Owning Pink Bloggers
Are You A Succulent Wild Woman? (Happy International Women's Day!)
Are you fed up with feeling like you have to dim your light so you won’t make other women feel bad? Are you frustrated when something AWESOME happens in your life and you don’t feel like you can shout it from the rooftops because you might trigger someone who is too insecure to hear your good news? Do you prefer hanging out with women who lift you up, collaborate, and blow pixie dust beneath your mighty wings, rather than those who compete, gossip, and drag you down?
If so, this post is for you because you’re a SUCCULENT WILD WOMAN, to borrow a killer phrase from my friend SARK (aka, Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy). Today is International Woman’s Day, and I was honored to have an International Woman’s Day award bestowed upon me (deep bow. Namaste, my sisters). So in honor of this powerful day, I wanted to honor the power within each and every one of you.
When Others Want To Dim Your Light
I was hiking with SARK this weekend, and we were marveling at the joy we both experience hanging out with Succulent Wild Women. When you’re with a Succulent Wild Woman, you can let your hair down, be unapologetically YOU, and join hands while you skyrocket to the stratosphere.
Several years back, I was working with a life coach, and I had just come back from an artist’s retreat. My art career was really blossoming, I had 8 galleries representing me, and I had just gotten a book deal to write a book about painting with beeswax. Most of the artists at this retreat knew me and were aware of my artistic successes, and instead of celebrating with me, many of them were snide, sarcastic, and downright rude to me. I came home and sobbed.
When I told my life coach, she said, “Lissa, you just need to dial down your light when you’re around other people. You walk around with your dial on 100%, and it’s too much for some people. Just think of your energy as a dial from 1 to 10. When you’re around other women, just dial it down to a 3 or 4. And then everybody will find it easier to be around you.”
BULLSHIT. I decided I had outgrown my life coach.
I had finally ditched my masks and committed to being ALL LISSA, ALL THE TIME. I was sick and tired of being told to dial myself down.
So I ROCK this life and have many talents. So I’m gifted and feel called to share my gifts with the world. So I’m pretty and smart and sweet. So I’m an artist and a doctor and a public speaker and a blogger.
If someone can’t deal with that, then that’s their problem. Not mine. I’m gonna shine my light, baby, and if that makes another woman feel insecure or she projects shit onto me or doesn’t want to be my friend anymore, so be it.
Because this is me, damn it. I’m just being Lissa. And I’m done apologizing for who I am.
The Power of Woman
This is why I love hanging out with Succulent Wild Women. SARK was talking about the TV pilot she filmed in LA on Friday (wouldn’t you LOVE to see SARK TV? Oh yeah, baby, sign me up). I was talking about the book deal I just turned down. We were noodling ways to collaborate so she could share my new Get Out Of Your Own Way e-course with her community and I could tell you all about the incredible things she’s doing.
And there was no jealousy or one-ups-manship or snide comments like the woman who met me and said, “You know there’s treatment for people like you.” We can celebrate our accomplishments, expose our weaknesses, share our challenges, inspire each other, and collaborate rather than compete.
How Do You Know If You’re A Succulent Wild Woman?
It’s not about fame or success, though that often comes with stepping into your power. It’s not about wealth, though Succulent Wild Women tend to be magnetic, and money has a way of flowing to us. Succulent Wild Women own our feminine power, step into the fullness of who we are, practice being unapologetically authentic, get clear on what we’re here on this earth to do, and let our Inner Pilot Light sparkle! Succulent Wild Women don’t need to cut another woman down to feel better about who they are. On the contrary, we know that there’s power in the Red Tent, so we lift other women up and inspire collaboration. Succulent Wild Women don’t get stuck in fear-based thinking. We know there’s enough for all of us so we can be genuinely happy when good things happen to other people, even if someone else is experiencing something we wish to experience in our own lives.
Succulent Wild Women don't dial it down so they can make others feel good. They radiate so big that you can feel our energy in outer space. And we can manage our energy, so that if SARK and I want to take a hike on the busy San Francisco waterfront without being noticed, we can.
Succulent Wild Women are feministas. We know what we want and we’re not afraid to go after it. We love deeply and laugh hard. We cry often and don’t feel the need to hide our tears from others. We let our freak flags fly. We get out of our own way and don’t let limiting beliefs and false obstacles stand between us and our dreams.
I guarantee you that you’re a Succulent Wild Woman. You might not know it yet. You might not have stepped fully into that power. You might be letting fear and worry get between you and other Succulent Wild Women. But you are friggin’ powerful. I promise.
Do you want to learn to harness your feminine power, hang with other Succulent Wild Women, boost your business, overcome fear, release limiting beliefs, and leap into your dreams?
Sign up for the free Get Out Of Your Own Way mini e-course, or dive right into the 16 Step Get Out Of Your Own Way program.
Because you’re friggin’ powerful, girlfriend. And I want to see you shining that light, not dimming it down. I’ll be here, waiting to be your cheerleader, knowing that when Succulent Wild Women gather together, we can change the world. At least, that’s what the Dalai Lama says.
So let’s celebrate each other on this International Women’s Day!
Dial yourself up and tell us how you ROCK here in the comments. Show us your full glory. Brag your heart out. Lift up other women who do the same. Let’s show the world we know how to be cheerleaders.
I’ll start.
I’m Lissa Rankin, and I’m a visionary committed to empowering women to own their femininity so they can heal, connect, and thrive. I write great books, I change lives when I coach, and I make a mean raw veggie lasagna. I’m uber loving and I’m good at creating sacred space so people can be real. I’m an awesome Mama, and I’ve got beautiful eyes and pretty feet. I created this gorgeous Owning Pink community where Succulent Wild Women connect, and I’m owning how much my website rocks. I won an International Women’s Day award because I’m a Succulent Wild Woman. I wrote a life-changing e-course. I’m getting my sexy back. And at 41 years old, I can still do a killer cartwheel.
What about you? Give me your full frontal Succulent Wild Woman shout outs, so all the Succulent Wild Women on this site can grab our pom poms and lift you up. Tell us what’s awesome about your life, share your websites with us so we know how to support you, and show us what a Succulent Wild Woman you are. (You, the one shaking her head because she doesn’t feel powerful, you’re a Succulent Wild Woman. Let us see your gorgeous face.)
WHEEE!!! Let the Pink Party begin…
Cheering from the Red Tent with women around the globe on this special day,
Lissa
Lissa Rankin, MD: Founder of OwningPink.com, Pink Medicine Woman coach, motivational speaker, and author of What’s Up Down There? Questions You’d Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend and Encaustic Art: The Complete Guide To Creating Fine Art With Wax.
Recent Blog Posts
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- Solar Eclipse & Gemini New Moon ... Ophira and Tali Edut
- What Is Love? ... Bernie Siegel MD
- How Do You Know When It’s Time To Leave The One You Love? ... Lissa Rankin
- Let Love In ... Kim Anami
- How To Feel Connected In A Disconnected World ... Lissa Rankin
- Make Love, Not Porn ... Tinamarie Bernard
- I Forgot To Do Cartwheels ... Lissa Rankin
When you comment on an Owning Pink blog post, we invite you to be authentic and loving, to say what you feel, to hold sacred space so others feel heard, and to refrain from using hurtful or offensive language. Differing opinions are welcomed, but if you cannot express yourself in a respectful, caring manner, your comments will be deleted by the Owning Pink staff.
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Comments
Shari love
By Lissa Rankin on Thursday, 03/10/2011 at 3:22 PMYou rock, sister!
Rockin' my succulent, wild, pleapin' pinkness!!
By Shari (not verified) on Thursday, 03/10/2011 at 3:03 PMMy name is Sharon, Shari (arizonaheart) in the Pink Community. I just turned 44 and I'm feeling quite fabulous if I do say so myself.
I went through some bad stuff a few years ago. Lost my Mom, 2 pets, a great Love, the workplace that I allowed to define me, the loving relationship I once had with my (now 22 yr old) Son, and was betrayed by the closest of friends. Whew, all in a matter of about 6 months time! That SUCKED, and I wasn't sure I was gonna make it out of that.
I pushed one foot in front of the other, got a new job, took a motorcycle riding class, rode my ass off & blogged about it, joined Owning Pink, and have dipped my toe into the Motorcycle Drag Racing world! I got fed up with the double standards and ridiculousness of my job and I stood up for myself and walked out the door last spring, and I started nurturing my joy. I've blogged about life & my 19,000 miles of motorcycle travel, racing experience, and life's observations. I've been featured in West Cost Biker online magazine, the Times Union in Albany New York, and I'm currently competing in a REAL Lady Riders Calendar contest (you can vote for me here if you'd like http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/index.php/whats-hot/contests/2012-calendar... )
I'm not in the best of situations right now, but I'm not in the worst. I know I have a long way to go, but I'm still marching forward. I'm choosing happiness and choosing to look for it wherever I can find it. I'm CHOOSING ME and I am OWNING my happiness.
Rock on Pinkies, ROCK IT LIKE YOU OWN IT
Perfect time to chime in!
By Beth (not verified) on Wednesday, 03/09/2011 at 5:13 AMHey Hey Wildly Outrageous, Amazing Women,
You all rock the Casbah here on this page- well hell, here on this planet!
Lemme just start by saying that I'm out! I'm out and livin' outloud, large, and uncensored! Yeah, it's a work in progress but do know this: YOU WEAR IT, YOU CONTINUE WEARING IT, IT LOOKS HOT ON YOU, IT BECOMES WHO YOU ARE! Some will love it, some will not-
We are not here to ride on everyone's bus! Oh no, you are the driver of your own party wagon- you drive it, you choose the route, the colors and the volume!
As the old adage goes: we are caregivers at heart- kick ass, innate caregivers although.....we are not the ultimate mothers of taking care until, yes, until we master rockin' our own house- we know that....gotta live it!
I am a effin' kick ass manifesting wild warrior goddess on the loose with defined direction to gather women who are so in touch with their power, ready to turn it up, feel their "burn", live turned-on and raise the energy and feel the shifts in my core!
I love feeling my power from my heart, my core, my BIG, Bad Ass, Beautiful YESSS that speaks so everlovin' loud and clear! Oh yeah, we are tight- in it to win with eyes on the prize always-
Life is never, ever less than where the fun is at for me! I can and am living each moment as the best day ever!!! Leaving marks whereever I go! Loud, Proud, Hilariously Outragious, Sexy, Wild and Crazy- The switch is always ON-
Love connecting with you all!
We are here for each other let's utilize these bonds, babies!
Rock on and get down with your own beautiful bad ass selves!
Put your hands in the air Lovelies!
Can you see my light over here on the east coast?
Watch for it! I'm over here!
Yowzaaaa!
xooxoxox
<3 <3 <3
By Heidi M. (not verified) on Wednesday, 03/09/2011 at 1:30 PMGirlfriend, I like your style!
BETH!!!!
By Val Valentine (not verified) on Wednesday, 03/09/2011 at 8:52 AMBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SISTER WARRIOR GODDESS!!!!!!!!!!!!
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SENDING LOVE AND LIGHT AND LIFE RIGHT BACK AT YOU BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU INSPIRE ME.
Sisters Rise UP!
By Beth (not verified) on Thursday, 03/10/2011 at 5:34 PMHey Inspired Valerie!
We are sister Warrior Goddesses- We are all wild, succulent, amazingly, outragious in our own sweet ways women of the Universe!
Thank you for rockin' my world!
Rise Up to your Occasion baby!
Live it Lusciously Large!
oxox
beth
I love it Stephanie
By Lissa Rankin on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 5:59 PMI love your bony knees and your awesome hugs and your great writing.
I love it ALL.
WOOT!
Finally me
By Stephanie (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 5:51 PMMy name is Stephanie.
I have always loved. I've always known there was a better way. I've always known life didn't have to be so bland or so hard or so demanding in a negative way. I've always loved when people shine. I admire beauty in all its forms, I embrace vulnerability and I honor fear in the ways it helps us grow and makes us stronger when we face it. I have ultimate compassion for the struggles we face as human beings. I know that I don't have to understand everything and know everything and be everyone in order to have value. I know that I am here to live my life and experience and to give the gift of the light that is me to the world. I know I am a gift and that the world is a gift to me. I have been given everything I need to learn to open my heart so wide that nothing is left out and because of that I feel peace. My own personal journey has seemed challenging and I still hold a gremlin within me and as my heart grows stronger i embrace the process of learning about this gremlin and letting it naturally lose its fearful grip over me. My intentions are of love and there is nothing shameful about me or anyone else - only love and learning and growing in light and truth. The Universe is being channeled throw me so I may be of service. Any shame around this is only remnant of old thought patterns and beliefs that may no longer hold power over me! I know I am great and have always been great and so long as I am in my truth there is nothing that can stop me from doing what I am meant to do.
Plus, I give AWESOME friggin hugs, have a wikid sense of humor, love to explore and be adventurous, I'm an incredible friend and artist, I am infinitely proud of all the freak flags in the world, and I'm friggin BRAVE for facing all the terrors in my mind and heart that kept me holding back and afraid of the world for so long, and for continuing to do so with trust that I am always taken care of. I have a strong mind and heart and my struggles expand my compassion. Bahhhh! I'm also a great writer and I'm intelligent, creative, and supremely organized and efficient when I want to be. I have great style and an open mind.
My bony knees and fingers are funky and show the world that you don't have to be cookie-cutter to be damn sexy.
<3 <3 <3
By Heidi M. (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 6:05 PMStephanie, you too are Awesome Pink.
AWESOME PINK CONTEST!
By Lissa Rankin on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 5:45 PMI love that Heidi! I just decided to start a contest and will be officially announcing it soon, but for anyone reading, I want to come up with our own POWERFUL INSPIRING AWESOME term for women in this kick ass community. Mama Gena has her Sister Goddesses. SARK has her Succulent Wild Women. What are we? We've been calling ourselves Pinkies, but that doesn't feel anywhere near as wild, wet, and hot as we are. So what are we? Help me come up with the title! The winner wins a free version of the Get Out of Your Own Way e-course!
contest
By Shari (not verified) on Saturday, 03/19/2011 at 11:20 AMI would say we are High Priestesses of Pinktitude :)
You ROCK Sisters!
By Lissa Rankin on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 4:47 PMWOOT! SQUEE!!!! Yeehaw!
I love it. Keep it coming.
xoxo
Wow!
By Kathy (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 3:13 PMI am so inspired by all of you SWW! I love seeing women shine their lights and help others do the same. I am a Midwestern wife and mom to four great kids. I also love to teach yoga. I started a yoga blog http://k2yoga.blogspot.com/ but stopped writing in December. Reading this made me inspired to keep shining my light and writing more about my passion. Hop on over and say hello!
This is my blog about life on Wildflower Ranch here in the Midwest celebrating Family, Motherhood, Cooking, Art, and following your dreams.
http://wildflowerranch.blogspot.com/2011/01/we-are-magical-magnets-attra...
Keep shining your bright lights sisters!
Kathy Anne
My turn to shine
By BioBabe (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 2:41 PMI rock this life, I eat this life, I amaze myself, I am unbox-able and I hereby declare that I will no longer apoplogize for being completely 100% me. I will not shrink or shy away from all that is awesome within and about me.
I will run more marathons.
I will continue to love and cherish my boyfriend of four years who is(gasp)12 years younger than I am.
I will be "successful" in the science world as a woman who is easy going carefree fun kind warm hearted person.
I will take the response "you don't seem anything like I would expect a scientist to be" as a complement.
I will hold love in my heart for all the world.
I will wear purple cowboy boots.
I will cure breast cancer.
I will start a foundation and a movement to help improve breast health in East Africa.
I will raise awareness.
I will continue to create amazing art pieces and have more gallery shows.
I will write a moving novel.
I will DIY my needy fixer-upper house.
I will celebrate women.
I will embrace pink in all its glory.
I will.
Thank you for creating such beautiful space for all of us. Long may we all rock our pink hearts out!
Awesome
By Heidi M. (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 5:26 PMBiobabe, you are awesome.
Working on it!!
By Colleen {HappyLittleArt} (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 2:34 PMWhat a great post! Fun and uplifting!!
I'm working on being my own SWW!!! I'll get there, I'm sure of it!!
Robyn, Empowerer of Women
By Robyn (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 2:17 PMI am Robyn and I am an empowerer of women and of artists. I am a life coach (and NOT one who would ever tell anyone to dial it down!!!), I have created and held an online class 2X (repeating again soon, and coming up with part 2) called Artist Empowerment Class. I am a lover, a mother, a budding business woman. I am the one who will *always* notice the scared girl in the corner and do everything in my power to help her to realize her own light. I am the leader of a tribe of women. Soul sisters. I am whole, and I am reaching out to be part of the whole. Thank you for this beautiful post.
I am a being of infinite potential.
By Naya Aerodiode (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 1:59 PMSo if you don't like it, bite me.
I run a business. I am a skilled web designer, graphic designer and artist. I know how to impress the hell out of my clients, how to make them rave about me, and how to keep business rolling in, all in a way that is ethical and fair, working toward the best win-win situation for me and my clients.
I am an artist. I draw, I paint, I sew, I sculpt, I do mosaics. I've created great big graffiti art murals, amazing clothing from fantastic times and places, chainmail jewelry, oil paintings, acrylic paintings, and a whole host of other creative things. I do so much cool stuff, I can't even count.
I'm a hacker. I can fix anything I put my hands to. I am logical, a clear problem solver, a thinker and a doer. I use my technical skills to fix computers and to fix up an old house. Big or small, I can tackle the task.
I'm a priestess. I have studied the Craft for a decade and a half, and now teach the magical arts to others. I call upon the forces of nature and they respond to me. I have conversations with gods and spirits, and from them learn amazing things. I help others discover the mystical and the magical in their own spirits and in the world around them.
I'm a lover. I love my family, my consort, my friends, and the world around me. I am passionate in all that I do, because I love so much and want to contribute what I can to making the world a more wondrous place.
I'm the shit
By Lissa Rankin on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 1:28 PMHeidi, I love that you just wrote that. I actually started this post with "I'm the shit," and decided to ditch it because it might be "too much."
Well fuck that! So I'm too much. So bite me!
I'm the shit. And so are you (epic woman that you are).
And Suzi, thank you for honoring me in your post and for celebrating with all of us here and letting us bear witness to your marvelous radiance!
Let's call it what it is!
By Heidi M. (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 1:45 PMHey Lissa, let's call it what it is! Are we wild women or what? :D
LIssa and Her Light, Me and My LIght
By Suzi Banks Baum (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 1:18 PMDearest Wild Succulent Amazing Sister Lissa!
I love this post. I popped over here because I am working on my 100th blog post on www.laundrylinedivine by celebrating 100 Remarkable Women, and you are one of them!
I do so love your bright beautiful eyes.
I love you dancing.
I love your joy.
I love your intelligence.
I love your listening.
I honor you for your generosity today and every day, but especially today.
Here is me:
I brag I am an Heirloom Variety Woman, because I do things in ways that are fleeting. I am a Full Time Mom living in a small town, raising our 2 teens with my husband, all of whom I adore.
I am a writer of blog posts and my upcoming book "Laundry Line Divine".
I am a mixed media collagist, currently blogging about 'Re-Framing Motherhood" at the Museum of Motherhood, www.motherhoodmuseum.org.
I am an amazing woman in relationship- long ago a dear friend described me as 'loyal' and I have lived in to that quality today.
I have a wonderful garden that produces fruit that I preserve.
I live in an exciting community where I have multiple layers of intersection with people as a result of my kindness, dedication to the environment, and my passion for knowing others.
I am a Pleasure Revolutionary, graduate of the School of the Womanly Arts- fierce for turn on, in me and in others, in seeing this planet populated with women fueled by their innate relationship with the Divine.
I am a wife, yogini, a Sister, a daughter, a mother, a cousin and aunt, I love to sing, to laugh, to move, to be outside, to swim and hike and ice skate. I do all these things and more with my huge enthusiasm.
Thank you for celebrating today, Lissa!
I look forward to more of you!
Love, S
Rock-Star Zumba Instructor!
By Kiim Jenkins (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 1:17 PMI'm 45 years old, soon to be 46. I found Zumba and decided I wanted world-domination....meaning I wanted to help women everywhere discover their amazing-ness through the power of Zumba fitness. There is something about doing Zumba that just makes you feel FABULOUS! I am committed to being an example to all women that age cannot slow you down. I teach a killer fun class six times a week, inspiring women to shake their booties, shimmy their shoulders and flip their hair!
I share passion, enthusiasm, high energy and the ability to love who you are with the shaking of my hips and the smile on my face. No matter who you are, rhythm, no rhythm, extra weight, under weight, or whatever other excuse you can come up with, my Zumba class will leave you happy, tired, and exhilarated to take on the day! And I betcha...just betcha..if you keep coming, you're gonna LOVE what it does for your body, mind, soul....and life ;)
How's that???
Kim
SALUTE to Succulent Wild Pinkies EVERYWHERE!!!
By Valerie Valentine (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 12:41 PMI scream out to the Universe . . . Thank you for making me a succulent and wild and inspired and bold and daring woman-child!
Daring to create a business built on my highest values and dreams, I facilitate Internal Wilderness Adventures for anyone daring enough to wander into their own uncharted territory and explore the richness and depth inherent within. I am the therapist different, a bonafide art therapist, dancing forward to proclaim, "We are all creative Beings! With innate beauty, power, strength and talent just waiting for discovery and full expression!!!" What I value most and am dedicated to supporting is authenticity, creativity, and powerful balance and flexibility of head, heart, body, and soul. I offer innovative groups that lead each participant into a deeper relationship with their own passionate spirited self. This is evolutionary self-care and radical fun! My web-site goes live in two weeks and will include a product-line of activities designed for all of YOU . . . wonderful, exquisite, unique, kick-ass women! Please come visit anytime after the birth, we are in labor now, but this baby is coming soon! www.valerievalentinestudios.com
O.M.G.
By Lissa Rankin on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 11:57 AMHEIDI! You ROCK my world! YES! YES! YES!
More of this!
Take note, my dear sisters. Is Heidi awesome or what? Now that's what I'm talking about...that's who I want pulling up a seat at my round table.
Own it, girlfriends. Because you're FUCKING POWERFUL!
Oh yeah baby...
I'm Awesome
By Heidi M. (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 11:52 AMYou spend your life a slave to the Emotional Vampires. Then one day you sit up, realize you're quickly slipping through "middle age", and say, "What's going on here?" Then you do a quick assessment, and you find two paths in front of you. You can be obedient and get old and wear ugly shoes and shuffle off into oblivion. Or, you can cut your hair, except for the really long beaded rattail in the back, and paint your toenails navy blue and get a tattoo and NOT go gently into that good night. You can wear "chucks" with skulls and crossbones on them and 50 rubber bracelets with the names of your causes on them. You can stand up and make sure your voice is heard ALL the time. You can love without excuses or conditions. YOU CAN LIVE LIFE OUT LOUD. Let me repeat that. YOU CAN LIVE LIFE OUT LOUD. In fact, I'll even say that you must. MUST. Life is to be LIVED. For my sister, real life is in the garden watching what she planted grow. Her connection to creation. But for me - I'm loud. I'm a billboard. I'm a fist raised in protest. I am not old. I am experienced and world-wise. I am awesome. I'm a student sitting in a classroom full of kids who do NOT appreciate education. But I'm sucking it up like a sponge because I've been in the real world and know there's more that can be. The staff at the college doesn't quite know what to make of me. And that makes me AWESOME. Reject the ordinary. Reject the labels. The Thomas Theorem states that if something is perceived as real, it is real in its consequences. In my reality, I am awesome. And so, that makes it real. What you believe you are, is how others will see you. I have chosen to be awesome. Care to join me?
Awesome comment.
By Kim Jenkins (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 5:04 PMI just loved this and wanted to tell you so.
<3 <3 <3
By Heidi M. (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 5:31 PMWe should make ourselves those tags they wear in meetings. Hello my name is...... But we need to put on there "Awesome Pink". How about it?
I am in! xo S
By Suzi Banks Baum (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 3:04 PMI am in!
xo S
<3 <3 >3
By Heidi M. (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 5:33 PMGlad to have you. Let the world glow with our awesome neon! Pink of course!
Owning It!
By Heather (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 11:25 AMLissa,
I just read your book & these posts are awesome. Great job!
You have fleshed out this Marrianne Williamson quote I keep with me:
"We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you."
After I heard that quote, I fundamentally changed.
I live in gratitude, joy and am succulently wild. I have a beautiful eyes and hair, a wonderful son, a loving husband, a home I'm proud of, a good paying job, a talent for writing, a unique perspective on the world around me and a perfect post-pregnancy butt. I am a success, very proud of it and ready to give back to society.
The other freeing thought? We are just passing through time. The chances we take are ours and will be lost to history and time anyway. There is no need to censor yourself. Go for it!
Check out the women helping each other
By Lissa Rankin on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 11:18 AMShirley, bless you for offering that juicy biz tidbit to Kittie to lift her up in her business. THIS IS WHAT WE WOMEN DO BEST!
Congratulations Kittie for taking your leap of faith and thanks to the rest of you succulent women for shining your lights so brighly!
xoxo
I'm Juicy!
By Kellie (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 10:59 AMHi Lissa,
I've been through a lot of ups and downs in my life. Some of those events have left me stronger, some a little gun shy. However, no matter what has transpired in my life so far, I know the best is yet to come. I've chosen to dedicate much of my time to coaching women through my website, books, speaking, and private coaching. This career path is what I'm meant to do. I've noticed a change in me since I embraced this path, one that brings hope and much creativity. I do, however, feel that I'm on the edge of something bigger. The juice is starting to flow...
Thanks for your dedication to women. I salute you!
Kellie
Feeling Fear, but Flying Anyway!!!
By Kittie (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 10:05 AMHey Lissa,
So I've taken some of your advice & this week begins my first real steps into running my own business!!! YEAH...now I can finally make what I'm worth and be valued for what I can do & I can do a lot. My new business is called Four Dog VA, just as you suggested, but it took me a little longer to wrap my brain around it.
I can make MS Word do just about anything I want it to do along with Power Point & I'm in the process of beating Excel into submission LOL!!! I'm really good with social networking, but still have much to learn cause it's constantly changing. I'm learning new things all the time which feels really good.
I'm an amazing cook, awesome with animals, I'm a very good writer & usually can get along with just about anybody. My horizons are expanding & I'm trying to take as many people with me as will jump on board! My faith is getting stronger & I don't care who doesn't believe in God because I do & He believes in me! Fortunately for those folks God believes in them too:-)
I'm so happy for you that you are kicking out the jams the way you have been lately. Keep setting such an awesome example and maybe more people will "get" it!
Women ROCK,
Kittie
Rock on Kittie!!!
By Shirley Sukhanil (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 10:57 AMyou are FLYING Kittie! funny, FLYing was my post on FB yesterday =) we're on the flying winds
I love hearing about women like you goin on the biz journey!! yahooo.
and on that note, I saw on FB recently that Lindsay Wilson of Social Media Heaven is looking for someone to being on her team. and Stefanie Frank of Initiative Based Writing is looking for a VA too. email her stef@initiativebasedwriting.com for more info.
sending you lots of magic pixie dust to fly with wings soaring
Shirley
You ROCK Shirley:-D
By Kittie (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 1:25 PMThanks soooo much for the wonderful suggestions for business for me. Didn't expect that, but isn't it amazing how things will work out. I'll definitely be investigating further. Hope you continue to fly as well.
Thanks again,
Kittie
Thank you Lissa!
By Michelle Medina (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 10:03 AMLove this one Lissa!!! I'm still stepping into my essence, but for starters. . .
I'm a creative, loving, nurturing, caring, loyal, adoring, compassionate friend!
I'm learning how to brag my ass off! I'm learning how to open myself up to new experiences, how to accept new things *SEETHER's "COUNTRY SONG" for one! I'm still stunned by SHAUN MORGAN'S willingness to put his neck on the line*!
I'm learning how to acknowledge and express my desires, I'm learning that the world isn't as scary and frightening as I thought and that people are more helpful then we tend to give them credit for.
I'm beginning to go shopping at thrift stores and pick out my own clothes, BY MYSELF! Which is typically unheard of in the blind/visually impaired community.
I teach others how to open up, how to trust, how to love, that they are whole and unbroken *as you say often*!
I'm even writing love letters to myself, from a future lover! How wonderful is that??
I love me!
I also love all of you in the Pink Community!!!
Love,
SG Chelle!
We love you too Chelle!
By Heidi M. (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 6:08 PMYou too are an Awesome Pink!
Introducing the too long hidden Wild, Wonderful, Joyful Jan!
By HealthyLoserGal / Jan (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 9:58 AMLissa, I just wept reading your post because it spoke to my very core. Two long years I have been on a weight loss journey and have shed over 115 lbs now but - what I've gained is far more note worthy: I've reclaimed ME! The quirky, joy filled, bubbly ME that had been hidden for far too long.
And reading your words about not letting your own light shine really resonates with me. I am so proud of my own accomplishments, of raising a fine young man as a single Mom, of losing weight and getting fit, of setting and accomplishing goals, of ending a bad relationship and taking the time to rediscover the adult woman I am NOW, of being a writer, a poet, a world traveler, a photographer, a volunteer, an explorer, and an inspiration to others who are losing weight over 50 and getting fit again. I love encouraging people to set a goal and go for it... and I refuse to let anyone "dial me down" anymore.
I'm about to dial myself way up after reading this and go for the gusto that life is offering me!
Let's all let our lights shine and applaud the other women who do just the same!
Here's to us, sisters and Powerful Pinkies! :)
Jan / HealthyLoserGal
How did you acquire the
By Holly (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 9:41 AMHow did you acquire the confidence to let your light shine? Really? Because it doesn't come easy.
How?
By Heidi M. (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 1:25 PMI guess the simplest answer is, you just do. I don't know exactly. You have to make a pact with yourself. You have to say, I matter. I am important. What I have to say is important. I am beautiful and amazing and sexy. I AM AWESOME. Or any other superlative you want to use. (I was recently called epic by a teenager. I loved it.) Keep telling yourself that. If you see yourself that way, you will present yourself that way and others will see you that way too. Empower yourself. With me, it's through activism. Standing up for what I believe in really empowers me. Find what will empower you and go for it. And remember, you have a lot of sisters here who are ready to stand with you.
Thank you for the reply.
By Holly (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 1:54 PMThank you for the reply. Sometimes the weight and stress of life gets in the way.
Awesome Cyndi!
By Lissa Rankin on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 9:17 AMThanks so much for sharing!
Lifting you up today and always
Lissa
SARK Rocks!
By Cyndi (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 9:16 AMI have my own story of finding myself. It's a long story but Succulent Wild Woman by SARK inspired me to take my very first trip all by myself: http://somuchmorethanamom.com/flying-solo/
Love her and this post! :)
You ROCK Guillietta
By Lissa Rankin on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 8:35 AMOoh- I can just hear you SING! I love you already, sister. You can hang with me anytime. We'll karaoke!
Keep it up, my love
Lissa
Being a fellow Succulent Wild Woman!
By Giulietta Nardone (not verified) on Tuesday, 03/08/2011 at 8:31 AMHey Lissa,
Kick-ASS post! For a chunk of my life, I dimmed my light, then it got so dark in my world I almost stumbled off a cliff ...
WAKE-UP CALL.
Flipped on my lighthouse beacon and now I can see my path and all the great things formerly hidden in the dimness.
I'll join in you celebrating Succulent Wild Womanness!
I'm a karaoke singer, inspirational rebel, fear buster, comment fairy, and life awakener. Really rock, "On The Radio" and "Black Velvet."
I'm witty, fun, bold, obnoxious, outspoken, complimentary, obsessive, persistent, sexy, smart, silly, disobedient, spontaneous and energetic.
Am a fab essayist, columnist, blogger, logo designer, idea brainstormer, painter, friend, grass roots organizer, life shop developer and mate.
Giulietta
p.s. I have great hair!