By Mary Gardner and Eileen Gardner
January 25, 2009
Dedicated to Robin (who coined this saying "you're not the boss of me" and made us all laugh until we were crying... and the gals at Beyond The Stuff who have helped us all work together as a team.. thru the ups and downs and finally to find ourselves all coming back to our core... to just be who we are.. and to live each day as it comes.. to not push ... .but just to evolve as we are meant to and to show up authentically! Thank you for the call today ladies.. and thank you to Kelly who inspired us to get there.
You’re not the Boss of Me!
We’re meant for unity
Can’t you even see,
I’m doing what I gotta,
Busy as a bee
Surpassing what I oughta!
You’re not the boss of Me!
Let’s walk in unity!
I’m doing my “thang”
So many, many Thangs..
Trying to keep up,
In a world full of Bling…
You’re not the boss of me!
Let’s be in unity!
I got my work to do
Trying to learn some stuff too
So when do I find time
To even make a dime?
You’re not the boss of me!
Let’s work in unity!
If I try to do what’s right
I’ll never have a fight
But that ain’t always true
Because you don’t know all I do..
You’re not the boss of me!
Let’s talk in unity!
At times you want it done
in ONE-TWO-THREE
Push me to the core….
That I’m looking for the door!
You’re not the boss of me!
Let’s live in unity!
We need time
Before we begin
To be recharged
by our spirit within!
You’re not the boss of me!
Let’s shine in unity!
So if you relax and
Try to stay calm
Answers will come
Like a healing Balm
You’re not the boss of me
Let’s love in unity!
Then you will see
That the Stuff that’s in me
Does not come
When you’re the boss of me.
You’re not the Boss of me
Let’s strive for unity!
So lets unite
And work as a team
And live our lives fully
Realizing our dream!
You’re not the boss of me..
Let us BE unity!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Creative Stuff! by Mary
I’m energized. I’m charged! I feel like an electric volt is running through my body as though I’m connected to a creative genius somewhere and they’re feeding me idea after idea after idea.
My enthusiasm is bubbling over. I have no time for drama or anything that is going to bring me down off this cloud.. why, I almost.. feel.. like KELLY BROWN!!!
(Kelly is always up and a great source of inspiration to me!)
But its just so exciting to be working in this space right now. I’m effective, I’m clear, and I’m getting so much done. I’m being productive in every aspect of my life, as if fulfilling a mission on this earth that has a certain time limit. Everyone I come across is getting a bucket of enthusiasm coming their way, because I can’t contain it right now.. it’s the spirit within me expressing joy.
Okay, I really DO sound like Kelly now!! Kelly, soon the world is going to know this as “The Kelly Syndrome!”
But honestly, I am so happy that its happening! I used to have this when I was promoting certain speakers that inspired me personally. When I learned “who” they were about… I could go to my office and make 100 phone calls to all of the colleges across the united states that I worked with and would tell them about this ONE speaker who had ROCKED my world.. and that they absolutely HAD to consider booking this person. When this happened.. and it didn’t happen all the time, then basically, no one could turn me down. It became a bidding contest to see who could book the speakers schedule first. That enthusiasm would inspire people to take action and run to their bosses to get the decision made to book the speaker I suggested.
For instance, when I met Bobby Kennedy Jr, , he came to the office and I went to the lobby to shake his hand. Being a conservative most of my life, I wasn’t “blown away” by the Kennedy name so I confidently shook his hand. But when I SHOOK his hand.. his hand SHOOK ME! I felt a bolt of electricity run through me that was like OH My gosh.. this person HAS something! He looked me in the eyes and was so sincere, and as I spent more and more time with him, I came to understand that the electric charge that ran into me… was the PASSION that Bobby had bubbling out of HIM for the environment and for teaching people about the environment!
So after I met him and developed my little 5 minute crush, I went to the phones and basically called my top clients and told them. I promise you this: “You HAVE to book him. Do whatever you can to get your “offer” in, because I WILL book his whole schedule for the year.. THIS WEEK.” And I did. It was Friday night on the last day that I worked at Keppler Speakers, and the offers were still coming in, and I did what I said I’d do. I booked his WHOLE year full of dates.. in one week!
So HIS passion, inspired Me to take ACTION which allowed thousands of people across the US to be able to be further inspired by a man dedicated to his cause. According to the dictionary, Inspiration means: “Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.” And that is exactly what happened to me.
Why has it happened to me? I’m becoming more and more clear of my purpose in the world, to inspire people to live “Beyond their Stuff” and to be able to live with love and with health as they go about on their journey.
I also believe that being a part of a team like the BTS gals, who share their ideas, their thoughts, and even their dislikes nearly every day, continues to rub that creative spark that I have boiling in my own mind and body.
I believe that creative expression in the world is going to start happening at a faster and faster rate. Along with the stress that some people will feel, are the other people who understand how friction can create the genius to come out in all of us.
I choose to go the route of inspiration, creativity and joy… How about you? What do you choose?
My enthusiasm is bubbling over. I have no time for drama or anything that is going to bring me down off this cloud.. why, I almost.. feel.. like KELLY BROWN!!!
(Kelly is always up and a great source of inspiration to me!)
But its just so exciting to be working in this space right now. I’m effective, I’m clear, and I’m getting so much done. I’m being productive in every aspect of my life, as if fulfilling a mission on this earth that has a certain time limit. Everyone I come across is getting a bucket of enthusiasm coming their way, because I can’t contain it right now.. it’s the spirit within me expressing joy.
Okay, I really DO sound like Kelly now!! Kelly, soon the world is going to know this as “The Kelly Syndrome!”
But honestly, I am so happy that its happening! I used to have this when I was promoting certain speakers that inspired me personally. When I learned “who” they were about… I could go to my office and make 100 phone calls to all of the colleges across the united states that I worked with and would tell them about this ONE speaker who had ROCKED my world.. and that they absolutely HAD to consider booking this person. When this happened.. and it didn’t happen all the time, then basically, no one could turn me down. It became a bidding contest to see who could book the speakers schedule first. That enthusiasm would inspire people to take action and run to their bosses to get the decision made to book the speaker I suggested.
For instance, when I met Bobby Kennedy Jr, , he came to the office and I went to the lobby to shake his hand. Being a conservative most of my life, I wasn’t “blown away” by the Kennedy name so I confidently shook his hand. But when I SHOOK his hand.. his hand SHOOK ME! I felt a bolt of electricity run through me that was like OH My gosh.. this person HAS something! He looked me in the eyes and was so sincere, and as I spent more and more time with him, I came to understand that the electric charge that ran into me… was the PASSION that Bobby had bubbling out of HIM for the environment and for teaching people about the environment!
So after I met him and developed my little 5 minute crush, I went to the phones and basically called my top clients and told them. I promise you this: “You HAVE to book him. Do whatever you can to get your “offer” in, because I WILL book his whole schedule for the year.. THIS WEEK.” And I did. It was Friday night on the last day that I worked at Keppler Speakers, and the offers were still coming in, and I did what I said I’d do. I booked his WHOLE year full of dates.. in one week!
So HIS passion, inspired Me to take ACTION which allowed thousands of people across the US to be able to be further inspired by a man dedicated to his cause. According to the dictionary, Inspiration means: “Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.” And that is exactly what happened to me.
Why has it happened to me? I’m becoming more and more clear of my purpose in the world, to inspire people to live “Beyond their Stuff” and to be able to live with love and with health as they go about on their journey.
I also believe that being a part of a team like the BTS gals, who share their ideas, their thoughts, and even their dislikes nearly every day, continues to rub that creative spark that I have boiling in my own mind and body.
I believe that creative expression in the world is going to start happening at a faster and faster rate. Along with the stress that some people will feel, are the other people who understand how friction can create the genius to come out in all of us.
I choose to go the route of inspiration, creativity and joy… How about you? What do you choose?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Fear of Failure and Other Stuff I Made Up - by Liimu
This morning, after a weekend of binge-eating cereal and pepperoni pizza, cheesesteak (hey, I'm from Philly, yo) and fries, I was not surprised to see the scale register that I had gained three pounds. What I had not anticipated were the words that popped out of my mouth:
"you deserve that."
I leaped off the scale, surprised by the anger I heard in the small voice that broke the early morning silence of my downstairs bathroom. What the hell was that about? Was I really eating so that I'd see that number go up, because in some way I felt I deserved to see the number go up? Was I sabotaging myself, and if so, why?
I thought back to the previous weekend I'd spent with all my sisters flitting around me like
beautiful butterflies, tending to each other, their children, their needs, while I sat in their midst waiting for them to touch down on my flower and suck from my stamen. My petals were wilted, my stem laying on the ground from all the activity. I hadn't realized I'd felt so drained until this morning, when I realized that I'd fallen completely to the wayside during that day. Not only that, but I'd gone to them with my petals fully opened, every color exposed, waiting for them to say how sweet I smelled, how beautiful my hues, how much I brightened the room. As much as I told myself I was happy to serve them, the truth is, the experience left me feeling less than, feeling like my beauty paled in comparison, my successes nothing when placed against the backdrop of my sister's glamorous invitations to the inaugural balls and high-powered clients.
This morning, when I realized that I had fallen into my old trap of eating and regretting it, it was the first time I realized that it was tied into this feeling of being less than. Like no matter how much I succeed, I will never fully measure up. No matter how hard I work on my body, someone else will always be the beautiful one in the family. No matter how successful I am, someone else will always be the business mogul. No matter how my creative exploits take off, someone else will always be the intense creative one. This is why I drank, people. Because I felt like the only role that was left in my family was the role of the royal screw up. If I was going to be the best at something in my family, the only thing left was to be the biggest disappointment.
Now, I know today that is CRAP. I know that left to my own musings, I am pretty damned amazing, and getting more amazing with each passing day. I know this venture of Beyond the Stuff is on its way to impacting people positively on a global scale - to bring hope and encouragement to millions, that is what I have the power to do if I cast the negative thoughts aside like an annoying gnat buzzing through my field of vision. I know that I am no longer on a path of self-destruction. I'm on a path of enlightenment and beauty.
So, to those of you out there who have people in your life who make you feel small or cause you to question your own value (even if they don't say anything, sometimes old dynamics run deep), I say BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. You always have the power to create your own internal script, you can be your own cheerleader. And when the voices that are making you feel small are your own, I offer you advice I got from one of my first sponsors: Say to the Committee in your head:
"Thank you for sharing. We're not gonna go there today. Maybe tomorrow. I'll get back to you."
And then go on about your business, the business of being FABULOUS.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a six year old, who happens to think I'm the most amazing woman who ever walked on this Earth.
"you deserve that."
I leaped off the scale, surprised by the anger I heard in the small voice that broke the early morning silence of my downstairs bathroom. What the hell was that about? Was I really eating so that I'd see that number go up, because in some way I felt I deserved to see the number go up? Was I sabotaging myself, and if so, why?
I thought back to the previous weekend I'd spent with all my sisters flitting around me like
beautiful butterflies, tending to each other, their children, their needs, while I sat in their midst waiting for them to touch down on my flower and suck from my stamen. My petals were wilted, my stem laying on the ground from all the activity. I hadn't realized I'd felt so drained until this morning, when I realized that I'd fallen completely to the wayside during that day. Not only that, but I'd gone to them with my petals fully opened, every color exposed, waiting for them to say how sweet I smelled, how beautiful my hues, how much I brightened the room. As much as I told myself I was happy to serve them, the truth is, the experience left me feeling less than, feeling like my beauty paled in comparison, my successes nothing when placed against the backdrop of my sister's glamorous invitations to the inaugural balls and high-powered clients.This morning, when I realized that I had fallen into my old trap of eating and regretting it, it was the first time I realized that it was tied into this feeling of being less than. Like no matter how much I succeed, I will never fully measure up. No matter how hard I work on my body, someone else will always be the beautiful one in the family. No matter how successful I am, someone else will always be the business mogul. No matter how my creative exploits take off, someone else will always be the intense creative one. This is why I drank, people. Because I felt like the only role that was left in my family was the role of the royal screw up. If I was going to be the best at something in my family, the only thing left was to be the biggest disappointment.
Now, I know today that is CRAP. I know that left to my own musings, I am pretty damned amazing, and getting more amazing with each passing day. I know this venture of Beyond the Stuff is on its way to impacting people positively on a global scale - to bring hope and encouragement to millions, that is what I have the power to do if I cast the negative thoughts aside like an annoying gnat buzzing through my field of vision. I know that I am no longer on a path of self-destruction. I'm on a path of enlightenment and beauty.
So, to those of you out there who have people in your life who make you feel small or cause you to question your own value (even if they don't say anything, sometimes old dynamics run deep), I say BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. You always have the power to create your own internal script, you can be your own cheerleader. And when the voices that are making you feel small are your own, I offer you advice I got from one of my first sponsors: Say to the Committee in your head:
"Thank you for sharing. We're not gonna go there today. Maybe tomorrow. I'll get back to you."
And then go on about your business, the business of being FABULOUS.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a six year old, who happens to think I'm the most amazing woman who ever walked on this Earth.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Power of Silent Stuff - by Robin Gorman Newman
I'm actually not sure what to blog about today.
I had planned to get this done much earlier, but my day got away from me.
I can't complain. I do believe that things flow as they should, but it it did throw me off schedule.
I had a 10AM call planned to discuss a project for my moms venture, http://www.motherhoodlater.com/, and what I thought would be a 1/2 hour phone chat turned into 1.5 hours.
Then, my 90 year old dad with health challenges, called, and we discussed some alternative approaches he might explore for his ailments. (I'm always on the lookout for something that might help him to feel better.)
That put me behind in my plans to tackle various items on my To Do list.
Before I knew it, it was time to run out the door. I had an appointment for a private discussion/meditation session with a woman at an amazing place in town called Global Harmony House. http://www.ghhny.com/ It's a worldwide organization that teaches raj yoga meditation, which I embrace. It has changed my life, though I don't practice it nearly as I should.
But, a number of years ago, I had a major health scare, and through meditation, I was able to learn the benefits of silence. Going into myself to learn to trust my gut and to hear my inner voice. It gave me tremendous clarity and decision-making power.
I definitely need more of that. I'm feeling very indecisive and a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I'm in that racing the clock mode, and I don't like it.
I'm trying to make a few decisions re: projects to move forward with, and I'm getting all caught up in the details and it's making me feel somewhat stuck. I find that when I feel like I have too much on my plate, I just cannot think clearly.
I need to somehow take a step back and dwell less on all the minutia. It doesn't help to overthink a situation.
That is part of what we discussed in my meditation session today.
People are so busy and think way too much. We don't always allow ourselves to feel and just be. And, the more we think, the more we can get overwhelmed with thoughts that are self-defeating. We anticipate that something may seem harder than it would really be if we just tackled it. Even if that meant breaking it down into steps that make it more approachable for us.
But, why is it so hard to give yourself permission for some silence? I'm SO bad at allowing that for myself. And, then we wonder how we could be more joyful. If our brains are constantly on overdrive, we don't even know after awhile what does make us happy.
I am truly guilty of that.
And, in a fast paced city like NY, where I live, we are surrounded by noise and the desire for achievement.
At least I have the awareness of my behavior and attitude.
I will endeavor to stop and breathe more during the day. To get into a periodic mode of silence. To allow my creative juices to flow. To invite answers to come to me. And, to be grateful for all the exciting projects I am involved with...and for my health...loved ones.....etc.
I know that I will ultimately know what choices are best for me.
I had planned to get this done much earlier, but my day got away from me.
I can't complain. I do believe that things flow as they should, but it it did throw me off schedule.
I had a 10AM call planned to discuss a project for my moms venture, http://www.motherhoodlater.com/, and what I thought would be a 1/2 hour phone chat turned into 1.5 hours.
Then, my 90 year old dad with health challenges, called, and we discussed some alternative approaches he might explore for his ailments. (I'm always on the lookout for something that might help him to feel better.)
That put me behind in my plans to tackle various items on my To Do list.
Before I knew it, it was time to run out the door. I had an appointment for a private discussion/meditation session with a woman at an amazing place in town called Global Harmony House. http://www.ghhny.com/ It's a worldwide organization that teaches raj yoga meditation, which I embrace. It has changed my life, though I don't practice it nearly as I should.
But, a number of years ago, I had a major health scare, and through meditation, I was able to learn the benefits of silence. Going into myself to learn to trust my gut and to hear my inner voice. It gave me tremendous clarity and decision-making power.
I definitely need more of that. I'm feeling very indecisive and a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I'm in that racing the clock mode, and I don't like it.
I'm trying to make a few decisions re: projects to move forward with, and I'm getting all caught up in the details and it's making me feel somewhat stuck. I find that when I feel like I have too much on my plate, I just cannot think clearly.
I need to somehow take a step back and dwell less on all the minutia. It doesn't help to overthink a situation.
That is part of what we discussed in my meditation session today.
People are so busy and think way too much. We don't always allow ourselves to feel and just be. And, the more we think, the more we can get overwhelmed with thoughts that are self-defeating. We anticipate that something may seem harder than it would really be if we just tackled it. Even if that meant breaking it down into steps that make it more approachable for us.
But, why is it so hard to give yourself permission for some silence? I'm SO bad at allowing that for myself. And, then we wonder how we could be more joyful. If our brains are constantly on overdrive, we don't even know after awhile what does make us happy.
I am truly guilty of that.
And, in a fast paced city like NY, where I live, we are surrounded by noise and the desire for achievement.
At least I have the awareness of my behavior and attitude.
I will endeavor to stop and breathe more during the day. To get into a periodic mode of silence. To allow my creative juices to flow. To invite answers to come to me. And, to be grateful for all the exciting projects I am involved with...and for my health...loved ones.....etc.
I know that I will ultimately know what choices are best for me.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I already won the Lottery! by Kelly
My Absolute Favorite place in China thus far, The Unbelievably Beautiful Yellow Mountain.So everyday… every single day (without exception), at some point in the day I find myself laughing while tears simultaneously roll down my face (how I also imagine my reaction will be when I win the lottery)… and then I discover again… that I have indeed already won the lottery.
I’m not sure when and I’m not sure exactly how… but somewhere along the way during the past 5 years through the seeming good and bad… I discovered something so incredible and something so wonderful---I truly feel like I’ve won the lottery every single day!
Now for those of you who know me well, you know my life has not been perfect… (because an extreme positive attitude like mine might inspire one who doesn’t know me to think my life has been extraordinarily easy). Many of you know I’ve lived through my own share of ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies much like everyone faces at some point in life… and in some cases more than most, and you know what?
As I grow to be more present in the moment, happy in whatever the day brings, and trusting that everything will work out to my benefit (even when sometimes in the moment it doesn’t appear that way), I’ve discovered there is always a positive way to look at things. There is always a way to adjust my perspective using a memory from a past event to ‘anchor’ my current thinking into powerful positive thoughts for my today and my future.
What I’ve noticed more and more each day is how these memories that pop up out of nowhere are really forms of true inner guidance sending reminders, affirmations (literally a trail of crumbs) which the Law of Attraction then uses to keep me on the path I know is the true destiny for me. We call these seeming coincidental moments, ‘synchronistic events’, both the new ‘in the moment’ occurrence, as well as any memories that come to your present moment experience that remind you to stay on path to your dreams.
These occurrences could be picking up a book, and it just happens to have an answer you need--and you just happened to open to the right page miraculously. Receiving a quote that is perfect for where you are THIS VERY day. A song you know well, that for some reason is right on target for your heart condition this very moment---and you know because you are moved emotionally. It could be a memory or the thought of an acquaintance that crosses your mind... right on cue for what you need in this moment (and you haven't thought of it or them in years).
As each day of 2009 unfolds, I'm experiencing MORE of these ‘synchronistic event’ moments than ever before. Miracles are flowing through the experience of people all around me; my own beliefs and feelings of well-being and purpose are stronger, deeper and more infused with unconditional love than at any other time in my life. I can literally feel the changes coming as my destiny unfolds around me. I feel it, I see it, I know it---and it is in perfect alignment with my dreams for me.
That’s exactly how the Law of Attraction works for everyone! By definition, Law of Attraction is nothing more that “that which is like unto itself is drawn”. Think good thoughts…receive more good thoughts that add to the total. Think negative thoughts… experience an influx of more negative thoughts. The most important thing to remember is that thoughts DO become things through YOUR vibrational alignment with the very thoughts you are thinking (your major thought patterns, emotions and intentions).
It takes only a small amount of self-discipline to choose your thoughts wisely, to catch yourself thinking or speaking thoughts that do not serve you or the universe or thinking thoughts that bring you the very desires of your heart. I say small of amount of discipline because as soon as you begin to think better thoughts, the Law of Attraction will step right up to assist you with more of the same! (of course, the opposite is also true---think negative thoughts and more of those will soon be at your door!)
When you sense the deeper truth revealed here, you realize you alone completely control your destiny by that which you do or do not believe is true for you. And when you really understand and practice focusing on what you DO want, you will be aware that you have already won the lottery of life indeed!
And by the way… regardless of any outcome or life circumstance, your continuing good thoughts will have you feeling better and better in every moment you are fortunate enough to live… and trust me, that’s a very good thing!
Kelly
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Synergistic Team Stuff.... at BTS! by Mary
La la la la la la..
We have an awesome team… la la la la la la!!!
I gotta say.. I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this team of the Beyond the Stuff women!!! We are the coolest!!! We are so much fun!!! We are so great together!!! We are so supportive… and we’re just so…. So…. WOW… what are the words???
BEYOND OUR STUFF!!!
Cool!!!
Okay, I sound like a blubbering idiot.. but it’s just because you gotta know how good it feels to really be a part of something and really feel like you fit in. To be a part of a team that flows so naturally and so synergistically, is just really a great feeling. To truly enjoy the people you work with…. And to be building a business together.. and to feel like your work really matters??? It’s just really cool!
Today, our BTS gals did a podcast.. and Robin was on deck. She discussed her current situation of her dad who is now 90 years old, and how their relationship has changed. He used to be able to care for her needs, and now she’s taking care of him. The difficulty of that situation alone is hard, but because Robin is such a giving person, she forgot to really take care of HER needs, and has ended up frustrated and out of steam. The BTS gals all took turns coaching Robin and challenging her, supporting her and encouraged her to take good care of herself, to set some boundaries around the situation and to get some others to make calls to keep him involved.
Now, what’s happening is really awesome. We’re all working together to build our radio show and now we have a bunch of agents who are interested in us. We also have this great opportunity do some other projects together. I can’t wait until we’re doing workshops for people all over the globe… to really support people to live fully and authentically!
The group is so incredibly powerful together, that I feel like it’s taken on a life of it’s own… that when one of us is busy the others pull the weight for the group and we’re all taking turns keeping this train rolling.. and in the meantime, more people are taking notice of our group.. and happily, we’re all willing to share our gifts with the world.
And from personal experience, and knowing them all as friends, that each one of these women have been a true gift to me… their friendships are real and their hearts are golden. They’re all amazing women, who joyfully share their spirits of goodness with each other and with those they encounter. I just know that all of heaven is rejoicing over this group that I believe God put together for a higher purpose… to entertain, to encourage, to help, to serve and to share…. And I just feel so honored to be a part of it.
Now I understand why all of the actors first thank God when they receive an award. It’s because they can’t believe their good fortune that has been bestowed upon them, and that they were able to get to work on a certain project, and then were recognized for the quality of their work.
I do feel like thanking God.. for the gift of these women, who all wanted to work with me and the others in the group, in creating a show, and a brand and to help each of us.. and all people Get Beyond The Stuff.
And I thank my sistahs.. at BTW.. and our “TG”, Bruce for being supportive and keeping us on our toes.., and our business advisor, Landon for your amazing wisdom, and for Sway, for being passionate and brilliant about our technology (and supportive of my involvement) … and lastly, to the friends who are cheering us on from the sidelines…
I hope all of us will grow by leaps and bounds… as we continue to learn to live… Beyond The Stuff!!!
We have an awesome team… la la la la la la!!!
I gotta say.. I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this team of the Beyond the Stuff women!!! We are the coolest!!! We are so much fun!!! We are so great together!!! We are so supportive… and we’re just so…. So…. WOW… what are the words???
BEYOND OUR STUFF!!!
Cool!!!
Okay, I sound like a blubbering idiot.. but it’s just because you gotta know how good it feels to really be a part of something and really feel like you fit in. To be a part of a team that flows so naturally and so synergistically, is just really a great feeling. To truly enjoy the people you work with…. And to be building a business together.. and to feel like your work really matters??? It’s just really cool!
Today, our BTS gals did a podcast.. and Robin was on deck. She discussed her current situation of her dad who is now 90 years old, and how their relationship has changed. He used to be able to care for her needs, and now she’s taking care of him. The difficulty of that situation alone is hard, but because Robin is such a giving person, she forgot to really take care of HER needs, and has ended up frustrated and out of steam. The BTS gals all took turns coaching Robin and challenging her, supporting her and encouraged her to take good care of herself, to set some boundaries around the situation and to get some others to make calls to keep him involved.
Now, what’s happening is really awesome. We’re all working together to build our radio show and now we have a bunch of agents who are interested in us. We also have this great opportunity do some other projects together. I can’t wait until we’re doing workshops for people all over the globe… to really support people to live fully and authentically!
The group is so incredibly powerful together, that I feel like it’s taken on a life of it’s own… that when one of us is busy the others pull the weight for the group and we’re all taking turns keeping this train rolling.. and in the meantime, more people are taking notice of our group.. and happily, we’re all willing to share our gifts with the world.
And from personal experience, and knowing them all as friends, that each one of these women have been a true gift to me… their friendships are real and their hearts are golden. They’re all amazing women, who joyfully share their spirits of goodness with each other and with those they encounter. I just know that all of heaven is rejoicing over this group that I believe God put together for a higher purpose… to entertain, to encourage, to help, to serve and to share…. And I just feel so honored to be a part of it.
Now I understand why all of the actors first thank God when they receive an award. It’s because they can’t believe their good fortune that has been bestowed upon them, and that they were able to get to work on a certain project, and then were recognized for the quality of their work.
I do feel like thanking God.. for the gift of these women, who all wanted to work with me and the others in the group, in creating a show, and a brand and to help each of us.. and all people Get Beyond The Stuff.
And I thank my sistahs.. at BTW.. and our “TG”, Bruce for being supportive and keeping us on our toes.., and our business advisor, Landon for your amazing wisdom, and for Sway, for being passionate and brilliant about our technology (and supportive of my involvement) … and lastly, to the friends who are cheering us on from the sidelines…
I hope all of us will grow by leaps and bounds… as we continue to learn to live… Beyond The Stuff!!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Family Stuff - by Liimu
Every time I have family coming into town, I feel like I have to batton down the hatches and really gear up for it...emotionally, that is. When I got sober nearly 14 years ago, I really couldn't pinpoint why it was I originally drank. My theory was that it was the combination of genetic predisposition and being raised by alcoholics, recovering and otherwise. Now I'm not so sure.
See, my family operated from a place of feeling like there wasn't enough - not enough food (leading to body image and food issues), not enough love (leading to codependency and love addiction issues), not enough money (leading to general feelings of financial insecurity, alternating with periods of wanton fiscal recklessness). I think this is why I really began to drink. I was always afraid there wasn't going to be enough, and I began drinking because it quieted the noise in my head around how afraid I was that there wasn't going to be enough, which eventually morphed into the BIG fear that somehow I wasn't ever going to be enough. I also drank from that place that fear of not having enough generated - the place of always wanting more. More food, more money, more love, more attention, more more MORE.
When I'm with my family, all that STUFF comes right back up to the surface. At one point yesterday, my three sisters went off to get lunch and dinner from Whole Foods. A sweet gesture, in and of itself and without all the background noise from our family history. In my crazy head, all I could think was, "Why did they leave without ME? Are they talking about me behind my back? How is it that I ended up left behind with the kids? Do they still not take me seriously as one of the adults?" Later that afternoon, one of my sisters suggested a prayer circle. When we were done, I suggested we all reveal to each other our deepest desires, so that we could pray for each other in the coming year. Patiently, I encouraged them each to share their deepest desires, and they did.
Right before it came to my turn, my sister's husband peeled around the corner and blazed up the driveway. (His son had gotten sick in the movie theater, and he had left the other five of our children behind in the theater with my 13 year old niece.) I realized before he had even turned off the car that there was no way he could have all the kids in the car, and so someone was back at the theater alone and without a grown up. My coat was on and the keys in my hand before I even had time to grieve the fact that yet again, I had put the deepest desires of my family before my own.
The happy ending to the story - all the children were safe and sound. And so was I. I am blessed to have developed a relationship with God and the Universe and many, many beautiful people in my life so that I know my deepest desires are taken care of. I choose to believe that this is why the Universe chose that moment to remove me from the prayer circle. It was a test of my faith in the Universe. A test of my willingness to receive all the deepest desires of the people in my family, without needing to give anything of mine at all.
In the past, my family has accused me of being selfish. Truth be told, I spent the entire day thinking of my family, what I could do for them, how I could serve them, what they might need to say, to do, to receive. I went from sitting in one sister's church listening to her sing, which I knew meant the world to her, to sitting with another sister, giving her my full attention as she explained the difficulties she'd been facing over the past few months, without sharing any of my own, to sitting in prayer circle with the three of them, receiving all their deepest desires without having to put mine on the table.
Because I'm good. I think I've finally grown up. And I can take care of myself and my family - old and new - with a whole lot of help from God and my friends.
Love you all,
Liimu
See, my family operated from a place of feeling like there wasn't enough - not enough food (leading to body image and food issues), not enough love (leading to codependency and love addiction issues), not enough money (leading to general feelings of financial insecurity, alternating with periods of wanton fiscal recklessness). I think this is why I really began to drink. I was always afraid there wasn't going to be enough, and I began drinking because it quieted the noise in my head around how afraid I was that there wasn't going to be enough, which eventually morphed into the BIG fear that somehow I wasn't ever going to be enough. I also drank from that place that fear of not having enough generated - the place of always wanting more. More food, more money, more love, more attention, more more MORE.
When I'm with my family, all that STUFF comes right back up to the surface. At one point yesterday, my three sisters went off to get lunch and dinner from Whole Foods. A sweet gesture, in and of itself and without all the background noise from our family history. In my crazy head, all I could think was, "Why did they leave without ME? Are they talking about me behind my back? How is it that I ended up left behind with the kids? Do they still not take me seriously as one of the adults?" Later that afternoon, one of my sisters suggested a prayer circle. When we were done, I suggested we all reveal to each other our deepest desires, so that we could pray for each other in the coming year. Patiently, I encouraged them each to share their deepest desires, and they did.
Right before it came to my turn, my sister's husband peeled around the corner and blazed up the driveway. (His son had gotten sick in the movie theater, and he had left the other five of our children behind in the theater with my 13 year old niece.) I realized before he had even turned off the car that there was no way he could have all the kids in the car, and so someone was back at the theater alone and without a grown up. My coat was on and the keys in my hand before I even had time to grieve the fact that yet again, I had put the deepest desires of my family before my own.
The happy ending to the story - all the children were safe and sound. And so was I. I am blessed to have developed a relationship with God and the Universe and many, many beautiful people in my life so that I know my deepest desires are taken care of. I choose to believe that this is why the Universe chose that moment to remove me from the prayer circle. It was a test of my faith in the Universe. A test of my willingness to receive all the deepest desires of the people in my family, without needing to give anything of mine at all.
In the past, my family has accused me of being selfish. Truth be told, I spent the entire day thinking of my family, what I could do for them, how I could serve them, what they might need to say, to do, to receive. I went from sitting in one sister's church listening to her sing, which I knew meant the world to her, to sitting with another sister, giving her my full attention as she explained the difficulties she'd been facing over the past few months, without sharing any of my own, to sitting in prayer circle with the three of them, receiving all their deepest desires without having to put mine on the table.
Because I'm good. I think I've finally grown up. And I can take care of myself and my family - old and new - with a whole lot of help from God and my friends.
Love you all,
Liimu
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