Promise #89: You have the time to rock the world

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There comes a day when you realize you haven’t really realized anything yet

when now becomes more important than yesterday and matters twice as much as tomorrow

when love blossoms more often than it fades

when forgiveness burrows deep and takes its seat inside your soul

when big hellos and swallowing hugs remind you how much you are needed here and now

and that’s when you start to realize the magnitude of it all

the magnetic flow of good around you

the dizzying potential for growth

the joy of side-cramping-belly laughter and deeply deep-seated love

the sheer intensity of knowing that you are put on this earth to realize and be realized

and that somewhere in that moment

you have the time

you always have the time

to rock the world

Promise #88: Command Attention

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Did you know the best way to command attention from a dog is to simply ignore the dog? No eye contact. No squatting down to say hello. No petting. No weird-baby-dog-talk. Nothing.

Apparently, this lack of interest alerts the dog that you large and in charge. Your body language communicates that you simply can’t be bothered by his neediness. And so, instead of jumping on you he’ll just wander around…sniffing, investigating, circling your b-e-i-n-g in an awestruck-kind-of-way. He’ll still try to get your attention, but he won’t knock you over in the process. He might knock over a garbage can, like my buddy in the picture, but it’s easier to clean up garbage than recover from a fall.

Really. No joke. It works.

The challenge lies in ignoring the dog. It’s difficult to shift your attention when he’s jumping up and down, barking, acting like a crazed puppy.

Sometimes you just can’t help yourself…

The dog jumps and you react. The more you react the more the dog jumps. The dog is in charge of that situation, not you, because the dog is creating an action that gains a response. In an insanely oversimplified way…this makes the dog the leader and you the knee-jerk reactor.

You are what you react to.

We all want to be noticed on some level, by someone. We’re pack creatures, too. In any circle you can find someone in charge and a tribe of followers. As people try to shift positions and get ahead they’re moving forward, or backward, based upon the reactions they receive.

Leadership is a state of mind.

Leaders know what to react to and what to ignore. They know where to focus their attention and how to gain attention for their focus. They move forward with focus and intention.

When they do this their pack responds with shared vision and support for their mission because that’s the only way that the leader will pay attention or pat them on the back or celebrate their brilliance.

This creates a healthy relationship in any zone—home, office, friends, school—because if they’re not reacting to every-single-itty-bitty-attention-grabbing ploy then they’re creating meaningful interactions.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss; other times, it’s just pure brilliance.

 

Promise #87: Go bananas on giving

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A few months ago I entered into a twitter conversation of sorts with Amy Palko.

Amy had just put up a new header for her blog and tweeted for feedback. I’d been following Amy on twitter for a while. She was part of the tribe over at Roots of She. All. Good. Stuff.

Anyway, I saw her new header and the marketer in me immediately tweeted her back and asked, “Can I pleaaaaaaaaase help you?” It was probably the fifth conversation we shared on twitter, at best. But in reading her posts, being familiar with her voice and completely relating to her about page there was just something that immediately triggered inside me and urged me to just ask.

She agreed. We exchanged a few emails. I sent her a header. She sent me a little goddess guidance as a thank you. All. Good. Stuff.

We connected again right before the holiday. I decided to join her goddess guidance group on Facebook.

Whoa.

Now. I realize this sort of thing isn’t right for everybody. So, I’ll just say this…if you’re the least bit intrigued, either send me an email or just join the group for a month. This is not an affiliate post. I have nothing to gain from you joining, other than getting to know you in that circle of energy. You, on the other hand, have everything to gain.

Amy’s created a sacred space full of generous, supportive, smart, funny souls.

In a recent post she suggested we join her in 29 days of random kindness. I’m all in for that sort of goodness, because I so strongly believe in the power of giving freely without expectation or hope of reward. And that’s because every time I do give, every time, I’m reminded that good begets good.

I shared the 29 days of kindness thought with my husband and added that I thought I’d show up here, in this twisted space, every day for the next 29 days. He questioned my ability to do that (he knows me) and although I already proved him right by missing yesterday…I’m in a game-on sort of mood today.

So let me catch up.

Yesterday, on the first day of giving I baked up my boys’ favorite breakfast: banana bread. I dragged my tired bum to the kitchen and started cooking it up right after launching my newly-reworked ink engage website (see, I was a little busy yesterday).

Today, I launched a giveaway on ink engage for 5 lucky business owners to cash in on fearless consulting. If you have a business or you’re thinking of starting one, enter to win. You have nothing to lose.

If you don’t have a business and would never think of entering then you’re probably wondering: what the heck, what about me?

You might want to stick around for the next 28 days. On February 29th I’m launching my first e-book in this space. I’m writing it just for you. Here’s a peak at the cover…

 

In the meantime, though, I’m sharing my banana bread recipe and hoping to inspire you to spend the next 28 days sharing your own goodness with the world.

 

What’s your story? Are you in?

Promise #86: Wish more, fret less

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standing on the edge of monday (read: 6:30 am)

wishing the universe could deliver:

five more minutes, a hotter cup of better-tasting coffee, maybe just another Sunday

knowing monday’s uncontrollable suck and blow is just thirty minutes away

it’s a cross between a dyson and a plunger

inhale exhale inhale exhale

the most you can do is sink your soles

a little deeper into the earth

and have faith

even the most delicate roots are fiercely strong

intertwining amongst themselves, rock, debris, anything that’s there

it’s always enough

to keep you firmly grounded

while you let your mind wish its way through five days of hot air

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I’ve been enjoying (like really enjoying)

365 altars at Barefoot Heart and Words Dance as of late.

Go check ‘em out + enjoy.

 

 

Promise #85: Be one with the jury before you’re one with the judge

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Jurors are obligated to consider all the facts, to listen without prejudice, to deliver a verdict beyond the benefit of doubt.

Judges are obligated to make sure all witnesses are heard, welcome credible evidence and interpret the law so that the jury can deliver the verdict beyond the benefit of doubt.

Which is why if you’re faced with the need to judge anything it might be better to jury through all the facts before you grip a gavel and call truth to order.