February 19, 2007
February 19, 2007 Issue #37
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...
What You Do Matters
Let it Out
Tell the Truth Line
Artrageous Camp
Coming to Portland: "One" the movie
Earlybird Discount for Breitenbush Retreat ends March 1
Temper Tantrums
Ways to Play Today:
Sniff Some New Scents
Smile at Everyone
Something to Ponder:
How do you matter?
"There is a place that you are to fill and no one else can fill, something you are to do, which no one else can do."
~Florence Scovel Shinn
My Playground
The article, the message, the thing to make you go hmmm...
~What You Do Matters
As I begin writing this month's newsletter, it's a very stormy day along the Oregon coast. The combination of wind and sideways rain make me somewhat melancholy as I've just recently returned from spending three weeks in the Southern Hemisphere sunshine. The dramatic change in the weather is a bit unnerving, but it's not the gray skies that are responsible for my mellowed-out mood. It's me, my big dreams and an endless stream of questions that leave me resting my chin on my hand and breathing deeply. Taking a few moments to consider my place in the world is both frightening and exhilarating. It's a place where I face my fears and I listen for answers. It's a place where I wonder who I am, what I want and how I go about being and doing that which matters. I'd like to think that everything we do matters. Don't you?
Every thought we have. Every grand idea we come with. Every action we take. Everything we share with others. Everything we do makes a difference. Perhaps the important thing to remember is that we don't have to know how that difference is being made, we just have to trust that it is. We just need to keep doing what only we can do and know that the ripples will be far and wide. So what exactly are you here to do? Referring to this month's quote, "What is the place that you are to fill that no one else can fill, the something you are to do that no one else can do?" More than likely, you don't have a definitive answer to this question. It's also likely you're in the process of discovering what that place, what that something is for you. I've spent enough years trying to figure out "my place" and I've come to realize (and trust me, I'm still a beginner at this) that my place is whatever I say it is. And here's the thing that makes my head spin the most, when I choose to do the things that scare and excite me the most, that's where the biggest ripples are. That so figures.
A statement by MaryAnn Radmacher that matters.
Rest your chin on your hand and breathe deeply for a moment. Consider what you do. Many people define themselves according to their jobs. I'm not referring to the work you do. I'm talking how you relate to yourself and to others. I'm talking about who you are, how you live your life and how you show up in the world. Are you engaged and engaging? Are you pissed off and proud? Are you caring and compassionate? Are you in a hurry and out of touch? Are you in the moment and interested?
What I'm getting at is...who you are and how you interact with others has an impact no matter what. You will make a difference whether you're a positive or a negative person. You will make a difference whether you lead or follow. You will make a difference whether you know it or not. Perhaps the question to ask ourselves is not so much "What is it that I do that matters?" but "How do I want to matter?"
Five Ways to Know You Matter
1) Create a list of the people who have inspired you.
Think about your family, friends, former teachers and employers, anyone who has made a difference in your life in some way. Ready for what's next? All those people on your list...you've made as much of a difference in their lives as they have in yours. That's the way it works.
2) Take a look in the mirror.
That's all there is to it. Keep looking until you see something that makes you smile. Consider sharing that with the world.
3) Be honest with yourself and genuine with others.
Authentic expressions of you (whether they're your nice or not-so nice traits) are the ones where the ripple effect tends to last longer.
4) Ask how you've made a difference in someone's life.
Listen well and let all that goodness in.
5) Imagine you're at the end of your life.
What do you want to be remembered for? People will remember who you were not what you did and that's what really matters. Are you being the legacy you want to leave?
We're all here on this planet right now because we're here to do something. Choose those things that scare and excite you. Keep doing what you do and ultimately, you'll know what that something is. Make big ripples.
Personal Recommendations for books, music, websites and all resources fun!
Let It Out
Kleenex tissue has a new marketing campaign that's captured my attention recently. Both online and off, their website and print ads are encouraging people to share their stories and their snot. Their paper products just happen to be the perfect thing to blow your nose into or wipe away your tears should a little self-disclosure stir up some emotions. It's brilliant. Check out their website and watch the video of the week as well as the promotional trailer which you'll find if you click on the "Let it out" tag and then click on "About" after that. Who knew how comforting a blue couch and a complete stranger with a good ear could be for people walking down a busy street? Apparently Kleenex did. I wish I'd thought of the idea. Make a couch in your home a place where tuning in to your loved ones happens more often than tuning in to a T.V. show.
Tell the Truth Line
In the spirit of letting things out and telling the truth, I'm excited to announce a new free service I've recently begun offering. It's a toll free number that automatically connects the caller to a recorded message from me. Each week, I ask a different question that prompts and encourages callers to share their answer and/or tell a truth of their own. This is a safe place for people to talk about whatever is on their minds and in their hearts without fear of judgment or repercussions. Callers can choose whether or not to be anonymous. I respond to all requests for additional support with a phone call or email. I won't ever be live on the call, but yes, I will listen.
Why am I doing this? I mentioned in last month's newsletter that one of the things I want to do is inspire millions of people in my lifetime. I don't know how this truth-telling line will make a difference, but I know it's something I'm meant to do and it, like everything else I do, matters. To hear more details, call the number 1-866-Y B TRUTH (1-866-928-8774) and share a story or truth of yours. It matters.
What's Up at Playful Spirit?
I loved my vacation in New Zealand and I loved returning home. My life is a full one and I don't mean that in a busy-sense (although it definitely feels too busy at times). What I mean is that there are things happening (and things that I'm helping to make happen) that have made life quite interesting lately. On a personal note, I'm heading to Hawaii this weekend to attend a week long retreat called Artrageous Camp. I'll be hanging out with other creative, playful spirits who are bringing forth their gifts into the world. My book-writing begins here. Gulp.
A couple months ago, I came across a website that told the story of a man who made a movie called One about the power of oneness in the world. He was an attorney who never had any inclinations to be a filmmaker, but when he woke up one day and felt called to make a movie he followed that call and amazing things happened. Two months ago, I asked in this newsletter if anyone would be interested in helping me host this film in Portland, Oregon. Two people responded and I'm excited to say that those two women, Kelsey Bunker and Teri Stiner, and I will be co-hosting a screening of "One" on Saturday, March 10th at 7:30 pm at the Jupiter Hotel.
Check out the movie's trailers at the link above and if you'd like to attend, send an email to Teri to reserve a seat. Seating is limited and we expect the 65 spots will go quickly. Your RSVP serves as a placeholder for your ticket. Tickets are $10 per person or two for $20 and will be paid at the door the night of the event. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
The retreat I'm leading at Breitenbush Hot Springs, Women at Rest and Play, with delightful candle-making diva, Carla Blazek is now just two months away. We'd love to have you join us and other like-spirited women for 3½ days of engaging conversations and fun activities that will nurture your restful and playful nature. An early-bird registration discount is available until March 1st. Have questions about the retreat? Email me. Ready to register? Contact Breitenbush Hot Springs. Don't be like me and wait until the last minute to make up your mind. There are only 25 spots available and we're sure they'll fill up early so don't dilly-dally too long. Come rest and play with us April 15-18, 2007.
Giggles & Guffaws
An amusing story, joke, anecdote or picture to tickle your funnybone
This video is classic. Take a two year old having a tantrum and a parent video-taping that child's antics and what do you get? Eye-opening and side-splitting results. Check out: The Best Tantrum Ever
Ways to Play Today
Why not...go to a perfume counter and sniff some new scents?
Perfumes and colognes are subjective like art. Our noses can easily sniff out what we like and we don't. Think about the last time someone walked by you and you got a whiff of what they were wearing. It's likely you did one of two things. You scrunched up your nose and blew air out or you closed your eyes and took a deep breath in. Smells can be pretty potent. They can stir up feelings of desire or disgust. They can elicit long-ago memories and strong feelings associated with them in a heartbeat. I mean in a sniff. Take a notepad with you when you visit he perfume/cologne counter and try to describe and discern what it is that turns you on or off to a particular scent. Don't make any decisions until you've invited a friend or two to come and get a whiff of you wearing what you like. It's a good time to buy when you see closed eyes and hear deep sighs. Sniff on.
Why not...smile and say "Hi" to everyone you meet on the street?I've always found it interesting to see what kind of responses I get from others when I initiate a hello to a stranger. Sometimes I get a "hi" or "hello" back. Sometimes it's a nod or a smile. The thing that baffles me the most are the people who say or do nothing in return. They just walk on by as if I were invisible. If you want to learn how to not take anything personally, expect nothing in return and make a difference regardless of the reaction you get, start smiling. No phony cheesy grins allowed just simple and sincere smiles coming straight from your heart.
Something to Ponder
Questions designed to stimulate your thinking AND encourage you to take action towards what you want.
How do you show up in the world?
When have you created the biggest ripples?
Care to share what these questions stir up in you?
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 inspirational speaker 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. May you realize and remember that everything you do matters. Keep on doing what you do.
See you on March 19th!
Lisa
~Playful Spirit's mission is to inspire people to show up, be real and play big.~
lisa@playful-spirit.com www.playful-spirit.com