Now that you’ve watched it, what do you think? I’d love to hear about your insights and struggles.

Alex the novelist

Dear Alex ~

I don’t know exactly why I’m writing this here on my blog.  I just am.  And I wonder if it was inspired by this beautiful tribute post.  You know what? It doesn’t really matter why…

A few years ago you gave me a manuscript to read.  I’ve always thought of it as the Dearest Rook manuscript as those are the first two words of the prologue.  Anyway, I never read it.  I don’t know why {I’m sensing a theme here.}  I just didn’t.  In fact, I’ve moved it around from pile to pile of paper in my office until finally it made its home in an upright paper organizer on my desk just behind my laptop.  Whenever I gaze off into la-la land to give my mind a break I often rest my eyes on “Dearest Rook.”

Well, this afternoon while I was waiting for my computer to reboot I rediscovered your manuscript.  Before thinking about it, I picked it up and read the first paragraph.  And there was simply no way I could put it down after that juicy adventure of an introduction.  I have now spent the last hour reading every single word, sentence, and suggestion {there are notes in the sidebar.}

One of the final notes written about your manuscript was “very good” and I must passionately disagree.

It’s not very good.

Alex, it’s beautiful.

No, that’s not the right description.

It’s amazing.

No, that doesn’t sum it up either.

Alex, it’s literary.

It’s genius.

It’s literary genius!

And I *LOVE* it.

You are a master at crafting words to create a vibrant and very real scene in the reader’s eye complete with physical and emotional sensations.  You are a magical story teller.

I’m so sorry that I didn’t take the time to see this when you initially gave me the manuscript.  I can only trust that right now, today is the absolute perfect time for me to realize that you are a talented writer.  This is print worthy fiction and I am dying to know how the first 3 chapters fit together in the bigger picture of the novel, how the characters meet one another, if Yuri is murdered, how Edwin comes to believe, if Jennifer lives, and so much more.

Alex, it is no coincidence that you now work in a library surrounded by books.  I know that you are meant to write, to be published, and to be a part of a library long after you’ve physically left this world.  You are talented beyond description.  And you don’t have to wait to become a writer.  You already are one.

Please write more.  And if you’ve already written more of the Dearest Rook manuscript please send me a copy.

I love you.

~ Tia

Every time I go to Sunday service at my spiritual home I bring my Totally Awesome {that’s what it says on the inside!} journal and take notes. It’s cool because I have all my notes in one place and any time I need some encouragement and inspiration I know where to go.  Anyhow, here are my notes from the last service {oh by the way you can listen to the sermon that these notes were taken from – just click here!}

Listen to the music of your Soul…all the time.

It’s time to face up.

Are you the kind of person who can’t wait to get out & explore? Or are you the kind of person who goes out wondering, “Are you going to step on me?”

You get what you expect.

Who is the person at the root of your horror story?

Heal your life through your interactions with people.  Remember you are a “people.”

Be a Student of Truth.

What you expect, you attract.

Transform in each moment by moment.

In the girlfriend stage you’re trying to win them over & you’re your best.

Love.

Use your disagreement with this post to gauge what you know.

What you think of me is none of my business.

You are a disciple of the Holy One.

In your relationships know that:

1. There’s no 1 place to find love
2. There’s nothing you need to become
3. People aren’t lonely because they are alone ~ they are a alone because they are lonely.
4. It’s best to put a little more in then you take out
5. You’ll be happier when you give up your horror stories & engage in learning

Loneliness is a way of relating to the world.

Be teachable

Take back your life.

No wasn’t that a kick-ass sermon?!

Oh my heaven…I’m in heaven! I came over to the Palo Alto Art Center to register for the Book Class and I thankfully brought my camera. There is a community garden next door with a plethora of photo opps. My soul was quite literally shouting in ecstasy as I browsed the twisted aisles of fresh veggies and flowers. It is crazy beautiful here! What a blessing. And I’m blown away by how much it nourished my Soul.

Wow.

This is it. I’m really in a groove here. My newsletter went out this morning and it was smokin’! My next Coaching Call is filling up. I’m connecting with new people. The books are under way and the ideas are flowing. Thank you Soul!

And now I’m basking in the beauty of this amazing garden.  The above photo is by far one of my all-time favorites.  It’s so soft and colorful.  Oh and FYI no post-processing!

click here to view all of my photos on flickr

This is one of the best self-discovery books I’ve read and it’s all about “creating the work you love.” She poses this powerful question:

If you’re this successful doing work you don’t love, what could you do with work you do love?

If this question stirs something within you, then I invite you to stop reading this blog post, take out your journal, and write about it.

The really cool thing about this book is that Tama shares so openly about her journey. She tells the truth about the ups and downs of leaving the “comfort” of a socially-praised career in order to follow her heart. I found it inspiring and so helpful even though it wasn’t filled with worksheets for the reader to use. But, it is filled with poetic and wise words. I’ve known for quite some time that when an author has hit a deep understanding of a topic that she can write in a concise and simple way. This is one of those books with an added poetic bonus.

As a life coach, I pick up self-discovery books all the time. In fact, I have a library of ones that I haven’t had a chance to read yet. Lots of times I begin, get distracted, and haven’t returned to them yet. Well, this particular book I bought because Tama was a guest speaker at my spiritual community The Center for Spiritual Living in San Jose and after listening to her message my 16 year old daughter asked me to buy it. That right there says leaps and bounds about the power of this book.

Learn more about Tama Kieves on her website at AwakeningArtistry.com

Today I asked myself:

What is my heart asking me to do?

And here is the answer I received:

My heart is asking me to hibernate.  Don’t compare yourself to others.  Focus on nurturing yourself for now.  Non-action is heart action.  It’s only what you need for now.  It’s in the pause that you become open to receiving my wisdom.

As uncomfortable as this makes me, I know it is the right thing to do and today I let go of another layer of guilt.  I’m already on sabbatical and I give myself permission to relax through it.  It’s okay to stop trying and start allowing the answers to emerge.

So I’m curious…what is your heart asking you to do? or not do?!

p.s. Today on the Simply Fearless FB Fan Page I posted another awesome quote from my journal about beating yourself up. So if you are like me and find that self-criticism kicks in when you listen to your heart, then swing by and check it out.  Here’s the link.

This book shines a bright light of awareness into the dark corners of your heart, mind and soul.  Yes, it asks you to look where you probably don’t want to look.  In fact, you’ve probably spent most of your life running from these parts of yourself.  And that’s exactly why Debbie Ford asks you to go there:

Because you cannot live a fulfilling, purpose-driven life while you deny and hide any part of yourself.

I know, it sucks.  But, it’s true.  And this book will guide you through the grueling process step-by-step.  I recommend that you read this book with a partner.  Let me know if you’re up for it, because I wouldn’t mind reading it again.  Wait.  I haven’t actually finished it all the way through.  Yeah, I guess I need the support of a partner.  Like I said, let me know if you’re up for this and we can read it together.

During this morning’s conversation with God I asked him why he was always so accepting of me and giving me permission to feel how I feel no matter how much I don’t like how I feel and he didn’t even have to answer me directly.  In my frustration about his acceptance – can you believe I was frustrated by being accepted?! – I was venting about it and realized that if he scolded me for where I was at and told me that I have to do x, y, or z, that then I would totally rebel against him.

It was such an eye opener and all of a sudden I had a deeper understanding why giving myself permission is so much more powerful than pressuring myself into moving forward.

You see, I tend to do that: pressure myself relentlessly.

But, whenever I’m connecting with God he doesn’t do that to me.  Instead he continually tells me, “That’s okay.”  Even when I’m like, “I feel like such a failure!” he always responds with, “That’s okay.”

And this morning I was fed up.  I asked, “How is that okay? How is it okay that I feel uninspired? Can’t you just force me to stay inspired?”

And that’s when it hit me!  It really wouldn’t work if God continually told me that I’m not okay and forced me to take action.

So, if God is smart enough to know that force doesn’t work, then why am I continually trying to force myself?

You know, it’s such a human thing to force and try.  That’s really not what I should focus on here.  It would be way more powerful for me to make a commitment to follow God’s lead, give myself permission, and embrace myself along the way.

So today as I begin my day I am willing to commit to notice whenever I’m pressuring myself, to let it go, and to give myself permission to be where I’m at.  And you know what? I feel more inspired now than I have in weeks!

What about you? Which path will you choose? Pressuring yourself into action? Or accepting yourself into it? I’d love to hear your take.  Please post your thoughts, fears, and insights.

Get inspired at the Center for Spiritual Living

I have the pleasure of working my ass off as Dorothy!  Please join me as it all pays off on stage.  Here is the official announcement & invite:

You are cordially invited to “Ease on Down the Road” as Center for Spiritual Living presents another fun summer series.  Dorothy awakens after an earthquake to find that nothing is as she remembers it – nothing except her bossy, over-bearing sister, “Negative.”  Journey with Dorothy as she tries to find her way home and along the way meets a variety of L. Frank Baum’s most beloved characters, including Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion – all with a modern twist, of course!  The Wizard of SOM begins June 21st for six consecutive weeks leading up to a beautiful finale on July 26th.  Each musical vignette will be performed at both Sunday services, followed by Rev. David’s fabulous message; so whether you attend the 9:30 or the 11 AM service, you won’t miss out on this delightful trip down the yellow brick road!

Still begging and pleading for you to vote for me!  It’s super easy…just a few clicks away.

]]> http://www.cassandrarae.com/are-you-ready-for-laughter-and-music-and-cheers-oh-my/feed/ 0 http://www.cassandrarae.com/are-you-one-tough-cookie-too/ http://www.cassandrarae.com/are-you-one-tough-cookie-too/#comments Mon, 18 May 2009 20:50:26 +0000 Cassandra Rae http://www.cassandrarae.com/?p=864 Yesterday I attended a Mike Robbins workshop at the Center for Spiritual Living and my main take-away was:

I am one tough cookie!

Yeah, I’m pretty sure that wasn’t part of the lesson plan, but damn…I feel empowered!  And that was a part of the lesson plan.

We did these two exercises – that totally reminded me of Challenge Day by the way – and during the first one  I realized that I am super attached to “the rules” and that I am afraid of “getting it wrong.” This is what’s keeping me from taking authenticity (and my coaching practice) to the next deeper level.  But, you know what’s so cool about discovering this and sharing it with my small group? That just by sharing the truth about what’s keeping me from being more authentic is being authentic!  Did you catch that? My mind is doing cartwheels!

Anyhow, the second exercise was all about sharing what you appreciate about yourself and when it came to my turn to share I blurted out:

I appreciate about myself that I’m one tough cookie!

It’s true.  I’ve successfully made it through some life threatening challenges including going to UC Berkeley’s business school while being a single mom.  And you don’t accomplish that without being a tough cookie.

What really hit home for me is that in the past I was so tough I became hard and like Greg shared with me, a hard metal will crack upon impact.  But, a tough metal will bend, mold, and survive because it’s resilient.  In my journey of connecting with myself, creating peace in my life, and following my dreams and passions, I left Tough Cookie behind.

But, I really need her now.  I pride myself in being calm, positive, and uplifting – all great traits – and Tough Cookie is just who I need to fully show up in my life and play whole heartedly.

I’m so ready for this next step and I am super glad that I have Tough Cookie on my side because not only does it take guts to create and run your own business…it takes one Tough Cookie to parent a 16 year old girl.