Last weekend, we decided to watch the Carol Burnett Show's 50th Anniversary tribute.
My husband and I wondered if our teenager would be cool with it, but agreed that the slapstick element would probably keep his butt on the couch long enough that he might come to appreciate the glimpse of what comedy—an art that he loves and has a lot of natural talent in—looked like "back in the day."
His response was profound on so many levels. Not only did he belly laugh, but somewhere near the end, he said...
"Remember when TV said, 'I love my life?'...I don't!"
First of all, I love my kid and have no clue why his wisdom continues to stun me.
Secondly, it reminded me of something Gramma said every time we watched any sort of production with her. TV shows, movies, and even theater productions from this era were always met with a disapproving click of her tongue and the words...
"I lived through the best years of this world..."
I used to argue with her to absolutely no avail, and the more movies and shows I watch from "her day," the more I understand why she said it.
And it seems my son agrees.
When I coaxed him into sharing the thoughts behind his statement, he expressed it matter-of-factly: "Mom, the popular music today is crap. It revolves around drugs and sex and violence. And TV...well, we've found some really good shows that have good messages, but a quick scroll through New Releases might surprise you with how dark the imagery and titles are. It's sad."
It is sad.
And it is also the reason why I have always been obsessed with MESSAGES.
A short time in a classical books program showed me
how messages and stories not only inform of us our history, but create it...
A few hours with my young sisters and their mentors, music, and movies
revealed messaging that made me cringe and gave them nightmares...
A college experiment in transforming self-image uncovered the possibility
that the only thing between us and our potential IS the BS
that we believe because it's all we have ever heard and experienced...
A few days in junior high and high school classrooms proved to me that
most kids are trying to figure out how to survive in a world where messages
discount their point of view, crush their curiosity, and invalidate their feelings...
A couple of powerful messages made me feel like
I wasn't alone, that I wasn't crazy, and that there was hope that I could heal my life and create a new one with the power of my thoughts, words, and actions.
A few years of working with teens in a life skills program showed me that
all of the BS can be reversed in a few moments with
BETTER MESSAGING + HUMAN CONNECTION...
It's no wonder that I have spent the last decade of my life working next to beautiful souls who have stories that inspire and expertise that changes lives...
...and that the core of my work with them is helping them to figure out how to: - communicate their message powerfully, and remove anything that would undermine their intention (it happens all the time!)
- write it in a way that every reader, audience member, and client has
A SACRED EXPERIENCE as they read, listen, or interact with the material
Because sometimes...
We find ourselves in unfamiliar territory and facing a transition, a challenge, or a tragedy by ourselves.
And without mentors or allies who we can trust to hold sacred space for us while we are in such a vulnerable state, we go to the bookstore or search Google to see if we can find some answers on our own.
But information only gets you so far.
It's the human connection that ignites healing and transformation.
And I continue to witness this in these online workshops I'm facilitating.
There were tears the last time, and I smiled as I realized that these beautiful souls are not only moved by their own stories and messages and the drive to get them into the world... BUT was reminded that the experience of having someone give you their undivided attention while you work through confusion and into clarity is something highly unusual in our daily lives...and yet something our souls crave and need in order to move forward.
Do you have mentors and allies? Do they listen with all of their attention? Do they have experience (read: compassion)
in the arena where you are struggling?
If not, then please reach out to me.
I have the incredibly good fortune of being surrounded by astoundingly powerful messengers and mentors whose expertise and compassion cover just about every possible challenge you can imagine.
Whatever you do, please don't go it alone
because you are not designed to.
Frodo needed Sam Wise and The Fellowship.
Harry needed Hermoine, Ron, Dumbledore, and Snape. Luke needed Obi Wan, Yoda, Hans, and Leia. Carol Burnett needed Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman, and Tim Conway. I needed...well, LOTS of people...
...which is why I'm thrilled to make connections and also to introduce you to all of them on my new Mindful Messenger TV show which launches at the end of this month!
Get ready to be inspired and find mentors and allies!
SPEAKING OF UPCOMING EVENTS
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