 Last week in staying with theme of paying attention, I talked about about the many ways our habits define us. I shared examples of how this happens and what we can do to make a shift. What did you notice?
This week I want to talk about how we walk the path of life, feeling JOY, unencumbered, once we open our eyes to the reality of LIFE, including our amazing habits...and our not so amazing habits. Pause, Exhale, Read the next few sentences out loud. Your voice is a powerful transmitter of energy and information. You must listen to it and feel it. So...Unencumbered = not having any burden or impediment... How do we walk the path of OUR unique life, feeling JOY, as we ALSO face what seem to be the burdens and impediments of life? Here's what I will share. Those of you who know me personally have insight into my love life! Fast recap: I fell madly in love with a man, David who lives in Chicago. He has 2 beautiful kids and all. I have myself, 2 cats and a thriving business in New York. Hmmm.. Joy? Yes! Burden/Impediment? Yes, at times! It's no coincidence right after I met David I began writing my first book, Reclaiming JOY. The theme being, reclaiming myself, by being who I am...really going after my deepest hearts desire. And yes, in the process I received that in David. Fast forward almost 2 years later and I see the book writing as preparation for this present time in which I am navigating a long distance relationship. Lots of travel. Lots of what seem like impediments and burdens to my JOY: conflict from my heart being in 2 places, my body adjusting to the very different energy of 2 places. Separateness! Truth: Living half of my life in Chicago, and half in NY has been tough. I am a person who gets ALL in. Fully present. I want what I want and I usually get it. Oh boy. Control freak coming out. And now, I got what I want, LOVE, and yet the distance...(burden/impediment? or gift?). Don't misunderstand me. I am filled with joy. Grateful for love. Grateful for all of it. I am able to see the gifts in the 2 lives I am leading. And yet- when I am being totally honest with myself, in my truth, in the center of my being, I long for the two lives to merge in one physical location. To ease some of the "burden". Since all we have is the present moment, and it's uncertain how/if/when a merge will happen, I am frequently reminded of what I wrote in Reclaiming Joy. Specifically, joy is a way of being. Joy is a choice. So, while I have my heart, body, mind, split at times...or at least that is what it feels like, I am also learning how to travel lighter, free of burden, unencumbered. To find the freedom and the FUN. How? 1. By choosing to continue being myself (reclaimed JOY) and honoring my truth which is my desire for partnership that is "merged". 2. By shifting my perspective so that I am open to really really really practice what it means to live as joy, unencumbered. Meaning, to see all of it as an adventure! To find JOY in the distance even when it seems like separateness. The separation is in my mind (ego), not in my heart (divinity). Very different. The truth is-- YES! There are many days I fall to my knees and ask God, why? What is the lesson in this? Haven't I struggled long enough? Carried enough burden already? Why can't this be easy? Show me! Tell me! Please. In the end, I exhaust myself to the point of letting go...of surrender. And then I hear that still voice within that reminds me, this is all part of the journey. JOY isn't the destination. JOY is the journey!!! I must see it this way in order to feel joy, unencumbered. Powerful. Freeing. Beautiful really. Tears of gratitude flow. A second book coming? So, while the distance is a challenge, it is also the sweetest of gifts. I get to learn, yet again, how to live what I teach. I get ample time to play in this garden of the unexpected, letting my walls crumble, putting down my sword down and bowing to the love that is in my heart and flowing, no matter where I am and who I am with. In fact, the challenges force my heart open even more...to survive, I must to find more ways to give my love. Fascinating. A paradox? I play the polarity. More on that another time. I also get the chance to express myself, here with you. I give voice to my feelings as a way to encourage you to give voice to that which you are holding so tight that it keeps you burdened...encumbered...unable to experience the JOY of YOUR life. A long writing today, I know! So, let us remember that in the expression, the depression lifts. As my shaman brothers and sisters have taught me, we must tell our story and also retreat to silence...and this process, this polarity frees up our burdens so we may sing and dance again...traveling lighter...experiencing joy...unencumbered. Invitation for YOU: What choice will you make, right NOW to experience JOY...unencumbered? Will you reach out to a loved one? Say I am sorry, please forgive me, I love you, thank you? Will you tell your story? Will you retreat to silence? Will you commit to song, dance and our Tulum retreat :))? And then, how will you continue to make choices on a daily basis to experience joy...unencumbered? Tell me here!!!
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 Who is the Sister Act you ask? Sam Desmond, Editor-in-Chief at HICONCEPT MAGAZINE shares more: "Both published authors, sisters Christine (Stewart, Tabori, & Chang) and Stephanie (Thriving You, Thriving Life) have had divergent, but culminating paths. Extraordinary women, both Filardi sisters were deeply impacted by the unexpected death of their father in 2004. Rising from tragedy, Christine and Stephanie both started on their respective journeys towards self-acceptance and self-sacrifice for the well-being of others. Excerpts from their books are accompanied by artwork that expands upon the Filardi sisters’ messages of optimism through diligence...continue reading There are many reasons we dream of writing a book. Personally, we have something to say, perhaps a legacy to share!! Professionally, I’m sure you know that writing and publishing a book is the best way to get your message into the world, increase your reach, establish yourself as an expert in your field, and boost your credibility. You may have even sat down to try to write a book. But if you’re anything like most people, you were quickly frustrated by the whole process: finding the time to write, writing about something engaging, worried about publishing, and dealing with self-doubt about if anyone will read it. I know what you’re going through! I felt the same way when I was writing my book. You’re not alone. That’s why I wanted to invite you to an amazing 3-day virtual event where 13 published authors are coming together to share what they each learned from writing a book. (And I’m one of them!) Learn From The Book-Writing Journey Of Others <<< Register Today When you click on the link above you’ll be invited to register for this one-of-a-kind 3-day virtual event, “Brew Your Book: Stop Percolating on Your Message & FINALLY Get Your Book Written!”. Your ticket is free – it’s my gift to you! This event kicks off on September 27 and is hosted by my colleague, Kim Eldredge – and she’s dug deep to get at the heart of what the book-writing process is really like. When you attend this online event, you’ll learn: - How to overcome procrastination and get into the flow of writing - What you can really expect when you publish your book - How your life changes when you’re a published author - And so much more! PLUS: Kim invited all the experts to share their top 3 tips for aspiring authors. Trust me, that information is fantastic! Finally Write Your Book <<< Register Today Your message has the power to change the world… and it’s up to you to share it! This event will help you do just that. I’ll “see” you there!  |
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