Be More
I’m in a state of near delirium over here this Wednesday morning, trying to decide which of my anthems is most appropriate for this joyous state of mind I find myself in. Elvis Costello & What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding is the winner, thanks to a nudge from my soulsister Kyran.
Yesterday I showered and dressed like a real grownup (thank you, Ann Taylor Loft) and went downtown for a meeting at a Very Special Organization with two of my three sisters. The details of this meeting are yet to be fully revealed, but for now I can say that I’m still totally energized by our conversation there and even more hopeful about how this adventure will unfold.
For those of you who know me in real life, you can attest to how much angst I have whenever I have to deal with Very Big Organizations. Corporations, most especially. I have an allergy to flow charts and organization structures and knowing how to be appropriately calm and collected when inside I’m feeling excited and spontaneous and wanting to say The Truth as I know it. Even going to visit Very Special Organization made me a little nervous. I didn’t know what I would do if I got there and started to feel the walls closing in.
But yesterday, milling around that lovely lobby, waiting for Soulful Woman Number One and Soulful Woman Number Two to come down and take us to our Very Special Lunch, I felt a very familiar calm fall over me. The kind of feeling I get when I realize the Universe is watching out for me, that I am exactly where I am supposed to be at the exact right moment.
I’m sure the wide blue backlit screen with exquisite graphics didn’t hurt either. And shining back at me from that screen, these words:
BE MORE
understanding
creative
independent
inspired
open-minded
passionate
aware
optimistic
honest
original
connected
curious
I could have put my smudgy fingerprints all over that screen and kissed it, but thankfully my mother raised me right. And I didn’t have any Windex on hand to right my wrongs. Or it might have been a close call.
There’s more to say, but not today. I’m just feeling incredibly thankful this morning and very touched by the way Soulful Woman One and Soulful Woman Two fretted and worried, reassuring us over and over again that they wanted us to feel the full freedom of these values and all the independence we could ask for to make this project something uniquely authentic and true. The whole thing felt like magic.
Do you have a little collection of words running around in your head that makes your life feel more open? More real? A Be More list of values that makes your world a more magical place? Tell me this–or better yet–your anthem! in the comments below.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Be More:
authentic
bold
true
solid
accepting
questioning
welcoming
zen
in-the-moment
me
November 7th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Soooo happy for you! Your joy radiates off the page.
I am smiling for you - and the awesome, miraculous, indescribably wonderful feelings that come from begin on-purpose and having the Universe collude so that all things come together as you’ve described.
I can’t wait to hear more details! But am rejoicing with you today in this affirmation you’ve received. Your energy and stories and successes (and foibles) help those of us struggling to live the same kind of authenticity.
Excellent choice of songs by the way! We got to see Elvis perform it in concert just last month. It was GREAT!!!
My mantra(s) for this week:
MANFIEST PROSPERITY
LIVE FROM LOVE
BE PRESENT
LET GO
Hugs,
~Lisa
November 7th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
My mantras:
Let go of fear
Remember to remember
Believe
Feel good!
I am all excited about your new developments.
Can’t wait to get the skinny.
November 7th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Jen, We are so very happy for you.
My mantra this week:
Beloved one
Get out and join the dance
November 7th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
my anthem is “Beautiful” by Carol King… some of the words:
You’ve got to get up every morning with a smile on your face and show the world all the love in your heart, then people gonna treat you better, you’re gonna find yes you will, that you’re beautiful as you feel.
November 7th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
so happy for you jen… i thought i could feel your side of the world emanating more joy this morning. i think it’s palpable.
this are the words i remind myself of each morning:
liberation
redemption
grace
and then i say to myself: go search them out, go make the space where they might happen.
and my anthem? ‘pendulum swinger’ by the indigo girls.
it’s been too long, jen, i miss you xx
November 7th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Oh my lord, could that BE any more perfect!
I’m sorry I didn’t get the whole euphoric perfectness of this situation when you called last night…..let’s chalk it up to Paul being my laryingitis-neccesitated phone intermediary (It’s so boy, to immediately say ‘yes, but what’s in it for ME?’
So super excited for you!
Rachelle
November 7th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Jen, don’t hold us in suspense too long! Sounds like something good is gonna burst forth for you and your sisters! Yeah!
November 8th, 2007 at 12:07 am
Sounds very promising.
My most comforting line, from Yeats –
in the deserts of the heart
let the healing fountains start
in the prison of his days
teach the free man how to praise…
November 8th, 2007 at 1:23 am
Jen, I’m really excited for you. I know that ANY project you do with your sisters is always amazing. I can’t wait to receive the blessings.
Words for me this week/month:
BE forgiving, BE forgetful of past hurts, BE loving, BE accepting, BE able to just let go. Having a hard time with all of these but working it out. Remembering your whole leaf lesson A LOT lately. Attempting to apply it too. So thanks!
November 8th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Sounds fantastic - can’t wait to hear more.
I’m launching a new project this weekend and my anthem is I want more by Faithless:
Hills to climb, sights to see, seas to cross,
Friends to make, hands to shake, the world is yours,
Foods to taste, sounds to hear, love to feel,
Seeds to sew, things to know, fish to reel,
Space to quiz, stones to lift, life’s a gift
Blessings to you Jen. There is something so powerful in women taking initiative, daring to dream, making things happen.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:36 am
“…Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things…” and “Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try.” The second mantra is sooooo big for me. You’re taking the big steps and it’s exciting to follow your journey.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Thank you for this list. I wish I had one to share, but I’m not feeling many of those things right now — and I need them.
November 8th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
My current word is: Ask
November 8th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Jen, your joy and excitement are jumping off the screen in front of me. Congratulations.
What a wonderful list. Inspired by you and your writing, I would add three “fulls” to it:
Be more
- hopeful
- soulful
- grateful
It didn’t take long to think of these.
Choosing an anthem was a bit more difficult. I finally settled on “I’m on Way” by the Proclaimers
http://www.amazon.com/Sunshine-Leith-Proclaimers/dp/B000003JB1
Lyrics here http://www.cswap.com/2001/Shrek/song/I‘m_on_My_Way
Video here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHjT-TEqLBs&mode=related&search
The song kicks in after about 30 seconds.
(Sorry for all the html but I can’t seem to put active links into my comments.)
November 9th, 2007 at 6:47 am
I love your anthem sweet Jen and also thank Elle for reminding me of that lovely Carole Kind song which I used to start my every day for a while years ago.
Today I just letting myself be.
xx
November 9th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Jen… not knowing the details, but things do sound exciting, I’m happy for you… just a note about Very Big Corporations… they are filled with people. Plain ole ordinary people just like us. I say if you want to say The Truth then do it. Whatever reason you were invited to the Very Big Organization, the bottom line is they invited YOU. not some paper thin version of yourself.
You ROCK! YOU rock….
and an anthem… what a great idea. I’m gonna get me one!
my current mantra is “why not me?”
I remind myself I have to TRY in order to succeed. Teddy Roosevelt said it better:
“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”
November 10th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I’m jealous and I don’t even know why…
But I’m certain this top secret collaboration is on your mondo beyondo list. Right? Right?
Congratulations!
November 18th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
My anthem today is “They Stood Up for Love” by Live.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPYM08916-A
but pretty much that whole album is amazing. It inspires me when I need it.
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:55 am
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