Some Fun

Happy Solstice to you! The longest night and shortest day is upon us. It's the first day of winter here in the northern hemisphere as we start the slow emergence back to light in the spring. This can be a time of reflection and new beginnings. I highly recommend finding a way to celebrate and recognize the shifts in seasons. Light some candles, make a gratitude list, get quiet and listen to your inner whispering.

This week's Seed was a little silly and I hoped it might provoke some fun as well as shine the light on a remarkable woman.

"In a world full of Kardashians ...

Be a Lucy!"

Let me first say that I have nothing specific against the Kardashian family. The only reason I mentioned a world full of Kardashians was because it feels like all the different iterations of "Housewives" on Bravo have a certain look, similar to them. By the way, did you know that apparently Kim Kardashian has a clause in her will that she will always have her nails, hair, and makeup done, even if she's unable to achieve it on her own?!? Like I said, this was all meant to be full of fun facts.

I appreciate that the Kardashian women have all achieved many things and I also acknowledge that Lucille Ball was a pioneer for them. Look at some of her accomplishments:

She had small movie roles in 72 movies during the 1930's and 40's.
She started I Love Lucy at age 40.
She had two children at an age much later than others during her time - 40 and 42.
She was the first pregnant actor to play a pregnant woman on TV, although she conceded to use the word "expecting" in deference to CBS.
She and Desi Arnaz were TV's first interracial couple. He was also six years younger than she was!
In 1950, she and her husband created Desilu Productions making her the first woman to run a major Hollywood studio. In addition to their show, the company was responsible for Mission Impossible and Star Trek (!), among others, being on TV.
She and Desi kept their bank accounts separate. This was a big deal in an era when women couldn't have credit cards independent of their husbands.
She was friends on her show with Ethel (Vivian Vance) at a time when women were mostly portrayed as being in competition with each other.
She was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards and won 5 times. She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Cecile B. Demille award.
In 1979 she taught a college class in Television Film Aesthetics.

When I suggest becoming a Lucy, it's an encouragement to see the humor in life and to go deeper than what's on the surface. Be bold, courageous, and true to yourself. So many of Lucy's shows had her covered in smashed grapes or stuffing candies in her mouth. She often was not glamorous and she was lovable. Her goal was to always keep the humor in her work positive and never mean or unkind. Her comedy was for all ages.

She infused her real life into her acting. She laid the foundation for sitcoms and she and Desi understood the new power of syndication. Lucy is emblematic of female empowerment and resilience. She was quoted once as saying, "I'm not funny. What I am is brave.". She was a brilliant example of beauty, intelligence and humor.

I'll leave you with another quote, one of her most well-known:

"Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." This is what I wish for you.

Having trouble loving yourself? I have been down that path and back up on the other side of it. I can help you -- contact me.

Sparkles and Love,