Posts Tagged ‘bliss’

Owning Bliss: Nurturing the Goddess Within You

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

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Hey Pinkies, please welcome Amanda Miller, LE, CNC, and Bona Fide Bliss Bunny. Amanda is owner and Holistic Esthetician of Ananda Skin Spa & Sanctuary in Fairfax, CA, where she provides loving Organic Goddess Facials for women, while incorporating holistic nutrition consultation, and energy healing in her treatments. We can’t imagine any Pinkie who knows better than she about how to live like a Goddess. Deep bows of thanks to you, Bliss Bunny!

Got Bliss?
Bliss is the Divine nectar of the human experience. As Goddesses, it is our birthright to experience as much bliss as our hearts desire.  Yet there is much programming that disregards bliss, telling us, “You don’t have the time!” or, “You don’t deserve it,” or, “You can’t afford it.”  My heart desires lots and lots of bliss. And so, it is my mission to experience as much bliss as humanly possible in this lifetime while inspiring other women to do the same.

Slow Down and Smell the Bliss

When I lived in Italy several years ago, I was always impressed by how long Italians took to prepare and enjoy meals, regardless of what their day held for them.  A “quick lunch” on a busy work day in Italy would include a home-cooked plate of pasta decorated with olives, fresh vegetables, and grated Parmiggiano and was inevitably accompanied by a glass of pretty darn good red wine. The meal would last for about an hour, complete with conversation and good company.  If the Italians can find their bliss in a pinch, so can we! On your lunch break, think of something you can do to give yourself a special treat. Think roll-out mini Italian red-checker table mat with a glass of sparkling Pellegrino. Whatever it is, know that no matter how busy we are, as goddesses, we deserve these little additions–these doses of bliss.  And that’s the bottom line.

Bustin’ the Bliss Busters
It’s funny to think about how programmed we are to focus on being ‘good girls’–getting proper schooling, working hard, and pleasing our friends, partners, and family; so much so that bliss can become an illusory accessory available to us only on occasion. We’re also taught to emphasize appearances–to look good, embody all that’s hot and sexy, and appear as if we’re in bliss, even when we’re having a rough day.

I’m part of a community of conscious dancers.  The dance is about consciously expressing, loving, and healing ourselves.  Despite these intentions, I often catch myself wandering away from the sacred experience of the dance, and find myself becoming the self-conscious little girl, or worse–the teenage queen desperate to look cool and get attention.  When I dance to please others, I’ve strayed from my bliss.  Plus, anyone who approves of the fake cool me is not honoring the real me, and this feels empty. Instead, when I dance and honor the authentic me, I express my true bliss, in whatever form it takes; and it feels deliciously satisfying, bold, and never boring. I hope my crazy writhing and wriggling bliss-fests inspire others around me to dance theirs, as this is always so much more interesting and inspiring to me than watching dancers simply trying to look cool.  

You might ask yourself these questions: on average, every day, how much time do you spend living in bliss, compared to how much time you pass thinking about looking good to others? What blocks you from having more true bliss?  How can you have a more authentically blissful life? Are there some small steps to incorporate into your life to make it more satisfying? I encourage you to write these answers down and play with your thoughts.

Bliss-firmations
It’s time to create a new paradigm that honors us as Goddesses living bliss!  The first ingredient to a decadently blissful life is to realize that you’re worth it.  That’s it. You’re worth the time, the energy, and the money (though bliss doesn’t have to be expensive).  Next time you’re in front of a mirror, look yourself in the eyes and do this repeat these simple affirmations…or post them on the wall to read throughout the week:

“I forgive and release the blocks that keep me in fear, confusion, shame, and worry.  I forgive myself for ever having deprived myself from the Divine blessings.  I am worth it, and I  wholeheartedly surrender to bliss.  I welcome the Universe to fully bless me with as much bliss as possible!”

“Bliss is my birthright.”

“My flavor is the best flavor for me. My dance is the right dance for me.”

“I surrender to this moment’s bliss. I can always let go and find peace.”

Or, make up your own bliss-firmations, and say them every time you look at gorgeous you.  Finding bliss doesn’t take time or space; it’s a state–it just takes some practice.  So you don’t have to be a stay-at-home mom to achieve it–we can tap into bliss in under two seconds!  Try it right now.  Think of something fun, funny, that makes your heart sing, or just try on a smile and feel the bliss come.  Remembering your favorite cute baby sometimes helps.  It also helps to look in your eye and forgive yourself, all others, and all energies that have ever blocked you from experiencing your bliss.  I forgive you Allan, for wanting me to be the perfect boring student!  I forgive you mom, for wanting me to wear the itchy sweater because it looked cute!

Yummy Goddess Bliss Plans
To create a Goddess Bliss Plan, all you have to do is set an objective: how and why are you going to generate abundant, decadent, ridiculous amounts of bliss in this lifetime?  Then, create a plan to manifest and maintain your bliss.  To do so, I suggest setting weekly, monthly, and annual bliss goals. For instance, this week I will take a hot tub daily, go for three excursions outside in nature, dance often, and give myself a neck massage nightly before bed.  Monthly, I will get my toes painted and call my amazing friend Lori in Omaha, NE, who always brings more bliss to my life. Annually, I will go to Bali, because it is the Bliss Goddess Capital! Write down your Goddess Bliss Plan, and share it here with the rest of us. I’d love to be inspired with more blissful options!

Bliss by the Bowlful  - A Recipe to Live for:
Raw organic cacao nibs, coconut butter, banana, frozen berries, soaked wildcrafted goji berries, pure water, organic vanilla extract.

Mix all ingredients in a powerful blender until creamy and smooth. Serve with a garnish that makes you feel goddessy.  It’s required! I like hibiscus flowers, mint leaves, raspberries, or a puff of whipped cream.  Add a hit of bliss, and sit back on the chez lounge for a few goddessy moments….ahh.  Enjoy!  Much bliss to you this month.

Bliss: our pure and perfect essence blended with Universal love coming from Spirit.

Blissfully (how else?),

Amanda

Join The Pink Community and Feel the Love!

Mojo Monday: Imagine Your Dream Life And Write Your Obituary

Monday, September 7th, 2009
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Roz Savage in her boat

Hiya Pinkies and Happy Mojo Monday! Today’s Mojo Monday exercise was inspired by Roz Savage, who changed her life by writing two versions of her obituary. Roz was living the life many of us grow up believing to be the dream. She had a successful career, a husband, a home, a sports car, and money, but Roz felt something was missing.

Roz Savage Chose Which Life To Live
Faced with a choice, she challenged herself to an exercise- to write two obituaries, one for the life she was living, one for the life she dreamed she might live. “One-by-one, I shed the trappings of my old life,” she posted on her blog. Checking them side by side, Roz decided her life needed to change. “Little by little I began to realign my life, to put myself on track for the obituary I really wanted.” Since then, she has rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Now, she faces further challenges but is living her bliss, as she rows solo across the Pacific Ocean, trying to raise awareness about the environment.roz savage

My Own Pink Leap of Faith

I can relate to Roz, because I already ditched the life that didn’t suit me. I quit the fancy doctor job with the six figure price tag. I dumped the husband who treated me like dirt. I pursued my art and my writing with vim and vigor, and then I started Owning Pink, with nothing more than a Field of Dreams vision and no clue whether they would come if I built it.

You might call me crazy, reckless, even. You might think me self-absorbed, even narcissistic. And you may think whatever you wish. But the truth is, I don’t care anymore.  I reached a point, after decades of trying to please everyone, when I was ready to stop living the life others wanted for me and start living my own life. When my father died at 60, I realized that life is short- and precious. When he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and realized he only had 3 months to live, he realized he was already living the life he dreamed of living. But was I? HELL NO! Losing Dad (within two weeks of giving birth to my daughter, losing my dog and having my healthy young brother wind up being evaluated for a liver transplant after taking the antibiotic Zithromax) made me reevaluate. If I knew I would die in a year, would I still live the life I was living. No way. So I took a pleap- quit my job, uprooted my family, and began walking a path that landed me at Owning Pink. With no safety net and no sugar Daddy to support me, I had to leap all the way. I had to believe. It required faith.

If I Knew I Was Dying, I Wouldn’t Change a Thing

Today, if I found out I would die in a year, I would do exactly what I am doing. I would see patients 1-2 days/week at CLEAR Center of Health, because connecting intimately with women, helping them get their health and their mojo back, fills me to the brim. I would paint. I would write books. I would be with my husband and daughter. And most importantly to me, I would be here with you Pinkies. Why not travel? Finish all the things on my bucket list? My bucket list is for living. If I was dying, I would want my routine, filled with love, joy, peace, and authentic community. But that’s just me.

Are You Living the Authentic Life You Want?
What about you Pinkies? If you knew you would die in a year, would you live the life you’re living? Are you stuck in a life that doesn’t feel like you? Do you wonder how you ended up where you are? Do you think about shaking it up and taking a pleap (Pink Leap of Faith)? What might your life look life if you were willing to sacrifice security, summon all your courage, and venture into the unknown?

Now pull out your journal, Pinkies. It’s time for your Mojo Monday exercise.Obit

1. Close your eyes and take a few minutes to breathe deeply, focusing your attention on the moment of peace at the end of each out-breath. Notice how your body settles into the rhythm of each breath. Allow your mind to rest a bit.
2. Now, continuing with your deep breathing, write your obituary based on how you are living your life right now, assuming you take no daring risks. Be specific.
3. Return to your breath. Pay attention to the moment of peace at the end of each out breath.
4. Now allow yourself to follow your bliss in your mind. Send your inner critic to time out and banish fear from your mind altogether. Answer this question- What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
5. Now write a second obituary based on the belief that you are living that life.

Don’t just read this exercise, Pinkies. PLEASE DO THIS EXERCISE. You don’t have to share it with us. Maybe that feels too scary for you right now. But promise me you’ll try this. If you feel inspired, please do share what you’ve written with us. We can bear witness to the life your mind has dreamed up. If you feel brave, we can support you while you start to live it….

Remember, you haven’t died yet. Your life is still unwritten. You may not be able to control every aspect of how your life will play out- and don’t try. Understand and rejoice in the mystery of the unknown. But dreaming starts the process. Without dreams, we stagnate. Let’s fertilize our lives and GROW, Pinkies!

Watching you bloom,
Lissa

Owning Sexuality: How Bedroom Bliss Translates to Workplace Success

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

couple-in-bed-touching-face

Happy Sunday, Pinkies! Please welcome back my Pink Mommy Trish Rankin, who encourages us to make time for sex as a way to bring more happiness and success into our lives.  How do I feel having my mother write about sex? Uh…we won’t go there (just kidding- we’ve always been open about this stuff).  It’s easy to get so busy we forget that sex is good for us and is part of Owning Pink.

A Healthy Sex life may equate to better pay. No kidding. The Today Show ran a segment about a recent study by Dr. Helen Fisher, who evaluated 40,000 married couples and found that a healthy sex life produced more productive and focused employees. During sex, the body releases oxytocin, which causes a feeling of relaxation. Dopamine and testosterone also rise. These biochemical changes help us sleep better, feel more creative, more focused, more energetic and even more self-confident. Those with higher levels of dopamine and testosterone reported making more money in the workplace. A fulfilling sex life produced more self-reliance, better motivation, more relaxation, and more self-esteem, and these translated to being more productive and less uptight in the workplace. In other words, happiness in the bedroom can lead to greater success in the workplace.

If you have a healthy sex life, it likely means you are communicating well and that will show up in your ability to deal with your co-workers. Walking into the office with those positive feelings is bound to produce a better team player. Ian Kerner, author of Love in the Time of Colic, has translated this study and found that with a healthy sex life, you build endorphins, feel valued and gain confidence.

The reverse has also been found to be true. If you are unhappy in the bedroom, you arrive at work more frustrated, less patient, more unhappy and distracted. You are vulnerable to affairs and infidelities. Also, less sex means a couple is less forgiving of their mates. It has been proven that after a good sexual experience, a couple is more likely to forgive each other and therefore are in better harmony with life in general.

So what can you do about it? Helen Fisher recommends you set sex as a priority-over TV, talking on the phone, or other distractions. As unromantic as it might sound, set a schedule for lovemaking. Communicating your needs and being attentive to the needs of your partner is paramount. Sex is not just for procreation.  It can actually help make you happier at home and at work.

What about you Pinkies? Are your sexual needs being met? Are you meeting your partners needs?  Are you prioritizing sex in your relationship? If things aren’t the way you wish they were, set an intention for how you wish to change your sexual situation. Write it down. Keep it by your bed to remind you what you wish to manifest.

Wishing you sexual bliss and harmony,

Trish

Boost Your Mojo By Identifying Your Natural Gifts

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Encaustic Painting in Big Sur

Encaustic Painting in Big Sur

What comes easily to you, Pinkies? Have you ever thought about it? Do you possess unnatural gifts in some special area? What do you really love to do? Is there anything people frequently tell you is special about you? At the root of the answers to these questions lie some truths about your authentic self, who you really are.

Identify Your Natural Gifts

Maybe your friends admire you as the world’s best mix CD maker. Maybe you have an uncanny ability to come up with exactly what everybody owes when a large group splits the dinner bill. Perhaps you’ve always been a speed reader and can dash through three books a day with perfect comprehension. Or you can cook a gourmet meal with whatever is in the fridge, with no shopping list, no recipe, and lots of creativity. Maybe you’re ridiculously skilled at memorizing every song lyric you’ve ever heard or you can whip up the meanest cup of coffee or you’ve got the world’s greenest thumb. What comes naturally to you? What are those gifts? Are you utilizing them to your full potential?

No One’s Going To Give You A Medal For Doing What’s Hard

So often, we spin our wheels spending our time doing what we think we should do, rather what fully utilizes our gifts. Chances are, if someone had counseled me to ask that question honestly when I was younger, I probably would have avoided medical school. The classes I had to take to become a doctor were the exact opposite of what came easily. Writing has always been as natural and easy as breathing to me, whereas calculus, physics, biochemistry, pharmacology- forget it! Taking those classes was like pulling teeth from my authentic self. Sure, I could do it. But my new motto in life is “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” Sure, if I worked hard enough, I could make straight A’s in math and science. But was I a natural? No way! So I spent twelve years struggling to accomplish something that didn’t come naturally to me. Why? I’m not really sure. I think I thought life was supposed to be hard and that doing what comes easily was a cop-out. But I find that life feels so much more authentic and my mojo is much more jazzed if I’m spending my time doing what comes naturally to me- writing, painting, being a Mom, and counseling clients about how to get their mojo back.

What about you? Do you engage in work and activities that come easily to you, or are you always pushing yourself to stray far from your comfort zone? I used to do that. I think I wore my martyrdom as a badge of honor. Why would you do what comes naturally when you could struggle forth, like a soldier in battle? But that’s how your authentic self gets worn down. If you’re never giving yourself mojo shots from your authentic self, it’s no wonder your mojo weakens.

Find Ways to Incorporate What Comes Easily Into Your Life

Try boosting your mojo by identifying what you’re really good at, how you really love to spend your time, what allows you to stop struggling and start being YOU. Once you’ve identified what that is, can you figure out a way to spend more of your time doing what you’re good at and less time struggling to be something you’re not? In my past life, I used to do a lot of surgery- hysterectomies, C-sections, tying tubes- stuff like that. While I was good at it, operating always totally stressed me out. I thought I was supposed to be a surgeon. After all, I trained to be a surgeon, my patients expected me to operate, and it’s what an OB/GYN is supposed to do, right?

What I realized is that I can craft my life any way I choose. What did I like most about being an OB/GYN? What was I best at? Talking, relating, listening, being fully present for my patients, inspiring them to seek better, healthier lives. So I quit operating and focused my practice on what I’m good at. And I started Owning Pink, where I get to virtually talk, relate, listen, and be fully present while helping Pinkies find their mojo. I’m so happier since I chose to change my life.

What about you? How might you alter your life to reflect your most authentic self? Be creative. Think outside the box. Write about it in your journal. Meditate on it. You never know what might happen when you let your authentic self come out to play…. Now go find your bliss, Pinkies!

Doing what comes naturally,
Lissa