“Twist and Shout”

Dear Ones,

On Self-Discovery

What is one of your favorite childhood movies that you could watch again and again? 

For me, one is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. During late elementary, middle and early high school, I watched this film every time I was home sick from school–which happened frequently. I was aware that I loved this movie because of how it made me feel. No matter how ill I was it made me feel alive and as if life could be a fun, exciting adventure. At least for some people. Like Ferris.

I also had a serious crush on Matthew Broderick who played Ferris - being drawn to his magnetism, beauty and courage. There was certainly a voyeuristic element to watching this movie for me. I was watching people fully live. I wanted to do that too. Yet, this remained an unconscious yearning for me for decades.

For my high school yearbook quote I selected one from Ferris: “life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” 

Mindfulness was nowhere on my conscious radar in 1997 when I selected that quote. I laugh at how these signs from our heart pointing us to who we are at our core are always present.

I didn’t identify with Ferris’s character. I was a rule follower! I thought others should follow the rules too! I worked within systems created for me. I didn’t (consciously) challenge authority.

I am many things. Yet, “fun” isn’t one of the top words people who know me well would use to describe me. (At least not until recently. And, maybe just a little). Ferris is most definitely fun. 

At 46, I now identify with Ferris’ character. I am learning to take myself less seriously. (This is a daily practice). I honor his quest for wellbeing through living life on one's own terms and being an energy catalyst for others to do so too. 

When was the last time you cranked up the Beatles song "Twist and Shout?!" Join me for a break today and give yourself this gift. Wherever you are: in your kitchen, your office, or your car. The only requirement is that you move your body freely and belt. I mean really shout.

Also, how about you? What insights might the protagonist from your favorite childhood movie or book offer you about your core self? I'd love to hear what they are...

Embodied Practices for Becoming

One of my current practices that brings me joy, delight and awareness of the present moment is modern dance. In my saturday morning dance class at Young Dance in St. Paul, our teacher Mary often guides us through an opening exercise of “walking through space.”

As we each walk uniquely through the room, she guides us to attend to the “openings and closings” that are created by our bodies moving in various directions and at different speeds.  

What gets me really excited is seeing how these practices in the dance studio apply to everyday life. I’ve come to see how this practice of feeling into the openings and closings of bodies moving through space mimics the flow of life itself. How always in life there are metaphorical passageways opening and closing for us.

Am I able to slow down? To breathe, to be present in my body and tune inward to what feels right to me within this moment? To be in my body using my gifts of my senses to tune into where the flow of life is? Am I able to let go of how my ego “thinks things should be” and allow what is to unfold? To co-create with the Universe?

Through this journey of becoming—learning to navigate my limits, face my fears, and welcome all of me—I have gained powerful tools for living that I seek to share. Would you like to tap into your essential Self which longs for you to be free and thrive? Join me!