Take Back Your Life!

Hey there,

The best way to get over any fear is to go into it. I’ve always been afraid of rollercoasters. Barely survived a hellish ride on Space Mountain at Disney World in high school. This weekend I’m going to Coney Island to ride The Cyclone. I’m doing it to get over this fear. Have visualized myself leaning into the curves, loving the down hills, standing in line to go a second time around.

It’s supposed to rain, but I’m hoping it holds out long enough for me to do this ride, this flight into fear to get over fear. I used to run away from my fears. Now, I turn around and head straight towards them. The more I do this the less fears I have.

Any fears you’d like to get over?

Nike sure has one good slogan. So many times I’ve talked and talked about doing it, but just never went ahead and did it. That’s changed in the past couple of years. Now I get an idea and pick a date to do it. Otherwise, I just flounder around and pretty soon 2 years go by.

Decided to enter The Art of Nonconformity Essay/Blog Challenge. Instead of waiting until 3 days before the deadline: July 11, I got writing immediately. Let it sit for a few days then resumed editing.

Letting it sit works wonders. Returning after a few days I clearly see what’s not working and what is working. Sometimes a sentence seems fantastic, until I step back from it. When I return I see it just doesn’t fit. So, I rework it until every line has a purpose.

A good approach to a lot of things in life. Get going. Let it percolate. Then get going again. Giving something space gives it perspective.

I usually wake up with so many ideas going through my brain that I don’t know where to start! It gives me a million reasons to get up in the morning. Not everyone feels this way. I wish I knew how to bottle this idea mania up so I could give it to the people who’ve told me they dread each day because they don’t have anything to do. Maybe that’s about letting go of what you don’t want to do, so you will have the time and the room for things you do want to do.

One thing I let go of was having to be a fashionista. When I had a corporate job, I thought I had to look smokin’ every day. It required lots of shopping, outfit planning, etc. Between you and me, I felt I needed at least two new outfits a week!

Not only was it expensive, it was also time consuming. Once I got rid of that job and that fashion mindset, it left lots of room for the things I really wanted to do in life.

Is there anything you’d love to let go of, just get off your plate so you don’t have to worry about it anymore?

I’m really into my Four Agreements Card Deck by Don Miguel Ruiz. The cards are physically gorgeous and the words spiritually beautiful. I’ve got a few missing because I give them away when I teach certain life shops. Gave some away in my Letting Go life shop. When they are gone, I’ll buy more. The one I picked for today reads “Replace Fear With Love.”

This is a life lesson I am working on. When I’m fearful of a situation, which usually means a person, I try to close my eyes before talking with him or her and think loving thoughts of this person. You can do this too.

Imagine the person. Then list three things you love about him or her. (yes, you can come up with three.) Then when you talk to him/her, you’ll be coming from a place of love.

Try it!

A special hello to any karaoke singers out there!

The key to enjoying karaoke is to pick songs you love but are also in your vocal range. For me that’s Linda Ronstadt. She’s got the most amazing voice. Just love her 40’s songs. They work best for my voice and my romantic side. Am currently working on “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “Skylark,” and “Lover Man.” Lover Man I also play on the piano so it’s a double musical treat. Have done “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and “I’ve got a Crush on You.” If the karaoke crowd is young they may not recognize the songs. I still do them anyway! Then I throw in a dance number towards the end of the evening.

If you’ve got some time, go to itunes and listen to Linda sing any of these songs. Her voice flows up and down effortlessly while also being rich and full. No weak upper register. The voice of an angel!

I read a book a long time ago called “All I need to know I learned from my cat.” It was written by Suzy Becker. I’d like to take her premise and expand it. Much of what I know about living I learned my cat Valentino. He’s 9 years old and fearless. Nothing rattles this cat, except the occasional loud sound.

He’s adventurous, curious, daring, outrageous, bold, persistent, demanding, loving, hilarious, brilliant, handsome, charismatic and adorable. The adorable part makes up for some of the other often annoying parts like persistent. If he wants something he never gives up until he gets it. He’ll keep coming back and coming back and coming back until you do whatever it is he wants. Probably the most important thing he’s taught me about life is to be fearless. To give something a try before deciding I can’t do it. Most of the time I find I can do it and I’ve got Valentino to thank for that.

What have you learned from your cat?

Am loving this 30 day power blog challenge. It’s got me writing about all sorts of things. Almost like keeping a daily journal, which reminds me that I’m reading Sandy Grason’s “journalution.” I’m following someone on Twitter who offered a workshop with Sandy. I went to her site, heard about her best selling book and voila! I’m now reading.

I love the book. iIt’s got all kinds of writing exercises as well as the wisdom Sandy shares along the way. I’m going to be offering an essay writing class this summer and even though this book talks about journaling, it’s kind great ideas to get the writing rolling. You can visit Sandy at http://www.sandygrason.com.

I decided to make my Tweets on Twitter today about laughter and added a link to that funny scene from Mary Poppins. You may recall it —  the one where Ed Winn can’t stop laughing. Looking back, I’m amazed his laughter was seen as something that needed to be stopped. Why are we laughterphobes in this country? I remember getting kicked out of my elementary school classes for laughing.

Doesn’t that seem deranged? What kind of message were the teachers giving me? Be serious even at the age of 8? If anything there ought to be a laughter class, a time where kids and teachers just laugh.

I’m going to go on a laughter spree today. Want to join me?

Hey powerful people,

For many years, I blamed other people for the crazy & dramatic situations I found myself in. I felt frustrated and powerless, like someone else had control over my life, like I had no ability to direct it. I’d love to say one seminar, one conversation with a friend, one self-help book changed my perspective, but that wouldn’t be true — it’s all helped me reframe my reality. I now see it as an ongoing awakening within myself to have the courage to be myself and not someone else’s version of who I should be.

If you find yourself in blame mode, perhaps stop and ask yourself the following questions:

1) Am I really powerless to change this situation?

2) Does this other person or situation really have control over me?

3) What could I do to change this outcome so I eliminate blaming others?

Hey rebellious ones,

Halfway through “The Calcium Lie.” Riveting book on the REAL role calcium plays in bone formation. When my doctor told me to take 1500 mg of calcium a day, it just didn’t make sense to me. I’m fairly slender, but it’s the same dose no matter what size woman you are. I figured either I’m overdosing or someone else is underdosing if weight doesn’t matter. The short of it? I’m glad I balked and went AMA (against medical advice.) Calcium is only 1 of 12 minerals we need for bone formation. If you take the recommended dose you’re more than likely doing your bones damage. More to follow.

Muse thx,

G.