Have you ever had the deep desire to live out your purpose, but when your path takes an unexpected turn, you’re not so sure anymore? I’ve tended to feel bad about myself because I keep asking for my purpose and for my path to be made clear, but when the same theme keeps hounding me, I still want to deny it because it doesn’t fit my pictures of what my work is supposed to be! I’ve written posts about this before – and its back again. Hounding me. Making me pay attention. God telling me, ‘this is it, this is what you’ve asked for.’ And what is it that I’m fighting? Sparkling. Sparkles. Light, bright, shiny, happy-making. And I’m saying ‘no.’ It’s not professional enough!!!! But apparently, sparkling is meant to happen and I am meant to help. Somehow. We’ll see….

Will I be able to withstand the slings and arrows of people who think sparkle is too silly to consider? Perhaps I’ll have to put on some Sparkle Power armor – and remind myself that this was God’s idea, not necessarily mine!

On the other hand, I could think of how much magic can be created when women let themselves bring their sparkle into the ‘game.’ Bringing sparkle in to ‘serious’ matters – like businesses or finances, what transformations could result?

What in the world do you mean by sparkle?

Sparkle is zest, aliveness, lightness, joy, magic. Sparkle lights things up. It’s an impetus…it lights the pilot light. Sparkle is, pretty much, infectious. Sparkle is faith, hope, trust, love, enthusiasm, the Light of God rekindling our inner sparkle. Those are some of the ways I mean sparkle.

Almost every woman I know – and a lot of men, too – smiles when she hears the word ‘sparkle.’ That says something to me. They remember sparkle…and it delights them. Now when you’re with someone who is delighted, what happens? Magic, my friends! Magic!

What does sparkle mean to you?

Sparkle has been underrated!

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Believing this fully is difficult at times; for some of us, most of the time. But it is true. What each of us can contribute to the world is unlike every other, any other, contribution. Each talent is slightly different from every other talent. They are all needed. We are all needed.

Creativity – any kind – writing, photography, cooking, child care, weaving, managing, woodworking – nourishes the self that feels isolated and worthless. And as the self is nourished, it grows; it recovers.

Growth means changing our lifestyle. It means reaching out to others and being there for one another. It means rejoining the human race by giving of ourselves. Our talents are the gifts the human race awaits, needs, in fact. Do we know our talents?

- Adapted from an entry in Each Day a New Beginning

This period of time in history is a rich one. Rarely have there been so many choices and possibilities available. That’s the good news. The more challenging news is that this is also a time when we are being called to step up into more of who we truly are, more of who we’ve been created to be. If we’ve been playing small, it’s time to play a bigger game. If we’ve not nourished our souls, now’s the time to start doing so. If we haven’t been sharing our precious gifts, it’s time to be bolder and braver and begin sharing them with the world…even if it is just one person at a time. Now’s the time to be bringing forth the gifts the world needs…even if we deem our gifts small or insignificant; even if the world (as yet) seems to pooh-pooh those gifts. Now is the time, as women, to support one another and support the gifts that each of us have been blessed with.

Dear ones, now is the time! Which of your many gifts are you willing to share with your world? What small, sweet step can you take today to bring your gifts forward?

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My dear friend, Nina, reminded me this morning that it is our authenticity and willingness to be vulnerable that is the most appealing and, indeed, the most valuable to those around us. Although our egos would prefer that we look good, it’s the not looking so great that touches people and gives them the permission to be more vulnerable themselves. And that may set them free.

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“However confused the scene of our life appears, however torn we may be who now do face that scene, it can be faced, and we can go on to be whole.” ~ Muriel Rukeyser

“We can expect to feel fear, even dread at some points in our lives. We will always have situations that, for a time at least, seem more than we can bear. But the clouds will lift. We are never given more than we can handle, and with each passing day we become more at ease with ourselves and all that life give us. We are learning that ‘this too shall pass.’” – Each Day a New Beginning

I used to think that if I was doing everything “right” and had all my ‘ducks in a row’ then I would not feel so uncomfortable or afraid when I took on new challenges. I thought I would lose the knots in my stomach and not have those scared voices telling me not to try such “risky” things. Alas, that’s just not the case! The fearful grumblings are still there, they just don’t carry the same weight they used to. I’m discovering that there are other parts of me that can carry the load, that are stronger now. The self doubt is not truly banished, but rather given its space to breathe, while the stronger aspects of my being are now in their leadership roles.

Our first Banish Self Doubt telecall is tomorrow evening. Check here for more information!

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Kamala does things differently than Shawn did. I love the energy I feel within me now that I’m stepping in to the carrying of this “new” name. And I relish the idea that for the rest of my life I can be called by a name I like, that feels good to me! Life’s really too short to go by a name that we don’t care for!

These are exciting times, aren’t they? Those of us who are being stirred have some wonderful work to do! And, boy, do I fantasize it being all “easy.” We’ll see!

We have to start valuing ourselves. We have to honor the light we carry and be willing to let it shine, vibrantly.

blessings,

kamala

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I’m cranky about being vulnerable. I’ve been told that my vulnerability is one of my greatest gifts. Well, I’ll tell you, it’s not one I particularly appreciate…at least not in many business situations. Gotta look good, gotta be on top of things, gotta make a good impression. Darn! I hate that. Oh, no! I shouldn’t hate it! Oh, no! I shouldn’t “should!” Aaaack!
(I love the quote of Meg Ryan’s “Oh, I’m so inadequate. And I love myself!” I’ve got the “I’m so inadequate” part down. Nearly impeccably. The “And I love myself!” is gettin’ there! And I absolutely do love that!)

I don’t know about all the lore of the year 2012, but it sure does feel like the world and it’s inhabitants and our way of living is requiring some major shifts in the way we do things. Maybe it’s nearing the end times. Don’t know. But it does seem the world could use a lot more love, caring, and compassion right now. A way to ride the waves of what is happening next. What would it be like if transparency became more and more prevalent; what if the shifts in the world right now were calling for more connection and vulnerability became a huge asset. What if we just began to KNOW that is a huge asset and act accordingly.

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Holding on to shame, continuing to harbor negative feelings about our sense of shame, severely limits us from being who we’ve been created to be – we don’t feel great about ourselves because we’re ashamed, feel less than, having to hide something; we aren’t as open as we’d like to be, particularly if we’re seeking authenticity, which so many of us are today.

What kinds of things do women feel shame about?

Well, there are the “big” things lying, cheating, stealing (…oh, Lord, I hate to admit it, I’ve done all of those things at one time or another). The things we did do and the things we didn’t do. And the other things we wouldn’t particularly want our neighbors or colleagues to know about us.

Where does your body hold shame?

Often shame lodges in the belly and/or solar plexus. Begin to notice where you feel your body reacting to the shame you feel about a shame-inducing incident. It feels to me like I’m pulling in, hiding, covering myself.

Go kinda easy on yourself

One of the gifts I’m receiving is an opportunity to heal huge amounts of shame I’ve held on to for years, as well as the more recent stuff. Although some of it feels pretty crappy, there is also space and a peace, particularly as I can open up and let God into those dark and lonely places. I am so grateful that I can see the benefits of this process – as it’s pretty foul stuff that’s coming up. This is what I’ve been asking for…to be clean and used by God. Wouldn’t it be great to appreciate more of our process/journey? Hopefully, more and more with time – I guess this is part of the process, too! It’s not an easy process, but I can feel it will be well worth it.

INQUIRY:

How would your life be more fulfilling with less shame?

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A number of years ago, I had a favorite devotional I used in my recovery program. Somewhere along the line, it fell apart and I probably tossed it. I can’t remember the name and I haven’t been able to find another copy, but I DO remember one of the stories that really touched me & I loved reading it! In the story a mother, grandmother, and little girl go to a restaurant and the waitress takes the orders for the two women and then turns to the little girl and asks what she would like. The girl’s mother starts to answer, but the waitress raises her hand to stop her and again, turns to the little girl and repeats her question. The little girl joyously gives her order, the waitress smiles, says “Coming right up!” and begins to walk away. The little girl excitedly says, “Mommy! Mommy! She thinks I’m REAL!”

I get a little teary when I think of the story…how many of us didn’t feel very real growing up? Even now, it often feels that people are so hungry for been seen for who they are, rather than what they’re doing.

By TwitterButtons.com

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“No one of us has escaped a special plan. And everyone of us is inspired in particular ways, with particular talents.” Author unknown, Each Day a New Beginning

There comes a time for many of us when our life feels like that darkened room. We’ve followed the beaten path, the familiar path, but now some inner nudging is urging us to move on to a new road. We do have choices: we can keep following the well-worn path or blaze our own new one. One we can clearly discern; the other, barely, if ever, trodden. But what choices! Robert Frost wrote in The Road not Taken,

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth…

…I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

For some of us, it’s time to take a new road, perhaps a path that has not yet been blazed, yet is our path. And one we must take for our own growth, perhaps our own sanity. Maybe inner guidance is saying “This way. This way.” But as we look down, there’s no trail in front of us. No clear path to follow. Our inner guidance lets us know, the clear-cut path is not for us…we’ve passed the point of no return. We’re having to forge ahead, perhaps slowing our pace to an excruciatingly slow crawl, feeling along every millimeter, trying to find our openings. As we muddle along, learning to hear our guidance more clearly and feel for those openings more gracefully, our hearts begin to remember their purpose and say “yes.” And as that happens, our way is made lighter and more joyous. Given our world today, it is especially important that we each recognize and work at fulfilling our “special plan.” Each day, take a step along your path, even if it is a tiny one. If you need help, ask for it. Be in communication with your inner guidance – listen and heed its advice. When your heart says “yes” – move with it! It knows the way home.

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“…This is our time…to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth…that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:  Yes We Can.”

Yes We Can.  That thought thrills me.  The realization that my president-elect wants me – us – to believe that – to stand in it – to live it – thrills me even more.  If we do live this, what can we create/develop/help happen?

What is it that you want for yourself, for your family, your community, country, world?  What do you hope for?  My hope is that we all become clearer about what we want, we recognize that we can, and we strive to make those dreams and hopes a reality.

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