Got Joy?

 Just Own Yourself ™

"The future, higher evolution will belong to those who live in joy, who share joy, and who spread joy."   ~Torkom Saraydarian

Pure Potential

Just Own Yourself ™

PURE POTENTIAL

“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing – that's why we recommend it daily.”

~Zig Ziglar

Right on.  Now Zig is definitely speaking my language!  If I don’t submerge myself in motivational bathing on a regular basis, life becomes more challenging for me to navigate.  That’s why I’m always on the lookout for new, inspirational material.  This past Sunday, I had my very first sampling of Bishop T.D. Jakes, and I am HOOKED!!  Holy cow, does he ever deliver a message with pure power and inspiring impact!!! Absolutely incredible. 

Bishop T.D. Jakes (hello, how come I’ve never heard of him before today – one of my new favorite people ever!!) had me whooping and hollering in my living room like I was a guest-gone-wild in his live studio audience.  My teenage sons would’ve looked at me like I was half whacked had they been home that morning! J  I couldn’t help myself.  He has a gift of delivering such a powerful message with incredible zeal and passion, that I found myself on the edge of my couch, pumping my arm in the air with enthusiasm, totally caught up in his message of birthing new ideas.  We are ALL here for a purpose, each one of us, pregnant with pure potential and real possibility. 

Bishop Jakes was on Oprah’s new network, OWN, and his message paralleled how I’ve been feeling lately.  Inside of all of us there are new concepts, songs, books, works of art, creative ideas, business ventures, fill in the blank, just waiting to come out.  If YOU haven't said or expressed it, it hasn’t been done.  We are all unique with our own gifts to share with the world, and the world needs your unique contribution.  I cannot stress that enough.  I know, because this very feeling has been knawing at me for ten years, if not longer.  There's a place deep inside of each one of us that wants to take life to the next level, and go from surviving to thriving.  Take a chance with me.  I know you can do it!  What do you have to lose?  Absolutely nothing, but potentially a whole LOT to gain.  Step out on that ledge…believe you can fly, and we’ll soar together!    

Here I am, closing in on fifty, daring to take a chance.  It’s scary, but it’s also fun, new, exciting…and what I’ve always wanted to do – inspire others to believe in themselves and live their best life.  I encourage you to join me on this journey of being bold and adventurous, by bringing your full potential and craziest dreams to life!  We’re only crazy if we hide our God given talents and gifts…and we’re also being selfish, too – for God didn’t give us our talents to be hidden away, but to be set free to take on a brand new beautiful life of their own, and impact the lives of others.               

So, last week when I saw the online ad for Oprah’s “Super Soul Sunday” and the sneak peek of Bishop Jakes and his message of personal empowerment, I knew I had to check it out.  I caught the live stream of inspiring interviews with truly soulful people that made me come ALIVE.  It was a Super Soul Sunday, indeed!  Soak me regularly in your tub full of radically alive guests, Oprah, you just got yourself a new fan, and I want to pass the inspiration along! J

You can still catch it here: http://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/super-soul-sunday.html  Just look under ‘Full Episodes’.  Truly empowering.

As an aside, I’m not here to promote TV shows or celebrities, not getting paid to write any of this, but this was a must-share.  If you’re looking for some inspiration and motivation, no doubt you’ll find yourself as moved and inspired as I was. 

I’d love to hear your feedback…and to also learn of who moves and inspires you?  Moreso, what precious dream can I tenderly hold for you?  What is it that your heart truly desires and what do you wish to manifest?  Please let me know in the comment section and I will put you on my daily prayer list and affirm only the highest and best for you and your life.  

I believe in you!

Much love and many blessings,
~Vicki.

Do you meditate?

Just Own Yourself ™    

DO YOU MEDITATE?

 

I remember the first time I took a meditation class.  I was living in Phoenix in the late ‘80s, and signed up for introductory lessons at a place called The Center for Radical Aliveness.  With a trendy name like that, I was bound to learn how to meditate like an ancient Buddhist monk!  My neighbor, Jennifer, signed up with me.  We decided that this was clearly the hippest thing in town.  Besides, her nature was as inherently anxious as my own, so we were both looking forward to calming our minds that surely raced faster than my teenage son’s fingers sending text messages!

The first class was intimidating.  Everyone brought their own cushion and looked like they had been practicing with the Dalai Lama for years.  Not to mention, Jennifer’s breathing was so loud and nasally that all I could envision was turning my bandana into a gag to quiet her down.  I was so distracted and overwhelmed; I thought for sure this meditation thing was not for me.  Even as I sat in the lotus position to practice at home, I couldn’t sit still for more than a few minutes at a time without runaway thoughts bombarding my inexperienced mind.  I didn’t finish that course.  I also forgot about meditation for a while … or, did I?

I remember inspiring walks in the majestic Phoenix Mountains with my two golden retrievers, Thor and Thia.  I recall the tranquility I felt drinking in the beauty of the desert flora and fauna, the rejuvenation of the sun’s invigorating rays upon my face, the serenity only Mother Nature in all her glory can bring to a budding soul.  Talk about radical aliveness … as well as peace of mind.  I didn’t put it together, though, that this type of inspiration could be a form of meditation.  

I used to drive myself crazy thinking I had to be like some type of meditating guru in just the right pose, breathing just the right way, all in silence.  After I threw those expectations out the window, I found what worked for me, and discovered there really is no “right” way to do it. 

What takes your mind off the external world and brings you to a place of calm?  What brings you peace of mind?  What brings a sense of ease to your soul?  For my mom it’s reading; for my friend, Paula, it’s sewing; for me it’s a number of simple things:  listening to relaxing music; soaking in a tub of warm water; gazing at the flame of flickering candles; the aroma of sandalwood incense filling the air; taking nature walks; sitting alongside a river and just being still in the moment. These are the times when I can be fully open to feeling the peace within myself.  I’ve also discovered writing and learning to play guitar as a way to relax, as everything dissolves around me.  It’s all very therapeutic for my soul.

So, if sitting in the lotus position chanting “om” doesn’t work for you, and even if it does, what are various ways you recharge, renew and restore your spirit?  I'd love to know.  Please share in the comments section. :)

Happy meditating!

Peace & blessings to all,
~Vicki. 

Just Own Yourself ™ - the beginning

This is the message that came to me ten years ago: JOY ~Just Own Yourself~ when I was newly divorced, sad, scared and alone on Valentine’s Day.  JOY was a divine message of love, asking me to do some (okay, a lot of!:) releasing, forgiveness, and healing work, and to let go and start anew.  It was a message that, since that day, has continued to come to me years after I immersed myself into my personal healing journey, prodding me to share my story and my messages.  I fought and wrestled with becoming a writer/blogger, more accurately, a messenger, for a long time.  Then that ‘aha’ moment came to me, where I thought if someone can benefit from my personal journey, and if something I share in my disclosures can assist a fellow traveler on the path, then I will faithfully open myself up and allow the words to pour through me and become a balm of hope and faith to those who might need encouragement, inspiration and especially the knowing that they’re not alone.  This is the night it all started…

I was scared to death to be alone that Valentine’s Day ten years ago – February 14, 2002.  I was divorced, not dating anyone, and felt horribly lonely.  Wasn’t that the point of Valentine’s Day, to have a date, be with someone special to celebrate this ultra romantic holiday with, and NOT be alone?  After all, that’s all you hear or see on the radio, TV, internet, everywhere you look, turn; you see a reminder that Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate with your honey.  It’s not a day to be alone.  Ohh…I was dreading it big time!  Then, the day before Valentine’s Day, I happened to read a blog from a Dating Coach (I can’t find her now – would’ve loved to have given her credit), who told me just the opposite.  She said it’s OKAY to be alone; it’s OKAY to not have a date, and if someone found themselves in this position, she recommended we decorate our own garden and nourish our own soul.  What?  Really?  I had never thought of that before, but I loved the idea!  She gave me permission to be alone, and celebrate ME.  Yes, that is just what I would do. 

So, I made plans for a date with myself.  I picked out the perfect outfit, drove myself to the store to buy myself a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers, and took a long time picking out just the right card for myself.  In the car, every love song I heard on the radio, I pretended it was written just for me – from me – and I sang the songs aloud, celebrating myself and my beautiful spirit.  My soul was very happy, and I couldn’t wait to continue the celebration at home.  I set the flowers on my personal altar in my bedroom, put on very soothing meditation music, and lit many candles that set the stage for my first ever solo Valentine celebration.  I sat for a long time in silence, just soaking in the beauty of my simple evening.  I then took a pen with sparkly blue ink, and without thought, let the peace I was feeling guide the pen.  The card I bought said: “Sweetheart…With you, I’ve watched my dreams come true, hoping that you knew, what joy it brings to everything whenever I’m with you. With Love on Valentine’s Day.” And I added a little message to myself: “and remember I am *always* with you…always in heart, always in spirit, always in soul.  Just be who you are, and everything will always be alright.  You are beautiful.  I love you. Vicki” I signed it with my childhood name; she wanted to be a part of my life.  On the left side of the card, three letters came to me:

           J

          O

          Y

And next to the letters, my hand wrote the words:

          Just

         Own

         Yourself!

I used to think JOY meant radical happiness, like bouncing off the walls with endless, ecstatic, “Snoopy dance” energy.  I now understand JOY to mean a deep feeling of happiness or contentment.  I feel my contentment deepening as my awareness grows and my self-acceptance rises.  The calm is just beautiful.  I do believe it's been about coming to a place, an inner place, where I’ve taken responsibility for my life and I've owned myself, faults and all, accepted my upbringing (everyone is always doing the best know they know how at any given time – no one is perfect, we’re all learning as we go), and the choices and decisions I've made along the way (right or wrong, it’s all led me to where I am today and now is good); I also let go of guilt and regret after a long process of delving into personal healing.  The guilt and regret didn't serve me any longer, it was time to let that go for good, and have compassion for my young girl within who didn't deserve to be judged so harshly any longer.  I finally made peace with my past, peace with myself, and peace with the tangled journey.

Hey, I like this calm.  It feels good.  I like who and where I am, I appreciate where I've been, am grateful for the people and lessons along the way, and I am excited about where I am going.  It’s a continual journey of growth and discovery.  One of my dear friends called her journey a “continual fascination”.  What a wonderful way to look at life! She’s one of my teachers…  

In 1990 I gave myself the title “Seeking Swan”.  I guess one can say we're seeking our entire life, as we're continually evolving and changing during our earthly journey.  However, it's different now as I close in on 50.  I love singer/songwriter Jana Stanfield’s saying; “I’m not lost, I’m exploring!”  That fits.  Through it all, I've discovered it's all about self-acceptance, self-love and self-appreciation...for everything, the good and the bad, as it’s all for our highest good and our soul’s growth.  Talk about being responsible for our own lives!  I arrived at a place in life where I no longer feel the need to be on a constant quest (it was a rather frantic search at times!).  Now, there's a sense of peace, calm, knowing that whatever happens, I will get through the challenge I face and become even more whole as time passes.  It's a nice place to be and my wish is that if you find yourself struggling or confused, you will soon join me in honoring and appreciating yourself exactly where you find yourself today – wherever that is.  For in the space of loving and accepting ourselves wherever we happen to be, we begin to slowly discover self-acceptance and inner contentment...and our wings begin to flutter in anticipation of one day soaring with clarity and vision.

Here are a few things I did that helped me to get to a place of self-acceptance and find my wings; I would love your feedback, and welcome you to add to the list:

How I learned to love myself:
1)      Give myself great big hugs, especially before bedtime
2)      Create mantras and affirmations to overcome my inner critic
3)      Tape positive quotes to my bathroom mirror
4)      Light candles, listen to guided meditations
5)      Listen to inspirational music with uplifting lyrics
6)      Immerse myself in nature as often as possible
7)      Give my creative side lots of room to play
8)      Surround myself with children as they’re a wonderful source of pure joy

“Unconditional self love is the root of all we seek.”  Author unknown

Dear Beautiful Reader,
I invite you to let go of fear
I give you permission to love yourself
You are a precious, lovely soul
Your birthright is to know happiness and fulfillment
Deep within you is a place of calm
An all knowing place of contentment
Please let go of any guilt and regret
And tune into this place of love
It is there for you
Waiting to connect with you
Its only wish is that you are happy
My only wish is that you feel joy
I invite you to Just Own Yourself
And feel the Love that awaits you
Go out and play, have fun, be silly
Get to know your inner child
Rejoice in the life you have been given
Heal thyself, and know love
Pay the love forward
The world needs your light and love
I hold only the highest vision of goodness for you
And encourage you to be the light for yourself and others

I believe in you.

I love you.

xoxoxo
~Vicki.

The vibrant JOY design can be purchased here: www.zazzle.com/owningjoy