Self Expression - Living 5 POWERFUL words

I believe that it is so important to be able to express oneself - be it through writing, art, dancing, singing, how one dresses, gardening, or through whatever other means that is important to you.  For me, it's through writing, designing, creating jewelry and my body art. 

I got my first tattoo when I was 35.  Some people look at me strangely when they see I have tattoos (after all, it's not a typical thing for a tax accountant to do...), and think I'm going through a mid-life crisis.  However, every one of my tattoos took a lot of time to design and come to life (the first one took 7 years to materialize).  They are with me forever, and have deep meaning.  They are beautiful pieces of art, and just one of my forms of self expression. 

I have five very POWERFUL words tattooed on my body.  They are not superficial words; they are not just for fashion or fad.  They are my PASSION:

LIVE - Live LIFE!  Time is limited.  Our days are numbered. We could leave this earth tomorrow.  So, don't let time pass you by; don't let LIFE pass you by.  LIVE with intention every day.  LIVE your passions.

LOVE - Love YOURSELF, first and foremost, TRULY and UNCONDITIONALLY.  Only when you love yourself will your love pour out and shine on the rest of the world.  Only then will you truly be able to love others.   

LAUGH - Laughter is AMAZING therapy. It's the best way to relieve stress and raise your positive vibration levels.  It can lift your spirits and give you energy.  A long time a go, a friend and I made a promise to make each other laugh - and we do, almost every day.  Laughter releases tension, and gives me strength and energy to work through my own challenges. So LAUGH as much and as often as you can.

DREAM - Dream BIG DREAMS for yourself.  There are no limits to what you can dream AND achieve except for the ones you place on yourself.  DREAMING gives you something to BELIEVE in. 

BELIEVE -Believe in YOURSELF, in your DREAMS, in your LOVE, in your FRIENDS, in your UNIVERSE.  BELIEVING is powerful - believing give us HOPE, COURAGE and the WILL to take action to realize DREAMS.  Just BELIEVE!!!


LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH, DREAM, BELIEVE - five SMALL but oh, so POWERFUL words.

Soar

Tonight, I had the great honor of sharing at my friend's book launch in Toronto - Soar with Vulnerability, by Suzanne Letourneau.  We only met two weeks ago in San Miguel de Allende, but we instantly connected, and we shared so much in 5 short days.  She is an inspiration, and although I've only started reading her book, she has already given me much insight into its contents and message.  I look forward to completing it and sharing it with others. 

I was one of two speakers to say a few words before Suzanne got on stage.  Her media manager introduced me, reading an earlier post from my blog - "Writing to Please" (posted Oct 25/12), where I say that writing does not leave me vulnerable - it's therapy, it liberates me.  This is exactly why Suzanne wrote her book - as therapy, as a way to heal herself.

She had asked me last week to share a few words about how she inspired me, and how vulnerability affected my life.  It's quite difficult to condense hours and hours of conversation and sharing into a few short minutes on stage. While in Mexico, one question she asked me (which was a common question at the Conference):  what was my life purpose?  I couldn't answer, I didn't know...and it upset me greatly.  Then, when I got home, and reflected a bit, and read back through some poems and journals, I realized that I had just forgotten my life's purpose (or at least, what I think it is at this time...but it will evolve, as I learn more, as I receive more):  to live each day with love and joy; to make people smile; to inspire others.  I shared with the crowd, Metamorphosis.  It felt great and liberating to share :)

We each have a purpose in this life; we each have great gifts to give this world.  We only have to look within ourselves to find the answers as to what our gifts are, what our purpose is....and sometimes, we need a little help in doing that - someone to ask the right questions, the right way.  We all have a story to tell - I believe that in telling our story (stories), we help others by allowing them to identify with us, that they too may be inspired, and find strength and liberation in their own vulnerability. 

Poems posted on My Poems page

On My Poems Page, I've posted my poems that have been published in Sibella Poetry Magazine, as well as a few others that have appeared on my Ridgeview blog.  Check them out...

Ask and You Shall Receive

I must admit - when it came time to submit my poem to Sibella Poetry Magazine for the final issue of the 2012 publication cycle, I was a bit disappointed that my term as contributing poet had come to an end.  Each poet would submit their poems for the upcoming issue during a 10 day period about a month prior to the publication date.  Counting down the days to its release, enthusiasm and impatience would build...I could hardly contain my anticipation of the contents and layout of the upcoming issue.  The last issue, released October 1st, was, in my opinion, the best yet.  It simply amazed me how 24 women from various walks of life, in different stages, who have possibly never met each other (I know I haven't met or corresponded with any of them), would create collectively beautiful poems and inspirational quotes at the same time.  This is a fabulous publication, bringing together the Spirit from contributing poets during a specific period of time...and the result is amazing. 


View of the Parish Church in the centre of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Delivering my poems in San Miguel

I had hoped to continue to be involved with Sibella (or even it's sister magazine, Sibyl Magazine) past the Oct/Nov 2012 issue, but until recently had not seen any such notice.  So, imagine my surprise and thrill when I received an email on Oct 26th, welcoming me aboard for the 2013 publication cycle of Sibella.  I was filled with gratitude.  It raised the excitement level of spending some time with some of these sacred souled women in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico last week, and oh, how amazing they all are.  The week was filled with love, compassion, empathy, tears, joy and laughter.  I am inspired by each one of them.  At the 1st Annual National Day of Spirituality and Wellness, I had the opportunity to listen to seven insightful and passionate women, and then share a few words myself, and share a few poems.  How I introduced them and read them tied nicely into my experience of the seven previous speakers.

 

Thanks to Sibyl English, the speakers and the attendees for their words of insight, inspiration and support.