LET THE CRACKS IN YOUR ARMOUR SHOW

How willing are you to let your imperfections and the cracks in your armour show? Are you still caught up in the cycle of "keeping up with the Jones" and portraying a picture perfect image of who you are? Who are you anyway? Who are you underneath all those layers and masks of self protection that life has added to your story? Who do you want to be? Who are you meant to be?

I just listened to one of my favourite songs sung by Winona Judd. She shares the story of her mom's encouragement for her to allow the world to see her cracks of imperfection because that is how the light gets out. Winona shares that she knows she is a child of God and no longer needs to strive and search for the love and approval of others. She knows who she is, cracks, mistakes, disappointments, broken relationships and all. They are all part of the tapestry of her life and what make her who she is.

Brene Brown also speaks of the same topic in her book "The Gifts of Imperfection". She speaks of our need for courage, compassion, and connection to allow us to deal with the places in life where we feel we are less than enough.

For all of us, no matter what our life circumstance, there are always places were we hide who are, what we need, what we don't want from others in order to feel we belong. What if you stopped trying to fit in with others and spent your energy fitting in with yourself? What if you allowed the unconditional and unending grace of God to be the place you rested rather than in the judgments of others.

Here is the link for Winona's song. As you listen, think about the places in your life where, if you allowed your own beautiful light to shine through the cracks, people would see something wonderful. Remember, also, that it is through those same cracks that love gets in.

The link for the song, "I Can Only Imagine" is http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=F9E12FNU

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HOLDING ON, LETTING GO

Have you ever had an experience where you were holding onto something when it was time to let go? Perhaps you want to make a change but are finding it difficult to let go of a familiar habit or way of life. One of the biggest obstacles to change is the uncertainty that we experience as we let go of something familiar and reach for something that feels uncertain. It is only when we are highly motivated to remove ourself from a situation that feels very difficult or when we want something very badly that we are willing to tolerate the discomfort of change.

This song entitled HOLDING ON, LETTING GO, speaks to the challenge of change.

http://youtu.be/eab8WrL--q8

What if, however, we found another way to look at life? What if we were willing to embrace both holding on and letting go at the same time? What if the experiences of our life were neither "good" or "bad" but simply part of the tapestry we were creating as we grow. In my experience, many situations that were difficult in the moment offered amazing gifts or a valuable piece of learning down the road. As I get older I have more and more faith that this will always be the case. I am more willing to let go of the things in my life that aren't working with a strong belief that something different and wonderful will come as a result. Rather than having a dualistic view of life where things are either good or bad, strong or weak, helpful or harmful etc, I now am trying to embrace the concept offered by contemplative prayer authors such as Richard Rohr that we need to embrace both sides of life at the same time. Rather than push change away, it is possible to simply embrace all the experiences of our life, whatever they are, with hope.

So, if you find yourself in a place of needing to let go of something in your life that isn't working but are afraid of what might be ahead, relax. Trust that all the things work together for good if you can only be patient and wait.

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CANCER: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

What happens when the weeks and weeks of cancer treatment are no longer on the calendar? What do you do next? What do you need now? Do you have friends and family who will hang in there and offer ongoing support even though your acute illness is behind you?
This video talks about survivorship and life following a cancer diagnosis. The uncertainty, the after affects of treatment, the desire to redefine your life, and the need for ongoing support. Finding healthy hope and a way to embrace what is ahead while still honouring the journey you have been on is important. Find people in your life who will continue to share your joys, successes and frustrations and will help you ride the roller coaster of emotions and experiences that will follow.
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2005/From-Cancer-Patient-to-Cancer-Survivor-Lost-in-Transition/From-Cancer-Patient-to-Cancer-Survivor-Lost-In-Transition.aspx
While this video talks directly about life after cancer, the concept applies to everyone facing a chronic illness or any life changing experience. Even when the acute experience is over, the affects often continue and so does the need for empathetic listening and support.

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GETTING BACK UP WHEN YOU FALL DOWN

No words are necessary for this posting as the video says it all. Nick Vujicic's story of life without any arms and legs is so inspiring that it brings me to tears. As I ponder my own life, my own challenges, and the many things I am grateful for, I realize I have much that I can learn from this amazing man. Here is the link to one of his videos but YouTube has any more and all of them are amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sHyzatcBq8&feature=related

What do you do when you fall down? Do you get back up or do you make excuses about how life is difficult and getting up is to hard to do. Consider Nick's attitude and persevence and learn what is possible if you embrace joy, no matter what your circumstance. His website is http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

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THE GIFT OF AN ORDINARY DAY!

One of the best things for me about the internet are the wonderful short videos that friends and family send my way. I love inspiring, heartwarming stories, cards, movies, and, most of all, time with the real people that I love. As a mom who has raised 4 grown children and is now savouring the experience of grandchildren, this movie warms my heart. It speaks so eloquently to the emotions of motherhood as those ordinary moments of childhood fly so quickly by.

Here is the link:

http://vimeo.com/8054255

As you watch the video I hope that you, too, will be reminded to savour the ordinary moments with your friends and family. It is these ordinary moments and the memories they create that children take with them when they leave. It is the ordinary moments that I watch being recreated in my grown family as the kids share a story or a childhood experience with boyfriends, new spouses and their children. They come home looking for the familiar, no matter how old they are. The cupboard with the cookies, the favourite meal, the placement of the Christmas tree and a million other things that seemed so ordinary years ago have now become the memories of their adulthood. Take time to enjoy them along the way and then love the experience of living them over and over again as your kids grow.

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WHAT GETS IN THE WAY OF YOU BEING WHO YOU WANT TO BE?

What gets in the way of you making the choices in your life that will take you where you want to go? What obstacles keep surfacing just at the moment you commit to doing something to change that persistent and negative behaviour? We are all inundated with information on how to do almost anything we need learn from the best diet to lose those pounds, the right schools for our kids, the best way to parent or how to address the food sensitivities in our family. It isn't about not knowing what to do - it is about being able to actually do it.

This video from Brene Brown is one of the very best insights into this topic I have ever seen. Her research on shame and vulnerability have helped her to identify the human experiences that shape our ability to successfully choose the life that we want. Take few minutes to watch this inspiring yet challenging video and ponder where in your life you might be stumbling on shame.

The link is: http://vimeo.com/11967584

For more wonderful inspiration from Brene Brown, check out her blog at www.ordinarycourage.com

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CAREGIVER VIDEO ON THE POWER OF LAUAGHTER!

This video is hilarious! It is an invocation speach given by an "older lady" at a care home and shows that we can all still find fun and laughter in growing old. A great video to share with the caregivers in your life as well as your family. Enjoy!!! The website this is taken from is www.caregiverstress.com

http://www.caregiverstress.com/2010/07/a-reminder-that-laughter-is-the-best-medicine/

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