There is No Finish Line

 

“There is no finish line. There is no prize. There is no path, no schedule, no time line. There is no right direction, right choice, right way. All of that would imply there was something out there that is not here now. It would imply that there is something you could be that you are not now. You are the energy you are looking for. Right here. Right now.” – Jeddah Mali

These words by Jedda Mali have been on my mind lately. They speak to me of truth, and the duality of life.

No Finish Line

There is no finish line. No prize. No right way.

The little voice in my head hollers, “What’s the point then?” 

You see, I like getting to the end, reaching out for the prize, and feeling the satisfaction of completion.

I’ve learned that life doesn’t always deliver the prize the way we want it. When we don’t get what we want the ability to respond creates the future, while reaction takes us back to the past.

There is no finish line and there is no shortcut, but you’ll always come to know yourself better, and that in itself is a prize worth the angst.

No Right Way

How do you know which way to go if there’s no right way? What tells you you’re making the right choice?

All you can do is follow your heart, and if you listen it will show you the way. Some days it’s not that easy, the head is so good at distracting us with its obsessive need to control and understand.

Too often, the head wins out, and leads us down the path of survival.

The compulsion to understand is a powerful motivator, but when it gets in the way of what feels good, you’ve got to take a step back because understanding is almost always the booby prize.

Out There vs. Here Now

It’s easy to forget, to look outside yourself for comfort, validation, and love.

But no matter how much you get from others, it will never be enough if you don’t give it and get it from yourself.

"Stop looking outside yourself. You are the one you've been waiting for." - image taken at Ruby Lake, BC, Canada

You are the one you’ve been waiting for.

You, and only you, can give yourself what you need.

When you really get that, you and everyone else will be taken care of and the finish line?

Will disappear for good.

 

A Surprise in the Mail

Unleashed

Dear One,

In case you’ve forgotten, I’m sending this note to remind you that you are a shining, beloved soul.

Your gifts are many and your willingness to keep exploring and doing the work is inspiring.

I see you sometimes, so burdened by doubt and it breaks my heart. Who I see when I look at you is an extraordinary being who is all heart and commitment.

Unleashed. Fired up. And free.

This is who you are for yourself, and others.

love

Sandi Amorim signature

 

I wrote this note to myself at a workshop I attended a few months ago, no idea when it would be sent.

It came on a day I was beating myself up for not sticking to my writing schedule; self-recrimination and guilt eating away at me until I saw my handwriting on the envelope.

I tore it open, and felt the tears immediately, moved by what I had written so many months before.

A little self-love at exactly the right moment.

Buddha said, “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

No one is immune.

A Credo for Living Your Best Life

definition of credo against burning background

Fight FOR something, not against.

Own who you are without apology.

Trust feelings over logic.

Take the first step even though it’s the hardest.

Change the world by looking inward.

Don’t just keep your word, honour it.

Ignite revolution from the inside out.

Be curious, experiment, question everything.

Do what you know to do.

Respect and live your values.

Believe. . .even when it’s most challenging.

Belong because you say so.

Embrace change, but don’t rush it.

Stand your ground for what’s important.

Crush your someday thinking.

Rock the boat, fiercely and often.

Speak your truth for there lies your essence.

Be, do and have what you’re here for.

Shine bright and shrink less.

Be brilliant, talented, fabulous.

Let silence nourish you.

Choose to open, especially when things feel tight.

Forgive yourself for losing your way.

Rattle the cage, speak up.

Choose love over fear every time.

 

Layer Upon Layer

 

Peony with quote, photo credit - Sandi Amorim

Layer upon layer,
your beliefs wrap around.
Enclosing, protecting
from the wounds of life.

What once had value,
now droops from the stem.
And still you hold on,
afraid to let go.

What once kept you safe,
now keeps you locked in;
hidden from view…
afraid of opening.

Layer upon layer,
vulnerable and soft
yearning to drop
the weight,

and surrender.

Speak Up (the Universe is ready for you now)

 

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

These are the first two lines of a poem written by Geoffrey X Lane, a master speaker and trainer I recently had the privilege of working with. But more than a poem, for me it was a call to step more fully onto the path I’m being called to walk.

Have Your Say and Make Your Voice Heard. Sign at University of Essex, March 2011

Speak up.

Truth teller, cage rattler, warrior for you breaking through what stops you. I’m not interested in reasons or excuses, from myself or anyone else. I want us both to remember who we really are and why we’re here, and that takes speaking up.

Speak up in volume. Speak up and share what’s most important to you. Speak up and express what’s burning inside you.

And here’s the thing. . .

The more you speak up, the more natural it will feel, until that day when not speaking becomes uncomfortable. When that day comes, we all win.

Pay attention.

We get messages all the time through our senses and beyond, but are you tuned in to their frequency? And I don’t mean in some woo woo way, although there’s nothing wrong with that either.

I’m talking about taking care of yourself so that you’ve got the resourcefulness to show up and notice what’s going on all around you. The kind of self-care that goes deep, taking care of all of you, mind, body, and spirit.

When you are resourceful, paying attention becomes second nature.

Tell the truth.

People are judging and assessing you all the time, and guess what? You’re doing the same thing in return. Doesn’t matter what you do or don’t do, someone’s always got an opinion. Which kind levels the playing field, don’t you think? So stop worrying about it.

Tell the truth – about what you want but are afraid to admit.

Tell the truth – about what you’ve always wanted to say but kept silent.

Tell the truth – you will survive. You’ll also liberate yourself from the bullshit that keeps you stuck.

Celebrate your sound.

Your sound includes your actual speaking voice, as well as how you write and express yourself, and it’s time to own this baby!

Sing in the shower, yell in a forest, hear what you actually sound like.

And then embrace it fully, without judgment.

Since the workshop with Geoffrey I’ve found myself saying these words and feeling the power of them. Some days I hear which of the words need more energy, and it grounds me in the present moment. Other days I sing them to myself as a chant.

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

These words are working on me from the inside out, and that’s where all transformation begins.

 

Here is the full poem:

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

The universe is ready for you now
Speaking up doesn’t have to hurt
Just follow your heart – speak up

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

All you have to do is grow
You have the courage inside you
Feel the power of speaking up

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

Speak up for the warrior inside you
Tell the truth without judgment or fear
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

Speak Up – Pay Attention
Tell The Truth – Celebrate Your Sound

 

Speak Up – poem written by Geoffrey X Lane© 03/24/09

 

Rebel Requirements (the truth about what it takes)

 

Trust is the first requirement if you want to be a rebel.

You’ve got to trust yourself, even when it goes against the flow.

painting of fish

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently…”

You may be judged, but here’s the thing. . .

They’re already judging you for something or other, why not have it be for doing something you love, something you believe in?

Free from judgement and liberated from your fears, what would you be, do and have in your life? 

And I’m not talking about fighting against things, although that’s what we mostly think about a rebel. I’m talking about fighting FOR something; that thing that is important to you, and makes your heart sing.

That kind of fight takes heart and soul, and the courage of a true rebel spirit.

 

If you want to be a rebel…

Say what you want to say, and fuck the ‘right’ thing.

Trust your intuition, it’s more reliable than the masses.

“It’s pure instinct that makes me rebel every time someone tries to control my life and hand out more rules.” – Simone Elkeles

Put yourself first, for the good of all.

Wear your heart on your sleeve, and tell folks you love ’em.

Do what gives you pleasure.

Open up, share, be vulnerable. Let people in and they might surprise you by taking a stand right next to you.

Make the first move, tell the truth, be the last to let go of a hug.

Ask more questions. Question authority. Do it without apology.

“What you want can be yours. But you must first know what it is you want.” – Libby Bray

Own your desires, and ask for what you want.

 

 

The Transformation of You

 

a new beginning and
all possibilities exist.

imaginal cells resting
inside their cocoon.

cocoon hanging from a branch

resolve is not needed
in this primordial goo.

just rest, trust,
and patience.

one cell,

two,

then many.

a you unlike any other.

the imaginals know
what to do and…

what

not

to do.

the newness of you will
emerge when ready.

a chrysalis falling away…
exposing, releasing.

imaginal you,
the end result assured.

more you than ever before.

Butterfly hanging from a branch

more fully your Self

more fully alive.

this you, not you,

yet perfectly you.

the past is done.
your cocoon, self-imposed,
no longer needed.

take flight.

 

Loving You Up from the Future

 

“I’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.” – Mother Teresa

Dearest,

Your recent transformation has been amazing to witness.

Your imaginal cells have outdone themselves, my love.

Orchids against blue sky

But then, you continue to surprise me, flourishing in the face of many challenges.

The Universe has reciprocated and the return has been beyond your expectations.

Kudos for trusting your inner wisdom.

Do you have any idea how inspiring you are?

You walk your talk to honour your integrity, but also so that others can learn from your path.

Rivendell labyrinth, Bowen Island

That is a gift you share generously, and it has a profound impact on those around you.

It’s time to celebrate the awesomeness that you are.

Lovin’ you up from the future,

xo

Sandi Amorim signature

 

Cracking the Happy Code

 

Happy. Not happy. Happy. Not happy. Unhappy?

A client likened it to a personal Morse code tapping its way through her brain.

typewriter message reads, "Happy. Not happy."

We burst into laughter when she said it out loud. It was the laughter of recognition.

Questioning life. Questioning decisions. Questioning. . .everything. And yeah, I love asking questions and challenging and going deep.

Until I don’t.

Until the day comes when I just don’t want to explore another damn thing.

Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

But did he mean for us to examine ad infinitum?

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