When I started taking latin dancing lessons in May I could barely move my body; I was so stiff and self conscious. I had barely ever danced before.
Yet this past Friday an amazing salsa dancer (and salsa’s not my strength) told me I’m a natural.
Maybe some of you will relate to the story I’m about to share. Sometimes, when you get too comfortable, too set in your ways, the Universe turns your life upside down and inside out as a gift, to shake you up and help you remember who you really ARE.
If you want to help someone, don’t spout spiritual platitudes at them like “just be in the now”. Show up and listen with genuine empathy and unconditional love. Share your own vulnerabilities so they know they’re not alone. We cannot “fix” or heal people.
Your life is a garden.
When you first feel called to grow something new, it’s scary.
You know in your heart that your old garden is no longer enough for you. But now what?
I think of my body as a fun vehicle I’ve been given to experience my life with. I imagine myself as a Kia Soul, unique and quirky but practical and useful, a little slow to get up to speed but dependable once I get going. And I remember from when I had my own (actual) car that if I don’t change the oil, get it rustproofed, wash it and take loving care of it, the car begins dragging and breaking down. It gets old before its time. It can support me only as long as I support it.
It was one of the greatest nights of my life.
One hundred people mingled together in the small room I had booked next to a large music venue.
As an introvert who has always loved helping to create a sense of community for people (but rarely do because I truly border on reclusive), knowing that I had brought all these people together and that they were now connecting, talking and laughing thrilled me. But the best part? They had all come to listen to me read from my newly launched book Help Me, Asia: Five Countries, One Mission, Learn How to Be Happy–the writing of which had been a trying, 10-year labour of love.