Right Brain Planner

This is the second in a series of posts by “my Bravehearts” ♥ … Fierce and free young women of The Yes Tribe. Each of us together form a circle of strength … whispering secret messages as we journey in the direction of our dreams. ~stargardener

When she first asked me to guest post about my discoveries — my heart anxiously quickened, and Fear began to surface in that familiar way it does when I’m faced with the choice …

to say yes.

This time — I have a reminder. (Actually, I’ve surrounded myself with many little reminders.) The most obvious being the tattoo on my arm with the name that she gave me …

Braveheart.

I fought tears when I first read that word. Just like when I read a Post-it® note from another friend that said, “it’s ok to do it afraid.”

This journey started with my new approach to a new year. I usually make a long list of resolutions — but not this year. This year I did something different. My tribe of sacred souls began picking words to clothe themselves in. Words to remind them of the life that they wanted. I decided to do the same. I picked two; two words that I wanted to describe me …

Brave Warrioress

I was tired of living behind a mask of insecurities. Little by little it worked. Little by little I shed them. With baby steps, I began accessorizing my soul with brave things. I surrounded myself with reminders.

• I started an art journal all about this Brave Warrioress that I hoped to pull out from hiding. It’s full of notes from friends, quotes from the greats, splatters of messy paint, and images of bravery.
• I told a few souls that see me on a daily basis so that when they spotted the “masked-me” they would remind me to remove it. Sometimes that catches me off guard. Like when I went out dancing but stood in the corner, and my friend said, “Look at your arm, Heather. Be a Braveheart.”  

What am I supposed to say to that …

I had to say yes.

I didn’t think I’d see improvements as quickly as I have. I didn’t think that “it” would work. I didn’t think that a tribe of rebel souls could really get the “me” to come out of hiding.

I was wrong.

Because in the first few months of 2012 I have:

• run in a half marathon
• hula hooped in a bikini
• danced in public with my man
• worn shorts (I NEVER wear shorts)
• put a controversial sticker on my car
• read books that were “forbidden”

And embraced that it’s OK to be a little bit rebellious.  

I’m excited about the rest of the year. I’m thrilled to be leaping fearlessly and building my wings on the way down!

::: about Heather …

Although she once routinely answered to, Wallflower … this year she decided to bloom into something different. Opening fully … and leaping fearlessly into a life of warrioress-play with poetry on her tongue and paint on her fingers. And she invites you to do the same! ★ Join her as she writes of her transformation and discoveries at Raining Silence.

We tend to resist change: altering our habits and intentions, our definitions of who people are and what specific events mean to us. We often use labels and value statements without a thought. Especially when it comes to self-evaluation, self-care and valuing our time and talents.

Life is change.

Every day.

There are contrasts of thoughts and doing, opinions and options. There are choices that ignite our inner cranky. We are familiar with the particulars of our dailies and our relationships … That familiarity numbs us a bit at times. Our discontent and.or dreams are met with internal responses such as: “This is the way it has to be.” or “This is the way it has always been.”

And often our contrasting-baby-steps behavior and action in new directions is met with opposition. The courage and determination of our inner warrior(ess) is challenged by the people in our lives who are used to us being a certain way, because our change is igniting their inner cranky.

Our courage and determination can also be challenged by the our own doubts and perfectionistic expectations.

Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence. ~William Blake

Contraries:

• confirms change
• clarifies our intent
• not a reason to quit.

♥ What would you do {change, dare to be, want-to-do} if you knew you could not fail, Braveheart?

p.s. {on April 1st there will be a new resource to inspire new ideas about journaling … and it will be helpful to you as you dare to do what is in your heart}

Click here for daily clues … Because you will want to know more about this particular {something big}, Braveheart!

Remember: every day some ordinary person does something extraordinary. Today it’s your turn. ~Lou Holtz

If you are in pain {physical or emotional} and you read: do something extraordinary … Does it make you feel overwhelmed?

Inviting you to consider extraordinary as an option doesn’t imply that you are not already doing something extraordinary, my friend. ♥

ex·traor·di·nar·y /ikˈstrôrdnˌerē/

Extraordinary doesn’t have to be overwhelming …

You are extraordinary because of who are you. {What you be — not what you do, baby!}

You are enough.

You are more than enough. Your soul knows you are amazingly and miraculously made … Even when your emotions scream otherwise.

We do well to celebrate our baby steps. We do well to let our loved ones bring us over-sized vanilla cokes from Sonic. We do well to document the thin threads that have woven us a bridge to get us to where we are at. We are tightrope walkers, we artists. ~Mandy Steward

How about some being when there is pain. Some guilt-free being.

How about some baby steps within the moments of each day to embrace your personal extraordinary? K? ♥

Whatever you are facing right now {and all the emotion it dumps} didn’t happen {intensify to overwhelm} a day ago. Thus, it ain’t gonna be over a day from now. It is not as simple as knowing what you want or need. {Because we cannot simply “try harder” and “make it happen” when we are weary and our focus is blurred by tears and triggers over the past.}

Rest is an investment.

Sit with what you are feeling {for one minute longer than you deem comfortable or possible}; because each one will has value.

Each moment has its secret message.

It takes strength to face our sadness and to grieve, and to let our grief and our anger flow in tears when they need to. It takes strength to talk about our feelings and to reach out for help and comfort when we need it. ~Fred Rogers

Let’s grant ourselves permission to have an extraordinary day in the midst of whatever life is flinging right now. K? ♥

{flinging enough glitter to fill the space we are in right now}

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. And they shall fling glitter and abide in (commune)ity.