Six Word Essay on Forgetting

Remembering what’s important happens when necessary!

Respect Speaks Louder...

After spending three hours digesting the passionate and sometimes enraged comments, posts, and opinions from my fellow friends, family, and colleagues across the social media platforms––I’ve decided that no matter which side of the argument people are on, I will respond with compassion.
Especially for those who believe that we need to “make America great again”, perhaps we should start by respecting one another regardless of our differences and begin looking for common ground.

Solid Gold

After nearly two decades of friendship I’m so excited that my friend Tracie and I can still choreograph all day and talk all night.
True, we’re not as young as we used to be––and we don’t drink as much as we used to––but we can still inspire, challenge, and laugh with one another.
My grandma always used to say, “Make new friends, but keep the old. New friends are silver and old are gold.”
Her friendship is more valuable to me than all of the gold in the world.

Snooze

I hear the gentle rippling sound and rage;
I did not get enough sleep last night and I’m in no way ready to start my day.
The button on my iPhone insists on my fingerprint in order to snooze myself back into a slumber.
Ten more minutes is all I need.
I padded my morning with an extra thirty minutes––originally to have time to read and do my creative writing––but today it will serve as a wake-up-call delay.
Today is going to be a four shot Starbucks day!
#TheGlamorousLife on tour...

Travel Day

Early rise.

The dogs are feed.

Grabbed a shower and coffee—black.

Uber is late.

I get to the airport in time to find out my flight is delayed.

Second cup of coffee and a Clif bar!

I'm ready for Omaha!

#TheGlamorousLife

I Am Awake.

I’ve spent too much of my life trying to plan every moment down to the last detail.
Worried that I might miss an opportunity, I was constantly seeking to do more.
Always aware that I had a problem staying present, and often concerned that I would end up like those people...
The kind who are never happy with where they’re at or what they’ve accomplished.
They experience only fleeting moments of (what they perceive as) joy.
Until one day I woke up and realized I was, one of those people.
That was the instant I decided to surrender.
Now, I constantly seek balance through living in the present.
It’s not always easy––more often it’s difficult––but I’m aware of my patterns and ready to live the life that is waiting for me.
My creativity, passion, and tenacity are fueled by Faith instead of fear.
I am awake.

Repeat As Necessary:

The present is always here—past and future, never.

Balance requires faith.

Don't doubt, do something; take action.

Creative energy is never wasted.

I do not need to accomplish a years worth of work in one month.

Breathe.

Creativity Requires No Outcome

I can't control the outcome,

But I can enjoy the process.

Creativity doesn't demand success, or even an audience—it simply seeks liberation;

An opportunity to evolve from an idea into action.

That is reward enough.

Chaos to Calm

Lost in thought during my morning meditation;
I smiled at The Universe and asked for clarity.
The thoughts dissolved and I heard the rain falling outside,
Beautiful melodies of water droplets hitting tree leaves.
Acknowledging the chaos brings attention back to the calm.

Alarmed

The hotel bed is like a heavenly cloud;
Begging me to prolong my day.
Meanwhile, the snooze alarm is screaming at me:
“You’re going to be late.”
Reality sinks in as I roll myself out of bed and into the hot shower.
I’m going to need two pots of coffee today.

Growth

2017 is all about growth for me.
Creatively, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually speaking, I want to reach beyond the limitations I’ve put upon myself and stir up a new point of view.
It’s time for expectations that no longer serve me to be released; not an easy task for a stubborn, over-achiever––but how can I reach new heights without the proper gear?
I have the opportunity to embrace new ideas about who I am and what I’m capable of.
Anyone who’s every been to the top of a mountain can attest that the view from above offers a completely different story than that of the valley they climbed out of.
I seek perspective from every angle.
I challenge myself to set up camp and appreciate the view during every segment of my journey; reaching the top is magnificent, but once you’ve peaked, you have to climb back down and learn something new.

I Got the Message!

I believe in signs;

Yesterday, I received the message loud and clear.

Following my morning meditation I read this, "On days when your plans are thwarted, be on the lookout for Me! I know the plans I have for you, and they are good.” 

In that instant I felt connected and confident.  I was ready to face the beautiful day that I had planned with Jeff.

An hour later, our plans were redirected; we had to give up our "day of fun" for work.

At once, I was frustrated that I had to give up my plans...

As I was getting ready, it dawned on me, "This is the message that you just read! This is the practical application."

Once I accepted the message from God, The Universe—however you want to label it—I was able to smile and soar through my day.

I had the choice to accept the change and see where the journey leads, or resist and miss out on an opportunity to grow.

Trust The Path...

“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”
This statement––uttered my countless inspirational mentors and leaders––has been a reoccurring sentiment in my life.
I have dedicated my entire adult (and most of my teenage years) planning, training, preparing, studying, working, fighting––waiting for the opportunity.
I have been blessed with a bountiful amount adventures as a performer, choreographer, teacher, and now author; yet I continue to fall victim to the need to push for more.
Is it the human condition?  I don’t know.
I am certain that I have sufficiently laid the foundation for my future––whatever it may bring––and I could stand to trust, a great deal more.
What good is Faith, if you can’t count on in unconditionally?
What I’ve remembered (again) today: when I focus on the creativity, and nothing else, the opportunity will eventually come... and I will be ready.
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” ––John Lennon

Note To Self:

Salty pizza and Ranch dip might seem like a good idea in the moment;
But please remember the three days of bloating, heartburn, and weight gain you experience in the aftermath.
#MakeBetterHealthChoices

Zen Lessons From My Dogs...

I’ve learned a lot from my dogs:
I sleep when I’m tired,
I eat when I’m hungry,
I whine when I'm sad,
I hide when I don't want to be bothered,
I seek friends when I need attention,
I relieve myself when my bladder is full,
I exercise when someone else forces me to, and
I beg whenever I really want something.

Enlightenment Addicted

I’m constantly seeking enlightenment;
Addicted to my evolution spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, and artistically.
Never one to accept where I’m at, as a child I was always questioning, thinking, and worrying about things that I had very little control of––now, I recognize that my obsessive-compulsive behavior and type A personality didn't help my circumstances.
As an adult, I’ve refocused my obsession to find peace in the present moment.
It’s a daily challenge––more often than not––I fall short, but I haven’t stopped seeking enlightenment.
On good days, I find the simple release and acceptance of “what is” remarkably effortless;
But the “bad” days are tough.
I’ve had a taste of enlightenment, and now I want to overdose on it.
Unfortunately, the prescription is hard to fill––it requires me to let go of the bullshit and stay present.

Dream, Reach, Accept What Comes

My childhood dreams are manifesting into realities.
Slightly different than I had imagined way back when;
Perhaps a more attainable version of themselves.
Forever grateful that my evolved point of view allowed for a modification from the plan––in order to appreciate the opportunities as they were presented.
Otherwise, I may have given up a long time ago.
Nothing can be as wild as we dream in our minds––but if we allow it––the outcome can be a brilliant realization of something that felt, at times, unattainable.
So, I will continue dreaming, because who know? I might make it to my version of the moon, yet.

The Moment I Let Go Of It.

In my quest for balance, inner peace, and surrender I continue reminding myself that I just need to let go of “it.”
All of the self-discovery books affirm––in their own way––that release is the key to achieving a more evolved me.
But I think Alanis Morissette said it best,
“The moment I let go of it,
Was the moment I got more than I could handle.”
I have to face the facts, I’m a product of the 90′s.

A Dogs Life...

If I were a puppy, I’d sleep all day, too.
Cuddled up on the sofa while dreaming of burying bones and squeaking toys all day long.
It would be delightful to have someone feed me when I was hungry, bathe me when I needed cleaned, and walk me when I needed to go to the bathroom.
My dogs have the life.
Of course if I were a dog, I’d probably be the unfortunate one;
like the puppies who end up in the commercials with the Sarah McLachlan commercials.

Rain Clears The Air

Through the darkness and rain;
I found light and presence.
It’s easy to live in the shadow of negativity,
giving into the fear that the sun might night shine again.
Then, and without warning, a sliver of gold peeks out.
Suddenly the sky is blue and the air is clear––all thanks to the rain.

Remember:

You don’t need to have answers to “what ifs”;
In the present there’s only, what is.

Details, Details.

Faith does not challenge the details, “When, where, why, how?”
When I walk in the light––fear, doubt, and negativity are lost in the shadows;
All that remains is a bright path.
In that radiance, the specifics become clear and the present is all that matters.

Okay, I Get It! Surrender...

My primary focus in life has been to evolve as a person and artist; every single day.
Seeking to learn more, serve more, and experience new opportunities and adventures that will elevate my purpose on earth.
Over time, I have discovered practical ways to stay present and achieve balance.
Last year was a time of abundant growth creativity and personally.
Hoping to continue to the momentum, I added another layer to my daily practice of seeking light, releasing negativity, and taking action; I decided to incorporate the action of “surrender.”
To my surprise, the first week of this year was extraordinarily more complicated.
In adding surrender, I somehow lost sight of the fact that I could still, seek light, take action, and be present.
Today, I woke up ready to refocus and remove the “new addition”, and go back to what worked in 2016.
As I turned to my morning reading––currently “The Power Of Now”––I opened my bookmark, and the chapter I turned to was: The Meaning Of Surrender.
Wow; okay, I get it.
God, The Universe, my instinct all said, “You need to learn how to surrender the correct way.”
I reread the chapter and remembered that Action and Surrender can coexist.
In fact, they are both necessary for growth.
Surrender does not mean that I should stop trying and accept that where I’m at is as good as it gets; it simply means trusting that through acceptance of what is, I can further work to seek positive action toward what I want.

Things That No One Tells You In Your Twenties.

With age comes wisdom, perspective, security, confidence, and hair in unwanted places.
Seriously, as I grow––so does my hair; everywhere.
#ImNotAgingImLiving

The Weather Wants a Job, Too?

The rain tap dances on my bedroom window;
Even the weather in LA wants a job in show business––at least the rhythms are interesting; unlike half of the “talent” in this town.

Acceptance

The struggle to accept what is, while constantly trying to evolve what is––not.
When you’ve arrived at your destination with all of your bags fully prepared and it still isn’t enough;
There is a calm beauty in surrendering.
That is enlightenment.

No No Negativity

Despite my best efforts to remain present yesterday, I allowed a circumstance to keep me in a negative mood––further adding  to my anger, I started to compare my situation to how I might have handled the moment last year––this lead me down an even darker spiral.
I followed the tools I’ve implemented and received small doses of inner peace; breath by breath; by the end of the day I was once again aligned with the present.
This morning I woke up with a mild hangover of emotions––not wanting a repeat of yesterday––I quickly turned to my morning check in (which involves reading a personal growth book and journaling), I turned to the chapter that I was reading in “The Power of Now” and the heading read:
Using and Relinquishing Negativity.
If that isn’t an incredible message from God and The Universe.
I laughed out loud––literally, not like an LOL response to something we don’t find funny on social media but feel the need to support our friends anyway; I read the chapter and once again received the message.
Negativity equals resistance.
My ego needed a boost and I caved to my inner manipulation.
But not today!
Nothing good comes from darkness; it is in the light that we shine.
No. NO. Negativity.

I Saw The Sign...

I start each and every day with a morning ritual:
I pour a giant cup of coffee,
I sit down with whichever personal growth, spiritual, or  inspirational book that I’m reading at the time, and I allow myself the opportunity to learn––in the hopes of seeking insight and enlightenment.
Afterwards, I spend several minutes journaling––to review what I’ve read and release my emotions and thoughts.
Knowing that my primary theme for 2017 is, surrender––I thought these passages were a clear sign that I chose the ideal path for this year:
“All that arises passes away. This I know” ––Buddhist Monk

“To offer no resistance to life is to be in a state of grace, ease, and lightness.  ...things, people, or conditions that you thought you needed for happiness now come with no struggle or effort on your part...” ––Eckhart Tolle

“’I trust in you Jesus.’ In response to whatever happens to you.” ––Psalm 63:2

Seasons

There is a time to plant the seed;
There is a time to water and nurture the seedling;
There is a time to sit back and watch the stalks grow tall;
There is a time to harvest the crop;
Everything has a season––I’m finally grasping the importance of step three; I plant and plant and plant and plan––yet I fail to watch my work grow.
It’s okay––it’s necessary––to step back, breathe, and appreciate the work.
It used to feel like I wasn’t accomplishing enough in those moments, that I should be doing more, but I understand how valuable rest is now.
From every valley and new mountain appears––I must give myself a fighting chance to make the climb.

And We're Off...

Back to the creative process, but with a new outlook;
Letting go of the need to do it all.
Last year, I adopted the mindset to trust in the now––which worked very well for me.
This year, I will take it a step further, allowing room for surrender, too.
My brain is wired to over-achieve, and when I don’t receive the outcome I expect, I often push too hard.
So as I set out for new journeys this year, I’m going to fight like hell to suspend my relentless nature.
Tanacity is a valuable asset as an artist, but it can often come across as desperation, too.
I’ll continue to ask for what I want, but (I think) I’m more willing to hear “no” and move on!
Only time will tell.

New Year, Same You––Evolved.

I’m giving up.
Not on life, or my creative path, or my family, or anything wild like that;
I’m using this year to surrender.
Letting go of the need to do––well, anything.
I know what you’re thinking, “You say you’re giving up, yet you sit in front of your computer typing away on a blog post.”
Okay, to be fair––it’s true––I have a hard time with inactivity.
But that’s not why I keep a blog.
This daily experiment started in 2010, after the passing of my grandfather.
I set a goal to write every day for a year––and in doing so––I discovered that my outlook on life changed for the better.
My ability to write about almost anything evolved, too, (which is good if you’re trying to be a writer and “find your voice”) and here I sit 7 years later, a published author.
I have no idea what’s around the corner for me in 2017, and I’m completely comfortable with that.
I learned how to be present last year––truly present in every moment––which lead to soaring victories for me personally and professionally; and the strangest thing is that the more that I let go and accepted the path that was in front of me, the more brilliant the opportunities that followed.
So here I am looking a fresh new year directly in the eyes, and I see hope, joy, creativity, and even more growth as a person and artist.
A very wise man (my husband) said that he wanted to greet the first day of the new year with the same tone and intentions that he plans on proceeding with for the rest of the year, and that’s precisely what we did.
I had no agenda today; I spent my time with loved ones, doing what we love––without expectation.
I’m ready for you 2017, and I promise to do my best to be present in every moment, live fully, take action––and yes––surrender when that is the clear choice.