Screams of Consciousness » ME: All Over Again. Re-inventing Yourself.

What Time Is It?

Peggy — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:39:07 +0000

Some people I have talked with lately, say it’s time to hunker down……sit tight.

Others say, “Hell’s bells, with all that’s going on in the world, it’s time to do something radical….to get out of this stuck feeling.”

I say it’s time to know exactly what you really want. In your heart of hearts.

Time to go inside and sort things out. Once and for all.

Huge storms, unexpected earthquakes, wars around the world and money in a state of flux…….they are all wake-up calls. They let us know that we are not in control of anything, really…..except of our own thoughts and actions. They let us know that “time’s a-wastin” if we are living less than our deepest truth and our highest potential. Seen in the most positive light, they are hugely encouraging and urgent reminders to take stock, then take action.

If today was your last—would you leave here, satisfied….content….at peace….purposeful. Or, would you feel sadness for the life you have not gotten around to living?

What are you waiting for?

If you enjoyed this, you might also like...

Having Character or Being a Character. Which do you Prefer?

Peggy — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 19:57:00 +0000

I love characters. People who fly the flag of themselves, fully unfurled, at the top of the pole.

Take The Gabors. I could be dating myself here, so if you don’t know who The Gabors are, Google them. Zsa Zsa and Eva were the most famous but they also had another sister, Magda—Blonde and flamboyant, the sisters could have taught Paris Hilton a thing or two, or ten, for sure.

Here in Dallas, we have our very own Gabors. Ron and Joseph were anointed with that title, some years ago. No DNA between themselves and the originals, as far as we know, has ever been verified. But in every other way, their voluminous, cotton-candy blonde hair, their love of feathers and sequins, bracelets and bangles, gold-plated everythings, from the trim on their black Mercedes to their flame-painted fingers and toes, along with their constant togetherness….required their “brand” be solidified into the stuff bona fide urban legends are made of.

They moved here from LA in the late 80′s. That would be the 1980′s, to launch a new super salon, with much fanfare from the press and twittering society mavens, ready for new do’s and, if possible, even blonder roots. Most of the time, the woosh of air created by just opening the door to the neighborhood restaurant we all frequent, heralds their aromatic arrival. But even before that, whenever the smell of burned toast drifts it’s way to our table—The Gabors are on the way—having called in their order. Toast Carbonara. They like it hot, burned, and on the table, when they roll in, if you please.

All of us, dressed, pressed and totally un-expressed, look up from our daily paper and #2 breakfast to spend the next few minutes, rubbernecking in their direction. For The Gabors, every day is a new view, a cavalcade of cleverly orchestrated outfits, clanking chains, giant rings on fingers and other body parts beaming gold and silver attachments. Keeping a taut stomach for the bare mid-driffs punctuated by ”sun-drenched” fake-and-bake skin is no easy feat. One day, they were overheard describing their new, larger apartment. “Finally, a place for our tanning bed!” One has cut his hair with spikes and whiffs of bright purple streaks. The other has made his tribute to purple by dying his goatee the same color. Like companion fabrics creating a cohesive look for your living room, they embody coordination in ways I could never dream of.

We love them. And they know it. They are characters. They represent freedom. And, as much as we like to roll our eyes when the charred toast assaults our senses for one more day, what they bring to the table of life is a certain kind of joy and exuberance most of us would never dare display.

So, in answer to my header question, I prefer both—having character and being a character. Each of them requires the same thing. Courage.

If you enjoyed this, you might also like...

Diving Into Summer

Peggy — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:59:46 +0000

Even the clearest water seems opaque at great depth. Joel Agee

Summer is the time to take off from the routine of every day. Or, at least that’s the picket fence version of life. It’s the time of long, lazy days where the book you’ve been reading falls off your chest and doesn’t even wake you up when it hits the floor.

Little boys get their summer buzz cut. Lightening bugs are shown no mercy as they get collected in mason jars, with holes in the lids….so, o.k., a little mercy. We eat watermelon and spit the seeds at targets nailed to trees. In the south, we fan….and make ice cream….a lot.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of a cool, head-to-toe shower, after a day of play in the sun, followed by meeting up with friends and family on the porch, re-dressed in fresh, crispy clothes—for the single minded ritual of rocking away the rest of the day….as the gigantic Dreamsicle ball of sun melts into the earth just one more time. Heaven.

Kicking back also is a great time to dive in. Sometimes that extended inner quiet unearths the storm in your heart. Moments beneath the surface of your soul can excavate treasures buried under the stress of carpool, rfp’s, ailing parents, and making all your ends meet.

Sound good? Well, let me offer a treasure or two I have discovered in the process of my own nose dive into the navel—- wonderful books that could ease you into deeper waters if you would like to snorkel your way into more of you… this summer.

THE BOOK OF AWAKENING: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have by Mark Nepo

As the title suggests, these are thoughts on being plugged in to your own life, written so that you can open to the exact day on the calendar or let it fall open to any page—-and see the miracle of how often the subject matter seems to fit something happening to you at that very moment.

THE ART of RESILIENCE: 100 Paths to Wisdom and Strength in an Uncertain World by Carol Orsborn

Carol offers ways to feel connected to the flow of life—even when it can seem to be interrupted on a regular basis. Again, as she outlines the 10 stages of resilience—you can take them in random order, letting your mind float—and not miss a thing.

“This is life’s promise to you. not that you will always get what you think you want. But that you can become great enough to embrace it all.” Carol Orsborn

So…..this summer, take the plunge.

If you enjoyed this, you might also like...