O.K – this is just my opinion – but I think Women Celebrations has had the privilege having the greatest people in the world join us as members – all of our members holding the vision of one million people celebrating!
Our members are people who are not into gaming, war, fighting, gossip, and the like – but have instead chosen to create, enjoy and celebrate life. Our members are non-judgmental – no it does not matter what kind of car you drive when you pull up to one of our current-events happening in North Florida – it does not matter that your shoes have a scuff on them – what matters is that we all share a certain excitement for each other’s success. There is no “contest†about who gets more business or whose business is better – Our members are simply gathering together in a unified Celebration of our Life’s Journey Together. I encourage our members to take advantage of our new BLOG here on WORDPRESS and share with us “what you think.†Come on - tell us what you think – what is a “take away†from one of our L.O.O.P Luncheons– what changes are you experiencing in your life – what are you celebrating today???!!!!
Archive for May, 2007
Make Love, Not War.
Weight! Weight! Weight!
This is a very difficult topic for me and one that I have not been able YET to figure out.
Reasons for being overweight are vast and I could go on and on about all that forever and come up with every excuse in the book for why I put on the pounds.Recently Michael Hunt, a fellow Women Celebrations member and hypnotist with First Coast Hypnosis shared with me that I have a BLOCK about the weight that I find acceptable – what weight is “o.k.,†what is “too much†etc. Mr. Hunt says, “Your sub-conscious mind creates a self image of being heavy for so many reasons: your mother was heavy, your mother said you would be, there is someone in your family you powerfully identify with, someone of authority impressed upon you the idea of being big, and on and on.†Continuing, Mr. Hunt states, “Weight can be comforting in that it provides an insulation and or protection from the outside world, from responsibilities, from problems, from people…and that we all eat for so many reasons; when we are happy, sad, or frightened.†I would have to say – for the most part – I eat when I am feeling fear – uncertainty, confusion, and especially when I get STUCK on a project. Often during the work day- I head off to the refrigerator to find relief for the rejection that I may have just experienced or for the overwhelming feeling of “when will I ever get it all done?†In 2003 – I went on the BODY FOR LIFE weight loss program – a competition that lasted for 3 months. I grew and juiced all my vegetables – I worked out with a trainer every day – and WOW – what results!
And then….I found myself back in an abusive relationship, the fear set in – and back down the road of excessive unhealthy eating- just like that. Only once in my life did I surpass size 12 pants size – of which only lasted a few months. Hence the block – 12 is o.k., but not 14, 12 is o.k.—and not sure if 10 is worth the effort. I now only dream of getting back down to a 8-10 and staying there. Now you may be thinking – “GIRL – that is not overweight!†Just know it is all relative and some of the most beautiful, thinnest people I know consider themselves fat and ugly. So however we view ourselves – me included, taking ownership for our bodies while providing self – love and appreciation for the whole package is wildly important. I have the exercise thing down pretty well– walking at the beach is a breeze – so I guess the first step is being aware right? More to come.
Utopia: may every woman feel seen and heard…
ALANIS MORISSETTE has always stood out in my mind as icon with a tremendous amount of talent and heart. She emerged in 1995 and had many of us spell bound with her intense style of writing and singing, producing memorable songs such as “You Oughta Know,†“Hand in my Pocket,†and “You Learn.†Her contemporary music expresses her deeply expressive style making her a seven-time Grammy Award winner.
In December 2001, ALANIS was honored by the Friends of The United Nations for outstanding contributions to promote tolerance and peace in the world.
Thanks to Tia Graham,who reminded me of the beautiful song that ALANIS wrote in 2001, “UTOPIA.†I was able to listen to the song again and really feel Ms. Morissette’s passion and connect with her deep sense of commitment and hope for a more perfect world. See the amazing video! “Utopia†was released in the wake of the September 11 attacks. “Entertainment Weekly’s Beth Johnson described “Utopia,” noting: “Atop a gentle mandolin, calming strings, and angelic harmonies, she softly croons her wish list for a perfect world, a place ‘without guilt, without fear…with room for every emotion.’”
My two favorite lines in the song are: “we’d provide forums we’d all speak out we’d all be heard we’d all feel seen†AND “we would breathe and be charmed and amused by difference be gentle and make room for every emotion.â€
Thank you Alanis for your incredible and meaningful work – keep it coming!
What Am I Celebrating Today?
Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan and Belgium. The day is used by children and husbands to honor mothers and grandmothers for all that they do in raising children.
Hopefully like many of you – I, along with my family will be Celebrating Mother’s Day today. This Mother’s Day is especially significant for me. Between a very difficult divorce and being in court for the past 3 years in an effort to bring our children to our home to Florida – Mother’s Day was really a bittersweet day every year as my children were so far away (living in the Midwest). This year however will bring a day of many special surprises. I already received my youngest daughter’s gift YESTERDAY! Saying, “I couldn’t wait Mommy,†she handed me a handmade card that said, “I love you. Thank you for everything you have done for me and…Happy Mother’s Day Mom, Love, Taylor.†Pretty special huh? It gets better -on the back my 11 year old put a little pocket folder entitled, “COUPONS.†“Inside,†she told me, “are things you can use on Mother’s day,†and also, “…they have no expiration date.†Today, then, I will be using my: 1 free car wash, 1 free hour alone, 1 free box of Junior Mints (my favorite) and 1 free anything I want coupon. Mmm, maybe I will ask for the biggest family group hug imaginable. Rachel, Bailey, Taylor and Mike love me dearly and I am so grateful that I have been given the gift of motherhood, today and everyday!
What are you celebrating?
My Cup Runneth Over…
If there were ever a time that I have felt that my cup runneth over…NOW would be the time. The dreams, tears, laughter, the love, fear, expression of gratitude, and authenticity are spilling into my life from so many places and so many sources.
Photo: Zig Ziglar and Sheryl Lynn - October 2006
Zig Ziglar told a story when I saw him this past year, about a water pump. You know those red ones you see at places like Yellow Stone National Park when you are camping? You pump and pump and pump and pump and you wait for the water to come – you are so thirsty, you know the water is coming, yet you get tired. You believe that just a little more pumping will bring you your desired result. Yummy cool water. So you pump some more. You want to give up, maybe let your brother or parent do some of the work – yet you know deep in your heart that you want to feel the sweet success of having the water run onto out of the nozzle and onto the ground. You keep trying with Mother Teresa effort knowing the fabulous outcome of quenching your thirst will be worth the sweat and muscle fatigue. This vivid picture of pumping a hand pump is very much like my life. I feel like I have pumped and pushed and pulled and use every last drop of energy I had to open the reservoir of love from my heart, allowing it to pour into the hearts of women. In the past, it seemed the harder I tried to create beauty, the uglier it got, the roads I went down were all dead ends. I started over, failed more and landed in a pile of poo more than I care to remember. Three years later after starting Women Celebrations though, the pumping is producing a beautiful stream, a flow of perfection that seems unending – like the feel of Cinderella and the Prince dancing at the Ball – everything in perfect alignment. Now, as I give to the heart of others, doing what I can to “eek†out a dream, a voice, a tear, an ounce of real laughter, a level of self- trust – this celebrated feeling becomes like the water, now SPILLING out onto others. The pumping is now easier and with so much less effort than before. I am feeling, seeing and tasting the sweetness of the work, of the sweat, of the tears I cried – of the times I felt so alone, crazy, silly, broke and beat up. My energy that goes into this dream of one million people living a life of daily celebration is constant…it is giving, it is endless, it is rewarding and fun–and more than anything – it is finally being received. This flow of this “water†is spreading to the other plants on the ground-watering the beautiful flower in its path- sprouting the blossoms of dreams, of hope, of kindness, of judge free environments, of softness, of love – in women’s lives, men’s lives and most importantly it is touching the children of the world. The children are feeling the love – not from families laden from verbal abuse, but from celebrated moms, dads and adults in general.So raise your glass ladies and gentlemen, and drink in the fruits of our labor. Yum Yum
Milestone Celebrations
Using the power of compounding – we have established 19 magic steps to reaching our goal of celebrating one million people celebrating women and celebrating change. Step 5 was celebrated on March 1, 2007 – That day we celebrated 64 people at a Carrabba’s restaurant.
Today, May 7, 2007 we celebrated that our membership doubled again. For each step we throw a celebration “party†that allows us to take time out of our busy schedule to focus on all the great strides and changes that we are making in lives and in the world.
Ahhh – Deep breath – Lots of planning for today’s event – but how wonderful to celebrate Step 6 of our goal on the way to one million people celebrating. This goal was represented by 128 awesome women and men (and a few children) who gathered at the beautiful Casa Marina Hotel, Jacksonville, Florida. The setting was Oceanside and the atmosphere was full of energy and enthusiasm for all the members in attendance. YES, members know that when we celebrate life’s journey together – and celebrate the little things in life – every little thing – including the fact that  your child brushed her teeth before bedtime without being told AND that you were finally able to take 5 minutes alone – every day for the past week – is when our world will change to be a more supportive and joyful place to be for all.
With so many fabulous people in attendance – as well as three professional speakers, motivational humorist, Jewell Kutzer, Norma Jean May from the Jacksonville Jam, and professional basketball player and coach, Grayson Marshall, I can only humbly say THANK YOU – for those who are not waiting any more to make a difference – but THANK YOU to those who are using “Celebration Therapy†– a term coined by one of our members, Terri Hattaway, to create a world that is non-judgmental and a world that has safe streets and schools.
GREAT SPONSORS - I would like to thank a few of them - Coastal Cosmetic Center, Go Natural and The Anit-Aging Clinic.
Step 7 will be 256 members – celebrating sometime this summer. Can’t wait!
Mooo?
 
C.R.E.A.T.E: - The “C†in CREATE -Celebrate Everything -Even Cow Manure!
Cow manure is disgusting and repulsive. Growing up in Wisconsin I was always aware of the black and white pretties. School trips took us to large farms that made our eyes water. Yet put yourself in farmers shoes – cow manure is an important source of fuel and fertilizer. So let’s celebrate that!
Stay with me now - to further celebrate COWS - They say fiber from processed and sterilized cow manure could take the place of sawdust in fiberboard, which is used to make everything from furniture to flooring to store shelves. Researchers say it “won’t smell†and it is a way to dispose of the 1.5 trillion to 2 trillion pounds of manure produced annually in the United States.
Hold on – there is one more point to make about cow manure… Maria Alicia Gaura, Chronicle Staff Writer from the San Francisco Chronicle reports that cows, despite their gentle demeanor and big brown eyes, present some troubling environmental challenges. A well-fed dairy cow produces 40,000 pounds per year per animal of manure every day, or. As a result of this seemingly unsolvable flaw of cows - Mr. Albert Straus, dairy farmer from California figured out a way to generate electricity from the manure of his 270 cows!!!!! All I can say is HOLY COW!
The “C†in CREATE –is Celebrate everything. My goodness if we can celebrate cow manure we are off to a great start! In the Power of Wisdom, Aman Motwane, states that nothing exists without opposite or complement. This is a first step in realizing the abundance that nature intended for you.
What does this mean for you? Aman Motwane goes on to say; in nature, everything exists because of its opposite. The North Pole exists because the South Pole exists. Without HOT there would be no cold., without black, no white; without weakness, no strength, without sadness, no joy; without failure, no success; without pain, no pleasure, without dark, no light.
It takes courage to begin celebrating your own weaknesses, mistakes, flaws and imperfections. Celebrate everything starting with your birth mark that adds sex appeal, your lisp that makes you memorable and endearing, and your over cluttered disorganized house that gives you flexibility and creativity – When you begin to put out your true authentic self out on display for others to see in a matter of fact way AND stop trying to control how others see you, it will draw others TO you and you will allow your true beauty to come to the surface.
Celebrate Everything? Are you wondering if I really mean everything? The answer is YES – the more you celebrate the more you will have to celebrate!
P.S. I wonder if cows think that their manure is a flaw. I doubt it. I wonder if the flaws we call our own…are really flaws at all? Most of them…I doubt it!
