I sit here realizing that this will be my last post for 2017, as always there is a bittersweetness when one chapter closes for another to open. 2017 graced me with profound, powerful lessons, teachings, experiences, and exciting becomings. It also gifted me with intensity, pain, challenge, inner will power, and raw authentic determination. It definitely was a year FULL to the max with life changing exploration and discovery.
I am so grateful. I smile from deep within as I reflect. Graced to dance in the 2017 New Year with my family in Michigan (see blog post https://fawncaveney.org/2017/02/04/i-can-dance/) to these closing days while looking ahead with great anticipation. As one who believes that “Life is happening for you”, I at moments feel I will literally burst as I look ahead, for I just know that wonders are unfolding. I may not yet be able to see them or know them concretely, but they are there!
“From my own experience, I want to say that you should follow your heart, and the mind will follow you. Believe in yourself, and you will create miracles.” ~Kailash Satyarthi
I am already dancing into 2018 with great jubilation, for I know it is going to be a massive year in so many ways – “how do I know”, you may ask? I just DO, it is going to be INCREDIBLE. When we start walking a life in line with our “Who I Am” and “Why”, it is like the billowing clouds line up to lead us straight into our own Shambhala. Is it an easy path? NO and YES! There are days of immense uncertainty, challenge, and questioning, where you feel like you are absolutely crazy. Then there are days where you are soaring higher than the eagles and no one can pop your balloon. The truth is, that once you walk a path in pure alignment with your authentic purposeful self, there is no turning back. The sensation of this genuine truth overwhelms and changes you forever.
“Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles.” ~Edwin Louis Cole
Is there clarity about what is next? No Way. Matter a fact, I am often surprised by what shows up around the corner. I shake my head and chuckle, “Didn’t see that one coming” – yet, always it is exactly what it was meant to be. One of the biggest lessons is to get out of your own way, for then the magic of the universe can come into view. Gratefulness and tear inducing gratitude flow forth like a river bursting its bank. Fear threatens to rip at your sleeves, however the soothing truth that all is “perfect” in the moment, calms and disperses the beast.
Part of the New Year for me and you, my reader, shall be a change in this blog. As I stated earlier I shall be shifting the format to a “Quote Interactive” journey. I am still wanting and needing your favorite quotes, my hat of folded up quotes needs more to choose from. Send me your faves! I would also love to know why you like them, if you are brave enough to share. You can get them to me through the comment section or email me at walkingnakedtruth@gmail.com. I am looking forward to this new experience upon the page. It will challenge me in a new way, opening me up as a writer, and connecting me to my readers. I thank you in advance for your amazing gracious interaction.
“This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted.” ~C. S. Lewis
I don’t know how your 2017 unfolded, I hope it was full of vibrant gifts, joyful becomings, and loving grace. I humbly bow in gratitude for all the days you showed up to share time with me, I am truly touched. I can’t wait to step into all the magnificence of 2018. Happiest of New Year to you and yours!!
May you end the year and start the year being YOUR TRUTH with JOY.
In the world I have grown up in, I was taught to go after goals, plan and focus around the concrete accomplishments. I was never good at this, unless it was orchestrated around a “feeling” experience that I wanted to have. If we really look at our goals, this is true of all of us at the core. Let’s peek a bit deeper at this.
Think about the very common desire to have more money. Is it really so you can hold pieces of dyed colored paper in your hand, or know that you have stacks of it in a bank somewhere? No, the desire is to have more money, so that you can do the things you want to do, buy the things you want, etc… You want the money to manifest an experience in your life that gives you a “feeling”. The joy shared on a trip with people. The sensation of feeling good in the new outfit you purchased. The enjoyment felt over a fun meal out with friends. You get the idea.
“Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.” ~Plato
What about the goal of a degree, job, home, relationship, health??? When you dissect any goal, you will arrive at a way you want to feel. Something that you want to experience, which is emotionally based. So, what would happen if we flipped our typical teaching of focusing on a “goal” to focusing on a “feeling/desire” – how would the journey to reach that desire focused goal change? Would it become more fun along the way? Would delightful surprises show up because you were more open, joyful and present?
Some of the early teachers of this thought, Joseph Campbell, Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, Tony Robbins, etc.., have been trying to get the old paradigm to shift. It is funny how slowly we navigate such changes, for our traditional schooling system still focuses on the concrete, the college driven focus, with specific hoops to jump in order to succeed. What would shift in the classroom if we changed our approach to “What do you desire for your life?’, “What do you want to experience?” Versus “What do you want to have?”
“The starting point of all achievement is desire.” ~Napoleon Hill
More and more authors, coaches and speakers are sharing the philosophy of following your “bliss” to create the life you want. Bringing to the forefront that it is human nature to be driven by our feelings. We want things for the emotional sensation it gives us. I wonder if the next generation will adopt this understanding? How will that change things?
As you prepare to enjoy your New Year celebration, what do you want to feel and experience in 2018. Take a close look at your resolutions, why do you want to achieve them? I’ll bet you there is something you want to feel guiding each and everyone of those goals.
May today be a day of inner exploration, “What are my desires, what do I want to feel, what do I want to experience in living my life???”
“Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” ~Rumi
A.C.T. (always choose truth) with connected awareness to your feelings, making decisions in your moments that serve your desire to feel a certain way, peaceful, content, happy, loving, kind…. In so doing, I wonder how your “to do” list will change with this focus?
You know how you have those poignant moments in your life when a conversation stops the clock? Time stands frozen, for what is being discussed touches a deep place, it may be painful, celebratory, life altering, a pure ah-ha, or… I was recently thinking about one of those moments in my life from years ago. I was sitting at my desk putting in wine orders for the local restaurants and small stores that I sold wine to, when a colleague in the industry came into the office. I said “Hello”, she stood there looking at me and stated very bluntly, “You don’t have any secrets do you? You live your life with your truth on full display?” I was caught off guard for a moment, since the subject matter was unexpected. I allowed her stated question to soak in, took a deep breath as I reflected on my life, “Yes, you are right, I do not have any secrets, I walk and live my truth without hiding. No skeletons in my closet.” She stood there a moment digesting my response, “I bet that feels very freeing” she stated with a faraway look in her eye. “Yes, it is.” I quietly responded.
“A lack of transparency results in distrust and a deep sense of insecurity.” ~Dalai Lama
Even though I have always felt like a bit of a misfit in a world of concrete and chaos, I have always been truthful about the life I live. It is in this truthful transparency that I am free to soar, to be, to share, to dance. Allowing the vulnerable truth to open windows, heal situations, and hopefully create a new awareness. My kids have always known that when they ask a question, I am going to share my truthful answer. There have been tender moments when I have looked at them with love saying, “Are you sure you want me to answer?”, for sharing heartfelt truth is not always the easy path, it comes with challenges, pain, change, as well as joy, celebration, and love.
“In the process of telling the truth about what you feel or what you see, each of us has to get in touch with himself or herself in a really deep, serious way.” ~June Jordan
The most amazing gift of walking a path of truthful transparency is the peace I experience when I look in my mirror at night before bed – there in the reflection I stand. I look deep into my eyes and I know the truth from that day. I reflect, have I walked it with love, compassion, trust, faith and done my best to be in service no matter what I am doing? Have I loved and cared for myself along the way, so I have only more to give and share? Did I share kindness in all my actions? In this closing moment of truth, before I lay my head and body to rest, I get to be truthful with the most important person in my life, me. It is my time to celebrate, be grateful, forgive, and breathe into the grace of the day I was blessed to live.
“The truth is: Belonging starts with self-acceptance. Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater than your level of self-acceptance, because believing that you’re enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect.” ~Brene Brown
I have never understood secrets or pretending. They seem to lead to a trail of tribulations, fear, struggle and ultimately a sense of loss. I sit here and think what spacious-ness I feel within, for I am willing to share a truthful answer to any question I am asked. I humbly know I have made mistakes, I have learned life lessons the hard way, I have an eclectic history, a colorful memory book, it is all a part of my thus far woven tapestry. I am grateful for each thread in that tapestry, no matter its color or texture. I wish for all people to dance a life of truthful freedom, for it allows you to be present, open, humble, and real.
“I find that when you open the door toward openness and transparency, a lot of people will follow you through.” ~Kirsten Gillibrand
As you prepare to embark on a New Year, may it be the year of free flying truth. Transparent and present with all that unfolds and becomes. A.C.T. (always choose truth) with loving awareness of your truth, while being open to the truth of others, who knows what miracles will unfold with such a journey.
During this week between Christmas and New Years, many people dig into thinking about what things they want to Change in the New Year. It’s the time to say goodbye to one year and welcome in a brand new fresh one. No matter what your age or walk of life, there is something hopeful with the thought of a New Year.
I know I certainly have been exploring what adventures I would like to experience in 2018. What behaviors, patterns, and limiting beliefs do I want to shift and change? 2017 was a huge year for me, full of diverse experiences, changes, lessons, opportunities and the delight of coming home to “Who I Am” with a new vigor, love and passion.
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” ~Seneca
It seems to be an intrinsic part of our human nature to want “Change” to happen over night. “Can we please have the big miracle, the magic shift now.” Yet, in my life experience I have gradually learned that the profound changes come with consistent small steps, fueled by determined faith, touched with an essence of surrender, a whisper of patience and a powerful punch of vulnerable passion.
As I share in my workshops and classes, it is like building a new muscle, it takes time, patience, practice, and not giving up. The gift to love yourself enough to take daily action steps, some days they are little, while other days you leap with courage. When changing an ingrained pattern, especially one that has existed since childhood, it requires an awareness of the behavior, a vision of how you wish to Change it, then it is the daily action steps you are willing to take to wire a New Way of Being? So often, we are creatures of habit, while many of those daily rituals serve us, there are of course several that do not. Or maybe they helped you to survive and get to here, but Now they no longer serve you, they hinder you.
“For a true writer, each book should be a new beginning where he tries again for something that is beyond attainment. He should always try for something that has never been done or that others have tried and failed. Then sometimes, with great luck, he will succeed.” ~Ernest Hemingway
Change is a multi-layered process, especially when we are stepping in a new direction and or way of being. There are a plethora of integral tendrils clinging to the old way, bit by bit through new ways of being we pull back a tendril to release it. As we free ourselves from the old, we gradually build up new synopsis connections to manifest the New Way of being – creating the Change we seek. It is a rewiring of the brain and body, here is one of my favorite people who is conducting profound research in this arena, I hope you find it as fascinating and exciting as I do – https://youtu.be/SkMR5eChMqQ (Dr. Joe Dispenza).
As we near the close of 2017 and move towards the beginning of 2018, I ask you, what do you desire to Change? What are you willing to do to create that Change? Are you going to give up in the first 30 days, as statistics show most people do? Or are you going to step daily with determined, loving, patient, consistent action? As always the Choice is yours…. Remember the journey does not have to be one you do alone, invite others to help, support, encourage and hold you accountable.
“It’s a wise man who understands that every day is a new beginning, because boy, how many mistakes do you make in a day? I don’t know about you, but I make plenty. You can’t turn the clock back, so you have to look ahead.” ~Mel Gibson
As you go forth today, reach deep inside to ask the questions, “Am I living the life I dream of? Do I wake up with joy for what I get to create and experience each day?” There is that old saying which is powerfully true, “If not NOW, then When???” A.C.T. (always choose truth) with a knowing that you can manifest what you desire and dream of…
I look out on a snowy winter wonderland on this Christmas Day in my part of the world. It is still and quiet as I look out my window at the bare trees decorated with their snowflake ornaments. Very happy dogs frolic merrily on the nature path across the pond, they do not care what day it is, for a walk with their human is the best present ever, a gift they celebrate with such wild glee every time they go out.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
I sit here and ponder, what is the most precious gift to me, what is the present I celebrate everyday, for I live such a blessed, beautiful, gracious life. Each day awes me with its celebrated rituals and delightful surprises. What do I wish for all people, no matter their walk of life or where they live? It is an easy answer for me, I wish for all people to be celebrating their moments living presently, free of judgment, unconditionally loving and being loved, connecting with joy to those around them, whether family, friend, or stranger. It is in the precious sweet connections in life that the memories are made. When we open our hearts and souls to others without our mind trained judgments, the world truly expands with grace. To judge, is to put up a wall, limiting not only our own expansion, but that of another as well. Today, may it be a day where you free yourself and all others of such harmful action, today may we open our hearts to the truth that we can never truly understand or know another’s path.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
On this day and every day, may we choose to celebrate the grace and magnificence that this life offers. Today and every tomorrow may we embrace this way of being: (http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc3.htm)
“Ethic of Reciprocity” passages from various religions: Bahá’í Faith to Taoism:
◦ “Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not.” “Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.” Baha’u’llah
◦ “And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself.” Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. 1
• Brahmanism:
◦ “This is the sum of Dharma [duty]: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you”. Mahabharata, 5:1517 ”
◦ “…a state that is not pleasing or delightful to me, how could I inflict that upon another?” Samyutta NIkaya v. 353
◦ Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” Udana-Varga 5:18
◦ “All men tremble at the rod, all men fear death:
Putting oneself in the place of others, kill not nor cause to kill.
All men tremble at the rod, unto all men life is dear;
Doing as one would be done by, kill not nor cause to kill.”
◦ “One should seek for others the happiness one desires for oneself.”
◦ “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12, King James Version.
◦ “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31, King James Version.
◦ “…and don’t do what you hate…”, Gospel of Thomas 6. The Gospel of Thomas is one of about 40 gospels that circulated among the early Christian movement, but which never made it into the Christian Scriptures (New Testament).
◦ Confucianism:
▪ He appears to have been the first person to record the Golden Rule in its negative form. This is sometimes referred to as the “Silver Rule.”
▪ Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you” Doctrine of the Mean
▪ “What I do not wish men to do to me, I also wish not to do to men.” Analects 15:23
▪ What a man dislikes in those who are over him, let him not display toward those who are under him; what he dislikes in those who are under him, let him not display toward those who are over him! This is called the standard, by which, as a measuring square, to regulate one’s conduct. 6
▪ “Tse-kung asked, ‘Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?’ Confucius replied, ‘It is the word ‘shu’ — reciprocity. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.'” Doctrine of the Mean 13.3
▪ He also expressed the Golden Rule in its positive form:
▪ “Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence.” Mencius VII.A.4
▪ “There are four things in the moral life of man, not one of which I have been able to carry out in my life. To serve my father as I would
expect my son to serve me: that I have not been able to do. To serve my sovereign as I would expect a minister under me to serve me:
that I have not been able to do. To act towards my elder brother, as I would expect my younger brother to act towards me: that I have
not been able to do. To be the first to behave toward friends as I would expect them to behave towards me: that I have not been able
to do. 6
◦ Ancient Egyptian:
▪ “Do for one who may do for you, that you may cause him thus to do.” The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant, 109 – 110 Translated by R.B. Parkinson. The original dates to circa 1800 BCE and may be the earliest version of the Epic of Reciprocity ever written. 2
▪ “Respect for all life is the foundation.” The Great Law of Peace.
▪ “All things are our relatives; what we do to everything, we do to ourselves. All is really One.” Black Elk
▪ “Do not wrong or hate your neighbor. For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself.” Pima proverb.
◦ Roman Pagan Religion: Religio Romana is a modern-day Neo-pagan religion based on the religion of ancient Rome:
▪ “The law imprinted on the hearts of all men is to love the members of society as themselves.”
◦Satanism: Unlike the names of other religions, the term “Satanism” has many meanings. Some refer to groups that are non-existent. The Satanic Temple has elements of the Golden Rule divided among three of its Seven Tenets:
▪ #1. “Strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.”
▪ #4. “The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo your own.”
▪ #7. “Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.” 5
◦ “Compassion-mercy and religion are the support of the entire world”. Japji Sahib
◦ “Don’t create enmity with anyone as God is within everyone.” Guru Arjan Devji 259
◦ “No one is my enemy, none a stranger and everyone is my friend.” Guru Arjan Dev : AG 1299
• Sufism, the inner mystical dimension of Islam:
◦ “The basis of Sufism is consideration of the hearts and feelings of others. If you haven’t the will to gladden someone’s heart, then at least beware lest you hurt someone’s heart, for on our path, no sin exists but this.” Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh, Master of the Nimatullahi Sufi Order.
◦ “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.” Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien
◦ “To those who are good to me, I am good; to those who are not good to me, I am also good. Thus all get to be good.”
◦ “The sage has no interest of his own, but takes the interests of the people as his own. He is kind to the kind; he is also kind to the unkind: for Virtue is kind. He is faithful to the faithful; he is also faithful to the unfaithful: for Virtue is faithful.” Tao Teh Ching, Chapter 49.
• Unitarian Universalism (referred to as Unitarianism in some countries):
◦ “The inherent worth and dignity of every person;”
“Justice, equity and compassion in human relations…. ”
“The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;”
“We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” Unitarian principles. 1,2
◦ “An it harm no one, do what thou wilt” (i.e. do what ever you will, as long as it harms nobody, including yourself). This is called the Wiccan Rede
• Yoruba: (Nigeria):
◦ “One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.”
• Zoroastrianism:
◦ “That nature alone is good which refrains from doing to another whatsoever is not good for itself.” Dadisten-I-dinik, 94:5
◦ “Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others.” Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29
Some philosophers’ statements are:
• Socrates: “Do not do to others that which would anger you if others did it to you.” (Greece; 5th century BCE).
• Plato: “May I do to others as I would that they should do unto me.” (Greece; 4th century BCE)
• Aristotle: “We should behave towards friends, as we would wish friends to behave towards us.” (This is a restricted version of the golden rule limited only towards friends. (Greece; 4th century BCE).
• Seneca, a Roman Stoic philosopher: “Treat your inferiors as you would be treated by your superiors,” Epistle to Lucilius 47:11 (Rome; 1st century CE)
• Epictetus: “What you would avoid suffering yourself, seek not to impose on others.” (Turkey, Rome, Greece; circa 100 CE)
◦ “Do not that to another which thou wouldst not have done to thyself.”
◦ “When any one questions whether what he plans to do to another will be done in accordance with the law of nature or not, let him imagine himself in the other man’s place.”
• Kant: “Act as if the maxim of thy action were to become by thy will a universal law of nature.” (Germany; 18th century CE)
• John Stuart Mill: “To do as you would be done by, and to love your neighbor as yourself, constitute the ideal perfection of utilitarian morality.” (Britain; 19th century CE)
Who knows, maybe like the “Grinch”, all our hearts shall expand on this day, so every tomorrow is richer and more humbly full of true grace. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGSs33DQ1F0)
“Where there is love there is life.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
I wish for all a very special December 25th, 2017. Soon we shall all say good bye to 2017 and welcome in the New Year of 2018. May each day expand the gratitude for that which is… A.C.T. (always choose truth) with accepting open love today, then celebrate in the miracles it creates.
In this time of year there is a lot of flurry around buying presents and doing things to prepare for shared time together. It is an interesting thing, having a specific day that we give gifts and make time to spend with family and friends. It is always something I ponder, even as a kid I thought “Why do we not do all of this just because we WANT to and we CARE?” As I have grown up and gotten caught on the hamster wheel of our chaotic society, I am sadden by the harsh reality that if we did not have specific dates set aside, we would not take the time to be together or share gifts.
The other night I was blessed to present to a local Meetup group. I shared one of my favorite processes, “Mirror Work”; a mini-class of what I offer in longer workshops. It was a fabulous evening, with an incredible group of women. They dug into the work with such authentic presence, very awe inspiring. At this point you are asking me, “What does this have to do with Christmas and the sharing of gifts and time together?” A great question!! It has to do with RECEIVING and the Infinite Loop of “Giving and Receiving”, one does not exist without the other.
“I don’t need a holiday or a feast to feel grateful for my children, the sun, the moon, the roof over my head, music, and laughter, but I like to take this time to take the path of thanks less traveled.” ~Paula Poundstone
My life journey has graced me with powerful experiences on both sides of this glorious loop. Humbly bringing me to my very knees at times. Forcing me into awareness of the pure grace in learning how to receive. I love to give, that is the easy part, as many of us know. However, it has been my experience that most people sincerely struggle with receiving. Why is this? What have we been taught that makes this an awkward uncomfortable experience, especially if it is a personal compliment we are receiving?
The other day I went for a glorious walk along the river. I was lost in my own quiet thoughts and dreams, when I passed a gentleman who stopped me to share, “What beautiful hair you have.” Totally caught off guard, I came to a complete stop, looked this man in the eye, smiled and thanked him with true gratitude while reaching out totouch his shoulder. As we walked on in our separate directions, I marveled at how deeply a sincere compliment can touch our hearts and souls. Now here is where the power of the “Mirror Work” comes in, most people will respond to such a compliment with an internal and often external retort that denies the compliment. Here is an example, I tell a woman I meet, “What beautiful eyes you have, they are very bright and expressive.” She says “Thank you”, to me, while internally saying “Does she really mean that, my eyes are not that beautiful, what does she mean by expressive…” It has been my experience over the years as I teach and guide, that people have a very strong internal negative dialogue with themselves. They do not even notice, it has become a habit. Not only is it awkward to receive the compliment, they will often deny or counter it through their own “self talk”. They say things to themselves that they would never say to a friend or family member.
“A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.” ~James E. Faust
Learning how to receive graciously with an open heart, soul and mind is a powerful experience. It is the half of the Infinite Loop which needs a little work. I am grateful that life has taught me this important lesson, for it has enriched my life in profound ways. I am completely humbled at how often I am gifted to breathe deep in the rich gratitude for all that I get to Receive. It enhances the joy I feel when I Give, bolstering the experience with a keen awareness of the need for a FULL LOOP.
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” ~Henry David Thoreau
As you go forth into the Holidays, I wish for you an open heart, soul, and mind as you GIVE and RECEIVE. May you take a moment to truly connect during this exchange, for that will lift the experience as nothing else can. A.C.T. (always choose truth) with loving grace as you open to receive and share…
I smile when I think about children, especially around Christmas time. I remember so well trying to sleep on Christmas Eve, working hard to stay in bed, to not sneak out to see if Santa found my chimney and stocking. Now that my kiddos are teens/young adults, it changes, the innocent over the top joy is no longer expressed in such carefree wonder. I miss those times, when my children were young and when I was young.
Why? I ponder? Do we grow out of our innocent joyful exuberance? Why, do we not exude playful wonder and curiosity in our everyday life? If we did, how might our lives change? For the last couple of months, since I had some big life shifts, I have been welcoming home that childlike heart and soul. Waking up with curiosity for what the day might share with me. Open to the wonder and miracles which will dance into my world. Each day has gifted me with something to ponder, celebrate, explore, learn from, dance with…
“You can be childlike without being childish. A child always wants to have fun. Ask yourself, ‘Am I having fun?” ~Christopher Meloni
In my house, I think the serious mature one is my fifteen year old daughter. The next in line for seriousness, although he is quite playful, is my nineteen year old son. Then there is me, willing to spontaneously do a jig, a loud ta-da, or be silly in some other way. Now, I do not want you to get the wrong impression, to run a business, write, teach and work with clients I do share a quiet, deep thinking, completely present side as well. However, of recent, I have been choosing to maintain a level of wonder and innocence as I work hard. The gift it is giving me, is an inner joyful sensation of possibility, of raw potential that I might miss if I stayed stoic and rigid. It graces me with a heart that is open and willing to roll with all that comes to be. I trust that “life is happening FOR ME” not against me. This mindset changes everything.
Now that I have lived the first fifty plus years, many of them trying to be responsible and serious, I have decided that I want to live the next fifty with a different way of being. I believe, call me crazy, that one can do both – be childlike, joyful, innocent and productively, serious, successful. Maybe this blend will make the whole journey a true adventure, full of surprises and playfulness along the way. I look around at our pomp and circumstance, our seriousness, our rigid control, and private keeping – why? What does it give one? What does it make you feel inside? What does it add to your life?
“To be more childlike, you don’t have to give up being an adult. The fully integrated person is capable of being both an adult and a child simultaneously. Recapture the childlike feelings of wide-eyed excitement, spontaneous appreciation, cutting loose, and being full of awe and wonder at this magnificent universe.” ~Wayne Dyer
I can honestly say that after having half a year that was heavy, serious, challenging, and very experientially learning for me, I welcome in and embark on being a kid again. I get to take all I have learned with me, tucking into my pockets the thus far gained wisdom. The knowledge and awareness of what I get to do next, to create more for myself and others is written down and planned. I can take care of business and work towards goals and dreams with more success if I choose to dance with JOY, WONDER, CURIOSITY, OPENNESS, and child-like faithful innocence. I don’t know, maybe I am crazy?! We shall see what unfolds as I embody the kid in me and jig forth – at least I will have a lot of fun along the way! (Yes, the picture below is me.)
“The child inside of you knows how to take things as they come, how to deal most effectively and happily with everything and everyone it encounters on this planet. If you can recapture that childlike essence of your being, you can stay ‘forever young at heart.” ~Wayne Dyer
May today be full of playful fun for you and yours. May your psyche and way of being shift from Mr/Ms.serious, to child-like innocence and joy!! A.C.T. (always choose truth) as though life is still an adventure, full of wonder and delight, for as you do this, it just might become that way!
I want to start today with a HUGE Thank You to all of you who take the time to read my blog. I know I can get “windy” sometimes, carried away by my passions and thoughts, yet you keep reading – I am in humble gratitude. I counted how many countries I have been blessed to be viewed by, 23 as of today! That is so exciting because I get the opportunity often when this happens to read a blog from that area, or my interest is piqued, so I go to learn more about the Philippines, Pakistan, Tanzania, etc…Of course my wandering heart, soul and feet, want to hop on a plane and go meet everyone. It is such a grand experience to feel that connected with others around the world.
“One of the most powerful networking practices is to provide immediate value to a new connection. This means the moment you identify a way to help someone, take action.” ~Lewis Howes
Today’s blog is all about asking for your help. Not in the way you might think. Starting January 1, 2018, I will be changing this blog. I have always been a quote freak, as I have shared before, so…. I am asking all my readers and any one else who wants to join in, to please send me your favorite quotes. You can do that by putting them in the comment section below the blog or email walkingnakedtruth@gmail.com or go to my website https://walkingnakedtruth.com/. I would love to hear why it is your favorite quote, but that of course is not required.
How this will work. As I get the quotes, I will write them down on a piece of paper, fold it up, put it in a hat and each day I will pull a new one from the group. The quote selected will then be what my blog is about that day. I will share my reaction and thoughts to the quote, opening the space for conversation and comment. If you have shared why you picked the quote, I shall include that in the blog. I am very excited to begin this journey, for I will get to learn new quotes and connect with others. It will also challenge me, forcing me to the page with no agenda and spontaneous freedom to just express.
“I write little quotes all the time to help encourage people to come together, like this one: ‘If fate happens to toss you a lightbulb, use it to light the path of others, for they will use theirs to light the path of you. With your light together with mine, it’s two times as bright and twice as strong.” ~Matthew Underwood
To conclude for today, I will share quotes – ha, imagine that!! Since I have a 21 Day Transformational Detox coming up, I am going to present quotes from Hippocrates, “the father of medicine”. If you are feeling brave, I would love to here what you think of the quotes. Look forward to receiving your favorite quotes, send in as many as you want.
“It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.
Walking is man’s best medicine.
Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.
If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.
Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” ~Hippocrates
“For all my friends in the media who like quotes, mark this quote down. From this day on I’d like to be known as ‘The Big Aristotle’ because Aristotle once said, ‘Excellence is not a singular act; it’s a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” ~Shaquille O’Neal
Enjoy this glorious day! May it be filled with inspiration and joy. A.C.T. (always choose truth) with respectful compassion towards others and it will come back to you in amazing ways!
As far back as I can remember I have loved to dance. I can still feel myself as a young girl dancing with the sunlit air dust at Spartan Village, the family housing at Michigan State University, where my parents were working on their degrees. We left “Partan Village” when I was four, to embark on the next part of the family adventure. In my young mind, I could feel the warmth of the sun on my face as I danced in its rays, the dust particles floating effortlessly around the space enchanting me. I danced, and danced, and danced. Free of all time, space, and outside interference.
“Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.” ~Martha Graham
This has never changed for me. Recently I have found myself beckoned back to the dance with an expressive need to move through, to feel, open, and heal. In it I can let go, I can fly, I can mourn, I can surrender, and completely BE. Throughout my life I have turned to dance. As I left the innocence of childhood and began to care about what others thought, I learned how to close the door and pull the shades, so I could dance with wild abandon. In anger, in joy, in courage, in blind faith, in love, in anguish, in surrender, grace, wild, and crazy – all of it is welcome in the freedom of true expressive dance. One can even stand still and dance within, the beat of the music pounds its way across our rib cage, down into our toes, around our torso and connects us to our breathing heart.
“Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.” ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.” ~Confucius
There have been times in my life that I clung to the release of dance. Growing up with acres of woods I could run forth and dance freely among the trees, no one watching. I let myself express until sweat dripped from my chin and my breath came in short gasps. Later in life as I faced traumas and challenges, I often wished for a larger space than my home, to unleash myself in the expression of dance. Closing curtains, locking doors, and turning the music to max volume, I disappeared into the purgative cleansing of body movement.
“To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking.” ~Agnes de Mille
Dance is a homecoming. It brings ALL of our being into the space of self-oneness. If you research the power of dance you will find that it has healing effects for the body, mind and spirit. Here are few videos and articles that share this powerful truth:
” The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” ~Alan Watts
In the last few months I find myself really exploring dance, wanting to bring it into my work with clients and workshops. The first step for me is using myself as the proverbial “guinea pig” exploring, researching, trying out new things, and allowing the answers I seek to surface. Dance in the American culture is often just thought of in the bar scene, or on the stage as a performance. We do not want to do it anywhere else for me might look silly. Yet, I ask you, can you watch these and not smile, not want to wiggle and join in? Can you find a person that is not responding with joy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_hlvRNgGOQ More than 250 people participated in a ‘feelgood’ stunt this morning during rush hour at the Central Station in Antwerp, Belgium.
“I believe it is in my nature to dance by virtue of the beat of my heart, the pulse of my blood and the music in my mind.” ~Robert Fulghum
Dance brings me home! It centers me into my full being, in the NOW moment, and gives the maximum freedom to express. I hope you have not outgrown your childlike desire and wonder to dance. May I have this dance…
As the 21 Day Transformational Detox nears, I grow very excited to share it with those who are choosing to step up for the powerful experience. I love how when you start down a path, the amazing people and things you need show up to help you along the way. I have been blessed with two amazing women who will share their yoga and meditation gifts in some of the videos during the detox – WOW, what a treat for me and all who will be on the journey! I am humbled by their offer to share. One of these beautiful women will be a participant in the Detox with her husband, so she will be able to share with you, all of their exciting changes and challenges along the way.
Then just yesterday I was gifted with my film and social media guru. I am absolutely tickled to work with this young lady who has returned into my life after six years. Her health crisis that brought her back into my world is quite the story and it completely connects to WHY detoxes are so important; in the Pre-Detox days we will share with you her story. This young woman who I delightedly get to Health Coach for the next six months, greeted my idea about her doing my filming and social media with great enthusiasm!! I am so thrilled, for it is not my forte, yet in this day and age it is the way we can touch more lives.
“What each must seek in his life never was on land or sea. It is something out of his own unique potentiality for experience, something that never has been and never could have been experienced by anyone else.” ~Joseph Campbell
These three women have no idea how grateful I am. My whole being dances with joy to receive such gracious support, help, and sharing!! It is another example of having what you need, show up when you believe and trust. I am daily graced to shake my head in glorious wonder as I step forth on my path, still completely suspended in my free fall of faith. As Joseph Campbell says, “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls”, it is true, when you are in the flow of your life purpose/passion/bliss, doors open and the path lights up.
I have miraculous moments where I just sit in supreme awe of that which just happened, or humbled to my knees by a shared experience with a client, or buzzing for hours energetically thanks to a powerful interconnected exchange. In these incredulous graced times I am inspired to keep moving towards that which calls me. I am fueled to continue my own learning, growth, and awakening so I can offer more, be more, and share more. The richest and most powerful aspect of all of this is how every soul who enters my world touches me, they bestow upon me their authentic, vulnerable, powerful, truthful presence, which fills my whole being with such gratitude, love, and humble awe.
“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” ~Joseph Campbell
I so love the human spirit. We are truly divine creatures, ready to dance to our own drum beat. Each of us having a unique gift to share with the world and all others. When we begin to live from that place of passion, life unfolds, it beckons us deeper into the vibrant space of the full expression of ourselves. Another quote from Joseph Campbell I love, “We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us”, this speaks to what I experience in so many of my clients and workshop participants, the quest for a life journey with a passionate purpose.
The grandest challenge on the path, is facing our fears (False Evidence Appearing Real) and shutting off our monkey mind, so we can hear our heart and soul guidance. When we learn to hear our own inner truth, the next step presents itself. Then it is a daily process to unravel our fears, stand up to our limiting beliefs, face our sabotage patterns, and choose to move forward in each moment with determined faith. I can honestly admit, this is not always an easy road to travel, for our fears are so ingrained and our societal taught ways of being so intense, to stand firm can challenge every fiber in your being. However, walking such a path of purposeful truth is truly indescribable, for you awaken to a life full of such vibrancy, joy, love, and grace that you become very clear that there is NO going back.
“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.” ~Joseph Campbell
Today I step forth with such immense gratitude and joy. Who knows what miracles shall unfold today. It is always a glorious adventure when we step with trust towards that which we are called to do. I am daily humbled by the people who grace my life and the gifts which light the way.
Today as you go forth, may you breathe deeply into your heart and soul, listening to your unique drum beat. As you hear it, may you be called to step towards that which brings you bliss. A.C.T. (always choose truth) with trust that as you open to hear, learn, and become, the answers to your questions will arise.
Simply Fawn 