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JanM's post

Great to Extraordinary

  

 

Today is "All Hallow's Eve"  It is also the eve of my next 18 weeks of doing Transformation at a challenge level.  I am feeling so good this Halloween, free of the hold that sugar once had over my life.  I am excited to continue pushing through what I thought I could do.  I am excited to anticipate the miracles that show up when we open ourselves to more. 

This is my blog from June 29.  It summarizes really well where I was at in starting the last challenge:

Good to Great

blog_1415.jpg

What this Transformation means to me......

First, I must say that I feel very fortunate to be at a stage with my life---physical, emotional, spiritual--

that is good. Really, really good.  If it never got any better I could accept that and be genuinely grateful. 

I am thrilled to get some control over my body through the practice of BFL and my physical and mental health have never been better.  I started to feel pretty comfortable with things, and then came Bill with this new Transformation Challenge.  I thought for a while I would enjoy standing on the sidelines and cheering the rest of you on.  I am a natural cheerleader and even though I retired my pom poms a few decades ago, it comes from my heart to root for others. 

But when Bill posed the good to great idea, I had to admit there was no excuse not to participate.  In fact, who was I to play small?  Why is it more comfortable to be good?  Why does the idea of going for great scare me (if I'm honest) 

Doing assignment 1 wasn't easy.  No problem with the photo. I really appreciate my body and am totally cool with patiently exchanging flab for fab.  I've seen the progress, slow as it's been.  I'm stronger than ever. 

What doesn't show up in the photo is the part of me that kind of went away and hid out.  A part of my spirit that I have hid from the world.  I had my good reasons at the time.  I needed to get still and sort some things out.  But it's time to get back in the game I was designed to play.  The sidelines won't cut it now.

This writing by Marianne Williamson describes what I'm feeling perfectly: 

Our Greatest Fear

"It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.   We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?     Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.   Your playing small does not serve the world.   There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.     We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.   And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.   As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others." 

So I am in this challenge, all in.  Good to great.  I'm going to shine so bright I'll glow in the dark. Feeling the "deepest fear", and doing it anyway.  - From blog June 29 '08.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Today: Wow!  Stuck with it and I really do feel great. Life's feeling great.  I feel so much more like "me"...I feel cleaner, brighter, lighter, more relaxed.  With that comes going with life's flow so much more freely.  It doesn't feel like the end. I feel prepared, like something big is starting, calling.  

So as I embark on the next 18 weeks I am calling this "Great to Extraordinary."

During it I will be celebrating my "Halfway to 100" birthday and  I will be training for my first triathalon. 

What's the difference between ordinary and extraordinary?   The extra!!!    Extra effort in the things I do.  Extra love with everyone I connect with.  Extra care for myself and others.  Extra kindness in my actions.  Extra awareness.  Extra light in my outlook. Extra service.  Extra open for the amazing to happen.  Extra faith for going to the edge.  Extra gratitude for everything.

Happy Halloween!  Happy Transforming! 

 

October 31, 2008 | comments (6) | Uncategorized

Diane wrote 57 Days Ago

Dearest Jan...I just love Marianne Williamsom, and had the most absolute honor of meeting her last November. I will never forget my personal moments with her...what a LIGHT she resonates to the world. I see you in the very same Light...you are such a pure compassionate heart ...so very graceful in giving and caring...I only wish the very best for YOU, my precious starjumping sister!!! God bless you and protect you! Cheering you on with your triathlon...With love and hugs filled with so much happiness for YOU, Diane xox

Mark wrote 62 Days Ago

My favorite line was..."What doesn't show up in the photo is the part of me that kind of went away and hid out. A part of my spirit that I have hid from the world. I had my good reasons at the time. I needed to get still and sort some things out. But it's time to get back in the game I was designed to play. The sidelines won't cut it now."

sunlightandshadows wrote 66 Days Ago

Jan - This truly is an awesome post - you always give from the Heart and your words always touch my soul - You go Girl - You already have that 'Extra' ingredient! - Have a great day - Love and Light - Jaki :)

Maria wrote 68 Days Ago

Wonderful!

ProsperAlways wrote 68 Days Ago

Awesome post Jan!.....you are truly and inspiration to us all!

Kath wrote 68 Days Ago

You are so right Jan... the difference is in the extra! I know that's when I begin to make the most change.. You have done incredible and I am very happy for you! Your joy shines through and thank you for posting the M.W. quote, I enjoyed it. Have a wonderful weekend my friend! :)

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