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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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 did a presentation recently about embracing change. The president of the company wanted me to emphasize that change and growth required innovation and the willingness to make mistakes.

You've got to break some eggs to make an omelet

It was so interesting to feel the room go cold when I mentioned making mistakes being a part of learning and growing. Despite the president’s intention to create an environment for innovation, most of the people in the room were not comfortable with making mistakes. Whether it was their own internal system or the feeling that their supervisors did not have the “capacity” to accept mistakes as a healthy part of growth, the air in the room made it clear that something needed to change in a big way before the staff felt they really had the room to make mistakes. At some level we know that mistakes aren’t “bad” and that we can learn and grow from them, but most of us just want to get “it” right. We don’t feel like we have the time, let alone the permission, to make mistakes that we can learn from, that will give us the freedom in which to innovate!

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I’ve just returned from Kendall SummerHawk’s Money, Market, and Soul Intensive.   As is so often the case, you get insights during the course, but the course may just be planting the seeds.   At least that’s the case for me, here.   I’ve been using the starter phrase “What would it be like if…”  to give myself some different perspectives.  Sometimes, I get so focused on my small thinking, it’s like I’m sticking my head down a hole.  So, I’m asking what it would be like to have the things I think I’d love to have:  What would it be like to feel 100% valuable, whole, and complete?   What would it be like to feel like a successful strategist (something I think I’m not good at)?  What would it be like to have faith in myself?

What would it be like to have faith in myself.   I was surprised about how easily the answers started flowing for that one…bottom line, I would be more of who I most want to be.  I think that’s so cool.

This is such a time of transition and this feels good.  Is this part of being a Lightworker? A cultural creative?

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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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Click here to view the embedded video.

This lovely video depicts the beauty in the wisdom of some of our elders. Their beauty, vibrance, elegance, as well as wisdom. The love and appreciation of these qualities have steeped the work of the wise young man who took on this project, Andrew Zuckerman.

Are we willing to take a big, juicy bite out of life?

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The day was a huge success (because I say so) and reminded me of my passion
for so much of my work. Can’t think of much better. We laughed and teared up and got honest and connected heart to heart. Yummmm.

Pics to come!

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Often when we’re being tough and strong, we’re scared. It takes a lot of courage to allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to be soft. – Dudley Martineau

We’ve developed defenses for protection because we have felt the need for protection from the abuses of others, parents on occasion, bosses, spouses, even strangers. And in certain situations, our defenses served us well – for a time. However, they have taken their toll. Hiding behind them for long makes them habitual and we move farther and farther away from our center, from the woman each of use needs and wants to be.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiyarhode/2252741333/

Exposing who we really are invites judgment, sometimes rejection, oftentimes discounting. It’s a terribly hard risk to take, and the rewards are seldom immediate. But with time, others respect us for our vulnerability and begin to imitate our example. We are served well by our integrity, in due time.

Letting others see who we really are alleviates confusion – theirs and ours….There is only one appropriate choice to every situation – the one that is honest and wholly reflective of who we are at that moment.

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