Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Audacious Introverts and Extroverts have the Courage to Speak Up


The Courage to Speak and Act 
Sometimes when life hits us a big blow--or perhaps many little ones--our resolve to tackle life head on is weakened, and we retreat into a timid place in which we lack the courage to take action, speak out, or tell our truth. 

Now you may falsely believe a timid spirit is confined to introverts and an exuberant spirit is only found among extroverts. But this is a misconception based on the caricature of a soft spoken introvert overwhelmed in a world of outspoken extroverts. 


Extroverts are just as susceptible as introverts to be shut down by life blows and need to find ways to coax themselves back out to face the world; and introverts are just as capable as extroverts to access and show their bold, courageous selves. 



Whether we're introverts or extroverts, we all access our inner and outer world at will, with introverts preferring to spend more time in the inner world and extroverts preferring to spend more time in the outer world.

But when life knocks us down, all of us--introverts and extroverts alike--retreat into our inner world to hold our own counsel and reconnect with our inner strength.






Accessing Your Bold, Audacious Spirit Inside

I know--'audacious' is not a word you generally think of when you think of an introvert and not always for an extrovert either. Yet it is a great word that describes a way of being we should all strive to achieve. 


An Audacious Spirit Promotes Strength

Unlike possessing a brassy, bossy, or bully spirit, an audacious spirit is one that promotes your strength to meet the world head on rather than one that is determined to control others into submission.


Unselfconsciously Fully-Engaged in Life

When you embrace your Audacious Spirit , you put fear aside to unselfconsciously show the fully engaged and fully alive person you are: You embolden yourself to seek justice; right wrongs; go where others have not; think differently; and step over boundaries and past barriers to unleash your best talents and self. 


The Chinese Symbol for Crisis 

Crisis--a Dangerous Opportunity Spurring You into Action

We are usually spurred into audacious action by a life crisis. While the initial response to a crisis is to retreat into yourself, the sharpness and discomfort of a crisis also rekindles your naturally audacious spirit to do battle--and suddenly you'll step forward to once again speak up to create the type of workplace, community, family or relationship you want.  


Choose to embrace and redirect your life experiences. Don't be afraid of the life crises and don't be afraid of retreating into yourself in response to the blow you take from dealing with them. 


Reframe what is happening when you retreat--learn to sit in the discomfort and view it as a time to regroup and build up your indomitable spirit to reemerge fully prepared to face life boldly and courageously.


Believe in Your Ability to Handle Whatever Life Brings You


Learn to rekindle trust in yourself, turn fear into faith in your future, and seek an Audacious Spirit!



Boldly Turn Fear into Faith


F E A R
 F  E  A  R
 F  E   A   R
False Evidence Appears Real
False Evidence Appears Real
          Forgo All  Insecurity  Trust  Hope
Forgo   All   Insecurity   Trust   Hope
Forgo All  Insecurity Trust Hope
Forgo All  Insecurity Trust Hope
F  A  I  T  H
H
H


There is in every
True woman’s heart
A spark of heavenly fire
Which lies dormant
In the broad daylight
Of prosperity-
But which kindles up
And beams and blazes
In the dark hour of adversity


Be Audacious!

Today I am Audacious!
💓Extremely bold and daring; 
💙Recklessly brave and fearless;
💚Shameless Bold and Brazen;
💛Extremely Original and Highly Inventive;
💜Recklessly bold in defiance of convention; 
💓Lively; Unrestrained; Uninhibited;
💙Courageous, Dauntless, Venturesome;
💛Unabashed, Shameless; Impertinent, Forward.

'Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.' William James


This post is dedicated to the AUDACIOUS WOMEN (and men) I witness stepping out to boldly support the life and causes they believe in! You are an inspiration to me.

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

Monday, January 1, 2018

Lightarted Living: Persistence in the Face of Fear~Ralph Waldo Emerso...

Lightarted Living: Persistence in the Face of Fear~Ralph Waldo Emerso...: The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling,  but in rising every time we fall. Ralph Waldo Emerson  He ...

Persistence in the Face of Fear~Ralph Waldo Emerson



The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, 

but in rising every time we fall.

Ralph Waldo Emerson 



He who is not every day conquering some fear 

has not learned the secret of life.

Ralph Waldo Emerson



Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. 

All life is an experiment.

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Lightarted Living: PATIENCE~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lightarted Living: PATIENCE~Ralph Waldo Emerson: Adopt the pace of nature~her secret is patience. Ralph Waldo Emerson Sign Up for Free E-mail updates For more than 35 ...

PATIENCE~Ralph Waldo Emerson


Adopt the pace of nature~her secret is patience.

Ralph Waldo Emerson



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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Lightarted Living: Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Purpose of Life

Lightarted Living: Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Purpose of Life: How will you make a difference? 'The purpose of life is not to be happy.  It is to be useful,  to be honorable,  ...

Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Purpose of Life



How will you make a difference?


'The purpose of life is not to be happy. 

It is to be useful, 

to be honorable, 

to be compassionate, 

and to have it make some difference 

that you have lived and lived well.'  

Ralph Waldo Emerson


Ponder Your Purpose

In living a purposeful life you'll find 
the contentment and satisfaction you seek. 

How will you be useful? 

How will you be honorable? 

How will you be compassionate?

How will you make a difference showing that you lived and lived well?  


Once in a Blue Moon, Someone Makes a Difference.

Make Your Life Count

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.


Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

Friday, December 29, 2017

Lightarted Living: Lao Tzu: At the Center of Your Being You Have the...

Lightarted Living: Lao Tzu: At the Center of Your Being You Have the...: If you have the answers within you, what are the questions?  Choose to live your life as a question mark  to seek answers b...

Lao Tzu: At the Center of Your Being You Have the Answers




If you have the answers within you, what are the questions? 

Choose to live your life as a question mark 

to seek answers by

fully engaging in life 

while listening to the music in your soul 

and the song in your heart.



“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.”

Lao Tzu



“At the center of your being you have the answer; 
you know who you are and you know what you want.”

Lao Tzu



Let Your Heart Sing


'Singing in the Shower'

This drawing emerged from my shower walls. The shower is such a great place to let your thoughts wander to seek answers.



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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 




Thursday, December 28, 2017

Lightarted Living: Choose a Resilient Attitude for the New Year

Lightarted Living: Choose a Resilient Attitude for the New Year: Adopt a Resilient Attitude  Fall Down 7 Times~Get Up 8 Times What do you see when you look out of your eyes?  For Christmas  ...

Choose a Resilient Attitude for the New Year


Adopt a Resilient Attitude 

Fall Down 7 Times~Get Up 8 Times

What do you see when you look out of your eyes? 

For Christmas my sis-in-law, Lee sent me a photo from NASA and asked 'what do you see?'. As I played with the photo I began thinking about the world view I want to adopt in the New Year. 

What emerged in my mind's eye is a world that keeps on going round after round after round. My vision is a world that is resilient and populated with people who are kind, compassionate, strong and hearty.
I imagine no matter what difficulties we might face in 2018 we'll rise to the occasion and be lifted up to become stronger and more capable to create a better world. I see a world filled with resilient people able to bounce back from hardships and set backs through their connections with one another and Mother Earth.
When we fall down seven times, we help each other get up eight times.


Be Resilient

Fall Down Seven Times~Get Up Eight

Start your New Year by choosing a resilient attitude that keeps you bouncing back. What attitude can you adopt that will help you grow stronger, kinder, and more capable no matter your circumstances?


I see the moon and the moon sees me
God bless the moon and God bless me!

Lao Tzu  Wisdom to Adopt

“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.”

“Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

“Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.”

“At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.”



Always ride your horse in the direction it is heading.

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.


Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 


Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Lightarted Living: Step Over Invisible Barriers: Be Pro-Active when Y...

Lightarted Living: Step Over Invisible Barriers: Be Pro-Active when Y...: F E A R   F  E  A  R   F  E   A   R F alse  E vidence  A ppears  R eal F alse  E vidence  A ppears  R eal    F orgo   A...

Belief Barriers stop us from acting, so by consciously taking step after step--without concern for the outcome--we show ourselves we can step past those invisible belief barriers holding us back. 

Monday, December 18, 2017

Lightarted Living: Mindfulness: Deep Listening Heals

Lightarted Living: Mindfulness: Deep Listening Heals: 'Take a walk at night.  Walk so silently that the bottoms of your feet become ears.' Pauline Oliveros, Deep Listening Compos...



What people need most when they're hurting is to be listened
to--to be heard. Nothing speaks more loudly that you care about someone than a
closed mouth and open ears. Please freely share Lightarted Living with people
you love--and give them the gift of deep listening.

Friday, December 15, 2017

Belonging: We're All Just Walking Each Other Home


We're all just walking each other home

Ram Dass


You have to have the multitude to face the solitude; 

And you have to have the solitude to face the multitude.

Unknown



The most important thing in communication 

Is hearing what isn't being said. 

Anonymous


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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.


Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

Lightarted Living: To Think is Easy. To Act is Difficult.To Act as On...

Lightarted Living: To Think is Easy. To Act is Difficult.To Act as On...: " What is the hardest thing you can possibly do?" she said when I went to her for advice on the darkest day of the first ha...

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Lightarted Living: A Simple Stress Management Technique: Finding FLOW...

Lightarted Living: A Simple Stress Management Technique: Finding FLOW...: Do You See What I See? Finding FLOW and JOY through the Eyes of a Child I admit it. I'm just a kid at heart who continues to ...

A Simple Stress Management Technique: Finding FLOW

Do You See What I See?

Finding FLOW and JOY through the Eyes of a Child

I admit it. I'm just a kid at heart who continues to look at the world  through the eyes of imagination. At 65 I still love getting to the dentist's office early to flip through the children's 'Highlights' Magazine to play with the 'hidden pictures' page. 

In the words of my then toddler, Sean, trying to coax me away from working on the computer: "It is good to play."

As a kid I loved laying in bed and looking up at the ceiling to find hidden pictures in the plastered swirls above. As an adult I continue to look for the hidden pictures everywhere I go--finding objects in bathroom tiles and shower walls--and in trees, leaves, rocks and flowers on nature walks.

So when fellow artist and sis-in-law, Lee--who shares my love of finding hidden pictures in the world around us--asked me to see what I saw in her 'underpainting' for a painting she started I was hooked. 

I was like a dog with a bone--focused and oblivious to the world around me--barely coming up for air as I looked into the underpainting to discover what treasures were present. This is the very definition of FLOW--the magical state where stress and anxiety melt away and pure joy emerges. 

What Do You See in Lee's Underpainting?

Child's Play Leads to FLOW

What do you see in Lee's underpainting? Free your mind and eyes to let people, animals and objects pop out at you. Then look again and see what else pops out at you. There is no one around to judge what you see. It doesn't matter how primitive the image is. There is no right or wrong answer.

It is through child's play we're able to find flow as we immerse ourselves in unselfconscious activity. The moment we're on the hunt for something of interest we're taken out of our critical and judgmental self--the one afraid to make a mistake or do something wrong--and moved into our curious and open self. 

When we move with a child's innocence into a state of FLOW, we're so focused on the present fascination we leave all judgment, fear and worry behind. There is nothing before us but the object of our attention and we're sucked into playing.

I See Connection--What do You See?

Every Day Look with Fresh Eyes

What began with a simple request for me 'to see what I saw' in Lee's canvas shot me onto a four day journey of play in which I approached the canvas fresh each day to see what emerged. 

Each morning before I opened my eyes my mind started churning on what fun images might appear and with pen in hand, I freed my mind to see what was before me as I filled in the images that popped out of the virgin underpainting. 'Laisser-Courre', 'Connection' and 'The Gathering' are what appeared on three different days.

But it didn't stop there. On my walks I had a renewed interest in looking at the world in a new way--looking to find hidden objects in everything--the leaves, rocks, trees and sky. 

You can do this too to calm your mind and create a state of flow.

I See a Conversation--What Do You See?

Practice Looking for Hidden Pictures to Quiet Your Mind

You can use this simple technique of looking for the hidden pictures to move you into FLOW and quiet your mind. Play with finding hidden objects until you don't want to do it any more. This is about letting your mind freely play without expectation or judgment. 

Let your images sit for a day then take another look. What messages do you see?  


I See a Bird, a Person, a Dog--What Do You See?

Blank Canvases are Everywhere 

Look for your own 'blank canvases' in the world to immerse yourself in as you look for the hidden pictures they contain. Photograph your walls, tile floors, or tree bark or use someone else's image to loosen your eyes to find the hidden pictures within. 

Above is one of many abstract markings on my shower wall I photographed for my fun. Feel free to play with it to see what you see in it.

Below are tiles from 'Connection' that I sat with for one more day. The more you study what's hidden the more you'll discover.

Belonging



 The Lion--or is it?
Look closely at the lion's face--it's a chicken!
Look closely at the lion's paw--it's a parrot!
FUN!

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list.

Monday, December 11, 2017