I can’t go home. There are no trains. Still. Tokyo, the city where everything runs like clockwork, stops. Thousands stranded in Tokyo stations. Thousands making a pilgrimage of up to 8 hours on foot home. ABC Mart, a major shoe shop in Shinjuku, was open full hours last night and intends to be open all day today. People are buying sneakers to walk home.
And this is just Tokyo.
We huddle in the living room of my teammates home in Kichioji. Two of the roommates here walked home from Shinjuku 4 hours last night. We only walked an hour. We are lucky. His house is still standing. We are blessed. We have power. We are fortunate.
Northern Japan is in a state of national disaster. This morning we finally have images of what happened and news. Horrifying. Tsunami wipes out everything. Fires unstoppable. Nuclear power plant leaking. People trapped in snowy climates. Yet…
Unity. There is no fighting. People line up for buses, taxis, transport, convenience stores. Orderly. Honoring the rules of Japan. Organized.
Kids wear soft helmets as they are picked up from school in Ogikubo, Tokyo, Japan. Here’s a short video of the helmets just shortly after 5+ in Tokyo. 8.9 in northern Japan.
More to come…
If you know anyone that needs shelter after the earthquake, contact me, I can open my small home to a family if they can get out of the evacuation zone to Kanagawa.
This is a senryu (a non-seasonal haiku). In Japanese the syllables count 5-7-5 and I like the game to keep it the same in English.
Week 6 of The Artist’s Way: Recovering a Sense of Abundance. One major creative block to tango with is our feelings about money. How is it that we never seem to have enough? What do you have enough of?
And how is it that the Japanese can express such richness with limited resources (of a haiku or senryu of 5-7-5 syllables) when it takes most people a thousand words to paint a picture? Let’s explore the abundance of SENRYU
S. Sense of abundance.
Look around and look at all the treasures you have. Make a list if need be.
E. Energy in motion.
“All substance is energy in motion. It lives and flows. Money is symbolically a golden flowing stream of concretized vital energy.”–The Magical Work of the Soul
N. “No” 123 times.
Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul series, tells that he was turned down by 123 publishers before the 124 published his best selling book. Can you imagine the faith he had to pursue his passion and what faith he had that his creation was not just good, but deserving of rewards? Can you imagine being told no 123 times and still keep knocking?
R. Right things will bring money.
Mike Phillips says, “Money will come along when you are doing the right thing.”
How is it that so many wanna be actors and musicians think they will be doomed to a life of bartending or low-paying jobs. That an artist must live in squalor? If all creativity comes from the ultimate creator, would that creator want us to create in miserable conditions? Trust and believe that the money will flow if you are pursuing your passions.
Y. yruxuL.
So, it seems a little backwards, but yruxuL is key to our creativity and feeling the flow of wealth. Before we can feel the feelings of wealth, allowing ourselves the LUXURY of little things or big things reminds us of true joy. I’m not just talking about BMWs. I’m talking about the luxury of buying a CD because music inspires us–sometimes we deny ourselves these little luxuries which will prompt us into creation again. My friend Shasta gave herself the luxury of paints for study breaks when she was a university student. Now she yearns to get creative when she looks at them on her shelves. Allow yourself an allowance like when you were a kid.
U. Upload your images.
What images do you want to hold in your head of abundance. Visualize those. Search through Google images or flicker or draw or take photos of what you would rather be thinking about abundance flowing. Now upload those to your mind.
It doesn’t take a lot of words to feel a sense of abundance and to create more. It only takes little bits, or 5-7-5 syllables of a SENRYU to get the river of abundance flowing.
Affording nice things
Traveling when I want to
More to share with friends
What is it to you? Please leave a comment in senryu or regular fashion.
Week 4 is reading deprivation week. Here are just a few thoughts before you begin your week of pleasuring other senses:
Commonly asked questions:
Q: I’ll go crazy if I don’t read…what will I do instead?
A: plant tulips,
clean your closet,
have lunch or tea with friends,
have coffee alone while people watching,
listen to music,
twiddle your thumbs (to work on dexterity),
call me,
skype your friends and family,
connect with people in person,
go to your office mates desk and ask them what they would like done rather than reading a huge long report,
make up stories for your kids,
write a book,
write a few essays,
color in a coloring book,
read and re-read AW chapter 4 (she says you can read that and do the tasks),
go to a concert,
watch Peter’s comedy set,
go to a sento,
take some photos,
organize your desktop,
organize your iPhoto library,
declutter your home/office (I’ll be Feng Shui-ing Shasta’s house next week),
help a friend clean their closets,
Everyone, please add any ideas to the list.
Q: Can I check email?
A: Yes, keep it limited to business and urgent info rather than the FW: FW: FW: FW: This is HILARIOUS!
I’ll be checking mails.
Q: Can I surf the internet?
A: Keep it limited to essential work related things. Not finding a cute YouTube video and reading blogs (except mine…ok, not even mine).
Q: Reading is my only form of relaxation. How can I fall asleep?
A: Try something new or meditation or something from the list above.
Q: I have a report due on ___ .
A: What did you do in school when you hadn’t read a book for class? Try that.
Q: Isn’t a week forever long?
A: Nope.
Q: Can I watch TV?
A: Nope.
Q: But I’m on TV!
A: Since you starred in it, then you know the ending of the story
Affirmations are good and all, yet I tend to think when we want to change a behavior, saying affirmations such as, “I react calmly in stressful situations. I relax during traffic jams,” are just beating your subconscious into submission.
About a year after punching yourself with these positive phrases, your brain starts to say, “Okay, okay, fine, I am calm, just don’t make me endure any more of these morning mirror affirmations.” And so, what do I recommend instead?
Tonight I stood on the train platform in Tokyo station, knowing that I would have to be on the 6AM train for the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Hiroshima, just standing in line. Yes, train delay. I bought a green car first class ticket and, fortunately, my intuition told me to go to the starting station for this hour long train ride instead of the 15 minute faster route, so that I could get a seat on a Friday night after Bonenkai (End of the year party season) salarymen would be cramming their drunk bodies into the commuter train to the suburbs. And so, we stood. Hundreds of people on 4 platforms waiting for unintelligible announcements saying they had no idea what train would be coming first. I was waiting for the 9:30PM commuter liner along with many others. Some people waited for the regular 9:42PM train, 10-something, it’s 10:47PM now. We watch trains scheduled for well after 9:30PM fill up and sit there with passengers spilling out the doors.
A middle-aged woman and I began talking on the train platform. She also lives in Chigasaki on the north side of the station. Somehow she managed to get beyond my blonde hair and understood that I spoke Japanese. When the local train parked at our rail finally departed full of passengers, I cheered and clapped. Everyone stared. Yes, my behavior is a little odd culturally in Japan, and it might be at home in the US, too, but as I look around, there are only 2 people on the train platform who are relaxed and having a good time: Mrs. Iwasawa and I.
It’s all part of attitude which is what you create. You decide. You can either be miserable or you can relax and enjoy where you are because no matter how much calculating, guessing and complaining you do, the train is not going to come any faster. It’s not going to make traffic flow faster. It’s not going to make the chef cook any faster (well, maybe, but he might spit in your dish). It’s not going to make your partner love you more.
Change your attitude to RELAX.
R. Realize this is an opportunity.
An opportunity to do things that you never have time to do: read, check FaceBook on your smart phone, call a friend, make a new friend standing right next to you, write a blog, share a piece of gum, meditate, beat affirmations into yourself.
E. Expect understanding.
If you are running late, remember that everyone else is as well, and that your boss or appointment will have to understand. What else could you do if that is the only option?
L. Laugh at the situation.
Really have to get on an early train and not get home until midnight? Well, yes. Ok. I left the dinner with a famous New York Times writer seated next to me to stand on a train platform for an hour? Yes. Ok. That’s pretty ironically funny.
A. Appreciate any movement in a positive direction.
“Yay! The train across the way left which means the trains are running and we’ll be soon!” I cheered and clapped as Japanese laughed at me, reminding me that we weren’t moving yet. They didn’t get it. Mrs. Iwasawa began to understand as she said a small yay for positive thinking. It was getting contagious. The man behind me laughed. We are a little closer to home.
X. XOXO.
Give yourself hugs and kisses for being in a relaxed, calm, positive state.
At 10:50PM our 9:30PM train left Tokyo station. People stood down the aisles of the green car jumping in at the last minute. After stopping at the next station, there were vacant seats in the pre-purchased seating. The train conductor invited the people in the aisles to sit down. Iwasawa and I had seats from being patient on the train platform were eventually in the front of the line. We congratulated the people on getting seats. Many of whom smiled back and whispered, we are so lucky.
Mrs. Iwasawa just had a birthday and we found we were both December birthdays in the year of the Tiger. We had our own celebration and connection. It’s been a delightful ride.
You decide what attitude to have in any given situation. Next time, choose to RELAX.
“Hi. I’d like to take you out somewhere special, then take you home and do something creative with you.”
Maybe it’s time to try something different. Maybe passions will ignite. Maybe I’ll get lucky.
Has it been a while? A while since you’ve been on a date with yourself? Julia Cameron calls these Artist’s Dates; planning once a week to take yourself out on a creative date for 1-2 hours or maybe all day. I once took myself on a week-long Artist’s Date to Vancouver and Florida specifically to follow one of the passions ignited in me that I rediscovered while doing the Artist’s Way tasks–something that an ex laughed at me for having interest in.
Have you been feeling creatively blocked or stagnant? The Artist’s Date is the second tool for unblocking and being playful again with yourself. Go ahead and Indulge yourself. Who wants to DATE me?
D. Do it alone.
The Artist’s Date is a commitment of time once a week to be spent only with yourself. No family, no friends, no one shadowing you, just your inner child. It’s a time to refresh and be guilt-free about not having to take care of anyone else’s needs except your own.
Do you ever wait for a special anniversary, or someone special to take you out on a nice date? Dining at an expensive restaurant? Waiting for someone else’s schedule to clear up to see a show? This is a chance to romance yourself. We are good at avoiding nurturing ourselves. We are starving for attention, and often use vices to give ourselves the attention we want with food, stimulants, exercise, shopping, you name it, instead of feeding our inner child.
A. Activities list.
Make a list of activities that you’ve always wanted to do but not gotten around to doing. All the activities will be different lengths to fit into your varying schedules each week. Sometimes you’ll have only an hour, and others you’ll want to spend a whole day exploring. Pre-planning and anticipation are essential for this tool to work properly. Yes, surprises are nice. But the build up can lead to a bigger experience.
Here’s a brief list of some of mine:
• Go to a local museum.
• Pack a picnic.
• Buy a sketchbook and pencils.
• Go people watching and make up stories about the passersby or sketch them or what you imagine their auras to be.
• Ride the Yamanote line in circles looking for different things out the windows that you wouldn’t notice on a normal commute or strike up conversations with strangers.
• Roll a pair of dice to decide what train station to get off and explore that area.
• Skateboard to work and take different back streets home.
• Watch the sunset.
• Take a walk along the river.
• Ride your bike to see how long it takes to get to a few train stations away and see what is there.
• Take a long bath with candles.
• Buy yourself an ice-cream cone.
• Color mandalas or coloring book pictures. Coloring is mediation for kids.
• Plant some flowers
• Make balloon animals. The pump and balloon packages come with instructions.
Can you share some of your Artist’s Date ideas with me?
T. Tell your inner critic to take a hike…
down a different hiking trail. This is a chance for you to do the silly things that you might not ordinarily do. I bought colored chalk and drew pictures on the street in front of my house. Then I played hopscotch by myself. Everyone thought the kids in the neighborhood brightened up the streets. It’s being able to allow your inner child to be free like this that allows for creativity to flow and release the editor which can hold us back from truly living as we like. Occasionally my inner critic tries to remind me that carrying around a pink hula hoop is childish. I have to remind myself, yes, it is, and carry on because it does make me happy.
One of my favorite exercises that I do with my Personal Trainer is skipping–I love to skip. How odd is it when we have to have a professional tell us that we have to skip? Just do it.
E. Eye candy.
Artist Dates are for us to receive an influx of new images, celebrate, be festive, get new perspectives, and have unfamiliar input. With just a bit of new input, our output has a bit of difference. Savor the companionship of your soul.
It’s with these Artist Dates we are taking responsibility of nurturing ourselves which makes for a better relationship and self-satisfaction with our inner artist.
So, what are you doing this week? Come on, say, “DATE me.”
Nicky Bomba, the grinning percussionist for John Butler Trio, beats bliss.
Sometimes drummers can get hidden behind lead singers, but in John Butler Trio, each member is given their moments to shine. What I loved about this trio’s dynamic was both John and Byron Luiters (bassist) pivoted Cirque style giving focus to Nicky played full out. And even better yet, when the focus wasn’t on Nicky, he still held that huge smile full of joy with every beat. It was bliss.
Following the concert, The Pink Hoop and I interviewed Nicky for our Happiness documentary. I wanted to share a snippet of that with you because, although at first I thought “is this rehearsed?” as you can see by his playing and demeanor, he does practice his philosophy.
Joseph Campbell says, “Follow your bliss.” We may say it, now let’s simplify that to make it easier to find your BLISS.
B. Believe in your genius.
We all have a genius. It is our duty to find it. Most people don’t find their genius overnight, and some do.
Today one of the event helpers shared with me that her daughter is a big fan of mine. She’s 5 years old. She can’t speak. She has been told that she will never speak. Her doctor told her in the ‘literal’ translation from the Japanese: ”She is ‘retarded’ and there’s no point in trying to teach her language, especially English since she will never speak Japanese.”
What?! Well, her mother still has faith and continues to take her to events. She plays World Family Club kids’ English songs on repeat in the car. This past spring, much to everyone’s surprise, she began to sing along. She may not be in tune, and not saying the words clearly, but she has felt so much passion from the stage shows in the songs and the original stories of human compassion and unity, that she knows she wants to be part of that. She sings her heart. One of her geniuses is obviously love and passion.
Her mother doesn’t know what her daughter’s geniuses will be, and she won’t give up on her, no matter what the doctor’s say, until she finds it.
The point is to never give up seeking that genius.
What do you think you are good at? What do others think you are good at? Are you passionate about that thing that you and others think that you are best at?
Ask your friends, colleagues and family. ”What do you think my genius is? What are my talents and skills?” Some people will give you fluff. Some people will tell you things that you have been blind to. The insights you truly want will remind you what path or career you can follow. After all that, still, you need to rely on only one person to figure your bliss out for you–that’s you. Only you know what makes your heart leap with joy.
I didn’t realize that I was inspiring to some people, until women continued to come up to me in the restroom in seminars telling me so. I just thought, “This is me, this is who I am. I play full-out.” So, now what do I do with that?
L. Live fully.
“If it’s scary and exciting do it!” one of my friends and mentors, Peter Shaw exclaims. This resonates with me as it’s how I live. Oh, the idea of skydiving is scary and nerve-racking, but if it would be exciting–then do it! Opening my own business is scary to leave my secure income 9-5 job, but it seems so thrilling–do it! Auditioning for a band and touring around the world during a gap year in university–do it! Is it dangerous to yourself or others?–then re-consider it.
What does live fully mean to you? Are you living fully? What would you like to do instead of reading this right now? (Please wait until you have finished this article to go. Oh, nevermind, just go–do it!)
Don’t ask so much what the world needs.
Go out and do what makes you come alive,
because what the world needs most
are people who have come alive.
–Howard Thurman
I. I am who?
Go on a journey of self discovery. Allow yourself to indulge in daydreams, then go make those daydreams real. Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way calls them Artist’s Dates–a date to take out the person you love the most–yourself–on a date of playful discovery. Slipping your hands through the sand may be the key to finding your path, or at least the path to your path. Daydreams are seeds of the future. Go on a journey of self discovery. Find those little things that make you happy like whipped cream on your hot cocoa. Who is ready to grow a beanstalk?
S. Sing
What makes your heart sing? I think it’s interesting that in the Feng Shui bagua (the 9 areas to balance in your life) that Creativity and Relationships are right next to each other. When we have a solid relationship (and that can be with yourself) our creativity soars.
S. Synchronicity.
Dr. Carl Jung coined the term “synchronicity.” You know that moment you think of someone and you get an email from them out of the blue? It’s a significant coincidence between the psychological and physical.
Is it also coincidental that according to the Feng Shui bagua, Creativity has Helpful People & Travel next to it as well?
“You begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss and they open the doors for you. I say follow your bliss and don’t be afraid and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”–Joseph Campbell
When you to have bliss, be open to synchronicity and to have synchronicity, have bliss.
Now, go. Take action. Don’t just follow, march to the beat of your own BLISS.
Get the single “Better Than” by the John Butler Trio here:
A new season has begun of the 2011 Artist’s Way in Tokyo group.
While we do have fun and games–really we do play games, this group is obviously committed because they know what kind of results they want, even if the results don’t have a name.
Some want to unblock, create more, open up tubes of paint that haven’t seen daylight in ages, and others are looking for their path.
Excellent question: Will we find our paths? I’m seeking my path. Will I find it by the end of 12 weeks?
Soness: Is that your goal?
Excellent answer: Yes.
Soness: Then, yes.
Once you COMMIT to finding your next step, you are already making progress.
A problem well-stated is a problem half-solved.
C. Core issue.
What is your core issue? A problem well stated is a problem half solved. We create problems in our head, therefore we have the same capability to solve them, too. Once you find what it is you do not want, you can run towards what you do want.
“I want a new career path. I’m unhappy with where I am presently.” Great! Now you know that. What do you want?
O. Opposite of the core issue.
Now you know what you don’t want; you’ve identified the problem. What do you want instead?
“I want to find my genius so I can have a satisfying career.” Now you are on track!
M. Milestones.
In 12 weeks you may start a new career, or you may be on the path to the next one. If going back for a doctorate in Psychology is what you discover is your career, would it be realistic to say that you can accomplish that within 12 weeks?
One of the 10 fun careers I wished I had in addition to being a trapeze artist and a guru, was being a Feng Shui consultant. As a hobbyist, I read books for 8 years getting a lot mixed up along the way until I met my Feng Shui mentor Mark Ainley 2 years ago. Mark doesn’t take just anyone on. For him to call me his ‘protege’ is a huge honor. My milestone was researching and finding the mentor who matched my belief system that doesn’t speak woo-ey woo-ey, and believes in personal responsibility and setting intention. The next milestone was to have a personal consultation. My next milestone was to get a private intensive training for 3 modules equivalent to the hours put into a university degree.
For the guru part I enrolled in several courses which was one milestone to my main goal. Yes, research is a milestone. Then choosing the best one for me.
In 12 weeks I discovered paths beckoning me to follow them. Yes, it required not just time and financial commitment, but also taking more time to train flying back and forth between Tokyo, Vancouver, Australia, Florida, Bali and Hong Kong every month for 2 years.
What are some reasonable milestones in 12 weeks and thereafter?
Discovering who you are again
Finding hidden interests
Healing your heart
Opening yourself up to new opportunities
Putting on an exhibition or show
Taking steps toward breaking into Hollywood
…The sky is limitless
M. Money is a commitment maker.
Have you ever noticed that when you give something away, people don’t treasure it as much as when they have to pay for it? Here are some examples of consumer non-commitment to the service or end result requests:
• Could you teach me Spanish/French/English/Japanese?
• Can I stay on your couch for the next 3 months? I’ll help be your personal assistant and housekeeper.
• Will you make my website for me because I’m your friend?
• Could you edit my 60 page thesis for me. Oh, and it’s due tomorrow.
• You’re a singer? Now that we are new BFFs, I’d like to invite you to my wedding next month. And could you sing a few songs?
Yet we wouldn’t ask an engineer to build a bridge for free–it might not be put together very well. There’s a great flow-chart on whether we should work for free by Jessica Hische at http://jhische.com/workforfree.html
My primary belief system is to give it away, and yet, I’ve found that when I give away my services, people don’t appreciate them, or have difficulty finding time to make an appointment even for a free consult. I’ve also gotten feedback during trainings in Hong Kong and Bali from classmates and trainers how impressed they are with my level of dedication and how I “play full out.” Well, duh, yeah. I have a lot on the line: Firstly, I personally really need this information. Secondly, I am the only person who is spending another $1,000US plus in airfare and hotels each time there is a class to attend. It’s very expensive and I’m not rich…yet Yet at “leadership” seminars on the final day of the week, when asked, “Someone in the group volunteer to be the leader,” people are still not raising their hands. Maybe they don’t have enough invested. How we show up on course is how we show up in life.
Rob Nugen of www.chairapy.biz started a brilliant concept of taking massages to the offices for increasing productivity. He is a trained Thai Massage practitioner. He is constantly asked to massage for free or join an event, which is not non-profit, for free.
Are you a creative who is giving your talent away for free? When will you be worth it?
I. Imagine completion.
“We’ll see how it goes.” Is a non-committed attitude. Do you want change? Really? Then play it full out for the duration like there is no other choice but to get the end result you want, and you’ll compete with your end goal in your hands. How will you know that you have achieved that goal? See yourself completing the course. Hear the sounds of your celebration of completion. Feel the feelings of getting what you wanted out of the course. Then do it.
T. Time lines.
Set a time in which you plan to achieve the next level.
This applies not only to weight loss goals or financial goals, but also goals of the heart. For example:
“It is March 30, 2011. I am jumping up with excitement at my eureka moment when I realize my direction. I scream, “This is it!” and do a Happy Dance.”
“It is Aug. 30, 2011. I am standing on the train. I am finished mourning the loss of my loved one and feel closure. I say to myself, “I feel really good about moving on with my life.” I feel at peace.
People say time heals all wounds. You have a choice to determine that exact amount of time.
What a great start to recovering your creative self! Have you gotten started with the Morning Pages yet? I would love to share with you the importance of the Morning Pages.
Morning Pages are the primary tool of your creative recovery. Three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing to be done before your day begins (no matter what time your day begins, Rob). They are the foundation of your recovery. They are a form of meditation. They are the morning shower. They are the one place where no one, not even yourself, can say, “What the heck is that supposed to mean?” Because it doesn’t matter. No editor. The Morning Pages are not meant to be pretty, prosey, flowery, funny, or anything. They are the brain drain. They are your best friend who won’t gossip about you. They are your place to: moan, dump worries, anxieties about how the rent will be paid this month, bubble on about a romance, or whine that there are no decent (men/women) left in the world. They allow you to talk about friendships, relationships, job possibilities, and grocery lists. They talk a lot about physical issues, over indulging, over thinking, over eating, over drinking, under performing, under sleeping, and over whelming things.
I recommend writing them by hand because the hand and the brain are connected. You can see what state your mind is in by your penmanship. Some days they will be legible, other days they will be scribble. I try not to take the pen off the page. Some days they may be wet with tears or cat tongues, other days you’ll have epiphanies. There are no expectations.
I know some of us are too busy to write morning pages, and that is understandable, but you will never become less busy without the morning pages. In fact, you may find better clarity and ability to get more done in your day. The pages take time, yet give more time back.
For my chatterbox mind that has thoughts jumping into my normal meditation practice, the Morning Pages are freeing and actually quiet my mind. The page is a picture of your mind. It becomes clearer and clearer through time.
As I said, I have been doing the Morning Pages since January 1, 2009. I am not a morning person. I set the alarm an extra 20 minutes earlier (actually, 30 because I snooze) and even when I’m running late, if I just scribble down the pages, I find my mind clearer and I get ready faster. I would venture to say that I am more on time.
Here is something funny I discovered about myself in January 2010 when starting the Artist’s Way Season 1. I had been doing the Morning Pages daily for a year. I loved my Morning Pages. I’d sleep better at night knowing there was my BFF to listen to my dreams last night and ways of the world. I love, love, love my Morning Pages. No problems. I had a tendency to skip in Thailand, but I immediately got back on track when in my own bed (or Toyoko Inn on weekends).
I started the Artist’s Way group because a friend really wanted to do the program, but she knew she would need support. I promised to facilitate it. It had been a full year since I went through the book on my own, and I wanted to help fellow creatives unblock, too. So, here I am, Soness the Guru of The Artist’s Way, telling everyone how wonderful the Morning Pages are at the Artist’s Way introductory meeting. I preach, “Never neglect them–especially on days when you resist them, because that’s when you need them most.” The next morning I woke up and refused to write my Morning Pages.
“I don’t wanna do it!” I stamped my foot down like a spoiled child who was being forced to eat brussel sprouts. “I do not wanna write those stupid Morning Pages! I don’t have to because I’ve been doing them everyday for a year. Blech.” “You can’t tell me that I have to do anything. You aren’t my boss, you stupid Morning Pages!”
Where did this come from? Me, Soness the Guru of The Artist’s Way, having a temper tantrum with her BFF. Jeez. Then I had an epiphany: no one was making me do the Morning Pages. I was resisting authority. Then it dawned on me that I was the authority. I am the facilitator!
Deciding that I am my own authority, I sat down like a good girl and wrote.
Well, artists, now it’s your journey and enjoy the clarity you will find in yourself. If you have any questions or comments, I am open.
“…we all need the reassuring and healing messages that treasured rituals provide.”–Sarah Ban Breathnach
He’s 65 years old and reinventing himself yet again. Mr. Kitano leads an unconventional life for a Japanese man.
After finishing his law degree at Hosei University, one of the top 6 universities in Japan, he worked as a salaryman vowing once he got married to quit the company life. If his fiancee Tokiko had known that, she says she never would have gotten engaged. But she did marry and support him throughout the twists and turns of his life path. They became street vendors for ramen. Then opened a successful ramen shop in central Tokyo. When they became pregnant with their first of three boys, they returned to her native Aizu Wakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan to raise the kids in the country. He reinvented himself yet again opening his own real estate agency. And now in his 60s, passing on his real estate agency to his eldest son, he is challenging yet another field: acupuncture. He has devoted himself for the last few years to his coursework and opening his own private clinic.
Coming from a society in a generation that had one stable job for life, how does he do it? He reinvents himself using the skill sets from his previous work to start a new career. A senior, he just put together his own website with zero internet experience. He seeks others’ guidance on how to get a grasp on new technology allowing a small town man to grow his clinic. Most Japanese men tend to be resistant to change, yet he embraces it, asking younger people, even me, a woman, for advice, then runs with it.
We relate well. We REINVENT ourselves.
R. Recycle skills.
To enter a new field, you don’t have to start from scratch. What skills can you relate? All Mr. Kitano’s threads run together with building relationships in sales, keeping regular customers at the ramen stall and shop, and keeping real estate clients satisfied. He knows people, he’s great with minute details, and has a superb memory. He knows how to learn, and he knows how to market himself from scratch.
E. Experienced success.
What successes have you had? How can they relate to your next endeavor? Mr. Kitano has, against all cultural norms, experienced success time and time again in different fields learning along the way. So he knows that he can succeed.
I. Inventory your strengths and weaknesses.
What assets do you have? What kind of team or support network do you need around you to get to the next level? Mr. Kitano knows his strengths in communication, service, and perfectionistic qualities. He also knows he needs to learn about today’s internet marketplace, learn where to get the most modern advertising materials, and new advertising methods.
N. Next please.
Like a bank teller, say, “Next please.” Be ready to move on if what you are doing doesn’t suit your values. Yes, Mr. Kitano loved providing housing, but he also saw a lot of people needing treatment for ailments. He idealizes providing free medical care through traditional acupuncture which has been forgotten by today’s medical community eager to push drugs to get bonuses from pharmaceutical companies and doctors who spend less than 3 minutes per patient for an outpatient visit.
V. Vent to one, but not all.
What we focus on, we attract. If you are having challenges, continually griping about them to everyone isn’t going to create that positive result you seek. Yes, we all need to vent, and find one person or group with whom you can explore different options and have as a sounding board. You are not alone, and we want to focus forward. Mr. Kitano talks with his best friend, his wife, and she gives a good ear and sage advice. I have my business partner and partner who provide different views.
E. Elicit wisdom from others.
Talk with your mentor. Why reinvent the wheel when we can learn from others mistakes and make a new flavor? Even people in different fields can relate important information, giving a valuable perspective.
N. New network.
“It’s hard to get my friends to understand that I am no longer a real estate agent but a healer,” Mr. Kitano says with a pang. I can relate. We both agree it is time to create a new network for clientele. He also doesn’t tell people about his life as a salaryman in Tokyo or his ramen shops. People can’t understand. Unfortunately, he feels that since he has lived here for 35 years that it puts limitations on him. He still gets clients because he is really good and full of heart.
T. Take Time to rebrand.
It does take time to rebrand. Be patient with yourself and with others. Holding expectations of others embracing the reinventing of you will cause friction. Most people like stability–that’s why nicknames hold through the decades. Go out and speak about your new field, write about it, continue to pursue it ferociously.
A housewife can have the most qualified resume for a management position and a ramen shop owner can become your healer. Are you thinking about REINVENTing yourself?
As I have said before, I’m not a fan of resolutions. They are last minute promises that fail quickly. What we need is to completely change how we are doing things.
For over 2 years I have been preaching Revolution with The Pink Hoop. My life has changed drastically in the past years and one key factor has been The Pink Hoop, my traveling companion, portable work-out, and life style management guru.
The Pink Hoop has more than a few lessons to teach about how to live, so start 2011 with a REVOLUTION.
R. Rock star
Live it. What would a rock star do in this scenario? Back down when told no? Heck no! Get up and raise some, “Hell-o, could you make an exception in this case?” Rock stars are given a lot of perks. These allowances can be given to the average person, too, if they have the right personable attitude. The Pink Hoop is sparkling pink, and generally irresistible. People love to give her an autograph, better seating, or overhead luggage space, and they remember her for next time.
E. Evolution.
Not just for monkeys. Every day we grow and change either for the better or worse (even stagnancy is on the worse side, because there is no positive movement forward. The snow monkeys in Nagano proved that. They know that the hot springs provide warmth and that the humans make hot water pipes run under ground, so they find new spots to huddle.
The Pink Hoop started off as an exercise tool, and has now become a recognizable name.
V. Values check.
What are your values? What is important to you in your relationships, career, creativity, finances, health and lifestyle? See this article about values for more information how to elicit your own values.
For me the value of The Pink Hoop is freedom, to share joy, and meet people easily. It keeps with that value system. We meet people so easily that we got offered a ride in a Hummer through the snow to the nearest convenience store. The woman who owned it loved getting in The Pink Hoop.
O. Overcoming obstacles.
What has held you back? Better yet, what motivates you to move forward? Obstacles are for getting over–not for whinging about. Whinging is simply not taking responsibility. Bill Gates knew his obstacles, and while sometimes he couldn’t move directly forward toward his goals, he took side steps in order to clear the obstacles more easily. Lateral movements are still progress!
Hooping is about shifting your weight front to back, or side to side. You can’t stand still and have the hoop rotate around you–you are not the center of the universe, you are part of it, responsible for taking
action.
L. Live it, love it.
I sign off most of my emails with this. Fully living deliberately, not by chance, and love it for what is happening at the moment. Giving life purpose, meaning, not looking for signs. Luck is for leprechauns, and I’m a bit too tall for that. I do believe in listening to instincts, being open to opportunities, and receiving the blessings from that. What you put out, you receive. If you put out negative energy, that’s what you get back. If you put out positive energy, open for opportunities, that’s what you’ll receive.
U. Uplift others.
Living solely for your tribe is not enough to keep the balance. By giving to others without expectations, then we receive more in return. Conversely, do not give out more than you have because that is just silly. Is “Sucker” written on your forehead? Then consider what you would be willing to do without. Mostly, I am referring to uplifting others spiritually. A smile or a word of encouragement, even to a stranger in passing, can change the chain for their whole life.
T. Tempo.
Timing is everything. Taking too long, you can lose momentum and your hoop will drop. Spinning too fast, you’ll wear out. You gotta get the right tempo to constantly get projects done. Success likes speed. Keep it flowing.
I. Impatience.
Impatience can be a good thing. Impatience is often seen as a negative trait. I think impatience can help you get things done right here and right now. Why wait for steps 1, 2, and 3 when you can go directly to the source to get things done? Why sit there contemplating when you can get other things done in that waiting time? I’m thankful when I have The Pink Hoop and trains
when there are delays. I can get a work out, entertain others, and create a network.
O. Old you, New you.
Allow yourself to change. “I’m not good at ___.” or “I forget (names, keys, where I put things.” “I’m shy. I have a hard time meeting new people. I embarrass easily.” These statements never allow you to change. Once we program ourselves with these negative affirmations, then we are stuck to that characteristic. What do you want instead? ”I try new things.” Ok, try saying that and you’ll give yourself room to try new things, even if it’s not everything. That’s cool.
I could never hoop as a kid. In fact, it took me 2 weeks to keep it around my waist. Yet because of that, I am an extremely good teacher. I know how to articulate positively for success in the hoop.
N. New experiences.
Expand beyond your current comfort zone with new experiences. A mind once stretched can never return to the same shape again. It just keeps growing and growing. Once I got over the uncomfortableness of hooping in a public space, I became more comfortable approaching others for what I want in business and relationships. I am more comfortable with the uncomfortable.
People naturally smile when they see the pink hoop. It is flashy, but more than that, it reminds them of their childhood as carefree kids, they lived with abandon. Just for a few moments, they are taken back.
Are you ready for a REVOLUTION in 2011? Let’s go for a spin!
Yet at “leadership” seminars on the final day of the week, when asked, “Someone in the group volunteer to be the leader,” people are still not raising their hands. Maybe they don’t have enough invested. How we show up on course is how we show up in life.
Recent Comments