How Do You Show Up?, 6.26.20

How do you show up in the world? I used to show up carrying lots of baggage. Envy, judgements, anger, regret, anxiety, and zero patience. Most of the time, I showed the side of myself that was relatively laid back and easy-going. And for the most part that is the way I felt. But, every now and then, in my unguarded moments, the smallest amount of stress would become a trigger and I would completely lose it, showing my temper and my "impressive" vocabulary of swear words. I'm embarrassed to say that this was me until just a few years ago. Then, real stress presented itself. A real reason to be anxious and angry. But, for some reason, when this huge stressor presented itself, instead of shouting out from the rooftops what everyone else had done to me, I decided to look at my own role in it. Deep down, I knew I had work to do and I knew that the only person I could change was me. I knew that I didn't want to continue showing up in the world the way I had been showing up. I didn't want to show up angry. I wanted to show up happy. I didn't want to show up with envy. I wanted to show up with contentment and feeling joy in other people's successes and accomplishments. I didn't want to show up in judgement. I want to show up with compassion and understanding. I didn't want to show up with anxiety. I wanted to show up with a sense of deep peace and contentment inside of myself. 

So, I did the work. I've done the work. Now, the way I show up in the world makes me feel proud. It wasn't easy and I didn't do it alone. As I look back on it, I realize how far I've come and how many people I have to thank for helping me get to this point. I'm showing up with confidence and with a deep sense of knowing my strengths, my weaknesses and who I am- underneath all of the "junk". Does that mean that I never doubt myself, have regrets or setbacks, or feel sad or angry? No. But now I know how to crawl out of those places. I have been given so many tools, from so many people, to be able to do that. I am SO grateful. 

I really wish I could have discovered this "knowing" much earlier in life, but I know, without one bit of doubt, that everything happens the way it is supposed to happen for each one of us- to help us to the next level of understanding and enlightenment. So, how do you show up in the world?  How do you want to show up? If you want to make a change for the better, there is so much help out there. I'll leave you with a few resources who/that have helped me show up in the world as a much better version of myself. Do you have work to do? If the answer is "yes", keep reading.

Books:

The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer 

The Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele

Carry On Warrior by Glennon Doyle

Loving What Is by Byron Katie

Yoga for Life by  Colleen Saidman-Yee

Places/People: 

Jane's House of Well-Being- Robin Buck, Kate Bee, Danielle Greenwood, Reena Nagrani (and SO many others in this community)

Dudas Fitness and Mind Shift Fitness: Matt Dickson

Humble Seed Yoga: Shelly Coffman

Circle Yoga Shala: Matt and Holly Krepps

Tibetan Healing Movement: Farah Garan, Zenovia Hwang

Sandhill Counseling and Consultation: Monica Lieser

Within Thyself Institute: Debora Ribas

DVD's/Publications, etc.  

On Meditation: Elena Brower

Fierce Grace: Ram Dass

Rodney Yee

Sean Corne

Happinez 

Podcasts/Online courses:

On Being: Krista Tippett

Don't Keep Your Day Job: Cathy Heller

Kelly Rae Roberts

And, last but definitely not least, don't forget about personal resources: people in your life who are your biggest fans, your heroes, your motivation, and your inspiration. 

Until next time, 

Be Still. 

Be Strong. 

Be Happy. 

And Be Graceful.~ Juli

Stop Playing Small, 6.16.20

Can you relate to this image? I can. Cowering down and playing small because you feel like it’s all you deserve? Or, playing small because that’s what you are used to and what people around you are used to? Or, playing small because of old habits that keep you stuck, spinning your wheels? Yep. I can relate to all of the above. And... considering that we have all had the weirdest year ever (and by "all" I mean the entire WORLD!), I would bet that any person would be off-track, disoriented, unmotivated, and feeling kind of small, right? Well, I think I have found a cure. This podcast. 

SOOO good. I highly recommend it if you can relate to any of the above scenarios. I guarantee that listening will be the permission you need to start telling your story, to start living your passion and to stop playing small. 

Think about it. Your story might just be the story that changes someone's life. So, go tell it. 

Be Still.

Be Strong. 

Be Happy. 

And be Graceful.  ~Juli