Finding Your Flamboyant

Greetings from Boston, Massachusetts! This has been home for most of the last 50 years for me and the previous 19 years were spent within 20 miles outside of the city. Even though I've been a nomad and changed my location every few months for the last several years, I always love coming back to my favorite town. Just like everything else, it's changed during the last 5+ months, however it still holds an appeal for me like nowhere else. Having said that, there are a few other places that come in a close second ... LA and Lisbon are at least two. How about you? Is your "hometown" where you find your groove or have you found someplace else that comforts you? Wherever you are, I hope you are at least soothed by your location, even while surrounded by our current circumstances.

If not, well that brings me to this week's MQ (Monday Quote):

"To Change One's Life:

1. Start immediately

2. Do it flamboyantly

3. No exceptions"

- William James (1842-1910)

American Psychologist

Let me just say at the beginning that I am not implying that there is anything wrong with your life. This is an IF you want to change your life situation I'm writing about and it really applies only to whatever parts could use some improvement.

I loved this quote when I found it because it uses the word flamboyantly which is one of those special words that I try to find situations where it can be used. I don't know about you, but I am enamored with the idea of doing almost anything flamboyantly. I even like saying it and hearing it trip across my tongue. If you're not quite sure what it means, this is what I found when I Googled it:

...of or denoting a style of French Gothic architecture marked by wavy flame-like tracery and ornate decoration

and

(of a person or their behavior) tending to attract attention because of their exuberance, confidence, and stylishness

Let's apply it by imagining yourself deciding to lose weight -- maybe you've succumbed to the COVID-15? Feel free to insert any other area of your life where you'd like to make a change if weight isn't one of them. Anyway, using weight as an arbitrary point of dissatisfaction, what would it look like if you:

1) Started right now? Let's play with this ... maybe you could grab a notebook/legal pad/or even the back of an envelope and write a little bit about what you want to do. You could write about the "why" and "how" and other thoughts around your task. Then, you could look up some diets online and see if one feels doable and maybe even consider revisiting one you've tried in the past. Weight Watchers might work this time ...It sounds a little hum-drum and doesn't seem like something you or I would want to do for long. It's not very inspiring or uplifting and I believe that if we're looking to change, it's got to involve a higher level of vibration. Which brings us to...

2) Doing it flamboyantly! It could look like this ... finding that journal you bought once and put away. You loved it because of the sparkles on the front and you thought you'd give it to someone as a gift. That someone has just become YOU. (If you've never bought a fancy journal that you tucked away, now is the time to go right out and get one!)

Next, get yourself ready for this adventure. Be nice to your body. I recently saw a poster of a woman using weights in a gym and it said, "Exercise because you love your body, not because you hate it". Can you feel that difference?! If you like bubble baths, take one. Have some sparkling water in a beautiful glass. Or, take a shower with a fragrant soap. After bathing, slowly smooth a luxurious cream all over and appreciate how much your body does for you. Put on a favorite robe or outfit, fluff your hair, and dance to music that makes you want to move. After, find the perfect spot to sit down. Make sure you're comfortable. You might light some incense and take a few minutes for deep breaths and meditation as you connect with your inner self, your Soul. Let your Ego have some time off.

Write whatever comes to you about the journey upon which you are embarking. Set a timer and write without stopping for 10 minutes. Think of someone you know who has been "successful" at what you want and contact them. As you develop a plan, commit to it. Write out a contract with yourself and sign it in brightly colored ink. Have at least one person with whom you can connect and be accountable. Plan celebrations for milestones. Are you getting the gist of this? Do whatever it takes and do it with flair and style and sparkle! And, you can apply this to anything ... looking for a new job or finding a new area of work, moving to a different location, finding ways to feel calmer, or taking up a new hobby. Finally, remember, when you agree to this elegance and extravagance there are no exceptions. Start immediately -- Do it flamboyantly -- Go all the way -- this is what I wish for you.

Sparkles and Love,