Layer upon layer,
your beliefs wrap around.
Enclosing, protecting
from the wounds of life.

What once had value,
now droops from the stem.
And still you hold on,
afraid to let go.

What once kept you safe,
now keeps you locked in;
hidden from view…
afraid of opening.

Layer upon layer,
vulnerable and soft
yearning to drop
the weight,

and surrender.

Over to you:

What old belief is no longer serving you?

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

These are the first two lines of a poem written by Geoffrey X Lane, a master speaker and trainer I recently had the privilege of working with. But more than a poem, for me it was a call to step more fully onto the path I’m being called to walk.

Speak up.

Truth teller, cage rattler, warrior for you breaking through what stops you. I’m not interested in reasons or excuses, from myself or anyone else. I want us both to remember who we really are and why we’re here, and that takes speaking up.

Speak up in volume. Speak up and share what’s most important to you. Speak up and express what’s burning inside you.

And here’s the thing. . .

The more you speak up, the more natural it will feel, until that day when not speaking becomes uncomfortable. When that day comes, we all win.

Pay attention.

We get messages all the time through our senses and beyond, but are you tuned in to their frequency? And I don’t mean in some woo woo way, although there’s nothing wrong with that either.

I’m talking about taking care of yourself so that you’ve got the resourcefulness to show up and notice what’s going on all around you. The kind of self-care that goes deep, taking care of all of you, mind, body, and spirit.

When you are resourceful, paying attention becomes second nature.

Tell the truth.

People are judging and assessing you all the time, and guess what? You’re doing the same thing in return. Doesn’t matter what you do or don’t do, someone’s always got an opinion. Which kind levels the playing field, don’t you think? So stop worrying about it.

Tell the truth – about what you want but are afraid to admit.

Tell the truth – about what you’ve always wanted to say but kept silent.

Tell the truth – you will survive. You’ll also liberate yourself from the bullshit that keeps you stuck.

Celebrate your sound.

Your sound includes your actual speaking voice, as well as how you write and express yourself, and it’s time to own this baby!

Sing in the shower, yell in a forest, hear what you actually sound like.

And then embrace it fully, without judgment.

Since the workshop with Geoffrey I’ve found myself saying these words and feeling the power of them. Some days I hear which of the words need more energy, and it grounds me in the present moment. Other days I sing them to myself as a chant.

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

These words are working on me from the inside out, and that’s where all transformation begins.

Here is the full poem:

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

The universe is ready for you now
Speaking up doesn’t have to hurt
Just follow your heart – speak up

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

All you have to do is grow
You have the courage inside you
Feel the power of speaking up

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

Speak up for the warrior inside you
Tell the truth without judgment or fear
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

Speak Up – poem written by Geoffrey X Lane© 03/24/09

Trust is the first requirement if you want to be a rebel.

You’ve got to trust yourself, even when it goes against the flow.

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently…”

You may be judged, but here’s the thing. . .

They’re already judging you for something or other, why not have it be for doing something you love, something you believe in?

Free from judgement and liberated from your fears, what would you be, do and have in your life? 

And I’m not talking about fighting against things, although that’s what we mostly think about a rebel. I’m talking about fighting FOR something; that thing that is important to you, and makes your heart sing.

That kind of fight takes heart and soul, and the courage of a true rebel spirit.

So if you want to be a rebel. . .

Say what you want to say, and fuck the ‘right’ thing.

Trust your intuition, it’s more reliable than the masses.

“It’s pure instinct that makes me rebel every time someone tries to control my life and hand out more rules.” - Simone Elkeles

Put yourself first, for the good of all.

Wear your heart on your sleeve, and tell folks you love ‘em.

Do what gives you pleasure.

Open up, share, be vulnerable. Let people in and they might surprise you by taking a stand right next to you.

Make the first move, tell the truth, be the last to let go of a hug.

Ask more questions. Question authority. Do it without apology.

“What you want can be yours. But you must first know what it is you want.” – Libby Bray

Own your desires, and ask for what you want.

Over to you:

What are you willing to fight for?

a new beginning and
all possibilities exist.

imaginal cells resting
inside their cocoon.

resolve is not needed
in this primordial goo.

just rest and trust,
and patience.

one cell,

two,

then many.

a you unlike any other.

the imaginals know
what to do and…

what

not

to do.

the newness of you will
emerge when ready.

a chrysalis falling away…
exposing, releasing.

imaginal you,
the end result assured.

more you than ever before.

more fully your Self

more fully alive.

this you, not you,

yet perfectly you.

the past is done.
your cocoon, self-imposed,
no longer needed.

take flight.

“I’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.” – Mother Teresa

Dearest,

Your recent transformation has been amazing to witness.

Your imaginal cells have outdone themselves, my love.

But then, you continue to surprise me, flourishing in the face of many challenges.

The Universe has reciprocated and the return has been beyond your expectations.

Kudos for trusting your inner wisdom.

Do you have any idea how inspiring you are?

You walk your talk to honour your integrity, but also so that others can learn from your path.

That is a gift you share generously, and it has a profound impact on those around you.

It’s time to celebrate the awesomeness that you are.

Lovin’ you up from the future,

xo

Happy. Not happy. Happy. Not happy. Unhappy?

A client likened it to a personal Morse code tapping its way through her brain.

We burst into laughter when she said it out loud. It was the laughter of recognition.

Questioning life. Questioning decisions. Questioning. . .everything. And yeah, I love asking questions and challenging and going deep.

Until I don’t.

Until the day comes when I just don’t want to explore another damn thing.

Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

But did he mean for us to examine ad infinitum?

(more…)

Gloria Steinem said, “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”

Which one of these truths just reached out and nailed you?

That’s where your work is.

Words matter. 

The ones you choose create your reality.

Does your reality energize or drain you?

Which words touch your soul? And why?

“It is important that you say what you mean to say. Time is too short. You must speak the words that matter.” ― Kate DiCamillo

Words inspire me as I begin this year of living 50, some more than others. . .

Words matter.

They can lift you up or bring you down in a heartbeat.

Breathe. . .a word that puts me in the present moment without judgment.

Silence. . .a word that creates the space that nourishes me deeply and reliably.

Too. . .a small word; only three letters but it can do so much damage.

Too much, too intense, too loud, too passionate (really? how is that even possible?)

Other words reach out and touch my soul.

Spirit. Radiance. Strength. Depth. Om.

They resonate, like a Tibetan bowl, leaving an impact long after they’re gone.

I don’t know how that happens; I’m just so grateful that it does.

Words matter.

They create your world.

A world that nourishes and supports your dreams.

Or. . .

A world that can weigh you down with its heaviness.

Your words matter.

The words you choose create a story that then becomes your future.

They create your life.

So choose wisely.

 “It’s all invented anyway, so we might as well invent a story or framework of meaning that enhances our quality of life and the life of those around us.” – Benjamin Zander

Over to you:

Which words would inspire the legend of how you lived your life?

* This post was prompted by 52 Lists/Week 1

People keep asking me if I’m freaked out about turning 50 this year. I’m not really, although perhaps a wee bit surprised by some of the thoughts going through my mind.

I mean, turning 50 really is the mother of all wake-up calls!

And I’ve caught myself thinking about all the things I still want to be, do and have in my life.

All the things I want to create and share.

All the ways I want to open further, deeper, more fully.

All the hugs still to give, kisses to be savoured, and well. . .you get the point.

Those are the things I’m putting my attention on as I begin living my fiftieth year.

Not the 50 lessons I may or may not have learned.

Not 50 tips to look and feel good at 50 (although all this juicing and healthy living looks good on me!)

No tips, lessons, or strategies.

Instead, I’m choosing to open.

Because we do have a choice; to open or to close ourselves off.

One is energizing and risky. The other is tight, and oh so painfully safe.

I get to choose. And so do you.

(more…)

I had a dream last night.

And in that dream a wise woman I’ve long admired was at a sleep-over in my home.

Pajamas, soul-satisfying conversations and laughter all present and accounted for.

It was the most perfect of nights, until that moment I asked the question closest to my heart.

She closed her eyes, deep in thought. . .then plumped up her pillow and pinned me with a look.

“You’ll figure it out. Trust yourself.”

And with that profound statement, she turned over and fell fast asleep.

I awoke with a start; the clock blinked 4:14 a.m.

On the fourteenth day of the fourth month 2013 I will turn 50 years old.

My wise woman is right.

I can trust myself.

And so can you.