Writing

Six Impossible Things

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 32 Conversations

 

“Alice laughed. ‘There’s no use trying,’ she said. ‘One can’t believe impossible things.’ 

‘I daresay you haven’t had much practice,’ said the Queen. ‘When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”  –  Lewis Carroll

 

photo of handwritten note

You believe all kinds of crap about yourself.

Stories you made up as a child, that are still with you to this day.

“Made up” are the words I want you to focus on right now.

You made it all up. 

And then, you turned those made up tales into rock solid truths about who you are.

Now here’s the amazing part. . .

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An Ode to the Heart

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 17 Conversations

 

glass hearts

For most of my life, I’ve paid far more attention to my head than my heart. I’ve heard enough stories to know I’m not alone in this.

It’s puzzling really, for my head, on its endless quest for logic and knowledge, has all too often led me astray.

It’s been distracted, and even dazzled by facts, figures, reasons; all requirements in the heady world.

My heart however, has been treated like Cinderella – ignored, occasionally mocked,  and left behind to tend to itself.

It took my heart being broken (but not really) to change this sad state of affairs.

It took getting quiet enough to hear it.

For the truth is, I didn’t know until then that I wasn’t hearing it (picture an ignorance is bliss scenario.)

My heart has taught me to be grateful for those years of sadness.

They helped me grow, and got me in touch with what was really important in my life.

Seems my heart knew all along what that was.

My heart has worked hard on my behalf for little recognition, until today. Until I asked the following question. . .

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A Mala of Mindfulness (108 insights from 2012)

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 41 Conversations

 

A mala is used in many religious traditions to count the repetitions of prayers or devotions, and often consists of 108 beads. Choosing one is a very personal experience, and not always easy – at least it wasn’t for me, as I didn’t find the mala that ‘fit’ me until the third try.

It’s worth the search though because when you do find the right one, it becomes a physical reminder of the power of awareness.

stone and mala beads from www.malaimports.com

Every year at this time I review my journals, I complete the year and make space for what’s next. This year, 2012, has been a year of challenge, opportunity and deepening; more than I thought possible.

As I reviewed, it occurred to me as a mala, 108 insights or  moments of mindfulness that have had a profound impact on my life.

I share it with the hope that some of these thoughts also make a difference for you.

1.   Silence is the best antidote to the busyness of life. New thoughts emerge effortlessly in this sacred space.

2.   Imagine living as if wherever you are is holy ground.

3.   When the muse wakes you up at 3am, pay attention.

4.   Feeling hunger is a good thing. It reminds us that we’re alive.

5.   Freedom from responsibility is not the solution. Choosing your responsibilities mindfully is.

6.   It’s ok to want what you want. Stop making your wants wrong.

7.   Get clear on your non-negotiables. It’s highly likely they’re related to your values.

8.   Question everything. Believe only that which feels good.

9.   You have a gift that is uniquely yours. How are you offering it?

10.  That slow burn in your belly will not fade away. Nurture it.

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A Field of Love & Thanksgiving

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 2 Conversations

 

stone and mala beads from www.malaimports.com

“Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.” – Khalil Gibran

 

An opportunity to appreciate my friends,
near and far, always close to my heart.

The ones who love and support no matter what,
and inspire me to step up and own who I am.

The kindred spirits, soul sisters, like-minded souls,
who forgive and forget my missteps.

For my friends, near and far,
always close to my heart…

I give thanks.

 

A Graceful Transformation

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 4 Conversations

 

Fear,
It creeps in
from the past,
impacting the future.

Stop. . .
breathe.

Facing fear,
a master alongside
leading the way.

Scared,
and stopped
by the past.

By a story,
from long ago.

A belief limiting
what’s possible.

Until I said
enough. . .
and a new possibility
arose.

Until I said
YES to moving
forward.

Stop. . .
breathe.

Sink,
into the unknown.

Gratitude washes ashore.

 

 

A deep well of appreciation for Jason Sugar of Breakthrough Adventures for his joyful spirit and passion for transformation. Learning how to scuba dive was a someday dream held hostage because of the old fear. Until now.

 

No One Does It Alone

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 7 Conversations


Buddha in profile, monks walking away

No one does it alone.

It’s easy to forget that.

Maybe your past has turned into a story about why:

But everyone needs help sometimes. Especially those of us who think we can go it alone.

It’s tough to talk about; God knows I don’t like admitting it.

But here’s the truth I know today. . .

No one can or should do it alone, and even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.

We’ve all got stories, plenty of them, but those stories suck the joy out of life and lead to a dark and scary neighbourhood where your lizard brain thrives.

It’s easy to hang onto the stories and forget that you have amazing people in your life. Call me Pollyanna but I am certain that you do.

People who light you up with their joy, show you the way when you feel lost and love you no matter what.

This is a love note to them.

 

Dear One,

Who you are is a recent gift, for which I am grateful.

Who you are gives me comfort, and like Linus with his blanket I feel safe.

Who you are is a beacon, lighting my path when I think I’m at the end.

Who you are is love in human form; remembering your hug makes me smile.

Who you are for me reminds me of who I am for others.

Some days I have to dig deep to remember you are there, nestled safe and snug in my heart.

Some days I try to avoid who you are, for your light reflects mine. . .and I can hardly be with that.

And when you, yourself, forget who you are, come to me and I will tell you. Search my heart and you will find. . .you.

You remind me that I don’t have to go it alone.

And with my whole heart I thank you.

xoS

 

 

Nothing to Be Done (a poem from the ocean)

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 4 Conversations

looking at Pacific Ocean from Kihei, Maui

I used to worry

I was too intense

or not good enough.

they sometimes got confused

flowing one into the other.

I used to wish I was kinder,

slimmer, nicer

more loving

less judgemental. . .

but how could I be

when I was not that for myself?

until one day

I looked out and

saw the ocean,

or perhaps the ocean saw me.

a vast

constant

perfect ocean.

and then a new thought

emerged,

washing away the old.

a vast

constant

perfect me.

exactly the way I am

exactly the way I am not.

the drop of rain that falls

the wave that rushes in.

I am that,

I am. . .all of it.

and for once

there was nothing

whatsoever

to be done.

 

Threads of Creativity

Posted on by Sandi Amorim 7 Conversations


Day 24 – Creativity

If you think of your life as a tapestry, what are the threads that have been with you as long as you can remember?

My primary thread has been creativity. The colour of the thread nay have changed over the years as I moved from painting and  printmaking to photography and now writing, but the thread has been consistent.

It’s how I express myself, and what feels most natural to me.

elderly Hispanic woman creating ceramics at Jackalope, New Mexico

Like this woman I came upon at a market in Santa Fe last year, I’m positive I will still be expressing my creativity as I get older. It’s part of who I am.

But how about you?

Do you own and acknowledge your creative gifts?

Or do you believe you are not creative?

Maybe you were told as a child that you were no good at drawing, writing, painting. . .fill in the blank.

 

It’s sad when that happens, when an adult says something that damages a child’s belief in themselves.

What if that adult was wrong?

cre·a·tiv·i·ty

– characterized by originality of thought; having or showing imagination: a creative mind

We are all creative in some way and just because you can’t draw a stick figure to save your life doesn’t make you less so.

Picasso said, “The chief enemy of creativity is good sense.”

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