I have no idea why, as I sat here to write, the idea of dragons popped into my head. So here we are. First I looked up the spirit animal meaning:
"The dragon Spirit is drawn to people of intellect, dignity, contagious enthusiasm and authority. Dragons guide such individuals toward brilliance and, indeed, enlightenment. In this setting your Dragon Spirit Animal teaches you to roar - finding your voice, being heard and truly understood." - Google search for "Dragon Spirit Animal"
Then I looked up the cultural significance / history:
This is a quote from Sara Avant Stover's book, The Book of She. I have found it invaluable this week. Saying this as an affirmation is truly transformative. Any negative thoughts or attitude that might be less than stellar can absolutely be turned around with a little creative thinking. Sounds like "base metal to gold" to me!
We don't need to know exactly how. All we need to do is hold this intention. Spirit, the unconscious mind, a higher power, (whatever your belief is) takes over and our focus is left on the opportunity for wisdom and love contained in the same circumstance that we could have stewed about for days. WHO HAS TIME FOR THAT? I have to keep it moving in a positive way. There is absolutely no time to waste on things like second guessing, worry, guilt or the like.
What if we were our own complaint department? What if every time we complained about anything, we had to answer for it?
I'd like to imagine a world where, instead of complaining, we all DID something toward positive change of the things we don't like. If we're not sure WHAT to do, we would LEARN.
I watched two documentaries this week. One was about Trump, the other about Clinton. They can both be found on demand at CNN.
How many of us complaining about one candidate or the other have visited each of their websites, or learned more about them, have taken any kind of stand on the issue that we complain about, have written our congresspeople, have volunteered for a cause?
I found myself complaining this week (unrelated to the candidates or the election) and it was not pleasant. I had to make a conscious effort to ask myself what I could do to change my situation. After taking some action toward accomplishing some goals, I felt better. It seems as if to complain is to sit back and put blame on others, while giving our power away to them. We have our own power. We can do SOMETHING. In activating our own personal power, we can generate a more positive outlook within ourselves. If THAT is our state of mind, then we can open up our own creativity and be a part of solutions instead of just being a part of a chorus of complaints.
I'm going to put a complaint box on my dresser. I'll be responsible for what goes in, and I'll be responsible for answering all complaints as well. #LetsTryIt
Where did the week go? There were a lot of workouts, an awesome We Are Family Foundation event in the city, Russell's birthday, a lost dog, tax receipts, and a coloring book (to help me keep my sanity).
It was a great time at The Bitter End (NYC) last Tuesday!
His name is Mickey and after calling the number on his tag, his owners came by almost immediately to take him home. (Try to stay out of trouble Mickey!)
I decided that I will use the next month to get back in shape, continue serious work on the next video (which demands much physical discipline), and do taxes. I worked out for seven consecutive days last week and for the record - THAT IS TOO MUCH!
I was dancing around the kitchen singing this...
"So sexy it hurts" and I WAS HURTING!!! LOL
This week I will maintain a more sensible fitness schedule with days of rest in between intense workouts. I am also pacing myself with regard to taxes and endless piles of receipts (that's where the coloring book comes in). Am I nuts? I don't think so...
:) Seriously, did anyone else get one of these "Inspirational Coloring Books" for Christmas? It's coming in handy! This is my plan to get through tax season this year. I'm using it to detox and maintain a sense of creativity in my office. After I get through a segment of tax chores (i.e. reconciling an account or getting through one pile of receipts), I take a break to color.
So far it seems to be helping, except I am getting a cramp in my hand. I am considering a trip to the art store to get a wider variety of colored pencils.
"So in this dream... my mother appeared, and there was her face, completely clear, particularly her eyes, and she said to me, very gently, very reassuringly: "Let it be."
It was lovely. I woke up with a great feeling. It was really like she had visited me at this very difficult point in my life and gave me this message: Be gentle, don't fight things, just try and go with the flow and it will all work out."
Early in the week I had an "idea" day. They just started coming to me, so I wrote them all down. I remember having a lot of work to do, but the ideas just kept rolling in and I thought, "Ok... So, this is going to be a creative day." I went with the flow. Every time an idea came, I stopped to write it down. New thoughts for videos, songs, sayings to put with pictures in photoshop and business plans kept popping into my head.
As the week progressed, I kept busy. I made a "to do" list based off of the list of ideas and plowed through the tasks one by one. It was a great week! There was a fantastic gig in the city, a LOT got accomplished, and I managed to get the ball rolling on some great new ideas!
Things seemed to fall right into place.
At church, the minister talked about the process of setting intentions and manifesting what we desire in our lives. She made a clear distinction between going after what we want with forceful purpose, as opposed to relaxing, letting go, and simply allowing. I was reminded of how the ideas seemed to flow so naturally this week, and the amazing number of things I accomplished without feeling frustrated.
When I got home and began writing this, I started singing "Let It Be," so I looked it up and found the great story of its origins (posted above). Staring at me from the coffee table was a book I bought a few weeks ago: "What Do You Do With An Idea" (Written by Kobi Yamada, Illustrated by Mae Besom). I finally picked it up and read it. It is perfectly wonderful!
"This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps bring it into the world. As the child's confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who's ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It's a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's just getting started."
- What Do You Do With An Idea, inside jacket cover
This week, I will notice the ideas as they come. I will give them some attention and take positive action toward their growth. I will relax and allow them to flow. I will let it be - and it will be...
