"He who trims himself to suit everyone
will soon whittle himself away."
    ~Raymond Hull


"God has given you one face,
and you make yourself another."
    ~William Shakespeare


"It takes courage to grow up
and become who you really are."
    ~e.e. cummings


"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself
to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of
your life; define yourself."
    ~Harvey Fierstein


"There is just one life for each of us: our own."
    ~Euripides


"Wherever you go, go with all your heart."
    ~Confucius


"When one is pretending the entire body revolts."
    ~Anais Nin


"It is better to be hated for what you are
than to be loved for something you are not."
   ~Andre Gide





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My Manifest Life; Act Three

I Am dedicated to Providing, instead of Seeking, these days.

I wanted something to do the other night, and receved a last
minute reminder of a local Open Mic and Poetry Reading.
When I got the message my first thoughts were "Oh, I am so
tired, and I don't have anything prepared-- STOP! Just go!"
I caught myself doing the opt-out thang that has kept me from
going or growing so often in life.

So I went home and got ready, and started putting myself
in another New Mindset for me; Spontaneity! Because one
of my biggest issues is in not feeling okay if I have not planned
something to Death. So I took the challenge of not having
something prepared as a challenge to be met! And I determined
to be a part of, rather than mere observer.

I embraced the scariness, I welcomed the burst of excitement,
I allowed my true self to conjure up some ideas, and I
walked into the Lion's Den!

"I AM Courage....I AM Ready....I AM Capable.
I AM Confident; I make it so.
I acknowledge the fear, and I act anyway!
I AM in charge of my interaction with life.
Right now....embrace...enjoy....step into it!"

I came up with a comedy bit that was impromptu, and I
was bold and outspoken and worked on all the things
that I want to improve, rather than giving in to them and
skulking away!

It was a big smash, everyone really loved the bit I did,
I met a lot of fun and interesting new people, and it was
actually one of the best nights in my life!

Afterwards, I went walking with a friend, and we met
a guy playing guitar at the park. I pushed into the
opportunity, asked to join him, and was subsequently
dazzled with hours of music and philisophical discourse!
I met someone who shares a lot of similar outlooks,
who also had an incredible demeanor that humbled me.

From one new bold outcome emits another, and
another, and......

(Evening wear available at Suckit Intl!)

************************************

My Manifest Life: Act Two

So I had a bad habit of focusing on what was
'wrong' or what I lacked; I spent time and energy
talking about and thinking about weakness and
inability, perceived or real.

So I decided to become at peace with what 'is'
already to the extent that is possible, and trust
that what is needed will be provided by The Universe
(or I will find a way to bring it about.)

I had some serious need of clothing both for
work and personal, since funds had been so
tight, so I got proactive. I swallowed my pride
and asked a local woman who does work with
a clothes closet if she had anything in my size
(which is typically hard to fit) and she produced
a bag of clothes that fit me to a T!

No one else will know the clothes were donated
unless I choose to tell them. I am as grateful and
proud of those clothes as if I had sewn them myself!

The next week an acquaintance heard me talking
about how long I had made a pair of shoes last,
and we got to talking. She asked if I could use
some clothes, since she imagined her husband's
wardrobe would fit me. He had passed in the last
year. I graciously accepted to see if they would
fit.

That lovely woman brought down about four
huge garbage bags and laundry bags filled with
clothes; every possible piece and type of clothing
imaginable, and every one of them a perfect fit.

All that I had been doing without due to lack of
funds, I now had flush again; belts, robes, jeans,
dress shirts, and more, all beautifully kept! And the
style is a bit retro, which fits my sensibilities
perfectly, and they even have a scent that reminds
me of my Nana and Papa's house!

It was a great blessing that I am incredibly grateful
for, and it happened when I stopped being consumed
about what was 'not' and opened myself to what
could 'be.' I had a need, and I saw it being met,
and it was.

************************************

My Manifest Life: Act One

So I had decided that, rather than sit here like a bump
on a log and complain about the lack of options catering
to me, I would change my outlook and begin choosing
a more empowering mindset.

I would start envisioning the kind of things I would be
interested in. I would see them as being possible Here,
Now, Where I Am, and no longer as 'unattainable.'

So I started empowering myself, believing it possible,
and drawing forth (prayer, if you like) from the Universe
artistic outlets and endeavors for my edification.

Every morning, I set forth what kind of day it would
be; Prosperous, Grateful, Genuine to Self, Empowering,
Courageous. Throughout the day, I renewed my
commitment.

I agreed to stop saying "No" to everything, to stop
doubting and giving power to nothingness, and instead
create opportunity, draw opportunity, be ready for
opportunity, and to say "YES" to opportunity.

In the next week, an acquaintance approached me
at the library and asked if I would be available to
do a movie with him. I didn't hesitate. Unequivocally,
I said "Yes," and now have been involved in a great
creative outlet, as well as have new contacts, new
experiences, new opportunities that continue to come
through as a result!

We can have whatever we conceive,
if only we will believe.

 

****************************************

Pushing On

"With a little perseverance

you can get things done...

in spite of blind adherence

that has conquered

some."

-Corey Hart

****************************

What are we waiting for?

We don't know how much time we have,

and it slips away so easily.

Why wouldn't we fill every moment with

something of importance, of substance?

Let others be content to sit back

and passively allow the world to drone on,

we will stand tall and speak loud

and be seen and be known.

We were not made such unique and

wondrous creatures, so full of life

and insight, just so we could sit still

and accept this imperfect world.

There is work to be done.

Passionately.

Interactively.

Engagingly.

Aggressively.

Fight like your life depends on it.

It does.

We get exactly the world we are willing

to accept, to fight for.

There are things that need doing in this world;

We all know this.

How much are we willing to do?

****************