My Pink Roadmap

I came across this while I was looking for a new Mantra to take one from my Twitter friend, @SplitRockRanch on the website for The Secret. I loved it too much not to share with you Pinkies here.

I Promise Myself:

 To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

    Hello Pinkies, it is 12:26 a.m. here in Ennis, Texas. I usually prepare the Think Pink Post several days before actually posting it online, but tonight I learned a valuable lesson that I felt compelled to share.
     My spiritual journey started not that long ago at all. In fact, I only recently surrendered my life, thoughts and dreams to God in September. But ever since that moment my life has been on the fast track to paradise. Sure, there have been moments of down time, questioning and anxiety. But overall my journey has been a profound one.
     Recently I have been feeling that God was leading me to break away from the bar I have been working at for the past several months. This decision scared for several reasons, one being loss of income. I usually brought anywhere from $100-$200 in a week. Though this may not seem like a lot, it is still money that won’t be there, should I leave the bar. Another situation that made me uncomfortable were the terms that my boss and I had been on for the last few weeks. The last thing I wanted was for him to think I was leaving the bar because of the tension between us and the conflicting conversations we have had in the past.
     I had been pondering and pondering whether or not leaving was the right thing for me to do. Then, my signs showed up; Lissa had a conversation about being patient and becoming, the last Mojo Tips Newsletter was about knowing when the timing was right: a peace would overcome you and it would be clear that this is what needed to be done.
     Tonight at the bar I was told I would not get to work a shift that I was promised. This was the last straw for me. I confronted my boss asking what the deal was and the conversation snow balled into a heart felt understanding of both sides of the story. Not only did I get the opportunity to express that I was leaving and why, but he got to tell me why the tension was there between us; thus resulting in the perfect moment. (Thanks Universe!)
     Another valuable lesson I learned from this situation is how vital communication is. In past conversations I told my boss that he couldn’t speak to me in the irritated tone he had been. Since this is one of the only ways he knew how to communicate, he stopped talking to me. This created tension, awkwardness and stress for both of us. Accepting others and loving them, means that take the good with the bad. Had I not told my boss to watch is tone, we could have gotten the problem solved a long time ago. Everyone has their own way of getting things out. It might not be our way of doing things, but it works for them.
     Where my journey will take me, who knows, but I praise the Universe daily for placing the people, occasions and lessons in the right place at the right time. I also give thanks for blessing me with an open heart and mind. My world has just started being created; I can’t wait to see what unfolds next.
    What about you Pinkies? What has the Universe brought into your life? How can you practice patience while you are becoming?

    

This past Saturday, October 24th was the first workshop I put on, Be Joyful! The success of the workshop far exceeded my expectations. Not only did my nerves not get the best of me, but I felt as if I had done it a million times before.

I didn’t realize the space we were using didn’t open until 10 a.m. and I had the workshop start at 10 a.m. Some how we mysteriously got started on time anyway. I got breakfast for everyone, so the ladies grabbed their refreshments and we all sat around in a circle. The room we used was very comfy- looked like a big living room, lots of soft cushy chairs and couches.

We started off by going around the room, introducing ourselves (There were 11 of us including me.) After the introductions, I started the conversation about why it is important to have gratitude in our lives and how it can affect us in a positive way. I invited others to join in the conversation with whatever came up for them. After the discussion we moved on to our exercise (JOY JOURNALS!)

I provided all the supplies need to decorate their journals and make it their very own. I printed out cards that had the 3 questions on them:

1. What are 3 three things I am grateful for today?
2. How was I my most authentic self today?
3. What inspired me today?

I feel that the workshop went very well. It seems that we created a safe space for everyone to truly be themselves. By the end of the class I felt like I had known everyone for years.

I have to give big thanks to Lissa Rankin, without her, these workshops wouldn’t be taking place. Thanks Lissa!

Growing up, most of us are taught that finding our happiness means we must ‘get’ something outside of ourselves that allows us to achieve this emotion. In actuality the circumstances of happiness are quite the contrary.

When we are kids we believe that unless we get that shiny new bike, the new Malibu Stacey Doll or the video game that ‘all our friends have,’ our lives will be ruined. In most situations our parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles go out of their way to purchase these ‘crucial’ items for us in order to satisfy our adolescent need for happiness. If our elders can’t afford the toys we are yearning for, sometimes we are supplemented with something similar or temporary until the true prize can be received- still implementing the concept that without these items will not be truly happy.

As we enter our teenage years the same circumstances apply, however the objects differ. Instead of ‘needing’ toys and games to maintain happiness it changes to clothes, boyfriends or girlfriends, cars, jewelry, hair cuts and colors, and being friends with the right people. We can all see our own children, nieces, nephews and neighborhood kids behaving this way. We can also remember when we were younger, and placed value upon material things that we were sure, would certainly bring us eternal happiness. 

However, what some us fail to realize is that there is not automatic switch that turns off once we leave High School and enter into adulthood. For most of is looking outside of ourselves for happiness is a behavior that we have grown comfortable with. Sure it might not be as much of a material need as when we were younger, or it indeed, might be. ‘I won’t be happy until I get that new iPhone’ or ‘When I lose 10 lbs. my whole world will be brighter’ and ‘If I could just find the right man in my life, boy, would things be wonderful.’ Where does it stop? At what point will we see that all we really need to be happy lies within ourselves?

Whether choose to believe it or not, happiness is choice, as is any other emotion, i.e. anger, frustration, being irritable, being upset- it is all a decision left in our hands to decide whether the emotion we are experiencing serves us in a positive way. As easily as we can say ‘If my husband would just help out around the house, I wouldn’t be so angry at him’ we can alter our thoughts to ‘If my husband does or does not do the dishes, it does not affect my way of being, I choose to be joyful.’

In reality, we have no control over the existential circumstances of our lives. When it comes down to it, the only thing we have a say over is our actions, our thoughts, feelings and emotions. Letting another persons actions sway your moods gives away all your power. When there is a loss of power, there is a crack in the foundation. Own your emotions, decide to be happy, chose to act- no react. There is no point in waiting for something to come to you to experience joy when you can have it right now.

Thanks for reading Pinkies,
Megan

Monday October 12th was the first Pink Posse of Dallas meeting. We had a great time, though we lacked one member our first encounter with Owning Pink as a group was successful.

  After the five of us arrived, ordered food and settled comfortable into knowing each other we started talking about the real reason why we were all there. I went over what a Pink Posse was and who we are for each other. This is no ordinary group. A Pink Posse is something much greater than a group of friends that gather monthly to have giggles and tea. Though all of these things will take place, a Pink Posse is a group of people who are taking a stand for their lives and the ones that surround them. As a Pink Posse member we take on the commitment of loving ourselves and each other for which we really are- our most authentic selves. The activities that we participate in as a group will push us outside of our comfort zone and into a space where we feel safe but out of our limits. Thus, surprising ourselves, the inner ego who said we could not do it, will be left speechless at our triumph!

  As the Dallas Pink Posse, we decided to meet at least once a month doing a different activity each month- each taking turns choosing an activity. In addition to our monthly activities, each quarter we will participate in a variety of charity activities alternating our services between different organizations.

  This quarter’s charity mission (our first charity mission) will target Christmas time. We are in the process of choosing with charity we will participate with, but the end result will be care packages. We are all VERY excited about this. If you have any suggestions for local Dallas charities, I am all ears.

  Our Pink Posse will continue to grow and our activities will begin to reach out further and further. I feel this group is something that has been in the making for quite some time now. I am anxious to see what comes of our Posse!

  If you are interested in joining the Pink Posse Adventures, please feel free to leave comment on this post and I will be sure to e-mail with the information of our upcoming activities. Rock-on Pinkies!

     Today's Think Pink Post was written by Jarrett Murgolo who has most certainly become one of my favorite people. Jarrett is one of those rare gems you find mixed in with all the rocks. A man who holds true to his values and morals, loves his family and strives only for the best that life has to offer. You can follow Jarrett on Twitter and also find some good reads on his blog.  Enjoy your read Pinkies!

      I've always been brought up to seek out the best life has to offer. Never just settle on being mediocre going along with the ordinary. I question everything that I come in to contact with so that I can satisfy my unquenchable thirst for knowledge. When I was asked to write something inspirational, something about me that I could share I wasn't sure where I would begin with this. I can immediately go to the obvious, that being my parents. I'm not sure I could have dreamt of or asked for better parents. Their morals, values and overall love for me and especially each other over their 30 year marriage is enough to inspire anyone.
       Then it hit me, it's not just both my parents but more than anything it's my own father. He's just like any other dad out there, very loving, very caring and wants the best for his family. The difference with my dad is what has happened to him over the past 4 years and in turn happened to our family. Four years ago my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's. The first thing you think of is Muhammad Ali or Michael J. Fox I know but my father started out with a far less severe set of symptoms of the disease. However, it still impaired his day to day life and each new day brings a new struggle. He has grown to not being able to sleep because his body is restless, forgetting certain small details of life, his bones have become weaker than a normal 60 year old man quicker and recently Alzheimer's has become another factor. This is who he is now, far different from the man I knew growing up. He can't work because of the disease, so he went from being family provider to relying on us which is a shot to any one's ego; especially a man’s. There is nothing more fragile and delicate than a males ego, I have found. There is one thing though, that separates my father than any other human being on the planet though, he has the heart of a lion, the mind of the greatest scientist on earth and the soul of an enlightened Buddhist. He finds joy in the simplest of life's many pleasures that we tend to look over. He loves his family more than anyone I've ever met. If I never told people that he had this horrible disease people would just think he's a bit odd (which still holds slightly true,) but other than that he tries to function as if nothing was wrong.
     I'm not the world's biggest religious fanatic but I look at my dad and feel that if anyone has found God or reached true enlightenment it would be him. He's truly at peace and he'll quickly tell you that he's lived a full life. He's seen his son's make it in the world and survive to grow strong minds, he's done all the things he's wanted to especially love a woman as much as he loves my mother. No person I know could be better described as my rock, my basis for all I do, and my true standard for who and what I want to be as I grow older. He is the mold for love, happiness and more than anything he's my father. Without his life experiences I would never have the passion for knowledge that I do and I definitely wouldn't have such lively a passion for music. From day one he swore he wanted something different for his family- my name comes from a Jazz piano player but more than anything my name is not a Joseph or a Peter like every male is on my dad's side. He knew then and there he wanted something better for us. With a drive and a passion that early on, it's no wonder I love him as much as I do today.
    For him I am grateful, I am blessed and I am inspired to be a better man every day of my existence. Combined with the incredible woman that has stood by him through everything he has been through, I am who I am today because of love. It really is a perfect saying no matter how cliche it is and it's only fitting for me to quote The Beatles but they're right by saying "All You Need Is Love."

Today's Think Pink Post is written by inspiring Pinkie Sara Avant Stover founder of The Way of the Happy Woman. I came across Sara's post through Twitter and found her to be uplifting and encouraging. I hope you enjoy your read! You can also follow Sara on Twitter.

I am an expression of the divine, just like a peach is, just like a fish is. I have a right to be this way...I can't apologize for that, nor can I change it, nor do I want to... We will never have to be other than who we are in order to be successful...We realize that we are as ourselves unlimited and our experiences valid. It is for the rest of the world to recognize this, if they choose." - Alice Walker

Let me begin with the disclaimer that I often need to follow my own advice. Maybe that's why I write about these things. To remind myself.

No more fixing yourself, Sara!

It's frightening for me to think about how many years I have spent trying to fix myself (or being in relationships with people who told me I needed fixing). Whether it was what I ate, how and when I ate, what kind of yoga I practiced, what my body looked like, how my body felt, how I felt. The list is endless, really. Nothing was exempt from being fixable. I get exhausted just thinking about it.

Now, thank goodness, I've gotten to the point of radial acceptance -- most of the time, at least. Who knows when or how that happened, but now, whatever I'm feeling, whatever my experience, I know it's OK. It might not always feel good; but I'm not wrong, weird, or unloveable because of it.

Truly, we can get jumbled up, confused, led astray on these paths that we call life. Whether it's being swayed by swanky magazine covers or the way that one of our colleagues just does something better than us, opportunities abound for ways that we can convince ourselves that we're just not good enough.

The world's fully of beautiful, talented, and creative beings. We can't always be the best at everything we do, but we can be ourselves. This we have control over. This is more reasonable.

Just relaxing into who we is one of the bravest, wisest, and most generous things that we can ever do for the world.

Did you ever notice that the people whom you find most beautiful in your life are the ones who are unabashedly themselves?

Here are 3 key ways to start being 100% yourself right now!

1. Notice what's irking you the most right now. Are you feeling fat? Lazy? Like you have too much on your to-do list? Anxious? Overwhelmed? Judgmental? You get the idea. Notice what's up for you. Then ask yourself, "Can I allow this to be OK for just this moment?" Then notice how this may help to relax the inner struggle, for the inner voices to quiet. For this moment to be fine just as it is.

2. Ask the deepest, wisest aspect of yourself:" What do I really want to do right now?" And then be open to receive the answer. Maybe it's saying to go for a walk, to sit outside in the sun, to eat soup for lunch.

3. Take a behavioral stretch. By that I mean, choose one thing to do later today that would make you feel a little bit uncomfortable (as in out- of -the- ordinary for your personality). That could be giving your seat to someone on the subway, dancing in the living room, telling a joke to your husband, or getting on your hands and knees to play with your children.

For today, just do it. Dare to be yourself. And see how much people love you for it!

Curious what Reiki is? Never heard of such a thing? Today's Think Pink Post is written by Alice Langholt, a Reiki healer, teacher and one of my favorite Tweeple. Enjoy your read!

Reiki Awakening is a place to experience energy healing, learn more about it, and find support for your own intuitive development. Come in, browse, learn, and discover new ways to improve your life.

Reiki FAQ:

What is Reiki?
Reiki is an energy healing technique which uses "universal life energy" channelled through the practitioner to the recipient, balancing the subtle energies within the body. Reiki addresses physical, emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances.

 Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) is a Japanese word consisting of two words Rei and Ki meaning spiritually guided life energy (commonly known as Universal Life Energy), an energy which animates us all and is found all around us.

 Reiki does not require belief in order to be effective. Being open to trying Reiki is all you need.

 What can Reiki do for me?
Reiki is a powerful and gentle healing technique that:

• Relaxes your muscles
• Promotes natural self-healing
• Strengthens the immune system
• Relieves pain
• Relaxes and reduces stress
• Treats symptoms and causes of illness
• Balances the energies in the body
• Clears toxins
• Adapts to the natural needs of the receiver
• Enhances personal awareness
• Releases blocked and suppressed feelings
• Assists meditation and positive thinking
• Energizes you and brings balance, well being and harmony
• Promotes creativity
• Heals holistically
• Compliments all forms of treatments and therapies

What does Reiki feel like?
Most people experience some or a combination of these when receiving Reiki: heat, warmth, tingles, a sense of overall well-being, deep relaxation, positive feelings, emotional release, relief of pain, release of stress, and clarity. How strongly you feel the energy is related to many factors, ranging from your individual sensitivity to energy to your attitude about Reiki. Having an open mind and relaxing, gently tuned in to how you feel, can help you experience and benefit from the energy the most.

What is Distance Healing?
Distance healing, also called “absent healing,” is a way for a Reiki practitioner to channel Reiki or other healing energy to anyone, anywhere in the world. Healing energy is not bound by the laws of time and space, and does not need travel time. It arrives at its destination immediately, directed by the intention of the practitioner.

 How do I know distance healing is real?
People who doubt it's possible have probably never given it a chance. All one needs is to accept the possibility that it could work and let their own experience validate the answer. Energy is not bound by laws of time or space. (You use a cell phone, don't you? You use electricity? You love people? All of these are energy -invisible and powerful). I teach distance healing to healers who wish to strengthen their abilities and confidence, and to those who are curious. I also offer distance healing to those who would like to try it for themselves. You have nothing to lose, and so very much to gain. It can change your life. It did for me.

Is it hard to learn Reiki?
Anyone can learn Reiki.  (My children, ages 2, 5, 7 and 9 all are attuned to Reiki and use it on themselves and each other daily.) Although anyone can receive Reiki, a person who wishes to give himself or others Reiki need first be attuned by a Reiki Master. An attunement is a simple shift in one's energy to open the ability to bring in the energy for him or herself. A person attuned to Reiki is able to call the energy to flow through him or her to another person or an intention (i.e. clearing the energy of a room, healing a trauma from the past, sending positive energy to manifest a goal, speeding healing, emotional balance, shedding negative energy, etc.)

What is an Attunement like?
An attunement feels much like a Reiki healing. But it is more because after an attunement, you are able to work with the energy yourself, calling it in and letting it flow through you for self-healing, healing others, or the myriad ways Reiki can benefit your life. Many people experience heat, tingles, clearing, see colors, release emotional blockages, and some people see symbols or visions during an attunement. Whatever your experience is relates to the way you as an individual experience energy. Once an attunement has been given by a Reiki Master, the recipient is able to receive it simply by intending to receive the attunement. Intention is the vehicle for the energy to respond.

If you are interested in have Alice teach you Reiki you can learn more from her website, Reiki Awakening.

Today's Think Pink Post was brought to you by the fabulous Kimberly Jenkins. I became friends with Kim on Twitter and fell in love with her kindness. She recently shared this post on her own blog and I found it inspiring- if I had kids, we would be playing this game! Thanks Kim for sharing this with Think Pink.

I used to walk around with this great attitude of abundance being everywhere in my little world.  I treasured every little penny I found, which often led to finding more sizable coinage. I believed and therefore received that delicious corner parking spot. I even looked forward to those juicy cashable checks that would often appear in my mailbox. I swear to you…these things happened often. Like so many though, I started buying into this “economy”, feeling the squeeze, fearing the future and basically coming from a place of lack. Ugh! What a horrible place to be!

Last week I read something, somewhere (as I often do) and decided that every little penny I found would once again become something of significance in my life. That led to a grander feeling of being back in appreciation for everything that comes my way. I also decided to start playing the “bonus” game again with my kids. The bonus game is simple: you acknowledge a sense of gratitude for what little (or big!) things show up in your life as evidence of abundance….whether it be a penny, a shiny marble, a beautiful fall leaf, or in our case, a beach ball.

This past weekend as my girls and I were driving to the ice cream store, I saw this large colorful beach ball sitting in the gutter. It was fabulous…so puffy and bright! From about 200 yards away I yelled, “Look a beach ball” and both of my girls (ages 10 & 14 mind you) encouraged me to stop and get it. So we did. I slowed down, pulled over, and my oldest hopped out of the car and grabbed the beach ball. When she got back into the car, I said, “That’s our bonus for the day” to which her reply was, “How long has it been since we played THAT game?”  She was so right, and I quickly added how we were starting it back up again. Both of them seemed delighted.

Thank you universe for our happy beach ball that reminds us that life can be fun, bouncy and full of surprises if we keep our hearts and minds in a place of allowing and gratitude. This very morning while sorting through one of my “piles”, I found two old checks totalling $115.00 that I never cashed. I also received an email from a fellow associate with a new homebuyer lead.

Coincidence? I think not.  So…get grateful, get happy and be open to all that is good, delicious and wonderful. You may be surprised at how much more of it shows up in your life.

 

I found this story recently while browsing through the internet and it has quickly and most certainly become one of my favorite lessons. For me, this story puts into perspective what it really is I am living my life for. I hope this inspires and enlightens you as much as it has me. Enjoy Pinkies!

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs. I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

"And after that?" asked the Mexican.

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the Mexican.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

And the moral of this story is: ......... Know where you're going in life... you may already be there.