Sunday, June 12, 2011

Day 13 - #Trust30 writing challenge

Just in case you happen to be following these writing prompts, I skipped yesterday, because I can.  :)

I will not hide my tastes or aversions. I will so trust that what is deep is holy, if we follow the truth, it will bring us out safe at last. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Surprise by Ashley Ambirge


Think of a time when you didn’t think you were capable of doing something, but then surprised yourself.  How will you surprise yourself this week?

I think back to the time when I admitted to myself that the clutter that was taking over our house was looking more and more like hoarding.  Of course I never said that 'h' word out loud.  I would just admit that the clutter was getting out of control.  I remember thinking that there was nothing I could do about it.  I would start the de-cluttering process and quickly quit because I became overwhelmed.  Then I gathered up all my inner-strength (which I happen to have plenty of) and just jumped in.  40+ boxes and numerous garbage bags later, I had accomplished something that I never thought would be possible.

I look back at that time in my life and I feel grateful for being shown the way by the Divine.  I was shown that I can do anything that I want to do.  Sometimes I forget that I have that spark inside of me.  Sometimes I just don't want to do things that seem hard.  That's ok.  Because I get to choose which actions I will take.  I get to decide when things need to be faced.

Maybe I'll choose to do something surprising this week.....and maybe I won't.

Just my thoughts.

This has been day #13 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.




Friday, June 10, 2011

Day 11 - #Trust30 writing challenge

Imitation is Suicide. Insist on yourself; never imitate. – Ralph Waldo Emerson



Divine Idea by Fabian Kruse


Write down in which areas of your life you have to overcome these suicidal tendencies of imitation, and how you can transform them into a newborn you – one that doesn’t hide its uniqueness, but thrives on it. There is a “divine idea which each of us represents” – which is yours?


I am a recovering imitator.  I can take on someone else's beliefs and behaviors with the blink of an eye.  I suppose we all can to some extent, but I have made many important life decisions based on the fact that somebody I knew (and was very fond of) did the same thing.  It can be easier to just do what someone else does.  Its easier to let them do all the research and soul searching than it is for me to weigh the pros and cons and actually let my intuition lead me.  That just takes too much work.  


There is no 12 step program for compulsive imitators, so thankfully I have been able to walk away from being the imitator all on my own.  I have been able to be 'like' me.  With the exception of one area.


Homeschooling.  I have an incredibly hard time with just letting myself homeschool the Littles in the manner that resonates best with our family.  I still don't give people a straight answer when they ask me how I manage to homeschool the kids.  So I come up with a description of how other people I know homeschool and pass it off as how we do it.


That's not exactly imitating though is it?  That's more of a lie.  Because I don't actually imitate the actions of how others homeschool. I imitate the philosophy.  I imply that we are ecclectic, relaxed homeschoolers, when in fact we are unschoolers through and through.  Sometimes I even talk about curriculum with people.  *Gasp*  I almost convince myself that I should have a curriculum for the kids.  I almost convince myself that I should be forcing them to sit down and read the classics and then make them write book reports and take tests.  


But you see, I can recognize when I'm being an imitator now.  I can see that to do those things would go against everything that I believe in.  My homeschooling is so far from mainstream that I keep it a secret from most.  Because I don't want to subject myself to the questions.  I don't want to have to defend the choices that my family makes.  I don't want to have to convince someone who doesn't understand that I'm not guilty of educational neglect.


So the jury is out.  Is this imitating or is this just avoiding conflict.  Hmm....I'm not exactly sure, but I am sure of one thing.  I am sure that I can choose to live my life in the manner that resonates best with me.  I can choose to raise my children in the manner that I feel benefits them as the unique individuals that were born to be.


If I want my children to grow into the kind of adult that doesn't suffer from these suicidal tendencies of imitation, then I better not do it myself.  I better stand tall and share the whole me.  What you see has to be what you get.  Their success in living a joyful, truthful life depends on it.


Just my thoughts.


This has been day #11 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Day 10 - #Trust30 writing challenge

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius. – Ralph Waldo Emerson


Your Personal Message by Eric Handler


What is burning deep inside of you? If you could spread your personal message RIGHT NOW to 1 million people, what would you say?


What is burning deep inside of me right now is an affirmation.  An affirmation that you are already all that you need to be.  We don't have to go searching or trying to learn how to be a better, happier person.  Within each of us a light is glowing.  It glows to show us the way.  The way to find true happiness and unbelievable bliss is to take a straight path right to the center of our being.  


The Divine/God/Source, whatever you connect with, is there.  Waiting to be unchained.  Ready to shine so bright that everyone around will need to sunglasses just to see who you are.  This light that lies within us needs to be shared and shared often.  No matter how many times you give it away it will always be there to sustain you and carry you through this life.


Trust yourself.  Be yourself.  If you don't know who 'yourself' is just look in a mirror.  That beautiful being lies inside of this body you have.  Close your eyes and look.  Maybe you'll see yourself, maybe you'll feel something or maybe you'll hear that still quiet voice that is you.  Just give yourself a chance to be.


You are Love.  You are Light.  You are ready.  


Just my thoughts.



This has been day #9 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Day 9 - #Trust30 writing challenge

The other terror that scares us from self-trust is our consistency; a reverence for our past act or word, because the eyes of others have no other data for computing our orbit than our past acts, and we are loath to disappoint them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson 


Afraid to Do by Mary Jaksc


Emerson says: “Always do what you are afraid to do.” What is ‘too scary’ to write about? Try doing it now.


I don't know if I can think of anything 'too scary' to write about.  I have already written about my scariest moment, so that doesn't need to be rehashed.  I suppose there is one other thing that scares me to write about.  That thing is the monster in my basement.  It lives in 3 rooms down there and its massive and its scary and sometimes it comes upstairs in our main living area.


I've tried for years and years to get rid of it, but it has too much control over me.  It taunts me.  There are times when I go down there ready to kick some monster butt and I throw open the door.... and I freeze.  The monster stares me down and I am completely defenseless.  I instantly lose any confidence that I may have had that this time I was going to win.

I go back upstairs with my head held low and forget about the monster.  I bury its presence deep inside and go about my happy life.  Until a writing prompt like this comes along and reminds me that there is this one thing that is 'too scary' to write about.  Stupid writing prompt!

So here I sit.  Thinking about this monster and how it holds me captive in my own home.  I look around my room and I see that my monster has snuck into my room and is bearing down on me. Its got me surrounded and feeling a bit suffocated.  Stupid monster!

Just my thoughts.

This has been day #9 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.


Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Day 8 - #Trust30 writing challenge

There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour. – Ralph Waldo Emerson


Five Years by Corbett Barr

What would you say to the person you were five years ago? What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?

Five years ago I was pushing 40 and miserable.  I weighed about 270lbs and couldn't stand the thought of spending the rest of my life with me.  Here is what I would say, but she wont hear the words.  

"I know you're miserable and that you hate your life.  I know that you trudge along and put up a good front, but you are wishing you were someone else.  You have to know that you are loved deeply by your family and friends.  They think that you are a patient and loving mother and doting wife, but you don't see yourself that way.  You can be those things.  You can be happy and healthy, you just have to do some work first.  You need to heal your Spirit.  You need to unchain your Spirit.  It is being held tightly in a hidden place within you and she needs to shine.

You don't think that you deserve to be happy, but everyone deserves happiness.  Everyone deserves to live their life in Joy.  You deserve all these loving children that you have.  You deserve this wonderful man who you say saved your life.  Your life has value.  Your happiness is your choice, though.  You could stop blaming everyone and everything for your miserable life and just choose today as the day that you take back control.  You decide.  

You can walk away from the inner bully that you live with.  Just show her the door.  She'll go away, but you have to ask her to go and you have to mean it.  You have a bright and shiny Spirit and you deserve to get to know her.  I love you."

I'm having a hard time with the second part of this prompt.  I have no idea who I'm going to be in 5 years.  As far as I'm concerned, I'll be speaking to the person I am right now.  Yes, I'll have some more life experiences, and I hope that I will be much wiser.  So I struggle with what I would want to say other than,

"Stay true to who you are and keep showing others that a bright and shiny life is possible.  Keep on the path and live joyfully and loudly.  Keep loving with your heart wide open.  Most of all, though, Keep it Shiny!!"

Just my thoughts.

This has been day #8 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Day 7 - #Trust30 writing challenge

Our arts, our occupations, our marriages, our religion, we have not chosen, but society has chosen for us. We are parlour soldiers. We shun the rugged battle of fate, where strength is born. – Ralph Waldo Emerson


Day 7 prompt

Matt Cheuvront - Dare To Be Bold

“Next to Resistance, rational thought is the artist or entrepreneurs worst enemy. Bad things happen when we employ rational thought, because rational thought comes from the ego. Instead, we want to work from the Self, that is, from instinct and intuition, from the unconscious.

A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. Its only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate.” - Steven Pressfield, Do the Work

The idea of “being realistic” holds all of us back. From starting a business or quitting a job to dating someone who may not be our type or moving to a new place – getting “real” often means putting your dreams on hold.

Today, let’s take a step away from rational thought and dare to be bold. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to accomplish but have been afraid to pursue? Write it down. Also write down the obstacles in your way of reaching your goal. Finally, write down a tangible plan to overcome each obstacle.

The only thing left is to, you know, actually go make it happen. What are you waiting for?

I really need to stop saving these for the evening.  Its getting harder to put my all into it when I'm tired from a long day, but here goes.  What is something I've always wanted to accomplish but have been too afraid to pursue?  Hmm...... Just one thing?  Ah, what the hell, I'm just going to say it.  I've always wanted to be a real writer.  I want to write a book.  There! I said it.  I wrote it!  Or rather, I typed it.  I'll write it down when I'm done here.

Obstacles in my way?  Me, me and me.  Yup! I'm the only thing that stands in my way.  If I stepped out of the way I could work on things like learning how to write.  (I guess its a good idea to have good grammar and punctuation skills.)  I lack these things, but they aren't obstacles.  I can improve those skills.  I can learn anything that I need to learn to be a writer.  However, not if I am standing in the doorway blocking the entrance.  Remove my fear and I can do anything.

So that brings me to a tangible plan to overcome these obstacles.  Easy peasy.  Step down out of the way.  Quit blocking the door so that I can step through it and see what becoming a real writer looks and feels like.  I know it will be a lot of work and it will take time, but I've got time and I can do the work.  I just got goosebumps.  How exciting to know that I can do anything. 

When I let myself. 

Just my thoughts.

This has been day #5 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Day 6 - #Trust30 writing challenge

Life wastes itself while we are preparing to live. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 5 prompt

Jonathan Mead - Come Alive

If you had one week left to live, would you still be doing what you’re doing now? In what areas of your life are you preparing to live? Take them off your To Do list and add them to a To Stop list. Resolve to only do what makes you come alive.

This prompt is not doing anything for me today.  Maybe its because I've had a very busy Sunday with my family and I'm exhausted.  Or maybe I'm already living and don't feel like I need to prepare to live.  Sure, if I had a week to live my days would probably look different.  I would probably be seeing a lot of family and friends. I would probably write a ton of letters of farewell to all of the beautiful souls that I've met out there in cyberspace.   I would probably spend a lot of time sitting in my back yard communing with my mystical oak tree. 

There would be some moments of deep pain as I try to prepare my children for my departure.  There would be long talks about what I believe happens when the Spirit leaves the body.  I suppose if I were to change anything about how I'm living my life right now, it would be to have those kinds of conversations with the Littles now.  Just to avoid the time spent trying to explain it with only a week left.

I really dislike writing these kinds of posts.  Because we all know that there are things that we could probably do to live our lives more joyfully.  I'm just beginning to work on an area of my life that dims my shiny, so I know that I have room for improvement.  My problem with this prompt is that I don't think that I need to prepare to live.  I am living.  Two years ago this prompt would have stirred me and probably been beneficial, but today it just seems kind of boring. 

I know how to experience joy in my living.  I am drawn toward helping others experience joy in their living as well.

Just my thoughts.

This has been day #5 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Day 5 - #Trust30 writing challenge

If we live truly, we shall see truly. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 5 prompt

Chris Guillebeau - Travel

Not everyone wants to travel the world, but most people can identify at least one place in the world they’d like to visit before they die. Where is that place for you, and what will you do to make sure you get there?

Wow.  I could sit and ponder on this for a long time.  I have never dreamed of being a world traveller.  As a matter of fact, the thought of getting on an airplane scares me silly.  I think the anxiety of flying would completely ruin the trip for me.  So I turned my focus to someplace state side that I could drive to.  I like driving.  I like the freedom of being able to pull over and explore someplace that comes up on the way.  So as I contemplated where one place that I would like to visit before I die, I came up with several locations.

I would have to say that the place I want to go most of all is back to Colorado.  Back to the state I was born in and lived until I was almost 14.  I don't have a lot of fond memories of Colorado.  I don't have many memories of those years in Colorado at all.  So why do I want to go back? 

I feel drawn there.  I feel like I need to go back to this place that seems like a mystery to me.  There's a part of me that is hoping to capture some of those lost memories.  There's also a part of me that hopes that if I return I'll remember nothing and can put to rest this desire to have my childhood returned to me.  I'm not sure I want to remember some of my childhood but I'm also sure I would welcome any happy memories that may come forward.  The only thing that matters is that I need to go back there.  I need to see the small town I grew up in.  I need to smell its smells and listen.  Maybe something familiar will nudge me.  Maybe it will just be a small town in Colorado.

There's more.  The mountains of Colorado are calling to me.  They have been in my thoughts and dreams lately.  We took a lot of trips into those mountains and they miss me.  I need to go back and experience them as a happy adult.  I need to show them how much I appreciate them, because I don't think I did as a child.  I feel energized just thinking about it.

So how am I going to make sure that I get there.  I talk about going there.  I share the idea with Mr. Man and we put it on our list of places to go.  I plan a trip and I trust that when the time is right, I will make it back there.  If I had to pinpoint a date for this trip it may never happen.  So I'll just say that I'm going to go back to Colorado.  I'm going to revisit my memories and see if we recognize each other after all these years.

I patiently wait for the invitation from the Universe to get back to Colorado.  I trust I'll know when the time is right.

Just my thoughts.

This has been day #5 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Day 4 - #Trust30 writing challenge

That which each can do best, none but his Maker can teach him. Where is the master who could have taught Shakespeare? Where is the master who could have instructed Franklin, or Washington, or Bacon, or Newton? . . . Shakespeare will never be made by the study of Shakespeare. Do that which is assigned you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 4 prompt

Jenny Blake - Post-it Question

Identify one of your biggest challenges at the moment (ie I don’t feel passionate about my work) and turn it into a question (ie How can I do work I’m passionate about?) Write it on a post-it and put it up on your bathroom mirror or the back of your front door. After 48-hours, journal what answers came up for you and be sure to evaluate them.

Bonus: tweet or blog a photo of your post-it.
 
 
 
Just my thoughts.
 
This has been day #4 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

#Trust30 writing challenge - One Strong Belief

It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

Day 3 Prompt

Buster Benson - One Strong Belief

The world is powered by passionate people, powerful ideas, and fearless action. What’s one strong belief you possess that isn’t shared by your closest friends or family? What inspires this belief, and what have you done to actively live it?

This is a hard one.  I feel so much resistance to this one.  Here goes nothing.  Or here goes something.  One strong belief that I possess right now is the belief that we all make our lives what they are.  We all have the ability and the power within to make our lives big and amazing or small and limiting.  We all have the strength to pull ourselves out of any hole that we've fallen into.  When my life sucks, its because I am letting it suck.  I'm not saying that I can control what goes on around me.  I'm saying that I have the strength to take any hardship and face it with trust and hope.  I can choose to move forward in life or I can choose to wallow in self-pity or blame someone (or something) else for my problems. 

I know that terrible things happen to people everyday.  Many times it ends in tragedy, but I believe fully that the tragedy does not have to dictate the quality of life from that moment on.  I feel passionately that we all have the strength to move on in our lives.  We can take the pain and let the lesson that needs to be learned come forward.  No blaming.  No whining.  Just allow the hurt and the pain to flow in and then release it.  So many times we hold on to the pain.  It becomes our friend.  We become used to bad things happening to us.  We expect it.  And the cycle continues.

What if the world could just trust that all will be well?  What if the world could just get up and say "Man that sucked, but look at this beautiful, shining Light I have here in my heart.  Look at how it shines and leads me out of this tragedy."  What a wonderful world that would be.

What inspires this belief?  I used to be one of those people who held on to pain.  I used to be one of those people who would blame everyone (or everything), but myself, for having a crappy life.  I know people who get stuck and keep themselves there and I have so much compassion for them.  There is so much joy to be lived.  So much hope to hold on to.  Yet.....the joy and the hope are kept at bay.  People can convince themselves that it is hopeless and that they can't be happy because of x, y and z.  I have been one of those people.

So today I choose to take my punches with dignity and grace.  I choose to let my Light lead me through every storm like a beacon.  When things get heavy and scary I go within and I allow any pain or anger or frustration to flow through me.  I choose to belive in my heart that everything is as it should be.  I can't explain why tragic things happen to people.  I can't say that I have had many tragic things happen to me, but I take great comfort in knowing that I can weather through any storm.  All I need is to trust that I have the strength within me to face anything.  I will be taken care of and I will find comfort when I need it.

If I could share this with everyone I would.  I try to live my life as shiny as possible.  I try to be an example of living with trust and hope.  I want to help as many people as I can to see themselves as the beautiful, powerful beings that they are.  We can all have a joyful life.  It isn't always easy, but it can always get better.

Just my thoughts.

This has been day #3 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Day 2 - Today

The Prompt

Liz Danzico – Today

Your genuine action will explain itself, and will explain your other genuine actions. Your conformity explains nothing. The force of character is cumulative. – Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

If ‘the voyage of the best ship is a zigzag line of a hundred tracks,’ then it is more genuine to be present today than to recount yesterdays. How would you describe today using only one sentence? Tell today’s sentence to one other person. Repeat each day.

Today was a day of living out loud, loving with all my heart and letting go of any moment that isn't right now.

Just my thoughts.

This has been day #2 of the #Trust30 writing challenge. #Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing journey. You can see the details here.