Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Soul Coaching Day 18: Being Present / Choosing Life - Breakthrough

This morning I wrote to Sunny, sharing with her the breakthrough that arrived this morning, the breakthrough that's been on its way for a while. What I wrote to her forms the basis of what I'm sharing with you now. I'm tender about it. It's new and vulnerable. Though really it is at least as old as I am.

I’m getting clear on my mission. It involves these beliefs:
  • The arts belong to everybody
  • The arts help us know ourselves and each other
  • Falling in love with ourselves and each other is crucial to the survival and thrival of humanity and this planet

When watching the beautiful meditation I posted for our Soul Coaching journey, I was aware that as Virginia Fitton talks about the beauty of the world and our connectivity, there are no images of people. And I remembered when I asked the question, “How do you fall in love with the world?” how mostly it never had anything to do with people, though sometimes children were involved. This breaks my heart.

More than that, I believe our lack of love for ourselves as humans is a bigger crisis than the economic one, a bigger crisis than the environmental one. More people are killed by each other every day than by environmental disasters. People are dying from neglect and lack of compassion. I am not saying we don't make it hard to love one another. We surely do. So, how can we fall in love with one another? How do we fall in love with ourselves?

I think one of the answers is through art.

When I first studied Nia, I had no intention of teaching. I simply wanted to deepen my learning of the practice. One day, I volunteered to hand out flyers at a Nia demonstration. When the demo started, I walked amidst the women watching, and I could see the yearning. I literally saw women stop in their tracks, eyes glued to the stage. All these women wanted to dance. And in that moment I knew there had to be more teachers, and I could be one of them. So I started.

This week I listened to a teleclass led by Tamara Herl about expressive arts coaching. She does a lot of work with teams, often in the healthcare field. She relayed many stories of the work she had done using music, art, drama, stories and the impact it had on the group. And I really got it. There is a need out there. Not an “identified need that my business can serve” but a soul need.

Years ago I read a novel where a young and inexperienced heroine was about to throw herself into a dangerous situation. Her friend said to her, "Why you? Why not get someone else? Someone stronger, more experienced?" And she replied, "Because I am the one who sees the need."

And so, I may not be the strongest or the most experienced or the most talented (or I might be!), but I've got my share of each of those things and I see the need. I bring a toolkit full of love, creativity and courage, a heartfelt desire to make a difference and a belief that it can be done.

And just as a final affirmation that yes, yes, this is the road, another sign showed up. This morning, someone new connected to me on Twitter (Hi, Clevercelt). And just as I followed him back, he posted a link to something that surely will help us all fall in love with each other. Enjoy.

18 comments:

Suzie Ridler said...

As I delved into my shadow self, I realized that a lot of the time I do not have compassion for people. Your post reminds me of this too. I want to change this. I want to care about people and not just issues. Caring for people scares me so I guess I gotta do it.

I see you as the person on stage who truly sees those women yearning to dance and you go into the audience and gently lead them back to their spirits and their joy Jamie. This is your gift.

Jamie said...

Thank you for your vision of me, Suzie. Sincerely.

Jamie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Jamie-

I loved that little film on wisdom. I can definitely see that as a sign. You truly have an ability to lead people and bring them to greater things. We are all witnesses to it. I think it is amazing to watch your signs fall into place for you and see you step into the greatness of your being. I believe you have what it takes to achieve those goals and I think yours is a voice we need to encourage the world to connect and care for each other. I am so excited for you, glad that we have connected on this journey, and look forward to seeing where this path leads you. I will remain here supporting you!

Her Speak said...

What an amazing film...
Jane Goodall's comment stood out to me. We have clever brains that concoct all sorts of gadgets but we have forgotten, we've been distracted from the core of the Matter--that matter being: what does it mean to be a human? What does it mean to care for one another? What does it look like?

Thank you so much for sharing.

Blissings~*

Danette said...

Jamie this is the world I want to live in. I just got back from ISIS with Steve and Ellen speaking on Expressive Arts and The World as a focus of our class. Your post today is serendipitously grounding for me.

It is thrilling to see this unfold for you, and into the world.

I think the world needs what you have to give, and you see that need with such clarity.

Give it to us mama!

Unknown said...

Thank you Jamie for all that you do and all that you are. Now you are letting it shine out into the world. Thank you for that.


Loved the wisdom movie and the meditation clip.

Lisa said...

I love your toolkit, and your open heart that sees the need. You are beautiful and inspiring!

Genie Sea said...

Thank God, The Divine, The Universe, The One for people like YOU!

Thank you, Jamie, to infinity and back! :)

peppylady (Dora) said...

No my life isn't prefect and I complain what wrong and like a spoiled child I wine and cry about my life.

I had a great day with my loving hubby.

Coffee is on.

Caroline said...

What a beautiful post. It just dawned on me earlier today that so many of the participants in this journey are artists... Then I read this post. It's very cool!

Miss Robyn said...

so much in this post Jamie.. I am speechless.. so much is going through my head.. mostly: yes, yes, yes!!!!!!!
you, well all I can say is I love you from the bottom of my soul xoxo

Nadya said...

Jamie - thanks for all you share - I love reading your process!! & I'd seen the wisdom book film before, but loved watching it again! A few years ago I saw Jane Goodall speaking at a nearby college, mostly to kids - encouraging them into deep ecology! During the speach (sunspots?) the lights went out, & her very calm, un-miked voice said 'if you move forward, carefully, on the bleachers, I think you will still hear
me.' . . . & I chuckled internally, thinking of her years in the wilds, prob. often without electricity!

A good message for life - move forward, calmly, & listen for that quiet voice!

I also love encouraging those wistful women to get out there & dance!!
thanks for your inspiration!

Maree Jones said...

Wow Jamie - what a wonderful breakthrough. I agree with you with my whole heart. I long to dance (and do in fact do so!) and I long to express my creativity and connect with that side of myself. The more I do it, the more convinced I am that everyone needs to connect with their creativity. I am so glad you are helping yourself and all of us to do that.

Anonymous said...

Jamie, you are already making a difference! Keep on doing what you're doing and you'll continue to make a difference. It is a wonderful realisation for you to have. Blessings, Nicole x

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful, beautiful post, Jamie. Thank you for giving me another reminder, so much inspiration, both in the video and in your words.

Last Place Finisher said...

I've recently been reading more about Jewish mysticism. Kaballah teaches that the ultimate purpose of life is creation. Art is an expression of creation, an expression of our purpose, a medium in which we can share feelings at a level that does not require words.

Anonymous said...

Years ago I read a novel where a young and inexperienced heroine was about to throw herself into a dangerous situation. Her friend said to her, "Why you? Why not get someone else? Someone stronger, more experienced?" And she replied, "Because I am the one who sees the need."

I read this and teared up, because its so true. This is how I feel about my mission. I'm not even sure I'm doing a bang up job, but I am doing it.

Thank you