And so I sing about those who have ever so unstickingly proved the way! And so I sing…yes I do…me as a potential rockstar and me as a Rave! I am so grateful to those who have come before me for encouragement for all I have not yet done, yet I still believe I can sing the perfect song!

So, there you go…me on a late-night tangent… singing!:)

Wow, all in response to your words!

Oh, and nothing like the times that challenge us to heal other than these moments that challenge us to forgive from the gut!

Wow, what a beautiful and healing experience to find yourself in that place, in a healing moment in time, with the two most major infuences of your joys and discontent…and to find you really can rise above, heal and forgive…and LOVE…in the midst of their forgiveness! I would be willing to bet it was however the lesson they always wanted you to learn many years ago…all along…before the questioning!

Blessings and Peace in Abundance!

Nanette

Once again, your amazing words so resonate…and touch me!

Oh yeah, my shadow won round one, two and three…and damn, then four! However, in its arrogance it had no idea how powerful of a comeback fighter I am! It let its guard down and in the end, my light side won! Gotta Love how that does happen! I immediately went out, while patting myself on the back, and bought myself a big scoop of Rockie Road Ice Cream in a big ole’ waffle cone!

Thank you for sharing such powerful words…once again!

~Nanette~

What a fantastic, honest and thought-provoking blog!

Wow, where to start?

You asked, “When, if ever, does life have flex to it?” I personally believe life has a tremendous amount of flex to it. We must often bend to accomplish strength; to be flexible though, we must stretch. Rigidity is only an illusion we get caught up in from the teachings of our familial and religious upbringing, educational background and the society we live in. For the most part, I like to hold onto the thought that these teachings were well-meaning no matter how misguiding they may have been. How fortunate for those who have had the opportunity for life experiences that challenge the limiting teachings, and to find the ability to flex and stretch in the midst of new information. As with physical muscles, conditioning our life-muscles can often be a very uncomfortable experience.

What is my litmus test for integrity? Honoring my truth, and feeling in sync with the flow of life is my litmus test for integrity. There is an undeniable sense of well-being I feel when I make decisions and act from a place of integrity…and it allows me to be in my center. I believe when I come from my center, I make the right decisions for me that will ultimately affect everyone in my life. To honor this authentic place in me has many times been construed by others as selfish and self-centered…and has at times left me questioning my motives and decisions as well. On the contrary, coming from this place and living according to my truth creates the foundation for every relationship I will have in my life. Without coming from a centered-place, I do not have the material to create a solid foundation. Without a solid foundation, I am taking a risk the relationships I build will not be sturdy enough to weather the inevitable storms we all experience in life.

I believe perfection is impossible to achieve as a human being…as it goes against the imperfect weave of the fabric of our lives. Many times I have felt as if my life-fabric was unraveling only for me to reweave it to a more desirable texture and pattern. In reality, it will snag and unravel and be rewoven again and again. Every tile of a brilliant mosaic piece of artwork is unique and imperfect in its offering of understanding…yet the ultimate grand mosaic picture it is a part of is one that brings great clarity. The right thing is not always clear…and often what we believe to be the right thing in a particular moment may later be construed as the wrong thing. I ask myself, does that not make it ultimately the right thing, as it is a part of the ever perfect dynamic, fluid and malleable nature of life…imperfect in a vacuum? Is it possible when we come from a place of truth by authentically living in the midst of all of life’s imperfections, and stay in the flow you write about, we may truly be experiencing the only perfection we can obtain in life?

After a life filled with great challenges, obstacles and loss, and having to be responsible for my own healing while being instrumental in the healing of others…and the same life that has included great joys, success, and growth, it is my opinion that ‘adhering to principles no matter what occurs’ is not a very instrumental act of leadership…and certainly not a very artful way to live life. Again, I personally believe such rigidity impedes flexibility and flow – a poor environment for healing and growth.

There have been many times in my past I can remember when I had to renig on a promise or commitment in almost every area of my life. I was just talking to a friend about not honoring a commitment I made to my daughter. Being a parent of a preteen and teen, my ultimate leadership role, has led me to more occasions than I can count when I had to go against my word. When new information comes to light, and the dynamics change, I find it perfectly acceptable to change my mind. Oh, and yes it a very unpopular thing to do.

So, for me it follows reason that at times breaking a commitment that does not serve my higher good or the higher good of others is very appropriate and the right thing to do. I, as an individual, honoring my life commitment to act from a place of integrity, has the right to break a commitment if that commitment is based upon erroneous or outdated information. Also, I have found breaking a commitment is often necessary to preserve acceptable boundaries. And yes, sometimes I have found it a bit confusing…and a battle between my higher-knowing, my head, and my heart. So, you are not alone in questioning.

This blog made me think about a blog I recently wrote about karma…the karmic relationship we all have with our own souls and the responsibility we have to live according to our truth. Yes, when we live according to our truth we absolutely affect the lives of others, sometimes profoundly, and in the process, we concurrently allow others to live according to their truth. It totally resonates with the questions you are asking here.

I will end by writing that I do believe accountability is very important in life. There are times when it is appropriate to make amends when our choices are based soley on selfish motivations and come from an unhealthy ego state. I believe every human being has made very poor decisions that negatively affect and hurt others. However, getting caught in the trap of guilt and self-deprecating thoughts and feelings never serves anyone. I, as well, have found open communication, that fosters understanding and forgiveness, is a very important key that unlocks the door to unconditional love and acceptance.

“My life has never been about pleasing others. My life is about serving others.” LOVE IT!!

Again, I thank you for sharing this honest and thought-provoking blog! It was the perfect material to contemplate and write about on this cold, rainy Monday at home.

Blessing and Peace in abundance!

~Nanette~

So thanks! and I’m off to do “nothing”.

-elizabeth

It is funny–in our lives there always exists an abundance and a lack of abundance at the same time. People who are wise to this and choose to be happy seem to consistently find joy in the journey NOW!

It is shame that the common trends in our culture shy away from pain and discomfort–we try to mask the pain or discomfort without really solving the problem–especially when it a challenging, complex, or highly-tangled problem. We tell ourselves stories and try to distort the truth.

Pain and discomfort serve as incredible motivators for change and progression and come from being completely honest with yourself.

I don’t belive I have ever met a really good athelete or an exceptional leader who has not experienced the pain in change—they are bigger stronger faster because they “get real” with themselves and use pain or discomfort to make themselves even better.

Onward and Upward…thanks for your blog Stephen!