Month: July 2016

Embracing your inner child

by standinlovejen, posted in Uncategorized

Hello friends!

I write to you this afternoon balancing on a brightly colored green stability ball… desiring a playful, mobile seat, as well as a fresh perspective from which to share with you today!  I think the temps in Las Vegas have been in the 115-117 degrees the past few days- sure to  challenge even the most committed of positive thinkers.  If I were to use Tony Robbins’ “Transformational Vocabulary”, I’d call it ” just a tad bit warm out today!”

(Rolling on my green ball laughing enthusiastically).

As some of you know, I thoroughly enjoy reading… especially non-fiction, psychology and self development themed books.  I honestly believe there are not enough hours in our lifetime to read all the greatness that exists!  I love sharing this info with you, as I trust there are some of you who can relate or share with a friend or family member that may benefit from the message.

There has been a reoccurring theme in the pages of a few books I’ve recently finished encouraging me to discover a bit more of the child within.    Seems life, if we lose awareness,  has a tendency to become routine, drab, and downright uninspiring, holding us and our creativity prisoner behind locked bars of cast-iron rigidity.   We have fallen into  auto-pilot making decisions and behaving in a manner controlled by our thinking mind instead of operating from a place of conscious awareness– the present moment- our essence.  This  co-mingling of our minds with our identity, easily clouds our thinking and will gladly assume control over us rather than aiding us on our journey towards freedom from suffering.

In the opening chapters of Eckhart Tolle’s  The Power of Now, he shares this insight on observing thoughts and emotions in our mind:

One of the main tasks of the mind is to fight or remove that emotional pain, which is one of the reasons for its incessant activity, but all it can ever achieve is to cover it up temporarily. In fact, the harder the mind struggles to get rid of the pain, the greater the pain.  The mind can never find the solution, nor can if afford to allow you to find the solution, because it is itself an intrinsic part of the ‘problem’.

This is very interesting to ponder.  Stop and think about that for a second.

He goes on to suggest we may delight in being aware of this thought process in our mind, and act merely as an “observer” of these thoughts.  Recognizing that we are not our thoughts.   Ego is a distinct persona- separate from our true selves.   In other words, we are not our minds.

So how do we disidentify with this mind that seeks to dominate our thinking, propelling  us continually into the  false realities of the future or reeling us backwards into the antagonizing imagery and pain of our pasts?   Tolle continues to say,

“That by learning to rest in states of being- Love, Joy, and Peace, rather than emotional states (happy, angry, anxious, irritated, etc. ) we are able to avoid being part of the dualistic mind, which are subject to the law of opposites- and usually are short lived pleasures, perpetuating the pain/pleasure cycle. “

In summary, we focus on the NOW.  Sounds simple enough, right?

Well, if any of you suffer from an over active mind contemplating everything that may be, (future projections) along with everything that ever was (past grievances), you will undoubtedly find yourself in a state of mental and physical exhaustion.  I speak from experience.  This brain has an ingrained habit of recycling emotions, overanalyzing situations,  and causing unnecessary stress to the physical body.

Guilty as charged.

Time for a little self-check.  What is your mind doing to you? Serving you or using you like a wheel on a Tour-de-France cyclists’ bicycle-spinning and undulating hundreds of revolutions per minute along with the same recurring thoughts.

Time to interrupt the pattern.

You can decide to make new ones. All it takes is a decision, and what marvelous power there is in decision-making!  (thank you Tony Robbins for emphasizing this distinction!)

I’ve been blessed to spend time with a couple of friends lately, one of whom had a baby just 10 weeks ago.   We agreed  ( read – DECIDED) an overnight , girls-only slumber party involving deep connection would awaken our inner child and remind us how incredibly grateful we are to enjoy the abundant pleasure of each others’ company.    With Hannah-endearingly nicknamed Jumping Bean thanks to her world-traveling, adventurous parents- we giggled and embraced the grounding effects that a newborn baby brings.

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We prepared and feasted on a palate pleasing dinner of baked eggplant and zucchini lasagna layered with a richly textured northern bean and spinach filling.  Angela Liddon at www.ohsheglows.com, you continue to amaze me! Love your recipes and thank you for sharing with the world! (your really have to try this, it’s simply de-LISH!)

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How might you embrace your inner child this week?  What does letting go a little look like to you?  Is there something new you have always wanted to try, but felt silly or too embarrassed to start?  A new way of cooking? A dance or exercise class?  Trying your hand at a musical instrument, maybe volunteering in a child-friendly environment…. Calling a friend, or downloading a chic-flick and having a good old-fashioned slumber party- and yes, I’m talking with blankets and pillows on the floor!! Old school-  It is AWESOME, and I promise the deep engagement will make the lack of sleep well worth it!  Give yourself permission to create NEW habits!  Interrupt the patterns keeping you tied in a knot of monotony!  It feels so good!

Take this thought with you:

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Here’s to all the connections that happen!

Please share how you let your inner child loose in the comments!  We learn best from each other!

Standing in love with you all!!

xoxo Jennifer

 

 

 

 

Authenticity Awakening

by standinlovejen, posted in Health & Wellness, Passion, Transition

Bonjour mes amis!

Well, it’s another scorching hot summer afternoon in the Mohave desert today.  As a 13 year resident of Las Vegas, ( a Chicago transplant) I have come to appreciate the inherent gifts in  consecutive 100+ degree days- often with 12-14 full hours of non stop sunshine!   As a practice of gratitude and appreciation, I will share with you a few :

  • waking up naturally before sunrise and strolling to the park to see golden retrievers and their loving owners enjoying a game of fetch in the cool, freshly watered grass.
  • cycling in the dry air on my very first mountain bike purchased in 1998 (yes, it still works, and I LOVE it!)
  • knowing exactly how to dress each day for months, as the temperature is incredibly consistent!

I shared a little in my previous post about the nature of transitions…. and in honoring the title of this entry, authenticity,  I felt it time to delve a little into what authenticity has meant to me over the past couple of months.   (Giving myself permission to be vulnerable and without shame…. here goes….)

After 10 years in the fine jewelry business, I made the difficult yet necessary decision to follow my heart on a journey towards authenticity.   While I absolutely loved being a part of so many of life’s precious moments with clients , my heart told me it was time to venture into the space of the unknown, trusting my instincts calling me forward in faith .   What made this decision a tad bit tricky, was the fact that I worked for a small family owned business- my husband’s family.    As anyone who has ever worked in a family business environment knows, it has its unique challenges.  Suffice it to say that life unfolds in mysterious ways, making marvelous masterpieces out of what appears to be destruction.  I have always reflected on the beauty of Anais Nin’s words below and wondered when I would get the courage to take the risk. pranaprogram_anais_nin_quote_and_the_day.jpeg

Well, now is the time.  July 2nd I decided to take a risk and dive into the beauty of the blossoming.    I met with as many clients in store as possible  the weeks preceding in efforts to connect in person to say goodbye and thank them genuinely for sharing part of their defining moments with me. (engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, achievements, milestones, and birth/ adoption of babies!!) I have witnessed the love of so many people in 10 years… wishing to express this love with precious pieces of jewelry.

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How blessed I have been!  My colleagues and I have also enjoyed spreading the message of hope at the heart of Beadforlife’s ( www.BeadforLife.org)  recycled paper jewelry in the shop every day.  Creating a bridge between sharing the story of diamonds as well as recycled paper beaded jewelry, handmade in Uganda by beautiful women living on less than a $1 a day, striving to be their best selves daily through income generating opportunities and entrepreneurial training.

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I was reminded at a Sunday service that we most often fear the unknown.  We fear change.  We fear the truth.  We feed the fear wolf, instead of feeding the faith and hope wolf.   Which wolf are you feeding?   It is essential that in these times of transition we give ourselves permission to try new things, and allow ourselves the opportunity to fail.  Give up perfectionism, and fall into the arms of grace.  The grace of giving it a go ’round and changing our approach if unsuccessful.  Giving it a rest instead of giving up when our realities don’t match our expectations.  And like my good friend and mentor always reminds me, “we are human beings, not human doings.”   (Thank you Joan, for this insight.)

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I have been eager to share with you this little poem I discovered, whose soul I believe connects with each and every one of us.

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,  Be a scrub in the valley- but be the best little scrub by the side of the rill;  Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a bush, be a bit of the grass, And some highway happier make;  If you can’t be a muskie than just be a bass- but the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be crew, There’s something for all of us here, There’s big work to do, and there’s lesser to do, And the task you must do is the near.

If you can’t be the highway than just be a trail, If you can’t be the sun be a star; It isn’t by size that you win or you fail- Be the best of whatever you are!

 

Author and researcher Brene Brown writes truthfully on this subject of Authenticity in her book “The Gifts Of Imperfection”.  Authenticity, she describes, “is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we are supposed to be, and embracing who we ARE.”   

May you take a step, even a micro movement… towards your authentic self.  What would your authentic self look like?  Dare to ask yourself.  Dare to do it on paper, with a loved one, or in the mirror.  Dig into a book by SARK, Brene Brown, or Marianne Williamson.   Connect with friends and ask this question to each other over coffee or tea.  I’m on the journey together with you… and I’m daring to explore  passions of connection with cultures around the world- uncovering the commonalities in humanity.

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What would you do if time, education, resources, and self-doubt were not obstacles on your journey towards following your passion?  When you discover it, hold it deep in your heart and commit to making it a reality step by step.

“One thing at a time“, as my dad always lovingly reminds me.

Remember to Stand in Love, rooted in truth, and aim to be the best version of YOU today that you can be!

Jennifer

Transitions in Orange

by standinlovejen, posted in Adventure, Passion, Transition

“We must be willing to let go of the life we had planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. “- E.M. Forester

Transitions

Passages. Progressions. Shifts. Changes.

Developments. Alterations. Conversions. Transformations.

A beautiful bridge connecting two spaces: Here and There.  Then and Now.

The free flowing, often times grey expanse in between.  Not black, not white. No top, no bottom.  Just in the middle.  No beginning, no end.  Just Now.

Last week at a neighboring coffee shop, as I was enjoying a piping hot cup of dark roast Papua New Guinea blend swirled with enough half  & half to soften its robust flavor, in the delightful company of strangers, I realized transitions are ubiquitous; Teaching us, conditioning us that change is inevitable.   Our minds like antennas, if in tune to receive the signals, we empower ourselves to replace old, limiting beliefs with new, empowering ones. We invite change inside, to navigate a fresh, undulating path , and welcome the energy of endless possibility to manifest in our lives.  The choice is ours for the taking, and  the decision for the making.

Is your mind awake to hear this calling?   Or are you attached securely to what you know and fastened tightly to the belief that life couldn’t possibly offer rewards for you on the other side, let alone the proverbial greener grass we are taught to fear and told does not exist?  Have you dared to step out in faith, into the deep unknown, trusting your instincts and inner voice to guide you on your path towards your passions?  What do you have to lose? Better yet, what do you stand to gain?  What will it cost you in the long run if you deny your truth?  What if instead of searching for greener grass, you dream of a future in soothing shades of limitless blue skies?  Ever thought about creating your passion in vibrant, clementine hues of orange?  Maybe you decide to plan a sunshine journey in yellow intellect.  Or meditate in circles of purple, encouraging wholeness and unity with the universe.   If the stirring is inside of you, be courageous.  Be BOLD.  Trust your instincts.  Trust yourself.   Give yourself permission when no one else will.

“The journey of a thousand miles begin with one step”, as the saying goes.  What might this 1 step look like to you?   Would it unleash incredible potential, propelling you towards your passion?  Would taking a courageous step forward into the expansive world ignite a spark that would change your destiny forever?

If there is one thing I love , it’s the simple joy of discovery while on a journey.  The anticipation inherent in every adventure- namely, the people I have the pleasure of meeting along the way, sharing  circumstances, and connecting with in plain, yet profound ways.

Take for example, Charles, pictured below, whom I encountered while on a 13 mile trek to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park, Montana during the summer of 2014.   Charles’ story is incredibly fascinating, and certainly inspiring!   I intersected Charles on a few different trails while hiking in the raw beauty this section of the park afforded.  On the 3rd encounter, I figured it time to ask his name and find out his story.  He shared that he had always wanted to hike this trail, but had fears about his ability to finish.  After losing his wife a short time prior that year, he decided in that moment, that NOW was the time to make the journey.  He stepped out into fear, the unknown, while guided by an inner light that told him to trust the process during his life transition.  May you, like Charles and like me, embrace the transition in which you find yourself.   Keep pressing onward.

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With Charles on Grinnel Glacier Hike Glacier National Park.

We are all on this journey of life together, interconnected.   May the lyrics of this song inspire your soul and give you a fresh reminder that we are already set free by the love of our eternal Creator!

I’m painting my life transition orange -inviting creativity and feeling in, and adding long brushstrokes of purple- connecting me to oneness with humanity, and the unifying, healing properties it embodies.  What color/s will you choose?

“Hope Now” by Addison Road.  Close your eyes and let the words penetrate your soul! You are so deeply loved! Stand in this love!