A+ha.

It's almost time...

It's almost birthday time, that is. Tomorrow I'll turn 45. And I can think of no better way to celebrate than to discover and tell (more of) the truth about who I am and what I believe and how I've struggled and how I am strong. To let go (or let go a little more) of what people think and own my story. Because it's true, you know: when we can tap into our own worthiness and remember who we are and to Whom we belong, life is full and beautiful and amazing. Authentic. Real. Whole. Holy. 

That's my intention for my 45th year: to keep letting go, remembering who I am, and living a full and holy life. In order to do all of these things I'll be checking out, studying, journaling about, engaging with and teaching classes on Brene Brown's work throughtout the year (which is where this rockin' quote came from: www.ordinarycourage.com). I find her work to be funny, insightful, deceptively simple, incredibly challenging, and completely life-changing. She's a truth-teller and shines the mirror in all of the places where I need the mirror to be shined. It promises to be quite a year...and I promise to share what I discover along the way with y'all. Maybe you'll consider joining me in a journey of your own self-discovery??? Just a thought...

This is what I've been talking about...

(check out this image--and lots of other cool images--at http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1Zpsvf/www.fromupnorth.com/2010/10/inspiration-gallery-139-various-quotations/)

Lose your life. Gain your life. That's the gospel reading in churches all over the world this weekend...but what does it mean? Hmmm...

To me, it means letting go of the (unrealistic and untrue) expectation that "If I only had more (time, money, friends, stuff) I'd be so much happier..." Love, happiness, fulfillment, wholeness can't be bought. Life. Cannot. Be. Purchased. Period.

Be present, people. Breathe. Connect. Let go. Let God. (a cliche, I know...but it's true). 

Show up for your life. You'll be glad you did. 

Fair? Fair. Fair!

It's fair time in Iowa. The Iowa State Fair, that is. And I love it. Absolutely love it. Why? Well...it's 11 days of pie judging and livestock shows and musical acts and rides and talent shows and food, food, food. 11 days where people of all walks of life get together to just "be". People take time at the fair to stroll, sit, have a drink, grab a bite to eat, enjoy some of the simpler things in life. 

Maybe the fair should be a model for life all year round...

An invitation.

Come, come, whoever you are.
Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow
a hundred times.
Come, yet again, come, come.
--Rumi

Best quote of the day.

Instructions given from the guide when putting my kayak into the Des Moines River this morning: "Keep your nudity to yourself." Not that I had planned on sharing my nudity with anyone...but I'm curious now: what prompted that rule to be made in the first place? There's a story there...

Wherever two or three are gathered...

So, it's still Birthday Month. Actually, I'm only a week into the whole celebration and so far I have caught up with 22 different friends over breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, coffee, e-mail and skype. My question so far is: why does this have to be a special "Birthday Month" thing? It's true: wherever two or three are gathered, God is there. These are holy, sacred, life-giving conversations filled with laughter, memories, dreams and stories. When I share my highs with someone (and when they share their highs with me), I feel connected. I know I am not alone. Same with my lows. We are hardwired for relationship. We are supposed to do life with others.

Don't wait for Birthday Month to connect, OK? Get out there. Talk. Listen. Connect. It's the best. gift. ever. 

Oops. Excuse me. I'm sorry. I'm a klutz.

“Gaining enlightenment is an accident. Spiritual practice simply makes us accident-prone.” Suzuki Roshi

I am one of the clumsiest people I know. Truly. The records in my doctor's office hold the proof: broken bones, torn ligaments, inflamed tendons...all of which happened while I was having fun (or attempting to, anyway).

I guess the way I look at it is this: if living full-out means risking injury every now and then, then I'll keep the crutches close by. What's the alternative: sitting on the couch? Watching the world go by? Living in fear that I might get hurt? (and I'm not just talking physical hurt here...)

That fear 'thing' is easy to give into, I know. After all, how many times do I worry about what others might think about me? (answer: waaaay too much). What if they think I look silly? What if they tell others that I'm making a fool of myself? What if they laugh at me? What if they don't like me the way I am?

Oh, wow. All of those "what if's..." are intended to keep me safe but after awhile they start to really add up and do a number on my heart and soul.

Not cool. 

So here's to living an accident-prone life. Practice living each and every day. Jump in there. Dare to step out. Try something that opens you up. Live fully. Wholeheartedly. You just never know when enlightenment will set in...

"Those people." (fyi: They. Are. Us.)

I'm (re)reading Brene Brown's book "I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't)" and stumbled across this thought today: 

"In a culture of shame, we are constantly overwhelmed with feelings of fear, blame and disconnection. This creates an 'us and them' world. There are people like us, and then there are "those other people."  And, we normally work very hard to insulate ourselves from "those people." ... We emotionally and physically insulate ourselves from "the other." It never seems to end. We've developed language to describe the others--sometimes we refer to them as "those people" or the even more mysterious "people like that." ... the one concept that I believe has the biggest potential for helping us overcome shame is this: We are "those people." The truth is...we are the others.

She's right, you know. We belong to one another because we belong to God. Or if that language doesn't sit well with you, we belong to one another because there is something there (essence, a higher power, Love, whatever) that created us, that binds us together, that holds us regardless of who we are or where we have been. 

We. Need. Each. Other.

Period. 

So, think on this: there is no 'us.' There is no 'them.' There is only 'we.' 

And when 'we' understand that this is the truth, then (and only then) will the world change. 

Make fun of it all you want, but Birthday Month rocks.

Birthday Month. Not a day. Not even a week. A whole month. And it begins today.

Why a month? Why not? It's not about getting gifts. It's not even all about me. It's about taking time to be grateful for this life I've been given. So every day this month, I will spend at least 30 minutes catching up with friends over a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, breakfast, lunch, dinner or e-mail exchanges or phone calls or skype chats. The whole idea is to take time to laugh, cry, tell stories, dream dreams and remember that life is short and life is good and relationships are what it's all about.

So celebrate with me! If you can, share your hopes and dreams with a friend. Share them with me if you want. I'd love to hear them. Or just write them down. Get them out there--what do you crave, desire, grieve, long for? What's keeping you from living life full out?

Once you get it out there, pay attention. Show up for your life. Share. Laugh. Cry. Live full out. And don't forget to breathe...