Safety at the Edge

Walk the edge safely and with joy.

Carlos Rosas

More and more I'm convinced that what looks like the safe route often isn't. That for some of us auditioning is safer than accounting and writing is safer than teaching. What's dangerous is squishing yourself into the wrong shape. What's safe is being who you are.

Side Note: It's Wednesday. Make a wish at Wishcasting.

Self-Portrait Challenge ~ On the Street

This month's Self-Portrait Challenge is On the Street. This is me on Bloor Street East in Toronto. For more self-portraits, go here.

For more starshyneproductions, go here.

The Success Principles ~ Principle #12

Jack Canfield's Success Principle #12 is "act as if" (if anyone is a student of Stanislavski, you will recognize this phrase from his system of acting as well). In other words, act as if your dreams have already come true and you are living the life you imagine for yourself. In fact, Canfield invites you to throw a "Come as you will be" party at which you and your guests dress, behave, share and celebrate as though all the dream of is their current reality.

Canfield's explanation for the power of this principle is the impact that acting as if has on your brain function. To me, the explanation is even simpler. When you are acting "as if," in that moment there is a way in which the dream is in fact realized. Because I have theatre as my context, I'll use that as an example. When you see an actor playing King Lear weeping over the loss of his devoted daughter, he is in fact crying (I acknowledge that sometimes he is "presenting" crying rather than crying, but often it is his own true tears coursing down his face). He is playing King Lear. He is in an imaginary situation. Yet, he is crying. His body's physiology is impacted just as though he were crying for his own deep personal loss. In fact, he is likely using some very real experience of his own to evoke the honest reaction in an imagined situation.

So, when I walk into a party dressed to the nines and sharing my (as-yet-to-be-realized) successes with confidence. I am embodying confidence. I am experiencing that success. The "doing" of my goal may not have happened yet, but the "being" of my goal has. I'm like that glorious peony pictured above. The full bloom already exists. It simply takes some time for it to share itself with the world.

I'm definitely going to take on the task of 'acting as if" this week. Will you do the same? How will you dress? Interact with others? Sign your name? Walk down the street? Eat your lunch? I'd love to hear how this plays out for you!

Visioning

I want to thank everyone for your comments to this week's Success Principle post, both online and off. Your responses were really inspiring and set me to thinking and exploring.

I loved Star's thoughts on exploring different sizes and formats and Melba's comment that she's interested in capturing her everyday visually but not with photographs and that Shannon likes the idea of collaging but not visualization. This really reinforces for me that we are all different and there must be so many unique ways of connecting each of us with our dreams. This is really inviting my imagination to play!

How creative can we get? How can you envisage your dream?

• Write and then present a monologue expressing your reaction to the achievement of your dreams.
  
• Cook a celebratory meal with each course representing one thing you want to accomplish.
  
• Dance your deepest desire.
  
• Sculpt clay figures of you achieving your goals.
  
• Create a nursery rhyme that serves as a mantra for your dreams ("Jamie bought her dream house, her kitchen was white as snow. And everywhere that Jamie went, success was sure to go.")
  
• Design the outfit that says "I am (insert who/what you want to be)" and wear it. (Definitely wear it to your soul-sucking, energy-draining job if you have one!)
  

Any other ideas?

And speaking of taking a novel approach, have you seen Keri Smith's new project, Wreck This Journal. I know that I can get very caught up in wanting a journal to be "just so," especially when it's a pretty one. This concept seems so liberating and fun! Check it out.

Self-Portrait Challenge ~ On the Street

This month's theme at Self-Portrait Challenge is "On the Street." And this is me (in the white jacket) on Bloor Street in Toronto, looking up at the beautiful new addition to our museum, the ROM, that is almost complete. I've always loved the design and am so excited to see it take shape. One of the things that I found so thrilling was when I suddenly got that as the contents of the museum reflect us back to ourselves, so does this new design reflect us back to ourselves as we pass by.

The Success Principle ~ Principle #11

Principle #11 of Jack Canfield's Success Principles is "See what you want, get what you see." He explains the power of visualization, how it works and also provides some suggestions for using it in your life. He says the process of visualization is simple: "Close your eyes and see your goals as already complete." He suggests making those images as vivid as you can and visiting them in your mind when you wake up and before you go to bed.

He also suggests using printed images to help, recommending creating collages and vision boards. This is something I've been doing for years. Whenever I feel like it's time to revision or recentre, I pull out the magazines and the bristol board. Collaging has also become very much a part of my daily journalling, and it is an exercise I often recommend to my clients. As a part of this success principle, you use images that represent the specifics of what you want, perhaps a particular kind of house or a trip to Paris or a puppy.

Working from another direction, I have found that collaging has the ability to invoke your intuition. Sometimes you find yourself pulling certain images out, not really knowing why but sensing a connection and trusting it. For example, recently I've found myself attracted to images of sailing (this from a woman who is terrified of deep water!) and horses. Both the images surprised me a bit but made sense when I started to think about what they might represent - freedom, passion, adventure, being in the moment, being independent,.

In the collage above, I was working on setting some intentions for different priority areas in my life: my business, my creative work, my relationships, my self and my home. I divided the board into those areas and then started adding pictures that spoke to me. I found some surprises - like my creative work, for me, is where glamour lives (middle bottom).

In this chapter, Jack Canfield recommends adding sounds and feelings to the pictures. I recommend you invite all of your senses in, invite the flavour of your dream into your life today. "What emotions and bodily sensations would you be feeling if you had already achieved your goal?" If you're cooking dinner for friends, imagine that it's opening night of your new restaurant. If you're walking down the street and the sun is shining on your face, close your eyes for a moment and imagine it's shining on you in the Dominican Republic.

We all have a tendency to relate to certain senses better than the others. Get creative. If you're an auditory person, try recording your imagined news release of your success, "This just in, Mary Shapiro wins the Pulitzer Prize. Even as a girl, Mary..." Play it back to yourself every day. If you're kinesthetic, explore what body posture represents where you want to be. Next time you walk down the grocery aisle, imagine you're walking down the red carpet. How would you stand? What size are your steps? What's the expression on your face? Smile into the freezer shelves. The ice cream won't laugh!

The main thing is to make it real for you, to make the feeling of your success very familiar.

What dream will you explore and how will you try it on?

Announcing Summer Nia with Jamie

I am so excited to announce my first regular Nia class. For those of you in the Toronto area, I'd love it if you'd come out and join me for Nia this summer.

Summer Nia

with Jamie

Wednesdays 5:00 ~ 6:00

June 6 to August 22

Dance Studio

Trinity-St. Paul's

427 Bloor Street West

Discover the joy of moving your body's way.

Nia is a movement practice that is performed barefoot

and draws on dance arts, martial arts and the healing hearts

to create a pleasurable fitness experience.

Summer Price: $10/class

for more information contact Jamie

nia@openthedoor.ca

If you're not in Toronto but would love to experience Nia, check out www.nianow.com for classes near you. And even better, come out to justBe... Connected where I'll be sharing Nia at the opening and closing of the conference. I'll look forward to dancing with you!

Happy Mom's Day

This is it..this is about all the work I'm going to do today if I have my way!!HA My plans you ask...sit outside, read a good book and drink a yummy drink and relax! Oh and help Connor with his VERY last minute project. But before I start the fun.. I just wanted to share a new layout and card using Bo Bunny's Sweet Summer line. This beautiful weather we're having definitely makes me think of popsicles and slushies. Which I am making Scott bring me home today!





Happy Mom's Day..to anyone who is a Mom, would like to be a Mom, is going to be a Mom or was! Special thoughts today to a fellow scrapper who recently lost her 13 year old son to a battle with cancer and to the Coble family in California. I read about this family recently lost all three of their beautiful little children(ages 5, 4 and 3) in a horrible car accident.

Julia

The Success Principles ~ Principle 10

The tenth success principle is release the brakes. I love the quote this chapter starts off with, "Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone," Robert Allen. This principle is very much about moving out of the box that you create for yourself and realizing there's more available to you outside those boundaries. We start to feel safe and secure within the comfort zone, but often it becomes a prison, limiting the range of our experience and stunting our growth.

Canfield points to our use of the words "can't," "must," "must not" as clues to where you are building your own box. It's a great exercise to spend a day or a week paying attention to when you say anything that I would call a 'that's the way it is" statement (e.g. "I'd love to change my job, but it's just not realistic." "I really want to study music, but..." "If I didn't have this mortgage, I would...) That will help determine where you are seeing boundaries and limitations, i.e. the edges of your box.

This chapter about moving outside of the comfort zone is timely for me. I've been working on revamping the look and feel of my business and in the midst of it working on personal image transformation as well. At times it has been exciting and inspiring and at others, overwhelming and frustrating. I find that sometimes I'm so used to the walls I've created that I'm more likely to keep painting those walls or hanging new art on them instead of seeing that the real point is to blast them down and open up to something brand new! That's a good time to get an outside view.

This week I had the opportunity to work with a branding strategist and a style consultant, which was powerful, insightful work. And I noticed how vulnerable I felt in the process. When I became aware of my resistance and sensitivity, it occured to me that the reason this feels so uncomfortable is because it's real change. I'm growing and stepping into new shoes and I'm not 100% sure what they look like. And I'm finding that disorienting. I've always had a deep sense of who I am and a strong sense of my personal style and the way I move in the world. Up until recently, I've always been someone who shifts their look with their life. I remember the different eras in my life (the dancer era, the body-building era, drama student, artistic director, club chick) and the accompanying wardrobe and image changes.

I'm surprised at how difficult I've found this current transformation. Maybe it's because I'm holding some limiting beliefs that are putting the brakes on. I'd say that's true about how I feel about getting older. And I notice things like how I undercut my love of the garden because I'm associating it with a domesticity that I'm resisting, despite the fact that I love "home." And the style consultant actually challenged me to fully claim my spirituality. So there are at least 3 invitations for me to expand my comfort zone.

Where might you expand yours?

#85 on my 101 list ~ Teach a Nia Class

I am so excited to say that today I taught my first Nia class. Shannon was kind enough to head out to a studio with me and play. We had a fantastic time. The studio is in a place I just adore. It's a central Toronto location and there's always so much going on. We had a kids theatre group rehearsing beside us when we went in and when we came out there was a lecture going on in the same location. The people are nice and helpful and the location is full of life. I feel so at home there.

And I feel at home in a studio.

What a beautiful place to explore your dance and reconnect with your body. Nia is such a gift. For those of you who haven't experienced Nia, it is a movement practice that is for any body and any fitness level. Nia draws on 9 movement forms in the dance arts, martial arts and healing arts. It is a holistic workout that involves your body, mind, emotions and spirit. It helps you connect to your body's way of moving, and it is transformative . I'll be sharing Nia at just Be... Connected and I really look forward to dancing with you

Today it was a joy to dance with Shannon. Afterwards we just had to go out and celebrate.

Self-Portrait Challenge ~ On the Street

This month's theme at Self-Portrait Challenge is "on the street." I was thinking street, urban when I decided to snap this shot of myself at the subway. It totally cracked me up to see the content of the ad behind me. I hadn't noticed it at all before. A little bit of graphic urban natural on the street. And that combo of cityscape and natural beauty showed up for me a bit later in the day as I was out at IKEA, near a construction site and saw this spectacular sky ~

As well as SPC I'm participating in Michelle's Month of Me, doing something on each day in May to nurture my self and my soul. Today I there were definitely a couple of highlights. My planned treat today was to go out at lunch and buy the new edition of my new favourite mag, Motto. I can't to see what great ideas and inspiration are between the covers, especially since I saw the word "coaches" on the cover!

And then some spontaneous soul-nurturing came at the invitation of my husband today. We were at IKEA. Now, if you've ever had the IKEA experience, you know that it isn't always exactly nuturing! But we had put a few things on their big dolly carts and were heading out when Justin looked at me mischeivously and said, "Climb on!" And I did. I stood on that cart and he wheeled me up to the cash. We laughed the entire way. Man, I love my husband! It's wonderful to experience soul-nuturing in a relationship too!

How are you going to nuture yourself today?

Updates

Well, I have a shocking update on the cat situation. Apparently they won't be returning to our garden because the poor little things have been abandoned. Their owners have moved out and left them stranded inside the apartment. Luckily one of our other neighbours heard their all-night meowing and contacted the Humane Society to come and take them. This is doubly positive because apparently the landlord thought the best solution was to poison them and dispose of them!

As much as I'm thrilled the little tykes won't be peeing in my tomatoes, I am so sad for all that they've been through. I can't understand letting cats, especially young ones, out right where we are. We live on a very busy street in a neighbourhood filled with racoons. One of the cats had managed to get themself stuck on a roof at least twice that I witnessed. And one of them was caught up in a tree for days! And still, they let them out. I sincerely hope these little ones find a loving and safe home where they will be nurtured and cared for.

And speaking of nurturing, yesterday my Month of Me treat came from the wonderful Sabine. Sabine came over to interview me for her series of Leaving Academia podcasts. When the results are up, I will let you know so you can hear my story of leaving my doctoral studies, if you're interested. The interview itself was so much fun to do. I had a blast participating. But the M.o.M. treat was Sabine brought popsicles and we sat on our deck chatting and enjoying. I told Sabine I felt like I was a kid who was having a friend over to play. It was great.

Is your spirit feeling more like these abandoned kitties than nurtured? Join Michelle's Month of Me and do something to nurture your spirit every day in May.

The Success Principles ~ Principle 9

Jack Canfield's Success Principle 9 is Success Leaves Clues. Whatever it is you're dreaming of doing, someone out there has been down the same road and left clues about how to do it successfully. In this chapter, Jack suggests connecting with those people by reading any clues they've left in the form of books, articles or online contributions and by connecting with them directly by asking them for some of their time or perhaps even shadowing them for a day. You can also volunteer, assister or intern for someone you think you can learn from.

A while ago I felt pretty discouraged in this arena. I had asked several people if they would share their wisdom with me, and I received lots of resistance and some flat-out no's. But a lot has changed. First, I've had the great good luck to have my mentor, Sunny, come into my life and freely offer her guidance and wisdom. Then through joining the Ladies Who Launch group, I connected with some generous women who have shared their insight and wisdom. In fact, through that network I was able to set up a telephone appointment with a coach whose practice fascinates me. I'm really looking forward to learning more about her story and success.

I've also had more and more examples come across my path of entrepreneurs who are successfully running their businesses from their hearts and souls and that is giving me hope and inspiration. I recently discovered the magazine Motto, which is full of such people. I'm keeping a list of who I might want to connect to. I was also recently introduced to Carrie & Danielle, an amazing duo that create Style Statements, which are like personal brand slogans that help you refine your image, your style, your purpose. I listened to their teleseminar on the Paradox of Business. For anyone wanting to run their business in a way that authentically represents their values and personality, this call is worth listening to. The details for listening to the recording are here.

As these opportunities and examples open up, I think that maybe I was looking in the wrong place or at the wrong time before. I am excited by all the possibilities. There are so many wonderful people out there doing amazing things, and many of them do want to share their experience and knowledge. And one great thing to remember is you don't have to look at someone who has done "exactly" what you want to do. Remember how last week was "chunking it down"? You can do that here too and look for people who have successfully achieved a chunk of what you're doing.

Maybe your dream is running a web-based homemade baked goods delivery service for seniors. You might find one person who has been successful at setting up online businesses, someone else who's established an exceptional baked goods business and someone else that specializes in successful business for seniors. Keep your eyes open for who might have some wisdom for you and then ask for it. Maybe at first it will be easiest to ask for it by requesting a book at the library or subscribing to a particular magazine. And then maybe by emailing a question. And then maybe by taking someone to lunch. Take the chance and make the connection. Who knows what magic you'll spark!

What's something you'd really love to do? Whose success has some clues for you?

Month of Me ~ Garden Centre

I've jumped on board with Michelle's suggestion that May be the Month of Me and that each day we take the time to do something to feed our souls. On Friday, I was freelancing and made sure that at lunchtime I got out of the building and took a walk, enjoying the sun, the fresh air and that I'm a free human being enjoying my life.

And the joy Saturday was going to the Garden Centre. This definitely qualifies as an artist date for me. I took my time and looked at everything, thinking about what was needed in what conditions in our yard, noting what caught my eye, what might appeal to Justin, and just appreciating the beauty in the place. I brought lots of beauty home to enjoy too.

And now I have these beauties to admire:

At the garden centre there was a little girl there with her mom. The little girl was going, "Look, mom, they have pansies." And the mom, looking surprised at plants her daughter could recognize said, "Yes, Jamie, those are pansies." Hehe, I learned plant names by hanging out with my mom too. I still remember my struggle to say forsythia. And I'm amazed that I know that flower above is a ranunculus. Thanks, Mom!

Getting to Know You

This month Paintergirl is hosting "Getting to Know You" Day at Create a Connection. This week's question is "What book, movie and song not only changed your life, but also changed the way you thought about the medium. It could have been when you were a child or a teenager or just last week. Anytime in your life." I'm not sure that mine changed my view of the medium but they certainly changed my view of life.

Book: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

I read this book in 12th grade and it was a devastating experience. My worldview to that point had been that people are inherently good and that circumstance and experience drove us to sometimes to less than good things. Heart of Darkness suggests that without the imposed structure of society, we are inherently selfish brutes. At least that's what I read it to mean when I was 17.

For at least the next year, I was suspicious and frankly depressed. That view got in the way of friendships, of connecting with the world and discouraged me greatly. The good news is that later in my life I came to a new optimism, what I call my earned optimism, that came from experience, that came in spite of experience. And also, suprisingly, years and years later, Apocalypse Now helped heal something in me by presenting the story highlighting the concept of personal choice.

Music: Indigo Girls - various songs

I am amazed by how often I think of an Indigo Girls song not just for the music but for what it reminds me of about being a human being in this world. Watershed reminds me that I can get caught in thinking too much and not acting. Hammer and a Nail inspires me to actually get to the doing. And Go reminds me to take a stand and not be afraid to do so. With their music and their performances, the Indigo Girls have stirred my heart and made me think for years.

Film: Sharkwater

I recently saw this movie about one man's passion for sharks and discovery that they are rapidly disappearing from this earth. The movie features some gorgeous underwater photography and a compelling story. The impact on me was not directly about the topic at hand. What struck me on a deep level in watching this movie was twofold. On a deep level I was appalled by the impact of our propensity for waste. Afterwards I really examined where in my life I was being wasteful and where I truly was grateful.

In watching this film I also had a huge "aha" moment. I realized that my deepest core value is the sacredness of life. And at a visceral level I realized how many of the things that have broken my heart and shaken my soul have been when human beings are immune to the value of the life before them.

What book, music or film have changed your life?

Month of Me moment for Thursday: I had a long and demanding day yesterday. I took some time to just lie down and give myself some Reiki.

Water Dog

Peso has now firmly convinced me that he is no ordinary dog! No! He loves to jump over piles of things..picture an agility course, he's learning to play frisbee, like to play soccer with little balls in our kitchen, talks..yes.. and now this! I think he needs an agent..anyone know one?

Just a bit of background. Our inground sprinklers haven't been turned on yet. And the kids were over at a neighbors house using their sprinkler. I thought I'd give them a break and brought ours out. Peso was watching the kids as he always does. So I let him out and put him on his lead figuring he'd sit and watch.

Nope..this is what he did until I stopped him 30 minutes later!!

Click this link if the video doesn't come up..it's being a bit weird!

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y278/Buzybunny/?action=view&current=8fd1e0e2.flv



Besides how silly I sound..how silly is this dog!!!

Julia