My newest piece over at my favorite online refuge, Rebelle Society.
Dear Dreamer,
You are human, same as I, and we humans stumble often.
Sometimes we fall more than others because our illusions may have failed us, causing buckled knees, bawling eyes and drained, dismantled hearts. We’ve all been there–lying in a heap on a dusty old floor, staring at a ceiling that begs to be painted and primed along with our dying hope and weak, weary bones.
In the midst of my own stumbling, I’ve noticed a pattern; when times get confusing or I lack energy and focus, I haven’t been nurturing my being as a whole, meaning, I haven’t been practicing my morning mantras.
This particular list was a creation birthed out of trial, error, soul, and a complete, utter adoration of early mornings when the breeze is soft and sweet and telling.
It’s really quite simple: when I rise with the sun and set these intentions, I have the capacity to become the most superhuman version of my dreaming and doing self. Then, when I’m at my most capable, I am then a better addition to society as a whole, and in turn, a starving world.
This resolution doesn’t make following these daily mantras easy. In fact, sometimes the steps we must take that are best for us feel like additional work piled onto already super saturated schedules.
Yet, I think when we realize that the habits we once dreaded forming aren’t so dreadful, we become empowered by our renewed strength, and the changes then begin to form. Because much like the beams of the sun, everything must begin on the inside before it can radiate outward, my lovely dreaming friends.
Mantra 1. I will crush the fear.
There is no time for the nerves in our guts that halt us dead in our tracks at the crossroads called “do” or “do not.” Wouldn’t you like to strangle that nagging and ragged banter that tries to climb through your insides like a dark little demon with wicked little lies to keep you from manifesting change?
I know you have your fear demons too, as I can see them in your guarded eyes and strained smiles as we share space through streets and work, photos and texts. We are programmed to lean toward security for survival purposes but sometimes fear is completely unreasonable, and this is when it must be violently crushed like the useless garbage that it is.
So wage war on it. Stomp on it, kick it, and blow fire until it burns into ash, then send it to the dump with everything else you’re kissing goodbye. Because you know what? Your fear is not you, and if you don’t kill it first then it will eventually kill you. The fear of failure is far too overplayed and overused. So fight. Fight for your beating heart and crying soul, because darling, you are enough.
Now say it or sing it exactly three times, “I am enough.”
***
Mantra 2. I will tune out the emotional vampires.
“Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
That’s right. Higher. You’re a sparkling eyed dreamer and doer, stardust turned to flesh, and a spectacular being at that. The boring news is that many folks haven’t figured out their immensity and are shockingly content, wrapped in false security blankets and surrounding sets of carefully calculated rules. (Yawn).
When this tragic thing happens to humans, they can be quite judgmental and doubtful of your grand and dreamy plans. Even more tragic, some even secretly wish to see you fail because they do not possess the same unbridled enthusiasm and open mind it takes to begin to walk in the direction that will fulfill their lost and silenced souls.
Since you and I both know that our individual abilities are merely limited by our own perceptions, simply smile and release them with love because you don’t have the time for outdated opinions or realities that are not your own.
There’s too much work to be done and beauty to behold to connect with anyone who does not inspire, encourage, and ignite your fiery creative spark.
***
Mantra 3. I will keep showing up.
“In order for it to work, the door must remain unlocked. People might enter without knocking, they might crash your party and drink your wine. Let them in, and let them drink — because you might meet somebody interesting.” ~ Amanda Palmer
Showing up fuels our creativity. Showing up births new stories to tell. Showing up changes our path. Showing up is crazily fun and fantastic because when we show up, anything can happen.
So show up. Meet me here or there and we’ll lock arms and show up together. Showing up is essentially experimentation, and experimentation is novelty and novelty leads to new discoveries and opportunity. It also makes the passage of time that much richer and more meaningful.
***
Mantra 4. I will do the work.
Lately I’ve been terribly guilty of procrastination. The problem with procrastination is that it’s actually your worst enemy disguised as a convenient, casual lover. You see, when you make out with procrastination and think it’ll be content with hanging in the dark, it’ll come back to bite and expose you where it truly hurts.
The work that is put off always has an inevitable way of growing heavier in your chest, much like a weight with some crazy magnetic energy and life draining force involved. You don’t need additional stress induced muscle aches so trust me, it’s always best to get the work over with today.
So do the work.
***
Mantra 5. I will desire.
“We are desire. It is the essence of the human soul, the secret of our existence. Absolutely nothing of human greatness is ever accomplished without it. Not a symphony has been written, a mountain climbed, an injustice fought, or a love sustained apart from desire. Desire fuels our search for the life we prize.” ~ John Eldredge
Desire is the foundation of all beautiful beginnings and new directions, making it your basic dreamer and doer jet fuel. When a dreamer loses their desire, they risk becoming numb, and numb isn’t really breathing and seeing and loving and creating, is it? Basically, desire is equal to living and that makes desire delicious.
***
Mantra 6. I will practice wellness.
This should probably be the first and last mantra as it is the most important.
You have a physical, mental, and spiritual body that ages. You need to fiercely protect it with prevention, nourishment, and worship in the form of movement. Your body holds a connectedness and deeply ingrained wisdom that should never be abused or taken for granted, and it is your duty to keep this temple solid, strong, flexible and balanced.
Without wellness, it’s nearly impossible to be or do much dreamer and doer work, so practice wellness as though your life depends on it… because it does.
Not to mention you’ll be glowing with yummy youthful energy and vitality and who doesn’t want that coursing through their crimson veins and vibrant skin that reflects its happy health?
***
Mantra 7. I will observe the wonder.
“Stuff your eyes with wonder. Live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” ~ Ray Bradbury
Choose joy and pause to see what’s directly in front of you. Because it’s really freaking gorgeous.
Follow these mantras or even make your own because these are no longer hard times for dreamers; they are actually amazing times because in this small and interconnected world, we hold more power in our magical hands than ever before.
The world is waiting and reaching for your light. So go now.
Radiate.
