On Owning Your Truth

Posted on October 10, 2012May 25, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 15 Conversations

The dream…

A Roman theatre filled to capacity.

Me, waiting backstage for the cue to walk out and introduce the keynote speaker.

And then…

I become the keynote.

I look out, afraid – not of speaking, but of not getting the words right.

Afraid that my message will be unclear.

That is terrifying.

And then…

I wake up, heart racing, message choking me in its intensity.

Everyone has a truth, uniquely their own even if the message is not yet clear.

Your work is to first, own that truth and then discover how to share its message.

“A kernel is hidden in me, a spark, a thought, I am life from eternal life.” – Hermann Hesse

My truth – I am a waker, here to rattle your cage. Even though, quite often you pretend there is no cage.

It’s not always comfortable, but that matters less than owning your truth.

For in owning what has been with you, a part of you your whole life, you claim that which is yours alone.

Yes. You have your truth.

Maybe you resist it, or make it wrong preferring another truth.

Someone else’s truth is compelling. Yours might seem hard or impossible in comparison.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” – Aristotle

I can relate, for my truth carries the weight of “Who the hell do I think I am?”

I am a waker. I own it, even though the message is still a work in progress.

You are born with your truth, and when you think back over your life you’ll find evidence for its existence.

Times when you were reprimanded for speaking it.

Times when you felt crushed by the weight of it.

Times when you knew without a doubt you were here to share it.

It’s why you’re here.

And since this is not a new message I am conscious of the truth and the irony.

You have a kernel of truth inside, longing to be expressed in a way that only you can deliver.

Right here, right now, share it.

The truth is yours, but the journey can be ours, together.

From Wonder Woman to Zen (12 truths about me)

Posted on October 5, 2012May 25, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 25 Conversations

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.

Continue reading →

How to Break Free of a Burnout

Posted on September 6, 2012May 25, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 16 Conversations

Too many people are headed for burnout. Maybe you’re one of them.

“Burnout is nature’s way of telling you, you’ve been going through the motions your soul has departed; you’re a zombie, a member of the walking dead, a sleepwalker.” – Sam Keen

Because here’s the thing – no one is immune.

I’m pretty sure even the Dalai Lama has to manage this to some degree. It’s part of the human condition, and we all go through it from time to time.

Sometimes it’s because you don’t know how to say no.

Other times it’s due to overwhelm of the awesome kind. There are simply too many great things to do, attend or take part in.

Either way, burnout is imminent.

“Just like there’s always time for pain,
there’s always time for healing.” – Jennifer Brown

If you’re too far gone down the path, you may not be able to avoid it.

The good news is, you don’t have to stay stuck there.

So grab a notebook and a pen. We’re doing this the old school way.

Ready?

MAKE TWO LISTS:

List #1

Start with Danielle LaPorte’s infamous ‘stop doing’ list.

Sit yourself down and get real.

I start with everything that’s currently on my plate – commitments, promises, projects, whatever.

Then I go through the list letting myself feel whatever energy comes up.

If my gut winces or my brow furrows, I get rid of it.

Do this with integrity.

If other people are involved, let them know where you’re at. Clean it up, repromise, change your mind – it’s all good when done in service of you being of greater service, to yourself and others.

If your gut flutters and you smile as you look at the item on the list, it’s a keeper.

It’s not rocket science. Trust your body. It never lies.

Continue reading →

Rise Up and Choose

Posted on August 29, 2012May 25, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 6 Conversations

You have two options:

1. The discomfort of taking action now

2. The pain of your ‘someday’ thinking

Choose.

Anything else is avoidance.

“Love what you want.” – Danielle LaPorte

You have everything you need to rise to the occasion.

For it is an occasion.

Dress up.

Open up.

Rise up,

and choose what you most want.

Rise up and choose.

A Deva Tale (includes a damsel, a villain and a talisman)

Posted on August 23, 2012May 25, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 27 Conversations

What do you do when you realize you’ve been resisting what you’re here for?

Maybe you hide out with busy work.

Or stop writing.

Or say yes to shiny new projects that are mostly distractions from…

what you’re here for.

I get it. I feel your pain. And enough is enough.

That’s what I said to myself recently!

I said, “Self, it’s time to stop resisting. It’s time to remember your intention. It’s time to get on with owning your awesome!”

My Self quivered at this vociferous demand, challenged to find the words to share what’s been going on.

Because you know, I wanted to find the RIGHT words. Which is just another way of holding myself back and waiting for my own…wait for it…someday.

Yes, I know I’m on a mission to obliterate someday thinking from the face of the earth.

Gah. I hate outing myself.

But apparently Self needed a public bitch slap, which is why I’m about to tell this tale.

Let’s go back to the beginning, for sharing the details of how it’s been is always better than waiting for the perfect words someday.

Once upon a time there was a wildly enthusiastic woman with a passion for helping others. She did what she had to do to become skilful in her chosen profession, she launched her business with zeal, and she hustled.

She hustled because she loved her work. She fell in love with her perfect people; they lit her up with their enthusiasm and commitment to living life fully.

Then one day something changed, although she had no idea at first what it was.

Continue reading →

Living Fully with Project 137

Posted on August 16, 2012May 25, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 10 Conversations

You never know where or when you’ll be struck by a wake up call; the kind of message that sneaks in and rattles your cage. And when you wake up to the knowing that there really is no someday you start to see these messages everywhere.

Because the reality is we all need reminders.

It’s easy to become complacent and comfortable with the day-to-day routine of life. And I’m not even saying that’s bad. It’s not.

It’s just not where we come fully alive.

“Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn

anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

is too small for you.”

– David Whyte

Fully alive is how I want to live, and I’m pretty sure that’s what you want too or you wouldn’t be here reading.

That’s what compelled me to take part in Patti Digh’s Project 137.

Continue reading →

Step By Step

Posted on August 6, 2012May 25, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 11 Conversations

Step forward. . .into your vision.
Watch as the details come to life.

Step back. . .into your Self.
Surrender, and own who you really are.

Step up. . .into your calling.
Be the one you’ve been waiting for.

“If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step,
you know it’s not your path.
Your own path you make with every step you take.
That’s why it’s your path.”
~ Joseph Campbell

Come to the Dark Side: permission to own where you suck

Posted on July 30, 2012May 25, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 50 Conversations

The past month has challenged me in all areas, mind, body and spirit.

I could blame it on Mercury retrograde, or my post conference funk, but whatever the reason, July took me out. You could say I’d been hit by a cosmic 2’x4′.

Me and my shadow; welcome to the dark side.

Blocked and doubtful, Lizzie on full-blown loudspeaker about my work and what’s next, and then because that wasn’t enough, blindsided by an inflamed disc in my low back.

Really God? You thought that was a good idea?

And just like that, I fell down the slippery slope to the dark side.

The dark side ain’t pretty.

Continue reading →

Peace Comes From Within (and other thoughts on living)

Posted on July 23, 2012May 25, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 25 Conversations

I believe peace comes from within. Looking outside yourself is the booby prize; there’s no fulfillment there.

I believe it’s ok to slow down. Sometimes it’s the only thing that makes a difference.

I believe in connecting with like-minded souls. They nourish me in ways unexpected.

I believe inspiration can only take you so far. You’ve gotta dig deep to take the right actions that will make a difference.

I believe laughter is the best balm to our wounds. Lighten up, the world is funny and so are you.

I believe we’re all doing the best we can. And. . .we can be and do better than that when we stop, breathe and respond. Reaction is exhausting.

I believe we each have our own unique genius. Your only job in life is to deliver that; the rest is distraction.

I believe fear is a great motivator. If you’re not afraid, it’s probably not your thing so let it go.

I believe it’s good to share and express our humanity. We’ll never get it all handled, stop pretending and embrace real.

I believe in declaration. Say what you want, say what you’ll do and say it loud so others hear and hold you to it. This should scare the pants off you.

I believe in love. . .even when it’s hard, you’re afraid, and you want nothing more than to run away. What would love do now is the answer.

I believe in living life on my terms. It’s ok that you don’t agree, you’ve got your own terms to live, so live them.

I believe in doing what it takes. Your dreams are worth the effort, so just do the work please.

I believe you get to say. . .how you want your life to go and how you want to feel about that. Don’t squander it or give it away.

I believe it’s good to rest in the unknown. You may not like it, but it’s where ‘what’s next’ is born.

I’m there now, a midwife waiting for the birth.

Kiss Your Tolerations Goodbye

Posted on July 3, 2012May 25, 2014 by Sandi Amorim 53 Conversations

You will make changes when the shit you’re currently tolerating becomes intolerable.

It’s that simple.

That’s what it takes to shift from tolerating and complaining about life to taking new actions. The pain of what you’re tolerating has to increase to such a degree you can’t take it anymore.

And that is a very good thing, or nothing would ever change.

But mostly we hate that it’s that simple. And we hate that it’s up to us to be responsible for our lives.

Instead, we come up with complicated reasons for dragging these tolerations around like an invisible ball and chain.

“I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.” – Robert A. Heinlein

So I want you to make a list of all the shit you’re tolerating in your life.

Every single thing that’s not how you want it.

Here’s how this works:

As you can see, it’s not rocket science. But you do have to get straight about the real reasons you’re tolerating shit in your life.

The first reason is a get-out-of-jail-free card, and usually a socially acceptable reason. But it’s also bullshit because all it’s doing is letting you off the hook for being responsible for your own damn life!

The second reason is the truth.

Best case scenario, you’ll be free of the ball and chain, able to take a new action.

Bonus? You’ll restore your integrity instantly.

The alternative?

“Argue for your limitations and they’re yours.” – Richard Bach

Over to you:

Create your list and tell the truth about why you don’t have what you want.
For each toleration on your list declare a new action.

Igniting revolution from the inside out.

authenticity