Then I got sick and the offers dried up. Spiritual forest fire.
Twelve years later I’ve got a few New York Times best-sellers and over a million cherished readers a month who value my unique approach to healthy living.
Are you starting to get the picture? I share these stories to show you what’s possible on the other side of the fire. And believe me, I could go on with endless examples of what happened when I refused to see the truth, got the rug pulled out from under me, then woke up and used my bottoming out as an opportunity to rise.
But you don’t have to wait for your own spiritual forest fire to start living the life you want to live. Just because you may be feeling stuck in a relationship, financial situation, health crisis, or dead-end career, doesn’t mean you don’t have choices.
We’re constantly given opportunities to grow and our souls are always nudging us in the direction of what’s best for us—winking at us when we’re in alignment and warning us when we’re not. Our job is to stay open and listen.
When we feel stuck or resistant, our souls just ask that we remain receptive and willing to see things differently—even if that means feeling uncomfortable.
Lastly, human beings are creative for a reason. Evolution requires imagination. And let’s face it, change isn’t always easy, even when it’s positive, that’s why we need to lean on our creativity to show us the way.
Let’s try it together…
What do you want?
See it. Taste it. Ask for it. Talk to yourself, your journal, your closest compadres, God, The Universe, the trees, your dogs.
Next, start sketching a rough draft of how to get there. This isn’t some woo woo exercise, it’s how many of the most successful people in the world manifest abundance in their lives. Once we’ve identified our wants we have to back them up with action.
Oh! And don’t forget: Unleash your imagination. Allow yourself to believe that everything is in reach. My husband and I have a dreaming game we play where the sky’s the limit, any idea is possible. His dreams are always huge and fun. While mine are often small and tidy with neat tucked-in corners. “Babe, you have an imagination for a reason, use it!” Good advice.
Wanna play the dreaming game with us?
Here are a few questions to get your creative juices flowing.

I do the same thing. I don’t want to give up on something so I hold on until it hurts me…it’s a habit I am trying to break so instead of holding onto something out of desperation I follow through with the things aligned with my vibration listening to my intuition.
Am loving your fb biz group! You are a fountain of knowledge!
Xoxo
Thanks honey! So glad you joined the group. xoxo
Hehe 🙂 my current passion was born out of intense grief, and how I feel my way through it has been a ladder of satisfaction, helping me, helping others and honouring my friend, I often use your advice Kris, thankyou 🙂 xxx
Thank YOU for sharing your passion with us. Keep dreaming. xo
Hi Kris!
I like your term for these types of awakening opportunities–“spiritual forest fires.” 🙂 I’ve also heard “divine storms” and think both are quite appropriate!
A few years ago, within 18 months’ time I lost my mom, became the sole survivor of my immediate family at age 31 (my dad had passed years ago and I’m an only child), learned about and took accountability for some unhealthy relationship patterns, lost a handful of close friends, and left a faith community and two jobs during the process. During that time, I also developed some very strange health issues which completely resolved after working with an energy healer at the end of that 18-month period.
Since then, I’ve learned to let myself love all the space in my life and have focused on me and what I can give back to this world. I did B-school and your Spotlight classes last year and am one business account approval away from beginning to build my own website, starting a blog, and continuing with the process of self-publishing a book with a process for self-reflection and growth. 🙂
Just wanted to thank you and Marie also for sharing your voices, your stories, and your gifts with the world. The world is so much richer because of them, and my life has certainly been enriched by both of you!
Best wishes and thank you!
Francine
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Francine. Congrats on all your amazing progress! xo
Hello Kris,
I am a fan of your work (love my well used copy of your cookbook) and I would be interested in your course that’s aligned with Marie Forleo’s B-School. I took B-School last year and will be following along with Marie’s course again this year. My question is, can I still join your course even though I’m a B-School Alumna, not a new student?
Best regards,
Marian
Hi Marian,
Can you email my team at [email protected] so that we get more details from you and answer your question?
xo, kc
You are an amazing young woman. Thank you for all that you offer and for sharing your loving and authentic voice with all. You are the best. I look forward to your emails. They help to keep my vibrational level up! 🙂
Thank you for your kind words! YOU are an amazing woman too. xo
You and Marie are always so timely with your help, I must be your ICA. 🙂
This is an excellent exercise to get my dreams out of my head. I think I will do this every morning, to exercise my imagination. One of the blocks I have is dreaming up stuff – after spending most of my life reacting and managing crisis, I find it very difficult to just dream about what I want. I even hide my notes about it so my friends can’t see. I don’t want anyone discouraging me.
The more you exercise those dreaming muscles, the more they’ll grow. xoxo
You are a such inspiring and unique person. Thank you so much for helping us to reach our dreams. Lots of love.
Thanks honey. Love to you. 🙂
First of all I love all your amazing work and enthusiasm, you are a true inspiration to many of us! In regards to your business training idea: Your mail came at a perfect time, just finished browsing for some job opportunities as a garden designer, of course all full time. So keep dreaming of a day my kids are older…, at the moment I run my own garden design firm, it is very seasonal and unpredictable and it is just ME! Love my job, but find it difficult to stay positive since it is so seasonal I would like to be more productive throughout the year (that is why I am looking for job opportunities….) My main stress as most entrepreneurs is marketing myself and find new clients (I offer seasonal guidance for property management too but the house landscapers take over my job and not always know what to do but clients don’t know and call them anyway … so I mainly focus on design ) the creative part and the whole implementation side I enjoy. So can’t wait to hear what you have to say in marketing ourselves and promoting what we do, and keep our morale up! xx
Thanks, Cindy! A couple things came to mind when I read your comment. There are many ways you could expand your business online to keep your work steady and growing all year round. I really think you’d love my Mastermind Business Coaching Group & Marie’s training videos—take advantage of all the free business training this month and see where it takes you. xo!
Hi Kris,
Thanks for sharing… My dream, which I have done to what you write about, have been waiting for 9 years for my true love!!
I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and fell apart. Finding you and reading your story helped me sooo much because you GET it. The fact that you live with your Cancer, you thrive with your Cancer, gives me hope. I am one of the lucky ones who is in remission. I am determined not to waste the rest of my life bogged down by stuff, people and an attitude that drag me down. You are my role model. Love your emails, love this blog. I know what I want to do, and it isn’t anything tremendous: live with love and appreciation for the good things/people in my life; write my book, it doesn’t have to get published, I just want to leave it for my peeps; travel — I’ve already started to do that. You have prompted me to do what works: write it down and get a plan, duh!!! Thanks for being an inspiration to all of us to be the most we can be.
Your vision IS tremendous, JerseyGirl. xoxo
Last year our business fell apart. After nearly 10 years with the same partners, my hubby and I had a dream for the business they were not comfortable following.
8 months later we are living that dream. We took huge risks to go it alone, not to mention lots of opposition from them along the way.
It’s amazing, every time we stepped out of our comfort zone, opportunities presented themselves. It was miraculous!
Now Hubby and I have this great business. Just the two of us. No nay-sayers. It’s fantastic!
Amazing, Cindy! Thanks for sharing your story. xo, kc
This is so helpful! I’ve been holding onto a dream of writing for soooo long and waiting…for what exactly?! I don’t know! For the voices in my head telling me I’m not enough to quiet down, I guess. But this is super helpful- to make a plan, put it out there and just keep going. I will post a new blog today in good faith 🙂
Thanks for your inspiration!
Ignore those voices! You got this. xo
Kris you are amazing!. Thank you so much for sharing and helping us to reach our dreams. xo
Thank you Kris. Such a lovely support I received from your post today <3 Much Love <3
Kris,
Thank you for the Dream Planner. I’ve been trying to do a vision board, and I can’t seem to get my head around it. I’m thinking this planner might just do the trick! I think you are a funny & amazing gal.
Love & Light to you
Thank you, honey. Let me know how the dream planning goes! xo, kc
Kris, Have I told you lately that I love you? 😉 Thank you for being so open and real. It is a tremendous gift to me!
I keep all my dreams in alphabetized, color-coordinated organized little boxes. They are so safe and predictable that way! I look at them and know they are there but NEVER open them. Over the past 14 years I’ve transferred my fear-based relationship w/my parents to men, then to the workplace. I left my last toxic job 8 months ago. I don’t know whats next but I am happy. Every day I get closer to opening a box and this post gave some practical and realistic 1st steps. Thank you! Peace, Parsley and Unicorns! 🙂
Love you too, Sarah. So happy to hear you’re taking steps toward your dreams. xo, kc
Hi, Kris!
I definitely need this message…today and for the days to come. I’m in a relationship that I don’t know if I should be in. Although we’ve been together 1.5 years, I feel like in the past few weeks I’ve learned more about who he really is and what his values really are…I’m realizing how different we are in multiple ways. I want to feed my fire and live my life to the fullest, and it’s hard to listen to my heart sometimes when I feel like I need to stick things out, that things will get better, etc. The things I’m seeing in him aren’t dramatic by any means, and in some areas he’s an amazing person, but I can’t imagine having his very different values be a part of the rest of my life. I’m still working things out in my head.
I am constantly looking to you for inspiration. Thank you for being a constant and reminding us all what it means to live a crazy, sexy life 🙂
Sending you so much love, Allison. Keep checking in with your gut. It will lead you the right way. Trust yourself. xoxo
I love this. Thank you for sharing your personal experiences, Kris. It’s so inspiring to hear how you found so much good and happiness after facing your fears and challenges. And PS, this PDF is SO helpful! xx
Hello Kris,
This August, 2015, I’m tackling a longtime dream I have had – I am going to bicycle across the United States from Portland, OR, to Portland, ME, to raise money for skin cancer. I have worked in the medical laboratory field and have seen far too many people diagnosed with melanoma. The doctor I work for established the Arizona Skin Cancer Foundation in 2011, to help those unable to afford the treatment for melanoma and to fund groundbreaking research. What better way to help raise funds for the Foundation?
Your emails are very inspiring and this one in particular because it makes me believe even more in myself. I will be pedaling 3,700 miles and climbing more the 140,000 feet over the course of 40 riding days! If you would like more information you can visit my website. Of course, any donation, large or small, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your emails and your time,
Stacie
Somewhat related, although not for fundraising, you might enjoy reading about this cyclist from Chicago who is biking to Oregon. She was a librarian who quit her job and decided to bike across the country. I’ve been following her posts and they’re very inspiring. I wish I had her courage!
https://ridebikessleepoutside.wordpress.com/
— Dawn
Hi Kris,
I’m a Canadian living in the UK, before I moved here I saw your first documentary when you were going through your treatment a long time ago. Then a couple months ago I randomly wondered what happened to you as I missed everything else you did. Then I recently rediscovered you as Kris Carr crazy sexy healthy everything and I didn’t know you were that girl at first. Then after I read more about your back ground it dawned on me! I was so wowed! And happy to know how everything had turned out for you!
My dream is to continue to follow my passion for dance full time, be able do achieve my goals in body flexibility. I want to dance around the world. I want to inspire others to follow their dreams at any age like me and I want to write a positive thinking book. I’d like to start an online business to grow my income. I want to live in my dream home, marry the man of my dreams and have children. 🙂
Get that all down in your planner, Jen! I’m cheering you on. xo, kc
I have been a reader and supporter of you for years Kris. I have all your books and look forward to your newsletters. This one hit home and I felt your words in my chest tonight. I am in a very negative living environment. I am living with toxic family members because I am currently unemployed and since I moved in to save money my health and spirit have taken a turn for the worse. I hope setting my intentions will open up new possibilities for me to find employment and make a better life for myself.
Sending you love honey. Set those intentions. You got this. xo
I have always wanted to be a history teacher, primarily at the college level. I have tried a few times to apply to entry level teaching jobs with no such luck.
When I got a rejection email today for a job, I told my fiance that I should make a collection of all these rejection letters I’ve received. His response was so amazing. He said “yes save them so when your dream comes true you have something to look back at.” His comment combined with this blog today has boost my spirits and helped me keep going with my dream!
Megan
Kris, You always manage to find a voice to say things so perfectly. When I was diagnosed with BC two years ago that was my spiritual forest fire. I found myself lost and spiraling into the deep abyss of dealing with illness. It was YOUR book that finally made me understand what I needed to do. I picked myself up, brushed myself off, and decided to change my life from that day forward. Today I would not recognize the person I used to be. Thank you for using your voice to help inspire people like me!
xo!
My dream is to start a mindfulness based horse therapy program. I’ve been holding myself back but I truly believe all we have is now. It’s time to jump in and to be open to wherever the current takes me.
Thanks Kris for your inspirational words.
That’s beautiful, Paige. So excited for you. xo
God your’e beautiful. What a loser for dumping you.
Kris, I have to say I really love your openness, honesty about all aspects of life. I just starting reading your stuff and getting your emails a few weeks ago and you already have made a difference in my life. Thank you! OK, about this dreaming thing. I have a really great job and life however, I have always believed that I was made for more. I have this desire and burn inside me to do something start my own business, change the world, etc. Problem is I can’t narrow down what. I have passion, and interest and health, I know a lot about retail and the ends and out of manufacturing. This is my current business. I want to do my own thing but feel stuck and can’t figure it out. Help if you have any input I would appreciate it.
My dream is making an impact and change people lives through nutrition and coaching. I just graduated as a Health Coach and I look up to you as my example of who I want to become…So THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO AND BEING AN INSPIRATIONAL ROLE MODEL!
Seriously inspiring perspective here Kris! Just imagine if the forest fire never started, and we weren’t able to benefit from your wisdom!
It’s rare we get this kind of kick in the tush from others in our lives. We are fortunate that the universe takes it upon itself to “motivate” us, but always better if we can take the steps before the fire starts.
I’ve taken a major leap this year towards starting my own website and business. It’s been scary, difficult, challenging, and pretty much every other emotion, but it is so exciting and fulfilling! Thanks for pushing us to do our best!
So happy to hear you took the leap, Matt! 🙂
Kris,
Very interested in signing up for the business mastermind journey but don’t have a FB account. Is this a must have requirement?
Thanks, Amy
Hi Amy! You can still participate in the live call and get the recording, but the group is happening on Facebook. Hope you’ll join us on the call! xo
Wonderful article. Human life requires infinite courage/strength – as I age, it is harder to access it/rebuild. Thanks for being such a good role model.
As always, you are an amazing light! Your own wisdom, courage and fortitude is an inspiration, and BTW, thanks for all you do!!
Look forward to the online calls and information.
Sarah
Thanks Kris – I appreciate your work a lot. My dreams seem to have mostly shredded away into the wind. I stand here holding a few strands, trying to pick up the pieces after a extended period of deep heart break. I barely know where to begin anymore. Thank you for reaching out to inspire and guide those whose visions are vibrantly clear and those who must re-animate them. Gratitude.
Sending you love, Nancy. Just take one step at a time. xo, kc
Kris, I adore your energy, and light you shine to inspire us to live our dreams! Love your ‘crazy sexy dream planner’ and excited to play with it!! And am thankful to hear your journey and transitions you made over the years to follow your ‘true voice’! I know what it’s like to feel that there’s more my creative journey in life (more than my acting)….and am open to following the signs.
What I’d really love is to inspire others too to follow their bliss, for more peeps to shine their light, for the world to be brighter and fuller of love & positivity! It matters so much to see more happy peeps doing what they love, because it just feels amazing when I see others living their dreams. It’s inspiring, uplifting motivating, and continues to influence me in a positive way to follow my hearts calling…go where my path is clearly lit, and trust the Universe’s guidance along the way…even when I may feel my ‘doubtful elf’ chime in, I say, ‘doubtful elf’ there’s nothing to worry about ‘happy elf & bashful elf’ are on it!
big hugs everyone – xo Jade
i’m a singer/songwriter and my dream is to spread my music out to a bigger audience, and license to tv and films. the problem is, i was never given an instruction manual on how to do that, and it seems hard for musicians in general to get their foot in the door 🙁 i’m still staying positive though, and creating more and more 🙂 music is my life!
Hi Kriss,
just “discovered” you recently, as I`m over in Europe ; )
Thank you for sharing. I`m in the process of rethinking and adjusting my life – taking one step at a time ; )
You inspire me!
xo Larissa
Dear Kris,
You are such a wonderful inspiration!
Spiritual forest fire… absolutely amazingly well put! I know exactly what you mean and have been through the same thing. Also got saved just in time.
Thank you from my heart and many prayers to Buddy <3
Peace xoxo
My big dream is to make a living writing books and I already have my first novel coming out on March, 27th and I am super excited! The only issue that I have is I have a hard time carving out space and time to sit and write but I am trying to change that by setting a schedule for myself and really working at it.
By the way if you read this Kriss, Crazy sexy cancer changed my life. After seeing it I felt like I had been asleep my entire life. <3 <3 <3
Hi Kris, I just want to say thank you for being such a refreshingly kind, loving person with a great sense of humor. I’ve really enjoyed your blog and books. I first saw you Forks Over Knives and was hooked since then. I think this blog catches my eye most of all because of the relationship aspect. For over 10 years I was stuck in a pseudo relationship with a man who had me right where he wanted. We acted as though we we dating but I never deserved the title to him. But he was so casually manipulative that I stayed. This span of years started when I was 20 and finally came to an end a few months before my 32nd birthday. I was the one to end it with a clean break and no contact. It’s been 6 months since I spoke to him and although it’s a good thing now I’m left regretting all the time I wasted. Will I ever find love? I’m starting from scratch with the dating scene, not even sure where to start and afraid to make a mistake. How did you finally learn to trust even to put yourself out there? And how did you know it was the right man?
Thank you Kris for sharing your story, a free planner, and wonderful advice and inspiration. I feel there is so much power in knowing the good things that came out of any situation, no matter how bad they may seem at the time they take place. I truly believe there is always something good that can come out of anything. Thank you for sharing, and I am happy to share your message. Keep smiling!
Kris you are absolutely a fabulous source of inspiration! I am Writing to you from Sweden to let you know!
I have not lived through cancer but I can relate to what you are writing on so many levels.
You are Divine Inspiration!
So much love:-)//Jejja
LOVE THIS! I have been following my dreams and making them happen for a few years now. Now I am fortunate enough to help others do the same. I love your passion for life! So inspiring. x
Hi Kris,
You hit the nail on the head in step 5 about being ready and willing to take action. I’m currently starting down the road in a new venture as a sideline to my current profession. I’ve started and stopped so many times in the past but now realize that wanting something to “manifest” is a great mindset to have BUT… I need to take some action to put the plan in motion and keep it going. I have a post-it on my computers at home and work the simple say “Do it Now!” This gives me that little push I need to move forward before I can “just let it go.”
Thanks,
Frank
I can’t thank you enough for all that you do. You have inspired me in so many ways. My sister recently passed away from Esophageal Cancer. I watched as chemotherapy destroyed her body. Almost simultaneously, I was diagnosed with Severe Cervical Dysplasia caused by the HPV Virus. I am one step away from cancer myself, if I don’t do something to change it. My goal is to heal myself naturally and holistically.
From there, I want to change the world. My big goal is to change the food that is served in US hospitals. I also want to help others with the HPV virus heal themselves naturally. I have taken the first step by enrolling in IIN to become a Health Coach. I graduate in May. I have a million ideas, but often get overwhelmed and have a hard time seeing the first step. This blog really helps me to break it down and focus on the next step, which for right now, is taking care of myself.
Thank you,
Courtney Miller, Shine Light Health
loving your thought process. I received your starter kit but the links are not working. can your tech people help out? thank you. back to more reading.
Taking heart-felt inspired action is the key!
Stop resisting to become who you meant to be, stop resisting to see what wonders the life has stored for you, take an action, do your small part,
Your part is so small, and the life, universe, God, whatever you call, does the rest,
But you have to move and do the small part first!
My dream is what I call an “extraordinary ordinary” – I want a home that is clutter free, happy and filled with love and laughter. I would like to be a prosperous full time artisit and part time reiki healer/wellness coach/yoga devotee. maybe have a little yearly or 6 monthly wellness gathering where my friends bring a friend to “initiate” into our circle, spread the love…
and that’s it. 🙂 I already have the beautiful children, I know ill meet a wonderful man, I have two dogs and a cat and a lovely house on great arrangements with the landlord and a wonderful family full of every personality you could want, a reliable vehicle, beautiful things, talent and a smile. I’m a gratefully lucky lady and I know persistence pays off.
LOVED this post. so resonated for me at my time in my life. I am facing the same thing at the moment. I let fear get in the way of anything I want in life, BUT that’s what I need to help and serve others – how to be free of fear to get what we want… so hard sometimes, but we just have to trust, be patient and stay true. I always think we need to rush things and it needs to be a certain way – comparing to others, I want my business to be full time, but what I want more than anything is to just serve others, so what if it isn’t a full-time business. What if I just concentrate on helping and serving others instead of trying to make myself happy by forcing myself to make myself happy to be a certain way. It is only external happiness. It won’t make me happy until I feel happy in myself to help others. So, start small and then just go with the flow 😉
I needed these words today, thank you Kris!! I’ve been feeling SO stuck lately and really down on myself since I made the physical move back to my hometown last year with the intention of becoming a health coach full time, but what I had planned as a part-time position last summer has now turned into a full-time job that I’m not happy in at all. A few days ago, a lot of emotions came to the surface when I received my certificate from my nutrition school: a year has gone by and I’m nowhere near my dream life! Talk about a spiritual forest fire!! I’m still SO scared of walking away from everything but I can’t wait to fill this planner out to get some clarity 🙂 thank you thank you from the depths of my heart for writing this article
Thank you for being your authentic self and being an inspiration for me on a daily basis. Another huge thank you for introducing me to Erin Stutland’s amazingness! Love and positivity!
Wondersfull blog post My dear Kris. Just what “I” and many others needed to hear. And its true, sometimes we need to loose it all (or big parts of our lives) to create space for the new. The thing is our mind think that we are loosing something when in reality we are gaining space to create what we really want. I “lost”my job last summer. I felt bad at first but in my heart knew I was not happy in that job. That situation gave me the opportunity of starting my company and a new dream for myself. It wasn’t easy at first but it has been so fulfilling! I got to hire myself as the CEO of my life, and loving it!! Thank you Kris for validating my process with the words of this blog. Much love Andreina