I sat down to write today’s post and what flowed from my fingertips surprised me. It’s not what I had in mind but it’s what came through.
Going with that flow, and trusting; writing a post simply for the joy of sharing.
12 Truths About Me
Name: Born Santina Amorim, now Sandi Faviell Amorim. When I got married I added my husband’s name in the middle. I wanted to acknowledge our marriage without giving anything up. This felt right to me.
“Inside us there is something that has no name, that something is what we are.” – Jose Saramago
Nickname: Sandi, which was the name my mom chose for me. When I was born the doctor told my mom it wasn’t a real name, that she should call me Sandra. WTF? My mom didn’t like Sandra and figured by calling me Santina she would make her mother happy and still call me Sandi for short. I’ve always thought it was odd that her doctor had the nerve to be so opinionated – and wrong.
Superhero alias: The most powerful female superhero with the the best accessories ever – the Lasso of Truth, indestructible bracelets and tiara. And yes, I start my day with a cup of coffee out of the mug below.
“It’s unfair to judge yourself by the criterion of age. A vital, intelligent woman is much more than the sum of her birthdays.” – Wonder Woman
Age: 49, and I’ve decided this is a year of transformation. As good as life has been, the plan is to be unrecognizable (in a good way) by April 2013 when I turn 50.
Ultimate joy: Hearing the intake of breath when a client breaks through their fear. And laughing till my belly aches.
“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” – e. e. cummings
Proudest moment: The day I crossed the finish line of the half marathon I ran in 1998 – one year after knee surgery. I decided if I could do that, I could do anything. It still comes to mind when I’m having a bad day and immediately changes my state.
Note: This could change after I learn how to scuba dive on Oct. 17, 2012 or after I write my first book.
Lowest slump: Broken-hearted at 30, no idea what to do with my life and wondering if I’d ever get my shit together.
“This is a good sign, having a broken heart. It means we have tried for something.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
Brag-worthy accolade: I’ve been self-employed for 12 years, withstanding challenges, both personal and professional and I’m still here making a living doing what I love.
Ultimate quote: This quote kept me focused on what I wanted most when I started my business. After making a difference for others, my burning desire was to have this experience of work and play be my life. Most days, it is.
“The person who is a master in the art of living makes little distinction between their work and their play, their labour and their leisure, their mind and their body, their education and their recreation, their love and their religion.
They hardly know which is which. They simply pursue their vision of excellence and grace in whatever they do, leaving others to decide whether they are working or playing. To them, they are always doing both.” – Zen Buddhism
Signature catchphrase: There is no someday.
Power-chakra: Throat chakra. Conversation, communication, words. . .this is what gives my life meaning. It is both my strength and area of susceptiblity. Over the years I’ve learned to pay attention whenever I feel even a slight tickle in my throat. My body delivers its most important messages through this narrow passageway.
Totem animal: Eagle. Living in Vancouver I have the privilege of being able to spot these amazing creatures often. Sometimes to my delight, I’ll see one circling over head as I walk through the city. Spotting an eagle never gets old. Awe inspiring every time.
“I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me”
– Steve Miller
Inspired by Alexandra Franzen.
Really love this Sandi – I found myself laughing out loud at some of these.
Carl
carlkatz You should have heard me chuckling to myself as I wrote it! Plus, now I really want my own lasso of truth 😉
Nevermind the fact that I’ve always thought Diana Prince and I were separated at birth, Wonder Woman you certainly are!
My totem animal is the dragonfly. When I paint (which hasn’t’ been for awhile), I always sign my name with the “T” drawn like a dragonfly. To me, the dragonfly appears when I need a sign that I’m on the right track, or when I need some cheering up. It’s like a special hello from the Universe.
tsilvestre How do you know that’s your totem animal Tea? I chose eagle because that’s the one I’m most drawn to and have a visceral reaction every time I see one.
Sandi Amorim Pretty much for the same reason. After my divorce, I moved to Boulder, CO to go back to school and was entranced with the dragonflies that would hang out just outside my patio. It seemed like hundreds of them would circle and dip there for about an hour every day. And then they’d be off. It was like my own welcoming committee. In California (or at least where I was from), I’d never seen that many dragonflies in one place. So it was a bit supernatural to me. After that, well…now that I’m back in CA, when I see just one of these jeweled creatures, I feel lucky.
tsilvestre That’s how I feel when I see an eagle, like a blessing was just bestowed and I’m left feeling very grateful.
tsilvestre That’s how I feel when I see an eagle, like a blessing was just bestowed and I’m left feeling very grateful.
This was fun, Sandi! A truth about me…the turtle is my totem animal — the one I most resonate, but so many speak to me at different points, I think they allcarry some truth for us. I’m still trying to figure out the truth my shoe eating puppy is here to teach me 😀
JenPriceDavis1 Wondering how and why the turtle resonates Jen. Might be more for us to explore in these totem animals!
Sandi Amorim JenPriceDavis1 The turtle for me is finding your own pace and the deep, steady wisdom that is my true self. I did a little reading and it stated that the turtle is the oldest symbol for the Earth and if you have a turtle totem, honor the creativity withing you. I totally feel that!
Love this post where I get to know you a little bit better, Sandi. Juicy! I would like to share my favorite quote here because I think it fits right in with who you are. “If you get the right words in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.” You do that beautifully with both your spoken word when you coach and your written word here on your blog. And of course it will be true when you write the first of your many books, all of which I get to coach and edit, right? 😉
Carol Hess Absolutely! What’s your totem animal Carol? I’m curious now that I’ve read a few others!
Sandi Amorim Carol Hess A shaman told me it was the white buffalo, but that scared me silly because it’s so rare and “special.” When I’ve journeyed on my own it’s always been a black horse. Might be a cat too considering my affinity — someone once saw a lion by my side.
You are SO one of my favorite people! A truth about me is that I am called to teach, have felt the calling since I was a very little girl–kindergarten! All this week during parent conferences I have received confirmation of my gift of helping kids step into their full power. Yes, I teach reading and writing, but my ultimate goal, the reason I walk this planet, the reason I was sent here is to help people step into their power and glory. It lights me up and brings me joy—I fairly buzz when I’m in the zone and witnessing the awakening of the kids I serve. So blessed to have recognized the call.
Ellen Berg It’s amazing what happens when we listen to the call! Like the Hero’s Journey, it also has its challenges but they can’t diminish the joy that’s there as well.
Shine on cage rattler! And keep soaring! Funny how none of this surprised me much. If I were to have been quizzed on Sandi’s totem animal, Sandi’s power chakra… I think I would have come up with the same answers. And now I’m thinking about my own answers to those questions…
saraho Yes, I’d love to hear what your answers are!!!
Sandi, Beautiful post. I agree – the nerve of the doctor telling your Mum that Santins is not a real name. Santina, is truly a beautiful and fitting name for you. (Wonder what that doctor would think of some of the names out there today!!)I am taking a lead from you. I am turning 6o next year – a transforamtion year for me too. (I am feeling better today) My power chakra is also my throat chakra. I have not been paying attention to it and have been clearing my throat a lot lately. Wonder what that is telling me? I didn’t know about totem animals. My favourite animal is also an eagle. When I was with Cliff we had them around our home in Duncan (once there were a dozen in a tree outside our house) and they were around us in Qualicum. Now I live overlooking the ocean and I see them on a regular basis. One flew in front of my car yesterday. I have always felt honoured when I see an eagle and I take their presence to be a postive omen in my life.Hope you have a relaxing, fun weekend on the Sunshine Coast. Love Joanna
Joanna Saunders Some nerve indeed! Amazing the arrogance of some people and professions, like that had anything to do with being a doctor. I do like the creative solution my mom came up with though 🙂
How about I’ve been to Vancouver and Victoria Island; how’s that for a truth?
Proudest moment was when both of my sons were born.
One of my best accomplishments was finishing a marathon in under 4 hours (3:42). I even impressed myself….:).
Thanks for sharing; you are kicking butt….
bdorman264 It’s my Wonder Woman alter ego that kicks butt 😉
Sandi, I love this! What a lighthearted, revealing and beautiful post.
Here’s one of my signature catchphrases: “Let people be who they are because they’re gonna be anyway.”
Love!Sue
MagnoliasWest Love the phrase for it contains such truth and spaciousness!
Sandi! You make me want my own Wonder Woman hot chocolate mug. 😀 This list is so YOU.
A truth about me: I only do things that spark fireworks in my blood. If I don’t feel that throb in my veins that lets me know I’m on to something special, I just can’t get into it. I’m owning this as a strength these days because I am DONE beating myself up about it.
Somehow, reading this post made me feel a little better about being my raw self. Bull’s eye! 😀
otitiovuewhorie Love that raw self for she is fiery and wondrous!