Friday, March 26, 2010

What is your sound?

"Sometimes it takes a long time to sound like yourself."
~Miles Davis

What sounds like you?

This question got several immediate comments when it went out as the question of the week last Sunday. It resonates with me too. Why? It takes self-awareness and courage to sound like myself. I suppose early on I sounded like myself and then I learned. Then I sounded like my mother or my teachers. Later I sounded like the dominant voices in the room (I liked to be liked and I hate conflict -- two powerful mute buttons). Then I wanted to sound more authentic but was sure I would be judged harshly. That was terrifying as it would affirm my worse fears. As I learned to quiet the judge, I then had to get quiet enough to hear my whole voice (not just my head voice, but my heart and gut voice). It does take a long time and it still a work in process.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Kindness begats kindness

"Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profundity.
Kindness in giving creates love." ~ Lao Tzu

Last week while I was shopping at Target, a woman said, "Hold on, I have a coupon for that." She had seen me pick up the jumbo pack of paper towels. Such a small act and yet as I notice more random acts of kindness, I feel hopeful. When I watch too many hours of "news", I worry about the evil created by fear. I am pained at the destruction we can cause in the name of power. And then there was the lady at Target. OK, she wasn't resolving world hunger or ending war, or maybe she was. Doesn't peace start within us and around us?

In Wayne Dyer's book, The Power of Intention, he sites research on the power of kindness. A single act of kindness increases the levels of serotonin in the recipient of the kindness and the one being kind. Even those who witness the act of kindness are effected the same! Kindness creates more well-being in ourselves and in those around us. Thanks Target lady for the reminder.

Leo Buscaglia said, "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Friday, March 5, 2010

What might I become?

"It is never too late to become what you might have been." ~George Eliot

It is not to late to become...?

Last week's question evoked several responses from recipients -- it is a provocative question. It has moved me to reflect as well. What path have I denied? Where have I lived small or chosen safety over passion? What path did I avoid because I did not know if I could do it well enough?

I do want to celebrate the choices I have made. Choosing a wonderful guy with whom I am continually growing. Moving to the edge of the world so I can breath clean air and hear my heart. Doing work I feel privileged to do. Living with the support of family, friends and my community.

So what is it that I have yet to become? A few things come to mind. Be more present and be more courageous. I love when I remeber to be open-heartedly present. In the moment, not working the next agenda. I have tasted those sweet moments
-- when I look at the star-cluttered sky late at night when I take Hannah outside
-- when I remember to inhale
-- when I remember now is all there is

Courage to share my creative side has been a hard road. Tom is the artist. My sister is the artist. My college roommate is the artist. And yet I know feel most alive when I allow myself to create. Not just create but to share it. I experiemented with that last year doing skits with speeches. Now I am ready to share some of the little ditties I have written. Are they stupid? Will anyone relate? Is my loving them enough? Yes. Here they come...