Picture from cyclingcleats.com

Yesterday we asked, “How do we avoid getting trapped in isms when we’re searching for our authentic self?”

The answer is,  we find or create ism-less lenses, many different neutral, clear tools, through which to view ourselves. These might include values assessments, personality indicators and other tools that help us focus in on what we secretly know about who we are as individuals. In BoldMoves Country, one explores forty different lenses that look at diverse and sometimes surprising dimensions of self.

After we have looked at ourselves through enough ism-less lenses, we gain clarity about what fits and what doesn’t. We become clearer and stronger.

Then, we can confidently derive whatever value may be appropriate to us from ism-laden lenses without getting trapped in shoulds and other dogma. We are able to slough off the distortions, and gain benefit by choosing only what is relevant to our individual uniqueness. This too, is a life work if done in a vacuum, but with tribes forming, and work already accomplished by others, new possibilities abound and the time table can be greatly shortened.

Next, we’ll explore how diverse lenses work to help a person re-member core self.

thanks to margotmystic.wordpress.com

I’m a little bit inconsistent this week with blog subjects. It’s because so much new insight is popping. Today, we will begin a mini-series exploring Lenses of Self.

Key to making Bold Moves is developing the skill of self-reflection. Navigating the process of becoming self-reflective is very tricky because of the distortions we get as our ego looks for answers in the outside world. We look to religion, or to philosophers, or to pop psychology, or to the neighborhood wise woman, and we get confused because what they give us is always wrapped in some form of dogma or ism. Many isms come in the form of “shoulds” that don’t necessarily align with our individuality.

We can slog through all of the distorted lenses, sifting and sorting for what rings true to us. This can take a lifetime. But there is a way to greatly speed up the process so that we can, more readily, dance that life in our own unique steps. So, how do we avoid getting trapped in isms?

The answer, tomorrow!

When we finally get in touch with a truly Bold Move, there is an excitement that sets into the cells! Like we’re dancing inside ourselves. That’s a sure sign, and I’m thinking it might be because for a few moments upon first recognition, we are aligned with all of the dimensions of our uniqueness.

Thoughts and feelings are complimenting each other, and they both synch up with our values, our positive beliefs, our authentic passion and our most worthy goals. The body is awake to itself in a fresh way because the tension of being out of synch melts away – just for a while, a wonderful while.

And then, we get the fresh challenge of the creative tension that comes up as our Inner Critters catch on to the fact that they will soon be sidelined. They invariably raise a ruckus, trying to reignite confusion and with it,  fear and doubt.

That’s how it has felt these past few days as the business plan has come to completion. Allan and I both have been pondering the creative tension we will feel when our funding actually comes in.

Wow! I’m thinking Alert Level Purple, here.

I’m thinking that it’s a little early to talk about the whole Alert Rainbow thing because we’ve really only talked about Red, Orange, Blue and Green so far. But I’m just bubbling today with excitement and sticking to one color, even if it is Sunny Yellow, seems impossible.

The thing is, a Bold Move that I’ve been navigating some time now is right here on the deck today. The business plan is ready to go out.

For those of you who read the March blogs, you’ll know that writing the plan was a big, big stretch for me. And now, with help from Allan and other generous folks, it is ready. So, we get to stretch again, through the process of seeing who are going to be the lucky funding partners of the amazing Bold Moves expansion!

Celebrate – Alert Level Rainbow Fusion!

thanks to mlem1.wordpress.com

Okay, another thought on Alert Level Green.

Green is the color of an alkaline diet. Yes, that’s correct, we’re talking broccoli and spinach. We’re talking kale and chard and watercress. I can just hear my partner Allan wondering what the heck I’m up to now – what does chard have to do with Alert Level Green or with making Bold Moves?

Well, here it is: we define a Bold Move as a courageous action that is aligned to your individual core values, and as a breast cancer thrivor (much more than a survivor), I highly value the curative powers of an alkaline diet.

After surgery and 27 radiation treatments,  I asked my doctor about going on a strict alkaline diet instead of doing medication. Amazingly, he said, “Truthfully Shayla, I cannot guarantee that the therapy I must recommend to you would be any better than a strict alkaline diet, but most people can’t stick to a diet that is strict enough.”

My jaw dropped and I said, “Watch me!”

Seven years later, I’m still cancer-free and I’ve been on a strict alkaline diet that whole time.  I can say without equivocation that a Green Alert that had us moving toward  wonderful green foods as a nation would be absolutely evolutionary. Alert Level Green equals slim bodies, healthy skin, high energy and a greatly diminished chance of ever getting any of the nasty diseases that plague our society.

Who knew? Well now you do. Gives the greening of America a whole new meaning, doesn’t it?