Happy Friday Friends!
I hope you've had as much fun as this gorilla this week (and if not, may I humbly suggest turning on loud music and dancing? I think that dude's got the right idea).
This week has been a mix of Body Talk Workshop prep (!), reading books by powerful women, and reflecting on the cycles of seeking, experimenting, and growth. To that end, let's jump in!
What helps me when I'm tempted to compare myself to others: Number 1 on this list is my favorite because the transition from comparing yourself to others to comparing yourself to your past self can be simple. It can be difficult to catch yourself in a negative thought pattern and expect to make a 180º change in your thinking immediately; so, instead of switching it up entirely, why not change the comparison from someone else to yourself? Try it sometime and see what you come up with; I bet some answers will surprise you.
Five ways to be fully authentic: In the same vein as the essay above, if you're comparing yourself to others and changing your actions/characteristics to be more like someone else, you're not being authentic to yourself. #4 on this list is the one that I come back to on a regular basis. "Stay in your lane." "Not my circus, not my monkeys."...etc are things I whisper to myself at least weekly. Just that quick check in and recognition can lower my blood pressure and frees my brain up for the important stuff like "what will be my legacy?" and "where am I going to eat lunch today?"
90's time capsule: Can we talk about these amazing outfits and haircuts? I didn't expect to get sentimental over acid wash jeans.
What fictional boss are you?: Are you more of a Liz Lemon or a Tony Soprano? I'm most like Jack Sparrow but I don't think my rum drinking is up to snuff.
When life gives you trolls, make them eat their words: I am ALL here for this kind of creative use of negative energy. What negative situation can you turn on it's head?
Pursuing the muse against the clock: I get a little weepy reading through this essay. It's a beautiful love letter from one amazing playwright (Lin Manuel Miranda) to another amazing playwright (Jonathon Larson). Jonathon Larson wrote RENT in the 90's and changed the way people thought about Broadway and musicals. Miranda wrote Hamilton over a decade later, changed the way people thought about Broadway and musicals again and, according to him, that's in large part to Larson's creative work. You never know who or how your work will touch other people. Put it out there. Please.
(and if you don't read the article, do yourself a favor and at least watch the video! I may also get weepy when listening to Karen Olivo hit those high notes).
Speaking of music, Senator Harris released an amazing Spotify playlist and had this to say about it "No matter where you are from or what you look like, music is a bond that can bring us all together. To celebrate African-American music is to dance, sing, and even march to the rhythms that have long served as vehicles for honesty, inspiration, struggle, success and joy.”
That's all for now friends. I hope you dance this weekend.
Have fun, be safe, and love on each other.
Alix