Jacqueline & I worked through a few other colors last year, but I never finished with Lady Pink. At the beginning of this year I chose a Word of the Year: DO. You see, I spend a lot of time thinking about what I should be or need to be doing; writing lists; waiting for this, that, or the other thing to be right; and I just need to stop doing that and just DO. Stop thinking about making art, DO it; stop saying you should call your mom, DO it; stop saying you should apply for a new job, - to quote those famous Nike ads - just DO it! So, in choosing that word, I have been DO-ing.
Then about mid-month last month, I started a daily gratitude post on my private facebook. I was having a VERY hard time with life right then and I needed to remind myself of all the wonderful things in my life that I was so grateful to be blessed with. Some days were *really* hard. Things have improved, but still I continue the habit.
You might be wondering what these two things have to do with Pink, as was I, but it kept coming back to me that Lady Pink *was* asking me to do these things. So I thought on it, and thought on it, and thought on it. And I have figured it out. Lady Pink's lessons are about Love & Acceptance, not just of other beings, but of ourselves. At least for me she is... And in order for me to love myself, I need to see that I am capable of DO-ing and that even when times are bad, my life is pretty is awesome.
And so I will continue with my DO-ing and my gratitude lists and learning to Love & Accept myself, but I will move on now to work with Silver...
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, March 21, 2011
Pink Questions
1. In chapter two, Little Bird meets Pink and is challenged to examine the hurts in her life and how to heal those hurts. As you have read in this chapter, Little Bird was given the task to find her three greatest heart wounds and begin to heal them. Before we discuss your three greatest heart wounds, let's talk of Pink, as she is much different from Black. How do you feel about Pink? What does this color mean to you?
Pink is the color of bubble gum & cotton candy, unicorn manes & fairy wings, princess gowns & poodle poofs, spring flowers & twilight skies. It evokes in me a sense of innocence love, the kind that children naturally have for everyone and everything before life messes things up.
2. Pink is the color of compassion. Do you, dear reader, consider yourself to be a kind and compassionate person? Why or why not?
I do. I am affected by things that others around me don't seem to be. Although I do tend to not be very compassionate with myself.
3. If you were in similar situations as Little Bird, how would your response be different or the same?
Probably different. I don't run away from love. I tend to be more cautious now, but I still tend to jump right in.
4. Do you feel you have treated yourself with gentle compassion throughout your life?
Definitely not. I am very hard on myself, expecting myself to live up to a higher standard than others around me.
5. Some people think that because Pink is so gentle, she is not a strong color. Do you think of Pink as strong or weak?
It's definitely a strong color; have you seen my grandmother's bedroom?
6. What, dear reader, do you think are your three greatest heart wounds?
I am still working to heal the wounds I discussed last time I answered these questions. My relationships with my mom and dad, and my break-up with R, all of which left/leave me feeling *not-good-enough* about myself.
7. Which of the three you have listed would you say is your greatest heart wound?
Definitely my relationship with my father.
8. What of your other two greatest heart wounds? How would you describe the healing for these to Pink?
I think I just need to keep remembering that my mom & R - and my Dad - are all doing the best they can & know, and were all along. I need to think of them with love and compassion - and myself...
9. Let us return to your single greatest heart wound. Write down your plan to heal that heart wound. I offer you a blessing as you begin this healing. Remember, Pink is always with you.
I need to just start talking to my dad more. Keep that same thing in mind, that he did and is doing the best he can, and to keep remembering that we love each other.
10. Optional: Write your own prayer to Pink.
Lady Pink, please help me to see everyone through the eyes of love and compassion, keeping in mind that they are all doing the best they can - including myself.
11. If you'd like to be closer to Pink, spend a month with her, and every day for a month, do something kind for someone else. It can be as simple as a kind word or a smile. Record your gifts to Pink.
I do feel drawn to do something like this, as a way to extend my time with Pink, but I think instead of doing a specific act of kindness, I am going to do 2 things:
Pink is the color of bubble gum & cotton candy, unicorn manes & fairy wings, princess gowns & poodle poofs, spring flowers & twilight skies. It evokes in me a sense of innocence love, the kind that children naturally have for everyone and everything before life messes things up.
2. Pink is the color of compassion. Do you, dear reader, consider yourself to be a kind and compassionate person? Why or why not?
I do. I am affected by things that others around me don't seem to be. Although I do tend to not be very compassionate with myself.
3. If you were in similar situations as Little Bird, how would your response be different or the same?
Probably different. I don't run away from love. I tend to be more cautious now, but I still tend to jump right in.
4. Do you feel you have treated yourself with gentle compassion throughout your life?
Definitely not. I am very hard on myself, expecting myself to live up to a higher standard than others around me.
5. Some people think that because Pink is so gentle, she is not a strong color. Do you think of Pink as strong or weak?
It's definitely a strong color; have you seen my grandmother's bedroom?
6. What, dear reader, do you think are your three greatest heart wounds?
I am still working to heal the wounds I discussed last time I answered these questions. My relationships with my mom and dad, and my break-up with R, all of which left/leave me feeling *not-good-enough* about myself.
7. Which of the three you have listed would you say is your greatest heart wound?
Definitely my relationship with my father.
8. What of your other two greatest heart wounds? How would you describe the healing for these to Pink?
I think I just need to keep remembering that my mom & R - and my Dad - are all doing the best they can & know, and were all along. I need to think of them with love and compassion - and myself...
9. Let us return to your single greatest heart wound. Write down your plan to heal that heart wound. I offer you a blessing as you begin this healing. Remember, Pink is always with you.
I need to just start talking to my dad more. Keep that same thing in mind, that he did and is doing the best he can, and to keep remembering that we love each other.
10. Optional: Write your own prayer to Pink.
Lady Pink, please help me to see everyone through the eyes of love and compassion, keeping in mind that they are all doing the best they can - including myself.
11. If you'd like to be closer to Pink, spend a month with her, and every day for a month, do something kind for someone else. It can be as simple as a kind word or a smile. Record your gifts to Pink.
I do feel drawn to do something like this, as a way to extend my time with Pink, but I think instead of doing a specific act of kindness, I am going to do 2 things:
- Over the next month or so I am going to drop 30 kindness cards (like these) when we are out and about.
- Every evening before bed, I am going to meditate on sending love & compassion to the world, particularly the people around me, and ask for the same in return.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Perhaps a message from Pink?
(I think this message can go for men too, you know? Anyone who has a body really!)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Pink
The messages from Pink seem to be more subtle or perhaps I am just more resistant to them... It seems like it should be an easy color, all about love and kindness, but I seem to be having a hard time with it. Maybe it's because I'm just having a hard time with life in general right now, maybe it's just because I don't feel worthy of love... I've even have a hard time saying our affirmations...
Anyway, today - or rather sometime in the last week, I got these, but put off reading them until now - these bits seemed very important to me...
From the Yoga Journal newsletter (which I can't find online):
allow others to love me too accept the love of others... that's all Pink, baby.
Anyway, today - or rather sometime in the last week, I got these, but put off reading them until now - these bits seemed very important to me...
From the Yoga Journal newsletter (which I can't find online):
"If we cannot love and accept ourselves just as we are, we will find it difficult to truly love anyone else in such a limitless, unconditional way." ~ Frank Jude Boccio, yoga and Zen Buddhist teacherFrom Creativity is Sexy: Allowing Yourself to Receive Pleasure (go read the whole thing!!!):
our sexuality and sensual side can be an immense source of pleasure. in many ways, it is the physical definition of pleasure. though in order to enjoy this part of ourselves we have really be in tune with our desires, let go of shame, and embrace our imperfect bodies. these are often really hard things to do and is also why so many of us have left this part of ourselves behind.I realize this last one might be considered a message from Red or Green, but accepting who I am now, physically, mentally, spiritually... and loving myself enough to
...
this doesn’t mean you have to be swinging from the chandelier scantily clad and shooting whipped cream all over your bits (though that might be fun!), but what it really means is getting honest about how you feel physically and accept how you exist in this very moment...
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Affirmations for the Energy of Pink
I wrote them here a few days ago I think, but here they are for downloading & printing...
Jacqueline wrote the affirmations, and I did the illustration. Shame the scanner didn't get the colors quite right; there is a pink gradient from the edges where it's darker to the center where it's almost white.
From there you can save the large copy, which *should* print out just right on a regular sheet of paper...
Jacqueline wrote the affirmations, and I did the illustration. Shame the scanner didn't get the colors quite right; there is a pink gradient from the edges where it's darker to the center where it's almost white.
From there you can save the large copy, which *should* print out just right on a regular sheet of paper...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Messages from Pink
I've not been hearing them so much this month, like I did last month from Black. However, I have been feeling a need to be compassionate to not just the people around me, but myself mostly. Today however, I got a link to this in an email, which is a lesson I am sure Pink is trying to share.
Here are some very simple exercises you can start with, from my book, The Goddess DIET, See a Goddess in the Mirror in 21 Days.
Empowerment Tools: Beauty Is As Beauty Does
Oh, and since we had no ink for the printer, we didn't get to these until now...
Affirmations for the Energy of Pink
Here are some very simple exercises you can start with, from my book, The Goddess DIET, See a Goddess in the Mirror in 21 Days.
Empowerment Tools: Beauty Is As Beauty Does
- Begin by looking into a mirror several times every day. Hold your own gaze for a short period of time, and say meaningfully, “You are beautiful,” or, “Hello beautiful goddess.”
- When you step out of the shower, create your own Personal Power Pose in the mirror. Start with your hands together over your head, relax your shoulders, and then move your arms, legs and body until you settle into a natural pose. Say directly to your gaze, “You are goddess.”
- This one might get you giggling, but that’s OK. Start by framing your foot with your hands. Move your hands around it saying, “I love my foot, my beautiful foot.” Repeat this for your calves, your knees, and for every part of your body until you get to the top. Repeat any time you need a morale boost.
- Where your attention goes, energy flows. Focussing on a spare tyre only adds weight to the issue, (boom boom). Express gratitude to your beautiful bits by affirming your reflection, and watch these ‘bits’ take precedence. When you lose attachment to ‘ugliness’, it loses it grip on you. Your body can then settle into its own perfect size, naturally and beautifully.
Oh, and since we had no ink for the printer, we didn't get to these until now...
Affirmations for the Energy of Pink
- I will treat myself with love and compassion.
- I will strive to acknowledge and work to heal those wounds which keep me from being complete.
- I will recognize my emotions, allow myself to feel them, and let go of them when the time is right.
- I will remember that each person is a unique being with strengths and weaknesses.
- I will refrain from judging others, and will meet each individual with love and compassion.
- I will strive to always act with kindness and love.
- I will strive to respect all of the living beings of the world.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Depth of Black
First, my self-portrait...
Click to view on black...
Created in my sketchbook with black markers, a little black crayon, some grey marker on the me,
and just a touch of the other colors of the rainbow, because Black contains them all.
1. In the story, Little Bird meets Black and is challenged to discover who her authentic, real self is. How well do you know your own authentic self? We asked you to create a portrait of your self at the beginning of this adventure. How well do you think that portrait describes your real, authentic self? I believe it's fairly accurate. All of the words I had originally added, when I asked others to describe me, were the same or synonyms of their replies.
2. After having read Chapter One and meeting Black, is there anything that you would like to add to your initial portrait? Yes. I have since added a few words: driver and computer user. And I think more of the dark, not-so-pretty words to describe me should maybe be added as well, like fearful, depressed, angry... but I didn't want those words so permanently displayed and connected to Me... perhaps, I shall add them in pencil - which would continue the Black theme, but allow for impermanence unlike the marker...
3. Little Bird of the story has been gifted with artistic talent. What would you say are your own gifts and talents? Creativity, kindness, the ability to see beauty and good in everything and everyone...
4. Do you feel you have fully explored them? Why or why not? No, not fully. The creative side of me was squashed for a long time. It's not a productive thing was the message I got. So I am now only beginning to allow myself to explore this side of Me.
5. And how do you think Black would encourage you to explore the depths of those gifts and talents? What would she ask you to do with them? I think Black sees that I am on the right path and would encourage me to continue, make art, take photos, show others the beauty you see, be kind...
6. Some people are afraid of Black, thinking it is evil. Do you feel any fear towards Black? If so, why? I've never seen black as an evil color, and I have no fear of Black. But I do fear the unknown, and I do try to hide from the truth when I fear it may hurt - myself or others.
7. You have seen how Caroline reacts and interacts with Deity as represented by the color Black? If you were in Little Bird’s place, how do you think you would react and interact with the color Black? I am not as effusive as Little Bird and tend to keep a tight rein on my reactions - I try anyway. Likely I would be respectful, but probably too self-conscious or nervous to say much or let much show.
8. Select just one of the gifts and talents that you listed earlier. Write down your plan on how you will improve that gift or talent. Sharing the beauty I see with others is one I feel I really want to work on right now. I don't just mean physical beauty that one can see plainly; I think we call have no trouble with that. But when I am in a classroom, being able to show other teachers and the students the beauty of the world around them, the beauty of a child's interest & enthusiasm, the beauty in their work... that is what is important to me right now. That is what is going to make the biggest change I think.
9. OPTIONAL: Write your own Prayer to Black here. Lady Black, help me to release my fears of the unknown, to see the beauty of everything, to understand the truth of each individual I meet, and especially to see and understand the beauty and truth of ME and not be ashamed.
10. A Ritual for Black: Jacqueline & I did a ritual on the first. I wish my computer hadn't died the next morning because I had been so gung-ho to type out all that happened, and now I can barely remember. ;-; We cast a circle and called the quarters, and then lit a candle to shed light on our truths. We talked about the lessons Black had taught each of us and shared our thoughts on them. Then we added some things to our altar as reminders of these lessons, then extinguished the candle as a reminder that even in the dark the truth is still there if we are open to seeing it.
Click to view on black...
Created in my sketchbook with black markers, a little black crayon, some grey marker on the me,
and just a touch of the other colors of the rainbow, because Black contains them all.
1. In the story, Little Bird meets Black and is challenged to discover who her authentic, real self is. How well do you know your own authentic self? We asked you to create a portrait of your self at the beginning of this adventure. How well do you think that portrait describes your real, authentic self? I believe it's fairly accurate. All of the words I had originally added, when I asked others to describe me, were the same or synonyms of their replies.
2. After having read Chapter One and meeting Black, is there anything that you would like to add to your initial portrait? Yes. I have since added a few words: driver and computer user. And I think more of the dark, not-so-pretty words to describe me should maybe be added as well, like fearful, depressed, angry... but I didn't want those words so permanently displayed and connected to Me... perhaps, I shall add them in pencil - which would continue the Black theme, but allow for impermanence unlike the marker...
3. Little Bird of the story has been gifted with artistic talent. What would you say are your own gifts and talents? Creativity, kindness, the ability to see beauty and good in everything and everyone...
4. Do you feel you have fully explored them? Why or why not? No, not fully. The creative side of me was squashed for a long time. It's not a productive thing was the message I got. So I am now only beginning to allow myself to explore this side of Me.
5. And how do you think Black would encourage you to explore the depths of those gifts and talents? What would she ask you to do with them? I think Black sees that I am on the right path and would encourage me to continue, make art, take photos, show others the beauty you see, be kind...
6. Some people are afraid of Black, thinking it is evil. Do you feel any fear towards Black? If so, why? I've never seen black as an evil color, and I have no fear of Black. But I do fear the unknown, and I do try to hide from the truth when I fear it may hurt - myself or others.
7. You have seen how Caroline reacts and interacts with Deity as represented by the color Black? If you were in Little Bird’s place, how do you think you would react and interact with the color Black? I am not as effusive as Little Bird and tend to keep a tight rein on my reactions - I try anyway. Likely I would be respectful, but probably too self-conscious or nervous to say much or let much show.
8. Select just one of the gifts and talents that you listed earlier. Write down your plan on how you will improve that gift or talent. Sharing the beauty I see with others is one I feel I really want to work on right now. I don't just mean physical beauty that one can see plainly; I think we call have no trouble with that. But when I am in a classroom, being able to show other teachers and the students the beauty of the world around them, the beauty of a child's interest & enthusiasm, the beauty in their work... that is what is important to me right now. That is what is going to make the biggest change I think.
9. OPTIONAL: Write your own Prayer to Black here. Lady Black, help me to release my fears of the unknown, to see the beauty of everything, to understand the truth of each individual I meet, and especially to see and understand the beauty and truth of ME and not be ashamed.
10. A Ritual for Black: Jacqueline & I did a ritual on the first. I wish my computer hadn't died the next morning because I had been so gung-ho to type out all that happened, and now I can barely remember. ;-; We cast a circle and called the quarters, and then lit a candle to shed light on our truths. We talked about the lessons Black had taught each of us and shared our thoughts on them. Then we added some things to our altar as reminders of these lessons, then extinguished the candle as a reminder that even in the dark the truth is still there if we are open to seeing it.
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