August 21, 2006
August 21, 2006 Issue #30
Welcome to the newsletter where playing more and stressing less is taken seriously. It's written with the intention to support you in living a life with more passion and play and less worry and work.IN THIS ISSUE...
The Courage to Play Big
ZenaMoon Candles
Where the hell is Matt?
Kick-Ass Coaching Program
starts November 1
Odd Sisters
Ways to Play Today:
Send an Old Photo to an Old Friend
Pick Up Someone's Garbage
Something to Ponder:
What do you want to be courageous about?
"It is up to you to illumine the world."
~Phillipe Venier
My Playground
The article, the message, the thing to make you go hmmm...
~The Courage to Play Big~
Three weeks ago, I spent seven days in Taos, New Mexico where I attended a retreat for women writers. I knew several months in advance of the event happening that I wanted to go, but I kept making excuses not to. I came up with some pretty good ones that sounded reasonable enough to keep me home. Perhaps you've used one of these excuses yourself. "It's too much money." "I have better things to do with my time." "It's not something I really need." Have you ever tried to convince yourself of not having something you really want? Isn't it flippin' exhausting? When I finally persuaded myself to go, I was not only one of the last participants to register, I was so wound up from playing chicken that I felt like I could lay an egg.
Honestly, when I looked at the real reason why I hadn't signed up for the retreat much earlier, it scared me. I didn't think I was a good enough writer to go to something like this. Fear can be a big motivator, but that wasn't what bought my plane ticket to Taos. It was courage who finally snuck in the back door, smacked me upside the head (it was a gentle, but firm smack) and nudged me to attend. One might think there are plenty of scarier things in the world than two dozen women sitting around with ball-point pens in their hands, but I had almost convinced myself that being a part of this retreat would be akin to meeting the greatest monster I'd ever encountered. I learned in one week's time that the biggest, scariest monster I'll ever have to face is the one that resides within me. After spending one week with twenty-six incredible women from around the country, I took comfort in knowing I'm not the only one who deals with their fears on a daily basis about being a writer.
My writing sisters in Taos.
Finding the courage to make decisions, to follow our heart's desire and to play bigger than we've been playing isn't always an easy thing to do. Making nice with our fear sounds like a helpful and wise choice, but how do we go about making our monsters our friends? One thing about fear is that it can propel us forward just as quickly as it can prevent us from doing what we really want. Here's another thing...fear is only as scary as YOU make it out to be. It is highly likely that the things we fear usually aren't as frightening as we imagine them to be and more often than not, they will never, ever come to pass. Consider what you're scared of and then read on to see how to tackle those things that terrify you.
5 Ways to Turn Fear into a Friendly Face
1) Take a closer look
Fear can be a sneaky little bastard. It often disguises itself to fool you into thinking he's real. He's not, but you are. Truths will triumph over frauds every time. What is it really that has you shaking in your shoes? Be not afraid of looking at and learning from what scares you.
2) Consider the outcome
If you give into your fear, think of all the things, people, and experiences you'll miss. Kinda bums you out, doesn't it? Now, think of inviting fear to be your friend and accompanying you throughout your lifetime. He's going to be there without your invitation anyway, so why not ask him to be your buddy? Ahhh...the future looks friendlier already.
3) Hang out with other fraidy cats
Surrounding yourself with people who might be experiencing fears similar to your own is a great way to tame your terror. Even if you think everyone else has their fears licked, go where support can be found and hide no longer. Share your scares with someone and you'll find that fear begins to fade away.
4) Ask what it wants
That's right. Question the heck out of why you feel the way you do and don't forget to ask what your fear wants to teach you. Be brave and be willing to listen to the answers you're given. Fear tends to speak loudly, but you can teach it to speak in a softer, more polite voice.
5) Give it a new name
What if, every time you faced fear you gave it a different name? Like love or courage or joy or curiosity? Looking into the face of fear might not be such a scary thing if you're seeing it as something else. Fear might then become a more frequent visitor that you relish seeing.
Having the courage to play big is not just about recognizing your fear for what it is, but it's also about acknowledging that you are enough. No matter what comes up to challenge this truth, remain steadfast that you can do absolutely anything you set your mind to doing. Courage isn't determined by the size of your fear, but through the strength of your commitment to making real what you really want. Coming face to face with my fear while in Taos was scary, but it was also a beautiful thing because what I discovered at the end of the week wasn't fear at all. It was about facing my own brilliance and wondering how I can best use and share it others. How interesting that what I perceived as fear has turned out to be one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. Get ready world...I know I'm not the only one who is ready to play bigger than I've ever played before. Play on, I say. Play on!
Check it Out
Personal Recommendations for books, music, websites and all resources fun!
ZenaMoon
I met some amazing women while I was at the writer's retreat. At the end of the week, each participant was given a writing partner to stay connected with and I couldn't be more pleased about who was chosen for me. Carla Blazek is a delightful and spirited woman who created a candle-making company that she's not only passionate about, but incredibly proud of. And she should be. A few years ago, she left a high-profile corporate job and turned what was a part-time hobby into a sweet and successful business. Her candles aren't just sticks and wicks of light. They are beautiful works of art. Combining lovely swirls of color, delicious-smelling scents, inspiring words and hidden gemstones, Carla's candles are one-of-a-kind illuminations. Her website and two blogs (be sure to check them out when you visit her website) are exquisite expressions of who she is as a talented entrepreneur and authentic woman. She's not only a fabulous new friend, but she's going to be a business buddy as well. Stay tuned for more information about Carla and "Women at Rest & Play" retreats.
Playful Spirit and ZenaMoon are going to be playing big together in 2007!
You Tube
I'm not necessarily recommending this website, but it's the best way to get to the video I am recommending you check out. You Tube is a place where home-made videos can be posted and people can rate and leave comments about one's claim to fame so-to-speak. Much of what appears on this site is a complete waste of time, but every once in awhile amazing gems are discovered. The video I'm going to rave about can be found by doing the following: Once you're at You Tube, type in "Where the hell is Matt" as your search term. Select the first video that appears at the top of the screen and then sit back for an amazing 3 minutes and 42 seconds of world-wide touring fun. Matt is a guy who quit his job and spent several months traveling to thirty-nine countries. Sounds like a great idea, doesn't it? Quit job. Travel world. Have someone else pay for it. Huh? Yep. If you're curious to know how he did it, watch the video first and then go to Matts site at
Where the hell is Matt. I'm still shaking my head that I didn't come up with this idea first. Gosh darnit.
What's Up at Playful Spirit?
Yippee! I'm getting married in 27 days!
On September 17th, I will be saying the biggest yes of my life to the man I absolutely love and adore. It's been an exciting thing to plan a wedding, but what fills me with profound joy is the sweet realization of my life plan coming true. I have always believed in the kind of love that sweeps you off your feet and makes your heart pound hard. Love that is real, passionate and permanent is what I've wanted for years. It's an indescribable feeling knowing that in three weeks time, I'll be marrying the love of my life. I can't tell you how happy I am that I never gave up on that dream.
The retreat in Taos literally kicked my writing butt into gear. Not only did I get to see what I wanted to do with my work, but I also took a good look at what's not working and oh, what a not-so-pleasant surprise that was! It's quite illuminating to listen to the answers you give to someone else who asks the same questions you've been asking yourself. You can't hide as easily when you're put on the spot. After throwing a bit of a grown-up tantrum (I sat and sulked for awhile) I finally got clarity on what needs to happen next with my business. My soon-to-be husband and a few close friends already know what I'm crafting, but Lighten Up readers are the next folks to know the inside scoop before the rest of the world does. Whoa...that sounded scary big to write that last sentence, but it made it out of my head and onto the screen.
Here's what's cooking...I will be debuting not one, but two new blogs later this month. Life of Play will be a place for my personal ponderings, pictures and prose, as well as a guest writer's musings showing up from time to time. My second blog, The Ultimate Yes, will represent the beginning of a new and exciting part of Playful Spirit's mission and business. Stay tuned...I told you I was ready to play big.
The first Kick-Ass Coaching group begins November 1st!
If you're a new subscriber to Lighten Up or if you didn't get the chance to read last month's newsletter, here are a few details about this new program I'm starting this fall. First of all, you have to figure out what you want more of and less of in your life. Secondly, your timeline for having the things you want more or less of must have a sense of urgency. And lastly, you have to be willing to make an investment in yourself in order to be a part of this program. For 30 days, you will work "The Way of the Day" in accordance with what you want. Delivered to your inbox daily, The Ways contain information and inspiration that will have a powerful and playful impact on your life if YOU DO THE WORK EACH DAY!
The kick-ass thing is you focus on just one way each day. There's no sense of overwhelm and no overachieving is necessary. You determine how much or how little you want to work "The Way of the Day." Two phone sessions and unlimited email coaching provide you with additional support throughout the month. If you want maximum results in minimal time, this could be the perfect program for you. Ten people will be in the first Kick-Ass Coaching program November 1st. Will you be one of them? Send me an email if you're curious and care to know more or if you've already been considering it and now you want to be considered a program participant. Let's do some kicking together this fall.
Giggles & Guffaws
An amusing story, joke, anecdote or picture to tickle your funnybone
Ways to Play Today
Why not...send an old photo to an old friend?
Gone are the days when we waited with anticipation for our 35mm pictures to be developed. With the invention of digital cameras, instant gratification is now ours. And if we don't like what we see, we can either hit the delete button or take another photo without having to worry we'll run out of film. With a few clicks on our keyboard, sending a photo via email is almost as simple as taking the picture. Ignore modern technology for a day and go digging through those old faded photos and funky Polaroids that are sitting in a box in your attic or basement. Pick out some of your favorites and then pass along those Kodak moments to your pals. Don't forget to add another stamp or two to your mailings if you find you have to share several pics.
Why not...pick up more than your own garbage?
Twice a year along the entire Oregon coast, hordes of people flock to the beaches and spend a few hours picking up trash that others have stupidly left behind or that Mother Nature has tossed along the shore. You don't have to live near an ocean in order to see how much junk lies about. Take a wander around your neighborhood or your work place and you'll be amazed by the amount of crap that's been carelessly tossed where a trash can is not. Rather than be amazed and do nothing about it, do an amazing thing and pick the junk up. Grab a large Hefty and some plastic gloves and be the best picker-upper you can be.
Something to Ponder
Questions designed to stimulate your thinking AND encourage you to take action towards what you want.
What is something you really want that you don’t have yet?
What fears are getting in the way of you having what you want?
Care to share what these questions stir up in you? Need some support around facing your fears and finding the courage to go after what you want?
Send me an e-mail.
I welcome your thoughts and will respond to all e-mails received.
If you want to find out more about the work I do as a facilitator, writer and coach check out Playful Spirit Make sure you come back and visit every so often as you never know what kind of resources and fun stuff I'll be playing around with and adding to the website.
Thanks for reading this issue of Lighten Up! If you enjoyed it, please pass it along to your friends, your family, your co-workers...You get the idea. Until next month, ponder the possibilities of having more courage and playing bigger than you've ever played before. Be well, be happy and play more.
See you on September 18th. I'll be a married woman by then!
Lisa
~Playful Spirit's mission is to empower women and men to acknowledge and express their unique gifts in the world. We help people rediscover their passion, purpose & sense of play.~
lisa@playful-spirit.com www.playful-spirit.com