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.

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Dear One,

As the new year begins, it seems you need a reminder of how truly awesome you are.

Maybe you got caught up in the new year’s hype, and fell prey to comparisonitis.

But you (and you’ve really got to get this) are beyond comparison.

Your heart and courage inspire, and not a day goes by that someone isn’t touched by you.

Listen. . .

and hear the truth of these words.

You are beyond compare.

You care about people, and share yourself generously, and when you love you do so wholeheartedly. It is  truly a masterful part of your being.

And people respond.

Yes, they always do and tell you so often. So much love coming to you every day, and sometimes you don’t notice it at all.

I’m writing these words to remind you.

You are awesome and you are loved.

xo

For most of my life, I’ve paid far more attention to my head than my heart. I’ve heard enough stories to know I’m not alone in this.

It’s puzzling really, for my head, on its endless quest for logic and knowledge, has all too often led me astray.

It’s been distracted, and even dazzled by facts, figures, reasons; all requirements in the heady world.

My heart however, has been treated like Cinderella – ignored, occasionally mocked,  and left behind to tend to itself.

It took my heart being broken (but not really) to change this sad state of affairs.

It took getting quiet enough to hear it.

For the truth is, I didn’t know until then that I wasn’t hearing it (picture an ignorance is bliss scenario.)

My heart has taught me to be grateful for those years of sadness. They helped me grow, and got me in touch with what was really important in my life.

Seems my heart knew all along what that was.

My heart has worked hard on my behalf for little recognition, until today. Until I asked the following question. . .

(more…)

“Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.” - Khalil Gibran

An opportunity to appreciate my friends,
near and far, always close to my heart.

The ones who love and support no matter what,
and inspire me to step up and own who I am.

The kindred spirits, soul sisters, like-minded souls,
who forgive and forget my missteps.

For my friends, near and far,
always close to my heart. . .

I give thanks.

I got nothing.

These words take me by surprise. They lurk – in my awareness and energy.

I don’t like them and I don’t want them here.

Surprising because I’ve just come from a silent retreat that nourished my soul, and provided time to rest and room to breathe.

But no words show up to fill the space.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin

Until now.

It takes admitting what’s so. Saying the words you don’t want to say.

I got nothing.

You’ve got them too, don’t you? Those times that feel blank, lost, frustrating.

Who wants to admit being there?

Not me.

And yet. . .

I shine the light on this dark, shadowy place; a place we do our best to avoid.

Because here’s the thing about ‘walking the talk’. . .

You can’t just do it when it looks good.

You can’t just do it when it looks like you’ve got it all handled.

Walking the talk is an ongoing proposition. It takes going deep into the ‘beingness’ of human being.

It’s in those moments when things don’t look or feel good; those moments that call you down to the depths, where all there is to do is. . .

Do. The. Work. 

Until you realize you do have something to share, something to offer and hopefully, make a difference for someone else.

That moment when you get from nothing to something. . .

and remember once again where real transformation lives.

“You want what you want, whether or not you think you can get it.” – Robert Fritz

How do you need to be thinking to go after your dreams and produce results?

All human behaviour is the result of state, so the first requirement is to be in a resourceful state, ie: a positive mood.

And when you’re not, you need to consciously choose it.

Because the truth is most of the time you have a choice.

Staying in a negative spin and doing nothing is a choice. You know it doesn’t feel good, but in the moment of choosing you’re doing the best you can.

How do I know? When you have better options you make better choices. I’m saying that not to let you off the hook for being responsible in your life, but rather to encourage you to have compassion for yourself when hindsight reminds you of a less than stellar choice you’ve made.

And it’s not about never having negative feelings. That’s ridiculous; everybody goes there sometimes. The key is not to stay there.

So the power then lies in choosing a resourceful state.

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The dream. . .

A Roman theatre filled to capacity. 

Me, waiting backstage for the cue to walk out and introduce the keynote speaker.

And then. . .

I become the keynote.

I look out, afraid – not of speaking, but of not getting the words right.

Afraid that my message will be unclear.

That is terrifying.

And then. . .I wake up, heart racing, message choking me in its intensity.

Everyone has a truth, uniquely their own even if the message is not yet clear.

Your work is to first, own that truth and then discover how to share its message.

“A kernel is hidden in me, a spark, a thought, I am life from eternal life.” – Hermann Hesse

My truth – I am a waker, here to rattle your cage. Even though, quite often you pretend there is no cage.

It’s not always comfortable, but that matters less than owning your truth.

For in owning what has been with you, a part of you your whole life, you claim that which is yours alone.

Yes. You have your truth.

Maybe you resist it, or make it wrong preferring another truth.

Someone else’s truth is compelling. Yours might seem hard or impossible in comparison.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” – Aristotle

I can relate, for my truth carries the weight of “Who the hell do I think I am?”

I am a waker. I own it, even though the message is still a work in progress.

You are born with your truth, and when you think back over your life you’ll find evidence for its existence.

Times when you were reprimanded for speaking it.

Times when you felt crushed by the weight of it.

Times when you knew without a doubt you were here to share it.

It’s why you’re here.

And since this is not a new message I am conscious of the truth and the irony.

You have a kernel of truth inside, longing to be expressed in a way that only you can deliver.

Right here, right now, share it.

The truth is yours, but the journey can be ours, together.

I sat down to write today’s post and what flowed from my fingertips surprised me. It’s not what I had in mind but it’s what came through.

Going with that flow, and trusting; writing a post simply for the joy of sharing.

12 Truths About Me

Name: Born Santina Amorim, now Sandi Faviell Amorim. When I got married I added my husband’s name in the middle. I wanted to acknowledge our marriage without giving anything up. This felt right to me.

“Inside us there is something that has no name, that something is what we are.” – Jose Saramago

Nickname: Sandi, which was the name my mom chose for me. When I was born the doctor told my mom it wasn’t a real name, that she should call me Sandra. WTF? My mom didn’t like Sandra and figured by calling me Santina she would make her mother happy and still call me Sandi for short. I’ve always thought it was odd that her doctor had the nerve to be so opinionated – and wrong.

Superhero alias: The most powerful female superhero with the the best accessories ever – the Lasso of Truth, indestructible bracelets and tiara. And yes, I start my day with a cup of coffee out of the mug below.

“It’s unfair to judge yourself by the criterion of age. A vital, intelligent woman is much more than the sum of her birthdays.” – Wonder Woman

Age: 49, and I’ve decided this is a year of transformation. As good as life has been, the plan is to be unrecognizable (in a good way) by April 2013 when I turn 50.

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When was the last time you said yes to something on your life list?

Distinction: A bucket list is considered to be a list made up of things to do before you die, ie: ‘kick the bucket.’ A life list is made up of things to do while you’re ALIVE. And things that make my heart beat faster should be kept somewhere special. . .not a bucket.

Back to the question. . .when?

It’s been awhile for me too.

“This is me. And I’m imperfect and I’m vulnerable and I’m afraid sometimes…” – Brené Brown

And then yesterday, I said yes.

YES.

To something that simultaneously terrifies and excites me.

I’m going to learn how to scuba dive.

On October 17 I’ll be joining my friend and colleague Jason Sugar of Breakthrough Adventures and two others in the water.

That’s Jason on the right teaching and sharing his passion!

Here’s why it’s a big deal. . .

When I was 8 years old I almost drowned, and while I don’t remember many of the details, I do remember the panic and fear of not being able to breathe.

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