Raising the Bar

Even shorter and sweeter! (really really sweet!)

Today, I’m simply sharing a post from ‘Tut … Notes from the Universe’ (google it, you’ll be happy you did)

When YOU raise the bar, *fill in your name here*, I jump higher.

Ready?

The Universe


Get Ready.

Gain Clarity.

(What do YOU WANT?)

Then … Raise It, Baby!!

Yeeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaw!!

Ahhhhh ... Clarity

So ... I'm grooving on that familiar feeling of what 'true' clarity feels like. (true is in quotes because I mean 'true to me' ... YOU know what 'true to you' feels like)

Anyway, decision clarity (for me ... and perhaps for MANY) has one insano-important quality about it: JOY!

Simple.

If there is doubt, convincing (either in or out of any given situation), waffling, debating, waffling some more ... we'll then, the clarity you seek hasn't quite arrived yet.

When the JOY overcomes the natural fears associated with change ... it's time to ACT.

And, at that point, you'll likely act with a wide grin on your face and peace in your heart/body.

Now, not all of life's decisions lend themselves to such ease. (and sometimes coming to this point of ease or knowingness regarding larger decisions often takes some good ol' time; to process and to find your own way toward what good-decision-making feels like for YOU)

So ... here's what I am loving about it (all):

As I've made (and make) many-a-decision along the way, I realize that what used to be my preferred methodology (knee-jerk!!) has shifted a bit. I've come to realize what GOOD and TRUE TO ME decisions feel like in my body and being. I've come to know when to slow and LISTEN ... and when to JUMP.

So I'll end by saying (again) ... JOY!

When feelings of JOY overpower other feelings ... JUMP for the love of all things sacred!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Grass is Always Greener

The grass is always greener on the other side, right!
Wait, right?

Well … isn’t it all a matter of PERSPECTIVE?

CBS Sunday Morning (a lovely show) covered this very topic. In a straight-forward and oh-so-logical way … It IS what it IS.

Read on if you so choose …

When you are looking at your neighbors grass, the angle at which you view it makes it appear greener than when looking down at your own grass from on top of it. Simple truth. Makes sense, right?

Hmmmmmm?

Wouldn’t this also apply to all the ways in which we may use this “grass is always greener over there” story?

Isn’t it, again, just a matter of PERSPECTIVE?

And, can’t we instead decide to work on OUR perspective on things? To realize that maybe we aren’t seeing “the other” as clearly or with as much awareness as we could. And, what about the clarity and awareness with which we are looking at “our own grass?”

I don’t know about you … but it gets me thinking. (and smiling a sly, knowing smile)

A. Comparing OURS to THEIRS is pretty silly and futile

B. We have no control over THEIRS, so might as well place focus instead on OURS

C. What kind of focus is key, too. Loving and consistent focus. Regular care and water. Ahhh, but not stifling, over-obsessive or over-bearing. Instead … LIGHTNESS and HUMOR (I know … this last comment doesn’t lend itself to the lawn analogy … but we’re not really talking about that anyway, right?!)

WINK and LOVE!

Little Life Gems: Youth

One of my favorite books is a compilation of short (travel) stories written by David Yeadon. It's called Way of the Wanderer. Periodically throughout the book he shares what he calls 'Pub Pearls' ... bits of wisdom he comes-by while spending time in local pubs wherever his travels may take him. I always loved that concept. Because indeed ... pearls of wisdom are oft found when:
a. in a lovely relaxed atmosphere
b. in a lovely relaxed state of mind
c. when travelling to new places, are open, and introduced to "the different"
d. and yes ... sometimes when we've had a few! wink and ahhhhh!

Anyway, lately I've been finding myself inspired by little things along my days' path. Not so much Pub Pearls, I shall call mine (for the purpose of this post) 'Little Life Gems.' I'll also share that it wasn't until writing this that I realized they share a bit of a common denominator, if you will. (Hmmmmm? What is life trying to say to ME?! Smiles.)

Kindly indulge me as I list a few on the topic of YOUTH:

1) Jake .. the ol' dog. This dog is old. The chocolate lab that has surely enjoyed a LONG life filled with fetch, fun and family (two boys in the home). He's now grey. Oh-so-mellow. And, sadly, cannot get around very well at all. Oh, those darn aging hips! A friend of mine tossed the tennis ball a bit in front of Jake, and WOW how the puppy in him came alive! No, he couldn't get to the ball with any amount of speed or grace, but he got there none-the-less. And, he got there while wagging that old tail of his with what seemed to me the same gusto of a young, spry, playful pup. (the kind of wag that causes the Elvis-like swaying of doggy hips. hee!) Thanks, Jake. You were a joy to watch!

2) Along similar lines, I enjoyed a brief (heart-felt) conversation with a co-worker as he described an all-ages dance class he taught. How the distinction of age seemed to melt away as his participants danced. Not so much the young kiddos (of 3 or 4) acting older ... rather, the older participants 'acting like children'... the youth they emanated. Nice!

3) Finally, two of my daughters playmates were having a 3-yr-old scuffle at the park. Arms were crossed. Fists were firmly placed on hips. A few kicks were administered (the placement of which would cause an adult male to cringe!). This head-butting continued for a greater portion of the time these two spent together. When time to leave, here's what was said/done:
Boy: softens his fists-on-hips stance, smiles and says: "I'll miss you."
Girl: looks momentarily confused, uncrosses arms, turns her head and bats her eye lashes like a Hollywood pro (seriously!), smiles and says: "I'll miss you, too." Got to love it!

Gets me thinking about the concept of youth and youthfulness, regardless of age. We all know what that looks like. More importantly, may we all have MANY moments of knowing what that feels like!

Gets me thinking, too, about how we can learn from anyone ... young or 'old.'

Ahhhh, Youth!
Giggle.

New Routine

Okay ... whether starting or RE-starting (wink and smile) ... there are a few things to keep in mind when setting any type of routine for yourself.

A. Choose wisely! (do you at least mildly enjoy what you're intending to accomplish? is it self-LIFTING? does it feed a larger, more important goal of yours? All of these are good questions to ask. Add a few important-to-you factors here.)

B. Small, bite-sized changes, please! (for the love of all things sacred, don't attempt to fly to the moon on the first go! start small. start manageable. start FUN. little bite-sized changes or additions in your day ... like the pebble in the pond, people!)

C. Prioritize and Commit! (what comes first? (suggestion: YOU), and commit darn it! Nuff said. wink.)

D. Be Flexible/Nimble! (don't be afraid to adjust in a Perfectly-You manner as you forge ahead)

DONE.
Short and Sweet.
(gots to go ... I prioritized some small, bite-sized goals/changes and committed to them. This blog, today, was one of them. Forging on!)

Lit Up!

Really ... it's more like I'm all a-flush. My face fills with color. My heart lifts. I'm all smiles. About what? About doing what I love! Ahhhhh, yeah! The past month has been a period of "get er done," if you will. A cognoscente stage of getting through some of life's necessary happenings (sick child, new job, challenging projects, etc.) A phase where you are sure to fit in what you can ... by way of what you love. Yet knowing that there will be more time for it again later. Sooooo ... It's Later! :) My first day back at my coaching, blogging, "me-work" had me noticing not only the mental/ emotional effects (the lift!), but too ... the visceral, physical effects. After a "perfectly-me" kind of morning with an accountability-friend-meet-up and coaching clients ... I look in the mirror to find my face all a-flush. Feeling that 'good-warm' I feel when talking about and doing what I so enjoy! Simply put .... LIT UP! (and no ... there was no alcohol or hot yoga at play. smiles) Talk about validation for moving in the direction of my heart, my passions, my strengths when it comes to career choices. It is oh-so-helpful to notice those things that bring LIFT. (yeah ... fit more of that into your days, keep going in that direction) What are some things that LIGHT YOU UP?

Detachment and FUN

Seems a strange combo, right?
Detachment and FUN.

The reason I chose to group them together is that, as of late, (as I mature, grow, gain wisdom and functional tools), these two things STAND OUT as some of the most helpful "life-management" tools for me.

Looking back is always insight-full, right? When you can see more clearly your path ... which may include how you integrated an idea that perhaps you came across any number of times along the way.

Allow me to use DETACHMENT to get this point across. I've read many-a-passage, article, blurb, book that broached the idea of healthy detachment.
This idea of not being attached to anything, really.
This does not mean that we do not have hopes, cares, things for which we strive, etc.
Rather a healthy separation from such things so as not to let them own/drive us ... so as to enjoy and accept that which comes about (even if, and especially if, it doesn't look exactly as expected).

I would say that when I look back ... I've chipped away at my understanding and true integration of detachment (the living of it, if you will). I expect that I'll continue to learn, understand and integrate this concept for the rest of my days.

Alas, right now ... I feel I've gained a beautiful and EXPERIENTIAL integration of it. A growth period. (yay me! wink.)

DAILY, I have taken to the habit (the to-me, oh-so-effective habit) of SEPARATING/DETACHING from any number of things. For example, how often do we truly attach ourselves to how our significant other does things, our okay-ness with it (or lack of okay-ness), our want to make it different (even if we tell ourselves we are helping ... tricky-slippery slope that helping thang!).

Anyway, I've been working daily to pause, and INTEND to separate from my husband. (POSITIVE separation) This concept of LETTING HIM BE HIM. ALLOWING ME TO BE ME.

It's a functional-meditative type thing. Pull out all of the ways that I impart my "Julie-ness on Guillermo." And, too, pull out all the ways that Guillermo imparts his "Guillermo-ness on Me." Ahhhhh, how very freeing and healthy, indeed!

It works wonders with other aspects of life as well. The sky's the limit!
Ask yourself ... is there anything happening for you right now that is occupying A LOT of your energy and thoughts? Perhaps a career move, a home move, a relationship hope/dream, a to-do list or ???

Regardless ... see and feel what you desire. THEN, detach from it. The to-do list concept illustrates nicely. Make your to-do list. Write it out. Know it's there. But, please don't be running around with "to-do list" energy in your space all the time. YIKES ... talk about racing and an inability to live in the moment.

You get the idea!
Perhaps you set aside a few minutes each morning and afternoon to intend to detach from a few things??

(like my last post ... maybe you see this 'energy' pulled out of your space much like the memories pulled out of the brain ... a la Harry Potter movies. Regardless, find a 'way' that works for YOU. It will surely lighten your load!)

NOW ... how about the FUN thing!?!!

That one is easy-schmeasy!
What Do You Like to Do For Fun?
Think about it a bit. After what activities do you find yourself smiling that authentic, visceral smile?
Write out a few things. Write out a ton of things!

Then ... like the daily detachment process ... MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE A BIT O' FUN EACH AND EVERY DAY!

Detachment and FUN.
Attention to these two things has not only made my day-to-day more smooth, enjoyable, fun and with-ease. But, I think I'm a better ME as a result. (certainly a hell of a lot more fun to be around, for the love!)

Go and Live Life more Perfectly-You! Ahhhhhhhhhh!

With LOVE.

We are MAGNIFICENT ...

... yet often preoccupied with being okay. (Stuart Emery)

Yeah ... just okay. Huh?!? Defeating, right?

This blurb stood out while reading the other night.

Makes you think.
Often true (?)

It says so much (per me).
-the 'human condition' in general (oh how many of us have that 'picture' in our brains of not being enough, of not being okay, of doubting our worth and gifts)
-the amount of energy expended trying to FEED THIS LIE (the "i'm not okay" lie, that is)

People ... it's time to LET THIS LIE GO.
Really! Pull it out of your brain, your space, your energy, your thoughts. (see and feel it pulled out. I often picture a sort of smoke ... much like memories in the Pensive from Harry Potter movies. Yeah ... nerd here! wink and smile)
Now ... intend to weigh it down and DROP IT LIKE A BRICK! (and, no take-backs!)

Practice this/do this as often as you feel is necessary. Get good and adept at LETTING THINGS GO. (all those silly lies/stories you tell yourself, that get in the way of you being your best, most natural YOU. Just keep dropping stuff!)

Next, you may find you have MUCH more energy to apply to things in life that bring you JOY, things in life that LIFT (rather than deplete). Think of it this way ... you're filling in those now empty spaces with the things you want! Ahhhhhhhhh! How nice that will surely feel!

YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT!
Start getting comfortable with this ... it's the natural order of things, for the love!

Path to YOU.

Ok ... so there are a few blogs swirling around in this brain of mine right now.
Alas, I have decided to share another's blog today.

Is it long?: YES
Is it worth the read?: YES

Who is it for?: EVERYONE
Who is it for (take II)?: Those oft-called "restless spirits" who feel and KNOW there is more to this crazy-awesome-beautiful-tragic-awe-some-(again)-life each of us is LIVING right this moment.

SMILING a warm-hearted smile. :)
I truly ADORE individuals' "moments of REALIZATION/REMEMBERING!"
I feel truly HONORED when I can bear witness to this through coaching, be-friending or merely reading/watching personal accounts on-line or on TV.

Oh, and, realizing/remembering what, you ask?

Realizing/Remembering YOUR TRUE and "HIGHEST" SELF ... and, incidentally, the unique and sorted path in which one (we) "get there!".
(ooooooooh, it kicks serious arse!!!)


Read On (from themiddlefingerproject.org) Sign up for this one, people!!!

"Yesterday, a reader emailed me this:

Ok. I’ve added you to my “HEROS” list on Twitter because you’re absolutely one of the people I’ve come across that I want to emulate in some form or fashion (sans the dress and overseas love affairs with men).

Anyway, I’ve combed through your blog quite extensively (a literary masterpiece) and I can’t seem to really round up your story.

I guess, if you have just a moment, I’d love to hear who you are and how you started.

Well, I took that suggestion to heart, because I realized that I haven’t really told my story in full, because I always try & keep my focus on the reader.

But maybe it’s time.

I hope you can take something from it.

And when you’re tempted to send me hate mail for publishing such an obnoxiously long post, you’ve got the guy who sent me that email to thank. ;) While you’re at it, you should also probably tell him that overseas love affairs are so worth it.

************************************************************************



OBLIVIOUS
When tears silently fell from her cheek upon finding the note from her lover, 3 days before their daughter was born that read: ”I’m sorry. I can’t do this.”

ASHAMED
When classmates asked me what my daddy did for a living. I lied & told them he was Crocodile Dundee, and had to be in Australia to tame the outback.

CONFUSED
When we used different money than everyone else to buy bread & milk.

BITTER
When I was 14 and stood waiting in the hospital for my step dad to come out of the doctor’s office. He handed me a phamplet. It read, “Helping Your Family Cope with Terminal Cancer.”

NOSTALGIC
When I would hear Puff Daddy’s “I’ll Be Missing You” come on the radio after he died, just a few short months later, after tearfully asking me to call him “dad” instead of “Jimmy,” like I always had. I got to call him it twice.

MORTIFIED
When it was just me & my mom after that, and all of the other 15 year olds had basements underneath their houses. We had wheels.

FRUSTRATED
When my mother’s debilitating anxiety & social disorder prevented her from ever coming to watch me play volleyball more than once in 4 years. We were almost state champions.

RELIEVED
When the founder of Monster.com thought I was worthy enough to be awarded a 4-year, all-expense paid scholarship to a private, liberal arts school—room & board included. The scholarship was based on financial need & demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit. My mom cried.

GUILTY
When I took the scholarship and left her all alone.

SADDENED
When an unexpected card would arrive with $50 that she didn’t have inside, telling me to go buy myself something pretty.

ANNOYED
When, 6 years later, I found myself in that same hospital waiting room. But this time, it was my mother I was waiting for to come out of the doctor’s office.

SCARED
When I realized the seriousness of the matter.

PATIENT
When she taught me how to pay all of the bills, as I wrote out check after check from her hospital bedside, as nurses came in and out to take her blood.

LIVID
When the doctor’s arrogant insensivity to her pain one day made her weep.

VENGEFUL
When I let him have a piece of my 20 year old mind.

FRUSTRATED
When college friends ragged on me for not going out that weekend to party.

RESENTFUL
When I couldn’t.

SHOCKED
When I got the phone call while driving to my first day at my internship at a local TV station.

DEVASTATED
When, by the time I got to our house, the coroner had taken her body & simply left a note on the door.

BITTERSWEET
When, 4 months later, I walked across the graduation stage & got my college degree, not even bothering to look out into the crowd for a familiar face, knowing there wouldn’t be one.

INDIFFERENT
When I hastily auctioned off all of our things.

LOST
When I sold our house & moved to Costa Rica—mostly because I didn’t know what else to do.

DISTRAUGHT
When I loved it there, but still felt the pressing need to “live up to my potential” & become a CEO.

HOPEFUL
When I flew back to the United States several months later to interview for my first real job.

WORRIED
When I realized that I didn’t have a home to return to.

GRATEFUL
When the job went so well, I received a promotion to head up marketing efforts.

DISHEARTENED
When I’d see planes pass by my office window, and longed to be one of the passengers on board.

DISAPPOINTED
When the realization came that I could only be one of those passengers for up to two weeks a year, from now until the day I retired.

DISILLUSIONED
When I discovered that my dreams of corporate success were never worthy of my time.

DESPAIRED
When others told me I was naïve, and that I just had to suck it up.

LONELY
When those same people spent Thanksgiving & Christmas with their families.

ARROGANT
When I quit my job in 2007 & decided to become a freelance copywriter instead.

FOOLISH
When I actually thought that spending my time developing corporate communications materials that didn’t interest me would be any better.

EXCITED
When that same year, Escape Artist gave me a contract to write an eBook on visiting Costa Rica.

SMART
When I realized they didn’t have exclusive rights, and I could develop my own site & sell the book there, too.

DETERMINED
When I laboriously tried to learn HTML.

ELATED
When I saw my very first sale come through Clickbank.

INTRIGUED
When I discovered the world of Google Adwords.

ADDICTED
When it became apparent that you really can make money online.

CONFIDENT
When I painstakingly slaved over a book proposal to write a non-fiction narrative titled, “The Truth About Mangoes.”

TORN
When I repeatedly received the infamous rejection letter (after rejection letter after rejection letter after rejection letter).

DESPERATE
When I wasn’t making as much money online as I thought I would, and had to borrow money from a boyfriend to pay my $1,000 a month rent.

HOPELESS
When I caved to pressure & agreed to take a job as an advertising account executive in order to pay the bills.

ENCOURAGED
When I got contract after contract signed on the spot.

UNCERTAIN
When, in my heart, I knew I needed more that signatures & commissions.

PETRIFIED
When, despite that knowledge, I was too scared to make any bold moves, knowing that I had no one in the world to back me up if I failed.

INCENSED
When I stood by and watched that fear get the best of me.

OPTIMISTIC
When I returned to school for my master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language.

ANXIOUS
When I imagined that my degree would allow me to indefinitely travel the world, and make anywhere I pleased my home.

IRRITATED
When loan applications were denied without a parent co-signer.

STUBBORN
When I decided that I would teach English online as a way to make up for it.

HEARTBROKEN
When, at a time when I was just barely making ends meet with $26 in my checking account, my good friend told me I needed to find a new place to live so her boyfriend could move in.

DEFEATED
When I had no choice but to go stay with a mysterious new guy I had been seeing.

DESTROYED
When, a few weeks later, I fought for my life as the mysterious new guy almost strangled me to death, and physically threw me outside onto the pavement because I was late.

HOPELESS
When I was alone & scared in the middle of the night, with everything I owned and no place to go.

ANGUISHED
When a friend told me it was my own fault, and that if I had only just played by the rules & had continued to go to work everyday like everyone else, I would have had had a savings & would have never have been in that situation.

OBSTINATE
When I decided to start The Middle Finger Project as a way to find people who GOT IT. Who got ME, and this NEED to seek MORE out of life…despite the consequences.

DILIGENT
When I taught myself everything I needed to know about blogging via endless Google searches.

VALIDATED
When my ideas were well-received, and I began to grow an audience.

COURAGEOUS
When I remembered how good my online success felt in 2007, and decided to learn as much as I could about affiliate marketing.

AMAZED
When some months I was making > $1000+ as a result.

EXHILARATED
When I found myself up until the wee hours of the night writing for the blog, which told me I was finally on the right path.

DEDICATED
When I decided I wanted to make it my full-time gig.

INSPIRED
When I continued on with TMF, and began plotting & executing some other online projects as well.

PEACEFUL
When my influence online grew & grew, and I began making more & more money. Just the other day, I made over $600 in one day from my efforts as an affiliate alone (my salary at the 9-5 was approximately $130/day after taxes, though in all fairness, I don’t make over $600 every day Monday-Friday as an affiliate, though it evens out.) In addition, a few weeks ago, I was able to yield several thousand dollars through pre-sales for my new book, in the span of one week. (Sold at a significantly reduced price.) Once the book launches this Wednesday, it will yield that and more now, and will continue to yield me an income over time.

INVIGORATED
When I decided to move to Chile, simply because I wanted to, and I can, since I no longer have to be in any one physical location, thanks to the internet.

HAPPY
When I looked around me yesterday, took a sip of my wine, and finally felt like I was doing what I was meant to do, and being what I was meant to be…despite the long road it took to get here.

That said, I have a message.
For everyone out there thinking to yourself that it’s unrealistic, YOU ARE WRONG.

For everyone out there shackled by fear, telling yourself that you could lose everything, YOU ARE RIGHT.

And for everyone out there that, despite that knowledge, is still willing to risk it by fighting for something more out of this fleeting speck of time we’re granted here on earth, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO WILL TRULY SUCCEED.

Because at the very least, you know that you did everything you could.

Not many people can say the same."

I want to be like THAT when I'm 80!

My husband and I had the distinct privilege and pleasure of seeing David Amram (Quintet) this past weekend at Dazzle Jazz Club in Denver.

Wow.

Yeah.

I want to be like THAT when I'm 80!

This man's inarguable GIFT was intoxicating, indeed! (the martini helped too. wink.)
He is so clearly living his strengths and talents ... so much so he exudes a youth and playfulness that rivals many-a-20-year-old. (and with little surprise, he didn't look a day over 60ish).

So, besides merely enjoying a phenomenal show with phenomenal musicians ... I (of course) found myself buzzing (that warm-heart buzz) about LIFE in general.

As I make my way through this life's journey ... ah, to continue to more closely live my truth, my strengths, my talents ... so that at 80 years of age, I'm GROOVING like David Amram!

That's what I'm talking about!

WHAT GETS YOU IN YOUR GROOVE?

The Road to Success ...

.... is paved with little failures.

Yep. This can be true.
The below italicized passage is a guest post from "Look-Here" blog.

EVERY SUCCESS STORY IS ALSO A STORY OF GREAT FAILURE
Failure is the highway to success. Tom Watson Sr. said, "If you want to succeed, double your failure rate."

If you study history, you will find that all stories of success are also stories of great failures. But people don't see the failures. They only see one side of the picture and they say that person got lucky: "He must have been at the right place at the right time."

Let me share someones life history with you. This was a man who failed in business at the age of 21 ; was defeated in a legislative race at age 22; failed again in business at age 24; overcame the death of his sweetheart at age 26; had a nervous breakdown at age 27; lost a congressional race at age 34; lost a senatorial race at age 45; failed in an effort to become vice-president at age 47; lost a senatorial race at age 49; and was elected president of the United States at age 52.

This man was Abraham Lincoln.


OK, so perhaps you don't want to be president (me either!) But ...
When embarking upon anything new (and certainly anything worthy of our greatest energy and focus), there is bound to be:

• the trial and error phase
• the practice-practice-practice makes permanent phase
• the it-feels-like-I-just-got-clobbered-by-a-huge-wave moments (argh!!!)

So, when you encounter these little failures ... what then?

• Process through it. (try to release those "nay saying" voices. And, find yourself some "cheer-leading" advocates, for the love! I have mine. I'm GRATEFUL for mine. I LOVE mine.)
• Learn a bit from each (seeming) pitfall.
• Tweak a few things.
• Keep Going!

(REMEMBER: pause and quiet your thoughts often to check-in with your heart's desire. That "voice" that sings clear and true. That "voice" eluded to in the previous entry: "Your Place." Yeah, that one ... adjust your path in accordance with your "Truth" with a capital T)

Ease on down the road .... to YOUR success!

Your Place

I like to write, and I'm someone who has always enjoyed the power I've felt from words / "quotations." The vibe and emotion they evoke. The contemplative state that often results.

I have one to share.

"The rest of creation is waiting, breathless, for you to take your place."
- David Whyte

PAUSE.
Take THAT In!

It says so much. It says IT.

So, while you're contemplating YOUR PLACE in this life, this world, this journey ... KNOW a little something.

The little something is this: "Voices" in your head that are self-deprecating are NOT YOURS. The "voice" that rings TRUE and Up-Liftingly BEAUTIFUL (those moments when it feels your whole being is SMILING) ... yep!, that's your soul.

That's your soul in chorus with the rest of creation that's waiting.

Thank you to Ann Strong and Miwa Linehan for much of the inspiration behind this little note.

Breathe an Ahhhhhhhhhh! kind of Breath.
LOVE.

Your Strengths!

What are they?
Do you get to utilize them daily?

Great questions to ask as you perhaps swirl around in that "beginning of the new year" vibe!

Here's a cool little activity to try:

First, take some time to LIST YOUR STRENGTHS. (What are you damn good at? What have people/managers complimented you for? What are you doing when you notice you feel HAPPY, JOY, 'in the flow', groovin'? Think about jobs you've held ... what aspects did you love? Think about what "comes natural" to you.)

Next, go to http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/default.aspx. Register (free) and take the free VIA strengths test. 240 questions that you should try to answer quickly (i.e. your first reaction). See what comes up as your top 5 strengths.

Why do all this?

1) It's a fun and insightful practice. Something to do every 3-to-5 years or so ... perhaps even more often if your life has gone through some larger transitions.

2) It fosters SELF-AWARENESS. The better you know your strengths, the more effectively you can move in directions (by choice) where you can UTILIZE YOUR STRENGTHS MORE! (certainly would make life more fun, hey!?)

Finally, I'll end with an except from the book "Strengthsfinder 2.0." (you can purchase and take their strengths assessment as well! $24.95. And, it's a great one ... somehow seems to be a bit more career minded)

"We were tired of living in a world that revolved around fixing our weaknesses. ... What's more, we had discovered that people have several times more potential for growth when they invest energy in developing their strengths instead of correcting their deficiencies."

REVEL IN (SPEND MORE TIME DOING) THOSE THINGS AT WHICH YOU SHINE!

Now ... Find Center and ACT

Pause. BREATHE. Tame that wild shrew of a brain. BREATHE again.

Often, it is time to ACT. To take the first step, whatever it may be ... (life will keep reminding, so no worries! wink)

Take the step ... and ... Trust the Process!

To this end, I am sharing a GUEST POST that came my way with (again) 'lovely-the-way-life-is' timing! (I could have stayed up all night with the messages life was sending!)

COMMIT or CONSIDER.
(big difference! I've been considering on many a career-front. Time to commit!)

*************
Ann Strong’s:
Strong You, Strong Biz
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Transformation: Committed or Considering?
Posted by Kelly Johnson on Mon, Jan 10, 2011 @ 10:53 PM


Committed looks like, "I will do whatever it takes to make this happen." Considering looks like, "I'm thinking about it. I'm interested. I'm getting information. Maybe I'll do it if it's convenient. I have a lot to consider."

In any given moment, we can tell what we have been committed to by what is in our life right now.

I've always been committed to living in a nice home, even when I rented. Anyone who has ever been to any of my homes will tell you that they tend to be small, yet they really feel like home. At the same time, I have often been considering getting another car, but rarely get one until the one I'm driving no longer runs! At the moment, I drive a 22-year-old car that runs great.

Am I committed to creating home wherever I live? Absolutely. And, I do whatever it takes to make that happen.


My internal, personal commitment: transformation of a house into a home wherever I live. My current home in Denver, Colorado.

Am I considering driving a late-model car? Sure. Am I committed to it? Not at all.

(Excerpted from my forthcoming book, copyright 2011.)

I have been considering writing a book since 2002. I have actually written approximately one third of a book.

Which does not make a book. So, working with my own coach Jeff in the first week of this new year, I have now committed to getting the book written and published in 2011.

Whatever it takes.

I've started with a commitment to writing for two hours every day for 40 days. Today is day six. You would not believe how well I have organized my office as I procrastinate each day before getting to the two hours of writing!

Is doing whatever it takes easy? Sometimes it is. Sometimes it's ridiculously hard. And inconvenient. And messy. Complete with doubt and fear. And sometimes with pure grace.

Regardless, I know I am engaged in a process that calls me to express more of who I am and to serve those I am here to serve. With you as my witness, I am committed to getting this book into the world in 2011!

**********

Today, I'll be spending some time creating my 2011 Commitment Statement!
You?

Feeling Like a Pin-Ball

We've all played pin-ball, right? That silver ball gets shot up the right side, and it's GAME ON!
It bounces and pops and jumps all over the place. It gets swatted at too ... in an effort to get it bouncing, popping and jumping all over the place again.

It has been one of those days!
[Mondays are sometimes like this for me (as of late) because my focus goes toward career enhancement and depending on many-a-factor this can be an inspiration or a debacle]

A day where the over-active mind wins out more often than not.
A day where I felt strewn (is that even a word?) about - all over the place and back again.
A day where the perception of my career path is more like an obstacle course/maze rather than a discernible path.
A day where I went to bed feeling beat up (by my own mind), accepting that 'it is what it is' and I don't have to figure it out NOW. Actually a pretty good place to be, because I could feel the calm of 'surrender.'

Then! I pick up my book and open to my mid-chapter bookmarked page. I have no idea where I am in the story, what's going on (probably because I'm still in my head) ... but I begin reading.

After two pages, I'm smiling BIG.
LIFE speaks to us in oh-so-many ways ... if we're paying attention.

It's not that it gave me answers ... but spoke to me, IT DID.

I read of a man who was a biologist, but always wanted to be a blacksmith (but it wouldn't make him enough money). The first, obvious gem ... "Well, when you grow tired of being what you're not, go and have fun and celebrate life, hammering metal into shape. In time, you'll discover that it will give you more than pleasure, it will give you meaning." (move in the direction of who you are, what makes you happy ... regardless of society, money, etc. duh?! wink)

So, he starts splitting his time between biology and blacksmith apprenticeship. Tired but happier. And, "just when he was starting to believe in life, things got markedly worse."

Huh?

He goes on to describe the process the steel goes through when changing its form into the desired, useful object. Fire, hammering, cold water ... again and again, and perhaps again. Every once in a while, a piece of steel can't handle the treatment and is thrown in the scrap pile.

Hmmmmm?

The section ended with this: "Please God, my Mother, don't give up until I've taken on the shape that you wish for me. Do this by whatever means you think best, for as long as you like, but never ever throw me on the scrap heap of souls."

YEAH.

Pin-ball days. Smooth-sailing days. Keep on, Keeping on.

LOVE.

Emotions

If you sometimes find yourself taken off-center (taken for a ride) by your emotions (lately or ever) ... take a read of the following.

Care of Tut.com (Notes from The Universe)

Damn ... I love The Universe! wink and smile.
(but really ... the universe is oh-so-WONDER-ous. And, the man behind Tut.com has beautiful talent to be shared with the world. Thank you!)

********************************************************************

Yeah, I know it seems that your emotions arise from circumstances, even though it works the other way around. And this is kind of scary because sometimes they literally seem to overrun you.

But I also know that most of the time they don't, which is all the leverage you need.

Just feel good when you can; it'll always be enough.

Can you feel me, now?
The Universe

********************************************************************

Be Kind. To Yourself. To Others.
LOVE.

Teacher and Student (Jan 3)

If you think about it ... we play the role of teacher and student each day of our lives.

Hopefully, anyway.
Hopefully - we are generous with our strengths and gifts (what ever they may be).
Hopefully - we are humble enough to learn from those who show up as our teachers (traditionally sought or synchronously found).

I'm reading a lovely book right now - The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho.
It's the kind of book I know I'll want to read again with pen/highlighter in hand ... all the little gems I'm enjoying!
It's the kind of book that teaches ... and ... a book that makes being a student oh-so-welcome!
(it's the kind of book that I "eat up": the human spirit, human unrest, people 'finding their way' through life, juicy spiritual tid-bits. Ahhhhhhh, loving it.)

And in this book, there is a brilliant-to-me passage about teachers.

"What is a teacher? I'll tell you: it isn't someone who teaches something, but someone who inspires the student to give of her best in order to discover what she already knows."

I dog-eared this page.
It felt like a confirmation of thoughts I've long-since held, and had been re-honoring recently.

You see, I just signed up for a workshop (second one from same teacher) whereby I had previously placed perhaps too much responsibility on the teacher. I was holding her up. She most certainly has her gifts to share! And I look forward to being her student. I, however, needn't look at it any different than that, needn't hold her on a pedestal. Quite simply put, it's not comfortable or ideal for teacher or student. Entering into this soon-to-be learning experience (workshop #2) feels entirely different and bound-to-be more effective as a result.

This idea of expert, master, guru, etc.
It can be a slippery slope.
The quote from the book lends itself to spiritual-type teaching/training, for we would all agree that if one was learning/studying to become a brain surgeon, he/she should take expert advise and council (please, oh please)! wink.
And, we would all agree that there are many people more learned than us in any number of subject matter.

Still, a tendency for the learner to discount his or her innate knowledge and even go so far as to relinquish healthy responsibility for the learning process itself is something about which we should be aware.

Be mindful not to turn your teachers into all-knowing gurus.
Own it. Ask. Research. Find out for yourself. Live it.
Even teach, and learn through that experience.
If teaching, careful not to hinder the process by taking undue ownership/credit for your students learning.


Seems to me this approach allows for more optimal knowledge attainment/transfer, all the while freeing the responsibility-bonds placed on the teacher.

(It goes without saying that the opposite is surely a presumptuous and disrespectful thing to do as well ... placing people "below" us for any reason.)

In the end, coming at both teaching and learning with a healthy dose of humbleness and excitement seems a more effective and fun approach!

Thoughts on the matter, anyone?
For me ... I vow to learn, and teach a bit, each day in 2011!