Living Authentically...

So I stayed home from work today recovering from a wicked sore throat. Resisting every urge to unpack and clean the house, I forced myself to get some much needed rest. Flipping through endless channels of mindless entertainment, I landed on "Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane".  In this episode, Kimora entrusted one of her handy dandy assistants with creating the ultimate event..100 Make Overs for 100 women. This event celebrates the fabulosity of women who have overcome terrible odds. Its purpose is to empower these women to uncover their beauty and to encourage them to fulfill their dreams. After the ladies received new make-up, hair do's and outfits, they sat eagerly awaiting words of wisdom from the Baby Phat Fashion Mogul. Kimora stood before the group, stuttering and stammering while holding the cards of her scripted speech. Moments pass but, the words did not flow. Suddenly, she speaks up and puts her cards down. In an authentic moment, Kimora says "I don't need these 7 cards to speak. I know my brand and what I stand for and that is F A B U L O S I T Y!!!

Kimora Lee Simmons

With that affirmation, she speaks from the heart saying what she actually wants to say from the place within herself that connected personally with each of those women. Her confidence  and belief in what her brand stands for came shining through. The message resonated with her guests which was evident by the "Amens" and "Hallelujahs" she received. At the end of her speech, a few of the women testified how inspired they felt to continue on their journeys of self improvement because Kimora was so transparent.
This TV moment reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by Marianne Williamson.


Our Deepest Fear
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

Nothing quite compares to the power of the mind. When you are totally convinced of your value, of your place in this world and your purpose, you are unstoppable. Everything suddenly becomes possible. You no longer look at challenges as obstacles but hurdles. You absolutely will exhaust yourself, searching for possibilities to accomplish your goal. And lets just say, you don't know your place, your value, or your exact purpose then your responsibility is to begin the journey to discover these things.
So often, we wait for our cards to line up to really begin living. We frustrate ourselves with timelines like, I thought by the time I was (whatever age suits the moment placed here)..I would be (whatever activity, lifestyle, bank account size, weight, marital status, hair color, occupation etc). And the reality is you are not. God knew that wherever you are that is where you would be. And life continues. Know that of every single moment of every single day you have not only the choice but the absolute responsibility to throw your cards out the window and write your own script. Let go of the fear of living. Let go of the fear of allowing your light to shine. You not only owe it to yourself but to the rest of the world. There are people waiting to be inspired by your F A B U L O S I T Y!!!
 

Party Girl!!!

Anyone who truly understands me should know that I am easily distracted by all things feminine, blingy, glitzy or glam.  My classic line is "Oh....my....gosh...look at that...it....is...sooooooo...cuuute"!  There is no such thing as over the top in my world.  I am the girl who budgeted my meager college funds to purchase fresh flowers almost weekly just to decorate the dormrooms of my fellow floormates. This appreciation for detail has given me the ability to create very special events.

One of the best parties I have learned to coordinate is a Pity Party.  Oh you see, I have mastered this gala affair. There is only 1 individual on the guest list and the invitation is custom. The key to throwing a successful Pity Party is to focus solely on yourself and whatever it is you feel you may be lacking at that moment. To make it a truly authentic experience, refute all passing thoughts of hope. Most importantly, you can not under any circumstances think positive thoughts about your future. It is all bleak, gloom and doom. 

Now, if you want to remain in a state of SELF-loathing, Do NOT think of blessing others.  See there is a spiritual law called reaping and sowing. Basically, what you plant, you will harvest.  If you are lacking love, be loving.  If your money is short, give.  If you want more friends, be a friend!  

What I am most thankful for is that these brief moments of pure despair happen less frequently.  I have come to realize that life is full of love and abundance just waiting for us to partake.  It is absolutely incumbent on each of us to extend kindness and generosity to each other.  And that becomes difficult to do when we can not see past our own circumstances.  I read the following story:

During my second year of nursing school our professor gave us a quiz.  I breezed through the questions until I read the last one:  "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"  Surely this was a joke.  I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how would I know her name?  I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.  Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade.  "Absolutely," the professor said.  "In your careers, you will meet many people.  All are significant.  They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello."  I've never forgotten that lesson.  I also learned her name was Dorothy.  ~Joann C. Jones

Joy for the Journey

Image from Madisonvillearts.com

I am a self-proclaimed late bloomer. This no longer bothers me because I have come to realize that many of the finer things in life take time to fully ripen...fruit, wine, cheese, just to name a few. I can admit that once upon a time I did not appreciate this slow development. I wanted things to happen NOW and would try everything in my power to speed the process.

Have you tasted a regular store bought tomato lately? What is that??? Rushed to maturity, picked before it's peak, forced to grow up too fast...lacks...lacks substance. That is kind of what aspects of my life began looking like whenever my impatience took the driver seat. My desire to arrive quickly, painlessly, effortlessly at a very specific destination caused me to miss the joy of the trip.

Several years ago, a very good friend of mine shared this story with me: She and her now husband were invited to a dinner party with several other couples. Cinnamon took center stage at this party..no really, the spice...Cinnamon!! Every dish served including the entree, contained this aphrodisiac, blood pressure regulating, spicy ingredient. Precious detail was taken from the table settings to the mood lighting to the party favor gifts by the gracious hostess. As this group savored the last morsels of the delectable meal, my friend jumped up and began clearing dishes. Upon seeing this, the hostess gently stops my friend. And with the slightest touch from the hostess' hand on my friends shoulder accompanied by a very sincere gaze she says "No honey, tonight we sit and enjoy each other's company. Tomorrow I will get the delicious pleasure of washing the champagne flutes one by one as I recall the memorable time we are experiencing right now"!

Whatsoever resonates in your heart at this moment...Live it fully!!!

Blessings for a prosperous Christmas Season!


Jodi

This Little Light of Mine...

Vintage Poster Prints

So, I have done some major slacking on my writing. I nearly choked when I noticed that my last posting was in September..Yikes!!!! Isn't it funny how something which brings us so much joy, gets lost in the shuffle of busy-ness!?
I discovered or rather uncovered something about myself since that last post. Oh, who am I kidding, I have probably had 2,765 Aha moments since September. I live in my head...analyzing..reanalyzing....what if'ing and picking things apart. Tired of spending brain power on how to combat this tendency, I learned to embrace it and came to the very sophisticated conclusion of..."that's just how I roll"! Funny or rather cliche as it seems, it took replacing a burnt out light bulb to get me to this point. Let me explain.
I lived nearly 4 months in partial light. 2 out of 3 of the sconce fixtures in my bedroom burned out on the same day. I asked my son to scale the armoire and attempt to replace the bulbs (the position of my furniture blocked the fixtures... somewhat). He could not or maybe he would not oblige me. So I accepted my partial darkness. Admittedly, this was a nuisance (at first) but, there is something about the human spirit which quickly learns to adjust. I learned to maneuver quite well with little light. Soon I even forgot I was in darkness. 

Image from Wall Paper Stock

A few weeks ago, while cleaning my bedroom, I pondered what would be my next life move. Should I plan a trip, prepare for my next promotion, return to a university for a Master's Degree, check my Facebook, search for my USB cord?...Oh just stop it already! Stay focused on the task at hand. And in the midst of this self-talk, I noticed a small metal folding chair in the corner of the room. Quickly, I grabbed the chair and two new light bulbs. I swapped the old for the new. And that was it. After months in the darkness, it suddenly became so easy so clear..or so clearly easy. Why did I not think of this before?
As I discarded that which was no longer useful, I chuckled at how simple it was to change. I opted to remain in darkness for months. I actually readjusted my lifestyle around the partial light. But now I see.
I realized something about myself during this "Let there be Light" moment. My inability to see manageable solutions often causes a paralysis. As my mind churns the ideas of planning a fabulous vacation or redecorating my room and if I can not develop a successful logical means of making it happen, I let it go. I don't completely let it go, I mean I tend to let it go in a place it on the back burner sort of way. Now, for anyone who truly knows me, they know that once I make up my mind, I move to action. It's the pre- once I make up my mind part that often leaves me at a standstill.

Colored Flames

Well, it no longer serves me to think this way. I choose to open myself up to possibilities. And even when it makes no real logical sense or I don't have everything or everyone all figured out, I will make some kind of move. I will trust myself more. I will continue to become all of myself by leaving behind unproductive thoughts. And even if I do not succeed at all to which I put my hands, I will remember that failure is only when I choose not to try again. Above all else, I will remember that it is my responsibility and privilege to allow my light to shine.
May you come to a brilliant understanding of your beauty and gifts. And may you use them wisely and generously.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

~Thoreau

Air France

Blessings and Peace,
Jodi

A Season of Change

I remember when we had a short cold spell in June, a few friends posted how they were waiting eagerly for the heat of Summer. I just don't get it. Why are you begging the sun to shine upon us at 110 degrees? What could possibly be pleasant about that? While I do love a sunny afternoon at the beach, a glass of cool lemonade on a hot summer day and alfresco dining under the setting sun, I consider myself more of an Autumn loving girl.

Boston Public Park

Cinnamon scented pine cones, Starbuck's pumpkin spiced lattes and cozy sweaters just fill my heart with glee. The rich color of egg plant and leather boots soothe my soul and somehow remind me that there is beautiful protection from the blustery winds. California residents don't quite get the change of seasons that many parts of our great country experience. But, that doesn't stop us from doning multi colored scarves and gloves like our sisters on the East Coast!

Lilly Therese

Besides great fall fashion and sumptuous comfort food, I love this season for it's spiritual implications. I am reminded of my first lesson on the Native American world view. I opted to take a class during my freshmen year at Berkeley which changed the way I think about life and death. My professor said that a Western approach looks at the world in a linear fashion. Starting point is life and the ending point is death. The Natives see life as circular. Life, death and rebirth all interconnected, all divine.

I often hear Spring celebrated as the season of change. The blooming of blossoms, budding flowers and pollinating bees illustrate newness. The manifestation of what was once dead now springing forth into life. I believe that Spring is all of this however, it can not be without death occuring first. There would have been no power in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ had He not willingly laid His life down first. See, it is all circular.

 So, the season is changing and Fall is at hand. We still have hot days but it is already getting darker earlier. Soon the leaves will turn colors and gracefully let go of their home on the branch and fall. They surrender to their new shades, surrender to the season. The foliage succumbs to the natural occurrence of change. Transitioning into a state of decomposition, otherwise known as rot. The study of this science is called Taphonomy from the Greek word taphos which means grave. According to Wikipedia this process happens in stages. Each part contributing to the breakdown of what once was. "The process is essential for new growth and development of living organisms because it recycles the finite matter...".

Four Seasons, same tree

The process is essential for new growth. This makes me think of all the times I become afraid to surrender to my moments. I often become stubborn in my attempt to keep control of a situation or even a person. I remember the times my feelings were hurt because someone or something did not follow the script I created for them. There is no ad libbing on the Jodi Show. Fear of disappointment has taught me to require a finalized rough draft from every player submitted solely for approval. My approval. And when these indviduals or circumstances played themselves out in a manner I disagreed with, I became more fervent in my effort to make them act right. How dare they not follow their lines!

Unfortunately, my lesson in all of this is simply to Let Go! I have wasted so much energy in my attempt to control. But most importantly, I missed life changing moments. I may have wanted the person to stay in an eternal state of Summer, fun and frolicking, carefree and easy. I didn't recognize their need to blossom or die to a habit, their need to break free from the role I created for them. Maybe it's not so much that I missed this but rather, I chose to ignore the signs of an approaching change of season.

I have also gritted my teeth and sank my nails into my own bad behaviors. Too many times of attracting the wrong men, post divorce, influenced me to hang onto my leaves of protection. The season is approaching. The Grimm Reaper is knocking. Will I fight to hang on to the walls I have so conveniently built or will I surrender to death. This Autumn, I have a choice to make. In order to regenerate, renew, restore myself and reap the benefits of new beginnings, I must allow the process of decomposition to run it's course. I must Fall. I must Let Go. The beautiful part of all of this release is I know that Spring will soon follow and I will reap rewards of a new beginning.

May you heart be enlarged to accept the end of a thing and surrender! ~Jodi

 Japanese Cherry Blossom