Put on Your Cape

Nearly two years ago, I set out on a glorious new adventure into the world of Art. Since that first day, when I began gathering the tools of my chosen art form, my box of goodies has grown, as has my skill. When I look back on those first pieces, I'm astonished at how far I've come. And pretty thrilled with my progress.

Braving new paths can often be daunting. Lots of folks never take that first step, allowing their fears of inadequacy to stunt their expansion. I'm not one of them. I have come to know that Life is nothing but a string of first steps, waiting for us to rise up to the challenge(s). Now, more than ever, I embrace those challenges. I look forward to facing my personal doubts. I giggle at the voices that try so hard to stop me. I do it...anyway. As a result, the happy surprises keep coming. With each new piece I create comes a clearer picture of what I CAN do. It's as much a thrill as it is a liberation. In short, I have found, daring to brave the dark waters of doubt is worth every goose bump those waters evoke.

And sometimes, I wear my cape.

Something Else...

There's a whole lotta Ick goin' around right now. In the U.S., there's the horrifying Presidential campaign. In the midst of all that, there's also the reports of police brutality and citizens on both sides of the fight making things worse than they already are. There are hurricanes and flooding and then the "usual" crimes that seem to be front and center because everybody and their grandmother has a SmartPhone, at the ready, just waiting for the next thing to film and get their fifteen minutes of fame.

And that's just the U.S.

The world seems to be flooded with images of despicable people doing unspeakable stuff. All because this generation of tech wizards are looking for an easy way to make a buck, get their faces on the news, and maybe a contract for yet another ridiculously stupid "reality" show, with nary a stitch of talent to be found.

Ick. Ick. ICK.

But then....

There are those who somehow manage to find the Joy, despite the horrors. Those people who refuse to allow the Idiots of the world to dampen their spirits, taint their beliefs, get buried in bullshit.

WHO will NOT let this crap change their hearts.

It is for those of you who are in this latter arena, those of you who march onward, with your beautiful hearts and your unbreakable spirits and your generous acts of Kindness. YOU, Dear Ones, are the lights that won't ever go out. You are the glimmer of Hope that keeps the hopeless from jumping off the nearest cliff. You are the chosen ones...because you MAKE THE CHOICE to be who you are. For you, I open my arms and offer this:

NOTHING can stop us if we will just BE Kindness.

No.Thing.

I thank you all for your beautiful hearts and your cheerful smiles and your loving hands.

You are, each and every one of you, Treasures.

Carry On ~

REAL Courage ~

The following is an excerpt from the Tom Robbins novel, Another Roadside Attraction. I've posted this before, and now, again. Because I believe that too many people throw the word around mindlessly. I believe that what we often call "courage" is nothing more than somebody doing some foolish thing, whether for fame or glory, without a thought to what may ensue as a result of their foolishness.

Also, I believe there are many who display REAL courage, day after day, and never once receive the gratitude and appreciation for their selfless acts. They put themselves on the line, day after day, knowing the dangers, yet still follow their giant hearts without ever expecting a thing in return. I am speaking of the many who wear uniforms, whether they be soldiers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, or teachers. THEY are the people who acknowledge their fear, and do it anyway. They are the people who understand what real courage is.

This is for them.

"...so you risked your life, but what else have you ever risked?
  Have you ever risked disapproval?
  Have you ever risked a belief?
  There is nothing particularly courageous in risking one's life. So you lose it. You go to your hero's
  heaven and everything is milk and honey til the end of time, right? You get your reward and suffer
  no earthly consequences.
  That's not courage.
  Real courage is risking something that might force you to rethink your thoughts.
  And suffer change.
  And stretch consciousness.
  Real courage is risking one's cliches."

Thank you, to all the many who offer their courage so that we might live safer, happier, healthier lives. And...thanks to Tom Robbins, for the decades of thought-provoking words that still inspire me.

Go On! You Can Do It!

After far too many bad haircuts and the ensuing aggravation of having to come home and attempt to fix what they messed up, I finally decided to get myself some clippers and do it myself. I reasoned that I probably couldn't do any worse. I also reasoned that it will always grow back. Besides all that, one set of clippers cost about the same as one haircut. AND...if I screw it up, I have no one to blame but meself. But first....

Before buying said clippers, I watched a gazillion videos on YouTube on the topic. Sadly, the majority were for men's hair cuts. But then...my hair is as short as a man's cut, if not shorter. Mostly. The thing is, it's longer on top than sides and back. Apparently, when one is cutting hair, the head is to be sectioned into four parts: neck, back, sides, top. So it would seem the tricky part would be when I got to the top. Wasn't wanting to give myself a Crew Cut...but I figured...I'd figure it out.

So, I came home with my new clipper set, sat down and read the entire booklet that came with.  I'm one of those. Whenever I get any kind of new gadget, whether it's a cell phone, a sewing machine, or a cast iron skillet, I READ. Saves tons of time in the long run. Also, adds years to the life of anything worth paying for.

Anway...back to the clippers....

Once I'd read through the booklet, I set the handy carrying case aside and opted to wait til "tomorrow". Thought it'd be a good idea to let the info soak in. That was two days ago. It seems I was having a bit of anxiety over the cutting of my hair...{gee. what a surprise.} BUT...I was determined to do it, even if I made a mess of it. With this in mind, I did some deep breathing and set about the task.

One of the tricky things about cutting one's own hair is the mirror image thing. Especially when attempting to cut the back of one's head. You really need three hands to do this properly. Seeing as how I only have two, I was kinda stuck. After staring in the mirror for a few minutes, I decided it was time to trust and just use my sense of touch instead. Once I got the angle of the clippers right, I could just feel my way 'round my head.

I'm betting that right about now you're figuring I'm going to tell you about the giant disaster that followed....

You would be wrong.

I only messed up one little spot. Just ONE. There's a little kinda bald spot just behind my left ear. And you can't even see it! I can feel it, but it's not visible. So...who cares???!!! And even if I could see it, what's the big deal anyway? I mean, those "stylists" have done worse. Even the ones who charge wayyyyyyyy more than they're worth.

{Truth be told, I've gotten better haircuts at SuperCuts than I have some fancy salons. No kidding. Seems the more they charge, the less inclined they are to actually listen to what the client wants. Go figure.}

And now....at the risk of being clumped into that group of zillions who are obsessed with the "selfie" (which, by the way, I am not...and you can tell by how terrible these pictures are...I LOATHE the whole idea .) and for the sake of "proof",  I'm going to do it anyway...just so you know I'm not making it up. It may not be the best hair cut I've ever had, but it certainly isn't the worst.

One more thing {before those pictures)...let me just say this: if you ever decide to cut your own hair, please take the matter lightly. I mean it. Don't do it if you're going to freak out by the results. It's fun...if you let it be. It's also quite satisfying. Having said all that...now you can see for yourself.

This post is being written on behalf of all of you out there who want to step out...and do something....anything that requires a little courage.

Go on.
DO IT!
You CAN do it!
Just remember: it'll grow back.

CHEERS!

A Word on Courage

Once upon a not-so-long-ago time, there were heroes who knew what the word 'courage' meant. I'm fairly certain there are still heroes and they still know what it means to be courageous. I'm also more than certain that said heroes do not concern themselves with being heroes at all. They do what they do because it's who they are.

Fame is not their quest.

Today's heroes are no different than the ones who came before them. They are men and women and, yes, even animals, who go about their usual business each day, not thinking about being heroic. They don't concern themselves with what may come. They don't cringe at the thought of being a hero or having to save somebody or whether or not they have the cajones to do what needs doing when the time comes.

Which is what makes them heroes in the first place.

They're people (and critters. Don't roll your eyes at me. I know you've heard about those dogs/horses/etc. that have saved the lives of humans. So, yes. They get included here too.) who are going about their business when suddenly a circumstance arises and they must take action. That car that broke loose and is rolling down a hill. That little one who has no clue that the street is full of speeding monsters whilst he runs to fetch his ball. The woman who snatches him up right before that speeding monster runs his little ass over. That's just one story.

There are millions of them.

Hero stories are abundant. Yet, they only get thirty seconds at the end of every evening's news. And then they're gone. The only "news" that goes on and on and on (ad nauseum) is the stuff that makes us more fearful. The hero stories only last thirty seconds.

Which leads me to the purpose of this day's missive:

Why is it that we only talk endlessly about the stuff that makes us fearful/dreadful/sad/terrorized and not the stories that fill us with hope?

Why is it that we talk about which celebrity just got busted/ousted/divorced/re-habbed and not the ones that donated a gazillion dollars to help bring water to a village or build schools or get medical aid for the poor?

Why is it that the most popular TV shows are "reality" shows (which are so NOT) where stupid little girls name Honey BooBoo are overnight sensations because she had a clever agent, and shows that might actually inspire us (i.e. Leverage. Don't get me started...) get cancelled?

I'll tell you why.

{Well of course I will. What do you think I'm doing here?}

Because the majority of our world (let me define that more clearly: the majority of the United States of Boneheads) would rather hear/see/watch stupid shit about stupid people than get off their lazy asses and make a difference.

{Ooooo-EEEE! Do you feel a rant coming or WHUT?!}

Okay. Let's take a breath.

The name of this blog is "JoyZAChoice". I write these meanderings because (and only because) I want so very much to inspire you to quit yer whinin' and choose the things that bring you JOY. There are no ads on this blog. There's a reason for that. The only thing you'll find here that you have to pay for is my book. {What? You didn't know? Well, here it is: "Whispers". Go have a look when you're done here, okay?} Otherwise, I'm here because I can't help myself. It's my calling. It's something I have to do. I don't begrudge that fact. I love it. So, in case you think I've forgotten where I am, please know that I have not. The ranting comes for a very good reason.

And here it is:

I have lived by my mantra (Joy is a Choice) for a very long time. Along the way, I have uncovered a myriad treasure of words/thoughts/beliefs that have not only sustained me, but have lit a fire under my sometimes-lazy-ass so that I could fulfill this passion for fueling others as well as meself. (not a typo). One of the things that always comes back 'round is this quote, by my very favorite author (Tom Robbins). It seems that no matter how funky stuff gets, this is what comes to mind (yes. I have it memorized. I'm going to use it one day when I audition for some awesome play that has yet to present itself. You'll see!). It goes like this:

"...so you risked your life, but what else have you ever risked? Have you ever risked disapproval? Have you ever risked a belief? There is nothing particularly courageous in risking one's life. So you lose it. You go to your hero's heaven and everything is milk and honey til the end of time, right? You get your reward and suffer no earthly consequences. That is not courage. Real courage is risking something you have to keep on living with. Real courage is risking something that might force you to rethink your thoughts. And suffer change. And stretch consciousness. Real courage is risking one's cliches."

To that end, I challenge you to put your big girl panties on (big boy shorts too!) and get on with the business of being your own hero. If you want to save somebody, save your SELF first. Slay the dragons that keep you from your authentic Self and live the life you came here to live. Live the joy you were meant to live. Be the you that wants so much to make its mark on the world.

That, my friend, is real courage.

on courage...

One of the best books I ever read was "Another Roadside Attraction" by Tom Robbins (not to be confused with Harold, who wrote in an entirely different genre). Short of writing a book review here, I'll just give you the short'n'sweet: cool characters, great underlying messages, and perhaps the best quote I've ever copied. Kind of a mantra of mine. I actually wrote it out on parchment (in calligraphy!) and keep it tacked up on my wall so I can read it every day. For more than 25 years. Yep. I like it...a LOT.

So today I got to thinking about that quote (for the umpteen millionth time) and how it has affected me over the years. How it has been a light when there seemed to be only darkness. How it made me giggle at myself when I was being overly dramatic (oh yea. I can go there sometimes). How, in the face of adversity, that quote comes flyin' into my brain lickety split...and keeps me from straying too far from my balance. And I thought it might be fun to share it with you. (It seems like I have before but I can't seem to find it. So, if this is a "repeat" for you...oh well.)

...the character's name is Amanda. She is being held 'hostage' in her home by FBI agents who are looking for her husband. Her husband and his best friend have stolen the corpse of Jesus Christ from the catacombs of the Vatican. NOT something the government wants publicized. Like I said, cool characters. One of the agents has accused her husband of being a coward. He then proceeds to lecture her on the virtues of courage. Here is her response:

You risked your life, but what else have you ever risked? 
Have you ever risked disapproval? 
Have you ever risked a belief? 
There is nothing particularly courageous in risking one's life. 
So you lose it, you go to your hero's heaven and everything is milk and honey til the end of time, right? 
You get your reward and you suffer no earthly consequences. 
That's not courage. 
Real courage is risking something you have to keep on living with.
Real courage is risking something that might force you to rethink your thoughts
and suffer change
and stretch consciousness.
Real courage is risking one's cliches.

a word on courage

{to read the comic, click on the pic. It'll open into a larger view.)


It keeps coming up. From all around me. People keep 'telling' me about my courage. About how 'brave' I am. Personally, I don't really look at it that way. To me, it's merely a matter of choosing between love and fear. Or rather, taking the fear and turning it into love. A sort of transmutation.

Truth is, most of us do the same thing. We choose. Sadly, all too often we choose fear. You can balk all you want. But just take a moment and think about it. Those icky feelings in your gut. The stress that seems to be ever-present. The worry when 'something' happens that puts you in doubt.

All that?

Fear.

I'm not saying it's an 'easy' thing to do. But it's pretty clear that we have the choice. When we face our fears and see them for what they are, we can transmute them into love. They're there to help us. Not paralyze us.

(my personal fave:)
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

Anyway...I have this quote on my wall that I took from one of my favorite books (Another Roadside Attraction, by Tom Robbins). I read that quote every day to remind myself that there is NOTHING I cannot face and, more importantly, turn to my advantage. All fears are learned. Some came from a long, long time ago. Others more recently. Either way, it became quite apparent to me that in order for me to transmute said fears (into love) I must see them as nothing more than learned beliefs that I can change. Since they are learned behaviours, it would seem they can also be unlearned. And so, little by little, one moment at a time, I do. I look them square in the 'eye' and ask, "what do you want?". Answers always come. ALWAYS.

So then...that quote:

"You risked your life, but what else have you ever risked? Have you ever risked disapproval? Have you ever risked a belief? There is nothing particularly courageous about risking one's life. So you lose it. You go to your hero's heaven and everything is milk and honey til the end of time, right? You get your reward and suffer no earthly consequences. That's not courage.

Real courage is risking something you have to keep on living with.
Real courage is risking something that might force you to rethink your thoughts.
And suffer change.
And stretch consciousness.
REAL courage is risking one's cliches."

Carry on, you splendid Being of Love!
You DO have the courage...to live your life exactly as you wish.
What's YOUR choice?